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*The Dr. Mae Jemison lecture on Feb. 26 at 7 p.m has been postponed until further notice because of inclement weather.
KINGSPORT, Tenn. (January 27, 2015) – Eastman Chemical Company is honoring the traditions and contributions of African Americans to art, science, and innovation this February in celebration of Black History Month. Eastman invites the public to join them in this celebration by attending two special events.
Eastman is pleased to share these two special events with the community. Eastman is grateful for the partnership with Northeast State, Milligan College and East Tennessee State University, which made these events possible.
• Fisk Jubilee Singers, Fisk University’s Grammy-nominated and Dove Award-winning choral ensemble, will present a concert at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 5. The group has been performing Negro spirituals since being formed in 1871. Among the list of awards and honors they have received is the National Medal of Arts award and induction into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.
• Dr. Mae Jemison, former NASA astronaut and National Women’s Hall of Fame Inductee, will speak on Feb. 26 at 7:00 p.m., sharing her experiences as the first African-American woman in space, a medical doctor, entrepreneur, foundation founder, and leader of a space travel initiative.
Both events will be held at Eastman’s Toy F. Reid Employee Center located at 400 South Wilcox Drive, Kingsport, TN. Admission is free on a first-come, first-seated basis.
“We’re pleased to celebrate Black History Month with the community,” says Eastman Sr. Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, Perry Stuckey. “We understand how innovation can change the world, and we laud African Americans for their valuable contributions.” He adds, “Standing on a solid Science, Technology, Engineering and Math foundation, Eastman is building a richly diverse and creative culture to solve challenging problems and create a brighter tomorrow. African Americans are important members of our increasingly diverse, global team focused on innovating the future.”
Eastman Black History Month Oratorical Contest
Eastman is sponsoring an oratorical contest currently underway at area high schools. Students have the opportunity to learn about the contributions of African Americans in STEM fields and display their creative and presentation skills. First prize is $500 and 2nd through 5th runners up receive $200. Faculty of the top finalists also receive $100 Staples gift cards. The top five finalists will have an opportunity to orate during a Black History Month luncheon being held at Eastman on Feb. 27.
About Eastman Chemical Company
Eastman is a global specialty chemical company that produces a broad range of products found in items people use every day. With a portfolio of specialty businesses, Eastman works with customers to deliver innovative products and solutions while maintaining a commitment to safety and sustainability. Its market-driven approaches take advantage of world-class technology platforms and leading positions in attractive end-markets such as transportation, building and construction and consumables. Eastman focuses on creating consistent, superior value for all stakeholders. As a globally diverse company, Eastman serves customers in approximately 100 countries and had 2013 revenues of approximately $9.4 billion. The company is headquartered in Kingsport, Tenn., and employs approximately 14,000 people around the world.
Milligan College is a Christian liberal arts college in Northeast Tennessee whose vision is to change lives and shape culture through a commitment to servant leadership. The college offers more than 100 majors, minors, pre-professional degrees and concentrations in a variety of fields, along with graduate and adult degree completion programs. To learn more about Milligan College, visit www.milligan.edu or call 800-447-5922.
Northeast State is a two-year Tennessee Board of Regents college providing university parallel programs designed for students desiring to transfer to another college or university, career programs for students planning to enter the workforce immediately upon graduation, and continuing education and community service programs for professional growth and personal enrichment to citizens from five counties. The school has campuses in Blountville, Bristol, Elizabethton, Gray, and Kingsport. A Johnson City campus is scheduled to open in 2015. For more information, call 800-836-7822 or visit www.NortheastState.edu.
East Tennessee State University enrolls over 14,600 students in more than 100 degree programs in the arts and sciences, business and technology, education, and the health sciences. ETSU is home to the Academic Health Sciences Center which offers degree programs in Medicine, Nursing, Public Health, Pharmacy, and Clinical and Rehabilitative Health Sciences. Visit www.etsu.edu.