WELCOME
African American History & Culture - Since 1975
Dec. 1st Ride for Rosa
Honoring Mrs. Rosa Parks & the
70th Anniversary of the Montgomery Bus Boycott
Beck Rides Honoring Rosa Parks
Join Us For The Community Ride
Please make plans to join us for the commemoration of the 70th Anniversary of the Montgomery Bus Boycott, and in tribute to Mrs. Rosa Parks, on
Monday, December 1st.
#BeckFriendsRideForRosa
Pledge to Ride for Rosa
Take LOTS OF PHOTOS and share at the hashtag
#BeckFriendsRideForRosa
The Beck Cultural Exchange Center, in partnership with Knoxville Area Transit (KAT) and the Knoxville News Sentinel, will host “Beck Rides Honoring Rosa Parks,” a live community tribute and commemorative bus ride marking the 70th anniversary of Rosa Parks’s arrest and the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
This year marks 70 years since Rosa Parks’s courageous stand ignited the Montgomery Bus Boycott, reshaping the nation’s conscience. Beck and KAT are honoring that legacy with a community-wide act of remembrance, encouraging all Knoxvillians to “ride for Rosa.”
Join us in honoring Rosa Parks by riding any KAT bus on December 1st. We invite family, coworkers, organizations, and congregations to pledge to ride any KAT bus on December 1st. Let's create a citywide wave of unity and remembrance.
Will you join us? Pledge to ride.
And, share your photos at #BeckFriendsRideForRosa.
Pledge to Ride for Rosa
The Beck Special Bus is now filled to capacity! We are grateful for the overwhelming response from our community. But our mission does not stop here. We are calling on individuals, families, churches, sororities, fraternities, organizations, and friends everywhere to take part in this powerful moment of unity.
On Monday, December 1st, we ask you to pledge to ride any KAT bus at any time during the day in honor of Mrs. Rosa Parks. Your participation helps ensure that her legacy of courage, dignity, and justice continues to live on in our city.
Let’s fill Knoxville’s buses with purpose and pride.
Let’s show the next generation what community remembrance looks like.
Let’s keep this tradition alive, together.
And don’t forget to capture your journey and share your photos using #BeckFriendsForRosa.
Let the world see Knoxville standing up by sitting down, just as Mrs. Parks did 70 years ago.
I / We plan to ride the KAT Bus to honor Mrs. Rosa Parks on Monday, December 1st.
#BeckFriendsRideForRosa
Option 2: Ride Any KAT Bus in Honor of Rosa Parks
Community members who cannot join the Beck bus are encouraged to pledge to ride any KAT bus on December 1 in honor of Mrs. Parks. Participants are invited to sign up friends, family, coworkers, organizations, and congregations to ride as well — creating a citywide wave of unity and remembrance.
This year’s commemoration invites the entire Knoxville community to stand in unity through a shared transit experience, offering two meaningful ways to participate. However you choose to participate, capture the moment and post pictures using the hashtag:
#BeckFriendsRideForRosa
Option 1: Ride the Special Beck KAT Bus
CLOSED
We apologize, but the Special Beck KAT Bus is full. Please make sure to
Ride for Rosa on another KAT Bus on Monday, Dec 1st.
Guests may register to board the Special Beck KAT Bus at the Beck Cultural Exchange Center. Arrival is encouraged by 11:30 a.m., with boarding beginning at 11:45 a.m.
This exclusive commemorative ride will feature a dramatic reenactment by acclaimed theatrical performer Artece Slay, portraying Rosa Parks, followed by a freedom song, a short historical video, reflections from Rev. Dr. Harold Middlebrook, and a moving community send-off.
Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Register now.
Option 2: Ride Any KAT Bus in Honor of Rosa Parks
Community members who cannot join the Beck bus are encouraged to pledge to ride any KAT bus on December 1 in honor of Mrs. Parks. Participants are invited to sign up friends, family, coworkers, organizations, and congregations to ride as well, creating a citywide wave of unity and remembrance.
We invite you to join us in honoring Mrs. Parks. Will you join us?
Seated in Courage, Moving in Unity
BECK RIDES HONORING ROSA PARKS
DECEMBER 1ST, 2025
CLOSED
Board Time - 11:45 am
Return Time - 12:45 pm
Short Description
The Beck Cultural Exchange Center, in partnership with Knoxville Area Transit (KAT) and the Knoxville News Sentinel, will host “Beck Rides Honoring Rosa Parks,” a live community tribute and commemorative bus ride marking the 70th anniversary of Rosa Parks’s arrest and the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
About Rosa Parks Day
This year marks 70 years since Rosa Parks’s courageous stand ignited the Montgomery Bus Boycott, reshaping the nation’s conscience. Beck and KAT are honoring that legacy with a community-wide act of remembrance, encouraging all Knoxvillians to “ride for Rosa.”
Special Beck KAT Ride- CLOSED
We apologize, but the Special Beck KAT Bus is full. Please make sure to Ride for Rosa on another KAT Bus on Monday, Dec 1st.
Option 1: Ride the Special Beck KAT Bus
Guests may register to board the Special Beck KAT Bus at the Beck Cultural Exchange Center. Arrival is encouraged by 11:30 a.m., with boarding beginning at 11:45 a.m.
This exclusive commemorative ride will feature a dramatic reenactment by acclaimed theatrical performer Artece Slay, portraying Rosa Parks, followed by a freedom song, a short historical video, reflections from Rev. Dr. Harold Middlebrook, and a moving community send-off.
Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
SAVE THE DATE
BECK HOLIDAY PARTY
COVENANT HEALTH PARK | SMOKIES STADIUM
Enjoy Food, Fellowship, Live Entertainment & a Spectacular Holiday Lighting Show
