The New Tri-State Defender - January 13-19, 2022

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January 13 - 19, 2022

VOL. 71, No. 2

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COVID-19 UPDATE

County reopens testing centers amid thousands of daily infections

by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell

Cornelius Smith

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

On Dec. 29, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) projected the Omicron variant of COVID-19 could create a massive surge of cases in either January or April 2022.

From the surging daily new-cases virus numbers locally over the first two weeks of 2022, it appears Shelby County is experiencing its surge in January.

From Jan. 6 through Wednesday (Jan. 12), the daily new-case average for Memphis-Shelby County was 2,322, according to the Shelby County Health Department.

During the same period, the Health Departed reported 26 COVID-19 related deaths, including 10 reported Wednesday.

As a result of the surge, local pharmacies and medical facilities have been flooded with residents trying to get tested.

Local health officials said getting vaccinated against the virus is crucial to Shelby Countians staying healthy and protected from severe illness.

“What we are experiencing in Shelby County is Omicron hospitalization of the unvaccinated,” said Dr. Manoj Jain, an Infectious Disease specialist.

“To just assume that the Omicron variant simply causes mild symptoms in everyone is a massive error in understanding. Our ICUs are filled with those who are suffering with the Omicron variant. About 90 percent are unvaccinated.”

Testing centers operated by the Health Department have reopened to accommodate the massive numbers of people trying to get tested.

“Although new daily numbers have improved from last week, new infections are still in the thousands,” said Dr. Bruce Randolph, Health Department medical office.

“Symptoms are milder than the Delta variant, sure, but the Omicron variant is still making people sick.

“Those who have not been vaccinated suffer more severe symptoms, and many have to be hospitalized. People are still dying from COVID-19. Most of them are unvaccinated.”

According to the CDC, the omicron variant is now the dominant strain of COVID-19 in the U.S. The agency has warned that the current increases in Omicron cases are likely to lead to a national surge in coming weeks. Peak daily numbers of new infections could exceed previous peaks, CDC cautioned.

Local health authorities hope the numbers are plateauing, and that the lower daily infections, while still high, will bode well for the crowded ICU beds.

“Even those who are vaccinated will experience symptoms when infected with the Omicron variant,”

SEE COVID ON PAGE 2

Justin Johnson

Two jailed, charged in killing of Memphis rapper Young Dolph

by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

After Zaire Williams (right) snared a pass from Ja Morant, he slammed a dunk and Morant was there to catch him as he returned to earth. Golden State’s Stephen Curry takes in the celebration. (Photos: Warren Roseborough/The New Tri-State Defender)

Hot as can be, Grizzlies steam past Golden State

by Terry Davis

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

No NBA team gets a pass into the playoffs based upon being the hottest team in the league over any 10-game period. Still, going 10-0 during such a span while also knocking off the latest version of the last hoops dynasty is cause for the raising the roof on Terry an in-season accomplishDavis ment.

Such is the case for the surging Memphis Grizzlies (29-14), who resoundingly defeated the Golden State Warriors 116-108 at FedExForum on Tuesday night. It was the tenth straight win for Memphis, whose stellar player is reverberating around the league.

“Number one is we’re one of the best teams in the league,” Memphis star guard Ja Morant (29 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds) said, fielding a question about what the Grizzlies have learned during their historic run.

“Number two, I feel like, is how deep our roster is. No matter what’s thrown at us, we bounce back from it, come out and win games. Just got

Xavier Tillman of the Grizzlies grabs the rebound away from Moses Moody of Golden State. to keep it rolling. Continue to play together.

Continue to battle and whatever is fueling us, continue to do.”

Warrior’s coach Steve Kerr, who led Golden State (30-10) to world titles in 2015, 2017 and 2018, said, “It was a great game. … Two of the best teams in the league and they’re the hottest team in the league. We gave ourselves a chance but we didn’t play well enough to win.”

Kerr acknowledged what a growing number of other NBA observers also are echoing: “Just a team that is really well-coached, really well

SEE GRIZZ ON PAGE 2

The hunt for the ambush killers of Adolph Robert Thornton Jr., renowned as Memphis rapper Young Dolph, has yielded two men – Justin Johnson and Cornelius Smith, who now are in jail on charges of first-degree murder.

The apprehension of Johnson, 23, and Smith, 32, was announced on Tuesday.

And on Wednesday, authorities detailed that a Memphis man named Shondale Barnett had been detained as an accessory, specifically for aiding Johnson. Barnett’s extradition to Memphis still was pending at The New Tri-State Defender’s print deadline.

Thornton was gunned down on Nov. 17 at one of his favorite eateries, Makeda’s Homemade “Butter Cookies” at 2370 Airways Blvd.

Johnson, whose identity had been made known earlier, was arrested in Indiana at about 3 p.m. on Tuesday. A Facebook post that declared his innocence also indicated that Johnson planned to surrender on Monday (Jan. 10), but that did Adolph Robert not happen.

“Young Dolph” Known as Thornton Jr. Memphis rapper “Straight Drop,” Johnson was picked up by U.S. Marshals. Authorities said Wednesday he was to be extradited to Memphis after choosing not to contest extradition from Indiana.

In addition to a first-degree murder indictment, Smith faces a host of other charges. He had been arrested December 9 in DeSoto County on an auto theft charge, however, authorities did not release his name in connection to Young Dolph’s killing until Tuesday.

Smith’s auto theft and related charges involve a stolen white Mercedes-Benz, the same vehicle used by the gunmen in Young Dolph’s murder. The Benz was found abandoned on Nov. 20, three days after the fatal shooting.

After his indictment Tuesday, Smith was extradited to Shelby County, where he remains in custody.

Authorities said a related attempted first-degree murder charge against Smith involved Young Dolph’s broth-

SEE DOLPH ON PAGE 2

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The New Tri-State Defender

January 13 - 19, 2022

Page 2

NEWS DOLPH

CONTINUED FROM FRONT

Ja Morant of the Grizzlies is fouled by Klay Thompson of Golden State. (Photo: Warren Roseborough/The New Tri-State Defender)

GRIZZ

CONTINUED FROM FRONT put together. Play with a lot of confidence. The pieces fit.

They have done a great job, the whole organization, building this team from the ground up over the last few years.

