■■ COMMUNITY
Memphis Botanic Garden Welcomes
MaryLynn Mack as New Executive Director
TSD Newsroom
e Memphis Botanic Garden (MBG) has announced the appointment of its new Executive Director, MaryLynn Mack, following a nationwide search.
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Mack, who brings with her a wealth of experience in the botanical garden industry, will o cially begin her role in August. She will be taking over from Interim Executive Director Mary-Helen Butler, who has been serving in the position since February.
Mack has most recently worked as the Chief Operating Officer at South Coast Botanic Garden in Palos Verdes, California, since 2019. She has also served as a Presidential-appointed Board Member of the Institute of Museum and Library Services and is the Past President and a current Board Member of the American Public Gardens Association (APGA).
e APGA’s mission is to champion and advance public gardens as leaders, advocates, and innovators in the conservation and appreciation of plants.
Mack is also the founding chair of APGA’s IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Accessibility) Committee.
innovation, collaboration, and inclusivity aligns perfectly with our mission and values. We look forward to her leadership and the positive impact she will undoubtedly have on our community.”
In the meantime, Interim Executive Director Mary-Helen Butler will continue to lead MBG until Mack o cially starts in August. With Mack’s appointment, MBG is poised for continued growth and success in the Memphis community.
“We are thrilled to have MaryLynn join our team at MBG. Her commitment to innovation, collaboration, and inclusivity aligns perfectly with our mission and values. We look forward to her leadership and the positive impact she will undoubtedly have on our community.”
— David Scully
of
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Prior to her role at South Coast Botanic Garden, Mack held various positions at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, Arizona, including Deputy Director/Director of Operations. Her extensive experience and dedication to the industry made her the ideal candidate for the position at MBG.
David Scully, MBG’s Board President, expressed excitement about Mack’s appointment, stating, “We are thrilled to have MaryLynn join our team at MBG. Her commitment to
President Calvin Anderson Interim Editor Lee Eric Smith
MaryLynn Mack
Memphis City Council Approves FY 2025 Budget, $0.49 Property Tax Increase
By James Coleman Special To The Tri-State Defender
A er last-minute backroom bargaining with City of Memphis Mayor Paul Young and administration o cials, city council members approved a FY2025 budget that includes a 49-cent property tax.
e private discussion postponed the Tuesday, June 25 meeting by an hour. Council members approved the tax hike, along with the operating and capital budgets on an 8-5 vote.
“ ere are a lot of tough decisions. We did not come at this lightly, knowing we were asking the residents of our community to pay more; to increase taxes,” said Young.
e administration originally sought a 75-cent hike in its budget proposal.
e last property tax increase was in 2012. Young’s administration inherited a $82 million funding gap when they began preparing a budget.
A nal number was hit upon a er council member Edmund Ford, Sr. pitched a 55-cent property tax increase, alongside a mixture of fees and $7.9 million in budget cuts.
“ ere was a lot of movement during the budget process. Our team worked with the city council to make various cuts. We’re at 49 cents, in terms of a tax increase,” said Young. “It still should give us enough revenue to do the things our citizens are asking for.”
e increased revenue will cover the costs of a 5% raise for city employees, up from the administration’s proposed 3% bump in pay. e di erence amounts to $13 million, which meant extra revenue was necessary.
Over recent years, the city has experienced signi cant employee loss due to a
“There are a lot of tough decisions. We did not come at this lightly, knowing we were asking the residents of our community to pay more; to increase taxes.”
— Paul Young
competitive job landscape - o en with higher salaries to o er.
“We have to invest to see the better Memphis we want. I hope everybody feels like we have reached a good compromise,” said council member Janika White.
Another $14 million will go towards the city’s reserve fund.
A healthy fund balance reassures credit rating agencies, which analyze the city’s nances to set its credit rate on its debt.
An amendment by council member Philip Spinosa to push the tax rate further down failed. It sought to li the city’s attrition rate by adding vacant positions. e administration also opposed the accounting maneuver.
