Oral History Interview with Attorney Tanisha Nunn Gary, President and CEO of the African American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida

Orlando is a wonderful place to visit not just for vacations. Love to come and we’re going to hit all the theme parks: Sea World, Universal, Disney. But also, to bring conventions. You know, if you are looking to bring your social or professional convention or family reunion. This is a city where you are welcome and there will be plenty of for everyone. So, collectively I see us together as a community, working to make sure that Orlando is the place that everyone wants to come many and many times throughout their life. It’s a place where once you come once, you’ll want to come back for sure. Excerpt from an Oral History Interview with Attorney Tanisha Nunn Gary, President and CEO of the African African Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida, February 29, 2024.

Photo of Tanisha Nunn Gary at the Downtown Orlando Partnership Women’s Business Forum, March 20, 2024 at the Citrus Club in downtown Orlando. Pictured from left to right are moderator, Karla Ray, WFTV Anchor and Reporter, Panelists: Tanisha Nunn Gary, President of the African American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida, Misty Heath, Executive Director, SODO District Orlando, Marie Mercato, Co-Founder of Greenery Creamery & Sampaguita Ice Cream, Jill Vaughan, President and CEO of the Orlando Economic Partnership, and Anne-Marie Hayward, Publisher and Market President of the Orlando Business Journal.

Attorney, Tanisha Nunn Gary is the President and CEO of the African American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida(AACCCF). She leads regional outreach for the Chamber, which encompasses six counties. In her professional work as Attorney-At-Law, Tanisha served as principal of a private law firm focused on all aspects of litigation for wrongful death, product liability and medical negligence cases. Her solo practice and work as a Senior Associate with Gary, Williams, Parenti & Gary, landed multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts including the largest wrongful death verdict in North Carolina’s history. Tanisha Nunn Gary is an Honors Graduate of Spelman College and Quinnipiac University School of Law. She currently resides in Central Florida and is an active member with many civic and professional associations including the Florida Association of Chamber Professionals, The Florida Bar, Truist Advisory Board, Orlando Economic Partnership Board, and Enterprising Black Orlando. She is also a Life Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., The Orlando (FL) Chapter of The Links, Inc., a Member of the National Alumnae Association of Spelman College and a Member of the Orlando Chapter of Jack and Jill of American.

Listen as Tanisha Nunn Gary, President of the African American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida elucidates her vision of success for our region and our future leaders!

My name is Tanisha Nunn Gary, I was born in Blackshear, Georgia. I grew up in Blackshear. It’s a very small town in southeast Georgia about an hour and fifteen minutes from Jacksonville, Florida.

What was your neighborhood like?

Small town, so population about 3,000 thousand. And so, you can imagine it’s a town where everyone knows everyone. My neighborhood was just the most loving place you can imagine. You know, family living nearby. My great aunt lived across the street, my grandmother, uncles. And so, it was just a place that was great: Family, friends. We went to like a neighborhood church. And just to have that sense of community. I could walk to school. It was wonderful.

What did your parents do for a living?

My mom was a LPN, a Licensed Practical Nurse.

And my dad worked in construction and still does. He’s been an entrepreneur his whole life. So I think that’s probably how I somehow ended up here at the Chamber. My dad tells stories how he was an entrepreneur as a kid working with his father who would have a fruit stand and things like that would sell fruit from the farm. So my dad ended up having a small construction company where he would buy and flip homes in Atlanta and he’s been doing that now for probably about 40 years.

And he’s been successful?

He’s been very successful in it. Yeah, I’m very proud of him.

Do you know the name of the company?

Yes, it’s named after him, Nunn Construction, family name.

Did he talk to you about business when you were growing up?

So I grew up in Blackshear, my dad is originally from Blackshear, both of my parents. They were high school sweethearts. They did divorce. And so, he moved to the city. He moved to Atlanta. I would spend summers with him in Atlanta. And so, I got a taste, a bug of the city life. I think those summers and Christmas breaks and things like that. I would see him working you know, so I was exposed to it. Maybe at the time I didn’t realize how much, but I definitely was exposed to him and his business.

And you probably saw some of the businesses in Atlanta as well?

