July 22, 2021

• See Opinion/Forum pages on A4 & A5 •

Volume 47, Number 38

75 cents

• See Sports on page B1•

W I N S TO N - S A L E M , N . C .

THURSDAY, July 22, 2021

W-S faces lawsuit and discrimination claims over canceled concert

BY TEVIN STINSON THE CHRONICLE

A lawsuit has been filed against the City of Winston-Salem by a local promoter for their decision to cancel a concert that was scheduled to be held at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds later this month.

Representatives from Starr Entertainment say the cancellation cost them nearly a quarter million dollars.

Here’s what we know: the Carolina Summer Music Festival, headlined by hip-hop artist Pooh Shiesty, Mulatto, and Moneybagg Yo was scheduled to be held at the fairgrounds on July 31. In the lawsuit filed on May 6 by Starr Entertainment, a local promotion company, representatives met with the city to discuss the availability of the fairgrounds to hold the event and by June 9, both parties agreed that the event would be held on July 31.

But all that changed just nine days later.

On June 18, Starr Entertainment received a call from the city who expressed concerns about the artists who were scheduled to perform. And on July 21 they received a letter from the city canceling the concert. In the letter the city wrote, “The city’s Police Department investigated each performer’s background and believes, based on publicly available information, that there exists the chance of violence and gang activity at the City’s property in connection

with the planned concert.

“The city will not host an event, nor will it allow a private entity to use City property to host an event, if there is risk of violence to the attendees or to members of the general public.”

Starr Entertainment has been promoting the Carolina Summer Music Festival since the date was confirmed on social media and the lawsuit alleges that because of the cancellation they have lost more than $200,000 in non-refundable deposits. Attorney Jessie Fontenot Jr. who is representing Starr Entertainment said now that it is evident that the concert won’t be held, they just want all the money back they have lost. Fontenot said when Starr met with the city on June 18 they raised concerns about Moneybagg Yo and an incident that happened in another state in 2016. In response Fontenot noted that Moneybagg Yo performed in Winston-Salem in 2017 without any issues.

“I thinks it’s clear the city is treating this show and unfortunately the people who are most likely to be at the show differently than any other shows,” Fontenot continued. “It’s not as if the city has any valid concerns that the headliners were going to be jumping down from the stage and injuring people; so instead they’re saying something specific about the people who are going to be at the show that gives rise to a threat of gang violence and activity and they

d e l e c n Ca have yet to show any evidence that that was going to occur.”

When word of the cancellation was made public, many people took to social media to share their thoughts about the decision made by the WSPD. Several members of Hate Out of Winston, a local grassroots organization, shared their frustrations on Facebook. In a letter written by several members of the organization and ad-

dressed to the city, they say canceling the only hip-hop or rap concert scheduled this year is discrimination.

In the letter Wes Fesler wrote, “…The City of Winston-Salem has cried wolf. The city has used the hackneyed, banal, and quite frankly threadbare stereotypes of associating hip-hop with concert violence. The fact of the matter is there is little to no data suggesting that

hip-hop concerts or its associated acts are more violent than any other form of music.”

Fesler went on to raise questions about the city’s willingness to regularly allow gun shows and rock concerts to be held on city property.

“This city which prides itself on being small but progressive is starting to look like a throwback to the ‘60s as in just a few weeks it is allowing C&E

Gun Show to come to the same fairgrounds on August 7th and 8th that it denied to the Black artists of Starr Entertainment. Is it because this is a largely white crowd? Have the vendors had their backgrounds checked? Has there been any connection made between them and violent supremacist groups? Does their whiteness alone mean that they are safe?”

Job Corps Scholars Program at WSSU offers free college courses and career certifications Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) is now offering a new program

that allows participants to complete free college courses and earn career preparedness certification in the field of their choice.

WSSU’s Job Corps Scholars Program is designed to eliminate some of the barriers to education and employment. The program is funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration and is unlike anything else offered by a four-year college or university.

