Humanities in Action: Building a Better Future

In this special episode, we're speaking with Serina Gilbert at Promise Land Heritage Association in Charlotte about her experiences working with Humanities Tennessee and how she imagines their museum will be impacted if our organization is forced to stop our work because of the termination of our federal funding. On April 2, 2025, all of the state humanities councils - including Humanities Ten...

On April 2, 2025, all of the state humanities councils - including Humanities Tennessee - received notice that our federal funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities was terminated effective immediately. Humanities Tennessee receives approximately $1.2 million annually from the NEH. We leverage this public investment with additional individual, foundation, and corporate contributions t...

In this episode, we're speaking with Tranae Chatman, the President of the Inter-Museum Council of Nashville . We’re talking about ICON’s Community Histories oral history project, why this volunteer, professional organization decided to take on the work, and what she hopes the future impact of the project will be. Music by Nikola Špoljar and Mike Kripak from Pixabay

In this episode, we're speaking with Shamichael Hallman , the Director of Civic Health and Economic Opportunity at the Urban Libraries Council and author of Meet Me at the Library: A Place to Foster Social Connection and Promote Democracy . We’re talking about his role in reimagining the Cossitt Library in Downtown Memphis, why libraries are a critical part of civic infrastructure, and what he env...

In this episode, we're speaking with Sheila Renee Moore Williams who manages the Moore Family Farm in Benton County, Tennessee, with the assistance of her family. We’re talking about her family’s farming legacy, the Moore Land Project: Testimonies of Black Owned Farms and Gardens in Tennessee, and what she hopes for the future of Black and Indigenous farming in our state.

In this episode, we're speaking with Mark Dudney, a public historian and regional planner for the U pper Cumberland Development District . We’re talking about why historic preservation and public history are important in rural communities and his hopes for the future of Tennessee’s Upper Cumberland region. Music by Grand_Project and Mike Kripak from Pixabay.

In this episode, we're speaking with Emily Masters, the Development Director at Launch Tennessee - a nonprofit organization that supports the state’s startup ecosystem through capital, connections, and commercialization.  We’re talking about Launch Tennessee’s programs, how Masters's background in the humanities impacts her role and the organization, and what role the humanities could play in the...

In this episode, we're speaking with Cameron Katz, Head of Content + Partnerships for ⁠Made By Us⁠ . We’re talking about how Made by Us is building a coalition of cultural institutions and members of Gen Z to empower young adults to understand our history in order to create our future. During the episode, we'll discuss two of Made By Us's largest programs. Click here to learn more about ⁠Civic Sea...

In this episode, we're speaking with Jessica Moore, the Executive Director of ⁠Autism Tennessee⁠ , and Casey Davis, the organization’s Adult Program Director. We’re talking about Autism Tennessee’s Exploring Autistic Life and Culture Project, why it’s needed, and how they hope their programming impacts their participants into the future. Humanities Tennessee is proud to support the Exploring Autis...

This is the final episode of our special edition United We Stand: Connecting Through Culture series about the future of belonging in Tennessee. Host and historian Brigette Jones and Humanities Tennessee’s executive director Tim Henderson discuss the outcomes of the series, what we've learning, and where this work may lead us in the future. United We Stand: Connecting Through Culture is a joint ini...

In this episode, speaking with Dr. Bradley Hanson, Director of Folklife for the Tennessee Arts Commission, and Evangeline Mee, the Tennessee Arts Commission’s Traditional Arts Specialist. We’re talking about the Tennessee Folklife Institute, why it’s needed, what participants in the next cohort can expect, and what they hope for the future of folklife in Tennessee. The Tennessee Folklife Program i...

This episode is part of our special edition United We Stand: Connecting Through Culture series about the future of belonging in Tennessee. In this episode, host and historian Brigette Jones discusses the mission of the National Civil Rights Museum with Ryan Jones, the museum’s Director of History, Interpretation & Curatorial Services. United We Stand: Connecting Through Culture is a joint init...

