Chris Bradshaw '00 named 2025 Distinguished Alumnus
During Convocation on Tuesday, May 13 in Durnan Auditorium, University School of Nashville will recognize Distinguished Alumnus Chris Bradshaw '00 for nourishing communities in need and welcome the Class of 2025 into the PDS/USN Alumni Association.
By Juanita I.C. Traughber, Director of Marketing & Communications
The Peabody Demonstration School and University School of Nashville Alumni Association is pleased to present the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award to Chris Bradshaw '00 in recognition of his contributions to closing food deserts as a justice-oriented, social entrepreneur. Bradshaw, founder and executive director of Dreaming Out Loud Inc., is the keynote speaker during Convocation at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 13 in Durnan Auditorium. This event kicks off Senior Week and officially welcomes the 105 soon-to-be graduates of the Class of 2025 into the PDS/USN Alumni Association.
The Distinguished Alumni Award was established in 1978 to honor a graduate of PDS/USN who has made outstanding professional or civic achievements on a local, national, or international level. Recipients have included authors, educators, researchers, musicians, and volunteer leaders. In addition to honoring these individuals, the award brings them to the attention of the PDS/USN community and the city at large. Their accomplishments serve as an inspiration to students and graduates and as a reminder to the citizens of Nashville of the high-quality education that has long been a tradition at our school.
Bradshaw is a justice-oriented, social entrepreneur whose expertise is using social innovation through the food system to grow meaningful community economic development within marginalized communities. Since attending USN and Howard University, he has spent more than half of his life living in Washington, D.C. He said his organization sees the food system as a lens to examine and dismantle systems of oppression, and lead towards Black Liberation. Since its founding, Dreaming Out Loud Inc. has impacted farmers, food-makers, and community members through cooperative social enterprise and advocacy. Under his leadership, Dreaming Out Loud has grown to include 15 full-time team members, and four seasonal farm and food hub assistants. He is a frequent speaker on the intersections of racial justice, class, gender, and food sovereignty — his appearances include the Atlantic Ideas Festival, Bloomberg American Health Summit, and both regional and national gatherings for farmers and food activists. Bradshaw is also the recipient of Georgetown University’s John Thompson Legacy of a Dream Award for 2021, one of Eating Well Magazine’s 2021 American Food Heroes, and was selected to the Root 100 list of most influential Black Americans. Read more about his work here. In 2021, he spoke to USN High School students during Community Action Day.
Nominations for future recognition are encouraged and should be emailed to PDS/USN Alumni Director Christina Evans.
More USN News
List of 3 news stories.
-
USN graduates 98 plus 1 during Commencement
Seniors turned their tassels and graduated from University School of Nashville on Sunday, May 17, on the Back Lawn. Visit usn.org/classof2026 for more highlights from their last year on Edgehill and to learn what they will do next.Read More -
Spring sports season ends with podium finishes, trophies
The girls lacrosse team ended its season in overtime to become state runner-up. Tennis players Carter Kojetin '29 finished as a state quarterfinalist, Sophie Oliver '26 and Mary Kate Adler '28 finished as state semifinalists, and Veer Kodali '29 and Max Parker '29 finished as state champions. Meanwhile, eight runners competed at the state track and field meet in Knoxville, where Griffin Davidson '27, Caleb Freifeld '28, Drew Zwerner '28, and Jack Fruin '27, sprinted to first in the 4x800m relay and Jack also placed first in the 800m dash.Read More -
USN creates the Juliet Douglas Endowed Fund for Student Success
For the entire USN community: an invitation to give in gratitude, in celebration, and in honor of the woman who has given so much to our school. Make a gift at usn.org/giving to support students with needs beyond tuition and honor Interim Director Juliet Douglas.Read More
Contact
Edgehill Campus
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
USN Mission:
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.