4 4 2012

VOL. 61, No. 14

One Section/Inserts

March 29 - April 4, 2012

www.tristatedefender.com

75 Cents

‘Take away the fears’ Transition Planning Commission duo has world-class hopes for merged system Special to the Tri-State Defender

by Tarrin McGhee

The Transition Planning Commission (TPC) has roughly four months left to develop a plan to merge Memphis and Shelby County Schools.

Last year, The New Tri-State Defender introduced a new profile series designed to keep readers informed and engaged throughout the planning process, and to provide an outlet for those charged with this immense responsibility to share their perspectives on new advancements, and offer insight into key developments.

This installment features interviews with TPC members Dr. Reginald Green

and Rickey Jeans. The discussion touched on myriad aspects related to the transition process, including ongoing attempts to halt the Commission’s progress; which superintendent would be best suited to lead the new unified school system, and what parents who are concerned about their children’s academic future can do to protect it.

“Everybody is afraid of change, and everybody is scrambling around afraid because they don’t know what’s going to happen,” said Rickey Jeans, a lifelong Collierville resident, who serves on the Finance and HR/Personnel sub-committees of the Transition Planning Commission.

“I understand that parents are

scared because we’re talking about your kids’ lives, their livelihood, and their future.”

Jeans wants to encourage residents within the city limits and in the outercounty to keep an open mind about the schools merger, and the transition planning process.

“The big picture (to merge schools) has been planned way before the TPC was formed, and now it’s just being played out,” he said.

“If we leave the politicians out of it, there is a possibility that we will do well.”

The rules of engagement

Over the past several months, the

‘The third shot heard around the world’ Special to The New Tri-State Defender

by Kelvin Cowans

MEMPHIS WEEKEND

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

H- 8 2o - L - 6 0o I so . T-St orms

H- 8 1o - L - 5 8o I so. T-Storms

H- 8 2o - L - 6 6o Mo stl y Sun ny

REGIONAL TEMPS LITTLE ROCK NASHVILLE JACKSON, MS

Friday H-84 L-61 H-81 L-60 H-79 L-60

Saturday H-86 L-62 H-77 L-55 H-82 L-58

Sunday H-85 L-67 H-81 L-61 H-85 L-65

mayors of Collierville, Germantown, Bartlett, Lakeland and Arlington have been leading a united effort to form

Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.) wore a hoodie on the House floor Wednesday as he tried to speak to the need for a full investigation in Trayvon Martinʼs killing. He was ruled out of order and escorted off the floor.

Memphis vigil for Trayvon

Like some, when I visit the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, I often pause about 30 feet from the front door. Looking to the west, my left, I see the window that James Earl Ray Jr. pointed Kelvin his rifle out of Cowans and murdered the dreamer, Dr. The Trayvon Martin Luther Martin case: King Jr. Then, 12 things to back to my right, remember. See I look at the spot Opinion page 4. where Dr. King laid on the balcony. Transfixed in disbelief, I shake my head at how good of a shot this guy had to have been from such a long distance.

The first “shot heard around the world” signaled the beginning of the War for Independence. The second was the shot that took Dr. King’s life on April 4, 1968. And for a still increasing number of people throughout the country, the one that took Trayvon Martin’s life in Sanford, Fla., may just be the third such shot.

“I think we are doing a good thing for coming out to support Trayvon Martin. He didn’t do anything and he didn’t deserve to die,” said Germantown High School 9th grader Deja Pritchard, who was among the hundreds attending a prayer vigil for the unarmed Martin at the Civil Rights Museum on Monday (March 26).

People reflecting myriad backgrounds and ethnic roots filled the crowd. Hoodies – symbolic of the one Martin wore when he was killed by armed-security guard George

TPC member Rickey Jeans said, “If we leave the politicians out of it, there is a possibility that we will do well.” (Photo by Shirley Jackson)

separate school districts in their reSEE SCHOOLS ON PAGE 10

City set to begin anew at Cleaborne Homes Plans to be unveiled March 30 Special to the Tri-State Defender

by Tony Jones

Mayor AC Wharton Jr. and Robert Lipscomb, director of the Division of Housing and Community Development and executive director of the Memphis Housing Authority, will lead a groundbreaking ceremony Friday morning (March 30) to unveil plan’s for redeveloping the historic Cleaborne Homes housing project.

The drawing board includes a new name – Cleaborne Pointe at Heritage Landing, with construction expected to be completed in 2015. The goal is to accommodate 400 families in mixed-use units ranging from townhomes to two-story, semi-detached dwellings and housing for seniors.

Lipscomb said Friday’s ceremony signals the end of the “projects” style of community development that became the very personification of dangerous urban life.

“We want to get rid of the image of public housing as something negative,” Lipscomb told The New TriState Defender in an interview Wednesday.

“The Cleaborne Homes and the Foote Homes (across the street) have defined those communities for a long, long time and for too long there has SEE HOMES ON PAGE 15

Many who attended the prayer vigil for Trayvon Martin wore hoodies symbolic of the one he was wearing the night he was killed. (Photo by Jonwalter Lewis)

Zimmerman – were abundant, even in the very warm, early spring weather. Long before news crews, photographers and beat writers took their places, there were outbursts of support for the latest victim of what much of America is calling a racially motivated murder.

“Trayvon!” they yelled.

“For Trayvon,” spoke a kid while being escorted by his parents to the heart of the rally.

“It warms my heart to see Memphis get involved. This shows that we

are together on this problem,” said Tomeka Hart, a Memphis Unified School Board member, and the president and CEO of the Memphis Urban League.

“It’s wonderful to see all of these young people come together on yet another civil rights issue. I think it’s utterly ridiculous that someone can shoot someone and claim self-defense and not be arrested,” said Hart, who a candidate for the District 9 Congressional seat. “We’re all here searching for justice and the only

way that’s going to happen is if George Zimmerman is forced to face due process.”

There was a solo, words of encouragement and prayers sent up on behalf of Trayvon Martin. The Rev. Kia Granberry, who helped organized the gathering, spoke with ferver about the importance that justice be served in this instance and any future instances in which the same level of SEE TRAYVON ON PAGE 15

- INSIDE -

• Supporters push Charter School Bill in Mississippi. See Opinion, page 4.

• ‘Room 306: The National Story of Lorraine Motel’ See Community, page 7.

• The shame of debt – time to let it go. See Religion, page 8.

Clock ticking as Supreme Court weighs healthcare law Tri-State Defender Staff and wire reports

The U.S. Supreme Court’s current session ends in June and sometime before that it will issue a ruling that will accent the divide in the country over the Affordable Health Care Act. Three days of review of what many critics derisively call “Obamacare” were completed on Wednesday. High-profile lawyers positioned themselves before the High Court and debated whether the entire law should be junked if the individual mandate, which requires that almost all Americans buy health insurance or pay a penalty, is ruled unconstitutional. They jousted over whether the government’s plan to expand Medi-

caid violates basic tenets of federalism.

In Memphis and in cities and towns throughout the country, people on both sides of the issue checked news flashes for tidbits and updates. For three days it became fashionable to listen to newsmen and newswomen speculate on what questions – and even gestures – by the justices might ultimately mean relative to a decision.

Many are predicting a close decision given the overall makeup of the court.

The implications for private citizens, businesses, churches and medical facilities can hardly be overstated.

“I’ll leave the legalities to be de-

cided by the Supreme Court, but President Obama’s plan has the intention of broadening access to quality healthcare,” said Dr. Reginald W. Coopwood, president and CEO of The Regional Medical Center at Memphis.

“It would expand medical insurance coverage to everyone. And I truly believe that had we not worked to improve our quality of care, we wouldn’t be so well positioned to benefit from the plan. We’ll continue to work toward making The Med the hospital of choice for the insured.”

On Wednesday, Rep. Steve Cohen of Memphis spoke on the House SEE LAW ON PAGE 15

• Author helps power explosion of interracial romance novels. See Entertainment, page 12.

Page 2

March 29 - April 4, 2012

Tri-State Defender

NEWS

Tri-State Defender

Page 3

March 29 - April 4, 2012

Profit margins mark a shift in fortune for ‘The MED’ Special to the Tri-State Defender

by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell

The year is 2010. The beleaguered Regional Medical Center at Memphis (The MED) faces a string of interim administrations, a harrowing deficit of $20 million, and a public image of financial instability and future uncertainty.

A savvy, new president and CEO, Dr. Reginald W. Coopwood, comes in with innovative ideas and a commitment to engaging forward-thinking individuals to head up top administrative spots. By the end of Dr. Coopwood’s first year, The MED boasted a cool $5 million in profits. As the second y e a r closes, that profit margin had grown to an impressive $17 million.

This calls Dr. Reginald for an allW. Coopwood out, memorable celebration.

“This year’s 2nd Annual M E D Night will be a night of revelry and fun as we mark a notable milestone Tammie in our Ritchey growth,” said Tammie Ritchey, vicepresident of Development.

“Gone are the days when we are struggling to raise funds just to keep the doors open.

Now, our focus is on improving the quality of service and maintaining a level of excellence that will make The MED the hospital of choice for many.”

The Peabody Grand Ballroom will be the setting for “A Soulful Celebration” on Saturday (March 31) at 6 p.m. The classic soul line-up of performers will include: Dennis Edwards and the Temptations Revue, The Four Tops, Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis of The Fifth Dimension, and Thelma Houston.

Ritchey and The MED Foundation event organizers expect a capacity crowd of 800.

“We were blown away by the success of our first Soulful Celebration last year,” she said.

“Every ticket was sold, and the performances were phenomenal. We appreciate local businesses and community sponsors who have made this endeavor so successful.”

The MED was chartered in 1829 and bears the distinction of being Tennessee’s oldest hospital. Besides offering conventional healthcare services provided by medical facilities, The MED is a regional leader in treatment specialization through its Burn Center, Trauma Unit, and its Newborn and High Risk Obstetrics facility.

The MED Foundation has raised tens of millions of dollars since it began in 1986 to support operations through state-of-the-art equipment acquisitions and professional training and development of its medical staff.

“Not only do we raise funds critical to hospital operations, but the foundation shares The MED’s vision and its impact on this region,” said Ritchie.

“It is just as important for us to raise awareness and change some long-held perceptions about the hospital.

“The MED is a world-class, acute-care teaching facility which rivals the quality of care provided by private hospitals,” said Ritchie. “Many of the best physicians in the southeast re-

gion were trained right here at The MED. Through the administration of Dr. Coopwood and his leadership team, we have been able to remedy our own financial woes. Our future couldn’t be brighter.

“That’s the message we want to get out,” she said. “Our proven quality of care is making The MED the hospital of choice for more and more MidSoutherners. And that’s worth celebrating.”

Establishing excellence

“When I first came to The Med, my early goals involved establishing a level of excellence in our product delivery,” said Dr. Coopwood. “That is, the delivery of our services and quality in customer care – this makes us competitive with other medical facilities.”

There was a time, said Dr. Coopwood, when the uninsured were directed to The MED.

“We have a history of providing services to indigent patients. Today, because we are striving to continue improving our product and services, we are making inroads to changing this perception. Our facility is becoming the hospital of choice for many insured consumers. Overcoming perceptions based on past struggles is one of our greatest challenges today.”

According to Dr. Coop-

wood, President Obama’s healthcare plan has significant implications for medical facilities in Memphis and the southeast region.

“I’ll leave the legalities to be decided by the Supreme Court, but President Obama’s plan has the intention of broadening access to quality healthcare. It would expand medical insurance coverage to everyone.

And I truly believe that had we not worked to improve our

quality of care, we wouldn’t be so well positioned to benefit from the plan. We’ll continue to work toward making The Med the hospital of choice for the insured.”

(For more information on The MED Foundation, visit www.themedfoundation.org. To inquire about The Soulful Celebration and tickets, call Joy Doss at 901-266-2662, ext.

303.)

Page 4

OPINION

Tri-State Defender

March 29 - April 4, 2012

John H. Sengstacke Publisher (1951 - 1997)

The Mid-Southʼs Best Alternative Newspaper

A Real Times Newspaper

• Bernal E. Smith II President / Publisher • Dr. Karanja A. Ajanaku Executive Editor

What happened to audacity?

IN THE MAIL

Supporters push Charter School Bill in Mississippi I am writing this letter to ask all of the local representatives to vote YES for the Mississippi Charter School Bill to give my daughter Noelle, and other children just like her, a chance at a high quality public education.

I am a single mother who is working hard to take care of a child while also earning a degree online. I love my daughter, and I am not complaining, but I know things would have been a lot different for us if I had had access to more options outside of the traditional public schools that I attended while I was growing up.

It really upsets me when I hear that senators and representatives that are supposed to represent me or, on a larger scale, the entire black community, dismiss charter schools without considering what the parents really want.

I am willing to bet that none of those officials have young children that are currently enrolled in failing schools, but I do.

The bar has been set so low at my daughter’s school that she is not being challenged at all, and she has recently been labeled disruptive as a result. I believe that charter schools would provide a more challenging and stimulating experience for her.

I don’t think that charter schools are a “magic bullet,” but for some children, like Noelle, there just has to be another option.

Sherita Corbert Marshall County District 2

I live in Horn Lake, Miss., but every morning I cross the state line to take my children to school in Memphis. And I am not alone.

Obviously, I would prefer not to make that drive, but I had no other option. I was completely fed up with Mississippi public schools.

My oldest daughter, age 11, was left unattended outside of Horn Lake Intermediate School for an entire class period. When confronted, the principal acted as though it was no big deal and completely blew me off.

My five year old is advanced, but instead of being given an opportunity to continue to grow and learn, she was forced to be the “teacher’s helper” and sit in the back of her classroom to help the slower students learn.

The state of Tennessee acknowledges that a one-size-fits-all approach to education is not effective, and they have allowed charter schools as an alternative for some students.

I consider my family blessed because we live close enough to take advantage of the additional educational options that Tennessee provides. But for the sake of other parents in Mississippi, I can only hope that our state will pass the bill that will allow new charter schools at home.

Shelina Brown

Unlike many people involved in the charter school debate, I can speak from experience on both sides of the table.

When I was younger, I attended both a traditional public school and a private Protestant school. The difference was amazing. I can remember clearly the attention and care that I received from my teachers at the private school that I didn’t get at the public school. I also remember feeling like I was always just learning new material for a test at the public school – not skills and knowledge that I needed for real life.

It is very important to me that my daughter gets the same quality of education. And although she is only three years old, I know the importance of early childhood education and getting her started on the right foot. Unfortunately, there are no schools in Mississippi that meet her needs, so I drive her to Little Flower Catholic School in Memphis every morning.

I believe that it is imperative that the charter school bill be passed in Mississippi. We cannot let another generation of children fall through the cracks of the state’s public school system. All children should have access to a free, high quality education.

