City of Knoxville
State of the City Address
Virtual Program
Mayor Indya Kincannon
Friday, April 22, 2022
Historic St. Mary's Hospital Campus
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Agenda
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| Master of Ceremonies |
Councilwoman Lauren Rider |
| Welcome |
Councilman Charles Thomas |
| Invocation |
Knoxville Fire Department
Chaplain Capt. Paul Trumpore |
| Presentation of the Colors |
Fulton High School ROTC |
| Pledge of Allegiance |
Christenberry Elementary 5th Grade Students |
| National Anthem |
Fulton High School’s Imani Anna |
| Poetry Reading |
Poet Laureate Rhea Carmon & Youth Poet Laureate Melody Dalili |
| State of the City Address |
Mayor Indya Kincannon |
| Benediction |
Knoxville Police Department
Chaplain Coordinator Pam Neal |
Sign Language Interpretation provided by the Knoxville Center of the Deaf
Special Thanks To
Messer Construction Co.
Volkert Inc.
McCarty Holsaple McCarty Architects & Interior Designers
Ham’n Goodys Catering
All Occasion Party Rentals
Eddie Speaks, Stellar Vision and Sound
Fulton High School
Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Michigan
LMU Nursing Students
Stanley’s Greenhouse
City Council Members
Vice Mayor Andrew Roberto/District 2
Tommy Smith / District 1
Seema Singh / District 3
Lauren Rider / District 4
Charles Thomas / District 5
Gwen McKenzie / District 6
Lynne Fugate / At-Large Seat A
Janet Testerman / At-Large Seat B
Amelia Parker / At-Large Seat C
State of the City
Poem by Rhea Carmon, Knoxville Poet Laureate
&
Melody Dalili, Knoxville Youth Poet Laureate
Standing in the place where empathy learned to serve humanity
We state that our city has stood for our city despite its unsteady states
Tirelessly carrying the burden of necessities’ work
A game of tug of war, players fighting,
Bargaining,
Desperately grappling for their own desires
Only to find ourselves together
Making the choice to use this special rope for good
To make indestructible the bond from neighbor to neighbor
Ninety-two years in the making, a woven basket holding the fruits of the city
A harvest serving the citizens
With community as the master,
Working to create space for history to become the home of leaders
Who dedicate their lives to sacrifice;
Finding mercy from sisters and brothers
A mantra we pledge every morning and a lullaby we rest our eyes to at nightfall
Knitting together the safety net to empower the city
When we believe we have met our downfall
There is a seed planted in eroded soil that blooms despite its lack of nutrients
And in that soil a divergent line exists,
Separating selfishness and selflessness,
Separating hurt and birth;
Purpose remains potent and filled with promise
Partners stand together to uphold a community
Connecting stories through challenges
Instead of giving into the greed of mankind
This is what illuminates, what empowers, what inspires
My city– your city– our city
The honor behind the name Knoxville like magnolias
Blooming off of your tongue,
Each syllable a new seed,
Each vowel a basket of fruit,
Spring is every season here and the citizens grow with every harvest
Foraging for connection in the place where empathy learned to serve humanity
We state that our city has stood for our city despite its unsteady states
And we are still standing
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Sponsors
