By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — As you stand by the sign on the grounds of Cal Johnson Rec Center and look towards the river, you can see the results of the urban renewal, or, as most older African Americans living in Knoxville call it, “URBAN REMOVAL.” Those who look now will see the coliseum, the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, a hotel and expensive high rise apartments sitting on the rivers edge. Those, like Knoxville-born, internationally acclaimed poet Nikki Giovanni can still see in their hearts and mind what was originally there – a thriving Black community of over…
Author: Vivian Underwood Shipe
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — They entered the sanctuary from the rear of the chapel. The bright light of the day framed her cap and gown as she marched into the 109 year old McMillan Chapel. Marching to Pomp and Circumstance; she was a graduating class of one, representing a new era. As she came down the middle aisle surrounded on both sides by a crowd of witnesses made up of professors, alumni, trustees, and community; she represented a battle hard fought and won to reopen one of the oldest black colleges in the nation. She is Kishia Marie Ruiz,…
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — In the future, history will look back on 2020 as a busy pivitol year; it will be remembered as a critical election year, the year of the census, the 100 year anniversary of the right of women to vote, and the 100 year anniversary of the League of Women Voters. Formed on February 14, 1920, the mission of the non partisan organization is to encourage informed and active participation of citizens in government, to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influence public policy through education and advocacy. That opportunity to inform and…
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — “Its all about building relationships and partnering with the community.” These were the words spoken by Albert Nelson, president of the East Knoxville Lions Club, the last Club in East Tennessee. In addition to the vision services provided by the Club are service projects designed to lift the community up. Since the Club was founded a few years ago, they have partnered with many groups and organizations; among them the Knox County Mayors Office, the City of Knoxville, the Knox County Health Department, faith-based organizations like Eternal Life Harvest Center, Ladies of Charity, Angelic…
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — By July 1st, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of East Tennessee hopes to have 150 new mentors for its program. The next few months there will be Bowling for Kids Sake events held in cities all over East Tennessee with a goal of raising 150K . Vivian Gwinn, Community Engagement Director explained that for 37 years the organization has worked in partnership with the community members of East Tennessee to provide life changing friendships for children. Children matched with a mentor are more likely to finish high school, stay out of serious trouble, and…
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — The end of March and the beginning of April were as volitile as the season change itself… Six shootings in the space of 72 hours. Two of the dead, a mother and son. The senselessness of it all; sadly a precursor to a discussion already in the works: a discussion sponsorsed by Project GRAD about gun violence. The statistics presented by moderator Lakenya Middlebrook were shocking. According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control) Tennessee is number eleven in the nation for gun deaths. In Tennessee, there are 15 per every 100,000 who die…
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — Lakenya Middlebrook raised her hand on the last Saturday in March and as she was sworn in, made history as the first African American to hold the position of president of the Knox County Democratic Party. She is the daughter of civil rights icon Reverend Harold Middlebrook who marched with Martin Luther King and was with him when he was assassinated. Rev. Middlebrook stood and seconded the nomination of his daughter who had been nominated by EMERGE graduate Jamie Ballenger who had herself, recently made a run for senator. Middlebrook had this to say…
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — To get to Pastor Chris Battles church, Tabernacle Baptist, you have to drive by multiple check cashing sites, liquor stores, and small markets that sell beer and cigarettes. The one place you will not pass is a grocery store selling fresh vegetables. In fact, there is no opportunity to buy fresh veggies within over 2 miles of his church building. Those with no transportation to get to grocery stores are forced to eat what is available around them. Battle calls it a food apartheid. “People are dying by what they are eating. People eat…
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — The weather was beautiful with a hint of Spring in the air. The crowds that flowed into the Knoxville Museum of Art were happy; all on one accord. Their mission: to enjoy some of the finest women musicians from the region. The Friday night jam session, the first of a two day event did not start until 6 pm. However, by 530, the venue was already half full and would reach maximum capacity within 30 minutes of the show. The steady flow of followers of these fantastic musician’s and singers would continue all day…
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — In 1919 an innocent white woman was killed in Knoxville Tennessee. Despite the lack of evidence against him, a black man, Maurice Mays would be accused of the crime. In the ensuring days following the charge, Affluent African American businesses would be burnt down by angry white mobs on Gay Street and other parts of town, homes would be burnt, and countless numbers would die. Mays would be moved to Chattanooga, tried and electrocuted in Nashville, and would go to his grave confessing his innocence. The story is true as Knoxville was one of the…