The New Tri-State Defender - January 2-8, 2020

Chef Tam’s Underground Café is making BIG moves.

Lifestyle & Culture, Page 8

Kwanzaa 2019-20 delivers multiple images and lessons. Lifestyle & Culture, Page 8

by Lee Eric Smith lesmith@tsdmemphis.com

If we’re being honest, recent news of Zach Randolph’s retirement is a surprise to pretty much no one. In fact, given how it was announced, you might be tempted to believe Randolph was surprised he actually had to say it.

TMZ.com is known for posting up with cameras outside various spots in Los Angeles, then ambushing whatever celeb comes out of the door and peppering them with as many questions as possible until the celeb walks off or threatens violence.

Anyway, this TMZ reporter caught Z-Bo on his way into a hotel, trying

by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Whether the biblical story of Jeremiah’s running search through the streets of Jerusalem is new to you or familiar territory, you likely would have been moved by the energy that the Prayer Breakfast for Memphis keynoter put into the telling of his version on Tuesday morning.

The Rev. Dr. Bartholomew Orr, pastor of Brown Baptist Church in Southaven, drew upon the Scripture’s account of the prophet Jeremiah’s intense search for one “honest” person as a way to avert the destruction of Jerusalem. Orr ran through the audience at the Holiday Inn-University of Memphis encouraging his listeners to “be the one” today.

Decade of Januaries yield 2020 pointers

by Karanja A. Ajanaku kajanaku@tsdmemphis.com

Through the ages, sages of myriad backgrounds have counseled – in various forms – that people must have their minds “right” for what is in front of them.

For many, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is a shared point of reference for getting one’s mind “right” relative to the American Dream and it’s conceptual associate – the pursuit of happiness.

Each January since 1986, there has been a federal holiday honoring Dr. King, whose assassination in Memphis on April 4, 1968 has the city inextricably interwoven with his

legacy in a unique way.

With that connection in mind and as the decade of the 2010’s closed, The New TriState Defender reckoned that one measure of the last 10 years would be to review each of its January editions during that period.

In this – the first edition of the new year and of the new decade – we share our January front pages of the 2010s with the thought that they yield pointers for determining and dealing with what is in front of us. We do so with limited commentary, wanting to give readers a reasonably clear path for drawing their own right-minded conclusions about where we go from here.

SEE PAGES 4–5

“Could you be the one in your home, the one in your class, the one in your company, the one in your church, the one in your neighborhood – could you be the one person that is righteous and honest enough that God could use in order to bring about

“Well, here’s my question for you this morning, ‘What about you?’ If God promised he would spare Memphis judgment in 2020, if He could only find one, what about you? If God promised that He would strengthen our schools and keep the streets safe and bring economic boom to Memphis if He could only find one just and honest person, could you be the one?”

Mayor Jim Strickland was the host and the Rev. Dr. Bartholomew Orr was the keynote speaker at the Prayer Breakfast for Memphis on Tuesday morning. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley)

Zach Randolph was in street clothes when the Sacramento Kings came to Memphis in 2018, as the franchise had decided to give its younger players more playing time to develop. He was later traded to Dallas, where he was immediately bought out –effectively ending his career.

(Photo: Warren Roseborough)

Healthier living program set for Craigmont debut

TSD Newsroom

The Craigmont High School Healthy Living Launch Event will celebrate a new program designed to educate ninth graders participating in the school’s Lifetime Wellness classes about the importance of living a healthy lifestyle.

The event is set for Jan. 9 at 10 a.m. at Craigmont High School, 3333 Covington Pike.

The comprehensive program will present a three-pronged approach that details the 8-5-2-1-0 (8 hours or more of sleep, 5 fruits and vegetables, 2 hours or less of screen time, 1 hour or more of physical activity, and 0 sugary drinks every day) recipe, which incorporates proper nutrition and adequate exercise into daily activities.

The objective is to teach youth important lessons that will prompt them to develop habits they continue to practice the rest of their lives. A grant from The Anthem Foundation funds the Healthy Living Program.

Forming the backdrop for the event is the 2018 report entitled “The State of Obesity: Better Policies for a Healthier America.” Tennessee ranked as the No. 6 state with the highest adult obesity rate in the nation and No. 1 in combined overweight and obesity rate (37.7 percent) among 10-17 year olds.

Being overweight has been linked to chronic diseases, such as obesity, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and arthritis.

According to the CDC, school-based prevention programs can successfully help students to eat better, be more active and achieve healthier weights.

Event guest Speakers will include Robert Garnett, president, Amerigroup Tennessee; Kiki Hall, CTHA executive director, and Dr. Tisha M. Durrah, principal of Craigmont High School.

Happiness on parade...

The AutoZone Liberty Bowl Parade was a winner for spectators, no matter their rooting interests, on Beale Street Monday afternoon. Navy beat Kansas State 20-17 at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium on New Year’s Eve.

