The New Tri-State Defender – June 4-10, 2020

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VOL. 69, No. 23

June 4 - 10, 2020

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Fed up in Memphis Dr. Ivy Taylor has taken the as president of Rust College, where she says upgrades to campus and technology are needed in midst of pandemic, social unrest. (Photo: Lee Eric Smith)

Rust College new president settles in amid uncertainty

by Lee Eric Smith lesmith@tsdmemphis.com

Memphis-area protesters with varied backgrounds and interests have found common ground pushing for an end to police brutality wherever its ugliness surfaces. (Photo: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises.)

‘Devastating to see it happen again’ George Floyd’s killing echoes in Memphis; fuels protests

by Terrisa C. Mark Special to The New Tri-State Defender

After protesters had moved on, one family – the Webber family – remained at the courtyard of the National Civil Rights Museum last Saturday night. Their lingering was tethered to death of a family member killed in Memphis

by U.S. Marshals a year ago.

Brandon Webber was shot 16 times last June

by Marshals, who said Webber posed a threat

when they tried serving him with a warrant. His father, Sonny Webber, said the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis had him reliving his own family nightmare.

“Devastating to see it happen again in the way that it happened,” said Brandon Webber.

Webber Although suffering, Webber felt compelled to show solidarity with protesters who have taken to the streets in protest as has been the case

in multiple cities throughout the country.

“I can feel their family’s pain from losing a family member to people that are supposed to protect and serve,” he said.

Sonny Webber was part of a Webber protest that began and ended at the site where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968, a year many are looking back to as a point of reference for the massive and ongoing demonstrations in re-

SEE UNREST ON PAGE 2

TSD EDITORIAL

Time to accelerate toward change!

American Citizen George Floyd was killed 828 miles and about 13 hours from the historical marker in Memphis that notes Ida B. Wells’ passion to expose and eliminate lynching. The extreme, reckless disregard for his life warrants consideration of murder at the highest degree possible.

Since Mr. Floyd was restrained to death by a Minneapolis, MN. police officer supported by silent partners, people have marched by, past and/or near the Wells marker at the intersection of Beale St. and Rufus Thomas Blvd.

The offices of The New Tri-State Defender are within the block.

Starting from where the horror of Mr. Floyd’s videotaped last moments of suffering found them, individuals – amid a viral pandemic – have chosen to take to the streets, registering righteous, yet-controlled indignation about that homicide and demanding systemic changes.

Rightly so! People have a right to live free of the fear that enforcement of the law will be carried out by people who don’t know how to do – or won’t do – their jobs. No such bad apples are to be tolerated.

The volume of violence and destruction

Ida B. Wells’ dogged pursuit of an end to lynching is sketched on both sides of this marker, which notes, in part, that she went about an aspect of her newspaper business in and around what now is the Beale St. Entertainment District. (Photo: Karanja A. Ajanaku) scarring a number of cities across America puts in context those far fewer instances of violence and destruction that have happened here. For those who have found themselves in

harm’s way, haunting experiences may linger.

Going forward includes funneling to them any

SEE CHANGE ON PAGE 2

How does one go from being mayor of a major city to being president of a small HBCU in rural Mississippi?

It’s a question Dr. Ivy Taylor has answered frequently since being tapped as the new president of Rust College in Holly Springs. Connecting the dots gets a lot simpler as the former mayor of San Antonio explains that a career in politics was never the endgame in the first place.

“Once you run for office, once you get labeled a politician, people think that’s all you want to to do,” Taylor said in a TSD interview on her second day on the job. “I never aspired to actually serve in office.

“I am an urban planner,” she continued. “My background is in city planning and community development. For many years, I was focused on making places better – how do we connect institutions to create places where people thrive? At a certain point, I realized it would be more effective to focus on people – and education is a way to do that.”

At a glance, her resumé seems eclectic. But in many ways, it also seems tailored for her new role at Rust. Her work in planning should help the school upgrade and improve student housing. As mayor, Taylor developed executive experience and important relationships. And her doctoral work centered on how HBCUs and their boards navigate accreditation and the fiscal challenges so many black colleges face these days.

“We believe the abilities she gained in nonprofit management and political leadership will be readily transferable to an academic setting,” said David Swinton, chair of Rust’s board of trustees, in a May statement.

A native of Queens, N.Y., Taylor earned a degree in American Studies from Yale University in 1992, fol-

SEE TAYLOR ON PAGE 10

The New Tri-State Defender

June 4 - 10, 2020

Page 2

NEWS CHANGE CONTINUED FROM FRONT help/guidance/support they may need.

Memphis is our city, a fact reflected in the unity of diversity that has chosen to voice demands for change from the streets and multiple other points of social intersection and interaction. Diverse individuals collaborating beyond their differences because they genuinely care actually is evident throughout the city, a fact laid bare by the novel coronavirus pandemic.

At a point in the past, a new nation – our nation – conceived in liberty took root in a bed of inequality. It has been trying to build a republic on shaky ground ever since.

Now through a collection of sobering circumstances, we can choose to be at a turning point – a rare place from which to address that deep-rooted inequity at the level needed and with the force necessary to uproot it.

It’s fitting and proper to honor Mr. Floyd and every other African American killed while doing nothing threatening. Justice must proceed in all specific incidents while measures are developed and put in place to dismantle the systemic practices spitting out the disproportionate treatment that – in worse-case scenarios – kills people.

Difficult road ahead? Yes. Still, the mind is its own place – one from which every individual can regroup, make sense of the past, line up with endowed humanity and form fresh relationships based on the principle of equality: 1 = 1. All lives matter.

Black Lives Matter.

A helpful starter is a simple truth attributed to Bishop Desmond Tutu (played by Forest Whitaker in the movie “The Forgiven”) as Nelson Mandela-led South Africa lumbered out of apartheid toward the ideal of “our” country.

Said the Nobel Peace Prize laureate: “There is a difference between difficult and impossible.”

We must change the orbit re: police-community relations and the conversations about them. And, silence is not an option to choose at a time such as this.

Changing orbit can be done by slowing down to reposition for acceleration, which often means taking in new information, data, research from new people in the course of developing calculated and timed next steps toward sustained growth and development.

Drawing upon its founding principles, The New Tri-State Defender recommits to reporting upon, fostering, nurturing, hosting and leading – when necessary – the conversations required for “our” community to accelerate toward positive change.

Devante Hill, a protest organizer, amplifies his message. (Photos: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises)

UNREST CONTINUED FROM FRONT sponse to Floyd’s homicide At 6:30 p.m., people from different cities, different ethnic and racial backgrounds and a range of ages converged on the museum site. While incensed by Floyd’s death and the way it happened, there was a collective demand that police brutality end now.

Flowing over several days, the protesters in Memphis largely have assumed a non-violent posture that contrasts with scenes elsewhere.

There have been multiple arrests, a number coming after windows were smashed and some businesses looted following peaceful weekend demonstrations.

Mayor Jim Strickland, while praising the vast majority of peaceful protesters, ordered a 10 p.m.-6 a.m. curfew after the weekend spates of violence.

On Saturday afternoon, as marchers wound through parts of downtown, stopping at the I Am A Man Plaza, Jermarcus Phillips reflected on the happenings. He’d brought his young son, Malachi, who, he said, was not too young to learn what is going on in his own country.

He wants his son to adopt the posture of not judging people by their race, color or how they look. And commended Memphis protesters to mostly taking the non-violent approach “because you can’t fight fire with fire. ,,, “You got to show people that no matter how stupid they are, you still can be who you are, you know what I’m saying, without dropping down to their level.”

Some protestors have marched nu-

Reflecting the diversity that has accented local protests, marchers move along South Main. merous times before Floyd’s death demanding change and justice. And then there were first-time protesters such as Nathan Thomas.

“I’ve never really done something like this,” he said. “I’ve never really put myself out there to do something good.”

