The New Tri-State Defender - July 14-20, 2022 by The Tri-State Defender

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VOL. 71, No. 28

July 14 - 20, 2022

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Gold Standard Certiﬁcation set for temporary stafﬁng agencies by James Coleman

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Speaking about trouble… Michelle Robinson McKissack, the chairperson of the Memphis-Shelby County Schools Board, talks about Wednesday evening’s decision to place Supt. Dr. Joris Ray on administrative leave pending the conclusion of an investigation into alleged improprieties involving Ray and school personnel. Nearly 20 public speakers spoke during the special hearing, with most supporting Ray, who expressed “disappointment” in the board’s action, but said he “respects the oversight of the board.” (Photo: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises/The New Tri-State Defender.) See Page 4 for related commentary.

Tracking the Grizzlies in Vegas by Terry Davis

SEE STAFFING ON PAGE 2

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

LAS VEGAS – Most of the current roster of the Grizzlies are in Las Vegas supporting Memphis’ summer league team. They showed up in full-support mode even though only half of them will be around for the opening day of the regular season. The rest may land spots with the Hustle, the Grizzlies’ G-League team. All-Star point guard Ja Morant, Dillion Brooks, and Desmond Bane were just a few of the players in attendance for the games. Like the others, they have been cheering great plays and celebrating the team’s wins. Terry Morant, who was Davis the overall No. 2 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, is getting a fresh look at summer-league play – this time as a league superstar. His summer-league squad won the championship. This year, the winning team will receive a championship ring, with the Grizzlies still on track bracket to play for the title. Morant has a lot to celebrate while in Las Vegas. He recently signed a rookie extension contract worth $193 million that could escalate to $241 million, if he makes the All-Star game or one of the All-NBA teams next season. Tyus Jones was also in Las Vegas. In a surprise to many observers, Jones has been resigned (a two-year deal) by the

Temporary staffing agencies now are encouraged to operate at a higher standard regarding pay, working conditions and benefits for the workers they place in Memphis businesses. That standard is engraved in the recently announced Greater Memphis Chamber’s Gold Standard Certification, which vets the agencies’ performance on workplace equity issues. “It’s really about best practices; who provides the best practices. When you talk about customer service for staffing agencies, they (staffing agencies) have two sets of customers. “They have their busiSondra nesses that contract with Howell them to help them find talent. They also have the individual, who’s seeking employment,” said Sondra Howell, vice president of Talent Innovation for the chamber. Although just announced, the idea of the certification program began during a protest years ago. In 2016, hundreds of activists took to the Memphis streets to protest the police killings of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Philando Castille in St. Paul, Minnesota.

‘Phase II’ plans to enhance Wells Plaza to be unveiled, groundbreaking by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

With backup point guard Tyus Jones alongside, the Memphis Grizzlies All-Star point guard Ja Morant gets engaged while attending a summer league game in Las Vegas. (Photo: Terry Davis/The New Tri-State Defender) Grizzlies to back up Morant. A new face for the Grizzlies is NBA veteran Danny Green, who has made his presence felt in Vegas. Green was ac-

quired in a draft day trade with Philadelphia in exchange for De’Anthony Melton

SEE GRIZZ ON PAGE 2

“Exciting new plans” for the Ida B. Wells Plaza in downtown Memphis and groundbreaking are slated for Saturday, July16, according to the Memphis Memorial Committee (MMC). “Saturday, July 16, is the birthday of Ida B. Wells, and we want everyone to come out and celebrate with us,” said Dr. L. LaSimba M. Gray Jr., president of MMC. “We have been working on some exciting plans for the Plaza. We’re calling it Phase II.” A statue of Wells was unveiled in July, 2021, an event which garnered national attention. Wells looks out over her beloved Beale Street at the corner of Fourth Street. She stands on a grassy platform, only a few feet from historic First Baptist ChurchIda B. Beale, where she ran her Wells printing press. Gray and MMC drove the effort to have a portion of Fourth Street changed to “Ida B. Wells-Barnett Street.”

SEE WELLS ON PAGE 2

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The New Tri-State Defender

July 14 - 20, 2022

Page 2

NEWS

STAFFING

CONTINUED FROM FRONT

Most members on the current roster of the Grizzlies are in Las Vegas supporting Memphis’ summer league team. (Photos: Terry Davis)

Santi Aldama (left) of the Grizzlies squared up with Minnesota rookie Josh Minott, a former member of the U of M Tigers.

Kenny Lofton Jr., a 6-foot, 8-inch rookie forward, has many conjuring images of Grizzlies legend Zach Randolph.

