The Urban League of Greater Chattanooga has announced the winners of the 2018 Community IMPACT Award and 2018 Inclusion Award. The awards will be presented to the winners at the 36th Annual Equal Opportunity Breakfast presented by BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee and Volkswagen Group of America on Tuesday, Oct. 30, at the Chattanooga Convention Center.
The 2018 Community Impact Award will be presented to Hamilton County Department of Education for their development of the Future Ready Institutes. This award is presented annually by the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga to an organization/business who has launched an innovative program that strives to strengthen Hamilton County communities. Through their Future Ready Institutes, Hamilton County Department of Education has developed a collective impact model that identifies needed and futuristic career occupations, coupled with industry partners to fully engage students, enrich their learning experiences, and prepare them to be successful in college, their careers, and beyond. In the past, this recognition was awarded to the Chamber of Commerce for their recruitment efforts of Volkswagen; EPB for its introduction of the Gig Technology; and Chattanooga 2.0 for its collaborative efforts to insure that all students receive a stellar education, said officials.
The 2018 Inclusion Award will be presented to the founders of Chattanooga Connected, Franklin and Tresa McCallie and Eleanor and Mel Cooper. This award is presented annually by the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga to a business or organization that intentionally seeks out opportunities and provides platforms to improve race relations in our community. Over the past six years, over 1,000 new friendships have been cultivated, business ventures have been developed, initiatives have been developed and supported, and most importantly culture differences have been accepted, appreciated and celebrated through the groundwork laid by the Interracial Dessert Conversations hosted by Chattanooga Connected.
Over 800 business and community leaders are expected to gather to honor the 2018 Awardees the 36th Annual Equal Opportunity Day Breakfast. The breakfast begins at 7:30 a.m. and Janet Marie Stovall, UPS’s executive communications manager and inclusion crusader, will be the keynote speaker.
To purchase a table or to be a sponsor of the 36th Annual Equal Opportunity Day Breakfast call 756-1762, send an email to sales@ulchatt.org, or visit ulchatt.net. Tables start at $800. All proceeds from the event will support the Urban League’s empowerment programs.