Mechanicsville, one of the oldest and most historic Black neighborhoods in Knoxville, held its 20th annual community homecoming under beautiful sunny skies over the last weekend of August. Within its borders lies Knoxville College, one of the oldest HBCUs in the country. The neighborhood is named for its early history of the “mechanics,” the skilled tradespeople after the Civil War who lived there: carpenters, masons, and iron workers. Mechanicsville is on the National Register of Historic Places in the United States, and that tight-knit small-town community spirit has never dissipated. Early Saturday morning, before the sun could heat the day,…
Author: Vivian Shipe
KNOXVILLE, TN – The words of the speech written during 1920 by African American Suffragist Juno Frankie Pierce rang throughout the banquet hall: “What will the Negro woman do with the vote? We are interested in the same moral uplift of the community in which we live as you are. We are asking only one thing – a square deal.” Sung by recording artist Rachel Grey, the performance was one of many in the evening of celebration at the 16th annual Febb Burn banquet, the yearly fundraiser held in memory of the mother who told her son Harry Burns to…
KNOXVILLE, TN — They Came. Baptists, AME Zion, UMC, Nondenominational, CO.G.I.C., Protestant, and Catholic. From the smallest of churches to the mega church, over 200 gathered to represent their support of the Get Out the Vote Rally held at Mt. Olive in Knoxville on a hot Thursday evening. The heat outside matched the heat of enthusiasm inside the sanctuary as those gathered to speak about the gutting of the 1965 Voting Rights Act presented facts and strategies to fight back. The gathering of the churches was reminiscent of the early days in the fight for equality. In the early days…
KNOXVILLE TN — The African American Equity Restoration Task Force has a new leader. Denzel Grant, District Six councilman, will assume leadership of the AAERTF on July 1. The task force was created to study, review and identify strategic solutions to improve areas of disparity and disenfranchisement in the Black community. The task force is also designed to work with existing agencies in the community and develop policy and programs that will establish opportunities for building generational wealth in the Black community. The task force was established in 2020 by the City Council in acknowledgment of past actions that completely…
KNOXVILLE, TN — It was the cry of outrage literally heard round the world. One of the greatest African American writers, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author, had his book Roots removed from the shelves of Knox County schools by a secret internal committee that had deemed it too violent. Acting on the side of the great historical context provided by the book, Superintendent Jon Rysewyk overrode the internal committee decision and ordered the book returned to the shelves immediately. The reshelving did not stop the outpouring of community leaders and organizations who gathered for both the work session and regular board…
KNOXVILLE, TN — The history books will record that in the spring of 2025 there was an effort to sell the public land of Chilhowee Park. This park sits in the heart of East Knoxville, a Black area of town created by urban removal, which destroyed a community of 2,000 homes, churches, and businesses, forcing the Black community to move from rich cultural neighborhoods into other areas, one of which is the area surrounding Chilhowee Park. The stealth sale attempt raised the ire of the citizens all over Knox County. Over the summer and into the fall, the people fought…
One in three adults in the United States is at risk for kidney disease, 37 million in the US have kidney disease and do not know it, and heart disease and high blood pressure are the two leading causes of kidney disease. African Americans are four times more likely to have kidney failure than White Americans according to the National Kidney Foundation. Black Americans also make up 35 percent of all kidney dialysis patients. Disparities in health care, delay in seeking diagnosis, and healthy living practices are some of the reasons behind this high number. To combat these issues and…
They are in their eighties. Strong leaders, full of integrity, respected by all generations. Way makers, truth tellers, role models. On Saturday, January 4th, designated” Juanita Usher Cannon Day”, the city of Knoxville celebrated such a leader. Juanita Usher Cannon, dedicated educator, celebrated her 85th birthday with hundreds of devoted former students, sorority sisters, government leaders, and community friends. For over three hours honors poured in as she was celebrated, guests shared stories, and she was entertained in a fashion befitting the queen she is. Always carrying herself in such a dignified way, she is lovingly referred to as “Ms.…
It is a new year. From the White House to the local courthouse, change is happening across America. Innovative ideas are needed, and so is strong leadership. In Knoxville, there are many strong Black leaders; those with integrity, courage, and a boldness to speak stand and speak up for the needs of African Americans, those willing to tell the stories, to speak truth to power, to lead as a servant leader. Among those poised to lead Knoxville to higher levels are those in this first article of the new year. Dr. Martin Luther King said great leaders inspire others to…