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April 14 - 20, 2022
VOL. 71, No. 15
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IN POLITICS 2022
‘Black Out The Polls’ set to protest early-voting site closures by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell
Special to The New Tri-State Defender
A voter rights coalition targeted Thursday (April 14) for a “Black Out the Polls” protest. Announced on Tuesday, the planned protest comes after Monday’s denial of a legal motion to force the Shelby County Election Commission to open multiple early-voting church sites for the May 3 election. “We are encouraging thousands of church members to show up dressed in black … to vote at the Election Commission Downtown, 3:30 p.m.,” said the Rev. Dr. Earle J. Fisher, founder of UpTheVote901. “We want to show how ridiculous it is to keep our churches closed for early voting.” 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 Wednesday (April 13) through April 28. Friday, April 15, polls will be closed in recognition of Good Friday. Saturday, five additional locations will open: the Agricenter, Arlington Safe Room, Baker Community Center, Dave Wells Community Center and Glenview Community Center. Polls open at 10 a.m. and close at 4 p.m. that day. On Monday, April 18, all 26 locations will open with voting from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., except the downtown location, where the hours will be 9 a.m - 5 p.m. throughout the early voting period. Saturday, April 23, voting hours will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Special Judge James F. Butler denied a motion Monday (April 11) for a court order directing the Election Commission to open all 26 sites across the county on opening day. The request for injunctive relief was part of a larger lawsuit by the Memphis Branch NAACP, UpTheVote901 and the Black Clergy Collaborative that challenged the Election Commission’s plan for the start of early voting as an unconstitutional effort at voter suppression. Shelby County Elections Administrator Linda Phillips testified she relied on her staff’s statements that none of the churches serving as early voting sites would agree
SEE VOTE ON PAGE 2
Ken Moody’s bid for Shelby County Mayor was embraced by this group of pastors, who detailed their support during a press conference held at 3000 Walnut Grove Rd. on Tuesday. Early voting began Wednesday (April 13) and runs through April 28. Read more in a story coming online at TSDMemphis.com. (Photos: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises)
Incumbent Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris addressed supporters at a fundraiser at The Pocket in Downtown Memphis on Tuesday. He acknowledged that some political observers see the mayoral race as close and detailed priorities for a second term. Read more online at TSDMemphis.com.
County mayoral candidates push forward as early-voting signals next phase of campaigns
UofM’s new president relishes his latest chance to make a ‘difference’ by Karanja A. Ajanaku kajanaku@tsdmemphis.com
A first-generation Arkansas high school student, who later discovered he could “make a difference,” Dr. William Hardgrave now is in charge of the University of Memphis, where he actively is embracing his latest opportunity to affect positive change. The U of M’s 13th president, Hardgrave (former senior vice president for Academic Affairs at Auburn University), took over on April 1. On Tuesday, he welcomed a visit from The New Tri-State Defender as he makes his introduction to Greater Memphis.
In a conference room, three floors up in the Administration Building whose grounds feature the Memphis State Eight marker heralding the students who desegrated the university in 1959, Hardgrave fielded questions from TSD Associate Publisher/Executive Editor Karanja A. Ajanaku. Karanja A. Ajanaku: How do you see yourself, as president, helping with the evolution of the relationship between the African American community and the U of M? Dr. William Hardgrave: … Many universities, including the university that I just left, struggle to have a diverse student body, one that truly
looks like America and this university looks like America. I think that’s a position of strength that this university ought to really take advantage of. And I’m not being critical, but I’m not sure we’ve fully taken advantage of that because employers want a diverse workforce and they want universities to turn out a diverse set of graduates to have a diverse workforce. And so that’s something that I’m just thrilled to inherit, a great diverse student body. … I had lunch yesterday with Willie Gregory (of Nike). … And one of the pieces of advice he gave me was to
SEE UofM ON PAGE 2
Dr. William Hardgrave: “I came here because I saw tremendous opportunity. Just as much as this university has improved over the last decade in particular, there’s so much more with this foundation that’s been laid that we can do and I see nothing but upside.” (Photo: Karanja A. Ajanaku/The New Tri-State Defender)
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CONTINUED FROM FRONT to open in advance of Easter Sunday, adding low turnout in past county primaries did not warrant having all 26 sites open on the first two days of the period. Organizers of “Black Out The Polls” intend to clog traffic, inundate parking facilities, and create “impossibly long lines” at the Election Commission. More than 20 churches are expected to participate. “We started early to plan for the possibility that our lawsuit would be delayed,” said Fisher. “County judges, one after
UofM
CONTINUED FROM FRONT make sure that I understand and continue to facilitate the great relationship between the University of Memphis and the Memphis community. … his point was well taken. And that is that there is such a great relationship here and we continue to have to work on that. … (W)e had some lunches, invited some of the community leaders in so that I got to know more about the community and (make) sure that I have touch points out there in the community. K. Ajanaku: You talked (in other interviews) about learning in the process of your career about making a difference and that some aspect of that has shown each level that you’ve gone to. … (G)iven Memphis and its demographics and the fact that there’s only one HBCU … here, can more of a collaboration with LeMoyne-Owen College as a vehicle for making a difference? Dr. Hardgrave: So, the short answer is yes, but I think it goes beyond that. I think it really goes to a collaboration among all the educational institutions at all levels. I had a meeting recently with the superintendent of the Shelby County Schools and one of the things that he and I talked about, and I think this is something we have to work on … what I call the educational ecosystem. … We tend to view it, well, here’s K through 12, and here’s your community college, your two-year schools and here’s your four-year schools. And everybody kind of does their own thing and you work in silos. We’ve got to work together … I’ll use myself as an example.… I grew up in rural Arkansas with no role models for what it looked like to even graduate high school. … My father was a construction worker. My mom worked in a shoe factory…. when we still had shoe factories in the US, so I didn’t know what it meant to go to college… I just was lucky that people were put in my path and I got to where I got to higher education…. Well, I’m the living embodiment of what higher education can do. And what we need to do from an ecosystem is make sure that everybody has that access and that opportunity. That they have role models that they can see…. And not everyone is destined to go to a four-year school, but we need to make sure that their destiny is fulfilled whatever path…. K. Ajanaku: Does the U of M share with school systems in Shelby County information about college readiness that can inform their planning and preparation of students? Dr. Hardgrave: I don’t know if we do, but if we don’t, we will, because absolutely (the) question feeds right into
another, had to recuse themselves because of re-election bids. Our Black Out strategy is Plan B.” A press conference in early March by the coalition warned that legal action would be taken if all early-voting church sites were not opened on April 13. UpTheVote901, Memphis Branch NAACP, Black Clergy Collaborative of Memphis and the African American Clergy Collective of Tennessee stand united in the demand for the churches to be opened. Closures are all located in communities where a high number of Black voters live, according to Fisher.
April 14 - 20, 2022
Page 2
NEWS
“The Election Commission took it upon itself to make a decision for the Black church community,” said Fisher. Other pastors who spoke at the early March press conference demanded that their churches be opened on day one of early voting. “We were not asked anything about whether or not we wanted our churches closed during this week,” said Dr. J. Lawrence Turner, pastor of Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church. “The decision was made for us, and we are saying, ‘Open our churches for early voting.’” Whitehaven, Hickory Hill,
and Westwood have been targeted for voter suppression, Fisher said. That’s where many of the city’s “Black voters” live. He said there are “fewer” early voting sites in those three communities. The Election Commission website lists several early voting locations in Whitehaven and South Memphis, and early voting sites in Southwest Memphis, Frayser, Raleigh and Hickory Hill. “We warned that we would fight these closings in every way we could,” said Fisher. “Litigation is not possible at this late date. ‘Black
Out The Polls’ is our next, best strategy. We wanted to have a dialog with the commission, but no one ever reached out.” Phillips insisted that the decision to close churches until Monday (April 18) was not made to suppress the vote. She cited a move to “maximize county resources.” More than $200,000 would be saved by keeping the church sites closed, according to Phillips. Memphis Branch NAACP President Van Turner Jr. said Phillips is saving money where “she has not been asked to save money.”
this idea of the educational ecosystem. We need to know, they need to know how well prepared their students are for us. And we need to know that so that we can make sure we work with them to make sure those students are prepared. Or what we need to do to help prepare them. … K. Ajanaku: … (R)elative to college readiness … generally speaking, are we seeing students more or less prepared when they come to the college level? Dr. Hardgrave: Leading up to COVID I think we were generally seeing students more prepared. … Those whom we could get through graduation… we still have a bigger problem of them not making it to that high school graduation. But for those who graduated, we were seeing, I think, good improvement in many states who had struggled for a long time. COVID has hurt that and we’ve taken a pretty big step back in the students’ preparation. And unfortunately, that is going to hurt us for years. … It’s going to take us a very long time to recover from how the pandemic hurt education. … (A)cross the board, students are less prepared now than they were before the pandemic. K. Ajanaku: You’ve mentioned ecosystem a couple of times. Can you amplify a little bit on what you’re talking about there? Dr. Hardgrave: I’m talking about working together collectively as one unit… I’ll take Blue Oval City (the planned automotive assembly complex Ford Motor Company is spearheading in West Tennessee). … They’re going to be bringing thousands of jobs, but they’re going to need jobs of all types; some that require high school education only, some that require two-year technical school type training, some that require four-year degrees. Well, let’s work collectively and let’s work with Blue Oval City as they come in so that we have a better understanding of how we prepare our young people for the opportunities that lay ahead of them. … We need to be all on the same page. We need to be working together to help those young people all the way through, whatever that looks like. K. Ajanaku: I’ve heard you say in your short time here that you had a lot of decisions that you have to make in the next year. Can you give us an idea of what might be at the top of that list? Dr. Hardgrave: Well, I think at the top of the list is a preparation for what we know is coming with the demographics from a shared numbers perspective on students who are going to be college eligible or graduate from high school. Simply put, we will have fewer young people in a couple of years than we’ve had in decades. … We’re going to see a drop off of somewhere be-
The Memphis State Eight marker heralds the students who desegrated the university in 1959. Three floors up in the Administration Building to the left is the office of Dr. William Hardgrave, the new president of the University of Memphis. (Photo: Karanja A. Ajanaku/The New Tri-State Defender) tween 10 and 15 percent fewer high school graduates starting in 2025 over about a three to four year period of time. … And these are not predictions, they’re projections, right, because we know how many babies were born. Tennessee is one of those states that’s going to get hit hard by that. … We’ve got to be proactive. … One of the great things about this university is 83 percent of its students come from nearby within about a hundred miles. That’s fantastic, but it also puts us at risk. It makes us vulnerable to when we start seeing a decline across everywhere, other universities are going to come in and be much more aggressive about recruiting those students from our area…. (I)f we don’t have a solid plan in place and start executing toward that, we’re going to be in trouble. K. Ajanaku: Let’s say that I was able to get a speaking engagement for you over at Melrose High School and they wanted you to talk about why this new (R1) research status (for the university) is important. … Why should it make a difference to them? What would you say? Dr. Hardgrave: What this status means to us is it puts us on a different level for funding agencies, for example. Many of the research grants, you’re not eligible for those unless you have this R1 status. So, from a purely financial perspective, it opens doors. It doesn’t mean that money starts flowing in, but it gives us that access and opportunity to go after more funding. It means that we will attract new faculty to the university that we probably couldn’t have attracted before. … Well, when you bring in great faculty who are doing great work and doing great research, now you’re on the cutting edge of thought that’s happening in the various fields and that makes the learning
experience for the students just so much better…. (W) e’ve also struggled to recruit and retain faculty when we didn’t have that R1 status, so that will help set us apart. … So, what I would tell the students is great faculty attract great students, and you want to be around other great students because it lifts everybody up. It also means that we have the ability to track more money. More money means more resources and the ability to do more things than we could have in the past. K. Ajanaku: Relative to your … internal ecosystem, the university (last year) gave the United Campus Workers a baseline of $15 (per hour) and I believe the head of the United Campus Workers was a little surprised that it came at the time that it did. But she was hopeful that the campus workers would be involved more in ongoing processes. Can you see that happening?
