The New Tri-State Defender - April 7-13, 2022

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April 7 - 13, 2022

VOL. 71, No. 14

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Pending: a lawsuit to open more early-voting sites on day one

by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

A singing salute to the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the 54th commemoration of his assassination at the Lorraine Motel (now the anchor of the National Civil Rights Museum). (Photo: Karanja A. Ajanaku/The New Tri-State Defender)

‘Remembering MLK: The Man. The Movement. The Moment’

by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Set against a backdrop of operatic-styled “Negro spirituals” by the W. Crimm Singers from Tennessee State University’s Big Blue Opera Initiatives, the National Civil Rights Museum staged a memorable program: “Remembering MLK: The Man. The Movement. The Moment” Monday (April 4).

The balcony of the Lorraine Motel (now part of the National Civil Rights Museum), where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated 54 years ago Monday, bore

Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. – pressing on!

Perspective Page 4 black drapes of mourning.

NCRM President Dr. Russell Wigginton, hosting his first April 4 King commemoration, offered warm words of welcome to begin a two-hour hybrid presentation, livestreamed with uniquely planned highlights.

Program participants walked out on the balcony, where King was shot, to greet the crowd.

The Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., who was with King when he was shot, was greeted with cheers and a standing ovation as he stepped onto the balcony.

Jackson briefly spoke to the crowd in his customary call-and-response style. He attributed “immortality” to King.

“I am somebody,” Jackson said, the crowd responding in kind. “Everybody is somebody. He lives. He lives. He lives. He lives. He lives. He lives. He will live as long as we remember him.”

The Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., of

SEE MLK ON PAGE 2

Six days after the Shelby County Election Commission was sued over the number of voting sites to be opened on the first day of early voting for the May 3 election, no judge had signed on to hear the Chancery Court litigation.

The Memphis Branch NAACP and the Black Clergy Collaborative joined with UpTheVote901 to file the lawsuit last Thursday (March 31). The next day, Chancellor Gadson W. Perry, who initially was assigned the case, recused himself.

All three local chancellors are up before voters in August.

“The issue with filing a lawsuit against the Shelby County Election Commission is that we have learned that all the chancellors have recused themselves from The Rev. Dr. the case,” the Rev. Dr. Earle J. Fisher.

Earle J. Fisher of UpTheVote901 said on Wednesday (April 6). “So, Shelby County is trying to bring a judge from outside the county to hear the case.

“This is where we are now. Early voting begins on next Wednesday, April 13. If the issue has not been heard in court before then, we will figure out what comes next.”

At issue is the call to have more voting locations open on the first two days of early voting for the May 3 County primaries. Only the Downtown Election Commission office (157 Poplar Ave.) is scheduled to be open on those days, with early voting set to run from April 13 through April 28.

Other locations would open April 18, the Monday following Easter Sunday.

A mid-March press conference Downtown in front of the Shelby County Election Commission warned of legal action if African-American churches designated as vot-

SEE VOTE ON PAGE 2

Mason sues Tennessee Comptroller as allies rally to support Black-led town

by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

The predominantly African-American town of Mason has filed suit against Tennessee State Comptroller of the Treasury Jason Mumpower.

In a petition filed on April 1, Mason’s elected officials are seeking an immediate halt to a financial takeover of the rural West Tennessee town, charging that Mumpower’s actions are illegal.

“The Comptroller does not have the power to take full control of Mason’s financial expenditures,” the suit claims.

Mason’s city attorney is being joined by a team of NAACP civil rights attorneys from both the national and state offices, including Van Turner Jr., president of the Memphis Branch NAACP. On Wednesday (April 6), Turner told The

New Tri-State Defender, “The court is taking our arguments under advisement. …

“We were directed to write post-hearing briefs, which must be submitted either Monday or Tuesday, April 11-12. After those briefs have been submitted, the judge has promised to issue a ruling on the case on Friday, April, 15.”

Last week after the suit was filed, Turner wrote in a message to the TSD, “We have all seen Mason before, haven’t we? … “…Whether we speak of southern states in the ’60s, attempting to enforce Jim Crow laws, or the state legislature continuously canceling and usurping local laws … with what they think is right for Memphis and Shelby County, we have definitely seen this before.”

A Saturday (April 2) rally in front of Mason’s

SEE MASON ON PAGE 2

Virginia Rivers (left) vice mayor of Mason, Tennessee, acknowledges words of support in the town’s effort to maintain control over its finances. (Photo: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises/The New Tri-State Defender)

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The New Tri-State Defender

April 7 - 13, 2022

NEWS

MLK

CONTINUED FROM FRONT which Dr. King was a member, presented a ceremonial changing of the wreath on the balcony and fraternal tributes of honor for their “fallen fraternity brother.”

Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland encouraged everyone to “volunteer and make a difference” in their communities.

Dr. King left his example, Strickland said.

An inspiring keynote speaker, Dr. Leslie D. Callahan, the first female pastor of St. Paul Baptist Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and executive officer for Howard University Religious Affairs, recounted Dr. King’s work and legacy, challenging everyone to follow his blueprint of altruism and humanity.

However, a delightful program highlight was Crimm Singers’ vocal presentation.

Also known as the Wakanda Chorale, their spirituals inspired the multi-racial audience to sing along.

Perhaps, the most moving highlight was the moment of silence, always at 6:01 p.m., the time when Dr. King was killed. The eerily still period gave solemn tribute to the

VOTE

CONTINUED FROM FRONT ing sites were not opened for day one of early voting for the May 3 election.

The Election Commission did not act, according to Fisher, leaving “no choice” other than to put the dispute before the court.

“There was neither a phone call, nor email, or any attempt at all to reach out and discuss our grievances. … And when you have an election commission that consistently disregards issues of equitable access for African-American communities to the vote, legal action is our only remedy, I’m afraid.”

Calling it a form of “voter suppression” to only hold early voting at the Election Office, the trio of groups argues that the Election Commission is violating multiple state and federal laws.

During a conversation (April 1) with The New TriState Defender regarding the upcoming (April 7) Voter Ready Open House for Greater Awareness of Polling Place Changes, Linda Phillips, the Election Commission’s administrator, said she had not yet been legally served regarding the lawsuit and really could not comment.

However, Phillips did say,

Dr. Russell Wigginton and Dr. Leslie D. Callahan. (Photo: Karanja A. Ajanaku/The New TriState Defender) sacredness of the courtyard, where King’s car still sits.

Families of color, as well as those of European descent came to honor King. Children came with parents, eager to learn their history. One couple, in particular, is making the fight for equality their life’s work in retirement.

Paul and Cynthia Klein came to be inspired and encouraged as they stand with those fighting for equality and justice today.

“I’m originally from Idaho, and I voted for Rev. Jesse Jackson in 1988 (when Jackson ran for U.S. President),” said Paul Klein. “We came to honor the legacy of Dr. King.

“It was important to us to show up on the day he was “The Election Commission always struggles with early voting when it intersects Holy Week … a very, very important week to many people and it’s hard to get staff. That’s the reason the Election Commission has for years not had early voting open during Holy Week.”

Tennessee law requires that one site be open, said Phillips.

“I went back to as far when the Election Commission was put in control by the Democratic Party. We have never had all early-voting sites open prior to Easter,” she said.

If a Chancery Court ruling calls for the opening of more early-voting locations on the first two days, Phillips said being able to make that happen would “depend a lot on when we get this information.

