7 10 2013

VOL. 62, No. 27

July 4 - 10, 2013

www.tsdmemphis.com

75 Cents

“In our ongoing discussions with businesses we have heard that you need the time to get this right.”

– Valerie Jarrett, President Obama’s senior advisor

Sacramento, California Mayor Kevin Johnson

Sacramento mayor warns of ‘crisis’ in education

CNN

by Kevin Liptak

NNPA News Service

by George E. Curry

NASHVILLE – The education of African Americans has reached a state of crisis that demands a strong response from all African Americans, Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson told members of the National Newspaper Publishers Association at its annual convention here.

“We have a crisis when it comes to public education in this country,” Johnson said at a luncheon on Friday (June 28).

“Only 52 percent of our third- and fourth-graders are reading at grade level. If you’re black, only 16 percent of our kids in the third and fourth grade are reading at grade level – only 16 percent. To make matters worse, if you’re not reading at grade level by the time you leave the third grade, 75 percent of the “If you’re black kids never catch or Latino, one out up.”

Johnson conof two of us tinued, “So, esgraduate. When sentially if you we graduate, the can’t read by the time you leave sad reality – we’re thankful to the third grade, the chances of those who you ever reading graduate – we’re is very slim. at the same This should be academic level as enough to outa white kid in the rage every single person in eighth grade.” this room when Kevin Johnson 84 percent of the kids who look like us cannot read.”

Johnson, a former star point guard for the Phoenix Suns, is president of the National Conference of Black Mayors and is slated to become president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors next year. He is passionate about education, setting up his own private school in Sacramento prior to becoming the first African American elected mayor of the city.

“That’s the third grade. Let’s fast forward to the eighth grade. Eight years ago, only 12 percent of or kids in the eighth grade could read at grade level. In the last eight years, we went from 12 percent to 14 percent. In an 8-year period of time, we’ve closed the gap two percentage points,” he said. “… If our goal was 80 percent and continue at the rate of 2 percent (every eight year), it will take us 248 years before 80 percent of the kids of color can read at grade level.”

A gap between blacks and whites exists even after high school graduation, Johnson observed.

“When we do graduate from high school – which is one out of two black kids – if you’re white, 75 or 80 percent graduate from high school,” he said.

“If you’re black or Latino, one out of SEE EDUCATION ON PAGE 2

MEMPHIS WEEKEND

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Key Obamacare provision delayed

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The requirement that businesses provide their workers with health insurance or face fines – a key provision contained in President Barack Obama’s sweeping health care law – will be delayed by one year, the

Treasury Department said Tuesday.

The postponement came after business owners expressed concerns about the complexity of the law’s reporting requirements, the agency said in its announcement. Under the Affordable Care Act, businesses employing 50 or more full-time workers that don’t provide them health insurance will be penalized.

“We recognize that the vast majority of businesses that will need to do this reporting already provide health insurance to their workers, and we want to make sure it is easy for others to do so. We have listened to your feedback. And we are taking action,” Mark J. Mazur, assistant secretary for tax policy, wrote in a post on the website of the Treasury Department,

which is tasked with implementing the employer mandate.

Mazur said the extra year before the requirement goes into effect will allow the government time to assess ways to simplify the reporting process for businesses. Penalties for firms not providing health coverage SEE DELAY ON PAGE 2

First Ladies Summit...

First lady Michelle Obama and former first lady Laura Bush – in a rare joint appearance – spoke at the First Ladies Summit in Africa on Tuesday (July 2), as President Barack Obama and the first family wrapped up their week-long trip to the fast-developing continent. (Photo: Pool)

- GREATER METRO -

Paula Deen invokes same-sex marriage ruling in lawsuit defense CNN

by Alan Duke Celebrity chef Paula Deen hopes the Supreme Court’s ruling allowing same-sex marriage to be legal in California will help in her defense against a racial discrimination lawsuit.

The woman alleging that she was subjected to a hostile work environment while working as an assistant manager at Deen’s restaurants is white and therefore doesn’t have the “standing,” or legal right, to claim racial discrimination, according to a motion filed Monday by Deen’s lawyer.

The high court rejected an appeal of California’s Proposition 8 law last week on the grounds that the private parties behind the appeal did not have standing to defend the ballot measure barring gay and lesbian couples from state-sanctioned wedlock.

Even if the federal judge in Savannah, Ga., accepts the argument and tosses the lawsuit, much damage has already been done to Deen’s career and businesses by the public fallout from a deposition in which she acknowledged using the “nword.”

Asked by the lawyer taking the deposition if she had ever used the word, she said, “Yes, of course.”

She said she had probably used the racial slur when talking to her husband about “when a black man burst into the bank that I was working at and put a gun to my head” – an incident that took place 30 years

Celebrity chef Paula Deen denies sheʼs ever told racial jokes, but she did acknowledge using the “n” word, according to her deposition in a lawsuit. (Photo: CNN)

ago.

Asked if she had used it since then, she said, “I’m sure I have, but it’s been a very long time.” She noted that circumstances have changed “since the ’60s in the South.”

Many of Deen’s lucrative business relationships have crumbled in the wake of media coverage of the lawsuit. She has lost at least nine endorsements along with her Food Network cooking show, and publication of her eagerly anticipated cookbook has been canceled.

Deen attorney William Franklin’s motion, filed Monday with the U.S. District Court in Savannah, cited the June 26 Supreme Court decision in Hollingsworth v. Perry, the California case.

“Writing for the majority, Chief Justice Roberts made this observation: Article III of the Constitution confines the judicial power of SEE DEEN ON PAGE 2

• MAHS scholar earns a prestigious summer journey. See Community, page 11.

• Traffic accident claims life of Memphis DJ icon, Soni D. See Community, page 11.

• ‘Hard way’ Joerger ready to grit and grind as Grizz new head coach. See Sports, page 12.

NEWS

Page 2

July 4 - 10, 2013

Tri-State Defender

DELAY

with common-sense reforms “This is Obamacare that actually lower costs for unraveling.”

Lamar Alexander Americans.”

Rep. Eric Cantor, the House

CONTINUED FROM FRONT

Zimmerman trial …

Jurors in the 2nd-degree murder trial of George Zimmerman on Tuesday (July 2) heard Chris Serino, the lead Sanford, Fla. police investigator, and Zimmermanʼs best friend, Mark Osterman, recount – with minor variations – the story Zimmerman told them about the confrontation that led to the fatal shooting of unarmed teenager Trayvon Martin in 2012. Pictured: Martinʼs parents, Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin, along with his aunt, Stephanie Fulton Sands (left). (Photo: Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel/POOL)

Frayser forum set in campaign to build support for SCS students

The first in a series of community forums that are part of a new campaign to bolster community support for children in Shelby County schools will be held July 11 at the Bellevue Impact Ministry Center in Frayser.

The community forums are an element of the Our Children. Our Success. campaign, which kicked off in late June to build community support as Shelby County Schools students prepare for the 2013-14 school year. A coalition of community partners are driving the initiative, which was created to encourage “the entire community to participate and invest in the lives, education and general wellbeing of its children and to build a shared, positive belief that every child can succeed.”

The Our Children. Our Success. collaborative includes nonprofits such as Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Mem-

phis; Church Health Center; Latino Memphis; Literacy Mid-South; New Direction Christian Church; The RISE Foundation and Urban Youth Initiative. The forums – open to the public and scheduled for 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. weekdays in July – will address areas of particular interest to parents, offer opportunities to ask questions, and allow partner nonprofits to discuss their roles in supporting children.

The Frayser-area forum will be hosted by Urban Youth Initiative, an organization that supports youth ministers and the local churches that work with at-risk urban youth. The second community forum – set for July 16 at the Boys & Girls Club in the Grahamwood neighborhood –will be cohosted by Latino Memphis and Literacy Mid-South.

“Literacy Mid-South chose to be involved in the Our Children. Our Success. campaign

because we want to make sure every child in Memphis is receiving the best education possible,” said Kevin Dean, executive director of Literacy Mid-South.

“This campaign is urgently important because the facts that parents need to know may get sidelined in the heated debates in the media. Putting politics aside, we are committed to making sure parents and children have what they need to begin school in August.”

Forums also will be held on July 25 and July 29, with dates for August yet to be announced. Our Children. Our Success. I privately funded through nonprofit SchoolSeed, formerly known as the MCS Foundation.

(For more information on Our Children. Our Success. and forum dates and locations, visit www.ourchildrenoursuccess.com.)

Tennessee Tech Center at Memphis gets new name The Tennessee Technology Center at Memphis became the Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) Monday (July 1).

While the name changes, the mission remains the same. The new name just more accurately reflects the post-secondary training provided, said Roland Rayner, director of the TCAT in Memphis.

“Additionally, a successful economic development strategy must focus on upgrading the skills of the local workforce, which helps business and industry to lower its operating cost and provides the human capital business needs to compete and thrive in today’s global economy.”

As higher education institutions, the TCATs offer postsecondary programs for workforce preparation. Supporters of the name change say the “center” title was too often misunderstood.

That led State Rep. Harry Brooks and Sen. Jim Tracy to co-sponsor a bill to change the name. After research into the best naming options, Tennessee College of Applied Technology was introduced as the best option to meet the needs of students in the region and the expectations of employers and industry leaders.

The bill received unanimous support from the General Assembly, and was recently signed by Gov. Bill Haslam.

“The education programs and training opportunities provided by these schools have been key to workforce and economic development in Tennessee,” said Tennessee Board of Regents Chancellor John Morgan. “They aid in recruiting industry and development initiatives, and this new name better represents the quality programs offered.”

The TCATs play a major role

in the workforce development from Memphis to Elizabethton providing workforce training in industrial, allied health, business, and personal service programs training over 30,000 students yearly.

The institutions have a statewide completion rate of 79 percent and a placement rate of 84 percent, well above the national average.

James King, TBR’s vice chancellor for TCATs, attributes the outstanding performance to institutions doing a great job in their communities and remaining focused on their mission.

“The renamed 27 campuses will aid in recruiting industry and economic development initiatives. We believe changing our name will aid in students choosing public institutions rather than private and proprietary institutions lessening debt burdens for the same programs we offer.”

Methodist South uses new system on peripheral artery disease

Methodist South Hospital is the first in Tennessee to use the recently FDA-cleared Ocelot system by Avinger to help patients facing Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), an unrecognized epidemic that affects between eight and 12 million adults in the U.S. and 30 million people globally.

PAD is caused by a build-up of plaque in the arteries that blocks blood flow to the legs and feet.

The Ocelot catheter, supported by the Lightbox console, allows physicians to see from inside an artery during the actual procedure, using optical coherence tomography, or OCT. In the past, operators

have had to rely solely on x-ray as well as touch and/or feel to guide catheters through complicated blockages. With Ocelot, physicians can more accurately navigate through CTOs thanks to the images from inside the artery.

