News & Events

2023 Black on Buchanan: Juneteenth Block Party

Posted on by The Equity Alliance in Events

We’re back with another Juneteenth block party like you’ve never seen before! Get ready to turn up at this year’s Black on Buchanan Juneteenth Block Party on Saturday, June 17, 2023, from 12pm-6 PM centered along historic Buchanan Street in North Nashville. Programming will take place from 2-6pm.

Black on Buchanan is a celebration of Black joy, excellence, freedom and our fight for Black liberation.

We’re taking over Buchanan Street with fun for the whole family, live music and performances, food vendors, kids corner, small business and community resource vendor village and so much more. The Black on Buchanan small business Vendor Village powered by The Nashville Black Market.

The Equity Alliance’s Black on Buchanan is a vibrant display of Blackness in North Nashville. Black on Buchanan is a celebration of Black joy, excellence, freedom and our fight for Black liberation. Our block party is hosted in an area that is home and refuge to generations of Black Nashville. By hosting the event here, we are honoring our past and celebrating the bright future ahead of us.

This year is going to be bigger and Blacker than ever! We’re partnering with the Nashville Black Market for our small business Vendor Village and NKA Gallery for the 2nd Black on Buchanan Art and Craft Fair. Black on Buchanan is the only place to be Juneteenth weekend. The vibes will be heavy, the melanin will be in abundance and our culture will be celebrated!

Stay tuned for our guest host and block party performance and visual artist line up!

What the Anti-Protest Bill Means for Tennesseans

Posted on by The Equity Alliance in People

By Blair McDonald, Civic Engagement Intern | April 2021

The summer of 2020 marked an important moment in American history. Beginning in March, people found themselves stuck at home with little more to do than consume mass amounts of information from local and national news sources as we all adjusted to life during a pandemic. Nevertheless, one aspect of American life remained painfully constant: racism.

In the span of a few short months, news outlets reported the murder of Black Americans such as Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, who tragically lost their lives because of officers who ironically swore an oath to “protect and serve.” 

In response to these horrific acts of police brutality, cities across the country erupted in protest with rallying cries for action, justice, and change. I remember marching through the streets in Nashville last summer, chanting “I can’t breathe” with thousands of other people. The experience was incredibly empowering. 

Acts of Legislative Revenge

State legislatures across the country have since responded by drafting new bills that infringe on protestors’ First Amendment rights in order to target and suppress this reawakened movement for equality. In fact, a newly proposed bill in Tennessee—aptly referred to as an anti-protest bill— seeks to criminalize protesting while protecting people who unintentionally injure or kill protestors, or in other words, murder.

In February of this year, the Tennessee General Assembly introduced House Bill 0513 aka HB513. House Bills are proposals that members of the House of Representatives and the Senate submit to become law in order to expand existing legislation in the state.

This is what the law says now:

  • It is illegal to obstruct a “highway, street, sidewalk, railway, waterway, elevator, aisle, or hallway” and doing so results in a Class A misdemeanor.

But here’s what the bill will do:

  • The current misdemeanor will become a Class E felony, punishing people with up to six years in prison and a mandatory fine of up to $3,000.
  • It will make throwing an object at an individual to harm the person, or “intentionally intimidating or harassing” someone who is not participating in the “riot” a Class A misdemeanor. If the thrown object causes injury, the act would then be classified as a Class E felony under the bill.

This is absolutely ridiculous. If signed into law, it would strip an individual’s right to vote because of the felony charges.

Simultaneously, the bill gives legal immunity—a particular status where an individual or group cannot be punished for violating a law—to anyone in a vehicle who “unintentionally causes injury or death to another person” while they’re blocking a pathway. Yes, it legalizes murder.

Finally, HB513 includes extremely vague language to punish protestors who cause “emotional distress” or “frighten another person”. Yes, you read that right. I don’t know about you, but something doesn’t sound right when the police will now be arresting protestors who cause “emotional distress” when police officers have a long, violent history of frightening and intimidating Blacks and other people of color, but they get to do it because they wear a badge. The hypocrisy is borderline comical. 

The Silencing of Free Speech 

The reality of this bill is quite clear: HB513 poses a threat to protestors by targeting the people’s right to peacefully assemble. Here’s a throwback to your high school government class…

  • The First Amendment says: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
  • Freedom of Assembly grants the right to peacefully protest and walking, marching, and kneeling in streets or other pathways are often forms of nonviolent protest that most effectively publicize and amplify the messages of the movement. 

If nothing else from this entire post, please remember that HB513 is unconstitutional. The Supreme Court has ruled on a number of different cases—Hague v. CIO (1939); Ward v. Rock Against Racism (1989); and McCullen v. Coakley (2014), for example— that have upheld every American citizens’ right to freely express their political opinions in public spaces such as parks, streets, etc. 

In a country where the powers that be insist on invalidating Black pain, Black struggles, and Black experiences, HB513 is now attempting to take away our avenues for protest, for assembly, and for political grievance. As a result, HB513 encodes racist motivations in strategically vague language to deny one of the last platforms we have to freely and publicly advocate for change.

I first heard about this proposed legislation two weeks ago, and I was shocked to learn that our elected representatives are in the process of passing a bill that would result in so much pain and damage. I was angry at first, and you should be too. Then, sadly, I was unsurprised. I had to remind myself that the Tennessee legislature caters to a certain group of people, and those people don’t look like me or you. Once again, Black and Latinx people are specifically targeted simply for the color of our skin and the power we possess. 

Ultimately, we elect representatives to make policies on our behalf that fulfill the interests of all people, not some people. While politicians are meant to hear us, HB513 seeks to silence and disenfranchise.

The Equity Alliance makes CARES Act spending recommendations to Mayor Cooper

Posted on by The Equity Alliance in DontSellOutNorf, Jobs, People, Press Release

Statewide non-profit offers framework for protecting working families, voters, minority small businesses and vulnerable populations

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Leaders with The Equity Alliance, a statewide non-profit focused on the civic and economic empowerment of the black community, offered Mayor John Cooper guidance on spending the $121 million of the city’s share of federal CARES Act funding for economic recovery.

In a memo delivered to a working group of community leaders Tuesday, The Equity Alliance Co-Executive Director Charlane Oliver outlined suggested spending to support economically vulnerable and at-risk members of the community. The recommendations included:

  • Increased funding for elections, including PPE for poll workers, bus fare for those without transportation, and more polling locations in minority neighborhoods;
  • Funding for Black-owned businesses, particularly owners with past criminal histories,  whose Small Business Administration loans were denied;
  • Direct payments to struggling working families to recoup unexpected household expenses;
  • Rent and mortgage relief payments for terminated and furloughed workers;
  • Stipends for temporary healthcare plans and COVID-19 testing fees;
  • 14-day quarantine housing and additional halfway houses for recently released prisoners due to Covid-19.

Oliver, a member of Cooper’s working group to address CARES Act spending, said black and immigrant residents, working people, and the economically disadvantaged have been among the hardest hit in Nashville during the economic downturn.

“To jumpstart our local economy, we believe in putting resources directly in people’s hands who have been most impacted. Mayor Cooper has an opportunity to right some past wrongs of previous Administrations by directing these funds to be spent to ensure that Black residents are neither disenfranchised from their civic right to vote nor left behind in the economic recovery. With Black Nashvillians making up 28% of the city’s population, we expect the CARES Act funds to be equitably and proportionately distributed to us,” Oliver said.

The Equity Alliance has been busy responding to economic inequities statewide in the aftermath of tornadoes that destroyed portions of both Nashville and Chattanooga. In addition to distributing more than $19,000 in cash assistance, the group has led efforts to educate homeowners in predominantly Black North Nashville with professional advice on the value of their damaged property. The organization also offered economic relief to black families in Chattanooga struggling to pay insurance premiums after the Easter Sunday tornado.

“The economic downturn brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated inequities in already distressed communities. This is a unique time in Nashville’s history, and it calls for bold leadership and unprecedented shifts in how we uplift historically black neighborhoods which were already struggling that will have the hardest time recovering from this pandemic,” said Tequila Johnson, co-executive director of The Equity Alliance.

The Equity Alliance’s recommendations to Mayor Cooper can be found here.

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About The Equity Alliance: Founded in November 2016 by six black women, the mission of The Equity Alliance is to proactively advocate for African Americans and other communities of color to have a fair and just opportunity at realizing the American dream. We are a Nashville-based 501(c)3 nonpartisan non-profit organization that seeks to equip citizens with tools and strategies to engage in the civic process and empower them to take action on issues affecting their daily lives. Learn more at www.theequityalliance.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

The Equity Alliance files lawsuit to expand absentee voting in Tennessee amid COVID-19

Posted on by The Equity Alliance in Press Release

Lawsuit seeks to ensure voters can vote safely by mail in the upcoming elections and ensure ballots count

For Immediate Release
May 1, 2020

In the midst of a global pandemic, The Equity Alliance, in partnership with Campaign Legal Center (CLC) and the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, filed a lawsuit today on behalf of two qualified voters and organizations whose many members are not eligible for vote by mail under current law, but wish to avoid exposing themselves or elderly family members to coronavirus.

