Calendar of Events

East Knoxville's Black Food Renaissance
Join us for a special three-day engagement of this new documentary film from East Knoxville food justice collective Rooted East, including ticketed premiere fundraiser events Friday January 31 and Saturday February 1 and a special FREE matinee Sunday afternoon, all with post-screening discussions of the film and the issues it presents.

Showing exclusively at Central Cinema 1205 N Central St Knoxville, TN 37917

Friday January 31st, 2025 | Documentary Premiere with Special Guests | $25 per ticket
Saturday, February 1st, 2025 | Documentary Screening | $15 per ticket

Synopsis: Narrated by Umoja Abdul-Ahad, “Roots of Resilience: East Knoxville’s Black Food Renaissance” is a powerful documentary that delves into the legacy of apartheid and its enduring impact on food security and urban spaces within historically Black communities. The film traces the deep-seated issues of food apartheid—systematic racialized barriers to food access—and how these injustices have left many Black neighborhoods as food deserts, devoid of fresh, affordable, and nutritious food. The documentary highlights the journey of activists, community leaders, and urban gardeners who are working to restore urban green spaces in these marginalized communities. Through intimate interviews and poignant visuals, the film showcases how these initiatives are reclaiming the land for the community, fostering self-reliance, and reviving cultural connections to agriculture. At its heart, Roots of Resilience is a story of hope, resilience, resistance and the power of grassroots movements in disrupting the structures of apartheid and cultivating a future where historically Black communities can thrive.

About the Filmmaker: Ronald Levy is a 28-year-old filmmaker from Memphis, TN, dedicated to creating content that leaves a lasting impact on culture. His passion is to compose work that not only entertains, but also challenges and inspires change. Ronald aims to explore human emotions and societal values, using film as a tool to foster understanding and dialogue. The mission of his company, Levron's Art, includes documentaries to short films, all with the goal of making a meaningful contribution to society and the art of storytelling. You may visit Ron’s website at: https://levronsart.com/

https://centralcinema865.com/production/roots-of-resilience-east-knoxvilles-black-food-renaissance/

FLOWERS OF WAR: STORIES THAT BLOOM IN RUINS

This exhibit is meant to illuminate the reaction of the Ukrainian community and East Tennessee to Russia’s war in Ukraine. Each piece was created by those who have faced conflict: Ukrainian children, parents, refugees, international volunteers, soldiers, and local artists who felt the call to contribute. Everyone wanted to show the works that came out of tragedy and war. These works became flowers.

“You will find an authentic and unfiltered look at the harsh realities of today’s conflict. Join us to see through the eyes of those on the frontlines in Ukraine and those in the US who understand the footprint of this war.” Yaro Hnatusko
Executive Director, Restore Ukraine & Curator of “Flowers of war”

RECEPTION, December 22, 2-4 PM

The museum is located in downtown Knoxville at 1050 World’s Fair Park Drive and is open to the public Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday, 1-5 p.m. Admission and parking are free. For more information, visit www.knoxart.org