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April 16 - 22, 2020
VOL. 69, No. 16
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Fighting COVID-19 while planning a bounce back by Erica R. Williams Special to The New Tri-State Defender
When will life get back to “normal?” It’s the question many are asking as shelter-in-place orders have been extended around the country amid the COVID-19 pandemic. While leaders in Memphis and Shelby County are working to mitigate the local spread of the virus, they’re also discussing ways to revive one of the pandemics’
biggest bystanders – the economy. “When it’s time to lift our saferat-home order we want to make sure that we are ready to get our economy back up and running, but we don’t know when that time will be just yet,” Mayor Jim Strickland said during Wednesday’s COVID-19 joint task force briefing. Already riddled with high poverty rates, how will Memphis and Shelby County bounce back from the eco-
West Memphis mayor fights Covid-19 from ‘unique position’
nomic blow that has resulted in surging unemployment rates? As of Monday, Tennessee officials reported dealing with 250,000-plus unemployment claims across the state. Strickland, Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris and other mayors statewide have been in talks with Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee regarding the logistics of restarting local economies.
SEE BOUNCE ON PAGE 10
The Mid-South Food Bank Mobile Food Pantry at Divine Life on Riverdale Rd. was an oasis for families needing food help on Wednesday. (Photo: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises)
EXCLUSIVE COMMENTARY
COVID-19 – Ayan’s international view
Proximity to Memphis means “rules have to be a little bit different” by Lee Eric Smith lesmith@tsdmemphis.com
Just in case you forget just how close West Memphis, Ark. is: Despite being separated by a river and a state line, it only takes about 15 minutes to get from West Memphis City Hall to Regional One Medical Center by car. Which is to say that regardless of what coronavirus restrictions Ark. Gov. Asa Hutchinson puts in place or doesn’t – the “Natural State” is one of only seven states without a “stay at home” order – West Memphis Mayor Marco McClendon knows the health and safety of his constituents will be impacted by what happens just east of the Mississippi. And he’s not taking any chances. “I’m in a unique position,” McClendon said Monday by phone. “I’ve got to do what’s going to be the best for everyone.” McClendon has issued a citywide curfew that shuts the city down from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., excluding shift West Memphis Mayor Marco workers. He’s also closed McClendon city offices to the public and has instituted other safety measures to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s a different approach than what’s coming out of Little Rock. On April 12, Hutchinson was on “State of the Union” with Jake Tapper saying that Arkansas’ sparse population reduces his state’s risk, adding that citizens are practicing social distancing and other safety measures without a governor’s mandate. “If we need to do more, we will do more,” the Republican governor said. “That’s always an option on the table if we have to shelter in place. But right now, what we’re doing proves to be successful, this targeted approach. “We have masks and social distancing and the people of Arkansas have embraced that. That gives you success,” Hutchinson said, adding later, “We want to take the long-term approach
SEE ARKANSAS ON PAGE 10
Seville is sunny, so Ayan Ajanaku makes a point to poke her head out of the window a few minutes each day. (Photo: Talia Guest)
Civil liberties, public safety and the pandemic factor by Ayan Ajanaku Special to The New Tri-State Defender
Seville, Spain – I moved from Memphis to Spain in 2012. I’ve stayed because I like it. Now, like many people throughout the world, I can’t freely go to any of the places I love to visit. Spain is on lockdown, under siege by the coronavirus. Worldwide, 107,000 deaths attributable to covid-19 had been recorded by April 11 amongst 1.7 million confirmed cases, which included 396,000 recovered patients. April 11 also is the day the US
total of 20,071 deaths pushed to the most in the world. The US already had the most confirmed cases (518,000 as of April 11). Spain, with more infections (163,027) than any other country in Europe, reported 16,606 deaths and 59,109 recovered patients, also noting that its death rate had slowed. The lockdown continues. Police patrol the neighborhoods. If you’re out after 7 p.m. (when things are ordered closed) or generally out looking like your loitering (and not grocery shopping), they will stop and question you. Not following the basic
restrictions means fines that range from about $700 to $35,000, with more severe violations carrying fines in the hundreds of thousands. Highways leaving out of cities are barricaded; you have to stop and explain to the police why you’re leaving. I came to Spain to learn Spanish and to see Europe. I spent my first year in Madrid, the last seven years here in Seville. For four years, I helped teach English in
SEE SPAIN ON PAGE 2
Managing care while dealing with HIV & COVID-19 by Montee Lopez Special To The New Tri-State Defender
“Control the controllable; in the end that’s all any of us can do.” LáDeia Joyce embraced that guiding principle many years ago. She uses her voice and platform to speak about HIV treatment, prevention and life with that virus after learning of her diagnosis three years ago. In self-quarantine since Mid-March in response to the coronavirus, she’s had to make adjustments to her lifestyle.
For those living with HIV/AIDS during the coronavirus pandemic, it’s gotten even harder to maintain a sense of normalcy and it looks as though “normal” isn’t returning anytime soon. According to the Centers for Disease Control, there’s not enough data to show if HIV Positive people are at more risk of contracting COVID-19. However, there is a higher risk of sickness amongst those who are not on antiviral treatment and among those with a low CD4 cell count. HIV, over time, eats away at the cells that make up the majority of the immune system, leading to AIDS.
Daily routines have been upended as strict social distancing guidelines keep people away from each other in an attempt to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. “It just has me more heightened with interactions, it has me more heightened when it comes to just viruses and colds,” said Joyce. “It’s made me become more in tune with my body because now I have a chance to listen to it without a bunch of outside noise.” The coronavirus, which was first reported
SEE HIV ON PAGE 3
The New Tri-State Defender
April 16 - 22, 2020
Page 2
NEWS SPAIN CONTINUED FROM FRONT public schools. Later, I transitioned to teaching English in academies. Now I teach English exclusively online. After eight years of living in Spain I’m a bit better at really being where I am. Admittedly, when I’m annoyed about a process or outcome, I immediately start fantasizing about how things used to work when I lived in the US. As the late Bill Withers said, “Memories take you back to the good times when it’s over and the sad times disappear.” I accept that my memories are just a kind of virtual reality; I don’t get too attached to them. That’s the position from which I look, indiscriminately, at the facts about the two cultures (in Spain and the US) and maintain my sanity during this covid-19 pandemic. “Why has life not all but stopped there, like it has here?” Facts: humans are substantively the same. Cultures are shaped by differing histories, which ultimately cause each country to have unique tendencies that must be examined, constantly, to foster and nurture growth. My observation is that in the US the strongest narratives have themes of civil liberties and the pursuit of happiness. In Spain, the essence of a pervasive narrative is that we’re stronger, safer and better when we live together, fostering a more communal spirit. These generalizations aren’t applicable across the board to every success and social problem, but they can generally help you to understand and perhaps accept why certain hurdles are more difficult or easier than others. Case in point: When the state of alarm came out about a month ago in Spain to shut down the whole country, I saw Spain quickly moving into the lockdown stage while the US was lagging behind. My mind started to do what I always do – compare. I live in an 800-sq.-ft. apartment (no access to outdoor space) with my roommate, who has two kids that she has custody of half of the month. Read the restrictions that me and most other citizens have been living under for the last month (and now just extended for another three weeks): • If you’re found going anywhere that isn’t the supermarket or a pharmacy, or if it even looks like a frivolous trip to the grocery store, you can get a ticket between 130015000 euros. Here in Seville, a woman was fined last week for a disputed trip to the store for essentials. She claimed the store didn’t have the diapers she needed, so she settled for candy. Authorities were not persuaded. • We can’t leave our apartments for exercise, walks. Parks are closed in addition to all non-essential businesses. • Not more than one person can be in a car. • You can’t walk your dog more than 50 meters from your home and you must do so alone. “Meanwhile, on the same day the state of emergency was declared in Spain (March 14), my parents and Generation X sister are going on road trips. And recently, in the midst of what now is widely accepted as a health crisis, one of my siblings in the US was getting together with a friend at her home for Sunday brunch. I’m thinking, “What is that really about? Is it governmental policy, a cultural issue, ignorance or all of the above?” Why has life not all but stopped there, like it has here? My family isn’t an anomaly. Gun shops and churches are still open in many states. Wisconsin held an election with people lined up at the polls. And while gyms and most non-essential businesses are closed in the US, there are too few restrictions against outdoor activities in far too many places. A friend in Michigan said while running last week she passed a basketball court with several guys playing.
Ayan Ajanaku teaches and sleeps in the same small space. So, her room is meticulously organized for her webcam, careful not to not show her bed. (Photos: Talia Guest)
Every day at 8 p.m., neighbors come out to their windows or balconies to clap in appreciation for hospital workers. Musicians and DJs also play music. demic is unthinkable. Instead there is this sort of understanding – solidarity – that it is right for the government to be empowered to make the swift changes needed to keep everyone safe. Yes,
there were/are factions that continue to say that the “cure could be worse than the illness” from an economic perspective. That thought probably sounds familiar to many Americans. In the US, priorities are much different. Personal liberties in most cases seem to trump everything else. Say and do what you want at all costs. Because if you can’t, then how could anyone be considered free? But what happens when that culture collides with a virus? The answer is, you get a slow response. It’s the government’s fault you say? Well, we elected government officials. The government tends to act in a way that it feels its constituency will accept. In a capitalist country with a booming economy, a president risks all if she/he comes out of the gate saying shut everything down immediately before there has been a “significant” death toll. Under such circumstances, the only thing that country could do is wait for people to die before making any significant changes. Or is it? Understandably, shutting down countries too soon or too late could prove costly. And the decision must be made as folks at multiple turns are spouting statistics and making judgements in the midst of a global pandemic that is only four months old and unprecedented in the modern age. Across the journalism spectrum, criticism is a constant theme, regardless of the country. Some of it is locked onto the fear that we might spend too much money in pursuit of making sure no life gets left behind. Is that a sensible fear though? Do people really understand that such judgement paralyzes governments when it needs to act? Paralysis in most cases is worse than moving in the wrong direction. Perhaps one of the lessons learned from this pandemic will be how to empower our elected officials to truly guide and not be fearful of making the most conservative decisions necessary to protect life.
What happens when culture collides with a virus? Democracy is a relatively new concept in Spain, only dating back to the late 70’s. Before that the country was ruled by dictatorship. While the idea of civil liberties is an important concept here, there’s no obsession. The thought of those liberties somehow overriding the community duty to keep everyone safe during a viral pan-
Gym workouts have become workouts for Ayan Ajanaku and her roommate, who works from home now.
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The New Tri-State Defender
April 16 - 22, 2020
Page 3
NEWS “I don’t feel scared at all. My mind says, ‘you’re prepared, not scared, but you also have to be alert and prudent with how you move.’” — LáDeia Joyce HIV CONTINUED FROM FRONT out of the Wuhan Province in China in December 2019, has spread throughout the world, slowing life down as people adjust lifestyles to shelter in place. More than 553,000 had been infected with COVID-19 in the United States, with 21,000-plus deaths as the Easter weekend unfolded. CDC scientists and spokespeople report that African-Americans are infected – and die – disproportionally. “It’s made me more aware of the sanitation process, being more astute…,” Joyce said. “Not to say we weren’t doing what we were supposed to do, but where we failed and got lax on, what we’re supposed to do with cleanliness.” Amid multiple and varying government mandates ordered to slow the virus’ spread, flatten the curve, limit the number of infections seen on a regular basis, there is no cure for COVID-19. For many, testing positive for the coronavirus can feel like a scarlet letter. “Some people feel stigmatized if they do get diagnosed with COVID-19,” Joyce said. “Correlate those feelings and those emotions to those who’ve been diagnosed with HIV.”
LáDeia Joyce shows a range of emotions while in self isolation. From happy and joyful on Facebook Live to somber and solemn while participating in #QuarantineMonologues, she details why it’s important to let emotions out. (Courtesy photos)
African Americans. D e Wa y n e Murrell with PAIGE Memphis does outreach to the Black LGBTQ “This ain’t going nowhere community in anytime soon” Memphis. OfDeWayne ten, his responMurrell According to CDC figures, 37,382 sibility has him people were diagnosed with HIV in addressing HIV Newspaper Ad options – 5x8.5that a person he 2018. Of those cases, 13,312 were treatment
is working with may not know exists. “Knowing the nature of COVID-19, it is a respiratory-attacking type virus, so if a person is living Jasper with one of those Hendricks pre-existing conditions, which is more likely in Shelby County (real-
ly in the South), that puts them even more at risk because their immune system is more compromised,” said Murrell. The coronavirus’ spread has funneled much of life in the US online. That could trigger a health-care consequence, said Jasper Hendricks with Nashville Cares, an HIV/AIDS outreach group based in Middle Tennessee. “We’re afraid people may fall out of care as things move to online,” said Hendricks. Nashville Cares has been closed since late March in compliance with Nashville’s “safer-at-home” order directing people to remain in their homes, except to get essential services, until told otherwise. Meetings now are being held by appointment only, with home visits brought nearly to a halt. With people requested to stay indoors and six feet apart, outreach is hard to do. Murrell feels restless, restricted to his home. Still, he doesn’t understand why others aren’t doing the same. He encourages those needing care to consider all options, including telehealth services, if they are available. He also wants more advocacy for HIV Positive people. “Even with folks who are living with their diagnosis, they’re not empowered and the community as a whole doesn’t do a good job as stewards over their care and empowering them to get up and speak for themselves,” he said. “Until I see some people who are positive ready to go ahead and fight and I not just stand by and support, I’ll be on the front line.”
“Change your mindset inwardly” LáDeia Joyce knows that it’s not likely restrictions will be lifted anytime soon. She says we must embrace and tackle our everyday lives in a different way. “I hope the world is going to be heart-centered and compassion-filled and I hope the world is going to be one that recognizes the essential people that got us through; because pre-covid-19, we didn’t value those people.” Weeks ago she broke down – tears flowing – in front of friends as the COVID-19 pandemic intensified. Since then, she’s done her best to stay positive, regularly doing Facebook Live broadcasts and Facetiming friends and family. “I don’t feel scared at all,” she said. “My mind says, ‘you’re prepared, not scared, but you also have to be alert and prudent with how you move.’” She’s focusing her mind and energy and encourages other HIV Positive people to do the same during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Even though people say we’re self-quarantining, let’s just think of it as we’re taking a sabbatical,” Joyce said. “Change your mindset inwardly.” A byproduct of the public health emergency may be a stronger sense of community, she added. “Let’s use our thought process and our energy to manifest good things,” Joyce said. “I just hope and pray when we come out of this, this is one of the things we continue to do.”
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PERSPECTIVE The New Tri-State Defender, April 16 - 22, 2020, Page 4
Sean “Diddy” Combs and some of the virtual guests who joined him for his “State of Emergency: The State of Black America & Coronavirus” town hall.
Diddy’s show of leadership – and the need for a next act by John Burl Smith Special to The New Tri-State Defender
April 9, 2020 will be written about as the return of descendants of American slavery to the ways of their progenitors. It’s the day Sean “Diddy” Combs held the first-ever, virtual town hall meeting for that John Burl Diaspora’s children. Smith The federal government abandoned former slaves entirely in 1876 when it ended Reconstruction. Now in 2020, the gathering brought together by Mr. Combs will try to confront the ravishing pandemic that is deepening the poverty black and brown communities are enduring. I am reassured, and it is also fitting that the hip-hop generation has enough courage to embrace the role of community leaders. Leadership in black and brown communities long has languished in the gutter of mediocrity for fly-by-night opportunists and shysters to pick up. The leadership vacuum goes back to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. I was fortunate to be one of the last two people (Charles Cabbage was the other) to sit in a strategy session with Dr. King less than an hour before he was killed. Cabbage and I were co-founders of the Memphis Invaders, a black power activists group. During our meetings, Dr. King spoke a great deal about the impact of the division that enveloped the Poor People’s Campaign. Infighting and the concern for personal recognition by some within the civil rights community were hampering his efforts. At the time, most civil rights leaders in Memphis refused to make room and accommodate black power activists. The
In his introduction to the virtual town hall, Sean Combs spoke to the uniqueness of the setting and the importance of such a gathering for Black America. (Photos: screen captures) fight, waged in multiple cities and towns, left leaderless the civil rights and black power movements; the black community has suffered immensely as a result. The Poor People’s Campaign was launched on December 4, 1967 in Atlanta. King spent the following January and early February on the road, trying to drum up support among civil rights leaders. He found them more united against not allowing black power activists to become part of the leadership in the black community than they were about helping him with the Poor People Campaign. According to Dr. King, they saw themselves as go-betweens, spokesmen for Negros, as they carried their demands to white people. Translation: the “go-betweens” saw themselves as managing segregation and being the first to receive whatever white people concede to black people. Black power activists believed just the opposite. For us, segregation was another name for slavery. Our goal was to destroy it, not maintain it through accommodation. The Poor People’s Campaign had thrust the division into the open and to a head by
the time Memphis sanitation workers went out on strike on Feb. 13, 1968. Dr. King told Cabbage and I that civil rights leaders charged him with “betraying the middle class by taking the spotlight off of them and putting it on the poor.” They also insisted, he said, that “even if such a battle with the federal government could be won, there would be no gains for the middle class.” As the evening wore on, Dr. King said The Invaders were his “last chance” to hold the Poor People’s Campaign together. Civil rights leaders he had counted on were not raising money, providing facilities and food for marchers along the way to Washington D.C. or recruiting volunteers to serve as marshals.” He sounded virtually alone in the effort to help the poor, except for the Revs. Ralph Abernathy, Hosea Williams and James Orange. Why did he spend the last hours of his life talking to the Invaders? As I watched Mr. Combs and his colleagues grapple with complete uncertainty and with the many-headed monster of poverty, the answer become clear to me. Dr.
King had done the one thing he believed would help future generations – pass on to us what he considered most important. The Invaders agreed to become marshals for the sanitation workers march scheduled for the next day. Also, the Invaders pledged to support the Poor People’s Campaign. I bring up the historical division in the fight for equality and justice to provide a real-life reflection. Mr. Combs and his colleagues are entering an arena where they will have to fight like gladiators. Even before COVID-19, the times we are living through called for a plan to address the myriad problems ravishing black and brown communities. Having just completed the writing of “The 400th” (1619-2019) From Slavery to Hip Hop,” I have come to know that we are living in a time prime for the descendants of American slavery to educate themselves on realistic ways to address their historic poverty. That plan begins with African Americans, especially the young, learning the what and the why of their enslavement. The coronavirus pandemic, albeit stunningly deadly, will not kill as many black people as died from 1900 through the 1950s during the angry-white-men-mobmadness epidemic. The reason underlying that period of lynching, banishment and ethnic cleansing continues to fuel the devastating impact of poverty on cities and rural counties with significant populations of black and brown people. For some, Mr. Combs is considered one of those easy-money hip-hoppers, who made a fortune pedaling gratuitous sex, drugs and misogyny. I say his town-hall has the makings of more than meets the eye and that we must stand with him, lifting him up to show the world we know how to treat benefactors. Mr. Combs and his colleagues are trying to show the way by giving voice to the needs of the working poor. His “State of Emergency: The State of Black America & Coronavirus” town hall could spark a new day.
