Tennessee
Too many Tennesseans are struggling. Businesses can step up by teaching financial literacy
Business as usual won’t address the financial challenges facing Tennesseans. Collaboration is key.
Tennessee Voices: Matthew Bourlakas, CEO, Goodwill of Middle Tennessee
Matthew Bourlakas, CEO of Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee, Inc., came on the Tennessee Voices video show and spoke with host David Plazas.
In terms of economic growth, Nashville is growing incredibly wealthy. Veritable gallons of ink have been expended touting the fact that our city is one of the nation’s leading metro areas when it comes to a post-pandemic recovery – and it should be. We should be proud of this accomplishment.
That said, we can’t allow this victory to cloud our vision when it comes to confronting the reality of the hardships felt by folks across our city and state each day that prevent them likewise growing in wealth.
Owning a home is one of the greatest, time-tested ways for families to build wealth. However, homeownership in Tennessee has decreased by more than 5% over the course of the last 24 years – one of the most drastic declines nationwide.
Debt load can harm credit scores and make it harder to pursue the American Dream
Further compounding the issue is debt. According to a recent study from ThinkTennessee, Tennesseans hold more than $50,000 in household debt. While this is slightly lower than the national average, more than one out of every four young adults in Tennessee have debt in collection, higher than the national average of 20%. Among Tennessee’s communities of color, the issue is even worse, with 38% in debt delinquency compared to 25% nationally according to the Urban Institute.
Debt in collection means missed payments and damaged credit scores, making it harder and more expensive to borrow money for crucial things such as a car, a house, or education, potentially trapping people in an inescapable cycle of debt.
Underscoring all these issues is the fact that our state ranks almost dead-last nationally for understanding the core concepts of money management (48th) and in the lower third for overall financial literacy (38th), making it one of the least financially literate states, according to WalletHub.
More: Tennessee among top U.S. states with people in financial distress, study says. Here’s what that means.
Business as usual won’t address the financial challenges facing Tennesseans. Collaboration is key. United Community is committed to working hand-in-hand with community groups to ensure every Tennessean has access to the financial education and tools they need to thrive. This starts with equipping them with the knowledge to manage money effectively, a mission we take very seriously.
How gamification can help kids become more financially literate
To help head off issues at an early age, United Community has partnered with Greenlight, a free service that uses gamification to make financial literacy fun for kids. This innovative approach equips young Tennesseans with essential money management skills and teaches valuable lessons about saving, spending, and earning through real-world applications like chores and allowances.
Here in Middle Tennessee, our dedication goes beyond just offering financial services and education; our bankers provide financial support and volunteer with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, which builds strength, stability and self-reliance in partnership with families in need of decent and affordable housing. In addition to helping build Habitat homes, our bankers help provide the financial education that is part of the necessary foundation for success for new homeowners.
We are committed to creating better opportunities for everyone to achieve their financial goals. Financial education is a huge piece of that equation. But our efforts alone aren’t enough.
We need others to join us in this mission to elevate financial education literacy across Tennessee. Together, let’s make financial education a cornerstone of our state’s prosperity. The stakes have never been higher, but with collective effort and commitment, we can build a brighter, more financially secure future for all Tennesseans.
Kelley Kee is the Tennessee state president for United Community and has more than 30 years of banking experience in the greater Nashville area.
Tennessee
Former Tennessee Football Legend Accepts SEC Coaching Gig
The Tennessee Volunteers have been one of the main teams when it comes to producing talent and sending talent to the NFL, which is something that has often been discovered as a standard for the football program. This is something that has been going on for quite some time and isn’t anything new to the news cycle, as the Vols have been able to produce plenty of talented prospects.
Tennessee is the home of many stars, including some of the best defensive players in SEC history. Guys like Eric Berry have found their way through the Tennessee program and onto the NFL, where they would have legendary careers. However, the defensive side of the football is the only side that has produced plenty of talent, as Tennessee has produced a lot of offensive talent as well. With the likes of Peyton Manning and company, the Vols have shown a great track record in getting talent drafted.
The Vols have produced someone who could be considered as one of the best players to play the Tide end position, as the Knoxville, Tennessee program is the home to Dallas Cowboys legend, Jason Witten. Witten is someone who made the most of his career and has been viewed as a top player at the Tide in position, and someone who is often referred to as a legend for the Cowboys, along with being a legend in the game of football as a whole.
