Vice Mayor Henderson and Metro Council Recognize National League of Cities Centennial

December 12, 2024 marks 100 years since the founding of the National League of Cities (NLC), an organization comprised of city, town and village leaders focused on good governance and improving the quality of life of their constituents. In November, a group Metro Council Members along with Vice Mayor Angie Henderson attended the NLC's Centennial Summit in Tampa, Florida. Over the years Metro Council Members have served on a variety of NLC committees and councils. Currently, Council Member Kyonzté Toombs is a member of the NLC's Finance, Administration and Intergovernmental Affairs Federal Action Committee.

At the Tampa summit, Council Member Toombs was a panelist on the Integrating Racial Equity: Transforming Communities with Municipal Bonds panel, which was one of numerous panels organized over three days for sharing best practices among cities. Several council members attended the 50^th anniversary meeting of Women in Municipal Government and were pleased to converse with other city legislators that have also recently achieved women majorities on their city councils. Additionally, Council Member Terry Vo was announced as one of the inaugural recipients of the NLC's "Centennial Under 40 Impact Award" during the final luncheon of the Centennial City Summit. Vice Mayor Henderson represented the city of Nashville at the annual business meeting.

The NLC, founded in 1924, is the oldest and largest organization representing municipal governments throughout the United States and represents the interests of more than 19,000 cities, towns, and villages across the country. Working in partnership with 49 state municipal leagues, the NLC's primary focus is strengthening local leadership, driving innovation, and influencing the federal policies that impact local programs and operations. Said Vice Mayor Henderson, "Nashville has been an active member of the NLC since 1958, benefiting from the organization's research, expertise, federal advocacy, and opportunities to learn from other local government colleagues."

In November of 2019, Nashville hosted the annual City Summit, and in July 2022, Nashville hosted the NLC's National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials (NBC-LEO) Summer Conference, chaired by then Council Member At-Large and NBC-LEO President Sharon Hurt. In September of 2023, NLC CEO and Executive Director Clarence Anthony attended the joint inauguration of Mayor O'Connell, Vice Mayor Henderson, and the Metro Council.

In May 2024, Nashville was a stop on the NLC Centennial Roadshow and Mayor O'Connell, Vice Mayor Henderson and members of the Metro Council presented a joint proclamation in celebration of the 100^th anniversary year to the NLC at the National Museum of African American Music. In September of 2024, Vice Mayor Henderson joined the NLC Large City Council Presidents Convening in Washington, D.C. and she and several council members will participate in the NLC's annual Congressional City Conference in D.C. in March 2025, conveying municipal priorities directly in meetings with members of Congress.

In November 2026, Nashville will be hosting the National League of Cities' 2026 City Summit and preliminary planning is already underway.