by perri | Jan 3, 2022 | Blog
Street Works Hosts Faith, Frappuccinos and Conversation
By: Emma Vondra
Throughout 2021 Street Works worked creatively to connect with the community that they serve. Their conversation panels were a staple for the organization and their messages were able to touch people all over the state of Tennessee.
In August, the topic was Faith, Frappuccinos and Conversation: A Faith-Based Initiative to End the Stigma. This virtual panel was hosted around National Faith HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, which takes place annually in the month of August.
This live discussion engaged the faith community to work together in support of HIV/AIDS education, prevention, and treatment, and to reduce and eliminate the stigma and discrimination surrounding HIV/AIDS. On top of that, community members who attended were able to share their thoughts, experiences and ask questions.
The duGard Communications team was able to help plan and promote this event in the weeks leading up to it and were also able to attend the event live to push content through on social media accounts.
by perri | Jan 3, 2022 | Blog
Street Works Cafe con Leche y Conversación
By: Emma Vondra
Street Works has been doing a phenomenal job reaching out to the community they serve through their Coffee and Conversation series. In October, the theme of the event was Café con Leche y Conversación, a highlight on National LatinX AIDS Awareness Day. With National LatinX AIDS Awareness Day being observed annually on October 15, the goal is to increase awareness of the impact of HIV on the Hispanic/Latino population in the United States.
This event featured a live virtual panel discussion that was moderated by the Street Works Medical Case Manager Claudia Lee. The other individuals who helped lead the conversation were Cesar Jair Sanchez Miller, the LatinX Outreach Specialist at Street Works, and Ramon Cisneros, Publisher, La Campana and CEO, Millennium Marketing
duGard Communications was instrumental in planning the logistics and marketing of this conversation series. On top of that, team members were able to join the live virtual event and take part in the very important topic of conversation.
Street Works is the epitome of “doing good work,” so to see all of the positive impacts they are making, head over to their website at http://streetworks.org.
by perri | Dec 21, 2021 | Blog, Client News, News
Street Works and First Baptist Capitol Hill ‘COVID-19, Condoms & Conversation’
By: Emma Vondra
Street Works, a free, confidential HIV testing and supportive services to persons living with HIV/AIDS in the Nashville/Middle Tennessee area, teamed up with First Baptist Capitol Hill in February of this year to launch the beginning of their conversation series. This first event was titled ‘COVID-19, Condoms & Conversation.’
The conversation panel featured industry leaders Dr. Beverly Brown, Minority AIDS Outreach and Dr. Phillis Isabella Sheppard, Vanderbilt Divinity School. Throughout this virtual community event, individuals were able to touch on the impact of COVID-19 on individuals and families impacted by HIV/AIDS and the disproportionate toll on communities of color in Tennessee and throughout the U.S.
It is through community-based events like these that Street Works is able to make such a definitive impact on the Tennessee community. Touching on topics that need to be spoken about isn’t an easy feat, but it is how change is accomplished.
by perri | Dec 21, 2021 | Blog, Client News, News
By: Emma Vondra
Renewal House, the only provider of a long-term substance use disorder treatment program for women and their children in Middle Tennessee, kicked off this year’s holiday season by hosting an event to thank the community that has helped them flourish.
On Nov. 9, to celebrate all of the developments that 2021 brought them, including the start of a large expansion project, the nonprofit welcomed the community to a virtual luncheon that featured Renewal House alumni sharing their heartfelt stories, as well as a big announcement on the Renewal House expansion project.
Renewal House CEO Pamela Sessions recognized the large need to extend a thank you to the Middle Tennessee community, stating “Autumn is a time to give thanks for our families and loved ones and we are grateful for the support and investments Renewal House receives each year.”
The dGC team loves being able to work with Renewal House to build a community for women and families in need in the Middle Tennessee area. To learn more about all that this organization does, check out their website https://www.renewalhouse.org.
by perri | Dec 21, 2021 | Blog, Client News, News
By: Emma Vondra
The month of May was pivotal for Renewal House Nashville as it took all they do for the community to new heights. Renewal House is a long-term substance use disorder treatment program for pregnant women, mothers, and their children in Middle Tennessee. Renewal House serves more than 500 women and children a year through all of its programs combined. The nonprofit helps women gain the skills to remain sober, give their children nurturing care, improve their physical and mental health, and secure employment.
In celebration of 25 years in operation, they hosted a beam raising ceremony to mark the start of their new expansion. This building is a 35,000 square foot facility with 34 apartments and will double the capacity of services to women and their children.
From organizing rentals, script writing, and event logistics, the dGC team was able to play a pinnacle role in the event and be on site at this groundbreaking ceremony to help Renewal House make history.
To learn more about all of the amazing things that Renewal House is doing for Middle Tennessee community head to their website at https://www.renewalhouse.org.
by perri | Dec 21, 2021 | Blog, Client News, News
NKA Gallery and TMM Art Gallery Host Artist Talk With ‘Evolution From the Trap’s’ D.L. Warfield
By: Emma Vondra
On November 10th of this year, The Trap Music Museum along with NKA Art Gallery (ink-ah) hosted an artist talk with Atlanta artist D.L. Warfield. This event was held at the new location of Escape the Trap in Nashville.
