3 26 2014

VOL. 63, No. 12

More is better as Civil Rights Museum flashes peek of future

Is Wilkins the man to unseat Cohen?

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

by Wiley Henry

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

by Carlissa Shaw, Esq.

The National Civil Rights Museum gets much more than a facelift with its $28 million renovation.

That certainty was on display Wednesday as The New Tri-State Defender took advantage of a preview tour. Care has been taken to maintain the integrity of the museum, which opened in 1991. And while 100 percent of the original content still is there, technology has moved in, with multiple, virtually interactive and touch-screen displays.

The changeover has been underway since last November and the sounds of continued work spoke to the museum’s evolution as members of the media got a sneak-peek tour. The doors of the unique museum are set to reopen at 11 a.m. on April 5th. The wish list for the reopening scenario includes a visit by President Barack Obama, who has not yet said whether he will accept the extended invitation.

Museum President Beverly Robertson, who has announced her retirement, was close at hand during the preview, ever ready to note that the museum – located at the Lorraine Motel, the assassination site of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4th, 1968 – is one of very few museums situated at the actual place of a historic site.

“What makes our museum different is that it provides a comprehensive account of the civil rights story,” said Robertson.

“This is intense and important work that deserves excellence. We have to fight to make sure this is a strong American story, which is a story of a strong and committed people.”

With the renovation, visitors should expect a state of the art technological facility that includes: • A new lobby that still has the 7,000-pound bronze signature statue, Movement to Overcome; • Close to 20 new exhibits that include less notable people from the civil rights movement who accomplished extraordinary things; • More interactive exhibits; • And a beautiful conference room that can be used for private community events.

The museum staff collaborated closely with the renovation design team and scholar review committee to SEE MUSEUM ON PAGE 2

A display featuring Fannie Lou Hamer, voting rights activist and civil rights leader. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley)

MEMPHIS WEEKEND

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H- 7 3o - L - 4 9o M os tl y C l ou dy

H- 6 2o - L - 4 2o Mostl y Cl o udy

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Friday H-73 L-47 H-71 L-50 H-76 L-56

Saturday H-63 L-42 H-62 L-37 H-70 L-47

Sunday H-56 L-36 H-51 L-31 H-62 L-42

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POLITICS 2014

Grand re-opening April 5th

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www.tsdmemphis.com

March 20 - 26, 2014

Citing his personal background, attorney Ricky E. Wilkins said “fighting an uphill battle is not new to me.” (Photo: Wiley Henry)

‘Teens 4 Pink’ join fight against breast cancer Special to the New Tri-State Defender

by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell Teen girls won’t be pretty in pink this year just for the fun of it. Many have signed up to duke it out with breast cancer as “Pink Ambassadors” for the Sisters Network, a national organization of African-American breast cancer survivors.

“We are just so excited about launching this new initiative with teen girls,” said Carolyn Whitney, president of the Memphis chapter.

“Out of the 40 national affiliates of the Sisters Network, Memphis was chosen as one of two pilot cities to kick off this new program with teens. The other pilot project is in Houston.”

From Whitney’s vantage point, “Teens 4 Pink” couldn’t have begun in any other American city but Memphis for one simple but tragic reason.

“Memphis has the highest mortality rate from breast cancer than any other city in the nation,” said Whitney. “We decided to ‘Teen Up’ in an effort to educate and empower our girls to become the voice of reason in a community where health disparity persists, and we as AfricanAmerican women are accustomed to taking care of other people and neglecting our own health.”

By the close of school this year, Whitney hopes to have more than 1,000 Pink Ambassadors to “break the hold that breast cancer has had on African-American women in Greater Memphis.”

Christine Verini, vice-president of Corporate Communications and Advocacy for Eisai, Inc., said the company jumped at the chance to sponsor “Teens 4 Pink.”

“This is not about marketing products, this program is about supporting an innovative approach to education and prevention of breast cancer, especially in communities where there is such extreme disparity in healthcare and statistics,” said Verini.

“We have a Human Health Commission here, and we address the concerns of individuals and their families. That is a genuine commitment. ‘Teens 4 Pink’ will change the

A first floor suite in the historic 14story Shrine Building at the corner of Front Street and Monroe Avenue is ground zero for The Law Offices of Ricky E. Wilkins. The architecture is exquisite and furnished with the trappings of success. But Wilkins is willing to trade much of it for a fulltime seat in Congress.

“I’m a lifelong Memphian who was raised in South Memphis. I want to give back to the community any way I can,” he said. “I’ve been practicing law for 23 years and volunteered my time, talent and resources because I care about the community. So running for Congress is a natural extension of giving back.”

Wilkins is challenging U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen for the right to represent Tennessee’s Ninth Congressional District, an area entirely contained in Shelby County and includes the city of Memphis and portions of Collierville and Germantown.

The district is 60 percent African American and 33.5 percent white.

Wilkins is mindful that basing his campaign solely on race likely would be counterproductive and lesson his chances of unseating Cohen in the Democratic Primary on Aug. 7.

“I’m planning on running this campaign based on my qualifications and the issues. The fact that I’m African American has nothing to do with it,” said Wilkins, alluding to the hotly contested congressional races that pitted Cohen against Democratic challengers Nikki Tinker in 2008, Tomeka Hart in 2010, and Dr. Willie W. Herenton in 2012.

Undaunted by the incumbency on Cohen’s side, Wilkins intends to run a grassroots campaign that highlights who he is, what he has been doing and what he plans to do for the Ninth Con-

A matter of perspective

Ricky E. Wilkins is a native Memphian who graduated from Carver High School in 1983. He went on to graduate from Howard University in 1987 and Vanderbilt University School of Law in 1990.

After law school, he was the first African-American attorney to make partner at Burch, Porter & Johnson. He left in 2003 to start his own law firm, The Law Offices of Ricky E. Wilkins.

Wilkins served 20 years as chairman of the Memphis Housing Authority Board of Commissioners. He is a past president of the Ben F. Jones Chapter of the National Bar Association, past president of the Memphis Bar Association, and past president of Tennessee Board of Law Examiners.

He is a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Vanderbilt Alumni Association, the NAACP, and a member of New Life Missionary Baptist Church.

gressional District.

“Nobody thinks it can be done,” said Wilkins. “We intend to prove them wrong.”

Wilkins’ supporters include Randy Wade, Cohen’s former friend and onetime district director of his Memphis office. Wade parted with Cohen last year after the congressman filed an ethics complaint linked to Wade’s support of a state representative’s reelection bid.

Wilkins pulled a petition for Congress on Jan. 3rd, bringing onboard Wade at the onset of the campaign.

SEE WILKINS ON PAGE 5

COMMENTARY

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell

Native Memphian and breast cancer survivor Trudy Smith Murrell of Chicago offers this reflection: “…As a breast cancer survivor in my early 60’s, I marvel at the wonderful advances which have been introduced over the past four decades. My grandmother, Ocie Henderson, died on Christmas Day, 1973, in the hospital. She was only 59. Five years prior to her death, she had been treated with a radical mastectomy.

“Back then, doctors would perform the surgery, administer radiation treatments, and then pray the cancer would not return. Today, we know so much more about how to take better care of ourselves—what to eat, the importance of exercise, and how critical it is to get regular checkups and mammograms each year.

“And this new ‘Teens 4 Pink’ program is awesome. Our girls will be healthier, and their girls after them. What strides we will make in our community as our children lead us going forward…” grandmothers and aunts to do the same.”

A new voice

statistics, one family at a time.”

According to Sisters Network, a 2012 study sponsored by Avon revealed that “as many as five African-American deaths might have been averted through early screening and intervention.”

“There is still such a great disparity in healthcare for women of color,” Whitney said. “We have failed to take responsibility for our own health. Moving forward, we want to get an early jump on teaching our daughters to take responsibility for their own health and to help motivate their mothers and

About Ricky Wilkins…

Tarrolyn Barras is a 17-year-old senior at Houston High School, one of the freshest new voices for education and prevention of breast cancer in her family and community.

“I found out about ‘Teens 4 Pink’ when Ms. Whitney came to talk to ‘Girls Intended For Greatness’ (sponsored by the National Council of Negro Women of Memphis). We were taught about breast self-exams, clinical exams, mammograms and ultrasounds for prevention and early detection of breast cancer.”

With a firm commitment to be a Pink Ambassador, Barras know the value of maintaining good health.

“Breast cancer effects the AfricanAmerican population so much,” she said. “And the sad thing about that is we can take preventive measures and detect a problem early before it beSEE TEENS ON PAGE 3

Beejay Anya (21) celebrates with Kyle Washington of the North Carolina State Wolfpack during the first round of the 2014 NCAA Menʼs Basketball Tournament at the University of Dayton Arena on Tuesday.

(Photo: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

March Madness 2014: Should NCAA stars stay in school? theGrio

by Stefen Lovelace

Starting in the middle of March every year, America’s attention is focused squarely on March Madness.

Sports – and non-sports fans alike – are tuned in to every bit of news around the tournament in hopes it leads to lucrative bracket paydays.

And in the middle of March each year, there’s another story that doesn’t get nearly the same attention as the tournament. This week, The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport (TIDES) at The University of Central Florida issued its annual report examining the graduation rates of all of the schools participating in the tournament.

Some highlights of this year’s report include: • Eight teams in the 2014 men’s bracket fall below the NCAA-mandated Academic Progress Rate score, meaning they graduate less than 50 percent of their players.

• The Graduation Success Rates (GSR) for white players was 89 percent. The GSR for African-American players was 65 percent.

SEE NCAA ON PAGE 5

NEWS

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March 20 - 26, 2014

MUSEUM

Tri-State Defender

CONTINUED FROM FRONT

provide holistic advice and counsel for the development of the enhanced facility. The renovation project team is comprised of Howard + Revis Design Services, 1220, Electrosonic, Second Story, Flintco Constructive Solutions, and JPA. The 24-member National Scholar Review Committee was tasked with interpretive plan development and review of the exhibits content. Primary advisory scholars included Dr. Stephanie Shaw, Dr. Hassan Kwame Jefferies, Dr. Earnestine Jenkins and Daniel Kiel, JD. The museum will feature additional educational programming, enhanced amenities, better connections to the buildings and updates in history, said Robertson.

Updates in history include additions to existing exhibits such as the “Birmingham Church Bombing” that killed four little girls in September of 1963. On May 18, 2000, the FBI announced that the Cahaba Boys, a Ku Klux Klan splinter group, had carried out the fatal bombing at Sixteenth Street Baptist Church. The updated exhibit will include the names of those responsible for the deaths of Addie Mae Collins (14), Denise McNair (11), Carole Robertson (14), and Cynthia Wesley (14).

Twenty-two others were injured.

Though much has changed at the museum, some spaces are too precious to alter, such as room 306, where Dr. King was staying when he was assassinated. There are plans to renovate the information area outside of the rooms, but not plan to change the room in any way.

“I want everyone who attends the museum to know that they have the power to make a difference,” said Robertson.

“Each one of us has the power to make a change. The civil rights movement is about everyday people doing their role to make this world a better place.”

With the renovation, visitors should expect a state of the art technological facility.

The renovated National Civil Rights Museum will feature nearly 20 new exhibits to help tell the civil rights story. (Photos: Tyrone P. Easley)

Grand reopening

The National Civil Rights Museum will tie the historic passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to its grand reopening via a forum of national leaders, historians, scholars and civil rights activists on Friday, April 4th from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Following the forum, there will be a candlelight vigil in remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who was shot to death on the balcony of the Lorraine on April 4th, 1968.

Saturday, April 5th is Community Day,

which kicks off with the Freedom Forward Parade at 9:30 a.m. Twenty-plus organizations and schools will march from the Memphis Cook Convention Center along Second Street to the National Civil Rights Museum.

Following the parade is Breaking of the Chains, the museum’s official opening ceremony. It begins at 11 a.m., with entertainment on the Freedom Forward Main Stage from noon until 7 p.m.

The events are free to the public.

Admission to the museum will be discounted from $15 to $5 for the weekend.

This exhibit – which beckons with the words “Rise Up, My Soul” – addresses “becoming African American.”

Tri-State Defender

TEENS

NEWS

March 20 - 26, 2014

CONTINUED FROM FRONT

comes life-threatening.”

After attending the Sisters Network session, Barras left determined to find out if the women in her family were doing what they were supposed to do.

“They gave us a survey of about 20 questions we could ask the women in our family,” she said. “That started us talking about if we had a family history of breast cancer. I sat down with my mother, grandmother and great aunt. It turns out that we don’t have a history of breast cancer on either side of my family.

“But the point is, we talked openly about it. And we have to start talking about cancer.

