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A “calling” can mean different things. It can be spiritual, professional, or simply an interest in something to help make the community a better place. For Dwight Johnson, he’s hitting all three of those areas.
Johnson is the Executive Director for Preston Taylor Ministries, which is a non-profit organization with seven locations in Nashville serving approximately 245 students from kindergarten through 12th grade.
“I just fell in love with the idea of it,” said Johnson, who started in the role a few months ago after working for the organization in different capacities. “A structure for students that stands beyond just learning but into this capacity of relationship building and personal growth and faith. I really could see all these things working together to make more well-rounded young people.”
PTM provides safe and fun neighborhood programming for children and youth to learn and grow. Programs include after-school tutoring, summer field trips, seasonal sports, one-on-one mentoring, Bible studies, camps, and more. Programs are supported by PTM staff, community and parent volunteers, and donors who support the work of PTM.
“We are very much focused on ‘what does it take to build connectedness for each of our students,’” said Johnson. “We are made better when we are connected to these things. So, when we are connected to a quality education, when we are connected to a sense of purpose, a sense of belonging in the community, when we are connected to opportunities, the gift is the exposure to things that these students otherwise wouldn't be exposed to.”
For Johnson, the focus is on opportunities for kids from all backgrounds and interests.
“I think it matters for students to be centered around opportunity,” said Johnson. “Whether you're the whiz kid, whether you're the athlete, whether you are the artistic mind, wherever you fall in that paradigm, it is important to be connected to opportunity. We get a chance to further student opportunity beyond just the classroom, beyond just the experiences that they may be personally engaging with, and we just get to be a neutral space.”
Johnson also envisions new opportunities for his kids when the dream of bringing the Stars to Nashville becomes a reality.
“I think (it’s about) having another lane where we can expose our Black and Brown boys and girls to the historical figures that existed in the Negro Leagues,” said Johnson. “Those are the unsung heroes for sure, and their impact on the culture of that bravery moves the needle. It is being intentional about saying ‘this is something that we want to do and to do something about.’ Just existing as the Nashville Stars in Nashville opens up the lane to that conversation for kids.”
For more information about PTM, including volunteering and donating to their efforts, visit their website at prestontaylorministries.org.
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NEW TOPPS CARD COMING SOON
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Our newest Topps card features a country music star who knows a thing or two about baseball. Need a hint? Hotty Toddy.
We’ll have more information in the upcoming weeks.
Please be sure to keep an eye on our weekly emails and social media feeds for the latest.
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This April’s advisory feature shines a spotlight on Becky Reiser, Music City Baseball’s resident graphic designer. Prior to starting her own business as CEO & Creative Director of Storybridge Media | Rabar Productions, Reiser spent years perfecting her craft through design school and various creative director roles.
Upon graduation from LSU in the early 2000s, Reiser set her sights on working in the music industry as Art Director for a record label. Reiser landed design internships in New York City, including a summer internship at a record label. After moving to Nashville for a design firm role, Reiser found time to pursue the dream of starting her own company. From there, the designer taught herself video skills, remaining on her own until 2011 when Reiser secured a full-time Art Director position for Big Machine Records that spanned 6.5 years.
Today, Reiser is doing “her own thing” and doing it the way she wants. Throughout her multifaceted career path, Reiser feels she has gotten “a lot of experience on how to do business, and how not to do business,” giving her a leg up in treating clients the way she thinks they should be treated. “I feel like I’m more equipped now than ever.”
As far as the Creative Director’s role in the community, Reiser is a master storyteller. “Everyone and everything has a story. Stories are ultimately what connect us. I wanted to tell stories through my work by visually representing the brand’s message and presenting it to the audience, whether it’s through social media, video, design, or even in a photoshoot. The question is: How do you get that message out to the audience? So, Storybridge Media and Rabar Productions are doing just that…using stories to build bridges, connecting with stories,” said Reiser.
The impact left by Reiser’s storytelling skills within the community is significant. “Part of my background is in nonprofit work, where storytelling and connecting with an audience is crucial," Reiser says. "Every nonprofit has an important, life-changing mission that needs to be communicated well. I learned to listen to my clients, connect with them on a human level, and then visually communicate those stories in a way that connects with the audience. This way of approaching a project, job, whatever you want to call it, has become a part of me personally. It’s just the way that I work, and now it’s the way that I do business. Stories connect people. They build relationships, and ultimately, they build community.”
Reiser believes storytelling is critical in connecting the community through Nashville’s rich baseball history. “I think that, whether it’s people, an organization that has a mission, or an organization like the Nashville Stars/Music City Baseball, I think that all of those stories need to be told because they’re ultimately going to bring the communities together,” she said.
The designer is honored to be able to work with the Music City Baseball group, because “it’s an opportunity to do something that you rarely get to do. There is an incredible story – and many incredible stories in every player who played," Reiser shared. "Those need to be told. Everyone knows about Jackie Robinson, but there were so many players that did so much for the sport, for all sports and for racial equality.”
The artist noted the importance of the current Nashville Stars efforts because of what’s been happening in the country. “It is so important for people to understand the place that the Negro Leagues had in the sport of baseball," she stated. "They played for the love of the game. They weren’t getting anything out of it, they just played. The Negro Leagues story has never been told on a large scale. Telling that through a Major League team would be incredible.”
Reiser’s love of bringing stories to life is nothing short of inspiring. Although she recognizes the incredible sports opportunities alive in today’s Nashville, she feels the city is in need of a sporting atmosphere catered more to families. “Baseball is a family sport. Being a mom myself, I would love to be able to take my son to the ballpark and cheer for our home team,” said Reiser.
“But, ultimately, it’s about the story of the Nashville Stars—even bigger than that, it’s about the story of the Negro Leagues, and what it represents in our country’s history. Can you imagine going to the ballpark and being immersed in this experience of all of these stories? That’s what it’s about,” she stated.
“Everybody I’ve talked to, when I tell them about this, they get it. We need to connect with the community, and I truly believe that people will get excited about having this team in Nashville. Most people don’t know about this huge part of American history. It’s not just about the sport of baseball. It’s about the meaning behind this organization and the team,” said Reiser. “There’s a story to be told. Once you know it, you immediately connect with it. That is what gets me excited.”
The Music City Baseball team is beyond grateful for the critical role Becky Reiser plays in continuing to help us tell the Nashville Stars story.
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We love baseball, and the biggest baseball series in the country so far this year was right in our backyard. The Stars hosted a tailgate before the Vanderbilt-Tennessee game on April 1.
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A special “thank you” to everyone who came out for the panel discussion on March 29 entitled, “Women’s Voices: Sports, Diversity, and Bridging Gaps.” The moderator was Kiona SInks from the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, and the panel included Carolyn Waller from the Nashville Black Chamber of Commerce, Dannis Mitchell from Barton Malow Builders, and Rosalyn Carpenter from CommonSpirit Health.
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