Urban Voice CHATTANOOGA + KNOXVILLE + ATLANTA
ISSUED #83 April 2019
Be Empowered!
Nipsey hussle. { RIP} embraced his truth & took his brand beyond music
Power of Information.
Nipsey Hussle’s Work In The Black Community Went Deeper Than You Think work with black community leaders in other U.S. cities to create similar business and real estate hubs designed to benefit rather than push out the black community. The plan was part of an initiative called Our Opportunity, co-founded by Hussle and led by his business partner Dave Gross.
controversy, since not only has there been debate about Bowman but also some grieving fans and conspiracy theorists are suggesting Hussle’s death is somehow connected to alleged government suppression of information about Bowman’s techniques.
technology space founded by Gross. The center is home to a community program called Too Big to Fail, which serves as a link between young people in the inner city and Silicon Valley. The aim: to train underrepresented and disenfranchised black and brown youths in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields. Hussle and Gross reportedly had plans to expand the program across the country.
On March 31, LA Police Commissioner Steve Soboroff revealed that Hussle had a scheduled meeting with the LAPD the day after his death to discuss gun violence in the city. Hussle, a former gang member, spoke openly about his experiences with gang culture and his desire to focus on “giving solutions and inspiration” to young black men like him.
In addition to the real estate and many businesses he owned, Hussle was an integral part of several other initiatives to revamp his neighborhood and honor the black community. He was an advocate for a project known as Destination Crenshaw, described as a 1.3mile open-air museum. Designed as a cultural experience, the center, on Crenshaw Boulevard, will feature permanent and rotating art and design exhibits celebrating black history and culture. He was a strong advocate for the project and, according to City Councilmember Marqueece Harris Dawson, was an integral part of the project’s branding. “Nipsey Hussle was in the earliest conversations about Destination Crenshaw,” Dawson said in an interview with DnA after Hussle’s death. “In fact, the very logo for the project that you see on all the materials and even the name of the logo was actually done by his team of graphic artists that work with the Marathon Store and they did that as a gift to Destination Crenshaw.”
In a bid to bring black-owned businesses and jobs to his South LA neighborhood, Hussle reportedly spent several million dollars on a strip mall property on Crenshaw Boulevard and Slauson Avenue with several stores, including his “smart store” Marathon Clothing. He had bigger plans in the world of real estate: In February he told Forbes that his goal was to
In 2018, Hussle revealed that he was working on a documentary about Alfredo “Dr. Sebi” Bowman, an herbalist who made claims of curing serious diseases with holistic approaches and treated the likes of Michael Jackson and Lisa “Lefteye” Lopes. However dubious Bowman’s approach, Hussle was a firm believer in the now-deceased healer’s work and was planning an informational film exploring African herbal healing techniques. That project has sparked
When Los Angeles–based rapper Nipsey Hussle was shot and killed on March 31 at the age of 33, his death plunged people in his LA community, as well as others all over the world, into resounding grief. It wasn’t only that he was young and beloved or that he was a father of two who was in a relationship with actress Lauren London. Hussle (whose given name was Ermias Asghedom) was lauded through his life not just for his music but also for his service to the black community. In the days after his death, there has been much talk about much he did for the black community in South LA, but most people didn’t realize how far-reaching his activism and entrepreneurship were:
He was in the beginning stages of addressing gun violence with the LAPD
He was revitalizing the community with new real estate developments
He was an advocate He was one of for STEM among black the people behind and brown kids Hussle was an investor in Vector90, a Destination Crenshaw
He was working on a film about Honduran healer ‘Dr. Sebi’
He invested in the education of young people
The rapper and entrepreneur famously invested in the 59th Street Elementary School in South LA, donating money to give a new pair of shoes to every student at the school as well as helping renovate its basketball courts and playgrounds. “I remember being young and really having the best intentions and not being met on my efforts,” Hussle told The Los Angeles Times in 2018 about his desire to invest in youths’ education. “You’re, like, ‘I’m going to really lock into my goals and my passion and my talents’ but you see no industry support. You see no structures or infrastructure built and you get a little frustrated.” Resty East Nip. Until Next month,
JD Harper
The best source for events worth your while like the Riverbend Music Festival: May 29-June 1
Bernie Sanders quiets his critics as he becomes a 2020 front-runner
ll Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is quieting critics who questioned whether he could recapture the energy of his upstart 2016 campaign, surpassing his rivals in early fundraising and establishing himself as an indisputable front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination. Less than two months into his second White House bid, no other declared candidate in the crowded Democratic field currently has amassed so many advantages: a $28 million war chest, a loyal and enthusiastic voter base and a set of clearly defined policy objectives. That puts Sanders on a markedly different footing than during his first White House run, creating new challenges for a candidate whose supporters relish his role as an underdog and an outsider. Sanders now carries the weight of high expectations and will face heightened scrutiny over everything from the cost and feasibility of his government-funded policy proposals
to his tax returns, which he has not yet released. He initially blamed “mechanical issues” for the delay, and his campaign now says he wants to wait until after the April 15 tax filing deadline to fulfill his promise to release a decade worth of returns. Sanders has largely embraced his new front-runner status. More than any other candidate, he draws explicit comparisons with President Donald Trump in his campaign remarks, previewing his approach to a general election faceoff with the incumbent Republican. Behind the scenes, Sanders is also building out a larger, more diverse campaign operation, responding to criticism that his 2016 organization skewed too heavily white and male. Campaign officials say the 2020 campaign staff — roughly 100 people and growing — is majority female and 40 percent people of color. Still, Sanders’ message and style haven’t changed from 2016, when he stunned many Democrats by mounting a formidable challenge to Hillary Clinton and besting her in more than 20 primary contests. After briefly acquiescing to his advisers’ suggestions that he should reveal more about his upbringing and personal history, Sanders has returned to his comfort zone: delivering lengthy campaign speeches chockablock with the same policy prescriptions he campaigned on during the 2016 campaign. In Davenport, Iowa, on Friday night, Sanders spent 63 minutes outlining his views on health care, criminal justice reform, and economic inequality. “With your help, we are going to
