Tena Clark
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Tena Clark is a songwriter, producer and published author who has written and produced music for the legendary Aretha Franklin, President Barack Obama, Secretary Hillary Clinton, Maya Angelou and even NASA. From humblebeginnings as a drummer and engineer in rural Mississippi, to being discovered by Stevie Wonder and mentored in Hollywood, Clark has written and produced for some of the greatest musical legends in the world, including Chaka Khan, Dionne Warwick, and Gladys Knight. Clark won a Grammy for her work with Natalie Cole and was nominated for a Grammy with Patti LaBelle.
Clark has written award-winning songs, contributed to multi-platinum movie soundtracks including Hope Floats,The Five Heart Beats, Where the Heart Is, and My Best Friend’s Wedding. Clark’s work spans film, television, stage, records, and global brands.
Clark is a visionary currently reimagining Dunaway Gardens, a historic property in Newnan, Georgia, into a luxury retreat that will inspire creativity and nourish the human spirit. Clark is honoring the lineage of visionary women and will restore Dunaway Gardens’ vast natural beauty while honoring the legacy of entertainment. The 350 acre, 108-year-old property will include a 700-seat historical amphitheater, recording studios, three state of the art soundstages, an 18,000 square foot event center, a screening room, luxury lodge and treehouses, elevated fine dining, a spa, and an organic tea farm. Dunaway Gardens will open in 2025.
Clark presently serves on the board of directors for the National Women’s History Museum, USC Annenberg Diversity and Inclusion, the advisory board for the Grammy Museum and Committee of 200. Clark is the CEO of DMI Music & Media and lives with her wife, Michelle LeClair, and family in Chattahoochee Hills, Georgia.