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African American History & Culture - Since 1975
BECK CULTURAL
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MONDAY. MAY 5, 2025
THE BECK-MET-GALA
"Superfine: Tailoring Black Style"
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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
A Statement from Beck
was issued after Mr. George Perry Floyd, Jr., an African American unarmed man, was killed after being publicly tortured for 8 minutes and 46 seconds by police in Minneapolis on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, 2020.
Read Statement From Beck
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT BECK
“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.
