by Carjamin Scott on June 19, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. CST

Today is Juneteenth, African American Independence Day.  On this day, we celebrate one of the most revolutionary events in our history designed to dismantle the enslavement of Blacks.  In 1865, General Order No. 3 was issued by Unionist Major General Gordon Granger to inform Texans that slaves are no longer the property of their masters. 

Although, the Emancipation Proclamation was issued on January 1, 1893, Texas was exempt from the rule which made June 19, 1865 the official African American Independence Day.  As we celebrate this day, let us recognize where we, as Americans, have come from, how we can keep our history alive, and what we should do moving forward.  Here are six ways to celebrate Juneteenth.

1.Document Juneteenth with an elder or child.

Consider this perspective, Juneteenth happened 156 years ago.  According to the United Nations, our lifespan is 72 years.  This means, that we are only about 3 generations removed from the establishment of Black slavery.  Find a great grandmother or grandfather and ask them what they know about Juneteenth. Talk with your children about the history of Juneteenth.  Document these stories to keep the memories alive.

2.Host a party and register your friends to vote.

Our vote is our voice.  If we want to continue progressing towards freedom for all in America, we will need to be sure our voices are heard.  Host a house or block party, invite your local elected officials, and register your friends to vote. 

3.Attend Juneteenth celebration events.

Here in Nashville, there are many organizations hosting Juneteenth celebration events.  At Fort Negley Park, Mayor David Briley, The Equity Alliance, Kwame Lillard, Gideons Army and others are gathering tonight from 5-8 pm for a Juneteenth celebration hosted by Juneteenth615 and the African American Cultural Alliance.

4.Go to a local school and complete a Juneteenth lesson.

I remember the Emancipation Proclamation history lesson; however, I did not learn about Juneteenth in school. Did you? Contact a principal at your neighborhood school and ask if you can deliver a Juneteenth history lesson. 

5.Volunteer and give money to Black led non-profits.

Nashville has over 100 non-profit organizations working to create opportunities and restore hope for marginalized communities. Which causes are important to you: healthcare, education, fair wages?  Non-profit organizations need money and volunteers like you to further their vision and help to create freedom and equality for all.

6.Patronize Black owned businesses.

Replace your everyday items with Black owned goods. Try and buy new products. Shop at Black owned restaurants and bookstores. If you do not have any businesses in mind, it’ll only take a quick google search to find Black owned businesses in your area.

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Carjamin Scott can be reached at carjamin.scott@gmail.com and you can follow her on twitter @scottcarjie, instagram @carjiescott, and facebook at Dr. Carjie Scott.

by Carjamin Scott on June 17, 2019 at 4:00 p.m. CST

As reported by Nashville Public Radio, University of Tennessee President Randy Boyd, has announced, “Students who qualify for the HOPE scholarship, coming from families that make $50,000 or less will be able to attend the University of Tennessee for free in 2020.” 

Although TN Promise has benefited students across the state with access to tuition-free college, other costs are still a deterrent. Room and board alone at UT Knoxville is estimated at more than $11,000.  UT Promise is a step in the right direction to help families with affording college and all of the costs associated with it.

Listen to the full Nashville Public Radio segment here.

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Carjamin Scott can be reached at carjamin.scott@gmail.com and you can follow her on twitter @scottcarjie, instagram @carjiescott, and facebook at Dr. Carjie Scott.

Photo credit: Twitter user – @iTwinnn2

by Carjamin Scott on June 15, 2019 at 3:30 p.m. CST

Join me for the 2nd Annual Nashville Blogger Bash at the Nossi College of Art on Saturday, July 27 hosted by the Nashville Bloggers Collective. The collective was “created on a foundation of collaboration, education, and community, [and] is a go-to resource for bloggers looking to connect with local content creators while learning how to grow their audience and build their platform.”

During my session, “Finding Your Blogging Voice.” I will help you find your blogging voice and determine how to effectively communicate your brand using blogging. We will discuss how blogging helps to create networks of influence and opportunities to collaborate with others. This class is for new bloggers interested in figuring out what they want their blog to be about.

Below is a worksheet to help enhance the session. Please complete if you plan to attend and be entered into a raffle to win a prize.

For tickets and information on the other speakers click here.

The 2019 #NashBloggerBash is here and you don’t want to miss it. Join us Friday, July 26- Sunday, July 28 for a highly curated blogging experience. Our theme for this year is “Execution” and we have put together an event that will leave you with actionable takeaways, reliable contacts, and incredibly useful information. We’ll have panels, workshops, pamper suite, small group sessions, pop-up shops, gift bags, & a whole lot more. We have 15 classes, 2 amazing panels, and a schedule that allows you to create the experience that will be most beneficial to you. Weekend passes include all of the above.

Attendees are encouraged to bring laptops, tablets, and anything needed to work on your blog while you’re here!

Attendee Kickoff event

July 26, 2019, | 5:00-8 PM

Location: Draper James | 2608 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37204

Drinks sponsored by Blackleaf Vodka, food, networking, and giveaways

CONFERENCE- Click [here] for session descriptions

DATE: Saturday, July 27TH, 2019

LOCATION: Nossi College of Art

590 Creative Way, Madison, TN 37115

TIME: 9AM – 4PM

• A jam-packed day of panels with industry influencers, content creators, thought leaders, and creatives
• Access to the Mentor Lab where small groups can sit down with exclusive mentors to delve deep into your goals while getting hands-on help.
• Pop-up Market: Shop the incredible pop-ups on site for exclusive deals and incredible products!.
• Light Breakfast and a full lunch
• Unlimited coffee, juice, and goodies throughout the day
• Tons of networking opportunities with like-minded content creators
• Weekend passes include access to our Lux Lounge- Makeup touch ups by Beautiac, braid bar, and massages by Omni Massage and Beauty Bar.