Other plaintiffs include five organizations facing restrictions preventing them from carrying out necessary voter engagement activities for their members and the community in 2020. Under Tennessee law, the organizations can be punished for giving voters unsolicited requests for an absentee ballot with up to 11 months and 29 days in prison, a fine of up to $2,500, or both.

Typically, Tennesseans have cast their ballots largely in person. Recently, the rapid shift towards voting by mail has revealed how unprepared Tennessee is to ensure all absentee ballots are counted in the upcoming elections. The state gives election officials discretion to reject absentee ballots when elections officials decide, in their judgment, that the voter’s signature on their ballot doesn’t match the voter’s signature on file with the voter registration. This “matching” process is unreliable and prone to mistakes, and because the state does not give voters any opportunity to fix apparent problems with their ballot, leads to disenfranchisement.

The following statement is from The Equity Alliance Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director Charlane Oliver on A. Phillip Randolph Institute v. Hargett. The Equity Alliance is an organizational plaintiff in the suit.

“Tennessee voters should not be forced to choose between their own personal safety and participating in our democratic process. Our state needs to adapt to the current environment brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Our organization wants to be able to proactively assist voters with voting by absentee ballot without the threat of criminal prosecution. We are in unprecedented circumstances that call for state officials to implement safer and secure approaches  t  ensure democracy is preserved in the Volunteer State.”

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Read more about why we need to expand absentee voting during a pandemic.

sign our petition to vote by mail

The Equity Alliance delivers financial support to Chattanooga tornado victims

Posted on by The Equity Alliance in DontSellOutNorf, Events, People, Press Release

Statewide non-profit offers support to working-class families

For Immediate Release
April 29, 2020

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – The Equity Alliance delivered financial support and supplies to four Chattanooga families in the East Brainerd area that lost their homes and belongings in the Easter Sunday tornado. 

Residents of Middle and Southeast Tennessee have been hard hit by tornadoes and bad weather this spring. The Equity Alliance, a statewide non-profit, has marshaled efforts in Nashville and now Chattanooga to bring storm victims relief in predominantly black neighborhoods. Today’s recipient families in Chattanooga are currently displaced and living in hotels, rental properties, and a shelter.

The Equity Alliance leaders said natural disasters typically have a more devastating effect on the finances and quality of life of working-class families. These hardships are compounded by the financial downturn associated with the Covid-19 pandemic.

“This is a very difficult time for working-class families in Tennessee. Our communities have been destroyed by storms, and we live with the constant threat of sickness due to the pandemic. Those factors compounded by a historically bad economy means working people in Tennessee need help,” said Tequila Johnson, co-founder and co-executive director of The Equity Alliance.

Johnson added that in the aftermath of natural disasters, homeowners in economically disadvantaged areas are sometimes targeted by predatory real estate investors looking to buy damaged homes for well below market price. The Equity Alliance has built a network of property appraisers, mortgage bankers, real estate agents and other professionals to help homeowners make informed decisions.

“It is important that we level the playing field for every storm victim,” Johnson said. “Homeowners need to understand their options before making a decision to sell their property. We can connect Tennesseans in need with the right professionals so that they can make informed decisions.”

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Our tornado relief efforts began with helping our North Nashville residents after the March 3rd tornado, but when a tornado ripped through Chattanooga over Easter weekend, we jumped into action to help out there as well. Our team was on the ground today distributing help to those that have been displaced, and checking in on the residents’ needs.

Our movement is bigger than Nashville, we are here to help communities of color all across Tennessee. If you or someone you know is needing assistance from the North Nashville tornado or the Chattanooga tornado, please have them fill out the Tornado Relief request form.

Watch the reaction of a Chattanooga families as we gifted them with $1,000 check and supplies to weather the COVID-19 crisis.

On The Front Lines

Posted on by The Equity Alliance in People, Uncategorized

We’ve been on the front lines since disaster struck on March 3rd. Here’s what we’ve been up to.

It’s been a little over a month since the March 3rd tornadoes ripped through North Nashville and parts of Middle Tennessee. I wanted to update you on what we’ve been working on since we sprung into action on Super Tuesday. 

Many of us are anxious about the COVID-19 pandemic that is crippling our healthcare system and our economy. Now more than ever it is critical to support our work to keep Gov. Bill Lee, Secretary Tre Hargett and state lawmakers accountable to the ever-changing dire needs our people face.

This is not the first time we’ve faced crisis and, through it all, we can build power together and demand that African Americans and other communities of color have a fair and just economic opportunities at realizing the American dream. 

TEA has built a track record responding to uncertainty with this infallible truth: power belongs to the People. 

That’s why TEA has been #OnTheFrontLines during this current crisis. Even in the midst of a Safe-At-Home order, we’ve shifted our outreach strategies and tactics to meet continual community needs. Here’s a review of what we’ve accomplished this month:

And this was just in the past 30 days.

But we know the road to recovery will be long as we face an impending economic downturn. That’s exactly why we were founded – to work with you, together, to build power for our people, for the long haul. That’s our model and will always be the way we do this thing: together.

We need your support. The 3rd Annual Black Women’s Empowerment Brunch is scheduled for July 25, 2020 where we will honor Black women #OnTheFrontLines. We would love for you to be involved now: pledge to sponsor a table, invite your friends and colleagues, or make a donation today.

I know these are uncertain times, but TEA is steadfast in what we’ve always set out to do. You can count on us to be #OnTheFrontLines, and we’ll stay there with your continued support. 

Yours in the movement, 

Charlane 

DONATE NOW

North Nashville Cleanup, Canvass and Homeowner Meetings Scheduled to Assist Tornado Victims

Posted on by The Equity Alliance in Events, People

Call to action for attorneys, real estate and insurance professionals to advise residents

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For media inquiries contact Clint Brewer at (615) 668-4535 or clintbrewer@imperiumstrategiesllc.com.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – In the wake of the devastating tornadoes that ripped through Nashville, The Equity Alliance is organizing two events to assist North Nashville residents in reclaiming their neighborhoods and protecting their property.

A massive cleanup and canvassing operation to protect the hardest hit areas in North Nashville will take place Sunday, March 8. More than 300 volunteers have already signed up to walk door-to-door to take inventory of the damages of each home and clean up debris.

The event is an effort to inform local homeowners and tenants of the organization’s community event taking place the following day to help them navigate their options for rebuilding their properties.

“It is important that residents in North Nashville understand their options before making decisions about their damaged homes and properties, “said TEA Co-Founder and Executive Director Charlane Oliver. “We have already witnessed first-hand elderly residents and others getting quick offers on the street by individuals looking to make a profit from their misfortune. We are asking for the professionals in relevant fields to offer their time pro-bono to these citizens to help them make the best decisions about their property.”

WHAT: North Nashville community clean up and canvass followed by homeowner’s meetings

WHEN:

  • Cleanup and Canvass – Sunday, March 8, 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
  • Homeowner’s Meetings – Monday, March 9, 12 p.m. and 6 p.m.

WHERE: Lee Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, 1200 Dr DB Todd Jr Blvd, Nashville, TN 37208

WHO:

  • Councilwoman Kyonzte Toombs, District 2 (Homeowner’s Meetings)
  • Councilwoman At-Large Zulfat Suara (Homeowner’s Meetings)
  • Gene Burse, AICP, Metro Planning Department
  • Kelly Bonadies, DeLisa Guerrier, and Lee Mollette – real estate developers
  • Miranda Christy, Christopher Cotton, Jennifer Horne, Marcus Shute – attorneys
  • Jeff McGruder, Pinnacle Financial Partners
  • Jason Egly, Farmers Insurance Agency

Childcare, language interpretation services, and food will be provided.

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About The Equity Alliance:

Founded in November 2016 by six black women, the mission of The Equity Alliance is to proactively advocate for African Americans and other communities of color to have a fair and just opportunity at realizing the American dream. We are a Nashville-based 501(c)3 nonpartisan non-profit organization that seeks to equip citizens with tools and strategies to engage in the civic process and empower them to take action on issues affecting their daily lives. Learn more at www.theequityalliance.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

We’re Hiring!

Posted on by The Equity Alliance in Jobs, People

Our TEAm is growing! We’re looking for dynamic, bold leaders to fill the following positions: Administrative Assistant, Statewide Organizer, Advocacy Campaign Manager, and Communications Intern. Check out our Jobs & Internships page for full descriptions.

Interested applicants are encouraged to apply by January 27, 2020 and submit a resume and cover letter to jobs@theequityalliance.org.

The Equity Alliance Hires Executive Director

Posted on by The Equity Alliance in Press Release

Nonprofit Co-Founder Charlane Oliver Assumes New, Full-Time Leadership Role

Charlane Oliver is the new full-time executive director for The Equity Alliance

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (November 4, 2019) — On the heels of gaining national notoriety in 2019 for scoring a legal victory against the state’s voter registration criminalization law, The Equity Alliance today announced co-founder Charlane Oliver as the nonprofit’s founding executive director. The board of directors approved the move by unanimous vote.

