Over the last 20 years, contributions to A night to Remember have exceeded $4 million dollars to aid children and youth in the Chattanooga community through various organizations, including the African American Museum, Girls Inc., and 100 Black Men.

Strong, smart and bold -- Girls Incorporated® of Chattanooga inspires all girls by educating them to take risks, to speak their minds, to advocate healthy lifestyle choices, to protect their rights and to strive for academic excellence.

Girls Inc. is a non-profit organization that provides a healthy and positive environment where girls can enjoy being girls by providing enriching programs that nurture their capacity for personal achievement, confident adulthood, and economic independence, and by advocating for an equitable society.

Since 1961, Girl’s Inc. has served nearly 22,000 girls ages 6 - 18.

Through programs, academies and camps, every leadership position is filled by a girl, and the girls interact with women role models from diverse and dynamic occupations to provide support and community service training. Our advocacy projects teach girls to act vigorously on their own behalf and for the rights of others. It’s an atmosphere that fosters self confidence and celebrates achievement.

“We learned we can perform just as well as our male counterparts,” said Markesha.  “All it takes is opening yourself up to use the tools available.”

“Girls Inc. made me feel more empowered in my life, but also in the community,” added Sasha.  “I gained so much confidence.”

Maxine Biley, president and CEO of Girls Inc., said: “We prepare girls to work and live in a multicultural world with an appreciation of the heritage of others.  We also connect girls with role models, host summer, after-school and community programs to provide programs to encourage and inspire all girls to be strong, smart and bold.  We provide a learning environment so girls can learn about issues and become advocates for themselves.  It’s all about empowerment.”

Mentoring is the cornerstone of what the 100 Black Men brings to the community by guiding youth and fostering a positive self-perception and self-respect, encouraging excellence in education, and life-long goals.
 
Established in 1992, 100 Black Men began with a genuine concern to improve opportunities of black youth, particularly young black males. As a result of the vision and concern the 25th chapter of 100 Black Men of America, Inc., was launched in Chattanooga.
 
100 Black Men, in partnership with The Hamilton County Department of Education, established mentoring programs in several public schools, offering the first character education classes. 100 Black Men of Chattanooga, Inc. continues to provide numerous services to the local community through several mentoring programs and initiatives.
 
With the goal of decreasing the drop-out rate among 9th-grade males at the Howard School of Academics and Technology, students were mentored with a focus on positive character, education and career goals.  Statistics from the 2005/2006 school year indicate an 82 percent retention rate of 9th-grade males at Howard.
 
At the college level, the University of Tennessee serves as a campus affiliate of 100 Black Men of Chattanooga, Inc., where African American youth are nurtured in order to enhance the growth, development and opportunities.  The sanctioned university program also provides mentoring to local elementary students. In addition, thousands of dollars are awarded in scholarships to aspiring college students.
 
100 Black Men also trains additional mentors from other organizations who work with various mentoring programs in inner city communities; hosts the Chattanooga Leadership Academy; facilitates free medical screenings through various community partners; and offers free financial literacy classes and workshops to high school economics students and college students, as well as to the public.

Memphis can claim the “King,” but in the 1920s Chattanooga's “Empress of the Blues” ruled.

Although she lived in a one-room shack on the outskirts of downtown Chattanooga and began her career singing on the streets, Bessie Smith became a legendary figure whose unique ability to combine the sounds of blues and jazz secured her place as one of the most important woman in the history of American music. The “Empress of the Blues” was the highest paid African-American singer in the land.

In the same way Bessie Smith and her soulful performances helped her grow a legendary career, Chattanooga’s African-American History Museum helps youth become leading citizens in our community through a variety of programs and volunteering opportunities, in addition to bringing to life Chattanooga-area African-Americans.

In a renovated warehouse on the corner of Martin Luther King Boulevard and Lindsay Street, Bessie Smith and other Chattanooga-area African-Americans come to life in the hearts and minds of Chattanooga’s youth.

The museum boasts a unique collection of multi-media presentations, rare artifacts, African art, original sculptures, paintings, musical recordings and local Black newspapers. At the time of its founding in 1983, sources in curricula, historical references, creative works, and the media about the identity of African Americans were limited and inaccessible to the average student or individual.

Much of Chattanooga’s rich history is attributed to the efforts of African-Americans who have lived, worked, learned and entertained here. The museum’s exhibits begin with a “Wall of Respect,” dedicated to African-Americans who have achieved firsts in their professional endeavors.

After passing the “Wall of Respect,” the visitor travels through an authentic African dwelling and a section with a variety of statuettes, tools and other artifacts depicting the life, work, art and worship of Africans before they came to America.

Visitors pass through other exhibits highlighting the life and times of African-American individuals in Chattanooga. There are displays of their Civil War involvement, their achievements in the fields of sports and performing arts, portrayals of family and professional life and a moving exhibit focusing on the Civil Rights movement. The museum emphasizes the benefits enjoyed by African-Americans living in such a place as Chattanooga, where the railways and the river provided economic and industrial opportunities not offered in many other places.

The museum serves as an educational institution committed to community service and outreach.  For instance, the Bessie Smith performance hall also contains a fine arts Fun Factory for students. Other special activities include the Annual African Cultural Ball (first Friday in February), New Year's Eve Party, Black History Expo (February), Annual Kwanzaa Celebration (December) and the Night To Remember (April).

Area high school seniors volunteer at the museum or receive scholarships, and many return and become leading citizens in our community.