A Night of Elegance and Hope
On April 20, 2026, the Tennessee and Mississippi Credit Union Association hosted their first annual Boots & Bowties fundraising gala at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, TN. The night wasn’t just filled with elegance and fun, but also inspiration and hope as a portion of proceeds supported a future Inheritance of Hope Legacy Retreat® for young families facing a parent’s terminal illness.
From Family Served to Partnering in Serving Families
The Tennessee and Mississippi Credit Union Association was first introduced to Inheritance of Hope by their Chief Innovation Officer, Kim Bohannon. Kim’s connection to the mission of Inheritance of Hope is more than professional–it’s personal. In May 2015, Kim and her family were served at Inheritance of Hope’s Orlando Legacy Retreat® while her husband Steve faced Multiple System Atrophy (MSA). These memories became especially meaningful for the Bohannon family as Steve passed away just a year later.
The Bohannon family at the Orlando Legacy Retreat® in 2015
Moved by personal experience to give back, Kim has served with Inheritance of Hope in many ways since, including family volunteer, fundraising, and now as a Board Member. Since 2021, she has spearheaded a partnership between the Tennessee and Mississippi Credit Union Association and Inheritance of Hope, colliding two worlds she is passionate about. Through fundraising and awareness efforts, the Tennessee and Mississippi Credit Union Association has partnered with Inheritance of Hope by serving families at the Nashville Legacy Retreat® in 2022 and 2024.
A Look Into the Gala
This year, the Tennessee and Mississippi Credit Union Association hosted their first annual Boots & Bowties gala–a night of country glamor, music, and an emphasis on inspiration and philanthropy. Inheritance of Hope was chosen to be one of the benefiting organizations for this event, with a portion of fundraising going to the mission that Kim so deeply cares about.
During the gala, guests enjoyed an evening on the Opry’s iconic stage, with delicious food, incredible music, and a silent auction to support the benefiting charities. There was also a time of inspiration from speakers, including Inheritance of Hope’s CEO, Aaron Hedges, and family member served, Anthony Brantley II. Anthony is a college freshman whose father has been facing brain cancer since 2020. The family attended the Nashville Legacy Retreat® in 2024 and it truly changed their lives. “Little did I know, that trip would be the most impactful trip of my life. Inheritance of Hope brought back something in my life that was missing, and that was hope,” Anthony shared.
Pictured left to right: Kim Bohannon, Anthony Brantley II, Inheritance of Hope’s National Director Betsy Ogren, and CEO Aaron Hedges
The evening was a full circle moment, not just for Anthony, but also for Kim, who served at the Brantley family’s Legacy Retreat® with the Tennessee and Mississippi Credit Union Association. Anthony shared that Kim has been one of the most supportive people in his life.
The Brantley family making memories at the Nashville Legacy Retreat® in 2024
Beyond the Gala: Bringing Hope to More Families
When reflecting on the Boots & Bowties gala, Kim says that “Bringing more than 220 credit union leaders together at the iconic Grand Ole Opry wasn’t just about celebrating our industry; it was about our shared commitment to the credit union philosophy of ‘people helping people…’ It is a testament to the heart of this community. These funds will go towards providing a life-changing retreat for families served by Inheritance of Hope, offering them a chance to create lasting memories during their most challenging seasons.”
We’re grateful for Kim’s heart to serve more families like her own, and for the Tennessee and Mississippi Credit Union Association’s continued partnership in our mission. Together, more families will experience life-changing hope in the midst of terminal illness.
Anna Conti is the Marketing & Communications Manager at Inheritance of Hope. When she was 15, her dad was diagnosed with a rare stage four cancer. During this time, Anna felt isolated because she did not know any other kids who knew what it was like to have a terminally ill parent. In 2011, the Conti family attended an Inheritance of Hope Legacy Retreat®, an experience that was truly life-changing for them all. Inspired to give back and help other families, Anna served as a volunteer for many years before coming on staff full time in 2021. Anna currently lives in the Atlanta, GA area.