The Tri-State Defender - June 13, 2024

Week of: June 13, 2024

— Page 6

■■ COMMUNITY

MPD’s Operation ‘All Off Boyd’ rounds up drugs, guns and gang members

TSD Newsroom

If you heard about or witnessed a massive police operation in South Memphis recently, you heard right.

On June 11, Interim Memphis Police Chief CJ Davis announced that MPD swept through the neighborhood of Tate Avenue and Boyd Street in South Memphis, near E.J. Crump Blvd. on Friday, June 7.

“A very small percentage of people commit most of the violent crimes in our city.”

— CJ Davis

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“Operation All O Boyd” resulted in 12 arrests and the seizure of numerous weapons and drugs in a neighborhood long plagued by gang violence. e operation targeted the AOB gang, which police Chief Cerelyn “C.J.” Davis said has been responsible for a signi cant amount of crime in the area.

“On any given day, these individuals, sometimes in crowds of 20 to 40, would completely take over the block, brandishing high-powered weapons, engaging in illegal drug activity, and creating an environment of chaos and fear,” Davis said. “Our primary goal in this operation was to reclaim the streets for the neighbors of Memphis who want and deserve to live peacefully in their homes, free from illegal and dangerous drugs, blight, and nuisance properties.

“We have only just begun,” she continued.

Davis said that over a three-year period, MPD has responded to 340 calls in the area, including disturbances, shootings, and robberies.

our city,” Davis said. “Our citizens have proven that we are not alone in this battle; they are ready and willing to be part of the change they want to see.”

Mayor Paul Young echoed the sentiment in brief remarks.

“Our community is fed up. And we know it. And our teams are working hard every day to ensure those wreaking havoc in our community are taken

o the streets.

“So just know that if you’re out there doing things that are not upli ing our community,” Young warned, “We ARE watching. And we WILL be coming to get you.”

e investigation is ongoing, and Davis said she expects more arrests to be made. She also said the department will continue to maintain a strong presence in the community to prevent a resurgence of criminal activity.

“We want to send a message to those individuals who are terrorizing this community that we are here and we plan to continue to monitor and make sure that this activity does not continue,” Davis said.

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e operation, which involved 140 personnel from the Memphis Police Department, Tennessee Highway Patrol, ATF, FBI and other agencies, resulted in the seizure of seven handguns, seven long guns, 3.7 pounds of marijuana, 429 Xanax pills, and $4,291 in cash. Two vehicles were also con scated.

“A very small percentage of people commit most of the violent crimes in

President Calvin Anderson Interim Editor Lee Eric Smith

■■ COMMUNITY

Black Dads Who DO! Spotlight: Corey Miller

Everything and more I could ask for in a Dad to our son he is! rough pregnancy and postpartum he has been there in every way possible. ere isn’t a doctor’s appointment he has missed. I couldn’t be more thankful to have him be a Father to our son.

— Mykila Miller

Black Dads Who DO!

Spotlight: Rev. Garry Fair

My dad, Rev. Garry Fair, is truly THE man, myth, and legend!! Life has recently thrown us some tough obstacles, in the loss of my mom and his wife of 33 years, also his current health battle, however my dad continues to be our rock and a loving support for us all!

His favorite role is “Poppi” and is always ready with a sweet treat and plenty of love for his granddaughters!! As he continues navigate his current health challenge, he always reminds us that “God is a healer and a consistent strength to rely on in the midst of life’s storms!”

— Arielle Brown

Black Dads Who DO Spotlight: Byron Brown

From Princess Tea parties to making custom breakfast/lunch orders, Byron is an amazing #GirlDad who will do anything for his princesses- Averi and Angela! He’s always so patient with his girls, helping them to navigate the knee scrapes of childhood — and also goes above and beyond to assure his wife Arielle gets the self-care she deserves!

— Arielle Brown See? ere are lots of African American dads out there making a di erence in their children’s lives. Do YOU know a Black Dad who deserves a HUGSHOT? Visit https://tri-statedefender.com/dads and tell us about him!

Black Dads Who DO! Spotlight: Devlin Williams

■■ COMMUNITY

I think that Devlin should be celebrated because he shows up — not ve percent of the time, not 20 percent. ONE HUNDRED PERCENT of the time he shows up. O en times his job as a sheri o cer has him working very long hours yet every morning he gets up to help his daughter get ready for daycare.

