Celebrating TCLA Alumni During Transit Month

Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell officially proclaimed April Transit Month in Nashville. You can read more about that here.

Yes, this is a meaningful milestone on its own, but at the photo marking the occasion, I realized something else. Look closely at that group holding the proclamation:

Standing l to r: Kendra Abkowitz, Mayor's office; Sabrina Sussman, CHYM; Matea Cannavino, CHYM; Derek Hagerty, NDOT; Shandira Edgecombe, Nashville Connector; Manaen Hall, Transit Now Nashville; Mayor Freddie O'Connell; Jessica Dauphin, Transit Alliance; Adam Nicholson, Transit Now Nashville; Eric Melcher, WeGo; Meghan Matheson, Nashville Connector; Veronica Carter, YPT-Nashville; Ashley Northington, Moving Forward; [name not known]; Michael Briggs, CHYM; and Mary Vavra, Transit Alliance. Photo taken by Metro Nashville photographer.

All leaders. But what I noticed was that many of them share something in common: they’re alumni of the Transit Citizen Leadership Academy (TCLA).

TCLA alumni proudly display Nashville’s Transit Month proclamation.

The Role of TCLA in Building Transit Leaders

The Transit Citizen Leadership Academy is more than just a training program. It is a platform that equips community members with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to engage in transit planning and advocacy. Alumni of TCLA come from various backgrounds, mostly united by a shared commitment to improving transit options in Nashville and the surrounding region. (We've had some attend to learn more, even when they were transit-agnostic or against it altogether).

That photo wasn’t staged to make a point. It was the point.

TCLA alumni showed up because they do. In rooms where decisions are shaped. In conversations where priorities are set. In moments where the future of mobility inches forward. They weren’t there to learn anymore. They were there because they’ve become part of the system that moves things forward.

For example, several alumni have played key roles in:

• Advocating for expanded bus routes

• Supporting the development of safe bike lanes and pedestrian pathways

• Promoting transit-oriented development

• Educating the public about the benefits of public transportation

  
  

Their leadership helps create a transit system that is more accessible, efficient, and responsive to community needs. They can do that because TCLA’s curriculum covers essential topics such as:

• Understanding transit systems and infrastructure

• Navigating local government and policy processes

• Engaging communities in transit discussions

• Advocating for equitable and sustainable transit solutions

  
  

TCLA has never really been about lectures or slide decks. It’s more like saying, “Here's the nuts and bolts. Let’s figure the solutions out together.”

Participants walk in curious. They walk out calibrated. They learn how transit systems function beneath the surface. They understand more about policy, helpful and harmful. They see where decisions are made. They know how to speak about transit in ways that actually resonate outside the classroom.

Transit stops being “someone else’s responsibility.” By providing this comprehensive education, TCLA empowers participants to become effective leaders who can influence transit decisions at multiple levels.

TCLA doesn’t end when the sessions do. That’s when it starts. Alumni don’t disappear back into their day jobs unchanged.

They re-enter their communities with sharper instincts and a wider lens.

You’ll find them:

• Asking better questions in public meetings

• Connecting dots between land use, housing, and mobility

• Translating complex plans into a language their neighbors understand

• Championing projects that make it easier to move, not harder

Why Transit Month Matters for Nashville

Declaring April as Transit Month shines a spotlight on the importance of public transportation in Nashville’s growth, development, and quality of life. It encourages residents, policymakers, and businesses to recognize transit as a vital part of the city’s economic infrastructure.

Transit Month activities include:

• Public events and workshops on transit topics

• Opportunities to meet transit leaders and advocates

• Campaigns to raise awareness about transit benefits and challenges

  
  

Having TCLA alumni front and center during this celebration reinforces the message that informed, engaged citizens are essential to advancing transit solutions.

Looking Ahead: The Upcoming Transit Citizen Leadership Academy

With the success of past cohorts, the next TCLA session promises to continue building a strong network of transit advocates. The program welcomes anyone interested in learning about transit and contributing to Nashville’s transportation future.

Participants can expect:

• Interactive sessions with transit experts and city officials

• Hands-on projects addressing real transit challenges

• Networking opportunities with fellow community leaders

• Tools to effectively communicate and advocate for transit improvements

  
  

By joining TCLA, new leaders will gain the confidence and skills to make a tangible difference in their neighborhoods and beyond.

How You Can Get Involved

If you care about transit in Nashville, consider becoming part of this growing movement. Whether you join TCLA, attend Transit Month events, or simply stay informed, your voice matters.

Here are some ways to engage:

• Apply for the upcoming Transit Citizen Leadership Academy

• Attend local transit meetings and public forums

• Support transit initiatives through volunteering or advocacy

• Share information about transit benefits with your community

  
  

Together, we can build a transit system that supports Nashville’s future growth and sustainability.