Projects | Black In Appalachia

12:44

Lesley Riddle

The American Songster, Dom Flemons is joined by Rene Rodgers of the Birthplace of Country Music Museum and Lonnie Salyer, president of the Appalachian Cultural Music Association to discuss the life, times and impact of Lesley Riddle on what would eventually be called Country Music.

15:09

Slave Cemetery, Lee County, Virginia

Dr. Amy Clark, Chair of Communication Studies, University of Virginia at Wise became interested in a mystery on her family's land in Lee County, Virginia. Oral history stated that the collection of field stones in the woods was a cemetery of enslaved people that lived and worked on that land. With some verifiable information, Dr. Clark has taken on the task of researching, documenting and preserving this important site. East Tennessee PBS is documenting this process of discovery to help illustrate challenges associated with researching enslaved families and the value of slave sites to our region's education, history and culture.

05:56

The Erwin Expulsion of 1918

Elliot Jaspin, the author of "Buried in the Bitter Waters: The Hidden History of Racial Cleansing in America", talks about the events that led up to the entire Black population being driven out of Erwin, Tennessee in May of 1918.

26:47

Knoxville's Red Summer: The Riot of 1919

KNOXVILLE'S RED SUMMER: THE RIOT OF 1919 chronicles the unrest that occurred in Knoxville following the murder of Bertie Lindsey and the attempted lynching of the accused, Maurice Mays. Knoxville's Red Summer includes rediscovered news reel footage of the city, post-riot from 1919. This film was made possible through the materials, audio, and partnerships of: The Beck Cultural Exchange Center The McClung Collection The Tennessee Archives of Moving Images and Sound The Smithsonian Folkways Recordings The Sherman Grinberg Film Library And through the support of: The Open Society Foundation and viewers like you!

27:45

8th of August: Tennessee's Celebration of Emancipation

An original East Tennessee PBS production In 1863, Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation didn't apply to the state of Tennessee. Nevertheless, then-Military governor Andrew Johnson freed his own slaves on the 8th of August, 1863. This event would set off a century and half of freedom celebrations still celebrated today. To purchase the two disc, 8th of August DVD set: http://donate.etptv.org/alleg/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=8THAUGUST&PAGETYPE=PLG&CHECK=4pMvVI%2biHyR9oMex%2bo9v8q1gzMC6uhq5nDjkJobrCdg%3d Follow Black in Appalachia on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlackInAppalachia For more information on the 8th of August: https://www.blackinappalachia.org/8th-of-august

27:51

The Swift Story

In 1883, the first African-American graduate of Tennessee’s Maryville College, Rev. William H. Franklin, established an institution of higher learning for newly emancipated Blacks in the region. Swift Memorial Institute in Rogersville, Tennessee became a beacon of higher education in the rural South for African Americans,demonstrating, not only the power of education but the importance of doing what’s right, regardless current ideas. To purchase The Swift Story DVD: https://etptv.secureallegiance.com/etptv/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=PRDSTS&PAGETYPE=PLG&CHECK=ILLvoVvA%2fBek537WRGa6cRiCxtaFReuS

26:47

Beauford Delaney

East Tennessee PBS presents a biography of the Knoxville-born artist Beauford Delaney.

Documentary Films

Community Forums

29:55

East Tennessee Voices: Knoxvilles 8th of August

East Tennessee PBS in partnership with the Beck Cultural Exchange Center hosted a conversation with some of Knoxville's Black elders around their memories and reflections on the local 8th of August Emancipation Celebrations. Sharing insights from the era of Jim Crow, familial connections and their hopes for the next generation and the current struggles for equality in Knoxville. To purchase the two disc, 8th of August DVD set: http://donate.etptv.org/alleg/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=8THAUGUST&PAGETYPE=PLG&CHECK=4pMvVI%2biHyR9oMex%2bo9v8q1gzMC6uhq5nDjkJobrCdg%3d Follow Black in Appalachia on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlackInAppalachia For more information on the 8th of August: https://www.blackinappalachia.org/8th-of-august Beck Cultural Exchange Center: http://www.beckcenter.net/

