17 Women to Know
Happy Women's History Month. Women's History Month is a celebration of women's contributions to history, culture, and society. Women’s History Month has been observed annually in the month of March in the United States since 1987. This month, per the theme, we celebrate "Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion."
To celebrate women in our Clarksville community who personify Black excellence and this year’s theme, we’ve curated a list of AMAZING women we think you should get to know.
If we made a list of ALL the phenomenal Black women in this community that you should know, this list would probably never end. We hope that after reading our list, you will take the time to learn more about each of these women AND seek out other Black women in the community who are leading, serving, building, and moving Clarksville forward.
Here’s to strong women. May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them.
Monica Meeks
Occupation: Financial Services Investigator
Education: Master Degree in Criminal Justice
Organization Affiliations: Women Veterans of America Empertius NAACP Criminal Justice Committee Chair
What is your greatest success and/or accomplishment as it relates to Clarksville, TN and/or the Clarksville community?
Bringing a gun club Queen City, for Black Americans to Clarksville.
What is your favorite thing about Clarksville?
Our versatile community..... we are a beautiful reflection of the greatness in diversity
Autumn Simmons
Occupation: County Commissioner District 20
Education: Austin Peay State University: National Security
Organization Affiliations: United Nations Association, American Conservation Coalition, NAACP, Republican National Committee - Advisor, Run Gen Z - mentor
What is your greatest success and/or accomplishment as it relates to Clarksville, TN and/or the Clarksville community?
Being elected to serve, represent, and push forward the interests and concerns of my constituents in district 20 has been a great accomplishment. Since then I have successfully worked on fostering safer infrastructure within our district, as this is a top priority of my constituency.
What is your favorite thing about Clarksville?
100% the people. The people make Clarksville one of the greatest cities to live in. I’m thankful to be a part of our community!
Latanya Jemison
Occupation: Licensed Lead Phlebotomist at OnPoint Diagnostic & DNA Service & Owner of Djs All In One Upholstery
Education: Graduated from the Austin Peay Phlebotomy Program
Organization Affiliations: Founder of Chance @ Change
What is your greatest success and/or accomplishment as it relates to Clarksville, TN and/or the Clarksville community?
My greatest success in Clarksville is helping over 120 disenfranchised Clarksville residents get their voting rights back in the past 4 years.
What is your favorite thing about Clarksville?
My favorite thing about Clarksville is its community of togetherness. Theres an organization here for every need & every interest. Clarksville also is a place that has a fair opportunity for anyone.
Honorable Kimberly Wiggins
Occupation: County Trustee
Education: MBA & BS, Certified Public Administrator,
Organization Affiliations: Rotary-Assistant Governor District 6760, Paul Harris Sustaining Donor, TN Assn of Property Tax Professionals-Immediate Past President, County Officials Assn of TN, TN County Trustee Assn-Audit Committee Chair, National Assn of County Collectors, Treasurers, & Officers
Board Member of: Wade Bourne Nature Center Foundation, Blue Star Families, APSU's Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts-Board President
What is your greatest success and/or accomplishment as it relates to Clarksville, TN and/or the Clarksville community?
Serving as the 1st African-American County Trustee in Montgomery & the State of TN of record.
What is your favorite thing about Clarksville?
I have a sense of 'community' with several different groups of poeple which is new to me. I love it!
Tiff Perkins
Occupation: Marketing and Communications Manager for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee & Owner of According to Plan Events
Education: Kenwoord High School | BS-Communications The University of Tennessee
Organization Affiliations: Black Clarksville - Founder, NAACP, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee, Leadership Clarksville, & Montgomery County Voter Alliance
Board Member of: NIA Association
What is your greatest success and/or accomplishment as it relates to Clarksville, TN and/or the Clarksville community?
My greatest success is creating and holding space for women and people of color in Middle Tennessee. Black Clarksville is only in its 4th year, but I’ve been programming in Clarksville since 2014 and in Nashville since around 2018.
What is your favorite thing about Clarksville?
My favorite thing about Clarksville is the people. We really have a great community and alot of diversity here.
Brinlee Sells
Occupation: APSU Student/CNA
Education: Some College (associates, going for bachelors)
Organization Affiliations: Black Student Union, President. Sistas Inspiring Sistas, President.
