Author: Vivian Underwood Shipe

By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — When  you get off I40 east at the Cherry Street exit and come up to the light, you notice the distinctive sign, A tall Black edifice with the name LaFetta’s in the center of the sign. When you pull in the parking lot, the smells of soul food waft out the front door that is constantly opening and closing as the customers file into Knoxville’s newest business. In the heart of the inner city, after decades of little or no growth, David Rico Gillette has poured his heart, soul, and finances into this dining…

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By Vivian Underwood Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — There were many reactions and gatherings in response to the gathering of the white supremacy and KKK groups who held a rally in Knoxville Tennessee on Saturday, August 26th. None was as large, or as peaceful and powerful as the citizens of Knoxville who gathered in Krutch Park in the downtown area of Knoxville Tennessee at an event called the KNOXVILLE KINDNESS RALLY. The site was chosen as a safe and supportive place to speak out against hate and violence. There were hundreds of people, all ages, from babies in strollers, to the…

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By Vivian Underwood Shipe In sickness and in health are the words couples promise each other in their wedding vows. The words..”Sarcoidosis Uveitis” have not stopped Micheal Shadden, Knoxville developer and entrepreneur,  and his children  and grandchildren, from walking in those vows as his  wife fights to keep her eyesight. An eye disease with a monthly cost of over 4500.00 is what the family is facing as their insurance has declined to pay for these eye injections which, without them she will go blind The family is fighting for Kendra by holding fund raisers  in the community and have created…

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