Lawsuit: Sewage could pollute Memphis area if deal ends

by Jeff Martin Associated Press

The ground and water in some northern Mississippi communities could become polluted if nearby Memphis pulls out of a decadeslong agreement to treat the area’s sewage, the suburban water officials say in a federal lawsuit.

In the newly filed suit, the Mississippi sewer district that serves thousands of customers in the Memphis suburbs says it will have no way of treating their sewage for several years.

If Memphis follows through on its plan to quit accepting their wastewater in 2023, it would result in sewage overflowing near the Mis-

sissippi-Tennessee line and causing “serious contamination” to soil and water in the area, the lawsuit states.

In 2018, Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland told mayors of the Mississippi cities of Southaven and Horn Lake that Memphis intends to quit providing wastewater treatment services in the fall of 2023.

“Memphis residents can no longer shoulder the burden of supplying amenities for municipalities outside of Shelby County and the state of Tennessee,” Memphis spokeswoman Ursula Madden said Monday.

In its lawsuit, the Horn Lake Creek Basin Interceptor Sewer District based in Southaven, Mississippi, says that will leave it with “no

feasible way” of treating its customers’ wastewater. It calls Memphis’ decision a breach of contract.

“The consequences of the city’s breach are dire,” its lawsuit states.

“The process of constructing a new wastewater treatment facility will likely take the District 10 years or more.”

In court papers, lawyers for Memphis said the city is in compliance with the agreement that began in 1975, and that it expires in 2023. They said city officials warned the sewage district that Memphis intended to end the arrangement in 2023.

The sewage district and the Mississippi suburbs have refused to ac-

cept that Memphis is able to end the agreement, city officials said in their court papers.

Both sides interpret the agreement differently, and are at odds over whether Memphis can legally quit treating sewage from the suburban areas.

It is of “paramount importance” that Memphis use its sewer system and treatment facilities for existing residents and to accommodate future growth, Memphis Director of Public Works Director Robert Knecht wrote in a letter to the suburban sewer district in 2018. The city “must remain in a position to attract and support the expansion of major industrial development within Memphis,” he said.

(Photos: Brian Ramoly)

MAYOR

CONTINUED FROM FRONT

a change…To get it done, God just needs one. And so my challenge as we end the year of 2019, looking into 2020, be the one”

Hundreds of Memphians joined local elected officials, judges, ministers and the host, Mayor Jim Strickland, at the prayer-breakfast event.

“I’m just inspired as I’m sure you are to be the one in 2020 to help make our city better” Strickland said. “It is my hope that all of us will heed the words of Pastor Orr in 2020 by being genuine, being generous and being a game-changer.”

Pastors came up to pray specifically for the divine guidance of Memphis leaders in the year 2020. Drawn from the biblical passage of Jeremiah 5:1, Orr’s thought-provoking a message was the morning’s centerpiece, with him at one point running from the stage, down the aisles and between tables as he ex-

CONTINUED FROM FRONT to get a comment about Ja Morant and his nasty near-dunk on Cleveland’s Kevin Love. Z-Bo, as I have seen in many locker room interviews, was polite but brief. “Ja is special,” Randolph said. “All those young fellas on the Grizzlies are special.”

With Randolph about to disappear into the hotel, the reporter was desperate to get one more question in . . .

“You still working on an NBA comeback?”

Randolph smiled and shrugged. “Nah . . . nah,” he said.

And that was it – at first. A Saturday tweet made it officially official. The language was much prettier, that’s for sure.

“I gave this game my all, and it gave everything back and more. Basketball will always be a part of me,” Randolph posted, making a point to thank family, coaches and fans throughout his career.

“Special thank you to the Memphis Grizzlies and the entire city which I will forever call home…. One love –Z-Bo.”

Writing on the wall

But even as he was bullying his way to becoming a Memphis legend, the rest of the league was leaving him and his low-post game behind. We had seen evidence of it for years.

pounded on his text.

Returning to the podium, he exclaimed, “What desperation, brothers and sisters, what desperation! Jeremiah running up and down every street of Jerusalem searching for just one honest person. What a declaration from God, Himself. Because it was Abraham who had bargained with God to spare Sodom and Gomorrah if he found 10. But yet, God voluntarily said if I can just find one, I will spare the city” Orr then detailed Jeremiah’s plight. “He couldn’t find one mate trying to make their marriage work. He couldn’t find one child trying to be obedient and respectful. He couldn’t find one single person that was chaste and pure without compromise. He couldn’t find one church member who was not caught up in some scandal, slander or strife. He couldn’t find one citizen who was volunteering. He couldn’t find one politician with the heart of the people. Jeremiah couldn’t find one.”

