Ethel Beck Society Brunch
Last Saturday in March, Annually
A Celebration of Women of African American Decent
The first annual Ethel Beck Society Brunch was held in March 2018. After the 2019 Ethel Beck Society Brunch, the event was halted in 2020 due to COVID-19. In March 2023, the annual Brunch was relaunched. Mark your calendars and plan to join us for our 4th annual Ethel Beck Society Brunch on Saturday, March 30, 2024.
2024 ETHEL BECK SOCIETY BRUNCH
10AM-NOON
Beck Cultural Exchange Center
The Ethel Beck Society is named in honor of Ethel Benson Beck (1897-1970), the namesake of the Beck Cultural Exchange Center and an influential woman in Knoxville during the 1920s and 1930s.
The 2024 Ethel Beck Society Honoree is City Councilwoman Gwen McKenzie. Guests will enjoy brunch with a conversation featuring Councilwoman Gwen McKenzie.
Songtress and musician Julia Ball, along with Julia Battle, Julia Walker, and Sentra Weaver, will provide the music.
The brunch will be catered by Billie Rae’s BBQ Soul Food & Catering. Additionally, guests can enjoy a refreshing mimosa bar provided by Karen Hardin of Allow Me Catering.
Dress:
The primary color for the women of the Ethel Beck Society is yellow. This color represents warmth, sunshine, and positivity, which align with the society’s values. The women of the Ethel Beck Society exude enlightenment, and yellow is the color of choice. Guests are encouraged to dress in a classy brunch style and to include yellow in their attire.
SIGN-UP - ETHEL BECK ENEWSLETTER
Thank you for joining the Ethel Beck Society ENewsletter.
Please mark your calendar for the last Saturday in March each year for our annual Ethel Beck Society Brunch. We look forward to sharing with you.
Thank you.
Rev. Reneé Kesler, Beck President
Women’s History Month is observed during the month of March as a celebration of women’s contributions to history, culture and society. The Ethel Beck Society is named in honor of Ethel Benson Beck, the Center’s namesake. The Ethel Beck Society is a brunch devoted to honoring the rich heritage and legacy of African American Women. All women are welcome - Let's celebrate together!
Ethel Beck Society Brunch
Buffet
MENU
Bacon, Shrimp, Fried Chicken Wings, Scrambled Eggs, Fried Potatoes & Onions, Grits, Seasonal Fruit, Pastries, Juice & Coffee
COCKTAIL
Bubbly Mimosa
We are excited to once again host the return of this wonderful event.
We will celebrate and honor, posthumously, our 2023 EBS Woman of the Year, Ms. Paula King Booker. We will be joined by the daughter of Ms. Booker, Imani Mfalme, an advocate for social justice. The Paula King Booker legacy lives on. This event will also feature a conversation with Dr. Kim Brooks, obstetrician/ gynecologist, minister and author.
In celebration of Women’s History Month Beck hosted its 2nd Annual Ethel Beck Society Brunch with two extraordinary women with a legacy of greatness, Dr. Alpha Alexander and Dr. Cynthia Fleming
DR. ALPHA ALEXANDER
The second female recipient in history to receive the Olympic Shield Award. Alexander served for more than a decade on the US Olympic Committee Board of Directors.
DR. CYNTHIA FLEMING
The first Black woman to earn a Ph.D. in history from Duke University. Fleming is one of the first two black women faculty members in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Tennessee.
Book Signing and Guest Authors included : Gloria “Glo” A. Redding, Dr. Carolyn Hodges & Dr. Olga Welch, and Dr. Regina Vincent-Williams.
Additional Special Guests: April Hardin - Turning Heads, Elder Natalia Perry - Fashion Stylist, and Dr. Eboni Winford - Health
Nikitia Thompson with Nikitia Thompson Realty serves as an annual sponsor and vital supporter for the event. Beck Volunteer, Kristin Lane, is responsible for the beautiful photos.
DONATE TO BECK
DONATE TO THE DELANEY MUSEUM
This project is being supported in whole or in part by federal award number 21.027 awarded to the
City of Knoxville by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Arts & Culture Alliance.
Beck acknowledges the generous support of Knox County Tennessee Defined Services Program for ongoing support of this important work.
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Beck is proud to be grant recipients of the following organizations whose tremendous support makes it possible for us to make local Black history and culture accessible to all: