Get to know us

Program History & Origin

423 Day was officially proclaimed by the City of Chattanooga in 2021, recognizing April 23 as a day to honor the city’s cultural identity rooted in the 423 area code. Founded by LaSha' Rockymore-Mitchell and the MFA Foundation team, 423 Day was created to uplift Chattanooga-based artists, creatives, entrepreneurs, and community builders—particularly those historically under-resourced.

Building on the success and growing community support of 423 Day, Music, Fashion, and Arts Foundation launched its first large-scale collaborative activation, #423Booming, a community-driven initiative designed to spotlight Chattanooga’s rising creative class through music, arts, pop-ups, and shared economic opportunities. #423Booming laid the groundwork for deeper partnerships, multi-day programming, and measurable community impact.

In 2024, the City of Chattanooga officially proclaimed Chattanooga Week, expanding 423 Day into a full, city-recognized week of programming. Chattanooga Week represents the evolution of the initiative—transforming a single-day celebration into a multi-day cultural and economic driver for the city.

423 Day remains the anchor. Chattanooga Week is the amplification.