“We have to invest to see the better Memphis we want. I hope everybody feels like we have reached a good compromise.”
— Janika White
fee increase in his proposal. Over the next few years, further increases are expected.
e new scal year will also be greeted with a two-fold increase in auto registration for several classi cations of vehicles. Council member Jerri Green’s proposal passed unanimously. e rst term member had been in discussion with administration o cials about new rates during over the budget season.
Council members also added $15 million from city reserves to cover overtime costs for Memphis Police Department personnel.
Council members also reduced the pay of interim MPD chief Cerelyn “C.J.” Davis by $35,000 per year to $246,370.28. The new amount matches the pay of MFD counterpart Gina Sweat.
It passed 9-2-2.
Meanwhile, Memphians will also see a $12 increase in their solid waste fees, to bring their bills to $42 per month. e ordinance to up the fee passed 12-1. Spinosa was the only no vote. Young requested a $6.89 solid waste
Requested by Young during the Monday, June 24 budget meeting, the eleventh hour submission bookends budget shortfalls baked into the FY2024 budget by the previous Strickland administration.
“ e attrition was higher than it should have been. Because it was higher, it pulled more money out of the budget, so we had to go nd it from somewhere else, which is the fund balance,” said Young. “ is upcoming year, FY2025, we are able to replenish the
fund balance to the tune of $10 million.
He added the move could put the city “on a trajectory” to add to the fund balance, “instead of pulling from it.”
An $11 million shortfall in sta ng for new Memphis Fire Department hires was discovered when the Young administration began preparing the FY2025 budget. Angered council members covered the costs with a funding resolution in April. e surprise also expanded FY2025 budget forecasts upward.
e administration has also asserted that MPD overtime costs can be minimized in the future through stricter management.
An amendment to eliminate at least 10% of city positions vacant over 18 months - mainly within the MPD - was withdrawn by Green.
During their budget negotiations, the administration of Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris attempted to unfund vacant positions within the Shelby County Sheri ’s O ce to shore up a $60 million shortfall and to pay for raises for county employees.
An attorney, Green works as an advisor for the Harris administration. e spots were le vacant a er Bonner threatened a lawsuit.
Council members also reduced the pay of interim MPD chief Cerelyn “C.J.” Davis by $35,000 per year to $246,370.28. e new amount matches the pay of MFD counterpart Gina Sweat. e pair are the currently the city’s highest paid employees. Davis’ previous pay was $281,000, which was more than New York City Police Commissioner, or the Chicago superintendent of police earn annually.
e FY2025 budget takes e ect July 1.
Lorenzo Herman
■■ COMMUNITY
“Lorenzo is an extraordinary father. His dedication to our sons, Bronzen and our newborn Blaze, is unmatched. From the moment of conception, he’s been there every step of the way. Lorenzo attends every doctor’s appointment and accompanies Bronzen on every school outing, showing unwavering attentiveness. He starts Bronzen’s day by taking him to school and ends it by tucking him into bed each night. A gentle giant, he provides, protects, and solves problems with love and care. I feel incredibly blessed to have him as the father of my sons. ”
— Brianna Smith-Herman
Black Dads Who DO!
Here at the Tri-State Defender, we’re wrapping up “ e Month of the Black Dad!” Meaning, we want to show some love to the men in our communities who are loving fathers and positive role models -- not just for their children, but the whole community! Enough talk about the men who don’t; we’re shouting out BLACK DADS WHO DO!
Here are some of your submissions so far! And if you are the proud child of a GREAT BLACK DAD, or know one who deserves a “HUGSHOT,” take a minute to tell us! Visit this link:
https://forms.gle/hzPMMKAFkyeFW h7
Check out this round of “Black Dads Who DO!”
“Tyrone is simply amazing! He truly goes out of the way for our children. While I’m more of a disciplinarian, Ty is the cool dad where all of our children come to him for fun and advice. Tyrone is also a wonderful spiritual leader in our home. He covers us daily with the grace of God and makes sure that we ALWAYS keep him rst.