And until that becomes a reality I will continue to drive to Memphis.

Kenoisha Jones

My eleven-year-old daughter is in the fifth grade in DeSoto County, and she is struggling.

I have repeatedly expressed my feelings about the lack of concern that teachers show when my daughter doesn’t immediately grasp a concept. The teachers don’t try to review the material; they just move on to the next subject.

I do not blame the school system for my daughter’s inability to learn at the same rate as other students; I understand that every child is different.

But I do blame the schools for not caring enough to make sure that she is learning before they pass her on to the next subject or grade.

That is why I support charter schools in Mississippi. Charter schools are public schools supported by state funds, which means that my daughter and other children can attend for free. And because they are not bound by the same regulations as traditional public schools, charter schools have the freedom to explore unconventional options that may be more effective in educating students.

I know that there has been a big debate, especially in the black community, about whether charter schools are a good idea for Mississippi. But for me, as a parent, it is a no-brainer. I want what’s best for my child, and I want the taxes that I pay to support a school that is actually educating her. I would think that most parents want the same things.

Andreia Milan Olive Branch

If Ford was the only company that sold cars, or if McDonald’s was the only restaurant, people everywhere would be up in arms. That is why the U.S. government has antitrust laws.

Sadly, those laws don’t apply to Mississippi’s public schools. Instead, parents pay taxes to a system that provides only one educational option. And that option is sub-par at best.

My 21 year old attended Southaven High School for his junior year. The first week he was there, there was a gun threat. To make matters worse, he stopped attending school, but I never got a single phone call. But the time I found out he was skipping it was too late, and he failed the 11th grade.

There was an extreme lack of communication in the DeSoto County Schools, but given the current monopoly status of Mississippi’s state schools, I had no other school to send my child to.

I support the Mississippi Charter School bill because every family needs options. What happened to my son should have never happened, and when it did, our taxes should have provided us a high-quality alternative for his education.

Michelle Jones

I am a 25-year-old student at Rust College in Holly Springs, and I support Mississippi’s new charter school bill.

I don’t have any children, so it may seem odd that I am so concerned about current public school students. But my explanation is simple: I am a product of the same system that is still failing too many kids year after year.

Education has always been important to me, but as a graduate of Mississippi’s public schools, the reality is that I just wasn’t ready for life beyond high school. I am now a struggling college student, and I strongly believe that if I had had access to high-quality educational options when I was in school, I would have been better prepared for college and life.

Now, as another generation of children begins their educational journey in Mississippi, it is time that we break the cycle and produce students who are well-educated and well-prepared for work and life.

I want to see the end of the mis-education of our children and the end of Mississippi’s position at the bottom of every education ranking.

Charter schools may not be a magic bullet or quick fix, but they are another option. And options are what our children need.

Crystal Stewart Marshall County

The Trayvon Martin case: 12 things to remember

1) Trayvon Martin was a 17-yearold Miami student visiting Sanford, Fla., near Orlando, with his father when he was killed On Feb. 26. His father, who also lives in Miami, was visiting his girlfriend in Retreat at Twin Lakes, a gated townhouse community.

2) Trayvon had made a short trip to a nearby 7-Eleven store to pick up of a bag of Skittles and a can of Arizona iced tea and was returning when he was stalked by George Zimmerman.

3) Zimmerman, whose father is white and mother is of Peruvian descent, fatally shot unarmed Tayvon in the chest.

4) Zimmerman was an unregistered neighborhood watch captain who was not supposed to carry a weapon while on patrol. Chris Tutko, director of Neighborhood Watch for the National Sheriffs’ Association, told the Orlando Sentinel that Zimmerman had broken a couple of cardinal rules. “If you see something suspicious, you report it, you step aside and you let law enforcement do their job,” Tutko said. “This guy went way beyond the call of duty. At the least, he’s overzealous.” Tutko also said volunteers should never carry lethal weapons. He said, “There’s no reason to carry a gun.”

5) Though Zimmerman acknowledged killing Trayvon, he was questioned and then released. Police did not follow basic guidelines of homicide investigations such as testing him for drugs and alcohol, though they performed the tests on Trayvon.

6) Trayvon was talking on his cell phone to his girlfriend shortly before his death and reported being followed by a strange man in a vehicle.

7) A police dispatcher specifically told Zimmerman not to follow Trayvon, instructions he ignored.

When Zimmerman confirmed he was following Trayvon, the dispatcher said, “OK, we don’t need you to do that.” Zimmerman continued anyway.

8) Benjamin Crump, the family’s lawyer, said that based on 911 tapes, Zimmerman harbored at least three stereotypes of black males: “He said, No.1, he looked suspicious. No.2, he must be high. No. 3, he’s looking to break in some place.”

9) Some said that Trayvon became a suspect because he wore a hooded sweat shirt, known as a hoodie. Some have even blamed Trayvon’s death on his clothing. On the March 23 edition of Fox News’ Fox & Friends, network contributor Geraldo Rivera said, “I am urging the parents of black and Latino youngsters particularly to not let their children go out wearing hoodies. I think the hoodie is as much responsible for Trayvon Martin’s death as George Zimmerman was.”

However others, such as CNN’s Anderson Cooper, say they frequently adorn hoodies and have never been

viewed as suspected criminals.

And no one dare suspect New England Patriots Coach Bill Belichick or Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg, both known for wearing hoodies, of being George criminals. Some E. Curry kooks posting on Fox News Network site were extremely crass. One wrote, “GOOD SHOT ZIMMY. I’m just glad Zimmerman didn’t miss and hit an innocent bystander.”

10) Police say Zimmerman was not arrested because of Florida’s standyour-ground law, a measure that gives broad protection to any citizen acting in self-defense. However, Jeb Bush, who as governor of Florida signed the stand-your-ground bill into law, said the legislation does not cover the neighborhood watch captain who shot Trayvon Martin to death. “This law does not apply to this particular circumstance,” Bush said after an education panel discussion at the University of Texas at Arlington. “Stand your ground means stand your ground. It doesn’t mean chase after somebody who’s turned their back.”

11) At 9 years old, Trayvon saved his father’s life. In an interview with Roland Martin on TV One, the elder Martin said: “At the time, he was 9 years old. We had just come from the Little League football park. We fell asleep while the stove was on. A grease fire started. I went into the kitchen to try to put the grease fire out. The grease splattered all over my leg. My body went into shock and by me and him being in the house, I started calling out his name. He finally woke up and, at 9 years old, he pulled me from out of the kitchen, where the kitchen cabinets were on fire. He pulled me out of the kitchen onto the balcony. He actually went back into the house and got the cell phone and called 911.”

12) Trayvon’s parents still have nightmares about his death. His father, in an exclusive interview with NNPA publishers, said: “I can’t describe the feeling, I can’t describe what was going through my mind because I was actually staring at a photo of my pride and joy on the ground dead. I still see the photo now – his eyes weren’t closed all the way, his mouth wasn’t closed, it was the worst feeling of my life.”

(NNPA columnist George E. Curry can be reached via www. georgecurry.com, and you can follow him at www.twitter.com/ currygeorge.)

FACEBOOK FAN OF THE WEEK Shrearest Crenshaw

Dr. Shrearest Crenshaw is this weekʼs Facebook Fan of the Week! She is a Memphis transplant, who graduated high school in Maryland, finished undergraduate studies at Clark Atlanta University and completed medical school at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Tennis great Arthur Ashe is the source of one of her favorite quotes: “to achieve greatness…start where you are, use what you have and do what you can.”

Dr. Crenshaw advises to laugh when you can, apologize when you should, let go of what you canʼt change, love what you have, forgive and forget and know that life goes on.

Thanks Dr. Crenshaw for choosing Memphis and for being a part of the TSD Facebook family!

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

DISTRIBUTION: Tri-State Defender is available at newsstands, street sales, store vendors, mail subscription and honor boxes throughout the Greater Memphis area. No person may, without prior written permission of the Tri-State Defender, reprint any part of or duplicate by electronic device any portion without written permission. Copyright 2012 by Tri-State Defender Publishing, Inc. Permission to Publisher, Tri-State Defender, 203 Beale Street, Suite 200, Memphis, TN. 38103. Back copies can be obtained by calling the Tri-State Defender at (901) 523-1818, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.

Forty years ago this month, ten thousand African Americans thronged to Gary, Ind., for the first National Black Political Convention. They gathered to develop a black agenda, and to influence 1972 Dr. Julianne presidential poliMalveaux tics. One of the things on the agenda was the development of an independent black political party and to explore the notion of independent black politics. To commemorate this anniversary, Dr. Ron Daniels convened a group of people on Capitol Hill to see the movie, “Nation Time,” and to listen to a group of people, some of whom had been at Gary, talk about what Gary means today.

One of the things that was exciting about the film was the energy and audacity of the black folk who were gathered at Gary. There is a young Jesse Jackson leading the chant, “What time is it? It’s nation time.”

There is a forceful Richard Hatcher, then mayor of Gary, explaining why the gathering was necessary. There is Imamu Baraka, calling for votes.

There is Queen Mother Moore, speaking on the necessity for reparations. There is energy, audacity.

All weekend, there have been rallies in support for Trayvon Martin and his family, demands that George Zimmerman, the man who executed Trayvon, be arrested, and demands that Florida’s vigilante laws be reviewed. As people rally to support Trayvon Martin and condemn Zimmerman, it is important to remember that this tragedy is one of several.

How many other young black men have been executed in similar circumstances?

This Trayvon Martin case may have a galvanizing effect on African American people. Still, we have to ask what has happened to the audacity that was so clearly present in Gary four decades ago. Since then, too many of us have become satisfied and complacent. Too many are into “me” not “we”. Even as African Americans continue to be battered by our economy, too many are blaming themselves, not our economic structure, for the situation they find themselves in. And we have been too tolerant of those who freely bandy about racial slurs. Zimmerman apparently thought he could get away with a public execution. And, truth be told, to date he has.

Zimmerman seems to think there are no consequences to executing a young black man on the public streets. He seems to think so because African-American audacity has just about disappeared. Facing an organized African-American community, Zimmerman might have thought twice between raising his gun and using it. Fearing an organized black community, Zimmerman might have thought twice before uttering a racial slur. No doubt, he has learned from the best. Rush Limbaugh pops off at the mouth any chance he gets, using racial and gender slurs and only recently suffering any consequences.

Newt Gingrich calls President Obama a “food stamp president” and he is only mildly called on it. No wonder Zimmerman thought his effort was acceptable. Until now, he has had no evidence to the contrary.

It is easy to say, “black people need to be more organized,” but it is difficult to do. Still, the Trayvon Martin case reminds us of the need for an organized African-American movement. And Gary reminds us that once there was audacity. We have to find that audacity again so that no racist on the loose ever again feels it acceptable to execute a child on the street.

(NNPA Columnist Dr. Julianne Malveaux is the President of Bennett College.)

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NATION

Tri-State Defender

Student debt: a trillion $ dilemma

Saving Pell:

NNPA News Service

by Charlene Crowell

Student leaders sound the alarm as pell grants face an uncertain fate Special to the Tri-State Defender

by Linda S. Wallace PHILADELPHIA – Frederick J. Soejanto chased after students rushing through the corridors of the West Building at Community College of Philadelphia while delivering the news that stopped more than a few of his peers in their tracks: Pell grants are in danger of being cut – if undergraduates don’t act quickly.

Soejanto and the other Community College of Philadelphia Student Ambassadors have taken on a project that is bigger than any single college. They’re mobilizing national support for the Federal Pell Grant Program, which helps more than 9 million Americans pay for college.

Since the start of the spring semester, the ambassadors have used word-of-mouth, buttons and glossy brochures to inform peers of the College’s ongoing campaign to help students preserve their access to Pell grants. Here, and elsewhere around the country, people are using texts, emails and book smarts to rally public support for financial aid at a time many minorities face greater restrictions on the amount they may qualify for from the federal program, as well as the number of semesters they may receive it.

From January through March, the ambassadors set up booths near computer terminals where students typically gather between classes to check email. There, they engaged peers in discussions of last year’s attempt in Washington, D.C. to address a $20 billion funding shortfall by cutting the maximum Pell grant amount. After students and colleges nationwide mobilized, a compromise was reached, but the changes, some say, eventually reduced the number of Pell recipients by an estimated 143,000 students.

The “year-round” Pell grant, which was designed to keep students in school all year and accelerate the rate of their progress, was among the causalities of that agreement.

In addition, starting July 1 the maximum lifetime eligibility for Pell grant aid will be reduced from nine years (18 semesters) to six years (12 semesters).

According to the Institute for College Access & Success, African-American students are likely to be disproportionately affected by the six-year time limit. Though comprising just 24 percent of all Pell Grant recipients, they represent 41 percent of recipients working toward a degree after

Frederick Soejanto, a student ambassador at Community College of Philadelphia, discusses recent efforts to reduce Pell Grants with Shaneka Frazer, a fellow ambassador. The Collegeʼs student ambassadors conducted an awareness campaign this spring to make peers aware of ongoing efforts to reduce financial aid and grant awards. (Photo by Dennis Gingell, Office of Marketing and Government Relations, Community College of Philadelphia) six years.

Nationally, the Pell Grant is the largest source of financial aid for community college students. Under the administration of President Barack Obama, the maximum Pell grant award has risen to $5,550. The recession, coupled with surging student enrollments, have made more students eligible for the program, and that doubled the Pell grant program’s costs in just two years, prompting the price tag to reach $32 billion during the 2010-11 academic year.

This year, with revenues in the federal coffers still lagging, the conversation on possible financial aid cutbacks and reductions continues, and further restrictions on eligibility and reductions have been proposed.

An urban school with a 72 percent minority enrollment, Community College of Philadelphia decided it couldn’t sit back and hope for the best. Administrators created a page where visitors can learn about Pell grant developments and write to elected officials.

The initiative is championed

by President Stephen M. Curtis and Lynette Brown-Sow, vice president for Marketing and Government Relations.

Both have been working with the American Association of Community Colleges and the Association of American College Trustees on the Pell Action Center campaign (http://bit.ly/qR4U5X).

Hits on Community College of Philadelphia’s “Save Pell” (http://www.ccp.edu/site/save pell) webpage spiked during the first few months of this year, and Kris Henk, the Col-

lege’s Director of Marketing, gives the hardworking and determined student ambassadors much of the credit.

This year, there have been 4,139 page views on the “Save Pell” section of the College’s website, with a high of 1,066 page views coming the week of Feb. 12. Students and other visitors to the Save Pell web page identify their elected officials and then email them messages in support of preserving Pell grants and halting new policy restrictions. A total of 2,134 advocacy alert emails were sent to elected officials in 2011, said Henk. So far this year, 1,840 advocacy alerts already have been dispatched.

Additionally, a total of 1,727 Save Pell “activists” have registered at the site.