NBA veteran Danny Green (third from right) takes in the play of Memphis’ summer league team. He now is a member of the Grizzlies.

GRIZZ

CONTINUED FROM FRONT and a draft pick. David McClure – in his third season out of Duke – is coaching this year’s summer-league team. He is tasked with integrating the veterans, rookies, and free agents into a good working unit. The team won two of its three games in Utah. The only losses this summer for the Grizzlies have come when the team rested the core veterans. Memphis’ next game will be on Thursday (July 14) against the Boston Celtics. If the Grizzlies win, they will be two games from the summer-league crown. The summer league runs until July 17. Meanwhile, fans of the Grizzlies are staying alert for

WELLS

CONTINUED FROM FRONT Memphis City Council voted to rename the stretch between Union Avenue and Crump Boulevard in January, 2022. “Phase II. is the next segment in expanding our tribute to Ida B. Wells-Barnett,” said Gray. “She hated lynching and the scourge of violent white supremacy. She ﬂed Memphisto save her life. That left a pall of shame on this city. We want to enhance this great work we’ve started. We are building her legacy in this city.” Gray said Phase II. will involve new construction, but did not elaborate on any speciﬁc details. It is unclear whether the Phase II. will be supported with a major

team management to make a big splash this summer. Given the success of last year’s team, many feel the team may be one or two pieces away from making it to the NBA Finals. Grizzlies General Manager Zach Kleinman has said he is not afraid to make a move if it is beneficial to the team. The Grizzlies did get some bad news in the last couple of weeks. Power forward Jaren Jackson Jr. underwent foot surgery for a stress fracture and is expected to miss four to six months. Jackson, who has a history of health issues that have kept him out of the starting lineup, was relatively healthy last season as he made first-team All-NBA Defense. Young Cubs Memphis, which finished fundraiser, as in the initial project. Artists Larry and Andrea Lugar designed the bronze, sculpted likeness of Wells, along with other renderings of pieces depicting some of aspect of Wells’ story. Despite the global pandemic, MMC raised more than $250,000 to support the plaza’s initial plans. Wells was born into slavery in July 16, 1862, as the Civil War raged. Her parents were activists during Reconstruction, teaching Wells the importance of sacrificial work in the interest of freedom and equality for her people. Wells became a school teacher before taking on the horrors of lynching as a publisher and journalist. She refused to top when powerful

Memphian Kennedy Chandler already has show that his size is not the hindrance some suggested it might be.

Memphis General Manager Zach Kleinman (middle) has said he is not afraid to make a move if it is beneficial to the team. with the second-best record in the NBA, drafted four players that have been creating a buzz among the team’s diehard fans. basketball fans. Jake LaRavia, Memphis’ No. 1 pick, has been lighting it up from long distance. David Roddy, the Grizzlies’ other first-round selection, has been solid. He may have to learn at an accelerated pace because of the injury to Jackson. Memphis native Kennedy Chandler has been playing both point guard and off the ball in the summer league. His speed to the basket has been very impressive. And while one of the questions regarding Chandler was whether he could play at a high level despite his height, so far he has shown that the answer is yes. white leaders told her to stop publishing. An angry mob destroyed her office and printing press while she was out of town. They sought to take her life, and Wells never returned to Memphis. Chicago, IL, became her new home where her descendants still live today. “Visitors come to Memphis from all over the world,” said Gray. “We want to make Wells Plaza a must-see, a point of destination. There is still more work to do.” Gray said everyone is encouraged to come down to witness another historic unveiling. The celebration starts at 12 noon. The Robert R. Church Park stands adjacent to Wells Plaza, and everyone is welcome to continue the celebration in the park.

The highlight of the Utah Summer League was the play of Kenny Lofton Jr. The 6-foot, 8-inch forward has many conjuring images of Grizzlies legend Zach Randolph. One of the unexpected stars of Las Vegas this summer, he has shown power in the post and touch from the outside in connecting on three-pointers. Santi Aldama, whom the Grizzlies picked No. 30 in the ﬁrst round of the 2021 draft, has been on ﬁre the last couple of games following some criticism for his lack of production this summer. With Jackson expected out until late December, Memphis is looking to Aldama to step up.