Happy Hour

DATE: Saturday, July 27th, 2019

LOCATION: Nashville Urban Winery

715 Main St, Nashville, TN 37206

TIME: 5PM – 9PM

Mix and mingle with blogger bash attendees on the patio while enjoying a custom happy hour menu. Happy hour items are purchased separately from blogger bash tickets

Blogger Brunch

DATE: Sunday, July 28th 2019

LOCATION: Trimble House

69  Trimble Street  Nashville, TN 37210

TIME: 11AM – 2PM

Finish out the weekend with a beautiful catered blogger brunch, wine from Adorada Wines , mimosas, a keynote from our special guest, and a social media marketing workshop presented by Titletown Media.

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YP Nashville is a partnership initiative of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and young professional organizations working to engage, connect and empower young professionals to actively shape the future of the Nashville region.

The goal of YP Nashville is to connect young professionals to diverse opportunities for networking, professional development and community involvement. YPNashville.org is the place for young professionals who want to get involved and make a difference in their companies and our community. We invite you to access our list of member young professional organizations on our partners list.

Click here for information on all of the finalists.

To read more about the five events we host each year, click here.

Scott Nashville Emerging Leader Bio

Dr. Carjamin Scott is the Associate Director of Admissions Operations at the Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt University, where she automates manual processes for about 10 marketing and admissions managers.  Elected by her colleagues, she is a member of the Vanderbilt University Staff Advisory Council serving as Communications Co-Chair.  Although she leads at Vanderbilt with grace and agility, her impact is not limited to her employer.

She is a volunteer for a number of professional organizations that encourage literacy, equity, and education access and serves as a Board Member for The Carnegie Writers, Inc., an Operations Coordinator for The Equity Alliance, and a Mentor for TN Achieves.

Her blog www.carjiescott.com, presents information about attending college for free, interviews of people doing great things, books she’s reading and meetings to discuss, invitations to write with her, and life improvement conferences. Her ebook “Attend College for Free in Tennessee,” has been downloaded hundreds of times and she has personally consulted Nashville residents on how to offset the costs associated with attending college in Tennessee.

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by Carjamin Scott on May 26, 2019 at 10:05 p.m. CST

Last week, I attended The Public Theology and Racial Justice Collaborative Summer Institute at Vanderbilt Divinity School. I did not know what to expect. Admittedly, I assumed it would include, academic talking heads, speaking a language that would require me to keep a dictionary app handy and attendees who were racial justice experts claiming to advocate for inclusion but not actually doing the work. However, I attended because I wanted to silence my inner critic.

The institute lasted one week. We checked in on Monday and started with Collaborative Fellows giving us a Ted style talk of the work they had done regarding Public Theology and Racial Justice. I was impressed.

Later, we attended a Fearless Dialogues event. At this event, we were all greeted with, “It is good to see you.” Then, we practiced how to genuinely “see” the gifts in each other and the world around us. The experience was eye-opening and it helped me let my guard down for the remainder of the week. It encouraged me to “see” and call out what I see to make real change in the world.

Every morning started with “morning centering.” For me, morning centering was prayer, for others meditation or reflection. Each centering was led by a facilitator. After centering, breakfast was served. In addition, to breakfast, we were served lunch, and dinner and every meal was really good. I tried to sit at a new table during each meal to practice “seeing” new people.

We were able to choose tracks to further our understanding of Racist Governance or Radicalized Economics. I was interested in both tracks but ultimately chose Radicalized Economics because I am interested in learning more about Housing, Urban Development, and Gentrification. My tracks were led by Vanderbilt professors who were great at sharing their knowledge of the topics presented and engaging us to have group discussion.

After our tracks we had processing salons, in which we continued our group discussion and built community. It was during these intimate thought sharing groups that I came out of my shell and realized that the institute was not designed to teach me about Public Theology and Racial Justice. It was designed to encourage us to share our truths and engage in the work. The facilitators were effective at creating a safe space; and, it turns out that the institute was the self-care that I did not realize I needed.

Self-care is important if you are going to do this work. Community is equally important. Prior to the institute, I answered the call to service and committed to volunteering for The Equity Alliance. However, I was afraid to share that I am a member of this community. Reflecting on my fear and realizing that my assumptions were not valid, I understand how I have perpetuated the exact symptom that I claim to be against. In other words, if I am to continue finding a community of activists, I am going to have to share my activism too.

Now, I am no longer afraid to fight injustice, racism, and oppression. I am also excited to use what I learned to sharpen myself and my TEA community so that we can work together promote ourselves and seek freedom.

I am grateful to have ended the institute with a new beginning, new challenges to pursue, new confidence, and a new covering. Here are a few quotes from our leaders that you are welcome to share on your social media channels.

Ruby N. Sales, on inspirational women who have impacted the fight for social and racial justice.

Judge Wendell Griffin, on principles and presumptions for dismantling racist governance.

A charge to the cohort by Mary Hooks.

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Carjamin Scott can be reached at carjamin.scott@gmail.com and you can follow her on twitter @scottcarjie, instagram @carjiescott, and facebook at Dr. Carjie Scott.