Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Chattanooga announces the finalists for the 2024 City of Potential Awards.
"These awards celebrate individuals and organizations that create opportunities and make significant impacts through mentoring engagement across Greater Chattanooga," officials said.
A distinguished panel of community champions has selected the following nine finalists:
Chris Ramsey Mentoring Legacy Award Finalists:
This award, established in memory of Big Brother and Community Leader Chris Ramsey, honors an individual whose long-standing commitment to mentoring has impacted the lives of multiple individuals and whose life represents the ideals that defined Chris Ramsey.
• Misty Bolt, Medicare Misty;
• DeMarcus Boyce, UNUM; and
• Reginald Yearby, Reach One Teach One.
Excellence In Mentoring Award Finalists:
This award recognizes a mentor whose consistency, commitment, advocacy and creativity have made a critical, long-lasting impact on the life of a mentee.
These mentors are champions of those they mentor, generously sharing their valuable time to be accessible.
• Drew Barton, Signal Crest United Methodist Church;
• Lulu Copeland, eWeek, Society of Women Engineers, and Million Women Mentors; and
• Tia Hunt, Hardy Elementary School and Crown Full of Locs Apparel.
Accelerating Potential Award Finalists:
This award celebrates organizations and individuals who creatively and strategically implement mentoring into new communities. It recognizes bold initiatives and entrepreneurial spirits harnessing the power of mentoring to improve outcomes.
• Kingdom Partners;
• Lighthouse Collective; and
• Wendy Reynoso, La Paz Chattanooga.
One winner from each category will be honored at the Third Annual City of Potential Awards Breakfast. The breakfast will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 23 at 8 a.m. at The Westin Chattanooga, 801 Pine St. Tickets are $75 each, and tables 10 are $1,000.
In addition, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Chattanooga will recognize its Bigs of the Year:
• Big Brother and Little Brother of the Year: Erich Murray and Terrence McCrobey;
• Big Sister and Little Sister of the Year: Emily Lowe and Keily Sanchez Agustin; and
• Big Couples Match of the Year: Will Perry, Arianna Azcona, and Rashad Freeman.
"Make plans to join Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Chattanooga in celebrating the incredible mentors and organizations dedicated to making a difference in our community," officials said.
To purchase tickets, inquire about sponsorship opportunities or for more information about the 2024 City of Potential Awards Breakfast, visit cityofpotential.com or call 423-698-8016.
The Third Annual City of Potential Awards Breakfast is presented by Incline Sponsors Doug and Sandra Warner and Innovate Sponsors, UNUM and Talley and Dan Carrol.