“When he is home during the day he is intentional with his time spent reading books, helping get her down for bed, and engaging in endless playtime. Of course, they played in the snow when it snowed! I can’t necessarily highlight just one thing he does because all of them make him the man and father that he is.”

— Alexandria Williams

“My daddy is THE MAN! I love him so much for always being a great father, supporter and all around great guy. He has eight grandchildren whom he supports to no end. He never misses an event if he can make it and most importantly NEVER TELLS US NO, lol. I’m so grateful for him!

— Naketa Gilbert

is heartwarming story of a father’s love is just one example of the many ways African American dads are making a di erence in their children’s lives. Do YOU know a Black Dad who deserves a HUGSHOT? Visit https://tri-statedefender.com/dads and tell us about him!

Black Dads Who DO! Spotlight: Travis Turner

Travis Turner is my amazing husband. He leads and teaches our three sons by example. One thing that stands out about him: Every morning before we all go our separate ways, Travis calls us all to the couch to impart a message for the day. Fridays are especially important to him.

It’s called “Feelings Friday.”Travis asks each of our boys how they are feeling. It’s a time for the boys to share their feelings about the entire week, good or bad. It is important to Travis that our young black men are able to articulate their feelings so that we can help them navigate with emotional intelligence. He is so amazing!”

— Tamika Turner

Black Dads Who DO Spotlight: Franklin Gilbert Sr.

Team City wins in Celebrity Matchup of the Mayors

TSD Newsroom

Memphis recently hosted the annual Heal the Hood Celebrity Basketball Game, an event that brought together city and county leaders, including Memphis Mayor Paul Young and Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris, to promote unity and support for local youth programs.

is high-pro le game, held on June 8, 2024, featured a friendly yet competitive match between city and county o cials, drawing signi cant attention and support from the community.

During the hal ime of this celebrated event, former Memphis Grizzlies star Tony Allen was honored with the

Heal the Hood Foundation’s rst-ever Heroes of Change Award, recognizing his impactful community work and dedication to upli ing Memphis youth.

e nal score of the Heal the Hood Celebrity Basketball Game saw Memphis Mayor Paul Young’s city team triumph over Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris’s county team by a narrow margin of ve points.

e game not only provided thrilling entertainment but also served as a signi cant fundraising e ort, with proceeds bene ting the youth initiatives of the Heal the Hood Foundation, which focuses on providing positive outlets for young people through various programs and activities.

e event highlighted the power of

sports to unite and inspire, with attendees enjoying the unique opportunity to see their local leaders and sports gures collaborate for a common cause. e Heal the Hood Foundation continues to make strides in fostering a safer and more supportive environment for the youth of Memphis, reinforcing the message that community engagement and support can

create lasting positive change.

Explore the highlights and memorable moments from the event in our slideshow, featuring captivating photos and detailed captions that capture the spirit and excitement of this year’s Heal the Hood Celebrity Basketball Game.

TSD Photographer Gary S. Whitlow was on hand to get these images

Mayor Paul Young hoists the trophy as Team City won the Celebrity Duel. (Photos: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprise/Tri-State Defender)

heart . .. Grit. GRIND!

At halftime, Memphis Grizzlies legend Tony Allen was honored.

The Opening Tip! Mayor Harris gets it!

Heal the Hood Founder LaDell Beamon, joined by Memphis Shelby County Schools Superintendent Dr. Marie N. Feagins.

Mayor Harris brings the ball up court as Shelby County Commissioner Mickell Lowry trails the play

Rev. James Lawson Jr., Original Freedom Rider and Apostle of Nonviolence, Dies at 95

Lawson’s

commitment to nonviolence and civil rights profoundly impacted the movement.

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

Rev. James Lawson Jr., a foundational gure in the Civil Rights Movement and an original Freedom Rider, passed away at 95, his family announced on Monday. Lawson, who dedicated his life to advocating nonviolent protest, died on Sunday in Los Angeles following a short illness.

