The New Tri-State Defender - April 28-May4, 2022

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April 28 - May 4, 2022

VOL. 71, No. 17

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Ja, Grizzlies and the crowd star as Memphis shines on must-see TV

Drawn by the African drums, four-year-old Ayden Christopher beats his way forward. (Photo: Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell/The New Tri-State Defender)

From its inception, Africa in April has been about the village’s children

by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Ja Morant gestures to the crowd, saying call on him in the clutch, which they did as the Grizzlies pulled out a 111-109 Game 5 win at FedExForum on Tuesday night. (Photo: Warren Roseborough/The New Tri-State Defender)

Game 5 drama creates nationwide buzz

Ja Morant reaps NBA Most Improved Player Award Sports Page 10

by Karanja A. Ajanaku kajanaku@tsdmemphis.com

A victory that the Minnesota Timberwolves seemingly had tethered to their bus out of town became Memphis’ gain when NBA sensation Ja Morant and a cast of Grizzlies characters stepped up to claim it.

The win in the Game 5 Playoffs thriller went to Memphis 111-109, triggering a raise-the-roof celebration at FedExForum on Tuesday night. The manner of the victory became an instant buzz, largely because of the highlight-reel, second-half play by Morant.

A day after Memphis’ defeat-defying escape from the Timberwolves’ grasp, the game, which earned the Grizzlies a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven, opening-round series, was being talked about in some manner on various mediums and communication platforms reaching eager listeners, readers and viewers in myriad parts of the country.

The No. 2. seed Memphis now has a chance to

Hey Tennessee legislators, we see what you’re doing!

Perspective, Page 4

SEE GRIZZ ON PAGE 2

The 2022 Africa in April Cultural Awareness Festival was vibrant with children, an indication that its original intent has taken root.

“I was at the gate where so many children came in,” said Executive Director Dr. David Acey. “There is never a charge for the younger ones, but I told many of the teens to just come on it because it was so wonderful seeing our children come out to the festival.”

For four-year-old Ayden Christopher, there were two things that made his first visit to Africa in April memorable: the African drums and superbubble shooter toys. When asked what he liked most about the festival, Ayden answered, “I like my new friends and all the bubbles.”

Children and teens were seen having bubble-shooting battles on the grass in the middle of Church Park. Ayden and his “new friends” screamed and ran, dodging bubble clouds and shooting back.

Youngsters gravitated to the African drums, walking right up and trying their hand at beating them.

Ayden made quite the haul during his time at the festival, leaving with a drum, two bubble shooters, a light-up sword, and memories made

Thanking God ‘all day long,’ Artressa Malone prays on at 102.

Religion, Page 5

“I brought my grandchildren because I want them to see Africa in April and experience their culture. Children have been running and playing all day. It’s just so good to see them outside again. This is our ‘back to happy’ from a pandemic that robbed us of so much.”

— Stacey Ragston with “new friends.”

“Children are really what this is all about,” said Stacey Ragston, daughter of the late Memphis singer, Ruby Wilson.

“I brought my grandchildren because I want them to see Africa in April and experience their culture,” said Ragston. “Children have been running and playing all day. It’s just so good to see them outside again.

This is our ‘back to happy’ from a pandemic that robbed us of so much.”

Mother of twins, Rosalyn Gates, gloried in the warmth of “village”

SEE AFRICA ON PAGE 2

Memphis People’s Convention leverages its agenda ahead of May 3 County Primary.

Community, Page 7

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The New Tri-State Defender

April 28 - May 4, 2022

Page 2

NEWS

Stacy Ragston, daughter of the late Memphis singer, Ruby Wilson, brought her grandchildren to Africa in April. She said the outing was their “back to happy” after the pandemic. (Photo: Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell/The New Tri-State Defender)

AFRICA

CONTINUED FROM FRONT

Brandon Clarke (left) and Desmond Bane (right) of the Grizzlies try to claw the ball away from Minnesota’s Karl-Anthony Townes. (Photo: Warren Roseborough/The New Tri-State Defender)

GRIZZ

CONTINUED FROM FRONT close out the series on Sunday in Minnesota, with the Grizzlies in possession of their homecourt advantage in case things go sideways at the Target Center in Minneapolis.

Morant, who scored the last 13 points for Memphis, scooped the winning layup into the basket with his left hand with barely time to say “my goodness” – or some variation – to go. A desperation heave by the Timberwolves’ menace at center, Karl-Anthony Townes, fell harmlessly short.

Once again, the Grizzlies found the escape hatch from a double-digit, late-in-the-game hole.

“It feels good when you win,” said Morant (30 points, 13 rebounds, 9 assists). “But, me personally, I’m tired of it. I’m tired of playing from behind.”

Referencing the Grizzlies’ blowout win over Minnesota in Game 2 (played at FedExForum), Morant said, “You see what happens when we come out play from the jump. We’ve just got to have that mindset that we had going into Game 2 into Game 6; not give them too much life. Go ahead and come out and play hard. Play with energy. Start early.”

Morant – and no one who has really watched them during a historic winning regular season – thinks that the Grizzlies have played their best basketball over the last three games. Still, “I’m giving it my all,” said Morant, adding, that he was “ready to lay

down.”

