Host Suzanne Reed joins Johari Matthews, Vice President and Executive Director of ONE Community and the Tennessee Titans Foundation to share her journey, vision and reflections on leadership. Matthews has been instrumental in weaving a legacy of community impact, driven by empathy, relationships, and a commitment to lasting change.
Winning on and off the Field
ONE Community, the Titans’ flagship community initiative, is a testament to their dedication to the city of Nashville and Tennessee at large.
ONE stands for Opportunity, Neighborhoods, and Education. “These are three areas where we’ve chosen to invest our time, our dollars, and our energy to create generational change,” Matthews shares. This initiative has been at the forefront of addressing systemic issues while highlighting the Titans’ role between and beyond Sunday games.
Through programs and partnerships, Matthews and her team aim to serve marginalized and underserved communities, showcasing what it means to win both on and off the field. “How are we impacting lives between Sundays?” she poses. “How are we winning off the field and in the community?”
For Matthews, a Nashville native, the impact ONE has is personal. “Being able to oversee ONE Community and to lead that work for me, it’s really meaningful,” she says. “I’m able to give back to a community that has given so much to me, and I have experienced a lot of these things firsthand.”
The Challenges and Opportunities of the NFL Platform
As Matthew explains, representing one of the 32 NFL teams comes with a unique set of advantages and responsibilities.
“Being a part of the NFL helps because you naturally have this platform, this brand that is easily recognizable and it comes with a lot of perks,” she says. “You walk into a room, and people see Tennessee Titans on your name badge, and they’re like, ‘Oh wow, we know what you all do.’”
Though that notoriety is exciting, Matthews admits it can also be a challenge “because you’re constantly being assessed—not just for what you’re doing, but also for what you’re not doing.”
While the league encourages community engagement, Matthews acknowledges the disparities among teams when it comes to resources and funding, noting that not all teams have the same financial backing.
“There’s this conception that because you’re part of the NFL, that you have millions and millions of dollars that you’re able to invest and give out,” she says. “But that looks very different across all 32 teams. You have some teams that have ownerships or owners that are very well often invested too.”
Matthews reflects on the unique privilege of Nashville’s community-focused teams. “I can attest that there are not a lot of other cities who have that same opportunity as we do,” she explains. “We’re really fortunate and blessed as a city to have not only multiple professional sports teams, but also professional sports teams who see it as a priority to give back to the community and see it as a priority to care about the people who live, work, and play in Nashville.”
A Personal Journey of Empathy and Connection
Matthews’ first job was at Camp Discovery, a summer camp for children and adults with special needs. “It taught me to approach everything with empathy versus sympathy,” she shares. “Looking at people as human beings and treating them with kindness—no matter their title or socioeconomic status.”
This ethos of empathy extends to her views on leadership. “I think leaders are missing the connectivity,” she observes. “We’re on this hamster wheel of trying to get things done, but it’s crucial to prioritize relationships and truly see your staff as individuals.”
When asked about her legacy, Matthews articulates a vision steeped in relationships and community. “I want to be seen as someone who was a bridger,” she says. “Someone who connected communities that otherwise never would have crossed paths, and someone who made others feel seen, heard, and valued.”
Her deep love for Nashville’s growth underpins her enthusiasm for the future. “It excites me to see our skyline changing,” Matthews says. “It’s almost like a full evolution of who we can be as a city,” highlighting the opportunities for innovation and connection, like the upcoming East Bank stadium and riverfront activation.
Matthews’ passion and leadership is a powerful reminder that while sports may entertain the masses, it’s the work organizations like ONE Community do between games that can have a significant and lasting impact. Through her vision, empathy, and determination, Matthews is not just impacting Nashville today but paving the way for a stronger, more connected community tomorrow.
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