By Vivian Shipe
KNOXVILLE, TN — When Betty Satterfield, Class of 1949 walked the hallways of Austin High School, (the only Black high school in Knoxville at the time), it was a different life. Jim Crow was alive and well, Black people were still being lynched, Betty could not vote, whites only signs were a daily part of her existence. The Civil Rights Movement was just beginning. The were no voting rights, the ban against racial segregation in the military was brand new, and there was no such thing as equal pay for Blacks. In the memories of her mind, lay thoughts and lived experiences of the hey days of Jackie Robinson, the birth of Ebony Magazine, and the launch of WERD-AM, the first Black-owned radio station in Atlanta. in her lifetime, it would not be until 1968 when full integration came to Knox County schools and East, a former all white school newly integrated, was merged with Austin, that change would come; thus, was born Austin-East High School and the panthers and the mountaineers of East high became the mighty roadrunners; 2800made.
Austin-East sits in the heart of East Knoxville educates the majority of African American high school youth in Knoxville. More than 145 years, through the doors of Austin and Austin-East have come some of the countries greats: Nikki Giovanni poet, football legends the McKenzie twins, WWE star Bianca Blair, Robert Booker, first African American elected to the state legislator from Knox County, and Theotis Robinson Jr., one of the first three African Americans admitted to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
To remember from whence they came, and to keep the history forever alive and passed down to future generations, in 1979, the first alumni association celebration was held to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of Austin High. Under the guidance of alumni founder Dr. Robert Booker, the combined classes of Austin and Austn-East then began a tradition that would forever continue the legacy. From a few hundred gathered for a picnic in the park in 1979, the call to come together would go out every five years, growing and growing in size until, the latest gathering of panthers and roadrunners this weekend brought together more than 900 from all over the United States. The event now spreads over three days, selling out a hotel rooms, filling the largest convention hall in Knoxville with receptions, three photographers, live entertainment, and programs with dinner and dancing. Scholarships are presented to five Austin East graduates at every event. This year two new traditions were added; tours of the school which is now a magnet high school and boast one the cities top performing arts centers, and a large worship gathering drawing to close out the weekend’s activities.
Overcoming Believers Church, the largest Black mega church in Knoxville, hosted the alumni who wanted to worship and commune together. Senior Pastor Daryl Arnold delayed his vacation to speak to the gathering, his message was timely, emphasizing the importance to remember and acknowledge first, the panthers like Betty Satterfield, who had actually lived through the history that is being removed from the history lessons being taught to the children today. His rousing sermon on generations, legacy, and the need to pour into the youth of today and their corresponding responsibility to accept the lessons from the shoulders on which they stand brought the congregation to their feet several times. it was a fitting end to a fantastic gathering where the ages ranged from 16 to 94.
On July 29, the planning committee of 40 begins work planning the 150th reunion.
The tradition continues….
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