Dorothy Grisham
Judge Curtis Collier
Albert Waterhouse
The National Urban League’s prestigious Quarter Century Club inducted three board members from the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga (ULGC). Membership in the Quarter Century Club is based on the personal commitment of 25 years of service as a board member, an advisory committee member of the board, a board program committee member, a guild member, an exempt or non-exempt staff member or any combination of these positions held in the movement.
Each year, the National Urban League evaluates nominees from local Urban League Affiliates across the U.S.
The 2022 inductees from Chattanooga include Judge Curtis Collier, Dorothy Lee Grisham and Albert Waterhouse. Inductees were honored last month at the pinning ceremony and Quarter Century Club Mahlon T. Puryear Dinner during the National Urban League’s Annual Conference. Marc Morial, National Urban League President, shared his thanks and remarks with the Quarter Century Club inductees at the dinner.
Grisham and Johnson attended the National Urban League conference where President Johnson was able to pin Grisham with the special lapel pin that is worn by this elite group of Quarter Century Club members. Johnson received the awards on behalf of Judge Collier and Waterhouse, who were unable to attend in person.
“We are honored to celebrate these three individuals from our local movement who have shown tremendous dedication to our mission for decades,” said Candy Johnson, president and CEO of the ULGC. “As I have worked alongside each of these members, I can tell you how passionate they are about making a positive impact for Chattanooga’s communities of color and those who lack access to resources.”
Ms. Grisham has been involved with the ULGC board since 2006. Prior to that, she was on the ULGC Advisory Board between 1996 and 2006. She served as the ULGC board chair from 2017 until 2020 and is currently the immediate past chair. Throughout her tenure, Ms. Grisham served on the Executive Committee for several years and participated on committees for Education and Youth Development, Shoes for School and Performance Assessment.
Ms. Grisham has been a major fundraiser for ULGC for more than 25 years, through her personal contributions and corporate solicitations. She is a strong community activist, including serving on the Board as Presidents of the Cherokee Area Boy Scouts and CHI Memorial. Additionally, she served in the East Tennessee State University (ETSU) Alumni Association as president and secretary during her tenure. Grisham is a current member of the Board of Trustees for ETSU, and she currently serves on the Juvenile Court Foster Care Review Board.
U.S. Federal Judge Curtis Collier has been involved with the ULGC Board since 2000. He served on the Advisory Board for several years before becoming a member of the ULGC Board of Directors. During his tenure, he has been an active board member and a strong supporter for youth civics education and leadership development. Judge Collier has a passion for young people and works to expose them to experiences that they may not have had the opportunity to be a part of in a traditional school setting. Judge Collier volunteers time to read to students in grades K-3, as literacy proficiency is also a passion of his. He is also a member of several civic, fraternal, social and religious organizations. He has won numerous awards and commendations for his trial performance and civic and community service and activities.
Judge Collier was nominated for his position as a United States District Court Judge for the Eastern District of Tennessee by former President William Jefferson Clinton, and on May 8, 1995, he was confirmed by the U.S. Senate. On Oct. 7, 2005, he became Chief Judge of the court and served in that position for a seven-year term.
Mr. Waterhouse, president of Waterhouse Public Relations, most recently served as the ULGC board chair from 2021-2022. He served on the advisory board from 1995 until 2007, when he joined the board of directors. In approximately 1995, when Mr. Waterhouse and Warren Logan, former ULGC President and CEO, met, they had an immediate bond much like two brothers. As a member of both boards, Mr. Waterhouse executed all facets of marketing communications for ULGC, and he volunteered countless hours in marketing and communications for the organization. His areas of work included race relations, government affairs, board member recruitment and youth mentorship programs, leading Mr. Waterhouse to start the first marketing committee in approximately 2008.