John Ingram, Chairman of the Board of Directors for Ingram Industries, and Phil Henry, CoFounder Opertations for CodeX Academy discuss their recent results story.
TABLE RESULTS
Several Table members were recommended to the Dismas House. Alisha Shoates is joining the board, Mark Jackson is being asked to join the Marketing and Communications committee, and Faran Abdi is being asked to join the Finance committee.
Board and Committee Seats Attained
Through a Table connection, the Nashville Business Journal published an article regarding Fisk University: Merging academics with industry: How these leaders are guiding Fisk University into a new era
Introductions to Media Created Business Stories and Exposure
Private Directors Association Nashville was looking for panel members for an upcoming event. The Table referred Charles Story and he joined a group of accomplished panel members to share his thoughts on Board Responsibility During a Crisis.
Panel Member Referral
Sunny Bray, Founder & CEO of Catalyst Collective and Melissa Hudson-Gant, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters met at a Table meeting and Big Brothers Big Sisters has hired Sunny and Catalyst Collective to do their social media marketing.
Member Hired for Social Media Marketing
Table member, Lisa Stettar, asked The Table for recommendations on someone to hold DEI training for her leadership team. The Table connected Lisa with Table member, Roberta Scott-Pettis, who was hired to do the training.
Member Hired for DEI Training
Table Members Diana Sanchez-Vega, Founder & CEO of Sanchez-Vega Communications and Casey Mulligan, SVP Financial Advisor of Pinnacle Bank met at the August 31st membership meeting and Diana was hired to present at Pinnacle Financial on the topic “Cultural Humility: Beyond Cultural Competence”.
Member Hired to Give Presentation
Two Table recommendations were made for the YWCA board and Table members Marcia Masualla and Roberta Pettis attained a board seat.
Board Seat Attained
Table member Mark Epps was looking for a mentor to help him plan and start his general construction company.
The Table made an introduction to Sean Buck and they since have started a mentor relationship.
Mentor Relationship Created
Marq Burnett, a reporter at the Nashville Business Journal reached out to The Table for contacts regarding a project on black entrepreneurs/businesses. Five Table members were been contacted and interviewed. This creates the possibility for more exposure for their business.
Introductions to Media Created Business Stories and Exposure
Fisk University and Tennessee State University are sponsoring The Table and students are attending Table membership meetings. This gives them access to and the ability to create relationships with business leaders.
Students Represented at The Table
DeLisa and Elde Guerrier requested a mentor for a real estate project. A Table introduction was made to Pat Emery and a relationship has been established and ongoing.
Mentor Relationship Created
Table member, DeLisa Guerrier, was inducted into Enterprising Women Hall of Fame in November of this year. She credits The Table for the connections that made this opportunity possible.
Induction into Enterprising Women Hall of Fame
Through The Table, Ascend was introduced to Coach Eddie George, former NFL player and current head football coach at Tennessee State University. Ascend is working with Coach and his staff to provide financial education and employment opportunities for his athletes.
Partnerships Created
Table member Kassam Bhegani reached out to The Table with this request:
I’m seeking to build a great relationship with an experienced RE developer. Really one who is able and available to take me under their wing as a protégé. Could you/The Table support me in this effort?
The Table made an introduction to Pat Emery and they since have started a mentor relationship.
Mentor Relationship Created
Table Member, Michelle Bendekovic, was helping to organize a panel discussion for The National Creditors Bar Association. Culture and DEI: Understanding Inclusion and Creating an Internal Eco-System of Support was the topic of discussion. She recommended 3 Table members as panelists: Ashley Bond, Eddie Alford, and Dawn Stone. All 3 participated in the panel discussion.
Members Selected As Panelists
Table member, Marshall Crawford, joined the Nashville Branch Board of Directors for the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. He credits The Table for opening the door and making it possible.
“The Table has opened the eyes of so many people about the importance of diversity and inclusion. I’m not taking anything away from my body of work, but I’m sure your commitment and influence in the community and state-wide has made it possible for me to be considered.”
Board Seat Attained
Elde and DeLisa Guerrier of Guerrier Development named Pat Emery of Hall Emery Real Estate as a co-developer and partner for the Storyville Gardens theme park, coming to Nashville, TN spring of 2025.
Pat credits The Table for making this partnership possible. “The Table really allowed us to get together and learn about what one another needed and get to know the person. And once you get to know the person, it became a very easy decision to join this endeavor and bring it to reality.”
DeLisa also speaks to the benefits of The Table. “What we were able to see after joining the advisory board and after connecting with Pat, was truly the heart behind The Table. You see the results because of the intention. Everyone that I have met that has been involved with The Table has come in with this heart to truly make a difference and make an impact and really live out the vision that Kate and Lee founded this upon.”
