Statements
Mission
"NOAH is interfaith, multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, and multi-racial. NOAH attests that Systemic Racism exists in every aspect of our society, perpetuating injustices socially, economically and politically. NOAH builds leaders and organizes its membership to engage in political and economic decisions affecting their lives. NOAH then acts in the public arena. NOAH is a coalition of congregations, community organizations and labor groups building civic power through relationships, organizing people and money, thereby creating the capacity to help expose and dismantle racism and effect change that leans toward justice."
Background
A group of African-American pastors saw the need for a powerful citizens' organization to address growing inequality in Nashville. In spite of Nashville's economic boom and national recognition as an 'It City,' poverty and low-wage jobs were a growing problem. The group of pastors enlisted the help of the national Gamaliel Foundation to build a powerful organization that could take action on their values and concerns. There was no citizen organization that involved marginalized people to advocate for their own interests and participate in decision-making in the city. As of 2019, poverty in Nashville is almost 15%, while some areas experience 37% poverty.
NOAH now includes 67 congregations, labor unions, and organizations that are diverse in race, income, neighborhood, and faith tradition. In early 2019, 190 people were trained in doing one-on-one listening sessions. Hundreds of these conversations within NOAH member groups led to identification of issues. In June 2019, 300 people voted on NOAH's issues: Affordable Housing, Education, Economic Equity & Jobs, and Criminal Justice. NOAH's goal is to create a new center of power, giving voice to those excluded from decision-making and from the benefits of our city's economic boom. From 2015 through 2019, we held large meetings with candidates for Mayor, Metro Council, and School Board, securing commitments from all candidates to work with NOAH on our issues. These meetings engaged between 600 and 2000 people. NOAH holds Annual Meetings with decision-makers to monitor progress and plan next action steps. NOAH's Task Forces are now working with various government and non-profit officials to secure concrete gains in our issue areas. NOTE: Although NOAH holds large meetings with elected officials and with candidates for office, we are non-partisan. We will NOT endorse any candidate for office.
Impact
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
1. NOAH focused 2015 and 2019 Mayoral campaigns on affordable housing and raised affordable housing as a critical issue, leading to creation of Mayor's Office on Housing. In 2016, NOAH worked to pass "inclusionary zoning" and developer subsidy bills through Metro Council. State legislature later "pre-empted" these efforts. NOAH increased resources for affordable housing by commitments from Mayor and Metro Council. ($10 million in 2016, 2017, 2018. $25 million in G.O bonds in 2017, 2018.)
2. At NOAH's urging, two Mayors have appointed three affordable housing experts to the MDHA Board and Metro Planning Commission members who are sympathetic to affordable housing.
3. Metro's property reassessment in 2017 pressured elderly, lower-income homeowners in gentrifying areas. NOAH organized public meetings and canvassing of neighborhoods to publicize existing programs of property tax assistance.
4. NOAH held a meeting of 600 people on effect of light rail and transit on affordable housing (2018). Mayor created a "Transit and Affordability" committee (including NOAH) for recommendations.
5. As part of Stand Up Nashville Coalition, NOAH won a Community Benefits Agreement on proposed soccer stadium, 20% of related housing to be affordable, stadium employees to start at $15.50/hr, "High Road Contractors" hiring from poverty areas, sliding scale child care center (2018). At NOAH's Public Meeting in August 2019, Mayor Cooper committed to create a 10-year affordable housing plan -- with dedicated funding.
6. In 2019, NOAH supported a Metro Council bill that will allocate an equivalent amount to the Barnes Affordable Housing Trust Fund whenever Metro government gives certain economic incentives for a business (such as the $500 per job subsidy for Amazon).
7. In 2021, NOAH worked with the Mayor and Metro Council to have $32.5 million dedicated to affordable housing.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE
1. NOAH secured initial Metro commitments and funding for police body cameras (2016-2017).
2. In 2018, NOAH engaged the Mayor's Office, Metro Health Department, Mental Health Cooperative, and the State Department of Mental Health in creating a mental health diversion program from jail ($3.5 million).
