7 9 2014

VOL. 63, No. 26

www.tsdmemphis.com

July 3 - 9, 2014

75 Cents

Brown bristles at ‘homophobic’ tag Special to The New Tri-State Defender

by Tony Jones

Be careful!

July 4th holiday warrants safety considerations

The race for Shelby County District Attorney has entered into murky territory with Democratic Party nominee Judge Joe Brown saying that an Internet post of him making reference to incumbent Amy Weirich’s marital status and her sexual preference reflect an off-the-cuff moment never meant to be aired or used by his campaign or supporters in any form.

“This came about due to the fact that my opponent will not debate me,” Brown told The New Tri-State Defender on Wednesday. “It was a private moment just blowing off steam and never meant to be used in any context.”

However, Brown’s “private moment” was being taped. And while he is captured complaining that Weirich

would not agree to a debate and refused to attend a planned public education forum about law enforcement and the justice system, there also were his statements referencing unsubstantiated questions about whether Weirich is gay.

Here is how Brown framed the matter: “We were trying to set up a forum

The New Tri-State Defender staff

Judge Joe Brown, who is seeking to become Shelby County District Attorney, addresses the crowd that gathered Tuesday outside City Hall to protest reductions that left many retirees without healthcare subsidies and faced with significant increases in their premiums. (Photo: Gary S. Whitlow)

SUNDAY

H- 8 2o - L - 6 1o P a r tl y C l oud y

H- 8 7o - L - 6 2o P a r tl y C l ou dy

H- 9 0o - L - 6 8o Partl y Cl o udy

REGIONAL TEMPS LITTLE ROCK NASHVILLE JACKSON, MS

Friday H-84 L-62 H-84 L-59 H-88 L-66

Saturday H-89 L-65 H-88 L-62 H-91 L-67

The City of Memphis plans to launch an aggressive education campaign to apprise retirees of their options in the wake of a scramble to put in a place a multi-year, guaranteed healthcare assurance plan with good coverage options for all City retirees.

The office of Mayor A C Wharton Jr. announced earlier this week that the City “and its partners” were putting such a healthcare assurance plan in place. The plan was described as being in addition to continued medical insurance coverage for surviving spouses and dependents of employees who died in the line of duty and certain Medicare ineligible retirees.

The educational campaign, which was projected to kick off “in the coming weeks,” would include the convening of community meetings that provide retirees and their families with opportunities to ask questions and to be provided with one-on-one counseling regarding recent changes to their benefits. Those moves would be in addition to information they would receive in the mail, individual appointments, phone calls, social media and a website serving as an information repository.

As for the healthcare assurance plan, an application process would help determine the retiree’s level of need. In partnership with the City, local hospitals and insurers have SEE RETIREES ON PAGE 2

Brooks battles on to keep her seat Fate on County Commission in hands of Chancery Court judge

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

by Tony Jones

MEMPHIS WEEKEND SATURDAY

SEE BROWN ON PAGE 2

City develops a way forward in conjunction with ʻits partnersʼ

If you’re using an outdoor grill, it also is important to be safe, the Memphis Fire Department advises. Grillers should read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions and never leave grills unattended for children to tamper or play with.

FRIDAY

for people to learn about the criminal justice system and how law enforcement works. It was to be educational and non-partisan and we invited the Republicans to participate. It was a closed door situation and we got around to talking about how politics really work, and I was talking to this group of people about how the media was asking me how am I going to finance the whole Democratic Party and what was the shape of my finances since I was going through a

Plan in works for coverage options for all retirees

As Memphians prepare to observe the 4th of July, public safety officials are warning celebrants to practice safety.

On an average, approximately 30,100 fires and 9,500 injuries occur as a result of the use of fireworks each year, according to statistics from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

The NFPA encourages citizens to enjoy public displays of fireworks that comply with NFPA 1123, and strongly oppose the use of fireworks by the consumer. Also, according to the Shelby County Tennessee Code of Ordinances, Section 22-36, it is prohibited to sale or use fireworks without a permit.

To those choosing to use fireworks at any time of the year, the United States Fire Administration (USFA) recommends some basic steps for safety.

1. Never allow your children to play with or ignite fireworks. Adults should supervise fireworks activities.

2. Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them. Remember, there are penalties for violations.

3. Parents often don’t realize there are many injuries from sparklers to children under five. Sparklers burn hot enough to melt some metals.

4. Never have any portion of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse.

5. Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not fully functioned.

6. Never point or throw fireworks at another person.

7. Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishaps.

8. Light one item at a time and then move back quickly.

9. Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.

10. After fireworks fully complete their functioning, douse the spent device with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding.

Off-the-cuff remark about incumbent D.A.ʼs sexuality triggers pushback

Sunday H-91 L-70 H-91 L-67 H-92 L-70

Henri Brooks confers with attorney Andre Wharton, who represents her in the bid to regain her District 2 County Commission seat. (Photo: Gary S. Whitlow)

The legal battle between District 2 County Commissioner Henri Brooks and opponents on the Shelby County Commission was set to return to Shelby County Chancery Court on Thursday, July 3rd.

Brooks sought injunctive relief from the court against the commission after allegations that she did not live in the district led to the vote removing her from the commission. While the matter still was pending at The New Tri-State Defender’s print deadline, the most recent ruling seemed to favor Brooks, who is seeking a final favorable decision from the court before the commission’s next meeting on Monday (July 7th).

In a hearing on Tuesday (July 1st), Chancery Court Judge Kenny Armstrong said the Shelby County Attorney must show on what authority, through what process and on what ultimate findings the County Commission voted to remove Brooks from the District 2 seat.

After the hearing, Brooks said she could not comment directly on the matter, giving over to campaign manager Janice Banks.

“The judge ruled that the county attorney had no findings or authority to make a decision as part of the executive branch to remove a member of SEE BROOKS ON PAGE 3

This Shelby County Commissioner speaks his mind.

McLemore & College: ‘Where do we go from here?’

Can we bring back the music that created legends?

Did you know he started playing baseball for money when he was 15?

See Opinion, page 4

See Entertainment, page 8

See Sports, page 12

We should not force retirees to pay 100 percent of their healthcare premiums

‘Dude, was that Hank Aaron?’

NEWS

Page 2

Tri-State Defender

July 3 - 9, 2014

“The fact that I now have to have a conversation with our 8-year-old son and our 12-year-old daughter about harmful, baseless and delusional comments is just a sad day for Memphis.”

BROWN

CONTINUED FROM FRONT

Cohen’s labor support…

Ninth Congressional District incumbent Steve Cohen held a press conference on Monday to announce a slate of endorsements from the Memphis and West Tennessee labor community, including the Memphis AFL-CIO Labor Council and the Memphis Building Trades Council. “I have always gotten an A+ or 100 percent rankings from these groups,” said Cohen, who addressed such issues as increasing the minimum wage and extending unemployment insurance as ways to help the working class. (Photo: Gary S. Whitlow)

RETIREES

CONTINUED FROM FRONT

pledged to work with each retiree to ensure they are covered, and provided assistance with premium payments and out-of-pocket expenses such as deductibles and co-pays, and medication costs, based on their individual need.

Faced with a $551 million pension fund deficit and $1.3 billon Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) debt, the Wharton administration recommended and the City Council approved phasing out the practice of paying 70 percent of retiree’s healthcare insurance, reportedly saving the City $23 million to be used to pay its pension obligation.

“The choice we’ve had to make has caused a lot of stress and anxiety for our retirees, and it was a difficult choice for Council and the administration to make,” said Wharton in a released statement.

“I want to thank the city’s provider of choice, Methodist

Le Bonheur Healthcare, and our plan administrator, Cigna, for stepping up and helping us provide affordable solutions for City retirees who may need assistance in light of these changes. Also, I appreciate other providers and insurers, including Baptist Hospital, BlueCross BlueShield and our community partners, for pledging their support of our sincere efforts to ensure every retiree is covered and relieved of any financial hardship.”

There are 13 (pre-65) surviving spouses and children of employees who died in the line of duty who will remain on the City’s plan. Also, 1,100 post65 retirees without Medicare A&B will remain on the City’s plan.

Councilman Edmund Ford Jr. welcomed news of Methodist Healthcare’s commitment.

“This is a stellar example of teamwork,” said Ford. “The initiative being shown by Methodist Healthcare is in my opinion a perfect complement to the safety net fund Council will consider today.”

In executive session, Ford proposed the creation of a $2 million safety net fund that would give further assurance that all City retirees would have access to good coverage.

With details still being worked out by the Wharton Administration and consideration by the full council required, the plan reportedly is set for presentation on July 15th, the date of the Council’s next session.

The coverage options include BlueCross BlueShield and Cigna plans offered through the Health Insurance Marketplace, and the Church Health Center’s Memphis Plan.

“Fortunately, there are a number of good coverage options available and as the City’s healthcare partner, Methodist is committed to working with Mayor Wharton, and the City Council to help identify and provide various forms of assistance to ensure every retiree gets the needed care and coverage,” said Gary Shorb, CEO of Methodist Le Bonheur.

divorce.

“I told them that it (the divorce) was none of their damn business, but if they wanted to report on allegations and rumors about my personal life, since they wanted to get into my marriage business, why don’t they ask my opponent the same type of questions about the allegations following her that her husband had moved out and had taken the children.”

Anyone who accuses him of being homophobic is absolutely off base, Brown said.