The theme for the exhibit at this time was ‘Evolution From The Trap,’ which gave Warfield a platform to discuss his work, explain the pieces that were on display at the exhibit and run through what the phrase means to him.
D.L. Warfield has been paving the way for artists like him for decades. People describe him and his work as cutting edge and innovative. Early in his career he was designer and product developer in the world of fashion. While doing that, he joined LaFace Records which is where he was able to team up with L.A. Reid to work on branding, albums, and design for a lengthy list of artists including Usher, Outkast, Pink, TLC and more!
NKA Gallery and TMM Art Gallery set the stage for someone who understands trap music life and culture in their exhibit. An event like this gives escape room goers and music lovers alike the opportunity to hear first hand through someone who has lived all that trap music is.
To stay up to date on all things The Trap Music Museum, head to their website https://escapethetrap.com.
by Corey | Dec 19, 2021 | Client News
Black, Woman Veteran-Owned Wine Company Honored for Excellence in the Industry
Nashville, Tennessee (Dec. 19, 2021) – Twisted Sistuhs, a Nashville-based black, woman and veteran-owned wine company, announced today its selection by the Black Influencers of Libations Association (BILA) as a 2021 Award Winner. Twisted Sistuhs was awarded with the association’s “One Time for the Ladies,” award, honoring women leaders in the beer, wine, and spirits industry.
Twisted Sistuhs’ provide high-quality vegan wine varietals including a Bourbon Barrel Red Wine Blend, a vintage wine aged in bourbon barrels for 3 months with subtle hints of whiskey that awaken all your senses with its luxurious layered complexities which include notes of dark cherry, blackberry, vanilla spices, and cocoa flavors. Their varietals are sourced from a Lodi, California-based winery. Twisted Sistuhs is available at retail locations throughout Middle Tennessee, including the Tennessee Tribune Store located in the Nashville Airport’s South Terminal. An interactive map of all the locations Twisted Sistuhs can be found is on the company’s website: twistedsistuhs.com.
“We have felt so welcome here in the Middle Tennessee community as we launched and grew Twisted Sistuhs from the ground up,” said founders Kristi Alderson and Ogechi Anyatonwu. “We want to thank the Black Influencers of Libations Association for honoring our success as Black women entrepreneurs in the wine and spirits industry.”
BILA is dedicated to promoting the impact of Black entrepreneurs and business owners on the Nashville craft beer and spirits community. It was created by Shani Glapion (@theblackbeerexperience), Kramer Deans, (@thebeerdedbrotha) and James Jenkins (@drinkswithjenks). The award recipients are highlighted in The Voice Nashville (thevoicenashville.com) this month.
“You earned this award because you deserved to be celebrated for holding it down for the ladies in the beer, wine and spirits industry,” said Justin Singleton, Creator of BrewNCircles & BILA. “We appreciate you for holding it down for the ladies in this industry, so we must salute you!”
About Twisted Sistuhs
Twisted Sistuhs is a black, woman and veteran-owned wine company based out of Nashville, TN. It’s premiere 2018 vintage Red Wine blend are aged in bourbon barrels, providing the ultimate experience for wine lovers. Each high-quality blend is single sourced, vegan, with no additives and low tannins. For more information, visit us online https://twistedsistuhs.com/.
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by perri | Dec 14, 2021 | Client News, News
Public Relations, Community Engagement
dGC Assists City of Jamestown and Gresham Smith in Complete Streets Plan
The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) established the Community Transportation Planning Grant (CTPG) 
Program to assist rural communities with planning efforts that define the transportation cohesiveness between multimodal transportation systems and local land use objectives that achieve statewide transportation goals. Additionally, the program connects governments with planning resources to apply for funding of projects that promote economic growth.
Jamestown is one of the recipients of the 2019- 2020 Community Transportation Planning Grant Program.
This report documents the findings and recommendations of the Downtown Jamestown Complete Streets Plan.
by perri | Dec 14, 2021 | Client News, News
Public Relations, Community Engagement
dGC Assists Tennessee Department of Transportation in Actions to Improve Walking, Bicycling and Rolling in Tennessee
Tennessee’s Statewide Active Transportation Plan is about action. It is the first plan focused on improving walking, bicycling, and rolling (i.e., personal mobility devices) in Tennessee since 2005. With growth occurring across the state, the time has never been better for the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) to define a vision for active transportation and draw a map for how to get there.
What makes this plan unique is its emphasis on concrete actions—or, what we need to do to build great walkable and bikeable communities already captured in so many planning efforts across Tennessee. Over the past two decades, TDOT has adapted its policies, programs, and projects to better meet the needs of all transportation system users, particularly pedestrians and bicyclists of all ages and abilities.
This report gives a complete overview of TDOT’S Statewide Active Transportation Plan.
by perri | Dec 14, 2021 | Client News, News
Public Relations, Community Engagement
dGC Assists City of Jamestown and Gresham Smith in Complete Streets Plan
The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) established the Community Transportation Planning Grant (CTPG) Program to assist rural communities with planning efforts that define the transportation cohesiveness between multimodal transportation systems and local land use objectives that achieve statewide transportation goals. Additionally, the program connects governments with planning resources to apply for funding of projects that promote economic growth.
Jamestown is one of the recipients of the 2019- 2020 Community Transportation Planning Grant Program.
This report documents the findings and recommendations of the Downtown Jamestown Complete Streets Plan.