Jojo Sagala from Venezuela said the issue at the heart of the protests was a human one.

“It’s our duty as people in this country…. if we witness injustice or if there’s injustice going on, it’s our civic responsibility to be here….because everyone’s being oppressed, brown people, black people, white people.

“We’re all being oppressed.”

George Floyd (left) and now-fired Minnesota Police Department Officer Derek Chauvin and their deadly encounter. (Screen capture)

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PERSPECTIVE The New Tri-State Defender, June 4 - 10, 2020, Page 3

Highlighting the massive expansion of the Shelby County Health Department

County Mayor’s ‘Wheel Tax’ budget a nonstarter for commissioners, constituents

by Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris

by Eddie S. Jones Jr. and Edmund Ford Jr. In April, Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris proposed a budget that included an increase in the despised wheel tax and lots of spending, such as $24 million in operations and $64 million to build one school that has not been fully vetted by community leaders or the school board. During the budget hearings, County Commissioners have rejected these expenses by the Administration.

At the same time, many Commissioners say they want to pass a budget that has no property tax increase, no wheel tax increase, and no adverse effect on services. Additionally, these same legislators are working diligently to increase services that have been distressed by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Let’s place this in clear perspective.

The proposed budget by Mayor Harris had several questionable items. First, it included a $16.50 increase in the wheel tax. Many of us remember that this tax was supposed to be temporary. Truth is, it still exists and has doubled from $25 to $50.

The County Mayor is asking for an additional 33 percent increase of the wheel tax to balance his budget to offset the $7.6 million he is cutting from Shelby County Schools. The budget he presented in April lowers the Education Fund by 4 cents, where each penny equals approximately $1.9 million, thus the math: 4 X $1.9 million = $7.6 million.

However, his wheel tax budget generates more than the $7.6 million to make up the difference. In fact, it would raise between $10.5 million and $14 million. If the wheel tax is yielding more revenue than what is needed, a reasonable person could ask where the excess money is going? Is it going to increase school maintenance of effort? Is it going to pet projects? Is this going to be a slush fund for the County Mayor?

We personally asked these questions and still have not received a real answer. In fact, a couple of Commissioners were verbally attacked for inquiring about such things. Taxpayers deserve to know where the extra cash is going to be spent, and we were asking for them.

The wheel tax, to several Shelby Countians, has been the most unpopular and untrusted tax for the last three decades. For Mayor Harris to balance his proposed budget on the “hope” that a raise of the wheel tax by a supermajority (nine votes) of the County Commission is presumptuous at best. Last month, the County Commission, on a 10-3 vote, voted against such increase.

This left Commissioners to perform a complete reset of the entire budget. Taking the same approach

Eddie S. Jones Jr. represents District 11 on the Shelby County Board of Commissioners.

Shelby County Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr. represent District 9. as the City of Memphis, which was able to successfully fill an $81-million gap in their operating budget due to projected shortfalls due to the pandemic, the Commission decided to use the practical approach of working with the numbers from our current budget, eliminating the one-time expenditures, comparing line items in the proposed budget, and making decisions accordingly.

Most changes that passed in committee used figures from Mayor Harris’ FY2021 budget book. He cries that some Commissioners are “targeting” his office with cuts, which is impractical. Follow this simple exercise. You project to spend $5,000 for food for 2021. You spend $7,000 in 2020. If we compare the food line item for 2020 and 2021, one can change that line by reducing it by $2,000. That is not a cut as the County Mayor wants you to believe. It is an adjustment, using his own numbers. You cannot have it both ways.

It appears that this Mayor is not getting his way, so his only recourse is a threat to fire people and to publicize layoffs recklessly to the media and others. In the time of pandemic and protest, no elected official should be playing games with people’s lives to get misleading sound bytes.

Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland has proposed a budget that is $8 million less than his current budget, has filled an $81-million gap, and has pledged no layoffs in this critical time. Why is Lee Harris doing the complete opposite? It is another question to add to the other ones that have not been answered.

Right now, Shelby County is making a significant investment to protect our public health. Two weeks ago, the County Commission approved our request to add 141 new positions in the Shelby County Health Department, new positions that will be singularly devoted to confronting COVID-19 in Shelby County. The new positions are financed by federal resources received through the CARES Act. I want to give you a few highlights of this massive Health Department expansion.

First, we are developing strike teams to focus on the needs of vulnerable populations, including seniors, nursing home residents, detainees, and others.

Second, we are in the process of hiring four additional epidemiologists. Our “epi-team” is principally responsible for the data analysis that we have come to rely on over these last several weeks. Every day, our Health Department releases data by ZIP code, age, race, gender, number of confirmed positive cases – overall and by day – and negative cases.

This data drives action.

Preliminary data reported on race may indicate the novel coronavirus is heavily impacting minorities in our community. For example, our data so far shows that 66 percent of the COVID-19 deaths in Shelby County have been African-American residents. The additional capabilities will allow us to investigate and address the troubling racial disparity in COVID-19 cases in our county. This part of the plan represents a near doubling of our data analysis capabilities.

Third, we are expanding our ability to collaborate with external partners, including the media, to disseminate regular and reliable information. This allows us to utilize traditional media and social media to get our message out about the various roles each of us play in reducing the spread of COVID-19 in Shelby County.

Fourth, we are recruiting dozens and dozens of contact tracers and related support staff. As you know, we have a large contingency of staff working on contact tracing right now. We have dozens of employees on loan from the City of Memphis, dozens of employees on loan from other responsibilities within the Health Department, and many volunteers to whom we are grateful.

So far, our contact tracing operation has been able to close out about 80 percent of investigations. Our efforts are exceptional, but the current situation is not sustainable, as some of the staff will eventually have to return to their normal duties. This expansion will give us the ability to continue to

Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris is co-chair of the Joint Memphis/ Shelby County COVID-19 Task Force and a graduate of Morehouse College. (Courtesy photo) run a massive contact tracing operation as new cases emerge.

Fifth, we will see a significant expansion of our ability to manage compliance issues with the various health directives. This will allow us to expand our capacity to educate and provide technical assistance to organizations trying to figure out how to create safe environments with sufficient social distance. We will be able to offer training to team members and volunteers to support organizations in creating safe environments.

Sixth, we are creating a Testing Team that manages COVID-19 testing out of the Health Department.

This is a new function of the Health Department that will also help advise external partners on testing. As mentioned, for the most part, this expansion will be financed by federal dollars.

It is important to note that most of these positions will only exist while we have federal funding to pay for them. Nevertheless, this represents a tremendous expansion of our Health

Department’s capabilities. I believe this expansion is justifiable in light of the advent of COVID-19 and the danger this disease poses to our public health.

The expansion approved by the Commission included an initial investment of $6.4 million out of the federal dollars. The total cost of the Health Department expansion will be approximately $11.4 million.

This is a collaborative effort. Just a few days after the Commission approved the expansion, the Memphis City Council unanimously voted to kick in $2.7 million of City of Memphis CARES Act funding to increase the Health Department’s capacity to hire, train, and deploy staff to conduct COVID-19 testing. We are grateful for their partnership in addressing this public health emergency.

This massive expansion of the Shelby County Health Department will give us the tools to help slow the spread and protect our community’s public health.

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The New Tri-State Defender

June 4 - 10, 2020

Page 4

PERSPECTIVE

Defining collective trauma and confronting it co-signed on its legitimacy.

This anger is passed down from generation to generation and becomes a burdensome and sorrowful legacy that unwittingly kills you softly whilst never actually directly affecting the “enemy.”

Because suffering is like drinking poison and expecting some-

by Ayan Ajanaku Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Whether it be war, famine, slavery or genocide, the history of human peoples throughout the world is not without its fair share of violence and trauma.

Whether you or your forefathers have been on the receiving or giving end of that trauma, or whether you believe those past events have affected your life in a direct way doesn’t really matter. It is affecting your life either directly or indirectly now and will continue to fester, if the collective trauma is left untreated.