Not too long ago, people didn’t speak about breast cancer, or any other kind. When my grandmother and even my mom were coming up, people just didn’t talk about it. ‘Teens

4 Pink’ is changing all that,” said Barras.

“We will make a change for the better because we are encouraging our families to talk about breast cancer and to do what is necessary to prevent breast cancer and detect it early. So many have died, and we need to open the conversation and continue having the conversation with the women we love.

“This is our opportunity to take the lead. It is empowering because we know we can make a difference.”

A luncheon for all Pink Ambassadors is slated for Saturday, May 17.

(To learn more about becoming a Pink Ambassador, call Carolyn Whitney at 901789-7239, or visit www.sistersnetworkmemphis.org.)

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OPINION

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March 20 - 26, 2014

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States shift higher ed costs to families

SPECIAL REPORT

Clicktivism’ moves civil rights forward in a new generation NNPA News Service

by Corey Arvin

Reflections on the historic U.S. civil rights era often conjure up images of the grandeur-scale marches during the 60’s era, restaurant sit-ins and civic uprising that played its role in advancing black America and cultivating support. Today, experts say the temperament of black activism is comparable, but takes place in digital spaces where young African-Americans share stories and invoke conversation about their struggles with friends and strangers.

Social media has become the tool of choice for African Americans who are rallying support and a newfound understanding to their causes by spreading messages through their networks and watching them go viral. Twitter, YouTube, and most recently Tumblr, have become a popular springboard for young “activists,” even though some reject the label.

Several black students at Harvard University became the most recent topic in the national spotlight with their “I, Too, Am Harvard” campaign. On Tumblr, the students can be seen in photos individually holding boards with various quotes and statements to draw awareness.

The #ITooAmHarvard hashtag circulated throughout Tumblr and Twitter. The students’ various, tongue-incheek signs include statements such as “You don’t sound black … You sound smart.”; “‘I’m not ‘pulling the race card.’; You’re just being racist.”; and “Oh, I heard her say she was going to Harvard. I just assumed she misspoke. – white parent to my mother.” Their campaign garnered national media attention and coverage by The Boston Globe, USA Today, and Huffington Post amongst other major media outlets.

Last year, black male students from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) were a part of a “spoken word” video posted in November in which the group protested the lack of diversity among enrolled students at the university. The video, which was posted to YouTube, eventually went viral and currently includes a link to a petition page.

The sprawling influence of social media propelled by young AfricanAmericans was seemingly about young African-Americans issues as well, beyond college campuses. The death of Trayvon Martin and subsequent trial of George Zimmerman drew the ire of blacks, but also became fodder on social networks, highlighting concerns about young black men who are victimized and racially profiled in their communities.

In large numbers, African Americans have flocked to Twitter, which has become almost a staple of many of their online habits. According to a 2013 Pew Research Center study, blacks accounted for more use of Twitter than any other ethnic group.

In a separate study released in January, African-American Internet users between the ages of 18 and 29 accounted for 40 percent of Twitter users compared to 28 percent of whites in the same age group.

Blacks’ use of Twitter has created such an impact that its cross-section of the site has been labeled “Black Twitter.”

Vorris Nunley, an associate professor of English at University of California at Riverside, whose studies include rhetoric and African-American culture, said social media campaigns originated by blacks have been prolific and have produced widespread support.

“Look at the Black ‘Twitterverse’ and its response to Michael Dunn and his sense of fear that led to the murder of Black folks. The Black Twitterverse was an important tool in the protest around Trayvon Martin,” said Nunley.

Social media activists may not be more likely to galvanize supporters because their efforts begin online, but they are able to identify issues sooner and organize more quickly, Nunley said.

“Social networks are intertwined in the daily lives of youth in an unprecedented manner. Social-network centered activism is an extension of that social-technological fabric. Also, such activism does not require a ‘leader’ to mobilize resistance. Issues of concern can emerge from a more democratic bottom-up logic as we saw with the Egyptian Spring revolts and the organizing around Trayvon Martin,” he said.

According to David J. Leonard, associate professor in the department of crucial culture, gender, and race studies at Washington State University, Pullman, (WSU) social media has its place in activism just as traditional forms of activism commonly associated with the civil rights movement.

“Activism and organizing are the basis of change; change comes through what (W.E.B.) DuBois described as ceaseless agitation. There are many different tools that are used to engage in this work; rallies and door-to-door organizing, social media work, cultural for are all tools that continue to be important.”

Leonard points to the information shared in social media about Trayvon Martin, the “online mobilization” to Jena 6, and the execution of Troy Davis, as examples of when black youth use social media to create conversation.

“The murder of Trayvon Martin symbolizes the persistent violence, the persistent criminalization of black youth, and the persistent devaluing of black life. Social media played an invaluable role in raising the awareness about Martin, his killing, stand your ground, and the trial itself. It played a crucial role in demanding justice, in demanding that Martin be seen, and that his life be valued. Given the consistent failures from political and media elites to show concern for black life, social media was instrumental here.”

According to Leonard, there are also contrasting differences in Internet activism established between black and white youth when compared.

“If we look at usage rates of Twitter, if we look at the ways that black youth have responded to racism on college campuses and the killing of Trayvon Martin … we can most certainly see differences in terms of the types of issues that are being taken up in social media … we see the difference,” said Leonard.

“The privileges afforded to white youth, and the realities of persistent racism, carry over onto the Internet so it’s not surprising that Internet activism among white youth generates in different ways, where upon it’s more about consumption, ‘fads,’ and passive involvement.”

Leonard said that traditional activists should understand “That its tireless work, that it’s about organizing and pushing forward what Robin Kelley describes as ‘freedom dreams,’ that people engaged in online activism are engaged in work in a myriad of spaces, pushing forward an agenda based in justice and equity.”

(Special to the NNPA from the Black Voice News)

Judith Browne Dianis, co-director of the Advancement Project, testifying before Congress on the school-to-prison pipeline.

(Photo: Courtesy Freddie Allen/NNPA)

Bias a factor in suspending African-American students NNPA News Service

by Freddie Allen WASHINGTON – A new collection of research shows that despite the myths surrounding black student behavior, poverty and severity of the offense have very little to do with the rate black students are suspended from school.

Rather, the studies point a finger in another direction: the implicit bias perpetrated by school officials.

The Discipline Disparities Research-to-Practice Collaborative, a group of researchers, educators, advocates, and policy analysts funded by the Atlantic Philanthropies and the Open Society Foundations, compiled the research on school discipline.

According to the Collaborative, more than 3 million students from kindergarten to 12th grade were suspended during the 2009-10 school year, twice the rate of suspensions since the 1970s. Black students are nearly 3.5 times as likely to be suspended than their white peers.

In the briefing paper titled, “Are Black Kids Worse? Myths and Facts about Racial Differences in Behavior,” researchers from the Equity Project at Indiana University in Bloomington found that “there is simply no good evidence that racial differences in discipline are due to differences in rates or types of misbehavior by students of different races.”

Research also showed that despite popular myths the relationship between poverty and disruptive school behavior has been overstated.

When researchers looked at middle school referrals, white students were more likely to get sent to office over “observable offenses” such as smoking and vandalism and black students were disciplined more frequently for subjective reasons including disrespectful behavior, loud noise and defiance.

“In other words, regardless of a school’s official disciplinary policy, there are a variety of factors involved in determining a student’s punishment, not the least of which is the mood, ideology, philosophy, values, and biases of the adults making that decision,” stated the briefing paper on implicit bias. “The more subjective the category of offense – i.e., insubordination, disobedience, disruption, defiance – the greater the risk that bias (either explicit or unconscious) will seep into the process.”

Researchers often use the Implicit Association Test to measure implicit bias.

“Researchers have found that 80 percent of tested whites and 40 percent of tested blacks show a prowhite bias,” stated the briefing paper.

“They consistently implicitly associate blacks with negative attitudes such as bad and unpleasant, and with negative stereotypes such as aggressive and lazy.”

Researchers from the University of Wisconsin developed a “toolkit” of strategies to combat implicit bias including stereotype replacement, counter-stereotypic imagining that involves thinking about a famous or familiar person that debunks the stereotype, learning about a person’s

Tri-State Defender Platform

1. Racial prejudice worldwide must be destroyed.

2. Racially unrestricted membership in all jobs, public and private.

3. Equal employment opportunities on all jobs, public and private.

4. True representation in all U.S. police forces.

5. Complete cessation of all school segregation.

6. Federal intervention to protect civil rights in all instances where civil rights compliance at the state level breaks down

background and developing an individualized response, tastes, hobbies, and family, and perspective-taking.

“All children deserve access to a quality education, but too often, children of color are pushed out of the classroom – not because they’re behaving any worse than other students, but because of harsh and often discriminatory school disciplinary policies,” said Judith Browne Dianis, co-director of the Advancement Project and member of the research collaborative. “While the notion of a post-racial society is aspirational in theory, racial discrimination in school discipline is a major problem.”

The Collaborative also recommended that schools utilize “a systematic protocol” such as the Virginia Threat Assessment Guidelines instead of zero tolerance policies that quickly usher’s students down the school-to-prison pipeline.

The Collaborative researchers reported that, “Use of the Virginia Threat Assessment Guidelines across schools in Virginia was associated with a 19 percent reduction in the number of long-term suspensions and an 8 percent reduction in the number of short-term suspensions, greater than schools not using the Guidelines.”

The Virginia Threat Assessment Guidelines entail communicating with the students involved, distinguishing between real and fleeting threats, and intervening before any threats escalate into violence.

The Collaborative briefing paper on new research stated: “Use of the Guidelines was associated with reductions in suspensions for all racial groups included in the study, as well as a reduction in dis-proportionality between black males and white even after controlling for school size and poverty.”

In schools that didn’t follow the Virginia Threat Assessment Guidelines, there was a six point gap between black male and white male student long-term suspension rates, compared to a three point gap in schools that followed the guidelines.

The Discipline Disparities Research-to-Practice Collaborative recommended a range of interventions including building supportive relationships with students, providing high-quality academic opportunities, “culturally relevant and responsive teaching,” and creating “bias-free” learning environments.

“Research shows the best way to create a positive school climate is to foster trusting, supportive relationships between students and adults in the school,” Browne Dianis said.

“And when misbehavior does occur, it should be addressed through constructive and equitable ‘restorative justice’ policies that give students an opportunity to learn from, and make amends for, mistakes.

We should focus on problem-solving instead of just handing out penalties.”

Browne Dianis explained, “Although it is difficult and uncomfortable to talk directly about race and other differences, addressing inequalities in education requires a willingness to directly address these issues.”

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As the nation’s trillion-dollar student debt continues to rise, a new analysis of public higher education’s funding finds dwindling state support is the key factor driving rising tuition costs and Charlene deepening stuCrowell dent debt. According to Demos, a public policy organization advocating economic opportunity and inclusive democracy, over the last two decades, state support for higher education funding shifted to a new paradigm.

As government support of higher education dwindled, public institutions raised tuition costs to recover those lost funds. These increases occurred at both four-year and twoyear public institutions. And in that process, families were handed a larger financial burden to fund their children’s college education.

“The shift from a collective funding of higher education to one borne increasingly by individuals has come at the very same time that low-and-middle-income households experienced stagnant or declining household income,” the report says.

A quarter of a century ago, according to Demos, tuition costs at public colleges and universities were only 20 percent of the actual cost of studies. By 2012, however, tuition paid for 44 percent. Since the Great Recession, 49 states – all but North Dakota – spend less per student on higher education. Among these 49 states, 28 have cut higher education funding by more than 25 percent.

States reduced support for higher education for a variety of reasons including the desire to lower taxes, cut spending, or deal with constrained budgets that resulted from the financial downturn.

In the meantime, families are increasingly finding themselves priced out of higher education. Demos found that the average total cost of tuition, room and board for one year consumes more than one-third of the median household income in 23 states.

Nationwide, the average amount of state funding for full-time enrollment in the 2011-12 school year is $6,796, a 26.7 percent drop in funding since the 2008-08 school year.

A total of 23 states have higher education funding cuts higher than the national average. The most severe cuts by state include: Arizona (51.1 percent); Oregon (45.9 percent); South Carolina (43.5 percent); Louisiana (40.6 percent); Massachusetts (37.3 percent) and Florida, (37.0 percent).

Similarly, the national average cost of state tuition for the 2011-12 school year was $7,701 at a fouryear institution. Even so, several state tuition rates surpassed the national average and include: Pennsylvania ($11,818); Illinois ($11,252); Massachusetts ($10,104); Michigan ($10,527); and California ($8,907).

