The New Tri-State Defender - May 27-June 2, 2021 by The Tri-State Defender

Truth-telling songstress Toni Green emerges with new music project, video. Entertainment, Page 7

The ‘Classic’ is on the way back; Tickets now on sale for No. 32. Sports, Page 9

May 27 - June 2, 2021

VOL. 70, No. 21

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ANALYSIS

Property tax hike?

How Biden grants, parents’ ‘indoctrination’ concerns spurred Tenn. Republicans to limit how race, racism are taught by Marta W. Aldrich Chalkbeat Tennessee

For months, Tennessee Republican lawmakers were hearing from dozens of parents concerned about how educators were trying to make their lessons more inclusive in response to the nation’s racial reckoning. One mom even reported that her 7-year-old daughter, who is white, was having suicidal thoughts because

of uncomfortable conversations about race in her classroom. Simultaneously, GOP leaders were tracking bills that would restrict how race and racism are taught in other states. But they hadn’t planned to push their own version until the week of April 19, when President Joe Biden’s administration announced a new grant program for history and civics education. The grant program – prioritizing instruction on diversity, anti-racism,

County Commissioners weigh need, possibility by James Coleman Flanked by Republican leaders in the House and Senate, Gov. Bill Lee speaks with reporters about legislation that passed as the Tennessee General Assembly finished its session on May 5, 2021. (Photo: Courtesy of State of Tennessee via Chalkbeat) and the legacy of slavery – unleashed a torrent of backroom discussions just 2½ weeks before Tennessee’s General Assembly adjourned on May 5.

SEE RACE ON PAGE 2

Shelby County Commissioners vote on critical race theory bill. Story on Page 3.

Graduation amid pandemic, season 2... The second graduation season under the veil of COVID-19 is underway, with Memphis Theological Seminary having held its 2021 commencement this past Saturday (May 22). Now a masters of divinity graduate, Pastor Darell Harrington of New Sardis Baptist Church is surrounded by support as his daughter, Essence Rankins, captures the moment. On the left is his wife, Shayda Harrington, and on the right is their daughter, Jasmine Rankins. (See Religion, Page 5.) (Courtesy photo)

COVID-19 UPDATE:

Taking stock of where we are now and what’s next by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Despite the plummeting number of new daily cases of COVID-19 and the lifting of a mask mandate in Shelby County, Mayor Jim Strickland is not ready to give a complete “allclear” to the city of Memphis. Strickland on Tuesday (May 25) released an executive order – effec-

tive that day –extending a “limited state of emergency.” He acknowledged that the state of emergency is only enforced for a seven-day period and will be renewed as he deems necessary. Meanwhile, the Shelby County Health Department continues to report noticeably low numbers of new cases of the coronavirus. On Wednesday, there were 70 cases reported and

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Living Through COVID-19, Part XVIII. See Community, Page 6.

zero deaths. The health department is reporting more days with less than 100 new daily cases. There are currently 1,032 active cases in the county. Shelby County has reported a total of 98,368 cases and 1,668 deaths since the start

of the pandemic. “The fact that our numbers continue to be so encouraging speaks to the level of personal responsibility individuals are taking in safeguarding their own health,” said Dr. Bruce Randolph, medical officer of Shelby County Health Department. “Although the county mandate has

SEE COVID ON PAGE 3

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Shelby County Commissioners discussed a possible tenth-of-a-percent property tax increase during their Monday (May 24) meeting to square budget priorities with the state’s accounting demands. At question is the county’s proposed certified property tax rate of $3.451 per $100 assessed value. An additional tenth of a cent would bring the increase from $3.45 to $3.46. “I got an email stating this morning (that) when we pass the third and final reading that we can only round it to two decimal points, which would make it $3.45. We would lose the .001,” said commissioner Edmund Ford, Jr., chair of the commission’s Budget Committee. Chopping off the dangling one thousandth from the current rate would have consequences. For starters, revenue from the tax would drop from $1.88 million to $1,651,365. “Commissioners, when we start looking at amendments and everything next week, that .001 is $229,000. I think that when we start looking at what the revenue is – even though someone may think .001 is nothing – we are going to start looking at possibly knocking off things on the wish list. I think there are some items that could easily require the $229,000...or less,” said Ford. The current rate of $3.451 isn’t factored to the penny. During earlier budget discussions between the administration and commissioners $3.45 was the agreed upon rate. However, the extra decimal point that made it into the final number won’t register. “We discussed the $3.45 because, in adopting the certified rate, the state requires that you round down if any changes are made. The 3.451 rounds down,” said Mathilde Crosby, director of Administration and Finance for Shelby County. “Our billing system can only do to-the-penny. So, we can’t have it be that part of a penny.” The old rate was $4.05. Property values in the county have risen more than 20 percent. The proposed $3.45 was calculated to reflect the new values without creating a windfall for a county o municipality. State law requires the new rate

SEE TAX ON PAGE 3

The New Tri-State Defender

May 27 - June 2, 2021

Page 2

NEWS

Ruby Bridges Goes to School,” a Scholastic Inc. book written by Ruby Bridges about her experience of integrating a white school at age 6, is among reading materials for second graders that some Williamson County parents found objectionable. (Photo: Chalkbeat)

RACE

CONTINUED FROM FRONT Interviews conducted recently with key players in those discussions shed light on why Tennessee lawmakers abruptly moved to join their counterparts in Idaho, Iowa, and Oklahoma to ban the teaching of topics they viewed as cynical, divisive, and misguided. The bill passed along partisan lines in Tennessee’s GOP-controlled legislature on the final day of the session, with white Republican legislators voting for it and Black and white Democrats voting against it. On Monday, Republican Gov. Bill Lee signed the legislation into law. The new law restricts how public school teachers can talk about racism, sexism, and bias in their classrooms beginning next school year. But most educators were unaware of the 11th-hour proposal as it barreled through the legislature during Teacher Appreciation Week. They were focused instead on giving their students annual state tests and closing out a pandemic-challenged school year. “We moved fast,” said House Education Committee Chairman Mark White of Memphis, who helped guide the bill’s passage. “It was too important to wait until next year,” White added. “We want our teachers to know that, when the new school year begins, they should not teach certain concepts.” Viral email stokes mistrust about socialist indoctrination in schools In formal House discussions, Biden’s grant program was not highlighted as Democrats inquired several times about the impetus for the legislation. Rep. John Ragan, the Republican sponsor from Oak Ridge near Knoxville, said divisive social concepts mirroring Marxist-style indoctrination were seeping into Tennessee classrooms. He cited statistics about lagging literacy rates and graduates who need remedial coursework and said “far too much classroom time is devoted to things that do not adequately teach our students reading, math, science and other essential academic skills.” During discussions in committee and on the floor of the House, Ragan also read parts of an email forwarded to him about the 7-year-old student in Franklin, an affluent town south of Nashville in William-

