The New Tri-State Defender (November 19-25, 2020) by The Tri-State Defender

A new president, another new beginning for public education? Perspective, Page 4

Golden State takes Wiseman No. 2 in NBA Draft. Precious Achiuwa goes No 20 in first round to Miami. Sports, Page 9

November 19 - 25, 2020

VOL. 69, No. 47

www.tsdmemphis.com

Handy takes center stage!

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Council mulls special task force to stem violentcrime surge by James Coleman

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Melvin Jones

Melvin Jones – a champion for black businesses – dies by Florence Howard and John Semien

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Melvin Jones continuously showed his love for Memphis by never wavering in his support for the growth and development of African-American businesses – even though his advocacy could sometimes come across as an irritant to some. Jones, the founder and CEO of the Black Business Directory, died on Monday (Nov. 16). He was 66. A graduate of Cornell Law School, he served for a while as interim editor of the Tri-State Defender. Funeral Services for Jones are set for 10 a.m. Saturday at Mt. Olive Cathedral C.M.E. Church and will be streamed live from mtolivecathedral.com and on the church’s Facebook platform. The wake will be Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Mt. Olive. State Rep. G.A. Hardaway learned of Jones death on Tuesday. Jones, he said, recently had reached out to him to arrange a meeting for a proposed project to benefit Black business owners across the state. Alandas Dobbins, a longtime friend, recalled interacting with him as she served as director of the Memphis Office of Resources and Enterprise during the administration of former Mayor A C Wharton Jr. “There are so few people who are really selﬂess and fighting for a better day for African Americans. Melvin was one of those people. He was tireless in faithfully moving the needle ahead for African-American business owners by standing up and standing out for us.” Sometimes fear keeps many Blacks from speaking out, but Jones didn’t have that problem, Dobbins said. “He was working for all of us. He was fearless in his dedication to us until the day he died.” David Williams, regional director for Vitalant, the blood and plasma organization that replaced

SEE JONES ON PAGE 2

After months pushed to the side and placed under wraps, the statue of W.C. Handy now has a prominent new ‘home’ in the Beale St. Entertainment District Park that bears his name. Elaine Turner, who runs the nearby W.C. Handy Memphis Home and Museum, took part in the ribbon cutting ceremony, which featured the music of Ekpe and Company. Related story, photos on Page 6. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley)

Faced with a skyrocketing violent crime rate, the Memphis City council Tuesday (Nov. 17) discussed the creation of a task force designed to bring various organizations, government and nongovernment alike, to develop new approaches to the staggering numbers. Most worrying is the murder rate, which has risen 26.2 percent in the last year, according to the Memphis and Shelby County Crime Commission. Violent gun-related incidents have risen 14.2 percent. Aggravated assaults have jumped 14.7 percent. Overall, the major violent crime rate has increased 9.1 percent, with gang activity fingered as a prime culprit. “It’s my understanding after talking with the (Memphis) mayor (Jim Strickland) about this, I think they’re dying for us to be able to nominate people to fill these positions because they need our observations on the ground to get the correct people on this task force to make it work,” said Councilman Dr. Jeff Warren, who introduced the resolution. The proposed task force is a recognition that previous efforts to stem violent crime in Memphis and Shelby County have fallen short. Part of the blame was put on a lack of cohesion between organizations committed to the problem. “It’s designed to coordinate all these different funding groups and bodies with different jurisdictions to come together and organize and break down the silos that they are doing to get efficiencies and improve-

SEE CRIME ON PAGE 2

MMBC panel throws post-pandemic lifeline to hard-hit businesses

by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

How diversity and inclusion can help minority enterprises survive and thrive during the COVID-19 pandemic was the key focus of this year’s 13th Annual Conference of the Mid-South Minority Business Council Continuum (MMBC Continuum). “The pandemic has resulted in small businesses and corporations, alike, adjusting their operations, head count, use of facilities, and strategic priorities,” said Jozelle Luster Booker, the organization’s president and CEO. “We wanted to show how diversity, inclusion, and equity can improve a corporation’s performance as well as be an economic driver in the com-

munity moving beyond this pandemic,” which particularly been devastating to small- and minority-owned businesses. A report from the New York Fed released in Jozelle Luster Booker August, for example, stated that nearly half of Black small businesses had been wiped out by the end of April as the pandemic disproportionately ravaged minority communities. The report found that Black-owned businesses were more than twice as likely to shutter as their white counterparts. The two-day hybrid virtual Contin-

uum conference Nov. 10-11 featured live and pre-recorded presentations. Highlights included a panel of corporate business executives, who offered participants invaluable information to help minority enterprises survive and thrive in a post-pandemic economy. The panel discussion, “Suite Talk: Moving Forward With Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity,” created lots of buzz in the virtual networking lounge, which allowed participants to comment and chat with other watching the session. “The conference explored the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on businesses and workable strategies that can make all businesses stronger together,” said Booker. Panelists were: Markita Jack, senior vice president and senior manag-

er of Diversity, Inclusion and Equity at First Horizon Bank; David McKinney, vice president of Government, Public and Community Relations for AutoZone, and Dr. Albert Mosley, senior vice president and chief mission integration officer for Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare. Jack said that equity was mutually beneficial to both the corporation and the community. “There was research done by the Kellogg Foundation that equity can account for $8 trillion GDP growth over the next 40 years, if we do this right,” said Jack. “So, it is really important. It’s the right thing to do, and humanity needs this now. It’s exciting to continue this work at First

SEE MMBC ON PAGE 2

ith es.

The New Tri-State Defender

November 19 - 25, 2020

Page 2

NEWS CRIME

CONTINUED FROM FRONT

Royal treatment… D.J. and promoter Emmitt “Superstar” Brown and his wife, Fay (left), hosted a “very royal” baby shower for their daughter, Tiffinie (right), at the K3 Studio Café at 1130 South Third St. last Sunday. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley)

JONES

CONTINUED FROM FRONT LifeBlood in Memphis, said he was “just sick” when he learned of Jones’ death. Williams, former president/ CEO of Leadership Memphis, talked of Jones’ passion for supporting Black businesses, describing him as an early inﬂuence on his wider understanding of the importance of supporting minority businesses. “He was a crusader for minority businesses,” Williams said, as he recalled a “a smart guy” with an ample amount of stories and questions on just about any issue one might want to discuss. “Melvin was someone who cared about the well-being of Memphis and a supporter of Black business,” Williams said. “We lost a lot of great people this year, but that was certainly unexpected.” Judith Black Moore, a former corporate executive who now serves as president of the Tarik Foundation, Inc., said Jones was a “dear friend.” “He hired me as a writer when I returned to Memphis in the 90s to create copy for the Black Business Directory. I worked with him to produce his Simply the Best Awards show. He