Dr. Hardgrave: … I was so pleased to see that and certainly much needed…. One of the things we struggle with here is recruiting and retaining workforce. We’re not immune to the issues … facing most companies right now. And so, we have to make sure that we’re providing wages that make us competitive. … As we go through and we work on a new strategic plan for this university, we will be very inclusive in the input that we get to develop that plan. We’re also going to be very inclusive about the staff being part of decisions and decision-making and having a seat at the table. And one of the things that we’ve already done is I’ve expanded what we call the president’s council to include members of the staff to sit on that council because I want to make sure that the staff’s voice is heard as well. K. Ajanaku: Sticking on the ecosystem idea, in a way
Turner, who is also a Shelby County commissioner, said the county would pick up the cost to open church sites. Fisher said everyone in Shelby County is invited to join Thursday’s demonstration. “Everyone who has already made a decision about who to vote for is welcome to join us Thursday, 3:30 p.m., at the election commission,” said Fisher. “We intend to overwhelm them with our numbers.” The protest was set for Thursday because of the forecast for severe weather concerns on Wednesday, the first day for early voting. we’re talking about diversity, and inclusion. You have to be able to administer that in such a way that you maintain control, but you allow the creativity. How do you see yourself in that role? Dr. Hardgrave: One of the things that I’ve been telling the folks as I go around and meet with them is that I see my job primarily as president with two overarching purposes: one is to remove the hurdles that get in the way of somebody doing their job and to generate the resources that they need to effectively do their jobs. … I don’t know what those obstacles are. I don’t know what the resources are right now that we need to be effective, but what I’ve pledged to do – and what I’ve seen myself doing in every position that I’ve had – is in that role of reducing those hurdles. … There are new hurdles put in place every day and we just have to figure out a way to, sometimes can’t eliminate them, but we can lower those hurdles so that we can still get over them and get our job done. And my vow is to let’s make sure that whatever those hurdles are, we clear them out, reduce them as much as we can, so people can get their job done, whether that’s a faculty member or … staff …working in the buildings to keep us safe and in a good place. K. Ajanaku: Dr. Hardgrave, what have I not asked you that you would most like to answer? Dr. Hardgrave: … A question that I get asked … is why did I come to the University of Memphis? I came here because I saw tremendous opportunity. Just as much as this university has improved over the last decade in particular, there’s so much more with this foundation that’s been laid that we can do and I see nothing but upside. … I’m looking forward to see if we can’t capitalize on all the great opportunities here.
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The New Tri-State Defender
April 14 - 20, 2022
Page 3
NEWS
“We conclude that the trial court erred by granting the injunction because it failed to adequately consider the harm the injunction will have on our election officials who are detrimentally impacted by the extension of the candidate filing deadline, as well as the public interest in ensuring orderly elections and avoiding voter confusion.” — Chief Justice Roger Page
Tennessee high court reinstates new state Senate districts by Jonatha Mattise Associated Press
NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Supreme Court on Wednesday reinstated the new state Senate map drawn up by Republicans this year in redistricting, ruling that a lower panel of judges didn’t properly consider how blocking the map and extending the candidate filing deadline would harm elections officials and cause voter confusion. The 4-1 ruling doesn’t take a stance on the lower court’s determination that the GOP-controlled General Assembly violated the state’s constitution by improperly numbering the new districts. Instead, the high court focused on timing arguments. In last week’s split decision to block the maps while the case proceeds, the lower court panel gave lawmakers 15 days to fix the maps or an “interim apportionment
map” would be imposed. Meanwhile, the filing deadline for Senate hopefuls was pushed back to May 5. The order came the day before the April 7 deadline. The primary election in Tennessee is Aug. 4. The Supreme Court ruled that the May 5 change presented “a significant delay on the election process in this state,” and the court reset the Senate filing deadline to April 14. “We conclude that the trial court erred by granting the injunction because it failed to adequately consider the harm the injunction will have on our election officials who are detrimentally impacted by the extension of the candidate filing deadline, as well as the public interest in ensuring orderly elections and avoiding voter confusion,” Chief Justice Roger Page wrote in the majority opinion. Tennessee’s constitution dictates that districts must be numbered consecutively
in counties that have more than one. The newly drawn redistricting plan does not do that in Nashville’s Davidson County. The numbering matters because the four-year Senate terms are staggered, putting some districts on the ballot in presidential election years, others in gubernatorial election cycles. In dissent, Justice Sharon Lee wrote that there’s enough supporting evidence that extending the deadline to May 5, which was meant to “remedy a constitutional defect,” will give “election officials enough time to comply with other election deadlines, and it will not cause any disruption or voter confusion.” Doug Tift, an attorney for the voters who filed the lawsuit funded by the state Democratic Party, said “the Tennessee Constitution is supposed to control how the Legislature draws new legislative districts.” “Tennesseans will now go to the polls
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in 2022 under district maps the trial court deemed likely unconstitutional, simply because the Legislature waited until the last minute to redraw the maps,” Tift said in a statement. A spokesperson for Republican Senate Speaker Randy McNally said he is pleased with the decision, calling the map “fair and legal.” In the lower court panel’s decision, the judges did not block the state House districts despite claims from plaintiffs that it divided more counties than needed to create districts with roughly equal populations, diluting the power of minority voters. The map splits 30 counties, the maximum permitted for the state House. A footnote in the ruling said the House map could still be blocked later on and the judges ordered a trial on the matter.
