6th District City Council Results
Gun Show Resolution
African American Equity Restoration Resolution
Faith Leaders Initiative
Fighting for our Community
Faith Leaders Initiative
African American Equity Restoration Resolution
Faith Leaders Initiative
Healing our Community
African American Equity Restoration Resolution
African American Equity Restoration Resolution
African American Equity Restoration Resolution
Restoring our Community
Support Our Cause
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About Gwen
Gwen's Story
Gwen McKenzie is a lifelong resident of the 6th District and has been actively engaged in the community for many years. In 2017 Gwen was elected 6th District City Council Representative making her the 1st African American woman to serve on Knoxville City Council. She was elected by her peers to also serve as Vice Mayor in 2019. Gwen’s passion for service and equality was instilled in her by her parents the late Woodrow Z. Wilson (first Executive Director of the Knoxville Area Urban League and Civil Rights Activist) and the late Dora C. Wilson (retired educator and community activist).
Gwen and her husband have a blended family of 6 children and 1 dog (Lucky). She lives in East Knoxville and is a member of Greater Warner AME Zion Church.
MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER
Economic Development
- Economic Growth requires Economic Investment
- Create jobs (living wages)
- Build Strong workforce
- Intentional strategy to support small businesses
- Intentional strategy to support black businesses
Public Safety - Safe Neighborhoods
- Community Policing - Know Your Neighbors
- Support neighborhood organizations
- Building Relationships to achieve safe communities together through mutual respect and trust
- Social services partnerships with plain clothes officer to address behavioral health needs
Programs for Families and Children
- Resources to help support families
- Programs that provide therapeutic and safe spaces for children
- Support for agencies and non profits focused on children and families
- Advocate for funding grassroots nonprofits
Gwen's Community Involvement
Gwen has volunteered and serves with multiple organizations to include:
- Girl Talk, Inc.
- Zoo Knoxville
- The Love Kitchen
- Next Step Initiative
- Habitat For Humanity
- Safe Haven (World United Ministries)
- Knoxville Area Urban League – National Achiever’s Society; Shoes For School
Community Partnerships:
Board Member Girl Talk, Inc.
Knoxville Area Urban League Board
Member of Knoxville Chapter N.A.A.C.P.
Leadership Knoxville Class of 2020 Alumni
Member of Town Hall East Community Association
Gwen is a former board member of Knoxville Botanical Gardens
and Tanasi Girl Scout Council
Awards and Recognition:
UNNIK Academy Recognition Award
Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Outstanding Achievement Award
Home Federal Bank Hometown Hero and CVS National Paragon Award
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Woman to Woman Award for Government and Politics
Gwen's "Favorite Quote"
"I am not anxious to be the loudest voice or the most popular. But I would like to think that at a crucial moment, I was an effective voice of the voiceless, an effective hope of the hopeless."
Whitney M. Young
Our Endorsements
Community Pics
