Award-winning leadership building a statewide movement.
The Equity Alliance is led by experienced organizers who understand that building sustainable power requires both vision and infrastructure. Our leadership has been recognized statewide for innovative approaches to civic engagement and community organizing.
How We’re Organized
Each of our four chapters is governed by local leadership councils made up of community members with deep neighborhood roots. This ensures our work stays grounded in local realities while benefiting
from coordinated statewide strategy. Our professional staff teams integrate organizing, policy expertise, communications, and operations. Rather than working in silos, everyone understands how their role contributes to building Black political and economic power.
Our membership model creates meaningful pathways for engagement at different levels—from community supporters who participate in events to sustaining members who provide ongoing financial support to LiberTEA Collective participants who receive intensive leadership
training.
Ways to Join:
Tequila M. Johnson is an award-winning activist, community organizer, and political strategist whose work focuses on creating equity by increasing access to economic opportunities and civic engagement for marginalized communities. Revered as “The Mouth of the South,” she has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, on CNN, MSNBC, and around the country.
Tequila is the co-founder and CEO of The Equity Alliance, a Black Led Tennessee-based multi-entity network of for-profit and nonprofit businesses designed to equip black people with tools and strategies to strengthen their communities and keep the government in check. She is most known for Building culturally relevant programs and events that center the voices and leadership of those at the helm of injustice. Her work in and for the community has earned widespread praise and recognition. Her awards include the 2020 Roddenberry Civil Rights Fellow, 2021 Echoing Green Fellow, 2020 Tennessean of the year, 2019 Human Rights Coalition Rising Advocate Award, The Nashville Business Journal’s Women of Influence Award 2019; Nashville Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Superstar 2019; the NAACP Ella Baker Power Award 2019; the Women’s Political Collaborative of Tennessee’s Movers and Shakers Award 2018; Nashville. Business’ 100 Leading African Americans 2018; Nashville Black 40 Under 40 2018; and Nashville Voice’s 2018 Nashvillian of the Year. Tequila was a featured presenter at the 2020 Global Political Activism Summit in Ghana, Accra, in 2019 at the national Unrig Summit, and in 2019 at the Muslim Women’s Conference in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
Tequila graduated from Tennessee State University, received her master’s degree in counseling psychology, and is pursuing a Ph.D. in industrial and organizational psychology. Additionally, she is a certified project manager and holds a graduate certificate in grant writing and nonprofit, public, and executive management. She serves on the Metro Nashville Industrial Development Board, the sustainable business coalition, and is the Vice President of Rosebank Elementary PTO. When she’s not working, she enjoys singing in her church choir, dancing, and spending time with her daughter.
Rachael Spriggs is a native Memphian with over 15 years of professional experience in youth advocacy, organizing, overseeing key functions of continuous improvement, and program management. She is a graduate of HBCU University of Maryland Eastern Shore and is extremely passionate about dismantling the systems of white supremacy.
Strongly self-directed, with a drive to continuously improve her team’s performance, she has a proven track record of selecting, training, motivating, and growing exceptional teams. Rachael is a proud member of NAACP and Leadership for Educational Equity. She is a certified Policy and Advocacy Equity Leader who previously partnered with the largest predominantly Black school district in Tennessee to provide project management and program evaluation methods to enhance the performance of schools in the bottom 5%. She is a Leader of Color and a member of Leadership Memphis, with strong ties to her community.
In partnership with her husband, she founded a mentorship program that focuses on leadership development and the character building of Black youth in underserved communities. Of all of Rachael’s accomplishments and accolades, Rachael is most proud to be the mother of her son and daughter.
Jess Williams is a self-proclaimed Nashvillian, imported from Detroit, Michigan, and a graduate of Tennessee State University. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Integrated Marketing Communications and is a member of Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity, Inc. Throughout her professional career, she has positioned herself in non-profit communications, marketing, and events.
Over the last five years, Jess has built relationships through advocacy and marketing within the Nashville non-profit community, including working with the Lupus Foundation of America, Mid-South Chapter, and YWCA of Nashville & Middle Tennessee. She is an experienced and dedicated communications and social media strategist specializing in growth and brand management. Jess is proudly one of the 2022 Nashville Black 40 Under 40 award recipients, a Re:Power Women of Color Leadership Cohort alum, and a 2023 Cause Effective Advancing Leaders of Color in Fundraising Fellow. As the director of development and marketing, she oversees partnerships and investor relations to further TEA’s impact and movement for building a democracy where we are all thriving.
Antricia Gordon is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience in the corporate and nonprofit sectors. Holding a Bachelor of Science in Biology and an MBA with a leadership concentration, she excels in staff and office management, event coordination, and process improvement. Antricia serves on the board of Mental Health America of Middle Tennessee, where she helps to advance mental health advocacy and awareness. She is currently leading the operations department at The Equity Alliance as the Director of Organizational Efficiency and Wellbeing.
Ta’Naisha Hillman, a native of Georgia and a proud graduate of Fisk University, is a dynamic professional with a passion for excellence and a knack for effective leadership. Throughout her tenure at Fisk, Ta’Naisha demonstrated her commitment to growth and success by assuming various leadership roles, where she honed invaluable skills in time management, organization, and problem-solving.
Armed with a proven track record of optimizing office functionality, Ta’Naisha has carved a niche for herself as an Executive Administrative Assistant. Her dedication to delivering excellence in every task is evident in her meticulous approach to work. Efficiency, professionalism, and a solutions-oriented mindset are the hallmarks of Ta’Naisha’s contributions to the workplace.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Ta’Naisha finds joy in her diverse interests. During her free time, she immerses herself in the world of documentaries, indulges her creative side by crafting skincare products, takes on various DIY (Do-It-Yourself) projects, and continuously expands her knowledge through the ever-informative halls of “YouTube University.”
In both her personal and professional pursuits, Ta’Naisha Hillman is a testament to the power of dedication, versatility, and a constant thirst for knowledge. She brings a unique blend of leadership, creativity, and efficiency to any environment, making her an asset poised to make a lasting impact wherever her endeavors take her.
Terrica Arnold is a Louisiana native who was raised in Georgia. She earned degrees in political science and educational leadership from two Nashville gems: Fisk University and Tennessee State University.
Terrica has dedicated over ten years to community-based minority health disparity research and programming, service learning, and student academic achievement. In recent years, she has supported health equity through policy research and training future minority health care professionals. As LiberTEA Collective coordinator, she directs the program’s curriculum, partnerships, cohort support, and impact efforts.
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The Equity Alliance is the leading Black-led grassroots organization in Tennessee promoting intentional, unapologetic, innovative, and culturally relevant year-round civic engagement among Black communities.
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