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Block party set for East Chattanooga

By: Perla Trevizo
(Contact)

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Travis Upton

To provide some relief to East Chattanooga residents, various faith-based organizations and Harriet Tubman public housing development officials are getting together to host their second-annual block party Saturday.

“It’s basically to offset some of the negative atmosphere that kind of prevails in the area, also to give the community a chance to get out and come together, to celebrate and enjoy themselves,” said Michael Twitty, Chattanooga Housing Authority community service representative for the development.

“There’s a lot that goes on in areas like this one — lower income, public housing,” he said. “I think activities like this are really important to give some sort of relief, to show that all that you see on the news and that you read in the paper is not all that’s here.”

The Harriet Tubman Block Party, which is free to the community, will include food, drinks, inflatable play equipment, prizes and Kenyan rapper Ringtone as the main entertainment.

“It started (last year) as a way to reach out to the community, to the Harriet Tubman community, to the East (Chattanooga) community,” said Travis Upton, director of community development with Hope for the Inner City, one of the organizations hosting the event.

“We talk about changing lives and transforming communities, and we do that through connecting with people, bringing people together, a collaborative with churches and other organizations,” he said.

The event also is an opportunity to show love to the community, Mr. Upton said.

“Having a block party once a year doesn’t solve everything, but what it does is it opens a door to be able to relate to people, get contact information, open up some communication to where, as time goes on, we continue that rapport,” he said. “We can walk alongside with that person, that family, and try to help get their needs met.”

Socializing with neighbors can help change the community, said Karma Morgan, a resident at Harriet Tubman and chairwoman of the coordination committee for the block party.

“There are a lot of drugs in the community, and there’s not a lot for teenagers to do in the community. That’s why they get in trouble,” she said. “If we can get together and get the drugs out, the people causing the problems, it will be fine.”

The event is co-sponsored by Love Fellowship Baptist Church, Miracle Missionary Baptist Church, Rock Island Baptist Church and Restoration Temple of Praise.

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