Urban Voice Magazine November 2019

Urban Voice CHATTANOOGA + KNOXVILLE + ATLANTA

ISSUED #90 NOVEMBER 2019

Be Empowered!

CITY OF CHATTANOOGA

CHATTANOOGA URBAN LEAGUE HOSTS 37TH ANNUAL EQUAL OPPORTUNITY DAY BREAKFAST BEN-SABA HASAN, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF CULTURE, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION OFFICER

2019 PURCHASING FAIR NOV.22ND

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSIC PROVIDES HOPE TO THE NEXT GENREATION

Power of Information.

GEORGIA NAACP STANDS OPPOSED TO VOTER REGISTRATIONS PURGES AND SO DO WE!

The Georgia Secretary of State recently announced that it will begin notifying approximately 330,000 “inactive voters” – prior to canceling their registrations. The Georgia NAACP and other groups have said they oppose the effort, charging that purging the lists for inactivity is unethical.

534,000 Georgians were purged from the voter registration lists in 2017—the largest removal in U.S. history— and a disproportionate amount of those were people of color.

In Tennessee, a new voter registration law backed by GOP legislators will impose potential civil and criminal penalties on organizations that register voters.

Before President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act into law in 1965, state and local officials throughout the South used voter suppression tactics to prevent African Americans from voting.

Fifty-four years later, lawmakers in Republican-dominated states continue to use similar tactics to suppress the votes of people of color. Their tactics include restricting early voting, closing polling places, imposing strict ID laws and registration obstacles, and purging voter rolls.

Signed by Tennessee’s Republican Governor Bill Lee on May 2, HB1079/ SB971 requires groups with more than 100 registrants to complete voter registration training and provide drive organizers’ contact information to county election coordinators. It also requires all voter registration drives to submit all forms within ten days of being collected. And it allows for

those who submit incomplete or incorrect data to be fined up to $10,000.

“While we appreciate that these Georgia voters will be notified and have a chance to respond prior to being removed, which is now mandatory under new state law, the Georgia NAACP stands in opposition to voter registration purges where voters who should not be removed are often included,” the organization said in a statement. “The right to vote is the most fundamental of those rights as American citizens.”

Starting next week, election officials will mail a notice to the last known address of people who have been in “inactive” status for more than three years and had no contact with election officials during that time. A registration is moved to “inactive” status when the person fails to respond to a pre-addressed, postage-paid confirmation card asking them to confirm or update their information.

The confirmation card is required to be sent to people who have filed a National Change of Address Card with the U.S. Postal Service indicating that they have moved to a new address, had election mail returned as undeliverable, or did not have any contact with election officials (including not voting) for the three prior years.

“Election security is my top priority,” said Secretary Brad Raffensperger. “Accurate and up-to-date voter rolls are vital to secure elections, but at the same time, I want to ensure that anyone potentially affected by this routine process has notice and opportunity to update their information.

That is why my office is releasing the full list

to ensure that people who are still eligible voters can update their information.”

Both federal and state law requires election officials to conduct list maintenance on registration records where the person has died or moved to a different address, according to the Secretary of State’s office Georgia law specifically requires elections officials to remove registration records that have been in “inactive” status for two general elections and have had no contact with election officials during that time.

The Rev. James Woodall, state president of the Georgia NAACP, said the Georgia NAACP is prepared to fight every instance of voter suppression in every community in the state of Georgia. He also stressed the importance of having adequate representation at the county Board of Election’s meetings on a consistent basis.

“People being removed for simply not voting is unethical and undemocratic,” Woodall said. “We should be investing in ways to make voting easier, not harder. We pledge to utilize our resources to not only ensure that no voter is unlawfully purged but also commit to challenging the legal framework of the practice altogether.”

Concerned citizens can call the Election Protection hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE and/or check the Secretary of State’s MyVoterPage at mvp.sos.ga.gov to verify their registration status.As Spike Lee advised years ago, “Do the right thing.”Until Next month,

JD Harper

2020 Forever Stamp Program Offers Something for Everyone

ll WASHINGTON,- With 2020 rapidly approaching, the U.S. Postal Service today revealed several of the new Forever stamps and others to be issued next year.

Since 1847, the Postal Service stamp program has celebrated the people, events and cultural milestones unique to the history of the United States. The 2020 stamp subjects continue this rich tradition. The stamp designs being shown today are preliminary and subject to change.

“The U.S. Postal Service’s 2020 stamp program has something for everyone, including Forever stamps honoring legendary golfer Arnold Palmer and esteemed journalist Gwen Ifi“These miniature works of art offer something for everyone interested in American history and culture,” said

U.S. Postal Service Stamp Services Acting Executive Director William Gicker. “From notable figures such as golf legend Arnold Palmer and esteemed journalist Gwen Ifill to the cultural phenomenon of hip hop to a celebration of the great outdoors, this program is wide-ranging and adds to the history of our great nation as recorded through the U.S. stamp program.”

Lunar New Year: Year of the Rat In 2020, the Postal Service is launching its third Lunar New Year series with the issuance of the Lunar New Year: Year of the Rat Forever

stamp. The Year of the Rat stamp will be the first of 12 stamps in the series.

The Year of the Rat observance begins Jan. 25, 2020, and ends Feb. 11, 2021. Calling to mind the elaborately decorated masks used in the dragon dance often performed in Lunar New Year parades, this three-dimensional mask depicting a rat is a contemporary take on the long tradition of paper-cut folk art crafts created during this time of year. Art director Antonio Alcalá designed the stamp with original artwork by Camille Chew.

Made of Hearts

Urban League Hosts 37th Annual Equal Opportunity Day Breakfast

ll Urban League of Greater Chattanooga marked the affiliate’s 37th annual Equal Opportunity Day Breakfast on Friday. Community-wide civic leaders, government officials and community members gathered to celebrate inclusion, diversity and empowerment at the Chattanooga Convention Center.

“Advocating for social justice requires dedication and determination,” said Dorothy Grisham, board chair of Urban League of Greater Chattanooga.

“The Equal Opportunity Day Breakfast commends those who work tirelessly to promote inclusion and empower underserved individuals.”

Urban League recognized local, corporate and individual leaders who champion the organization’s mission.

Ted and Kelly Alling, Chattanooga Preparatory School, Chancellor Steven Angle and students, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and James McKissic, Sankofa Fund were among the award recipients.

“We are humbled by the continued outpouring of support for our organization,” said Warren E. Logan, Jr., president of Urban League of Greater Chattanooga. “Without our community partners, we would be unable to fulfill our mission of empowering and encouraging underserved individuals throughout the area. This event is a celebration of our shared efforts and the many advocates who deeply believe in equal opportunity and social justice.”

The leader of diversity and inclusion efforts for the world’s largest employer finds one group too often left out of the conversation, largely because they fear they’ll do or say the wrong thing. “White men want to help, but they don’t know how,” Ben Hasan told the crowd at the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga’s Equal Opportunity Day breakfast on Friday morning. “Grant them the grace to help. Let them make the mistake.”

Hasan, the keynote speaker at the event, said that while the work of diversity and inclusion is essential, he came reluctantly to his role. He had joined Walmart in 2008 as senior vice president of strategic services in Walmart technology. In 2015, his boss told him he was a finalist for the role he has now.

“I said, ‘But I didn’t apply for it,’” Hasan said. “I literally tried to get out of it. I’m a technology guy. Why do you want a technologist?”

But he had also traveled all over the world in his career, and worked with teams of employees and partners all over the country. “In the course of my

career, I developed a unique view of people,” he said.

Since taking on the role, Hasan has led a host of unconventional and direct approaches to creating conversation around race and inclusion. After the CEO of Walmart saw the movie “The Hate U Give,” he asked Hasan to make sure every leader saw the powerful film. So they rented out a local movie theater in Bentonville. Arkansas, and ran several showings over several days for employees.

“We let people take off work to go to the movie theater,” Hasan said. “We provided popcorn and everything.”

The leadership team also went together to the Legacy Museum in Montgomery, Alabama, which displays the history of slavery and racism in America and commemorates thousands of lynchings of African Americans.

“There’s a dark past that existed in this country,” Hasan said. “We have to do some truth-telling to have repair and reconciliation. We have to talk about our dark history.”

After a series of high-profile shootings of black men across the country, Hasan scheduled a town hall for employees to talk through what they were experiencing.

“We don’t have to have an answer to every question, but we should give people the opportunity to talk about how they feel,” he said. “People don’t check this stuff at the front door when they come to work each day.”

The work of diversity and inclusion requires courage and persistence, but

it’s essential for any business — or any community — that expects to thrive, he said.

“We’re not a diversity and inclusion company. We’re a retailer,” he said. “But we believe this work, if we get it right, is a lever for us to be a better business.”

Last year, Walmart announced $2 million in grants to organizations working to expand internship opportunities for diverse youth populations, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF), and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI). The grants build on previous Walmart funding to the two nonprofits, bringing the company’s total investment to more than $6 million over the last several years. The funding will help provide career pathways on Capitol Hill for students and young professionals through education and hands-on experience in the nation’s capital.

“Ben’s experience fostering inclusion at one of the world’s most influential companies is very inspiring,” said Mr. Logan. “His insight on how to ensure equal opportunity at one of the world’s largest companies is invaluable as we strive to promote diversity at the local level.”

