Nikwonn Robinson-Cooke made history on March 8, becoming the first Black woman elected chair of the Hamilton County Democratic Party (HCDP).
Nearly 300 supporters attended the landmark election at the party’s biennial Reorganization Convention, held on the fourth floor of the Chattanooga Public Library. The event, coinciding with International Women’s Day, began at noon after registration opened at 11 a.m.
“I’m excited,” said Robinson-Cooke, fighting back tears after her victory. “But also, it’s just really eye-opening to know that the first Black chair is elected in 2025.”
Robinson-Cooke secured a decisive victory in a three-way race, defeating former school board member and state House candidate Kathy Lennon and Aaliyah Hakeem, daughter of state Rep. Yusuf Hakeem. The final tally was 153 votes for Robinson-Cooke, 109 for Lennon, and 10 for Hakeem.
While the party has previously had Black chairs step into the role, Robinson-Cooke marks the first to be directly elected to the position.
The 47-year-old Ooltewah-Collegedale resident brings considerable experience as a training and leadership development professional. She has applied these skills to organize various political campaigns, most recently serving as a field organizer for state Rep. Gloria Johnson’s U.S. Senate campaign against Republican incumbent Marsha Blackburn.
“The work ahead of us is not easy,” Robinson-Cooke told attendees, “but I stand before you today ready to fight, to mobilize and to win.”
Her priorities include early recruitment of candidates for the 2026 election cycle, intensifying fundraising efforts, and bringing new tools and resources to support candidates. She also plans to form committees within the party to delegate responsibilities to those who want to be engaged but aren’t elected party officers.
“I am committed to bringing them closer to the party and letting them know they have a seat at the table. Their voices will not be silenced. I am here to not just listen to their voices, but to amplify them,” Robinson-Cooke stated.
The convention also elected Kathy Lennon as Vice Chair, Matt Adams as Secretary, and Montrell Besley as Treasurer; Besley, of Alton Park, previously challenged Joe Graham (R-Lookout Valley) for the District 11 county commission seat in 2022, losing by 20 votes.
All officers will serve two-year terms.
The strong turnout of nearly 300 attendees marked a significant increase from the previous reorganization in 2023, which drew only 59 people.
Former HCDP Chair Rachel Campbell, who recently became Chair of the Tennessee Democratic Party, did not seek reelection to lead the county party.
She emphasized the importance of the convention, stating, “This is a critical moment for our party as we prepare for a pivotal 2026 election cycle. We have real opportunities to turn Hamilton County blue, and the work we do at this convention will lay the foundation for electoral success.”
The Hamilton County Democratic Party headquarters is located at 1089 Bailey Ave., Chattanooga.