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…
Author: Vivian Underwood Shipe
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…
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — All over the nation, Seniors are preparing for the last few months of high school, all eyes are on them as they prepare for the rituals of prom, and graduation and in the Fall, many will begin their college journey. What happens to that student when they step on that campus all alone, cameras gone, trying to understand the process and procedures, financial aids, classes needed, or where to find help needed to ensure they reach that goal of graduation. If that student is a first generation student from an inner city school, the…
KNOXVILLE, TN — Hubert realized that in Knoxville lived some of the greatest civil rights advocates of the sixties and he reached out to them with the intent just to get to know them. His first lunch guest was the great Avon Rollins, civil rights pioneer with whom he would meet twice a month at the Knoxville Hilton. As their friendship grew, they would each invite a friend or two to join them for food and fellowship. Soon their numbers grew to 12. When Avon passed away, the Motley Crew, as they had begun to call themselves, moved to the…
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — There were over 1100 in attendance at the previous celebration of the historic two schools, Austin and the emergence of the new school after a merger in 1964, Austin East. The year 2019 will celebrate 140 years of the resilience of African American history and the education of the children. Celebrated since 1979, the 2019 reunion ,which will be held on July 6th in Knoxville, will see a new changing of the guard as the vice president. George Underwood, President of the Class of 1977, takes the helm of this massive undertaking under the…
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — “We serve God by serving the community”. That has been the vision statement of Creekside Dental for over a decade. Located directly off the Interstate in the 640 North building, the Knoxville dental office has a divine directive to live up to their vision statement. Creekside Dental is one of the few African American Dental Services in Knoxville. To speak to the husband and wife team who own the business, is to hear a story of testimonies, passions, and dedication that flows all thru the office. The building space set empty until Doctor Kent…
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — The temperatures were more suited for Alaska than the southern state of Tennessee. Nightly temperatures below ten degrees created a crisis and a life threatening situation, the likes of which had not been seen in Knoxville in decades. The White flag, a signal for the homeless to come in out of the cold was hung by the local shelter. Despite this all call, several hundred still remained outside under the bridge. As the crisis grew, a plea went out around the city by council woman Seema Singh Perez for churches and other organizations to…