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About Dr. Carnita Atwater

ATWATER’S EXTENSIVE CAREER PATH:

  • Community Advocate for Homeless, Disadvantaged, Women, Children, Senior Citizens and Displaced Veterans

  • Elementary Teacher

  • Business Owner – Kid’s Prestige Child Development Center

  • President/CEO – African American International Museum Foundation

  • Dean of Medical Studies

  • Dean of Student Affairs

  • Dean of Student Services

  • Academic Dean

  • Hospital Administrator

  • Nursing Home Administrator

  • Medical Director

  • Adjunct Professor

  • Public and Community Health Educator

  • Neighborhood Community Revitalization Coordinator

  • Domestic Abuse Counselor

  • Licensed Practical Nurse/Med-Surgical Nurse

  • Certified Nurse Technician

  • Emergency Medical Technician

  • Paramedic I, II, II, IV

  • American Red Cross CPR Trainer

  • Certified Solar Energy Counselor

  • Recipient of the Solar In Our Community Award

  • 35 years of Community Organizing

ATWATER’S COMMUNITY AND STATEWIDE OUTREACH/DONATION

  • Statewide – Clarksville, Nashville, Millington, Springfield, Oakland, Somerville, Bolivar, Jackson, Ashland City, Brighton, Crossville, Covington, Adams, Murfreesboro, Hendersonville, Lebanon, Joelton, Bumper Mills, Woodland, Dover, McKenzie, Paris, Humboldt, Brownsville

    • Donation of furniture to single-parent households

    • Care packages and clothing

    • Thanksgiving and Christmas food boxes

    • Donation of Christmas bicycles, toys, books, and misc.

    • Donation of medical supplies to senior citizens

 

  • City of Memphis/Shelby County – New Chicago, Frayser, Hollywood, Hyde Parks, Northaven, Smokey City, Hyde Parks, Bear Water, Springdale, Westwood, Whitehaven, Douglass and across the city.

    • COVID-19 Outreach (2020) – Implemented an Emergency Outreach Survival Program to cater to 5,000 individuals without the assistance of the government.

    • Feeding over 10,000 individuals living in poverty each year.

    • Donation of 200 heaters and air conditioners each year.

    • Donation of 300 bicycles to children in low-income areas to increase health benefits and decrease obesity.

    • Instrumental in saving 50 senior citizens homes from being sold through tax lien sales.

    • Created 100 jobs for ex-felons and low-income families to address the lack of employment in poverty-stricken areas

    • Implementation of an Inner-City Literacy program in which 5,000 books were donated.

    • Implementation of a Solar Panel Installation Children Program to teach renewable energy.

    • Implementation of a free Afri-Ballerina Program for boys and girls across the City of Memphis.

    • Implementation of a free Multicultural Language and Cultural Program for all children in the inner-city.

    • Free English as a second language to Latino children in the inner-city.

ATWATER’S PERSONAL SPECIAL INTERESTS:

  • In 2008, the only African American owner of a 100-acre farm in Shelby County which was turned into an Urban Agri-tourism site.

  • Operated the only farm that was totally sustained by renewable energy – solar panels, rain barrels, composting, etc.

  • Owner of the Kukutana Serenity Farm and Nature Center.

  • Possess life skills such as sustainability, organic farming, goat husbandry, rabbit husbandry, recycling, and wetland preservation.​

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ATWATER’S PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES:

  • In 2020, transported over 5,000 individuals to the voting polls in my personal bus.

  • In June 2021, protested against the UTHCS layoff of 70 essential workers with Local Unions.

  • Protested against McDonald’s and local hotels for Fight for $15.

  • Protested against the execution of Purvis Payne.

  • Protested against the Byhalia Pipeline which was scheduled to go through predominate black communities which affected senior citizens.

  • Opened her first business at 12 years of age, which was a lawn service.

  • I am a community servant of the marginalized and underserved for 45 years.

  • A kind spirited, forward thinking person with Christian values and diverse experiences with international cultures.

  • An advocate for senior citizens across the State of Tennessee, City of Memphis and Shelby County.

  • An advocate for women and children’s issues for over 40 years.

  • An advocate for prison reform, expungement and second chance employment.

  • An effective community leader with genuine concerns for all people.

  • A proven advocate addressing racial equity for the underserved.

  • Promoting and implementing programs that serve the grass-root community, middle-class and the community-at-large.

  • Striving to help the middle-class thrive effectively to boost the economy.

  • A lifeline for all people giving momentum to their voices and concerns.

  • Serving as the springboard to address contaminated water, brownfields and toxic clean-up in our underserved neighborhoods – NO OIL IN MY SOIL supporter.

  • Serving as the bridge to diversity cohesiveness, especially for the immigrants.

  • Placing education back into the teachers and parent’s control.

