Urban Voice March 2017

March is Women’s History Month: Salute to Maya Angelou

UrbanVoice Culture News Politics

CHATTANOOGA | KNOXVILLE

MARCH 2017

07 WORD ON THE STREET These Nine HBCUs are Celebrating their 150th Anniversaries in 2017.

Have You Heard the

The Ed Johnson Story?

!

INSIDE

1906 Lynching in Chattanooga, TN

15 Upcoming events A Night to Remember Neighborhood Conference HBCU Empower2 Commissioner Mackey Education Forum Unity Group Meeting

MARCH 7TH ELECTION DAY CHATTANOOGA , TN

don’t forget to visit

Black Voters Feel Ignored by the Democratic Party

www.theurbanvoice.org

05 Political News

Power of Information.

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Celebrating Women’s History Month:

Remembering Maya Angelou

By Jermaine D. Harper PRESIDENT/CHIEF EDITOR

Women’s rights have evolved significantly over the past century and March 1 marked the start of an entire month dedicated to honoring and remembering those who have triumphed over mounting challenges.

From earning the right to vote in 1920 to calling for equal pay for equal work in 2017, women have overcome great obstacles over time in their efforts for equality.

Now, every March, we celebrate their achievements to date.

This month, I decided to share my thoughts about a recently released PBS documentary that featured the life of writer-actor-activist Maya Angelou. Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise, premiered on PBS last month and is now available on pbs.org (I highly recommend). The film traces Angelou’s life from growing up in the deep South through her early work in avant garde theater to traveling to Ghana with Malcolm X. Over the course of her life, Maya Angelou was a brilliant author, poet, playwright, actress, director, composer, singer, a loyal friend, a civil rights leader and truly a phenomenal woman. But, above all, she was a storyteller. Her childhood was plagued by abuse and suffering. In fact, that suffering caused her to stop speaking.

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“Do the best you can until you know better, then when you know better, do better - Maya Angelou But, one day she found her voice.

And the voice she found helped inspired generations of people. She challenged us to be our best selves.

She was indeed powerful, inspiring and motivational.

Imagine being friends with Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, Jr and James Baldwin. She inspired the work of Alfre Woodard, Cicely Tyson and Louis Gossett, Jr. What a woman. What a great human being she was. Although Maya was indeed a phenomenal woman, she walked with Kings and never lost the common touch. Maya was comfortable at the White House and the Fish fry.

Through timeless works such as I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Dr. Angelou encouraged and stirred the soul of America.

We can honor Dr. Angelou and the countless women like her – by how we live our lives—by striving every day to embrace the wisdom of the women in our lives, to give unselfishly, to love others the way we desire to be loved.

In what ways will you participate in and honor Women’s History Month?

What victories will you celebrate and which will you continue to work toward?

As a reminder, Tuesday, March 7th is election day in Chattanooga.

Although we may not live in a

perfect democracy, we do live in a participatory one, and its does not begin and end on Election Day. Casting your vote matters, However, we must tie the vote to real policy reform through sustained community organizing. Voting is the most powerful collective tool we can use to achieve reform.

This March, we must hold our elected officials accountable and ensure they take policy positions that promote equity and fairness. When we don’t vote, we allow bad actors to maintain their power and influence over our daily lives.

Let me be clear, while we must keep the equality dream alive, it is past time to shake ourselves awake from dreamy delusions about race in America and just wake-up. “Wake-up, everybody!” As the old folks used to say, “You gonna sleep yourself to death.” The deaths here are a political death, an economic death, a liberty death and a spiritual death of purpose.

With that said. Find your VOICE and #Staywoke!

Until Next month, #STAYWOKE

JD Harper

Dark And Lovely Celebrates 45 Years Of Catering To The Beauty Needs Of African American Women Dark and Lovely, the brand that caters to the hair care and styling needs of women of color, celebrated the kick-off of its 45th Anniversary with a commemorative event in New York City, yesterday. The festivities which, highlighted Dark and Lovely’s rich heritage and impact within the African American community, was attended by leading beauty media and influencers. “Since its inception in 1972, Dark and Lovely has helped women of color embrace their unique and highly individual styles, by offering innovative products and technology exclusively designed to meet their needs,” said Melinda Johnson, Assistant Vice President, Marketing, Dark and Lovely. “Regardless of hair type – whether naturally curly, straight, color-treated or in a protective style – we pride ourselves on offering an array of regimens and treatments to manage these hair styles and textures.”

How Spanish-Language Distribution Can Maximize Your Reach Content distributed to the U.S. markets in English is a great idea. Content distributed in English AND Spanish to the U.S. markets is even better. Why? Despite English being the top-spoken language in the United States with more than 231 million speakers, Spanish is the next most spoken language with more than 37 million speakers – that’s more than twice the speakers of the next 23 most popular languages, according to a recent World Atlas update.

And that number is growing. Pew Research Center said 57 million Hispanic people lived in the U.S. in 2015 and Latinos accounted for 54% of total population growth in the U.S. And although U.S. Hispanic people of all age groups are predominantly bilingual, according to the Nielsen Hispanic Consumer Report, Spanish still surpasses English as the dominant language for those 35 and older.

“All kids deserve a safe and secure place to live and play. That’s why we have invested in the largest and best funded neighborhood park in Alton Park.

I need your help to bring our community together to build a better future.”

- Chris Anderson

PAID FOR BY CHRIS ANDERSON FOR CITY COUNCIL, WILLIAM JOYNER, TREAS.

NATIONAL

URBAN VOICE

Black Voters Feel Ignored By the Democratic Party Cornell Belcher, the CEO of Brilliant Corners Research, said that it’s no surprise that Black voters have presented a very clear mandate to the Congressional Black Caucus to oppose the Trump Administration, because 92 percent of African Americans voted against President Trump.

“However, to maintain this broad level of support among African American voters, Democrats more broadly will have to reevaluate the way they are engaging this critical section of [their] base,” Belcher said in a statement on February 9.

Belcher made a presentation and presented his new study to members of the Congressional Black Caucus at their retreat on February 7. House Democrats then departed to Baltimore for their annual three-day retreat the next day.

Belcher’s phone survey questioned 601 African Americans, at least 18 years-old, and registered to vote; the survey was conducted from January 4-8.

The results of the Belcher survey showed that African American voters were dissatisfied with President Trump and the direction of the country, and want more drastic tactics used to fight programs and policies that negatively impact their communities. The results also showed that protecting social security, reforming the criminal justice system, keeping the country safe from terrorists and other issues are priorities for African Americans.

“African Americans are the Democratic Party’s most loyal voters and they should be treated as such,” said Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-La.), the chairman of the CBC, regarding the new study. “The results of this survey are clear marching orders for the Congressional Black Caucus — African Americans want Democrats to stop using the same old playbook and to make substantive progress on the issues that affect their communities.”

Here are some of the findings from Belcher’s study: • A large majority of African American voters (63 percent) feel taken for granted by the Democratic Party. This startling majority represents a growing problem among one of the most critical components of Democrats winning

coalition. The outcome of the 2016 election was widely the result of this coalition splintering away from the top of the ticket along the margins with younger and browner voters.

• The majority of African American voters (53 percent) want the Congressional Black Caucus to oppose President Trump.

While 53 percent is not an overwhelming majority, it does represent an unusual decision for voters that normally prefer cooperation rather than obstruction from elected officials in Washington.

• African-American voters broadly support more drastic tactics to obstruct the Trump administration, including not confirming President Trump’s appointees (53 percent), sit-ins and other acts of civil disobedience.

• African-American voters are overwhelmingly dissatisfied (69 percent) with the direction of the country now, a drastic departure from the satisfaction they experienced during the Obama administration. Only 22 percent of African Americans are satisfied with direction of the country now, while 69 percent are dissatisfied.

• The list of important priorities for African American voters includes: Protecting Social Security (88 percent, very important), keeping us safe from terrorists (78 percent), criminal justice reform (74 percent), reforming the election process so the candidate with the majority wins (72 percent), investigating Russian interference with the 2016 election (72 percent), protecting Obama’s legacy (71 percent), banning assault weapons (61 percent), and blocking Sessions (60 percent) are the top legislative priorities for African Americans nationally.

Chattanooga’s ArtsBuild Announces New Grant ArtsBuild will be accepting applications for two new grant programs this spring: Mission Support Grants and Program/ Project Support Grants.

Mission Support Grants replace our current Cultural Partner grant program and are designed to support access to the arts by providing general operating funds to eligible organizations that have arts at the center of their mission.

Interested organizations that have not received Cultural Partner funding in the past must contact Rodney Van Valkenburg at (423) 777-4214 by March 10, 2017.

Application deadline is March 31, 2017.

Program/Project Support Grants support access to the arts by providing funds for arts programs and projects to eligible arts and non-arts non-profit organizations and government entities.

Applications will be available March 3, 2017. Deadline is April 30, 2017.

