Neighboroots_Event_FB
Back to Home

NEIGHBOROOTS COMMITTEE

The Neighboroots Committee advises Mayor Berke on the Neighboroots initiative and reviews, evaluates, and recommends projects for funding and implementation.

  • Sheldon Owens - Head Librarian of Local History and Genealogy, Chattanooga Public Library
  • Michael Gilliland - Director, Chattanooga Organized for Action
  • Nitza Velasco - Advocate, Tennessee United
  • Rodney Van Valkenburg - ArtsBuild
  • Paula Wilkes - Director, Bessie Smith Cultural Center
  • Anthony Byrd - City Councilman, District 8 and Chair of Economic and Community Development Committee
  • Karen McReynolds - Director, City of Chattanooga Office of Multicultural Affairs
  • Dr. Kelli Nelson - Professor of History, University of Tennessee Chattanooga
  • Ricardo “Ric” Morris - Member, City of Chattanooga Public Art Commission
  • Ann Gray - Director, Cornerstones

Historical Markers Subcommittee

The Historical Markers Subcommittee works to research, write, design, and install all historical markers that are funded through Neighboroots.

  • Karen Clay - Neighborhood Relations Specialist, City of Chattanooga Department of Economic and Community Development
  • Sheldon Owens - Head Librarian of Local History and Genealogy, Chattanooga Public Library
  • Michael Gilliland - Director, Chattanooga Organized for Action
  • Dr. Kelli Nelson - Professor of History, University of Tennessee Chattanooga
  • Paula Wilkes - Director, Bessie Smith Cultural Center
  • Ann Gray - Director, Cornerstones
  • Karen McReynolds - Director, City of Chattanooga Office of Multicultural Affairs

Performances Subcommittee

The Performances Subcommittee works to assist performance grant recipients in securing necessary resources and successfully completing their performance.

  • Kat Wright - Coordinator, Public Art Chattanooga
  • Rodney Van Valkenburg - ArtsBuild
  • Shane Morrow - RISE Chattanooga
  • Ric Morris - Public Art Commission
  • Travis Kazmierzak - Director, City of Chattanooga Open Spaces
  • Stratton Tingle - Director, SoundCorps
  • Karen McReynolds - Director, City of Chattanooga Office of Multicultural Affairs

For additional information contact Tyler Yount at 423.643.7811 or tyount@chattanooga.gov