08/27/2026
It is with profound sadness that the Bessie Smith Cultural Center mourns the passing of Shane Morrow, a beloved cultural leader, artist, advocate, and champion for the Chattanooga community.
Shane dedicated his life to creating opportunities for others, particularly for Black artists, creatives, young people, and communities whose voices and talents were too often overlooked. As the co-founder and Executive Director of RISE Chattanooga, formerly Jazzanooga, Shane helped build spaces where music, art, culture, and community could come together. His work brought free and accessible arts programming to neighborhoods throughout our city and created opportunities for emerging artists to learn, perform, connect, and grow.
Shane understood that the arts could do more than entertain, they could heal, empower, educate, connect, and transform communities. He believed deeply in giving people a platform and making sure that Chattanooga’s cultural landscape reflected the people who call this city home.
The Bessie Smith Cultural Center is grateful for Shane’s friendship, his partnership, his vision, and the countless ways he poured himself into this community.
His impact can be seen in the artists he encouraged, the young people he inspired, the neighborhoods he invested in, and the cultural spaces he helped create.
We extend our deepest condolences to his partner James, family, loved ones, colleagues, friends, and the entire RISE Chattanooga community.
May his legacy continue to rise through all of us.
📷: Chattanooga Times Free Press