Unity Group of Chattanooga Monthly Meeting- March 5th

ll CHATTANOOGA, TN — The Unity Groupd of Chattanooga would like to invite you to their monthly meeting on Sunday, March 5, 2017 at 5:00 PM. Location: Eastdale Village Community United Methodist Church 1403 Tunnel Blvd Chattanooga, TN 37411 Issues: Get Out the Vote Affordable Housing Economic Summit For more Information: Contact CONTACT MR. SHERMAN MATTHEWS AT 423-364-3501 OR PASTOR CHARLOTTE S. WILLIAMS AT 404-944-6680

HBCU Empower2 Conference ll Mark your calendars, and plan to attend the HBCU Empower2 Conference June 26–28, 2017 at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, TN. This 2017 program will focus on developing students academically for entry into health and science careers. We are inviting all presidents, faculty, and staff from HBCU institutions and others to participate in this three-day meeting.

Why Attend?

Bethlehem Center To Host Spring Break Basketball Camp CHATTANOOGA, TN– Area boys who love the game of basketball will have an opportunity to learn some new techniques and essential life skills during their spring break at Pound the Pavement. This week-long basketball camp will be offered at The Bethlehem Center from 8 a. m.-1 p.m. from March 20-24 for boys between the ages of 11 – 17. Chattanooga transplant and founder of Pound the Pavement and Progressive Youth Corporation, David Boyd, will lead the camp. The cost to attend Pound the Pavement is $50. Limited sponsorships are available. To register, to sponsor a student, or to obtain additional information, contact David Boyd at (313) 829-5978.

Participating schools and working groups will attend sessions to examine recommendations from their institutions and the previous conference on best practices.

General sessions with renowned education authorities will provide an update on the current political climate and other factors that provide unprecedented opportunities for HBCUs to increase the competitiveness of the HBCU health and science applicant pool.

Larry Scott is Tennessee’s 1st black offensive coordinator in 121-year history ll In being promoted to offensive coordinator last month, Larry Scott, 40, became the first black offensive coordinator in the 121-year history of Tennessee football.

Among the 128 head coaches at the Football Bowl Subdivision level, only 13 are black, including Vanderbilt’s Derek Mason. Scott is one of only 17 black offensive coordinators at the FBS level. Scott is the only offensive coordinator among the four in the SEC that doesn’t share the role as co-coordinator.

Defensively, there are 32 black coordinators,

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Pay Young Black Folks to Do The Work They Want To Do Written by: Tiffany Dena Loftin, Contributor {Racial Justice Coordinator for the Civil, Human, and Women’s Rights Department at the AFL-CIO}

Now more than ever, we need young black organizers all over the country to lead us forward – young black organizers who will advance progressive messaging, innovate political strategy, refresh electoral organizing and call in issue campaigns that uphold core priorities for our liberation. There are over 500 nonprofit progressive organizations in DC alone. Every single one of them should have job positions for young black people to do work that they want to do for their communities and for the world.

It’s pretty simple: without these young black organizers at the helm, too, we can’t win.

I work with many organizations and nonprofits that preach the same values I do, but the faces behind the work don’t look like mine. Instead, young black folks are often the interns, the part-time staff and the seasonal organizers.

Or they occupy a single, token seat on the board. In a movement that preaches equality, if we really want to have a strong progressive agenda, we must make room and create more roles that allow black folks opportunities to do the work

that they love and to lead.

There is a major disconnect between what institutions do for urban communities and what these communities actually need.

The disconnect is rooted in the intersection of high unemployment and lack of representation within institutions that advocate on their behalf. The only way forward from this disconnect is to hire and cultivate black talent to do the work we so desperately need in this battle against white supremacy.

There is a major disconnect between what institutions do for urban communities and what these communities actually need.

Yes, progressive non-profit and labor movements need to create more institutionalized, well-paid opportunities for young black people to hold space and train others. But we must also be the voice of our liberation right now.

There are some things we must do immediately to fuel this revolution, to eliminate the disconnections and to move forward from our collective power.

First, trust young black people.

In order to get rid of the institutional racism that prevents

organizations from trusting black people to do the work that is necessary to win, we can start by just going ahead and trusting black people, including young black people. Everyone. Right now.

Go ahead and try it. But don’t just try it. Trust young black people completely. Trust us deeply. Young black people have got this every bit as much as the next person, and maybe more so.

I am a believer that the people directly affected by the problem are in the best position to say how we should address and change the problem. In order for black people to get out of the jobs crisis, black people are the ones who must set the agenda and make the needed demands to fix the economy.

Other nonblack folks who study the problem will have great suggestions too, but black people are fully capable of demanding what they need. It’s clear that black people and young black people aren’t the decision makers in government, so our elected officials should look to black organizations and thought leaders for solutions to end the black jobs crisis.

That means progressive nonprofits need to trust black people and the diversity of thought and experience that each person brings to the table. By trust, again, I mean seriously allow them to own their work and vision. It also means knowing when to move on when you’ve been in the organization for too long, to make room for young people to join in the work. I think if this were the case, the progressive movement wouldn’t be in the mess it’s in.

