The public is invited to hear Theotis Robinson speak at Bearden Rotary on Friday, March 6, noon at Bearden Banquet Hall, 5806 Kingston Pike. Lunch is optional for $20.
As recounted in the Tennessee Encyclopedia, Theotis Robinson Jr. became the first black undergraduate to attend the University of Tennessee. From this “first” in January 1961, Robinson went on to become the first African American to serve on the Knoxville City Council in over 50 years. He was elected to that post in 1969, and he served through the end of 1977.
Robinson has continued to serve the Knoxville community in various capacities, including as vice-president for Economic Development of the 1982 World’s Fair. He later accepted the position of special projects coordinator at the University of Tennessee, and in August 2000, the university promoted Robinson to the new position of vice-president for Diversity and Equity.
Public interested in attending should contact Lorna Keathley at 865-335-2570 or by email at lornak@utk.edu. Reservations for lunch or speaker only should be made by March 3, 2026.
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