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November 9 - 15, 2023
VOL. 72, No. 45
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For actor Terrence Howard, Memphis is “my Bethlehem” by Candace Gray
Special to The Tri-State Defender
Oscar-nominated actor Terrence Howard’s latest film, “Showdown at the Grand,” this week made its world theatrical premiere in Memphis – the city the sometimes-controversial “Hustle and Flow” star calls “my Bethlehem.” Then venue was the Malco Powerhouse Cinema & MXT next to Central Station in the South Main Arts District. The evening (Nov. 8) featured a reception, the movie screening, and a “Tales and Tunes” session, where audience members listened to Howard play his music and really got to know the creative and the motivations behind his moves. “I want the children of Memphis to know that their creative dreams will be supported. What I need Memphians to do is recognize and remember – any type of achievement comes from a creative spot,” he told a writer for The Tri-State Defender during an interview on Zoom Nov. 1. The Memphis and Shelby County Film/TV Commission, in conjunction with Colored Girls Productions, enlisted the help of Howard and his life partner, manager and film producer, Mira Howard, to help raise funds for the non-profit arm of the
Special to The Tri-State Defender
All of this happened: the University of Memphis Tigers men’s basketball team won its season opener, did so with an acting head coach and learned some things in process. The Tigers rolled past Jackson State University’s Tigers (94-77) at FedExForum and now turn their sights to the University of Missouri’s Tigers, who will host the matchup to be seen on the SEC Network on Friday (Nov. 10) night at 8 p.m. Memphis assistant coach Rick Stansbury, former head coach at Mississippi State University, filled in for head coach Penny Hardaway, who served the first of a NCAA-imposed, three-game suspension. “I am proud of how our guys with-
City Council members skeptical of proposed solid-waste fee increase by James Coleman
Special to The Tri-State Defender
Actor Terrence Howard on Tuesday fielded questions at the Malco Powerhouse Cinema & MXT in the South Main Arts District ahead of the Wednesday night (Nov. 8) world theatrical premiere of his latest film, “Showdown at the Grand. (Photo: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises/The Tri-State Defender) Commission’s Workshop/Apprenticeship Training Program. “We’re not making any money on this event. We’re simply doing it to benefit the youth – those who want to have some place to gather and hone their craft,” said Howard. “I want Memphis to
show up for themselves – that’s who this is for – the Memphis community. And attendees will leave edified and grateful for what we will do that night.” What made the Howards a great fit for this cause? They already are in the fight.
“Youth aren’t creating as much as I think they have the potential to,” said Howard. ‘“Showdown at the Grand”’ is exactly what we’re fighting for, to prevent the sterilization of our history… SEE HOWARD ON PAGE 2
Tigers ride ‘spurtability’ past Jackson State in season opener by Terry Davis
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stood those first five minutes,” said Stansbury. “For the first five minutes, I think we were playing for the other team. We had eight turnovers. I think Young Terry (Jayhlon) came Davis off the bench and gave us some defensive energy.” Stansbury credited Hardaway and the assisted coaches for getting the team ready. The first half was a mixed bag for the Tigers, who led 47-36 at the break. Jaykwon Walton put an earSEE TIGERS ON PAGE 2
Jackson State was on an offense roll when Memphis newcomer Caleb Mills entered the game determined to “produce in some way. They were on a roll offensively. I took on a challenge to stop that. I got a couple of steals and pushed the tempo in transition.” (Photo: Terry Davis/The Tri-State Defender)
With Mayor Jim Strickland’s administration nearing its end, skeptical Memphis City Council members Tuesday (Nov. 7) cast doubt on the timing of a proposed rate increase for bulk waste pickup. The fee-increase discussion came during the council’s Public Works, Solid Waste & General Services Committee meeting. “Why now,” asked councilmember Chase Carlisle. “You knew you had increased costs. You’re supplanting it with federal funds. We’re cutting compliment (the number of solid waste employees) and services are getting worse. And here we are in November, as the administration exits, and this bomb is being dropped.” The $29.96 fee would be the second hike in four years. The council passed a previous increase in 2019. The council needs to consider the proposed fee-increase ordinance on three readings, including being passed on the third and final reading, for the increase to go into effect Jan. 1. That also is the date a new council and mayor are sworn in. Much of the blame for needing an fee hike is being laid on the pandemic. During that time, a cultural shift occurred, where home deliveries changed the landscape of retail. The result has been exponential increases in curbside items. It hasn’t abated. “What we see…is the advent of everything being delivered to your house. It continued to increase during the COVID years. It doesn’t appear to be coming back down,” said Phillip Davis, the city’s Solid Waste director. Davis presented three funding options to committee members: • A $11.09 fee hike. Maintaining the current model, it would add waste crews and equipment. • Switch from a bi-monthly bulk pick up to four scheduled visits per year. It calls for an $8.99 fee from customers. Fees for both would take effect on Jan. 1. • A $14.08 fee hike that would allow solid waste crews would be to take over routes in the E Area of the city, which includes East Memphis, Hickory Hill, and Cordova. Private contractors currently handle that chore. The third proposal also calls for a solid waste facility to be built in the area in the next five years. This could be added to the other two proposals too. All three would buck the 30-year
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The Tri-State Defender
November 9 - 15, 2023
Page 2
NEWS
TIGERS
CONTINUED FROM FRONT ly stamp on his role with the team. He scored 17 points in the half, going 6 for 6 from the field and hitting all three of his shots from three-point range. However, the room for improvement was evident. The Tigers had 10 first-half turnovers. David Jones had 5 and Walton had 3. And while the Tigers shot well from the field (50 percent), they missed on several easy baskets. The big turnaround in the first half occurred as JSU led 22-16 with 12:20 to go. Memphis erupted with a 10-0 run in 66 seconds. “I think we got into their lungs a little bit. I think their guards got a little tired,” said Stansbury. “When you are tired, you are apt to make more mistakes. Mills (Caleb) had a couple of steals and got us going. It doesn’t take long to change a flow of a game. This team has some spurtability.” Mills, reflecting on his role during the run, said, “When you go in you have to produce in some way. They were on a roll offensively. I took on a challenge to stop that. I got a couple of steals and pushed the tempo in transition.” In the second half, Memphis played under control better, only committing 4 turnovers through the first 12 minutes (and six total). JSU finished the game with four players in double-figures scoring – Ken Evans had 18 points, Chase Adams 16 points, Coltie Young 13 points and Keijua Johnson had 10 points. JSU shot 43 percent from the field and committed 23 turnovers. Walton led the Tigers with 19 points, adding 5 rebounds. Jones had 15 points and zero turnovers in the second half. Jaylen Brown had 11 points and 5 rebounds, Malcolm Dandridge and Mills had 10 points each, with Mills grabbing 7 rebounds as well.