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The New Tri-State Defender
April 16 - 22, 2020
Page 5
RELIGION ALL OVER TOWN
Memphis is at home in ‘The Clark Sisters’ Lifetime movie by Brianna A. Smith Special to The New Tri-State Defender
In the Clark sisters’ home, Mama Clark considers the word “easy” a swear. “We don’t do easy,” she explains to her daughters in the opening scene after waking them up at three in the morning to record a song the Lord sent her in a dream. “We do excellence.” The Lifetime original movie ‘The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel’ sang loud and proud on Saturday night, hitting a high note in viewership, receiving an astonishing 2.7 million total viewers, according to Nielsen. With everyone hunkering down at home I’m not surprised gospel and music fans around the world tuned in. The film begins in 1963 Detroit and introduces us to the sisters’ abusive father and their musically gifted mother Dr. Mattie Moss Clark (played by When They See Us Emmy nominee Aunjanue Ellis). Dr. Clark believed her girls were better than the Jackson 5 and tirelessly taught them how to sing like they knew God. But the Clark sisters’ story — that of Twinkie (Christina Bell, a gospel vocalist), Karen (Kierra Sheard, who portrays her own mother), Dorinda (Sheléa Frazier, a singer and pianist), Denise (Raven Goodwin, Glee) and Jacky (Angela Birchett, a self-described “Broadway girl”) — is one of faith, love and sisterhood, amid their humble beginnings and their mother’s overbearing demands. Directed by Christine Swanson, written by Camille Tucker and Sylvia L. Jones, and executive produced by Missy Elliott, Queen Latifah and Mary J. Blige, the film dives into the story of five sisters’ story
of loss, struggling to juggle their religious beliefs, familial obligations, rejection, abuse, personal desires, sibling rivalries, endurance and their rise to fame in the gospel music industry under the guidance of Brianna A. their mother. Smith For weeks social media has been inundated with promotion for the film, with its stars doing interviews from home and other notable music influences urging fans to tune in. The hard work paid off as viewers praised the film throughout its live airing. Social media buzz proved that the film was a winner. Viewers loved everything from the casting, to the music and the script. The film is beautifully shot by Jason Tan, who ensures the Black American church— with its many varieties, from old brick landmarks and modern cement simplicity—is magnificently portrayed. The music, it should go without saying, is spectacular: Gospel lovers can rejoice, for the songs are plentiful. The vocal performances soar. It was no surprise when I found out the organ tracks in the movie were cut at Mississippi Boulevard Baptist Church right here in Memphis by musical director Andre Christopher Morris. Morris is a Grammy Award winning songwriter, producer and artist he played the organ for all of the re-recorded Clark Sisters hits for the movie, which were all sang by the actresses. No stranger to Morris’ talent— he played the organ at my parents wedding as well as
The organ tracks in the movie were cut at Mississippi Boulevard Baptist Church by musical director Andre Christopher Morris. (Photo: Courtesy photo)
The Clark Sisters Lifetime Movie has a decidedly Memphis flavor. (Photo: Courtesy of Lifetime) my father’s funeral — I was excited to find out that Memphis had a significant role in this film. “The musical director for this film Donald Lawrence is a genius,” Morris said. “I’m such a big Clark Sisters fan, especially a Twinkie fan,” he said. “I recall when I was a little boy I would sit-in on their rehearsals at Mason Temple. I would study Twinkie play the piano.” Morris said, “Donald knew that a big factor was not just having an organ, but an organ that sounded like it did in 1980 and that’s why he called on me.” Morris pulled on his many years of musical theater experience, as well as some research, to recreate the sound of the 1970s through the 1990s, the era when the Clark Sisters were at their prime. “I wanted the organ work to sound exactly as if Twinkie were on the keys,” said
Morris. Although the film was shot in Toronto, Lawrence and Morris tracked the organ audio in Memphis. “We used three Leslie speakers to get that big room sound, the way Twinkie’s organ used to dominate,” he said. An acknowledged fan of the Clark Sisters, Morris already had a history of working with them. His finest moment with the Clark Sisters was him playing on their 2007 award-winning single, “Blessed and Highly Favored.” “We won three Grammy Awards off that record and the sisters became the highest-selling female gospel group,” said Morris. “The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel” is a much-welcomed addition to my “social distancing watch list” and I suggest you add it to yours.
BUSINESS The New Tri-State Defender, April 16 - 22, 2020, Page 6
Pinpointing help for AfricanAmerican businesses by Jerome Wright jwright@tsdmemphis.com
James Cook works alongside the manager of Lenny’s Sub Shop on Poplar near Humes. The manager once worked for Cook, who has had two close both of his businesses at Memphis International Airport. (Photos: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises)
From owner to employee and feeling ‘blessed’ by Jerome Wright jwright@tsdmemphis.com
James Cook, 36, did not start his professional career expecting to be an entrepreneur. Thanks to a friend and a desire to change careers, however, he became proprietor and partner with KC Eatery, which operated Runway 901 Bar & Grill and Lenny’s Grill and Subs at Memphis International Airport (MIA). Both businesses are now shuttered, victims of a steep drop in the number of passengers arriving and leaving the airport, and a related reshuffling of airport employees’ work schedules, resulting from safer-at-home and shelter-in-place orders to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. MIA President and Chief Executive Officer Scott A. Brockman said Tuesday that systemwide the number of passengers and employees passing through airports’ checkpoints are down 93 to 95 percent and that is mirrored in Memphis. MIA, he said, worked with its restaurants and gift shop vendors to have them shut down, if they can’t make it financially, and to help them prepare to restart when things return to normal. With Cook’s closing Lenny’s last Friday, there is only one restaurant opened in the airport. Businesses, especially small businesses, have been hit extremely hard as safer-athome mandates cut revenues, forcing businesses to lay off or furlough thousands of employees. Before the COVID-19 outbreak in the U.S., some 700,000 initial unemployment claims had been filed during a single week on record, according to data from the Department of Labor. During the week ending March 28, 6.8 million Americans filed initial claims. The impact has been particularly devastating to African-American-owned businesses. Mark Yates, president and CEO of the Black Business Association of Memphis, recently penned a letter to U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. President/CEO Ron Busby Sr. and USBC board of directors Chairman Charles O’Neal. “While performing a back-of-the-envelope analysis – precipitated by COVID-19 – we quickly got to the potential negative economic impact COVID-19 will have on Black Businesses in the Memphis MSA.,” Yates wrote. “Based on our analysis, we
As a business owner and an employee, James Cook knows what he’s doing regarding food preparation. calculated the negative impact to be anywhere between $205 million and upwards of $1.25 billion.” Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland, realizing that small businesses were being hit extremely hard, on Monday announced the creation of two City of Memphis micro-loan programs. Meanwhile, with his airport businesses closed, Cook now is working for a Lenny’s franchisee that his company has partnered with. He said he is “blessed” not to be missing a paycheck. He graduated from Christian Brothers High School in 2001 and then enrolled at Florida State University in Tallahassee, where he double majored in criminology and psychology, with a minor in theater. He said all his Memphis friends, who were attending college in Tallahassee, were at Florida A&M University, including one who led him in the restaurant business. The friend is James Kelly, whose mother is Edith Kelly-Green, a former FedEx executive who made national business headlines when she became the largest multi-unit franchise owner of Lenny’s Sub Shop. She was able get her son, who was working at ServiceMaster, into the business as an owner, Cook said. Cook was working for AT&T, doing a lot of business-related travel, of which he was growing tired. James Kelly asked him to come work with him and he gladly accepted. “I came on as an employee for the first year. Then we opened in the airport
and developed a good relationship them,” Cook said. When Delta Air Lines officially decommissioned Memphis International Airport as one of its hubs in late 2013, passenger flights in and out of Memphis nosedived. And, so did business customers. “We had to pull out of the airport,” Cook said. He went to work at a Lenny’s in Whitehaven before airport officials approached them about coming back when another company, which operated about six food stations, pulled out. “They asked for me by name,” he said because of the way his earlier business operated. So, he left Whitehaven for the airport. By that time, he was a partner in the firm. The company opened Runway901, the Lenny’s and a Wimpy’s Burgers and Fries. The Wimpy’s eventually closed. Cook, who has operated businesses at the airport for about 10 years, is anticipating reopening his airport businesses. While working at the Lenny’s on Poplar, this week, Cook was asked what was most fulfilling about his career as a restaurateur. “Developing the business and people,” he said. “I’m looking at a young woman right now, who is the manager (of this store). She started as a front-line worker seven years ago and now she is manager of her own store,” Cook said. Three other women who once worked for him as front-line workers are now managers.
