By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — Fifty years ago the Knoxville Area Urban League opened it’s doors. In the last five decades, many organizations with good intentions to help the African American community have come and gone. Not so KAUL. With a mission to see people thrive, earn, own, and prosper, since 1968 the Urban League, an affiliate of the National Urban League; has consistently and successfully promoted equality and employment opportunities for African Americans. In it’s fifty years, there have only been five directors. Since 2009 the Urban League has been led by Phyllis Y. Nichols. Under her leadership,…
Author: Vivian Underwood Shipe
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — The Sunday after over 1700 citizens of Knoxville spent two days in front of the school board upset over the planned defunding of Project Grad and magnet schools serving the inner city; citizens from all parts of Knoxville gathered in deep west Knoxville. Many of the concerned came from all parts of Knoxville, some driving over twenty minutes across town, despite a soggy rainy day to unite with a unique plan. Working in partnership with the organization The Knoxville Blue Dots, the citizens filled Ochulas restaurant as they held a post card writing campaign.…
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — The maximum occupancy sign outside the large assembly room of the City County Building in Knoxville stated it could hold 613 sitting. That number, along with the hundreds standing on both levels and the 300 standing outside , locked out by the fire Marshall, circling the building, banging on the windows demanding to be able to see into the room meant over 1000 came to protest and be heard during the school board workshop. They were citizens of Knoxville and Knox county , from all walks of life. There were pastors, teachers, parents, children,…
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — There were 35 of them. Young African American males ranging in age from 14 to 24. Divided into two groups; all of them there to learn how to respond and what to do during a traffic stop or during other police encounters to stay safe; and, according to Kevin Perry, Community Outreach Manager with the City of Knoxville and Chaplain with the Knoxville Police Department, possibly even save their life. According to Perry, since 2013, Knoxville has been working to equip, train, and develop the young men who go thru the Save our Sons’…
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — For years Project Grad , a K thru 12 public and private education partnership program in the inner city has held a drawing each year to give a lap top to one male and one female graduating senior. Lori Tucker, tv personality for WATE TV Six and a long time grad supporter had a long time vision to give every grad graduating senior a laptop, a crucial tool for college. The station crew held an all day telethon on Thursday, March 29th and the community responded by raising over 36,000.00 in a ten hour…
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — The women who attended the first Ethel Beck Society Brunch came from all walks of life. Four generations spanning an age range from 17 to 98 years of age. Powerful African American women of Knoxville and surrounding counties of East Tennessee. They were called together for a purpose…on purpose. Executive Director of the Beck Cultural Exchange Center, Reverend Renee Kesler, wanted to create a space where the victories and accomplishments of Black women would be remembered. The Ethel Beck Society was named after the savvy African American business woman, educator and entrepreneur who founded…
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — It was a ribbon cutting like no other. A bipartisan collaborative effort, ten years in the making. Commissioner of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Marie Williams traveled from Nashville to speak during the event that was well attended by state and local legislature. Mayors Tim Burchett and Madeline Rogero, and Reverend George Doebler also spoke to the more than 100 members of the community in attendance. The Behavioral Health Urgent Care Center, formerly known as the Safety Center, opened its doors Monday March 19th. It is a facility dedicated to emptying the jail…
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — May 1st will be a year. One year since Ira Grimes got the heart breaking call that his son, Keenan, who had just turned 26 years old, had died from an overdose. Within the last 10 months, Ira Grimes has used his strong faith to turn that painful loss into helping others after a strong directive from the God he serves so faithfully. When Ira cried out after the death of his son, the first response he received was a deep pain in his chest as God showed him how He felt when His…
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — March 8th, for over a century, has been recognized as International Women’s Day. This movement which began in 1914 is unique and is not specific to any country, group or organization. All over the world , programs and celebrations will be held recognizing the ongoing movement for women’s rights. The day also recognizes the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. This year the theme is #pressforprogress as women encourage people to think, act, and be gender inclusive. Across the world women are making gains with growing levels of advocacy and activism and…
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — In keeping with the grassroots movement sweeping across the country, the number of African Americans and women qualifying to run for office in Knoxville is at historic levels. From state executive committee positions, county mayor, county commission, and board of education, to the senate race; the ballot box has a decidedly different look for 2018. Daniel Brown, Knoxville’s first Black Mayor is running for the State Executive Committee position for the Tennessee Democratic Party while Linda Haney, former Chair of the Knoxville Democratic Party has filed to run for county mayor as has Rhonda…