complete what we started here,” Sanders told the 1,200-person crowd, referring to his virtual tie with Clinton in the 2016 Iowa caucuses. Sanders’ approach underscores his belief that his success in 2016 was not a fluke or simply a function of being the next best alternative to Clinton. His advisers argue the populist economic message Sanders has espoused for years, often in obscurity, has now been embraced not only by a slew of his Democratic rivals but also Trump. “Donald Trump campaigned on economic terms as faux Bernie Sanders. It was taking his language and selling it to the American people,” said Faiz Shakir, Sanders’ campaign manager. “And now how do you defeat faux Bernie Sanders? You defeat him with real Bernie Sanders.” Sanders owes some of his fast start to the fact that he never really stopped running for president after the 2016 campaign. Our Revolution, the political group Sanders launched after the campaign, has collected information on voters and held events in early voting states since the last election. Sanders was also active in the 2018 midterms, throwing his support behind progressive Democratic candidates across the country, though many were defeated. “He spent 2018 lifting up progressives all over the country,” said Rebecca Katz, a progressive Democratic consultant. “Even though many of them did not win, it was appreciated, it was movement building and it was a different calculation than most politicians make.” Despite his strong launch, Sanders’ current standing atop the Democratic field is not entirely enviable. Presidential primaries are long and turbulent, and past elections underscore how many
early front-runners have been tossed aside before the first votes are cast. Former Vice President Joe Biden has signaled his expected presidential campaign would serve as a centrist check on Sanders’ brand of progressive politics. And though Sanders’ $18 million first-quarter fundraising haul far outpaced the rest of the Democratic field, some rival campaigns breathed a sigh of relief, having anticipated the Vermont senator would clear $20 million or more. “He did very well. He could have done better,” said Mo Elleithee, who advised Hillary Clinton’s 2008 presidential campaign and now runs the Georgetown University Institute of Politics and Public Service. Sanders also still has to prove that he can overcome some of the same vulnerabilities that contributed to his defeat in 2016. Chief among them will be bolstering his standing with black voters, one of the most important constituencies in Democratic politics. Black voters overwhelmingly sided with Clinton in 2016, halting Sanders’ momentum when the contest moved into more diverse states. He lost the South Carolina primary by a staggering 48 points. Some of Sanders’ top advisers dismiss the notion that he’ll face similar problems in 2020, noting that he has spent time building relationships with black leaders in South Carolina and other Southern states. He’s also sharpened his campaign message on criminal justice issues and racial inequality. “I understand that a lot of people took a lot of things out of the South Carolina results,” Shakir said. “We are going to continue to court and address these issues directly, but we are operating with
Johnson Publishing Company Filed for Bankruptcy ll CHICAGO, PRNewswire/ -- In an effort to maximize the value of its assets for the benefit of all of its creditors, and after many unsuccessful attempts to restructure, obtain alternative financing, or sell the company as a going concern, Johnson Publishing Company, LLC has today filed a voluntary case under Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code. This decision was not easy, nor should it have been. Johnson Publishing Company is an iconic part of
American and African American history since our founding in 1942, and the company’s impact on society cannot be overstated. The Chapter 7 case will provide a court-supervised process. It is the company’s hope that the Chapter 7 Trustee will embark upon this process with a view toward maximizing the value of the assets of Johnson Publishing Company through a sale of such assets for the benefit of the company’s creditors.
A group with a proven track record of advancing cultural preservation, supporting community-based businesses and building and operating legacy brands has offered to purchase certain assets, and the offer will be presented to the Trustee for evaluation. While the process is now in the hands of a Chapter 7 Trustee, Johnson Publishing Company is grateful for its 77 years of existence, and the unwavering loyalty, dedication and
commitment of its employees, vendors and customers. The incredible legacy and impact of Johnson Publishing Company will always be honored and hold a proud place in the African American experience. The filing was made today in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois.
EVENTS & music festivalS 2019 APRIL Houston Black Restaurant Week 4/14/19-4/28/19; Houston, TX; https://www.houbrw.com Charlotte Jazz Festival 4/29/19-5/04/19; Charlotte, NC; https://www. blumenthalarts.org/charlotte-jazz-festival/ New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 4/25/19-5/05/19; New Orleans, LA; http://www.nojazzfest. com
stuff to do in Chattanooga MARK your calendar. Show: Leon Bridges: Good Thing Tour | Fri., April 12. | 7 p.m. | Soldiers And Sailors Memorial Auditorium, 399 McCallie Ave. | $25-$75 Arts: Chattanooga Film Festival 2019 | April 11-14 | Chattanooga Theatre Centre + The Moxy Chattanooga, 400 River St. + 1220 King St. | $15-$200 | The full schedule includes movies across several genres, parties + free programming. Click here for the full schedule. Arts: 19th Annual 4 Bridges Arts Festival | Sat., April 13 and Sun., April 14. | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | First Tennessee Pavilion, 1826 Reggie White Blvd. | $5 | A gala-style preview event will be held on April 12, but the festival will officially begin on April 13 for the public. Outdoors: 7th Annual “Master Your Garden� Garden Expo | Sat., April 13 and Sun., April 14. | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | Camp Jordan
AUTO REPAIR
Arena, 323 Camp Jordan Pkwy. | $10 | This annual event includes gardening exhibits, demonstrations, vendors, talks from national gardening experts + more. Arts: FarleyCon: Toy and Comic Book Expo | Sat., April 13. | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. | East Ridge Community Center, 1517 Tombras
DUNSON AUTO REPAIR 1807 East 23rd Street Chattanooga, Tennessee 37404 napoleondunson@comcast.net
Ave. | $5 | This event will host authors, artists + toy and comic book vendors. Tickets are only available for purchase at the door.