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Unum names Martha Leiper executive vice president and chief investment officer

ll CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.---Unum Group (NYSE: UNM) today announced the appointment of Martha Leiper as executive vice president and chief investment officer for the company effective October 21. She is responsible for the investment and asset management strategies of Unum’s $51 billion portfolio (size excludes policy loans). Leiper previously held leadership roles of increasing responsibility with Unum from 1985-2010, most recently as senior vice president and deputy chief investment officer.

“We are delighted to welcome Martha

back to Unum. She brings deep experience in the financial services sector and has successfully managed investment strategy through mergers and acquisitions and times of economic uncertainty,” said Richard P. McKenney, Unum Group president and CEO. “Martha has a proven ability to leverage investment opportunities across an organization and then allocate capital to drive and accelerate growth strategy. It’s great to have her back on the team.”

Most recently, Leiper served as senior vice president, corporate finance and enterprise money movement with USAA, a diversified financial services group of companies serving people and families who serve, or served, in the United States Armed Forces. In addition to managing the USAA portfolio, she served as a senior risk officer, led an investments system modernization initiative and oversaw a variety of corporate finance functions.

Leiper holds an MBA and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Finance from the University of Tennessee. She maintains numerous professional designations, is active in industry associations, and has held board roles with non-profit organizations.

The Salvation Army Invites Community To Its School Of Culinary Arts Graduation

ll The Salvation Army invites the community to The Salvation Army School of Culinary Arts graduation on Friday, beginning at noon.

The event will be held in the ReCreate Café located at The Salvation Army, 800 McCallie Ave. Guests attending the graduation will learn more about the program, sample students’ culinary creations and meet program participants and staff.

The School of Culinary

Arts instructs local homeless and low-income persons in environmentally friendly agriculture, meal preparation and food service. The program culminates with a two-week internship in a local restaurant kitchen. Students are considered for full-time employment at a partnering business upon completion of the internship.

“All graduates have now completed their internships and have jobs,” officials said.

Each graduate will receive his or her diploma during the ceremony. Family and friends will join them in the celebration.

For more information about the School of Culinary Arts graduation, contact Kimberly George at 423-503-1801 or Kimberly.George@uss. salvationarmy.org.

Strayer University Brings New Campus to Chattanooga ll Strayer University hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to announce the grand opening of its new campus in Chattanooga, Tenn. The new campus will be the University’s fifth campus in Tennessee, and will provide programs that offer working adults flexible and affordable higher education options. Winter classes will begin January 2.

Located at 728 Market Street, the Chattanooga campus is right in the city center and is easily accessible for busy adults. The campus’s hybrid model will feature collaborative spaces for students to meet with peers and faculty and access student support resources, career development opportunities and one-on-one financial advising to empower students to succeed beyond the classroom.

“We’re excited to bring our 125+ years of experience providing higher education for working adult students to the local Chattanooga community,” said Dr. Michael Plater, President Emeritus of Strayer University. “Our new hybrid campus model offers students the best of online and in-person education. Students will now have access to programs designed to support their workforce preparedness, including resume building workshops and interview prep sessions.”

While nearly 90% of Strayer students take some or all classes online, the University found its students who live near a campus tend to complete their courses and continue into their next terms at higher rates than students who do not live near a campus.

Over the past two years, Strayer University has launched hybrid campuses across nine states so its students have better access to in-person support. The Chattanooga campus opening follows the recent

relocation of the Nashville, Tenn., campus in July 2019. Additional campuses in Tennessee include one in Knoxville and two in Memphis. Strayer University has more than 75 campuses nationwide and enrolls more than 50,000 students.

Strayer University offers associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degrees, with a range of courses including criminal justice, business administration, education, information technology, and more.

About Strayer University: Founded in 1892, Strayer University is an institution of higher learning for working adult students. It offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in business administration, accounting, information technology, education, health services administration, public administration, and criminal justice.

Strayer University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104 (267-284-5000, www.msche.org).

The Commission is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. For more information, visit www.strayer.edu.

SIMONE BILES IS THE GREATEST FEMALE GYMNAST EVER

National Museum of African American Music provides hope to the next genreation.

When the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) officially opens its doors in the summer of 2020, it will be a first-of-its-kind cultural institution that celebrates the tradition of the people behind Black music and the music’s significant impact on the soundtrack of American society. Located in the heart of Downtown Nashville, Tennessee, the museum will be the newest crown jewel to Nashville’s royal musical landscape. In support of its pending grand opening, NMAAM leadership has tapped into an all-star „band” of creative agencies to lead the marketing communications push and drive interest and excitement with future guests.

Now that the museum space at Fifth + Broadway has been secured, gallery and artifact layouts have been completed and construction is underway, NMAAM’s team of creative agencies, led by agency of record Authentique Agency, will deliver on the overall brand strategy, marketing execution, public relations, advertising, experiential marketing and special events. The NMAAM agency team is a collection of

award-winning marketing professionals from around the country who reflect the diversity and content of the museum as well as the homegrown pride and musical spirit of Nashville.

