News + Events
A Meeting with the Mayor at Martha O’Bryan
*Nashville, TN* – Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell recently joined Marsha Edwards, President and CEO of the Martha O’Bryan Center, for an engaging Fireside Chat held at the Center’s new Faith building. The event brought together a diverse group of community leaders, including AmeriCorps volunteers, donors, board members, staff, and supporters of the Center. Attendees had the opportunity to engage with the mayor and hear directly about his vision for addressing the most critical issues facing Nashville.
A major focus of the evening was on Nashville’s food deserts. Mayor O’Connell acknowledged the ongoing challenge of food access in parts of the city, and Marsha Edwards highlighted that Martha O’Bryan Center is situated in the middle of one such desert. With few local resources available for purchasing nutritious food, the Center’s Neighbor Care Pantry has seen record levels of need—surpassing even the high demand experienced during the pandemic. The mayor suggested renewed efforts to engage corporations who have successfully operated food retail businesses in similar underserved areas.
The discussion then turned to the issue of the Benefits Cliff, a significant concern for many Nashville families. Marsha Edwards explained the hardships caused when small increases in wages result in the loss of essential benefits. Mayor O’Connell agreed that this is a major challenge, particularly since one in five Americans are affected by the Benefits Cliff. As leaders of the *Beyond the Cliff* initiative, Martha O’Bryan Center is at the forefront of addressing this issue at the national level.
Housing affordability was another important topic discussed, brought to light by Jim Gingrich, a new board member and former CEO of Alliance Bernstein. He pointed out the rising housing costs in Nashville, which has now surpassed other major cities in affordability. Mayor O’Connell responded by outlining plans for the East Bank development, which will include affordable housing as part of the new Titans stadium project.
A particularly insightful moment came when Community Outreach Specialist and AmeriCorps Volunteer Sydney Mattern asked the mayor, “What steps is the city taking to address the root causes of poverty rather than temporary solutions?” The mayor responded with a comprehensive approach to tackling long-term poverty in Nashville. He outlined key initiatives focused on breaking the cycle of poverty, including:
– A $70 million investment in programs designed to address Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
– Strong partnerships with the Nashville Early Education Coalition, focusing on early education and reading initiatives, especially for young men of color
– The Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) district has achieved the highest learning recovery in reading and math for two consecutive years and currently holds the highest graduation rate in the city’s history
– The creation of Financial Empowerment Centers focused on helping seniors
– Ongoing work to address Benefit Cliffs and fill the gaps in available support for families
The evening also included a thoughtful question from Dr. Samori Cummings, Chief Medical Officer at Southern Pediatrics and a Martha O’Bryan board member, who inquired about the city’s collaboration with key nonprofits. AmeriCorps volunteer Sydney Mattern was also recognized for her participation in the forum, where she was the second to ask the mayor a question.
The night concluded on a lighter note, when Martha O’Bryan’s own Milton Davis asked, “Will Nashville be considered for hosting a Super Bowl?” The mayor’s enthusiastic response to the question energized the crowd, as he explained that the city’s growing fan base and success in hosting large events makes Nashville a strong contender. The city’s eligibility for hosting a Super Bowl is expected to align with the completion of the East Bank development and new stadium, likely after 2027.
This Fireside Chat provided a valuable opportunity for the community to engage with Mayor O’Connell, gaining insights into his plans to tackle Nashville’s challenges. The evening underscored the ongoing work of the Martha O’Bryan Center, highlighting its leadership in addressing critical community issues and fostering collaboration across the city.