Ashlyn Dych, a new mother, is among the students at Community College of Philadelphia who is concerned by efforts to reduce financial aid. A single mom, she says her studies at the College took on even greater significance after she lost her job.

Dych gave birth recently, but was back in class six weeks after her son, Andrew, was born. She is confident her strong commitment to college will enrich her son’s life and lift up the city.

“I think education is the best thing you can do for yourself and your community,” said Dych, who, like tens of millions of others, relies upon financial aid. “I wouldn’t be able to go to school without it.”

(Source: Office of Marketing and Government Relations, Community College of Philadelphia)

‘I do not ask y’all to forget’ Four plead guilty to Mississippi hate crimes

(NNPA) – Three Mississippi men who ran down and killed an African-American man last June pleaded guilty to federal hate crimes last week (March 22), one day after one of the defendants pleaded guilty to the slaying in state court.

Dylan Butler, 20, Deryl Dedmon, 19, and John Aaron Rice, 19, all of Brandon, Miss., admitted to conspiring to commit and committing a hate crime, as well as to a months-long campaign of terror against African Americans that began in April 2011 and culminated June 26 in the death of James Craig Anderson, a 47-year-old auto plant worker.

“This is really a case about a group of racist thugs who made a sport of targeting vulnerable African Americans in Jackson and attacking them without provocation simply because of the color of their skin,” Thomas E. Perez, the assistant attorney general for the U.S. Justice Department’s civil rights division, said in a statement.

“On a number of occasions they drove around Jackson looking for African-Americans to assault,” Perez contin-

Page 5

March 29 - April 4, 2012

ued. “Jackson is a venerable community, however, for these defendants Jackson w a s Deryl ‘Jafrica’ Dedmon ( a n d ) African Americans were subhuman.”

In admitting his crime, Dedmon said he and friends were partying in the town of Puckett, Miss., when they decided to find an African-American person to harass. Around dawn, they found Anderson in the parking lot of a Jackson hotel. Butler, Rice and others stalled Anderson until Dedmon arrived, when they proceeded to punch and beat the victim.

Then came the scene that rocked the nation. Caught on a hotel tape, which received widespread attention, Rice, Butler and others in a white Jeep Cherokee are seen leaving the parking lot at around 5:05 a.m. Seconds later, Dedmon’s green Ford F-250 backs up and then plunges forward, knocking down and driving

over Anderson.

Several people cried during the recounting. Later, Dedmon asked the victim’s family for forgiveness.

“As I stand before you today, I am a changed man. I am a Godly man. God has showed me to see no colors. God showed me that we are all made in the image of God so we are all based on the same thing,” he said. “I do not ask y’all to forget, but I do ask y’all to forgive.”

The victim’s family has not made any public comments about the case, but asked prosecutors not to seek the death penalty for Dedmon because they oppose capital punishment, according to Reuters.

They have nevertheless filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Dedmon in civil court.

Dedmon received two life sentences on the state charges.

He and his co-conspirators face up to five years in prison on the federal conspiracy charge, and could receive life sentences on the hate crime federal charge.

U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves set sentencing for June 8. Officials said the investigation is ongoing and more arrests may be imminent.

Whether beginning a career or seeking to keep one going, the competitive edge in today’s job market usually goes to those with college degrees. In our recovering economy with fewer jobs available than there are people who need them, there is strong motivation to earn degrees. But higher education also costs money – more than many household finances can afford. As a result, many Americans are counting on the potential benefits of higher incomes derived from strong academic credentials against the cost of going in to debt to fund that degree.

The New York Federal Reserve determined that 37 million Americans now owe more in student debt than is owed on either car loans ($730B) or credit cards ($693B) nationwide.

According to Rohit Chopra, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s student loan ombudsman, outstanding student loan debt hit the trillion dollar mark several months ago. In just one year, 2011, federal student loan volume totaled $117 billion.

“How America Pays for College,” a research report from Sallie Mae, the nation’s largest financial services company specializing in edu-

cation, found that parents’ income(s) and savings are being stretched as well. For the average American, 70 percent of college funding comes from three sources: grants and scholarships (33 percent); parent incomes and savings (30 percent); and parent borrowing (7 percent).

Students invest in their own futures by a combination of borrowing in their own names (15 percent) and working/saving (11 percent).

The Sallie Mae report also found that the recent increase in grant usage occurred among middle and high-income families. Low-income families – with the least financial resources – actually paid more of their incomes and savings for college.

Among African-American families, 51 percent borrow for college costs and 35 percent of African-American students take out loans in their own names to attend four-year institutions, both public and private.

Today, the weightiest influence in selecting a college is the financial aid package offered. The value of a financial aid package, according to the Sallie Mae report, was the determining factor for 57 percent of African-American students. Additionally, 52 percent of African-American students live at home while studying to contain costs.

Overall, students who graduate leave campuses

with a degree in one hand and a stack of student debt in the other. The average amount of debt new undergraduates amass is $25,000. But for African-American students receiving a bachelor’s degree from 2007-08, 27 percent borrowed $30,500 or more.

The highest student loan debt was most common among families with incomes between $30,000 and $59,999.

As young graduates enter the workplace, student debt burdens will likely defer their ability to purchase a home, the traditional gateway to building personal wealth. For their parents, the additional debt of borrowing for their children will probably defer retirement and/or alter their standard of living.

These devastating financial effects have attracted the attention of some Capitol Hill lawmakers as well.

“Student borrowers cannot discharge or even refinance their debts in bankruptcy, regardless of how desperate their situations become. We must set these students free” said U.S. Rep. Hansen Clarke of Michigan.

If you or someone you know is experiencing problems with student loan debts, register that concern with CFPB: http://www.consumer finance.gov/.

(Charlene Crowell can be reached at: Charlene.crowell @responsiblelending.org.)

Advancing budget bill not student friendly Special to the Tri-State Defender

A deficit-slashing budget proposed by U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) is moving forward in the U.S. House of Representatives. Last week, the Budget Committee voted to advance the FY 2013 budget blueprint released on March 20 by Chairman Ryan.

The proposal would make significant cuts to student aid. The Association of Com-

munity College Trustees said this week language in the budget calls for the following changes to student aid: • Elimination of all mandatory funding for the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training Grant Program.

• Elimination of Pell eligibility for less-than-half-time students.

• Changes to Pell’s income protection allowance formula and lowering income thresh-

olds for zero expected family contribution.

• A maximum income cap for Pell eligibility.

• Elimination of the automatic increases in the Pell maximum above $5,550.

• Allowance for interest rates on subsidized Stafford loans to double from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent on July 1st.

• Elimination of in-school interest subsidies for undergraduate students.

BUSINESS

Page 6

Womenʼs History Month:

Politics fuel debate on gas

ON OUR WAY TO WEALTHY

The creative force behind Mr. Belvedere

NNPA News Service

by George E. Curry

Republicans are so intent on defeating President Barack Obama in November that they have accused him of deliberately raising the price of gasoline.

Obama pointed out the ridiculousness of that argument while responding to a question from Ed Henry of Fox News during a recent news conference.

“Ed, just from a political perspective, do you think the president of the United States going into re-election wants gas prices to go higher?” Obama said. “Is there anybody here who thinks that makes a lot of sense?”

But Republicans and journalists employed by conservative news organizations are not the only people blaming the president for high gas prices, which are hovering around $3.80 a gallon, a 29.5-cent increase over the past month.

A CBS/New York Times poll this month found that 54 percent of Americans believe the president “can do a lot about” gas prices. Consequently, President Obama saw his job rating drop from 50 percent in February to 41 percent this month, a period that coincides with rising gas prices.

Republican presidential contenders are also pointing the fingers at Obama, with Newt Gingrich promising policies that would bring gas down to $2.50 a gallon.

The reality is that gasoline prices are set on the world market, not 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Center, the cost of crude oil accounts for 76 percent of the price of a gallon of regular gas. Refining costs and profits are responsible for 6 percent, distribution marketing and retail costs add another 6 percent and taxes contributes another 12 percent.

As Steven Mufson writes in the Washington Post, “Today’s

Tri-State Defender

March 29 - April 4, 2012

President Barack Obama following an event at the TransCanada Stillwater Pipe Yard near Cushing, Okla., last week (March 22). The first leg of the Keystone XL oil pipeline is set for construction and the President sought to remind voters he backs at least a portion of the controversial project. “Producing more oil and gas here at home has been, and will continue to be, a critical part of our all-of-the-above strategy,” he said.

(White House photo by Pete Souza) oil prices are the product of years and decades of exploration, automobile design and ingrained consumer habits combined with political events in places such as Sudan and Libya, anxiety about possible conflict with Iran, and the energy aftershocks of last year’s earthquake in Japan.”

FackCheck.org dissects the numbers game.

“The president said that (oil) imports declined last year to less than 50 percent of U.S. consumption, while the Kentucky senator (Mitch McConnell) warned that the U.S. imports 60 percent of our oil.

McConnell was talking about total imports, while Obama was talking about net imports (total imports minus exports). Both can claim to be correct, but the EIA (Energy Information Administration) sides with Obama’s match when gauging U.S. dependency on foreign oil.”

Writing on her Facebook page, Sarah Palin accused President Obama of “allowing America to remain increasingly dependent on imports from foreign oil regimes in dangerously unstable parts of the world.”

FackCheck.org noted that the U.S. imported 2.3 million barrels a day from 13 coun-

tries in the Middle East in 2012, down from 3 million barrels a day in 2008. There was an 8 percent decline in imports from Africa.

“The U.S. actually imports more petroleum from our northern neighbor, Canada, than it does from any other country,” the fact-checking organization stated. “And Canada does not appear on the State Department’s list of ‘dangerous or unstable nations.’ Nor do Venezuela, Russia, Angola, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Ecuador, the Virgin Islands or Kuwait, which are all in the the top 15 countries from which the U.S. imports oil and other petroleum products.”

Americans tend to have short memories. Gas was $1.89 when Obama first assumed office. But just six months earlier, it was $4.11 under President George W. Bush, according to GasBuddy.com.

Republicans, with a ”drill, baby, drill” mentality, have attacked President Obama for not issuing enough permits to drill. However, the drilling-rig count is twice as high as it was in 2009.

(Special to the NNPA from TheDefendersOnline.com)

Carlee McCullough

Tiffany Collins started a business that was uniquely titled and poised to do well just by its very nature.

Here’s the backdrop: Memphis is known for many things, including music and having a good time. Collins is the owner of Mr. Belvedere, which is a full service food, beverage, and event clean-up service.

Carlee McCullough: Thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge and experiences. First, tell us a little bit about yourself.

Tiffany Collins: I am a native Memphian, a single mother and a dreamer plagued with practicality.

CM: What type of services does Mr. Belvedere offer?

TC: Mr. Belvedere is a food, beverage and event clean-up service. We don’t cater food. HowevTiffany er, we serve in the manner Collins in which our client desires. Our beverage services can be as simple as ice tea or as extensive as custom cocktails to match the decor of a client’s wedding.

CM: How did you come up with the concept for Mr. Belvedere?

TC: I have always been the go-to person at family functions to create cocktails and I’ve planned a few budget friendly events for friends and family’s weddings, baby showers, etc. Mr. Belvedere was created because eventually I got tired of serving half way into the function and nobody wants to be responsible for food or clean up! I thought I couldn’t be the only person with this dilemma.

CM: As a business owner, have you been open to advice along the way? And do you believe new businesses should be open to such advice?

TC: Yes and Yes! I don’t advise taking all of it. But you can learn a great deal from those around you. I would advise creating a circle of influence that you can consult with for your various scenarios.

CM: What is the greatest reward in running your own business?

TC: Seeing a goal unfold into reality.

CM: What has been the most disappointing

moment with Mr. Belvedere?

TC: I would like to think that I haven’t had any disappointing moments, just learning opportunities. I decided that I wanted to start a business and I did. There are no disappointments in that!

CM: Many small businesses are under-capitalized, what advice can you provide them in getting over that hurdle?

TC: Don’t let lack of capital deter you from starting a business. I started Mr. B with three uniforms and business cards. Also, research and network throughout your community to see what avenues are available for small business owners.

CM: What type of marketing do you employ?

TC: Google Ad-words and Bridal Shows are the most consistent. However, word-ofmouth is my favorite, it’s free.

CM: When you were starting out, who served as mentors for you?

TC: It depends on what kind of advice I need. I have friends who are entrepreneurs, so for business matters I turn to them. However, I have employed some of the best bartenders in Memphis and they have guided me as well.

CM: What contributes to the success of an entrepreneur?

TC: I would say having a plan and remaining consistent.

CM: Do you notice any new trends in the marketplace? If so, what are they?

TC: I think consumers in Memphis have come to expect a higher level of service. Offering superior service in every customerbased business despite socioeconomic bracket is the new trend I see. People are much more conscientious about their money and where they spend it. Business owners are much more cognitive of that I think.

CM: If you had one piece of advice to give to someone just starting out in your field. what would it be?

TC: Know your worth and provide the best customer service possible.

CM: What is next for Tiffany and Mr. Belvedere?

TC: Growth within the business by expanding the services that we can offer clients.

I also want to create opportunities for others to become self-employed.

CM: Any closing remarks?

TC: If you have a goal or a dream, taking the first step is the hardest. The second may not be easy. But at least you’ll be one step ahead.

COMMUNITY

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March 29 - April 4, 2012

‘Room 306: The National Story of Lorraine Motel’ Special to the Tri-State Defender

by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell “Dr. King was my spiritual mentor. He declared that none are free until all are free. There are many rabbis doing a great work among the Jewish people. I have been called to a special ministry – America’s spiritual growth. African Americans and the Jewish people share a common past of slavery and bondage – the Hebrews in Egypt and Africans in America. There is an equivalent experience of suffering…”

Rabbi Ben Kamin Author, “Room 306”

Rabbi Ben Kamin was 15 years old when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was fatally shot while standing outside room 306 on the 3rd-floor balcony at the Lorraine Motel on April 4, 1968.

On Wednesday, April 4, 2012, Kamin will launch the official release of his newest book – “Room 306” – at the National Civil Rights Museum, which encompasses the Lorraine Motel site. His featured book talk is slated for 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

A San Diego clergyman, Kamin’s book is designed to bring to bear a composite of perspective and reflections of Dr. King’s assassination in downtown Memphis. It gives voice to prominent civil rights leaders and clergy, including Memphians Maxine Smith and the Rev. Samuel “Billy” Kyles.

Reflecting on the fateful day that Dr. King was fatally shot, Kamin told The New Tri-State Defender that he was “not just a white bystander, but a young Jewish boy watching the aftermath unfold with strong anguish and concern. The golden age of nonviolent resistance gave way to rage-fueled riots in more than 100 cities all across America. Room 306 became a critical focal point in the movement.”

