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March 10 - 16, 2022
VOL. 71, No. 10
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African-American business women spell out challenges to Treasury official U.S. Deputy Secretary visits on International Women’s Day by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell
Special to The New Tri-State Defender
U.S. Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Adewale “Wally” Adeyemo Tuesday (March 8) praised the “creative and innovative” spirit of African-American female entrepreneurs during a luncheon in Memphis on International Women’s History Day. Engaging with African-American women business owner, Adeyemo lauded the entrepreneurs during
what he called a great time to recognize the valuable contributions of Black women. “It takes strength and lots of creativity to build a business from nothing,” said Adeyemo. “You and women all over this country are carving out a place for yourselves in business. It is an honor to be here with you on International Women’s History Day.” Adeyemo asked each woman to talk about their businesses and the challenges faced during the global
The Four Way Restaurant served as the venue on Tuesday for an International Women’s Day luncheon that put U.S. Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Adewale “Wally” Adeyemo in a position to hear from African-American women who own businesses, including Patrice Thompson (third from right), the restaurant’s owner. (Photo: Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell/The New Tri-State Defender) pandemic and beyond. “Since women have been included in that small and minority business designation, majority business owners started listing their wives or daughters as the actual business owner,” said Jennifer Ransom, owner of The Ransomed Group construction company. “They are already receiving 98 percent of the
contracts. This is terribly unfair.” Ransom also blasted what she called Memphis’ “good ole boy network,” explaining how difficult a time she is having opening a line of credit through a bank. “I have either not accepted work or lost large contracts we’ve already
Special to The New Tri-State Defender
SEE WEEK ON PAGE 2
SEE LAMAR ON PAGE 2
Special to The New Tri-State Defender
Slim + Husky’s was a place of choice for these customers during Memphis Black Restaurant Week 2022, which continues through Saturday (March 12). (Photo: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises/ The New Tri-State Defender) Week, then we’re all kind of missing the point,” Daniels said. “Sharing a meal together brings people together. It always has. When dollars are spent in the Black business community, everyone wins. Supporting Black restaurants is something we can all get behind.” Sherry Lewis said her family started the week off eating at one of their favorite restaurants after church.
by Erica R. Williams
“During the week, we’re all working and going in so many different directions,” said Lewis. “My two daughters and their children always eat with my husband and I on Sunday. “We went to Evelyn and Olive in Midtown this past Sunday. We usually go to Piccadilly’s because it’s
by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell
gle of establishments struggling to keep their doors open.” Daniels is thrilled that Memphians have come to embrace Black Restaurant Week, not just African Americans. She also hopes people of all communities make an “intentional effort” to support “black restaurants” all year round. “If we only go and eat at Black restaurants during Black Restaurant
For new Sen. London Lamar, a trio of issues remain the priority Former State Rep. London Lamar (D-Memphis) is settling into her new role after assuming the District 33 senate seat as the youngest woman and African American to serve in the Tennessee Senate. The former District 91 representative was sworn into the interim senator role on Tuesday – days after being appointed by the Shelby County Commission. Lamar, 31, was appointed March 3 to complete the term vacated by Katrina Robinson, who was ousted from the position earlier this year following a federal fraud conviction. For Sen. Lamar, much of the District 33 territory is familiar as it overlaps with the district she served after joining the Tennessee legislature in 2018. She will serve in the interim role until the November 8 election and has pulled a petition to run for the four-year term. The New Tri-State Defender spoke with Lamar about her work in the House, and how she plans to elevate her platform of building “strong schools, healthy families, and safe communities” in the state Senate. TSD: You were … serving your second term in the House of Representatives. Why did you choose to make the move to fill the interim senate seat? Sen. London Lamar: With part of my former house district overlapping with this district, I felt it would be appropriate to offer myself for the position, to not only give many of the constituents someone they are familiar with, but to ensure that they have good representation here in the Senate to continue advocating for the issues that are important to this community. And these are also issues that we can work on both sides of the aisle here in the state capitol to get things done. I believe that if we prioritize the three issues I’m advocating for— strong schools, healthy families and safe communities—then the district
SEE BUSINESS ON PAGE 2
All-year-round resolve resonates during Memphis Black Restaurant Week The 7th Annual Memphis Black Restaurant Week is off to a great start and preliminary reports indicate that participating eateries are winning big in 2022. “I love to go out to the restaurants and check things out for myself,” said Cynthia Daniels, the event’s creator. “People have missed dining out with loved ones and friends over the past two years. “Couples and families with children are coming out to enjoy a meal together. Restrictions of the pandemic have lifted, and there seems to be a sense of celebration. What better way to celebrate than to dine out with those you love?” The event has become part of the Memphis fabric. This year’s Memphis Black Restaurant Week began Sunday (March 6) and ends Saturday (March 12). Cynthia “Memphis is a Daniels wonderful city, full of promise and potential,” Daniels said. “Sure, we have our problems. Every big city does. But seven years ago when I started, I envisioned what the week could become. “It is thrilling to see it grow so quickly. That first year, I had eight participating restaurants. This year, I have 28, despite the very real strug-
Sen. London Lamar will represent District 33 from this desk on the floor of the Tennessee Senate. (Courtesy)
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The New Tri-State Defender
BUSINESS
LAMAR
committed to because we could not purchase the necessary materials,” said Ransom. She continued, “We had a very large contract which required the acquisition of $1 million worth of materials. Obviously, I had to open a line of credit, but I couldn’t open one large enough, so we lost the contract.” Adeyemo promised Ransom and the other women that help was on the way. “In the next few weeks, $2 trillion will be infused into the economy,” said Adeyemo. “You may go to those institutions and apply for funds. These loans will provide support for your businesses.” (The funds are being provided through The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, which has also been called the COVID-19 Stimulus Package.) Alandas Dobbins said her company, Oteka Technologies, has faced similar challenges. “There really is a good, ole boys’ network,” said Dobbins. “Larger, more lucrative contracts continue to go to the same people. Even with small business set-asides, the contracts are awarded to white women who are listed as owners. “No one is monitoring this practice of listing a wife or other female relative as the owner.” Adeyemo initially came to Memphis to commend Shelby County’s Emergency Rental Assistance program and how it has helped county residents stay in their homes. The Treasury official said Memphis and Shelby County have worked together to build one of the strongest eviction diversion programs in the country. “It is our job to make sure families facing eviction are getting real help,” said Dorcas Young Griffin, director of the county’s Division of Community Services. “We want to keep families from losing their homes, as well as use these federal dollars as efficiently and as effectively as possible. We appreciate Deputy Secretary Adeyemo for recognizing the hard work of everyone involved.” Downtown Memphis Commission President Paul Young organized the luncheon as a tribute to International Women’s Day. “I felt these women have done an outstanding job working to build their businesses,” said Young. “I know I head a Downtown entity, but we want to lend support where we can so that these women-owned businesses will not only stay alive, but also thrive and flourish in a very difficult economy. “We want all of Memphis to thrive economically. Small businesses need our support.” March 8 has been International Women’s Day since 1914. The United Nations first recognized International Women’s Day in 1975. The month of March was designated National Women’s History Month in 1957 when women from various New York City factories protested poor working conditions.
will continue to be in a strong position.
