Black History Month in Tennessee
Monday, January 18, 2010 | 06:00pm
Music, Exhibits and Parades Celebrate Black History Month in Tennessee
NASHVILLE- During Black History Month, stories of courage and triumph will be told throughout Tennessee with music, exhibits and parades. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Nashville Sit-In Movement and this time of year proves exciting as the state remembers life before and after the civil rights movement.
The National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis will host throughout February educational workshops, lectures, exhibitions and events to celebrate the culture and contributions of African American advancement.
In Nashville, B.B. Kings Blues Club and Restaurant will host the “Music City Soul Series” each Thursday in February, featuring a different group of artists to perform soul music in celebration of Black History Month.
The Living Heritage Museum in Athens will present the “Black History “Brown Bag” Movie Series” in February. The series features films and documentaries that examine Negro League baseball teams, civil rights demonstrations and other key points during the civil rights movement.
Below, please find a brief summary of events surrounding Martin Luther King Jr. Day and during Black History Month in Tennessee:
East Tennessee –
Clinton – The Fourth Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast will be presented by Green McAdoo Cultural Organization at 9 a.m., Jan. 18 at the Green McAdoo Recreation Center. For more information, please visit www.greenmcadoo.org.
Oak Ridge – Celebrate the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. with activities at The Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge during its “MLK Day” on Jan. 18. For more information, please call (865) 482-1074 or visit www.childrensmuseumofoakridge.org.
Knoxville – The Beck Cultural Exchange Center is a learning museum of African-American history and culture that researches, collects, conserves and exhibits achievements of African Americans. The museum’s exhibitions are on display 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday. For more information, please visit http://www.discoveret.org/beckcec/index.html.
Middle Tennessee –
Nashville – The Tennessee State Museum will present an ongoing exhibit called, “We Shall Not Be Moved: 50th Anniversary of Tennessee’s Civil Rights Sit-Ins,” Feb. 4-May 17. The exhibit examines the background, events and effects surrounding the 1960s sit-in movement. For more information, please contact Mary Skinner at (615) 253-0103 or visit tnmusuem.org.
“Let Freedom Sing! A Musical Tribute to Martin Luther King Jr.” will be held Jan. 17 at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. The Celebration Chorus and Celebration Youth Chorus join the Nashville Symphony for the annual concert. For more information, please visit www.nashvillesymphony.org.
The 25th annual “Martin Luther King Jr. 2010 Celebration” will begin with a ceremonial march at 11:30 a.m., Jan. 18 at Jefferson Street Baptist Church and will end at Tennessee State University Gentry Center. Reverend Dr. Kelly Miller Smith Jr. will speak at the convocation. For more information please visit www.tnstate.edu.
West Tennessee –
Bolivar – Hardeman County will host a Black History Month parade at 10 a.m., Jan. 16. The parade begins at Market Street.
Dyersburg –The Martin Luther King Jr. luncheon will feature guest speakers on Jan. 15 at the Dyersburg State Campus. For more information, please contact Jane Vondy at (731) 286-3300.
Memphis – The National Civil Rights Museum will present “Martin Luther King Jr. Day” on Jan. 18. The event features special programs to celebrate the civil rights leader’s birthday. For more information, please call (901) 521-9699 or visit civilrightsmuseum.org.
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