MMBC

CONTINUED FROM FRONT Horizon.” McKinney said diversity at the highest levels is important in any corporation. “About seven years ago, we stood up and formed a DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) program,” said McKinney. “And it is a journey. It’s something you are always working on. But I am pleased to say starting in January of 2021, six of 14 of our most senior executives will be ethnic ... and we’ll put that up against any Fortune 500 company.”

supported me in becoming Minority Business Oversight Commissioner and later when I became chair.” Moore said, “Melvin would come to me with new project ideas for ways to honor and support Black businesses. Some of them he made happen. Some were great dreams. But he never stopped pursuing ways for Black businesses in Memphis to receive their fair share of the economy.” Jones was “passionate, uncompromising and tenacious because he believed in Black businesses,” she said. “Melvin was relentless in encouraging city government and the business sector to recognize and offer both mentoring and contract opportunities to Black businesses. He was equally as diligent in encouraging Memphians to patronize these businesses.” An “an activist for Black business,” Jones, who was former chairman of the Minority Business Development Oversight Committee under Mayor Wharton, was “a presence in the Memphis business community that will truly be missed,” Moore said. That’s how Dobbins remembers Jones as well. “You might not have liked his potency,” said Dobbins. “He took licks and kept on ticking for us.” Mosley touted Methodist Le Bonheur’s commitment to “improving every life we touch. “We are a comprehensive, notfor-profit, faith-based entity, and so our mission drives us,” said Mosley. “We have a strong commitment to three p’s: people, philanthropy, and purchasing. “We make an effort to intentionally reﬂect the community. Six of our 10 top executives are ethnic or women. We take a strategic approach to philanthropy…We have a $5 billion economic impact on the community, and we know that can make a real difference by being intentional about vendor diversity.”

Black Business Directory (BBD) founder/President Melvin Jones salutes excellence with this presentation of a Black Business Directory award. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley)

Markita Jack

David McKinney

The panel discussion was just short of an hour in length and can be viewed in its entirety on the MBDA Cares Facebook page. Kimmie Vaulx, system director of

communications for Baptist Memorial Health Care, was panel facilitator. “We are confident that business owners will be inspired to advocate for Albert these strategic Mosley priorities within their organizations,” said Booker. “Panelists gave great insight in how we move forward together to rebuild and create stronger economies.”

ment in how we’ve been trying to manage this in the past. “What we’ve done isn’t working as well as we would like. We already have parts of this puzzle working separately out there and if we could get this task force designed to be the integrating force that pulls things together,” Warren said. Representatives will be sought from every council district. In addition to law enforcement agencies and departments, the commission will seek input from a variety of community organizations and individuals. The structure will likely feature a “major” task force. A “community” task force will report to it. “We need community members, we need church members, we need people who have contact with gangs on here in addition to all the various organizations of our government that will make this task force work,” said Warren. “But it’s got to be developed in Memphis with people in Memphis on the task force.” Many large cities with similar task forces developed them in recognition of local problems and politics, according to Warren. Still, there were questions about potential overlap and redundancies between the proposed task force and current efforts. “I’m all for more efforts to abate violent crime. It needs more funding. I don’t think we do enough as a community. I don’t think we do enough as a city or City Council. My main question on this resolution is how does it differ in responsibilities from the Memphis and Shelby County Crime Commission?” asked Councilman Worth Morgan. The Crime Commission is a non-profit focused on public safety. Started in 1997, it sets crime-reduction goals for the City of Memphis, the District Attorney’s office and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office. In 2017, it began a five-year plan to reduce rates in Memphis and Shelby County. Many of its goals have not been met. “It’s how you take the resources you have and better coordinate with them. The Crime Commission would be in there, but the Crime Commission is not really involved in coordinating this sort of process,” replied Warren. Buy-in to the task force from the next police director would be requisite. Current Director Michael Rallings is scheduled to retire on April 15. However, a new chief could be on the job by March 15. Early estimates for costs to get the task force up and running range $1-2 million. Funding would come from the Mayor’s Office with the council’s approval. Other local and state agencies would likely pitch in too. If the money is there, it will take six months to a year to take shape. “I would like to know who the other agencies are and how they will be interacting so we have a complete picture of what we are asking the mayor to do,” said Councilwoman Cheyenne Johnson.

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The New Tri-State Defender

November 19 - 25, 2020

Page 3

PERSPECTIVE The New Tri-State Defender, November 19 - 25, 2020, Page 4

Together, we can beat this, but only if we each do our part to ensure everyone is safe.

A new president, another new beginning for public education? by Curtis Weathers

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Reginald Coopwood

Sally Deitch

Jason Little

Michael Ugwueke

Now, more than ever, the outcome is in our hands. (This joint op-ed column is by Reginald Coopwood, president/CEO, Regional One Health; Sally Deitch, Memphis Market president/CEO, Saint Francis Hospital-Memphis and Saint Francis Hospital-Bartlett; Jason Little, president/CEO, Baptist Memorial Health Care; and Michael Ugwueke, president/CEO,Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare.)

A volatile 2020 is rapidly drawing to a close, perhaps to our collective relief. Everyday acts of heroism and resilience have become inspiringly commonplace. But a succession of social and political challenges, coupled with the upheavals of the COVID-19 pandemic, have made us all feel like endurance runners on an endless trail of abrupt turns. Week after week, we sat on the edges of our seats waiting for the all-clear, desperate for “normal” to recommence. We are all eagerly awaiting a safe and effective vaccine, and even with promising early reports, we are still months away from scientists’ tireless work coming to fruition. We’ve been forced to reckon with countless hard truths this year. And as cases continue to trend upward, there is no alternative but to face another: this pandemic is not over. Now more than ever, the outcome of the weeks and months that follow is in our hands as a community, based in large part on our personal and collective choices. As the chief executives of the MidSouth’s largest healthcare systems, we speak on behalf of our patients and staff in saying these choices will determine our facilities’ ability to cope with the convergence of the seasonal ﬂu and rapidly rising cases of COVID-19. We say this in solidarity with clinical leaders across the region. Unlike when we started this journey, there’s no question about measures that are effective in combatting the spread of the virus. We now know what works. Washing our hands, wearing masks and practicing social distancing are tools at everyone’s disposal, empowering us to bring down caseloads, ease suffering and even save lives. We understand that these feel like big “asks” especially as the pandemic has persisted longer than any of us anticipated. But, we’ve done it before. In early summer, when COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations spiked, Tennessee as a whole readily shifted to widespread mask-wearing and social distancing. As a result, new cases declined 56 percent, and hospitalizations fell by 38 percent in just six weeks. If we do this, we can also keep our economy in Memphis open and running well. We can protect all people, and keep them active in their livelihoods so they can provide for their families. This is a commu-

We need you to do your part to slow the virus and help our hospitals meet this moment. nity goal, where we can help each other combat the virus while safeguarding the welfare of our citizens. Everyone should be able to get behind that goal, regardless of background and political affiliation. New Zealand’s Jacinda Ardern famously called her fellow citizens the “team of five million,” united in facing and stopping the spread of a dangerous pandemic. We think the same of our community. If we are all truly looking out for one another, there is strength in numbers, and in this moment, your team members need you. We know you’re tired. But, we cannot give up. We want you to know that we are still here for you and will never back down from our mission of keeping you safe and healthy. But, we need you to do your part to slow the virus and help our hospitals meet this moment. The doctors, nurses and support staff at our hospitals, who undertake great personal risk on the frontlines of the pandemic response, need you. Vulnerable family, friends and neighbors, who may be elderly or suffer from chronic conditions, need you. Our local economy also needs you. If case levels slip far out of our control, we can expect a repeated cycle of opening and closing that will further damage many industries and businesses, and permanently close others. The small, local businesses that are the backbone of our economy are likely to be affected disproportionately. Together, we can beat this, but only if we each do our part to ensure everyone is safe. We must remind ourselves of our individual and collective power and continue forward. The finish line is just around the corner — but the virus wins if we give up.

Words cannot describe the exhilaration I’m experiencing, regarding the results of our recent elections, so I won’t even try. Suffice to say, a significant portion of our nation’s citizenry is breathing a collective sigh of relief. It appears for now that our democracy will hold together despite the unprecedented stress applied to its many guardrails over Curtis the last few years, Weathers and the past several weeks and days. In a previous column, I threw a considerable amount of shade in the direction of Secretary of Education Betsy Devos. The criticism, I believe, is well deserved. My issues with Secretary Devos at that time centered primarily on her lack of leadership and support in guiding our education community through a coronavirus pandemic that continues to wreak havoc throughout the nation. I’m still awed by the fact that she was not a member of the President’s Coronavirus Task Force. I have other issues with her leadership, as well. For example, during her tenure, she has worked diligently to reduce the Department of Education’s footprint by proposing cuts to public school funding and narrowing the department’s enforcement role of federal education laws and civil rights. Now that we are about to have a new president, we can look forward to new leadership, not only in the White House, but in the U.S. Department of Education as well. I recognize that for a lot of people, the Secretary of Education is a position or person that rarely crosses their minds. But this person has a lot to do with the laws that govern our school systems and, thus, the quality of education our children receive. While the Secretary of Education does not make the laws, he or she facilitates dialogue and advises Congress and others charged with writing the various statutes that govern our educational systems. At the end of this school year, our nation’s federal education law – the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) – is scheduled for reauthorization. ESSA is a federal statute introduced by Tennessee Republican U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander on April 30, 2015. It was then signed into law by President Barack Obama a few months later, which is proof positive that bipartisanship in Congress was once a real phenomenon. ESSA is also a reauthorization of the 1965 Elementary and Secondary Education Act, which established the federal government’s expanded role in public education. Its purpose is to ensure that all children in America receive a fair, equitable and high-quality education and close educational achievement gaps. The law went into full effect during the 2017-2018 school year, and initial funding was authorized through the 2020-2021 school year. So next year, congress will start the ar-

duous task of updating and revising the laws that govern our nation’s educational institutions. But it looks unlikely that they will meet their self-imposed deadline for reauthorization. Still, I’m certain this legislation will be addressed sometime during the first 24 months of the Biden administration. The fact that this is such a significant education bill with more than $25 billion in federal education dollars hanging in the balance, the Secretary of Education (whomever he or she might be) will play a pivotal role in the reauthorization process. Educational experts and political pundits across a diverse spectrum of interest groups have, over the years, weighed in on the pros and cons of ESSA provisions. In its current form, I believe the statute was a significant step in the right direction. It was indeed a marked improvement from its predecessor, the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). States and school districts have learned a lot about what truly works regarding school reform, testing and accountability, education equity, school funding, the recruitment and hiring of teachers, serving students with special needs, and many more of the issues addressed in ESSA’s provisions. I’m confident that, based on what we’ve learned, significant improvements can be made. But we need strong, decisive leadership in the U.S. Department of Education to help put the pieces together and oversee a robust public discussion and implementation. The new Secretary of Education must be someone who understands public education and is willing to listen and surround themselves with competent, like-minded people. It must be a high-profile individual, who has the respect of Congress and will command the attention of the American people. I am anxious for the discussions to begin. A lot is at stake. While I’m excited about what lies ahead, given the current state of our democracy, I do worry whether we have the will and/ or capacity at this time to rethink the contours of public education in America. With the right people at the helm, I think the American people can be presented with a dynamic body of work (ESSA 2.0) that will have a real impact on the education of ALL children in America. We can get this done. Stay safe, and keep our schools in your prayers. (For more information about Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), visit https:// www.ed.gov/essa. Follow TSD education columnist Curtis Weathers on Twitter (@ curtisweathers); email: curtislweathers@ gmail.com.)

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The New Tri-State Defender

November 19 - 25, 2020

Page 5

RELIGION

Mother and son are God-inspired authors by Shirley Jackson

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

The world opens to children when you read to them. It helps stimulate their minds and creativity. It strengthens relationships. They learn about emotions and the art of speaking. Stephenie Washington, 55, and Brandon Washington, 29, agree. As first-time authors, the mother and son duo have written their respective children’s books. They made their debut at a book signing on Saturday (Nov. 14) at Pentecostal Missionary Baptist Church at1538 Norris Rd. Stephenie’s book is titled “My ABC’s of God’s Guidance for ME.” “(It) is truly meant to bring families together, while ensuring children can recite their alphabets and learn the joy of reading while getting to know Christ,” she said. Stephenie always had a desire to write a children’s book, but said, “(The) time never presented itself. After working in the school system and countless conversations with a colleague, Dr. Breanna Fulton; we often discussed writing books for children… “(The experience of) being in the school sector allowed me to understand the importance of children recognizing their alphabets and reciting sight words. This inspired me to write a children’s book on alphabets. I couldn’t dare leave out my love for Christ. Therefore, I implemented a Christian atmosphere as children learn to read.” Brandon said, “I am astounded to present my children’s book to the community. People have asked the questions, ‘Why’ or ‘How did I come up with such idea?’ “My answer: It was simply a gift from God. As I slept one night, I tossed and turned with the story seeming so real throughout the night. Around 3 a.m., I was

