The New Tri-State Defender - June 8-14, 2023 by The Tri-State Defender

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June 8 - 14, 2023

VOL. 72, No. 23

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Tyre would have been 30!

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Wheel-tax hike a no-go for County Commission Funding uncertain for Regional One Health, new high schools by James Coleman

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

For Tyre Nichols’ parents, RowVaughn Wells and Rodney Wells, the celebration of what would have been his 30th birthday was part of a bittersweet day. (Photos: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises/The New Tri-State Defender)

Birthday bash brings revelers out to honor and remember by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

The 30th birthday party for Tyre Nichols Monday (June 5) at Fourth Bluff Park had practically everything – music, rappers, spoken-word performances, and tons of family fun. More than 500 people came out to honor and remember the young African-American man, who came to represent the country’s need for police reform. Nichols, 29, was fatally bludgeoned Jan. 7 by Memphis police officers, assigned to a specialized crime-suppression unit, near his

Hickory Hill home. He died Jan. 10. The officers said Nichols was driving recklessly when officers stopped him. Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn “CJ” Davis, however, said investigators could find no indication Nichols was driving improperly. The block of Front Street between Court and Jefferson was blocked off for skateboarders performing for Nichols, an avid skateboarder, with their best tricks and maneuvers. The celebration was epic, except that the man of the hour was not there to enjoy his day. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump was on hand to support the family and declare that not only would there be “justice in the

SEE TYRE ON PAGE 8

Skateboarders doing what Tyre Nichols loved. Tony Hawk’s The Skatepark Project announced that twin skateparks named for Nichols would break ground next year. One will be built in Memphis, and the other in Sacramento, California, where Nichols lived before relocating to Memphis.

POLITICS 2023

Four mayoral candidates talk crime and safety atfifth Memphis People’s Convention Meet & Greet by Karanja A. Ajanaku kajanaku@tsdmemphis.com

With four months to go before voters cast ballots for the next mayor of Memphis, the fifth in a series of Memphis People’s Convention Meet & Greet opportunities unfolded at the Southland Mall in Whitehaven on Saturday. “I think voters need to understand that this is a pivotal election for several reasons no matter where they are on the political spectrum,” said Sijuwola Crawford of #UPTheVote901, which spearheads the neighborhood meet-greet sessions. “In terms of the importance of this

event, a lot still – as I talk to people who could potentially vote – feel very unequipped to make the decision,” he said. “They feel like politics is something that is far from them …. An event like this gives them an opportunity to see their candidates in one place talking about issues that they care about and try to make a decision about who will be most impactful on those issues. The Rev. Dr. Earle J. Fisher, founder of #UPTheVote901, set the context for the forum, noting the four previous sessions in South Memphis, Orange Mound, North Memphis

SEE MAYOR ON PAGE 2

Attendees at the Memphis People’s Convention 2023 Mayoral Meet & Greet at Southland Mall in Whitehaven had the opportunity to sign up for information ahead of the Memphis People’s Convention July 13-15. Last Saturday’s event was the fifth in a series of opportunities to engage with candidates. (Photo: Karanja A. Ajanaku/The New Tri-State Defender)

Shelby County Commissioners are scrambling for new revenue sources for capital projects after they nixed county Mayor Lee Harris’ bid to double the county’s wheel tax to fund a rebuild of Regional One Health hospital and other construction projects. The rejection came during a marathon meeting Monday (June 5) that went past midnight. The proposal failed on a 7-6 vote. Nine votes were needed for approval. When the meeting finally adjourned, the clearly tired commissioners were left with a host of unsettled budget issues that must be resolved before the new budget new starts July 1. Monday, commissioners actually voted down the proposed increase twice. Harris pushed for a $50 wheeltax hike that would have doubled the existing $50 charge per vehicle. The rejection came despite attempts from the mayor and hospital staff to sway commissioners to absorb additional debt obligations and concomitant taxation to fund the large-scale projects, including two new high schools. “Our fund balance, or savings account, goes negative pretty quickly in that first or second year if we try to service the debt on those projects without the resources to service those debts,” argued Harris. The mayor continued, “This also means that we have lost our ability to borrow. In the very first year that we try to greenlight these projects, without the revenue to meet the debt obligations, we have more debt that is coming due than we have resources to pay that debt.” Had the proposal passed, it would have required an additional approval vote on June 26. While trying to find the additional money, commissioners took two more bites at the apple – both from different ends – to gather the resources. Commissioner Mick Wright proposed $45 million in budget cuts in the mayor’s next budget proposal to “claw back” funds for the projects. It failed on a 6-7 vote. Another proposal from Commissioner Edmund Ford, Jr. would have redirected American Rescue Plan Act funds to the projects. It met the same fate. Ford later estimated a property tax increase of .16 to .18 cents would cover the costs. So far, Harris has been reluctant to raise property taxes.

SEE TAX ON PAGE 2

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The New Tri-State Defender

TAX

CONTINUED FROM FRONT That stance could change as options are exhausted. For its part, doubling the wheel tax from $50 to $100 per vehicle was predicted to bring in $34 million ad-

ditional revenue to the county’s coffers, while increasing its yearly capital budget to $150 million. It also would have covered funding for the first five years – $350 million – out of the estimated $750 million for a rebuilt hospital campus. The state would also fund $350 million over five years through the

June 8 - 14, 2023

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NEWS

academic health authority. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee also was expected to kick in more money in his next budget proposal. “We treat thousands of trauma victims. We treat thousands of medical patients every day…,” said Dr. Richard Walker, Regional One Chief of Service for Emergency Medicine.

“We are at a crisis point where, although we are able to keep things together today, we are beginning to reach a point where the city has grown beyond its capacity… “If you look at Vanderbilt in Nashville, a similarly sized city, that single hospital alone has 1,200 beds available to it.”

While there are four major hospitals in the Medical Center area, Walker said there are only 600-650 “active beds” in the city. Regional One also draws in thousands of patients from the surrounding area, including Mississippi and Arkansas and West Tennessee.

MAYOR

CONTINUED FROM FRONT and Midtown. The format called for the candidates to focus three-minute marks on crime and safety. “We understand the Southland Mall to be a place that exemplifies what happens when communities are disinvested in,” said Fisher. “We also know there is a connection between poverty and crime and the Southland Mall has been the sight of some very notable criminal activities.” He encouraged those in attendance to engage the candidates in issues beyond the designated topic after listening to the opening remarks. Four mayoral candidates were present: Judge Joe Brown, State Rep. Karen Camper, House Minority Leader; Downtown Memphis Commission President Paul Young, and Memphis NAACP President Van Turner Jr. Each had attended at least one of the previous forums. Fisher designated the order for the candidate remarks. “In looking at Memphis and where we can go, what our future can be, we’ve got to be able to deal with the criminal element, the criminalization in our community, to move us forward,” said Camper, adding that requires “evaluating the entire system.” “What I see is a system that is working very hard in all of its silos. We have the police, they are doing a great job. We have fire, they are doing a great job. We have the nonprofits, churches, everybody. But the entire ecosystem needs to be evaluated to put together what I call a … long-term strategic plan.” Everyone needs to support and buy into the plan, said Camper. “Right now, Memphis does not have a strategic plan for law enforcement, for reducing crime. If we take a look at the entire system, the judicial system, juvenile court, non-profits, even the Crime Commission, we all have to come together. On day one I will put together a team that will look at the entire ecosystem and develop a long-term strategic plan. “Once you are involved in the plan, and the community will be involved, you will fight for the plan.” Camper said she also had some “concepts and ideas” to help engage youth “so we can shut the pipeline off of this criminality that is going on.” Turner said addressing crime means addressing the underlining causes: “it’s poverty, it’s hopelessness, it’s lack of vision, it’s lack of options. We can’t address it top down. We have to address it bottom up.” Turner outlined what he said bottom-up involved, beginning with public transportation.

Judge Joe Brown took off his hat and outlined his hands-on approach to reducing crime in Memphis. Van Turner Jr. talks with Mike Brown at the mayoral meet-andgreet at Southland Mall. Brown, an educator, said he came leaning toward a particular candidate and wanted to engage with others. He brought his son, Preston, 10, whom he wanted to get more of an appreciation for the process of making an informed decision. (Photos: Karanja A. Ajanaku/The New Tri-State Defender)

Rep. Karen Camper details her intent to create a long-term strategic plan to address crime beginning with steps on day one, if she is elected.

Paul Young (right) has an animated exchange with an attendee at the Memphis People’s Convention Meet & Greet at the Southland Mall in Whitehaven on Saturday. “Our bussing system is still based on taking domestic workers out east to clean homes and cook for white folks; and then taking them back to South Memphis and North Memphis. …We have to make it modern. We have to make sure that when people get jobs and opportunities they can get to and from work in a timely fashion.” Bottom-up, he said, also involves a different level of involvement in K thru 12 education. “We cannot complain about lack of opportunities in our community, lack of hope in our community when we are not pouring into the very institutions that contain the greatest crime-fighting apparatus that we have – a quality and equitable education system. The city has to get back involved in K thru 12 education” Once those nuts and bolts are addressed, crime can be addressed in a comprehensive way, Turner concluded. Brown, whose headquarters is in Southland Mall, said he was the only one in the mayoral race who had dealt with crime “on a constructive basis,” citing a drop in the rate of returned felons to his courtroom. “How did I do that? It’s hands-on,”

said Brown. “You go out and get up close and personal with the people you need to deal with. If you are going to be the mayor, you’ve got to be the mayor for everybody. … While everybody around me that is running for this race has been going for the money, I’ve been going for the people.” Brown said had been meeting with “the thugs, the so-called riffraff, the hoodrats, the gangsters and everybody else … brokering a deal to make this town peaceful. Because even they don’t like getting shot down on such regular basis.” Most of the people in senior law enforcement are familiar to him, Brown said, “because I helped raise them as children. They were clients’ sons and daughters and things like that and we have a plan that we are going to put in place. I’ve done it. I don’t need to set up a program. I know what needs to happen. It will happen.” Young said the number one question from people he has met on the campaign trail is, “‘What are we going to do about crime?’ My message is consistent no matter where I am. “It’s a twofold approach: accountability – those out doing wrong in our

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community, my job as mayor is to make sure we hold them accountable. That we get them off the streets; that we do the things it takes to make sure they are brought to justice, and hopefully they go into a criminal justice system that is focused on reform.” ntervention/prevention is the other key element, Young said. “For far too long we have had a pipeline in our community. You arrest someone and it’s the next man up. … If someone picks up a gun and say they want to go rob somebody, I don’t care how many police officers we have, somebody is going to get robbed because we didn’t get to their minds before they picked up that gun.” With so many systems – school systems, courts, truancy court, MPD, juvenile court – touching young people, “we know who the young people are,” said Young. “Why aren’t we interjecting some opportunities in their lives? We can’t ask them to put the guns down without putting something else in their hands. That’s what’s happened for far too long in our communities.” As mayor, he would make sure there is investment in community-based programs “that are actually on the ground supporting the young people every day. There are people out there doing the work for free. … Imagine if we had city dollars, they could scale up their operations so that they could touch more young people. “We disinvested in the things that

The Rev. Dr. Earle J. Fisher outlines the goal of the mayoral meet-and-greet opportunities. were supporting our young people across the community and we wonder why they are going crazy. We’ve got to think differently. We’ve got to move differently,” he said. “I’m the leader that is going to convene the players. … The mayor doesn’t control all those systems that I talked about, but the mayor has to bring them to the table.” More meet-and-greet sessions are planned ahead of the Memphis People’s Convention July 13-15. Later, as the four candidates interacted with those on hand, Fisher said he appreciated a recent mayoral poll “because it identified that about half of the voters are still undecided. That’s what I believe makes these events all the more valuable because it provides people an opportunity to get direct contact with people who are asking for their vote and possibly get the information that can move them from undecided to decided.” Stand for Children, a nonprofit, and HIT Strategies conducted the poll, which showed that 48 percent of voters were undecided about a mayoral selection. According to the poll, former Mayor Dr. Willie W. Herenton was the choice of 13 percent of those quizzed with Turner and Sheriff Floyd Bonner Jr. tallying 9 percent and Young with 8 percent. The poll had a 4.9 percent margin of error and showed no other candidate with more than 5 percent of the vote. Fisher said the poll results don’t reflect anything for any candidate to “celebrate or run a victory lap about, especially knowing how low overall turnout has been over the last couple of years…. What we hope to do is get the overall turnout up and we think we can do that by giving people access to more information.” Neither Herenton nor Bonner have attended any of the meet-and-greet sessions. “If the strategy is you don’t have to come to things like these,” said Fisher, “I think people need to know that is your rationale and we can judge accordingly.”

The New Tri-State Defender

June 8 - 14, 2023

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PERSPECTIVE The New Tri-State Defender, June 8 - 14, 2023, Page 4

BLACK MUSIC MONTH

Equity in early education is more than a score by Eric D. Harris

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

After the 2023 TCAP scores were released, I spoke with two school leaders regarding their school’s performance. Both revealed different levels of performance and had different interpretations of that performance. Amazingly, both school leaders came to this conclusion: Children in our district are not the same as those in the suburban or rural school districts. What does that mean? Is the explanation rooted in culture, education, or a simple demographic explanation? If true, should expectations of children’s success and well-being be relative Eric D. to their cultural, Harris educational, or demographic backgrounds? My career began 24 years ago, when I took my first job teaching high school in Memphis. I’ve worked in several grade levels since to determine what hinders children’s success. My journey has taken me through both public and private schools, locally controlled and state-controlled school districts, as well as daycare settings. I have long sought the answer to the question: “Why do children who are impoverished and lack basic resources seem least likely to meet proficiency criteria?” Some school leaders, as mentioned previously, believe that our children are different. Experience and data tell me the poorest and most rural counties in Tennessee score just as low as Shelby County. Poverty not only is about income, but also about the lack of access to healthy food and adequate housing that underserved people experience. There is controversy surrounding the Tennessee General Assembly’s decision to place emphasis on thirdgrade success, especially in reading. Third graders who are below reading level are 13 times more likely to not graduate high school, and 70 percent of incarcerated persons read below the fourthgrade level, according to research. This shows that exceeding expectations by third grade is critical to students’ academic success. Additionally, kindergarten language and literacy skills are predictive of third-grade success, but, as revealed by Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College Education, current efforts of increasing 4-year-old pre-k classrooms are not enough to support achievement. By age 4, a child’s brain is 80 percent developed, making it very difficult to create the capacity needed to create a life-long learner. Therefore, a pre-k only solution for 4year olds is insufficient. The answer is grounded in the combination of educational, economic, and health research. A “Child Well-Being” study conducted by the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth examined the categories of economic well-being, education, health, and family and

Tonya Harris supports Kirsten, 2, with reading “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” at Equity 2 Prosperity (E2P). JESSRAN’s premier program is dedicated to improving children’s educational opportunities and family well-being. (Photos: KQ Communications) community, and combined those scores into an overall ranking. Shelby County ranked 93rd of 95 counties in the state. Separate measures to increase our children’s well-being in Shelby County have not been successful. Tennessee utilizes hundreds of millions of federal dollars to provide assistance yet almost half of those families report education, disablement, health, transportation, or childcare impediments. In fall 2022, I began a nonprofit with a unique approach, based on my experience, research, and the best interest of families in our impoverished communities. The JESSRAN Non-Profit Corp’s program Equity-2-Prosperity (E2P) provides both immediate and gradual treatments to give our families a platform for breaking cycles. Our children will do better when their families do better, and vice versa. In E2P, we follow the research and begin children’s educational journey at the age 2 in a pre-k modeled classroom. Children learn letter sounds and not simple letter identification, actual counting, and not rote recital of numbers. They develop through their relationships with classmates and teachers. At this age, they also learn to identify and cope with emotional triggers. The E2P students all exceed developmental projections. E2P works because we uniquely support families. In addition to wrap-around services, including coping with Adverse Childhood Experiences, budgeting/ financial literacy, adult-child interaction, mental/physical health, and child development, each family receives a monthly Guaranteed Income (GI) stipend. An extra $500 per month gives our families breathing room and consistent income. Although the GI comes with no restrictions on spending, our families use it mostly on things such as utility payments and children’s clothing. We must be unique in our approach if we truly want to do better. Our county and state spend too much time arguing over methods that have only led to a decline in academic success and prevent us from providing what is needed to transform our community into a model of child development. If, as a state, we become more open to examining results-based interventions, as a locale becomes more focused on equitable support for our communities, and as a family, put our children first, then cycles can begin to break. (Eric D. Harris is the founder of JESSRAN Non-Proﬁt Corporations Equity-2-Prosperity© (E2P) program.)

Jonte’ Mayon said she is grateful to be part of the Memphis music scene with “so many legends who’ve come before me.”

Peeking behind a promoter’s curtain

by Candace A. Gray

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Forty-four years after then-President Jimmy Carter declared June Black Music Month, we pull back the curtain to share some of the behind-the-scenes innerworkings that contribute to the ongoing success of Memphis singers, musicians, writers and more. After kicking off The New TriState Defender’s Black History Month salute last week by spotlighting the upcoming Women of Soul concert, we shift the focus to Black music promotion, or employment of Black artists. While there are myriad entry points for just such a focus, we turn to Cynthia Daniels, chief event strategist for Cynthia Daniels & Co (CDCO), who believes in the strength, transformative power, and greatness of Black music. Since the Soulful Food Truck Festival in 2017, CDCO has hosted festivals, galas and other events that exclusively employ African-American artists to create soulful musical backdrops for sophisticated audiences and celebrate Black culture. “We’ve featured Jerome Chism, Keia Johnson, Courtney Little, J Buck, Shunta Mosby, Bird Williams, Doll McCoy, Carmen Hicks, Devin Crutcher, Stefanie Bolton, Gerald Richardson, Jonte’ Mayon and more,” Daniels recalled. Mayon looks forward to Daniels’ next call. “When clients call again, you know they’re happy,” she said, “and it’s a confidence booster. When Cynthia calls you back, you know did it right.” A New Orleans-native, Mayon moved to Memphis after fronting the BB King All Stars Band on a cruise ship and meeting her husband the second time out. “We thought we’d keep playing on the ship, but then the pandemic hit and now we’re here, and I’m so grateful to be working steadily in Memphis,” said Mayon. “When I moved here, I thought my career was on the downswing,

Cynthia Daniels with Mike Mosby, Daniels’ festival musical director. (Courtesy Photos)

Devin Crutcher is among the artists Cynthia Daniels has showcased. but Memphis has embraced me, and I love it – I just couldn’t leave.” Since the age of 4, Mayon has graced stages – from churches to clubs, World Fairs and more – and couldn’t see it any other way. “I have no idea what I’d do without music; it’s always taken care of me. And being part of the Memphis music scene, with so many legends who’ve come before me, I’m so grateful to follow their path,” said Mayon. Daniels said, “Memphis has some of the most talented and soulful singers; it’s in our DNA. And when I think about what makes a great experience, Memphis music is a must. … “Everyone enjoys the artists I select, and I feel like my platform has opened up corporate opportunities for some of these artists.” Mike Mosby, a native Memphian, a drummer and Daniels’ festival musical director concurred.

“Cynthia includes me in the decision-making process for the artists and trusts me to add my own creativity to make her vision come to life,” said Mosby. “A lot of opportunities have come since I’ve worked with her. And as she grows and gets even bigger and better, so do others around her.” When Mosby hires bands for CDCO events, he looks for consummate professionals and those who can bring BIG energy. “We have a lot of talent here but I’m looking for people to learn and know the music then add their sauce on it,” said Mosby. Having that secret sauce is paramount for artists, Mayon said. Mayon continued, “I was lucky enough to recently do background vocals for Jennifer Hudson. It’s work but once you learn the music, the moves and add your own flavor, it’s such a beautiful experience as an artist. I am blessed to connect with people in a way that I can only describe as spiritual.” Always mindful of generating a “massive, magical, amazing, musical moment,” Mosby said, “I read the crowd and make sure I have the right pieces in place... to bring the massive, magical, amazing, musical moment,” said Mosby. Daniels believes the success of her events hinge on employing people who are the best at what they do. Mayon and Mosby fit her bill. CDCO’s two upcoming festivals at Fourth Bluff Park are free and open to the public from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.: • June 17th: Juneteenth Shop Black Festival, featuring Jerome Chism, Angie P. Holmes and Courtney Little; • June 18th: Memphis Vegan Festival, featuring J Buck and Keia Johnson. Daniels plans to expand CDCO to Huntsville, Alabama, and Dallas and to take Memphis artists with her. (For more information about when and where you can experience your favorite Memphis artists, check out CDCOFestivals.com.)

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The New Tri-State Defender

June 8 - 14, 2023

RELIGION

Page 5

The Rev. Basil Brooks remembered as a pastor who ‘loved to preach’ by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Services will be Saturday (June 10) for the Rev. Basil Brooks, former president of the Memphis Baptist Ministerial Association and pastor of Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church in Cordova. Pastor Brooks died in the early morning hours on Sunday (June 4). He was 82. “Pastor Brooks served as president of the Baptist Ministerial Association in 2006 and 2007,” said former Memphis Baptist Ministerial president Pastor Leonard Dawson, who remembered Brooks’ exceptional style of leadership. “I was his vice-president. “Pastor Brooks was an excellent leader. He made great decisions for the organization to be involved in those things we should have been involved in. Dawson continued, “I would always accompany him to various places in the community representing the ministers. As vice-president, I was well prepared to take the reins for the next two years.”

Dawson explained that succession guidelines in the Memphis Baptist Ministerial Association dictate that a president’s two-year term is followed by the vice-president’s term as president. “Pastor Brooks remained my good friend throughout the years,” said Dawson. “I never forgot that Pastor Brooks was responsible for my opportunity to meet (former) U.S. President George Bush. President Bush had come to town and was attending a meeting at the AutoZone owner’s house. “I loved Pastor Brooks’ demeanor and how he always carried himself. And the one thing I have always admired is how he was to his wife. We have all suffered a terrible loss.” Calls, social media tributes, and expressions of sympathy continue to come into the family of Pastor Brooks. “I just talked with him Thursday and Friday, just before he died early Sunday morning,” said Shelby County Register of Deeds Willie Brooks, whose mother, Maurine Brooks, is Pastor Brooks’ eldest

sister. Brooks said his uncle recently suffered some pain that sent him to the ER. “It was first believed that he had suffered a heart attack but, actually, there was blockage around his heart; 90 percent blockage. That’s what he was being treated for when he passed.” Many growing up in the church community around Shelby County would remember “The Brooks Brothers,” who sang together as a family. There were 13 Brooks children. Four of them – L.D. Brooks, Basil Brooks, H.D. Brooks and Bobby Brooks – became prominent pastors locally. “They all came out of Vollintine Baptist Church,” said Willie Brooks, recalling that his uncle “loved to preach.” “Growing up as a boy in this family was really wonderful,” said Brooks. “We would go to my grandmother’s house after church. There were so many preachers. All the discussions were about the Bible and Jesus. Those are the of the kinds of things I remember seeing as I grew up in this

The Rev. Basil Brooks. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley/The New Tri-State Defender) family.” On Friday (June 9) there will be a memorial service at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church, 1234 Pisgah Road, in Cordova. The viewing is from 4 p.m. to 6:45 p.m., followed by a service at 7 p.m. On Saturday (June 10), the funeral service is slated for Greater Mt. Moriah Baptist Church at 11 a.m. A viewing will precede the service from 9-10:45 a.m.

LEGACY:

Floyd Newman III – the famed Stax saxman – nurtured young musicians by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

As a point of reference, the late Floyd Sidney Newman III had made his imprint on Stax Records long before Isaac Hayes made his way there. “As a matter of fact, Floyd was the one who discovered Isaac Hayes,” said Stax Museum of American Soul Music Communications Director Tim Sampson. “Floyd was playing at the widely popular Plantation Inn in West Memphis with such big names as Ben Branch, Gene ‘Bowlegs’ Miller, and Willie Mitchell. One night he gave a young, promising musician (an invite) to join the band. “It was Hayes’ first paid gig as a professional musician. Floyd then brought Hayes to Stax to play studio sessions in 1962.” Newman, considered one of the linchpins for Stax, died May 23, about three months shy of his 92nd birthday, which is Aug. 17. The beloved bandleader and saxophonist had another important title added to his resume: He was a high school band instructor. It was a job he loved, Sampson said. “He never told his students about his professional background,” said Sampson. “Floyd didn’t want to undo all the good he had done with those kids. He poured himself into those young people.” Newman finished high school in 1949. As an up-and-coming musician, Newman was deeply committed to completing his college degree. B.B. King called Newman to play in his

original band at the Plantation Inn. It was an offer too good to pass up. But while playing with the band, Newman pursued his bachelor’s degree at Rust College in Holly Springs, Mississippi. Newman played studio sessions at Stax and slept a couple of hours before he got up and did it all again. Completing his college degree paid off. Newman enjoyed a long and fulfilling career as, not only a band instructor, but also as a guidance counselor. Newman worked at Humes Jr. High and Northside High School. Many Stax fans will remember that Newman played on Stax’ first major hit, which was “Last Night,” by the Mar-Keys. “You know when you hear that voice say, ‘Awww, last night,’ that was Floyd,” said Deanie Parker, a former Stax singer and Soulsville’s first president and CEO. “‘Last Night’ was before ‘Green Onions’ by Booker T. & the MGs. When I was at Stax working during the day, Floyd was at school teaching his students, so I did not get a chance to interact with him like the other musicians who came in for studio sessions.” According to Sampson, “Last Night” was the reason the recording studio ended up with the “Stax” name. “After ‘Last Night’ sold a million records, the label attracted the attention of Satellite Records in California. Rather than engage in a long and costly court battle over the name, founders, Jim Stewart, and his sister, Estelle Axton simply took the first two letters of their last names and formed ‘Stax Records.’”

The family of Floyd S. Newman III. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley/The New TriState Defender)

Gifted by his father in the late 1940s with a saxophone that now is 100-plus years old, Floyd Newman passed it along to the Stax Museum of American Soul Music. (Courtesy photos) In 2018, Newman donated his very first saxophone to the Stax Museum. It was this particular sax he played with The MarKeys, Otis Redding, Booker T. & The MGs, Eddie Floyd, Aretha Franklin, Elvis Presley, B.B. King, Etta James, and other major artists. That sax is now a part of the museum’s permanent collection. Newman’s father

bought the instrument for him in the late 1940s from a pawn shop on Beale Street. During the sax donation event, both Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland and Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris proclaimed it “Floyd Newman Day.” Newman was honored with a note on the Beale Street Brass Note Walk of Fame in 2014.

The New Tri-State Defender, June 8 - 14, 2023, Page 6

‘Juneteenth The Musical Stage Play’ set for The Halloran Centre on June 10 TSD Newsroom Juneteenth The Musical Stage Play is coming to The Halloran Centre for Performing Arts & Education in Downtown Memphis, Saturday, June 10, for two shows: 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Presented by Dr. Telisa Franklin, the stage play is a powerful depiction of servitude and a poignant reminder of what it was like when the slaves in Galveston, Texas, learned that they were free two years after President Lincoln signed The Emancipation Proclamation. The news triggered a jubilant outcry that reverberated across the country, followed by revelry that included music, dancing and lots of food. Directed by Chrysti Chandler, founder of The Young Actors Guild (YAG), the stage play will capture that sordid era in history that the YAG performers, under Chandler’s diChrysti rection, will interpret Chandler with skits, songs, and dancing. “I’m touched by the mastery of Chrysti Chandler’s young actors, who will bring to life an era in time that no doubt was heart-wrenching as well as emotional,” said Dr. Telisa Franklin, president Dr. Telisa of The Memphis Franklin Juneteenth Festival. The festival begins Father’s Day weekend, June 17-18 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day at Health Sciences Park, 26 South Dunlap in the Medical District. It is one of Memphis’ longest-running festivals and a 501c (3) organization. (For additional information about Juneteenth The Musical Stage Play, contact Dr. Telisa Franklin at 901-213-6438 or visit the Juneteenth website at www.MemphisJuneteenth.com.)

One of the best parts of Juneteenth is the storytelling, and these great books will help you do that in a way your child can understand. (Photo: Terri Schlichenmeyer)

Three new books to help children understand why Juneteenth is important by Terri Schlichenmeyer

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

The celebration is coming soon, you can feel it in the air. Your entire family will gather together for one special day. There’ll be picnics and tasty foods, dancing, and storytelling. No, it’s not Christmas or your birthday, not Easter or Ramadan. It’s Juneteenth and these three new books will help you understand why that day is important.... For the uninitiated, Juneteenth has a lot of traditions! In “Jayylen’s Juneteenth Surprise” by Lavaille Lavette, illustrated by David Wilkerson (Little Golden Book, $5.99), a young boy learns how all the pieces fit in his new favorite holiday. The fun begins when Paw Paw Jimmy comes to visit, and he introduces Jayylen to the frottoir, a musical instrument that means there’s going to be dancing. With the cute and simple illustrations in this book and the excitement it conveys, you know it’s gonna be a party, and this book is a great (and inexpensive!) Juneteenth introduction for kids ages 3 to 5. In David’s house, Juneteenth doesn’t start until Grandma’s ready to tell stories and in “The Night Before Freedom:

Juneteenth Books by various authors and illustrators c.2023, various publishers $5.99-$18.99 various page counts A Juneteenth Story” by Glenda Armand (Crown Books / Random House Kids, $18.99), the best one is the one that her grandmother told her. Mom Bess was just a little girl when the first Juneteenth arrived, and hearing the story is a can’tmiss for David and his family. Five-to8-year-olds will love this tale, told as a beautiful, fantastical memory. Parents will love the artwork by Corey Barksdale inside the covers. Find “A Flag for Juneteenth” by Kim Taylor (Neal Porter Books / Holiday House, $18.99) for your 5-to-8-year-old, and share it with your favorite seamstress. Here, all the illustrations are quilted, crafted, and embroidered, leaving readers with nostalgia to match the tale of almostten-year-old Hulda, who wakes up on her birthday morning to hear the best news ever. “All slaves are free,” she and her par-

ents are told, and everyone celebrated – everyone, that is, except the plantation owners. And while her neighbors danced, some women sat down and sewed freedom flags that looked like warm, soft quilts. The children found branches for use as flagpoles, and their fathers carved the branches with designs and symbols like the intricate “Fawohodie. It means independence and freedom.” Be absolutely sure that you read the author’s note at the end of this story; it’s a great explanation, written for parents who will appreciate knowing about the work that went into this book. These three tales might not be enough for your family, which is why your favorite librarian or bookseller is waiting for you. They’ll have something perfect for every age group and everyone in your household who’ll partake in your Juneteenth picnic or party. They’ll know just the thing you want to read for yourself, or read aloud. One of the best parts of Juneteenth is the storytelling, and these great books will help you do that in a way your child can understand. Make them a new tradition in your house, and add to the celebration.

PRIDE MONTH

Tyler James Williams response to speculation about his sexuality is a masterclass in LGBTQ+ allyship by Shanelle Genai Theroot.com

Emmy-nominated actor Tyler James Williams is speaking out concerning speculation about his sexuality and teaching us all a big lesson on how to combat homophobia and cultivate safe spaces for those in the LGBTQ+ community. In two since-expired posts to his Instagram story over the weekend, the Abbott Elementary actor addressed online rumors that he may be gay, warning about the dangers of sexuality speculation and those who seek to essentially dissect behaviors of a potentially closeted person in an attempt to “catch them” before they’re ready to live in their truth publicly.

“Abbott Elementary” star reminds us to be more intentional about combatting homophobia & cultivating safe spaces. “Usually I wouldn’t address stuff like this but I feel like it as a conversation is bigger than me. I’m not gay; but I think the culture of trying to “find” some kind of hidden trait or behavior that a closeted person ‘let slip’ is very dangerous,” he began. “Overanalyzing someone’s behavior in an attempt to ‘catch’ them directly contributes to the anxiety a lot of queer and queer questioning people feel when they fear living in their truth. It makes the most pedestrian

of conversations and interactions in spaces feel less safe for our gay brothers and sisters and those who may be questioning.” He continued, “It also reinforces an archetype many straight men have to live under that is often times unrealistic, less free, and limits individual expression. I’ve been very clear about the intentionality I try to put into using my platform to push back against those archetypes every chance I get. “Being straight doesn’t look one way. Being gay doesn’t look one way. And what may seem like harmless fun and conversation may actually be sending a dangerous message. Happy Pride to all of my queer and questioning brothers, sisters, and individuals. I pray that you feel seen in ways that make you feel safe in the celebration

that is this month.” “As an ally, I continue to be committed to assisting in that where I can and helping to cultivate a future where we are all accepted and given permission to be ourselves,” he concluded. As Tyler’s post began to circulate on Twitter, with many praising him for his articulation, his brother Tyrel hopped online to heap further praise on his sibling and shed light on the way he handled both his and their younger brother’s coming out in the past. “He completely deconstructed his views on masculinity and made sure to build spaces for us to be comfortable and seen until we were ready to tell our friends/family,” Tyrel wrote in part, later adding: “We all rebuilt

Emmy-nominated actor Tyler James Williams is shown here on the “Jennifer Hudson Show.” (Screen capture) our definition of manhood together, brick-by-brick. And it was not easy work. But we weren’t doing it alone. THAT is gender-affirming care. Someone allowing you space to, not only express, but discover yourself. Who supports that discovery without making it about themself or the ideologies of people who never mattered in the first place.”

COMMUNITY The New Tri-State Defender, June 8 - 14, 2023, Page 7

Heal the Hood Foundation ready to roll with All-Star Celebrity Weekend No. 14 TSD Newsroom The Heal the Hood All-Star Celebrity Weekend is June 9th-10th and this year it will feature the Kevin Whitted All-Star Youth Basketball Camp. A former NBA player, Whitted played for the Dallas Mavericks and overseas. He has trained dozens of players through his company, Kevin Whitted Basketball Services (KWBS) in East Memphis. He’s also coached/trained myriad teams, ranging from community college to the NBA. The basketball camp includes skills and drills, a mini tournament, a t-shirt, lunch, and “an unforgettable experience.” On Friday, June 9th, little ballers (ages 7-17) can learn the fundamentals of the game from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Kirby High School, located at 4080 Kirby Parkway. The cost is $10 and students can register to online at www.hthmemphis.org. The Heal the Hood (HTH) Foundation of Memphis is a nonprofit organization that provides positive outlets for youth and young adults through singing, dancing, art, acting, motivational speaking, screenwriting, and modeling. This is the 14th year for the Heal the Hood All-Star Celebrity Weekend and the first time Whitted has partnered with Heal the Hood and its founder, LaDell Beamon. “It’s an honor to have a basketball trainer of Kevin’s caliber working with our youth,” said Beamon. “We know they will enjoy themselves and leave with great information and skills. We have some great celebrities who love Memphis and want to help our youth participating in the basketball game as well. I hope everyone comes out to enjoy the fun,” said Beamon. The basketball game Beamon referenced is the all-Star Celebrity Basketball Game at 3 p.m. at Ridgeway High School, located at 2009 Ridgeway Rd. The game will feature rappers/songwriters/producers Kia Shine and Millie Manny; award-winning super producers Drumma Boy and HitKidd, along with hip hop artist Fresco Trey, and professional basketball players Shaq Goodwin, Will Coleman and Ashley Shields. Attendees can expect other special guests. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Advanced tickets can be purchased online at www.hthmemphis.org. Proceeds from both events benefit Heal the Hood Foundation of Memphis’s youth programs. For more information, visit the website or call 901-566-0473.

Deloris Crawford points to her late husband, Robert J. Crawford (third from the right, top row). one of the original twelve firefighters hired in 1955. He was the first president and founder of the Pioneers Black The 12 pioneers lauded for their steadfastness in breaking the color barrier at the Memphis Fire Firefighters of Memphis. (PhoDepartment were: John Cooper, Murry Pegues, Robert J. Crawford, Else Parsons, Lawrence Yates, tos: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW EnEarl Westley Stotts, Norvel Wallace, Leroy Johnson Jr., William C. Carter, Richard H. Burns, Floyd terprises/The New Tri-State DeNewsum and Claude Talford. fender)

Pioneer Black Firefighters Inc. turns 50; Steadfastness still an anchor principle

by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Sick and tired of enduring 18 years of racially discriminatory working conditions and practices, Memphis’ African-American firefighters had enough. Tired of being sick and tired (to borrow a phrase from the late civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer), those African-American firefighters formed the Pioneers Black Firefighters Inc. in 1973. Their goal was to coalesce into a mutual support organization that also would fight the systemic racism faced daily from the time the city hired its first African-American firefighters – the 12 pioneers – in 1955. Last Saturday (June 3) evening, the Pioneers Black Firefighters celebrated the organization’s 50th anniversary during a gala at the Holiday Inn-University of Memphis. TaJuan Stout-Mitchell, a former Memphis City Councilmember, and a former member of the legacy Memphis City Schools board, captured the celebratory theme: “As a wife of a firefighter for 37 years, I am proud to be in this firefighter’s family called the Pioneers. “Thank you for your tireless work. Because of you, and citizens of this city, it supported our family of six. Educated and provided quality healthcare for our four children, who all are public servants,” she said. “We lived a life of the middle class, which should be a reality for all city employees. Many of you can say the same. I am so grateful for men, who were treated like boys, but had the tenacity to fight a system of racism. Firefighters are truly fueled by fire and driven by courage…” Stout-Mitchell’s son, Pioneer Black Firefighters President Ron Mitchell Jr., whose father Ron Mitchell served as president from 1987-2005, said the Pioneers were

TaJuan Stout-Mitchell, a former Memphis City Councilmember, and a former member of the legacy Memphis City Schools board: “As a wife of a firefighter for 37 years, I am proud to be in this firefighter’s family called the Pioneers.” organized in 1973 because the firefighters’ union would not represent Black firefighters. “Still in the ’70s, promotions, hiring and station asRon signments were Mitchell Jr. not being done fairly; not until we started filing lawsuits and winning,” he said. “We made white leadership respect us.” The 12 pioneers lauded for their steadfastness in breaking the color barrier at the Memphis Fire Department were: John Cooper, Murry Pegues, Robert J. Crawford, Else Parsons, Lawrence Yates, Earl Westley Stotts, Norvel Wallace, Leroy Johnson Jr., William C. Carter, Richard H. Burns, Floyd Newsum and Claude Talford. After the event, a reflective Mitchell Jr. said, “Those guys took a lot so that those of us coming after them would not have to. When you just consider how the majority of Black people in their lives and with their employment opportunities had to take so much, we appreciate those first 12, who were hired and worked under deplorable conditions.”

Stout-Mitchell described some of the abuse. “I have heard many stories from some of the original 12. I once heard the Black firefighters were not allowed to go the front door of a white homeowner, even though the house was on fire.” Stout-Mitchell continued, “All the Blacks were assigned the same bed in the house, one Black each shift. I heard the guys would put their chairs in a circle around the TV to leave the Black outside the circle. “I heard one Black firefighter was not allowed to eat the food at the station. All these racial personal indignities were day by day, but they (kept) focused on recruitment, hiring, advancement and promotion to change all of that for everybody.” Chester Anderson, an early Black member of the Fire Department, was unable to receive his award in person, He reflected on his MFD career during a telephone interview the next day. “I remember those early days quite well,” said Anderson. “That original class of 12 came in and worked out of the firehouse on Mississippi Blvd., Station 8. I came in 1972, and there were 13 of us in that class. “They spread us out. The n-word was our name. I was at the airport station, and I got fed up. I threatened to file a complaint. Just the threat stopped all that.” According to Anderson, many of the original 12 were fighting fires without an air pack – a portable oxygen tank that allows a firefighter to breathe in toxic smoke conditions. “The union did not care that Black firefighters were placed in very hazardous conditions. We have really come a long way,” Anderson said. On Jan. 1, 2000, Anderson became the first African-American to serve as fire department director. “That happened because Dr. Willie Herenton was mayor,” said

Anderson. “I remember getting a visit from the union president and vice-president up in my office when I was named Director. “They were telling me what I could do and how things should go. They never cared about representing Black firefighters. I let them know in no uncertain terms that they would not be telling me how to run my office.” The African-American firefighters took a momentous step toward fair treatment when one of the “pioneers,” Carl Stotts, filed a federal class-action racial discrimination lawsuit that resulted in a 1980 consent decree. It required the Fire Department to promote African-American firefighters in greater numbers. Stotts had the full backing of the Pioneers Black Firefighters. The consent decree, along with a consent decree resulting from a class-action lawsuit filed by the Afro American Police Association, helped increase the number of African-American firefighters and police officers and the number of women in those positions. And, it spelled out a clear path for promotions. Mitchell Jr. talked about the relevancy of the Pioneers Black Firefighters today. “In a time when conservatives are trying to erase the civil rights gains of the past, the Pioneers organization is as necessary as it ever was,” said Mitchell Jr. “Today, we have a white director (who is a woman) and only one African American in a high-ranking position. “We feel that fire leadership should reflect the population of Memphis. So, we’d like to see more Blacks in top positions.” Anderson struck an optimistic tone for the future of African-American firefighters. “All in all, I had a tremendous career with Memphis Fire Department. May the young Pioneers make more strides in the next 50 years.”

On its way... A groundbreaking ceremony was held on June 1 for The Memphis Brooks Museum of Art at the site of its future home, 65 Front St. in Downtown Memphis. According to Brooks representatives, about $135 million of the project’s total fundraising goal of $180 million has been raised. (Photos: William Weeks/The New Tri-State Defender)

The New Tri-State Defender

RowVaughn Wells and Rodney Wells were appreciative of the ongoing community support.

June 8 - 14, 2023

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NEWS

RowVaughn Wells admires a likeness of her son. (Photos: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises/The New Tri-State Defender)

TYRE

CONTINUED FROM FRONT

Dance moves were part of the birthday bash.

courtroom, but there will also be justice for the community.” Crump also praised the efforts of Tony Hawk’s The Skatepark Project, which announced that twin skateparks would break ground next year, both named for Nichols. One will be built in Memphis, and the other in Sacramento, California, where Nichols lived before relocating to Memphis and where he still has a host friends co-workers and fellow skateboarders. A cheering crowd received the news with immense joy. RowVaughn Wells, Nichols’ mother, told an attentive respectful crowd that she had “a little breakdown today.” “When I woke up this morning, it was my son’s birthday,” said Wells. “…He didn’t come into my room this morning so I could give him a hug…” Rodney Wells, Nichols’

stepfather, was more tearful as he remembered his son. Skateboarders whisking up and down Front Street, attempting jumps and daring tricks that ended in a fall reminded Wells of his son. “That’s what Tyre did,” Wells said. “Fall and crash, but he always got back up. And he got back up with a smile on his face…and this has put a smile on my face.” Five police officers, all African Americans, are charged with several serious felonies, including second-degree murder, for Nichols’ death. The release of a video showing the beating sparked outrage across the nation as mass protests called for reform of law enforcement policies. Memphis officials, especially the City Council, was besieged meeting after meeting by protesters demanding reform. The council eventually responded by passing a series of ordinances, including one banding pretextual traffic stops.

