Andrea Blackman
(she/her)
"Not everything that is faced can be changed; but nothing can be changed until it is faced."- James Baldwin
Andrea Blackman serves as the Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer for the City of Nashville and is responsible for convening, developing, and driving initiatives that build on and advance the City’s commitment to equity, inclusion and anti-racism. She is a DEI curriculum designer and facilitator, a podcaster, educator, and cultural content creative.
Prior to this role, Andrea served as the Director and curator of the Civil Rights Center and the Votes for Women Center for the Nashville Public Library. Throughout her career, she has been known for her professional leadership, advocacy for cultural inclusivity and sensitivity, and innovation in teaching historic harms. She also holds the post of adjunct professor at both Lipscomb University and Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College. Her ongoing research includes education disparity and self‐representations in children’s literature.
Since 2005 and with increased media attention on interactions between law enforcement and African‐Americans and BIPOC communities, she developed a cultural and anti‐racist education curriculum rooted in historic and contemporary movements for law enforcement across the country. She is an adult leader with the Girl Scouts of Middle Tennessee and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; Andrea has served on the Board of Directors for the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC) and the Ivy Center Foundation of Nashville.
Michelle Boudreaux
(she/her)
Michelle serves as Administrative Services Officer for the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Prior to joining the office, Michelle served as an office support specialist in the Metropolitan Treasurer’s office. Born and raised in Middle Tennessee, Michelle earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 2020 from Middle Tennessee State University, where she majored in political science and double minored in history and women’s and gender studies.
Michelle is passionate about advocating for intersectional feminism and the representation of women and minority groups in local, state, and federal government. She is excited that she was able to begin her career with Metro and looks forward to serving the city for many years to come.
Sneh Pravinkumar Patel
(she/her)
Sneh Pravinkumar Patel, Ph.D. is an anthropologist and Tennessee native who serves as the Policy and Research Manager for the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Sneh completed her doctoral studies at New York University in 2017 where she utilized quantitative and qualitative methods to identify specific social behaviors across different cultural, geographic, and economic landscapes.
Before joining the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Sneh served as a Program Coordinator at the Center for the Advancement of Students and Alumni at Georgia State University where she developed and led programs aimed at increasing access to graduate degree programs for students and alumni from underrepresented communities and ultimately promote diversity in academic and professional careers. Sneh is excited to bring her research skills and experiences as a Nashvillian to turn data into impactful narratives that will promote equity within the Metro region.
Vanessa Abbott
(she/her)
Vanessa Abbott serves as the Policy Specialist for the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. She has a passion for policy advancement and assists her team in researching, identifying, and composing policy that promotes equitable procurement and entrepreneurial outcomes. Vanessa is a certified Continuous Improvement professional with a background in regulatory compliance and policy development.
Vanessa holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management and a Master’s degree in Counseling, which gives her a unique blend of expertise in data analysis, strategic business operations, and relationship management practices. Vanessa has a heart for people and believes in actively listening to the needs of communities and creating processes that give fair access to solutions that address those needs.
Angela Pinnock
(she/they)
Angela Pinnock serves as the Equitable Community Development Specialist for the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. In 2021, they received a bachelor’s degree from Fisk University where they majored in political science and minored in gender studies.
As a Nashville native, being involved in community has always been something that she’s prioritized. Throughout college and the start of their career, Angela has had the opportunity to work with community-based organizations whose work has spanned across Middle Tennessee. Angela looks forward to bringing her experiences in community work to Metro Government.
Danniela Machado
(she/her)
Danniela Machado serves as the DEI Facilitator for the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. With a passion for creating inclusive environments, Danniela is dedicated to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of her work. She is excited to dive into engaging and collaborating with Metro Government’s departments to celebrate diversity and ensure equal opportunities for all.