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African American History & Culture - Since 1975

BECK CULTURAL 
EXCHANGE CENTER

Seated in Courage, Moving in Unity

BECK RIDES HONORING ROSA PARKS

DECEMBER 1ST, 2025

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.”

Register for Beck KAT Bus Ride
Register for Beck KAT Bus Ride

Special BECK KAT BUS

Boarding at Beck begins at 11:45 am


The event, “Beck Rides Honoring Rosa Parks,” will feature a symbolic bus ride beginning and ending at the Beck Cultural Exchange Center.


Guests will join a short program aboard a KAT bus, which will include a live reenactment of Mrs. Parks’s historic act of courage performed by acclaimed theatrical artist Artece Slay. The ride will also feature freedom songs, remarks by Rev. Dr. Harold Middlebrook, and the debut of a short commemorative video produced in collaboration with the Knoxville News Sentinel.


The Commemorative Ride will conclude by 12:45 pm.


Seating is limited and registration is required.

I/We plan to Ride on a KAT Bus on December 1st to honor

Mrs. Rosa Parks


Will you join us in honoring Mrs. Rosa Parks by riding a KAT Bus on Monday, December 1st?


We invite you to find a convenient time to ride a KAT bus in honor of Mrs. Rosa Parks on Monday, December 1st.


We encourage everyone to choose a convenient time to ride a KAT bus in tribute to Mrs. Rosa Parks. We want our entire community to participate in celebrating Mrs. Parks at a time and place that works for you.


Please sign our Friends of Rosa  Form to let us know you plan to join and share pictures.


Use the hashtag: #BeckFriendsRideforRosa





REGISTER TO RIDE THE SPECIAL BECK KAT BUS - DECEMBER 1, 2025 @ 11:45 A.M.

Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Once full, registration will close.

Contact Us

I / We plan to ride the KAT Bus to honor Mrs. Rosa Parks on Monday, December 1st.

Encourage others to join you and please share pictures at hashtag: #BeckFriendsRideforRosa

SAVE THE DATE

BECK HOLIDAY PARTY

COVENANT HEALTH PARK | SMOKIES STADIUM

Enjoy  Food, Fellowship, Live Entertainment & a Spectacular Holiday Lighting Show

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Hours
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See you at the party!

More Info

What's Happening 
@ The Beck

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“I think you’re right that we’re doomed to repeat tragedies until we all learn more from our history. More light needs to be shined on the history of our Black communities.”
Harrison Boyd, Knoxville, TN

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WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT BECK
 

NIKKI 
GIOVANNI
Author, Poet, Educator &
Native of Knoxville, TN

“I was so inspired by the stories and the history shared as well as all the wonderful work that Beck is doing. A very special day that gave me strength in our journey for racial justice.”
Felicia Gustin, Berkley, CA
“It is with hope for real change, I'm sending this check. Hopefully, we will begin to move toward justice."
Nancy Lindemer, Knoxville, TN
"We endeavor to be part of the solution and wish to partner with the Beck to do our part. Please count on us to provide support to all people of color facing cancer and in any other way that helps our community move forward.”
Beth Hamil, Cancer Support Community of East TN
"I had a wonderful time visiting the Beck Cultural Center! Thank you so much for sharing the wonderful black history of Tennessee.”
Shayla C. Nunnally, Ph.D., Manchester, CT

Over 200 Years of History & Culture

Maurice Franklin Mays

August 30,1919, the race relations climate in Knoxville took a bloody turn and the city became one of the “Red Summer” cities during a time when race riots were erupting all across the nation. Maurice F. Mays, a handsome black man born around 1887, was accused of murdering a white woman and Knoxville erupted in violence. 
Read More

What's Happening 
@ The Beck

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