STARS Nashville

06/21/2026

Happy Father's Day from STARS!

06/19/2026

Today we honor Juneteenth.

A day of freedom, reflection, and recognition of Black history, resilience, and progress.

At STARS, we remain committed to creating spaces where every young person feels seen, supported, and valued.

06/18/2026

Creativity is what makes our biggest event so unforgettable ✨

Year after year at OZ Arts Nashville, artists have transformed the space into a vibrant, joyful experience full of color, expression, and connection!

We’ll be releasing this year’s artists soon. Stay tuned!

Learn more: starsnashville.org/stars-rising

06/16/2026

We loved having Spotify’s volunteer team with us at STARS🙌

Their incredible team packed more than 1,200 overdose reversal kits and turned a few hours into something joyful, meaningful, and full of impact for our community!!!

We are beyond grateful for partners who show up, jump in, and help make this work possible as we continue building hope, health, and connection for people who need it most!

06/15/2026

We continue our commitment to creating spaces where all young people feel supported, safe, and seen.

Everyone deserves connection, care, and the opportunity to be themselves.

06/11/2026

Just a few highlights from last year's event... ✨

Art to explore! Live entertainment! Delicious bites and thoughtfully crafted sips! Great conversations! And one of Nashville's most unique venues!

On September 29th, STARS' biggest night of the year returns to OZ Arts Nashville for another unforgettable evening, and trust us, you won't want to miss it!

Get the details at starsnashville.org/stars-rising

06/10/2026

We’re thrilled to share that our Co-CEO, Rodger Dinwiddie, will be honored at the 22nd Public Schools Hall of Fame Luncheon, hosted by Nashville Public Education Foundation on August 27th.

Rodger is being recognized for his longstanding leadership and impact in education, youth mental health, and prevention work across our community. His dedication to young people and schools has shaped so much of the work we do at STARS.

We’re so proud to celebrate him alongside other incredible honorees, and we’d love for you to join in recognizing this special moment.

Celebrate with us: https://nashvillepef.org/hall-of-fame/

06/08/2026

A middle school student came to a STARS counselor for concerns about depression, grief, and feeling deeply disconnected from others.

At first, she struggled to put her feelings into words, so art became her outlet. Her earliest piece reflected the weight she was carrying at the time. Through support, encouragement, and a safe space to heal, her artwork began to change alongside her.

Over time, she started smiling more, building friendships, and reconnecting at school in ways her teachers hadn't seen before. Her most recent piece carried a very different message: "You don't have to heal alone."

By the end of her time with STARS, her mother shared she was grateful to "have my girl back."

06/05/2026

We are incredibly grateful to the Cigna Group Foundation for their generous support of STARS and the young people we serve.

This investment helps us continue our mission of providing hope, health, and connection to young people across our community, and we are proud to partner with the in their commitment to improving access to youth mental health resources. Every day, we see students grow in confidence, build meaningful relationships, and feel less alone in what they are facing. Moments like these are what this work is all about.

A special thank you to STARS Board Member Mario Vangeli for his leadership and dedication in helping make this partnership possible.

We are deeply grateful for your belief in this mission and the future of young people across our community.

06/05/2026

We're excited to see our Co-CEO, Sandy Schmahl, featured in Nashville Business Journal's People on the Move!

Sandy's journey from STARS intern to Co-CEO spans 25 years of dedication to young people, our community, and the mission of STARS. We couldn't be prouder of this well-deserved recognition.

Read more about Sandy's story below.

https://starsnashville.short.gy/nbj-sandy

Connect with professionals in the Nashville business community. Nashville People on the Move.