7 2 2014

VOL. 63, No. 25

June 26 - July 2, 2014

POLITICS 2014

Police association gets behind Wilkins

Community Grand Opening in Overton Square on Saturday Special to The New Tri-State Defender

by Kirstin Cheers

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

by Tony Jones

Combing the names of his two daughters – Hatshepsut (Hatti) and Oluremi (Loo) – Ekundayo Bandele formed the name Hattiloo on Thanksgiving Day of 2005. On Saturday, he and many others will give thanks for the Hattiloo Theatreʼs new location at 37 South Cooper in Overton Square. (Photo: Christopher Hope)

As grand openings go, what’s in store for the Hattiloo Theatre is meant to be much more than a celebration of its new aesthetic structure.

Beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday (June 28th) and continuing through midnight, the black repertory’s new venue at 37 South Cooper in Overton Square will usher in attendees during the Community Grand Opening sponsored by FedEx and The Mustang Fund.

Founder and Artistic Director Ekundayo Bandele, who is known to be meticulous about providing an excellence and presence that serves and validates the black community in the Bluff City, will be center stage.

“Moving (to Overton Square) was the most expensive option, but it was the most viable for long-term,” said Bandele, giving The New Tri-State Defender a sneak peek on Wednesday afternoon.

“It puts black people on the same avenue as their white peers. In a way it says, ‘We deserve this, we deserve a great location; we deserve great customer service, we deserve a night out where we can pick from a dozen restaurants; we deserve an experience.”

Founded in 2006, Hattiloo is one of four independent black theatres in the

Chalkbeat TN

Locked-out Kellogg’s employees see light ‘at the end of the tunnel’

MEMPHIS WEEKEND SATURDAY

H- 8 6o - L - 7 2o H- 9 0o - L - 7 4o Scattered T-Storm Partl y Cl ou dy REGIONAL TEMPS LITTLE ROCK NASHVILLE JACKSON, MS

Friday H-87 L-71 H-84 L-69 H-89 L-72

SUNDAY

H- 9 3o - L - 7 3o Partl y Cl o udy

Saturday H-88 L-72 H-88 L-70 H-90 L-71

Sunday H-93 L-72 H-93 L-72 H-93 L-71

SEE HATTILOO ON PAGE 2

by Tajuana Cheshier

The MLK Parade earlier this year was a prime-time opportunity for locked-out Kelloggʼs workers and supporters to display their fortitude. (Courtesy photos)

FRIDAY

country. It’s home has been a building on Marshall near Downtown. With only eight years of operation under its belt, Bandele credits strict fiscal discipline as his key to success.

While Bandele clearly has a passion for his ongoing Hattiloo venture, he said passion is not enough. “It’s knowing how to spend your dollars, how to save your dollars and how to diversify your cash flow.”

A two-year capital campaign yielded $4.2 million, with contributions from over 200 sources. Starting with the Community Grand Opening, visitors will see that the new Hattiloo – a 10,000-plus square foot building – offers a 150-seat flexible theatre, a 56-seat box theatre, a lobby that can accommodate up to 100 people, a well-outfitted backstage and office amenities aplenty.

The much-anticipated event will include free performances from various groups, including Ballet Memphis and Cazateatro. There are also private tours for Hattiloo subscribers and donors.

It is not at all a stretch to envision the new Hattiloo Theatre as much more than a building, particularly when it is viewed in the context of a storytelling venue. In West African tradition, griots or storytellers were popular for their ability to retain his-

Several tenured teachers face unemployment

SEE POLICE ON PAGE 2

Memphis Police Association President Michael Williams details why the union has backed away from incumbent Steve Cohen and lined up with attorney Ricky Wilkins. (Photo: George Tillman Jr.)

75 Cents

Hattiloo Theatre – new venue, same mission

Will MPA endorsement more traction in 9th District race?

Ninth District congressional candidate Ricky Wilkins says his recent endorsement by the Memphis Police Association is a clear indication that incumbent Steve Cohen is no shoe-in for the August 7th election that will decide who will occupy the seat for the next two years.

The unanimous decision by the union’s political action committee was announced at a press conference Tuesday (June 24) at the MPA’s headquarters.

Hosted by MPA President Michael Williams, the tone of the press conference was salty in its criticism of Cohen. The union endorsed Cohen in his last race, but Williams said that turned out to be mistake.

“We’re not pleased with what congressman Cohen has been doing. On a couple of occasions we have asked him to get involved in some of the issues going on in Memphis and he has refused, so we cannot put our support behind him as we have done in the past,” said Williams.

Cohen had not been reached for comment by TSD press deadline.

Wilkins said the endorsement is an indication that Cohen needs to come down to earth before he envisions a career “watching from his seat in Washington as the city of Memphis grows poorer and poorer under his leadership.”

An attorney by profession, Wilkins said he has never represented the MPA on any legal matters and that he had no personal connections that may have influenced the endorsement.

The union, said Williams, “Simply looked at his background and record of community involvement and decided that he would be the best candidate. There is real pain in this city and it is going to get worse. Our federal

www.tsdmemphis.com

by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell

Special to the New Tri-State Defender

“We’re not there just yet, but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. It’s been a long, hard road. When we were locked out back in October last year, our medical insurance was cut off that same day. My wife has been so sick because we couldn’t afford to get her medication. Just today, we spent $500 on a 30-day supply for one medicine. She hasn’t consistently had what she needed. Her health is so bad now. We’ve just about gone through what we saved up…but this is good news from the courts. After July 10th, this should all be over. Thank God…” – Locked-out employee on the Kellogg’s picket line Two rulings on Monday (June 23rd) against the Kellogg’s Company dealt virtual death blows in the legal battle against 226 Memphis workers locked out of their jobs since

October, 2013.

As members of the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers (BCTGM) Local 252G, the workers are represented by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) on two main issues, including Kellogg’s District Court petition to dismiss the request for an injunction requiring the company to

Union President Kevin Bradshaw and 40plus years employees Laura Justice (right) and Bobbi White.

end the lockout.

“Kellogg’s asked the court to throw out the injunction request because they said the Labor Board had no authority to petition the court in the Memphis Region,” said Kevin Bradshaw, president of the Local SEE KELLOGGʼS ON PAGE 3

Of the 345 teachers Shelby County Schools administrators laid off this school year, almost a quarter of them are tenured teachers who have met or exceeded the state’s performance expectations, an administrator revealed on Tuesday.

Many of the district’s schools have been designated as failing based on their low test scores and are at risk of being taken over by the state. District officials have identified high-performing and dedicated teachers willing to work in low-income communities for several years as the key resource to improving those schools.

The Memphis-Shelby County Education Association filed a lawsuit last month claiming that the district can’t lay off tenured teachers.

“It is the duty of the superintendent to assign (tenured) teachers” to a position at a school, a Nearly 600 dis- v i s i b l y Keith placed teach- irate Williams, the ers have president of secured posi- MSCEA, said public tions, about during comment Tues200 go on pre- day. “It’s imof the ferred hiring moral board to allow list on July 1 such foolishness to occur.”

Administrators were forced to lay off a large portion of their teaching staff after they closed 10 schools and lost several thousand students to the staterun Achievement School District, new charter schools and six municipalities that split from the district.

Of the 345 teachers who were laid off and still haven’t found new jobs, 150 are tenured, 98 are non-tenured and 97 worked at schools that now belong to new municipal districts that split from SCS, according to Sheila Redick, the district’s director human capital. Of the 150 tenured teachers, 85 scored level three or above on teacher performance scores and 65 scored below state expectations.

“Superintendent Hopson and my goal was to make sure we retained the best teachers even through all the uncertainty and unknowns, we want to keep our most effective educators in front of the kids,” Redick said in an interview SEE TEACHERS ON PAGE 2

NEWS

Page 2 POLICE

CONTINUED FROM FRONT

representative cannot pick and choose when to get involved.”

Williams said the union has 2,100 members. A note on the MPA website alerts visitors that the city has 300 fewer officers on the force since 2012.

The MPA and the city were locked in tense pay-structure negotiations in 2011.

Williams said the union called Cohen seeking support.

“He told us he didn’t get involved in local issues. How can you say that and you are a locally elected representative sent to Washington to serve the interests of the people? He never even responded to tell us if he had found out any information, had talked to someone or even if he had his staff check to see if meeting with us was legal.”

Williams said if he had to call on “Congressman Wilkins” on behalf of the association he would not “necessarily expect him to agree with me, but as my congressman I do expect you to look into the situation.”

Williams was asked what Cohen could have done since the city-union negotiations came down to a City of Memphis responsibility. Wilkins fielded the question.

“How can you not respond to these men and women who put their lives on the line for us all everyday of the week? Issues such as this, which are so impactful to our city, cannot be ignored by the federal representative,” said Wilkins.

“I believe there is a role for the federal representative to play. A role that is not being filled by the present congressman because he says, quote, ‘He doesn’t get involved in local issues.’ I would apply any influence or resources available to such matters. Leaders lead whether the situation is easy to deal with or difficult to deal with.”

Email queries to Cohen’s camp hand not been responded to by TSD press deadline. Meanwhile, his office has made a series of announcements that reflect the power of incumbency.

Among Cohen’s latest news is more than $1 million in grants to local homeless help centers, broken down as: $193,224 to Agape Child & Family Services, Inc.; $73,706 to Community Alliance for the Homeless; $477,985 to Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association (MIFA); and $267,330 in two grants to the North Memphis Community Development Corporation.

On Friday, Cohen will host a public meeting with Jan Murphy, acting deputy under secretary for Health for Operations and Management, who is scheduled to visit the Memphis Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Tri-State Defender

June 26 - July 2, 2014 HATTILOO

CONTINUED FROM FRONT

toric information and experiences while “passing them down” to members of their villages, tribes and younger generations.

Hattiloo is the griot of Memphis.

Bandele is a drum major for the importance of the African-American community knowing its history, especially the rich history in Memphis.

“We have a playwright residency program where we help them develop the play, stage the play and they get a percentage of the ticket sales,” said Bandele. “Here’s the difference from other residencies: Brooklyn, N.Y. native Ekun- you have to write about historical dayo Bandele is a drum major black Memphis.” for the importance of the He recalls going to Tom Lee Park African-American community to see the flooded Mississippi. knowing its history, especially Upon reading the inscription on the the rich history in Memphis. Tom Lee statue, he learned that the (Photo: Christopher Hope) hero who saved hundreds of white

TEACHERS

CONTINUED FROM FRONT

with Chalkbeat before Tuesday’s school board meeting.

Redick said that, in accordance with Tennessee’s tenure law, tenured teachers who aren’t hired by Monday, June 30, would be placed on a preferred list to be hired before the beginning of the school year. Being on the list doesn’t guarantee a teacher a position. Redick said all employees

without a position were informed they were being laid off during a meeting on Tuesday.

The lawsuit filed by MSCEA contends that the burden to place tenured teachers lies with Hopson and his staff. But Hopson has said they will not continue to pay tenured teachers who haven’t found jobs by June 30. “We’re following the law,” he said Tuesday.

Myrtle Malone, a high-performing tenured teacher at Gordon Elementary School, has worked with the district for

passengers from drowning in the river was a black man. From Robert Church to Fred Jones to Orange Mound, “all of these stories must be, not just told, but preserved,” he said.

Bandele is about the business of positioning Hattiloo as a catalyst for black kids from Memphis to learn how to embrace their environment.

“It took me loving myself and loving my environment to be proud of who I am and who I am becoming,” he said.

Bandele takes the responsibility of “Memphis Griot” seriously.