He said “Room 306” is a kind of sequel to his first book, “Nothing Like Sunshine.” “’Nothing Like Sunshine’ was a memoir that recounts my coming of age in perspective of the civil rights movement. My flashpoint experience came one day after Dr. King was killed, April 5, 1968. I was in the tenth grade at Woodward High School in Cincinnati, Ohio. Black, Jewish Appalachian, white – our school was a microcosm of America’s racial make-up,” said Kamin.

“I had attended a Hebrew Day School of 11 graduates prior to Woodward High. I was in the band, and my best friend was Clifton Fleetwood, the band’s drum major.

We just always hung out – we ate

Power up….

Vanessa Luellen

Carolyn Hardy

Dr. Lisa Jennings

Yvonne Acey

Dr. Beverly Bond

Heroism Award winner a fine fit among changemakers together, skipped classes together. We spent the whole day together at school. It was a remarkable time at our school when race was truly blurred. This was quite extraRabbi Ben ordinary in the Kamin 1960’s.”

There was great anxiety and fear in the air, following Dr. King’s assassination, said Kamin.

“My parents wanted me to stay home because they were afraid for me, but I wanted to go to school. I wanted to be with Clifton and my fellow classmates. When I got to school, the campus was covered with about 400 students – all African-American – staging a sit-in.

“I spotted Clifton, and I called to him as I walked toward where he was sitting. I wanted to join my classmates. I just wanted to help,” Kamin recalled.

“Clifton raised his hand and shouted, ‘No, this is not for you.’

That one event in Memphis changed us forever. After that, we were still friends, but it was never the same.”

Kamin searched for Clifton after they left high school, finally locating him in 2006.

“We talked, and he remembered everything. For 36 years, I thought my friend rejected me that day. He told me that he was trying to protect me from violent protesters. It was all just a terrible misunderstanding all those years. What happened on the balcony of room 306 changed all of us forever.”

And the struggle over race continues,” said Kamin.

“We elected a black president, but we haven’t selected a colorblind society. America continues to falter on that issue.”

Women of Achievement salutes 2012 honorees New Tri-State Defender staff

Mention the 2012 Women of Achievement awards celebration to Summer Owens and the word “honor” springs to her mind; not so much the physical award, but rather the idea that she was among the awardees.

“Wow, it was an incredible honor to be selected as a Woman of Achievement,” Owens said during a post-event conservation with The New Tri-State Defender. “I am particularly honored to be selected with the group of women that I was selected with. They were all great women with huge accomplishments, and it meant a lot to me to be recognized with them.”

During the awards presentation last Sunday (March 25) at the Holiday Inn University of Memphis, Owens netted the Heroism Award.

She is the author of “Life After Birth: A Memoir of Survival and Success as a Teenage Mother.”

The Women of Achievement Awards celebration salutes local women who build businesses and jobs, protect their communities, encourage the struggling and preserve women’s stories for future generations. The celebration – the 28th annual event to commemorate National Women’s History Month – spotlights

the ways Shelby County women make change in community and strive for equity.

The other 2012 honorees were: • Courage – Vanessa Luellen, founder of the Mitchell Heights Neighborhood Watch • Determination – Carolyn Hardy, president/CEO Chism Hardy Bottling • Heritage – Dr. Georgia Patton, first African American female physician in Memphis • Initiative- Dr. Lisa Jennings, biologist and entrepreneur, founder of CirQuest Labs • Steadfastness – Yvonne Acey, educator and co-founder of Africa in April • Vision – Dr. Beverly Bond, historian, associate professor and director of African and African-American Studies, University of Memphis Owens’ story of heroism reflects her becoming a teenage mother at 15.

“For a long time, I just lived with shame, guilt and embarrassment, as a lot of teenage mothers do, and young single mothers,” said Owens. “But I decided that I wanted to share my story to encourage other teen mothers and single mothers to go on with their lives, to not use being a teen mother, being a single mother as an excuse for not being the best they could be.”

Owens wrote a book that chronicled her experience.

“In my book I told about how I fin-

Summer Owens

ished high school, graduated at the top of my class. I earned a scholarship to the University of Memphis and I was there with my son and did what I had to do, bringing him to class with me at times.”

Owens’ hard work earned her a degree and magna cum laude honors.

She also was named Miss University of Memphis. She started her professional career with the Memphis Grizzlies and now is the senior marketing specialist at FedEx. It is possible, she said, “to do and have anything you want to have in life.”

Women of Achievement Inc., a diverse coalition of community groups and individuals, was founded in 1984. Since the first celebration in 1986, more than 190 women have been honored and their stories and photographs preserved in published volumes “A Legacy of Achievers.”

For more information, visit www.womenofachievement.org. To order the book series, call 274-8709.

(For more information on the National Civil Rights Museum’s April 4 Commemoration, call the office at: 901-521-9699.)

State Rep. Joe Towns (right) presents a proclamation to Enzo Entertainment CEO Lennard James saluting the newly launched firmʼs deal to distribute Lotus, a new energy drink based in Nashville.

James said the productʼs success is based on a “healthier, upbeat product thatʼs great alone or as a cocktail mixer.” With two offices established in Memphis, Enzo Entertainment is promoting Lotus in the Mid-south and Nashville. (Courtesy photo)

Art, music and dance lovers will be treated to a wonderland of talents in visual arts, theatre, music, dance, and media technology at ArtsFest. (Courtesy photo)

‘ArtsFest’ ready to empower MCS students, unify district Third annual festival March 30, 31 Special to the Tri-State Defender

by Dena L. Owens

Sowing seeds…

Dr. Georgia Patton

The Rev. Dr. Eric L. Winston Sr., pastor of Mt. Zion Parkway, tilled ground at the churchʼs Community Garden at Sherwood and Adelaide last Friday along with church officers and members. (Photo by Tyrone P. Easley)

“An artist cannot fail; it is a success to be one.”

Charles Cooley’s saying resonates loudly as Memphis City Schools presents the third annual ArtsFest hosted at the MCS Board of Education, Friday and Saturday (March 30-31).

ArtsFest will transform the auditorium into a fine arts gallery and the grounds into tented stages for live performances from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.

Art, music and dance lovers will be treated to a wonderland of talents in visual arts, theatre, music, dance, and media technology.

Everyone is invited to the free, two-day arts festival. This year’s event salutes the memory of arts supporter Lisa D. Cash, the late wife of MCS Supt. Dr. Kriner Cash.

“Nationwide, few large school districts are celebrating the arts at the level that we are.”

Dru Davison On Saturday, ArtsFest concludes with a 7 p.m. finale concert at the Cannon Center, where nearly 200 students will perform as part of a citywide orchestra and choir. The finale includes the world premiere of “Celebrate Artes,” a musical piece composed by MCS 8th grader Max Friedman, who wrote the music specifically for ArtsFest.

“Nationwide, few large school districts are celebrating the arts at the level that we are,” said Dru Davison, chair of MCS Arts Education. “Last year, our students earned $6 million in scholarships to pursue degrees in the arts.”

ArtsFest shines a light on MCS teachers and the work they’ve done, said Cash. “This initiative exhibits the level of collaboration, coordination and communication needed as

we move toward a merged system, providing the best we have to offer.”

ArtsFest is linked to 53 community partners. Supporters include Graceland, Stax Museum, Hattiloo Theater, WHBQ-TV FOX 13, Memphis Symphony Orchestra, the Art Center, Ballet on Wheels, Memphis College of Art, Cultural Arts for Everyone, Tennessee Arts Commission, and Grammy in the Schools. Support ranges from providing student mentorship to donating artist instruments.

“All hands brushing the same picture unify the people involved,” said Davison.

Months have gone into ArtsFest planning. Among various acts, ArtsFest will feature the Melrose High Wind Ensemble and MCS 8th grader Joshua Thompson will do a rendition of “Ol’ Man River,” which the late bass-baritone vocalist James A. Hyter made synonymous with the annual Memphis in May Sunset Symphony.

Page 8

RELIGION

Tri-State Defender

March 29 - April 4, 2012

LIVING THE LIFE I LOVE

The shame of debt – time to let it go

Dear Lucy: I have this truckload of debt and there is no doubt in my mind that it’s all my fault! I have a job that requires that I look a certain way. I enjoy the dressing up for it, but I don’t like the job itself or the people I work with. But in this economy where am I going? My life is a roller coaster of working, being unhappy, followed by shopping, then working some more, getting the bills for all the stuff I bought to keep from feeling so unhappy, and then spending the rest of the time being worried about why I did it and how to ever get it paid for. And on top of that I feel so stupid. I know that you and anyone reading this will think I must be crazy. I feel trapped on this roller coaster and want to get off. I just don’t know how. Help!

– CK Dear CK: Reading your letter made me feel like I was also on a fast moving emotional ride. I admire and respect your honesty. This emotion is exactly why it is so hard to conquer debt by trying to jump to rational, logical steps like creating a budget, starting a savings account or getting a job making more money! I hear the shame, blame, loss of self-respect, fear, worry, frustration, hopelessness, and overall sadness.

When we are in the midst of any one of these emotions, it feels like a useful place to be in the moment. Unfortunately, these are not emotions that help you to focus on attracting what you want. Instead you spend time thinking about defeat and failure and attracting defeat and failure.

Imbedded in all of this is the shopping as a drug of choice to ease the pain of all this negativity. But there has to be a place for you to start your turnaround. Remember, anytime we feel pain, it is time to look for an erroneous belief in some form of limitation. Fear and doubt shuts the door to love and freedom!

I have three suggestions. One, stop and breathe! Every time you feel ready to run down the rabbit hole of negative emotions, stop, breathe and focus all of your attention on the present asking yourself if what you are feeling is useful. Two: use your ener-

Good company…

gy and longing to create goals for earning, keeping and appropriately using your money. Third: examine the possibility of having as many bills as possible paid online with automatic withdrawal. This Lucy takes the responShaw sibility off of you for physically paying the bills until you can become more disciplined.

About 30 years ago I had a great big bill at Goldsmith’s department store (now Macy’s). Every time I went to the store to pay my bill I would charge something else. My mother gave me a book of postage stamps and challenged me to mail my payments in! As simplistic and demoralizing as it seemed at the time, it actually worked.

I also urge you to go to my website www.heartworks4u.com. View the videos on debt. There you will learn a method to handle the emotional aspects that you are feeling. There is nothing Holy about worry, shame or beating yourself up. Forgive the debt that you owe to yourself for having made bad decisions, commit to doing things differently, and do it all one day at a time.

Also consider showing up for my seminar this Saturday, March 31, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 4646 Poplar Ave., Suite 201.

Jumping off the roller coaster,

The Rev. Kenneth T. Whalum Jr. (left) Kevin Whalum and Kirk Whalum (right) on stage with their mother, Helen Rodgers. (Photos by Tyrone P. Easley)

Lucy

(Check out Lucy Shaw’s website at http://www.heartworks4u.com. You may send your questions to her by U.S. mail to: Heartworks4U, LLC; 4646 Poplar Ave. Ste 201, Memphis, TN 38117 or by e-mail to lucy@heartworks4u.com.)

(For help with the feelings that get in the way of prayer and peace of mind, get Lucy’s new book, “BE NOT ANXIOUS.” Order it directly from her at 901-907-0260 or go to her web site www.heartworks4u.com.)

University of Memphis point guard Joe Jackson, a member of Mt. Vernon - Westwood, shared his C-USA Tournament MVP award with the churchʼs co-pastor, the Rev. Melvin D. Watkins Jr., and Watkinsʼ sons last Sunday (March 25).

(Photo by Tyrone P. Easley)

WhalumMen: Kyle, Evan, Kortland, Kirk, Kevin, Kenneth T. (III), H.D. ʻPeanutsʼ, the Rev. Kenneth T. (Jr.) and Kameron

‘WhaluMen’ In a word – WOW! Special to the Tri-State Defender

by Nona N. Allen

Three generations of one extremely talented family gathered on one stage last Sunday (March 25). The occasion was a tribute to the late Rev. Kenneth T. Whalum Sr. at The New Olivet Baptist Church.

The eldest living Whalum man, pianist Hugh “Peanuts” Whalum, was joined by his nephews, international jazz saxophonist Kirk Whalum, Unified School Board Commissioner and The New Olivet Pastor Dr. Kenneth T. Whalum Jr., and jazz vocalist Kevin Whalum.

Also joining the elder Whalum were his great nephews, saxophonist Kenneth Whalum III, vocalist Kortland Whalum, bassist Kyle Whalum, and trombonist Kameron Whalum. Evan Whalum also added to the artistic flavor of the evening by displaying his unique paintings in a silent auction.

PRAISE CONNECT

All proceeds from the evening went to the King Solomon Scholarship given by The New Olivet Baptist Church to a deserving male in his first year in college.

Dubbed “WhaluMen,” the special event saluted Mr. Whalum Sr., whose many life achievements included pasturing Olivet Baptist Church for 30-plus years and serving two terms on the Memphis City Council.

The evening featured the musical genres of gospel, jazz, pop and rhythm & blues. The Whalums were accompanied by local musicians such as bassist Myron Motley of the Motley Brothers and nationally known musicians such as Memphis percussionist Marcus Finnie and Philadelphia native John Stoddart.

The greatest moments of this tremendous evening, in this reviewer’s opinion, were Hugh “Peanuts” Whalum singing his version of Nat King Cole’s “Smile” and a touching rendition of Anita Baker’s “Angel” by Kameron Whalum.

“WhaluMen” was capped off by personal interaction with all the evening’s artists. Concert-goers were able to sample cuisine donated by local restaurants, purchase the music they enjoyed, and get autographs and pictures with the celebrities in the house.

Thinking of the late Rev. Whalum, I can imagine him at the “WhaluMen” concert and exclaiming that it showed “God has been mighty, mighty good!”

-A WEEKLY DIRECTORY OF MINISTERS & CHURCHES-

Greenwood Christian Methodist Episcopal Church 3311 Kimball Ave. Memphis, TN 38111 (901) 744-7531 (901) 744-7664

Clarence Kelby Heath Wednesday Pastor

Noon - 1 p.m.

6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

767 Walker Avenue Memphis, TN 38126

9 a.m.

10:30 a.m.

901-946-4095 fax 948-8311

(901) 948-3441

Early Morning..........7:45 AM Church School..........9:45 AM Morning Worship......11:00 AM

Rev. Davena Young Porter Rev. Linda A Paige Rev. Luecretia Matthews

Bible Study For Youth and Adults Tuesday - 7:00 PM “Spirit, Soul, and Body!”

