December 4 -10, 2014
VOL. 63, No. 48
www.tsdmemphis.com
75 Cents
What next after the killing of ‘a good guy like JoJo?’
by Kirstin L. Cheers
Special to The New Tri-State Defender
Home invasion death spurs ‘A Call to Action’
“Is it true?” “OMG” “Please. Please. No. Say it aint so.” “Tell me I’m having a bad dream.” “Lord, have mercy.” On Friday night (Nov. 28), these were a few tweets among hundreds of young Memphians who had heard the news of a young couple involved in a home invasion by two men dressed in all black with gloves and ski masks. The intruders rushed into the home in the 600 block of North Walnut Bend before the couple could lock the door. They demanded money, but left with much more on their hands. One day after Thanksgiving, Jarmelle “JoJo” Jones, 26, was
while his girlfriend suffered two gunshot wounds, one in each leg. Frantically, she called 911 for help. She was taken to Regional One Health Center, where she was said to be in non-critical condition. Hours later, Twitter and Facebook ignited with heartbreaking condolences from friends and classmates. Many were in disbelief that a person such as Jones could become a victim of such a heinous crime. Many were afraid for their own lives. Many wanted to reach out to the girlfriend, who was also wellknown throughout the community. Jones was a 2011 graduate of the University of Memphis and a member
Jarmelle “JoJo” Jones, 26, was killed by intruders the day after Thanksgiving. (Courtesy photo)
brutally killed during the invasion
of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He was a devout mentor in his community and throughout Memphis. During his tenure at UofM, Jones made a name for himself by promoting and hosting college parties, which he continued to do until his death. He was also an entrepreneur and worked several years at Ching’s Hotwings. “He was a hard worker who maximized all 24 hours in the day,” said Jessica Pollard, a close friend. “Every time I saw him, it made me reevaluate myself, like we all could do a little bit more and push ourselves more to achieve our goals.” Family, friends and colleagues of JoJo’s want to grab the city’s
attention to stop violence in Memphis. Together, they’re hosting “A Call to Action: A Night for JoJo” on Thursday (Dec. 4) at The New Olivet Baptist Church, 3084 Southern Avenue at 6 p.m. “Jojo was a type of person who would give the shirt off his back to you if you asked for it,” said Greg Vann, Jones’ (fraternity) line brother. “He didn’t believe in making enemies because he was a businessman and didn’t like creating bad blood. He made sure he was friends with everyone and anyone who was willing to be a friend to him.” SEE JO JO ON PAGE 3
Honorees get and give at 2014 Freedom Awards by Megan Mottley
Special to The New Tri-State Defender
U.S. Atty. Gen. Eric Holder
U.S. Atty. Gen. Eric Holder to headline local summit Dec. 9 Focus: improved quality of life for ‘Young Men of Color’ by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell
Special to the New Tri-State Defender
Incidents of mass fighting, spontaneous outbreak of mob, youth violence, and exorbitant illiteracy rates here in Memphis prompted Mayor AC Wharton Jr. to launch the Inspiring Young Men of Color initiative back in mid-July. Next week, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder will headline the local “My Brother’s Keeper Summit” event to support improvements in education, healthcare, employment, justice and literacy for “black youth.” African-American males, parents, teachers, school administrators, community leaders and concerned citizens are invited to convene with Wharton and Holder on Tuesday (Dec. 9) from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Hattiloo Theater, 37 S. Cooper. Inspiring Young Men of Color is the city’s effort to connect with the White House aim of putting a national focus on realizing better outcomes for young men of color. Tony Nichelson, executive director of Men of the House Mentoring Program, will be on hand, not just to connect to others who are reaching out to African-American boys, but also to greet Holder, a very “old and dear friend.” “Eric and I worked together in 1987, mentoring boys who were locked up in the juvenile system in Washington D.C. at the time,” said SEE HOLDER ON PAGE 3
MEMPHIS WEEKEND
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
H-61o - L-51o Rain
REGIONAL TEMPS LITTLE ROCK NASHVILLE JACKSON, MS
H-55o - L-48o Showers
SUNDAY
H-61o - L-51o Showers
Friday Saturday Sunday H-64 L-50 H-60 L-48 H-59 L-41 H-60 L-52 H-54 L-47 H-58 L-49 H-71 L-57 H-68 L-51 H-70 L-54
Since 1991, Beverly Robertson, now former President of the National Civil Rights Museum, and a dynamic team have used the annual Freedom Awards to recognize men and women who have evoked change in their communities and across the nation. That ongoing endeavor has helped turn the Lorraine Motel – the site of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination – into a symbol of triumph over tragedy. On Tuesday morning, the 2014 Freedom Awards celebration began in a familiar manner with the Public Forum hosted at the Temple of Deliverance C.O.G.I.C. By the evening’s end, the rejuvenating energy that surges with each year’s celebration had filled The Cannon Center for Performing Arts and touched the men and women of all ages and various persuasions. None seemed moved more than the four honorees – Charlayne HunterGault, International Freedom Award; Robert Parris Moses, National Freedom Award; Frank Robinson, Lifetime Achievement Freedom Award for Sports; and Tom Brokaw, Lifetime Achievement Freedom Award for Journalism. “This is a very special award,” said Moses, an educator and civil rights activist whose name is synonymous with the Mississippi Freedom Summer Project. “The fact that this country will be able to own its own history is so important.” Hunter-Gault, the veteran and award-winning journalist who initially gained notoriety as the first African-American female student at the University of Georgia, experienced a renewal. “Thank you,” she said, “for refueling my dream & drive as a
