Michael Griffin on Football 101

ONE Community partnered with Project Destined to create a sports venue and real estate development bridge program for local community members to learn more about careers in commercial real estate. Program participants, like Jalen Edwards, are exposed to the construction and development of large projects, including the New Nissan Stadium, and the resources being used to make it one of the greatest stadiums in the country.

The Tennessee Titans' One Community attended Nashville's "Rally on the Runway" this spring, helping raise awareness and funds for childhood cancer research. Titans teammates supported Rally Kids as they strutted their stuff down the runway, keeping them motivated and excited throughout the night.

Tennessee State University's Department of Human Performance and Sports Sciences teamed up with ONE Community to create a program for students who are studying Sports Management to participate in a professional sports consortium. Here, they get to learn more about the intricacies of the Titans' organization. This program is a great opportunity to expose students to internships and career paths.

The work that Sheila Dial-Barton and EOA Architects are doing goes far beyond just the development of the New Nissan Stadium. This pivotal project is building the future of Nashville. It's creating new neighborhoods and community spaces, including a 12,000 sq. ft. community center—these are the building blocks that transform good cities into great ones.

Tennessee State University student Zoe Hinds enrolled in a Maymester course with the Tennessee Titans to get more exposure to different career paths. A program within the Titans' partnership with Tennessee State University, students are presented the opportunity to connect directly with sports industry professionals. To date, more than 40 students have completed this week-long curriculum-based program.

Noah Pennington has participated in multiple ONE Community-sponsored initiatives, including the Bud Adams Internship Program, which gives students hands-on learning experiences about various roles in the organization. While textbook studies are an essential part of college education, supplementing them with real interactions and lessons from professionals in the workplace is an impactful way to help students map out their career paths for the future.

Shayna Berkeley is the Executive Director of Corner to Corner, a ONE Community partner organization through the 1st & Goal Small Business Assistance Program. This program is a $3M investment in capital support for small and minority-owned businesses. Corner to Corner is a community-led nonprofit co-creating meaningful economic growth with historically underestimated Nashvillians through knowledge, tools, and networks. Their focus is to "put neighbors back in neighborhoods" for the success and fulfillment of Tennesseans.

The Tennessee Titans teamed up with Hands On powered by United Way for a Titans Together presented by Gallagher service project at Harvest Hands Community Development. This Nashville-based nonprofit offers afterschool programs, leadership training, Empower Sports, and counseling services to underserved communities. Volunteers helped revitalize workspaces and community areas through landscaping, painting, and construction projects.

With the New Nissan Stadium well underway, Beth Duffield and the Tennessee Builders Alliance are maximizing their impact in the community by providing tools and educational classes to local individuals who are interested in getting into the construction industry through the Titans Construction Training Camp (TC2).

Randall Miller, the Facility Coordinator for the Coleman Park Community Center, has been heavily involved in the One Community program initiatives, especially the installment of the new children's tech lab. The local Tennessee Community Centers benefit so much from the new technology—kids of all ages are given a safe space to learn, do their homework, and develop in a safe and healthy space.

The Tennessee Titans' One Community program saw great potential in Tanya Hernandez, a local resident and small business owner in the construction space. She was recently celebrated as a Neighborhood Business Spotlight Winner and was awarded ten thousand dollars to put towards the future of her female-founded business. This One Community initiative is giving small businesses the tools and confidence to thrive in Tennessee.

In support of Tennessee Titans fans around the world, the team collaborated with the Gold Coast Titans to surprise one Australian fan, Graheme Tilley-Junee, with the 2024 International Fan of the Year Award. Gold Coast Titans fullback AJ Brimson presented Graheme with a surprise trip to the US in April to cheer on his team at the NFL draft.

The Titans partnered up with Hands on Nashville for a Titans Together presented by Gallagher service project at Cockrill Elementary School in Nashville, Tennessee. Volunteers participated in various construction and restoration projects, including landscaping, building, and painting, to enhance the school's environment for students and faculty.

In honor of Black History Month, different leaders of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in Nashville speak on the rich history of how these institutions came to be. Many were established just after the Civil War era to give formerly enslaved Black people access to an education, independence, economic mobility, and freedom. Over the years, the HBCUs in Nashville and across America have provided pathways for so many brilliant minds, who have gone one to help shape our country into what it is today. From advancements in medicine and science to music and so many others, these HBCUs are so much more than institutions of higher education, they're cultural cornerstones of community.

On 1/31, we celebrated the fifth cohort of the Titans Construction Training Camp with a graduation ceremony. Participants received a graduation certificate and a digital literacy training certificate to mark their accomplishments. The 9 participants went through the 3.5 week training learning the skills necessary to begin a career in the construction industry.

To date, 48 participants graduated from the Titans Construction Training Camp across five cohorts. Of those who graduated, over 50% received a job post-training with others continuing their education. In partnership with the Tennessee Builders Alliance, the Tennessee Titans are committed to create a pathway of opportunity for those seeking a second career or chance within the construction industry.

Two years ago, the Tennessee Titans launched ONE Community with a mission to create lasting, generational change across the state of Tennessee. Let's take a look back at the progress we have made and celebrate the profound impact of ONE Community's programs, initiatives, and investments. Through these efforts, we've made a tangible difference in communities statewide, empowering individuals and families to help shape a brighter future.

Myles Gooch recently graduated from the Titans Construction Training Camp (TC2), a paid work experience training program that supports the construction of the New Nissan Stadium. Despite recent tragedy, Myles persevered, showing up day after day and discovering his interest in construction along the way. And his hard work didn't go unnoticed. At the Titans season finale, we celebrated our partnership with Nissan by gifting Myles a new Nissan Frontier, supporting his drive toward a bright future. Nissan U.S. Chief Marketing Officer Allyson Witherspoon presented him with the key to the vehicle.

Follow Miranda Brown, Director of Programs for the Tennessee Titans' One Community, as she visits the four winners of the 2024 Neighborhood Business Spotlight Awards. This initiative within the program allows small businesses to nominate and cast votes for one another. The four selected winners received a check for $10,000 to acknowledge the great work they're doing, with the hope that it will create generational change for the Tennessee community.

Over the holiday season, Jeffery Simmons spent more time giving back to his community. He took six local high school seniors to Men's Warehouse, where they were fitted for new suits. Simmons helped and supported these young men as they shopped, spending time with them as a friend and mentor.

The Titans hosted a Christmas party for kids from Boys and Girls Club. Kids played Christmas themed games, arts and crafts, opened gifts, and received a special visit from Titans players Isaiah Iton and Kendell Brooks.

During a recent home game against the Bengals, the Titans announced Tennessee's High School Football Coach of the Year: Kyle Shoulders from Macon County High School. The Titans organization is a proud supporter of school athletics throughout Tennessee, helping coaches as they motivate and mentor their teams.

Tennessee Titans defensive back Jarvis Brownlee Jr. spent an afternoon with a class at Carter Lawrence Elementary, where they enjoyed learning football plays, dancing, and having fun.

The Titans partnered up with Meals of Hope for a Titans Together presented by Gallagher project. Titans players, staff, and Gallagher employees worked together to package 51,138 total meals for people in need during the holiday season.

Tyjae Spears teamed up with other Titans players and staff members for an afternoon at the Second Harvest Food Bank. Together, they put their heads down to load, label, and stack hundreds of boxes full of groceries for families in the community. This is just one of the many local initiatives that the Tennessee Titans have been part of this holiday season in an effort to lend a hand to those in need.

Titans defensive backs Gabe Jeudy-Lally and Daryl Worley visited Mrs. Dodd's class at Liberty Creek Elementary School for football themed arts and crafts and games.