KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Knoxville community had the chance to celebrate Black History Month with the Beck Cultural Exchange Center on Monday night. During the celebration, the Beck Center recognized the contributions of Black state lawmakers from East Tennessee over the years.
The event brought out the Brian Clay Trio to host the event, a musical group that performed alongside the Austin-East Dance Company. African drummers and dancers also performed with Drums Up Guns Down, a community group. Along with the performances, the Beck Center also highlighted 50 years of combined service among Black lawmakers from East Tennessee.
The specific lawmakers mentioned during the event are listed below.
- Tennessee State Representative Sam McKenzie (D - Knoxville)
- Former Tennessee State Representative Rick Staples
- Former Tennessee State Representative Joe Armstrong
- Former Tennessee State Representative Charles “Pete” Drew
- Former Tennessee State Representative Dr. Robert J. Booker.
Several others packed the stage during Monday's event. Angelina Irankunda, a poet from Austin-East, also shared an award-winning poem while Daniel Craft, a professional artist, shared a newly commissioned work. Artece Slay also paid tribute to Shirley Chisholm, the first African American woman ever elected to the U.S. Congress.