In 2020, be the real deal, Orr

For me, that turning point was the 2015 Playoff Series against Golden State, before the first championship of their dynastic run. That series was notable for many reasons, including the “Mike Conley Mask” game, and Tony Allen “turning off the water” on Klay Thompson on defense.

The Grizzlies ground their way to a 2-1 lead in that series, but they labored to score and had to play near perfect defense to win. Meanwhile, Golden State was never more than a Steph Curry-barrage away from a 15-20 point run that could decide the game and often did.

In the end, the “Smash Brothers” low-post game of Randolph and Marc Gasol was no match for the distance bombs launched by Splash Brothers Curry and Klay Thompson. Threes are worth more than twos. The game was evolving out to the arc and away from Randolph’s reliable 20 points and 10 rebounds.

By 2017, even diehard Grizz fans knew it was time to move on for basketball reasons, no matter how much we loved Randolph. That’s why even Grizzlies fans were surprised when the Sacramento Kings offered Z-Bo a two-year $20 million deal in 2017.

implored.

“Be the real deal, and do right, regardless, even if no one else does the right thing. Be the one who is generous. It is the goodness of God to us

“You still working on an NBA comeback?”

“Naw . . . . Naw,” Randolph grinned.

Fond memories

Former teammates expressed their admiration for Randolph after his announcement.

“One of the best teammates you could have. He gave it his all out there every time he touched the basketball court,” said former Grizz and current San Antonio Spur Rudy Gay. “He was an enforcer and he did a lot for the city of Memphis. He was a great player.”

“One of the nicest human beings that I truly admire. Salute to his hard work and dedication to the game,” said fellow Grizzlies icon Tony Allen. “Ultimately, he is my brother and one of the pioneers of the GNG era.”

Even Scottie Pippen, who played with a young Randolph on the Portland Trailblazers, shouted out his former teammate.

“Got to play with Z-Bo as he entered the league in Portland and loved seeing him thrive in Memphis,” Pippen said. “A great talent who had an amazing feel for the game. All the best in retirement my man!”

Run it back

that leads to repentance…God has blessed us to be a blessing in 2020. Be generous with your time. Be generous with your resources. Be generous and do more than expected.

mate JaMychal Green, after the Clippers beat the Lakers on Christmas. He’s launched a hip-hop music label, N-Less Entertainment. He’ll stay busy. Eventually, Randolph’s No. 50 jersey will hang in the FedExForum rafters, along with other members of “The Core Four.” And given his brand strength in Memphis, there’s probably a role for him with the Grizzlies, if he wants it. Tony Allen hops on the mic with Chris Vernon weekly on his Grind City Media podcast; if there’s mutual interest, I

Stay longer than what is necessary. …

“In 2020, be genuine, be generous and be the one who is the game-changer. Don’t ever underestimate the pow-

have to imagine the team could make something happen.

Me? I hoping he gets the itch just “one mo ‘gain” – and suits up in The Big 3, where NBA stars of old – OK, just old NBA stars – play classic 3-on-3 action in the summer.

But like anyone who remembers the playoff magic that Randolph and the Core Four manufactured, I’m grasping for a way to hold on – I don’t want to believe I’ve seen the last of Zach Randolph on a basketball court. I mean, a snowball’s chance

er of one…it was one Man, Christ Jesus, who died on the cross for our salvation. It only takes one. One point wins the game.”

Don’t just talk in 2020, he said in closing.

“Be the one who is a dreamer, thinker and doer. Be the one – working with our mayor, supportive of our mayor; be the one for the good of Memphis.”

Other spiritual leaders leading prayer included: Dr. Cole Huffman, First Evangelical Church: Adoration, forgiveness, and healing; Bishop Ed Stephens, Golden Gate Cathedral: Our city, state and nation; Rev. Jessica Morris, Hope Presbyterian Church: thanksgiving and blessing of the food; Rev. John B. McArthur, Christian Brothers High School chaplain: encouragement; Rev. O.C. Collins, Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church: mayor, unity and strength, and closing prayer.

Entertainment was provided by The Jazz Brothers and recording artist, Porcelan.

in hell is still, technically, a chance, right?

Fortunately, the TMZ reporter threw one last snowball at Randolph for me, right after the “Nah, nah” retirement: “What about coaching?”

Z-Bo flashed a familiar grin – the grin he’d politely flash when he was done answering reporters in the locker room after games. “I don’t know!” he chuckled before disappearing.

So . . . . you’re saying there’s a chance GRIND ON . . .

Well, that two-year deal expired last summer, making Randolph a free agent. And . . . well, to no-one’s surprise, the market is thin for a 38-yearold post player whose already shaky defense has been further eroded by age. Sooo . . .

