The New Tri-State Defender - December 9, 2021 by The Tri-State Defender

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December 9 - 15, 2021

VOL. 70, No. 49

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South Memphis looks forward to more economic development through TIF by Candace A. Gray

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

“It’s a great day in the neighborhood. South Memphis has a TIF, y’all!,” proclaimed Rebecca Matlock Hutchinson, founder and executive director of South City Opportunity Revitalization Empowerment (SCORE) Community Development Corporation. Hutchinson’s infectious excitement The Power of touched those who gathered recently the Soulsville at the busy South People’s TIF Memphis intersecPerspective: tion of Mississippi Boulevard and WalkPage 4 er Avenue, across the street from famed The Four Way (formerly The Four Way Grill) restaurant. As they did, wind gusts challenged the easel-clad renderings of what many are hopeful will come to South Memphis in the near future. Throughout the event, Hutchinson expressed immense gratitude to the Community Redevelopment Agency board (CRA) for its help in getting to this point. She also thanked the more than 600 community members for their support (even during a pandemic) and input via zoom meetings about what they would like to see in their backyard. And, she expressed gratitude for her fellow board members, community leaders and elected officials who work side-by-side with the SoulsvilleUSA Neighborhoods Development District (SNDD), a 501(c)3 nonprofit, to pursue a TIF (tax-increment financing) designation for South Memphis.

Wooddale High School cheerleader Breuna Woods (left) is shown here with her mother, Porsha Woods. (Photo: Facebook)

Gun violence total mounts with death of teen friends Teen mother, son also shot by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

now are the only ones who will be returning. “Public housing coffers are depleting, while Section 8 funding continues to increase,” said Washington. “These are not gentrification projects, these renovations are for our seniors. We are simply converting the financial source of public housing to the more substantial Section 8 funding. More Section 8 funding will be available for refurbishments of our public housing.” Misinformation and speculation this week gave seniors some anxious, tearful moments. “We understand what’s going on now,” said Jacqueline Morris, 59, a College Park resident. “They should have talked to us sooner. Thirty days

It’s was pretty typical Friday night. Three teen friends were hanging out, ready to enjoy the weekend. They stopped in at a Whitehaven gas station. It would be their last time together. According to the Memphis Police Department, officers made a 9:35 p.m. response to a 911 call on Dec. 3, reporting that shots had been fired, and there were multiple victims on the scene. Four victims, sitting at the pump in a red Infiniti, were hit when gunshots rang out at the Marathon gas station on Elvis Presley Boulevard. Phillexus Witnesses Buchanan told police that the shooter was riding in a dark blue Nissan Maxima that pulled up next to the Infiniti. Rapid gunfire sprayed the vehicle before the Maxima sped off. An outpouring of grief and expressions of sympathy flooded social media outlets as news quickly spread that Wooddale High School cheerleader Breuna Woods, 16, and Hamilton High School sophomore Phillexus Buchanan, known by friends and loved ones as “Lexus,”15, had been killed in the attack. A third teen and her 9-month-old son also were hit. Both were rushed to Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital with non-critical injuries. Police said the girls had just left a basketball game between Wooddale

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SEE SHOOTING ON PAGE 2

Rebecca Matlock Hutchinson, founder and executive director of South City Opportunity Revitalization Empowerment (SCORE) Community Development Corporation, said the South Memphis TIF was 20 years in the making. (Photo: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises) “This is well over 20 years in the works,” Hutchinson said. Hutchinson, who also is the president of SNDD, said the board, comprised of community leaders, came together in 2019 after realizing that pooling skills, expertise and resources could yield even greater results for

South Memphis. Other board members are Lar’Juanette Williams, executive director of the Memphis Black Arts Alliance; Jeffrey T. Higgs, executive director of the LeMoyne-Owen Col-

SEE TIF ON PAGE 2

MHA moves to calm storm after seniors receive fear-stoking letter by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Rumors spread over social media like an uncontained virus that Memphis Housing Authority was evicting hundreds of seniors from public housing facilities and leaving them out in the cold. “In hindsight, of course, I can see that I should have talked with seniors affected before they received letters,” said Dexter D. Washington, CEO of Memphis Housing Authority (MHA). “But turning our seniors out onto the streets from their homes was never going to happen, despite what has been reported.” It is true that MHA is relocating seniors from three public housing areas: College Park in South Memphis,

Askew Place on Lauderdale near Booker T. Washington High School, and Uptown, housing units just a few blocks northeast of downDexter D. town. Washington While Washington admits that the holiday season is not the best time to facilitate the massive relocation, the project is the culminating solution to a long-standing funding issue with local public housing. “Actually, the move is necessary to renovate our current housing facilities for seniors so that they may

continue to enjoy their latter years,” said Washington. “Acquiring additional funding for public housing has been difficult, and as early as 2018, we recognized that something had to be done. Our solution is to participate in the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) Program.” RAD is a federal program that allows public housing agencies to allow private ownership of a housing facility for the purpose of refurbishing public housing that would otherwise fall into disrepair. The MHA is selling the three properties to a private company. Renovations will be performed, not to convert the buildings into modern, private residences, but to upgrade properties to quality for Section 8 housing. The very same residents who are being temporarily relocated

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The New Tri-State Defender

December 9 - 15, 2021

Page 2

NEWS TIF

CONTINUED FROM FRONT lege Community Development Corporation; lawyer Vanecia Kimbrow, ESQ.; the Rev. Dr. Christopher Davis Sr., senior pastor of St. Paul Baptist Church; Marlon Foster, executive director or Knowledge Quest, and Shelby County Commissioner Reginald Milton. What is the TIF? It’s the EDGE (Memphis and Shelby County Economic Development Growth Engine) “tax-increment funding” incentive that will help take projects to the next level and bring resources back into the community. The premise is that taxes are frozen to promote economic development in an area, and once the area is developed, the taxes generated from the site or property would then be directly invested back into that community. The South Memphis TIF will soon be under review by the Shelby County Commission and Memphis City Council for full adoption. “We want people to exercise their voices. Call their city officials. Write letters and emails to the mayor (Jim Strickland) and other city leaders. Let them know how important this TIF is for South Memphis,” said Higgs. “We will also host a series of community meetings to meet our neighbors again, in person,” added

