About Raquetta Dotley
Community Leader, Supporter, Organizer, and Advocate
Ms. Dotley holds membership in several organizations that are civic, religious, and fraternal. Currently she is a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Servant Leadership Christian Fellowship, Youth Pastor of the Westside Missionary Baptist Church, and Secretary of the Alton Park/Piney Woods Neighborhood Association. In addition, she serves on A Step Ahead Contraceptive Access Advisory Committee, the Relative Caregiver Advisory Board, and the Bethlehem Center Board.
Raquetta has served on the Healthier Southside Community Committee, which helped launch two community gardens, the Trust For Public Land community input team for the Alton Park Connector Project, Siempre Juntos, a combined South Chattanooga and Eastlake community initiative, CHI Memorial Teen Dating and Violence youth pastor partnership, the Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprise 2019 Community Leadership Institute Team, and the Association for Fund Professionals.
Raquetta graduated from Brainerd High School, earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and her Masters from Temple Baptist Seminary. She currently serves as the Executive Director of the Net Resource Foundation and as Church Administrator for Westside Missionary Baptist Church.
Education and Profession
Organizations
Raquetta believes that civic engagement is everyone's responsibility. Everyone has a voice and that voice can be expressed through their vote, input in policy matters, and/or by simply looking out for their neighbor. Voter education, participation, and transportation have been the cornerstone of her civic engagement since 2008. She has served as the co-chair of the Hamilton County Voters Coalition, Get Engaged Chairperson for the local chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc, worked with the Black Voter and Proud Voter Projects, and has coordinated multiple Super Saturday events to encourage citizens to vote.
Civic Engagement
KEY ISSUES
Key Issues
Neighborhood Equity
"Equity is Just and fair inclusion. An equitable society is one in which all can participate and prosper. The goals of equity must be to create conditions that allow all to reach their full potential. In short, equity creates a path from hope to change." - Angela Glover Blackwell, PolicyLink
In surveying Chattanooga City District 7 there are clear distinctions in neighborhood equity allowing some neighborhoods to thrive while others are falling by the wayside. From one side of the district you can see dilapidated homes and bad roads and on the other side you see multi-million dollar developments and thriving businesses. These types of realities make District 7 one of the most challenging districts in the city. The causes of neighborhood inequity are numerous from systemic issues to bias policy. As city councilwoman I will lead and support neighborhood leadership that fosters inclusion, input, and action to create sustainable growth and change in the community.
Economic Development
What was once a strong manufacturing city is now seeing consistent growth in the professional and business and service sectors. This growth will continue to take place and we have to be ready to embrace it with a strong labor base, land that is ready to be developed, and a business-friendly environment. District 7 is the heart of the economic base for Chattanooga with both corporations and small businesses sharing the space. As city councilwoman, I will lead and support policy that attracts new businesses as well as encourages growth, and sustainability for existing companies. I will always advocate for workers and small businesses to ensure fair and equitable environments for the everyday people that keep our city strong.
Infrastructure and Transportation
According to the Renewing our Vision Comprehensive Plan Hamilton County is projected to add between 60,000 to 90,000 residents by 2040. With this type of growth the city has to be ready with a strong infrastructure and transportation plan. We have to be ready to build new infrastructure while simultaneously maintaining our existing facilities. District 7 is the epicenter of growth for the city and faces huge challenges in meeting the increasing needs of both residents and businesses. As city councilwoman I will lead and support policy that encourages a diverse transportation system to include bike lanes, more sidewalks, and transit to support more transportation options. In addition, I will lead and support policy that promotes a strong city infrastructure to include addressing storm water concerns and hazardous road conditions.