“The delivery schedule is already set. Our workers are already planning to work. We are in the middle of doing the testing we need to do. It would be very, very disruptive at this point.

“The Election Commission voted on these locations more than a month ago. Perhaps we could have made some adjustments. It’s not going to be easy at this point, if that is what the judge decides.”

The lawsuit seeks a ruling directing the Election Commission to open all churches that have traditionally been

lynched. Most whites say ‘assassinated,’ but it was different from John Kennedy being assassinated because of the racial element…Being here today is so inspiring.”

Marion, Arkansas City Councilwoman Sherry Holliman drove across the bridge to witness the presentation at the NCRM. “I have been to the museum several times, but April 4 is always special,” said Holliman.

“It’s good to be with people of like mind, and the crowd is so beautiful, all different races coming here today with one purpose. I think Dr. King would be proud.”

A Memphis mother, LaMonica Vaughn, brought her daughter, Amyia Vaughn, 12, to the museum, because April 4 is a day that “has a lot of meaning.”

LaMonica Vaughn continued, “I was not born when Dr. King was killed. But I learned our history about the civil rights movement.

“I feel it is important to show our children just what Dr. King and others sacrificed so they could enjoy the freedoms we all have today. Children who know their history will understand they who they are and carry themselves with dignity.” early voting sites.

“The Election Commission opened up five more sites (for 2022 elections),” said Fisher.

“But none of them are in the communities where the highest number of Black, largely Democratic, voters reside.

The busiest African-American voting precinct is Abundant Grace Church in Whitehaven.

If you are trying to get more people to vote, surely this would be the first location you would open.”

Memphis Branch NAACP President Van Turner Jr. said he had hoped that the Election Commission would open church sites without litigation.

“We tried to explore other options,” said Turner. “We had hoped that in the end, legal action would not be necessary.

However, as it stands, litigation is now our only option, it seems.”

Fisher said the “utter disregard” for pastors asking that their churches be opened is the height of contempt and disrespect. Phillips, he said, is “saving money where she has not been asked to save money. …

“The county will pay whatever the cost to have these churches open. … “This is about greater access to the vote, not saving money.”

(This story includes reporting by the TSD Newsroom.)

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MASON

CONTINUED FROM FRONT city hall drew community activists and supporters from several areas of the state. Tennessee NAACP affiliates staged the rally, along with other activist communities, to form a coalition advocating Mason’s right to autonomy.

Attorneys for Mason argue in the lawsuit that the state would stand in violation of the Tennessee Constitution and the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution’s Fourteenth Amendment by taking over Mason’s finances “without proper justification and because most of the town’s leadership and residents are African American.”

The suit lays out a case for blatant racism: “The proposed treatment of Mason and its leadership is marked by irregularities and differs significantly from the treatment of similarly situated predominantly white jurisdictions,” according to the document’s language.

The lawsuit further charges that the timing of the attempted takeover is suspect since no takeover was made “when Mason’s white leadership actually caused the financial issues being complained of.”

Turner said the state is trying to punish Mason for a situation they did not cause.

“Mason has to receive permission to spend anything over $100 and was asked to give up its charter. Both actions are punitive and in bad faith,” Turner said.

Mason officials and attorneys representing them assert that the state is motivated by the billions of dollars coming into the area from the Blue

Oval City project, Ford Motor Company’s building of an electric vehicle plant less than five miles from Mason.”

According to the Tennessee State Caucus of Black Legislators (TBCSL), Mumpower – in a call now about two weeks old – said “a plan had been worked out, and roughly $250,000 from American Rescue Plan dollars” would be given to Mason toward the more than $500,000 deficit.

Memphis-based state Rep. G.A. Hardaway, TBCSL past president, said Ford officials have expressed a willingness to “get involved” and indicated that they had contacted the Comptroller’s office.

“This rural, African-American town has the right to take full advantage of the opportunities resulting from Blue Oval City,” said Turner. “Residents have the right to make their own decisions about what happens with this influx of revenue.”

Mason Vice Mayor Virginia Rivers said the state wants to take control of the revenue from Blue Oval City, charging that Mumpower’s takeover is insulting and paternalistic.

“His whole attitude is that this little, Black town doesn’t know how to handle all this money,” said Rivers. “We have no doubt that Blue Oval City is the reason Mumpower is taking over our finances at this particular time.”

The $5.6 billion project is expected to revive and greatly expand the economic opportunities throughout the West Tennessee region.

The Comptroller’s office did not respond to TSD calls and messages asking for comment on the litigation.

The proposed takeover in

March attracted national media attention because a “Republican state government was trying to force a predominantly black, largely Democratic town in Tennessee to give up its charter.”

Mumpower initially sent 1,337 letters to Mason residents, encouraging them to urge elected officials to give up the town’s charter. Days later, the comptroller – with a team of eight – met with officials and residents at a local, African-American church to demand Mason surrender its charter.

“He brought all those people from his office to intimidate us,” Rivers said. “But I told Mumpower I would fight to the death before we surrender our charter. Mason was started by ex-slaves, and many of us are their descendants. We are not giving up 153 years of history. Mason belongs to us, and we are willing to fight for it.”

Rivers called the action a “hostile takeover” and emphasized that the financial debt of Mason’s government was created under “white administrations.”

The first “Black administration” inherited the debt in 2015, when citizens elected an African-American mayor, vice mayor and five of its six aldermen, according to Rivers and associates.

The lawsuit claims that from the moment the town refused to give up its charter, the Comptroller “has sought to disrupt the affairs of Mason.”

Turner ventured a prediction on the outcome of the lawsuit.

“Yes, we have seen this before,” said Turner. “But through a unified effort, justice and equality always prevail in the end. We have no doubt that the same will happen here.”

The New Tri-State Defender

April 7 - 13, 2022

Page 3 SHELBY COUNTY ELECTION COMMISSION NOTICE OF ELECTIONS REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATIC PRIMARIES MAY 3, 2022 NOTICE

DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN PRIMARY ELECTION MAY 3, 2022 SAMPLE BALLOT

DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY ELECTION

REPUBLICAN PRIMARY ELECTION

DISTRICT ATTORNEY GENERAL 30TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT Vote for One (1)

DISTRICT ATTORNEY GENERAL 30TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT Vote for One (1)

□ Linda Harris □ Steve Mulroy □ Janika White □ Write-In County Mayor Vote for One (1)

□ Lee Harris □ Kenneth Moody □ Write-In

County Commissioner District 1 Vote for One (1)

□ Donna McDonald-Martin □ Write-In

County Commissioner District 2 Vote for One (1)

□ No Candidate Qualified □ Write-In

County Commissioner District 3 Vote for One (1)

□ No Candidate Qualified □ Write-In

County Commissioner District 4 Vote for One (1)

□ Britney Chauncey □ Write-In

County Commissioner District 5 Vote for One (1)

□ Shante Avant □ Quran Folsom □ Reginald French □ Write-In

County Commissioner District 6 Vote for One (1)

□ Alex Boulton □ Charlie A. Caswell Jr. □ Write-In

County Commissioner District 7 Vote for One (1)

□ Cartavius Black □ Henri E. Brooks □ Althea E. Greene □ Kathy Temple □ Orrden Williams □ Write-In

County Commissioner District 8 Vote for One (1)

□ Mickell M. Lowery □ Write-In

County Commissioner District 9 Vote for One (1)