Jason Witten Accepts TE Coach Position For Oklahoma
Witten is now taking a new gig, which has him in a huge role inside the Southeastern Conference. The Vols legend is now the tight end coach for the Oklahoma Sooners. The Sooners have had some success out of their tight ends in the past, but the sky is the limit with a guy like Witten coaching up the players. Witten has the opportunity to do really well, as coaching tight ends won’t be an issue, and you have to imagine that he will be able to recruit very well, considering he has a huge name around him, as this is something that we have seen from positional coaches as well as head coaches who have done great work in the league. You have to imagine that the Vols will now have stiff competition for his son, Cooper, who is a five-star recruit for the upcoming 2027 class at the linebacker position.
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Tennessee
Tennessee Football DB Transfer Boo Carter Visits the Vols Rival
The Tennessee Volunteers are looking to land many of the nation’s best players in the transfer portal to replace the players who have already announced they are transferring away from Tennessee. One of the players they lost very early on to the portal, and his plans of entering the portal is Boo Carter.
Carter is someone who has quickly made a name for himself, as he played for the Vols as a freshman. He also played for the Tennessee Vols this past season before suffering an injury that sidelined him for the rest of the season. Carter entered the portal and left an announcement on his X page for those interested. Here is what was said.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank The University of Tennessee Coaches, administrators and fans for a wonderful 2 years. Unfortunately my season has been cut short due to injury. I have decided to enter the transfer portal and I am excited about the opportunities going forward!-Boo Carter”
Boo Carter Visits Vanderbilt
Now that the portal is here, he has started to hear from many teams, including a team many anticipated to be in the picture. The Vols DB heard from the Vanderbilt staff and is now reportedly visiting them. This is a school where many of his friends go currently, and a school that has been doing well, but it is no secret that this is one of the Vols’ biggest rivalries.
He is undecided on a possible commitment somewhere, but the reports have started to indicate that the Commodores are a team to watch moving forward. This will be one to watch for the Vols, as there is a good chance they may see Carter next season.
“Dynamic athlete who quickly made an impact on defense and special teams as a true freshman … Earned the starting STAR position and shined while becoming a dangerous weapon as a punt returner as a true freshman in 2024 … Saw action as a slot receiver as well during 2025 spring practices … Early enrollee in January 2024 who participated in Citrus Bowl practices and spring practice before his true freshman season … Has compiled 63 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, three forced fumbles, three pass breakups and one interception on defense in his career … Dynamic punt returner who averages 16.0 yards per return in his career … Played in 21 career games and made five starts,” the Tennessee Vols athletics website stated.
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Tennessee
Tennessee Football Misses on Major Transfer Portal Target
The Tennessee Volunteers have been looking to land the best of the best when it comes to the transfer portal, and they have been targeting the best, but as of recently, all it has been is a bunch of swings and misses.
The Vols have missed yet again, as they have failed to land one of their top targets on their board when it comes to the college football transfer portal at a position that they currently need more than any. That position is the cornerback position, which is one that they need very badly.
The player that they failed to land in this go-around is Troy cornerback Jaquez White. White is one of the better players that the portal has seen at the position, as he was easily named as a top portal target for many. He was seriously looking at Tennessee, and the Vols were ready to bring him in, but instead, he has opted to commit to the Virginia Tech Hokies. The Hokies have done a decent job in the portal thus far, but their portal class has definitely improved following the addition of White.
Whether this is a money thing or the Vols just couldn’t do enough convincing, the point is that they have missed on guys left and right recently. The vision isn’t clear, but fans are hopeful that it will be soon.
Here is what White did in his 2025 season according to the Troy website.
Jaquez White’s 2025 Season
“Earned All-Sun Belt Second Team honors … Ranked third in the league (seventh nationally) with 14 total passes defended and fourth (15th nationally) with 11 pass break ups … Started 12 games and played in all 14 contests … Returned an interception 30 yards for a touchdown in Troy’s victory over Louisiana; added interceptions against Nicholls and in Sun Belt Championship Game at James Madison … Finished season with 67 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and a sack … Sack came in Troy’s win over South Alabama; added five tackles, a quarterback hurry and a pass break up in the game … Season-best seven tackles against Memphis … Broke up four passes in win at ULM and had a pair at Southern Miss … Troy’s top-rated defender per PFF with an 87.6 rating … Played 879 defensive snaps, second most on the team … Third-rated cornerback in the country (min. 700 snaps) per PFF and fourth-rated cover corner … Held opponents to a 54.5 reception percentage (36-of-66).”
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