OUR PROCESS
The Southern Movement Committee created the Varsity Spending Plan through a powerful and intentional process rooted in true democracy, deep community engagement, and shared leadership.
2 YEARS OF WORK
The SMC was founded in 2021 to create and develop infrastructure for sustained movement building in middle Tennessee and throughout the state.
Over the course of the past two years, we led and organized hosted People’s Movement Assemblies, mass meetings, community dinners, campaign meetings, town halls with decision makers, organizing training sessions with our Youth Assembly, and two major convenings with local and national leaders. All of it was designed to listen, learn, and take action on what our people said they needed most.
People closest to the issue are also best positioned to envision solutions. The Varsity Spending Plan is a reflection of that truth—shaped by the voices, visions, and values of our community. It is also a living example of what real democracy looks like when we take it seriously.
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WPLN
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.
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The Tennessean
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.
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Nashville Banner
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
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Tennessee Tribune
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.
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News Channel 2
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
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WPLN
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.”
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News Channel 5
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.
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News Channel 2
JUNE 19, 2024
Addressing youth safety in Nashville
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Nashville Banner
February 4, 2025
Nashville Officials, Community Groups Gear Up for Annual Budget Debate
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WPLN
February 3, 2025
Nashville youth want a solution to gun violence. A new Metro office is looking for one.
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News Channel 5
December 9
Nashville launches Office of Youth Safety to tackle gun violence and promote conflict resolution
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Tennessee Tribune
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.
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News Channel 2
December 2
Southern Movement Committee looks forward to new ‘Office of Youth Safety’
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The Tennessean
December 2
New city office continues Nashville youth's legacy of charting new paths
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Fox 17
October 21
City leaders work to launch Office of Youth Safety in Nashville to combat gun violence -
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The Tennessean
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.
In 2024, the Varsity Spending Plan was added into Budget Chair Delishia Porterfield’s amended local budget, including $750,000 for the launch of Nashville’s first Office of Youth Safety.
This new office is responsible for implementing and managing the high school, community centers, and community based restorative justice pilot programs that will address gun violence, prevent harm, and foster safe communities.