Among two-year public institutions, the average cost of tuition was $2,647; but more than 30 states charged tuition higher than the national average. Some of the highest costs at these schools were found in Minnesota ($5,198); New York ($4,146); Massachusetts ($4,009); Tennessee ($3,380); and Alabama ($3,868).

“The result has been the debt-fordiploma system in which most students fill the gap between what their parents can pay, available grant aid and their earnings from part-time work, by taking on student debt,” states the report.

If anyone would wonder what happened to federal financial aid – beyond loans — Demos’ findings are equally dim.

“Federal financial aid no longer provides grants robust enough to defray the rising cost of college: the Pell grant once covered $7 out of every $10 in college costs; today it covers only $3 out of every $10 needed to attend a public college or university.”

Later this year, lawmakers will set federal priorities in education funding through a reauthorization act.

Funding levels for both federal student loans and Pell Grants will be included. But it will be left to each of the 50 states to decide whether higher education funding will become a budget priority.

“Higher education remains a public good – with all of us relying and depending on the system not just for the education of doctors, nurses, teachers, accountants and other professionals,” concluded Demos, “but to provide the critical thinking that is the lifeblood of our democracy.”

(Charlene Crowell is a communications manager with the Center for Responsible Lending. She can be reached at Charlene.crowell@responsiblelending.org.)

NEWS

Tri-State Defender

March 20 - 26, 2014

NCAA

CONTINUED FROM FRONT

Committed to giving back to the community in any way he can, attorney Ricky E. Wilkins now is focused on winning the chance to represent Tennesseeʼs Ninth Congressional District. (Photo: Wiley Henry)

WILKINS

CONTINUED FROM FRONT

“Mr. Wade is an active and enthusiastic supporter of mine in my quest for Congress,” said Wilkins. “I appreciate Mr. Wade’s support and his continued efforts to help me identify other supporters in the community.”

Wilkins said those who have confidence in him are stepping up to help.

“I’m encouraged by that and intend to bring on new supporters,” he said, “people who have not been a part of the political process.”

Two other Democrats besides Wilkins and Cohen have pulled petitions to run in the Democratic primary and two Republicans have placed their names in contention for the Republican primary. Only one candidate has filed so far.

The qualifying deadline for both Democratic and Republican primaries is April 3rd at noon.

Fighting the tough fight…

Wilkins said a change in leadership is needed to solve the district’s problems.

“The economic conditions in this community must not be ignored,” he said. “It must be a front-burner issue, and I intend to spend an appreciative amount of time working hard.”

After graduating from Carver High School in 1983, Howard University in 1987, and Vanderbilt University School of Law in 1990, Wilkins said the South Memphis community where he grew up is still blighted and neglected.

“I’m embarrassed. And my heart hurts every time I drive through the community,” he said. “Thirty years later, the community in some areas looks like a war zone.”

As congressman, Wilkins said he’d bring new ideas, new approaches, and new alliances to improve the district. “Those who have served I respect and appreciate, but we’re taking

“The economic conditions in this community must not be ignored. It must be a front-burner issue, and I intend to spend an appreciative amount of time working hard.”

this to another level,” he said.

The level Wilkins is referring to comprises his campaign platform, which includes growing small businesses, providing economic opportunities, improving education, fixing the crime problem, making provisions for veterans, and uplifting people in the district.

“Education is the great social equalizer,” he said.

“Everything that I am goes back to the educators who believed in me, guided me, and set me on the right path. I’ll make sure they (the school system) get the support of the congressional office.”

If elected, Wilkins said he’d bring federal dollars to the district and work cohesively across the aisle with others in Congress with opposing views.

He used as an example the fed-

“I’m a guy that grew up around welfare and food stamps to a teenage mother who dropped out in the 10th grade. So fighting an uphill battle is not new to me.”

eral dollars the Memphis Housing Authority obtained to dismantle public housing during his 20-year stint as chairman of the board of commissioners.

“I understand the need to work across the aisle,” said Wilkins, pointing also to his experience as a trial lawyer.

“I’ll make sure Memphis gets its fair share of federal dollars.

And I’m going to be very successful in doing that.”

Political pundits and observers have noted in past con-

gressional races that a hefty war chest would be needed to get one’s message across or make a sizable impact in the race. In the 2008 race, Cohen raised $1.2 million according to opensecrets.org. In 2010, he raised $1.1 million; and in 2012, more than $800,000.

During those races, the money raised by Cohen’s opponents paled in comparison.

Wilkins, however, said raising funds wouldn’t be a problem and that people would be curious to see his financial disclosure form.

“We’re reaching out to our supporters, not just locally, but outside of Memphis as well,” said Wilkins.

Cohen is a career politician, said Wilkins, stressing that he on the other hand is looking for an opportunity to serve the people and not a job.

He also pointed out other differences between he and Cohen.

“Steve Cohen has never been married, never had kids that I know of, and never has been responsible for employees and helping them pay their mortgage.”

Wilkins was married 18 years and has two daughters.

The Ninth Congressional District needs leadership that motivates and inspires people to reach their fullest potential, which subsequently uplifts the entire community, said Wilkins, vowing to be that leader.

Running for Congress is a sacrifice, he said, and, no doubt an uphill battle in this instance.

“I’m a guy that grew up around welfare and food stamps to a teenage mother who dropped out in the 10th grade. So fighting an uphill battle is not new to me,” he said. “It’s a part of my DNA. I’ve been taught that if you work hard and have faith in God, there’s no mountain you can’t climb.”

A man stands up and speaks to what he believes and goes forward regardless of what people think, said Wilkins.

“You have to be strong enough to stand up to the opposition.”

• Nearly 40 percent of tournament teams had a GSR disparity greater than 30 percent between their white and African-American players.

The findings, unfortunately, aren’t all that surprising, and are similar to findings in previous reports. It’s not a shock to learn that many black players attend colleges to major in basketball, intern at the NCAA tournament, and get their first job in the NBA. That mindset has been on full display ever since the “one-and-done” rule was put into effect in 2006. Players and coaches no longer hide their intentions – the top players go to a high-profile school (i.e. Kentucky, Kansas, etc.), showcase their talent to a national audience for a year, and bolt for the NBA Draft. The player never had an intention to take advantage of a free education.

The coach never expected to have the player as a building block for the next several years.

The rule has had negative effects for both the college game and the NBA. New NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has expressed a desire to set a minimum age to enter the NBA at 20 (it’s currently 19). The rule can’t be negotiated until 2017 at the earliest.

Raising the minimum age would force players to attend college for probably two years, at least. That would help colleges build a program. It also could, in theory, entice a student to stay long enough to graduate, or at least earn enough credits for it to be realistic to get a diploma even after leaving early to enter the NBA. It’s a nice thought to think the NBA is doing this as a way to help college athletics, and to encourage students to take advantage of a great opportunity for a free education. Of course, that’s not the case.

Forcing kids to go to school for two years ensures that the players that come into the league are better prepared to handle the NBA game, and better the NBA product. It also allows fans to follow college players better, which helps the league market those players.

It’s doubtful the rule change would actually have an effect on graduation rates. It’s not the number of years a player goes to school; it’s that kid’s overall mentality for wanting to be there.

If the kid is using school as a stopgap between high school and college, and is only attending to get better at basketball, having to stay another year in school won’t have any affect on whether he takes school seriously and graduates. If graduation rates were really all that im-

Page 5

The TIDES study of Academic Progress Rates puts Memphis in a second-place tie behind the University of Kansas. portant – and college basketball wasn’t just big business for everyone excluding the players – it’s hard to believe that taking them out of class for weeks to play in conference tournaments and travel to the NCAA tournament is promoting the importance of education.

Silver is right that the one-and-done rule is a joke, and essentially makes a mockery of college athletics. But raising the age limit isn’t the answer either. Some of the best players in the game – LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant, Anthony Davis, Kevin Garnett, Derrick Rose, and more – either played in college for one year or left right from high school.

If NBA general managers – positions only 30 people in the world are able to hold – can’t help themselves from drafting a player not ready to contribute, that’s on them. If a kid who comes from a bad situation can become a millionaire, he should be allowed to.

And he shouldn’t have to take a scholarship from a kid who actually needs it by going through the motions of attending college.

Instead, if a player is ready right out of high school, he should be able to enter the draft, regardless of age. If he doesn’t want to go to school, but also isn’t ready for the draft, let him join an NBDL team or play oversees for a few years before entering.

Then, if a kid decides to go to college, make it a three-year commitment to stay with the program.

With this new rule, if a kid commits to play college basketball, he is actually making the choice that he wants to be there.

Those are the kids who should be playing in college. Those are the kids college coaches can build around. Those are the kids who know they may not have a postcollege career in the pros.

And ultimately, those are the kids who are interested in getting college diplomas.

(Follow Stefen Lovelace on Twitter @StefenLovelace.)

NATIONAL

Page 6

Tri-State Defender

March 20 - 26, 2014

President Obama awards Medal of Honor to 24 overlooked minority veterans

by Stephen A. Crockett Jr. The Root

On Tuesday, President Obama awarded 24 minority U.S. soldiers, who collectively served in three of the nation’s wars and were never rewarded for their courage, with the Medal of Honor, reports the Associated Press.

Only three of the 24 were alive for President Barack Obama to drape the medals and ribbons around their necks; the others were awarded the honor posthumously.

“Today we have the chance to set the record straight,” Obama said. “No nation is perfect, but here in America we

confront our imperfections and face a sometimes painful past, including the truth that some of these soldiers fought and died for a country that did not always see them as equal.”

The three surviving recipients—Vietnam veterans Jose Rodela, Melvin Morris and Santiago Erevia—received a prolonged standing ovation as the stood by the president’s side.

According to AP, Tuesday’s ceremony is the largest since World War II, and issued by Congress in the 2002 National Defense Authorization Act issue and conducted under Army review. The law required the Army to go through all of the records of each JewishAmerican and Hispanic-American veteran who received a

Controlling other health issues reduces kidney disease risk NNPA News Service

by Sandra Jordan

Some loss of kidney function occurs naturally over time, usually after age 60. For African Americans, the leading cause of kidney disease or kidney failure is not old age; it is having high blood pressure or diabetes.

Any of the three problems can exist initially (when it is easier to treat) without any outward symptoms. In addition, all three of them can kill you.

High blood pressure causes artery damage, and the kidneys are artery-rich. Over time, uncontrolled hypertension can cause the arteries around the kidney to narrow, weaken or harden, and they will be unable to deliver enough blood to the kidney tissue. The American Heart Association said damaged arteries are unable to filter blood very well. While healthy kidneys produce a hormone to help the body regulate its blood pressure, damaged kidneys from high blood pressure are on a downhill spiral.

Diabetes causes damage to nerves and blood vessels.

Those small blood vessels in the kidneys, when damaged, cause persons to retain more water and salt than necessary, leading to weight gain and ankle swelling, according to the National Kidney Foundation (NKF).

When the body has high levels of blood sugar, it makes the kidneys overwork and eventually filter too much blood, said the American Diabetes Association. After many years, those filters in the kidneys start to leak useful protein into the urine. The overwork can cause the kidneys’ filtering ability to give out, and waste products build up in the blood, leading to kidney failure or end-stage renal disease, which can only be treated by kidney dialysis or a kidney transplant.

Living a heart-healthy lifestyle and managing diabetes can reduce or prevent the chances of developing kidney disease.

“High blood pressure is more prevalent in African Americans so it is the leading cause of kidney disease in this population,” said Marie Philipneri, M.D., a nephrologist and associate professor at Saint Louis University School of Medicine.

Family medical history is also a factor in kidney disease.

Philipneri suggests persons with no known risk factors should at least have their blood pressure and blood glucose checked to see if they have high blood pressure, high cholesterol or issues with kidney function.

Screening for kidney disease is straightforward.

“You do a blood test; a urinalysis will tell us if there is any protein in the urine, blood

Distinguished Service Cross during or after World War II to determine if they could be upgraded to the Medal of Honor.

From this review some the Army found 6,505 recipients and narrowed that field to an eligible pool of 600 soldiers who may have been Jewish or Hispanic, AP reports.

Of the two-dozen men honored, 18 are Latinos.

At the end of the ceremony, after a brief biography of each recipient had been recited and each medal accepted of behalf of those who had passed away, the president thanked their families for their service.

“We are so grateful to them.

We are so grateful to their families. It makes us proud and it makes us inspired,” he said

For African Americans, the leading cause of kidney disease or kidney failure is not old age; it is having high blood pressure or diabetes.

in the urine or any abnormal sediments,” Philipneri said.

“We check the protein to creatinine ratio and that gives us an idea whether you have kidney disease or even late [stage] kidney disease.”