What is your greatest success and/or accomplishment as it relates to Clarksville, TN and/or the Clarksville community?
Creating a safe space for black students in campus.
What is your favorite thing about Clarksville?
The potential
LaNeeça R. Williams
Occupation: Chief of Institutional Culture & Title IX Coordinator, APSU
Education: BS, MS Indiana State University, PhD(c) Johnson University
Organization Affiliations: Leadership Clarksville—Chair of Spirituality, Non-Profit, and Inclusion Day, 2024/ Member of LifePoint Church
What is your greatest success and/or accomplishment as it relates to Clarksville, TN and/or the Clarksville community?
Being in Leadership Clarksville, Class of 2023, as well as being a part of a great campus (APSU) as a Senior Administrative Leader.
What is your favorite thing about Clarksville?
The terrific small businesses. How the community comes together in tough times, my church community (my small group), and working with President Michael Licari and other terrific PEAYple.
Dr. Rashidah Leverett
Occupation: Montgomery County Commissioner District 5 & Leadership Coach
Education: Doctor of Organizational Leadership
Organization Affiliations: Secretary TN County Commissioner’s Governmental Affairs Committee | Chair, Montgomery County Beer Board | Leadership SME, University of Charleston
Board Member of: Habitat for Humanity, Leadership Clarksville, & Nashville State Community College Advisory Board
What is your greatest success and/or accomplishment as it relates to Clarksville, TN and/or the Clarksville community?
Securing funding to build Brigham Park and sponsoring legislation to make Juneteenth a paid holiday in Montgomery Counter.
What is your favorite thing about Clarksville?
The Diversity
Sheena Dixon
Occupation: Realtor
Education: Kenwood High School | APSU Business major with a concentration in Finance.
Organization Affiliations: Habitat for Humanity, family support committee; Sunset rotary club, past President; Clarksville networking group, past membership chair, currently hospitality; Clarksville association of realtors, past YPN chair, current board member; leadership Clarksville class of 2022, past chair of diversity and inclusion Day
Board Member of: ArtLink
What is your greatest success and/or accomplishment as it relates to Clarksville, TN and/or the Clarksville community?
Sunset rotary club President
What is your favorite thing about Clarksville?
The diversity in the city, love the small town feel.
Christian Ashleigh Smith
Occupation: Entrepreneurial Maverick: Investor, Realtor, Barbershop Owner, and Day Trader
Education: BA - Upper Iowa University, MPA Central Michigan University
Organization Affiliations: I don't belong to any specific boards or organizations. Instead, I thrive on genuine partnerships and connections with individuals who embody the best energy and values in their respective fields.
What is your greatest success and/or accomplishment as it relates to Clarksville, TN and/or the Clarksville community?
My greatest success in Clarksville is fostering meaningful connections and uplifting the community through real estate investments and genuine partnerships.
What is your favorite thing about Clarksville?
My favorite thing about Clarksville is its vibrant community spirit, enriched by its status as a military town. Its proximity to major locations adds to the convenience, making it an ideal place to live and work while fostering diverse connections and opportunities.
Sharita Brown M.A, LPC
Occupation: Director of Mental Health Court -19th Judicial District
Education: Fisk University BA & St.Louis University MA
Organization Affiliations: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., NAACP, Tennessee Association of Recovery Court Professionals
What is your greatest success and/or accomplishment as it relates to Clarksville, TN and/or the Clarksville community?
Sunset rotary club PresidentDirecting the first Mental Health Court in Clarksville TN
What is your favorite thing about Clarksville?
The unity I feel when I attend concerts in the Commons. All backgrounds, ages, & beliefs systems together to enjoy music & being fully present in life.
Shannon Kitchen
Occupation: Director in the Financial Planning & Analysis Dept of Fortera Credit Union
Education: B.S. from Bethel University; M.S. from APSU
Organization Affiliations: Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce - Executive Committee Member; Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce - Chair, Business Development; Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce - Member, Public & Community Affairs Committee; Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce - Member, Membership Committee; Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce -Ambassador; Clarksville Rotary Club - Program Chair
Board Member of: Clarksville Rotary Club
What is your greatest success and/or accomplishment as it relates to Clarksville, TN and/or the Clarksville community?
