Alexis does what brings her joy. She has slow mornings with her children, teaches yoga and dilly dallies with her friends.

No one should be forced to fit into one box. April Corbett loves everything that she does and encourages others to find what they love and do it. She's an engineer, maker, planner designer, productivity guru and all around crafter. She's always looking for new projects and awesome places to take her engineering career.

Briana Garza is the founder and owner of Chatt Taste Food Tours, an award-winning culinary experience recognized as one of the USA TODAY 10Best Food Tours in the country. Passionate about supporting local businesses, she has welcomed more than 9,000 guests while generating over $400,000 in direct revenue for Chattanooga's independent restaurants, bars, and shops. Beyond food tourism, Briana creates immersive experiences ranging from cocktail classes and chef's table dinners to large-scale community events that showcase the city's vibrant culture. She also serves on the boards of the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce and the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga, where she advocates for entrepreneurship and small business growth. Through every experience she creates, Briana's mission is to connect people, strengthen local businesses, and tell Chattanooga's story one unforgettable bite at a time.

Briana Shoulders is a licensed cosmetologist, Certified Holistic Trichologist, and Certified Cranial Prosthesis Specialist based in Chattanooga, Tennessee. As the owner of The Clique Spa & Beauty Studio, she specializes in helping women navigate hair loss, scalp concerns, and thinning hair through personalized care and advanced restoration solutions. Her approach blends beauty, education, and wellness to help each client better understand and care for their hair and scalp. Briana is passionate about restoring more than hair, she helps women rebuild their confidence from the inside out.

Brianna Jones is a Chattanooga Native and a dedicated advocate for the arts. Growing up she attended Barger Academy of Fine Arts and Chattanooga High School Center for Creative Arts. Her arts education continued at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga where she received two degrees: B.A Theatre and B.S Public Administration and Nonprofit Management. She currently works as the Programs and Grants Coordinator for ArtsBuild. Brianna is passionate about upholding ArtsBuild's mission to build stronger communities through the arts and to connect local creatives to the resources they need to see their ideas through to fruition. 

Dr. DeAnna E. Beasley is an UC Foundation Associate Professor at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. She received her PhD in 2013 at the University of South Carolina. Her research broadly explores the impacts of environmental change on insect populations and communities. Human-driven change is of particular interest due to the large scale in which humans have modified the environment and the potential effects on populations’ evolutionary trajectory. Her current research explores the implications of urbanization on insect development and biodiversity. Additionally, she is interested in the integration of social and ecological processes to understand urban biodiversity and the development of resilient cities.

Dominique is a Chattanooga, TN based wife, homeschooling mom of four, and an entrepreneur to the green beauty brand Natty Naturals, a plant based brand with handcrafted products for the whole body.

Karen Collins is the Founder and Creative Musical Star of the Velvet Chair Experience, a celebrated Jazz and Uptown Soul concert series now in its third season at The Bessie Smith Cultural Center. Her musical heritage traces back to her great-grandmother, a shape note singer from Rome, Georgia, this style helped shape African American spirituals and hymns. Karen’s upcoming projects include an exciting collaboration with the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera, bringing The Velvet Chair Experience to the historic Memorial Auditorium’s Walker Theatre in March 2026.

Latoya Mcleod-Carpenter is the founder of The Self-Care Corner, PLLC, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and a Certified Recreational Therapist on a mission to help people heal, grow, and reconnect with their worth. With a Master's degree in Social Work from the University of Tennessee and a Bachelor's degree in Recreation Therapy from Middle Tennessee State University, Latoya brings nearly two decades of rich, diverse clinical experience to everything she does.

Nicole Brown is the South Region Manager of Community Health and Benefits for CommonSpirit Health, ensuring policy compliance, community benefit reporting, and health needs assessments. Her previous work as Manager of Community Benefits and Diversity earned her Chattanooga’s 2022 Champions in Healthcare for Diversity in Medicine Award. In that role, she managed over $1 million to expand healthcare access and served on the More in Common Alliance implementation team. Brown leads the Chattanooga STEAM and Health Career Academy and is a graduate of the Urban League’s Inclusion by Design Executive Leadership Program. She holds a Master’s in Public Administration and has produced award-winning documentaries, including “How to Sue the Klan.”