son County. The story circulated extensively on social media after an April 21 education forum sponsored by the Republican Party’s local chapter and covered by the Tennessee Star, a conservative news outlet. According to The Star, a woman identifying herself as the parent of a student at Liberty Elementary School said her daughter came home from school one day and told her, “I’m ashamed that I’m white.” Ragan told lawmakers: “The daughter then asked her mother, ‘Is there something wrong with me? Why am I hated so much?’” “The 7-year-old is now in therapy,” Ragan said. “She is depressed. She doesn’t want to go to school. ... She is scared to death and has even had thoughts of killing herself.” Bobbie Patray, the long-time president of the Tennessee Eagle Forum, which lobbies on family issues and opposes critical race theory, said the story mobilized people in Williamson County and across Tennessee to call for stricter guardrails on what teachers are teaching. “It lit the match,” Patray reflected later in an interview with Chalkbeat. “It’s fine to think about what goes on in New York or California or somewhere out there, but this story about a 7-year-old girl brought it home to parents who said, ‘That could have been my baby!’” “A 7-year-old girl ought to be playing with doll babies,” she added. David Snowden, superintendent of the Franklin Special School District, said no parent has come forward to Liberty Elementary Principal Amy Patton, her teachers, or district officials with that complaint. “I’m baffled,” Snowden told Chalkbeat a month after the report was published. “Most people with issues come to us for help in resolving them. But we have heard nothing directly from a parent.” Snowden said administrators took the report seriously, speaking with teachers and reviewing class rosters to try to pinpoint any student who might be upset, as well as lessons that could have been upsetting. “We didn’t uncover anything,” he said. “I’m not saying it’s not real. Maybe the parent will come forward to talk with us after the school year ends.” Ragan told Chalkbeat that he didn’t talk with the family but spoke with an “original source” and stands by the story. “I have no reason to doubt it,” he said.

About half of the 3,600 students in the Franklin district are white, a fourth are Hispanic, and 14 percent are Black. In the much larger neighboring district of Williamson County Schools, 80 percent of students are white, 6 percent are Hispanic, and 5 percent are Black. Williamson County has been a hotbed of discussion about diversity training for teachers and learning materials that some parents have found inappropriate or offensive. Nationally recognized curriculum called Wit & Wisdom, approved by both the state and the county district and introduced last fall, includes second-grade reading materials about civil rights champions like Martin Luther King Jr. and Ruby Bridges, the 6-yearold who became the first Black child to integrate an elementary school in the South. Many parents viewed those as important stories but worried they were being presented in a way that was too graphic and deep for their children in early grades. Some believe the curriculum is part of a wider conspiracy to indoctrinate their children in socialist principles. The mistrust has mobilized groups like Moms for Liberty, which recently hosted a nearly three-hour presentation on critical race theory attended by 300-plus people in Franklin. “The amount that we don’t know about our teachers who teach our children should scare us, with the amount of time and influence they have on our children,” Robby Starbuck, a Nashville-area father and filmmaker, told the crowd. Sekou Franklin, an associate professor of political science at Middle Tennessee State University, said there’s a broader dynamic at play beyond curriculum concerns. The goal of Tennessee’s critical race theory bill, he said, was both to rally the Republican base for upcoming elections and anchor public education in a “white-washed” presentation of history and current events. “This is really about white kids and what they’re learning in our K-12 schools,” Franklin said. “They’re seeking to insulate white kids from a narrative that could threaten the political and economic power of whites at a time when you have a growing non-white population.” Biden civic grants ‘trigger’ GOP response The new Tennessee law outlines 14 tenets that teachers cannot present or promote. The ideas generally mirror

Some Williamson County parents said the images in the Scholastic Inc. autobiography “Ruby Bridges Goes to School” are one-sided and portray all white people as bigots who support segregation. The book is for young readers. (Photo: Chalkbeat) language in bills filed in recent months in Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, and West Virginia. Among the forbidden concepts: that the United States is “fundamentally or irredeemably racist or sexist;” that an individual, by virtual of their race or sex, “bears responsibility” for past actions committed by other members of the same race or sex; and that a “meritocracy is inherently racist or sexist.” “Our bill never mentions the words critical race theory,” said Rep. Scott Cepicky, a Republican from Maury County, also south of Nashville. “We focused on 14 tenets that are divisive in nature, pit one race or sex against another, and produce blame. That’s not what our country is about.” In the week after the federal civics grant announcement, Cepicky and White met twice with other leaders of the House’s five education panels to discuss a potential legislative response to critical race theory, the academic framework that examines how policies and the law perpetuate systemic racism. “Everybody knew what we were talking about because we had been following this issue. It was just like, ‘I think it’s time. What do y’all think?’ We all agreed it was time,” said Cepicky, calling the Biden grants “the trigger.” On April 27, with just over a week before adjournment, White, Cepicky, and Ragan met with House Speaker Cameron Sexton in his office to ask for his support. Sexton

conferred with Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, the speaker of the Senate, and they agreed to back a new proposal banning any teaching that injects race and sex when discussing legal, economic, educational, and other systems that GOP leaders believe are merit-based and colorblind. But there were logistical challenges, since new bills couldn’t be introduced at that point in the session and education committees for both chambers had completed their business and closed for the year. An existing bill by Ragan and Sen. Mike Bell, a Republican from Riceville, was chosen as the vehicle. Because it was a “clean-up” proposal to delete outdated language in state code, its general description was broad enough to add an amendment prohibiting the concepts that the GOP found worrisome. The bill had already passed in the Senate and was awaiting a vote on the House floor. On the Friday afternoon of April 30 – three days before the body would adjourn — Ragan filed his amendment after White announced he would reopen his committee briefly to consider new business. But a hiccup emerged the following Monday morning when, an hour before the meeting, a staff member for Senate Education Committee Chairman Brian Kelsey asked to add three more tenets to the 11 already in the amendment. White said no to more last-minute language, noting that the Senate eventually would get to vote on any

amended bill. Within 30 minutes and over the objections of the committee’s three Black Democratic members, the revised bill easily cleared the committee, while more than 60 Republican representatives signed on as co-sponsors. The next day, after an hour of emotional debate, the House passed the measure too. Later, Democrats thought they had dodged a bullet when the Senate quietly rejected the measure. But Kelsey, a lawyer from Germantown near Memphis, simply wanted it sent to a conference committee so he could add his three new tenets. “There was no question we were going to pass the bill,” said Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson of Franklin, about his chamber’s voice vote. “It was a procedural motion. We wanted to add provisions to make the bill a little clearer, a little more thorough.” Two Democrats who serve on the education committee had a different perspective. “This whole thing was orchestrated,” Rep. Antonio Parkinson from Memphis told Chalkbeat later. “The way it was done completely limited debate and the chance for citizens to offer their views. It was intentional.” Rep. Vincent Dixie, from Nashville, called the rush to passage disheartening. “If you are a person of color and you live in Tennessee,” he said, “you feel very diminished right now, that you don’t feel like you’re part of the conversation.”

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The New Tri-State Defender

May 27 - June 2, 2021

Page 3

NEWS

County Commissioners conclude vote on critical race theory by James Coleman

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

The Shelby County Board of Commissioners voted Monday (May 24) to push back against a House/Senate bill crafted to restrict teaching critical race theory (CTR) in county schools. The vote came the same day Gov. Bill Lee signed the controversial bill into law. Too late to the punch, the local resolution strongly recommended the governor veto the bill. It passed on a unanimous vote. “We need to make sure that our kids recognize that this country is moving toward a more perfect union, that we should teach the exceptionalism of our nation and how people

TAX

CONTINUED FROM FRONT bring in the same amount of revenue for the county as the old one. The county currently reappraises properties every four years. A penny increase on typical homeowners wouldn’t amount to much in their overall bill. Homes in Shelby County are taxed by multiplying the certified rate and 25 percent of a home’s assessed value. The sum is then divided by 100. Under the proposed $3.45 rate, the owner of a home would pay $862 a year in county property taxes. If the rate is raised to $3.46, the owner would pay $865.

can live together and work together to make a greater nation, and to not teach things that inherently divide or pit either Americans against Americans or people groups against people groups,” Lee told the Associated Press Monday. The resolution follows the lead of the commission’s counterparts on the Memphis City Council, which also adopted a resolution, by a vote of 11-0 with one abstention, against the bill on May 18. The resolution’s language sought to condemn and restrict the law. “I really just hope that the commission can see that this resolution (HB 580/SB 623) is an attack on the humanity of many different types of

COVID

CONTINUED FROM FRONT been lifted, you will still see many people wearing their masks in public places. This effort to remain safe is reflected in the low, daily number of new cases.” Over the past month, the health department reports a drop in COVID-19 positivity rate in testing. The most recent data, ending the week of May 17, showed a six percent positivity rate. That is down from seven percent a month earlier. The positivity rate peaked at 17.9 percent in the first few days of 2021.

Tami Sawyer

Michael Whaley

people; many different types of identities. It’s just not the way for us to go,” said Commissioner Tami Sawyer, the resolution’s sponsor. Added Commissioner Michael Whaley, “For me, when I look at this bill it’s just full of coded language.

It’s full of things that are meant to sound like it’s above race. “Things like: I don’t see color. I’m above color. Well, that’s not what this is about. This is basically saying, you can’t even say white privilege was or currently is a thing. Or that Black (or) indigenous people of color have not or currently do not experience prejudice or injustice; and that’s just crazy.” HB 580/SB 623 called for curtailing public funding to school districts and other authorities that teach the discipline. Critics of what now is law accused the Republican-dominated Tennessee General Assembly of attempting to whitewash history. Similar bills have been passed into law in Arkansas, Idaho and Utah.

Critical race theory explores the consequences of the slave trade and post-civil war racist policies, such as the Jim Crow laws. Its roots date back to the 1970s. In 2019, the New York Times developed the 1619 project, which embraces the teaching. It follows the contributions made, as well as the hurdles and horrors faced by Blacks in America, from when they first arrived on its shores as slaves in the namesake year to the present. The project has attracted the attention of history teachers, who have used it as a classroom supplement. It has also attracted the attention of people concerned with the light the project sheds.

which currently recommends that people indoors wear a mask, unless they are in their own homes around family who have been vaccinated. People entering City of Memphis facilities, with the exception of parks and other outdoor spaces, will still be required to wear a mask. Private businesses and churches (Herd immunity is a form of indirect protection from infectious may continue to require their patrons disease that can occur when a suf- and employees to wear masks, if that ﬁcient percentage of a population is their preference. “We strongly encourage everyhas become immune to a particular infection, through either vaccina- one to continue masking up when tion or having survived previous in public, at least until we reach our goal of vaccinating 70 percent infection.) Newspaper Ad – 5x8.5 According to a statement released of the Shelby County population,” by Strickland, city government will said Strickland in his released statecontinue to follow CDC guidelines, ment.

“We strongly encourage everyone to continue masking up when in public, at least until we reach our goal of vaccinating 70 percent of the Shelby County population.” — Mayor Jim Strickland The health department reports that 353,450 people have received vaccines, with 269,259 being fully vaccinated, that is, having received their second shot of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. Although the county’s goal is to vaccinate at least 700,000, herd immunity is believed to already exist in highly vaccinated populations, such as seniors 60 and older.

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PERSPECTIVE The New Tri-State Defender, May 27 - June 2, 2021, Page 4

“This is a great opportunity for international students to study at Tennessee State University.” — Dr. Glenda Glover

The new TSU-Africa partnership is part of the Smart Technology Innovation Center’s growing dual enrollment coding program that offers high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors the opportunity to earn college credits while enrolled in high school.

Tennessee State, AME Church crossing international waters to bridge digital divide STEM course offered to underserved high school students in Africa

TSD Newsroom NASHVILLE – Tennessee State University has entered into a a dual enrollment partnership that gives students in West and South Africa access to digital resources to develop their technology skills. The partnership with the African Methodist Episcopal Church will allow high school students to take a coding course at TSU to introduce or expand digital literacy on the continent. Eligible high school sophomores, juniors and seniors will have the opportunity to earn both university and high school graduation credits that will start them on the pathway to degrees in STEM. The partnership was announced Wednesday. “Tennessee State University is proud to be a part of this initiative that seeks to reach across international borders and give students an opportunity to expand their knowledge, and gain important career development skills,” said TSU President Dr. Glenda Glover. “Coding and app design are a large part of the global workforce, and we want to help make sure people of color, everywhere, are equipped with the knowledge and skills to be competitive, and successful. These are largely high school students that have the potential to become a part of the TSU student body.” Bishop E. Earl McCloud Jr. of the 14th Episcopal District of the AME Church presides over the partnering institutions in Africa: African Methodist Episcopal University and Monrovia College – both in

Monrovia, Liberia – and Wilberforce Community College in Evaton, South Africa. McCloud said the partnership brings hope to students and their families that see education as a better way of life, and most importantly for those with the greatest need. “Years ago, the late President of the Republic of South Africa (The Honorable Nelson Mandela) said in his autobiography, ‘for Africans it is not a lack of ability, rather a lack of opportunity,’ when addressing the needs of African students,” said McCloud. “Tennessee State University has answered our clarion call to help provide more opportunities globally. This learning extension provides hope. It awakens the eyes of those often left out and left behind.” Glover and McCloud’s message of hope and the importance of access to digital literacy resonated with families. In a collective statement, the partners described the reaction of one of the parents during the recruiting process: “She walked in our ofﬁce, with tear-ﬁlled eyes, telling us of how her son has always wanted to learn the computer and that his dream is to become a computer specialist, but she had never thought it would be possible because she is just a petite trader selling in one of our local markets. But she now sees it will be a dream come true. This is just one of the many dreams this program will make a reality. This is just one of the many lives this partnership has impacted.” Participating students in the online coding course, which is scheduled to start this fall, must be at least a sophomore in high

Dr. Glenda Glover

Bishop E. Earl McCloud Jr.

school or in college. Other related courses will be available provided students’ desire to continue with their educational studies through TSU. “This partnership acknowledges TSU as a global education leader in empowering underserved populations around the world with education opportunities, the knowledge of digital literacies, the basic technical concepts and skills of coding, and the inspiration to innovate in order to be international competitors in the digital workplace,” said Dr. Robbie Melton, vice president of the Smart Technology Innova-

tion Center at TSU. Dr. Johnnie C. Smith, executive director of Dual Credit/Dual Enrollment Partnerships at TSU and head of the Africa project, said students will be provided with learning equipment and resources to ensure success. “This is a great opportunity for international students to study at Tennessee State University,” said Smith. “I am pleased that President Glover and Bishop McCloud agreed to make this happen, and I am looking forward to expanding the TSU Dual Enrollment experience in other countries as well.” The TSU-Africa partnership is part of the Smart Technology Innovation Center’s

“Coding and app design are a large part of the global workforce, and we want to help make sure people of color, everywhere, are equipped with the knowledge and skills to be competitive, and successful. These are largely high school students that have the potential to become a part of the TSU student body.” — Dr. Glenda Glover

growing dual enrollment coding program that offers high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors the opportunity to earn college credits while enrolled in high school. Tennessee school districts participating in the program include: Clarksville-Montgomery County, Cheatham County, Hamilton County, Haywood County, Jackson-Madison County, Lauderdale County, Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) and Shelby County. Students also come from Georgia, Maryland, Texas, Virginia and Washington. The coding class is available to anyone interested in the field of study or as a one-time course. All high school students are welcome to be a part of the TSU Dual Enrollment program with course offerings from the language arts, STEM and liberal arts. (For more information and to sign up for a class during the 2021 fall semester, visit https://bit.ly/3vnMFoO.)

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The New Tri-State Defender

May 27 - June 2, 2021

Page 5

RELIGION

Prosperity, promotion amid pandemic at New Sardis by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Three years ago in March, Pastor Darell Harrington took the mantle of leadership at New Sardis Baptist Church from his mentor and “spiritual” father, Dr. L. LaSimba Gray. All was well as Harrington’s second anniversary approached in March 2020. Then, the pandemic hit, affecting everyday life in a myriad of ways as governments tried to slow the spread of the deadly virus that has claimed, 3,487,037 lives globally, including 596,943 in the United States, 12,393 in Tennessee and 1,668 in Memphis/ Shelby County as of Wednesday (May 26) morning. “It was extraordinary,” Harrington said. “The whole world stopped and took a sharp pivot. We knew immediately it was a time for prayer. We needed direction, and there was extreme fear concerning what the future held.” Harrington said church leaders made a vigorous effort to reach out to elderly members in that first month, making sure they had prescriptions filled, groceries in the house and other daily living needs met. Town hall meeting to answer COVID-19 questions were staged to keep both church members and community residents informed. “I don’t know how it happened, but God caused New Sardis to do better financially in 2020 than we did in 2019,” Harrington said. “And, I graduated Saturday with my masters in Divinity from Memphis Theological Seminary much earlier than anticipated. “For the New Sardis family, 2020 was a year of prosperity and promotion in the midst of turmoil.” Harrington credits the “invaluable teachings and guidance” of Dr. Gray,

Pastor Darell Harrington graduated from Memphis Theological Seminary this past Saturday with a masters in Divinity. which helped him meet the challenges of leading a congregation of God’s people through the pandemic. “We talked about it quite often — being the change you want to see,” said Harrington. “We worked to bring back the common touch and sense of real family and community in the church. Dr. (Martin Luther) King (Jr.) talked about ‘the beloved community,’ and that’s what we tried to do.” Harrington has reached out to other congregations that have struggled through the past year and is seeking to build partnerships to make each congregation stronger. Even across denominational boundaries, he has offered assistance. “I think God forced us to consider whether or not we had a real relationship with the Lord, or just practicing religion,” Harrington said. “Denominational divides have

become irrelevant. This pandemic stretched us and tested our mettle. We had to ask some questions: ‘How do we pursue God’s ministry moving forward?’ and ‘What lessons should we take from this pandemic?’” Harrington said the efforts of “a faithful few” has sustained the church. About 85-100 members come on Sunday, although the church has not officially opened yet. Services streamed online have garnered new members, both locally as well as in other cities. “We’ve had 12 or 13 individuals who live in other states join our congregation online,” said Harrington. “Our youth leader has kept our young people connected online. That’s how they communicate. “In this season of sorrow and loss, God has given us a refreshing oasis of spiritual growth and community. We can see God’s goodness in the midst of the chaos.” Not even personal loss could cloud Harrington’s sense of optimism and gratitude. Right before there was common knowledge of the coming pandemic, he lost the sister, who raised him in the place of his mother. “I lost my older sister early in 2020,” said Harrington. “She was so precious to me because my mother passed when I was very young, and this sister raised me. Although it was a terrible loss, I was grateful for God letting us keep her for 12 more years. She had a kidney transplant in 2008, and I asked God not to take her then, for my sake.” As mask and social distancing restrictions are lifting in Shelby County, churches, community centers and other corporate meeting spaces are opening back up. Harrington said New Sardis will probably not officially reopen until sometime in July. A grand reopening will be announced, he said.

At ‘home’ in Alabama... A resident of Memphis, Willie “Edd” Coleman wanted to celebrate his 90th birthday in Aliceville, Ala., his birthplace. He did, celebrating with his wife, Nettie, along with family and friends from various parts of the country. In addition to a clambake and picnic, the celebration included Sunday worship at Mt. Hebron Baptist Church, where the Rev. Marcus Wright is the pastor. (Photos: Tyrone P. Easley)

With honors... Honoring legacy... During its “Fourth Sunday Service,” Greater Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church celebrated the birthday of its late pastor, the Rev. J.L. Payne. The Rev. Dr. Tellis Chatman of Galilee Missionary Baptist Church in Detroit was the guest speaker. Mr. Payne died Dec. 21, 2020. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley)

Seven Memphis natives, who pastor and lead institutions in various parts of the country, recently received doctoral degrees from Memphis Theological Seminary, with each part of a cohort focused on forming and growing churches in the 21st Century. Pictured: (top, l-r): Dr. Zedrick K. Clayton of Clarksdale, Mississippi, Dr. William Smith III of Memphis, Dr. David L. Anderson of Oxford, Mississippi, Dr. Jordan L. Taylor Sr. of Memphis; (bottom, l-r): Dr Kia Moore of Memphis, Dr. Terry E. Mackey of Phoenix and Dr. Alexis Gwin-Miller of Memphis. A special holding ceremony was held at Berean Baptist Church on May 21. The commencement was held the next day at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium.(Photo: Tyrone P. Easley)

COMMUNITY The New Tri-State Defender, May 27 - June 2, 2021, Page 6

Living through COVID-19 – Part XVIII This is the 18th installment of The New Tri-State Defender’s ongoing account of three Memphians coping with the coronavirus amid government-directed efforts to slow the virus’ spread.

by Jerome Wright jwright@tsdmemphis.com

It has been nearly 14 months since the COVID-19 pandemic severely altered how much of the world’s population, including those in Memphis and Shelby County, shopped, congregated, worshipped, learned, worked, traveled and celebrated special occasions. Locally, The New Tri-State Defender (TSD) has chronicled since April 2020 how three Memphians – barber William Gandy Jr., nonprofit head Margaret Cowan and entrepreneur James Cook – have managed their personal and professional lives over the past year. “… the challenge is finding staff” James Cook, who owns two eateries – Lenny’s Grill and Subs and Runway 901 Bar & Grill – at Memphis International Airport, is among employers trying to find enough workers to fill vacant positions as the COVID-19 pandemic eases. Half of U.S. adults now are fully

vaccinated against the virus, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and airline passenger traffic has ticked up significantly. If he could find more employees, Cook could extend the hours of his businesses. He curtailed his operating hours and laid off employees late last spring after COVID-19 slowed passenger air travel to a trickle. “I want to go back to full-time (operating hours) because the flights are back, but the challenge is finding staff,” Cook said. To entice workers and reward staff, Cook has hiked “our base pay by $2 an hour – from $9 to $11. It has helped the people here, but, so far, it hasn’t attracted new employees.” In an email to the TSD Wednesday, Glen Thomas, the airport’s director of Strategic Marketing and Communications/Public Information Officer, said: “The TSA (Transportation Security Administration) screened 7,654 passengers and employees this past Friday (May 21), which represented our peak day since the beginning of the pandemic. “MEM passenger traffic continues to outpace the national average per TSA checkpoint numbers: Last week, national throughput was down 34.2 percent compared to our 25.3 percent”. Thomas continued, “In 2019, during the six-day extended Memo-

rial Day holiday weekend (Thursday-Tuesday), TSA screened 50,598 passengers and employees. This year, TSA expects to screen close to 40,000 individuals during the same time period, an approximate 20 percent decrease in throughput. “Compared to last year, when we screened only 8,484 during the holiday travel period, throughputs will be up 371 percent this weekend.” Cook said another reason he decided to boost employee pay was to combat competition. “Everyone is fighting for staff right now,” Cook said. Nationwide, employers, along with increasing pay, have resorted to offering new workers signing bonuses. Some elected officials and private employers are blaming federal enhanced jobless benefits – an additional $300 per week in aid through Sept. 6 – for a reluctance to return to work. Twenty-three states, including Tennessee, have announced an early halt to enhanced jobless benefits. Cook said anyone interested in employment opportunities at his restaurants can contact him at Jcook1500@ gmail.com or Lennys.com/careers. Easing of pandemic creates new opportunities When the TSD last checked with Margaret Cowan in March, her I Am My Sister’s Keeper nonprofit had

just received a $25,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis. James Cowan is Cook founding keeper of the organization, which helps single working mothers increase their earning potential. She said the grant money is for operational expenses that will help the organization increase its profile, efficiency and reach. According to a foundation spokesperson, the grant for I Am My Sister’s Keeper is “to support organizations that have been supporting those impacted by the pandemic.” Cowan said she has used the grant to update office equipment, pay a communications person and to give herself a small stipend. With the easing of pandemic restrictions and more people being vaccinated – 353,450 in Memphis/ Shelby County have been vaccinated; 269,259 have been fully vaccinated – Cowan has been able to routinely meet in person with her mothers, while still exercising caution. In April, for instance, Cowan used a Community Lift grant to stage a community fair, featuring other nonprofits and entrepreneurs.

Margaret Cowan

William Gandy Jr.

“We had more than 200 people. I was shocked,” she said. On June 1, Cowan plans to resume her journey toward a four-year degree in sociology at University of Memphis. Last year, she earned an associate’s degree in sociology from Southwest Tennessee Community College. Keeping his dream alive The barber business still is in a slump for barber William Gandy Jr. and he expects it stay that way for a while. Meanwhile, the accomplished musician, singer and songwriter is continuing to work on his music while pursuing financial backing for a movie based on his book “Grandma’s Big Vote.” The book tells a story about his 106-year-old grandmother, Mary Alice Gandy, who made national headlines when she voted for the first time in 2008, casting her ballot for Barack Obama. (Jerome Wright is deputy editor for The New Tri-State Defender.)

Abundant Earth Global CDC to open farmers market in Frayser food desert by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Abundant Earth Global CDC will launch Good Works Farmers & Flea Market on Saturday (May 29) from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parking lot of Abundant Earth’s headquarters at 847 Whitney Ave. “The Farmer’s Market is the premiere component of Abundant Earth’s broad agenda of using the earth’s natural resources to end poverty in our lifetime,” said Lee Smith, Abundant Earth co-founder. The nonprofit operates a small, community garden on 1.2 acres in Frayser. While some of the produce offered at the market on Saturday will be grown on site, a main focus of the event is to provide fresh produce while supporting local farmers. A limited number of flea market spaces will be available to non-produce vendors. “It’s been a long time coming,” said Abundant Earth co-founder Ester Moore. “Our original plans were to open last spring. We’re excited to finally get underway with this.” Moore and Smith envisioned Abundant Earth as an organization that promotes and practices sustainability in underserved neighborhoods. Other Abundant Earth initiatives focus on bringing eco-friendly new home construction, urban farming and waste-to-energy production into socalled blighted neighborhoods. “Housing, food and energy – those are the building blocks of society,” Smith said. “If we can take land that is considered unproductive and make it sustainably hyper-productive – efficient homes on land that produce food and energy – we think we can win the war on poverty.” Moore and Lee saw an opportunity to create Abundant Earth when an old, juke joint called The Hideaway became available along with more than an acre of vacant land attached. In addition to the farmer’s market, they envisioned a functioning micro-hub of agricultural activity, including an indoor farm, a greenhouse, chicken coop and composting operation. The building also has a commercial kitchen, banquet hall and a stage, which is available for private and public events.

Pictured (l-r) : Keith Garrett, Austin, Texas; Chas Harris, Germantown; Terrel Shepherd, Houston; Jock Hughes, Houston; Kevin Paul, Dallas; Juan Brown, Orlando, Florida; Junious Powell, Houston; James Durham, Dallas, and Eldridge Lee, Indianapolis, Indiana. (Courtesy photo) Abundant Earth’s Ester Moore labels seedlings placed in raised beds on the adjoined acre of land at the nonprofit’s headquarters in Frayser. Although cold weather delayed planting, some of the produce sold at the Good Works Farmers Market will be grown onsite. (Courtesy Photos/Lee Eric Smith)

TSD columnist and Abundant Earth co-founder Lee Eric Smith built what he calls “the Verti-Grow” out of PVC pipe and used 5-gallon food-grade buckets. About 20 plants can be grown in the contraption, which is designed to show how objects can be repurposed for gardening and also show that home gardeners don’t need much space to grow a lot of food. “We want our facility to be a resource to Frayser,” Moore said. “That’s why we named it ‘Good Works.’ We’re trying to ‘do good’ on multiple levels. Not just offering high quality food, but supporting local farmers and teaching people how to grow their own food.” Abundant Earth intends to launch a variety of programs to help educate and build energy around how sustainable practices can empower and transform communities. Launching

later this year is “Pipeline to Prosperity,” a training program for ex-felons who want to learn about urban farming and earthen construction. “Nature doesn’t run a background check,” Smith said. “If you have good seed, good soil, good water and good light, and you’re willing to literally get your hands dirty, you can reap a harvest. Anybody can reap a harvest – and thus, become a benefit to their families and communities. That is empowerment.” Abundant Earth plans to launch Abundant Saturdays, which will run concurrently with the Good Works Farmers Market. Abundant Saturdays will combine volunteerism as well as teaching everyday sustainable practices. The plans call for demonstrations and short talks on topics such as soil health, gardening tips and composting. A regular cooking demonstration is a longer-term goal. “We’re trying to bring a certain type of energy and activity to our headquarters,” Moore said. “We want it to be fun, so that people will come back and bring others with them.” In addition to cash and credit card forms of payment, the Farmer’s Market will accept SNAP (EBT) cards. (For questions and more information, visit aegcdc@gmail.com. Or, call Ester Moore at 901-825-544; Lee Eric Smith at 662-216-0086.)

Prairie View ‘Ques’ stamp Memphis reunion with service, tourism by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

The men in the Spring 1990 line of the Rho Theta Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. staged their 31st-year reunion in Memphis over the weekend. And residents at Room In The Inn are glad they did. “Volunteers are the heart of Room In The Inn, and we appreciate these guys for remembering us,” said the Rev. Lisa Anderson, Room In The Inn (RITI) executive director. The Spring 1990 line became part of the fraternity at Prairie View A&M University in Prairie View, Texas. Chas Harris, director of business development, hosted the Memphis reunion. “Last year was our 30th anniversary, but we couldn’t celebrate because of the pandemic,” Harris said. “Of course, I lobbied hard for our reunion to take place in Memphis. … (T)he brothers agreed because of the city’s rich history and abundance of volunteer opportunities.” Volunteering at Room In The Inn was a great way to positively impact the lives of others, said Harris. “We were able to lend a hand and an ear to people experiencing the ravages of homelessness and poverty. You might even say that the experience was life-changing for us.

We left there more grateful for all the blessings we enjoy.” Anderson views the fraternity members as a “wonderful example” to others who might be able to stop by and help. “Individuals and groups who offer themselves through hours of service often experience a new awareness of how families are affected by poverty and homelessness,” Anderson said. “Lives of both the residents and the volunteers are changed through the awesome relationship-building that takes place. ” The Prairie View “Ques” also visited the National Civil Rights Museum. “There is a kind of reverence you feel when visiting the National Civil Rights Museum,” said Harris. “Our weekend reunion was enhanced with the depth of cultural awareness reflected in the exhibitions and interactive, historical displays. I am always personally moved, and I know the brothers were as well. And the balcony, you can almost see Dr. King standing there.” Prairie View A&M University, the first state-supported college in Texas for African Americans, was established during the Reconstruction Period after the Civil War. The University had its beginnings in the Texas Constitution of 1876. The school welcomed its first students in 1878.

The New Tri-State Defender

May 27 - June 2, 2021

Page 7

ENTERTAINMENT

Truth-telling songstress Toni Green emerges with new music project, video by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

For Memphis-grown recording artist Toni Green, the year-long pandemic was practically a walk in the park. She is emerging from the health-conscious restrictions of a COVID-19 world with a remastered recording project and music video launch. “I grew up around Stax Recording greats, Willie Mitchell, Carla and Rufus, Al Green,” said popular stage performer, Toni Green. “But, I’ve known hardship before. I spent the past year in strategically planning some business moves that will sustain moving forward. I pulled out some 2005 songs I wrote and remastered one for new release. It’s called “Drive Thru Love Affair.” Green has what she calls a “wealth of music.” Over decades of performing, Green has written all her own songs and owns all her music. “I’m not going to be a singer forever,” said Green. “The pandemic gave me a lot of down time when I could not work, either locally or internationally. I read books to learn the business side of entertainment. I’ve seen hard times before. I was stuck in an abusive relationship for 10 years. I bathed out of a sink for 12 years. This pandemic was a time to buckle down and do some other kind of work.” Green is a native Memphian who graduated from Southside High School. She credits a cousin for teaching her to sing.

Stax songwriter Willie Mitchell was also a huge influence on Green’s singer. Green said she learned to sing in rich tones, not swallowing her words, as she put it. “I tell the truth in my music,” said Green. “Back in 2005, I connected with the deep side of myself and wrote 14 songs in two days. I tapped into what was most hurtful inside. I was evolving then, and really finding out who I was. I’m still evolving, and I’m going back to the studio to remaster some of my work. The pandemic helped me write the next chapter in my life.” Green’s newly released single will be available on BMI, Spotify, and Google music platforms. “There was a time when I was blocked from performing on Beale Street, or going overseas, said Green. “I am hopeful for the future because I never lost my faith. I knew God was bringing me through. Now, I am stronger and bigger than I was in was in 2019.” Green has assembled a crew of producers, performers, and superfans to tape a video for Drive Thru Love Affair on June 18, right here in Memphis. Green hopes to expand her fan base in America with her new moves. “I am more well-known in overseas music markets,” said Green. “Now that restrictions are lifting and people are getting out and going places, I will at some point start back touring internationally. But I’m working to bring on a new generation of fans who love Toni Green.”

Over decades of performing, Toni Green has written all her own songs and owns all her music. Now she is cultivating a new generation of fans. (Courtesy photo)

The New Tri-State Defender

May 27 - June 2, 2021

Page 8

CLASSIFIEDS NOTICE TO BIDDER(S) Shelby County Government has issued Seal Bid I000668 for New Dental Equipment for the Shelby County Health Department. 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 Office” then “Formal Bid Listing” to locate the name of the above-described Sealed Bid. DUE MONDAY, JUNE 28, 2021 AT 2:30 PM (CDT) SEALED BID SB-I000668 NEW DENTAL EQUIPMENT A Mandatory pre-bid meeting to address questions will be held via teleconference on June 8, 2021 @ 10:00 a.m. (CDT). Use the following information to join this mandatory meeting: External: +19012222777 Internal: 22777 Meeting ID: 9012222256# Meeting PIN: 12356# 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. THE RIGHT TO REJECT ANY AND ALL BIDS IS RESERVED By order of LEE HARRIS, SHELBY COUNTY MAYOR SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT MASE Charter School Request for ProposalNonprofit School Food Service Management Company, Memphis Academy of Science and Engineering Charter School The purpose of this bid is to seek a Food Service Management Company (FSMC) for breakfast, lunch, snack, fresh fruits and vegetables that meet the requirements of the USDA Child Nutrition Program. All questions pertaining to this RFP can be sent via email to Rodrick Gaston, rgaston@discovermase.org. The RFP can be found at discovermase.org/rfp. RFP#: 32589-2021 05/14/2021 A virtual meeting will be held on Friday, May 28, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. Bids will be accepted by Friday, June 11, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. Contact: Rodrick Gaston, rgaston@discovermase.org. NOTICE TO BIDDER(S) Sealed bids will be received by the Shelby County Government in the Department of Housing, 1075 Mullins Station Road, Memphis, Tennessee 38134 until 9:30 a.m. on June 25, 2021, as shown below: MULTIPLE AND ENTIRELY DIFFERENT REHABILITATION JOBS ARE CONTAINED IN THIS BID NOTICE. BIDDER(S) MAY ELECT TO BID ON ANY OR ALL OF THE JOBS IN THE NOTICE. SEALED BID I000669 DUE: June 25, 2021 1. Rehabilitation of Owner-Occupied Housing Units throughout Shelby County some of which may require the use of lead based paint safe work practices and techniques; and Detailed specifications for items above may be obtained in the Shelby County Department of Housing at the aforementioned address beginning June 11, 2021. All bids will be opened and publicly read by the Shelby County Government at the time mentioned above at the Department of Housing, 1075 Mullins Station Road Memphis, TN 38134, (901) 222-7600; TTY Number (901) 222-2301; or for information in Spanish 901-222-3993. Award recommendations will be posted at the following website http:// www.shelbycountytn.gov/3453/ Contract-Opportunities upon review of the bid opening results. As a condition precedent to bidding, each bidder must apply and qualify for a Vendor Number and Equal Opportunity Compliance Eligibility Number prior to the submitting your response. Your EOC number must be displayed on the outside of your envelope for each bid submission. Reminder: Effective January 2020, in order for your bids to be accepted on projects, contractors must have met with the Housing Site Inspector and received a receipt for the current Shelby County Housing Construction and Rehabilitation Specifications Manual. Interested contractors not currently on the contractor list should contact the Department of Housing in order to schedule a meeting with the Housing Site Inspector. If you are currently on the contractor list but have not received a receipt for the current Construction and Rehabilitation Specifications Manual, please schedule an appointment to do so. NOTE: Selected contractors will be required to check the SAM system to ensure that any subcontractors it selects do not appear on the debarred/ suspended registry. The label, which is attached to the specifications shall be completely filled out and attached to the bid submission envelope. You must display your current E.O.C. Eligibility Number or your Locally Owned Small Business (LOSB) Number on the outside of your envelope and a copy

of all licenses and insurance policies must be included in your submitted bid package. Unless the label is completely filled out and your current E.O.C. Eligibility Number is noted thereon your bid may be returned to you unopened. Should your label be lost or misplaced, please note the appropriate information in the lower lefthand corner of your envelope. The Department of Housing encourages participation from WBE, MBE, LOSB, and Section 3 Contractors under these rehabilitation programs. The Shelby County Government reserves the right to reject any or all bids and to waive any informalities therein. By order of LEE HARRIS, MAYOR SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Scott Walkup, Administrator 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: Claude A. Avery Sr. Tax Parcel #: 04105200001510 Tax Sale #: 903 Price Offered: $1,800 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 2:00 p.m. on June 28, 2021, 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: Yusef Shabazz Tax Parcel #: 06007900000170 Tax Sale #: 54 Price Offered: $50 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 1:30 p.m. on June 28, 2021, 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: Yareli Aramburo Tax Parcel #: 06903100000310 Tax Sale #: 1604 Price Offered: $23,000 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 28, 2021, 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: Yareli Aramburo Tax Parcel #: 09000200000700 Tax Sale #: 1604 Price Offered: $24,000 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 28, 2021, 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: Yareli Aramburo Tax Parcel #: 06902900000440 Tax Sale #: 1604 Price Offered: $19,000 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 28, 2021, 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: Eli O. Murillo and Joanne Santana Tax Parcel #: 07002600000490 Tax Sale #: 1604 Price Offered: $23,000 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 25, 2021, 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: Romeo Elliot Tax Parcel #: 0760880C000460 Tax Sale #: 1302 Price Offered: $3,500 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 25, 2021, 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: Ursula Carwell Tax Parcel #: 03505600000130 Tax Sale #: 1603 Price Offered: $700 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 25, 2021, 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:

Irving Ravelo and Diana Zaragoza Tax Parcel #: 05000400000040 Tax Sale #: 1604 Price Offered: $500 Terms: Cash

Irving Ravelo and Diana Zaragoza Tax Parcel #: 0490640000025C Tax Sale #: 603 Price Offered: $4,000 Terms: Cash

William H. Nebeker Tax Parcel #: 04901500000420 Tax Sale #: 1604 Price Offered: $13,890 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 24, 2021, 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.

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 24, 2021, 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.

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 24, 2021, 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:

Irving Ravelo and Diana Zaragoza Tax Parcel #: 05000300000030 Tax Sale #: 1604 Price Offered: $500 Terms: Cash

Irving Ravelo and Diana Zaragoza Tax Parcel #: 04800300000240 Tax Sale #: 1604 Price Offered: $500 Terms: Cash

Newton Morgan Tax Parcel #: 04200700000500 Tax Sale #: 1304 Price Offered: $600 Terms: Cash

Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 2:00 p.m. on June 24, 2021, 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.

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 24, 2021, 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.

