During our 12-episode limited series Public Comments, we’re building an artist-centered narrative about the Title VI complaint process that got artists their money back here in Nashville, while exposing discriminatory funding practices. In this tenth episode, our guest is Alayna Renae, an interdisciplinary vocalist and community organizer, the founder of Nashville Musicians for Change and executive director of Nashville Women in Jazz. Alayna talks about being a working class artist in Nashville, shining a light on the path to realizing creative projects with collective benefit, and showing how it’s essential to make the path more accessible.

This show is an archive and roadmap as we continue advocating for the equitable arts funding our city deserves. Support provided by Columbia University’s Incite Institute Assembling Voices fellowship.

Hosted by Lydia Yousief and Christine Hall. Intro: Sangeetha Ekambaram, Cortney Warner, Kenny Rae, Alayna Renae, and Tim Northern. An Arts Equity Nashville production