“They have nailed their draft picks and developed their players well,” said Kerr.

(Head coach) Taylor (Jenkins) and his staff have been great in terms of forming an identity and building the team around Ja (Morant). Great job and they have turned into one of the best teams in the league.”

For the third straight game, Jenkins was out for health and safety protocols. Assistant Darko Rajakovic filled in against the Warriors.

“Our guys played another great game,” Rajakovic said. “They stayed together during the course of the game, through ups and downs. I’m proud of them. I’m proud of the effort. I’m proud of the resiliency of this group.”

The Grizzlies led by eight points at halftime before Golden State came out swinging in the third, outscoring Memphis 39-28 and taking a three-point advantage into the decisive final frame.

Swag. Swag. We lost our swag. That was it, that was it,” said Rajakovic. “For a moment we stopped moving the ball. We didn’t have the energy that’s a characteristic for our team. All I told them was that we’ve got to get our strength back.”

Morant took Rajakovic’s swag reference in stride.

“My reaction, I actually agreed with him,” said Morant. “We got out to a big lead.

Obviously, one of the greatest teams in the league, they went on a run. His message is we’ve

“We had our chances against a team that has confidence in themselves, playing well, know who they are. …

They are young, they have guys that have amazing opportunities, fueled by what Ja does. How explosive he is.”

— Stephen Curry got to get back to being us, playing with swag and having fun. Have a smile on our face basically.

“I feel like when we did that, we were winning in the games. We’ve just got to continue to do that. Like I said last game, our swag is just to go out there and battle for a full 48 minutes, play together. …

It’s been working. Got to keep it going.”

The Warriors were paced by their superstar guard Stephen Curry and his triple-double: 27 points, 10 assists, 10 rebounds. He associated the Warriors coming up short to turnovers, particularly in the first half.

“We had our chances against a team that has confidence in themselves, playing well, know who they are. … They are young, they have guys that have amazing opportunities, fueled by what Ja does. How explosive he is,” said Curry.

“They got us last year in the play-in game, got us twice this year, we got them once. It is a natural evolution of a team trying to take that next step. …

A big part is you talk about it

right now, you got to show it in the playoffs. We want to be there to do that, I know they want to too. I know nobody is trying to win the verbal conversation right now in January.”

Memphis rookie Zaire Williams (17 points) was assigned to guard Curry much of the game and Morant credited Williams’ performance.

“I think he did well. I gave him a lot of credit just now.

Besides those fouls on the three, I felt like he did a great job at trying to make his shots as tough as possible. He’s 6’9, can move his feet.

“I wish you all could have seen him pregame, how much treatment he was doing to prepare for Steph. Locked in.

He was in the recovery boots, had heat packs, he was doing balance tests. I had never seen him do that before. I think he was really locked in tonight.

He delivered for us and got us a big win.”

The Grizzlies’ convincing victory came as Morant was named Western Conference Player of the Week for the second consecutive week.

“I didn’t know until I got off the plane and everyone was like, ‘Congrats.’ I was lost.

It’s big time. I’m blessed. I’ve been working to be in the position that I am right now. I’ve just got to continue to keep playing my game, continue to be aggressive out there on the floor and do whatever it takes for us to get a win.

“Us winning games allowed me to be in position to get that award. You know what I’m going to say. It goes to my teammates. Without them being out there helping me, it wouldn’t be possible. Backto-back player of the week goes to my teammates and my coaches.”

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er, who was with him when the gunmen opened fire.

Young Dolph, who grew up in Castalia, had reached international fame as a rapper and distributed his work via his own record label, Paper Route Empire (PRE).

Soon after news broke Tuesday afternoon that both alleged shooters of Young Dolph had been taken into custody, Internet platforms exploded with reactions and opinions such as this Facebook post by De’ Sorrell: “They had to have an inside tip; no one is riding around dressed in hoodies, gloves, with ski mask, and a regular mask on with Dracos and an AK-47, with a semi-automatic.

This video released after Young Dolph was fatally shot in November show the gunmen making their deadly move.

They had to have at least a 15 to 20-minute tip or heads up.

COVID

CONTINUED FROM FRONT

This testing site at 3 Dunlap St. is one of several recently opened by the Shelby County Health Department. The site is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Courtesy photo)

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said Jain. “But they are not being hospitalized.

“I wished I could tell you the number of people of every race and gender who say they are sorry they did not make a different decision about taking the vaccination. By then, they are already in ICU. Some don’t make it out.”

Jain said the “virus is out in the community.” Vaccination is the best protection from it.

For a complete listing of all testing sites, including pharmacies and other entities not operated by Shelby County Health Department, go to: shelby.community/covid-19/ testing.

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The New Tri-State Defender

January 13 - 19, 2022

Page 3

NEWS

Tennessee close to banning residency requirements for police

by Kimberlee Kruesi and Jonathan Mattise Associated Press

NASHVILLE – For years, leaders in Tennessee’s largest majority-Black city have debated the merits of requiring police officers to live in the county they patrol.

After a lengthy back and forth, a growing group of Republican lawmakers is looking to pull from a familiar playbook by declaring the decision is no longer Democratic-leaning Memphis’ to make.

Instead, they’re proposing a statewide ban on residency requirements for all first responders.

“Reducing violent crime, public safety and safe streets are the number one priority of the residents of Memphis,” Rep. Mark White, a Republican from Bluff City and co-sponsor of the legislation, said in a recent statement.

“This bill will aid efforts to make our streets safer.”

Nationwide, questions have long swirled around whether residency requirements improve relationships between police and communities, though they’ve been in place for decades. Researchers point to the lack of studies backing their effectiveness, while police reform advocates argue there are more meaningful actions departments could take, such as banning chokeholds or increasing accountability, to

boost trust.

“One of the trickiest things to residency requirements is determining what is the goal of them,” said Sarah Greenman, an assistant professor of criminology and criminal justice at Hamline University in Saint Paul, Minnesota. “Is it to reduce crime? There are other effective ways to do that better.”

Greenman pointed out that there’s no guarantee police officers living under a residency requirement will interact with community members they run across on patrol. Instead, she countered, police agencies could incentivize their officers to join community boards and participate in local social events to help build trust.