AM 1070 WDIA Sundays, 10:00-10:30 AM

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

TV Cable Access Broadcast Tuesdays, 7:30 PM, Channel 17 Website:www.saintandrewamec.org

Dr. & Rev. Mrs. Reginald Porter

TEMPLE CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST

672 So. Lauderdale 38126 P.O. Box 314 Memphis, Tn 38101 Phone (General) 774-1572 Pastor: 775-0740 Secretary: 775-1909 WEEKLY SERVICES

Sunday Sunday School 9:00 a.m.

Morning Worship 10:30 a.m.

Night YPWW 5:00 p.m.

Night Service 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday Night Prayer 6:00 p.m.

Bible Study 7:15 p.m.

Wednesday Choir Rehearsal 7:00 p.m.

Friday Morning Prayer 9:00 a.m.

Night Service 7:30 p.m.

BROADCASTS 9:30 a.m. Sunday WDIA - 1070 AM

No Telecast Service

ST. ANDREW A.M.E. CHURCH 867 SOUTH PARKWAY EAST Memphis, TN 38106

Dr. Reginald L. Porter Sr., Pastor

ASSOCIATE MINISTERS

Worship Services

Sunday Sunday School Worship Service

METROPOLITAN BAPTIST CHURCH

Dr. David Allen Hall Pastor

“The Founder’s Church”

First Pastor: Senior Bishop C.H. Mason

THE BLVD Ea s t 6745 Wol f Ri v e r B oule v a r d @ Ki r by Pa r k wa y ( i n t he Cl a rk Ope r a Me mphi s Ce nte r ) Me mp h i s T N 3 8 1 2 0

Dr. Frank A. Thomas Senior Servant

Child Care Center (901) 948-6441 Monday-Friday 6 AM- 5:30 PM Emergency Food Pantry Rev. Kenneth S. Robinson, Pastor & Clothes Closet Rev. Marilynn S. Robinson, Co-Pastor Wednesday 6 PM-8 PM

“Ministering to Memphis-Spirit, Soul and Body”

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

— Proverbs 1:7

RELIGION

Tri-State Defender

March 29 - April 4, 2012

Page 9

The ‘Under Shepherd’ A controversial look at the ʻBlack Churchʼ NNPA News Service

by Tene’ Croom

Farewell…

The family of Gene Autry Miller say farewell. He was buried last Saturday (March 24) in New Park Cemetery. Funeral Services were at Greater Faith Tabernacle, where the Rev. Orlester Johnson was the host pastor. Officiating was the Rev. E. R. Dandridge of Unity Baptist Church. Joe Ford Funeral Home had charge. (Photo

by Tyrone P. Easley)

Pastor’s Love Day…

Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church at 1662 Kendale Ave., celebrated the third anniversary of its pastor, the Rev. Eddie Stokes (center) last Sunday (March 25). On hand were the Rev. Michael Ivory (left) of Eternal Life and the program speaker, the Rev. Willie Lester of Greater Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. (Photo by Tyrone P. Easley)

OBITUARIES

Mamie Gammon, 96 – D.O.D: 3/27/12; Funeral service on Saturday, March 31, 2012 at noon at Mt. Moriah East MBC, 1248 Haynes, Interment Memorial Park Southwoods.

Eddie Flowers, 78 – D.O.D: 3/26/12; Funeral service on Saturday, March 31, 2012 at 11 a.m. at New Friendship MBC, 1490 Gold St., Memphis. Interment at New Park Cemetery.

Roy Lynn Townsel, 29 – D.O.D 3/25/12; Funeral service on Saturday, March 31, 2012 at 11 a.m. at Living Water Church, 3270 Guernsey, Memphis. Interment Monday, April 2, 2012 at 11 a.m. at New Park Cemetery.

Everett Brown, 58 – D.O.D 3/18/12; Funeral service on Saturday, March 31, 2012 at 11 a.m. at R. S. Lewis & Sons Funeral

Home, 374 Vance Ave., Memphis. Interment at New Park Cemetery.

Lillian M Anderson, 96 – D.O.D 3/21/12; Funeral service on Friday, March 30, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at Parkway Gardens Presbyterian Church, 1005 Shelby Dr., Memphis. Interment at 2:00 p.m. Friday at Memphis National Cemetery.

Rev. James E. White, 89 – D.O.D 3/23/12; Funeral services on Monday, April 2, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at Greater Mt Moriah MBC at 1098 Wellington St., Memphis. Interment following at 2:00 p.m. at West Tennessee Veterans Cemetery.

Information provided by:

R. R. S. S. Lewis Home Lewis&&Sons SonsFuneral Funeral Home 374 VanceAvenue Avenue Memphis, 374 Vance Memphis, TN 38126TN 38126 901-526-3264

The latest foray into movie making by nationally syndicated morning DJ Russ Parr is astounding. He wrote and directed his fifth movie entitled, ‘The Under Shepherd.’ It’s sure to have people, particularly those deep in the Black church, saying a lot more than amen. For example, this one scene from the movie illustrates what I mean.

“You’re a fraud and an insult to this church (First Baptist Church) and God,” Deaconess Carter, with controlled anger, deftly portrayed

by Vanessa Bell Calloway, said to the Rev. Lawrence “LC” Case. He’s played by Isaiah Washington, whose character was a doctor in the ABC network drama, “Grey’s Anatomy.”

Looking at her straight in the eye, with an air of self-righteousness, Rev. Case replied, “I am God.” It seems Parr was destined to write this story. His mother took him to church as a young child. However, it was not a good experience, he said.

“I was really invested into the church and the church I was going to. Then I started seeing things that didn’t make sense. My mom, who was a very religious woman, pulled me out of the church. She thought I was losing myself.”

Politics also had something to do with why he felt the need to make this movie.

“It was the 2004 election and I had a Republican friend of mine say, ‘Hey, I’ll tell you a little secret when the election is over. We’re going into a lot of swing states and buying off the black ministers and giving them talking points.’”

Parr said he did research and found something out six months after George Bush won the presidential election.

“I saw evidence of what he said. A lot of these pastors would donate money to their church. A lot of these pastors would put it in their pockets.” Then he started to see a lot of the pastors were under federal indictment.

Parr was quick to point out the pastors were not all black. There were white pastors involved in corruption too. He concluded that, “There’s a story here.”

Still, he says he held back when he wrote the script.

“I didn’t want to go too far with it. I didn’t want to get into the Bishop Eddie Long stuff.

(Long was accused of sexually abusing several teenaged male members of his church.) I wanted just enough on this man’s plate that it was real and honest and very believable.”

For Washington, portraying the Rev. Case wasn’t easy, especially when he was extremely verbally abusive to his wife, Cassandra, played by Malinda Williams. After one intense scene, Washington said he had to take a break from filming.

“I stormed out after every take. I think I

maybe did two takes. I almost walked back to my trailer. I think the wardrobe person asked me where was I going. I said I hate Russ Parr. (laughing) I told them I’m not being difficult. But, if you don’t get it in this take, I’m not doing this again.”

Williams, perhaps best Isaiah known as the hair stylist Washington Tracy “Bird” Van Adams in the Showtime acclaimed drama series, “Soul Food,” heaped much praise on her costar husband.

“Isaiah was so incredibly powerful in this role, as he is in all of his roles.

For me it really was somewhat of a dream come true when Russ told Malinda me that Isaiah would be Williams playing LC. Because once he said that I said, ‘of course, there is no one else who can do that,’” said Williams.

“I don’t think there’s anyone else who could have brought the emotion (out) from that type of pain that was to be in the film….And I tell you every time I went back to my trailer, I had to say to myself quietly, ‘I forgive you Isaiah.’”

Williams said she wanted to show the face of abuse for personal reasons.

“I’ve lived it. I’ve had friends who have lived it. I’ve had family members who have lived it, various levels of abuse,” she said.

However, “The Under Shepherd” is not a single-issue movie about a pastor abusing his wife. Here’s Williams’ description of it: “The character is representative of many ills that we have to address, particularly in our community when it comes to power and how one abuses it, misuses it or under uses it or undervalues it,” she said.

“There have been many of our leaders that have been put in situations of power and for some reason it’s been corrupted.

Probably, historically for very simple reasons, maybe it’s just different philosophy, ideology, maybe money. I think what Russ was able to do or trying to do is create a character that would put a face on how one has to be accountable for every action that they do.”

The film also features Lou Gossett Jr., Lamman Rucker and Keith David.

Net proceeds from “The Under Shepherd” will go to The Duke Ellington School for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.

(Special to the NNPA from Tene’ Croom Communications.)

Page 10

TPC member Dr. Reginald Green said, “My major concern as an educator is access to knowledge…every child should have access to knowledge.”

(Photo by Shirley Jackson)

SCHOOLS

CONTINUED FROM FRONT

spective municipalities.

All have vocalized clear intentions to remove barriers that prevent them from proceeding with plans to assume local control and authority of suburban schools. Often they have cited the need to respond to the concerns that many of their constituents hold about merging city and county school systems as a driving factor.

This past Sunday (March 25), Germantown residents held a rally in support of a separate municipal school system, drawing a sizeable crowd that included parents and children.

The rally followed an announcement made by the Shelby County Election Commission last week that municipal schools will not appear on a ballot anytime soon.

Election Commission members backed away from their initial decision to allow residents in the five municipalities to vote on a May 10 referendum to determine whether to move forward with plans to form separate school districts. This after an opinion issued by Tennessee Attorney General Robert Cooper on March 20 concluded that the existing statewide ban should remain in effect until the merger is complete.

Cooper’s opinion – which references the Norris-Todd bill enacted in 2011 to mandate requirements for the merger of Memphis and Shelby County schools by August 2013 – also states that any further action to establish or create new or special school districts is prohibited according to state law.

Meanwhile, members of the Tennessee General Assembly are considering a new bill cosponsored by House Majority Leader, Gerald McCormick, and Senate Majority Leader, Mark Norris that would lift the ban on creating new school districts by January 1, 2013.

McCormick has previously indicated the bill was introduced to support Senator Norris’ efforts to decrease the amount of time that suburban communities have to wait before the creation of new school districts is legally allowed.

“I’m not for the law change,” said Jeans. “The politicians have come up with a plan to get reelected again…what they are looking at is satisfying a small pocket of the community.

“It’s hard to think about a small section of the community when the total city is struggling. We have too many kids that need to be educated…they all need the opportunity to learn,” he said.

“I heard someone say recently that we’re preparing our kids for professions that we don’t know or understand right now,“ he continued. “That’s a hard task, but we can’t leave anyone behind.”

‘Access to knowledge’

Jeans believes that the Multiple Achievement Paths Model administrative structure for the Shelby County Unified Schools will help to alleviate parental concerns that their children will become lost in a large system with approximately 150,000 students.

Dr. Green, chair of the Transition Planning Commission’s assessment sub-committee,

NEWS

and professor of Educational Leadership at the University of Memphis, echoed Jeans’ sentiments.

“The educational framework affords choice to a large segment of the population,” said Green, who is also a resident of Collierville.

“What I embrace about this plan is a variety of choices. My major concern as an educator is access to knowledge….every child should have access to knowledge.”

The next step for TPC members is to develop academic programs and activities that will support educational themes and concepts that have been approved to flesh out recommendations that will be included in the transition plan.

Earlier this year, the TPC held a series of listening sessions to garner community input, and to give parents an opportunity to voice their hopes, aspirations and fears for the new unified school district.

According to Dr. Green, an overwhelming number of parents’ concerns, especially those who reside in Shelby County, can be categorized into three main areas: who will lead the district, transportation, and the quality of education that students will receive.

Who will lead?

Asked if they could envision Memphis City Schools Supt.

Dr. Kriner Cash emerging as the unified district superintendent, neither Dr. Green nor Jeans signed off exclusively on Cash or Shelby County Schools Supt. John Aitken in the top leadership role for the unified district.

“That is a question that would be answered by the administrative organization committee…they will come with a recommendation as to how the school district will be led,” said Green.

“Right now there has been no formal discussion about that, but I think the issue centers around whether or not we keep one of the two superintendents that we have or whether we go out and get someone from the outside that is new to both systems.”

Jeans said both Cash and

March 29 - April 4, 2012

Aitken are very capable.

“I can envision either one of them or I can envision a third person coming in. I think (the latter) would lessen animosity between the city and county,” he said.

“If fresh blood was here, I really think there would be no animosity on either side. That’s no disrespect to either gentleman because they are both outstanding people.”

Delay or push on?

On Thursday night (March 29), members of the Transition Planning Commission are expected to resume discussion about the possibility of delaying the merger. David Pickler, former chair of the Shelby County Schools Board and a fellow TPC member, introduced a motion earlier this month to allow an additional year of planning time for the commission to fulfill their responsibilities, and to expand public dialogue.

Green said the large sentiment is not to delay and to “move full steam ahead to complete our work.”

“I think that we (TPC) have a good head start, and my sentiment is that there is something in this plan for everyone.”

Final thoughts

“I think this county should unite, and I think this county should unite around education.

If we are going to be a prosperous city, then educators must lead the way,” Green said.

“There’s no reason for having two separate systems,” said Jeans. “There are outstanding things in the city (schools) and outstanding things in the county. Now we have the opportunity to merge those outstanding things and give everybody the same equal footing.

“If we can get everyone on the same page and take away the fears, we can do something that can be the model for the world. Five to 10 years from now, Dr. Green and myself will be going to tell people in other parts of the world how we did it.”

Tri-State Defender

SPORTS Tri-State Defender, Thursday, March 29 - April 4, 2012, Page 11

GRIZZ TRACK

For Grizz, it’s about rhythm & re-adjustments Special to the Tri-State Defender

by Kelley Evans

Finding a new identity means trying a little bit of a lot of different things. And the Memphis Grizzlies know just how to re-adjust. That’s the synopsis after Tuesday’s (March 27) home win against the Minnesota Timberwolves (93-86) at the FedExForum.

The Grizz had just returned from a four-game road trip. After dropping the first three games, Memphis defeated the Pacific Division-leading Los Angeles Lakers in the finale of a a West coast swing.

In the Lakers game, Memphis led most of the way. Seven Grizzlies scored in double figures, led

by Rudy Gay with 18 points, Mike Conley with 13 and the team’s big defender, Tony Allen. with 12. Marreese Speights was re-inserted into the starting lineup until Zach Randolph (10 points, 12 rebounds) can work himself back to 100 percent.

Forward Dante Cunningham clocked in one minute.

What’s the relevance in that stat?

Well, getting back to Tuesday’s game, Cunningham was the difference maker, amassing 40 minutes, scoring 13 points and leading the team with 14 rebounds.

With Grizz center Marc Gasol out with a sore right ankle, Speights started at center and Cunningham was inserted into the starting lineup at power forward.

“I was ready when he called me,” Cunningham said. “You just have to stay ready.”

Speights said he and Cunningham had a pre-game conversation.

