nelson
resource
center
Educational &
Community Outreach Non-Profit
469 S. Washington St., Ripley, TN




​Contact Us: 731.612.9402
nelsonresource.edu@gmail.com
Board Members and Staff
Johnny L. Nelson, M.Ed. | Founder/Executive Director

Born and raised in the Orange Mound community in Memphis, TN, Nelson has always had a passion for education, community service, and helping inner-city youth. In Memphis he worked as Music Director and Youth Leader for several churches before taking on his position as Minister of Music/Media Director at Elam Baptist Church in Lauderdale County. After finally moving to Ripley, TN in 2011, he accepted an offer to teach 6th grade Math at Lauderdale Middle School. Seeking a means to improve the education and social development of youth in the area, he built the first phase of the Nelson Resource Center that summer following his first year of teaching.
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Since then the organization has experienced continuous growth. In 2014 a new building was purchased to house the company, and in 2016 the organization incorporated. The current board and staff works throughout the year to improve programs designed to develop academic and social development among youth and adults in the area.
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Nelson has been actively involved with youth programs and ministries for several churches in Lauderdale County. He has also taught Math, Science, and Business Technology at Ripley Middle School, Lauderdale County Alternative School, Halls Jr. High School, and currently Ripley High School where he has worked in the Business Education department, which is part of the schools CTE Career-Building program. He has also served as advisor to the Student Council and DECA student organizations at RHS.
Before teaching, Nelson worked as a manager, licensed annuity agent, and loan officer for both Regions (Union Planters) and Suntrust (NBC) banks in Memphis, TN. He has several degrees and certifications including an Associates in Business & Finance from Southwest Tennessee Community College, a Bachelor's in Business Management from Kaplan University, a Master's in Education and Graduate Certificate in Instructional Design & Technology from the University of Memphis, and K-12 Administration Certification/License from Bethel University.
In May of 2017, Nelson was appointed by the City of Ripley & Lauderdale County as Trustee over Cleveland St. Park & W.G.L. Rice Park and is currently pursuing a Graduate Certificate in Non-Profit/Local Government Management from the University of Memphis. Nelson was recently rewarded the 2018 Humanitarian Award by the Lauderdale County Branch NAACP & the 2019 You Make A Difference Award by the Lauderdale County Chamber of Commerce.
Advisory Board Members
Johnny L. Nelson
Katie Howard
Alicia Treadwell
Shana Johnson
Courtney Thompson
Janice Treadway
Lawrence Andrews
Romel Andrews
Renea Satterwhite
Julie Balton
Jasmine Thigpen
Rachella Lee
Financial Statements
Program Partners
Lauderdale Co. Health Dept.
UT/TSU Extension Office
United Way Mid-South
Family Resource Center
Elam Baptist Church
Right Choices Right Now
PAL Prevention Alliance
Dollar General Literacy Fund
Save The Children
Wal-Mart
UT Martin Ripley