Experts say normal creatinine levels range between 0.7 to 1.3 mg/dL for men and 0.6 to 1.1 mg/dL for women.

Additionally, using the class of over-the-counter medications can tax the kidneys.

Long-term use of pain medications known as NSAIDs, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which have fever and pain reducing properties, can cause chronic kidney disease.

Meds in this class include common medications like ibuprofen, Motrin, Aleve and naproxen, Philipneri said. Persons with kidney disease as well as other health issues should follow their doctor’s advice before using OTC medications.

“And you also need to be very careful about what supplements you take, especially the not so-well-studied drugs and supplements,” Philipneri added.

The NKF has lists of herbal supplements that may be toxic to the kidneys, harmful when you have chronic kidney disease and some herbs that are known to be unsafe for everyone. Find them at http://bit.ly/1i04HFP. (Special to the NNPA from the St. Louis American.)

President Barack Obama presents the Medal of Honor to U.S. Army Staff Sgt. (Ret.) Melvin Morris, a Vietnam War veteran, during a ceremony in the White House.

(Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

GOP lawmaker: businesses should have right not to serve blacks by theGrio

Phil Jensen, a Republican state senator from South Dakota, has raised eyebrows with some of his recent remarks about the rights of businesses to be prejudiced on the issue of race.

According to the Rapid City Journal, Jensen doesn’t see a problem with people refusing to serve someone because they’re black.

“If someone was a member of the Ku Klux Klan, and they were running a little bakery for instance, the majority of us would find it detestable that they refuse to serve blacks, and

Phil Jensen

guess what? In a matter of weeks or so that business would shut down because no

one is going to patronize them,” Jensen told the Journal.

Jensen is not a stranger to this topic. He introduced legislation (SB 128) in the state senate earlier this year, which would have allowed businesses to show bias against people in the LGBT community. The bill failed.

The Journal, which suggests Jensen may be the deep red state South Dakota’s most conservative legislator, reached out to one of his most vocal local opponents, David Patton, president of the Black Hills Center for Equality.

“The free market didn’t do away with slavery,” Patton said.

BUSINESS

Tri-State Defender

Page 7

March 20 - 26, 2014

ON OUR WAY TO WEALTHY

Entrepreneurship requires dedication, commitment, organization, creativity and resourcefulness. Most mothers just happen to possess all of these qualities, which are transferable to business.

Mothers may not run the majority of Fortune 500 companies, however, they do run many small businesses, with excellent startups a part of the mix. And with mothers having to make difficult decisions all day every day, it comes as no surprise that they can easily call the shots in business when presented with the opportunity.

While balancing home life with the professional load of entrepreneurship can be extremely hard, many mommies make it look effortless. Let’s look a few moms that have risen to the occasion.

Lisa Price

As the creator and founder of Carol’s Daughter, a beauty product line, Lisa Price has garnered customers that include celebrities Will and Jada Smith. Consisting of lotions, body butters, shampoos and conditioners, Price started small by manufacturing her own product out of her kitchen prior to opening her first store in New York.

With distribution deals with Macy’s and Sephora, Carol’s Daughter sales approached $50 million. Being a mother to three and running a business isn’t easy, but Price makes it appear simple. In the urban community, Carol’s Daughter has become a household

Mommy entrepreneurs name.

fore she sold the company.

J.K. Rowling

Liz Lange

Liz Lange is the founder of Liz Lange Maternity wear.

With a desire to create stylish maternity clothes that were fashionable, she created fashions that ultimately fit the goal. Not only did she impress mothers to be with her catalog and website, Lange caught the eye of Target, Nikon and Nike. After giving birth and hitting annual sales of $200 million, she sold the company.

Known as the author of the Harry Potter book series, J.K. Carlee Rowling McCullough was a single mom on public assistance at one time. Now she is one of the most famous writers of modern time. Her books have consistently been on bestsellers lists around the world. The Harry Potter books have been portrayed in movies as well as at theme parks. Rowling has risen beyond a write, building a business and a solid brand all while being a mother.

Caroline Freedman & Laurent McCollough

Caroline Freedman and Laurent McCollough used the experience of motherhood to create organic baby food products called NurturMe. They wanted a product that was not full of preservatives and additives, coming up with a product consisting of organic fruit and vegetables. With stores such as Target and Whole Foods carrying the product nationally, sales have gone through the roof. They are a prime example of how to create a business by fulfilling a need in the marketplace.

Barbara Corcoran

Lisa Price, the creator and founder of the Carolʼs Daughter beauty product line, is the mother of three and an example that motherhood and entrepreneurship can mix profitably. (Courtesy photo)

Tracy Reinhardt & Nikki Halbur

Who doesn’t love chocolate milk? Tracy Reinhardt and Nikki Halbur turned a childhood favorite into an adult favorite with the addition of vodka. Since both women were mothers, they could truly appreciate the need to wind down and relax after a long day. Putting their professional

backgrounds to great use by starting a business of their own, the Adult Beverage Company was born.

Victoria Knight-McDowell

As a California schoolteacher, Victoria Knight-McDowell found herself frequently catching colds from her second-grade students.

She and her husband developed a natural ingredient for-

mula to strengthen her immune system in an effort to prevent those pesky colds. Her company, Airborne, was literally born out of solving a personal problem.

Motherhood had prepared Knight-McDowell for the challenges of the business world as drugstores such as Rite-Aid and CVS began to carry Airborne. According to Knight-McDowell, annual sales reached $100 million be-

Affectionately known as a shark because of her presence on the television show “Shark Tank,” Barbara Corcoran holds her own with men in that arena. Frequently out-negotiating her colleagues, she is respected and revered as a formidable opponent.

As the founder of The Corcoran Group, Corcoran sold a company in 2001 for $66 million. As a mother of two, an author of three books, a business investor, and a real estate consultant on the “Today Show,” she demonstrates how it should be done.

Motivating and captivating, these women are real life examples that dreams do come true with hard work and commitment, even as a mommy.

(Contact Carlee McCullough, Esq., at 5308 Cottonwood Road, Suite 1A, Memphis, TN 38118, or email her at jstce4all@aol.com.)

MONEY MATTERS

If you want to participate in the potentially attractive returns of a market-driven investment but would also like a guaranteed return, an indexed annuity might be worth checking out.

The performance of indexed annuities, also referred to as equity-indexed or fixedindexed annuities, are tied to an index such as the Standard & Poor’s 500. They provide investors with an opportunity to earn interest based on the performance of the index.

If the index rises during a specified period in the accumulation phase, the investor participates in the gain. In the event that the market falls and the index posts a loss, the contract value is not affected. The annuity also has a guaranteed minimum rate of return, which is contingent on holding the indexed annuity until the end of the term.

This guaranteed minimum return comes at a price. The percentage of an index’s gain that investors receive is called the participation rate. The participation rate of an indexed annuity can be anywhere from 50 percent to 100 percent. A participation rate of 80 per-

The value of fixed-indexed annuities

cent, for example, and a 10 percent gain by the i n d e x would result in an 8 percent gain by the i n v e s t o r.

Some inCharles Sims Jr., CFP dexed annuities have a cap rate, the maximum rate of interest the annuity will earn, which could potentially lower an investor’s gain.

Indexing formula

Several formulas are used to calculate the earnings generated by an indexed annuity.

These indexing methods can also have an effect on the final return of the annuity. On preset dates, the annuity holder is credited with a percentage of the performance of the index based on one of these formulas.

Annual Reset (or Ratchet): Based on any increase in index value from the beginning to the end of the year.

Point-to-Point: Based on

any increase in index value from the beginning to the end of the contract term.

High-Water Mark: Based on any increase in index value from the index level at the beginning of the contract term to the highest index value at various points during the contract term (often anniversaries of the purchase date).

Variable annuities

As with mutual funds, the investment return of variable annuities fluctuates. During the accumulation phase, the contract value varies based on the performance of the underlying subaccounts chosen.

During the payout phase of a deferred variable annuity (and throughout the entire life of an immediate variable annuity), the dollar amount of the annuity payments may fluctuate, again based on how the portfolio performs.

If you want to limit potential losses but still tap into the potential benefits of equity investing, you might consider an indexed annuity.

Keep in mind that most annuities have surrender charges

that are assessed during the early years of the contract, if the contract owner surrenders the annuity. In addition, withdrawals prior to age 59½ may be subject to a 10 percent fed-

eral income tax penalty. Any guarantees are contingent on the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company.

(Charles Sims Jr. is president/ CEO of The Sims Financial Group. Contact him at 901-682-2410 or visit www.SimsFinancialGroup.co m.)

RELIGION

Page 8

Tri-State Defender

March 20 - 26, 2014

RELIGION BRIEFS

BOOK REVIEW

Rev. Elaine Sanford to keynote Women’s Day at St. John Baptist Church

The Rev. Elaine Y. Sanford, who has provided outreach ministry and support services to needy women and children for 20-plus years, will be the keynote speaker as St. John BapRev. Elaine tist Church hosts Y. Sanford its Annual Women’s Day program on Sunday (March 23rd).

The Women’s Day service begins at 3 p.m. at the church at 640 Vance Ave. Rev. Sanford is an active minister at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church (The Blvd). in Memphis, Tennessee.

St. John’s Women’s Chorus will provide the music, with a reception to follow the program in the A. McEwen Fellowship Hall. The program is coordinated by Sandra Cohns-Jones, chairperson, and Carolyn A. Simms, co-chairperson. The Rev. Henry L. Key is the host-pastor.

Dr. Claud Anderson next up for Men’s Month at The New Olivet Baptist Church

The annual Men’s Month celebration at The New Olivet Baptist Church continues at 11 a.m.

Sunday (March 23rd) with an address

by Dr. Claud Anderson president of PowerDr. Claud Nomics CorpoAnderson ration of America, Inc., The Harvest Institute and WaterLand Fisheries, Inc. The corporation PowerNomics publishes Anderson’s books and produces multimedia presentations detailing his economic concepts. Anderson is widely known for having developed principles and strategies to explain the concept of race. He also has offered Black America a guide to become a more economically and politically competitive group in America.

The New Olivet’s month-long celebration is designed to raise money for the King Solomon Scholarship Fund for young African-American male college freshmen. It features a series of speakers and began March 2nd.

Here is the list of the upcoming speakers: March 30th, 11 a.m., the Rev. Michael Williams; March 30th, 6 p.m., Dr. Thomas L. Murray with ATOP Male Chorus The New Olivet Baptist Church is located at 3084 Southern Ave. The host pastor is the Rev. Dr. Kenneth T. Whalum Jr. For more details regarding Men’s Month and the King Solomon Scholarship Fund, call 901-454-7777.

‘Why Every Black Woman Should Marry a Jewish Man’ Special to The New Tri-State Defender

by Kam Williams

Sometimes, a sister has to kiss a lot of frogs before finding her soul mate. In Dr. Nazaree HinesStarr’s case, she had to date a lot of “scumbags,” as she puts it.

As a black woman, she had trouble meeting single guys who were at her level “emotionally, academically or professionally. Unfortunately, most of the available African-American men she met “had managed to waste years that should have been spent in college or developing a career, chasing skirts, getting arrested, or playing video games.”

Moreover, many had “accumulated baggage” such as “rap sheets” and “baby-mama drama.”

And even the rare brother who had his act together was never serious about settling down and starting a family.

So, rather than lower her standards by entertaining the advances of commitment-phobic losers from a lower socioeconomic class, Nazaree decided to expand her pool of potential suitors to include men who might not be Christian or African American.

Lo and behold, she met her future husband over the Internet at an online dating website. Although Michael was white and Jewish, love blossomed across the color and religion lines, and the couple has since married and even been blessed with the birth of a beautiful baby boy, Hayden.

Nazaree chronicles her perils in the battle-ofthe-sexes and exactly how she emerged victorious with the perfect alpha male on her arm in “Why Every Black Woman Should Marry a Jewish Man.” The author, a gifted writer but a pharmacist by trade, is surprisingly forthcoming in her combination memoir/how-to tome whose title pretty much speaks for itself.

Beginning with Chapter One, “Scumbag Files,” she takes delight in delineating the lessons she learned from a string of dates from hell. By Chapter Eight she’s done with dishing the dirt and is ready to extol the virtues of taking a dip in the snow, so to speak, meaning entering a relationship with a proverbial good Jewish boy.

Why? First of all, you don’t have to worry that he might be on the down-low, because Jewish culture isn’t homophobic. Secondly, Jewish men generally graduate from college, and they aren’t looking for someone to support them.

