7 23 2014

VOL. 63, No. 28

POLITICS 2014

Brown launches zinger at Weirich ahead of early voting kickoff Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Barely 48 hours before the start of early voting on Friday (July 18th), the already contentious Shelby County District Attorney’s race between incumbent Amy Weirich and chalJudge Joe lenger Judge Joe Brown Brown became even more intense.

The twopronged accelerant came in the form of Brown’s campaign criticizing local media for being biased on Weirich’s behalf, and the campaign bringing forward a list of Amy Weirich eight court cases collectively deemed proof that Weirich is not worthy of the position.

In an email distributing a press release about the cases, Brown’s campaign manager, Carmen Johnson, asserted that the information was necessary because the campaign feels “the media will not tell the truth.

Every little thing Judge Brown does is printed and on the news. All I ask is be fair.

“Amy Weirich is not squeaky clean! ...Read the 8 ‘Dirty Little Secrets’ she does not want the VOTERS to know. This woman should not have her law license.”

The Weirich campaign answered with force, providing a written response to The New Tri State Defender that labeled Brown “desperate.”

“He is again distorting the facts and taking things out of context as part of a misguided attempt to smear Amy Weirich,” wrote Lang Wiseman, Weirich’s campaign chairman.

The eight cases in question, and the year they were tried, are: State v Sanlin, 2005; State v Coleman, 2002; Roe v State, 2002; State v Bond, 2006; State v Thomas, 2005; State v Talley, 2006; State v Odom, 2004; and State v Culbreath, 2000.

A local attorney that the TSD asked to review the cases reported that Brown’s campaign is on solid footing with its charges about at least three of the cases. The reviewer, whose name the TSD agreed to withhold because he is a practicing attorney, said it was important to note that Weirich was not the sole attorney on many of the cases, but was part of a prosecutorial team.

Brown said the cases speak for themselves.

“The cases listed are available if you do the research,” he said. “The record does not lie. The (Tennessee) Supreme SEE BROWN ON PAGE 2

MEMPHIS WEEKEND SATURDAY

SUNDAY

H- 7 6o - L - 6 4o H- 8 3o - L - 6 7o H- 8 7o - L - 7 0o R ain /Th und er Isolated T-Storm Partl y Cl o udy REGIONAL TEMPS LITTLE ROCK NASHVILLE JACKSON, MS

Friday H-75 L-65 H-77 L-65 H-81 L-71

Saturday H-84 L-67 H-82 L-66 H-84 L-72

Sunday H-89 L-71 H-85 L-67 H-87 L-72

75 Cents

Much at stake for MPA’s Williams and Mayor Wharton Days of uncertainty continue

by Tony Jones

FRIDAY

www.tsdmemphis.com

July 17 - 23, 2014

Special to the New Tri-State Defender

by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell Mike Williams, president of the Memphis Police Association (MPA), has been a passionate champion in railing against the City Council’s mid-June vote embracing administration-proposed reductions in healthcare and retirement benefits for retirees and city employees.

On Wednesday morning at the Shelby County Schools building, hundreds of retired employees and their supporters converged at a meeting with certain anger and heightened concern for the future. Williams offered words of comfort and encouragement, assuring attendees that the fight was not over. Afterwards, Williams was stopped and thanked for his efforts on their behalf.

“I just want my four daughters to see me as a man of honesty and integrity. I want to be the kind of man they can be proud of,” Williams said in a one-on-one interview with The New Tri-State Defender.

For many, Williams has become the face of a fight pitting Mayor A C Wharton Jr. and the Council against retirees and city employees, most notably police officers and firefighters.

The backdrop reflects employee- and retiree-benefits costs that threaten the city’s fiscal soundness.

Meanwhile, morale among police,

Mayor A C Wharton Jr.

firefighters and city employees is as low as many area residents can recall in recent memory. Protesters have voiced their displeasure in front of City hall and the Greater Memphis Chamber of Commerce. Police and firefighters have been calling in sick in unsettling numbers.

And, says Williams, it’s not even close to being done.

“Mayor Wharton is an attorney, and basically, what he has done is challenge the Memorandums of Agreement (MOAs), which have been in place long before he came to

Michael Williams

office,” said Williams.

“Tennessee is a ‘right to work’ state, and unions are not recognized.

So police and firefighters cannot strike, but there were MOAs in place.

We had signed contracts. As a matter of fact, we had just signed a new contract. The mayor just essentially said, ‘None of that matters. We’re going to cut what we want to cut anyway.’

We’re in federal court right now fighting, and this administration is paying outside attorneys $500 an hour of taxpayer money to represent them.’”

At the very core of budget disputes has been, according to Williams, the many millions of tax dollars allotted to PILOTs (Payments in lieu of taxes), a program of incentives and tax breaks for businesses in the private sector.

Rather than “claw some of that money back from these businesses, the city chose instead to put the burden of the deficits on our backs,” said Williams. “There is nothing right about that.”

Meanwhile, Mayor Wharton contends that things are not exactly as they seem to Williams and others.

And the PILOTs initiative in particular has been good for the city, he says, “The PILOT program is one of the few tools available to grow and attract jobs in the City of Memphis; we cannot stop offering them and expect to successfully compete with surrounding states that have income taxes and other recruiting tools,” said Wharton.

“While PILOTs are not ideal, PILOT recipients and their employees all pay property tax, sales tax, vehicle tax and other local taxes and fees to the city.”

According to Williams, PILOTs are not giving the returns being SEE STAKE ON PAGE 2

#901Choice2014 – in a word, innovative!

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

by Carlissa Shaw, ESQ. INNOVATIVE is the word to describe the social media-infused event sponsored by The New TriState Defender (TSD) and Social Change with a Twist (SCWT) at Visible Music College last Thursday (July 10th).

The downtown college’s swanky and modern infrastructure was all abuzz with political candidates of myriad ages, races and political backgrounds. An open-air atrium functioned as a social center for the event. Guests were able to eat, drink, listen to music and meet with various office holders and seekers.

The public forum portion of the event was hosted in a very modern auditorium that was lined with impressive flat screens, giving all those in attendance a clear view of the social media action taking place online.

Putting the evening’s objective in context, an onstage host said, “Only 17 percent of registered voters participated in the May primary election. Of that 17 percent, only 4 percent of voters between the ages of 18 and 35. As a result, The New Tri-State Defender (TSD) and Social Change with a Twist (SCWT) decided to collaborate to produce a unique platform for voter engagement using social media.”

Attendees made use of social media to reach and engage people all over the country using the hashtag #901Choice2014. Potential voters – both at the forum and those engaged via Twitter – were allowed to ask each speaker questions or to tweet out in support of the speaker. At one point, candidate attire became the center of the social media focus, with a fashion discussion about the very fashionable sitting Judge Phyliss Gardener.

Although some questions where indicative of the informal nature of social media, other questions posed by the social media audience

BEST IN BLACK AWARDS

SEE CHOICE ON PAGE 2

Voting runs July 21-Aug. 5

www.bestinblackawards.com

Social media-infused event breaks ground

The control center for the socialmedia infused political forum.

(Photo: Karanja A. Ajanaku)

Attendees made use of social media to reach and engage people all over the country using the hashtag #901Choice2014.

The format for the #901Choice2014 forum allowed Juvenile Court Clerk candidate Tarik Sugarmon and others to share their backgrounds, commitments and platforms. Throughout the forum, introductions were the order of the evening. (Photos: Gary S. Whitlow)

The birth – and ultimate death – of Congressman Cohen’s ‘Miss Pearl’

Potential voters – both at the forum and those engaged via Twitter – were allowed to ask each speaker questions or to tweet out in support of the speaker.

Memphis playwright puts twist on the ‘Prodigal Son’ story

Character not appealing to TSDʼs president/publisher

T.L. Gathen tells the story of a man who hit rock-bottom

See Opinion, page 4

See Entertainment, page 10

NEWS

Page 2 BROWN

CONTINUED FROM FRONT

Court cited her for failing to disclose personal interest and conflict of interest, and in another case she concealed evidence, created evidence and made prejudicial remarks to the jury that caused not just the reversal of the conviction but to dismiss the indictment. These cases go back to 2002 and continue to 2008. It is not a matter of inexperience. She started (as a prosecutor) in 1994. It is absolutely relevant.”

In his written response to the TSD’s inquiry, Wiseman wrote that, “Criminal trials are often hotly contested, and evidentiary disputes arise that are the subject of honest disagreement. However, lawyers don’t get to unilaterally decide what evidence is submitted to a jury – the trial judges make those decisions. Indeed, any evidence or argument from which a defendant appeals was obviously approved first by a trial judge, otherwise there would be nothing to appeal.”

Sometimes the appellate courts disagree and rule that a trial judge improperly approved and allowed the presentation of certain evidence, added Wiseman.

“That doesn’t mean anyone is guilty of misconduct – either the judge or the lawyer. It merely means the appellate court had a difference of opinion over what evidence was appropriately submitted to a jury. And Joe Brown knows

better. He even admits that as a trial judge he was reversed by the appellate courts at times, but that doesn’t mean he (or the lawyers in his court) were somehow unethical or committed misconduct. They merely disagreed over the applicable law.”

The bottom line, Wiseman emphasized, is that Weirich has never even been charged or reprimanded for any sort of ethical misconduct by the Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility (BPR), which governs lawyers in Tennessee.”

BPR websites confirm what he is saying, Wiseman added.

“The real facts here are that Amy Weirich is universally praised across the nation as a model prosecutor, and she is regularly asked to lecture, advise, and even teach other DA’s.”

Brown’s penchant for “outlandish behavior and questionable conduct in search of media attention is nothing new,” wrote Wiseman, noting that Brown had been reprimanded for improper misconduct by the appellate court which “actually had to remove him once from a case while he was a sitting trial judge due to egregious and biased behavior.

“This behavior included, among other things, injecting local politics into a judicial proceeding (which the court referred to as ‘highly improper’), and giving numerous press interviews about a case – State v.

Ray, 984 S.W.2d 239 (Tenn.Crim.App. 1998) – pending in his courtroom.”

Attendees had plenty of candidates seeking to win their favor.

(Photo: Gary S. Whitlow)

CHOICE

CONTINUED FROM FRONT

were more serious and called for candidates to think and act quickly.

One tweeter posed this question to Congressional hopeful, Ricky Wilkins” “As a new Congressman how can you bring back the federal funds for community development issues in Memphis?”

Wilkins responded by giving the audience a brief history lesson on “congressional novists” and how successful novists such as Harold Ford and Harold Ford Jr. were in the past. He promised to be willing to work on behalf of the people every day, if elected.

The social media response was so overwhelming that the hastag #901choice2014 was a “trending” topic on Twitter.