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PERSPECTIVE The New Tri-State Defender, April 14 - 20, 2022, Page 4
During the confirmation hearings, Tennessee GOP Sen. Marsha Blackburn asks Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to “justify” what Blackburn called Jackson’s “incendiary rhetoric against pro-life women.” (Screen capture)
A classroom view of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s historic stand would not have been treated that way.’” CW: What were some of the comments from the students about what they observed? Dr. Hamilton: Why are they talking to her like that? Do all nominees get treated like this? Is it because she is Black or a woman? Do white nominees get treated like this? Are they seriously asking her that?
by Curtis Weathers
Special to The New Tri-State Defender
On April 7, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson was confirmed to the Supreme Court in a 53-to-47 vote, with all 50 members of the Democratic caucus supporting her nomination along with three Republicans. Many observers, however, were shocked at the level or the depths Republicans went to discredit her. She nevertheless endured and will now be the first African-American woman to serve as a jurist on the highest court in the Curtis land. Weathers I reached out to one of my colleagues, Dr. Kirkland Hamilton, a social studies teacher at KIPP Memphis Collegiate High School in Memphis, to get his take on these historic moments in our nation’s history. He allowed his students to watch the hearings during class time and was able to collect real-time feedback. Dr. Hamilton said their reactions mostly were critical of the way Judge Jackson was questioned. When Judge Jackson takes her seat on the bench, she will be the first Black woman to serve as a Supreme Court justice, replacing Justice Stephen G. Breyer, one of the 108 white men who preceded her. Judge Jackson’s confirmation is historic. During the confirmation hearings, there were no surprises. The Republicans made it all about race, the Democrats about change and representation. The hearings yet again provided educators at both the secondary and post-second-
Dr. Kirkland Hamilton (Photo: LinkedIn) ary levels with droves of additional material to use when teaching about the Supreme Court, the American justice system, and the judges that dictate our faith. I posed these questions to Dr. Hamilton about his students’ reactions to what they were hearing and seeing. Here was his response: Curtis Weathers: What were some of the reactions from your students about the process and, in particular, the questions being asked of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson? Dr. Kirkland Hamilton: “Most thought the process had moments of civility, but those moments were overshadowed by the attacks and disrespectful treatment of Judge Jackson. The students thought some of the questions had nothing to do with her desire to be a Supreme Court justice.” CW: Did they pick up on the racism or sexism present during the confirmation hearing, particularly the racism? Dr. Hamilton: “Yes, they did think racism played a part in the questioning and treatment, but some actually stated, ‘a man
CW: Do any students in your class have aspirations of being attorneys or judges? Dr. Hamilton: “Some had expressed aspirations of being paralegals and attorneys. And now they realize they can even dream of being Supreme Court jurists as well.” CW: In your opinion, do they have more or less faith in our system for choosing Supreme Court Justices? Dr. Hamilton: “It is kind of a mixed bag, but I would have to lean slightly towards the less faith column. Some students understood the process as a normal judicial procedure, but for many students, this was a learning experience about how Supreme Court judges get their positions. “Most saw the system as broken while others stated things will have to change because the judges will not be around forever.” There is so much to learn about this process and the journey Black people have endured getting to this point in our nation’s history. I remember growing up as a young boy and being asked the question, ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ I always dwell more on what I couldn’t be than what I could. Growing up during the 60s in America, particularly here in the South, a child’s
aspirational dreams were constantly interrupted by the images of racial hatred and vitriol. But I thank God for the teachers and civil rights leaders of that time, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the Rev. Jesse Jackson and many others, who dared us to dream and visualize a different kind of America. An America where a Black man can indeed serve as our nation’s president, a Black woman as vice president, and two African Americans (a Black man and a Black woman), can serve as jurists on the highest court in the land. This historic time in our nation’s history reminds me of Barack Obama’s presidential campaign slogan, “Yes We Can!” The confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court is yet another affirmation of the significance of those three words. Yes, You Can be the first African American president of the most powerful nation on the planet. Yes, You Can be the first Black female vice president of the United States of America. Yes, You Can be the first Black female jurist on the highest court in the land, the Supreme Court of the United States of America! So, congratulations, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, and thank you for being such a superb role model for all of us, especially our children. While the process is certainly not perfect, representation on the United States Supreme Court will now look a lot more like the nation it serves, and we as a people should be forever grateful. (Follow TSD education columnist Curtis Weathers on Twitter (@curtisweathers); email: curtislweathers@gmail.com.)
