Events – Empower Tennessee

The Youth Leadership Academy Changed my Life

May 11, 2022May 11, 2022 by Gina Lynette

My name is Fermina E. Lopez. I have faced many barriers in my life due to my Intellectual and physical disabilities caused by my genetic disorder, Cornelia de Lange Syndrome (CdLS). Being a part of the Youth Leadership Academy (YLA) has helped me eliminate some of my barriers. During my high school years, I started to plan my future as an adult. I wanted to go to college and have a career as an event planner. Many people told me throughout my high school years that I would not be able to reach my goals because of my disability. I started to get sad and depressed because I started to believe what people were telling me. My family encouraged me to find resources that would help me advocate for myself to reach my goals. During my search someone told me about YLA and encouraged me to apply.

I was accepted into the YLA 2018 cohort. It was one of the best experiences because I learned so much. I learned it was ok to be me and that everyone is different with different challenges, but our challenges don’t have to keep us from our dreams. I learned how to advocate for myself and learned how to understand my disability and how it might affect my job. I learned I had rights to ask for accommodations and to be treated fairly at work. YLA also taught me how to find resources that would continue to help me as I transitioned into being a young adult. The things I learned at the YLA have been life changing for me. I strongly believe that YLA is a great opportunity for youth with disabilities to learn how to plan their future. Since 2018, I have attended the YLA as a participant and a peer mentor and every year I learn more about myself and how to reach my goals.

This year I am on the faculty for YLA, helping to plan and facilitate the event. I also work with other organizations across the country organizing, facilitating, and presenting at events – which has always been my dream. I know that the things I have learned and the connections I have made at YLA have played a big role in my success.

Applications for Youth Leadership Academy 2022 are due May 15, 2022.

For more information and a link to the current application, visit our Youth Programs page.

Celebrating the 2021 Floyd Stewart Every Day Hero of the Year: Rhonda Marie Clark

November 12, 2021 by Gina Lynette

The Floyd Stewart Every Day Hero Award is an honor dear to the hearts of Empower Tennessee. Floyd, a former employee of Empower Tennessee, was a man like no other. He made a meaningful impact on everyone he encountered. He was a kind and consistent staple in the disability community. It was Floyd’s passion to not only advocate for people with disabilities but also empower them to advocate for themselves and to stay true to their passions. When selecting this year’s recipient for this award we chose a person with the same passion, perseverance, and sense of purpose as Floyd.

This year we honor Rhonda Marie Clark. As an individual with cerebral palsy, Rhonda has experienced disability her entire life. She has spent most of her adulthood advocating for improved access for people with disabilities. One of her primary passions – and she has several – is trying to do something about the scarcity of accessible transportation options in our area. Depending on public paratransit often means waiting for long periods of time, having to schedule trips in advance, and frequently arriving late to a destination, seriously hampering employment and social opportunities. Rhonda says that people should be able to go and participate in anything they want no matter their disability.

So, Rhonda has spent several years volunteering her time to help individuals who use wheelchairs find accessible transportation, relying on her extensive network to make connections and arrangements for those in need. Rhonda is steadily working toward establishing her own accessible transportation company named Able and Ready Transportation. Beyond providing top-notch customer service and flexible scheduling, Rhonda’s business plan will allow riders to go from county to county without having to transfer to another vehicle or service. And in an ever-expanding community, we all recognize the importance of such services in Middle Tennessee. Rhonda will, no doubt, enjoy talking with you in more detail about her dreams for the future. We’ll put her contact information in the chat so that you can reach out to her directly.

When not attempting to start a business, Rhonda can be found cheering for the Green Bay Packers, serving in her faith community at St. Stephen Church, exercising her body in state-of-the-art equipment especially for people with cerebral palsy, being a spokesperson for Permobil (the manufacturer of her wheelchair), and doting on her beloved service animal, Ice III.

Empower Tennessee is honored to present the 2021 Floyd Stewart Every Day Hero Award to Rhonda Marie Clark during EmpowerCon on November 12, 2021.

What is the Floyd Stewart Everyday Hero Award?

The Floyd Stewart Everyday Hero Award is given annually to an outstanding member of the community that embodies the characteristics of Floyd Stewart who inspired others in the disability community to show their strength and integrity every day. Floyd Stewart touched everyone with whom he came in contact. He encouraged others to share their talents and make meaningful contributions to the world. Please nominate up to 3 people and explain why they should be considered for the Floyd Stewart Everyday Hero Award.

Celebrating the 2021 Access Music City Business Champion of the Year: Tom Woodard

October 23, 2021October 21, 2021 by Gina Lynette

Two years ago, Empower Tennessee began presenting the Access Music City Business Champion award to recognize businesses in our community that exemplify access to people with disabilities.

Our 2019 recipient, The Frist Art Museum, was chosen based on its ongoing belief and practice that people with disabilities have the same right to access visual arts. The 2020 recipient, Mobility Solutions, was chosen based on its relentless efforts to provide quality transportation services to people with disabilities throughout the Nashville region.

In this, the award’s third year, we recognize a Business Champion who is a creative catalyst for inclusion, choice, and independence for people with disabilities – characteristics that are obviously aligned with the mission of Empower Tennessee. And as we were looking into the details of our Champion’s work, we soon realized that they had a devotion to the community that was broad and deep – so much so that this year’s recipient is not a single business. Rather, our 2021 Champion leads numerous businesses that have as part of their employment model a strong desire to provide integrated and competitive training, mentoring, and employment opportunities for people with disabilities. At the heart of these desires and the person who has made these opportunities possible is Tom Woodard.

Tom is a native Nashvillian with over 30 years of experience in creative brand development and producing videos and music. And while part of his claim to fame is co-creating the Budweiser frogs in the mid-90s, Tom’s fame for us is in his leadership of three local businesses: Westwood Avenue, Woodard Brothers Distributing, and On The Avenue.

Born from Tom’s creative spirit, Westwood Avenue is a consulting firm that is all about creative communications for a better community. Their tagline is, “Let us put words in your mouth.” His team is a hand-selected storehouse of talent and is a model for disability workforce integration. Their projects include graphic design work for Salvation Army, video production for Battle Ground Academy, and broadcast media for End Slavery Tennessee.

Woodard Brothers Distributing provides custom solutions for managing inventory, packaging, and shipping for companies large and small. It began in 2016 as a single contract and also with a passion to employ people with and without disabilities. Today, Woodard Brothers has expanded capacity both in services and location and competitive, integrated employment is part of the established culture of the company.

In 2019, Tom and his brothers, John and Matt, recognized that people with disabilities often need a place and space to “ease” into the workforce. They created On The Avenue as a creative training studio where opportunities to explore and participate in creative passions and productions are plentiful. On The Avenue provides valuable support and training to its participants, including life planning and social integration skills. As Tom says, “It’s … all about how we can live and work together … more abundantly.”

So, it was clear to us, and hopefully now to you, why Tom Woodard was the choice for this year’s award. His beliefs are evidenced in his work and his work speaks for itself.

Empower Tennessee is honored to present the 2021 Access Music Business Champion Award to Tom Woodard at a ceremony during EmpowerCon on October 22, 2021

What is the Access Music City Business Champion Award?

Each year Empower Tennessee chooses a local business champion that purposely makes strides to include people with disabilities. This business champion ensures that people within the disability community can participate, engage and be included in all the activities, goods and services that business provides. This business champion listens to the needs of the community and takes action.

You may nominate up to 3 business champions you believe meet or exceed the criteria of this award.

Join Us for EmpowerCon!

April 1, 2022September 22, 2021 by Gina Lynette

What is EmpowerCon?

EmpowerCon is a series of events where people with disabilities, their families, and other supporters can learn and share everyday skills and resources to live more independent lives. But more than that, it’s a place to be who you are and to have fun. Join us for the entire series or pick and choose sessions that interest you.

EmpowerCon is our place to show up, be seen, and be heard. So, come in your best Zoom comfy clothes, your Cosplay, your Drag, or whatever makes you feel your best.

Come with your signs, Come with your ideas. Come with your friends. Come and make new friends. Y’all come!

When is the Next EmpowerCon?

Day: Friday, April 8, 2022

Time: Doors open at 12:30pm; Doors close at 4pm

What’s happening at the April EmpowerCon?

