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What would the world look like if every student had someone cheering them on and pushing them to be the best that they could be? That vision is what Dr. Todd E. Campbell, and his team at Backfield in Motion want to help create in Nashville.
Backfield in Motion is a non-profit organization that focuses on education through mastery of literacy and numeracy skills for at-risk youth. The program helps prepare students with skills that lead to a high school diploma, a foundation for higher education, and a future career with on-the-job skills needed to enter the world of work.
“The program started 20 years ago as a football league,” said Campbell, who serves as the CEO. “A very wealthy guy from Nashville, who worked at a private school on the East side, was coming and he was bringing [kids] over there. Eventually, he saw that they needed something more, so he started a football league for them to play in on Saturdays, but before they could play, they had to attend a study hall Saturday morning. After a while, that morphed into a tutoring program and then we really expanded the academic part so that morphed again into what we are today.”
Campbell, a retired school principal, joined Backfield in Motion in 2016 after the previous CEO retired. As the program evolved, it has not lost touch with its roots and still uses sports as a way to get kids involved and as an incentive for academic achievement.
“When the previous CEO retired, they felt like they needed someone who had a different background to fit the program and what it is now,” said Campbell. “I have a doctorate in education and played football in high school, so my background allows me to really understand both sides. I tell the kids you can't play sports forever and that academics are just as important. We try to put guys in front of them who were successful in college and whatever league they are in now so they can see that.”
Through the support of sponsorships and fundraisers, BIM has made their program as accessible to as many kids as possible by eliminating membership costs. It is completely free for any student who wishes to join but in return, parents and youth must commit to regular attendance through at least one semester.
“It's a commitment, kids have to stay the whole program, all 3 hours. We feed them a hot meal, they have academic tutoring or help, and then in the last hour, they play ball or whatever sport we have going on during that time. If they get in trouble at school, they can’t play and if they get suspended, they come to our office during the day.”
While in the program, students receive personalized academic help and resources. The organization also helps students during and after their time at BIM through internships, college visits, ACT prep programs, and much more.
Basketball and football programs are already established. In 2020, Backfield in Motion received a two year grant from Major League Baseball that donated bats and gloves, along with other equipment, to the center to help get a baseball program off the ground. However, Campbell says there is still one significant hurdle in the way.
“Getting the baseball equipment was great, but the problem is that you have to have people to teach the kids how to use it, and we don’t have anyone to do that yet.”
As the organization builds up its baseball program, Campbell wants his students to see an MLB team in Nashville for some added inspiration.
“We have a lot of kids who need something like that. Having exposure to sports that they can see in person is big for them. It's one of those things they can go see up close compared to having someone come into the center," said Campbell. "Having the Stars in Nashville would be awesome because you don't get to see just the players, but the whole picture which opens up opportunities to show them other professional fields like business or finance.”
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Danielle Whitworth Barnes has joined the Board of Directors for Music City Baseball, further strengthening a group of community leaders who are leading an effort to bring Major League Baseball to Nashville.
Barnes is the Executive Director for Ernst & Young in the Government and Public Sector Practice. In this role, she sets strategy for market development, leads business operations, and manages relationships across various state and local government entities.
“I’m a lifelong Tennessean and have made Nashville home for over 20 years,” said Barnes. "I’ve watched this city grow and Major League Baseball is a natural next step. As a city, we’ve shown we have the right support, best fans, best amenities, and culture. It’s exciting for the Nashville Stars to become a part of a community that is so supportive.”
Prior to her position at Ernst & Young, Barnes served as a member of the Governor’s Cabinet as the Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Human Services. Under two different Governors, she led the operations and strategic direction of the state’s second largest agency, providing services to approximately two million Tennesseans each year.
“Danielle has a dedicated history of working with families in Tennessee,” said John Loar, who is the managing director for Music City Baseball. “Her knowledge and experience leading important state programs are valuable as we work to bring an MLB franchise to the city of Nashville as a central piece of a mixed-use, multi-themed, family, sports, and entertainment district.”
Barnes earned her undergraduate degree from Spelman College and her law degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law. She is active in the Nashville community, serving as a Board Member for the Tennessee Center for Performance Excellence, Douglas Henry State Museum Foundation, Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation, and Think Tennessee. She is also an active member of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. and the Nashville Rotary.
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CMA Fest took Nashville by storm last month for the first time in three years. A number of our music advisors had a chance to enjoy the spotlight at the various stages downtown and at Nissan Stadium as country music fans wasted no time welcoming back the beloved festival. The Downtown area saw no shortage of talent - or guests - hosting over 260 acts and selling out shows four days in a row to more than 80,000 people from all 50 states and 39 different countries. According to the Greater Nashville Hospitality Association, nearly all of Davidson County’s 37,200 hotel rooms were booked out to those looking to enjoy good times and good music. As the event prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary next year, we are excited to welcome back the party for good.
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Our team had the pleasure of attending the grand opening of “A Starry Night” Nashville, the unique immersive Van Gogh experience, at the Lighthouse Immersive space on June 14. The event benefited CreatiVets, an organization dedicated to providing veterans with creative outlets through the arts to cope with service-related trauma.
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TENNESSEE REAL ESTATE INVESTORS ASSOCIATION
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Our managing director, John Loar, was invited to speak to the Tennessee Real Estate Investors Association at Party Fowl in Franklin on June 27. He gave an update on our effort to bring Major League Baseball to Nashville, and discussed positive economic impacts that a franchise could bring to the area. TNREIA works to provide its members education, support, and networking opportunities through a variety of monthly meetings.
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