Soon, they advanced to the I-55 bridge. With traffic snarled, police were called. The crowd eventually was dispersed with the promise of a community meeting. In addition to police brutality, poverty and lack of opportunity would be discussed at meeting. The activists, however, weren’t done. “We organized after that and picketed the Chamber of Commerce. The (then-) president of the chamber, Phil Trenary, came down, which I thought was one ballsy move. “I said to myself, ‘If I were in that position, I would have done that.’ That’s a good way of showing good faith,” said Al Lewis with the Coalition of Concerned Citizens. They talked about economic justice — fair compensation, basic benefits, and upward mobility — and their lack of availability Al to temLewis porary workers. The chamber’s Howell, added, “He (Trenary) was approached by community activists about a number of things, and one of those things was really about equity; how people are able to access good jobs in underserved communities.” One thing that stood out was that it was not necessarily skills, but a lack of experience forced job seekers to go to a staffing agency, “and that’s not just locally, but nationally,” Howell said. After several meetings, the Gold Star Certification was proposed. Sadly, Trenary was murdered in 2018. After that, the push for the proposal dwindled. It wasn’t until another episode of police violence, the George Floyd protests, that the concept was dusted off. After weeks of local and nationwide protests over George’s death at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer, the chamber hosted the “Protest to Progress” initiative in 2020, where community leaders could discuss issues around equity and race. “The second big meeting was at the Civil Rights Museum. That’s where they invited several large corporations, several of the mega churches had their preachers there… There were about six organizing groups. “They just wanted to hear

from us. That’s what floored me. I couldn’t believe my own ears when that happened. And they heard, that’s what was really impressive. There wasn’t a lot of banter at all. They wanted to hear what our concerns were,” said Lewis. Soon, meetings were being held once a week. Eventually, the certification program was re-introduced by current chamber President Beverly Robertson. “Beverly was whole-heartedly behind it when she stood up the ‘Protest to Progress’ initiative in response to the civil disruption. She brought many businesses to the table, along with our community activists to really talk about what were the concerns. What does change look like and how do industries and businesses support that change,” said Howell. Part of the fresh look is to scrutinize a businesses’ practices. To achieve this, an independent advisory board was formed. In addition to Lewis, it includes members of the business community and activists. Out of the hundred-plus businesses that applied, only five achieved certifications. They were CTD Staffing, Staffline LLC, ProLogistix, Prestigious Placement, and Summerfield Associates Inc. Staffline LLC. Headquartered in Memphis, the agency staffs several light industrial businesses, including warehouses, locally. “The application process, once the chamber and city found what was important to them … they were asking us to quantify how we approach business. What our business principles are like and our interactions with our employees. “Also, they asked us for letters of recommendation, one from an employee and one from a customer. So, it’s a pretty intense qualification that you had to go through and give a number of examples of how you perform,” said Mark Story, president and chief operating officer. Unlike many of the other applicants, Staffline had incorporated many of the certification’s demands into its employment practices. In addition to competitive pay, it offers its employees paid holidays and vacations. Health insurance is also offered. They also offer guidance to employees seeking to advance within. The benefits have helped the company retain experienced employees. “We went through this process, and I got tickled …What I found interesting very quickly is we did not have to adapt to meet any of the qualifications of what the chamber was requesting,” said Story.

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The New Tri-State Defender

July 14 - 20, 2022

Page 3

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PERSPECTIVE The New Tri-State Defender, July 14 - 20, 2022, Page 4

The fact is, we have tens of thousands of children walking around our great city with an education level that sucks!

What to make of the MSCS ‘mess’ by Curtis Weathers

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Let’s see, where do I start? Last week, we finally got a chance to see the academic progress our children made last school year as measured by our district’s TCAP results. While we are indeed trending up as a school system, it is clear we still have “miles to go before we sleep.” But then this added news about allegations of sexual impropriety by Curtis our superintendent made the little enWeathers joyment we might have experienced resulting from our children’s TCAP performance dissipate completely. What a mess! Let’s start with the TCAP scores. There is no question that the last two years have been difficult. It is indeed fair and accurate to describe those years as “unprecedented.” Memphis-Shelby County Schools Superintendent Joris Ray, I believe, has done a great job guiding our school system through one of the most challenging public health crises in our nation’s history. This year’s TCAP scores finally are trending in the right direction and seem to suggest that we are returning to pre-pandemic levels of normalcy. But keep in mind that our children’s academic performance before the pandemic left a lot to be desired. We have simply returned to our usual level of subpar performance. Looking at it from that perspective, there is little to celebrate. For example, in English for grades 3-5, we are right back where we started. In 2019, only 22.3 percent of students met grade-level standards, compared to 22.8 percent in 2022. In Math, 33.5 percent met grade-level standards in 2019, compared to only 17.4 percent in 2022. The numbers are similar in almost all other performance categories. While we celebrate the 17 percent (in the example above), who met grade-level standards in math, on the flip side, a staggering 83 percent of our elementary children did not meet grade-level standards in mathematics. Again, while the numbers this year were indeed trending up in several categories, they show, however, that the vast majority of the more than 110,000 students in our district are still performing below grade-level expectations. The learning loss these gaps represent are almost never closed. The fact is, we have tens of thousands of children walking around our great city with an education level that sucks! I understand the need to celebrate our successes, but when talking about TCAP scores, Superintendent Ray keeps using terms like “thrilled” and “unprecedented” when describing our students’ performance on the exams. Our school system is not, as he proclaims, “stronger than ever,” especially with an 11 percent success rate. So, it doesn’t matter how we dress up our performance.

MSCS Supt. Dr. Joris Ray speaks at the kickoff of last month’s Leadership Symposium, which afforded hundreds of principals across Shelby County and the region to learn from top experts. (Photo: MSCS Twitter)

MSCS used this online message to help promote the district’s TCAP results. (MSCS Twitter) We are still treading water at the bottom of the barrel. We have an awful long way to go to get to the top or to a respectable level of performance. Let’s keep things in perspective. Urban education is an incredibly challenging ﬁeld of work. Leadership is so very important. To succeed, our educators and our children need leaders they can trust, look up to, and respect. I applaud the superintendent and his team for the hard work they have put forward in guiding our school district through the pandemic and navigating all the challenges that accompany an urban school system during times of crisis. I have supported almost every decision the superintendent and his team have made to help keep our children safe and, at the same time, the teaching and learning process moving forward. However, these latest allegations of impropriety against

Superintendent Ray are extremely troubling. School board chair Michelle McKissack announced last week that an external investigation into those allegations is now underway. As if our school system doesn’t have enough to be concerned about, such allegations of impropriety can and will crush any momentum and credibility this administration may have earned over the past three years. The nature of these allegations in and of themselves, if true, is an indictment of Ray’s leadership. If he remains, his integrity will be forever suspect and will surely hamper his ability to lead our school system. In his response to the allegations, Dr. Ray has assured us that his private actions have not broken any rules of conduct nor violated any district policies. Running a school system is difﬁcult enough without the nastiness of an investigation of this nature hanging over your head. But this is not a “there is nothing to see here” type situation. If the allegations of impropriety against Superintendent Ray are true, then we have an incredibly messy situation that must be quickly resolved quickly. To Superintendent Ray, if the reported allegations are true, please resign, immediately, and spare the Memphis community the embarrassment of an investigation and all the drama that comes with it. If the allegations are NOT true, then ﬁght as hard as you can to clear your name. We trust you will make the right decision. (Follow me on Twitter @curtisweathers. Email me at curtislweathers@gmail.com.)

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The New Tri-State Defender

July 14 - 20, 2022

RELIGION

Page 5

Golden Leaf to honor ‘most famous’ member as she turns 100 by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Loved ones and friends will join the Golden Leaf Church family this month for a huge, birthday bash for Mother Verneda Elizabeth Breathett, who turns 100. On Friday, July 29, a catered banquet will honor the church’s oldest and “most famous” member. “Mrs. Breathett became the pianist at this church when she was only 16,” said Golden Leaf Pastor Vinvecca B. Gray. “So many wellknown people took music lessons under her. She taught piano and voice lessons to the late gospel recording artist and pastor Oris Mays. Also, local singer Deborah Manning Thomas, was taught by Mrs. Breathett.” According to Breathett’s son, Archbishop Emeritus LeRoy Bailey Jr. of Bloomﬁeld, Connecticut, said his mother’s people were always here in Shelby County. “My mother’s family lived in Collierville, back when Collierville was still out in the country,” said Bailey. “There were eight children, four boys and four girls. Her parents were John Quincy Adams Campbell and Ida Bessie Blakely Campbell.” Mother Breathett, affectionately is known as “Sweetie,” a nickname from her early years, always was writing plays and skits for the church youth to perform, said Bailey. She was an avid reader who carried a book everywhere she went. “Mother loved books and reading and gaining more knowledge through reading,” said Bailey. “She passed a love for books and learning down to us, as well as other children. Mother had so many capacities. She was the pianist and the church secretary. She excelled in so many things.” Mother Breathett pioneered drama and dance ministries long before it was popular to do so. Breathett began playing the piano at age 9, only a few years before she became the pianist