By no means was Morant a lone soldier against the tenacious Timberwolves. Desmond Bane shot and drove his way to 25 points, adding four rebounds and an assist.

And Brandon Clarke, well, he was about as big as an X-factor can get in a playoff game. While shaky at the freethrow line, he energized his way to 21 points and 15 rebounds. With the game in the balance, he managed to slap a loose ball to Morant, who hit a three that put missing on the precipice of victory.

“I was just focused on trying to win, trying to find a way to help us win. That’s just been me the whole year really, just kind of bringing that fight and bringing that kind of energy off the bench,” said Clarke.

“That’s really what I do, and Coach (Taylor Jenkins) trusted me to be in the game in the fourth (quarter). I just knew that I was trying to find a way to win and just trying to make plays to just get boards and pass it out and let Des (Desmond Bane) or Ja (Morant) hit the big shots….

With the win secured and those in the FedExForum crowd finally able to do what they wanted (yell and scream like they won the lottery), Clarke found Morant and hugged him from behind as Morant soaked up the postgame adulation.

“I was like, ‘Thank God, we got you (Morant). And thank God that you’re as good as you are.’ Because we had just fought so hard, and Ant (An-

thony Edwards) hit a really tough three.”

Clarke rotated to defend Edwards (22 points) but could not stop Minnesota’s sharpshooter from completing a well-executed play with a three-pointer from the corner with 3.7 seconds to play. And while that took the air from the Grizz faithful, the crowd – like the team – bounced back.

“Tons of credit to our guys just staying the course,” said Jenkins. “Obviously, there’s things that we can always clean up, but I thought, for the most part, our effort was great. Our execution was great defensively. Our execution offense was great. Just missing open shots, missing layups, missing threes, missing free throws.

“Our spirit never wavered.

This was a tough test …”

The winning play, said Jenkins, was pretty much executed as planned.

“It’s a play we’ve worked on before. Great execution. Great find by (Dillon Brooks) with length on the passer. And then, Ja made a heck of a move and a heck of a finish.”

As big as the win was and as amazing Morant’s layup was, it was his dunk over Malik Beasley at the end of the third quarter that was reverberating around the country in myriad forums and conversations.

“Just poor guy,” said Bane of Beasley. “I mean, having to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. And yeah, Ja does what he does, but poor guy. I like (Malik) Beasley too, but poor guy.”

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and “community.” She stored away glimpses of her 5-yearold girls running in the grass with other children, shooting cascades of bubbles.

“Normally, when I take the girls out somewhere, I am frantically looking after them every moment,” said Gates.

“But I can see them playing with other children, and I know their screams and laughter. I wanted to show my girls African culture, but they are getting more than just an education.

“Older adults are looking (after) the children. It feels like a village. It feels like community. We are not strangers here, but neighbors.”

According to organizers of the 35th Annual Africa in April Cultural Awareness Festival,

an estimated 30,000 were in attendance during the five-day event. This year, the Republic of Malawi was honored.

“When we first started, there was only a vision,” said Acey.

“We wanted the festival in spring, the time of renewal and rebirth. We wanted our people to be educated about where they came from. So, we honor African countries. We had no money, just a dream. And 35 years later, we see the village manifested. There is no village without the children.”

The celebration was set in historic Robert R. Church Park in downtown Memphis, April 20-24.

Mbyesey Kah, the vendor selling bubble shooters and light-up swords, did very well with his variety of children’s toys.

“This is my sixth year at Africa in April,” said Kah. “Busi-

ness is always quite good, but there is something more. Such a spirit of unity, something I really love. I am from Senegal, but my business is in Atlanta now.

“In all of my years at Africa in April, I have never seen so many children. We are running out of all the toys. Watching the children makes me happy.

It reminds me of our village at home.”

For Acey, the festival was different this year in a very significant way.

“The festival has two very important elements of African life,” said Acey. “The village and the marketplace – they are essential to African culture.

Our vendors and the children have created both. But our children are the heart of the village. I will remember 2022 as the year of the village. It is such a beautiful thing.”

The New Tri-State Defender

April 28 - May 4, 2022

Page 3

NEWS

Harris positive for COVID-19, Biden not a ‘close contact’ Planned commencement speech at TSU now uncertain

Associated Press Vice President Kamala Harris – who is scheduled to delivered the commencement address at Tennessee State University on May 7 has tested positive for COVID-19, the White House announced on Tuesday.

The announcement of Harris’ positive status underscores the persistence of the highly contagious virus even as the U.S. eases restrictions in a bid to return to pre-pandemic normalcy.

Neither President Joe Biden nor first lady Jill Biden was considered a “close contact” of Harris in recent days, said the vice president’s press secretary, Kirsten Allen. Harris had been scheduled to attend Biden’s Tuesday morning Presidential Daily Brief but was not present, the White House said.

She had returned Monday from a weeklong trip to the West Coast. The last time she saw Biden was the previous Monday, April 18.

“I have no symptoms, and I will continue to isolate and follow CDC guidelines,” Harris tweeted. “I’m grateful to be both vaccinated and boosted.”

