The Beck Cultural Exchange Center (Beck) is the place “Where African American History & Culture Are Preserved.” Beck was established in 1975 with a mission that has remained unchanged.  Beck is as an African American teaching and learning museum and cultural center that serves as a State of Tennessee designated primary repository of black history and culture in the city of Knoxville and throughout East Tennessee. Absent of Beck, there is no single organization in the region that provides this invaluable service. For over forty years, Beck has been entrusted with an extensive collection of historical archives deeming it Knoxville’s storehouse of regional African American History and Culture. 

About the Photo of Maurice Mays: On August 30,1919 the race relations climate in Knoxville took a bloody turn and the city became one of the “Red Summer” cities during a time when race riots were erupting all across the nation. Maurice Mays, a handsome black man born around 1887, was accused of murdering a white woman and Knoxville erupted in violence. The National Guard was summoned to Knoxville to maintain law and order during the Maurice Mays race riot of 1919.

MS. MARGARET ROSS GAITER

September 12, 1925 - May 12, 2017

First President of the Beck Board of Directors & 

Continuous Serving Board Member - 42 Years

WE SHALL NEVER FORGET ...

The Beck Cultural Exchange Center, "The Place Where African American History & Culture Are Preserved" remembers our dearly beloved Ms. Margaret R. Gaiter a driving force in establishing a firm foundation for the Beck. 

We shall never forget her tremendous contributions to make life better for all people.  We are forever grateful for her servant leadership, her courage and her commitment to the struggle for justice, equality and peace.

We shall never forget ...

MR. AVON W. ROLLINS, SR.

September 16, 1941 - December 7, 2016

Former Executive Director

Beck Cultural Exchange Center

WE SHALL NEVER FORGET...

The Beck Cultural Exchange Center, "The Place Where African American History & Culture Are Preserved" remembers our dearly beloved Mr. Avon W. Rollins, Sr., a civil rights activist, humanitarian, friend and a member of the Beck Family.

We shall never forget his tremendous contributions to make life better for all people. We are forever grateful for his servant leadership, his courage and his commitment to the struggle for justice, equality and peace.

We shall never forget ...