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December 22 - 28, 2022
VOL. 71, No. 51
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Klondike TIF gains unanimous Council OK. Some residents fearful of losing property by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell
Special to The New Tri-State Defender
In an Instagram post Tuesday (Dec. 20) night, Roshun Austin, standing in the middle of a picture of members of the Klondike Partnership, wrote, “Now I can finish some of my other outstanding work.” The post was a congratulatory acknowledgment of the redevelopment group’s successful weeks-long fight
to get local legislative approval for a redevelopment trust fund for the Klondike Tax Increment Financing (TIF). The City Council unanimously approved the TIF Tuesday. The County Commission approved the TIF Monday (Dec. 19). Approval by both entities was required. The TIF is a tax incentive that will funnel increased tax revenue from the redevelopment in the Klondike neighborhood back into the area to
support the community’s infrastructure, including improving streets, building sidewalks, installing more lighting, and creating parks. It covers an area bounded by Chelsea and Jackson avenues, Watkins Street and I-240. The partnership includes the Klondike Smokey City CDC, The Works, Neighborhood Preservation, Inc, and Urban Renaissance Partners. Some area residents welcomed the push to redevelop a neighborhood
Members of the Klondike Partnership after clearing a legislative hurdle to their redevelopment effort in the Klondike neighborhood. (Photo: Instagram) that has seen better days. Others, however, told commission and council members they feared the redevelopment initiative would result in displacement of long-time
residents and increase property taxes, resulting in financially challenged residents losing their homes or strug-
SEE KLONDIKE ON PAGE 2
Bank of America crowns 21 nonprofits with $1.1 million in Champions awards by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell
Special to The New Tri-State Defender
The 2023 outlooks of 21 local nonprofits have been upgraded with a generous gift presentation from Bank of America. The 2022 Bank of America Neighborhood Champions were featured in an event on Dec. 15, at the scenic Memphis Botanic Garden. Each was praised for their unique contributions to driving economic mobility and strengthening the local economy. “Nonprofits are the backbone of our community, as they are on the ground working closely with families to understand the obstacles to economic stability,” said Bank of America Memphis President Trev-
ia Chatman. “These organizations then develop programs and efforts to effectively address those obstacles.” And among the nonprofit awardees, one was named the 2022 Neighborhood Champion. Taking the top honor was the Memphis Urban League (MUL), garnering a $50,000 award and virtual leadership training by nonprofit sector experts. “It’s important that we direct, not only capital, but also the necessary resources and training to help position the Memphis Urban League and its leadership for long-term success,” said Chatman. MUL principals were both surprised and thrilled at the special
SEE AWARDS ON PAGE 2
Your Honor, Be Seated! … The Investiture Ceremony for the Honorable Andre B. Mathis as a United States Circuit Judge for the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals was held in the Memphis City Council Chambers (Dec. 15), with retiring Judge Bernice Donald (left) administering the oath. Mathis is the first African-American man and the second African American to sit on the Sixth Circuit. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley/The New TriState Defender)
It’s ‘official’ – Whitehaven’s Rodney Saulsberry is ‘More Than A Coach’ by Terry Davis
Special to The New Tri-State Defender
Surrounded by evidence of success and plenty of support, Whitehaven High School head football coach Rodney Saulsberry accepts the inaugural More Than A Coach Award from representatives of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. Fifth District (Kentucky and Tennessee) Fatherhood and Mentoring Committee. (Courtesy photo)
Whitehaven High School head football coach Rodney Saulsberry now is “More Than A Coach” – officially He is the inaugural winner of an award, created by Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., bearing that motto. Some people get a coaching job just for the extra money; others only want to win. However, for some coaches winning is not the most important thing. For those coaches, steering their players toward a better way of life is a crucial component of the job.
Saulsberry is one of those coaches. The well-respected coach has raised state championship trophies and various coach-of-the-year awards. Last Friday (Dec. 16). representatives of the fraternity’s Fifth District (Kentucky and Tennessee) Fatherhood and Mentoring Committee, presented the award to Saulsberry at Whitehaven High School. The coach was recognized for his off-the-field mentoring and guidance, along with his leadership of the young men from Whitehaven High and in the community. Saulsberry’s community work and achievements were noticed by Omega member Pat Johnson, who recommended the coach for the “More
Than a Coach” award. Coach Saulsberry expressed elation and showed humility for the recognition. Quincy Snider, Fifth District vice president, said, “When you think no one is looking, Omega Psi Phi is always looking and willing to recognize someone who is lifting their community up.” Whitehaven Principal Dr. Vincent J. Hunter said he was pleased that Saulsberry received the inaugural award, calling the coach an ambassador for Whitehaven High. “We don’t get into this profession for money; we get into education for
SEE COACH ON PAGE 2
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The New Tri-State Defender
December 22 - 28, 2022
Page 2
NEWS
KLONDIKE
CONTINUED FROM FRONT
Bank of America Memphis President Trevia Chatman: “Nonprofits are the backbone of our community, as they are on the ground working closely with families to understand the obstacles to economic stability.”
The 2022 Neighborhood Champion as designated by Bank of America Memphis was the Memphis Urban League, whose president, Tonja Sesley-Fifer, accepted the award from Trevia Chatman. (Photos: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises/The New Tri-State Defender)
AWARDS
CONTINUED FROM FRONT honor. “The Memphis Urban League is grateful for Bank of America’s generosity in helping our organization provide services to those in need,” said MUL President Tonja Sesley-Fifer. “A gift of this amount will go a long way in supporting our efforts.” SchoolSeed President and CEO Vincent McCaskill expressed gratitude for being chosen a Neighborhood Champion for the second straight year. “We support students, teachers, classrooms, and the communities in which they live,” said McCaskill. “This $25,000 will be directed toward homelessness and the children who are affected. Last week, more than 1,700 students were classified as homeless. We are working with the Community Alliance For the Homeless to ensure the needs of homeless families are met.” In Memphis, three nonprofits have been selected as Neighborhood Champions since 2019, with the bank investing more than $460,000 into these local organizations. The invitation-only program is highly competitive,
Bank of America Memphis’ recognition of neighborhood champions was a celebration at the Memphis Botanic Garden. and organizations are selected by a committee of community leaders and past Neighborhood Champion honorees. The Neighborhood Champions program is an extension of the bank’s signature philanthropic initiative, Neighborhood Builders, the largest corporate philanthropic investment in nonprofit leadership in the country. Through 2021, Bank of America has invested $6.3 million in 126 organizations within 42 communities through the Neighborhood Champions program. Also honored this year were: • Agape Child and Family Services • City Year Memphis • CodeCrew
• Junior Achievement of Memphis and the Mid-South • Innovate Memphis • University of Memphis Foundation • Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association • Christ Community Health • Dress for Success • Shelby Farms Park Conservancy • Wolf River Conservancy • Let’s Innovate Through Education • Habitat for Humanity • Memphis Botanic Garden • Mid-South Minority Council • Local Initiatives Support Corporation • Hattiloo Theatre • New Memphis • Mid-South Food Bank
gling to pay higher taxes. They asked the commission and council to consider freezing property taxes at current levels. Partnership representatives, however, reminded the legislators that there already were programs in place to ease the property-tax burden for seniors and others. Opponents also said there has not been adequate community input on the redevelopment plan. “Our goal is that no one is displaced from their home in the Klondike community,” said Austin, CEO of The Works. “The Klondyke Partnership will continue to invest in the homes for purchase and rent with the benefit of longterm affordability.” Klondike Smokey City CDC Housing Director Randall Garrett said residents would not be replaced or priced out of their community because of the revitalization project. “This is not gentrification, and residents will not have to leave their homes because of an inability to afford their property,” said Garrett. “My dad will be 80, and he talks about a time in the Black community when people could leave their doors open … and they shopped at the corner grocery. They had a village. “We are envisioning a total community with affordable, newly renovated housing. We want to restore the village. We are rebuilding a Black community for its Black residents. There will be no massive displacement as we have seen time and time again.” Despite assurances by Austin and Garrett, several residents told the council that there “is still fear that residents will end up losing their homes.” “…A lot of residents won’t be able to afford those property taxes,” said Kathy Gray, one of the more vocal members of the community. Austin said in an interview
COACH
CONTINUED FROM FRONT the uplift of our kids in our community,” Hunter said. Saulsberry often is on the phone looking for a place for graduating seniors to continue their education. He has placed players in many football programs across the country, including Ohio State, Alabama, South Carolina, Vanderbilt, and the University of Memphis. He does not just concentrate on the larger schools. He reaches out to HBCUs and ju-
With some Klondike residents in attendance, the Klondike Partnership secured the approval the group needed from the Memphis City Council on Tuesday. (Courtesy photo)
with The New Tri-State Defender after the council vote that most of Klondike’s residents are senior women, many of them living in homes that have been in the family for generations. “We have been heavily involved in community engagement,” said Austin. “We understand the fear of families losing everything because of property values going up. The Klondike partnership envisions zero displacement. “We are intentional about what we are doing. We are revitalizing a Black community for its legacy Black residents. We will continue to meet with residents, so they understand we are fighting for them.” Austin said the TIF will address an important component of a total revitalization of Klondike – refurbishing the infrastructure. “We have purchased 400 properties for redevelopment, and we have already completed 85 brand new homes,” said Austin. “We do gut rehabs, and each of our properties is equipped with appliances, including washer and dryer. New properties without new infrastructure would make revitalization incomplete. So,
today’s action (by the council) will mean a lot to the Klondike community in the future.” To assuage residents’ fears, the City Council proposed that a committee be formed to encourage community involvement as revitalization continues. Commission Chairman Mickell Lowery on Monday also committed to create an ad hoc committee, including members of the public, to make sure their concerns are considered. The nonprofit collaborative also addresses blight, homelessness in the community, foster care, and wrap-around services. “We employ residents from the neighborhood to clean up lots and to take care of other improvement tasks,” said Austin. “We pay residents to work in their own community. This creates pride in their neighborhood.” Garrett said the partnership understands the importance of Klondike residents understanding that the group is working for their benefit. “Generally, my role is to speak from an emotional standpoint,” said Garrett. “Klondike was founded in 1899 by Blacks. It was their own community. Like other Black communities, there was a strong sense of village and unity. “We can have that again. I truly believe that. Our goal is to have every Klondike resident see that vision, also.”
nior colleges for any opportunity that will benefit a player in furthering their playing career and getting an education via a scholarship. In a rarity, the Whitehaven Tigers did not make the playoffs for the first time in more than a decade. That did not stop Saulsberry from pursuing another opportunity for college scouts to consider his players to be a part of their program. It is, he said, part of “doing what our mission is … (using) the game of football to further the opportunities to raise these
young men. “It feels good to get noticed and recognized for what you are passionate about, helping African-American men develop. It is bigger than wins and losses. It is a luxury to have success on the field and in the lives of young men,” Saulsberry said about the award. The Tigers are expected to have at least 10 players sign scholarship offers. Most will sign during the February signing period. Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. was founded on Nov. 17, 1911, at Howard University.
“…A lot of residents won’t be able to afford those property taxes.” — Kathy Gray
The New Tri-State Defender
December 22 - 28, 2022
Page 3
PERSPECTIVE
D.A. Mulroy touts ‘restorative justice’ in ‘first 100 days’ address by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell
Special to The New Tri-State Defender
Shelby County District Attorney General Steve Mulroy, who began his tenure Sept. 1, promoted his own brand of “restorative justice” in his “100-Day Address” Wednesday (Dec. 21) afternoon. Supporters, staff, and members of the legal community gathered in the lobby of Vasco A. Smith Jr. County Administration Building to hear Mulroy’s observations of what has transpired since taking on the role of Shelby County’s law enforcement official. “The clear and distinct changes in policy and philosophy from the prior administration have been calculated and intentional,” Mulroy said in a phone interview, prior to his public speech. “What the former DA called a “tough on crime” approach was to lock up as many as you can, for as long as possible. The continuous rise in violent crime was proof that approach was not working.” Mulroy touted two of his initial changes as setting the tone of his administration − the establishment of an independent Justice Review Unit and diversifying his staff. “My predecessor Amy Weirich refused to do so, but I created the Justice Review Unit to look at cases, where convictions may have been unfair or otherwise wrongful,” said
Mulroy. “The system is not perfect, but mechanisms to make it more just for everyone is the right thing to do.” Mulroy continued, “I believe that whenever possible, those who serve in Shelby County at some capacity ought to reflect the population they serve. That was not the case in the District Attorney’s office, and I wanted to change that dynamic.” Mulroy said he has hired “dozens of new prosecutors and support staff” who share his vision of reform. And true to his campaign pledge, the District Attorney General’s staff is more diverse than it has ever been. The number of persons of color among new hires is “roughly twice that of the pre-existing staff. Also, the number of minority supervisors has doubled, according to Mulroy. “To prevent crime in this community and earn trust in the community, we must look like the community,” Mulroy said. In his address, Mulroy did not shy away from talking about crime and “the Black community” over the past decade. “…As crime rose, public confidence in the fairness of our justice system fell, particularly in the Black community, as our Crime Commission’s polling data shows,” Mulroy said. “This is not a coincidence. When the community lacks faith in the fairness of our system, it is less willing to cooperate with that system
by providing tips, reporting crimes, and serving as witnesses, which only compounds our crime problem and makes it harder for us to help victims.” Mulroy said the criminal justice system is “a faith-based system.” He harkened back to a campaign promise he repeatedly made “to restore that faith.” He also pointed out what he described as the realities of a failed system of justice by the prior administration. “…We sent children to adult prisons, where they learned to become hardened criminals later in life. We sent adult offenders to prison with little to no counseling, education, job training, or re-entry support, and then, claimed surprise when they predictably resumed their former criminal lives.” Mulroy said that a new Cold Case Unit has been created in partnership with the Memphis Police Department. “We know that a small percentage of repeat violent offenders are responsible for a large percentage of violent crimes,” said Mulroy. “By working with law enforcement to resolve these cold cases, and by holding accountable these dangerous few, we can not only bring solace to the victims and their families…but also prevent them from doing further harm down the road.” Mulroy said he has given prosecutors some autonomy and discretion
needed to settle cases, clear backlogs, and double down on repeat violent offenders. “That means spending more time on non-fatal shootings, an area where too many offenders have been escaping accountability, and less time on marijuana prosecutions, which only wastes taxpayer dollars, ruins lives, facilitates racially disproportionate enforcement and does nothing to make us safer,” Mulroy stated. The citizens of Shelby County can look for more aspects of restorative justice practices because of their impressive success rates in reducing recidivism across the country. Restorative Justice is generally described as an approach to justice where one of the responses to a crime is to organize a meeting between the victim and the offender, sometimes with representatives of the wider community. The goal is for the perpetrator and victim to share their experience of what happened, to discuss who was harmed by the crime and how, and to create a consensus for what the offender can do to repair the harm from the offense. Mulroy cites Nashville as one of the cities enjoying lowered rates of repeat offending. “We will expand the use of diversion and treatment courts,” said Mulroy. “Even the most traditional ‘law and order’ folks acknowledge the good that Veterans’ Court, Drug
“The clear and distinct changes in policy and philosophy from the prior administration have been calculated and intentional.” – Steve Mulroy Court, and Mental Health Court have done. The people in these courts, including the judges, have advocated for expanding their use. I intend to help them with that.” Additional areas of advocacy Mulroy pledged to pursue are: • Animal cruelty. • Worker exploitation – wage theft and job misclassification by employers in a “reinvigorated” Economic Crimes Unit. Mulroy invoked his faith as a major inspiration in leading his administration. “Throughout my campaign and my first 100 days, I’ve reflected on a favorite Bible verse,” Mulroy said. “Jesus said, ‘Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for justice, for they shall have their fill.’ From Christ, this is both reassurance and command. We can achieve justice, but we must hunger, thirst, and strive for it. “I pledge to you that in the next 100 days, and the thousands after that, I will do precisely that.”
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PERSPECTIVE The New Tri-State Defender, December 22 - 28, 2022, Page 4
2022 Notebook: Retrenchment in fight for racial justice by The Associated Press THE BACKGROUND: The story of racial equity in the United States took many forms in 2022, and reporters for The Associated Press found novel ways to bring new issues to light, including fallout from the reckoning over police violence, tribal rights and justice, and a new wave of antisemitism. Members of the AP’s Race and Ethnicity team look back on a year of important stories. ANDALE GROSS, editor, AP Race and Ethnicity Team Race continued to be front and center in 2022, two years after protests against the police killings of George Floyd and other Black people sparked a racial reckoning. In Washington, Congress passed the Emmett Till Anti-Lynching Act enabling the prosecution of crimes as lynchings if they are committed during hate crimes in which the victims are injured or killed. The midterm elections brought more racial progress as Asian Americans, Black Americans, Latinos and other groups made strides in electing candidates who represented them. Race also was at the center of the push for voting access as Native Americans and other communities worked to ensure that elections were fair and equitable. The climate around race wasn’t all promising, though. At the polls, threats to democracy remained. The year also saw its share of hate in the form of racial violence and antisemitism. A white gunman killed 10 Black shoppers and workers at a Buffalo, New York, supermarket. In New York City, a white man was charged with hate crimes after several women of Asian descent were violently attacked. Some celebrities and other prominent people made anti-Jewish comments, causing fears that hate is being normalized. Other obstructions to the racial reckoning happened inside the classroom. Teachers trying to incorporate culture and racial history into their lessons faced scrutiny from conservatives about centering education around race, gender and sexuality. AARON MORRISON, national writer covering race and ethnicity: We are seeing a real retrenchment from a willingness to address racial inequality. In everyone from politicians to corporate leaders, the willingness that they were expressing sort of went silent. And not only that, we even saw elected officials who were running on promises of racial equity use “middle of the road,” less bold language around some of the things that they had previously been bold about, like police reform. We went from, “We need to address the history of racial inequality in our law enforcement systems” to “I don’t believe that we should defund the police” and “we should fund the police.” So there was a very different tone. On the attack on Black shoppers at a Buffalo, New York, supermarket: MORRISON: Prior to the Buffalo shooting, I had experience covering the Charleston church shooting trial. It allowed me to understand the deep pain that is often left in the wake of mass shootings. And so coming into Buffalo, I went in knowing that I wanted to highlight how that particular shooting shook that community to its core. I also wanted to make sure, as the AP told the stories of this community, we did not lose the fact that this was a targeted, racially motivated attack. It had to be written with a bit more nuance and context so that people could understand the significance of it. This shooting, in particular, really exposed just where we were as a country, in dealing with things that often are not really hidden at all, but are in plain sight. There are people openly expressing hatred towards groups online, and that there isn’t really all that great of a system out there catching and or preventing these types of massacres from happening. On what’s facing Native American communities throughout the U.S.: FELICIA FONSECA, who is based in Flagstaff, Arizona, and covers Indian Country: The issues facing Indian Country are so deep-rooted and
Kneeling in prayer after the supermarket shooting in Buffalo, N.Y. The shooting was another example of something that’s been part of U.S. history since the beginning: targeted racial violence. (AP Photos/Matt Rourke)
People hold hands as they pray outside the scene of the shooting at a supermarket in Buffalo, N.Y., Sunday, May 15, 2022. intergenerational: How do tribes ensure the future of their language or culture and their people? And if we’re thinking about COVID, the impact that has had on the ability to survive. There are some very basic needs that the rest of the U.S. doesn’t often struggle with — running water and electricity, broadband access, the fact that a lot of roads on reservations just aren’t paved. One of the lingering things from the coronavirus pandemic is the extent to which the funding that came to tribes is going to help with those things, and put tribes on par with the rest of the U.S. or just be kind of a step above where they were. And there’s a lot of hope right now that those things will materialize. But tribes also recognize that a lot of this has to do with politics and dismantling decades of bad policy. And we see a lot of changes now with the Biden administration, and especially with having Deb Haaland, the first Native American to serve as Interior secretary, in laying the groundwork for what it says will be lasting change. There is no other Interior secretary who understands Indian Country the way Deb Haaland does. It’s a significant step toward getting those things that that tribes have been working for. Yet some tribes still don’t feel heard. There’s still issues with polling sites being far from tribal reservations, receiving mail at P.O. Boxes when there’s not enough boxes for all the people to receive mail in some tribal communities. We saw Native voting advocates step up on the amount of people they have watching to make sure that these elections are conducted in a fair and equitable way. And establishing hotlines, having extra lawyers on hand to make sure that they can file any complaints as needed on Election Day. On the Washington Commanders finally