26:47

East Tennessee Voices: Newport's Tennessee Picnic

East Tennessee PBS in partnership with the Tennessee Picnic Association, hosted a conversation moderated by Mister Ronald Dykes III with members of Cocke and Jefferson County, Tennessee's Black community. Participants shared their memories and reflections of the 8th of August Emancipation Celebrations, called the Tennessee Picnic, locally. To purchase the two disc, 8th of August DVD set: http://donate.etptv.org/alleg/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=8THAUGUST&PAGETYPE=PLG&CHECK=4pMvVI%2biHyR9oMex%2bo9v8q1gzMC6uhq5nDjkJobrCdg%3d Follow Black in Appalachia on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlackInAppalachia Follow the Tennessee Picnic Association on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TennesseePicnic For more information on the 8th of August: https://www.blackinappalachia.org/8th-of-august

29:56

East Tennessee Voices: Greeneville's 8th of August

At the birthplace of the 8th of August Emancipation Celebrations, East Tennessee PBS, in partnership with the George Clem Multicultural Alliance, conducted a dialog with Greene County, Tennessee elders on their recollections and hopes for future generations around these important events. To purchase the two disc, 8th of August DVD set: http://donate.etptv.org/alleg/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=8THAUGUST&PAGETYPE=PLG&CHECK=4pMvVI%2biHyR9oMex%2bo9v8q1gzMC6uhq5nDjkJobrCdg%3d Follow Black in Appalachia on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlackInAppalachia For more information on the 8th of August: https://www.blackinappalachia.org/8th-of-august

26:27

East Tennessee Voices: African American Women & Political History

East Tennessee PBS in partnership with the Beck Cultural Exchange Center and Chick History, hosted a forum with Black women leaders. Featuring moderator Rev. Renee Kesler, Eddie Mae Robinson, Cynthia Finch, Olga Welch and Sylvia Peters, participants discuss issues related to education, voting and political organizing from the Jim Crow era to today. Funding for this project was provided by The East Tennessee Foundation and was produced partnership with the Beck Cultural Exchange Center and Chick History. For More Information, see: http://www.BlackInAppalachia.org http://www.BeckCenter.net http://www.ChickHistory.org

Community History Digital Archive

The Community History Digital Archive is a public, searchable archive of digital materials related to African American history in East Tennessee. The items in the archive are sourced from a mix of local institutions and community members who have generously lent digital copies of their resources.

07:28

Sam Richardson - Morristown College

Interview conducted with Sam Richardson about his memories and career as librarian of the late HBCU, Morristown College.

16:52

Beulah Oldham - Newport, TN

Beulah Oldham discusses the Tennessee Picnic, it's history and the community at New Zion AME Zion Church in Newport, Tennessee.

56:34

John Cimprich, "Slavery's End in Tennessee"

John Cimprich, author of "Slavery's End in Tennessee: 1861-1865" discusses the vast histories of Andrew Johnson, the Civil War in East Tennessee, the dissolution of chattel slavery and the processes by which Andrew Johnson freed the people he held in slavery in August, 1863.

29:43

Randi Knott - 8th of August

Greeneville researcher Randi Knott discusses the historical materials associated with the 8th of August, the people enslaved by Andrew Johnson and the narratives of their descendants.

19:18

Ollie Mae Haney-Swagerty - 8th of August, Newport, TN

Ollie Mae Haney-Swagerty discusses her and her family's experiences with the Tennessee Picnic, Newport, Tennessee's bi-annual 8th of August celebration.

08:12

Maggie Davis - 8th of August, Knoxville, TN

Maggie Davis discusses her and her family's experiences in celebrating the 8th of August in Knoxville, Tennessee.

09:35

Marie Battle - 8th of August, Knoxville, TN

Marie Battle discusses her and and family's experiences in celebrating the 8th of August in Knoxville, Tennessee.

17:29

Geraldine Taylor - 8th of August, Knoxville, TN

Geraldine Taylor discusses her & her family's personal experience in celebrating the 8th of August in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Lesley Riddle

Slave Cemetery, Lee County, Virginia

The Erwin Expulsion of 1918

Documentary Films

Community Forums

East Tennessee Voices: Knoxvilles 8th of August

East Tennessee Voices: Newport's Tennessee Picnic

East Tennessee Voices: Greeneville's 8th of August

Community History Digital Archive

The Community History Digital Archive is a public, searchable archive of digital materials related to African American history in East Tennessee. The items in the archive are sourced from a mix of local institutions and community members who have generously lent digital copies of their resources.

Sam Richardson - Morristown College

Beulah Oldham - Newport, TN

John Cimprich, "Slavery's End in Tennessee"

Oral Histories