My most fulfilling achievement lies in the pursuit of community service through volunteerism. Whether it's with Rotary, the Chamber of Commerce, my church LifePoint, or my employer Fortera Credit Union, I have found immense satisfaction in devoting my time and energy to contributing to the betterment of others. It's the sweat equity of giving back that truly fuels my sense of accomplishment.
Karissa Poe
Occupation: Program Manager- Blue Star Families, Tennessee Chapter Director
Education: Bethune Cookman University: Bachelors of Science Clinical Laboratory Science, University of Maryland Global: Masters of Health Care Administration, Masters of Business Administration. Austin Peay State University: Masters of Arts in Teaching
Organization Affiliations: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, Rotary of Clarksville, and Leadership Clarksville
Board Member of: Wade Bourne Nature Center, Armed Services YMCA, and ArtLink
What is your greatest success and/or accomplishment as it relates to Clarksville, TN and/or the Clarksville community?
My greatest success is the opportunity for me to be a part of a community that allows me to collaborate on initiatives and create partnerships that expand the reach of my vision.
What is your favorite thing about Clarksville?
The support provided to Military and Veteran Families and the sense of community Clarksville offers me. Being a Carribbean born native, I love the acceptance and diversity.
Mary Laremore, LMSW, LADAC II, CPRS
Occupation: Therapist, Facilitator
Education: APSU, Bethel, Walden
Organization Affiliations: Butterfly Moments Inc Founder, President
What is your greatest success and/or accomplishment as it relates to Clarksville, TN and/or the Clarksville community?
Creation of Clarksvilles first Christ centered Faith based women’s recovery home
What is your favorite thing about Clarksville?
It’s a city of resiliency.
Yolonda Michele Williams
Occupation: Executive Director Leadership Clarksville
Education: Associate in Arts Degree University of Phoenix, Bachelors of Business University of Phoenix, Associate Degree Culinary Arts APSU, Master Degree Leadership & Organization APSU
Organization Affiliations: Clarksville Alumnae Chapter Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc - President, APSU Military Alumni Association -Vice President, AUSA - Vice President Enlisted Affairs, Leadership Middle TN, Leadership Clarksville. Veterans Treatment Court - Program Evaluator
Board Member of: APSU Military Alumni Association, Montgomery County Veterans Coalition, Association United States Army (AUSA)
What is your greatest success and/or accomplishment as it relates to Clarksville, TN and/or the Clarksville community?
I have three: 1.Working with a. cohort of Women Veterans to get a legislative Bill passed for the State of TN recognizing Women Veterans Recognition Day - June 12 the day women were officially authorized to join the military.
2. Establishing an endowment at APSU for a Women Veteran or her dependent to attend college.
3.• Community Outreach – “Stepping into the Future, A New Agenda for Education and Community” partnered with Harwood Institute, Leadership Clarksville, Big Brothers Big Sisters. Over nine-month initiative focused on hearing from the community on the community needs. The report is digital and available for anyone to read..
What is your favorite thing about Clarksville?
The opportunities... Clarksville does have its challenges, however the opportunities are here and we have to take them, encourage others to do the same. Making room for someone else to be a part of the opportunities presented.
Amber Steele & Serveen Johnson
Occupation: Entrepreneur
Education: Northeast High School
What is your greatest success and/or accomplishment as it relates to Clarksville, TN and/or the Clarksville community?
Opening two successful businesses
What is your favorite thing about Clarksville?
The diversity
Dr. LeJoia VanHook
Occupation: Assistant Principal
Education: Ed.D- Organizational Leadership (Argosy University), MA- Training and Development (Roosevelt University), BA- Psychology and Spanish (Fisk University)
Organization Affiliations: Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Radio Personality for 104.1 WFTB-Nashville (coming in April) and WWDA- Clarksville DAF Gospel Radio 101.9
Board Member of: Board Member for DAF Gospel Radio
What is your greatest success and/or accomplishment as it relates to Clarksville, TN and/or the Clarksville community?
I think my greatest success is the relationships I have built in the community with the youth and their families. My students are my greatest joy and I take pride in their successes.
What is your favorite thing about Clarksville?
Catfish House! I like how family oriented and diverse Clarksville is.
