Connecting Leaders, Strengthening Tennessee with Leadership Tennessee's Alfred Degrafinreid

On this episode of At Scale, tnAchieves welcomes Alfred Degrafinreid II, President and CEO of Leadership Tennessee, for a conversation about education, public service, statewide collaboration and the kind of leadership that is shaped by listening, service and perseverance.

Degrafinreid’s story begins in Memphis, a city he describes with pride and deep affection. Though he has lived in Nashville for more than two decades, he makes clear that being from Memphis is a lifelong identity. That foundation shaped much of his approach to leadership: direct, service-oriented and rooted in community.

His professional journey spans local, state and federal government, higher education, law, civic engagement and statewide leadership. After attending Tennessee State University as a Presidential Scholar, Degrafinreid went on to earn his law degree and build a career working with elected officials, campaigns, government relations and public policy. Along the way, he developed a deep appreciation for how decisions are made, how communities are impacted and why effective leadership requires both conviction and humility.

Throughout the conversation, Degrafinreid reflects on one of the lessons that has stayed with him: “Do not let someone tell you no who does not have the power to tell you yes.” It is a powerful reminder for students and leaders alike. Perseverance, he explains, is not simply about refusing to hear the word “no.” It is about continuing to ask questions, navigate systems and advocate for what matters.

That mindset has guided his work at Leadership Tennessee, an organization that brings leaders from across the state together to better understand Tennessee’s communities, challenges and opportunities. Degrafinreid describes the program as a place where leaders do not come to become leaders; they come as leaders ready to learn from one another. The value is in bringing people from different backgrounds, geographies and sectors into shared experiences that help them see the state more fully.

For Degrafinreid, that statewide lens matters. Whether visiting Memphis, Northeast Tennessee, Chattanooga, Knoxville, rural communities or urban centers, Leadership Tennessee creates opportunities for leaders to better understand both the strengths communities are proud of and the challenges they are still working to solve. He explains that the work is not about presenting a polished chamber of commerce version of a place. It is about honest engagement with the good, the difficult and the unfinished.

The conversation also highlights the importance of exposure. Degrafinreid recalls experiences through Leadership Tennessee that changed the way he understood issues like adverse childhood experiences, the opioid crisis and regional economic development. Those moments, he explains, may not reveal their full impact immediately. Sometimes leaders realize years later how a specific experience shaped their thinking or prepared them to act.

That idea closely connects to tnAchieves’ work with students. Exposure matters. Whether a student is learning about college, career pathways, civic engagement or leadership, meaningful experiences can shift how they understand their own possibilities. Degrafinreid speaks directly to this when discussing young people, noting that high school is a critical period when students begin making decisions that shape their futures. He emphasizes the importance of helping students understand their own power, especially through education, civic participation and personal agency.

Education is central to Degrafinreid’s story. He describes higher education as a great equalizer and reflects on how his own college experience changed the trajectory of his life. Growing up, college was an expectation in his family, and he credits that expectation, along with his own hard work, with opening doors throughout his career. While he is clear that every student’s path may look different, he encourages students to pursue education or training that aligns with their goals, whether at a community college, four-year institution or technical program.

His message to students is practical and hopeful: invest in yourself, keep learning and choose a path that positions you for the future you want. A degree or credential alone is not enough, he notes, but when paired with hard work, curiosity and persistence, education can expand opportunity.

At tnAchieves, we know that Building Tennessee’s Future Workforce requires more than access to college. It requires leadership, mentorship, exposure, persistence and strong community partnerships. Degrafinreid’s story is a reminder that leadership is not confined to a title. It is found in the willingness to serve, to listen, to keep showing up and to help others see what is possible.

Listen to the full episode of At Scale to hear more from Alfred Degrafinreid II on Leadership Tennessee, the power of education and the importance of connecting leaders across every corner of the state.