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A Resolution recognizing the 20th Anniversary of Moves and Grooves.
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WHEREAS, Moves and Grooves (“MAG”) was founded in the summer of 2002 by Emerald Mitchell, then a student at Fisk University. While in high school in Portland, Oregon, Emerald graduated from the non-profit Self Enhancement Inc., which became the model for MAG; and
WHEREAS, as a graduate of a performing arts high school, Emerald understood the profound impact the arts can have in a young person's life. In this spirit of 'giving back' she decided to volunteer her dance talents at a local community center near her college campus. A room of 5 students quickly grew to 50; and
WHEREAS, once established as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in 2003, MAG began a contract with three Metro Nashville Public Schools to provide dance and tutoring inside the classroom; and
WHEREAS, in 2012, MAG was selected as a Nashville After Zone Alliance Anchor Partner, which allowed the expansion of its after school program to serve 75 more students attending six middle schools in Davidson County. MAG opened its first elementary site in January 2015 serving 60 students; and
WHEREAS, in 2014, MAG received a multi-year grant from the 21st Century LEAPS Lottery Fund to support additional STEAM after school programming for young girls. Wal-Mart, Tennessee Arts Commission, and other donors across Tennessee have continued to generously support MAG’s enrichment efforts, allowing MAG to offer art-infused, project-based learning experience free to all students attending those schools; and
WHEREAS, over the years, MAG has expanded the focus of its programming to include STEM, literacy, youth employment, and high school mentoring. In 2015, MAG began its first high school initiative, offering college tours, workshops, financial literacy education, and more to students. In 2018, MAG began its first summer youth employment program as part of the "POWER Youth" (formerly known as "Opportunity Now") initiative of the Mayor's Office. Each summer, MAG hires up to twenty youth ages 14 to 16 to provide students with workforce development skills before they enter the workforce as adults; and
WHEREAS, in 2018, the MAG Board conducted a strategic plan that detailed the need to expand services. After three years of deliberation, MAG decided to develop a new campus to provide permanent space for youth activities, increased career advancement and placement opportunities for Nashville’s youth, an enhanced programming model to include new services such as culinary arts, STEM lab, dance studios, and more, and a new performance hall that doubles as a storm shelter for those located within a one-mile radius; and
WHEREAS, over the past 20 years, MAG has grown to serve an average of 250 students each year across Middle Tennessee. MAG’s staff has grown from two employees to four full-time employees and nearly 20 part-time employees; and
WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Council goes on record as recognizing the important work of Moves and Grooves and joins in celebrating its 20th anniversary of helping Nashville’s youth.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. That the Metropolitan Council hereby goes on record as recognizing the 20th anniversary of Moves and Grooves.
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.