So what will a 38-year-old multimillionaire do with himself now that he’s retired? He’s sold his Memphis mansion, and was spotted in Los Angeles chatting with former team-

COGIC Bishop Brandon B. Porter (right) and others at Mayor Jim Strickland’s

Prayer Breakfast for Memphis rose to their feet in appreciation as the keynoter, Rev. Dr. Bartholomew Orr, took his seat. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley)

PERSPECTIVE

TAKING NOTE!

How sports helped desegregate Memphis

Fans are enjoying the Memphis Tigers as they dominate the gridiron and the hardwood. But more than 50 years ago, the fate of one player divided the city – and “Bingo” was his name-O

scholarship at the University of Tulsa.

are overlooked.

Sports in Memphis have long been part of the city’s social fabric – from the The New Memphis Jockey Club in the 1800s right on up to the Memphis Tigers’ football team’s recent appearance in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl.

In the early 1960s, Memphis was still in the vise grip of segregation. But it would be basketball in the Memphis City Schools that led to the integration and the easing of racial tensions. And the star at the center of it was Bobby Smith.

It could well be said that Bobby “Bingo” Smith integrated Memphis with a basketball. Smith was the leading high school basketball star at Melrose High School, a school for black students only at that time.

Smith was such a prolific scorer –32 points per game his final year at Melrose – that whenever he pulled up to shoot, the crowd would shout “Bingo!” He also reeled in a whopping 26 rebounds a game. Reportedly, as many as 126 colleges from coast to coast pursued Bobby Smith.

Wherever the Golden Wildcats played basketball in Memphis, the principals and athletic directors of the hosting schools were instructed to reserve seats for white fans. The reserved seats were strategically selected near an exit, to provide a quick exit for Whites if police showed up or if a fight or any confusion erupted.

Many of these White fans wanted Bobby Smith to attend Memphis State University, but athletic officials at Memphis State had no interest. Reportedly, it was because he had low grades.

But the community did not accept that excuse. Bobby was black and Memphis State University did not offer scholarships to Black athletes. Instead, Bobby Smith was offered a

In 1966, Memphis State was scheduled to host Tulsa at the Mid-South Coliseum – with Bingo Smith in the lineup. Even though the game was a sell out, hundreds of fans showed up hoping to get a ticket. Sure enough, Tulsa won the game, with Smith leading all scorers. According to Pete Mitchell, “Bobby put on a shooting exhibition,” leaving the Memphis State fan base lamenting, “Why did Memphis State allow Bobby to get away?”

Fan outcry forced the administration to revisit its policy on Black student athletes. Later, Herb Hilliard of Woodstock High School was recruited and given an athletic scholarship in 1967. Much like Jackie Robinson for baseball, Hilliard was tapped because he was “safe” – he was a solid both in the classroom and on the court. It was Hilliard’s pioneering presence in a Tiger uniform that led to the “Athletic Dynasty” that Memphis State was to become.

In the 1968-69 school year, Melrose High School produced another super star by the name of Larry Finch. Larry was highly recruited by major universities, including Tulsa University. Locally, Finch’s fans at Melrose High urged Larry to ignore the Memphis State offer.

However, not wanting another homegrown star to get away, Memphis State’s white fans pressured the school to sign Larry Finch. Black fans, however, reminded Finch of Bobby Smith plight. For them it wasn’t just that black athletes were not welcome, it was that the recruiting process denied great black athletes such as Bobby Smith. In Memphis, civil rights activists saw Larry Finch as a bargaining chip to demand better conditions for Black students and more Black faculty members.

Leonard Draper, a major supporter and longtime mentor for Larry Finch, weighed in on this controversy. Draper saw the bigger picture, persuading Finch to stay in Memphis. He was

School, was hired as an assistant football coach at Memphis State University where he played a major role in recruiting and developing players. In addition to coaching assignments, Mitchell was also a scout and recruiter of Black football players throughout the Mid-South. Pete Mitchell’s success was unprecedented.

For years, Memphis State basketball carried the economic weight of the entire athletic program, including football. In pursuit of a top-notch football program, the university hired proven coaches, recruited top football players regardless of race and made a financial commitment to the program.

In 2010, those investments began paying dividends.

That’s the year Justin Fuente was hired as coach. By 2014, Fuente’s squad had a 10-3 record and was ranked nationally. Fuente left Memphis to coach at Virginia Tech, but the Tigers scored another win in Mike Norvell, who went 8-5 in his first season.

joined at Memphis State by Ronnie “Big Cat” Robinson, also a Melrose player.

The decision was not popular. Draper was intensely criticized for his role in Finch’s recruiting, and in fact, Finch’s high school coach, William Collins, refused to attend the signing ceremony.

But it paid off. Memphians – black and white – rallied around the dynamic duo from Orange Mound, transforming Memphis State and the City of Memphis. Larry Finch and Ronnie Robinson formed the nucleus of a winning basketball team and a winning tradition at Memphis State University. Success on the hardwood also whetted fan appetite for a better football program. To comply with fan demands, university officials strategically met with community leaders seeking ways to recruit more Black football players. A change on the sideline was in order.

