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African American History & Culture - Since 1975
BECK CULTURAL
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SATURDAY, AUGUST 1
COVENANT HEALTH PARK
4 PM VIP | 5:30 PM GENERAL ADMISSION
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SATURDAY, AUGUST 1, 2026
Eighth of August Jubilee featuring Negro League Night with the Knoxville Smokies as the Knoxville Giants
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Tickets on Sale NOW!
VIP Tickets: $55 (includes access to the exclusive VIP reception and game).
General Admission Tickets: $15 (Special Beck rate).
Group Admission Tickets: $10 (25+ Call Beck at 865-524-8461)
Beck Membership
Becoming a member supports the preservation, celebration, and sharing of African American history and culture in East Tennessee.
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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.
