Knoxville Smokies Stadium Unveils Statues Honoring Black Luminaries

New monuments at the baseball park celebrate influential figures from the city's history.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 10:58pm

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A vibrant, abstract silkscreen illustration featuring repeated images of baseball equipment in a grid pattern, conceptually representing the celebration of Knoxville's diverse community at the Smokies' stadium.The Knoxville Smokies honor the city's Black history and culture with a new collection of statues at their baseball stadium.Knoxville Today

The Knoxville Smokies minor league baseball team has unveiled a new collection of statues outside Covenant Health Park, honoring four prominent Black figures from the city's history: artist Beauford Delaney, musician Ida B. Cox, poet Nikki Giovanni, and educator Ruth Cobb Brice.

Why it matters

The statues represent an effort by the Smokies organization to recognize and celebrate the contributions of influential Black community members in Knoxville, whose stories and legacies have not always received the same level of public recognition as their white counterparts.

The details

The four new statues were carefully selected to highlight a diverse range of accomplishments and fields, including the visual arts, music, literature, and education. The Smokies organization worked closely with local historians and community leaders to ensure the chosen individuals were truly representative of Knoxville's Black history and culture.

  • The new statues were unveiled on April 16, 2026 at Covenant Health Park.

The players

Beauford Delaney

An acclaimed African-American painter known for his abstract expressionist works and connections to the Harlem Renaissance.

Ida B. Cox

A pioneering blues singer and songwriter who helped shape the genre in the early 20th century.

Nikki Giovanni

A renowned poet, writer, and civil rights activist who has been a prominent voice in African-American literature for decades.

Ruth Cobb Brice

An influential educator who played a key role in desegregating Knoxville's public schools in the 1950s.

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What they’re saying

“We were very intentional on the 'who' - these four individuals truly represent the incredible diversity and impact of the Black community in Knoxville.”

— Smokies Team President

The takeaway

The new statues at Covenant Health Park serve as a powerful symbol of the Smokies' commitment to honoring and uplifting the rich history and contributions of Knoxville's Black community, helping to ensure these influential figures are remembered and celebrated for generations to come.