CONTINUED FROM FRONT
March 10 - 16, 2022
Page 2
NEWS
CONTINUED FROM FRONT
TSD: Because of the redistricting plan approved by the General Assembly earlier this year, you and fellow Democrat Rep. Torrey Harris would have been running in the same seat. How do you think you shifting gears and running for senate will impact the race for District 91? Sen. Lamar: I want to be very clear that I did not go for this appointment to solve the redistricting issue, because Rep. Harris and I were drawn into the same district. I ran for this seat because I was the most formidable candidate to take on the work and continue the work in the state capitol, and again to advocate for those issues that I’ve previously mentioned. It just so happened that by making the decision, it also provides an opportunity to resolve the redistricting issue Rep. Harris and I were faced with. So, it’s just a two-for-one win. TSD: You’ve gotten several pieces of legislation passed since taking office four years ago—comprehensive legislation focused on a large array of issues including human trafficking, maternal health, and even assistance for pregnant HOPE Scholarship recipients. Which are you most proud of? Sen. Lamar: Although I am proud of all of them, I am probably most proud of the work I’ve done around maternal health. Because not only have I worked around maternal health advocacy prior to entering the legislature, but also bringing my personal story as well and the stories of the mothers in my community, makes me feel very proud. TSD: Education is a hot button topic in Tennessee right now, from the Basic Education Program (BEP) funding formula to school vouchers. What would you say are the issues surrounding education that should be prioritized right now? Sen. Lamar: Right now, the biggest focus is the BEP funding. And
A member of the Tennessee General Assembly since 2018, former state Rep. London Lamar recently was sworn in to represent Sen. District 33 until the November election for which she already has pulled a petition to seek a four-year term. (Courtesy photo) there are some good things in it; but there are also some things that we have some concerns about. The biggest thing that we need to pay attention to is the burden on local government. In the formula, initially we saw that there is a lot more money allocated to solve issues and provide more wraparound services and funding for students; but much of that funding tapers off in the first couple of years and the burden of the responsibility will be put on local government. All local governments across the state of Tennessee have a different capacity to fund schools. Because of this, it will probably lead to raising taxes on citizens to make up for the cost difference. So, what we don’t want is to put more tax burden on our citizens. We want to advocate that the state should be consistent in its allocation of funding to local government. TSD: There may be many citizens who don’t understand the full extent of the governor’s proposed BEP plan. What do you plan to do to ensure your constituents are aware of the
nuisances of this bill? Sen. Lamar: We are working with our research analysts and our attorneys to really dissect this bill piece by piece. It was just introduced to us not too long ago and it’s a big bill. So, we are combing through it right now, and what we want to do is take our time on this because this is monumental. And that’s one of the biggest responsibilities that we have to our students, teachers, and school systems. We will be communicating soon our position on this piece of legislation based on how we are coming together as a Caucus. I would tell my constituents to stay tuned. As we get more information, we will provide them with that information. TSD: You’re working on getting a gun violence prevention bill passed. What impact do you think it can have on curtailing crime, specifically in Memphis? Sen. Lamar: My bill was to create a multi-agency approach to gun crime and prevention; and it’s getting
WEEK
CONTINUED FROM FRONT
The Genre at 200 Poplar Avenue is one of the 28 eateries participating in Memphis Black Restaurant Week 2022. (Photo: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises/The New Tri-State Defender)
convenient, but I realize the importance of spending our money at Black restaurants, too …” Lewis said she’s taking a couple of days off from cooking and ordering in from restaurants the family has not tried yet. She printed off a list of the 28 restaurants being featured this week. “I don’t want to forget to spend money at these restaurants when the week is over,” said Lewis. “We’re going to eat out and order pick up for dinner anyway, and we want our children and grandchildren to see us supporting Black businesses. That’s important.”
a little opposition on the other side of the aisle. But I’ve always said that we should not put the full burden and responsibility to solve violent crime on local law enforcement alone. We are going to have to bring in more agencies to come up with more preventative measures, like conflict resolution training, creating job opportunities, and distracting youth from getting involved in violent crime. We have to be sure we are tackling some of the root causes of violent crime. TSD: Your interim term ends Nov. 8, but you will be running to maintain the seat. What is your primary focus before the legislative session concludes in a few weeks? Sen. Lamar: Really, the same things I was already focusing on, and what I think this district needs— strong schools, healthy families, and safe communities. My goal is to come into this role and work with both Democrats and Republicans on the pieces of legislation concerning those issues that are going to help our community.
Daniels said the last six years have yielded the event more than $2 million in restaurant receipts and added revenue. “Restaurant owners are paying attention to who is coming in and who is calling for a pickup order,” said Daniels. “They all pretty much say the same thing: Every year, they try to convert new customers to regular customers. “Meanwhile, they are making revenue to get them through the lean times over the rest of the year. We are looking for a big year in receipts when the accounting is all done for 2022.” For a complete list of the 28 participating restaurants in Memphis Black Restaurant Week 2022, go to: www. blackrestaurantweek.com.