FEE
CONTINUED FROM FRONT trend of cutting staff. Since the 1990s, the compliment of authorized employees has dropped from 800 in solid waste to the current 515. However, collections have gone up 52,000 tons per year. Shortfalls in funding are nothing new. In the past, the general fund covered as much as $30 million of the department annual budget. “Largely, what we see is when the fee is insufficient, we need that influx of money from the general fund to help us maintain services,” said Davis. “If there’s no action, we’ll need about $5.3 million in 2025. Another $6 million or so in 2026. It goes up…Over the next five years, we’ll need about $37 million.” Lately, funding from the federal government has bridged the gap. However, with those sources running out, the general fund will once again have to provide funding unless another source materializes. “More recently, we’ve seen some CARES Act funding, some FEMA reimbursement funds and ARPA funds that have helped us stay afloat since our last fee increase,” said Davis. To meet demands, 108 trucks are needed daily. This year, total expenses for the pickups have cost $83.3 million. This includes costs for salaries, service charges during high-volume times, equipment, fleet maintenance, fuel, and other expenses.
Jaykwon Walton led the Tigers with 19 points, adding 5 rebounds. (Photos: Terry Davis/The Tri-State Defender)
Terrence Howard: “I want the children of Memphis to know that their creative dreams will be supported. What I need Memphians to do is recognize and remember – any type of achievement comes from a creative spot.” (Photo: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises/The Tri-State Defender)
HOWARD
CONTINUED FROM FRONT Memphis assistant coach Rick Stansbury (second from left) is serving as head coach while head coach Penny Hardaway completes a NCAA-imposed, threegame suspension. Memphis first-game production was a noticeable improvement over performances in exhibition games against Lane College (Jackson) and cross-town opponent LeMoyne-Owen College. “It is the first game,” said Walton. “I was trying to come out with more intensity.” Mills added, “I just want to play basketball. I try to go hard every time I play.” On his hot start, Walton said, “I love playing for Memphis. I love the city of Memphis. I love everything about it. I am ready to for the rest of
the season.” Although Memphis clearly can play better, the Tigers did score 94 points. “The best teams don’t play better until the end of the season,” said Mills. “We have a lot of guys. We are not worried about who gets off.”
The solid waste fee, meanwhile, brought in $75.8 million in revenue. Carlisle said, “It’s all the same to me. It’s very clear, if you’re running a business, that the administration had to have known three years ago that they had a model problem and didn’t want to pipe up about it until now.” Although it is an annual topic of discussion, the administration and the division of solid waste began talks of a hike in February. “None of this is council driven. This is the administration. I’ve always said, especially when it’s budget season, tell us what you need. Give us the opportunity to say,
‘no we’re not going to do it,’” criticized Chairman Martavius Jones. Carlisle concurred. The last time the administration worked with the council to supplement DSW funding was in 2018. That year, $15 million was added to right-size and modernize its fleet. A fee increase was sought then, too. Since 2017, bulk waste volumes have tripled. “Whether it was the pandemic, or it was 2017, which is pre-pandemic, there is a service, revenue, and expense model problem. It could have been addressed well before this, ramping into this on an annual basis,” said Carlisle.
