Debuting the Bond Street Speaker Series: Enhancing democracy and community through an appreciation of our cultural institutions.
In 1831, Alexis de Tocqueville toured America and visited Charleston in search of the special ingredient that made America’s democracy so powerful. What he discovered was that the glue that created community and civic discourse was its profoundly thriving cultural institutions. Libraries, theaters, museums, and other cultural spaces served as the foundation for civic engagement and public dialogue. This insight is as relevant today as it was then, and the Library Society remains vibrant because of this very truth.
As the inaugural speaker of the Bond Street Speaker Series – whose purpose is to inspire a deeper appreciation for the cultural heritage that fosters community engagement and civic life – Bob Corker, former U.S. Senator from Tennessee, brings a wealth of insight from his leadership on foreign relations and fiscal policy. With prior experience as mayor of Chattanooga and a successful businessman, Corker hosts a wealth of expertise from both the public and private sectors. Corker will reflect on the vital role of cultural institutions in shaping society, fostering community, and strengthening public discourse, offering insights on how leadership in both cultural and civic spaces can enhance shared values.
About Senator Bob Corker
Bob Corker is a successful businessman, former United States senator, and was previously named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by TIME Magazine. Corker represented Tennesseans in the Senate from 2007-2019, where he served as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was very active on the banking committee, and became a national and global thought leader on fiscal, financial, and foreign policy issues. He was Tennessee’s commissioner of finance and mayor of Chattanooga before being elected to the Senate, but he spent most of his life in business. In 1978 at the age of 25, Corker started his own general contracting firm that quickly expanded operations to 18 states. In 1982, he founded the Corker Group, which acquired, developed, built, managed, and leased projects. In 1986, he cofounded and chaired a non profit, Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprise, which has helped thousands of families secure affordable housing. After an extensive public service career, in January of 2019, Corker returned to business. He currently serves as chairman of Rise Partners, which acquires, develops, manages, and leases both commercial and residential projects; is chairman of One-to-One Health, which delivers at work and virtual concierge medicine; and is a special advisor to Jefferies Financial Group, a global investment banking firm. He also serves on the advisory board for several philanthropic and policy-focused organizations including the Aspen Economic Strategy Group and Skyuka Hall, a K-12 school for students with learning disabilities. Corker and his wife Elizabeth reside in Chattanooga.
About the Bond Street REIT Speaker Series
Orchestrated by Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Michael D. Reynolds, who passionately serves as a member of the Board of Trustees and Treasurer of the Charleston Library Society, the Bond Street REIT Speaker Series strives to honor the institution’s cultural enrichment, intellectual exploration and literary legacy through a series of lively discussions and thought-provoking lectures. Bond Street is dedicated to preserving the Charleston Library Society’s renowned collection and historical significance, as an immensely valuable repository of history in the South. Bond Street Real Estate Investment Trust, headquartered in Charleston, is a private real estate investment trust uniquely invested in convenience retail centers across ten states in the Southeast.