In 1971, Pete Mitchell, the legendary football coach at Melrose High

The winning tradition that began under coach Fuente continued under the explosive, pass-oriented offense coaching style of coach Norvell. By the end of Norvell’s third season, Memphis had a 12-1 record, was nationally ranked, and brought home the American Athletic Conference championship. With Norvell now at Florida State, the ball is in new head coach Ryan Silverfield’s hands.

As the seasons change from football to basketball, Tigers fans are now abuzz over the potential of a deep tournament run led by another hometown hoops star: Penny Hardaway. It’s appropriate that Hardaway was coached by Finch and now is the head coach for the team. Sports continues to bring this city together.

It reminds me of the wisdom of James Arthur Gray Sr., who was a teacher and farmer in Jago, Miss. “Every time a bee extracts nectar from a flower, that bee makes a deposit for the next flower.” As we cheer for our teams, remember we’re drinking the nectar left by people like Bobby “Bingo” Smith, Larry Finch and Mike Norvell. Winning sure is sweet!

Dr. L. LaSimba M. Gray Jr.

Bobby “Bingo” Smith starred at Melrose High School before a stellar career at the University of Tulsa. Bingo was drafted by the then-San Diego Clippers, but made a name with the Cleveland Cavs, earning a place in the Ohio Sports Hall of Fame as “The Original Cavalier.”

(Photo: Univ. of Tulsa Sports)

Thousands of Tiger fans made the trek to Dallas to watch the Tigers take on the Penn State Nittany Lions in the 84th Goodyear Cotton Bowl on Dec. 28. The Tigers came up short, losing 53-39. Dr. L. LaSimba M. Gray Jr. looks back on the 1960s era controversy that set the stage for Memphis’ magic moment in sports. (Photo: James D. Smith/CBAA)

RELIGION

“You can’t truly forget the wrongs of the past without forgiving others for what happened back then.”

— Rev. James Short

Pastor’s year-end message pitches value of pressing on

by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

There are pastors that will never be recognized with some great award or commendation. Still, they demonstrate resilience and dedication to duty despite a diminishing congregation. The Rev. James Short is just such a pastor and True Faith Baptist Church is one such ministry.

A small, inner-city church, True Faith once was thriving with the life and vibrancy of a growing, emergent gathering of believers. Now, there are only a faithful few, most elderly. Children who grew up in True Faith have moved off, raising families in other places. Pillars of the church in its heyday have passed on.

Despite serious health challenges this year, on Sunday Pastor Short stood in his pulpit for his final sermon of 2019 declaring, “I press on”

Drawing upon his 80 years of living, Short said, he had learned that, “you can’t live today dwelling on what happened yesterday. You can’t live in the past and the present at the same time. A brand, new year is coming, and the Lord has kept us thus far. We’ve got to press on and look forward to what is in store tomorrow.”

His story began in Indianola, Miss., the coun-

Ready for service…

Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church, where the Rev. Donald L. Johnson is senior pastor, was the venue for a recent gathering of the 2020 officers of the Alpha Gamma Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Pictured (l-r, back row): Tamika Jones (keeper of the doors ), Jaquae Porter-Jones (keeper of the doors), Dr. Cassandra Silvers-Turner (historian), Yvonne McCoy Starks (chaplain), Cheryl Burton (social committee), Angela Hilson (Ivy leaf reporter), Yolanda Kight (assistant corresponding secretary); (front row, l-r): Monica Magee (financial secretary), Dr. Jarita Mitchell (vice president), Marceia Ashe (president), LaShunda Skipper (secretary), Ashonté Tharps (assistant treasurer) and Dr. Nakeisha Griffin (corresponding secretary). (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley)

ty seat of Sunflower County. He blended into his sermon references to tough times, making his ongoing resolve crystal clear.

“Yes, Trump is still president, but I press on. Yes, picking cotton wasn’t much of a life, and white folk treated us bad, but I press on. Yes, they wouldn’t let us vote though the Voter Rights Act had been passed, but I press on forgetting those things which are behind me.

“And forgetting, brothers and sisters, means forgiving. You can’t truly forget the wrongs of the past without forgiving others for what happened back then.”

Pastor Short left Indianola like thousands of other Mississippians fleeing the harsh and oppressive life of sharecropping, settling in Memphis. He retired from an impressive and benevolent career of social work, winning professional acclaim among his peers and clientele. Becoming a pastor was a natural continuation of caring for others and serving his community.

Following his last sermon of the year, musicians struck up his favorite song, “I’m Going Home on the Morning Train.”

I’m going home on the morning train

I’m going home on the morning train...