“This new system is very unique to use,” said Dr. Dwight Dishmon, cardiologist at UTMG Cardiology. “The equipment is a marriage between an ultrasound and a CAT scan.”

Ocelot is the first-ever CTO crossing catheter that uses OCT technology to access exact regions of the peripheral vasculature where the blockages occur, while simultaneously providing physicians with visualization

for real-time navigation during an intervention.

Because some blockages can become so severe and difficult to penetrate with traditional catheters, patients often resort to undergo extremely invasive bypass surgeries that result in even higher health risks and lengthy, painful recoveries.

The new system helps restore blood flow in completely blocked arteries in patients’ legs through a two-millimeter skin incision, helping to avoid amputation. Additionally, it is a minimally invasive treatment designed to allow patients to leave the hospital within hours, and return to normal activities within a few days.

to employees will now begin in 2015 – after next year’s congressional elections.

The new delay will not affect other aspects of the health law, including the establishment of exchanges in states for low-income Americans to obtain health insurance.

Supporters of the employer mandate note that most firms already provide health insurance to full time workers, and downplay the effect the requirement would have on small businesses, citing figures showing the vast majority of small businesses employ fewer than 50 workers.

But opponents claim the employer mandate is a potential job killer, saying businesses near the 50-worker cutoff will be unlikely to ramp up hiring if it means they’re required to provide employees health insurance.

“The administration has finally recognized the obvious – employers need more time and clarification of the rules of the road before implementing the employer mandate,” said Randy Johnson, a vice president at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, a business group.

Obama’s administration has previously expressed openness to making the health care law easier to implement, and acted to shorten applications for health insurance on government-run exchanges from 21 pages to three.

On Tuesday, Obama’s sen-

DEEN

CONTINUED FROM FRONT

federal courts to deciding actual ‘Cases’ or ‘Controversies,’” the motion said.

“One essential aspect of this requirement is that any person invoking the power of a federal court must demonstrate standing to do so. This requires the litigant to prove that he has suffered a concrete and particularized injury that is fairly traceable to the challenged conduct, and is likely to be redressed by a favorable judicial decision.”

George Washington University law professor Jonathan Turley told CNN Tuesday the contention that the Prop 8 ruling is relevant to the Deen case won’t hold water.

The concept of standing is hardly new, and the Supreme Court bringing it into the spotlight in Hollingsworth v.

Perry doesn’t not advance Deen’s motion to dismiss the case, Turley said.

Lisa Jackson, the plaintiff in the suit against Deen is

EDUCATION

CONTINUED FROM FRONT

two of us graduate. When we graduate, the sad reality – we’re thankful to those who graduate – we’re at the same academic level as a white kid in the eighth grade. This is our reality. Shame on us who are not talking about it.”

Noting that 75 percent of all inmates cannot read, Johnson

ior adviser Valerie Jarrett – who acts as the White House’s liaison to big business – wrote the new delay was indicative of the administration’s determination to implement the health care law effectively and fairly, and that it wouldn’t affect other aspects of Obamacare.

“While major portions of the law have yet to be implemented, it’s already a little more affordable for businesses to offer quality health coverage to their employees,” Jarrett wrote, adding later: “As we implement this law, we have and will continue to make changes as needed. In our ongoing discussions with businesses we have heard that you need the time to get this right.”

Yet many Republicans – and even some Democrats – have continued to express serious concerns about the rollout of Obamacare. On Tuesday, GOP lawmakers said the delay of the employer mandate didn’t go far enough.

“This announcement means even the Obama administration knows the ‘train wreck’ will only get worse,” House Speaker John Boehner wrote.

“Obamacare costs too much and it isn’t working the way the administration promised,” Sen. Mitch McConnell, the Senate Minority Leader, wrote in response to the decision, adding: “The fact remains that Obamacare needs to be repealed and replaced

Majority Leader, was more succinct. “The best delay for ObamaCare is a permanent one,” he wrote on Twitter.

U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) said: “This is Obamacare unraveling. This is the ‘train wreck’ that the Senator who wrote the health care law predicted was coming.Pushing the implementation of the employer mandate until after the 2014 election confirms the law was an historic mistake.”

Alexander said the law should be repealed and replaced with effective legislation that will reduce costs by involving patients in health care decision-making.

“This delay will make a giant mess of the individual mandate because presumably individuals are still required to purchase insurance.”

Some Democrats have also voiced concern about the roll-out of the health law – Sen. Max Baucus, a key Democrat who helped craft the legislation, expressed serious anxiety in April about its rollout.

“The administration’s public information campaign on the benefits of the Affordable Care Act deserves a failing grade. You need to fix this,” Baucus told Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius at a hearing.

“I just see a huge train wreck coming down,” he added later.

white, has no standing because she couldn’t have suffered “a personal and tangible harm” from hearing the “nword” on the job, the Franklin motion says.

In the Prop 8 case, state officials refused to pursue an appeal when a federal judge struck down the same-sex marriage ban. Private citizens picked it up, ultimately to be told by the high court last week that they had no standing to do so.

Jackson is a former manager at Deen’s restaurants in Savannah, Ga. She is suing Deen and her brother, Bubba Hier, alleging they committed numerous acts of violence, discrimination and racism that resulted in the end of her five-year employment at Deen’s Lady & Sons and Bubba’s Seafood and Oyster House eateries in Savannah.

She gave a statement to CNN’s Don Lemon through her lawyer, Matthew Billips, on Monday.

“This lawsuit has never been about the n-word,” she said. “It is to address Ms. Deen’s patterns of disrespect

and degradation of people that she deems to be inferior. I may be a white woman, but I could no longer tolerate her abuse of power as a business owner, nor her condonation of Mr. Hier’s despicable behavior on a day-to-day basis. I am what I am, and I am a human being that cares about all races, and that is why I feel it is important to be the voice for those who are too afraid to use theirs.”

Deen’s lawyer has called the allegations false, and Deen has said she does not tolerate prejudice.

Deen made an emotional appearance on NBC’s “Today Show” last week in which she called the accusations “horrible, horrible lies.”

“I believe that every creature on this Earth, every one of God’s creatures, was created equal,” she said. “... I believe that everyone ought to be treated equal.”

Deen was raised to never be unkind to anyone, she said.

said there is a direct correlation between illiteracy and imprisonment.

“I know some of us got nice clothes, drive a cool car and live in good neighborhoods,” the former NBA star said. “That’s not enough. We win and we lose as a race. It’s going to take all of us collectively to do our part to change those dismal numbers.”

Even with a black president, Johnson said, African-

Americans still face serious challenges.

“Racism is not something of the past,” he said. “It is still as prevalent today as it has ever been.” And he said African-Americans look to the Black Press to represent the best interests of the black community.

“The role of the Black Press is more important today than it has ever been, in my opinion,” said Johnson.

(CNN’s Stephanie Genkin, Josh Levs, Caleb Silver and Melissa Gray contributed to this report.)

Tri-State Defender

July 4 - 10, 2013

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OPINION

Tri-State Defender

July 4 - 10, 2013

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

FLASHBACK 2003

Keep it classy, Lolo – if you can Lolo Jones mocks Rachel Jeantel on Twitter NewsOne

by Kirsten West Savali Track poster girl Lolo Jones mocked Trayvon Martin’s friend, Rachel Jeantel, on Twitter by comparing her to Tyler Perry’s alter-ego “Madea.”

Race and the Supreme Court

In its latest affirmative action ruling, Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin, the Supreme Court, ruled the same way it had in its Bakke decision in 1978 and a pair of University of Michigan affirmative action rulings in 2003 – one upholding the law school admissions program (Grutter v. Bollinger) and one striking down the undergraduate admissions process (Gratz v. Bollinger).

In each case, the court declared that state universities have a compelling interest that could justify the consideration of race in college admissions because of the benefits that flow to all students from having a diverse student body.

However, all of the court’s decision on affirmative action in higher education were consistent with Justice Anthony Kennedy’s opinion in Fisher, when he wrote for the 7-1 majority: “…Strict scrutiny imposes on the university the ultimate burden of demonstrating before turning to racial classifications, that available, workable race-neutral alternatives do not suffice.”

In other words, universities are free to consider race only after seeking solutions that do not involve race.

In his concurring opinion in Bakke, Justice Harry Blackmun noted the absurdity of that approach.

“I suspect that it would be impossible to arrange an affirmative action program in a racially neutral way and have it successful. To ask that this be so is to demand the impossible,” he wrote in words that ring true today.

“In order to get beyond racism, we must first take account of race. There is no other way. And in order to treat some persons equally, we must treat them differently. We cannot – we dare not – let the Equal Protection Clause perpetuate racial supremacy.”

But that is precisely what has taken place. Right-wing groups have used the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment, which was specifically passed to protect former slaves from mistreatment, to assert that whites are victims of the major victims of racism.

In its “Brief of Opposition,” the university said: “The undisputed evidence demonstrated that Fisher would not have been offered fall admission in 2008 even if she had scored a perfect ‘6’ on her PAI – the portion of the admissions process where race is considered as ‘a factor of a factor of a factor.’”

As Justice Kennedy noted in his majority opinion, “The University of Texas at Austin considers race as one of various factors in its undergraduate admissions process. Race is not itself assigned a numerical value for each applicant…”

For those not admitted as part of the top 10 percent of their high school graduating class, the university looks at such factors as leadership, extracurricular activities, work experience, socio-economic status, whether there was only one parent in the home, race and whether English was the primary language spoken in the home. Of all of those factors, Fisher sued on racial grounds.

Justice Blackmun observed how differently race is treated in college admissions.

“It is somewhat ironic to have us so deeply disturbed over a program where race is an element of consciousness, and yet to be aware of the

fact, as we are, that institutions of higher learning, albeit more on the undergraduate than the graduate level, have given conceded preferences up to a point to those possessed of athGeorge letic skills, to the E. Curry children of alumni, to the affluent who may bestow their largess on the institutions, and to those having connections with celebrities, the famous, and the powerful,” he said.

Even as the U.S. grows increasingly diverse, the Supreme Court is vigorously opposed to quotas. Yet Brazil and India unabashedly deploy quotas to make sure underrepresented segments of society get to more fully participate in higher education.

In another decision with racial overtones, the Supreme Court struck down a key provision of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, citing progress

“…Strict scrutiny imposes on the university the ultimate burden of demonstrating before turning to racial classifications, that available, workable raceneutral alternatives do not suffice.”

Justice Anthony Kennedy

made since passage of the law.