EmpowerCon on April 8, 2022 is a free, virtual event about Transportation, as getting where you want to go is an important aspect of Independent Living.

First, Tanesha Durham — the Access Eligibility Specialist and ADA Coordinator for WeGo Public Transit — will lead us through a discussion about what is available in our area through public transit. Then a panel of people with disabilities will share how they’ve figured out how to successfully navigate where they would like to go. Finally, we will have a special announcement about accessible mobility from Lime’s Director of Government Relations, Robert Gardner.

What is the Access Music City Business Champion Award?

In order to be considered for the 2022 Access Music City Business Champion Award, nominations are due by October 1, 2022.

What is the Floyd Stewart Everyday Hero Award?

In order to be considered for the 2022 Floyd Stewart Everyday Hero Award, nominations are due by November 1, 2022.

Interested in Partnering with us for a future EmpowerCon or adding Swag to the Swag Bags?

Join Us for a Virtual EmpowerCon on October 22, 2021

October 14, 2021September 7, 2021 by Gina Lynette

What is EmpowerCon?

EmpowerCon on October 22, 2021 is a virtual event about Employment, which is an important part of Independent Living. You’ll share your Employment Success Stories and we’ll all learn strategies for finding and keeping a job.

EmpowerCon on October 22, 2021 is a celebration! We’ll celebrate an individual and a business who show the world what it means to be accessible as we present the Access Music City Business Champion Award. And we’ll celebrate people and the diversity that lives within the disability community.

EmpowerCon is our place to show up, be seen, and be heard. So, come in your best Zoom comfy clothes, your Cosplay, your Drag, or whatever makes you feel your best.

Come with your signs, Come with your ideas. Come with your friends. Come and make new friends. Y’all come!

When is EmpowerCon?

Day: Friday, October 22, 2021

Time: Doors open at 12:30pm; Doors close at 4pm

Join us for the entire time or pick and choose sessions that interest you!

What is the Floyd Stewart Everyday Hero Award?

Please nominate up to 3 people and explain why they should be considered for the 2021 Floyd Stewart Everyday Hero Award — to be presented at EmpowerCon: Food & Gratitude on November 12, 2021.

What is the Access Music City Business Award?

Each year Empower Tennessee chooses a local business that purposely makes strides to include people with disabilities. This business ensures that people within the disability community can participate, engage and be included in all the activities, goods and services that business provides. This business listens to the needs of the community and takes action. Please nominate up to 3 businesses you believe meet or exceed the criteria of this award.

Interested in Partnering with us for EmpowerCon or adding Swag to the Swag Bags?

Join Us for EmpowerCon 2020

November 16, 2020October 8, 2020 by Gina Lynette

What is EmpowerCon?

EmpowerCon is an event where people with disabilities, their families, and other supporters can learn and share everyday skills and resources to live more independent lives. But more than that, it’s a place to be who you are and to have fun.

EmpowerCon 2020 is a virtual event about Access, which is an important part of Independent Living. We’ll talk about voting, preparing, learning, sharing, working, advocating, playing, and living. You’ll share your stories of what access means to you and how we all can fight for our rights to equality — not just as people with disabilities, but as people with intersecting identities.

EmpowerCon 2020 is a celebration! We’ll honor the 30th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act and its impact on everyday lives. We’ll celebrate an individual and a business who show the world what it means to be independent and accessible as we present the Floyd Stewart Everyday Hero Award and the Access Music City Business Champion Award. And we’ll celebrate people and the diversity that lives within the disability community.

EmpowerCon is our place to show up, be seen, and be heard. So, come in your best Zoom comfy clothes, your Cosplay, your Drag, or whatever makes you feel your best. Come with your signs, Come with your ideas. Come with your friends. Come and make new friends. Y’all come!

When is EmpowerCon?

Days: Tuesday, November 17- Wednesday November 18

Time: Events throughout the day and evening — from 10 am – 10 pm

Join us for the entire time or pick and choose sessions that interest you!

What is the Floyd Stewart Everyday Hero Award?

What is the Access Music City Business Award?

Interested in Partnering with us for EmpowerCon or adding Swag to the Swag Bags?