The University of Tennessee at Martin’s annual Civil Rights Conference is being rebranded with a new name. The annual event – which will be held this year from Feb. 3 through March 10 – is marking its 26th year.
The conference has been given the name “Evolving Narratives: Tennessee Initiative for Civic Engagement,” or ENTICE.
Begun in 2001, the event has brought several nationally-known speakers, historical figures, celebrities and witnesses of history to the UT Martin campus, including legendary civil rights icons such as Diane Nash, Bobby Seale, Nikki Giovanni, Joan Trumpauer Mulholland, the Rev. James Lawson and the Rev. Billy Kyles.
In recent years, conference speakers have included Michael Eric Dyson, Michelle Alexander, Tim Wise, José Hernández, Tamika Mallory and Eddie Glaude.
Dr. Henri Giles, assistant professor of African American studies in the Department of History and Philosophy and the director of the event, said she was excited about the rebranding.
“I think it reflects the direction the Civil Rights Conference is moving,” she said. “The organizers had a vision 26 years ago to honor and learn from some of the architects of the Civil Rights Movement.
“UTM has welcomed some incredible Americans over the years, and there aren’t many universities with our impressive track record. Having meaningful conversations and engaging with some of this country’s most respected voices will continue.”
Giles added that the student involvement is an important part of the conference’s events, enhancing their education.
“Seeing the many ways our students express themselves through discussion panels, art, music and dance tells me they are paying attention to the world around them and want to engage,” she said. “People will notice the shift in the conference’s name, but they won’t see a change in the dedication to expanding opportunities for educational and civic engagement.”
Chancellor Yancy Freeman Sr. said he expects the rebranding to enhance the popular program that enters its second quarter-century.
“This rebranding builds on the strong foundation we’ve established through the Civil Rights Conference: the nationally recognized speakers, the meaningful student involvement and the powerful conversations that have emerged,” he said. “It gives us greater flexibility to create the enriching, memorable experiences that define a transformative education.”
Dr. David Coffey, chair of the Department of History and Philosophy, said he has worked with the Civil Rights Conference for 25 years. He was pleased with what the rebranding meant for the event.
“ENTICE expands on the meaningful engagement that UTM’s award-winning conference has stood for since its inception, by opening new discussions, new avenues for discovery and new collaborations,” he said. “We are particularly excited about the opportunities for greater student and community involvement presented by year-round programming, all while retaining the conference’s core mission and values.
Dr. Jeffrey Bibbee, dean of the College of Humanities and Fine Arts, said the rebranding also includes an educational aspect for students.
“ENTICE is really designed around the idea of broadening student and university civic engagement,” he said. “We want our students to see how they are part of their local, state, national and global communities and to understand how they can participate in broader civic conversations that connect history, politics, society and culture.”
Giles said the event will not change its focus through the rebranding, but will enable the program to build and expand.
“The term ‘civil rights’ encompasses an array of topics and groups, and we will continue having those conversations in a broader way,” she said. “Just as we’ve seen the Civil Rights Conference grow from a two-day event 26 years ago to a month-long conference, we are now expanding the conversations.
“The ENTICE Series will allow the university to present speakers and programs throughout the year. It also gives students an opportunity to plan sessions and discuss timely topics.”
For more information about UT Martin, visit www.utm.edu or call 1-800-829-UTM1 (-8861).
PHOTO: Social justice activist and seven-time New York Times bestselling author Michael Eric Dyson (center) speaks at the 2025 Civil Rights Conference, fielding questions from Dr. Danny Pirtle Jr., associate professor of criminal justice (left), and Dr. Henri Giles, assistant professor of African American studies and director of the conference. The event is being rebranded as “ENTICE.”
