Discover Chattanooga's Vibrant Big Nine: The Historic MLK District
Chattanooga is a city of diverse communities, and the historic Martin Luther King District—once known as the Big Nine—stands out as one of its most dynamic areas for living, working, and enjoying arts and culture.
Today, the Big Nine along the MLK Corridor thrives with exciting organizations, businesses, and residents dedicated to fostering arts, culture, and community vitality.
Jazzanooga
Jazzanooga promotes jazz and related music across greater Chattanooga through performances and education. Launched in 2011 as a one-day festival, it has evolved into a nonprofit offering year-round programs, including a month-long celebration honoring the city's rich musical heritage. Check out their scheduled monthly events, such as the Night Cap series and Gospel and Soul Brunches. Don't miss the three-day international jazz festival in April.
The Bessie Smith Cultural Center
Situated in the former black enterprise zone (the historic 9th Street District, now MLK Boulevard), this center highlights African American contributions to Chattanooga's development. Its mission is to serve as a premier interdisciplinary hub promoting cultural, educational, and artistic excellence while fostering research on African and African American heritage through education, art, and entertainment.
Lindsay Street Hall
This recently restored historic venue offers southern elegance for private events in downtown Chattanooga. Originally the First Congregational Church for over a century, it now continues its legacy of bringing people together. Retaining early 1900s architectural details like 15-foot Victorian stained-glass windows, 20-foot ceilings with antique tiles, wrought-iron chandeliers, and an orchestra-style stage, the space features exposed brick and a neutral palette.
JJ's Bohemia
Chattanooga's beloved intimate venue caters to music lovers with artists across genres, prioritizing local bands. Open Tuesday through Sunday (occasional Mondays), it hosts bookings and Chattanooga's top Wednesday comedy open-mic—arrive early!
ArtsBuild
As Hamilton County's united arts fund and council, ArtsBuild unites cultural voices, advocating for a thriving arts ecosystem. It promotes Chattanooga's vibrant scene nationally to boost tourism and attract employers, ensuring a legacy for future generations.
SoundCorps
This 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 2015, grows Chattanooga's music economy through infrastructure, programs, and events. Its vision: Reestablish the city as a music mecca with more venues, studios, labels, and industry services.
Townsend Atelier
A Chattanooga visual art school and resource, Townsend Atelier offers classes in oil painting, watercolor, drawing, sculpture, collage, and more. Welcoming beginners to professionals, it provides quality instruction in a inspiring environment to nurture creativity.
Click HERE to view the full schedule of Big Nine events!
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MLK District Mural
"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." - Martin Luther King Jr.
Public Art Chattanooga commissioned renowned artist Meg Saligman for this 40,000-square-foot mural on the AT&T Building at 300 East MLK Boulevard—one of the country's largest. Inspired by local stories and history, it enhances neighborhood identity, beautification, and economic growth.
Featured video: MLK Mural Project: The Process
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Bessie Smith Cultural Center - Gateway to Freedom Exhibit
Partnering with the Mary Walker Historical and Education Foundation and Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, this exhibit explored African American roles in the Civil War, including local U.S. Colored Troops. Displayed February 1–April 30, 2016, at the Chattanooga African American Museum (open Mon–Fri, 10am–5pm; admission: $7 adults, $5 students/seniors, $3 ages 6-12, free under 6). Call 423-266-8658 for info.
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History
The MLK District embodies over 100 years of Chattanooga's African American history and commerce, listed on the National Register since 1994. Spanning five blocks between Houston and University streets adjacent to downtown, it was once the 'Big 9' (Ninth Street)—the city's primary cohesive Black community.
Key for its role in Black culture in southeast Tennessee, it featured worker housing, stately homes, and century-old commerce. Pioneers like E.O. Tade ('Father of the Ninth Street'), William 'Uncle Bill' Lewis, Randolph Miller, G.W. Franklin, Roland Hayes, and Bessie Smith shaped its legacy.
African Americans settled post-trading post era; Lewis built a blacksmith shop pre-Civil War. By 1880s, it was a distinct Black community. Miller edited The Weekly Blade; Franklin was Chattanooga's first Black undertaker. Hayes, an international tenor, started locally; Bessie Smith, 'Empress of the Blues,' performed streetside here.
