By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — One of the most startling changes to appear as the smoke clears from the pandemic fire of COVID-19 has been the realization of the number of people, especially elders who stopped getting their needed vaccinations over the last few years. Data from a July 2023 report from the CDC indicates children as young as kindergartners vaccination numbers declined from 94 percent to 93 percent over a two-year period, indicating over 250,000 school age children are unvaccinated, the lowest rate in over a decade. One of the ramifications of this decline is the possible effect…
Author: Vivian Underwood Shipe
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — Anusha Anil got the memo, pulled out her notes and went to work. Anusha is a 2023 graduate of the Youth Leadership Knox County program that seeks to identify, nurture and promote future leaders. The students are juniors when they enter the nine month program in September, which gives the students opportunities to learn event planning, team building, and community service by the time they graduate in May. The program teaches the students to respect self and others, and to give without expectations of any return or reward. Anil, a senior at Farragut High…
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — In Newport Tennessee, August 12th, now has a new meaning. It is now and hence forth and forever known as Cynthia Thomas Finch Day Surrounded by her family and her Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc. sisters, Cynthia Thomas Finch, home town girl, born and raised in Newport Tennessee, was formerly recognized and honored for the great contributions to the country through her work and dedication over the years. The “list” of her accomplishments and her life saving efforts, especially during the pandemic is long and honorable. To honor and recognize her in White Oak Park…
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — The children and their parents and grandparents began lining up at 6 am for the 21st annual shoes and school supplies give away. The sun began to rise, revealing a line stretching around the park. Charles Lomax, president/CEO of Knoxville Area Urban League, shared that the event created by the Knoxville Area Urban League over two decades ago, has grown from giving away shoes in their parking lot, to filling nearby Caswell Park to capacity. In a three hour period, from 9 till noon, thousands of shoes were given away along with tons of…
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — The dance card was full for those attending the many events held in Knoxville on the last weekend of July. From Sunday to Monday, there were enough events to ensure everyone a good night sleep by sundown on Sunday. Friday, the annual KUUMBA festival kicked off it’s two day event on Market Square Mall with an all day event lasting well into the night. Now in it’s 34th year, the KUUMBA festival was created to showcase the rich culture , art and artists of African Americans and draws visitors from across the nation, offering…
Thomas ‘Tank’ Strickland Jr. By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — Way maker, bridge builder, servant, mentor, advocate, the list of what Tank Strickland meant to others flows on and on. Strickland wore many hats during his many years of public service to the Knoxville Community. Known as a humble man of great integrity and character ,Thomas “Tank” Strickland Jr. tried to help anyone who came across his path. Strickland was the first African American to serve as Chair of the Knox County Commission and he served as a commissioner for almost twenty years. Serving under four mayor’s , in his…
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — Grooves in the Garden, the annual fundraiser for UUNIK Academy, was a huge success. The event drew over 300 attendees and featured The Sugar Shack band from Memphis, awesome female DJ., Lady Spin from Louisiana, delicious foods, a free shuttle service to the Botanical Gardens where the event was held, top security, dance areas, food vendors, information booths, nurses on site, a VIP pavilion, a cigar lounge, top shelf bar area, and Knoxville ‘s own Tearsa Smith, reporter for WATE TV 6 as Mistress of Ceremony. Despite a day of heavy rain, by the…
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — It is making a difference in the lives of those on Medicare. Oak Street Health has been serving the communities across the nation for over a decade. Now the company that works exclusively with Medicare patients has set up to serve in the inner city of Knoxville. Its cutting-edge services are being well received by those who need it most. One of the unique services is the ability for those with no transportation to be treated at the center. Oak Street provides transportation within a fifteen-mile radius. To ensure the patient is picked up,…
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — The first two statements of the opening day of the Elder Justice Conference got everyone’s attention. The first statement of the day was about the realization that for too long, we have paid more attention to the care of our pets and children than to our elders. The second was an eye opener. By 2034, the number of people over age 65 in the USA will far surpass the number of people under the age of 18. The country is aging and the repercussions of an aging society and the attacks and scams on…
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — The celebration is now one year away. An all call is going out all over the United States calling the Panthers of Austin and the Roadrunners of Austin -East to come back home. The historic reunion happens every five years and is held over the Fourth of July holiday. The reunion brings together alumni of Austin High School and Austin-East Magnet High School. The attendance is usually around 1200 and is held in the ballroom of the Knoxville Convention Center, the only facility large enough to accommodate the large crowd. For 89 years, Austin…