A Native of Newark, New Jersey Maria Ridley was a member of the TSU Aristocrat of Bands as an Alto Saxophonist and graduated with her BBA Degree in Accounting. She received her Master of Science from DeVry University Keller Graduate School of Management and works full-time as an Accounting Supervisor.
Maria also serves on three non-profit organizations as Director of Finance for Creative Artists of Tennessee, Director of Community Engagement & Grant Management for the Faith House as well as Accountant for Women Who Rock Nashville. She enjoys working in TV Production as a Talent Escort for the Stellar Gospel Music Awards and Black Music Honors annual events. To her credits, Maria has performed as a BGV for Rival Sons, Gospel Recording Artists KT Nichols, Gene Moore, Jazmin Crumley, and Country Music Artist Carrie Underwood. Throughout her acting career, she has performed as lead and/or supporting roles in film, stage plays and musicals such as Black America, Still Got Joy, Walk This Way, Stilettos Monologue, Militancy, Girl Dad, Rabbit Summer, 143, Another Chance, HairSpray the Musical as a Dynamite Singer, Memphis the Musical and the Wiz just to name a few.
Her greatest joy is being a mother to a daughter and son, welcoming her first grandchild in 2025, as well as serving in ministry as a tool in God’s hands.
I’m a Nashville native who grew up in the hospitality industry. My parents owned several venues and I owned my own nightclub at 22 in downtown Nashville. I’ve worked in marketing/promotions for KDF and since then for all my events. I’ve been creating, hosting and producing live music events in Nashville for almost 30 years. As a Broadcast major and former DJ, I am advocate for artists. Currently I produce Country in Color, a monthly music show highlighting multi cultures non traditional artists and my annual Veterans Day benefit show. I’ve worked with over 40 charities and believe in being a good community partner.
Tammy Coleman holds a Masters in Business Management. She has been employed at Meharry Medical College for the last 12 years where she serves as the Contract Administrator in the Office of General Counsel, Division of Legal Affairs. She provides services that include the oversight of contract review, policy management, review and approval of funds, provides advice and representation to the College, its affiliated entities, officers, employees, and students while acting on the College’s behalf. She also serves as the Board of Trustees Administrator for the college where she manages all resources for 27 Board of Trustee members and 14 committees. She is also a member of the National Contract Management Association (NCMA).
With Janiro, you don’t have to wonder. You don’t have to wonder what he’s passionate about (music, artistry, community). You don’t have to wonder where you stand with him (“I’m about addressing issues that need to be addressed for the next person.”). And, you don’t have to wonder if you’re going to be dealing with someone who doesn’t say what he means and means what he says.
Although Janiro’s the co-founder of the Southern Entertainment Awards, a Dj and the Music Supervisor for Onyx Theory Arts. He’s not too busy to return a phone call, an email or listen to a concern and/or complaint. It doesn’t matter the position you have or title you hold. To him, everything is about seeing the potential in others; about turning a possibility into a genuine opportunity.
Just one glance at his credentials and you will know that Janiro is a part of the entertainment industry. But while others look at the field as a chance to put the spotlight on them, he has a different perspective. “I try to be known as a person who is approachable and who others are able to get in touch with,” says Janiro. “It will always be that way. People know that they can come to me straight up about anything. Most importantly, when I speak on various issues, I try to help provide a resolution as well.”
As they say, if you’re not a part of the solution, you are a part of the problem. When it comes to solving “the problem” of there being limited platforms for urban independent and upcoming artists, Janiro has used his connections and expertise to provide as many as possible. Since relocating to Nashville, TN from Flint, MI almost 20 years ago, he has worked diligently to provide avenues for independent artists, especially independent artists in the South, to be heard. In 2006, he co-produced Southern Entertainment Awards Presents: A New Generation Salutes Ray Charles at the Country Music Hall of Fame, along with prior experience as co-publisher of the SEA Magazine (a quarterly publication). Aside from the SEA Awards and magazine, currently he is also working on assisting with projects like the Get ‘Em Magazine Music Awards and the Tennessee Music Conference & Hip Hop Awards. He was also a Tennessee representative for Ozone Magazine.
How does he find the time? What is his motivation?
“Many people enjoy music and appreciate it,” says Janiro, “but there’s a difference between loving it and then being able dig deep and be involved in it 24/7. I love what I do because I was able to create something that others appreciate.
Shayla Holt a middle Tennessee native graduate of Smyrna Highschool. After many years of warehousing, and manufacturing experience she joined GEODIS. GEODIS in 2007 and she spent her first four years in various warehouse operational roles supporting some of the company’s largest clients. In 2011, Shayla transitioned over to the Transportation Management (TM) department of GEODIS to take on the role of Transportation Coordinator and eventually be promoted to the role Transportation Planner. Over the next eight years, she became the go to person for explaining warehouse operations and transportation processes. In 2019, Shayla moved over to the GEODIS IT department to join the WMS support team and she is still there today helping to ensure her GEODIS teammates have everything they need to meet our client’s expectations.
During her time at GEODIS, Shayla joined the GEODIS Social Responsibility Committee (SRC) where she has helped manage partnerships and coordinate volunteer events alongside organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, McMurray Middle School, Maplewood High School, Hands on Nashville and Lead Public Schools. In 2018, her work with the committee and McMurray Middle School resulted in GEODIS being nominated for the annual Strobe Award. In that same year, Shayla worked with the GEODIS Foundation Board and helped secure a $25,000 grant to Maplewood High School to lay the groundwork for new initiatives within highschool. Shayla is currently working alongside the GEODIS executives and partner to start the first-ever Geodis Supply Chain Academy that will help educate local youth and prepare for future careers in the supply chain industry.
Shayla’s work on the SRC and Habitat for Humanity also lead to GEODIS contributing over $30,000 to sponsor the build of a new home for one of her GEODIS teammates. In 2019, Shayla pushed the boundaries again and worked with GEODIS executives to contribute $100,000 for the annual Jimmy and Rosalind Carter Work Project in Nashville, which builds twenty-five homes in one week. In 2025, Shayla continues working with the SRC and Habitat for Humanity by hosting zoom meetings with GEODIS employees to bring awareness and educate all on how they can qualify and make their dreams of home ownership a reality. She is also working with Metro Schools to make Geodis Academy a long standing legacy of educating youth on supply chain and logistics.
She serves as Board Chair for Creative Artist of Tennessee and has been a board member for this organization for 7 years. She also served as a youth leader within her church and helped mentor young women. Currently serving as Commissioner for Metro Social Services since April of 2021.
In 2024 discovery of artistic talents in visual arts abstract fluid art. She is a member of Tennessee Art League and Tennessee Craft Midstate.Notable mentions and showings: Creatives Connect directory launch party June of 2024. BlackArt Bash at Cheekwood August 2024 Coop Gallery Fragmented Realities October 2024 People’s Choice Jerry’s Artarama won third place for art series ‘Transition’ November 2024 participating in an in-store demo.
Reason Creative Artist of Tennessee is important:
It is important to give our youth access to the Arts. Our youth needs to be provided exposure and access to the arts. The arts is an archive our history and culture and promotes change as well as a self expression.