From the President

October 2022 | Martesha Johnson Moore

I cannot believe that this is my last opportunity to address you in writing as NBA President! Wow! Time really does fly! It has been a great honor to have served as President during this year of many changes. I am grateful that my fellow Board members believed in my ability to lead us at this moment and elected me as President. I am also thankful to the membership body for making my Presidency possible by electing me to the Board of Directors four years ago – this has been an unforgettable experience.

Just a few short months ago, I wrote in my first article as president that 2022 would provide us an opportunity to PIVOT our focus without losing sight of our vision. That statement has certainly held true for our organization. Though this year was considered to be our first year of normalcy in the aftermath of the shutdowns required by the global pandemic, we have quickly learned that “normal” has a new meaning. Our leadership team has had to re-imagine how we deliver our services, particularly as it relates to member engagement and CLE offerings. Our core team deserves recognition and appreciation for the time and effort they have devoted to implementing our post-pandemic strategic plan. Monica, Traci, Vicki, Cameron, Adrienne, and Susan have not only kept us afloat but have been champions for all of us in the quest to improve the practice of law through education, service, and fellowship. Monica, as you depart our organization, I’d like to share my sincerest thank you for your commitment to the Nashville Bar Association.

As we embark on a new journey with both Abby Sparks as our Executive Director and Gulam Zade as our next President, I am mindful of the John Maxwell quote, “Change is inevitable, growth is optional.” One year was not long enough for us to accomplish all of the goals I had in mind, but we laid the foundation for the growth of our organization ahead. We have engaged our committees to help us identify the gaps in our organization and we have planned events to increase our opportunities to connect with law students. A point of personal pride for me is that we solidified our commitment to race and equity in the legal profession by establishing the Race and Equity Committee (birthed out of the leadership of past President, Laura Baker) as a standing committee of the NBA Board of Directors. We have hosted events that have allowed us to come together again and see just how much we have missed being able to connect in person. Our bar association is financially strong, and we are poised to soar to new heights in the days, months, and years ahead. Now more than ever, we need each other to succeed. Please continue to devote your time and ideas to the success of the NBA, we appreciate your partnership! Thank you again for this incredible opportunity!

Signing off as President,