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VOL. 72, No. 3
January 19 - 25, 2023
The death of Tyre D. Nichols:
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A funeral, an investigation and pending release of video-footage
Memorial service yields call for ‘murder one’ indictments by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell
Special to The New Tri-State Defender
Fond memories and cries for justice permeated a memorial service Tuesday (Jan. 17) for Tyre D, Nichols, who died Jan. 10, three days after being injured during an encounter with Memphis police officers. About 70 people gathered at the M. J. Edwards Funeral Home chapel, where Orange Mound meets South Memphis, to hear speakers, including Latoya Yizer, Nichols’ god-sister, speak fondly of Nichols. She called Nichols a “goofy, happy kid ... I was in high school, and he was in elementary school. Sometimes, I’d be running late, and he would be running late,” said Yizer. “But we ended up walking to school together … He was always filled with joy.” Still, the desire for justice regarding Nichol’s death was prevalent throughout the service. The comments by Rodney Wells, Nichols’
stepfather, captured that emotion. “When Tyre first moved to Memphis from Sacramento, he called me ‘Pops’ from the time he stepped off that plane. And I loved him like he was my natural son. “We want justice for Tyre, and justice is murder one for everybody involved – not second-degree, not manslaughter, none of that. We want justice; murder one, and nothing less.” While the incident is still under investigation, police said Nichols, 29, was injured during the incident with officers around 8:30 p.m. Saturday (Jan. 7) near Raines and Ross roads in Hickory Hills. Police said officers were trying to make a traffic stop for reckless driving. According to the department’s Twitter account: “As officers approached the driver of the vehicle, a confrontation occurred, and the suspect (Nichols) fled the scene on foot. Officers pursued the suspect and again attempted to (take) the suspect into custody.” The report said another confrontation oc-
SEE NICHOLS ON PAGE 2
Rodney Wells speaks at the funeral of his stepson, Tyre D. Nichols, on Tuesday. (Photo: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises/The New Tri-State Defender)
Search for MSCS superintendent nears next step TSD Newsroom The Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) board is expected to select a search firm during its next business meeting on Tuesday, January 31. MSCS Board Chair Althea Greene, General Counsel Kenneth Walker and newly appointed Chief of Human Resources Quintin Robinson will review the four search firm applications and make a final recommendation to the board for the upcoming vote. Four qualified firms submitted completed applications: Alma Advisory Group; GR Recruiting; Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates; and Ray and Associates. “We look forward to a final vote on the search team so we can move to the next step in the MSCS Super Search, which is the superintendent application process,” said Greene. “Over the next few weeks, our communications partner will compile the research gathered via our surveys and input sessions. We’ll provide the search firm with a summary of the findings in February.” On Friday, January 20, at 4 p.m. at the Board of Education Auditorium, the Advisory Committee will hold its first public meeting to discuss the type of application and interview process it believes the board and the new search firm should engage in. This week, the public is invited to share feedback during the final two public input
SEE MSCS ON PAGE 2
Still rolling …
MLK Day at the National Civil Rights Museum is an annual pilgrimage in salute to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (Photo: Liaudwin Seaberry Jr./The New Tri-State Defender)
Cleophus Smith, shown here with his daughter, Shamira Fletcher, is the last of the striking sanitation workers of 1968 still on the job. Now 80, he has been driving a sanitation truck for 55 years, with no plans to retire soon. “As long as God keeps me healthy, I plan to be working,” he said. (Courtesy photo)
MLK Day 2023: celebration mixed with angst by Liaudwin Seaberry Jr.
Special to The New Tri-State Defender
The National Civil Rights Museum (NCRM) at the Lorraine Motel once again served as a prime destination point to celebrate the greatness and impact of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the holiday in his honor. Outside the museum, attached to the motel where the world-renowned civil rights leader was assassinated on April 4, 1968, there was an acknowledgment that the battle for equal rights and economic equity still is being fought.
Memphian Rebria Maxwell regularly visits the museum. While happy to be a part of events that uplift MLK’s legacy, the need for ongoing change was a certainty for her. Asked whether things have gotten better, she responded, “What do you think?” “I do not think that things have gotten better from when Martin Luther King Jr. made his ‘I Have A Dream’ speech. However, I do not put myself into positions that would allow discrimination to happen to me.” Jericka Webster, the NCRM’s marketing communications coordinator, said although some things are better, more workforce oppor-
tunities are needed for African Americans. “I do not think that we have made much progress when it comes to the elevation of African Americans in the workforce, and it’s a very concerning issue,” Webster said. “When it comes to African Americans being able to sit next to other races and restaurants, there’s an argument that things have improved on that front. However, that’s not the total package.” Webster discussed the wage gap that exists between African-American and white workers.
SEE MLK ON PAGE 2
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The New Tri-State Defender
January 19 - 25, 2023
Page 2
NEWS
MSCS
CONTINUED FROM FRONT sessions. Thursday, January 19, at 5:30 p.m. at Kingsbury High School. Te session will be presented in partnership with MICAH, an advisory committee partner. While open to all, the meeting is targeting the Spanish-speaking community. Saturday, January 21, at
noon at the Board of Education Auditorium. Advisory Committee member, the Rev. Kenneth Whalu, Jr., is encouraging all faith-based leaders to attend this session, which is also open to all community stakeholders. There’s still time to respond to the survey, which closes on Sunday, January 22, and can be found at mscssupersearch. com.
