KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – Tributes to historic Knoxville black leaders now sit outside of Covenant Health Park.
On Thursday, the city unveiled four newly commissioned bronze statues, each honoring figures deeply rooted in Knoxville history who made enduring contributions to the cultural, artistic and social fabric of the city and beyond.
The statues are of poet Nikki Giovanni, painter Beauford Delaney, blues singer Ida Cox and artist Ruth Cobb Brice.
The Beck Cultural Exchange Center worked with the Randy Boyd Foundation for years to bring these pieces of art to life.
“For more than 50 years, the Beck Cultural Exchange Center has worked to preserve and share the history of African Americans in East Tennessee. Today, we stand on sacred ground shaped by families, businesses, and a vibrant community that once thrived here. These statues honor that legacy while reminding us that the full story is still being told,” said Rev. Reneé Kesler, President of the Beck Cultural Exchange Center and City of Knoxville Historian of African American History. “This unveiling marks another step in our ongoing work to ensure that this remains a place where history lives.”
With this addition, the stadium will now feature 11 statues. Previous installations include tributes to the Knoxville Giants, the Knoxville Smokies and early African American Little League Baseball in Knoxville.
You can view all of the statues in Delaney Plaza.
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