According to Brown, a highranking and highly-paid ($150,000) member of his company is gay, adding that he agreed to allow the employee to be married on property Brown owned. (The couple broke up prior to the wedding.)

In addition, said Brown, numerous gay organizations have acknowledged his fairness and impartiality during the period that Brown was doing his syndicated “Judge Joe Brown” television show.

“So it’s simply this, treat me the same way as you do my opponent,” said Brown. “If you are going to ask questions and report rumors about my personal (life), do the same with theirs.”

Married with four children, Weirich recently told an audience, “The fact that I now have to have a conversation with our 8-year-old son and our 12year-old daughter about harmful, baseless and delusional comments is just a sad day for Memphis.”

Weirich’s campaign manager, Kim Perry, is quoted about the matter on the Fox 13 website. “Amy and her husband are at home right now. I hope for Judge Brown’s sake and the community that those

around him will intervene to get him the help he needs.”

Brown on Wednesday said, “My thing is this, if she is (gay), come on out of the closet. This is 2014, ain’t no harm.”

There is, said Brown, a bigger issue at stake.

“I worked for EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) and an employer cannot consort with anyone in the company, down-low or not.

And also, we have a huge resurgence of HIV in Memphis and Shelby County and there are many women that are concerned about their spouses potentially giving them AIDS. It applies to both sides. What you have to do for one gender you have to do for both. So if you can ask the gay men about being down-low, you can ask the gay women. I didn’t get into any of that because the remark was made in a joking manner.”

NEWS

Tri-State Defender

Page 3

July 3 - 9, 2014

‘Are the kids out of the car?’

Concern about the safety of children being transported during sweltering summer heat is prompting alerts and cautions on multiple fronts.

On Wednesday, Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich and Memphis Child Advocacy Center Executive Director Virginia Stallworth slated a midday news conference at the Memphis Child Advocacy Center to address the matter.

Tennessee law holds adults responsible for leaving a child under age 7 unattended in a vehicle on public property, including at any shopping center, trailer park, apartment complex or at any other premises generally frequented by the public.

Meanwhile, the Tennessee Department of Human Services is reminding licensed child care providers across the state that are approved to transport children of the licensing rules and preventative measures to keep children safe when trans-

BROOKS

CONTINUED FROM FRONT

the legislative branch who is elected by the will of the people,” said Banks.

Shelby County Attorney Ginny Bozeman said the policy of her office is not to comment on matters under litigation.

Brooks’ legal representatives, Andre Wharton and Michael Working, explained her position during a court session the day before Tuesday’s ruling.

“Ultimately, all Commissioner Brooks wants is (fair)

porting them during summer months. DHS licensing staff will be making extra visits to monitor child care agencies.

DHS is also encouraging parents and caregivers to “Look Before You Lock” car doors upon exit so that children are not left in the sweltering heat of a locked vehicle.

On an 80-degree day the temperature inside a locked vehicle increases 19 degrees in just 10 minutes; 29 degrees in 20; and 43 degrees in just one hour. For any human being subjected to such extreme temperatures, especially a child, the experience could prove fatal.

A child’s body temperature increases 3 to 5 times faster than that of an adult, and children exposed to extreme temperatures can suffer heatstroke, brain damage and death.

“Parents and child care providers alike share our concern for the safety of children in summer heat,” said DHS Commissioner Raquel Hatter. process, and I think some of the commissioners agree with her. They want a process that relies on criteria, not impulse,” said Wharton, whose mother, attorney Ruby Wharton, is Brooks’ campaign manager.

Working said, “There are many holes in the charter.

More than just the process of how do you remove a commissioner, but also what does it mean to be a resident? What constitutes voluntary removal? There are many standards that would be argued in the process but we are not clear about what is the standard stated in the charter.”

seat next to the car seat, so that you’ll always check the back seat before you leave the car.

Have the child care agency call you if your child doesn’t show up

T. Take Action

“By being aware of heat-related risks and dangers, we all can play a part in keeping children safe.”

The “Look Before You Lock” tagline is a nationally recognized reminder to parents and caregivers to A.C.T. to ensure that children are not left in harm’s way: The issue has drawn intense scrutiny with Brooks seeking to wrest the Juvenile Court Clerk position from incumbent Joy Touliatos.

Brooks went directly to the campaign headquarters of Judge Joe Brown immediately after Tuesday’s court hearing.

With Brooks in earshot, Brown said, “She is the front runner for an office they (Republicans) cannot afford to lose because the loss of that office exposes a lot of people on their side to potential criminal jeopardy. If Ms. Brooks gets in, people could go to jail.”

Henri Brooks at the Shelby County Chancery Court hearing, where she took another step designed to regain the District 2 County Commission seat.

(Photo Gary S. Whitlow)

A. Avoid Heatstroke NEVER leave an infant or child alone in a vehicle, even if a window is cracked or if you’re parked in the shade.

Look in the back seat every time you exit the car.

C. Create Reminders Place an item such as your workbag or purse in the back

If you see a child alone in a car, call 911.

Know the warning signs of heatstroke, which include: red, hot, and moist or dry skin; no sweating; a strong rapid pulse or a slow weak pulse; nausea; confusion; or acting strangely.

If a child is in distress due to heat, get them out as quickly as possible and cool them off.

The Department of Health is also sharing this message on heat and transportation related dangers. The “Look Before You Lock” message is also being displayed on highway overhead signs across the state this summer in partnership with the Department of Transportation.

Anyone witnessing a transportation violation or other child-care violation is urged to call the Child Care Complaint Hotline at 1-800-462-8261, a number that must be posted on all licensed child care buses.

Those not adhering to safety requirements will face a range of penalties, from being put on notice, probation, paying civil penalties, to the suspension, or even denial or revocation, of their license.

More information

Find out more at http://tn.gov/humanserv/adfam /cc_main.html.

For more information and tips on keeping children safe in and around vehicles, visit http://www.safercar.gov/parents/index.htm.

More information is also available at kidcentraltn.com – your source for information on child health, education, development, and support.

Page 4

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OPINION

Tri-State Defender

July 3 - 9, 2014

Students get new opportunities via Tennessee Promise

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

We should not force retirees to pay 100 percent of their healthcare premiums

As is the practice within the City of Memphis’ budget process, the Council deliberated the future of Memphis.

Where we would be going in the future and what kind of city we would be presently? It is our annual review of the Administration’s proposed budget.

This year, like others in the past, we received the news of the dire position the City is in: 1) Not enough revenue coming into the city coffers; 2) our expenses are soaring out of control, and 3) the State has said we must begin to pay our actuarial required contribution or (ARC).

As a Council, we have decreased the tax rate and only readjusted after the last appraisal from the Shelby County Assessor. In essence, we have worked without a tax increase for 10 years.

The cost of everything has gone up but cost for city services has faced reductions to keep our tax rate low.

Some of my colleagues like to remind us that our property tax rate is the highest in the State, but what is often left out of the discussion is that our property values are less than Nashville’s, and our poverty rate is much higher, which places another level of responsibility and strain on dollars spent for local services.

Here is what “Smart City Memphis” blog said recently: “Memphis has a math problem, which seems lost on many of those who spoke on all sides at Tuesday’s Council meeting. People regularly compared Memphis’ tax rates to the lower rates in Nashville, but they neglect a key fact: If Nashville had the same house prices as Memphis – rather than its $165,000 – its tax rate would be about the same as the $7.80 cumulative city-county rate here. Or put conversely, if Memphis had the same house values as Nashville, its property tax rate would be just over half of what it is today.

“The difference in home prices means that although Memphis has 28,000 more homes than Nashville, Nashville residential property produces $141 million more in property taxes.”

Another major issue in our budget is that we have not paid the required amount on our pension liability or ARC (my colleague Kemp Conrad has been the lone voice on the Council stating this). In a letter from The State Comptroller and State Treasurer we were informed we needed to address this or begin looking for them to take over.

Hence, new legislation passed by the majority of the Legislature required all municipalities in Tennessee to begin the process and be fully funded by 2019 or risk having state revenues withheld or worse, your city taken over.

Per normal practices, each division would present their budget, and state how (bare bones) it is. In fact, MPD (Memphis Police Department) and MFD (Memphis Fire Department) had NO funding for new recruiting classes and that is the life blood of any public safety plan. How could you not budget for this? What was presented to us was a plan to force retirees to pay 100 percent of their premiums; this would save the city 23 million dollars this year. This would allow the city to pay extra on its ARC, place funds in the reserve and if the Council wanted, provide funding for police and fire recruiting classes. Immediately, members voiced their opinions whether to support or not support this plan.

This proposal meant a definite shift in policy for the city as many of these retirees were promised they would have healthcare in their later years and their city would be there for them just as they had been there for their city.

Others argued this is a different time; those kinds of promises cannot be kept because of the financial condition the city is in. It is for the sake of the city and its financial future this decision must be made. Here is where the debate and dilemma begins and why I believe we should not force retirees to pay 100 percent of their premiums.

First, this sends the wrong message to all of those hard working people who have given countless years, months, days, and hours to our City, working under the assumption they would have the benefits promised to them. If there had been any idea that those benefits would not be there when they needed them, I believe these people would have made other arrangements. They would have moved on to other jobs (we all know municipal employees make far less than private sector people) or, they would have purchased supplements to offset the loss.

The second reason I believe we should not force retirees to pay 100

percent is because we will create another group of persons living in poverty. With a poverty rate between 30 and 33 percent depending upon whose report you read, why would we want to increase Harold those numbers?

Collins And let me say this to my friends that say our pension is the cause of our poverty, that is just not true. Our poverty problem is a generational problem but I will not focus my attention on that just yet. It is a fact that seniors already have a hard time getting medicines and proper healthcare, and to place this potentially devastating financial burden on them would only force them to choose between buying healthcare and paying their mortgage.

I am not sure I would want any senior living in Memphis to be in that position. This is not the message we should send about Memphis and our retirees.

The third reason I believe we should not force retirees to pay 100 percent is the Administration (said) they had considered all other options. Even after countless questions and pleas for alternative proposals, each time they had none. Well, I can think of several.

The first would be to increase the percentage retirees are paying now.

I am certain with honest and truthful dialogue our retirees would be willing to pay extra healthcare. These funds would produce to be paid to the ARC, but we must remember the administration is on a 5-year plan to pay the ARC back anyway. It also gives us time to bring all the parties together to review with some workable solutions.

Our city has a Healthcare Committee for this purpose with members of the workforce, administration, Council and Lay Citizens. Any decision this major should not have ignored the role this committee plays in making a recommendation that is thought out thoroughly and in a deliberate process to be presented to the Council.

Reduce the City’s Healthcare Premium amount and beginning FY16, the City would NOT provide healthcare to future retirees.

This policy shift would begin to shrink the retiree pool each year until finally, there are no more retirees receiving the benefit. Current employees would have notice that encourages them to find new jobs or part time jobs to attain enough quarters for Social Security and/or Medicare. Our employees deserve the advance notice to begin looking for their supplements. This could be the most sensible way to address ending the practice of providing healthcare for retirees.

Invite discussions with unions on needed reductions in holidays and sick days.

A successful discussion of this issue again would require honesty and truthfulness. These alone could save the city nearly 10 million dollars (this pointed out in the PFM report). If we share the responsibility of our financial dilemma, business should be willing, like they are asking employees to make sacrifices. That may require reducing the PILOT commitments or setting a threshold.

Again, these are only a few suggestions and it was unfortunate we did not get the opportunity to share these but hopefully in the next few weeks, we might be able to suggest some of these before January 1, 2015 when these changes take effect.

Several months ago I asked the question, “What kind of city are we going to be?” In that context we were discussing the future of Memphis’ hospitality and tourism industry. Today I ask the same question. Today, I see a city pitted against each other for resources: The business community, city workers, and neighborhoods all against one another for self- preservation.

If we allow our retirees to be forced into a life of choosing healthcare over housing or food, then I will know we lack the compassion to be a great city.

We will leave our precious and vulnerable seniors who served this city with distinction without healthcare to fend for themselves. This is wrong!

As one who is committed to my faith we are instructed: “even to your old age I will be the same, And even to your graying years I will bear you!”

(Isaiah 46:4). I believe most Memphians believe that we can do better.

After all, we are Memphis!!

A sign on the exterior of a Hobby Lobby store on March 25, 2014, in Antioch, Calif. (Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Hobby lobby ruling denies African-American women reproductive justice

Throughout our history, black women across the country have felt the enduring sting of men controlling their reproductive freedom, infringing on their right to have or not have a child and access to birth control, and using religion as a basis for that control. A long history of denial of the right of black women to make decisions about their own bodies—an issue deeply rooted in and resulting from slavery, an institution also often rationalized in religious terms; government-sanctioned experiments and medical abuses; and current attacks defining black women’s wombs as “dangerous” have complicated and limited black women’s ability to make the best choices for themselves and their families.

On Monday the Supreme Court issued its ruling in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc., in which the plaintiffs argued that the Affordable Care Act’s requirement that they offer their employees coverage for birth control violates their religious freedom. The basis of the claim is grounded in the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, a 1993 federal law intended to prevent laws that substantially burden a person’s free exercise of his or her religion—but the court found that RFRA now applies to corporations.

Although the Supreme Court has been the arbiter of historic decisions that rolled back discriminatory practices against African Americans and others, in this case it has ruled that employers can, in fact, use religion to discriminate in providing certain kinds of contraceptive coverage for their employees. A corporation can now withhold coverage for a government-mandated health care benefit that it deems in conflict with the faith of its management.

The court has essentially told women, “Your employer’s religious beliefs and ideology trump the free exercise of your own personal health care decisions.”

And for the 83 percent of black women in this country who use some form of contraception, the decision could have far-reaching implications.

We already know that black women pay a steep price when it comes to caring for themselves; many of us go without necessary medical treatment and services in order to make sure other budgetary needs are met. Keeping the lights on, putting food on the table and keeping a roof over the heads of family members often become greater, competing priorities.

This ruling adds an additional burden and will force many to go without access to contraceptive care or pay out of their own pockets for what should be a covered benefit. It sets up a parallel reality in which some women, solely based on their employer, can have access to the full

range of Food and Drug Administration-approved contraceptives covered under the ACA at no cost, while others cannot take advantage of a benefit provided by law, merely because their emLinda ployer claims Goler that religious belief forbids women’s right to that benefit.

Contrast that with studies showing that when women have access to the contraceptive care they need, they are more likely to be economically stable, attain higher education levels, and plan and space pregnancies in a way that produces healthy babies and helps keep their families intact. According to a poll conducted by the Black Women’s Health Imperative in 2012, 86 percent of black men and women believe that the right to contraception is a part of basic health care services for women.

The Supreme Court’s decision also sets a dangerous precedent that could embolden employers to decide against coverage for a range of other health care benefits. As Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg noted in her dissenting opinion, there is “little doubt that RFRA claims will proliferate, for the Court’s expansive notion of corporate personhood ... invites for-profit entities to seek religion-based exemptions from regulations they deem offensive to their faith.” Employers can now insert themselves in the personal decision-making that should be between a woman, her family and her doctor.

Who knows what they may insert themselves into next?

Now that the court has opened the door for employers’ religious beliefs to become yet another barrier to access care, black women across the country must double down on the fight for the right to make and act on the most personal of decisions regarding their health care.

Black women were the originators of the movement for “reproductive justice,” a term first coined at a 1994 black women’s caucus of the Illinois Pro-Choice Alliance Conference.

With ongoing attacks on a woman’s right to choose the best options for her health and her health care, it is time to reignite the battle cry that came out of that 1994 conference and engage a national dialogue that focuses on black women’s right to determine their own reproductive destinies.

(NNPA columnist Linda Goler is president and CEO of the Black Women’s Health Imperative. Follow her on Twitter.)

FACEBOOK FAN OF THE WEEK Name: Gerald Green

Gerald Green is this weekʼs TSD Facebook Fan of the Week!

The owner of G. Green Law Practices, Green is a native Memphian and proud alumni of Memphis Catholic High. He also loves sports and jazz.

Thanks Gerald Green for excelling in Memphis and for being a part of the TSD Facebook family!

Summer feels like it just started, but school will be back in before we know it.

For some students, this will be the start of their senior year. I know several who are starting Sen. Reginald their last year of Tate school, and I’m sure you do too.

Those young people, if they haven’t already, will need to decide what they’ll do after graduating high school. It’s a challenging but promising time for our high school seniors, as they look forward to finally graduating and start to plan their lives.

To get a good job and earn a living, they will need some type of education after high school.

For that reason, Tennessee has made a new promise to those students: we will allow you to attend a community college or college of applied technology completely free.

That’s right, you read this right: you won’t owe any tuition or carry any debt after you graduate.

Let’s talk first about why we’re doing this. Currently in Tennessee, only 32 percent of people have a degree of any kind, whether it’s a bachelor’s, associate’s or even a technical certificate. Here in Shelby County, only about a third of people have an associate’s degree or above.

For that reason, the governor introduced the Drive to 55 challenge.

The idea is that 55 percent of Tennesseans need a degree by 2025, if our state will continue to recruit new jobs and be successful.

On our current path, in addition to the number of people we think will go to college anyway, we need another half million people to get a degree.

That’s where that promise I talked about comes in. We know that every year, there are 20,000 Tennessee students who graduate high school, but either choose not to keep going or don’t have the means.

Here in Memphis it’s no different.

About 78 percent of students gradate high school, but only two thirds will continue their education. We have to do better if we want more good-paying jobs in Shelby County.

So we’ve made a new promise, the Tennessee Promise. No matter where you come from, you will be able to afford to get an education after high school. It’s projected that 9,880 Shelby County students will be offered a scholarship to continue their education after they graduate next May. There are no qualifications to join the Tennessee Promise and attend community college, only that you graduate high school, and then maintain a 2.0 grade point average once you’re there.

We’re able to fund this new promise because of the success of the Tennessee lottery. We have a $300 million surplus in our lottery fund – that’s in addition to the money that pays for HOPE scholarships every year. We’re using a portion of that surplus to start an endowment that will pay for the Tennessee Promise for years to come.

Now that we’re making this new promise to our high school seniors in Tennessee, I would challenge those seniors to make a promise of your own. Promise yourself to invest in your future, to take this opportunity for the promise of a better future.

(State Sen. Reginald Tate represents part of Shelby County in the General Assembly.)

