The Tennessee Hospitality Group (THG) is a statewide, membership-based organization strengthening minority-owned businesses across Tennessee’s hospitality and tourism industry.
We ensure that Black- and minority-owned restaurants, caterers, event professionals, hotels, venues, creatives, and service providers are not only visible, but contract-ready, scalable, and positioned to compete for major tourism and hospitality opportunities statewide.
The mission of the Tennessee Hospitality Group is to build a comprehensive, living database of minority-owned hospitality businesses across Tennessee and provide the training, resources, and strategic support needed to help these businesses scale, collaborate, and successfully bid on contracts tied to major conferences, sporting events, and large-scale tourism initiatives — including global events like the Super Bowl.
At the same time, we work to attract and retain Black tourism dollars by creating signature experiences and annual events that bring visitors to Tennessee and intentionally connect them with minority-owned businesses.
Sharanda Nechole Smith claimed stakes in her hometown with the birth of Nashville Black Hospitality Group, a newer, more authentic tourism network here in Music City. Recognizing a gap in the market for inclusive and culturally diverse hospitality services, she established the Group in 2020. NBHG is designed to unify local Black Hospitality workers to the revolving door of spenders coming in and out of Nashville. Sharanda isn’t new to events, she’s true to it and continues to be the trusted source of creativity and organization in Middle Tennessee. Just look at her 25 years of experience organizingconferences & galas to private fundraising events for nonprofit organizations within higher education including domestic violence advocacy. Her wisdom is rooted in a Liberal Studies degree with a focus in Music Business from Belmont University complemented with a Masters in Fine Arts from Lindenwood University. She is inspired by a natural love for traveling, bringing a global perspective to her work. Sharanda invites friends across the hospitality industry to join forces under NBHG as she connects the millions of clientele to the REAL Nashville.
Executive Board Member
Executive Board Member
Executive Board Member
Executive Board Member
Executive Board Member