I’m going home, I’m going home,

I’m going home on the morning train.

Evening train might be too late

Evening train might be too late…

Evening train, evening train, Evening train might be too late.

Back back train and get your load

Back back train and get your load…

Back back train, back back train,

Back back train and get your load.

A couple of two year olds jumped up and danced around to the lively tune. The congregation stood, joined in, sang and clapped as the babies run over to dance near the drums and other instruments. The music softened as Short gave the benediction. The music came back up and the children continued to dance.

Pastor Short leaned over the microphone to say something else.

“I just want to say that it fills my heart to see these children up here dancing for joy in front of this church,” he said. “It’s been a long time since we had babies in the church. I just love seeing them dancing for the Lord.”

The dancing toddlers seemed a perfect metaphor for pressing on with hope for the coming year – new life for True Faith in 2020.

A faith-powered solo…

The last Sunday in 2019 yielded this solo opportunity at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church-Westwood where the Rev. Melvin D. Watkins is senior pastor. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley)

Rev. James Short and his wife, Amy short. (Courtesy photo)

ALL OVER TOWN

Chef Tam’s Underground Café is making BIG moves

by Brianna A. Smith Special to The New Tri-State Defender

The Edge District, a neighborhood situated between the Medical District and Downtown core, has gained a very popular Memphis restaurant: Chef Tam’s Underground Café.

Since opening in March 2017, chef and owner Tamra Eddy has been serving her creative and delicious soul food cuisine out of a 1,200-square-foot house in the Cooper-Young area. The new location is at 668 Union Ave., just west of the historic Blues City Tours and Sun Studio.

“Cooper-Young has blessed us, but now we are ready for the next steps,” Eddy said. “I plan to include everything on my current menu, plus add some new items and a full bar,” she added.

Chef Tam’s Underground Café is now a 5,000-square-foot destination. Whereas her dining room once could only sit 40 guests, she can now seat up to 150.

A soft opening for the restaurant is set for Jan. 2 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

But on Dec. 27, Chef Tam opened up her doors for a sneak peek of her new space and I was honored to have been in the building.

As you approach the restaurant, you’ll be captured by a bright red sign that reads Chef Tam’s Underground Café – Est. 2017. Once through the doors, you’ll be immediately hit with the aromas of your favorite Chef Tam cuisine.

The new location also features a spacious waiting area as well as a Soul Food Super Store that includes Underground Café merchandise, Chef Tam’s seasonings and your favorite nostalgic candy.

On the way to your table, you’ll probably be distracted by a festive hallway decorated with beautiful lights, blown-up recipes and paintings of Chef Tam and her inspirations – the many cooks in her family.

“My father owned a restaurant, my paternal grandmother was a professional baker, and my maternal grandfather owned a barbecue restaurant and was a pit-master,” Tam told me in a previous interview. “They have all passed away, however every time I step into the kitchen, I stand on their shoulders.”

In this new space, much like the old one, she continues to show appreciation to her ancestors, making sure they are included in the details of the restaurant.

The hallway leads to the main dining room, which is now fully equipped with a bar, several tables and also a live music stage.

Also there are two private dining rooms, including one on the second floor, that can be rented out for private events. There’s also a fabulous semi-private dining area that overlooks the stage.

“My team and I have worked extremely hard to create an amazing experience in an absolutely stunning environment,” Chef Tam said.

After more than two years in the CooperYoung area, Chef Tamra Eddy has moved her Underground Café to a spacious new restaurant on Union Ave.

Follow Chef Tam’s Underground Café on all social media platforms to stay updated. Chef Tam’s Underground Café now has a stage, so be prepared to enjoy some music with your meal.

KWANZAA 2019-20

Making African masks – under the direction of Eziza Ogbeiwi-Risher and Gardens Art Life – marked the celebration of Ujima (collective work and responsibility) at the Katie Sexton Community Center, in Klondike. (Courtesy photo)

Ujamaa (cooperative economics) was celebrated on Day 4 of Kwanzaa at Gifts of Life Ministries, 3381 Raleigh Millington Rd., where it was sponsored by Rev. Dr. Andre E. Johnson and Ekpe Abioto. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley)

Umoja (Unity), the first principle of Kwanzaa, was celebrated at the New Chicago Performing Arts Center, 1036 Firestone, by these elders (above) and involved children in the lighting of the Nguzo Saba. (Photos: Tyrone P. Easley)

Kwanzaa affords these celebrants an opportunity to sample varied cultural offerings. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley)

Learning of the past in the present to do better in the future is part of the Kwanzaa experience. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley)

TIGER FOOTBALL: A SEASON TO REMEMBER

THE YEAR OF THE TIGER

by Terry Davis Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Who says Memphis is only a basketball town?