Nicole "Nikki'" Hall,is an Energy Healer, Dowsing Practitioner, Certified Holistic Life Coach, Mentor, and founder of Naturally Just Nikki Holistic Coaching & Wellness, LLC. Nikki specializes in self-remembrance and spiritual wellness with focus on honoring the whole person on a soul and quantum level. Her passion lies in encouraging all to seek and innerstand their most authentic selves to reclaim their sovereign power and freedom. Backed by her foundational knowledge and experience in physical therapy, Nikki blends clinical wisdom with intuitive energy work to make holistic healing practical, grounded, and accessible while "healping" to neutralize and transform undesirable, low-vibrational facets of your experience into your most optimal state of balance and alignment for the present and future. She is honored and grateful to share her gifts.

Osha Thomas is a candle enthusiast/owner of Escential Things, a handmade candle company based in Chattanooga, TN. She started Escential Things in 2020 after searching for a hobby to influence her creativity. Her love candles and different scents lead her on journey of candle-making. After 9 months of testing different wax, wicks, and fragrances she developed an amazing candle that she has been selling consistently to several customers across America via her online website: escentialthings.com and locally at several Chattanooga markets. You can find her on her social media handles where she shows some behind the scenes videos of her business.

Shawanna Kendrick is the Founder and CEO of The H2O Life, an outdoor wellness company creating opportunities for Black women and girls to experience adventure, healing, and connection in nature. A passionate outdoor advocate and adventurer, she is an ACA Level 1 Kayak Instructor, Wilderness First Aid certified, and has summited Mount Kilimanjaro. Through The H2O Life, Shawanna has helped hundreds of women and girls step outside their comfort zones and discover the restorative power of the outdoors. She is also a TEDxChattanooga speaker and a recipient of the Tennessee RiverLine J.E.D.I. Path and Extra Mile Awards. Whether hiking a mountain, paddling a river, traveling the world, or speaking to an audience, Shawanna is committed to creating spaces where women feel empowered to explore, rest, and heal.

Dr. Shayla Toombs-Withers is a Board-Certified Family and Obesity Medicine Physician and the founder of Essence of Health Wellness Clinic. After earning her Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine from the Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine and completing her residency at the University of Cincinnati/The Christ Hospital, she expanded her expertise with certifications in Plant-Based Nutrition, Functional Medicine, and as a Certified Menopause Practitioner. Her practice blends traditional medicine with integrative and lifestyle care through a personalized concierge, direct care, model focused on chronic disease prevention and sustainable health and wellness. Being a native of Atlanta, GA and living in Chattanooga, TN, she has expanded Essence of Health to both locations. As an endurance athlete who has completed multiple marathons and Ironman triathlons, she personally applies the power of plant-based nutrition to optimize performance and health. Outside of clinic hours, she resides in Chattanooga with her husband, Travis, and their three sons, spending her time cycling, hiking trails, and exploring the outdoors.

With a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership and over 12 years of expertise in community marketing, outreach, and program development, Summer Elliott has a proven track record of success in closing resource gaps, empowering underserved communities, and promoting health equity. Summer is a Senior Administrator with the Morehouse School of Medicine and the More in Common Alliance. After spending over a decade working with local organizations such as Erlanger and the Partnership, she is deeply rooted in the CHA community.

Veatrice Conley Lee is a Nashville native and University of Memphis mechanical engineering graduate who has 15+ years of experience as an engineer across multiple manufacturing sectors. Inspired by her own 2018 proposal, she opened Chattanooga's Unveiled Bridal Studio in 2021 to provide luxury, size-inclusive weddings gowns. Beyond her boutique, she is heavily involved in local philanthropic efforts and serves as a mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters and TN Achieves. The dedicated wife and mother is also an active 20-year member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. In her spare time, she enjoys music, dining out, and traveling with loved ones.