  • Promoting progressive economic development by investing in small businesses and not just large corporations.

  • Creating after school and summer employment for the youth.

  • Economic and community development for all neighborhoods. Dismantling the trend of disinvestment of poor neighborhoods.

  • Author of several children and self-help books.

  • Author of the Memphispedia – “The Cultural Encyclopedia of Memphis”

  • The brainchild of the New Chicago Community Comprehensive Revitalization Plan – Ten Year Community-Lead Implementation Plan.

ATWATER’S EDUCATION:

  • Bristol University, Bristol Tennessee

PhD Degree – Major: Public Health Administration, 2003

  • Tennessee State University, Nashville, Tennessee

PhD Degree – Major: Public Health Administrator Candidate - 1996

  • Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, Tennessee

- Masters Degree in Public and Community Education/Gerontology, 1993 Summa Cum Laude, G.P.A 4.0

- Bachelors Degree in Public Administration/Health Care Management, 1991

  • Murray State University, Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Emergency Medical Technician, 1990

  • Northwest Junior College, Senatobia, Mississippi (Transferred to Austin Peay State University) 1988. President of Nursing Program

  • Sea Isle Vocational Nursing School, Memphis, Tennessee, Associate in Nursing, 1979

  • Healthcare Training Institute, Memphis, Tennessee, Certified Nurse Technician/LPN, 1977 – 1978. Valedictorian of Class. G.P.A. 4.0

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ATWATER’S PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND:

  • President and CEO, The African American International Museum Foundation, Memphis, Tennessee, March 2006 - present

  • Medical Director/Academic Dean, Vatterott College Educational Systems, Bartlett, Tennessee, September 2004 – April 2007

  • Dean of Medical Studies/Interim Director, National College of Business and Technology (formerly Fuggazzi College), Nashville, Tennessee, November 1999 – April 2002

  • Dean of Medical Studies/Medical Chairperson, Draughons Junior College, Clarksville, Tennessee, September 1995- November 1999

  • Dean of Student Affairs / Multicultural Center Advisor, Draughons Junior College, Nashville, Tennessee, October 1997 – November 1999

  • Personnel Manager, Dover Medical Clinic, Clarksville, Tennessee, January 1996 – July 1997

  • Nursing Home Administrator/Personnel Manager, Cheatham County Nursing Home, Ashland City, Tennessee, Tennessee, January 1993 – February 1995

ATWATER’S COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENTS:

  • Present Member of Grace Missionary Baptist Church. Lifelong former member of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

  • Founder of the Unity Award for Outstanding Services in the City of Memphis – Presented to Police Officers, Firemen, Sanitation Workers, Paramedics and other city workers. 2017 – present

  • Served as the EEOC/diversity officer at Fort Campbell 101st Airborne Division.

  • Serves as a community leader and a concerned citizen in the New Chicago/North Memphis area cleaning up blighted properties and picking up trash with own funding resources. Creating over 80 jobs at a rate of $100 per day for teenagers and ex-felons each year.

  • Donates over 300 bicycles each year to promote healthy lifestyles for low-income individuals living in poverty-stricken areas.

  • Donates 5,000 coats, blankets and heaters to the indigent during the winter season annually.

  • Donates over 200 air conditioner units during the summertime annually.

  • Donates over 5,000 schoolbook bags and school supplies annually to all the residents of the City of Memphis district and surrounding areas.

  • Creates over 80 jobs for the unemployed, ex-felons and single parents in the New Chicago and North Memphis area during the summer.

  • Feeds over 10,000 veterans, homeless individuals and low-income families per year.

  • Founder of the Afri-Ballerina Program for underserved children in low-income areas such as Frayser, Raleigh, New Chicago, Klondike, Smokey City, Hyde Parks, Douglass, Springdale, Westwood, Whitehaven, etc.

  • Founder of the first Kukutana African American History and Culture Museum of Memphis/The African American International Museum Foundation

  • I am a founder of the New Chicago Children Educational Center which teaching 10 foreign languages, problem solving skills, anger management, financial management, nutrition education, gardening, solar energy education, math and science tutoring, reading basic, gang avoidance, and survival skills.

  • Paid tax-lien property taxes for over 50 senior citizens in the North Memphis area to assure that they remain in their homes.

  • Instrumental in feeding over 100 senior citizens throughout the year on fixed income.

  • Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association (MIFA) – Former Meals on Wheels Volunteer.

  • St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital - Volunteer and Donor

  • Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital - Volunteer and Donor

  • Founder of My Sister’s Keeper organization which assist indigent mothers in basic health care, personal growth, ascertaining their GED and enrolling into college, 1992 – present.

  • Founder of “Sister’s Touch” program which minister to domestic violence individuals.

