Breaking Ground 97 - 2018-19 Partners in Policymaking Class Graduates
by Ned Andrew Solomon, Director, Partners in Policymaking, Council on Developmental Disabilities
Since 1993, the Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities has been offering its free leadership and advocacy training program – the Partners in Policymaking® Leadership Institute - for adults with disabilities and family members of people with disabilities from across the state. We are approaching 600 graduates: participants who have successfully finished the intensive seven-weekend, seven-month training. The sessions are taught by national and local disability experts in the field, and offer limitless opportunities for networking.
Graduates have gone on to do great advocacy work in their communities. Several have run for public office. Many have “broken ground” for individuals and families that experience disabilities, by advocating for systemic change. Countless others have served on boards, committees, councils, and other entities, with and without a disability focus, but always bringing the “voice of disability” to those conversations.
The 2018-19 Class will be no different. Please welcome the following individuals to our TN Partners Graduate Network:
- Patrick Adams, Madison
- Alison Bynum, Smyrna
- Natalie Campbell, Knoxville
- Jackie Collum, Nashville
- Jessica Gant, Jackson
- Annette Graves, Jackson
- Stephanie Jackson, Nashville
- Lacey Lyons, Whites Creek
- Justin McBride, Memphis
- Rosaline Mills, Nashville
- Gabriela Mjekiqi, Knoxville
- Donna Nasso, Germantown
- Allen Nesmith, Chattanooga
- Brittany Norrod, Maryville
- Cindy Norrod, Maryville
- Natalie Nunley, Tracy City
- Patricia Powell, Antioch
- Bonne Radtke, Munford
- Yesenia Ramos, Clarksville
- Joshua Riley, Brentwood
- Ernie Roark, Oak Ridge
- Jason Rogers, Chattanooga
- Becky Scott, Murfreesboro
- Birtha Street, Nashville
- Karen Vest, Tullahoma