By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — They know it works. They have walked it. All they needed was a second chance. The living testimony presented by Tim and Shannon Macklin was an example of the fall and successful rise of the life of a former opioid addicted husband and wife. During the fourth ALL4KNOX townhall meeting held by the family/community sector, The Macklin’s shared their stories of becoming addicted to opioids. They were very transparent about their losses of their homes, jobs, children, family, time in jail, and sickness. They were also open about the stigma they overcame, their bold…
Author: Vivian Underwood Shipe
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — The Holidays are coming. During the season, tempers flair, in families people fight, shoppers react negatively, crimes increase; adults and children alike are affected by the season. But why? ACES may be the answer to not only holiday reactions but many other situations arising in the lives of those we interact with. ACES, also known as Adverse Childhood Experiences was the topic presented by Peer Recovery Grief and Loss Specialist Wraquel Spencer Brown at the third ALL4Knox town hall meeting. She advised the crowd to begin to look at people through a trauma lens…
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — “When We Fight, WE WIN.” Those were the words the sellout crowd boldly chanted during the 100 year anniversary celebration of the founding of the Knoxville Branch of the NAACP. The event was celebrated with a sold out Honors Award Gala held at Mount Calvary Baptist Church on November 14th. It was an historic night of resolutions read by Mayor Madeline Rogero, awards presented to pillars of the community, and a rousing no-nonsense speech by Mrs. Gloria J. Sweet-Love, President, Tennessee State Conference NAACP in Jackson, TN. Local President Rev. Dr. John Butler stood…
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — With those words, Jacqueline Holloway, college educated, from a close knit family, began to tell her story of substance misuse and her journey from losing everything; her home, her possessions, her family, and her journey back from living in her car, back to a successful life of restoration of all she had lost. That’s the goal of the meetings: to hear the stories from those willing to share. Ms. Holloway was the first speaker at the first of 19 town hall zip code meetings being held in Knoxville/Knox County. The town halls are part of…
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — The location has changed, the strong and loyal leadership has not. In early October the CAC East office opened on Asheville Highway with a grand opening of it’s new location, Director Albert Nelson greeted people with a humble and proud smile. From his early days in transportation, he has been with the CAC in many positions for over 46 years. His dedication to the inner city and East Knoxville community is known far and wide and has never wavered. Nor has his reputation of integrity. He holds high standards and expectations of the young…
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — When the polls open for early voting on October 16th in Knoxville the citizens of Knoxville will be making a decision between two of current Mayor Rogero’s former employees: Indya Kincannon and Eddie Mannis. By the time the polls close on November 5th, one will be the next city mayor of Knoxville. Mannis is born and bred in Knoxville. He owns Prestige Cleaners with 13 locations and under Rogero was Knoxville’s first Chief Operating Officer. For over 10 years, his organization Honor Air Knoxville, has flown over 3500 veterans from the WWII , Korea, and…
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — For over twenty years she has been using art as therapy in the inner city of Knoxville. Audrey Wallace has been an advocate for young children, showing up in parks and centers helping children see their future in a positive light . Audrey Wallace shows up in a park and all over Knoxville, children come from all over to sit with the “Art Lady.” For awhile technology is forgotten and the children become fully engaged in creating vision boards and coloring pages as Miss Wallace teaches love, resolves conflicts, and encourages them to believe…
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — If you sit at the feet of this elder, she will take you back through time almost a hundred years. Meet Mrs. Clara Curd Hall Hughes. In September she will celebrate her 99th birthday. Still driving her car, quick witted and with a sharp mind; she remembers, oh how she remembers. She was the first African American female maintenance supervisor hired into Oak Ridge National Laboratory. She was part of the Secret City Manhattan Project. Clara is quick to tell you they had no idea of what was being built in that man made city…
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — On Monday, August 26th, Channara Pheap died in the rain. The Knox County Regional Forensic Center listed the cause of death as a gunshot wound to the back. Beyond this fact, everything else about what led to the young man of Cambodian descent being shot by Knoxville City police officer Dylan Williams is unclear. One reason: city officers do not wear body cameras. This lack of clear understanding of what exactly happened has led to an uproar in the Knoxville community. As Mayor Rogero asked for the city to remain calm as the investigation…
Commissioner Schwinn, left, and Representative Staples listen as questions flow from attendees. Photos by Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — “I am always aware, no matter where I go in the state, these are my babies; almost one million of them. We are raising our future.” These were the words of Penny Schwinn, education commissioner for Ten- nessee. She spoke for nearly one hour before educators and other members of the Knoxville community at a “Fireside Chat” set up by District 15 representative Rick Staples. She gave some of her vision for the state. Among the items she shared were her…