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Tri-State Defender

July 3 - 9, 2014

Page 5

Quintrell Ragsdale

BUSINESS

Page 6

Tri-State Defender

July 3 - 9, 2014

ON OUR WAY TO WEALTHY

The business of tipping A huge part of a restaurant’s success is the ability to maintain great wait staff.

This becomes a major challenge when customers do not adequately compensate the waiters.

In some states, waiters are paid a base salary that is a fraction of minimum wage, with the expectation that tips or gratuity will make up the difference. The lack of appropriate tipping is the primary reason excellent waiters move on to better-paying gigs. Soon after great staff leaves, the service begins to suffer and customers wonder why.

So many situations call for tipping that it is easy to become confused. Sit-down restaurants, buffets, bars and hair salons are only a few of the locations where tipping is not only desired but expected.

Tipping is considered a part of etiquette, according to the experts at the Emily Post Institute. How much to tip and how often are the questions that perplex many.

Restaurants

The foundation of tipping in restaurants begins on the total of the bill, excluding sales tax. There are various types of dining: table service, buffet and fast food. Each type has a different expectation of tipping.

Table service comes into

play at establishm e n t s where the customers sit down and the wait staff comes to the table to provide full serCarlee McCullough v i c e .

Based on the level of service received, the tip should a minimum of 10 percent, which reflects poor service. A tip of 15 percent communicates satisfaction, 20 percent stands for excellent service, and greater than 20 percent represents outstanding service. The standard tip for table service is 15-20 percent.

The impact of a zero tip says more about the tipper than the waiter. It also impacts the restaurant and potentially the next customer. If you receive poor service, speak to the manager so that the problem can be corrected.

Gratuities, service charges or tips are usually not automatically added to bills unless there is a large party, usually six or more people. Check the bill prior to adding an additional gratuity.

Buffets

Buffets tend to be a combination of self-service and

service level received.

The tip is earned because they keep the table clean by clearing plates through multiple trips to the buffet line and maintaining drink levels. If the waiter brings food to the table in a buffet restaurant, the tip may be increased to 10 percent.

Fast food

Tips are typically not given in fast food restaurants.

Coffee shops/bakeries

A growing trend amongst coffee shops and bakeries is a tip jar strategically placed at the checkout counters. Tipping in this environment is purely optional and at the customers discretion.

Bars

Bartenders primarily make their money on tips as well.

The standard tip is a minimum of $1 per drink or 15-20 percent of the total bill.

Hotels

table service. The waiter may take the order and fill drink orders. However, the customers serve themselves by

preparing their own plates. As a result the tip can vary from $1 per diner to five percent of the bill depending upon the

In a hotel, there are multiple expectations of tipping.

Housekeeping, concierge, skycaps, bellhops, parking valets and doormen all have an expectation of tips.

Upon check in, a client may require the services of either the skycap or bellman to assist

with bags. The tip is typically $1-$2 per bag.

The valet or parking attendant tip is $2-$5 to retrieve the vehicle, not typically to park.

The doorman does not expect a tip simply for opening the door. However, if a cab is hailed, expect to pay $1$2 per bag. Remember, if the bags are also carried to the room, the tip is typically $1$2 per bag. Also remember to tip for directions and/or restaurant recommendations; $3-5 percent is an appropriate tip.

It is easy to overlook housekeeping because the contact may not be direct.

However, they are working extremely hard for the guests’ comfort. From providing clean bedding and towels daily to maintaining a spotless room overall, housekeeping is hard at work.

The typical housekeeping tip is between $3-$10 per day.

The tip is left daily because housekeeping may change daily. Leave the tip on the pillow so that it is easily found.

If additional items are requested during the stay, such as pillows or blankets, the tip is $1 per item at a minimum of $2.

Help businesses maintain great staff. Tip appropriately.

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

COMMENTARY

TVA’s move to retire Allen coal plant draws Sierra Club support The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) on Wednesday announced a proposal to retire its Allen Fossil Plant and replace it with a natural gas facility. TVA will hold a public open house to share details about the proposed retirement, as well as potential alternatives for electricity supply.

The announcement of the draft environmental assessment comes as a result of a settlement reached in 2011 between TVA, the EPA, as well as several states and public interest groups, including the

Sierra Club, to end the region’s reliance on coal and move the Valley towards cleaner, safer energy sources.

The settlement required the retirement of over 2,700 megawatts of coal-fired generation, while also considering the installation of pollution controls or the retirement of other coal units, such as Allen, by 2018.

In a statement, the Sierra Club supported TVA’s proposal to retire the coal facility, while encouraging TVA to replace it with clean, renew-

able energy rather than natural gas. Scott Banbury, Conservation Program coordinator for Tennessee Chapter of the Sierra Club, issued this statement: “The Sierra Club supports TVA’s decision to retire the Allen Coal Plant, the biggest polluter in Shelby County.

TVA’s action makes clear that coal is an outdated fuel source, which no longer belongs in our energy mix.

“The Allen coal plant creates smog that threatens all Memphians. Shelby County

has some of the worst air quality in the region, exceeding safety limits set by the EPA, and resulting in Memphis being ranked the ‘Asthma Capital of the U.S.’ by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

“The best path forward is replacing the Allen coal plant with energy efficiency measures and renewable power sources like wind and solar.

Investments in clean energy will protect the health of our families, lower energy bills, and create high paying jobs in

Memphis. TVA doesn’t have to trade coal for natural gas, another expensive fossil fuel which pollutes our air.

“Retiring coal plants requires serious consideration of TVA workers and communities that have depended on them in the past. TVA has a track record of taking these issues seriously, and they should continue to find ways of providing effective transitions for effected workers.

“From coast to coast, the United States is retiring outdated coal plants. Retiring the

Allen coal plant will help Tennessee further America’s path to lower carbon emissions.

Our country has led the world in action on climate disruption, lowering our carbon pollution output more than any other country.

“As TVA makes this important move to clean up and modernize, the Sierra Club looks forward to working together to shape the company’s future around clean energy choices that bring safe, profitable, and lasting jobs to Memphis.”

Hard Rock Cafe Memphis unveils new Beale St. home

Hard Rock Cafe Memphis’ move down Beale Street to the historic Lansky Bros. building at 126 Beale Street will culminate with its reopening to public on Thursday (July 3rd).

The new cafe is part of multi-million dollar development project that will also be home to a Lansky Bros. retail location, which is slated to open mid-July, and the new Mem-

phis Music Hall of Fame, set to open its doors later this year.

Taking residence in the 108year-old structure at the northwest corner of Second and Beale, the new Hard Rock Cafe Memphis will occupy 13,604 square-feet of space and will seat 178 guests. Hard Rock Cafe Memphis’ relocation is designed to leverage the iconic building’s history to

showcase the brand’s :one-ofa-kind blend of music, entertainment and authentic scratch-based cuisine.”

The location will feature Hard Rock’s new design style and latest technology. The venue will include the latest in sound capabilities and a larger stage space, which will support an ongoing live music program.

Hard Rock has entered into

a lease agreement to occupy the Lansky Bros. building location, and as part of the brand’s commitment to the preservation of music history, Hard Rock will donate a portion of the building, free of charge, to be used as the new Memphis Music Hall of Fame.

Hard Rock will also help get Memphis’ newest attraction started by loaning the Hall of

Fame Memphis-centric items from its world-famous memorabilia collection.

Known as “The Clothier to the King,” Bernard Lansky sold clothes in the Lansky Bros building to not only Elvis Presley, but Memphis music legends Johnny Cash, David Porter, Rufus Thomas, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Roy Orbison. Memorabil-

ia items from many of the artists Lansky dressed more than 40 years ago will be highlighted in the new Hard Rock Cafe location and the Memphis Music Hall of Fame.

Lansky Bros.’ new retail concept will showcase mostly Lansky private label iconic and trend-setting clothing styles inspired from its famous customers.

RELIGION

Tri-State Defender

RELIGION BRIEFS

Fullview Missionary Baptist church is on fire!

From mortgage burning to international missions

‘Empower Me’ Expo at Mt. Moriah-East Baptist Church

Shelby County Trustee David Lenoir will join faith and financial partners to host a new communitybased engagement event on Saturday (July 5th) that targets one of Memphis’ financially struggling communities.

“Empower Me: Putting the Pieces Together” will be held at Mt. Moriah-East Baptist Church, 1248 Haynes St., from noon to 3 p.m. A special “Empowerment Session” focused on financial education, building credit and debt management strategies, will be from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

“Helping folks in financial crisis, navigate the many available resources is our intent. When you are barely managing day to day, time to research organizations and benefits is very limited,” said Terica Lamb, manager of Community Outreach and Financial Empowerment for the Trustee’s Office.

Mt. Moriah-East’s pastor, the Rev. Dr. Melvin Charles Smith, along with Hope Credit Union, are serving as co-hosts for the event, which is free and open to the public. A number of community partners have been invited to participate in the Community Expo, including: Bank On Memphis, City of Memphis Treasurer, Operation HOPE, Orange Mound CDC, SEEDCO, Shelby County Assessor, RISE, Memphis Area Legal Services and AARP. “Uncovering all the services and then figuring out how they can help is a daunting task, like putting together a 1,000 piece puzzle blindfolded,” said Lenoir. “This Empower Me event is meant to bring together important resources under one roof to help seniors, the unemployed, small business owners and homeowners.”

For more information, visit www.shelbycountytrustee.co m/calendar.