“Residency requirements can sometimes sound good, but I’m not sure it’s necessary,” she said.

States vary greatly on how they’ve handled residency requirements for first responders and other tax-funded employees, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Connecticut has banned municipalities from requiring residency for employees subject to collective bargaining.

Illinois only allows residency requirements in cities with populations of more than 100,000. Last year, Missouri enacted a law banning the Kansas City Police Department from imposing such restrictions.

In Tennessee, some see the

The legislative session that unfolded Tuesday in Nashville is expected to last several months. Pictured (l-r): Rep. Yusuf Hakeem (Chattanooga) and Reps. Joe Towns Jr., G.A. Hardaway and Dwayne Thompson (all of Memphis). (Courtesy photo)

“I understand why some people may want to ‘close our borders,’ so to speak, but you do not have to live in the community to care about its people.”

— Memphis police Chief C.J. Davis fight over where first responders should live as another attempt by Republican lawmakers to preempt local decisions, particularly in Democratic-leaning cities where white lawmakers have been accused of brushing aside concerns raised by Black leaders.

With comfortable supermajorities in both chambers, Tennessee Republicans have limited the ability that community oversight boards had to inves-

tigate police misconduct. GOP legislators have stopped cities from allowing only civil penalties for small marijuana possession cases and banned local officials from setting their own minimum wage, paid leave and plastic bag regulation laws.

Now the state is closer than ever to banning first responder residency requirements. The bill already cleared the Senate last year, meaning it just needs to advance out of the House during this upcoming legislative session before it can hit Gov. Bill Lee’s desk.

While the Republican governor hasn’t publicly weighed in on the legislation, he has never vetoed a bill during his time in office. Furthermore, House Speaker Cameron Sexton said this week he would “do what I can” to get the bill to pass this year.

Critics of the bill argue that if first responders can live outside the county, they could take their paychecks back to

House Minority Leader Karen Camper (right) and Rep. London Lamar (both Memphis Democrats) had this exchange during Wednesday’s floor session. (Photo: Ken Jobe) other communities.

“If my city is good enough to pay you $70,000 a year, it should be good enough to live in,” said Rep. Antonio Parkinson, a Democrat from Memphis. “I would expect my tax dollars to stay in my city.”

Parkinson said local officials should continue to focus on creating more incentives to attract police applicants and making Memphis “palatable for people to come.”

Most recently, efforts to combat staffing woes have included approving $15,000 signing bonuses, as well as retention bonuses to help woo interested first responder applicants. However, Memphis law enforcement officials say that still isn’t enough as

they battle staggering staffing shortages.

Some point to the officer shortages as the reason for the city’s violent crime rates, with Memphis ending 2021 with a record 346 homicides.

Currently, the Memphis Police Department has a little more than 2,000 officers commissioned when police leaders say ideally they would want several hundred more to meet law enforcement needs. The department has hovered around that number since 2017.

“I understand why some people may want to ‘close our borders,’ so to speak, but you do not have to live in the community to care about its people,” Memphis police Chief C.J. Davis wrote in a recent editorial.

“The time is always right to do what’s right.”

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Please serve your community and others safely by following all CDC COVID-19 guidelines and federal, state and local regulations.

PERSPECTIVE The New Tri-State Defender, January 13 - 19, 2022, Page 4

Sidney Poitier has many legacies, but his acting should not be lost among them He has been described as “an ambassador to white America and a benign emblem of Black power,” “the Jackie Robinson of Hollywood,” and in one brutal 1967 critique, an “antiseptic, one-dimensional hero.”

Of course, time and distance have made cinephiles far more cognizant of the fact that even so-called liberal Hollywood was largely interested in confining Poitier to a certain type of role. And while that role was not demeaning like those assigned to Stepin Fetchit or Butterfly McQueen, it also had its limitations.

In “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner,” a film ostensibly about a white liberal couple’s Herculean effort to overcome the fact that their daughter is marrying a Black man, Poitier had to play as an almost supernaturally flawless human being – a venerated doctor affiliated with the World Health Organization, no less. His work in movies like this is often reduced to adjectives like “dignified,” but another word for it is skillful.

He brought gravitas and a kind of grounded humanity to this and nearly every role he played, and while we are a long way from the racial politics of a movie like “To Sir, With Love,” that doesn’t make his presence on screen any less dynamic.

Because, with a few notable exceptions, he more or less retired early from film acting – and who could blame him after the wildly productive and successful decades he had in the ’60s and ’70s – for a younger generation of filmgoers, he may remain hopelessly stuck in the past, a black and white avatar of a time of struggle and survival, whose most celebrated films seem too distant and dated to be relatable.

However, this would be a mistake, and it would mean overlooking the nuances of his starring roles as well as the breadth of his body of work.

Hopefully, the sad news of his passing will provide an opportunity for rediscovery, of not just appreciating the icon that was Sidney Poitier, but the tremendous actor he was, too.

by Adam Howard thegrio.com

Sidney Poitier, one of the last remaining icons of Hollywood’s golden age, has died at age 94. Much ink will be spilled, and rightfully so, about his significance as a cultural icon of the civil rights era who made history at not just the Oscars but at the box office, too.

He will rightly be remembered as an aspirational icon and for being nearly the sole representative of African-Americans in mainstream cinema for nearly a decade. Some will even point out the groundbreaking nature of the latter half of his career when he became one of the most successful Black directors of all time.

But what should not be lost among this great man’s many legacies is the fact that he was first and foremost a phenomenal actor, whose peerless performances almost always rose above the limitations of the roles he had the opportunity to play.

He was with us so long, with a career that spanned so many decades, that to some extent we’ve taken him for granted, and the mythic shadow he cast loomed so large that nearly every Black leading man or leader who came in his wake from Denzel Washington to President Barack Obama would be compared to him and owe a debt to his legacy.

“I felt very much as if I were representing 15, 18 million people with every move I made,” Poitier once wrote. Imagine the weight he must have felt and the pressure he endured to make Black audiences proud while still selling enough tickets to keep the all-white studio bosses happy and willing to finance more projects with him in a leading role. A pretty remarkable burden for the child of Bahamian tomato farmers in an industry that was notoriously racist.

