Nashville Pride board members

Todd Grantham, President

A native of Macon, Georgia, Grantham is serving his second consecutive term as president of the Nashville Pride Board having joined originally in 2003 where he served as secretary. A graduate of Francis Marion University, Grantham received a master’s degree in Training/Teaching from the University of South Carolina.

Grantham currently serves as the state director of communications and marketing for the Tennessee chapter of the March of Dimes and is an active member of both the Nashville GLBT Chamber of Commerce and the Smokey
Mountain Rodeo Association. He also serves as the Nashville Pride liaison to Nashville’s Out & About Newspaper. Grantham resides in Nashville.

Jeanna Emert, Vice President

A native of Midland, Texas, Emert grew up in Hendersonville, Tennessee and originally joined the Nashville Pride Board in 2003. She holds an honors degree from Harvard University and currently serves as the director of development for Planned Parenthood of Middle and East Tennessee. She is a member of the Harvard Club of Middle Tennessee, the National Organization for Women, and the Order of the Eastern Star. She is deeply involved in the development of the Nashville Pride Youth Scholarship program and volunteers regularly at the Nashville Humane Society. Emert and her partner reside in Nashville.

Drew Thompson, Secretary

A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Thompson is a newly elected board member having joined the Nashville Pride Board in 2006. The proud father of three children, Thompson is also a step-dad of two and grandfather of three. Thompson currently serves as the education coordinator for a Health Maintenance Organization headquartered in Nashville. Thompson volunteers regularly with numerous organizations including the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and his church. Thompson and his partner reside in Nashville.

Brad Bennett, Treasurer

A native of Winchester, Tennessee, Bennett originally joined the Nashville Pride Board in 2004. Bennett holds an MBA from Middle Tennessee University and currently serves as a human resource consultant for Verizon Wireless. Bennett resides in Nashville.

Josh Baker, Membership Chair

A native of Alexandria, Tennessee, Baker originally joined Nashville Pride in 2001. A graduate of Middle Tennessee State University, Baker currently serves as an account representative with HCA Corporation. He has volunteered for
numerous community events including Night In White and Artrageous to name just a few. An avid athlete, he is an active member of the Music City Softball League playing locally for the Nashville Shock softball team, who recently won the NAAGAA Gay World Series for the second consecutive year. Baker and his partner reside in Nashville.

Steve Bianchi, Entertainment Chair

Born in St. Louis, MO, Bianchi moved to Nashville in 1997. Currently serving his second year as entertainment chair for Nashville Pridefest, Bianchi is a newly elected board member having joined the Nashville Pride Board in 2006. Bianchi currently serves as the director of marketing/PR for the Nashville Children's Theatre. Bianchi resides in Nashville.

Bucky Bradshaw, Member-at-Large

A native of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Bradshaw is a newly elected officer having joined the Nashville Pride Board in 2006 as a board member-at-large. Bucky currently serves as a line leader for Nissan Automotive, where he has
been employed for 10 years. An avid athlete, he has been an active member of the Music City Softball League for eight years playing locally for the Nashville Shock softball team. Bradshaw and his partner reside in Nashville.

MAC, Member-at-Large

A native of Chicago, Illinois, Mac originally joined Nashville Pride in 1996. A graduate of Fisk University, Mac is currently owner of MAC Productions. She is currently a member of the Nashville Black Pride and the newly formed Sisters United. One of MAC Productions largest events is the Southern Classic Drag King Extravaganza. MAC resides in Nashville.

Doug Sladen, Festival Director

A native of British Columbia, Canada, Sladen is a newly elected board member having joined the Nashville Pride Board in 2006. Sladen received his Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University and is a research assistant professor in the dept. of Hearing and Speech Sciences at Vanderbilt. Sladen volunteers regularly with such organizations as Nashville CARES and currently serves as president of the Nashville Grizzlies Rugby Football Club. Sladen and his partner reside in Nashville.

Dan Sullivan, Member-at-Large

A native of Birmingham, Alabama, Sullivan originally joined Nashville Pride in 2005 where he has served as a member-at-large and volunteer coordinator. A graduate of the University of Alabama, Sullivan earned his Ph.D. in psychology from Wright State University in Ohio. He currently serves as assistant director of the Psychological and Counseling Center at Vanderbilt University. Sullivan resides in Nashville.

WhistlePig + Alfa Romeo F1

SHOREHAM, VT (September 13, 2023) — WhistlePig Whiskey, the leaders in independent craft whiskey, and Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake are waving the checkered flag on a legend-worthy release that’s taking whiskey to G-Force levels. The Limited Edition PiggyBack Legends Series: Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is a high Rye Whiskey selected by the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake drivers, with barrels trialed in their wind tunnel to ensure a thrilling taste in every sip.

The third iteration in WhistlePig’s Single Barrel PiggyBack Legends Series, the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is bottled at 96.77 proof, a nod to Valtteri Bottas’ racing number, 77, and the precision of racing. Inspired by Zhou Guanyu, the first Chinese F1 driver, this Rye Whiskey is finished with lychee and oolong tea. Herbal and floral notes of the oolong tea complement the herbaceous notes of WhistlePig’s signature PiggyBack 100% Rye, rounded out with a juicy tropical fruit finish and a touch of spice.

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by Spectrum Medical Care Center

Nurse Practitioner Ari Kravitz

When I started medical transition at 20 years old, it was very difficult to get the care I needed for hormone replacement therapy because there are very few providers trained in starting hormones for trans people, even though it’s very similar to the hormones that we prescribe to women in menopause or cisgender men with low testosterone.

I hope more providers get trained in LGBTQ+ healthcare, so they can support patients along their individual gender journey, and provide the info needed to make informed decisions about their body. I’ve personally seen my trans patients find hope and experience a better quality of life through hormone replacement therapy.

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Descanso Resort swimming pool and lounge area

Descanso Resort, Palm Springs' premier destination for gay men, just received Tripadvisor's highest honor, a Travelers' Choice "Best of the Best" award for 2023. Based on guests' reviews and ratings, fewer than 1% of Tripadvisor's 8 million listings around the world receive the coveted "Best of the Best" designation. Descanso ranked 12th in the top 25 small inns and hotels category in the United States. Quite an accomplishment!

Open less than two years, Descanso Resort offers gay men a relaxing and luxurious boutique hotel experience just minutes away from Palm Springs' buzziest restaurants, nightclubs, and shopping. Descanso has quickly established itself as a top destination for sophisticated gay travelers, earning hundreds of 5-star guest reviews and consistently ranking in Trapadvisor's top positions alongside brother properties Santiago Resort and Twin Palms Resort.

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