Golden Leaf Church Pastor Vinvecca B. Gray (right) with Mother Verneda Elizabeth Breathett, who soon will turn 100 years old. (Courtesy photo) at Golden Leaf, located in North Memphis’s Hollywood community. Not only was Mother Breathett playing piano at other churches throughout the city, she was a musical ﬁxture at National Baptist Congress and Conventions for many years. Over the years, Breathett has owned a number of successful businesses, including Breathett Funeral Home in Bartlett, a ﬂoral shop, wedding décor enterprise, a catering company, and Breathett Service Station. Besides her son, Bailey, Mother Breathett has a daughter, Yvonne Marie Holt. “Mrs. Breathett taught in our Vacation Bible School three years ago when she was 97,” said Rev. Gray. she still comes to church every Sunday. Really, she is a lifelong member at this church. We are looking forward to a wonderful time in the Lord on the 29th.” Mother Breathett has been celebrating her birthday all month. She was born on July 15, 1922. She turns 100 on Friday (July 15). According to Bailey, Mrs. Breathett enjoys watching game shows on television. “Oh, and mother still loves to entertain,” said Bailey. “She loves having company because she has always loved to receive company in her home. Mother has always had the spirit of hospitality and being kind. She was always a wonderful example of what a Christian should be.”

Celebrating 25 years… St. Luke Church recently presented the 25th pastoral celebration of the Rev. Earl Shannon and his wife, Catherine Shannon. The guest minister was the Rev. Alvin Coleman Jr. The worship facilitator was Lillian Cowan. (Photos: Tyrone P. Easley/The New Tri-State Defender)

LEGACY: Leroy Coleman sr. ... The family of Leroy Coleman Sr. gathered for a memorial service saluting his legacy at Serenity Funeral Home, 1638 Sycamore View Rd., last Saturday (July 2). Mr. Coleman died on June 26. He was 89. (Photos: Tyrone P. Easley/The New Tri-State Defender)

The New Tri-State Defender, July 14 - 20, 2022, Page 6

The New Tri-State Defender

July 14 - 20, 2022

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ENTERTAINMENT

Emmys 2022: Quinta Brunson makes history, Issa Rae, Donald Glover among nominees by Shanelle Genai theroot.com

Nominees for the 2022 Primetime Emmys were released on Tuesday. Revealed by comedic actor JB Smoove and Melissa Fumero, the two undoubtedly brought joy to those itching for recognition but since you already know how we do things ‘round this way, let’s go ahead and get into the Blackity-black people and projects who were recognized. First up, congratulations are in order for Quinta Brunson and “Abbott Elementary!” Both received nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series and Outstanding Comedy Series, respectively. Janelle James and Sheryl Lee Ralph also earned nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series while Tyler James Williams was recognized for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. Brunson, who made history as the first Black woman to receive three comedy Emmy nominations, will also be joined by Issa Rae, who earned a nom in the same category for her cult classic show, “Insecure” (and we here are hella, happy AF about seeing these two beautiful Black women succeed okay?!) Over in the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series category, let’s give a round of applause to Donald Glover, who was recognized for his work on “Atlanta.” (Dear Donald, while I am super happy for you, please hurry up and bring Earn and the fellas back to the ATL for this final season. Europe was cool and all but we gotta finish how we started. K? Cool.) Heading on over to the good folks and projects in the Drama field, euphoric congratulations are in order for Zendaya who snagged a nom for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her role in HBO’s “Euphoria.” She’s now the youngest person to receive an acting nomination two years in a row. “Euphoria” itself is also up for Outstanding Drama Series.

Quinta Brunson

Issa Rae

Donald Glover

Over on the reality and competition show front, congrats are in order to Nicole Byer (“Nailed It!”) and Ru Paul (“Ru Paul’s Drag Race”), who were both recognized for Outstanding Host for a Reality or Competition Program. “Ru Paul’s Drag Race” and “Ru Paul’s Drag Race: Untucked” also scored noms for Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program and Outstanding Competition Program, respectively. The show will also be up against “Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls” for the latter category. Moving onto the Talk/Sketch Series, let’s clap it up for “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah.” The show snagged nominations in both the Outstanding Variety Talk Series and Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series. HBO and Robin Thede’s “A Black Lady Sketch Show” is also up for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series. Dave Chappelle’s controversial “The Closer” was also recognized for Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded) while Jerrod Carmichael: “Rothaniel,” Nicole Byer: “BBW (Big, Beautiful, Weird)” are both up for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special.