A Soulsville Cultural Arts Center, loft apartments, retail redevelopment and more are envisioned to stem from the South Memphis TIF. (Photos: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises)

“We want people to exercise their voices. Call their city officials. Write letters and emails to the mayor (Jim Strickland) and other city leaders. Let them know how important this TIF is for South Memphis.” — Jeffrey T. Higgs Hutchinson. “We want to develop strategies on how to address concerns and needs.” Milton added, “We have broken the glass ceiling. We have never had a TIF in the inner city and the first one is right here in South Memphis. This is for all of us. This is how communities grow, how we take care of

our community. We are going to save ourselves one step at a time. … “We’re talking housing, businesses, learning centers, streetscapes, job training … millions and millions coming back into the community.” Higgs said, “We’re going to keep developing. The TIF is just a tool.” Hutchinson said “economic devel-

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SHOOTING

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These College Park residents and others will be separating temporarily until renovations are complete. (Photo: Courtesy photo) plain what is happening. “If I could do things all over again, my actions would be different,” said Washington. “What I am doing at this point is making myself available to speak with any of our residents. “I sincerely regret the missteps that led to all the confusion. Adequate funding for public housing has been ongoing for years. I inherited the challenge, and I accept full responsibility.” Renovations on public facilities should take six or seven months. Residents may choose to stay with family, live in a hotel, or be housed in a Section 8-approved apartment or home. “We all feel better since Memphis Housing Authority came out and talked with us,” said Morris. “We had a lot of questions, but they answered everything. I still would rather not have to move, but we were assured

that we could return to our homes after renovations. I think every thing will work out OK now.” Washington appeared before the Memphis City Council’s Housing and Community Development Committee on Tuesday (Dec. 7). Chairperson Cheyenne Johnson said council members had received numerous calls of concern. “We just wanted to talk to MHA to find out what was going on,” said Johnson. “Mr. Washington explained that the first notices went out in 2018 about the need to re-locate public housing residents for renovations. It was the November notice that went out and caused the uproar. “We are satisfied that all our concerns have been answered. But we will be monitoring the situation to make sure that all our seniors being re-located have all of the assistance they need.”

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For South Memphis ﬁxtures such as Patrice Bates Thompson, glory days are coming into view. brought back to this community,” she said.

“Oakhaven stands with Wooddale. We are praying for you all…” — Veronica Billingsley

MHA

is not a lot of time to move out. But it has been explained to us that professional movers have been hired to help us relocate. And there will be a team of housing locators to find us some place to stay. I’ll be staying with my children until it’s time to move back in.” Washington, who worked for MHA in a number of capacities before attaining the CEO position, said the agency has never asked any public housing resident who had to relocate to manage the undertaking on their own. “Professional movers will pack up our residents, and experienced housing locators will secure temporary housing as expeditiously as possible,” said Washington. “Housing locators will work with MHA staff to make these relocations as comfortable as possible. We are not insensitive to our older, more vulnerable residents. Our team will take extra care to attend their needs.” Moves will be staggered to increase efficiency in transferring residents to their temporary homes. “Everybody doesn’t have to be out at the same time,” said Georgia King, an activist and senior resident of downtown Jefferson Square. “I’m not sure about how all that works, but the whole thing is unsettling because many of us have lived in our homes for 20 years or more. I’ll be staying with friends until renovations are complete.” MHA staff met with College Park residents last week (Dec. 1) to ex-

opment and empowerment are the biggest priority” for South Memphis, which has some of the highest poverty and unemployment rates in the city. Development plans include a planned tech center that will help with job training and skills for young people in the neighborhood, a Soulsville Cultural Arts Center, loft apartments and retail redevelopment. Patrice Bates Thompson, owner of The Four Way, also a lifelong resident of the neighborhood, agreed that it’s all about the economic growth for her. “I look forward to the glory being

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and Whitehaven High Schools. The suspect’s vehicle was recovered, but it is still unclear what, if anything, transpired prior to the shooting. The investigation is ongoing as police try to piece together a timeline of events leading up to the teens’ deaths. According to MPD public information officer Sgt. Louis Brownlee, there have been 315 homicides this year, a number closing in on 2020’s record-breaking 332 homicides. Brownlee said that 29 of this year’s homicide victims were children under the age of 18. Buchanan was tearfully remembered on Monday (Dec. 6) as friends and loved ones gathered across from Hamilton High School for a balloon release in her honor. Shelby County Schools released a statement acknowledging the passing of Woods and Buchanan, but declined to share any other personal information about them. SCS joined others in expressing “deepest condolences” to the families. Grief counselors are available for both students and staff, the statement said. Porsha Woods, mother of Breuna Woods, posted on her Facebook page

that a candlelight vigil is scheduled for Thursday (Dec.9) for her daughter on the river front by the Bass Pro Shop, The Pyramid. According to Woods’ Facebook page, she lives in New York City’s Brooklyn. A Facebook post from the Wooddale Cardinals said: “On Friday night, Wooddale High School suffered a tremendous loss within our family. A senseless act of violence took the life of our student-athlete, Breuna Woods. Breuna was a gentle individual that performed exceptionally well within the classroom and on the court. Everyday, she embraced us with her smile and fashion. As we all try to cope with this heartbreaking pain, please continue to pray for her family.” Veronica Billingsley, a teacher at Oakhaven High School, posted: “Oakhaven stands with Wooddale. We are praying for you all…” Tonya Dockins, Buchanan’s aunt, organized the balloon release and appealed to the young people gathered there to “put the guns down.” A funeral service will be held on Saturday, Dec. 11, at 9:30 a.m., for Phillexus Buchanan at Serenity Funeral Home, 1638 Sycamore View Rd.