The New Tri-State Defender
March 10 - 16, 2022
Page 3
NEWS
Women’s History Month: Women in Business – Part 2 by Candace A. Gray
Special to The New Tri-State Defender
If you’re like me, you remember your grandmother hand-churning ice cream on the back porch in the summer. There was nothing better than that sweet, cold treat on a hot Memphis summer day. Black women are known for making things and making things happen. Brenae Cole, owner of Waffle Cream, made hit records before making it happen in the ice cream business. She soon plans to make her own ice cream, like Cincinnati-based Chef Liz Rogers, who was, less than a year ago, lauded as the first African-American female ice cream mass manufacturer in the United States for establishing Creamalicious. Check out this sweet story! TSD: What type of business do you own? Brenae Cole: I own an ice cream shop where we serve waffles and ice cream, milkshakes and specialty flavored cones. TSD: How long have you been in business for yourself? BC: We started out as a food truck in 2017 and we opened a storefront in August of 2020. TSD: How many employees do you have? BC: Seven employees TSD: What was your inspiration for going into ice cream and starting your business? BC: This is a fun story! So, I used to be in the music industry, as a piano player (with South Soul Rhythm Section) and later a recording engineer (at One Sound Studio, owned by my husband). We first started making music in our dorm rooms at the University of Tennessee at Martin. We loved making people happy and spreading joy through music, helping people make their dreams come true. Fast forward to 2016, I engineered the “Hit the Quan” and it went Platinum! I thought, let me use money from that and do something lighter and less stressful, or so I thought, so I chose ice cream! It’s fun, makes everyone happy and smile. I loved ice cream as a kid, and even though I’m lactose intolerant, I wanted to use ice cream (instead of music) to make people happy! (I recently went to Scoop School in St. Louis, so soon I’ll start making ice cream, including dairy-free, lactose-free and sugar-free.) I even incorporated music
Brenae Cole
AT A GLANCE Business Waffle Cream
Name:
Owner’s Brenae Cole
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into the menu. A lot of the menu items are named after popular songs, like Strawberry Letter 23, an homage to The Brothers Johnson. TSD: What challenges have you faced in your industry and being a business owner, and how have you risen above them? BC: First challenge: Opening during COVID. I had to learn new laws, decide to mask or not mask and delayed opening for months. It was tough. Second challenge: Transitioning from music to owning a food service. I had to learn the business, so I took business classes and ice cream classes. Third challenge: The seasonality of ice cream. There is a lull November to mid-February, sometimes the first of March. So, we incorporated a hot cocoa during those months this year. Last season it was terrible. I still had to pay employees, insurance and other bills. But I was smarter for winter 2021, and started saving, planning and watching my spending. A couple of the students I had working for me went back to college, so that worked out well, too. TSD: As a wife and a mother, and now a business owner, how do you balance it all? BC: Scheduling has saved my life and my business. At first, I was all over the place. When I first opened, I would work before the shop opened and wouldn’t get home until late. Now I have more employees to help me and due to planning and scheduling, my
Waffle Cream owner Brenae Cole loved ice cream as a kid, and even though she is lactose intolerant, Cole decided to use ice cream to make people happy! (Courtesy photos) life now runs seamlessly. I’m a procrastinator, as well, so I had to learn to stay on top of things. Thankfully, my family works with the business, my husband, daughter, mom and my siblings, too. Their support helps me keep it together. TSD: What impact does your business have or do you hope it will have in the future? On your family, community, etc. BC: As far as family goes, everyone strives to create generational wealth; to have something your children can have to always fall back on. I wanted to show my daughter she can do anything – she can be in music, she can own an ice cream shop, she can be president! In terms of the community, I love working with youth and showing them “You can do this as well.” Sometimes I take my employees out to dinner because many of them have never been to a nice restaurant, and I teach them appropriate behavior, etiquette, etc. The shop gives me an opportunity to be a mentor to our youth and hopefully inspire them to do something similar one day. TSD: What advice do you have for someone who might be interested in entering your field? BC: Research and pray! Pray with anything you do, but mostly do your research. I think ice cream is a great field to get into, especially in the summer. TSD: What advice do you have for other Black business owner hopefuls?
BC: 1. Network. There are so many other people who have so much more knowledge, whether it’s someone in banking or marketing or website design. 2. Get around other people who are like-minded and have the same ambition that you do. 3. Pray. 4. Don’t give up, no matter what. Sometimes it gets hard and you think you won’t make it. But they say things get harder when you’re closest to your goal. So, stick with it! TSD: If you weren’t doing this, what else would you be doing?
BC: Well, music is a given. But I would probably be teaching high school students English or something. I’d probably give it a shot. I have a degree in English – I would put that degree to work. TSD: What professional accomplishment or major milestone are you most proud of? BC: I am most proud of just opening the ice cream shop. Going from a truck/trailer vendor to opening the shop is truly amazing to me. And, we are looking to open another shop in Desoto County very soon. That will be amazing as well.
TSD: Anything else you’d like to add? BC: I just want to speak about my family for a moment – I have an extremely supportive family. All of my (two older) brothers and (two younger) sisters and my mom – they were all there on opening day working as my staff. I am so grateful for their support. And I get a lot of creativity from my mom. We can’t wait to see you at Waffle Cream – 999 Cooper Street, Suite 103, 38104. Hours: Tuesday – Friday: 1 p.m.-7 p.m.; Saturdays: 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.; closed on Sunday/ Monday. Follow us on social media at @ilovewafflecream.
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PERSPECTIVE The New Tri-State Defender, March 10 - 16, 2022, Page 4
Is truth-in-sentencing a needed piece in solving Tennessee’s violent-crime puzzle? TSD Newsroom
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ennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton’s advice to any violent crime perpetrator now on the street: “I would go turn myself in today before we pass this bill. Because when we pass this bill, you are going to be doing 100 percent (of your time).” The bill is a so-called truth-in-sentencing measure being maneuvered through the Tennessee General Assembly by Sexton and other supporting legislators. His ongoing support and determination put him on stage in Memphis last Thursday (March 3). Alongside Sexton (R-Crossville) at the Airways Precinct, 2234 Truitt, was Mayor Jim Strickland, Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn “CJ” Davis, Shelby County District Atty. Amy Weirich and Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner Jr. Republican Gov. Bill Lee’s signature would be needed to make any such bill embraced by legislators into state law. Lee, too, was in Memphis on Thursday talking about support for fighting crime in Memphis but he wasn’t part of the Sexton appearance. Instead, Lee’s focus included meeting with Davis and Col. Matt Perry, who guides the Tennessee Highway Patrol and who once oversaw the Memphis District as Major over the Field Operations West Bureau. He has not embraced the truth-in-sentencing legislation, maintaining a repeated refrain that he doesn’t look at the details of legislation until it makes it a lot closer to his desk. Taking to social media after conferring with Davis and Perry, Lee said, “We talked about partnership. We talked about the state’s investment in recruitment and retention and training (of law enforcement officers). And we talked about 20 new Highway Patrol Officers that we will put in Shelby County to assist the Memphis Police Department in their efforts to fight crime.” Accounting for differing viewpoints, the need for solution results relative to the problem of crime – particularly violent crime – is shared across multiple group boundaries. Memphis is coming off of another record-breaking year of homicides and the killing largely goes on unabated in 2022. And, children are not being spared. At the Memphis press conference, Sexton said the pending truth-in-sentencing legislation, which in its current form would make for longer sentences for 24 felonies, would ensure those violent criminals be required to serve all of their time. “Violent criminals laugh at the sentences they get because they know just how much time they will actually have to serve,” said Sexton. “They hate to be tried in federal court because in federal court, when you are given 20 years, you will serve all 20 of those years.” However, data does not support truth-in-sentencing as an automatic, slamdunk clamp on the spread of violent crime. In brief remarks at the Thursday gathering, Weirich said, “We need truth-in-sentencing to keep violent criminals off the streets for longer periods of time. … This will have a tremendous impact on crime in Shelby County. Victims of violent crime
Shelby County District Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich voicing support for the pending truth-in-sentencing legislation. (Photo: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises/The New Tri-State Defender)
With Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland (right) among the local officials at the Airways Police Precinct, Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville) fields a media question while promoting the truth-in-sending bill that he is the primary sponsor of in the House. (Photo: Gary S. Whitlow/ GSW Enterprises/The New Tri-State Defender)
“Partnership, investment in law enforcement today is the way to improve crime in our states and that’s what we are committed to do.” — Gov. Bill Lee deserve truth-in-sentencing.” As the push for a truth-in-sentencing law has evolved, Weirich also has maintained that such a law would bring a measure of fairness to criminal perpetrators as well, saying they and their victims warrant clear and easy-to-understand sentencing laws. Bonner did not speak at the press conference. Strickland reportedly met with Lee on Wednesday. On stage with Sexton, he said the City of Memphis was grateful for the Lee administration’s investment of funds for more law enforcement training and recruitment and for “putting 20 dedicated Tennessee Highway Patrol officers in his budget for Shelby County. “This will make our interstates safer and allow Memphis police officers to focus more on city streets.” Calling violent crime a Memphis plague that he and most citizens are tired of, Strickland reiterated some of his recurring points. Among them were: there is no quick fix, the need for more and enhanced services for “those who have paid their debt to society,” increased opportunities for young people” and the funding of universal, need-based Pre-K for the first time in the city’s history.
Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn “CJ” Davis makes reference to violent crime victims who might not have become victims had there been legislation such as that being considered by the Tennessee General Assembly. Also pictured: Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner Jr. (left) and Mayor Jim Strickland.) (Photo: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises/The New Tri-State Defender) He also touted expungement efforts and the recent funding of what he called a comprehensive and collaborative gun violence prevention program directly aimed at interrupting “the cycle of violent crime” and which mirrors best practices in other cities. Equally important to those efforts, he said, and “a key piece to the puzzle, we must have consequences for those who commit violent acts in our community. Statistics show stiffer-sentencing laws work….” Davis said a truth-in-sentencing law would be “another layer of assistance that we need as we fight crime every day. Our officers arrest individuals over and over again. “Those individuals, especially those who commit violent crimes, many times it’s not one or two violent crimes that they have
committed before, it is 10, 15, 20, 30.” Still, during his Memphis stop, Lee said this: “Partnership, investment in law enforcement today is the way to improve crime in our states and that’s what we are committed to do.” Moving through the Tennessee General Assembly as Senate Bill 2248-House Bill 2656, the pending legislation carried a fiscal note of $40.7 million for incarceration as of Feb. 13. State Rep. Antonio Parkinson, who represents District 98 in Memphis and also serves as chairman of the Tennessee Black Caucus of State Legislators, said, “We applaud reducing violent crime in our state. It would have more effect, however, if all parties had input though.” (This story reflects a report by TSD contributor Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell.)
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The New Tri-State Defender
March 10 - 16, 2022
RELIGION
Page 5
Flashes of faith “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” – The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The Rev. E. Allen Redwell Jr. (center) celebrated his fifth anniversary as pastor of St. Mark Baptist Church in Drummonds, Tennessee last Sunday (March 6). The guest speaker was Dr. William McKinley Jackson (left) of Samaria Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley/The New Tri-State Defender) The Rev. Davis was the featured speaker during the Tuesday (March 8) meeting of the Memphis Black Ministers Association. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley/The New Tri-State Defender)
The Annual Friends and Black History Month Program at Greater New Bethel Church, 316 George Rd., showcased Pastor Vernon Horner during this faith-filled moment (Feb. 27). (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley/The New Tri-State Defender)
Members of the Memphis Black Ministers Association weighed in on continuing community concerns about health and safety after 400-plus Family Dollar stores were closed in six states across the Mid-South. Decaying rodents and dead birds with copious droppings all over the facility prompted immediate retail closings. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a scathing report from an inspection concluded on Feb. 11. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley/The New Tri-State Defender)
The Black History Month Program held at Pentecostal Temple Church of God in Christ yield these faith-inspired reflections. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley/The New Tri-State Defender)
The New Tri-State Defender, March 10 - 16, 2022, Page 6
AKAs pack pajama power into regional conference
Jaz’s Jammies founder Jasmine “Jaz” is a filmmaker. Her first featurelength documentary — “More Than Skin Deep” — chronicles survivors of a rare vascular birth defect, arteriovenous malformation, for which she has had nearly 40 surgeries. (Photo: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises/The New TriState Defender)
TSD Newsroom As the pink and green colors of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. began to envelop Downtown Memphis last week, arrivals for the 90th South Eastern Regional Conference came packing special pajamas, with the sorority’s historic focus on community service in mind. Specifically, the sorority marshaled its considerable forces – in collaboration with the non-profit Jaz’s Jammies, Inc. – to add to the comfort of children under the care of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital. Providing context, South Eastern Regional Director Mitzi Dease Paige said the AKAs who gathered in Memphis hailed from Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee. All embrace the sororities motto: “Service to mankind.” “So, wherever we go, wherever our conferences are, we render service,” said Paige. “One of service projects this year was
The collaboration between Jaz’s Jammies and the AKA South Eastern Regional Conference yielded a bounty for children at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital and St. Jude Children’s Hospital. (Photo: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises/The New Tri-State Defender) partnering with Jaz’s Jammies Foundation. We asked all of our members to bring at least one pair of pajamas with them.
“We have over 6,000 registered attendees and we are excited to be rendering service because these pajamas will be given to St. Jude
and Le Bonheur hospitals to be given to the children that are in the hospital.” Memphis native Jasmine Gray
founded Jaz’s Jammies in 2006, the year she graduated Summa Cum Laude from Germantown High School. Originally a Mitzi Dease Girl Scout Paige Gold Award project, the non-profit has collected 5,000-pairs of new pajamas since then – and counting. Gray said Jaz’s Jammies was honored to partner with AKA, Inc. to donate the pajamas. “Children – for no fault of their own – are in hospitals sick outside of their normal environments,” said Gray, “and it is an honor to be able to bless them with a source of comfort and love through new pajamas.” The AKA 90th South Eastern Regional Conference extended from March 1 through March 6.
Regional conference rolls AKAs ‘Down the River with Excellence’ by Brianna Smith-Herman
Special to The New Tri-State Defender
The ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated welcomed its sorority members and guests to paint Memphis pink and green. The sorority celebrated its 90th South Eastern Regional Conference, titled “The Grand Finale, Rolling Down the River with Excellence” March 1-6. While the COVID-19 pandemic has restricted how the public and organizations have gathered over the past two years, the AKAs were excited to reconnect safely face to face with all the Perpetual Pearls of the South Eastern Region at Downtown’s Renasant Convention Center. Because of the pandemic, the last AKA South Eastern regional conference was held in 2019 in Knoxville. This year’s conference drew about 6,000 sorority members. It was one of the largest events held at the Renasant Convention Center since its $220 million dollar renovation. Local AKA members hosted Pre-Conference Day activities, March 1-2. “We wanted to give our sorors the opportunity to kick the week off early and see Memphis as never before,” said Toni Wallace Franklin, the 90th South Eastern Regional Conference chairperson. The ladies commenced with the International Target Day filled with service initiatives to focus on the sorority’s five targets and
The Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.’s 90th South Eastern Regional Conference, with 6,000 registrants, had a six-day run in the Bluff City. (Photo: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises/ The New Tri-State Defender)
Attendees at the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.’s 90th South Eastern Regional Conference were from three states: Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee. (Photo: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises/The New Tri-State Defender) concluded the pre-conference activities by toasting and giving recognition to the South Eastern leaders with a Strawberry Chocolate Champagne Reception and Leadership Dinner.