□ Sam D. Echols IV □ Edmund Ford, Jr. □ Sean Harris □ Write-In

County Commissioner District 10 Vote for One (1)

□ Teri Dockery □ Kathy Kirk □ Britney Thornton □ Write-In

County Commissioner District 11 Vote for One (1)

□ Miska Clay Bibbs □ Candice Jones □ Eric Winston □ Write-In

County Commissioner District 12 Vote for One (1)

□ James Q. Bacchus □ Reginald S. Boyce □ Erika Sugarmon □ David P. Walker □ Write-In

County Commissioner District 13 Vote for One (1)

□ Michael Whaley □ Write-In

Assessor of Property Vote for One (1)

□ Rod Blount □ Melvin Burgess □ Write-In County Trustee Vote for One (1)

□ Regina Morrison Newman □ Write-In Sheriff Vote for One (1)

□ Floyd Bonner □ Write-In

Circuit Court Clerk Vote for One (1)

□ Temika D. Gipson □ Jamita E. Swearengen □ Write-In

CRIMINAL COURT CLERK Vote for One (1)

□ Maerne Briggs Bernard □ Heidi Kuhn □ Carla Jean Stotts □ Write-In JUVENILE COURT CLERK Vote for One (1)

□ Stephanie W. Gatewood □ Janeen Fullilove Gordon □ Reginald Milton □ Marcus Mitchell □ Write-In PROBATE COURT CLERK Vote for One (1)

□ William Chism Jr. □ Eddie Jones □ Bill Morrison □ Write-In COUNTY CLERK Vote for One (1)

□ Arriell Q. Gipson □ Wanda Halbert □ William Stovall □ Mondell Williams □ Write-In REGISTER OF DEEDS Vote for One (1)

□ Willie Brooks □ Wanda Logan Faulkner □ Shelandra Yvette Ford □ Write-In

□ Amy Weirich □ Write-In

Election Day: The County Primary will be held on Tuesday, May 3, 2022 between 7 am and 7 pm at all Election Day precinct poll locations.

Early Voting: Begins Wednesday, April 13, 2022 through Thursday, April 28, 2022. Shelby County voters who desire to vote early may go to any of the satellite locations listed below within the hours set for the early voting period.

Also, voters who are already registered can make address or name changes at any early voting site.

County Mayor Vote for One (1)

□ Worth Morgan □ Write-In

County Commissioner District 1 Vote for One (1)

Downtown Location April 13 - April 28 Shelby County Election Commission James Meredith Bldg.

□ Amber Mills □ Write-In

County Commissioner District 2 Vote for One (1)

□ David C. Bradford, Jr. □ Write-In

157 Poplar Ave. Weekdays 9 am - 5 pm Saturday, April 16, 10 am - 4 pm Saturday, April 23, 8 am - 4 pm

Saturday, April 16

County Commissioner District 3 Vote for One (1)

10 am - 4 pm

□ Mick Wright □ Write-In

Locations: (Address Below) AgriCenter International

County Commissioner District 4 Vote for One (1)

□ Jordan Carpenter □ Brandon Morrison □ Write-In

Arlington Safe Room Baker Community Center Dave Wells Community Center Glenview Community Center

County Commissioner District 5 Vote for One (1)

□ Todd Payne □ Write-In

County Commissioner District 6 Vote for One (1)

□ No Candidate Qualified □ Write-In

County Commissioner District 7 Vote for One (1)

□ No Candidate Qualified □ Write-In

County Commissioner District 8 Vote for One (1)

□ No Candidate Qualified □ Write-In

All Satellite Locations are open the following days and times: April 18, 2022

11:00am -7:00pm

April 19, 2022

11:00am -7:00pm

April 20, 2022

11:00am -7:00pm

April 21, 2022

11:00am -7:00pm

April 22, 2022

11:00am-7:00pm

April 23, 2022

8:00am-4:00pm

April 24, 2022

Closed

April 25, 2022

11:00am -7:00pm

April 26, 2022

11:00am -7:00pm

April 27, 2022

11:00am -7:00pm

April 28, 2022

11:00am –7:00pm

County Commissioner District 9 Vote for One (1)

□ No Candidate Qualified □ Write-In

County Commissioner District 10 Vote for One (1)

□ No Candidate Qualified □ Write-In

County Commissioner District 11 Vote for One (1)

□ No Candidate Qualified □ Write-In

County Commissioner District 12 Vote for One (1)

□ No Candidate Qualified □ Write-In

County Commissioner District 13 Vote for One (1)

□ Ed Apple □ Write-In

Assessor of Property Vote for One (1)

□ Steve Cross □ Write-In County Trustee Vote for One (1)

□ Steve Basar □ Write-In Sheriff No Primary for this office.

Circuit Court Clerk Vote for One (1)

□ Soheila Kail □ Write-In

CRIMINAL COURT CLERK Vote for One (1)

□ Paul Houston □ Write-In JUVENILE COURT CLERK Vote for One (1)

□ Rob White □ Write-In PROBATE COURT CLERK Vote for One (1)

□ DeWayne Jackson □ Write-In COUNTY CLERK Vote for One (1)

□ Jeff Jacobs □ Write-In REGISTER OF DEEDS Vote for One (1)

□ Bryan Edmiston □ Write-In

Satellite Locations

Address

City

Zip

Memphis

38116

Memphis

38120

Memphis

38115

Arlington

38002

Millington

38053

4536 Summer Ave. Memphis

38122

Abundant Grace Fellow1574 E. Shelby Dr. ship Church 7777 Walnut Grove Agri-Center, Bldg. D Rd. Anointed Temple of 3939 Riverdale Rd. Praise Arlington Safe Room 11842 Otto Ln. Baker Community 7942 Church Rd. Center Berclair Church of Briarwood Church Christian Life Church Memphis Collierville Church of Christ Compassion Church

1900 N. GermanMemphis town Pkwy 9375 Davies PlantaBartlett tion Rd.

38133

575 Shelton Dr.

Collierville

38017

3505 S. Houston Levee Rd.

Germantown

38139

Dave Wells Community 915 Chelsea Ave. Memphis Center Glenview Community 1141 S. Barksdale Memphis Center St. Greater Lewis Street 152 E. Parkway N. Memphis Baptist Church Greater Middle Baptist 4982 Knight Arnold Memphis Church Rd. Harmony Church 6740 St. Elmo Rd. Bartlett Mississippi Blvd.

Church - Family Life 70 N. Bellevue Blvd. Memphis Center Mt. Pisgah Missionary 1234 Pisgah Rd. Cordova Baptist Church Mt. Zion Baptist Church 60 S. Parkway E. Memphis New Bethel Missionary 7786 Poplar Pike Germantown Baptist Church Raleigh United Method3295 Powers Rd. Memphis ist Church Riverside Missionary 3560 S. Third St. Memphis Baptist Church Second Baptist Church

38016

38107 38114 38104 38118 38135 38104 38016 38106 38138 38128 38109

4680 Walnut Grove Memphis Rd.

38117

Memphis

38103

Memphis

38116

Memphis

38127

Memphis

38117

Shelby County Election Commission - James 157 Poplar Ave. Meredith Bldg.

Solomon Temple MB 1460 Winchester Church Rd. The Pursuit of God 3759 N. Watkins Church White Station Church of 1106 Colonial Rd. Christ

PHOTO ID LAW

Federal or Tennessee government-issued photo ID is required to vote in person unless an exception applies. College student IDs will not be accepted. City or County employee IDs (including library cards) are excluded and will not be accepted. To learn more about the law and its exceptions, please visit GoVoteTN.com.

WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE POLLS When you arrive at the polls, you will need to show the poll worker a photo ID. The worker will check you in.

Then a ballot application will print and a voter access card will be created. You will sign the ballot application and take it and the access card to the machine area.

Another poll worker will collect your ballot application. You will sign the signature list and you will be directed to a machine. Insert your ballot access card into the voting machine and follow the directions on the screen. Vote for the candidates of your choice. If you don’t want to vote in a particular race, skip it.

When you are finished, a summary page will come up.

Review your choices. If you are happy with your choices, then press the “Cast Ballot” button. The voter access card will pop out. Take the card to the next poll worker. They will take the card and give you an “I Voted” sticker.

ABSENTEE BALLOT STATUS To check the status of your ballot, go to: https:// tnmap.tn.gov/voterlookup

SHELBY COUNTY ELECTION COMMISSION Mark H. Luttrell, Jr., Chairman Bennie J. Smith, Jr., Secretary Kendra Lee, Member Steve Stamson, Member Frank Uhlhorn, Member

For additional information, visit ElectionsShelbyTN.gov or GoVoteTN.com and follow us on:

PERSPECTIVE The New Tri-State Defender, April 7 - 13, 2022, Page 4

The Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr. takes in accolades from Shelby County Commission Chairman Eddie Jones (right), with Commissioners Reginald Milton (left) and Cheyenne Johnson (center) joining in with Bishop Henry M. Williamson Sr, presiding bishop of the First Episcopal District of the Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church and others. (Photo: Gary S. Whitlow/ GSW Enterprises/ The New Tri-State Defender) Photos: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises

Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr. – pressing on!

TSD Newsroom

T

he 54th commemoration of the death in Memphis of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was the draw as the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr., founder and president of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, returned to Memphis on Monday (April 4).

Jackson was on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel when an assassin’s bullet fatally struck Dr. King on the evening of April 4, 1968.

On Monday, he made several stops in the

Bluff City, spending time with COGIC officials in the afternoon and later making his way to the National Civil Rights Museum, which now encompasses the old Lorraine.

Jackson, now 80 and living with Parkinson’s Disease, was on the balcony as bells tolled, marking the time – shortly after 6 p.m. – that Dr. King was assassinated on that balcony while in Memphis supporting striking sanitation workers.

As he exited, someone from the NCRM plaza yelled, “We love you!”

Jackson waved, acknowledging the expression of love.

Earlier in the day, Jackson himself was the main draw at a community rally at Mt. Olive CME Church, 538 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive.

In advancing Jackson’s visit, Bishop Henry M. Williamson Sr., presiding prelate for the First Episcopal District of the CME Church, said, “We must realize that Dr. King passed the baton for justice, freedom and equality to Rev. Jackson.”

No stranger to Memphis, the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr. greeted friends and made new ones during his visit to Mt. Olive Cathedral CME Church on Monday.

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The New Tri-State Defender

April 7 - 13, 2022

Page 5

RELIGION

With Dr. King in mind, a Memphis church crowd salutes Rev. Jackson

by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Now 80 years old, with his speech and mobility challenged by the tremors of Parkinson’s Disease, the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. Monday (April 3) shared nuggets of wisdom with a Memphis audience committed to honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and saluting one of Dr. King’s chief lieutenants.

More than 100 attendees came to historic Mt. Olive Cathedral CME Church for the 54th commemoration of King’s assassination in Memphis.

Jackson was a 26-year-old, civil rights activist from Chicago in 1968 when King was gunned down on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel while in Memphis to support striking sanitation workers.

A trailblazer on multiple fronts, Jackson Monday flashed his mastery of the call-and-response motivational speech, with a familiar refrain proving that it still packs power.

“I am somebody,” Jackson said.

“We were better off in the former years. We were together. We loved each other, and we cared about each other. There is too much violence. We need to do something about it. These are our children…We need to teach them conflict resolution…show them the way. We can’t give up on them.”

— Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr.

The crowd responded enthusiastically, “I am somebody.”

The words call up a time when Jackson, founder and president of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, enthralled millions with moving speeches, advocating equality and justice for all, especially African Americans.

“If you don’t register and don’t vote, you are disgracing the memory of Dr. King,” Jackson said Monday afternoon.

He pushed the $15-an-hour minimum wage, declaring that America was “too rich and too blessed” to have so many poor people.

“Poor white people and poor Black people deserve to make a livable

wage,” said Jackson. “No one should be working and still poor…unable to take care of their families. The minimum wage should be $15.”

Jackson lamented that love and unity had been lost over the years among those fighting for equal rights.

“We were better off in the former years,” he said. “We were together.

We loved each other, and we cared about each other. There is too much violence. We need to do something about it. These are our children…We need to teach them conflict resolution…show them the way. We can’t give up on them.”

Surrounded by local ministers, who stood at the podium with him,

The Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr. addresses the gathering at Mt. Olive Cathedral CME Church. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley/The New TriState Defender) Jackson spoke from the heart, without the prompting of notes.

Bishop Henry M. Williamson Sr, presiding bishop of the First Episcopal District of the Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church, hosted the event at Mt. Olive Cathedral CMEChurch at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and Lauderdale Street.

When the floor was opened for questions, one by one attendees came up to thank Jackson for his life and work in civil rights.

One man had come to Memphis with his son to visit the National Civil Rights Museum. Learning that “Rev. Jackson is also here” made him ecstatic. The man thanked Jackson for his messages of encouragement “to Black people” to keep pushing for equal rights and equal access.

When the gentleman mentioned

that he was a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Jackson held up his arms in the familiar hand gesture associated with the group. The audience laughed and applauded.

Jackson ended his visit with admonitions, leading the audience in a chant, more a prayer than a string of catchphrases: “I am somebody. I am somebody.

Respect me. Protect me. Keep hope alive,” he said. “Stop the violence.

Save the children.”

Williamson announced that Jackson would tour the reopened Collins Chapel Connectional Hospital, which is now a transitional housing facility for homeless individuals convalescing from illness, as well as homeless families, called “Room in the Inn.” Jackson was a strong advocate for the hospital’s re-opening.

Inaugural and Service of Installation…

Church of God in Christ Presiding Bishop and Chief Apostle J. Drew Sheard was in Memphis Monday for the Inaugural and Service of Installation for the Right Rev. Elijah Hosea Hankerson III as a General Board member and the Apostolic Affirmation of Jurisdictional & Auxiliary Bishops consecrated November 2021-March 2022. Held at Pentecostal Temple COGIC, 229 S. Danny Thomas Blvd., where Bishop Charles Harrison Mason Patterson Sr. is pastor, the service also included the Right. Rev. Lemuel Floyd Thuston, chairman of the COGIC General Assembly. (Photos: Tyrone P. Easley/The New Tri-State Defender)

The New Tri-State Defender, April 7 - 13, 2022, Page 6

12 women ministers honored by fellowship started the year Dr. King died

by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

“The work starts with a ‘yes.’ “And you will be amazed by where a ‘yes’ to God will take you… The steps of a good man or woman are ordered by the Lord.”

