The University of Tennessee at Martin’s ENTICE Series continues next week, featuring a keynote address and discussion with 1990 UT Martin alumnus, CNN commentator and political analyst Van Jones at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 17, in Watkins Auditorium in the Boling University Center.
Other events featured over the next two weeks include a “Night of Dance” and a student pop-up art event.
ENTICE stands for “Evolving Narratives: Tennessee Initiative for Civic Engagement,” and 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.
“We are excited to welcome alumnus Van Jones back to campus,” she said. “This will be a wonderful opportunity for our students to engage with a legal professional, media personality and UTM graduate with a heart for social justice.”
Following his address, Jones – a Jackson, Tennessee, native and a graduate of Jackson Central-Merry High School – will participate in a discussion moderated by his former professor, Dr. Jerald Ogg, professor of mass media and strategic communication.
CNN anchor and author Abby Phillip has been added to the ENTICE Series lineup. Her program at 6 p.m., Monday, Feb. 23, will feature a discussion on her recently published book, “A Dream Deferred: Jesse Jackson and the Fight for Black Political Power.” The program will be presented in Watkins Auditorium in the Boling University Center.
Other programs featured in the third and fourth week of the ENTICE Series are:
• Thursday, Feb. 19, 6 p.m., Watkins Auditorium, Boling University Center: “Night of Dance,” UT Martin dance students present a choreographed overview of various African American dance eras and legends.
• Thursday, Feb. 26, 6 p.m., Nick and Cathy Dunagan Alumni Center, a student pop-up art event featuring artwork created by UT Martin students that embraces the “Come Together” theme of the series.
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.
PHOTO: CNN political analyst and UTM alumnus Van Jones (left) and CNN anchor and author Abby Phillip will be the featured speakers in UT Martin’s ENTICE Series on Feb. 17 and Feb. 23, respectively. Phillip is a late addition to the 2026 ENTICE Series lineup. She will discuss her latest book, “A Dream Deferred: Jesse Jackson and the Fight for Black Political Power,” in her program.