Don’t just create jobs – foster new talent in young Black folks.

Second, institutionalize training opportunities for young black folks.

I’ve traveled all over the country for the last six years speaking to high school seniors, college students and young workers in the labor movement. At the end of my keynote address or workshop, young people always privately approach me with the same question: “How did you find such a great organizing job?” I imagine this question comes up often because I am both young and I get paid t­­­o do good work for the communities I care about – not the norm. Truth be told, there

aren’t nearly enough employment opportunities like the position I currently hold.

Too many young talented black people serve as consultants for seasonal projects for nonprofit progressive organizations, when they should be hired as full-time staff and trained and empowered to create the work that impacts their communities. I’ve been fortunate to find positions within organizations that match my values, allowing me to work with progressive-minded people and cater to my personal and professional development.

Third, the philanthropic world needs to invest in black leadership.

Standing organizations now are under-resourced and unsupported.

A lot of foundations are expanding or re-creating racial justice projects and funds. There needs to be a systematic fair process that uplifts well-known black organizers and black organizers that aren’t so popular as well.

Too often in the progressive movement, the dollars determine the vision when it should be the other way around.

of your small debts.

7. DO NOT CO-SIGN: When you co-sign for anything, including a vehicle and that person don’t pay, the creditor will take you to court and will sue and garnish your pay.

Meaning… you paying for a debt of someone else.

8.DECIDING TO FILE BANKRUPTCY: If you are planning on filing bankruptcy you should know this. There are two types of bankruptcies a chapter 7 and chapter 13. A chapter 7 is filing a complete bankruptcy. Filing chapter 7 could be a problem if you are behind on your house or car note because the court or Trustee can make you return the item.

Another bankruptcy is chapter 13 which is a repayment plan. Chapter 13 allows you to pay your secured creditors ( car and house) first and then your secondary (medical and credit cards). You have to make the payments on time and you can

not be late on the payment cause it will result in dismissal of your case.

But what an Attorney does not tell you that the court can make a determination if you file. Meaning if you file chapter 7 and the court see you have greater assets they can order you to file for chapter 13.

Filing bankruptcy is suppose to be on your credit for seven years but many creditors allow you credit after your case is discharged.

9. QUICK CREDIT REPAIR COMPANIES: Before you go and pay for credit repair you might want to save yourself some money by pulling your own credit and again disputing the simply items. If the credit bureau do not delete your disputed item you can go to www. consumerfinance.gov.

10. CREDITORS CONTACTING YOU. Finally, creditors are not suppose to contact you at work, on your cell phone, or after 8pm.

The Legal Beagle: Bad Credit........Are You Sure?

Written by: Samantha Reed-Rajapakse, Contributor

It always seems to amaze me during tax season you see some of the most barely operating vehicles on the road today. Many with drive out tags parked on the side of the road ready for a tow truck to come. Putting down a large down payment on a use car can take most of your tax dollars. But the big issue is, is your credit really that bad? So many people are unaware of their credit score and items on their credit. Creditor prey on the ignorance of those who don’t

monitor their credit. But here are some facts you may want to do to simply repair your damage credit.

1. PULL YOUR CREDIT: You can pull your credit and credit score for free. You can go to www. freecreditsreport.com. This site can allow you to pull your credit from the three bureaus and see what is on your credit. If you are not computer savvy you can call and get a form to fill out to request for your three credit score.

2. HOW TO DISPUTE: There are so many creditors who sell your account to other creditors which in turns call you in attempting to collect on an old debt. By pulling your credit, you can dispute that account.

3. CREDIT YOU OBTAINED AS A MINOR: There are adults who are dealing with bad credit that was obtained by their parents getting utilities in their name. Today the credit bureaus have software in

place to prevent anyone from doing that now. But for those who are dealing with this issue, you can dispute these creditors for this to be removed off your credit .

4. ATTEMPT TO SETTLE THE DEBT: Many creditors are willing to settle a debt for pennies on the dollars to keep from writing it off or you filing bankruptcy. Contact your creditors to see if you can settle the account.

5. EXPLAIN YOUR EMPLOYMENT STATUS: It would be a good ideal if you are unemployed longer than 30 days to contact the creditors to make special arrangements on your payment. If you own a home you can contact www.keepmyhometn. gov to apply for assistance to pay your mortgage for up to 18 months.

6. USE YOUR TAX MONEY TO PAY OFF DEBTS: Using your tax dollars can go far if you use some of your tax dollars to pay off some

These nine HBCUs are celebrating their 150th anniversaries in 2017 ll In 1867, nine historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) were established, which means 2017 represents 150 years of black excellence in education. These universities have produced academic scholars, top athletes, awardwinning musicians and actors, politicians and everyday people who have gone on to impact the world. Here are the nine colleges and universities celebrating this special milestone, and few tidbits and facts about their founders, history and some of the things that make them unique.

ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY Alabama State University was originally formed in Marion, Alabama, and named the Lincoln Normal School.

The founders, known as the “Marion Nine,” were nine freed slaves who founded the school with $500 to purchase the land and lay the foundation.

BARBER-SCOTIA COLLEGE The college began as Scotia Seminary, educating newly freed female slaves, until it merged with Barber Memorial College in 1930 to form Barber-Scotia College.

One notable alumna is

Mary McLeod Bethune, who attended when it was still a seminary. She went on to found Bethune-Cookman University, another private and historically black college.

FAYETTEVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY Fayetteville State University was founded by seven black men, and is the second-oldest statesupported school in North Carolina.

HOWARD UNIVERSITY Howard is in fact the real HU by one year (sorry, Hampton), and has one of the largest HBCU student populations. The university has produced Rhodes scholars, Truman scholars, Fulbright scholars, Picking Fellows and one Marshall scholar, just to name a few of the achievements of some of its accomplished students.

JOHNSON C. SMITH UNIVERSITY Johnson C. Smith was founded by Rev. S.C. Alexander and Rev. W.L. Miller, and was originally named Biddle Memorial Institute before its current name came to be in 1923.

MOREHOUSE COLLEGE It may be best known as the alma mater of Martin Luther King Jr. (class of 1948),

but there are several other important accolades that Morehouse has to be proud of.

The college was founded by Rev. William Jefferson White as the Augusta Theological Institute, and was renamed Morehouse College in 1913 after Henry L. Morehouse.

Other notable Morehouse Men are actor Samuel L. Jackson, movie director Spike Lee, Olympian Edwin Moses, former Secretary of Health and Human Services Louis Sullivan, former Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson, former U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher and former Atlanta mayor Maynard Jackson.

MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY Morgan State University was originally founded as the Centenary Biblical Institute, and was renamed Morgan College in 1890 to honor Rev. Lyttleton Morgan. It was a private institution until 1939 until the state of Maryland bought it to provide more academic opportunities for black students.

ST. AUGUSTINE’S UNIVERSITY St. Augustine’s University began as a Normal School and Collegiate Institute, and was renamed from

Saint Augustine’s Normal School to Saint Augustine’s School in 1893. The name was changed again to Saint Augustine’s Junior College in 1919, and to Saint Augustine’s College in 1928.

The school officially became St. Augustine’s University in 2012. St. Augustine’s has a rich history in media and athletics. It was the first HBCU to own on-campus radio and television stations, and the track team has won 36 national championships since 1976. The coach of the track team, George “Pup” Williams, has also coached 39 Olympians, including three gold medalists.

TALLADEGA COLLEGE Alabama’s oldest, private historically black college was founded by two former slaves, William Savery and Thomas Tarrant to educate children of former slaves.

The marching band is largest student organization on campus, and recently performed at the inauguration of President Donald Trump.

The band received $300,000 in donations for the trip to Washington, D.C. The trip itself cost $100,000, and the rest of the money will go to improving the band program.

Hamilton County Commissioner Warren Mackey to host Townhall Style Forum on Education-March 13th

CHATTANOOGA, TN — Hamilton County Commissioner Warren Mackey will host a Town Hall style forum on March 13, 2017. Commissioner Mackey will join representatives from the Hamilton County Department of Education (Dr. Kirk Kelly), the Public Education Foundation (Dan Challener), Chattanooga 2.0 (Jared Bigham), other Elected officials and Community Representatives to talk about the State of Public Education in Hamilton County. He will give updates on his work in Hamilton County and faciliate candid discussion about the budget, equity in funding, strategies to raise test scores and the Superintedent search process. The public is invited to attend.

WHAT: Town Hall Meeting about Public Education in Hamilton County WHEN: Monday, March 13, 6:00- 8:00 PM (EST) WHERE: Orchard Knob Baptist Church 1734 East 3rd Street Chattanooga, TN

Community Leaders Invited To 2017 Chattanooga Neighborhood University CHATTANOOGA, TN.-The city of Chattanooga’s Department of Economic & Community Development invites emerging and engaged community leaders, who are interested in being more involved in their city and neighborhood, to attend Neighborhood University on March 3-4.

“Chattanoogans should have access to tools and resources to reach their neighborhood’s potential, whether that’s organizing to clean up a community park, mobilizing to impact zoning changes, or engaging with police to solve problems,” said Donna Williams, administrator of ECD. “Through

Neighborhood University, we are increasing the capacity of neighborhood leaders and aspiring leaders of community-based organizations to utilize their assets to lead and affect change in their city.”