He wants the plays and stories from Hattiloo to be archived for the education of future generations.

From the theatre’s new location, Bandele is committed to moving forward with the mission of providing training for local, underrepresented and aspiring artists and actors to come and launch their dreams.

The success stories include students

About a dozen Shelby County School teachers stood in solidarity against the districtʼs preferred teacher hiring list and bonus pay plan. (Photo: Tajuana Cheshier/Chal kbeat TN)

41 years but was given a letter signed

by Hopson this past spring that said she would be out of a job because the district decided to close her school due to millions of dollars worth of maintenance needs and low-enrollment.

Malone could retire, but she wants to keep teaching.

“I’ve applied, but I haven’t heard back from anyone,” Malone said.

She told board members Tuesday that an administrator had taught her and several other displaced teachers how to purchase food stamps at a re-

such as Vivian Houston, a native Memphian who was studying at Southwest Tennessee Community College when she auditioned for the role of Ma Rainey in Hattiloo’s “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.” Overwhelmed by her talent, Bandele said he cancelled auditions for the rest of the day.

“I want black people in Memphis to realize how green the grass is under their feet. I want Hattiloo to be a magnet; I want people to move here to train,” he said.

“Then, when you have people from all over the country to come here to train, then locals will say, ‘The grass is really greener under my feet.’ That’s what I want. I think we need to see other people appreciate it first.”

(For more information, visit hattiloo.org.)

(Follow @k_cheers.)

Kirstin

Cheers

cent meeting.

For the 1,000 teachers who worked at a closing school, the district has held three hiring fairs to help displaced teachers find new employment. Almost 455 teachers attended those fairs. Redick said they have hired 584 teachers from those schools.

This is the first year the district used a new “mutual consent” policy that requires the teacher and the principal to want to work together. In prior years, principals were forced to hire teachers based off seniority or teachers were placed by senior-level administrators.

“Direct placement of teachers has a negative impact on teacher effectiveness,” Redick said. “Last year we direct-placed 30 teachers and we tracked their performance and it’s a full point lower than teachers hired by mutual consent.”

Redick said she anticipates another 200 to 400 positions opening in late July due to late retirees, resignations or teachers who didn’t get their licenses renewed. Redick said the district is not taking employee layoffs lightly.

“Our goal is to continue supporting teachers,” Redick said. “Even though June 30 is their last day, it’s absolutely not the last day for opportunities. This is an ongoing process. Be active, be engaged. If there are additional hiring fairs, be sure to attend and sell yourself, use your connections and talk about your performance. Talk about how you’ve moved students to grow and learn.”

NEWS

Tri-State Defender

Page 3

June 26 - July 2, 2014

KELLOGGʼS

New leadership for ArtsMemphis

CONTINUED FROM FRONT

252G. “Judge Samuel Mays shot that request down.

Kellogg’s also wanted the court to disallow thousands of pages of documents and testimony of workers that the union presented in its effort to prove the illegality of the lockout, said Bradshaw.

“Judge Mays refused that request also. So this has been a good week for us. We had until June 30th to get all our papers in to the District Court.

Kellogg’s has until July 10th to submit refuting documentation. It looks like this lockout is about to be over, thank God.” In a document submitted to the District Court on behalf of the Kellogg’s Company, Jon Smucker, senior director of Network Optimization, Kellogg North America, declared that he “shares the responsibility for managing the operational costs and logistics associated with Kellogg’s bargaining proposals” for various plants, including the Memphis location. “(If) the Memphis plant is enjoined from implementing its bargaining proposals, it will lose an estimated $8.4 million in savings over a 36-month period,” Smucker asserts in the submitted document.

Smucker’s calculations are based on the hiring of “133 new casual employees”: 60 new hires in the first 12 months, 118 new hires after 24 months, and 133 new hires after 36 months. Workers would no longer be entitled to full benefits, but Smucker contends the Memphis plant would “increase jobs” and be “a much more secure plant.”

Bradshaw and Local 252G officials noted that the company makes no acknowledgment of the locked out union workers, or any “substantial action to make each family whole.”

“Kellogg’s has no intention of its own accord to make things right,” said Bradshaw. “The company has complained about how much money it has cost to lock us out, like it was our fault.

Multiply all the numbers by eight months, and you would be amazed.

“On scabs who have replaced us, Kellogg’s submitted figures to the court of what has been spent: $2.4 million on their food, but they never provided us a meal for our families; $4 million for rooms at the Hilton for them, but some of our locked our employees have lost their homes and are now homeless. We pray that God will rectify all the wrong when we have our day in court.”

Locked out of their jobs since October, Kelloggʼs employees, who blended their cause into the MLK parade, now are buoyed by two recent court rulings. (Courtesy photo)

BCTGM International President David Durkee said, “We are pleased with Judge Mays’ decisions and we remain confident that our members and their families will soon have further legal validation that upholds our contention from day-one concerning the illegality of Kellogg’s actions in Memphis.

“The unnecessary suffering imposed by Kellogg on these 226 families has occurred for one reason and one reason alone; Kellogg’s insatiable thirst for profit even if it means destroying the very lives of its employees and their families to achieve it.”

On a specially designed website (www.kelloggnegotiations.com) to address the Memphis lockout issues, Kellogg’s has posted the following information regarding what it has called “Fact” and “Myth.”

• FACT: Kellogg is operating in an increasingly tough ready-to-eatcereal category, which has led to excess capacity and an unsustainable cost structure at Kellogg’s U.S. cereal plants, including in Memphis.

• FACT: Kellogg has offered a solution that will best position the Mem-

phis plant for future sustainability, while protecting the exceptional salary and benefits current employees receive.

• FACT: Under this proposed contract, current employees will continue to enjoy their good wages and benefits, which amount to an annual average salary with overtime of nearly $100,000 and healthcare coverage for employee and spouse at no contribution from them for life.

• FACT: New employees would also earn a good living – the proposed $22 per hour is still 17 percent-42 percent higher than similar Memphis jobs.

• FACT: Union leadership has not provided any proposals in writing and has not allowed its membership the opportunity to vote to keep their strong pay and benefits.

• FACT: All of Kellogg Company’s proposals can and should be bargained as part of the supplemental contract negotiations.

• MYTH: According to this proposed contract, current employees would lose seniority to new hires. Not true. Current employees would main-

tain seniority.

• MYTH: This proposed contract and the hiring of new employees would put the job security of current employees in jeopardy. False. Hiring new employees would not affect the job security of others.

• MYTH: New employees would not be provided healthcare benefits.

False. Although not part of our formal proposals, we did have discussions with the Union about Kellogg’s willingness to explore providing healthcare insurance and 401(k) to new, “casual,” employees.

• MYTH: Based on this proposed contract, new employees would be part-time workers. Untrue. New employees would be full-time workers.

• MYTH: Union leaders continue to work toward a resolution. False.

Union leaders left the table days before negotiations were set to end, and they never returned.

• MYTH: Kellogg is unwilling to meet or work with the union to reach an agreement. Not true. Through a mediator, Kellogg offers every week to meet with the union. As of yet, the Union has not accepted the invitation.

Susan Schadt, who has been president and chief executive officer of ArtsMemphis for the past 13 years, has Elizabeth stepped Rouse down as president of the arts funding organization. She will continue as CEO until Dec. 31, when she will become CEO and owner of Wild Abundance Publishing, a Memphis-based firm that specializes in the publication of books that focus on conservation and the arts.

Elizabeth Rouse, ArtsMemphis’ chief operating officer, has been elected president and COO by the Board of Directors of ArtsMemphis. Rouse, who joined ArtsMemphis in 2006, also has served as the organization’s chief development officer. She will become president and CEO on Jan. 1.

“Elizabeth is a fantastic asset to ArtsMemphis and our great success over the years is based in large part on her contributions, including her expertise in fundraising and grant making. I have deep respect for and much confidence in Elizabeth and her leadership skills,” Schadt said.

Since 2002, ArtsMemphis has allocated more than $45 million to arts organizations in Memphis and Shelby County.

“Susan has been a strong and an important voice for ArtsMemphis. Under her leadership, ArtsMemphis completed a $27.2 million endowment campaign, benefited from the transformational rebrand of the entire organization and formed an innovative and successful partnership with Ducks Unlimited,” said ArtsMemphis Board Chairman Bob Craddock.

“We look forward to Elizabeth’s leadership and vision as ArtsMemphis continues to support the growing arts community throughout our area.”

Page 4

OPINION

Tri-State Defender

June 26 - July 2, 2014

John H. Sengstacke Publisher (1951 - 1997)

The Mid-Southʼs Best Alternative Newspaper

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

Children enrolled in music lessons are less likely to become involved with the wrong crowds and this includes gangs.

Music education: An investment in our children

SPECIAL REPORT

Mobilizing key groups can change deep South politics NNPA News Service

by Freddie Allen

As voters’ rights advocates and civil rights leaders embrace the 50th anniversary of the 1964 “Freedom Summer” in Mississippi, a new study by the Center for American Progress finds that shifting demographics in the South can help to accelerate meaningful social and political change.

The report titled, “True South: Unleashing Democracy in the Black Belt 50 Years After Freedom Summer,” defined the Black Belt, a region known for its rich soil and history of plantation slavery, as regions in the following: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.

According to the report, between 2000 and 2010, “the non-Hispanic white population in the South grew at a rate of 4 percent, while the socalled ‘minority’ population in the region experienced a 34 percent growth, the greatest out of any region in the country.”

Nearly 60 percent of blacks live below the Mason-Dixon line and blacks account for about 20 percent of the total population in the South. The report also noted that 40 percent of the blacks that relocated “to the South since 2000 were between the ages of 21 and 40 years old” and researchers said this group will likely settle and start families increasing the number of blacks living in the region.

The report continued: “These trends could have a major effect on the region’s politics because voters of color tend to be more progressive and vote overwhelmingly for progressive candidates.”

Changing demographics, frustration with right-wing extremists and the growing number of young voters will play a role in the growing progressive electorate pushing back on “a long history of polarization” in the Black Belt.

Republican state lawmakers in the Black Belt, who may feel threatened by the growing diversity among potential voters, have enacted a number of laws that have a disproportionate impact of the quality of life of the poor, blacks and other minorities.

According to the report, “nine states have passed laws requiring voters to bring photo identification to the polling booth in order to cast a traditional ballot” and governors in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas refused to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, “effectively denying health care to millions of their citizens, overwhelmingly the poor and people of color.”

The report continued: “Eleven states have passed ‘right-to-work’ laws, which discourage organizing by unions. They are: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.”

During a panel discussion about the CAP report, Derrick Johnson, president of the Mississippi NAACP State Conference and the national cochair of the Mississippi Freedom Summer 50th Anniversary, said that there’s “a deficit of morality in the South, because people are not seen as people they are seen as exploitable cheap labor.”

Johnson added that access to the polls free of voter suppression, access to quality education, access to health care and workers’ rights are the primary issues that civil rights activists must focus on and organize around so that the South can progress.

The report said that today’s civil rights leaders and stakeholders should learn three key lessons from the Freedom Summer of 1964: voter registration can overcome voter suppression, coalition-building is the

Tri-State Defender Platform

1. Racial prejudice worldwide must be destroyed.

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

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

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

5. Complete cessation of all school segregation.

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

key to transformative political power, and that a successful movement is a marathon, not a sprint.

Stacey Abrams, House minority leader in the Georgia State Assembly, said people that have never voted hear about voter intimidation and voter suppression, but they don’t know what that means.

