Luttrell, Elizabeth Lima, and Gabriella D’Elia. (Photos by Asha Lee)
By Nikita Edwards-Brown
Students from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s Innovations in Honors program recently partnered with local leaders and organizations to host an inspiring event focused on uplifting and empowering young girls in the community.
The event was organized by student leaders Asha Lee, Alyssa Luttrell, Elizabeth Lima, and Gabriella D’Elia, with faculty support from Dr. Jordan King, Director and Professor of Innovations in Honors. Together, they brought vision, leadership, and a shared commitment to community impact.
With a total of 75 attendees, the event created a vibrant and welcoming environment where young girls could connect, reflect, and grow. Designed as a space for engagement and confidence-building, the program centered on helping participants explore their goals, express themselves, and envision their futures.
A key highlight of the event was the use of interactive activities such as vision board creation and group discussions. These hands-on experiences encouraged participants to think intentionally about their aspirations while fostering creativity and self-expression. More importantly, the event provided an opportunity for young girls to be surrounded by positive role models—college students and community leaders who not only shared their experiences but also reflected the identities and potential of the girls they were mentoring.
The success of the event was strengthened by the collaboration of several community and organizational partners. Co-sponsors included Terriana Johnson of Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy (CGLA); Sandy Price and Angela Sparks of Rise Up Chattanooga; and members of historically Black sororities, including Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Additional support came from Sister Circle, a UTC student organization dedicated to uplifting Black women on campus.
Together, these groups helped create an atmosphere rooted in encouragement, representation, and shared purpose.
Ultimately, the event served as more than just a gathering—it was a meaningful step toward building confidence and cultivating ambition in the next generation. By creating a supportive space where young girls felt seen, heard, and valued, the organizers and partners reinforced the importance of community investment in youth development.
Through initiatives like this, UTC students and their partners continue to demonstrate the power of collaboration, mentorship, and intentional engagement in shaping brighter futures.