Illustrator Jazmine Franklin. awakened out of my sleep, grabbed my iPad and began putting the story I dreamed of on paper. Thus, “How Many Strikes?” was brought to life.” He added, “As I see my book on Amazon and in the hands of numerous African-American babies, it brings joy to my heart. As for writing, who knows the next chapter God will present. “However, until then I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to the families that purchased my book and those who have supported me along the way!” Brandon’s book is dedicated to his son, Brailyn Washington. “As there has been so much police brutality against African Americans, I want him to know he’s more than the color of his skin,” he said. The illustrator, Jazmine Franklin, said, “I have done illustrations for four books and had a blast working on these books. They are very useful and I feel as though they really speak to the kids in a meaningful way.” Some 60 people attending the books’ signing, which resulted in 104 books being sold between the two authors. Both books can be purchased at Amazon.com.

Heaven-bound instruction... The Rev. Brian Bartlett, pastor of Lake Grove Baptist Church on Weaver Rd. was the guest speaker at the Memphis Baptist Ministerial Association meeting. His sermon was titled “Sticking to the Script.” (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley)

The Hawkins Family in line to have their book signed by author Stephenie Washington. (Photos by Shirley Jackson) Danielle Olison and one-year-old Delawrence with author Brandon Washington.

Life-and-legacy salute... Mt. Vernon Baptist Church Westwood was the setting for the life and legacy service of Alphonzo Willie Davis Sr. last Saturday (Nov. 14.) (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley)

The New Tri-State Defender, November 19 - 25, 2020, Page 6

A special show of love underway in Whitehaven TSD Newsroom Whitehaven will be in the spotlight through this weekend as the I Love Whitehaven Neighborhood and Business Association holds its third annual I Love Whitehaven Weekend. Activities kicked off Tuesday (Nov. 17) and run through Sunday (Nov. 22). Among the activities is the Holiday Marketplace, Saturday (Nov. 21), noon to 3 p.m. at Whitehaven Plaza. Whitehaven Plaza at Raines Road and Elvis Presley Boulevard was selected because the Memphis 3.0 assessment of Whitehaven that identified this property as an “anchor” and the best location in Whitehaven for new brick and mortar businesses. The Marketplace idea came from Pearl Walker in 2018, who felt there should be something for Christmas parade attendees to do after the parade, while they still were in Whitehaven. “It was really bugging me for all of these people to descend onto the area, Pearl and leave as soon as the Walker parade is over,” Walker said. Whitehaven advocates hope the event, despite the fact there will be no Christmas parade this year, still will spotlight Whitehaven, while garnering support for small businesses and encouraging community pride. The Marketplace will host multiple businesses and organizations promoting their goods and services. Participating including businesses offering apparel, gifts baskets, jewelry, hand-crafted items, financial services. Also, Memphis Tilth, Mid-South Kwanzaa and food trucks. Visitors can enjoy a live entertainment and view a nontraditional Christmas Tree decorating demonstration. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, protocols will be observed, including temperature checks and sign ins. The marketplace will have a separate entrance and exit. The Shelby County Health Department has approved the marketplace’s protocols, according to Walker. Whitehaven is the largest African-American community in the Mid-South, with the highest average per capita household income of $45,000. It also is the largest African-American voting bloc in the Mid-South. The ILWW is produced by the ILWBNAin conjunction with a grant from Community Lift and sponsored by Motherland Gallery (http://communitylift.org/memphis-empowerment-fund/). Motherland Gallery came on board as a sponsor in hopes to bring attention to their storefront located in Whitehaven Plaza at 4080 Elvis Presley that was closed for several weeks due to the coronavirus. “First business really slowed down, plus me and my wife Maxine are elderly with pre-existing conditions and were afraid to engage with the public.” said owner Stanley Taylor. “We are praying that things will pick up for the holidays.” Other events include: A talent show Sunday (Nov. 22). The lighting of the holiday display at Graceland, which will be virtual on the Graceland Facebook page, Thursday (Nov. 19). A virtual care-givers workshop at 7 p.m. Wednesday (Nov. 18). A news and information session titled Whitehaven 411, hosted by Walker, at 3 p.m. Friday (Nov. 20). The Whitehaven Live Spoken Word & Talent Showcase at 2 p.m. Sunday (Nov. 22), an in-person event at The Check-in food truck at 1798 Winchester Rd. and streamed live on the marketplace Facebook page. Information to access the virtual events is available on the Whitehaven Vendors Marketplace page on Facebook marketplace Facebook page. (For information contact Pearl Walker 901289-6909.)

Dr. Carlos Handy, the grandson of W.C. Handy, helps frame the day of celebration for his grandfather, W.C. Handy, renowned as the “Father of the Blues.” (Photos: Tyrone P. Easley)

Handy ‘turns’ 147 as Memphis celebrates

TSD Newroom The re-opening Monday of W.C. Handy Park on Beale St. was paired with the annual birthday celebration of the “Father of the Blues.” Dr. Carlos Handy, the grandson of W. C. Handy, was among the special guests. He and Mayor Jim Strickland cut the ribbon on the revamped park that helps anchor the Beale St. Entertainment District. Accenting the occasion was Joyce Cobb singing

W.C. Handy’s “Memphis Blues” and “Beale Street Blues.” Ekpe and Company provided the prelude and postlude music, with a special presentation by Deborah Manning Thomas. The Rev. Dr. L. LaSimba M. Gray Jr. set the tone with his invocation. The annual birth salute to Handy unfolded on the porch of his home, which forms the basis for the W.C. Handy Home and Museum operated by Elaine Turner and Heritage Tours.

Dr. Carlos Handy (center) tours the W.C. Handy Memphis Home and Museum. Celebrating Handy: (l-r) Dr. Carlos Handy, Yvonne Acey, David Acey, Dr. L. LaSimba M. Gray Jr. and Mary Gray.

Elaine Turner of Heritage Tours and Dr. Carlos Handy near an image of W.C. Handy inside the W.C. Handy Memphis Home and Museum.

