Chattanooga Students Revitalize Local History Through Innovative Civic Engagement Project

Chattanooga Students Bring History to Life with Civic Engagement Project

In the heart of Chattanooga, a vibrant group of young minds has taken a deep dive into the history of one of the city’s most notorious legal cases. The unveiling of five informative panels at the federal courthouse on Georgia Avenue commemorates the stories of Black attorneys Noah Parden and Styles Hutchins, as well as the impactful case of Ed Johnson, a Black man wrongfully convicted of a crime he did not commit.

A Summer Camp with a Purpose

The project was a result of the Supreme Court and My Hometown civics camp held over the summer, a collaborative effort between the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, the Supreme Court Historical Society, and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. During this camp, 20 local high school students, guided by five college mentors, explored not just the legal intricacies of the Ed Johnson case but also its profound implications on the community and justice as a whole.

Judge Curtis Collier attended the unveiling ceremony and praised the students, stating that their experience would mold them into informed leaders. “In years to come, they will take their place as leaders in this great land of ours,” he expressed, assuring attendees that the future of the nation was in trustworthy hands.

Understanding a Local Legend

The summer program was an immersive experience. Participants explored the tragic events surrounding Ed Johnson—who was wrongfully convicted and lynched in 1906 despite a stay of execution from the U.S. Supreme Court. Through discussions with local judges, attorneys, and historians, the students gained insightful perspectives on how race and justice intersect in their own backyard.

Nicole Maffei, the Director of Civics Education for the historical society, explained how the local focus of the program enhances learning. “They could stand where some of these things occurred. They could see the grave of Ed Johnson, and so it’s not just text on a page; it’s real things that happened to real people in their neighborhood,” Maffei remarked, stressing the importance of connecting students to the rich history of their community.

Voices from the Camp

The experience resonated deeply with many of the participants. Leah Flatford, a homeschool student, reflected on how her connection to Chattanooga transformed, saying, “To be able to know and to have gone to where it happened made my relationship to the city more personal.”

McKinna Wiles, a student from Notre Dame High School, shared similar sentiments, expressing that the camp’s interactive approach allowed her to retain the knowledge more passionately than in a standard classroom setting. “I feel more knowledgeable and aware,” she said with enthusiasm.

For aspiring young lawyer Johnny Brafford, the camp solidified his ambition to pursue law. After speaking to others who had contemplated law school but opted out, he felt anxious about his own path. However, the experience with the historical case inspired him. “It has shown me that this is definitely, definitely what I want to do with my life,” he shared, beaming with conviction.

A Step Towards the Future

The Supreme Court and My Hometown program will return to Chattanooga in 2026, promising to offer future cohorts the same invaluable experience. As the students’ panels stand proudly outside the courtroom, they symbolize not only a historical reflection but a bright beacon for engaged citizenship.

This initiative has not only educated these young individuals on pivotal moments in legal history but has also empowered them to understand their role in shaping the future. As they embrace their knowledge and experiences, Chattanooga can look forward to a new generation of informed leaders, ready to take their place in the legal landscape of America.