The schedule for the 2026 UT Martin ENTICE Series features discussions from CNN commentator and political analyst Van Jones, who is a UTM alumnus, and former U.S. Department of Education representative Chase Moore.
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.
“We are thrilled to welcome Van Jones back to campus,” she said. “We’ve followed Van’s work for years as an environmental advocate and political analyst. He is from Jackson and has strong ties to West Tennessee. This is a great opportunity for our students to meet one of the country’s leading media personalities who is a graduate of UTM.
“The theme ‘Come Together’ was inspired by a desire to help build community. In our fast-paced lives, everyone is moving in different directions with little time to stop and engage. The ENTICE Series presents many ways we can connect with each other. There will be music, film, dance, art, food, historical presentations and conversations about our current world. We’ll come together in the spirit of understanding our past and future as Americans.”
The schedule of events for the 2026 ENTICE Series includes:
• Tuesday, Feb. 3, 6 p.m., 206 Dr. Edward J. and Carolyn P. Boling University Center: Mental wellness advocate Jay Michael Martin Jr. shows the benefits of cooking to enhance our state of well-being and promote togetherness.
• Thursday, Feb. 5, 6 p.m., Phillip W. Watkins Auditorium, Boling University Center: “Community Celebration of Music,” a musical collaboration featuring The New Pacer Singers, The UTM Gospel Choir and the Discovery Park of America Choir.
• Monday, Feb. 9, 6 p.m., Watkins Auditorium, 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.
• Thursday, Feb. 12, 6 p.m., Watkins Auditorium, Boling University Center: “The Divine Nine: Legacy, Unity and Impact,” a presentation by members of the UTM National Panhellenic Council highlighting historical and cultural contributions of Black Greek organizations.
• Tuesday, Feb. 17, 6 p.m., Watkins Auditorium, Boling University Center: Van Jones, CNN commentator and political analyst and 1990 UTM alumnus discusses navigating journalism and news cycles.
• Thursday, Feb. 19, 6 p.m., Watkins Auditorium, Boling University Center: “Night of Dance,” UTM 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: Student Pop-Up Art Event, featuring artwork created by UTM students that embraces the “Come Together” theme of the series.
• Saturday, March 7, 9 a.m., Watkins Auditorium, Boling University Center: Student Leadership Summit, with sessions focusing on building and sharpening leadership skills among college students and local high school students. The keynote speaker is Chase Moore, a national education advocate who formerly served in the U.S. Department of Education.
• Tuesday, March 10, 6 p.m., Watkins Auditorium, Boling University Center: Screening of “Echoes of the Forks of Cypress,” featuring director Frederick Murphy. He will discuss his film that explores the shared pasts of Black and white descendants of a plantation in Florence, Alabama. Two of those descendants will join him.
Other events may be added to this schedule. Times and locations of events are subject to change.
For more information, 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: A photo of CNN commentator and political analyst Van Jones is provided. Jones, a 1990 UT Martin graduate, will be a guest speaker in the UT Martin ENTICE Series on Tuesday, Feb. 17.