Although similar programs are popular throughout the country and at com-

See Job on A2

SCAN

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munity colleges, WSSU is the first four-year college or university in the state to offer a job corps program.

After completing the two-year program, participants will earn a certification in one of eight different areas: cybersecurity, computer programming, entrepreneurship, healthcare, law enforcement, legal services, management, or web applications.

Participants will also have access to tutoring, career counseling, career placement, the opportunity to attend several different

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BY TEVIN STINSON THE CHRONICLE

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J uly 22, 2021

The C hronicle

Drumming program a big hit at local rec center

BY TIMOTHY RAMSEY THE CHRONICLE

For a school-aged child, the summer months are a great time to acquire a new skill or hobby. Several young boys and girls at the W.R. Anderson Community Center’s summer camp have taken advantage of the drumming program directed by volunteer Abdul Muhammad.

Muhammad, a native of New Jersey, has been in the Triad area for the last few years and wanted to bring his wealth of music knowledge to the kids of the rec center. He trains the kids on drum rhythm and how to create new music.

“I am a percussionist anyway and I had instruments in the garage, so I said I might as well make use of them,” Muhammad said about his motivation to start the program. “So, that’s when I contacted Bryant (McCorkle) and told him what I wanted to do.”

Muhammad meets with the kids on Mondays and Thursdays for an hour, teaching them different drumming techniques. He originally brought the program in during the summer of 2019, but due to the pandemic he had to skip 2020. This year he wanted to make up for lost time and get back to what he loves, teaching kids.

The children in the camp range in skill from beginners to those Muhammad thinks have a future in percussion. He enjoys teaching all skill levels and seeing the progression in the kids.

“They all have their own disposition and you have to work with them,” he said. “Like the ones I was playing with, those are the ones that are into it. The others are still too young and like to just play

Job

From page A2

career development workshops, tuition support, mileage reimbursement, child care assistance, and transportation assistance.

Dr. Zeb Talley, who helped write the grant for the program, said he was excited to be a part of the team that brought the program to WSSU. “We’re excited to host it and be the forerunners of having the program,” said Talley when discussing the Job Corps Scholars Program.

Talley, who serves as the internship coordinator for career development services, said the program is a great way to accelerate your career.

“This is a great opportunity for people young and old to really take advantage of a program that in essence, accelerates your career,” Talley said.

“Dedicate to us two years of your life and we can get you an accelerated certification or two, and get you

The drum program at W.R. Anderson Community Center has been a big hit with the kids. around.

“I teach them different techniques on the instrument and from time to time I bring in different instruments so they can get used to something outside of the guitar or something like that. A lot of the instruments that I have are African instruments, so I try to familiarize them with culture also, because what’s happening in the environment has really taken away the culture.”

Muhammad uses different items in his class.

He knows many parents aren’t able to buy drums at the drop of a hat, so he uses paint cans, gallon cans and 5-gallon containers for the kids to use as drums.

The classes are not driven by Muhammad the entire time. He prefers to get things started and once the class is in a groove, allow one of the kids to take the lead.

“I kind of start the beat to bring everyone in and then once they are in, I will pull out and let them do their thing,” he continued. “You can’t get to the point where you take control over the whole thing, you have to let them do their thing, because they might have potential that I might not have, and I can learn from them.”

There has been less focus on the arts for kids in the school system as there was 30 years ago. Muhammad feels it’s important for children to be exposed to the arts, because they translate to so many other areas of life.

Muhammad realizes that every student will not take to his teaching, so he enjoys seeing those who are really taking his classes seriously. He takes great pleasure in watching a kid’s skills progress week after week.

“I think it gives you hope that the future is not lost, it’s still there, but you have to tap into it,” he said.

“They all have that potential to be creative.”

Several of Muhammad’s students at the rec center have really taken to the classes and shown a lot of promise with percussion. These students really look forward to the classes every time Muhammad shows up.

