* Address: 200 East M.L. King Boulevard
* Online: bessiesmithcc.org
* History: The Bessie Smith Cultural Center began as the Chattanooga African American Museum, founded in 1983 by 10 Chattanooga leaders: Roy Noel, Jacola Goodwin, Sallie Crenshaw, Agnes Locke, Leonard Wellington, Elizabeth Champion, Levi Moore, Rayburn Traughber, Catherine Kimble, and the Rev. Williams Banks. Located in the famed Ninth Street District, now M.L. King Boulevard, the museum's goal was to present the contributions of African Americans to the development of Chattanooga. In 1996, the newly renovated facility became the home of the Chattanooga African American Museum and the Bessie Smith Hall to pay homage to the late "Empress of the Blues," Bessie Smith. After a strategic planning process, the Chattanooga African American Museum/Bessie Smith Performance Hall was renamed the Bessie Smith Cultural Center (African American Museum & Performance Hall) in 2009. The center is affectionately referred to as "The Bessie."
* Mission: The mission of the Bessie Smith Cultural Center is to preserve and celebrate African American history and culture in Chattanooga through art, education, research and entertainment.
* What's next: The center is taking advantage of the COVID-19-related shutdown to update its displays and remodel the main museum space. The finished work during phase one will include new artifacts, interactive virtual kiosks, a children's education corner and more information on African American history. Phase two will include renovations to the Vilma Fields Atrium to expand on the current Bessie Smith exhibit and to add exhibits on other well-known African American entertainers from Chattanooga. During the pandemic, the staff has been working to create partnerships among businesses and individuals to raise the $300,000 projected cost of phase one of the renovation.
