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CREATING A SPACE WHERE WE CAN TAKE UP SPACE.

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The Bottom is a nonprofit cultural organization serving our community through our Black-affirming bookshop and arts programming. Rooted in place justice, we stand to build community, celebrate culture, and engage the creativity of Black people in Knoxville. We strive to cultivate a sense of belonging, togetherness and safety for Black people in Knoxville and beyond.

MORE ABOUT US

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Learn more about our projects

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Stop by our
Bookshop! 

Sunday: Closed
Monday: Closed
Tuesday-Saturday: 11am - 6pm

2340 E Magnolia Ave

Knoxville, TN

BOOK IT AT
THE BOTTOM

A Monthly Book Subscription

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Check out our gift packages, perfect for the book lovers on your list!

 

   From the "Book'd & Busy" to the "Young at Heart", there's 12 different bundles specially curated for children, teens, adults & elders!

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  • Jul 12, 2025, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
    The Bottom, 2340 E Magnolia Ave, Knoxville, TN 37917, USA
    Join us for our next LitKidz event, where we'll read Never Take Your Rhino on a Plane by K.E. Lewis!
  • Jul 16, 2025, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
    Peter Kern Library, 407 Union Ave, Knoxville, TN 37902, USA
    We invite you to connect with fellow readers and enjoy specially curated cocktails from our friends at the local speakeasy, Peter Kern Library
  • Fri, Jul 18
    Jul 18, 2025, 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
    The Bottom, 2340 E Magnolia Ave, Knoxville, TN 37917, USA
    We're gearing up for Pitch Day with Sew It Sell It! Come out to support our Sew It Sell It youth entrepreneurs by listening to their product pitches.
  • Thu, Jul 24
    Jul 24, 2025, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
    The Bottom, 2340 E Magnolia Ave, Knoxville, TN 37917, USA
    We’re kicking off our first Arts in Movement workshop session with a powerful theme: Goal Setting!
  • Sat, Jul 26
    Jul 26, 2025, 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
    The Bottom, 2340 E Magnolia Ave, Knoxville, TN 37917, USA
    We're gearing up for Market Day with Sew It Sell It Come out to support our Sew It Sell It youth entrepreneurs and purchase their handmade products!
  • Jul 30, 2025, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
    The Bottom, 2340 E Magnolia Ave, Knoxville, TN 37917, USA
    Transformative explorations of self-expression & mental well-being through empowering sessions led by Shade Tree Therapy. Each gathering is designed to provide a nurturing space for writers of all levels.
  • Aug 02, 2025, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
    The Bottom, 2340 E Magnolia Ave, Knoxville, TN 37917, USA
    Join us for an evening with renowned mystery author Valerie Burns! Indulge in delectable treats and don't miss the exclusive book signing session.
  • Aug 13, 2025, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
    Peter Kern Library, 407 Union Ave, Knoxville, TN 37902, USA
    We invite you to connect with fellow readers and enjoy specially curated cocktails from our friends at the local speakeasy, Peter Kern Library
  • Sat, Aug 23
    Knox County Library - Lawson McGhee
    Aug 23, 2025, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
    Knox County Library - Lawson McGhee, 500 W Church Ave, Knoxville, TN 37902, USA
    A new book club is in rotation! We'll tackle our next banned book Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon.
  • Aug 27, 2025, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
    The Bottom, 2340 E Magnolia Ave, Knoxville, TN 37917, USA
    Transformative explorations of self-expression & mental well-being through empowering sessions led by Shade Tree Therapy. Each gathering is designed to provide a nurturing space for writers of all levels.
  • Sep 04, 2025, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
    Zoom
    A new book club is in rotation! We'll tackle our next banned book, Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon.
  • Sat, Nov 22
    Knox County Library - Burlington Branch
    Nov 22, 2025, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
    Knox County Library - Burlington Branch, 4614 Asheville Hwy, Knoxville, TN 37914, USA
    A new book club is in rotation! We'll tackle our next banned book, The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison.
  • Dec 02, 2025, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
    Zoom
    A new book club is in rotation! We'll tackle our next banned book, The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison.

Upcoming Events

Shadow on Concrete Wall

"The Gem Theatre is now some sort of nightclub and Mulvaney Street is gone. Completely wiped out. Assassinated along with the old people who made it live. I looked over and saw that the lady who used to cry “Hot fish! Good hot fish!” no longer had a Cal Johnson Park to come to and set up her stove in...Mrs. Abrum and her reverend husband from rural Tennessee wouldn’t bring us any more goose eggs from across the street...All gone, not even to a major highway but to a cutoff of a cutoff. All the old people who died from lack of adjustment died for a cutoff of a cutoff." 

- Nikki Giovanni, an excerpt from "400 Mulvaney Street" 

Now Hall of Fame drive, Mulvaney Street was a monumental source of black community before Knoxville's Urban Renewal projects in 1959-1974. 

SUPPORT
OUR WORK

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