Furthermore, they “marry BEFORE making babies,” and “they don’t display their underwear

Mission oriented…

Dr. Nazaree Hines-Starr and her husband, Michael, on their wedding day. (Courtesy photo)

in public.” Plus, they’re practical financially and don’t have a need to preen in macho fashion. And last but not least, they know how to please a partner in bed.

A proven approach for open-minded sisters in search of their Prince Charming.

Excerpt

“How many times have we heard successful African-American women complain they can’t find a good man? Everyone has an opinion on the black man shortage, but none of the so-called relationship experts offer real solutions…

Is it possible that we have been missing an important match? Yes! Jewish men make wonderful husbands… as well as fantastic lovers. This book… sheds light on why successful black women, and career gals in general, and Jewish

Evangelist Karen Johnson (left) was one of the “Messengers of The Gospel” during the Missionary Revival held at Pentecostal Temple Church of God in Christ Wednesday through Friday. The culmination was Sunday. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley)

Dr. Reginald L. Porter Sr., Pastor

ASSOCIATE MINISTERS

901-946-4095 fax 948-8311

Rev. Davena Young Porter Rev. Linda A Paige Rev. Luecretia Matthews SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES

SUNDAY Sunday School .....................8:30 am Morning Worship Service ....10:00am

WEDNESDAY Bible Study .........................10:30 am Mid-Day Prayer Meeting .....12 noon Evening Prayer Meeting........7:00pm

FRIDAY Cable Channel 17 ............... 8:00pm

Dr. & Rev. Mrs. Reginald Porter

“Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.”

– Psalm 55:22

Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

—Matthew 7: 1-2

(To order a copy of Why Every Black Woman Should Marry a Jewish Man, visit: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1490 341978/ref%3dnosim/thslfofire-20)

James Banks (left), a member of St. Stephen Baptist Church at 508 N. Third St., recently celebrated his 67th birthday with a number of well-wishers at The Butcher Shop on Germantown Parkway. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley)

-A WEEKLY DIRECTORY OF MINISTERS & CHURCHES-

767 Walker Avenue Memphis, TN 38126

“Why Every Black Woman Should Marry a Jewish Man”

by Dr. Nazaree Hines-Starr CreateSpace Paperback, $16.99 202 pages ISBN: 978-1490341972

A birthday blow…

PRAISE CONNECT

METROPOLITAN BAPTIST CHURCH

men are very compatible…

In summary, to find Mr. Right, women must date with quality in mind, such as character traits and values, they should be open to interracial dating, and apply faith in dating.”

– Introduction (pages xiii-xiv)

Attend the Church of your choice

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

—Phillipians 4:13

ENTERTAINMENT Tri-State Defender, Thursday, March 20 - 26, 2014, Page 9

FRE&H FRUIT

Can Beyoncé’s celebrity reshape feminism?

Next up for Go Phigga:

theGrio

by Danielle Moodie-Mills In a recent PSA to ban the word bossy, Beyoncé said, “I’m not bossy, I’m the boss,” and little girls everywhere rejoiced.

Well, maybe that’s not entirely what happened, but I’m sure it Beyoncé did.

Knowles Contrary to Bill O’Reilly’s latest conspiracy theory, Beyoncé is not the cause of the downfall of society’s children—quite the opposite.

Mrs. Carter is just the woman we need to lead the discussion on leadership and feminism in the 21st century.

Beyoncé may not be your mother’s feminist— but she’s ours.

And as Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie so eloquently stated in her TEDx talk and on Beyoncé’s record “Flawless,” a feminist is any person that believes in the social, political and economic equality of the sexes.

For as long as I can remember, a feminist was the other f-word that no woman in my generation wanted to be associated with: Why? To some it meant that you hated men, fashion, lingerie, and anything involving femininity. There was no way you could be a proud feminist and be married, stylish and love sex too.

There seemed to be so much rigidity associated with feminism, a lot of don’ts and very few do’s—until recently.

Consequently, popular culture, and the emergence of unprecedented powerful female characters on TV, has begun to change the way young women view strength and femininity. Thanks to characters like Kerry Washington’s Olivia Pope, women can be sharp and chic at the same time, no longer having to trade one characteristic for the other in fear of not being taken seriously.

From the catwalk to Capitol Hill, the giants of fashion have thrown their hats in the political ring. Just last year the newly minted billionaire designer Tory Burch teamed up with Google and Politico to create Women Rule, a women’s leadership series. Bringing together the original Polinista, Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, stylist Stacey London and Congresswoman Jackie Speier to name a few participants, to discuss how women can own their womanness, climb ladders and essentially conquer the world.

Fashion is no longer a frivolous afterthought in Washington—it’s a multi-billion dollar industry with heavyweight donors like Anna Wintour at the helm—signaling to the world that women are indeed running things—and doing it in heels.

As Hillary Clinton once said, women’s leadership is not only important to their families and communities, but to the world. According to a new report by the Center for American Progress, Women’s Leadership: What’s True, What’s False and Why it Matters, women earn more professional degrees than men and make up 52 percent of the workforce, yet still remain wholly absent from professional leadership positions. Women constitute a paltry 1020 percent of C-Suite offices, law partnerships and medical deans posts.

Women’s fierce leadership may be the dominant force in popular culture right now, but this power hasn’t fully translated into our politics. Our nation’s policies still reflect an antiquated “Leave it to Beaver” era of the stay-at-home, happy housewife, which is not surprising given that women only make up 15 percent of the U.S. Congress.

It’s indeed time for a revolution.

Will it be led by the emergence of feminist voices in popular culture?

If, as Oscar Wilde once opined, “Life imitates art far more than art imitates life,” then Beyoncé is right.

The future of women’s leadership, and the revival of feminism, looks flawless.

(Danielle Moodie-Mills is an Advisor at the Center for American Progress for racial justice and LGBT equality. She is also the creator; writer and co-host of Politini, a politics and pop culture show on Blis.FM, bringing audiences the personal side of politics. Her writings have been published in The Atlantic, Essence, Huffington Post, Ebony and more. Follow her musings on Twitter @DeeTwoCents and at www.Politini.com.)

“SpringBoard” in Houston – June 2014.

“A3C,” aka All Three Coast, in Atlanta – October 2014.

For shows and updates: gophiggamusic.blogspot.com.

Fresh off performances at the (SXSW Music, Art and Film Festival in Austin, Texas, Go Phigga is looking to keep it rolling. (Courtesy photos)

‘Go Phigga’ comes from the heart I knew that Go Phigga was a 2004 graduate of Tupelo High School, and wanted to know more, probing for the root’s of his inSpecial to The New Tri-State Defender spiration and the obvious wealth of maturity behind his tone of speech.

(Fre$h Fruit is Kelvin Cowans’ periodic look at upcoming and “I grew up the youngest child, as I have seven older brother’s rising talent from Memphis and the surrounding areas.) and sister’s, and we had parent’s that have always been workers and have always given all that they have for the betterment of their resh off a trip down south to Austin, Texas, 29-year-old children,” he said. rapper George Purnell, aka Go Phigga, of Bottom Coast “ That example that they set is instilled in all of us, not just me.

Ent/Numb3rs Committee, was still in rare form as we beMost notably, I have a brother, Desmond Purnell, former Missisgan our interview. Turned up and passionate about music sippi State University football player, who is an analyst for the and the mark he plans to make on it, he left no stones unNFL Network. Then there were other influences, like when I returned when speaking about his experiences, influences and perflect back on singing in the choir at my high school. It was there ceptions of the music business. that I got the rhythm of music and it’s been in my heart ever since.”

“I’ve dropped 3 albums The reference to heart registered already – “4ever Motivated,” with me. It’s kind of hard to find it in “M.S.O.M.1” and music nowadays Heart, a message to “M.S.O.M.1.5” – but most the consciousness of the fans, and recently I just finished pertruth are becoming a foreign language forming this past weekend at behind the microphone. All styles of the annual South By Southmusic have their place, yet we seem to west (SXSW) Music, Art be inundated in hip-hop music with and Film Festival in Austin, shaking our butts and walking straight Texas,” said Go Phigga, into jail, early pregnancy and this clearly excited about the anlarge grey area where we can’t sepanual Spring Break festival rate entertainment or reality. that he recognizes as one of Go Phigga took in my stream-ofthe biggest in the music consciousness flow. game.

“Truth,” he said, “and I’m not a big “I have performed at this fan of modern radio. I don’t think raevent for like the last three dio plays a lot of the songs that the or four years and I truly enfans want to hear. For me as an artist, joy it and the fans because does that mean I should change my every year is different. The style of writing? No, of course not. I fans really get a chance to have to stay true to my craft. They see you up close and persondon’t cater to up and coming artist and al and take pictures with you I’m not going to cater to them. and ask you about your mu“I actually do business with this sic. Then also there are group called Numb3rs Committee and countless mega-artists there. we just hold one another up by doing Like this year you had artists shows together and performing on like Jay-Z, Kanye West, each other songs for free,” he said.

Slim Thugg, Bun B., Face “Not to mention that we often end up Mobb, Big Sean, Future, booked for the same shows. We netTech 9, Nas, etc. So yes, it work and vibe with each other just was really nice.” like that. We grind and hope for the Go Phigga is a 2004 graduate of Tupelo High School Impressed by the lineup of best without selling out our craft for legends and present-day go- and the son of hard-working parents that he credits mainstream. Mainstream has its place with giving him a solid foundation for building a sucgetters, I wanted to know and it will come. ” cessful career. what songs he performed.

I could feel that, pivoting to ask, “If “I actually performed four you had a chance to marry music, how different shows, which lasted about 15 minutes or more a piece. So would you propose to her?”

I was able to perform a couple of my songs that are on the radio Go Phigga: She’s a her? now getting some real heavy spins and a couple of more that are Music is definitely a her, I shot back. gaining momentum. I performed “Grippin Grain,” “Ray Allen,” “Well, I’d take her to Kemah, Texas over to the Boardwalk and “Heavy Tenant,” “The Intro” and “Gold Around My neck.”

I’d throw on (the) Jagged Edge song ‘Let’s get Married’ in the I’d listened to “Grippin Grain,” taking note of how he captured background. As we held hands on a summer afternoon and that Houston-area sound without being from there. watched the sun walk across the water, I’d let her know I’m done “True, but I have been influenced by so many down-south rapmessing around and kneel on one knee and say those magic words. pers and Pimp C, who you hear on the hook, was one of those rap- And the rest would be history.” pers who I grew up on. UGK, which was him and Bun B. Then at That’s dope son, I said, laughing out loud. “And what’s your fathe same time I admired Eight Ball and MJG, Big Mike, Tela and vorite fruit?”

Mystical,” he said.

“Pineapples,” he said.

“Naturally my sound would reflect my influences, while my writing, delivery and concepts are all mine. So right now I’m go(Follow him on Twitter: @gophigga; Instagram: gophigga662.) ing hard making music for the third coast, that’s Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.”

(Kelvin Cowans can be reached at kelvincowans@hotmail.com.)

by Kelvin Cowans

F

ENTERTAINMENT

Page 10

Tri-State Defender

March 20 - 26, 2014

OPENING THIS WEEK

Lupita Nyong’o linked to Somalian rapper K’Naan

Kam’s Kapsules:

Weekly Previews That Make Choosing a Film Fun

NNPA News Service

by Zachary Lester Special to The New Tri-State Defender

by Kam Williams

For movies opening March 21, 2014

BIG BUDGET FILMS

“Divergent” (PG-13 for intense violence, mature themes and some sensuality) Futuristic sci-fi, set in a supposedly-utopian society where people are segregated by personality, although anyone who fails to fit into one of five groups ends-up condemned to death.

Starring Shailene Woodley, Kate Winslet, Mekhi Phifer, Ashley Judd, Zoe Kravitz, Theo James and Maggie Q.

“Muppets Most Wanted” (PG for mild action) Animated adventure set in Europe where the Muppets unwittingly become embroiled in a jewel heist hatched by a Kermit the Frog look-a-like (Steve Whitmore). Voice cast includes Tina Fey, Ricky Gervais and Ty Burrell, with cameos by Lady Gaga, Sean Diddy Combs, Celine Dion, Zach Galifianakis, Josh Groban, Tony Bennett, Usher and Salma Hayek.

INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS

“50 to 1” (PG-13 for suggestive material and a bar fight) Fact-based drama chronicling the road trip from New Mexico to Kentucky undertaken by a posse of cowboys when their crooked-footed horse miraculously qualifies for the Derby. Starring Skeet Ulrich, William Devane and Christian Kane.

“American Revolutionary” (Unrated) Reverential biopic about Grace Lee Boggs, the 97 year-old, progressive political activist who, for many decades, has dedicated her life to the plight of the poor people of Detroit.

Featuring commentary by Danny Glover, Angela Davis and Bill Ayers.

