Reverend Walter Ghosten exemplifies the spirit of volunteerism by donating his time and energy for the betterment of the neighborhoods that he serves as pastor of Roseberry Church. As an officer in the Lincoln Park Neighborhood Association, Empowerment Zone's Northwest Zone Advisory Council (ZAC), and Emerald Youth Foundation Board, he has been instrumental in the planning processes to conserve Lincoln Park, revitalize Lonsdale, and develop education and training programs for Central City children and young adults. He was involved in virtually each step of the Empowerment Zone planning and fostered workshops leading to the concepts for Lonsdale commercial center development and neighborhood improvements.

He serves on the City's Community Development Advisory Committee. He also commits his time to the boards of several community-based organizations, including the East Tennessee Design Center and Foster Care Review Board. As part of his empowerment zone work, he serves on several committees, including the Five Points Steering Committee, EZ-Business Resource Center Task Force, and City's Resource Committee. His professional career in human resources with the US Department of Energy and Workforce 2000 (his office in creating job opportunities for minorities with various Knoxville/ Knox County firms) has been an asset to his community planning and development work.