Strangely, the National Black Chamber of Commerce submitted a friend of the court brief supporting the termination of the Section 5 preclearance provision of the Voting Rights Act. In his weekly NNPA News Service column, President Harry C. Alford said, “Section 5 needs to be removed as it is antiquated and drags down the importance of the Voting Rights Act.” However, organizations representing black elected officials strongly disagree.

For example, Joe Armstrong, president of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators, said, “The Supreme Court has turned the clock back on civil rights in the United States. In recent years, this nation has seen an incredible uptick in state and local laws solely intended to suppress and disenfranchise voters. But, instead of ruling to protect all voters, justices have acted to undermine safeguards that are key to our democracy. This is clearly a step in the wrong direction.”

In her dissent, Ruth Bader Ginsburg stated, “True, conditions in the South have impressively improved since passage of the Voting Rights Act. Congress noted this improvement and found that the VRA was the driving force behind it…Congress also found that voting discrimination had evolved into subtler, second-generation barriers, and that eliminating preclearance would risk loss of the gains that have been made.”

(George E. Curry is editor-in-chief of the National Newspaper Publishers Association News Service (NNPA) can be reached via www.georgecurry .com. Follow him at www. twitter.com/currygeorge and George E. Curry Fan Page on Facebook.)

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“Rachel Jeantel looked so irritated during the cross-examination that I burned it on DVD and I’m going to sell it as Madea goes to court. — Lolo Jones (@lolojones) June 27, 2013”

Supreme Court gets it right on voting & affirmative action

Last week liberal blacks and whites went crazy after the Supreme Court issued its ruling on affirmative action and the voting rights cases.

Well, I happen to agree with the court in both decisions. Now, before you start calling me a “sell-out, Uncle Tom,” or Republican,” turn off your emotions and listen to reason.

In the black community, the mere mention of revisiting any civil rights program automatically elicits cries of “Jim Crow,” “racism,” or “turning back the clock.” Despite protestations to the contrary, in a 7-1 decision, the Supreme Court actually upheld the use of affirmative action.

They simply stated that institutions must prove that they have exhausted all other remedies before they resort to using race in their admission decisions. In light of the progress we have made in this country on the issue of race, I find the court’s decision very reasonable.

What I did find troubling about this case brought by white high school student, Abigail Fisher, was her assertion of “White privilege.”

She is from Sugar Land, Texas, one of the wealthiest communities in the state. She sued the University of Texas at Austin after she was denied admission to the school in 2008. According to her, “it was because she was white and that she was being treated differently than some lessqualified minority students who were accepted.”

Of course, she has no way of knowing that since the admissions process is confidential. But, she just assumes that because she is white and from Sugar Land, there is no way that a minority could be more qualified than she for admission to the school. In written submissions to the court, the school stated that even without the issue of affirmative action, Fisher did not meet the school’s standards for admission. She is “White privilege” personified.

Civil rights leaders totally lost their minds over the Voting Rights Act case, though the court upheld the status quo. The court simply said that Congress needed to redo the formula that determines which states should remain under the supervision of the Department of Justice.

Let me explain it this way. In the 1960s and 70s, polyester suits were in vogue. What the court said was, it’s the 21st century, so we think you might need to change the fabric used in your suits. You can still have whatever suit you want, you simply need to update the material you are using

to one that is more appropriate to the times.

Again, I find this very reasonable.

So, to civil rights icons such as John Lewis and Julian Bond, c-h-i-l-l o-u-t! If you listen to them and the libRaynard eral media, you Jackson would have thought the Supreme Court put blacks back in chains.

We must approach these decisions strategically, not emotionally. In a weird kind of way, I am very optimistic that Republicans will step up and play a constructive role in facilitating a thoughtful discussion of these two important court decisions.

The key players on these two issues will be House Majority Whip White Eric Cantor and Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner.

Cantor represents the 10th district of Virginia in the U.S. House of Representatives. He instinctively gets and understands the issue of race better than most Republicans. He has quite an interesting story to tell in this regard and I hope one day soon he will allow me to share it with the public.

Sensenbrenner represents Wisconsin’s 5th congressional district and is former chairman of the House’s Judiciary Committee. He has been a stalwart on issues revolving around civil rights, specifically the reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act in 2006.

If Speaker John Boehner taps Cantor and Sensenbrenner to play key roles in helping the Republican Party understand some of these issues involving race, I am fairly confident that they will lead the party down a constructive path that will show the black community that Republicans understand these two issues that are of great interest to the black community.

There is a lot of work to be done, but Cantor and Sensenbrenner’s unique understanding on these issues can be a great asset if the party’s leaders take advantage of it.

(Raynard Jackson is president & CEO of Raynard Jackson & Associates, LLC., a Washington, D.C.based public relations/government affairs firm. He can be reached via www.raynardjackson.com. follow him on Twitter at raynard1223.)

As previously reported by NewsOne, Jeantel, 19, was the last person to speak with Martin on the night of February 26, 2012, five minutes before he was gunned down by George ZimmerLolo man, 29.

Jones In addition to the usual racists, some classist, elitist, colorist, Talented Tenth, miseducated black people have taken to social media to voice disgust at her inability to code-switch and her “ghetto” demeanor.

They Rachel have also Jeantel ridiculed her skin color and weight, in addition to laughing at her inability to read and write cursive English – even though Creole and Spanish are her first languages.

The conditioned hatred is pronounced.

Now Lolo Jones, who, as previously reported by NewsOne, went on an extended “poor little pretty girl I don’t know why my teammates hate me” routine last year after Dawn Harper and Kellie Wells couldn’t hide their disgust with her attention-grabbing antics, has joined Jeantel’s petty critics.

Wallowing in light-skin, attractive and thin privilege, she used her platform to compare a young woman to an overweight, stereotypically ignorant and “sassy” black woman – at the height of an intense murder trial.

Keep it classy, Lolo – if you can.

There are many cultural critics and scholars who tackle the dysfunction inherited from post traumatic slave syndrome. And the same people rallying around Rachel Jeantel are the same community activists fighting against injustice and inequity from a structural standpoint.

Then we have Jones, who by tearing a page from the “Miseducation of the (House) Negro,” managed to, in 140-characters or less, alienate and offend people who previously supported her.

Note to Ms. Jones: Rachel Jeantel is not the stereotype; you are. From now on, when people make assumptions about light-skin privilege and lack of empathy for women who don’t meet the standard acceptability criteria, you will be pointed to as the perfect example.

Perhaps you should focus on solidifying your position in the track world, instead of as an unfortunate cliche.

BUSINESS

Tri-State Defender

July 4 - 10, 2013

MONEY MATTERS

America’s pension problems – zeroing in Many Americans are familiar with Social Security’s projected shortfall and the public debate on how to fix the program’s finances. Going forward, fewer workers will support a larger number of retiring baby boomers. Without some combination of tax increases and benefit cuts, Social Security’s operating deficit is expected to exceed $800 billion over the next 10 years.

Some of the nation’s publicand private-sector pension plans are facing similar financial challenges. Unlike defined-contribution plans such as 401(k)s, pensions are defined-benefit plans that promise to pay lifetime benefits to retirees based on length of service and their pre-retirement salaries.

Pension plans that become severely underfunded could eventually fail, leaving participants without the retirement incomes they were counting on, or transferring the burden to taxpayers if a government bailout is needed.

Here’s a closer look at how pensions operate and why more of these retirement plans may be under pressure.

Entrepreneurship:

Dealing with deficits

Investment losses from the 2008 financial crisis red u c e d Charles Sims Jr., CFP p u b l i c pension assets, and some states chose not to make their full-recommended contributions. An estimated $800 billion in unfunded liabilities for publicemployee pensions has been reported, with individual state funding levels ranging widely from 40 percent to 80 percent.

A long period of low interest rates has taken a toll on privatesector pensions. The funding deficit of the 100 biggest corporate pension plans rose to $411.8 billion at the end of 2012, and the plans were 76.4 percent funded (on average). A funding ratio of 80 percent is usually considered healthy.

Low rates affect the calculation of a plan’s funding ratio by increasing the value of future benefit obligations (or li-

abilities). Such liability losses have more than offset investment gains that exceeded expectations in three of the last four years. For individual companies, a loss of funding status typically results in a charge to their balance sheets at the end of the fiscal year and increases pension expenses the following year.

Repercussions for retirees

To help reduce pension costs, 45 states have cut benefits for teachers, police, firefighters, and other public workers. Because most major changes affect only new workers, much of the savings won’t be realized for several decades. Twelve states, however, have reduced benefits for current retirees, including nine that suspended cost-ofliving increases.

To help control costs, some corporations are closing pensions to new employees, freezing benefits for current workers, or terminating plans and offering lump-sum payments. Many companies are switching to defined-contribu-

tion plans in which the workers bear the investment risks.

The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) is a U.S. government agency that provides basic pension benefits for participants of failed private-sector plans. The PBGC is funded by insurance premiums and recovered assets, not tax dollars, but is itself operating under a growing deficit in recent years.

Because most private-sector (and some public-sector) pension benefits do not rise with inflation, a fixed benefit amount that seems adequate initially might cover a much smaller share of a retiree’s living expenses after 20 years.

Public and private pensions are operating in a difficult environment, and some plan sponsors may not be able to keep all the promises that were made to workers. Therefore, when assessing your own retirement income needs, it might be wise not to depend solely on a pension.

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

SimsFinancialGroup.com.)

ON OUR WAY TO WEALTHY

Life after layoffs, downsizing and retirement Across the country, whether in the private sector or government, companies are laying people off, downsizing and/or forcing early retirement. In some circumstances it can be devastating to a household.

Immediately after the initial shock of learning your fate, it is easy to become paralyzed by fear. Next comes the scrambling around for a new job to replace the income that will soon be lost.

Some may wait to look for another job until savings or severance packages have been depleted. Still others will pursue unemployment pay as an alternative. However, this is usually only a portion of the lost wages and will not fill the gap.

Beginning the dream

If you have ever thought about entrepreneurship, now may be the opportune time to pursue your dream. With a support from staff at agencies such as the Renaissance Business Center at 555 Beale, starting your own business may become a reality sooner than you think.

But let’s be real. Do not go on a search for grant money in the hopes of replacing your income. Grants earmarked for “for profit” businesses are rarely seen around these parts.

Loans from various institutions may be available. A safer bet is to reach out to family, friends and your own pocketbook.

Start small

Sometimes our beliefs of how the business should be initially can hold us back.

There is nothing wrong with starting off small and expanding the business as you grow.

As an entrepreneur, the cost of entry can vary depending upon the type of business you

s t a r t .

Whether you are selling a service or a product, make sure the delivery and appearance is one of profesCarlee McCullough sionalism.