“I like drumming a lot, because it’s musical and you get to make a lot of beats and it’s just fun,” said 12-year-old Cameron Woodyard. “I have always been interested in music and the best thing is you get to burn off some steam; the music is spiritual and it’s just really fun.”

Zackary Williams added, “It’s different from just playing games or staying in the house. It gives you an idea of what you can do

prepared for the job market.”

In year one of the program, students will complete college courses and earn their certification. In year two, counselors will help participants secure a job, enter an apprenticeship program, join the Armed Services, or continue their education.

Throughout the program, students will have access to career support, emotional support, and guidance counselors from the university.

Nichelle Carroll, a personal and career development counselor, said she enjoys helping those in need navigate through life.

“We know in order to rise to the occasion, we have to have skills: training skills in a particular field, social skills, interview skills, how to build a resume, and just how to navigate,” Carroll continued. “We want to be able to equip young people with the tools to be able to navigate so they’re comfortable and confi-

dent.”

Participants in WSSU’s Job Corps Scholars Program must be between the ages of 16-24, live in Forsyth, Davidson, Davie, Guilford, or Wake counties, and meet low-income criteria. The first cohort of students started taking courses earlier this summer.

Elaina Saunders, who is part of the first cohort of students, said the program saved her life. Saunders, who is working toward her certification in healthcare, said she heard about the program from her guidance counselor at North Forsyth High School.

“There’s not one bad thing I can say about this program,” Saunders said.

“Mrs. Carroll, who is my counselor, Dr. Talley and the entire staff is very supportive. They’re going to walk you through every step of the way and make sure you have everything you need,” she said. “I would encourage people around my age and young-

er to take advantage of the opportunity. This is a wonderful opportunity that’s not going to be there when we get older, so why not take advantage of it now?”

For more information on Winston-Salem State University’s Job Corps Scholars Program, visit https://www.wssu. edu/student-life/careerdevelopment-services/jobcorps-scholars-program/ job-corp-scholars-program.html.

Photo by Timothy Ramsey

in the future. It’s unique and different from other things.”

“The drumming program, I like it because it makes me like drumming more than I used to and it makes me better than I used to be,” said Zion Green. “Sometime in the future, maybe I can get into a band or something.”

Working with kids is nothing new for Muhammad. For years he worked in the juvenile justice sys-

tem and used drumming for conflict resolution.

Music has been close to the heart of Muhammad for as long as he can remember, he said. He says his percussion days started as he was banging on his mother’s pots and pans in the kitchen and manifested from there. Over the years, he has worked with several groups and is proficient with a multitude of percussion instruments.

Muhammad also used music as a teaching tool.

He would bring in instruments and have his students research the instrument to discover the history of it. The student would then report what they learned to Muhammad during the next class.

Passing along knowledge to the next generation is very important for Muhammad. He says it would be irresponsible for him not to pass along what he knows to those younger than him.

Ultimately, he would love to take his drumming program to other rec centers, or even the school system.

“I think we should just give back,” he said. “One thing Gil Scott-Heron said, he said ‘each one, teach one,’ and that’s what we should be doing, so it’s a failure on our part. I just want to do my part.”

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T he C hronicle

J uly 22, 2021

United Way, Habitat partner to offer appreticeships to Place Matters community

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PRODUCED BY THE DOWNTOWN WINSTON-SALEM PARTNERSHIP DOWNTOWNWS.COM

$5,000 bonus to those who complete 12-month program

BY TIMOTHY RAMSEY THE CHRONICLE

The United Way and Habitat for Humanity of Forsyth County have partnered together and are seeking applicants for a construction apprenticeship program. The apprenticeship is an expansion upon the Place Matters program United Way has had in place for several years to help revitalize several communities in East Winston-Salem.

This is a 12-month, full-time program with benefits. It includes pay of $12.95/hour, free on-thejob training and a $5,000 bonus upon completion.