Keyana Dixon, sister of Tyre D. Nichols, and her husband, Dallas Stanley (middle) and her brother, Jamal Dupree, at the memorial service. (Photo: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises/The New Tri-State Defender)
NICHOLS
CONTINUED FROM FRONT curred and the suspect eventually was apprehended. The report continued, “the suspect complained of having a shortness of breath” and an ambulance was called. “The suspect was transported to St. Francis Hospital in critical condition … The officers involved will be routinely relieved of duty pending the outcome of this investigation…” The investigation has been turned over to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. On Wednesday (Jan. 18), Kevin G. Ritz, U.S. Atty. for the Western District of Tennessee, announced his office, in coordination with the FBI Memphis Field Office and the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, has opened a civil rights investigation.” Nichols’ family has hired civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who called for the release of video footage. In a joint statement, Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland and MPD Chief Cerelyn “CJ” Davis, said, “The video will be released publicly after the completion of the internal investigation into the actions of the officers and after the family of Mr. Nichols has had the opportunity to review the video privately.” Kareem Ali, a local activist and investigator with the national Crump firm, said video of Nichols’ traffic stop would be released to the family on Monday (Jan. 23). After the family views the footage,
a press conference will be called. During Tuesday’s memorial service, Ali said, “On behalf of Ben Crump Law, I want to express our love, support, and fight for this family. Tyre’s death was not in vain ... In the city of Memphis, we have a problem with unjust policing. The spirit of Tyre is moving all over the country among activists…” Ali added, “They jumped out of a car in hoodies, and Tyre ran because he was afraid. What would you think?” Perry Williams and Nate Spates Jr. recalled how they met Nichols at a Germantown Starbucks. “For a year-and-a-half, we would meet up at Starbucks several times a week,” said Spates. “When we heard about what happened, we immediately felt that something was not right. Tyre would never run from the police. That’s just not who he was. If he was running, he was running from something. Tyre was not a fighter.” Angelina Paxton came to Memphis from Sacramento, California, where Nichols was born and reared. She said if Tyre had died in California, there would have been a “couple of thousand people” at his memorial. “Tyre died in such a dark way for someone who had so much light,” Paxton said. “All I can say is, may God find forgiveness for the officers because I don’t think I can.” The Rev. Rodney L. Woodley delivered a brief eulogy from Psalms 8, with the theme, “Regarded Value.”
Paul Arnett and Kim Wicks were optimistic yet realistic about the prospects of meaningful change and opportunities. (Photo: Liaudwin Seaberry Jr./The New Tri-State Defender)
MLK
CONTINUED FROM FRONT
Kareem Ali, an investigator with the Ben Crump Law Office, comforts Tyre D. Nichols’ mother, RowVaughn Wells. Nichols’ funeral was held on Tuesday. “We invested in a man of great value, and he invested in the lives of those around him,” said Woodley. “That is why you are all here today…God chose not only Tyre, he chose RowVaughn’s (Tyre’s mother) womb to bring forth an angel ... Tyre’s spirit is alive, and it is moving. It is the spirit of change.” Nichols was born on June 5, 1993, in Sacramento. His father, Steven Nichols, is deceased. He was the youngest of four siblings. After high school, he lived briefly in various parts of the country, finally deciding to make his home in Memphis with his mother and stepfather.
Nichols was an avid skateboarder, a lover of photography, and spent many evenings watching a beautiful Tennessee sunset, friends recalled. He often told friends and family that he was as happy in Memphis as he had ever been. He was employed at the FedEx hub, where he told new employees he was the “box manager,” according to a co-worker, who shared memories of working with Nichols. The co-worker’s remarks drew a welcome reprieve of laughter. Except for a couple of traffic tickets, Nichols had no prior criminal history.
For example, the U.S. Department of Labor reports that, regarding weekly wages, African Americans earn 75.58 percent of what whites earn. Webster acknowledged the importance of any honest work but expressed concern about the scarcity of American Americans working in senior executive positions in major companies. African Americans represent less than 1 percentage point (0.8 percent) of Fortune 500 CEOs and only 3.2 percent of executives and senior manager-level employees are African American. Those findings were included in a December 2019 study, “Being Black In Corporate America: An Intersectional Exploration,” conducted by the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago. Webster added, “It’s a real question to ask, ‘Are we holding these organizations accountable in terms of allowing African Americans to be on their staffs and making big decisions’?” NCRM visitor Will Smith of Los Angeles said his job as a FedEx pilot frequently positions him in different parts of the country and provides him with a keen perspective of how different races are treated in various environments.
Regardless of race, he thinks people should be aware of Dr. King’s legacy and its impact. “I think it is very important for people to know who Martin Luther King Jr. was as a person and that everyone should know his story and what he did in terms of equality.” As for where things stand now, Smith said, “With some of the events that have taken place in the last few years, it’s apparent that there’s improvement still needed.” On this MLK Day, Paul Arnett and Kim Wicks of the Black repertory Hattiloo Theatre were optimistic, yet realistic. “I think that it is a stalemate of sorts,” said Arnett. “I appreciate that there are people in groups trying to get others into higher positions of authority, but when I look at (the) measurement, I don’t see too much that has changed.” Wicks added, “I think that people should know the history and that a lot of the reason why things haven’t changed much centers around individuals not really wanting to know about the past, and it just repeats itself.” And, said Arnett, everyone should remember that “Black history is American history, and we can’t try and change it. “Our story is in the fabric of America, and it’s important that it’s told and …(that) is what makes us a part of America.”
