launched the newspaper, the TENNESSEE TRIBUNE. Both publications were created to
specifically to serve Nashville’s diverse African American community. The Tennessee Tribune
continues to highlight the African American community locally, regionally and nationally. Like
her publications, Miller-Perry has spread her positive influence locally, regionally and nationally.
After being denied funds from local banks, Miller-Perry invested $70,000 from her personal
savings into the young newspaper. With plenty of blood, sweat, tears and hard work, she’s
watched the once fledgling newspaper become the most influential African American publication
in Tennessee.
Rosetta Irvin Miller-Perry is the daughter of the late Anderson and Mary Irvin. She was born
in Coraopolis, PA. where she worked during high school as a dinner assistant for a Pittsburgh
judge. After graduating from Coraopolis Senior High School, Miller-Perry served in the United
States Navy, married, had three children and obtained an undergraduate degree from Memphis
State University (currently known as University of Memphis). She was among the first few
African American students to graduate from Memphis State University more than forty years
ago. Miller-Perry later moved to Washington D.C. to attend Howard University Law School.
Shortly afterwards, she worked for the United States Commission on Civil Rights and moved
south where she divided her time between Memphis and Nashville serving as Director of the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission under Clarence Thomas, now on the
Supreme Court. It was after retiring from the EEOC when she decided to begin a new career as
a publisher. In 1990, she and her husband, Dr. Ludwald Orren Pettipher Perry (TN First Black
Gastroenterologist) founded Perry & Perry Associates Inc.
Over the years, Rosetta Miller Perry has received countless numbers of awards and accolades
both locally and nationally. Because of her stand in the community, in 2005 Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen appointed her to the Tennessee Ethics Panel. She was recently honored by Ford Motor Company, Freedom Sisters Celebrating Women of Achievement. Tennessee Business Magazine cited her as being one of Tennessee’s Movers and Shakers. She is the only African American Female selected as 100 top leaders in Nashville by the Nashville Post’s 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013. Among her numerous educational awards, includes The Rosetta Miller Award was established over 50 years ago by Memphis State University (University of Memphis) and has been given annually to a deserving female student with superior academic grades regardless of race.
