Meet Kelli Nowers! (she/her)
Location: Nashville, TN
- How long have you been a part of TCC? How did you get connected?
I started working with TCC in 2021, initially in an administrative and operational role and eventually through consulting. I had the privilege of hearing about TCC when it was still just a dream which makes seeing all the growth and momentum we’re experiencing now feel all the more inspiring. Daniel and I met when we both worked in Nashville’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. We quickly found that our values and passions aligned and he has remained one of my closest friends… and when one of your (very talented) friends asks you to be part of their passion project, you say yes!
- Share your why. Why is DEI important to you?
For better or for worse, I was very intuitive as a child which spurred my innate curiosity and empathy. I think the combination of those characteristics, and a foundation of love and justice from my Christian upbringing, made my path to learning more about equity issues and eventually working in that world inevitable. The more I learned about the explicit decisions and actions that created the disparities we see today, disparities that some people would rather us think are natural or inevitable, the more impassioned I became about DEI. Ultimately my why is freedom, for myself and for humanity, and DEI is an avenue toward realizing that. Audre Lorde said it well: “I am not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from my own.” I am very aware of the privileges my identities afford me. It is important to me that I steward those privileges toward dismantling oppressive and hierarchical systems as an ally and co-conspirator.
- Share one identity that is important to you right now.
I am a new mom! I had my first son, Camden, five months ago and am learning so much about myself through this new role. Newborn life is no joke (especially for a perfectionist); I have been stretched in the best ways and am giving myself lots of grace and patience. Also, I would do ANYdamnTHING to see that baby smile. This new experience has made me even more resolute on the issues/policies I support like paid family leave, affordable and accessible child care, and reproductive justice.
- What superlative would you win?
- Most likely to be heard laughing from the next room
- Best trip you’ve taken?
- A couple years ago I tagged along on a trip to the Grand Canyon with my spouse and his dad and brother. They trained to do the rim-to-rim-to-rim over three days and I (very much) did not, so I got to explore and hike that area by myself while they were gone. I grew up on the East coast, so getting to enjoy a new landscape, while having some solo exploration and creative time, was so life-giving. I cherish my memories there, especially getting to watch the sunrise over the canyon on my last morning.
- What’s a quote or mantra that you live by?
- Notice | Revere | Relish
A couple years ago I started using these three words as a guide to help me with mindfulness at any given moment. Each one takes me deeper into my experience. Noticing asks me to simply assess my five senses wherever I am. Revering helps me see the divine in my experience; the holiness and connectedness of life, nature, and humanity. And relishing is my reminder to soak up the moment and show gratitude by responding fully to wherever it is I am with childlike inhibition.
- You can invite 3 people to your dream dinner party – who are you inviting and what are you serving?
- Oh I LOVE this question! I would invite Alicia Keys, Diane Keaton, and Maya Angelou (assuming they could be alive or dead). We are having Champagne, oysters, and a cheese board to start, pappardelle bolognese and herb salad with a good Barolo for our main course, and chocolate chip cookies for dessert.
Stay tuned for more opportunities to get to know the entire Courage Collective team!