It was unclear on Wednesday how Harris’ diagnosis might affect TSU’s spring commencement plans. The New Tri-State Defender was awaiting details from TSU at press deadline.

Harris had agreed to deliver the keynote address for TSU’s undergraduate Commencement on May 7 at 9 a.m. CDT in Hale Stadium. Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin is

“I have no symptoms, and I will continue to isolate and follow CDC guidelines. I’m grateful to be both vaccinated and boosted.”

— Vice President Kamala Harris set to speak to graduate students at an indoor ceremony on May 6 at 5 p.m. in the Gentry Center Complex.

“Commencement marks a major milestone in our students’ lives, but to have the Vice President of the United States as your guest speaker makes this moment even more special for our students and their families,” TSU President Dr. Glenda Glover conveyed in an earlier release about the commencement.

“I believe they will also appreciate the fact that both Vice President Harris and Mayor Woodfin are HBCU graduates, a testament to the caliber of students TSU and other HBCUs produce.”

After consulting with her physicians, Harris, 57, was prescribed and is taking Paxlovid, the Pfizer antiviral pill, her office said late Tuesday.

The drug, when administered within five days of symptoms appearing, has been proven to bring about a 90 perceived reduction in hospitalizations and deaths among patients most likely to get severe disease.

Harris, received her first dose of

TSU President Dr. Glenda Glover talks with Vice President Kamala Harris during her trip to D.C. to testify about the value of HBCUs and the need for adequate funding. (Courtesy photo) the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine weeks before taking office and a second dose just days after Inauguration Day in 2021. She received a booster shot in late October and an additional booster on April 1. Fully vaccinated and boosted people have a high degree of protection against serious illness and death from COVID-19, particularly from the most common and highly transmissible omicron variant.

Harris’ diagnosis comes a month after her husband, Doug Emhoff, recovered from the virus, as a wave of cases of the highly transmissible omicron subvariant has spread through Washington’s political class, infecting Cabinet members, White House staffers and lawmakers including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Sens. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Chris Murphy, D-Conn., tested positive on Tuesday.

Allen said Harris would follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines “and the advice of her physicians.” It was not immediately clear whether she is being prescribed any antiviral treatments.

The White House has put in place strict COVID-19 protocols around the president, vice president and their spouses, including daily testing for those expected to be in close contact with them. Biden is tested regularly on the advice of his physician, the White House has said, and last tested negative on Monday.

“We have a very very contagious variant out there,” said White House COVID-19 coordinator Dr. Aashish Jha on Tuesday. “It is going to be hard to ensure that no one gets COVID in America. That’s not even a policy goal.” He said the administration’s goal is to make sure people

don’t get seriously ill.

Jha added that despite the precautions it is possible that Biden himself will come down with the virus at some point.

“I wouldn’t say it’s just a matter of time, but of course it is possible that the president, like any other American, could get COVID,” he said.

“There is no 100 percent anything.”

Psaki said she “would not expect” any changes to White House protocols.

After more than two years and nearly a million deaths in the U.S., the virus is still killing more than 300 people a day in the U.S., according to the CDC. The unvaccinated are at a far greater risk, more than twice as likely to test positive and nine times as likely to die from the virus as those who have received at least a primary dose of the vaccines, according to the public health agency.

Harris’ diagnosis comes as the Biden administration is taking steps to expand availability of the life-saving Paxlovid, reassuring doctors that there is ample supply for people at high risk of severe illness or death from the virus.

In addition to her husband’s diagnosis, Harris was identified as a “close contact” after her communications director tested positive on April 6.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines “close contact” with an infected person as spending 15 minutes or more with them over a 24-hour period. The CDC says people with “close contact” do not need to quarantine if they are up to date on their vaccines but should wear well-fitting masks around other people for 10 days after the contact.

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SB 2458 WILL

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Increase a family of four’s annual premium to an average of

$542 per year.3

The Tennessee General Assembly wants to tax your hard-earned money to increase pharmacists’ pay.

Tell Governor Lee to veto this legislation

Governor Lee

because pharmacists don’t need government handouts on a $160,000 salary.

615-741-2001 bill.lee@tn.gov

PAID FOR BY TENNESSEANS FOR AFFOR DABLE RX 1

51,169,256 commercial prescriptions filled in 2019 in TN | 2 Rates will vary from $8-$11.49 per prescription | 3 Data from the Kaiser Family Foundation

PERSPECTIVE The New Tri-State Defender, April 28 - May 4, 2022, Page 4

Curtis Weathers: “Our political leaders are tearing down what few guard rails remain to keep our neighborhoods, schools and communities safe. You make handguns more accessible to teenagers, you automatically make our schools and neighborhoods less safe. Period!” (Photo: Karanja A. Ajanaku/The New Tri-State Defender)

Hey Tennessee legislators, we see what you’re doing!

by Curtis Weathers

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Thanks to our forward-thinking Republican legislators in Tennessee, we now are members of the Permitless Carry Club, where most adults 21 and older can now carry a loaded handgun on their person, openly or concealed, without having to possess a permit.

And now, in their infinite wisdom, the Tennessee House of Representatives has passed a bill that would allow 18-year-olds to purchase handguns without a license or any required training.

A few months ago, Gov. Bill Lee signed Tennessee’s constitutional carry law allowing most adults to carry a handgun, openly or concealed, without a permit.

“I signed constitutional carry today because it shouldn’t be hard for law-abiding Tennesseans to exercise their (Second Amendment) rights,” said Lee. State Rep. Chris Todd (R-Jackson), the sponsor of the bill that would allow 18-year-old teenagers to purchase and carry guns, said gun “rights (are) provided by God first, and by our Constitution.”

According to Todd, requiring 18-yearolds to be trained and obtain permits is an “infringement” on their Second Amendment rights.

Because I’m an education columnist, I am sure you might be wondering what permit-less carry laws in Tennessee have to do with K-12 education.

Well, while K-12 education is mainly about the teaching and learning infrastructures in our school systems, it is also about

the safety and security of our children and educators as they navigate the halls of our school buildings and playgrounds.

In any given year, there are thousands of 18-year-olds still walking the halls of Curtis high schools throughWeathers out Tennessee. It doesn’t take a PhD to understand how this new law could negatively impact safety issues in and around our schools.

Our political leaders are tearing down what few guard rails remain to keep our neighborhoods, schools and communities safe. You make handguns more accessible to teenagers, you automatically make our schools and neighborhoods less safe. Period!

And the current law, as it stands, in

no way deprives people of their Second Amendment rights. But unfortunately, we keep opening pandora’s box, knowing full well what’s already inside.

The more guns we put in the hands of immature teenage adults, the more crime, assaults and killings we will see in our communities.

Our legislators know this. They’re not blind to the facts. But they continue to dismantle the few guard rails we have in place.

We all know that this has nothing to do with people’s Second Amendment rights but has everything to do with people’s orchestrated attempts to make certain communities even more unsafe and pad people’s pockets with gun lobby cash.

Guns are now the leading cause of death for children and teenagers in Tennessee (especially here in Memphis) and in the United States as a whole.

We see and hear about it in the news every single day, and we know what communities are affected the most by gun violence.

Laws that promote gun safety are not meant to infringe upon your rights to bear arms or protect your family. Instead, it is responsible legislation meant to protect our children and community, and not put guns (in this case) in the hands of irresponsible 18-year-old teenagers.

So, with gun violence on the rise across Tennessee and the nation, why are legislators pouring fuel on the fire instead of water?

Well, we know the answer; follow the money!

We know how powerful the gun lobby is in Tennessee and across America. Gun and ammunition sales are big moneymakers for the corporations who manufacture and sell them. They could care less about our children and their safety. As a result, the gun lobby has gained power and developed a stranglehold on legislators across Tennessee.

These compromised lawmakers refuse even to acknowledge we have a gun violence problem, much less work to solve it.

So now, in Tennessee, if this bill is signed into law, an 18-year-old teenager will be able to purchase a gun without a background check and carry a loaded handgun openly or concealed with no permit and no training.

This is an awful decision on the part of our legislators, and I hope they reconsider their plans to follow through with this.

This bill will not become law this year but will resurface again next year and be voted on by the Senate and moved on to the governor’s desk for his signature.

Given the construct of our legislature and the mindset of our governor, it is highly likely to pass and become law.

That, my friend, will be an incredibly sad day in Tennessee history.

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

“I signed constitutional carry today because it shouldn’t be hard for lawabiding Tennesseans to exercise their (Second Amendment) rights.”

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The New Tri-State Defender

April 28 - May 4, 2022

Page 5

RELIGION

Thanking God ‘all day long,’ Artressa Malone prays on at 102

by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Church members and friends drove by with painted signs and honking horns to wish Mrs. Artressa Malone a happy, 102nd birthday on Palm Sunday (April 17).

Malone’s nieces and nephews staged a drive-by birthday party for “Aunt ‘Trit,” who still lives in her home.

“We go by and check on her several times a week,” said Earlene Walsh Duncan, Malone’s niece. “… My aunt was thrilled with the party and thanked everyone for coming by to wish her a happy birthday.”

Malone was born in Eads, to sharecropper parents with nine children, according to Duncan. She came to Memphis as a young mother of two in search of better opportunities, like so many others in rural, Southern communities.

“Her brothers and sisters also left Eads, but everyone did not come to

Memphis,” said Duncan. “They scattered all over. But my father, who was Aunt ‘Trit’s brother, also came to Memphis.

“He would talk about how bad life was working in the fields. My daddy said if he saw a mule in Memphis, he wouldn’t say anything to that mule.”

Eads is an unincorporated, rural community in east Shelby County, where sharecropping eventually replaced the slave system as a way of raising large crops in the South.

Parts of Eads have been annexed to the city of Memphis and parts of Eads extend into Fayette County.

While Malone was still living in Eads, she went to school up to the 11th grade. According to family lore, fees were assessed to attend school at that time. Her parents just did not have it, and that was the end of Malone’s education.

Duncan was not sure when Malone came to Memphis. But a teenage Artressa married “Mr. Hayes” while still living in Eads. The couple had two

children, but later divorced. After her divorce, Artressa came to Memphis with her children.

Like many African-American women, said Duncan, Malone found work in the home of a white family.

The Thayer family employed Malone as a domestic employee for decades.

“Mr. Thayer built many of the schools here in Memphis,” said Duncan. “The Thayer children and grandchildren, when they come to town, always get by to see Aunt ‘Trit,’ bringing her gifts and money. She is always happy to see them again.”

Duncan said her aunt never talked about how she met her second husband, Ed Malone.

“She didn’t talk very much about her past,” said Duncan. “But we did know that Uncle Ed’s people were from Ripley, Tennessee. Ed Malone worked for Firestone, and that was a good job back in the day. My aunt had a third child after she married again.”

Malone’s first two children pre-

Artressa W. Malone (seated) embraces the support of (l-r) nephew Eddie Walsh Sr., great-nephew Jesse Jeff, niece Earlene Walsh Duncan, and niece Wanda Brown. (Courtesy photo) ceded her in death, Duncan said. The third daughter is in her 70s.

“My aunt always talks about how good God has been to her,” said Duncan. “Although two of her children are deceased, she is still so grateful.

She thanks God all day long for all he has done for her.”

Malone raised her children in Pastor Frank Ray’s church, back when it was just a small church in Binghamton. That’s where the family lived

back then.

Later, Malone joined St. James AME Church, located at 600 N. Fourth St., where other family members also attend. Malone has been a member there for decades.

“My aunt hasn’t been to church for two-and-a-half years, not since the pandemic,” said Duncan. “She was going to return on Easter Sunday, but she didn’t feel well enough to get out.”

Celebrating 150 years ...

Senior Pastor E. Allen Redwell Jr. (right) and St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church in Drummonds, Tennessee celebrated the church’s 150th anniversary with a message by the Rev. Dr. Errol A. Redwell Sr., who is the pastor of Original Mt. Pleasant M.B.C. of Chicago, last Sunday (April 24). (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley)

In honor of ...

LEGACY: Marion Vlee Nicholson Kee ...

Services were held last Saturday (April 23) at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church-Westwood for Marion Vlee Nicholson Kee, who died at age 92 on April 13. Those attending included her daughter, Denise McGee, and son-in-law Alonzo McGee. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley/The New Tri-State Defender)

An honorary street naming ceremony was held last Saturday (April 23) for Bishop Henry M. Williamson Sr., presiding prelate of the First Episcopal District Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, in front of historic Collins Chapel Connectional Hospital, 409 Ayers St. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley/ The New Tri-State Defender)

The New Tri-State Defender, April 28 - May 4, 2022, Page 6

LENS & LINES:

The unveiling of the 2022 Africa in April Cultural Awareness Festival Poster at the National Civil Rights Museum. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley/The New TriState Defender)

The annual parade turns up the energy for the Africa in April Cultural Awareness Festival. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley/The New Tri-State Defender)

Africa in April at 35!

Riding as royalty. (Photo: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises/The New Tri-State Defender)

So much of the Africa in April Cultural Awareness Festival is for and about the children. (Photo: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises/The New Tri-State Defender)

Executive Director David Acey (third from left), and Yvonne Acey (second from right), associate director, with Africa in April supporters. (Photo: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises/The New TriState Defender)

The Energizers living up to their billing. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley/The New Tri-State Defender)

Africa was in full effect at this entry to Beale Street. (Photo: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises/The New Tri-State Defender)

COMMUNITY The New Tri-State Defender, April 28 - May 4, 2022, Page 7

Memphis People’s Convention leverages its agenda ahead of May 3 County Primary TSD Newsroom With the Memphis People’s Agenda as the backdrop, candidates vying for several races in the May 3 County Primary took their campaigns to the 2022 Memphis People’s Convention this past Saturday.

Powered by #UPTheVote 901 in association with organizing partners and affiliates, the convention took place at the National Civil Rights Museum.

“We gathered together several hundred people at the National Civil Rights Museum to give them access to approximately 18 candidates who are seeking the support of community members and constituents,” said the Rev. Dr. Earle J. Fisher, founder of #UpTheVote901.

“We gathered people to discuss issues that are important to them from the Memphis People’s Agenda. I can’t site exactly how many people came but we know we had about 450 people who were registered and my hunch is that we had several hundred people between the time we started and the time we ended.”

Mock elections were conducted to provide a sense of who those gathered wanted to see in office, said Fisher.

The convention unfolded on the last weekend of early voting. The last day for early voting is April 28.

Fisher urged those present to reach out to those they know among the tens of thousands of registered voters who likely would not cast ballots in the primary.

“We might not be able to move the needle from 15 percent to 20 or 25 percent, but you heard candidate after candidate … say every vote counts. It

The Memphis People’s Convention provided an opportunity for participating candidates to make presentations and say whether they supported the Memphis People’s Agenda. (Photos: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises/The New Tri-State Defender) does….”

Saying that the Shelby County Election Office was not run by people “overly committed to making sure that we have equitable access to the ballot box,” Fuller declared, “We are going to have to continue to organize and mobilize to offset that. …

“UPTheVote901 is not the only organization doing this voting empowerment work,” he said, noting other organizations working onsite at the convention.

In the high-profile race for Shelby County District Attorney General, attorney Steve Mulroy and attorney Janika White, two of the three candidates in the Democratic Primary, made presentations. Attorney Linda Harris reportedly had a campaign scheduling conflict.

For the results of the mock election for Shelby County District Attorney, visit #UPTheVote901 on Facebook.

“We gathered people to discuss issues that are important to them from the Memphis People’s Agenda,” said the Rev. Dr. Earle J. Fisher, founder of #UPTheVote901.

As the mistress of ceremonies, Ena Esco’s duties included getting the candidates to say whether they supported the Memphis People’s Agenda.

Free of voter-fraud charges, activist Pamela Moses urges voters to the polls

by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Black Lives Matter Memphis organizer Pamela Moses on Monday (April 25) denounced her prosecution for voter fraud and urged voters to “hit the polls” in upcoming elections this year.

Moses had declined to speak April 22 after Shelby County District Attorney General Amy Weirich announced in a press release that all charges related to the matter had been dropped.

Moses, however, is banned for life from voting in the state of Tennessee because of a 2015 felony conviction.

And, while urging voters to go to the polls, Moses, who is banned for life from voting in the state of Tennessee because of a 2015 felony conviction, also advocated for civic education.

“Since I’m free, I want people to get out and vote,” Moses said. “Voting rights – people don’t understand their importance because they don’t understand that their vote matters.

Their vote determines where all the money goes.”

Surrounded by BLM activists and other supporters, Moses used the backdrop of the courtyard outside of the National Civil Rights Museum on a rainy morning.

“Well, I stand here today as someone others would call a convicted felon,” said Moses. “But despite what the law says, I am an American citizen, and I am not the only innocent person who has been persecuted by a broken system.”

Moses said she was “overwhelmed

After her release earlier this year, Memphis activist Pamela Moses told supporters, “Being incarcerated for something I didn’t do is psychological torture. ... I don’t know if y’all understand that, but it is going to take some time for me to heal.” (Photo: Noah Stewart)

“Since I’m free, I want people to get out and vote. Voting rights – people don’t understand their importance because they don’t understand that their vote matters. Their vote determines where all the money goes.”

— Pamela Moses with joy” and thanked God for “His favor, grace and mercy” when she learned the charges were dropped.

Supporters celebrated the news Friday but criticized Weirich for “intentionally targeting Moses.”

During a week-long jury trial earlier this year, Moses was convicted of entering false information on a voter registration form and sentenced to six years and a day. She was arrested just before Christmas, spending a total of

82 days behind bars.

The case against Moses garnered national attention as news outlets compared Moses’ punishment to that of white, male Trump supporters who knowingly voted for dead relatives.

Moses had begun serving her sixyear sentence when her motion for a new trial was granted in February.

A second trial for Moses had been scheduled for Monday (April 25).

Prosecutors have said they moved to drop charges after learning that the Tennessee Department of Corrections failed to turn over a document proving officials had erroneously indicated that Moses’ probation had ended.

In the statement dropping all charges against Moses, Weirich said the decision to drop the charges was made “in the interest of judicial economy,” and called Moses’ 82 days behind bars “sufficient.”

Moses vowed to continue petitioning to have her voting rights restored.

“Just amazing” …

A section of Stafford Avenue was unveiled as James E. Alexander Avenue in honor of the legendary bass player for Memphis’ own, The Bar-Kays, last Saturday. Said Alexander in a distributed statement, “Words can’t even express what I’m feeling right now about this kind of recognition. I think it’s just amazing to receive this accolade.” (TSD photo: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises)

The New Tri-State Defender

April 28 - May 4, 2022

ENTERTAINMENT BOOK REVIEW

Find ‘Speak Up, Speak Out!’ and say yes

by Terri Schlichenmeyer

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Sometimes, you just gotta say what you’re going to say.

Sometimes, you can’t keep quiet. You simply just have to speak up, especially when you can make a situation better or fix what’s wrong. Those are the times when it’s right to state your opinion and be firm, and in the new book “Speak Up, Speak Out! The Extraordinary Life of ‘Fighting Shirley Chisholm’” by Tonya Bolden, you’ll have good, strong shoulders to stand on while you’re doing it.

Charles Christopher St. Hill had guts and determination.

He needed it. In early 1923, at age twenty-two, he boarded a ship in Cuba to come to the U.S. to be a shoemaker on Long Island. He “regarded himself” as a Barbadian man and he “fell in with Brooklyn’s tightknit Bajan community,” but he was happy to become an American.

At about this same time, Ruby Seale boarded a steamer in Barbados to come to New York City, and the two were married in late 1922. In the winter of 1924, they welcomed their first daughter, a girl they named Shirley.

For most of her life, Shirley and her sisters heard their father say, “God gave you a brain; use it.” He didn’t tolerate laziness or time-wasting – as proof, Shirley’s parents worked constantly, with a goal of buying a house and sending their daughters to college. To give them room to do that, they sent Shirley and her sisters to live with their Granny in Barbados. She was “strict” but life was wonderful. Barbados was nothing like Brooklyn!

Once back home, though, Shirley and her sisters settled down to become young ladies and “good Christians.” They attended church and school and when she graduated, Shirley was ready for college, just like her parents dreamed. She was tiny in stature but big on joining, and she was active with causes she cared about.

She fell in love and married but by then, a flame had been lit in the new Mrs. Shirley Chisholm.

Says Bolden, “She had become alive to politics.”

For a kid who’s just learning about the ins and outs of politics, “Speak Up, Speak Out” is a great book to have because it does double-duty: not only does it give children a historical look at what it was like to launch a political campaign some fifty years ago, but it also introduces them to the first Black woman to run for the office of President. It’s lively and relatable.

And somewhat too relaxed.

For much of the first half of this book, author Tonya Bolden repeatedly refers to Chisholm as “Shirls,” which

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1509 Madison Ave. Memphis, TN 38104 PH (901) 523-1818 HOURS: Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

DEADLINES: Display ads Friday 5 p.m.

Classifieds ads Monday 5 p.m.

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Rates are non-commissionable and are quoted at the net rate. No refund for early cancellation. For additional information contact Sales Dept. at (901) 746-5201 or email: advertising@tsdmemphis.com.

GENERAL INFORMATION: Some categories require prepayment.

All ads subject to credit approval. The

Request for Proposal, School Food Service Frayser Community Schools is accepting bids for breakfast, lunch, snack, fresh fruits and vegetables that meet the requirements of the USDA Child Nutrition Program.

RFP #17202022, 04/21/2022.

“Speak Up, Speak Out! The Extraordinary Life of ‘Fighting Shirley Chisholm’”

by Tonya Bolden, with a foreword by Stacey Abrams c.2022, National Geographic $17.95 144 pages was apparently her childhood nickname. To include it is good, and makes the narrative more child-friendly; to overuse it seems somewhat disrespectful, given the rest of the story. A little less casualness would have gone a long way here.

Still, though this book is good for 9-to-14-year-olds, and adults who don’t remember Chisholm’s career or her presidential bid will find it useful to read. Find “Speak Up, Speak Out!” and say yes.

Note: For younger readers who want to know about influential women in history, “Stand Up! 10 Mighty Women Who Made a Change!” by Brittney Cooper, illustrated

by Cathy Ann Johnson is a great book to find. With its mini-biographies and its you-GO-girl tone, it’s a winner for 5-to-9-year-olds.

Page 8

New Tri-State Defender reserves the right to correctly classify and edit all copy or to reject or cancel any ad at any time. Only standard abbreviations accepted. Copy change during ordered schedule constitutes new ad & new changes. Deadlines for cancellation are identical to placement deadlines. Rates subject to change.

ADJUSTMENTS: PLEASE check your ad the first day it appears. Call (901) 523-1818 if an error occurs. We can only offer in-house credit and NO REFUNDS are issued.

THE NEW TRI-STATE DEFENDER assumes no financial responsibility for errors nor for copy omission.

Direct any classified billing inquires to (901) 523-1818.

Melvin Burgess Shelby County Assessor of Property NOTICE TO BIDDERS

A pre-bid virtual meeting will be held Thursday, 05/05/2022 at 10:00 a.m. For more information regarding this RFP, please contact Tina Pearson at tpearson@fraysercs.org. Bids will be accepted on or before 4:00 p.m. Monday, 05/23/22. www.

Fraysercs.org

Shelby County Government has issued Sealed Bid number I000730, Diaper Project. Information regarding this Bid is located on the County’s website at www. shelbycountytn.gov . At the top of the home page, click on the dropdown box under “Business”, Click on “Purchasing” and “Bids” to locate the name of the above described Sealed Bid.

NOTICE TO ALL PROPERTY OWNERS

SEALED BID I000730 DUE DATE WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2022 AT 2:30 PM CST

As required by Tennessee Code Annotated § 67-5-508, the property assessment records of Shelby County will be available for public inspection at 1075 Mullins Station Road. These records may be inspected Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Any person desiring to inspect these records may do so at the above times and places. Property assessment records may also be reviewed through the Assessor’s website at www.assessormelvinburgess.com THE SHELBY COUNTY BOARD OF EQUALIZATION WILL BEGIN ITS ANNUAL SESSION TO EXAMINE AND EQUALIZE COUNTY ASSESSMENTS ON MAY 2, 2022. THE COUNTY BOARD WILL ACCEPT APPEALS FOR THE 2022 TAX YEAR UNTIL 4:30 P.M., JUNE 30, 2022, THE LAST DAY OF ITS REGULAR SESSION. The Shelby County Board of Equalization (SCBoE) is open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 1075 Mullins Station Road, Suite C-142. Any property owner who wishes to appeal to the County Board of Equalization may file in person, online or by mail. Appeals may be filed online by 11:59 p.m. on June 30th. Mailed in appeals must be postmarked on or before June 30th. Failure to appeal may result in the assessment becoming final without further right of appeal. Please contact the SCBoE at 901-222-7300 for additional information or you may visit their website at boe.shelbycountytn.gov.

