about the ymca-hbcu alliance

The YMCA of Middle Tennessee and Nashville’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities formed an Alliance in 2019 for the purpose of working toward a financially sustainable future for the Northwest Family YMCA.

Alliance Members

Formally, the partners that comprise the YMCA-HBCU Alliance are the three private HBCU’s: American Baptist College, Fisk University, Meharry Medical College, and the YMCA of Middle Tennessee.

Tennessee State University (TSU) will be involved at the project level, but because they are a public institution, there are more barriers to move things forward at an organizational level.

Steering Committee

The steering committee is made up of 9 members from Nashville’s 3 private HBCUs, the community, and the YMCA. Members include:

  • Atty. Phyllis Hildreth, Vice President for Institutional Strategy & Chief of Staff, American Baptist College
  • Dr. Dexter Samuels, Senior Vice President for Student Affairs, Meharry Medical College
  • Dr. Gary Edwards, Dean of Students, Fisk University (Interim until another designated university representative is identified)
  • Johari Matthews, Programs Director, Tennessee Titans
  • Dr. Brittany L. Mosby, Director of HBCU Success, Tennessee Higher Education Commission
  • Additional Community Representative (currently vacant)
  • Jessica Fain, Chief Strategy Officer, YMCA of Middle Tennessee
  • Alicia Sanchez-Pelc, Vice President of Operational Strategy, YMCA of Middle Tennessee
  • Roy Brown III, Executive Director at Northwest Family YMCA, YMCA of Middle Tennessee