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No. 1 in thumping
Next to Godliness According to the American Bible Society and the Barna Group, our city is number one for Godliness. That’s right: Chattanooga has been ranked #1 in the official list of the most “Bible-Minded” cities in America. It’s a jump from last year’s ranking at number 3, taking Knoxville, last year’s top city, down to the number ten slot. Surprised? Apparently we Chattanoogans can be credited for doing the most regular Bible reading, with deep beliefs in religious history and accuracy. After a seven-year study of interviews of more than 46,000 individuals, we’re said to be the most “Bible-minded” city despite our fairly small population. The least devout city is claimed by Providence, Rhode Island, just one of the many East Coast cities that round out the far end of the list. The American Bible Society claims, “We want people to know that whether you live in the least or most Bible-minded cities, the Bible can speak to your needs, challenges and concerns and help you make sense of your life.” Guess they should start reminding those East Coasters before they start another seven-year study. Religious followers are certainly spread out all over the U.S., but it’s clear the Bible Belt has a pretty dense crowd of believers and church-goers. Despite Chattanooga sitting comfortably near the buckle of the Bible Belt, it is still a city in a not-so-safe state. Perhaps that’s why we find ourselves reaching for our Bibles so often. — Leith Tigges Sandbox Chattanooga
The Up-and-Comers Calling all young go-getters: If you’re under 30, determined to make your mark on the world and interested in 4 • The Pulse • January30-february 5, 2014 • chattanoogapulse.com
connecting with a worldwide network of peers, now’s the time. Sandbox, described on their website as “a mobile society of the world’s most extraordinary young game changers,” has made Chattanooga its newest hub and is now accepting local applicants. Begun in Zurich, Switzerland in 2008, Sandbox now boasts 1,000 members across five continents. Members include academics, adventurers, artists, business leaders, designers, entrepreneurs, politicians, and more—if you’re making moves in your field, you’re a good fit for the Sandbox community. Aside from the opportunity to build meaningful and strategic relationships, Sandbox hosts regular local and regional events and an annual Global Summit (to be held in Latin America this year). Forbes magazine’s Jan. 20 issue featured six Sandboxers in its story “30 Under 30 Who Are Changing The World 2014,” and Sandboxer Anjan Sundaram recently appeared on Jon Stewart’s show to talk about his book, “Stringer: A Reporter’s Journey in the Congo.” Sandbox Chattanooga will be led by four of Chattown’s best: Tiffanie Robinson, founder and CEO of WayPaver, Isaiah Smallman, co-founder of Fancy Rhino, Meshal Lakhani, singer/songwriter currently working on an edtech startup, and Toni Gemayal, co-founder of Flint. These leaders will choose approximately 10 new Sandboxers to join the team from the pool of local applicants. In a recent press release, Robinson said: “We’re looking for the city’s most interesting under-30 leaders across industries, people with unique perspectives on life. If you’re an artist, an engineer, an entrepreneur, an athlete, a musician, an academic, or anything else, and you want to have significant impact on this world, you should consider applying.” Applications will be accepted until Feb. 20 and will not reopen until 2015. For more information and to apply, visit sandbox.is. Check out recent news at facebook.com/sandbox.network. — Dea Lisica