MLK Panel Discussion

Conversation participants:DAN PITTSDan is the founding partner of Nashville-based True Artist Management where he has launched and developed numerous multi-platinum and Grammy award-winning careers of artists such as DC Talk, TobyMac and Mandisa. Leveraging his stature in the music industry and a heart and orientation towards race relations and reconciliation, he co-founded the non-profit ERACE Foundation in 1998 with the primary goal of educating and equipping the nation’s youth with an understanding of the importance of interracial unity. Dan and his wife Paige live in Franklin, Tennessee with their children and are actively involved in New Hope Academy, a private school dedicated to serving low income families which Paige founded.SCOTT ROLEY (Website)As a founding member of Christ Community Church in Franklin, Scott served for over 25 years in various capacities including Senior Pastor, and Pastor of Community Life and Missional Living. Scott resigned his position as Senior Pastor in the fall of 2011 to pursue his call to racial reconciliation full time. Based on his experiences in local mercy ministry, Roley authored God’s Neighborhood: a Hopeful Journey in Racial Reconciliation & Community Renewal which traces his personal call to racial reconciliation and community renewal and shares the powerful narrative journey of a white pastor’s identification within an African-American community. He followed that book with its sequel, Hard Bargain, A Beautiful Place to Live. Scott helped pioneer a unique redevelopment project in Hard Bargain, a low-income residential neighborhood in Franklin. The vision is to provide work force homes for purchase, thus transforming a 100-year-old neighborhood into a vibrant community. The aim is to revitalize a specific area, while keeping its residents intact and enhancing this piece of Franklin, Tennessee’s history.MAGGIE BETTY BROWN Maggie Betty Brown has spent her entire life in Franklin as a resident of the Hard Bargain neighborhood. She taught in schools in Williamson County for many years and is respected throughout the community. She is a activity involved at her church, First Missionary Baptist Church on Natchez Street. Maggie Betty Brown has served on the board at New Hope Academy and works passionately on behalf of students who need scholarships for college.STUART TUTLERStuart Tutler is the Headmaster of New Hope Academy in Franklin. New Hope Academy is a Christ-centered community school with an economically, racially and culturally diverse student body. It exists to serve low-income families by establishing a solid biblical worldview, instilling vision, confirming hope and preparing each young person for a life of service. Stuart was raised in Newark, New Jersey. He has two grown children, one son and a daughter.