The Bessie Smith Cultural Center will host a reception on Monday, Aug. 14, to open a new exhibit honoring the late James R. Mapp at the museum, 200 E. M.L. King Blvd. The reception will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
The exhibit derives its name from the title of Mapp's memoir, "Chance or Circumstance?" He completed the book just before his death in June 2015, and it is included in the exhibit.
Mapp was a longtime civil rights advocate in Chattanooga, and his memoir offers an account of race relations from desegregation of the 1960s to the present. Mapp, a lifetime member of the NAACP and a former president of the organization, fought for racial equality for more than 60 years.
The exhibit gives viewers a look into his life through photos, documents and other memorabilia of his life.
The exhibit will remain on view through Oct. 31. The museum is open Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday noon to 4 p.m. Admission to the exhibit is $7 adults, $3 children ages 6-12.
For more information: 423-266-8658.