{"id":282202,"date":"2026-03-04T10:00:51","date_gmt":"2026-03-04T15:00:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ncrc.org\/?p=282202"},"modified":"2026-04-22T11:45:04","modified_gmt":"2026-04-22T15:45:04","slug":"social-justice-in-action-how-nashvilles-interfaith-coalition-is-bridging-divides-to-build-economic-equity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ncrc.org\/social-justice-in-action-how-nashvilles-interfaith-coalition-is-bridging-divides-to-build-economic-equity\/","title":{"rendered":"Social Justice in Action: How Nashville’s Interfaith Coalition is Bridging Divides to Build Economic Equity"},"content":{"rendered":"

During this divisive time in American politics, an interfaith coalition in Nashville is giving the nation a stunning example of unity by bringing together people of all backgrounds to advocate for social justice policies.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Nashville Organized for Action and Hope (NOAH) is a multi-racial and interdenominational coalition of churches, synagogues, mosques, community organizations, nonprofits and labor unions working to change unjust systems and policies.<\/span><\/p>\n

With over 50 member organizations, NCRC member organization <\/span>NOAH<\/span><\/a> acts as a unified voice for the faith and justice community in Nashville by working to dismantle systemic racism by ensuring residents are engaged and educated on the economic and social issues impacting them.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNOAH\u2019s mission is really focused around the work of justice, which is foundational to most faiths,\u201d said Kay Bowers, NOAH\u2019s <\/span>finance committee chair. \u201c<\/span>It involves affecting change at the system level \u2013\u00a0that our housing systems, our legal systems [and] our education systems function in a way that\u2019s fair and gives people the ability to thrive.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

NOAH originated from another nonprofit called <\/span>Tying Nashville Together<\/span><\/a> in 1993, which was developed by a diverse group of faith leaders with the goal of breaking down silos between people of different backgrounds and advocating for social justice<\/span>. In 2014, NOAH was established as part of <\/span>Gamaliel<\/span><\/a>, a national nonprofit that trains faith leaders in building diverse community coalitions and grassroots movements.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Social justice through affordable housing\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

NOAH\u2019s work is divided across four core programmatic taskforces focused on transformational justice, affordable housing, education and economic equity. Through these taskforces, NOAH identifies priority issues and advocates on the community\u2019s behalf with political candidates, public officials and businesses.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Some of the coalition\u2019s most impactful work is in the affordable housing ecosystem. NOAH was instrumental in establishing Nashville\u2019s <\/span>Barnes Housing Trust Fund<\/span><\/a>, which provides public funding for affordable housing in the metro area. Since 2013, the fund has leveraged $108 million to create over <\/span>6,000<\/span><\/a> affordable housing units.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In 2025, the community organizing efforts of NOAH\u2019s affordable housing taskforce helped lead to the passage of <\/span>zoning changes<\/span><\/a> in Nashville to produce more middle class housing in the face of the city\u2019s <\/span>housing shortage<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Nashville is also undergoing a significant <\/span>redevelopment project<\/span><\/a> along the city\u2019s Cumberland River. As part of the first phase of redevelopment, over 900 units of housing are being built. With NOAH\u2019s advocacy,<\/span> roughly <\/span>400 units<\/span><\/a> will be designated as affordable housing for low- to moderate-income people.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt’s on metro land and it has to remain affordable for 99 years,\u201d Bowers said. \u201cSo it\u2019s almost permanent affordability \u2013\u00a0and that’s a first.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Supporting the mission with NCRC<\/b><\/h3>\n

As NOAH works to advance social justice policies in Nashville, NCRC has become a valued partner for the organization, with Bowers acting as a Host Committee member for NCRC’s Nashville Summit<\/a> this past September.<\/p>\n

NOAH\u2019s membership in NCRC has led to other fruitful cross-sector collaborations. For instance, in November of\u00a0last year, Bowers helped organize NCRC’s webinar\u00a0“Building Together: Community Voices, Hospitals and Banks Advancing Housing and Health” alongside Garrett O’Dwyer, the policy director of NCRC member Philadelphia Association of Community Development Corporations (PACDC<\/a>) and Rolanda Lister, the founder and CEO of NOAH member organization BLOOM (Building Life Opportunities and Options for Mothers<\/a>). The webinar provided case studies and\u00a0exchanged\u00a0best practices for effective ways to bring different stakeholders together.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe now have a place to go to ask questions and get research and information that we may not know \u2013 that’s extremely valuable,\u201d Bowers said.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Kaitlyn Ridel is a Contributing Writer.<\/em><\/p>\n

Photo courtesy of the Nashville Organized for Action and Hope team.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

During this divisive time in American politics, an interfaith coalition in Nashville is giving the nation a stunning example of unity by bringing together people of all backgrounds to advocate for social justice policies.\u00a0 Nashville Organized for Action and Hope (NOAH) is a multi-racial and interdenominational coalition of churches, synagogues, mosques, community organizations, nonprofits and 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