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Jack C. Massey Leadership Award
2027 Details Coming Soon!
About The Award
The Jack C. Massey Leadership Award is presented biannually to honor individuals whose leadership and accomplishments have enriched the quality of life for citizens of our nation. Mental Health America of the MidSouth began partnering with Mr. Massey to give the first Massey Leadership Award in 1986.
This Award is designated for individuals who lift themselves above the accepted level of human achievement to discover and implement new ideas. As leaders, their joy comes from using God-given talents. Recipients of the award should reflect a quality of informed leadership that is guided by inspiration and integrity. Their endeavors are not limited to one sphere of influence, but encompass a broad spectrum of community activities and concerns. Their actions have earned for them the respect and admiration of citizens in all walks of life.
A bronze medallion sculpted by noted Nashville artist, Alan LeQuire, commemorates the Jack C. Massey Leadership Award. At the center of the eight-inch medallion is a profile of Mr. Massey in bas-relief. Smaller figures depict Nashville’s replica of the Parthenon, three stars representing the state of Tennessee, and the mental health bell. The first casting was presented to Mr. Massey and the second casting to Ambassador Joe M. Rodgers, the first recipient of the award.
The 2027 Honoree
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The Namesake
Originally trained as a pharmacist and retail druggist, Mr. Massey founded Massey Surgical Supply in 1930. In 1964, he invested in the Kentucky Fried Chicken Corporation and directed its growth to the world’s largest commercial marketer of prepared foods. Mr. Massey joined with Dr. Thomas Frist, Jr. and others in 1968 to form Hospital Corporation of America. He also established Winners Corporation, and directed the capitalization of Thomas Nelson Publishers, Surgical Care Affiliates and Corrections Corporation of America. As a founder of Baptist Hospital in Nashville, Mr. Massey served for 20 years on their Board of Trustees. During that time, Baptist grew from a small hospital to one of the mid-south’s largest medical centers.
Mr. Massey’s interests extended into many areas of the community. He was a trustee of Montgomery Bell Academy and a founder of the Tennessee Performing Arts Center. He contributed to numerous institutions, including Vanderbilt Law School and Meharry Medical College. In 1987, He was elected to Fortune Magazine’s National Business Hall of Fame. Belmont College awarded the first honorary doctoral degree in its history to Mr. Massey in 1975. Today, the institution’s graduate school of business bears his name.
Thank you, Sponsors!
Presenting Sponsors
Patron Sponsors
Dinner Sponsors
Lee Barfield
Bill and Crissy Haslam Foundation
Bass Berry & Sims
Ingram Entertainment
Contributing and Supporting Sponsors
Clay and Mary Harkleroad
The Ayers Foundation
Ernst & Young
Saint Thomas Foundation
The Beneficiary
Since 1946, Mental Health America of the MidSouth has stood alongside thousands of individuals and families across Middle and West Tennessee, because mental health is health, and no one should have to face life’s hardest moments alone. From empowering caregivers navigating memory loss and equipping students to champion mental wellness, to training educators, therapists, and first responders and advancing suicide prevention, our work meets people where they are, at every stage of life, with the tools and resources they need to face challenges with confidence and strength. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we are committed to building a community where stigma has no foothold, care is always within reach, and mental health equity is not an aspiration but a standard. Through screenings, advocacy, training, and community-rooted support, MHA of the MidSouth bridges gaps, fosters resilience, and ensures that every person, regardless of background or circumstance, has the chance to live their healthiest, fullest life. Your support makes that possible