CHATTANOOGA, TN. – Darrell S. Freeman, a native of Chattanooga and a successful entrepreneur with long-standing ties in this community, recently presented checks to local organizations, the Bessie Smith Cultural Center and HOPE for the Inner City.
The Bessie Smith Cultural Center donation will go towards electronic cataloging. The mission of Bessie Smith Cultural Center is to preserve and celebrate African American History and Culture in Chattanooga through art, education, research, and entertainment.
HOPE for the Inner City’s funding will be used for housing and financial assistance. The donations are a continuation of giving that Freeman has conducted in Chattanooga all year long. “It brings me much joy to be able to help others in my hometown, especially after a year that has devastated so many communities,” Freeman said. “It is my goal to help as many people as I can for as long as I can.” Freeman is the chairman and majority owner of S3 Recycling Solutions, an IT recycling firm. He is the executive managing director of Zycron, a division of BG Staffing, Inc. Zycron is an IT services firm he founded in 1991. He is also on the board of BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee. He holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from Middle Tennessee State University.