And yet, somehow, amid all the expectations placed on him, Poitier managed to turn in excellent performances again and again and again.

His tender role in “Lilies of the Field” won him his Oscar, but he arguably should have won one for his searing

The National Civil Rights Museum joined the world in grieving the loss of “a great icon and its 2001 Freedom Award honoree,” Sidney Poitier. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley/The New Tri-State Defender) performance as a man embittered by institutional racism in the underrated “A Raisin in the Sun,” based on the Lorraine Hansberry play.

In 1967, he scored a big hit with his Best Picture-winning “In the Heat of the Night” – and his “They call me Mister Tibbs” line is justly iconic – but just as memorable is the moment (shocking for its time) where he returns the slap of a racist in the deep South, setting up a blueprint for future Black leading men who would no longer just be shuffling, put-upon figures with no sense of agency.

Some of his most interesting work came in the aftermath of a loud backlash from Black radicals to what had become seen as the safe and sanitized work he’d done in the ’60s at the behest of well-meaning white liberals.

His edgy 1972 revisionist western

In acknowledging the passing of Sidney Poitier, the National Civil Rights Museum posted this about its 2001 Freedom Award honoree: “His legacy is inscribed in the massive body of dramatic art that will forever demonstrate the importance for humankind to ‘look beyond the surface appearances.’”

“Buck and the Preacher” provides a terrific showcase for himself and the other great Black male icon of the period, Harry Belafonte, in a buddy action-adventure flick that pushes back against the historical whitewashing of the Old West.

The deeply uncomfortable presence of Bill Cosby aside, Poitier’s trio of comedies in the ’70s, starting

with the uproarious “Uptown Saturday Night,” showed new shades of his persona that we mostly didn’t get to see during the first part of his career.

Sometimes, his sheer talent has been overwhelmed in the consciousness of many Americans because of the admittedly important sea change that he represented.

(Source: thegrio.com.)

Black male teachers, we need you!

by Curtis Weathers

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Yesterday, I was doing my usual early morning scan of all of the news articles from over the weekend when I came across this story about Blacks and male teachers and how they, for the last ten years, have scored lower on teacher observations than their white and female counterparts. Of course, after reading the story, I immediately started to fret.

So, my first thought was, here we go again! It’s already hard enough attracting males, in particular, Black males, to the teaching profession.

Now, in big, bold headlines, they have to hear that somehow the evaluation process may be biased against them. News like this could continue to fuel concerns and drive Black

male teachers out of the profession at a time when Tennessee and other states seek to diversify their teacher workforce.

After a brief moment of conCurtis templation (and Weathers frustration), I decided to take a much more positive approach to thinking about and addressing this issue.

If you are a Black male, or any male for that matter, and you’re thinking about joining the ranks of classroom teachers in our public schools, WELCOME ABOARD! We need you! Don’t let an article

like that discourage or dissuade you.

If you feel a tug in your soul to enter the teaching profession, especially in our nation’s public schools, it is because you have a calling. I have always believed that there is no greater calling, other than the ministry, than that of a public-school teacher.

And know that while the challenges in our public-school classrooms are many, the rewards are great!

Teaching is not the highest paying profession on the planet, but it’s not the lowest paying profession either.

I don’t know many public-school teachers who teach in our schools for the sole purpose of getting rich.

So, if that’s what you’re interested in, you may want to look elsewhere.

But public-school teachers have some of the riches moments and experiences in the classroom that mon-

ey simply cannot buy. The personal satisfaction that you can experience working with young people is incredible. But I have to warn you, the heartaches can be devastating. But you can handle it!

When it comes to teaching our Black boys, your presence is sorely needed. A growing body of research indicates that students of color are more likely to succeed academically when taught by teachers of color. And with the continued rise in fatherless homes, you may be the one male figure that can keep our children, especially our boys, on the straight and narrow.

Oh, and by the way, did you know that Black boys, who make up about 38 percent of our district’s total enrollment, account for over 65 percent of expulsions? So maybe if you’re

working as a teacher in our schools, you can help impact those numbers in a positive way.

So don’t be daunted by discouraging headlines or crummy news stories about how evaluators discriminate against Blacks and males. What else is new! It happens in other professional work environments as well.

Again, Black male teachers, we need you! Sign the contract. Answer your calling to the profession. Be that Black male teacher who makes a difference in our children’s lives. I promise, if you enter this profession with the right mindset and work hard to be really good at your craft, you WILL make a difference.

(Follow TSD education columnist Curtis Weathers on Twitter (@curtisweathers); email: curtislweathers@gmail.com.)

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The New Tri-State Defender

January 13 - 19, 2022

Page 5

RELIGION

Legacy salute...

The life of Deacon James Taylor Banks was celebrated last Sunday (Jan. 9) at Berean Baptist Church, 1666 E. Raines Rd. Banks, who died Dec. 28, was 74. A veteran, he worked 20-plus years for N.J. Ford & Sons Funeral Home.

(Photos: Tyrone P. Easley/The New Tri-State Defender)

Pictured (l-r): David Jamison, former teacher and now teacher recruiter; Central High School teacher Brittany Mays, teacher of the year; Johnnie Mosley and Rosemary Winters.

Citizens for Better Service annually salutes the achievements of scholars during its presentation of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Awards Program. (Photos: Tyrone P. Easley/The New Tri-State Defender)

Dr. King-related tradition once again notes achievements, service

by TSD Newsroom

Receiving an award was Gabriela Toro, principal of the SCS Newcomer International Center.

With plenty of family support...

Supt. Charles Moore, pastor of Lambert COGIC, 1070 Keating St., was saluted during a celebration of his 75th birthday (Jan. 8) at the Courtyard By Marriott Collierville. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley/The New Tri-State Defender)

Citizens for Better Service recently presented the 29th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Award Program in memory of the late Dr. H.O. Kneeland Jr., pastor emeritus of Union Valley Baptist Church Missionary Baptist Church, and the late Mrs. Julia Marshall, the longtime secretary for Citizens for Better Service.

The program was held last Sunday (January 9) at Union Valley, 1051 McLemore, where Dr. Kenneth Brewer of

Union Valley M.B.C. served as guest pulpit manager.

Johnnie Mosley, founding chairman of Citizens for Better Service, welcomed attendees and set the tone for the occasion.

