By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — “Life will be better, the world will be better, when all of the children know they are somebody.” These were the nuggets of wisdom spoken by civil rights icon, The Honorable Reverend Dr. Harold Middlebrook as he accepted the 2022 Legacy Award from the Emerald Youth Foundation before a crowd of over 1,300 at the Knoxville Convention Center. The Emerald Youth Foundation has a mission to work with churches and faith-based organizations and works to engage the youth in Knoxville Tennessee through faith, learning and health. Dr. Middlebrook was recognized for his commitment to…
Author: Vivian Underwood Shipe
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — The heavy rains finally ended Saturday afternoon – opening the door to a harsh night for the homeless. Not only will they sleep on wet grass and concrete- but the temperature will also drop into the low twenties – it will be that way every night for the next seven nights with the overnight low only rising to 30 degrees until the next Saturday. For a city that has seen the homeless and houseless population grow since the pandemic and housing crisis – the situation is dire and life threatening. With no official warming…
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — Faith, compassion, education, service, and love. these are the five core values of The Mend House, a sober living community created by Founder and Executive Director, Reico Hopewell. Now a 501c3 organization, over the years since it began in 2015, over 2500 men have been able to rebuild their lives and transition back into mainstream society. It takes time to recover and at The Mend House there is time to recover, rebuild, and re-engage. Addiction knows no age or color and men, ages eighteen and up, from all walks of life, dealing with alcohol…
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — It was an evening of celebration, recognition, and awareness raising. What made it even more unique was the number of bold and courageous African American women who put on the gala with the theme: “Unmasking Domestic Violence”. On Saturday evening, October 29th at the Jubilee Banquet Hall, the storytelling and testimonies flowed. From Generation Z up to the baby boomers – one gentleman and several women on program stood, determined to tell their stories in hopes saving lives now and in the future. While each had a story of survival – one woman, Hannah…
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — The news was quietly released into the community — for the first time in 29 years, the free flu shot Saturday that many in the economically disadvantaged communities of color and elderly depend on, was no longer going to be held. For the 2023 winter season in Knoxville, according to the Knox County Health Department, cost for the flu shots for those under age 64 would now come with a $15 admin fee. The cost for those getting the basic or high-dose flu shots over age 65 would now range from $35 to $75…
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — The best kept secret in the United States is the new national crisis hotline number, 9-8-8. Designated in 2020 to operate nationwide, these three digits will connect a caller in any state and the five U.S. territories to the suicide and crisis lifeline that is available 24-hours a day. The number will receive voice calls, chats, and text messages. On the receiving side are trained crisis counselors ready to help individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts, substance abuse, mental health crisis, and any type of emotional distress. 9-8-8 can also be accessed by people concerned a…
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — The YWCA held its 37th annual Tribute to Women at the Mill and Mine Event Center on October 6. There were 21 finalists nominated for seven catagories. The top seven honorees were announced during the gala, which featured beautiful musical selections and a dance by the YWCA Phyllis Wheatley Youth Dance Team. The event was attended by many of Knoxville’s top women and local and state dignitaries, including past and former city mayors, state representatives, and family and friends of the 21 finalists. The top honorees and their winning categories are: Rose Montgomery (Science,…
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — During the 5th Annual B4Stage4 Luncheon held at the end of September in Knoxville, the MHAET launched its newest initiative, one that meets the gap of the insured who are not able to receive mental health care assistance. The newest program is called the Treatment Access Bank. This program will provide mental health treatment access for those living above the 138% poverty line and can’t afford to pay therapy copays or high deductibles. The program was started with funding from the City of Knoxville and Trinity Health Foundation and will match clients with therapists…
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — It was a ceremony celebrating academics and cultural awareness. Students chosen were minority students maintaining a 3.0 and higher cumulative G.P.A. and exhibiting traits that make them excellent role models for their peers and leaders in their communities. As part of the Knoxville Area Urban League’s Opportunity to Thrive initiative, The program was created to identify and motivate minority and other youth of color high school students in grades 10 through 12 in preparation for higher education. Corey Hodge, Director of Education and Youth Services in describing the highly successful work the Urban League…
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — In the heart of the historic Burlington Community, a massive piece of Black American history, a part of the underground railroad, originally called the Freedom House stands; waiting to be restored. Greater Warner Tabernacle A.M.E. Zion Church was established in 1845 and is the oldest African American Church in Knoxville. It sits as the gateway in Burlington, a black community rich with history and promise. Pastor Cleo Brooks and Keira Wyatt, Executive Director of C.O.N.N.E.C.T. Ministries have partnered and are working together to create community partnerships to make promises made long ago, come to…