changing the name of the team from a racial slur: FONSECA: The story was really how this advocacy built up over the decades. It wasn’t about, “Washington did the right thing and changed its name.” Washington did this because it was pressured to do this. Native communities will tell you it was a series of things, it was big companies pulling out financing for the team. And it was the death of George Floyd. This was just the moment in which Washington couldn’t say no anymore. And so I tried to bring into that story, the decades of effort from Native communities to change that. On a rise in antisemitism: MORRISON: In order for us to make sense of what we’re seeing right now, we actually need to do a better job of defining what these things are. When people understand the hallmarks of antisemitism and racism, they can call it out unambiguously. They can say, “that’s racist,” “that’s antisemitism,” and explain why that is with clarity. I think there are some racial dynamics to how antisemitism is addressed, when the antisemitism is coming from a person of color. We have been talking, in the last few weeks of this year, about Kanye West, Kyrie Irving and other folks who have been espousing really dangerous rhetoric. We need to do a better job of connecting the dots. There are risks to allowing such rhetoric to just fly, risks posed to not just our democracy, but to our safety as Americans. Allyship between Jewish and Black civil rights activists is storied. It’s historical. Liberation for one group
could not happen the way it did, without the participation of the other group. I think if we continue reminding people of that history, in 2023, maybe people will realize this is not about divide and conquer. This is about right and wrong. On why the covering the news through the lens of race and ethnicity is so important: FONSECA: When I started covering tribal communities in my first days at the AP back 17 years ago, there were very few journalists who were focused on it. There weren’t a lot of resources going toward Native media organizations. That has changed with the creation of Indigenous Affairs desks that have focused on hiring Native journalists, which is super great. Of course, news leaders can do better. I’m covering Indigenous communities as a Hispanic woman, so I’m thinking about how would I want people to approach my community? How do we do this in the most respectful way? What can we do to make sure that we have a good working relationship, that we’re not being extractive, that we’re ensuring that Native voices are included in the stories about Native people, that we’re elevating those voices? Are we seeking out Native scholars, experts, community leaders, and others with particular lived experiences? MORRISON: In many communities, especially in communities of color, what I often find is that people will talk about what’s just happened. But then they also want to talk to you about what’s been happening for years, for decades in their communities. They’ll say the lack of investment, the lack of attention to inequity created the conditions for a predominantly Black neighborhood in Buffalo to have only one good supermarket. They want to talk about the things that they’ve been asking for, that they have yet to receive from their elected leaders. These are the leaders who have promised them progress many times, that things were changing, but they rarely do. On what’s next for coverage: FONSECA: Consistency is so important in minority communities. We’ll stay tuned to the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women movement, boarding schools, a U.S. Supreme Court child welfare case that threatens tribes’ status as sovereign nations and the impact of climate change. We’ll also look for opportunities to expand coverage of Indigenous communities. Tribal leaders often say that words are sacred, and they expect the Biden administration to fulfill pledges it has made to uplift tribal communities and its obligations under treaties and other acts. We’ll be watching that as well. MORRISON: We should not take our eyes off of the people challenging the very tenets of our democracy. Those who want to invalidate the vote of entire communities, if they don’t like the outcome. Those who are putting themselves in positions to control ballot casting, certifying results and pervert election laws. That’s a story that we’ve got to keep on in 2023 and 2024, because we’re not done seeing the impact of what’s already been done. And one last thing that I’ll say about the racial reckoning: We’re not done seeing the backlash to that. The much-reported, much-discussed uptick in violent crime in 2022 was leveraged to turn back some of the reforms borne out of 2020. The backlash caused some elected officials to back away from pledges they made on criminal justice reform. That is going to continue to have impact in 2023, particularly as it affects communities of color. (2022 Notebooks: ers-notebook)
https://apnews.com/hub/report-
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The New Tri-State Defender
December 22 - 28, 2022
Page 5
RELIGION
Washington Chapel and Zeta Phi Beta chapter offer Christmas Eve clothing gifts
Charlise E. Clark Gwin
The Alpha Eta Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and Washington Chapel C.M.E Church are hosting a clothing giveaway on Christmas Eve. Men, women, and children can choose from an assortment of new and gently worn clothing and shoes. Those who attend will also be treated to a short Christmas program and brunch.
The clothing giveaway is Saturday (December 24) from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at 68 E. Mitchell Rd. “The holidays can be a hard time for many,” said Alpha Eta Zeta Chapter President Charlise E. Clark Gwin. “Not everyone has a tree at home with a mountain of gifts underneath. “Also, food, clothing, and shelter are some of the
necessities of life, and we want to assist those who may need clothing. They are welcome to pick out some items for themselves and their loved ones at no charge.” For more information, call 901-345-1392. Visit www. thememphiszetas.org.
On and on at Christmas …
The sanctuary of First Baptist Church, Lauderdale at 682 S. Lauderdale St. was the venue for The 82nd Annual Rendition of George Frideric Handel’s Oratorio “Messiah” was performed last Sunday in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church, Lauderdale at 682 S. Lauderdale St., where the Rev. Chester L. Berryhill Jr. is the senior pastor. (Photos: Tyrone P. Easley/The New Tri-State Defender)
A
nd there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will
cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” — Luke 2: 8-12 NIV
The New Tri-State Defender
December 22 - 28, 2022
NEWS
Page 6
COMMUNITY The New Tri-State Defender, December 22 - 28, 2022, Page 7
Philanthropist brightens STAR Academy’s future Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell
Special to The New Tri-State Defender
Dr. Edward Stephens III, chief operating officer for STAR Academy in Raleigh, goes about his business accounting for what he said is reality: “Charter schools are grossly underfunded.” So, after philanthropist and businessman Preston Byrd showed up Dec. 15 with $250,000, Stephens amplified on the need and what the donation means. “Our children do not have the same resources of children on the other side of town,” Stephens said. “This $250,000 is a really big deal for STAR Academy.” STAR Academy is a charter school in Memphis-Shelby County Schools. It is an educational outreach effort of Golden Gate Cathedral, a Full-Gospel Baptist Church. “Of course, it was pretty crazy when Mr. Byrd made the presentation,” said Stephens. “Our children were pretty excited. The money will go a long way in helping our children lay the groundwork to becoming globally competitive citizens.” For Byrd, philanthropy is its own reward. For nearly two decades, Byrd has generously donated a portion of the profits from his Horizon Companies to those who needed it the most. “It was thrilling to see, not only staff and teachers, but also students so excited about our gift,” said Byrd. “The $250,000 gift to STAR Academy was a great fit for our philanthropic efforts. “We feel that investing in the edu-
Businessman and philanthropist Preston Byrd and his wife, Donette, visited Star Academy, where Byrd made a $250,000 donation that Chief Operating Officer Dr. Ed Stephens III (left) said would “go a long way in helping our children lay the groundwork to becoming globally competitive citizens.” (Photos: Angie + Ike Photography)
Principal James Johnson and STAR Academy students prepare to take the wraps off a surprise projected to propel the academy forward in its quest to develop global learners. cation of our own children is important. I hope more individuals in our community who have the means will follow suit.” Stephens said the school has big plans for the donation. “Exposure to machine learning, upgrading our programming instruction, and expanding the courses of study that will help our students become competitive global learning. A gift of this magnitude will go a long way,” said Stephens. “We look to partner with people like Mr. Byrd, pairing the needs of the school to the appetite of the organization. We are extremely grateful to our benefactor and Horizon Organizations.” Byrd and Horizon Companies have given millions of dollars and goods to address needs in African-American, underserved communities over the years.
“My wife and I have been together for nearly 30 years, married 25 and dated four years through college,” said Byrd. “… She is a teacher, so, those influences have influenced me. Years ago, we started an organization geared around helping, called Operation Help, focusing on supporting children’s programs.” There are other projects to which Byrd has given that are unrelated to education. When Hurricane Ian struck Florida in late September, Horizon Companies came to the rescue. “When the hurricane hit Sarasota, Florida, unfortunately FEMA was unable to get enough resources into the areas where people look like me,” said Byrd. “So, we sent a truckload of goods, products, and food – 80,000 pounds to help. We served … 780 families.” Byrd founded Horizon in 2004 to
Bishop Edward Stephens Jr., senior pastor of Golden Gate Cathedral, with students at STAR Academy, which is an outreach effort of the Full-Gospel Church. focus on development opportunities in the multifamily housing sector. Originally operating as an independent developer, he later expanded the platform to outside investors, who shared the same values. As a managing partner, he developed and executed revenue enhancement strategies for more than $1 billion in the multifamily housing sector. He specializes in development, complex financial structuring, and
management of risk. Prior to forming Horizon, Byrd built and sold several multi-million-dollar companies from the healthcare sector to Information Technology. STAR Academy is categorized as a charter, which are government-funded schools that are allowed to operate independently, like a private school. Principal James Johnson is administrator.
Ruby Bright’s retirement, hope & vision! TSD Newsroom
No. 33 for The Links … The Memphis (TN) Chapter of The Links Incorporated, whose chapter president is Dr. Sharon Wheeler, held its 33rd Annual Cotillion at The Peabody last Saturday (Dec. 17). The evening included the presentation of the LeMoyne-Owen Scholar by the college’s president, Dr. Vernell Bennett-Fairs. (Photos: Tyrone P. Easley/The New Tri-State Defender)
After 22 years as president and CEO of the Women’s Foundation of Greater Memphis, Ruby Bright has stepped into retirement. As a celebration in her honor wound down on Dec. 16 (2022), she reflected with The New Tri-State Defender and shared her hope and vision for the future. “Tonight is just amazingly beautiful for me in so many ways,” said Bright. “I got to actually see how people felt my work, how leadership appreciated me, and also how to give back to community and see it reflected.” Taking note of those who shared how their lives had been enriched through interaction with her, Bright said, “I really did not seek out to do that. I actually wanted to build community. And I wanted the organization, the Women’s Foundation, to be a leader in the community” Addressing her leadership style, Bright, who also had a 16-year career with Junior Achievement, said it’s always been people-centered. “If we can highlight and lift up and encourage not just young people, but all people to work together, to see beyond color, and to see the opportunities in front of them. I’ve had that experience with the Women’s Foundation.” More than a sisterhood, the organization is respected and needed in the community, she said. My goal was to have the Women’s Foundation be an organization that is a part of the community, and the leadership of our board of directors trusted me with that vision. And we have transformed communities, not just aesthetics, but also people’s lives,
Ruby Bright accepts a gift in appreciation for 22 years of service with the Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis. (Photos: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises/The New Tri-State Defender) and they are better for it. Recalling a recent holiday party for South City residents, Bright detailed witnessing three generations with roots and connections in the area – “the grandmother who lived in Foote Homes, the mother who lived in Foote Homes, and then the granddaughter who’s now attending LaRose … they are thriving.” At that party she met her namesake, Rubiana, a first-grader at LaRose. “She aspires to be a firefighter. And she also aspires to play a flute. There is no music program at LaRose Elementary right now. However, being the Ruby Bright that I am, there will be a music pro-
gram at LaRose Elementary in the future. Now that’s visionary thinking, and that’s Ruby. Asked what the future holds, Bright said, “When I think about the next journey for Ruby, I’m in discovery, actually. … I’m going to just relax, spend time with family, reflect, and build the next journey. “I will continue to be involved in the community. Really focused on young girls, young girls of color, I want them to see what leadership and philanthropy can really be like, and I want them to know that at an early age. So that’s my hope and that’s my vision.”
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The New Tri-State Defender, December 22 - 28, 2022, Page 9
The Grizzlies’ team-effort defense hindered Giannis Antetokounpo of the Milwaukee Bucks, which caused a jump ball. On the night, the two-time NBA MVP scored well below his 30plus average. Steven Adams had a season-high five blocked shots.
Memphis’ All-Star point guard Ja Morant racked a triple-double with 25 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists). (Photos: Warren Roseborough/The New Tri-State Defender)
Grizzlies ‘d’ the Bucks into submission
The Grizzlies are on top in the NBA Western Conference and they have risen with and/or doing “d” things: defense, disciplined, and dialed-in. The visiting Milwaukee Bucks got a wire-to-wire demonstration of Memphis’ “d” things as the Grizzlies dominated
the darlings of Milwaukee’s Deer District with a 142-101 win at FedExForum last Thursday night (Dec. 15). After sweeping their five-game homestand, the Grizzlies begin a four-game road trip with a quirky loss in Oklahoma City against the Thunder on Saturday (Dec. 17). On
Tuesday Memphis (19-11) lost in Denver to the Nuggets (19-11). Memphis concludes the road trip with games against Phoenix (Dec. 23) and Golden State on Christmas night. – by Terry Davis
Grit-work earns Tigers another SEC win as Texas A&M goes down by Terry Davis
Special to The New Tri-State Defender
In an effort that brought to mind manual labor on a broad scale, Memphis manufactured an 83-79 win over another SEC foe – this time Texas A&M – at the FedExForum on Saturday night (Dec. 17). “A very gritty win for the team,” said U of M head coach Penny Hardaway. “Guys started falling out. Jayden (Hardaway) first and Alo (Alex Lomax) with the calf and we get Terry two guys to foul Davis out. To beat a team like that is incredible. “Johnathan Lawson, Kao (Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu), Elisha McCadden and Damaria Franklin came into the game and just held it together for us. It was one of our best halves this season in the first half, with that group on the floor.” Memphis (9-3) bounced back after a 91-88 loss to the then-fourth-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide. The Tigers finished their run through the SEC with a 4-1 record, with wins also over Vanderbilt, Ole Miss and Auburn. The Aggies made the game’s first basket and held the lead for the first nine minutes. Kendric Davis gave the Tigers their first lead (20-18) with two free throws with 11:11 left in the first half and then turned up the pressure on offense and defense. After making only one three-pointer in the loss against Alabama, the Tigers connected on four three-pointers in the first half while holding the Aggies to 33 percent shooting. Johnathan Lawson, who did not play against Alabama, hit on each of his three shots from deep in the first half. Memphis pushed the lead to 13 points (37-24) and led 45-36 at the break. They went into halftime with seven players with at least two fouls. The Tigers extended their lead to 12 points in the third quarter but Texas A&M, which came out of the halftime break with noticeably more resolve, cut the deficit to 53-50 with 13:07 left in the game. It was the closes the Aggies had been since midway in the first half. Texas A&M pulled within two
With UofM head coach Katrina Merriweather (right) and the Tigers in need of points, Madison Griggs came up big in the decisive fourth quarter as she connected on three shots from beyond the arc and tied the school record (215) for career three-pointers. (Photo: Memphis Athletics)
Memphis proves to be ‘bad luck’ for Billikens in comeback win by Liaudwin Seaberry Jr.
Special to The New Tri-State Defender
DeAndre Williams called Memphis’ victory over the Texas A&M Aggies “a gutsy team win.” Williams, who fouled out for the third straight game, scored 15 points and hit six key points down the stretch. (Photo: Warren Roseborough/The New Tri-State Defender) points (63-61) on a three-pointer with 9:26 left and Memphis pushed back with a four straight. The Tigers forced three turnovers by the Aggies turnovers but squandered the defensive stops. They went three-plus minutes without a score as the Aggies again pulled within two (67-65) with 4:55 to play. After an offensive foul on Lomax presented Texas A&M with a chance to take their first lead in the second half at the 3:49 mark, an ensuing basket by the Aggies’ Julius Marble (16 points) did just that. Memphis did not shoot free throws well in the game, but DeAndre Williams and Davis came up big down the stretch to secure the win. Williams scored six unanswered points during a closing one-minute segment but fouled out and picked up a technical, again. “DeAndre is a beautiful soul. Sometimes he allows his emotions to get the best of him,” Hardaway said. “He makes some huge plays at the end. We are trying to help him to let him know you can’t overturn the (referee’s) call. He feels bad about it after the game.” Wade Taylor IV, who made nine of 10 free throws, led the Aggies with 25 points. Texas A&M shot 33 free throws and hit 27 of them. Davis, who paced the Tigers with 23 points and nine assists, converted 14 of 16 free throws. Williams fin-
ished with 15 points, zero rebounds and no assists. points. He fouled out for the third consecutive game. “That was a gutsy team win,” said Williams. “Our team is getting closer and better as the season goes on. With us having depth, that was humungous.” The Tigers were dominated on the glass in the second half (22-6) but held the Aggies to only 38 percent shooting for the game. “It (second-half rebounding) was just not doing it,” Hardaway said. “They have got to put it on their minds. If you want to go far, we are going to have to rebound. We are winning the games most of the time, but these teams are going on another level with intensity and physicality.” Still, Hardaway was pleased the Tigers were able to close out the game. “It is so important,” he said, rating Texas A&M as a top-25 team “in my book. They are going to make runs. They were in the SEC Championship last year. They took the lead. Our schedule has helped us to get to this level. The grit and grind inside of our guys shows.” Next In the last game before the start of play in the American Athletic Conference, Memphis hosted Alabama State on Wednesday, with tipoff set for 7 p.m. For the game story, visit www.TSDMemphis.com.
Trailing by six points at halftime against three-win Saint Louis, University of Memphis head coach Katrina Merriweather recognized that the defense had to improve for the Tigers to pull out the victory. When the final buzzer sounded, the scoreboard reflected that Merriweather got the second-half performance she wanted to see as the Tigers overcame the Billikens 8371 at Elma Roane Fieldhouse on Saturday afternoon (Dec. 17). “Defensively, I think that we did a much better job in the second half on the defensive end of the floor,” Merriweather said. “We made their shots more difficult and did a much better job of closing out.” According to the Saint Louis University website, a Billiken is a mythical good-luck figure that represents “things as they ought to be.” The Billikens (3-11) kept resembling a team that at least thought it could win as they built their half-time lead by two points during a see-saw third quarter that set up a Memphis surge in the fourth. Down by eight, the Tigers held St. Louis to eight fourth-quarter points and road the hot-shooting of Madison Griggs (19 points) to score 28 of their own. Since she took the floor as a freshman in 2019, Griggs, who led her Houston High School team to a 38-0 league record in three years, has been prone to knocking down big-time shots. With the Tigers in need in the final quarter, Griggs drilled three of her five long-distance baskets as she tied the women’s program record for three-pointers made in a career with 215.
Griggs connected on five of eleven three-pointers against the Billikens. Memphis jumped to an early lead in the game fueled by two three-pointers from sophomore guard Makaiya Brooks of Springfield (Missouri) Central High School. Eight quick points in response by St. Louis trimmed the Memphis lead to one (19-18) at the end of the first quarter. Camree Clegg (nine points) paced the Billikens to a 15-point lead in the second quarter as she converted on three shoots from deep. Memphis sprinted back and cut the lead to six at halftime. Shelbee Brown, known as a defensive stalwart for the Tigers, showed why she has earned that recognition. In 16 minutes, Brown, who prepped at Whitehaven High School, collected four steals and was an impact player as the Tigers made their second-half surge. Memphis was +25 with Brown (four points, three assists) in the game. “Her defense is amazing,” Merriweather said. “She can guard positions 1 to 5 and is a great asset to have on our team.” Led by Griggs’ 19 points (one assist) , Memphis finished with three, double-digit scorers as Jamirah Shutes contributed 15 (two assists) and Emani Jefferson added 12 points (five assists). The Billikens were led in scoring by Kyla McMakin (23 points), with Mia Nacastro tallying 13 points. The Tigers now have wrapped up the 2022 portion of the regular season at Elma Roane Fieldhouse. On Wednesday (Dec. 21), Memphis (8-5) beat Xavier 66 to 63. The Tigers concluded the calendar year in Philadelphia against Temple on Dec. 30.
The New Tri-State Defender
December 22 - 28, 2022
Another boost in the fight against hunger Supporting community wellness and doubling employee donations. Bank of America proudly continues to support our employees’ health and safety while addressing food insecurity in our local communities, which typically spikes during the winter months. Our employees are taking action to support the important work of our local food banks. For those who let us know they’ve received a coronavirus booster and/or a flu shot, we’ll donate $50 for each to a local hunger relief organization. In addition, employees can double the impact of their personal donations to fight hunger with our matching gifts program. Through these efforts, we’ll donate more than $8 million to address food insecurity in our local communities. The team here in Memphis recently presented Mid-South Food Bank with a check for $25,000. This contribution is in addition to our long-standing philanthropic support to help fight hunger and food insecurity across the country. We are proud to be able to help our community as we work together to move forward.
Trevia Chatman President, Bank of America Memphis
What would you like the power to do?® Learn more at bankofamerica.com/memphis
Donations in each market reflect $50 per employee who has recorded their booster, $50 per employee who has recorded a flu shot and an additional company contribution. Vaccination boosters and vaccination reporting are voluntary. Bank of America, N.A. Member FDIC. Equal Credit Opportunity Lender. © 2022 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.
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