Oliver previously served as the board chair for the past three years since its inception. Under her leadership, she has catapulted the organization into an award-winning, nationally-recognized, influential powerhouse. 

In 2018, the organization led a statewide coalition that registered 91,000 black and brown Tennesseans to vote and increased black voter turnout by 413 percent for the November midterms. In 2019, the organization’s 501(c)4 — The Equity Alliance Fund — joined forces with two of the most powerful grassroots organizations in Nashville to form the Nashville Justice League and elect the most diverse Metro Council in the city’s history. Of their 15 endorsements, 13 Metro Council candidates won, including a board member from The Equity Alliance. 

Oliver’s appointment comes as The Equity Alliance, a Nashville-based grassroots nonprofit focused on voting rights advocacy and increasing civic engagement in communities of color, prepares to celebrate its third anniversary and expand its statewide presence. 

“I am extremely excited and humbled at the opportunity to pour my passion, time and talent into an organization that I helped build,” Oliver said. “The Equity Alliance has been able to leverage 100 percent volunteer capacity and strong community support to establish ourselves as a trusted and respected voice for the black community on voting rights issues and racial equity issues. Now it’s time to take our work to the next level, and I’m ready for the challenge.”

Oliver brings more than 14 years of award-winning experience in nonprofit management, civil service, communications, community relations, and movement building strategies. In her new role, she will lead the development and implementation of programming for civic education, community organizing, Census awareness, leadership development and issue advocacy. 

Prior to becoming The Equity Alliance’s executive director, Oliver served in U.S. Congressman Jim Cooper’s Nashville office as a community liaison and communications strategist. She spearheaded Project Register, a nonpartisan voter registration initiative that engaged more than 215 Middle Tennessee companies to encourage online voter registration among their employees.

Oliver currently serves on board of directors for the Metro Nashville Emergency 911 Communications District Board, Purpose Preparatory Academy, and Prevent Child Abuse Tennessee. 

A native of Little Rock, Arkansas, Oliver graduated from Vanderbilt University with a B.S. in human and organizational development and holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. She has called Tennessee home for the past 18 years.

The Equity Alliance to Launch Black Citizenship in Action, a modern-day citizenship school for Black liberation

Posted on by The Equity Alliance in Events, Press Release

Happy Juneteenth! Today is our Independence Day! A day to celebrate and reflect.

The Emancipation Proclamation ended slavery in the United States on January 1, 1863, but it was not until June 19, 1865, two and a half years later, that word reached Galveston, Texas that slavery had been abolished.

While this country has come a long way since June 1865, the work to ensure that Black people can exercise our full rights as citizens to shape this democracy to its fullest potential still remains.

That’s why today we are proud to announce our partnership with 12 Black-led organizations across the country and our national partners, Black Progressive Action Coalition (BPAC) and BlackPAC, to launch Black Citizenship In Action.

Over the next two years in states across the country, from Michigan to California and from Louisiana to Ohio, local partners like The Equity Alliance will hold local events that deepen our community’s shared understanding of our past and present, our rights as citizens, sharpen our analysis of the political landscape in which we are operating, and collectively develop winning strategies to demand a country that values our lives and strives toward justice and equality.

SIGN UP TO JOIN & LEARN MORE

Join us TODAY to launch Black Citizenship in Action at the Juneteenth Celebration

Statement on Passage of SB0971/HB1079

Posted on by The Equity Alliance in Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 25, 2019

Within 30 days and with minimal debate, the Tennessee General
Assembly today swiftly passed legislation to criminalize the voter
registration process, making our state the first in the nation to
assess civil and criminal penalties on individuals and organizations
who conduct voter registration drives.

On the heels of one of the state’s most successful voter registration
campaigns aimed at registering black and brown citizens, this law
is blatantly racist and mirrors the Jim Crow-era intimidation used to
stifle decades of progress our nation and our state has made to
ensure voting rights for people of color.

As a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization whose core mission strives
to make our democracy more inclusive, it is evident that our state
leaders want to further disenfranchise poor, black, and brown
communities.

This groundbreaking law puts handcuffs on our state’s ability to rise
above our low voter participation rates, but we will find new, creative
ways to continue registering voters.

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Keep Voter Registration Legal in TN: OPPOSE SB0971/HB1079

Posted on by The Equity Alliance in Events, Press Release

RALLY TO KEEP VOTER REGISTRATION LEGAL

Monday, April 15
4:00 p.m. CT
Tennessee State Capitol
600 Dr. MLK Jr. Blvd., Nashville, TN 37243

Please arrive at 3:45 pm CT. We will begin the rally shortly after. We will then walk to the House Chambers to let our state legislators know to oppose HB1079 before the floor vote at 5 p.m.

Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett is proposing new restrictions and penalties for voter registration drives in Tennessee.

Secretary Hargett’s proposal would create restrictive regulations and the country’s most aggressive penalties* for voter registration drives that don’t precisely follow their new regulations — up to a $10,000 fine and a criminal misdemeanor.

This kind of law would have a chilling effect on any group trying to engage Tennesseans to vote at a time when Tennessee has been in the bottom five states for voting participation in the last three presidential elections.

Although we have numerous concerns about specific provisions of the bill, we believe that, if enacted, the overall effect of the bill will be to deter third-party individuals and groups from engaging in constitutionally protected activity of helping others vote.  It is the combination of seemingly innocuous preregistration requirements such as preregistration, training, certifying that one will obey the law, providing tracking numbers for mailing of registration forms, ensuring that there are no “deficient” forms—in the context of potentially draconian criminal and civil penalties—that will have a chilling effect on voter registration drives. The bill’s text and application are overbroad, confusing, ambiguous, and worst of all needlessly intimidating. Even with Representative Rudd’s proposed amendment that exempts unpaid individuals and groups registering voters from the bill’s requirements, the bill threatens to punish community members, faith groups, and civic organizations that, in good faith, lawfully run drives that register eligible voters who otherwise would not have registered.

MEDIA COVERAGE
Huffington Post – Tennessee Lawmakers Consider Fines And Criminal Penalties For Voter Registration Drives
The Tennessean – Punitive voter registration drive reform bill is voter suppression | Opinion
Times Free Press – Some voter registration groups could get hit with $10,000 in civil penalties, up to a year in jail for submitting incomplete, problematic forms
Lawyer’s Committee for Civil Rights Under Law – Coalition of National and State Organizations Condemns Proposed Voter Suppression Measure in Tennessee
Tennessee Tribune – Hargett Pushing a Bad Voter Registration Bill
Talking Points Memo – TN Sec Of State Pushes Bill Exposing Voter Registration Groups To Criminal Penalties

ACT NOW! On Monday, April 15th, the full House of Representatives will be voting on HB1079 (Rudd), which seeks to impose restrictive regulations on organizations and community volunteers doing voter registration drives. If passed, this would create the country’s most aggressive penalties for voter registration drives that don’t follow the new regulations – up to $10,000 fine and a criminal misdemeanor.  

At a time when our state has one of the country’s lowest voter participation rates, Tennessee should be looking for ways to encourage voter engagement – not suppress it.  Instead of fighting for reforms that actually increase voter participation, like same-day registration and automatic voter registration at the DMV, this bill would penalize voter registration drives. 

Will you take 1 minute to send a message to the committee members and urge them to keep voter registration legal in TN by voting NO on SB0971(Jackson)/HB1079(Rudd)?

send an email now
download call to action toolkit

Here is The Equity Alliance toolkit. It has talking points, messaging, event info on the Tuesday press conference, a link to the call to action tool to email all elected officials on the state and local committee, sample phone scripts and phone numbers for all legislators!

What’s The “TEA” on the Voter Restoration Bill

Posted on by The Equity Alliance in Uncategorized

A felony conviction is life changing, and that’s putting it mildly. Imprisonment, restitution, and stigma are almost insurmountable obstacles for a formerly incarcerated person. The ways in which a conviction of this magnitude disrupts one’s life does not conclude at the end of a jail sentence or probation. Some states strip away the opportunity to own a gun, to travel out of the country, to work for certain employers, or to receive public assistance such as housing or grants for higher education.

In many ways, the most egregious of these losses is the loss of the right to vote. Voting provides a voice to the otherwise voiceless. It ensures that the will of the people gets reflected in the laws and policies that dictate everything from school funding and sidewalks to tax reform and anti-discrimination in public services.

Formerly incarcerated individuals who have arguably been among the most affected by the decisions of elected officials are cut off from the very process that protects their interests. In Tennessee, more than 421,000 people have completed their sentences and, while they go to work, pay taxes and contribute to their communities in a number of meaningful ways, they are denied access to the voting booth. Tennessee has the fourth highest disenfranchisement rate in the country and consistently ranks last in voter participation. Voter suppression and other tactics make it difficult to vote in Tennessee. Most concerning are the well-known statistics surrounding the incarceration rates for people of color and the affect that has on these communities. According to the Federal Bureau of Prisons, 37% of all federally incarcerated individuals are African-American, an astounding figure considering that African-Americans make up only 13% of the population.

