Tennessee House honors three 'living legends' named by the Black Caucus

The Tennessee House of Representatives recognized three honorees selected by the Tennessee Black Caucus of State Legislators as its 2026 Living Legend award recipients.

Representative Chisholm introduced House Joint Resolution 994 honoring Reverend Anne Jones Pierre, Dr. Carolyn Baldwin Tucker and Representative Johnny Shaw, saying the awards celebrate decades of community leadership and public service. "These are living legends," Chisholm told colleagues, and urged members to reflect on the contributions the honorees have made across the state.

Reverend Anne Jones Pierre, who the resolution notes retired from the Tennessee Valley Authority after a long career in finance, thanked the House and recounted her Tennessee roots and public service. Dr. Carolyn Baldwin Tucker—introduced as a longtime educator and administrator with Metro Nashville Public Schools and a former interim director of Murfreesboro City Schools—also spoke, offering gratitude and noting the role of family and mentors in her life. Representative Johnny Shaw, whose career the resolution cited dating back to service as a county commissioner and long tenure in the General Assembly, accepted the honor and reflected on his upbringing and service to Tennesseans.

The resolution was read into the record and the House allowed the honorees to address members at the well. Members from multiple regions joined representatives in recognizing Future Farmers of America chapters and other student groups visiting the Capitol during the ceremony.

The ceremony preceded the regular business of the day and closed with applause and photographs on the floor.