The New Tri-State Defender

December 9 - 15, 2021

Page 3

Being part of a community means looking out for your neighbor. That’s why we’re encouraging you to get the free COVID-19 vaccine. It’s a proven way to lower the chances you’ll get sick from the virus. To find COVID-19 resources and support, including where to get a vaccine, go to bcbstupdates.com.

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PERSPECTIVE The New Tri-State Defender, December 9 - 15, 2021, Page 4

The ongoing effort of the SoulsvilleUSA Neighborhoods Development District to secure a TIF (tax-increment ﬁnancing) designation for South Memphis led to this recent gathering. (Photos: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises)

The Power of the Soulsville People’s TIF: How a collaboration of African American community developers/ advocates can transform their marginalized community

by Vanecia Belser Kimbrow, Esq. Special to The New Tri-State Defender

I Love South Memphis and I always will. Since moving to Memphis in the fall of 1991, South Memphis has held a special place in my heart because it reminds me of my Montgomery, Alabama roots and the countless hours I spent on the campus of Alabama State University South, where my grandmother was a custodial worker. There is nothing like hearing the sound of an Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) band practicing or the smell of the cafeteria on Fish Friday’s. Spending time at LeMoyne-Owen College with my friends as a collegiate, and later as advisor to members of the Alpha Upsilon Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and as a community advocate, developer and attorney, my love, commitment and eventual concern for Soulsville has only grown over the past 30-plus years. Much like the many areas that surround other HBCUs, the Soulsville community is a text book case study of how a once thriving hub of Black culture has steadily declined and suffered from disinvestment due to suburban flight. In many cases, the conditions have been aggravated by the devastating effects of drug abuse, blight and crime. For the past 20 years, there have been many efforts, including many meetings, by a coalition of my fellow South Memphis-based nonprofit leaders, business owners, community advocates and residents. We decided that we must work together to bring the change that we wanted to see for our beloved South Memphis. In 2019, under the leadership of Shelby County Commissioner Reginald Milton, who also serves as the executive director of the South Memphis Alliance (SMA), the SoulsvilleUSA Neighborhoods Development District (SNDD), was born. The organization brought together the collective skills and resources of some of its most noted community leaders, including the Rev. Dr. Christopher Davis, LeMoyne-Owen College trustee and senior pastor of St. Paul Baptist Church); Marlon Foster, executive director of Knowledge Quest; Jeffrey Higgs, executive director of the LeMoyne-Owen College CDC; Re-

Vanecia Belser Kimbrow, Esq.: “For the past 20 years, there have been many efforts, including many meetings, by a coalition of my fellow South Memphis-based nonproﬁt leaders, business owners, community advocates and residents. We decided that we must work together to bring the change that we wanted to see for our beloved South Memphis.” becca Matlock Hutchinson of South City Opportunity Revitalization Empowerment CDC; Lar’Juanette Williams of the Black Arts Alliance and myself (Music Magnet Village Development) under a single umbrella to strengthen longstanding individual efforts to revitalize South Memphis. The group would provide a laser focus on galvanizing the broader community to actualize substantial economic investment into South Memphis that would truly empower the current residents. The unanimous approval of the Soulsville TIF on Dec. 4 by the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) was a major first step. The TIF is just one tool in our expansive community tool box that will be utilized to incubate a rebirth of South Memphis by the people, for the people and of the people. As far back as 2012, I can recall discussing with Higgs and Cardell Orrin, executive director of Stand For Children), how we should pursue a TIF for Soulsville after working as developer’s co-counsel for the Hope VI and TIF funded re-development of Uptown. I witnessed how that TIF was paired with

other government subsidies and incentives and private developer investment to transform that area. It was clear that it would take a similar public-private partnership to restore South Memphis to its former glory – a time when the area was a vibrant and thriving hub of Black excellence, bursting with Black culture, excellent schools, power house churches, successful Black-owned businesses and concentrated Black wealth. Soulsville and its adjacent neighborhoods, including Gaston Park, Gaslight Square, Bellevue, French Forte, Vance Avenue and the newly named South City, has not seen significant investment and development for more than 20 years. While government incentive programs and solo work of the various nonprofits have served as a band-aid on the pervasive challenges South Memphis has faced, those efforts have not been expansive enough to effectively cure the systemic ills that have consumed the community. But that tide has now seemingly changed. A trio of benefits have now converged to make this the right time to seed South Memphis.

The Soulsville TIF, if approved by the Memphis City Council and the Shelby County Commission could possibly be the missing crown jewel needed to launch a multitude of public and private projects. The results would include large scale investments into the community, including concentrated blight remediation, a grocery store, a tech center, new rental and single-family housing, a multitude of small businesses, a cultural arts center, improved street lighting and other public green spaces and community gardens. Soulsville already is designated as a redevelopment district in the Memphis 3.0 plan and is listed as an Opportunity Zone by the federal government. These designations, without the TIF have done little to change the face of South Memphis over the past five years. However, the federal funds allocated to Memphis due to COVID-19 and the pending TIF should be leveraged as “gap funding” to push forward many planned development projects. By linking the city’s Accelerate Memphis – Soulsville Small Area Plan and the variety of funds that are slated for community development, the designated projects that are already underway by SNDD member organizations, Soulsville could receive a significant economic boost that’s long overdue in an expedited timeframe. If the SNDD group can get even half of the fiscal support and commitments pledged by the city, county area big businesses and local banks for on-going projects in other areas of the city, it would be the most historic and momentous investment in an African-American-led development team in recent history. The time is now for an equitable commitment to the People’s TIF and the existing community groups that have led the work in Soulsville and South Memphis for over 20 years. Our city and county leaders have committed to empowering minority businesses and investing in historic African-American communities. This is the perfect opportunity to make that shift. (Vanecia Belser Kimbrow, Esq. of Music Magnet Village Development is a Memphis-based lawyer.)

