Here are upcoming events for Black History Month:
Lunch and Learn: The Help
Feb. 11, Movie at 9:30, Panel Discussion at noon. At the Downtown Library.
If you’ve read the book or seen the movie or are curious about either, join Lorean C. Mays as she mediates a panel discussion on The Help. Bring a lunch and meet ladies who were the help, ladies who hired the help, and those who were raised by the help. The panel includes Mary Helms, head librarian and Jackson, Miss. native; Talk Radio host Jeff Styles, and Sonia Young, The Purple Lady.
Here's What Really Happened: Events in Black History
Feb. 11, 2:30-4 p.m. At the Eastgate Library
T. R. Gunn, noted broadcaster, journalist and educator, will present a glimpse into his upcoming documentary “Here’s What Really Happened: Events in Black History that Don’t Make the History Books.” Audience members will be engaged and entertained by a selection of Mr. Gunn’s stories. Facts impacting major historical events will be unveiled. A reception with light refreshments will follow his program.
Chattanooga Chocolate Stories by storyteller Vincent Phipps.
Feb. 21, 7 p.m. at the Downtown Library.
Hear national storyteller and award-winning motivational speaker Vincent Phipps present “Chattanooga Chocolate Stories: Sweet Tales throughout Chattanooga History about local African-Americans who have impacted Chattanooga." The program will be preceded by a reception held at 6:30 p.m.
Underground Chattanooga – Ghost stories of deceased slaves who were spirits of the Underground Railroad
My Daddy’s Tivoli Ticket – Story of how Mr. Phipps’ father was the first Black person to buy a ticket to enter the then segregated Tivoli Theatre
Standing Up by Sitting Down – Story about how the 1960 sit-ins led to the desegregation of downtown Chattanooga
Satchel in the Scenic City – Story about when Negro League Baseball Hall of Famer, Leroy Robert “Satchel” Paige came to Chattanooga
Sam Dated All Seven – story about how all seven of Mr. Phipps’ aunts say they each dated Samuel L. Jackson.
EAC Outreach to Mary Walker Towers - Celebrating Literacy, Continuing the Legacy of Mary Walker
Learning to read at the age of 100, Mary Walker left a legacy for all… Come celebrate literacy with the Mary Walker Towers, Howard School, Chattanooga News Chronicle, Southeast Tennessee Area Agency on Aging and Disability, and the city of Chattanooga Department of Education, Arts & Culture on Monday-Friday, Feb. 20-24, from 3-4 p.m. Each day will feature: intergenerational readings, speeches of Martin Luther King, Jr. and other civil rights leaders, stories and perspective of local leaders, and more culminating with a party on Friday. For more information call 425-7823.
EAC Pottery Studio
Origins of African American Face Jugs
Come by the EAC Pottery Studio at John A. Patten Recreation Center during the month of February to learn more about Southern traditional “Face Jugs” and their African American origins and see demonstrations as well.
Mondays 6-9 p.m.
Wednesdays 3-9 p.m.
Saturdays 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
For more information call 821-9631.
Eastgate
Bus Tour: Birmingham, Alabama
Thursday, Feb. 23
The mission of the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute is “to promote civil and human rights worldwide through education.” EAC is committed to continuing lifelong education for seniors through history, diversity, and cultural tours and events. “Black History is American History. Civil Rights Is Human Rights.” Join EAC this Black History Month, visit the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, Sixteenth Street Church, lunch at Cracker Barrel, transportation. Cost: $50
To make reservations call 855-9444.
Heritage House
Nights of Heritage
New weekly program starting Thursday, Feb. 9, at 6 p.m. Events could be a film (even a silent one), maybe a concert, or you might learn a new game or acquire a new skill or heart about the history of the area. For more information call 855-9474.
North River Civic Center
Call for Artifacts: Hixson Treasures from the Past
Share your Hixson history by entering local photographs, costumes, manuscripts, archives and artifacts into the Hixson Treasures from the Past art exhibit. Deadline for entering is Feb. 17.
Show dates are March-May. All items must be prepared for wall display and not for sale. For more information call 870-8924.
Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium
Exclusive Screening of Documentary Film: Silver Wings, Civil Rights
Exclusive Southeast screening of the documentary film that tells the behind-the-scenes story of “Red Tails” the new hit movie about the Tuskegee Airmen. This event will help raise funds for the continued revitalization and renovation of Chattanooga’s Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium and Community Theatre.
Tuesday, Feb. 28
Matinee 2 p.m.
Evening 7 p.m.
$5 admission