Urban Voice Magazine May 2019

Urban Voice CHATTANOOGA + KNOXVILLE + ATLANTA

Be Empowered!

ISSUED #83 May 2019

ATLANTA MAYOR

KEISHA LANCE-BOTTOM TO DELIVER COMMENCEMENT SPEECH

TAX INCREASE? HAMILTON COUNTY SCHOOLS REQUEST 7% INCREASE

RIVERBEND 2019 LIFESTYLES

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Power of Information.

Black families have a dime for every dollar held by Whites The deep and persistent racial wealth divide will not close without bold, structural reform. It has been created and held in place by public policies that have evolved with time including slavery, Jim Crow, red lining, mass incarceration, among many others.

If you’re like me, every time you hear a news reporter or anchor talk about how great the nation’s economy is, you wonder what world they are living in. Certainly, these journalists are not referring to the ongoing struggle to make ends meet that so much of Black America faces. For every daily report of Wall Street trading, or rising corporate profits, you’re reminded that somebody else is doing just fine financially.

To put it another way, ‘Will I ever get past my payday being an exchange day…when I can finally have the chance to keep a portion of what I earn in my own name and see how much it can grow?’

When new research speaks to those who are forgotten on most nightly news shows, I feel obliged to share that news – especially when conclusions find systemic faults suppress our collective ability to strengthen assets enough to make that key transition from paying bills to building wealth.

“Ten Solutions to Close the Racial Wealth Divide” is jointly authored by the Institute for Policy Studies, Ohio State University’s Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity, and the National Community Reinvestment Coalition. This insightful and scholarly work opens with updates on the nation’s nagging and widening racial wealth divide. It then characterizes solutions offered as one of three approaches: programs, power, and process.

According to the authors, programs refer to new government programs that could have a major impact on improving the financial prospects of low-wealth families. Power refers to changes to the federal tax code that could bring a muchneeded balance to the tax burden now borne by middle and low-income workers. Process refers to changes to the government operates in regard to race and wealth.

“For far too long we have tolerated the injustice of a violent, extractive and racially exploitive history that generated a wealth divide where the typical black family has only a dime for every dollar held by a typical white family,” said Darrick Hamilton, report co-author and executive director of the Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity at The Ohio State University.

From 1983-2016, the median Black family saw their wealth drop by more than half after adjusting for inflation, compared to a 33 percent increase for the median White households. Keep in mind that these years include the Great Recession that stole nearly $1 trillion of wealth from Black and Latinx families, largely via unnecessary foreclosures and lost property values for those who managed to hold on to their homes.

Fast forward to 2018, and the report shares the fact that the median white family had 41 times more wealth than the median Black family, and 22 times more wealth than the median Latinx family.

Instead of the $147,000 that median white families owned last year, Black households had $3,600.

When Congress passed tax cut legislation in December 2017, an already skewed racial wealth profile became worse.

“White households in the top one percent of earners received $143 a day from the tax cuts while middle-class households (earning between $40,000 and $110,000) received just $2.75 a day,” states the report.

“While the media coverage of the tax package and the public statements of the bill’s backers did not explicitly state that it would directly contribute to increasing the racial wealth divide, this was the impact, intended or otherwise.”

With the majority of today’s Black households renting instead of owning their homes, escalating rental prices diminish if not remove the ability for many consumers of color to save for a home down payment. As reported by CBS News, earlier this year, the national average monthly cost of fair market rent in 2018 was $1,405.

Recent research by the National Low-Income Housing Coalition on housing affordability found that more than 8 million Americans spend half or more of their incomes on housing, including over 30 percent of Blacks, and 28 percent of Hispanics.

Homeownership, according to the Center for Responsible Lending, remains a solid building block to gain family wealth. But with an increasing number of households paying more than a third of their income for rent, the ability to save for a home down payment is seriously weakened.

CRL’s proposed remedy in March 27 testimony to the Senate Banking Committee is to strengthen affordable housing in both homeownership and rentals. To increase greater access to mortgages, CRL further advocates low-down payment loans.

“The nation’s housing finance system must ensure access to safe and affordable mortgage loans for all creditworthy borrowers, including lowto-moderate income families and communities of color,” noted Nikitra Bailey, a CRL EVP. “The lower down payment programs available through FHA and VA, provide an entry into homeownership and wealth-building for many average Americans.”

“Government-backed loans cannot be the only sources of credit for low-wealth families; they deserve access to cheaper conventional mortgages,” added Bailey.

“Year after year, the annual Home Mortgage Disclosure Act data reveals how consumers of color, including upper-income Black and Latinx households are disproportionately dependent on mortgages that come with higher costs.

Our nation’s fair lending and housing finance laws require that the private mortgage market provide access for low-wealth families. We need additional resources for rental housing to address the affordability crisis that many working families face.”

There’s really no point in continuing to do the same thing while expecting a different result.

When the status quo just isn’t working, change must be given a chance.

Until Next month,

JD Harper

The best source for events worth your while like the Riverbend Music Festival: May 29-June 1

Robert F. Smith, Angela Bassett To Receive Honorary Degrees From Morehouse College

ll Colleges and universities across the U.S. are preparing for their commencements.

As students are honored for their hard work in various career fields, some celebrities will be receiving an honorary

degree.

Actress Angela Bassett and entrepreneur Robert F. Smith will both receive an honorary degree from Morehouse.

Bassett will receive an Honorary Doctor of Arts degree and Smith will receive a Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree. On May 19 the 135th commencement exercises for the historically Black school Morehouse College in Atlanta will take place, and Angela Bassett will be given an honorary degree on that day.

Black Enterprise reports the actress will receive an honorary doctorate of the arts for her dedication to “leadership, service, and excellence” as well as for setting the “bar high for women in Hollywood.”

After the New York-born actress

received a bachelor’s degree in AfricanAmerican Studies and a master of fine arts from Yale University, she had her breakout role as Reva Deveraux in John Singleton‘s 1991 classic “Boyz n the Hood.”

From there, Bassett wowed audiences with her performance in the 1992 film Malcolm X, where she played Betty Shabazz. She also received an Oscar nomination in 1994 for playing Tina Turner in “What’s Love Got to Do with It.” Other big screen successes for Bassett include “Waiting to Exhale,” “How Stella Got Her Groove Back,” “Akeelah and the Bee,” as well as “Notorious” and “Black Panther.” Today, she’s one of the stars and producers of the Fox series “9-1-1.”

The founder, chairman & CEO of

Vista Equity Partners Robert F. Smith will also be honored at the commencement ceremony and given an honorary doctor of humane letters degree.

Smith, who’ll give the keynote address at the graduation, donated $1.5 million to Morehouse in January for a new outdoor study area on the campus, and he also created the Robert Frederick Smith Scholars Program for disadvantaged students.

Smith also reportedly is the largest private donor to the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington.

Smith and Bassett will be honored as more than 300 scholars receive degrees at Morehouse’s commencement.

Hennessy Makes Multi-Million Dollar Commitment to Support African Americans in Leadership Positions ll Hennessy’s commitment to drive more diversity in corporate leadership just got a major boost with the announcement of the Hennessy Fellows graduate program. Hennessy has committed $10 million dollars over the next 10 years to the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) – the pre-eminent national organization dedicated to promoting educational excellence among students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). Now accepting applicants for Fall 2019 at tmcf.org/HFP through May 5, Hennessy Fellows is a groundbreaking graduate scholarship initiative designed to equip the next generation of African American leaders through financial assistance, access to training and professional development experiences, and real-world skill application.

TMCF’s vision of “Changing the World… One Leader at a Time” aligns with Hennessy’s “Never stop. Never settle.” mantra, which reflects what one can achieve by pushing the limits of potential. Born of these shared values, Hennessy Fellows was created for those graduate students who want to blaze their own trails and pursue their dreams, regardless of challenges faced along the way.

Last year, only 8.6% of Fortune 500 board seats were held by African American executives*; further, most scholarships focus on undergraduate education, making post-grad level degrees less attainable to those who rely on scholarships and financial assistance. “The issue of financial aid is not only limited to undergraduate students on our HBCU campuses.

Limited resources for graduate students also lead to student drop off,” said Dr. David Wilson, President, Morgan State University, one of the HBCUs eligible for participation in the Hennessy Fellows program. “Hennessy’s initiative will be a lifeline of support providing more opportunities for graduate students that are often forgotten.”

“We are honored to announce a ten-year partnership with Thurgood Marshall College Fund,” said Jim Clerkin, President and CEO of Moët Hennessy North America. “As a charter corporate sponsor of the fund, we continue to support the work of this organization in developing a pipeline of talent and future leaders from historically Black colleges and universities. I am proud of the work we have done together to date and look forward to continuing our efforts to build a broader, more inclusive talent base for

corporate America.”

Following a thorough application process, the Hennessy Fellows program selects ten high-achieving, high-potential graduate students per year and offers them a one-of-a-kind opportunity. Recipients will be awarded financial assistance towards collegiate graduate level education programs, as well as curated corporate development experiences, including training forums and networking to enhance the exchange of ideas, and provide direct exposure to the inter-relatedness. corporate, social and economic systems.

The program is open to students enrolled in accredited HBCU or PBI Graduate programs, and offers the following: 1:1 executive coaching Up to $20,000 per academic year $10,000 annual stipend for other educational expenses Opportunity to compete for a community-related project grant up to $10,000 Access to online training forums, boot camps, networking events and professional development experiences “When such a tremendously successful global brand like Hennessy invests in a higher education non-profit

like ours, it tells the world that HBCUs and PBIs have value and are worth investing in, and TMCF is the best steward to carry out such a monumental investment,” said Dr. Harry L. Williams, President & CEO, TMCF. “This is major, and it can’t be overlooked as just a financial contribution, it is a real partnership that is a game changer for the students and our community.”

Hennessy’s partnership with TMCF adds to the brand’s long history of supporting the African American community dating back to the early 1900s. Hennessy leadership at the time was among the founders of what would ultimately become the National Urban League, paving the road for Hennessy’s involvement as first corporate sponsor of milestone organizations like the NAACP and Tuskegee Institute.

Hennessy Fellows is now accepting applications. The 10 selected Fellows will be announced in June to receive benefits ahead of the Fall 2019 term.

For more information, including eligibility requirements and how to apply, please visit tmcf.org/HFP. To learn more about Hennessy, visit Hennessy.com/US, YouTube.com/HennessyUS, Facebook. com/Hennessy or Instagram.com/ HennessyUS.

EVENTS & music festivalS 2019 MAY BIRMINGHAM MAY 14 India. Arie Alys Stephens Center MAY 22 Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Farewell Tour Legacy Arena MAY 25 FunkTest Tour Legion FIeld

stuff to do in Chattanooga MARK your calendar.

Armed Forces Day Parade 05/03/2019 / 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM DOWNTOWN CHATTANOOGA / FREE Make plans to attend the 70th annual Armed Forces Day Parade! It’s a free event featuring military and veterans groups, JROTC units, high school bands, local businesses and more. The parade will step off at the intersection of MLK and Market St. and will move north on Market toward Aquarium Way. Bluegrass in the Park 05/18/2019 / 3:00 PM - 9:15 PM MILLER PARK, 910 MARKET STREET, CHATTANOOGA, TN 37402 /

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Peter Frampton Band’s LIVE in Chattanooga June 23—Chattanooga, TN—Tivoli Theatre+ ll CHATTANOOGA, TN- -- All Blues, the forthcoming covers album from the Peter Frampton Band, is set for release on June 7 via UMe. The album is a collection of Frampton’s favorite blues classics and was recorded with his longtime touring band, made up of Adam Lester (guitar/ vocals), Rob Arthur (keyboards/guitar/ vocals) and Dan Wojciechowski (drums).

“I Just Want To Make Love To You” (featuring Kim Wilson) is the first song to be released from the new album, and is available now with digital album preorder. Listen/share the track HERE. All Blues was recorded at Frampton’s studio in Nashville, Studio Phenix, and was co-produced by Frampton and Chuck Ainlay. The album features additional collaborations with Larry Carlton, Sonny Landreth and Steve Morse.

The vinyl will be available as a double LP and also as a limited edition translucent blue color pressing exclusively at PeterFrampton.com. The double LP will include the bonus track “I Feel So Good,” which was written

by Big Bill Broonzy and popularized by Muddy Waters.

Of the album, Frampton explains, “I have always loved to play the blues.

When we formed Humble Pie, the first material we played together was just that. For the last two summers I had been playing a handful of blues numbers every night on stage with Steve Miller Band. I enjoyed this immensely and it gave me the idea of doing an ‘All Blues’ album live in the studio with my band. We started the resulting sessions 9 days after coming off the road last year. Over a two-week period, we recorded 23 tracks, all live in the studio. The energy of these tracks is completely different from building a track one instrument at a time. With this recording, we pay tribute to all the original artists who invented this incredible music. I hope you can hear and feel our enjoyment. I’m not sure if you can say we had fun playing the blues. But we definitely did.”

To support All Blues, Frampton will be hosting a new six-week series on SiriusXM’s Deep Tracks channel. “The Peter Frampton Show” will premiere on Friday, May 10 at 10:00am ET on SiriusXM radios (channel 27) and on the SiriusXM app. Additionally, Frampton will walk SiriusXM listeners through each song from the new album in an exclusive track-by-track on SiriusXM’s BB King’s Bluesville channel. “Peter Frampton’s All Blues

Show” will air on Monday, June 3 at 3:00pm ET on SiriusXM radios (channel 74) and on the SiriusXM app.

In conjunction with the album’s release, Frampton will kick off Peter Frampton Finale—The Farewell Tour presented by SiriusXM—an approximately 50-date run this summer and fall produced by Live Nation.

Frampton will retire from regular vigorous touring at the end of this year due to his diagnosis of the autoimmune disease Inclusion Body Myositis (IBM).

IBM is a progressive muscle disorder characterized by muscle inflammation, weakness and atrophy. Frampton recently discussed his diagnosis with CBS “This Morning: Saturday;” watch the segment HERE. The tour will feature special guest Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening, as well as Julian Frampton on the west coast stops, with additional surprise guests to appear on select dates. Tickets are on sale now and VIP packages will also be available at www.frampton.com. $1 of every ticket sold, as well as any donations, will benefit The Peter Frampton Myositis Research Fund at Johns Hopkins, a newly established fund by Frampton and Johns Hopkins, where he’s being treated.

Peter Frampton remains one of the most lauded artists in rock history. On May 7, the Music Business Association will present him with the Chairman’s Award for Sustained Creative Achievement at the Awards & Hall of Fame Dinner that is part of the Association’s annual conference— Music Biz 2019—set to take place May 5-8 in Nashville. Frampton was also recently honored with the Les Paul Innovation Award at the 2019 NAMM Show’s 34th annual TEC Awards, and celebrated the 43rd anniversary of his fifth solo album, Frampton Comes Alive!, one of the top-selling live records of all time (over 17 million copies sold worldwide).

Chattanooga City Council looks to Set Up Of 9-Member Police Advisory And Review Committee ll The City Council is considering setting up a Police Advisory and Review Committee following complaints that the current Police Department review process was inadequate. However, there may be some delay.

During a Tuesday afternoon council committee meeting, it was found that Police Chief David Roddy had been working off a different draft version than some council members.

Chief Roddy also noted that some sections of the proposed city ordinance could be in conflict with a new state law on the same subject.

He said that bill is on the desk of Governor Bill Lee, but has not yet been signed.

Several council members urged that there not be further delays.

Councilman Russell Gilbert said, “We need to get something going so our citizens can feel comfortable.” He said black citizens often “get treated different.”

He said in light of some treatment of black citizens by city police “the citizens are upset, angry and scared.

This can ease that.”

Councilwoman Carol Berz said she would favor going ahead as scheduled with a vote next Tuesday night. She said, “It will show people that we do care and we want to move on.”

Chief Roddy was to keep the council a new timeline on the matter.

The council is eyeing a proposed 11-page ordinance on May 7 that sets up a nine-member committee. Each council member would have one appointee that could come from within or within the district.

The group is to elect a chair at its first meeting. The chair will accept complaints concerning police officer actions and refer them to Police Internal Affairs. The committee is later to get a report from Internal Affairs on what action, if any, was taken on the allegation.

The committee is to make recommendations for improvements to the Police Department and give an annual report.

The police chief is to retain final

authority on discipline of officers.

No member will be paid.

Here is the ordinance: WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Chattanooga believes that a strong and close relationship between the Chattanooga Police Department and the citizens of the City of Chattanooga is an integral part of a progressive, responsive and responsible city government; and WHEREAS, essential to such a relationship is the community’s respect for and trust in the Chattanooga Police Department; and WHEREAS, recognizing the need to allow the citizens of the City of Chattanooga to assume a greater role in guiding the Chattanooga Police Department in matters of public concern, including the examination of citizen complaints and complaint review procedures in other cities, the Chattanooga City Council desires to establish this Police Advisory and Review Committee.

The purpose of the Police Advisory and Review Committee is to strengthen the relationship between the citizens of the City of Chattanooga and the Chattanooga Police Department, to assure timely, fair and objective review of citizen complaints while protecting the individual rights of police officers, and to make recommendations concerning citizen complaints to the Chief of Police, the Mayor and to the Council.