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The New Tri-State Defender
April 14 - 20, 2022
RELIGION
Page 5
Backing TSU... Tennessee State President Dr. Glenda Baskin Glover revels in support received from the CME church during a recent visit. (Photos: Tyrone P. Easley/The New Tri-State Defender)
Love Day program... Pastor Leonard Jackson and his wife, Sharita Jackson, were saluted during Pastor and Wife’s Love Day on April 10 at Emmanuel Church of the Nazarene. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley/ The New Tri-State Defender)
Church Anniversary... Greater Christian Community Church celebrated its 18th anniversary last Sunday with Pastor George Robinson III and his wife Bernice Robinson. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley/The New Tri-State Defender)
Guest speaker... Rev. James Green of St. Peter Missionary Baptist Church on Pillow Street was a recent guest speaker before the Memphis Baptist Ministerial Association. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley/ The New Tri-State Defender)
The New Tri-State Defender, April 14 - 20, 2022, Page 6
35th Annual Africa in April: a year of renewal and rebirth by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell
Special to The New Tri-State Defender
The highly anticipated Africa in April Cultural Awareness Festival (AIA) 2022 has in store some spectacular sights and sounds, according to directors, David and Yvonne Acey. “This is our 35th year,” said David Acey, executive director. “We can hardly believe it has been 35 years. The time has flown by. We hit a snag in 2020 COVID-19 pandemic restrictions shut everything down. But all that is behind us now. This is our year of rebirth and renewal. It will be a more colorful, more joyful experience because everything is open again.” The Aceys wanted to create a festival that would celebrate an African country each year. Not only an educational experience, but the event was designed to teach African Americans about their “countries of origin.” The couple envisioned strengthening the bond between “us and our homeland. “We are so thrilled about what the festival has become,” said David Acey. “People call from all over the country, and they come to Memphis from other countries—Germany, Switzerland, England. Pandemic restrictions have lifted, and this 35th festival is our renaissance, a year of renewal.” Slated from Wednesday through Sunday, April 20-25, 2022, the 35th Africa in April Cultural Awareness Festival will honor the Republic of Malawi. Malawi is a country of nearly 46,000 sq. mi., with about 19.5 million in population. It has been
The annual parade that helps propel the Africa in April International Cultural Awareness Festival returned in 2021 after a pandemic-forced absence. (TSD Archives)
David Acey and Yvonne Acey have shepherded the Africa in April International Cultural Awareness Festival for 35 years, serving as ambassadors throughout the year at multiple events. (TSD Archives)
“We are so thrilled about what the festival has become. People call from all over the country, and they come to Memphis from other countries— Germany, Switzerland, England. Pandemic restrictions have lifted, and this 35th festival is our renaissance, a year of renewal.” — David Acey
to the east, south, and southwest. “This year, we wanted to honor a country we had never honored before and one that is little known to most of us,” said Yvonne Acey, associate executive director. “Malawi is largely under-developed, rural country that depends largely on agriculture. But the culture is
rich in dance and mask-making. We hope that bringing attention to Malawi this year will help open up more economic opportunities for its people.” David Acey said presenting the festival this year in its rightfully designated month of April is “thrilling.” Last year, COVID-19
dubbed “The Warm Heart of Africa” because of the friendliness of its people. English is the official language, although other Africa dialects are used in various regions. Malawi is bordered by Zambia on the west, Tanzania on the north and northeast, and Mozambique
restrictions prompted the festival’s move to August. “Last year, we were Africa in April in August,” said David Acey. “We honored the Republic of Botswana. We decided to have the festival in 2021 because I just couldn’t cancel the festival two years in a row. This year, 2022, the pandemic is finally past, and everything is open again. Definitely, this is our renaissance after a very long and dark night.” On Wednesday afternoon, the festival will kick off with the traditional International Entrepreneur’s Luncheon at the Holiday Inn-University of Memphis, 3700 Central Ave., 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday is “Children and Seniors Day & Parade,” which begins at 10 a.m. The parade will come down world-famous Beale Street and wind its way to the historic Robert R. Church Park at 4th and Beale Streets. Vendors and activities will be staged and situated throughout the park from 8 a.m. until 11 p.m., with emphasis on children and seniors. Saturday in Church Park, vendors and activities will be set up from 8 a.m. until 12 midnight. Saturday is Health, Wellness & Community Day. Sunday is International Music Day in Church Park, from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. A day-long schedule of music groups and spectacles will celebrate a wide variety of music, from gospel to jazz, and everything in between. “As always, we invite people of every race and culture to come out and enjoy the festival,” said David Acey. “Each year, there are unique experiences in store for those who attend. We expect this 35th festival to be extra special. All are welcome.”
Ida B. Wells’ life and legacy set for documentary premiere on April 19 TSD Newsroom “Facing Down Storms: Memphis and the Making of Ida B. Wells” debuts at the Halloran Centre for Performing Arts and Education on April 19. The premiere film screening is being hosted by the Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change at the University of Memphis. The feature-length documentary explores how the unique cultural and social atmosphere of late 19th-century Memphis indelibly shaped Ida B. Wells as a journalist and activist. The 1892 lynching of three men, including a dear friend of Wells, fueled her zealous efforts to combat the widespread acceptance of the lynching of African Americans in the United States. Wells used the power of journalism to expose to international audiences the injustices of the rising practice of lynching – a form of extralegal execution often taking the form of mob violence against African Americans. “Facing Down Storms: Memphis and the Making of Ida B. Wells” is executive produced by Daphene McFerren, Hooks Institute executive director, and Nathaniel Ball, Hooks Institute assistant director of media initiatives and program support; and produced by Fabian Matthews, founder and owner of Spotlight Productions, LLC.