The afternoon program featured Kenneth Moody, special assistant to Mayor Jim Strickland, who delivered congratulatory remarks after an introduction by Pastor Elijah Marshall, the chaplain for Citizens for Better Service.

Talented students from Ridgeway High School helped with the musical interludes, along with songs by Raymond Bowen of New Salem M.B.C., Monica Williams,

Men with Soul, Spiritual Excitement and Lazarus Settle of Traveling Kings.

Evangelist Melva Banks of Christ Gospel Church, who was introduced by the titleholders of the Miss Memphis Organization, served as emcee for the program that was punctuated by the opening scripture reading and prayer of the Rev. Johnny Culp and a praise dance by Memphis Youth Arts Initiative.

Attorney Freda Turner of Memphis Legal Services guided the special awards presentation, with Peabody Elementary School teacher Rosemary Winters presenting certificates to outstanding scholars.

Amaya Selmon was honored as the student of the year. Also pictured: Kars Smith, Ms. Shelby County.

The New Tri-State Defender

January 13 - 19, 2022

Page 6

NEWS

The quarter designed in honor of Maya Angelou reflects images inspired by her poetry. (Photo: U.S. Mint)

Maya Angelou first Black woman to appear on U.S. quarter as Mint rolls out coins

by Associated Press The United States Mint has begun shipping quarters featuring the image of poet Maya Angelou, the first coins in its American Women Quarters Program.

Angelou, an American author, poet and Civil Rights activist, rose to prominence with the publication of “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” in 1969.

The author, who died in 2014 at the age of 86, was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2010 by President Barack Obama.

The quarter design depicts Angelou with outstretched arms. Behind her are a bird in flight and a rising sun, images inspired by her poetry.

The mint’s program will issue 20 quarters over the next four years honoring women and their achievements in shaping the nation’s history.

Additional honorees in 2022 will be physicist and first woman astronaut Sally Ride, and Wilma Mankiller, the first female principal chief of the Cherokee Nation. Also honored this year will be Nina Otero-Warren, a leader in New Mexico’s suffrage movement and the first female

superintendent of Santa Fe public schools, and Anna May Wong, the first Chinese American film star in Hollywood.

Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nevada, the Senate sponsor of legislation directing the mint to issue the quarters honoring women, applauded the Mint’s selection of Angelou for the first coin.

“This coin will ensure generations of Americans learn about Maya Angelou’s books and poetry that spoke to the lived experience of Black women,” she said in a statement.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, the nation’s first female Treasury secretary, said,

“Each time we redesign our currency, we have the chance to say something about our country .... I’m very proud that these coins celebrate the contributions of some of America’s most remarkable women, including Maya Angelou.”

The Biden administration announced soon after taking office a year ago that it planned to replace Andrew Jackson’s portrait on the $20 bill with abolitionist Harriet Tubman, a leader in the Underground Railroad. However, since that announcement the administration has provided no further details on its plans.

COMMUNITY The New Tri-State Defender, January 13 - 19, 2022, Page 7

Pay disparity affecting corrections division workers addressed by County Commission

by James Coleman

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

The Shelby County Commission Monday (Jan. 10) unanimously approved pay for county corrections division employees, mainly guards.

The 13-0 approval vote solidified a belief among many county officials that the wage hike was long overdue and ends a long-running debate over whether it was fair to pay deputy jailers more than the correction division’s guards.

Also Monday, commissioners were briefed by Shelby County Health Director Dr. Michelle Taylor on the coronavirus pandemic. Among other

things, Taylor reported that 50 percent of Shelby County had been fully vaccinated.

Regarding the pay hike, commission Chair Willie Brooks, the resolution’s sponsor, said, “I am glad that we found a way to work with all stakeholders to correct this pay disparity and raise the pay of our corrections officers. These individuals work tough jobs and long hours to keep our community safe.”

More than 200 corrections employees, mainly guards, working will see a jump in compensation of up to 20 percent.

Along with the commission, Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris supported the increase. It was co-sponsored

by commissioners Michael Whaley, Reginald Milton, Mark Billingsley, Van Turner, Tami Sawyer and Mickell Lowery.

“Our Division of Corrections members will be happy to receive this increase, which offsets a pay gap that has existed for 20 years. They deserve it and they have earned it.

This substantial raise shows that their hard work has not gone unnoticed by Mayor Harris’ administration,” said AFSCME Executive Director Gail Tyree, who represents the employees.

The newest set of raises is part of an overall effort by the mayor and the commission to boost employee retention and recruitment.

The raises also reflect the low-end

pay scale of some Shelby County’s employees and when compared to counterparts in similar-sized counties across the state and nation.

As a result, concerns have grown about recruiting quality candidates for employment or public office.

“We are pleased to announce this substantial increase in salary for over 200 of our public safety employees.

When our administration learned of the decades-long pay disparity, we went to work to do something about increasing our officers’ pay,” said Harris in a statement.

“This raise will address a significant pay disparity, help us recruit and retain officers, and provide for the safety and welfare of our community.”

Regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, Taylor, the Health Department director, said the 50 percent vaccination rate is “something to celebrate, but also something to keep in mind when we talk about the level of cases in the community right now.

“Remember that while 50 percent of our community is vaccinated, another 50 percent has either just initiated their series (of vaccinations) or just has not received a vaccination at all.”

Like the rest of the nation, cases in Shelby County have surged as the highly infectious Omicron variant has taken hold.

However, unlike previous strains of the COVID-19, it appears to be less deadly.

Southwest blazes new trail with groundbreaking aviation program

by Najee El-Amin

Special to the New Tri-State Defender

Southwest Tennessee Community College’s (STCC) new aviation and aerospace major takes flight on Jan. 18.

Partnering with the Luke Weathers Flight Academy and the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP), final approval for the program was granted to STCC on Dec. 9 by the Tennessee Board of Regents, giving the community college the first two-year program of its kind in the state.

Students, who enroll in the program, will have the opportunity to earn an associate of applied science in Aviation Operations Technology degree that can open doors into numerous aviation careers, such as commercial piloting and air traffic control.

With three concentration paths − professional pilot, dispatcher and aviation administration − being offered at a significantly lower cost than a four-year institution, there is something for any scholar who is looking to break into the industry.

