Dennis Clark will lead up the community’s newest efforts to reduce violence and create opportunities in urban areas. The newly formed Chattanooga Urban Policy Institute is a non-profit social service, policy and public health initiative aimed at reducing violence and creating economic opportunities for African Americans and minorities in urban communities with the mission to eliminate social and economic barriers to good health and prosperity through policy change and evidence-based initiatives by leveraging data, research and mental health best practices to improve the lives of society's most vulnerable individuals, said officials.
Mr. Clark, a former Tennessee state house candidate and non-profit leader at various organizations including Hope for the Inner City, Tennessee Temple University and the Public Education Foundation, says “this work is near and dear to his heart.” In 2016, Mr. Clark lost his brother to gun violence in East Chattanooga. He says, "We have to work to help change lives or we will continue to lose them. Chattanooga gun violence amongst African Americans males is a continuous public health crisis and as a community, we must enact bolder solutions and expect better outcomes."
To kick things off, the Urban Policy Institute will host the city’s first “Policy Pitch Night”, hosted by Chattanooga City Councilman Anthony Byrd who is also the chairman of the board for the new institute. In partnership with UTC’s Political Science Department and Causeway, the event will feature four UTC student senior led policy research teams who will pitch solutions before a community panel of judges on how to reduce violence in Chattanooga. The winning pitch idea will then be implemented as a policy and program initiative in legislation introduced in council and or submitted as a proposal idea in the Mayor’s Budgeting For Outcomes process.
The event will be held on Monday, Dec. 9, from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Chattanooga City Council Chambers, at 1000 Lindsay Street. This event is free and open to the public with a reception to follow.
Members of the Urban Policy Institute board include School Board Member Tiffanie Robinson, Chattanooga Police Department Assistant Chief Glenn Scruggs, Chattanooga State Counselor Belinda Smith, Family Justice Center Executive Director Dr. Valerie Radu, UTC Assistant Professor of Public Administration Dr. Chris Acuff and Warner Media Director of Tech Strategy and EPMO
Danille Scarborough.
To learn more about how to support the efforts of the institute by making a donation or becoming a
volunteer, visit www.ChattUrbanPolicy.org.