Don’t be afraid to reach out for help or advice from those that you see as successful.

Long hours

There is nothing easy about entrepreneurship. The hours likely will be longer than when you were an employee.

Nine to five does not exist in the world of being an entrepreneur. Additionally, the pay may not initially be what you thought it would – or should – be. However, the room for growth is exponential when the business receives your time and money. When you are committed, dedicated and the stars align, the money will far exceed that which you received as an employee.

Doing business with family and friends

Look to do business with those that you know first. Social networks such as Facebook and LinkedIn are wonderful networking tools. If your friends and family won’t do business with you, then it may be time to reflect on why and make some changes.

Most innovative ideas of 2013

When deciding what type of business to start, look for an opportunity to fill a niche that has not been addressed. Re-

member that to survive a small business must have a customer base. Let’s take a look at some of the most creative ideas of 2013 according to HuffPost.

Squat Monkey

Hallettco, an Oregon-based company, created the Squat Monkey for the outdoor crowd. It is designed to hook around your waist and around a rock or tree to enable you to “squat” when relieving yourself in the woods. The thought process is to keep you elevated so that you are not exposed to bacteria, bugs, poisonous plants, etc.

AquaPodKit

A Texas-based firm, AquaStorage, created the AquaPodKit to be used in preparation for natural disasters. The kit provides 65 gallons of uncontaminated water in emergency situations. This is a 14-day supply for a family of four. A disaster can occur anywhere, making this product one that can be used by the masses.

SnuggWugg

According to the designer Lisa Hanson, the SnuggWugg is “an interactive diaper changing pillow that helps parents so their babies don’t twist and turn on the changing table.”

Remember those rare grants for “for profit” companies we mentioned earlier? Well, the SnuggWugg won the 2012 Huggies MomInspired Grant of $15,000.

Regardless of the business you choose, try to select something you are passionate about. You will be spending a lot of time with promoting and pitching the concept. If you are not sold on the concept, it

NNPA re-elects Cloves Campbell Jr. chairman

NASHVILLE (NNPA) – Cloves Campbell Jr., publisher of the Arizona Informant, was re-elected to a second term as chairman of the National Newspaper Publishers Association at the NNPA’s annual convention here. The voting took place on Friday, near the conclusion of the association’s 4-day convention.

“I am honored that my colleagues have chosen to give me another term as chair-

man,” said Campbell, head of a federation of nearly 200 newspapers with a combined readership of more than 19 million.

“It was a strong vote of confidence for our leadership team as we embark on a strategy that includes collaborating with other organizations, forming new partnerships and inviting a new generation of readers to step into the ever evolving world of the Black

Press.”

The other officers are: First Cloves V i c e C h a i r : Campbell Jr. Mollie Finch Belt, Dallas Examiner; Second Vice President: John B. Smith, Sr., Atlanta Inquirer; Secretary: Natalie Cole, Our Weekly; Treasurer: Lenora Alexander, Denver Weekly News.

Make www.TSDmemphis.com your home page

cannot be sold well to someone else.

While entrepreneurship may not be voluntary in the case of layoffs, downsizing, or involuntary retirement, it may be a blessing in disguise. Keep in mind that we are all “On Our Way to Wealthy.”

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

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RELIGION

Page 6

Tri-State Defender

July 4 - 10, 2013

RELIGION BRIEFS

LIVING THE LIFE I LOVE

Peace & Victory hosts school supplies drive

Peace & Victory Missionary Baptist Church at 2131 Hunter Ave. is hosting a Back to School Supply Drive through July 31.

Supplies will be distributed on Aug. 3.

The list of supplies include: notebook paper, primary writing tablets, spiral notebooks, composition notebooks, binders, pencils, ink pens (black and blue), crayons, supply boxes, pencil cases, scissors, rulers, multi-color pocket folders, three-pronged folders, glue or glue sticks, color pencil, highlighters, color markers, index cards, dividers, construction paper, pencil sharpeners, staplers, staples, Kleenex, hand sanitizer, pocket dictionary, pocket Thesaurus and backpacks (for all grades.

Donations can be dropped off at the church during summer camp hours – Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.; evenings – Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 6 p.m.-8 p.m.; Sundays – regular church hours, 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

For more information, call 901-722-3555.

Conference to honor Memphis legends

The 11th Annual Expository Preaching, Teaching Church Growth Conference will run July 7th through July 11th at New Salem Baptist Church at 2237 South Parkway East.

On July 7th at 7 p.m., former Mayor Dr. Willie W. Herenton, Dr. James Adams and State Rep. Lois Deberry will be among the “persons of distinction” honored.

On July 11th at 7 p.m., Dr. A. Louis Patterson Jr. – a “leading expository preacher” – will be honored during a black-tie affair featuring a special performance by gospel recording artist Dottie Peoples. God is Good Ministries will award a $1,000 scholarship to The LeMoyneOwen College to an enrolled student majoring in religion.

The Rev. Dr. Frank Ray Sr. is the host pastor.

Summer gospel concert series at New Salem

God is God Ministries with Dr. Frank Ray Sr. presents “ the gospel concert of the summer” at 7 p.m. on July 8 at New Salem Baptist Church at 2237 South Parkway East.

The line-up includes Maurette Brown-Clark, “Sunday Best” winner Chrystal Rucker, gospel legend Dottie Peoples, Bishop Neal Roberson, The Echoaires, Ronnie Strong, Ben Garrett & Company.

Doors open at 6 p.m.

Tickets are available at Southern Sons Printing, One Stop for Churches and Salem Baptist Bookstore. General admission is $10; $20 VIP at www.godisgoodministries. Charge by phone at 901-458-1300.

Want to be free? Shepherd your thoughts

Dear Lucy: It’s the 4th of July already and when I think about freedom, all I want is to be debt free. I know I’m not the only one who wants this. Sure, I live in America, home of the brave, land of the free. But I’m not feeling it.

– Looking for my freedom

Dear Freedom Hunter: Happy Fourth of July. I feel you. Debt can be overwhelming and it is relative.

Owing anything at all to anybody can be devastating for some people, even if they have money. Owing more Lucy than you earn can Shaw also be tough. Or just living on the financial edge all the time can make for a scary life. When this happens, feelings of bravery and freedom are hard to get to.

Freedom is an interesting concept.

Most of the time we think about it from the angle of needing to escape something. Most of the time we want to escape the negative experience and limitations of not having enough money or having to talk to the bill collector. What we want to escape most is the negative feelings that come with the experience and weigh us down.

So first, decide if you want to experience freedom as a verb or a noun. If you experience freedom as a verb you will be running to find it or be chased into it by the tyranny of circumstances. If freedom is a noun, you get to BE free instantly.

Two: choosing freedom as a noun reminds me of Mr. Nelson Mandela when he was in prison. He understood that his thoughts could not be imprisoned, only his body. So he used his thoughts to imagine the prison experience that he could survive. That meant the real Mr. Mandela, the one with integrity, forgiveness, generosity of spirit and determination was still present. He was rich at the level of his

Nelson Mandela understood that his thoughts could not be imprisoned, only his body. Here he reads a copy of his authorized quotation book, “Nelson Mandela: By Himself” (2011). (Photo: Debbie Yazbek/Nelson Mandela Foundation) thinking power. So are you.

Three: Jesus said that He was the Good Shepherd and His sheep always know him. The sheep are your thoughts and you are the Good Shepherd of them. I could give you a list of ways to get out of debt and they would all be useless. The first step out of any negative situation is to bring your thinking, your imagination under control. As long as you spend your thinking and efforts on escaping to freedom you are thinking like a slave and giving your power away.

Four: Let go of the idea of escaping your debt. In your thinking and imaging, BE a person of wealth. A person of wealth surrounds himself with ideas and methods to be wealthy.

They are always talking, reading, noticing and doing things that affirm

that it is their right to be abundantly supplied. If they are running, they are running TO something and not away from something.

Five: Change your mind.

Change your point of view. Pay attention to what you are spending the currency of your thinking on.

If you spend your thoughts on being poor, in bondage to debt and a victim, this is what you will get.

This is the first step into freedom no matter what you think you are in bondage to. Don’t run from. Run to.

Jacob wrestled all night with the angel of doubt and fear until he got the victory over him. He held on until he won the struggle against all of those negative thoughts he had been carrying around for decades. Sure, he was left with an injury from the battle. But

it was so worth it and a reminder to him of the past power of doubt and fear over his life. Once you taste the sweetness of a changed mind, you cant go back. Accept that you are already free and become the Good Shepherd.

(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.)

Davis pens ‘Healing of a Wounded Leader’

by Cora JacksonFossett NNPA News Service

‘Healing a Wounded Leader’ is the latest book by the Rev. Dr. Wendell J. Davis, pastor of New Jericho Baptist Church in Los Angeles.

Describing it as a “mustread” for anyone dealing with people, he believes the message will help both leaders and their followers.

“The book deals with leaders like myself and others who rose to prominence or success and never took the time to heal from their wounds, whether it was promiscuity, adultery, fornication, molestation, or criminal behavior. Then, we have this outburst of issues and it

all results from things we never healed from,” he said.

Dr. Davis covers a wide range of hurtful actions that leaders may have experienced in life such as divorce, verbal abuse, toxic people, psychological issues, sexual abuse, childhood trauma, addictive behavior and unhealthy lifestyles.

“Also, there are toxic churches that have people who suffer from mental health issues who rise to positions of leadership and have behaviors that are contaminating, crippling, critical, catastrophic, negative, and dysfunctional,” said Davis.

“I think this book will help people already in leadership change their behavior and transform into effective leaders. It will also help people

understand what their leader or boss is going through because we fall out with people and never know that maybe they’re bi-polar or schizophrenic. I believe it will help you identify persons challenged with unresolved issues in their lives.”

His firm belief stems from personal experience.

“This book is driven on how I had to change in my life. I married at age 19 and after five years, my wife said to me, “I can’t keep paying for what your mother did to you,” said Davis.

“That was piercing to my heart because my mother was a career drug and alcoholic abuser. I was raised in that environment. The reason I didn’t have people or social skills to deal with my wife as

a female was because the woman I was mad at was my mother. I can’t curse or raise my hand to my momma, but she’s the one who hurt me and my wife was the one paying for it.”

Now married for 27 years, Dr. Davis changed his behavior, then based his doctoral dissertation on transformational leadership and in turn, wrote this book.

In addition to being an author and full-time pastor, Dr. Davis is CEO of Trinity In His House Foundation Inc., a nonprofit, faith-based agency providing transitional housing for drug and alcohol recovering addicts, child care services, and a counseling school.

