The Story of Papa Joe Bradford and Elijah’s Heart

In a recent conversation, we had the extraordinary honor of sitting down with Joe Bradford, known affectionately to many as “Papa Joe.” Joe is the founder of Elijah’s Heart and Walk of Love, two nonprofits that have touched countless lives in Nashville’s inner-city neighborhoods. Joe and his wife, Denise, have spent over 20 years in some of Nashville’s most impoverished communities, providing food, resources, and hope to families in need. Their mission isn’t just about alleviating hunger but breaking cycles of poverty, hopelessness, and neglect—one small act of love at a time.

From Computer Hacker to Community Advocate

Joe’s journey is far from typical. Raised in Nashville, he was an honors student and an early computer prodigy. In the 1980s, he became one of the country’s first hackers, which eventually led to legal trouble. Reflecting on that chapter of his life, Joe acknowledges how it reshaped his path. He served time in prison, and though his trajectory was drastically altered, Joe’s resilience led him back to Nashville, where he eventually started his family and dedicated his life to serving others.

Yet, Joe’s life took another unexpected turn when he was diagnosed with a rare kidney disease, which required a transplant. His three-year-old son’s faith encouraged Joe to take the risk of a transplant, which ultimately saved his life. This experience of faith, love, and second chances became foundational in his mission, leading him and Denise to start Elijah’s Heart, a nonprofit aimed at addressing basic needs like hunger and literacy within Nashville’s underserved communities.

Walk of Love: A Movement to Feed and Inspire

When Joe and Denise moved into a Nashville neighborhood with high rates of poverty and food insecurity, they discovered a pressing need: hunger. Kids were showing up on their doorstep looking for food and support, and Joe and Denise’s home quickly became a refuge. What started with a few meals grew into a full-scale hunger relief program known as Walk of Love.

Through Walk of Love, Joe and Denise don’t just distribute food—they bring hope, consistency, and compassion. Volunteers deliver food and personal care items to every single door in housing projects and low-income communities, creating a safe and welcoming presence. Their Walk of Love events often resemble block parties, drawing the entire community together. And for Joe, the ultimate goal is not only to feed the stomachs of those in need but to inspire their hearts and minds. His vision is a Nashville where everyone can dream big and break free from generational poverty.

Addressing Challenges Beyond Food

For Joe, providing food is just the beginning. He describes it as the “key” to engaging the community. Through his work, he’s observed that hunger opens the door to addressing other essential issues—like education, job skills, and the role models kids need to imagine a brighter future. Elijah’s Heart offers literacy programs and resources to help youth build the foundational skills they need to succeed in school. Joe also brings in volunteers and mentors from all backgrounds, showing kids that there’s more to life than what they see in their neighborhoods.

In our conversation, Joe shared how vital it is to bridge the gap between residents and opportunities. This mission extends even to small things like consistent phone service, which many families in his community struggle to afford. Without a stable way to communicate, it’s nearly impossible for families to connect with resources or for kids to access remote learning. Joe’s grassroots approach to tackling these “small” issues, like ensuring phone and internet access, exemplifies his commitment to making real, sustainable change in Nashville.

A Lasting Legacy of Love and Transformation

For 20 years, Papa Joe and Denise have tirelessly served the community, often in the face of systemic challenges. Joe’s ability to connect with gang leaders and build trust across Nashville’s toughest neighborhoods has brought peace, stability, and opportunities where there were once only barriers. His story of redemption and resilience continues to inspire both his children and community volunteers, who are now stepping into leadership roles within the Walk of Love and Elijah’s Heart programs.

Joe has also inspired change on a national level. Since the release of his film Unconditional, Joe has connected with communities across the country and even the world. His work has become a blueprint for addressing hunger and poverty, bringing people together with the unifying message of love.

How You Can Help

Joe’s message to anyone who wants to get involved is simple: be aware and take action. Nashville may be growing rapidly, but thousands of residents still face daily challenges that most of us will never see. Volunteering with Walk of Love or supporting Elijah’s Heart are ways to make a tangible difference in people’s lives. In Joe’s words, “People don’t know how to help, but when they know, they want to.”

Joe’s story reminds us that true change happens when people show up consistently. It’s not just about a one-time act of kindness; it’s about building relationships and breaking down barriers, one step at a time. To learn more about Joe’s work or get involved, visit Elijah’s Heart and Walk of Love to find out how you can be part of this incredible movement of hope, compassion, and community transformation.