Les Gemmes Nashville, TN
Welcome!
The chapter has made its impact locally under the National Program Initiative, “Girls of Distinction". Our annual Literary Luncheon is our major fundraiser to provide scholarships to graduating seniors who plan to attend a four-year college or university. The Nashville Chapter of Les Gemmes, Inc. was established in 2004 under the umbrella of the national organization that was established in Norfork, Virginia in 1944. The purpose of Les Gemmes, Inc. is “To promote and provide charitable, educational, civic, and cultural activities aimed at enhancing the populations of the various communities.” Thank you for visiting our site.
The chapter has made its impact locally under the National Program Initiative, “Girls of Distinction". Our annual Literary Luncheon is our major fundraiser to provide scholarships to graduating seniors who plan to attend a four-year college or university. The Nashville Chapter of Les Gemmes, Inc. was established in 2004 under the umbrella of the national organization that was established in Norfork, Virginia in 1944. The purpose of Les Gemmes, Inc. is “To promote and provide charitable, educational, civic, and cultural activities aimed at enhancing the populations of the various communities.” Thank you for visiting our site.
Meet Our President
It is a pleasure to welcome you to the Nashville Chapter of Les Gemmes, Inc. You are entering a wonderful journey about accomplished African American women who focus on the growth of our jewels. Through the years, Les Gemmes, Inc. has adopted programmatic goals to reach citizens throughout the United States. The Nashville Chapter has made its impact under the National Program Initiative, Lighting the Path for Girls. In this initiative, we mentor young ladies in the community from middle school through high school and college. The young ladies are referred to as our “Jewels.” Monthly, we engage with the Jewels through cultural and educational activities. In this process, we enhance life skills, which address character development, building integrity and high self-esteem. We also expose the Jewels to a myriad of cultural, civic and community oriented experiences and assist them in understanding the importance of giving back to their community through hands on service activities. The signature event for the Nashville Chapter of Les Gemmes, is the annual Literary Luncheon. It takes place every year in the Winter-Spring time, that aligns with Black History Month and Women’s History Month.
We recently held our Annual Retreat. It was our goal to Adjust Our Crowns and Move Forward! The Retreat was filled with spirited conversations and updates on health, the current affairs of the community, the Literary Luncheon, our future goals and the Jewels. It appears next year will be just as impactful. Our restaurateur who is a member of the organization hosted the event at her and her husband's business, Lighthouse on the Lake provided the warmest hospitality one could imagine. The food, ambiance, and staff were beyond positive words and provided a great experience. Our internet worked well for those on Zoom land and that too is a mighty blessing. All of our program participants were on point with their presentations. Our continuously loyal sponsor, Advance Financial, whose representative was in live attendance was thoroughly impressed. Overall, the Retreat Planning Committee put together a fantastic event and proved to be a mighty Force to plan this culminating service with such grace and mercy.
The Jewel's graduation, with other jewels attending, was absolutely outstanding, and our speaker, Harriet Vaughn Wallace one of Nashville's leading journalists from WZTV, a former Les Gemmes member was focused on growth and appreciation for our Jewel's accomplishments. Her powerful message on Destiny...involving Intention, Why vs. What, Intellect, Intuition, Innovate, and Integrity, was purposed for all of us. The speaker reminded us we are Queens and wore her crown. It is my honor to serve this chapter comprised of such extraordinary women, who understand we must Adjust our Crowns and Move Forward!
Warmest regards,
Gemme Phyllis
Dr. Phyllis Qualls, President
We recently held our Annual Retreat. It was our goal to Adjust Our Crowns and Move Forward! The Retreat was filled with spirited conversations and updates on health, the current affairs of the community, the Literary Luncheon, our future goals and the Jewels. It appears next year will be just as impactful. Our restaurateur who is a member of the organization hosted the event at her and her husband's business, Lighthouse on the Lake provided the warmest hospitality one could imagine. The food, ambiance, and staff were beyond positive words and provided a great experience. Our internet worked well for those on Zoom land and that too is a mighty blessing. All of our program participants were on point with their presentations. Our continuously loyal sponsor, Advance Financial, whose representative was in live attendance was thoroughly impressed. Overall, the Retreat Planning Committee put together a fantastic event and proved to be a mighty Force to plan this culminating service with such grace and mercy.
The Jewel's graduation, with other jewels attending, was absolutely outstanding, and our speaker, Harriet Vaughn Wallace one of Nashville's leading journalists from WZTV, a former Les Gemmes member was focused on growth and appreciation for our Jewel's accomplishments. Her powerful message on Destiny...involving Intention, Why vs. What, Intellect, Intuition, Innovate, and Integrity, was purposed for all of us. The speaker reminded us we are Queens and wore her crown. It is my honor to serve this chapter comprised of such extraordinary women, who understand we must Adjust our Crowns and Move Forward!