(SB-I000730) Diaper Project Community Services Agency Shelby County is an equal opportunity affirmative action employer, drug-free with policies of non-discrimination on the basis of race, sex, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or military service.

By order of LEE HARRIS, MAYOR SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT

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: Desmond A. Lewis Tax Parcel #: 03201300000160 Tax Sale #: 1701 Price Offered: $3000.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice.

If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 10:30 a.m. on June 27, 2022, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank

The New Tri-State Defender

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: Jessica Thaise De Jesus Tax Parcel #: 05004900000160 Tax Sale #: 603 Price Offered: $675.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten

April 28 - May 4, 2022

Page 9

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(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 27, 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: Lammotto Shaffer Tax Parcel #: 03901600000250

Tax Sale #: 1702 Price Offered: $2400.00 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 27, 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

to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Jessica Thaise De Jesus Tax Parcel #: 05001400000090 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 9:00 a.m. on June 27, 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.

SALES PERSON The New Tri-State Defender is looking for a few sales consultants to sell print ads, digital ads and event sponsorships for the organization.

The candidate should have some sales experience. The position will offer both commission and base pay. For serious inquiries email your resume to administration@ tsdmemphis.com.

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

Notice is hereby given, pursuant

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The New Tri-State Defender, April 28 - May 4, 2022, Page 10

“We all push each other to be better. We all have that never-satisfied mindset. That is why you see three guys from the same team receiving votes for this award.”

— Ja Morant

Ja Morant reaps NBA Most Improved Player Award

by Terry Davis

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Soon after learning that he had been named the NBA’s Most Improved Player for this season, the Grizzlies’ star point guard Ja Morant was dishing out assists.

“Although this award goes to me, it is a team effort,” said Morant. “I want to thank my teammates and the Grizzlies organization for everything they do for me.”

With Memphis set to defend its home court against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 5 of the knotted (2-2) opening-round playoffs series, Morant was not thinking awards when head coach Taylor Jenkins sought the team’s attention.

“I was definitely surprised. I did not know what was about to happen,” said Morant.

“I thought we had another meeting. I thought we were going to go over some rules. Coach just called me up to the middle of my teammates … (and) presented me with this award. You could just see the joy on everyone’s faces.”

Seeing that joy did not come as a surprise to Morant. He knows what type of teammates he has and “how happy we are for one another. That is all that matters.

My guys are proud of me and (I know) that if I won the award or didn’t, they are still pushing me to be better.”

In his third NBA season, Morant, who won Rookie of the Year, set career highs for scoring average, rebounds per game, steals per game, field goal percentage (.493) and 3-point percentage (.344).

Compared to the 2020-21 season, he raised his field goal percentage by 4.4 percent, while increasing his shot attempts by 5.4 per game, and upped his 3-point percentage by 4.1 percent on an additional 0.7 attempts per game.

The 22-year-old was selected as a starter for the 2022 NBA AllStar Game, becoming the second All-Star starter in franchise history and the youngest Grizzlies player to participate in the event.

He averaged 27.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 1.16 steals in 33.1 minutes in 57 appearances (all starts) during a regular season that ended with the Grizzlies engineering a 56-26 record, the second-best in the NBA. Morant is the first player to win the Rookie of the Year Award and Most Improved Player Award.

Teammates Desmond Bane and

Jaren Jackson Jr. also received votes for the Most Improved Player Award.

“It just shows our work ethic Terry as a whole,” Davis said Morant, reflecting on Bane and Jackson also drawing votes for the award.

“We all push each other to be better. We all have that never-satisfied mindset. That is why you see three guys from the same team receiving votes for this award.”

As the Most Improved Player, Morant totaled 221 points. He is the first player in history to receive 38 first-place votes from a global panel of 100 sportswriters and broadcasters. Players were awarded five points for each firstplace vote, three points for each second-place vote and one point for each third-place vote.

Memphis’ floor general from the point-guard position, Morant led all NBA players in points in the paint per game (16.6), becoming the first guard to do so in 25 seasons since data was first tracked. He ranked second in fast-break points per game (4.4), helping the Grizzlies lead the NBA in both categories. He set a single-game franchise record with 52 points on Feb. 28 vs. San Antonio, the first 50-point performance in Grizzlies history.

In addition, Morant became the sixth player in NBA history to average at least 25 points, five rebounds and five assists in his age-22 season, joining Oscar Robertson (1960-61), Kobe Bryant (2000-01), Tracy McGrady (2001-02), LeBron James (2016-17) and Luka Dončić (2021-22).

So, what’s next?

Outspoken about his desire to win an NBA Most Valuable Player Award, Morant noted that he is not a finalist this year and then pivoted to the possibility of “being an (NBA) champion and potentially a finals MVP.” The next night, he had a frenzied FedExForum crowd chanting “M-V-P” in response to a monster, third-quarter dunk that helped fuel a Game 5 comeback win for the Grizzlies and triggered a national discussion about whether it was the greatest dunk in NBA Playoffs history.

Ja Morant’s third-quarter dunk was so attention-grabbing that observers — professionals and water-cooler experts — were debating its rank among the best of all time in a playoff game. (Photos: Karanja A. Ajanaku/The New Tri-State Defender)