Absolutely. I remember a few of the first homes that he flipped. Because sometimes my dad and my stepmom would stay in the home while he was flipping them, you know preparing them to be flipped. And I remember thinking, oh my gosh, these are so beautiful why would you want to move. But, yes, definitely saw him working. And just really proud, he’s kind of self taught and self made; to teach himself how to lay tile and how to do all of those things. Of course, now in later years, he’s not doing it. He has more of a team to do that. But he’s really just grown the business and he’s trying to get us all involved in it in some way.

You mentioned your great aunt lived across the street, and so did you know your grandparents did they live in the same area?

Absolutely. Both of my grandmothers did. I actually have three grandmothers. But I’m proud to say they are all still alive. I actually have one that turned 100 on February 27. One grandmother, my father’s mother who lived in Blackshear until recently now she’s in Atlanta with her son, with my dad, but she will be 100 in October. And then my mother’s mother, and I’m super close to her because we lived in the home together growing up, she will be 96 in October. And along with my great aunt who is 80. I don’t know if they’re going to like me telling their ages. But no, its fine.

“A true blessing…”

But along with my great aunt I feel like all of those woman poured so much into me. And when I think about my childhood and some of the things I do now it’s because of things I learned from them. And I am so appreciative to have that support growing up and even throughout my adult life and now. And that my son, I have a 15 year old son, he can honestly say, he knows his great grandmothers, which is a true blessing.

What are they like?

You know, they are southern women. We’re in the south, and so I love that growing up in any southern home you had that magazine Southern Living. And I loved to read that magazine. A lot of the recipes I have I think probably came from there. And so, you know, really just teaching me true basic values that I still feel like I take to heart and hopefully I’m passing on to my son as well. But being a good person. Being focused in the community. And although we never intend to hurt anyone, but really try to do your best to be kind. To work hard. Those basic values. Whatever you do work hard at it. Make sure you give back to others and you serve in some capacity. Whatever you do give it your all.

Holidays: Family, Food and Fun!

But some of my fondest memories were like the holidays. Cooking, I mean you name it, we had every kind of cake and pie you can imagine. And coming from Georgia where pecan trees are huge we would pick up pecans and we would crack them. And we would make pecan pies and all kinds of cakes: German chocolate cakes, pound cakes, carrot cakes, red velvet cakes. So I loved the holidays it was filled with family and food and fun.

Loving Family and Community

And, you know, although Blackshear is a very small town, you know it’s a farming town. It’s agriculture. It’s not a lot of big lights city, none of that. We would have to go to Savannah or Jacksonville for more of those things. I think growing up I really did feel like I had all that I needed, and I attribute that to the loving family and community that I had.

What was a typical Sunday like for you growing up?

Sunday I would attend Sunday School at Scotts Chapel United Methodist Church along with my best friend Cicely. My neighbor who lived behind us, Miss Sally, played the piano. I sang in the choir. It was probably one of my favorite days of the week because it was again it was a time to get together with people at Church which you probably saw on your street anyway or even at school. But we went to Sunday School and then after Sunday School it was Church. And this was back during the time when Church was almost all day. You started in the morning, you went to Sunday School, then after Church, then a break, you ate and then you came back for evening service. I can’t say that’s one of the things I still do to this day. But growing up, that was really something that I think really helped to form my foundation.

Were you active in community organizations as a youth? Is that how you developed your leadership or was that in Church or was it through the strong matriarchal roles or a combination?

Oh, I love that question. You know, I believe that one of the many things Church can do for young people is I think that was my first opportunity to have public speaking. And what a place to do it. Where you know no matter what you do, if you stumble, if you fall, the Church congregation is going to cheer you on. And so, you know, we had a lot of opportunities in Church to speak. If it was Youth Day, you know, you could do a reading or maybe even a sermon or introduce the speaker. If it was the holidays, you know we always had a Christmas play or a Christmas pageant. And so, you would perform in front of the Church in some capacity.

Easter Festivities

The same thing for Easter when we memorized speeches or we did these huge Easter plays where we had parts that you had to know.

So I really do think Church was the introduction to kind of get me comfortable in front of a group. And like I said that’s the best place, I think, the safest place to do it.

