BESSIE SMITH CULTURAL CENTER

Located in an area previously considered the stronghold of the city's black business (the 9 th Street District), it was first the Chattanooga African American Museum, established in Chattanooga in 1983, with the initial objective of presenting the numerous contributions of Afro-Americans to the development of the city. Relocated here in 1996, the museum became a cultural centre and was added a concert hall dedicated to the city's great blues singer Bessie Smith (1894-1937). See HBO Bessie, from Dee Rees, released in 2015, where the main role is played by Queen Lafitah (5 Emmy Awards). «Bessie», as affectionately called here, presents exhibitions but also organizes numerous concerts throughout the year.