Knoxville Area Urban League Membership Luncheon Celebrates Community Impact

The Knoxville Area Urban League (KAUL) successfully hosted its 2025 Membership Luncheon on Feb. 19 via livestream on YouTube with the theme “Elevating Our Impact” to celebrate the nonprofit’s achievements, showcase key programs and unveil exciting plans.

Dr. Tyvi Small, board chair of KAUL, reflected on the organization’s significant progress over the past year. He emphasized KAUL’s ongoing dedication to community impact, sharing inspiring success stories and the positive outcomes of the organization’s programs, which serve to empower youth, support small business owners, promote racial equity and strengthen the local economy.

“It was inspiring to see our staff, board members and partners come together to celebrate the impact of our work, even if weather impacted the luncheon,” said Dr. Avice Evans Reid, interim president and CEO of the Knoxville Area Urban League. “As we continue to elevate our initiatives, we are grateful to our supporters who are integral to our success. We look forward to building on this momentum and creating lasting change in the years to come.”

Personal stories shared by three KAUL clients, Zenobia Dobson, Workforce Development; James Davis (Housing); and Brianna Andrews (Education), provided highlights of the event. Each speaker reflected on how KAUL’s programs helped them thrive, offering powerful testimonies of growth and success.

The event also honored departing board members for their service and leadership and welcomed new members who will contribute to advancing KAUL’s mission and vision for the future.

• Adam Cook, chief development & marketing officer, East Tennessee Children’s Hospital
• Jeremy R. Cook, senior vice president, financial advisor, Pinnacle Financial Partners
• David Hunt, president & general manager, WBIR
• Renee Kelly, director of Boundless, Clayton Homes
• Dave Miller, CEO, First Horizon’s Regional Bank
• J. Brandon Ross, managing broker/regional property manager, Woody Creek Realty
• Hancen Sale, director of federal government relations, Reworld
• Pastor Joseph Tolbert, Pastor, Foster Chapel Baptist Church

Key takeaways from the event:

• Community Impact and Achievements – KAUL shared recent milestones with a special focus on key programs, like the expungement clinics and National Achievers Society (NAS), that have made a difference in the community.
• Equity and Inclusion – Luncheon included updates on initiatives aimed at advancing social justice, diversity and equity in the Knoxville area. Closing the racial wealth gap and promoting fairness remain central to their efforts.
• Vision for the Future – KAUL outlined its strategic plans for 2025, including projects and partnerships, such as new science, technology, education and mathematics (STEM) offerings with the University of Tennessee. The plan also emphasized how the community can continue to support the organization’s mission to uplift and empower marginalized communities.
• Member Engagement – A key focus of the event was the importance of active membership, reinforcing how members can make an impact by supporting programs that drive positive change. Attending KAUL’s significant annual events is just one way members can give back to the organization.
• Acknowledgments and Gratitude – KAUL recognized the contributions of outstanding members, volunteers, staff, board members and donors who have supported the organization’s mission and made its success possible in the areas of education, housing, jobs and justice.

For more information about the Knoxville Area Urban League, call 865-524-5511 or visit thekaul.org.

About the Knoxville Area Urban League

Since 1968, the Knoxville Area Urban League has assisted disadvantaged people attain social and economic stability and self-sufficiency through direct services and advocacy. The League works to provide a skilled and diverse workforce; to increase homeownership; to support economic and small business development, and to enhance education efforts for our youth. The Knoxville Area Urban League is a United Way partner agency and affiliate of the National Urban League. The League’s work and results are evident in the lives of the over 8,000 people it impacts each year. For more information, call 865-524-5511 or visit thekaul.org.