“As the first ever museum solely dedicated to the preservation and advancement of Black Music, we were very intentional about being relevant and inclusive when building the marketing team for our grand opening,” said H. Beecher Hicks, III, NMAAM President and CEO. “This museum tells the story of not only the musical contributions of Black people in America, but also the personal stories behind those who paved the way in creating these genres and making them global phenomena. We’re excited and encouraged that we have a diverse team of marketing professionals leading this project and that the team reflects both the content in the museum and the local Nashville community.”

Lead agency Authentique based in Atlanta, Georgia, has been working with NMAAM since 2017 and was officially named lead Agency of Record in July 2019.

The Authentique Agency is a full-service marketing consulting firm focused on leveraging the power of identity. A certified minority and LGBT-owned firm, Authentique is intentional about creating brand campaigns that genuinely reflect multicultural and LGBTQ life, voices and viewpoints. The agency believes that to build affinity, a brand must observe the intersectionality of cultural identity, and account for how it influences a consumers’ decision-making. Learn more about Authentique at AuthentiqueAgency.com.

Additional supporting agencies include:

Flowers Communications Group (FCG) is responsible for national and multicultural media relations in support of NMAAM. FCG is an award-winning, certified minority-and woman-owned integrated marketing communications firm based in Chicago, Illinois with nearly 30 years of experience creating connections with some of the world’s most iconic brands and diverse consumer audiences. For more information, visit ExploreFCG.com.

MP&F Strategic Communications headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee is spearheading local and regional media relations along with community relations support for NMAAM throughout the greater Tennessee area. MP&F is an award-winning, full service public relations firm that has been developing high-impact strategic communications for local, regional and national clients for more than 30 years.

Learn more at MPF.com.

Go West Creative Group headquartered in Nashville has signed on to lead experiential efforts associated with NMAAM’s public grand opening celebrations planned for summer 2020. Go West Creative Group is a marketing services company specializing in large scale events, business meetings, conferences, product launches, road shows and tours, recognition events, marketing content production, branded media experiences, and installations. See more of their work at GoWestCreativeGroup.com.

Dufour Collaborative from the

Washington, D.C. metro area has been tapped to lead the execution of private signature events and the grand opening gala that will also take place in the summer of 2020. The Dufour Collaborative is one of the nation’s premier experience design firms, specializing in orchestrating large attendee events that move, delight, and unite people. Notably, the Dufour team led the launch of opening events for The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. in 2016. Check out more of their work at DufourCollaborative.com.

These five agencies along with internal NMAAM staff comprise the complete marketing team that will inform and connect with consumers and stakeholders to bring the vision of NMAAM’s leadership and the Board of Directors to life come opening day and beyond.

As the NMAAM grand opening quickly approaches next year, each creative agency is actively engaged in the planning process and supporting a number of existing museum programs. This work includes building partnerships with local and national businesses, music industry executives and music talent. All of these stakeholders will play important roles in celebrating the success of the museum and its place among cultural institutions across the world.

HBCU cornerstone, Morris Brown College fights for accreditation Morris Brown College turned the corner on in its hard-fought bid for accreditation when the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commissions announced that the historic college had been approved as an institute of higher learning. News of the school’s upgrade – which was publicly announced during the 127-yearold college’s homecoming week in Atlanta – rallied reveling students, alumni and administration anticipating the next step in the accreditation approval process, the greenlight from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in October 2020.

Accreditation is more than status The designation means Morris Brown College will be eligible to apply for Federal Financial Aid Funding, clearing the way for current and future applicants to participate in student aid programs administered by the U.S. Department of Education. When MBC, located in the prestigious Atlanta University Center, lost its national accreditation in April of 2003 for financial malfeasance, college administrators and faculty undeterred by the change in status continued to operate under extreme conditions.

“We went from 2,700 students to 70 students overnight, when we lost our accreditation,” said MBC’s interim president, Dr. Kevin James, regarding the chain of financial missteps and mismanagement that would ultimately launch officials into a Herculean effort to restore accreditation and increase enrollment.

“Over the next three to five years we plan to enroll 400 students. …

But I anticipate, many more than that because Morris Brown as a college, is a trailblazer regarding who we are as a historical institution of record,” James explained. “Once we get accreditation, I foresee the doors opening to a flood of incoming students.”

Morris Brown’s 2020 Strategic plan projects that a significant number of the school’s incoming students, will be virtual students participating in online learning

programs. “This semester we began our online programs and we’re maximizing our use of technology to grow a vibrant online [learning community]. That will help us immensely,” said James.

The college submitted its application for candidacy as an accredited institution in September 2019. “The goal is to go before the accrediting agency SACS, the Southern Association of Colleges

additional housing for students,” explained interim president James.

