Chattanooga Celebrates Rising Talent with Chatter Magazine’s 20 Under 40 Class

Chattanooga, October 2, 2025

News Summary

Chattanooga’s Chatter magazine hosted the 20 Under 40 Class of 2025 event at St. John’s Restaurant, honoring young leaders across various sectors. The evening celebrated their professional achievements and community contributions. The event also marked Dr. Reginald Smith’s appointment as the new president of the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga, succeeding Candy Johnson, who led transformative initiatives during her tenure.

Chattanooga Celebrates Rising Talent with Chatter Magazine’s 20 Under 40 Class of 2025

Chattanooga, TN – Chatter magazine held a prestigious event to honor emerging leaders in the Chattanooga community, recognizing the 20 Under 40 Class of 2025. The celebration took place at St. John’s Restaurant, serving as the event sponsor, and featured an evening of drinks and hors d’oeuvres, highlighting the accomplishments of this year’s honorees.

This year’s class showcased an impressive array of talent and achievement, featuring award-winning professionals across multiple sectors, including business, government, education, nonprofits, and the arts. Among the honorees were rodeo champions and an individual who previously appeared on Nickelodeon, further illustrating the diverse paths that have led these rising stars to success. The event celebrated not just their professional achievements but also their character and impactful contributions to the Chattanooga community.

The evening was organized under the leadership of Kathy Bradshaw, who has been serving as the editor of Chatter magazine since June 2023. With her extensive background that includes a previous position as executive editor of Where Y’at magazine in New Orleans, she has received multiple Press Club awards for her work. Bradshaw holds a master’s degree in professional writing from the University of New Orleans and has been pivotal in producing content for Chatter magazine’s weekly newsletters, “Chatter” and “Get Out.”

New Leadership at the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga

In a significant leadership transition, Dr. Reginald Smith has been appointed as the new president and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga (ULGC), effective August 11, 2025. Dr. Smith brings over two decades of experience in education, nonprofit leadership, and community development to the role. He relocated to Chattanooga from Memphis in 2004 and is an alumnus of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC), where he earned degrees in human services management and public administration. He recently completed his Ph.D. in organizational leadership from Johnson University in 2024.

Prior to his new appointment, Dr. Smith served as the executive director of The Bethlehem Center, where he launched various community initiatives. A noteworthy achievement in his career includes being recognized as a “20 Under 40” by the Chattanooga Times Free Press in 2017, a testament to his positive impact on the community. His leadership transition comes following Candy Johnson, the first female president and CEO of ULGC, who led the organization through a transformative period before her relocation to Atlanta.

During her tenure, Johnson was instrumental in securing the Urban League’s first permanent headquarters and achieved a remarkable $3.8 million acquisition, alongside substantial debt reduction. Her leadership also included significant philanthropic achievements and the establishment of initiatives in entrepreneurship, education, and workforce development.

Legacy of the Urban League and Future Direction

The Urban League of Greater Chattanooga has a longstanding legacy of over 40 years, dedicated to empowering communities and transforming lives in the region. The transition committee that facilitated the appointment of Dr. Smith was chaired by Jennifer Fuller and included a thorough national search, ensuring a wide array of qualified candidates were considered for the vital leadership role.

Chattanooga continues to cultivate a vibrant community with a focus on recognizing leadership and fostering development through such events and initiatives. The 20 Under 40 recognition event exemplifies the city’s appreciation for the young leaders who are shaping its future.

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Additional Resources

• Chatter Magazine’s 20 Under 40 Event
• Wikipedia: Chattanooga
• Meet Chatter Magazine’s 20 Under 40 Class of 2025
• Google Search: Chatter Magazine
• Dr. Reginald Smith Named Urban League President
• Google Scholar: Urban League of Greater Chattanooga
• Chatter’s 20 Under 40 2025 Gallery
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Community Leadership
• Chatter Magazine’s 20 Under 40 Class of 2024
• Google News: Chattanooga leadership

Author: STAFF HERE CHATTANOOGA WRITER

The CHATTANOOGA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREChattanooga.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Chattanooga, Hamilton County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Riverbend Festival, Chattanooga Oktoberfest, and Moon River Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Chattanooga, plus leading businesses in manufacturing, insurance, and utilities that power the local economy such as Volkswagen Chattanooga, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, and EPB. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREKnoxville.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.