BRIEFLY: Perfecting Love Community Church Youth Month will feature the School Supply Giveaway beginning at 9:45 a.m. on July 20th at the church located at 1355 Estate St. The host pastor is Dr. Jason A. Mitchell. For more information: www.perfectinglovecom munitychurch.org.

Page 7

July 3 - 9, 2014

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

by Brittney Gathen

Fullview Missionary Baptist Church can now say goodbye to its $2.5 million mortgage, and it will be doing just that with the help of a few flames.

A mortgage-burning ceremony following the church’s 9 a.m. service is set for Sunday (July 6th) at the church at 7100 Memphis-Arlington Road in Bartlett.

The fact that the mortgage has been paid off within 10 years has Pastor Walter Peggs Sr. supremely grateful.

“How does it feel? I can’t put it in words. It’s a really great feeling to know that God enabled us to meet our objective. Our objective was to pay it off as soon as possible,” Peggs said. “(Paying off the mortgage) within 10 years helped us realize with the size of the membership, it was nobody but God that did that.”

Peggs said that the 750member church was able to pay of the mortgage by redoing the budget, closely auditing the income, maintaining control of spending, and by not having salary increases for the staff for the first five years.

Although the church’s mortgage has been paid off, Fullview’s faithful still have a lot of work to day, according to Peggs.

“We’ve already told the church just because the mortgage is paid for does not mean that we can relax. It just opens up more doors of opportunities for us to give service to the

Fullview Missionary Baptist Churchʼs 2014 Dominican Republic Medical Mission is a reflection of the church membershipʼs shared view that “weʼre all brothers and sisters in Christ.” (Courtesy photos)

Kingdom,” Peggs said.

Fullview held an anti-bullying rally on June 13, with Shelby County District Attorney Amy Weirich, Shelby County Sheriff Bill Odham and Bartlett Police Department representatives talking to kids about how to deal with and prevent bullying. The church’s Preach Sister Preach Women’s Conference will be held July 11-12. Youth make

up a third of the church’s membership and a July focus on youth will feature a backto-school bash, picnics and conferences.

The church is also looking to expand its Foreign Missionaries of Fullview program into Africa. Established in 2009, the missionary program allows missionaries to spend a week in the remote mountains of Barahona, Dominican Repub-

The 32-member missionary team that Fullview Missionary Baptist Church sent to the Dominican Republic this year included several teenagers, several nurses, a dentist and a doctor. lic, where they evangelize door-to-door and hold bible study for adults and vacation bible school for children. The program also provides personal hygiene supplies for women.

This year’s 32-member team included several teenagers, several nurses, a dentist and a doctor. Peggs said foreign mission programs are important to the task of spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ around the world.

A ROSE IS A ROSE

The annual banquet of the Rose of Sharon Grand Chapter Order of Eastern Star produced this soul-satisfying moment for Grand Worthy Matron Gloria M. Jones, who was saluted with the presentation of a money tree by Rachel Green, president of the Matron Council.

(Photos: Tyrone P. Easley)

Susie Gordon, Ester Chambers and Rosie Skipper were honored with tributes during the Rose of Sharon Grand Chapter Order of Eastern Star Annual Banquet, which was held at Hotel Memphis, 2625 Thousand Oaks Blvd., last Saturday (June 28th).

PRAISE CONNECT -A WEEKLY DIRECTORY OF MINISTERS & CHURCHES-

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

767 Walker Avenue Memphis, TN 38126

ASSOCIATE MINISTERS

901-946-4095 fax 948-8311

No Cross...

No Crown

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

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

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

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

“We’re pretty much established in our local ministry but we wanted to go into international ministry because in the eternal realm of things, we’re all brothers and sisters in Christ,” said Peggs.

“And people in certain areas in what are called underdeveloped countries do not have access to the things we have. So we wanted to share with them in some way that we could.”

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

Attend the Church of your choice

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

—Phillipians 4:13

ENTERTAINMENT Tri-State Defender, Thursday, July 3 - 9, 2014, Page 8

‘Where do we go from here?’

McLemore & College:

Back in the day, the South Memphis community was the hotbed of talented singers and musicians. Along came Stax Records and legends were born. Then Stax died.

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

by George Tillman Jr.

The music industry ebbs and flows, affecting – directly and indirectly – the lives of succeeding generations through an eclectic mix of genres, including R&B, blues, hip-hop, jazz, gospel, country and more. Memphis’ contributions to the industry’s evolution reflect a noteworthy flow via hometown record labels such as Sun, Ardent, Hi, and Stax, just to name a few.

During my childhood in the late 50s, I grew up listening to Otis Redding and the Bar-Kays of the Stax era. When Otis and nearly all of the Bar-Kays – with the exception of Ben Cauley – perished in a plane crash over Madison, Wis., I was tremendously impacted. It was a sad time in the music industry.

My family lived on College Street, not far from where Stax reigned. It was an integral part of the community and produced a number of legendary artists besides Otis and the Bar-Kays. During Stax’s heyday in the mid-60s, the Mad Lads and Isaac Hayes, both from South Memphis, cut grooves that reverberated throughout the industry.

I remember when I was in junior high and working at Slim Jenkin’s Place, which a cousin of mine had owned, I came into contact with the group Booker T and the M.G.’s. I was spellbound and soon developed a relationship with the members of the group. They even recorded a song and named it “Slim Jenkin’s Place” in honor of the lounge, where I’d met other Stax artists.

The community benefited immensely from Stax’s legacy. The chart-topping record label, which sat at the corner of McLemore Avenue and College Street, hit a financial roadblock and drifted into posterity.

By my sophomore year at Fisk University, the label had folded.

No one wanted Stax to die. I certainly didn’t. Although the Stax Museum of American Soul Music is thriving and preserving the label’s rich history, I had to do my part. In 2008, I formed a group called McLemore & College to pay homage to Stax and what it meant to Memphis and the world.

The group is comprised of Jeff Howard, Melvino “Vino” Smith and myself. Our first album – “Where Do We Go From Here?” – is set for an August release and is being produced by former Stax musicians Lester Snell, Willie Hall and others.

The title song, which bears the same name, is a reference to the uncertainty that engulfed so many when Stax went out of business.

Why form a group and call it McLemore & College?

I felt the music community died when Stax could no longer produce soulful music. I’d noticed over the years the void that was left in the community and the number of broken-hearted singers and musicians whose creativity was stifled because of a lack of opportunities.

Many of them died penniless.

Jeff and “Vino” are mainstays on Beale Street, often singing at noon beneath a blistering sun. Gifted with song and stellar musicianship, they perform on Beale for tips.

Feeling a kindred spirit, I made the move to ask them about singing with McLemore & College.

“The many years of searching to find hope in spreading my talent in music wasn’t going anywhere. Now I can express what feels like a movement on the music scene,” said Vino.

Jeff made it plain and simple: “Let’s take McLemore & College and move straight ahead.” What one may glean from the single “Where Do We Go From Here?” is that Memphis is replete with great musical talent and entertainers who moved a country and the world with its sound.

Back in the day, people loved what they were hearing. Out of dens, backyards, band rooms and garages came a plethora of music that Stax was able to capitalize on. Also on street corners you could find someone, or some group, singing, or harmonizing, under streetlights.

From my vantage point, young people were inspired. They weren’t shooting and killing one another. All these years later, there is a lot of room to do better than we are doing when it comes to corralling Memphis’ wealth of talent I find myself asking, “Where Do We Go From Here?”

The community benefited immensely from Stax’s legacy.

The chart-topping record label, which sat at the corner of McLemore Avenue and College Street, hit a financial roadblock and drifted into posterity. By my sophomore year at Fisk University, the label had folded.

George Tillman Jr. (center) formed the group “McLemore & College” to pay homage to Stax and what it meant to Memphis and the world. The trio includes Jeff Howard (left) and Melvino “Vino” Smith. (Courtesy photo)

From left: Melvino “Vino” Smith, George Tillman Jr. and Jeff Howard.

Back in the day, people loved what they were hearing. Out of dens, backyards, band rooms and garages came a plethora of music that Stax was able to capitalize on. Also on street corners you could find someone, or some group, singing, or harmonizing, under streetlights.

ENTERTAINMENT

Tri-State Defender

Page 9

July 3 - 9, 2014

OPENING THIS WEEK

FILM REVIEW

Kam’s Kapsules:

Nick Cannon makes directorial debut with star-studded cast

Weekly Previews That Make Choosing a Film Fun High schooler Jason has found his dream girl—the gorgeous Anastacia. Thereʼs just one problem: she doesnʼt know he exists. Directed and cowritten by Nick Cannon, “School Dance” is set for a July 2 release in theaters as well as on Digital HD. Co-stars include Mike Epps, George Lopez.

(Courtesy photos)

For movies opening July 4, 2014

by Kam Williams

BIG BUDGET FILMS

“Deliver Us from Evil” (R for graphic violence, grisly images, profanity and pervasive terror) Screen adaptation of Beware the Night, Ralph Sarchie and Lisa Collier Cool’s supernatural thriller about an NYPD street cop (Eric Bana) who joins forces with a renegade exorcist (Edgar Ramirez) in response to the alarming increase in cases of demonic possession occurring around the city. With Olivia Munn, Dorian Missick and Joel McHale.

