Beck Cultural Exchange Center

08/17/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined the Beck Cultural Exchange Center for the Twelfth Annual Eighth of August Jubilee and helped us honor the legacy of freedom and celebrate the rich history of our community.

On August 8, 1863, Sam Johnson, his sister Dolly, and her three children, Liz, Florence, and William, were emancipated. After Sam, his sister Dolly, and her children were emancipated, Sam was successful in having August 8 set aside for Emancipation Day observances and celebrations. This date became known as Emancipation Day. Since that time, celebrations continue to take place throughout Tennessee and other states.

The day was filled with meaningful moments, including the launch of the Beck Cultural Corridor in partnership with Knoxville Utilities Board and the City of Knoxville, the recognition of our 2026 Eighth of August Heritage Honoree, Mayor Daniel Brown, and Negro League Night at Covenant Health Park, where the Knoxville Smokies took the field as the Knoxville Giants.

From honoring our history to celebrating our community, this year’s Jubilee was one to remember. Thank you to everyone who came out and made the day so special!

📸 Photos by Carlos Jones and George Welch

KnoxvilleBlackHistory

07/27/2026

⚾🔥 KNOXVILLE GIANTS NIGHT IS ALMOST HERE! 🔥⚾

The Knoxville Giants Jerseys and T-Shirts have arrived!

Whether you’re attending Negro League Night or simply want to represent one of Knoxville’s greatest baseball legacies, now is your chance.

Don’t forget to grab your $15 Beck General Admission Ticket for the 12th Annual Eighth of August Jubilee on August 1st at Covenant Health Park

Wear the legacy. Celebrate the history. Support the future.

07/15/2026

We honor the life and enduring legacy of Josephine Goss Sims (July 28, 1943 – July 14, 2026).

Mrs. Sims will forever be remembered as one of the courageous young people whose determination helped transform public education in Knoxville through Goss v. Board of Education, advancing the cause of equality and leaving an indelible mark on our nation’s Civil Rights history.

The Beck Cultural Exchange Center was honored to preserve her story. Her legacy reminds us that lasting change is often achieved through the courage of ordinary people who choose to stand for what is right.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to the Goss Sims family and all who mourn her passing. May her life continue to inspire us to pursue justice, preserve history, and build a future worthy of her sacrifice.

“Well done, good and faithful servant.” — Matthew 25:23

07/10/2026

⚾🏆 Beck’s 12th Annual Eighth of August Jubilee: Negro League Night with the Knoxville Smokies

Join the Beck Cultural Exchange Center as we celebrate Tennessee’s Eighth of August Emancipation Day during one of East Tennessee’s premier cultural events!

🗓 Saturday, August 1, 2026
📍 Covenant Health Park

This year’s theme, “Honoring Freedom and Celebrating Legacy,” recognizes the strength, resilience, and lasting contributions of African Americans while the Knoxville Smokies proudly take the field as the Knoxville Giants in tribute to Negro League baseball.

Schedule of Events
✨ 4:00 PM – VIP Reception (ORNL Federal Credit Union Luxury Level Club)
🎶 5:30 PM – Gates Open | Pregame Entertainment & Concourse Activities
🎤 6:00 PM – Pregame Program featuring music, special guests, community recognition, cultural reflection, and an on-field ceremony

⚾ 7:00 PM – First Pitch

Knoxville Giants vs. Pensacola Blue Wahoos

Come celebrate freedom, history, culture, and America’s pastime with us!

For more information, visit www.beckcenter.net.

06/09/2026

06/09/2026

06/08/2026

Join us as we celebrate Juneteenth 2026 in Knoxville. The Beck Cultural Exchange Center is proud to partner with the City of Knoxville Special Events, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Commemorative Commission of Knoxville TN, and community partners for a celebration of freedom, culture, history, and community.

The festivities begin on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at 7:00 PM with a free concert in Market Square featuring Dancing Machine: America’s #1 Tribute Band to The Jacksons, presented in partnership with the City of Knoxville. Bring your lawn chair, family, and friends for an evening of great music and community fellowship.

The celebration continues on Friday, June 19, 2026, with the MLK Jr. Parade/March stepping off at 10:00 AM, followed by the Juneteenth Celebration from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM at Dr. Walter Hardy Park.

We invite everyone to come together as we honor the legacy of Juneteenth and celebrate the resilience, achievements, and contributions of African Americans.

JuneteenthKnoxville BlackHistory

04/16/2026

Today, we stood on sacred ground.

The Beck Cultural Exchange Center, in partnership with Boyd Sports, unveiled four new statues honoring Beauford Delaney, Nikki Giovanni, Ida Cox, and Ruth Cobb Brice, whose lives have shaped Knoxville, our culture, and our collective story.

With this installation, eleven statues now stand in this space, each one a testament to truth, legacy, and the enduring impact of Black Knoxville.

These statues honor extraordinary lives. But they also remind us: there is still more of the story to tell.

Thank you to everyone who joined us to witness this moment. This is how we honor the past and carry it forward.

04/15/2026

✨ Special Announcement ✨

Join us Thursday, April 16, 2026 at 4:00 PM at Delaney Plaza (Stadium Way) for a historic unveiling of four new bronze statues honoring individuals whose lives and legacies have shaped our city, our culture, and our collective story. With this installation, the stadium will now feature eleven statues, all developed through Beck’s guidance and historical stewardship, helping tell the story of our city’s rich history.

Presented by the Beck Cultural Exchange Center in partnership with Boyd Sports, this unveiling is part of the Beck Cultural Corridor preserving Black history, honoring legacy, and inspiring future generations.

Bring your family and celebrate this powerful moment with us.