South Eastern Regional Director Mitzi Dease Paige (center) frames this moment with sorors. (Courtesy photo)
“This celebration was a wonderful way to honor our region and the outstanding leadership for the last four years,” Franklin said. The first day of the conference began March 3 and consisted of
the EAF/Sisterhood Luncheon, a SER Day party and personal development workshops. The public was invited to participate in the excitement as the ladies of AKA honored communi-
The 90th South Eastern Regional Conference in Memphis created myriad images such as this. (Courtesy photo) ty leaders and concluded the night with an evening of fun as the Hernando de Soto Bridge lit up, to paint the city pink and green. The week was filled with activities to nourish the soul with mindfulness, positive thinking and intentional self-care. The sorority also celebrated their legacies during the Legacy Breakfast, which honored their Diamond, Pearl, Golden and Silver Sorors. “I am truly grateful for our South Eastern Conference Team, consisting of Soror Toni Franklin, Soror Margaret Rogers, Soror Pamela Segrest, Soror Lynda Simmons, Soror Adria Hollis, Soror Tanya Kelly Kirk and Soror Janice Gill-Gray,” said Mitzi Dease Paige, South Eastern regional director.
The New Tri-State Defender
March 10 - 16, 2022
Page 7
ENTERTAINMENT
The Tom Lee Poetry Contest is now open! by TSD Newsroom High school students in Shelby County are encouraged to enter original poetry and spoken word pieces inspired by Tom Lee’s heroism, courage, kindness, selflessness and generosity. The deadline to submit original work is March 31. Lee was an African-American river worker who, on May 8, 1925, courageously rescued 32 people from drowning in the Mississippi River. He pulled each passenger into his small skiff boat, called the Zev, and took them back to shore as the much larger vessel, the M.E. Norman, began to capsize. A non-swimmer, Lee said of his heroic and selfless acts, “I guess I didn’t do any more than anyone else would have in my place.” Tom Lee Park along the Memphis riverfront is named in Lee’s honor. Students who enter the Tom Lee Poetry Contest will compete for a cash prize, a chance to perform at the official Tom Lee Day celebration (May 8th) and have an opportunity to professionally record their work. The prizes: • 1st place – $300, performance at Tom Lee Day, a recording opportunity; • 2nd place – $200, performance at Tom Lee Day, a recording opportunity; • 3rd place – $100, performance at Tom Lee Day, a recording opportunity. Teachers of the winning students will also receive a gift card in the same amount as the winner! The contest is a collaboration involving the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation (project funder), Memphis River Parks Partnership (contest host), Memphis Shelby County Schools (English teachers and students), Orpheum Theatre Group’s Community Education and Community Engagement Department (advisors and workshop hosts), University of Memphis Associate
The deadline for Memphis high school students to submit original work for the Tom Lee Poetry Contest is March 31. Students who enter will compete for a cash prize, a chance to perform at the official Tom Lee Day celebration (May 8th) and have an opportunity to professionally record their work.
Tom Lee (Photo courtesy of Memphis River Parks Partnership.) Professor and author Marcus Wicker (competition judge), and descendants of Tom Lee. Students can learn more about the official rules at https://bit.ly/3hSmFwv. Submit entries at https://bit.ly/3Kt5nm3. With Tom Lee Park being upgraded as part of the transformation of the Memphis Riverfront, the riverfront location for the Tom Lee Day celebration will be announced ahead of May 8th date. The contest organizers “hope that high school students will come to learn more about Tom Lee’s legacy and carry the banner of his selflessness forward….” “A Very Worthy Hero” by Sebastian Carson serves as a guidepost for original work inspired by Lee’s heroics. Carson was commissioned to create the work for the inaugural Tom Lee Day in 2019. To view the work, visit https://bit.ly/3hTG6oN.
This 2006 creation by David Alan Clark depicts the heroics of Tom Lee. (Photo: Memphis River Parks Partnership.)
(To enter the Tom Lee Poetry Contest, visit https://bit.ly/3MylBMF.
COMMUNITY The New Tri-State Defender, March 10 - 16, 2022, Page 8
TENNESSEE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Bill to resurrect school vouchers dies in committee
In pursuit of a union ...
