“From the Bottom Up: Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Dr. Robert J. Booker,” will be a powerful evening honoring the life, legacy and lasting impact of Dr. Robert J. Booker, an historian, educator, activist and storyteller of Knoxville’s Black history. From the Bottom Up is a celebration rooted in community, reflection and the continuation of Dr. Booker’s mission to document truth, uplift voices and challenge people to leave things better than they found them.

The evening includes a gallery walk featuring student art, reprinted columns from Knox News and a community art installation by The Bottom. A student-led program will follow with live music, a short documentary and keynote reflections by Rev. Reneé Kesler and Rev. Harold Middlebrook.

The inaugural Dr. Booker Legacy Awards also will be presented to honor students, staff and community members who exemplify Dr. Booker’s spirit of service, courage and truth-telling. Essay contest winners will be recognized, and the celebration will close with music, birthday cake and fellowship in the auditorium foyer.

This event is free and open to the community. Come be part of the story, one rooted in legacy, love and transformation from the bottom up.