Local entrepreneurs earn $10,500 in Knoxville Area Urban League business pitch contest

Five winners of the Knoxville Area Urban League’s business pitch contest have received checks totaling $10,500 for enterprises ranging from health care to art classes. Mark Isom, the founder and president of Premiere Building Maintenance Corporation, presented the entrepreneurs with checks during Impact Week, a virtual fundraiser held in late 2020 for the Knoxville Area Urban League’s community initiatives, including … Read More

Mobile Unit will bring driver’s license and ID services on Tuesday, Aug. 20

The Knoxville Area Urban League will host a Tennessee Driver’s License Mobile Unit on Tuesday, Aug. 20, to provide licensing and state identification services to the community. The unit will be available from 1-4 p.m. at the Knoxville Area Urban League’s headquarters, located at 1514 E. 5th Ave. Services will include state ID cards, learner’s permits, new driver’s licenses, renewal … Read More

Sitting around the table with Bill Gates

You may have noticed that it’s been a while since I last wrote a blog entry. I assure you that my absence from the blogosphere has nothing to do with lack of material. The past month has been a blur of activity, and I’ve been involved in some very interesting things. At the end of July, I attended the annual … Read More

Facing the Foreclosure Giant

A word from Phyllis Nichols, Knoxville Area Urban League President and CEO Today I started my day like most others, with a cup of coffee in one hand and the News Sentinel in the other. (I like the new format.) While reading the article, “Knoxville man caught in foreclosure maze,” I wanted to shout, “We could have helped you – … Read More

Non-profits: How do they “profit” our community?

A word from Phyllis Nichols, Knoxville Area Urban League President and CEO Here in the Volunteer State, we’re known for our willingness to step up and help those in need. The longstanding success of the United Way of Greater Knoxville’s annual fundraising campaign and the solid individual and corporate support of our many area non-profits stand as testament to our … Read More

All Things Being Equal

Welcome to “All Things Being Equal,” our new blog. Why a blog? It’s simple, really. As President and Chief Executive Officer of the Knoxville Area Urban League, I meet and engage with many people in this community, in our state, and across the country. I often hear, “I’ve heard of the Urban League, but I’m not sure what you do.” … Read More