Hidden Gems: Meet Victoria Franklin of Dear Music

Today we’d like to introduce you to Victoria Franklin.

Hi Victoria, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Currently, I’m a Marketing and Recruitment Coordinator at Tennessee State University,

I have a background in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) and community advocacy and service. I’m a Creative Strategist, skilled in Photography, Graphic and Website Design, GIS and Data Analytics, Digital Marketing, Email Marketing, Event Planning, Nonprofit Management and Community Outreach.

Tennessee State University (HBCU), is like home to me literally. I obtained my bachelor’s degree in Urban Studies with a minor in Nonprofit Management and my master’s degree in Geospatial Information Systems. I’m currently enrolled in the Public Administration and Policy Studies program, with the hopes to complete my Ph.D. by the 2022-2023 academic calendar year.

After relocating from Chicago to Nashville, I began performing around the city as a singer and poet. I begin to discover newfound abilities and later learned that the arts helped me to cope with trauma.

I was inspired to connect my passion for the arts to my love for the community. From that inspiration, Dear Music, nonprofit was birth. Dear Music began as a “Dear God” letter. That letter later turned into Dear Music, the organization. The letter was a thank you letter to God expressing thanks for my talents and gifts in the arts. Those same talents and gifts created opportunities for me, as well as allowed me to lead as a catalyst for change for others in the world of arts, STEM, and community advocacy.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Has it been a smooth road, of course not!

I’ve been met with MANY challenges over the years. The things I’ve dealt with such as losing a mother to cancer and friends to suicide, miscarrying my first and only child, domestic abuse, battled depression, and homelessness, among other things that would make SOME hand my shoes back to me, and say I don’t like the way they fit (emotionally).

You see, I’ve never stayed or got comfortable in the position of victim or defeat. And I NEVER allowed anyone to be enablers to keep me stuck there. I’ve always been a fighter, no matter how uncomfortable, and hard it got! I knew my struggles were soon become my triumphs and sources of inspiration for others!

So here I am, wearing many titles- Student, Employee, and Advocate. I had to learn to transfer my skills as an employee, and knowledge as a student within the realm of community. It made me more resourceful as well as gave me the ability to lead, and plan more effectively.

Now in the terms of being a leader in community advocacy work, there were times where I had to make last-minute decisions and things went great. There were also times where I planned everything strategically to the T, and things were not so great but ironically the objectives were met.

If I could give any advice to an artist, entrepreneur, small business owner, or community leader. It would be to NEVER fold. In times where you begin to question your “Why” or the calling on your life. Refer back to the greats who prevailed despite adversity. Refer back to your motivational quote, affirmation, or scripture! NEVER lose hope or give up on yourself and your calling. You were chosen because God knew you were tough enough to handle it. You’re not going to be always liked, loved, appreciated, accepted, or welcomed in some spaces. But keep going!

In times when I question my why I referred to the book of Jeremiah. It tells me that I was predestined to do this work. Yes… I ran away from the work many times because I was afraid of the noise that doubters would make. I had to encourage myself and be my biggest cheerleader because God knew I was strong enough to handle the work.

You see this is nothing new to me. I’ve been doing community work since I was 12 years old. From cleaning debris off the streets of Chicago to feeding the homeless. I’ve watched the best of the best leaders break down, and I’ve seen the best of the best leaders remain victorious despite.

There is something about having a calling on your life that stands out. I truly believe my mother named me, Victoria for nothing, she knew one day I would walk in Victory and those who would be a part of my journey would be blessed from my dedication, sincerity, and giving heart. But I also had to understand, that not everyone who came in my path could help or please and I had to be okay with that too.

Over the years, I’ve been blessed with people who are just as passionate about supporting our communities as I am. They always tell me, no matter if funding is scarce and a lot of times it is. They tell me to focus on the mission and somehow, things get done!

My hope is that I will continue to grow as a leader, and gain support that will help further our mission to support artists and creators by continuing to create platforms that allow them to showcase their skills and talents while making an income to support themselves.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I am a creative and multi-skilled professional and founder of Dear Music Nonprofit Organization, that produces the: Beale Street Art crawl Festival in Memphis, TN, Dear Music, Festival, and the upcoming Little Five Points (L5P) Arts and Vegan Festival in Atlanta, Georgia, and Legacy Festival in Orlando, Florida.

The nonprofit aims to produce events and programming that support K-12th education, college students, creators, artisans, performing artists, musicians, entrepreneurs, and business owners!

The mission of our nonprofit is to support artists and creators with the creation and public performance of their work. The organization does this by presenting, and producing community showcases, art, and music festivals.

Produce quality cultural, arts, and music festivals annually that will be family-friendly, stimulate the cultural scene, contribute to local socio-economic development, and promote cultural touristic development and tourist customer retention. Encourage the discovery of new artists and promote the festivals locally, nationally, and internationally.

Dear Music is dedicated to serving underserved, and low-income individuals. Our organization is committed to providing programs to which individuals do not have access. Arts Advocacy Statement. Since its inception, Dear Music, Inc. has been empowering the arts and STEM communities. We have served as a voice for diversity, inclusion, and equity for access to STEAM education and careers, entrepreneurship, and small business.,

I am a published author of “A more inclusive academia,” and a published social justice photography book entitled “Me The People.” In 2018, I was nominated for a Power Moves Award in honor of my commitment to civic and social responsibility, including advocacy efforts.

In 2019, the Downtown Memphis Commission honored me with the Vision Award for the Beale Street Artcrawl Festival. My name was also dedicated by the Downtown Memphis Commission on the Memphis Bridge “Might lights” (Cable: 37 Light:75) for shining her mighty light across all of Downtown Memphis.

I made history with the Beale Street Artcrawl Festival by becoming the first African American woman to host an art activation event on America’s Most Iconic Street known as “Beale Street.” Not only that, I along with the Beale Street Artcrawl festival is featured in the Hollywood Documentary “Living Out Loud” available on Hop TV Streams App.

I am also a marketing consultant. I develop marketing strategies that raise brand awareness, drive customer growth, and improve brand positioning.

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
The pattern app is a great resource for me, as well as listening to motivational vids, and the sounds of rain vids on YouTube.

Outside of technology, nature and long talks with God at the park give me balance. Or even kayaking recharges me!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.dearmusicnonprofit.org