Brittish Black Lives Matter supporter Sasha Johnson shot in London

Brittish Black Lives Matter supporter Sasha Johnson shot in London

London, England, United Kingdom May 24, 2021 – An outspoken anti-racist and Black Lives Matter supporter Sasha Johnson was shot in the head about 3 a.m. Sunday morning in London, England. Less than 24-hours into the investigation, Scotland Yard determined that there is “nothing to suggest” that Johnson was the intended target of the shooting…

KUB Public Meeting on offering broadband service to customers

KUB Public Meeting on offering broadband service to customers

BUSINESS Knoxville, TN (May 23, 2021) – KUB recently announced plans to deploy a fiber network and provide broadband internet services to customers who reside within its electric service territory. In May, KUB’s plan for fiber deployment was approved by its electric system regulator, Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), and by the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury….

Cherokee Health Systems Clinicians to Address Your Medical concerns here, in the ETE
Dr. Dennis Freeman, CEO Cherokee Health Systems of East Tennessee. (Photo submitted)

Cherokee Health Systems Clinicians to Address Your Medical concerns here, in the ETE

“It is with a great amount of excitement that my colleagues at Cherokee Health Systems and I launch a unique partnership with the East Tennessee Enlightener.”  – Dr. Dennis Freeman, CEO Cherokee Health Systems of East Tennessee Healthy & Happy East Tennessee (May 22, 2021) – The clinical staff at Cherokee will be contributing periodic…

Academy Sports Knoxville Equips Youths with New Bikes to get outdoors
Academy Sports + Outdoors outfitted 10 youths from the Boys and Girls Club of Tennessee Valley with new bikes. (Photo submitted, May 2021)

Academy Sports Knoxville Equips Youths with New Bikes to get outdoors

May is Bike Safety Month. On Thursday, May 20, 2021, Academy Sports + Outdoors, 145 Moss Grove Blvd. in Knoxville, surprised 10 local teens with new bikes! In recognition of Bike Safety Month, Academy Sports hopes to encourage teens to get outside and enjoy summer safely on their new wheels. Academy Sports + Outdoors surprised…

Sarah Moore Greene celebrates year of Global Leadership theme
Kindergarten student Kaleigha Wilkins and her cousin, third-grader Jordin Gardner, came to the event with Jordin's mother. (Photo submitted, May 2021)

Sarah Moore Greene celebrates year of Global Leadership theme

Schools Knoxville, TN (May 19, 2021) To help celebrate the school’s International Night, Sarah Moore Greene Magnet Academy on Tuesday brought a special guest to school — Taco the Llama! This year, SMG adopted a magnet theme of Global Leadership, and the International Night celebration featured food from around the world, dioramas highlighting the Amazon…

Mayor’s Youth Council, Empower Knox enlist students from area school

Mayor’s Youth Council, Empower Knox enlist students from area school

  SCHOOLS KNOXVILLE, TN (May 5, 2021) The inaugural City of Knoxville Mayor’s Youth Council consists of 17 young people who share a desire to be more involved with local government, decision-making, and in building successful outcomes for all young people. “Young people are our future, and their perspective is invaluable to the City,” says Mayor…

PRAISE ON THE LAWN June 5, 2021 Saturday 6p.m. “Sponsored by Spurgeon Chapel AME Zion Singles Ministry” Location: Spurgeon Chapel AMEZ Church, 100 Benedict Avenue Performances by area choirs, soloist, and praise dancers Water and light snacks provided, bring lawn chairs. “Friends and neighbors let us unite through God’s love.”

May Theater, Live music, Events & Activities
The Knoxville WordPlayers free performance of Knoxville Freedom Songs & Stories, free May 20, at Chilhowee Park amphitheater. Performers pictured (L-R) Antonio Gomez, Adam Whipple, Tomi Robb, Ethan Barton, Norman Dan Higgins, Cole Liles, and John Jackson. (Photo submitted)

May Theater, Live music, Events & Activities

This Month’s Featured Artist – John Jackson John is a transplant from Chicago, IL. He came to Knoxville, Tenn. in 1986, to attend  Knoxville College, HBCU where he earned a Bachelor’s in Applied Science and studied Music Ed. He accompanied the KC Concert Choir to performances in Spain, New York, Detroit, Chicago, Boca Raton FL,…

Battlefield Farm & Garden Dedicated New Location, Same Mission: Fighting Food Disparity
The farmstand at the entrance to Battlefield Farm teaching garden. (Photo P.Williams, May 2021)