“There’s Nunn Better Than Tanisha Nunn for Class Secretary“

And then from there I remember in my school back then elementary school went until sixth grade. We called it junior high I know it’s middle school now, with seventh and eighth grade. And high school was ninth grade of course through twelfth grade. But we had like student government in middle school and that was the first time I ran for office. And I’m trying to think, I think it was in fifth grade I ran for Secretary and won and loved it. I remember my campaign slogan was: “There’s Nunn Better Than Tanisha Nunn for Class Secretary.” So that slogan kind of stayed with me throughout high school and I used it several times. But that was kind of my first intro into leadership. And I loved it. I always enjoyed school. I loved to study. Who loves to study? But I did. I love to learn new things. I liked to compete.

Science Fair Projects

I remember the Science Fair would be one of my favorite times of the year. I remember having those poster boards with the sides on it. One of my favorite all time Science Fair Projects I believe was in fourth grade and it was how to show that plants give off water. And I must of had so many plants around the house because I was testing them all to see how they gave off water. And those were just fun times. And I think of that even with my son where school is different now and I feel like it’s much even more challenging now than it was then. The level of where they’re doing things and I remember thinking you’re taking this class in eighth grade? I didn’t take that until tenth grade.

Solid Foundation

But I always say to him, “Enjoy this time. Learn so much. Be involved. These are the years that you’re going to really have a solid foundation and you’re just going to build upon it.” I was telling him that even in preschool. But now that he’s a freshman in high school, I’m like, “I know it’s a lot of work but try to enjoy it. Have fun.” Because I do look back and I know that it was some of the best years and a lot of those lessons I still carry with me today.

And it’s helped you to accomplish a lot.

Thank you. I believe so. You know I think about once I went on through junior high and high school I was very involved in Student Council. I was one of the editors for the yearbook. I served as Class Secretary all four years of high school. I was homecoming queen my senior year. And then actually represented my school in the state homecoming pageant where they had all the homecoming queens from the public schools across the state of Georgia and I ranked in the top ten there. It was just the best time. We would go to the statewide Student Council Conventions which were so much fun.

Mary Lott Walker, Government Extraordinaire

Our advisor Mary Lott Walker, I will never forget her, God bless her soul, she passed in the last two years. But she poured a lot into us about leadership. And she was our Government Extraordinaire for the high school and taught us about government and politics. But, yes, I believe a lot of that really set the foundation and is helping me here in my role at the Chamber and in other roles I have in life.

Going on with your educational experience, your time at Spelman College was that a time of further leadership? Would you tell us about your experience there?

I will and I’ll tell you though, you know, when I got to Spelman, it was my number one first choice for schools. I was super excited to be accepted and to go. This was some years ago. I went in 1992. And I was used to coming from my high school where I had excelled academically and in leadership. And I’ll tell you when I got to Spelman, all the young ladies had excelled academically, which was great. But I will be honest with you. I ran for office that year, probably using that same slogan: “There’s Nunn Better Than Tanisha Nunn” and I lost. And I will tell you that was kind of the first wake up call, like, hey, you’re in a place where everyone’s doing amazing things. But, I loved it.

I have some amazing friends. My best friends are from those college days. My good friend Evelyn Williams who lives in Connecticut. She lived across the hall from me freshman year along with her roommate Latoya Sells and we’re all still good friends. We actually have a cruise coming up where we’re going to spend a few days in Seattle and then we’re taking an Alaskan cruise in June. But that was an amazing time, too, to develop some good friendships and learn and grow. You know being away from home for the first time. Being in Atlanta. I had been there before to visit, but actually living there.

Making New Friends

And, being exposed to people from all different parts of the country and even internationally. You know I quickly made friends from, you know, my roommate freshman year was from New Jersey. She taught me about music I’d never heard before because they didn’t play that on the radio in Blackshear. And then I taught her about all the rock and roll and country that I grew up on. So I think about all of them. And even now I look at what they’re doing. And they continue to inspire now as they did then.

I have another good friend, Dr. Andrea Lewis, who I met freshman year. We travel a lot with our sons. We took them to DC together last year. We took them to the Bahamas.

It’s just, it was a great place to create a nice network of sisterhood. And, I think, it really to kind of helped me to begin to come in to my own as I moved into a different phase of life.

How did you happen to come to Orlando?