Those words from keynote speaker Dr. Gina M. Stewart, pastor of Christ Missionary Baptist Church and the first African-American female in Shelby County elected to pastor a Baptist church, set the stage for Stewart and 11 other female pastors to be honor as the “12 Most Outstanding Women in Ministry” Saturday April 2) at Grace M. B. Church.

The designation was presented by Memphis Inter-Denominational Fellowship.

During her speech, Dr. Stewart drew from the biblical story of Esther.

“Who would have thought that Esther, the orphan, would live in the king’s palace?”

She added, the women in ministry “are still here,” though some would say that pastors should be men. She praised Evangelist Nettie Rogers for being a visionary who blazed trails for those coming after her.

The Memphis Inter-Denominational Fellowship was founded in 1968, the same year Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in Memphis.

Founder Evangelist Nettie B. Rogers began the “12 Most Outstanding Women” as the signature program to honor local women doing extraordinary things.

The inaugural honor lauded the accomplishments of “12 Most Outstanding Women in Our City.’”

This year’s honorees were “12 Most Outstanding Women in Ministry.”

Evangelist Rogers had a great vision for her nonprofit organization. She wanted to build spiritual strength and moral fiber throughout Memphis communities through Christian education, fight the onslaught of crime and juvenile delinquency, and improve race relations.

Her daughter, Dr. Inetta F. Rogers, took the helm of the ministry in 2005. Evangelist Rogers died in 2009.

“MID (Memphis Inter-Denominational Fellowship) is thrilled to honor these exceptional women in ministry,” Dr. Rogers said. “We are equally excited to honor the founder with the unveiling of a memoir I wrote: ‘The Evangelist: The Memoir of Nettie B. Rogers.’ Evangelist Rogers was

a trailblazer, a history maker, and a woman of stamina.”

Also honored in the 2022 class of “12 Outstanding Women in Ministry were: ● Dr. DeLois Broady, a minister at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church.

Broady was the first African-American female Chaplain Manager in the Methodist Healthcare System. ● Dr. Lynn Bumpus Dandridge, pastor of Central Baptist Church. In 2009, Dandridge became the first female and 14th pastor of historic Central Baptist Church. ● Dr. Deborah Luckett Day, founder and president of Mending Vessels Ministry, and associate minister of St. John Baptist Church, Vance Avenue. ● Dr. Cozette R. Garrett, Life Group Leader and Advisor to Clergy Ministry at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church. ● The Rev. Christine Allen Glass, associate minister of Grace Missionary Baptist Church. She was appointed Spiritual Life Commissioner of the Tennessee Missionary Baptist Educational Convention. ● The Rev. Mary E. Moore, minister at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church.

She was the second female elected to lead an African-American congregation. Moore pastored New Salem Baptist Church, 4th Street, for 13 years. ● Dr. Rosalyn R. Nichols, pastor, and founder of Freedom Chapel Christian Church. She is also executive director of the Memphis Theological Seminary Starks Institute for Faith, Race, and Social Justice. ● The Rev. Marilynn S. Robinson, retired pastor of St. Andrew AME Church, which she co-pastored with her husband, Dr. Kenneth S. Robinson. She operates two entities: Light & Life Travel Agency, and a community library for underserved children called Reading Works. ● Dr. Deborah B. Smith, Metro District Superintendent of the United Methodist Church. She is the former pastor of Centenary United Methodist Church and is a Rust College trustee. ● Dr. Almella Y. Starks-Umoja, an itinerant elder at St. James AME Church. She is a charter member of the Memphis Theological Seminary Starks Institute of Faith, Race, and Social Justice. ● Dr. Terri Strong, senior pastor of Mt. Sinai AME Church in Arlington, Tenn.

She is an accomplished author and singer/ songwriter, with eight published books and a CD project entitled, “It Was His Heart.”

Seated: Rev. Dr. Cozette R. Garrett; Rev. Dr. Inetta F. Rogers; Rev. Dr. Gina M. Stewart; Rev. Christine Allen Glass; 2nd Row: Rev. Mary E. Moore; Rev. Dr. Terri L. Strong; Rev. Dr. Deborah B. Smith; Rev. Dr. Rosalyn Regina Nichols; Rev. Dr. Lynn Bumpus Dandridge; Rev. Dr. DeLois E. Broady; 3rd Row: Rev. Dr. Almella Y. Starks-Umoja; Rev. Marilynn S. Robinson; and Rev. Dr. DeBorah Luckett Day. (Photos by Tyrone P. Easley/ The New Tri-State Defender)

Adult children of Evangelist Nettie B. Rogers: Loverta Rogers Dorris, Joy Rogers Stout, James M. Rogers, Dr. Vanessa Rogers Long, Dr. Inetta F. Rogers.

Program participants; Rev. Dr. Karen Todd, program director, House of Black Church Studies at Memphis Theological Seminary; Dr. Inetta F. Rogers; Dr. Gina Stewart; Rev. Fekecia Gunn, MID Fellowship scholarship recipient, April Thompson Larsha, mistress of Ceremonies.

BOOK REVIEW

‘The Trayvon Generation’ – readable, thoughtful and compelling

by Terri Schlichenmeyer

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Your children never miss a thing.

Nothing escapes their notice. They watch below and overhead, spotting objects you’ve passed by a dozen times but never truly saw. From birth and beyond, they’re like sponges, observant and watchful and, as in the new book, “The Trayvon Generation” by Elizabeth Alexander, you wish for them better things to see.

Though it’s been a four-hundredyear struggle, the number-one problem of this century, says Alexander, is still “the color line.” Generations have done “the race work,” but it remains an issue and she “both lament(s)” and is “enraged that... our young people still have to wrestle with” it.

She grew up “in troves of blackness,” but Alexander’s children were raised in a neighborhood where someone sent out a watch message

about two Black boys riding around on bikes.

As the mother of those boys, now men, she knows the worry, the dreams about worrying, and the fear of Elizabeth not being able to Alexander keep them safe.

As a Black mother, it’s impossible to “fully protect our children,” she believes.

Part of the problem is that we don’t always see white supremacy when it’s hidden right in front of us. Alexander points at artwork and paintings that hang in esteemed places, but that feature uncomfortable or even outrageous backgrounds that often go unnoticed, or that take decades to change, once they’re seen.

And we go back to what’s seen: Alexander calls her sons and Black people under twenty-five the “Trayvon Generation.” They’re the youth whose names are called when we talk about the police, and the young people whose names we don’t know. We see, and still wonder how a mother can keep her children from being “demonized,” or teach them “to access the sources of strength that transcend this American nightmare of racism and... violence.” How can she protect them, when they, themselves, are used to assuming “responsibility for the horror they could not prevent”?

“I wish,” she says, “... for our young people rest from the unending labor that is race work, and from the spectral anxiety that is part of what it is to be Black.”

How do you mark your pages when you read a book? Whatever you use, have a lot of them on hand because nearly every other paragraph of “The

Trayvon Generation” contains a sentence or three that you’ll want to remember, to re-read, or turn over in your mind.

Author Elizabeth Alexander uses personal stories, Black literature, history, racial violence, and current events to paint pain inside the pages of this book.

There’s outrage here, too, but it’s different than perhaps anything you’ve read: it shows itself, then it sits back and waits to see what a reader will do before getting another punch or gasp, another George Floyd, another Angola, another “shock of delayed comprehension.”

That’s what makes this book so must-readable, so thoughtful and compelling. It’s what makes it something you’ll want to share with your older teenager and your friends, for discussion.

Find “The Trayvon Generation,” and you won’t miss a thing.