“Earth to Echo” (PG for action, peril and mild epithets) Kid-friendly sci-fi, reminiscent of E.T. (1982), about a trio of adolescents (Astro, Teo Halm and Reese Hartwig) who surreptitiously come to the aid of a homesick alien stranded on Earth. Supporting cast includes Ella Wahlestedt, Cassius Willis, Jason Gray-Stanford and Drake Kemper.

“Tammy” (R for profanity and sexual references) Melissa McCarthy plays the title character of this road comedy about a justfired fast-food clerk who embarks with her foul-mouthed grandmother (Susan Sarandon) on a rip-roaring road trip from Illinois to Niagara Falls after catching her philandering husband (Nat Faxon) in bed with a neighbor (Toni Collette). Ensemble includes Kathy Bates, Allison Janney, Dan Aykroyd and Gary Cole.

INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS

“America” (PG-13 for violent images) Revisionist documentary co-directed by John Sullivan and Dinesh D’Souza speculating about what the country would look like if the Minutemen had lost the Revolutionary War to

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

by Kam Williams

England.

“Beyond the Edge” (Unrated) Historical drama chronicling Sir Edmund Hillary (Chad Moffitt) and Tenzing Norgay’s (Sonam Sherpa) historic, 1953 ascent of Mount Everest.

With Daniel Musgrove, Joshua Rutter and John Wraight.

“Gabrielle” (R for sexuality) Romance drama about the unlikely love affair between two members (Alexandre Landry and Gabrielle Marion-Rivard) of a choir for mentally-challenged individuals. Support cast includes Benoit Gouin, Sebastien Ricard and Marie Gignac. (In French and English with subtitles)

“The Girl on the Train” (R for profanity and violence) Crime thriller about a documentary filmmaker (Henry Ian Cusick) whose chance encounter with a mysterious passenger (Nicki Aycox) aboard a commuter train headed from Grand Central Station to upstate New York leaves him a suspect in the eyes of skeptical detective (Stephen Lang). With Charles Aitken, James Biberi and John Fugelsang.

“Heatstroke” (Unrated) Crime thriller about the girlfriend (Svetlana Metkina) and daughter (Maisie Williams) of a research scientist (Stephen Dorff) who are forced to survive by their wits after he is murdered in an African desert by ruthless arms dealers. Support cast includes Peter Stormare and Andrew Roux.

“Life Itself” (R for profanity, sexual images and brief nudity) Reverential tribute to legendary film critic Roger Ebert featuring commentary by his wife, Chaz, colleague A.O. Scott, and film directors Martin Scorcese, Errol Morris, Werner Herzog and Ava DuVernay.

“Marius” (Unrated) Romance drama, set in

Marseille, where the seafaring son (Raphael Personnaz) of a tavern owner (Daniel Auteuil) finds himself torn between the love of a woman (Victoire Belezy) and the lure of a life on the ocean. With Jean-Pierre Darroussin, Marie-Anne Chazel and Nicolas Vaude. (In French with subtitles) “Me and You” (Unrated) Oscar-winner Bernardo Bertolucci (for The Last Emperor) directed this beguiling bildungsroman about the forbidden friendship secretly forged between a 14 year-old introvert (Jacopo Olmo Antinori) and the troubled 25 year-old halfsister (Tea Falco) he shares the basement with when she comes to town in need of a place to stay. With Sonia Bergamasco, Veronica Lazar and Pippo Delbono. (In Italian with subtitles) “Premature” (R for profanity, drug use, crude humor and pervasive sexuality) Coming-of-age comedy, reminiscent of Groundhog’s Day, revolving around a high school senior (John Karna) forced to relive over and over again the day he loses his virginity to the girl of his dreams (Carlson Young). With Alan Tudyk, Katie Findlay and Zoe Myers.

“School Dance” (R for crude humor, graphic sexuality, underage drug use and pervasive profanity) Nick Cannon makes his directorial debut with this musical dramedy about a teenager’s (Bobb’e J. Thompson) attempt to impress the cute classmate (Kristinia DeBarge) who doesn’t even know he exists by winning a spot on their high school’s dance team. Ensemble cast includes Kevin Hart, George Lopez, Katt Williams, Amber Rose, Patrick Warburton and Luenell.

“Wrinkles” (Unrated) Animated adventure revolving around the eccentric antics of the rebellious residents of a retirement home. Voice cast includes Martin Sheen, Matthew Modine and George Coe.

Nick Cannon is a versatile entertainer known as an actor, comedian, rapper, radio DJ, TV host and as the husband of pop dive Mariah Carey. With “School Dance,” Nick steps behind the camera to add filmmaker to his extensive resume.

His jaw-dropping directorial debut is a raunchy romantic comedy that might be best thought of as Romeo and Juliet gone completely gangsta’. Set at an inner-city high school in Los Angeles, the irreverent romp revolves around diminutive Jason Jackson (Bobb’e J. Thompson), a modestly-endowed virgin with a crush on a cute and curvy classmate.

Trouble is Anastacia (Kristina DeBarge) has never even noticed the nondescript nerd. A bigger complication is that he’s black, she’s Chicano, and their respective ethnic groups don’t mix, let alone get along. Nevertheless, Jason accepts a dare from the dudes in his posse to get into her proverbial panties by the end of the semester.

To that end, he hatches an elaborate plan to impress the girl of his dreams by winning their high school’s annual talent show, which features a grand prize of $2,000. But of as much import as the outcome of that contest is the raucous road the flick takes en route to that fait accompli.

Director Cannon apparently had no trouble casting his first picture, since the screen is filled with top comedians at every turn, from the man of the year Kevin Hart to the resurrected Katt Williams to “Yo’ Momma’s” Wilmer Valderrama to the irrepressible Luenell to the incomparable Mike Epps to George Lopez and Patrick Warburton. All of the above found the elbow room to do their thing, although the production might have benefited from editing out some of their most offensive remarks.

For example, the blasphemous rap, “F*ck the President, Barack f*cking Obama. F*ck that n*gger” was a bit much for this critic to stomach, even if the euphoria of historic Election Night 2008 is just a distant memory.

Equally off-putting was this line uttered by Lopez as Anastacia’s overprotective father. “I don’t want some little black baby with a big penis running around this house touching all my shit.”

Still, I suspect that such shocking fare will find a ready audience in a hip-hop generation weaned on a profusion of profanity and fond of the n-word. A 21st Century update of the beloved Shakespeare classic about a pair of star-crossed lovers from the opposite side of the tracks.

Good (2 stars) Rated R for crude humor, graphic sexuality, underage drug use, ethnic slurs and pervasive profanity Running time: 85 minutes Distributor: Lionsgate Films

Page 10

Legal Notices

LEGAL NOTICE TO BIDDERS

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

FOR THE DIVISION OF: PUBLIC WORKS City of Memphis RFQ # 3246

FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF: PW01181

Federal Project No.: STP-M-NHE-57(42) State PIN: 110296.00

Location(s): SR-57 (US-72) (Poplar Avenue), from East of Sweetbriar to I-240

State Project No: 79LPLM-F3-029

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

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

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

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

6. A Bid Bond is required.

CLASSIFIEDS

Tri-State Defender

July 3 - 9, 2014

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

DEADLINES: Display ads Monday 5 p.m.

Classified ads Monday 5 p.m.

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

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

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

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

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

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

THE RIGHT TO REJECT ANY AND ALL BIDS IS RESERVED

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

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

A C WHARTON, JR., MAYOR CITY PURCHASING AGENT

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

statedefender.com

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Bernice B. Donald is the recipient of the 2014 John H. Pickering Award of Achievement presented by the Senior Lawyers Division of the American Bar Association.

In her letter nominating Donald for the award, Fremont, Calif., attorney Pauline Weaver wrote, “Judge Donald represents the best of the profession. She has consistently demonstrated the kind of integrity, legal ability, access to justice and public service that would make John Pickering proud. She is uniquely qualified for the award.”

Washington, D.C., lawyer Brooksley Born, chair of the Pickering Award Selection Committee, said, “Bernice Donald has followed in John Pickering’s footsteps in her strong commitment to equal justice, her devotion to the legal profession and her generosity in mentoring younger lawyers.”

Donald, the first African-American president of the American Bar Foundation, will accept the award at the ABA Annual Meeting in Boston in August.

The late John H. Pickering, co-founder of the Washington, D.C., law firm then known as Wilmer, Cutler & Pickering (now WilmerHale), was a former District of Columbia Bar Association president known for his long record of pro bono work in the areas of civil rights, the financing of legal services for the poor, doctorassisted suicide, and on behalf of the elderly.

The award that bears his name has been given since 2007 in recognition of his dedication to the cause of equal justice for all and the highest standards of ethics and professionalism in the law.

Born in DeSoto County, Miss., in 1951, Don-

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

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OF STATE HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION BIDS TO BE RECEIVED JULY 31, 2017 AT 2:00 P.M. CST

Sealed Bids will be received by the City of Bartlett, at their offices located at 6400 Stage Road, Bartlett, Tennessee 38134, until 2:00 P.M. CST Thursday, July 31, 2014 and opened publicly at 6400 Stage Road, Bartlett, Tennessee 38134 at that hour. The reading of the bids will begin at 2:00 P.M. CST. A Mandatory Pre-Bid Conference will be held on Thursday, July 24, 2014, at 10:00 A.M. CST at Bartlett City Hall Annex located at 6382 Stage Road, Bartlett, Tennessee 38134 .