Labrador Duck. With Ben Kingsley, James Le Gros and Katie Chang.

“Blood Ties” (R for sexuality, violence, brief drug use and pervasive profanity) Gangster saga, set in 1974, revolving around two brothers (Clive Owen and Billy Crudup) operating on opposite sides of the law in their Brooklyn neighborhood. Ensemble cast includes James Caan, Marion Cotillard, Mila Kunis, Zoe Saldana, Jamie Hector and Griffin Dunne.

“Cheap Thrills” (Unrated) Dark comedy about an unemployed auto mechanic (Pat Healy) who, for some much-needed cash, accepts a rich couple’s (David Koechner and Sara Paxton) series of increasingly twisted dares. With Ethan Embry, Amanda Fuller and Laura Covelli.

“Anita” (Unrated) Ugly biopic about beauty queen-turned-gay rights opponent Anita Bryant (Uma Thurman) whose homophobic crusade led to her divorce and bankruptcy, and heralded the demise of her showbiz career.

“God’s Not Dead” (PG for mature themes, brief violence and an accident scene) Christian-oriented drama about a college freshman (Shane Harper) who finds his faith challenged by a philosophy professor’s (Kevin Sorbo) pressure to embrace atheism for a passing grade. Featuring Dean Cain, Jim Gleason and Willie Robertson.

“A Birder’s Guide to Everything” (PG-13 for profanity, sexuality, drug use and partial nudity) Ornithological comedy about a 15 year-old bird watcher (Kodi Smit-McPhee) who embarks on an expedition with a couple of friends in search of the supposedly-extinct

“Just a Sigh” (Unrated) Serendipitous romance drama about the love which blossoms when a miserably-married actress (Emmanuelle Devos) and a grieving literature professor (Gabriel Byrne) sit across from each other on a train traveling from Calais to Paris.

With Gilles Privat, Aurelia Petit and Laurent

“Awakened” (Unrated) Supernatural thriller about a young woman (Julianne Michelle) who gets help from beyond the grave while unearthing the truth about whether her father (John Savage) murdered her mother (Kiva Dawson) when she was a child. Featuring Steven Bauer, Edward Furlong and Sally Kirkland.

“It Felt Like Love” (Unrated) Coming-ofage drama about an envious, 14 year-old virgin (Gina Piersanti) who decides to seduce an older boy (Ronen Rubinstein) to match the exploits of her sexually-active BFF (Giovanna Salimeni). Support cast includes Nick Rosen, Richie Folio and Andrew McCord.

Zoe Saldana (left) on the set of “Blood Ties” with Billy Crudup and their young costar. The Guillaume Canet-directed flick tells the “story of two brothers, the younger of which (Crudup) is asked by his older convict sibling (Clive Owen), to go back into the underworld to help out his family.”

Capelluto. (In French and English with subtitles)

“Maladies” (Unrated) Dream deferred drama about a mentally-ill, soap opera star (James Franco) who retires prematurely to a quiet coastal town with his deranged sister (Fallon Goodson) and best friend (Catherine Keener). Cast includes David Strathairn, Jean Carter and Jon Prescott.

“McCanick” (R for profanity, graphic violence and brief drug use) David Morse stars in the title role of this out-of-the-closet drama chronicling an eventful day-in-the-life of a cop with a big secret. Featuring Mike Vogel, Tracie Thoms, Aaron Yoo and recently-deceased Cory Monteith in the late Glee star’s final screen appearance.

“The Missing Picture” (Unrated) Claymation documentary recreating the crimes against humanity committed by the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia in the late Seventies. (In French with subtitles)

“Nymphomaniac: Part One” (Unrated) Lars Von Trier (Breaking the Waves) directed this erotic drama in which a 50 year-old woman (Charlotte Gainsbourg) recounts her adventurous sex life to the Good Samaritan (Stellan Skarsgard) who came to the rescue after she was beaten and left for dead in an alley.

With Stacy Martin, Shia LaBeouf, Christian Slater, Jamie Bell, Uma Thurman and Willem Dafoe.

“Rob the Mob” (R for sexuality, drug use and pervasive profanity) Crime caper about a couple (Michael Pitt and Nina Arianda) that stumbles upon something unexpected at an underground club in the process of attempting to fleece the Mafia. Support cast features Ray Romano, Andy Garcia and Griffin Dunne.

Lupita Nyong’o went from near-anonymity to tremendous celebrity after she won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar earlier this month for her role in “12 Years a Slave.” Since her win, she’s been interviewed dozens of times, seen her fashion style analyzed and been praised for her grace and beauty.

With the celebrity has come an interest in her love life and now Nyong’o is the subject of media speculation and gossip about who she may be dating.

Rumors circulated after she and Jared Leto were seen canoodling at recent appearances that they were a couple. The gossip was exacerbated by Leto calling Nyong’o his “future ex-wife” during his acceptance speech at the Independent Spirit Awards on March 1, according to media reports.

Now, the rumor mill has tied her to Somalian rapper K’naan.

On March 3, the day after Nyong’o won her Oscar, she was photographed in New York City with K’naan. The two were seen together in Manhattan outside the studio where she appeared on the talk show “Live! With Kelly and Michael,” according to news reports.

Newsday.com said that Nyong’o and K’naan “appeared to be affectionate in the photos.”

The pictures were soon uploaded to the Internet, and showed K’naan and Nyong’o embracing for the paparazzi while he held her Oscar.

Us Weekly magazine reported on March 12 that the two have been dating since September.

K’naan, 36, whose real name is Keinan Abdi Warsame, was born in Somalia and raised in Toronto. Us Weekly reported that he has two sons from a previous marriage to Deqa Warsame, a pharmacy technician. He moved to Toronto with his parents as a young child.

Reps for neither Nyong’o nor K’naan have confirmed the relationship.

Nyong’o, 31, who was born in Mexico City and raised in Kenya, won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Patsey in the historical drama “12 Years a Slave.”

The movie, which also won Oscars for Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay, was based on Solomon Northup’s 1853 memoir of his experience as a free black man from New York who was kidnapped in Washington, D.C. and enslaved.

(Special to the NNPA from the Afro-American Newspaper)

Lupita Nyongʼo, Somalian rapper Kʼnaan. (Courtesy photo)

COMMUNITY

Tri-State Defender

Page 11

March 20 - 26, 2014

BRIEFS & THINGS

Multicultural Job Fair accepting registration

Mid-South area job seekers will have the chance to connect with local businesses at the inaugural Multicultural Job Fair on April 13 from noon until 6 p.m. at the Hilton Memphis at 939 Ridge Lake Blvd.

The event is hosted by ContigoCreative, a Memphis-based Multicultural marketing and public relations firm. Independent Bank, Copeland Coaching and the Workforce Investment will conduct career development workshops offering assistance with resume development, interview skills, proper attire, branding yourself, social media and financial responsibility.

The Memphis Public Library will offer access to its JobLINC Bus for all attendees to use computers and job boards.

“Our goal is to help as many people as possible to not only find jobs, but lasting careers,” said Alex Matlock, President and Founder, ContigoCreative.

The New Tri-State Defender is a media sponsor for the event. To learn more or to register, visit www.jobfairmemphis.com or call 901-282-3410.

Driver License Reinstatement Center in Hickory Ridge gets Saturday openings

The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security will open its Hickory Ridge Driver License Reinstatement Center for five Saturdays starting this week due to the high volume of customers seeking to reinstate driving privileges this time of year.

The Hickory Ridge Driver License Reinstatement Center, located inside the Hickory Ridge Mall, 6075 Winchester Rd., will serve customers from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on March 22 and 29, April 4, 11, and 26. (The special Saturday hours will not take place on Easter weekend.) The extra hours of service are for reinstatement services only.

“We have learned that many citizens use income tax refunds to pay for fines and fees associated with reinstating suspended or revoked driver licenses, so we see an increase in the number of reinstatements during this time period,” Commissioner Bill Gibbons said.

Citizens are urged to have the correct documents before visiting the reinstatement center to avoid delays and possible returns for service. To check your status and to see what documents are needed, go to https://apps.tn.gov/tndlr/ and click on the “Pay Reinstatement Fees” tab.

Cemetery Preservation Conference set for Memphis during May

Preservation of African American Cemeteries (PAAC) will hold its eighth annual Memorial in May Cemetery Preservation Conference on May 16-17 at Buckman Hall on the campus of Rhodes College.

The Conference theme is “Reclaiming Our Past to Preserve Our Future.” PAAC was founded in Arkansas in 2003 by Tamela Tenpenny-Lewis and Phyllis Hammonds. This is the first time, in its 10 year existence, that the Conference is being held outside of Arkansas. It is being hosted by the newly formed Tennessee Chapter of PAAC headquartered in Memphis.

The goal of PAAC is to form a network of persons and/or groups committed to locating, researching, educating, documenting, reclaiming and preserving AfricanAmerican cemeteries. Archeologists, historians, genealogists, cemetery preservationists, church secretaries, funeral home directors and cemetery association representatives are amont those expected to attend.

For more information, contact, Nelvia M. Brady-Hampton, Ph.D., the chairperson of the PAAC 2014 Conference Planning Committee, at 901-791-4148.

BRIEFLY: The IU Soul Revue from the University of IndianaBloomington will perform at a free 7:30-8:30 p.m. concert at The LeMoyne-Owen College on March 21. The concert is the culmination of a two-day Spring Break visit during which Director Tyron Cooper and members of the ensemble worked with local youths, including those at the Stax Music Academy, Overton High School, the University of Memphis and LOC. BRIEFLY: A Memphis Branch NAACP forum featuring candidates for Shelby County Mayor and the County Commission is set for 4 p.m. Sunday at First Baptist Church, 2835 Broad Ave.

Judge Gina Higgins (left) and Naomi Earp keynoted the Dress for Success Memphis annual Suit and Salad Luncheon at the Hilton Memphis. (Photos: Isaac Singleton)

The Dress for Success Memphis mission is to “promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. Addison Epps (left) and Joy Doss attended the groupʼs annual Suit and Salad Luncheon

Silent auction, hats and pearls on display at Suit and Salad Luncheon A tennis racquet signed by megaathlete Venus Williams, mink earmuffs donated by King Furs and paintings by Andre Miller and the Twins were all available through a spirited live auction that punctuated the Dress for Success Memphis’ annual Suit and Salad Luncheon.

Designed to celebrate area Women of Courage, the event unfolded earlier this month at the Hilton Memphis, with nearly 200 guests bedecked in

their best “hats and pearls,” which was this year’s theme. Dress for Success Memphis is a non-profit organization that provides interview and work appropriate attire, confidence boosts, and career development to low-income women making the transition into the workplace.

“This luncheon is our way of shining a light on all of the women who we touch and have touched us – whether it’s our constituency who are

re-entering the workforce and getting a fresh start or whether it’s women who have reached the high mark in their career and are an inspiration to us all,” said Board Chair Miska Bibbs.

The event is the organization’s largest fundraiser of the year. Naomi Earp and Judge Gina Higgins were the featured speakers. They addressed the virtue in perseverance, not letting humble beginnings be a deterrent or an impediment and the

importance of staying connected to the community. Both also stressed their commitments to serving as mentors and providing professional development opportunities to the younger generation.

This year’s co-chairs were Yevette Hughes and Julia Kavanaugh, along with honorary co-chair and sponsor Heather Grosvenor. Action News 5 reporter Shay Harris was the mistress of ceremonies.

Memphis uses music in push for Health Insurance Marketplace enrollment

“Music resonates with the people of our city in a way that is difficult to explain....”

– Mayor A C Wharton Jr.

Mayor A C Wharton Jr. has teamed with several local hospitals and community partners to launch a musical message encouraging citizens to enroll in the Health Insurance Marketplace by the March 31st deadline.

“Music resonates with the people of our city in a way that is difficult to explain. That’s why this idea of slipping a critical message into the melody of a song was a pretty safe bet from our perspective,” said Wharton.

The song at the center of the campaign is “The Marketplace,” a rewrite of the 1979 soul classic “Come Go with Me” made famous by Teddy Pendergrass. It showcases Memphis vocalist and keyboardist, Will Graves. T. O. Crivens, who is featured as the lead guitarist, produced the regarding.

The project was made with the support of the Rev. Keith Norman of First Baptist Church-Broad, Baptist Memorial Health Care, Methodist Healthcare, Regional One Health, and Delta Medical Center. The Memphis Music Foundation acquired the use of the original “Come Go with Me” song from Warner-Chappell

Crowning tourch…

Records.

