This past August, in recognition of Black Philanthropy Month and the global call to honor the theme of Sankofa — a West African principle that urges us to “go back and get it” — we proudly welcomed the next class of Gamechangers: Black philanthropic leaders and bold collaborators shaping the future through innovation, generosity, and trust.

Tell us your story. (Your journey, your work, or what brought you to where you are today.)

I was born and raised in New Orleans, where preserving culture is a way of life. It feeds us, sustains us, and tells the world who we are. After graduating from Xavier University of Louisiana, I interned with the Historic Garden District, where I first experienced how preservation, history, and storytelling intersect through PR and community engagement.

Years later, when I opened an office on Nashville’s Historic Jefferson Street, I saw that much of its cultural legacy was not being preserved at the level it deserved. Jefferson Street once had more than 90 Black-owned businesses, but too often people would simply say, “that used to be,” without asking how we can honor and build upon what still exists.

I approached the elders, including business owners, community leaders, and mentors such as Rosetta Miller Perry, and urged them to form a historical society to preserve Jefferson Street’s culture and history. Together, we founded the Jefferson Street Historical Society, blending the wisdom of longtime leaders with a new generation of preservationists. Our mission began with protecting culture, and now extends to regenerating land, creating spaces, and amplifying the value of this historic community.

Name a person, tradition, or community value from your past that guides how you give or serve today.

I’ve always been guided by the value of ecosystem building. When I moved to Nashville, I knew I wanted to open my business on Historic Jefferson Street, but I also saw the community needed more systems of support. I sought wisdom from elders and mentors who taught me that you cannot build something for yourself without making sure the community benefits too. That has become my model: everything I do must create opportunities for others to thrive, whether it’s bringing in business, sparking connections, or helping neighbors show up and be seen.

Sankofa teaches us to look back so we can move forward. If you could speak to your younger self or to future generations of Black gamechangers, what lesson or moment from your past would you share?

I’ve lived by the motto of Sankofa for a long time: everything begins with history and ancestry. There have been thousands of me before me, and 160 years of Black businesses on Jefferson Street. That legacy matters. As a young Black girl raised by a military dad and a strong mom, I was taught to stand up for family and for what is right. Knowing that our people have tried, failed, and triumphed before gives me the strength to keep pushing forward.

The parable of the talents teaches us to grow and share what we’ve been given. How have you used your gifts — whether time, talent, or resources — to make an impact in your community?

Jefferson Street is just the beginning. Over the last five years, my team of ten has contributed nearly 10,000 hours of pro bono work from Washington, D.C. to New Orleans to Nashville. We’ve helped lead major historic projects like the Fifth Avenue sit-in markers and the annual John Lewis March, which now draws thousands. For me, impact is non-negotiable. If you work with me, you have to serve. I believe in opening doors, creating opportunities, and making sure as many people as possible have a seat at the table. Serving isn’t just community work, it’s the best way to do business.

How have you seen Black generosity and community investment show up in ways that might not always be recognized as philanthropy?

Black generosity often shows up through advising, consulting, and sharing relationships. In our culture, offering time, insight, and connections is a form of giving, even if it isn’t labeled philanthropy. We may not always have capital, but we have wisdom and networks, and we share them freely to help others grow. That is ecosystem building, investing in people, organizations, and futures without expecting anything in return. It’s how we’ve always moved forward together.

How do you define “being a Gamechanger” in collaborative efforts or philanthropy?

Being a Gamechanger means investing in community first. True collaboration is not about a single transaction or partnership that benefits one or two people. It is about showing up for others, building long-term relationships, and amplifying each other’s work. If you are not vested before you ask for support, you will struggle with engagement and impact. Gamechangers think beyond the immediate moment to create a legacy that changes the game for everyone involved.

What wisdom or encouragement would you share with someone in Nashville who’s just beginning their journey here locally as a philanthropist or community leader?

Be aligned and intentional. Networking for the sake of popularity will only delay your impact. Instead, take time to understand the community, see who needs you most, and ask what gifts you can share freely. When I moved to Nashville 14 years ago, I offered my marketing and branding expertise at no cost to organizations that needed it. That experience taught me that true leadership begins with giving without expectation, solving real problems, and building trust.

What are you curious about, excited to see unfold, and/or looking forward to initiating over the next year?

I’m excited to see cultures in Nashville connect more deeply. For too long, communities have worked in silos, but now we are beginning to fold our stories together and amplify each other’s voices. We are also celebrating 160 years of Historic Jefferson Street, which has grown from a wagon trail on the Hadley plantation to a billion-dollar economic center. Looking ahead, we’re preparing for 30,000 visitors of African American descent to come to Nashville in 2026, an unprecedented opportunity to share Jefferson Street’s legacy with the world. Alongside that, we are leading new land development and community projects that will help transform the city.

Black Philanthropy Month: Sankofa Now!

The past holds the key to our future. As we navigate growing challenges, we must draw strength from those who came before us. For this year’s Black Philanthropy Month recognition, we must:

• Remember our philanthropic roots, built on collective care and community-driven investment. 
• Reclaim our power to shape the future, ensuring Black-led change is not just recognized but sustained.
• Rise by reinvesting in our people, our movements, and our solutions, because the future of Black philanthropy (and all humanity) depends on what we do today.

A thriving Black community benefits everyone. The fight for equity, opportunity, and justice strengthens our collective future, creating a world where all can prosper. Black philanthropy has always been a catalyst for change. In a time when progress is at risk, we need all hands on deck.