CALL (423) 622-8941
Pew Survey: 67 Percent of Whites Have Never Experienced Racial Discrimination, While 76 Percent of Blacks Have ll In light of the rise in hate crimes in America in recent years, and the rise of President Donald Trump through the exploitation of racial divisions and raw appeals to white supremacy, racism is on the minds of many. A new survey from Pew Research Center shines a light on what Americans across the racial spectrum are thinking about the state of racial progress, and the findings are not encouraging. Moreover, most people identify Trump as a part of the problem in an era of worsening race relations. The report, called “Race in America 2019” (pdf), is a survey of 6,600 people, including 3,000 white respondents, 1,500 Black and Latino participants, and 355 Asians, according to Pew. While Black, Latino and Asian people were overrepresented in the study, their responses were weighed in proportion to their representation in the U.S. population. The extensive study presents some sobering and eye-opening results on racial opinions based on race, age, education and political affiliation. “One of our overall takeaways is that Americans are quite negative about the state of relations and equality,”
Anna Brown, a research analyst with Pew Research Center told Atlanta Black Star. One poignant example of this reality is that half of Black people surveyed said they would not likely have equal rights with whites, as opposed to only 7 percent of whites who agreed Blacks never would attain the level of rights whites enjoy. Those surveyed believe that Americans are more emboldened and comfortable with expressing racist sentiments in public, and President Trump is the reason. Trump — who has called African, Caribbean and Latin American nations “shithole countries” and referred to violent white supremacist and neo-Nazi protesters at the 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, as “very fine people” — has been cited for enabling white nationalists and a climate of intolerance. Some 56 percent of Americans believe Trump is responsible for deteriorating race relations, with 15 percent saying he has improved relations, and 13 percent believing he attempted but did not succeed. “A majority of Americans have said Trump has made race relations
worse and whether expressing racially insensitive views have become more common. About 65 percent say it has become more common to express racially insensitive views, and 45 percent say it has become more acceptable,” Brown said. The findings of the Pew study come down along lines of political partisanship. For example, white Democrats were more likely than white Republicans to believe the country’s legacy of slavery has had an impact on the current state of African Americans. “We found that partisanship is strongly associated with racial attitudes,” Brown noted, adding that “partisanship had a closer association than demographic factors. We weren’t able to look at Black Republicans because they are a relatively small share, so we were mostly looking at white and Black Democrats.” The education level of the people surveyed influenced their views on race and how woke they are on racial justice issues. “We’ve consistently found … among Blacks, those with at least some college say being Black hurt their ability to get ahead,” Brown said. “Among Blacks and Hispanics those with some
college experience are more likely to say they have ever experienced discrimination or unfair treatment,” she added, noting that whereas among white folks, college-educated whites said they benefited because of their race. Further, age played a role in opinions on the national racial climate. “One interesting thing with Blacks is that older Blacks have positive views about Black-white relations, and younger whites and Blacks were less likely than older [people] to say their race is more important to their overall identity,” Brown said. Among Black millennials, 64 percent say being Black is at least very important, as opposed to three-quarters of older Black people surveyed. Few whites responded that white identity is central in their lives, and younger white people were most likely to say it is not important. Foreign-born Latinos were more likely (65 percent) than U.S.born Latinos (52 percent) to conclude that being Hispanic is very important in their perception of themselves. Nevertheless, Black people are far more likely than others to say that race or ethnicity is central to their identity.
Hamilton County Election Commission Approves Up To $70,000 More For Costly Lawsuit Over House District 26 Seat ll The Hamilton County Election Commission on Wednesday authorized up to $70,000 more in potential legal expenses - mainly involving a lawsuit brought by the Tennessee Democratic Party seeking to keep Republican Robin Smith off the ballot for the House District 26 race. The lawsuit was dismissed and Ms. Smith won the seat and has been serving. However, the lawsuit is still alive. Attorneys are preparing for oral argument before the Tennessee Court of Appeals. Mike Walden, Election Commission chairman, said County Attorney Rheubin Taylor will continue to be the main lawyer for the panel. But he said additional funds needed to be set aside for outside counsel. The Election Commission earlier hired Chattanooga attorney Stephen Duggins to represent the panel in the Smith lawsuit at a rate of $290 per hour. Mr. Walden, who earlier called the lawsuit “frivolous,” said up to $50,000 more was needed for legal costs. Election Commissioner Chris Clem said there needed to be enough to fully pay attorney Duggins, who was at the morning meeting. So another $20,000 was added., Democrats maintain that longtime Rep. Gerald McCormick’s late withdrawal from the District 26 race was invalid. He said his employer was requiring that he take a new position in Nashville. Rep. McCormick and his wife, Kim, earlier bought a house in Nashville and put their home in Middle Valley up for sale. Democrats say Robin Smith’s name should not have been allowed on the ballot. Ms. Smith, who formerly headed the state Republican Party, had called the lawsuit “a frivolous effort to
disenfranchise thousands of District 26 voters.” She said, “I have kept the faith that our courts and their wisdom would see this lawsuit for what it really was – a political gimmick by a desperate party attempting to secure a seat in the legislature for an admitted socialist who even lives outside the district and would never win the support of the people at the ballot box. “I am saddened by this effort. Tennessee Democrats have cost Hamilton County taxpayers thousands and thousands of dollars, placed the voting rights of our citizens at risk, and attempted to damage the reputations of several people without regard for the truth or facts in this case. For this, the Tennessee Democratic Party should shoulder the responsibility for reimbursing the taxpayers of Hamilton County. They have proven that their efforts and energy are directed literally towards frivolous nonsense and delegitimizing our elections instead of promoting real policy ideas on the issues that matter most to District 26 voters.”