A graduate of Los Angeles Mission College, he received

PRAISE CONNECT

a master’s degree in Christian Counseling and Psychology from S o u t h Rev. Dr. We s t e r n Wendell J. Bible ColDavis lege and Seminary, and a Ph.D. in Christian Counseling from Louisiana Baptist University.

‘Healing a Wounded Leader’ is available at Word of Life Christian Bookstore, Amazon.com, B Dalton, Barnes & Nobles or by emailing Dr. Davis at psalm123@msn.com.

(Special to the NNPA from the Los Angeles Sentinel)

-A WEEKLY DIRECTORY OF MINISTERS & CHURCHES-

METROPOLITAN BAPTIST CHURCH Dr. Reginald L. Porter Sr., Pastor

767 Walker Avenue Memphis, TN 38126

ASSOCIATE MINISTERS

901-946-4095 fax 948-8311

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

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

WEDNESDAY Bible Study .........................10:30 am Mid-Day Prayer Meeting .....12 noon Evening Prayer Meeting........7:00pm FRIDAY Cable Channel 17 ............... 8:00pm

Dr. & Rev. Mrs. Reginald Porter

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

I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.

— Proverbs 1:7

—Ecclesiastes 9:11

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

(901) 948-3441

Early Morning..........7:45 AM Church School..........9:45 AM Morning Worship......11:00 AM Bible Study For Youth and Adults Tuesday - 7:00 PM “Spirit, Soul, and Body!”

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

TV Cable Access Broadcast Tuesdays, 7:30 PM, Channel 17 Website:www.saintandrewamec.org Child Care Center (901) 948-6441 Monday-Friday 6 AM- 5:30 PM Emergency Food Pantry & Clothes Closet Wednesday 6 PM-8 PM

Rev. Kenneth S. Robinson, Pastor Rev. Marilynn S. Robinson, Pastor

“Ministering to Memphis-Spirit, Soul and Body”

Tri-State Defender

RELIGION

July 4 - 10, 2013

Roma Downey on the set of “The Bible.” (Photo: Courtesy Lightworkers Media/Hist)

NBC to air sequel to ‘The Bible’ miniseries

(CNN) – Everything gets a sequel these days, and that includes “The Bible.”

The Mark Burnett miniseries, which aired on The History Channel in the spring to record ratings, is now getting a second act on NBC. “A.D.: Beyond the Bible” (a working title) starts “in the dark days after Jesus’ betrayal and death,” a statement from NBC says. “A perfect storm brews in the Holy Land, fueled by social injustice, Roman military oppression and religious unrest. ... And in the face of terrible odds and brutal persecution, the small band of Jesus’ disciples stand against the combined might of Rome and their own local authori-

ties. In a generation of rebellion, war, famine, and carnage, who can they trust?”

Burnett will again executive produce the follow-up to his original 10-part miniseries with his wife, Roma Downey, and Richard Bedser.

“Our new series, ‘A.D.: Beyond the Bible,’ is another massive project and a major commitment, but it’s a story that has to be told,” Burnett and Downey said in a statement. “It’s a story that changed the world. We look forward to making this an enormous television event on NBC.” NBC is looking forward to airing the project – and likely to reaping its potential ratings – as well.

“I followed the development process of ‘The Bible’ closely with Mark and knew that the story was far from over after Christ’s Crucifixion,” NBC Chairman of Entertainment, Bob Greenblatt, said in a statement.

“In fact, what happened in the aftermath – which is essentially the beginning of Christianity – is utterly fascinating. The day after ‘The Bible’ premiered, I told Mark we were on board with no hesitation for the follow-up miniseries. This will be attention-getting in every way, and we’re proud to continue our association with Mark which has just grown exponentially from ‘The Voice.’”

Page 7

ENTERTAINMENT Tri-State Defender, Thursday, July 4 - 10, 2013, Page 8

WHAT’S HAPPENING MYRON?

Talib Kweli:

BET Awards, Charlie Wilson – a match that works for me

Rap not ‘talentbased game right now’ CNN

by Eliott C. McLaughlin Call it Talib Kweli’s jailbreak.

While that might mean something different for some rappers, Kweli, 37, sees his latest project as a way to escape the box the music industry and casual hip-hop fan have placed him in.

The “conscious rapper” category is meant for the socially responsible hip-hop artists who don’t see misogyny and violence as integral to cutting a track, even if it’s handy in climbing a chart.

“I have kids, and I feel like there are a lot of young people listening to hip-hop, and they need to hear both sides of it,” the married father of two said, adding that if one segment of rap music wants to revel in the negative, “I’m going to say something that I feel is relevant to right now, try to provide you with a balance. I’m a Libra. I believe in balance.”

Kweli’s new album, “Prisoner of Conscious,” is named after the term coined to describe those jailed for their race or ideas.

But don’t get caught up in the shout-outs to Azerbaijani activist Tural Abbasli, Iranian human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh, various Black Panthers and other prisoners around the world.

While Kweli feels a kinship with imprisoned Russian punk rockers Pussy Riot and others “who make art that resists against systems of repression,” it’s not what he’s getting at with the album title.

Not just a lyricist

Say Talib Kweli to a hip-hop head and it won’t likely conjure club bangers. It might not conjure music. Kweli is a pure lyricist – smart, provocative, political and too rarely noted for his melody. As Jay-Z once rhymed in a backhanded compliment, “If skills sold, truth be told, I’d probably be, lyrically, Talib Kweli.”

The Brooklyn-born rhymesmith takes umbrage with the idea he’s a words-only artist.

Kweli is quick to emphasize he’s worked with top producers, including DJ Quik, the late J. Dilla, Pete Rock and Kanye West.

“I feel like I’ve worked with the best in the business and that’s what’s added to what I do. It’s not just the lyrics,” he said. “I think this might be my least lyrical album, I don’t know, because the music was forefront for me on ‘Prisoner of Conscious.’ That’s really what my focus is. I’m a musician at the end of the day.”

Which may explain why “POC” is more radio-friendly than his last album, “Gutter Rainbows.” Production assists from J. Cole and Wu-Tang’s RZA don’t hurt, and other current and former hitmakers such as Kendrick Lamar, Busta Rhymes and Nelly appear on the mic. But Kweli says he wasn’t digging for a chart topper.

“It was in sync with the theme of the album that I can do whatever I want to do. I’m not really a prisoner of any bias. ... It wasn’t like, ‘Oh, because Kendrick’s hot.’ I just try to choose artists that I really like and that I have a real good relationship with,” he said, noting that the track with Lamar, “Push Thru,” was made two years ago.

Releasing the album on his Javotti Media label afforded Kweli another luxury: time.

Four years of it. He started work on “POC” when Lamar was still K-Dot. “I approached it like, ‘OK, this album’s going to come out and it doesn’t have to be on a schedule.’ I can just work on it until I feel like it’s done,” he said Most of his five solo and four collaboration albums took about a year, though “Gutter Rainbows” took three months, “Liberation” took a week and “Train of Thought” took about two years.

The extra time with “POC” allowed him to think more musically, which wasn’t a stretch. He is, after all, responsible for the classic “Get By” and the Mary J. Blige collaboration, “I Try,” both a la West. He also cut his teeth with DJ Hi-Tek – as the more prominent half of Reflection Eternal – and with the artist formerly known as Mos Def – as the less prominent half of Black Star.

That was the late 1990s, early 2000s, when his songs routinely hit the top six on rap charts, albums the top 15. Reflection Eternal’s “Move Something” reached No. 1.

Genetically conscious

Yet left to his own devices, and his more plainspoken, occasionally darker lyrics about street life, Kweli’s ability to appease critics didn’t translate to sales. To date, his most successful solo effort, 2007’s “Eardrum,” has sold in its lifetime roughly what West’s “Yeezus” sold in its first day or two.

One might postulate that if Kweli focused more on music than message – and maybe alluded to gunplay or spanked an underwear

“Itʼs not really a talent-based game right now. No one takes a gamble. In order for you to have music, you have to be a hustler.” – Talib Kweli (Photo: www.talibkweli.com) money they have than you and telling you basically, ‘I don’t care about poor people’?” he asked, “which is a large part of what you hear of corporate hip-hop on the radio.”

‘You have to be a hustler’

Talib Kweliʼs new album, “Prisoner of Conscious,” is named after the term coined to describe those jailed for their race or ideas.

Talib Kweli is a pure lyricist – smart, provocative, political and too rarely noted for his melody. (Photo: www.talibkweli.com)

model with a champagne bottle in his songs – he might fit more comfortably in the lucrative class of corporate hip-hop.

His DNA and upbringing might work against it, though.

A boarding school product, his parents are a professor and university administrator who named him the Arabic word for student and the Swahili word for truth, Talib Kweli Greene. His brother, a Yale grad, teaches law at Columbia. You could say conscious is in his genes.

Several artists – including Common, Nas, K’Naan, Lupe Fiasco and Damian Marley – have shared their thoughts on the “conscious” classification with CNN in the past, with only Common fully embracing it (Lupe embraced the label, if not a monolithic definition for it).

K’Naan said “conscious” implies a rapper’s lyrics are more responsible or noble than those of his counterparts, a position to which he couldn’t subscribe (Nas and Marley concurred).

“I think those artists hit it on the head. It’s an emotional response,” Kweli said. “Being called conscious is a great thing to be, but it’s the connotations and preconceived notions that come with the buying audience about what conscious music can be.”

Those notions include the sentiment that conscious rap can be “pretentious and corny and condescending.” To a degree, Kweli agrees, but he doesn’t see mainstream rap being any better.

“What’s more condescending and corny than someone telling you how much more

Kweli doesn’t think the best music is making it to the airwaves these days. For an artist to get noticed without label connections (see: career trajectories of J. Cole and Meek Mill), they have to work just as hard at promoting as they do at creating, he said.

“It’s not really a talent-based game right now. No one takes a gamble. In order for you to have music, you have to be a hustler,” he said.

Kweli’s no exception. He has a reputation as tireless in the studio and energetic on stage. And there are the lyrics: “I got a Glock in my brain/that baffle weapon inspectors like Saddam Hussein.”

“When I look at the arc of my career, my focus is on lyricism, right? I own that,” he said.

The guys at the top have hustles, too. Nas and Jay-Z, for instance – and he’s a fan of both – decided like many other rappers they’d focus on painting pictures of their don-like lives.

“You hear it in their lyrics: a lot of lyrics about money – sex, drugs and money and capitalism and greed,” Kweli said. “Not to say that’s what defines them as men, but that’s what a lot of their music revolved around, the themes and the pathologies in the ’hood.”

This is where Kweli’s views are anything but black and white. He’d never include such content in his own rhymes, but he’d also never condemn another rapper for it, even when fans think he should.

“I don’t buy that,” he said.