The New Tri-State Defender

November 19 - 25, 2020

Page 7

ENTERTAINMENT

Barack Obama memoir off to recordsetting start in sales by Hillel Italie Associated Press

NEW YORK – Former President Barack Obama’s “A Promised Land” sold nearly 890,000 copies in the U.S. and Canada in its first 24 hours, putting it on track to be the best selling presidential memoir in modern history. The first-day sales, a record for Penguin Random House, includes pre-orders, e-books and audio. “We are thrilled with the first day sales,” said David Drake, publisher of the Penguin Random House imprint Crown. “They reﬂect the widespread excitement that readers have for President Obama’s highly anticipated and extraordinarily written book.” The only book by a former White House resident to come close to the early pace of “A Promised Land” is the memoir by Obama’s wife, Michelle Obama, whose “Becoming” sold 725,000 copies in North America its first day and has topped 10 million worldwide since its release in 2018. “Becoming” is still so in demand that Crown, which publishes both Obamas and reportedly paid around $60 million for their books, has yet to release a paperback. As of midday Wednesday, “A Promised Land” was No. 1 on Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.com. James Daunt, CEO of Barnes & Noble, said that the superstore chain easily sold more than 50,000 copies its first day and hoped to reach half a million within 10 days. Obama’s 768-page memoir, which came out Tuesday and has a list price of $45, had unusually risky timing for a book of such importance to the author, to readers and to the publishing industry. It came out just two weeks after Election Day and could

have been overshadowed had the race still been in doubt or perhaps unwanted by distressed Obama fans if President Donald Trump had defeated Democratic nominee Joe Biden. But Biden won and his victory likely renews interest in an era when he was Obama’s trusted and popular vice president. Obama himself acknowledges that he didn’t intend for the book, the first of two planned volumes, to arrive so close to a presidential election or to take nearly four years after he left the White House — months longer than for “My Life” and two years longer than “Decision Points.” In the introduction to “A Promised Land,” dated August 2020, Obama writes that “the book kept growing in length and scope” as he found he needed more words than expected to capture a given moment — a bind many authors well understand. He was also working under conditions he “didn’t fully anticipate,” from the pandemic to the Black Lives Matters protests, to, “most troubling of all,” how the country’s “democracy seems to be teetering on the brink of crisis.” Because of the pandemic, Obama will not go on the all-star arena tour Michelle Obama had for “Becoming.” But he benefits from the attention of any memoir by a former president and by the special attention for Obama, who has the rare stature among politicians of writing his own books and for attracting as much or more attention for how he tells a story than for the story itself. Obama has already written two acclaimed, million-selling works, “Dreams from My Father” and “The Audacity of Hope, which came out in 2006. His new book covers some of the same time period as his previous ones, while continuing his story through the first 2 1/2 years of his presidency and the 2011 killing of Osama

bin Laden by the Navy SEALS. Publishers Weekly praised the book as “shot through with memorable turns of phrase,” while other reviews were more qualified, calling the book all too reﬂective of Obama’s thoughtful, even-handed style. The New York Times’ Jennifer Szalai wrote that the “most audacious thing” about “A Promised Land” is “the beaming portrait” of Obama on the cover. The Washington

Post’s Carlos Lozada noted that in “domestic policy and foreign affairs, in debates over culture and race, Obama splits differences, clings to the middle ground and trusts in process as much as principle.” Obama’s book is the highlight of publishing’s holiday season and for some independent bookstores, the potential difference between remaining in business or closing.

COMMUNITY The New Tri-State Defender, November 19 - 25, 2020, Page 8

Record 835 COVID-19 cases logged Tuesday in Shelby County by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

The predicted “fall surge” of COVID-19 cases is in full effect, according to Shelby County officials. A record-breaking, daily number of 835 new cases was reported at Tuesday’s COVID-19 Joint Task Force update. However, while worrisome, Tuesday’s reported new-cases total is the result of a processing backlog, officials said. On Monday (Nov. 16), the Shelby County Health Department reported 686 new COVID-19 cases. Wednesday’s briefing totals showed 192 new cases over a 24-hour period. The number of reported deaths during that period was four, raising total deaths to 617. At Tuesday’s briefing, Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris said, “We are in a challenging period … We are still weeks away from a limited number of vaccines available for distribution. “I will continue working with leaders across West Tennessee to encourage all 21 counties in this region – that includes 70 cities – to adopt a

public masking mandate.” Harris said all Shelby County organizations are being encouraged to do some type of screening as people enter their establishAlisa ments. Haushalter “We screened more than 14,000 people in the month of October at Shelby County government buildings,” said Harris. “Since the month of August, we have screened 31,000 using information technology and digital screening. We’ve had to re-direct 106 people showing signs of infection.” Shelby County presently has a 9.6 positivity rate. That is nearly 10 out of every hundred people who test are positive. “We have performed 619,666 tests in Shelby County, but more than 14,000 appointments are still available,” said David Sweat, chief of epidemiology for the Shelby County Health Department. “We have 389

hospitalized at present. Surrounding counties come to Shelby County hospitals for treatment.” Sweat said DeSoto County is the most active area among the adjacent counties. Uncontrolled spread, he said, is caused by those who show symptoms of the coronavirus and continue to go to work and attend school. Health Department Director Alisa Haushalter said the majority of new cases are among younger people. “Most new cases reported are younger than 45,” Haushalter said. “We previously said everyone should wear masks out in public. Now, we know that masks should be worn when you connect with people outside of the household.” Travel is being discouraged this holiday season, but those who plan to travel should be tested before they leave, Haushalter said. Health officials said there are several areas of extreme concern as this new surge gets underway: rising pandemic numbers, adequate health-care staffing and hospital capacity. “Right now, we are focused on staffing,” said Haushalter. “When New York had that big surge, you had

COVID-19 learning loss not as bad as SCS anticipated

nurses coming in from other parts of the country to help out. But now, there is a serious shortage of nurses all across the country. We are concerned about our hospital capacity going into the holidays.” Haushalter said four out of five people, or 80 percent of infected individuals, do not quarantine, but they go about their normal routine for one to three days after being tested. By that time, they have infected 40 to 45 more people, she said. In contact tracing, health officials not only identify people, but public venues where these contacts are made. “As we track the public businesses, where many of these infections happen, there are three, particular places that are over-represented,” said Haushalter. “Places where young people socialize in groups – a home

or some other place, restaurants and gyms where people are working out – these three are over-represented.” Haushalter said these venues are most at risk because these are places where people tend to remove their masks. Haushalter said there is COVID-19 fatigue, but “we can’t get complacent.” Mayor Harris said he will continue to collaborate with mayors and officials in surrounding counties to mitigate the alarming surge. “We continue to say this is a marathon, not a sprint,” said Harris. “We are at a critical juncture, and we will continue to work very hard on a consensus with officials in surrounding areas.” (For information or assistance in setting up screening in some public place or business, call: 901-222-2012.)

