Black History: Knoxville's Black Experience - Firsts (2024)

We're highlighting stories that played an integral role in the foundation and development of African Americans in East Tennessee.

Diamond Carroll, William Winnett

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Black History: Knoxville's Black Experience - Firsts (8)

  • First Black DJ
  • First Black-owned radio station
  • First UT graduate
  • First Black cemetery
  • First Black millionaire
  • First Black Alcoa mayor
  • First Black Miss East TN
  • Edye Ellis

Published: 9:18 AM EST March 1, 2023

Updated: 2:26 PM EST March 1, 2023

KNOXVILLE, Tenn.

Black History Month is a time for people to honor and focus attention on African Americans who made contributions and sacrifices that helped shape the nation.

East Tennessee has many stories of how African Americans made improvements within its region.

From Knoxville's first Black millionaire to the first Black-owned radio station to Knoxville's first Black cemetery, there is so much history that is explored.

This is the journey through East Tennessee's Black history.

First Black DJ

Born in Greeneville, Tenn. in April 1911, Albert "Acey Boy" Wilson was Knoxville's first Black DJ.

Wilson made his way to Knoxville and picked up work waiting tables at various restaurants around the city. He started hosting R&B shows such as "Sunset Serenade" in 1949, starting out on WKGN before moving to WIVK.

Black History: Knoxville's Black Experience - Firsts (10) Black History: Knoxville's Black Experience - Firsts (11)

Credit: WBIR

From 1955 to 1956, he appeared on local television, hosting "Teen Tavern" on WTVK Channel 26. He also operated the Pitch-Fork Drive-in, a popular food spot in Mechanicsville.

Wilson died in 1959 and historians tried to search for recordings of Acey Boy's radio shows but they have been lost to time.

First Black-owned radio station

The first Black-owned radio station in Knoxville was owned by James Brown. The station was WJBE, which stood for James Brown Enterprises.

Brown purchased the previously defunct WGYW station for $75,000 in 1967 and hit the airwaves with his brand new soul station in Jan. 1968. Eddie Bacon was one of the DJs for WJBE.

"I was just a young guy in '68, right out of Fountain City. I was excited to death," Bacon said. "He was such a gentleman and he was concerned about the community. He was concerned about the kids and his main purpose was to try and improve the community."

James Brown owned WJBE until it was sold to Knoxville-based Broadcast Media in 1979.

First UT graduate

The first undergraduates to take classes at the University of Tennessee were Theotis Robinson Jr., Charles Blair and Willie Mae Gillespie. The first Black graduate, however, was Brenda Peel.

In 1961, UT was desegrated and Peel was one of several Black students to enroll as an undergrad after integration. It was history in the making.

"That's the thing about UT, when they decided that they would open up they did it... They did it in a very civilized way," she said.

But her college experience was unlike most of her peers. Peel was one of the only black faces at a predominately white school during the Civil Rights Movement.

Black History: Knoxville's Black Experience - Firsts (12) Black History: Knoxville's Black Experience - Firsts (13)

Credit: WBIR

"I knew when I enrolled, basically what to expect," Peel said. "But I knew what I was there for. My goal was to complete my education and get a degree."

Three years later, Peel became the first Black student to receive an undergraduate degree from UT. Her contributions have not gone unnoticed.

Peel was inducted into the UT African American Hall of Fame. In 2011, she was recognized during the university's 50th Anniversary of African American Achievement. Brenda Peel paved the way for thousands to follow.

"I always thought that there should be [an] emphasis on the one who graduated. The one who went to school did what they planned to do and finish the course," Peel said.

First Black cemetery

Odd Fellows Cemetery is the first dedicated Black graveyard in Knoxville.

An offshoot of the Odd Fellows of England, a group that did odd jobs as opposed to professional labor, the Black Odd Fellows group was started by Black sailor Peter Ogden. Their mission was to help the poor, widows and orphans and people that had no means to help themselves, especially in burial.

The symbol for Odd Fellows is three chain links. Within each chain link is the letter F, L and T, which stands for friendship, love and truth.

The cemetery serves as the resting place for some of Knoxville's most prominent early Black residents, including Cal Johnson, Knoxville's first Black millionaire.

Black History: Knoxville's Black Experience - Firsts (14) Black History: Knoxville's Black Experience - Firsts (15)

Credit: WBIR

The headstone for Cal Johnson in the Odd Fellows Cemetery in Knoxville is engraved with the name Calvin Fackler Johnson, though his name was Caledonia.