The 2019 Memphis Tigers’ football team will always remembered. The team followed the odds and reached the Cotton Bowl – which is basically the Super Bowl for any non Power-Five team. Penn State got the win, but Tigers fans have nothing to hang their heads over.

Some of the Memphis faithful will have a hard time trying to pick the memorable moment of the season.

At the start of the season, several oddsmakers had projected Memphis to win every game on their schedule.

But what were the biggest moments in the season? And what is the outlook going forward?

BIG MOMENT #1: Was it the opening day win over the Ole Miss Rebels?

The season opener against the Rebels was the worst offensive performance of the season, but it may have been one of the best defensive games.

The Tigers defeated Ole Miss 15-10 and that set the foundation for the rest of the season.

The most impressive part of the game may not have been the final score, but it was an indication that the slow wave for the support for the team had begun to shift. For a change, Tiger blue dominated the Liberty Bowl instead of Ole Miss red.

BIG MOMENT #2: Was it College GameDay and the win over SMU?

For the first time in history, Memphis was the featured city for the college football preview show College

Patrick Taylor Jr. scored a touchdown, but was otherwise limited by Penn State’s stout defense during the 84th Annual Goodyear Cotton Bowl in Dallas on Dec. 28, 2019. (Photo: Terry Davis)

At right, College GameDay’s Lee Corso faked

Jerry “The King” Lawler and the Tiger faithful out, tossing aside a Tiger mascot head to pick SMU to win the game instead. The Tigers won the game and Memphis won the day. (Photo: Johnathan Martin)

GameDay. There was great anticipation leading up until the last minute if Memphis would be the chosen. The Tigers had to stave off a poor performance at Tulsa and survived a missed potential game-winning field goal from Tulsa.

Fans from all over Memphis camped out on Beale Street to have the choice location to be seen on the three-hour television show. The crowd did not disappoint. Some questioned if it was the right move to have the show broadcasted from Beale Street, but when the show aired it was perfect for television.

The city received so many kind words from both the on-air staff and many people associated with the show. Weeks after the event people from the show continue to show respect for how the city showed up the program.

That was just the appetizer for the day. The SMU Mustangs came into the game ranked 14th in the nation, ahead of the Tigers in both polls. The winner would have the inside track to make it to a New Year’s Six Bowl game.

The game was a sellout and was on national television. The game was

another see of blue. Everything from the Tiger Walk as the team entered the stadium to the 54-48 win to jump to the front of the line with the group of five in the national polls. Not since the 2015 season had the team had such high expectations. In 2017 the team was a missed field goal from going to the Peach Bowl.

BIG MOMENT #3: Was it the Cotton Bowl?

For Tigers fans, the Cotton Bowl was treated like The Super Bowl.

Half of the 58,000 fans at the game

were Tigers fans, and it seemed as if everywhere you went in Dallas, a “Go Tigers” chant could be heard. There were so many selfies of people at the game to document the historic event.

Many outsiders did not give the Tigers much of a chance to win the game. If a play or two had gone differently the Tigers may have left Dallas with a Cotton Bowl trophy. The Tigers did put up a good fight and earned a lot of respect from college football fans across the nation.

HONORABLE MENTION: A Magnifico (non) catch

“Joey caught the ball!”

That was the saying from every Tiger fan after a controversial call in the Temple game. To this day, Joey Magnifico claims to have made the catch. It took several minutes for the replay booth to overturn that call. If the Tigers get a different ruling on that play, perhaps Temple doesn’t hand Memphis its first loss of the season.

THE FUTURE

In the next several weeks, we will learn which players will enter the NFL Draft. Some may transfer. Quarterback Brady White has not committed whether he’ll go pro or play his final year of eligibility next season.

But the core of the offense and defense will come back next season. The depth that has served the Tigers so well this season is poised to only get better going forward.

Memphis should have one of the best recruiting classes in program history going into next season. With former coach Mike Norvell now at Florida State, Ryan Silverfield has been elevated from offensive line coach to head coach. That’s good for continuity, and the players cheered when they got the news of Silverfield’s promotion.

If White does return, Memphis may be the betting favorite to make it to the Sugar Bowl.

LOVE & BASKETBALL: Memphis’ star-crossed love affair with James Wiseman

by Terry Davis Special to The New Tri-State Defender

The James Wiseman situation has become a tragic love story for Memphis basketball fans. Almost everyone has only great things to say about Wiseman.

He was known for doing the little things to bring joy to people. He didn’t mind taking a selfie with you. He made appearances at community service events. He speaks Mandarin Chinese for fun. He has a smile that can take over a room.

Oh, and he can even play a little basketball. Wiseman is the type of player that can reverse the fortunes of a program, which isn’t something most people can say. Wiseman had been a top target of many Division I programs, but two in particular – Kentucky and Memphis – just riled up the fan bases of both schools.