  • President and CEO, No More Tears Children Foundation, this organization feeds and buys toys for over 20,000 indigent children per year, 1999- present

  • Founder of the Kukutana Serenity Farm and Nature Center – 2005-present

  • Founder of Angel of Mercy Elder Care – 2006-present

  • Founder of Alliance for African American Poor People (AFAAPP) – 2016

  • Founder of the Blight and Solar Energy Innovator Club – cleaned up the bighted lots in the New Chicago neighborhood for the last seven years with her own funds – over $150,000.

ATWATER’S COMMUNITY AFFILIATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS:

  • Shelby County Democratic Party

  • Democratic Women of Shelby County (TN)

  • Tennessee Federation of Democratic Women

  • Board Member of Mid-South Kwanzaa, Inc. – Memphis, TN

  • Board Member of the Phyllis Weakley Club – Clarksville, TN

  • Executive Director of the Coalition of Community Unions

  • Former Board Member Memphis of New Chicago Community Development Corporation

  • Executive Director of New Chicago Community Partnership Revitalization CDC

  • Member of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) – Memphis Chapter

  • Member of the National Association of Professional Women

  • Member of the Small Business Association – National Member

  • First Chairwoman of State of Tennessee CELSO (Community Education Lottery Scholarship Outreach), 2010 – Congressman Steve Cohen, State Representative Barbara Cooper, State Representative Henri Brooks

  • Member of Sierra Club – National Chapter

  • Member of Operation PUSH Coalition

  • Peace and Justice Center – Event Sponsor and Donor

  • Equal Justice Institute – Donor

  • Equal Justice Coalition – Donor

  • Equal Justice Matters - Donor

  • Memphis for All – Event Sponsor and Donor

  • Former Member of the Kiwanis Club – Clarksville, TN

  • Former Member of the Rotary Club – Clarksville, TN

  • Alpha Omega Veteran Association – Volunteer and Donor

  • Hispanic/ Latino Memphis Mentor (English as a Second Language)

  • Member of Japan-American Society (National)

  • Member of the Chinese American Association

  • Member of Chinese Historical Society of Memphis and the Mid-South

  • Native American Indian Association of Tennessee

  • Black Business Association of Memphis (BBA) – Former Supporter

  • Filipino American Association of Tennessee, Inc. (F.A.A.T.)

  • Member of Black Farmers and Agriculturalists Association, Inc. (BFAA)

  • Member of the Ghanaian Association

  • Member of India Association (National Chapter)

  • Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) - Donor

  • Honorary Donor of Damascus Road Residential Center – Memphis Facility

  • National Advancement Association of Color People (NAACP) Lifetime Member – Silver, Gold, Bronze and Diamond Paid-In-Full – Clarksville Chapter, Memphis Chapter and National Affiliation · Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) – Freedom Fighter Membership

  • Girls Incorporated (Girls, Inc.) – Partner

  • Girl Scouts of the Mid-South and Boy Scouts of America Partner

  • Sponsor of the “Our Special Hero Community Recognition” – The Afro American Police Association Memphis Chapter – Partner

  • Member of the Coalition Against Domestic Violence – National

  • American Cancer Society – Partner and Donor

  • Sista Strut Breast Cancer Walk Memphis – Volunteer

  • Sickle Cell Foundation of Tennessee – Lifelong Supporter and Donor

  • National and Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence - Member

  • Tennessee Breast Cancer Coalition – Memphis Chapter

  • American Heart Association - Partner and Donor

  • Boys & Girls Clubs of America – Memphis Chapter (Partner)

  • Member of Tennessee Renewable Energy & Economic Development Council (TREEDC)