(Memphis’ next game at FedExForum will be Nov. 17, when the Tigers host Alabama State at 7 p.m. Alabama State is coached by former Tiger Tony Madlock, who played alongside Hardaway at what was then Memphis State.)
and preserve our future as creatives.” Apart from “Hustle and Flow,” filmed in Memphis in 2005 (Craig Brewer), the “Empire” (TV series) star credits this movie as one of the proudest moments in his career. “I’ve never been this character…He’s the furthest reach from anyone I’ve ever played before,” said Howard. “Now “Hustle and Flow” …that solidified my film career… “Memphis is my Bethlehem. And 18 years later, I want to bring back an opportunity to the people who motivated me and supported me.” Howard called his then upcoming time in Memphis and the release of the film a “cosmic culmination of a celestial career.” He shared some numerological observations centered around the number nine, which is the greatest number in Pythagorean numerology, symbolizing the ending of one thing and the beginning of another. Howard is 54 years old, had a career-defining moment in Memphis 18 years ago, with the releasing of “Showdown at the Grand” on 11/8 at 540 S. Front Street. OK, OK, OK – numerology might not be your thing, but surely supporting the Memphis arts and film scene is ap-
“Memphis is my Bethlehem. And 18 years later, I want to bring back an opportunity to the people who motivated me and supported me.” — Terrence Howard pealing. So, back to the art. In the new Shout! Studios film, set to hit theatres Nov. 10, Howard plays an autistic theater owner, George, who lives by his own set of rules and tries to marry his culture, tradition, and the ideas in his head. The theater has been handed down to him, but the gentrifying conglomerates are trying to get him to sell it and he doesn’t want to. George hopes his hero, played by Dolph Lundgren, whom Howard thinks should receive an Oscar for best supporting actor, will save the day. You’ll have to see the film to see how it ends…but even then, Howard’s work won’t be over. Because art imitates life, right? As the universe would have it, the Howards have created a tech platform, called Holly™, that connects creatives to industry opportunities, especially those who might not have an automatic “in” with
the Who’s Who in Hollywood. “Holly was designed to democratize the industry, removing the stumbling blocks that existed for me and my friends and make the path straight,” said Howard. “We’re connecting writers, directors, artists, funders, filmmakers, talent scouts – all the key players and creating a space for them to take back the entertainment industry.” Holly currently is in Beta testing with its first 1,000 users and plans to roll out officially in the next two weeks. Creatives can visit Myholly.app and reserve their “stage,” which is free for the first three months. After three months, everyone will contribute to their own success and see what it’s like to be around a community of people who like you and want you to succeed. Between Howard’s new movie, his studio album “Shine Through it,” Holly and his book “The Center of Truth, Love and Consciousness,” which is available for free download, he calls himself a Renaissance Man. “I believe that I am trying to get to a point where I can have a one-on-one with the creator. If I’m made in his image, I should see the creator, right?” said Howard. “Every human being has that responsibility, despite what they’ve been told. I want people to find the divinity in themselves.”
The Tri-State Defender
November 9 - 15, 2023
Page 3
NEWS
City Council delays final vote on runoff and partisan elections by James Coleman
Special to The Tri-State Defender
Memphis City Council members Tuesday (Nov. 8) delayed a third and final vote for a pair of election-related ordinances, regarding partisan city elections and runoffs in citywide elections. “What I am asking is for us to hold it in committee, until the next meeting. The purpose of that is we will have the results of the current (city) runoff elections (Nov. 16),” council Chairman Martavius Jones explained to members of the council’s Personnel and Government Affairs committee meeting, opting to gauge voter turnout before settling on a path forward. Jones continued, “My concern with a runoff provision is we’ll end up with less voter participation than we would in a general (election.)” There are no runoffs for citywide races. To win a City Council district race outright, the winner must receive 50 percent of the votes cast, plus one, or the top two voters getters must face each other in a runoff election. Early voting ends Saturday (Nov. 11) for runoffs in council Districts 2, 3 and 7. Jones favors partisan city elections, although he isn’t opposed to runoffs. Nevertheless, he used runoff results from 2015 and 2019 to illustrate his preference. “If we think that 24,000 voting for the mayor was low, we would have even lower numbers than that if we look at what the past results have been when we’ve had runoffs,” said Jones. Jones was referring to the Oct. 5 city elections, with said 17 candidates vying to replace Mayor Jim Strickland, who is term limited. Paul Young, CEO of the Downtown Memphis Commission, won the mayor’s seat, receiving 24,420 votes. Jones’ motion to delay the vote was met without objection. They will be taken up again on Nov. 21. Both ordinances are a reaction to the Oct. 5 mayoral election. Young received 24,240 (27.44 percent) of the 88,337 votes cast in the mayor’s race, according to certified Shelby County Election Commission totals. With a victory by plurality, the race was criticized by some council members for lacking a mandate. In the past, council Vice Chair JB Smiley Jr. has said that only one of the provisions, the majority proposal, will appear on the 2024 ballot. Another option discussed was a return to rank choice voting, which cancels the need for runoffs. Voters have the option to rank candidates in order of preference. Ballots
that don’t help the voter’s top choices win count for their next choice. The suggestion was made by councilmember Chase Car-
lisle in an earlier discussion on legislative priorities and picked up by a colleague. Councilmember Jeff Warren said, “Both of these resolu-
tions that we have here are inappropriate in answer to what our problem is. I think the ranked choice voting is probably the correct answer.”
Memphis voters approved rank-choice method in 2008. However, a 2022 Tennessee state law bans its use. Warren also wants the city to lobby the
state to repeal the law. Jones countered, saying that rank-choice voting didn’t increase participation, although it may prevent a runoff.