The project consists of the replacing Bartlett Road Bridge, resurfacing, curb and gutter replacement on Ferguson Road. Sealed bids are to be marked “Bartlett Road, Bridge & Approaches over Harrington Creek at L.M. 0.070 – City of Bartlett” and addressed to the attention of Mayor A. Keith McDonald delivered to the following address: City of Bartlett 6400 Stage Road Bartlett, Tennessee 38134.

The Information for Bidders, Form of Bid, Form of Contract, Plans, Specifications, and Forms of Bid Bond, Performance and Payment Bond, and other contract docu-

American Bar Association makes Judge Donald an award winner ald is the sixth of 10 children of a domestic worker and a self-taught mechanic.

She was among the first four African-American students to integrate the Olive Branch city schools, and went on to graduate with honors.

Due to a racist school policy, Donald was not told she had been awarded scholarJudge Bernice ships, so work, grants and B. Donald loans paid for her undergraduate studies at what is now the University of Memphis, from which she graduated in 1974. She then enrolled in a parttime evening law program there, earning her juris doctor in 1979.

After service at Memphis Area Legal Services and the Shelby County (Tenn.) Public Defender’s Office, Donald was elected, at age 30, to her first judicial position, at the Court of General Sessions in Shelby County, becoming the first female African-American judge in the history of Tennessee.

Following that, she became the first AfricanAmerican woman to serve on the U.S. Bankruptcy Court and then at the U.S. District Court for western Tennessee. Donald was appointed to her present position in 2010 by President Barack Obama, and was confirmed the following year.

Judge Donald is the first African-American president of the American Bar Foundation.

With nearly 400,000 members, the American Bar Association is one of the largest voluntary professional membership organizations in the world.

ments may be examined at the following:

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CITY OF BARTLETT 6382 STAGE ROAD BARTLETT, TN 38134

A2H, INC. 3009 DAVIES PLANTATION ROAD LAKELAND, TN 38002 BUILDERS EXCHANGE 642 SOUTH COOPER MEMPHIS, TN 38104

WEST TENNESSEE PLANS ROOM 439 AIRWAYS BLVD. JACKSON, TN 38301

BId documents, specifications and plans must be obtained at A2H, INC., located at 3009 Davies Plantation Road, Lakeland, TN 38002, Phone: 901-372-0404 upon payment of $125.00 (non-refundable).

PROPOSAL CONTRACTS WILL BE ISSUED UNTIL THE TIME SET FOR OPENING BIDS

A Prime Contractor must prequalify with the Department of Transportation in accordance with Section 54-5-117 of the “Tennessee Code Annotated” and Tennessee Department of Transportation Rule 1680-5-3 prequalification of contractors before biddable proposals will be furnished.

The City of Bartlett hereby notifies all bidders that a 7.0 % Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) goal has been set for this project and must be met or exceeded.

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

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

THE RIGHT TO REJECT ANY AND ALL BIDS IS RESERVED PUBLIC NOTICE THE MEMPHIS URBAN AREA METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION

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

The public is hereby given notice that the Memphis MPO will hold public meetings to provide information on the plan update and regional survey, as well as to solicit input from the public on goals, objectives, and expected outcomes for the updated Regional Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan. For the weeks of July 14, 2014 and July 21, 2014, meetings will be held as follows: July 14, 2014 – 6:30PM – Oakland Town Hall, 170 Doss Circle, Oakland, TN 38060

July 15, 2014 – 6:00PM – Collierville Town Hall, 500 Poplar View Parkway, Collierville, TN 38017 July 22, 2014 – 5:30PM – Lakeland City Hall, 10001 Highway 70, Lakeland, TN 38002

July 23, 2014 – 6:00PM – Horn Lake City Hall, 3101 Goodman Road West, Horn Lake, MS 38637

It is the policy of the Memphis Urban Area MPO not to discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, national origin or disability in its hiring or employment practices, or in its admissions to or operations of its program, services, or activities. All inquiries for Title VI and/or the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), or for persons with disabilities that require aids or services to participate either in the review of these documents or at the hearing may contact Mitchell Lloyd at 901-576-7146, fax (901) 576-7272; or email Mitchell.Lloyd@memphistn.gov to make accessibility arrangements no less than five days prior to the meeting.

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

Help Wanted Drivers: CDL (A or B) Local Recruiting Fair Mon. July 14th, Tues July 15th 10am5pm, Wed. July 16th 8am-12pm Hampton Inn & Suites at Beale Street 175 Peabody Place Memphis, TN 38103 Call Wendy for appt: 1-855-279-2855

In compliance with federal regulations 23

Automobiles • Collectibles • Home & Gardens • Toys, Games & Models • Health & Fitness • Employment • Clothing & Footwear • Announcements • Sports • Pets & Animals • Real Estate • Business Opportunities • Hobbies & Leisure • Electronics • Miscellaneous • Jewelry & Watches • Services • Help Wanted We have a category just for your advertising needs in the Classifieds Section of the Tri-State Defender. Call us today! Our Classifieds get results.

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Page 11

July 3 - 9, 2014

BRIEFS & THINGS

SCLC Memphis and Baptist ministers group plans forum on education July 15th

The Southern Christian Leadership Conference Memphis Chapter in cooperation with the Memphis Baptist Ministerial Association is sponsoring an Education Forum on July 15th at Greater Mt. Moriah Fellowship Hall, 1098 S. Wellington.

Special guests include: Shelby County Schools Supt. Dorsey Hopson; Dr. W.W. Herenton, former Memphis City Schools superintendent and charter schools operator; Malika Anderson, chief portfolio officer, Achievement School District; Michael Benjamin, national director, American Federation for Children Grassroots Advocacy & Outreach.

The moderator will be Art Gillian, president/ general manager, WLOK. For more information, contact the Rev. Dwight Montgomery, president of the SCLC Memphis Chapter, at 901-488-4798; sclcmemphis@yahoo.com

UCAN plans ‘Dare 2 Dream’ Teen Conference

UCAN of Memphis, a youth mentoring organization, will host its inaugural teen conference for its educational program. “Dare 2 Dream,” on July 25-26 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day at Bridges USA, 477 N. 5th Street.

“We are so grateful that Bridges is offering the space to hold our very first Teen Conference,” said UCAN President Leshundra Robinson. “Their mission is so closely aligned with ours, as they are all about the transformation of our young people as tomorrow’s leaders.”

UCAN’s mission is to “impact young adolescents through mentoring, personal development and education with a goal to foster positive growth in the community.”

UCAN launched the Dare 2 Dream program in 2011. Teens hear from inspirational speakers and also attend classes to prepare them for the future in areas that include image development, community involvement, career and college planning and educational transition (elementary to middle, middle to high school and high school to college).

This year, Dare 2 Dream will be presented in a conference format and will be taught from the book, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens” by Sean Covey, which gives teens and their parents a compass to navigate through daily challenges. The 2014 Teen Conference also will carry a theme of anti-bullying.

Co-founded by Leshundra Robinson in 2005 as a community giveback to her former neighborhood, UCAN mentors young teens in the North Memphis area.

The conference cost is $50 per student, which includes inspirational speaker presentations as well as workbooks, snacks and beverages, school supplies and an anti-bullying pledge and certificate. Parents are encouraged to attend with their children at no additional cost. Deadline to register is July 20. Call 901-262-8642 or visit www.ucanofmemphis.org for more info and to register.

Former BTW grad and author sets book signing, reception for July 10th

Ernest C. Jones, a member of the Booker T. Washington High School Class of 1959, will have a book signing and reception on July 10th for Ernest his latest C. Jones work, “The Awakening of Reggie,” – a journey from a legally segregated society into a law enforced integrated society.

The event, which is associated with the BTW Class of 1959 class reunion, will be held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Memphis Airport Hotel at 2240 Democrat Rd. There will be a reading and talk back beginning at 6 p.m.

Jones, who lives in New York, is also the author of “A Darker Shade of Brown,” which has been hailed as “a powerful message about integration.” He spent his career promoting affirmative action and equal opportunity in the private sector and on the federal, state and local levels.

The cost of “The Awakening of Reggie” is $20, payable by cash or check at the event.

We three…

In a flash…

Consistent – and at times heavy – rainfall created flashflood problems such as this Sunday morning (June 29th) scene at Tonto Road and Third Street in the Westwood area. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley)

Lonnie Latham (left), associate dean of Multicultural Affairs at the University of Memphis, has decided to retire, with a celebration held in his honor last Friday (June 27th). Those saying congrats and farewell included Linda Hill, who was the assistant to Latham and his predecessor, Authur S. Holmon (right). (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley)

Student TCAP scores across Tennessee grew this year but at a slower pace

Some of the biggest gains highlighted were in math, where 19 percent more students scored proficient in Algebra II than in 2011 when the test was first administered.

Chalkbeat Tennessee

by Oliver Morrison

Students who took the stateʼs Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) tests showed small improvements on most tests, which continued the stateʼs upward trajectory of the past few years.

The number of students in Tennessee who are meeting academic standards rose for the third year in a row, although at a slightly slower rate, according to the new state-wide data released by the Tennessee Department of Education today (July 1st). Students who took the state’s Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) tests showed small improvements on most tests, which continued the state’s upward trajectory of the past few years.

