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Celebrating the Unsung Sheroes of Hamilton County & Beyond
The Women Who Build Honors recognizes women making powerful contributions in their communities - often behind the scenes, always with heart. These women build people, programs, and progress.
About the Honors
Mission Statement:
The Women Who Build Honors were created to spotlight women who embody selfless service and quiet strength—often overlooked yet always impactful. Whether they’re grassroots organizers, educators, faith-based leaders, or neighborhood champions, these women are the backbone of real community change.
Who We Celebrate:
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Grassroots leaders
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Educators & mentors
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Social workers & caregivers
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Neighborhood advocates
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Women-owned businesses supporting community causes
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Youth program leaders
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Faith-based or nonprofit champions
Honoree Commitment
Being honored is about more than a moment-it's about multiplying your impact.
Each honoree will be asked to support the mission of The Bridge Builder Collective by helping raise a minimum of $1,000 through sponsorship outreach, personal or peer donations, or corporate support.
Don’t worry—we’ll support you every step of the way with:
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A full fundraising toolkit
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Personalized social media graphics
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Donation tracking tools
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Sample emails and outreach templates
Your commitment helps us expand vital programs that uplift youth and empower communities.
Presented at Moonlight & Mimosas
Honorees will be recognized during Moonlight & Mimosas, a vibrant PM Brunch celebration with elegance, empowerment, and purpose at its core.
🗓️ Recognition Date: Saturday, October 4, 2025 - 9:30pm
🎉 Part of: Bridge the Weekend – our annual fundraising experience starting Friday, October 3
📍 Location: Top Golf - East Ridge, TN
🎟️ www.bridgetheweekend.org
Proceeds benefit The Bridge Builder Collective’s youth and community-focused initiatives.
Impact of Your Support
By supporting Women Who Build Honors, you're helping to power:
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The Omega Lamplighters Mentoring Program
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The Dr. Marvin Lott Scholarship Program
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STEAM & Literacy Initiatives - Including Geek Squad Academy & Pages with Purpose
2025 Women Who Build Honorees
The Women Who Build Honors celebrate dynamic women in Hamilton County and surrounding areas who are quietly, yet powerfully, shaping their communities. These honorees exemplify resilience, leadership, and service—often without recognition or applause. Through their work in education, entrepreneurship, mentorship, advocacy, and beyond, they embody the spirit of building bridges and creating lasting impact.
Each year, we shine a spotlight on these remarkable women to say, “We see you. We honor you. And we thank you.”
You can support their campaigns by clicking the appropriate button next to their photo. Your contribution helps amplify their efforts and further the mission of uplifting communities through service and empowerment.
Dr. Lakesha Thompson
Dr. LaKesha Thompson is the embodiment of transformational leadership, educational excellence, and purpose-driven service. With over 12 years of experience in Hamilton County Schools, she currently serves as Assistant Principal at Brainerd High School—her cherished alma mater—where she leads with passion, equity, and an unwavering commitment to student success.
A proud graduate of Liberty University, Dr. Thompson holds a Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction and is actively pursuing her Instructional Leadership License. Her career has spanned impactful roles as a classroom teacher, instructional coach, district ELA content lead, and Future Ready Institute lead. Through each role, she has developed and implemented innovative, real-world learning experiences that prepare students for college, careers, and lifelong success.
Dr. Thompson’s leadership extends well beyond the classroom. She mentors first-generation college students through TN Achieves, volunteers at the Chattanooga Area Food Bank to combat food insecurity, and contributes nationally as a presenter at the Simply Coaching Summit. Her service on committees focused on culturally responsive teaching and instructional innovation further illustrates her deep commitment to equity and inclusion.
At the heart of it all is her greatest role—being a mother. Dr. Thompson draws daily inspiration from her daughter, who serves as both her motivation and her legacy. It is her daughter who fuels her tireless pursuit of progress and her belief that every child deserves opportunity, dignity, and access to a quality education.
Guided by her personal mantra, “service + advocacy = impact,” Dr. LaKesha Thompson is not only building stronger schools—she is helping shape a more just and connected world.
Ms. Lorean Mays
Lorean Mays is a nationally recognized researcher, health and education advocate, and community trailblazer dedicated to creating lasting change across Tennessee. A native of Chattanooga, she currently serves as the African American and Sickle Cell Initiative Manager for Blood Assurance, where she champions access, awareness, and equitable care for underserved communities.
