Jamie Isabel, a businessman and former Metro Council member who fought for greater equity for Black leaders in Nashville government, died suddenly Aug. 11. He was 61.
Isabel founded his own apparel and promotional items company, Dalmatian Creative Agency, which operates the Nashville Threads store in the C concourse at Nashville International Airport.
He served on council from 2003 to 2007. He was an active member of the Black Caucus, which led efforts to have government serve more Black citizens and give contracts to more Black-owned businesses, current and past council members said.
"He was particularly vocal in raising awareness of disparities in Metro’s procurement practices and the barriers facing Black business owners," said Jennifer Gamble,
chair of the Metro Council Black Caucus.
"He worked tirelessly to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within Metro’s procurement processes and to expand access to opportunities for minority contractors," Gamble said in an email. "His advocacy helped bring greater attention to the need for a more equitable approach to how Metro does business and invests in its community."
Former Council Member Ludye Wallace served as a lifelong mentor for Isabel, a Memphis native and a graduate of Tennessee State University, where he started selling clothes.
Nashville property assessor Vivian Wilhoite summed up his legacy:
"He made everyone feel valued," she said. "That is who he was."
Reach Brad Schmitt at brad@tennessean.com.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Civic, community leader Jamie Isabel dies at 61
