The Benwood Foundation supports innovative community efforts that help make Chattanooga great. We believe that collective action is a crucial driver of civic change. Building a great city is everyone’s challenge, everyone’s opportunity, everyone’s work.

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Community Voices

Fifteen Chattanoogans share their voices and their visions for our city. Help them spark a conversation by reading on.

  1. Ann Coulter
  2. Christian Rushing
  3. Daniel Ryan
  4. David Cook
  5. Donna Williams
  6. Edna Varner
  7. Fynn Glover
  8. Harry Austin
  9. Justin Hoenke
  10. Monica Kinsey
  11. Robert Fisher
  12. Ruth Kerr
  13. Shayne Woods
  14. Sheldon Grizzle
  15. Tricia King

Our Contributors


  1. Millennials in Chattanooga are ready to start leading today!

    Millennials in Chattanooga

    Robert Fisher on Youth

  2. Would you be willing to trade places with anyone in the city?

    Is a just Chattanooga possible?

    David Cook on Social Justice

  3. Achieving a higher community vision... will require new, forward-looking political candidates and a strong new political base for them to stand on.

    Obstacles Hinder Larger Vision

    Harry Austin on Community Change

  4. Chattanooga needs to get beyond the idea that we can be the next Silicon Valley. Bluntly, that is a pipe dream.

    My Biggest Hope for Chattanooga

    Daniel Ryan on Technology

  5. Gary wasn’t thinking about fostering civic innovation in Pringle Park that morning. But that’s what was going on - people working together with one another in a new way to make their community a better place.

    Hope in Civic Innovation

    Ann Coulter on Civic Innovation

  6. We must do more than simply turn schools around

    Busted!

    Edna Varner on Education

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