There is good news though. If one understands as Lord Byron once said that, “Adversity is the path to truth,” pain or discomfort presents an awesome opportunity, if one decides to confront it.

Ayan Ajanaku

one else to die.

You can administer pain to another, but you can never administer suffering. It’s a choice.

But resentment is natural!

It may feel natural because resentment is a knee jerk reaction for most when they’ve been wronged, but it’s not natural, it’s simply a habit. We still have a choice though, what we do with that surge of pain is 100 percent in our control. We can carry it and nurture it, or we can keep it in its place and use it as a catalyst for empowerment.

Each person must individually decide to use their pain as a source of empowerment and not a source of suffering.

What is collective pain anyway?

When pain is inflicted upon us our typical response is to become resentful. But when the same type of pain is inflicted upon thousands if not millions of people for the same reasons (such as the case with genocide, slavery and racism), the pain body becomes an insidious and treacherous complement to your individual identity.

Now your resentment has strength in numbers because many other people have

5 steps to confronting your role

in collective trauma: 1. If you’re angry or sad, acknowledge that. And then acknowledge that you can and must choose to stop suffering simply because it isn’t productive. You don’t need a reason to be pleasant. Happiness is a choice, not a pursuit.

2. When collective pain triggers occur, limit your exposure to social media and even with friends until you are centered.

It’s not possible to retreat to a Himalayan cave every time you want to be at peace.

But first one must create space to learn how to achieve stillness. Create the space you need with fewer external distractions until you can learn how to balance yourself internally.

3. “I am not the body; I am not even the mind” is a very simple meditation chant you can use to help achieve some balance.

Upon inhalation, chant to yourself: “I am not the body,” and upon exhalation chant, “I am not even the mind” for five minutes while seated comfortably with your eyes closed, and a mild focus above and between your eyes. This meditation will help you release your identification with your thoughts and achieve the balance you need to tackle the next step.

4. If you’re confused and embarrassed about how you can confront your role in the unrest you see around you, that’s good!

Just don’t sweep your ignorance under

the rug as someone else’s problem. Pain in general usually results when you unconsciously identify with the notion that someone else is inherently better or worse than you. So ask yourself some personal questions. What do you identify with and how do these identities influence your decisions? Confront your ignorance when it comes to the answers and continue to ask yourself uncomfortable questions. Answers will follow naturally for those who continually seek.

5. You’ve probably heard the saying, “You change the world by changing yourself.” Everything we create is just a manifestation of who we are. So while acknowledging the truth about the unconscious identities you’ve established, decide what actionable steps you can take to transform yourself so that you can contribute to collective healing as opposed to being part of the collective trauma.

We as humans generally swing between periods of inflicting devastation upon ourselves and others to rebuilding and stagnancy, often with two steps forward and one step back.

Now is the time to use consciousness as a tool to truly take “One giant leap for mankind.”

(Former Memphian and blogger Ayan Ajanaku lives in Seville, Spain, where she teaches English online.)

THE CULTURAL COACH

How to have a conversation that opens minds and softens hearts unequal schools, a failed criminal justice system and disparate employment opportunity. For us, the greater good - like civil rights or community safety - may sometimes outweigh individual rights like free Linda S. speech or gun rights.

Wallace However, if we are conservative, then we tend to prefer the individualist side of the avenue. We value independence and self-reliance. We think that the individual, ultimately, determines their own level of success in life. So as we watch riots, we are more likely to place blame closer to home: attributing the violent behavior to a character defect or to the parents. We might argue that dysfunctional communities and broken families are the real root of such outrage-not injustice.

As liberals and conservatives look through these different lenses, they can’t understand how the other side gets it so wrong.

While this makes for entertaining TV news, it does not serve democracy.

Both liberals and conservatives are blind to the fact that they their truths are even more powerful when you put them togeth-

by Linda S. Wallace Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Just like busy intersections, hot topics can be viewed from a variety of angles.

Where we stand - to the right, to the left, in the center - ultimately determines how we view the parades of people passing around us.

The fiery riots and out-of-control looting following the brutal Memorial Day death of George Floyd at police hands in Minneapolis has divided, even outraged, the folks who support social justice and those who view it as a made-up issue.

Emotionally-charged times are likely to trigger our cultural filters, which then prompt us to fight harder and harder to ignore the facts that don’t support our truth.

High-performance learning communities use simple communication techniques to open minds and soften hearts.

If we are liberal, we tend to live on the collectivist side of the street. Typically, we consider the good of the community and examine how policy affects the lives of individuals.

In the current climate, we are more likely to say the looters and angry protesters are evidence of failed and inequitable social policies, including non-diverse police forces, brutal policing practices and cultures,

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er, side by side.

Don’t wait for the other guy to change .

Lead by example.

Below are a few techniques for holding the type of dialogue that might actually help America advance the conversation on community policing and public safety.

1) You know your view is correct, right?

You don’t need to spend all your time convincing the unbelievers. Instead invest your time trying to understand why other groups are right as well. In other words, don’t stay on your corner; move into the intersection to make new discoveries. Examine that situation from new angles.

2) To maintain credibility in a powerful dialogue, don’t talk about people or groups you have never met and you don’t know.

You will lose credibility fast. Liberals, this means no sweeping generalizations about the conservatives, police, Nazis, gun rights

and free speech; conservatives, no sweeping generalizations about poverty, discrimination, minorities or immigrants.

3) Be prepared to listen without offering a response. Perhaps you might come back the next day – after you have had a chance for quiet reflection – to share what you learned. Create a learning competition rather than a competition designed to score points.

4) Be prepared to evaluate and rethink your beliefs, assumptions and world views.

High performance learners sometimes have to let go of popular beliefs to become complex thinkers. Don’t do it for the rioters or the police, do it for you 5) Listen even when the conversation becomes painful and difficult. Resolve not to shut down the speaker and not to walk away. When your feelings are hurt say ‘ouch’; if you hurt someone else’s feelings say ‘’oops.’

Remember, there are no lost causes; only warriors who grow weary and give up the fight.

Go out today and have a conversation that just might save the life of a police officer or a protester.

(Linda S. Wallace is The Cultural Coach. Contact her at theculturalcoach@ aol.com.)

The New Tri-State Defender

June 4 - 10, 2020

Page 5

RELIGION “A terrible plague has come upon us. Thousands are dying, and thousands are impacted and sick because they are infected…with our science, our wisdom and our knowledge, we still are at the mercy of forces that are beyond us.”

— Bishop Charles E. Blake Sr.

COGIC calls off Holy Convocation Pandemic continues to rock the church and the nation

by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell Special to The New Tri-State Defender

This year’s Church of God in Christ (COGIC) Holy Convocation already was to be the final annual confab in the city of St. Louis. Now it won’t.

Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake Sr. and the General Board have decreed that the 2020 event is a no-go.

The 113th Holy Convocation is cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic. COVID-19 has taken a heavy toll on COGIC, the largest Pentecostal denomination in the United States, killing lay people and multiple layers of officers, including two members of the General Board.

COGIC, which is headquartered in Memphis, already had decided to return the Holy Convocation to Memphis in 2021.

The convocation traditionally is scheduled for the first week in November. This year it was set for Nov. 2-11. In a media statement, Presiding Bishop Blake said there are too many questions about how to keep attendees safe at such a large gathering.

The safety “of all convention attendees, first and foremost” is the most important concern, said Blake.

In a brief video message to the Presiding Bishop church on the official COGIC interCharles E. national website, Blake acknowledges Blake Sr. the devastation of the virus, but then puts forth the church’s plan of action: “A terrible plague has come upon us,” said a solemn Blake. “Thousands are dying, and thousands are impacted and sick because they are infected… with our science, our wisdom and our knowledge, we still are at the mercy of forces that are beyond us.”