Other Blackity-black nominees are as followed: Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series: Jerrod Carmichael (“Saturday Night Live”); Outstanding Production Design For A Variety, Reality Or Competition Series: “A Black Lady Sketch Show”; Outstanding Production Design for a Variety Special: “Savage X Fenty Show Vol. 3, The Pepsi SuperBowl LVI Halftime Show” starring Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, and 50 Cent; Outstanding Casting, Writing in a Comedy Series: “Abbott Elementary”; Outstanding Casting in a Drama Series: “Euphoria”; Outstanding Casting for a Reality Program: “Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls, Ru Paul’s Drag Race”; Outstanding Choreography for a Variety or Reality Program: “Annie Live!,” “Savage X Fenty Vol. 3”; Outstanding Cinematography for a Single-Camera Series (Half-Hour): “Atlanta (‘Three Slaps’), “grown-ish” (‘Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See’),

“Insecure: Reunited, Okay?!” Outstanding Cinematography for a Single-Camera Series (One Hour): “Euphoria (‘The Theater and It’s Double’),” “Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty (‘Pieces of a Man’)” Outstanding Cinematography for a Reality Program: “Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls,” “Ru Paul’s Drag Race”; Exceptional Merit in Documentary Filmmaking: “Frederick Douglass: In Five Speeches”’ Outstanding Documentary or Nonﬁction Series: “jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy,” “We Need to Talk About Cosby”; Oustanding Character Voice-Over Performance: Chadwick Boseman (“What If..?”), Maya Rudolph (“Big Mouth”;) But of course, this isn’t ALL the Blackity-black nominees. For the complete list of 2022 Emmy noms, head on over to emmys.com. The 74th annual Primetime Emmy Awards goes down live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Monday, Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. CT on NBC and will be available to stream on Peacock.

COMMUNITY The New Tri-State Defender, July 14 - 20, 2022, Page 8

The New Tri-State Defender

NEWS

July 14 - 20, 2022

CLASSIFIEDS

NOTICE TO BIDDERS Shelby County Government has issued Sealed Bid number I000739, Purchase of Mobile Surveillance Trailers for SCSO Homeland Security (Sheriff’s Office). 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 I000739 DUE DATE THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2022 AT 2:30 PM CDT (SB-I000739) Purchase of Mobile Surveillance Trailers for SCSO Homeland Security (Sheriff’s Office) 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

Grammy-nominated gospel singer Jekalyn Carr and TSU New Direction Gospel Choir perform at the 2022 Essence Festival of Culture. (Courtesy photo)

TSU rocks at 2022 Essence Festival of Culture ahead of gospel album release TSU News Service NASHVILLE – Tennessee State University’s world-renowned Aristocrat of Bands (AOB) and award-winning New Direction Gospel Choir performed at the 2022 Essence Festival of Culture in New Orleans Sponsored by a partnership with Mcdonald’s, the festival highlighted African-American culture. AOB, New Direction Gospel Choir and The Sophisticated Ladies led three spectacular performances during the festival, one of which the University band debuted their new single “Dance Revival” featuring Grammy-nominated gospel singer Jekayln Carr and the choir. More than 1,000 festival participants watched the magic unfold. “Having an opportunity to premiere our original music at the Essence Festival is monumental for the AOB as well as the HBCU Band community at large,” said Dr. Larry Jenkins the assistant director of TSU’s Aristocrat of Bands. Reginald McDonald, AOB director, said the band will be seen in more unimaginable places. TSU drum major and trumpet soloist Curtis Olawumi said his ﬁrst time in New Orleans was a once-in-a-lifetime experience as he met and

Sponsored by a partnership with Mcdonald’s, the Essence Festival highlighted African-American culture. (Courtesy photo) spoke with his favorite trombonist, Jeff Bradshaw, when leaving rehearsal. “That was the pivotal moment for me,” Olawumi said, noting that the pair talked about music and took photos. “Being able to perform on stage next to Jekayln Carr was a thrill,” he said. “I enjoyed myself and cherished every moment.” AOB is set to release a gospel album titled “Urban Hymnal,” primarily produced by Jenkins and two-time Grammy award-nominated writer Sir the Baptist. Grammy award-winning songwriter and artist Dallas Austin is the executive producer of the album, which features production from platinum recording artist, TSU alum Aaron (Dubba-AA)

Lockhart. Justin Butler, TSU New Direction Gospel Choir director, described the experience of performing at the festival and being featured on AOB’s upcoming album as “pretty amazing.” “We were blown away to be asked to be a part of this,” Butler said, mentioning that the choir recorded their portion of “Dance Revival” right on the TSU campus. “I can’t wait for the world to hear this,” he said. The album’s release date has not been disclosed as of July but includes features from known artists and singers such as Fred Hammond, Kierra Sheard, John P. Kee, Jekalyn Carr, Louis York, Dubba-AA, Take 6 and more.

