Learn how Nashville Works, Moves, and Grows
MyCity Academy is free 7-month, civic and leadership training program for immigrant, refugee, newcomer residents, and native and indigenous peoples that empowers participants to learn about and participate in city government.
Since the program’s launch in 2012, MyCity has had over 200 individuals participate with representation from over 50 countries.
About the Program
MyCity participants meet over a course of 7 months to gain a better understanding of how their government works, learn how to become civically engaged, and share valuable information with their communities.
Session topics include:
- A History of Nashville, How Nashville Government is Structured and an Overview of Metro’s Budget
- Metro Social Services and Housing
- Education
- Health and Wellness
- Infrastructure
- Safety and Courts
- Transit, Planning and Legislation
Participants will have the opportunity to interact with individuals and leaders from other communities through their participation in the MyCity alumni network. A graduation will be held at the end of the program.
2024 MyCity Academy Applications
Program Requirements
What are the program requirements?
Applicants are required to attend at least 6 out of the 7 sessions. Sessions are held monthly, consisting of a full day of in-person engagement between 9:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
2024 MyCity Proposed Sessions and Topics
Please note session are subject to change.
- Thursday, May 16, 2024 - A History of Nashville, How Nashville Government is Structured and an Overview of Metro’s Budget
- Thursday, June 13, 2024 - Metro Social Services, Metro Action, Homelessness, Housing, How to Do Business with Nashville
- Thursday, July 11, 2024 - Education
- Thursday, August 8, 2024 - Fire Safety, Emergency Management, Health and Wellness
- Thursday, September 12, 2024 - Infrastructure
- Thursday, October 3, 2024 - Transit, Planning and Legislation
- Thursday, November 14, 2024 - Police, Safety and Courts
- Thursday, December 12, 2024 - Graduation
For more information please email [email protected].
Apply to MyCity Academy
The MyCity Academy applications are now closed. If you are interested in applying for the next cohort, please fill out the Community Involvement form.
Hear from MyCity Alumni
"MyCity Academy kind of opened the city up to me so that I could participate in the life of the city and also bring along my community." – Mohammed-Shukri Hassan
"My classmates and I worked hard to absorb all we could from our Metro Department leaders about how Nashville's infrastructure, resources, and facilities function. We gained insight on how to utilize and share this knowledge with our family, friends, and neighbors." – Delfine Fox
"MyCity Academy provides a unique opportunity for immigrant and refugee leaders to get to know each other and the communities they represent. Some of my closest colleagues, partners and friends are individuals I met through MyCity Academy." – Angela Harris