Behind every successful organization is a forward-thinking leader. Mindy Tate, the force behind Franklin Tomorrow, a community visioning nonprofit organization, is no exception. Her media background and ties to the Franklin area almost make her fated for this position.
Mindy’s family moved from Indiana to Nashville when she was a child so she could attend David Lipscomb Academy. She went on to study at Middle Tennessee State University and took an internship with the Franklin Review Appeal, a weekly newspaper. The job gave her a deeper understanding of the area. “Franklin looked a lot different then, but I appreciated it for what it was then and I appreciate it for what it is now,” Mindy says.
After working several other media-related jobs in the Nashville area, Mindy returned to The Review Appeal as editor until it was acquired byThe Tennessean. When staff layoffs hit, Mindy assembled a group of investors and started her own paper, The Williamson Herald (now owned by CMD Publishing) in less than 90 days.
The paper was a realization of a dream, but in 2010, Mindy decided it was not what she wanted to do for the rest of her life. “I loved the media, but it is fast-paced, 24/7,” she says. So in 2011, she become the Executive Director of Franklin Tomorrow and was named CEO last year.
She loves the mission to engage the community, foster collaboration and advocate for a shared vision. Franklin Tomorrow began in 2000 when a group of community leaders got together to form a steering committee to preserve Franklin’s special qualities. Not surprisingly, Mindy was part of this group. Today, the organization hosts numerous events (mostly free) such as the monthly FrankTalks Lecture series, and the quarterly Breakfast with the Mayors event, to help educate and highlight issues facing the community.
Mindy is particularly passionate about an initiative called Find Hope Franklin, designed to help reduce the stigma associated with mental health. Franklin Tomorrow offers QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) training to better identify and help individuals at risk for suicide. Franklin Tomorrow also raises funds for the Franklin Christmas Tree and recently launched a donation campaign for an art installation honoring the late coach Jimmy Gentry and lost heroes of WWII.
One of Franklin Tomorrow’s proudest moments was in 2020, in partnership with the city, when Franklin received the All-America City award by the National Civic League for its work in community engagement and collaboration. “Franklin Tomorrow does a lot for the community, but we cannot do it alone,” says Mindy. While they partner with other community services and organizations, resident involvement is crucial. For a long time, Mindy liked and used the Nike motto, “Just Do It.” But now, as she works to engage and encourage community members to be involved, her motto has shifted accordingly to “Just Do It - Together.”
FranklinTomorrow.org
Mindy Tate has been Executive Director, now CEO, of Franklin Tomorrow since 2011, having previously served the non-profit community visioning organization as a board member and president during her almost 30-year career in the news media.