COGIC congregants are called “Saints” and Blake assured them that God is still in control, and that He is Bishop “able to do exceeding, abundantly Brandon B. above all we could ask or think.”

Porter He encourages “spiritual weapons of warfare,” namely, prayer and fasting. The chief prelate called on all the “Saints” to “fast and pray for 12 hours, according to a post on the website. No specific time frame or further instructions were given.

“We will fast and pray seeking the face of our God for this world as a united body of believers,” he said.

It’s only the second time that the church has cancelled its annual convocation. Other smaller meetings and conferences are also cancelled. The first in-person meeting will ensue in July.

COGIC, with six-million-plus members worldwide, is known for its “great gatherings which could lend to some of our spread,” Bishop Brandon B. Porter, who pastors Greater Community Temple COGIC in Memphis, told The New Tri-State Defender in an early May interview. Porter is a member of the General Board.

Pentecostal Temple Church of God In Christ distributed food in association with the Memphis Food Bank.

Helping others during special times of need such as the pandemic is part of an ongoing outreach mission at Pentecostal Temple Church of God In Christ, where Bishop Charles H. Mason Patterson Sr. (right) is senior pastor. (Photos: Tyrone P. Easley) In addition to the Holy Convocation, several other events have also been cancelled: The International Women’s Convention, The AIM (Auxilaries in Ministry) Convention, Elders Shepherd’s Conference, and the Annual Bishop’s Conference.

As of now, the Bishop Mason Celebration is still on for September 2020. The 2020 April Call Meeting was postponed, and rescheduling will be announced.

Elder Charles Harrison Mason, founded the Church of God in Christ in 1897.

The New Tri-State Defender, June 4 - 10, 2020, Page 6

ALL OVER TOWN

AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH

The Moneybagg Yo Rap Snacks line will be available in local convenience stores and in markets where Rap Snacks are sold.

Moneybagg Yo Rap Snacks to hit stores by mid-summer

by Brianna A. Smith Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Rap Snacks, Inc. – a hip-hop culture favorite – is expanding its bold chip flavor with the launch of its latest chips featuring Memphis rapper MoneyBagg Yo. Moneybagg Yo Rap Snacks are set to hit stores by mid-summer.

Rap Snacks, Inc. was founded in 1994 by CEO James Lindsay, alongside hip-hop star Master P, as a variety of potato chips that featured major recording artists. In 2016 the Rap Snacks brand relaunched and has been growing since. The brand is generally sold in convenience stores and advertised as “The Official Snack of Hip Hop.” The chips feature major hiphop stars and each has her/his own bold flavor such as Fetty Wap’s got Honey Jalapeño.

And then there’s Lil Boosie’s Louisiana Heat, Fabolous’ New York Deli Cheddar, Migos’ Sour Cream with a Dab of Ranch, Romeo’s BarB-Quin with My Honey, Trina’s Honey Jalapeño Cheese Puffs, and Cardi B’s Honey Drip Butter Popcorn and Jerk BBQ Wavy.

Rap Snacks’ real value is its aesthetic in packaging, with each variety featuring a picture of the rapper on the front and a brief quote from the artist on the back.

Artemis “Peppa Mouth of the South” Williams, business partner to Moneybagg Yo and well-known entertainment mover and shaker in Memphis, assisted in spearheading the partnership between Moneybagg Yo and Rap Snacks.

“I’ve been working on this deal for a year in a half,” said Williams. “This is the biggest deal of my career!

Business partners: Moneybagg Yo (left) and Artemis “Peppa Mouth of the South” Williams.

(Courtesy photo)

“I’ve been closing deals for over a decade now, but this partnership is game changBrianna ing for A. Smith both my brand and Bagg’s,” said Williams, who is known for his AK-47 style of talking.

“It’s exciting to see a Memphis artist representing the popular chip brand and putting on for our city. Memphis is so important to the hip-hop culture.”

From what I’ve seen and been told, Moneybagg Yo Rap Snacks will be similar to the Vinter’s Hot Crunchy Nuggets that are found in local gas stations.

According to Williams, the official name of Moneybagg Yo Rap Snacks still is up in the air.

“Lindsay has a major hand in developing the flavor profile for the chips. From there, he considers who’s popping or about to be and approaches the artist about collaborating,” said Williams. “Then contracts are signed and Rap Snacks are made.”

The chips themselves are standard. Romeo’s barbecue chips are like your typical barbecue potato chips, but slightly sweeter. My personal favorite is the Lil Boosie’s Louisiana Heat, which reminds me of a sweet heat chip that blooms into full-on fire.

The Moneybagg Yo Rap Snacks line will include various potato chip flavors, candy and noodles. The line will be available in local convenience stores and in markets where Rap Snacks are sold.

Mille Manny (Photos by Demarcus Bowser)

You Oughta Know – Mille Manny

by Joy Doss Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Mille Manny – cause getting to a million of course!

– is a 17-year old rising star creating his own hybrid sound, which he calls “hip pop.” While he may put you in mind of Chris Brown, he’s seventeen-seventeen not a Chris Brown 17.

His “Dadager” Ernest Strickland (what’s the opposite of “momager???”) is NOT going for any wildin’ in these streets, mannish shenanigans, foul-mouthed lyrics or any such similar foolishness. His current single, “Mind Games,” is radio ready and kid friendly with stellar production quality from Memphis Trackboy and smooth vocals that easily rival any of Joy Doss the other youngers in the game.

When you see Manny, you may expect Cali sound.

Though he spent a few years there, be clear that he is a Memphian all day! He is ready and willing to be one more artist that puts Memphis on the map. He recognizes that he has been provided with a lot of opportunities so as he levels up in the game, he will be ready to reach back and reach across.

By now it’s common knowledge that Memphis has racks on racks of talent but lack the opportunities and access to go higher and further.

“Once I make it to where I can come back and start helping, I want to give kids my age an opportunity they may not have,” said Manny. “Whether it’s a recording studio….kids having a place to do homework…[or creating] a family-oriented environment.”

He also, correctly, points out that people always expect kids to wait until they’re older to pursue dreams but assures young people, “The time is now. Wait for nobody.

You don’t have to hold off (on pursuing your dreams.)”

Manny has a big vision for himself which includes cresting the top of the music charts and elevating his brand, Slick Cocky, to Rocawear levels. He is already networking across having collaborated with 17-year old video director Cameron Boyd (K.W.A.D. Films – Kid With A Dream) on “Mind Games” and making special appearances on songs with BlocBoy JB, Lil Migo and Fresco Trey.

Memphis artists like Yo Gotti, Moneybagg Yo, Kevo Muney and Blac Youngsta top his collab wishlist.

Reaching beyond our berg, he would like to work with H.E.R, Drake (obviously!), Chris Brown, DJ Khaled.

(JD Note: I personally would like to hear a H.E.R. duet. Putting that in the universe for you Manny!)

But first things first – the business. As his dad Ernest says, “If you don’t have the business side, it’s pretty much just a hobby. He handles the music. I handle the business.”

He ensures that Manny is informed and engaged throughout every step of the process. He says they even go through practicum exercises so that Manny is prepared for various situations.

ABOUT THE CELEBRATION African-American Music Appreciation Month is celebrated annually in the United States.

Black Music Month was established on June 7, 1979 by President Jimmy Carter. In 2009, President Barack Obama declared the June commemoration African-American Music Appreciation Month. During the 2016 observation, Obama noted that African-American music and musicians have helped the country “to dance, to express our faith through song, to march against injustice, and to defend our country’s enduring promise of freedom and opportunity for all.”

In observance of African American History Month, The New Tri-State Defender is highlighting select Memphis-area artists throughout June. At month’s end, The TSD will present an edited video featuring one song from each featured artist. The finished product will be a hybrid mini-concert and extended multi-artist video. Stay tuned for the digital invite With the guidance and backing of dad, Manny has been able to secure distribution through United Masters, which is one of Steve Stoute’s companies. If you know the music industry, you know that Steve Stoute is a major player. One small step for Manny and a giant leap for Memphians!