The Committee shall consist of nine (9) members, who shall: 1. Have a background indicating fairness, integrity and responsibility including an active interest in public affairs and service for the citizens of Chattanooga for at least ten (10) years; 2. Be qualified to vote in Hamilton County, Tennessee; and 3. Not be a current employee of any governmental body except for those employed in the field of education. (b) All Committee members shall be appointed in the discretion of each City Council member within or outside each council district and committee members shall be

Tax increase? Hamilton County Schools superintendent asks for additional $34 million in $443 million budget ll Hamilton County Schools Superintendent Bryan Johnson is asking for an additional $34 million in the district’s FY 2020 budget, a request he says is critical to the future of student success.

While it’s well below the $80 million in increased needs and priorities that have been identified across the district, Johnson said his goal was to propose an “aspirational, not unreasonable” budget.

During a presentation to the Hamilton County Board of Education on Thursday, Johnson introduced a $443 million budget that garnered praise from the board. It must get approval from the Hamilton County Commission, which will take the issue up next month.

The increase would allow the district to “position ourselves so that we can support our children in a way that they can be successful,” Johnson told the Times Free Press.

“It is an important budget for our school system, an important budget for our children, and important budget for our community at large,” Johnson said.

“The reality is we are at an inflection point. This is the moment in time for this community that we really have to accelerate student achievement and that our schools are resources so we can carry forth with [our] five-year plan.”

“It’s time to get it right,” he added.

“It’s time to really invest in the promise of our children.”

The additional $34 million would allow for more than 350 additional positions, including: > 10 social workers > 10 special education teachers > 11 art teachers > 15 truancy officers > 14 school counselors It would also include funding for teacher raises, increased technology such as giving every student a laptop, eliminating general school fees and providing more funding for teachers to

attend training opportunities.

The budget is an almost 13% increase over the district’s FY 2019 budget, but some of that increase comes from natural growth funds and additional projected revenue sources.

The district has not had a budget increase for operational costs since 2005, Johnson said.

Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger said such a request would not be possible without an additional source of revenue — either property taxes or sales taxes increases.

The most obvious thought would be increased property taxes, Coppinger said, however he said he has not reviewed Johnson’s proposal.

Once the school board approves a budget, the mayor said he will begin weeks of one-on-one meetings with commissioners and county departments as he puts together the county’s proposed budget, which will include the school district’s.

In 2017, the district received a one-time $110 million in funds from the county commission for capital projects.

Johnson said his staff put together the budget based on priorities of school leaders, teachers and the community.

His staff members were charged with aligning their department requests with goals outlined in the district’s strategic plan, Future Ready 2023, adopted by the school board last fall.

“It’s understanding that we are using community resources and really wanting to be thorough about what we do,” he said.

Some of the items not in the budget proposal but listed as unfunded priorities include an annual capital maintenance budget increase, transportation to Future Ready Institutes and open enrollment schools, additional school counselors, art teachers, interventionists and more.

Many board members were enthusiastic and supportive of Johnson’s budget proposal.

District 2 board member Kathy Lennon said she was thrilled.

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms to Deliver Commencement Address to the Spelman College Class of 2019 ATLANTA, April 23, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The Honorable Keisha Lance Bottoms, current mayor of Atlanta, has been named keynote speaker for the Spelman College 132nd Commencement ceremony.

The 60th Mayor of Atlanta will address 474 graduates in the Class of 2019 and 9,000 of their family and friends on Sunday, May 19, 2019, at 3 p.m., at the Georgia International Convention Center in Atlanta. Mayor Bottoms will also receive the National Community Service Award in recognition of her service as a lifelong public servant and commitment to addressing local, state and national issues.

Mayor Bottoms is the only mayor in Atlanta’s history to have served in all three branches of government, serving as a judge and city councilmember before being sworn in as mayor.

Leading with a progressive agenda focused on equity and affordable housing, Mayor Bottoms serves as chair of the Community Development and Housing Committee for the United States Conference of Mayors.

Only the second woman to be elected to Atlanta’s highest office, Mayor Bottoms has demonstrated her courageous leadership through initiatives like the citywide elimination of cash bail bonds, the closure of the Atlanta City Detention Center to ICE detainees, and the launch of Atlanta’s financial transparency platform – Open Checkbook. During her time on city council, she launched Invest in Southwest, a 360-degree urban planning initiative with the goal of revitalizing and expanding economic development within the Southwest Atlanta community. She also authored panhandling legislation, which combined empathy with enforcement, and resulted in offenders receiving often-needed social services to help break the cycle of recidivism.

“Atlanta is fortunate to have such a dynamic leader as Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, who has had a tremendous impact on the city, in particular on the Westside, where Spelman is located,” said Spelman President Mary Schmidt Campbell, Ph.D. “She stands as an example for Spelman students of how to effectively lead the country’s bedrock for civil and human rights, while navigating complex issues, prioritizing civic engagement and advancing Atlanta’s progress in global commerce and equity. We look forward to Mayor Bottoms sharing her experience with the class of 2019.”

Under Mayor Bottoms’ leadership, the City of Atlanta recently led the successful staging of Super Bowl LIII, which included unprecedented community benefits – a $2.4 million renovation of John F. Kennedy Park on Atlanta’s Westside, more than 20,000 trees planted throughout the community and the seamless coordination of 40 federal, state and local public safety agencies.

Mayor Bottoms has volunteered and served on the board of numerous community organizations, including The Children’s School, the Firefighters’ Pension Fund, the Andrew and Walter Young YMCA, the YWCA of Atlanta, Cure for Childhood Cancer and Central Atlanta Progress. She has been a member of the National Center for Civil and Human Rights – Women’s Solidarity Society and also served on the board of Families First, where she often shared her personal story of adoption and advocates on behalf of adoption and foster care.

“Spelman College is a beacon of excellence across the globe and I am honored to stand among the many fearless women who have graced this space to share life lessons with the graduates as they journey into their next chapter,” said Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. “I am equally grateful to receive the 2019 National Community Service Award. Thank you, Spelman College, for the thoughtfulness in this recognition.”