“Dante (Cunningham) and I went out there this morning and said we were going to go out there and play as hard as we can and see the outcome,” Speights said. “This is the NBA, so when your key guys go out, somebody else has to step up and be given the opportunity to play.”

Grizz head coach Lionel Hollins said Cunningham was ready and had a great game.

“I didn’t want to move Zach (Randolph) to the starting lineup.

I like Zach coming off the bench right now until he is fully conditioned and back to playing. He is not able to go at people the way he wants to go at them, but he’s a force out there,” said Hollins.

“We had 14 offensive rebounds and 25 second chance points. The second chance points were a season high for us. We were able to

hang around because we weren’t doing very much offensively, but we held them to 38 percent shooting for the game. When you hold them to 38 percent, stop them from making all the threes and beat them on the glass as well, then you’ve had a steady game defensively.”

Randolph said he puts the team first.

“It’s just a process,” he said.

“It’s coming along. I have to take time out to get back to old my old self.”

Randolph showed pride in his teammates, mentioning that Speights and Cunningham stepped up and have been holding down the fort.

The Grizzlies fought back from an up-and-down game and in the end they got into rhythm. Gay led the Grizzlies with 21 points followed by Speights. who pitched in 18 points.

Timberwolves All-Star Kevin Love led all scorers with 28 points and grabbed 11 rebounds.

“When I was out there, I felt an offensive rhythm,” Love said.

“They (Memphis) got even more into a rhythm in the last three minutes of that quarter (third) as a driving force… into the fourth quarter.”

Timberwolves head coach Rick Adelman said the Grizzlies defend very well.

“They try to take you out of your rhythm,” Adelman said. “At the end of that third quarter, I decided to give Kevin (Love) about three minutes rest there, and they closed the gap and took the lead.”

The Grizz’s newly acquired point guard Gilbert Arenas didn’t see any playing time during his first home game.

“There was nothing that Gil (Gilbert Arenas) did that took him back to the bench,” Hollins said. “We were struggling chemistry-wise and rhythm-wise. I decided that I was going back to the guys that had been here and were playing. Pargo had been playing, and playing pretty good from two games before I inserted Gil at his spot. I just wanted to get Gil in and get his feet wet.”

While it is going to take some time, the Grizzlies will still need Arenas to win games,” said Hollins.

“That was the reasoning for Zach going back to the bench and for Gil going back to the bench.”

Arenas agreed that he’s not quite ready. Still, he’s excited to get out and compete. He was sitting on the couch not expecting to work at all this season when the call came in from the Grizz, said Arenas.

“The team is good. All the guys

Maurice Speights of the Grizzlies (right) out hustles Kevin Love (left) and Marvel Webster of the Timberwolves. (Photos by Warren Roseborough)

Gilbert Arenas has signed on for the stretch run.

A slap on the arm couldnʼt keep Rudy Gay from scoring on this attempt against the Timberwolves.

Wayne Ellington was charged with a foul.

are good guys and that’s what I’m trying to build on,” he said.

“I’m just hoping for practice.

I’m ready to get my legs under me, get the rhythm of the game, learn the plays and learn the play-

ers. I’m behind right now.”

Griz note: Rookie Josh Selby has been sent back to the Developmental League to gain more playing time.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Sherwood’s Archers on track with 2012 goals

by Andre ‘Coach’ Mitchell Special to the Tri-State Defender

Sherwood Middle School has a rich legacy and is traditionally strong in a wide range arts and athletics. Throughout the years, Sherwood students have helped to build upon a storied program where being exceptional is the standard.

The student athletes who make up this year’s Archers track and field team are determined to maintain the high standard. They have the challenge of defending the state championship title.

The New Tri-State Defender dropped in on the Archers and found them hard at work preparing for an upcoming meet at Fairground Stadium.

Sherwood’s Coach Gayltan Bolen has been instructing and molding young rookies into runners for the past sevens years at Sherwood. She possesses a keen passion for the sport, stemming from her

days as a track participant in high school and college.

“I strive to help young people become more physically fit and help build their confidence and self esteem,” said Bolen. “Coaching track allows me to do both simultaneously.”

The team has a host of newcomers and so far they collectively seem to be group willingly to take care of business inside the classroom as well, she said.

Support goes a long way, said Bolen, who believes that when students and parents come out to the track meets and show support, it does something for the heart and mind.

“I think peer support helps to elevate self esteem in our students, especially at track meets,” she said.

Coach Edison Ezell has been lending his skills and insight to the track program at Sherwood since 2004. He said many of the students are multi-talented youngsters who are

involved in a host of extracurricular activities, such as choir and volleyball.

Asked what he wants the student-athletes to learn most this season, Ezell, said, “To always put forth the effort to achieve their goals and remember that nothing beats failure, except a try!”

He credits Sherwood’s administration for establishing a working relationship with students who participate in school-related functions and/or teams.

“We don’t have the level of problems with our students because of our administration, coaches and teachers, we work well with our students and are better able to teach them because we make an extra effort to reach them,” he said.

First year coach Laura Byrnes brings a wealth of running experience, having coached Cross Country prior to coming to Sherwood. The key lesson she hopes track team members will learn is

Sherwood Archers Track Team that discipline should be factored into everything.

“Discipline is 80 percent mental and 20 percent skill,” Byrnes said. “If our students can train their brains to be strong, it will help them in everything they do.”

Sherwood Track Coaches: (left to right) Gayltan Bolen, Edison Ezell, Laura Byrnes

ENTERTAINMENT Tri-State Defender, Thursday, March 29 - April 4, 2012, Page 12

WHAT’S HAPPENING MYRON?

Calendar notes and nuggets

“As one half of an interracial marriage, I wanted to dispel certain myths and give women and men in those types of relationships something to read that positively highlighted them.”

Latrivia S. Nelson

From Haiti to Bartlett

Get ready for some big laughs as Haitian comedian Will Sylvince hits the Mid-South this weekend at the Bartlett Comedy Myron Spot for four BIG Mays shows at 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday (March 3031). The Bartlett Comedy Spot is located at 5709 Raleigh-Lagrange at Sycamore View. Call 901-590-3620 for more details.

Biggest Loser weigh in

Well, last week I promised to share details from the Biggest Loser weigh in event and even share what the scale said when I stepped up. Since it is the first time I got on the scale, it’s pretty easy for me to share the info.

So here we go…I weighed in at 229 pounds. In that this is only the beginning of the process for me, I am excited to see where I am by next month. My goal is to at least come in at 220 pounds.

Meanwhile, I look forward to working out and doing aerobics with Craig and line dancing with Dana and watching what I eat. That’s gonna be the toughest part. I love pasta!

If you’re interested in joining me and dropping the pounds, just email me. I’ll fill you in on details. I’d love for you to join me!

Adele Givens at the Funny Bone

Adele Givens, one of the “Original Queens of Comedy,” is on her way to the Funny Bone at Harrah’s Casino Tunica March 30 though April 1.

You’ve seen her in such films as Ice Cube’s “Players Club” and more.

Saying she is funny is an understatement. The girl is a straight up fool. So go check her out! Get your tickets today at www.funnybonetunica.com.

Mary Mary at the Cannon Center

Gospel duo Mary Mary is bringing the “Something Big” Concert Tour to the Mid-South on Sunday, April 15 at the Cannon Center at 255 North Main. Get your tickets by calling the Cannon Center Box Office or at all Ticketmaster outlets and ticketmaster.com.

Parting shot

A special shout out to Comedian Lester Bibbs; it’s good to see you back to life!

Also, keep my good friend and fellow radio personality Jeff Lee in your prayers as he gets back to life as well.

We’re pulling for you brother!

(Got an event you’d like for me to cover or attend, email me at Myron@whatshappeningmyron.com.)

Jasmine Guy makes waves in ‘October Baby’

“October Baby,” starring Jasmine Guy (“A Different World”), had the third highest per-screen average and closed at No. 8 in the nation for its opening weekend. Opening in a relatively modest 390 theaters, the film rode strong grassroots support and word of mouth to a No. 1 ranking for limited-release movies.

Though its story is apolitical, the movie quickly has become a lightning rod for those on every side of a highly charged issue. It’s a faithbased morality play inspired by the true story of a troubled teenager who discovered she survived an attempted abortion as a 24 week-old fetus.

“We never aimed to make a political film or villainize anyone, only to humanize – to tell a person’s story,” co-director and co-writer Jon Erwin said of the film. “The point was never to give answers but to ask penetrating questions and to start conversations…”

In a TSD featured interview with film critic Kam Williams, Guy says of the movie, “I think people will be reminded to be safe and thoughtful in their intimate relationships and not just use sex for recreational purposes.’ Read the interview at www.tristatedefender.com.

Latrivia S. Nelson writes interracial romance novels that “women from all walks of life can identify with and enjoy.”

(Courtesy photo)

Making love a black and white issue Author helps power explosion of interracial romance novels Special to the Tri-State Defender

Native Memphian Latrivia S. Nelson sat down in front of her computer in 2008 and wrote her first novel, “Ivy’s Twisted Vine.”

Today, “Ivy’s Twisted Vine” is recognized as the largest interracial romance novel in the black woman/white man (bw/wm) genre to date, with many readers referring to it as the “bible of IR.” “I write interracial romance novels that women from all walks of life can identify with and enjoy,” said Nelson. “The heroines are strong, beautiful, curvaceous and smart. They know what they want out of life, and they go for it. What man, black or white, wouldn’t want them?”

Sales didn’t soar with her first book, but her dreams did. Since then, Nelson’s following has gone from 500 readers to over 50,000.

She has fans in over 38 countries and across the U.S. In 2011, she wrote the number one bestselling novel on Amazon’s Multicultural bestseller’s list, “The Grunt,” from her Lonely Heart Series and stayed on the list for over four months. During that time, she also had a second book on the top twenty list for multicultural romance, “The Ugly Girlfriend” (2011).

Nelson’s love for books surfaced as a child. She wrote stories and regularly recited them to her families. In high school, she once sought her mother’s “true feedback” about one of her books by telling her mother that she’d copied pages from a reference book for a class project.

At The LeMoyne-Owen College, Nelson’s alma mater, she wrote for the “Magician” newspaper. She also served as vice president of the Student Government Association and as president of her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., before she went on to be Ms. LeMoyne-Owen College in 2001 and graduate with honors in 2003.

Later, she received her MBA from Strayer University.

With a long history in public relations and development, she has worked for nationally recognized companies such as The Carter Malone Group and Trust Marketing, and for the non-profits ALSAC/ St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, The Memphis Redbirds and the National Civil Rights Museum. And while she was afforded the opportunity to write, her passion was unfulfilled.

Trace Nelson’s inspiration for interracial romance and it leads to family roots.

“As one half of an interracial marriage, I wanted to dispel certain myths and give women and men in those types of relationships something to read that positively highlighted them,” she said.

Nelson married Adam Nelson, a decorated United States Marine in 2005, and the couple has two children.

Highlighted in hundreds of reviews and interviews, Nelson visits readers in myriad places throughout the nation. Her last stop was at the “Beautiful Trouble Eat and Greet” in Winston-Salem, N.Car., and her next appearance will be at the Romance Slam Jam in Little Rock, Ark., where she will be a guest speaker on the interracial romance genre.

“I surround myself with positive people. New York Times bestselling author, Brenda Jackson, is a dear friend of mine, and I look up to her and what she has done for the romance genre as a whole,” said Nelson. “On the home front, I have mentors like Beverly Robertson and Deidre Malone, who have groomed me for years.

These women have also taught me to be vigilant in my desire to be the best and do the best that I can.”

In the last four years, Nelson has written 12 novels and novelettes.

Five of those titles have been national bestsellers. From the popular romantic suspense series, “The Medlov Crime Family,” her next book will be out on March 28, 2011, entitled “Saving Anya.”

Nelson has ensured a way to get her work out to the world as well as help other aspiring authors. She founded RiverHouse Publishing in 2010 and has offices in the Clarke Tower in Memphis and on Broad in Manhattan, NYC. “I wanted to give bold authors a chance to let their voices be heard on their own terms,” Nelson said about her publishing company.

And she’s done just that with five authors signed to RiverHouse Publishing, LLC and five new authors set to be introduced this year.

(For more information on Latrivia S. Nelson, visit www.latrivianelson.info or www.riverhousepublishingllc.com. You can also reach her at 901-322-6191.)

ENTERTAINMENT

Tri-State Defender

Kam’s Kapsules:

Weekly Previews That Make Choosing a Film Fun

Special to the Tri-State Defender

by Kam Williams

For movies opening March 30, 2012

BIG BUDGET FILMS

“Mirror Mirror” (PG for action and mild crude humor) Overhaul of beloved classic fairytale has exiled Snow White (Lily Collins) returning to the kingdom to wrest both the throne and a handsome prince (Armie Hammer) from the clutches of the evil queen (Julia Roberts) with the help of seven dwarfs. With Nathan Lane, Mare Winningham and Michael Lerner.

“Wrath of the Titans” (PG-13 for action and intense violence) Fantasy sequel, set a decade after the conclusion of “Clash,” finds demigod Perseus (Sam Worthington) embarking on a perilous descent into the underworld for an epic showdown with the Titans in order to save humanity and to rescue his father, Zeus (Liam Neeson). Cast includes, Ralph Fiennes, Edgar Ramirez and Bill Nighy.

“The Beat Hotel” (Unrated) “Cool, Daddy-o!” documentary revisiting the dive located in the Latin Quarter in Paris which became the haunt and home of literary American expatriates in the late Fifties, beatniks

like Allen Ginsberg, Greg Corso and William Burroughs.

“Bully” (R for profanity) Award-winning filmmaker Lee Hirsch (Amandla!) directed this escalating wedgies expose’ following the diverging fates of five students pushed to the brink of suicide by their classmates’ merciless bullying.

“Four Lovers” (Unrated) Bawdy sex romp revolving around the complications which ensue for two couples after they decide to swap partners. Principal cast includes Roschdy Zem, Elodie Bouchez, Marina Fois and Nicolas Duvauchelle. (In French and English with subtitles) “God Save My Shoes” (Unrated) Fashion documentary examining the psychological, cultural, erotic and emotional aspects of women’s fixation with their footwear. (In French and English with subtitles)

“Goon” (R for drug use, graphic sexuality, brutal violence and pervasive profanity) Seann “Stiffler” Scott stars in this overcoming-the-odds hockey comedy about a halfwit bouncer who leads a ragtag, semi-pro team of misfits to glory on the ice. With Eugene Levy, Jay Baruchel and Alison Pill.

“I Kissed a Vampire” (Unrated) Gory, Goth musical about a teenager Lucas Grabeel) who develops fangs and an insatiable lust for blood after being bitten in the neck by an exchange student (Tahlena Chikami) from Transylvania. With Drew Seeley, Adrian Slade and

HOROSCOPES

March 29–April 4, 2012

OPENING THIS WEEK

INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS

Page 13

March 29 - April 4, 2012

Chris Coppola.