One of the funniest memories was taking our children to the skating rink. No one and I do mean NO ONE knew how to skate. Everyone was
falling everywhere. Ty decided to put on some skates knowing he couldn’t skate either. He wanted to be the skate hero and save all the children. It was so funny watching him from the sidelines because he was de nitely no help. He was falling so bad, our kids eventually had to help him o the oor. He was sore for days, but for him the time with our children made it all worth it. He’s the coolest Dad/ Husband ever. We love you so much Tyrone!”
— Dalisia Ballinger
Darren Thomas
“Darren is a wonderful father to his son Darren “Tripp” omas III! A living example of how building a foundation will eventually bear its fruit in the future. Darren loves Tripp, and it’s abundantly clear during every hour of the day. From morning time and getting ready for school, to saying nightly prayers to get ready for bed. Darren is the BEST dad Tripp could ever have. I pray Tripp will come close to man his daddy is!! ”
— Michaelyn Easter- omas is heartwarming story 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!
Tyrone Ballinger
From Tragedy to Triumph: Walter Person III’s Mission to Elevate Memphis Music
Decades after a deadly storm killed his father, the son is shining again
By Lee Eric Smith Interim Editor
June is African American Music Month.
And while Fathers Day has come and gone, e Tri-State Defender declared June as “ e Month of the Black Dad.” In that context, my conversation with Memphis-based music producer Walter Person III is a celebration of both music and fatherhood.
You may not be familiar with Person himself, but you’re probably familiar with some who have laid tracks at SonStorm Studios, his recording studio nestled in the heart of Midtown Memphis. Among them: 8-Ball & MJG; Al Kapone; Edwin and Walter Hawkins, and a slew of local rappers and musicians. You could say music — and entrepreneurship — is in his blood. His father was Walter Person, Jr., who performed with “Circle of Fire,” a group that was part of an attempted comeback for the Stax music label a er its initial collapse. When the music thing didn’t pan out, Person Jr. went in a whole di erent direction: Land surveying. Eventually, Jackson Person & Associates would grow into a powerhouse in the construction industry.
at’s the business Walter III thought he would be in as a teenager. “I was being groomed to step into the
family business,” he said. “But I lost my dad when I was 15 . . . completely redirected my life.”
Over the next 45 minutes, we talked about the past and present of the Memphis music scene, his own musical roots and how tragedy led him to naming his business “SonStorm Studios.” And of course, we talked about fathers and legacy. Here is our conversation, edited for length and clarity:
Lee Eric Smith: I noticed you have microphones set up here in the main area. What are you currently working on?
Walter Person III: We’re currently recording the “Blood Bound” audio series, set in Memphis during the early 1990s. It’s an audio drama about a young guy dealing with family issues and the pull of the streets. It’s a seven-episode series featuring notable voice actors like Eight Ball and Kia Shine.
Smith: at sounds fascinating. Many people might assume you only do music here, but it sounds like you’re branching out. How has the podcast boom in uenced your work?
Walter Person III: Absolutely, the podcast boom has been great for us. We do podcasts, audio dramas, and a Tiny Desk type series called SonStorm Sessions. We had Al Kapone recently, and we have more artists lined up. It’s important to showcase that we’re not just about rap; Memphis has so much more to o er musically.
Smith: Speaking of Memphis, can you tell us about
your background and connection to Stax?
Walter Person III: Sure, my dad was in a band called Circle of Fire, produced by David Porter during the resurgence of Stax in the late 70’s and early 80’s. Stax was a big part of our lives, and my dad’s music history and legacy in uenced me greatly.
Smith: But Stax never really bounced all the way back. What happened a er that?