Lawson’s commitment to nonviolence and civil rights profoundly impacted the movement. He was a close adviser to Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., who hailed him as “the leading theorist and strategist of nonviolence in the world.” During a three-year stay in India, Lawson’s studies of Mohandas K. Gandhi’s independence movement signi cantly in uenced his understanding of nonviolent resistance. Born in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, on September 22, 1928, and raised in Massillon, Ohio, Lawson’s early experiences with racism and the contrasting in uences of his parents—his father, an itinerant African Methodist Episcopal minister, and his Jamaican-born mother, who believed in resolving con icts peacefully—shaped his lifelong commitment to nonviolent resistance. At age 10, an incident where he slapped a white child who had insulted him was a pivotal moment. His mother’s admonishment that love and intelligence were stronger than hate le an indelible mark on him.

Lawson’s activism began in earnest as an Ohio Oberlin College student. A er spending 13 months in prison for refusing to register for the dra during the Korean War, he met King in 1957. e two young pastors quickly bonded over their admiration for Gandhi’s

ideas. King urged Lawson to use these ideas in the American South due to his rsthand experiences.

In 1960, Lawson orchestrated sit-ins that led to the desegregation of public accommodations in Nashville, one of the rst major Southern cities to do so. His workshops trained activists, including future leaders like John Lewis, Marion S. Barry, Diane Nash, James Bevel, and Bernard Lafayette, to withstand violent reactions from white authorities.

Lawson’s activism placed him at the heart of several key events in the Civil Rights Movement. In 1961, he was one of the rst Freedom Riders arrested in Jackson, Mississippi, for attempting to integrate interstate bus and train travel. During the 1965 “Bloody Sunday” march in Selma, Alabama, he was

among the protesters beaten by authorities at the Edmund Pettus Bridge. In 1968, while pastoring in Memphis, he persuaded King to support the city’s striking sanitation workers. King’s assassination followed shortly a er, and years later, Lawson visited James Earl Ray, King’s convicted assassin, in prison. Lawson ministered to Ray and publicly supported theories suggesting Ray had been framed.

roughout his career, Lawson remained steadfast in his commitment to nonviolence, even as segments of the Black community shi ed towards militancy and separatism. His activism extended beyond civil rights to include opposition to the Vietnam War, support for labor unions, gay rights, expanded abortion access, and liberalized immigration policies.

In 1974, Lawson became the senior pastor of Holman United Methodist Church in Los Angeles, where he served until his retirement in 1999. His teachings continued through his role as a visiting professor at Vanderbilt University, which had expelled him 46 years earlier for his activism. Vanderbilt invited him back in 2006 and requested his papers for their archives.

Rev. Lawson is survived by his wife, Dorothy Wood, his son, John C. Lawson II, a brother, and three grandchildren. His son, C. Seth Lawson, died in 2019. His life and work are a testament to the nonviolent resistance’s power and the ongoing struggle for social justice.

“If Dr. King was our modern-day Christ, James Lawson was John the Baptist,” Rev. Mark ompson stated.

Lawson participated with surviving 1968 Sanitation Workers in a ribbon cutting unveiling the new “I Am A Man” Plaza at Clayborn Temple in Downtown Memphis. (File photo)

■■ NEWS

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SEALED BID I000885 DUE DATE THURSDAY, JULY 11, 2024 AT 2:30 PM CDT

(SB-I000885) State-Aid Asphalt Paving Project

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Rev. Lawson participated in a Minister’s March and program during MLK50 events in 2018. (File photo)

In 2018, Rhodes College President Marjorie Hass awarded longtime civil rights activist the Rev. James Lawson an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree. Lawson spoke to a packed room in Rhodes’ Briggs Hall about the history and changes of the country as well as the continued need for social justice. (Courtesy photo)

For our communities. In our communities.

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See other ways we give back to Chattanooga and other Tennessee communities at BCBSTnews.com/impact

TSD Newsroom

Things to do for Juneteenth in Memphis

Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19, commemorates the day in 1865 when Union soldiers informed enslaved Texans of their freedom, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. is day symbolizes the end of slavery in the United States and has been recognized as a federal holiday since 2021.

