By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — Two of Knoxville’s top Black women organizations dedicated to building Black wealth, providing access to capital, and investing in Black business, held the second annual Crown Pitch Competition in Knoxville on June 14th. Five Black businesses showcased and pitched their businesses before a panel of three judges with the first-place winner receiving $7,500 and 2nd place receiving $2,500 in business grant funds. The competition is designed to open doors and create relationships for those who compete with resources and mentoring opportunities available following the event. The Women, LLC of Knoxville and Shora Foundation -…
Author: Vivian Underwood Shipe
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — The reasons for needing a second chance are many. Some young people got mixed up with the wrong crowd, many made bad decisions, and ended up in jail, others never had guidance at home due to a loved one being incarcerated in prison or jail. Still others have been in the foster care system and have now aged out; nowhere to go but the streets where predators wait to snatch them up. For these 18- to 24-year-olds a second chance or a way up, can be found in the Go Places Initiative. In Cocke…
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — When asked what Black LLC stands for, President Keisha Jackson will proudly tell you: Building Leaders increasing Assets, Capacity, and Knowledge. While Black LLC is a highly successful business consulting and event management firm, they also use their gifts to remove barriers for smaller nonprofits who are trying to help the vulnerable by holding magnificent fundraising events and giving all profits to the organization. President Jackson works hard to host events in spaces never before used. She is relentless in knocking down barriers placed before her to host the fundraisers in spectacular spaces. Events…
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — Considered one of the top Black hairdressers in Knoxville for over 40 years, Andrei Allen, known and loved by all as Dr. Dre because of his skill and his love for doing the hair of his people, has died. Dr. Dre passed away on May 22, 2024, at Fort Sanders hospital. His friendly spirit, skills and knowledge of Black hair drew clients from across the city and surrounding counties; people would wait for hours to be able to sit in his chair. Dr. Dre had a great love for the Lord, his family, and…
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — Knoxville will be awash with tradition this fourth of July weekend as an event that only occurs every five years takes over the city with memories, music, and activities celebrating several generations. From this years new fresh face graduates as young as 17 to those who graduated long ago and are now in their 90s; good times will flow across the city as Black students who have lived through the changes of time descend to deliberately choose to remember. Before Austin-East was birthed, the parent schools had existed separately across town from each other for…
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — Honorary doctoral degrees are the highest honor a university can bestow upon an individual. The receipt of an honorary doctorate recognizes an individual has made significant contributions to society, the state, and the university. On Saturday, May 18th, University of Tennessee Knoxville’s Chancellor Donde Plowman, stood before a room of guest and explained the process and procedure of nomination, selection, accepting and awarding this distinguished honor; an honor bestowed upon the late Dr. Bob Booker, author, statesman, longtime community leader, icon, and civil rights activist chosen by a unanimous decision by the leadership of…
KNOXVILLE, TN — How do you celebrate a matriarch with a legacy of over 100? You take the queen on a river boat ride and have family join her on the boat. That’s exactly how the family of senior Willie Mae Kyle celebrated her 95th birthday, with family coming in from all over the country. Kyle, as spry and as playful as ever, stepped around the boat on her own, enjoying a feast, receiving gifts and love; happy for her family, grateful for good health, strength and surrounded by those she loves most. Copyright TNTRIBUNE 2024 All rights reserved.
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — Dignitaries from across the State crowded in to the conference room for the dedication and ribbon cutting of the New Gateway Center. The vision of Karen Pershing came to life as hope rose as the ribbons floated to the ground. The Gateway is a recovery community center, designed to provide additional support and on going recovery for those coming back into the community. The center was built around the belief that treatment is just the beginning of the healing process and when supportive services are provided, there are less relapses. The center will offer…
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — Ursala Bailey, Knoxville attorney was the key note speaker for the Knoxville Area Urban League’s voter restoration clinic. The Urban League has been holding expungement clinics for citizens desiring to have their rights restored. It is estimated over four million U.S. citizens are unable to vote due to felony records. Expunging their records is one of the processes on the journey back to full citizenship. In Tennessee, that journey has an additional hurdle due to law changes at the beginning of 2024. Individuals must now have their gun rights restored before they get their…
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — Before there was the great Dawn Stanley, there was C. Vivian Stringer, Black woman, winningest coach, Hall of Famer, HERstory maker. Forty-two years ago, Stringer, would lead her all Black women’s team into the FIRST Women’s NCAA Championship game. Considered one of the greatest coaches ever, her record, impressive as 251 of her 1055 victories over the decades occurred at Cheyney State. What team that was to lead, especially in 1982. Not only were they one of the first four teams to play in the newly formed NCAA, they were from the nations FIRST…