(Trending on Twitter refers to a hashtag-driven topic that is immediately popular at a par-

Tri-State Defender

July 17 - 23, 2014

ticular time.) And at the forum, dozens of interested young adults sat attentively, listening carefully to each candidate on stage.

“I came out because I saw the forum on Instagram.” Said Mykila Cobb, a young professional starting her career at ALSAC/St. Jude.

“I wanted to be more knowledgeable about the candidates.

Not being from Memphis you only hear negative things about politics. I want to be an effective citizen and voting is the only way to be effective”.

Social Media is very important to engaging the next generation of voters, said London Lamar, the chair of the newlyrevived Young Democrats Organization.

“We must use the tools that the younger generation use to engage them and that includes social media,” said London.

“This is a great event. There is a great turnout, it was creative and innovative and modern to use social media.”

In my view…

STAKE

CONTINUED FROM FRONT

promised by businesses receiving these massive amounts of money. His answer?

“It’s very simple. I set before the City Council a plan that will generate $47 million immediately. I suggested that 80 percent of that should go to the Public Safety Fund so that pensions and other employee deficits can be addressed. The remaining 20 percent should go to Debt Services to address future deficits being anticipated. That remedy is simply to raise taxes half a cent. Put it to the people in a referendum. I believe citizens will pass it overwhelmingly.”

PILOTs are contractual obligations between a business and IDB/EDGE (Industrial Develop-

ment Board/Economic Development Growth Engine), Center City Revenue Finance Corp./Downtown Memphis Commission, or the Memphis Health, Educational and Housing Facilities Board. Any change to existing PILOTs would require the approval of both parties.

“To try to unilaterally make changes to these contracts would likely result in lawsuits that we would probably lose,” Wharton wrote in response to a query by the TSD. “I agree that we should make certain that companies comply with the terms of these contracts in terms of delivering the jobs and minority participation required.”

Wharton said the numbers prove that PILOTs are well worth the investment.

“For every PILOT we estimate the amount of local tax

revenue these projects will generate and they significantly exceed the amount of tax abated,” Wharton wrote.

“For example, for the 27 PILOTs approved since EDGE was created, total anticipated local tax revenue over the life of those PILOTs is $567,956,305. Total anticipated property tax abatement over the life of those PILOTs is $229,004,854. Projected local tax revenues are nearly 2 ½ times property tax abatements.

For example, IP will pay $226 million in taxes DURING the life of the PILOT. Nike will pay $105 million.”

Wharton said his administration is involved in numerous efforts, programs and activities to increase the numbers of Minority and Women Business Enterprises (MWBEs). As a result, the City of Memphis is

Shelby County Schools Supt. Dorsey Hopson was among the panelists at an education forum on Tuesday sponsored by the Southern Christian Leadership Conference Memphis Chapter in cooperation with the Memphis Baptist Ministerial Association at Greater Mt. Moriah Church Fellowship Hall at 1098 S. Wellington. Other panelists included Dr. W.W. Herenton, former superintendent of Memphis City Schools and charter school operator; Malika Anderson, chief portfolio officer, Achievement School District; and Michael Benjamin, national director, American Federation for Children Grassroots Advocacy & Outreach. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley)

spending more with minority vendors, he said.

“From FY2011 to 2012 the City achieved a 20 to 30 percent increase in certified MWBE spend on City contracts and purchases. While, it’s still not what I’d like for it to be, as you can see from the figures below, there continues to be a steady increase year after year.”

Here are the figures Wharton presented: 1. FY 2008 – $8,769,601 2. FY 2009 – not available 3. FY 2010 – not available 4. FY 2011 – 19,312,108 5. FY 2012 – 35,623,599 (FY2012 City had major CIP Project (Nonconnah Interceptor) with one of its certified MWBE vendors.)

6. FY 2013 – 34,244,629 7. FY 2014 – As of Feb. 2014 the spend is already at $20,453,300.

NATIONAL

Tri-State Defender

Page 3

July 17 - 23, 2014

Labor group withdraws UNCF support over Koch gift Lee Saunders, an African American, said in a stinging letter to Lomax that he was “deeply troubled” when the UNCF accepted the donation from Koch Industries, Inc. and the Charles Koch Foundation in June...

NNPA News Service

by Freddie Allen

WASHINGTON – Lee Saunders, president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, has discontinued supplying scholarships to the United Negro College Fund because it accepted a $25 million donation from ultra-conservative billionaires Charles and David Koch and because of UNCF President Michael Lomax’s apparent support for the brothers’ right-wing ideology.

Saunders, an African American, said in a stinging letter to Lomax that he was “deeply troubled” when the UNCF accepted the donation from Koch Industries, Inc. and the Charles Koch Foundation in June, but was even more shocked when Lomax later attended the Koch brothers’ event in California.

“This was a betrayal of everything the UNCF stands for. The avowed purpose of this private event was to build support – financial and political – for the Koch brothers’ causes. Your appearance at the summit can only be interpreted as a sign of your personal support and the UNCF’s organizational support of the Koch brothers’ ideological program,” Saunders wrote.

He explained, “The Koch brothers and the organizations they fund have devoted themselves for more than a decade to attacking the voting rights of African Americans. They support voter identification laws.

They seek to restrict early voting and voter registration. They support laws that threaten organizations that register voters in the African American community.”

For nearly a dozen years, AFSCME provided annual scholarships and aid packages worth hundreds of thousands of dollars to UNCF, according to officials with the labor group.

Lee Saunders rejects UNCF partnership with Koch brothers.

When Koch Industries acquired Georgia-Pacific in 2005, they continued a longstanding relationship between the manufacturing giant and UNCF that spanned decades.

Since then, according to UNCF’s website, both Georgia-Pacific and Koch, have continued to support UNCF programs.

Charles and David Koch have been criticized for also supporting the American Legislative Exchange Council, the driving force behind voter identification laws in the United States. ALEC also worked with the National Rifle Association on “Stand Your Ground” legislation that gained notoriety worldwide following the shooting death of Trayvon Martin, an unarmed AfricanAmerican teen in Sanford, Fla. In response to Saunders letter, Lomax and UNCF issued a statement touting UNCF’s successful efforts in sending underprivileged students to college, while recognizing the incredible need for resources that often goes unmet.

“This year alone, UNCF awarded $100 million in scholarships to more than 12,000 students at 900 schools across

Michael Lomax defends UNCF decision to take money from white conservatives.

the country, yet had to deny 9 out of every 10 qualified applicants due to lack of resources,” the statement read.

Lomax wrote that although he was “saddened by AFSCME’s decision, it will not distract us from our mission of helping thousands of African American students achieve their dream of a college degree and the economic benefits that come with it.”

Conservative radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh accused AFSCME of operating similar to a plantation with UNCF as its slave.

Lezli Baskerville, the president and CEO of the National

Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO), an umbrella group that represents both public and private black colleges, said that Lomax, as the head of UNCF, carries a heavy burden.

“He has to raise scholarship money for all of these institutions and figure out how to get our kids to and through college,” said Baskerville. “I certainly stay up at night trying to figure that out as well.”

Black families, still reeling from housing and job losses during the Great Recession, suffered another setback when the Obama administration abruptly changed the eligibility

requirements for the Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) program, stifling college dreams for thousands of black students. When enrollment dropped at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) across the nation, the schools were forced to cut programs and staff.

In a press release about the new Koch Scholars Program, UNCF said that grant will not only cover “nearly 3,000 merit-based awards to African American undergraduate, graduate, and post-doctorate students,” but the money will also be used to “offset funding shortfalls as a result of recent changes to the Parent PLUS loan program.”

Advocates for HBCUs and black students defended Lomax for accepting money from the Kochs, but said that UNCF should have managed the public relations around the partnership better.

“For all of those people in our community who were upset with the Koch brothers or anyone else who takes a tough position against the administration and our Black president, the reality is that our schools were compromised by a decision that was made by this administration, and our Black president was leading it,” said Johnny Taylor, president and CEO of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, an organization representing public HBCUs. “And if someone else came up and offered money to help offset the losses that our schools experienced I say, ‘Good for them.’”

Taylor said he understood why people didn’t approve of the partnership, but he wasn’t as troubled by it, until he found out that Lomax had attended the Koch summit, which also featured Charles Murray, coauthor of “The Bell Curve,” a book that asserted that blacks were intellectually inferior to other races, partly because of genetics.

“There is no person in America whose work is more opposed to the fundamental mission of the UNCF than Charles Murray,” Saunders pointed out in his letter to UNCF. “For decades, he has dedicated himself to promoting the notion that the over-representation of African Americans among America’s poor and in America’s prisons is the consequence not of our history or of the types of public policies the Koch brothers promote, but rather is a consequence of our genetic inferiority.”

UNCF officials said that Lomax was at the Koch-sponsored event “simply to discuss the new Koch Scholars Program and the importance of a diverse and divided nation coming together in pursuit of equity in education for all.”

Taylor said, “If you’re going to go into that environment and be used, then you have to ensure that when you walk away it is not unclear to anyone what your mission is or the communities you serve and why this unexpected audience should be more sensitive in making some of the decisions that it’s making. That would have been so much more compelling.”

Still, Taylor said that blacks that don’t give and just sit back and criticize are part of the noise and he encouraged them to be a part of the solution.

The Nielsen Company predicts that black buying power will eclipse $1 trillion in 2015, yet top 10 HBCUs, ranked by endowments, combined for less than $2 billion, compared to the top 10 majority-white institutions that combined for more than $150 billion in 2013, according to the National Association for College and University Business Officers.

“For all the people that are screaming bloody murder about this gift, the question is: How much have you given to an HBCU?” asked Taylor. “If you haven’t, I’m not so sure you have the right to have an opinion about this gift.”

Page 4

John H. Sengstacke Publisher (1951 - 1997)

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OPINION

Tri-State Defender

July 17 - 23, 2014

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

FLASHBACK: 2009

The birth – and ultimate death – of Congressman Cohen’s ‘Miss Pearl’

It was Monday morning, July 7th, and I was up early to start the workweek. I’d spent Independence Day and Essence Festival weekend in New Orleans and in nearby Houma, La., where I visited family and friends. Heading into the office while listening to Clear Channel Radio station KJMS V101, my ears were disturbed by a political ad that harkened back to a day when freedom did not ring nearly loud enough for African Americans.

A character by the name of Miss Pearl, obviously the brainchild of Congressman Steve Cohen’s campaign, spoke in a tone and manner reminiscent of the Aunt-Jemima stereotype about President Obama’s support of Cohen’s reelection campaign.

“Cohen stood up for Obama, now it’s our turn to stand up for him,” said Miss Pearl. Wow, I simply could not believe my ears. The unmitigated gall to even produce an ad with this level of race-focused pandering and condescending admonishments was and simply is unacceptable for any candidate and certainly one with the history and experience of Cohen.