Mark Yates, who heads the Black Business Association of Memphis, said the effect of the coronavirus on African-American businesses is “devastating. …We need to be working with alacrity to deal with this. This is a depression and action is needed now.” Yates echoed the concerns of small business advocates nationally: Financial assistance is available, but mixed interpretations on what is needed to get the aid is making it difficult. Back-of-the-envelope analysis, Yates said, projects COVID19’s impact on Memphis’ African-American businesses to be “between $205 million and upwards of $1.25 billion.” Post March 11, Mark “we’re living in a new Yates day,” said Yates. Going forward, “We need to see how we can flourish” by taking advantage, for example, of potential opportunities in IT, remote working, and training and teaching, he said. Regarding small businesses, Joann Massey, director of the city’s Office of Business Diversity & Compliance, said, “These under-represented communities of business owners (minority- and women-owned business enterprises) receive less investment, fewer bank loans especially with first-come, first-serve programs. “We must act now to help our small businesses survive. We need to also be intentional about doing that in an inclusive way.” Mayor Strickland has announced efforts to help, including to loan programs for local businesses suffering under the pandemic. Those who qualify will include businesses denied Small Business Administration stimulus funding loans. The Economic Hardship Emergency Loan Fund will offer loans of $2,000 to $5,000 per business with interest deferred for six months to businesses located in Memphis and that have been open at least three years, and that have less than $1 million in revenue annually. The loan will provide emergency working capital for expenses such as rent, mortgage payments, vendor payments and payroll, as well as insurance and utilities. All businesses applying must be registered with the city’s Office of Business Diversity & Compliance. A Small Business Resiliency Fund has been established. It will provide loans of up to $35,000 (federal Community Development Block Grant money) per business, with no payments for three months after the disbursement. Businesses that qualify must be located in Memphis, open for at least three years and have annual revenues of less than $1 million. Applicants must have been denied funding by the Small Business Administration or an SBA lender, and also must be registered with the city’s Office of Business Diversity & Compliance. For more information about these loan programs call 901-636-9300 or 901-6366210; email Jerry.brack@memphistn.gov The Economic Development Growth Engine (EDGE) is offering help ($5,000$10,000) through its Neighborhood Emergency Economic Development grant program for businesses that remain open with a 25 percent or more drop in revenue and have a plan for 90 days of continuous operations. Businesses closed as a nonessential business, with a plan for reopening within 90 days and a plan to stay open at least 90 days, could qualify for $5,000 under the terms of the EDGE grant program. All businesses applying for the EDGE grants must be in New Market Tax Credit qualified census tracts. For more information, call 901-341-2100 or email need@growth-engine.org. (Jerome Wright is deputy editor for The New Tri-State Defender.)
The New Tri-State Defender
April 16 - 22, 2020
Page 7
ENTERTAINMENT “I just want to thank everyone that prayed for me. God heard those prayers and saw fit to heal my body. I need us to be kind to one another by adhering to social distancing, washing hands and please cover with a mask.” — Bobby Rush
Bluesman Bobby Rush says he’s healing; quarantined until April 20 by Tracy Sow Special to The New Tri-State Defender
Blues legend Bobby Rush has been suffering for the last few weeks with symptoms consistent with the coronavirus. He has to remain in mandatory quarantine until April 20. Immediately after his live social media performance March 24, Rush, 86, was rushed to a Jackson, Miss. hospital by his son and grandson. He was running a high fever, aching and coughing. After being hospitalized, Rush was released and quarantined at his home. His private doctor administered a COVID-19 test that yielded inconclusive results. Rush has since been tested by the state of Mississippi and has yet to receive the results. However, the state continues to deliver him two meals daily with no physical contact. Speaking to Rush on Easter Eve was a drastic contrast to weeks earlier when every word sounded as if he was gasping for air and laboring just to give a short answer. He was talkative and enthusiastic about his recovery. He credits God and his faith for his renewed strength. Many of his fans may not realize, he is the son of a preacher. “Yes, my father pastored two churches most of his life and I learned a lot of spiritual things from him,” said Rush. “I don’t want to drag my beliefs on everybody, but I can tell you now God is real, and he is still in the healing business.” Rush, Rhodes College’s inaugural visiting scholar of the arts and who taught blues in the schools for years, was asked what three things he would teach kids about blues today? “It’s hard to tell you just three things but blues and gospel are the root of all-American music.
Bobby Rush photographed on Beale Street during the 2020 International Blues Challenge. (Photo: Joshua Branning) “The blues was founded by black people. Although, there are many white people and others that sing the blues, but I’m talking about where it comes from and that’s black people. “I think everyone should know their history, culture and be proud of who you are,” he said. In true Bobby Rush-style, he added, “What bothers me is back in the day there was a wah-wah pedal that guys invented for white guys to sound black. “Now you got black guys buying wahwahs to sound like white guys trying to
sound black. That tells me they are either afraid or ashamed of themselves. Learn the richness of your culture.” So, what’s left to do for Rush, who has won a Grammy, numerous Blues Music Awards and has performed in every major market in the world (he was the first blues artist in concert at the Great Wall of China)? “I would love to perform in Africa and connect with the very root. It was on the slave ship that blues was incubated. I have visited, but I really want to perform in the Motherland.”
Joyful about feeling better, Rush said, “I just want to thank everyone that prayed for me. God heard those prayers and saw fit to heal my body. I need us to be kind to one another by adhering to social distancing, washing hands and please cover with a mask.” Rush encouraged everyone who loves somebody to treat others with the respect that they want their loved ones shown. Noting how disproportionately African Americans are dying from coronavirus, Rush made a plea to take the warnings and preventative measures seriously.