In this episode, we're speaking with Amie Thurber, the creator and facilitator of the Neighborhood Story Project . We’re talking about how the project developed, why community-facilitated storytelling is important, and how she hopes participants will continue to impact communities in the future. Humanities Tennessee is accepting letters of interest from organizations that are interested in doing a...

This is the fourth episode in our special edition United We Stand: Connecting Through Culture series about the future of belonging in Tennessee. In this episode, host and historian Brigette Jones discusses Black in Appalachia with William Isom, the organization’s Director. United We Stand: Connecting Through Culture is a joint initiative of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the N...

In this episode, we're speaking with Dr. Rosamund Garrett, the Chief Curator at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, and photojournalist Andrea Morales. We’re talking about the Brooks Museum’s temporary exhibit Andrea Morales: Roll Down Like Water . We’ll also discuss movement journalism, why it’s important, and how it could be used in the future. The exhibition is on display now through January 5, 2...

This is the third episode of our special edition United We Stand: Connecting Through Culture series about the future of belonging in Tennessee. In this episode, host and historian Brigette Jones discusses MLK50: Justice through Journalism with Executive Editor Adrienne Johnson Martin. United We Stand: Connecting Through Culture is a joint initiative of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NE...

In this episode, we're speaking with Ellen Gilbert, the founding Executive Director & School Outreach Program Director at the Global Education Center in Nashville. We're talking about the organization’s mission, their current Exploring Indigenous Nashville, Then and Now programming, and how she envisions their multicultural programs impacting participants into the future. Music by Serg...

This is the second episode in our special edition United We Stand: Connecting Through Culture series about the future of belonging in Tennessee. In this episode, host and historian Brigette Jones discusses TIRRC - Tennessee Immigrant & Refuge Rights Coalition - with Judith Clerjeune, the organization’s Campaigns and Advocacy Director. United We Stand: Connecting Through Culture is a joint init...

In this episode, we're speaking with Sandy Obodzinski, the Development & Communications Director at Humanities Tennessee. We’re talking how Humanities Tennessee is funded, what the future of philanthropy might look like, and what she imagines for the organization over the next decade. Music by Dmitrii Kolesnikov and Mike Kripak from Pixabay .

In this special edition podcast series historian and curator Brigette Jones will be exploring the future of belonging in Tennessee through in-depth interviews with organizations that are working to create a future where all Tennessee residents feel welcome and connected. In this introductory episode, Shared Futures Lab Correspondent Caroline Carrico speaks with Brigette about Humanities Tennessee&...

In this episode, we're speaking with Troy Wayne Poteete, the Executive Director of the National Trail of Tears Association . We're discussing how and why the National Trail of Tears Historic Trail was created, why it is important to talk about the Trail of Tears today, and why he believes the future is bright for the Cherokee. Humanities Tennessee is offering up to 20 scholarships to Tenne...

In this episode, we're speaking with Dawn Schluckebier, the Advocacy and Government Relations Director at Think Tennessee - a non-partisan think tank that  uses research and advocacy to build a state where all Tennesseans are civically engaged and economically secure. We're talking about the current state of voting in Tennessee, the work Think Tennessee is doing to empower Tennessee voters...

In this episode, we're speaking with Serentiy Gerbman, Humanities Tennessee's Director of Literature and Language Programs at Humanities Tennessee. We're discussing Chapter16.org , our daily online literary publication, and why book reviews matter. Music by Denys Kyshchuk and Mike Kripak from Pixabay.

In this episode, we're speaking with C.J. Sentell, CEO of the Nashville Food Project , about the future of food security. We'll discuss the current food system in Nashville, the work Nashville Food Project does, and his vision for the future of food access in the city. Music by Oleksii Holubiev and Mike Kripak from Pixabay

In this episode, we're speaking with Hobart Akin, Tennessee State Park Cultural Resource Manager, about the future of interpretation at the state parks. We'll discuss the types of parks in the system, why these places are important, and what kinds of parks could be in the future. Music by Olexy and Mike Kripak  from  Pixabay .