As I was contemplating writing this piece I received a call from the incumbent Congressman and subsequently had two additional phone calls and conversations. I was glad to hear directly from him regarding how such a disrespectful and demeaning ad targeting African-American voters could come out of his campaign.

I listened intently to his explanation of how and why the ads were generated and how they got played on the radio station. He said the ads were the idea of his senior advisor, Jerry Austin, a well-respected political advisor who had worked on the campaigns of a number of members of Congress, as well as that of President Obama. Cohen pointed out that in previous campaigns the voice of former 103.5 on-air personality and comedian Mother Wit was used on radio ads that went over well. Unable to find Mother Wit, they attempted to recreate and channel her voice, energy and personality through the character of Miss Pearl.

According to Cohen, several advisors, including African Americans, told him “the ad was OK and to move forward with it.” He “approved the text, the content of the ad” but once he heard the ad he told them to “kill it.” Cohen said the ads were never meant to run on the air, but it was too late to pull them before the first ones were played. I confirmed with Clear Channel Radio Market Manager Morgan Bohannon that the ads ran on Monday, July 7th on KJMS and Hallelujah FM. There are a number of problems with the Congressman’s explanation.

First, as a senior statesman with a 30year history of service and a track record of solid work, the buck ultimately stops with him.

The script chose to play to the connection between African Americans in the 9th Congressional district and President Obama, the first African American elected (now twice) President. Maybe that’s an acceptable strategy. However, I would wager that voters are less concerned with the endorsement by the President than with Cohen’s consistent efforts to bring to bear legislation and resources to positively impact their lives. Maybe they are a bit more eager to hear about efforts now in motion that warrant sending him back to Congress to complete.

The script slaps voters with the not-so-subtle message that Cohen’s support of the President has somehow created a debt for them that has now come due in the form of their votes.

The voters of the district deserve better. Add in the tone and caricature of Miss Pearl and the ad evokes the issue of race in the most condescending and demeaning way.

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

P r e v i o u s l y, Congressman Cohen has proclaimed the end of race-based voting in Shelby County, asserting that voters had moved beyond that issue in his successful campaigns against Bernal E. several other canSmith II didates who are African Americans. Now, it is not his Democratic Primary opponent, who happens to be well qualified and African American, who has pulled the race card, but the Cohen campaign.

In our conversations, Congressman Cohen acknowledged that he felt and sensed the vitriol from some in the community about the ad. It’s a backlash born of a long frustration with oversimplification and discounting of the true needs, value and desires of African-American voters in this community and throughout this country.

The ad assumes a simplistic, noncerebral voter needing to be reminded by “Mammy” that the Congressman is a good guy deserving of our support. No consideration of the state and needs of the community. No consideration for the record and contributions of the incumbent. Nope, just “Cohen stood up for Obama, now it’s our turn to stand up for him!” For people who for too long have gotten the short end of the stick and caught the majority of hell in this community, that simply isn’t enough.

After thoroughly contemplating the ad and my discussions with Congressman Cohen, I asked myself these questions: Why wouldn’t the Cohen campaign focus on a stellar record rather than race? Why hasn’t he debated his last three opponents in a public debate despite calls to do so?

(The TSD would love to host a debate and has attempted to do so previously only to be declined.) Do the voters not deserve it?

Mistakes do happen and clearly this was one. Once rung there is no un-ringing of the bell, one must simply deal with the ripples. Whether driven by the Congressman or his advisors, the Miss Pearl ad reflects a lack of respect and appreciation for the issues and needs of many in the district. That something like that could even be birthed in the midst of his campaign – no matter the mother – causes one to question the culture, tone and tenor of the campaign.

While I sensed Congressman Cohen’s sincerity during our conversation, he expressed no responsibility for those that created Miss Pearl on his behalf. In fact, I sensed that he felt like the victim of unfair criticism and attacks.

That ad is a reminder of so many things that are wrong with our way of electing leadership in this community, and many rightfully resent it. Given the state of things in our city and county, what the voters truly need is progressive leadership that won’t offer or accept pandering and backwards approaches that yield the same old outcomes. The community is calling for leadership to accept responsibility in making things right, not making excuses and passing blame.

After Congressman Cohen’s 30 years of public service and a track record of positive accomplishments for this city, county and state, I expect more and so does the community. Yes, the Congressman ordered his team to “kill” the Miss Pearl ads, but the reality is they never should have been born.

(Bernal E. Smith II is President/Publisher of The New Tri-State Defender and principal owner of its parent company, Best Media Properties. He can be reached at besmith@tri-statedefender.com.)

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.

What if we looked past the election?

We are now at the beginning of early voting. By Tuesday, polls will be open all over Shelby County, and until August 2 you will have an opportunity to exercise your franchise through early voting. This is a privilege that many of us take for granted, which is unavailable in many parts of the country. Yet, if recent trends hold true, approximately four to nine percent of registered voters will visit the polls during this voting cycle.

Looking at this reality, we must add the toxic cynicism that now is a part of the community’s disillusion with the political process. Many see no reason to vote or hope. With this in mind, I offer this thought: Look past the election.

Candidates reading this may think I’ve lost my mind. Armchair cynics may say ‘amen’ before hearing the rest of the sermon. However, there is purpose behind this prose. First, if you begin to look at what you want to see after the election, two things should be happening. One, you must have an agenda of what the elected official must do for you. Second, you must then vote for that person that has this understanding closest to your agenda.

Why is this important? Because the political process dictates, in many ways, the quality of life for a community.

Don’t understand? The recent cuts in insurance benefits for Memphis city employees and retirees – who did it? You? Me? No, it came through the legislative governmental process for the city of Memphis. Elected officials affect the ability of the business community to flourish, shaping everything from a business’ location to the taxes, if any, they will pay. They can affect where you work, the quality of your job, and how you travel to get there. That is why whom you vote for has importance.

With this in mind, let me go to the important terrain after the election. If you put your ear to the ground, many cry out for an agenda. What follows is an attempt to offer some talking points.

According to the 2010 Census, 30.8 percent of Shelby County businesses are black owned. Yet these businesses account for less than 1 percent of all countywide business receipts. This looks worse when you add the following wrinkles: government and unions have historically been the vehicles that lifted blacks to the middle class. With shrinking tax bases and unions under attack, the gains made over the last 40 years are under attack.

So, 53 percent of the County, and about 70 percent in the City produce less than 1 percent of business receipts, and the County government has awarded no contracts to any businesses that are a part of this population. Still think whom you vote for doesn’t matter?

In addition to the anemic business climate, another factor to include is the high level of blacks connected to the penal system through incarceration, parole, or felony convictions. Some estimates put one out every three black males in Shelby County in this situation.

According to a 2008 article in The Commercial Appeal, Shelby County has the third highest incarceration rate in the country.

And in the landscape before both the

public school system merger and the subsequent municipal districts, only 20 percent of high school graduates were college ready.

What is the answer? Here are some suggestions on measurements Rev. Dr. that can help the Noel G. L. Hutchinson Jr. community, while keeping our politicians on our agenda: Breakup the size of contracts for those doing business with the city and the county. Because of the size of the contracts, reputable minority firms if they are fortunate, get the subcontracting crumbs. Judiciously dividing them up will increase opportunities. Only politicians can do this.

Curb the amount of PILOTS overall, and consider a form of PILOTS or similar relief for small to medium size businesses. There are already advocates for part of this position. In addition, local business may need some initial assistance. They are the backbone of employment across this country. A better climate for them will bless all.

Leverage redevelopment in Memphis within the 1-240 loop. The economic viability and investment in this community appears to be lopsided. Several projects have invested in areas near our communities, yet, with few exceptions, monies have not been invested in our communities. This is where credible non-profits, CDC’s, developers, and government can shape plans for this to happen. Crosstown, Beale Street Landing, Cooper Young and the Fairgrounds are fine, but what about Orange Mound, some parts of South Memphis, and North Memphis?

Systematic solutions to recidivism. A systematic execution of helping the general population with rights restoration is overdue. Coupled with this is the need for potential employers for persons in this situation. Some of this is happening in various stages now, but acceleration is overdue.

There are other issues and solutions that could be cited that space and time won’t allow. In all of this, here is the most important part of this conversation.

Look at the candidates, both incumbents and challenges. Ask, “Which one can execute these necessary things?” Then vote. After the election, observe what they do. If forward motion isn’t taking place, call them. Write them, with your name and address on the correspondence. Email them. And be clear that if action and forward motion doesn’t happen, the next election cycle will give you the opportunity to replace them.

Also, don’t act alone. Get involved with your neighborhood associations, push your church to be more active in this way, and work with your neighbors.

Remember – you know the saying – “a closed mouth don’t get fed.”

(The Rev. Dr. Noel G. L. Hutchinson Jr. is pastor of First Baptist Church, Lauderdale and the host of the TV show “Black Thought.”)

FACEBOOK FAN OF THE WEEK Name: Kenneth Allen

Kenneth Allen is this weekʼs TSD Facebook Fan of the Week!

Allen is a native Memphian and proud alum of Manassas High School and Shelby State (now Southwest Tennessee Community College). He enjoys listening to Gospel music and helping the community.

Thanks Kenneth Allen for excelling in Memphis and for being a part of the TSD Facebook family!

Longer safe-haven times for moms and keeping babies safe

Two recent stories captured headlines and broke hearts across the nation. A 7-monthold baby was abandoned in a New York subway station and another baby died, allegedly Keli Goff suffocated by his mother at just 11 months old. Though the stories had different endings, both are tragedies, and in each case, the babies were being brought up by young mothers who were in over their heads and – in acts of apparent desperation – made choices that will haunt them the rest of their lives.

My point isn’t to condone the alleged actions of these two women.

But it is to raise a question: If we as a society accept that there are people who become parents every day who aren’t ready for parenthood, why don’t we provide more options to help keep their children healthy and safe?

After a spate of high-profile murders of newborns in the 1990s at the hands of teen mothers, with several hiding their pregnancies, safe-haven laws began being introduced around the nation. The laws allow for the safe abandonment of children at designated locations.

The intention is for parents who feel incapable of handling the responsibility of parenthood responsibly to know that they have choices beyond hurting their children. … I would argue that the two cases last week highlight just how flawed current safe-haven laws are.

The window of time by which a child may be abandoned under a safe-haven law varies from state to state. In Texas, where the first safe-haven law was enacted, a child up to 2 months of age can be left, but in Oklahoma the window is seven days and in Colorado it’s just three. In New York, where a mother abandoned her daughter in the subway and another is accused of suffocating her son, the window is 30 days.

I don’t have children, but every new mother I have ever spoken with has conveyed that while the love one feels for a child may be immediate, the realities of how many ways parenthood changes one’s life may not set in until later, and almost never in three days, seven days or even a month.

The first few weeks may be exhausting, physically demanding and overwhelming. But they are also filled with Facebook posts filled with oohs and aahs and cheers of “Congratulations!”

