
2025 MLK Day Convocation Program
Order of Service
January 20, 2025 – TSU Gentry Center
Pre-convocation performance
CoJo Ko Music, Artist
Mistress of Ceremonies
Harriet Vaughan-Wallace, Wallace Media
Processional
Maplewood High School Jr. ROTC
Pledge and Presentation of Colors
Maplewood High School Jr. ROTC
Musical Selection – Lift Every Voice and Sing
W. Crimm Singers
Invocation
Rev. Kelli X, Director of Racial Justice Ministries, Scarritt Bennett Center
Sabina Mohyuddin, Executive Director, American Muslim Advisory Council
Welcome
Honorable Cheryl Mayes, D6 School Board Member, IMF MLK Day Planning Committee Chair
Occasion
Cathy Carrillo, Youth Committee Co-Chair
Musical Selection
W. Crimm Singers
Greetings
Mr. Dwayne Tucker – Interim TSU President
Vincent Dixie, TN House District 54
Rev. Dr. Harold M. Love, Jr. TN House District 58
Freddie O’Connell, Mayor Metro Nashville& Davidson County
Musical Selection
W. Crimm Singers
Sponsor Remarks
Michelle Brown, Amazon
Spoken Word Performance
Jadyn Marshall, 2024 Nashville Youth Poet Laureate
Introduction of keynote speaker
Charlane Oliver, TN State Senator District 19
Keynote Address
Dr. Daniel Black, Author & Professor
Closing Remarks, Benediction
Bishop Aaron Marble, IMF President
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The Interdenominational Ministers Fellowship would like to acknowledge with sincere appreciation and gratitude, the individuals, groups and organizations who contributed to this program
IMF Executive Board Members
Bishop Aaron Marble – IMF President
Rev. Tara Faith Williams – IMF President-Elect
Herbert Marbury – IMF Vice-President
Rev. Lisa Hammonds – IMF Treasurer
Rev. Tonia Keys – IMF Secretary
Dr. Gordon Jones – IMF At-Large Member
Pastor Cora Alston- IMF At-Large Member
Bishop Minnie Mitchell, IMF At-large Member
Pastor Thomas Hunter – IMF At-Large member
MLK Week Lead Organizers
Bishop Aaron Marble – IMF President
Cheryl Mayes – Planning Committee Chair
Tabitha Mundy – MLK Gala Committee Chair
Administrative Group
Kathy Buggs – Logistics Chair
Rev. Brian Fesler – Finance Chair
Monchiere’ Holmes-Jones – Marketing/PR Committee Chair
Cheryl Mayes – Development Chair
Patricia Malone Smith – Volunteer Committee Chair
Scott Wallace and Ashford Hughes, Sr. – March and Security Coordinators
Programming Group
Crystal Cockrill and Cathy Carrillo – Youth Committee Co-Chairs
Vonda McDaniel – Labor/Human Rights Breakfast Chair
Revs. Sondrea Tolbert and Kelli X – Women of Faith Committee Co-Chairs
Ashford Hughes, Sr.– Book Club Chair
Beverly Watts – Intergenerational Panel Chair
Additional Committee Members
Jacob Aparicio
Lynn Cothren
Joshua Ogunyemi
Xavier Robinson
Benjamin Smith
Mia Vickers
Rev. Omaràn D. Lee
Special Acknowledgements
IMF Nashville MK Day Planning Committee Chairs
40 Years of Legacy
2007 – 2009: Bishop Price and Rev. John Vine
2010 – 2015: Kelvin Jones and Robin Kimbrough
2016 – 2018: Robin Kimbrough
2019 – 2021: Joy Styles
2022 – present: Cheryl Mayes
Reverend James “Tex” Thomas
Thank you to the following individuals/organizations for their support
- Jefferson Street Baptist Church
- Tennessee State University
- Mayors’ Office of Nashville/Davidson County
- Metro Nashville Public Schools
- Maplewood High School
- Color Guard
- Brantley Sound
- Wallace Media Group
- MoJo Marketing and PR+
- Oasis Center
- My Toolbox Consulting
- Donzaleigh’s Photography
- YWCA Nashville
- Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp
- Scarritt Bennett Center
- Church of Scientology
- Tennessee Human Rights Commission
- Music City Construction Careers
- Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville
- Southern Word
- Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc
- 92Q / Cumulus Broadcasting
- Dounut NV
- Tom’ Coffee
- Southern Roasters
- Metro Nashville Police Department
- Metro Nashville Fire Department
- Metro Nashville General Services
- The Urban League of Middle Tennessee
- Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure (NDOT)
Special Acknowledgements
The Nashville MLK Day Planning Committee proudly acknowledges and extends heartfelt gratitude to
all current and former committee members who have dedicated countless hours—both in person and
virtually—over the past 40+ years to make this event a resounding success. Your unwavering
commitment has elevated Nashville’s MLK Day celebration to become the largest in the country.
To our incredible Nashville community, thank you for your steadfast support of MLK Day events
throughout the decades. Your engagement and enthusiasm have been the cornerstone of our
success. Together, we celebrate Dr. King’s legacy with purpose and passion, inspired to build a future
that truly reflects his dream of equality, justice, and unity.
As we commemorate this milestone, let us move forward in unity and hope, striving to make Dr.
King’s vision a living reality. Thank you for joining us in this journey of reflection and action.
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING US THROUGH 40 YEARS OF SERVICE NASHVILLE!!