Perhaps more importantly, Dad keeps a close eye and tight rein to ensure that he stays, “steeped in his core values.” Again, good on ya! There are so many ways that the game can send kids hard left.

One of those values is keeping it clean. We are inundated with song after that song that, while they may SLAP, are not quite appropriate for younger ears. Even the radio versions! As I mentioned earlier, Manny’s lyrics are kid friendly. You won’t find any cuss words, N words or less than flattering synonyms for girls and women in his lyrics.

“With my music, I make you like it. You don’t even know you’re missing the cuss words. I’m able to go through more doors [because of it].” Yep. And this mom of a middle schooler approves!

So what’s next?

On the business side, Manny is working on securing airtime on Memphis radio stations. While he has gotten some solid traction on social media and YouTube and some success with Internet radio, the goal is to create a solid foundation here in Memphis, prioritizing our audience base.

On the music side, look for the first single off of his 6-Song EP “Ride My Way” dropping on June 11.

“I feel like it’s something no one’s heard before. I’m just excited and ready for y’all to hear it.”

The single “All in” will be available on all music platforms.

(Check out Mind Games here: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=ZeV75Qe9KzA. Follow Manny on Instagram: @ millemanny_)

The New Tri-State Defender

June 4 - 10, 2020

Page 7

ENTERTAINMENT

Evvie McKinney’s new single leaves no doubt about where she’s from

by Brianna A. Smith Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Powerhouse performer and first-ever winner of FOX’s “The Four: Battle For Stardom,” Evvie McKinney has released the upbeat anthem “Bring the Whole Hood,” her debut single on Motown Gospel/Capitol CMG. “I come from Memphis, Tennessee. Little small house, big family…,” McKinney sings on the record.

An Orange Mound native, McKinney entered as a challenger on the fifth of six episodes during the first season of “The Four.” She performed for a panel that featured Meghan Trainor, DJ Khaled and Sean Diddy Combs. Her singing won them over and eventually helped her claim the season’s title, which included a contract with Republic Records.

“How Do You Feel” – her debut single – was released under Republic Records.

“I come from Memphis, Tennessee. Little small house, big family…,” McKHowever, she wasn’t a big fan of the pop inney sings in “Bring the Whole Hood.” direction they wanted her to go in. Late in 2019 she signed with Motown’s Gospel label, enabling her to pursue both her religious faith and her singing career.

McKinney wrote ‘Bring the Whole Hood’ with her mentor from the show, pop hitmaker Meghan Trainor.

The song mixes her soulful voice, with a fast-paced inspirational feel. “…and I’m like Praise the Lord, Cause everything I’ve been praying for is finally knocking on my door,” she sings.

“…I’m like praise the Lord, cause everything I’ve been praying for is finally knocking on my door.” – Evvie McKinney, “Bring the Whole Hood.” (Courtesy photos)

“Memphis is rich in music and storytelling. This song is my testimony; everything I’ve been praying for has been knocking on my door and it’s so loud,” she says in release heralding her new single. “I grew up in the church, so music has been in my DNA since I can remember, and this song is just an introduction into my life and upbringing.”

The song is filled with instruments and a choir that makes its appearance on the chorus. “I am a literal representation of Memphis – home of the blues, rock ‘n’ roll and soul,” says McKinney.

Equipped with a powerful voice and the ability to establish an emotional connection to everything she sings, this song allows her to exhibit both.

McKinney, who started singing as a preschooler, has pushed through the challenges of poverty, gang violence and drug abuse.

A Soulsville Charter School alumnus, she credits God, her family, friends and her audiences for the energy and excitement on display at her live shows.

One of seven children, her late father, Tony McKinney, was a gospel and blues singer. Her brother, Gedeon Luke, is a soul/ R&B singer, who tours with Gedeon Luke and The People.

McKinney now is based in Nashville, where she’s been recording an EP set to be released later this year on Motown Gospel. She says the project will feature contributions from big names, including Jason Derulo and Rihanna.

COMMUNITY The New Tri-State Defender, June 4 - 10, 2020, Page 8

Living through COVID-19, Part IX

by Jerome Wright jwright@tsdmemphis.com

This is the ninth installment of The New Tri-State Defender’s ongoing account of three Memphians coping with the coronavirus amid government-directed efforts to slow the virus’ spread.

Back to the airport James Cook plans to reopen his Lenny’s Grill and Subs at Memphis International Airport Monday (June 8).

The eatery will initially open on a reduced schedule from 5 a.m. to noon, but he anticipates eventually opening on a full schedule.

Cook had to close his two businesses in Memphis International Airport – Runway 901 Bar & Grill and the Lenny’s – in March because of a lack of airport passenger traffic caused by the new coronavirus pandemic.

Since then, he has been working with his father’s landscaping business and working for another Lenny’s franchisee.

Cook decided to reopen at the airport because of an uptick in passenger traffic. He also plans to reopen Runway 901’s bar.

Glen Thomas, the airport’s director of Strategic Marketing & Communications/PIO, said in an email Wednesday (June 3) the airport has

“seen a slow but steady increase in passengers over the past few weeks.

“The Friday before Memorial Day was our busiest day since March 17, with more than 1,900 passengers and employees screened. We are still down by more than 80 percent compared to 2019 at this time, but traffic is increasing.”

It has become clear over the past weeks that Cook has a fierce entrepreneurial spirit and likes being his own boss.

Although he appreciates the other Lenny’s franchisee giving him the opportunity to provide for his family, he will be glad to be working for himself once again.

“I’ve never seen my father or stepfather working for anyone,” he said.

“I’m trying to leave something for my children.”

“Corona, Corona” After an initial rush of customers eager to get a haircut when barber and beauty shops were allowed to reopen last month, things have slowed a bit for barber William Gandy Jr. That was not unexpected, he said.

“A lot of my clients, who are older, still are afraid to come out.”

This has allowed him to spend more time on his music, including composing a song about the virus, ti-

tled “Corona Corona.”

Here’s a link to the song: https:// bit.ly/2Ua2xL3 A virus-related helping hand Margaret Cowan, founding keeper of I Am My Sister’s Keeper, a nonprofit that works with single, working mothers to increase their earning potential, has been busy honing her nonprofit expertise and helping her moms.

About 20 women are in the group.

When The New Tri-State Defender last checked two weeks ago, she was trying to find temporary housing for one of her “moms,” whose mother had contracted the COVID-19 virus.

With the help of her pastor, Cory Jackson of New Covenant Seventh-day Adventist Church in Southwest Memphis, the young mother and her 2-year-old daughter were able to live in an Olive Branch hotel for two weeks until her mother recovered.

Meanwhile, Cowan said another one of her “moms” created T-shirts for the group, featuring the nonprofit’s logo.

And, thanks to some hustle and donations, Cowan was able to create “essential boxes” for her moms. The boxes contained food stuffs, cleaning essentials and other items.

(Jerome Wright is deputy editor for The New Tri-State Defender.)

One of the moms with the I Am My Sister’s Keeper nonprofit made T-shirts for the group. (courtesy photo)

William Gandy Jr.’s “Corona, Corona” puts the pandemic in musical context. (Courtesy photo)

MLGW reviews options for lower energy costs

by Dena Owens Special to The New Tri-State Defender

With members of Marvell Locke’s family, the Memphis Black Ministerial Association decries his shooting death at the hand of a store clerk. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley)

Pastors denounce killing of mentally-ill man by Circle K clerk on parking lot

by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Members of the Black Ministerial Association (BMA) have spoken out against the shooting of an unarmed, mentally challenged man in front of the Circle K store at U.S. 64 and Rock Creek Parkway in Cordova.

“No man has the right to murder anyone,” said Pastor Leonard Dawson, president of the BMA and pastor of Cane Creek Baptist Church.