Daphene McFerren
Fabian Matthews
“Facing Down Storms highlights Wells’ courageous and inspiring actions as she challenged white supremacy in the late 19th century and early 20th Nathaniel century while Ball navigating the complicated politics of race and gender of the time,” said McFerren. “Today, the nation continues to struggle with issues of race, class and gender. This film shows how Wells navigated those times and inspires us to learn from her activism to address the same issues in our lifetime. We are very proud that this documentary is produced by Memphians about a legendary Memphian, and we are very excited to share Ida B Wells’
The shooting of a scene from the documnetary. (Courtesy photo)
story with the world.” Rita Coburn, Peabody and Emmy-Award-winning director, writer and producer of radio, television and film, will serve as the event’s mistress of ceremonies. Beginning her career as a producer and writer for various news outlets, Coburn went on to produce local PBS documentaries, field produce for “The Oprah Winfrey Show” and Walt Disney Productions. She was the production coordinator for “Apollo Live!” and a producer for Oprah Radio. In 2016, “Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise,” which was co-directed and co-produced by Coburn, premiered at the 2016 Sundance Festival, aired on American Masters and won a Peabody Award in 2017. The director, produc-
er and co-writer of “Marian Anderson: The Whole Wide World in Her Hands,” her documentary premiered Feb. 8 on “PBS American Masters” and is currently on PBS online. Coburn addresses African-American culture from a multi-generational lens. with a passion for the untold stories of prominent figures that enlighten our world history. “I believe African American history is best viewed through the life and times of individuals as our history was seldom written down, discussed, taught or acknowledged,” said Coburn. “During her time, Ida B. Wells broke that mold and embodied the courage of a true journalist investigating and reporting our history. Risking her own safety and becoming an early leader in the Civil Rights Movement, she is one of the few women we hear about as a founder of
the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. “As we stand on the shoulders of her strength, determination and grit, we are just now seeing one of the fruits of her labor with the passing of the Anti-Lynching Bill. I’m honored to be a part of sharing her story with an institution, producer and director who advance the cause of social justice.” A reception will begin at 5:30 p.m. followed by the program and film screening at 7 p.m. (Information about tickets and sponsorships is available at memphis.edu/facingdownstorms. Proceeds support the programs of the Hooks Institute. Organizational and corporate sponsorships are also available. Contact bhievents@memphis.edu. Visit memphis.edu/benhooks for more information.)
COMMUNITY The New Tri-State Defender, April 14 - 20, 2022, Page 7
901WRAP rolled out as new crime-fighting tool by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell
Special to The New Tr-State Defender
Law enforcement, criminal justice and religious leaders Tuesday (April 12) announced the launching of a program to help solve crimes and to protect witnesses who help convict criminals. 901WRAP, said to the first of its kind in the state, will help witnesses feel safe enough to share crucial information that could be key to solving crimes. During a Tuesday afternoon news conference, officials called the program a game-changer in getting dangerous criminals off the streets, especially regarding homicides 901WRAP has been enacted in Memphis police investigative cases and, already, the program is working. The project, envisioned by Dr. Bill Adkins, pastor of Greater Imani Cathedral of Faith, was nearly a year in the making. “The 901WRAP stands for Witness Relocation and Assistance Program,” said Adkins, in a phone interview on
Wednesday April 13). “People don’t come forward with information because they are afraid. “But if we can relocate them to a safe place, they will tell what they know. Already, the program is working. In the interest of security, that’s all I can say.” Last June, Adkins first mentioned the program in a similar press event, announcing that he would kick off funding with a $10,000 donation on behalf of Greater Imani. Law enforcement principals were on board, but the primary issue was funding. Since that time, Shelby County commissioners backed the program with an additional $150,000. Tuesday, Memphis Police Director Cerelyn Davis and Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner joined Adkins, along with Shelby County District Attorney General Amy Weirich and county commissioners. Shelby County Commissioner Mick Wright said 901WRAP is an issue on which entire County Commission is united, despite their differing political views.
Adkins said crime fighting is not only the job of law enforcement, but also “citizens of the community” must be willing to step forward. Adkins said everyone must say they are “fed up” with all this killing. Ordinary citizens can make the difference, he said. Adkins got the idea from a similar initiative in Los Angeles. An Imani member, who was a Memphis police detective at the time, sent him information on the program. A d k i n s thought it could work for Memphis, and he wanted to see it implemented. “Last year, we had a second record-breaking year in homicides,” said Adkins. “My member, who was also an MPD detective, said that there were 11 or 12 guys who police knew had committed two or three homicides. But police couldn’t do anything because no one would come forward and testify against them.” Adkins saw how the program worked in Los Angeles and thought, “What if witnesses could be moved to someplace safe, and feel protected from any threat or retaliation? How would that affect the rate of unsolved
Shelby County District Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich addresses the merits of the 901WRAP program. Pictured (l-r): Shelby County Commission Chairman Willie Brooks Jr.; Weirich; MPD Lt. Therman Richardson; CrimeStoppers Executive Director Buddy Chapman; Dr. Bill Adkins, pastor of Greater Imani Church/The Cathedral of Faith Raleigh; Bill Gibbons, president Memphis Shelby Crime Commission; County Commissioner Mick Wright, and County Commissioner Amber Mills. (Courtesy photo) homicides?” In less than four months into 2022, there already have been 137 homicides; 40 percent of them unsolved. Adkins thinks 901WRAP could help solve some of those cases. Under the program, victims and witnesses who come forward and agree to testify in a criminal trial, but fear retaliation, enter the program and are re-located to a secret location out of harm’s way during a trial. The initiative is designed to make them feel free of intimidation and threats.
“Certain details still have to be ironed out,” said Adkins. “But 901WRAP is already helping. We need support from the community. We are asking churches, businesses, community organizations and individuals to support 901WRAP with donations.” Weirich said police officers and sheriff’s deputies are being trained to identify victims and witnesses, who may need relocating for protection. Donations may be made to the Memphis Shelby Crime Commission.