“Intruders” (R for terror, violence, sexuality, nudity and profanity) Haunted house horror flick about a father’s (Clive Owen) desperate effort to protect his daughter (Ella Purnell) from the faceless monster that visits their home every night.

Cast includes Carice van Houten, Daniel Bruhl and Kerry Fox. (In English and Spanish with subtitles)

“The Island President” (PG for violence, smoking and mature themes) Climate change documentary chronicling the effort of Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed to save his low-lying island nation from being sinking into the Indian Ocean as a consequence of global warming.

“Turn Me on, Dammit!” (Unrated) Coming-of-age comedy about the sexual awakenings of a 15 year-old girl (Helene Bergsholm) with raging hormones who fantasizes not only about the classmate (Matias Myren) she has a crush on but about practically every guy she encounters. With Malin Bjorhovde, Henriette Steenstrup and Beat Stofrin. (In Norwegian with subtitles) “Womb” (Unrated) Deliberately-paced romance drama about a grieving woman (Eva Green) confronting an ethical dilemma after allowing herself to become impregnated with a clone of her dearly-departed childhood sweetheart (Matt Smith) after a tragic accident. Featuring Lesley Manville, Peter Wight and Hannah Murray.

ARIES Give birth to some new impulses about love.

The ones you’ve been using have led you to a place you do not wish to be. Give yourself a break. Change. Be less critical. Accept love even from those you do not completely agree with.

TAURUS Lots of spirituality discussions are going on around you this week. This energy will probably last throughout the week, so expect to enjoy yourself, or pass on all social company and spend the week enjoying yourself.

GEMINI This could turn out to be the most argumentfilled week you’ve had for a while. Your feelings could be deeply hurt if you try to force your sense of rightness on anyone else. Remember that in the past when people were cantankerous you could find pleasure in nature, or animals.

CANCER Your good will and intentions towards others will reap you an inheritance of abundance and wealth. You will be blessed with many good wishes and enjoy them in the company of family and friends.

LEO Your dignity and composure is a sure asset this week. Be Mr. or Ms. Cool Breeze. In touchy situations you have the ability to maintain a high level of emotional balance and a calm disposition. Use these qualities to the fullest this week.

VIRGO It’s best to keep your opinions to yourself this week, as many will be experiencing minor irritations and general grumpiness. Let others be who they are. You are a beacon of serenity.

Others will notice.

LIBRA You are often superb at exercising good judgement and rational decision-making. Yet sometimes you are rash. Flip to the observant side of your mentality this week. You will soon find yourself in a situation where there will be strife if you are not careful.

SCORPIO Just to prove to yourself once again how lucky you are you should fly into the face of bad predictions. Gamble this week in business, relationships, love – something. Remain truly confident that things will come out in a way that will satisfy you.

SAGITTARIUS It’s a great week to tell somebody you are close to that you love them. Saying it aloud gives you energy, and of course your designated adoree will be delighted! Keep the big picture in mind this week and you’ll feel completely buoyant!

CAPRICORN Keep focused. Your energies are likely to be spread out this week. Your attention is likely to be pulled in many directions. Let yourself be seduced by the things that interest you most.

Concentrate on your affairs. Others need you, but they can wait.

AQUARIUS Hardly anyone alive learns new skills in an instant, so cut yourself some slack if you feel you’ve made a beginner’s mistake somewhere. Mistakes are part of the learning process that is called Life, so self-correct and proceed with happiness.

PISCES This week will bring a tendency to dwell on a past betrayal. Your feelings of suspicion are well founded. However, do not personalize it.

Work against the harmful act but not against the person who committed it.

Source: NNPA Service

HEALTH

Page 14

Making heavenly bodies

Fitness expert Donna Richardson Joyner works out Healthy Church Challenge participants Special to the Tri-State Defender

by Wiley Henry

The effort that Lisa Patterson Tillman put into her workout session with internationally renowned fitness expert Donna Richardson Joyner last Saturday (March 24) at Streets Ministries was evidenced by the beads of sweat that trickled down her face.

Tillman, a member of Cummings Street Baptist Church, was one of 100 participants of the Healthy Church Challenge 100-day weight loss program who worked out to gospel music for two hours. Drummer boys from Watoto De Africa, a performing arts program for underprivileged children, added Djembe African drum beats just to keep everyone on their toes.

“We’re going to declare victory in our health today,” Joyner told the group before she and Karra Williams Reown, director of Joyner’s Body Gospel workout program, led them in rigorous exercises and dance-like moves. “We have the power in us to create good health. This is personal warfare. We got to shake some things.”

She did just that. And participants of all shapes and sizes – men, women and children of all ages – did their best to shake off lethargy, complacency and any sedentary lifestyles that might keep them physically unfit.

Instead, they moved with relative ease as Joyner weaved in and out of the group formation to rally them to work harder on their calisthenics.

“The time is now. We can’t be prisoners of our own health,” Joyner said.

It didn’t take much to convince Tillman that her health is important. “I’m looking forward to being pumped up, prayed up and powered to stay fit, eat right and exercise daily,” the 46-yearold said following the workout.

The Yancey family – Johnny, Marcquinne and their son Nygel – came to work out as a collective body. They Internationally known fitness expert Donna Richardson Joyner works out with more than 100 participants of The Healthy Church Challenge 100-day weight loss program last Saturday (March 24) at Streets Ministries. For two hours, she worked with them on their calisthenics to the rhythmic beat of gospel music and Djembe African drum beats. (Photo by Wiley Henry)

Legal notices

PUBLIC NOTICE EXECUTORʼS NOTICE Estate of TERRY WAYNE GREEN, late of Memphis City, County of Shelby, and State of Tennessee, deceased. Letters of testamentary of said estate having been granted to the undersigned, all persons firms and corporations having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before the 21st day of April, 2012 for settlement and closure to: Office of Executor: Clinton-Levi: Ali c/o 384 E. GOODMAN ROAD Apt. #229, Southaven [zip code exempt] MISSISSIPPI STATE

PUBLIC NOTICE Notice of Name Correction Public notice is hereby given that Terry Wayne Green a/k/a Terry Green has corrected his name to Clinton Levi Ali Effective 3/21/2012.

LEGAL NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed bids will be received at the Office of the City of Memphis Purchasing Agent, Room 354, City Hall, 125 N. Main, Memphis, TN 38103, until 2:00 PM CT, Friday, April 20, 2012, for furnishing the City of Memphis with the following: FOR THE DIVISION OF: PUBLIC WORKS City of Memphis RFQ # 3135 FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF: PW 04081 STP Curb Ramps Group 43 Federal Project No.: STP – M – 9409 (159) State PIN: 114576.00 (Alpha) Location(s): Various Locations City Wide State Project No: 79LPLM - F3 - 212 A Pre-bid Conference will be held Monday, April 9, 2012, 10:00 AM CT; 2599 Avery AVE, Memphis, TN 38112 (901) 636 2462 1. The Prime Contractor and all Sub Contractors must pre-qualify with the Department of Transportation in accordance with Section 54-5-117 of the “Tennessee Code Annotated” and Tennessee Department of Transportation Rule 1680-5-3 prequalification of contractors before biddable proposals will be furnished.

2. The City of Memphis hereby notifies all bidders that a 18.15% Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) goal has been set for this project and must be met or exceeded. All contractors identified as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) must be on the Tennessee Uniform Certification Program (TNUCP) List at the time of the bid opening.

3. The City of Memphis hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively insure

Tri-State Defender

March 29 - April 4, 2012

worked up a sweat as well during the session and felt energized afterward and motivated to stay the course.

“I’m extremely motivated and excited,” said 50-year-old Marcquinne Yancey, noting the commitment the children gave to the workout session and Joyner’s attention to them. “Mrs. Donna stayed close to them and put them out front.”

Johnny Yancey, 56, said the session was very inspirational. “The two leaders, Donna and Karra, not only targeted older and middle-age people, but also the younger people as far as their mental health, spiritual health and physical health.”

“It’s going to be good for me and my friends and church members,” said Nygel, 15, who attends Spirit of Life Church with his family. “It was a great experience.”

Nygel’s friend, 14-year-old Brian Triplett, said the workout was a great way to get active. He also said more people should participate. “We should spread the word about it and get more people to come.”

Demeka Roddy, a member of Boulevard Church of Christ, said she is going to share the enthusiasm that she felt for Joyner’s workout session with everybody. “It was very inspiring and definitely very vigorous,” the 36 year old said. “I feel motivated to keep going.”

Vickie James kicked up her feet and moved her body to the rhythm of the beat despite some health challenges that could have prevented her from participating. Nevertheless, she gave it a go and never regretted it.

“For the past year, I’ve been participating in a weight loss program. But I haven’t been able to lose weight because of challenges with my breathing,” said James, a member of Faith Temple Ministries.

“Today, I see myself moving…not the regimented exercises…but it shows me that I can do it,” she said.

that in any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprises will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation, and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of age, race, color, religion, national origin, sex or disability in consideration for an award.

4. The City of Memphis is an equal opportunity affirmative action employer, drugfree with policies of non-discrimination on the basis of race, sex, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or military service. For additional information contact Carlee McCullough, (901) 5766210, City of Memphis, Contract Compliance Office, 125 N. Main St, Memphis, TN 38103 5. “Certification by each bidder must be made with respect to nondiscrimination in employment.”

6. A Bid Bond is required.

7. All bids must include, on the outside of the bid envelope, the name of the project, the bid due date and the bid opening time.

Plans, Specifications and attendant deposit information available, until the time set for opening bids, from: Janet Prejean, (901) 636-2462, City of Memphis, Construction Inspections, 2599 Avery Avenue, Memphis, TN 38112.

Award of contracts will be made on the basis of the lowest and best bids as determined by the City of Memphis. “Best Bid” shall be defined as the responsive quotation, that meets the contract documents, including, if applicable, any DBE Participation Goal as set out in this specification.

THE RIGHT TO REJECT ANY AND ALL BIDS IS RESERVED Notice of intent of award will be issued after review of all opened bids. Any protest of award must be filed in writing with the Purchasing Agent within ten calendar days of the intent of award announcement.

By Order of the Mayor of the City of Memphis, Tennessee.

A C WHARTON, JR., MAYOR JEROME SMITH, CITY PURCHASING AGENT ALL INTERESTED BIDDERS The Board of Education of the Memphis City Schools will accept written bids for Plumbing Installation, Electrical Installation and Construction for East High School Science Technology.

Visit our website for additional information: www.mcsk12.net/departments.asp, Procurement Services link, click on Bids & RFPs. Questions concerning bids/RFP should be addressed to Procurement Services at (901) 416-5376.

Thank you for supporting Memphis City

Up next

Next week, Donna Richardson Joyner will post encouraging tips on The Healthy Church Challenge Facebook page to keep you motivated, inspired and focused on getting healthy.

To learn more about The Healthy Church Challenge and follow Joyner’s healthy tips, visit Facebook.com/The Healthy Church Challenge.

Joyner will also return for a second appearance at the Healthy Church Challenge’s June 16 Obesity Summit at the Holiday Inn University of Memphis, 3700 Central Ave. The event is free and open to the public.

“And I love the fact that it is God-oriented, because He empowers us to do everything.”

The Healthy Church Challenge 100-day weight loss program has more than 1,000 participants from 49 churches. The church, Joyner pointed out, should stress health and wellness as it does an unencumbered spiritual journey.

“When you make kingdom choices, you get kingdom results,” she said.

Joyner will return for the Obesity Summit on June 16. The event is free and open to the public. The finale is June 17 at the Juneteenth Freedom and Heritage Festival in Douglass Park, where winners of the Challenge will be announced.

The church that has the greatest percentage of weight loss will win a $5,000 gift certificate to a sporting goods store and nutritional counseling. The individual who loses the most weight will receive a $500 gift certificate to a sporting goods store as well.

Along with BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, the Challenge is sponsored by Baptist Memorial Health Care, News Channel 3, Hallelujah 95.7 FM, The New Tri-State Defender, and the Juneteenth Freedom and Heritage Festival.

CLASSIFIEDS

Schools.

Jacqueline Saunders, Director Memphis City Schools – Procurement Services LEGAL NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed bids will be received at the Office of the City of Memphis Purchasing Agent, Room 354, City Hall, 125 N. Main, Memphis, TN 38103, until 2:00 PM CT, Friday, April 20, 2012, for furnishing the City of Memphis with the following: FOR THE DIVISION OF: ENGINEERING City of Memphis RFQ # 3133 .

FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF: STP Traffic Signal Coordination at Various Locations (Bid Set 1) Federal Project No.: STP - M - 9409 (141) State PIN: 112905 (Bid Set # 1) Location(s): Various Locations City Wide A Pre-bid Conference will be held Friday, April 13, 2012, 10:00 AM CT; 980 S. Third St., Memphis, TN 38106 (901) 5282844 1. The Prime Contractor and all Sub Contractors must pre-qualify with the Department of Transportation in accordance with Section 54-5-117 of the “Tennessee Code Annotated” and Tennessee Department of Transportation Rule 1680-5-3 prequalification of contractors before biddable proposals will be furnished.

2. The City of Memphis hereby notifies all bidders that a 1% Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) goal has been set for this project and must be met or exceeded. All contractors identified as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) must be on the Tennessee Uniform Certification Program (TNUCP) List at the time of the bid opening.

3. The City of Memphis hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively insure that in any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprises will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation, and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of age, race, color, religion, national origin, sex or disability in consideration for an award.

4. The City of Memphis is an equal opportunity affirmative action employer, drugfree with policies of non-discrimination on the basis of race, sex, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or military service. For additional information contact Carlee McCullough, (901) 5766210, City of Memphis, Contract Compliance Office, 125 N. Main St, Memphis, TN 38103 5. “Certification by each bidder must be made with respect to nondiscrimination in employment.”

6. A Bid Bond is required.

7. All bids must include, on the outside of

CHEF TIMOTHY

Eating fresh fruit and vegetables is a bipartisan approach to good health

by Chef Timothy Moore Ph.D, N.M.D, C.N. Special to the Tri-State Defender

I have no intentions of stepping into the political arena and debating with Republicans and Democrats over President Barack Obama’s health care reform program. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, dubbed “ObamaCare” by his critics, is designed to insure America’s uninsured and underinsured.

As hard as President Obama pushes to make health care accessible and affordable for everyone, his staunchest critics are pushing just as hard to dismantle it. It’s a tug and war that makes me cringe. Why not insure the tens of millions who cannot afford the astronomical cost of health care? Insuring the uninsured and underinsured can’t be all that bad. But then I’m not a politician.

