The New Tri-State Defender - June 3-9, 2021 by The Tri-State Defender

Get TSD news, online anytime at TSDMemphis.com

June 3 - 9, 2021

VOL. 70, No. 22

www.tsdmemphis.com

$1.00

Revved up, ready to roll …

Workers begin the process of removing the remains of Confederate Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest and his wife from Health Sciences Park. (Photo: Facebook)

On-site pushback surfaces as removal begins of Confederate general’s remains An upset of the No.1 seeded Utah Jazz was an uphill battle from the jump for the No. 8 seeded Grizzlies. And while a game 1 victory buoyed hopes, Memphis entered game 5 in Salt Lake City staring elimination in the face. During the pre-tipoff huddle for game three at FedExForum, the Grizzlies revved up to bring the ﬁght they’ve shown in each game. (Photo: Warren Roseborough). (See story, related photos on Sports, Page 9.)

African American Music Appreciation Month

It’s time to give the drummer some by Phyllis Dixon

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Memphis has a rich musical heritage, with local icons such as Rufus Thomas, Al Green, Isaac Hayes, Booker T. Jones, Stax and Hi Records known worldwide. Drummer Howard Grimes is probably not on that list, but should be. “Timekeeper - My Life in Rhythm,” is his story. It is a gritty, unapologetic tale that doesn’t hold back – like Memphis, the city he was born and raised in. The city where he reached professional heights, which included playing drums on million-selling records, performing at Carnegie Hall and on “American Bandstand.” And, the city where he was homeless, living in his car. But also, like Memphis, it is a story of faith, perseverance and redemption. Howard Grimes was born in 1941. He is the oldest of nine children and recalls growing up in a close-knit North Memphis neighborhood that is now Interstate 40-240. He attended Manassas High School, where he and Isaac Hayes were in the same homeroom and marching band. He began playing in clubs in the 1950s while barely a teen, and his Beale Street descriptions transport the reader back in time. He was at Stax, before it was Stax, playing on Carla Thomas’ first hit on Satellite Records, as it was known then, and Stax hits by Sam and Dave, William Bell and Booker T and the MGs.

On Entertainment, Page 7: ‘From Memphis to the World’ He became part of the band at Hi Records, collaborating with producer Willie Mitchell and playing on almost all of Al Green’s hits. His playing and professionalism were highly regarded in the industry, and he played with artists not usually associated with Memphis, such as Jackie Wilson, Marvin Gaye and Cyndi Lauper. In 1967, while touring with poprock band, Paul Revere and the Raiders, a sold-out show in Montgomery, Alabama was almost cancelled when the coliseum owner refused to let a “n----r” on stage. The rest of the group (Grimes was the only Black band member) refused

SEE MUSIC ON PAGE 2

Call for ‘Personal responsibility’ is working for County residents by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

As vaccination numbers climb, new daily cases of COVID-19 are falling, according to Shelby County Health Department statistics. A total of 662,594 vaccines have been administered; 359,635 people have now been fully vaccinated. Full vaccinations consist of two vaccine shots taken weeks apart. Pfizer and Moderna vaccines continue to be in abundant supply in Shelby County. When vaccines were highest in demand, thousands were being administered across Shelby County in a day. Now, the average number of vaccines currently given daily is 1,132. The rolling average for new cases of COVID-19 is 59.

Wednesday’s new case number was 22 – the lowest number of reported daily cases this year – bringing the total number of cases in Shelby County to 98,779. Two deaths were reported, bringing the death toll from the virus to 1,677. There were 38 new cases reported Tuesday; 42 Monday and 48 Sunday. “The county’s COVID-19 outlook is very good,” said Dr. Bruce Randolph, medical officer for the Health Department. “There was a bit of fear that dropping the mandate for masking would lead to a spike in new cases and hospitalizations. But I am happy to say that did not happen. Of course, we are watching the aftermath of this past Memorial Day weekend,”

SEE COVID ON PAGE 2

by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Three-plus years after an equestrian monument to Confederate Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest was removed from Health Sciences Park in the Medical District, work has begun to relocate the remains of Forrest and his wife. The relocation work began Tuesday and – like the removal of the statue – it flamed a pushback. As Tami Sawyer, who led the community charge for removing Forrest’s statue, spoke with reporters on the site Tuesday, a lone protester – a volunteer on the excavation crew – threatened the now-Shelby County Commissioner and hurled expletives her way. Sawyer, who became synonymous with the 2017 “Take ‘Em Down 901” effort to have multiple Confederate-era statues removed, continued speaking as the man shouted out lyrics to “Dixie,” the de facto anthem of the Confederacy. “We are not post-racial America,” said Sawyer. “We are not post-racial Memphis. This hatred and this racism is large and loud.” Later on social media, Sawyer posted about the effect the confrontation had on her. “Hard day,” she wrote. “I won’t lie and say I feel great, but stronger women than me survived this racist game, and so can I.” Forrest’s equestrian statue, which stood over the grave of the Confederate general and his wife, and the monument of Jefferson Davis, the Confederate president, were taken down under the cover of night on Dec. 20, 2017. The former Ku Klux Klan leader and his wife will be reburied at the National Confederate Museum at Elm Springs, where the statue also has been relocated. The site is in Columbia, Tennessee. The remains of Forrest, who was also an ardent slave trader, had been entombed in the park for more than a

SEE REMAINS ON PAGE 2

The New Tri-State Defender

June 3 - 9, 2021

Page 2

NEWS MUSIC

CONTINUED FROM FRONT to play, if Grimes wasn’t allowed to play. He even played for blues pioneer Ma Rainey in the waning days of her career. “Timekeeper” includes plenty of name dropping, from details of Al Green’s “grits” episode, to who was so drunk they could barely stand on stage. Grimes was no angel, but compared to some of the other goings on, he was a boy scout. His desire to avoid the drama and concentrate on music was admirable, but he feels not hanging out cost him in dollars and recognition. He wasn’t in the clique and missed several opportunities. While his contemporaries received writing credits and lucrative recording deals, Grimes was paid by the session, mostly whatever they wanted to give him, often not even union scale. His story is matter of fact and not a “woe is me” tale. He said, “As the drummer, it wasn’t my job to be out front; I needed to hang back.” He was the timekeeper. His tone is not bitter. He said he “simply didn’t know the business.” In discussing his personal life, he doesn’t sugarcoat the details. Sometimes he was living the heartache in the hits he was playing like Denise LaSalle’s “Trapped By a Thing Called Love” and Ann Peebles’ “I Can’t Stand the Rain.” “Timekeeper” will appeal to anyone interested in the evolution of popular music in general, and Memphis soul music in particular. Some descriptions are very technical and may be unfamiliar to a non-musician. Also, the book could benefit from an index. The book reads like a conversation and credit award-winning co-writer Preston Lauterbach (“Beale Street Dynasty,” “The Chitlin’ Circuit” and the “Road to Rock and Roll”) for vividly recording Grimes’ story. Because it is like a conversation, some portions are raw, but that adds to the story’s authenticity. Howard Grimes experienced dream-come-true high and nightmarish lows. But through it all, he was a man of faith, and that faith has sustained him. While others earned more money and fame, Howard Grimes has his health and has lived to tell the story, and hopefully receive long overdue recognition. It’s time to give the drummer some. (Phyllis Dixon is the author of Reader’s Corner, a periodic column in The New Tri-State Defender featuring her take on reading, books and authors. June is African American Music Appreciation Month and this column kicks off the TSD’s monthlong focus.)

COVID

CONTINUED FROM FRONT Randolph said. Now, city and county officials are pushing for everyone to be vaccinated. The minimum age to receive a vaccine is 12 years. Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to receive a vaccination. The parent or guardian will be required to show a valid photo ID, as well as complete and sign a consent form on site for their child to be vaccinated. Incentives for taking the vaccine have gotten the attention of hold outs, thanks to the Kroger Company. Kroger Health, the healthcare divi-

City Council accepts American Rescue Plan Act windfall

by James Coleman

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

The influx of the first half of the American Rescue Plan Act funding – $80.5 million – drew few objections from Memphis City Council members during their Tuesday (June 1) meeting, as they voted to accept the windfall. The American Rescue Plan is a $1.9 trillion economic stimulus bill aimed at speeding up the recovery from the

Revitalization concerns get attention of Council. (See Community, Page 6)

COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting recession. Memphis’ total share is expected to be $160 million, although Memphis CFO Shirley Cook warned the council earlier that the number could change. The rest of the funding is due within the year. The city has the next three-and-a-half years to use the payments.

However, how the money will be used is still up in the air. The council delayed final votes on Mayor Jim Strickland’s proposed $1.4 billion budget and new tax rates Tuesday over the question. The move was expected. Both the council and Strickland are waiting for guidance from the federal government

about the potential uses for the money. Council Budget Committee Chair Worth Morgan was the lone no vote. The council also voted to give the city’s five-year-old disparity initiative another two years. The study is an analysis of how the city’s money is spent on contracts and services. It scrutinizes how much should flow to minority and women-owned businesses, as well as the number of business-

REMAINS

CONTINUED FROM FRONT century. The administration of Mayor Jim Strickland used a loophole in the historical preservation law to sell the public parks housing the confederate-era statues to Greenspace, a private nonprofit. Attorney Van Turner Jr., president of Greenspace Inc., applied context to the removal of the Forrest’s remains on Tuesday. “As we have just commemorated the tragedy in Tulsa 100 years ago and acknowledged the fact that we as a people have endured so much, I am so thankful for fresh starts and new beginnings,” said Turner, also a Shelby County Commissioner and president of the Memphis Branch NAACP. “We now begin the final stretch of this journey and so thankful for the end in sight.” The removal process will take weeks.

Attorney Van Turner Jr., president of Greenspace Inc., applied context to the removal of the Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest’s remains. (Photo: Facebook) In three weeks, the same park will host this year’s Juneteenth Festival, which is a celebration associated with the emancipation of slaves. The celebration will go on as planned June 18-19. According to Lee Millar, a

Sons of Confederate Veterans spokesperson, Forrest descendants felt the remains should be removed and buried in a place where “he can be respected, protected, and visited without danger…” Legal wrangling had ensued

since the statue was removed from its pedestal three years ago. Turner was satisfied with the outcome. “And so we’re out here working together to get this job done,” said Turner. “And I think it sends a message that

es owned by minorities and women. Racial disparities are also examined. To apply for the city’s Equal Business Opportunity program, vendors must be certified every year. Certification demands the vendor meet certain benchmarks in diversity. A new study is expected to be commissioned during the extension. The Shelby County Commission recently approved a new disparity study. Again, Morgan was the only no vote.

we’re much stronger when we work together and we unite for one common task.” Millar said the volunteer who shouted at Sawyer would not be back as part of the removal. Sawyer filed a police report on the incident. Forrest’s legacy includes being the first elected Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan. Prior to the war, he was a wealthy cotton baron, who ran a highly profitable slave trading business. History appends Forrest to the massacre at Fort Pillow, where hundreds of African-American Union soldiers were shot down, although they were trying to surrender. As leader of the KKK, Forrest helped suppress voting rights of African Americans in the South through violence and intimidation. In his final years, Forrest insisted he had never been a KKK member and made a public speech encouraging racial harmony.

TVA briefs MLGW on ongoing efforts to protect the Memphis Sand Aquifer The Tennessee Valley Authority on Wednesday detailed to the Memphis Light, Gas, and Water board of commissioners the measures the utility has taken over the last five years to protect the Memphis Sand Aquifer and restore the retired Allen Fossil Plant for the community’s benefit. MLGW invited TVA to address its board after the University of Memphis Center for Applied Earth Science and Engineering Research’s recent presentation of a graduate student’s preliminary research for a thesis that suggested TVA’s Allen site was potentially impacting the Memphis aquifer and the Davis Wellfield. Asserting that TVA’s commitment to protect the Mem-

phis aquifer is ongoing, J. Cedric Adams, principal project manager at the Allen Fossil Plant, said after his presentation that the commitment has “driven every decision we have made to restore the retired Allen Fossil Plant for future economic development.” The Memphis Sand Aquifer is the city and region’s main source of fresh drinking water. In a release about the presentation to MLGW, TVA emphasized that the presentation by the University of Memphis Center for Applied Earth Science and Engineering Research (CAESER) put forth a “tentative conclusion” alleging there is a hydrologic pathway from the Allen site to the Horn Lake Cutoff – a surface water drainage channel. According to TVA, CAES-

sion is launching a $5 million incentive program for those who have not yet received the vaccine. The “#Community Immunity” giveaway campaign will start next week. The promotion allows individuals, including customers and associates, who has received a vaccine from Kroger Health, a chance to win one of five $1 million payouts and a chance to win free groceries for a year. They’re calling it the #CommunityImmunity giveaway campaign and it starts next week when Kroger Health plans to announce prizes, official rules and eligibility. The company said the vaccine promotion coincides with President Biden’s effort on the na-

tional front to have at least 70 percent of adults get their first dose of the vaccine by July 4. As of Wednesday (June 2), Kroger Health has administered 4.6 million COVID-19 vaccines. While many establishments have removed masking signage posted at the front door, others continue to require masks inside their premises. As COVID-19 new numbers continue to diminish, masking requirements are expected to lessen as wells. Shelby County’s goal is to get 700,000 adults and children fully vaccinated. For additional information on vaccination sites still operating, call Shelby County Health Department at 901-222-9000.

TSD Newsroom

ER provided no data to support its conclusion and had declined the utility’s request for it and a report. “It is important to note that publicly available data shows that activities at the Allen Fossil Plant have not impacted the Memphis aquifer,” Adams said. “Additionally, surface water runoff from Allen does not go to the Horn Lake Cutoff (HLCO), all water streams at the site are managed and permitted as required, and the CAESER study does not consider that HLCO receives runoff from multiple industries

and properties.” TVA maintains that since 2017 it has aggressively investigated site conditions and developed a comprehensive restoration plan based on site-specific data and research under the independent direction and supervision of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC). The plan, Adams and others assert, protects the aquifer, “safely removes coal ash from the site as part of the closure process, remediates localized groundwater conditions, repurposes the site for future

use, and continues robust groundwater monitoring.” The restoration project, Adams said, “demonstrates our steadfast commitment to the community and our shared desire to protect vital natural resources like the Memphis aquifer.” During the presentation, TVA pledged continued communication through quarterly updates about the restoration project to TDEC, MLGW, the City of Memphis, Port Commission and Shelby County. (For more information visit tva.com/allen.)

We’re Known By the Money you Keep!

Special purchases with unbeatable low prices. get it now!

Best Choice

When they’re gone, they’re gone.

Williams

Best Choice

Large Eggs

Pork Sausage

Ketchup or Mustard

$ 95

56¢

Grade A, 5 Dozen Box

$ 76

Plus 10% Added at Checkout

2 Lb. Roll, Mild ONLY

Plus 10% Added at Checkout

24 Oz. Squeeze Btl; 20 Oz. Squeeze Btl

Plus 10% Added at Checkout

PRICES VALID JUNE 2-15, 2021 MIDTOWN: WHITEHAVEN: SOUTH MEMPHIS: 1620 Madison Ave. 4049 Elvis Presley Blvd. 1977 S. Third St. See the full Memphis Cash Saver grocery ad at memphiscashsaver.com

June 3 - 9, 2021

The New Tri-State Defender

Page 3

NEWS

I-40 Bridge work draws Transportation Secretary Buttigieg to Memphis TSD Newsroom With repair work underway on the closed Interstate 40-Hernando DeSoto Bridge over the Mississippi River, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg was set to visit Memphis on Thursday (June 3). Buttigieg’s visit was scheduled to include a tour of the bridge and talks with officials in Tennessee and Arkansas. “I’m pleased Secretary Pete accepted my invitation and is taking the time to see first-hand the disruption in traffic caused by the closure of the Hernando DeSoto Bridge,” Congressman Steve Cohen said in a release on Wednesday. “We will be visiting FedEx and will meet with freight companies where the Secretary will hear directly of the economic impact on this area and on the country at large. I look forward to pointing out other Memphis transportation needs as we travel through the community.” The I-40 bridge connecting Memphis and West Memphis (Arkansas) was shut down May 11 after inspectors found a crack in one of two 900-foot (275-meter) horizontal steel beams that are critical for the bridge’s structural integrity.

Officials have said the bridge could be closed for months. The first phase of repairs to Pete the bridge Buttigieg w e r e completed last week. On Wednesday, the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) said the contractor is preparing pricing for work and fabrication of materials needed for the phase two permanent repairs. The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ArDOT) is working with consultants to conduct an in-depth inspection of the bridge, TDOT announced in its Wednesday release. The work includes Ultrasonic Testing (UT) on all the welds on the main tie girder at similar locations to where the fracture occurred and on key members of the overhead truss. The detailed inspection is expected to take several weeks. A tentative re-opening date for the much-traveled bridge would be set after a review of the contractors schedule of repairs and the results of the

Workmen are busy on a phase of the restoration of the Interstate 40-Hernando DeSoto Bridge, which was forced to close on May 11 after the discovery of a crack that apparently was missed in inspections in 2019 and 2020. (Photos: Tennessee Department of Transportation) bridge inspection work. “Our consistent message, above all, is the safety of the public is paramount, and the priorities are to 1) open the river traffic, 2) open bridge traffic, and 3) look at the bridge for long-term issues related to the original failure,” TDOT said in its release. Meanwhile, TDOT reports that it is collecting data and studying ways to alleviate congestion and advance flow as all interstate traffic in the Memphis area is diverted to I-55. TDOT inspectors are reviewing drone video and numerous pictures of the I-55 bridge and no concerns have been noted An Arkansas inspector has been fired for missing the crack in the bridge’s 2019 and 2020

Together we protect our community. We stand with you to protect the health and well-being of our family, our friends and our community. You can depend on your newspaper to bring you the most trusted upto-date information and advice to help keep everyone safe.

Tennessee Press Association • www.tnpress.com • (865) 584-5761

inspections. Photos taken by a Mississippi River kayaker in 2016 appear to show the fracture, raising questions about how early it first appeared. Buttigieg’s visit comes as President Biden is pushing for a major infrastructure package, while Republican senators want a more modest investment in roads, highways and other traditional public works projects. (This story includes a report by the Associated Press.) Inspectors found this crack in one of two 900foot (275-meter) horizontal steel beams that are critical for the structural integrity of the Interstate 40-Hernando DeSoto Bridge over the Mississippi River.

PERSPECTIVE The New Tri-State Defender, June 3 - 9, 2021, Page 4

Will we ever learn to live with germs again? by Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire

Travel has increased exponentially, and people increasingly are displaying more confidence that the worst of the pandemic is over. Like many, Alice Anderson had concerns about germs before COVID, and she believes there remain reasons all should still be cautious. The parent of a child with life-threatening food allergies, the founder of Mommy to Mom, said she couldn’t help being concerned with how much cleaning and disinfecting has taken place everywhere she’s visited. “Although researchers haven’t figured out what causes food allergies yet, the ‘hygiene hypothesis’ is an interesting theory,” Anderson remarked. “It suggests that the lack of exposure to germs in a child’s environment can result in their immune system being unchallenged, which could lead to the possible development of different allergies.” As stores and online shops continue to sell out of items quickly and routinely like Lysol, bleach and other disinfectants, health experts now fear that all the cleaning solutions used during the pandemic can threaten people’s health. Researchers now suggest that the over-disinfecting of our homes, vehicles, and other habitable spaces poses a severe health danger. “We’re starting to realize that there’s collateral damage when we get rid of good microbes, and that has major consequences for our health,” B. Brett Finlay, the first author of a paper from the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), told the New York Times. Finlay, a professor in the department of microbiology and immunology at the University of British Columbia, counted

Researchers now suggest that the over-disinfecting of our homes, vehicles and other habitable spaces poses a severe health danger. among a global consortium of health researchers to raise the alarm about a microbial fallout that could follow in the pandemic’s wake. According to the report, “their worries center on the human microbiome – the trillions of bacteria that live on and inside our bodies. “They say that excessive hygiene practices, inappropriate antibiotic use and lifestyle changes such as distancing may weaken those communities going forward in ways that promote sickness and imperil our immune systems. By sterilizing our bodies and spaces, they argue, we may be doing more harm than good.” Dr. Finlay and others argue that “our collective health may depend on our willingness to holster our sanitizers and cleansers, moderate our use of bacteria-slaying drugs, and resume old habits that nourish our microbial communities. In other words, we’re going to have to live with germs again,” the Times report, quot-

ing the PNAS paper, continued. A clean, sterilized environment is critical to preventing the spread of germs and infection, said Jill Lieberman of safehandles.com. “However, we need to be selective with the products we use because they often cause more harm than good,” Lieberman added. “It is concerning that so many cleaning products come with a warning label and contain chemicals which can be dangerous and even toxic. Cleaning with chemicals needs to be avoided, yet it is still necessary to sterilize our spaces to eliminate germs,” Liberman continued. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends handwashing with soap and water after individuals have visited a public place, coughed, or sneezed. If soap and water isn’t available, the CDC recommends using a hand sanitizer containing at least 60 percent alcohol and regularly clean frequently touched surfaces like doorknobs, light switches, faucets,

and countertops. The Cleveland Clinic also provided the following guidelines: • Find ways to cope with stress. Stress causes your body to make a hormone called cortisol. Over time, cortisol can lead to inflammation and reduce your body’s ability to fight infections. • Fuel-up smartly. A well-rounded diet with ample amounts of fiber and healthy fats helps keep inflammation at bay. • Keep moving. Regular exercise helps keep your immune system running smoothly. • Get your Zzzs. The average adult needs about seven to nine hours of sleep a night. • Avoid harmful substances. Smoking and excessive drinking can weaken your immune system. (Follow Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire’s senior national correspondent @ StacyBrownMedia.)

Charter schools turn 30 this year

Here’s what I learned when I asked alumni about their experiences by Roquel Crutcher Chalkbeat Tennessee

Growing up in Memphis, I attended a district elementary school before my family decided to enroll me in a charter middle school, KIPP Memphis. My neighborhood school was convenient and a family tradition, but it was considered a “poor performing” school, with lower than average test scores and graduation rates. My family decided that they wanted a better option for me, even if it meant transitioning from the school within walking distance to the school 35 minutes away by car. My experience sometimes mirrors the national discourse around charters: I was at a school founded by non-Black outsiders with a student body mostly composed of Black students, for one. Sometimes it does not: Most of my teachers were Black and instilled the importance of my culture in me. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the creation of the first charter school, and the public debate around charters has only grown more intense. For three decades, parents,

educators, school administrators, and policymakers have driven conversations that shaped everything from whether charters should exist to how charters discipline their students. But rarely have these decisions included the perspectives of those who have been the most impacted by the rise of charters: their students and alumni. We now have a generation of charter school alumni whose experiences as charter school students can be used to inform improvements to charter school programs and charter school policy, and educational policy more broadly. As schools and districts navigate a path forward beyond the pandemic, we are an untapped resource. I launched a national public survey earlier this year alongside my colleagues at Next100, a start-up think tank, aiming to fill a hole in our public understanding of charters and to gauge alumni priorities for improving charters moving forward. Some individual charter schools and networks survey their alums, but broad insights on charter experience across networks, schools, and geography that can inform both policy and practice are limited. Some of what I heard surprised

me, and much of what I heard mirrored my own perspective. Of more than 300 respondents, two in three said they had a mostly positive experience attending their charter school. Similar to most families, they were most likely to choose the charter they attended because of the perceived differences in quality, discipline, and curriculum from their district option. But the charter alums I surveyed also pointed to key areas where charters were falling short — and offered ideas for how these schools could improve for the next generation of students. For instance, less than half of charter alums believe discipline practices at their school were fair. Many raised concerns about the lack of diversity among their teachers. Given that the pandemic has exacerbated racial inequity in the classroom, these findings should encourage schools to prioritize improving discipline practices so that they are culturally competent, fair, and restorative. Alums also pointed out that charters could do more to recruit educators who reflect the diversity of the students they teach and invest in cultural competence training for all teachers regard-

less of their race or ethnicity. It is important to remember that charter school alumni are not a monolith. Their experiences are as diverse as they are, spanning large charter networks and small independent schools, big cities to small towns, and at schools predominantly filled with people of color or not. That’s why it is important for leaders to include many alumni voices in decision-making groups at all levels of charter governance — for individual schools, regional networks, and state and federal policymaking. For now, key voices have been drowned out. Charter alums are itching to tell our stories, and to share our experiences and recommendations for change, but our perspectives are not as valued as national advocacy organizations and policy experts, who have likely not experienced charter schools as we have. In 2017, I saw my own network take the first step as I and other alumni from the KIPP network began to lead delegations to national civil rights conferences. We began to speak on the racial equity work that needed to be done both internally and in our communities as a whole. The

Author Roquel Crutcher is a policy entrepreneur on education at Next100 from Memphis. This column ﬁrst appeared as part of First Person, where Chalkbeat features personal essays by educators, students, parents, and others thinking and writing about public education. She shares what former students had to say about diversity, discipline and what still needs to change. (Photo: Impeccable Image Photography via Chalkbeat) experience offered proof of the positive impact alumni voice can have. If charter schools want their next 30 years to be better than their last, I hope they will make sure that their alumni help chart their path forward.

Information • Inspiration • Elevation Published by Best Media Properties, Inc.

SUBSCRIPTIONS: Mailed subscriptions to The New Tri-State Defender are available upon request. One Year, $35.00; Two Years, $60.00. Request can be emailed to subscriptions@tsdmemphis.com or mailed to Subscriptions, The New TriState Defender, 1509 Madison Ave., Memphis, TN, 38104. Delivery may take one week. President Calvin Anderson Associate Publisher/ Executive Editor Karanja A. Ajanaku

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The New Tri-State Defender, 1509 Madison Ave., Memphis, TN, 38104. GENERAL INFORMATION: Any and all inquiries may be submitted in writing by calling (901) 523-1818 or by email. TELEPHONE: Editorial, administration, display advertising, classified advertising: (901) 523-1818. Fax: (901) 578-5037. The New Tri-State Defender (USPS 780-220) is published weekly by Best Media Properties, Inc., 1509 Madison Ave., Memphis, TN, 38104. Second-class postage paid in Memphis, TN.

The New Tri-State Defender

June 3 - 9, 2021

Page 5

RELIGION

Serving ex-felons through ministry by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Everybody deserves a second chance, if you ask Bishop David Allen Hall of Temple Church of God in Christ. And on June 19, ex-offenders will graduate from the training and behavior intensive Final Escape program Hall has spearheaded. On May 15, the Final Escape program, which serves men and women, had its grand opening at the Freedom House at 588 Vance. A number of elected officials, including Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris and U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, were in attendance. “I have worked in prison ministry for 30 years,” said Yvonne Williams, facilitator of the programs. “But Bishop Hall is the visionary who put this whole project together. It is rewarding for me to see our hands-on program is changing the lives of so many others.” Life Together was established in 1992 by Hall. Over the years, the organization has worked with youth faced with joining a gang, sponsored anti-violence campaigns, and offered community athletics, and health fair events. This latest installment of programs for ex-offenders is part of the Renaissance Project, an outreach ministry for families. “Final Escape means just what it says,” said Hall. “We want to cut the recidivists rate. “The eight-week curricula being taught provides the same basic message, but adheres to the uniquely different roles of successful men and women. ‘Getting Out and Staying Out’ teaches men and women the life skills to become productive, contributing members of our society.” The program for men is called, “The Key to Authentic Manhood. For women, the program is called, “Understanding Authentic Love.” Hall’s dynamic prison ministry starts working with inmates while they are still on the inside. Williams said the most important thing is that people understand that ex-offenders need emergency resources, such as food, clothing and hygiene products. “We are working to empower these men and women to take personal responsibility for their behavior,” said Hall. “We are teaching them to get out and stay out. I have reached out to different employers

“I have worked in prison ministry for 30 years. But Bishop Hall is the visionary who put this whole project together. It is rewarding for me to see our hands-on program is changing the lives of so many others.” — Yvonne Williams

Together for Eternity … Family members of JoAnn Merriweather and her daughters, Kenyon Armand Merriweather and Kierstyn Imani Merriweather, celebrated their lives during a memorial tribute at Serenity Columbarium and Memorial Gardens on May 26. Mother and daughters died from illness within a six-day span – May 6, May 9 and May 12. (Photos: Tyrone P. Easley)

to help place program participants into good-paying jobs. Hall said FedEx is to be commended. A representative came out Bishop David to talk with Allen Hall both men and women, touting the company’s ability to pay $20 an hour. “It makes a difference when a person is making a livable wage to take care of his family,” said Hall. “We also show them how to reenter the family. Our virtual graduation will be held on the ZOOM platform. All of our program participants are not Christian, and we aren’t forcing our beliefs on anyone. But we want them to be better fathers and brothers, better sisters and mothers.” The ministry of reconciliation, said Hall, is an important component of the program. “We help to mend relationships that may have been broken during incarceration,” said Hall. “Our reward is seeing them become independent and productive individuals. This class on the 19th consists of both men and women; 28 will march across the stage. We believe that they will all do well. We start working with them shortly before their actual release.” “I really enjoy the work,” said Williams. “What I do is from the heart. We want our participants, every one of them, to prosper. Facilitating the two programs (meaning one for the men and one for women) is a full-time job. I am still praying about it, but retirement may be coming soon. I am an evangelist, and I feel called to this work.”

On point ... The Rev. James H. Tate Sr., pastor of Riverside In Time Outreach Ministry, located at 248 W. Mitchell Rd., delivered the sermon at a meeting of the Memphis Baptist Ministerial Association this week. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley)

COMMUNITY The New Tri-State Defender, June 3 - 9, 2021, Page 6

Revitalization concerns get attention of City Council by James Coleman

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

A proposed $200,000 community revitalization program to help poverty-level seniors afford repairs and tackle blight was outlined Tuesday (June 1) during the Memphis City Council meeting. “We tailor it specifically to senior citizens in our community, who don’t have the funds to pay for or to address the code enforcement violations. It does us no good as a city to cite individuals who cannot afford to pay for code enforcement violations because their homes are not up to code” said J B Smiley Jr., the resolution’s co-sponsor. Funding for the program would come from the council’s Community Fund. It would go to homes that recently cited for code violations. Senior’s at or below the poverty line would be eligible. According to the 2020 University of Memphis Poverty Fact Sheet, 14.1 percent of Memphians age 65 and up live in poverty. Dilapidated homes are just one problem plaguing many low-income communities. The resolution was amended to address blight. “We can fix homes. We can make minor repairs as it relates to sidewalks. We can help people fix the siding. We can do all of those things, but there is still trash being dumped in front of homes,” said Smiley. Legally, Memphis’ property owners are liable for solid waste or other bulk trash items on their properties – even if they didn’t put it there. “(The city’s) Solid waste (department) isn’t going to do it. Public works doesn’t do it either. For the impoverished citizens in our community, I think we need to lend a helping hand and help beautify our neighborhoods and clean up the trash when they don’t have the ability to do it,” said co-sponsor J. Ford Canale. Another resolution discussed during the council’s May 4 meeting calls for the ban of dumping items in bulk capacity curbside on all city streets, a practice that is common during evictions. It would apply to all landlords and homeowners. Many details have yet to come into focus. First, who would do the work? There are many organizations in Memphis currently dedicated to the problem. Community members may be eager to roll up their sleeves and earn money too. That would lead to more paperwork. It also was pointed out that the Mayor’s Office runs a program similar to the one proposed: Complaints are filed and crews are hired to remove waste. “Do we want to give the administration additional dollars and let them do what they have been doing or do we want to do something that could have a greater impact?” asked council member Patrice Robinson. Ceding control to another agency was a nonstarter for some councilmembers. Meanwhile, community members may need to become vendors before they could apply. The idea of using community members to supplement code enforcement also was floated. They would spot problem properties and dumping sites so they could be dealt with more efficiently. “The money that they generate from the notices sent out for people, then we can use those dollars to keep that $200,000 going. And we can keep the program going in our communities and have a much greater impact,” said Robinson. Yet, the spirit of the resolution is to aid seniors who can’t afford repairs, not drive up funding for the program’s perpetuity. “If I am a senior citizen at the poverty line and I am being cited over and over again for violations, and don’t have anywhere to turn. The council has the funds available to remedy the problem for us. Whether we help one or a few hundred people, I believe it matters,” Smiley said. Billing rates and caps on compensation were also brought up. “The same pile may cost you $400 what another group does for $900,” said council Chairman Frank Colvett Jr., who asked to be made a co-sponsor. The creation of further bureaucracy was another concern. In addition to running a program, the council is still tasked with its mission. It was argued that, perhaps, the program would take the body away from its legislative duties. Outside organizations already committed to the job, such as nonprofits, could manage the program. “Before we do something, I think we need to step back and see what that is actually having us do,” cautioned council member Jeff Warren. No action was taken on the proposal Tuesday.

Although she claims to have retired eight years ago, “Mrs. Daisy” Miller, 83, shows up at the Orange Mound Grill every day to just “help out.” (Photos: Tyrone P. Easley)

‘Mrs. Daisy Orange Mound Grill’ still thriving after 1942 grand opening by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

For generations, Daisy Miller has fed Orange Mound families with down-home, authentic soul food. Her Orange Mound Grill stands as a monument and historic remnant of the flourishing “Orange Mound, TN” of the early 20th century. “We used to have two theaters here in Orange Mound,” Miller recalled. “One was over on Carnes and the other one was on Park Avenue. There were businesses all over Orange Mound, and everybody was making money. Most of them are closed down now. But we have been blessed because we are still here.” The eatery is tucked away alongside of Airways Boulevard, down under the major highway. It still has the 1238 Airways address and operates in the original building. “My uncle and aunt bought this lot and built the restaurant back in 1942,” said Miller. “Walter and Daisy Young served a lot of fried chicken then. My Aunt Daisy was the cook. I was named after her. Every summer, I would come here from our farm in Greenwood, Mississippi as a young girl.” “Mrs. Daisy” is 83, and claims to have retired eight years ago. But she lives in the house she had built 55 years ago behind the restaurant and comes to the grill every day to just “help out.” “I don’t do no more cooking,” said Miller. “I taught the younger ones how to do it so I don’t have to do all that now. This is all I do — write down the orders and take the money.” The operation is efficient. Miller takes the order, writes a ticket, calls out the order, and collects the money. Without a calculator, cash register or computer, Miller instantly adds up the order and gives customers their total. Her mind is as sharp as it ever was. Miller has seen her customers get younger and younger over the years. Many of the original clientele are deceased now, but their children and their children’s children are faithful customers who come several times a week. Take Mack Bernard Gray Sr., for instance. His father used to bring him to the grill when he was a boy. “I came up here to show Ms. Daisy my father’s obituary,” said Gray. “His funeral was last week, and I promised Ms. Daisy I would bring his program down here. But I also came to get some chitterlings. I’ve been coming here for chitterlings all my life. My children love them, too, but I didn’t bring them today.” Miller graduated from Broad Street High School in Greenwood, and moved to Memphis permanently to work at Orange Mound Grill. “I started working here in 1959 for $25 a week. I got paid every Monday. I’ve been cooking for 60 years,” said Miller. “This is the only place I have ever worked. I started out as a waitress before I started cooking. I even met my husband here — James Miller. I bought the grill from my

Orange Mound Grill is a monument to and remnant of the flourishing “Orange Mound, TN” of the early 20th century.

Shown from left are: Darryl Brown, a cook for three years; Daisy Miller, and Tina Harris, the manager, who has been at Orange Mound Grill for 10 years.

Mack Bernard Gray Sr. holds up his father’s obituary and the order of chitterlings he came to pick up. Gray started coming to Orange Mound Grill with his father when he was a young boy. uncle in 1973, for $19,500.” Back in the “good ole days,” a helping of chitterlings was 52 cents. Later, they went up to 78 cents. “A lot of the white police officers would come here to eat,” said Miller. “Lots of people would come over to Orange Mound for our chitterlings, chicken and dressing and barbecue ribs. “Working people would come on lunch break, too. Things have changed, but business is still good. It will never get back to where it was, though.” Miller says it gives her “peace of mind” to know that when she is gone, the grill will still be operating.

“I’ve already taught my granddaughter, Ivy, to make sweet potato pies,” said Miller. “She isn’t but 7 years old. My other granddaughter, Hope Miller, is now the owner of Orange Mound Grill. When I’m dead and gone, my grandchildren will always have a place to work.” Miller racks up thousands of dollars a year during the holidays — Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day, and Easter. The grill’s “Turkey Special” and family-sized serving of chitterlings are popular staples. “Our big days are the holidays,” said Miller. “That’s one thing that has never changed. We been doing holiday specials since 1964.” The 2020 pandemic didn’t slow Orange Mound Grill up one bit. The restaurant served customers curbside for most of the year. “Monday through Saturday, we open at 11 and close at 4:30,” said Miller. “And on Sunday, we open at 12 noon and close at 4:30. Before the pandemic, we stayed open until 8.” In addition to serving meals, Orange Mound Grill still makes fruit preserves — peach, apple and pear. Miller makes them herself. The homemade Chow-Chow is still a high-selling favorite. Miller has three children and adopted a granddaughter. “The grill” is her legacy. “I worked hard for years because I want the grill to go on long after I’m dead and gone,” said Miller. “I’ll keep teaching the younger ones all I know so when I leave here, they can go on.”

The New Tri-State Defender

June 3 - 9, 2021

Page 7

ENTERTAINMENT

The Marqee of Soul, 16 Bars VP Tony Jones, Handy House Museum Director Elaine Turner, Digital Marketing Mgr. Montel Jones announcing the company opening to celebrate African American Music Month at the Handy House Museum. (Photos: Rudy Hall)

The Marqee of soul

‘From Memphis to the World’ kicks off African-American Music Appreciation

by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

June is “African-American Music Appreciation Month,” and Memphis is the epicenter of southern festivities. “From Memphis to the World” will stage a series of celebrations, hosted by 16 Bars Entertainment, LLC, a music, film and television production company. The June 1 kickoff at the iconic Handy Memphis Home and Museum promoted a month-long schedule of events and the introduction of two new artists on the

Memphis music scene: recording artist Chi-Kairo (“Cairo”) and R&B crooner The Marqee of Soul. The company also announced the upcoming release of a Memphis-based film documentary on the 1991 People’s Convention. “It is such a pleasure to partner with 16 Bars Entertainment in this grand celebration of African-American Music Appreciation Month,” said Elaine Turner, executive director of the Handy Museum. “Memphis is rich in its history and development of all kinds of music. What more fitting city than Memphis to present

these wonderful events? On Friday, June 4, a debut performance by the Marqee of Soul is scheduled from 6-8 p.m., at the Handy House. Saturday, June 12, Ekpe Abioto’s Black on Black Love Book Fair, also at the Handy House, will feature music, food trucks, and conversations with authors of the modern “Black Love” book genre. Abioto is better known for the popular African drum troupe. The event is set from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Well known local authors will headline the event: Dr. Larry Moore, “Images of Beale

Street”; Gemi Treadwell, “Beale Street Poetry,” and independent book publisher George Grant, who will present a preview of his new book, “Beale Street Unforgotten,” which will be released on June 17. Also featured will be the gospel-jazz saxophonist, Cookie Drake. On Saturday, June 19, 16 Bars will support the city’s Juneteenth Celebration, at Slave Haven Underground Railroad Museum. June 25 is the culminating From Memphis to the World New Music Showcase. “Our showcase location will

be announced later on in the month,” said Tony Jones, publicist and 16 Bars Entertainment vice-president. “We are also planning a final press conference and luncheon with Chi-Kairo. On Facebook, there will be a live tour of the city’s historic music venues, and a livestream Label Release Party website launch will wrap up festivities. Those event locations will be announced later on in the month.” All events are free and open to the public. For additional information, call Handy House at 901527-3427.

The New Tri-State Defender

June 3 - 9, 2021

Page 8

CLASSIFIEDS 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:

THE NEW TRI-STATE DEFENDER CLASSIFIEDS 1509 Madison Ave. Memphis, TN 38104 PH (901) 523-1818 FAX (901) 578-5037 HOURS: Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Korey Darby Tax Parcel #: 04301300000240 Tax Sale #: 1604 Price Offered: $500 Terms: Cash

DEADLINES: Display ads Friday 5 p.m. Classiﬁeds ads Monday 5 p.m.

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 July 7, 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.

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.

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: Joseph D. Washington, III Tax Parcel #: 05006000000120 Tax Sale #: 1602 Price Offered: $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 2:30 p.m. on July 6, 2021, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Ofﬁce, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall

STANDARD RATES: $6.00 per line for 1 column ad.

BEER PERMITS Flat Rate: $35 GENERAL INFORMATION:

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: Joseph Washington Tax Parcel #: 03504900000070 Tax Sale #: 1303 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 July 6, 2021, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Ofﬁce, to determine the highest

Some categories require prepayment. All ads subject to credit approval. The 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.

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: Eric W. Martin Tax Parcel #: 04206200000180 Tax Sale #: 1503 Price Offered: $300 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 July 6, 2021, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank

We’re Known By the Money you Keep!

Special purchases with unbeatable low prices. get it now!

When they’re gone, they’re gone.

Circle B

Sanderson Farms

43-44 Oz. Pkg., Hot, Mild, or Polish

100% Natural

King Cotton

Smoked Sausage Drumsticks or Thighs Hot Dogs or Bologna

$ 98

Plus 10% Added at Checkout

89¢

Lb.

Plus 10% Added at Checkout

Original Red or Plump N Tender 12-16 Oz. Pkg.

88¢

Plus 10% Added at Checkout

PRICES VALID JUNE 2-15, 2021 MIDTOWN: WHITEHAVEN: SOUTH MEMPHIS: 1620 Madison Ave. 4049 Elvis Presley Blvd. 1977 S. Third St. See the full Memphis Cash Saver grocery ad at memphiscashsaver.com

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.

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: Evander Harris Tax Parcel #: 06007600000520 Tax Sale #: 1603 Price Offered: $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 1:00 p.m. on July 6, 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: Alexas Arrington Tax Parcel #: 04105600000180 Tax Sale #: 604 Price Offered: $1,800

Terms: Cash

GOVERNMENT

Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 10:30 a.m. on July 6, 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.