“Morris Brown College is ready to reengage and position itself and fulfill its obligation as an accredited innovative institution, ready to make a difference for all that enter the doors of this ‘historic haven for hungry souls.’”

In a city rich with HBCUs and Black academia, the school built by Blacks

and Schools, at their national meeting in October 2020 and get approved as a candidate for accreditation” James explained. “Once we’re approved, we’ll be eligible for financial aid and I foresee the doors flinging open.”

During the school’s lean years, college officials found themselves in an unenviable position and ultimately had to sell parcels of the campus and liquidate assets, including dormitories and iconic instruction halls built by black workers at the first college for Blacks in Georgia, and where W.E.B Dubois taught classes.

James and MBC’s board of trustees are confident that they will secure housing for the more than 400 additional students who will join their numbers when the doors open for the freshmen Class of 2024.

“We are in partnership with the Interdenominational Theological Center, which is right next door to provide

and touted for more than a century as a premier institution for coeducational liberal arts disciplines has been struggling with support issues.

“There are two organizational [sectors] which have poured into building the Black middle-class, HBCU’s and churches, so we welcome the opportunity to partner with all churches to build financially and prove to the accrediting agency that we are financially feasible,” James explained.

Alumni on hand for the preaccreditation announcement during the October homecoming celebration responded with solidarity and an outpouring of stories about Morris Brwon’s impact on their post-college lives.

“Morris Brown changed my life,” asserted Leslie Foster, Class of 1988 and president of Morris Brown’s Detroit Alumni Chapter. “I went to a PWI – a

predominantly white institution – before I came to Morris Brown,” quipped the 26-year veteran senior analyst for Wayne County’s 36th District Court.

“I was in the top five percent of my high school class and I went on to General Motors Institute. But, I felt like I was just there, I wasn’t looked at. …

When I got accepted to Morris Brown, that was the beginning of it all.”

Guinness Book of World Records title holder for the tallest man in the U.S., George Bell of Harlem Globe Trotters basketball fame, also attended the cornerstone institution’s gathering of alum. “I came here from Portsmouth, Virginia and fell in love with the school and the people. It was a fantastic experience and I was saddened to my heart to learn of the loss of accreditation.

This was a good place to be,” said the 7 ft. 8 in. former MBC athlete.

There are only three college degree programs now, catering to less than 50 faithful scholars and a scaled-down faculty, but there is undeniable history and academic tradition here and that deserves preserving.

“As so many alumni and celebrants expressed over the course of this homecoming week, Morris Brown Changed lives, profoundly and forever,” reiterated Greg Jackson (’81), president of Prestige Automotive in Detroit. “I honestly don’t know where I would be right now if it weren’t for Morris Brown,” he continued. “So, if we want to carry that mission and the good works of the school forward, supporting Morris Brown is a no-brainer.” he said noting, “time is of the essence.”

Glass Street LIVE! Books Its 1st National Act, East Chattanooga Trio Citi Limitz ll Glass Street LIVE 2019 Steering Committee in partnership with Glass House Collective have just announced their first national act to be on the entertainment stage at the annual Block Party happening Saturday, Nov. 9 from noon-5 p.m. Citi Limitz, a trio of teen cousins from East Chattanooga who broke big recently when they appeared as part of the Ellen DeGeneres Show in September, are coming back from publicity trips to Los Angeles and New York City to perform for the neighborhood.

Dre, Marion, and AT have been singing together all of their young lives, but only took the leap and formed Citi Limitz three years ago. Marion and AT are twin brothers and Dre is their cousin.

“We are so lucky to have secured Citi Limitz to perform at Glass Street Live on Nov. 9 as part of an amazing lineup of entertainment happening all afternoon. Let’s all celebrate their new success and positive message at the block party,” said Glass House Collective Executive Director Teal Thibaud.

“The members of Citi Limitz are not only talented, they are also good role

models. The teens told Ellen Degeneres they wanted to be successful as long as they could also help their community and others such as the homeless.

Entertainment Committee has booked a line up of nearly 40 sociallyconscious local rappers, poets, hip hop artists, spoken word artists dancers

After telling Ellen that they were selling their CDs in local gas stations, Ellen presented each member with a check for $10,000 to put toward their careers and communities,” officials said. (Link to Citi Limitz on ELLEN.) Homegrown talent is what Glass Street LIVE is all about. The

and gospel singers, mostly all from East Chattanooga and surrounding neighborhoods. A special Glass Street History Performance Art experience featuring spoken word, choreography and original music will be presented, thanks to a NeighborRoots Grant from Public Art Chattanooga. Organizers say

that all of the performers booked at the block party this year have their hearts and minds on improving themselves and the community around them. Everyone was selected not only for their individual talent, but also for their communitydriven values and support of other projects moving the community forward.