Applicants must be 18 or older and live in one of the 13 neighborhoods of the Place Matters which are: Bowen Park, Cardinal Acres, Castle Heights, Eastgate Village, Ebony Hills, Dreamland, LaDeara Crest, Lakeside, Monticello Park, Northwood Estate, Prospect Park, Spaulding Drive, and Wildwood Park.

“What we heard from our community, the representatives from the Place Matters footprint, is that the work that we are doing over there is great, but they want to see it expand to also affect the economic mobility of the people who live there in the community, particularly through creating apprenticeship opportunities,” said Rodd Smith, director of placebased initiatives for United Way. “That’s really where we are today: how do we create these opportunities for people to gain a skill that once the apprenticeship is over, they can take it and be translated into real-time employment.

That’s really where we

find ourselves.”

According to Smith, their commitment to apprenticeship not only aligns with what the residents have identified as a need in the community, but it also aligns with United Way’s strategic plan to increase the economic mobility of the community as a whole.

The only problem they are having is finding candidates to fill the open positions. George Redd, chief program officer for Habitat for Humanity, says they have interviewed several candidates, but have yet to find the right ones.

They are hoping to get the word out to hopefully have the apprenticeships filled sooner, rather than later.

“I never would have thought it would have been a day when we’re trying to get people signed up to give them a job and also pay them $5,000 at the end of it, that we would have problems,” said Redd.

“We are trying to reach out to more people to get the word out and pass the word around.

“I think it’s a really good program, because when you have something like this, what you’re doing is providing a skill set to people. Here we are trying to show you what construction is like through this apprenticeship and I think that is invaluable and something you can’t put a price tag on.”

There is no previous experience in construction needed for an applicant to be considered. Redd also wanted to stress that those who have a criminal history will not be excluded, so they are encouraged to apply as well.

“Somebody that has a willingness to learn, somebody who is coach-

Essay contest’s top prize is full tuition scholarship SUBMITTED ARTICLE

The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) is proud to announce the Mancakes: Better Together - Inaugural Father & Son Pancake Breakfast essay contest with a grand prize of a full tuition scholarship to Carolina University, located in Winston-Salem.

The essay contest is open to high-school male rising seniors who live in Forsyth County. Interested eligible individuals are invited to submit an essay in response to the prompt: “How do we overcome systemic poverty in Winston-Salem, which has one of the worst socio-economic upward-mobility rates in the United States?”

The grand prize is a four-year tuition scholarship to Carolina University; second prize is a $500 gift card; and third prize is a $250 gift card.

Essays must be typed, double spaced, in 12-point Times New Roman font and emailed to PAO@ fcso.us. The deadline for submission is 5 p.m. on Friday, July 30. The winners will be invited to attend the Mancakes: Better Together - inaugural Father & Son Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, Aug. 14 at 9 a.m. More information on the event will be forthcoming.

“This will be lifechanging to the applicant who is selected. Carolina University is an educational institution with deep roots in our community.

They are committed to investing in their hometown and we are excited to offer this unique opportunity to the young men of Forsyth

County,” said Sheriff Bobby F. Kimbrough, Jr. Carolina University is committed to facilitating upward socio-economic mobility by offering exceptional degrees that lead to well-paying careers in high-demand fields. It is one of the most racially diverse schools in America, with an enrollment that is almost an identical match to the demographics of Forsyth County. Carolina University is fast, affordable, and flexible with an innovative approach that allows a student to finish a four-year degree in three years with the flexible options of online, on-campus, or a hybrid of the two options.

Mancakes: Better Together – inaugural Father & Son Pancake Breakfast Essay Contest: *Who is Eligible: Rising high-school senior males who live in Forsyth County *Essay Requirements: Typed, double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman font *Prompt: “How do we overcome systemic poverty in Winston-Salem, which has one of the worst socio-economic upwardmobility rates in the United States?” *Submission: Email essays to PAO@fcso.us by 5 p.m. on Friday, July 30 *Prizes: Grand prize – a full tuition scholarship to Carolina University; second prize - $500 gift card; third prize - $250 gift card Questions related to the essay contest may be submitted to PAO@fcso. us or by calling 336-4621730.

able, somebody who is not afraid of hard work and somebody who wants to learn a new skill set that will be able to help provide for them and their families in the future,” Redd said of the ideal candidate. “If you can learn this skill and maybe go into business for yourself one day, because that’s what it’s all about, community and economic mobility.”

