Nashville’s New Marquee Entertainment Event Launches Youth Employment Program & Invests in Local Nonprofit

NASHVILLE, Tenn (April 15, 2021) – The Big Machine Music City Grand Prix is ready to put Nashville on an international stage with the inaugural IndyCar urban racing festival coming to Nashville this August 6-8, 2021. While the event will draw racing fans and festival goers from around the globe, it will be an exciting and impactful event for the local community as well.

The Music City Grand Prix team chose to partner with nonprofit Martha O’Bryan Center, whose headquarter campus in East Nashville is located in immediate proximity to the Nissan Stadium campus and the planned temporary street course for the race. Known for their cradle-to-career investments in young people and families, Martha O’Bryan broadens college and career opportunities for youth in Nashville. One big impact piece of the new partnership: a youth employment program that will bring young people inside the production of a first-class sporting event and the work needed to transform the stadium campus and riverfront into a new, world class racing and entertainment experience.

“We are thrilled to get to know some of the young people at the Martha O’Bryan Center and their programs, and are designing this youth program to be more than just a summer job,” said Chris Parker, President at the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix. “They will work in different aspects of event management, gain valuable work experience in various trade careers, and network with some of the dynamic business professionals, entrepreneurs, and investors that make up our ownership group and advisory board. We are truly invested in the goals and mission of the Martha O’Bryan Center.”

In addition to investing directly in the nonprofit, The Big Machine Music City Grand Prix is also donating unique, one-of-a-kind Music City Grand Prix prizes and experiences for a custom online auction starting May 14, with proceeds benefiting Martha O’Bryan Center. “Many of these items will represent priceless experiences and access to personalities and racing that could not otherwise be for sale,” said Parker.

“The Big Machine Music City Grand Prix has already been very generous and intentional about their role as an event that is not just in Nashville, but for all Nashvillians, including the young people we serve in north and east Nashville,” said Marsha Edwards, CEO at Martha O’Bryan Center. “I expect a lot of young people will become lifelong IndyCar fans through this partnership!”

For more information on The Big Machine Music City Grand Prix visit musiccitygp.com or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @musiccitygp. Ticket packages are on sale now. Fans can purchase three-day ticket packages, starting at $119, and festival add-ons at musiccitygp.com/tickets, Ticketmaster.com or by calling the Tennessee Titans’ ticket office at 615-565-4650. 

About Music City Grand Prix
Music City Grand Prix is a three-day international festival of speed and sound featuring an NTT INDYCAR® SERIES, GT America and TransAm series racing events. The event aims to create a comprehensive world-class international destination event that highlights Nashville, Tenn., the Music City and the Mid-South region. It will include music, food, culture and entertainment centered on the speed, technology, skill and excitement of up-close urban INDYCAR and other forms of racing.  As a privately funded event, Music City Grand Prix is owned and operated by 615GP, LLC. More information is available at www.musiccitygp.com.  

About Martha O’ Bryan Center

Martha O'Bryan Center is an anti-poverty non-profit organization with longstanding history and deep community roots, grounded in tradition and strengthened by innovation. Founded in 1894 when Miss O'Bryan organized the Gleaners Society at First Presbyterian Church to support impoverished North Nashville residents, Martha O'Bryan Center has operated from the heart of Cayce Place - Nashville's largest public housing community - since 1948. This is where we continue in service, partnering with families to open doors of hope and possibility, create a culture of attainment, and positively shape future generations. Martha O’Bryan Center serves over 15,000 people annually with its programs in early learning, parent empowerment, youth development, adult education, employment coaching, crisis counseling and public charter schools East End Prep and Explore! Community School.

For more information please visit www.marthaobryan.org.

Martha O'Bryan Center 

711 South Seventh Street Nashville, Tennessee 37206-3895 

www.marthaobryan.org

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Big Machine Music City Grand Prix 

Heather Hourigan, Elicity PR

(317) 345-7110; heather@elicitypr.com
Elise Anderson, Elicity PR

(615) 946-6055; elise@elicitypr.com

Martha O’Bryan Center

Peter Martino, Martha O’Bryan Center
(860) 670-6858
pmartino@marthaobryan.org