So let’s see, after I left Spelman I ended up going to law school in Connecticut, Quinnipac University School of Law in Hampton, Connecticut. And my son’s father, who was – I met him in law school – he’s my former husband, he transferred to the law school, so I met him there and he’s from Florida. So we ended up, I had planned to move to New York, he convinced me to come to Florida. And so, I actually worked for my former father-in-law for many years.

Orlando is a Welcoming City

And so, at some point I just wanted to do something different and so moved here to Central Florida in 2010, but I was still practicing law. I’m not practicing law here in Orlando, most of the cases I have are out of state. But I was living here and really did just love it. Just love the community. I think Orlando is a welcoming city. Central Florida is very welcoming. And it’s been a good place to live, work, and play and to raise my son.

You did open your own solo practice, could you tell us about that? That’s a major accomplishment.

It is. It is. So after I left the law firm, I wanted to work for myself. And I did that for almost four years. And it was a great time because also it was at a time when I was trying to balance being a mom, a single mom with a very young son. So it allowed me to set my own schedule and all of that. And I also think it was a good place for me to be because I didn’t know what was ahead.

Understanding the Challenges and Successes of Business Owners

But when I was offered this position at the Chamber, I now know what it is like to be a business owner. Because I started the practice for myself and wore many different hats. So it now allows me to relate to my Chamber members and some of the challenges and successes that they have. Because, you know, we look at business owners and we may see, like oh, they’re doing well. But behind the scenes, you know, what can really go into that. So, it was a great next step for me both personally and professionally. And again, I think, all steps are ordered and that was one that was ordered for me and I believe it was to put me in line for the position I am in now.

As an advocate for Business Development and Economic Empowerment what do you see as the strengths of this region?

Well, a few things. This region really does invest resources into helping businesses. Both entrepreneurs that are startups: whether if you have an idea or if you already have a business and you’re looking to scale and grow it, I believe as a whole this region has a lot of resources. One, where we are sitting now is the National Entrepreneur Center which celebrated 20 years last year. And now, you know, we’re at 21 years and this hub is an amazing place of resource partners that are here to help businesses of all different levels.

So, you know, we have all different Chambers. We have the African American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida. We have the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando. The Asian American Chamber. The Pride Chamber. The Haitian American Chamber. We have SCORE, SBDC, FSMSDC. So all of us here are here to assist those who either want to start a business or if you’re looking to grow your business or if you just need some entrepreneur training and development.

Orlando Economic Partnership

We also have the Orlando Economic Partnership that really does drive, bring in more powerhouses and big businesses here to our region. They do an amazing job there. And so, I applaud both our elected officials who really are at the forefront making sure that we stay here pushing economic development.

Visit Orlando

As well as Visit Orlando, those who are out on the frontline making sure that we show the world that Orlando is a wonderful place to visit not just for vacations. Love to come and we’re going to hit all the theme parks: Sea World, Universal, Disney. But also, to bring conventions. You know, if you are looking to bring your social or professional convention or family reunion. This is a city where you are welcome and there will be plenty of for everyone. So, collectively I see us together as a community, working to make sure that Orlando is the place that everyone wants to come many and many times throughout their life. It’s a place where once you come once, you’ll want to come back for sure.

I think that’s true.

Yes.

Related to what you said about people coming for training and development for entrepreneurs, because some people may not know everything that you all offer, is there a cost for that or if you’re an entrepreneur can anyone come?

For the Chambers, most of us, there is a cost; there’s a membership that’s involved. We may have some activities that may be open for nonmembers. But most of what we do is for our members and if you wanted to come usually there may be a small cost to come as a nonmember. But SBDC, you know you can make an appointment to go there, same with SCORE. You know if you are thinking about opening up a business you can go there. SCORE would be good to sit down with them; that’s at no cost. They have some amazing workshops. Lois and her team they do a great job. And so most of those are at little to know cost. It’s kind of different depending on which organization, but there are a lot of resources here that are at no cost. And if there is a cost it could very minimum.

And for someone doing business, they’re going to want to make that investment just as you would for overhead and other types of business costs because there is networking, there is training. Could you tell us a little bit about what you offer?