This year, participants are able to choose from three tracts of classes across two days of workshops on subjects such as using community assets to improve neighborhoods, collaborating community-wide to influence and affect decisions in neighborhoods, and including youth to affect change in communities.

Community leaders who complete

Neighborhood University will have an opportunity to apply for grants from green|spaces, who is a new partner this year. Empower Chattanooga, a program of green|spaces, will fund 12 neighborhood projects up $1,000 each to help Neighborhood University graduates implement community energy efficiency ideas.

“Residents have amazing ideas on ways they can help solve the issue of high utility bills in their neighborhoods,” said Sam Fulbright, Empower coordinator. “The idea of the grant program was inspired by Project Porch Light. A resident in the Highland Park

neighborhood wanted to reduce criminal activity and thought that by giving people a free LED light bulb, they would be able to keep their porch light on all night with adding just $1 annually to their utility bill.”

Neighborhood University, which ECD launched in 2014, is a free program for community leaders. For this year’s participants, breakfast and lunch will be provided both days.

For more information visit connect.chattanooga.gov/ neighborhooduniversity, or interested participants may call 643-7306.

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Social.

events

ATLANTA

APRIL 7 Festival Of Laughs: Mike Epps, Bruce Bruce, Sommore, Arnez J Philips Arena | 8pm APRIL 15 Rod Man ​Buckhead Theatre | 7:30pm​ MAY 24 Lionel Richie: All The Hits With Very Special Guest Mariah Carey ​Phillips Arena | 7pm MAY 26-28 Chris Rock: Total Blackout Tour ​Fox Theatre

NASHVILLE

MARCH 31 Legends of Hip Hop - Scarface, 8ball & MJG, Trick Daddy, Bun B, Mystikal, Juvenile, Project Pat Nashville Auditorium | 8pm APRIL 5 Gladys Knight Schermerhorn Symphony Center | 7:30pm APRIL 28 Keith Sweat, K-Ci & JoJo, 112, Ginuwine Nashville Municipal Auditorium | 8pm APRIL 30 Chris Brown, 50 Cent, O.t. Genasis, Fabolous, Kap G Bridgestone Arena | 8pm MAY 18 John Legend Ascend Amphitheater

MAY 20 Lionel Richie, Mariah Carey Bridgestone Arena | 7pm JUNE 9 Boney James Schermerhorn Symphony Center | 8pm

BIRMINGHAM

MARCH 11 6th Annual Natural Hair and Health Expo BJCC MARCH 24 Charlie Wilson’s In It To Win It Tour with Fantasia and Johnny Gill BJCC Legacy Arena | 7:30pm MARCH 24 Chris Rock BJCC Concert Hall

NASHVILLE

APRIL 7 Festival Of Laughs: Mike Epps, Bruce Bruce, Sommore, Arnez J Philips Arena | 8pm APRIL 15 Rod Man ​Buckhead Theatre | 7:30pm​ MAY 24 Lionel Richie: All The Hits With Very Special Guest Mariah Carey ​Phillips Arena | 7pm MAY 26-28 Chris Rock: Total Blackout Tour ​Fox Theatre

Shanklin & Son’s CARPET+ HARDWOODS + LAMINATES

2640 E. Magnolia, Knoxville, TN. 9 A.M to5P.M (865) 522-6161 Fax- (865) 525-7881

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his last words: “God bless you all. i am innocent”

In 1906, a young 23 year old black man was murdered by a lynch mob in his home town.

The Ed johnson story Written by: Lynn Cole | JD Harper | Photo: Brian Archie

L

ong before being hailed as one of the longest pedestrian bridges in the world and the venue for Wine over Water and other Chattanooga signature events, the historic Walnut Street Bridge was the backdrop of one of the most heinous miscarriages of justice in United States History – the lynching of 23 year-old Edward Johnson on the evening of March 19, 1906.

Built in 1890, Johnson’s was the second lynching to have occurred on Chattanooga’s Walnut Street Bridge. The first, that of Alfred Blount, happened thirteen years prior - the story of which is still untold. And if it wasn’t for the late, Leroy Phillips, a Chattanooga attorney, and notable journalist Mark Curriden, who shared the story of Johnson’s tragic death in the book, Contempt of Court: The Turn-of-the-Century That Launched a Hundred Years of Federalism, little might still be known of Edward Johnson.

Not unlike Emmitt Till, Johnson was accused of accosting a white woman. This time, as opposed to whistling, the accusation was rape and assault. This time the victim was twenty-something year old Nevada Taylor, who at first claimed to have blacked out and only recalled being raped after being seen by local doctors.

