Join us on February 10th at the Beck Cultural Center

Our meeting this month will feature Rev. Renee Kesler of the Beck Cultural Center. Beck has a history of outstanding executives from Knoxville Civil Rights Leader, Robert J. Booker to Avon W. Rollins, Co-Founder of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). Since 1975 Beck has remained committed to African American History & Culture. Rev. Reneé Kesler is the current President of Beck, and she recognizes that she stands on the shoulders of giants. Kesler is dedicated to honoring the heritage of our ancestors, and the legacy of the great Executives of Beck.

Come out and learn more about this Knoxville gem of culture and history. The Beck Cultural Exchange Center, named in honor of James G. & Ethel B. Beck, is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization established in 1975 as a result of Knoxville’s Urban Renewal projects. The projects relocated and displaced many black families, churches, and businesses. Absent of the establishment of Beck, these places and the people may never have existed. Beck is the storehouse of African American history and culture and is designated by the state as a primary repository of Black history and culture in East Tennessee. 

Please register to attend as space is limited and we need an accurate headcount for breakfast.

Register on Eventbrite

Join us on January 13th at the Boys and Girls Club

We will kick off 2023 on lucky Friday the 13th at the Boys and Girls Club on 967 Irwin Street at 7:45 am. Our speaker will be Janet Testerman, a Knoxville native, is the CEO of Young-Williams Animal Center, the largest municipal nonprofit animal welfare organization in Tennessee. Prior to joining Young-Williams, she spent nearly a decade in communications as manager of internal communications for Scripps Networks Interactive and earlier as executive editor of E.W. Scripps’ custom publications, Knoxville Magazine and skirt! Magazine. Before returning to her communications background, Janet owned and operated Testerman Cooperative Catering, a full-service, off-premise catering company for eight years.

We look forward to seeing everyone please register so we have an accurate head count for breakfast. Register here https://www.facebook.com/events/717293559974291

or here https://www.eventbrite.com/e/502774501067

NKBPA White Elephant Gift Exchange Dec 9th

Join us on December 9th at 7:45am at the O’Connor Senior Center (611 Winona Street) as we celebrate the holidays as a business community. Not only will be recognizing businesses and non-profits for their involvement this year, but we will swear in our new board for 2023 and we will also have a White Elephant gift exchange!

Rules for White Elephant Gift Exchange:
In order to get a gift, you must bring a gift. 
If you are bringing a guest, bring an extra gift so they can share in the fun.
Gifts can represent your business, be fun or be special, the choice is yours. 

We hope to see you there! Happy Holidays from the current NKBPA Board Members! 

Note: If your organization has an event coming up, please bring flyers or information to be placed on the tables. This way our members have a tangible reminder and we can use it to publicize your events on social media. Thank you, this helps us to wrap up the meeting on time.

Not a member yet? Join today! Get your membership application here.
Pay at the next meeting, dues are $50 annually.

Questions, email nkbpa.info@gmail.com.

Raise Funds for Fulton’s Secret Santa

Hey NKBPA, this is one of our favorite meetings, so mark your calendar now for the 2nd Friday of the month at 7:45 am at Fulton High.

The next NKBPA meeting on Veterans Day, November 11th will be an auction to raise funds for Fulton’s Secret Santa program. The program gives Christmas to kids who otherwise don’t have anything for Christmas. If you have items to donate for the auction please email nkbpa.info@gmail.com. If you don’t have any items to auction, please come to the meeting with $$$$$$.

If you can’t attend, please make a donation. Donations can be made by mailing a check to NKBPA Attn: Secret Santa, PO BOX 27479, Knoxville, TN 37927-7479 or by making your donation by selecting the donation option here as you would register for a ticket.

PLEASE REGISTER so we know how much coffee and breakfast to have on hand. You can register here

Register on Eventbrite

We are also taking recommendations and nominations for the 2023 board that will be voted on in December. If you would like to be active on our board or know someone who would be great please let us know at nkbpa.info@gmail.com.

Give us your program suggestions and tell us what you’d like to see in the NKBPA, take our survey.