The Story of Leadership Franklin
This summer, Leadership Franklin celebrated their 30th anniversary. To be in the room, or the Bicentennial Pavilion as it were, was to be among the greatest and the best we have to offer here in Williamson County. For that is what Leadership Franklin is about – bringing together the best and the brightest from across our county, in all manner of professional fields and occupations. These individuals make up each of the “Best” classes each year, as they spend a day a month learning all about Williamson County. For myself, I can remember during my class, (2010-2011, the VERY BEST class) thinking: I have lived here my entire life and been very involved – and yet – every single day spent that year of Leadership Franklin, I learned, met, saw and experienced things I never knew existed in our community. And that is what is so great about the program, as it isn’t just about the business and economic side of the county, but the intentional curated programming incorporates every aspect from history to government, education and the arts – and everything in between.
And the reason this organization has lasted and thrived for thirty years is simple – once you have bonded with and shared these experiences with your fellow classmates and then down the line with alumni activities, you become part of THE group. That group of people working together, and with a commitment and dedication to bettering our community, that maintains a connection, always. You take on the mantle of leader just by virtue of acceptance into a class. You make a commitment to not just finish the year but to commit to a lifetime of service and involvement. After all, that mentality is at the core of Leadership Franklin and it all began with true leaders and visionaries who created the program here in Williamson County.
WHERE IT BEGAN
In 1996, two different groups of Franklin citizens had the same idea, independent of each other: to “form an organization to enhance leadership in citizens who are positioned to make a difference for Franklin.” Among them were visionaries such as Julian Bibb, Richard Herrington, Jim Cross and Gayle Moyer-Harris. In pursuit of this idea, both groups came together under the leadership of Caroline Cross and birthed Leadership Franklin. The founders modeled the organization after the Leadership Nashville organization that had been making a difference for that city for over thirty years.
The founders were adamant they wanted to take a different approach from a pure economic development focus, so they established a program that gave class members exposure to multiple aspects of Franklin, including history, criminal justice, education, media and entertainment, and government. Class selection criteria were set to ensure diversity, encourage the sharing of ideas, and broaden local engagement.
Today the organization is under the direction of Paula Harris who accepted the torch passed from Caroline Cross upon her retirement several years ago. Paula has faithfully continued with Mrs. Cross’s vision and spirit for the program and along with a board of dedicated alumnus, continues to grow and expand the programming and legacy of Leadership Franklin. But…. there is no one who had Mrs. Cross for their class, who doesn’t know when it is time to turn off that cell phone!
Over the years, many of the Leadership Franklin class initiatives have become active, working programs. The Columbia Avenue streetscape project, Bicentennial Park, the Jimmy Gentry Statue, Franklin Legacy Videos, and the Latino Fire Safety Outreach program all began as Leadership Franklin class projects.
COMMUNITY IMPACT
One of the best things about Leadership Franklin, are the group projects that are a part of each year. The class is divided up into groups and projects are envisioned and, in many cases, executed fully, thus leaving a truly lasting impact on our community long after a class has ended. Each year since 1996, Leadership Franklin classes have developed and executed group projects that have shaped the community in meaningful ways. Following are just a few notable and recognizable highlights of projects completed over the last thirty years.
CLASS OF 2023-2024: Voices that Matter – The mission was to capture the stories of individuals who have played a significant role in our community and, in this way, honor their legacy. During their LF program, they learned about significant work to protect the “places that matter” and the project sought to preserve “voices that matter” in the evolution of Franklin.
Class of 2022-2023: Walk toward Freedom. To illuminate for residents and visitors the stories of specific individuals and families within Franklin’s history whose journey took them from slavery toward freedom. This will be achieved through interviews which result in telling the stories through written narrative, video, and markers. The physical Walk Toward Freedom will be inclusive of Carter House and other historical sites on Fowlkes St. from Columbia to Natchez. The walk will enlighten and inform people on the obstacles they faced, the successes they achieved and what remains of the walk today.