PEF 30th Anniversary Luncheon
ll CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.-The Public Education Foundation (PEF) is celebrating 30 years in the community – but we are also celebrating exceptional teaching and leading. In addition to an engaging video about PEF, our history, and our work, we will honor four individuals (to be announced) crucial to PEF’s success and impact of the community in the areas of college and career success, innovation, leadership, and teaching.Proceeds from this luncheon help us serve students in many ways: preparing teachers to meet high new standards through innovative techniques and understanding data, preparing the next generation of school leaders, engaging students in critical thinking and problem-solving through the use of technology, helping students to choose the best path for them after high school, and many more. Proceeds from this luncheon help us serve students in many
ways: preparing teachers to meet high new standards through innovative techniques and understanding data, preparing the next generation of school leaders, engaging students in critical thinking and problem-solving through the use of technology, helping students to choose the best path for them after high school, and many more. Ticket information: $600 for corporations$500 for nonprofits, including schools, PTA/PTO groups, and associationsTable of 8displaying your org’s nameIf you cannot fill your table, we are happy to seat Leadership Fellows and Principal Leadership Academy participants with you – a unique opportunity to hear directly from public school educators! Donations in support of the event are also welcome. PEF is a 501(c)(3) organization. You will receive a receipt detailing the portion of your contribution that is tax deductible (total amount minus fair-market value ofconsideration received). Thank you for your support!For more information, contact Donyel Scruggs at dscruggs@ pefchattanooga.org or (423) 648-4449.
Nipsey Hussle’s Death Brings a New Generation of Hip-Hop Heartbreak ll It wasn’t supposed to end like this. But too often in hip-hop, it does. In late February, rapper Nipsey Hussle and actress Lauren London were introduced to mainstream pop culture as an industry power couple, in GQ. The theme was that their love and their lives were a fairytale. There was Nipsey, standing a statuesque 6-foot-3, in an all-white Louis Vuitton outfit with a white horse that carried the petite London, dressed in matching all-white, hair flowing down her shoulders. That they were standing in the middle of Slauson Avenue, one of South Central Los Angeles’s main thoroughfares, brought home for fans what made their love and their art resonate with so many—Nipsey was a neighborhood kid who had made it out, and Lauren loved him for it. Their fairy-tale romance was aspirational, but it was also relatable. Their lives were not about the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, but instead their love story was one that ordinary black Angelenos could relate to: late-night trips to taco trucks, afternoons at strip malls, weekends at cookouts, and sudden and irrational cravings for bean pie. And they made art for black
people: London starred in the cult classic ATL and BET’s The Game. They both achieved professional success on their own terms, without forgetting or abandoning the communities that made them. In the aftermath of Nipsey’s sudden and brutal murder, on March 31 — right in the heart of the neighborhood he loved so fiercely — hip-hop is in a state of mourning. Even for fans who didn’t closely follow his music or intimately know the streets he claimed, news of his death hit especially hard. And the reason his death is being felt so deeply, particularly if you’re young, black, and consider yourself part of hiphop, is because his story is frighteningly familiar. Nispey’s death represents the type of senseless violence that stole a generation of hip-hop’s brightest stars. Now that violence, which once seemed to be a thing of the past, is back. And it’s introducing a new generation of fans to the enduring legacy of heartbreak in hip-hop — a distinctly black art form that will always be anchored in the punishing realities of black life in America. Nipsey’s death matters because every black life has worth. But he took pains to live exceptionally.
He was born and raised in South Central and at 14 became a member of the notorious Rollin ’60s Neighborhood Crips, one of the biggest street gangs in Los Angeles. After years of selling CDs from the trunk of his car, he reached a level of underground success. In 2013, he began selling limited-edition physical copies of his independently released mixtape, Crenshaw, for $100 apiece, which caught the attention of Jay-Z, who bought 100 copies. (As fate would have it, another fan who tried desperately to get copies of the hard-to-find mixtape was London, who bought a bulk of albums as gifts for her colleagues on The Game and struck up a romance with Nipsey soon afterward.) Success bred opportunity: Nipsey opened a coworking space called Vector 90 to bring a tech incubator to South Central. He partnered with a Fatburger and a barbershop, and he restored a beloved neighborhood roller rink. The day after he was killed, he was even slated to meet with members of the Los Angeles Police Department to help develop a community-response plan to gang violence. When asked during a 2018 interview on Power 105.1 FM’s
Breakfast Club why he featured stories about gang life so prominently in his music, Nipsey made it clear that his primary audience was his community. “I wanted what I had to say to impact individuals like myself, young people that was in these areas that was controlled by gang banging,” he said. “I wanted to be able to say, ‘I’m one of you, and wherever I end up, you gone know that you could end up there, too. Whether it’s at the top of the game as a business owner, I came from this. I’m not on the outside of this culture.’” Like Nipsey, I’m a California kid who grew up on the unfulfilled promise of hood prophets like Tupac Shakur. I was in middle school when 2Pac was killed, and I remember the single “To Live and Die in L.A.” being released months after his murder and becoming a sort of macabre theme song for what it meant to be young and black in America. Less than a year later, Biggie Smalls was shot to death in Los Angeles, which only seemed to underscore that point even further. If ’Pac and Biggie, two 20-something millionaires at the top of their game, could be gunned down, it could literally happen to anyone. And it did. What made both deaths so extraordinary was that they weren’t actually extraordinary at all. In black communities across the country, murder rates throughout the 1980s and early 1990s skyrocketed, driven largely by gang disputes that were themselves underwritten by the crack cocaine crisis and decades of economic and political disinvestment. The ’90s were an era of moral panicking about sagging jeans and so-called “super-predators,” and the music of that decade was often a reflection of the anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder that plagued scores of young black people who carried the burden of trying to survive in such environments.