“You don’t know if you’re going to stand in line and cause trouble, you don’t know if you’re going to lose your job, you don’t know what that card is that you keep hearing about and you know that you don’t have whatever ID they think you should have,” said Abrams.

More than 800,000 black, Latino and Asian Americans are not registered to vote in Georgia, said Abrams. It takes less than half of that, just 260,000, to change a statewide election.

“If you change Georgia, you begin to change the South and if you change the South you change the nation,” explained Abrams. “All of those social policies that we like to talk about can be lived in the Deep South and if they are lived and realized they can be exported to the rest of the country.”

Abrams said that voters’ rights advocates and community stakeholders have to start talking about voter identification in a more positive way.

Ben Jealous, senior fellow for Center for American Progress, former president of the NAACP, and author of the report said, “Right now, when we talk about the South, we end up talking about voter suppression.

What we really need to be talking about is the need for massive voter registration.”

The report said that “registering just 30 percent of eligible unregistered black voters or other voters of color could shift the political calculus in a number of Black Belt states” and “Registering 60 percent or 90 percent would change the political calculus in an even greater number of states.”

The CAP report cited Maryland, where a number of progressive policy changes are taking hold, as an example of a state where a slavery was once commonplace and now a diverse electorate has had a significant political impact.

“It is easy to forget that Maryland enslaved half its population at the time of the Civil War and that it is the state from which Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass escaped,” said the report. “Yet Maryland sits below the Mason-Dixon Line, and it practiced legalized segregation up until 1954.”

In just a few years, “The Free State” has experienced a number of key legislative reforms including a ban on the death penalty, the legalization of same-sex marriage, decriminalization of small amounts of marijuana, and the extension of early voting and same-day registration.

The report continued: “Maryland shows what can happen when people come together across old lines of separation and division to promote progressive values and policies. Maryland is not seceding from the South, instead it is demonstrating what the South’s future can and should be.”

Still, the report suggested that changing politics in the Black Belt won’t be an easy battle for pollsters and others seeking to energize potential voters in the South and across the country.

The report estimated that nearly 21 million members of the so-called “Rising American Electorate,” consisting of “people of color, unmarried women, and youth voters ages 18 to 29 years old,” that voted in 2012, might not vote in the 2014 elections.

Organizers and voters’ rights advocates still have a long march ahead.

“What the ‘Freedom Summer’ taught us is that the antidote for massive voter suppression is massive voter registration,” said Jealous.

“There is a dormant majority throughout the South that can be unleashed if we can get back to the spirit of the ‘Freedom Summer’ and focus on massive voter registration.”

DISTRIBUTION: Tri-State Defender is available at newsstands, street sales, store vendors, mail subscription and honor boxes throughout the Greater Memphis area. No person may, without prior written permission of the Tri-State Defender, reprint any part of or duplicate by electronic device any portion without written permission. Copyright 2013 by Tri-State Defender Publishing, Inc. Permission to Publisher, Tri-State Defender, 203 Beale Street, Suite 200, Memphis, TN. 38103. Back copies can be obtained by calling the Tri-State Defender at (901) 523-1818, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.

Mt. Zion Church, where Michael Schwerner and James Chaney spoke and urged its all-black congregation to register to vote, was one of 20 black churches in Mississippi firebombed in the summer of 1964.

Mississippi? ‘I’ll go as far as Memphis’

The 50th anniversary of Freedom Summer is being commemorated this week in Mississippi and it provides the perfect backdrop to reflect on the transformation of not only Mississippi, then the deadliest state in the nation, but the entire region.

As I have written in the space before, there was a popular joke about Mississippi making the rounds during the height of the Civil Rights Movement. Supposedly, a Chicago seminary student was awakened at 3 a.m. by a voice imploring him: “Go to Mississippi! Go to Mississippi!!

Go to Mississippi!!!” The seminary student said, “Lord, you said that you will be with me always, even until the end of the earth. If I go to Mississippi, will you go with me?” The heavenly voice replied, “I’ll go as far as Memphis.”

Of course, if the Lord was reluctant to go to Mississippi, the chances of a black surviving there were slim and none. I had just completed my junior year at Druid High School in Tuscaloosa, Ala. in the summer of 1964. Alabama had its own violent history when it came to race relations, but Mississippi was the one state we knew was worse. In fact, whenever a national ranking of any kind came out, we would always say, “Thank God for Mississippi.”

Of course, we all awaited the beginning of Freedom Summer, a national mobilization of mostly college students who would descend upon Mississippi in 1964 to help civil rights activists, led by Bob Moses of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), assist blacks in voter education and voting.

More than 1,000 students, about 90 percent of them white, participated.

With so many northern whites descending on the state, the nation would be watching. And blacks like me, who grew up under America’s version of apartheid, knew that virulent white racists in Mississippi would not go quietly into the dark.

They would go into the dark – where they did their most tawdry work – but they wouldn’t be quiet about it.

And sure enough, at the outset of Freedom Summer, three civil rights workers – James Chaney, Michael Schwerner and Andrew Goodman – were arrested in Nashoba County by Sheriff Cecil Price, a member of the Ku Klux Klan. That night, they were released. Tipped off about their impending departure, Klansmen abducted the three and murdered them. Their bodies were discovered seven weeks later 15 feet below an earthen dam.

While looking for the three civil rights workers in rivers and swamps, other black bodies were discovered.

One was Herbert Oarsby, a 14-yearold boy who was wearing a Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) T-shirt.

The bodies of Henry Hezekiah Dee and Eddie Moore, who had been expelled from Alcorn A&M College for civil rights activities, were also discovered. The remains of five more black men were found, but never identified.

It wasn’t until 1970 that anyone was imprisoned for the slayings of Chaney, Schwerner and Goodman,

with six years being the longest time served.

In 1964, only 6.7 percent of blacks were registered to vote, the lowest in the nation. Today, more than a third of Mississippi’s voters are black George E. and the state has Curry the largest number of black elected officials in the nation.

But that progress came with a price, with people losing their jobs – and even their lives – simply because they wanted to exercise their constitutional right to vote. The casualities extended beyond the three civil rights workers.

According to the book, “Freedom Summer” by Doug McAdam, in the summer of 1964 alone: • At least four blacks from Mississippi were murdered because of their civil rights activities: • Four people were seriously wounded; • 80 summer workers were beaten; • 1,062 people were arrested; • 37 churches were burned or bombed and, • The homes or businesses of 30 African Americans were bombed or burned.

Visiting college students weren’t the only ones responsible for the success of that summer. When Berea College withdrew as a training site for students headed South, Western College for Women in Oxford, Ohio, now part of Miami University, stepped forward.

Attorneys volunteered from the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, the National Lawyers Guild and the ACLU. Medical professionals, participating as individuals as well as members of the Medical Committee for Human Rights, also joined the caravans headed to Mississippi.

The level of national support emboldened black Mississippians, such as Fannie Lou Hamer, to challenge the seating of the all-White Mississippi delegation to the 1964 Democratic National Convention in Atlantic City.

As Attorney Thomas N. Todd likes to remind us, this was done before the existence of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other social media.

It’s good that civil rights vets are celebrating Freedom Summer this week. But the challenge today is to reignite that passion and sense of commitment. Many of the problems of 1964 are still prevalent today. We need another Freedom Summer, Winter, Fall and Spring.

(George E. Curry is editor-in-chief of the National Newspaper Publishers Association News Service (NNPA.) He 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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Parenting is not an easy task.

Babies become pre-teens, teens and young adults quickly. All the while, there are so many negative things out there to connect and capture our children.

Parents Brenda have to stay Buford-Shaw tuned to everything their children do, everywhere they go and who they are friends with.

Video games and music with terrible lyrics sometimes transform our children’s thoughts and actions into worldly desires. While in middle school, insist that your child join the band, orchestra or choir to direct some of that youthful energy into the needed discipline music provides.

If your school doesn’t have such a program, or if there is no space, enroll them in private music piano, organ, voice lessons, guitar, drums or any of many others that will provide hours of required practice. That will result in personal enjoyment and higher self-esteem.

Children enrolled in music lessons are less likely to become involved with the wrong crowds and this includes gangs. Music is a discipline and its rewards last a lifetime.

Parents, while some of you invest in expensive shoes, jewelry, video games, etc., you should channel your parenting fund to invest in your child’s future. Math scores are higher when students study music. And there’s college. Music instruction sometimes helps in college funding in the form of grants.

It has been said that music is the Universal Language and I bear witness. Parents, stay involved with your children!

(Brenda Buford-Shaw is a music education specialist.)

FACEBOOK FAN OF THE WEEK

Name: Ferdie King

Ferdie King is this weekʼs TSD Facebook Fan of the Week!

A native Memphian, King makes sure to stay updated on the latest news. She also loves sports, especially the Memphis Grizzlies and Tennessee Titans.

Thanks Ferdie King for excelling in Memphis and for being a part of the TSD Facebook family!

Your letters to the editor are welcome. For verification, please include your name, address and telephone number.

Mail to: In The Mail, Tri-State Defender, 203 Beale St., Ste. 200, Memphis, TN 38103 E-mail: inthemail@tri-statedefender.com Maximum length: 300 words (subject to editing for clarity)

IN THE MAIL

Tri-State Defender

NATIONAL

June 26 - July 2, 2014

Page 5

U.S.-African leaders summit long overdue NNPA News Service

by Benjamin F. Chavis Jr.

Q&A: Early childhood education, Common Core and America’s future New America Media

by Khalil Abdullah David Lawrence Jr. arrived in Miami in 1989 as an experienced newspaper journalist and continued his stellar career for another decade at the Miami Herald. He then retired to devote himself to improving the childhood years of America’s children. He chairs the Children’s Movement of Florida, a statewide, non-partisan, advocacy organization that focuses on issues critical to the early stages of life. In an interview, which has been edited, with NAM editor Khalil Abdullah, Lawrence makes the case for why Floridians should adopt the Common Core state standards.

What is your stance on Common Core?

I support Common Core totally. No question in my mind that if we are going to compete internationally as a country, we need national standards. States will continue to play the primary role in achieving this.

Florida has had, as so many other states, a dust up over what’s happening here with Common Core. In Florida, we say Florida Standards. Our state has tinkered a bit with the Common Core State Standards, but I think they’re very closely aligned.

David Lawrence Jr.

Is the controversy around Common Core driven by ideology?

Some people on the significant right have argued, “My gosh, this is a loss of freedoms.” I don’t believe that for a second. I see no evidence of it whatsoever, and frankly, we’re going to lose our freedom if we become uncompetitive as a country.

One of the saving graces in Florida has been Jeb Bush, the former governor, a Republican, who has strongly supported Common Core and, I think, who has served as cover for a lot of other people, particularly Republicans [to support it also].

How does Common Core dovetail with your work on early childhood issues?

My own work is devoted to building a movement, and a movement about early childhood can only be about everyone’s child. Common Core is about all children. And I here would quote former President George W. Bush, who talked about the “soft bigotry of low expectations.” I think that does exist in many ways in America. We need to see every child’s potential and give every child the fullest potential to succeed in school and in life. Common Core is about that.

My work really focuses on pre-natal to age eight, the early childhood years. [But] we need to see life and school as a continuum. High-stakes testing begins in third grade in this country, state by state. The work we do in early childhood needs to connect with that. I’m not talking about testing, high-stakes testing for three-year-olds, or five-year-olds, or six-year-olds, for that matter. I am talking about work that would help children be ready to succeed in all ways. Children need to grow not only physically and intellectually, but also socially and emotionally, behaviorally and developmentally. It all connects.

Can you reflect on some steps that have strengthened this movement for Floridaʼs children?

I helped lead an effort in 2002 to pass a constitutional amendment that provides free prekindergarten for all four-year-olds in Florida – not mandatory, but voluntary. And now 175,000 four-year-olds are in the program, which is more than 70 percent of those in the state.

Corporations have long been pressing states to focus on improving public education. Are we finally nearing the apex of public awareness about investing in this area?

There have been many reports and moments along this continuum. For instance, we had the Committee for Economic Development report, the Carnegie Commission Report on Higher Education; we had the moment of awareness about human brain development. In Florida, the Florida Chamber Foundation, which is a very key business group, announced an early childhood business alliance in April. That’s a very significant development.

Having said all that, we’re still fairly nascent in having people understand this issue, but the President, in his last two State of the Union messages, talked about [it]. Though nothing seems to be moving in Congress, the action, in any event, is going to be more in the states.

What I most want is the President to continue to use his bully pulpit.

Business people complain frequently, as you’ve just noted, about the quality of graduates, little realizing it isn’t really about fixing college, or the eleventh grade, or the seventh grade.

It’s about investing early for the highest return on investment. If we understand that, we can make real progress.

How do you anticipate this agenda moving forward?

I work with wonderful young people who will be involved with this issue long after my own lifetime. The state director of the Children’s Movement of Florida is 30 years old. His number two is 35 years old. Both are lawyers who could be out there making more money, but have decided, “Hey, I want to devote more of my life to making a difference in the future of this country.”

We have 17 regional committees around Florida; we have more than 100,000 followers of the Children’s Movement of Florida. Hard to know where you are in history when you are living it or working it. So, I can’t tell you exactly where we are, but we now have attentiveness on this issue of a degree we’ve never had before.

For instance, Gov. Rick Scott made it a big point of speaking out on this issue on several occasions, including at a major forum we had with the Florida Chamber, Florida Tax Watch, and the Florida Council of 100. I need to work with people in both parties and no party. This is about the competitive future of Florida and the future of children.

Why do you think Floridaʼs success with early childhood development and the Common Core could be indicative of Americaʼs future?

Florida, with 19 million people, is now the fourth largest state and, within a few years, will easily become the third largest in the Union. We are a state that has always been characterized by change, and, if anything, change is accelerating.

Where I live, Miami-Dade County is larger than 16 states in the Union. Twenty percent of the community is African American or black … we have many tens of thousands of black residents who are not African American and who may look at things, including racism, in a somewhat different way.

And people would say, ‘Yes, I know 65 percent of the population is Hispanic, and I know a lot of Cubans live here,’ but the Cuban American population is only half the Hispanic population. We have enormous populations of Columbians, Nicaraguans, Dominicans – the list goes on and on.

We live in a country where there are now more children of color born than otherwise. By the end of this decade there will more children of color, period. By the middle of this century, what we now call ‘minorities’ will be in the majority. Miami could serve as a place where we get with the future; we learn fully how to respect our differences and celebrate what we have in common. I think that’s entirely possible.

President Barack Obama will once again make national and international history when the White House hosts the first United States – African Leaders Summit on August 5-6. In the 238-year history of the United States, no U.S. president has ever invited the presidents of each African nation to convene in Washington, D.C. Announcing the purpose of the summit, the White House stated, “President Obama looks forward to welcoming leaders from across the African continent to the Nation’s Capital to further strengthen ties with one of the world’s most dynamic and fastest-growing regions. The Summit will build on the progress made since the President’s trip to Africa last summer, advance the Administration’s focus on trade and investment in Africa, and highlight America’s commitment to Africa’s security, its democratic development, and its people.”

According to the U.S. State Department, the upcoming U.S. – African Leaders Summit will bring the largest number of heads of state ever to be assembled in Washington, D.C. U.S. News & World Report cautioned about what it considered to be “Obama’s High-Risk Africa Summit,” noting, “The president is breaking tradition during a meeting with more than 50 African leaders.”

Gird yourself for strident attacks on President Obama because of this bold initiative on Africa.

Instead of applauding this move to improve relations with the continent that is home to seven of the 10 fastest-growing economies in the world – Ethiopia, Mozambique, Tanzania, Congo, Ghana, Zambia and Nigeria.

Without a doubt, the summit is a positive step forward and a long overdue break with the past traditions and “benign neglect” policies of the U.S. toward Africa.

Interestingly, both China and Japan have already sponsored and financed successful African leaders summits. Led by China, Asia is the biggest investor in Africa. What do Asians see or know about Africa that Americans appear to be so slow to grasp? In fact China and Japan have made separate investment commitments to Africa that now total more than $60 billion.

In addition to bustling economies, Africa not only has the world’s largest supply of natural and minerals resources. Beyond the vast reservoirs and deposits of oil, gold, diamonds, platinum, uranium, copper, cobalt, iron ore, tantalum, tin and tungsten, the greatest natural resource throughout Africa is its people.

Even after centuries of oppression, slavery, colonialism, and neocolonialism, and other

In the 238-year history of the United States, no U.S. president has ever invited the presidents of each African nation to convene in Washington, D.C. – until now.

forms of massive economic exploitation, African people are resilient and focused on improving their overall quality of life. There is an axiom that still holds true for Africa: As the cradle of civilization emerged from the heart of Africa, so shall the future rise of all of humanity.

The reality is President Obama is now attempting to lead the U.S. in a strategic effort to “catch up” with other global investors who are helping shape the future of Africa. The return on these investments will be tremendous. We need to find additional ways and means to ensure that unprecedented networking and new business development opportunities be also pursued by African-American leaders and organizations during these summit meetings.

That is why we are sending out this action alert. You need to know about this summit, not just a curious observer, but as a responsive and responsible grassroots activist or as a globally conscious entrepreneur. Let’s continue to be change agents. As we help Africa, we help ourselves, our families and our communities.

The U.S.-African Leadership Summit should be more than a “meet and greet” event. My hope is that President Obama will establish lasting and binding “empowerment” relationships and investments with Africa en route to freedom, justice and equality for all.

(Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. is president of Education Online Services Corporation and the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network and can be reached at: http://drbenjaminfchavisjr.wix.com/drbfc.)

BUSINESS

Page 6

Tri-State Defender

June 26 - July 2, 2014

ON OUR WAY TO WEALTHY

‘Mr. Gotti the Restaurateur’ As a foodie, I enjoy experiencing new restaurants, concepts, dishes and atmospheres. Memphis has a winner in the Privé Restaurant, thanks to Mario Mims, aka Yo Gotti.

Privé is French for private and the Privé Restaurant can only be described as incredible dining.

Hailing from North Memphis, Gotti, embraces his background and upbringing in his recordings and music.

Rapping since the age of 14, he has come a long way. One of his most popular mainstream songs is “5 Star Chick” and Privé has all the elements of a 5-star restaurant.

Making big moves in the music business by signing a distribution deal with Epic Records through L.A. Reid, Gotti is diversifying his investments with the addition of the restaurant in Hickory Hill.

As the CEO of CMG (Collective Musik Group), he has had a decade of traveling and touring from city to city. A part of that lifestyle is experiencing the best of the best as far as cocktails, food and entertainment.

Gotti has definitely brought his wide-ranging dining experiences home for all to share and witness. With a restaurant that compares to any of the best in Memphis, get used to this description: “Mr. Gotti the Restaurateur.”

Dining experience

To be sure that my first experience was not a fluke, I dined twice looking for consistency in my food. Not only

Privé has all the elements of a 5-star restaurant

was it consistent, it was delicious, delectable and pleasing to the eye.

T h i s menu is upscale in e v e r y Carlee McCullough way. The appetizers include chicken and andouille s p r i n g r o l l s , spinach and artichoke dip, firecracker shrimp, shrimp and c r a b cakes. The shrimp and crab cakes melted in m y mouth.

Yes, I said shrimp and Yo Gotti crab cakes (yogotti.com) combined.

As an appetizer it is very filling, but you cannot stop.

There are soups and salads that make your mouth water.

The ultimate dishes are the entrées. The poultry section consists of an herb roasted half chicken served with au jus and herb butter and a southwestern grilled chicken topped with pico de gallo, tortilla strips, and chipotle

Memphis has a winner in the Privé Restaurant, thanks to Mario Mims, aka Yo Gotti. aioli.

My favorite areas of the menu included the Steaks & Chops and From the Sea. The Steaks & Chops included a ribeye served with tabasco fried onions and their house herb butter. There is a filet mignon and a glazed barbecue porterhouse pork chop topped with caramelized apples.

I was drawn to the smoked rack of lamb on my first trip and the lobster bowl on my second trip. With eight intertwined bones, the rack of lamb was perfectly seasoned and cooked. The meat was so tender I wanted to lose all etiquette and pick the bones up with my fingers. (You know

how we do barbecue ribs.) Instead, I took half of it home and then lost all etiquette in private.

I also had the lobster bowl with shrimp added. The lobster bowl had two grilled petite lobster tails served in garlic butter. I added grilled shrimp. The portions were generous and, again, I had to take half of my entrée home to savor later.

By the way, the sides are ala carte. The asparagus and grilled mushrooms are heavenly. All of the food is generously seasoned with no need for salt, pepper or anything else. So let them know if you need them to be light in that area.

At Yo Gottiʼs delicious Privé Restaurant, the salmon selection is delectable and pleasing to the eye.

The ambiance

The old Smokey Bones building has been transformed to a sleek Miami-style restaurant. Contemporary in every respect, from the valet service out front to the immaculate modern bathrooms, Privé is everything it should be for an upscale restaurant experience.

While the wine menu is limited, they have something for everyone. The full bar is sexy and the private dining room in all white is even sexier. The place was full and tables turned a couple of times during my stay.

So hats off to “Mr. Gotti the

Restaurateur.” He has a hit on his hands. His vision of providing Memphis with another upscale-dining option is crystal clear and on point in its execution.

I also hear that there is a Sunday Soul Food Brunch.

I’ll have to check that out next. But there is no soul food on the regular menu, only fine dining.

(Privé Restaurant: 6980 Winchester Rd. Telephone: Phone: 901-552-4760.)

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

MONEY MATTERS

When it comes to receiving the fruits of your labor – the money accumulated in your employer-sponsored retirement plan – you are faced with a few broad options.

Should you take the payout as systematic payments, a lifetime annuity, or a lump sum?

Some retirement plans may allow you to take systematic withdrawals: either a fixed dollar amount on a regular schedule, a specific percentage of the account value on a regular schedule, or the total value of the account in equal distributions over a specified period of time.

Systematic withdrawals

The lifetime annuity option

Your retirement plan may allow you to take payouts as a lifetime annuity, which converts your account balance into guaranteed monthly payments based on your life expectancy. If you live longer

Retirement plan distributions

than expected, the payments continue anyway.

There are several advantages associated with this payout Charles Sims method. It helps you Jr., CFP avoid the temptation to spend a significant amount of your assets at one time and the pressure to invest a large sum of money that might not last for the rest of your life. Also, there is no large initial tax bill on your entire nest egg; each monthly payment is taxed incrementally as ordinary income.

If you are married, you may have the option to elect a joint and survivor annuity. This would result in a lower monthly retirement payment than the single annuity option, but your spouse would continue to receive a portion of your retirement income after your death.

If you do not elect an annuity with a survivor option, your monthly payments end with your death.The main disadvantage of the annuity option lies in the potential reduction of spending power over time. Annuity payments are not indexed for inflation. If we experienced a 4 percent annual inflation rate, the purchasing power of the fixed monthly payment would be halved in 18 years.