Shortly after the shooting, Dawson and other BMA pastors stood in front of their headquarters at 591 E. McLemore to condemn the shooting of Marvell Locke, 58, who was shot May 19 by the clerk on duty Nicholas Vitatoe, who was charged with voluntary manslaughter.

“We are asking for justice for this family,” said Pastor Walter Womack, president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). “I represent the civil rights organization of Dr. Martin Luther King. Standing in solidarity with this family is the right thing to do.”

Attorney Tim Francavilla of Francavilla Law Firm has been retained by Vitatoe as lead defense attorney. Francavilla declined to comment about the case.

Locke’s daughter, Francheskia Locke, said her father has suffered for years with mental illness and crack addiction. She said the Locke family is appalled that Vitatoe was released on his own recognizance.

“This man shot my father outside of the store,” said Francheskia Locke. “He did not pose a threat.

My father has been arrested before, and they knew he had mental issues.

He didn’t deserve to die like that.”

According to the police report, Vita-

toe had Locke arrested for coming onto the property the week prior to the shooting. The clerk asked Locke to leave the property and called the police.

Video pulled from the store shows Vitatoe saying he was “going to (expletive) take care of this myself.”

After stepping outside the door with a pistol, Vitatoe lights a cigarette and smokes for a few seconds.

He then walks out of the view of the camera and a gunshot is heard, according to police.

Vitatoe then reappears on camera walking back into the store and places a black handgun on the counter.

Vitatoe then phones his manager, Katherine James, and tells her she needs to get someone over there because he just shot Locke and police were en route.

“My father and uncle have been up to the store a number of times asking if they would clean up the parking lot for a few dollars,” said Locke. “The man has been fired from the store, but that is not enough. We want him brought to justice.”

Dr. William Young of The Healing Center said, “A Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) should have been sent to answer the call to police. …But this man just came out and shot the victim who was not posing a threat. Criminal justice needs reform, but how we treat mentally ill individuals must be revisited.”

Dawson urged members of the community to stand with the family in their push for justice. A petition drive was launched this week.

For more information on how to sign the petition, visit the Facebook page of Francheskia Locke.

Vitatoe is scheduled to make a court appearance on June 25.

Now that a draft report has outlined potential savings if Memphis Light Gas and Water Division (MLGW) ends its 80-plus-year partnership with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), the city-owned utility company still has serious discussions ahead before making a final decision.

Last Friday (May 29), the public and members of the (MLGW) Power Supply Advisory Team (PSAT) reviewed a draft report outlining potential savings for the utility company.

Reduced costs would ultimately lower utility bills for MLGW customers.

MLGW contracted Siemens – a global innovator in energy systems, manufacturing and technology – to develop an integrated resource plan (IRP), examining alternatives to its current electric supplier, TVA. TVA supplies electricity to 10 million customers in Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina and Virginia.

Memphis is the federally-owned utility’s largest customer.

Siemens compared options for supplying electricity to MLGW customers over the next 20 years.

The study is timely since MLGW earlier notified city leaders of the need to increase electric bills by $14 monthly on average – a real concern in a majority African-American city with a 26.8 percent poverty rate on top of lost jobs due to the coronavirus pandemic.

During the four-hour long presentation, Siemens compared TVA’s 20-year contract proposal to alternative energy suppliers based on critical factors – affordability, sustainability, price risks, market risks and the impact on local economic development.

Switching to a new energy supplier could save MLGW $150 to $200 million annually, according to the report, which placed a solid number on how much MLGW could save.

Supporters of a TVA-MLGW split said earlier it would save Memphis anywhere from $453 million $547 million annually. Memphis and Shel-

by County collectively pays TVA about $1 billion a year for electricity.

Alternatively, TVA’s proposal would save MLGW about $120 million anJ.T. nually.

Young In addition to cost savings, the report indicated that a move to cleaner, alternative energy sources – natural gas and solar energy for electricity – would lower the city’s carbon dioxide emissions by 50 percent, producing better air quality and a healthier ecosystem.

To get the lower cost and better air quality, MLGW would need to switch from TVA to Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) – a regional energy transmission operator serving 42 million customers across 15 states in northern, central and southern regions of the U.S., plus parts of Canada.

MISO, which began operations in 2001, finds the best deal on power needs for consumers, including renewable energy sources. The organization uses utility distribution systems like MLGW to provide power to homes and businesses.

MLGW would have to add three new transmission lines to connect to MISO power in Arkansas and Mississippi at an estimated cost of $728 million.

For MISO membership, the annual cost to MLGW would be about $730,000 annually.

The PSAT, comprised of 20 business and civic leaders throughout Memphis, was organized in 2019 in to provide diverse, collaborative opinions on the energy needs of Memphis.

J.T. Young, MLGW president and CEO, facilitated the meeting for PSAT and the public.

Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE) – a nonprofit promoting clean and safe energy choices – appears to support a switch to a new energy supplier.

“We welcome the findings from this new study, which, although conservative, clearly supports MLGW leaving the TVA system, a move that will both lower costs for customers and benefit the environment,” says Stephen Smith, SACE executive director.

“The report conducted by Siemens strongly recommends that MLGW explore the market with a request for proposals (RFP), and indicates it is highly unlikely that staying with TVA will be good for Memphis customers in the long term.”

Siemens said MLGW should extend request for proposals to energy suppliers to confirm their 20-year energy cost estimates.

Young says MLGW may request such bids for its power supply, but not until the IRP draft report is finalized in a few weeks.

Here are the next steps to potential energy savings: • After PSAT members consider proposals in the Siemens report, the advisory team will present the study to the MLGW Board of Directors for review.

• The board will make a decision to approve or deny the report.

• If approved, the report will then be presented to the Memphis City Council for review.

No date is set, but MLGW estimates late July or August for that presentation.

Get engaged and ask questions: MLGW will host a public virtual/ phone meeting that will include a question and answer period Thursday (June 4) from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Following the June 4 meeting, citizens will have a 30-day period to make comments.

(To register for the June 4 public meeting, learn about power supply alternatives or view Siemens’ 360page draft report, visit: http://www. mlgw.com/about/powersupply. For more information about Midcontinent Independent System Operator, visit: https://www.misoenergy. org/.)

The New Tri-State Defender

June 4 - 10, 2020

Page 9

NEWS

Protests provide common ground for Memphis millennials

by Liaudwin Seaberry Jr. Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Hundreds of young people in Memphis have put feet to pavement in protest of the gruesome killing of 46-old-old George Floyd while in the custody of Minneapolis police officers on May 25.

On Wednesday (June 3), Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, who has been appointed to lead the prosecution in the case, announced that the charge against former officer Derek Chauvin, who supplied the killing force with a knee to Floyd’s neck, had been upgraded from third-degree murder to second-degree murder.

Three other officers – Tou Thao, Thomas Lane and J. Alexander Kueng – now are facing charges of aiding and abetting murder, Ellison said. All were fired soon after the incident.

The protests in Memphis have brought together young people with varying backgrounds and interests. Here are three snapshots:

Giselle Garcia

Sean Crocker

Dylan Nicks

No stranger to protest for various causes, Garcia participated in the fourth protest near Downtown May 30.

“It was amazing to observe all of the signs that were being held up and (people) chanting no justice, no peace. It’s nice to know there are people set on making a difference and truly desire change in their communities and around the nation.”

then we marched Downtown, chanting his name and that black lives matter.”

While Crocker was protesting, he was alert for anyone determined to take a turn toward violence and shared his relief that nothing like that happened during his participation.

While the 20 year old isn’t sure the protests will be impactful over the long haul, he’s grateful he joined in to bring about needed change in the country.

“As a black man who has been racially profiled twice in the last month by police officers, supporting the Black Lives Matter movement means a lot to me. This is personal.”

