Inspiration for Generations : Big Breakfast
Presented by
This event is a celebration of our community’s commitment to igniting the potential of Middle Tennessee youth. Each year, Middle Tennessee’s community leaders, executives and rising stars come together to celebrate the impact of mentorship.
Join us for a morning filled with inspiration, community, and the chance to make a difference in the lives of young people in our region.
Keynote Speaker- Dr. Shanna Jackson
President, Nashville State Community College
Dr. Shanna L. Jackson has been serving Nashville State Community College as president since June 2018. Nashville State is a seven-campus comprehensive community college that serves students in a seven-county region.
Several years after starting her career in the food manufacturing industry, Jackson had the opportunity to teach a business course part-time at a local college. This life-changing experience started her on the path to a career in higher education, which now spans more than 20 years and includes leadership roles at Columbia State Community College, Volunteer State Community College and South College.
Her extensive experience in administration, teaching, workforce, and community development is guiding the college’s mission to increase access, completion, and post-completion success for all students who come to Nashville State. A strong believer in community engagement, Jackson serves on the local boards of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, Ascension St. Thomas, Urban League of Middle Tennessee, The Memorial Foundation and the United Way of Middle Tennessee. Nationally, she serves on the boards of the American Association for Women in Community Colleges and COMBASE. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., International Women’s Forum, Nashville’s Agenda and Women in Higher Education in Tennessee (WHET).
In 2023, Dr. Jackson was named one of the Most Admired CEOs in Nashville by the Nashville Business Journal. She is a two-time Aspen Institute College Excellence Presidential Fellow, completing the inaugural New Presidents Fellowship in 2021 and the Aspiring Presidents Fellowship in 2019, and an alumna of Leadership Nashville class of 2020. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and an MBA from Florida A&M University and an Ed.D. in Administration and Supervision from Tennessee State University.
Match of the Year
Meet Big and Little of the year Destiny (Little) and Anita (Big). Destiny and Anita have been matched for more than five years, and their match story is one of inspiration, gratitude, care, and a shared love of charity and community involvement.
Khandi, Destiny’s mother, brought Destiny, age 12, to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee in hopes of providing her daughter with a mentor who would offer encouragement and support. Khandi described Destiny as a curious, funny, and friendly young lady. She also shared that some of Destiny’s strengths are being respectful and determined. Khandi believed that having a mentor would give Destiny tools and resources she needed to be a successful adult.
When Destiny met her Big, Anita, she was extremely shy. However, it didn’t take long for Destiny to open up. The two discussed their love for activities such as getting ice cream, shopping, going to the library, eating Prince’s Hot Chicken, and attending BBBS hosted events. Not long into their relationship, Destiny and Anita began incorporating their love for community service into their meetups by volunteering at organizations like the Little Pantry and Second Harvest. Volunteering is something the Big and Little always look forward to.
As the relationship matured, Big Sister Anita became a source of inspiration and positive influence that Khandi was looking for. Destiny shared that her Big Sister taught her to stay focused and put her best toward school. Academically, Anita was there to support Destiny by assisting with homework and creating goals through a vision board.
Destiny and Anita’s commitment to one another has enriched both of their lives for the better, landing them as the 2024 Tennessee Match of the Year.