The New Tri-State Defender
January 19 - 25, 2023
Page 3
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PERSPECTIVE The New Tri-State Defender, January 19 - 25, 2023, Page 4
Key education issues to watch as lawmakers return The Chattanooga Republican had voted against education savings accounts in 2019, but said he’s changed his mind since the Tennessee Supreme Court upheld the controversial law last spring. He’s also frustrated that Hamilton County Schools has abandoned a $20 million school improvement plan for its lowestperforming schools. Gardenhire filed his bill last month and recruited White to co-sponsor the measure in the House. Meanwhile, the law continues to face legal challenges. Metro Nashville and Shelby County governments gave notice last month that they’ll appeal a lower court’s dismissal of their remaining legal claims to the Tennessee Court of Appeals. The state comptroller’s first report on the program’s efficacy isn’t due until Jan. 1, 2026.
by Marta W. Aldrich Chalkbeat Tennessee
When Tennessee legislators passed a tough third-grade reading law during their 2021 special session on education, they didn’t seek the input of many educators. But they’re hearing a lot of feedback now, as the law’s stricter retention policy kicks in with this year’s class of third graders. Educators are warning about the potential for thousands of students to be held back because of low reading scores, along with a slew of logistical challenges created by the law. Revisiting the controversial third-grade reading law was expected to top the list of education priorities heading into this year’s 113th General Assembly, which now is underway in Nashville. Meanwhile, Republican Gov. Bill Lee will unveil details of his legislative agenda and proposed budget several weeks after being sworn in for his second term on Jan. 21. Last year, no education issue seemed too big or small for the GOP-controlled legislature to take up — from passing Lee’s sweeping rewrite of the state’s K-12 funding formula to authorizing teachers to confiscate students’ cellphones if they’re deemed a distraction in class. Lawmakers also asserted state power over several matters traditionally handled at the local or school level, including which books are OK for libraries and how to resolve a dispute between two cities over school properties. This year, the GOP may flex its supermajority power again on socially divisive issues, including one bill that seeks to limit health treatment for transgender youth. But whether charter school advocates will try again to pass charter-friendly legislation is still uncertain after several Republican-sponsored proposals sputtered last year and the fallout over charter applications linked to Michigan’s Hillsdale College galvanized supporters of traditional public schools. As for the Democrats, their minority status limits their influence over legislation. But expect them to hammer their messaging around themes of restoring local control over education and the potential fiscal effects of expanding Tennessee’s charter school sector and private school voucher programs. Here are five things to watch for as the General Assembly convenes: Expect a ‘quieter year’ from Lee’s administration During his first term, the governor spent significant political capital to pass major education laws – launching a private school voucher program, creating a powerful state commission to oversee charter school growth, expanding vocational education options for middle and high school students, and replacing the state’s 30-yearold resource-based funding formula with a student-centered one called Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement, or TISA. Last fall, Lee suggested the dizzying pace would continue, with a campaign pledge to teachers and parents that he would “make
The doors of the Tennessee House of Representatives were opened for business on the first day of the 113th session of the Tennessee General Assembly. (Photo: Karanja A. Ajanaku/The New Tri-State Defender) the most of the next four years.” But legislative leaders working closely with his administration say this year’s education focus will be to execute what’s already passed – not introduce new major initiatives. “We’ve done a lot, and I think it’s going to be a quieter year on education,” said Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson, who carries bills on the governor’s behalf. Specifically, he said, Lee wants to monitor this year’s rollout of the funding formula and third-grade retention policy. “We may need some tweaks and improvements on those but, in terms of any new broad initiatives, I don’t anticipate anything from the administration,” Johnson told Chalkbeat. Lee pledged more money for K-12 education When Lee pressed last year for an education funding overhaul, he pledged an additional $1 billion annually for students if TISA passed, beginning with the budget that takes effect this July 1. With state revenues continuing to exceed expenses, the expectation is that he’ll make good on that promise. On other budgetary matters, Lee has said he wants to continue upping teacher pay. He’ll also likely set aside money so the all-volunteer state textbook commission can hire staff to manage a new library book appeals process authorized by the legislature in 2022. And he’s expected to propose more funding for the state agency for children’s services, which is severely understaffed and short of beds for abused, neglected, or foster children who are taken into state custody. Meanwhile, the legislature will review ways to continue tapping state or federal dollars for perennial educational wants, from more social services for schools to expanded access to pre-kindergarten and early child care. Lawmakers will revisit third-grade retention policy Vowing to stop the cycle of letting students who can’t read move up to the next
grade, Lee pressed for the new third-grade reading law, which tightens state retention policies that generally haven’t been enforced under a 2011 law. The 2021 law made it more likely that schools will hold back students who aren’t considered proficient in reading by the end of third grade, based on the results of annual state tests this spring. It also authorized new summer school and after-school tutoring programs that can help struggling third graders avoid being held back. But with only a third of Tennessee third graders projected to test proficient in reading, educators insist that state test results don’t tell the full story about a student’s reading ability. They want more local input that takes into account the results of periodic “benchmark” tests administered throughout the year. “This is the No. 1 concern I’m hearing across the state with superintendents, school boards, and parents,” said House Education Committee Chairman Mark White, who says he’s open to adding benchmark test results into the calculations. “We cannot ignore it.” Expect other legislative proposals to try to improve the quality of education before third grade, especially to support literacy. Rep. Scott Cepicky, for instance, is looking at raising the minimum age to begin kindergarten. Currently, Tennessee law requires children entering kindergarten to be at least 5 years old on or before Aug. 15 of the school year they’re entering. His proposal is based on a recent analysis by the state comptroller’s office, which found that Tennessee students who were older at kindergarten enrollment performed better on third-grade literacy tests than their peers. School voucher program could expand After overcoming a string of court challenges, private school vouchers became available this school year in Memphis and Nashville. Now Sen. Todd Gardenhire is looking to expand the “pilot” program to Hamilton County, where he lives.
