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August 16, 2008 Booker at the Beck –Indoor Picnic with entertainment by local historian & occasional D. J. Bob Booker. Come dressed for an air conditioned old fashioned picnic in our recently renovated location at 1927 Dandridge Avenue. Spend some time with Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam and First Lady Crissy Haslam as you enjoy down home food and down home music. Limited seating ,$60 per person. Part of the 2008 Summer Suppers Series of Knox Heritage. September 27, 2008 Grandest Grandparent 2008 Celebration. Join us as we recognize some of Knoxville’s outstanding grandparents. This years gala will be held at the downtown Marriott, 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Nomination forms are available at the Center or they can be downloaded from our website October,17 |
Avon William Rollins, Sr. is Director and CEO of the Beck Cultural Exchange Center, Inc. Retired in December 1994 from TVA as Manager of Minority Resources Development, Mr. Rollins directed TVA's investments in the minority community. He subsequently leveraged these funds to generate over $30 million from federal, state, and foundation sources. Avon Rollins has a long history of leadership in developing successful economic and financial initiatives which have benefited African Americans. He was founder of Magnolia Federal Savings and Loan; former Chair of the Knoxville Communications Cooperation, the first black-owned cable radio and television station in America. He is an alumnus member of The University of Tennessee's Chancellor's A,>sociates and the President's Round Table, Knoxville College. He also serves as an adjunct professor to historically black colleges through the National Urban League's Black Executive Exchange Program (BEEP). Mr. Rollins has As one of the co-founders of the Student Non-violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) he was also associated with the late Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Malcolm X. As a result of his civil rights activities across the south, he has been incarcerated approximately 31 times. He has assisted in creating more than 20 grassroots community development organizations minority leadership programs in more than 10 cities in the southeastern United States. Due to his commitment to the struggle for human betterment, Avon Rollins has received accolades and recognition from various national, state and local organizations including the National Business League and the Booker T. Washington Foundation. The National Civil Rights Museum of Memphis in cooperation with the East Tennessee Minority Professional Association dedicated their annual Heritage Award in honor of him. He has twice received the Minority Business Advocate Award presented by the U.S. Department Avon Rollins' efforts and commitments to human rights have been described in over 12 books covering the history of the Civil Rights movement and the struggle for Minority Economic Development in this country. The 94th Session of the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee honored Avon Rollins for his many accomplishments which have also been recorded in the U.S. Congressional records. Board of Directors Mr. William V. Powell, Jr. Mr. Jim Ware Atty. Arnold Cohen Mrs. Rosaline Slater Ms. Brenda McClellan Ms. Josephine T. Jones Ms. Henri S. Spriggs Dr. Jerry Askew
Beck Center Staff
Joe Evelyn Valentine Sue Ann Reese Phillip Smith Brenda B. McClellan
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