Walter Person III: My father had a business, Jackson Person and Associates, here in Memphis. He was the rst registered black land surveyor in Tennessee. ey worked on major projects like the Pyramid, Russ College, the Olympic Stadium in Atlanta, and Riverside before the new developments. His company was a big, black-owned minority business in the city. We moved from our old neighborhood to a new one near Houston High School, and it was right a er we moved that the tornado hit and changed everything. Smith: e tornado?
Walter Person III: So back in ’94, there was a tornado that hit out in Germantown, right in the area around Houston High School. We had just moved out there maybe a month prior. So we were in our house less than 30 days, and that tornado came through a couple days a er anksgiving and tore it up, completely tore the house down.
ere were 17 people in the house at the time, just hanging out on a Sunday a ernoon a er anksgiving. My mom and auntie were down in the kitchen cooking and doing what they do. e kids were upstairs playing, and my dad and uncle were in another room, you know, doing what they do.
Walter Person III at his workstation at SonStorm Studio, named to commemorate the tornado tragedy that took his father’s life when he was 15. “My brother and I became ‘Sons of the Storm,’ he said.
■■ ENTERTAINMENT
ter Hawkins, and several members of ree 6 Ma a. Many people don’t realize how much music history is tied to this studio.
All of a sudden, it’s just, you know, no warning, no sirens, no anything. e storm came through. I remember just looking out the window and seeing rain almost going sideways and trees opping back and forth, touching the ground.
Smith: Wow.
Walter Person III: In the blink of an eye, it was over. e whole house was torn apart. e only thing le standing was the concrete foundation. I was 15 at the time, my youngest brother was 11, and my middle brother was a year younger than me.
Out of 17 people, three died in that storm. It killed my father, my youngest brother, and my uncle. It was life-changing. e storm redirected my life and my path. Me and my brother, we became “Sons of the Storm.” e name SonStorm Studios is a tribute to that event, to my father, and to his entrepreneurial spirit and music legacy.
Smith: What were you thinking of doing with your life before the storm?
Walter Person III: Growing up, I was being led into taking over Jackson Person and Associates. I was majoring in civil engineering when I rst went to college, but I spent my nights in the studio. I was really into music, rapping and writing since h grade, and I found myself in studios more o en than in class-
rooms. Eventually, I realized that engineering and producing music could be my path. I wanted to stay close to music while also making a living, and this felt like the right direction.
Lee Eric Smith: How would you describe your role now? More of an engineer and producer than an artist?
Walter Person III: Yeah. At this point, because I’ve realized that I can make some money doing the engineering and producing part instead of recording my own music and trying to be a rapper, you know? e music I was doing and still do, it was never on no gangster rap trap type stu . It’s just real reality type music. We might talk about some real stu , but we were never like, “Shoot a ni**a, sell dope, blah, blah, blah,” all that type of stu .
e stu I wanted to talk about, nobody was really checking for it. So, it was like, let me engineer, let me produce, let me nd a way to still be in the music and around it. And when I get a chance, I can do some of the stu I want to do on the side, but I can make some money and pay the bills being an engineer.
Smith: People might not know, but who have you worked with?
Walter Person III: I’ve worked with artists like Bushwick Bill from the Ghetto Boys, Edwin and Wal-
Smith: Speaking of Memphis hip hop, how did it all start and evolve from your perspective?
Walter Person III: Memphis rap started with a lot of underground and gangster music in the early nineties. We were all about Memphis Underground. A signi cant moment was when Eight Ball and MJG hit the mainstream, making people outside Memphis take notice. However, Memphis o en lagged behind other scenes. It wasn’t until recently that Memphis artists began to get the recognition they deserve.
Smith: And then there was “Hustle and Flow.” Ain’t nothing like a movie to draw attention to something, mane. (laughs)
Walter Person III: “Hustle and Flow” de nitely put Memphis on the map in a new way. For those outside Memphis, it was their introduction to the city’s music culture. It showcased our sound, but also portrayed Memphis as more rural than it is. It was a mixed bag, but it brought attention to Memphis hip hop. Interestingly, a lot of the recording for that soundtrack happened right here in this building.
