Make plans to join local practitioners and scholars for a panel discussion exploring 250 years of the civic, social, and economic roles of craftspeople and growers in the creation and evolution of our nation. Panelists will also talk about how these groups stand to shape the next chapter of American democracy. What and how will Tennesseans be crafting and growing in the future?

RSVP today for this free event.

Panelists include:

Dr. Torren L Gatson: Associate Professor of History and Associate Director of the Center for Historic Preservation at Middle Tennessee State University, specializing in African American built environments and material culture in the 19th and 20th centuries

Wokie Massaquoi-Wicks: Award-winning textile artist who was born and raised in Liberia. Growing up in West Africa, she was exposed to her native Vai and Mende textile designs through observation and practice in everyday life. Since her family moved to the United States, Wokie has made her home in Knoxville and has carried on her cultural traditions and family legacy.

Brooks Lamb: Author living in Memphis who writes about agriculture, the environment, and rural communities and works as the Special Advisor for Strategic Communications at American Farmland Trust, and he teaches a course on farming and society at Rhodes College.

Ali Simpson: Operator of Kimberly Ann Farms, a small organic vegetable and livestock farm in Ten Mile, Tennessee and board member of the Southeast Tennessee Young Farmers, an organization dedicated to education and advocacy for young, historically-excluded and beginning farmers.

The conversation will be moderated by Caroline Carrico, Humanities Tennessee’s Shared Futures Lab Correspondent and host of our podcast Curating Tennessee: 1776-2076.

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By the People: Conversations Beyond 250 is a series of community-driven programs created by humanities councils in collaboration with local partners. The initiative was developed by the Federation of State Humanities Councils and the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage.