Francis Guess

The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee has honored Gail and David Williams with the Francis S. Guess Bridge to Equality Award. The award, which honors the memory of civil rights trailblazer and civic leader Francis S. Guess, recognizes those who spur innovation leading to equality. Read More

The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee will present the fourth annual Francis S. Guess Bridge to Equality Award to Gail Williams and the late David Williams II at a luncheon on Thursday, May 23. Read More

Vanderbilt recently celebrated Equality Weekend, a two-day event that honored 21 of Nashville’s civil rights leaders and marked the 50th anniversary of Vanderbilt breaking the SEC’s color barrier with men’s basketball players Perry Wallace and Godfrey Dillard. The 21 leaders were honored at the Commodores’ men’s basketball game on Feb. 18 and the women’s game on Feb. 19—both Vanderbilt victories. Read More

Francis Guess, a revered Nashville business leader, trailblazer in the private sector, and a champion of civil rights, died July 23. Read More

Francis Guess doesn’t shy from uncomfortable topics. The businessman, civil rights leader, philanthropist, public servant and community leader talks frankly about what it was like to be a Vietnam veteran assigned to work on the Army’s civil disturbance plans for his community, attending Vanderbilt in the 1970s when most students… Read More

The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee has recognized Francis S. Guess, MBM’74,  for his commitment to equality, justice and the advancement of Middle Tennessee with the Kraft Humanitarian Award. He served six years on the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights and an additional 32 years on the Tennessee Human Rights… Read More