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PERSPECTIVE The Tri-State Defender, November 9 - 15, 2023, Page 4
Success or failure? Making sense of the charter school experiment in Tennessee and beyond by Curtis Weathers
Special to The Tri-State Defender
Just over 20 years ago, way back in 2002, I was asked by the leadership of the 100 Black Men of Memphis to serve as principal of one of the first charter schools to open its doors here in Memphis and the state of Tennessee, the Memphis Academy of Health Sciences. I served there for over ten years, from 2003 - 2014. I remember being so excited about the impact charter schools could have on public education, especially in the field of urban education. After opening the school, the experience was so breathtaking I thought I was in urban school heaven. Charter schools have grown rapidly in Tennessee since 2003. Now, over 100 charter schools operate in the state, serving more than 38,000 students. Charter schools now account for about 10% of all public school students in Tennessee. After 20 years, however, the jury seems to still be out on the charter school movement here in Tennessee and around the country, for that matter. Or is it? Charter schools have been part of the American educational landscape since the early 1990s, and over the years, they have been given a variety of resources and policy tools aimed at improving public education. The success or failure of the charter school experiment in Tennessee and around the country is a complex and debated issue. The impact of charter schools can vary widely depending on factors such as location, specific school practices, and the criteria used to assess success. You couldn’t ask for any more than what charter schools have been given over the years to improve educational outcomes for students. What I enjoyed most about charter schools was the amount of autonomy operators were given to manage their schools. This freedom allowed school leaders to create innovative educational models, curriculum choices, and administrative practices tailored to meet the needs of students, often without the bureaucratic constraints that traditional public schools face. Charter schools have the flexibility to extend school hours, change the school calendar, and adjust teacher pay scales. This flexibility can be a significant advantage in tailoring education to better suit the needs of urban students. Of course, funding was always an issue. While charter schools often argue that they are underfunded compared to traditional public schools, they (like regular schools) receive public funds based on enrollment. However, we were able to able to secure private funding from philanthropists, foundations, and corporations interested in supporting educational reform. Access to adequate facilities is still a significant challenge for many charter schools. To address this, some states and cities have provided funding or bond programs specifically for charter school facilities. Federal
grant programs, like the Charter Schools Program (CSP), helped new and existing charter schools with start-up, expansion, and renovation costs. Curtis But charter Weathers schools are accountable for academic results as a condition of their charter, just like any other public school. They must meet the performance standards outlined in their charter agreements, which can create a strong focus on both academic and nonacademic outcomes. There is a plethora of data in the public education arena about what works in urban education. Charter schools are in the best position to take advantage of that data to improve academic performance in urban schools. According to the Tennessee Department of Education, in 2018-19, the last school year before the pandemic, 26.5% of Tennessee charter schools were designated “priority schools” due to low performance on state tests, compared to only 10.7% of traditional public schools. With all the support and advantages granted to charter schools to help improve student achievement, especially in urban schools, the current level of results, quite frankly, is unacceptable. So why aren’t charter schools more successful? Assessing the charter school experiment’s success or failure often depends on one’s perspective, values, and educational priorities. Some proponents argue that charter schools have provided valuable options and driven innovation, while critics raise concerns about equity, accountability, and potential adverse effects on traditional public schools. Public opinion and policy decisions on charter schools continue to evolve, making it an ongoing topic of debate and study in Tennessee and across the nation. Charter schools have grown rapidly in recent years and are now a significant part of the state’s public education landscape. Charter schools are providing families with more educational choices and are helping to raise the bar for all public schools in the state. Over the next two months, I will do a three-part series on what works in charter schools here in Tennessee and across the nation. I will explore why some charter school organizations are more successful than others and what has to change in order to raise the achievement levels in struggling schools. We will hear from parents, students, and educators on what makes a successful charter school here in Tennessee. Stay tuned! (Follow me, TSD’s education columnist, on Twitter @curtisweathers. Email me at curtislweathers@gmail. com.)
Live entertainment, along with colorful and insightful commentary, helped accent The Jimmie Lunceford Legacy Awards. (Photos: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises/ The Tri-State Defender)
Building on the inspiring legacy of Jimmie Lunceford
by Ronald Herd II The Jimmie Lunceford Jamboree Festival Week, presented annually by The W.E. A.L.L. B.E. Group Inc., is a weeklong celebration of the amazing legacy of Jimmie Lunceford, considered by many to be the real “King of Swing,” the “King of the Battle of the Bands” and the greatest swing jazz band leader of his generation. We also celebrate Memphis music heritage by honoring true ambassadors and practitioners of “The Memphis Sound” both past and present. We also honor those who continue to give back through “hue-manitarian” and philanthropic efforts, something that Lunceford did during his heyday to build a beloved community and village among Black folk. Lunceford is credited with being the first person in world history to teach jazz studies within a formal educational setting. And he did this feat while teaching music as a volunteer (he wasn’t hired to be a music instructor) to Black children at Manassas High School in north Memphis. Embraced as the first high school band director in Memphis-area schools for Black children, his band consisted of his high school students, The Chickasaw Syncopators, a very popular local dance band. In 1930, Lunceford left Memphis with his best high school students and music buddies from Fisk University to make his dreams of music superstardom real. 4 yrs later, The Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra is the house band at the legendary Cotton Club and the top draw at the iconic Apollo Theatre for a decade. Nicknamed ‘The Harlem Express,’ the orchestra was also the number one dance band for Black people in the country as well as boxing great Joe Louis’ favorite. Besides being a music legend, Jimmie Lunceford was also an aviation pioneer who owned and flew his own airplanes. He died under questionable circumstances at the age of 45 before a gig on July 12,1947 in Seaside, Oregon. The weeklong Jimmie Lunceford Jamboree Festival Week usually takes place the last full week of October. The festival does community partnerships with institutions and individuals to provide free events to engage and “edutain” the public
Ronald Herd II, founder and chief executive artist of The W.E. A.L.L. B.E. Group, presents an honoree with a Jimmie Lunceford Legacy Award during a gala Nov. 4 at the Halloran Centre for Performing Arts.
