09/10/2026
The Tennessee Fair Housing Council (TFHC) extends a heartfelt thank you to the Southeastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (Southeastern Synod ELCA) for their recent donation in memory of our late Board Member the Rev. Dr. Joel Emerson. Joel and his wife the Rev. Dr. Ann Bassett received the Southeastern Synod’s Robert S. and Jean E. Graetz Advocacy award in honor of their work for justice and peace. That work includes their commitment to fair housing.
Ann and Joel were crucial to the establishment of TFHC in 1995. From that point until his untimely passing in 2024, Joel steadfastly served TFHC in multiple roles including as TFHC’s first Executive Director. He also created the long running National Fair Housing Advocate Online which was the nation’s leading website for fair housing news for more than 20 years. In addition, Joel was an active and faithful Board member. Joel’s mark on TFHC remains vivid. It is not surprising that he continues to find ways to support our work.
The accompanying photo from the award ceremony shows from right to left Joel's siblings Jason and Jenny, Ann Bassett, and Jason's wife holding a photo of Joel. Photo description in alt text.