Efforts to attract and keep teachers grow Both state and national data suggest that teacher shortages are limited to certain districts, schools, and subjects, not an across-the-board problem. But with the churn of educators and school staff worsening during the pandemic, expect several new proposals to try to strengthen teacher pipelines beyond Tennessee’s existing grow-your-own programs, as well as to support those already in classrooms. The Tennessee School Boards Association is urging the legislature to incentivize potential teacher candidates by reimbursing those who pass the Praxis exam, which measures knowledge and skills needed to be a teacher. The test generally costs about $120. (The State Board of Education is also considering dropping EdTPA, another licensing test required currently of about 900 “job-embedded” candidates, who make up about a third of the state’s teacher pipeline.) Cepicky and Sen. Joey Hensley have filed a bill to provide teachers with $500 annually to pay for classroom supplies, instead of the current $200, so that they’re not counting on charity or personal funds to cover those costs. But for many districts, an even bigger staffing issue is hiring enough support staff. South of Nashville, Williamson County Schools has only three-fourths of the school bus drivers needed by the suburban district and is also understaffed for teacher aides for special education students. “Every little tool you can give us in our toolbox, if it can fill one or two spots, it’s worth it,” Superintendent Jason Golden told his local legislative delegation during a weekend workshop. “We’re looking at it,” responded Hensley, a Hohenwald Republican. “We know it’s a big issue.” To find legislators, track bills, and livestream legislative business, visit the Tennessee General Assembly website. (Marta Aldrich is a senior correspondent and covers the statehouse for Chalkbeat Tennessee. Contact her at maldrich@ chalkbeat.org.)
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The New Tri-State Defender
January 19 - 25, 2023
Page 5
RELIGION
‘Spirit in the Dark’ is a must-visit online experience TSD Newsroom An online examination of Black religious life through a selection of photographs from the Johnson Publishing Company – publisher of Ebony, Jet and Negro Digest – is now available via the searchable museum operated by the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. “Spirit in the Dark: Religion in Black Music, Activism, and Popular Culture” is presented by the Museum’s Center for the Study of African American Religious Life and the Earl W. and Amanda Stafford Center for African American Media Arts. The images in the exhibition spotlight religious and political leaders, musicians, authors, athletes, activists and educators and are supported by an array of objects from the museum’s collection, many on display for the first time. Diverse aspects of the Black religious experience are revealed by stories of artists blurring the boundaries between the holy and the profane, Black religious leaders bearing witness to wrongs and lighting the pathway to freedom and activists articulating the complex dimensions of the suffering and trauma of Black people in America. Sometimes in the foreground, sometimes in the background and at times in the shadows, religion is essential to the story of Black America. Objects in the museum’s collection testify to religion’s role in the struggle for human dignity and social equality.
In support of caregivers and family members … Mt. Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church of Cordova, where the Rev Basil Brooks is the pastor, presented its first celebration of “Praise In Purple Sunday) in conjunction with the West TN Alzheimer’s Association on Jan. 15. It was a way of showing awareness and education to the church and community by supporting caregivers and family members. For more more information, contact Linda Busby, Advocate for West Tennessee Alzheimer’s Association at 901-619-7301.
King James Bible belonging to Little Richard ca. 1959. (Photo: Created by William Collins, Sons. Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture)
On MLK Day at Monumental … Bishop M. Frank Thomas (middle), presiding prelate of the First Episcopal District of the CME Church, International, with CME pastors and wives and members during the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day observance at Monumental Baptist Church. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley/The New Tri-State Defender)
The Johnson Publishing Company In the Black press, religion often finds reflection in the images, comments, stories and lives of noteworthy individuals, including religious and political leaders, musicians, authors, athletes, activists and educators. Founded in 1942 by John H. and Eunice W. Johnson, the Johnson Publishing Company (JPC) celebrated African American culture with its foundational publications—Ebony, Jet and Negro Digest (later Black World). The magazines and many other, lesser-known Johnson publications bore witness to Black life well into the 21st century. In 2019, a consortium of five nonprofit organizations, including the Ford Foundation, the Getty Trust, the MacArthur Foundation, the Mellon Foundation and the Smithsonian Institution banded together to purchase and preserve the JPC archive, which includes over 4 million prints, negatives, slides and other photographic formats, as well as more than 10,000 audiovisual items. The archive is now jointly owned by our museum and the Getty Research Institute, who are working together to preserve, catalog and dig-
Tina Turner performing a Buddhist ritual at her home, Studio City, Calif., 1979. (Photo credit: Isaac Sutton. Johnson Publishing Company Archive. Courtesy J. Paul Getty Trust and Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.) itize these materials so they can be shared and studied for generations to come. The photographs featured in the “Spirit in the Dark” exhibition are from a legacy collection of 2,800 of the most iconic images from the Johnson Publishing Company archive. (To experience “Spirit in the Dark” visit https://bit.ly/3wgr4ki.)