  • Member of Association of African American Museums

  • United Way of America and Salvation Army – Lifelong Partner

  • LULAC – League of United Latin American Citizens

  • UNICEF USA

  • National Coalition for the Homeless – Lifelong Member

  • National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth – Member

  • Council of Ghanaian Associations – Washington Metro

  • National Japanese American Historical Society – Member

  • National Indian Education Association – Member

  • Native American Heritage Association – Member

  • National Association of Environmental Professionals – Member

  • North America Association for Environmental Education – Member

  • Alpha Omega Veterans Services. Inc. - Supporter

  • NaFFAA – National Filipino American Association – Member

  • GMUCA – Chinese Americans Community Fund – Member

  • National Federation of Indo-American Association – Member

  • National Association of Chinese Americans – Member

  • Girl Scouts Heart of the South – Lifelong Member

  • Tennessee Poor People’s Campaign – Member

  • National Action Network – Lifelong Member

  • SCLC – Southern Christian Leadership Conference

  • Black Farmers Association – Lifelong Member

  • National Farmer’s Association – Member

  • Memphis and Shelby County Humane Society – Member

  • WE ACT for Environmental Justice – Member

  • Movement Generation for the Justice & Ecology Network – Memphis

  • Greenlining, Inc. – Member

  • Coming Clean, Inc. – Member

  • Deep South Center for Environmental Justice – Member

  • Asian Pacific Environmental Network – Member

  • Climate Justice Alliance – Member

  • HOLA – Latino American – Member

  • Latino American Association – Member

  • Democracy Alliance – Member

  • Democracy Supporters Association (Cambodia) – Member

  • Heifer International – Lifelong Member

  • Sickle Cell Foundation – Lifelong Member

  • Breast Cancer Association – Lifelong Member

  • Lupus Foundation – Member

  • Diabetes Association – Lifelong Member

  • American Heart Association – Lifelong Memphis

  • American Red Cross – Lifelong Member

  • Goodwill Industries – Lifelong Memphis

  • Salvation Army – Lifelong Member

  • Youth Villages, Inc. – Supporter Member

  • National Boys & Girls Clubs of America – Lifelong Member

  • Le Bonheur Children's Hospital – Lifelong Member

  • St Jude's Children's Hospital – Lifelong Member

  • Shrine’s Crippled Children's Hospital – Lifelong Member

ATWATER’S AWARDS:

  • Women History Month Resolution, March 29, 2025, Presented by Councilwoman Yolanda Copper-Sutton

  • Honoree of the 300 Moral Leader Award, April 4, 2021, Memphis, Tennessee

  • Certificate of Appreciation in Recognition of Outstanding Service in the Best Interest and in the Highest Traditions of the State of Tennessee from Governor Bill Lee, June 30, 2020

  • Umoja Foundation Award for Commitment to Community and Nation Building, March 14, 2020

  • Appreciation for Outstanding Commitment and Dedication Award from Manassas High School (2018 -2019)

  • The Harriet Tubman Award – Representative Barbara Cooper - 2019

  • Recipient of the Manassas High School Excellence Award – 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019

  • Recipient of the Manassas High School Community Supporter Award – 2017, 2018, 2019

  • The Department of Energy SUNSHOT Solar In Your Community Award, 2017

  • Certificate of Congressional Recognition given by Congressman Steve Cohen, September 19, 2017

  • Shelby County Board of Commissioners given by Commissioner Eddie S. Jones, Jr., September 19, 2017

  • Recognition and Appreciation for Outstanding Services to Manassas High School, The Class of 1967, October 2017

  • Missionary Cleola Mosley Humanitarian Award given by Citizens for Better Service, 2016

  • Outstanding Teacher’s Support Award given by Ruby Payne, 2015

  • The Board of County Commissioner of Shelby County Proclamation given by Commissioner Henri E. Brooks, May 12, 2014

  • Methodist North Hospital Distinguish Community Award – 2013

  • Methodist North Hospital Distinguish Community Service Award – 2012

  • Memphis Veteran Administration Hospital Community Service Award – 2012

  • Memphis Veteran Administration Hospital Community Service Award – 2013

  • FedEx Headquarter Black History Committee Community Achievement Award – 2012 – Buffalo Soldiers Exhibit

  • FedEx Headquarter Black History Committee Community Achievement Award – 2013 – Tuskegee Airmen Exhibit

  • Brown Missionary Baptist Church Community Service Award – Military Ministry – 2013

  • Brown Missionary Baptist Church Community Service Award – Military Ministry – 2012

  • Brown Missionary Baptist Church Community Service Award – Military Ministry – 2011

  • The State of Tennessee Chairperson for the Tennessee Lottery Education Scholarship Program – Appointed by Congressman Steve Cohen, State Representative Barbara Cooper, and State Representative Henri Brooks, 2007

  • Recipient of the State of Tennessee Exemplary Citizen Award – Given by State Representative Henri Brooks - 2007

  • Recipient of the State of Tennessee Proclamation of Excellence Community Leadership – State Representative Barbara Cooper – 2006

  • Teacher of the Year Award from Vatterott College – 2003 - 2005

  • Employee of the Year Award from Vatterott College – 2003 - 2005

  • Teacher of the Year Award from Draughons Junior College from 1995 – 1999.

  • The first African American Dean of Medical Studies in the State of Tennessee at 28 years of age. Received the Dean of the Year Award from Governor Ned McWherter, 1997.

  • President of the Northwest Junior College Nursing Program, Senatobia, Mississippi, 1988

  • The first African American Graduate Student to graduate from Austin Peay State University with a 4.0 G.P.A. in the history of the college in 1993.

  • Received Clarksville Tennessee Honorable Mention Award, NAACP Outstanding Leadership Award, Tennessee Higher Education Honorable Recognition & Kiwanis Scholar Award, 1993.

  • Recipient of the Presidential Scholar Student Award – Given by President Bill Clinton.

  • Recipient of the Phyllis Weakly Humanitarian Award 2006

© 2025 - Paid For By Friends Of Dr. Carnita Atwater / Andre Mathews, Treasurer

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