All about Manassas... The Manassas High School Alumni Association celebrated its 27th annual Unity Brunch at the Holiday Inn-University of Memphis at 3700 Central Avenue on April 2. The gala’s proceeds benefitted the students of the high school. (Photos: Tyrone P. Easley/The New Tri-State Defender)
Going out in style... The Legend’s Luau Luncheon celebrating the retirement of Dr. Cassandra Turner, an administrator, teacher, coach and more, was held at the Bartlett Municipal Center Ballroom on April 2. (Photos: Tyrone P. Easley/The New Tri-State Defender)
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April 14 - 20, 2022
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I am looking for the person who has the title to a 2014 Blue Nissan Maxima. VIN# IN4AA5AP9EC499550. My name is DeKendria Wells. You can E-mail me at swells.wellsgp@gmail.com Golf Cart Mechanic
Following a professor’s suggestion, Lila Smith majored in physics and evolved to a point where she was the only woman in her field. (Courtesy photo)
Sketching the life/career of pioneer physicist Lila Smith
TSD Newsroom For 32 years, Lila Smith made trailblazing inroads for women pursuing careers in the fields of science, physics and energy. The native Memphian is a product of Orange Mound and a graduate of Melrose High School. Smith earned a bachelor’s of science degree in mathematics from LeMoyne College (now LeMoyne-Owen College), graduating with honors. Exceptional academic performance won Smith a full fellowship from Howard University, where she earned a master’s degree in physics. Smith began a stellar career at Florida A&M University as an assistant professor of physics. After three years, she returned as an assistant professor of mathematics at her alma mater. While at LeMoyne-Owen, Smith was tapped for a prestigious, year-long internship with the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission (USAEC). The internship led to the USAEC bringing Smith on as a scientific analyst in physics. Smith distinguished herself as project leader of the USAEC/European Atomic Energy Commission (Euratom) International nuclear information exchange. She represented the Department of Energy at the first NATO/CCMS Geothermal Information Exchange, the 2nd United Nations Conference of Geothermal Energy, the Department of Defense Technical Information Center, and a host of other international conferences, meetings and workshops. Smith was chief of Advanced Energy Systems and later, chief of Solar, Geothermal & Energy Systems for the U.S. Energy Research and Development Administration. Consistently exceptional leadership performance took Smith to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE),
where she served as chief of Conservation and Solar Energy and chief of Nuclear Engineering and Physics. At DOE, Smith was program manager for the Superconductivity Information System. She contributed significantly to the development of the DOE’s centralized computer information system for energy-related research and development technologies from all over the world. During Smith’s 32-year career with the federal government, she devoted much of her time developing employment opportunities for minorities. Smith developed a summer employment initiative for high school students, as well as a co-op education program between Knoxville College and the Office of Scientific and Technical Information at the DOE. Smith’s activism during the civil rights movement helped to open segregated housing and equal access to employment while serving on the Human Resources Board and Human Relations Advisory Board of Oak Ridge, TN. Smith visited lawyers in the White House to bring about an investigation of segregated housing in Oak Ridge. Smith is a life member of Black Americans, Outstanding Accomplishments in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, NAACP, Blacks in Government, and both the National and Memphis Chapters of the LeMoyne-Owen College Alumni Association. She has traveled to more than 25 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America. Today she lives near the community of her youth, Orange Mound, and is a member of Mt. Moriah Baptist Church. She was recently featured in an exhibit at the American Museum of Science and Energy.
Ben Nelson Golf and Outdoor Specializing in sale of Golf Cars, Utility Vehicles, Parts and Accessories, as well as repair and service of vehicles. Ben Nelson Golf and Outdoor in our Memphis, TN location is looking for candidates with mechanical experience to be a part of our service team. Golf Carts, Power Sports or Lawn Equipment repair experience preferred, but not required. Applicant must possess their own tools and be able to complete preemployment screening. Applicants should send resume to link provided or may apply in person at 2085 Covington Pike Memphis, TN 38128. Applicants may call (901) 5388881 with any questions Ben Nelson Golf and Outdoor is an Equal Opportunity Employer Job Type: Full Time Pay: $12.00-$18.00 per hour DOE plus monthly commissions and benefits Job Type: Full-time Pay: $12.00 - $18.00 per hour
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: Sheila J. Tally Robertson Tax Parcel #: 03401600000120 Tax Sale #: 0703 Price Offered: $1500.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If 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 14, 2022, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort. 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:
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Yaveda Nesby Tax Parcel #: 01304900000130 Tax Sale #: 1603 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 1:00 p.m. on June 14, 2022, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort. 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: Sultan, LLC Tax Parcel #: 03803300000390 Tax Sale #: 1703 Price Offered: $24,600.00 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 10:30 a.m. on June 14, 2022, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort. Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103
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(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: JRI, LLC Tax Parcel #: 07517100000070 Tax Sale #: 1402 Price Offered: $1500.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If 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 14, 2022, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort. 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: JRI, LLC Tax Parcel #: 07524600000450 Tax Sale #: 1604 Price Offered: $7,200.00 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 14 - 20, 2022
CLASSIFIEDS
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: Charia Jackson Tax Parcel #: 07202300000190 Tax Sale #: 1101 Price Offered: $1875.00 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 14, 2022, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort. 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: Mario Price Tax Parcel #: 04802400000050 Tax Sale #: 1004 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 2:30 p.m. on June 13, 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: Yaveda Nesby Tax Parcel #: 04103300000210 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 1:30 p.m. on June 13, 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: Yaveda Nesby Tax Parcel #: 02104000000130 Tax Sale #: 1203 Price Offered: $1500.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If 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 13, 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: Qurtez Crump Tax Parcel #: 02905400000180 Tax Sale #: 1702 Price Offered: $8800.00 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 13, 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
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: Kenneth Jennings Tax Parcel #: 04100700000070 Tax Sale #: 1603 Price Offered: $1800.00 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 13, 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: Ben Pleasants Tax Parcel #: 06703700001370 Tax Sale #: 0005 Price Offered: $50.00 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 13, 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
Qurtez Crump Tax Parcel #: 03505900000070 Tax Sale #: 1702 Price Offered: $6800.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 10:00 a.m. on June 13, 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
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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:
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all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 9:30 a.m. on June 14, 2022, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort.