The day-to-day reality of the challenges that parenting entails – particularly if you are doing it without a partner or strong support system – may not become fully apparent until later, and those realities may take many forms.

When you have to take a day off work that you cannot really afford to stay with a sick baby; or are standing at a job all day after getting virtually no sleep because a baby kept you up all night; or you find yourself sick because your baby’s sick.

These are some of the realities of parenting. But while some people may breeze through them, others will struggle, and some, unfortunately, will snap. Maybe a mother won’t actually abandon a baby or suffocate him, but she may hurt him, or herself, some other way.

I wish we lived in a country in which more people took the choice to become a parent more seriously.

I wish there weren’t so many barriers to family planning accessibility. I wish it were harder to become a parent than it is to get a driver’s license, but it’s not. I wish our federal and local governments invested more in parenting classes than in incarceration. But they don’t. So until all of the above become realities in America, I hope we will expand our safe-haven laws.

I don’t like the idea of people treating children as disposable. But I like the idea of people hurting children even less. So I really hope we can encourage our elected officials to increase the time frame of safe-haven laws nationwide to 1 year of age per child, at the very least. I believe this could save lives – the lives of children and perhaps the lives of young parents who feel pushed to the brink.

And in an ideal world, perhaps every politician and candidate who claims to be “pro-life” will step up, do the right thing, and adopt or foster some safe-haven kids. Wouldn’t that be a perfect way to embody pro-family values?

(Keli Goff is The Root’s special correspondent. Follow her on Twitter.)

Tri-State Defender

NATIONAL

July 17 - 23, 2014

Page 5

A partnership to corral the $40 billion African Americans spend annually on travel and tourism NNPA News Service

by Jazelle Hunt

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Black Chambers (USBC) and the National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators, and Developers (NABHOOD) are now partners in a move to make sure that a significant portion of the $40 billion African Americans spend each year on travel and tourism remains in AfricanRob Busby American hands.

The partnership was launched last week at the start of USBC’s professional development conference, held at the Marriott Marquis in the District of Columbia. The newly-opened, four-star hotel, next to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, was jointly financed by Capstone Development, a private, black-owned development firm.

“Today is about more investment in the hotel and travel industry,” Ron Busby Jr., USBC president, said at a press conference. “As African Americans, we have conferences, events, weddings, and vacations, always with white-owned establishments. I think we can bring some that money back to us.”

A Nielsen study conducted in cooperation with the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) found that African Americans spent 40 billion each year on the travel and tourism industries last year.

But Andy Ingraham, president and CEO of NABHOOD, said few of those dollars turn over in the African-American community.

“I’d rate (concerted African-American patronization) as pretty nonexistent,” he said. “We have to create awareness, because most people who come in contact with this idea think it’s a damn good idea.”

Interestingly, Nielsen finds that African Americans are 28 percent more likely than other groups to read financial magazines such as Forbes and Fortune, yet have low levels of participation with mainstream financial products such as purchasing stock or mutual funds.

Although African Americans have yet to truly wield their power as consumers, prominent brands have taken notice, including. Marriott International.

“We see the power of the African American wallet, spending, and economic value,” said Apoorva Gandhi, vice president of Multicultural Markets and Alliances for Marriott. “It’s really important to us that we are consistently authentic in how we employ – through recruitment and developing executive professionals – and also how we market to, and do business with this segment.”

The hotel brand has been named one of Black Enterprise’s top 40 companies for diversity for

eight consecutive years. Marriott has also maintained decades-long partnerships with major African-American organizations such as the National Urban League, NAACP, and the National Black MBA Association.

“One way we try to reach the African-American segment is through our multicultural and diversity partners,” Gandhi says. “One, because these are great organizations doing great things.

But also, they are gateway groups to their demographic. We work to support their goals because, frankly, they’re our goals too.”

Marriott says it was the first hospitality company to establish a diversity and inclusion program. Today, it is also one of a handful of big-name hotels working to cultivate AfricanAmerican executives and owners.

Norman Jenkins, NABHOOD treasurer, and founder of Capstone Development, the company that co-financed the Marriott Marquis in D.C., is also a former Marriott executive. Under his leadership, the brand boasted of at least 500 minorityowned or minority-franchised Marriotts around the world in just three years under its Diversity Ownership Initiative.

Jenkins represents the other angle of AfricanAmerican economic power: gatekeeping and ownership. By owning a business, African Americans can solve many of their own community problems.

“Black businesses still struggle to find funding, either through equity or debt, to let them grow to what they could be,” Busby says. “But we know black business is the key to the unemployment that is wreaking havoc on our communities.”

As Ingraham explained, more business at blackowned hotels results in more hires and more corporate promotions of other African Americans working within the establishment, who can eventually become executives or owners. More business also means that hotels have to buy more goods from suppliers, and can choose to patronize other black-owned businesses in the process.

NABHOOD counts more than 500 blackowned hotels and hospitality venues in the United States, and nine abroad, mostly in the Caribbean, with the exception of one in Ghana and another in Liberia. The organization has a listing of these black-owned properties on its website, www.nabhood.net.

The two organizations will continue their partnership for the long run, with the next collaboration at the 18th Annual International Multicultural and Heritage Tourism Summit and Trade Show this weekend in Miami.

“We’re trying to sign as many agreements as possible for people to give us a chance to provide the level of service they are accustomed to,” Ingraham explains. “The opportunity exists for each of us to play a role in change the economic tapestry. If we could just revise our conscience level and agree to do business with each other, we can all benefit.”

Photo: (Thinkstock)

Is hotel shampoo kind of racist?

The Root

by Jenée Desmond-Harris The Root recently took its “Race Manners’ column to Facebook, where Associate Editor Jenée Desmond-Harris engaged in a live Q&A. One reader took serious issue with the toiletries offered by major hotel chains, going so far as to call the selections a “micro-agression” against black people.

Another exchange tacked a timeless question: What does “racism” really mean (and why don’t people get it)?

Here’s a partial transcript:

Don Mullen: Why don’t America’s hotels provide hair products for black as well as white hair? Is there a way to get them to correct this “micro-aggression”?

Jenée Desmond-Harris: Thanks for your question.

I thought about the issue of hotel toiletries when I was writing the Race Manners column that answered the question, “Is Using Lotion a Black Thing?” In my opinion, the tiny moisturizer that most hotels provide is very clearly not designed for those who want or need to use it on their entire body (read: most black people).

But off the top of my head, I’m not so sure about the shampoo and conditioner selection as a “micro-aggression.”

Here’s why: I would argue that hotels tend to provide very basic hair-care products for people who don’t have any particular hair needs and/or just plain don’t care about their hair aside from making sure it’s clean. (I mean, really, what other kind of person would just lay themselves at the mercy of Marriott and take whatever scent and level of conditioning was provided, never having tried the products before?)

Really, no one who needs or wants anything special for their hair – black or white – is particularly well served by hotel products. That’s why it seems to me that most people (especially most people with more than an inch of hair) pack what they need or prefer while traveling.

Have you noticed that all this stuff comes in carry-on size now? It’s because everyone needs

it, regardless of what may be sitting on the hotel bathroom sink alongside the mouthwash. No hotel I’ve been to has provided anything for hair styling (gel, leave-in conditioner, hair spray, pomade, whatever), which is really where I think we begin to see racial differences in product needs.

So my guess is that there are probably plenty of low-hair-maintenance people of all races who take what the hotel offers and use it without a second thought. Meanwhile, the rest of us, if anything, take the products home and put them in our own guest bathrooms (so visitors can ignore them in favor of the products designed for their particular hair type that they brought with them).

Steve Corley: I find that folks don’t understand the original definition of “racist” or “racism” and try to apply the terms to nonwhites. If we can get everyone to understand the “intrinsically superior to other races” part of the definition and how racism was enforced by discrimination and apartheid, then these conservative folks may begin to understand that there can be no reverse racism, etc.

JDH: I agree. I also think it’s a fair read of the dictionary definition of racism to include within it “acquiescence to and accommodation of racialized hierarchies.” This makes room for situations in which the “belief that some races of people are better than others” rears its head through policies, practices, institutions and laws, and takes the focus away from individuals’ feelings (which are always up for debate, right?).

I also agree that we could use a bigger and more specific vocabulary to discuss the many different ways that racism manifests itself so that we can hopefully put an end to the “But I have black friends so I can’t be racist,” “I say I’m not racist, so I’m not” and “But that’s reverse racism” lines of thinking once and for all.

(Jenée Desmond-Harris, The Root’s associate editor of features, covers the intersection of race with news, politics and culture. So if you need race-related advice, send your questions to racemanners@theroot.com. Follow Jenée on Twitter.)

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BUSINESS

July 17 - 23, 2014

MONEY MATTERS

Tri-State Defender

Why do people buy annuities?

Annuities are insurancebased financial vehicles that can provide many benefits sought by retirement-minded investors. There are a number of reasons why people buy annuities.

Deferral of taxes is a big benefit, and so is the ability to put large sums of money into an annuity — more than is allowed annually in a 401(k) plan or an IRA — all at once or over a period of time. Annuities offer flexible payout options that can help retirees meet their cash-flow needs. They also offer a death benefit; generally, if the contract owner or annuitant dies before the annuitization stage, the beneficiary will receive a death benefit at least equal to the net premiums paid.

Annuities can help an estate avoid probate; beneficiaries receive the annuity proceeds without time delays and probate expenses. One of the most appealing benefits of an annuity is the option for a guaranteed lifetime income stream.

When you purchase an annuity contract, your annuity assets will accumulate tax deferred until you start taking withdrawals in retirement. Distributions of earnings are taxed as ordinary income. With-

drawals taken prior to age 59½ may be subject to a 10 percent federal income tax penalty.

Fixed Charles Sims annuities pay a fixed Jr., CFP rate of return that can start right away (with an immediate fixed annuity) or can be postponed to a future date (with a deferred fixed annuity). Although the rate on a fixed annuity may be adjusted, it will never fall below a guaranteed minimum rate specified in the annuity contract. This guaranteed rate acts as a “floor” to help protect owners from periods of low interest rates. Any guarantees are contingent on the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company.

Variable annuities offer fluctuating returns. The owner of a variable annuity allocates premiums among his or her choice of investment subaccounts, which can range from low risk to very high risk. The return on a variable annuity is based on

the performance of the subaccounts that are selected. Any guarantees are contingent on the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company.

The investment return and principal value of an investment option are not guaranteed. Variable annuity subaccounts fluctuate with changes in market conditions. When a variable annuity is surrendered, the principal may be worth more or less than the original amount invested.

Variable annuities are longterm investment vehicles designed for retirement purposes.

They are sold by prospectus.

Please consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses carefully before investing. The prospectus, which contains this and other information about the variable annuity contract and the underlying investment options, can be obtained from your financial professional. Be sure to read the prospectus carefully before deciding whether to invest.