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The New Tri-State Defender

December 9 - 15, 2021

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RELIGION

Lyric Osei arrives for her “Gift of the Blessing” ceremony at Anointed Temple of Praise. (Courtesy photos)

‘Gift of the Blessing’ ushers pre-teen forward

A word to the preachers ... “Preachers Still Standing (Just Keep On Preaching” was the topic on Tuesday (Dec. 7) of the Rev. Dr. Tellis Chatman of Detroit during the Memphis Baptist Ministerial Association meeting held at New Salem M.B.C., 2237 South Parkway East, where the Rev. Dr. Frank E. Ray is the host pastor. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley)

by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Twelve-year-old Lyric Osei (pronounced “ohsay”) had the “Gift of the Blessing” bestowed upon her at Anointed Temple of Praise in the Hickory Hill community this past Saturday (Dec. 4). The bestowal came during an elaborate ceremony orchestrated by her mother, Regina Osei. “More than 30 years ago, I was in a Bible study that introduced to me a book called, ‘The Blessing,’ written by John Trent and Gary Smalley,” said Regina Osei. “I was intrigued because the authors talked about blessing your children at different times in their life. That concept got down in my spirit, and I said, ‘I want to do that for my children some day. But at that time, I was single with no children.” The “Gift of the Blessing” created for Lyric Osei was a dramatic spectacle of costume and dance performed against a musical backdrop of African drums and spellbinding flippers. “As part of the Blessing, Lyric was ‘married’ to her father, Prince Osei,” said Regina Osei. “This ceremony is similar to the purity ceremony performed in many Christian families. The child promises to remain pure and chaste until the Lord sends her husband. Both the child and father repeat vows to each other before the father gives the child a ring. Prince Osei placed a ring on Lyric’s ring finger, and that officially ended the formal ceremony.” Regina Osei earned her masters in divinity from Memphis Theological Seminary. She received an undergraduate degree from Memphis State University, now the University of Memphis. The Osei family’s older daughter, Cion Osei, experienced her “Gift of the Blessing” in 2018. Regina Osei said compared to Lyric’s ceremony, planning Cion’s event was a piece of cake. “We’re in the middle of a pandemic,” she said. “Finding a place and securing the dancers and other performers – just planning the whole event was nightmarish. But in the end, God just worked everything out, including finding the place for the ceremony. Everything else just fell into place.”

Prince Osei and his wife, Regina Osei, make their entrance. Regina Osei said other families have created some of the same kinds of ceremonies and rites of passage. “One father told me he planned a similar event for his son,” she said. “There was a big dinner in his son’s honor, and family members and friends came from all over the country to attend. Everyone brought the son gifts and pronounced blessings over the young boy’s life. That’s very similar to how we planned Lyric’s ceremony.” According to Osei, parents can fashion such events for their children, depending on tenets of their faith and personal preferences. Blessing others with divine favor is deeply embedded in Christian tradition. “In the case of Jacob and Esau, there is a difference in how their lives turned out,” said Regina Osei. “Jacob received the blessing of his father, and Esau did not. So bestowing blessing to children, from generation to generation is important.” Prince Osei, who is from Ghana, met Regina Taylor, while she was in Ghana working in ministry during a four-year stint. Regina Osei says there is a similar ceremony and celebration – “The Outdooring” – in Ghana’s culture. Traditionally, the ceremony occurs eight days after the child is born. Parents bring their newborn “outdoors” for the first time and give the child a day name. Family and friends all gather to celebrate the occasion.

Rolling on with the mission ... Mission Possible: COSM (Christian Outreach Service Mission) and its founder Thelma Nelms (second from left) held the group’s annual December fundraiser last Sunday (Dec. 5) at Oak Grove M.B.C., 7289 Stage Rd., where the Rev. Donald L. Johnson is the host pastor. Pictured (l-r): Terica Lamb, Nelms, Allisia White, Vanecia Belser Kimbrow, Esq., former State Rep. Johnnie Turner and Judge Deborah Henderson. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley)

Royal Black & Elegant Silver ... The Baptist Ministers’ Wives Guild recently hosted the Royal Black & Elegant Silver Gala. Pictured (l-r): Guild President Deborah Womack, former President Annie Harwell and Carolyn Mabin. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley)

The New Tri-State Defender, December 9 - 15, 2021, Page 6

To conclude the show, Three 6 Maﬁa and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony united on stage to perform Bone Thug’s ‘Crossroads’ as a screen behind them featured photos of late entertainers such as Memphis’ Young Dolph.

Terrence Howard, with passion, performed “It’s Hard Out Here For A Pimp,” the song that won an Academy Award for Three 6 Maﬁa. (Photo: Triller/ Amanda Westcott)