The 2014 honorees – Charlayne Hunter-Gault, International Freedom Award; Frank Robinson, Lifetime Achievement Freedom Award for Sports; Robert Parris Moses, National Freedom Award; and Tom Brokaw, Lifetime Achievement Freedom Award – at the Public Forum held at Temple of Deliverance C.O.G.I.C. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley) journalist…” Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Robinson spoke of the value of emulating the doers of good deeds. “My goal was to always give back in the game of baseball because someone paved the way for me,” he said. The uniqueness of the National Civil Rights Museum clearly affected Brokaw, who became a household image nationally and internationally as the anchor and managing editor of “NBC Nightly News,”
“The fact that the National Civil Rights Museum exists is profound,” said Brokaw. “(It) sheds light on the darkness that existed and serves as a teaching tool…. I owe you so much for this award.” The honorees had entered the room to resounding applause after the PreShow presented by Garry Goin, the Freedom Awards musical director. Black Violin, a dynamic violinist duo, and a DJ rocked the house with an upbeat performance. With the program underway, Ziad
Ojakil with Ford Motor Company introduced the Master of Ceremony, Michael Eric Dyson, whom he referred to as the “Street Fighter in a suit and tie.” Dyson went to work, captivating the guests with his charisma and a quick run-down of all that was in store for the evening. Tributes to phenomenal people such as the Rev. Samuel “Billy” Kyles and performances by The Reddick Singers, Collage Dance Collective SEE HONOREES ON PAGE 2
Love of teaching shaped Dr. Sarah Chandler’s legacy by Wiley Henry
whenry@tsdmemphis.com
She was a woman of “grace, substance, intelligence and wisdom” – attributes that endeared Dr. Sarah Chandler to family and friends. Many noted her “good looks” but it was her penchant for reading and her love of teaching that shaped her legacy. Those who knew Dr. Chandler were impressed with her skillset and her commitment to equip students with the skill to read books that could take them anywhere they wanted to go in the world. She taught sixth-grade and retired in 1992 after serving as principal of Dunn Elementary. Dr. Chandler died Friday, Nov. 28, following a long illness. She was 84. Herman Morris Jr., a former student, said he loved Dr. Chandler at first sight. “I met Dr. Chandler when I was in the 4th grade and again in the 6th grade at Lester Elementary School. She was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen, other than my own mother. “She was well read. She said you can go anywhere in the world and do anything that you dreamed by reading a book. So I wanted to be well read,” said Morris, attorney for the city of Memphis. “She inspired me and my classmates to be
Dr. Sarah Chandler and her daughter Judge Jayne Chandler. (Courtesy photo) excellent. We all wanted to please her.” Dr. Chandler set the bar high for herself by earning a master’s degree and a doctorate. She valued her family and challenged them and others to get an education, no matter what rung of the socioeconomic ladder was the starting point. “Sarah Chandler was the cheerleader for the underdog and the downtrodden – always trying to help those at a disadvantage to be able to enjoy the benefits of the ‘haves.’ That is one of the reasons she worked hard to ensure that her
students were good readers and orators,” said Daryl Leven, Dr. Chandler’s son-in-law. “She knew that without those skills, students would struggle in adult life and have difficulty in being successful.” Dr. Chandler also challenged her children. “I remember her buying a set of encyclopedias – the animal encyclopedias and the science encyclopedias – and encouraged us to read them,” said her son, Horace L. “Randy” Chandler Jr. of Houston, Texas. “If you’d ask her a question, she would say, ‘Look it up
and come back and we’ll talk about it.’” Dr. Chandler would challenge his three children as well. He grew up with a sister and they were taught that success demands hard work. “I had the kind of mother that was perfect for a boy,” said Chandler. “I’m going to miss her.” She also was the kind of mother who was perfect for a “village,” said her daughter, City Court Judge Jayne Chandler. “She was an educator and teacher and saw children as her own. Although she was human with human frailties, she was perfect for me. And God blessed me to have her as my mother.” Judge Chandler said she was raised to be independent. She recalled her mother giving her an American Express card when she was 18. “She wanted me to be independent and instilled in me a sense of truth and righteousness and a desire to help people. I had to do the right thing.” Dr. Chandler also encouraged honesty and a higher level of ethics, said Judge Chandler, recalling her election to the bench after detractors had railed against her. “When I ran for judge my Mom, like others, did not think I could win,” she said, “because I was a young, newly licensed attorney SEE CHANDLER ON PAGE 3