“I think God is inside everybody.” Prince Ebony Magazine, 1986
Present! … Charlie Scates displays the banner he received for his consistent attendance at Greater White Stone Baptist Church, where the Rev. Roger Brown is pastor. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley/The New Tri-State Defender)
The New Tri-State Defender, January 19 - 25, 2023, Page 6
Justice Jackson – the ‘Lovely One’ – is working on a memoir by Hillel Italie
The Associated Press
Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson is working on a memoir. Jackson, the first Black woman appointed to the court, is calling the book “Lovely One.” “Mine has been an unlikely journey,” Jackson said in a statement released by Random House. “But the path was paved by courageous women and men in whose footsteps I placed my own, road warriors like my own parents, and also luminaries in the law, whose brilliance and fortitude lit my way. “This memoir marries the public record of my life with what is less known. It will be a transparent accounting of what it takes to rise through the ranks of the legal profession, especially as a woman of color with an unusual name and as a mother and a wife striving to reconcile the demands of a high-profile career with the private needs of my loved ones.” No release date has been set for “Lovely One.” Jackson, 52, was born Ketanji Onyika Brown. The book’s title comes from the English translation of Ketanji Onyika, the name suggested by an aunt who at the time was a Peace Corps worker in West Africa. Jackson joined the court last year after President Joe Biden named her to succeed the retiring Stephen Breyer. She had previously been a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
“My hope is that the fullness of my journey as a daughter, sister, wife, mother, litigator, and friend will stand as a testament for young women, people of color, and dreamers everywhere,” Jackson added, “especially those who nourish outsized ambitions and believe in the possibility of achieving them.” “Lovely One” is Jackson’s first book, but not the first by a current member of the Supreme Court. Justices Neil Gorsuch and Sonia Sotomayor are among those who have released books in recent years. Justice Amy Coney Barrett has a deal with the Penguin Random House imprint Sentinel. Financial terms for “Lovely One” were not disclosed, although interest in her makes it likely her advance is at least comparable to the 7-figure deals negotiated in the past for memoirs by Sotomayor and Justice Clarence Thomas. In announcing Jackson’s book, Random House called it a story she tells with “refreshing honesty, lively wit, and warmth.” “Justice Jackson invites readers into her life and world, chronicling the experiences that have shaped her,” the announcement reads in part, “from growing up in Miami with educator parents who broke barriers during the 1960s to honing her voice as an oratory champion to performing improv and participating in pivotal student movements at Harvard to balancing the joys and demands of marriage and motherhood while advancing in Big Law – and, finally, to making history upon joining the nation’s highest court.”
Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson on “Lovely One,” her forthcoming book: “My hope is that the fullness of my journey as a daughter, sister, wife, mother, litigator, and friend will stand as a testament for young women, people of color, and dreamers everywhere ... especially those who nourish outsized ambitions and believe in the possibility of achieving them.” (Official photograph: Supreme Court photographer Fred Schilling, 2022.)
Jazz artist Cécile McLorin Salvant to perform on GPAC main stage TSD Newsroom Cécile McLorin Salvant, a critically acclaimed jazz singer and composer, has the Germantown Performing Arts Center (GPAC) excited about her upcoming concert. A 2020 MacArthur Genius and Doris Duke Artist Award recipient, Salvant will perform in the Duncan-Williams Performance Hall on February 9 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at the GPAC website or by calling the box office at 901-7517500. “Cécile is an incomparable performer,” said Paul Chandler, executive director of GPAC. “She connects with audiences on a deeper level, offering an intimate concert experience audiences won’t forget.” A three-time Grammy Award winner for Best Jazz Vocal Album, the multi-talented Salvant won the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition in 2010. With the release of her second album, “WomanChild,” she won four categories in the 2014 DownBeat Critics Poll: Jazz Album of the Year, Female Vocalist, Rising Star– Jazz Artist, and Rising Star–Female Vocalist. Her latest work, “Ogresse,” is a musical fable in the form of a cantata that blends genres. Salvant returns to the GPAC stage to share brand-new songs and arrangements alongside a talented group of young instrumentalists, each of them already a first-call player on the jazz circuit.
The billing for Cécile McLorin Salvant’s upcoming concert sets it up this way: “Salvant connects with all audiences with a passion for storytelling and unique ability to explore the connections between many genres of music.” (Courtesy photo) A must-see for jazz fans, Salvant connects with all audiences with a passion for storytelling and unique ability to explore
the connections between many genres of music.
(Find more about the concert, as well as the rest of Season 28, on the GPAC website and the GPAC Facebook Events Page.)
The New Tri-State Defender
January 19 - 25, 2023
ENTERTAINMENT
Page 7
COMMUNITY The New Tri-State Defender, January 19 - 25, 2023, Page 8
Opportunity R3 gearing up for next session by Paula Anderson
Special to The New Tri-State Defender
A city-sponsored program to help teenagers and young adults make career choices and, which also attracted the attention of the White House, recently held an information session for people, who could benefit from the program. The city of Memphis received $2.5 million in federal funding for Opportunity R3 under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Opportunity R3 helps young people ages 16-24 with career opportunities and work solutions. Last year, Ken Moody, special assistant to Mayor Jim Strickland and director of Community Affairs, and the mayor met with U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and representatives of the U.S. Department of Labor about the program’s concept. “Being invited to the White House with the mayor to share the successes of our R3 program is a testament to the administration’s commitment to proviading opportunities for young people. “These type programs will definitely be one of many initiatives to help our youth choose the right path instead of the wrong one,” said Moody. On Jan. 6, Moody’s office held an information session to assess and interview teens and youth about eligibility for the next cohort. On-site interviews were held at
