On Poverty In Nashville

By Howard Gentry in the Tennessean

Will Nashville's latest coordinated efforts to reduce poverty work?

Yes, they will!

You had to be there, the morning of Sept. 22, attending Nashville's Poverty Symposium, to really understand the source of the certainty in my response.

Had you been there, you would have heard Mayor Karl Dean deliver a message of confidence that "as a city, we can do what is necessary to reduce poverty and positively impact the lives of the citizens of our community who are in need. It is time, and it is the right thing to do."

You would have seen Chamber CEO Ralph Schulz and Metro Action Executive Director Cynthia Croom standing together as Ralph told the audience that the Chamber and business community are committed to reducing poverty. Had you been there, you would have witnessed Charles Strobel's amazing message that eloquently answered any question of why we should want to make reduction of poverty a priority. You would have heard a panel of experts in health care, housing, economic opportunity, child care, food, neighborhood and work-force development speaking of the gaps in services that currently exist and the importance of working together to close those gaps.
Historic gathering

Had you been there, you would have heard from a panel of recipients of services provided by programs and agencies about how the assistance they received helped them move beyond their circumstances of poverty to become self-sufficient, productive citizens. You would have heard guest speaker William Porro from Miami talk about a city that is committed to the reduction of poverty and about a program that works.

More than 450 people were there on that historic morning, representing government, business, nonprofits, service providers, faith-based organizations, homeless citizens and other concerned community members, all ready and willing to work toward one common goal.

Though I state with certainty that Nashville's efforts to reduce poverty will succeed, I must acknowledge the constant disenchantment and frustration that arises from excessive dialogue and failed promises concerning solutions to poverty. The reason these renewed efforts will work is because our symposium was not mired in rhetoric; instead, it was a call to action.

This next step has attracted more than 350 people who will serve on seven action teams. These teams will work to develop a strategic plan to coordinate the multitude of efforts being made to increase the value and reach of what is already being done. The teams will also be asked to think outside the box for new and innovative ideas for change.

My good friend, Avi Poster, reminded me of a quote from Nelson Mandela: "Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is an act of justice. Poverty is not natural. It is man-made and can be overcome and eradicated by the collective actions of human beings." On Sept. 22, concerned citizens, stakeholders, business, community and government leaders committed themselves to that collective action. As a result, lives will forever change, and all citizens of Nashville will have the opportunity to prosper.

Howard Gentry Jr., is CEO of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce's Public Benefit Foundation.