The New Tri-State Defender

Lester Community Center Pre-Engineered Metal Building Bid Package Client: City of Memphis Bid Package Name: Pre-Engineered Metal Building Number: 131200 Bids Due: June 30, 2023 By 12:00 PM (CST) Architect: brg3s Project Description: New construction of a 29,000 square foot community center. ELECTRONIC SEALED BIDDING Bids must be submitted via BuildingConnected by 12:00pm (CST), June 30, 2023 to be considered for this project. At that time, bids will be made available for Turner Construction Company to review and no further bids or revisions will be accepted. RFP DOCUMENTS: Visit the Public Plan Room Type or copy URL into web browser: tinyurl.com/mv6353m9 PREQUALIFICATION All proposing companies must be prequaliﬁed at the time of proposal Submission. Type or copy URL into web browser: https://www.turnerconstruction. com/sub-contractors Then visit: Subcontractors>Turner IF INTERESTED, EMAIL: Khalif Johnson TAC Procurement Manager kajohnson@tcco.com

NOTICE TO BIDDERS Shelby County Government has issued Sealed Bid number I000822, for Emergency Shelter Transportable Carts with Cots and Vacuum Sealed Pre-Packaged Blanket Kits for the Shelby County Emergency Management/ Homeland Security 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” and “Bids” to locate the name of the above-described Sealed Bid. \SEALED BID I000822 DUE DATE THURSDAY, JULY 6, TH 2023 @2:30 PM (CDT) (SB-I000822) EMERGENCY SHELTER TRANSPORTABLE CARTS WITH COTS AND VACUUM SEALED PREPACKAGED BLANKET KITS SHELBY COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT/HOMELAND SECURITY DEPARTMENT Shelby County is an equal opportunity afﬁrmative action employer, drug-free with policies of non-discrimination on the basis of race, sex, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or military service. By order of LEE HARRIS, MAYOR SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT

June 8 - 14, 2023

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CLASSIFIEDS TSD CLASSIFIEDS

1509 Madison Ave. Memphis, TN 38104 PH (901) 523-1818 HOURS: Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. DEADLINES: Display ads Friday 5 p.m. Classiﬁeds ads Monday 5 p.m. STANDARD RATES: $6.00 per line for 1 column ad.

Rates are non-commissionable and are quoted at the net rate. No refund for early cancellation. For additional information contact Sales Dept. at

Legal Notice Request for Qualifications for The Memphis Stormwater Quality & Quantity Program (MSQ2) RFQ No. 21004 MSQ2 Program Professional Services Allworld Project Management (AWPM), as the Program Manager and Construction Manager for the Memphis Stormwater Quality & Quantity Program (MSQ2) on behalf of the City of Memphis, is soliciting Statements of Qualification (SOQ) for Program Professional Services. The qualified firms selected may be eligible for work assigned through June 30, 2025. Specific services will be procured and negotiated on a task order basis. The intent of this RFQ is to obtain qualifications for a wide range of stormwater services that MSQ2 may need for specific Task Orders. Some of the services may include, but are not limited to: 1. Stormwater Conveyance Planning & Design Services 2. Stormwater Detention Planning & Design Services 3. Stormwater Structural Planning & Design Services Beginning June 15, 2023, the documents comprising the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) may be obtained on the following websites: www.memphistn.gov/ business/rfps-rfqs/ and https:// memphissq2.com/rfqs Statements of Qualifications: SOQ’s will be received via email, until 3:00 PM (CST), July 6, 2023. Late SOQ’s will be rejected and will not be considered for award. Additional instructions for submitting the SOQ are included in the RFQ. Allworld Project Management shall not discriminate in recruitment or employment conditions because of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, veteran status, or other status as defined by all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and orders. including but not limited to, Executive Order 11246. 41 CFR 60-250.4. 41 CFR 60-741.4(F) and 41 CFR 60-l.4(a), all of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

(901) 746-5201 or email: advertising@tsdmemphis.com. 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.

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: Norman Redwing Tax Parcel #: 03201100000100 Tax Sale #: 1802 Price Offered: $3,000.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 10:00 a.m. on July 6, 2023, 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 1075 MULLINS STATION, BLDG. E-1 MEMPHIS, TN 38134 (901) 222-1150 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: Jasmine Banks Tax Parcel #: 05800400000140 Tax Sale #: 1803 Price Offered: $4,000.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 9:30 a.m. on July 6, 2023, 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 1075 MULLINS STATION, BLDG. E-1 MEMPHIS, TN 38134 (901) 222-1150 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: Makalla Wilson Tax Parcel #: 0721210B000450 Tax Sale #: 1803 Price Offered: $9400.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 9:00 a.m. on July 6, 2023, 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 1075 MULLINS STATION, BLDG. E-1 MEMPHIS, TN 38134 (901) 222-1150

SALES PERSON The New Tri-State Defender is looking for a few sales consultants to sell print ads, digital ads and event sponsorships for the organization. The candidate should have some sales experience. The position will offer both commission and base pay. For serious inquiries email your resume to administration@ tsdmemphis.com.

The New Tri-State Defender

June 8 - 14, 2023

NEWS

Sheriff’s Department and Memphis Shelby P.A.L. usher Summerfest into the Frayser community The Shelby County Sheriff’s Department and the Police Activities League of Memphis and Shelby County joined forces at Summerfest (June 3) to strengthen the bond between law enforcement and the community, both adults and children. The free event was held in Frayser at the Ed Rice Community Center. Memphis’ own Motown Gospel recording artist Evvie McKinney performed, along with the Memphis Grizzline and other local dance groups. The day included a “Peace Walk”, 3 on 3 basketball, food vendors, face painting, canvas painting, game trucks, desert stands, kids spa service, 360 booths and more. (For more information, follow @MemphisShelbyPAL, Instagram @shelbytnsheriff.)

Home loans that fit you to a

Shopping for a home can be challenging. That’s why Trustmark makes it simple to apply online for pre-qualification, so when you find your dream home, you can move fast. It’s good to have one of the South’s leading lenders on your side. Learn more at trustmark.com.

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(Photos: Gary S. Whitlow/ GSW Enterprises/The New Tri-State Defender)