Legendary Cicely Tyson Gets Honorary Academy Award
Cicely Tyson, 94, on the cover of Time Magazine's Optimists issue, Feb, 2019. Photo by Djeneba Aduayom

Legendary Cicely Tyson Gets Honorary Academy Award

(Feb. 2019) There’s Black girl magic on the front and the back cover of TIME magazine’s 2019 Optimists issue. The cover features the legendary Cicely Tyson and was guest-edited by visionary filmmaker Ava DuVernay. Tyson chose DuVernay to present her with her honorary Academy Award back in November of 2018 when she became the first Black woman…

Free The Captives-Knox Rally Today
A group of protesters rejecting the adoption of 287g that supports immigrant detainees in Knox County detention centers.

Free The Captives-Knox Rally Today

Last week, a group of young activists spoke out at the county commission meeting about the 112% increase in Knox County’s police budget since 2003 and about how 287g (a cooperation agreement between ICE and the Knox County Sheriff´s Office) is funneling Knoxville´s undocumented community into federal concentration camps, thus ripping families and our community…

Knox Dems Hosted Historic 2019 Truman Day
Representative Mike Stewart presents his father John Stewart the Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions including championing the Civil Rights Act at the Annual Truman Day Dinner, May 31. His mother Democratic leader Nancy Stewart and Knox County Democratic Party Chair La Kenya Middlebrook witness the moment. Photo by Nan Scott.

Knox Dems Hosted Historic 2019 Truman Day

By Patricia Williams The Knox County Democrats  annual 2019 Truman Day fundraising event at the Foundry on the World’s Fair site was billed as “Two Dynamic Women.” The co-guest speakers were Tennessee House Minority Leader who is the first African-American and female to fill the position and Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero, Knoxville’s first female mayor…

IBC Blues Musicians Challenge at Open Chord Aug 11th
Frank Bang & The Cook County Kings featured on a 2018 gSMBS Blues Cruise on the Tennessee River Boat.

IBC Blues Musicians Challenge at Open Chord Aug 11th

  International Blues Challenge, 2020; Sunday, Aug. 11th at Open Chord/All Things Music. FREE. Open to all ages. Sign-ups at 6 pm; performances start at 7 pm.  All Blues bands, duos, and solo artists it’s your time to shine and to challenge all other area acts for the chance to compete in Memphis with over 200…

Scarboro Comm Alumni Assoc Elects Officers
Scarboro Comm. Alumni Assoc newly elected officers (L-R): President Tina Henderson-Porter; Vice-President John Spratling; Secretary Rose Weaver; and Treasurer Deborah Booker.

Scarboro Comm Alumni Assoc Elects Officers

(OAK RIDGE, TN) The Scarboro Community Alumni Association held its election of officers on June 27, 2019, 7 p.m. at Spurgeon Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church. Executive Officers for 2019/20 were President, Tina Henderson-Porter; Vice-President, John Spratling; Secretary, Rose Weaver; and Treasurer, Deborah Booker. The Association plans the biennial Scarboro Reunion weekend activities which will take…

CITY’S SUMMER INTERNS LAUNCH #FEEDKNOX CAMPAIGN
VoodDoo Cadillac free performance at Christenberry Center July 25

CITY’S SUMMER INTERNS LAUNCH #FEEDKNOX CAMPAIGN

One Love Day to be held Thursday, July 25, 7-8:30 p.m. at Christenberry Recreation Center, 931 Oglewood Ave. with refreshments and a performance by Voodoo Cadillac, who are former police officers. The City of Knoxville’s Summer in the City interns have made the focus of their group project one of the essentials of life: food. Through…

Decision Kennedy (infant)
Decision Kennedy

Decision Kennedy (infant)

Knoxville – Decision Leron-Alexander Kennedy-Descendent of Jacob, heir to the throne of Israel earned his right to rest on July 10, 2019 at Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville, TN. He is survived by parents; Ronnie Kennedy, Martika Johnson, brothers; Jermaine Johnson, Nacioun Johnson, sisters; Dream Johnson, Loyal Kennedy, Grandparents Courtney (Michelle Spears) Thomas, Ron Kennedy, Jamesena…

Dr. Edith Irby-Jones, Medical Pioneer, KC Grad Dies
Dr. Edith Irby-Jones, KC grad, 1st black student in a Southern School of Medicine passed away.

Dr. Edith Irby-Jones, Medical Pioneer, KC Grad Dies

KCean, Board Chair, Civil Rights Legend, History Maker Dies   By Franklin Tate She came to Knoxville College (KC) on a scholarship from Mayflower, Arkansas, graduated, and became the first black student to enter any medical school in the South. Civil Rights legend and pioneer Dr. Edith Irby-Jones died Monday in Houston; she was 91….

2019 CINCINNATI MUSIC FESTIVAL, July 25-27
2019 CINCINNATI MUSIC FESTIVAL headliners MARY J. BLIGE, MAXWELL AND MORE.

2019 CINCINNATI MUSIC FESTIVAL, July 25-27

MARY J. BLIGE, MAXWELL AND MORE TO HEADLINE THE 2019 CINCINNATI MUSIC FESTIVAL Cincinnati, OH — Premier ticket and hotel reseller, Berrywise Enterprise is providing ticket and hotel packages for the 2019 Cincinnati Music Festival. The iconic event will happen Thursday, July 25 – Saturday, July 27, at the Paul Brown Stadium, on the Cincinnati riverfront. Attendees will…

Elizabeth Ann “Rita” Robin August 21, 1928 – July 14, 2019
Elizabeth Ann "Rita" Robin August 21, 1928 - July 14, 2019

Elizabeth Ann “Rita” Robin August 21, 1928 – July 14, 2019

Elizabeth Ann “Rita” Robin, born August 21, 1928 in Athens, TN passed away peacefully at home Sunday July 14, 2019. She was preceded in death by her parents Dora and Douglas amp; Dean Scruggs Douglas Casey, spouse Sylvanus Robin, brother Dora Jr., Bennie and Edward; sister Ellen Douglas and niece Alma “Pop” George. Rita is…

Bertha Mae Keys
Bertha Mae Keys

Bertha Mae Keys

Knoxville – Bertha Mae Keys departed this life on June 18, 2019 at Fort Sanders Hospital. She is survived by her husband Kenneth Keys; sons Cecil, Shawn and Jamar; grandson Azy’Rion; brothers-in-law, Doug, Sammie and Buddie Keys; sister-in-law, Freddie Sensabaugh, other relatives and friends. The family will receive friends 2:30-3:30p.m. Thursday at Jarnigan’s Chapel; funeral…

Fred Kenneth Upton
Fred Kenneth Upton

Fred Kenneth Upton

Knoxville – Fred Kenneth “Ken” Upton, Sr., passed away on Monday, June 24, 2019. Ken attended High Point High School in Sweetwater and Madisonville High in Madisonville, TN. He was employed at Alcoa for 35 years. Ken was an avid golfer and member of The Green Turf Association. He was a member of Goodfriend Baptist…