Our Mission
Our mission is to help Protect, Promote and Preserve our natural and cultural resources, while supporting Booker T. Washington State Park with activities, park programs and volunteerism that provide environmental education and recreational activities.
Photo Gallery
President's Corner
President
Ms. Sheila Keith
Letter from the President
Booker T. Washington State Park was established and named after the great leader, Booker T. Washington, with its mission to provide quality recreational activities and programs with the focus on environmental education while continuing to protect and preserve the park's history and its natural resources.
Friends of Booker T. Washington State Park (Friends of the Park), established in September 2016, is a volunteer tax-exempt public charity under the Internal Revenue Code, 501(c)(3). This non-profit organization consists of individuals who are dedicated to partnering with the park and its management; to ensure a vibrant future by enhancing the natural, historic, and cultural resources that Booker T. Washington State Park represents.
In the park's continued efforts to expand its reach and impact on the community, an initiative is being made to enhance the overall park experience. This plan will create the opportunity to foster and develop new programs, increase public engagement, and to make any necessary improvements that will help the park continue as a great destination place.
Please make all checks payable to Friends of Booker T. Washington State Park, 5801 Champion Road, Chattanooga, TN 37416
We look forward to your partnership,
Sheila Keith
President of Friends of the Park
Sheila Keith's Bio
Sheila Keith serves as President of Booker T. Washington Friends of the Park. Sheila is a native New Yorker that came to Chattanooga, Tennessee in 1979, to work for Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) in their Student Training Employment Program (STEP) as an Engineering Aid.
Sheila liked Chattanooga so well she decided to enroll in the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC), where she obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Applied Mathematics with a Computer Science Concentration. Sheila obtained her Master of Science Degree in Health Services Administration from the University of Saint Francis.
After graduating from UTC, Sheila worked at Provident Life and Accident Insurance Company where she started as a Computer Programmer and was later blessed to be among one of the first female African Americans to become Director of Research, Development and Training. After working for Provident for approximately 14 years, Sheila was presented with the position of Manager of Medical Informatics at BlueCross BlueShield of TN (BCBST). She held many positions during her 16 years at BCBST. After leaving BCBST in June 2013, Sheila went to work for Amerigroup/Anthem as Director of Clinical Programs. God gave her a desire to own her own business soon after she graduated from UTC, but He did not reveal what type of business it would be until many years later. God blessed Sheila throughout her career with the business experience and knowledge that has prepared her for the challenge of owning Keith Monuments.
Sheila met and married the love of her life, Jerome Keith. Her father-in-law, Cleveland “Hodo” Keith, whom she often referred to as “Daddy,” began Keith & Sons Monument Company in the early 1960s. After Jerome Keith's death on March 1, 2016, ownership of Keith Monuments transferred to Sheila. The company has since been incorporated and is now known as Keith Monuments LLC.
When Sheila asked her Daddy why he started Keith & Sons, he replied, “I wanted everyone to have an address.” Cleveland Keith created the motto for Keith & Sons Monument Company, “Large Enough To Serve, Small Enough To Care;” that motto continues for Keith Monuments LLC today.
Anxious to get involved with the day-to-day of Keith Monuments LLC, Sheila prayed and asked God to make her a 100% Entrepreneur. On March 1, 2019, Sheila experienced the revelation of her prayer and was able to be at the Keith Monuments LLC office on a full-time basis. Keith Monuments LLC is a ministry for Sheila. Sheila meets inspiring people every day, sharing moments of prayer, tears, and joy.
God continues to answer Sheila’s prayers. Each day, Sheila asks God to bring people into her life whom she can bless and who can bless her in return. Being presented with and receiving the opportunity to serve as President of Booker T. Washington Friends of the Park is a response to Sheila's prayers to serve others.
Vice President
Avery Smith
I am a 38-year employee of Coca-Cola Bottling Company United, current position as Divisional Key Account Developer.
Currently, I serve in my Church (Olivet Baptist Church) on the Deacon board, Finance committee, and as well as wherever needed. I discovered at an early age that my spiritual gift is that of service. I have spent most of my life as a servant: helping and serving others.
Over the years, I’ve served in various ministries in the churches I’ve attended, served and chaired on PTA committees at all level of my
son schooling; volunteered with various youth athletic leagues for many years; started and supported various youth mentoring programs; served on various organizational boards and committees; I’ve engaged in planning and strategizing with business leaders, community leaders, City and County Officials; I’ve volunteered and supported multiple charity walks and many other charity events the happens in our community. I graduated from Brainerd High School (class of 1980); I graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a B.S. in Biology in 1984. I am a 44-year member of Phi Beta Sigma, Fraternity, Inc. I have been married to my wife (Chanta) for 38 years, and we have one son, Avery Jr.
In closing, as a child I was taught “you’ll have to work twice as hard to get half as far”; as an adult I’ve embraced the bible verse “Work as
unto the Lord and not for men” (Col. 3:23). I contribute my successes to strong work ethics, positive attitude, God’s grace and guidance.
Hello
Discover Your Next Adventure with Friends of Booker T State Park
I am a 38-year employee of Coca-Cola Bottling Company United,
current position - Divisional Key Account Developer.
Currently, I serve in my Church (Olivet Baptist Church) on the Deacon
board, Finance committee, and as well as wherever needed.
I discovered at an early age that my spiritual gift is that of service. I
have spe
History and Education
Let's learn together.
Friends of Booker T. Washington State Park
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