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About the Event

The Inaugural Mental Health Hero Awards is a signature fundraising event celebrating the individuals, organizations, and advocates who are making a meaningful impact in the mental health field across Chattanooga and beyond.

This inspiring evening honors the heroes who lead, advocate, and partner with the AIM Center to advance recovery, access, and dignity for adults living with serious mental illness. You’ll enjoy an elegant evening of recognition, connection and storytelling, highlighting the achievements of our awardees while supporting AIM Center’s life-changing programs. From community champions to legacy leaders, the event brings together those who stand up for mental health and demonstrates how Chattanooga comes together to create hope, opportunity and lasting impact.

Award Categories

The Civic Hero Award

Honors an individual or company making a meaningful impact on mental health awareness, access, or support in the greater Chattanooga community.

The Corporate Champion Award

Recognizes a business or organization advancing mental health through policies, programs, workplace culture or community investment.

The Program Partner Award

Celebrates a community organization or partner whose collaboration within the mental health field has strengthened programs, services or outreach.

The Advocacy Hero Award

Recognizes an individual, group, or policy maker driving systemic change for mental health through advocacy, public awareness or policy efforts.

The Healing Hero Award

Honors a licensed mental health provider or care professional whose clinical excellence, compassion and commitment have significantly improved access to or quality of care in our community.

The Equity in Action Award

Recognizes an individual or organization actively advancing equity, inclusion and culturally responsive practices within the mental health field.

The Recovery Hero Award

Honors an AIM Center Clubhouse Member or an AIM Resident whose leadership, resilience, and commitment to recovery inspire others within our community.

The Voice for Change Award

Recognizes a journalist, media outlet, or communications leader who has elevated mental health awareness through thoughtful, impactful storytelling.

The Rising Hero Award

Honors a young adult (ages 16 to 25) demonstrating leadership and advocacy in advancing mental health awareness, access or peer support throughout their community.

The Lifetime Achievement Award

Honors an individual whose long-term dedication to mental health has created lasting impact in Chattanooga or the surrounding region.

Ticketing Information

General Tickets

Cost: $125 per person

Includes entry into event, access to silent auction with mobile bidding, a delicious dinner, cocktail hour with hors d’ourves and more!

Sponsor a Table

Cost: $1,750 for ten guests

Includes: Early entry into the event, access to silent auction with mobile bidding, a delicious dinner, cocktail hour with hors d’ourves, reserved premiere seating, special mention in the event program and event signage, valet parking for all your guests and more!

Event Details

When: Thursday, October 29th, 2026

Where: The Westin Chattanooga

Time: 6 PM EST

Who: YOU!

Attire: Formal (Wear your best black and gold!)

Meet Your Emcees!

James McKissic

James McKissic is the President of ArtsBuild, a local arts fund in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He is a passionate supporter of the arts, humanities, and culture, and a graduate of Leadership Tennessee. When he’s not working, he’s probably watching mysteries on BritBox, gardening, weaving, or restocking his Little Free Library as a volunteer steward.

Miles Huff

Miles currently serves as the Director of the Office of New Chattanoogans for the City of Chattanooga. He worked in the field of mental health for nearly a decade before shifting directions and entering the corporate world. He is now responsible for developing and implementing strategies to welcome, integrate, and retain new Chattanooga residents, ensuring they thrive personally and professionally within our vibrant community while becoming civically involved.

Need a Room Reservation?

Rest easy after our event and book a special discounted room for the Mental Health Hero Awards & Dinner at The Westin Chattanooga. Reserve your room before Thursday, October 1st to lock in the special rate. Click below for more details.

Heads or Tails Game

Join the fun and test your luck in our Heads or Tails game for just $25 per entry. Only 100 spots are available, and each person can purchase one entry.

How It Works: At the event, all participants will stand and guess the outcome of a coin flip by placing their hands on their head (“heads”) or on their hips (“tails”). The emcee flips the coin, calls the result, and anyone who guessed wrong sits down. The game continues until one winner remains.

The winner will receive a certificate to the NEW Erlanger Park TVFCU Suite! Use of the suite is good for up to 20 guests at a 2027 season Chattanooga Lookouts home game and includes 4 VIP parking passes!

Spots are limited and will sell quickly—secure yours now for the chance to take home this incredible prize. All entrants must be 18 years of age or older to participate. Winner must be present at the event to win.

Certificate Value: $1,000 – Generously donated by TVFCU.

Meet our Event Chair & Committee

Aaron Collier was born and raised in Chattanooga and now calls Signal Mountain home, where he lives with his wife, Laurie, and their three children. He has spent the past 15 years of his career at BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee as a Principal Digital Product Manager. Mental health has touched Aaron’s life in meaningful ways, and those experiences have shaped his belief that no one should face those challenges without support. When AIM Center asked him to chair the Mental Health Heroes Committee, the answer was an easy “yes!”. He sees the event as an opportunity to celebrate the people doing this work and to build the resources that make it possible. Aaron is a proud Board Member of AIM Center, advocate of mental health in our community, and excited to help bring this event to life!