CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – A pastor, a judge, an artist. A restaurant owner, a coach and more. If a community is built by its young leaders, Clarksville has a strong foundation.
Here are 10 people under 40 who’ve already made a big difference. We appreciate all they’ve done so far, and we look forward to seeing what they do next!
1. Olasubomi ‘Ola’ Aka-Bashorun
Before “Ola,” Clarksville’s mural scene had literally faded away. But today, you’ll find murals around almost every corner downtown, thanks in large part to his work. Among the murals he’s created or contributed to, in partnership with local organizations, are the Mondrian-inspired mural on the CMCSS Central Office building on Crossland Avenue and “Starry Night Clarksville” on the side of 420 Madison St. next to Habitat ReStore. Olasubomi “Ola” Aka-Bashorun is from Lagos, Nigeria, and operates the DBO Gallery at 106 N. Second St. In addition to the classes he offers, he regularly opens his doors to help nonprofit and student groups.
2. Wes Cunningham
Ever since the Downtown Commons was proposed, hopes have bloomed for the old Federal Building across the street. It all came to fruition when Wes Cunningham, owner of Strawberry Alley Ale Works down the block, bought the building and opened it in 2022 as a restaurant called The Mailroom. “We are excited to bring life and energy back to this historic building that was once the hub of communication for all of Clarksville,” Cunningham said at the time. “The Mailroom will preserve and showcase that unique history while providing an upbeat, one-of-a-kind experience right in the heart of downtown.”
3. Adrienne Fry
Circuit Court Judge Adrienne Fry won her first election in May, the Republican primary, with no opponent in the general election. She had previously been appointed to the bench by Gov. Bill Lee to fill a vacancy, and in March, Lee visited Clarksville to campaign for her. “Taking the bench in the county you love, the place you’ve made home, is one of the greatest honors of my entire life,” Fry told Clarksville Now. Originally from Brentwood, she is a graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Law and practiced law for over a decade before being named judge.
MORE: Judge Adrienne Fry on what led her to go into law | AUDIO
4. Kayla Gunter
Realtor Kayla Gunter with Century 21 Platinum Properties grew up in Clarksville and has been around the home construction business her entire life. She’s co-owner of Century 21 Platinum Properties and Platinum Realty & Management, a Zillow Premier agent, and has been in various positions, including president and director of the Clarksville Association of Realtors. In 2018, she received the Outstanding Young Alumni Award at Austin Peay State University. In July, her office was ranked No. 1 in Office Production, and No. 2 in Company Production in Tennessee in the Century 21 System.
5. Shea Hopkins
Shea Hopkins has been vice president of Industrial Development for the Clarksville-Montgomery County Industrial Development Board since September 2021. She was previously vice president of Economic Development at the Granbury Chamber of Commerce in Granbury, Texas. Since she took over the IDB, Clarksville has had some major industrial announcements, including a FedEx distribution center, a second Microvast EV battery plant, and Clarksville’s biggest-ever industrial win: a $3.2 billion LG Chem EV battery plant. “What attracted me to Clarksville was its perfect combination of Southern charm and modern innovation. I am excited and proud to join a brilliant team working towards fostering economic growth for the entire region. Helping create jobs and generating investment improves people’s lives, and that is what it is all about,” Hopkins said.
MORE: Shea Hopkins on what new industries she’d like to bring to Clarksville | AUDIO
6. Aron Maberry
Aron Maberry, the Next-Gen pastor at Mosaic Church, grew up in Clarksville schools. After a few years working with the Partner in Education initiative and running an after-school program for high school students, Maberry began taking an active role in grass-roots advocacy, much of it centered on schools. At a key School Board meeting in September 2021, he was the first speaker in a series to push against the CMCSS mask mandate. In 2022, he ran for School Board on a platform of being a voice for parents, and for transparency and accountability. He won with no opposition.
7. Paul Turner
Paul Turner of Ajax Distributing is chairman this year of the Clarksville-Montgomery County Economic Development Council. He’s been an active leader in the community with the Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce, serving as division vice-chair of Military Affairs (2017-18) and chairman for a two-year term (2020-22). Turner also served on the EDC executive committee for a two year term (2020-22). Turner is a graduate of Ole Miss and of Leadership Middle Tennessee, Class of 2019.
8. Dannelle Whiteside
When then-Austin Peay State University President Alisa White announced she’d be resigning, the APSU Board of Trustees turned to Dannelle F.W. Whiteside, vice president for legal affairs, to become interim president of the university in August 2020. She served as interim for seven months, leading APSU through the COVID-19 pandemic. Her appointment made her the first Black president of the more than 95-year-old institution. A former U.S. attorney, Whiteside joined Austin Peay in 2017 as general counsel and was promoted to vice president in the spring of 2019. Whiteside is now vice president for legal affairs and organizational strategy, overseeing legal affairs, public relations, marketing and strategic initiatives.
9. Brittany Young
Brittany Young was named the 12th head coach of the Austin Peay State University women’s basketball program in March 2021, and she has had a great start. Young led Austin Peay to a 20-13 overall record and 11-7 mark in Ohio Valley Conference play, becoming the fourth coach in program history to lead Austin Peay to a 20-win season and just the second coach to win 20 games in their debut season, according to APSU Athletics. Young led the Governors to their first postseason victory in a 73-59 win against Furman in the Women’s Basketball Invitational in March 2022. She has big things to come in upcoming seasons, with both APSU basketball programs relocating this year to the F&M Bank Arena.
MORE: New Lady Govs Coach Brittany Young on growing up in a sports family | AUDIO
10. Erin Yow
Erin Yow’s day jobs include director of the Hilldale Christian Childcare Center, director of Preschools for Clarksville Christian School, and marketing director for Apex Title, plus she works actively in the family business, Yow Home Buyers. In her free time, she volunteers with Leadership Clarksville and Youth Leadership Clarksville, and she is a Chamber of Commerce Ambassador. She serves on multiple local boards, including Crimestoppers, Red Cross, Imagination Library, Clarksville Young Professionals, and the Yow Foundation Inc., a nonprofit created to help people in need. Yow graduated from Freed-Hardeman University with a B.S. in Child and Family Studies, as well as multiple certifications in Child Development and Administration.
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