Nashville Organized for Action and Hope (NOAH)

Overview

Nashville Organized for Action and Hope (NOAH) is a nonprofit organization founded to combat systemic injustices through community engagement, training, and direct public action. It operates as a multiracial and interdenominational coalition that includes congregations, community organizations, and labor unions. NOAH's mission is to amplify the voices of marginalized communities in Nashville and advocate for social justice.

Mission and Vision

NOAH's mission is centered on addressing systemic racism and injustices within society, with a vision to transform Nashville into an equitable and just city for all its residents. The organization focuses on empowering ordinary people to participate actively in civic and political processes, ensuring that their concerns are represented in local governance.

Core Issues

NOAH’s initiatives are guided by the issues identified by its members, which include:

• Affordable Housing: This initiative addresses the rising cost of housing in Nashville and aims to prevent displacement of low-income residents.

• Education: NOAH seeks to promote policies in the Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) that enhance student outcomes and dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline.

• Criminal Justice: The organization advocates for reforms in Nashville’s policing and incarceration systems, specifically focusing on reducing the disproportionate impact on African American communities.

• Economic Equity, Jobs, and Transportation: NOAH works to create economic opportunities for low and middle-income residents, ensuring access to jobs and adequate transportation.

Organizational Structure

NOAH is a member of the Gamaliel network, a national coalition dedicated to building political power among diverse communities. The organization does not endorse political candidates but focuses on getting them to support its agenda on critical community issues.

Task Forces

The operational work of NOAH is carried out through various task forces, each dedicated to one of the core issues. These task forces are comprised of members who collaborate to strategize and implement actions aimed at achieving specific goals within their focus areas.

Community Engagement

NOAH emphasizes the importance of training and mobilizing community members to engage effectively in civic discussions and actions. By fostering grassroots leadership, NOAH ensures that the issues most relevant to the community are addressed in public policy.

Conclusion

Nashville Organized for Action and Hope serves as a vital platform for social justice advocacy in Nashville, engaging a broad spectrum of individuals and organizations in the fight against systemic inequalities. Through its structured approach and focus on key community issues, NOAH aims to foster a more just and equitable society for all.