BIG POTENTIAL
IN EAST TENNESSEE

ABOUT BBBS-EAST TENNESSEE 

OUR VISION & MISSION

Our vision is that all children achieve their full potential.

Our mission is to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth.

JUSTICE, EQUITY, DIVERSITY, & INCLUSION

Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) is not part of our work, it is our work. Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee (BBBS-ETN) is committed to remaining a welcoming and inclusive organization. We foster a culture that values the diversity of every member of BBBS-ETN’s community. 

To learn more about Big Brothers Big Sister’s JEDI initiatives, click here.

OUR IMPACT

  • Active Matches in 2021: 424
  • New Matches Made in 2021: 133
  • Number of Counties Served: 23
  • Number of Counties with Active Matches: 9
  • Youth Impact:
    • 95% of Littles feel like they belong
    • 97% of Littles are confident they can say no to drugs, violence, and skipping school
    • 87% of Littles have better grades, academic goals, and confidence

To learn more about our impact, visit Big Brothers Big Sisters of America’s impact reports here.

ANNUAL REPORTS

We care about your gift the way you care for others, and we take that responsibility very seriously. As a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization, we strive to be the best stewards of your gift in order to better serve its purpose: to serve more children with mentors, more effectively.

2022 Annual Report (PDF)

2021 Annual Report (PDF)

2019 Annual Report (PDF)

OUR LEADERSHIP

Board of Directors

Our talented and dedicated Board of Directors leads the BBBS-ET agency in making important decisions and guiding the organization to success.

Current members:

  • Dipakkumar Patel, President
  • Carol Davis, President-Elect
  • Aaron Riley
  • Amanda Kenner-Cradic
  • Ben Talley
  • Brandon Hardin
  • Brandon Stroud
  • Brooke Lawson
  • Carly Harrington
  • Charley Bible
  • Cody Crowell
  • Crystal Ivey
  • Dino Cartwright
  • Charles Lomax
  • Codou Samba
  • Emily Norris
  • Gary Wilson
  • Lauren Longmire
  • Maria Nia
  • Mike Cohen
  • Paige Walton
  • Susan Martin
  • Marina Alvidrez

 

Click here to meet the BBBS-ETN staff.

Hall of Fame

In 2017, Big Brothers Big Sisters of East TN inducted the inaugural group of Hall of Fame members. The Hall of Fame is a platform to recognize those individuals who have been instrumental in providing direction, energy, and support to the shaping of BBBS-ETN since its inception in 1970. Each of the inductees has had a measurable impact on the organization as Bigs, Board and Committee members, fundraisers, and donors to the agency.

  • 2017 Inductees
    • Bill Jolly
    • Al Williams
    • Bo Schafer
  • 2018 Inductees
    • Heidi Brenner
    • Bill Tapp
    • Gordon Thomas
  • 2019 Inductees
    • Julie Hardin
    • Cari Parker
    • Don Shawl
  • 2022 Inductees
    • William “Ed” Harmon
    • Chip DeBlois
    • Beal Bourne

 

 

 

    East Tennessee Mentor of the Year

    In 2022, launched the East Tennessee Mentor of the Year award to honor a leader creating significant impact throughout our region. This award goes to someone that mentors every day professionally, personally, and philanthropically.

    • 2022 Awardee Jim Clayton
    • 2023 Awardee Pam Fansler
    Bigs and Littles of the Year

    Each year, BBBS-ETN honors two outstanding matches that have demonstrated the importance of a mentoring relationship that helps Littles achieve their biggest possible future and makes a long-lasting impact on the Big, too.

    2015

    • Chris and K’Vaughn, matched in 2005
    • Megan and Alira, matched in 2008

    2016

    • Amy and J.J., matched in 2013

    2017

    • Rich and Kadir, matched in 2012
    • Mallory and Aniyah, matched in 2014

    2018

    • Brent and Deontae, matched in 2014
    • Sabrina and De’Aries, matched in 2011
    • Stephanie and Jose, matched in 2018

    2019

    • Mike and Aaron, matched in 2015
    • Laurie and Maria, match in 2012

    2020

    • Tyler and Josh, matched in 2016
    • Dianne and Kristen, matched in 2019

    2021

    • Christopher and Tahj, matched in 2016
    • Sharon and Jaslin, matched in 2018

    2022

    • David and Juan, matched in 2019
    • Briana and Nyla, matched in 2013

    2023

    • Glenn and Coogie, matched in, 2013
    • Barbara and Flora, matched in 2017

    BIG ACHIEVEMENTS BIG PARTNERS

    In addition to our dedicated volunteers, our work at BBBS-ETN wouldn’t be possible without the support of our generous partners. By committing to a partnership with us, your contributions help support one-to-one mentoring relationships in East Tennessee. Join us in defending the potential of the youth in our community, one life-changing friendship at a time.

    Is your business or organization interested in supporting our work? Contact us today and we will send you information, including our sponsorship levels and benefits.

    Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee

    AGENCY HISTORY

    1970

    Founded

    “Big Brothers of Knoxville” and “Knoxville Big Sisters Program” are established.

    1972

    First Black Mentor

    Beal Bourne, Big Brothers of Knoxville’s first Black mentor, is matched with Little Brother Leonard Winton III. Watch video.

    1975

    Big Brothers & Big Sisters Merge

    “Big Brothers of Knoxville” and “Knoxville Big Sisters Program” merge to become Big Brothers Big Sisters of Knoxville.

    1992

    BBBS TN Valley Formed

    “Big Brothers Big Sisters of Knoxville” merges with “Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oak Ridge” to create “Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tennessee Valley.”
    2007

    BBBS East TN Created

    “Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee” is created as a consolidation of “Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tennessee Valley” and “Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Tri-Cities.”
    2016

    Gold Standard Agency

    BBBS-ETN is honored as a 2016 Gold Standard Agency by Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.

    2017

    Hall of Fame

    BBBS-ETN names its inaugural Hall of Fame inductees – Agency co-founder and first Big Brother, Bo Shafer; former Board President and Big Brother, Bill Jolly; and Al Williams, another former Board President, Big Brother, and author of the book ‘A Friend Indeed,’ which was sold to raise funds for BBBS-ETN.

    2018

    Pinnacle Award

    BBBS-ETN is recognized by BBBSA as a 2017 Pinnacle Award Winner.
    2019

    Agency of the Year

    BBBS-ETN wins “National Mid-Large Agency of the Year” through Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.
    2020

    50 Years of Service

    BBBS-ETN celebrates 50 years of service to the East Tennessee community.
    2022

    Bo Shafer Mentoring Center

    BBBS-ETN opens the Bo Shafer Mentoring Center, named after the agency’s founding Board President and Big Brother.