Scenic Roots

TEDxChattanooga “Sessions”: Nicholas Edward Williams, Part I. Coming To WTCI PBS: “The Light We Share” and “Essential.” These voices - and more - on this edition of “Scenic Roots.”

Lesley Scearce (United Way of Greater Chattanooga) In this series, we explore the impact that workplace policies have on our local families and children - and how United Way of Greater Chattanooga is looking to close the gaps. For this episode, we talk about United for Working Families - and gain a better understanding of what families in our community are facing today - with Lesley Scearce, Presi...

John Edwards III (Nashville Public Television) John Edwards III is the founder and publisher of The Chattanooga News Chronicle, a weekly newspaper serving this city’s Black community. This Wednesday, starting at 11:30 AM, John will be honored at a Black Philanthropy Month luncheon at the Bessie Smith Cultural Center in downtown Chattanooga, presented by the Association of Fundraising Professionals...

A previous Shades of Poetry showcase at the James Baldwin Festival of Words. (Chattanooga Festivals of Black Arts and Ideas) James Baldwin, writer and civil rights activist, was born a hundred years ago this month - on August 2nd, 1924. This weekend, a celebration of his life and work - the James Baldwin Festival of Words - returns to this city, as part of the Chattanooga Festivals of Black Arts a...

Shades of Poetry at the James Baldwin Festival of Words. A Chattanooga honor during this Black Philanthropy Month. United For Working Families, Episode 14: Lesley Scearce. These voices - and more - on this edition of “Scenic Roots.”

Rachel Blackmon at TEDxChattanooga’s “Sessions” at Barking Legs Theater in April 2024. This spring, TEDxChattanooga held its latest “Sessions” - a showcase of local musicians and ideas worth spreading - at Barking Legs Theater. The theme: “Carry On” - the theme for all of TEDxChattanooga’s events this year. For this episode of “Scenic Roots,” we bring you one of the musicians from “Sessions”: Rach...

("How to Sue the Klan") It happened here in Chattanooga forty-four years ago down the road from our studios today here at WUTC. In 1980, four Black women were waiting for a cab on Ninth St. - now Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard. A car driven by a local leader of the Ku Klux Klan passed them. His passengers in the car - also Klansmen - fired shotgun blasts from an open window of the car at the fo...

(Ensemble Theatre of Chattanooga) “Southbridge” is the latest production at Ensemble Theatre of Chattanooga. The play by Reginald Edmund premieres Saturday at Rivermont Presbyterian Church - 3319 Hixson Pike in Chattanooga - at 7:30 PM. Garry Posey is artistic director of ETC - and the director of “Southbridge.” (Ensemble Theatre of Chattanooga)

(Outdoor Chattanooga) Outdoor Chattanooga is celebrating twenty years of serving residents of - and visitors to - this city. Nathan Bird recently profiled the division of the City of Chattanooga’s Department of Parks and Outdoors on his podcast, Chattanooga Civics. Here’s a sample. _____ Also, check out Nathan's latest episode of Chattanooga Civics - with Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly. (Chattanooga...

(United Way of Greater Chattanooga) In the past year, we’ve shared conversations with you about United for Working Families. Last year, United Way of Greater Chattanooga launched the initiative in partnership with local business and community leaders. Near the end of this month, the United for Working Families Summit returns for a second year - on Tuesday, August 27th starting at 8:30 AM at The We...

Year two for Chattanooga’s United for Working Families Summit. Chattanooga Civics: Outdoor Chattanooga. ETC’s “Southbridge.” “How to Sue the Klan” - in conversation with a student at UTC. These voices - and more - on this edition of “Scenic Roots.”

Marsha Mills Davis (Southern Exposure) When storytelling meets poetry, you have to “Dig a Little Deeper.” That’s the name of a play by Peggy Douglas of the Southern Exposure monologues and Marsha Mills Davis of Rhyme ‘N Chatt - to amplify the voices of underserved and underrepresented people here in Chattanooga. This Sunday, Barking Legs Theater will host a dynamic stage reading of the play, start...

