Saturday, August 25, 2007

Nonprofit targets young professionals

TimesFreePress Audio
Zsavonne Perryman - Download MP3-

By Karina Gonzalez
Staff Writer

An area nonprofit group plans to recognize young professionals who choose Chattanooga as a good spot to live.

"The whole point of (the group) is to promote Chattanooga as a young professional friendly city. It's a great place not only to tour, but it's also a good place to live and work," said Zsavonne Perryman, with the Young Professionals Association of Chattanooga, a local nonprofit. "We should recognize the businesses and individuals who are already looking at Chattanooga like that."

The organization is gearing up for an awards ceremony this fall where an individual and a business will be named for the Young Professional of the Year and the Young Professional Friendly Business of the Year awards.

The group is seeking nominations from the community for both awards through July 16. Finalists will be announced in early August. Finalists will be selected based on community involvement and achievements within their fields, Ms. Perryman said.

The Urban League of Greater Chattanooga is among the groups already nominated for the award. Warren Logan, Urban League president and CEO, said the majority of the staff is under age 40. He said young professionals have "always been a value" to the organization.

The experience they gain here can help them move up to higher positions within the Urban League or other organizations, he said.

James McKissic, raised in Cleveland, Tenn., said he moved away from the Tennessee Valley thinking there were few opportunities here. But he changed his mind after working at the Urban League. Mr. McKissic, 35, now serves as vice president of programs and administration at the Urban League.

"It's a place where you can establish yourself and offer new ideas," said Mr. McKissic, who incorporates his passion for painting and photography in his job. "In my experience the whole nonprofit sector has been that way. ... The Urban League has been a good place for me."

Taylor Monen, who a year ago opened Soirées, a full wedding, parties and event planning business in Chattanooga, is among those nominated for the award. The three full-time staff members are 25 or younger, she said.

"Being a young professional, it's tough," said the 25-year-old, who came up with the concept for her business while she was out of work pregnant with her daughter. "Starting a business is scary. I wasn't sure if I would be successful. But my business is thriving."

E-mail Karina Gonzalez at kgonzalez@timesfreepress.com

MORE INFORMATION
For further information on the Young Professionals Association of Chattanooga or to nominate candidates for the Young Professional of the Year and Young Professional Friendly Business of the Year awards, visit www.ypacnow.org.

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