2014 BENNY Awards...

The Black Business Association of Memphis held its BENNY Awards Luncheon at the Holiday Inn-University of Memphis last Friday (July 11th).

Award winners reflected businesses and individuals that have “continually provided service and value to their customers, clients and patrons.)

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

COMMENTARY

Debt settlement programs are misleading NNPA News Service

by Charlene Crowell You’ve probably heard the advertisements on urban radio urging consumers with at least $10,000 in debt to call a number right away for a financial rescue.

Promising to end debt troubles by getting creditors to somehow accept less money than what is owed can sound really appealing.

In reality, however, consumers mired in debt may often find debt settlement programs to be costly, misleading, and far less helpful than the radio ad promises.

In the newest chapter in the research series titled The State of Lending, the Center for Responsible Lending (CRL) finds that debt settlement is a risky strategy that can leave consumers more financially vulnerable and still laden with debt years after they enroll in such programs.

Regardless of how well consumers follow the instructions of their debt settlement firm, they may ultimately be unsuccessful because many creditors simply refuse to deal with debt settlement companies.

According to the report, “Debt settlement companies do not tell consumers whether creditors will work with their firms at the time of enrollment. However, even if debt-settlement companies were required to disclose whether a particular creditor routinely works with their firm, this provides no real guarantee. In many cases, the party who owns a debt changes over time, since a debt may be sold successively to multiple parties.”

Available data suggests that at least two-thirds of debts must be settled in order to achieve a net

Charlene Crowell

positive outcome from debt settlement.

Even more debts must be settled for the consumer to achieve real savings if they end up being liable for taxes on

the debt reduction.

In the end, many consumers never realize that kind of experience. Rather, they end up worse off financially. According to the American Fair Credit Council, an industry trade association, consumers must typically be enrolled in debt settlement plan for three to four years in order to complete the program. During this time, debt balances grow an average 20 percent while consumers wait for settlements to be reached. Additionally, their credit scores are negatively affected, financial instability increased, and the likelihood of creditor lawsuits loom near.

According to Leslie Parrish, co-author of the report and deputy research director at CRL, “When a consumer stops making payments on a debt, not only is she/he vulnerable to fees and an increased interest rate, the reporting of this delinquency to credit bureaus can impact credit scores for years.”

In general, the higher a consumer’s credit score is, the lower the cost of credit they will incur.

Conversely, the lower one’s credit score, the higher the cost of credit and interest will be.

Whether applying for a credit card, auto loan or a mortgage,

bad credit histories make future credit and borrowing more expensive.

In 2010, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued regulation that barred debt settlement companies from charging fees until they reached settlements with the client’s creditors. While this regulation has stopped some of the most egregious industry practices, CRL’s report finds that significant financial risks remain for debt settlement clients.

Today, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau shares regulatory oversight of debt settlement with the FTC. Thus far, CFPB has taken multiple enforcement actions against several debt-settlement companies and one payment processor.

CRL also sees a role for states to establish meaningful limits of debt settlement fees. One recommendation is to limit the fees that can be charged and to calculate such fees on the basis of the amount of savings achieved for the consumer.

State and federal regulators could also require better screening of prospective customers to lower the risk of a bad outcome. Factors such as the amount of debt to be enrolled, creditors and the consumer’s financial circumstances would be taken into account.

Ellen Harnick, co-author of the report and senior policy counsel at CRL, said, “What’s clear is that more action is necessary to protect consumers.”

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

TV Judge Glenda Hatchett (above, second from right) was the keynote speaker.

BBA President/CEO Roby S. Williams, Judge Hatchett and Myron Mays, BBA director of communications. (Photos: Tyrone P. Easley)

RELIGION

Tri-State Defender

Gospel favorites to honor The Blvd.’s Dr. Davis

Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church’s Minister of Worship, Dr. Leo H. Davis Jr., will be honored for 25 years of service on Friday and Saturday (July 18th-19th).

The weekend celebration includes a black-tie gala and gospel concert. The concert will take place Friday at Mississippi

Page 7

July 17 - 23, 2014

Dr. Leo H. Davis Jr.

Boulevard Christian Church’s Midtown location at 70 North Bellevue Boulevard.

The Celebration of the Arts gospel concert will feature some of the music industry’s leading artists and composers. The list includes gospel legends such as Donald Lawrence, Gaye Arbuckle, Shirley Caesar,

RELIGION BRIEFS

V. Michael McKay, Kathy Taylor, Kurt Carr and Ricky Dillard. Musical guests will include Roland Carter and Joseph Joubert.

“I am overwhelmed by the loving support of my family, friends, colleagues and church, Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church,” Davis said.

The celebration is hosted in conjunction with Children Sing Productions, which is well known for its gospel concerts and theatre productions nationally.

Tickets are available for the concert at www.childrensing.net or call 901729- 6222. Doors will open at 6 p.m., with the concert set for 7 p.m.

BRIEFLY: On July 23rd, New Sardis Baptist Church is hosting a dinner and discussion in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Dinner served at 6 p.m. in the Family Life Center, with the discussion at seven o’clock in the sanctuary. Among the panelists confirmed are County Commissioner Walter Bailey, Judge

D’army Bailey, and Dr. Erma Clanton. The event is free, with youth organizations particularly encouraged to attend. If dining, RSVP by calling 901-754-3979.

BRIEFLY: Pastor Ronald E. Hampton and Right Direction Christian Ministries, located at 3680 Rhodes Ave., presents the 3rd Annual Back To School Rally on Aug. 1st beginning at 7 p.m. The event is in support of Right Direction Christian Ministreies adopted school, Sherwood Elementary.

Tracy Bethea has gotten a promotion and now is head of gospel programming at Hallelujah FM. (Courtesy photo)

Gospel programming in Tracy Bethea’s hands at Hallelujah FM

Over the last two decades, Tracy Bethea has observed and participated in the evolution of the gospel music genre from a programming perspective and has also been a catalyst to helping artists understand the unique art of programming.

As the new head of gospel programming at WHAL 95.7 Hallelujah FM, Bethea has a new leadership role that many project will bring new luster to the Clear Channel Communications brand in the gospel arena.

In her prior position as the station’s assistant program director/music director, Bethea worked closely with and learned key programming strategies from her colleague and friend, Eileen Collier.

“Besides being the epitome of class, kindness and inspiration Tracy Bethea is the epitome of radio,” says Grammy Award winning artist and producer Donald Lawrence.

Vashawn Mitchell, a gospel artist noted for his #1 hit “Nobody Greater,” says, “There are programmers and then there are programmers. Tracy Bethea falls into the then there are programmers category.”

Cheryl Jackson, midday host at WPRS Praise 104.1 FM in Washington, D.C., says the art of radio is creating palatable sound that attracts listeners to tune in.

“This is Tracy Bethea! Her voice tone and love of community mixed with experience and knowledge of this format makes her an ultimate professional in the business,” Jackson says.

Neily Dickerson of the ND co. agrees, adding that “Tracy’s preserving the sound of gospel music.” artist Ricky Dillard (Currently #1 with his hit “Amazing”) simply calls Bethea an innovator.

Bethea has become adept at juggling her professional position with her love of traveling and her private roles as a wife, daughter and active member of The New Olivet Baptist Church.

“She was one of the first announcers to play my music,” gospel legend Kurt Carr says. “We’ve both grown significantly over the years, but her professional and kindness have been unwavering. She’s by far one of the best in the business.”

That’s worth a hallelujah!

Reflect, remember, renew…

First Baptist Church-Broad was the venue for Sunday services during a weekend of 50th reunion activities for the Manassas High School Class of 64. Other elements included a banquet at the Holiday Inn-University of Memphis and a “picnic” in the school cafeteria (Photos: Tyrone 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

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

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

—Phillipians 4:13

Page 8

Tri-State Defender

July 17 - 23, 2014

NOTICE OF EARLY VOTING Pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated (TCA), Sec. 2-6-103, notice is hereby given by the Shelby County Election Commission of unrestricted early voting for voters in all wards and precincts in Shelby County, Tennessee. This early voting will take place as follows: DOWNTOWN EARLY VOTING LOCATION:

Shelby County Office Building, 157 Poplar Ave., 38103 Beginning: Friday, July 18, 2014 Saturday, July 19, 2014 Weekdays July 21 - August 1, 2014 Saturdays, July 26 & August 2, 2014

10:00 AM - 7:00 PM 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

and EARLY VOTING SATELLITE LOCATIONS: Beginning: Monday, July 21 – Saturday August 2, 2014 Saturdays, July 26 and August 2, 2014

10:00 AM - 7:00 PM 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

LOCATION

ADDRESS

LOCATION

ADDRESS

Abundant Grace Fellowship Church Agri-Center Anointed Temple of Praise Baker Community Center Bellevue Baptist Church Bethel Church Berclair Church of Christ Collierville Church of Christ Dave Wells Community Center Glenview Community Center

1574 E. Shelby Dr., 38116 7777 Walnut Grove Rd. 38120 3939 Riverdale Rd., 38141 7942 Church Rd., 38053 2000 Appling Rd., 38016 5586 Stage Rd., 38134 4536 Summer Ave., 38122 575 Shelton Dr., 38017 915 Chelsea Ave., 38107 1141 S. Barksdale St., 38114

Greater Lewis Street Baptist Church Greater Middle Baptist Church Mississippi Blvd. Church - Family Life Center Mt. Zion Baptist Church New Bethel Baptist Church Raleigh United Methodist Church Riverside Baptist Church Shiloh Baptist Church The Refuge Church White Station Church of Christ

152 E. Parkway N., 38104 4982 Knight Arnold, 38118 70 N. Bellevue Blvd., 38106 60 S. Parkway E., 38106 7786 Poplar Pike St., 38138 3295 Powers Rd., 38128 3560 S. Third St., 38109 3121 Range Line Rd., 38127 9817 Huff N Puff Rd., 38002 1106 Colonial Rd., 38117

FEDERAL AND STATE REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY ELECTION AND SHELBY COUNTY GENERAL ELECTION SHELBY COUNTY, TENNESSEE AUGUST 7, 2014

SHELBY COUNTY REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY ELECTIONS SHELBY COUNTY, TENNESSEE AUGUST 7, 2014 Robert D. Meyers, Chairman Norma Lester, Secretary Dee Nollner, Member Steve Stamson, Member Anthony Tate, Member

Tri-State Defender

NEWS

July 17 - 23, 2014

Black Girls CODE, founded in 2011 by Kimberly Bryant, features numerous chapters “dedicated to providing girls of color with the technical skills and inspiration to become technology leaders of tomorrow.”

