The first week of the University of Tennessee at Martin’s ENTICE Series begins Tuesday, Feb. 3, with mental wellness advocate Jay Michael Martin Jr. showing how the benefits of cooking can enhance people’s state of well-being and promote togetherness.
Now in its 26th year, ENTICE stands for “Evolving Narratives: Tennessee Initiative for Civic Engagement.” The theme of this year’s conference is “Come Together.” Dr. Henri Giles, assistant professor of African American studies, is the coordinator for the ENTICE series.
Martin’s program will be held at 6 p.m., Feb. 3, in Room 206 of the Dr. Edward J. and Carolyn P. Boling University Center.
Martin dealt with trauma at a young age, and the impact followed him through much of his adult life. With therapy and storytelling, he found his voice.
Martin will bring people together in his ENTICE program by sharing his mental wellness journey and putting on a cooking demonstration with students. He will talk about how cooking helped him during his healing.
Martin is a PBS host, media personality and storyteller whose work bridges emotional wellness, performing arts and meaningful community engagement. He began his on-screen journey as a local PBS host in Seattle, which led to national appearances during PBS pledge events for series like “American Masters,” “Gospel” and “Nature.”
He is also the creator of “Note to Self,” a monthly wellness segment on KOMO 4 News, and former host of “The Drive Project” podcast, a six-season series exploring mental health and real-life stories through interviews with changemakers, therapists and everyday voices.
Martin is also the national ambassador for Active Minds, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting mental health awareness, education and advocacy among young adults.
Other programs in the ENTICE Series in the first week are:
• “Community Celebration of Music,” a musical collaboration organized by Dr. Mark Statler, assistant professor of music, and featuring The New Pacer Singers, The UTM Gospel Choir and the Discovery Park of America Choir. The program will be held at 6 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 5, in the Phillip W. Watkins Auditorium of the Dr. Edward J. and Carolyn P. Boling University Center.
• “Dreaming Out Loud: The American Dream Under Review,” a student panel exploring the attainment of the American dream today and an examination of America’s promises to its citizens. The program will be held at 6 p.m., Monday, Feb. 9, in Watkins Auditorium.
All programs are free and open to the public.
For more information about the 2026 ENTICE Series, visit www.utm.edu/visit-ut-martin/entice.php.
For more information about UT Martin, visit www.utm.edu or call 1-800-829-UTM1 (-8861).
PHOTO: Jay Michael Martin Jr., a noted PBS host, media personality and mental wellness advocate, will open UT Martin’s 2026 ENTICE Series schedule Feb. 3. He will share how cooking helped him with his own healing.