Allen Fossil Plant ‘deconstruction’ to offer contract opportunities for minority businesses owners by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Adults at home may have skewed some data by Laura Faith Kebede Chalkbeat Tennessee

More Memphis elementary and middle school students scored significantly below grade level on diagnostic tests compared with last year, but the numbers were more encouraging than the school district anticipated back when the coronavirus pandemic began. On a separate test meant to gauge student learning from last school year, a majority of first and second graders scored on grade level, but Shelby County Schools leaders suspect that adults monitoring students learning online helped boost results. A district presentation to school board members Tuesday provided the first systemwide look at student learning loss in the months since school buildings closed due to the coronavirus crisis. Early in the pandemic, Memphis education leaders cited national predictions from test makers and researchers to warn that students may forget a lot of what they learned before schools closed. The district’s results on the national iReady exams suggest most of those projections were overstated, though some information is missing. In reading, 28 percent of Shelby County Schools students in kindergarten through eighth grade scored two or more grade levels behind. That’s up from 27 percent the previous year. In math, 29 percent of K-8 students scored two or more grade levels behind, compared with 23 percent a year earlier. The district is using a new diagnostic test for high school students so this year’s scores cannot be compared to last year’s, said Antonio Burt, the district’s chief academic officer. Those results were not included in Tuesday’s presentation. The declines were not enough to prompt district Superintendent Joris

David Sweat, chief of epidemiology for the Shelby County Health Department, provides details at Tuesday’s COVID-19 joint task briefing. (Screen capture)

Students will continue to learn online even after Shelby County Schools plans to reopen buildings in January. (Photo: Jacinthia Jones/Chalkbeat)

“We are balancing concerns of learning loss with losing lives.” — Joris Ray Ray to amend his learning plan, which has children learning all online, but he vowed to help students catch up. District leaders acknowledge that traditional in-person instruction would help students catch up faster, but are reluctant to send children and faculty back into classrooms amid surging coronavirus cases. “We are balancing concerns of learning loss with losing lives,” Ray told board members. Under the district’s current plan to reopen school buildings in January, students will continue to learn online whether or not they return in person. District officials said they want students to be able to interact with peers in a school setting, without giving them an unfair academic advantage over students learning remotely. Burt said the rates of learning loss as measured by the iReady results are similar to more than 150 other districts where the program is used. Teachers previously told Chalkbeat they expected students to retain most of what they learned in the spring because lessons were largely wrapping up when the district closed. Educators were about to start reviewing previously taught material for the state’s annual exam, which was later canceled. A separate test called Mastery Con-

nect sought to measure what concepts students learned that normally would have been on tests at the end of the previous school year — something the district had not used the program for before. On those tests, 58.5 percent of students in first and second grades met learning standards in English while 62.4 percent of the same students met math standards. Burt told board members those numbers usually range from 35 percent to 45 percent, which led district officials to think adults at home may have helped students in the lower grades score higher. Nashville school officials came to a similar conclusion earlier this year, back when all students were learning remotely. Mastery Connect results from other grade levels showed that a majority of students had not mastered concepts from their previous year: • Grades 3 to 5: 82.6 percent below grade level in English and 74.5 percent below grade level in math. • Grades 6 to 8: 80.9 percent below grade level in English and 91 percent below grade level in math. • Grades 9 to 12: 73.6 percent below grade level in English and 95.6 percent below grade level in math Burt told reporters after the meeting that Shelby County Schools is administering another round of tests between now and Dec. 11 to help district leaders gauge if and how online learning is helping students catch up. The district will analyze the results and then make them public, he said.

The TVA Allen Fossil Plant Virtual Open House Tuesday evening was a bit different than most. This open house actually touted the total dismantling of an energy site. The event was held to explain TVA’s decision and processes in shutting down the coal-burning operation, which provided power to Memphis and Shelby County until June, 2018. TVA staff talked about the steps being taken to deconstruct the plant, all the while meeting stringent safety requirements: removing groundwater, carrying coal ash by trucks, removing chemical waste and “beautifully restoring the site.” The timeline for total decontamination and deconstruction is projected to be an 8- to 10-year process, officials said. Minority contractors in Memphis are being brought into the project as a result of the economic development focus of the site’s construction manager, Angela Austin. “I lived in Whitehaven for six years before moving into the Hickory Hill community,” said Austin. “This is our home. Memphis is our home. Economic development by fostering job creation is another core principle. Minority businesses have not been able to get a foot in the door until now.” In an interview with The New Tri-State Defender on Wednesday, Austin offered up fuller details of the plan. “I came over from power operations,” said Austin. “We always used large contractors because it was quick and easy. But as construction manager over here, it occurred to me that minority businesses have trouble competing against larger companies. They don’t meet the bonding and insurance requirements.” Austin’s solution was to get large vendors to work as mentors to these small contractors so that they can learn as they grow. “We can bring them up under the larger contractors,” Austin said.

“While they participate in the project, they can learn about scheduling, cost estimation, accurate financial forecasting, things like that. I only require that these minority contractors have a good safety record.” Austin said one of TVA’s largest Memphis contractors, Kiewit Construction Company, will host an informational meeting Dec. 1, 2020. Details will be released later. Executive Director of TVA-Memphis Mark Creech said TVA seeks to be a steward of the environment as it begins removal of water and coal ash next year. All operations will be conducted according to guidelines set by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), he said. Community Relations Program Manager Latrivia Welch said the efforts have an educational component as well. TVA has programs to help children understand what energy is, and how it works. Coloring books and other items are available for youngsters in elementary school. TVA’s Allen Fossil Plant was sprawled across 500 acres on McKellar Lake, five miles southwest of downtown Memphis. Memphis Light Gas & Water began construction in 1956. The plant was leased to TVA in 1964, and TVA purchased it outright in 1984. The site was named for Thomas H. Allen, a former MLGW president. All three of Allen’s coal-fired units were retired by June 2018 and replaced with the Allen Combined Cycle Natural Gas Plant, which began operations in May, 2018. The site also features a single megawatt solar farm, generating roughly 1,000 megawatts of power – or enough to power more than 500,000 homes and businesses in the greater Memphis area and TVA’s western service territory. Comments and observations on the plans are welcome, and tours are available. (For more information, email Latrivia Welch at: lswelch0@tva. com.)

The New Tri-State Defender

November 19 - 25, 2020

SPORTS

Warriors select James Wiseman with second overall pick by Janie McCauley The Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO – The Golden State Warriors selected Memphis center James Wiseman with the second overall pick in the NBA draft Wednesday night. Wiseman averaged 34.2 points in three games as a freshman for the Tigers before a 12-game suspension by the NCAA because his family accepted impermissible benefits. While serving the penalty, the 7-foot-1,

240-pound Wiseman decided to turn his attention to the draft. “Just going through this adversity made me stronger as a person,” Wiseman told ESPN shortly after the pick. “I’m truly ready just to go to Golden State and go and learn as much as possible.” Another Memphis product, Precious Achiuwa, also went in the first round. The Miami Heat, fresh off of a run to the NBA Finals, chose the former University of Memphis and American Athletic Conference star with the No. 20 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.