Lump-sum distribution

If you elect to take the mon-

ey from your employer-sponsored retirement plan as a single lump sum, you would receive the entire vested account balance in one payment, which you can invest and use as you see fit. You would retain control of the principal and could use it whenever and however you wish.

Of course, if you choose a lump sum, you will have to pay ordinary income taxes on the total amount of the distribution in one year. A large distribution could easily move you into a higher tax bracket.

Another consideration is the 20 percent withholding rule: Employers issuing a check for a lump-sum distribution are required to withhold 20 percent toward federal income taxes. Thus, you would receive only 80 percent of your account balance, not 100 percent. Distributions taken prior to age 59½ are also subject to a 10 percent federal income tax penalty.

To avoid some of these problems, you might choose to take a partial lump-sum distribution and roll the balance of

the funds directly to an IRA or other qualified retirement plan in order to maintain the tax-deferred status of the funds. An IRA rollover might provide you with more options, not only in how you choose to invest the funds but also in how you access the funds over time.

After you reach age 70½, you generally must begin taking required minimum distributions from traditional IRAs and most employer-sponsored retirement plans. These distributions are taxed as ordinary income.

Before you take any action on retirement plan distributions, it would be prudent to consult with a tax professional regarding your particular situation. Choose carefully, because your decision and the consequences will remain with you for life.

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

RELIGION

Tri-State Defender

Page 7

June 26 - July 2, 2014

Gospel veterans sang their support for Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Memphis McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour was in Memphis June 20th for a free concert at New Salem Baptist Church, 2237 S. Parkway E., in support of Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Memphis.

The 12-city concert series –

featuring gospel music’s most talented artists – is a gift from McDonald’s to the community, said Caron Byrd, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Memphis executive director.

Erica Campbell, one-half of sister duo Mary Mary and now solo artist, is hosting the

tour along with comedian/actor Jonathan Slocumb.

Campbell wowed the crowd at New Salem with soul-stirring gospel music while Slocumb made light of the evening.

Joining Campbell and Slocumb on tour are threetime 2014 Stellar Award-win-

ners Anthony Brown & Group TherAPy, the Mississippi Mass Choir, Kurt Carr, gospel’s latest hip-hop sensation Uncle Reece and organist Moses Tyson Jr. Campbell, a Grammy Awardwinning gospel music veteran, said she was happy to be in

Memphis and performing alongside so many other gospel artists.

The McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour was launched eight years ago and focuses on the importance of giving back to the community by supporting Ronald McDonald House Charities

(RMHC®).

The cross-country concert series runs through July 25.

Besides Memphis, tour stops include Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Detroit, Greensboro, Jackson, Los Angeles, Oakland, Philadelphia, Raleigh and Washington, D.C.

Erica Campbell, onehalf of sister duo Mary Mary and now solo artist, sang to the delight of the audience.

Anthony Brown & Group TherAPy delivers a soulstirring message in their music.

NATIONAL BAPTIST CONVENTION

These youth from First Baptist Church (North Street) in Natchitoches, La., were among many groups of young people attending the National Baptist Conventionʼs Family Faith Fest event at the Cook Convention Center June 23-27. (Photo: George Tillman Jr.)

Dr. Marvin L. Sapp preached and sang a few songs during the National Baptist Convention of America Family Faith Fest at the Cook Convention Center on Monday (June 23rd).

(Photo: Gary S. Whitlow)

INSTALLATION SERVICE The installation of the Rev. Derrick D. Joyce as pastor of Monument of Love Baptist Church included the “prayer of installation.”

(Photos:Tyro ne P. Easley)

PRAISE CONNECT -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

No Cross...

No Crown

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

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

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

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

Dr. & Rev. Mrs. Reginald Porter

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

– Psalm 55:22

Attend the church of your choice

Rev. Joyce stepping into his role as pastor of Monument of Love Baptist Church.

Attend the Church of your choice

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

—Phillipians 4:13

ENTERTAINMENT Tri-State Defender, Thursday, June 26 - July 2, 2014, Page 8

THE ULTIMATE FAMILY REUNION

Hip-hop legend Kurtis Blow took his show to the crowd during a riveting performance recently at the WRBO-FM Soul Classics 103.5ʼs The Ultimate Family Reunion at Mud Island River Park in Downtown Memphis. (Photos: Warren Roseborough) Special to The New Tri-State Defender

by Warren Roseborough Mud Island River Park in Downtown Memphis was the setting for The Ultimate Family Reunion, featuring the ageless hip-hop legend Kurtis Blow, the Stax Music Academy Alumni Band, the jazz, gospel and soul vocalist Jiana Hunter, and The Pursuit of God Praise group.

Sponsored by WRBO-FM Soul Classics 103.5, the radio station generally combines a well-known recording artist with local talent. Hence Kurtis Blow, the first commercially successful rapper and record producer, and the first to sign with a major record label.

The crowd gathered at the park in the sweltering heat to hear Blow and the local talent. They sang gospel, R&B or hip-hop.

Hunter, who is well known in the gospel circuit as a songstress and composer, did a great job in giving the crowd spiritual nourishment. The next group to per-

form was The Pursuit of God Praise Group. Their rich gospel sound clearly stirred the crowd.

Next up: the Stax Music Academy Alumni Band. I thought this band was in a class of its own. The staff at Stax should be very proud because some of the band members have moved on to attend different colleges.

I had the pleasure of interviewing a couple of the alumni band members and wanted to know where they are now. Former lead singer Tangela Mathis, who put on an unforgettable performance at the Memphis Grizzlies Staxtacular 2014, now attends Berklee College of Music in Boston on a full scholarship.

Mathis said one of the things she misses most about Memphis is the weather. Boston is very cold in the winter, she pointed out. However, she didn’t miss a beat with her charismatic and great voice at the reunion.

Andrew McNeil, who played drums for the Academy, also attends Berklee College of Music. Trombonist Clifto Jackson, who stayed home, plays in a band

The crowd appears to be almost in a frenzy while listening to hip-hop legend Kurtis Blow perform.

The Stax Academy Alumni Band commanded the audienceʼs attention.

These gentleman called to the stage

by Kurtis Blow to break dance, watch in amazement as the legend shows them how itʼs done.

Local filmmaker George Tillman Jr. (second from right) premiered ʻTrue Blue – Memphis Lawmen of 1948ʼ on June 21st at Rose Theatre at the University of Memphis. Those attending included Andrew “Rome” Withers, Claudine Penn, Judge Joe Brown, Tillman, and Billy Withers.

for the University of Memphis. He’s majoring in music education. And co-lead singer Baye Snappy attends Wiley College in Texas. These future music legends had the crowd dancing and singing throughout their entire performance.

Next up was Blow, who sang his hit songs along with a medley of other hip-hop classics. The crowd responded favorably to the hop-hop legend’s timeless songs by singing with him. He returned the favor by working the crowd throughout his performance.

“Keep God in your life,” he exhorted the excited crowd. “If you can idolize people like Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and other superstars, you should convert that energy towards God.” But what blew me away was this 55-year-old man break dancing. He was so good at it that the guys he called on the stage to break dance threw money at him. After performing at the “Family Reunion,” he went on to perform at the Hard Rock Cafe for the Kevin CavanJay Braden Old School Bash in front of a standing-room only crowd.

Jiana Hunter and her group stirred the spirit during their performance.

PREMIERING‘TRUE BLUE’

The first AfricanAmerican police officers from the “Class of 1948” included Jerry Williams and the late Windell Robinson.

Their wives, Ledrester Williams (left) and Valencia Robinson, attended the premiere. (Photo: George Tillman Jr.)

ENTERTAINMENT

Tri-State Defender

June 26 - July 2, 2014

OPENING THIS WEEK

Kam’s Kapsules:

Weekly Previews That Make Choosing a Film Fun

Cee Lo Green, left, and Mark Ruffalo star in the musical romantic comedy 'Begin Again.'

For movies opening June 27, 2014

by Kam Williams

BIG BUDGET FILMS

“Begin Again” (R for profanity) Musical tale of female empowerment about a struggling singer/songwriter (Keira Knightley) who dumps her philandering, pop star boyfriend (Adam Levine) in order to pursue her own career with the help of an alcoholic, disgraced record exec (Mark Ruffalo). Supporting cast includes Catherine Keener, Hailee Steinfeld, Mos Def, Ceelo Green and James Corden.

“Transformers: Age of Extinction” (PG13 for profanity, intense violence and brief sexual innuendo) Fourth installment of the sci-fi franchise finds a mechanic (Mark Wahlberg) and his daughter (Nicola Peltz) attracting the attention of scientists, transformers, a power-hungry businessman (Stanley Tucci) and a paranoid government bureaucrat (Kelsey Grammer) after they discover the deactivated leader (Peter Cullen) of the Autobots. With John Goodman, T.J. Miller, Sophia Myles and Ken Watanabe.

INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS

“La Bare” (R for pervasive profanity, incessant sexuality and brief graphic nudity) Homoerotic documentary offering a revealing peek inside the most popular male strip club in the world, La Bare Dallas, located in Texas.

Director Joe Manganiello does double duty as narrator, interviewing dancers Nick Soto, Lance Winters and others.

“Bound by Flesh” (Unrated) Leslie Zemeckis (Bob’s wife) directs this heartbreaking documentary about Daisy and Violet Hilton, conjoined twins who made a fortune as a circus sideshow act, only to end up broke after being fleeced by crooked managers.

“Drones” (Unrated) Character-driven drama about the ethical dilemma faced by two soldiers’ (Matt O’Leary and Eloise Mumford) questioning the order to slay a suspected terrorist (Mahmoud Khalil) from miles away with the push of a button. With Mae Aswell, Vivan Dugre’ and Drea Garcia.

“Jackpot” (Unrated) Action-filled farce about the lives of four factory workers that come apart at the seams in the wake of winning over a million dollars in the lottery. Costarring Kyrre Hellum, Mads Ousdal, Henrik Mestad and Arthur Berning. (In Norwegian and Swedish with subtitles) “The Pleasures of Being Out of Step” (Unrated) Reverential profile retrospective, narrated by Andre Braugher, profiling the career of the legendary jazz journalist and civil libertarian Nat Hentoff.

“Postman Pat” (Unrated) Ronan Keating handles the title role in this animated adventure as an Average Joe whose faith is shaken after entering a TV talent show competition.

Voice cast includes Jim Broadbent, Jane Carr and Greg Ellis.

“Snowpiercer” (R for violence, profanity and drug use) Climate change sci-fi set in a futuristic dystopia where global warming has choked-off all life except for the few lucky

enough to be aboard a train circumnavigating the globe. Ensemble cast includes Chris Evers, Tilda Swinton, Jamie Bell, Octavia Spencer, Ed Harris, Alison Pill, John Hurt and Ah-sung Ko. (In English, Japanese, Korean and French with subtitles) “They Came Together” (R for profanity and sexuality) Romantic comedy about a candy company exec (Paul Rudd) who falls in love at first sight with the eccentric owner (Amy Poehler) of the franchise he came to shut down. With Bill Hader, Ed Helms and Kenan Thompson.

“Under the Electric Sky” (PG-13 for suggestive material, drug references, partial nudity and brief profanity) Be-In gathering documentary about the Electric Daisy Carnival, an annual three-day festival which has evolved since its inception in 1997 into North America’s largest dance music event.