Like other federal holiday Memphis o ers a variety of events to honor this signi cant day, focusing on education, health, and cultural celebration. Take a look at these festivities:

Shell on Wheels Celebrates Liberty & Unity at Historic Juneteenth Festival

• Date & Time: Friday, June 14Sunday, June 16

• Location: Douglass Park, 1616 Ash Street

• Cost: Free

• Description: e 31st Annual Juneteenth Douglass Freedom & Heritage Festival will feature performances by the African Jazz Ensemble and the National Jookin League, along with various exhibitions, food vendors, and educational workshops. is festival honors the emancipation of enslaved African Americans through diverse cultural expressions and community engagement activities. Attendees can also enjoy the Mobile Shell stage, which will be present on Saturday and Sunday, providing captivating experiences directly to the heart of the community.

• More Info: Email JuneteenthDouglass@gmail.com or call (901) 691-1044. Visit their Facebook page for more details.

Dream Commission’s Dream Gala and Summit

• Dream Gala:

• Date & Time: Friday, June 14, 7 p.m.

• Location: National Civil Rights Museum, 450 Mulberry St.

• Cost: Ticket prices vary

• Description: is black-tie event honors individuals and organizations that have made signi cant strides in advancing nancial literacy. e gala will feature speeches from prominent gures in the nancial and social sectors, providing insights and celebrating achievements. e Dream Gala sets the stage for a weekend of impactful discussions and networking opportunities, emphasizing the importance of nancial education in achieving true freedom.

• Dream Summit:

• Date & Time: Saturday, June 15, 9 a.m.

• Location: Bass Pro Shops Pyramid Terrace

• Cost: Free

• Description: The summit will delve into crucial topics such as credit repair, understanding the stock market, and the importance of compound interest. Additionally, it will address pressing issues like food deserts and the national need for better financial

understanding and wealth management. Esteemed panelists include 2024 Ms. Black USA Kelley Reed, President/CEO of the Black Business Association of Memphis Ernest Strickland, and others. The summit aims to equip attendees with practical knowledge to enhance their financial well-being.

• More Info: Visit thedreamcommission.org.

TONE’s Annual Juneteenth Gala

• Date & Time: Saturday, June 15, 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

• Location: Orange Mound Tower, 2205 Lamar Ave

• Cost: Ticket prices vary

• Description: TONE’s annual Juneteenth Gala is an elegant evening for fundraisers, donors, and esteemed guests to come together in celebration. This year’s event, themed “Sunday’s Best,” encourages attendees to dress in their finest church attire. The evening will begin with a cocktail hour, followed by dinner and the gala, and will culminate in an afterparty. This event is an opportunity for the community to unite over an evening of fellowship and support for TONE’s initiatives.

• More Info: Visit TONE Memphis or email info@tonememphis.org.

TONE’s Annual Juneteenth Festival

• Date & Time: Sunday, June 16, 3 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.

• Location: Orange Mound Tower, 2205 Lamar Ave

• Cost: Free

• Description: is year’s festival features a stellar lineup, including performances by Juicy J, Curren$y, DJ Lo Down Loretta Brown (Erykah Badu), and Hitkidd. Hosted by Jared ‘JB’Boyd, Blunt Casso, Richie Rach, and Phatmak, the event promises a vibrant

celebration of Black culture with food trucks, games, and various vendors. e festival is designed to be a family-friendly event, encouraging community members to come together and celebrate their heritage. e festivities will culminate with an a erparty starting at 11:30 p.m., ensuring a day full of fun and unity.

• More Info: Visit TONE Memphis or email info@tonememphis.org.

National Civil Rights Museum Juneteenth Community Day

• Date & Time: Wednesday, June 19, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

• Location: National Civil Rights Museum, 450 Mulberry St.

• Cost: Free

• Description: The museum celebrates Juneteenth with free admission and a focus on health equity. Visitors can explore exhibits that highlight the resilience and contributions of Black Americans. In collaboration with community partners, the museum will provide immunization shots, health screenings, and raise awareness about sickle cell anemia, a disease that disproportionately affects Black Americans. Additionally, voter registration information will be available, and there will be various educational activities for families. This event not only commemorates the historical significance of Juneteenth but also promotes the well-being and empowerment of the community.

• More Info: Visit civilrightsmuseum.org or call (901) 521-9699.

Celebrate Juneteenth in Memphis by participating in these enriching events that honor history and promote community unity and progress.