A number of events are planned in Chattanooga to celebrate Black History Month. The Bessie Smith Cultural Center will host an art contest and community day on Feb. 7, a documentary on the history of Black representation in children’s toys on Feb. 12, a celebration of Black spirituals on Feb. 19 and the unveiling of a new historical marker honoring those affected by lynchings on Feb. 26. The National Medal of Honor Heritage Center will host a workshop for teachers and a session on Medal of Honor recipient George Jordan on Feb. 16. The Chattery will host an interactive art cafe with Black artists on Feb. 19 and a night market on Feb. 27. From Feb. 13-21, Crabtree Farms will host a play offering alternative perspectives not featured in the “Hamilton” musical. Access more information about these and other events from Nooga Today.

Memphis is celebrating Black History Month with a variety of events throughout February. The Dixon Gallery and Gardens will feature "Black Artists in America: From the Bicentennial to September 11" through March 29. The Hattiloo Theatre will present "Dreamgirls" through March 8. The Memphis Brooks Museum of Art will host a free "Super Saturday" on Feb. 7 highlighting artist Chakaia Booker. On Feb. 20, author Emily Yellin and John Lawson will discuss their new book "Nonviolent" at the National Civil Rights Museum. The Collage Dance Collective will perform "Rise" on Feb. 20-22. Dom Flemons will bring The Bronze Buckaroo Film & Songster Show to Crosstown on Feb. 23. Finally, Black Children’s Books and Authors will hold a free read-in "Our Stories Matter" on Feb. 28 at the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library. The Commercial Appeal has more on these events.

As part of its ongoing effort to gather feedback from Tennessee attorneys on the Tennessee Supreme Court’s Sept. 16 order seeking public comment on seven areas of potential regulatory changes to the legal profession, the TBA’s Legal Access and Regulatory Reform Task Force will host a series of virtual town halls this month. Each town hall will focus on specific issues outlined in the order, starting with a discussion about Alternative Education and Licensure Pathways on Feb. 10 at noon CST. Additional sessions will address Nonlawyer Ownership and Fee Sharing on Feb. 13 at 11 a.m., Paraprofessionals on Feb. 19 at noon,  ABA Accreditation on Feb. 23 at noon, and Interstate Mobility and Reciprocity on Feb. 26 at noon. All times are central time zone. There is no cost to attend but registration is required to receive the meeting link. Attorneys also are encouraged to review the TBA’s Legal Access & Regulatory Reform resource page before attending.

Applications are being accepted for the TBA’s 2026 Reporters Workshop now through March 16. Sponsored by TBA’s Communications Law Section, the program will be held in person April 24-25 in Nashville. Organizers will select 15 print, online, television and/or radio journalists who want to develop a deeper understanding of media law issues that may affect their everyday work, including access to government information, defamation and privacy concerns in reporting, as well as other timely topics. Journalists interested in attending should apply online before 5 p.m. CDT on March 16. Student journalists also may apply. Class selection will be announced by March 23, and those selected for participation will be notified by email. Read more about the 2026 program. Tennessee lawyers are encouraged to share this opportunity with members of the media with whom they have relationships.

The TBA will remain closed on Jan. 27 due to inclement weather. The office will reopen Wednesday at 8 a.m. CST. Visit the TBA.org website for information on CLE or other TBA programs and for staff contact information.

The TBA will be closed Jan. 26 due to inclement weather. The office will reopen Tuesday at 8 a.m. CST. Visit the TBA.org website for information on CLE or other TBA programs and for staff contact information.

The Tennessee Department of Revenue will host a free webinar on Jan. 27 at 9 a.m. CST. During the session, participants will learn about consolidated net worth election for the franchise and excise tax. The webinar is part of a series the department offers to the public each quarter. Each webinar covers topics such as tax registration, sales and use tax, business tax, franchise and excise taxes, and how to get help from the Department of Revenue and other state agencies. Registration is available on the department’s website.

As part of the TBA’s effort to help educate members about the Tennessee Supreme Court’s Sept. 16 order — which solicited comments on seven areas of possible regulatory changes to the legal profession — the TBA Legal Access and Regulatory Reform Task Force will hold a virtual town hall this Thursday beginning at noon CST. This town hall, the first of several to be planned, will be geared toward attorneys who practice in rural areas. The event will start with a 20-minute presentation by University of Tennessee Winston College of Law Professors Ben Barton and Alex Long. Then McMinnville lawyer Mike Galligan will moderate a discussion about the seven issues presented in the order, including concerns and possible solutions. Attendees are encouraged to review the TBA’s Legal Access & Regulatory Reform resource page before attending. Register for the town hall here.

The Tennessee Alliance for Black Lawyers (TABL) and the Tennessee Bar Association Young Lawyers Division's (YLD) Diversity Committee will hold a networking mixer on Feb. 20. The free event will run from 5:30-7:30 p.m. EST at Blue Orleans Seafood Restaurant, 1463 Market St., Chattanooga 37402. Special thanks to Geeter Law Office PLLC for sponsoring this event. All are welcome but an RSVP is required by Feb. 13. See a flyer for more information.

The TBA will be closed Monday in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The office will reopen Tuesday at 8 a.m. CST. Visit the TBA.org website for information on CLE or other TBA programs and for staff contact information.