BRIANNA TRULICK is a next-generation advocate for children’s education and community empowerment. She is a shining example of the strength, passion, and empowerment that runs deep in her family’s roots. Born and raised in the welcoming community of Manchester, she was fortunate to be a part of a loving and supportive family environment. As a young girl, she watched her family members become influential leaders, inspiring her to do the same.
Her great-grandfather, Sam Nevels, a revered figure and one of Manchester’s first African American businessmen and the patriarch that started it all, set the bar high for generations to follow. From owning a club and a bar to hosting the Fourth of August Celebration and running a carwash company, Nevels was a true jack-of-all-trades, embodying the spirit of hard work and entrepreneurship.
Trulick fondly remembers her grandfather’s captivating personality and knack for business operations.
She said, “We went to my grandmama’s and grandpapa’s every evening after work and school, and we’d sit on the carport and watch him make business deals.”
She recalls his impact on the Coffee County community and surrounding counties and how his legacy inspires her today. The multi-skilled businessman taught his great-grandaughter the value of hard work and was a true pillar in Manchester.
Her parents, Robert and Roxanne Patton, were also significant figures in her life who significantly impacted their community.
Roxanne Patton served as an alderman in the city for many years and served in the county mayor’s office until last year. And her mother’s no-nonsense attitude and swag are qualities that Trulick profoundly admires. Her family’s legacy and impact on the community inspire her to make a difference in the world.
“I like her swag. I like how she carries herself. She’s a no-nonsense type of person. She tells it how it is. But she’s still a joy to be around.”
Trulick comes from a family of pioneers. Her cousin, Lonnie Norman, was the first black mayor of Manchester in 1991 and continued to serve for several years. Trulick wholeheartedly carries on her family’s tradition of serving the community as she serves as a chamber ambassador and ALL Corps tutor for Manchester City Schools. Tennessee ALL Corps is an initiative that profoundly impacts kids academically after the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I love being a face of Manchester and being out in the community. I can’t name one thing bad about my job as an ALL Corps tutor. My students make my day every single day,” she said.
“When I was in school, there weren’t any teachers that looked like me. I know that I am there to make a difference.”
Having faced obstacles in her own life as a single mother, Trulick saw firsthand the importance of never giving up on one’s dreams and the critical role education plays in achieving them.
Her path took an unexpected turn when she became a single mother as a student at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) in 2009. Despite taking a break from school to find a job and support her new child, Trulick never lost sight of her dreams. She knew the value of education and was determined to fulfill her aspirations.
Eventually, Trulick returned to MTSU and earned her general studies degree in 2015, a remarkable achievement that spoke to her unwavering commitment to her education. While working at the credit union as a banker, Trulick realized her true calling was elsewhere. She decided to pursue her passion for helping others and became a tutor.
Trulick came to appreciate the significance of representation and diversity in the school system in her later years. Her experiences have inspired her to be a role model for students, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, and she understands the importance of being a source of encouragement and support.
“When I was growing up, I didn’t have any teacher that looked like me at all, and I think that makes a big difference when a child of color sees another person of color in school. That makes them feel more comfortable.”
Trulick understands the importance of representation in the classroom, especially for children of color. She aims to be an influential educator in the Manchester Coffee County area, providing her students with a sense of comfort, knowing they have someone who looks like them to look up to in the classroom. She is committed to positively representing the children she serves, inspiring them to be the best they can be.
Brianna Trulick’s passion for education, combined with her deep roots in the community, makes her an unstoppable force. She is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of her students and is a shining example of the impact that a passionate and committed educator can have. GN