Smith: You’ve mentioned that you don’t just focus on hip hop here. What other genres are you exploring?
Walter Person III: I could show a million rappers
See Page 8
Walter Person III has a photo of his father at SonStorm Studio. Walter Jr. belonged to a group called “Circle of Fire” that was once signed to Stax. “They recorded in this very space. I remember it as a child,” Walter III said. “Having his picture up . . . I feel his spirit with me.” (Photos: Lee Eric Smith/Tri-State Defender)
Though Person has worked with known rap stars like 8-Ball & MJG, Al Kapone and more, he wants to appeal to a broader clientele. In addition to music, he recently hosted a “tiny-desk’ type concert. And he’s working on an audio drama called “Blood Bound, with 8-Ball and Kia Shine.
From Page 7
coming through and doing their thing. But I just choose not to show that so much on social media because that’s not necessarily what I’m trying to attract. If word of mouth gets around, if you know about it and you know somebody that comes here, cool, that’s ne, but I’m not trying to say, “Hey, all rappers, come here.” You know what I’m saying?
I like all types of music. I might be listening to Moneybagg Yo one day and then listen to a gospel song right behind it and an R&B song and a pop song, you know? So I like all types of music. So that’s what I want this place to be known for. I don’t want it to just be pigeonholed as a rap studio. I want all genres to feel welcome to come here and create music
Smith: What do you see as the next wave in Memphis music?
Walter Person III: I see Southern Soul gaining popularity because it blends R&B and blues, appealing to more mature audiences. Also, I think there’s a shi in hip hop with more artists focusing on positive messages and community upli ment.
We need more music that talks about love, family, and respect, re ecting the real lives of ordinary people. I love working with rappers and hip hop artists, but I also want to be known for more positive and upli ing contributions. Inspired by my dad, I strive to create music that talks about love, family, and respect.
Smith: What do you think your dad would say about what you’re doing now?
Walter Person III: Man, you know what? I know he’d be proud. I’ve had some moments where I was on the fence, wondering if I was doing the right thing, if I was on the right path. But then I’ll get a message from somebody or something random that conrms I’m on track. I feel his presence here a lot of times.
I was being groomed to take over the family business, but the storm changed my mentality. I wrestled for a long time with whether I was doing the right thing. But now, I feel like I’m doing what I’m supposed to do, carving out my own path and using this platform to help and in uence the community in a positive way.
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Ja Morant’s first basketball camp was a slam dunk
Photos by Gary S. Whitlow
For the rst time ever, Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant hosted a Basketball Camp for kids. And despite a season of turmoil for the team in general and Morant speci cally, hundreds of kids turned out to get basketball pointers from one of the NBA’s brightest stars.
e camp was held at the Memphis Sportsplex and Event Center.
“Being around kids has brought a lot of light into my life lately,” Morant said, alluding to the dark days of his 25-game suspension and season ending shoulder injury. “I just want to appreciate y’all for bringing support a er everything that went on . . .”
While his own daughter Khari prac-
ticed her own dribbling skills, Morant went on to advise the kids to listen to their parents and stay in school. “All love from 12!”
Morant was all smiles at his first basketball camp. (Photos: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises/Tri-State Defender)
Young hooper shows off his blow-by as Morant watches.
Kaari looks for a driving lane against her dad.
Ja Morant camp: Not just for boys!
ANALYSIS
By Terry Davis TSD Sports Columnist
e changes at the University of Memphis continue to be in a uid state. Gone is every scholarship player from last year’s team except Nick Jourdain. ere have been several developments in the coaches and support sta .
Former Tiger Andre Turner is slated to be on the sta , but it is not known in what capacity. He served as the head coach of Lane College for the last two seasons, and before that, he coached at Mitchell High School.