Here’s what I do know: We live in a world where countless people are sick and battling some kind of catastrophic disease and don’t have the wherewithal to pay the expensive bill. I’m sure some of Obama’s critics are battling some of the same diseases – which makes me wonder: What if some of the people who oppose “ObamaCare” are hospitalized for some life-threatening disease and can’t afford to pay? They’d need insurance, right?

Having insurance is a safety net that we all need just in case our bodies are infiltrated by some kind of life-threatening disease. Most of us are reactive anyway. We wait until something happens before we do something about it. Why not be proactive by maintaining a healthy diet to ward off the onset of any debilitating disease? This is why good food and nutrition are important. A nice portion of beans, brown rice, Kale greens, apples, berries and vegetables is a good start.

Having insurance is good to have, but it’s much better to eat right. Do you really think that a ham sandwich, pork chops, neck bones and sodas will keep you healthy? I don’t think so. In fact, I know it won’t.

More than likely they’ll lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, cancer and other body-ravaging diseases. My point is this: If you don’t take care of you, who will?

Too many people die needlessly from cardiovascular disease, for example. According to the Centers for Disease, Control and Prevention, that number is 800,000 per year. The disease is preventable. All you have to do is change your diet and lifestyle. We live by the choices we make and die far too early.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States.

African Americans constitute 12.6 percent of the population, but are three times likely to die from this

the bid envelope, the name of the project, the bid due date and the bid opening time.

Plans, Specifications and attendant deposit information available, until the time set for opening bids, from: Janet Prejean, (901) 636-2462, City of Memphis, Construction Inspections, 2599 Avery Avenue, Memphis, TN 38112.

Award of contracts will be made on the basis of the lowest and best bids as determined by the City of Memphis. “Best Bid” shall be defined as the responsive quotation, that meets the contract documents, including, if applicable, any DBE Participation Goal as set out in this specification.

THE RIGHT TO REJECT ANY AND ALL BIDS IS RESERVED Notice of intent of award will be issued after review of all opened bids. Any protest of award must be filed in writing with the Purchasing Agent within ten calendar days of the intent of award announcement. The construction contract will be subject to Tennessee Department of Transportation approval.

By Order of the Mayor of the City of Memphis, Tennessee.

A C WHARTON, JR., MAYOR JEROME SMITH, CITY PURCHASING AGENT LEGAL NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed bids will be received at the Office of the City of Memphis Purchasing Agent, Room 354, City Hall, 125 N. Main, Memphis, TN 38103, until 2:00 PM CT, Friday, April 20, 2012, for furnishing the City of Memphis with the following: FOR THE DIVISION OF: ENGINEERING City of Memphis RFQ # 3134 .

FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF: STP Traffic Signal Coordination at Various Locations (Bid Set 2) Federal Project No.: STP - M - 9409 (141) State PIN: 112905 (Bid Set # 2) Location(s): Various Locations City Wide A Pre-bid Conference will be held Friday, April 13, 2012, 10:00 AM CT; 980 S. Third St., Memphis, TN 38106 (901) 5282844 1. The Prime Contractor and all Sub Contractors must pre-qualify with the Department of Transportation in accordance with Section 54-5-117 of the “Tennessee Code Annotated” and Tennessee Department of Transportation Rule 1680-5-3 prequalification of contractors before biddable proposals will be furnished.

2. The City of Memphis hereby notifies all bidders that a 1% Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) goal has been set for this project and must be met or exceeded. All contractors identified as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) must be on the Tennessee Uniform Certifi-

dreaded disease.

The American Heart Association says a plant-based diet has been known to assist in the prevention and reversal of heart disease, the silent killer.

Again, we make our own choices.

I can’t say it you Dr. Timothy enough: must eat more Moore fruit and vegetables and learn to Diabetes had relax.

Don’t taken a toll on stress over my body, but things you have then I chose to no control over.

If you do this, live life you can defeat abundantly. I heart disease changed my diet and others that and stopped are just as debileating meat and itating. It’s not complicated; it’s processed not rocket scifoods. I’m not ence, you know. telling you what To defeat any I don’t know. disease, you must first arm yourself with information and choose the right food to eat. It won’t be easy to scale back or completely eradicate high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease if you don’t take them seriously.

Diabetes had taken a toll on my body, but then I chose to live life abundantly. I changed my diet and stopped eating meat and processed foods. I’m not telling you what I don’t know. There’s too much evidence to support the fact that eating fruit and vegetables can, and will, prevent sickness and disease.

The choice is yours. Either you change your lifestyle and eat healthy or face the inevitable: death. I’m sure President Obama’s health care bill was conceived and implemented based on the number of people suffering and dying from life-threatening diseases.

I’m a realist – and definitely a proponent of healthy eating. I believe you have to have a backup plan just in case everything else fails. If you choose not to eat a healthy diet and change your lifestyle, then you may be one of the tens of millions who need “ObamaCare.”

(Dr. Timothy Moore teaches nutrition, heart disease and diabetes reversal through a plant-based lifestyle. He is a professional speaker, wellness coach and personal plant-based chef.

He can be reached by email at cheftimothy@cheftimothymoore.com or visit him on the Web sites at www.cheftimothymoore.com or www.twitter.com/cheftimmoore.)

cation Program (TNUCP) List at the time of the bid opening.

3. The City of Memphis hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively insure that in any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprises will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation, and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of age, race, color, religion, national origin, sex or disability in consideration for an award.

4. The City of Memphis is an equal opportunity affirmative action employer, drugfree with policies of non-discrimination on the basis of race, sex, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or military service. For additional information contact Carlee McCullough, (901) 5766210, City of Memphis, Contract Compliance Office, 125 N. Main St, Memphis, TN 38103 5. “Certification by each bidder must be made with respect to nondiscrimination in employment.”

6. A Bid Bond is required.

7. All bids must include, on the outside of the bid envelope, the name of the project, the bid due date and the bid opening time.

Plans, Specifications and attendant deposit information available, until the time set for opening bids, from: Janet Prejean, (901) 636-2462, City of Memphis, Construction Inspections, 2599 Avery Avenue, Memphis, TN 38112.

Award of contracts will be made on the basis of the lowest and best bids as determined by the City of Memphis. “Best Bid” shall be defined as the responsive quotation, that meets the contract documents, including, if applicable, any DBE Participation Goal as set out in this specification.

THE RIGHT TO REJECT ANY AND ALL BIDS IS RESERVED Notice of intent of award will be issued after review of all opened bids. Any protest of award must be filed in writing with the Purchasing Agent within ten calendar days of the intent of award announcement. The construction contract will be subject to Tennessee Department of Transportation approval.

By Order of the Mayor of the City of Memphis, Tennessee.

A C WHARTON, JR., MAYOR JEROME SMITH, CITY PURCHASING AGENT

Real estate

The Greenwood CME Church has lease space available for schools, day care, or office use. Please contact 901-744-7531 for an appointment.

NEWS

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Page 15

March 29 - April 4, 2012

HOMES

CONTINUED FROM FRONT

been a negative feeling that we intend to change. We want to instill a sense of hope with a new design that is upbeat. We want people to know and feel that they are important and their neighborhood is just as important as anyone else’s.”

The area’s refurbishment began several years ago with the completion of Askew Place, which comprises 25 single family homes at Orleans and Georgia. Lipscomb said Askew Place was named in honor of long time MHA resident and tenant activist Mertise Askew “because she represented the best of what public housing is supposed to be and was a strong advocate for public housing residents.”

Across from there, in the renamed McKinley Park, single family homes occupy the land where the Club Paradise created its legend.

With the new name of Cleaborne Point, MHA seeks to maintain a key historic con-

LAW

CONTINUED FROM FRONT

floor to urge the justices to uphold the Affordable Care Act. He noted a report issued this week that says in Memphis African-American women are twice as likely to die of breast cancer as Caucasian women.

“And that is unacceptable.

Part of that is because they don’t get the health care they need, and the Affordable Care Act will see to it that everybody gets access to affordable health care,” said Cohen.

“If the Affordable Health Care Act passes, that disparity in health between white women and black women in my city and in America will end.”

Republicans say the law puts individual freedoms “at stake.” They also point to the impact on state budgets. On Monday, Tennessee Sen. Lamar Alexander joined two other senators who, like him, are former governors, to discuss the health-care law’s impact on state budgets, particularly the impact the Medicaid expansion would have.

Service Employees International Union Healthcare Chair Dr. L. Toni Lewis had a different take.

“Instead of refiguring the budget to give the wealthiest one percent trillions of dollars in tax breaks by cutting Medicaid and Medicare for our families, lawmakers should protect our healthcare.” Lewis said in a statement. “ The Supreme Court should do the same by dismissing politically-motivated arguments and instead upholding the new law that expands Medicaid to many more Americans who really need it.”

Meanwhile, the Whitehouse took to the Internet to humanize its position. At Whitehouse.gov, the story of Vanessa Mishkit, a nurse in Tampa, was featured with the intro that she knows firsthand what it’s like to go up against insurance companies on behalf of her child.

Mishkit’s son was born with birth defects: developmentally delayed, legally blind, and near deaf. She had health insurance through work at Tampa General Hospital, but still she was constantly fighting for her son’s coverage because he was born with a pre-existing condition.

“I had what I thought was excellent health insurance, and then after David was born we received notification that he had met his milliondollar limit and he wouldn’t be eligible for coverage,” Mishkit says in the video.

“There are thousands and thousands of families” who are in similar situations, she says. “They can’t advocate for themselves at this time because they’re caught up in day-to-day survival.”

The Whitehouse pitch points out that the Affordable Care Act is designed to prevent insurance companies from denying coverage to children with pre-existing conditions and it includes an invitation for those with stories such as Miskit’s to share them at Healthcare.gov/MyCare.

Cleaborn Homes in 2005 (Courtesy photo) nection. Cleaborne Homes was named posthumously for Distinguished Service Cross honoree Edward O. Cleaborn, who was credited in the Korean war for sacrificing himself by holding down a machine gun pit to cover his infantry regiment’s escape.

“It’s another key to letting people know their value,” Lipscomb said.

Recent events also underscore Lipscomb’s view of a

Now it’s up to the justices of the Supreme Court to make sense of what they heard argued over the three days and match it to their understanding of the Constitution. The exchanges they will weigh this one between Donald B. Verrilli, Jr., Esq., Solicitor General, Department of Justice, and Chief Justice John Roberts.

General Verrilli: ... In the health care market – the health care market is characterized by the fact that aside from the few groups that Congress chose to exempt from the minimum coverage requirement – those who for religious reasons don’t participate, those who are incarcerated, Indian tribes – virtually everybody else is either in that market or will be in that market, and the distinguishing feature of that is that they cannot – people cannot generally control when they enter that market or what they need when they enter that market.

Chief Justice Roberts: Well, the same, it seems to me, would be true, say, for the market in emergency services: police, fire, ambulance, roadside assistance, whatever.

You don’t know when you’re going to need it; you’re not sure that you will.

But the same is true for health care. You don’t know if you’re going to need a heart transplant or if you ever will.

So, there’s a market there. In some extent, we all participate in it.

So, can the government require you to buy a cell phone because that would facilitate responding when you need emergency services? You can just dial 911 no matter where you are?

General Verrilli: No, Mr. Chief Justice. think that’s different. It’s – we – I don’t think we think of that as a market. This is a market. This is market regulation. And, in addition, you have a situation in this market not only where people enter involuntarily as to when they enter and won’t be able to control what they need when they enter, but when they…

Chief Justice Roberts: It seems to me that’s the same as in my hypothetical. You don’t know when you’re going to need police assistance. You can’t predict the extent to emergency response that you’ll need, but when you do — and the government provides it. I thought that was an important part of your argument, that when you need health care, the government will make sure you get it.

complete resurgence for the neighborhood. MHA’s tearing down of the Cleaborne Homes was featured in the viral-reaching video that helped secure Booker T. Washington High School’s victory in the national Race To The Top campaign, earning the historic visit by President Barack Obama to the school’s 2010 commencement ceremony.

Robert McCalpin, 19, grew up in the Cleaborne Homes

Proposed family rental

Proposed senior housing

and the Foote Homes. Quite excited when shown the renderings of the new design, McCalpin said, “It’s the right thing to do. I’m proud of this neighborhood and where I

grew up. Like we used to say, ‘Third wall till the bricks fall!’

I had a job, never got into the gangster set and all that madness. We used to hang out at the Emmanuel Center. It hurt a

lot of people when it was torn down, and I’m glad to see it coming back.”

McCalpin voiced two central questions.

“What I want to know is are the people that grew up there going to be able to move back in? And are they going to change the name? I hope they don’t change the name.”

Von Alexander, 38, also grew up in the Cleaborne Homes.

“If it’s going to be like University Place, it’s the right thing to do,” he said.

A property owner and family man, Alexander said there is a need to go back to the “old way we used to do things.

They (MHA) need to bring inspections about every 90 days, require group meetings and make people keep the places up.

Bring back standards and enforce them,” he said.

“And they need to revisit the security program until the hoodlum element knows they’re not wanted and nobody’s going to put up with them.”

People reflecting myriad backgrounds and ethnic roots made up the crowd of hundreds in attendance at the prayer vigil for Trayvon Martin outside the National Civil Rights Museum on Monday (March 26). (Photo by Jonwalter Lewis)

TRAYVON

CONTINUED FROM FRONT

negligence is found. The laws in Florida, she said, need to be looked at and some overturned all together.

Memphis community leaders such as the Rev. Dwight Montgomery, SCLC president, and the Rev. Dr. L. LaSimba Gray, president of the Rainbow Push Coalition, wore hoodies in support of Trayvon as well.

Memphis Grizzlies minority owner and former University of Memphis standout Elliot Perry stood hand-in-hand with the crowd as another link in the prayer chain that surrounded the speakers.

“It was unnecessary for him (Zimmerman) to shoot an innocent black man for no reason,” said 10-year-old Jayden Driskle. “I’d like for the police to put him in jail for the crime that he has already done before he commits another crime.”

As I completed writing this column, I checked once more and noted that the 28-year-old Zimmerman still had not been arrested. Meanwhile, Zimmerman keeps claiming self-defense, with new reports that he told police that Trayvon hit

The Rev. Kia Granberry (left) and Karlos, an associate. Granberry spoke at the vigil with ferver about the importance of justice being served. him first. This after other news dribbles that Trayvon had been suspended from school because of marijuana residue detected in his backpack.

Still, keep this in mind: Trayvon was on the phone with

For an increasing number of people throughout the country, the bullet that killed Trayvon Martin hit home. (Photo

by Jonwalter Lewis)

his girlfriend minutes before he was killed, with no signs of him hunting for trouble. He was returning from a convenience store with sweet tea and a bag of Skittles. I guess those items must have terrified Zim-

merman, huh?

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

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March 29 - April 4, 2012

Tri-State Defender