The kids that inspired me to run for Congress.

I served for 14 years at the Metro Parks and Rec and led the Napier Community Center, and the kids I mentored are my inspiration for running for Congress.

Happy Wednesday — it's your girl Odessa here! I'd love to share a quick story with you. At the East Nashville Community Center, the guy all the kids loved was Mr. Kelly. That's what the other kids called him, anyways — I called him Dad. I grew up playing basketball, seeing my friends, and getting to be a kid, all where he went to work every day. The pride my Daddy had for his work in this city, and the joy I felt growing up in this community — it's made me who I am. I followed in his footsteps, working for 14 years at Metro Parks and Rec and leading the Napier Community Center, mentoring dozens of neighborhood kids. Even now when I walk in, I'm so proud to be a familiar face. It's these kids — the ones that run up to say hello and give me a fist bump, the kids on the basketball court who call me "Ms. Odessa" — that inspired me to take the next step in advocating for my community: running a bold campaign for Congress that fights for the hardworking people of Nashville. Can you officially endorse our campaign for Congress? Whether you're from Nashville or not, every signature helps us build the grassroots support it'll take to win. So, please, add your name. ADD YOUR NAME This campaign is about all the people who work to make Nashville the "It" city – but who are struggling against gentrification, economic injustice, and failing leadership. It's about the families of Tennessee that deserve a leader who knows their struggles, and that will fight for a brighter, more equitable future. We're up against a dynasty — my opponent Jim Cooper is the son of a former Tennessee governor and his brother is the mayor of Nashville. He's been voting like a Republican in Washington since I was only 10 months old, siding with the rich and powerful time and time again. Here's the bottom line: to run a competitive race against Jim Cooper, we need to build a team that runs strong and deep in order to take on the billionaires and real estate developers who love my opponent. Please, if you support our agenda and want to see a new generation of progressive leaders in Congress, click here to add your personal endorsement. I'm so grateful to have you on my team. We can do this! Odessa Paid for by Odessa for Congress.   Sent via ActionNetwork.org. To update your email address, change your name or address, or to stop receiving emails from Progress America, please click here.