“The Trayvon Generation”

by Elizabeth Alexander c.2022, Grand Central Publishing $22 160 pages

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

FedEx Logistics opens Global Headquarters in Downtown Memphis FedEx Logistics, Inc., a subsidiary of FedEx Corp., held an opening event this week at its new Global Headquarters in Downtown Memphis — a new focal point for the company’s global operations in 34 countries and territories.

“Great cities have great buildings.

From this magnificent facility, our employees will collaborate, innovate, and serve our global customers,” said Udo Lange, president & CEO, FedEx Logistics.

“The FedEx Logistics Global Headquarters is a vision for the future of

global commerce, or as we like to say at FedEx: it’s where now meets next.”

FedEx Logistics — which invested more than $50 million to sustainably renovate the building and help rejuvenate downtown — offers air and ocean cargo, warehousing and distribution, customs brokerage, and trade solutions that attract additional customers, and add incredible value, to the FedEx portfolio.

At the press conference, FedEx Logistics announced a donation of $20,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis.

“With the opening of this fantastic new headquarters and a generous donation to a worthy cause, FedEx Logistics has made a clear statement of its intent to benefit and serve the local community,” said Richard W. Smith, former president and CEO of FedEx Logistics and current president and CEO-elect of FedEx Express. (Courtesy photo)

A Voter Ready Open House set to detail voting changes TSD Newsroom “Aggressive, grassroots communication” is needed to ensure that recent changes don’t adversely affect the local electoral process, according to a Shelby County Voter Alliance spokesman, who has joined with the Shelby County Election Commission in pitching a special open house set for Thursday (April 7).

The Voter Ready Open House for Greater Awareness of Polling Place Changes will take place from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., with Shelby County voters invited to visit their new or existing election day polling places.

“Voting is so important. It affects so many aspects of our everyday life, especially when there are local elections” said Ian Randolph of the Shelby County Voter Alliance (SCVA), which he describes as a blend of faith-based organizations, union leaders, sororities, fraternities, the NAACP, education advocacy groups and others.

“The three elections that we have this year are so important and people need to come out and vote.”

SCVA’s outreach in conjunction with the Shelby County Election Commission (SCEC) primarily is focused on helping local residents find out where they must go to vote, said Randolph.

Precinct changes throughout Shelby County followed the Tennessee legislature’s recent approval of redistricting plans. Accounting for “cost and organizational efficiencies,” the SCEC has said “multiple changes” were needed, including polling place closures, mergers, relocations and name changes.

Linda Phillips, SCEC administrator, said the Voter Ready Open House is one of several steps being taken to prevent voter disenfranchisement, adding that she believes it is a first.

Every voter’s precinct number changed and about 250,000 voters will have new polling locations. During Voter Ready Open House on Thursday, every voting precinct will be open.

“There will be signage at the polling

locations that have been closed, with a voter hotline number (222-1222). If they go to the wrong voting location for the open house it’s not a problem because we will have somebody at each location armed with a tablet to look up the voter and find out where they should vote so they will be ready for Election Day,” said Phillips.

The Shelby County Primary is May 3, followed on Aug. 4 by the County General, State and Federal Primary, Town of Arlington and the Memphis Special Election. Nov. 8 will be Election Day for the State and Federal General and Bartlett, Collierville, Germantown, Lakeland and Millington Municipal.

In addition to balloons, cookies and stickers for children, Open House will provide the opportunity to change addresses, view maps of precincts, as well as learn about the 2022 elections, register for the August and November elections and learn about early-voting dates.

“Early voting is the way to go,” said Randolph, “because you can go to any early-voting site and vote. It doesn’t matter where your precinct is. … But I know a number of people who enjoy the excitement of voting on Election Day. “If you are one of those people and you are showing up to vote on Election Day, you need to know where your precinct is. … Go to the open house on April 7 to make sure you know where to go when Election Day comes.”

The deadline to vote for the May 3 election was midnight Monday (April 4). There is ample time to register for the other two elections this year.

According to T.C.A 2-2-109, a qualified voter must be properly registered no later than 30 days before the election. The Election Commission office will process any by-mail voter registration form that has been postmarked at least thirty 30 days before the election. T.C.A 2-2-109.

Randolph said the non-partisan Shelby County Voter Alliance is responsible for staffing at least 60 of the polling locations.

Greater Memphis Chamber, UnitedHealthcare plan to help small businesses with coverage

by James Coleman

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Shelby County Election Commission Administrator Linda Phillips and Ian Randolph of the Shelby County Voter Alliance talk with The New Tri-State Defender about the April 7 Voter Ready Open House for Greater Awareness of Polling Place Changes. (Screen capture) “Our main focus is to increase voter participation and voter turnout,” he said.

“We want everyone in Shelby County, who is eligible to vote, to turn out to vote. We have a small majority of people who turn out to vote. These are the people who have influence in our county. Everybody who is eligible to vote needs to turn out to vote.”

Asked if the Shelby County Voter Alliance is taking a position on the call for opening of more precincts on the first two days of early voting for the May 3 primaries, Randolph said, “We would love to see all of the precincts open but our main position is turn out and early vote because you can go anywhere and early vote, not just your precinct.”

As for turnout for a county primary election, Phillips said, “Traditionally, we are lucky if we get 12 percent in a county primary in a midterm year. I would love to see 25 percent. …

“There are a lot of reasons people don’t come out in primaries because you do have to tell the poll worker party preferences and that is recorded and is public record.”

To find new or existing election day locations, visit shelbyvote.org, click the Voter Ready Open House banner and follow the instructions listed.

Or, call the Voter Information Hotline at 901-222-1222, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., M – F. Extended hotline hours will be offered further into the election season.

For even the largest of businesses, the costs of providing health care coverage can be formidable.

However, for small businesses, the costs can be crippling.

To help these employers – and their employees – stay healthy, the Greater Memphis Chamber announced is partnering with UnitedHealthcare to offer level-funded insurance benefit plans to its members.

The partnership was announced on Wednesday.

“Even before the pandemic, the rising cost of health care was a major hurdle to their survival and success,” said Rob Becker, Chamber Benefits Inc. president.

“Our hope is that the coverage option we are announcing today will give them a competitive edge, making our city stronger and more resilient to challenges, like the pandemic.”

According to 2021 U.S. Census data, 15.5 percent of Memphians 65-under are uninsured.

Through the level funding plan, business owners will pay the same amount for their employee’s health care each month. If claims are lower than expected, they may receive a surplus at the end of the year.

There could also be an additional 2 percent savings. Depending on the size of the business and other factors, it could result in thousands of dollars in savings per year.

Another benefit will encourage employees and their spouses to use a motion device to track their steps.

If certain daily goals are met, they could each be rewarded with up to $1,000 in HSA contributions.

The plan is open to members with 5-99 employees.

“If their claims are higher than

expected, the stop-loss insurance, that’s already built into their payments, will cover the difference,” said Chamber President and CEO Beverly Robertson.

“This offering is expanding the Chamber’s support for small businesses with a benefit that has proven to be extremely popular with small business members in the past, which are discounted health benefits for small businesses.”

The Memphis Chamber is the first community branch in Tennessee to offer the benefit.

There are currently more than 20,000 small businesses in Memphis alone. And more and more are entering the local market every year. A Lending Tree survey ranked Memphis No. 1 among large American cities to show an increase in business applications in 2019-20, with an increase of nearly 78 percent.

