The agency is recognized for outstanding team leadership in providing 1-to-1 mentoring programming for local youth.
CHATTANOOGA, TN — Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Chattanooga has been named a 2025 Platinum Award Winner by Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA), marking it as one of the premier mentoring agencies in the United States.
While there are more than 230 agencies operating across the country, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Chattanooga was one of only 13 organizations to receive this top-tier honor. This placement puts the Chattanooga agency in the top 5% of the entire federation for programmatic excellence.
The Platinum Award is uniquely rigorous; it is reserved for agencies that simultaneously meet the criteria for both the Growth Award and the Impact Award. To qualify, an agency must demonstrate an exceptional ability to recruit new mentors (Bigs) and youth (Littles) while maintaining world-class retention rates for existing matches. This dual success ensures that mentorship in Chattanooga is not just expanding, but is also deep, stable, and life-changing.
“This recognition reflects the dedication of our team to both deepening our impact and expanding mentorship opportunities for more young people,” said Shadrina Booker, CEO of BBBS of Greater Chattanooga. “To be singled out among hundreds of incredible agencies nationwide is a testament to the hard work of our staff, board, and volunteers. We are proud to be a national leader in the mission to provide life-changing mentorship.”
The BBBSA Nationwide Leadership Council, comprised of local agency leaders and board members from across the country, selects the winners based on strict performance metrics. By winning the Platinum Award, the Chattanooga agency has proven it is a national model for how to scale community services without sacrificing the quality of the one-to-one connections that define the program.
“Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Chattanooga has shown outstanding leadership by strengthening the impact of mentorship while also reaching more young people who need it most,” said Artis Stevens, President and CEO of BBBSA. “Their focus on building meaningful connections and sustaining long-term mentorship relationships is opening doors to life-changing opportunities for youth in their communities.”
The agency is recognized for outstanding team leadership in providing 1-to-1 mentoring programming for local youth.
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The generosity of a private, anonymous donor has enabled 77 Tennessean youth participating in Big Brothers Big Sisters’ Chattanooga, East TN, and Middle TN mentorship programs to receive scholarships totaling $225,000.
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The Operations Manager is a professional serving as the operational and administrative backbone of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Chattanooga. Reporting directly to the CEO, this role ensures the agency’s daily impact is sustained through meticulous oversight of office resources, vendor relationships, and financial record-keeping. Operating with a fundraising and recruitment mindset, the Operations Manager recognizes that organizational excellence and a positive culture are the primary drivers of donor trust and volunteer growth. By acting as a departmental bridge, this role ensures the agency remains fully compliant with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA) standards and local employment laws while proactively fostering a supportive, inclusive, and efficient environment for all staff.
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