Lorean’s journey began at Bennett College for Women and Lee University, where she pursued degrees in Nursing and Business Administration. With over 20 years of impact spanning education, politics, healthcare, and nonprofit leadership, she has consistently amplified the voices of those historically left out of the conversation.
A force in pageantry, Lorean is a 9-time “Miss/Ms. Tennessee” titleholder and former Executive Director for both the Miss Black TN USA and Miss Black US Ambassador pageant systems. She’s mentored hundreds as a coach, judge, and producer—uplifting Black excellence and empowering women to lead with confidence and conviction.
Lorean is also the visionary behind Diaspora Girl History & Research (DGHR), an educational platform offering historical and genealogical services rooted in African American Studies. Through DGHR, she supports scholarship initiatives for students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities and sparks cultural pride through education and research.
Her leadership is reflected in the numerous boards she serves on, including the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, TNWPC, and Emerge America. She has received widespread recognition for her work, including the Presidential Volunteer Service Award from President Barack Obama and multiple gubernatorial proclamations and national honors.
At every step, Lorean has modeled what it means to lead boldly, serve intentionally, and build pathways for others to rise. She is, without a doubt, a Woman Who Builds.
Ms. Brittney Officer
Brittney Officer is a proud Chattanooga, Tennessee native and a dedicated advocate for youth and families in her community. A product of the Hamilton County School System and a graduate of Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences, Brittney has built a distinguished academic and professional career rooted in service and leadership.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Tennessee State University, a Master’s degree in Human Services with a specialization in Marriage and Family, and an MBA with a specialization in Management and Leadership, both from Liberty University. Additionally, she earned an Education Specialist (E.Ds.) degree in Counseling and Psychology from Tennessee Tech University.
Brittney is a school-based therapist with Centerstone, serving students at Bess T. Shepherd Elementary and Brown Middle School in Hamilton County. Passionate about mental health and youth development, she co-founded Alpha and Omega Outreach, Inc. in 2000 with her mother to support children from single-parent households. Brittney now leads the organization's Program and Development efforts.
Beyond her work in mental health and nonprofits, Brittney is also a small business owner and a licensed insurance professional, certified in property & casualty as well as life & health insurance.
She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and serves as Vice President of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) of Chattanooga and mentors young women from diverse backgrounds, offering guidance and support rooted in compassion and experience.
Frequently working behind the scenes, Brittney is known for her tireless dedication to planning, organizing, and volunteering for community events—whether through her nonprofit, NPHC, or in support of friends, family, and local initiatives.
Mrs. Angela Malone
Angela Malone is a purpose-driven leader, mentor, and financial strategist whose unwavering commitment to service has shaped communities across Hamilton County for over two decades. She currently serves as the Assistant Store Manager at K-VA-T / Food City, where she leads a team of more than 100 employees with a strong emphasis on mentorship, collaboration, and collective growth.
A proud graduate of both Belhaven University and Chattanooga State Community College, Angela holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and an Associate of Science in Business Administration with a minor in Finance. Like her alma mater’s Blazer mascot—symbolized by bolts and fire—Angela is known for blazing trails, sparking transformation, and pushing progress forward.
Her leadership extends deeply into community service through the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Chattanooga Chapter, Inc., where she has served faithfully for nearly a decade. Currently the 2nd Vice President of Finance and Fund Development-Elect, she also holds previous leadership roles on the Public Policy, Membership, Finance, and Fundraising Committees. Angela's work advances financial equity, resource development, and opportunities for women and girls in Chattanooga and beyond.
A 2025 graduate of Leadership Chattanooga, Angela is actively involved in numerous initiatives promoting inclusion and empowerment. She has served on the Female Leadership Alliance Board, supported the EMPOWER Women’s Group, and worked with public housing agencies to support family self-sufficiency.
Angela’s achievements have earned her multiple accolades, including the Claude P. Varney Award for Outstanding Volunteerism, Western Union’s Eagle Eye Award, and nominations for the Shero Award. Through every endeavor, she builds people, strengthens programs, and moves communities toward lasting change.
Whether in the boardroom, classroom, or community, Angela leads with vision, action, and heart. She is, without question, a Woman Who Builds.