James Melvin Lunceford, renowned as Jimmie Lunceford, was born on June 6, 1902 in Fulton, Miss. He died at age 45 while in Seaside, Oregon. (This work is from the William P. Gottlieb collection at the Library of Congress.)
“Jimmie Lunceford has the best of all bands. Duke Ellington is great, Count Basie is remarkable, but Lunceford tops them both.” – Legendary swing band leader Glenn Miller about the historical greatness of Mr. Lunceford and Memphis Music Heritage. Our community partners regularly include Overton High School, Manassas High School, the Memphis Listening Lab and the STAX museum. The Jimmie Lunceford Legacy Awards – held Nov. 4 at the Halloran Centre for Performing Arts – was the culminating event of annual celebration. Free and open to the public, it included a homecoming court consisting of a king, queen, prince and princess, along with a posthumous “King & Queen.” Live entertainment, along with colorful and insightful commentary, accented
“Jimmy Lunceford … took a group of relatively unsophisticated Memphis colored boys and welded them into an organization, which scaled the heights of musical eminence. ... He presented something new in the way of musical presentations by Negro orchestras. Lunceford and many others like him chose to remain at home, and with their people. (His death) should have meaning in inspiration and guidance to others. If we permit it, Lunceford’s burial in Memphis can mean this.” – Nat D. Williams, historian and Black Radio pioneer the event. We believe in making the story of Memphis’ greatness easily accessible to the residents and students here, especially those who don’t always know it or who get hit with the negative promotion of Memphis as being so “kkkrime ridden,” dangerous and unsalvageable… What we do is basically a love letter to Memphis!!! See how it works??? (Ronald Herd II is the founder and chief executive artist of The W.E. A.L.L. B.E. Group Inc.)
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The Tri-State Defender
November 9 - 15, 2023
Page 5
RELIGION
Church of God in Christ members enjoy a moment of praise and rejoicing during the denomination’s convocation Tuesday (Nov 7) evening at the Renasant Convention Center. (Photos/Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises/The Tri-State Defender)
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee addressed the convocation. While welcoming the saints to Memphis and the state, he addressed the city’s crime problem, saying hope just isn’t enough when it comes to fighting crime, and crime needs to be tackled head-on.
COGIC 115th Holy Convocation
Bishop Sheard credits Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland and the mayor’s team in helping to return the convocation to Memphis.
Presiding Bishop J. Drew Sheard presides over COGIC’s 115th Holy Convocation, which returned to its mother city Memphis for the second consecutive year after holding the convocation in St. Louis since 2010.
Saints express joyful worship. Some 30,000 Saints are expected the attend the convocation, which continues through Tuesday (Nov. 14).
Saints share a moment praise during Tuesday night’s gather. Convocation events also will be held at the FedEx and its historic Mason Temple.
The Tri-State Defender
November 9 - 15, 2023
ENTERTAINMENT
A N I M P O RTA N T M E S S AG E F R O M M E D I C A R E
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Page 6
COMMUNITY The Tri-State Defender, November 9 - 15, 2023, Page 7
August trial date set for officers charged in Tyre Nichols killing by Adrian Sainz The Associated Press
MEMPHIS — A Tennessee judge Monday (Nov. 6) set an August trial date for four former Memphis police officers charged in the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols after a traffic stop on Jan. 7. During a short hearing, Shelby County Criminal Court Judge James Jones Jr. announced the Aug. 12 trial date in the cases of Emmitt Martin, Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, and Justin Smith. Each has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder and other charges in state court. A fifth officer charged in the case, Desmond Mills Jr., pleaded guilty last week to federal charges of excessive force and obstruction of justice. The plea is part of a larger deal
in which prosecutors said he had also agreed to plead guilty later to state charges. Mills is the only officer to admit guilt in the criminal case. Prosecutors are recommending a 15-year prison sentence for Mills, but the final sentencing hearing rests with the federal judge. Defense lawyers told prosecutors and the judge in private that they believe the trial could last a month, prosecutor Paul Hagerman told reporters after the hearing. “We’re of a mind that this does not need to be a month-long trial,” Hagerman said. “The proof is pretty simple.” Hagerman also said it’s possible that Mills could testify at the state trial. Martin’s lawyer, William Massey, said after the hearing that he is con-
sidering filing a motion for a change of venue, which means that a jury from outside Shelby County would hear the case. Nichols’ beating death has Desmond received heavy Mills Jr. media coverage in Memphis. Caught on police video, the beating of Nichols in January was one in a string of violent encounters between police and Black people that sparked protests and renewed debate about police brutality and the need for police reform in the U.S. The five former officers who were charged also are Black.