(Courtesy photo)

Build A Game In A Day with Beta workshop

The Memphis Chapter of Black Girls CODE will host a game development workshop on July 26 at New Horizons Computer Learning Center at 4775 American Way. The workshop will focus on using Beta, an interactive tool that allows players to simultaneously play, create and share games while learning how to code.

“Kids absolutely love building games in Beta,” said Meka Egwuekwe, Core Team Lead.

“We are excited to bring this groundbreaking learning platform to Memphis for the first time, and are looking forward to our girls expressing their creativity.”

Black Girls CODE, founded in 2011 by Kimberly Bryant, features numerous chapters “dedicated to providing girls of color with the technical skills and inspiration to become technology leaders of tomorrow.”

The workshop will be taught by Errol King, co-founder and creative director of Hidden Level Games, the New York-based startup that created Beta. Check-in begins at 9a.m., and the event starts at 10 a.m.

The cost of the workshop is $35 per child, with limited scholarships available. To access the on-

line platform that will be used, attendees must create a Beta account prior to the workshop by visiting https://betathegame.com/create_account.

Parents/guardians must purchase the full version for $10.

“Community support for the Memphis chapter of BGC has been amazing. Memphians continually express an interest in ensuring our girls have the same STEM opportunities afforded to them as girls in other cities,” said Non-Technical Lead Nic Harris.

Businesses or organizations interested in food sponsorships or swag bag donations are encouraged to reach out to Harris at memphischapter@blackgirlscode.org.

Volunteer orientation for technical volunteers will be held online at a later date. Individuals wishing to volunteer should visit http://www.blackgirlscode.com/volunteersignup.html to sign up.

For additional information or to inquire about sponsoring a girl, contact Meka Egwuekwe, Core Team Lead, at 901-484-4203.

Online Registration: https:// betamemphisbgc.eventbrite.com

Page 9

ENTERTAINMENT Tri-State Defender, Thursday, July 17 - 23, 2014, Page 10

ALL OVER TOWN!

A serving of comedy, with D. L. Hughley as the main course Special to The New Tri-State Defender

by Ashley Grandberry In full spectator mode, I showed up at the new Chuckles Comedy House in Cordova hungry for comedy and braced for long lines and lagged show times from a new business. My downside expectations were completely wrong.

The entire staff was on point. There was an ample wait crew, efficient cashiers and prompt show times. Serve up the comedy!

Clint Coley

With Philadelphia native D.L. Hughley the main course, the first comedic appetizer of the evening was Clint Coley. He dished out a real-world perspective on sex and relationships that not only makes you laugh but makes you think, especially about the roles that men and women play in modern relationships.

Coley spoke frankly about how women with unrealistic expectations get in the way of themselves in relationships and how men will fall short if they strive to meet such standards.

Remember the name Clint Coley. As he perfects his craft, you’re likely to hear it again.

The Funnyman, Prescott

Born and bred in Memphis, K97 fans hear Prescott’s morning jokes Monday through Friday. Lucky for us he is just as talented as a stand-up comedian.

Prescott is a mastermind at making Memphians feel right at home with jokes about local stuff. MLGW jokes are always a crowd pleaser because ALL Memphians have to deal with the utility services giant.

A gifted storyteller, Prescott was hysterical as he wove humor with his upbringing in a single-parent household. The Funnyman’s act was an uproarious prelude to the night’s main attraction.

D.L. Hughley: Comedic pundit

A bonafide celebrity, comedy and hard work have been very good to D.L. Hughley, who has not lost his touch at all as a standup comedian. He is one of the most dynamic comedians in the world largely because he includes a political forum throughout his entire routine.

His performance at Chuckles was a humor-filled and thoughprovoking excursion through every day relationships between men and women and family dynamics. Along the way he spoke in great detail about newsworthy issues such as Donald Sterling, unemployment, the “n” word, bear attacks, gay rights, sports and the legalization of marijuana.

Hughley’s act is real, raw and informative. Amid the laughs he asserted that African-American women are the most educated group of people in the United States. A comedy show that educates; what better way to spend a Saturday night!

Hughley told the audience that he met his biological father years ago following a performance at the old Pyramid arena.

Thanks to his road manager, Garrett, I got a chance to ask him for some perspective about Memphis.

Ashley Grandberry: Is Memphis influential in your life?

D.L. Hughley: I think it is from the perspective that it is a progressive Southern city. You start to notice trends in the South moving forward based on how cities such as Memphis, Atlanta and Birmingham are moving forward. Things that we’re (Memphians) doing are trendsetting on how the rest of the South is moving forward or even falling behind.

For instance, what’s now going on with the police department now even in Southern cities, which are usually considered lawand-order cities. They don’t value the people that they espouse to love so much. Memphis is a city that you never would’ve thought would have such law enforcement issues especially due to the fact that you all (Memphis) are on “First 48” all of the time.

AG: How big of a role do you think comedy plays in political awareness?

DL: More people listen to comedic pundits than they do newscasters. Comedy is like aspirin and orange juice. Remember your mother would give you something you needed and something that you like? Comedy embodies that. I think that it’s our (comedians’) way to tell the truth, but it lets people off the hook by giving it to people in a way that’s more palatable and digestible. That’s the beauty of comedy. It can make people see a truth without necessarily having to hit them over the head with it.

(For questions, or if you would like Ashley Grandberry at your next big event, email inthemail@tri-statedefender.com.)

D.L. Hughley with TSD All Over Town columnist Ashley Grandberry in between performances at the new Chuckles Comedy House at 1700 Dexter Rd. (Courtesy photo)

The cast and crew of “From a Mess to a Miracle”: First row (l-r) – Tyshawn Campbell, Dominique Walker, Malik Walker; second row (l-r) – Rodney Burns III, Jensine Williams, Brittney Gathen, T.L. Gathen, Jarvis “Jay” Taylor, Betsy Spring, Cecily Bennett, Joann Bell, Jennifer Gomez, Cesar Gomez, Anissa Brown, and Trish Williams. (Courtesy photos)

ʻFrom a Mess to a Miracleʼ:

Memphis playwright puts twist on the ‘Prodigal Son’ story Special to The New Tri-State Defender

by Brittney Gathen

They were nervous, with neither having been in a production before, but gained confidence working with Gathen.

“The best way I can describe working with Tommy in this production is excellence, integrity, and having a mentality to want to do it right…Tommy would always give confirmation to us that we could do it,” Cesar Gomez said.

“He was tactful. I appreciated his dedication to his vision, and that he didn’t lose sight of that,” Jennifer Gomez said.

In the parable of the Prodigal Son, a man seeks his inheritance, wastes it, returns home, and is welcomed back with open arms. A Memphis playwright added a twist to this story and turned it into a gospel stage play, which debuted July 12th at the West Memphis Civic Auditorium.

T.L. Gathen, a business applications advisor at FedEx and president of Majestic Kingdom Melodies (MKM) Productions, wrote “From a Mess to a Miracle.” It follows A.J. Clarkesdale (Jarvis Taylor), who returns home after hitting Ministry rock bottom, hoping to be welcomed back into his father’s “I decided to join MKM because I had never been a part house and TV station. However, his stepmother, Gertrude of a production that was focused on ministry, and since I like Clarkesdale (Jennifer Gomez), is not happy about him interministry and acting, I figured that I could really have a conrupting the life she and her son, Reggie (Malik Walker), nection working with MKM,” said Dominique Walker, who have with A.J.’ s father, Andrew (Rodney Burns), and A.J. plays intern Diana. has to move in with his MKM is serious church-going Aunt about ministering to Maxine (Joann Bell). people and giving a “The inspiration for message through ‘From a Mess to a Mirplays, said Walker, acle’ would be some of who had a small role the things I’ve seen in Gathen’s “Artificial growing up, where famTurf.” The latest proilies have chalduction allowed her to lenges…with blended have a bigger role and families you have chalanother chance to aflenges because there’s a fect people. sibling struggle and bat“The result you tle between stepmother get from every proand kids…I thought it duction, seeing how would be something it affects people… that would minister to and how they are different families,” Gatouched by the mesthen said. sage, makes the ex“A main message perience better,” would be for people said Walker. who’ve had challenges in their life to know that Life experiences God still loves them, and they have another For Rodney Burns, chance at life, but … playing the father of a there’s still going to be troubled son in the challenges.…” production was not Driven by passion for difficult. music and theater, Ga“I had a stepson, then founded MKM in and he went through a 2007 with the release of lot of the things that the CD, “A SongA.J. did. So, it was writer’s Heart.” This is déjà vu in a way,” Gathen’s third production. His two previous T.L. Gathen – playwright, director, actor and president of Ma- Burns said.

“Mr. Gathen is a productions – “Every- jestic Kingdom Melodies (MKM) Productions. very good professionbody’s Got a Story” and al. He works until he “Artificial Turf” – both gets what he needs out of the actor. I’ve learned a lot just by were in Arkansas.

Gathen is committed to giving back and providing a step- being around him.” ping-stone for people interested in entertainment. His plays are in Arkansas because he’s from there, has many friends MKM’s Future and family there, and it’s affordable.

“When I first started I was trying to capture everything I MKM allows Gathen to work with his family. His wife thought a stage play should consist of. I probably had too videotapes and coordinates things with the patrons. many plots. …I’ve learned to narrow it down. … The very Gathen has high hopes for the future. last one is probably the best in terms of being more com“I hope to continue with additional productions. … I’d plete…it involves more aspects of Christian ministry,” Ga- like to expand service to the community in terms of scholarthen said. ships and opportunities for young people interested in the arts,” he said. “(I want) a building block for people interested in the New to MKM arts.”

Husband and wife team Jennifer and Cesar Gomez, Gath(For more information, T.L. Gathen at MKMentertainen’s cousins, portrayed characters Gertrude Clarkesdale and ment@aol.com or visit http://www.mkmentertainment.com.)

Gertrude’s ex, Dr. Warren Daniels.

“The inspiration for ʻFrom a Mess to a Miracleʼ would be some of the things Iʼve seen growing up, where families have challenges…with blended families you have challenges because thereʼs a sibling struggle and battle between stepmother and kids….”

– T.L. Gathen

ENTERTAINMENT

Tri-State Defender

Page 11

July 17 - 23, 2014

OPENING THIS WEEK

BOOK REVIEW

Kam’s Kapsules:

‘Blessed Experiences: Genuinely Southern, Proudly Black’

Weekly Previews That Make Choosing a Film Fun

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

by Kam Williams

Regina King is Dynamite, a member of The Smokejumpers, in Walt Disneyʼs 3D computer-animated comedyadventure film “Planes: Fire & Rescue.” It is the sequel to the 2013 film “Planes,”which is a spin-off of Pixar's Cars franchise. (Courtesy photo)

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

by Kam Williams

For movies opening July 18, 2014

BIG BUDGET FILMS

“Planes: Fire & Rescue” (PG for action and peril) Animated sequel finds crop dusterturned-air racer Dusty (Dane Cook) joining forces with a team of smoke-jumping helicopters and all-terrain vehicles to fight a massive forest fire. Voice cast features Stacy Keach, Brad Garrett, Cedric the Entertainer, Ed Harris, Teri Hatcher, Regina King, Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara.