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 24, 2021, 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

The New Tri-State Defender

May 27 - June 2, 2021

Page 9

SPORTS

The Grizzlies’ run through the play-in tournament, into the playoffs and past the top-seeded Utah Jazz in game one has stirred back-to-the-future thoughts for many Memphis fans, including some who have dusted off growl towels of glory days past. (Photo: Karanja A. Ajanaku)

With the belief they could, Grizzlies upset the Jazz in game one of playoffs by Terry Davis

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

“I treated this game like any other game,” Ja Morant said of his emotions prior to the tipoff of what would become the Memphis Grizzlies’ believe-it-or not upset (112109 OT) of the No. 1 seeded Utah Jazz in the Western Conference Playoffs on Sunday evening (May 23). Any other game? Yep, that’s what he said. And with the outcome such a deeply-satisfying win on the road, many Memphis fans hungry for more are of a mind to keep following Morant’s line of thought. “There is no reason to put any more pressure on me or my team. Most the pressure is on them for being the number one seed. We have earned our spot in the playoffs,” Morant said. “We will go out and continue to play with the confidence that we have. We will take it each game (at a time) like we did all season.” Game 2 in the Grizzlies’ No. 1 vs. No. 8 matchup against the Jazz in Salt Lake City, Utah tipped off beyond The New Tri-State Defender’s print deadline. (Visit www.TSDMemphis.com for game details.) Utah All-Star guard Donavan Mitchell, who was cleared to play in game one but was a last-minute scratch, was expected back for the Jazz in game two. In the opening game of the best-ofseven series, Memphis matched the Jazz in the game’s first seven minutes and was ahead 17-14 with 4:25 left in the first quarter when the offensive wheels came off and seemingly rolled out of Vivint Arena. Nine grueling minutes ensued before the Grizzlies put the ball through their hoop again. While the offense languished, Memphis’ we-believe defense kept

the Jazz in range. “It was huge,” head coach Taylor Jenkins said of his team’s defense during that stretch, noting Memphis’ next-play Terry mentality. Davis “When shots were not falling … our guys stayed the course defensively. We have had tons of these moments this season where our offense just stalls out. It is a credit to these guys.” During the drought, the Jazz outscored the Grizzlies 15-0 to take a 29-17 lead. Down by as many as 14 points in the first half, it could have been even worse if the defense had not forced 10 first-half turnovers. The offense came to life midway through the second quarter. Dillon Brooks got hot from the shooting-guard spot, scoring 10 points as Memphis dominated the second quarter from that point. Outscoring the Jazz 32-19 in the frame, the Grizzlies led 49-43 at the half. Brooks, whose tenacious defense has earned him an ascending league reputation, kept his hot shooting sizzling in the third quarter with 14 points. “He is the ultimate competitor,” Jenkins said of Brooks. “He loves these moments. He prepares for these moments. A lot of tough covers for him (on defense) and what he gives on the productivity on the offensive end. I am proud of him.” Memphis’ lead ballooned to its largest point 94-77 with 9:42 left in the game. Utah would not quit. Bogdan Bogdanović continued what he started (nine points) in the third quarter, scoring 20 points in the fourth quarter and finishing with 29 points. Former Memphis Grizzlies’ star point guard Mike Conley had 22

points and connected on three from three-point range. Morant, who scored 10 of his 26 points in the opening quarter, carried Memphis in the fourth quarter. He also had four points and four assists. Brooks finished with 31 points and 7 rebounds. Grizzlies’ center Jonas Valanciunas had 15 points and 12 rebounds. The game was playoffs physical down low. Valanciunas and Ruby Gobert, the presumptive defensive player of the year in the NBA, both eventually fouled out. Gobert fouled out with four-plus minutes to play and Valanciunas made it to OT before picking up his final foul. There were multiple technical fouls called on each team and a flagrant foul on the Jazz as Memphis’ Kyle Anderson was sent hard to the floor on fast-break attempt. A near-capacity crowd of 13,000 was allowed to attend the playoffs. Brooks, who some have taken to calling ‘Villain Brooks,’ was the object of ire for many Jazz fans. Brooks called getting into the heads of players and fans “the best feeling.” “With fans talking ish to you, with players talking ish to you, it just fires me up. I love it. That is my game,” said Brooks, who considers himself born into the physicality of the game of basketball. The Grizzlies’ win prompted a question to Anderson about whether the victory would earn Memphis respect that has been lacking this season. “We just want to handle business right now,” said Anderson. “Who cares about the respect the people gives us? We have got a goal we are trying to obtain right now. We are going to take it one game at a time and try to win this series. “I don’t pay attention to the outside noise. I try to focus on myself and my team every day.”

Speaking Tuesday ( May 25) at the Memphis Baptist Ministerial Association, Southern Heritage Classic Founder Fred Jones encountered a ready audience of supporters. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley)

The ‘Classic’ is on the way back; Tickets now on sale for No. 32

TSD Newsroom For multiple reasons, the 2021 Southern Heritage Classic will be a groundbreaker. Presented by FedEx, the 32nd annual Southern Heritage Classic pits long-time rivals Tennessee State University and Jackson State University on Sept. 11, 2021 at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is at 6 p.m. Tickets went on sale May 21. This year’s Classic features two retired NFL greats as head coaches. Tennessee State’s coach Eddie George and Jackson State’s coach Deion Sanders have added a new layer of enthusiasm to the highly-anticipated annual affair. Southern Heritage Classic (SHC) Founder Fred Jones says the new coaches are a win-win for everyone. “Coach Eddie George and Coach Deion Sanders leading two HBCU football teams is a wonderful boost for the universities and HBCUs everywhere, but it’s also great for the Classic,” said Jones, who is busy making the rounds pitching this year’s Classic. “After COVID-19 caused us to cancel last year, I couldn’t have asked for a better way to return in 2021. It’s an unexpected but welcome surprise and we are going to make sure everything

“Coach Eddie George and Coach Deion Sanders leading two HBCU football teams is a wonderful boost for the universities and HBCUs everywhere, but it’s also great for the Classic.” — Fred Jones is epic,” Jones said, referring to NFL greats Sanders and George as coaches. “I look forward to safely seeing familiar faces and new ones too. This is going to be the hottest ticket in town!” SHC will be adhering to the safety recommendations of the Shelby County Health Department and the City of Memphis regarding COVID-19. Heavy thunderstorms forced the cancellation of the Classic in 2018. Factoring for the game and its associated events, including Tiger Lane tailgating, the Orange Mound parade and the Classic Gala, the annual event reportedly attracts 75,000 attendees. Tickets can be purchased online at Ticketmaster. com or charged by phone at 1-800-745-3000. For tickets and more information, visit https://southernheritageclassic.com/.

We’re Known By the Money you Keep!

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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 sells experience. This is a commission based opportunity. For serious inquiries email your resume to administration@tsdmemphis.com.

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The New Tri-State Defender

May 27 - June 2, 2021

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