COMMUNITY The New Tri-State Defender, April 16 - 22, 2020, Page 8
LOC’D IN WITH LOC
LeMoyne-Owen College teaches, nurtures its ‘family’ during COVID-19 pandemic by Dr. Carol Johnson-Dean Special to The New Tri-State Defender
“If there were not a LeMoyne-Owen College, we’d have to create one.” That’s a quote from a longtime esteemed supporter of the college who knows firsthand of LOC’s legacy and impact on Memphis and, in turn, the country. For more than 125 years, LeMoyne-Owen College (LOC), the only historically black college and university (HBCU) in Memphis, has been the place where young, bright students learn and train to become leaders in their communities and abroad. Our student body provides intimate class sizes and a close-knit family atmosphere. Our students were a part of the Civil Rights Movement; they became mayors, judges, teachers and servant-leaders in their respective communities. More than a place to learn and grow, LOC is really home for our students. While we nurture our students, we must also prepare them to compete in an ever-changing workplace. Prior to “safer at home” orders resulting from COVID-19, this academic year garnered several notable successes. Our Division of Business and Economic Development received accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). Students are learning competencies of the fu-
An inside view as Memphis’ only HBCU (historically black college and university) navigates through the coronavirus pandemic while maintaining its mission. ture as a part of our Center of Academic Excellence for Cyber Defense and our Accelerated Studies for Adult Professionals (ASAP), which provides alternative study for adults who desire to complete their degree, is one of our largest programs. Our University Engagement Call Center, which supports ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Hospital, gives students the opportunity to work while serving others globally. Most recently in February, we formed a partnership with Tech901 to launch a dual program for students to receive their college degree and tech certifications to catapult them into the working world. When the coronavirus permeated the country, like other institutions of higher learning, we took every precaution to ensure our students, faculty and staff were informed and safe. On March 24, after an extended Spring Break, we took our instruction online and closed our physical space to abide by local and federal public health guidelines. Although we were keeping them safe, we
knew that the disruption would affect them in various ways. The real work began. We are proud to share that the learning continues! For the past two weeks, our students have been engaging in remote learning, an option that wasn’t available to them before the pandemic. Although the circumstances weren’t ideal, we were excited to work together to put sound structures and protocols in place to ensure students were able to continue their work. It’s made us approach teaching and learning in an innovative way to serve our students and community more comprehensively. It’s our hope that our faculty are inspired to be even more creative to make their content come alive for students who are no longer in their physical classrooms and lecture halls. We also hope that students, who no longer see each other on a daily basis, become virtual partners and supports in their coursework. Just like many of us, they are also adapting to a new normal, but still driven to achieve the goals they’ve set for themselves. It is important to us that students still feel that sense of support and family even outside of the campus gates, especially during this uncertain time. It is not lost on us that as a result of the pandemic and campus closure, many of our students have specific needs that have heightened. Some may have housing and transportation
Dr. Carol Johnson-Dean, interim president, LeMoyne-Owen College: “When the coronavirus permeated the country…we took every precaution to ensure our students, faculty and staff were informed and safe…. Although we were keeping them safe, we knew that the disruption would affect them in various ways. The real work began.” (Courtesy photo) issues or little to no access to the Internet to complete assignments. We are fortunate to have longtime community partners and alumni who have stepped up to help us fill gaps for our LOC family, locally and beyond. Through this turbulent time, in this weekly column, we will take you on the journey of our students, faculty and staff as we all navigate together to ensure that every student in our LOC family finishes their semester strong or graduates. You’ll hear from various perspectives at the college and their experiences. Despite the challenges presented to us, we must move forward, while continuing to do what we do best at LeMoyne-Owen College: provide stellar instruction, service and care to our students. We look forward to sharing with you.
Masks and Easter baskets... Carl Grandberry V (right) adjusted to COVID-19 restrictions to deliver Easter baskets to needy children last Saturday. The five year old and his mother, Shauna JonesGrandberry (far right), run the A Child’s Dream International nonprofit. (Photo: Gary S. Whitlow/ GSW Enterprises)
Mental health advocates say ‘reaching out’ will avert crisis by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell Special to The New Tri-State Defender
The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented time of personal isolation and seclusion. African Americans and those dealing with deep poverty are more at risk for experiencing mental health challenges. “People lose jobs all the time,” said Dr. Rosie Phillips Davis, past president of the American Psychological Association. “But those living just above the poverty rate have lost jobs with food insecurity and no way to pay rent. Mental health becomes a concern when you look at the unemployment rate reaching as high as 32 percent.” Men have been more at risk for suicide with the loss of manufacturing, coal mining jobs, the opioid crisis, and drug overdose, Davis said. These were concerns before the pandemic, Davis said. There is a phenomenon called “death by despair,” and the heartland has been hit hard with it. In Knox County, the Knoxville area, nine people committed suicide in a 48-hour period during the last week in March. At that time, there were only six deaths from the coronavirus. City officials could not specifically cite the pandemic as the cause, but the timing, at least, was noted. “The number of suicides in Knoxville, during that two-day period, was alarming,” said Dr. William Young, founder of the National Suicide and the Black Church Conference. “Life as we knew it had changed, and it changed quickly. “There are no ‘definites’ anymore, and we
don’t know for how long. I am concerned that people with undiagnosed clinical depression might be pushed to the edge. And certainly, individuals who have some mental health issues may already be on the edge.” Jeanice White, a recovering addict who has Dr. Rosie been clean for nearly two decades, remembers vividly Phillips Davis when she lost the will to live and decided one night to do something about it. The pandemic could be a trigger for her, if it were not for her “relationship with the Lord,” she said. “I had been on drugs for years,” White said. “Back then, you bought cocaine in powdered form and Dr. William Young cooked it to make it a rock. That was ‘free-basing.’ I worked all week for years and smoked up my money on the weekend. “I couldn’t stop. I didn’t know how to get out. So, one night, I got high, and I walked out in front of an 18-wheeler. But before I could get into its path, something slammed me to the ground. I believe it was divine intervention.” White went to her sister’s house and just happened to see a commercial on television about a drug rehab in Waynesboro, Tenn. White
signed up, got clean and became a Christian there. “People in my circumstance may be at risk for relapsing and entertaining thoughts of suicide. But I only look at the television for updates and then turn it off. I am working on a 500word puzzle to occupy my Jeanice mind while staying in. And White I maintain an attitude of prayer.” Michael Easterling, grew up in a home where mental health was often misunderstood. His mother was diagnosed bipolar and schizophrenic. He realized later what a tremendous effect her mental health would have on his life. “My mother was Michael Easterling medicated all the time,” Easterling said. “It made me resentful because she wasn’t the mother I needed her to be. I was withdrawn as a kid, and depressed. “When I got to college, I experimented with drugs and promiscuous behavior. I had a lot of pent-up anger in my 20s. I lived in a highrise and kept the window up. I would just stand there and say, ‘What if I just ended it right here?’ I had suicidal thoughts all the time. Easterling continued, “When I moved back
to Memphis, I started counseling with Dr. Young at The Healing Center. I had found a real church family. Bishop Young encouraged me to get therapy. “So, at age 35, I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and had medication prescribed for it. When this pandemic hit, I decided that my mental health had to be first priority. I ordered a 90-day supply of my medication. Staying fit mentally must always be my first priority.” In Shelby County, there has not been a spike in suicides, according to the West Tennessee Regional Forensic Center. In March, 2020, there were eight suicides, compared to nine in March, 2019. “It is critical that we reach out to one another,” said Young. “Neighbors and friends who may be alone, check on them. The only way we will get through this pandemic is by sharing and caring for each other.” Davis concurred. She said we must do more than the “frequent hand-washing and social distancing” being advised. “Please stay in touch with one another,” Davis said. “Seek people out. Find purpose during this time by being helpful to others. We need human contact. Try to identify sources of hope and help others to do the same. Call, or text someone to check on them. You can help by calling to say, ‘Let’s pray together.’” (For more information, call The Healing Center at: (901) 370-4673. The National Suicide Prevention Hotline is: 1 (800) 273TALK, or 1 (800) 273-8255.)
