Davidson County Juvenile Court Judge Sheila Calloway today delivered the closing plenary for the 2024 Equal Justice University (EJU), lauding the state's access to justice community as “compassionate, zealous advocates” and sharing a call to action for these “brave leaders” to continue to make systemic change every day. DarKenya Waller, executive director of Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee & the Cumberlands, introduced Calloway, describing her as a leader who is serious about changing the lives of young people. Calloway also spoke about the new Nashville Youth Campus for Empowerment (NYCE), a 14-acre facility that broke ground this month and will replace the current juvenile detention center. NYCE will be the nation's first family-oriented, trauma-informed center with resources and agencies on site that can provide immediate services to young people and their families.

In addition, three awards were presented in the conference's final days. Amy Willoughby Bryant with the Metro Nashville Office of Conservatorship Management received the B. Riney Green Award, which recognizes those who promote state-wide collaboration on a project strengthening access to justice across Tennessee. Stewart Clifton, who is retired from the Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services (TALS), received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Lucinda Smith with Bass Berry & Sims received the Janice M. Holder Award, which recognizes a professional whose work in private practice, corporate practice, public service or other social service makes significant contributions in advancing the quality of justice statewide by ensuring the legal system is open and available to all. Finally, the staff of West Tennessee Legal Services received the 2024 EJU Spirit Award.

Left: Amy Willoughby Bryant receives the B. Riney Green Award

Right: TBA Executive Director Sheree Wright, TBA President Ed Lanquist, DarKenya Waller with the Legal Aid Society and Immediate Past TBA President Jim Barry

Left: Stuart Clifton receives the TALS Lifetime Achievement Award

Right: Stuart Clifton, Deb House from Legal Aid of East Tennessee

Left: Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Jeffrey Bivins presents Lucinda Smith with the Janice M. Holder Award

Right: David Esquivel of Bass Berry & Sims, Lucinda Smith and Justice Jeffrey Bivins

From left: TBA President Ed Lanquist, Lucinda Smith, DarKenya Waller, Justice Jeffrey Bivins

Left: Davidson County Juvenile Court Judge Sheila Calloway speaks at the closing plenary session

Right: Judge Calloway and Laura Brown, executive director of TALS

EJU Spirit Award Winners: West Tennessee Legal Services