Tigers tip off basketball season next week by Terry Davis

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

The University of Memphis basketball programs kicked off their 2020-202 seasons with their annual Memphis Madness exhibition Nov. 12, but without the traditional splendor of past events because of the COVID-19 pandemic The event was held virtually and the buzz leading up to the session lacked the anticipation of the previous pre-season events. There were no musical acts. The event, however, did have a three-point contest, a skills challenge and a dunk contest. On how the men’s practices are going Hardaway said, “It is refreshing to see how the freshmen understands their roles and job now. I think they put a lot of pressure on themselves. They have come together and know what to do.” Jeffries and Nolley D J Jeffries has been receiving a lot of national preseason buzz. He was tabbed as a preseason all-conference second team along with new teammate Landers Nolley. On playing his second year, Jeffries said, “Last year we did not know what to expect, but we know what to expect this year. We have some older guys, and we have one freshman Moussa (Cisse). I feel like we are just more experienced this year.” It has been said Nolley and Jeffries are, so far, the best players on the team, which is one for the preseason hype. Nolley, a transfer from Virginia Tech, is all about action and short on words. One reason, Nolley came to Memphis was because he wanted the staff to prepare him for the NBA. On playing in the system so far, Nolley said, “It is definitely an NBA offense. It is getting you ready for the next level and getting us ready for the season. It is teaching us to play to our strengths.” Questions, questions, questions There are many unknown questions. It has been speculated that Moussa Cisse may not be eligible to play when the season tips off

on Nov. 25. Rumors have started to bubble that he has not been cleared by the NCAA clearinghouse. If this sounds familiar, it is. This the same scenario that James Wiseman went through last season. He was cleared, then he was ruled ineligible. He had to Terry sit out several games beDavis fore deciding to turn professional. He is expected to be a high draft pick. When will the committee on infractions rule on the Memphis case? Memphis played Wiseman during the time he was ruled ineligible for three games, because of a court order. The NCAA sent Memphis a notice of infraction last year and that was supposed to be adjudicated in March, but the COVID-19 pandemic changed that schedule. Regarding DeAndre Williams, it is not a question of if the transfer from Evansville will be declared eligible, but when. Hardaway and the staff expect Williams will be able to play this season. Malcolm Dandridge and Isaiah Stokes were not introduced as a part of the Memphis Madness. Stokes has been dealing with family issues and Dandridge was not available when the player-introductions filmed. Schedule The schedule for the most part is done and will be released soon. The expected game against the Tennessee Volunteers, scheduled for Nashville next month, has been pushed to Dec. 18. 2021. Memphis and Ole Miss will play their scheduled game this season in Oxford. Memphis is set to tip off the season on Nov.25 in South Dakota at the Crossover Classic against St. Mary’s. Three of the big names that were scheduled to be a part of the tournament when it originally was scheduled for the Bahamas – Duke, Ohio State and most recently Texas A&M – have pulled out. Memphis opens the season unranked showing up two spots outside the AP Top 25 preseason poll.

Page 9

CLASSIFIEDS NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Cannoka, LLC Tax Parcel #: 02405000000130 Tax Sale #: 1603 Price Offered: $400.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 2:30 p.m. on February 8, 2021, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Ofﬁce, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort. Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400

NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Verne C. Reidmoore Tax Parcel #: 04002400000600 Tax Sale #: 94.5 Price Offered: $50.00 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 February 4, 2021, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Ofﬁce, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort. Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400

NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Monique Rucker Tax Parcel #: 04903700000300 Tax Sale #: 1102 Price Offered: $300.00 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 January 13, 2021, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Ofﬁce, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort. Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400

NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT

Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Wooten&#039;s Property Preservation Tax Parcel #: 09007600000060 Tax Sale #: 1602 Price Offered: $600.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 10:30 a.m. on December 16, 2020, 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: Wooten&#039;s Property Preservation Tax Parcel #: 05207200000020 Tax Sale #: 1101 Price Offered: $450.00 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 December 16, 2020, 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: Wooten&#039;s Property Preservation Tax Parcel #: 05207200000050 Tax Sale #: 701 Price Offered: $300.00 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 February 8, 2021, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Ofﬁce, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort. Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400

NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT

Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Cannoka, LLC Tax Parcel #: 02405100000200 Tax Sale #: 1603 Price Offered: $300.00 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 February 3, 2021, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Ofﬁce, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort. Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400

NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Cannoka, LLC Tax Parcel #: 07913700000810 Tax Sale #: 1602 Price Offered: $600.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 1:00 p.m. on February 3, 2021, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Ofﬁce, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort. Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400

NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Cannoka, LLC Tax Parcel #: 01303300000110 Tax Sale #: 1602 Price Offered: $1200.00 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 February 3, 2021, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Ofﬁce, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort. Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400

The New Tri-State Defender

November 19 - 25, 2020

Page 10

CLASSIFIEDS lowing property:

of any sort.

Cannoka, LLC Tax Parcel #: 02405000000110 Tax Sale #: 1501 Price Offered: $600.00 Terms: Cash

Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400

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 January 25, 2021, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Ofﬁce, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties

Price Offered: $600.00 Terms: Cash

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:

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 January 13, 2021, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Ofﬁce, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort.

Perry Yarbrough Tax Parcel #: 04507700000160 Tax Sale #: 1603

Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103

NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT

OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC HEARING The Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) hereby affords the public the opportunity for a public hearing in order to receive comments from the public concerning grant applications to the U. S. Department of Transportation – Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) for capital assistance under 49 U.S.C. § 5307, § 5310, § 5337, § 5339 and the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ), and Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) programs. Persons interested in having a hearing must inform MATA in writing within 15 days of the publication of this notice. If no request for a public hearing is received, and the program of projects is not changed prior to the submission of the grant applications, this notice will also serve as the ﬁnal program of projects. If MATA receives a written request for a public hearing within the 15-day period, a second notice will be published stating the date, time, and location of the hearing no later than 10 days before the scheduled hearing. It is not expected that any persons, families, or businesses will be displaced by the projects. The projects are not expected to have a signiﬁcant environmental impact upon the urbanized area. MATA solicits comments on the projects from all interested parties and private transportation providers. The projects will also take into consideration the transit needs of seniors and individuals with disabilities.

