Black History Month events
Every Thursday through February6-8 p.m. Jazzanooga is offering a documentary series at the Jazzanooga office, 431 E. M.L. King Blvd.Feb. 274 p.m. 100 Black Men of Chattanooga is sponsoring its fourth annual African- American History Challenge Bowl at UTC. Visit 100bmchatt.org to learn more.6 p.m. Sounds of Unity choir is performing at Abba’s House, located at 5208 Hixson Pike. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at Herman’s Soul Food Restaurant on Brainerd Road, the Abba’s House bookstore on Hixson Pike and online at eventbrite.com. The Rev. Paul McDaniel and Franklin McCallie will be honored at the event.
In light of the struggles in the black community, it is important to celebrate victories that shape history, said the Rev. Ernest Reid Jr., pastor of Second Missionary Baptist Church.
Reid is speaking at the 30th Black History Banquet celebrating African-American Faith and Family at the church at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 13.
It is one of many events planned throughout the city in honor of Black History Month.
“You have to create and celebrate your own narrative, because if you don’t others will create a narrative for you,” he said.
On Wednesday, Feb. 10, locals have a chance to examine the life of one of the most powerful men that graced the history of sports. So Lit is hosting poet Adrian Matejka, whose collection “The Big Smoke” was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award. The book chronicles the life of Jack Johnson, the first African-American boxing champion who lived during the Jim Crow era.
Johnson was the son of ex-slaves and rose to boxing fame during Jim Crow, a time when many people could not stand the domination of a black man over his white peers.
Winning fights around the country and abroad, Johnson’s rise to championship was anything but subtle. He was famous for taunting his competition until they gave in to their pride and joined him inside the ring, where he goaded them between punches. His fight for the championship title against Tommy Burns in Australia lasted 14 rounds and was covered by novelist Jack London for a New York newspaper.
In a match dubbed “The Fight of the Century,” Johnson finally had the chance to beat his rival, Jim Jeffries. More than 22,000 fans turned out for the fight in Reno, Nev. After 15 rounds, Johnson came out victorious, and a humbled Jeffries disappointed an already biased and disgruntled crowd.
For more information about So Lit and the South Bound lecture series, including Matejka’s talk at the Arts Building on East 11th Street on the 10th, visit SouthernLitAlliance.org.
Staff writer Yolanda Putman contributed to this report.