a reflection of the anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder that plagued scores of young black people who carried the burden of trying to survive in such environments. But in recent years, the themes of hip-hop have changed. Hip-hop, a black and brown art form, reached global success, allowing for a variety of subgenres and types of representations beyond the themes of gangs and inner-city violence. And for a while, some American cities — often full of poor and working-class black people creating their own communities — changed, too, as violent-crime rates in many places dropped to all-time lows. But recently, murder rates have started to increase, often in these same black communities, and once again hip-hop can’t escape the fatalities. In Brooklyn, there’s been a 64 percent increase in homicides in the first few months of 2019, according to The New York Times. One of the killings that has garnered the most attention is that of 15-year-old Samuel Joseph, who was shot at point-blank range in his building’s lobby. In the Miami area, 20-year-old XXXTentacion was shot and killed in June 2018. And then there’s Nipsey Hussle, whose murder was one of 11 that rocked Los Angeles in a single week. What makes his death so hard to stomach is that it seemed so avoidable. Nipsey had committed himself to telling stories of L.A.’s street life, but he always stopped short of glorifying it. For nearly the entirety of his career, he made a name for himself in hip-hop’s “underground,” eschewing big labels and licensing deals, opting instead to maintain control of all of his work. And he was reaping the rewards only recently, with his first major-label release, 2018’s Victory Lap, for which he was nominated for a Grammy. That’s not to say his legacy isn’t complicated: He
was often criticized for homophobia and conspiracy theories, and his music didn’t shy away from references to his gang affiliations and the violence those entailed. But his image was also awash in representations of love, its own softness, hazy like an L.A. sunset. In a video for GQ on how well people know their partners, he bragged about getting a top score when answering London’s questions about nicknames and favorite colors: He got 24 out of 30 right. And then there’s Instagram, where the rapper chronicled a life of glitz, occasional glamour, and snapshots of down-to-earth rootedness. There were the trips to Eritrea, his paternal homeland, with his father and brother, and Nipsey talking with his 90-yearold grandmother. There were the selfies of incarcerated loved ones, and the accompanying comments from neighborhood friends who hadn’t seen them in years and wished them well. And moments with his 7-yearold daughter, Emani, whom he called by her nickname, “Mani Mom,” and with his 2-year-old son, whom he called “Kross the Boss.” And then, of course, there was the fairy tale. In hip-hop, fairy tales don’t last. The culture is representative of the people who make it, who are themselves reflections of the grinding realities of black life in America. People are imperfect, and, when they’re black, they often die too soon. They leave behind work, and families, too. The violent masculinity that defined a generation of hip-hop never left the music, but for a while, it could abide sitting off in a corner. Now it is once again elbowing its way to center stage, demanding that we see it in all of its complex glory. It has no patience for fairy tales.
Springbreak:7 Kid-Friendly Things to Do in Chattanooga, TN ll Traveling to Chattanooga on a family vacation or springbreak with the kids ? There are plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Chattanooga, TN! Located on the Tennessee-Georgia line, Chattanooga is a popular vacation spot for tourists. With a river running through it and mountains surrounding it, Chattanooga is a picture-perfect place to bring your family. Chattanooga is home of the iconic Rock City that was painted on barns telling you to “See Rock City” all through the South and the Chattanooga Choo-Choo from the famous song. There is a rich history in this family-friendly town. 1. Children will love the Creative Discovery Museum. With two floors of fun, there are plenty of hands-on exhibits for kids who love to play, climb, and touch everything they see! Featuring an impressive water play area, an indoor playground, and a rooftop exhibit, kids will have a great time in this museum built just for them. 2. Be sure to walk the Walnut Street Bridge connecting the art district to the Northshore area that are located on the banks of the Tennessee River. After
you’re done walking the bridge, walk down the hill to Coolidge Park to ride the carousel. If you’re visiting Chattanooga in the summer, be sure to let your kids wear their bathing suits and jump in the fountains. 3. The Tennessee Aquarium is a must-see. With two buildings (one for saltwater and one for fresh water fish), the aquarium will take you the better part of a day to get through. Once you have seen all of the fish, touched the stingrays in the touch tank, and walked through the butterfly garden, head outside to walk in the water step fountains. This is another great thing to do during the summer. 4. You can’t go to Chattanooga without seeing the famous Rock City. Located at the top of Lookout Mountain, Rock City is a classic Chattanooga experience. At the overlook, you’ll be able to see seven states with the binoculars! If you are visiting Chattanooga in the winter time, you could go at night and see the Festival of Lights with thousands of Christmas lights set up all over the famous attraction. 5. Made famous by the 1941 Glen Miller song, the Chattanooga Choo Choo is a historic hotel where you can sleep in actual train cars. Kids will love this! And
for the train enthusiast, take the kids to the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum where you can take a quick ride on a train and climb on old train cars. 6. Take a walk in the caves to see Ruby Falls, the tallest underground waterfall located on Lookout Mountain. Ruby Falls has been one of Chattanooga’s top attractions since 1930. Once you’re done in the caves, take a trip down the zipline at the Ruby Falls ZIPstream Aerial 7. Just when you think you’ve seen it all from land, splash into the Tennessee River for the unforgettable views of Chattanooga’s Riverfront and Maclellan Island from the Chattanooga Ducks. It’s not just a tour, it’s an adventure! You will board an authentic renovated WWII amphibious landing craft for a narrated tour of downtown Chattanooga, TN and sail around the river. If you’re lucky the captain will even let the kids have a turn at the wheel. Sara McClure lives in Chattanooga, TN with her husband and two boys. She’s the author of (affiliate link) Busy Bags Kids Will Love and blogs at Happy Brown House.
