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A resolution honoring Clemmie Greenlee for her service and dedication to the less privileged in Nashville and Davidson County.
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WHEREAS, Ms. Clemmie Greenlee, a native of Nashville, has transformed unimaginable loss into an unwavering mission to heal communities, empower mothers, and guide youth away from violence through her leadership as Founder and CEO of Nashville Peacemakers; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Greenlee was raised in an environment where poverty and violence were commonplace. Resultingly, she fell victim to sex trafficking leading to years of drug addiction, homelessness, prostitution, and incarceration; and
WHEREAS, with the support and compassion of Magdalene House of Nashville, Ms. Greenlee ended the cycle and changed her life forever. From that point, Ms. Greenlee has dedicated her life to restoring hope for families and people devastated by violent crime; and
WHEREAS, after the murder of her son related to gang violence, Ms. Greenlee was inspired to begin Nashville Peacemakers in 2003. Nashville Peacemakers is a non-profit that focuses on stopping violence in the community.
WHEREAS, Nashville Peacemakers promotes non-violence through three pillars that seek to teach youth basic life skills and self-worth during their most vulnerable years. Another program provides peer support, advocacy, and healing spaces for grieving mothers recovering from the murders of their children; and
WHEREAS, through the Nashville Peacemakers’ Straight Talk program, Clemmie Greenlee has prevented more than a dozen retaliatory gang shootings and released a CD to deter youth from becoming involved with gangs. Clemmie Greenlee has also worked with Davidson County Juvenile Court Clerk Lonnell Matthews to pilot Off the Street, Make a Beat to teach youth about the music business as an alternative to idle time spent in the streets. Straight Talk has expanded its work to go into prisons in Davidson County and across the nation to lower recidivism and help ease the transition from incarcerated life; and
WHEREAS, her work has reached beyond city limits to influence state policy, serving as a community partner in the development and advocacy of House Bill 1021-landmark legislation expanding access to Tennessee’s Victims’ Compensation Fund, passed unanimously through both chambers in 2024; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Greenlee is a valued partner of the Healed People Heal People Campaign, a statewide initiative educating victims of violence about available resources and fostering community-based healing and violence prevention efforts. She has also served as a lead organizer for the Homeless Power Project, and volunteers with the Center for Community Change, Nashville’s NAACP, Jobs with Justice, and the Urban EpiCenter; and
WHEREAS, every year she hosts Clemmie G’s Community Day Festival, a Nashville tradition bringing together youth, survivors, local artists, small businesses, and returning citizens to celebrate unity, redemption, and the power of community healing; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Greenlee’s continues her devotion to community even through continued trials and tribulations. In 2017, Ms. Greenlee noticed a problem with her heart during a Straight Talk speech at San Quinton Prison in California. She was diagnosed with broken heart syndrome, requiring a heart transplant. Since then, Ms. Greenlee has made a full recovery and continues her outreach; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Greenlee’s extraordinary contributions have been recognized both in Nashville and across the nation through honors and awards including the 2025 MBK Outreach Impact Award, the 2018 Nashville Legend Award, the 2007 Nashvillian of the Year Award from the Nashville Scene, a Soros Justice Fellowship; and many others; and
WHEREAS, in 2024, the School of the Great Commission Bible College and Seminary saw it fit to honor her dedication to her faith and her community by awarding Ms. Clemmie Greenlee an honorary Doctorate of Christian Humanities; and
WHEREAS, her story of transformation and resilience is featured in the 2025 documentary “Clemmie G.: Unfiltered”, which chronicles her journey from survivor to national advocate, inspiring generations to believe that healing and justice can coexist. The film was honored as the Best Short Documentary at the 2025 International Black Film Festival; and
WHEREAS, throughout her life’s work, Ms. Greenlee has embodied the spirit of radical love and fearless compassion-standing as living proof that one person’s courage can ignite a movement of peace, restoration, and hope. Nashville and Davidson County have been bettered through her tireless work and endless compassion.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. The Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record as recognizing Ms. Clemmie Greenlee for her dedication to the people of Nashville and Davidson County
Section 2. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.