“The Purge: Anarchy” (R for profanity and graphic violence) Serendipitous horror sequel follows a quintet’s (Frank Grillo, Carmen Ejogo, Zach Gilford, Kiele Sanchez and Zoe Soul) struggle to survive on the annual national holiday during which crime is legal, even murder. Cast includes John Beasley, Michael K. Williams, Justina Machado and Jack Conley.

“Sex Tape” (R for nudity, profanity, graphic sexuality and drug use) Romantic comedy revolving around a jaded couple (Cameron Diaz and Jason Segel) that comes to regret recording a steamy lovemaking session when the video meant to be kept private inexplicably goes missing. With Rob Lowe, Rob Corddry, Ellie Kemper and Nat Faxon.

“Wish I Was Here” (R for profanity and sexuality) Zach Braff co-wrote, directed and stars in this midlife crisis dramedy about a

cash-strapped family man who finds a new purpose in life after being forced by circumstances to homeschool his kids (Pierce Gagnon and Joey King). Ensemble cast includes Kate Hudson, Mandy Patinkin, Jim Parsons, Donald Faison, Ato Essandoh and the late James Avery.

INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS

“Aftermath” (Unrated) Post-apocalyptic thriller, set in rural Texas, about nine strangers’ stuck in a farmhouse fallout shelter attempt to survive radiation sickness and a horde of starving refugees in the wake of the devastation wrought by a nuclear holocaust.

Co-starring Edward Furlong, William Baldwin, Monica Keena, Andre Royo, C.J. Thomason, Luis Da Silva, Jr., Bo Mitchell, Randall Reeder and Christine Kelly.

“Alive Inside” (Unrated) Dementia documentary demonstrating music’s magical ability to combat memory loss while restoring a sense of self to Alzheimer’s patients.

“Among Ravens” (Unrated) Fact-based dramedy about a 4th of July reunion in Idaho disrupted by the arrival of a mysterious nature photographer (Will McCormack) who proceeds to touch the lives of all the assembled guests. With Amy Smart, Christian Campbell and Calum Grant.

“Double Play” (Unrated) Poignant profile of visionary filmmakers Richard Linklater and James Benning’s enduring friendship.

“Fanny” (Unrated) Second installment in director Daniel Auteuil’s Marseille trilogy

finds the title character (Victoire Belezy) seduced, impregnated and abandoned before deciding to marry a wealthy sugar daddy (JeanPierre Darroussin) for the sake of the baby.

Cast includes Nicolas Vaude, Daniel Russo, Georges Neri. (In French with subtitles) “I Origins” (R for sexuality, nudity and profanity) Sci-fi thriller about a molecular biologist (Michael Pitt) studying the evolution of the eye who makes a stunning scientific discovery with spiritual implications with the help of his lab partner (Brit Marling). With Astrid Berges-Frisbey, Steven Yeun and Archie Panjabi.

“Mood Indigo” (Unrated) Romantic fantasy, written and directed by Michael Gondry, about a wealthy bachelor (Romain Duris) who marries a young woman (Audrey Tautou) after a whirlwind romance only to learn that she’s suffering from a rare illness caused by a flower that’s growing in one of her lungs. Featuring Omar Sy, Gad Elmaleh, Charlotte Le Bon and Aissa Maiga. (In French and English with subtitles)

“Persecuted” (PG-13 for violence and mature themes) Fugitive road thriller about a popular televangelist (James Remar) who ends up on the run after being framed for murder by a vindictive politician (Bruce Davison) with religious reform at the top of his agenda.

With Dean Stockwell, former Senator Fred Thompson and Fox TV’s Gretchen Carlson.

“Video Games: The Movie” (Unrated) Joystick documentary chronicling the history of seminal computer games from creation to consumption.

Whenever House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) calls a press conference, she is invariably accompanied at the podium by the next two ranking Democrats, namely, Minority Whip Steny Hoyer and Assistant Leader James Clyburn. Clyburn is a very visible and important historical figure as the first African American to represent South Carolina in the House of Representatives since Reconstruction.

During his tenure there, he has also done stints as Majority Whip and as Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus. Still, not much has been known about his private life prior to the publication of “Blessed Experiences: Genuinely Southern, Proudly Black,” an intimate autobiography which leaves you with a lasting impression of just who Representative Clyburn is as a person.

We learn, here, that he was born on July 21, 1940 in Sumter, S. Car., the eldest son of the Rev. Enos and Almeta Clyburn, a fundamentalist minister and beautician, respectively. A versatile talent, James played not only on his high school’s baseball and football teams, but played the clarinet and saxophone in school bands, and starred as the leading man in a school play.

At South Carolina State College, where he majored in history, he joined both a dance and theater troupe. Of far more consequence, however, he was arrested and convicted during his junior year as a member of the Orangeburg Seven, the student leaders who had organized a demonstration against segregated lunch counters.

With social activism and a dedication to justice thus seared into his bones, it is no surprise that he would eventually settle on a career in politics. Along the way, he met his life mate, Emily, to whom he has been married since 1961. They have three daughters, Angela, Mignon and Jennifer, two sons-in-law, and three grandchildren.

Besides focusing on family and his considerable achievements in Congress, Clyburn talks at great length about his deep roots in South Carolina. He considers the black Southern experience to be as deserving of recognition and respect as that of whites, which helps explain why he spearheaded the compromise whereby the Confederate battle flag was removed from the dome of the State of South Carolina’s capitol building.

Through it all, he has remained a humble and deeply religious man who is not above relying on Biblical verses for strength during times of adversity. That helps explain why he generously credits his success to “God’s good graces, several strokes of good luck, a caring and nurturing family, and a plethora of loyal and supportive friends.”

A most welcome memoir by a remarkable role model of unquestioned character.

“Blessed Experiences Genuinely Southern, Proudly Black”

by Congressman James E. Clyburn (D-SC) Foreword by Alfre Woodard University of South Carolina Press Hardcover, $34.95 386 pages, Illustrated

Page 12

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Shelby County Government is soliciting proposals for the provision of Construction Services to provide Elevator Modernization, Shelby County Juvenile Court, 616 Adams Avenue, Memphis, TN 38105.

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COMMUNITY

Tri-State Defender

Page 13

July 17 - 23, 2014

Shelby County residents asked to ‘Answer the Call’ with countywide phone survey Survey designed to gather information to help develop tools to assist parents in protecting their childrenʼs emotional and behavioral health

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

by Aisling Maki

Shelby County residents are being asked to “Answer the Call” by participating in a confidential phone survey, which will gather information to help develop tools to assist parents in protecting their children’s emotional and behavioral health.

Calls will go out to randomly selected participants in Shelby County over the next six to eight weeks.

The surveys were organized by the ACE (Adverse Child-

hood Experience) Center Task Force of Shelby County, which is made up of more than 40 community leaders, including Tennessee First Lady Crissy Haslam, Mayor A C Wharton Jr. and Shelby County Mayor Mark H. Luttrell Jr..

The ACE Center Task Force recently was established to create a trauma-informed community, engaging residents in understanding the costly and harmful outcomes of toxic stress that arise from adverse childhood experiences.

The task force is implementing a two-pronged approach to

involve residents in understanding the profile of stress in our community. The countywide phone surveys to gather pertinent data are the first step.

“As a parent and a grandparent, I understand the challenges of childrearing,” said Barbara H. Nixon, LCSW and Founding Chair of the ACE Center Task Force of Shelby County. “As a professional for 45 years, I understand the critical importance parenting plays in our community wellbeing. This confidential survey will help build a solid foundation for addressing

these commonly experienced challenges. I hope fellow citizens will ‘Answer the Call.’”

The second step centers on two state-of-the-art parenting sites, which will open in January of 2015. The sites will offer Shelby County families access to professional guidance to identify and address symptoms of toxic stress.

Shelby County has long experienced high levels of ill health, obesity and violence. We now know, thanks to research in brain science and genetics, that the most effective time to intervene in these problems is as ear-

ly as possible in childhood.

Memphis-based nonprofit Porter-Leath will administer the parenting sites, while partners Baptist Memorial Hospital for Women and Knowledge Quest will serve as the host locations.

“The ACE Survey results will show the prevalence of adverse childhood experiences in our county and their impact on poor health outcomes,” said Gwen Price, Parenting Initiative Director at PorterLeath. “This information will be used as a baseline as we strive to help our community become trauma-informed.”

The initiative is based on the work of international speaker Robin Karr-Morse, author of “Scared Sick: The Role of Childhood Trauma in Adult Disease” and founder of the Parenting Institute based in Portland, Oregon.

She will serve as a consultant for the Memphis pilot initiative, along with Vincent J. Felitti, MD, international speaker and co-investigator of the original Adverse Childhood Experiences Study.

(To learn more about the Answer the Call campaign, visit www.acecentershelbycounty.c om.)

Memphis Goodwill gets OK for free charter high school for adults During a visit to the National Civil Rights Museum on July 12th, Alfreda Duster Ferrell and her son, Steve Ferrell, share a moment at the exhibit of their forebear, Ida B. Wells-Barnett, a crusader for justice during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Alfreda Duster Ferrell is Wells-Barnettʼs 79year-old granddaughter. (Photo: Wiley Henry)

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

by Aisling Maki

Memphis Goodwill, Inc., has received approval to open a free public charter high school for adults called The Excel Center.

In granting approval, the Shelby County School Board noted The Excel Center’s mission in adult learning and its track record of success.

The Excel Center will offer adult dropouts a second chance to return to high school and earn their high school diplomas.

Memphis Goodwill plans to begin classes in Fall 2015.

The Excel Center charter school model was created in 2010 by the Goodwill of Central Indiana and has focused on helping adult students return to school to earn high school credits, as well as post-secondary credits and/or job certifications. In less than three years, Central Indiana’s Excel Center has evolved from one campus with 300 students to nine campuses with 3,000 students. More than 720 students have earned their high school diplomas.

“We are thrilled to have approval for The Excel Center to begin in Memphis, and we know it will be a life-changing opportunity for hundreds of Memphians,” said Memphis Goodwill President & CEO Tony Martini.

“We will be working with a wide range of community partners and Excel Center leaders in Central Indiana to launch this innovative high school in Fall 2015.”

Features of the Excel Center will include life coaches assigned to each student; a free on-site child drop-in center for students with children while they are in class; accelerated school terms and the chance to earn multiple credits; and a focus on each student’s “next steps,” whether that is postsecondary education or vocational training and certifications.

In the west Tennessee and north Mississippi area, Goodwill employs more than 770 people, many of whom face significant barriers to employment.