A product of Atlanta Public Schools, Mayor Bottoms graduated from Frederick Douglass High School and received her undergraduate degree from Florida A&M University. She earned her Juris Doctorate from Georgia State University College of Law. Honorary Degree Recipient – Carla Hayden, Ph.D., Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden, Ph.D., the 14th Librarian of Congress, will receive the Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree. The first woman and the first African American to lead the national library was nominated to the position by President Barack Obama. Previously, Dr. Hayden served as CEO of the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore, Maryland, for more than 20 years. Her earlier roles include deputy commissioner and chief librarian of the Chicago Public Library and assistant professor for Library and Information Science at the University of Pittsburgh.

Dr. Hayden has served as a member of the National Museum and Library Services Board, was president of the American Library Association from 2003 to 2004 and, in 1995, became the first African American to receive Library Journal’s Librarian of the Year Award.

Honorary Degree Recipient – Sonia Sanchez, Poet, Playwright, Professor, Activist Poet, professor, activist and one of the foremost leaders of the Black Studies movement, Sonia Sanchez will receive the Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree. A lifelong advocate for the rights of oppressed women and minority groups and a sponsor of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, Sanchez has lectured at more than 500 colleges and universities internationally on Black culture and literature, women’s liberation, peace and racial justice. The author of more than 20 books, Sanchez is a contributing editor to Black Scholar

and The Journal of African Studies, and has edited several books and contributed poetry and articles on Black culture to anthologies and periodicals. She has taught at San Francisco State University, Manhattan Community College, Amherst College, and Temple University, where she was the first Presidential Fellow.

Her many honors and awards include being named Philadelphia’s first Poet Laureate and receiving the PEN Writing Award, the American Book Award for Poetry, the National Academy of Arts and Letters Award, the National Education Association Award, Academy of American Poets’ Wallace Stevens Award and fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Pew Arts Foundation.

Baccalaureate Service Alisha Lola Jones, B.M., M.Div., and Ph.D., assistant professor of Ethnomusicology, African Diaspora Studies, and Religious Studies at Indiana University Bloomington, will serve as Baccalaureate speaker to the class of 2019. A musician, social entrepreneur and fourth generation preacher, Rev. Jones has focused her research interests on musical masculinities, music and theology, the music industry, music of the African diaspora and emerging research on music and future foodways. She has received academic acclaim and support for her research with fellowships from Andrew W. Mellon; the Center for the Study of Race, Politics, and Culture and the Center for the Study of Gender and Sexuality; and the Franke Institute for the Humanities, among others.

As a performer-scholar, Dr. Jones has lectured on her research throughout the world at institutions such as Oxford University, Howard University, Boston University, Duke University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Her writings on AfricanAmerican religious music, gender and sexuality in ethnomusicological research appear in various publications.

Baccalaureate service will be held on Saturday, May 18, at 9 a.m., on the Spelman Oval.

Tarana Burke reclaims #MeToo movement with HBCU tour

By Rebekah Barber Contributing Writer ll (Special from Facing South) — In 1997, while working as a summer camp director in Alabama, Tarana Burke met a young girl named Heaven.

Heaven, who was sexually assaulted by her mother’s boyfriend, confided in Burke about her abuse. But at the time, Burke, who is also a survivor of sexual assault, did not know how to respond to the young girl’s confession. Later, she admitted that she wished she would have simply told Heaven, “Me too.”

Twenty years after that fateful encounter, and nine years after Burke founded the #MeToo movement, the phenomenon went viral after actress Alyssa Milano used the hashtag on

Twitter in reference to accusations against film producer Harvey Weinstein.

Soon, more people were engaging in open discussions about sexual assault as the movement Burke ignited gained mainstream attention. But amid all these conversations, it seemed as though the stories of those Burke had originally set out to uplift – Black women and girls like Heaven – were lost.

For instance, during Sexual Assault Awareness Month last April, Burke was invited to speak at over 70 predominantly white institutions (PWIs) but only two historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) – despite the fact that Black women experience sexual violence at rates second only to Native women, and that women at HBCUs experience sexual assault comparable to women at PWIs. Further, statistics show that even when Black women speak out against sexual assault, their stories are less likely to be believed than their white counterparts.

That is why, this April, Burke launched the “Me Too HBCU Tour” to intentionally refocus the movement and shed light on the plight of Black women who have to combat both racism and sexism as they attempt to overcome sexual abuse. The recently-concluded tour took Burke and professor and cultural producer, Yaba Blay, to Alabama State University, Florida A&M, Howard University, North Carolina Central University, and the Atlanta University Center, a consortium that includes Clark Atlanta University,

Spelman College, Morehouse College, and the Morehouse School of Medicine.

At each of the stops, Burke convened in-depth conversations and strategy sessions with students, faculty and administrators.

Perhaps most importantly, Burke aimed to create a “Me Too” task force on each of the college campuses to continue the work of ending sexual assault. In exchange for agreeing to sign a contract detailing the necessary work, each college would receive a $10,000 grant to fund the task force.

The sessions led by Burke and Blay explored the fact that, as at other colleges across the country, sexual violence is prevalent at HBCUs – but the issue is complicated by the fact that there is often a stigma attached to addressing sexual violence in the Black community because of the brutal history of Black men being falsely accused of sexual offenses by white supremacists.

Burke addressed this at her recent lecture at North Carolina Central University in Durham. She noted that while it is true that Black men and youths like Emmett Till were murdered over false accusations of sexual violence, it is also true that – just like other forms of violence – most sexual violence is intracommunal. When people refuse to acknowledge this, she said, it does not hurt just the victims but the community as a whole.

“We must love ourselves to want better for us,” Burke said.