“More than 90 percent of chamber members are indeed small businesses,” Robertson said. “As we talk(ed) with small business leaders over the last couple of years, we have heard over and over and over again that providing health benefits for employees is one of the biggest challenges small businesses face.”

The hope is the level-funded benefit will provide enough flexibility for small businesses to meet those challenges and thrive.

“Through this relationship with the Memphis Chamber, our hope is that employers can not only save on their health care benefits, but will also have the insight they need to provide the right benefit for their employees,” said Steve Wilson, UnitedHealthcare of the MidSouth CEO. “This can help them play a more active role in their health care and save on out-of-pocket costs.”

Black Men Crowned to present ‘Speak Up with NLE Choppa’

by Brianna Smith-Herman Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Black Men Crowned (BMC) is a nonprofit organization created by Memphis native Justin Hart to honor, inspire, empower and celebrate Black Men in Memphis, while creating a space to help guide youth toward becoming productive citizens in their communities.

As part of BMC’s youth outreach initiatives, the organization presents their first event “Speak Up with NLE Choppa” Saturday (April 9)

Parents and educators interested in having their children or students attend can RSVP by emailing blackmencrown@gmail.com. The email should include the child’s name and age, a photo, and the name of the school they attend.

Space is limited. Additional details on the event will be provided to those who register.

“As a nonprofit organization, BMC is a multimedia brand that will serve as a driving force for our youth and Black men to develop a pristine mor-

al character that exemplifies the power of human resolve, perseverance, and faith,” Hart said.

He continued, “Creating a solid foundation for them to evolve into productive, astounding, and resilient citizens in their community is our mission, which we plan to accomplish as we expand our initiative.”

The event will be a town hall meeting geared towards providing youth ages1218 with a space to voice their concerns about the steady increase in crimes throughout the city…, mental health is-

sues, education and mentorship.

Speak up with NLE Choppa, more importantly, will provide the opportunity to be a part of the changes they want to see in Memphis.

“Our assignment is to provide a sacred space for our fellow man and youth” to feel empowered, and to detach the stigma from generational traumas while normalizing conversations surrounding mental health, social injustice and changing the stereotypes depicted in mainstream media,” Hart said.

Hart added, “It’s very rare to see a platform created for our kids to express their opinions about ways for them to assist in moving the culture forward.”

NLE Choppa’s mother and manager, Angeleta Potts, also will also appear, providing “parents with her perspective about the importance of listening to their kids, and creating a space for them to be heard.”

(Follow Black Men Crowned on Instagram, @blackmencrowned and Facebook.)

The New Tri-State Defender

ENTERTAINMENT LENS & LINES

Kevin Kavaunjay Braden (right) of “901 All Access” interviewing 107.1 radio personality DJ Superman at Fannie Lou’s Chicken and Waffles. (Photos: Warren Roseborough/The New Tri-State Defender)

Watching local celebs eat is catching on with 901 All Access

by Warren Roseborough

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Kevin Kavaunjay Braden started a new project – “901 All Access” – about nine months ago. Count me among those who think he really is on to something great.

Kevin is a radio personality and DJ for Memphis-Shelby County Schools at 88.5 on the radio dial. His “901 All Access” show can be seen on Cable 19 in Memphis and on YouTube if you don’t live in Memphis.

The show’s format pivots off interviews with Memphis

celebrities in the entertainment industry from rappers to seamstresses. Kevin interviews his guests in African-American-owned restaurants.

It’s a 2-for-1 deal: The artist gets the exposure and so does the restaurant.

This week, he featured DJ Superman, a radio personality for 107.1 in Memphis. The featured restaurant was Fannie Lou’s Chicken and Waffles.

The food was delicious. I will definitely be back.

For me and others, “901 All Access” already is must-see TV. You can catch past episodes on YouTube.

April 7 - 13, 2022

LEGAL NOTICE Request for Statement of Qualifications MSCAA Project Number 22-1458-00 Charles Baker Runway Pavement Improvements Design

tree limbs for pick up is eight (8) feet. Trees debris cannot be comingled with other solid waste.

Statements of Qualifications for Charles Baker Runway Pavement Improvements - Design will be received by the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority (Authority), Procurement Department, 4150 Louis Carruthers Drive, Memphis, TN 38118, until 2:00 PM local time on Thursday, April 21, 2022. The Information Package, including a description of the scope of services, the selection criteria, the required response format, and additional instructions may be obtained on the Authority’s website at www.flymemphis. com on or after March 28, 2022.

The ice storm heavily affected areas throughout Shelby County.

All Respondents are responsible for checking the Authority’s website up to the submission deadline for any updates, addenda or additional information. The successful Respondent must meet the DBE participation goal for this project, which is 30%, and sign a contract with the Authority that includes Federal Aviation Administration provisions, if applicable, regarding 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.

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:

The Authority reserves the right to reject any or all responses to this request in whole or in part; to waive any informalities, technicalities, or omissions related to this request; and to reject responses on any other basis authorized by the Authority’s purchasing policies. This project is funded under a grant contract with the State of Tennessee.

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

By order of: Scott A. Brockman, A.A.E. President and CEO Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority Special Debris Removal Pick Up February 3rd and 4th Ice Storm ENDING APRIL 29, 2022

The menu at Fannie Lou’s Chicken and Waffles includes these choices.

CLASSIFIEDS

Shelby County, TN – The Shelby County Roads, Bridges and Engineering Department, Public Works Division will cease to accept tree debris from the unincorporated areas damaged by the February 3rd and 4th ice storm at 3:30 P.M. on Friday, April 29, 2022. This storm event was a presidentially-declared disaster, prompting the Roads, Bridges and Engineering Department to perform residential storm debris removal, a service not performed in normal business operations.

The maximum allowable length of

Hired contractor generated debris will not be eligible for pick up and must be removed by the contractor.

Please contact 901-222-7705 to schedule storm debris removal.

Pick up will continue until all requests received prior to 3:30 P.M. on Friday, April 29, 2022 have been honored.

NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY

BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT

India Brown Tax Parcel #: 05004100000230 Tax Sale #: 1002 Price Offered: $1125.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice.

If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 9:30 a.m. on May 2, 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: Fernando Ware Tax Parcel #: 05004600000320 Tax Sale #: 1004 Price Offered: $562.50 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 June 7, 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: Dewayne Boyd Tax Parcel #: 04901300000150 Tax Sale #: 1704 Price Offered: $4000.00 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 1:00 p.m. on June 7, 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: Alexian Scruggs Tax Parcel #: 04206300000150 Tax Sale #: 1401 Price Offered: $375.00 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 10:30 a.m. on June 7, 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

Page 8

an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Fernando Ware Tax Parcel #: 05004600000250 Tax Sale #: 1002 Price Offered: $225.00 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 June 7, 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: Stephanie Tolston Tax Parcel #: 05903700001050 Tax Sale #: 1702 Price Offered: $5000.00 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 June 7, 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: Terrance Bean Tax Parcel #: 02106100000180 Tax Sale #: 1702 Price Offered: $17,800.00 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,

The New Tri-State Defender

April 7 - 13, 2022

CLASSIFIEDS

all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 2:30 p.m. on June 6, 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

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 June 6, 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 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:

NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY

BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT

Prestigious Rose Properties Tax Parcel #: 01303300000190 Tax Sale #: 1702 Price Offered: $3500.00 Terms: Cash

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:

Donna S. George Tax Parcel #: 03509300000300 Tax Sale #: 1604 Price Offered: $500.00 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 1:30 p.m. on June 6, 2022, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort.

