SEEED Knox

Last Thursday, SEEED's Community Engagement team hosted the 2nd meeting of our Financial Planning & Homeownership Workshop! We were thrilled to have Jeronne Maymon and Javon Crane from Northwestern Mutual join us. They shared invaluable advice on building emergency funds, avoiding high-interest debt, setting short-term goals, and managing risk.

It was an engaging session where we not only got to ask questions but also learned about our guests' personal financial journeys. Plus, we enjoyed some delicious pizza and sandwiches, and everyone walked away with a gift card! One lucky attendee even won a computer!

Thank you to everyone who joined us—together, we're taking steps toward a brighter financial future!

We are having the biggest birthday party in Knoxville this year. SEEED is turning 15 years old. Come and celebrate with us. Also, we will be honoring Dr. Jerry Askew with the Lifetime Humanitarian award.

Help us improve our community by completing this survey.

Community Issues Survey This survey is distributed on behalf of Socially Equal Energy Efficient Development (SEEED) Knox. Our goal is to use community feedback to better inform our programming and elevate areas of need.

A few weeks ago, we collaborated with the University of Tennessee for a FarmBot demonstration. Hezekiah McDonald, a UT student, worked with our team to build the FarmBot. Dr. Sukanya Moudgalya and Dr. Sai Swaminathan from UT explained the program and its impact. Hezekiah demonstrated the FarmBot in action. We thank UT and everyone who joined us. I am excited about

Career Readiness Program Fall 2024 - First Day Recap!

We kicked off the first day of our Fall 2024 Career Readiness Program with an inspiring session led by SEEED's Executive Director, Stan Johnson. Stan introduced himself and shared valuable insights into the business world, setting the tone for what promises to be an enriching experience.

To break the ice, students participated in a lively "Pass the Ball" game, which encouraged them to think creatively while adhering to rules—a fun way to build teamwork and connections.

Later, our COO, JD Jackson, fired up the grill, serving up delicious hotdogs and hamburgers that brought everyone together for a shared meal.

After lunch, Stan continued the session with a focus on professionalism, including a hands-on lesson on the art of a proper handshake. It was a strong start to what will surely be a successful journey!

We’re excited for what’s to come this fall. Stay tuned for more updates!

A couple of weeks ago, SEEED's Community Engagement team had the honor of participating in a vibrant Community Resource Fair at the Jacobs Building in Chilhowee Park! We were thrilled to stand alongside incredible organizations like Turn Up Knox, Knoxville Re-Animation Coalition Inc, the African American Equity Restoration Task Force, CHANT, CCAHT, The Kim Health Center, Remote Area Medical Volunteer Corps, Voter Turnout Coalition, CASA, the City of Knoxville, Bridge Refugee Services Inc, Ijams Nature Center, Knox County Public Library, Metro Drug Coalition, The Salvation Army, Knoxville Zoo, and many others. Together, we connected with our community, discovering the wealth of resources available in Knoxville while sharing more about SEEED’s mission. The day was filled with inspiration, valuable information, delightful treats, and meaningful connections!

🌟 Don’t Miss Out on the 15th Anniversary Green Gala! 🌟

Join us for a night of celebration, music, and community as we honor 15 years of creating pathways out of poverty and promoting environmental stewardship. 🎉

🗓 Date: September 28, 2024
🕖 Time: 7 PM - 11 PM
📍 Location: Knoxville Convention Center

✨ Enjoy a delicious dinner, live music, an awards ceremony, and dancing! This is an evening you won’t want to miss.

🎟️ Tickets are going fast! Secure yours today for just $100 and be part of something truly special. Every ticket purchased helps us continue our mission of empowering young adults and building a greener, more equitable community.

👉 Get your tickets now: www.seeedknox.org

Last Friday, SEEED joined East Tennessee Clean Fuels (ETCF) for an amazing Micro-Mobility Open House!

Around 6 PM, the community gathered to enjoy some delicious large pizzas and soda while learning about how transportation impacts all of us here in Knoxville. The event was filled with insightful activities and games that helped to collect valuable data on how attendees feel about mobility and transportation in our city, while also teaching them about the various issues surrounding mobility and transportation.

