On the Circuit: Goodwill Impact Luncheon

The 2026 Goodwill of Middle Tennessee Impact Awards Luncheon, held recently at Music City Center, brought plenty of smiles, a few tears, and an abundance of inspiration. With the theme “Building Dreams,” the annual gathering celebrated the remarkable resilience of individuals whose lives have been transformed through the power of work, along with the community partners who help make those transformations possible.

Goodwill Vice President of Development Paige Bainbridge welcomed guests, then introduced luncheon co-chairs Jamie Capps and Elizabeth Papel, who enthusiastically modeled outfits they purchased at Goodwill. The fashionably thrifty duo thanked attendees and recognized presenting sponsors Pinnacle and Amazon for their generous support.

President and CEO Matthew Bourlakas offered an exciting glimpse into Goodwill’s new Opportunity Center, a campus of more than 100,000 square feet that will bring career coaching, hands-on training, support services and employer connections together under one roof. Award-winning journalist Rhori Johnston, returning for his 13th year as emcee, then turned the spotlight on the afternoon’s true stars.

Mission in Action Award recipient Chris Brewer overcame a difficult childhood to become a construction instructor at Goodwill. His students affectionately described him as a jelly bean: hard on the outside, soft on the inside. To them, he is more than a teacher. He is family.

David B. Lifsey Scholarship Award recipient America Wilson, a single mother raising a child with autism, found a path to success through Goodwill. After earning her psychology degree from Middle Tennessee State University, she is pursuing her dream of becoming a special education teacher.

Spirit of Goodwill Award recipient Brea Giles demonstrated that independence is a dream worth pursuing. A member of the deaf community, Brea now has a full-time job and her own apartment. Her next goal? Helping others in the deaf community achieve that same independence.

As each honoree shared a deeply personal journey, tears of joy were hard to hold back. Their stories powerfully reminded everyone that with determination, encouragement, and opportunity, dreams can come true.