Chattanooga, TN (WDEF) The Chattanooga Business Elite came together today to honor innovation, entrepreneurship, and culture during Black Business Month.
The 2025 Level Up Summit brought local leaders, entrepreneurs, and industry experts under one roof — all focused on empowering and elevating Black-owned businesses.
Executive Director Shay McCowan said the event is about growth and unity. “It’s time for us all to level up together. It’s about collaborating and coming together unified with one another, and at the same time growing together,” she said.
McCowan added that the summit was designed to inspire professionals at every stage. “We really promoted this to business owners, entrepreneurs, and professionals. It is about leveling up as a professional, as a business owner, and even in the community,” she explained.
A new highlight this year was a hands-on content creation session with Chattanooga’s top 14 content creators, offering attendees tips to build their brand, tell their story, and strengthen their digital presence.
Tyliyah Ward, owner of T. Luxe Moments, shared her own entrepreneurial journey. “Originally, I was a nursing major at UTC. I switched to marketing because I’ve always loved content. I decided to finally launch my content creation business after holding onto the idea for a year. I just needed to flourish and give it a try,” she said.
The Level Up Summit is part of a month-long celebration recognizing Black business owners nationwide and highlighting their impact on local economies and communities.