the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library. The intake process consisted of asking questions related to career outlook and short term goals. Ken Prospective Moody candidates interviewed with Opportunity R3 program facilitators Tamika A. Williams and Mary Helen Sinclair. The next session starts Jan. 23. Participants will be divided into two groups of 16-18 years and 19-24 years. There is a three-week training session to build a rapport, make connections with other business professionals and learn about career and job opportunities. Project STAND, a program housed inside Memphis-Shelby County Schools, has referred alumni to Opportunity R3. Dr. Tarol P. Clements, manager at Project STAND, said, “The program started in 2017 with a $1.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to address juvenile justice. The program is designed to help students prepare to become college and career ready.” After graduating from Project STAND, advisors continue to work with graduates to ensure they are working or pursuing post-secondary
HCD accepting applications for neighborhood, community projects by Paula Anderson
Special to The New Tri-State Defender
Mary Helen Sinclair and Tamika A. Williams, Opportunity R3 program facilitators, conduct an interview with a prospective candidate. (Photo: Paula Anderson)
“These type programs will definitely be one of many initiatives to help our youth choose the right path instead of the wrong one.” — Ken Moody opportunities. “Opportunity R3 gives students (a chance) to job shadow, so students can obtain a real-life experience of what all duties and responsibilities come with the particular career,” said Tracy Gorea, Project STAND advisor. “Students do not know what the job entails and when they job shadow, they can determine what they would like to do careerwise.” Since 2017, Project STAND has graduated 753 students, Gorea said. Aaliyah Robinson, a Project STAND graduate, is a participant in Opportunity R3. The program had a huge impact on her life, and she was able to work on computer skills, build credit, and open a bank account. She was introduced to administra-
tive assistant work but realized that early childhood was her passion. Upcoming sessions for Opportunity R3 are: Teenagers 16-18 years old – Jan. 23-Feb. 18, Feb. 27-March 17, and April 10- April 28. Young adults 19-24 years old – Jan. 23-Feb. 10, Feb. 27-March 17, April 10-April 28. Each group will meet from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. five days a week and receive a stipend of $250 per week. With an increase in juvenile crime in Memphis over the last 12 months, the city of Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn “CJ” Davis is working in collaboration with the initiative. “Opportunity R3 is a great program that will provide education and guidance to young adults who want to make a difference. When we grow and invest in the younger generation, we create leaders that will thrive for years to come,” Davis said. (To learn more about the initiative, visit https://opportunity.memphistn.gov/opportunity-r3.) (Paula Anderson is a freelance business journalist. She can be reached at writingbydesign7@ gmail.com.)
Thank you! … The Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis (WFGM) in collaboration with FedEx and community partners distributed 1,350 backpacks filled with school supplies and other essentials to students at Springdale Elementary School, Booker T. Washington, LaRose Elementary and here at Cummings K-8 Optional Schools, where the gratitude was evident. (Photo: Gary S. Whitlow/ GSW Enterprises/ The New Tri-State Defender)
Annual International Tea for LOC …
Teamwork …
The 65th International Tea in support of LeMoyne-Owen College was held in conjunction with MLK observances at Memphis’ only HBCU. The International Tea was founded as a means to increase the faith community’s support for LOC and higher education. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley/The New Tri-State Defender)
The Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis partnered with Vance Avenue Youth Development Center, Lehman-Roberts, Lemoyne-Owen CDC, Youth Build and Score during an MLK Day of Service outing. (Photo: Jesse V. Johnson)
The City of Memphis Housing and Community Development (HCD) Division is taking applications for its neighborhood and community projects for fiscal year (FY) 2024. The deadline is 4 p.m. Jan 31. The Strategic Community Investment Fund (SCIF) provides opportunities for local nonprofit organizations to receive funding for various projects related to homelessness, community, and neighborhood development. “We are seeking projects focused on homelessness, beautification and neighborhoods,” Ashley Cash, director of the division for Housing and Ashley Community DeCash velopment said. “It is a competitive process and limited to 501 c3 nonprofit organizations,” said Cash. HCD’s Strategic Community Investment Fund (SCIF) has been in place yearly since 2008. The program was dormant until former HCD director, Paul Young, reactivated it in 2017, Cash said. “Applications are reviewed and evaluated by a community selective committee,” she said. “The committee consists of bankers, grant administrators and faith-based organizations.” There is a category of homelessness and special needs programs. Some of the grantees are Agape Family and Children’s Services, Alliance Healthcare Services, Catholic Charities of West Tennessee and Hospitality Hub. “Catholic Charities is the largest provider of permanent housing for our neighbors experiencing homelessness in the Memphis area, ending homelessness for over 600 people annually.” Kelley Henderson, executive director of Catholic Charities of West Tennessee, said, “Funding from the City of Memphis, through the SCIF, is critical for our efforts to end homelessness in the community. We are honored to steward these important tax dollars as an investment back into a community where neighbors can find help and hope when in need.” Jarad Bingham, strategic development lead with Hospitality Hub, added, “The Strategic Community Investment Fund allows Hospitality Hub’s Street Outreach to respond directly to the needs and experiences of Shelby County’s most vulnerable population. “Street Outreach meets people where they are — under literal bridges, behind buildings, in tree belts or creek bottoms in order to connect them with other SCIF agencies and programs. It helps bring people in every day.” The RISE Foundation, Junior League of Memphis, Service Over Self SOS)., World Relief Memphis, Alcy Ball, YMCA, NAACP Memphis ,Klondike Smokey City are recipients of the Neighborhood Partnership Grants. Each received $15,000 in grant funding. HCD’s Cash said the grantees will submit annual reports for an evaluation at the end of July 31, 2024. (To learn more about City of Memphis Housing and Community Development, visit https://www.memphistn. gov/government/housing-and-community-development.)
