Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Chattanooga (BBBS) hosted its 5th Annual City of Potential Awards Breakfast at The Signal, honoring extraordinary local mentors and community partners while raising $60,000 to fuel youth mentoring programs across the region.
This year’s honorees were selected from an outstanding pool of community-nominated candidates and evaluated by a volunteer panel of local leaders, including Juan Aguinaga, Matt Busby, Orlando Lightfoot, Timothy Machado, Katelyn Newsome, Haile Nottage, and Robyn Stringfellow.
Community Mentoring Honorees
- The Chris Ramsey Mentoring Legacy Award: Presented to Lakweshia Ewing, Founder and CEO of Unlearn Everything and Live. Drawing on over two decades of leadership across education, civic engagement, and faith sectors, Ewing was honored for her transformational work empowering leaders across every generation and continuing the legacy of community champion Chris Ramsey.
- The Excellence in Mentoring Award: Presented to Nolan McDaniel, Founder and Director of ChattAcademy Community School. McDaniel was recognized for his compassionate, hands-on leadership, daily advisory mentorship, and unwavering commitment to creating an inclusive safe haven where students are inspired to pursue greatness.
Agency & Program Champions
- Defender of Potential Award: Presented to Mrs. Joey Gaby, honoring a dedicated 30-year career with Hamilton County Public Schools—including 27 years as a chemistry teacher at Tyner Middle High Academy—and her steadfast commitment to integrating E-Mentoring into her high school curriculum to connect students with lifelong Bigs.
- Chip Allen Award for Extraordinary Service: Presented to Tory Johnston, former Board President and long-time champion for BBBS, in recognition of his executive leadership, personal advocacy, and humble stewardship in memory of late board member Chip Allen.
- Big Sister & Little Sister of the Year: Awarded to Maddie Blair and Naeli Chavez, who have built a deep, transformative sisterhood since being matched in 2016.
- Big Brother & Little Brother of the Year: Awarded to Tory Johnston and Taderrius (TD) Brown, celebrating a decade of life-changing mentorship and family connection since being matched in 2015.
Building Bridges to Opportunities for Chattanooga Youth
As the city celebrates the grand reopening of the iconic Walnut Street Pedestrian Bridge, Big Brothers Big Sisters is emphasizing the critical need for “human bridges” across Hamilton County.
“Last year at this time, 135 children were waiting for a mentor. Today, that number is 185,” said Shadrina Booker, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Chattanooga. “These are 185 young people with dreams, talents, and so much potential—simply waiting for someone to step into their corner. At the same time, our agency is navigating a $250,000 gap in funding. The Walnut Street Bridge connects downtown to the Northshore, but mentorship bridges the gap between potential and opportunity. Today, our community has the opportunity to become part of the village that surrounds these children.”
Because Big Brothers Big Sisters provides its professional matching, background vetting, and ongoing case management at no cost to participating youth and families, community support is what keeps these developmental pathways open. Every dollar donated during this matching period directly funds the infrastructure required to connect waiting youth with supportive adult mentors.
With the morning’s fundraising total placing the organization within $15,000 of its $75,000 goal, BBBS announced that a generous local donor has stepped forward to match all incoming gifts dollar-for-dollar to help close the gap.
To double your impact and help match one of the 185 waiting children, visit cityofpotential.com. To learn more about becoming a volunteer mentor, call 423-698-8016 or visit bbbschatt.org.
The 2026 City of Potential Awards Breakfast was made possible through the generous support of corporate champions Talley Carroll, EPB, Publix Super Markets Charities, and Unum.
About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Chattanooga
Since 1957, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Chattanooga (BBBS) has operated under the belief that inherent in every child is the ability to succeed and thrive in life. As a member agency of the oldest and largest youth mentoring organization in the United States, BBBS makes meaningful, monitored matches between adult volunteers (“Bigs”) and children (“Littles”) in Hamilton, Marion, Bradley, Walker, Catoosa, and Dade counties. BBBS develops positive relationships that have a direct and lasting effect on the lives of young people, helping children realize their potential and build their futures through no-cost youth mentoring programs.
About the City of Potential Awards
The City of Potential Awards recognizes individuals and organizations in Chattanooga that create opportunities and drive positive change through mentoring and youth development. Hosted annually by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Chattanooga, the awards celebrate those whose contributions foster growth, leadership, and innovation in the community. For more information, visit cityofpotential.com or call 423-698-8016.