The fight for equal pay, gender parity heats up By Barrington M. Salmon | Black Press USA Guest Columnist
ll Despite the United States touting itself as the bastion of freedom and equality, women in this country – despite comprising 50.8 percent of the population – have always found themselves in the position of having to fight for salary and wages comparable to men. A range of studies show some progress, but stubborn racial and gender wage gaps persist in the United States. Often, researchers point to disparities in education, the fact that many African-American women and other women of color are clustered at the lower end of the pay scale and that the minimum wage hasn’t been increased since 2007 as factors contributing to the wage gap. But what’s often downplayed or ignored is the racism and sexism that’s also at play. Black women sit at the nexus of race and gender and are buffeted by the twin spectres of these “isms”, and struggle upstream against a current of prejudice and bias which is compounded by gender and race. This intersectional discrimination exacerbates those gender and race gaps, stymies Black women’s ability to access educational opportunities, and has a pervasive and corrosive impact on their careers and career advancement, experts say. The wage gap has real-world consequences. Dr. Avis Jones-DeWeever said that over their lifetimes, Black women
stand to lose between $800,000 and $1 million because of these disparities. “While the gender pay gap is an issue for all women, it is an especially wicked problem for black women,”said Dr. Jones-DeWeever, a women’s empowerment expert, international speaker and diversity consultant. “Black women are already economically disadvantaged and face double discrimination within the workforce. The additional burden of a 38 percent pay gap exacerbates the black wealth gap in America. It’s such an engrained problem. The typical Black woman will lose more than $800,000 over her lifetime, and in DC, the inequality means that Black women could lose more than $1 million.” “A black woman has to earn a B.A. to earn what a white man with a GED would earn. It’s huge and really hardwired into the system,” continued Dr. Jones-DeWeever, who, among her many portfolios, mentors and instructs black women on how to navigate the shoals of business and achieve career and financial success. “It’s devastating because with Black college-educated women making as much as 30 percent less than their white male counterparts, that’s a huge disadvantage. That means not being able to put food on the table, buy clothes for your children, not being able to have a better quality of life or diverting money to wealth-building.” According to the National Partnership for Women and Families (NPWF), median wages for black women in the United States are $36,227 per year, compared to median wages of $57,925 annually for white, non-Hispanic men. This amounts to a difference of $21,698 each year. In that same report, NPWF also highlighted that if the wage gap were eliminated, on average, a black woman working full time, year-round would have enough money for: Two and a half years of childcare Nearly 2.5 additional years of tuition and fees for a four-year public university, or the full cost of tuition and fees for a two-year community college 159 more weeks of food for her family (three years’ worth) More than 14 additional months of mortgage and utilities payments 22 more months of rent. The National Women’s Law Center
reports that women of every race are paid less than men, at all education levels – and it only gets worse as women’s careers progress. “Despite the fact that women have made enormous gains in educational attainment and labor force involvement in the last several decades, unequal pay remains pervasive in 97 percent of occupations, showing that no matter what their job, women are paid less than men doing the same job in nearly every sector of work,” an NWLC fact sheet noted. Women who work full time, yearround in the United States are paid just 80 cents for every dollar paid to their male counterparts. This gap, which amounts to a typical loss of $10,086 per year for a working woman – or $403,440 over a 40-year career – means that women have to work 15 months … to make what men did in the previous 12-month calendar year.” Studies by gender specialists, academics and women’s activists have statistics showing that the occupations African-American women have does not explain away the Black women’s wage gap, the NWLC said. For example, Black women working as physicians and surgeons—a traditionally male, high wage occupation—make 54 cents for every dollar paid to white, non-Hispanic men working as physicians and surgeons. Black women working as customer service representatives—a mid-wage, female-dominated occupation—make 75 cents for every dollar paid to white, non-Hispanic men working as customer service representatives. Black women working as construction laborers—a traditionally male, mid-wage occupation—make 81 cents for every dollar paid to white, nonHispanic men working as construction laborers. Black women working as personal care aides—a heavily female, low wage occupation—make 87 cents for every dollar paid to white, non-Hispanic men working as personal care aides. In addition, Black women experience a wage gap even in occupations where they are overrepresented. More than two in five African-American women (44.8 percent) are employed in one of 10 occupations. In every one of those occupations, Black women are typically paid less
than white, non-Hispanic men. Among the 10 most common occupations for Black women, two of those occupations – cashiers and retail salespeople and janitors, building cleaners, maids, and housekeepers – typically pay Black women a very low wage – less than $10 per hour – while they typically pay white, non-Hispanic men substantially more. Some solutions, NWLC experts say, include strengthening America’s pay discrimination laws, pushing harder to get Congress to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act, The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, the Family Act and the Schedules That Work Act – all which would address the discrimination women face when they’re pregnant or caregiving and support those who need paid leave, predictable work schedules, and stability for themselves and their families. Raising the federal minimum wage is yet another way to move towards parity. So far, six states and the District of Columbia have increased the minimum wage to $15 over the next few years. Another solution is making the Earned Income Tax Credit more widely available to needy recipients. The EITC is a tax credit designed to offset payroll taxes and supplement wages for people working in low-wage jobs, providing the most benefits to low- to moderateincome families with children. The federal EITC lifted more than 1.2 million women 18 and older and nearly 3.5 million children out of poverty in 2017, and 28 states and the District of Columbia currently offer their own EITCs to provide an additional boost. Dalana A. Brand, vice president of Global Total Rewards at Electronic Arts, Inc., contends that Black women can’t afford to wait, arguing in an opinion piece last year for Blavity, an Internet media company, that in the midst of the flurry of publicity, tweets, posts, hashtags and calls for change, one important element is missing. “What often gets left out of that discussion is that the hallmark day in April does not apply to black women and other women of color,” she said. “… So, while white women caught up on April 10, black women must wait for over half the year to pass before our wages catch up to what men made a year ago.”
2019 Small Business ‘FeverPitch’ Competition Now Open For Black Entrepreneurs
ll Tampa Bay, FL — Today, 3rd Party Media Corp. announced the national call for entries for “FeverPitch,” a small business pitch competition that will be hosted on its business networking platform, BlackConnect. com. Participants will have the opportunity to present their business
ideas to a panel of business owners. One participant will win a $1,500 cash prize. The final submission deadline is April 30, 2019. Enter at BlackConnect. com. Co-sponsored by Legacy Social Media Management, “FeverPitch” is a small business competition for entrepreneurs seeking to take their business to the next level or aspiring entrepreneurs who are ready to turn their idea into a business. This round of competition is open to millennials ages 18 to 38. To participate in “FeverPitch,” interested individuals must complete an entry form and provide a 60 second video pitch. “FeverPitch captures the heart and soul of Black Connect,” said Ivan Conard, a graduate of Morehouse College and the Director of Sales and Operations for BlackConnect.
com. “BlackConnect.com is a privately owned, comprehensive social media platform that provides holistic tools to meet the needs of businesses, professionals, and consumers. Because it’s privately owned, we are able to tailor the platform to meet our objectives, and also meet the needs of our members, partners, and sponsors. This allows us to host the entire competition online and open the competition to individuals all across the United States,” said Conard. “As a millennial and the winner of two small business pitch competitions, I am looking forward to helping creative and innovative entrepreneurs, who are willing to invest in themselves, jump start their ideas,” said Keyaries Davis, owner of Legacy Social Media Management. “FeverPitch showcases the new generation of entrepreneurs,
provides them with feedback on their ideas, and exposes them to resources to take their businesses to the next level,” said Davis. Ten semi-finalists will be identified to move forward in the competition for a chance to win $1,500 to help fund their business expansion or start-up. A prize will also be given to the entrepreneur with the most engaging pitch video. Black Connect members will have a voice in choosing the winners of FeverPitch. A Guide to Winning FeverPitch is available on Black Connect to help entrepreneurs prepare for the competition. Participating sponsors of FeverPitch include Lighter Tech and Just Write Legal. Sponsorship information is available by contacting feverpitch@blackconnect.com.
Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Launches $6.9 Million Effort to Increase Diversity of STEM Students on College Campuses ll SAN DIEGO, April 9, 2019 / PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) announced that it has awarded $6.9 million to support a unique partnership to bring a University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) program to support underrepresented students pursuing careers in science, technology, mathematics, and engineering (STEM) to two University of California campuses. The grants will enable the expansion of aspects of UMBC’s successful Meyerhoff Scholars Program to both UC San Diego and UC Berkeley. "The key to accelerating discoveries in science or the next tech breakthrough will be dependent on our ability to bring fresh perspectives to STEM fields," said Priscilla Chan, Co-Founder & Co-CEO of CZI. "California's openness to new ways of thinking is what has made this state an innovation engine for the world, and the University of California has played a crucial role in that as one of the largest and most diverse public research universities in the country. With these new grants, we hope to help bring even more diversity of perspective and experience to our state — and to Silicon Valley." The Meyerhoff program is recognized as one of the most effective
models in the country to help inspire, recruit, and retain underrepresented students pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees in STEM fields. Program participants have earned 300 Ph.D. degrees, 130 M.D. degrees, 54 M.D./Ph.D. degrees, and 253 master's degrees, not counting current enrollment numbers. UMBC is a diverse public research university whose largest demographic groups identify as white and Asian, but which also graduates more African-American students who go on to earn dual M.D.-Ph.D. degrees than any other college in the U.S. — a credit to the Meyerhoff program model. The University of California system, the world's largest public research university, is also one of the largest undergraduate and graduate educator of underrepresented and low-income students in the country among peer institutions in the Association of American Universities (AAU). More than 50 percent of UC's undergraduates from the poorest families in the state surpass their parents' income within the first five years of graduating. The CZI grants allow UC San Diego and UC Berkeley to apply many of the models successfully used at UMBC, including outreach to high achieving underrepresented high school students,
research experiences, team learning, peer counseling, advising, preparation in the summer before matriculation, and engagement with students' families. "Over three decades, UMBC has developed highly effective strategies to support student success and increase diversity in STEM fields," said Michael Summers, Robert E. Meyerhoff Chair for Excellence in Research and Mentoring and Distinguished University Professor at UMBC. "It is truly thrilling to think about the national and global impact the Meyerhoff Scholars Program will have through partnerships like this. UC Berkeley and UC San Diego are among the top U.S. producers of undergraduates who go on to earn STEM graduate degrees, and by working together we can help shape the future of our national Ph.D. pipeline, with inclusive excellence as a core shared value of our work." STEM employment has grown significantly in the U.S. — from 9.7 million to 17.3 million, or by 79 percent, in less than 30 years — but AfricanAmerican and Latinx workers continue to be underrepresented. According to the Pew Research Center, the majority of STEM workers in the U.S. are white (69 percent), followed by Asian (13 percent), African-American (9 percent),
and Latinx (7 percent). While the typical STEM worker earns more than nonSTEM workers on average, the median earnings of African-American and Latinx workers in STEM occupations are less than those of white and Asian workers. UC Berkeley and UC San Diego are major sources of top talent for Silicon Valley. Companies in Silicon Valley hire more alumni from UC Berkeley than any other school in the country, for example, and more of UC Berkeley's undergraduates go on to obtain Ph.D. degrees in STEM fields than any other U.S. university. The new initiative at UC Berkeley — to be known as the STEM Scholars Program — is projected to serve in the range of 100 to 120 students in the next five years, with the goal of cultivating a cohort of extremely talented students who are passionate about science and pursuing a STEM career. "The STEM Scholars Program at Berkeley goes hand in hand with our commitment to a more diverse and inclusive culture across our campus, and thanks to the support of the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, we are charting a clear path forward in the STEM fields," said UC Berkeley Chancellor Carol Christ. "This program will enable Berkeley's
BUSINESS DIRECTORY/LEGAL Want to Do Business with your Local Government? NOTICE OF FINDING OF NOSIGNFICANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS April 13, 2019City of Chattanooga101 E 11th Street, Suite 200Chattanooga, TN 37402423-643-7330These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the City of Chattanooga.REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDSOn or about April 29, 2019 the City of Chattanooga will submit a request to the Department of Housing and Urban Development Knoxville CPD Office for the release of HOME Investment Partnership funds under Title II of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act, as amended, to undertake a project known as New Construction at the Villages at Alton Park for the purpose of creating affordable single family homeownership units, located at the following addresses: 246 W 35th Street, 256 W 35th Street, 305 W 37th Street, 313 W 37th Street, 404 W 35th Street, 408 W 35th Street, 3410 Kirkland Avenue, 3420 Kirkland Avenue, 3421 Kirkland Avenue, and 3431 Kirkland Avenue. Estimated funding (include non-HUD funding sources if applicable) is expected to be a total of $1,329,748. FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANTIMPACTThe City of Chattanooga has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) on file at the City of Chattanooga, 101 E 11th Street, City Hall Suite 200, Chattanooga, TN 37402 and may be examined or copied weekdays 8 A.M. to 4 P.M.PUBLIC COMMENTSAny individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the City of Chattanooga, Department of Economic and Community Development, 101 E 11th Street, City Hall Suite 200 or email comments to comdev@chattanooga.gov. All comments received by April 27, 2019 will be considered by the City of Chattanooga prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing. ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATIONThe City of Chattanooga certifies to the Department of Housing and Urban Development that Richard Beeland in his capacity as Deputy Administrator of Economic and Community Development and Certifying Official Designee consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the City of Chattanooga to use Program funds. OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDSHUD will accept objections to its release of fund and the City of Chattanooga’s certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the