by Marta W. Aldrich
Special to The New Tri-State Defender
Starbucks employees seeking to form a union welcomed the support of the Rev. Dr. William Barber, the president and senior lecturer at Repairers of the Breach and co-chair of the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival.” (Right) Clasping hands with Barber is Nikki Taylor one of the union seekers dubbed the “Memphis Seven.” (Below) Protesters signal their solidarity with Starbucks employees seeking to unionize. (Photo: Gary S. Whitlow/ GSW Enterprises)
Voting concerns ... Memphis Branch NAACP President Van Turner Jr. (center), attorneys for the Tennessee Black Voter Project and supporters rallied at a Wednesday (March 9) press conference to assert that the Shelby County Election Commission is engaging in voter-suppression practices. They want the Election Commission to open more early voting sites. A Chancery Court hearing on the concerns was set for Thursday (March 10). (Photo: Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell/The New Tri-State Defender)
Sign of distinction ... The journey of honoring the anti-lynching, crusading journalist Ida B. Wells has yielded signs noting that a section of Fourth St. between Vance and Union avenues now bears her name. Wells operated her newspaper in Downtown Memphis and a statue recently was unveiled near that location. Pictured (lr): the Rev. Dr. L. LaSimba M. Gray Jr., Elaine Turner, the Rev. John Gray and Arthur Robinson. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley)
A House subcommittee has narrowly killed a bill that could have revived Tennessee’s controversial school voucher program regardless of how the state’s highest court rules this year on the state’s overturned school voucher law. The bill aimed to change eligibility requirements for students receiving public money to pay for private school tuition under the 2019 education savings account law that squeaked through the legislature but was halted by a judge before the program could launch. The new legislation failed 5-4 Tuesday, despite a rare subcommittee appearance by Republican House Speaker Cameron Sexton, who tried to tip the scales when a key voucher supporter, Rep. Glen Casada of Franklin, was absent. Three other Republicans – Reps. Kirk Haston of Lobelville, Chris Hurt of Halls, and John Ragan of Oak Ridge – broke ranks and voted with two Democrats against the GOP bill. The proposal, by Rep. Michael Curcio of Dickson and Sen. Mike Bell of Riceville, would have opened eligibility to students who are either zoned to the state’s school turnaround district or whose school systems don’t offer in-person learning for a full 180 days for each of the next three school years because of the COVID pandemic. The voucher law was overturned because it applied only to students in Memphis and Nashville schools without giving their local governments or voters a say, which two lower courts said violates the state constitution’s so-called “home rule” provision. If the bill became law, it could have addressed constitutional questions about statewide application through the COVID provision while still likely affecting students in only Memphis and Nashville, since those are Tennessee’s only cities with low-performing schools taken over by the state-run Achievement School District. Rep. John Clemmons, a Nashville Democrat who voted against the bill, noted that the state’s appeal of the voucher law is pending before the Tennessee Supreme Court, which recently heard oral arguments centering on questions about whether home rule applies in this case. “It seems like we’re trying to clean that up and try to avoid some kind of adverse judicial determination for an inherently unconstitutional piece of legislation,” Clemmons said. “So I guess the true intent of this legislation is problematic.” Curcio dodged questions about the bill’s intent. “If this were to address that, I think that would be kind of a periphery issue,” Curcio responded. “We’re just trying to change the criteria of who’s eligible.” A similar bill by Curcio and Bell cleared the Senate Education Committee in January. However, the sponsors started over with new legislation when other constitutional questions emerged about their first proposal. Curcio did not respond Wednesday when asked if he planned to pursue a House committee vote on his earlier bill. Tuesday’s vote came as Gov. Bill Lee, who pushed for the voucher law, is seeking to shift Tennessee to a student-based school funding formula. The model would calculate education funding on a student-by-student basis, making it easier for Tennessee to start a private school voucher program. However, Lee has said vouchers have nothing to do with the need for a new funding formula that is simpler to understand and based on the needs of students over systems. Rep. Harold Love, another Nashville Democrat who voted against Curcio’s bill, said changing voucher eligibility when the state is considering funding reform is problematic. “I would hope that maybe we would hold off until we get this new funding formula under our belts and understand it,” he said. (Marta W. Aldrich is a senior correspondent who covers the statehouse for Chalkbeat Tennessee. Contact her at maldrich@ chalkbeat.org.)
The New Tri-State Defender
March 10 - 16, 2022
COMMUNITY
CLASSIFIEDS
NOTICE TO BIDDERS Shelby County Government has issued Sealed Bid number I000717 Metal Roof Replacement for the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office located at 999 Dovecrest Road, Memphis, TN 38134. Information regarding this Bid is located on the County’s website at www.shelbycountytn.gov . At the top of the home page, click on the dropdown box under “Business”, Click on “Purchasing” and “Bids” to locate the name of the above described Sealed Bid.
Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk Heidi Kuhn (standing) answers a question for one of her staff as they help a man with his expungement application. Kuhn has permanently waived the fee required to file for expungement. (Courtesy photo)
Hundreds get ‘second chance’ at 15th expungement clinic in Shelby County by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell Special to The New Tri-State Defender
Keisha Langford is a struggling, single mother of three who made some bad decisions when she was younger. “About 10 years ago, I was working in a bank,” said Langford. “Somebody came to me and asked me to help them hit a lick, you know, rob the bank. “I set it up on the inside, and I told the teller next to me that I would cut her in if everything went OK. But it didn’t go OK, and she turned me in.” For Langford and hundreds more who showed up last Saturday (March 5) at Shelby County Criminal Court’s 15th Expungement Clinic, the event was a ray of hope in lives clouded with dismal prospects for employment and other quality of life opportunities. “Offenders made a bad decision,” said Heidi Kuhn, criminal court clerk. “And we’ve all made bad decisions. But not all of us got caught. They realize what they did was wrong, and they just want a new beginning.” For Langford, employment prospects have been with fast food establishments. Five years after incarceration, not much has changed. She wants more for her children. “I can’t get help from my family because they can’t help financially,” said Langford. “I want to go back to school and one day open my own business. I want to be a good example because I don’t want my children going down the same road.” Kuhn has heard similar stories. Ex-offenders want to be better providers for their families but are hampered by a criminal record. “Your record shouldn’t be a life sentence,” said Kuhn. “And this is an opportunity for people to get expunged, to have their record cleared, and have better opportunities in getting a job, getting a home loan, really becoming productive citizens. “Just because someone has a past should not mean they don’t have a future.”
While waiting for his number to be called, Shaun Dryer 37, was hoping for a “second chance.” “Man, I already lost so much time,” said Dryer. “I am not a bad person. I just got caught up. I did wrong, and I paid for what I did. “Now, I want better for my family. I want to give my children a good home, move them to a good neighborhood. I want to do better for my mother. I want her to be proud of me. You feel me?” Dryer has been employed through temporary services in manual labor assignments with no benefits for himself or his family. He wants to break the cycle of poverty. Kuhn said both men and women express the desire to provide a better life and future for their children. “People want to be made whole,” said Kuhn. “Coming to this clinic is the first step to a new life.” Kuhn has permanently waived the $100 fee required for expungement. She is the state’s only criminal court clerk to do so. All court fines, fees and restitution must be paid before expungement is considered. Expungement is a 30-day process if applicants meet certain requirements. Non-violent, victimless crimes, or drug offenses, and other specified offenses are eligible. Others are instructed on the next steps to expunging their record. The event’s host pastor, the Rev. Keith Norman, said First Baptist Church – Broad Street and other churches should be involved in social justice and redemptive work “The Christian church is called to redemptive work,” said Norman. “Expungement is social justice in action. Men and women are being redeemed, just as Jesus redeemed us.” To date, more than 4,100 expungements have been successfully processed since 2018 in Kuhn’s clinics. (For more information, call 901-222-3200.)
