MEMPHIS—The FBI Memphis Field Office is honored to announce the Nashville Inner City Ministry as the recipient of the 2023 Director’s Community Leadership Award (DCLA).

“The Nashville Inner City Ministry is an engaged partner in the community,” said Special Agent in Charge Douglas DePodesta of the FBI Memphis Field Office. “Their commitment is seen through the many programs they have designed for youth in middle Tennessee and the 1,000 dedicated volunteers who have entered every major public housing development in Nashville’s inner-city communities.”

Throughout 2023, the Nashville Inner City Ministry served hundreds of students each week during the school year providing them with a safe place to gather for recreation, Bible-based life-skills lessons, connection, mentoring, and a healthy meal. During the summer, the Nashville Inner City Ministry organized a two-week summer camp, a five-week academic day camp led by Metro Nashville Public School teachers, weekly field trips, and provided developmental mentoring.

Since 2019, the FBI Memphis Field Office – Nashville Resident Agency has enjoyed partnering with the Nashville Inner City Ministry. Through FBI Teen Academies and other outreach programs, students and staff have received hands-on experience in areas such as crime scene and forensic techniques, intelligence, and tactical operations. Students and staff have also engaged in candid conversations with FBI personnel about online communication and its risks, as well as lifestyle choices required to be eligible for a career at the FBI.

Director Wray will host the 2023 DCLA winners around the country in a special ceremony at FBI Headquarters on April 19, emphasizing the importance of community partnerships in keeping our shared communities safe. These partnerships – as exemplified by the breadth of the work by the DCLA recipients – have led to a host of crime prevention programs that protect the most vulnerable in our communities, educate families and businesses about cyber threats, and work to reduce violent crime in our neighborhoods. Learn more about the Director’s Community Leadership Award: https://www.fbi.gov/about/community-outreach/dcla.

The FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award was formally created in 1990 to honor individuals and organizations for their extraordinary contributions to the prevention of crime and violence in the community. Every year FBI field offices around the country select a community partner to receive the award.