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:

Mae Parker Tax Parcel #: 0750870A000830 Tax Sale #: 1701 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 July 6, 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

Mae Parker Tax Parcel #: 07706600000310 Tax Sale #: 1701 Price Offered: $18,000 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 July 6, 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

Wanna Subscribe? Scan below! (registration required)

SPORTS The New Tri-State Defender, June 3 - 9, 2021, Page 9

Venus Williams speaking to media on Tuesday about Naomi Osaka’s withdrawal from the French Open over concerns about her mental health: “You’ll never light a candle to me.” (Photo: Screen capture)

Amid the Naomi Osaka saga, Venus Williams won’t let the media steal her joy by Jay Connor Theroot.com

Jaren Jackson Jr. throws down a thunderous dunk. (Photos: Warren Roseborough)

Trying to ‘put everyone on notice,’ Grizzlies take fight mentality into elimination game

by Terry Davis

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Accounting for every ounce of effort put into trying to beat the Utah Jazz, the Memphis Grizzlies’ determination had just not been enough as they headed in game five with elimination looming Terry from the Western Davis Conference playoffs. “It’s nothing to be frustrated about when we’re giving great fight against the best team in the NBA,” head coach Taylor Jenkins said after a 120-113 loss in game four at FedExForum on Monday Night. “They just have a response for everything. We’re giving it everything we’ve got. We’re competing at the highest level. We’re trying to play our best basketball, and they’re trying to play their best basketball too. … “It’s actually encouraging that with the group that we have against the group that they have, we’re going toe to toe.” The No. 1-seeded Utah sought to close out the best-of-seven matchup with the No. 8-seeded Grizzlies on the Jazz’s home court in Salt Lake City, Utah. (For results of the game, visit www.TSDMemphis.com.) After the game four defeat, Grizzlies’ floor leader Ja Morant said, “We continue to play hard and not give up. … We have got to find ways to close out ball games.” Throughout the series, the Jazz have been bombing away from three-point range. “It is tough,” Morant said, referencing how little room for error Memphis has in defending Utah’s arsenal of long-range bombers. “We just have to keep the ball in front of us. We can’t get caught in rotation too much. With us in rotation, they tend to get good looks. We have to get stops, rebound and get out and run.” Asked about the team’s mindset going into what now is an elimination game, Memphis forward Jaren Jackson Jr. said, “Every game for us is a do-or-die game. That’s just the mentality we have. Obviously, there is a little bit more intensity during these games late, especially when the series is like this. “You just have to be locked in. A lot

Dillon Brooks goes between Mike Conley and Rudy Gobert of Utah to score. of plays are going to be flying at you but keep that same intensity. We know what they’re doing. We got to just execute. That’s what we’re going to do.” Giving the Jazz its due as “the best team in the NBA,” Jenkins said, “… if we don’t take advantage of an opportunity, they’re going to make you pay. A couple of breakdowns here and there throughout the game, but so proud of our guys’ fight. Unbelievable game plan discipline. … “They just made more plays than us. We were right there, another game right there in the fourth quarter. Great fight. Just came up a little short.” Now comes another test of Memphis’ road prowess. Their lone victory was in in Salt Lake City in game one. “I think we all understand that we like to quiet other crowds,” Jackson said. “We like to go there and show who we are as a team. We understand that we have to make a name for ourselves, and we’re going to continue to fight no matter what. “We don’t care who’s in the crowd. We are going to step up and fight and try to put everyone on notice.”

Kyle Anderson blocks the shot of Mike Conley of Utah.

Much has been said about Naomi Osaka’s decision to pull out of the French Open over concerns about her own mental health. In recent days, Serena Williams and other athletes have voiced their support for the four-time Grand Slam champ and in turn, discussions about the strain of professional work environments and the toll they can take on our emotional well-being have become more pervasive. On Tuesday, Venus Williams offered her own perspective on the discussion, and while she empathizes with Osaka’s plight, made it abundantly clear that she refuses to allow the media to spell her doom. “For me personally, how I deal with it was that I know that every single person asking me a question can’t play as well as I can and never will,” the 40-year-old said. “So no matter what you say, or what you write, you’ll Naomi never light a candle to me. Osaka That’s how I deal with it. But each person deals with it differently.” Her sister, Serena, kept that same energy when she spoke to reporters after her match on Monday. “I feel for Naomi. Not everyone is the same. I’m thick. Other people are thin. Everyone is different and everyone handles things differently,” Serena saIt’s unclear when Osaka will return to the sport, if ever, but these circumstances have served as a springboard for much-needed discourse surrounding the importance of protecting our emotional well-being. id. “You just have to let her handle it the way she wants to and the best way she thinks she can. That’s the only thing I can say: I think she is doing the best she can.” For those who believe the Williams sisters adopted this approach as they began to excel in their respective careers, thanks in part to their father, Richard, they’ve actually been riding this train for almost as long as they’ve been in the public eye. As a member of the media myself, I’m acutely aware of both the responsibility and power we wield in influencing public opinion based on how we relay information to the general public. If Osaka doesn’t want to subject herself to the scrutiny that comes with being a professional athlete, she’s well within her right to do so. But unfortunately, she can’t have it both ways since athletes are contractually obligated to engage with the media. These divergent paths collided on Sunday when the 23-year-old was assessed a $15,000 fine after she refused to speak to the media following her match with 63rd-ranked Patricia Maria Tig in the opening round of the French Open. Osaka would then withdrawal from the tournament entirely after she was threatened with further sanctions should her media blackout continue. It’s unclear when Osaka will return to the sport, if ever, but these circumstances have served as a springboard for much-needed discourse surrounding the importance of protecting our emotional well-being. (Follow Jay Connor: @NotJayConnor)

The New Tri-State Defender

June 3 - 9, 2021

Life’s on pause. Let’s press play.

COVID’s put our lives on hold for too long. Help your family and friends schedule their COVID-19 vaccines — and press play. Because life is waiting. Find vaccines near you at vaccines.gov or call 1-800-232-0233 to find vaccines near you.

Brought to you by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Page 10