About this Event
A Landmark Anthology Honoring Nikki Giovanni to Launch at Beck Cultural Exchange Center in Knoxville
Knoxville, TN — June 2026 — A powerful new anthology celebrating the life, legacy, and enduring influence of acclaimed poet Nikki Giovanni will officially debut during a special 2-day release event hosted at the Beck Cultural Exchange Center, a site deeply connected to Giovanni’s early life and literary roots.
Taking place Friday, June 26 and Saturday, June 27 of 2026, this gathering will bring together poets, artists, scholars, and community members for an immersive cultural experience honoring Giovanni as both literary icon and ancestral voice.
The anthology features a dynamic collection of poetry, essays, visual art, and photography from a diverse group of contributors, each reflecting on themes of Black joy, resistance, love, memory, and lineage—hallmarks of Giovanni’s expansive body of work.
Event Highlights Include:
- In Her Voice open mic honoring Giovanni’s work and influence (SIGN UP HERE).
- Voices, Visions, & Legacy official book launch event with special guest speakers and performances as well as a curated showcase of visual art and photography from the anthology.
- Book sales and signings.
- Self-guided tours of the Beck Cultural Exchange Center as well as opportunities to explore the "Beck Cultural Corridor" which takes you on a historical journey to explore landmarks of significance to the African-American community in Knoxville, TN .
The Beck Cultural Exchange Center—long recognized as a cornerstone of African American history and culture in East Tennessee—will serve as the central hub for the weekend’s events. Attendees will also have the opportunity to engage with the cultural landscape that helped shape Giovanni’s voice, including optional visits to historic sites connected to her family and upbringing.
“Nikki belongs to all, and as such, she is the beloved daughter of the world. Even so, for us here in our little Knoxville, she is our beloved native daughter,” says Rev. Reneé Kesler, President, Beck Cultural Exchange Center and Historian of African American History, City of Knoxville.
“This event is not just a book release—it is a homecoming, a celebration, and a collective offering,” says Monalisa D. Moody, Editor and Founder of Flip The Script Publishing.
Proceeds from book sales benefit the Beck Cultural Exchange Center and their ongoing efforts to preserve Black history and culture in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Books will be sold at both events or you may order HERE
This event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Beck Cultural Exchange Center, 1927 Dandridge Avenue, Knoxville, United States
USD 0.00
