Youth Engagement Coordinator for the City of Knoxville Emily Norris has been appointed to the National League of Cities’ (NLC) 2023 Council on Youth, Education, and Families. Norris was elected to a one-year term to develop and guide programs among local elected officials from similar communities. 

“I am looking forward to the opportunity to share and learn from others working to involve youth in local government,” says Norris. “It is so important that we find ways to center and uplift youth voices and give them a chance to help shape their community as they prepare to be our future leaders.”

As a member of NLC’s Council on Youth, Education, and Families, Norris will play a key role among a diverse group of local leaders to encourage collaboration, networking and the development of resources and programs beneficial to communities that share demographics, size or location that can be replicated across the country.

“Our member councils give voice to what’s happening on the ground in our communities,” said NLC President Mayor Victoria Woodards of Tacoma, Washington. “I am proud to have Emily join NLC's Council on Youth, Education, and Families. Together with a team of local leaders from around the country, we will work to address the toughest challenges facing our communities and ensure that America’s cities, towns and villages have the resources they need to thrive.”

Norris joined the City of Knoxville as Youth Engagement Coordinator in July 2022, after having severed an intern with the department from late 2020 through spring of 2022. Norris is completing her Masters in Social Work at the University of Tennessee. 

In addition to coordinating with 60-plus youth-serving organizations as lead of the Empower Knox Initiative, Norris established the first Mayor’s Youth Council. 

For more on the City’s youth engagement initiatives, visit KnoxvilleTN.gov/EmpowerKnox.