Now in its 6th year, Glass Street LIVE! is a true community event steered by resident-led committees. The family friendly event takes place at the intersection of Glass Street and North Chamberlain Avenue and features a kid zone with a bounce house and live wrestling, a marketplace showcasing local food, art, businesses, pop up boutiques and an interactive Glass Street History Exhibit.

Citi Limitz Rave reviews: “each member of the ensemble is an amazing lead singer;” “Huge talent in these guys, plus kindness and character;” “God has gifted them with beautiful talent and more;” “great music and great young men! Role models!”

Black Lives Matter launches nationwide voter registration initiative for 2020 ll Every vote counts and Elections have consequences!

The 2020 presidential elections will definitely have consequences and it will be important that every vote is counted and accounted for.

Everyone and everything in this country is impacted by someone in a position of political leadership who shapes public policy and who makes decisions regarding the very legislation that we must all adhere to, in one way or another.

This includes city councilmembers, mayors, governors, judges, county, state and federal representatives, and even our President.

Knowing how important it is to vote is one thing but getting engaged in the process is an entirely different thing altogether. One group that has made a major impact in this country and that has done a great job of engaging and energizing people of color relative to getting involved in social issues and politics has been the Black Lives Matter (BLM) Global Network.

Founded in 2013 by Patrisse Cullors, Alicia Garza and Opal Tometi in response to the acquittal of Trayvon Martin’s murderer, George Zimmerman, what started as a hashtag, has now grown into a global chapter-based, member-led organization in the United States, United Kingdom and Canada.

The organization’s mission has been to mobilize determined activists who are committed to fighting anti-Black racism and discriminatory reforms worldwide.

In an exclusive interview, Cullors tells the NNPA Newswire that BLM was invited to attend the third installment of the Democratic Presidential Debate, which was hosted in Houston, Texas, at Texas Southern University (TSU), which is an HBCU located in the heart of Houston’s historic Third Ward – a place known for its rich Black history and culture. The debate marked the first presidential campaign debate at an HBCU since 2007.

While in Houston for the debate, Cullors announced that BLM was rolling out a new nationwide initiative to help increase voter registration and turnout. Cullors, along with co-founder of the Los Angeles chapter of BLM Melina Abdullah and Managing Director Kailee Scales, introduced the new nationwide initiative entitled – ‘What Matters 2020 – Issues That Impact Minority Communities’, with a dedicated focus on getting the vote out for the 2020 presidential election.

Cullors states that BLM’s goal is to hit all

major cities where Black folks live and engage Generation Z to increase voter registration, turnout and overall engagement.

“Black voters have traditionally been the Democratic Party’s most loyal constituency and younger voters represent the future of the party,” said Cullors. “We thought it was important that we use this platform to ensure that our constituency has the resources to be informed when tuned into the debate and that the candidates know just how impactful our vote will be to this election.”

Working in conjunction with a cross-section of partners from all sectors, BLM leaders are seeking

to directly impact the 2020 election cycle by ensuring candidates are held accountable for the issues that systematically and disproportionately impact minority communities across the nation. “‘What Matters 2020 – Issues that Impact Minority Communities’ will increase voter registration and turnout by deploying technology applications, establishing candidate accountability and employing grassroots strategies to access, inform and empower minority communities during the 2020 election cycle,” Cullors tells the NNPA Newswire.

Issues this initiative will mobilize around include: Racial Injustice Police Brutality Criminal Justice Reform Black Immigration Environmental Conditions Voting Rights & Suppression Economic Injustice Healthcare Education Commonsense Gun Laws LGBTQAI Human Rights In addition to introducing this initiative, BLM plans to directly interact with candidates and students, and will be launching technology applications aimed at increasing voter registration

and turnout in 2020.

“We will engage and empower all Black folks, our allies, and under-served communities to use their collective voices and votes to achieve the outcomes we want, need and deserve in 2020,” Cullors tells the NNPA Newswire. “We will educate BLM constituents about candidates and the issues that impact Black voters most, and promote voter registration and voter turnout among the Black community, our allies, and Generation Z. This initiative will inspire and motivate people to ask themselves and their candidates are you really addressing ‘What Matters in 2020?’”

In measuring the success of the initiative, Cullors states that they will be monitoring the results based off of the outcomes that come prior to the 2020 election.

“We will know that we are successful when each candidate has an acceptable and tangible comprehensive plan that specifically addresses racial injustice, criminal justice reform, police brutality and reparations, among other issues that impact the Black community,” Cullors states.

Since the organization’s inception in 2013, BLM has been on the frontline of many issues impacting minority communities including police brutality, criminal justice reform, education, Black immigration, public policy and more.

For these efforts, they have been widely recognized, received and in many instances, criticized. They continue with the work, however, and hope this effort will galvanize marginalized and minority communities all across this country.

Perhaps more importantly, BLM has reminded the Black community of its own power and collective strength.