Mike Davis, the former Indiana and UAB coach, will be on sta this season. He coached at Detroit Mercy for the last ve seasons. His role has not been identi ed yet. ere have been several other additions and departures on the coaching and administration sta . ere are currently 10 players on the
Despite roster overhaul, Tigers have loaded up on talent
o cial roster. ose players are Noah Stansbury, Moussa Cisse, Dain Dainja, P.J. Haggerty, Jared Harris, Tyrese Hunter, Baraka Okojie, Colby Rogers, and Tyreek Smith.
Haggerty started all 31 games for the Tulsa Golden Hurricane and ranked 15th in the nation in scoring (21.2), while nishing seventh in the league in assists (3.8). He was second in the AAC in overall scoring, and his 23.4 points per game in league play topped David Jones for rst in the conference.
Dainja started all 38 games for the Illini last season, averaging 6.1 points and 3.6 rebounds while shooting a team-high 66.9 percent from the eld (101-of-151) in just 10.6 minutes per game.
Hunter played two seasons at Texas and one season at Iowa State. Hunter
scored a career-high 30 points (9-13 FG, 9-9 FT), tied his season high with seven assists, and added three steals against Oklahoma in the regular-season nale earlier with Texas, helping him land Big 12 Player of the Week honors on March 11.
Cisse returns to Memphis for his nal season. He was the conference Freshman of the Year while at Memphis. He played last season at the University of Mississippi and two seasons at Oklahoma State. He is a rim protector.
A native of Conakry, Guinea, Cisse posted 7.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks as a sophomore in his rst season in Stillwater. He then followed up with 6.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game in 2022-23, earning himself a spot on the Big 12 All-Defensive Team for a second-consecutive campaign.
Chemistry
With the bulk of the players on campus, the chemistry issues that led to the disappointing season last year shouldn’t
be an issue. With the departure of David Jones to the NBA, the team will need all the time to form into a good unit.
e announcement of Jones staying in the NBA Dra caught the Tigers’ coaching sta o guard. Now they are scrambling to add a couple of additional players to the nal roster.
Schedule e Tigers’ nal schedule will not be released until sometime in September. e team had a tough out-of-conference schedule last season, and this season shouldn’t be any easier. e Tigers will travel to Virginia and Clemson. ey also will play in the Maui Classic with North Carolina, UConn, Michigan State, Iowa State, Auburn, Colorado, and Dayton. is will be the Tigers’ rst appearance in the Classic since 2011. at team nished the season with a 26-9 record. Adonis omas, Chris Crawford, and Joe Jackson led that team.
UofM taps Scott as first African American Athletic Director
By TSD Newsroom
For the rst time in its history, the University of Memphis has an African American leading it’s sports program.
On June 26, e University of Memphis announced the appointment of Dr. Ed Scott as the new Athletic Director. Scott has served as Deputy Athletics Director at the University of Virginia since January 2022 and comes to Memphis with previous athletics director experience at Morgan State University. A press conference is set for Friday, June 28.
“ e University of Memphis is a destination for me, and it has been on my radar for some time,” Scott said in a statement. “With exceptional student-athletes, coaches and sta that have the backing of a proud and mo-
tivated city, the opportunity is here to accomplish great things as we continue forward in a new era of intercollegiate athletics.
“I want to thank President Hardgrave for giving me this opportunity. My family and I are excited to join Tiger Nation,” he said.
Scott will try to build on the success of his predecessor Laird Veatch, now the AD at the University of Missouri. He will have shiny toys to play with, as the Simmons Bank Liberty Bowl stadium is being renovated, as well as the NIL program FedEx recently announced to support the university.
“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Scott and his family to Memphis,” said UofM President Bill Hardgrave said in a statement. “Our goal in this extensive search was to nd a forward-thinking,
transformative leader with the vision to help us achieve the full potential of Tiger Athletics.
“While there were many exceptional candidates, we found that leader in Dr. Scott,” Hardgrave continued. “We are fortunate to have him join the Tiger Family, and we look forward to continuing toward our promising future in athletics under his guidance.”