Memphis’ Three 6 Mafia + Cleveland’s Bone Thugs-N-Harmony = a Verzuz battle party by Brianna Smith-Herman Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Throughout quarantine, Swizz Beatz and Timbaland’s Verzuz battle series has been a hot commodity. It redefines the DJ battles of hip-hop’s early days for the “one gotta go” set. Two legendary crews, Memphis’ Three 6 Mafia and Cleveland’s Bone Thugs-N-Harmony recently faced off against one another in Los Angeles and I had the pleasure of attending this legendary battle. The premise is simple: Two prominent producers, singers or songwriters pair up live on Instagram and compete to decide who has the better catalog. The rules came together on the fly through trial and error. As it stands, each battle goes 20 rounds, with each contestant playing a hit and hearing a rebuttal. Verzuz is fun, simple and doesn’t have many rules. The audience is mostly in charge of the scoring, and there’s rarely an agreement on points. There have been tense moments at previous Verzuz events, but they never have broken out into a full-blown tussle… until last Thursday (Dec. 2) night in Los Angeles at the Hollywood Palladium. Three 6 and Bone Thugs spent years beefing with each other, going back to the mid-’90s, where Three 6 accused Bone Thugs of biting their style. Over the years, both groups amassed enormous catalogs, scoring hits of their own and guesting on other people’s chart-toppers. Bone Thugs was popular in their time, as they were discovered by NWA’s Eazy E. Three 6 was popular, but more of an underground sensation. Over the years, they have proven to be vastly influential in the rap & hip-hop industry. Being a Memphian and a fan of Verzuz since the beginning, I was excited to be able to witness Three 6 in rare form. Juicy J, DJ Paul, Gangsta Boo, Crunchy Black, Project Pat and La Chat were all in attendance. Three 6 started the show with high energy, performing ‘Who Run It’. With caution tape dividing the stage down the middle and with members of both groups jawing at each other, I knew the night was going to be one to remember. Three 6 and Bone Thugs ended their feud a long time ago, but apparently nobody told Bizzy Bone, the most famously troubled livewire onstage that night. About 3 songs into the battle, Bizzy Bone went off at the mouth and threw something at Juicy J. The music stopped and members of Three 6, along with their entourage, rushed Bone Thugs. On the microphone, Gangsta Boo called Bizzy Bone “A hater! You mustn’t take your pills!” The stage immediately filled up, and it took a minute to settle everyone down. The caution tape between the two groups had been broken during the fight and all the rappers spent the rest of the night roaming freely, embracing one another and cheering each other on. And it turned out to be arguably the most purely entertaining Verzuz battles yet, with both groups pulling from deep reserves of hits and bringing surprise guests out onstage. Bone Thugs brought out Chamillioniare, Lil Jon, the son of their late mentor Eazy-E, and their “Thuggish Ruggish Bone” collaborator Satasha Williams — an impressive list of performers, but nothing like what Three 6 had on deck. Three 6 went crazy with the special guests Lil Flip, Duke Deuce, Wiz Khalifa, Project Pat and La Chat, and a triumphant “Stay Fly” with 8Ball & MJG and Young Buck. “Three 6 Mafia bringing everyone back for their verse on ‘Stay Fly’ live in 2021 might be the best performance

Memphis’ Juicy J of Three 6 Maﬁa throwing money out of his Goyard bag into the crowd as he performs “Bandz A Make Her Dance.” Also pictured is Lil Wayne. (Photo: Triller/Amanda Westcott)

“This Verzuz just reminded me of my childhood and was definitely one for the ages. It had it all: Scuffles, love, special guests, classics, thug hits, club hits, pop hits, stripper anthems, hilarious commentary — all in the name of two of the most influential groups of all time.” — Frank Herron Jr.

TSD contributor Brianna Smith-Herman (right) and Timalisha Dixon are ready for the must-see event at the Hollywood Palladium. I’ve ever seen on a Verzuz,” said Cory Townes. They had a mid-set Lil Wayne appearance, which is the sort of thing that most groups would’ve saved until they end. However, Three 6 had more tricks up their sleeve when actor Terrence Howard, came out to perform “It’s Hard Out Here For A Pimp,” the song that won Three 6 their Oscar award. The song was featured in the movie “Hustle & Flow,” which featured Howard. In the end, the fight didn’t matter too much. By the time the show was over, everybody was sharing hugs, love and laughter. It ended on a high note. “I want to send a shout out to y’all Memphis partner Dolph,” said Lazy Bone. “While we got a chance to enjoy each other, that’s exactly what we should be doing… Juice we gone do this together.”

With the two groups gathering together on the stage to perform Bone Thug’s ‘Crossroads,’ where a screen behind them featured photos of late entertainers, such as Young Dolph, Biggie, Eazy-E, Nipsey Hussle, Kobe Bryant, 2Pac, Virgil Abloh and DMX. “This Verzuz just reminded me of my childhood and was definitely one for the ages,” said Frank Herron Jr. “It had it all: Scuffles, love, special guests, classics, thug hits, club hits, pop hits, stripper anthems, hilarious commentary — all in the name of two of the most influential groups of all time.” I recently read articles and YouTube comments on others’ thoughts of the Verzuz battle and many people who watched it live on Instagram said the show was perfect outside of the audience being dead and I am here to debunk that lie. The show was sold out from top to bottom and the audience was indeed lit, participating and enjoying themselves. The mics did not pick up the audience and so that is why it may have seemed that way to the viewers but it was indeed a packed and popping show! If you love rap music, the whole thing made for an exciting night of entertainment, and you can relive the whole battle below. (To view the full battle, visit https://bit.ly/3y6DafK.)

The New Tri-State Defender

December 9 - 15, 2021

Page 7

ENTERTAINMENT

Will Smith puts his fears to the test in TV nature series by Mark Kennedy Associated Press

NEW YORK – Will Smith rappelled into a live volcano and kayaked down an Icelandic whitewater river for his latest project. But he wasn’t making an action movie. It was personal. Smith, a Hollywood leading man who admits that he’s far from outdoorsy, has put himself in danger’s way while filming “Welcome to Earth,” a kinetic Disney+ original series from National Geographic. He was intimidated, but that brought clarity. “It’s really difficult to enjoy things if you’re scared,” he says. “I think the ability to see how beautiful things are is directly connected to your openness to it and fear closes you down.” The six-part series that debuts Wednesday finds the “I Am Legend” star donning scuba gear to dive in an underground lake, crossing a raging, crocodile-infested river on a rope and sitting still in the stifling Namibia desert to capture a lizard eating a bug. Throughout is Smith’s authenticity, sweetness and humor. “Damn, that’s a crunchy bug,” he says at one point when the lizard strikes. After making a difficult crossing that surprises even him, he notes: “In a movie, my stunt man would have did that.” A self-described West Philly boy who says he was once scared of everything and hated water, Smith learns to read the rapids while whitewater rafting, rescues turtles near the Great Barrier Reef and goes 3,000 feet (914 meters) below the sea in a deep-water submersible. Smith, 53, says the series came at a time in his life when he was opening up to nature. “Of course, I got to do it the way I got to do it, and it’s the way National Geographic does it,” he says, laughing. “That part works really well with my personality.” Dr. Albert Lin, an engineer and explorer who has uncovered lost cities previously