(For more information, go to http://goodwillmemphis.org/exce l-center.)

‘A nice piece of history’

Descendants of Ida B. Wells-Barnett celebrate her 152nd birthday in Memphis Special to The New Tri-State Defender

by Wiley Henry

The descendants of Ida B. Wells-Barnett, an African-American journalist, suffragist, newspaper editor, teacher, anti-lynching crusader, and early leader of the civil rights movement, traveled from Holly Springs, Miss., to Memphis last Saturday (July 12) morning to commemorate her 152nd birthday.

“We’re here to celebrate Ida B. Wells’ birthday (the 18th annual) on the date closest to her birthday,” said the Rev. Leona Harris, executive director of the Ida B. Wells-Barnett Museum, a cultural center for African-American history in Holly Springs.

Wells-Barnett was born in Holly Springs on July 16, 1862. She lived and worked in Memphis and died in 1931 in Chicago at the age of 68.

Harris organized the group and contracted with Heritage Tours of Memphis to “help young people to connect the past to the future.”

The trip to Memphis was part of a three-day weekend celebration that began last Friday (July 11) with an opening ceremony led by Holly Springs Mayor Kelvin Buck and an art display at the Eddie L. Smith Multipurpose Center, featuring Tougaloo, Miss. artist Bill Clifton and memorabilia from the civil rights era.

On Saturday, 15 of Wells-Barnett’s descendants toured the National Civil Rights Museum, which includes a display on the crusader. “I can’t

wait to see the renovations,” Alfreda Duster Ferrell said before locating her grandmother among a panel of women fighting for various rights during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Ferrell, 79, who lives in Las Vegas, toured the museum in a motor scooter. She was accompanied by two of her sons, Kenneth and Steve; her grandchildren, Tiana, Alesha, Elliot and Mantel; and her great grandchildren, Justin and Jaylon.

“It’s humbling that she did so much for her life,” said Kenneth Ferrell, referring to his great grandmother. “She was such an inspiring woman.”

Steve Ferrell said the image of Wells-Barnett and the caption beneath it, detailing her contribution to history, was a pleasant experience. “It’s a nice piece of history that my kids need to see and my grandkids need to see. It shows everyday people fought the good fight.”

Tiana L. Ferrell, Kenneth’s daughter, said it’s a blessing and a curse to be the great, great-granddaughter of Wells-Barnett. “A lot of it is pressure to do great things,” she said, adding that she will continue what her famous ancestor started.

Ferrell is the publisher of the Atlanta Free Speech, an online digital and print publication based in Fulton County, Ga. It was inspired by The Memphis Free Speech and Headlight newspaper, which Wells-Barnett co-owned and wrote some of her most enlightened anti-lynching articles.

“There was a need for it,” the 30-year-old publisher said, noting that Atlanta’s daily newspaper

had been less than favorable toward African Americans, which prompted her to start her own newspaper. “We don’t make the front page of the paper. So I’m trying to fill that void.”

Duplicating Wells-Barnett’s exploits and contributions to history is not the goal or challenge of Michelle Duster, Wells-Barnett’s great granddaughter.

“We were raised to have our own accomplishments, our own achievements, our own identity, and not ride on the legacy of Ida,” she said.

“There wasn’t a lot of pressure to live up to anyone, but to stay in school and take care of yourself.”

After the museum tour, the group lunched at Four-Way Grill, known during post-Civil War Memphis as the “Curve,” the site of People’s Grocery, where three of Wells-Barnett’s friends were killed by a white mob following a racial conflict.

The group then visited Zion Christian Cemetery, where the three men are buried. And later on that evening, they all returned to Holly Springs for an annual banquet at Rust College (formerly Shaw University), Wells-Barnett’s alma mater.

New York performance artist Safiya Bandele provided the entertainment. She portrayed WellsBarnett through “narration, dance and physical expression.” It was a fitting tribute to Wells-Barnett, the journalist, teacher, and outspoken leader.

Support appreciated…

Community leaders of the “Our Children. Our Success.” campaign were recently honored during a Shelby County Schools board meeting for their work in supporting students and teachers throughout the 2013-14 school year. Honored were representatives from: Boys and Girls Club of Greater Memphis; Church Health Center; Latino Memphis; Leadership Memphis; Literacy Mid-South; Memphis Athletic Ministries; Neighborhood Christian Center; New Direction Christian Church; Pink Palace Museum; RISE Foundation; SchoolSeed; Shepherding the Next Generation; Urban Youth Initiative; and the Womenʼs Foundation for a Greater Memphis. (Courtesy photo)

That’s Rev. Al…

Sonny Hicks, a Memphis City Schools veteran, greets the Rev. Al Sharpton, founder of the National Action Network, who stopped by the Havana Mix Cigar Emporium Downtown during a Memphis visit last week. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley)

SPORTS Tri-State Defender, Thursday, July 17 - 23, 2014, Page 14

GRIZZ TRACK

Griz coach Dave Joerger greets Vince Carter at the press conference held at the media center at the FedexForum. (Photos: Warren Roseborough)

What is one to make of Grizzlies’ off-season moves?

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

by Kelley Evans

Just two years ago, the Memphis Grizzlies were referred to as a young and emerging team. Now they are a more established ball club in the basketball world with a diverse roster.

With offense in mind and defense still a priority, the front office has made moves to put a roster in place that can take MemKelley phis deeper into the playEvans offs The moves include the addition of newcomer Vince Carter, a seasoned veteran with bigtime credentials. With Carter’s entrance and a few other summer tidbits, fans are wondering if more is to come. Or is time to hold’em?

“Right now I think we’re an improved team and a team that will be reckoned with once again in the Western Conference,” said Grizzlies Interim General Manager Chris Wallace.

Wallace spent most of 2013-14 season taking a back seat to former Grizzlies CEO Jason Levien, who abruptly departed the organization in May, along with assistant GM Stu Lash. Internal conflict reportedly was the cause of the management decision to end the relationship with Levien and Lash.

With Wallace back in stride again, he’s been direct about the goal – making sure the team is a contender once again in the Western Conference as well as making a valid run for an NBA championship.

“We’ve become known not just in this country but around the world for our play and the excitement that’s generated in the FedExForum, particularly in the playoffs,” Wallace said.

“It’s going to be a very competitive Western Conference again. We feel we’re well fortified to take a step up the ladder.”

Resignings

Other Grizz moves included resignings and none bigger that Zach Randolph, much to the pleasure of fans who were worried that Ran-

Vince Carter is joining the Grizzlies and Chris Wallace (left) and Grizzlies head coach Dave Joerger are quite happy about it.

New Griz Vince Carter: “Iʼm able to come in and hopefully get us over the hump.

dolph might get away.

On June 30th, Randolph exercised his player option for the 2014-15 season and signed a multi-year contract extension with the Grizzlies.

“Zach has become a cornerstone of our franchise, and his contributions have been immense not just on the court but in the Memphis community,” said Wallace.

“Through that process, he’s become one of the most popular Grizzlies in the history of the organization.”

Nicknamed “Z-Bo,” Randolph (6-9, 260) recently completed his fifth season in Memphis.

He averaged 17.4 points, 10.1 rebounds (ninth in the NBA) and a career-high 2.5 assists on .467 shooting in 34.2 minutes in 79 games (all starts).

As Memphis racked up its second consecutive 50-win season and a franchise-record fourth-straight appearance in the NBA Play-

offs, Randolph led the team in scoring average, rebounding average, total points (1,372) and total rebounds (795) for the fourth time since coming to tow..

This past season, Randolph tied for fourth in the NBA in double-doubles (47) and was one of seven NBA players to average at least 17 points and 10 rebounds, recording a doubledouble average for the seventh time in the last eight seasons and for the eighth time in his 13year NBA career.

The Grizzlies also re-signed guard Beno Udrih to a multi-year contract.

Udrih (6-3, 205) averaged 4.9 points, 1.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists on .438 shooting in 15.7 minutes in 41 games (12 starts) for the New York Knicks and Memphis Grizzlies last season. He appeared in 10 regular season contests for the Grizzlies after being awarded to Memphis off waivers on Feb. 27, 2014.

The 31-year-old Udrih posted 7.9 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists on .467 shooting in 16.4 minutes in Memphis’ 2014 opening-round playoff series with the Oklahoma City Thunder. He posted the three highest scoring totals of his playoff career during that seven-game series, netting a postseason career-high 14 points in Game 2 and recording 12 points in Game 3 and Game 7.

Exiting the Grizzlies are Mike Miller (Cleveland Cavaliers) and James Johnson (Toronto Raptors).

‘We’ve got our guy’

Last season the Grizzlies made the NBA Playoffs and were ranked 27th in the league in scoring. The off-season moves are expected to keep the Grizzlies in a competitive position but more changes may be made after training camp.

“As far as the team is concerned could other changes happen? Certainly,” Wallace explained. “Trades could occur, we could sign some more players. But as far as major free agent signings, we’re pretty well done right now. We’ve used a big piece for a mid-level exception.

“So you’re not going to see us in the big picture as far as in the major signage from here on out. We’ve got our guy (Carter).”

Olympic legend Alice Coachman dies at 90 Former track and field star was the first African-American woman to win gold

The Root

by Breanna Edwards Alice Coachman, the Olympic legend who shattered ceilings and the status quo when she became the first black woman to win a gold medal at the games, earning the medal for her 5-foot-61/8-inch high jump, has died in her hometown of Albany, Ga., at the age of 90, the New York Times reports.

Coachman had been grappling with health issues in recent months, suffering from a stroke. Her daughter, Evelyn Jones, told the Times that the former track and field star went into cardiac arrest on Monday, following breathing problems.

During the fateful 1948 Olympics Games in London, Coachman became not only the first black woman to secure the gold, but was also the only American woman to medal gold in the track and field section, period.

Despite being honored and wined and dined after her astounding win, with King George VI bestowing her with her medal and being invited on to a British royal yacht and congratulated by then-U.S. President Harry Truman, true to the racial tensions of the time, Coachman still suffered through the harsh cruelties of segregation, the Times reports.

Still, Coachman was cognizant of the impact her medal win had for blacks.

“I made a difference among the blacks, being one of the leaders,” she told the New York Times in 1996, the Times notes. “If I had gone to the games and failed, there wouldn’t be anyone to follow in my footsteps. It encouraged the rest of the women to work harder and fight harder.”

After the 1948 Olympics, Coachman retired, turning her attention to her family and teaching in elementary and high school. However, she also continued to inspire young athletes, founding the Alice Coachman Track and Field Foundation to help those young athletes and former competitors who were struggling financially, the Times reports.

Sports broadcaster Jon Naber speaks to 1948 Olympic gold medalist Alice Coachman during the Team USA Road to London 100 Days Out Celebration in Times Square on April 18, 2012, in New York City. (Photo: Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images for USOC)