Take Rick Ross, a correctional officerturned-gangsta rapper who came under fire this year for lyrics glorifying date rape.

Kweli said that Ross, as revolting as his word choice may have been, was a victim of circumstance while other rappers have skated for far worse lyrics. While Kweli would never condone date rape, or the Maybach Music boss’ drug lord persona, he thinks focusing on that distracts from real problems in America’s communities.

“He sounds like he’s living the life of a drug dealer, but I see him putting out records. I think people get it twisted sometimes,” Kweli said. “It’s a little frustrating that people look at hip-hop with such a narrow lens, and sometimes hip-hop don’t help.”

Hip-hop vs. Hollywood

Kweli added that while music, movies nor video games will ever be the source of problems in black communities, “these things can perpetuate behaviors that are already there. ... The challenge is to not get distracted with looking at a symptom, which is negative music, and pretending that that’s a root cause.”

Rap is no different than Hollywood, he said. Rappers lie much like actors do, but where Hollywood is given a pass on fiction, hip-hop is expected to be authentic.

That makes rap an easy scapegoat when there are scarce answers to the poverty, poor education and general lack of opportunity in a community. It also provides a target when leaders won’t or can’t be held accountable.

That isn’t fair to the artists, Kweli said.

“Artists don’t create an environment.

Artists look at the environment, and the best artists correctly diagnose the problem,” he said. “I’m not saying artists can’t be leaders, but that’s not the job of art, to lead. Bob Marley, Nina Simone, Harry Belafonte – there are artists all through history who have become leaders, but that was already in them, nothing to do with their art.”

If this kind of talk is indicative of Kweli focusing on the music and breaking out of the conscious rapper confines, he may need to start tunneling.

I caught the “BET Awards” this past Sunday and surprisingly – pleasantly so – I didn’t feel so much like an old out-of-touch guy like I do during the “BET Hip Hop Awards.” I didn’t even have Myron to keep asking my Mays kids,”Who are these people?”

Usually I would have found something else to do for a couple hours and heard about the show the next morning. But I have to admit, it was time well spent this year. It was a really great show.

I actually had a favorite part. And that part had to be the Charlie Wilson tribute. I can’t think of anyone as deserving as Wilson. This guy has had a heck of a career and one heck of a story!

I must say that India Arie is looking really good these days. I loved her performance of “There Goes my Baby”. Jamie Foxx did well with “Yearning for your Love” and also Stevie Wonder sang “Burn Rubber” as if it was his song.

But after Wilson delivered his acceptance speech, he put on a really, really great performance himself.

Having Justin Timberlake, Snoop Dogg and Pharrell worked and was a good look. I like it when the honorees actually perform as well. Especially when they still sound good like Uncle Charlie does.

R. Kelly came through with a great performance and I am not at all surprised. Robert always seems to have a good performance up his sleeve. What’s funny is that it seemed like he borrowed the choir from Kirk Franklin at the beginning of his set. Still, he made it work! If you forgot R-uh’s discography, you could have been reminded of every hit he has by watching his set. If you missed this one, get to You Tube and check it out right now!

Kendrick Lamar was the big winner of the night leaving the building with three awards for Best Collaboration, Best Male Hip Hop Artist and Best New Artist. I loved his acceptance speech. It’s rare that you find a young rapper with the humbleness this kid displayed. I think it was well deserved.

Other winners included the regulars such as Rihanna for Best Female R&B/Pop Artist, Miguel for Best Male R/B Pop Artist and Chris Brown for the Fandemonium Award.

It wasn’t all about Hip Hop and R&B though. Gospel was represented as well, with powerhouse duo Mary Mary winning the award for Best Gospel Artist.

As for the big screen, Jamie Foxx won the award for Best Actor, coincidentally as his film “White House Down” opened over the weekend.

Foxx’s “D’Jango Unchained” co-star and “Scandal” star Kerry Washington won the award for Best Actress.

The Best Film award was given to Steve Harvey’s “Think like a Man.” This one made me proud. Way to go Steven Hill and the gang over at BET! Job well done!

(For more information on the winners and to catch some of the performances, you can visit BET online at www.BET.com.)

Here’s What’s Happening…

Here’s one I’m proud to be talking about…the hometown legends are getting ready to bring it on home!

This Friday, July 5th, Memphis’ own Bar-Kays will play a rare “club” performance at Minglewood Hall, 1555 Madison Ave. Doors open at 7 p.m. There will even be an after-party, so plan on hanging out for a while.

Tickets are on sale now at the Minglewood Hall box office, online at minglewoodhall.com, or you may call 901-312-6058. Stan Bell will be host and Comedian Prescott will kick off the show.

There’s no better way to explain this one other than saying…“THIS IS MEMPHIS!” I tried to convince myself to take a weekend off for a change; however, I don’t think can. I got to be in the house this Friday night and I will share details with you next week.

Until then, that’s what’s happening!

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

ENTERTAINMENT

Tri-State Defender

OPENING THIS WEEK

Kam’s Kapsules:

Weekly Previews That Make Choosing a Film Fun

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

by Kam Williams

For movies opening July 5, 2013

BIG BUDGET FILMS

“Despicable Me 2” (PG for crude humor and mild action) Action-oriented animated adventure finds reformed evildoer Gru (Steve Carell) grudgingly leaving his recently-adopted daughters (Miranda Cosgrove, Dana Gaier and Elsie Fisher) to spy for the Anti-Villain League in order to apprehend a diabolical criminal (Benjamin Bratt) bent on world domination. Voice cast includes Kristen Wiig, Russell Brand and Dr. Ken Jeong.

“Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain” (R for sexuality, ethnic slurs and pervasive profanity) Concert flick featuring highlights of the irreverent comedian’s 2012 stand-up tour across North America and Europe and culminating with a sold-out performance at Madison Square Garden.

“The Lone Ranger” (PG-13 for violence, intense action and suggestive material) Armie

Hammer handles the title role in this screen adaptation of the classic Western TV series about a legendary lawman who fights greed and corruption with the assistance of his trusty, Native American sidekick (Johnny Depp). With Helena Bonham Carter, Barry Pepper and Tom Wilkinson.

INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS

“A Girl and a Gun” (Unrated) Constitutional rights documentary exploring 2nd Amendment issues relating to self-defense, power and violence via frank interviews with red-blooded, pistol-packing mamas.

“Hammer of the Gods” (R for nudity, profanity, sexual references and graphic violence) Norse fantasy revolving around a musclebound Viking warrior (Charlie Bewley) who embarks on an epic journey in search of the long-lost brother (Clive Standen) banished from the kingdom years earlier by their monarch father (James Cosmo). With Elliot Cowan, Glynis Barber and Ivan Kaye.

“Just Like a Woman” (R for profanity and sexuality) Tale of female empowerment about a couple of miserably-married women (Sienna

Miller and Golshifteh Farahani) who travel from Chicago to Sante Fe to enter a belly dancing competition. With Bahar Soomekh, Tim Guinee and Roschdy Zem.

“The Look of Love” (Unrated) Rags-to-riches biopic about Paul Raymond (Steve Coogan), the reclusive British businessman who became the United Kingdom’s wealthiest citizen before his death in 2008. Co-starring Anna Friel, Imogen Poots and Shirley Henderson.

“Stuck in Love” (R for profanity, sexuality and teen drug and alcohol abuse) Midlife crisis drama about a year in the life of a famous novelist (Greg Kinnear) suffering from writer’s block since being dumped by his wife (Jennifer Connelly). Cast includes Kristen Bell, Lily Collins, Stephen King and Patrick Schwarzenegger.

“The Way, Way Back” (PG-13 for mature themes, profanity, sexuality and brief drug use) Coming-of-age dramedy about a 14-yearold introvert (Liam James) befriended by the gregarious manager (Sam Rockwell) of a water park. Ensemble cast includes Steve Carell, Toni Collette, Maya Rudolph, Amanda Peet, Allison Janney and AnnaSophia Robb.

FILM REVIEW

Kevin Hart: ‘Let Me Explain’ Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Page 9

July 4 - 10, 2013

by Kam Williams

Move over Chris Rock, Eddie Murphy, Steve Harvey and Katt Williams, the hottest black comic around right now is Kevin Hart.

The diminutive, 5’ 2” funnyman has skyrocketed to the heights of showbiz ladder lately, making myriad memorable performances on both TV and film.

This year on TV alone, he’s hosted “Saturday Night Live” and launched a sitcom spoofing reality shows called “Real Husbands of Hollywood.” On the big screen, he can currently be caught in the ensemble comedy “This Is the End,” which comes close on the heels of hits such as “Think Like a Man” and “The Five-Year Engagement.”

“Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain” is a concert flick featuring the best of his recent concert tour across North America and Europe, with stops at ports-of-call as far afield as Vancouver, Toronto, Oslo, Copenhagen and Amsterdam and Birmingham, England. The film opens at a Mix and Mingle party where a frustrated Kevin finds himself accused of letting success go to his head.

That confrontation eventually dissolves into a series of post concert shots all over the world of fawning foreign fans with thick accents gushing about how much they enjoyed

his performance. But the bulk of the material was captured on camera in front of a standing room only crowd at a sold-out Madison Square Garden, the final stop on the circuit.

Kevin’s irreverent brand of observational humor involves opening up his private life for public scrutiny. Employing the recurring theme, “Don’t judge me, let me explain,” he reflects upon subjects ranging from being happily-divorced (“I cheated. Do I regret it?

No!”), to whether he likes dark-skinned girls (Yes), to humping a bean bag while on Ecstasy, to dating advice (“The only thing you don’t want in your house is a female who doesn’t trust you.”).

Be forewarned, Kevin curses liberally and gratuitously sprinkles in the n-word occasionally for further dramatic effect. The personal anecdotes he relates are routinely engaging with satisfying payoffs, the only disappointment being that the picture only lasts less than an hour if you subtract all the time devoted to audience reaction shots.

Nevertheless, you know a comedian has indeed arrived when his punch lines are periodically punctuated by pyrotechnics on stage.

And you know he’s still humble enough to remember where he came from when tears can be seen streaming down his face as he takes bows at Madison Square Garden.

Very Good (3 stars)

Rated R for sexuality, ethnic slurs and pervasive profanity Running time: 75 minutes Distributor: Summit Entertainment

(To see a trailer for Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain, visit: http://www.youtube. com/watch?v=T69cdWclv9I)

HOROSCOPES

July 4-10, 2013

ARIES Mail, e-mail, or telephone brings news of a matter that demands more attention than you might think. Opportunity knocks at work this week. Tonight spend some quality time with your family.

TAURUS Listen well for the indications that money can be found in an unusual place. Social and romantic interest should be your focus this evening. Love comes from what you do not say.