The revocation of voting rights for those who have been incarcerated touches the black population in proportions that are not seen in any other racial demographic. In essence, a larger percentage of black people than any other race are legally kept from the voting booth as continued punishment for an offense for which they have already served a sentence. In fact, 1 in 5 African Americans cannot vote in Tennessee due to a past felony conviction. It begs the question: is the revocation of voting rights an ethical, reasonable, or even pragmatic punishment for those who have committed felonies? 

In Tennessee, those who have been incarcerated are not given the opportunity to restore that right unless they take steps to navigate a convoluted restoration process. The process includes financial requirements that are prohibitive for many people. Tennessee is the only state in the country that requires all court-ordered child support to be paid as a condition of having one’s voting rights restored. This sends yet another signal that we value those who have the means to pay for their freedom rather than providing access equitably.  

The Equity Alliance believes in fair and equal access to the ballot box for all eligible voters. That’s why TEA, along with with several advocacy organizations, such as the ACLU, Americans For Prosperity, Project Return, and Think Tennessee support a new bill that would make the voter restoration process much easier. The bill removes financial obligations and streamlines the administrative process. It puts the burden on the State rather than the individual.

On Wednesday, the Tennessee State Senate will vote on Senate Bill 0589/House Bill 0547, a bill that will move Tennessee one step closer to making it easier for those who have paid their debt to society to vote. It is imperative that Tennesseans hold elected officials responsible and support this bill. The erosion of voting rights for any demographic is unjust, and it is especially troubling when minority communities are disproportionately affected. We will be at the hearing on Tuesday, March 26 at 8:00 a.m., and we hope you’ll join us. You can also call the State Senators on the committee. It takes action from all of us.

The Equity Alliance Joins Legislators, Matthew Charles, Advocates to Discuss New Bills that Will Restore Voting Rights to Tennesseans with Felony Convictions

Posted on by The Equity Alliance in Press Release

NASHVILLE, TN – On Wednesday, February 13th, at 2:45 pm, lawmakers, Matthew Charles, advocates and re-entry experts will gather at the Tennessee State Capitol complex in Nashville to discuss new bills (SB 589 / HB 547) that will streamline the voting rights restoration process to Tennesseans with felony convictions who have completed their sentences.

The roundtable will feature the bill sponsors, State Senator Steven Dickerson and State Representative Michael Curcio, alongside Matthew Charles, a formerly-incarcerated activist who was recently released under the First Step Act, as well as prominent advocates and prisoner re-entry experts from The Equity Alliance, the ACLU of Tennessee, and Project Return. Over the course of the roundtable, participants will discuss the substance of the legislation, its potential to limit bureaucratic interference in the rights restoration process, and its impact on formerly incarcerated people living in Tennessee.

Currently, 320,000 Tennesseans with felony convictions, more than 8 percent of the state’s total voting age population, are disenfranchised by the onerous restoration process despite having already served their time and successfully completed their parole and/or probation.

The roundtable will be moderated by Colin Weaver, Director of State Affairs for Secure Democracy. Roundtable participants include:

  • Tennessee State Senator Steve Dickerson
  • Tennessee State Representative Michael Curcio (opening remarks)
  • Matthew Charles, formerly-incarcerated activist released from prison under the First Step Act
  • Tori Venable, State Director at Americans for Prosperity Tennessee
  • Hedy Weinberg, Executive Director of ACLU of Tennessee
  • Tequila Johnson, Co-Founder and Vice President of The Equity Alliance (opening remarks)
  • Bettie Kirkland, Executive Director of Project Return

The roundtable will be open to the press and the public.

WHAT:  Roundtable on Restoring Voting Rights to Tennesseans With Felony Convictions

WHERE: Cordell Hull Building, 425 5th Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37243

     Room information: Conference Room 5C, 5th Floor

WHEN:  2:45 – 3:30 pm, February 13, 2019

   

Phil Bredesen to attend Black Women’s Roundtable Sept. 19

Posted on by The Equity Alliance in Uncategorized

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 17, 2018

Contact: Kyonzte Toombs, Esq.

615-971-6786, theequityalliancefund@gmail.com

 

– MEDIA ADVISORY –

Black Women to Sound Off on Roe v. Wade, Issues with Phil Bredesen

The Equity Alliance Fund to gather 30 voters for Black Women’s Roundtable Sept. 19

WHO:                Governor Phil Bredesen

Kyonzte Toombs, The Equity Alliance Fund Board President

Charlane Oliver, The Equity Alliance Board President

30 black women voters

WHAT:              Black Women’s Policy Roundtable. In an effort to leverage our collective voice for the November midterm election in Tennessee, The Equity Alliance Fund – the 501(c)4 advocacy affiliate of The Equity Alliance – and its Black Women for Tennessee coalition is hosting a Black Women’s Policy Roundtable with Governor Phil Bredesen, candidate for U.S. Senate. The roundtable will gather 30 college-educated, black women registered voters to sound off on issues of concern to them and how they want to see their issues championed by Gov. Bredesen, if elected.

WHEN:              Wednesday, September 19, 2018 – 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

WHERE:            Urban League of Middle Tennessee, 50 Vantage Way, Suite 201, Nashville, TN 37228

WHY:                 As one of the largest and most loyal voting blocs, black women in Tennessee refuse to have their vote and their voice taken for granted. The central issue will be women’s health and reproductive rights and the vulnerability of Roe v. Wade if Judge Brett Kavanaugh is confirmed to the U.S. Supreme Court. Viewpoints shared will be related The Equity Alliance’s Fund Four-Point Policy Agenda: Economic Equality, Education, Criminal Justice Reform, and Voting Rights/Protecting the Ballot. This is the second of two events scheduled with the Bredesen campaign. The first took place on Saturday, July 14 at City Winery, where Gov. Bredesen addressed an audience of more than 400 black women and community leaders at the inaugural Black Women’s Empowerment Brunch hosted by The Equity Alliance.

About Black Women for Tennessee

Black Women for Tennessee is a statewide nonpartisan coalition consisting of 25 black-women-led and women-led organizations and more than 600 individual black women committed join forces to register voters, inform voters, and get voters to the polls for the November 2018 midterm election. Learn more at theequityalliance.org/blackwomenfortn.

About The Equity Alliance Fund

The Equity Alliance Fund is the 501(c)4 affiliate issues advocacy organization for The Equity Alliance, a Nashville-based 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that seeks to equip citizens with tools and strategies to engage in the civic process and empower them to take action on issues affecting their daily lives. Our work focuses on Voter Registration, Voter Education, Voter Restoration, Election Protection, Civic Leadership, and Voting Rights Policy. Learn more at theequityalliance.org.

This is a closed, private event. Invitation only.

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Distractions

Posted on by The Equity Alliance in People

Photo: The Tennessean

Today, the Davidson County Election Commission voted 5-0 to clear the way for a referendum on the November 6th ballot for a community oversight board. This is a result of the months-long hard work by the Community Oversight Now coalition to add a Metro charter amendment for police accountability. After two black men – Jocques Clemmons and Daniel Hambrick – were gunned down in the back by two white Metro Nashville Police officers within 18 months, the public has once again called for police accountability.

As we said in our statement last week, we support a community oversight board for Nashville. But not everyone thinks so. The Nashville Fraternal Order of Police challenged the validity of the petition signatures today. Now that the ballot measure will go forward, they, yet again, intend to block citizens from engaging in the civic process by appealing the election commission’s decision.

We call these distractions.

On the state level, Governor Bill Haslam granted clemency to four Tennessee inmates last month. Meanwhile, he continues to ignore the national and local outcry to grant clemency for Cyntoia Brown. In response, we sent him this letter.

Does Gov. Haslam think we’ll forget about Cyntoia Brown? We call BS on these distractions.

Yesterday, President Donald Trump called his former White House aide – and the highest ranking black woman on his staff – a “lowlife” “dog.” He continues to ratchet up dog whistle rhetoric directed toward blacks and women. Stay woke, because that same day, Ben Carson, his Secretary of Housing and Urban Development pushed to bring back housing discrimination and segregation.

Again, the president’s tweets are all distractions.

Our recent political climate has been frustrating, to say the least. We get it. You’re feeling hopeless, indifferent, angry, and even defeated.

Stay woke. Be vigilant. Be encouraged. There’s a way out of this, and that’s to vote. Vote out those elected officials who don’t represent your values or value black lives. We want all people of color to have a fair and just opportunity at realizing the American dream. But we know the current status quo can’t continue.

Stay focused. November is coming.

Statement on Daniel Hambrick Fatal Officer-Involved Shooting

Posted on by The Equity Alliance in People, Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 10, 2018

Like many others in the Nashville community, we were disturbed and outraged at the video released by Nashville District Attorney Glenn Funk of the fatal officer-involved shooting of Daniel Hambrick. The killing of black men and women at the hands of police is a serious matter, as it conjures up a decades-long history of Jim Crow era state-sanctioned racial violence by police in predominantly black communities.