Taylor’s attacked was hailed by the local newspaper as “the worse crime in history”, and the hunt for a frail Negro man with a leather belt was underway. Johnson, who was black and poor with only a third grade education, was arrested, and on two occasions he was sent to Nashville to be housed by the local Sheriff, Joseph F. Shipp out of fear that he would be lynched by a mob prior to having his day in court.

Within two weeks of his arrest,

Johnson was tried, convicted and sentenced to death by an all-white jury.

During the trial Taylor testified that she “believed” Johnson was the man who attacked her, but refused to swear to the fact. She was so uncertain that one of the jurors cried out “as God sees you, can you say that he is the right Negro?” She could not.

There was only one witness that testified that they had seen Johnson around the location of the attack shortly before it occurred. In contrast, eight witnesses testified that they had seen Johnson at the Last Chance Saloon, a local bar where he worked, all evening including during the time period of the attack. One juror physically attacked Johnson during trial and begged to be let loose to rip out Johnson’s heart.

Sentenced to die by hanging.

Johnson’s trial lawyers one inexperienced, one a known alcoholic, both white - convinced him not to seek appeal, citing that his death would be inevitable and that an appeal would only bring death to family members as well. Instead, Johnson’s father, known only in historical documents as “Skin Bone” Johnson , sought the help of two local African American attorneys, Noah Parden and Styles Hutchins.

Parden received his law degree in 1891 and begin working as an attorney in Chattanooga shortly after. Hutchins, the first African American to be admitted to the Georgia bar and the second African American Tennessee legislator had been practicing law for nearly 25 years when he met Ed Johnson.

Parden and Hutchins argued that the trial had been full of legal errors including the attack against Johnson by a member of the jury, exclusion of

blacks from the jury pool, and a so-called mob mentality in the courtroom during the trial.

Nevertheless, the Chattanooga court refused to reopen the case and the Tennessee Supreme Court refused to authorize a stay of execution that would have allowed for a new trial.

The lawyers then filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus with the U.S. Federal Court in Knoxville, citing the Habeas Corpus Act of 1867, which allowed defendants in state court cases to seek relief from federal courts if they believed their Constitutional rights had been violated. He argued that the state courts had violated Johnson’s rights by excluding blacks from juries, a form of discrimination which the United States Supreme Court had determined to be illegal. Although the court rejected this argument, Judge C.D. Clark did stay Johnson’s execution to allow his lawyers to appeal the case to the United States Supreme Court.

On March 17, 1906, Johnson’s lawyers presented his petition before United States Supreme Court Justice John Marshall Harlan, arguing that the Johnson trial had included flagrant violations of Johnson’s Constitutional rights. The following day the Court accepted the case, staying Johnson’s sentence and ordering both sides to prepare for oral arguments.

However, on March 19, 1906, the day the United States Supreme Court agreed to hear his case, Johnson was lynched on the Walnut Street Bridge by an angry white mob. Historical accounts show that as news of the Court’s decision to issue a stay and hear Johnson’s case reached Chattanooga, groups of men began gathering and talking about taking the law into their own hands. These men then stormed to the jail, and using sledge hammers and

axes, broke into Johnson’s jail cell, took him to the Walnut Street Bridge, and prepared to hang him. It is recorded, that when asked if he had any last words, Johnson replied “God bless you all. I am an innocent man.” As he was hoisted up and hung, shots were fired into his body.

When the lynching rope gave way before the strangulation was complete, Johnson fell onto the pavement below. Uncertain that he was dead, one of the sheriff’s deputies fired multiple shots into his body. It was eleven o’clock at night, and the murderous mob dispersed as quickly as it had assembled.

Around midnight, a horsedrawn cart from a “colored” funeral home came, and three men “scooped up” the mortal remains of Ed Johnson and carried them away. According to the coroner, his body had been riddled with more than fifty bullets from assailants.

Johnson’s lynching resulted in the only criminal trial ever conducted by the United States Supreme Court. President Theodore Roosevelt condemned the lynching and sent two Secret Service agents to Chattanooga to investigate the situation. As a result, Sheriff Shipp, a former officer in the Confederate Army, was charged with criminal contempt. Shipp denied active involvement in the plot, but evidence indicated that he had connived in the lynching as the facts showed that he had relieved all protection, except an elderly deputy from duty at the jail and moved all other prisoners with the exception of Johnson and a female prisoner on the night of the lynching. Shipp was tried by the Supreme Court, found guilty, and was sentenced to ninety days in a federal prison in Washington, D. C. After serving two-thirds of his sentence, Shipp was released early (for good behavior). He

returned home to Chattanooga, where a crowd of some 10,000 local whites turned out to give him a hero’s welcome while a band played “Dixie” and “Home Sweet Home.”