— Dylan Nicks

University of Memphis student Sean Crocker: Fed up with senseless acts of brutality by police, Crocker promised himself that he would march with the protesters to raise awareness.

Crocker wasn’t just marching for George Floyd. He was representing all of the unarmed African-Americans killed by police brutality.

“We all got together and protested peacefully, whether it be blacks, whites or other races,” Crocker said, after attending the protests on June 1. “We took a knee for nine minutes as a tribute to George Floyd, and

University of Memphis student Giselle Garcia: “The protests in Memphis have shown that you can advocate for Black Lives Matter just by marching for the cause.”

A native of Illinois, Garcia said she routinely experiences being stereotyped for her Hispanic heritage.

She understands the feeling of being judged purely for what’s on the outside, not on what’s inside. Her determination to bring about change reflects her fighter mentality.

Join us for a virtual public meeting about the Memphis Innovation Corridor project and Memphis’ first Bus Rapid Transit system!

Date

Monday, June 15 through Tuesday, June 30, 2020

BEALE ST

Time

Online open house.

Drop in anytime.

Consistent with social distancing guidelines, the Memphis Innovation Corridor meeting will be held online Monday, June 15 through Tuesday, June 30.

BEALE ST

· The Memphis Innovation Corridor is a part of the Transit Vision Plan and an important step to enhance public transit. · View and comment on the project design and learn about next steps.

To participate, visit memphisinnovationcorridor.com Your Participation is Important!

You can submit comments to the project team online, by email, or by standard mail.

ZOO

memphisinnovationcorridor.com

tellus@memphisinnovationcorridor.com Memphis Innovation Corridor Project Attention: Nicole Lacey MATA Chief Communications Officer 1370 Levee Road Memphis, TN 38108 @MATAmconnect

Please send a written request by standard mail and we can provide printed versions of the meeting materials including a comment card.

Por favor, escribanos a la dirección de arriba y encontraremos otra manera para hacerle llegar información y aceptar sus comentarios.

Note: Printed materials in Braille or a foreign language will also be provided. Please call 901.274.MATA (6282) to request this and specify the specific need.

MemphisInnovationCorridor

Memphis native and Morehouse College student Dylan Nicks: As Nicks marched Downtown on the first day (May 28) of the protests, he thought of his own experiences with racial profiling.

“As a black man who has been racially profiled twice in the last month by police officers, supporting the Black Lives Matter movement means a lot to me. This is personal,” he said.

Nicks said he realized the power of the protest when he saw hundreds of people

marching for equality for African-Americans. He had not envisioned ever being part of such a dynamic.

“The leaders in power won’t be able to sleep as well anymore or remain unbothered by what’s happening,” he said.

“I believe the country will never be the same once this is over, and that real change will occur.”

(Liaudwin Seaberry Jr., a journalism student at the University of Memphis, is an intern for The New Tri-State Defender.)

The New Tri-State Defender

June 4 - 10, 2020

Page 10

NEWS

CLASSIFIEDS

NAACP to defend protesters in court

by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell Special to The New Tri-State Defender

NAACP President Van Turner Jr. raised a rallying cry of support Monday (June 1) afternoon for local demonstrators arrested while protesting the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police.

Turner, who is also a Shelby County commissioner and lawyer, said the NAACP Legal Defense will represent nine defendants in court.

They face charges ranging from obstruction, inciting a riot, assaulting a police officer and other alleged offenses stemming from protest marches.

Turner used the organization’s Monday press conference to make the announcement. The event featured the staging of a symbolic funeral and mourning procession in memory of African Americans across the nation killed by law enforcement officers.

Turner told The New TriState Defender Wednesday that everyone should raise their voice against what happened in Minneapolis.

“We must speak out on the violence against black men and women in this country, which has just been most profoundly witnessed this past week with the murder and

NOTICE TO BIDDERS Shelby County Government has issued Sealed Bid number I000620 Automotive Parts & Supplies for the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Fleet Operation.

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” and “Bids” to locate the name of the above described Sealed Bid. SEALED BID I000620 DUE DATE TUESDAY, JUNE 23RD, 2020 AT 2:30 PM CST (SB-I000620) Automotive Parts and Supplies

Marchers kneel for the exact amount minutes that former Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on the neck of George Floyd, killing him. (Photo: Gary S. Whitlow/ GSW Enterprises) death of George Floyd,” Turner said.

Turner said the NAACP, as “the oldest civil rights organization in this country, cannot and will not just sit back.”

NAACP Executive Director Vickie Terry said the uprisings across the country are “a reflection of our years of pain, frustration, and historic trauma. Everyone from activists and civil rights leaders to celebrities and athletes are voicing their concerns.”

She said a donation to the Legal Defense Fund (LDF) is a way that everyone who be-

lieves in justice can assist in assuring that protesters have legal representation.

Established in 1940 by Thurgood Marshall, the LDF was the first civil and human rights law firm. Marshall became the first African American to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court Justice in 1967.

Turner said this is a time to act.

“From the time we, as a people, stepped foot on this land some 400 years ago, through the Civil War and Civil Rights Movement, and even up to this present day, black bodies and

black people have not been valued and, in fact, killed at will, without much recourse for the perpetrator of the crime.”

“We Can’t Breathe,” Terry said, repeating the last words of Floyd. “Please join the fight for justice. We want to make sure that protesters have legal representation.”

(To donate to the legal defense of the nine local protesters, call the NAACP at: 901-0521-1343, or go to the NAACP website: naacpmemphis.org.)

Pre-Bid Meeting A mandatory pre-bid meeting to address questions regarding the project will be held via teleconference on Thursday, June 11, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. (CST). Due to the preventive measures prompted by the Corona virus, all Shelby County Government Public-facing meetings/services will be limited to phone, video, and online transactions whenever possible. All interested respondents are required to participate in this meeting utilizing the following access codes.

• External #: +19012222777 • Internal: 22777 • Meeting ID #: 9012222259# • Meeting PIN: 12356# Failure to attend this meeting will result in the rejection of your bid, i.e. considered as non-responsive.

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.

By order of LEE HARRIS, MAYOR SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT LEGAL NOTICE Request for Bids MSCAA Project Number 18-1412-01 Medium Voltage Switchgear Replacement – Construction Sealed bids for Medium Voltage Switchgear Replacement – Construction will be received by the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority (Authority), Procurement Department, 4121 Runway Road, Suite B, Memphis, TN 38118, until 2:00 PM Central Time on 6/30/2020. Bids will not be received at any other location. Within 30 minutes thereafter, the bids will be opened and publicly read via phone/video conference at (link:// https://zoom.us/j/91097775183; Meeting ID# 910 9777 5183; Phone: (312)626-6799) The Bid Documents, including a description of the scope of work, the required response format, and additional instructions may be obtained on or after June 02, 2020 online at www.flymemphis.com.

A Pre-Bid Meeting will be held Tuesday, June 9, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. central time via phone/video conferencing (Link: https://global. gotomeeting.com/join/201146941; Phone: (224) 501-3412 / Access Code: 201-146-941). Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the project site will be available for inspection Wednesday, June 10, 2020 between 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. by appointment only (limit two representatives per bidder). Site visits can be requested at mvsrproject@ flymemphis.com. Instructions on Pre-Bid Meeting and Site Visit requests can be found at https:// www.flymemphis.com/rfps-rfqs.

Attendance at the Pre-Bid Meeting is strongly recommended.

Dr. Ivy Taylor emerged from a pool of 70 candidates as the choice to lead Rust College. (Photo: Lee Eric Smith)

TAYLOR CONTINUED FROM FRONT lowed by a Master’s Degree in City and Regional Planning from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1998. She will formally receive an Ed.D. in Higher Education Management from the University of Pennsylvania in August.

She’s never attended an HBCU. “I certainly recognize that folks may be a little bit skeptical that I didn’t attend an HBCU,” she said. “But I feel like it does give me a perspective that’s valuable just as far as knowing what (attending a non-HBCU) is like.”