“Whitey: United States vs. James J. Bulger” (R for profanity and crime scene images) Courtroom documentary highlighting the government’s case against the FBI’s #2 Most Wanted (after Osama bin Laden), the sadistic mobster who brutally murdered over a dozen people during his decades-long reign of terror in South Boston.

“Yves Saint Laurent” (R for sexuality and drug use) Haute couture biopic chronicling the career of the late fashion icon (Pierre Niney) and his long-term relationship with his life mate/business partner, Pierre Berge (Guillaume Gallienne). Featuring Nikolai Kinski as Karl Lagerfeld and Patrice Thibaud as Christian Dior. (In French, English, Japanese, Russian and Arabic with subtitles)

Page 9

Merger of Memphis music organizations hailed as ‘a win’

The Memphis Music Foundation, chaired by Stax Records legend Al Bell, will merge with The Consortium MMT, an incubator for emerging musical talent focused on soul music and founded by Hall of Fame songwriter and producer David Porter.

The planned merger was announced Wednesday.

The combined entity will continue use of the name The Consortium MMT, with the Music Foundation’s flagship initiative renamed the Memphis Music Resource Center (MRC) at The Consortium MMT. Porter will remain chairman and president of The Consortium MMT, with Bell serving on The Consortium MMT Board as a director.

The merger’s aim is to advance the local music industry by organizing the global Memphis music legacy and brand under one constructive approach and by broadening the global credibility of all genres of Memphis music.

“With this merger, we can capitalize on the global credibility Memphis already has earned due to our contribution to soul music,” said Porter.

“The Consortium MMT has already created buzz throughout the industry and with the addition of the Music Resource Center at The Consortium MMT, we’ll open doors for more genres of Memphis music while still focusing on soul.”

Serious artists of all genres deserve community support to help them advance their talents and opportunities, said Porter. “Our energy is on those ready to move forward.”

The boards of directors of the Memphis Music Foundation and The Consortium MMT unanimously approved the merger on June 17 and June 18, respectively.

Memphis Music Foundation board member David Edmonds, who will become a new board member of The Consortium MMT, believes the merger is an ideal way to unify and strengthen programming that assists Memphis’ young musical talent.

“Personal energy, financial resources and community support work best when they are lined up behind a shared mission and not fragmented across two or more organizations,” said Edmonds.

“This is exactly what the merger of these two high-impact organizations achieves: a singular focus on what is already good and what is going to be possible in the future for Memphis music.”

To support the newly joined operations, The Consortium MMT will establish a Talent Development Center. The Center will house the Memphis Music Resource Center and The Consortium MMT’s flagship “Emerging Stars Network” program. It is expected to open for business in fall 2014.

“We’re excited about creating an even stronger Memphis Music Resource Center with infrastructure to support multi-genre efforts,” said George Monger, The Consortium MMT VP and executive director. “Working together, we’ll all be better in the music industry.”

The Memphis Music Resource Center was established in 2008 as part of the Memphis Fast Forward economic development program, MemphisED. Dean Deyo, president of the Memphis Music Foundation, is credited with much of its growth. Deyo will be retiring this month.

“This merger introduces a new, collective voice for Memphis Music,” said Deyo.

The merger is expected to be finalized within the coming weeks.

COMMUNITY

Page 10

G D BLUE & Y U

BRIEFS & THINGS

Patrolman Kasandra Smith

‘Taking it to the Streets’ targets Raleigh/ Frayser

The City of Memphis Public Works Division on Monday (June 23rd) launched a clean-up effort in City Council District 7 as part of the division’s summer long “Taking it to the Streets” campaign.

The clean-up effort will be underway for 10 days throughout parts of the Raleigh/Frayser Community. The primary focus includes overgrowth mitigation and code enforcement provided by the Public Works-Neighborhood Improvement Department.

Other Public Works Departments, including Solid Waste Management and the Public Works Maintenance Department, will provide additional services.

Over the next week or so, Raleigh/Frayser residents can expect to receive a larger menu of city services aimed at improving the overall quality of life in those communities. Public Works will also be addressing litter, potholes/minor street repairs, debris removal, inlet cleaning, streetsweeping, demolition and boardups.

For more information, contact Grounds Services Department at 901-636-4773.

Three-day birthday celebration to honor Ida B. Wells-Barnett

The 18th annual birthday celebration for Ida B. Wells-Barnett will take place in Holly Springs, Miss. July 11th through Sunday July 13th.

The celebration will include a one-woman monologue, a tour of the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, as well as an arts and crafts display for America’s civil rights “crusader for justice.”

Community leaders, Wells-Barnett’s family members and participants nationwide are expected to attend.

Mayor Kelvin Buck will preside at the opening ceremony set for July 11th at 11 a.m. at the Eddie L. Smith Multipurpose Center. An art display will showcase art by Tougaloo, Miss. artist Bill Clifton, as well as civil rights era memorabilia.

On July 12th, Safiya Bandele of New York City detailing her life as a journalist, teacher, and outspoken leader providing awareness to issues oppressing African-Americans and women.

The performance will take place at the annual banquet on the campus of Rust College, formerly Shaw University, which is the alma mater of Wells-Barnett. The Ida B. Wells-Barnett Museum and Cultural Center of AfricanAmerican History will offer a tour designed to provide attendees with the cultural essence of the 19th century African-American family.

Wells-Barnett was born into slavery on July 16, 1862, several months prior to the Emancipation Proclamation. She became a journalist and public speaker, traveling throughout the United States and foreign countries bringing awareness to lynching and other issues affecting African-Americans and lynching.

BRIEFLY: As part of National HIV Testing Day on Friday (June 27th) there will be free testing at Remix Barbershop, located at 1470 Elvis Pres. Blvd, on Saturday (June 28th) from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.

BRIEFLY: The KlondikeSmokey City Community Development Corporation is sponsoring a Job Fair on Saturday (June 28th) at the Dave Wells Community Center, 915 Chelsea Avenue from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Sixteen companies will have representatives to assist job seekers.

Tri-State Defender

June 26 - July 2, 2014

through counseling and 25 years later the old me came back and said, “What about me? You out here trying to help everybody else but what about me?”

Truth was I still remember when I initially called the Rape Crisis center and spoke with a lady named Sharon and told her that I wanted to be a volunteer and a motivational speaker to help out and speak with victims.

Sharon said no, that I could not do it until I got help myself. It’s like she heard my pain through the phone.

She said get down here and let’s deal with it now.

She then said that after my sessions I could then be a speaker, but under one condition. The condition was that I go through my counseling with a man. This was the hard part because my abuser was a man. This was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do in my life, but it surely worked.

I had to release my anger that was built up toward not only my offender but also that police officer that disrespected my mother and me. I had to think about the male officers that I have worked with that have always had my back out there in those streets.

They are nothing like that officer.

They are my brothers. I had to deal with the pain I had kept inside for 25 years and cry and relate and be educated on what happened to me so that I can be better and make other women that I come in contact with to be better.

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

by Kelvin Cowans

(Kelvin Cowans takes readers inside the lives of Memphis and Shelby County law enforcement officers.

Just as a neighborhood should not be judged by the actions of a few bad apples, neither should law enforcement agencies. This week’s focus is on Memphis Police Department Patrolman Kasandra Smith.)

Memphis Police Department Patrolman Kasandra Smith is a 14-yearveteran who serves her community with pride and heart. She has a Master’s in Business Administration Degree and a Bachelor’s Degree in Organization Management from Bethel University. With a son and a daughter both in college (Pine Bluff and M.T.S.U.), and a progressive career in law enforcement, it would be easy for many to say that her plate is full.

But not Smith, who helps teach at the Kids Church at the Life Church Collierville location and who also is a public speaker against domestic violence

Kelvin Cowans: What got you interested in wanting to be a police officer.

Kasandra Smith: When I was 16, I was sexually assaulted and the way the policeman that handled the case treated me and my mother angered me so until I wanted to grow up and become an officer.

KC: What way was that?

KS: The way he talked to me and my mother was that he flat out told me I was lying about the rape. That I was a whore that didn’t want my parents to know that I was sexually active.

KC: Where did this happen?

KS: This was in West Memphis, Ark. back in the 1980s.

KC: Go ahead.

KS: He spoke to me separately from my mother, which I was a minor and that was illegal, but my mom didn’t know the law back then, that she had the right to be present. So this authority figure, which intimidated me at the time, came up with his own judgment and when we came out of his office he told my mom that they were not going to prosecute the man that did this to me. That day was the last time we ever heard anything

about that case.

KC: Being able to survive something of that nature (can) often push alot of people into helping their community. It’s bad energy but definitely good fuel to give back, if one is willing.

KS: Absolutely! I am currently the vice president of the Memphis and Shelby County Domestic Abuse Board. What we do for the community is that we shine the light on domestic abuse. October is Domestic Abuse Month and April is Sexual Violence Month and our presence is felt throughout those months as we try to reach and educate as many people as we can.

We have victims that hold up pho-

tos of themselves and we place on those photos what the offender had said to do before and during the rapes. I participate in that as well.

My offender was 21 and I was 16 and he lied about his age to me and my family. We had no idea. So when I’m out I educate the young ladies about being more attentive to whom they are dealing with, to research them if necessary. Once you’re a victim it’s too late to research and also that’s when shame kicks in or the embarassment of being a victim. said KC: How heavy is the burden of the silent victim?

KS: It is very heavy. There are so many things that build up inside. It grows over the years. I never went

KC: Can you say it one more time for the silent victims?

KS:Yes! You are beautiful, you are intelligent and you are valuable.

(Follow the Good Blue & You Facebook page!)

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

NAACP youth elect leaders

Leaders for the Memphis NAACP Youth Council were installed in a candlelight ceremony at the organization’s recent annual meeting.

Memphis Branch NAACP executive director, Madeleine Taylor, lit each candle as the youth pledged to serve the Youth Council.

Officers installed were: president, Glenn Vaulx; first vice president, Sharmaine Burton; 2nd vice president, Ramsey Hailey; treasurer, Danielle Gipson; historian, Rashad Oliver. Other officers and committee chairs will be appointed in the August meeting.

Graduating seniors were given an opportunity to say farewell to the parents and youth assembled and share their college choices.

The seniors and their choices: Rahmi Pruitt (Fisk University), Shayvon Timmons (Langston University), Marissa Knox (Cornell University), Brian Turner, (University of Massachusetts-Amherst), Cache’ Truitt (Middle Tennessee State University), Autumn White (University of Tennessee-Knoxville) Tarrolyn Barras, (McAlister College) and Krysten Harvey (University of Alabama).

Each graduate received a copy of

The Memphis NAACP Youth Council recently installed new officers and bid farewell to graduating seniors. Officers and adult advisors are shown seated as current and former Youth Council members assemble for one last photo. (Courtesy photo)

“One America,” the recently released autobiography of Art Gilliam, Cache’ Truitt gave her final remarks as outgoing president of the

Youth Council and passed the gavel to Glen Vaulx. She also welcomed Dr. Freda Williams as the new Youth Advisor.

WE’RE HERE – ARE YOU LISTENING? Memphis Police Officers and Fire Department employees – hundreds strong – surrounded City Hall on Tuesday, protesting the latest Memphis City Council budget cuts. (Photos: Kelvin Cowans)

KC: Are you better?

KS:Yes, I am great. I can handle whatever life throws at me, and other victims can to, if they just seek help.

I’m involved with a national organization called R.A.I.N. and that stands for people against Rape Abuse Incest Network. And together, not only have we gotten stronger, we are helping a nation get stronger. We have a 24-hour help line as well.