Some Memphians are still upset with John Calipari leaving Memphis and taking some top recruits with him with to Kentucky. So when Wiseman picked Memphis over Kentucky in late 2018, it gave Tigers fans a little extra sprinkle of revenge.

Once Wiseman announced his choice, he put on a different hat: recruiter. Sure, Hardaway, a former NBA superstar himself, had assembled a coaching staff who could prepare any player for life in the league. But it was Wiseman who worked text threads and social media to help reel in players like Precious Achiuwa, Lester Quinones Jr. and Boogie Ellis. By Spring, Memphis had recruited the No. 1 class in America.

On Jan. 1, 2019, Wiseman was expected to lead a ridiculously deep Tiger team to a deep tournament run, maybe even a championship. And on Jan. 1, 2020, Wiseman’s collegiate career is over, and the team built around him soldiers on.

“Obviously, I didn’t want it to happen,” said

Tigers head coach Penny Hardaway in his first media availability since the news. “But I support James. I’m not going to say I was happy about it. But I’m with James. I’ve been with James from the very beginning since he first stepped into this city. So I’m with him now, and I’m still gon’ be with him.”

Wiseman’s dustup with the NCAA wasn’t the first time his eligibility to play caused problems. Without his knowledge, Wiseman’s family accepted $11,500 from Hardaway to help move him to Memphis, where he played for Hardaway at East High School. The TSSAA challenged his eligibility then, but he finished out his career before the case could be resolved. It was that same gift from Hardaway that set off the NCAA. The NCAA approved Wiseman to play in the spring of this year, but ruled him ineligible after further investigation. Wiseman was hit with a 12-game suspension that was set to expire on January 9.

The hopes and expectations for some Tiger fans came crashing down when Wiseman expected announced via Instagram that he was not going to enroll for the spring semester at Memphis. Before releasing that post, he sent a group text to his teammates informing them of his decision.

“The team reaction was a little shock, because they didn’t see it coming,” Hardaway said a day after the news broke. “But they supported him right away. Said, ‘We’re going to call him, text him and wish him well.”

Some Tigers fans point the finger directly at former coach Calipari and the NCAA. Many have felt that Wiseman was unfairly punished with the 12-game suspension. After the initial act of defiance, The UofM cooperated with the NCAA and hoped they would be fair in their handling of this case.

The NCAA always preaches about how they want to protect the student-athletes. But the words don’t match the actions. Nor does the way the NCAA treats its member institutions.

Many people blame how the University of Memphis handled the Wiseman situation – specifically, playing him while his eligibility was in question. But there is no guarantee that the NCAA would have cleared Wiseman if he’d sat out, or if the suspension would have been reduced.

The NCAA indicated Wiseman’s lawsuit against the UofM and the NCAA would need to be dropped before they would issue any ruling on Wiseman. Wiseman complied, but the NCAA turned around and hit Wiseman with the suspension – and according to the NCAA rules, a suspended player can’t travel with the team. This rule may have led to Wiseman’s departure. Though he practiced as usual with his teammates, teams often bond on the road – both off the court, and in hostile arenas like the Tigers faced at UT-Knoxville. Wiseman had to watch on TV as his team celebrated wins with-

out him. It is no secret that “outside noise” – influences outside of the team – is real. That goes for all programs, not just elite ones. That noise eventually got to Wiseman and his family. It has not been confirmed, but many believe that someone convinced the family that it was in James’ best interest to leave school.

Wiseman has always been a prized student. He even stated that he wanted to be an architect. James loves school and he loved his teammates. That is why it is a shame the NCAA punished Wiseman as harshly as they did.

The team will be fine. With their conference-opening win over Tulane, they are now riding a 10-game win streak and barring any major injuries, will make a return to the NCAA tournament for the first time in five years.

“In our mind and in James’ mind, it wasn’t because of us (that he left),” Hardaway said before the Jackson State game. “So I don’t think it should affect us.”

“I would not say we have moved on, but we are trying to learn and get adjusted to not having James no more,” added freshman D.J. Jeffries after beating Jackson State on Dec. 21.

And disappointments and what-ifs aside, James Wiseman will be fine. He signed with Excel Sports Management and is preparing for the NBA Draft. He will have the opportunity to sign contracts with a shoe company and make a boatload of money if he is picked in the top three next year.

The Memphis fans will be fine. Even without playing, Wiseman has helped return Tiger basketball to national relevance, while helping the Memphis vs. Nashville rivalry to die down.

But it’s those “what-ifs” that fans will wonder about – especially if the Tigers don’t advance to the Final Four, let alone win the National Championship. Wiseman’s talent made that more than a pipedream.

Now, it’s just . . . what if.

Terry Davis

James Wiseman announced he would play for the Memphis Tigers on ESPN, but announced the end of his collegiate career with an Instagram post.