Will Smith in a scene from the National Geographic nature series “Welcome to Earth.” (Photos: Disney+ via AP)

This image released by Disney+ shows Will Smith, background center, in a scene from the National Geographic nature series “Welcome to Earth.” for National Geographic, was stunned to find that Smith was able to control his fears even in the face of real danger. While scuba diving in the underground lake in Namibia, Smith had trouble with

his buoyancy and Lin watched him “dropping at a rate that felt like maybe we wouldn’t see him again.” But Smith was able to control his mind and grapple with the situation.

“I respected Will Smith, the actor, before, but now I definitely have grown to truly respect Will Smith, the human being, now,” says Lin, who grew up watching Smith in “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” and was overjoyed to go camping and exploring with him. “This really was a personal journey for him,” adds Lin. “He just wanted to know what was on planet Earth and feel it and really push himself.” And if the worst happened and Smith perished in that cold lake? “If I had lost him there, I think I would have just stayed back there myself.” Produced by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Darren Aronofsky, the series carries on the tradition of National Geographic pushing the exploring envelope and embracing the latest in technology to help us understand our world. “I hope that this becomes a portal for so many people out there to just get a sense of absolutely how incredible our planet is,” says Lin. “The way that the old magazines — the old yellow-bordered magazines — used to do it for a lot of us growing up, I hope this becomes something of that caliber and is meaningful to others. To me, that would feel like mission accomplished.” Part of the series’ sense of freshness comes from the fact that Smith — who hopes to do another set soon — isn’t told what the plan is on a particular day out in the wilderness. “When I hit the ground, I have no idea what we’re doing,” he says. The experts he’s paired with teach him about speed, smell and sound and the colors out there he might miss. “You can’t really want to protect something that you don’t understand. And you can’t want to protect something that you can’t recognize as beautiful,” Smith says. “My job now is to see it and feel it and understand it. You know, it’s making this phase of my life that much more enjoyable and opening me up to wonder and awe in a way that is just absolutely delightful.” (Follow Mark Kennedy at http://twitter. com/KennedyTwits.)

COMMUNITY The New Tri-State Defender, December 9 - 15, 2021, Page 8

Council debate on Young Dolph street renaming gives way to unanimous vote

by James Coleman

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

A proposed street name change turned into a debate about a man’s legacy as the Memphis City Council mulled and ultimately unanimously adopted a resolution Tuesday (Dec. 7) to honor slain rapper Young Dolph with an honorary street naming. “For those of you on the fence, there have been many people to come and ask for honorary street name changes and we approved them without question. We approved it without even looking into their details,” said Councilman JB Smiley Jr., who sponsored the resolution “But when we have a young Black

man, who pulled himself up by his own boot straps, we have the audacity to question it. I don’t think any of us would be proud if our skeletons were hanging out in front of the public.” Dolph, 36, whose legal name was Adolph Robert Thornton Jr., was slain Nov. 19 while patronizing Makeda’s Homemade Butter Cookies on Airways Boulevard in the Charjean area. A surveillance camera showed two gunmen exiting a white Mercedes and firing through the shopfront. No arrests have been made. In addition to being an inspiring and philanthropic fixture in the Castalia Heights community where he grew up, the late rapper was notable among his peers for eschewing more lucrative opportunities to re-

main an independent artist. “Up until his last days, he came to this community for a turkey drive. Up until his last days he went to a smallloan business to support it. When you look at the record, you will see that he invested millions of dollars into the community, millions of dollars into people,” Smiley said. “That is the type of person we should be honoring and recognizing.” Family and community members spoke in support of the resolution that will honorarily name a stretch of Dunn Avenue, between Airways and Paige Road, Adolph Thornton, Jr. Road. It will be marked by several plaques, however the street name and mailing addresses will stay the same. The resolution, which eventually

passed unanimously on a voice vote, drew circumspection from several council members, including some female members of the council. Like many male counterparts in the rap genre, Thornton introduced lyrics into his music that have been viewed by critics as misogynistic. “I don’t have any problem with the young man in and of itself. I’m just an old lady and I don’t like rap. And I don’t like what he talked about in the rap, but that has nothing to do with his character and what he did in this community,” said Councilwoman Patrice Robinson during the Planning and Zoning Committee meeting. Councilwoman Rhonda Logan said, “I did not add my name to this (as a sponsor), not because Young Dolph wasn’t a great father, philan-

thropist.… It’s Young not a matter of Dolph him personally, it’s just a matter of an honorary street name, as you would give Martin Luther King, or Ida B. Wells. I didn’t see that correlation there.” Additionally, the council voted to accept a report of the city’s renaming commission, which has developed a short list of three recommendations for streets and parks. The first on the list is an ordinance to rename the section of Fourth Street between Union Avenue and E. H. Crump Boulevard to Ida B. Wells-Barnett Street. The first reading is slated for Dec. 21. Property owners will be given notice of the possible changes afterward.