First Black millionaire

Starting at the bottom of the economic ladder, former Knoxville slave Calvin "Cal" Johnson became the first Black millionaire in the city.

Johnson's father, Cupid Johnson, was a slave who trained horses and was a winning jockey in the Knoxville area during the mid-1800s. This is where he developed a love for horses.

After saving money from doing odd jobs, he used it to open saloons and a racetrack, known as Speedway Circle, in downtown Knoxville.

Black History: Knoxville's Black Experience - Firsts (16) Black History: Knoxville's Black Experience - Firsts (17)

Credit: WBIR

Artist rendering of Cal Johnson superimposed on 1900s shot of horse racing in Knox County.

His businesses soon took off, but it wasn't until the early 1900s that Tennessee outlawed whiskey and horse racing which forced Johnson's businesses to close.

Johnson's various investments in rental homes, business properties and building a three-story warehouse on State Street worked out well financially.

At the time of his death, Johnson's fortune was valued between $300,000 and $500,000, which is equivalent to between $4 and $6 million in modern times.

First Black Alcoa mayor

Tanya Martin made history as the first Black female mayor of Alcoa. She was elected into office in 2022.

"There's no other place like Blount County," Martin said. "I am just believing that God allowed [my parents] to take a glimpse of this and that it was happening."

Along with Martin, her vice-mayor is Tracy Cooper and together, they intend to excel in their positions.

"Her name is Tracy, mine is Tanya, that's T and T for just has come out dynamite. And that's what we intend to be," Martin said.

With two women holding such prominent positions, Martin hopes she can be an inspiration for the younger generations.

"I will not be the last woman to hold this position. I'm looking at our young girls and letting them see you too can have the same thing," she said. "In the past women, have been put in a place. Now, we get to step outside of that place."

When Martin's time as mayor comes to an end, she hopes she is remembered as someone that was compassionate and fair.

"I want to continue to be a voice not for Black, not for White, Hispanic, but for everybody."

First Black Miss East TN

In 2019, Brianna Mason Broady became the first Black woman to win the Miss Tennessee pageant in its 84-year history.

Broady is using her platform to spread awareness for autism.

"I remember my first year that I competed, there was a miss Tennessee room and it had all the winners of the past competitions and I didn't see anyone that looked like me," she said. "And from that moment on, I wanted to be that fill that space for someone else who would come after me."

And on her fourth attempt, Broady accomplished her goal.

Black History: Knoxville's Black Experience - Firsts (18) Black History: Knoxville's Black Experience - Firsts (19)

Credit: Brianna Mason

In 2016, along with her husband, Terrell, Broady started Advocates for Autism in honor of Terrell's sister, Bethany, who has autism.

Advocates for Autism has chapters on college campuses statewide and helps those living with autism find resources and creates a community of acceptance.

Like Broady, Bethany is creating a legacy of her own.

"It's been a really amazing journey, being able to not only honor you know, today's family in his sister, but also in press upon our mission of including informing, collaborating and celebrating those with autism, all across the state," Bethany said.

Edye Ellis

WBIR Channel 10 signed on the air on August 12, 1956. In that time, our airwaves have welcomed many different anchors but few have left behind an impact like our first African American anchor, Edye Ellis.

Black History: Knoxville's Black Experience - Firsts (20) Black History: Knoxville's Black Experience - Firsts (21)

Credit: toburk

Bill Williams and Edye Ellis host the Dogwood Parade

Former WBIR anchor Edye Ellis began her career at WBIR in 1982.

"Edye was Edye. It didn't matter if she was Black, white, or yellow. It didn't matter to me, and I don't think it mattered to the audience," said 10News Anchor Emeritus Bill Williams.

Black History: Knoxville's Black Experience - Firsts (22) Black History: Knoxville's Black Experience - Firsts (23)

Pictured From left: Bob Kesling, Margie Ison, Edye Ellis & Bill Williams.

Ellis immediately left an impact on a young Robin Wilhoit.

"I was struck by her warmth, her graciousness. What also hit me was in times of crisis, when there were big stories, she was able to deliver these stories with just a sense of calm," Wilhoit said.

As WBIR's first Black anchor, Ellis proved to be a role model and always took time out for those who looked up to her.

"I remember being with her when she would have young Black children or adults and they would ask her for advice and consultation, and she was always very encouraging," Williams said.

Straight from the heart is more than just a slogan, it's something Ellis embodied.

"Edye Ellis was, is straight from the heart. Everything she did was for the benefit of the viewer, the benefit of East Tennessee. That to me is straight from the heart," Williams said.

