A unique resource guide for historically underrepresented populations in Knoxville
CEHHS is taking a page from history to help Vols learn more about and support underrepresented populations in the community. The Volunteer Orange Book is a guide for students, faculty, and staff that provides information about on-campus resources; small-owned businesses and restaurants; and community diversity, equity, and inclusion resources in the greater Knoxville area.
The Green Book, 1940 edition
Inspiration for the book came from The Negro Motorist Green Book, published by Victor Hugo Green from 1936 to 1967. Also known as the Green Book, it offered a guide to businesses and services friendly for Black travelers during the Jim Crow era. From lodgings to restaurants and gas stations, Black travelers could find friendly businesses that would serve them while on the road.
After discrimination was outlawed in the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Green Book fell into obscurity. It wasn’t until 2018 and the release of the movie Green Book that wider audiences learned about the resource that had helped many Black people safely navigate their travels.
Supporting the Community
Dorian McCoy
The Volunteer Orange Book is a useful guide for Vols to learn about and support underrepresented local businesses, find out about on-campus resources, locate houses of worship, and more. For students new to Knoxville it can be an invaluable guide to the area as well as the multitude of campus resources available. For faculty and staff, the book can help uncover a number of hidden gems—from restaurants offering a wide range of delicious cuisine to community spaces celebrating the diverse cultures Knoxville has to offer.
“The Orange Book itself cannot create community; however, we hope this guide will help all Vols, particularly those from underrepresented groups, identify resources that contribute to their sense of community at the university and in the greater Knoxville area,” says Dorian McCoy, CEHHS Director of Access and Engagement. McCoy, who led the efforts to create the book with help from FUTURE program intern Asjha McAllister and the college’s marketing and communications team.
Check out the online Volunteer Orange Book.