But just two days in, she feels like she’s starting to get the experience now, she said.

“Everybody’s been so welcoming and excited to have me here,” Taylor said. “And from what I’ve heard, Rust has a very family-oriented environment. People treat students like they’re part of their family.

“I did not get that at Yale,” she chuckled. “That did not happen.”

Taylor will spend her first

few weeks observing, listening and assessing up close what the school’s needs are.

She also intends to get to know the Rust Board of Trustees.

Her entire hiring process was done via videoconference because of the pandemic.

Holly Springs Mayor Kelvin Buck was on the committee that selected Taylor. A Rust alum himself, Buck said that surveys of other alums revealed a pretty clear set of criteria to look for in a leader, and what the new president would need to focus on.

“We needed a president that understood what the future demands – an institution that is fully capable of maximizing technology as a means of communication as well as a means for education,” Buck said.

“That meant someone who understood the challenges of being able to raise the kind of funds that would allow us to improve and make our campus aesthetically pleasing,” he continued. “And certainly, a campus that has some of the latest technology as a part of every department.”

Those challenges were only exacerbated when the pandemic hit. Take student hous-

ing. At least one dorm, Davage Smith Hall, has a long history of bunking four students to a room – an already dated concept of campus life that seems completely obsolete in the age of social distancing.

And that’s assuming students come back to campus in numbers. The technology upgrades will be necessary for online classes should students stay away. Rust’s academic year usually starts in early August, and Taylor said the school is working furiously to have a plan for the fall semester.

“We are working to figure out the best path forward to ensure our students are safe, but also to continue to provide them a quality education,” she said. “Of course, our heart’s desires are for them to be back here in person, but we don’t know for sure whether that’s going to be feasible.

“We can’’t necessarily just do what other schools are doing because they have different resources, they may also have different pressures,” Taylor continued. “And so, though we are looking at what other schools are doing, we have to decide within the right context what makes the most sense.”

She’s also taking office in the wake of the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis and the protests that exploded across America in response. Given Rust’s history of student activism during the 1950s and 1960s, she welcomes the opportunity to help channel the energy into meaningful social change.

“I just think we need to be creative, to use the resources we have here at Rust to help our students envision how can they engage in making society a better place,” she said.

“I mean, it’s hard not to get down when you look at what’s happening right now. But we need to help students to stay focused on the potential for the future.”

Buck said the committee reviewed 70 candidates.

“At the end of the day, Dr. Taylor’s a qualified person, male or female,” he said.

“I think the alumni understand that the process was fair, thorough, professional and transparent. I think everyone understands that and is looking forward to working with Dr. Taylor, as I do as mayor and as an alumni of Rust College.”

All Bidders are responsible for checking the Authority’s website up to the submission deadline for any updates, addenda or additional information. The successful Bidder must sign a contract with the Authority that includes Federal Aviation Administration provisions, if applicable, regarding the Buy American Preference, Foreign Trade Restriction, Davis-Bacon, Affirmative Action, Debarment and Suspension, and Drug-Free Workplace, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Each bid must be made by a contractor licensed in Tennessee and be accompanied by a 5% Bid Guarantee. The successful bidder must execute a Performance Bond and a Payment Bond in the amount of 100% each of the Contract Price and meet the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) participation goal for this project, which is 29%.

The Authority reserves the right to reject any or all responses to this Request for Bids in whole or in part; to waive any informalities, technicalities, or omissions related to this Request for Bids; and to reject responses on any other basis authorized by the Authority’s purchasing policies.

The Authority is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination based on the grounds of age, race, sex, color, national origin, disability, marital status, military service, or sexual orientation in its hiring and employment practices and in the admission to, access to, or operation of its programs, services, and activities.

By order of: Scott A. Brockman, A.A.E. President and CEO Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority

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: Rupert Desouza Tax Parcel #: 07005700000030 Tax Sale #: 1004 Price Offered: $525.00 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 8:30 a.m. on July 6, 2020, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort.

Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400 NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY

BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Timothy Lyons Tax Parcel #: 0250470000006C Tax Sale #: 1004 Price Offered: $225.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice.

If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 2:30 p.m. on June 22, 2020, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort.

Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400 NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY

BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Timothy Lyons Tax Parcel #: 01305300000310 Tax Sale #: 704 Price Offered: $50.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice.

If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 9:30 a.m. on June 22, 2020, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort.

Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400 NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY

BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Timothy Lyons Tax Parcel #: 01305400000130 Tax Sale #: 1203 Price Offered: $1263.00 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 8:30 a.m. on June 24, 2020, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort.

Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400 NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY

BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Timothy Lyons Tax Parcel #: 02504800000210 Tax Sale #: 1102 Price Offered: $375.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten

The New Tri-State Defender

June 4 - 10, 2020

Page 11

CLASSIFIEDS (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 3:00 p.m. on June 22, 2020, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort.

Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400 NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY

BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property:

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 3:00 p.m. on July 2, 2020, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort.

Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400 NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY

BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Norahs QRD Solutions LLC Tax Parcel #: 09002100000480 Tax Sale #: 1401 Price Offered: $600.00 Terms: Cash

203 Beale Street, Suite 200 Memphis, TN 38103 PH (901) 523-1818 HOURS: Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

DEADLINES: Display ads Friday 5 p.m.

Classifieds ads Monday 5 p.m.

(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 3:00 p.m. on July 1, 2020, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort.

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

Norahs QRP Solutions, LLC Tax Parcel #: D011800D000150 Tax Sale #: 1401 Price Offered: $1500.00 Terms: Cash

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: Jeremy Mitchell Tax Parcel #: 02504200000220 Tax Sale #: 405 Price Offered: $50.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice.

If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 8:30 a.m. on July 8, 2020, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort.

Shelby County Land Bank

584 Adams Avenue Newspaper Ad – 5x8.5 Memphis, TN 38103

Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten

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

a.m. on July 8, 2020, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort.

THE NEW TRI-STATE DEFENDER assumes no financial responsibility for errors nor for copy omission.

Direct any classified billing inquires to (901) 523-1818.

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

THE NEW TRI-STATE DEFENDER CLASSIFIEDS

(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: Jeremy Mitchell Tax Parcel #: 02504800000240 Tax Sale #: 502 Price Offered: $50.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice.

If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 9:30 a.m. on July 8, 2020, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort.

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: Jeremy Mitchell Tax Parcel #: 02504300000270 Tax Sale #: 601 Price Offered: $50.00 Terms: Cash

Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice.

If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 8:00 a.m. on July 8, 2020, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort.

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

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 fol-

lowing property: Bruce and Tadda Payne Tax Parcel #: 02405200000020 Tax Sale #: 702 Price Offered: $50.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice.

If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 9:30 a.m. on July 6, 2020, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort.

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

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

NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY

BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Jeremy Mitchell Tax Parcel #: 02504800000220 Tax Sale #: 1502 Price Offered: $500.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice.

If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 9:00

Thank You Built by Southern Serenity Homes in Kensington Manor, Lakeland, TN. Estimated value $500,000.

Giveaway Date: June 28, 2020 Thank you, Mid-South, for helping to raise $1.5 million for the kids of St. Jude.

Watch the live Giveaway on WMC Action News 5 on June 28 at noon to see who will win.

St. Jude patient Abraham

All tickets have sold out

National Sponsors Local Sponsors

dreamhome.org

Giveaway is conducted by and benefits ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®. ©2020 ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. (DMH-74) Raffle authorized by State of TN Division of Charitable Solicitations, Fantasy Sports and Gaming.

The New Tri-State Defender

June 4 - 10, 2020

Page 12

Being together is more important than ever.

That’s why you can count on us to be by your side.

Because serving you is our mission. And being right here for you is the promise we’re keeping.

©BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, Inc., an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.

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