The New Tri-State Defender
NEWS
January 19 - 25, 2023
CLASSIFIEDS
LEGAL NOTICES PERSONAL PROPERTY PUBLIC NOTICE As required by Tennessee Code Annotated Section 67-5-903, the Shelby County Assessor will be mailing Tangible Personal Property Schedules to all active businesses within Shelby County on Friday, January 13, 2023. The filing deadline is March 1, 2023. Please call the Shelby County Assessor’s office at 901-222-7002, if you need assistance. 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: Tiereny Davis Tax Parcel #: 04005200000200 Tax Sale #: 1701 Price Offered: $3300.00 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 2:00 p.m. on February 17, 2023, 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
Coming through as needed … Congressman Steve Cohen on Wednesday at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, where he talked with hospital leaders about two new ambulances he was able to secure funding for through the congressional appropriations process. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley/The New Tri-State Defender)
TVA partnership awards $1 million in STEM grants to public schools TSD Newsroom The Tennessee Valley Authority, in partnership with Bicentennial Volunteers Inc., a TVA retiree organization, is awarding $1 million in grants to educators in public schools to develop science, technology, engineering, and math education projects across the Tennessee Valley. “TVA is focused on supporting clean-energy technologies and STEM education that helps today’s students develop the skills needed to work in these careers,” said Jeannette Mills, TVA executive vice president and chief external relations officer. “Innovation is the key to success, and it’s inspiring to contribute to the next generation’s visionaries.” The competitive STEM classroom grant program is operated in partnership with the Tennessee STEM Innovation Network managed by the
Battelle organization. The program received 458 grant applications this year, and 238 were selected for funding. This year, the program will support about 136,000 students across seven states with hands-on STEM activities. “This opportunity can make the difference for educators and students as they incorporate 21st-century skills and real-world problem-solving,” said Gretchen Brown. It is a privilege to work with this partnership year after year and continue to serve the incredible educators of the Tennessee Valley.” Grants are awarded in urban and rural areas to meet the diverse needs of local communities. Grants up to $5,000 were awarded in a competitive process, and preference was given to grant applications that explored TVA’s primary areas of focus: environment, energy,
economic development, and community problem-solving. Any school that receives their power from a local power company served by TVA was eligible to apply. Since 2018, TVA/BVI has provided nearly $5 million in STEM grants supporting nearly 600,000 students. “Supporting education and ensuring students have a solid STEM background is critical to our children’s future no matter what career path they take,” said TVA Public and Community Engagement Program Manager Trina Gallman. “I am proud of the partnerships we have built to help these educators inspire their students through the STEM activities this program will provide.” The list of grant recipients includes several from the Memphis area. For more information, visit www.tvastem. com.
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: Juanita Junette Martinez and Octavio Aguilar Tax Parcel #: 06904700000170 Tax Sale #: 1401 Price Offered: $1500.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10)
Page 9
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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 10:30 a.m. on February 17, 2023, 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: Chinna Prude-Anderson Tax Parcel #: 05002300000160 Tax Sale #: 1703 Price Offered: $12500.00 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 10:00 a.m. on February 17, 2023, 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 prospec-
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tive 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: Chinna Prude-Anderson Tax Parcel #: 05003800000270 Tax Sale #: 1703 Price Offered: $7,400.00 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 17, 2023, 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
SPORTS
The New Tri-State Defender, January 19 - 25, 2023, Page 10
Make that 10 straight as Grizzlies deliver payback to the Suns by Terry Davis
Special to The New Tri-State Defender
It’s not a good look for a team with NBA championship aspirations to have visitors beat you down by 17 points on your home court. When it happens, the focus should be on restoring order the next time that team comes around. Smacked 125108 by Phoenix on Dec. 28, the Memphis Grizzlies answered the Suns’ challenge during Monday’s annual MLK Day game, running Terry them out of FeDavis dExForum with a 136-106 reversal of fortune. The 10th straight Memphis win was its 18th at FedExForum in 21 games this season and lifted the Grizzlies (30-13) back into a tie with Denver for the Western Conference lead. “Just one day at a time,” said Memphis head coach Taylor Jenkins. “I’m proud of the guys. I challenged them before the game to have the right mentality, urgency and physicality against this team that came into our building a couple of weeks ago and punked us.” In the earlier loss against Phoenix, which followed Memphis’ 125-100 drubbing of the Suns less than a week before, the Grizzlies fell to a team without All-Star Devin Brooker and largely powered that night by Duane Washington Jr., a second-year, twoway guard, who scored a career-high 26 points. “I thought we didn’t come out with urgency, physicality, mentality to start the first quarter (on Monday) and then progressively got better: 36 points for the Suns (in the first quarter), 29 (in the second quarter), 23 (in the third quarter), 18 (in the fourth quarter). Especially in that second half, we started locking down,” Jenkins said. Ja Morant, Memphis’ pacesetting offensive force, said the team’s defensive mindset was fundamental to its winning streak. “I felt like we’ve been very consistent. Obviously, we have some defensive matches in the game and here’s where teams pretty much get what they want, but once we lock in defensively, we’re a pretty tough team to
Phoenix’ Deandre Ayton (left) and Memphis’ Dillon Brooks were the message of the day during the Suns-Grizzlies matchup in the MLK Day game at FedExForum. (Photos: Warren Roseborough/The New Tri-State Defender)
Dillon Brooks (left) and Ja Morant double team Mikal Bridges of the Suns and steal the ball. (Photo: Warren Roseborough/The New Tri-State Defender) beat,” said Morant. “With all the scoring we got around this team, offense is pretty much not the problem. We really don’t focus on offense too much. We’re defensive-minded first, and once we get stops, it opens up everything for us, transition and offensively.” Memphis scored the first two points of the game before the Suns dominated, leading by 11 points (36-25) with a minute-plus to go in the first quarter. The second unit led by Tyus Jones and Brandon Clarke steadied the Grizzlies, who trailed by seven at the break. “We take pride in it (bench production,” said Santi Aldama, who had six points and five rebounds in 22 minutes off the bench. “We have to match the energy or exceed what the first unit does. It was a weird first half. They punched first and then we came back.” The bench scored 44 points. Reserve point guard Tyus Jones had 10 points, eight assists and five rebounds in 21 minutes. “That is what a great team is all about. It is not always about what the first unit does. There are going to be nights when the second unit has to pick it up. We take pride in that,” Jones said. With 2:10 left in the first half, the Grizzlies led the Suns 64-58. Morant had 11 of his 29 points in the second quarter and Memphis led at halftime
68-65. The Suns could not match the energy or the Grizzlies’ talent in the third quarter. Memphis ballooned its lead to 37 points and led by 19 (107-88) going into the fourth quarter. Morant did not play in the final quarter. With less than five minutes to play, the Grizzlies emptied their bench. Asked if the team play was playing with more confidence this season, Morant said, “No, we always had confidence; last year and the year before, same thing. Just gelling as a unit, getting to know guys. “Chemistry is getting better. That’s pretty much it, man. Nothing has really changed for us; just having that experience, having the past two years, what we learned throughout the whole season and last year’s season; just taking it into this season. “There are bumps in the road, but we know we can turn a page really fast, and that’s what we’re doing.” Mikal Bridges led Phoenix with 21 points and 7 assists. Deandre Ayton had 18 points and 5 rebounds. The Suns turned the ball over 15 times. The Grizzlies’ backcourt was formidable. Morant had seven assists to go with his 29 points. Desmond Bane had 28 points and six assists. They combined on eight three-pointers. Jaren Jackson Jr. had 18 points, eight rebounds and six blocked shots. Brandon Clarke had 13 points off the bench and a monstrous dunk.
