Throughout Chattanooga, heartbeats of history ring along Martin Luther King Boulevard, and now a mural project is going to put a new spotlight on the former 9th Street’s legacy.
Nine artists have just been chosen to paint murals on nine panels along the EPB substation fence at 10th and Foster streets.
This mural by artist Kevin Bate helps memorialize the Big Nine, which was what the MLK area used to be called in the days when Bessie Smith performed here. | NOOGAtoday
Who: EPB, partner orgs + nine local artists What: “The Soul of MLK – How artists visualize the heart and soul of MLK in arts, music and culture” When: Work begins in the spring Where: EPB substation fence at 10th and Foster streets (which is just off MLK Boulevard) Why: To highlight the history, heritage and significance of downtown’s Martin Luther King Boulevard area
Martin Luther King looks out on the street that bears his name. | NOOGAtoday
The artists + project names Jaclyn Anderson – Barbershop Vignette Rondell Crier – Good Fish Josiah Golson – Head in the Clouds of History Keelah Jackson-Harris – Dr. King’s 9th Street Reverie Julius Hubbard – Dare to Dream Harlan Lovestone – A Dream Rises Madison Myers – Interracial Couple Dancing Lauren O’Neill – The Quilt Rachel Veal – Street Music
New voices • 100% of the selected submissions were from minority or women artists. • For some artists, this will be their first mural work.
“In alignment with the historical significance of the MLK district, we were honored to be part of a process that blindly selected such diverse artists. The result is a body of work that lifts local voices and creates a tapestry reflecting the culture, traditions, and social justice heritage of the area.”– Vickye Bone, Vice President of Programs with the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga, which is a partner on this project
MLK Boulevard already has murals that beautify buildings throughout the street. | NOOGAtoday
Some history 1. MLK Boulevard used to be called 9th Street. 2. During the segregation era, the area was home to many Black-owned shops, offices, and entertainment venues. 3. But the end of segregation and changing traffic patterns, among other factors, eventually altered the once-bustling boulevard and it fell largely into disrepair for years. 4. It wasn’t until a couple of years after The Great Recession, and after the rebirth of areas such as Chattanooga’s Southside, that developers and business owners started to come to MLK. 5. Since about 2012, the area has seen new investment. 6. The new murals will join a handful of other unique creations that already beautify buildings on MLK.
What’s your favorite local mural?
Bonus points if they aren’t the same ones that always get the love.
Holiday ○ On Jan. 18, the City of Chattanooga along with other local organizations will host the annual Martin Luther King Jr. day of service virtually. The virtual celebration will take place via the city’s Office of Multicultural Affairs Facebook page from 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. If you would like to share a reflection on Dr. King’s legacy, you can send written or video tributes here. ○ Jan. 24 is National Compliment Day and we want to help spread some love + appreciation. Send us compliments with details about who you are praising and we may feature some of the best ones. Email [email protected].
Coronavirus ○ Another COVID-19 variant that is believed to be as much as 70% more contagious than the typical strain is now believed to be in Hamilton County, according to scientists at Baylor School. The new variant has already been confirmed in Colorado, Florida, Texas, and Georgia, and was first found several weeks ago in the U.K. (NewsChannel 9)
Edu ○ On Feb. 4, Hamilton County Schools Superintendent Dr. Bryan Johnson will give his annual state of the system address virtually. The address will be livestreamed at 7 p.m. on the Hamilton County Schools Facebook + Youtube accounts. 📢
UTC ○ The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga announced that all of UTC’s spring semester courses will begin as scheduled on Jan. 19, with additional measures in place to better manage the risk associated with COVID-19. For the first two weeks of the semester, all UTC classes — except for face-to-face essential courses — will take place online. Classes that were originally scheduled as face-to-face will be held in-person beginning Feb. 1. 💻
Biz ○ Hixson shopping center Northtowne Center was recently purchased by Florida-based retail investment company Coastal Equities for $14 million. The shopping center features stores like Hobby Lobby, Ashley HomeStore Outlet, and Staples. (Chattanooga Times Free Press)
Jobs ○ Goodwill’s Senior Community Service Employment Program is currently recruiting people 55 and older who need work for paid job training opportunities. The program provides an opportunity for seniors with limited income to receive job training opportunities where they can get paid to gain needed skills for long-term jobs. There are also opportunities to train + work from home due to COVID-19. You can learn more by calling 423-629-2501 ext. 3080.
Ranked ○ Nonprofit Pew Charitable Trusts recently listed Tennessee’s Consolidated Retirement System as one of the best-funded state pension programs in the country. Tennessee was listed along with Wisconsin + South Dakota as one of the best-prepared states to fulfill pension promises made to public employees. You can find the full report here. 👏
Click the button below for local resources regarding the coronavirus.
After the April 2020 tornadoes that devastated many areas, Latino families had to rebuild their lives + homes. The task was daunting but then volunteers, organizations + faith leaders pitched in.
“Help came from everywhere and it filled me with a sense of peace because I saw how we all came together to help the residents and to let them know we were here for them.” – Sister Imelda Quechol Varela, missionary from Sagrado Corazón de Jesús Ad Gentes
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Drink ○ Dry January: Mocktails 101 | Fri., Jan. 8 | 6-7 p.m. | Virtual | $15 | Alcohol isn’t essential to make a delicious cocktail – learn how to make some fruity cocktails so good you won’t miss the alcohol at all. 🍸
Theatre ○ The Snow Queen | Fri., Jan. 8 | 7-9 p.m. | The Colonnade, 264 Catoosa Cir., Ringgold or Virtual | $13-$20 | Watch The Creative Arts Guild’s annual story ballet, which is performed with a professional live chamber orchestra, in-person at the theatre or from the comfort of your own home. 🩰
Saturday ○ Home Organizing 101 | Sat., Jan. 9 | 10-11:30 a.m. | Virtual | $20 | Learn the basics of home organizing to create a clean, stress-free living space to enjoy in the new year. ○ Pluto’s Advantage in: The Battle of Chattanooga Night 1 | Sat., Jan. 9 | 8 p.m. | Music Box Ziggy’s Chattanooga | Free entry | Three local music groups will be competing in this Battle of Chattanooga. Tonight, Pluto’s Advantage will be playing. 🎵
Sunday ○ Plumbing Basics Workshop | Sun., Jan. 10 | 2-4:45 p.m. | Virtual | $45-$50 | Learn the basics of plumbing at this Women Repair Zone workshop from Nan Zamata. 🔧
Disclaimer: It is up to readers’ discretion to determine whether they feel comfortable participating in any mentioned events based on COVID-19 protocols and precautions. If you have questions, please contact the event’s organizers directly.
Have you heard about the Always Pan from Our Place? Here’s the scoop: • Award-winning and designed to replace 8 pieces of cookware • Ultra slippery, non-toxic non-stick for easy cleanup • Beautiful enough to leave out on your stovetop (and even use as a serving platter) • Has been used by everyone from The New York Times to Oprah • Sold out 11x (order yours to be at the top of their re-stock list)Ⓟ
It’s Trista, and I’m hoping for a peaceful weekend with lots of reading time + a nap or two.
Chloé here, and I’m hoping it’ll just go ahead and get cold enough to dump a foot of snow on Chattanooga this weekend, so I can sled down the hill in Renaissance Park. A gal can dream, eh?
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