Category: Culture & Belonging

World of Bluegrass

World of Bluegrass

International festival finds its roots in Chattanooga Donna “Elle” Harrison’s favorite memories revolve around music. The veteran Chattanooga broadcaster vividly recalls joining her mother and grandmother at Riverbend to see B.B. King. She smiles wide at the recollection of broadcasting live for Power 94 and Groove 93 FM from the Bessie Smith Strut. Music brought...

August 15, 2024August 15, 2024
Arts Expansion

Arts Expansion

Tivoli Theatre Foundation Envisions Performing Arts Center  On a Tuesday morning in downtown Chattanooga, the Tivoli Theatre’s lobby smells of popcorn. Small children stare up at the gilded ceilings, clutching their soft drinks and buzzing with the excitement of an extraordinary experience on an otherwise ordinary day. They’re here to enjoy a summertime movie series...

August 18, 2022October 13, 2022
RISE Chattanooga

RISE Chattanooga

New Location Sets Enhanced Course for Groundbreaking Arts Organization (PHOTO Caption: The former Solid Anchor Church in East Chattanooga will become the new home and community hub for RISE Chattanooga.) 2020 was a year of devastation for Shane Morrow, Executive Director of RISE (Responsive Initiatives for Social Empowerment) Chattanooga, an independent, minority-led arts organization dedicated...

October 6, 2021October 6, 2021
Thank You For Seeing Me

Thank You For Seeing Me

Reflecting on the Arts and Overcoming Systemic Racism There is no way for me to look at the work that I do outside of my lived experience and the skin I’m in. I am a black man who also serves the community as president of a large arts institution. Over the past few weeks, since...

June 11, 2020June 11, 2020
Creating Neighbors

Creating Neighbors

Jazmine LeBlanc, Co-Director of East Lake Language Arts, sees story everywhere, especially in her eclectic neighborhood. This is a story about a neighborhood and a lady with a big imagination. The neighborhood is in the heart of a city. All sorts of people live here…people from South America and India, people who drive fancy electric...

June 10, 2020June 10, 2020