Mills and four other former Memphis Police Department officers were charged in federal court with using excessive force, failing to intervene, deliberate indifference and conspiring to lie, as well as obstruction of justice after they were caught on camera punching, kicking and beating Nichols on Jan. 7. He died three days later. The federal trial date for the four other officers is May 6. The officers said they pulled Nichols over because he was driving recklessly, but Police Chief Cerelyn “CJ” Davis has said no evidence was found to support that allegation. Nichols ran from officers, who tried to restrain him. He pleaded for his mother as he was pummeled just steps from his home. An autopsy report showed Nichols died from blows to the head, and that
Tadarrius Bean
Demetrius Haley
Emmitt Martin III
Justin Smith
the manner of death was homicide. The report described brain injuries, cuts, and bruises to the head and other parts of the body. After Nichols’ death, all five officers were fired from the Police Department and the crime-suppression team they were part of was disbanded.
How a George Floyd book event at Whitehaven H.S. got squeezed by Tennessee law by Laura Testino Chalkbeat Tennessee
Students at Whitehaven High School got a chance last month to hear from journalists Robert Samuels and Toluse Olorunnipa, authors of the Pulitzer Prize-winning book on George Floyd — his life, his brutal killing by police in 2020, and its aftermath. But the students didn’t get to hear any excerpts from “His Name Is George Floyd,” at the Oct. 26 event and they weren’t allowed to take home copies of the book from school. The authors had to give their presentation without going too deep into the book’s main theme of systemic racism. Who determined the restrictions and why is unclear. The organizers of the event, a local partnership called Memphis Reads, said their instructions to the authors were based on guidance from the school district on complying with Tennessee law that requires that books used in school be “age appropriate.” Memphis-Shelby County Schools officials disputed their account, but repeatedly declined to answer questions about what they told the organizers or how they interpreted the law. In an email to the authors after the event, district Communications Chief Cathryn Stout said MSCS did not run the book through its review process before the visit. In the end, the authors told Chalkbeat, the students who gathered at Whitehaven that day were shortchanged by restricted access to the book and a censored experience. “Neither Tolu nor I know who to cast blame on,” Samuels said. “I’m not sure we could, or we should.” But the ambiguous restrictions in this and other Tennessee laws have caused concern at the local level about compliance, Samuels said, resulting in “messy, potentially explosive debates between entities that usually get along.” George Floyd killing sparked a movement, then a backlash Floyd was killed during an arrest on Memorial Day 2020, when a Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee onto Floyd’s neck for several
What is Memphis Reads? Memphis Reads is a 12-year-old community reading program based at Christian Brothers University. Each year, a selection com- days after officers beat him mittee chooses a book and during a traffic stop. His death brings the author or authors to brought on federal investigaMemphis to speak at CBU and tions that have pushed MemRhodes College, another part- phis to reexamine the relationship between its police and its ner. The program focuses on first- residents. The five officers were fired year students at each school but expands to include students after an internal investigaat one public high school. The tion. One of the officers recently selected book usually relates to accepted a plea deal on federal and state charges related to the Memphis in some way. This year, for instance, a CBU bludgeoning. assignment asked students “The whole point of it … . is to relate the book’s themes to that we want to build community Memphis, where five police offi- one book at a time,” said Justin cers were charged in the death Brooks, who has led the event of Tyre Nichols. since 2021 as CBU’s director of Nichols died Jan. 10, three community engagement. minutes. An onlooker’s video recording of the event went public, triggering a huge outcry and calls for and policing reform. The officer was ultimately convicted of second-degree murder. Samuels and Olonnuripa’s book, written while both were reporters at The Washington Post, looks not just at the incident but also at how pervasive racism in education, criminal justice, housing, and health care systems shaped Floyd’s life. “We learned about the man himself … and much more than how he died,” Samuels said during a forum at Rhodes College. They also wrote about what happened afterward – a season of demonstrations, dialogue, and unrest during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by what they call a “burgeoning backlash” to the racial justice movement, resulting in state laws across the country that stifled classroom discussions on race. Tennessee was among the first states to legislate what public school students can — and cannot — be taught about race, gender, and bias. And the penalties are steep. Educators who violate the law may have their teaching licenses suspended or revoked. Districts can be fined for repeat offenses. MSCS officials and the Memphis Reads organizers did not specifically cite this law as a factor in what ulti-
Authors Robert Samuels and Toluse Olorunnipa had early doubts about being part of an event at Whitehaven High School with restrictions on their speech, but said they were grateful for the opportunity. (Photo: Courtesy of Memphis Shelby County Schools)
The authors of “His Name Is George Floyd” won 2023 Pulitzer Prize for nonfiction. (Photo: Laura Testino / Chalkbeat)
Jason Sharif, head of Respect the Haven, a partner in Memphis Reads, said the Whitehaven H.S. event “got censored” out of concern about state law. (Photo: Laura Testino / Chalkbeat) mately happened at Whitehaven, but the law nonetheless hangs over educators’ decisions about what topics are appropriate for classroom discussion. Two Memphis teachers are among five in Tennessee challenging the law in federal court. Tennessee’s Age Appropriate Materials Act, meanwhile, requires schools to publish a list of what’s in their library collections online and develop policies to review and remove books that aren’t appropriate — a term that the law leaves undefined.
