By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — Five hours. That’s how long it took to get a “yes” vote allowing the Freedom Schools program to get a “yes” vote by the Knox County Board of Education. The ask by the Freedom School Director Denise Dean was to data share the test scores from end of year testing so the school would know how to best help the children, and the children be allowed to ride the buses during the summer months to the three schools where the program was being held. The program, which began in 1995, is a part of…
Author: Vivian Underwood Shipe
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — When the call comes across the intercom, the students know what do. The doors are already locked from the inside; now the children pull down all the blinds and turn off the lights. Moving to a wall wherethey can’t be seen by a shooter looking through the door, they sit in a line on the floor, their backs to the wall, being as quiet as they can, waiting. The lockdown is in full-effect. “Enough…We are fed up.” This message spread across the internet between the high schools of Knoxville. The message was clear and…
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — The sun had barely broken over the horizon on the last Saturday of April before the foot soldiers of the Knoxville Area Urban League and New Directions Healthcare Solutions were pulling up and unloading vans and trunks filled with vaccine and resource materials. They were on a mission at not just one location; they were holding two mega clinics in opposite ends of the inner city. It is the beginning of a big push, a push to vaccinate as many as possible before the pandemic emergency mandate ends by the government and the CDC…
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — Teach them and send them out. This describes the program developed in 2014 to train Knoxville high school youth in key leadership skills to inspire them to become involved and committed to serve others. The students, all juniors from area high schools, spend ten months together learning about each other and the Knoxville community as they develop their skills. The 53 graduates of the 2023 class received their graduation medallions before their parents and peers during a celebration held at the Change Center on Sunday, April 23rd. “And don’t let anyone put you…
KNOXVILLE, TN — The 2023 Project Grad Celebration of Stars Scholars Dinner was held at the Knoxville Convention Center on Sunday April 16. Over 100 seniors from Fulton and Austin-East High School were recognized by Project Grad and the Knoxville Education Foundation. During the ceremony, two gentlemen who play a great part in the success of Project Grad were also recognized and honored for their dedication to the next generation of leaders. Dr. Dorian McCoy is the director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the College of Education, Health, and Human Services at the University of Tennessee Knoxville. During the…
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — FIRST is an international robotics community that uses a team-based learning approach to prepare young people ages 4 -18 for the future. Each letter has a meaning: For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology. Austin- East High School is an official team of this prestigious robotics program and the only African American team from the Knoxville district. The FIRST program uses a mentoring based model designed to inspire young people to be leaders in science and technology through engagement and inspiration. The students develop “out of the box thinking skills” and their confidence…
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — They never stopped. Every Thursday for the last three years with the exception of holidays, three women have faithfully meet via zoom from 5pm to 6 pm with faith leaders and subject matter experts from across the country. Being the leaders of three prominent organizations doesn’t deter them. They use a tag team method when their leadership duties calls them away ensuring one of them is always at the helm of one of the most lifesaving information meetings held in the country. From the moment they stepped to the front lines as the founders…
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — Kathy Mack, Chief Youth Engagement Officer for the YWCA of Tennessee Valley received the Online BSSW Field Instructor of the Year award from the University of Tennessee College of Social Work. The BSSW (Bachelor of Science in Social Work) is a four-year degree program designed to provide knowledge in social work practice and social and human welfare. The online program is designed for transfer students and offers elective classes in much-needed areas such as trauma informed care, crisis prevention, substance abuse, mental illness and suicidology. Scholars applying for this program enter a rigorous program…
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — “When the enemy shall come in, like a flood, the Lord shall raise up a standard against him”. These words from Isaiah 59:19, aptly describe Ronni Chandler, Executive Director of Project Grad who is retiring effective June 30th of this year. For over 20 years, she has been the standard used to lead a program that has served over 32,000 center city students from 2001 to 2022. Project Grad, (Graduation Really Achieves Dreams), had a mission: increase the graduation rate of students from Austin-East and Fulton High Schools. Over the last 22 years they…
By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — March is International Women’s Month. Three of the most fascinating women that contribute greatly to the betterment of humanity live in Knoxville Tennessee. Very respected, brilliant and strong women of integrity, Sparks, Phelps and Halbert are wonderful role models. Brittonya Sparks, nurse practitioner for over 25 years was recently recognized by the State of Tennessee for her work to help eliminate disparities in health. Sparks has been boots on the ground for the last two years, working to ensure as many as possible get vaccinated against COVIS-19. Sparks has been volunteering with the Faith…