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2023 Honorees

Charles key

Charles Key’s extraordinary art has transformed the Tennessee Justice Center building from an everyday workspace into a place of inspiration. In 2020, in the wake of the Nashville tornado and in the darkest hours of a lethal pandemic, TJC seriously considered dropping its plan to buy a derelict building on Lafayette. Then, as if by magic, an amazing mural of Chadwick Boseman as the Black Panther appeared on the building, and we were sold. We discovered that Charles was the creator of not just that mural, but of many other beautiful works that grace the neighborhood. These labors of love inspire hope by reminding viewers of the power of community and the resilience of the human spirit. We soon discovered he is beloved throughout the community not only for his art, but for his generosity and kindness. After TJC commissioned him to add murals to our building, Charles spent hundreds of hours researching local history and creating works that honor heroes with a connection to our community. For generations to come, those images will inspire TJC, our neighbors and the thousands who pass the building every day. Most of all, we share Charles’ hope that his murals will encourage our neighborhood’s children to dream of what they might do with their own lives to change the world.

Deb Farringer has influenced every aspect of the Tennessee Justice Center since she joined the board in 2016. Working on the finance and executive committees, Deb quietly took on one task after another and always followed through. She became the board chair in 2019 and led the board through the tumult of COVID, and the loss of TJC’s lease. A respected law professor and administrator at Belmont University, she forged a fruitful partnership between Belmont and TJC that has allowed Belmont law students to gain real life public interest legal experience while serving our clients. As chair, Deb met with TJC’s executive staff weekly for two years, serving as mentor, wise counselor, strategic thinker and personal coach. When storms threatened, Deb was a steady hand and voice of calm. She was clear from the first that, for TJC’s long term stability and effectiveness, we had to escape the volatility that made it increasingly impractical to lease our workspace. Deb thoughtfully built consensus in the board to undertake the daunting challenge of buying a building. That initial commitment was crucial, ultimately culminating in our move to a new, permanent home in which we take pride, grateful to be able to work more efficiently and effectively, knowing that TJC is here to stay.   

nate gilmer

Nate Gilmer embodies the leadership qualities that enable others to thrive, and organizations to flourish. Since he joined the board of the Tennessee Justice Center, TJC has benefited from his skilled, supportive leadership. When Nate became a director in 2017, the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid, which are both critically important to TJC’s clients, were at risk of being undone. TJC’s beleaguered staff was in full crisis mode responding to the threat and supporting clients at risk. Nate’s quiet confidence, combined with his patience and openness, were just what was needed. As Senior Operations Counsel at HCA, Nate engaged his colleagues in providing life-affirming pro bono representation to TJC’s most vulnerable clients. He developed an investment strategy that protected TJC’s reserves while making it possible to dream big about the future. He helped the board see the wisdom of buying a permanent home when that was more than daunting. While board chair during the crucial period from 2021 through the building’s completion in mid-2023, Nate donated hundreds of hours to overcoming the myriad problems that threatened the project’s financing and construction. When things were painful and hard, Nate’s compassion and wisdom lightened the burdens, and helped make the path to an exciting future for TJC and the communities we serve.

monica mackie

Monica Mackie’s creativity and generosity carried the Tennessee Justice Center through a financial crisis, and her warmth and stature have won TJC friends and partners in the legal community across the state. In 2013, TJC’s faced a grave budget deficit, and lay-offs loomed. Monica stepped forward and offered to organize a fundraising event. TJC had never put on a fundraising event and had been warned against it. But Monica assured us that she would organize it and refused to take no for an answer. She proceeded to make TJC’s fundraiser “the event of the season” that year, and for each of the next 8 years. That first event kept TJC solvent, and each event was a success, making lasting friends for TJC and drawing enthusiastic partners to our work. A visionary board member, Monica was an early proponent of buying a building and making it a beacon of justice for the community. As respected executive director of the Nashville Bar Association, Monica spread the word about TJC’s work, further expanding the network of TJC partners. When the NBA Young Lawyer Division commissioned Nashville artist, Omari Booker, to create a mural in response to the George Floyd murder, they reached out to Monica for guidance on securing a location for the mural. Monica took the initiative to contact TJC, serving as the crucial link that brought the powerful Lady Justice mural to life on our building. The mural reminds us of all that Monica has done to preserve and expand TJC’s work for justice.

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