The Essence Festival afforded TSI’s Aristocrat of Bands an opportunity to premiere original music. (Courtesy photo)

LEE HARRIS, MAYOR SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT PUBLIC NOTICE THE MEMPHIS URBAN AREA METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION In compliance with federal regulations 23 CFR 450, the Memphis Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) will hold six (6) public meetings to provide the public the opportunity to comment on the development of the Moving Together: 2050 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) and the draft Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-26 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). The public meetings will be held during the 30-day public review and comment period, from July 25-August 23, 2022, for the draft FY 2023-26 TIP, and associated Air Quality Conformity Demonstration Reports (CDR) for Shelby and DeSoto Counties. These documents will be made available for review from 8:00 AM until 4:30 PM Monday through Friday in the ofﬁces of the Memphis MPO located at 125 N. Main Street, Room 450, Memphis, TN 38103, or for download from the Internet at: memphismpo.org. The English language copies and the Spanish language summaries are also available for public review in the library systems of Shelby, Fayette, DeSoto, and Marshall counties. Comments may be submitted to Pragati Srivastava, Memphis MPO, 125 N. Main Street, Room 450, Memphis, TN 38103 or via email at Pragati. Srivastava@memphistn.gov. The public meeting dates, times, locations and/or links to participate can be found below: Date: Monday, Monday, August 8, 2022 4:00 – 6:00 PM Olive Branch Municipal Court 6900 Highland Street Olive Branch, MS 38654 Tuesday, August 9, 2022 4:00 - 6:00 PM Oakland City Hall Courtroom 170 Doss Circle Oakland, TN 38060 Wednesday, August 10, 2022 4:00 – 6:00 PM Bartlett City Hall 6400 Stage Road Bartlett, TN 38134 Thursday, August 11, 2022 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM MATA Airways Transit Center 3033 Airways Boulevard Memphis, TN 38131 Thursday, August 11, 2022 4:00 – 6:00 PM The Dream Center Event Venue 3397 Summer Avenue Memphis, TN 38122 Friday, August 12, 2022

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THE NEW TRI-STATE DEFENDER 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 (901) 746-5201 or email: advertising@tsdmemphis.com. GENERAL INFORMATION: Some categories require prepayment. All ads subject to credit approval. The

12:00 – 1:00 PM Location: Virtual Link: https://bit.ly/Moving TogetherRTP2050 Meeting attendees will be afforded the opportunity to comment on the information presented at the meeting(s). Any comments provided at the meeting(s) should be applicable to the information presented and should be provided in a respectful manner. In the case of an emergency or other unforeseen circumstances, the MPO may be required to cancel one or more meeting(s) with limited or no notice. It is the policy of the Memphis Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) not to exclude, deny, or discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, immigration status, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, religion, veteran status, familial or marital status, disability, medical or genetic condition, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal or state law in its hiring or employment practices, or in its admission to, access to, or operations of its programs, services, or activities. For any and all inquiries regarding the application of this accessibility statement and related policies, please contact Nick Warren, at 901-636-7146 or Nick.Warren@ memphistn.gov. If you need assistance participating in this meeting, please contact the MPO Office at 901636-7190 at least five (5) days prior to the meeting. This notice is funded (in part) under an agreement with the State of TN and MS, Departments of Transportation. NOTICE TO BIDDERS Shelby County Government has issued Sealed Bid number I000760 On-Site and or Online Auctioneer Services for the Shelby County Fleet Services 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 I000760 DUE DATE TUESDAY, AUGUST 9, 2022 @2:30 PM (CDT) (SB-I000760) ON-SITE AND OR ONLINE AUCTIONEER Shelby County Fleet Services 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

New Tri-State Defender reserves the right to correctly classify and edit all copy or to reject or cancel any ad at any time. Only standard abbreviations accepted. Copy change during ordered schedule constitutes new ad & new changes. Deadlines for cancellation are identical to placement deadlines. Rates subject to change. ADJUSTMENTS: PLEASE check your ad the first day it appears. Call (901) 523-1818 if an error occurs. We can only offer in-house credit and NO REFUNDS are issued. THE NEW TRI-STATE DEFENDER assumes no financial responsibility for errors nor for copy omission. Direct any classified billing inquires to (901) 523-1818.