“We are delighted to have been a part of this unique project,” said Pat Mitchell Worley, director of Development and Communications with the Memphis Music Foundation. “And, I must say that it is altogether appropriate that we would have musicians sharing this message given the historical challenges musicians have had with securing affordable health insurance.”

A music video that features the song is being shared via social me-

The Omicron Sigma Memphis Alumnae Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority presented its Rhomania Program last Saturday at the Racquet Club. Taylor Briggs (left) was crowned Miss Rhomania 2014.

dia by a number of local partners.

It is the work of local videographer and musician, Justin Elliott Thompson. Through a partnership with Clear Channel Communications, commercials featuring the song and a voiceover by the mayor are being shared via social media channels by several local deejays and on-air personalities. “(Given) the importance of the subject at hand, we hope this creative project inspires folks to enroll in the Health Insurance Marketplace today,” said Wharton.

Torch Award winner…

The Marketplace video is reachable through the following links: * Shortened version (roughly 2 ½ minutes): https://tinyurl.com/getcovereds ongSHORT. * Entire version (roughly 4 ½ minutes): https://tinyurl.com/getcovereds ongLONG. To view the Marketplace commercial (30-second version): http://www.memphistn.gov/getco verdsongSHORT

TSD President/Publisher Bernal E. Smith II was among the eveningʼs Torch Award winners. He accepted the honor from Omicron Sigma Vice President Katiah Brown. (Photos: Tyrone P. Easley)

SPORTS Tri-State Defender, Thursday, March 20 - 26, 2014, Page 12

GRIZZ TRACK

NCAA Tournament time is here, meaning that itʼs time for Shaq Godwin (right) and the University of Memphis to put it all on the floor in pursuit of an extended tourney run.

(Photo: Warren Roseborough)

Getting by George Washington is job No. 1 for Tigers

The Division I Men’s Basketball Selection Show broadcast by March Madness Live and CBS last Sunday sent University of Memphis fans scurrying to find out more – or in some cases the first tidbit – about George Washington, the university.

The Tigers are matched against the Colonials in the Second Round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament in Raleigh, N.C. Memphis Memphis (23-9) is the will be play- East Reing in the gion’s No. 8 NCAA Tour- seed. George nament for Washington the eighth (24-8) is the time in the No. 9 seed. last nine The winner seasons of Friday’s and 10th game gets a time in the Sunday conlast 12 frontation years. with the winner of the contest between No. 1 Virginia and No. 16 Coastal Carolina.

The games in Raleigh will be played at PNC Arena, with tipoff for the Tigers set at 5:55 p.m. (CT). TBS is televising the game, which also can be seen via the web at www.ncaa.com/march-madness.

George Washington, which is located in Washington, D.C., returned all five starters and nine letter winners from last year’s team.

Memphis will be playing in the NCAA Tournament for the eighth time in the last nine seasons and 10th time in the last 12 years.

The Tigers are one of four teams from the American Athletic Conference to receive bids to the 2014 NCAA Tournament. This is Memphis’ 26th overall NCAA Tournament appearance. The Tigers have a 33-25 record in NCAA Tournament play. In its history, Memphis had made three Final Four appearances (1973, 1985, 2008), six Elite Eights and 11 Sweet Sixteens.

Memphis advances to the NCAA Tournament for the fourth-straight year under head coach Josh Pastner. Last year Memphis was placed in the Midwest Regional. The Tigers defeated Saint Mary’s 54-52 before falling to Michigan State 70-48 in Second and Third Round games played in Auburn Hills, Mich.

This is Pastner’s 17th trip to the NCAA Tournament in his 18 seasons in college basketball as a player, staff member, assistant coach and head coach. During his time at Arizona, Pastner was part of 13straight trips to the NCAA Tournament (1997-2008), including the 1997 NCAA championship squad. He was an assistant on the Memphis staff when the Tigers advanced to the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 in 2009.

(This story includes information from Memphis Athletics Communication.)

Mike Conley of the Grizzlies pump fakes, triggering a foul by Utahʼs Trey Burke. Conley had 18 points and seven assists as Memphis withstood a second-half comeback by the Jazz for a 96-86 victory at the FedExForum on Wednesday night. (Photos: Warren Roseborough)

The Memphis tandem of Zach Randolph (left) and Kosta Koufos battle Utahʼs Gordon Haywood for the rebound. Randolph had 21 points and 11 rebounds, with Koufos coming off the Grizz bench with 7 points and 7 rebounds. The Grizzlies take their talent to South Beach on Friday to take on LeBron James, Dewayne Wade and the defending champion Miami Heat.

‘Barack-etology’ President Barack Obama fills out his 2014 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament bracket during an ESPN interview with Andy Katz in the Map Room. White House Photo: Pete Souza)

To the victors…

Happy March Madness everyone!

President Barack Obama has filled out his 2014 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament bracket, again revealing it during an ESPN interview with Andy Katz in the Map Room of the White House on Tuesday.

It was the sixth straight year that President Obama sat down

to fill out his brackets for the NCAA men’s and women’s basketball tournaments – and talked a little “Barack-etology” with Katz.

University of Memphis fans are hoping that the President’s prognostications hold up during the Tigers’ first game on Friday and then plummet dramatically.

He has them getting by George Washington and then losing to

Virginia in a Sunday matchup.

The President has Louisville, Michigan State, Florida and Arizona headed to the Final Four.

Michigan State fans, however, are hoping that the President will be a good luck charm. Mr. Obama picked the Spartans to beat the Louisville Cardinals in the National Championship game on April 7th.

Mitchell High School trounced Meigs County 56-27 to win the TSSAA Division 1 Class A Boys Basketball State Championship last Saturday (March 15th). Thatʼs cause for a celebration and more than one is in the works. On Friday (March 21st), Mitchell will host a Victory Pep Rally at 1 p.m. at the school at 658 West Mitchell Road. A Community Celebration is set for March 29th at 10 a.m.

The festivities will include a parade, with several community leaders and former coaches and players on tap to speak. (Courtesy photo)

Tri-State Defender

Legal Notices

ALL INTERESTED BIDDERS

The Shelby County Board of Education School District will accept written proposals for Student Transportation.

Visit our website for additional information: http://www.scsk12.org/uf/procurement/bids.php

Questions concerning bid/proposal should be addressed to Procurement Services at (901) 416-5376.

Thank you for supporting Shelby County Schools.

NOTICE TO CONSULTANT ENGINEERS REGARDING REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS NEWPORT ROAD DRAINAGE DITCH FLOOD PROTECTION IMPROVEMENTS MILLINGTON, TENNESSEE

The City of Millington, Tennessee, an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer, seeks to retain the services of a professional consultant engineering design and planning firm, or team of same, to provide services related to design, preparation of bidding and construction documents, construction administration, and inspection services for the following projects, which may be combined into one project or two separate projects: 1) Construction of a stormwater pumping station to be located west of the existing gated structure located in the Big Creek Levee System (final pumping station location to be based on maximizing the naturally occurring storm water storage areas).

Responsibilities of the professional consultant(s) include but will not be limited to:

• Investigate available pumping equipment and evaluate pump characteristic performance curves to maximize flood protection to the interior drainage area during high water events on Big Creek within the constraints of available budget for design and construction of the pumping plant.

• Prepare a preliminary design of pumping station to include number of pumps and operating criteria.

• After approval by the City of the preliminary design, prepare bidding and construction documents (plans and specifications) for advertisement for bids to construct the pumping station.

• Assist the City Engineer with evaluation of bids and recommend award of contract to the lowest responsible and responsive bidder.

• Provide construction administration and engineering services during construction of the pumping plant.

• Provide adequate on-site inspection services during the construction period.

• Provide as-built drawings and operations and maintenance documents for the pumping plant.

2) Construction of a floodwater overflow channel to connect the existing Newport Road Ditch near the existing gated structure located in the Big Creek Levee System and an existing stormwater detention sump area located adjacent to drainage channel.

Responsibilities of the professional consultant(s) include but will not be limited to:

• Prepare a hydraulic design of the proposed overflow connecting channel to include horizontal and vertical alignment, bottom width and side slopes to assure adequate flow from the existing Newport Road Ditch near the gated structure to the existing stormwater detention area.

• After approval by the City of the preliminary overflow connecting channel design, prepare bidding and construction documents (plans and specifications) for advertisement for bids to construct the connecting channel.

• Assist the City Engineer with evaluation of bids and recommend award of contract to the lowest responsible and responsive bidder.

• Provide construction administration and engineering services during construction of the pumping plant.

• Provide adequate on-site inspection services during the construction period.

• Provide as-built drawings of the constructed channel.

Firms may request consideration by submitting a letter of interest along with qualifications to Darek Baskin, City Engineer, City of Millington, Office of Planning and Economic Development, 4836 Navy Road, Suite #3, Millington, TN 38053. All letters of interest and qualifications must be received by Mr. Baskinʼs Office on or before 2:00 p.m. Central Time on March 27, 2014. The letter of interest and qualifications shall indicate the scope of services to be completed by any sub-consultants. The City will evaluate those submitting letters of interest and qualifications and choose several firms who would make viable candidates from which to invite proposals and/or presentations. The factors that will

CLASSIFIEDS

Page 13

March 20 - 26, 2014

TRI-STATE DEFENDER CLASSIFIEDS 203 Beale Street, Suite 200 Memphis, TN 38103 PH (901) 523-1818 FAX (901) 578-5037 HOURS: Mon-Fri 9am - 5pm

DEADLINES: Display ads Monday 5 p.m.

Classified ads Monday 5 p.m.

RATES: Standard rates: $9.50 per line for 1 column ad.

Rates are non-commissionable and are quoted at the net rate. No refund for early cancellation.

For additional information contact Sales Dept. at (901) 746-5201 or email: advertising@tri-

be considered in evaluation of letters of interest are: (a.) Past experience in the required disciplines. (b.) Past experience specific to stormwater pump station design. (c.) Qualification and availability of staff. (d.) Demonstrated ability to meet schedules without compromising sound engineering/design practice. (e.) Evaluations on prior projects and other clients, if available. (f.) Size of project. (g.) Past local experience, particularly as related to drainage analyses and design of similar magnitude and scope within the region and local vicinity. Evaluation proceedings will be conducted within the established guidelines regarding equal employment opportunity and nondiscriminatory action based upon the grounds of race, color, sex, creed or national origin. Interested certified Section 3 consultants, Locally Owned Small Business firms, Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) firms as well as other minority-owned and women-owned firms are encouraged to respond to all advertisements by the City of Millington.

LEGAL NOTICE

TO FURNISHERS OF LABOR AND MATERIALS TO WHITE CONSTRUCTION AND ASSOCIATES FOR SITE IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE PEGGY EDMISTON ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, PHASE 4 CONTRACT NUMBER CA1315971 Notice is hereby given that SHELBY COUNTY is preparing to make settlement with WHITE CONSTRUCTION & ASSOCIATES, INC. for necessary and related work for the construction of SITE IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE PEGGY EDMISTON ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, PHASE 4

All persons holding claims against the Contractor, WHITE CONSTRUCTION & ASSOCIATES, INC. , or their agents for materials or labor entering into the construction of this project must file itemized notice of such claim (two copies) with the original copy sworn to before a Notary Public. This notice to be received at the office of Clifton Davis., Administrator of Purchasing, Suite 900, 160 North Mid-America Mall, Memphis, Tennessee 38103, on or before April 28, 2014 in order to obtain the advantages afforded to claimants by legal statute.

Respectfully submitted,

Clifton Davis Administrator of Purchasing Shelby County Government REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL FOR LAWN CARE & OTHER SERVICES March 11, 2014

Charter School Support Services, Inc., (“CSSS”) on behalf of Achievement School District, is seeking proposals for competitive proposals from qualified Respondents to provide Lawn Care & Other Services.

Proposal(s) will be accepted until March 31, 2014 at 12:00pm EST. PROPOSALS RECEIVED AFTER THIS TIME WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. One (1) original hard copy, three (3) hard copies and one CD of the Proposal must be submitted. ASD RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CONTRACT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF ASD, AND TO REJECT ANY AND ALL PROPOSALS AT ANY TIME PRIOR TO AWARD. Proposals must be sealed in a container marked on the lower left-hand corner with the name and address of the Respondent.

CSSS will date stamp the container with the submission date and the submission time. In addition, the sealed container in which the Proposal is submitted should be labeled “Proposal for Lawn Care & Other Services for ASD” FAXED RESPONSES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. Further instructions for submitting Proposals may be obtained from:

As part of the Dress for Success initiative, the young men attending The Black Man Can Institute were given free neckties, along with lessons from the presenters on how to tie them. (Photo: Kenneth Worles)

statedefender.com BEER PERMITS Flat Rate $30

GENERAL INFORMATION: Some categories require prepayment. All ads subject to credit approval. Tri-State Defender reserves the right to correctly classify and edit all copy, or to reject or cancel any ad at any time. Only standard abbreviations accepted. Copy change during ordered schedule constitutes new ad & new charges. Deadlines for cancellation are identical to placement deadlines. Rates subject to change.

