We recently had the chance to connect with Joseph P. Day and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Joseph P., thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
The grand opening of the Circuit Court Clerk Resource Center made me feel proud. This is the first time that a resource center was opened in regards to helping citizens and providing an elevated level of service. This office is a testament of the pillars of the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office. The pillars are Service, Integrity, Experience, Innovation.
Service: Provide exceptional customer service rooted in professionalism, diligence and courtesy.
Integrity: Project transparency and demand accountability in the actions of oneself and the organization as a whole.
Experience: Utilize institutional knowledge to train and equip each deputy clerk with comprehensive knowledge of the multifaceted inner workings of each office.
Innovation: Modernize our processes as technology evolves because innovation is critical in acquainting current systems with technological upgrades that can lead to automation in some areas and streamline others.
The Resource Center helps to cultivate a culture that is welcoming to those who enter our doors and epitomizes what it looks like when government does good.
Service is in my “DNA” so the organization prides itself on the service it provides. I want people to know that just because we are a government office doesn’t mean you should expect or accept inept or inadequate customer assistance. I am proud of this and see the benefit the office provides to the Nashville community.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Joseph P. Day was elected to the Office of the Circuit Court Clerk in 2022. He is the 20th Circuit Court Clerk of Nashville-Davidson County and is the first African American to be elected to the position. Clerk Day is a dedicated public servant and his journey to becoming Circuit Court Clerk started when he worked as a summer intern for the organization in 1997.
Day developed a passion for working in the public sector and served as deputy clerk, training coordinator and helped establish procedures for each department. He thrived in each role eventually becoming Business Manager of the Traffic Warrant Division. Day spearheaded the consolidation of two separate departments, effectively reducing the office footprint and improving efficiency of the business operations. In 2016, he was promoted to Chief Deputy of Public Relations and Employee Development and oversaw employee development programs and maintained working relationship with governmental, legal, business and professional organizations. Day helped lead the development and implementation of the electronic filing system in the offices of the Circuit Court Clerk.
🎓 Education & Credentials
Day was born and raised in Nashville, TN. He attended Metro Nashville Public Schools for his K-12 education and graduated from Whites Creek High School with honors in 1997.
Tennessee State University – B.B.A., magna cum laude (2001)
Cumberland University – M.S P. in Public Service Management (2011)
Certified Public Administrator – University of Tennessee – Institute of Public Service (2012)
County Elected Officials Certificate (CEOC) – University of Tennessee (2025)
🤝 Community Involvement
Day is involved in various community activities and is a member of many organizations. He loves volunteering, coaching and helping others. His work continues to reflect a heart for service and an unwavering commitment to making Nashville better for all residents.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who taught you the most about work?
I would say my Grandmother taught me a lot of things. Many life lessons are learned even when you don’t realize a lesson is being taught. When I think about work she comes to mind as a great example. My grandmother would get up early before sunrise to make sure food and meals were prepared before heading to work. After working her shift, she would come home and make sure everything was in order. Observing her actions, work ethic and acts of service played a major role in shaping me to be a service minded person.
Is there something you miss that no one else knows about?
I would say that I miss my parents. Many people don’t know that both of my parents are deceased. Losing both parents had a profound affect on me and played a pivotal role in my development. I lost my father when I was 10 years old and my mother 15 years later. Tomorrow is not promised and I try to make the most out of each day.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes, my core values remain the same even before I ran for office. I remain true in all that I do by putting God first and letting the holy spirit guide me. Politics is not for the faint of heart and can get ugly. I learned very quick that many politicians are in it for prestige and personal gain. As an elected official, sometimes the public may have a perception about you based off things other people may say about you. I feel some may catch a glimpse of you and not really know the real you. The old adage holds true of not judging a book by its cover. You really need to meet someone and get to know them before casting judgment. I have a servants heart and it’s not about me. I stand by servant leadership and serving others instead of being self serving.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Are you tap dancing to work? Have you been that level of excited at any point in your career? If so, please tell us about those days.
I don’t know about tap dancing but I am honored to serve and excited to go to work everyday😁. I have been excited a few times over my career. I was on the team that helped lead the development and implementation of the electronic filing (e-filing) system in the offices of the Circuit Court Clerk. This was a big step in bringing technology to the courts. Innovation is one of the pillars and core values that I implemented when I was elected and I am committed to modernizing as technology evolves. Innovation is critical in acquainting current systems with technological upgrades that can lead to automation in some areas and streamline others. The most recent was the opening of the Circuit Court Clerk Resource Center for the citizens of Nashville, Davidson County. The Resource Center is an extension of the four offices and a one stop shop for all the services our offices provides. I want to be clear that we do not provide legal advice but it’s all about service. We strive to provide citizens with tools they need to navigate various legal matters with exceptional customer service.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://circuitclerk.nashville.gov/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/circuitcourtclerk?igsh=YWo2eGFla3c1aGVx
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-p-day-b75718234?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=android_app
- Twitter: https://x.com/MetroCircuit?t=Ow1H_LLDE-WW2NdxI4_j1A&s=09
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/metrocircuit
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@circuitcourtclerknashville?si=fPldpcGuXiYhDOsu