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: Darriel Rogers Tax Parcel #: 03501700000130 Tax Sale #: 1701 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 2:00 p.m. on September 7, 2022, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Ofﬁce, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort. Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400 NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Bertha Hines Tax Parcel #: 0450290000002c Tax Sale #: 1703 Price Offered: $3000.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 1:00 p.m. on September 7, 2022, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Ofﬁce, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort. Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400 NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT

SEE PAGE 10

The New Tri-State Defender

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9 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: Valerie Pelizer Pereira Tax Parcel #: 08205600000070 Tax Sale #: 1101 Price Offered: $2250.00 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 2:30 p.m. on September 13, 2022, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Ofﬁce, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort. Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400 NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Jorge Escalon Tax Parcel #: 07400500000420 Tax Sale #: 1703 Price Offered: $12000.00 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 September 13, 2022, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Ofﬁce, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort. Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400

NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Leslye Bernal Catalan Tax Parcel #: 04203600000180 Tax Sale #: 1003 Price Offered: $843.75 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 1:30 p.m. on September 13, 2022, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Ofﬁce, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort. Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400 NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Lloyd N. Williams III Tax Parcel #: 02606700000090 Tax Sale #: 1704 Price Offered: $5600.00 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 1:00 p.m. on September 13, 2022, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Ofﬁce, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort.

July 14 - 20, 2022

Page 10

CLASSIFIEDS Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400 NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Chasity Bradley Tax Parcel #: 02602300000310 Tax Sale #: 1702 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 10:30 a.m. on September 13, 2022, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Ofﬁce, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort.

to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort. Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400 NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Alicia Garcia Tax Parcel #: 02202500000080 Tax Sale #: 1703 Price Offered: $1400.00 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 September 12, 2022, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Ofﬁce, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort. Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400 NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property:

Price Offered: $3000.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 9:00 a.m. on September 13, 2022, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Ofﬁce, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort. Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400

Danielle Griffin Tax Parcel #: 02103200000130 Tax Sale #: 1703

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NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT

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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: Chasity Bradley Tax Parcel #: 02602200000190 Tax Sale #: 1702 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 10:00 a.m. on September 13, 2022, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Ofﬁce, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold

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The New Tri-State Defender

July 14 - 20, 2022

Page 11

SPORTS

Former Tigers following paths to the NBA by Terry Davis

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

The University of Memphis Basketball team has three players from last season playing in this year’s NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. Specifically, that’s Jalen Duren (Detroit), Josh Minot (Minnesota) and Lester Quinones (Golden State). Also making an unexpected appearance was the former No. 2 overall pick by Golden State a couple of years ago, James Wiseman. Each was impressive in his opening game. Duren’s first game was in Las Vegas against the Houston Rockets. He wowed the crowds with his power dunks. Duren is playing alongside fellow lottery pick Jalen Ivey. The duo is looking to put the Pistons back into the playoffs. Minot made his first summer league appearance in Las Vegas. He recorded a double-double (22 points, 10 rebounds). A late bloomer in high school, Minot made an impression with the NBA scouts last season when they were invited to a workout on campus. He was chosen in the second round by the Timberwolves. Undrafted, Quinones signed a two-way contract with the world champion Golden State Warriors. He showed his shooting touch in the first two games in the California Summer League played last week in San Francisco. He will also play in the Las Vegas Summer League. Each team will play four games in Las Vegas. Duren is one of three players with the most pressure to deliver in his rookie year. Minot is considered a project and will spend a lot of time in

Josh Minott got a late start with basketball but has worked his way to an opportunity with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Jalen Duren already has shown that he can be a force in the middle for the Detroit Pistons. (Photos: Terry Davis) the development league as he polishes his skills to the professional level. Wiseman has had an injury-plagued two years in a short NBA career. He looked all the hype in his ﬁrst public game in his summer league appearance against the San Antonio Spurs. He got the fans out of their seats early with an opening possession dunk. While on a minute’s restriction, Wiseman was dazzling in his time. He blocked shots and ran the court well. He even connected on a three-

point basket. For the most part, he played like the piece the Warriors want him to be. He has been rumored to be on the trading block in a possible reunion of Kevin Durant back to the Warriors. Of the four former Tigers, two (Duren and Wiseman) should be on the NBA roster most of the year. Quinones and Minot likely will be in the G-League and make occasional appearances in NBA games. Quinones and Wiseman were

part of Memphis head coach Penny Hardaway’s ﬁrst No. 1 class in 2018 and will be playing together to start the season at Golden State. You can never put too much stock in what a player does in the summer leagues. There have been instances where players shined in the classic and it did not translate to actual NBA games. Others have had a so-so summer league and went on to ﬂourish in the NBA.

Former Tigers Lester Quinones and James Wiseman are teammates once again, this time with Golden State.

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The New Tri-State Defender

July 14 - 20, 2022

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