Some of the biggest gains highlighted were in math, where 19 percent more students scored proficient in Algebra II than in 2011 when the test was first administered. More students in grades 3 to 8 scored proficient than last year, but the pace of that growth has slowed.

Around 100,000 more students across all grade levels are proficient in math in Tennessee than in 2010.

The English results were not as positive. Although around four percent more high school students scored proficient, the reading scores in grades 3-8 actually fell slightly this year.

In science, the number of students in grades 3-8 who scored proficient increased slightly but at a slower rate than the past few years.

High school biology students showed the same slightly-slower increase in the number of students meeting standards.

The data also showed some narrowing in the achievement gap in both math and reading between minority and white students, according to department of education analysis.

The data released today combined with the state’s strong growth in the NAEP test provides strong evidence that the small gains in the past few years are true reflections that more students in Tennessee are meeting basic standards.

RISE Foundation’s Goal Card Progam yields more success

RISE launched the Goal Card program in 2003 in Memphisʼ College Park community with just over 100 students.

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

by Aisling Maki

The RISE Foundation’s Goal Card program stresses the importance of school attendance, conduct and academic performance, and one of its major goals is to graduate students from high school on time and move them toward pursuing post-college education.

This past school year, more than 90 percent of high school seniors at Booker T. Washington and Melrose High School who participated in the Goal Card program graduated on time with their classmates – a substantial number compared to students who didn’t participate.

RISE launched the Goal Card program in 2003 in Memphis’ College Park community with just over 100 students. By 2009, the program had expanded to additional sites and more than doubled its enrollment. Between 2010 and 2014, RISE added LaRose Elementary, Bellevue Middle and other schools to its program.

In the 2013-14 school year, more than 600 students registered to participate in the program.

Goal Card senior program coordinator Ricco Mitchell says the Goal Card program has been successful because of the dedicated teachers and administrators at the schools where the program is offered.

“Of course, we can’t leave out the students who actually do the work,” Mitchell said.

“RISE simply provides the extra encouragement, support and incentives. It’s not just one entity, but a collective effort from several sources that help the Goal Card program shine bright.”

Another essential component of the program’s success has been its dedicated volunteers. Research has shown that caring adults make a difference in whether at-risk students graduate high school.

International Paper is among the local companies that provide mentors, many of whom are young and seeking ways to give back to the community.

“Goal Card has also been successful because of the outstanding and continued support of International Paper and its employees who volunteer,”

During the 2013-14 school year, more than 600 students registered to participate in the RISE Foundationʼs Goal Card program. (Courtesy photo) Mitchell said.

RISE board member Marianne Parrs recently hosted a cookout in Southwind as a thank you to IP Goal Card coaches. The gathering included Deano Orr, executive director of the IP Foundation, and Karen Field Brooks, the recently retired principal of LaRose Elementary School.

RISE this year started a Goal Card program site at Melrose High School with volunteers and fi-

nancial support from MassMutual Financial Group, allowing even more students to benefit from the program.

This year also marked the third year for the RISE Foundation’s Goal Card Financial Forum, where high school juniors and seniors were treated to a daylong workshop focused on financial education tools to help them better manage their personal finances and they prepare to enter adulthood.

SPORTS Tri-State Defender, Thursday, July 3 - 9, 2014, Page 12 Hall of Famer Hank Aaron was among the panelists for a Baseball and the Civil Rights Movement roundtable discussion at the National Civil Rights Museum in March 2008.

‘Dude, was that Hank Aaron?’

by Howard Robertson and Larry Robinson Special to The New Tri-State Defender

We haven’t been co-hosting a sports show long enough to take anything for granted or consider as routine the new access we’ve had to visit with some iconic sports personalities of the highest order. We don’t feel jaded, we feel unbelievably blessed.

That’s why before and after interviewing one of the Howard greatest baseball players in Robertson, history, the Gen X’er and aka the Baby the Baby Boomer looked at Boomer each other, smiled and said something like, “Dude did we just interview Hank Aaron?” Unbelievable.

After learning how to hit by practicing hitting bottle caps with a stick, Hank Aaron started playing baseball for money when he was fifteen years old, playing for a semi-pro team in Alabama for $2 a game. Three years later, the Milwaukee Larry Braves bought Aaron’s conRobinson, aka tract from the Negro the Gen Xʼer League’s Indianapolis Clowns for a whopping $10,000 and that began a major league baseball career and a life that would influence, encourage and inspire generations to come.

So on one June day, three generations of African-American men were sharing about sports and life. The Boomer and the Gen X’er were students learning at the feet of the elder, representing that generation most appropriately labeled “The Greatest Generation.”

The Greatest taught a lesson of priorities, recalling how his mother refused to let baseball interfere with his education, only allowing him to play on the weekends when school was in session. She wanted him to get an education, get a good job and make something decent of himself, like becoming a schoolteacher.

He also taught a lesson of living within one’s means, remembering after signing with the Indianapolis Clowns how his friend nicknamed him “Pork Chops” because that’s what he ate, three times a day. His regular diet of chops was based on two very practical reasons. One, he liked pork chops. Two, he could afford them based on his $2 daily food per diem.

He taught a lesson on respect and deference, acknowledging that some of the very best players in the Negro leagues like Leroy “Satchel” Page and Josh Gipson with superior playing skills and ability, didn’t make it to the majors.

He knows he stood on their shoulders and represented them by showing the world what black players could do when given the same opportunities as their white counterparts.

Lastly, he taught a lesson on brotherhood and camaraderie. He said that he and Hall of Famers such as Jackie Robinson, Willie Mays and Ernie Banks always got together when they were in each other’s cities. They informed each other.

They encouraged each other. They lived and learned about life from each other.

The Baby Boomer recalled that another reason he liked Hank Aaron so much as a kid was because Hank and his father favored each other and looked like they could’ve been brothers. He remembered how he really wanted a Hank Aaron model baseball glove back in the late 1950’s when he played in little league. But he had to settle for another Milwaukee Braves player’s glove, Warren Spahn. The reason was because they didn’t put black players’ names on autographed model gloves or equipment at that time.

The Gen’Xer, only seven years old when Aaron broke Babe Ruth’s home run record, remembers the man in the middle of the swirl of media coverage, with the kind, calm face. The child wondered why anyone would want to kill the kind man for hitting home runs. He always thought home runs made people happy. Like “Mr. Aaron,” he too was startled when two white men ran out on the field as he rounded the bases after hitting #715.

Mr. Aaron turned 80 this year. He says he is really enjoying life these days and that in life as in baseball, “You only get out of it what you put into it.”

Dude, did we just get a life lesson from Hank Aaron? Unbelievable!

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

Booker T. Washington standout Angelo Smith (seated) and his support system as he signs to continue his basketball journey at Dyersburg State Community College. Pictured: Standing (left to right) –Father, Colenzo Hubbard of Emmanuel Episcopal Center; coach Lee Brown; coach Ricco Mitchell; BTW head coach Antonio Harris; DSCC head coach Alan Barnett; DSCC asst. coach Charles Taylor; coach Jessie Davis; Emmanuel Centerʼs Louis Holmes. Seated – Pauline Smith and Angelo.

Angelo Smith – the first of many!

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

by Andre Mitchell

Angelo Smith flashes an itʼsdone smile after signing to be a basketball-playing student-athlete at Dyersburg State Community College this fall. (Courtesy photos)

Angelo Smith is the first Booker T. Washington High School graduate under head basketball coach Antonio Harris to sign an official Letterof Intent to play college basketball.

Next season, Angelo will take his athletic talents to Dyersburg State Community College and perform for the Eagles. Of course, he will always be a BTW Warrior at heart; however, this is simply part of the process as he develops his craft.

Angelo made his decision final last Thursday (June 26th) during an event at the Emmanuel Episcopal Center near Booker T. Washington High. Harris, BTW’s first-year head coach and a BTW alumni, is hopeful that Angelo will become the first of many BTW student-athletes who go on to pursue a career as a student-athlete at the collegiate level under his tutelage.

“I am so proud for Angelo and what he has accomplished, especially considering all the hardships he has had to overcome just to be in this position,” said Harris.

“He’s been through a lot and to know that he is about to go off to college is more than icing on the cake – it’s a pure blessing! What’s most important is that our kids get an opportunity to go to college, learn, grow and see another side of what life has to offer them.”

Asked how he felt about his current situation, Angelo said, “I thank God for my life, my family and those who supported me through middle and high school. Now I’m ready to take my game to the next level and show what I can do.

I thank Coach (Alan) Barnett (Dyersburg State Community College head coach) for the opportunity and I’m going to make everyone proud.”

Angelo completed his outstanding high school basketball career as a three-year letterman, with a host of team honors and accomplishments, including “Mr. Double-double” in points and rebounds as well as a TSSAA championship run to the state semi-finals his senior season as a BTW Warrior.

Angelo’s grandmother, Pauline Smith, was in attendance. She shared with those in attendance that she is a praying woman who always tried to instill in Angelo and the rest of her family to trust in God, be the best you can be and to treat people with respect.

Ready for work…

The Memphis Grizzlies used their No. 22 pick overall in the 2014 NBA Draft (June 26th) to select UCLA shooting guard Jordan Adams (left). Later, they acquired native Memphian and University of Tennessee forward/center Jarnell Stokes, who was originally selected No. 35 by the Utah Jazz.

Memphis dealt away a 2016 second round draft pick for the rights to Stokes. (Photo: Warren Roseborough)