ABOUT
We have a responsibility to stand up for what’s right, fighting the unjust laws, policies, and political powers at play.
WHEN WE STAND UP TOGETHER, WE HAVE THE POWER TO CREATE CHANGE.
MISSION
To mobilize and empower our communities to stand up and take action. Together, we will create lasting change for the racial and economic good of all Nashvillians.
Stand Up Nashville (SUN) combats racial and economic inequality through strategic research, popular education, and community organizing. We inspire and empower our diverse base of supporters to build a stronger community that truly values and prioritizes the lives of Nashville’s people of color and working families.
By coming alongside our neighbors to fight discrimination, we organize strategic actions around public investments and city planning to create thriving neighborhoods and a shared prosperity. We will continue battling injustice with courage and persistence in order to shift the power back to the people who make this city run.
VISION
To make Nashville an inspiring voice of the nation and position us as the best city to live, work, and grow in—creating a true reflection of America’s diverse communities and a model of embodied justice and equality.
We envision a new Nashville—where the common good is rooted in equity, dignity, and the opportunity for all people to enjoy a better quality of life…where the planning and development of our city’s infrastructure accurately reflects the priorities of people of color and the working class…where our home can serve as a model for how racially and economically diverse neighborhoods can thrive when the wealth is shared…where our government leaders are focused on transparency and accountability to their constituents…and where the power truly rests with the people.
OUR MISSION
To mobilize and empower our communities to stand up and take action. Together we will create lasting change for the racial and economic good of all people in our city.
OUR VISION
To make Nashville an inspiring voice of the nation as the best city to live, work and grow; a true reflection of its citizens and a model of justice and equality.
MEET OUR STAFF
Odessa Kelly
- Executive Director
Michael Callahan-Kapoor
- Deputy Director
Nate Carter
- Director of Workforce & Employment
Diamond Bell
- Organizer
Isaac Swafford
- Strategic Researcher
KeVanity Brown
- Operations Coordinator
Cade Wooten
- Organizer
WE STAND TOGETHER
MEET OUR FUNDERS
Stand Up Nashville has been intentional about only accepting funding from organizations that are passionate about lifting people out of poverty, supporting the working class, and amplifying the voices of marginalized communities. Below is a list of foundations and institutional donors that have supported us since our genesis as a 501(c)(3). We are incredibly grateful for their generosity.
- International Union of Painters and Allied Trades
- Ford Foundation
- Ben & Jerry’s Foundation
- Service Employee International Union
- Amplify Fund
- Laborers International Union of North America
- PowerSwitch Action
- Surdna Foundation
- American Heart Association
- Local Solutions Support Center
- Healing Trust
- New World Foundation
- Robert Woods Johnson Foundation
- Windward Fund
- LIFT Fund
- Marguerite Casey Foundation
JOIN
THE FIGHT
When we—as the people—unite, we can demand equality, justice, and transparency in our city. And we do. We demand that our communities be placed at the center of the city’s decision-making processes. We have the power to stand up for Nashville. Will you join the fight?