You know … thinking back I remember my counselor Derek and the three things he told me that I needed to look in a mirror and repeat to myself everyday, and that was “I’m beautiful, I’m intelligent, I’m Valuable.”

High School youth interested in joining the Youth Council may contact the NAACP office at 901-5211343 or www.NAACP Memphis.org.

Standing with family and friends, protesters stood their ground for hours. Literature spelled out their disgust about what some bystanders said was a blatant disrespect of their services.

Tri-State Defender

CLASSIFIEDS

Page 11

June 26 - July 2, 2014

Legal Notices

LEGAL NOTICE TO BIDDERS

Sealed bids will be received at the Office of the City of Memphis Purchasing Agent, Room 354, City Hall, 125 N. Main, Memphis, TN 38103, until 2:00 PM CT, Friday, July 11, 2014, for furnishing the City of Memphis with the following:

FOR THE DIVISION OF: ENGINEERING City of Memphis RFQ # 3244.

FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF: CMAQ – Traffic Signal Loop Replacement at Various Locations Federal Project No.: STP-M-9409 (44) State PIN: 040716

Location(s): Various Locations throughout the City of Memphis

1. The Prime Contractor and all Sub Contractors must pre-qualify with the Department of Transportation in accordance with Section 54-5-117 of the “Tennessee Code Annotated” and Tennessee Department of Transportation Rule 1680-5-3 prequalification of contractors before biddable proposals will be furnished.

2. The City of Memphis hereby notifies all bidders that a 7% Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) goal has been set for this project and must be met or exceeded. All contractors identified as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) must be on the Tennessee Uniform Certification Program (TNUCP) List at the time of the bid opening.

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

4. The City of Memphis is an equal opportunity affirmative action employer, drugfree with policies of non-discrimination on the basis of race, sex, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or military service. For additional information contact Mary Bright, (901) 636-6210, City of Memphis, Contract Compliance Office, 125 N. Main St, Memphis, TN 38103 5. “Certification by each bidder must be made with respect to nondiscrimination in employment.”

6. A Bid Bond is required.

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

Plans, Specifications and attendant deposit information available, until the time set for opening bids, from: Janet Prejean, (901)

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

DEADLINES: Display ads Monday 5 p.m.

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

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

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

636-2462, City of Memphis, Construction Inspections, 2599 Avery Avenue, Memphis, TN 38112.

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

THE RIGHT TO REJECT ANY AND ALL BIDS IS RESERVED

Notice of intent of award will be issued after review of all opened bids. Any protest of award must be filed in writing with the Purchasing Agent within ten calendar days of the intent of award announcement.

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

A C WHARTON, JR., MAYOR

ERIC S. MAYSE, CITY PURCHASING AGENT LEGAL NOTICE TO BIDDERS

Sealed bids will be received at the Office of the City of Memphis Purchasing Agent, Room 354, City Hall, 125 N. Main, Memphis, TN 38103, until 2:00 PM CT, Friday, July 18, 2014, for furnishing the City of Memphis with the following:

FOR THE DIVISION OF: PUBLIC WORKS City of Memphis RFQ # 3246 FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF: PW01181 Federal Project No.: STP-M-NHE-57(42) State PIN: 110296.00

Location(s): SR-57 (US-72) (Poplar Av-

statedefender.com BEER PERMITS Flat Rate $30

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

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

TRI-STATE DEFENDER assumes no financial responsibility for errors nor for copy omission. Direct any classified billing iinquiries to 901-523-1818. enue), from East of Sweetbriar to I-240 State Project No: 79LPLM-F3-029

1. The Prime Contractor and all Sub Contractors must pre-qualify with the Department of Transportation in accordance with Section 54-5-117 of the “Tennessee Code Annotated” and Tennessee Department of Transportation Rule 1680-5-3 prequalification of contractors before biddable proposals will be furnished.

2. The City of Memphis hereby notifies all bidders that a 30% Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) goal has been set for this project and must be met or exceeded. All contractors identified as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) must be on the Tennessee Uniform Certification Program (TNUCP) List at the time of the bid opening.

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

4. The City of Memphis is an equal opportunity affirmative action employer, drugfree with policies of non-discrimination on the basis of race, sex, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or military service. For additional information contact Mary Bright, (901) 576-6553, City of Memphis, Contract Compliance Office, 125 N. Main St, Memphis, TN 38103 5. “Certification by each bidder must be made with respect to nondiscrimination in employment.”

6. A Bid Bond is required.

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

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

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

THE RIGHT TO REJECT ANY AND ALL BIDS IS RESERVED

Notice of intent of award will be issued after review of all opened bids. Any protest of award must be filed in writing with the Purchasing Agent within ten calendar days of the intent of award announcement.

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

A C WHARTON, JR., MAYOR CITY PURCHASING AGENT

VENDOR REGISTRATION

The Municipal School Districts are actively searching for qualified bidders interested in being placed on our vendorʼs list to bid for commodities and/or services. Vendor registration information is posted on our website, http://www.bartlettschools.org. Companies interested in being placed on an approved vendor list must submit a completed Bid Request and Information Form, NIGP Commodity Code List and completed W-9s.

Upon receipt of completed documents, registered vendors will be given the opportunity to participate in the bidding process.

PUBLIC NOTICE THE MEMPHIS URBAN AREA METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION

In compliance with federal regulations 23 CFR 450, the Memphis Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is updating its Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan. This plan, which serves a component of the 2040 Regional Transportation Plan, will contain policies, goals, and objectives for the coordinated development of pedestrian and cycling infrastructure in the Memphis MPO study area.

The public is hereby given notice that the Memphis MPO will hold public meetings to provide information on the plan update and regional survey, as well as to solicit input from the public on goals, objectives, and expected outcomes for the updated Re-

gional Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan. During the week of July 7, 2014, meetings will be held as follows: July 7, 2014 – 3:30PM – Landers Center (DeSoto, MS) 4560 Venture Dr., Southaven, MS 38671 July 8, 2014 – 6:00PM – North Frayser Community Center, 2555 St. Elmo Ave., Memphis, TN 38127 July 10, 2014 – 6:00PM – Arlington Town Hall, 5854 Airline Rd., Arlington, TN 38002 July 11, 2014 – 2:00PM – Piperton City Hall, 3575 Hwy 196, Piperton, TN 38017

It is the policy of the Memphis Urban Area 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 Mitchell Lloyd at 901-576-7146, fax (901) 576-7272; or email Mitchell.Lloyd@memphistn.gov to make accessibility arrangements no less than five days prior to the meetings.

This notice is funded (in part) under an agreement with the State of TN and MS, Departments of Transportation.

NOTICE TO BIDDER(S)

Shelby County Government is soliciting Seal Bids for Congestion Management (CMAQ) Detection Upgrade #1. The Seal Bid is located on the Countyʼs website at www.shelbycountytn.gov, click the link “Department” at the top, then P for the Purchasing Department, and then click on the link “Bids.”

DUE WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2014 AT 2:30 PM

SEALED BID #SBI-000271 CONGESTION MANAGEMENT (CMAQ) DETECTION UPGRADE #1

Pre-Bid Conference: Bidders are encouraged to attend a pre-bid conference to be held at 9:00 AM, on July 10, 2014 at the following location: Shelby County Roads and Bridges Conference Room, 6449 Haley Road, Memphis, TN 38134.

Shelby County is an equal opportunity affirmative action employer, drug-free with policies of non-discrimination on the basis of race, sex, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or military service.

THE RIGHT TO REJECT ANY AND ALL BIDS IS RESERVED By order of MARK H. LUTTRELL, JR., SHELBY COUNTY MAYOR SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT

Nikki Giovanni had this to say Special to The New Tri-State Defender

by Brittney Gathen

During her appearance at the National Civil Rights Museum on Sunday, world-renowned poet, writer, commentator, activist and educator Nikki Giovanni recited her iconic poem “Ego-Tripping” to a standingroom only crowd in the 350seat auditorium. After her performance, Giovanni told The New Tri-State Defender of her hopes for the museum and her hope that young people take an active part in the “international world.”

Said Giovanni: “I hope that everybody that heard me today has joined the museum. I hope they’re all registered to vote. And I hope that every kid in the audience asks their parents for a passport, because this is an international world we’re living in now.

“It wasn’t international when I was coming up, but it is now. You need a passport, and you need a yellow fever shot, not so that you can’t go, but so

Nikki Giovanni was a source of information, knowledge and expertise during her appearance at the National Civil Rights Museum. Photo: George Tillman Jr.)

that you can come back. And you have to be prepared to go around the world.

“We don’t go around the world just because of war.

Now, you’re students, now you

can go to Europe. You can go to Europe without a yellow fever shot, but why would you do that when you can get a yellow fever shot and you can go to Africa, too?”

A standing room only crowd at the National Civil Rights Museum was proof that Nikki Giovanni still has wide-ranging appeal. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley)

SPORTS Tri-State Defender, Thursday, June 26 - July 2, 2014, Page 12

A LITTLE R&R ON SPORTS

Redskins & rednecks Special to The New Tri-State Defender

by Howard Robertson

Tim “Coach T” Thompson. (Photo: Warren Roseborough)

‘Coach T’ lined up for high school sports combine

The Second Annual Premier Sports Nation High School Football Combine will be held Saturday (June 28th) at the Dulins Sports Complex at 7790 Fischer Steel Rd. in Cordova.

The event, which will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., is a team effort by renowned former high school coach Tim “Coach T” Thompson and Leroy Watson Jr. of TigerSportsReport.com (Memphis.Rivals.com).

“I got tired of young men from the city of Memphis and from West Tennessee, North Mississippi and Eastern Arkansas not having easy access to a combine,” said Thompson. “They always have to go to Atlanta, Birmingham, New Orleans or St. Louis, maybe even Texas to participate in combines. But travel costs money, and it was a burden for many. Having a combine here in Memphis solves that problem.”

The combine is designed to keep going year after year as a service to kids in this area, said Thompson.

“I know I won two state championships, but this is a legacy that could carry on long after I’m gone from this earth. This is big and I’m humbled to be a part of it.

And with some of the contacts we’re making, some of the people who want to come on board, this event will just keep getting bigger and better.”

Former Philadelphia Eagles signee Wade Bonner is among the coaches who will run drills. In attendance will be Memphis University School offensive tackle Drew Richmond, the top prospect in the state of Tennessee in 2015, as well as Whitehaven defensive end Josh McMillon (#6 in Tennessee) and Melrose athlete Jonathan Johnson (#23).

All rankings are according to Rivals.com.

Camp standouts will be invited to participate in 1-on-1 and 7-on-7 drills. Strong performances could also lead to young men receiving profiles on Rivals.com as well as write-up on Premier Sports Nation. Media from Rivals, 247 Sports and other outlets will monitor the event.

Check-in time is at 8 a.m.

Early registration costs $50 at http://premiersportsnation.co m. Student athletes may also sign up at the event; the cost is $60 the day of the combine.

Campers will receive a Tshirt and have certified times in the 40-yard run and pro shuttle, as well as the option of getting a video recording of the proceedings.

(For more information: Contact Leroy Watson Jr. at 901-315-1246; e m a i l Leroy@tigersportsreport.com.)

“A Little R&R on Sports” is the only network syndicated sports radio show with co-hosts of two different generations. This makes for lively exchanges, good-natured barbs and friendly disagreement on a great many subjects.

However, there is absolutely no disagreement between my co-host Larry Robinson and me on the question of whether or not Washington’s National Football League team should change their nickname. They should. No diggity, no doubt (Is that still current?).

