NASHVILLE, TN (December 5, 2018) –The Jefferson Street United Merchants Partnership (J.U.M.P.) celebrates 22 years of community engagement and cooperative economic development at its annual holiday luncheon, honoring community leaders, business owners and the musical history of Jefferson Street. The 22nd Annual J.U.M.P. Christmas Extravaganza and Fundraiser will be held on Thursday, December 6, 2018, at the Meharry Medical College Cal Turner Family Center, (1011 21st Avenue North, Nashville, TN), from 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm with registration opening at 11:30 am.
This year’s Honorary Chair is Bill Freeman, Chairman of Freeman Webb. Local entrepreneur Joshua Mundy will serve as emcee. Candlelight Award recipients include Marcus Campbell, Norf Art Collective, and Monique Odom. This award honors those who have positively impacted the North Nashville community and demonstrated a dual passion for improving the community and taking the initiative through community-based programs. This year’s keynote speaker is Jeffery B. Moore, Member of Los Angeles Rams 1980 Super Bowl Team and current Senior Commercial Advisor for Crye-Leike Realty.
Bishop Marcus Campbell, is a native of Nashville, Tennessee. Bishop Campbell is the National Bishop of Evangelism and Outreach as well as the TN State Bishop for Leaders For Change Christian Fellowship. Bishop Campbell works with various organizations such as; The Fountain of Life Ministries Inc., Gentlemen And Not Gangsters (G.A.N.G.), Growing In Faith Together (G.I.F.T.), J.E.W.E.L.S. and more.
Norf Art Collective, is a multimedia creative team based in Nashville that was formed for a senior project- the Wall Fest. The collective consists of four muralists- Woke3, Doughjoe, ArJae & Keep3. Together their murals have memorialized civil rights leaders, sparked conversations, honored the North Nashville neighborhood’s history while unearthing some of its roots and showing the power of people coming together.
Monique Odom, is a native of Nashville who has been with Metro Government since 2002 and currently oversees one of the largest Parks Department in Tennessee, Monique holds a B.A. from Fisk University and a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from Tennessee State University’s College of Public Service and Urban Affairs, she is also is a certified Diversity Trainer, a Certified Municipal Finance Officer (CMFO) by the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury, and has successfully completed the National Recreation and Park Association’s two-year Director’s School.
J.U.M.P. is also pleased to present a Jeffersonian Award, which recognizes Middle Tennessee’s unsung musicians and artists with historical ties to Jefferson Street, who have impacted others through musical culture. This year’s honorees are Lori Mechem and Roger Spencer of Nashville Jazz Workshop .
Mechem, a respected jazz pianist, composer and educator has directed shows, released albums and was nominated for ‘Best Jazz Album of the Year’ by the Nashville Music Awards. In addition, she has also performed with artists such as Dizzy Gillespie, Red Holloway, Jimmy Smith, Cal Collins, Roy McCurdy, Terry Gibbs, Pete Christlieb, Edie Gorme, Bobby Militello, Kirk Whalum and Donna McElroy.
Spencer, has performed, traveled, and recorded with artists such as Les Brown and His Band of Renown, Harry James, Rosemary Clooney, Sam Butera, Tony Bennett, Ray Conniff, Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis, Terry Gibbs, Buddy DeFranco and Carl Fontana. Roger is a longtime member of the Beegie Adair Trio and is on the faculty at Vanderbilt’s Blair School of Music.
Together Mechem and Spencer, founded the Nashville Jazz Workshop in 1988 where they are responsible for administration and financial management, curriculum, student advisement, special events, teaching vocal, instrumental, improvisation, theory, and ensembles and keyboard classes. Their support and involvement with Jazz has had a large impact in Nashville and contributes to the success of Jazz in Nashville.
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“J.U.M.P.’s longevity is a testament to the resiliency of the community we cherish. This year we celebrate several notable members of the Nashville community who have unselfishly given their time, talent, and expertise to the advancement of J.U.M.P.’s mission,” says Sharon W. Hurt, President and C.E.O. of J.U.M.P. “With the city’s unprecedented growth, it has been exciting to watch the impact it has on Jefferson Street. There is great opportunity for people from all socioeconomic backgrounds, throughout the Jefferson Street district.”
In addition to J.U.M.P.’s Annual Holiday Luncheon, the organization’s hallmark event is the annual Jefferson Street Jazz & Blues Festival, scheduled to take place in June of 2019. Tickets and tables to the luncheon are available for purchase online or by calling (615) 726-5867.