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Stephanie Pruitt

Written by Jeff Syracuse on . Posted in Hearts of the People.

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Stephanie Pruitt never learned that you have to choose only one path.  The native Nashvillian is a poet, community catalyst, and creative strategist who earned an undergraduate degree in Marketing from MTSU and her MFA in creative writing from Vanderbilt.  She is the recipient of an Academy of American Poets Prize, Sedberry Prize and Essence Magazine named her one of their “40 Favorite Poets.”  Stephanie has taught arts education and creative writing at Vanderbilt University, Sewanee Young Writers’ Conference, and as a visiting artist in over one hundred k-12 and community settings.  

The ARTrepreneur is founder of Poems & Pancakes and partners with businesses and special events, providing poetry vending machines as a marketing and communication tool.  The Cave Canem Fellow has been published in numerous literary magazines and anthologies. Stephanie has advanced the local creative community through work with the Nashville Arts Coalition, NashvilleNext Arts & Culture Team, Poetry In Motion, and numerous arts commission grant review panels.  She serves on the Board of Directors for the Arts & Business Council of Greater Nashville.  The 2014 Nashville Emerging Leader Award Finalist operates Mind Your Creative Business Consulting where she equips businesses with arts-rich strategies & artists with business-rich strategies.  She is the author of I AM: A Poetic Journey Towards Self Definition, Life on Lay-a-Way, and has a spoken word CD, Choice Words. Stephanie’s poetry has been described as “high art with a hearty dose of biscuit sopping goodness.”  She was also editor of the historically inspired collection of poems by local high school students: Regarding Rule 99.  Her community service includes volunteering at Magdalene House as a creative writing teacher for the last 10 years.

Family is her greatest work of art.  Stephanie has a teen aged, musician daughter and two furry, tail wagging kiddos.  She co-chairs her home life and big bucket list with her husband, Al Gaines. Stephanie has lived in Donelson the majority of her life and recalls weekly stops at the Donelson Library and Two Rivers Park with her family as a kid while attending Pennington Elementary School.

Learn more about Stephanie at www.stephaniepruitt.com. Donelson and all of Nashville are very fortunate to have such a wonderfully creative person like Stephanie as a neighbor.

Author

  • Jeff Syracuse

    Jeff has called Nashville home since 1998, moving here to complete his music degree at Middle Tennessee State University. He went on to complete his MBA in Technology Management from the Nashville campus of University of Phoenix, located in Donelson. Jeff was a first-time homebuyer in Donelson Hills in 2002 and soon became involved in his neighborhood and community.Jeff was born in Buffalo, New York. Jeff’s Dad retired from the Army as a Lieutenant Colonel while stationed at Fort McPherson, Georgia after serving 20 years of Active and more than 11 years of Reserve service in Buffalo, NY, St Louis, MO and Atlanta, GA. Jeff’s parents are happily retired in Marietta, GA and enjoy the  warmer weather. His dad was President of the Georgia Department of the Reserve Officer’s Association and both he and his Mom stay involved in their neighborhood, civic organizations, and church. Jeff has one son, Joey, who attends Meigs Middle Magnet School.Jeff has been very active in the Donelson community for over a decade and has a deep appreciation and understanding of its rich history and a strong vision for a bright future.

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Founder of Poems & Pancakes, Jeff Syracuse, Metro Council District 15, Nashville, Native Nashvillian Poet Community Catalyst, Recipient of Academy of American Poets Prize, Stephanie Pruitt

Jeff Syracuse

Jeff has called Nashville home since 1998, moving here to complete his music degree at Middle Tennessee State University. He went on to complete his MBA in Technology Management from the Nashville campus of University of Phoenix, located in Donelson. Jeff was a first-time homebuyer in Donelson Hills in 2002 and soon became involved in his neighborhood and community.Jeff was born in Buffalo, New York. Jeff’s Dad retired from the Army as a Lieutenant Colonel while stationed at Fort McPherson, Georgia after serving 20 years of Active and more than 11 years of Reserve service in Buffalo, NY, St Louis, MO and Atlanta, GA. Jeff’s parents are happily retired in Marietta, GA and enjoy the  warmer weather. His dad was President of the Georgia Department of the Reserve Officer’s Association and both he and his Mom stay involved in their neighborhood, civic organizations, and church. Jeff has one son, Joey, who attends Meigs Middle Magnet School.Jeff has been very active in the Donelson community for over a decade and has a deep appreciation and understanding of its rich history and a strong vision for a bright future.