Making flight training accessible to people of color and low-income students was a focal point for the college.

Leveling the playing field means both the needs of the students and the aviation industry are met.

Additionally, STCC is working with area high schools to start a dual enrollment program to give potential students a head start on their studies.

With the spring 2022 semester starting, Dr. Robin Cole, STCC dean of Business and Technologies, said the program’s initial reception has been nothing short of astonishing.

“It’s amazing when something new and exciting is coming and before you even get anything out there the word of mouth and buzz is already starting.

This is when you know you’re on the right track,” Cole said. “We were

Albert Glenn and his son, Anthony Glenn, as Anthony Glenn’s daughter, Amane Glenn, completed her first solo flight. already getting calls last semester … The community’s excited about it. We’re creating a whole environment and a new mindset and opportunity that many individuals didn’t re- Dr. Robin Cole, alize were there. STCC dean of That is what Business and Technologies we’re excited about doing.”

Cole has more than 20 years of experience in higher education at both two and four-year colleges. Now in his fourth year at Southwest, he presides over 16 different academic programs and the thousands of students within them. Bringing an associate of applied science in Aviation Operations Technology degree to the college has been one of Cole’s most prominent achievements after it took years of discussions and planning to get off the ground.

“There was kind of a slow go getting it going and we were wondering if we wanted to continue forward.

That’s when (retired FedEx) Captain (Albert) Glenn of the Luke Weathers

Albert Glenn and his granddaughter, Amane Glenn, after she completed her first solo flight on Nov. 6. (Courtesy photos) Flight Academy said ‘Hey, there’s definitely a need to fill the pipeline with opportunities for minorities and individuals that make up a large population of the Memphis community,” said Cole.

The partnership between the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP) and STCC probably could not have been possible without the help of Glenn.

Since joining OBAP in 1983 (formerly known as Organization of Black Airline Pilots), Glenn has served on their board of directors and has chaired the board on two occasions.

However, what made this project hit close to home for Glenn is the fact that he has a flying history of his own.

Glenn learned to fly in Memphis at FedEx’s original flight school and was hired by the company in 1974.

During his successful tenure, he recorded over 18,000 hours in the air

(flying the Boeing 777 jet) and held numerous positions on the ground as well.

While Glenn was fortunate enough to receive his training locally, there still were difficulties faced by him and his peers.

That is why he pounced on the chance to give others something that he did not have.

“It was a financial burden at times.

It was also a challenge to find someone to teach me how to fly,” said Glenn. “In 2018, we were given the opportunity to find a location out of Olive Branch Airport to create the Luke Weathers Flight Academy to provide students an opportunity to have low-cost training and address some of the shortcomings that you see with some groups.”

Two of Glenn’s sons, Anthony Glenn and AC Glenn, also are following in his footsteps with Antho-

ny becoming a FedEx pilot and AC working as an unmanned vehicle pilot for the Department of Defense.

Anthony’s daughter Amane Glenn, 16, a student at East High School, completed her first solo flight on Nov. 6, 2021.

The elder Glenn believes it was his sons’ exposure to the flight industry that sparked their interest and that the same can happen for the students of Southwest.

Anticipating the first graduating class could be as early as fall 2024 and with spots quickly filling, Dean Cole offers some advice and encourages anyone interested to apply on www.southwest.tn.edu.

“Never let anyone tell you what you can’t do. If this is something that is inside of you and that you have a passion for it, come talk to us and find more about it. We will get you started.” said Cole.

ARPA spending plan will help Shelby County recover from the global pandemic COMMENTARY

by Lee Harris, Shelby County Mayor

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Lee Harris

Thanks to President Joe Biden’s leadership, we are set to address even more

of the many needs of Shelby County residents hit hard by the COVID-19 global pandemic.

In March, President Biden signed into law the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act, which means more added resources for Memphis and Shelby County.

This historic legislation is designed to help communities recover from the dual

health and economic crisis caused by the pandemic.

In Shelby County, we produced a spending plan that allows us to continue programs already in place, add new ones and bolster organizations that stepped up over the last year.

After a great deal of collaboration with the Shelby County Commission, our plan

passed with strong bipartisan support.

There is so much we will accomplish with these new resources. Here are a few highlights.

Few institutions have been stretched to capacity like our local hospitals. During some of our worst surges, tallies were kept

SEE ARPA ON PAGE 8

The New Tri-State Defender

January 13 - 19, 2022

Page 8

NEWS ARPA

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7 for public and private hospitals on available ICU beds and there were fears about hospitals reaching capacity.

Shelby County government is investing $19.1 million in Regional One and more than $9 million for other local hospitals using federal dollars.

Shortly after the pandemic hit, we saw long lines of cars at food pantries across Shelby County. Residents who lost jobs still needed to feed their families.

Since then, the Mid-South Food Bank has seen contributions decline, while the need grew exponentially. The $3

million in ARPA funds allotted to the Mid-South Food Bank will provide 9 million meals for families across Shelby County.

We have provided $2 million to expand property tax relief for the elderly, disabled and disabled veterans.

These matching funds expand a state tax relief program.

It raises the average maximum amount of tax relief from approximately $250 to $500 for seniors and disabled residents.

For disabled veterans, that amount increases from about $1,500 to $3,000.

Last year, more than 8,100 residents received tax relief through this program. It is expected that with the county’s matching program, even more

will apply.

Meanwhile, the economic challenges caused by the pandemic created difficulties throughout our county. For that reason, we included a $3 million allotment for transitional housing for residents experiencing homelessness.

We also provided $10,000 in funding so that World Relief Memphis could buy onetime-use beds for the Afghan refugees who recently arrived in Shelby County.

Since the withdrawal of American and NATO troops from Afghanistan in August, more than 123,000 Afghans were airlifted from their homeland.

The 20-year conflict in Afghanistan was our nation’s longest military engagement.

During that time, thousands of Afghan people aided our troops. They worked as translators, guides and in other capacities.

Helping these refugees settle here, find their footing and feel welcomed in our community is the very least we can do to repay a huge debt.

It is no secret that the recruitment of employees for essential public safety jobs has been difficult in Shelby County and across the nation.

