Staff

PRESIDENT & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Adrian A. Granderson

Adrian Granderson came to Nashville from Memphis, Tennessee in the Fall of 1994. He graduated from Tennessee State University in 1998 with a degree in Speech Communication, and again in 2002 with a Masters in Business Administration (MBA). He currently serves as President & CEO of 100 Black Men of Middle Tennessee (The 100), a non-profit organization comprised of business and industry leaders whose mission is “to nurture and enhance the growth, development, and opportunities for young, Black males of Middle Tennessee.

A leader in the ongoing struggle to uplift and empower African American youth, Adrian began as a volunteer with the 100 Black Men in 1995 as a student leader and Vice President of The 100’s Collegiate 100 Program. After being hired as a staff member and assuming several roles within the organization between 1998 and 2002, he became Executive Director in 2003. His position was elevated to President & CEO in August 2005.

Over the course of the past ten years, Granderson has served many roles in the Nashville community. In addition to his current post, Adrian is also a local radio show host, a past Board member for the Association for Non-Profit Executives, a member of the Urban League Young Professionals and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., and a graduate of Young Leaders Council. Adrian has volunteered or served on committees and Board for organizations including the Nashville Youth Alliance, Young Leaders Council, YMCA, CEO Academy, and the Middle Tennessee Council of Boy Scouts of America.

He attends Mount Zion Baptist Church and is married to the former Leah Allen, a construction engineer with Metropolitan Nashville Government. They have one son, Zy Allen Granderson.

DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS AND DEVELOPMENT
Rodney D. Smith

Rodney D. Smith is a native of Georgetown, South Carolina. He received his bachelor’s degree from Morris Brown College in Fine Arts with a concentration in Architecture. Upon graduation in May of 1994, he became a full time employee of Bishop Planning Consultants, an Atlanta-based architectural firm. After two years of service he joined the admissions staff at his alma mater, Morris Brown College. Realizing his desire to assist his fellow African-Americans achieve their educational goals, he later served in the Office of Admissions at Clark Atlanta University as well as Fisk University.

While at Fisk he served as the Senior Admissions Counselor and later as the Director of Admissions. In May of 2002, he earned a Master’s Degree in Education Administration and Supervision from Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee. He is currently employed with the 100 Black Men of Middle Tennessee, Inc. as the 100 KINGS Program Director. He now serves as Director of Programs & Development.

Rodney is a member of the 2001 Class of TOP STARS-Nashville, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and Phi Mu Alpha Professional Music Fraternity.

He is married to the former Stephenie K. Wright, of Kansas City, Kansas, and they are the proud parents of one daughter, Phoenix, and one son, Chi.

SPECIAL PROJECTS COORDINATOR
Crystal deGregory

1. Bachelor of Art, History – Fisk University, Nashville, Tennessee
2. Masters Degree, History – Vanderbilt University
3. Candidate, Doctorate of History – Vanderbilt University

OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR
Derriell Springfield