The Earl Lloyd Sports Symposium honoring the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther Jr. was held at the FedexForum before the MLK Day game between the Grizzlies and the Suns. This year’s honorees were: Gary Payton, Luol Deng, Nancy Lieberman and Eddie George. Pictured far left is the moderator, play-by-play TV announcer for the Grizzlies, Pete Pranika.
MLK Day: the game and more by Terry Davis
Special to The New Tri-State Defender
In Memphis as his Suns played the Grizzlies in the annual MLK Day game, Phoenix head coach Monty Williams put playing on MLK Day into this context: “I think it’s really cool for us. I hope it’s cool for younger players, who may have only heard about Dr. King or read something about him in school; may not have had the experience of relatives, like I did, telling me about what it was like to live in a society where you weren’t treated well.” Today’s young players are growing up dealing with situations such as the police killing of George
Floyd and “other situations that are just as heinous,” he said. “I’m not quite sure they have the experience like I did of having a grandfather who knew what it was like to watch Dr. King and look up to Dr. King and have family members who looked up to people like Dr. King, not just him, white and black, who crossed bridges, held signs and sacrificed a lot for someone like me to be in this position.” So, said Williams, “I think days like today allow for these younger guys to put videos to the experience and all the stories, and hopefully it creates for them the backbone and the wherewithal to stand up when they see things that aren’t right in society.”
Bidding for the All-Star game by Terry Davis
Special to The New Tri-State Defender
Pencil in Ja Morant. He’s a “shoein” to make the 2023 NBA All-Star game. But will the Grizzlies be represented by one or more others? Now past the midway of the NBA season, the push is on for multiple members of the Memphis franchise. With the recent success of the team, the clamor for multiple selections has increased. Last year, Morant was selected by the fans to appear in his first All-Star game. This year, it appears that Morant may not be voted in by the fans, however, his rising star status makes him a virtual lock as an add-on. Several other members of the Grizzlies are in the mix of possibilities for an appearance in this year’s game in Salt Lake City. If the Grizzlies are in first place in
the Western Conference on February 6, head coach Taylor Jenkins and his staff will be coaching one of the teams. The Grizzlies are in a neck-toneck battle with the Denver Nuggets for the best record in the West. Each has a five-game advantage over the third-place team, with less than 10 games before the cutoff. “I am not focused on that,” Jenkins said. “I just want the team to get better. I am blessed. I have been fortunate enough to coach in that game when I was with the (Atlanta) Hawks. It’s a great moment to celebrate your team. It would be special of course, but it don’t motivate me.” Jaren Jackson Jr., the self-described “Block Panther,” missed the first 16 games of the season. Since his return, he is among the leading contenders for Defensive Player of the Year. Among the leaders in total blocked shots (88), Jackson, who was named to the First All-Defense team
Taylor Jenkins has the Grizzlies hovering at the top of the Western Conference. last season, has averaged 3.8 blocks per game. He is averaging 16.6 points per game and 6.8 rebounds per game. At the last All-Star game, Desmond Bane – among the best longrange shooters in the league – participated in the three-point shooting. He is averaging 42.4 percent from
A consistent threat from the three-point line, Desmond Bane has developed his ability to score in the paint.
Jaren Jackson Jr., the self-described “Block Panther,” is now a consistent inside force on offense. (Photos: Warren Roseborough/The New TriState Defender)
deep three-point but his All-Star status is hampered by having missed 20 games because of a toe injury. He is averaging 21.7 points per game. Long shots to make it to the Rookie game are Santi Aldama, with 9.5 points per game, and rookie David Roddy (6.6 points). Asked who should be making the trip to Salt Lake City, Morant – with conviction – simply said, “Jaren and Des.”
Jenkins added to that list. “I would go with more than two or three. Seeing how Des started off the season. What DB (Dillion Brooks) has done for us. Whether it is All-Star or All-NBA, what JJ (Jackson) … has done for us defensively. “We have a lot of guys with platform qualities. Our guys are not driven by individual accolades. That will come in time. They are focused on team wins and team success.”