GEMINI Some people may not “get” where you’re coming from, but ask your family and significant other to give you time to explain your way of looking at life this week. Do it calmly and confidentially.

CANCER Now’s a better than usual time for self-reflection and meditation. Share your ideas.

They’re more valuable than you think. Appreciation comes from someone far away. You make the call.

LEO Listen carefully and follow good advice that will come from someone you’ve often regarded as foolish. You run into difficulties with one of your projects; don’t worry, it’s only temporary. How you manage your mind will affect the eventual outcome.

VIRGO If there is someone or something that you’re avoiding don’t panic if you find you must confront what you’ve been hiding from. Wait for things to work themselves out. Don’t force the issue. Time solves more problems than you ever can.

LIBRA Be flexible. Yes, you. There are many ways to be right and your lover or friend will have come up with one that is different from yours.

You‘ll be asked to compromise this week or you just have to give in. Remember you sometimes have to give a little to get a little.

SCORPIO Use your natural magnetism to get to someone who might be hard to reach. If you have a problem that you need to get off your chest tell a relative or friend, don’t hold it inside.

Where’s the party? Find it. You need a social setting to make the magnetism work best.

SAGITTARIUS Even if you can’t be with someone you care for, call that person or send a Soul Vibration to let them know you care. You’ll feel better and so will the person. Take time to meditate on the good things life has in stored for you.

CAPRICORN A person is only as good as their word. If you have made any promises recently remember to follow through. People will be counting on you. Any dissatisfaction you feel might come from not doing what you told someone that you would do.

AQUARIUS If you’re not sure about a business deal ask someone who knows. Asking questions now can help avoid mistakes in the future. The love that you have been looking for is right in front of you. Your ability to see it improves this week.

PISCES Your ability to display enormous grace under enormous pressure will be tested this week.

Use your gifts this week to transcend petty criticism. Consider the source and know that you are doing just fine.

Source: NNPA News Service

Page 10

HEALTH

CHEF TIMOTHY

If you want to live, eat fresh fruits and vegetables Eating fresh fruits and vegetables on a daily basis is key to long life.

But longevity cannot be achieved unless there is a lifestyle change. Too many people are afraid of change.

They’re complacent and uninspired to do what is best for their overall health.

Most people in society are lazy when it comes to taking good care of their health. They don’t eat the right foods and don’t drink enough water to keep their bodies hydrated. Also – and this is just as important – they don’t spend enough time exercising.

Many don’t exercise at all.

In some respects, we don’t think about our health failing. Eating poorly, in addition to living a sedentary lifestyle, is what causes the body to break down and lose its vigor.

Food labels are responsible, in most cases, for causing people to err when choosing what foods to purchase.

You’ll pay a heavy price if you choose to avoid eating life-sustaining foods. What do you have to fear?

Do you really want to be healthy and live a long, happy life? I don’t know about you, but I do. I realize there is a fear of not knowing what’s ahead.

A poor eater under any other name is still a poor eater.

If you don’t face your fears and focus your attention on your health, you’ll be subjected to the ills that will come upon you. So don’t make excuses about your diet. If you’re not eating right, your body will let you know.

Healthy home…

The South Memphis Farmers Market celebrated the unveiling of its new digs last Thursday (June 27) at 1400 Mississippi Boulevard.

The ribbon-cutting event began with a welcome by Roshun Austin, president/CEO of The Works, Inc., and invocation by St. Andrew AME Church pastor, The Rev. Marilynn S. Robinson. Remarks followed by The Works, Inc. Chair, Dr. Kenneth S. Robinson, pastor of St. Andrew, Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell and Diane Rudner of the Plough Foundation. Cathy C. Faust, Shelby County extension director, gave a cooking demonstration. (Photos: Tyrone P. Easley)

If you choose not to give up your favorite foods – particularly if they’re causing you health problems – you’d be risking a lot. And if you’ve been saying, “I’m going to die from something, anyway,” you’d better think twice.

There is no Dr. Timothy quick fix if you Moore want to live a healthy life. What you consume will either help you or harm you. You have to decide whether you want to live or die. Innately, people would choose to live, but bad habits at the kitchen table sometimes supercede the will to live. And being overweight, that’s another story. You cannot lose the pounds if you’re a glutton and shoving the wrong food in your mouth.

It is unrealistic to think that you can live a healthy lifestyle when you’re not eating healthy. So don’t let an illness force you to change your eating habits when you have the power to keep the illness at bay.

Amazingly, there are people who refuse – or are reluctant – to change their lifestyle unless a physician spells out the consequences for their refusal. In my travels across the

CLASSIFIEDS

Tri-State Defender

July 4 - 10, 2013

country, a few individuals have told me that they would change their lifestyle only if their primary care physician explains to them that failure to heed would be a matter of life and death.

You’ll have to work at being healthy. “Faith without works is dead,” the Bible says in James 2:1426. Referencing this passage is germane because you will indeed need faith if you’re going to work to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

I’m no Bible scholar, but health and religion tend to go together. I’m just preaching week after week on how important it is to eat the right foods if you want to live healthy without the complications that will certainly arise from eating unhealthy foods.

As with any change, it has to come from within. You’ll have to make the decision whether to live or die. I know I am being blunt, but I have to get your attention. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables if you want to live.

(Dr. Timothy Moore teaches nutrition, heart disease and diabetes reversal through a plant-based lifestyle. He is a professional speaker, international wellness coach and personal plant-based chef. He is the author of “47 Tips To Reverse Your Diabetes.” He can be reached by email at cheftimothy@cheftimothymoore.com, visit him at www.cheftimothymoore.com or follow him at www.twitter.com/cheftimmoore.)

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Request for Proposals Professional Audit Services The Downtown Memphis and Its Related Entities are seeking proposals for Audit Services. Interested audit firms must submit proposals by Wednesday, July 31, 2013. A detailed RFP for this project can be downloaded from the DMC website at www.downtownmemphiscommission.com.

To receive a copy by mail or fax contact: Christine Taylor, Office Manager Downtown Memphis Commission 114 N. Main St. Memphis, TN 38103 Phone (901) 575-5040 Fax (901)575-5041 Or email taylor@downtown memphis.com.

PUBLIC NOTICE THE MEMPHIS URBAN AREA METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION 2014-17 TIP Review and Comment Period and Public Meetings In compliance with federal regulations (23 CFR 450), the Memphis Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is hereby giving notice that the Draft 201417 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and the Air Quality Conformity Determination Report will be available for a 30day public review and comment period from July 10, 2013 to August 8, 2013. The document will be available, by appointment, from 8:00 AM until 4:30 PM Monday through Friday in the offices of the Memphis MPO located at 125 N. Main Street, Room 450, Memphis, TN 38103 or for download from the Internet at: www. memphismpo.org. The English and Spanish language copies are also available for public review in the library systems of Shelby, Fayette, and DeSoto counties.

Written public comments on the draft study will be accepted through 4:30 pm on August 8, 2013. Comments may be submitted to Pragati Srivastava, Memphis MPO, 125 N. Main Street, Room 450, Memphis, TN 38103 or via email at Pragati.Srivastava@ memphistn.gov. During the 30-day public review period, three public meetings will be held in each county within the MPO for review and comment. The date, time and location of the public meetings are as follows: Fayette County Public Meeting Date: July 16, 2013, 5:30 PM Location: Piperton City Hall 3725 Tennessee 196 Piperton, TN 38017 Desoto County Public Meeting Date: July 16, 2013, 5:30 PM Location: Desoto County Administration Building 365 Losher St #350 Hernando, MS 38632

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Shelby County Public Meeting Date: July 30, 2013, 5:30 PM Location: Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library 3030 Poplar Avenue Memphis, TN 38111 It is the policy of the Memphis MPO not to discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, national origin or disability in its hiring or employment practices, or in its admissions to or operations of its program, services, or activities. All inquiries for Title VI and/or the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), or for persons with disabilities that require aids or services to participate either in the review of these documents or at the hearing may contact John Paul Shaffer at 901-576-7130, fax (901) 576-7272; or email John.Shaffer@memphistn.gov to make accessibility arrangements no less than five days prior to the meeting.

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I, Lawrence King, on June 11,2013 declare this NOTICE to any person, individual, or being that has CLAIMS or LIABILITIES against ( Estate Known As Monza Trust) along with any attachments or interests in said properties: 3474 Fox Meadows, 2883 Emmet, 6039 Rosewind, 5112 Ginger, 6228 Scarletcrest, 5423 Kindlecreek, 5407 Riverdale, 7226 Woodshire, 7355 Woodshire, 5484 Chinkapin Oak, 7126 Country Oak, and 5995 Seminary are hereby notice to come forward and make public any such CLAIMS or LIABILITIES within 30 days of first notice, after which time any and all said claims shall be null and void. Send claims to P.O.Box 40723, Memphis, TN 38174.

ALL INTERESTED BIDDERS The Shelby County Board of Education (Unified School District) will accept written bids for Cafeteria Supplies for the 20132014 School Year.

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Flintco will be accepting bids on the I-55 Welcome Center Replacement project; SBC No. 244/010-02-2009 on 7/11/13.

Flintco is an equal opportunity employer. In keeping with the Fair Business Program, we encourage and invite bids from all Eligible Business Enterprises, including WBE, MBE, SDB, SBE, and HBE companies.

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COMMUNITY

Page 11

July 4 - 10, 2013

BRIEFS & THINGS

Wells Fargo plans Home avoid foreclosure.

Preservation Workshop MULYP Empowerment Wells Fargo & Company is Conference upcoming hosting a free Home Preservation Workshop in Memphis for Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, Wells Fargo Financial, and Wells Fargo Home Equity customers facing financial hardships.

Wells Fargo has invited 1250 mortgage customers to the free workshop, which will be held on July 11 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., at the Memphis Cook Convention Center – South Hall, located at 255 North Main St. Parking for workshop participants is free at the underground parking garage at the Memphis Cook Convention Center.

Homeowners whose loans are “under water” – meaning they owe more on their mortgage than the value of their home – may be eligible to refinance their loan based on criteria including demonstrating ability to repay. Depending on eligibility for a loan modification, homeowners who are behind on their payments may also receive a principal reduction on their mortgage.

Walk-ins are welcome although registration is strongly recommended to guarantee the ability to meet one-on-one with a representative. Customers should register by July 9 at www.wfhmevents .com/leadingthewayhome or call 1-800-405-8067 for more information.

Where possible, borrowers will receive a decision on a workout, loan modification or other options on site or shortly following the workshop.

