Reports
Find our latest data-driven reports and research below.
Hamilton County ARPA Funds Community Allocation
The Hamilton County Commission voted on Wednesday, November 15th, to remove more than one million dollars in funding voted on and approved for ULGC and Sankofa, respectively, to advance their organizational missions as approved by the county commission. The funds were awarded by county resolution on July 6, 2022, and August 3, 2022, with resources stemming from The American Rescue Plan, a $1.9 trillion economic stimulus bill passed by the 117th United States Congress on March 21, 2021, designed to facilitate the United States’ recovery from the devastating economic and health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the Treasury’s Consolidated Appropriations Act issued a final rule in August 2023 for Coronavirus State & Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLRF) which ensured that governments have the resources needed to support the communities including support for “impacted” and “disproportionately impacted” which noted that disproportionately impacted classes faced meaningfully more severe impacts, often due to preexisting disparities. The funds were diverted without notice or discussion and violated Tennessee Code Ann. 8-44-103 and 8-44-105. Both organizations are requesting the funds be restored as a benefit to those they serve.
Community Culture Index
On May 5, 2023 Hinton & Company, in partnership with the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga released the region’s first highly-localized, data-driven assessment tool — Community Culture Index which aims to measure how well employers in the community are incorporating inclusive practices into their workplaces in a quantifiable and objective way. Inclusive practices refer to policies, behaviors, and actions that help create a culture of belonging and fairness for all and can contribute to an organization’s ability to attract and retain high-performing employees, develop new products, and reach new market segments.
The Community Culture Index surveyed small businesses, government agencies, nonprofits and major employers from throughout the Chattanooga region on a range of topics. The survey aimed to determine whether these organizations are adopting leading inclusive practices in areas such as recruiting, hiring, strategic plans, and partnerships.
State of Black Chattanooga (2022)
Since 1976, The National Urban League (NUL) has produced State of Black America® the signature annual reporting of the National Urban League and one of the most highly-anticipated benchmarks and sources for thought leadership around racial equality in America across economics, employment, education, health, housing, criminal justice and civic participation.
Under the leadership of the Urban League’s first female president and CEO, Candy Johnson, the Chattanooga affiliate has produced its first-ever report focused on the State of the Black population in Chattanooga and Hamilton County. The goal in initiating this report is to provide a high-quality, data-driven, accessible and localized report for the benefit of public practitioners and the community at-large for a holistic picture of the disparities faced by Black residents in the areas of economics, health, education and civic involvement. We believe that a report curated reflecting the Black experience, led by a minority-serving institution will play a vital role in creating a sustained path toward addressing longstanding racial disparities in our community.