ADJUSTMENTS: PLEASE check your ad the first day it appears. Call 901-523-1818 if an error occurs. We can only offer in-house credit and NO REFUNDS are issued.

TRI-STATE DEFENDER assumes no financial responsibility for errors nor for copy omission. Direct any classified billing iinquiries to 901-523-1818.

Charter School Support Services Inc. Attn: Jerry Evans 1661 Worcester Road, Ste. 203 Framingham, MA 01701 jevans@csssinc.org

To acquire a copy of the proposal specification, please contact Jerry Evans at the above contact information. To download the proposal specifications go to the Charter School Support Services website at www.csssinc.org, RFP page.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL FOR JANITORIAL SERVICES March 11, 2014

Charter School Support Services, Inc., (“CSSS”) on behalf of Achievement School District Inc., is seeking competitive proposals from qualified Respondents to provide Janitorial Services.

Proposal(s) will be accepted until March 31, 2014 at 12:00pm EST. PROPOSALS RECEIVED AFTER THIS TIME WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. One (1) original hard copy, three (3) hard copies and one CD of the Proposal must be submitted. ASD RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CONTRACT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF ASD, AND TO REJECT ANY AND ALL PROPOSALS AT ANY TIME PRIOR TO AWARD.

Proposals must be sealed in a container marked on the lower left-hand corner with the name and address of the Respondent.

CSSS will date stamp the container with the submission date and the submission time. In addition, the sealed container in which the Proposal is submitted should be labeled “Proposal for Janitorial Services for ASD” FAXED RESPONSES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. Further instructions for submitting Proposals may be obtained from: Charter School Support Services Inc. Attn: Jerry Evans 1661 Worcester Road, Ste. 203 Framingham, MA 01701 jevans@csssinc.org

To acquire a copy of the proposal specification, please contact Jerry Evans at the above contact information. To download the proposal specifications go to the Charter School Support Services website at www.csssinc.org, RFP page.

NOTICE TO BIDDER(S)

Sealed bids will be received by the Shelby County Government in the Department of Housing, 1075 Mullins Station Road, Memphis, Tennessee 38134 until 9:30 a.m. on March 31, 2014 as shown below: MULTIPLE AND ENTIRELY DIFFERENT REHABILITATION JOBS ARE CONTAINED IN THIS BID NOTICE. BIDDER(S) MAY ELECT TO BID ON ANY OR ALL OF THE JOBS IN THE NOTICE. SEALED BID SBI-000254 DUE: Monday March 31, 2014

1. Rehabilitation of Owner-Occupied Housing Units throughout Shelby County some of which may require the use of lead based paint safe work practices and techniques; and 2. Lead Based Paint Hazard Reduction Jobs.

Detailed specifications for items above may be obtained in the Shelby County Department of Housing at the aforementioned address. All bids will be opened and publicly read by the Shelby County Government at the time mentioned above at the Department of Housing, 1075 Mullins Station Road Memphis, TN 38134, (901) 222-7600.

As a condition precedent to bidding, each bidder must apply and qualify for a Vendor Number and Equal Opportunity Compliance Eligibility Number prior to the submitting your response. Your EOC number must be displayed on the outside of your envelope for each bid submission.

As a condition precedent to being awarded jobs involving Lead Based Paint, contractors must be certified through EPA as an RRP contractor and/or show proof of application to EPA for said certification and be certified through the State of Tennessee as a Lead Based Paint Firm.

Proof of licensing at time of bid submission is required by the Shelby County Department of Housing.

The label, which is attached to the specifications shall be completely filled out and attached to the bid submission envelope.

You must display your current E.O.C. Eligibility Number or your Locally Owned Small Business (LOSB) Number on the outside of your envelope and a copy of all licenses and insurance policies must be included in your submitted bid package.

Unless the label is completely filled out and your current E.O.C. Eligibility Number is noted thereon your bid may be returned to you unopened. Should your label be lost or misplaced, please note the appropriate information in the lower left-hand corner of your envelope. The Department of Housing encourages participation from WBE, MBE, LOSB, and Section 3 Contractors under these rehabilitation programs.

The Shelby County Government reserves the right to reject any or all bids and to waive any informalities therein.

By order of MARK H. LUTTRELL, JR., MAYOR SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT

Jim Vazquez, Administrator

NOTICE OF ELECTION SHELBY COUNTY REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATIC PRIMARIES ELECTION MAY 6, 2014 VOTING HOURS: 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated (TCA) Section 2-2-114 (a), that the Shelby County Election Commission office located at 150 Washington Ave., Suite 205, Memphis, TN, 38103, telephone number 222-1200, and Election Operations Center located at 980 Nixon Drive, Memphis, TN, telephone number 222-6821 is open for voter registration and transfer of registration from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday, except for holidays. Registration is closed for 29 days prior to any election.

For the upcoming May 6, 2014, Shelby County Republican and Democratic Primaries, the last day to register in person will be Monday, April 7, 2014, at 4:30 PM. Mail registration applications delivered in person must be submitted in the Election Commission Office or postmarked by Monday, April 7, 2014. Registration will be closed from Tuesday, April 8, through Tuesday, May 6, 2014, for persons living inside Shelby County, Tennessee.

Transfer of registration (change of name/address) requests will be processed for this election if received in the Shelby County Election Commission Offices by Thursday, May 1, 2014, at 4:30 PM. NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN pursuant to TCA, Section 2-3-109 (e) (1) and (2), by the Shelby County Election Commission that all polling locations for May 6, 2014 Elections meet all standards set by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Further notice is hereby given that any elderly or handicapped voter may also vote by one of the following methods for the May 6, 2014 elections:

1. Absentee ballot, with the exception that any voter who registered by mail must vote in person for the first election in which they are eligible to vote; or 2. Early voting at the Shelby County Office Building located at 157 Poplar Av., Suite 120, Memphis, TN, during the early voting period from April 16, through May 1, 2014 at 3. Early voting satellite locations, or 4. Election Day at the Shelby County Election Commission offices, provided such voter completes an affidavit stating that the voterʼs designated voting location, to the best of the voterʼs knowledge, does not comply with the provisions of Public Law 98-435 of the 98th Congress and the voterʼs intention to vote at the Shelby County Election Commission office located at 150 Washington Ave., Suite 205, Memphis, TN or Election Operation Center, 980 Nixon Drive, Memphis, TN. This affidavit must be received by Saturday, April 26, 2014, by 4:30 PM, not less than 10 days prior to the election.

NEW PHOTO ID LAW EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2012 Federal or state government issued photo ID is now required to vote in person, unless an exception applies. College student IDs and county library cards will not be accepted. To learn more about the new law and its exceptions, please call (901) 2221200 or visit GoVoteTN.com.

SHELBY COUNTY ELECTION COMMISSION

Robert D. Meyers, Chairman Norma Lester, Secretary Dee Nollner, Member Steve Stamson, Member Anthony Tate, Member NOTICE OF ELECTION SHELBY COUNTY REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATIC PRIMARIES ELECTION MAY 6, 2014 VOTING HOURS: 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated (TCA) Section 2-2-114 (a), that the Shelby County Election Commission office located at 150 Washington Ave., Suite 205, Memphis, TN, 38103, telephone number 222-1200, and Election Operations Center located at 980 Nixon Drive, Memphis, TN, telephone number 222-6821 is open for voter registration and transfer of registration from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday, except for holidays. Registration is closed for 29 days prior to any election.

For the upcoming May 6, 2014, Shelby County Republican and Democratic Primaries, the last day to register in person will be Monday, April 7, 2014, at 4:30 PM. Mail registration applications delivered in person must be submitted in the Election Commission Office or postmarked by Monday, April 7, 2014. Registration will be closed from Tuesday, April 8, through Tuesday, May 6, 2014, for persons living inside Shelby County, Tennessee.

Transfer of registration (change of name/address) requests will be processed for this election if received in the Shelby County Election Commission Offices by Thursday, May 1, 2014, at 4:30 PM. NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN pursuant to TCA, Section 2-3-109 (e) (1) and (2), by the Shelby County Election Commission that all polling locations for May 6, 2014 Elections meet all standards set by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Further notice is hereby given that any elderly or handicapped voter may also vote by one of the following methods for the May 6, 2014 elections:

1. Absentee ballot, with the exception that any voter who registered by mail must vote in person for the first election in which they are eligible to vote; or 2. Early voting at the Shelby County Office Building located at 157 Poplar Av., Suite 120, Memphis, TN, during the early voting period from April 16, through May 1, 2014 at 3. Early voting satellite locations, or 4. Election Day at the Shelby County Election Commission offices, provided such voter completes an affidavit stating that the voterʼs designated voting location, to the best of the voterʼs knowledge, does not comply with the provisions of Public Law 98-435 of the 98th Congress and the voterʼs intention to vote at the Shelby County Election Commission office located at 150 Washington Ave., Suite 205, Memphis, TN or Election Operation Center, 980 Nixon Drive, Memphis, TN. This affidavit must be received by Saturday, April 26, 2014, by 4:30 PM, not less than 10 days prior to the election.

NEW PHOTO ID LAW EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2012 Federal or state government issued photo ID is now required to vote in person, unless an exception applies. College student IDs and county library cards will not be accepted. To learn more about the new law and its exceptions, please call (901) 2221200 or visit GoVoteTN.com.

SHELBY COUNTY ELECTION COMMISSION

Robert D. Meyers, Chairman Norma Lester, Secretary Dee Nollner, Member Steve Stamson, Member Anthony Tate, Member

Public Notice

Info on a 1988 Nissan Blue P.U. truck vin #1N6ND12S9JC380595 contact Lilyth Thompson @ 901-348-0176

Even small ads get noticed.

Special ‘Institute’ session asks, ‘What is a black man?’

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

by Kenneth Worles

African-American young men – several of them – took home a few life lessons after attending The Black Man Can Institute at the Juvenile Intervention & Faith-based Followup (JIFF) last Saturday (March 15th).

The Institute was a one-day series of workshops that focused on different ways to uplift, empower and inspire young men of color.

“We have a vision to bring the Institute to every city in America and be a catalyst for change in the life of a young man,” said Brandon Frame, the Institute’s founder. “In partnering with R.L. Thompson and Community Service, Inc., we had the amazing opportunity to complete that purpose.”

Launched in March 2003, JIFF, which is located at 254 South Lauderdale St., has provided intervention services for more than 500 court-referred youth. According to its website, the recidivism rate is under 35 percent.

At Saturday’s Institute, workshops included Building Brotherhood, Self-Empowerment, and Cultural Readjustment. All were geared toward one question: “What is a black man?”

“Born with two strikes.”

“Beating the statistics.”

“Owning up to your mistake.”

Those were just a few of the responses from the participants who ranged from 6th grade to 12th grade.

During the Self-Empowerment workshop, the presentation came via the spoken-word duo of Tilmon Keaton and Ryan Carson. They challenged the students to put their ideas of finishing high school and becoming entrepreneurs into action.

“You must change your mentality to change your reality,” said Keaton.

One of the highlights of the day was the Cultural Readjustment workshop by Dr. J.R. Futrell. His method of tackling gang life from the inside offered everyone a new perspective on gang culture. Futrell, a community activist, university professor and PhD recipient, said he is a gang member. He encouraged the young men to change the negative culture of gang life by changing themselves.

“It’s not about joining or not joining gangs, it’s about making better choices,” he said.

“You act like you created those colors. God created those colors and all of these organizations are based off of religious principles.”

The Institute also included workshops from George Welch and Kevin Parker. As part of the Dress for Success initiative, the young men were given free neckties, along with lessons from the presenters on how to tie them. The keynote address came from best-selling author George Olokun, who said dreams and ambitions are nothing without action.

During an exchange, one of the participants put a question to Frame: “Do you feel you accomplished your goal?”

Said Frame: “I absolutely felt as if we accomplished our goal. The young men and mentors for the day all walked away with a new outlook on a variety of things. We covered topics such as the African Diaspora, Cultural Readjustment, Code Switching, Brotherhood and more. At the end, the remarks from the young men affirmed that we accomplished our goal.”

(Kenneth Worles is the Digital Content Manager for The New Tri-State Defender and CEO of 3i Design Group.

Follow Kenneth Worles on Twitter at @KennethWorles)

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March 20 - 26, 2014

Tri-State Defender