Certifying Officer of the City of Chattanooga; (b) the City of Chattanooga has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to Chuck Melton, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Region 4 Environmental Office, at 40 Marietta Street, Atlanta, GA 30303. Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.Richard BeelandDeputy Administrator, Economic and Community Development and Certifying Official Designee20190413 REQUEST FOR BIDS Sealed Bids in duplicate will be received by the City of Chattanooga, Purchasing Department Suite G13 City Hall. Chattanooga, Tennessee until April 23, 2019 Time_2:00 P. M._ for the Contract of:Contract for: Emulsified AsphaltBid forms and additional specifications may be obtained by contacting the Purchasing department G13 City Hall 101 E 11th Street, Chattanooga TN.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, Waive any informalities in the bids, and to accept any bid which in its opinion May be the best interest of the city.The City of Chattanooga will be nondiscriminatory in the purchase of all goodsAnd services on the basis of race, color, or natural origin.City of ChattanoogaMark McKeelBuyer/ Purchasing20190412 MEETING NOTICE The Chattanooga Historic Zoning Commission will hold a meeting on Thursday, April 18, 2019, at 9:30 a.m., in conference room 1-A of the Development Resource Center, 1250 Market Street. If you have any questions regarding this meeting, please call Rosetta Greer (423) 643-5878.20190411 REQUEST FOR BIDS Sealed Bids in duplicate will be received by the City of Chattanooga, Purchasing Department Suite G13 City Hall. Chattanooga, Tennessee until April 23, 2019 Time_2:00 P. M._ for the Contract of:Contract for: Emulsified AsphaltBid forms and additional specifications may be obtained by contacting the Purchasing department G13 City Hall 101 E 11th Street, Chattanooga TN.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, Waive any informalities in the bids, and to accept any bid which in its opinion May be the best interest of the city.The City of Chattanooga will be non-
discriminatory in the purchase of all goodsAnd services on the basis of race, color, or natural origin.City of ChattanoogaMark McKeelBuyer/ Purchasing20190412 LEGAL NOTICE Hamilton County, Tennessee is soliciting sealed bids from qualified firms for the purposes of establishing a one (1) year unit pricing contract with three (3) one-year renewal options for asphalt milling services for the Hamilton County Highway Department, on an as needed basis. Bids will be opened at 10:00 A.M. (EST) on Wednesday, April 24, 2019, in the offices of the Hamilton County Procurement Department, located at 455 North Highland Park Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37404. Specifications are available by contacting the Procurement Department at (423) 209-6350 or at www.hamiltontn. gov/purchasing.Gail B. Roppo Director of Procurement& Fleet Management Legal Notice Sealed Bids in Duplicate will be received by the City of Chattanooga Purchasing Department, 101 East 11th Street, Suite G-13, Chattanooga, Tennessee until April 24, 2019. Time__2:00 P. M. Req: #183754At that time Bids will be publicly opened and read for: Firefighter’s Leather Boots Twelve (12) Month Blanket Contract For Firefighter’s Leather Boots With The Option To Renew Two (2) Additional Years. Bid forms and additional specifications may be obtained by contacting the Purchasing Department.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, 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 Chattanooga Dedra PartridgeBuyer 20190410 Separate sealed bids for furnishing all supervision, materials, labor, tools, equipment, and appliances necessary for the construction of the following described project, will be received by the City of Chattanooga at City Hall, Purchasing Department, Suite G13, located at 101 E. 11th Street, Chattanooga, TN 37402, until 2:00 p.m., local time, on Thursday, May 2, 2019, and then at said place publicly opened and read aloud: SANITARY SEWER INSTALLATION & REPAIR AT ISS & RELATED FACILITIES FOR CITY OF CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE Contract Number W-19-002-201 The project consists of the following major elements of construction including but not limited: The provision of sanitary sewer repair/ installation labor services and related materials and equipment on an as-needed basis for the Moccasin Bend Wastewater Treatment Plant (MBWWTP) and related facilities of the Waste Resources Division, including Combined Sewer Overflow
Treatment Facilities (CSOTF) Sanitary and Storm Water Pump Stations, and the City Landfills. The Contract Documents may be examined at the: City of Chattanooga Debby Talley Purchasing Department 101 E. 11th Street, Suite G13 Chattanooga, TN 37402 Phone: (423) 643-7230 FAX: (423) 643-7244 Specifications are available for pick up from 8:00 am until 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. Copies of the Contract Documents may be purchased at the same location upon payment of $50.00 per set; no part of the purchase price will be refunded. A Pre-Bid Conference is scheduled for Tuesday, April 16, 2019, at 10:00 a.m., at MBWWTP, 455 Moccasin Bend Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37405, at the Training Facility to the rear of the plant. All bidders must be licensed and shall comply with all requirements of the State of Tennessee Contractor’s Licensing Act. Visit our website at: http://chattanooga.gov/ purchasing/bidssolicitations for specific contract information. The City of Chattanooga is an Equal Opportunity Employer. CITY OF CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL: William C. Payne, P.E. City Engineer Department of Public Works APPROVED: Justin C. Holland Administrator Department of Public Works20190409 REQUEST FOR BIDS Sealed Bids in duplicate will be received by the City of Chattanooga, Purchasing Department Suite G13 City Hall. Chattanooga, Tennessee until April 18, 2019 Time_2:00 P. M._ for the Contract of:Contract for: Henderson Salt/Sand Spreader OEM Parts & ServiceBid forms and additional specifications may be obtained by contacting the Purchasing department G13 City Hall 101 E 11th Street, Chattanooga TN.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, Waive any informalities in the bids, and to accept any bid which in its opinion May be the best interest of the city.The City of Chattanooga will be non-discriminatory in the purchase of all goodsAnd services on the basis of race, color, or natural origin. City of Chattanooga Mark McKeel Buyer/ Purchasing20190409