Our Team

MashUp! was founded on February 20, 2017 by Brian Marshall and is continuing to serve as Chief Executive Officer. Justin Lofton who served as Chief Operations Officer from 2017 to 2018, contributed to establishing the foundations of the organization and creating strategic research partnerships. Eric Jones served as the first Chief Finance Officer until 2018.

Brian Issac Marshall, EdD (He/Him)

Brian Issac Marshall was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee. He is a Behavioral Health Educator and Researcher, Community Organizer, Health Equity Champion, Mentor, Civic Leader, and Motivational Speaker. He is exceptionally passionate about building sustainable and effective programs that address health disparities and provide solutions to eradicate barriers that impact underserved youth, young adults, and families.

Dr. Marshall studied Political Science at Tuskegee University, received his Bachelor's degree in Mass Media Arts in 2008 from Clark Atlanta University, Master's degree in Civic Leadership from Lipscomb University in 2015. He earned a Doctorate of Education in Leadership and Professional Practice from Trevecca Nazarene University in 2021.

Brian's career commenced in 2013 working with low socioeconomic status communities as a Case Manager at the First Response Center (Nashville) on a SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) grant. He had the pleasure of serving over 300 individuals in receiving substance abuse, mental health, housing, and HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment services. In February of 2016, Brian became the Program Coordinator for More to Me at Oasis Center (Nashville), a federally funded Ryan White HIV/AIDS initiative focused on linkage to care, community engagement, education, and empowering LGBTQ high school students of color. 

In February of 2017, Dr. Marshall founded MashUp! Nashville, a 501(c)(3) organization, that works to increase the visibility of rampant health inequities and health disparities of same-gender-loving men and trans-women of color through research and social engagement. In 2018, he served as the lead Community Health Ambassador for the Department of Family and Community Medicine at Meharry Medical College, conducting research with YBMSM (young, black males who have sex with males) in Nashville, TN. He has also served as an overnight volunteer for Nashville Launch Pad, an initiative providing street free sleep to youth between the ages of 18-24.

In the July/August 2018 issue of Focus Middle Tennessee Magazine, Brian was honored to land the cover story for my work in addressing health disparities for underserved populations. He was the 2019 recipient of the Nashville LGBT Chamber Community Service Award. Brian has proudly served on several community health initiatives such as the Community Advisory Board for Vanderbilt Vaccine Trials, My Voice Research Council at the Nashville Cares My House program, Neighborhood Health's Board of Directors Quality Committee, the Mayoral appointed Nashville Regional HIV Planning Council where he currently serves as the Chair of the Needs Assessment Committee, and the Nashville Metro Health Department Ending the HIV Epidemic Equity Workgroup.

Dr. Marshall received the 2019 Nashville LGBT Chamber Community Service Excellence in Business Award and was honored with the 2022 Human Rights Campaign (Nashville) Equality Award.

Jerry Ivery, Esq. (He/Him)

Originally from Memphis, TN, the son of a preacher man, Jerry was born into a life of service. “Ministry is my family’s legacy. We specialize in love.” Although he did not follow his family’s footsteps into clergy hood, Jerry continues to serve his community through his work as a legal advocate, business advisor, and economic developer.

Jerry graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Memphis with a bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems in 2010. In 2014, he earned a Juris Doctor with a special certification in Tax Law from the University of Memphis School of Law. He is a practicing attorney, specializing in corporate operations, tax, and contractual matters. Jerry joined Mashup in August 2020 as the Chief Operating Officer.