About 75 Wells Fargo home preservation specialist team members, including bilingual specialists, will be on hand to assist customers. Customers facing mortgage payment difficulties also can call 1-800678-7986 for more information about potential options to

The Memphis Urban League Young Professionals (MULYP) is offering young professionals in Memphis and the Mid-South an opportunity to build their legacy during the Empowerment Conference August 16-18, at the East Memphis Hilton Hotel.

This inaugural conference will offer insights and panel discussions from locally and nationally known business leaders and entrepreneurs, as well as job opportunities and social engagement.

The conference will begin with an event to commemorate MULYP’s 10-year anniversary, paying homage to founders and trailblazers. The “Hiring Lounge” will offer real-time opportunities for job seekers to meet business owners, decision makers, and hiring managers. Mixology is the social event of the conference.

The New Tri-State Defender is the conference media sponsor. The TSD will also launch its new format at the conference. Aaron Arnold, CEO of “Music Is My Business,” will be the keynote speaker for the YP Empowerment Breakfast.

“As we planned the conference, we spoke with young professionals to discover what they really needed and how we could change the young professional experience in Memphis and the Mid-South, and we are prepared to deliver,” said Cynthia Daniels, president of Memphis Urban League Young Professionals.

Tickets for the conference range from $15 to $85 and can be purchased online at http://ypempowerment2013.e ventbrite.com/. For more information, contact Dominique Anderson at 901-236-5298 or email dominique@ onevida.com.

Traffic accident claims life of Memphis DJ icon, Soni D Special to The New Tri-State Defender

by Myron Mays

Kevin Allen Sr. – widely known as legendary Memphis Disc Jockey and Radio Host DJ Soni D – was killed Monday afternoon in Hinkley, Calif., when his 2013 Nissan Rogue collided with another vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Attributing details to San Bernardino County coroner’s officials, the San Bernardino Sun reported that Allen was driving west on Highway 58 near Harper Lake Road at 3:20 p.m. when he drove into eastbound lanes to pass a vehicle in front of him.

A native of Chicago, Allen was considered a pioneer in the Memphis club scene as well as the national radio industry. He is a three-time Billboard Magazine Award Winner for his work as production manager, producer and engineer for “Tom Joyner’s On The Move” nationally syndicated countdown show.

Allen was most known locally for the “Drive at 5” mixes, which airs each evening on a variety of radio stations, including KJMS V101 FM here

in Memphis. He was also host of the weekly syndicated radio prog r a m “Gospel Reflections.”

Soni D DJ was 51.

Soni D News of his death stimulated a flow of Internet condolences and rememberances, including this Facebook entry by Johnnie Walker, executive director of the Memphis & Shelby County Music Commission: “I was awakened to a phone message early this morning and it’s the kind of call you never want to get! I am told we lost my good friend Soni D. to a car crash…my heart is heavy as I post this as we were planning a special celebration that included Soni and he was very excited about it.

“The original ‘Spin Doctor’ true Mix Master, DJ Soni D … always a friend, always helpful, always down, creative genius. I am in disbelief. With love. … RIP my brother!”

Having netted a five-week experience at one of the oldest and most competitive boarding schools in the country, Robbie Williams celebrates on Beale Street. (Photo: Shirley Jackson)

MAHS scholar earns a prestigious summer journey besmith@tri-statedefender.com

by Bernal E. Smith II Robbie Williams, a rising senior at Memphis Academy of Health Sciences High School, left Memphis Monday for a five-week experience at Phillips Academy Summer Session in Andover, Mass. She is one of only two Memphis-area students accepted to attend the prestigious summer program.

Founded in April 1778, the boarding school is one of the oldest and most competitive in the country. Its alumni list reflects a who’s who of American leadership, including William Clarence Mathews (1901), attorney to Booker T. Washington and Marcus Garvey; Presidents, George H.W. Bush (1942) and George W. Bush (1964); and George Bundy Smith (1955), the African-American judge whose landmark 2004 decision ended the death penalty in New York state.

Last week, Robbie and her mother, Kellie Williams, shared their thoughts on the opportunity and her future.

Bernal E. Smith II: So how are you? Are you excited?

Robbie Williams: Yes, very!

BES: Share with us how this opportunity came about for you.

RW: My guidance counselor recommended that I sign up for this program called Memphis Prep. In Memphis Prep, you interview and they take the best students from Memphis and send them to summer prep programs.

BES: What other things do you do as a part of Memphis Prep or is it just about going to summer prep schools?

RW: ACT Workshops, community service projects and more. They really prepare you for college. This was my first year being involved and it’s obviously paying off.

BES: Who is your guidance counselor? It seems our schools need more counselors like her.

RW: Ms. Tara Powell, I’ve had her over the years as a teacher and she definitely cares about her students and expects a lot from us.

BES: How long have you been a student at MAHS? RW: Since the 6th grade, so all of my middle school and high school years.

BES: What are your plans for college, what do you want to do?

RW: Well I definitely plan to go in to the medical field, possibly nursing school with a minor in journalism.

BES: Wow, journalism? Maybe you can come back and work with us here at TSD. I love to help young talent develop and find greater ways to share their views of the world.

Kellie Williams: She’s a good writer too!

BES: So mom, what are your thoughts on this opportunity for Robbie?

KW: I’m very excited, very!

Probably too emotional to even talk about it, but she’s earned it.

BES: It’s an outstanding opportunity not only for Robbie, but for MAHS. To have one of its students chosen to attend such a competitive program is a reflection of the great work they are doing with the students there.

KW: Absolutely, they have done a great job with Robbie and continue to help the students there learn and perform to the best of their abilities.

BES: Robbie, there is a rumor that you are on target to be the valedictorian of your class in 2014.

RW: Yes, that is true! (Big smile) KW: Yes, that is not a rumor it is true! My baby is at the top of her class! (All laughing and smiling) BES: So what is your GPA, if you don’t mind sharing that with

our readers?

RW: No, I don’t! Without my dual enrollment classes added in it’s a 4.2.

KW: We just got her final report card the other day. All A’s!

BES: Wow, so nothing but A’s and taking some college courses already?

RW: Yes, it’s great that we get an opportunity to take college level courses that will count towards the credits we need to graduate (college).

BES: Outstanding! What is your favorite subject?

RW: Core subject would be English and the elective would be creative writing.

BES: What’s your favorite thing about being a student at MAHS? RW: My favorite thing is that it is very family-oriented and you know that they care about you. They really try to help you out. Even if you’re struggling with something, they will make sure you get it. They don’t just let students fall off.

BES: OK, I’m going to put you on the spot! Who is your favorite teacher?

RW: (Laughing) Well, I pretty much like all of my teachers. I don’t really have a favorite!

BES: How about your principal, Mr. Alexander?

RW: …He doesn’t let us make excuses about anything.

BES: Any last things you want to share with our readers?

RW: I would just like to tell other students in and around Memphis that anything is possible as long as you focus and give your best effort every day.

BES: Robbie that’s a great message in so many ways. A young person encouraging other students to get focused and pursue excellence but also demonstrating that it pays off. Walking it and talking it!

RW: Yes sir, that is right!

‘Forty years and still climbing’ …

The Pioneer Black Fire fighters presented their 40th Anniversary Recognition Program at the Fire Museum at 118 Adams Ave. last Friday (June 28). Memphis Fire Director Alvin Benson (above, right) took time to reflect with former Fire Director Chester Anderson.

(Photos: Tyrone P. Easley)

SPORTS

Page 12

Tri-State Defender

July 4 - 10, 2013

‘Hard way’ Joerger ready to grit and grind as Grizz new head coach

by Karanja A. Ajanaku

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Saying he came up “the hard way” – 10 years in the minor leagues – David Joerger made his Memphis debut as head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies.

During a press conference at the FedExForum (June 27), Joerger, who had been an assistant to Lionel Hollins, said his minor-league experience ran the gamut – from being the general manager and head coach to lining up the halftime entertainment and picking up the towels.

“I have an appreciation for being in the NBA,” said Joerger, “and I have an appreciation for being in this position.”

Joerger became a head coach at age 26, a fortunate experience that he said covered 350 games, ups and downs, “the joy of telling a guy that his dream is being fulfilled and he is going up to the NBA,” confrontations, guys injured, losing streaks,

win streaks, playoff runs and championships.

In 2007, Joerger and his family landed in Millington, brought into the Grizzlies organization as an assistant by former coach Mike Ivarone.

His kids attend Lucy public school and he is a member of first United Methodist Church in Millington.

It was part of making the case that he and his family are involved in the community.

What kind of team?

We’re going to push the pace,” said Joerger. “We’re not going to shoot in the first five seconds of the clock. I think that would be silly, regarding the fact that we have two All-Stars playing the power forward and center positions.

“But by opening up the floor and moving the basketball, and spreading the floor a little bit, they are going to have more room to work,” he said. “Other (teams) are not going to have 9 dudes in the paint when Zach (Randolph)

David Joerger

is trying to back down and go to work. …I like three-pointers, but I love lay-ups and I love free throws, and we’re going to put pressure on the rim every time down the floor.”

The Grizz, he said, are a “defensive-identity team” and will remain that way.

“We’re grit and grind and we’re the most physical team in the NBA and we’re going to continue to be so. But now we are going to be playing a little faster.”

Contact with the players

“I’ve talked with everybody,” said Joerger, including dinner with Tony Allen.

“Everybody is fired up, ready to get back to work and get going. …They know me in one way (assistant coach). I know what my voice is as a head coach and they are about to see that.”

Joerger said he told Allen, “Man, I am going to love on you, but if I love on you all

GRIZZ TRACK

• With their first pick and the No. 41 pick overall in the NBA Draft (Jan. 27) the Grizzlies selected Jaamal Franklin of San Diego State.

Jaamal Franklin

• The Griz used the No. 60 selection on Janis Timma of Latvia.

• Grizzlies guard Jerryd Bayless has exercised his

the time, you’re not gonna have any respect for me. And I am going to have my foot in your rear end and if I do that all the time, you’re going to tune me out in about three seconds.”

Returning to his seven years as a head coach in the minors, Joerger said, “I know where the line is. We’re going to have relationships with players that are built upon respect, trust and then hard work.”

Game on!

player option and will return to Memphis for the 2013-14 season.

• The Grizzlies acquired center Kosta Koufos from the

JOERGER NOTES:

College – Moorhead State Served as head coach of the 2006-07 NBA D-League Champion Dakota Wizards.

The sixth head coach (15th coach overall) in D-League history to join the NBA coaching ranks.

Five titles as a head coach.

Two CBA Coach of the Year honors.

Joerger and his wife, Kara, are the parents of two daughters, Alli, 6, and Kiana, 3.

Nuggets for forward Darrell Arthur and the draft rights to Joffrey Lauvergne, the No. 55 overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft.