The New Tri-State Defender - June 15-21, 2023

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June 15 - 21, 2023

VOL. 72, No. 24

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After president resigns, what is next for LeMoyne-Owen College?

13th president resigns amid plummeting student enrollment, retention numbers

by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

As she stepped into the role of president of LeMoyne-Owen College, Dr. Vernell Bennett-Fairs said the HBCU was moving toward a new vision, with the early steps including a campaign to “re-introduce” the historic college. (Photo: Karanja A. Ajanaku/ The New Tri-State Defender)

Dr. Vernell Bennett-Fairs took the helm of LeMoyne-Owen College on Jan. 5, 2021. The LOC Board of Trustees appointed Bennett-Fairs as the 13th president. Hopes were high that the new president’s 25 years of higher education experience and an affinity to the HBCU sector would bring fresh, innovative, and successful leadership.

Nearly two-and-a-half years in, the LOC Board has accepted the resignation of Bennett-Fairs and appointed

“As we work through this transition, our students, community and historic legacy remain our top priorities. We look forward to Dr. Davis’ leadership to continue to push us forward.”

— Patricia Covington

an interim president, Dr. Christopher Davis, former Board chair and pastor of St. Paul Baptist Church on East Holmes Road.

“Dr. Bennett-Fairs implemented some great, signature events for which she will always be remembered,” said Faith Morris, former communications director for the National Civil Rights Museum, and the college’s spokesperson.

“Sometimes, schools and other institutions find that very gifted and very talented leaders are not the right fit. Very difficult decisions have to be made, and they were, in fact, made.”

LeMoyne-Owen College Board Chair Patricia Covington said the school was on track for satisfying all accreditation issues.

“We had already been renewed accreditation with SACS, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools,” said Covington. “On the accreditation for secondary schools, we were four out of five compliant.

So, we were on track there.”

Covington said enrollment was the greatest challenge during Bennett-Fairs’ tenure. It was the issue trustees hoped would be successfully addressed.

Dr. Christopher Davis (Photo: Facebook) “I told the Board, ‘(President) Glenda Glover at Tennessee State is eating our lunch,’” said Covington.

“I asked, ‘What are we going to do about it?’ She has done a good job of taking students out of West Tennessee and getting them to TSU.” Covington recalled an event at Middle College High School on the

SEE LOC ON PAGE 2

Talk of property-tax hike bubbles up as City Council weighs options

by James Coleman

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Deidre Malone moderates “The Resolve: Eliminating Systematic Racism and Toxic Cultures,” with panelists (l-r) Amber Sherman, Dr. De Lacy Davis, Malone, Dr. Howard Henderson and Ryan Jones. (Photo: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises/The New Tri-State Defender)

History of policing probed during ‘The Resolve: Eliminating Systemic Racism & Toxic Cultures’

by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

A lively discussion about policing in the 21st century and its impact on people of color dominated the second installment of the National Civil Rights Museum series on race, policing, and criminal justice.

The June 7 event, titled “The Resolve: Eliminating Systemic Racism and Toxic Cultures,” was moderated by Deidre Malone, a former Shelby County commissioner, and founder, president and CEO of the Carter

Malone Group public relations firm.

The Series is taking place as Memphis and cities across the nation grapple with continuing incidents in which Black and brown citizens are brutalized by police officers during incidents that normally should not lead death or bodily harm, especially during pretextual police stops for nonserious reasons.

The Jan. 7 fatal bludgeoning of Tyre Nichols by Memphis police officers after he was stopped allegedly for driving recklessly is emblematic of the issue. Nichols died from his injuries Jan. 10. MPD Chief Cerelyn

“CJ” Davis, said investigators found no indication that Nichols was driving improperly.

Panelists for this edition of the four-part series were: � Dr. De Lacy Davis, an activist, author, and founder of the community-based organization Black Cops Against Police Brutality (B-CAP). � Dr. Howard Henderson, professor of criminal justice and founding director of the Center for Justice Research at Tex-

SEE JUSTICE ON PAGE 2

A second reading of a resolution to hike Memphis’ property tax rate from $2.71 to $3 per $100 assessed value to fund MATA operating costs and other priorities met a chilly reception this week from members of the Memphis City Council Budget Committee.

“I’m receiving calls … in opposition to a 10 percent increase in the taxes,” said Councilmember Cheyenne Johnson, a former Shelby County Assessor of property, during the Tuesday (Jan. 13) meeting, Council Chairman Martavius Jones’ proposal to raise the rate drew criticisms from members, who voiced concerns from citizens in their districts.

After much discussion the proposal was sent to the council’s full meeting without recommendation. There council did not vote on the proposal, which is expected to be on the council’s June 27 agenda.

The city’s budget and tax rate must be set by June 30. The new fiscal year begins July 1.

Under the current $2.71 tax rate, the owner of a home assessed at $150,000 pays $1,016.25 a year in city property taxes or about $84.68 a month on a mortgage.

An increase to $3 for a home assessed at the same value would result in a $1,125 tax bill or $93.75 a month on a mortgage.

“Colleagues, there’s not a business

SEE TAX ON PAGE 2

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TAX

CONTINUED FROM FRONT on this planet that just raises their prices without a specific plan (on) where to spend that money,” said Councilmember Frank Colvett, a who is a candidate for Memphis mayor and real estate broker.

“Colleagues, I insist that, if you are going to go down this road, you must explain exactly where you intend to spend this money, exactly what you plan to get out of it and exactly how long it is going to take to

achieve your objectives.”

A breakdown of MATA expenses and priorities will likely be provided during a promised briefing by MATA Chief Executive Officer Gary Rosenfeld.

Jones’ proposal also would create an opportunity youth fund. The budgets for Waste Division services and the city’s Affordable Housing trust fund would also be expanded. The remainder would flow into the general services fund.

The tax increase would also shore up a potential budget shortfall of $19 million, which

June 15 - 21, 2023

Page 2

NEWS

Jones alluded to during his pitch.

“Nine million of that, we will not know until December,” said Jones. “I think having such a proposal, could be a counter to a shortfall in revenue, in addition to addressing some of those needs.”

However, the shoring up of MATA funding is the one item he remains “married to.”

He also opined on a possible increase of 11 cents, raising the property tax rate to $2.82.

Nevertheless, a property tax hike can be a tough sell across the income brackets of homeowners. To fund services such

as public transportation, which are less “tangible” to non-riders, is an even tougher sell.

“If you want an increase, make sure the streets are clear; make sure there’s security.

Don’t tell me that it’s something you’re working on and down the road, you’ll see it.

Right now, people are telling me, it makes a difference. Ten percent is a lot of money, in some cases,” said Johnson.

Now in his final term, it is the second time in two years that Jones has sought to increase MATA’s “barebones” budget.

Mayor Jim Strickland’s pro-

posed $792 million budget for the 2023-24 fiscal year does not include a tax increase. The mayor also is in his final term.

“What has saved our butts has been the sales tax … and the federal dollars. That has saved our tails. Going back to 2008, nearly 70 percent, or 7576 percent of the funding has gone to police and fire. All the other divisions, over 15 years, have had an increase of about 24 percent of all additional revenues,” warned Jones.

In other action: *Regarding redrawing district lines for the Oct. 5 City

Council elections, the Council rejected a proposal to create a Cordova centered district. The council, however, approved on second reading a competing ordinance that makes a minimal change of moving a single precinct from one district to another. *Approved on the first of three readings an August 2024 ballot referendum on stricter gun-control restrictions that defy state laws. *Approved an honorary street naming for a section of Second Street for the late state Rep. Barbara Cooper.

LOC

“A more pressing challenge was student retention.

After only a short time in college, students are finding it necessary to leave school because of life situations.”

— Patricia Covington

CONTINUED FROM FRONT

The panel discussion at the National Civil Rights Museum was an attention grabber. (Photo: Gary S. Whitlow/ GSW Enterprises/The New Tri-State Defender)

JUSTICE

CONTINUED FROM FRONT as Southern University. His research focuses on structural and cultural predictors of criminal justice system disparities.

• Memphis political strategist and activist Amber Sherman. She has been featured on MSNBC, VICE News, Revolt, The Washington Post, BBC, and NBC. Sherman also advocates through her blog and podcast “The Law According to Amber.”

• Ryan Jones, the NCRM’s historian and curator for validating interpretation and reviewing scholarly content shared by the museum.

About 300 people attended the event, which got under way when Malone posed a series of questions that examined the detrimental practices of 21st-century policing, including how and why policing evolved into what America is witnessing today.

Responses were disquieting as panelists cited the era of slavery as the place where policing began.

“I think the reality is that policing as we see it today looks very much like it did 200 years ago,” Henderson said.

“We know that less than six percent of the population commits crime. But policing was created to control the masses of our community, which is what they still do.”

Davis offered a more scathing perspective.

“I don’t think policing has evolved, but I think it has devolved, that is, it has gone back,” Davis said.

Davis continued, “Sir Robert Peel (the mid-1800s British prime minister, who is considered the father of public organized policing and crime prevention) wrote the nine principles of policing.

“One was ‘the public is the police, and the police is the public.’ But in his perception, policing did not include Black people. Therefore, all these former slaves are running amuck. What do we do with them? So, we see policing used then and now to kill, destroy, and maim black and brown bodies.”

Sherman denounced “overpolicing of Black and brown communities” in Memphis.

“I agree with Professor (Henderson) that policing or patrolling started on the premises that we were somehow less than human,” said Sherman. “Black people are stripped of humanity, and law

enforcement sees us as inhuman, like so many cattle they have to control and surveil…

That concept has advanced even more with advancements in technology.

Sherman added, “Sky cams and drones are being used to watch us. The MPD (Memphis Police Department) just asked the County Commission for 10 drones to be budgeted for them. What do we need a drone for? Technology is being used as a means of controlling and over-policing black communities.”

Jones, a millennial scholar who is working on dual masters and doctorate degrees at the University of Memphis, talked about “having the talk.

“When we ask the question, ‘Do you trust the police?’ said Jones, “you have to consider when answering if African Americans were growing up sometime in post-20th-century America.

“When do you have that talk? Do you have that talk as a 16-year-old? Do you have that talk at 29? Do you have that talk at 10?”

Jones added, “You have to question yourself and look at the past of the distrust and corruption from police violence on Black and brown bodies.

“Until we reconcile and ac-

knowledge that many things have happened and the lack of justice afterwards, we are going to continue recycling these things, going back to the enslavement of Africans.”

Malone and panelists also talked about a “toxic police culture” that included an “ideology of whiteness,” which they said plays a pivotal role in how officers police “Black and brown people.

Also, a police culture generates a “warrior mentality” that may cause officers to view those they serve as enemies rather than civilians.

And a police subculture that creates a lack of trust in law enforcement. Officers, they concurred, have a “skewed” commitment to the communities they are sworn to protect and serve. “The Blue Wall of Silence” is an unspoken pact between officers to not expose or “rat out” another officer for misconduct.

NCRM President Russell Wigginton called the evening’s discussion “important and meaningful.”

The remaining series are “The Restoration: Community Healing Toward Solutions,” on Sept. 6, 2023, and “The Resilience: National Symposium, slated for Feb. 22, 2024. All segments are live streamed.

campus of Christian Brothers University. Tennessee State University offered scholarships to all 86 seniors, many of them full rides. The scholarship awards were presented at a school assembly, where parents and students were supposed to be just hearing more about the college.

“Our challenge was not just simple enrollment,” said Covington. “A more pressing challenge was student retention. After only a short time in college, students are finding it necessary to leave school because of life situations. Most of our students come from impoverished homes and communities.

“We needed to address those issues that made it necessary for students to leave. Dr. Bennett-Fairs tried to shore up wrap-around services to help students. But in the end, it just wasn’t enough.”

Covington said the first year, enrollment was at 800.

The number was satisfactory because it was back at the place it was before the pandemic.

“Before the pandemic, we

were right at 800, on track to reach 1,000,” said Covington.

“But in that second year, enrollment had slipped to 700, and retention was still a huge issue.”

Covington praised Bennett-Fairs, not only for a gracious and affable resignation letter, but her willingness to assist with the transition.

During her tenure, Bennett-Fairs introduced signature events, including the 807 Day Fundraiser and Loving Our Community Day (LOC), a grassroots effort.

Prior to her tenure at LOC, Bennett-Fairs served as Student Affairs vice-president at Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi.

Patricia Covington chairs the LOC Board of Trustees.

(Photo: Tyrone P. Easley/The New Tri-State Defender)

The New Tri-State Defender

PERSPECTIVE

June 15 - 21, 2023

Page 3

Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action could extend beyond college admissions thegrio.com

Any day now, the conservative-majority U.S. Supreme Court will issue its decision on affirmative action and whether race should be a factor in the college admissions process.

Two cases are before the high court: Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard University and Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA) v. University of North Carolina. The Harvard case argues that the university’s admissions process discriminated against Asian-American students.

The case from Chapel Hill, argues that Asian and white students were the subject of discriminatory admissions practices at the school.

The cases are both backed by a wealthy white man named Edward Blum. He is the same person behind the 2016 Supreme Court case of Fisher v. University of Austin, Texas. In that case, the court ruled that race-based admissions was lawful. However, the collective, unscientific belief among Black thought leaders is that affirmative action in college admissions will be overturned by the current Supreme Court.

Republicans are strategically working to dismantle not only affirmative action but also diversity, equity and inclusion. Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders banned critical race theory in schools as well as the use of the term Latinx. In Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis banned AP African American studies, cut funding for diversity, equity and inclusion programs for state colleges, as well as challenging the rights of other groups like the LGBTQ+ community in its fight with the Disney corporation.

And on Capitol Hill, the Republican-led House of Representatives is overseeing the elimination of the civil rights panel and a House finance diversity panel. The House Judiciary Committee also has lost its civil rights subcommittee. This is happening as corporate America is ending a large number of DEI programs in the private sector.

Legal scholars and analysts have questioned that if the Supreme Court does remove race as a factor in the admissions process, what will be the far-reaching impact on Black students applying for admission to predominantly white institutions?

Bakari Sellers, a former member of the South Carolina Statehouse and TV political analyst, told theGrio there is a “slippery slope” as we wonder “what happens next?”

The court’s ruling could potentially place a bullseye on the landmark 1954 decision of Brown v. Board of Education, which led to the integration of U.S. public schools. There could also be an impact in civil rights laws in the broader context as well. Sellers says this idea centers around how the decision reads.

“I can tell you that I don’t think it is far-fetched to say certain constitutionalists and certain legal scholars do want to overturn Brown v. the Board of Education,” Sellers said.

He is skeptical that Brown v. Board will be overturned in his lifetime.

April However, the outspoken Ryan lawyer also said, “We’re starting to see how the fact that Democrats haven’t taken the judiciary seriously for decades, and it is impacting the future of this great country – particularly the diversity or the lack thereof.”

DEI expert Y-Vonne Hutchinson, CEO and founder of ReadySet, an organization that helps Bakari companies attract and reSellers tain diverse talent, firmly stated it “is going to be incredibly hard when people don’t have access to the educational opportunities precluded on the basis of race.”

Hutchinson said this potential overturning of affirmative action would have a direct impact on Black and brown students in admissions and scholarships. And when it comes to the current anti-woke rhetoric coming from the Republican Party, she affirms, “I see this as part of a rollback on civil rights and our access to opportunity. She added, “I think the impact of this kind of decision will be deeply felt.”

Sellers agrees and says he expects that the court will rule against affirmative action.

“Much like you had Justice (Samuel) Alito dedicate his entire career to gutting and eliminating Roe v. Wade. You will have a similar situation with Clarence Thomas and affirmative action.”

He believes that intentional efforts by Justice Thomas will mean that “African-Americans will have a great deal of trouble having the same opportunities for higher education.”

A decision to change how affirmative action is administered is a double-edged sword. “HBCUs may benefit; I think individuals who want to go to PWIs (will have) a lot more trouble getting in, and you’ll see some PWIs lose the diversity if they have today,” said Sellers.

Susan Rice, Biden’s former domestic policy adviser, gave some insight into the Biden administration’s thinking on this matter as she was departing her post last month. Rice told theGrio exclusively, “Obviously, we are watching what might happen in the Supreme Court carefully. I don’t want to presume outcomes. … we are focused on all potential outcomes.”

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PERSPECTIVE The New Tri-State Defender, June 15 - 21, 2023, Page 4

At the University of TennesseeKnoxville, an initiative is underway to address the challenges of AI and data science. The new initiative is projected to help create opportunities for new, high-demand interdisciplinary programs for undergraduate and graduate students.

(Courtesy photo)

My first foray into artificial intelligence (AI) to see what is revolutionizing education

by Curtis Weathers

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Over the last fifty or more years, consumers have experienced an avalanche of technological innovations that have impacted almost every aspect of our lives.

Three of the more impactful of these innovations include (1) the personal computer, (2) the internet, and (3) cellular phones. The impact these three innovations have had on society as a whole has been mind-boggling.

And now, if you add to this impressive trinity of innovation, Artificial Intelligence (AI), you have the most impactful and consequential array of technological genius ever assembled.

Artificial Intelligence refers to the development and implementation of computer systems capable of performing tasks that generally require human intelligence. It is a rapidly growing field and has the potential to transform many aspects of our daily lives.

I must admit, I have not been paying a lot of attention to AI until recently.

Years ago, early in my career, I was one of those people who got caught up in the excitement of the personal computer. I remember the joy I experienced when I purchased my first IBM PC. The personal computer has had a profound impact on society. It has fundamentally changed the way we work, learn, and play. It has enabled people to access information and communicate in ways that were never before possible.

I spent hours in front of my PC monitor exploring the programs and power that was now at my beck and call. The same can be said for cellular phones and the internet.

But AI will take us to a whole new level of adventure, especially for educators. The possibilities are both

exciting and, quite frankly, scary.

AI’s potential usefulness in education is enormous, transforming how students learn, teachers Curtis teach, and eduWeathers cational institutions operate.

Educators, teachers in particular, now have this incredibly powerful tool at their disposal to help personalize the learning experience, analyze data, create content, grade tests and assignments, create lesson plans, and communicate with colleagues and parents.

Students now have their own virtual assistants (chatbots) available to them 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A chatbot is an artificial intelligence application designed to simulate or mimic human conversation through voice or text interactions.

With AI chatbots, you can get individualized help with essays, research papers, mathematical problems, and a host of other academic assignments or projects.

I downloaded two AI chatbots to my computer - Google Bard and GTP chatbots - to assist in writing this article. Both were very easy to use and extremely powerful.

I had never used either of these tools before, but I must say I am thoroughly impressed.

What’s most impressive about today’s AI-powered technology is that it can comprehend your inquiries and produce human-like responses. It makes you feel like you are conversing with a real person or colleague.

Artificial intelligence is a rapidly expanding field that can potentially transform many aspects of our daily lives. But there are also some potential risks associated with AI that need to be thought through.

As AI continues to develop, the ethical implications of this technology are paramount. For example, how will we ensure that AI systems are fair and unbiased and are not being used for malicious purposes?

To mitigate the dangers and risks, educators and policymakers must approach the integration of AI with careful consideration. This includes thoughtful planning, ethical guidelines, transparent AI algorithms, ongoing professional development for teachers and administrators, and ensuring that AI systems align with educational goals and values.

Balancing the benefits of AI with the expertise and human touch of educators is essential for creating a thriving and equitable educational environment.

AI systems are not infallible, they can and do make mistakes. They occasionally produce inaccurate results. I found that out very quickly while test-driving the two chatbots mentioned above.

Educators should be aware of the limitations of AI technology and critically evaluate the information or recommendations they produce. Relying blindly on AI without cross-checking the information can lead to flawed personnel, organizational, and instructional decisions.

The future of AI holds immense potential to transform the way we teach and learn.

The next 3-5 years are going to be exciting. As the technology continues to evolve, we can expect to see more astonishing and transformative applications.

Balancing the benefits of AI with responsible implementation will be crucial in leveraging its full potential. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for this remarkable technology.

(Follow me, TSD’s education columnist, on Twitter @curtisweathers. Email me at curtislweathers@ gmail.com.)

At TSU, Dr. Robbie Melton, vice president of Technology Innovation Strategies and interim provost and acting vice president of academic affairs, heads the TSU SMART Global Technology Innovation Center that researches the effective use of emerging technologies in education, that now includes AI. (Courtesy photo)

TSU explores AI as it weighs pros and cons of emerging technology in education TSU News Service NASHVILLE – Tennessee State University, which serves as the nation’s only HBCU Smart Technology Innovation Center, has partnerships with tech giants Microsoft and Apple, along with T-Mobile, Amazon and several others. Through these collaborations, TSU has worked to bridge the technology divide among HBCUs (historically Black colleges and Universities) and communities of color.

Now the University is looking to forge deeper into the field by exploring the opportunities and possibilities of integrating education with artificial intelligence (AI).

Dr. Robbie Melton, Vice President of Technology Innovation Strategies and interim provost and acting vice president of academic affairs, heads the TSU SMART Global Technology Innovation Center that researches the effective use of emerging technologies in education, that now includes AI. Recently, Dr. Melton conducted AI demonstrations that included creating curriculum and lesson plans in under 4 minutes, along with art and music

in less than 2 minutes.

“TSU has always been on the cutting edge of technology and it’s important that faculty learn more about AI because these tools are already transforming and disrupting the traditional methods of reading, writing, research, teaching and training,” said Melton.

While the concept of artificial intelligence in education presents an array of unprecedented academic, ethical and legal challenges, Melton believes these technological advances have educational value and benefits that can’t be overlooked.

“It’s important for TSU faculty to learn how AI works in enhancing teaching and learning before taking a stand to ban it or try to stop it in the classroom. AI pushes us to incorporate critical and higher order thinking skills, that go beyond basic observation of facts and memorization.”

Melton recently conducted a national webinar for several historical black colleges and universities (HBCUs) regarding the educational impact of AI for underrepresented groups and cultures.

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The New Tri-State Defender

June 15 - 21, 2023

Page 5

RELIGION

Suicide and the Black Church – 10th national Conference speaks to the ongoing suffering

by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Nearly 300 attendees will converge on Memphis for The 10th National Suicide & the Black Church Conference June 14-15, 2023, at Southwest Tennessee Community College, Macon Cove Campus.

For conference host, Pastor Dianne P. Young, this will be her first time hosting the confab her husband, Dr. William M. Young Sr., founded more than two decades ago.

Dr. Young was also founding bishop of The Healing Center, a ministry which grew out of a deep compassion for “a suffering community.”

Young became the first African-American chaplain in the Methodist Hospital System in the state of Tennessee. His work with mental health professionals revealed a startling truth early in his ministry: mental health issues in the African-American community could be addressed through the “black church community.”

“Bishop Young’s Suicide & the Black Church Conference grew out of that concept—that the black church could be instrumental in dealing with depression, suicidal tendencies, and emotional trauma we often see in our people,” said Pastor Young.

“Black people did not historically trust mental health professionals, so they would never talk to them. But black people will talk to their pastor.”

This year’s two-day event is headlined by author and mental health expert, Dr. Jay Barnett, who was also a former NFL player. His own story is compelling and inspiring for “all

who hear him,” according to Pastor Young. Barnett is a survivor of suicide.

Also appearing is Tamu Lewis, a mental health professional and sister of actor Lee Thompson Young, who took his life on Aug. 19, 2013.

Dr. Jay He was only 28 Barnett years old.

Suicide & the Black Church Conference is held every two years. In between conferences are the luncheons which host some of the region’s leading counselors on mental health and new developments in the field.

“My wonderful husband passed on Oct. 9, 2022,” said Pastor Young.

“For 46 years, we were partners, not only in life, but also in ministry. There was never a question as to whether or not Suicide & the Black Church Conference would continue. It is important work and integral part of Bishop Young’s legacy. I look forward to this conference with great excitement and expectation.”

Dr. Young would tell the story many times of how Suicide & the Black Church came out of a suicide.

There was a church member at The Healing Center who had been calling for a counseling appointment. Bishop Young, like other young pastors, was juggling a myriad of duties. Unfortunately, some schedule conflict occurred, and the appointment had to be reset for the next morning.

The 10th National Suicide & the Black Church Conference is the first Pastor Dianne P. Young will host without her husband, the late Dr. William M. Young Sr., who founded the conference more than two decades ago. (Courtesy photo) Hours before this lady was to meet with Bishop Young, she came up to the church before the break of day, stood under the large, white cross on the grounds, and shot herself in the head.

An early morning call from Memphis police summoned Bishop and Pastor Young to the scene. Stunned beyond what he could even fathom, Dr. Young struggled with a load of guilt and regret that God helped him work through, he said publicly sev-

eral times.

Committing suicide under the cross had substantial implications for Dr. Young. Working through his own grief and sense of loss infused a new sense of purpose in helping people get help for mental health issues.

“Suicide is caused by undiagnosed or misdiagnosed depression,” said Bishop Young, during an interview with the New Tri-State Defender.

Suicide & the Black Church Conference brought meaning to that dev-

astating suicide under the cross.

“We are just so happy because this is the first, in-person conference since the pandemic,” said Pastor Young.

“This year’s theme is ‘Anchored in Hope,’ and we are hopeful that delegates will draw our presenters and return home empowered to save lives.

The Healing Center is located at 3885 Tchulahoma in the Oakhaven Community.

The STCC conference site is 5983 Macon Cove.

In honor of...

The life and legacy of the Rev. Basil Brooks, the pastor of Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church in Cordova, were celebrated during services held Greater Mt. Moriah Baptist Church last Saturday (June 10). He was 82. (Photos: Tyrone P. Easley/The New Tri-State Defender)

The New Tri-State Defender, June 15 - 21, 2023, Page 6

BLACK MUSIC MONTH, Part II:

Garry Goin with his Memphis Grizzlies House bandmates at FedExForum. (Courtesy photos)

Producers, band leaders on assembling the ‘A-Team’

by Candace A. Gray

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

If you’ve ever been to a musical production in Memphis, or other cities and even some countries, you might have experienced the work of Kurt “KC” Clayton and Garry Goin.

From choreographed productions to awards shows to world tours, Grizzlies games and more, these guys are Memphis’ other Soul Men! (Hat tip to Sam & Dave.)

Both Clayton (keys) and Goin (guitar), musicians, producers, writers, recording artists and musical directors with 40-plus years in the game, have a similar work ethic, and look for personnel who are disciplined, professional, consistent, and have some type of skills.

“Some might have soft skills,” said Goin. “And you can work with them to bring out other skills.”

Clayton, keenly focused on quality, adds, “You’ve got to preserve the brand…and we are the brand.”

Both started as musicians for hire but were given opportunities that challenged and motivated them to reach new heights, which is how they lead bands today.

“Niko Lyras hired me as a session player, next thing I know, I was running sessions, and had become an arranger and producer,” said Clayton.

Goin said, “I met David Porter of Stax Records, who took me under his wing and started teaching me about songwriting.

And David is in the Songwriters Hall of Fame. So, you know he’s amazing. He challenged me to start programming, producing and making records.”

Their resumes? Replete with the names in music worldwide – proof that a “can do” attitude hard work pays off.

Clayton has led musical teams for Confunkshun, the Bar-Kays, Glenn Jones, the Dazz band, Charlie Wilson, Howard Hewett, Cherrelle and Alexander O’Neil, to name a few.

Goin has worked with Kirk

Kurt “KC” Clayton

Kurt “KC” Clayton has worked with Stevie Wonder.

Garry Goin Whalum (whom he credits with watering the spirituality seed his grandmother planted long ago), Jonathan Butler, 8 Ball & MJG, Shalamar, Maurice White of Earth Wind & Fire and more.

He also curates productions for corporate clients.

These musical giants agree that live music and studio sessions require different skill sets and selectivity is necessary.

“You have to know your featured artist and your personnel,” said Clayton. “I have family members who want to be in the industry, but I can’t always hire them – I have to call the right people.”

Goin added, “We have an ear when it comes to singing and producing. In the studio, less is more.”

Their penchant for striving for perfection started early and persists in their careers today.

“Niko taught me to play it, play

Garry Goin and Kirk Whalum after a show. it again…and again. He taught me about playing in the pocket,” said Clayton. “Some folks are great live and not in the studio, and vice versa.

“In the studio, you have to be a chameleon and enhance what the artist is doing, cut the vibrato, preserve the melody.”

Goin added, “The studio exposes every weakness. You could have a great live singer but if they don’t have discipline, they’ll go way past the song.”

Clayton and Goin, who have worked together countless times, recounted their entrée to the Memphis music scene, before they were calling the shots.

“I was born and raised in

Kurt “KC” Clayton while working as musical director for Howard Hewett (of Shalamar).

South Memphis and one of my first ‘gigs,’ when I was 16, was playing at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church-Westwood. Rev. Netters (RIP) fought for me when ‘church people’ had a problem with me playing in clubs,” said Clayton.

“I was playing for Ms. Ruby Wilson, also my church member, and, though I’ve played at other churches, I could never join because of the loyalty Rev. Netters showed me.”

Unlike some musicians, Goin did not start playing in church. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio (but reps Memphis since arriving in 1985) and started guitar lessons at age 16; and never looked back.

“After leaving Cleveland, my brother Chuckie took me to Fort Lauderdale for two weeks, and we never went home! We played high energy shows, for several hours every night, for five years.

I was burned out and ready for a change,” said Goin.

“Since the day I came to Memphis, I’ve encountered great people, food and music. KC was one of the first people I met.”

Clayton recalls, “Yeah, Garry was playing at Captain Bilbo’s Downtown on Front Street. His band would play five nights a week, and my band, SRO (Standing Room Only) would play on Sundays, when we weren’t at Club Royale, The Western Frontier or El Morocco, which mysteriously burned down one day.”

Interviewing these two old friends and colleagues together presented time and wordcount challenges but filled me with pride.

We can all learn something from these music professionals: let your passion lead, your work ethic drive, and your curiosity help you discover new pathways and fuel growth along your journey.

COMMUNITY The New Tri-State Defender, June 15 - 21, 2023, Page 7

MSCS board relaxes job requirements for superintendent post; vice chair quits

by Laura Testino Chalkbeat Tennessee

Dr. Telisa Franklin addressed the audience during “Juneteenth The Stage Play,” which was directed by Chrysti Chandler, founder of The Young Actors Guild (YAG), and added to this year’s celebration of Juneteenth Memphis events. (Courtesy photo)

Juneteenth Memphis 2023 to tackle reparations and hard conversations

by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

The culturally rich commemoration of Juneteenth – variously recognized as Juneteenth National Independence Day, Jubilee Day, Freedom Day and Black Freedom Day – creates “the perfect backdrop for teaching our children the importance of home and heritage,” according to Telisa Franklin, president of Memphis Juneteenth.

“Juneteenth celebrations embody the joy and extreme elation felt on June 19, 1865,” said Franklin, noting the anniversary of the order, issued by Major General Gordon Granger, proclaiming freedom for slaves in Texas.

Juneteenth has since been observed annually in various parts of the United States, often broadly celebrating African-American culture.

The day was first recognized as a federal holiday in 2021, when President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law after the efforts of Lula Briggs Galloway, Opal Lee, and others.

“We are very proud for what we have set out to do with this holiday.

Song, dance, and drama have been used in a myriad of ways to educate and inspire our young people,” Franklin said. “We want them to understand what an important moment in time our freedom was. But this year, I knew that we needed to do even more.”

In addition to several community service affairs and family gatherings in the park, Franklin and her Juneteenth team added two inaugural events.

“Thursday’s luncheon marks our 30th anniversary and will feature the very controversial Dr. Raymond Winbush,” said Franklin. “His presentations on reparations have gained great respect and solidified his reputation as a leading advocate. That’s the first inaugural. The second new event will be the culminating ‘Conversations in Change,’ on Monday.

“In a day when conservative politicians and white revisionists are trying to change our narrative and erase our history, Juneteenth must mean more to us than family gatherings at the park to eat and enjoy live performances. Juneteenth is uniquely ours,” said Franklin.

“The lore, our oral history, the art of storytelling, and the tradition of the griot – all of our heritage and village-building work must be prominent components of Juneteenth. The luncheon and conversation are meaningful in that way.”

Winbush, also known as Tikari Bioko, is an educator and activist, who has been lauded for his research on the impact of racism

and white supremacy on the global African community. He is a research professor and director of the Institute for Urban Research at MorTelisa gan State UniFranklin versity in Baltimore, MD. “Dr. Winbush offers some enlightening insights about reparations and why they are right,” said Franklin. “He feels that the greatest hurdle to valid, meaningful discussions on reparations is that white people do not want to examine their ownership and treatment of enslaved people.

“I believe this is the basis for banning historic books about African Americans and all of the adverse policy against teaching black history. Dr. Winbush will speak on several of these issues.”

Winbush is the author of “Should America Pay? Slavery and the Raging Debate on Reparations.” Winbush contends that the link between slavery and contemporary race relations is more obvious today than it has ever been. He endorses a united effort by grassroots organizers, lawmakers, and academics, who have embraced the idea that reparations should be vigorously pursued in the courts as well as in legislatures.

The Juneteenth 30th Anniversary Luncheon will be set at the Holiday Inn-University of Memphis.

“But our wrap-up event is what we are also very excited about,” said Franklin. “We return to the genesis of Juneteenth Memphis where it all began. The Juneteenth Conversation of Change takes five lightning rods as a panel and then gets probably the only person who can maintain order and bring a sense of reason to some very hard conversations about our community and our city: The New Tri-State Defender Associate Publisher/Executive Editor, Karanja A. Ajanaku. We already know that’s going to be good.”

Panelists include: The Rev. Dr. Earle J. Fisher, Shelby County Commissioners Henri Brooks and Britney Thornton, social activist Tami Sawyer, and Pastor Dan Henley.

Saturday is the 2.5K Walk-Run, starting at Health Science Park, formerly Forrest Park, located at Madison Avenue and Dunlap Street.

Juneteenth falls on June 19th each year and officially became a federal holiday in 2021. It marks Union troops arriving in Galveston, TX, in 1865, to free the slaves still being held in Texas, many of whom had been transported from other slave-owning states to avoid freeing them.

The Memphis-Shelby County Schools board relaxed its minimum requirements for the district’s superintendent role, allowing interim Superintendent Toni Williams to remain a candidate for the permanent leadership job, even though she lacks classroom experience.

But despite months of discussions aimed at forging consensus about what they want in a leader and how to proceed with the search, board members nearly put off making a decision on the policy, and ultimately fell short of presenting a united front.

Eight of the board members voted for the change in the job requirements. The ninth, Vice Chair Sheleah Harris, abstained from the vote and denounced the board’s decision.

Then she announced she would quit her elected seat.

Before the amendments approved Tuesday, board policy required candidates to have a certain amount of in-school experience and training in education. Under the new requirements, the board could consider a candidate who has 10 years of work experience and advanced degrees in any of several fields, rather than just education.

Board member Amber Huett-Garcia suggested the updates to the existing policies.

Board members also voted to reopen the application for the superintendent role, hoping to solicit more candidates. Those who apply will have to meet the updated requirements, plus a revised set of desired qualifications the board also approved.

The decisions Tuesday reactivate a search that has been suspended for nearly two months, as board members tried to resolve differences and misunderstandings about the search

process.

“We’ve been hanging this over the heads of the public for far too long,” board member Frank Johnson said of the policy vote.

Williams’ qualifications became a sticking point The board policy on minimum requirements emerged as a sticking point just as the search was set to narrow to three finalists. Search firm Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates told Chalkbeat it did not apply the board’s requirements for in-school experience when evaluating applicants, allowing Williams, whose background is in finance, to appear among three finalists.

Some board and community members, including Harris, raised concerns about the disconnect, putting a spotlight on perceived lapses in the board’s stewardship of the search.

Board members have spent the past two months reexamining those lapses and seeking closer alignment on their priorities in the search.

But they couldn’t reach a unanimous decision. Harris consistently opposed relaxing the minimum requirements, right up to Tuesday’s vote. She declined media interviews after the meeting but said she was serious about quitting the board. If she formally resigns, the Shelby County Commission would begin a process to appoint a replacement.

Board agrees on new set of qualifications This is the first time the merged Memphis-Shelby County district has conducted a search since it was formed a decade ago, and the first time since 2008 that Memphis has sought to choose a superintendent through a search rather than internal appointment.

The board is expected to share its new guidelines for the search with

Hazard Young, which then could advise the board on a new timeline. The additional qualifications the board agreed upon include: • Strategic leadership on budget and finance • Governance and board leadership • Community advocate • Courageous decision maker • Politically savvy • Attract, retain, and build capacity of a strong team • Ability to positively impact culture and climate • Dynamic, visionary, adaptive leader • Proven track record of success • Effective change management • Strong academic visionary Tomeka Hart Wigginton, a former board member who has facilitated board discussions about the search, has suggested that by the end of the month, the board create plans for implementing and communicating the changes and continuing community engagement.

Speaking with media after Tuesday’s meeting, Chair Althea Greene said the board should meet with a Hazard Young representative in person to discuss the timeline. But the timeline won’t affect a planned vote for next Tuesday on possible amendments to Williams’ interim superintendent contract, which expires in August.

“We know that we have to have someone to continue to lead us until we get a permanent superintendent … . So if it is the will of this board for interim superintendent to continue to lead us, that’s a vote that we will make next week,” Greene said.

The board has yet to complete a required evaluation of Williams’ leadership, which was due May 1.

Laura Testino covers Memphis-Shelby County Schools for Chalkbeat Tennessee. Reach Laura at LTestino@chalkbeat.org.

Young Dolph murder case takes plea-bargain turn

by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

The winding route in pursuit of the prosecution of the alleged killers of Memphis rapper Young Dolph now includes a plea bargain deal with one of the defendants.

Jermarcus Johnson, 26, pleaded guilty to three counts of accessory after the fact for the Nov. 17, 2021 slaying of Adolph “Young Dolph” Thornton Jr. Assistant District Attorney Paul Hagerman laid out details of the plea to Criminal Court Judge Lee Coffee, who approved the agreement, on June 9. The guilty plea could result in Johnson testifying in the trial of other defendants in the case.

Jermarcus Johnson, the half-brother of one of the alleged shooters, Justin Johnson, pleaded guilty to charges indicating he aided his brother after Thornton was ambushed at Makeda’s Cookies on Airways near Interstate 240 in the Charjean neighborhood.

During the court hearing, Coffee asked Jermarcus Johnson, “… can you read, sir?”

Johnson responded, “Yes, sir.”

Coffee ascertained that Johnson had attended Wooddale High School and fully understood the terms of the state’s plea agreement.

The judge continued, “Mr. Johnson, do you testify that no one has coerced or you to promised you anything by signing this agreement?”

Johnson replied, “No, sir.”

Coffee reminded Johnson that once a defendant signs a plea deal, he or she loses all rights to file an appeal.

Johnson, who has been jailed at 201 Poplar for seven months, said he understood the terms of the agreement

Jermarcus Johnson, the half-brother of one of the alleged shooters of Young Dolph, pleaded guilty to charges indicating he aided his brother after the Memphis rapper was ambushed on Nov. 17, 2021 on Airways near Interstate 240 in the Charjean neighborhood.

(Photo: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises/The New Tri-State Defender) and had willingly signed the pact.

Johnson was first indicted on conspiracy to commit first-degree murder a year after Young Dolph was killed.

One week later, Johnson turned himself in. Jermarcus Johnson had no criminal history before his involvement in helping his brother, Justin Johnson, escape capture.

In a brief press conference following the hearing, Hagerman said Johnson has been “very helpful” to the case.

“He has given us a clearer picture, more and more of what happened,” said Hagerman. “Jermarcus turned in the phone, the car, although I can’t say anything more about the car. He has admitted his part in the conspiracy to help Justin evade capture.

The state is even more confident that Justin and (co-defendant Cornelius) Smith were the shooters.”

Jermarcus Johnson was not offered the plea deal on a condition that he would testify in the murder case, however, Hagerman said, if Johnson is called to testify, he “must tell the truth.”

Johnson’s original conspiracy charge carried up to 60 years in prison. The three accessory charges are Class E offenses, which means Johnson faces 6-12 years in prison, Hagerman said.

Hagerman said Jermarcus Johnson pleaded guilty to helping alleged shooters, Smith and Justin Johnson, in the following ways: Approximately, one week after the murder, Jermarcus Johnson had contact with Justin Johnson while he was a fugitive from the law. Accessory charges involve a vehicle and a phone.

Jermarcus used a phone at Justin’s direction to deceive Justin’s probation officer that he was still in Memphis and coordinate communications with Smith on behalf of his brother.

The vehicle in question may have been one of several used by Justin to evade capture. Hagerman declined to say anything about the car in question. However, Jermarcus Johnson turned both a phone and a car over to the state for evidence.

Jermarcus Johnson, 26, is scheduled to appear on Thursday, Aug. 10. Sentencing could take place, but Johnson’s defense attorney, Josh Corman and Hagerman, both, agree that sentencing could be pushed back, depending on the status of the other three defendants. In the event of a trial, Jermarcus Johnson could be called to testify.

Hagerman declined to comment on whether another plea deal might be expected from the Young Dolph murder case.

The New Tri-State Defender

NEWS

June 15 - 21, 2023

Ex-Starbucks manager awarded $25.6 million over firing after 2018 arrests of 2 Black men Associated Press CAMDEN, N.J. – Jurors in federal court have awarded $25.6 million to a former Starbucks regional manager who alleged that she and other white employees were unfairly punished after the high-profile arrests of two Black men at a Philadelphia location in 2018.

Shannon Phillips won $600,000 in compensatory damages and $25 million in punitive damages on Monday after a jury in New Jersey found that race was a determinative factor in Phillips’ firing, in violation of federal and state anti-discrimination.

In April 2018, a Philadelphia store manager called police on two Black men who were sitting in the coffee shop without ordering anything. Phillips, then regional manager of operations in Philadelphia, southern New Jersey, and elsewhere, was not involved with arrests. However, she said she was ordered to put a white manager who also wasn’t involved on administrative leave for reasons she knew were false, according to her lawsuit.

Phillips said she was

fired less than a month later after objecting to the manager being placed on leave amid the uproar, according to her lawsuit.

The company’s rationale for suspending the district manager, who was not responsible for the store where the arrests took place, was an allegation that Black store managers were being paid less than white managers, according to the lawsuit.

Phillips said that argument made no sense since district managers had no input on employee salaries.

The lawsuit alleged Starbucks was instead taking steps to “punish white employees” who worked in the area “in an effort to convince the community that it had properly responded to the incident.”

During closing arguments on Friday, Phillips’ lawyer Laura Mattiacci told jurors that the company was looking for a “sacrificial lamb” to calm the outrage and show that it was taking action, Law360 reported. Picking a Black employee for such a purpose “would have blown up in their faces,” she said.

Starbucks denied Phillips’ allegations, saying the company needed someone with a track record of “strength and resolution” during a crisis and replaced her with a regional manager who had such experience, including navigating the aftermath of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings, Law360 reported.

Phillips’ attorney, however, cited earlier testimony from a Black district manager, who was responsible for the store where the arrests took place, who described Phillips as someone beloved by her peers and worked around the clock after the arrests.

In an email to The Associated Press, Mattiacci confirmed the award amount and said the judge will consider awarding back pay and future pay, as well as attorney’s fees.

Mattiacci told the New Jersey Law Journal that she will seek about $3 million for lost pay, and roughly $1 million on her fee application. Starbucks declined comment Tuesday.

In the April 2018 incident, Rashon Nelson and Donte Robinson were

arrested in a Starbucks coffee shop near tony Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia shortly after the manager called police to report that two men were refusing to either make a purchase or leave the premises. They were later released without charges.

Video of the arrest prompted national outcry and led the current CEO of Starbucks to personally apologize to the men. The company later reached a settlement with both men for an undisclosed sum and an offer of free college education. The company also changed store policies and closed locations across the country for an afternoon for racial-bias training.

The two men also reached a deal with the city of Philadelphia for a symbolic $1 each and a promise from officials to set up a $200,000 program for young entrepreneurs. The Philadelphia Police Department adopted a new policy on how to deal with people accused of trespassing on private property — warning businesses against misusing the authority of police officers.

