The Bottom, a community center celebrating black culture and creativity in Knoxville, has received much welcome support after serious sanitation problems forced the organization to temporarily close its doors but repair costs continue to mount.
The nonprofit launched an emergency fundraiser on July 11 with a goal of raising $15,000 to cover expenses. Although that goal was met in a matter of days thanks to donations, updated estimates for new pipe under the foundation of the East Magnolia Avenue facility changed the total estimate to $19,000, meaning the group must raise an additional $4,000.
“We are still waiting for the plumbing to be completed. There have been issues with some completions,” Kalil White, executive director of The Bottom, told Knox News.
“God willing, we probably won’t reopen until early next week. But we’ve done a good job with the fundraising efforts and are very grateful to the community for that,” she added.
According to an Instagram post, the organization raised over $9,000 in donations within 48 hours of announcing the sanitation issues and subsequent closure on social media. Management of the Change Center on Harriet Tubman Street immediately offered The Bottom a convenient location to continue its youth programs there.
“Honestly, it was just really heartwarming to see that our community has our back,” White said. “There aren’t many areas that show promise for black organizations like us. It was just great that our community wanted to be there to support us and really care about us.”
As of July 20, Bottom had not quite reached the new target of $19,000. Donations can be made through Venmo and Cash App tagged with TheBottomKnox, or through the nonprofit’s website at thebottomknox.com.
Any remaining funds will be saved for future repairs and upgrades to the facility, White said.
What compelled The Bottom to temporarily close the doors of its facility and relocate?
During The Bottom on July 11 at 2340 Magnolia Ave. hosted a youth program, the toilets in the facility’s basement began to overflow. Eventually, the organizers decided they couldn’t handle the situation themselves and called in plumbers to assess the situation.
“As far as you could see, there was a backwater in our pipes under the foundation of the building. I’m guessing the previous owner had previously done pipe work but it wasn’t sealed properly so there are a lot of leaks in our basement and flooding in many areas. So (the plumbers) felt the need to re-route the pipes,” White explained.
Fortunately, the water did not damage any of the products or books in the center’s bookstore, which stocks a variety of books by black authors on black experiences and black history. However, the extensive repair work has displaced the current programming. There is also concern that the older building may need further modernization.
“Last year we had a problem with our air conditioner and that was another $10,000 job. And then we have sanitary problems this year. So we want to make sure we are prepared for next year. If something really special comes up, we can take care of it quickly,” White said.
Community support helped keep The Bottom programming going
The Bottom offers literacy, arts, culture and other programs year-round. Sew It, Sell It, an entrepreneurship program, and Black Outside, which connects children to outdoor activities and conservation, both existed when the sanitation problems began.
The Change Center stepped in and made their space available to allow these programs, as well as upcoming events, to continue while the plumbing was completed.
“It’s been a tough road, but I’m happy to be here and to continue this work,” White said. “It’s such a breath of fresh air to know that there’s a community all around us.”
The organization is named in honor of East Knoxville’s historic black neighborhood known as “The Bottom,” which was devastated by Knoxville’s urban redevelopment projects between 1959 and 1974. White said it’s important to have a space where there are books that empower Black people and nurture Black creatives, but The Bottom is a place where everyone feels welcome and valued.
“One thing we always really want to push forward is that this space is not just for us, it’s for everyone,” she said. “This space is for them where they can come in and hang out and be themselves and enjoy the space however they see fit.”
Organizers at The Bottom were hopeful the center could reopen its doors on July 25 or sometime this week. Please visit the organization’s social media platforms for program updates.
Devarrick Turner is a hot news reporter. Email devarrick.turner@knoxnews.com. Twitter @dturner1208.
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https://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/local/2023/07/21/the-bottom-raises-over-15k-to-cover-extensive-plumbing-repairs/70423615007/