  • Beyond History: Knoxville's Black Experience - Past
  • Beyond History: Knoxville's Black Experience - Present
  • Beyond History: Knoxville's Black Experience - Future

Black History: Knoxville's Black Experience - Firsts (2024)

FAQs

Who were the black leaders in Knoxville Tennessee? ›

Throughout its history, Knoxville has hosted many historic Black figures, including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Muhammad Ali. Civil Rights leader Frederick Douglass also made a stop in Knoxville in November 1881.

What are some unknown black history facts? ›

Black History Month Trivia
  • William Tucker, son of indentured servants from Great Britain, was the first recorded African child to be born in the colonies in 1624.
  • Vermont was the first colony to ban slavery in 1777.
  • In the 1770s, a Quaker named Anthony Benezet created the first school for African American children.
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What are key black history moments? ›

Milestones
  • African Endentured Servants Brought to Jamestown, VA, 1619. ...
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  • Boston Massacre, March 5, 1770. ...
  • Thomas Paine Publishes Anti-Slavery Tract, 1775. ...
  • Declaration of Independence, 1776. ...
  • Revolutionary War, 1775-1782.

What are some key figures of black history you might expect to learn about? ›

Each year during Black History Month, the stories of figures like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and Rosa Parks are often elevated—and with good reason. These figures made contributions to Black history and, by extension, American history, that cannot be overstated.

Who was the first Black millionaire in Knoxville? ›

Cal Johnson was born in Knoxville and during the span of his life, he went from slavery to becoming one of the richest African American's in the state of Tennessee.

Who was the first Black millionaire in Tennessee? ›

Robert Reed Church Sr. (June 18, 1839 – August 29, 1912) was an American entrepreneur, businessman and landowner in Memphis, Tennessee, who began his rise during the American Civil War. He was the first African-American "millionaire" in the South.

Who was the first black billionaire? ›

America's first Black billionaire got rich from founding BET. He shares the moment he knew he'd made it. Robert L. Johnson became a billionaire after selling BET to Viacom in a $3 billion deal.

What is black history called now? ›

Black History Month is an annual observance originating in the United States, where it is also known as African-American History Month and was formerly known as Negro History Month before 1976.

What are overlooked moments in black history? ›

The deadly voting rights campaign known as Freedom Summer, the successful Black labor rights movement during the Great Depression, and the long fight for desegregation in schools are among the many lesser-known stories that help shape our understanding of U.S. Black History.

What are the colors for black history? ›

The four colours that are used for Black History Month are black, red, yellow and green. Black represents resilience, red denotes blood, yellow is optimism and justice, and green symbolises rich greenery.

Who started black history? ›

Carter G. Woodson was a scholar whose dedication to celebrating the historic contributions of Black people led to the establishment of Black History Month, marked every February since 1976.

Who was the first African American inventor to get a patent? ›

Most historians agree that Thomas L. Jennings is the first African American patent holder in the United States. Jennings invented a way to dry-clean clothes in 1821.

Did you know Black history facts? ›

Jack Johnson became the first African American man to hold the World Heavyweight Champion boxing title in 1908. He held onto the belt until 1915. John Mercer Langston was the first Black man to become a lawyer when he passed the bar in Ohio in 1854.

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16 famous Black women in history who led the way for future...
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  • Ketanji Brown Jackson. Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson became the first African American woman to be elected to the Supreme Court in 2021.
Jan 4, 2024

Who is the most famous black American? ›

Their Greatest Achievements
  • Martin Luther King, Jr. One of the most well-known civil rights leaders, Martin Luther King, Jr. ...
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Who was the first Black mayor of Knoxville? ›

But on Jan. 10, 2011, he made Knoxville history. This was the day that Daniel T. Brown became Knoxville's first African-American mayor.

What political leader fought for Black rights in Tennessee? ›

In 1964 Tennessee elected its first black state legislator since the late nineteenth century, A. W. Willis Jr.; two years later the first African American woman, Dr. Dorothy Brown, won a seat in that body.

Who were some leaders of the black power movement? ›

It also includes records on several individuals, including Malcolm X, Stokely Carmichael, Elaine Brown, Angela Davis, Fred Hampton, Amiri Baraka, and Shirley Chisholm.

Who was the 1960s Black leader? ›

Ralph David Abernathy and Martin Luther King Jr.

Ralph David Abernathy (right) and Martin Luther King Jr. were central organizers of the Montgomery bus boycott, which demanded that Black passengers be treated fairly on public transportation.

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