With ARPA money, the county will invest in recruitment incentives for county law enforcement personnel, including officers for the Division of Corrections and deputy sheriffs.

CLASSIFIEDS LEGAL NOTICE Request for Bids MSCAA Project Number 191423-26-01 Terminal C&A Retail Demolition - Construction Sealed bids for Terminal C&A Retail Demolition - Construction will be received by the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority (Authority), Procurement Department, 4150 Louis Carruthers Drive, Memphis, TN 38118, until 2:00 PM Local Time on 2/3/2022. Bids will not be received at any other location.

Within 30 minutes thereafter, the bids will be opened and publicly read via phone/video conference at (Link: https://us06web.zoom. us/j/84927426821?pwd=UHJ4QmlHS1NLQ0NOL0IyWmcyaFdKZz09; Phone: 1 (312)-626-6799 / Passcode: 399457; Meeting ID: 849 2742 6821). The Bid Documents, including a description of the scope of work, the required response format, and additional instructions may be obtained on or after January 7, 2022 online at www.flymemphis.com.

A virtual Pre-Bid Meeting will be held Wednesday, January 19, 2022, at 11:00 AM local time via phone/video conferencing (Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/ j/81962091448?pwd=USt6MHdlRlRMaW5RcmpzN2p2Y1ludz09; Phone: 1 (312) 626-6799 / Passcode: 013793; Meeting ID: 819 6209 1448). Attendance at the Pre-Bid Meeting is strongly recommended. The project sites will be available for inspection upon request.

All Bidders are responsible for checking the Authority’s website up to the submission deadline for any updates, addenda or additional information. The successful Bidder must sign a contract with the Authority that includes Federal Aviation Administration provisions, if applicable, regarding the Buy American Preference, Foreign Trade Restriction, Davis-Bacon, Affirmative Action, Debarment and Suspension, and Drug-Free Workplace, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Each bid must be made by a contractor licensed in Tennessee and be accompanied by a 5% Bid Guarantee. The successful bidder must execute a Performance Bond and a Payment Bond in the amount of 100% each of the Contract Price and meet the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) participation goal for this project, which is 28%.

The Authority reserves the right to reject any or all responses to this Request for Bids in whole or in part; to waive any informalities, technicalities, or omissions related to this Request for Bids; and to reject responses on any other basis authorized by the Authority’s purchasing policies.

this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 9:30 a.m. on February 14, 2022, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort.

By order of: Scott A. Brockman, A.A.E. President and CEO Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority

Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400

Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Name of Purchaser Tax Parcel #: Tax Parcel ID No Tax Sale #: Tax Sale No. Price Offered: $Price Offered Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice.

If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at Bid Off Time on Bid Off Date, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort.

Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400 NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY

BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Premier Real Estate Solutions LLC Tax Parcel #: 06005100000110 Tax Sale #: 1401 Price Offered: $900.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during

(Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris is a fifth-generation Memphian, a graduate of Overton High School, Morehouse College and the Yale Law School.)

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Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 9:00 a.m. on February 14, 2022, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort.

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Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400 NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY

BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: FAFT Development Group LLC Tax Parcel #: 06010200000350 Tax Sale #: 1404 Price Offered: $1500.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If ad-

SEE PAGE 9

“II am forever grateful and thankful for your part in my life.”

VANCE STACKS, JR. Three-time cancer survivor

Some days, you need a warm blanket and a shoulder to cry on. On much harder days, you need a nurse that tells you, “You’re going to make it,” and

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NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY

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The Authority is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination based on the grounds of age, race, sex, color, national origin, disability, marital status, military service, or sexual orientation in its hiring and employment practices and in the admission to, access to, or operation of its programs, services, and activities.

NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY

BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT

Plus, we now have the resources to double the capacity of our mental health court, which will help give those with mental illnesses the support they need to get well and stay out of the criminal justice system.

Over the last 22 months, the COVID pandemic battered us all and strained local governments. These new federal dollars afford us the resources we need to move forward, bolster our communities and continue our recovery.

Read Vance’s story of thanks at methodisthealth.org/thankyou. thankyou.

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The New Tri-State Defender

January 13 - 19, 2022

CLASSIFIEDS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8 ditional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 10:00 a.m. on February 11, 2022, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort.

Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400 NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY

BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property:

Marcus Carter, India Carter, and Kenneth Garrett Tax Parcel #: 04206200000490 Tax Sale #: 1002 Price Offered: $1125.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 9:30 a.m. on February 11, 2022, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort.

Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400 NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY

BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT

Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Marcus Carter Tax Parcel #: 04206200000010 Tax Sale #: 602 Price Offered: $1406.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 9:00 a.m. on February 11, 2022, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort.

Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400

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Page 9

SPORTS

The New Tri-State Defender, January 13 - 19, 2022, Page 10

‘Never short on competing,’ Harris comes up big for Tigers against Cincy

by Terry Davis

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

With a nod to skill, talent, coaching, fan support and other elements that go into winning basketball games, a player having the right mindset – especially in big-time moments – is pivotal to reaching that desired outcome.

Memphis point guard Tyler Harris was the embodiment of that on Sunday, coming off of the bench and delivering a 20-point performance they helped the Tigers turn back the Cincinnati Bearcats 87-80 before a fulTerry ly-engaged fanbase at Davis FedExForum.

With the Tigers (9-5 overall, 3-1 American Athletic Conference) holding on to an 83-80 lead late in the game, a Harris steal and free throws sealed the game. He made four free throws and scored nine of his 20 points, including a dagger-like three-pointer, within a key 90-second span.

“It felt great closing this out,” said Harris, the Memphis native who returned to the UofM this season after transferring to Iowa State following two years with the Tigers.

“We have to play every day like everyone is our rival. We have to get in grind mode.”

Cincinnati (11-5, 1-2) long has been in the rival category for Memphis, with that rivalry spanning multiple conferences.

Memphis head coach Penny Hardaway felt the vibes before tipoff.

“I was walking down the hallway entering the court and I heard the energy,” said Hardaway. “It was the loudest I heard walking down that hallway before a game.

The Memphis and Cincinnati rivalry is still strong.”

