There is a Metro Council Meeting at 6:30 pm. An agenda has been provided and you can watch the meeting live via channel 3 or stream live on your electronic devices. Also, please do not respond to this email... You can reach me at [email protected].

Celebrate Black History!

During Black History Month, we honor the legacy of Kwame Leo Lillard — a civil rights icon, cultural leader, and dear mentor and friend to me. Kwame's life was a testament to courage, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to justice.

On a scorching summer day in 1961, Kwame Lillard and fellow activist Matthew Walker Jr., both Black student leaders, decided to challenge segregation by swimming in the whites-only pool at Centennial Park. Upon arriving, they were turned away and told, "Y’all can’t swim in here today." Their peaceful but defiant attempt to desegregate the pool prompted a harsh response from city officials — instead of integrating the facility, Nashville chose to close all public pools across the city.

While most pools eventually reopened, Centennial Park’s pool was filled with concrete and permanently converted into an art gallery by 1972. This drastic reaction symbolized the lengths authorities would go to maintain segregation, underscoring societal fears of Black and white bodies sharing intimate public spaces.

Kwame's wife, Evelyn Lillard, later reflected on the bittersweet significance of this history, emphasizing that her husband’s fight was about more than just a pool — it was a fight for access to all public spaces, ensuring future generations could fully participate and thrive in the community.

In addition to his pivotal activism, Kwame founded the African American Cultural Alliance and spearheaded the beloved African Street Festival, celebrating Black history and culture. His life's work continues to inspire Nashville and remains a guiding light for many, including me. I am forever grateful for his friendship, mentorship, and legacy of fearless advocacy.

What I've Been Up To:

• Baby P gave me the flu - again!
  • I talked about being sick in my last newsletter - These daycare germs are like biological warfare.
• I've traveled three times for work already this year.
• We've connected with the business owner of the new venue in Centennial Park and I'll be inviting them to a Town Hall
• Cmdr. Sean Richmond of Midtown Hills Police Precinct and his team will also be at the Centennial Park area Town Hall.
• The meeting regarding the 900 Block of Buchanan will be moved to March 11 (tentatively). I mentioned that it would be in February, but all parties are not available on the same date that works for me in February.
• Meeting with the mayor's office, NDOT, and planning on February 14th to discuss the Jefferson St. Project.
• Connecting with NDOT to request information for alley paving projects this summer - does your alley need paving? Send me your address via email and I'll add it to my list of requests.
• Circling Back with the mayor's office about the new Hadley Park Library

What's Happening Tonight:  

There's a pre-budget hearing tonight. This time is dedicated to allow the Council to hear general comments on public
requests for the Operating Budget or the Capital Improvements Budget. The Budget process begins with your comments, so if you have time to make it and share your thoughts, please do.

RS2025-1016 -A resolution accepting an in-kind grant from the Centennial Park Conservancy to the Metropolitan Government, acting by and through the Metropolitan Board of Parks and Recreation, to fund an architectural design feasibility study for the Picnic Pavilion in Centennial Park.

RS2025-1035 -A resolution recognizing February 2025 as Black History Month in Nashville and Davidson County.

BL2024-594 -An ordinance amending Section 17.04.060 of the Metropolitan Code, Zoning Regulations to add a definition for "Bar or nightclub" and amend the definition of "Beer and cigarette market" 

Dates to remember:

Centennial Park Town Hall Meeting

• Thursday, February 20 
• Location TBD

I invite all District 21 residents to reach out to me directly with any information or concerns in our community. Email is the best form of communication, but invite you to call me as well. My contact information is below.

Contact information: Email - [email protected] / Phone: 615.946.9700

Best regards,

Brandon