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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

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

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?


Please confirm your pledge.

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 the Beck Ride

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.

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

Pledge to Ride for Rosa

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

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.

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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Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds

See you at the party!

More Info

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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

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@ The Beck

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