There is no marker to remind pedestrians and bikers about the lynching that took place on the Walnut Street Bridge on the night of March 19, 1906. Ninety-four years after Johnson was brutally murdered on Walnut Street Bridge, another trial took place in Chattanooga. This time his conviction and death sentence were overturned—alas, posthumously—in a Tennessee court of law. Hamilton County Criminal Court Judge Doug Meyer remarked, “It really is hard for us in the white community to imagine how badly blacks were treated at that time. It’s still a continuing struggle.” Sheriff Shipp’s grandson, who was alive at the time, expressed a contrary view. “It’s water under the bridge, as far as I’m concerned,” he said. “We can’t go back and undo things that were done ninety years ago.” Last year, a group of Chattanooga leaders celebrated Tennessee House Joint Resolution 701 recognizing Johnson. His body is buried in Pleasant Garden Cemetery, alongside other notable Chattanoogans including The Scottsboro Boys, G. W. Franklin, or the great grandfather of Lionel Richie.

There is truth in the statement that we can’t go back. But perhaps the next time we take a stroll across, or partake a sip of wine while lounging, or enjoying the Riverbend sights from the Walnut Street Bridge we will remember Ed Johnson.

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A New Mayor Focused On You.

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LEGAL NOTICE Proposals will be received by the City of Chattanooga, Purchasing Department, 101 East 11th Street, Suite G13, Chattanooga, Tennessee, until: April 20, 2017TIME: 4:00 PM RFP # _150119_At that time, Proposals will be accepted for the purchase of: REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR EASTDALE MURAL PROJECT The City of Chattanooga, at its discretion, may not open a single bid. The City of Chattanooga reserves the right to reject any and/or all bids received, to waive any informalities in the bids received, and to accept any bid that, in its opinion, may be for the best interest of the City. The City of Chattanooga will be nondiscriminatory in the purchase of all goods and services on the basis of race, color, or natural origin. City of Chattanooga Deidre Keylon, Buyer dmkeylon@chattanooga.govPhone (423) 6437231Fax (423) 643-724420170227 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Proposals will be received by the City of Chattanooga, Purchasing Department, 101 East 11th Street, Suite G13, Chattanooga, Tennessee, until:March 16, 2017TIME: 4:00 PM RFP # _139882_At that time, Proposals will be accepted for the purchase of:REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR SHEPHERD BUS SHELTER PROJECTThe City of Chattanooga, at its discretion, may not open a single bid.

The City of Chattanooga reserves the right to reject any and/or all bids received, waive any informalities in the bids received, and to accept any bid that, in its opinion, may be for the best interest of the City.The City of Chattanooga will be non-discriminatory in the purchase of all goods and services on the basis of race, color, or natural origin.City of ChattanoogaDeidre Keylon, Buyerdmkeylon@chattanooga.govPhone (423) 643-7231Fax (423) 643-724420170227

Legal Notice Bids for contract unit pricing for school furniture for Wolftever Elementary School will be opened at 10:30 A.M. (ET) on March 10, 2017, in the offices of the Hamilton County Purchasing Department, located at 455 North Highland Park Avenue, in Chattanooga, TN. Specifications are available by contacting the Purchasing Department at (423) 209-6350 or at www.hamiltontn.gov/purchasing.Gail B. Roppo Director of Purchasing Public Notice ID: 23979021

Public Notice of Meetings Public Notice of Meetings Committee Meetings and Regular Meetings Hamilton County Board of Commissioners Hamilton County, Tennessee Pursuant to TCA 8-44-103, public meetings of the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners and Commission Committees will be held, and will transact such business as may lawfully come before them.

Wednesday, March 8, 2017, 9:30 AM, Recessed Meeting.

Wednesday, March 8, 2017, 9:30 AM, Agenda Preparation Session.

Wednesday, March 15, 2017, 9:30 AM, Regular Meeting.

Committee Meetings Board of Commissioners Committees may meet prior to said meetings at 8:30 AM and/or immediately following said meetings.

Meeting Locations: Regular and Agenda meetings, Courthouse, Room 402, 625 Georgia Avenue, Chattanooga, Tennessee Committees, 8:30 AM meetings, County Commission Office, Room 401, County Courthouse. Committees, after Regular meetings, Commission Conference room adjacent to Room 402, County Courthouse.

To discuss auxiliary aids or services needed to facilitate participation, those with disabilities may contact the ADA Coordinator, Equal Employment Opportunity Officer Ken Jordan, 317 Oak Street, Suite 220, Chattanooga, Tennessee, 37403, (423) 209-6146. Hearing impaired callers may use the Tennessee Relay Service, (800) 848-0298 or (423) 209-6131.

W.F. (Bill) Knowles County Clerk Feb. 24, 2017 Mmr17818

URBANVOICE 2017 | 15