MSCS has leeway to interpret this law, but longstanding tensions between the majority-Black, Democratic-led city and the mostly white, GOP-dominated state government mean the district can ill afford to risk a fight with the state over the nuances of race and books. In communication with Chalkbeat, CBU cited the Age Appropriate Materials law as the reason it understood that books and materials couldn’t be distributed at the Whitehaven event and said that the guidance came from the Memphis school district. CBU and other Memphis Reads partners “were under the instruction of MSCS leadership when completing the formatting and regulations concerning the Age-Appropriate Materials Act,” Justin Brooks, the CBU community engagement director, who heads Memphis Reads, wrote in an email to Chalkbeat. MSCS officials wouldn’t confirm that to Chalkbeat or explain whether Tennessee’s law regulating classroom conversations about race influenced any restrictions. In the email to the authors after the event, shared later with Chalkbeat,
Stout wrote that time constraints prevented the district from going through its own process to approve the book. Stout wrote that the district regretted that their “experience was anything less than welcoming.” “Given the new, more detailed process, it will take some time to coordinate, but please know that His Name Is George Floyd is now under consideration to be added to the Whitehaven High School library collection,” Stout wrote to the authors, “and we look forward to having conversations with other school communities as requests arise.” A spokesperson for the Tennessee Department of Education says MSCS did not reach out to the state for guidance, and MSCS didn’t respond to a question from Chalkbeat about that issue. Thanks to a donation from the publisher, Viking Books, students who want a free copy of the book will be able to get one from Respect the Haven, a community development group in Whitehaven that’s part of Memphis Reads. Whitehaven High School serves some 1,500 students and is known among Memphis for its school pride and focus on students’ post-secondary scholarship achievements. Almost all its students are Black, and about half of them are from low-income families. “This event basically got censored out of fear of violating some law,” said Jason Sharif, head of Respect the Haven. “With us being a predominantly Black city, a predominantly Black school district, you cannot keep books like this or stories like this from being told to Black students.” Laura Testino covers Memphis-Shelby County Schools for Chalkbeat Tennessee. Reach Laura at LTestino@chalkbeat.org.
The Tri-State Defender
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: Scott Lockyear & Cynthia Lockyear Tax Parcel #: 02405400000180 Tax Sale #: 1304 Price Offered: $1,300 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 9:00 a.m. on December 7, 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: John Stepney Tax Parcel #: 05207200000040 Tax Sale #: 1803 Price Offered: $4,500 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 9:00 a.m. on December 8, 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: John Stepney Tax Parcel #: 05204700000150» Tax Sale #: 1802 Price Offered: $4,000 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 9:30 a.m. on December 8, 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: John Stepney Tax Parcel #: 05207200000060 Tax Sale #: 1802 Price Offered: $4,500 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 10:00 a.m. on December 8, 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
NEWS
Black Americans Made History In Tuesday’s Election By Jessica Washington The Root
Black candidates celebrated historic victories in elections across the country Tuesday (Nov. 7), including a few notable firsts. In Philadelphia, Cherelle Parker became the first woman and first Black woman to win the mayoral election. In Rhode Island, Gabe Amo became the first Black person to represent the state in Congress. In New York City, Exonerated Five member Yusef Salaam went from being wrongfully convicted to a city council member. Congressman-elect Amo, 35, won a major victory over Republican Gerry Leonard, becoming the first Black candidate elected to Congress from Rhode Island. Amo is the child of Ghanaian and Liberian Immigrants. He formerly served in the White House as deputy director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs in the Obama administration. “For Rhode Island, it’s been interesting to have an immigrant story that everyone can relate to,” Amo said to CBS News. “I’m going to be a voice for making sure we can restore confidence and trust despite the Republican Party that is rife with chaos.”
In Philly, Mayor-elect Parker, 50, easily defeated her Republican opponent, David Oh, to become the city’s 100th mayor. Parker is the first woman and the first Black woman to be elected as mayor, which is pretty wild for a city as old as Philadelphia. Parker touted her lived experience as a Black woman in Philadelphia while campaigning. “That I would put to great use everything inside of me, my lived life experience, my professional experience, my academic preparation, that I would put all of it to great use, and I would make Philadelphia the safest, the greenest big city in the nation with economic opportunity for all,” said Parker at her victory party, according to WHYY. In New York City, Salaam won his city council election on Tuesday. Councilmember-elect Salaam’s victory wasn’t exactly a surprise, as he was running unopposed. The Root interviewed Salaam for our new digital show, The 411, where he discussed his election. “If I’m not mistaken, I’m the first person who was exonerated to be in city council,” he said. “That says something to a community of people who are looking for solutions to similar issues. Folks who have been run over the spoke wheels of justice.”
November 9 - 15, 2023
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CLASSIFIEDS County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Scott Lockyear & Cynthia Lockyear Tax Parcel #: 02405500000220 Tax Sale #: 1304» Price Offered: $2,000 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 10:30 a.m.
on December 8, 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.