Battlefield Farm & Garden Dedicated New Location, Same Mission: Fighting Food Disparity

Pastor Chris Battle resigned from a ‘brick and mortar church’ to minister from new venues, Battlefield Farm and Gardens; and from the Underground Collective, church reimagined.       KNOXVILLE, TN (April 28, 2021) – Pastor Chris Battle has ministered from many platforms. But he never envisioned it to include being knee-deep in dirt and…

Ready For Better: Parents Want Bold Change in K-12 Education

Ready For Better: Parents Want Bold Change in K-12 Education

The Walton Foundation’s results from a nationwide poll of K-12 students amid the upheaval caused by COVID-19. Parents want updates to an outdated system and bureaucrats. NATIONWIDE (May 5, 2021) – Before COVID-19, much of the country believed that our public schools served students well. Reluctant to fix outdated systems, bureaucrats and bureaucracies too often…

CAC, KCDC, Family Justice Center free services and support
One call to make, One place to go Family Justice Center.

CAC, KCDC, Family Justice Center free services and support

Local agencies offer help for housing, emotional and financial support for young adults to seniors, victims of domestic violence, and others in need.    Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation (KCDC) has secured 25 vouchers to assist young adults ages 18-24 who have aged out of the foster care system. KCDC recently earned funding through a new…

KINCANNON BUDGET: Commits funding towards infrastructure, green energy, electric transportation

KINCANNON BUDGET: Commits funding towards infrastructure, green energy, electric transportation

KINCANNON BUDGET: FUNDING COMMITTED  TO FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE, PROMOTE RESILIENCY  KNOXVILLE, TN (April 30, 2021) – Mayor Indya Kincannon’s proposed budget reflects feedback from the Mayor’s Climate Council on the importance of transportation electrification. Mayor Kincannon’s proposed budget will be presented for first reading at City Council on Tuesday, May 4. Legislative budget hearings are scheduled…

Public Schools to receive $4billion in Federal pandemic recovery funds

Public Schools to receive $4billion in Federal pandemic recovery funds

News/State/Schools By Marta W. Aldrich  TENNESSEE (Mar 23, 2021) – For years, one faction of Tennessee’s education community has argued that more money is the answer to improving schools, while another has championed giving families more choices through programs like charter schools and vouchers. Now the first faction is about to get its wish, and the…

Selma Bridge Crossing 65th Jubilee, Beyond the Bridge: People Power, Political Power, Economic Power
On Bloody Sunday, March 7, 1965. Alabama State Troopers positioned to prevent Alabama's black citizens from reaching the county seat to vote. The march was led by John Lewis under the direction of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Selma Bridge Crossing 65th Jubilee, Beyond the Bridge: People Power, Political Power, Economic Power

  Selma, AL (March 2021) – Over a half-century and 10 days have passed since peaceful marchers were met with brutal police violence On March 7, 1965, on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama. The nation then and to the present day, was forced to face the ugliness of its actions to continue the oppression…

Telephone Pole Memorials: A mourning of black lives taken too soon
SEEED Community Engagement Speacialist Wando Stacey take viewers on a foreboding tour of a few telephone pole memorials, March 2021.

Telephone Pole Memorials: A mourning of black lives taken too soon

A video produced by SEEED Knoxville ‘Telephone Pole Memorials’ speaks for itself. Please take the 7:38 minutes to watch it. Narrator and SEEED Community Engagement Speacialist Wando Stacey take viewers on a foreboding tour of a few telephone pole memorials and their origin. The point being made is clear. The lack of job opportunities in…

Resources for Education in Oak Ridge / Recursos Para la Educación en Oak Ridge

Resources for Education in Oak Ridge / Recursos Para la Educación en Oak Ridge

For many families, school is different this year than it has in previous years. Oak Ridge Schools are offering virtual learning and have new policies and practices in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 during in-person learning. Whatever the situation, these resources listed below are intended to help parents, guardians, and caregivers, plan and…

A Conversation with OR 85 member Ernestine Avery
Ernestine Avery is one of the few living members of the Oak Ridge 85, who were the first to integrate a Tennessee public school in 1955. (Photo submitted by Rose Weaver)

A Conversation with OR 85 member Ernestine Avery

This is one of those rare opportunities to learn of a historic event from someone who was there over 65 years ago! OAK RIDGE, Tenn. (April 25, 2021) – Ernestine Avery was just 14 years old when she was sent to attend then segregated Oak Ridge High School. Avery was one of the Oak Ridge…