Nashville Unveils Marker for Tennessee Tribune Founder

A new historical marker on Jefferson Street honors the legacy of publisher Rosetta Miller-Perry.

Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in African-American

Screen-print poster illustration of an empty bronze historical marker plaque on a city street, reflecting a tribute to local history.
Nashville officials unveiled a new historical marker on Jefferson Street on October 24 honoring the legacy of Tennessee Tribune publisher Rosetta Miller-Perry. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Nashville officials unveiled a historical marker on October 24, 2026, to honor Rosetta Miller-Perry and her influential newspaper, The Tennessee Tribune. The tribute recognizes her significant contributions to the local community throughout her career.

Why it matters

This marker serves as a permanent testament to Miller-Perry's role in local media and her dedication to documenting Nashville history. It cements her impact on the Jefferson Street corridor and the broader community she served for decades.

The marker is located at 1501 Jefferson Street, the site associated with the newspaper Miller-Perry founded in 1991. The installation follows her death on June 26, 2026, at the age of 91.

The players

Rosetta Miller-Perry

She was a prominent publisher who founded The Tennessee Tribune and served the Nashville community through her media work.

Vivian Wilhoite

As the Davidson County Assessor of Property, she led the effort to establish the historical marker for Miller-Perry.

Metropolitan Nashville Historical Commission

This official municipal body is responsible for overseeing and approving historical markers within the city of Nashville.

The details

The project was led by Davidson County Assessor of Property Vivian Wilhoite to fulfill a request initiated by Miller-Perry herself. Approval for the installation was granted by the Metropolitan Nashville Historical Commission to preserve the legacy of the publisher who also launched Contempora Magazine in 1990.

Timeline

  1. 1990: Rosetta Miller-Perry launched Contempora Magazine.

  2. 1991: Rosetta Miller-Perry founded The Tennessee Tribune.

  3. June 26, 2026: Rosetta Miller-Perry died at age 91.

  4. October 24, 2026: The historical marker was unveiled.

Culture Shift

This installation aligns with the Metropolitan Nashville Historical Commission marker program to preserve the legacies of local figures. It reflects a growing institutional movement to acknowledge the specific contributions of Black media pioneers to Nashville history.

Residents and visitors can now visit the marker located at 1501 Jefferson Street to learn about the history of the newspaper. The installation serves as a permanent reference point for those exploring the cultural heritage of the neighborhood.

The takeaway

Honoring leaders like Miller-Perry helps maintain the historical narrative of urban corridors. Visitors to Nashville can use such markers to better understand the community figures who shaped the city's media landscape.

Further reading

Learn more about the local history and culture in the Nashville African-American section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by The Tennessee Tribune.

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