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SPORTS The New Tri-State Defender, April 14 - 20, 2022, Page 10
Taking a look at the nuts and bolts of a record-breaking year for the Grizzlies No. 2 seed Memphis set to host Minnesota Jenkins continuously has noted the bonds on the team. “I always say when you’re bonded off the floor and together, … you can really take that next step and make that on the court.”
by Terry Davis
Special to The New Tri-State Defender
The records were plentiful as the latest version of the Memphis Grizzlies tied the franchise mark for the most victories in a season. When they host the Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA’s Western Conference Playoffs, it will be the first time for the organization to host game 1 of an opening round.
Records broken ● Most points scored by a single player (52) Ja Morant. ● Most blocks by a player in a season in franchise history (177) Jaren Jackson Jr. ● Most 3-pointers made by a player in franchise history (228) Desmond Bane. ● Most offensive rebounds by a player in a season in franchise history (349) Steven Adams. ● Most points by a player in consecutive games in franchise history (98) Morant. ● First team in NBA history to lead the league in steals, blocks, and rebounds per game. ● Longest winning streak in franchise history (11). ● Most away wins in a season in franchise history (26). ● Most points in a quarter in franchise history (55) New Orleans Pelicans. ● Most points in a game in franchise history (152) Oklahoma City. ● Biggest margin of victory in NBA history (73) Oklahoma City. ● First division title in franchise history (Southwest Division). ● Tied for most wins in a season (56).
Memphis vs … The Grizzlies, despite all the flash on the court and style in which they play, still have a blue-collar mentality. They believe the key to success for them is through hard work on the defensive end of the court. Their success did not come by relying on the 3-point shot. They have an inside-out work ethic. Morant led the NBA in points scored in the paint. He finished the season with 27.4 points per game, with 16 coming from his favorite area on the court Dillon Brooks earned some respect last season by raising his defensive performance up a couple of levels. This season, there was no drop-off, even though he spent a considerable portion on the injury list. On multiple occasions, Brooks has said the team’s goal was to learn from last season’s lessons and apply them forward.
Next man up mentality Memphis’ depth became readily apparent during the historic regular-season campaign, with the Grizzlies notching a 20-4 record with All-Star point guard Morant out of the lineup. However, in the playoffs teams typically shrink their rotations. To be determined is whether the Grizzlies’ depth advantage comes into play during the playoffs. Morant wasn’t the only player to miss extended time. Brooks, Ziaire Williams, the first-round pick last season (and a rotation fixture), and others missed games for a variety of reasons during the 82-game season. Head coach Taylor Jenkins has had a consistent message: look at each game as the most important game of the season and don’t get too high or low after a victory or a loss. He has augmented that with his resolve to live with the results when the best effort has been made by a player and/or the team.
Terry Davis
First-round matchups
Memphis and Minnesota evenly split the four-game season series. Then – as is likely to be the case in the playoffs – the Timberwolves will rely heavily upon its dynamic inside-outside game, with Karl Anthony-Towns and Anthony Edwards. Towns averaged 24.6 points per game and 9.8 rebounds. He has been the focal point for the franchise over the past several years and is making his first playoff appearance with the franchise. Edwards, an explosive player, averaged 21.3 points per game in his second season with the Timberwolves after being the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. He can score a lot of points in a short time span.
Keys for the Grizzlies Experience gleaned from last season’s journey to playoffs has helped Memphis, the second youngest team in the NBA, value every possession. Against the Timberwolves, another key for Memphis will be not to fall for the mental games that Minnesota defender Patrick Beverly thrives upon. The Grizzlies have a noticeable team reputation as big trash talkers on the court and mostly have been able to back up their bravado with their play. At the beginning of the season, the Las Vegas oddsmakers projected that the Grizzlies would only win 42 games. They blew past that mark, capturing the fascination of many during the process. A month ago, the team was featured on ESPN All-Access a month ago, with the ratings amounting to the best ever for the franchise. It was clear early on that the team as a whole expected an elevated level of success that would deepen a run in this season’s playoffs. Along the way, the overall standard operating procedure was to talk of taking one day/game at a time. Now, it’s time to step into the playoffs – aka the second season. Said Brooks: “It’s time to flip the gears and start getting into playoff mode.” The first game of the seven-game series against Minnesota is set for tip-off at 2:30 p.m. CDT on Saturday (April 16) at FedExForum. It can be seen on TNT.
Minnesota’s trio (l-r) of DeAngelo Russell, Anthony Edwards and Karl Anthony-Towns teamed up in an effort to stop Ja Morant in this matchup in November at FedExForum). (Photos: Warren Roseborough/The New TriState Defender)
Brandon Clarke of the Grizzlies blocks the shot of Malik Beasley of the Timberwolves. The crowd and the Grizzlies celebrate after this January win over the Timberwolves, Memphis’ 11th win in a row.