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

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The New Tri-State Defender

April 7 - 13, 2022

Page 10

SPORTS

Grizzlies fight to the end in OT loss to Utah with regular season winding down

10-1 run with back-to-back 3s.

Memphis erased the double-digit deficit right before halftime. The Grizzlies tied it on a corner 3 from Bane and took a 50-48 lead on a pair of free throws from Jackson with 7.2 seconds left in the half.

Bane scored four baskets in 3 ½ minutes after halftime to help propel Memphis to a 68-57 lead. The second-year guard had 12 points in the third quarter alone. With Bane leading the way, the Grizzlies made six of their first nine shots in the second half.

Utah surged back ahead 91-83 early in the fourth quarter behind a 21-7 run fueled by three baskets and three assists from Clarkson. Danuel House, Jr. capped the surge with a four-point play and an alley-oop dunk.

TSD Newsroom “We held our own,” said Memphis head coach Taylor Jenkins after the Grizzlies – playing on the road without their top two scorers – forced the Utah Jazz into overtime before succumbing 121-115.

“For the most part, I thought our guys did a really good job against the No. 1 offense in the league.”

Ja Morant (right knee soreness) and Dillon Brooks (right hip soreness) were both inactive. The same injury has sidelined Morant since mid-March. Their absence didn’t stop the Grizzlies, who – out of character – shot poorly in the paint but produced big baskets as the fourth quarter wound down.

On the night that he set the Memphis franchise record for blocks in the regular season, Grizzlies’ big man Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 28 points. Tyus Jones added 24 points and Desmond Bane had 23 points, seven rebounds and four steals.

Jackson made a pair of 3-pointers in the final minute of regulation and Kyle Anderson put back Bane’s airball on a 3-pointer before the buzzer to force overtime.

Utah’s Donovan Mitchell, who had 20 points, eight rebounds, and five assists, went 1 for 2 from the free-throw line with 5.6 seconds on the clock and the Jazz leading 109-108.

“After it goes to overtime, it would have been very easy to (feel) defeated,” Utah coach Quin Snyder said. “It was the exact opposite.”

Utah (47-32) went ahead for good when Mitchell and Rudy Gobert scored on back-to-back possessions to help the Jazz carve out a 119-113 lead. Memphis (5524) scored its only basket in overtime on Bane’s runner with 27.5 seconds left.

Gobert had 22 points and 21 rebounds as the Jazz clinched a playoff berth with the overtime victory. Jordan Clarkson also finished with 22 points for Utah.

Jackson was a force for the Grizzlies on

Notes:

Dillon Brooks soared, scored and was fouled on this play as helped Memphis take down the Phoenix Suns at FedExForum (April 1) and clinch the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference Playoffs. (Photo: Warren Roseborough/The New Tri-State Defender) both ends of the court. In addition to his 28 points and three assists, he had 7 rebounds and three blocks.

“Resilience was good,” Jackson said.

“Pushed it to overtime. We were good defensively. Offensively hit-or-miss, but that’s a good team.”

Down by five after the first quarter, the Grizzlies engineered a tied score after each of the next three quarters.

The Jazz won their fourth straight home game after holding Memphis without a basket for the first 4 1/2 minutes of overtime.

Utah built a 30-19 lead a minute into the second quarter after Clarkson and former Memphis star guard Mike Conley capped a

Jaren Jackson Jr. passed Pau Gasol for the franchise single-season record with three blocks against the Jazz in Utah on Tuesday night.

(Screen capture)

● With his three blocks, Jackson passed Pau Gasol for the franchise single-season record. He has totaled an NBA-best 172 blocks this season. ● Steven Adams led Memphis in rebounds (13) and assists (8). Adams’ assist total matched his season-high. Utah finished with a 61-51 advantage rebounding advantage. ● The Grizzlies, who lost for just the third time in 23 games without Morant, sewed up the second seed in the Western Conference with a thrilling win over No. 1 seed Phoenix last Friday (April 1) at FedExForum. ● Memphis clinched the Western Conference Southwestern Division title, its first divisional title, with a win over the San Antonio Spurs last week. ● The Grizzlies visit the Denver Nuggets on Thursday before finishing the regular season with a two-game, back-to-back homestand against the New Orleans Pelicans (April 9) and the Boston Celtics the next evening.

(This story reflects a report by the Associated Press.)

Notre Dame, Tennessee State schedule historic football game

TSU head coach Eddie George works the sidelines during the Southern Heritage Classic game against Jackson State University. (Photo: Warren Roseborough/The New Tri-State Defender)

(AP) – Notre Dame’s 2023 home opener will be against Tennessee State University on Sept. 2, marking the first time the Fighting Irish have faced a Historically Black College or University.

School officials made the announcement Tuesday and credited second-year Tigers coach Eddie George, the 1995 Heisman Trophy winner, and Tennessee State athletic director Mikki Allen with creating the vision to schedule the game that will be televised nationally on NBC. “We’re excited to bring a pair

of great academic institutions that are steeped in tradition together in 2023,” Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick said in a statement.

“I’m thrilled we’re able to bring the Tigers and the Irish together for a weekend that will feature programs with over 20 combined national titles, the Aristocrat of Bands and the Band of the Fighting Irish.”

Tennessee State has won more than 550 games and lists former NFL stars Richard Dent, Ed “Too Tall” Jones, Claude Humphrey and Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie

among its alums.

The Tigers won the 1973 Division II national championship and 12 Black College national championships since 1946, but haven’t reached the FCS playoffs since 2013.

“TSU and Notre Dame are two iconic programs that have helped shape today’s college athletics landscape,” Allen said. “We are setting the foundation for long-term success under coach George’s leadership. The goal is that TSU will be a destination program for the next generation of student-athletes to come.”

The New Tri-State Defender

April 7 - 13, 2022

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We’re right here to do more.

To help support both your physical and mental health while giving back to our communities is to go beyond what is expected from a health insurance company. And that’s exactly why we do it.

©2022 BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, Inc., an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association

BCBS004421_L1rr_2022_BrandPrint_Mom&2Kids_TriStateDefender_11x21.indd 1

3/25/22 9:51 AM

The New Tri-State Defender

April 7 - 13, 2022

She means business.

And we’re here to help.

Women-owned businesses power the American economy, employing more than 9 million people and creating revenue at nearly 5 times the average.* We’re proud to help them go even further by: • Committing more than $300 million to provide capital to diverse entrepreneurs and small business owners, including women • Doubling the number of women able to attend the free Bank of America Institute for Women’s Entrepreneurship at Cornell to 100,000 • Providing the financial tools, expertise and personal attention to help them start, run and grow their businesses

“I’m also proud that Bank of America walks the walk when it comes to hiring, supporting and promoting women within our walls.

Our board of directors is 50% diverse, including 6 female directors. Our workforce is half women, just like Memphis. And our management team is more than half diverse, including 7 female leaders.”

Trevia Chatman President, Bank of America Memphis

What would you like the power to do?® Learn more at bankofamerica.com/memphis

*Source: The State of Women-Owned Businesses Report: Summary of Key Trends, American Express, 2019.

Bank of America, N.A. Member FDIC. Equal Credit Opportunity Lender © 2022 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

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