Burke also noted that, though it is

not often talked about, one in six boys are sexually assaulted in the U.S., some of them victims of so-called “cougar culture” — older women pursuing younger men — that deprives them of their innocence. She also asserted that one of the biggest reasons why sexual assault on college campuses is so prevalent is because so many people never have conversations around consent before they enter college.

The tour has not been without challenges. Burke cut short her visit to Florida A&M, the last stop of the tour, after feeling antagonized by school staff who tried to stop her from reading the contract for the Me Too task force, claiming she was not allowed to do so because the administration had not yet reviewed it. But the incident sparked discussion, underscoring why the Me Too HBCU tour was so important in the first place.

“This is a conversation out of love,” as Blay said, “not an indictment.”

Rebekah Barber is a research/writer for Facing South, the online magazine of the Institute for Southern Studies, where this article originally appeared, www.southernstudies.org. The Institute for Southern Studies is a nonprofit research and media center that exposes injustice, strengthens democracy and builds a community for change in the South.

Five things Black men need to know to avoid a stroke ll Oscar-nominated director John Singleton remains hospitalized in intensive care after suffering a stroke, according to numerous media outlets.

As such, the 51-year-old director has become part of an alarming health statistic, as Black men are twice as likely to suffer strokes than their white counterparts, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.

But it doesn’t have to happen. Here are five ways African Ame-rican men can avoid having a stroke: Lower your salt intake. Chris

Rock once joked that table salt is killing a lot of Black men, and it isn’t a laughing matter. Salt, or sodium, raises your blood pressure, which in turn increases the risk of a stroke. Use salt in moderation, and avoid foods that are high in sodium. Sodium intake should be no more than 1,500 milligrams per day.

Stop smoking. According to the CDC, smoking doubles your risk of stroke. Stop smoking, or, at the very least, limit the amount you smoke.

Hit the gym. Being healthy is key, and being obese or overweight

increases your risk of stroke. The CDC reports that a staggering 70 percent of Black men are overweight.

Monitor your blood pressure. The CDC reports that 40 percent of Black men have high blood pressure – a huge risk factor for strokes.

Healthy eating leads to healthy living. Consuming too much fried food and fast food can lead to many health complications, including stroke and high blood pressure. Add more fruits and vegetables to your diet, and, when the choice arises, opt for grilled or baked meats as opposed to fried. Making

subtle changes to your diet may not seem like much, but the long-term health benefits can help you avoid a stroke.

Toward a Living Wage

ll (TriceEdneyWire.com) - It is unfathomable that the federal minimum wage has not been increased in more than a decade, since 2007, that the wage, at $7.25 per hour has remained flat through recession and recovery, through extremely high unemployment rates and much lower ones. Republicans have absolutely refused to consider

minimum wage increases, and in early March rejected a bill that would increase the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2024. Still, with the Democratic majority in Congress, the bill came out of committee on a 28-20 party line vote.

While the federal government drags its feet, six states, the District of Columbia and several other cities now have a minimum wage that will rise to $15 in the next few years. In late March, Maryland joined California, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey and Illinois in increasing the minimum wage, even though Republican governor Larry Hogan vetoed the legislation.

Both houses of the Maryland legislature overrode his veto, even though he melodramatically noted that a higher minimum wage would “devastate” the Maryland economy.

Unions, McDonald’s workers, and the Fight for Fifteen have fueled the national push to raise the minimum wage, especially as people have noted that wage stagnation has resulted in an extremely uneven economic recovery. While those at the top are celebrating economic growth, those at the bottom have barely experienced it. And the current minimum wage of $7.25 produces annual pay of $15,080, assuming that someone works a full 40 hours a week all 52 weeks of the year, which is often unlikely because many minimum wage jobs are part-time jobs.

The poverty line for a family of three (a working mom and two children) is $16,910. A woman working full time at the minimum wage is living below the poverty line. She qualifies for SNAP (food stamps), and possibly for federal

housing aid if she can get it. All too often, the list for housing subsidies is full, as is public housing, so assistance is not an option. What is a woman earning such a low wage to do, then, living at the economic periphery? She houseshares lives with family or endures homelessness. She lines up to get food at food banks or from other charities.

She struggles to make ends meet, while her Congressional Representative earns $174,000 a year whether they produce or not. (I’d suspend Congressional pay when they choose to shut down the government).

Too many of the people who earn the minimum wage, mostly women, are caretakers. They mind our children and our elders, as nannies and home health workers.

Chicken Salad Chick Grows Tennessee Footprint With New Location In Cookeville

llChattanooga, TN -- Chicken Salad Chick, the nation’s only southern inspired, fast casual chicken salad restaurant concept, announced today it will be expanding in Tennessee with its newest restaurant in Cookeville.

Located at 1265 Interstate Drive in the Shoppes at Eagle Point, the new

restaurant, which will be offering free chicken salad for a year to the first 100 guests, will open on May 7th and marks the brand’s 13th location in the state.

During grand opening week, guests will experience the southern hospitality that Chicken Salad Chick is known for, with giveaways and specials that include: Tuesday, May 7 – Free Chicken Salad for a Year – The first guest will receive one large Quick Chick of chicken salad per week for an entire year; the next 99 guests receive a free large Quick Chick of chicken salad per month.* Any guest not part of the first 100 in line can make a purchase and enter to win free chicken salad for a year.** Wednesday, May 8 – The first 50 guests at 10a.m. and the first 50 guests at 5p.m. to purchase a Chick Trio will receive a free 30oz RTIC Chick tumbler.

Thursday, May 9 – The first 50 guests at 10a.m. and the first 50 guests at 5p.m. to purchase a Chick Special will receive a free upgrade to a Chick Trio.