(Jewish Federation of Greater Chattanooga) Food is one key to learning about - and experiencing - about other cultures. This weekend here in Chattanooga, the first Jewish food festival will be held in this city. Nosh-a-Nooga is on Sunday, from Noon to 2 PM, at Waterhouse Pavilion. Ann Treadwell is with the Jewish Federation of Greater Chattanooga. (Jewish Federation of Greater Chattanooga)

(SPLASH Youth Arts Workshop) For the youngest among us, creating art can lift their lives. Here in Chattanooga, SPLASH Youth Arts Workshop provides free arts workshops year-round for youth in this city’s underserved communities. On Saturday, SPLASH hosts its annual Summer Arts Festival in Miller Park, from 10 AM to 3 PM. Artists Charlie and Iantha Newton are the founders of SPLASH. Charlie and Ian...

The landscape of the Tennessee Valley with Chattanooga in the distance. (Thrive Regional Partnership) What’s on the road of cutting edge in transportation, here in the Southeast and beyond? Think of alternative fuels, sustainability, supply chains, vehicle electrification and lithium ion batteries. All are on the agenda for this year’s State of Freight Forum - presented by Thrive Regional Partners...

Horizons of innovation at Thrive’s State of Freight Forum. A canvas for young creativity: The SPLASH Summer Arts Festival. Nosh-a-Nooga. “Dig a Little Deeper” at Barking Legs Theater. These voices - and more - on this edition of “Scenic Roots.”

(One to One Health) For this episode, we talk about health and wellness with Jessica Pilcher, Director of United for Working Families at United Way of Greater Chattanooga - and David Kinzler, CEO of One-to-One Health here in Chattanooga.

(Songbirds Foundation) Bobby Rush - Grammy award winner and Blues Hall of Famer - kicks off the return of the Songbirds Music & Food Series in Chattanooga. Doors open at 6 PM on Tuesday at Songbirds at 206 W. Main St. - with dinner from David Wayne’s at 6:30 PM. Reed Caldwell is executive director of the Songbirds Foundation. (Songbirds Foundation)

The tip of the Peace Monument at Point Park, overlooking Moccasin Bend and the City of Chattanooga. (National Park Partners) In the fall of 1863, Union and Confederate troops fought for control of Chattanooga during the Civil War - only months after the Battle of Gettysburg. Today, Point Park overlooks the Lookout Mountain Battlefield and the City of Chattanooga, as part of Chickamauga and Chattan...

The Party at Point Park and a full fall at National Park Partners. On the menu: this year’s Songbirds Music + Food Series. These voices - and more - on this edition of “Scenic Roots.”

Romeo & Juliet from the Conasauga Shakespeare Coalition’s production. (Conasauga Shakespeare Coalition) (Aired Thu 8/08/24) In Northwest Georgia, a quick drive from Dalton also brings you to the Bard. The Conasauga Shakespeare Coalition presents “Romeo & Juliet” at Prater’s Mill, down the road from Varnell, this Friday and Saturday - and next Friday and Saturday - starting at 8 PM. The...

Erica Wright (Erica Wright) (Aired Thu 8/08/24) A new novel offers a contemporary retelling - set in Appalachia - of William Shakepeare’s play “Measure for Measure.” Erica Wright is the author of “Hollow Bones.” On Saturday, August 17th, starting at 4 PM, she will be at The Arts Building in downtown Chattanooga - in conversation with local author Paul Luikart, presented by the literary nonprofit S...

Erica Wright, author of “Hollow Bones,” at SoLit in Chattanooga. “Romeo & Juliet” - Northwest Georgia style - at Prater’s Mill. These voices - and more - on this edition of “Scenic Roots.”

(BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee) In this series, we explore the impact that workplace policies have on our local families and children - and how United Way of Greater Chattanooga is looking to close the gaps. For this episode, we talk about social connectedness with Jessica Pilcher, Director of United for Working Families at United Way of Greater Chattanooga - and April Manning, Director of Tot...

(Rhyme ‘N Chatt) Rhyme ‘N Chatt is a community of poets and spoken word artists now celebrating 25 years here in Chattanooga. Since 1999, the collective - full name, Rhyme ‘N Chatt Interactive Poetry Organization - has hosted open mic sessions free for people to participate and enjoy. Marsha Davis is with Rhyme ‘N Chatt. (Rhyme ‘N Chatt)