We are so excited to welcome this year’s AmeriCorps cohort — 23 civic-minded individuals who are committed to spending the next year at area nonprofits working hard to make Nashville a better place to live. Here’s a little bit of insight into these amazing individuals who are helping Nashville nonprofits serve the community in a variety of ways.
Ademola Ogunnaike
Hands On Nashville
Digital Strategy Leader
Q: What drew you to serve with AmeriCorps?
A: The ability to give back to my new community.
Q: What are you most excited to do in your new service position?
A: I am excited to bring a new perspective to the team and help the team further expand its digital presence.
Q: What is a silly/random fact about you that you are comfortable sharing with others?
A: I live in Tennessee, and I still haven’t gone kayaking. Also, country music is just alright.
Q: How do you spend your time when you’re not serving or volunteering?
A: I’m usually out and about shooting films with my crew on set.
A.T. Branch
Hands On Nashville
Volunteer Engagement Leader
Q: What drew you to serve with AmeriCorps?
A: To work a job with flexibility that gives me a sense of purpose.
Q: What are you most excited to do in your new service position?
A: Give back to my city and network in my community.
Q: What is a silly/random fact about you?
A: I was born on Free Slurpee Day and it kills me that Nashville doesn’t have a 7- Eleven.
Q: How do you spend your time when you’re not serving or volunteering?
A: Making music, auditioning for acting gigs, traveling (pre-COVID).
Kannon West
Hands On Nashville
Volunteer Project Leader
Q: What drew you to serve with AmeriCorps?
A: The desire to help my community in times of need and to be able to leave a lasting impact on an individual.
Q: What are you most excited to do in your new service position?
A: Become more involved in the community!
Q: What is a silly/random fact about you?
A: My dream job would either be an astronaut or indie singer!
Q: How do you spend your time when you’re not serving or volunteering?
A: Reading, catching up on current events, trying new coffees, sometimes running.
Matt Anderson
Hands On Nashville
Disaster Response Coordinator
Q: What drew you to serve with AmeriCorps?
A: Continue serving my community after disasters strike.
Q: What are you most excited to do in your new service position?
A: Coordinate with different organizations and community groups to really get the feel of the city and culture.
Q: What is a silly/random fact about you?
A: Werewolves are my irrational fear. Not a clue why. Halloween is a stressful time because of this.
Q: How do you spend your time when you’re not serving or volunteering?
A: Cycling, hiking, camping, running, starting Aikido.
MC Sammons
Hands On Nashville
Community Partner Engagement Leader
Q: What drew you to serve with AmeriCorps?
A: The opportunity to spend the next year doing something meaningful in my community.
Q: What are you most excited to do in your new service position?
A: I am excited to engage with all of the different partner agencies.
Q: What is a silly/random fact about you?
A: I run an Instagram account for my dog.
(Follow Winston at @one.eyed.winston!)
Q: How do you spend your time when you’re not serving or volunteering?
A: Some of my favorite things are going to garage sales, hanging out with my dogs, and cooking. Pre-pandemic I also loved going to shows and trying new restaurants.
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