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A resolution honoring the life of Avi Poster.
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WHEREAS, Avrum B. “Avi” Poster, a fervent Nashville activist for social justice and a Jewish community leader, died on January 26, 2023, at the age of seventy-seven; and
WHEREAS, Poster fiercely and persistently called for action to elevate the dignity of Nashvillians and condemned hateful speech and action toward people of color and minority faith groups. He was passionate about education, immigration and refugee rights, poverty reduction, affordable housing and criminal justice reform; and
WHEREAS, Poster served on more than twenty boards and commissions, including the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, several Metro Nashville Public Schools committees, and was one of the longest-serving Commissioners in the history of the Metro Nashville Human Relations Commission; and
WHEREAS, Poster was heavily involved in Nashville for All of Us, the Coalition for Education about Immigration (CEI), and Our Place Nashville. He was instrumental in the Community Covenant resolution, RS2019-31, that was unanimously adopted by the Metropolitan Council at the first meeting of its 2019-2023 term; and
WHEREAS, Poster was a member of Congregation Micah, a Reform Jewish synagogue, and he was involved with numerous Congregation initiatives including its team of members that work with the Nashville Organized for Action and Hope and events educating the community on Israel; and
WHEREAS, in 2008, Poster formed the Circle of Friends with Abdelghani Barre for the purpose of improving the relationship between the Jewish and Muslim Communities in Nashville; and Poster served with and led several Jewish community groups and other groups advocating for dialogue between local Jews, Christians, and Muslims; and
WHEREAS, Poster grew up in Chicago, Illinois and was a longtime educator in public schools, teaching social studies and eventually becoming a principal. He was the first school principal in Illinois-and perhaps the country-to lead three different schools to the U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon Awards for Excellence in Education. This provided him opportunities on three different occasions to travel to the White House and personally meet three different sitting presidents: President Bill Clinton, President George W. Bush, and President Barack Obama; and
WHERAS, he moved to Nashville in 2001 with his wife, Joie Scott, who is an award-winning and Emmy-nominated singer and songwriter. After moving to Nashville, Poster first became involved with the Rochelle Center and other efforts, most recently Our Place Nashville, to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and then joined groups focused on race relations, immigration and education; and
WHEREAS, one of Avi Poster’s guiding quotes hails from championship boxer, Muhammed Ali: “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.” Poster was an amazing friend, leader and mentor who was all about inclusion, diversity, and equity; and
WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Council remembers the bountiful life of Avi Poster and express its condolences to the family upon the occasion of his passing.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. That the Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record honoring the life of Avrum B. “Avi” Poster, celebrating his many contributions to the Nashville community, and expressing its condolences to Mr. Poster’s family.
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.