The New Tri-State Defender
April 16 - 22, 2020
COMMUNITY
CLASSIFIEDS
Close school buildings for rest of academic year, says Gov. Lee by Marta W. Aldrich Chalkbeat Tennessee
Gov. Bill Lee said Wednesday that Tennessee school buildings should remain closed for the rest of the academic year due to the coronavirus pandemic. He also announced plans to create a task force led by Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn to focus on the well-being of students during the public health crisis. Lee’s directive means the state’s nearly 1 million public school students are expected to finish their classes this spring using distance learning methods that are mostly online, on paper, or on public radio and television. The announcement was expected as coronavirus cases and deaths in Tennessee continue to grow and relatively few days are left in the academic year anyway. Each district sets its own academic calendar in Tennessee, and most end classes in mid- to late May. Other governors are taking similar steps. On Tuesday, Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves became the latest to extend his closure order for the rest of the school year. He also urged some school systems to consider offering summer classes to help students catch up. All public school campus-
es in Tennessee have been shuttered since March 20 at the governor’s urging, and districts have scrambled to launch remote learning programs and deliver meals for students from low-income families. Last week, the State Board of Education passed emergency rules covering the likelihood that in-person classes would not resume this spring and guiding districts on issues such as calculating grades and graduating high school seniors. Under those rules, schools can’t issue unexcused absences or report students as truant for failing to participate in remote learning programs. Most districts are not grading students’ assignments, either. The extended school shutdowns have left “very little opportunity for our students to finish out in any meaningful way,” said Sara Morrison, executive director of the state board. Before the governor’s announcement, schools were to remain closed through at least April 24. But on Monday, Lee extended his statewide stay-at-home order through the remainder of April, and several school districts revised their closures until then or longer. (Marta W. Aldrich @ marta_w_aldrich maldrich@ chalkbeat.org.)
NOTICE TO BIDDER(S) Bids will be received by the Shelby County Government through the Shelby County Roads, Bridges, and Engineering Department, 6449 Haley Road, Memphis, TN 38134 until Tuesday May 5, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. as shown below: Shelby County is soliciting three (3) separate Bids to provide a pre-flood fair market value Formal Summary Appraisal as of May 1, 2011, for the following described, improved residential properties, on an “as-needed basis within the next six months” for each of the affected parcels of land as part of the HUD National Resiliency Grant – CDBG-NDR South Cypress Creek Project located within a residential community generally bounded by CN Railroad on the north, Ford Road on the east, West Mitchell Road on the south, and an irregular boundary between Weaver Road and CN Railroad on the west. These three Bids must be based upon the provider’s ability/commitment to complete and deliver all requested Formal Summary Appraisals to the County within forty-five (45) calendar days from the receipt of the County’s Notice to Proceed with each of said Appraisals. Bid No. 1. A Formal Summary Appraisal of up to 7 potential residential properties with structures to be acquired on the above referenced South Cypress Creek Project, including a narrative report provided for each, in duplicate, conforming to the following – Title III of the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Estate Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970, as amended to-date (Uniform Act); and Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) Appraisal Guidelines. Bid No. 2. A Formal Summary Appraisal of up to 7 potential residential properties with structures to be acquired on the above referenced South Cypress Creek Project, including a narrative report provided for each, in duplicate, conforming to the following – Title III of the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Estate Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970, as amended to-date (Uniform Act); and Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) Appraisal Guidelines. Bid No. 3. A Formal Summary Appraisal of up to 7 potential residential properties with structures to be acquired on the above referenced South Cypress Creek Project, including a narrative report provided for each, in duplicate, conforming to the following – Title
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III of the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Estate Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970, as amended to-date (Uniform Act); and Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) Appraisal Guidelines. In order to be considered for the above described Appraisal assignments, your Bids must be submitted via email to William.Goss@ shelbycountytn.gov and must be received by Tuesday May 5, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. Your bid response must include your company name and contact information, a specific fixed bid price for each of the Appraisals under this invitation, your Shelby County E.O.C Number, and your current vendor number. Detailed specifications may be obtained from the Shelby County Roads, Bridges, and Engineering Department, by contacting William Goss, 6449 Haley Road, Memphis, TN 38134, (901) 222-7715, TTY Number (901) 222-2301 or for information in Spanish 901222-4289. As a condition precedent to bidding, each bidder must apply and qualify for a Vendor Number and Equal Opportunity Compliance Eligibility Number prior to the submitting your response. The successful bidder for these assignments will be required to provide a Certificate of Insurance to include: (1) General Liability Insurance ($1 million per occurrence/$2 million general aggregate) and Business Auto Liability ($1 million per occurrence) for owned/leased, non-owned and hired, (2) provision for thirty (30) days written notice to Shelby County Government of cancellation of coverage, as well as, ten (10) days written notice applicable to non-payment of premiums, and (3) Shelby County Government, its elected officials, appointees, em-
• Go to www.esmsolutions.com • Go to “Vendors” block at top • Click “Register Now” box • Click on “Mercury Commerce Vendor Registration” line • Complete Vendor Registration process • Submit If you have any questions about the registration process, contact ESM Solutions at (877) 969-7246. If you have any questions about information contained in the bid documents, contact the Purchasing Department at (901) 222-2250 and ask to speak to the Buyer listed for the bid. SEALED BID DUE THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2020 AT 2:30 PM CST “CONVERTIBLE CAR SEATS FOR INFANTS”
ployees and members of boards, agencies, and commissions must be named as additional insured prior to award of a contract.
(SB-I000610) (MC# 610) By order of
NOTE: The Selected contractor will also be required to provide proof of registration within the Federal SAM system to ensure that they do not appear on the debarred/suspended registry prior to issuance of a contract.
LEE HARRIS, MAYOR SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT
Shelby County is an equal opportunity affirmative action employer, drug-free with policies of non-discrimination on the basis of race, sex, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or military service. The Shelby County Roads, Bridges, and Engineering Department encourages participation from WBE, MBE, LOSB, and Section 3 firms and vendors under this CDBG-NDR response.
Shelby County Government has issued Seal Bid I000618 for the purchase of Replacement Production and Backup Servers for the Shelby County District Attorney General’s Office. Information regarding this Bid is located on the County’s website at www.shelbycountytn.gov. At the top of the home page, click on the dropdown box under “Business”, click on “Purchasing Office” then “Formal Bid Listing” to locate the name of the above-described Sealed Bid.
