By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — The combined years of service by the African American educators gathered at the Beck totaled over 600 years. These are the “before” educators. Before you couldn’t teach Black History, before you couldn’t discipline and maintain control of your own class room. These teachers gave correction, education, hugs, advice, and were part of the days when the educator was respected and held in high regard. They were highly effective, encouraging, empowering, and told their students to roll their shoulders back, hold your head up, walk tall, and conjugate. They were of the old guard ,…
Author: Vivian Underwood Shipe
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — In the brilliant sunshine of the morning against a bright blue sky, they came. Wearing beautiful garments of all types and styles, flowing regally, they came all directions and the view was breathtaking, Queens flowing into the Beck Cultural Center in their yellow, a symbol of light for all women, representing warmth, sunshine, and positivity. They are the women of the Ethel Beck Society and there were hundreds of them. Once a year some of the most influential African American women in Knoxville gather for a delicious brunch to honor one of their own…
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — Ever so quietly, she dropped her head to say a prayer for the young mother she was watching through the window. She could see the child was having a psychotic episode and the mother was frustrated as she tried to calm her young son who needed more help than she could get for him. The older mother closed her eyes and thought back over the years when she went through the pain of her own child’s mental health journey and the pain that the whole family felt over the years trying to get help…
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — Under the watchful eye of the massive statue of Alex Haley, Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon and KCDC Director Ben Bentley, stood at the base of the statue and made an announcement that would begin to right a terrible wrong. It was an announcement that would finally reconnect East Knoxville with the rest of the city; removing a barrier set in place more than 60 years ago when Urban renewal, or Urban REMOVAL destroyed the black community when it brought the interstate through it’s heart, built a civic coliseum in its neighborhoods, and in doing…
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — The Knoxville Chapter of The Links Incorporated held their annual Black K.A.R.E. Community Health Fair at the Change Center on Saturday March 9th. The free event, designed to raise awareness about kidney disease among African Americans also offered testimonials, screenings for blood pressure, kidneys, lung function, chair yoga, and carotid artery function. Black K.A.R.E.is a national initiative of The Links to raise awareness and prevention of chronic kidney disease. The letters stand for Kidney Awareness Resources Education. The event shed light on several little-known facts about kidney disease that can be lifesaving including the…
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — In the space of 72 hours, Knoxville and the world lost two icons. Community leader Alyce Andrews, lovingly called Lady Ladd, and civil rights leader and renowned author, Dr.Bob Booker Jr. transitioned from this earthly realm, leaving a gaping hole in the hearts of many. For decades, Lady Ladd worked tirelessly in Knoxville to improve the lives of young children by exposing them to different experiences, showing them another side of life and encouraging them to dream through trips and adventures she planned for them. Lady Ladd helped hundreds of children over the last…
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — It was the sixties, it was rural Roane County and they had never had a Black player on the team until one moment changed everything. When the tall Black 6 foot 2 inch lanky and extremely talented 17-year-old girl ran out on the basketball court at Roane County High School, it was the beginning of a stellar career for Carolyn Bush-Roddy. It was a career filled with Olympic gold, playing against and coaching with Pat Head Summit, and traveling the world with the USA All-Star teams. Bush-Roddy was ready from the beginning. Not only…
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — There have been three so far. Listening conversations have been held in East Knoxville, Lonsdale, and in the Latina community. Each session is designed to follow a specific pattern. The youth sit around in a circle with the police officers that patrol their communities; parents and community leaders sit around the perimeter of the circle. These conversations are youth led. Their questions are asked first and only after all questions have been answered to the satisfaction of the young people are the adults allowed to ask their questions. Following each conversation, the officers and…
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — Companionship. It’s something taken for granted by many, but for seniors who live alone, no friends, family, no neighbors to check on you ; no help with food or financial assistance, it can mean life or death. According to a study by the Pew Research Center, 27 percent of elders in the United States live alone. They are more likely to be in poor health and have a shorter life span. Programs like the CAC Senior Companion Program in Knoxville are working hard to lower that statistic. The program uses senior volunteers to go…
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — They ARE Black History: Dr. Robert Booker Jr., and Theotis Robinson Jr. Knoxvillian Bob Booker, as he is known across the country, was born in what was known as The Bottoms in East Knoxville. He is an Army veteran who came home from the war and during his years at Knoxville College, where he was president of the student body, was a solid figure in the civil rights movement, leading sit-ins to push for desegregation, even spending time in jail for the cause of justice and equality. Less than a mile away, up the…