Amidst a rapidly changing political landscape, leaders across Nashville spoke to the Banner about their work towards liberation in coalition with their neighbors and how they center joy every step of the way

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Five Nashville grassroots organizations gathered outside Metro Historic Courthouse Monday to call on Metro Council to invest more in affordable housing and community-based safety programs ahead of the first reading of Mayor Freddie O'Connell's proposed budget.

Their message was direct: Nashville's growth should not come at the cost of the people struggling to stay here.

Vanderbilt Peabody College faculty launch study on youth-led community safety efforts in Nashville

Youth participants, ages 14 to 25, will be members of a Southern Movement Committee internship program that prepares young people to lobby state and city governments on human rights issues. The Southern Movement Committee rallied youth interns and a grassroots movement of Black Nashvillians to advocate for funding to establish the Office of Youth Safety through their Varsity Spending Plan initiative.

Mayor Freddie O'Connell issues executive order creating Nashville's First Office of Youth Safety

The recent Antioch High school shooting is still fresh. So are the calls by young people and grown-ups, saying something needs to change. The Southern Movement Committee is being very vocal to try to do something. On this episode of Urban Outlook, host April Eaton is joined by Erica Perry, Executive Director of the Southern Movement Committee, and Jamel Campbell-Gooch, Organizing Director, to discuss their work organizing youth. Visit oursmc.org for more information.

Organizers offer preview for 4th Annual State of Black Tennessee Town Hall

Chuck Indigo Calls for Community at The Blue Room

February 6, 2025

Metro Council begins budget debate. Residents request funding for safe neighborhoods, housing, transit

February 6, 2025

The Varsity Spending Plan proposes bringing restorative justice programming to community centers and high schools through dedicated staff. The $1 million allocated last year is being used for programming at Napier Community Center and to establish a new “Office of Youth Safety.”

February 4, 2025

Nashville Officials, Community Groups Gear Up for Annual Budget Debate

February 3, 2025

Nashville youth want a solution to gun violence. A new Metro office is looking for one.

January 23, 2025

Your Turn to Talk: Antioch High School shooting and gun violence

January 12, 2025

Brittany Howard and Friends Get Hardcore, Support Nonprofits

December 9

Nashville launches Office of Youth Safety to tackle gun violence and promote conflict resolution

December 2

Southern Movement Committee looks forward to new ‘Office of Youth Safety’

December 2

New city office continues Nashville youth's legacy of charting new paths

October 21
City leaders work to launch Office of Youth Safety in Nashville to combat gun violence

October 4

The legacy of slavery, segregation, white supremacy, and environmental racism haunts Tennessee. “A long history of anti-worker policies in the South—rooted in a racist agenda—has had devastating consequences for its residents.

OCTOBER 4

Cop Cities Meet Growing Resistance Nationwide

AUGUST 14, 2024

Dozens of young people lined up on a night in early June to voice their support before the Metro Council for funding to make Nashville communities safer, curb gun violence and reduce arrests.

AUGUST 13, 2024

You've seen them around town, organizing Black Nashvillians to become greater participants in local, state and national governments. They are not the only organization in town to do this work, but they are one of the most effective....

JULY 1, 2024

The Southern Movement Committee (SMC) celebrates encouraging news, as Metro Budget Chair Delishia Porterfield allocated $1 million to SMC’s proposed Varsity Spending Plan in her substitute budget that went into effect July 1.

JUNE 19, 2024

Addressing youth safety in Nashville

JUNE 19, 2024

What began as a dream and evolved into a proposal has now become a tangible reality for the youth of Nashville. The city is set to establish an Office of Youth Safety, aimed at protecting children from violence.

JUNE 13, 2024

The Southern Movement Committee is a democracy building, youth organizing, and community organizing organization focusing on TN, so right now our base is in Nashville. We organize young people around the end of the school-to-prison pipeline and really foster safe and healthy communities

JUNE 13, 2024

Black Nashville Assembly (BNA), an extension of the Southern Movement Committee (SMC), is hosting its first family fun field day on June 15 to promote community togetherness.

JUNE 11, 2024

Youth Violence Advocates Put Budget Ideas Front and Center

Varsity Spending Plan’ seeks $10 million for programs in schools and community centers aimed at cutting gun violence

JUNE 7, 2024

Nashvillians gathered at city hall to share their desires for the city budget with Metro councilmembers, one ask stood high above the rest: the Varsity Spending Plan.

JUNE 6, 2024

Nashville youth delivered a consistent message to Metro Council members during Tuesday's public hearing on the city budget: They want investments in community centers, an Office of Youth Safety and restorative justice programs in schools to address gun violence.