(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: Earleane J. Aldridge Tax Parcel #: 07100400000090 Tax Sale #: 1002 Price Offered: $250.00 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 December 10, 2020, 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

Memphis, TN, MS, AR $11,424,778 $ 36,644 $11,461,422

LINE ITEM DESCRIPTION

LINE ITEM BUDGET

1. Bus Facility Improvements

$ 1,350,000 (Federal 1,080,000) (State 135,000) (Local 135,000)

Capital

$ 200,000 (Federal 160,000) (State 20,000) (Local 20,000)

Capital

$ 300,000 (Federal 240,000) (State 30,000) (Local 30,000)

Capital

$ 1,500,000 (Federal 1,200,000) (State 150,000) (Local 150,000)

Capital

2. Computer Hardware and Software

3. Service Vehicles

4. ADA Paratransit Service

Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400

We’re Known By the Money you Keep!

Special purchases with unbeatable low prices.

49 U.S.C. § 5307 FORMULA FUNDS Urbanized Area: Apportionment for FY21: Carryover Funds: Total Funds Available:

ditional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 10:30 a.m. on February 3, 2021, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Ofﬁce, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort.

get it now!

When they’re gone, they’re gone.

PROJECT TYPE Sliced to Order

Full Case 24 Bunches

$ 28

$ 12

10% Added at Checkout

Lb.

Cook’s

Smoked Ham Shank or Butt Portions

Lb.

Plus 10% Added at Checkout

5. Preventive Maintenance

$11,750,000 (Federal 9,400,000) (State 1,175,000) (Local 1,175,000)

Capital

6. Rail Vehicles

$ 2,500,000 (Federal 2,000,000) (State 250,000) (Local 250,000)

Capital

TOTAL SECTION 5307 FUNDS

$17,600,000 (Federal 14,080,000) (State 1,760.000) (Local 1,760,000)

Capital

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49 U.S.C. § 5310 ENHANCED MOBILITY OF SENIORS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES PROGRAM FUNDS 1. Capital Projects

$ 2,000,000 (Federal 1,600,000) (State 200,000) (Local 200,000)

Capital

2. Project Administration

$ 25,000 (Federal (State (Local

Capital

25,000) 0) 0)

49 U.S.C. § 5337 STATE OF GOOD REPAIR FUNDS 1. Preventive Maintenance for Rail System

$ 1,450,000 (Federal 1,160,000) (State 145,000) (Local 145,000)

Capital

2. Rail Facility Improvements

$ 250,000 (Federal 200,000) (State 25,000) (Local 25,000)

Capital

49 U.S.C. § 5339 BUS AND BUS FACILITIES FUNDS 1. Purchase up to 3 Revenue Vehicles and Spare Components

$ 1,350,000 (Federal 1,080,000) (State 135,000) (Local 135,000)

Capital

2. Bus Facility Improvements

$ 3,000,000 (Federal 2,400,000) (State 300,000) (Local 300,000)

Capital

SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BLOCK GRANT FUNDS 1. Purchase up to 12 Revenue Vehicles and Spare Components

$ 5,450,000 (Federal 4,360,000) (State 454,000) (Local 454,000)

Capital

2. Memphis Innovation Corridor

$8,500,000 (Federal 6,800,000) (State 0) (Local 1,700,000)

Capital

3. Transit Mobility Hubs

$ 1,094,500 (Federal 875,600) (State 0) (Local 218,900)

Capital

BETTER UTILIZING INVESTMENTS TO LEVERAGE DEVELOPMENT FUNDS 1. Memphis Innovation Corridor

$17,647,059 (Federal 12,000,000) (State 0) (Local 5,647,059)

Capital

The funds appropriated to MATA through the City of Memphis Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and MATA’s operating budget will be used as local match for the capital budgets with the exception of Section 5310 projects which may be funded with City of Memphis CIP funds, other local funds and/or private funds. The remainder of the budget will be funded through FTA and TDOT. The amount of funds for the projects requested will be subject to the availability of funds appropriated. If a hearing is held, MATA will afford the opportunity for interested persons or agencies to be heard and shall consider the social and economic effects of the projects, their impact on the environment including requirements under the Clean Air Act, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, and other applicable Federal environmental statutes, and the projects’ consistency with the goals of local urban planning. Interested persons may submit orally at the hearing, or in writing, comments, evidence and recommendations with respect to said projects. Additional copies of the Program of Projects and Budget are available upon request. The public may review the draft grant applications at the address listed below Monday through Friday, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. All requests for a public hearing, additional copies of the Program of Projects and Budget, or requests to review the draft grant applications shall be sent to: Ms. Patrina Chambers, Director of Grants and Procurement, Memphis Area Transit Authority, 1370 Levee Road, Memphis, TN 38108, pchambers@matatransit.com. Gary Rosenfeld Chief Executive Ofﬁcer

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The New Tri-State Defender

November 19 - 25, 2020

Page 11

CLASSIFIEDS Tax Sale #: 602 Price Offered: $175.00 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 January 27, 2021, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Ofﬁce, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort. Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400

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 February 3, 2021, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Ofﬁce, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort. Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400

NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Dominique Batson Tax Parcel #: 02905500000260 Tax Sale #: 1101 Price Offered: $150.00 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 1:30 p.m. on January 27, 2021, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Ofﬁce, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort. Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400

NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Uno Enterprises, LLC Tax Parcel #: 03600800000050 Tax Sale #: 1603 Price Offered: $400.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 9:00 a.m. on February 4, 2021, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Ofﬁce, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort. Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400

Peake Wellness, LLC Tax Parcel #: 0350950000001C Tax Sale #: 1503 Price Offered: $1200.00 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 December 8, 2020, 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

Mazo Company LLC Tax Parcel #: 03701400000170 Tax Sale #: 1603 Price Offered: $400.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 1:00 p.m. on January 27, 2021, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Ofﬁce, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort. Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400

NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant

to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Mazo Company LLC Tax Parcel #: 03701400000190 Tax Sale #: 1603 Price Offered: $400.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 1:30 p.m. on January 27, 2021, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Ofﬁce, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort. Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400

NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY

BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Craig Solo 401K Trust Tax Parcel #: 0250090000041C Tax Sale #: 1602 Price Offered: $2500.00 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 February 4, 2021, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Ofﬁce, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort. Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400

Alicia Thompson Tax Parcel #: 05204800000080 Tax Sale #: 1603 Price Offered: $500.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 2:00 p.m. on January 22, 2021, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Ofﬁce, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort. Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400

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The New Tri-State Defender

November 19 - 25, 2020

Page 12