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:
Shelby County Land Bank 1075 MULLINS STATION, BLDG. E-1 MEMPHIS, TN 38134 (901) 222-1150
Scott Lockyear & Cynthia Lockyear Tax Parcel #: 02405500000270 Tax Sale #: 1802 Price Offered: $1,900 Terms: Cash
NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY BY SHELBY COUNTY
Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If ad-
ditional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 11:00 a.m. on December 8, 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 Tri-State Defender
November 9 - 15, 2023
Page 9
A park is so much more than a place to play. It can also be a space for gathering and reflection. That’s why we’re partnering with the National Civil Rights Museum to reimagine an all-new Founders Park. Our up to $9.6 million investment will give visitors a place to honor those who fought for equality. Learn more about how we support our communities at BlueCrossHealthyPlaces.com
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SPORTS The Tri-State Defender, November 9 - 15, 2023, Page 10
Tigers ‘found a way to win … on homecoming’ by Terry Davis
Special to The Tri-State Defender
With the University of Memphis up by 14 points with 48 seconds left in the first half of the 2023 homecoming game, some on-the-field turbulence in the form a block punt could have been read as a signal for celebrating Memphis fans to buckle up for a bumpy second-half ride. The Bulls from the University of South Florida recovered the punt on the Tigers’ 9-yard line. Seconds later, a touchdown pass cut the Tigers’ lead to seven points (35-28) and injecting a bit of nervous energy into some of Memphis’ faithful just ahead of the halftime merriment Terry at Simmons Bank Liberty Davis Bowl Stadium. The second half as a 2422 dogfight that ended with Memphis sending its homecoming crowd away with a 59-50 victory. The 7-and-2 Tigers now are now 4-and-1 in the American Athletic Conference (AAC), having scored 149 points over the last three games – the team’s most over a three-game span since racking up 191 points in a threegame span in 2017. “I am proud of the effort. We found a way to win the game on homecoming,” said Memphis head coach Ryan Silverfield. “To all of our alumni out there, that was for you guys. Conference games are hard, but we found a way. I am pleased with the offensive effort. Defensively, we had our struggles.” The Tigers have three regular-season games left. If they win out, there is a high probability of a berth in the AAC championship game. “One week at a time,” said Roc Taylor, who hauled in an 18-yard touchdown pass from Memphis quarterback Seth Henigan, one of four thrown by Henigan in the first half. He also rushed for score before the break. “We are going to prepare for the next team. You can’t take no team lightly. You can be beaten by anybody. That is what I learned since I have been here.” Next up for the Tigers is a road trip to Charlotte, North Carolina to face the Charlotte 49ers. Kickoff is set for 2 pm CST. The game can be seen on ESPN+. The second half got dicey for the Tigers. The Bulls scored on the opening drive, knotting the score at 35 before Memphis kicker Tanner Gillis put the Tigers back ahead. South Florida responded with a 9-yard touchdown, grabbing a 42-38 lead. Seth Henigan passed for four touchdowns, ran for another and threw for 349 yards before an injury forced him out of the game.
Roc Taylor hauled in touchdown passes from starter Seth Henigan and backup Tevin Carter, who stepped in when Henigan went down with an injury. (Photos: Terry Davis/The Tri-State Defender)
Simeon Blair’s interception was a bright spot for the Memphis defense.
Demeer Blankumsee had 142 receiving yards for the Tigers. The Tigers used big plays to get back on top. regain the lead. Blake Watson, the star transfer running back from Old Dominion, scored from 34 yards out. With Henigan forced out of the game by an injury (he did not return), Memphis backup quarterback Tevin Carter hit Taylor on an 85yard catch and run that extended the Tigers’ lead to 10 (52-42) with 12:54 left. The Memphis defense, which had been torched by the Bulls all day, then mustered some great defensive stands, twice stopping the Bulls twice deep in their own territory. After the second defensive stop, hard-running Brandon Thomas gave Memphis more cushion on a 9-yard touchdown. The Tigers led 59-42 with 3:42 left in the game. An eight-yard touchdown pass followed by a two-point conversion by the Bulls made the score 59-50. Taylor recovered the onsides kick for the Tigers, shutting the door for good on the Bulls. Henigan totaled 349 passing yards before his injury. Carter finished 2 for 2 with 92 yards.
Tevin Carter was ready when his number was called following the injury to starting Quarterback Seth Henigan. Taylor had 159 receiving yards and Demeer Blankumsee had 142 yards. Watson rushed for 64 rushing yards. Defensively, Cameron Smith had a career-high 10 tackles. The Tigers forced two turnovers. Simeon Blair intercepted a pass and Chandler Martin, who made 8 tackles had a fumble recovery. “I don’t want to talk about the fumble,” said Martin. “I played running back in high school and I thought I was going to crib it. I stumbled and my feet clicked together and I fell after that.” Silverfield said the Tigers have to find a way to bottle up the level of defense played in the fourth quarter. “We show that we can be one of the best defenses in the country. We also show inconsistencies; we have to find a way to be more consistent. We have guys on defense that are so hungry to get better. We will find a way to get better.” Henigan, who suffered an upper body injury
(and not a head injury), is expected to be ready for the next game. “He is playing at a very high level,” said Silverfield. “He is playing efficiently. He is a leader. We have to continue to play our best football as the season goes on. We are finding improvements.” Carter’s effort was tremendous, he said. “We challenge every one of our players. Tevin has always prepared himself like a true professional. He works really hard at it. He loves this city and this team. When his number was called, he went out there and performed.” Asked what flashed to mind when Henigan went down. Carter said, “That’s my boy and I was concerned about that. I knew I was up and I was ready when my number was called. I trusted in Roc (Taylor), I gave it to him and he did what he do.” After every win, the player of the game takes a sledgehammer and breaks up a large piece of rock. The honor went to Henigan, who deferred and allowed Carter to swing away.