There have been two officer-involved shootings less than two years apart under Chief Steve Anderson’s leadership. Countless other incidents and formal complaints involving black Nashvillians have previously gone unresolved or ignored. The community continues to be distrustful of his leadership based on his refusal or willful neglect to correct and rectify past grievances by residents. In order for any healing and trust to be restored, or for any effective change in policy to occur within the Metro Nashville Police Department, Chief Anderson must not be at the helm. Therefore, we call for Chief Anderson to step down, and if this does not happen, we call on Mayor David Briley to immediately remove him from his position. We also demand that individuals from marginalized communities in Nashville have input in the selection of a new chief.

The Equity Alliance aims to equip citizens with tools and strategies to engage in the civic process and empower them to take action on issues affecting their daily lives. We applaud Nashvillians who use tools readily available to them to be engaged in the civic process. This includes the right to petition, the right to peacefully assemble, meeting with their appointed and elected officials and voting, to name a few. When local government impedes on our ability to be engaged citizens, we find this deeply problematic.

In the year leading up to Daniel Hambrick’s death, community groups, constituents and grieving families repeatedly sought meetings with Chief Anderson, only to be turned away and blacklisted. When Gideon’s Army released the evidence-based “Driving While Black” report, it was met with criticism and called “morally disingenuous” by Chief Anderson. When initial efforts to create a community oversight board were launched, local government officials conspired to bring the New York-based Policing Project to Nashville to diminish these efforts. When the Community Oversight Now coalition delivered to Metropolitan Clerk Elizabeth Waites twice the number of petition signatures required to place a proposed charter amendment on the November 6th ballot, she refused to do her job — paid by taxpayers — to certify the petitions. This act of defiance was met with no reprimand or accountability.

These are not merely isolated incidents. But rather collective evidence of a local government that has gone rogue from the people it’s supposed to serve. This is wrong.

During Mayor David Briley’s press conference, he called for a comprehensive review of policing practices. While we appreciate his commitment to working with community leaders to bring police oversight – a stark contrast from the previous administration, we believe his proposal to bring the Policing Project to Nashville falls short. Not only does this undermine the credible work that has already been done by local black-led community organizations, but the optics of this decision sends a message that local black-led groups cannot be trusted with resources to solve our own community issues. Therefore, we stand in solidarity with Community Oversight Now to support a community oversight board in Nashville and urge Mayor Briley to do the same. The signatures of more than 8,200 residents should not be ignored. This is what the people want.

Our hearts and deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of Daniel Hambrick and hope that justice is served for them.

 

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Fully Funding Metro Nashville Schools

Posted on by The Equity Alliance in People

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The Equity Alliance advocates for African Americans and other communities of color to have a fair and just opportunity to realize the American dream. There is nothing more foundational to American success than obtaining a high-quality education. A free and public education should be the birthright for every child in our city.

Metro Nashville Public Schools serves 71% minority students with African Americans consisting of 42% of this population. If our goal is to ensure Nashville’s children have the best head start in life, then the equitable distribution of resources for public schools is a universal start. If Nashville is to really be the It City, we MUST be deliberate in supporting all communities, especially those who have historically been overlooked. This cannot happen if our schools are forced to continue operating without being fully funded.

MNPS will experience a budget shortfall for the 2018-19 school year. This is happening at a time when corporate interests are being catered to using taxpayer dollars, and the misappropriation of funds leads to high-dollar economic investments that benefit the few.

The proposed budget for MNPS is an additional $45 million, but Metro is offering $5 million to operate next year. In the past, Nashville’s public school system made up about 50% of the city’s budget. The proposal set to go before the Metro Council this month leaves schools at close to 41%. In fact, a piece of school property will be sold for $13 million to even meet that percentage. Schools are closing, academic programs are being cut, and even the free school lunch program is seeing major reductions if this happens. At a time when corporations and private entities are being financially supported by our city, why should our public schools be begging for coins?

Nashville’s children should have access to the best possible education, and Superintendent Dr. Shawn Joseph needs the support of the school board, Metro Council, and Mayor’s office to lead the district’s academic progress.

On Tuesday, the Metro Council will be taking public comments on the proposed budget. We urge our elected officials to find more funding for our schools.

Make Your Voice Heard

Metro Council Meeting
Tuesday, June 5
6:30 p.m.
Metro Courthouse Building
1 Public Square, Nashville, TN 37201 – 2nd Floor

Email Metro Council Members

TEAm Meeting: Faith-Based Political Engagement – May 29, 2018

Posted on by The Equity Alliance in Events, People

“Faith-Based Political Engagement”

Pastor John Faison, Sr.
Rev. James Turner, II
Bishop Joseph Walker, III

As a recap to Soul to the Polls and as we gear up for the next August midterm election, local prominent faith leaders will share about the importance of “Faith-Based Political Engagement” and their experience partnering with The Equity Alliance for Souls to the Polls. This month’s TEAm meeting will be a call to action for other faith leaders (of any denomination) to get involved with nonpartisan voter registration and turnout.

The Equity Alliance board members will also share upcoming initiatives and opportunities that guests in attendance can participate in for the August 2nd election. Come prepared to take action and get to work!

SPEAKERS:
Pastor James Turner, II, New Hope Missionary Baptist Church and President of Interdenominational Ministers Fellowship (IMF)
Pastor John Faison, Sr., Watson Grove Baptist Church
Bishop Joseph Walker, III, Mt. Zion Baptist Church

Free and open to the public.

RSVP: info@theequityallliance.org

The Equity Alliance hosts a TEAm meeting on the last Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. at Lee Chapel AME Church. Meetings are open to the public and interested volunteers.

The Equity Alliance & IMF to host free “Voting is LIT” Community Block Party April 21

Posted on by The Equity Alliance in Events, People

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

THE EQUITY ALLIANCE & THE INTERDENOMINATIONAL MINISTER’S FELLOWSHIP TO HOST “VOTING IS LIT” COMMUNITY BLOCK PARTY

Nonprofit aims to increase African-American turnout during first Saturday of early voting April 21

Nashville, Tenn. (APRIL 9, 2018) – On the heels of releasing its inaugural Nashville Voter Guide with more than 929 downloads in its first two weeks, The Equity Alliance is now gearing up for its Community Block Party to energize the community during the May 1 primary election early voting period. The “Voting is Lit” Community Block Party will be held Saturday, April 21 from Noon to 4 p.m. at Hartman Park Community Center, located at 2801 Tucker Road near the Bordeaux Library precinct.

The event will include a kid’s corner, live performances, a Greek showcase and stroll off featuring local fraternities and sororities, music, food and a party bus to shuttle attendees to go vote at the Bordeaux Library. Robert “Black Rob” Higgins will be hosting along with local 92Q on-air personality DJ C-Wiz.

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“There are several reasons that hinder voter turnout in Nashville, including lack of education and awareness of who’s on the ballot,” said The Equity Alliance Founder and Board President Charlane Oliver, “One of the steps we took this year was to educate the community by releasing the 2018 Nashville Voter Guide. The next step is to engage the community with programs and events like this one.”

Early voting has its advantages. Citizens can vote at any early voting location that is most convenient and can vote during a time that best fits their personal schedule. Through their partnership with the Interdenominational Minister’s Fellowship (IMF) to launch Souls to the Polls, The Equity Alliance will shuttle attendees to vote at the Bordeaux Library precinct throughout the event.

“Research has shown that when poll parties are held near a voting precinct in a predominantly African-American neighborhood, voter turnout is likely to increase,” says Tequila Johnson, The Equity Alliance co-founder, vice president and event organizer. “We are so appreciative of organizations like IMF. The support of the Nashville churches and other organizations across the city has been vital to our mission to build coalitions and alliances.”

The mission of The Equity Alliance is to increase minority voter participation and foster civic engagement. Tennessee ranks 50th in voter turnout and 40th in voter registration. In Davidson County, people of color live in precincts with the lowest voter turnout.

The event is free and open to the public.

For more information on this event, to become a volunteer or to learn more about The Equity Alliance, please visit, www.theequityalliance.org or email info@theequityalliance.org.

###

About The Equity Alliance

Established in January 2017, The Equity Alliance proactively advocates for communities of color to have a fair and just opportunity at realizing the American dream. As a Nashville-based, nonpartisan, 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, The Equity Alliance equips citizens with tools and strategies to engage in the civic process and empower them to take action on issues affecting their daily lives. Our work is achieved through four areas: Voter Registration, Voter Education, Voter Restoration, and Voting Rights. Learn more at www.theequityalliance.org or follow on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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#BlackVotesMatter: We’ve Got Something to Say About the Alabama Senate Race

Posted on by The Equity Alliance in Uncategorized

Yesterday, the voters of Alabama voted on the right side of history, electing Doug Jones to the U.S. Senate in what was a controversial race against an accused pedophile and bigot, Roy Moore. In a staunchly conservative state, the outcome was far from decisive and was contingent on whether African-American voters in the Black Belt would turn out to vote. Indeed, they came out in record numbers since 2012 with 98% of Black women and 93% of Black men going for Doug Jones. Black voters spoke collectively in a resounding voice to reject systemic oppression and changed the course of history. The nation witnessed that Black Votes Matter.

Source: Washington Post

Worth noting is the significant role that Latino men and women played in giving Jones the extra boost over the finish line.

