10 Counties, One United Way: Erica Mitchell on Why Now

United Way of Middle Tennessee becomes official January 1, 2027. CEO Erica Mitchell explains why now. Erica Mitchell grew up in Blount County with bare feet, dirt bikes, and cow pasture. She went to NC State, worked in policy, and found she missed being close to people. She wanted to see what a policy did once it reached a neighborhood. So she took a grant contract at United Way with six months left on it, and her husband asked if she was kidding. Early in that job she called a meeting of higher education leaders, state officials, business leaders, and nonprofits to see who'd show up. Everybody came, and they came for United Way's name, since nobody knew hers yet. She moved from contractor to leading the education team, and on January 1, 2025 she became President and CEO of United Way of Greater Nashville. She's lived in Hendersonville for more than 20 years, and with the Sumner County merger she finally gets to work in her own backyard. Erica and Kathryn talk about why county lines matter less than they did ten years ago, and what ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) shows about working families that a poverty rate hides. Erica explains how more than 200 nonprofit partners across ten counties get funded through one application, and why she calls bringing those partners together the secret sauce. They cover the December 2023 tornado that turned United Way and Hands On into one team before the merger paperwork was done, and the Sumner County high school students who started Hands On Sumner so classmates could find service hours. The conversation ends with Dolly Parton, the Imagination Library, and who pays for the books. CONNECT WITH ERICA MITCHELL AND UNITED WAY: Erica's LinkedIn: LinkedIn: erica-mitchell Website: unitedwaygreaternashville.org Sumner County: unitedwaygreaternashville.org/sumner Instagram:@unitedway Volunteer with Hands On Sumner: https://handson.unitedwaygreaternashv... FREE RESOURCES: Find your county's ALICE data: unitedforalice.org/tennessee ====== Welcome to "A Good Pour: Conversations about Good Work in Business." I’m your host Kathryn Good, founder of Good Circle Marketing. This show will spotlight small business leaders, nonprofit trailblazers, and community pioneers who are making a difference by doing good work in business. Good work means using your talents and position to care for others and make a difference. On "A Good Pour" we dive into the essence of strong leadership, service to others, and the transformative power of doing good. We will also emphasize the vital role of telling your business story and the importance of good marketing in today's ever-evolving landscape. Besides a generous serving of wine, a good pour is an act of love and service to others. When we pour out help, generosity, and kindness in business, we impact the community and inspire those around us. This changes the world. "A Good Pour" is here to uplift, inspire, and empower. Whether you're a seasoned leader, an aspiring entrepreneur, or someone seeking inspiration, these conversations will give you wisdom, motivation, and insight to embrace your own opportunities for good work in business and beyond. Join Us. ====== ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ 🤔Thinking of leveling up your Marketing? 📝 Let us help you get on track! 📱Call or Text me: ‪(615) 807-0847‬ 📨 Email: [email protected] ⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️ ====== ▶Subscribe 👉@goodcirclemarketing ======