Hard work pays off ... As a reward for a semester of hard work, these Westwood High School students were surprised with a visit by Memphis rapper Al Kapone on Wednesday (Dec. 8). The event was courtesy of ProGeny Place, the West Tennessee Regional Partner for Jobs for TN Graduates. (Photo: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises)

Striking Kellogg employees reject settlement offer

by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

The Memphis spokesman for striking Kellogg Company employers said the latest settlement offer from the company was rejected unanimously because it was “just not enough.” Votes were cast last Sunday (Dec. 5) by the 1,400 Kellogg Company employees at Kellogg’s four U.S. cereal plants, located in: Battle Creek, MI; Omaha, NE, Lancaster, PA, and Memphis. Kevin Bradshaw, who represents local members of the Bakery, Confectionary, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers (BCTGM) International Union, said, “We are not really asking for higher wages. We want job security for all employees. Job security is our biggest concern.” The offer presented to employees was for the next five years. Contracts are renewed every five years. The Kellogg Company said its offer provided for “an accelerated, defined path to legacy wages and benefits for transitional employees” and “wage increases and enhanced benefits for all.” Kellogg North America President Chris Hood addressed the rejection of the company’s offer via a news release posted on the company’s website on Tuesday (Dec. 7). “After 19 negotiation sessions in 2021, and still no deal … we will continue moving forward to operate our business,” said Hood. “The prolonged work stoppage has left us no choice but to continue executing the next phase of our contingency plan, including hiring replacement employees in positions vacated by striking workers.” Bradshaw said under Kellogg’s offer new workers would not have the same job security employees have

Local members of the Bakery, Confectionary, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers (BCTGM) International Union are among the 1,400 Kellogg Company employees nationally who rejected a settlement as they continue to strike for “job security for all employees.” (Courtesy photo) enjoyed in the past. “We wanted a guarantee that everyone would be treated equally. New hires would be locked in at the rate they were brought in on. Pay increases in the past were given each year, once the employee reached permanent status. Every year, only three percent of the employees would graduate to fulltime, permanent status. We want that number to be much higher.” Another sticking point for strikers is insurance. “Insurance benefits would not be what they have been in the past under this tentative agreement,” said Bradshaw. “Workers who have been there for many years have 100 percent of their insurance paid. New workers would have 80 percent paid, and they would be responsible for the remaining 20 percent. While that is good, it does not offer new employees the same benefit.” Bradshaw labeled the company’s reference to “hiring replacement workers” a “scare tactic used by corporations to break a strike. … The

company has been busing in scabs for over a month now. They are brought in to work from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. We see them come in and we see them leave while we are picketing the plant.” Hood said Kellogg must “take the necessary steps to ensure business continuity. … We have an obligation to our customers and consumers to continue to provide the cereals that they know and love.” Bradshaw said a company cannot “legally replace striking union workers with scabs. … All they can do is bring them in on a temporary basis. They can’t keep up with the demand. Many stores have signs on the shelf saying that there may be a shortage in the supply of cereal, and the shelves are getting empty. We think this will bring Kellogg back to the table.” Donations of money and gifts are still being accepted for the families of striking workers, especially those with minor children, said Bradshaw. Donations may be sent to: BCTGM Local 252G; 3885 S. Perkins Rd. #9; Memphis, TN 38118.

Mississippi reports first omicron variant; ‘only a matter of time’ for Shelby County by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

The first case of the COVID-19 omicron variant was reported on Monday, Dec. 6, by the Mississippi State Health Department. The individual testing positive for the variant was fully vaccinated and had recently traveled to New York. It was not clear if the patient took a booster shot. Hospitalization was not necessary, officials said. Shelby County Health Department officials say the variant has not shown up in Shelby County yet, but extensive travel between the two states makes the variant inevitable here. “It’s not a question of ‘if,’ but a question of when we will see our first case of the omicron variant,” said Dr. Bruce Randolph, the Shelby County Health Department medical officer. We continue to strongly urge those who have not been vaccinated to get vaccinated, and those who have not had the booster shot to get the extra protection. Vaccination and masking are still our best protection.” Randolph said Shelby Countians would do well to remember that although there is no mandate for masking, wearing a mask outside the home is strongly advised. “Whether you are vaccinated or not, masking is still recommended inside public buildings where crowds may gather and ventilation may be poor,” said Randolph. “It’s impossible to know the vaccination status of people you come in contact with. Masking at all times protects the individual and those around them.” Open sites for vaccinations through Dec. 12 are: • Pipkin Building, 940 Early Maxwell Blvd.; December 9-10; 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Closed December 11; Ages 12 and older only. • Germantown Baptist Church,

Record-keeping is essential work in the effort to curb the spread of COVID-19. (Courtesy photo) 9450 Poplar Ave.; December 10; 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Ages 12 and older only. • Shelby County Health Department Immunization Clinic, 814 Jefferson Ave.; Monday-Friday each week; 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Closed on Shelby County Government holidays; Ages 5 and older. Community Popup Events * December 11 – Stay Well Memphis Community Health Fair and Vaccine Event, St. Paul Baptist Church, 2124 E. Holmes Rd.; 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; Pfizer vaccine only. Ages 5 and older. * December 12 – COVID-19 Walk-in Vaccination Event, New Direction Christian Church, 6120 Winchester Rd.; 1 p.m.-6 p.m.; Ages 5 and older. All minors (under age 18) must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and must have proof of the child’s age. Birth certificates or vaccination records are accepted. COVID-19 vaccinations are also widely available at pharmacies and other vaccination sites throughout Shelby County. Visit https://www. vaccines.gov/ and enter your ZIP code to find vaccination sites near you. As of Wednesday, Dec. 8, there were 1,220 active COVID-19 cases; 412 are pediatric cases.

The New Tri-State Defender

December 9 - 15, 2021

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: Markevius Faulkner Tax Parcel #: 03108500001570 Tax Sale #: 1405 Price Offered: $1500.00 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 January 18, 2022, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Ofﬁce, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort. Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400 NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Prestigious Rose Properties Tax Parcel #: 06005600000030 Tax Sale #: 1702 Price Offered: $2800.00 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 January 14, 2022, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Ofﬁce, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort. Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400 NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Kenneth Cannon Tax Parcel #: 02405000000130 Tax Sale #: 1603 Price Offered: $400.00 Terms: Cash

tive 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: Kenneth Cannon Tax Parcel #: 02405000000120 Tax Sale #: 903 Price Offered: $800.00 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 14, 2022, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Ofﬁce, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort. Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400 NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Maegen C. Chambers Tax Parcel #: 07508700005450 Tax Sale #: 303 Price Offered: $200.00 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 14, 2022, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Ofﬁce, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort.