To find out more about this effort and initiative, people can visit blacklivesmatter. com/what-matters-2020, to learn about key issues and candidates, register to vote, pledge to vote and join the ongoing conversation by engaging them on social media platforms using #WhatMatters2020.

Jeffrey Boney is a political analyst and frequent contributor for the NNPA Newswire and BlackPressUSA.com and the associate editor for the Houston Forward Times newspaper.

Jeffrey is an award-winning journalist, dynamic, international speaker, experienced entrepreneur and business development strategist. Follow Jeffrey on Twitter @realtalkjunkies.

PUBLIC/LEGAL NOTICES CITY OF CHATTANOOGA Bid forms and additional specifications may be obtained by contacting the Purchasing department G13 City Hall 101 E 11th Street, Chattanooga TN. All Sealed Bids in duplicate will be received by the City of Chattanooga, Purchasing Department Suite G13 City Hall. The City of Chattanooga Purchasing Division has vendor assistance available each Monday through Friday from 8:30 to 4:30, in 30-minute time slots. For additional questions please contact City of Chattanooga Purchasing Department at phone: (423) 6437230/ fax: (423) 643-7244/email: purchasing@chattanooga.gov Type ealed Sealed Sealed Sealed Sealed Sealed Sealed Sealed Sealed Sealed Sealed Sealed Sealed

Sealed Sealed Sealed

Description Status RFP/Operational Lease Agreement for City Landfill Open 23rd Street Pump Station Elevator Upgrade $35 Open Roof Inspection & Repair Services Blanket $35 Open Mailing Services Open Glenwood YFD Center & City Facility Foundation Repairs $35 Open 26th Street $35 Open RFP Merchant Services Provider Open Washing of Heavy Duty Trucks Open Blanket Contract Parking Lot Seal Coating & Repairs $35 Open Refuse & Recyclables Transport Services Open Moccasin Bend WWTP Solar Project $100 Open Avondale Youth & Family Developement Center Site Package $100 Open Sanitary Sewer Mainline Full Wrap Service $35 Open Sealed Generator Replacement Odor Neutralizing Services Open Walnut Street Plaza $100 Open Chattanooga Public Library HVAC & Electrical Renovations Phase 2 $100 Open

NOTICE OF REGULAR MONTHLY MEETINGS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE CHATTANOOGA DEPARTMENT OF YOUTH ANDFAMILY DEVELOPMENT BOARD NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, pursuant to T.C.A. §§ 8-44101 et seq., as amended, that the Executive Committee of the Chattanooga Department of Youth and Family Development will hold regular monthly meetings at 12:30 p.m. in the Administration Building of the Chattanooga Department of Youth and Family Development, 501 West 12th Street, Chattanooga, TN 37402, on the following dates:November 8, 2019December 6, 2019January 10, 2020February 14, 2020March 13, 2020April 10, 2020May 15, 2020June 12, 2020July 17, 2020All interested persons are invited to attend and express their views or to send written comments to Harolda Bryson, Attorney for the Board, 100 East 11th Street, Suite 200, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37402 (telephone (423) PUBLIC NOTICE OF MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CHATTANOOGA AREA REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY AND THE CHATTANOOGA PARKING AUTHORITY Take notice pursuant to Chapter 442, Tennessee Public Acts of 1974, the Sunshine Law, that the regular board meeting of the Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority and the Chattanooga Parking Authority will convene and meet in open session on Thursday morning, November 21, 2019, at 10:00 a.m., in the Tom Dugan Conference Room, 1617 Wilcox Boulevard, Chattanooga, Tennessee, where and at which time and place said Board of Directors will transact such public business as may lawfully

come before it.

John Bilderback Chairman CARTA Board of Directors20191103 LEGAL NOTICEBid No. 15518 REISSUEProposals will be received by EPB at the Purchasing office at 10 West M L King Blvd, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37402 until 2:00 P.M., November 19, 2019. After this time, no more proposals will be accepted:EPB is seeking to purchase multiple dedicated DNS appliances to serve DNS resolving functions to customers and infrastructure, per EPB specifications and drawings.Bid forms and additional information may be picked up at noon on November 4, 2019 at the Purchasing Department office or requested by calling (423) 648-3272, or emailing richardsonre@epb.net.

EPB reserves the right to reject any and / or all proposals/bids, waive any informalities in the proposal/bids received, and to accept any proposal/bid which, in its opinion, may be for the best interest of the Board.EPBPurchasing Department20191103 LEGAL NOTICECHATTANOOGAHAMILTON COUNTY/NORTH GEORGIA TRANSPORTATION PLANNING ORGANIZATIONEXECUTIVE BOARD MEETINGAn additional item has been added to the agenda of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County/North Georgia Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) Executive Board.

This meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 13, 2019 at 1:30-3:00 p.m. Eastern at the Development Resource Center, 1250 Market Street, Conference Room 1A, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37402. The TPO Executive Board will take action on the following additional item:-- Approve by Resolution the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Regional Planning Agency, the Planning Entity for the Chattanooga-Hamilton County/ North Georgia Transportation Planning Organization, the purchase, with or without a

ID # R191956 R192181 R192177 R191981 R191918 R192168 RFP19069 R191882 R190989 R191876 R190759 R190995 R190992 Open R191839 R190286 R189986 R190812

Deadline Pre-Solicitation Meeting 12/6/2019 4:00:00 PM 12/5/2019 2:00:00 PM 11/12/2019 11/21/2019 2:00:00 PM 11/7/2019 11/19/2019 2:00:00 PM 11/19/2019 2:00:00 PM 11/5/2019 11/19/2019 2:00:00 PM 11/5/2019 11/14/2019 4:00:00 PM 11/14/2019 2:00:00 PM 11/7/2019 11/14/2019 2:00:00 PM 10/16/2019 11/13/2019 2:00:00 PM 11/6/2019 11/12/2019 2:00:00 PM 10/15/2019 11/7/2019 2:00:00 PM 10/17/2019 11/7/2019 2:00:00 PM 10/14/2019 11/7/2019 2:00:00 PM 11/7/2019 2:00:00 PM 10/28/2019 11/5/2019 2:00:00 PM 9/17/2019 11/5/2019 2:00:00 PM 10/15/2019

contractual agreement, of HERE travel time data and software support from Midwestern Software Solutions (MS2) in an amount not to exceed $56,000.

Meeting materials will be available for viewing on the web after Wednesday, October 30, 2019 at www. chcrpa.org under the Transportation Planning Organization meetings section, or at the Regional Planning Agency (RPA), 1250 Market Street, Suite 2000, Development Resource Center, Chattanooga, TN 37402.

RPA provides language assistance needs for Limited English Proficiency individuals. For a complete agenda or additional information, please call the RPA at 423-643-5900 or email TPO@chattanooga.gov.20191103 LEGAL NOTICEBid No. 15537Bids will be received by EPB at the Purchasing office at 10 West M L King Blvd, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37402 until 2:00 P.M., January 3, 2020. At this time, bids will be publicly opened for the:Master Purchase Agreement for Core and Broadband Network Gateway Equipment, and related services, with an initial term of 3 years with the option to extend up to 2 additional one-year periods. Bidder’s questions regarding the RFP must be submitted in writing (email) no later 12/4/2019.Bid forms and additional information may be picked up at noon on November 1, 2019 at the Purchasing Department office or requested by calling (423) 648-3272, or emailing richardsonre@ epb.net. EPB reserves the right to reject any and / or all bids, waive any informalities in the bids received, and to accept any bid which, in its opinion, may be for the best interest of the Board.EPBPurchasing Department20191102 INVITATION TO BID1. The ChattanoogaHamilton County Hospital Authority will receive Sealed Proposals for Select Unit Price Contracts. Each project will consist of specific work and/or drawing/prints (etc.) to be identified at a future date, and to be

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performed in accordance with the Unit Price Bids scheduled to be received November 19th, 2019 at 2:00 P.M., Local Time. Specific projects will be described by means of a Project Description/Scope of Work, issued as a Notice to Proceed which may set forth specific terms regarding that particular project. Terms set forth in this scope will take precedence over provisions of any standard form that are in conflict with same. The effective date of this Contract will be after final execution by both parties. The contract will be for a period of twelve months. The Authority may, at its sole discretion, extend the Contract for up to Two (2) additional Twelve (12) month periods if the Unit Price Contractor is agreeable to extending the same Unit Price Rates. 2. Proposals will be accepted on the following items only:LABOR & MATERIAL-- Painting-- Metal stud & drywall3.

A Pre-bid conference question and answer session will be held at:Department of Planning andConstruction, Erlanger HealthSystem,1047 Blackford Street,Chattanooga, Tennessee 37403 On November 5th, 2019 at 2:00 PM Local Time.Bid forms, Instruction to Bidders, and other proposal documents can be picked up at this Pre-bid conference.3.

The SEALED BID proposals must be received in the Department of Planning and Construction, Erlanger Health System no later than November, 19th, 2019 at 2:00 P.M., Local Time, and date and time stamped to be considered. 4. Bids may be mailed at your risk to:Mr. Ron Patterson, indicate SEALED BID DOCUMENTEstimatorDepartment of Planning andConstruction, Erlanger Health System975 East Third Street,Chattanooga, Tennessee 37403. Or they may be hand delivered to:Ron Patterson at the Department of Planning and Construction,Erlanger Health System, 1047 Blackford Street, at the entrance to Lincoln Park, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37403. (Near corner of Central Ave)5. Proposal Documents (Bid Forms, Bid Specs, & Instructions to Bidders) will be available in the Department of Planning and Construction. 1047 Blackford