My young friend is incredulously incensed that a racist moniker like “Redskins” has been perpetuated, tolerated and celebrated by fans of all races lo these many years. Fans like me because, in the interest of full disclosure, they were one of my favorite teams.

True to his generation, Larry wants the name changed, immediately. Actually he’s right, especially by today’s standards. But that name is from a place and time when one exclusive group set the standards.

For centuries, white men named, defined and ratified everything and everybody in their environment. Indigenous peoples of the Americas became known as “Indios” (Indians) after Christopher “Wrong Way” Columbus wound up in the Caribbean trying to find India. Too stubborn to ask any-

one where he was and far too arrogant to ask the people he had “discovered” who they were, he ratified his mistake by redefining and renaming the environment.

So, since he meant to Howard go to India, the Robertson people became Indians and those islands became the West Indies.

It’s hard to imagine life for Native Americans in 1932 when Wa s h i n g t o n ’ s football team began. In the midst of the Great Depression, having had your ancestors slaughtered, your land stolen, your families imprisoned on reservations and while all manner of mistreatment to your people runs rampant, how in the world could you give a damn about what a bunch of white guys playing a crazy, unfamiliar game decide to call themselves? Back then, for Native Americans and African Americans alike, it was less about what white people called you and all about their actions toward you.

White privilege is intricately ingrained and has remained totally saturated into the fabric of American culture for hundreds of years and it’s not about to make a fast retreat. The latest ESPN poll of Larry nearly 200,000 Robinson Americans shows that 65 percent oppose changing the name. So, this may take awhile because change is hard and it’s not a lot of folk’s friend.

As we discussed this issue during last weekend’s show, Larry asked how any self-respecting African American could be like Aldolfo Birch, the NFL’s Sr. VP of Government Affairs, and say that the team name “is not a slur.” His point is that, of all people, black folks should bristle when they witness the ethnic denigration of another race of people.

You’re right again Larry. But you know what? Maybe there’s an analogy Redskins’ majority owner Dan Snyder can better understand.

“Yo Dan, what if roles were re-

versed and a group of Native Americans owned the team and called them the Washington Rednecks or how about the Washington Crackers? Absolutely no slur intended of course, because all they would be doing is following and perpetuating the backin-the-day cultural protocol of stereotypically identifying people based on race, complexion or color. Would that be a problem for you?”

In that scenario, it’s a question that only Dan and other Caucasians could answer. The same is true with Native Americans. They have expressed in no uncertain terms that “Redskins” is offensive to them. Enough said. It doesn’t matter what you intended to communicate or what you meant to portray or that you were misunderstood or how much money you’re suddenly dropping into Native American charities. As a matter human decency, if you are doing something that causes offense, discomfort or hurt to another human being…you stop it.

So Dan, quit messing around. This is one you will not win. Change the damn name…soon.

(“A Little R&R On Sports” is a nationally syndicated radio show available on hundreds of radio stations and digital platforms. Stream “R&R” live on Saturdays at 11 a.m. EDT/10 a.m. CDT on sportsbyline.com or on ranronsports.com anytime. In Memphis, tune in Saturday mornings at 9 a.m. on AM 790 ESPN Radio.)

It’s not crazy for African-American World Cup fans to root for Ghana The Root

by Jenée Desmond-Harris Dear Race Manners:

In Team USA’s World Cup game against Ghana, I found myself cheering for Ghana. On Twitter I was accused of being unpatriotic, including by some people I respect. It’s hard to explain, but what can I say? I wanted the African team – or maybe the brown(est) team – to win (I’m black).

Am I wrong? – World Cup Worries If your friends are going to commit to tweeting accusations about patriotism at those who cheer for squads other than Team USA, they’ll be busy. I used the social network to ask, “Raise your hand if you cheer for World Cup teams playing against Team USA because of something to do with your racial/ethnic identity,” and received a chorus of affirmative responses, like this one:

Jenée @jdesmondharris @BougieLa Details? Are you *from* somewhere else or is it a #blackthing like with @graceishuman?

Grace @graceishuman @jdesmondharris I’m Nigerian, so it’s definitely that in part. But it’s also just being #TeamBrownPeople @BougieLa

Some responses, like “If by ‘racial/ethnic identity’ you mean a hatred of white supremacy, militarism, and hegemony, mine is raised” (the author of that tweet preferred to stay anonymous), had nothing to do with direct family ties.

Other fans apparently split the difference between rooting based on citizenship and rooting based on other interests – racially and culturally inspired interests – and cheered for both. Cherae Robinson, writing about “the complicated life of African-American World Cup fans,” observed that in the Brooklyn, N.Y., bar where she watched the Ghana game, “Almost every black person in the bar was up on their feet rooting for the Black Stars with the same fervor as they had cheered team USA an hour before.”

Given that we’re in an ethnically diverse country, talking about an international sport, there’s nothing strange or shocking about this choice. Just think of Irish fans in Boston cheering for Ire-

land, or Italian Americans in South Philadelphia or the North Side of Chicago rooting for Italy, says Gregory Carr, chair of Howard University’s Afro-American-studies department.

After all, in his view, “Our experience is also an immigrant experience.”

Lineage, the Diaspora and an Affinity for the Underdog

But there’s another reason you and other African Americans who don’t think of themselves as immigrants and can’t trace their lineage to any particular place on the continent might have cheered for Ghana.

“For many, rooting interest is as wide as not only the African continent but African people, and our passion connects to people of Africa worldwide,” says Carr. Plus, he says, all sports allow people to give expression to greater passions, and for plenty of black people, those passions include concern for the plight of people we perceive as underdogs, or oppressed.

So I’m guessing your choice wasn’t just about nonwhite skin color. (It that were the case, you could choose just about any World Cup team, including Team USA, with its large handful of black players – many of them German – to root for.) Rather, it was born from a lived experience. “We’ve had a hard time in this country,” says Carr, “and in those moments when we can give expression to what’s in our heart, we do it.”

Patriotism is not at issue

To be clear, there’s a difference be-

Ghanaʼs fans cheer before the Group G football match between Germany and Ghana at the Castelao Stadium in Fortaleza, Brazil, during the 2014 FIFA World Cup June 21, 2014.

(Photo: Patrik Stollarz/AFP/Getty Images)

tween having cheering interests in an international competition that don’t line up with American nationalism and actually being unpatriotic. Tell your Twitter trolls to keep in mind that this wasn’t a war, it was a sporting event, otherwise known as a game. It’s a mistake to confuse affinity for a team in such a context to patriotism or loyalty to one’s country, and it’s safe for everyone to settle down in that area.

Plus, African Americans have always been plenty patriotic, even if many of them experience that sentiment in a way that’s more complicated – and, yes, even more painful – than some might understand.

“I love this country not because it’s perfect but because we’ve always been able to move it closer to perfection,” President Barack Obama once put it. In Carr’s words, African-American patriotism has largely been pragmatic. (“We have sacrificed blood in every war the U.S. has fought, but remember that in the Revolutionary War, more people fought against the Colonies than for them,” he says. “We didn’t care about the Colonies.

We cared about being free!”)

This distinction may be unnerving to those who are shocked to learn that some African Americans see the country, as Carr puts it, as “less of a common project and more of a common context.”

“We have a black president; when will you be satisfied?” your Twitter friends will ask at this point. Answer: Given the way white supremacy and racism and their accompanying policies are playing out in this country right now and affecting people’s lives up until this very moment, with little sign of improvement, probably not for a while.

That’s heavy, but really, let’s keep your expression of support for the Ghana team

in your local sports bar or on your Twitter timeline in perspective. Shouting “Goal!” when a non-American team scores “doesn’t mean we’re gonna set fire to cities; it doesn’t mean we’re gonna quit the military,” says Carr. “It’s just a statement that in this battle that doesn’t cost anybody any blood, I’m gonna root for the cats who represents what I identify with. ’Cause I feel like it.”

African-American rooting interests are often tied up with larger issues

Anyone surprised by your choice of teams should take a trip down memory lane to see how African Americans’ sense of connectivity to black people worldwide and of social justice without regard for borders has informed whom many of us have rooted for.

Carr can tick off examples: Teófilo Stevenson, the black Cuban boxer (“African Americans cheered for him!

They loved him”); Olympic ice-skater Surya Bonaly (“We didn’t care that she was from France!); and even Serena Williams when she wore a uniform styled after Cameroon’s flag in a show of support for that country’s 2002 World Cup team (“Black Americans loved it!

South Africans loved it. Remember, this is a young woman who goes to Florida and [racist] people curse at her”).

That rooting patterns are informed by larger issues was even evident in the 1974 battle between boxers Muhammad Ali, who had a “panAfrican, anti-colonial approach,” and George Foreman, who was far less sensitive to race politics, says Carr.

Both were black and from the U.S., but at the time of their fight, it was fresh in the collective African-American memory that in 1968, Foreman had “trotted around the ring with an American flag while [African-American Olympic track athletes] Tommie Smith and John Carlos had put everything on the line for black power ... so we looked at him like, ‘This man is a clown,’ and many favored Ali,” says Carr.

Carr’s message to anyone who still can’t understand how you could shout anything but “Team USA!” is, “You don’t understand how blackness works.”

My suggestion is, if you’re going to do the work of explaining that to your friends, you’ll have to start with the basics: It’s more than just fun and games.

Speaker set, teams ready for AAU Boys Basketball Championships

Dr. J. L. Perry, athletic manager for the Shelby County Interscholastic Athletic Association (SCIAA), will be guest speaker for the opening ceremonies of the AAU National Boys Basketball Championships, which will be held in Memphis June 29th through July 6th.

SCIAA is responsible for administration of all athletic programs for student athletics in Shelby County Schools.

The Youth of Memphis Competitors Association

(YOMCA) headquartered at Southwind High School is local host for three divisional contests – 2nd Grade, 7th Grade Division I, and 7th Grade Division II. One hundred and sixty-five boys basketball teams from across the nation are scheduled to play in the tournament housed in 13 area gym sites.

The opening ceremony for 7th Grade Division I will be held Sunday (June 29th) at 7 p.m. at Southwind High School, 7900 East Shelby Dr.

Opening ceremonies June 29-30

The opening ceremonies for 2nd Grade and 7th Grade-Division II will be held on Monday (June 30th) at 9:30 a.m., also at Southwind High. In addition to Dr. Perry, National AAU President and CEO Henry Forrest will speak, along with various elected officials representing city, county and state government.

AAU Commissioner Ben

DuBose will announce the start of the tournaments. The opening game for 7th Grade Division I featuring the Memphis Wildcats versus the Fayetteville Elite of North Carolina will be played at 8 p.m. following the Sunday ceremony.

Of the 165 teams, 68 are in 7th Grade Division I, 76 in 7th Grade Division II and 21 in 2nd Grade. Two Tennessee

teams in DI are ranked among the Top 25 in national Preseason Power Rankings: Memphis War Eagles (#4) and Nashville’s Tennessee Legends (#24).

Final championship games will be played July 6th at Southwind (7DI), Wooddale Middle School (DII) and Hickory Ridge Middle (2nd Grade).

Other tournament locations for the week are: Lausanne Collegiate School, The LeMoyne-Owen College Re-

naissance Center, The LeMoyne-Owen College – Bruce-Johnson Hall, Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church, Nike Corp., Ridgeway High School, Ridgeway Middle School, Sacred Heart Middle School, Wooddale High School and World Overcomers Outreach Ministries Church.

(For more information, visit http://www.aauboysbasketball .org or call the YOMCA office at 901-362-9550.)