It is clear that people of color made a difference.

Black voters, particularly Black women, have demonstrated loyalty to the Democratic Party for many years, and we are now witnessing the power of courting this demographic in elections. It’s time to stop taking the Black vote for granted. The Democratic Party owes Black voters in Alabama a HUGE thank you.

Doug Jones has a long history with the black community that motivated voters, given his work as a federal prosecutor who successfully took down two members of the Ku Klux Klan for the notorious 1963 bombing of a Birmingham church that killed four black girls. Deep engagement, long relationships, and lots of trust with black and brown voters is what should gain our vote.

Let this be a lesson to Tennessee politicians that people of color hold the keys to winning any election. Also, let this be a lesson to Black voters in Nashville: when we show up to the polls, we win elections!

And remember: our responsibility as informed and engaged citizens does not end at the voting booth. Voting is just the first step. Holding our elected officials accountable while in office is where the real victory is won.

Order Your Black Votes Matter T-shirt Today!

Order Now

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The Equity Alliance proactively advocates for African Americans and other communities of color to have a fair and just opportunity at realizing the American dream. We are a Nashville-based 501(c)3 non-profit organization that seeks to equip citizens with tools and strategies to engage in the civic process and empower them to take action on issues affecting their daily lives. Donate online.

Bills + Budgets: A Community Town Hall and Legislative Update – July 25

Posted on by The Equity Alliance in Events

bills+budgets

Ask Questions. Get Answers.

Want to know what criminal justice and education bills were passed and debated this year in the Tennessee General Assembly? How will the Metro Council’s budget affect you and your neighborhood?

Join us on Tuesday, July 25 at 6 p.m. at First Baptist Church Capitol Hill to hear first-hand from our state and local elected officials. In our effort to bring equitable change to communities of color by building informed, engaged minority voters, we’ll discuss everything from body cameras and teacher pay raises to new developments and traffic congestion. Bring your questions!

Confirmed Panelists include:

Rep. Brenda Gilmore
House District 54
Member House Finance, Ways and Means Committee

Rep. Harold Love, Jr. 
House District 58
Member, House Finance, Ways and Means Committee
Member, House Education Instruction and Programs Committee

Councilwoman Erica Gilmore 
At-Large Metro Council Member
Budget & Finance Committee Member

Councilwoman Tanaka Vercher
Metro Council Member for District 58
Vice Chair, Budget & Finance Committee

Stay informed. Stay woke.

RSVP here.

DOWNLOAD the flyer: Full size | Instagram

 

The Equity Alliance to host voter registration drive at Slim & Husky’s

Posted on by The Equity Alliance in Events

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Equity Alliance, a new 501(c)3 nonprofit organization focused on building informed and engaged minority voters, is hosting a voter registration drive Thursday, July 13 at 5:30 p.m. at the popular pizza spot, Slim & Husky’s Pizza Beeria.

Patrons who register on the spot will be entered to win a free Slim and Husky’s pizza.

Capitalizing on the long wait line, volunteers from The Equity Alliance will also conduct a three-question survey asking about previous voting behavior.

“There is a culture and mentality in the African-American community of believing that one’s vote does not matter,” said Board President Charlane Oliver. “We are interested in learning what factors drive this behavior, and how can The Equity Alliance improve our efforts to change the mentality around voting as a mechanism for social change.”

Tennessee currently ranks 50th in voter turnout and 40th in voter registration, according to nonpartisan think tank Think Tennessee.

In Tennessee, voters can be purged from the voter rolls if he or she fails to respond to notices to update their registration record over a period of two consecutive November elections. This can disproportionately lead to voter suppression in communities of color where there is a history of frequently changing addresses.

Patrons will have the opportunity to update their voter contact information during the voter drive. The event will end at sundown.

For more information, visit www.theequityalliance.org or email info@theequityalliance.org.

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About The Equity Alliance

The Equity Alliance proactively advocates for African Americans and other communities of color to have a fair and just opportunity at realizing the American dream. Established in January 2017, The Equity Alliance is a Nashville-based 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that seeks to eliminate policy barriers related to criminal justice reform, voting rights and public education; equip citizens with tools and strategies to engage in the civic process; and empower them to take action on issues affecting their daily lives in an effort to bring about equitable, systemic change in our communities. Learn more at www.theequityalliance.org or follow on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Laws Taking Effect July 1

Posted on by The Equity Alliance in Uncategorized

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In Tennessee, July 1 is when bills that were passed and signed by the Governor usually take effect as law. We’ve got a rundown of laws you need to know about. We’re not surprised that some of our legislators continue to pass laws rooted in hate, fear, division and exclusion. We’ve highlighted a few of the good, the bad, and the ugly of what the Tennessee General Assembly passed this year.

THE GOOD

The cost of expunging a conviction has been reduced from $350 to $180

Thanks to Rep. Raumesh Akbari (D-Memphis) and Sen. Mark Norris (R-Collierville), Tennesseans with a criminal record – many of whom live in poverty due to unemployment – will have a cheaper time getting their records expunged. It immediately became a law on May 25, 2017.

Gas taxes help to improve roads

Depending on how you look at this, the Governor’s IMPROVE Act will pump $248 million additional dollars into the budget to pay for 962 road construction projects in Tennessee. The law cuts taxes on groceries. It also gives $70 million to counties and $35 million to cities like Nashville to fund mass transit to alleviate traffic congestion.

The tax on a gallon of gas is going up by 4 cents on July 1, and then 1 cent each of the following two years, adding up to 6 cents total. The tax on diesel fuel is going up by a total of 10 cents over the next three years. The cost to register a vehicle in Tennessee will increase by $5 for passenger motor vehicles, $10 for buses and taxis and $20 for semis and tractor trailers. Electric vehicles will have an additional $100 registration fee.

HBCUs get some love by Love

Rep. Harold Love (D-Nashville) pushed a bill through that creates a new initiative and assigns personnel to assist Tennessee’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities with increasing enrollment, retention, and graduation rates by working with school presidents and administrators.

Adults in Tennessee can attend community college for free

Tennessee became the first state in the nation to offer all citizens – both high school graduates and adults – the chance to earn a postsecondary degree or certificate free of tuition and fees and at no cost to taxpayers. Take advantage of this!

Pre-K and Kindergartners cannot be expelled or suspended

A law by Sen. Reginald Tate (D-Memphis) and Rep. Raumesh Akbari protects students in pre-kindergarten through kindergarten (pre-K-K) from being suspended or expelled from school, unless the student’s behavior endangers another student or staff person.

Teachers are getting more money for classroom supplies

Currently, $200 is set aside for every public teacher in K-12 for instructional supplies. A new law removes the requirement that half of the funds be pooled and instead allocates the entire amount to each teacher for instructional supplies as determined necessary by the teacher.

Board of Parole must have experience

A Senate bill (SB275) ensures that at least one member of the Board of Parole has corrections experience. Go figure.

THE BAD

Police officers’ identities are protected

It is now a misdemeanor offense to release the identity of a law enforcement officer’s resident address to the public. This will make officer-involved shooting investigations that much more secretive. HB0560

Tougher penalties for crimes against law enforcement officers

People who target uniformed police, military or national guardsmen can face tougher sentencing. But wait, where are the laws protecting unarmed black men killed by police?

THE UGLY

Protestors are NOT protected

Forget having your First Amendment right, now you can be fined $200 for blocking emergency vehicles during a protest. Wanna keep black and brown people from protesting? Make it a law. Seems like this has been directed at Black Lives Matter.

Abortion ban

Pregnant women are banned from getting an abortion after 20 weeks.

Credit cards can charge 30 percent interest

A law increases the maximum annual interest rate that a bank may charge on credit card accounts from 21 percent to 30 percent. Yep, let’s keep poor people poor and enslaved to the lender.
More Resources:

Bills & Budgets: A Community Town Hall & Legislative Update

town hall

Dr. Pippa Holloway to speak on ‘felony disenfranchisement’ at June 27 meeting

Posted on by The Equity Alliance in Uncategorized

 

Soros Justice Fellow and Middle Tennessee State University Professor of History Pippa Holloway, Ph.D. joins The Equity Alliance at its June 27 TEAm Meeting to present her talk, “Felony Disenfranchisement: Past, Present, and Strategies for the Future.” The meeting begins at 6 pm at First Baptist Church Capitol Hill, 625 Rosa L Parks Blvd, in the fellowship hall.

Pippa Holloway will discuss her research on the racial motivations behind the expansion of felony disenfranchisement in the post-Civil War South as well as laws in Tennessee today that deny voting rights to a startlingly high number of ex-offenders. Why is Tennessee so far behind the rest of the nation? What strategies have brought changes in other states?

Dr. Holloway is the author of three books, including Living in Infamy: Felon Disfranchisement and the History of American Citizenship (Oxford Books), and is a 2007 Soros Justice Fellow.  She earned her doctorate in history from The Ohio State University, master’s degree in history from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and her undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. View her full Curriculum Vitae here.

The Equity Alliance is committed to restoring the voting rights for Nashville’s most vulnerable and disenfranchised communities. As one of our core issues, voting rights are critical to ensuring Africans Americans, Hispanics and other persons of color become productive members of society. Dr. Holloway’s presentation is a great first step to understanding the deep-rooted barriers that keep persons of color oppressed and their vote suppressed.

The TEAm Meeting is open to all volunteers and interested parties. For more information, contact us at info@theequityalliance.org.

RSVP:

 

Your Gift is Now Tax-Deductible

Posted on by The Equity Alliance in Uncategorized

Help us build minority voting power in Tennessee.

The Equity Alliance has great news to share. We have received 501c(3) tax-exempt status!

Most non-profit organizations understand the importance of achieving this status. For The Equity Alliance, this means we have been recognized by both the State of Tennessee and the federal government as an organization that is mission-focused rather than profit-focused. Our mission to proactively advocate for African Americans and other communities of color to have a fair and just opportunity at realizing the American dream is our primary concern.

That alone is the end goal. And we’ll use our voting power to do it.

For you, this means that the donations you contribute to The Equity Alliance will go towards achieving our mission rather than boosting profits for shareholders. Most importantly, your donations are tax-deductible. We count it a privilege to have supporters like you who believe in the work of The Equity Alliance and are just as committed to improving communities.

This summer, we plan to knock on as many doors as possible to register voters, talk with residents, and collect survey responses. This is all leading up to a report we aim to publish on minority voter turnout in Nashville. To accomplish, this takes resources and manpower.

Will you support us by giving $20 today?

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Thank you for supporting our mission.

Yours in the Fight,

The Equity Alliance Team

Repealing Obamacare Hurts Millions of Tennesseans

Posted on by The Equity Alliance in Uncategorized

We need your help.

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) just released a report estimating that 14 million Americans will be uninsured by the end of 2018 and 23 million uninsured by 2026. Medicaid, the program that insures millions of poor and disabled Americans, will be slashed by $834 billion dollars. And 1.27 million Tennesseans–including thousands of low-income, minority, disabled, young, and elderly residents–will be at risk.

Earlier this month, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the American Health Care Act (i.e. Trumpcare) to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), and the new law could make health insurance financially out of reach for some poor and sick Tennesseans. The bill passed without knowing the costs to taxpayers, without committee hearings, and without testimony from experts and stakeholders. The bill also punishes those with pre-existing conditions such as people with mental illness, cancer, heart disease, C-sections, victims of rape, sexual assault and domestic violence, and, mammograms

This bill is unacceptable. This does NOT bring more #EquityinTN. People’s lives are at stake.

Even worse, 13 white male Republicans who are meeting behind closed doors to draft their own version of the bill. Meeting in secrecy, with no women, minorities or bipartisanship at the table, is also not okay. Trumpcare must be stopped.

You have an opportunity to shape the outcome of a monumental piece of legislation. We have to work together to take a stand NOW. Here’s what you can do today:

  1. Write a letter.
  2. Call your Senators and tell them to vote NO on Trumpcare:
  • Lamar Alexander: 615-736-5129 (Nashville office) or 202-224-4944 (Washington DC)
  • Bob Corker: 615-279-8125 (Nashville) or 202-224-3344 (Washington DC)
  • Use this simple script.
  1. Retweet this.
  2. Share, Like, Love, and Comment on our Facebook post.
  3. Become informed. Read this New York Times article highlighting how each Representative voted. Does your Representative actually represent your interests?

Why does this matter?

  • 578,000 Tennesseans are expected to become uninsured under Trumpcare.
  • Tennessee’s children, seniors, and people with disabilities who rely on Medicaid will lose coverage under Trumpcare.
  • 27 million Tennesseans have pre-existing conditions, such as asthma, obesity, allergies, ear infection, and even rape.
  • Millions of Tennesseans will see huge increases in their premiums, including both those on the Marketplace and on employer-sponsored insurance under Trumpcare.
  • Millions of privately insured Americans will once again face lifetime and annual caps under Trumpcare.
  • The bill provides hundreds of tax breaks to families making over $250K per year.

Many of the same lawmakers who voted to pass Trumpcare found ways to exempt themselves from some of the most unpopular components of the law, such as keeping coverage for pre-existing conditions and coverage of essential health benefits. Self-serving politics is not okay. The lack of concern for the people who need health care coverage the most is not okay and does not bring more #EquityinTN.

The Equity Alliance believes in removing barriers that hinder the success of African-American and other communities of color. We believe in equipping citizens to engage in the civic process. We believe in empowering you to take action on issues that affect your lives. Join us. Let’s show our elected officials that we won’t stand for the status quo. Take action today!

Isaac Addae Joins The Equity Alliance Board of Directors

Posted on by The Equity Alliance in Uncategorized

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We are pleased to welcome Isaac Addae to the board of directors for The Equity Alliance!

Isaac is an Assistant Professor of Business Administration in the College of Business at Tennessee State University. He is currently a Management Ph.D. candidate in the School of Business and Management at Morgan State University in Baltimore. He completed a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and an M.S. in Systems Engineering at Tennessee State University.

“Isaac brings a wealth of community institutional knowledge and will be a great asset to the board,” Board President Charlane Oliver said.

With regard to community impact, Isaac is very active in efforts to influence economic development across Nashville’s urban population. He is the creator of the Conscious Conversation community discussion series, an effort that focuses on galvanizing local citizens around common issues. Isaac is a co-founder of The Hub for Urban Entrepreneurship, a Nashville-based social enterprise responsible for supporting minority business owners through initiatives such as Black Entrepreneurship Week. He is also leaving the formation of a community change fund that will drive collective philanthropy in Nashville’s urban communities. From a global perspective, Isaac has been involved in developing schools within rural villages in the West African nation of Ghana through Save the Villages, a nonprofit organization he founded.

As a self-described change agent and social engineer, Isaac is very focused on utilizing his full potential to advance communities of color around the world. He aims to achieve this goal by innovatively integrating his academic and community-based efforts.

TEAm Meeting – May 30

Posted on by The Equity Alliance in Uncategorized

TEAm-May30

Mark your calendars for our first TEAm Meeting:
Tuesday, May 30, 2017
6 p.m.
First Baptist Capitol Hill
Ennox-Jones Center
625 Rosa L Parks Blvd, Nashville, TN 37203
Our TEAm Meetings will be held on the last Tuesday of every month. The meeting is open to all volunteers.
 
At this meeting, we will discuss our summer strategy, program opportunities, and fundraisers as it relates to Community Education, Civic Engagement, Coalition Building, and Policy Research.
Let us know you’re coming by emailing info@theequityalliance.org. 

REGIONS BANK PARTNERS WITH THE EQUITY ALLIANCE, CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS TO HOST FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT SERIES

Posted on by The Equity Alliance in Uncategorized

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                       
April 21, 2017

Contact: Charlane Oliver, Board President, The Equity Alliance
615-420-7545
info@theequityalliance.org

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REGIONS BANK PARTNERS WITH THE EQUITY ALLIANCE, CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS TO HOST FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT SERIES

First of four workshops on April 29 to target North Nashville area residents

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – In celebration of National Financial Literacy Month in April, Regions Bank is teaming up with The Equity Alliance and five other African-American community organizations to host a Financial Empowerment Series focused on teaching financial principles that put Nashvillians on a path to financial independence. The first of four community workshops will take place Saturday, April 29 at the Nashville Public Library North Branch, 1001 Monroe Street, from 10 a.m. to noon. The event is free and open to the public.

The Financial Empowerment Series is hosted in partnership with Clerisy Circle, The Equity Alliance, The Hub for Urban Entrepreneurship, Knowledge Bank, Urban Enterprise Group and the Urban League of Middle Tennessee.

“Our goal is to make life better for our customers and communities, and empowering people through financial education is an important way we do that,” said Jim Schmitz, Middle Tennessee Area President of Regions Bank. “We are proud to team up with The Equity Alliance to host the Financial Empowerment Series.”

Taught by Regions Bank, the workshop titled “Money Matters” will discuss banking, building financial confidence, setting financial goals, identifying priorities, making the most of one’s income, and will include a hands-on simulation by Knowledge Bank.

“The Equity Alliance is thrilled to partner with Regions Bank and these respected community groups who work with predominantly African-American and low-income communities,” said The Equity Alliance’s Board President Charlane Oliver. “We know that North Nashville is one of the most economically distressed areas so we are excited to bring this workshop to the community in an effort to improve the upward economic mobility of its residents.”

The Financial Empowerment Series will be held once a quarter starting in North Nashville followed by events in August, November, and February 2018 in the four major quadrants of the city.

Register online here or visit www.theequityalliance.org. For more information, email info@theequityalliance.org.

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About The Equity Alliance
The Equity Alliance proactively advocates for African Americans and other communities of color to have a fair and just opportunity at realizing the American dream. Established in January 2017, The Equity Alliance is a Nashville-based grassroots advocacy nonprofit organization that seeks to equip citizens with tools and strategies to engage in the civic process and empower them to take action on issues affecting their daily lives. Learn more at www.theequityalliance.org or follow on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

About Regions Financial Corporation
Regions Financial Corporation (NYSE:RF), with $125 billion in assets, is a member of the S&P 500 Index and is one of the nation’s largest full-service providers of consumer and commercial banking, wealth management, mortgage, and insurance products and services. Regions serves customers across the South, Midwest and Texas, and through its subsidiary, Regions Bank, operates approximately 1,500 banking offices and 1,900 ATMs. Additional information about Regions and its full line of products and services can be found at www.regions.com.

About Clerisy Circle
Clerisy Circle is a curator of learners who unify, empower, and invest in the black community. The group thrives on creating a community of people with diverse backgrounds who gather socially in order to advance professionally, culturally and economically. By seamlessly connecting influential leaders through events, volunteering activities, and business partnerships, the Clerisy Circle™ seeks to become the most comprehensive community of influential black leaders in the world. For more information, visitwww.clerisycircle.com or follow @clerisycircle on Instagram and Facebook.

About The Hub for Urban Entrepreneurship
The Hub for Urban Entrepreneurship (HUE) is a Nashville-based social enterprise that seeks to inspire, develop and promote entrepreneurship and economic development in underserved and underrepresented communities.  In November 2016, HUE launched the inaugural Black Entrepreneurship Week (BEW), a local annual celebration during Global Entrepreneurship Week.  To connect with the HUE team, follow online at www.blackentrepreneurshipweek.com or on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @blackentrepweek.

About Knowledge Bank
Knowledge Bank is a social enterprise focused on improving the financial literacy of youth and millennials. Our mission is to create a generation of financially knowledgeable, responsible and empowered youth through education, exposure and the development of healthy behaviors. Sign up for our newsletter at www.knowledgebanknashville.org and like us on Facebook.

About the Urban Enterprise Group
The Urban Enterprise Group (UEG) is a Nashville-based private equity fund that seeks to economically empower urban communities through financial education and securities investment. Our mission is to foster and promote economic development in urban communities.

About the Urban League of Middle Tennessee
Chartered on April 15, 1968, the mission of the Urban League of Middle Tennessee is to enable African Americans, other minorities and disenfranchised groups to secure economic self-reliance, power, parity, and civil rights. Efforts are focused in the following areas: Economic Empowerment, Youth & Education, Health & Quality of Life, Civic Engagement, and Civil Rights and Racial Justice. Learn more at www.ulmt.org.

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Money Matters: Tips for Creating a Realistic Budget

Posted on by The Equity Alliance in Uncategorized

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Money Matters: Tips for Creating a Realistic Budget

Celebrating National Financial Literacy Month with tips you can use

April is National Financial Literacy Month and The Equity Alliance is focused on educating and empowering communities of color in Nashville to become more civically engaged in the political process as a means of ensuring more equitable economic, social, and political outcomes. When it comes to important money matters, we want to give you some helpful weekly personal financial tips to put you on a path to financial independence. This week is about Creating a Realistic Budget. Here’s how:

  1. Make a plan for your money.

A budget is simply a monthly plan that tells your money where to go. The formula should be this: Income minus Expenses equals Zero

 (Income) – (Expenses) = $0.00

Assign every dollar to a category. Major categories include Housing/Rent, Food, Transportation, Entertainment, Emergency Fund, and Debt/Loans

  1. Write down all of your bills and expenses for the month.

You have to see it, and your expenses have to match what you actually spend. How can you ever assess how well you’re doing financially if you have no idea how you’re actually doing. You’d be surprised where your money goes once you actually write down every expense, especially when it comes to entertainment and eating out. If you have children, factor in things such as birthday parties, summer clothes, doctor visits, and school field trips.

  1. Pay yourself first.

Make a habit to build your $1,000 emergency fund for unexpected expenses. You can even have a set amount automatically deducted from your paycheck and into your savings account.

  1. Execute the plan.

Use online and mobile resources like Mint.com, EveryDollar.com, Dave Ramsey’s Zero-Based Budgeting tools, or your bank’s online bill pay option to help you create a budget. Then, stick with it for at least 90 days to begin seeing your plan work.

  1. Don’t give up.

According to financial guru Dave Ramsey, personal finance is 80% behavior and 20% head knowledge. Of course, things come up. Impulse spending can be tempting. But be disciplined enough to keep at it.

Check back next week for more money matters tips from The Equity Alliance. Make plans to attend our Financial Empowerment Series presented by Regions Bank in partnership with Knowledge Bank Nashville, Clerisy Circle, Conscious Conversation, Urban Enterprise Group, and the Urban League of Middle Tennessee. The first seminar will be on Saturday, April 29, 2017 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Check our website and Facebook page for updated details on this upcoming event.

Act NOW to Get Our Fair Share

Posted on by The Equity Alliance in Covid19, Jobs, People

Pandemic Resources Available for Nashville Residents & Small Businesses

Our Fair Share Nashville powered by The Equity Alliance

Nashville:

You spoke, and your city officials listened.

Thank you for making your voice heard by taking the Our Fair Share Survey. The Equity Alliance is extremely proud of the work that the Our Fair Share team of canvassers and community partners poured into the campaign. Because of you, we were able to present 8,505 survey responses to Mayor John Cooper and Metro Government with a report that reflects the hardship, concern, and uncertainty faced during this Covid-19 pandemic by Nashville’s Black and Latino residents and minority-owned small businesses. 

Thanks to your participation, the Metro Covid-19 Financial Oversight Committee, along with Metro Council and Mayor John Cooper, allocated federal CARES Act funding for the following purposes:

Rent, Mortgage, and Utility Relief – $10 Million

$10 million to the United Way of Greater Nashville, to be disbursed to certain partner agencies for rent, mortgage, and utility relief. Call 2-1-1 to find an agency providing these funds.

Food Security & Nutrition – $2.5 Million

$2.5 million to Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee to provide more food to those impacted by COVID-19.

Small Business Relief – $5.7 Million

Other State & Local Resources Available

MDHA Emergency Housing Assistance Program
Short-term rent or mortgage assistance will be provided for up to 3-months in an amount of up to $1,400.00 per month to help low-income persons/households at risk of eviction or foreclosure due to a loss of income because of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.  
APPLY NOW

Tennessee Supplemental Employer Recovery Grant (SERG) Program
On October 7th, 2020, Governor Bill Lee announced the creation of the Supplemental Employer Recovery Grant (SERG) program, a small business relief program designed to reimburse eligible business owners for direct expenses or business interruption costs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The application window will open October 7, 2020 and remain open until December 29, 2020, or until all funds are depleted. Funds will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
APPLY NOW

Tennessee Department of Human Resources
Child care and services during Covid-19 are available at no cost.
GET HELP

Unemployment Benefits
Lost your job due to Covid-19? You may be eligible to collect unemployment benefits.
APPLY NOW

Good to Go Program
Good to Go is a hospitality safety program created by The Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp, in cooperation with Vanderbilt Health, Ryman Hospitality Properties and SERVPRO, to help businesses in every industry implement health and safety guidelines.
LEARN MORE

download list of agencies providing pandemic relief
read the our fair share report

The Equity Alliance Fund endorses Bradshaw for U.S. Senate

Posted on by The Equity Alliance in Press Release

Black-led, statewide advocacy group also endorses five candidates in Tennessee General Assembly races to push back against ‘radical laws’

NASHVILLE—The Equity Alliance Fund, a statewide racial justice advocacy group focused on increasing the civic power of Black and minority voters in Tennessee, announced six endorsements for the 2020 election season: 

  • Marquita Bradshaw, U.S. Senate
  • Glenn Scruggs, State Senate District 10
  • Brandon Thomas, State House District 49
  • Andrea Bond Johnson, State House District 82
  • Torrey Harris, State House District 90
  • Gabby Salinas, State House District 97

“These progressive leaders have a clear vision for a better future for Tennesseeans. Under their leadership, families, black, white and brown, will have a chance to earn a good living, send their kids to well-resourced schools and get access to quality healthcare that they need to get well and stay well,” said Charlane Oliver, co-founder and co-executive director. “These candidates are champions for Black and Brown lives and will stand up to greed-fueled special interests and defend us against radical laws that seek to control our communities, suppress our votes, and perpetuate decades of racial injustice.” 

The state legislature has a longstanding and concerning history of passing laws that target African American communities after Black-led movements push for change, according to Oliver. 

In 2016, the legislature prohibited local governments from removing war memorials after the majority-Black city of Memphis announced its plans to remove a statue of KKK grand wizard Nathan Bedford Forrest. 

In 2019, the legislature created the most severe criminal and civil penalties in the nation for voter registration groups that turn in forms with applicant errors after the Tennessee Black Voter Project, led by The Equity Alliance Fund, coordinated the largest voter registration drive in state history and submitted over 91,000 forms. 

In 2020, the legislature targeted Black Lives Matter protestors with a law that made it a felony for being on state grounds after 10 p.m. after dozens of people demonstrated day-and-night at the Capitol for two months.  

The Equity Alliance Fund, the affiliate 501(c)4 advocacy organization of The Equity Alliance, encourages Black voters to support policies and candidates who will invest in overlooked and underserved communities of color.