Join Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Chattanooga (BBBS) at the 4th Annual City of Potential Awards Breakfast on October 9th from 8am-9:30am, where we will honor the champions of mentoring: the individuals and organizations who are creating opportunity and impacting lives through one-to-one mentoring engagement. BBBS will present awards in several categories to salute the contributions of individual mentors, corporate mentors, and mentoring programs.

All proceeds from this event will directly support the mentorship programs of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Chattanooga.

Awards

Chris Ramsey Mentoring Legacy Award
Established in memory of Big Brother and community leader Chris Ramsey, this award honors an individual whose lifelong dedication to mentoring has changed the lives of many. This mentor’s long-standing commitment, generosity, and leadership reflect the values Chris embodied—creating a lasting legacy of support, empowerment, and opportunity.

Travaar Armstrong is a community leader and nonprofit advocate dedicated to empowering youth and underserved families. He serves as the President of The Bridge Builder Collective, a 501(c)(3) organization that champions mentorship, workforce development, and educational equity. Under his leadership, the Collective has launched impactful programs such as the Omega Lamplighters Mentoring Program, the Dr. Marvin Lott Scholarship Fund, and Geek Squad Academy. Travaar is also a proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and is passionate about creating opportunities that build bridges to a brighter future for Chattanooga and beyond.

Allen Green is a Fire and Life Safety Educator with the Chattanooga Fire Department, where he combines public safety with his lifelong passion for education and mentorship. A former foster youth who overcame significant adversity, Allen draws from his lived experience to empower at-risk youth and inspire change. He founded the Read to Succeed literacy program, where firefighters visit schools to promote reading and fire safety, and authored the children’s book Mom! Dad! What Should I Do? to bring that mission to life. Through mentorship, storytelling, and tireless community outreach, Allen continues to build hope, opportunity, and safer futures for young people across Chattanooga and beyond.

Anthony M. Wiley Jr. is a Chattanooga native, U.S. Navy veteran, and the proud CEO of Welcome to Today, a mindfulness and emotional intelligence company rooted in healing, liberation, and community care. He brings over a decade of experience as a nonprofit professional, equity trainer, music producer, meditation teacher, and activist. Anthony holds a B.S. in Applied Psychology from Bryan College and has served on the Police Advisory Review Board and as a Commissioner for Public Art Chattanooga. In 2020, he helped organize Chattanooga’s social justice demonstrations and has been published in the anthology Why Black Lives Matter (Too). He leads his business alongside his wife, Gabrielle, and together they are raising three daughters—Hasiina, Miranda, and Asha. Anthony also serves as music minister at Westside Missionary Baptist Church and produces music under the name Brophesor X.

‍Excellence in Mentoring Award
This award recognizes an individual or organization actively making a difference through mentorship in their specific context. Whether through one-on-one guidance, advocacy, or bold new initiatives, the recipient of this award is putting mentorship into action in a way that creates meaningful, lasting impact. Their dedication to expanding opportunities through mentoring is shaping brighter futures today.

Keosha Brewster is the founder of So You Think You Can Date? Mentoring, a program inspired by her own experience as a survivor of teen dating violence. She created the program to give Black girls a safe space to learn about healthy relationships, explore their identity, and access opportunities that expand their worldview. Since 2019, the program has served over 200 girls through life skills training, college and career readiness, mentorship, and cultural experiences. Keosha is passionate about helping girls grow into confident, empowered young women.

Lawanda Hayes is a Senior Project Manager at TVA with over 13 years of experience leading complex projects and aligning strategic initiatives across teams. She is also a dedicated mentor, best known for her work with girls at Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy, where she transforms workplace mentoring into engaging, confidence-building experiences. From etiquette classes to speed networking events, Lawanda creates opportunities that help students see their potential and pursue it with purpose. Her thoughtful guidance has had a lasting impact, helping young women stay committed to their career goals and college aspirations. Lawanda also serves as a board member for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Chattanooga, where she continues to champion youth development and mentorship across the community.

Chris Wood is an avid optimist who believes in the good in people. He co-founded (Be)Caffeinated Drive Thru Coffee over 6 years ago with his business partner Douglas Lee, and they have since co-founded along with other people other businesses like New Wave Coffee, Morning Bee Bakery, and HiveThink Media. Chris enjoys all things nerdy like fantasy books (huge Brandon Sanderson fan), DnD, games of all kinds, pickleball, writing, and music. He believes that people matter the most, and his dream is for the world to become a place where everyone is able to pursue their passions, make the world a better place and a more fun one to live in, and build a community that supports each other through everything. He also has an amazing wife named Jasmine and two cats named Simon and Suki.

Big Brothers Big Sisters will also recognize award recipients in the following categories at the event on October 9th, which have been selected by BBBS:

Big Brother and Little Brother of the Year
Big Sister and Little Sister of the Year
Big Couples Match of the Year
Defenders of Potential Award
Chip Allen Award for Extraordinary Service

Thanks to our Sponsors

PRESENTING SPONSOR

Talley Carroll

INSPIRE SPONSORS

INNOVATE SPONSORS

TABLE SPONSORS

Cyndi Allen

Doug Eichner

Ellen Puffer

Shadrina and Justin Booker

4th Annual City of Potential Awards Breakfast

By Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Chattanooga

4th Annual City of Potential Awards Breakfast

Join Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Chattanooga in honoring the champions of mentoring—and invest in the future of Chattanooga's youth by supporting mentorship.