SEEED, along with Bike Walk Knoxville and other fantastic organizations, had tables set up outside to share how our work ties into the important transportation and mobility issues we're facing. It was a great opportunity to connect, share resources, and discuss how we can all contribute to a more sustainable and accessible Knoxville.

Thank you to everyone who came out and participated in these crucial conversations! Together, we’re driving towards a better future for our city.

Exciting News from SEEED!

We are thrilled to announce our collaboration with the University of Tennessee (UT) on the groundbreaking FarmBot Project!

Join us on Monday, August 12th at 9 AM at the SEEED Building for the unveiling of this innovative initiative, part of our STEM-oriented Urban Agriculture Boot Camp.

A FarmBot is a CNC farming machine that uses a computer or web app to control a robot that can plant, water, and w**d crops in a garden or farm. It's a fully automated, open-source system designed for easy assembly and adaptable to various settings.

The FarmBot Project offers students a unique opportunity to develop coding and data literacy skills by programming a robotic agricultural platform. This project represents the powerful intersection of technology and sustainable practices in urban gardening.

The FarmBot will serve as a model for community agency in accessing nutritious foods, promoting sustainable agriculture, and fostering environmental stewardship.

We invite the public to join us for this special event and witness firsthand how technology can transform urban agriculture. Let's cultivate a brighter, greener future together!

Date: Monday, August 12th
Time: 9 AM
Location: SEEED Building

Don't miss out on this opportunity to be part of something truly revolutionary. See you there!

Join Us for the 15th Annual SEEED Green Gala! ✨🌿

Hey everyone!

We are thrilled to invite you to a very special evening as we celebrate 15 incredible years of SEEED’s impact and community engagement at the Green Gala! 🌱

📅 Date: September 28, 2024
🕒 Time: 7:00 PM
📍 Location: Knoxville Convention Center

We are honored to have the amazing Hallerin Hilton Hill as our Master of Ceremonies for the night! 🎤

Here’s what you can look forward to:

🎶 Live Music: Enjoy performances by talented local artists.
🎧 DJ and Dancing: Dance the night away with great music and vibrant energy.
🔨 Live Auction: Bid on exclusive items and experiences, all in support of our cause.

Come dressed in your best semi-formal attire and be ready for an evening full of fun, inspiration, and celebration of our collective achievements.

🎟️ Get Your Tickets Now: seeedknox.org

This is a milestone event you won’t want to miss. Let’s come together to celebrate our journey and look forward to a greener, brighter future. 🌍💚

See you there!

Please join our community partner organization, East Tennessee Clean Fuels (tncleanfuels.org) at their event, Micro-Mobility Open House. It will be located at thebottomknox on August 9th from 6pm to 8pm. Space is limited to 50 attendees so reserve your ticket at the link below.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/east-knoxville-micro-mobility-open-house-tickets-944227338387?aff=oddtdtcreator&lang=en-us&locale=en_US&status=30&view=listing

Our CRP starting class is launching on August 20th, and we are now accepting applications for enthusiastic students ready to make a positive impact. If you're interested in joining us, apply now at: seeedknox.org/crpapplication

Additionally, we are seeking donations to provide lunches for our students. Your contribution can make a huge difference! To donate, visit: seeedknox.networkforgood.com/projects/226011-crp-lunch-donations-fall-2024

Feel free to share and spread the word! Thank you for your support!

Join Us for a Community Recycling Roundup!

We are excited to announce that Cemex has partnered with the Tennessee Environmental Council (TEC) to host a community-wide "Recycling Roundup" event in Knoxville on Thursday, October 24, 2024! This event, funded by Cemex, supports our commitment to a circular economy and achieving net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050.

Bring your hard-to-recycle items such as tires, mattresses, appliances, scrap metal, textiles, batteries, and electronics. Local recycling companies will be on-site to collect these items, promoting sustainability and providing a valuable service to the community.

This initiative addresses litter and illegal dumping concerns, encouraging community participation in sustainable practices. TEC’s previous roundups have recycled around 25,000 pounds of materials per event, and we’re excited to see the positive impact we can make together!

Help us spread the word, especially to Knoxville’s disadvantaged communities, and consider volunteering to assist with the event. Let’s come together for a cleaner, greener future! Mark your calendars and join us in making a difference.