04/11/2026
A message of reflection from our CEO about his trip to Montgomery and Selma, Alabama this week with Leadership Middle Tennessee:
They called it a march, but history remembers it as blood on the bridge.
On March 7, 1965 in Selma, over 600 peaceful protesters stepped onto the Edmund Pettus Bridge demanding one simple thing - the right to vote.
They were met with tear gas, clubs, legs from tables, and harsh violence in which some lost their lives.
This day became known as “Bloody Sunday” which was a powerful moment that forced America to confront its own reflection.
And let’s be clear, the fight wasn’t just about ballots, it was about dignity, power, and being seen as fully human.
Because of their courage, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was passed changing the course of this nation.
But history isn’t just something we remember - it’s something we are responsible for.
It’s powerful to come to such a historical place and witness the history behind the pain within our Black community. To see both the division that once was and the ongoing work of healing that continues to bring us together was very much powerful.
This undeniable truth hits even closer to home today more than ever. It’s a reminder that our power has always been in our ability to embrace one another and to unify around our shared humanity rather than become divided over our external differences.
It was an absolute blessing to meet Joyce Nadine Parrish O’Neal and hear her firsthand stories from a time that was not too long ago - a living reminder that this history is not distant, but deeply present.
I am so thankful for my friends and family at Leadership Middle Tennessee for their continued encouragement and guidance, not only on this trip, but the transformative impact on my life and community.
As an individual and as a small business owner, I am beyond grateful for the work that’s been done and extremely honored to be able to participate in the work we’re about to do.