Yes, so that’s a great point. It is an investment in your business. And even if you’re not a business owner but you’re an individual professional, it’s an investment in your personal and professional development as well. And so, it’s an opportunity for you to come and to meet different people that perhaps you might not have the opportunity to meet. You know, it’s not a time to just come and socialize that’s not what we are. It’s about B2B business. It’s about networking. You know what other place can you come and meet – you know you’ve got members from the big organizations here locally like the Travel + Leisure, like the Disneys, like Orlando Health, Orlando Magic.

Contracting Opportunities

And then you also have members here that represent our governmental entities. We have someone on our board from, GOAA, the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority. We have someone from the city, the county. So, you know, it’s a great way to come, and especially if you are a small business or entrepreneur, and maybe you are looking to see if there are any contracting opportunities with these organizations. People like to do business with those they know. And so, you don’t just all of a sudden wake up and someone says, “Here come do business with us.” You have to take the time to build relationships and I always say Chambers, and I’m partial to our Chamber is a great place to come and do that.

Can you tell me a little bit about your work? You are working regionally, so do you go to regional Chamber meetings and then national?

So we are part of the U.S. Black Chamber, so that’s a Chamber that we are part of as well. And we have monthly meetings with them and all the the other heads of Black Chambers in the United States. But then there’s a Florida Association of Black Chambers that was started by the President Shaheewa Jarrett out of the Broward County Black Chamber and so we have collectively, and this was just our third year, we have collectively gone to Tallahassee for Black Chamber Day to advocate for black businesses all over the state of Florida.

National Entrepreneur Center Chamber of Commerce Partnerships

But then here through the NEC we partner with our other Chambers here to make sure that we are collectively working together to bring our members together.

Last year in partnership with the Hispanic Chamber we participated in a speed networking event. So our members along with their members could take time to network. It was wonderful because with the speed networking in between each session, there was like a short minute like a power speaker to speak. So they got some like professional training and development with it. And then also, I serve on the board of the Orlando Economic Partnership which is great for us so that I can kind of be in the room and hear what’s going on. What’s next about our region. And so, those are all ways that really helps us stay engaged here. And as you know, at the NEC we all kind of keep each other apprised of what’s going on. What are the trends here locally, as well as on a state level and nationally.

You are doing a lot! Is it very inspiring? Because when I look at the Orlando Economic Partnership I am always so inspired. I grew up here, but I am continually inspired by what they do. Was it the “Unbelievably Real”? It was like they totally got it!

Oh, Jane, they totally got it. Kudos to Tim Giuliani, President and CEO of the Orlando Economic Partnership and his team because it is unbelievably real what they are doing. You even see, you know, in their new office where they’re really just taking us to the next century really on where we should be as a community and what we should be driving. Whether it is AI, in the automobile industry, just all of those cars that you don’t have to have a driver. All those things that now are a part of our community, a lot of that starts with them. And so, you know collectively with the different elected officials, our mayors, our city and county commissioners, you know, just looking to make sure that Orlando is moving in to where we want to be. We’re known for tourism which is amazing, but we’re now known for other things, too, in addition to tourism.

I can see that. When you talk about the AI it seems like that’s part of the inherited infrastructure that came with the tech, Lockheed Martin, the simulation industry, not far from here the Naval Training Device Center, you know all of that. So it seems like that’s part of our cultural history as well. It’s business but it’s also part of the culture of this area.

Yes.

So relating to historic businesses the accomplishments of the historic Parramore area and the local businesses there, so what possibilities do you see for our region for continuing local, because you work with small business and your work with big business, software companies or also, maybe another law firm. There are a lot of possibilities there. And in your role with the Commerce they cover all of that, is that right?

That’s correct. So you know it’s incumbent upon all of us to try to support small businesses. And we can do it in several ways. You know if you are looking for someone to paint your house. You know, go on the Chambers website, you can look at the directory and find someone. If you’re looking for a new restaurant to try, go on the Chamber’s website and look under restaurants. And so, I always say that small businesses are really the cornerstone of any community. When you support a small business you are keeping dollars locally. And you are supporting your local community. Often times small businesses hire right from within their community. You know, streets within the community, so you’re helping with employment. You know, they give back in their community. Often times small businesses support the schools in their community. They may sponsor things for PTA. They may sponsor something for the teachers. So any of that, so they pour back into the community. We all want to make sure we have strong communities, and we can do our part by supporting small businesses.