The Shelby County Government reserves the right to reject any or all bids and to waive any informalities therein. William Goss, Right of Way Manager Shelby County Roads, Bridges, and Engineering Department NOTICE TO BIDDERS In order to participate in the bid listed below for Shelby County Government, you must be registered with our electronic bidding system with Mercury Commerce. County bids are not available by mail or downloaded directly from the County website, unless otherwise indicated in the solicitation invitation. All vendors who wish to bid are required to register with Mercury Commerce Solutions in order to be notified of on-line bids. There is no charge for registration, and it is easy to use. To register:
NOTICE TO BIDDER(S)
DUE THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2020 AT 2:30 PM SEALED BID SB-I000618 REPLACEMENT PRODUCTION AND BACKUP SERVERS FOR SHELBY COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY GENERAL Shelby County is an equal opportunity affirmative action employer, drug-free with policies of non-discrimination on the basis of race, sex, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or military service. THE RIGHT TO REJECT ANY AND ALL BIDS IS RESERVED By order of LEE HARRIS, SHELBY COUNTY MAYOR SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT
The New Tri-State Defender
April 16 - 22, 2020
Page 10
NEWS BOUNCE CONTINUED FROM FRONT Lee, who on Wednesday ordered school buildings closed for the rest of the academic year, earlier announced the formation of the state’s Economic Recovery Group to work on a plan to potentially allow Tennesseans to get back to work in May. “It’s clear the economy cannot shut down for months on end,” Mayor Harris said. “But you will probably see a phased-in approach.” President Donald Trump and his administration recently revealed the launch of a draft plan that calls for a step-bystep approach to the reopening of the country. The plan, obtained by the Washington Post, does not give firm dates for re-openings but says some areas with less virus transmission could go first, starting “not before May 1.” Ultimately, the decision to reopen locally will be based upon the input from multiple levels of local, state and national political, business and health officials. Strickland has said that there will need to be at least 1,000 people tested daily in the city to effectively gauge the effects of the virus. As of Tuesday (April 14), 15,082 residents had been tested, according to the Shelby County Health Department, with 31 deaths. Meanwhile, initiatives have been unveiled to help mitigate the coronavirus’ slamming of the local economy. Monday the city announced two micro-loan programs to provide some relief to local business owners. The loans range from $5,000 to $35,000. The Economic Development Growth Engine of Memphis & Shelby County
(EDGE) has crafted a grant assistance program, Neighborhood Emergency Economic Development (NEED), that is intended to help small locally-owned companies in mainly distressed areas. EDGE also plans to launch an additional program geared specifically towards recovery for these same type businesses. “We recognize that when the emergency is finally lifted, companies will need assistance to help them during recovery,” said Reid Dulberger, president and CEO of EDGE. “Many of our local small businesses won’t survive and unless we can help them collectively. it may take a generation to rebuild.” Dulberger said it’s difficult to pinpoint the steps of recovery for one main reason. “No one’s crystal ball will be totally precise on this because we don’t know the extent of the health outcomes,” he said. “One thing is for sure. We will be in a global recession and recovery will likely be slow, greatly affecting smaller companies.” non-business owners Elena Delavega, a poverty expert and associate professor at the University of Memphis, sees the poor being plagued by the effects of the pandemic long after restrictions are lifted. “I expect unemployment to remain high for a while and the economy to be depressed for a long time after this is all over,” she said. Shelby County’s poverty rate is 21.7 percent; the city’s 27.8. Delavega, who co-authors the annual “Poverty Fact Sheet,” expects those rates to almost triple. “I’m thinking it will be about 60 percent – and that may be too optimistic,” she said. “The virus does not dis-
tinguish between rich or poor, black or white; but the impact of it will disproportionately affect the poor, many of who are African Americans.” Almost 31 percent of African Americans living in Shelby County do so in poverty. In Memphis, the poverty rate for African American is 33.8 percent. Delavega particularly is concerned about the pandemic’s effect on children and education. Shelby County Schools closed for Spring Break. With Lee’s order on Wednesday, school building are to be closed for the rest of the academic year. “What you have is a group of children who will be at a disadvantage when this is over. And I find it hard to believe that they will catch up. …This affects poverty in the long term,” she said. “This will come down to what the leadership does to support the community” she added. “In Memphis, we have an opportunity to bounce back quicker, if businesses really take care of workers by increasing wages to $15 an hour and providing employee benefits.” Delevaga suggests city and county leaders look at “reinventing the system.” “We can’t go back to the way it was after this pandemic,” she said. “We should look at the points where the system has failed people living in poverty and do something about changing it. That’s the only way we will recover.” With talks of reopening underway, Strickland repeatedly has said a definitive date is still unknown and that “the city wants to be prepared.” A local economic recovery group, consisting of area politicians and business leaders, is being formed, he said. That group is set to meet for the first time on Thursday (April 16).
ARKANSAS CONTINUED FROM FRONT to this and you’re not going to win simply by a lockdown.” As of April 15, The Arkansas Department of Health reported 1,562 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Meanwhile, Shelby County alone has 1,359 confirmed cases. So for McClendon and the 26,000 residents he serves – about 56 percent African American – the realities on the ground are far different. “You can actually walk from West Memphis to Downtown Memphis using Big River Crossing,” McClendon said. “And Shelby County has almost as many cases as the entire state of Arkansas. I’ve got I-55 and I-40 running through West Memphis, almost 70,000 vehicles coming through our city on a daily basis. “So we’ve got to do the things necessary to keep West Memphians safe, compared to, you know, being in the middle of the state. There’s no other city in Arkansas that is as close to a metropolitan city like Memphis than we are. So I think that the rules have to be just a little bit different.” McClendon, who has emerged as both an effective policymaker and inspirational leader, said the West Memphis City Council passed legislation to grant him power to handle the emergency, adding that his residents have largely complied with the curfew. Businesses, including grocery stores and liquor stores, are closed by 9 p.m. to honor the orders. “The citizens have been 100 percent on board,” McClendon said. “The majority…is going in at 9 o’clock or before 9 o’clock. You may have a few young people that feel invincible and just want to be defiant, but the majority of the people support me and the council supports me.” Officers are issuing warnings
West Memphis Mayor Marco McClendon addresses a special task force he launched to develop a strategy for dealing with the COVID-19 outbreak. (Photo: Facebook.com/cityofwestmemphis) to violators, but McClendon said citations will be issued starting Monday, April 20. McClendon supports necessary but limited movement – getting groceries, prescriptions, even taking walks in the park. “All those essential things you need to do, do it and come back home,” he said. But his temper flares a bit thinking of people having large gatherings. “We had some people at one time, were like, ‘It’s nice weather, let’s barbecue.’ And they’ve got 30 or 40 people in the yard. That’s just reckless, you know?” he said. “And they don’t understand that by being asymptomatic that you may feel better but then you go to your mom and your grandma. You can get them sick and possibly (COVID-19 could) take their lives.” What about the economic impacts? Southland Gaming and Racing, which has been booming since the state allowed Vegas-style gambling just a year ago, is taking a beating with stay-at-home orders. But McClendon said that his city is in excellent financial shape, and exceptionally strong pre-outbreak revenues from the casino will help cushion fiscal hits to the city budget. “The month they have been shut down, we’re going to be covered,” he said. “This city has always been in financial shape. And we own our own utilities anyway. (My administration) has made some great decisions,
the former mayor also made some great decisions. “We are in great financial position right now,” he said. “If Southland doesn’t open up for the rest of the year, we’ll still be in a position to do what we need to do.” And the growth hasn’t slowed, he said. A steel mill is still projected to bring 700 jobs to the city and restaurant chains like Chick-Fil-A and IHOP are still moving forward with development plans there. He’s even researching opening a drive-in theatre – something family-friendly that can still be mindful of social distancing. “We’ve got a lot of vacant land,” he said. “If there’s one thing West Memphis has, it’s a lot of land. So maybe three screens. And you’ll be six feet apart, because you’re in your car, listening to your movie on your radio system.” And he’s still working the phones during the outbreak, trying to lure business and industry to his city. “All the CEOs that own businesses, guess what? They’re home!” he chuckled. “So I’m trying to get our information to them. While you’re sitting around, ain’t got nothing to do, read our information. “(We hope) that when this thing does pass us by, (they’ll think) ‘Hey, we’ve been researching West Memphis, Arkansas . . . and we’re going to move ahead with them because they’re ready.’”
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