Friday, May 10 ­– Chicken Salad of the Month Club & Mother’s Day the “Perfect Pair”– The first 50 guests at 10a.m. and the first 50 guests at 5p.m. to purchase a Chick Special will be automatically enrolled in the Free Chicken Salad of the Month Club. Each guest will receive one scoop of chicken salad per month for a year.*** In honor of Mother’s Day, guests can enjoy any two scoops at $5.99 all day long and the first 200 moms will receive a free long stem rose.**** Saturday, May 11 – Free Cooler & Mother’s Day the “Perfect Pair” – The first 50 guests to purchase two large Quick Chicks will receive a free large Chick cooler. In honor of Mother’s Day, guests can enjoy any two scoops at

$5.99 all day long and the first 200 moms will receive a free long stem rose.**** The Cookeville restaurant is owned and operated by multi-unit franchise owner Hudson Sandefur and his partner Christy Eischeid of Cookeville Chick, LLC. With nearly 30 years of experience in the fast-casual sector, Sandefur and Eischeid know what it takes to successfully manage foodservice franchises. Sandefur owns six Zaxby’s locations across Alabama and Mississippi and Eischeid previously owned and operated three Zaxby’s locations in the Chattanooga, Tennessee area. Sandefur celebrated the grand opening of his first Chicken Salad Chick restaurant in D’Iberville, Mississippi last fall and is thrilled to be opening a new location in Cookeville with his close friend and valued partner.

Lupus Foundation of America Survey: More than Half of Americans Lack Awareness, Understanding of Lupus ll WASHINGTON, May 1, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- As the United States observes Lupus Awareness Month this May, a new survey commissioned by the nation’s leading voice on the disease – the Lupus Foundation of America – revealed the need for better public understanding of this cruel and mysterious autoimmune disease.

While lupus affects an estimated 1.5 million people in the U.S. alone, 63% of Americans surveyed have never heard of or know little or nothing about this disease that has no cure.

Survey responses showed the biggest gaps exist around understanding the populations most at risk for the disease, lupus symptoms – and, most glaring – the prolonged time it takes to receive an accurate lupus diagnosis.

Over half of respondents (61%) believed it takes six months or less for a person to be accurately diagnosed with lupus. In reality, people with lupus have reported waiting an average of six years for an accurate diagnosis after first noticing symptoms.

Not only do many people suffer from lupus for years without knowing the cause, but there is no single test that can provide a definitive diagnosis. Yet 65% of those surveyed believed that lupus can be diagnosed with a single

blood test, demonstrating that the public often doesn’t understand the lengthy and frustrating process many people with lupus go through to be diagnosed. „We urgently need to diagnose people with lupus earlier so that treatment can begin promptly, without years of delay,” said Stevan W. Gibson, Lupus Foundation of America President and CEO. „While individuals wait for their diagnosis the disease may be causing irreversible damage that will have long term implications.”

Only about a third of respondents could identify symptoms of lupus other

than painful/swollen joints or extreme overwhelming fatigue. Over half did correctly identify painful or swollen joints (61%) and extreme overwhelming fatigue (58%) as symptoms of lupus. „Awareness and understanding of lupus is one important piece of the diagnosis puzzle. Our goal is to create the change needed to shorten the path to diagnosis so individuals with lupus can lead full lives. That’s why we are committed to educating the public about lupus, training physicians to recognize symptoms, and supporting research and the development of tests to help better

diagnose the disease,” said Gibson.

The survey sample was designed to be reflective of the U.S. population’s diverse demographics. Women of color are at two-to-three times greater risk for developing lupus than Caucasian women. However, over half of respondents (62%) didn’t recognize that minority populations were disproportionately impacted by lupus.

Minority women tend to develop lupus at a younger age, experiencing more serious complications and have higher mortality rates. This was reflected among minority respondents who indicated they were also more worried about developing the disease than others surveyed: 44% compared to 29% of the sample overall.

While it was promising that a significant percentage of Hispanics and African Americans surveyed indicated they were either very familiar or somewhat familiar with lupus, including 43% of Hispanic respondents and 54% of African American respondents, there are still considerable gaps in the understanding of lupus signs and symptoms which are crucial for early diagnosis.

To address this, the Foundation has an ongoing national lupus awareness and education campaign, Be Fierce.

BUSINESS DIRECTORY/LEGAL Want to Do Business with your Local Government?

Legal Notice Bids in Duplicate will be received by the City of Chattanooga Purchasing Department, 101 East 11th Street, Suite G-13, Chattanooga, Tennessee until May 16, 2019Time 2:00 P. M. Requisition: 184321At that time Bids will be publicly opened and read for: Stop Loss InsuranceBid forms and additional specifications may be obtained by contacting the Purchasing Department at (423) 643-7230.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 ChattanoogaMarisol HernandezBuyer PUBLIC NOTICE OF MEETING CITY OF CHATTANOOGA AUDIT COMMITTEETake notice, pursuant to Chapter 442, Tennessee Public Acts of 1974, the Sunshine Law, and amendments thereto, and Private Act of 1911, Chapter 10, Section 14, as amended, that the City of Chattanooga’s Audit Committee is scheduled to meet on Thursday, May 16, 2019 at 1:30 PM in the J.B. Collins Conference Room of the Chattanooga City Council Building, located at 1000 Lindsay Street, Chattanooga, TN 37402.

Nicole S. GwynClerk of the Council20190501 MEETING NOTICE The FORM-BASED CODE COMMITTEE FOR MAJOR MODIFICATIONS meeting will be held on Thursday, May 9, 2019, at 2:00 p.m., in the Development Resource Center at 1250 Market Street, Conference Room 1-A. The following are the cases to be heard at that time: 19-FB-00013 - 320 E Main Street Skyline signage19-FB-00016 - Adams Street - Setbacks & parking setbacks19-FB-00021 - 1603 Long Street - Access, stories, parking setback20190430 REQUEST FOR BIDS ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS CITY OF CHATTANOOGA,TENNESSEEOWNER 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 23, 2019, and then at said place publicly opened and read aloud:City Yards Carpenter Shop & Water Quality Storage BuildingCONTRACT NUMBER C-16005-201The scope of work shall consist of but is not limited to the following: The renovation of the existing City Yards Carpenter Shop located at 1004 East 12th Street. The scope shall include partial demolition of the existing metal building including metal wall panels, girts, and wall bracing. The scope also to include construction of a new exterior wall, fire supression, and new lighting.The Contract Documents may be examined at the:City of ChattanoogaPurchasing Department101

E. 11th Street, Suite G13Chattanooga, TN 37402bidinfo@chattanooga.govPhone Number: (423) 643-7230Fax Number: (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 $35.00 per set; no part of the purchase price will be refunded. A Pre-Bid Conference is scheduled for Tuesday, May 7, 2019 at 10:00 A.M. local time, in Conference Room 2B of the Development Resource Center, located at 1250 Market Street, Suite 2100, Chattanooga, TN 37402.