CLASSIFIEDS

Page 8

Legal Notice Request for Qualifications for The Memphis Stormwater Quality & Quantity Program (MSQ2) RFQ No. 21004 MSQ2 Program Professional Services

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.

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.

LEE HARRIS, MAYOR SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT

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.

NOTICE TO BIDDERS Shelby County Government has issued Sealed Bid number I000823, Qualys Vulnerability Management (Information Technology). 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 abovedescribed Sealed Bid. SEALED BID-I000823 DUE DATE TUESDAY, JULY 18, 2023 AT 2:30 PM CDT (SB-I000823), Qualys Vulnerability Management (Information Technology) Shelby County is an equal opportunity affirmative action

By order of

LEGAL NOTICE Request for Bids MSCAA Project Number 211453-01 Maintenance Repair & Overhaul Facility Site Preparation Sealed bids for Maintenance Repair & Overhaul Facility Site Preparation will be received by the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority (Authority), Procurement Department, 4150 Louis Carruthers Drive, Memphis, TN 38118, until 2:00 PM Local Time on 7/11/2023. Bids will not be received at any other location.

Within 30 minutes thereafter, the bids will be opened and publicly read via phone/video conference.

(Link: https://us06web.zoom. us/j/89219840381?pwd=elgxek1KYnZncjZ2c2l3R1BrRWE4UT09 Phone: +13052241968; Meeting ID: 892 1984 0381; Passcode: 412061).

The Bid Documents, including a description of the scope of work, the required response format, and additional instructions may be obtained on or after June 12, 2023 online at www.flymemphis. com. A virtual Pre-Bid Meeting will be held Thursday June 22nd at 9:00 AM local time via phone/ video conference.

(Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/ j/86724203855?pwd=RXJGeFZGdWZSbVVUbGtwWDFIWU45dz09 Phone:+13052241968; Meeting ID: 867 2420 3855; Passcode: 659575) Attendance at the Pre-Bid Meeting is strongly recommended.

The project site will be available for inspection upon request.

All Bidders are responsible for checking the Authority’s website up to the submission deadline for any updates, addenda or additional information. The successful Bidder must sign a contract with the Authority that includes Federal Aviation Administration provisions, if applicable, regarding the Buy American Preference, Foreign Trade Restriction, Davis-Bacon, Affirmative Action, Debarment and Suspension, and Drug-Free Workplace, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Each bid must be made by a contractor licensed in Tennessee and be accompanied by a 5% Bid Guarantee. The successful bidder must execute a Performance Bond and a Payment Bond in the amount of 100% each of the Contract Price and meet the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) participation goal for this project, which is 25%.

The Authority reserves the right to reject any or all responses to this Request for Bids in whole or in part; to waive any informalities,

The New Tri-State Defender

technicalities, or omissions related to this Request for Bids; and to reject responses on any other basis authorized by the Authority’s purchasing policies. This project is funded under a grant contract with the State of Tennessee.

The Authority is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination based on the grounds of age, race, sex, color, national origin, disability, marital status, military service, or sexual orientation in its hiring and employment practices and in the admission to, access to, or operation of its programs, services, and activities.

By order of: Scott A. Brockman, A.A.E. President and CEO Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority

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: MEMPHIS ACQUISITIONS LLC Tax Parcel #: 04203100000020 Tax Sale #: 1801 Price Offered: $3500.00 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 11:00 a.m. on July 13, 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: Illinoius Christian

Tax Parcel #: 05001700000060 Tax Sale #: 1101 Price Offered: $1,500.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice.

If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 10:30 a.m. on July 13, 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: Illinoius Christian Tax Parcel #: 03506400000050 Tax Sale #: 1304 Price Offered: $1,350.00 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 13, 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:

June 15 - 21, 2023

Page 9

CLASSIFIEDS Felecia Hayes Tax Parcel #: 09007500000290 Tax Sale #: 1702 Price Offered: $7,700.00 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 13, 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: MEMPHIS ACQUISITIONS LLC Tax Parcel #: 04203000000200 Tax Sale #: 1804 Price Offered: $3500.00 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 13, 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 uplifting visit …

The Rev. Dr. Harold Middlebrook (left), one of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s lieutenants, was in Memphis conducting a revival at Antioch-New Church, where the Rev. Carl Shields is pastor. Shields is vice president of the Memphis Baptist Ministerial Association (MBMA). Also pictured is the Rev. Dr. Roosevelt Joyner, a former MBMA president. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley/The New Tri-State Defender)

an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Andrey Dias Da Silva Tax Parcel #: 07500800000110 Tax Sale #: 1703 Price Offered: $7,300 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 10:30 a.m. on July 12, 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: Karrington Christian Tax Parcel #: 07503700000150 Tax Sale #: 505 Price Offered: $2,500.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice.

If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 10:00 a.m. on July 12, 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: Michael Mosteller and Abner Martinez Tax Parcel #: 04306700000070 Tax Sale #: 1804 Price Offered: $5,600.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice.

If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 10:30 a.m. on July 11, 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: Karrington Christian Tax Parcel #: 07503600000010 Tax Sale #: 1002 Price Offered: $$2,000.00 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 12, 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: David Kinkade Tax Parcel #: 07706600000360 Tax Sale #: 1802 Price Offered: $4,400.00 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 12, 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: Michael Freeman Tax Parcel #: 04105500000110 Tax Sale #: 1802 Price Offered: $10,600.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice.

If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 2:00 p.m. on July 13, 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

The New Tri-State Defender

June 15 - 21, 2023

Page 10

NEWS

‘Recognition Before Reconciliation’ With the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library on Poplar as the setting, a panel discussion (June 13) that focused on civil rights added to the multi-day, No Tears Project presentation in Memphis.

Rooted at the Oxford American – a quarterly magazine that focuses on the American South – the No Tears Project uses music and conversation to educate and engage communities with stories about civil rights. The arts outreach program aims to create “recognition as a precursor to reconciliation.”

The panel featured Dwania Kyles, a Memphis 13 member and daughter of the late Rev. Samuel Billy Kyles; Little Rock Nine member Elizabeth Eckford; and activist Reena Evers-Everette, daughter of Medgar and Myrlie Evers.

Dr. Russell Wigginton, president of the National Civil Rights Museum, moderated the discussion.

Supt. Robin White of Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site provided opening remarks and context.

Dr. Russell Wigginton

Elizabeth Eckford

Reena Evers-Everette

Dwania Kyles

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

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