File #: RS2022-1726   
Type: Resolution Status: Passed
File created: 7/11/2022 In control: Metropolitan Council
On agenda: 8/16/2022 Final action: 8/16/2022
Title: A Resolution honoring the life of Darrell S. Freeman, Sr.
Sponsors: Sharon Hurt, Antoinette Lee, Tanaka Vercher, Kyonzte Toombs, Jeff Syracuse, Tonya Hancock, Erin Evans, Courtney Johnston, Burkley Allen, Jennifer Gamble, Colby Sledge, Bob Mendes, Robert Swope, Kevin Rhoten, Thom Druffel, Brett Withers, Joy Styles, Zulfat Suara, Gloria Hausser, Jonathan Hall, Brandon Taylor, Delishia Porterfield, Dave Rosenberg, Ginny Welsch, Bob Nash, Mary Carolyn Roberts, Sean Parker, Emily Benedict, Nancy VanReece, Zach Young, Larry Hagar, Russ Bradford, Tom Cash, Freddie OConnell, Kathleen Murphy, Russ Pulley, John Rutherford, Sandra Sepulveda, Angie Henderson
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A Resolution honoring the life of Darrell S. Freeman, Sr.

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WHEREAS, Darrell S. Freeman, Sr., Middle Tennessee State University Trustee and former Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce Chair, passed away on June 28, 2022, at the age of 57; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Freeman, the first in his family to go to college, was a trail-blazing businessman who created his own tech company, Zycron, Inc., which in 25 years became a multi-million-dollar business with 300+ employees that generated $40 million a year in receipts. Mr. Freeman sold his company in 2017 for over $20 million dollars; and

WHEREAS, because Mr. Freeman knew firsthand the challenges and barriers in place for the poor or people of color, he invested thousands of hours and millions of his resources to help young, disadvantaged people go to college, and he supported aspiring Black entrepreneurs to overcome obstacles and find success in business. Mr. Freeman frequently said, "As a private citizen, as an entrepreneur, as a businessman, this is where I want to make a difference"; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Freeman was a pillar in the Nashville community. Recently, he was involved in the creation and establishment of the Fisk University Business Incubation and Innovation Center and served as Chair of the special Steering Committee tasked with the purpose of shaping the development vision for the Center along with representatives from the community and Fisk University; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Freeman served his alma mater as Vice Chair of the Middle Tennessee State University Board of Trustees since its creation, and also served as a role model, donor, volunteer, and leader. His legacy will inspire MTSU students and the community for generations to come; and

WHEREAS, in addition to his numerous leadership roles and membership positions with a myriad of organizations, Mr. Freeman served two terms as Chairman of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, where he was known for his passionate persistence and commitment to educa...

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