Warmest regards,
Gemme Phyllis
Dr. Phyllis Qualls, President
Scarritt Bennett Center Announces Rev. Sondrea L. Tolbert
As Its New Executive Director
RNashville, TN - Scarritt Bennett Center (SBC), Nashville’s premiere conference, retreat, and transformative education center, has selected educator, lawyer and faith-based leader Rev. Sondrea L. Tolbert as its next executive director. She will begin her new role on November 1, 2021.
“We are excited to welcome Rev. Tolbert to Scarritt Bennett,” stated Andrea Hatcher, SBC Board Chairperson. “She is highly qualified, motivated and will challenge SBC to continue living into its mission of hospitality and education ministries of justice, equality and reconciliation in new and exciting ways.” Rev. Tolbert succeeds Sarah Wilke, who has led SBC for five years.
This committed leader has a love for education and empowerment. She is the immediate past Director of the National Consortium of Black Women in Ministry, Nashville Chapter, (NCBWIM), where she fostered a focus on the community through ministry initiatives involving breast cancer awareness, domestic violence, and HIV/AIDS. While leading NCBWIM, she established Pink Sunday Nashville which is held throughout churches in middle Tennessee to raise breast cancer awareness.
"It is indeed an honor to be selected by the Board as the guardian of the safe, sacred space of the historic Scarritt Bennett Center.” “It is this place where transformation takes place to educate, equip and empower lives and communities," said Rev. Tolbert.
This dynamic leader is an ordained minister who uses her myriad skills in the marketplace and ministry. At the core of her work is her faith. Rev. Tolbert is a transformative servant leader, visionary, community organizer, educator, author and passionate advocate for women. A true woman of substance, she is the first woman ordained and appointed as Assistant Pastor of the historic Fairfield Missionary Baptist Church, in Goodlettsville, TN. Furthermore, she is the author of On the Bright Side Morning Joy Devotions, a freelance writer for Abingdon Press, and founder of Sisterhood ROCKS Ministry (Radically Obedient Christian-Women Kingdom Surrendered).
Her education speaks boldly of her appreciation for both formal and informal learning. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Fisk University. She holds a Master of Divinity degree from Payne Theological Seminary in Wilberforce, OH and her Doctor of Jurisprudence from North Carolina Central University School of Law in Durham, NC.
This energetic leader is a member of several organizations, including the Nashville Chapter of Les Gemmes. This year she chaired the 15th annual Literary Luncheon in its inaugural virtual modality because of COVID-19. “It was her leadership that brought creativity and innovation, utilized for the first time, that made the event highly regarded,” said Phyllis Qualls, president of the chapter. Additionally Rev. Tolbert was the 2021 Athena nominee. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Nu Kappa Omega Chapter, and Impact100 Nashville.
As executive director, Rev. Tolbert plans to direct, guide and support the staff, as they together work closely with SBC Board of Trustees. “My goal is to ensure the SBC campus continues to be a place for justice and transformative education locally, nationally and throughout the world, said Rev.Tolbert.
2021 Literary Luncheon
   Our 14th annual Literary Luncheon was a major fundraiser that raised money to support the “Lighting the Path for Girls” program that supports our “Jewels,” as we call them. The Jewells attend workshops, ranging from bullying and communications to etiquette; tour a variety of venues from the water plant to the Tennessee Historical Museum; participate in educational opportunities from reading and writing to making presentations and attending events with the members, such as the world renowned All Black Symphony to the Harlem Globe Trotters.
Scholarships are also provided to the Jewels as they transition from high school to higher education. The annual Literary Luncheon brings to Nashville some of the best and brightest authors from throughout the nation. The Les Gemmes annual Literary Luncheon is one of the most highly regarded social events in Nashville. Please visit our literary 2021 Literary Luncheon Page for highlights and awards from our first every virtual literary luncheon. (Click Here). Our 14th annual Literary Luncheon was a major fundraiser that raised money to support the “Lighting the Path for Girls” program that supports our “Jewels,” as we call them. The Jewells attend workshops, ranging from bullying and communications to etiquette; tour a variety of venues from the water plant to the Tennessee Historical Museum; participate in educational opportunities from reading and writing to making presentations and attending events with the members, such as the world renowned All Black Symphony to the Harlem Globe Trotters.
Scholarships are also provided to the Jewels as they transition from high school to higher education. The annual Literary Luncheon brings to Nashville some of the best and brightest authors from throughout the nation. The Les Gemmes annual Literary Luncheon is one of the most highly regarded social events in Nashville. Please visit our literary 2021 Literary Luncheon Page for highlights and awards from our first every virtual literary luncheon. (Click Here). A survey is posted on our Literary Luncheon page to garner opinions of our attendees and the general public about our event. Designed to gain information and to work to make our programs more effective. All comments are gladly welcomed.
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Each person must live their life as a model for others. Rosa Parks 
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