Before Virginia, Scott was Vice President and Director of Athletics at Morgan State from October 2016. Earlier in his career at Morgan State, Scott was the rst athletics director to serve on the President’s Cabinet. He also
launched the department’s rst annual fund (Morgan Bear Club) and negotiated Morgan State’s rst-ever comprehensive apparel deal with Under Armour®. Several Morgan State facilities were improved or renovated under Scott’s leadership, totaling approximately $25 million of improvements to athletic and recreational facilities over his ve years.
A standout baseball student-athlete at Albany, Scott earned CoSIDA Academic All-American status, was named America East Baseball Scholar-Athlete of the Year and received America East First Team All-Conference honors as a center elder. In addition to earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Albany, Scott has a PhD from Binghamton University’s School of Community and Public A airs. He and his wife, Tara, have a daughter, Tia.
Terry Davis
Ed Scott
NNPA Newswire
e Biden-Harris Campaign’s recently announced a $1.5 million advertising deal with the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) goes beyond swing states and serves as a reminder of what the current administration has done for African American-owned small businesses, including the Black Press of America.
“In August of last year, our campaign announced the earliest and largest investment into Black media for any reelection campaign in history,” said Jasmine Harris, Director of National Black Media for Biden-Harris 2024.
“ is partnership with the NNPA is a continuation of those e orts and will strengthen our work in meeting Black voters where they are, to underscore
Biden-Harris investment in Black Press goes beyond swing states
the stakes of this election for Black America.
“President Biden and Vice President Harris are responsible for creating millions of new jobs for Black workers and record low Black unemployment,” Harris continued. “Black America has far too much to lose this election.”
e Black Press, which dates to 1827, has remained a steadfast pillar for African American voices. at mission persists today as the Black Press approaches its 200th anniversary in 2027.
e NNPA is a trade association made up of Black-owned media companies.
“ e partnership between Biden-Harris 2024 and the NNPA is urgent because we must pool all of our resources to keep Donald Trump out of o ce,” said Fran Farrer, the NNPA’s National Secretary and Publisher of e
County News in Charlotte, N.C. “Biden has helped the Black community grow, and he and the vice president are on the ground ghting for our community and all of America.”
For the Black Press to tell the story properly, it must have resources, Michigan Chronicle Publisher and Real Times Media CEO Hiram Jackson demanded.
“ e initial advertising deal between the campaign and the Black Press is a great rst step. It symbolizes that the campaign understands the signi cance of the Black Press, but it can’t only be a rst step. ere must be many more steps to increase engagement, voter registration, and excitement.”
Black-owned media voices can “shape political messaging, mobilize voters, and advocate for Black issues,”
Trusted • Local • Partner for Home Ownership
stated Bobby Henry, NNPA’s national chairman and publisher of the Westside Gazette in Florida. Further, if Biden wants to win, “he and his campaign must have a commitment and dedication to the African American community and what our experience in America has been,” said Philadelphia Tribune Publisher Robert Bogle. Biden-Harris 2024 is being responsive to the interests of Black America through the campaign’s advertising initiatives with the NNPA, said NNPA President & CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr.
“ e Black vote throughout the United States will be a key determinative factor to the outcome of the 2024 national elections. We profoundly thank the Biden-Harris 2024 Campaign.”
For our communities. In our communities.
Being responsible stewards of our members’ premiums and helping control the cost of health care are two of the most important things we do for everyone who trusts us with their family’s health coverage. But our commitment to our communities goes much deeper than that.
In 2023, we:
• Volunteered 11,800 hours at nonprofit organizations that share our vision for positive change.
• Gave charitable donations to 354 organizations.
• Reduced our energy needs by 20% with our on-site solar systems. And our remote employees saved over a million gallons of gas.
• Awarded Power of We Health Equity Scholarships to six deserving students studying medicine, nursing, pharmacy and more.
• Generated $500 million in local, state and federal taxes.
See other ways we give back to Chattanooga and other Tennessee communities at BCBSTnews.com/impact