William D Mason Jr. — Middle Tennessee Chapter of The National Action Network

Speaker Friday, February 10, 2023

“It’s not pressure, it’s purpose!” may be the title of a sermon he orated many years ago, but it is also William Mason Jr.’s motto for his life of service to youth and his community.  William has spent more than 20 years devoted to empowering youth by cultivating their desire for academic and personal achievement.  He is currently an exceptional educator with Metro Nashville Public Schools where his focus is serving students grades 5 through 8 with special needs as both an educator and advocate, developing customized learning strategies, instructing, and continually assessing and improving individualized education plans (IEPs).  He also serves as a middle school boys’ basketball coach where he teaches sportsmanship, work ethic and responsibility while conditioning student athletes appropriately for activities requiring endurance, strength, and agility. 

His passion for youth is also demonstrated through his contributions outside of the Metro Nashville Public School system as the past Executive Director of the summer enrichment program for The Temple Church and as a current advisory board member of the Nashville chapter of My Brother’s Keeper Alliance (MBK), an effort launched by President Obama aimed at addressing the persistent opportunity gaps boys and young men of color face and to ensure all young people can reach their full potential.

Williams’ commitment to strengthening communities of color began as a child growing up under the tutelage of his father, one of the first African American insurance agents in Nashville, whose life’s work was ensuring clients from his community left legacies to financially empower the next generation.  Williams’ dedication to campaigning for action, mobilizing groups to influence, educating to raise awareness, and organizing to promote change around local, State, and global issues prepared him for his current role as President of The Middle Tennessee Chapter of The National Action Network (NAN).  NAN, founded by Reverend Al Sharpton, works within the spirit and tradition of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to promote a modern civil rights agenda that includes the fight for one standard of justice, decency, and equal opportunities for all people. William holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Tennessee State University, a Teaching Certificate from Fisk University, a Training Certificate in Youth Crisis Prevention, and Intervention, and a Ministers License from The Temple Church.  He is a member of the Tennessee State University alumni association, the Bordeaux Community Investment Group, and the Bordeaux Business Coalition.   He and his wife Dawn reside in Nashville, Tennessee, have 5 boys, a granddaughter, and a yorkie-poo named “Oreo”.

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