As for Harris, one of his former East High School players, Hardaway said, “Tyler is a weapon. He can put daggers in people. He is a big shot taker and maker. If there is any shot needed on my team, he is going to be the one to take it. That is who he is.”

And then there was the Harris steal.

“That is the biggest play of the game to me, getting that steal,” said Hardaway, “besides that big three he hit.”

For the Tigers, the winning performance served as somewhat of a counter to a Rocky December.

“The team in December didn’t have the chemistry we have now,” Harris said. “I wouldn’t say we would have lost it (the Cincinnati game) then. Now, we are locked in … in the trenches locked together.”

With victory within their grasp and the Tigers needing to seal it, Harris said, “I was very confident in the game at that time.

Landers Nolley II (left) and Lester Quinones of the Tigers defending David DeJulius of Cincinnati.

(Photos: Warren Roseborough/The New Tri-State Defender)

Tyler Harris floats in two of the 20 points he scored in helping the Memphis Tigers get the win over Cincinnati’s Bearcats at FedExForum on Sunday.

The coaches and teammates believed in me. It was a great moment – the three, the floater and the free throws. My teammates are going to pat me on the back whether it is a hit or miss.”

The first half was a balanced affair on multiple fronts – Memphis shot 43 percent from the floor, Cincinnati shot 42; each team had five turnovers and each made six

three-pointers, with the Tigers taking a 4034 lead into halftime.

The Bearcats, not known as an exceptional three-point-shooting team, came out on fire from beyond the arc after the break, connecting on 10 three-pointers in the second half. They were led by Jeremiah Davenport (21 points), who connected on 7 of 10 from deep. David DeJulius and Mika Adams-Woods each had 15 points.

The Bearcats’ biggest lead in the second half was three points and the largest for the Tigers was seven.

The Tigers stayed in the game by protecting the basketball and making their free throws. They were 16 of 19 on free throws and only had 11 turnovers in the game.

Lester Quinones played 32 minutes and finished with 18 points for the Tigers.

Freshman guard Emoni Bates had perhaps his best all-around game of the season, with 12 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists and only 1 turnover.

Freshman forward Josh Minott finished with 14 points, just one shy of his career-high of 15 points, and 10 rebounds.

Two of his baskets were crowd-pleasing dunks, one on a pass from Harris and another on an alley-oop from Bates.

The Tigers, who have been hampered by injuries, were boosted by the return of Bates, freshman center Jalen Duren (7 points, 5 rebounds, 3 blocks), Landers Nolley II (7 points, 5 rebounds, assists) and Jayden Hardaway (6 points, 1 rebound).

Earl Timberlake (1 assist, 2 rebounds) left the game with a possible concussion and

Malcolm Dandridge (3 points, 3 rebounds) was not available late in the game. Assistant coach Rashed Wallace is in health and safety protocols.

“It was a proud win for me as a coach,” said Hardaway. “We had more bodies go down. Thank God Emoni played today. It seems like we keep getting hit with punch after punch and the guys keep responding.”

The Tigers stood together when they probably would have crumbled earlier in the season, said Hardaway. “They were never out of the game.”

Memphis next hits the road for two games: first will be a tough test against UCF in Orlando on Wednesday (Jan. 12) followed by a matchup against East Carolina on Saturday (Jan. 15).

“We have to stay poised on the road,” said Harris. “My job is to go out there and make it easier for these guys. I have to talk to them before things happen and keep them prepared for everything. They know now going on the road everything is way harder. They are going to be locked, but I am there to help them.”

With 14,302 fans in attendance, the Tigers wore their blue Memphis State uniforms in the blue out at FedExForum. It was quite a setting for Harris’ hometown heroics.

“You know what comes along with staying home,” said Hardaway. “You have to perform. It doesn’t mean scoring all the time. It’s just about winning. As a city, we love winners. We want to win and Tyler (Harris) understands that. He is never short on competing.”

Tigers stumble out of the conference gate

by Liaudwin Seaberry Jr.

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

A frustrating week of basketball inside the Elma Roane Fieldhouse last week concluded with the first losing streak of the season for the University of Memphis women’s basketball team.

The team suffered losses in their first two American Athletic Conference games, both at home. The losses came after a stretch in which the Tigers had won nine of their first 11 contests.

The Tigers (9-4, 0-2 AAC) were defeated by the Tulsa Hurricane 7269 on January 5th, while also being on the wrong side of a 63-44 rout against SMU three days later on January 8th. Averaging only a 30 percent conversion rate from the field in the two games, Memphis simply found it difficult to score on the offensive end of the floor. In addition, the Tigers al-

lowed Tulsa and SMU to convert 45 percent of their field goal attempts.

Memphis’s defense, which typically stymies its opponents, failed to play to the level it reached during non-conference play.

In spite of the recent struggles, first year head coach Katrina Merriweather remains positive and determined for her squad to improve upon their performance each game. She understands the highs and lows that come within a season, and does not want her squad to hang their heads at all.

There’s still plenty of basketball left to be played, and there is something to be said for the effort that her team produced in both contests.

“I think we played really hard, I think they tried and one thing I don’t have to worry about is them caring, because they really do,” Merriweather said after the Tulsa game. “This is the best learning lesson, and you often want to learn these lessons through wins but sometimes you

Memphis’ Jamirah Shutes drives to the basket against SMU. (Photo: Terry Davis) have to learn through losses as well.”

The Tigers performed last Saturday in front of the largest crowd of

the season, with 1,208 fans packing the Fieldhouse to watch the Tigers face SMU. Despite the support of the

Memphis faithful, the Tigers got off to a turbulent start and never recovered, as the team capped off a terrible shooting day by converting 1 out of 16 field goals in the 19-point setback.

Starting guards Jamirah Shutes, Emani Jefferson, and Madison Griggs shot a combined 3 of 31 from the field, and the team as a whole shot 21 percent from the field.

Merriweather made no excuses for her squad after the contest, and appreciated the large turnout of fans.

She promised her team will be better in the future, and that starts with the squad’s January 16th game against Wichita State.

“We are so thankful to have had all these people show up”, Merriweather said after the SMU loss. “That’s what makes it hurt, all of these people come out and our effort and energy wasn’t where it needed to be.”

“We just have to find a way to be tougher and to fight through, and we will.”