Chattanooga Gears Up for First Annual Violence Summit
Chattanooga is buzzing with excitement as we get ready for the first-ever Violence Summit, set to take place this Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Crossroads (BX) facility located at Brainerd Baptist Church. This event promises to be a significant step towards addressing the pressing issue of violent crime in our beloved city and Hamilton County.
A Morning of Insightful Discussion
The summit will kick off with an engaging leadership panel, featuring notable figures such as Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp, city of Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly, Hamilton County Schools Superintendent Justin Robertson, Chief of Police John Chambers, and District Attorney General Coty Wamp. Moderated by Jonathan Ingraham, the director of the Faith Co-Op, this panel will provide an insightful overview of the current landscape of violence in our community.
The morning is structured into two parts, with the panel discussion setting the stage for deeper, solution-focused conversations. After the panel wraps up, participants will have the chance to dive into four break-out sessions tailored to various facets of this pressing issue. Attendees can choose to focus on:
- School Safety
- Law Enforcement Engagement
- Breaking the Cycle of Violence
- Family Trauma Caused by Violence
Engaging Our Future Leaders
One of the standout features of this summit is the involvement of nearly 100 public high school students from four local schools, including Howard High School, Brainerd High School, Chattanooga Preparatory School, and Tyner Academy. “Our students are our future, and they deserve a seat at the table,” officials emphasized. Their presence underscores the importance of including young voices in discussions that shape their future.
Invitation to Community Stakeholders
The summit extends a warm invitation to a wide array of community leaders, officials, and advocates, ranging from domestic violence organizations to leaders in faith communities, school board representatives, and city council members. Together, they aim to create a collaborative space for meaningful and solution-oriented conversations surrounding the cycle of violence.
Listening and Learning
Organizers hope that the panel and break-out sessions will foster an atmosphere where officials listen more than they speak. The emphasis is on engaging in genuine dialogue that leads to actionable insights. The break-out sessions, led by experienced facilitators Dr. Mo Baptiste, Dr. Tiffany Earvin, Dr. Crystal Sorrells, and CPD Sgt. Jasin Holmes, promise to be interactive and constructive.
Charting the Path Forward
Post-summit, the recommendations and insights gathered will be compiled into a public report. This report is anticipated to act as a roadmap for city and county officials, as well as community organizations, in their collaborative efforts to tackle violence in our area. The goal is to ensure that the conversations sparked at this summit lead to tangible actions that improve the safety and wellbeing of our residents.
Your Voice Matters!
As Chattanooga gears up for this pivotal event, it’s clear that the community is eager to join hands in finding solutions to the challenges we face. Whether you’re a community leader, a concerned resident, or one of our future leaders participating in the discussions, your voice will contribute to the momentum needed to create positive change. Let’s work together to make our city a safer place for everyone!