SEALED BID I000717 DUE DATE WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6TH, 2022 AT 2:30 PM CST (SB-I000717) “Metal Roof Replacement for the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office located at 999 Dovecrest Road, Memphis, TN 38134” Shelby County is an equal opportunity affirmative action employer, drug-free with policies of non-discrimination on the basis of race, sex, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or military service. By order of LEE HARRIS, MAYOR SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT LEGAL NOTICE Request for Proposals MSCAA Project Number 19-1423-27-01 Consolidated Baggage Modifications in Terminal A and B - Design-Build Construction Sealed, priced proposals for Consolidated Baggage Modifications in Terminal A and B - Design-Build Construction will be received by the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority (Authority), Procurement Department, 4150 Louis Carruthers Drive, Memphis, TN 38118, until 2:00 p.m. Local Time on 4/7/2022. Proposals will not be received at any other location.. The Proposal Documents, including a description of the scope of work, the required response format, and additional instructions may be obtained on or after 3/7/2022 online at www.flymemphis.com. A Virtual Pre-Bid/Proposal Meeting will be held Wednesday, March 16, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. local time via phone/video conferencing (link: https:// us06web.zoom.us/j/8507734 3818?pwd=R0xpMS9uOTJ5 R0pPZ0NjbUxBQitNUT099; phone: (301)715-8592; meeting ID: 850 7734 3818; passcode: 204174). Instructions on Pre-Bid/ Proposal Meeting and Site Visit request can be found at https:// www.flymemphis.com/rfpsrfqs. Attendance at the Pre-Bid/ Proposal Meeting is strongly recommended. All Proposers are responsible for checking the Authority’s website up to the submission deadline for any updates, addenda or additional information. The successful Proposer 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 Proposal must be made by a contractor licensed in Tennessee and be accompanied by a 5% Proposal Guarantee. The successful proposer 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 20%. The Authority reserves the right to reject any or all responses to this Request for Proposals in whole or in part; to waive any informalities, technicalities, or omissions related to this Request for Proposals; and to reject responses on any other basis authorized by the Authority’s purchasing policies. The Authority is an equal
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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. By order of: Scott A. Brockman, A.A.E. President and CEO Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority LEGAL NOTICE The Memphis Housing Authority Invitation for Bid [IFB] for the Renovation of Community Bathrooms and kitchenettes at Montgomery Plaza and Kefauver Terrace Memphis, TN Solicitation # CI 21 B 00605 The Memphis Housing Authority (MHA) is soliciting Firm Fixed Price bids from highly qualified contractors to provide construction services for the Renovation of Community Bathrooms and Kitchenettes at Montgomery Plaza and Kefauver Terrance, Memphis, TN Bid documents for this solicitation will be available for purchase at Memphis Reprographics located at 6178 Macon Road, Memphis, TN 38134 beginning at 2 p.m. CST, Monday, March 14, 2022. Potential offerors should reference the project name and solicitation number to receive documents and are responsible for all costs associated with obtaining a set of drawings and specifications. A complete set of project construction documents can be viewed online at the Memphis Reprographics Plan Room at www.mrplanroom.com and at the Allen and Hoshall Plan Room at www.allenhoshallplanroom.com. Please contact Kevin Pilate at 901.544.1882 or via email at kpilate@memphisha.org with questions and/or to make an appointment to view construction documents. One Pre-Bid Conference will be held Wednesday, March 16, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. CST at the Memphis Housing Authority, 700 Adams Avenue, Boardroom, Room 216. A site shall be scheduled after the pre-bid conference. Although, neither the Pre-Bid Conference nor the site visit is a bidding requirement, all offerors are strongly encouraged to attend. The Memphis Housing Authority solicits and encourages the participation of minorities and small businesses in procurement. For additional information regarding this solicitation, please call Kevin Pilate, Project Manager at (901) 544-1882.
Bids must be submitted to the MHA Capital Improvements Department, 700 Adams Avenue, Room 107, Memphis, TN 381055029, ATTN: Kevin Pilate, by no later than 2:00 p.m. Central Standard Time on Monday, April 11, 2022.
Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400
CONTRACTING OFFICER David Walker Contracting Officer MEMPHIS HOUSING AUTHORITY Dexter D. Washington Chief Executive Officer
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:
MIFA Meals on Wheels Requests Proposals for Nutrition Contractor MIFA Meals on Wheels requests bids for a contract to provide nutrition services to older persons under Title III of the Older Americans Act. This nutrition program is made possible by a grant from the Aging Commission of the MidSouth with federal, state and local contributions. The contract period will run from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2025. Bids will be accepted until March 29, 2022, at 4:30 p.m. Bid specifications are available at mifa.org/rfp. Information about bid requests may be obtained by contacting Kathy Williams at kwilliams@mifa.org, (901) 529-4537, or Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association, 910 Vance Ave., Memphis, TN 38126-2911. 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: Emanuel Johnson Tax Parcel #: 02500600000220 Tax Sale #: 1604 Price Offered: $600.00 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 April 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
NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT
Antonio Bobo and Donna Bradley Tax Parcel #: 02502700000080 Tax Sale #: 1701 Price Offered: $3000.00 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 April 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: Emanuel Johnson Tax Parcel #: 02500600000170 Tax Sale #: 1603 Price Offered: $800.00 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 April 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
Uplift the Community Grant Are you interested in having a positive impact on your community and need an “Uplift” to get you started? The NAACP Memphis Branch, The New Tri-State Defender and Kroger Delta Division are partnering on the Uplift Your Community Grant Program. If you are a 501(C)3 and have a program or idea on how to:
Improve your community Decrease crime Decrease blight Please consider applying for the grant. The grant application process opens on March 4, 2022 and closes on March 31, 2022. The grants will be awarded on April 29, 2022. For more information about grant criteria, visit the NAACP Memphis Branch website at www.naacpmemphis.org.
