The New Tri-State Defender - December 23-29, 2021

Merry Christmas! Happy Kwanzaa!

VOL. 70, No. 51

December 23 - 29, 2021

www.tsdmemphis.com

“I am still numb to the fact that my baby was shot by a stray bullet.

I’m just trying to process that she was hurt that way. Of course, I am grateful she is alive, but it has been difficult to find joy about the situation. It’s a miracle that she is still here — a Christmas miracle, some might say. But I am still numb. I cannot find the joy right now.”

— Johnisha Tucker

$1.00

Commission says OK to pay hikes Raises embraced for next elected commission, mayor and sheriff

by James Coleman

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Shelby County’s mayor, sheriff and county commissioners will receive pay hikes next year after the County Commission approved the increases in separate votes Monday (Dec. 20).

Beginning when the elected officials start their terms on Sept. 1.

■ Commissioners are set to make $34,900, a $5,800 increase, after commissioner Van Turner Jr. scaled down his original resolution to lift compensation to $40,000. Commissioners currently make $29,100.

■ The county mayor will take home $210,000, up Van from $173,003.

Turner Jr. ■ The sheriff will net $199,500, up from $164,765.

The mayor and sheriff’s raises represent a 21 percent jump. State law mandates the sheriff’s pay should range between 80-95 percent of the mayor’s pay.

Regarding the commission pay raise, Turner said, “We work hard in order to meet the needs of this community… That’s taking time away

SEE PAY ON PAGE 2 Nine-year-old Journee McClelland (left) remains in the hospital after she was critically injured by a stray bullet.

She is shown here during happier times with her mother, Johnisha Tucker, and her sister. (Courtesy photo)

Family of shooting victim struggles to find the joy in their ‘Christmas miracle’

by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

The uncle of a 9-year-old girl critically injured by a stray bullet is calling for Memphians to resist firing their firearms in celebration or for nefarious reasons on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Bruce Tucker posted his ceasefire call to action on Facebook, saying, “We need to bring attention to this issue and try to prevent further devastation to families across the city … Let’s do a ceasefire… one day, no shooting at all.”

Events leading to Tucker’s plea began when Memphis police responded to a call at 9:19 p.m. on Dec. 18 from a Whitehaven home regarding a child who had “fallen out of a chair.”

It was not until an ambulance rushed

Journee McClelland, 9, to LeBonheur Children’s Hospital that it was discovered she had been shot.

Tests were run immediately to determine the scope of her injuries. X-rays revealed a bullet fragment lodged in the victim’s head.

Journee’s mother, Johnisha Tucker, was out with friends when the child was injured. Journee was visiting at a home, not too far from her own house. Tucker received a frantic call that Journee had fallen and was badly hurt.

Tucker rushed to the child’s side, arriving just in time to see her daughter loaded into an ambulance.

She trailed the speeding vehicle to LeBonheur. Tucker learned, along with doctors, that a bullet fragment caused her daughter to fall off the chair.

“I am still numb to the fact that my baby was shot by a stray bullet,” said Tucker.

“I’m just trying to process that she was hurt that way. Of course, I am grateful she is alive, but it has been difficult to find joy about the situation. It’s a miracle that she is still here – a Christmas miracle, some might say. But I am still numb. I cannot find the joy right now.”

Journee’s grandparents also are having a tough time dealing with their granddaughter’s injury.

Bruce Tucker said, “To bring attention to this tragic issue …We propose a ceasefire. We understand that many use gunfire to celebrate, it is more important to put our children first, and find other, safer ways to ring in the new year.”

SEE MIRACLE ON PAGE 2

Health officials: ‘New wave’ of COVID-19 is ‘already here’

by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

The Shelby County Health Department was bracing for a new wave of COVID-19 cases to hit after the new year.

But with more than 30 cases of the highly transmittable Omicron variant and the seven-day average of new daily cases now doubling, officials say the “post-holiday” wave of the virus already is here.

“That new wave has already started,” said Dr. Bruce Randolph, Health Department medical officer. “Omicron is now the dominant variant.

It is more contagious than the Delta variant. The seven-day average is at 300 and over. That’s twice what the daily new cases have been.”

Nationally, federal health officials said Omicron is now the dominant version of the coronavirus in the U.S., accounting for 73 percent of new infections last week.

Locally, the Health Department Wednesday (Dec. 22) reported 421 new COVID-19 cases and seven new COVID-related deaths.

There were 317 new cases and two deaths Tuesday (Dec. 21); 380 new cases and no deaths

SEE OMICRON ON PAGE 2

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The New Tri-State Defender

December 23 - 29, 2021

Page 2

NEWS PAY

CONTINUED FROM FRONT from us providing for our families. While we could have been at our homes, or at our jobs or business earning money for our personal needs, we’ve been here to help provide for the community. That’s why I’m saying this is something that is right, of course I will not enjoy the benefit of this increase.”

Turner, who is term-limited, will not be on the August ballot. There will be at least six new members on the commission next year because of term limits.

Sheriff Floyd Bonner and Mayor Lee Harris are up for re-election. Harris opposed the salary increase The pay increase is long overdue in the eyes of some commissioners. A common refrain during the weeks-long-pay-raise debate was the current salaries are low in contrast to similar-sized counties across the nation and state.

Concerns also were voiced that the current salaries were not conducive to attracting candidates for public office. The last increase was in 2010.

Neither vote went off without a hitch. For starters, the appearance of self-dealing a raise, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic wave, made some commissioners skittish.

“I think the effort is really noble. I think sponsorship on both these items absolutely makes a lot of sense. For me, I feel like it’s not the right time to do this.

“Many people are struggling with the pandemic … We are still in the midst of a pandemic. There are many other challenges we ought to be focused on,” said Commissioner Michael Whaley.

Whaley offered an amendment to bring the number down further to $31,700. It failed by a

4-5-3 margin.

Commissioner Eddie Jones said, “The numbers may be pleasing on one side, but at the end of the day, when you break it down, there’s not that much difference. I would say, however you all decide, because it’s not that big a difWillie F. ference. If you are going to Brooks Jr. vote for $31,700 you might as well vote for $34,900.”

The resolution ultimately passed on a 10-2 vote. Commissioners Mick Wright and Brandon Morrison abstained. Commissioner Tami Sawyer missed the vote.

An effort to send the raise of the sheriff, and by extension the mayor, back to committee also was thwarted.

The move was pitched by Chairman Willie F. Brooks Jr., who proposed an HR study to compare the salary of Bonner to counterparts.

Brooks also pondered the merit of the raise, considering many of the county’s suburban towns have their own police departments.

Commissioner Mark Billingsley defended Bonner, the county’s first elected African-American sheriff, citing the county’s ongoing problems with crime and its accompanying workload.

Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr. also disagreed with Brooks. “We’re down here for the sixth time…The due diligence has been done…I appreciate you saying you want more clarity on this, that and the other…I don’t need an independent HR company or whatever the case may be.”

Only Brooks voted in favor of his amendment. It was followed by a vote on the resolution, which passed 11-1. Whaley was the lone no vote. Sawyer also missed this vote.

With the children in mind ...

Partners in Unity presented the 2nd Annual Toys & Coats Giveaway at 2065 Chelsea Ave. in North Memphis on Wednesday. Rep. Antonio Parkinson (below) was on hand helping to serve the approximately 300 girls and boys (ages 5-12) that turned out for the event organized by Marvin Coleman. (Photos: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises/The New Tri-State Defender)

MIRACLE

CONTINUED FROM FRONT Although Journee, thankfully, is not yet another child fatality in gun violence on the streets of Memphis, 30 children have died violently, according to Memphis police. Of those 30, 23 children were murdered, with the remaining seven ruled “negligent homicides.”

Johnisha Tucker has been at her daughter’s side around the clock. Emergency surgery was performed on Journee to stop the bleeding. But Journee’s doctor told the family that removing the bullet fragment will do more damage than just leaving it there.

According to the child’s mother, the surgeon feels certain the fragment will not move or shift.

“Journee regained consciousness, and she is alert, but she cannot walk or talk,” said Tucker.

“I’m trying to get her to eat. She has an appetite, but Journee is unable to eat right now. It’s going to be a long road of intense therapy for my daughter. I am so grateful that she is recovering, but it is hard to be joyful about Journee surviving a bullet to her head.”

Tucker said when she first moved to Whitehaven it was quiet and safe. That was six years ago.

“Whitehaven used to be very safe,” said Tucker. “We felt secure, living in the area. But now, you hear gunshots every night … We want to feel safe, but this has shattered any sense of security we had.”

Journee’s classmates and teachers at Westhaven Elementary School have reached out to her

OMICRON

CONTINUED FROM FRONT Monday (Dec. 21); 368 new cases and two deaths Sunday (Dec. 19); 364 new cases and one death Saturday (Dec. 18); 271 new cases and seven deaths Friday (Dec. 17) and 265 new cases and seven deaths last Thursday (Dec. 16).

New pediatric cases stood at 84.

There have been 2,199 confirmed COVID-related deaths and 233 probable COVID-related deaths, according to the Health Department’s COVID-19 data dashboard.

The arsenal of weapons to fight the new wave includes a number of fully operational COVID-19 testing sites.

Hundreds of cars are lining up every day as county residents prepare for family gatherings, holiday travel and other activities that will expose them to crowds in close quarters.

“We recommend that everyone get tested before leaving town and upon returning,” said Randolph.

“Self-tests may not detect the Omicron variant. But if a self-test is positive, it may be a good idea to go and get a test at one of the testing sites for confirmation, especially if there are symptoms, or a person has been exposed to the virus by an infected person.”

At many of the testing sites in Shelby County, the traditional PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests are being used to test for COVID-19.

Doctors say those tests are “the gold standard,” accurate in detecting the Omicron variant.

A PCR test is a diagnostic test that determines if there is infection by analyzing a sample to see if genetic material from the virus is present.

Journee McClelland (Courtesy photo) at LeBonheur. She is in the fourth grade.

Police said no arrests have been made. The investigation is ongoing.

As of Tuesday (Dec. 21), there have been 332 homicides in Memphis. That was the final homicide count in 2020, a record-breaking year.

With 10 more days to go, Memphis Police expect that this year’s count will exceed last year’s record.

Home antigen tests are also accurate, doctors say.

Rules for staying safe and healthy over the holiday season have been released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and endorsed by the Health Department. They include: ■ Those who are not fully vaccinated should get a vaccination.

■ If you are not fully vaccinated and aged 2 or older, you should wear a mask in indoor public places.

■ In general, you do not need to wear a mask in outdoor settings. In areas with high numbers of COVID-19 cases, consider wearing a mask in crowded outdoor settings and for activities with close contact with others who are not fully vaccinated.

■ Those who have a medical condition or are taking medications that weaken the immune system may not be fully protected, even if they are fully vaccinated. They should continue to take all precautions recommended for unvaccinated people, including wearing a well-fitted mask, until advised otherwise by their healthcare provider.

■ Consider using a self-test before joining indoor gatherings with others who are not in your household.

A positive self-test result means that you have an infection and should avoid indoor gatherings to reduce the risk of spreading disease to someone else.

A negative self-test result means that you may not have an infection. Repeating the test with at least 24 hours between tests will increase the confidence that you are not infected.

To find the closest testing site, go to: www. shelbytnhealth.com, or call 901-222-9000.

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The New Tri-State Defender

December 23 - 29, 2021

Moving forward together We’ve been through a lot together and have proved to be resilient. The approaching new year brings with it new possibilities to help our clients, communities and teammates move forward and prosper — safely.

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More than $400 million of our $1.25 billion commitment to advance racial equality and economic opportunity is already supporting diverse small businesses and partners, including many recipients here in Memphis who provide job skilling and hiring programs.

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PERSPECTIVE The New Tri-State Defender, December 23 - 29, 2021, Page 4

COMMENTARY

When Jo Jo was killed, Memphis seemed like a different city to me. This may sound crazy, but I felt like things like that didn’t happen to people like us. The “good kids” with college degrees, attend church and have strong family structures.

Finally, justice for Jarmelle ‘Jo Jo’ Jones – a Memphis slain pharaoh

by Carlissa Shaw, Esq.

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

O

n Nov. 28, 2014, the news of the slaying of Jarmelle “Jo Jo” Jones during what seemed to be a home invasion rocked an entire community of young Memphians.

As one commentator said at the time, Memphis lost a pharaoh.

More than seven years later, friends and family of Jo Jo got a little peace after a Shelby County jury found Thaddeus Money guilty of first-degree murder, especially aggravated robbery, criminal attempt murder in the second-degree, employment of a firearm in the commission of a dangerous felony, aggravated assault and theft of property, according to Paul Hagerman, the prosecutor who handled the case, along with Austin Scofield.

Immediately after the guilty verdict, Criminal Court Judge Chris Craft sentenced Money to life in prison and reset sentencing on the remaining charges for a later date.

Dozens of friends and family members traveled to 201 Poplar every day of the trial, seeking answers and closure on what happened on that November day.

According to the prosecution’s theory of the case and the testimony presented at trial by several witnesses, Money and Raphael Farmer tried to rob Jo Jo and Stephine Moss at his Cordova home after seeing on social media that the couple recently was in New York on a lavish vacation.

Moss, Jo Jo’s girlfriend at the time, testified that the two had left J. Alexander’s, also in Cordova, and had pulled up to the house. A few moments after entering the home, they were ambushed by two men dressed in all black with masks and gloves.

Farmer, a co-defendant, recently severed from the case, testified that he and Money committed the robbery and stole the car. He testified that they drove the car to a house in Raleigh, where they burned the vehicle.

Now is more than a time to celebrate a conviction. It also is time to pause and reflect on the impact that Jo Jo made in the Memphis community.

A few weeks ago, we were reminded of the beauty of Jo Jo’s peaceful soul. More

than 4,000 people took the time on a Sunday to recognize his legacy.

I met so many people and watched so many with tears in their eyes that day.

There was a range of stories, but the overall theme focused Carlissa Shaw on how Jo Jo gave selflessly. At age 26, Jo Jo did more for this city than some people three times his age.

The Rev. Stacy Spencer of New Direction Christian Church delivered a powerful eulogy, in which he spoke of a pop-culture saying: YOLO (You Only Live Once), pointing out that Jo Jo lived his life with a good heart and with a continued positivity that few on this earth ever truly attain.

Jarmelle Jones went by many names. Jo Jo, Mr. AddnoE (E was for excuses) and Mr. University of Memphis are just a few.

But many of us knew him long before those names were created.

Simply put, Jo Jo was always a “cool kid.” I remember him at Shunn Gunn parties with his color popped on his Polo shirt and a fresh new pair of Jordans.

After Jo Jo graduated high school, he went to the University of Memphis. That is when the nickname Mr. U of M was created because he was the poster child for the university. He was a student manager for the U of M Tiger basketball teams in 2006-07 and 2007-08, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and he worked at Ching’s Hot Wings, a local favorite especially for U of M students.

When Jo Jo was killed, Memphis seemed like a different city to me. This may sound crazy, but I felt like things like that didn’t

For seven-plus years, the killing of Jarmelle “Jo Jo” Jones was an unsolved homicide that testified the resolve of those seeking #JUSTICEFORJOJO. happen to people like us. The “good kids” with college degrees, attend church and have strong family structures.

I remember saying at the time, “I have known Jo Jo since high school and Jo Jo don’t bother nobody.”

Jarmelle “Jo Jo” Jones But it happened and for several years no one knew what happened. The case went cold. It all seemed unreal.

Finally, in 2016, Farmer, 27, and Money, 29, were indicted on eight counts, including first-degree murder charges. Both men had several previous arrests and convictions for charges, including burglary and

theft of property.

Nearly seven years almost to the date, the murder of another one of Memphis’ pharaohs, Adolph “Young Dolph” Thornton, Jr., senselessly murdered in Memphis, causes us to revisit the same emotions. The sense of helplessness and despair are all too familiar.

Recently, Memphis made headlines for being ranked as the most dangerous city in the United States, according to a 24/7 Wall St. study using FBI statistics.

But with names like Jarmelle “Jo Jo” Jones and Adolph “Young Dolph” Thornton Jr. being amongst those designated “victims,” our communities are beyond tired of losing the best and brightest amongst us to senseless acts of gun violence.

Convictions are one thing, but prevention and stopping the unnecessary bloodshed is what Memphis needs.

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The New Tri-State Defender

December 23 - 29, 2021

Page 5

RELIGION

Meditation Hour still training leaders after 50 years

by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Five decades after it was initiated at Summerfield Baptist Church, the Meditation Hour still is a place for Christians to gather for teaching and fellowship.

“I have been in ministry for 47 years,” said Dr. Lee Otis Adams, coordinator of the weekly Meditation Hour. “So, I would say that the original Meditation Hour was started somewhere in the early ’70s.”

Although various churches have hosted the meetings throughout its 50-year history, the Meditation Hour is one of the longest continuously running teaching ministries of its kind.

Teachers and preachers, both novices and seasoned, would meet each week to hear an inspiring message from a designated speaker. Those who were learning were enriched, and those who were experienced

guided and helped aspiring Christian leaders coming up.

The modern adaptation of the meeting is inter-denominational, expanding beyond its Missionary Baptist roots. Meetings are on Wednesday mornings. The Education Hour is at 10. The Gospel Hour is at 11, and fellowship follows at noon. Expansion of the original Meditation Hour evolved with the changing times, said Adams.

“The perilous times in which we live make more prayer and preparation necessary for effective Christian leadership,” said Adams. “We still come together and learn from one another, but additional outreach efforts have been made, especially during this COVID-19 pandemic.”

An evangelistic crusade for youth and young people was launched by the Meditation Hour in July, Adams said.

“We felt something had to be done,” Adams said. “There is so much violence and criminal behavior

among our young people. We felt an urgency to convey the gospel of Jesus Christ to our children, before they are unable to hear it. They can’t hear the message of salvation in the grave.”

Today, attendees to the Meditation Hour come from various denominations, and include the faithful patronage of both clergy and lay persons.

“Except for the few months in 2019 when all church services and religious gatherings were suspended,” said Adams, “the Meditation Hour has run continuously from the time when Pastor Montgomery Winfield started the fellowship until now.

Members from Methodist churches, Church of God in Christ, and non-denominational congregations have joined our meetings.”

Winfield started the Meditation Hour at Summerfield Baptist Church, at 1383 Boxwood St., where it still sits today. Adams is the third coordinator of the Meditation Hour, having served in the role for eight years.

The weekly meeting was being

held at the Hollywood Community Center, but with the pandemic hit, and a new meeting place was needed.

“We were meeting at the Hollywood Community Center, alternately, with Prosperity Baptist Church, but the pandemic changed that,” said Adams. “All the city facilities and community centers were closed in 2019, when the COVID-19 was at its height. We stopped meeting and just suspended the event for a few months.”

When the Meditation Hour started meeting again later on in 2019, it was at one location each week, Prosperity Baptist Church, 5859 Old Brownsville Rd., near Methodist Hospital North.

Adams, a life-long Memphian, retired from Memphis City Schools as a teacher and coach in 2012.

Presently, he is pastor of Union Paradise Baptist Church, in Jericho, AR. Adams also serves as 3rd vice-president of The Consolidated Missionary Baptist Convention of Arkansas.

The Rev. Dr. Lee Otis Adams, coordinator of the weekly Meditation Hour, with Betty J. Lee, a former Christian education student of Dr. Adams, as she receives her certificate of completion. (Courtesy photo) He earned a doctorate in ministry, with emphasis on Church and Community Ministry, from Jacksonville Theological Seminary.

BTW Class of ’56 Holiday Gala …

Mt. Moriah East Baptist Church was the venue as the Booker T. Washington High School Class of ’56 came together to celebrate its 2021 Holiday Gala program. Clara A. Mason received the Achievement Award for her work in research and development at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The entertainment included selections by national recording artist Queen Anne Hines. (Photos: Tyrone P. Easley)

The New Tri-State Defender, December 23 - 29, 2021, Page 6

Celebrating Umoja (unity), the first principle of Kwanzaa in Downtown Memphis (2019). (Photo: Karanja A. Ajanaku/The New Tri-State Defender Archives)

Mid-South Kwanzaa, Inc. tweaks annual Kwanzaa celebration

by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

The annual seven-day celebration of Kwanzaa in Memphis will reflect the desire to continue with tradition while accounting for health and safety during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Mid-South Kwanzaa, Inc. will host events on three designated days, with those days serving to honor multiple Kwanzaa principles instead of the customary observance of one principle each day.

Celebrating African-American culture, Kwanzaa begins on Dec. 26 and ends on Jan. 1.

Historically each year, millions of African Americans gather with friends and family throughout Kwanzaa week to honor the holiday’s seven founding principles – unity (Umoja), self-determination (kujichagulia), collective work and responsibility (Ujima), cooperative economics (Ujamaa), purpose (Nia), creativity (Kuumba) and faith (Imani).

Each day of Kwanzaa is dedicated to one of the seven principles, collectively known as the Nguzo Saba.

“We as African people adhere to this celebration,” said Osupa Moon, president of Mid-South Kwanzaa. “It is the first fruits of harvest. Kwanzaa is the vehicle by which we learn and pass on our culture and heritage about us to us.”

Forced to pivot last year because of the coronavirus pandemic, Mid-South Kwanzaa observed the celebration online and on the airwaves.

This year, the first day of Kwanzaa, which traditionally is the day to observe the principle of Umoja (unity), also will feature a celebration of the principle of kujichagulia (self-determination).

Two observances are set for day one (December 26): 10 a.m. – Opening Libation Ceremony at the Auction Block (Main & Auction) 7 p.m. – New Chicago Performing Arts Center,1036 Firestone Ave. Day three (December 28) combines the celebration of the principles of Ujima (collective work and responsibility) and ujamaa (Cooperative Economics). The observance is set for 7 p.m. at Providence A.M.E. Church, 384 Decatur St. On day seven January 1), which usually culminates with the celebration of Imani (faith), the principles of nia (purpose) and kuumba (creativity), also will be celebrated. The observance is set for 3 p.m. at the

Celebrate Kwanzaa with the Commission’s Black Caucus The Shelby County Commission Black Caucus will host a celebration of Kwanzaa on Wednesday, Dec. 29, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Mahogany Memphis, 3092 Poplar Ave. Attendees are asked to bring new or lightly used coats and sweaters to support SisterReach.

Kwanzaa circle (Photo: Karanja A. Ajanaku, The New Tri-State Defender Archives)

Osupa Moon and Cookie Moon stand in front of a mantel bearing the kinara and the seven candles representing the seven principles (Nguzo Saba) of Kwanzaa. Each day a new candle is lit. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley/The New Tri-State Defender Archives) New Chicago Performing Arts Center.

“When we celebrate Kwanzaa, we celebrate our rich cultural heritage and achievements,” said Ekpe Abioto, a Memphis-based musician and Mid-South Kwanzaa board member.

“The Nguzo Saba, which means seven principles in Kiswahili, represents a value system that we should practice every day

of our lives. If we did, there would be no crime in our community….

“Kwanzaa teaches us to love ourselves.

It teaches Black on Black love. Our ancestors laid the foundation and our children need to know that they too can be great.”

Each day of activities will be livestreamed on Facebook, organizers said.

“Kwanzaa expounds on our history and

the greatness of things we have done on earth,” said Moon.

“We host events all year round with this message. We should all know about our culture and about ourselves. All people are welcome to come out and participate in the celebration.”

(For more information, call 901-237-1705.)

The New Tri-State Defender

December 23 - 29, 2021

Page 7

ENTERTAINMENT

Lil Wayne (middle) joins Three 6 Mafia’s Juicy J (right) and DJ Paul on stage at the Verzuz battle at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles. (Photo: Triller/Amanda Westcott)

Lil Wayne, Three Six Mafia, Foo Fighters and more set for Beale Street Music Festival TSD Newsroom Foo Fighters, Lil Wayne, The Smashing Pumpkins and Three 6 Mafia are announced headliners for the 2022 Beale Street Music Festival.

Memphis in May officials made the announcement on Monday as part of a partial list of artists confirmed to appear at the regional festival.

The Beale Street Music Festival returns after a record-setting festival in 2019 but was not presented in 2020 or 2021 due to the pandemic.

The 2022 edition of the festival will be presented at the Memphis Fairgrounds to make way for the construction of the redesigned Tom Lee Park. The 2023 Beale Street Music Festival will return to Tom

Lee Park when park construction is completed in April 2023.

Artists announced in the 2022 ‘Round One’ line-up release include DaBaby, Modest Mouse, Lindsey Buckingham, Moneybagg Yo, The Glorious Sons, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Sarkodie, Dirty Honey, Soccer Mommy, Trigger Hippy, Sue Foley and Kenny Brown.

The festival’s entire 60-plus artist lineup will be revealed in early February.

For the Foo Fighters, the 2022 appearance will be their third headline appearance at the Beale Street Music Festival.

They previously headlined the festival in 2000 and 2004. Members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, they last played Memphis in 2018 to a sold-out crowd at the FedEx Forum.

The 2022 edition of the Beale Street Music Festival will be presented at the Memphis Fairgrounds to make way for the construction of the redesigned Tom Lee Park.

A limited number of three-day passes are on sale at the discounted price of $155.

Tickets are available at www.memphisinmay.org/bsmftickets through Front Gate Tickets.

VIP passes are also available. They offer exclusive seating on raised, covered platforms with unobstructed views of each stage, VIP-only bars with beer, food, wine,

and convenient VIP-only air-conditioned restrooms.

Parking options are also available.

Three-day VIP passes are $809 and are available at www.memphisinmay.org/bsmftickets.

(For more information, visit www.memphisinmay.org.)

COMMUNITY The New Tri-State Defender, December 23 - 29, 2021, Page 8

Striking Kellogg employees agree to new contract

by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Striking Kellogg employees received an early Christmas present in the form of a new labor agreement announced Tuesday (Dec. 21) with the giant cereal maker.

“Considering we rejected a contract two weeks ago under threat of being permanently replaced, this is a Christmas miracle, for real,” said Kevin Bradshaw, media spokesperson for local members of the Bakery, Confectionary, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers (BCTGM) International Union.

The nearly 1,400 strikers in Battle Creek, Michigan; Omaha, Nebraska; Lancaster, Pennsylvania and Memphis will return to work on Monday (Dec. 27).

Kellogg Chairman and CEO Steve Cahillane also celebrated the contract’s ratification in a Dec. 21 press release posted on the company’s website.

“We are pleased that we have reached an agreement that brings our cereal employees back to work,” said Cahillane. “We look forward to their return and continuing to produce our beloved cereal brands for our customers and consumers.”

Bradshaw said the company granted 100 percent insurance for all employees in the new five-year agreement. A $1.10-an-hour pay raise and cost-of-living adjustments across the board were included.

And alternative work schedules were taken off the table, Bradshaw said. Workers opposed alternative schedules because hours could vary from week to week.

Bradshaw said Memphis employees were especially pleased that new hires now have an avenue to reach top-tier pay.

“We weren’t asking for higher pay,” said Bradshaw. “We just want-

In remembrance ...

Brian Clay, founder/CEO of Greater Memphis Media, Inc., presents the Bernal E. Smith II Academic Achievement Award to Memphis/Shelby County Students Attending HBCUs to Tamara Young on behalf of her late son, Miles Young.

(Photo: Tyrone P. Easley/The New Tri-State Defender)

Down with the cause ...

The Memphis Branch NAACP held its Annual Membership Laydown at its headquarters at 588 Vance Ave. last Saturday.

(Photo: Tyrone P. Easley/The New Tri-State Defender)

ed new hires to get the same opportunity overtime to reach topped out wages.

“So, we are happy about the new contract. A high level of job security will continue as it has in the past.

We want new hires to have the same opportunities as we had.”

Kellogg concurred that the new contract provides immediate, acrossthe-board wage increases and enhanced benefits for all. The new contract also provides an accelerated, defined path to top-tier wages, a major sticking point for employees, and benefits for transitional employees.

The BCTWGM International Union called it a win for workers after striking employees voted to ratify the contract over the weekend.

Earlier in the month, an overwhelming majority of workers voted down a five-year offer that would have provided 3 percent raises and cost of living adjustments in coming years to most, but not all the workers.

An inferior pay system for newer employees was a sticking point in 20 prior contract offers by Kellogg.

The ratified agreement will allow all workers with at least four years of experience to move up to the higher legacy pay level.

Union officials had complained that previous offers did not allow other workers to move up quickly enough.

The workers remained unified, creating vast shortages of the company’s favorite cereals across the country, despite the efforts of salaried employees and temporary workers brought in to keep production going.

President Joe Biden encouraged striking workers in a letter posted on Dec. 17.

“You — the American worker — are the backbone of America…You have persevered through this pandemic and challenging economic times…My message to you is: Keep the faith.”

Council takes a pause on residency requirements for police, firefighters

by James Coleman

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Kevin Bradshaw takes one last photo of striking Kellogg Company employees after receiving news that the other three plants also ratified the new contract, ending the two-and-a-half-month strike. It’s going to be a Merry Christmas after all, Bradshaw said. (Courtesy photo) Biden also said that threatening to replace striking workers with permanent replacements “undermines the collective bargaining process.

Vice-President Kamala Harris weighed in on the company’s threat, standing up for workers’ rights in a recent tweet: “It is wrong to fire workers for demanding better treatment and wages…Workers in America have the right to demand better.”

The Memphis plant employs 257

personnel. Bradshaw said workers are elated that insurance benefits started back immediately. They were cut off at the onset of the strike.

“Our insurance is back in force,” said Bradshaw. “And so is our 401K. We can borrow from it right now if we need to. Everyone is pretty happy about that. It’s going to be a Merry Christmas for us after all.”

(This story includes a report by the Associated Press.)

The debate over easing residency requirements for city police officers and firefighters remains at a standstill until the new year after a proposed ordinance to let voters decide the issue in a referendum next year was pulled during the Tuesday (Dec. 21) Memphis City Council meeting.

Citing a negative recommendation in committee, council member Michayln Easter-Thomas asked for the item to be pulled from the council’s consent agenda. It was supposed to be the first of three readings on the long-simmering issue.

“It’s absolutely out of order, if this was your prerogative – to not have the chief of police here, to not have this heard in committee, to not have had the debate that was Michayln necessary,” proEaster-Thomas tested council member Chase Carlisle.

Carlisle continued, “For you to try to pull it off the agenda and kill it today is honestly just shocking and sad and abhorrent, based Chase on policies and Carlisle traditions of the council. Especially, not to give the police chief and those stakeholders an opportunity to weigh in on it.”

In addition to putting the issue on the August 2022 ballot, the resolution would have allowed police officers and firefighters to reside within 50 miles of the city.

Current rules require city employees to live in town. Proponents hope the extra slack will help grow the Police Department ranks from under 2,000 to 2,5000.

Thomas is among council members opposed or are lukewarm on loosening the restrictions.

“I separated the question to simply separate the question from being on the consent agenda. By no means are we trying to be sneaky,” said Thomas.

Carlisle was joined by council member Worth Morgan in criticizing the move. Both agreed it was an attempt to kill the resolution on its first reading.

Carlisle and Morgan maintained that if it failed to get seven votes, the matter would have ended without advancing to a second or third vote.

Thomas, however, countered, “We have had a robust discussion on this.

It’s not like I was waiting until someone wasn’t here. We were all here last year,” Thomas replied.

An outgoing council approved a similar resolution in 2019 only to have it rescinded by the current members. The council overrode a veto by Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland.

Councilmember Jeff Warren suggested the issue be delayed for two weeks for further study and possible revisions. The council approved the pause.

Voting in favor were council members Cheyenne Johnson, incoming chairwoman Jamita Swearengen, Rhonda Logan, JB Smiley Jr., Warren and Thomas.

Outgoing chairman Frank Dolvett, Ford Canale, Carlisle and Morgan voted no. Council members Edmund Ford Sr. abstained, while Patrice Robinson opted not to vote and Martavius Jones was absent.

The New Tri-State Defender

December 23 - 29, 2021

NEWS

CLASSIFIEDS

COMMENTARY

Wallet warning: Holiday shopping and charitable giving

by Regina Morrison Newman

DEADLINES: Display ads Friday 5 p.m.

Classifieds ads Monday 5 p.m.

STANDARD RATES: $6.00 per line for 1 column ad.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

DIVORCE NOTICE Marvis Deshun Maxwell address is unknown hereby notified that his spouse Yolanda Michelle Anding filled for divorce on February 2021 & December 2021 in Shelby County Memphis,Tn

NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY

BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT

The 2021 holiday shopping season promises to be an unpredictable one, and the riskiest scam for consumers is online purchase scams. The Wallet Warnings program provided by the Shelby County Trustee’s Office through its Consumer Financial Protection Initiative is designed to provide information to shop and give safely and smartly this holiday season.

With more of us shopping online for convenience and due to COVID, it is more important than ever to be a smart online consumer. to take advantage of your distractions to skim your account information or even steal your entire wallet. Follow these tips to avoid the hassle of credit/ debit card fraud: Never leave your purse or wallet open – keep it closed and close.

Don’t let your credit or debit card out of your sight if you can help it.

Consider getting an RFID wallet or card protector for your credit/debit cards – they are inexpensive and prevent people from cloning your cards without your knowledge.

Check your bank and credit card statements regularly and report unknown or suspicious charges ASAP. So many year-end solicitations are inundating our mailboxes and inboxes. Scammers and non-profits alike are aware of Memphis’s reputation as the most charitable community in the country. Before you donate, make sure you do a little bit of homework about the charity requesting your donation, especially if the charity is unknown to you.

Make sure the organization is legitimate by checking LiveGive.org for local charities or www.charitynavigator.org for local and national charities.

Give directly through the or-

ganization by calling or going directly to their website rather than over the phone or clicking a link through email.

Don’t make a purchase, donate to a charity or conduct other financial business online while using a public Wi-Fi network. It might not be secure.

Thanks to a grant from the Cities for Financial Empowerment, the Trustee’s Office is able to provide the Consumer Financial Protection Initiative.

This is one of many programs we host to help you protect your finances and stay on firm financial footing.

For our other programs, in-

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Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Tis the season of gifting, giving and grifting. While most of us are caught up in the holiday spirit on the first two, scammers and thieves are busy figuring out how they can take advantage of your generosity.

The 2021 holiday shopping season promises to be an unpredictable one, and the riskiest scam for consumers is online Regina purchase Morrison scams.

Newman, The Bet- Shelby County Trustee ter Business Bureau (BBB) reports that so far in 2021 we have had 191 online shopping scam reports from Shelby County, for a reported loss of $144,300, surpassing last year’s totals.

As part of the Wallet Warnings program provided by the Shelby County Trustee’s Office through its Consumer Financial Protection Initiative, we want to empower you with information to shop and give safely and smartly this holiday season.

With more of us shopping online for convenience and due to COVID, it is more important than ever to be a smart online consumer. Be sure to keep the following tips in mind as you shop online: Never do any shopping or access your bank account from a public, non-secure WIFI network.

Be aware of unsecure websites – don’t order from unknown websites or if they don’t have the lock symbol on the bottom of their webpages.

Try not to store your credit card information on websites when you make purchases.

Hackers will have a harder time getting your information.

Beware of ads on social media for great-priced merchandise coming from overseas.

Before you buy anything from a website new to you, do a quick web search for reviews of that site.

When shopping in person, you need to be aware, too.

Thieves never miss a chance

Page 9

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cluding the Greater Memphis Financial Empowerment Center (www.gmfec.org), Bank on Memphis, call our Trustee Programs coordinator at 901222-0206.

For tax relief (recently doubled) and tax freeze for seniors, the disabled, and veterans, call 901-222-0200 or visit www.shelbycountytrustee. com for more information.

(Regina Morrison Newman is the Shelby County Trustee.)

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: Jerry W. Martin, Jr. Tax Parcel #: 05004600000110 Tax Sale #: 1604 Price Offered: $400.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 2:00 p.m. on January 24, 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

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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: Jerry W. Martin, Jr. Tax Parcel #: 0500460000012C Tax Sale #: 1404 Price Offered: $750.00 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 24, 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

The New Tri-State Defender

December 23 - 29, 2021

Page 10

I’m a mom first.

I may be Dr. Nina FordJohnson a pediatrician, but I’m a mom first. My babies are my top priority, always.

With this Delta variant going around affecting Black kids at a higher rate, I’m telling any parent with children 5 and older to get the COVID vaccine.

Find vaccines near you at vaccines.gov

SPORTS

The New Tri-State Defender, December 23 - 29, 2021, Page 11

Ja Morant works out during pregame.

Desmond Bane is shooting himself into the NBA record book.

(Photos: Terry Davis)

Grizzlies hit the road with consecutive home losses in their rearview

by Terry Davis

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Two losses in a row at home with the next game on the road against the Golden State Warriors, the team with essentially the best record in the NBA going into play on Tuesday night.

That is the immediate future for the Memphis Grizzlies (19-13), holders of the fourth spot in the Western Conference and the team smarting from a 102-99 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder at FedExForum the last time it took the court for prime time.

Ja Morant, Memphis’ floor general and Terry budding superstar, Davis was back for the first time in what seemed like ages, even though the Grizzlies went on an extended win streak with him sidelined with a sprained knee and later ineligible because of COVID-19 protocols.

The Oklahoma City Thunder team that lost to the Grizzlies by an NBA record 73 points (152-79) the last time out had two key elements – starters Josh Giddy and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – not present in that earlier game. And what a difference that made. Gilgeous-Alexander had a team-high 23 points, with Giddy coming up big with 19 points and 11 assists.

Morant was not available for the Grizzlies blowout of the Thunder. In his first game back after his extended illness, he had 16 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists, two steals, a block and four turnovers in 28 minutes. Afterward, there was talk of frustration.

“It’s frustrating for me watching this team while I was out and the type of basketball they were playing. We beat this team by 73 and to come back … and lose, it’s frustrating,” said Morant.

“I was already in my head coming back out trusting my knee and missing 12 games. Basketball is really my escape; I feel at my best when I play. It was just frustrating, even during the game I heard some of our fans courtside tell me I need to sit back out. I just don’t know what they wanted me to get out of that. I feel like that just makes it worse.”

Head coach Taylor Jenkins “thought Ja was good. His conditioning looked good.

Memphis’ De’Anthony Melton found the painted area difficult to navigate on this move against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Melton managed only four points as the Grizzlies came up short (102-99).

“Tonight, I was just trying to find ways to be Ja during the game. I didn’t want to come back and mess up the rhythm of the team, so I told them to stay aggressive. …”

— Ja Morant Obviously, we played him in short spurts to let him go out there and play super aggressive. I thought he looked good.

“He’s just trying to get back and read his teammates and all that stuff,” said Jenkins.

“It’s been a minute since he’s played fiveon-five basketball, but I really liked what he did. I thought his defensive effort was pretty solid throughout the night as well.”

Morant said he put in the work while out, adding that the knee he injured actually is stronger than before.

“Tonight, I was just trying to find ways to be Ja during the game. I didn’t want to come back and mess up the rhythm of the team, so I told them to stay aggressive. …

“I’m excited to be back and I’m thankful for my teammates for keeping my spirits up and telling me I’m good and not to worry about what people say. But it’s hard not to see that stuff. It’s easier to not see it but if I’m running down the court and I hear it mid-game from people who were just chanting MVP a while ago, it’s frustrating.”

The Grizzlies were big favorites going

up against a Thunder team that turned in a loss for the history books the last time out. Before the game, Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault said the team had not talked about the 73-point beatdown.

“Every game has an emotion associated with it because of how competitive the games are and how much everybody cares,” said Daigneault. “So after that game, obviously, we were really disappointed. The other night, we won at the buzzer and we were really happy. When midnight hits and you go to bed, hopefully everyone is going to bed at midnight, you detach from the emotion, wake up the next day and learn your lessons.”

Memphis started out on fire. Six minutes into the game the Thunder was down by 14 points (16-2), ending the first quarter down 28-16. The Grizzlies pushed their lead to as many as 16 points in the second quarter but could not sustain the momentum. They led 50-47 going into halftime.

For the second straight night, the Grizzlies could not find their offensive rhythm.

The Thunder grabbed their first lead (54-

With the OKC defense swarming, Ja Morant finds a passing lane.

52) with 9:01 left in the third quarter and were up by 10 points (72-62) with 3:09 left in the quarter. Memphis fought back with a 10-2 run and entered the fourth quarter only down by two points (74-72).

The Thunder refused to buckle, matching the runs the Grizzlies made down the stretch of the final quarter. When they needed to most, Memphis could not put the ball in the basket.

“We had 17 more shots than them, 17 offensive rebounds, shot 38 percent,” said Jenkins.

“They played with some physicality, but we had tons of great looks. We had layups at the rim. We had wide-open threes. You know, it’s going to happen sometimes, two games in a row. Reset takes the next two days and head back out west.”

Desmond Bane tied a career-high with five made 3-pointers, finishing with 25 points. He is the sixth player in NBA history to make 200-plus three-pointers and shoot 40 percent-plus from three-point range in his first 100 career games. He joins Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Duncan Robinson, Voshon Lenard and Landry Shamet.

The Grizzlies take on Golden State (256) at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Thursday. Memphis, with Morant, defeated the Warriors earlier in the year at the Chase Center, pinning them with their first loss of the season.

The New Tri-State Defender

December 23 - 29, 2021

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