I love your answer! It’s wonderful.

So, what advice do you have for young leaders? You know, this could be to your son or this could be to other young leaders as they begin their future.

So I truly enjoy, every year OCPS, Orange County Public Schools has Teach-in. I think it’s like every November. I look forward to that. So back when I was practicing law, I would take my little mock trial to different classes, and now I speak more about business and entrepreneurship. What I say when I speak to kids and teens is, you know, start developing your leadership skills and honing in on who you are now. The course may change over time, but those values, that foundation that you create, you can start now. It doesn’t start when you graduate from high school, it starts now.

School Clubs and Activities for Everyone

And so, whatever that looks like, if you are a kid who, “I don’t want to be in every single traditional club” – I look at what they offer now in school and there’s something for everyone. So you really just have to find what it is that you’re passionate it about. If it’s photography, join the photography club. You know, if its SGA and you want to plan homecoming and all of those activities for the school, join SGA. If you enjoy playing instruments, join the band, become part of the marching band. Try to become a section leader so that you lead your section. If it is that you love football, try to be on the football team. See if you can be one of those athletes who shows the others, and the coaches, hey, I’m doing my school work, I’m working hard. Whatever it is that you enjoy doing, there is something there for you in school.

Develop Leadership Skills

I think there’s an opportunity for every young person to develop their leadership skills. And it’s incumbent upon all of us as adults who are investing in them, to encourage them to do so and help them find their passion. You know, for some it comes easier than others. It’s hey, I know I like this. My son, he’s like, I want to be in the biology club. He loves science. He wanted to be in the marching band. He wanted to play the percussion. He’s on the wrestling team. I’ve let him choose. Would I have chosen wrestling? Absolutely not. I was pushing for golf, but he loves it. And I’ve asked him, “Well was it that you like about wrestling?” And he said, “Mom, I like the camaraderie with my teammates. I like that I’m in great physical shape. I’m eating healthy. I’m working out.” And he said, “And I like the coach and the life lessons he’s teaching me.” So what could I say to that? Other than, wrestling it is. Let’s get to it. He found that that’s something he enjoys.

Encouraging Leadership and Invest in Success

So encouraging them to find whatever niche it is that they like and then helping them succeed at it. You know fortunately, I had people in my life who really could invest in me and investment isn’t always money. It’s about time as well. But for others, they may not. And so, I challenge all of us to go into communities where they may not have someone helping them really figure out their passions. Volunteer for Teach-in. Volunteer to be mentors, whatever it is that looks like for you. Try to just reach back and make sure you’re investing. Because we all know that these kids are going to be the ones taking care of us one day in some capacity and we want to make sure we’re helping all kids not just our own in our own home or in our own neighborhoods. But we’re providing opportunities for all kids. And a lot of the organizations I’m in, that’s what I’m involved in is, you know, how do we give back and support the youth in the community.

Tanisha Nunn Gary is a member of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. of Orlando. Jack and Jill of America is “a membership organization of mothers with children ages 2 – 19, dedicated to nurturing future African American leaders by strengthening children through leadership development, volunteer service, philanthropic giving and civic duty” according to their mission statement.

Do they ever come to visit you here?

I have had a few of them have shadowed me and that’s been pretty awesome, too. You know, sometimes it’s for a school project. But, yes, we’ve had a few summer interns in the last few summers from high school and even a few from college. A few from high school and then we’ve had some to come and shadow us that were in high school as well. That’s always fun. You know, for them to come and see what it’s like. Even see, not just here at the Chamber, but the entire National Entrepreneur Center.

Well, thank you for your leadership and the contributions you are making in the state of Florida. We are honored to have an oral history interview with you during Black History Month as representative of African American achievement in the City Beautiful. Thank you so much for all that you are doing. It is a pleasure to meet you.

Thank you. It is a pleasure to meet you. And again it is my honor to sit in this role and to serve the community. And I look forward to many more years of giving back as those who have given to me. Thank you.

Interview: Tanisha Nunn Gary

Interviewer:  Jane Tracy

Date: February 29, 2024

Place: African American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida at the National Entrepreneur Center

Back to top