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THE NEW
TRI-STATE DEFENDER
SPORTS The New Tri-State Defender, March 10 - 16, 2022, Page 10
Tigers tighten grip on long-awaited return to NCAA Tournament with Houston win by Terry Davis
Special to The New Tri-State Defender
The win – Memphis 75, Houston 61 – was huge for the NCAA Tournament-hungry Memphis Tigers. And, for Memphis senior Alex Lomax, it was a victory that will resonate years from now as he moves about his basketball-crazed hometown. On Senior Day and with the heightened possibility of a win over the highly-ranked Houston Cougars securing a bid to the NCAA’s March Madness Terry battle, the Tigers Davis rode the wave of momentum, drawing upon the support of an energy-juiced FedExForum crowd on Sunday. “The crowd was like the sixth man,” said Lomax. “Some teams just can’t handle it. I felt like they (Houston) got nervous when the energy was there. It was so loud you could feel it in your body. I know they felt it and it can make you make a terrible pass.” Lomax wasn’t the game’s star, but he played solid – 8 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists. When it was over, he was happy to be able to look back and say, “I am glad we brought the energy and came out and put on a show for the fans.” The crowd was electric, with the energy magnified by a declared whiteout. NCAA Tournament talk by many professional observers pointed to Memphis getting off the tournament bubble – and maybe out of the play-in game in Dayton in the opening round – with a win of the No. 16-ranked Cougars. Led by Kyler Edwards with 19 points, the Cougars (26-5, 15-3 AAC) are the regular-season American Athletic Conference champions. The Tigers (19-9, 13-5 AAC) have won 10 of their last 11 games entering next week’s AAC Tournament. Memphis swept the season series for the first time under coach Hardaway. Memphis jumped out to an early 4-0 lead, forced early turnovers and quickly expanded its lead to 16-9. The Cougars had an unusually high number of turnovers (20), which led to 28 Tigers points. Houston trailed by as many as 23 points in the game and was down nearly 20 points the
The Tigers’ Alex Lomax (right) – the lone senior honored on Senior Day – seizes this loose ball in the big win over Houston. (Photos: Warren Roseborough/The New Tri-State Defender) entire second half. The Tigers led at halftime 49-29. “What an unbelievable game, with everything that was riding on it,” said Memphis head coach Penny Hardaway. “To have a team that was beaten up since the beginning to come through the storm and have an opportunity to showcase who we are to the nation against one of the top teams in the country for the second time around is amazing. “It is a great day to be a Tiger.” Every time the lead got under 20 points the FedExForum crowd rose to its collective feet, responding with a blast of energy. Memphis was led by Tyler Harris, another homegrown talent, with 15 points off the bench. Lester Quinones and Landers Nolley II had 11 points each. Hardaway spoke to the fans after the win. “The entire season flashed before me,” said Hardaway, “and the fans were in there cheering. It was a surreal moment. They knew how much we need them, and they came out and supported us in Tiger fashion.” Hardaway, who coached Harris and Lomax at East High School, put the senior Lomax’s journey in context. “For as much as he has gone through, from de-committing from Wichita State to come to Memphis. Having a lot of expectations, starting as a freshman with Tyler Harris and
Memphis’ homegrown backcourt of Alex Lomax (left) and Tyler Harris applies defensive pressure on Jamal Shead of Houston. Jeremiah Martin in the backcourt. To go through all of those years and not having reached an NCAA tournament and not going out a winner was bothering him. “To be the only guy to walk out and get the attention (on Senior Day), that was formidable for him as the guy that has been here for four years straight. To get that warm welcome and have a good game, you could not end it any better.” With COVID-19 restrictions in place during Memphis’ NIT Championship run last year, the Tigers did not get a chance to experience the delirium-level heights their fans can
reach. “I am used to it,” said Hardaway, harkening to his days as a Memphis State University (now University of Memphis star.) It is good to be back here.” While it still is possible that the cards could stack in such a way that the Tigers miss the NCAA Tournament, what seemed like long-shot odds going into February now are in their favor. “It (making the tournament after a prolonged absence) was a goal for us,” said Harris. “I told Alo (Alex Lomax) a month ago that we can’t go out like that and not make the tour-
nament. People in Memphis would hold that against us for the rest of our lives.” Hmmm. Well, the truth of that thought likely will not have to be tested. “I am a player that feeds off the crowd,” said Harris, happy to have fans “here supporting us. Alo and I are from here, as most of the fans. They just have to have our backs; we just have to have our backs to get the win.” Ranked in the Top 10 at one point, the Tigers went into a free fall with injuries and COVID-19 complications. Unnerved by a reporter’s question during that period, Hardaway lashed out in a verbal comeback that triggered national headlines before he quickly issued an apology, notably to the school, fans and his players. Now comes March and the possibility of NCAA Tournament madness. “I feel blessed,” said Hardaway. “The guys came together at the right time. It was like spiritual momentum … with the prayers for the team; guys leaving their egos at the door and coming together as one. … We have relied on one another and put everything on the line.” Although the graduating Lomax could return for a fifth season because of allowances for the COVID-19 interruption, it has not been announced as a certainty that he will. Lomax, Harris and DeAndre Williams each is a classified senior. In March 2020 amid the pandemic, the NCAA approved legislation extending players’ eligibility. Lomax chose to treat Senior Day “as if COVID never happened,” taking in the emotions of the day. “It has been a roller coaster and we are on top,” Lomax said. “I love Tiger Nation.” As for the likelihood of having made the NCAA Tournament, he said, “It is definitely a great feeling … when it has been a 10-year drought. Me and Tyler had a chance to do something special. “No matter how long it takes, as long as the goal gets accomplished. We had a great time doing it.” NOTE: The AAC Tournament gets underway Thursday (March 10) in Fort Worth, Texas. The Tigers enter as the No. 3 seed behind Houston and SMU. The New Tri-State Defender will generate coverage from Fort Worth, so check back here at TSDMemphis.com.
Despite a valiant effort, Tigers bounced out of AAC tournament by Liaudwin Seaberry Jr.
Special to The New Tri-State Defender
Fighting for a longshot, post-season berth, the University of Memphis women’s basketball team battled the highly-favored South Florida Bulls deep into the fourth quarter but could not take down the second-ranked team in the American Athletic Conference Tournament. The second-round tournament loss (63-53) on Tuesday in Fort Worth, Texas leaves the Tigers (17-13, 6-9 American Athletic Conference) with a remote chance of a post-season tourney invitation. The game was tightly contested deep into the fourth quarter. Slotted as the seventh seed entering the AAC tournament, Memphis had defeated the 10th-seeded East Carolina University Pirates 59-48 on Monday (March 7) behind 16 points from guard Jamirah Shutes, 10 rebounds from center Tyler Frierson, and seven assists from guard Maya Stovall. Memphis shot only 37 percent
from the field against ECU, but their potent defense consistently bailed them out of trouble. East Carolina failed to reach a 30 percent conversion rate from the field and hit just one three-pointer. Memphis head coach Katrina Merriweather was impressed with how the team handled the Pirates’ pressing defense. “Defensively, we knew that they were going to turn up the heat, and I wish that we handled it a little better,” Merriweather said. “However, I am happy we were able to make a run after the first few minutes.” After dispatching East Carolina, Memphis took on a USF team that automatically qualified for the quarterfinals due to their top-four finish in conference play. The game started well for the Tigers as they established themselves defensively, limiting South Florida to just 33 percent shooting from the field during the first half. Senior leader Shutes initially
After a first-round win, this group of Tigers reflected the thrill of victory. (Courtesy photo) shouldered much of the offensive burden, scoring 12 of her 16 points in the first half. The game was tied at 27 at halftime. In the third quarter, Memphis continued to startle USF on the defensive end of the floor. They limited the Bulls to 18 points in the quarter, with junior forward Lanetta Williams playing a key role. The game followed a trend in ear-
lier games, with the Tigers putting together a strong first three quarters before falling short down the stretch. Junior sharpshooter Madison Griggs propelled the team’s offense in the second half, as she scored 10 of her 14 points. Connecting on two key three-pointers, Griggs attempted to keep the team’s offense flowing as several of her teammates struggled throughout
the third quarter. “I think we played 30 great minutes, but things sort of got away from us in the fourth quarter,” Merriweather said. “I think they (South Florida) made some adjustments, and we weren’t able to respond.” The last period proved to be Memphis’ weakness. They were outscored 18-8 and were limited to just two made baskets. In addition, the Tigers’ typically formidable defense gave up key South Florida baskets down the stretch. Merriweather was proud that her first Memphis team reached 16 or more victories for the program since the 2011 season. “I am proud of the way that we fought, and I hope this is not the end for us,” Merriweather said, referring to the team possibly receiving a bid to the Women’s National Invitational Tournament. “I can’t say more about this group and the work that they have done this season.”