At the annual Equal Opportunity Day (EOD) breakfast on Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 7:30 a.m. at The Chattanoogan, the Urban League will celebrate 33 years of empowerment in the Chattanooga community andpresent awards to individual and corporate leaders who have championed equal opportunity, civil rights, and social justice. Mignon L. Clyburn, commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission, will be the keynote speaker.
The theme of this year’s EOD breakfast—“Bridging Our Divides”— is focused on technology and inclusion along with the importance of digital literacy and broadband access in closing the education and opportunity gaps in our community.
“Empowering individuals, regardless of their background, is a cornerstone of the Urban League’s mission, and we work to achieve this mission every day by helping to bridge the divides between need and opportunity across our community,” said Warren E. Logan, Jr., president and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga. “Together, we can provide our youth and adult population with education, training, technology access, and support to stimulate economic development and create valuable growth opportunities for everyone.”
A longtime champion of consumers and a defender of the public interest, Commissioner Clyburn is a strong advocate for enhanced accessibility in communications for disabled citizens and works closely with representative groups for the deaf and hard of hearing. She has pushed for media ownership rules that reflect the demographics of America, affordable universal telephone and high-speed Internet access, greater broadband deployment and adoption throughout the nation, and transparency in regulation. Prior to joining the FCC, Clyburn spent 11 years on the Public Service Commission of South Carolina and served as publisher and general manager of The Coastal Times for 14 years, a Charleston-based newspaper focused primarily on issues affecting the African-American community.
The annual Equal Opportunity Day event is a community-wide celebration of inclusiveness. Proceeds from the EOD breakfast provide critical support for the Urban League’s programs, which impacted over 14,000 people in the region during the 2015 fiscal year. The Urban League’s education programs include an afterschool program, STEM Academy, summer coding camp, National Achievers Society, and the Infinite Scholars Scholarship Fair. The Urban League fosters economic empowerment through the Entrepreneurship Center, NextLevel Chattanooga, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, Employment Center, and homeownership counseling. In addition, the Urban League offers health and wellness initiatives focused on improving health outcomes for underserved populations.
“Equal Opportunity Day embodies the work the Urban League does on a daily basis to foster economic empowerment,” said Dana Perry, Urban League board chair and shareholder at Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel, P.C. “It is a day when we get the chance to inspire greater involvement, awareness and support from the local community for the Urban League’s continual efforts in leveling the economic playing field and enabling community members to realize their full potential.”
To recognize impact and leadership in the region, the Urban League will honor the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga, EPB, and Dr. Everlena Holmes with awards at the event.
The Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga will receive the Inclusion by Design Award, which recognizes an organization that embraces inclusion through its business practices and community engagement activities. As the oldest foundation in the city, the Community Foundation from inception has promoted inclusivity in all aspects of community life, from encouraging a greater gender and racial balance in the governance makeup of non-profit boards to the equitable distribution of its grant making resources.
EPB will receive the Community Impact Award, which recognizes an organization that elevates the community’s standard of living and contributes to the overall quality of life. By making its record-breaking One Gig Technology available to every home and business in the city at competitive prices, EPB has brought Chattanooga to the forefront of global business development and entrepreneurship, leading to the creation of over 1,000 jobs in the last four years and attracting millions of dollars in venture capital.
Dr. Everlena Holmes will receive the Whitney M. Young, Jr. Award, which recognizes outstanding service by an individual for demonstrated leadership and commitment to the cause of justice, social consciousness, and civic involvement. Dr. Holmes' passion for helping others take charge of their lives and their communities has earned her a reputation as a neighborhood warrior. She has taken a leadership role in numerous initiatives, including the Glenwood Block Leaders, Hamilton County District 5 Leadership Council, Enroll the Region for the Affordable Care Act, and a variety of city initiatives.
Major sponsors of the event include BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee (presenting sponsor), EPB Fiber Optics, Volkswagen of Chattanooga, Allstate, Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel, P.C., Chattanooga Times Free Press, First Tennessee Bank, SunTrust Bank, and Waterhouse Public Relations.
The Urban League is offering several sponsorship levels or individual tickets for the event, with corporate tables starting at $1,000; non-profit tables available for $800; and individual tickets available for $100. All proceeds from the event will support the Urban League’s empowerment programs. For more information, visit www.ulchatt.net or call Keesha Marshall at 423 756-1762.