The City of Franklin was recognized June 28 as one of 10 All-America City Award winners by the National Civic League, which presented this honor to recognize Franklin for its work to create a thriving and welcoming community where trust and belonging are abundant. Franklin Tomorrow was proud to partner with the City on the application pursuing the award.
Posing with the plaque naming Franklin a 2026 All-America City by the National Civic League June 28 at the Grand Hyatt Denver are (from left) Joey Echeverria, Frank Harris, April Eaton, Michael Walters Young, Mayor Ken Moore, Mindy Tate, Ritika Bharathan, Teresa Ashworth Harris, Sofia Bailey, Owen Johnson, Photo by Sarah Johnson/Franklin Tomorrow.
“The National Civic League presented this honor to recognize Franklin’s work to create a thriving and welcoming community where trust and belonging are abundant,” said Doug Linkhart, National Civic League president.
“In Franklin, engagement doesn’t stop after the polls close, initiatives such as (Franklin Tomorrow’s) Breakfast with the Mayors and FrankTalks create regular opportunities for residents to engage with one another on local issues. The city is also expanding civic leadership opportunities, strengthening transparency, and creating new pathways for youth participation in public life through its collaboration with Franklin Tomorrow on the Healthy Democracy Project,” he said. 
Earlier this year, communities from across the country submitted written applications showcasing their efforts that not only strengthen civic life and rebuild trust but also address pressing challenges and lay the foundation for a better future. The field was narrowed to 20 finalists and last week, these finalist communities traveled to Denver, Colorado, where they connected and shared insights with peers, learned from national thought leaders, and presented their work to a jury of nationally recognized civic leaders. After careful deliberation, the jury selected 10 winning communities, including Franklin, Tennessee.
The team in Denver included Mayor Ken Moore and Michael Walters Young, City of Franklin Chief Budget & Performance Officer, as well as Joey Echeverria from the Communications Department. Representing Franklin Tomorrow was Franklin Tomorrow CEO Mindy Tate, as well as past Board Chair Teresa Ashworth Harris and Board of Directors members Amy Hilton & April Eaton, Youth Advisory Council members Owen Johnson, Ritika Bharathan and Sofia Bailey, Sarah Johnson, FT Operations Administrator, and Frank Harris.
Franklin previously won the All-America City Award in 2020 in collaboration with Franklin Tomorrow, but the team competed remotely that year.
“This trip really awakened in me a deepening sense of civic pride in our community, but also we made connections with the other cities competing,” Tate said. “This was our first in-person All-America City Awards and the spirit exemplified by each city and enthusiasm for their work in building and strengthening civic trust was like nothing I have ever seen.
“Two cities brought mariachi bands, others told stories of powerful resilience and others showed up with their inflatable snowman, turkey and someone dressed as Michael Myers from Halloween to represent renaming their city to Halloween each October,” Tate continued. “Some cities had teams of more than 50 participants, while there was one community that was only able to send one person to present their story, so we were well-represented.”
In its press release, the National Civic League said of Franklin, “As one of the nation’s fastest-growing cities, Franklin works hard to ensure that growth strengthens the distinct qualities that make it a vibrant hometown. That commitment was tested in 2023 when extremist groups sought to influence local politics. Residents, civic leaders, businesses, and local institutions responded with overwhelming participation, record voter turnout, and a public affirmation of the community’s values.
For Franklin Tomorrow, we will be focusing attention on strengthening youth engagement in the City through our Youth Advisory Council. We of course will continue our events such as Breakfast With the Mayors and FrankTalks, both of which will happen in July.
Franklin Tomorrow’s efforts to participate in the event were supported by Ascension St. Thomas and Atmos Energy as presenting partners. Additional support came from PAPE-DAWSON, Frank & Teresa Ashworth Harris, The Factory at Franklin, the Pam Lewis Foundation and several individuals. In-kind support was received from Southwest Airlines, Twine Graphics, Visit Franklin, Gresham Smith, and Standard Candy Company.
Franklin Mayor Ken Moore celebrates with Sofia Bailey, a Franklin Youth Advisory Council Member, as they enter the ballroom at the Grand Hyatt Denver for the awards ceremony for the National Civic League’s All-America City Awards on Sunday, June 28.
Franklin’s presentation centered on “Building Civic Trust” by construction a city piece by piece. COF Public Outreach Coordinator/Video Production Assistant Joey Echeverria places a piece of the model, which he built.
Mayor Ken Moore, Franklin Tomorrow Board member April Eaton, CEO Mindy Tate and Youth Advisory Council members Sofia Bailey & Ritika Bharathan.