CLASS OF 2019-2020: Jimmy Gentry Statue. To honor Williamson County’s own American hero and local storyteller, Mr. Jimmy Gentry. Mr. Gentry was 18 when he went to war, he was awarded two bronze stars, was among the first allied troops to enter Dachau, a Nazi death camp, saw combat at the Battle of the Bulge, returned home to Franklin and became one of Williamson County’s most widely known citizens, serving as a teacher and a coach for over sixty years.
CLASS OF 2018-2019: Community Childcare Center on Fowlkes Avenue: The Community Childcare Center facility provides childcare for ages 6 weeks to 6 years to families of lower incomes. This team worked to expand computer education classes by purchasing twelve laptops and enhance and expand the playground area.
CLASS OF 2014-2015: Leadership Franklin Scholarship Fund: The team set out to raise funds to endow the Leadership Franklin Scholarship Fund through the alumni body and friends of the organization. They developed their comprehensive plan and executed it, raising thousands of dollars and ensuring that worthy participants can utilize the Scholarship Fund in the future.
CLASS OF 2009-2010: Spearheaded the creation of the Franklin Parks Foundation to promote the expansion and improvement of public park land in Franklin. This organization has become the nonprofit Friends of Franklin Parks.
LEADERSHIP FRANKLIN SCHOLARSHIP
The good doesn’t just take place while the members of the class ride the bus all over town – the spirit of leadership and paying it forward produced a scholarship fund to inspire those who will become our leaders in the future. High school seniors and current college students who live in Williamson County are encouraged to apply for a scholarship awarded annually by Leadership Franklin. The nonprofit organization will award one $2,000 scholarship to a student who meets the scholarship criteria.
For more information about Leadership Franklin, visit leadershipfranklin.com.
CAROLINE JONES CROSS
July 16, 1931 -November 1, 2026
To talk about Leadership Franklin and not pay homage to Mrs. Caroline Cross would not be possible. The poignancy of writing this planned well in advance article, is now most deeply felt, as we lost our incredible leader, Mrs. Cross on November 1st. Mrs. Cross, whose indomitable spirit has truly made Leadership Franklin what it is will forever be part of the Leadership Franklin story. And the story of great women in our community. The below, is a bio included in the 2024 Ladies of Distinction Edition of YOUR Williamson and in the program for the inaugural Iconic Women of Williamson luncheon where we honored our first “class” of Iconic Women which of course, had to include Mrs. Cross.
If Franklin and Williamson County seem to have a particularly large number of community resources beyond the traditional government services, as well as a variety of open spaces that draw attention to local history, there is a reason. If art and cultural interests continue to burst onto the scene of this community, there is a reason. And, if the issues which confound local government leaders, like affordable housing and homelessness, seem to have a permanence in our civic discourse, there is a reason.
Caroline Cross has committed the past thirty years to strengthening and expanding the leaders of tomorrow. Her early years working alongside her late husband, J.W. Cross, building a construction and development firm, revealed one thing to her: “We have a lot of potential,” she insists of this community.
In the 1990s, Caroline established Leadership Franklin, a non-profit annual program to prepare future leaders. Since the inaugural class, dozens and dozens of individuals have gained intense insight into every facet of the community.
Over the years, many have come to appreciate Caroline’s indomitable spirit. After a critical health event cut short her husband’s career, she chose to engage more in Williamson County’s future. She defied those who underestimated how a woman would lead in a male-dominated environment. With the help of her daughter Amy and son Jim, she continued to ensure that Cross Properties and Century Construction had a positive impact on Franklin’s future. The continued development of Aspen Grove in Cool Springs was an important element, as was her own business, Preservation Interiors.
But her passion is Leadership Franklin, and it will be her legacy. Caroline says the organization she founded is not about career building, but about community building. “It just goes back to people. We have to realize what we have in this community.”
Thank you, Mrs. Cross, for all the lives you have touched in this community. We know what we had in you and what we have lost. Thank you for recognizing our potential. May your legacy be forever paid forward by those of us you shared your grace and generous spirit with. We love you, from all the BEST classes of YOUR Leadership Franklin.