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: Linda Holmes Weaver Tax Parcel #: 04303900000230 Tax Sale #: 1701 Price Offered: $3500.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 10:30 a.m. on January 14, 2022, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Ofﬁce, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort. Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400 NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT

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 January 18, 2022, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Ofﬁce, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort. Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400 NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT

an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Nice Comfort, LLC Tax Parcel #: 07200300000050 Tax Sale #: 1002 Price Offered: $1125.00 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 January 18, 2022, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Ofﬁce, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort.

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 January 18, 2022, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Ofﬁce, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort. Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400 NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT

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

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:

NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY

Nice Comfort, LLC Tax Parcel #: 07105900000280 Tax Sale #: 903 Price Offered: $844.00

(registration required)

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

Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received

We’re Known By the Money you Keep!

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: Marcus Stevenson Tax Parcel #: 01306400000250 Tax Sale #: 701 Price Offered: $1800.00 Terms: Cash

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The New Tri-State Defender, December 9 - 15, 2021, Page 10

Southern’s Jaguars made a run at the Tigers but could not surmount the solid start that Memphis maintained on the way to a 57-50 victory. (Photo: Liaudwin Seaberry Jr.)

Tigers rack victory No. 7 after sluggish start against Southern Liaudwin Seaberry Jr.

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Z-Bo never got far off the ground but plenty far enough to grab this rebound (against the Lakers in 2015) and so many more for the Grizzlies during the course of his career.

Zach Randolph scores over Matt Barnes of the Clippers during Game 6 of the Western Conference Playoffs in 2013. (Photos: Warren Roseborough)

Z-Bo reflects on ‘#50ForDaCity’ documentary on his career, impact by Terry Davis

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

One of the most beloved players to ever done a Memphis Grizzlies uniform, Zach Randolph (No. 50) was the subject of the premier of “#50ForDaCity” this week. The documentary, which chronicles how the player widely known as Z-Bo was acquired by the Memphis Grizzlies and his impact on and off the court, was made available on YouTube on Tuesday (Dec. 7). The production details how Randolph was released by the Los Angeles Clippers for their new incoming player Blake Griffin. He always held his release against the Clippers and used it as motivation to become a better person and player. Not only was Z-Bo a great player on the court, he contributed to making the lives of Memphians better. It is well documented how he would give money to people who needed help for, among other things, paying their utility bills, feeding their families or adequate clothing. He occasionally would visit people he helped, telling them about his upbringing and empathizing with the issues they faced. The documentary shares inside information on some of his most famous on-court incidents, including ones with Griffin and The late Judge D’Army Bailey and his wife, Adrienne Marie Bailey, join with other Grizzlies’ fan, including this one wearing Zach Randolph’s No. 50, as they celebrate Memphis’ Game 6 victory over the rival Clippers in May 2013

Kendrick Perkins. One reason Randolph still is beloved by the city of Memphis is because people felt they could relate to him and that he could relate to them on a personal level. “It is mind blowing,” said Randolph. “Just to go in the rafters and have the documentary. It is all the love that the city and organization has shown me. I have given back. I gave my sweat and they respected it.” Terry Randolph will have his No. 50 jersey reDavis tired Saturday (Dec. 11) at FedExForum when the Grizzlies face the Houston Rockets. Regarding watching the documentary, Randolph said, “It was a lot of emotions, especially the part on seeing my mom, it just brought back memories. “I was wishing her and my brother was here, but I know they are watching over me and smiling. It was great to see that documentary.” (For more on the #50ForDaCity celebration, visit https:// on.nba.com/31BLMPl.)

Fresh off her team playing on the road for the last two weeks, University of Memphis Tigers Women’s Basketball Head Coach Katrina Merriweather was relieved for her team to be in the friendly confines of the Elma Roane Fieldhouse against Southern. “I have never coached in an environment with so much going on and so much energy,” Merriweather said with a smile after the game (Dec. 4). That home court advantage certainly favored the Tigers, but Southern refused to let Memphis get comfortable and competed from the start of the game. Thanks to a stingy defensive performance from the Tigers, Memphis (7-2) emerged victorious against Southern (0-5) by a score of 57-50. The Jaguars let it be known early that their record wouldn’t determine the outcome of the game. From the outset, the Tigers set the pace for the contest, hitting 11 of their first 19 shots during the first half. They also limited the Jaguars on the defensive end, allowing Southern to convert on only seven of 23 shots, while taking a 28-20 lead into intermission. The Tigers set out to right the ship after the Nov. 30 blowout defeat at the hands of Alabama. Jamirah Shutes led the team with 12 points, center Tyler Frierson chipped in 9, and fellow post player Alana Davis produced 8 points. Southern put the clamps on the Memphis offense in the second half. The Jaguars allowed the Tigers to convert on only 4 of 17 field goal attempts, and their stingy defense led Memphis into 22 turnovers for the game. However, Memphis steadied its game and survived a back-and-forth contest. Happy her team finished the job, Merriweather is aware an opponent’s record does not automatically reflect what their effort will be when facing a team expected to dominate them. “Coming into the game, our staff explained to them why their (Southern) record was what it is, and that’s because they have faced several top-25 opponents so far,” Merriweather said. “I definitely think our team respected them entering the game, but I do not think that they understood some of what we told them prior to the contest. … “We tell them to move on from the wins, so we also have to move on from the losses.” Merriweather added, “I am happy that the team played as well as they did, and now it’s time to take a break and relax.” Notes: The Tigers will be on the road for their next two games against Towson on Dec. 14 and Howard Dec. 17. They will return to the Elma Roane Fieldhouse to face Tulsa on Jan. 5.