3. NOAH researched best practices for a Community Oversight Board, held community meetings about the need for a COB, and supported other groups' work which led to adoption by 64% of Nashville voters (Nov 2018).
4. In 2021, NOAH developed a non-law enforcement response plan for mental health calls (HEALS). We plan to push for its approval in 2022 by Metro.
EDUCATION
1. In 2016, 2018, and 2020, NOAH held Public Meetings with candidates for Metro School Board, securing commitments to work with NOAH on our issues. Candidates also answered questions from residents of their districts.
2. In 2021, NOAH won $3.7 million for special Advocacy Centers in 72 elementary schools to reduce suspensions, and especially the racial disparity in suspensions.
ECONOMIC EQUITY AND JOBS
1. In January 2018, Metro Council adopted the "Do Better Bill," for transparency in jobs and other benefits that come to the city from public subsidies for businesses. The bill was pushed by NOAH and the Stand Up Nashville coalition.
2. As part of Stand Up Nashville Coalition, NOAH achieved a Community Benefits Agreement on the proposed soccer stadium (see above). This included that stadium employees starting at $15.50/hr, "High Road Contractors" hiring from poverty areas, and a sliding scale child care center
Needs
1. We are between cycles for one of our major funders, who will renew their funding commitment of $60,000 in 2023. One need is to replace this funding for the 2022 year. NOAH has significant reserves while we are pursuing additional funding. Also, we raised $70,000 in a special fundraiser at the end of 2021, but still need additional grant funding.
2. NOAH has grown from 12 original member groups to 62. However, to have the power needed for real change, we need more member groups -- and involvement of our existing member groups needs to be deepened. We appreciate help in finding prospective members.
3. NOAH has 4 issue groups: Affordable Housing, Education, Economic Equity & Jobs, and Criminal Justice. Although the core members of these come from NOAH member groups, others are always welcome.
4. Training in organizing is a key part of NOAH's work. We do local one-day training events, but also send leaders to a 7-Day National Training with the Gamaliel organizing network. Room and board for each costs $750. We would like to raise $7500 to send 10 low and moderate income leaders to this training
CEO Statement
Across the country, people are frustrated with government, business, and social structures. We find our nation divided in too many ways. NOAH unites people across race, faith, and geographic lines to take action on common issues. This work together teaches us how to be citizens and make change in those structures to make them more responsive to the public. Identifying our common issues and relating to political and economic decision-makers allows NOAH member groups to:
1. Take action on their values, especially action for justice in the city;
2. Build leadership that benefits both NOAH and the individual member group;
3. Engage members of NOAH groups and others in 'the public arena,' building the power to make a difference and reclaiming public life as a normal space in which ordinary people relate to one another and to public officials.
Finally, Nashville is at a crossroads. Many long-term residents feel that they have "lost" their city to tourism and downtown development. Moreover, many residents of modest means are being pushed out of the city by gentrification and skyrocketing housing costs. Metro Public Schools have not been fully funded in at least 10 years. Recent estimates show that an hourly wage of $33 per hour is necessary to afford the median priced home in Nashville. Teachers, police officers, firefighters, hospitality workers, and others cannot afford that home. Zip code 37208 is now the highest incarcerated zip code in the nation. While affecting everyone, these issues disproportionately impact African-American residents.
Our very unequal city needs to take seriously the words of Jeremiah 29:7 - "Seek the welfare of the city... for in its welfare you will find your welfare." NOAH is building the power needed to pursue that common welfare and see that Nashville's booming economy leaves no one out.
Service Categories |
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| Primary Category: | Civil Rights, Social Action, Advocacy - Alliances & Advocacy |
| Secondary Category: | Community Improvement, Capacity Building - Community Coalitions |
| Tertiary Category: | Public & Societal Benefit - Citizen Participation |
Areas Served
NOAH focuses its primary work in Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County. If conditions warrant, NOAH will expand to other jurisdictions in the Nashville metropolitan statistical area. NOAH is now building relationships with similar organizations in Memphis, Chattanooga, and smaller communities to build a statewide coalition for work on issues affecting us all.
| TN - Davidson |
