GNABSE’S 20th YEAR CELEBRATION
In 2016, the Greater Nashville Alliance of Black School Educators celebrated twenty years as an organization. GNABSE was founded by Dr. David Jones in 1996. He worked diligently for many years, inspiring educators to be their best and achieve. His motivation and inspiration to young Black professional has contributed to the success of many Black professionals.
On July 1, 1996, at the Opryland Hotel, the Nashville Alliance of Black School Educators was formed. The 20th year celebration was held at the Millennium Maxwell House Hotel in Nashville. Dr. Jones, Past Presidents, and Founding Members were recognized at the event. GNABSE has a rich history of educators and leaders who have worked diligently to enrich the lives of children and make a positive impact on their lives.
Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament
GNABSE hosts an annual scholarship golf tournament each year. The goal of this event is to raise money for the Gwendolyn V. Smith Scholarships Fund and generate educational opportunities for Tennessee students, by engaging them in activities that promote success. Scholarships are awarded annually at the Scholarship and Awards Gala. This year’s Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament will be held at Ted Rhodes Golf Course, 1901 Ed Temple Blvd, Nashville, TN.
Annual Awards & Scholarship Gala
An Awards and Scholarship Gala is sponsored by GNABSE each year. Individuals are recognized for their outstanding leadership and contributions made in education. We applaud their efforts to help our youth experience academic success, and empower them to become productive citizens. Scholarships are awarded to deserving young college students pursuing a career in the field of education. This festive and rewarding event is held annually.
ACT PREP SEMINAR
GNABSE sponsors ACT Prep classes for high school students. This is a strategy intensive seminar and is the perfect companion to content-based test preparation. Doorway to College Foundation is the provider of this focused test prep. The first class was held at Nashville School of the Arts in 2012.
The goal of the workshop is to help students achieve their highest possible score on all subtests of the ACT. Students are given the opportunity to strengthen their test-taking skills and invest some time in getting the best score possible. Three seminars are offered yearly. GNABSE has been fortunate to partner with First Baptist Church, Capitol Hill to host the seminars. Jefferson Street Baptist Church has joined in this effort by sponsoring students from their church.
SUPPLY DRIVE
GNABSE hosted a supply drive to provide supplies for Hartman Park Community Center’s after school enrichment program. Adrean Gregory, Program Facility Coordinator and LaMont Henry, Program Coordinator, expressed their appreciation for the supplies.
The center offers after school programs for children from ages six to fourteen years of age. The program focuses on active recreation, while supporting healthy social and academic development. GNABSE is proud to support this great program.
GNABSE Annual Education Forum
GNABSE hosts an Annual Education Forum. The forum provides an opportunity to discuss issues that affect today’s educational system. Each year, the forum focuses on topics of interest to parents, teachers, and administrators. Participants are offered a vast array of opportunities to gain professional information and tools to strengthen their knowledge in best practices in education.
GNABSE Awards $4000 in College Scholarships
At the Annual GNABSE Awards & Scholarship Gala, $4,000 in scholarships were awarded to college students pursuing a career in the field of education. The recipients were (left to right) Marlasia Hewett, Christian Morgan, Destiny Pennington, and TaLana Wright.
Marlasia is attending the University of California in San Diego. Christian is attending Trevecca Nazarene University. Destiny is a junior at Tennessee State University and TaLana has an Associate degree and is working on her Bachelor’s degree at Austin Peay State University.
Bobby Cain Honored
On August 26, 1956, twelve young African American students walked into history in Clinton, Tennessee. They were the first students to desegregate a state-supported high school in the south, following the United States Supreme Court’s decision in Brown vs. The Board of Education. Bobby Cain, pictured for left, was among the group of 12, and was recognized by GNABSE for his courage and determination.
GNABSE Support Monroe Harding
GNABSE was proud to participate in the Monroe Harding food drive. The food drive was to support youth in foster care who are transitioning into adulthood and independent living. Monroe Harding provides security, support, and creates opportunities for youth who are currently in, or transitioning from, the foster care system.
DR. Shawn Joseph, holds Book Signing
Dr. Shawn Joseph, former Director of Metropolitan Nashville Public School and a member of GNABSE, recently held a book signing for the release of his book, “Finding the Joseph Within.” GNABSE members Robert Blair and Donnie Crenshaw are pictured with Dr. Joseph.
In this inspirational memoir, Dr. Joseph shares his journey—from growing up in poverty to becoming the first African American superintendent in the city of Nashville. Drawing lessons from Joseph of the Bible, he aims to inspire readers to hold on to their faith and believe in the power of God’s promises even as they endure difficult times.
GNABSE Receives Honor
GNABSE was honored by Capers Memorial CME Church at their Annual Heritage Day Celebration, February 19, 2017. Their theme was “Celebrate the Power of the Drum Major.” Individuals who have made a positive impact in education and the community were recognized.
GNABSE was honored as a drum major for Education, grades K – 12. Clementine Chamberlain, GNABSE President Elect, accepted the award on behalf of GNABSE. Also pictured is Ronald Haywood, former drum major for Whites Creek High School, who received an award.
Robert Blair elected as chairman of the FSSD Board of Education
The Franklin Special School District Board of Education voted to elect longtime board member Robert Blair as its new board chairman in September 2020.
Blair, a Franklin native, served as vice chair of the board before being voted chairman. He has served on the FSSD Board of Education since 2003.
In 2011, he achieved status as a Master School Board Member from the TSBA, the highest designation a School Board member can earn. In 2020, Blair was inducted into the Tennessee School Boards Association (TSBA) Scholars Circle and was named to the TSBA All-Tennessee School Board, an honor granted to only five School Board members across the state.
In addition, Blair served as president of the Greater Nashville Alliance of Black School Educators 2015 – 2017. He is very active in the community and involved with many activities and programs including, but not limited to, Franklin Downtown Rotary Evening Club, Franklin Tomorrow, Leadership Franklin, Franklin Boys/Girls Club, and Williamson County WAVES (past president).
Street Named in Honor of GNABSE Member, Dr. Carolyn Baldwin Tucker
A Resolution recognizing the naming of streets in District 3 in honor of former Metro Councilmembers Chester Hughes and Dr. Carolyn Baldwin Tucker.
WHEREAS, Dr. Carolyn Baldwin Tucker was the first African American woman elected as a councilmember-at-large in Davidson County in 1999; and WHEREAS, Dr. Tucker is a retired school principal and former administrator in Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools with more than 50 years of experience as an educator; and WHEREAS, Dr. Tucker also served as an Interim Superintendent of Murfreesboro City Schools and a consultant for the Tennessee Department of Education; and WHEREAS, Habitat for Humanity is in the process of obtaining approval of a new residential subdivision near Village Trail in District 3, which will include “Chester Hughes Circle” and “Dr. Carolyn Tucker Circle” as two of the streets to be dedicated to the Metropolitan Government for acceptance and maintenance; and WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Council recognizes and commemorates the naming of this right-of-way in honor of Chester Hughes and Dr. Carolyn Baldwin Tucker. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY: Section 1. The Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record as recognizing the naming of streets in District 3 in honor of former Metro Councilmembers Chester Hughes and Dr. Carolyn Baldwin Tucker.