Real Estate Partnership Created
Dawn Stone, owner of The Conflict Chick was hired to share her knowledge, experience and passion for DEI with Ascend’s senior executives. Her presentation was dynamic, educational and facilitated further internal conversations. Matt Jernigan, Ascend’s CEO, notes “It was an engaging conversation for our executive team to take part in. It was a good reminder that these types of efforts require an intentional approach and difficult conversations can be managed with authenticity and respect when they are moderated by an informed resource such as Dawn.”
Member Hired to Give DEI Presentation
The Nashville Business Journal published an article regarding Table member Sunny Bray:
I want to help transform the Nashville community into a more diverse environment through collaborative efforts between the companies, nonprofits, community leaders and others all coming together to impact change.
It’s all about being intentional. There are some great organizations that are taking steps toward the change we all want to see.
The Table, an organization that I’m a part of with Kate Wood and Lee Molette, is one of them. I’ve always had informal mentors throughout my career, but now I have a very formal, professional mentor that has done what I want to do, and that’s Beth Chase. I don’t know if I would have that opportunity or if we would’ve crossed paths had it not been for The Table.
So, we need more organizations and people who are willing to help others while creating opportunities and connections that will ultimately improve the business community and the city of Nashville as a whole.
Media Created Business Stories and Exposure
Cynthia Whitfield-Story, from INSPIRE1 Consulting, joined a local bank's board of directors.
It was recommended that the founder of Bank, talk to The Table for possible recommendations on board members. The Table made the introduction to Table member, Cynthia. “It is unbelievable what we have found with Cynthia, her background and her talent. After the first meeting, we were astonished. Somebody whose background, whose culture, whose focus on the future really just fit right in with what we’re trying to do with our new bank. We are thrilled to have Cynthia with us and she will be very important to us as we develop our bank in the future.”
Cynthia credits The Table for this opportunity. “I definitely want to thank Kate and Lee for you having this mission, this vision, and you put your money where your mouth is. And, I am really so appreciative to get the opportunity to do something that has been a dream of mine.”
Board Seat Attained
Due to staffing changes, Sallie Hussey had an immediate need for social media support and was looking for long-term strategies to develop a new marking-focused team and structure. She wanted to seek help from someone at The Table and, through the Minority Owned Business Directory, she found Jacqueline Hayes with Crayons & Marketers. They had an initial meeting and less than thirty days later they had a signed contract.
Contracted Created
Joy Johnson-Carruthers connected with Oscar Harrell from Ingram at a membership meeting and Oscar recommended Joy for the training opportunity. The Unconscious Bias training series that Joy provided for Ingram Industries was a huge success!
Contract Created
After Phil Henry used The Table directory, he and John Ingram started a relationship that included mentoring and has resulted in a partnership with Phil’s company, Code X Academy. Students going through the academy will have available jobs coding at area companies.
Partnership Created
Sallie Hussey doing business with Charles Bass - In Sallie’s words, “After joining The Table recently, I was struck by every member’s actions. I left with not just the intention to contribute in a meaningful way, but to make equity a more thoughtful part of my business daily. As I was wondering how I could make that happen, I received an email from a teammate telling me it was ‘time to order agency T-shirts again.’ I told her not to place the order yet and to give me an hour. I jumped on to The Table’s procurement link and immediately began looking for a new vendor. I found Brentwood Imprints. Within weeks, we had a new T-shirt vendor, even though their CEO, Charles, and I did not meet until the next meeting of The Table. Now, we have a relationship that will take us beyond hats and tees and we’re looking forward to other ways we can partner together, thanks to The Table.”
Business Relationship Formed
Kandace Harris and Matt Becker business relationship - In Kandace’s words, “Before joining The Table, Matt and I crossed paths, and he quickly became an invaluable mentor and connector in my career. His commitment to building relationships is evident in so many ways and I have witnessed and experienced it for myself. When I joined Citizens Bank, I shared with him the positive impact on the North Nashville community, particularly for the underbanked and small businesses that a banking relationship with us has, which is why he always asks how he can support. Recently, the bank launched a cashback, bonus money market. Not only did Matt make a post about it on LinkedIn, but he and his daughter also became members. Their contribution significantly aided me in reaching my goals, and I am incredibly grateful to have Matt as part of my network. He truly embodies the mission of The Table.”
Business Relationship Formed
Ray Arceneaux and JJ Rosen connected through The Table and became fast friends. They decided to combine forces with funding from Atiba Labs to work on making Ray’s vision for a mobile app a reality. The app is designed to help diabetics manage the complexities of diet, medications, and doctor visits.
Partnership Created
Sally Hussey and Paula Farmer met at the June membership meeting and began talking about some of the challenges facing Sally’s agency. They scheduled a follow up meeting and are now working together on strategies around HR, DEI and leadership.
Contract Created
Matt Becker’s company, AM Builders, has contracted with Charles Bass’s company, Brentwood Imprints, to produce their job site signage.
Business Relationship Formed