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://www.chatta nooga. 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 EngineerDepartment of Public Works APPROVED:Justin C. Holland, AdministratorDepartment of Public Works20190430 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 REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) CHATTANOOGA HOUSING AUTHORITY SOLICITATION #E-839-00 LEGAL SERVICES The Chattanooga Housing Authority (CHA) is seeking proposals from qualified firms to provide Legal Services necessary to supplement the daily management and operation of the Authority.

One hard copy proposal with original signatures and a digital (PDF) copy on flash drive or CD or transmitted by e-mail, will be received at the Procurement Department at the Central Office of the Chattanooga Housing Authority, 801 N. Holtzclaw Ave., Chattanooga, Tennessee 37404, until 4:00 P.M. EDT Tuesday, May 7, 2019.

RFP documents may be obtained from the Procurement Department at CHA’s Central Office address above (please call before you come so we will have a copy ready for you), or from CHA’s website. A Presubmission Conference will be held at same location at 2:00 p.m. EDT, Thursday, April 25. RFP documents should be obtained prior to conference as they will not be distributed at that time. For more information or to receive

an electronic copy of the RFP, contact Debbie Chadwick, Purchasing Agent (Phone/Fax 423-752-4192, dchadwick@chahousing.org).

CHA Website: www.chahousing.org.

CHA reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, make multiple awards, or waive any informalities in the proposals.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER E. F. McCright Executive Director Date: April 21, 201920190428 REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) CHATTANOOGA HOUSINGAUTHORITY SOLICITATION #V-841-00HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHERPROGRAM (HCVP) PROJECT-BASED ASSISTANCE FORNEW DEVELOPMENT The Chattanooga Housing Authority (CHA) has identified a need in the jurisdiction of the CHA which includes the City of Chattanooga and Hamilton County, Tennessee, for certain affordable housing opportunities for families and individuals. CHA will make available project-based vouchers in its HCVP for new construction one-, two-, three-, four- and five-bedroom units located in Chattanooga and throughout Hamilton County. Digital proposals will be received through email to dchadwick@chahous ing. org, of the Procurement Department at CHA until 11:59 PM EDT, SUNDAY, MAY 5, 2019.

Subject of email should read “Solicitation #V-841-00, HCVP Project-Based Assistanced for New Development.” A Pre-Proposal Conference will be held at CHA’s Central Office, 801 N. Holtzclaw Ave., Chattanooga, Tennessee 37404, on Tuesday, April 30, at 2:00 pm EDT. Proposal documents may be obtained from the Procurement Department at the address above, or from CHA’s website, www.chahousing.org. For more information or to receive an electronic copy of the solicitation, contact Debbie Chadwick, Purchasing Agent (423-7524192, dchadwick@chahousing.org). TDD Relay Service: 711. CHA reserves the right to reject any or all proposals or to waive any informalities in the proposals. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERElizabeth F. McCrightExecutive Director Date: April 26, 2019 REQUEST FOR BIDS Sealed bids will be received by the Hamilton County Department of Education until May 9, 2019 at which time they will be opened and publicly read for the following item: 11:00am - Yearly Contract for Chartered Coach Carrier Services for Student Field Trips (Bid File 20-05)Bids must be received prior to the designated time for opening. Bids will be opened in the Purchasing Department, Room 158. Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from the Purchasing Department, Hamilton County Department of Education, 3074 Hickory Valley Road, Chattanooga TN 37421. Telephone (423) 498-7030 and on our website at www.hcde.orgThe Hamilton County Board of Education reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids or any part thereof, to waive technicalities and informalities, and to award a contract to other than the lowest bid.

Legal Notice Bids will be received by the City of Chattanooga Purchasing Department, 101 East 11th Street, Suite G-13, City Hall, Chattanooga, Tennessee, untilDate: May 7, 2019Time: 2:00 PMRequisition: R184180At that time Bids will be received for:Foods for Head Start CentersBid documents may be obtained by contacting the Purchasing Department. Call 423-642-7230.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 proposal 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 national origin.City of ChattanoogaWilliam Tucker, Buyer20190425 Legal Notice Bids will be received by the City of Chattanooga Purchasing Department, 101 East 11th Street, Suite G-13, City Hall, Chattanooga, Tennessee, untilDate: May 8, 2019Time: 2:00 PMRequisition: R184424At that time Bids will be received for:Lease of Office FurnitureBid documents may be obtained by contacting the Purchasing Department. Call 423-642-7230.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 proposal 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 national origin.City of ChattanoogaWilliam Tucker, Buyer20190425 REQUEST FOR BIDS Sealed Bids in duplicate will be received by the City of Chattanooga, Purchasing Department Suite G13 City Hall.

Chattanooga, Tennessee until May 2, 2019 Time_2:00 P. M._ for the Contract of:Contract for: Grounds Maintenance for City Right-ofWaysPre-Bid Conference will be conducted on April 25, 2019 at 10:00 AM EST In the Training Room at the Paul Clark Building, 900 East 11th Street, Chattanooga, TN 37403Bid 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 goods And services on the basis of race, color, or natural origin.City of ChattanoogaMark McKeelBuyer/Purchasing20190422