Throughout the 12-month program, the apprentices would learn a multitude of skills ranging from, but not limited to, flooring, roofing, tiling, plumbing, HVAC and

electrical. Those skills will be broken down to the basics, so they learn all the necessary tools.

Smith says he knows part of the reason they have not found the right people for the apprenticeship positions could be due to the pandemic and people are not totally comfortable coming back outside yet.

For more information about the apprenticeship, please contact George Redd at george.redd@ habitatforsyth.org or Rodd Smith at rodd.smith@uwforsyth.org.

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J uly 22, 2021

The C hronicle

OPINION

James Taylor Jr. Publisher Bridget Elam

Managing Editor

Judie Holcomb-Pack

Associate Editor

Timothy Ramsey

Sports Editor/Religion

Tevin Stinson

Senior Reporter

Shayna Smith

Advertising Manager

Deanna Taylor

Office Manager

Gregg Penn

Graphic Designer

Our Mission The Chronicle is dedicated to serving the residents of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County by giving voice to the voiceless, speaking truth to power, standing for integrity and encouraging open communication and lively debate throughout the community

IN MEMORIAM

RIP Biz Markie 1964-2021

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Biz Markie, Clown Prince of Better road design can lead to more livable city Hip-Hop, dies at 57

BY NSENGA K. BURTON, PH.D.

The world is mourning the loss of rap legend Biz Markie who passed away Friday at age 57 at a Baltimore hospital. Lisa Respers France, senior writer for CNN, confirmed the hip-hop icon’s death.

Nicknamed the “Clown Prince of Hip-Hop,” Biz Markie gained fame through his collaborations with Big Daddy Kane and Marley Marl. Born Marcel Theo Hall, the Harlem-born rapper burst onto the scene with his classic 1988 album “Goin’ Off,” which featured the hit songs, “Nobody Beats the Biz,” “Vapors,” and “Make the Music With Your Mouth Biz.” Biz Markie formed the legendary Juice Crew with Marley Marl and released the album on the Cold Chillin’ rap label under the guidance of legendary hip-hop DJ, DJ Mr. Magic.

In a 2008 interview with Hip-Hop A3C, the rap legend stated, “When we did pick the Juice Crew, it was about people being different and dope in their own way.”

Always in on the joke, the beloved rapper created a persona of a happy-go-lucky jokester and kooky rapper with funny and clever lyrics and videos like “The Vapors” amid a sea of rap personas wrapped in machismo and conflict. Biz Markie’s collaborations gave hip-hop some of its most iconic hits. Biz followed up “Goin’ Off” with 1989’s “The Biz Never Sleeps” album which produced the iconic hit, “Just a Friend,” which went platinum. Biz Markie lamenting over a love interest openly cheating on her boyfriend while singing loudly and off-key was pop culture gold, catapulting the beloved rapper into the pop culture stratosphere. There was even a popular dance named “The Biz” and “The Biz Markie.”

The good times wouldn’t last forever. Biz Markie was sued for his follow-up 1991 album, “I Need a Haircut,” by musician Gilbert O’Sullivan, for sampling his 1972 hit song, “Alone Again,” on Biz’s song with the same name. In what would become a landmark case, O’Sullivan won the lawsuit, changing the way samples were licensed in rap music going forward. Biz Markie learned from the experience, naming his next album, “All Samples Cleared,” as a nod to the game-changing hip-hop in the process.

In 2009, Biz Markie appeared in a Radio Shack commercial parodying his smash hit, “Just a Friend.”

Over the years, Biz Markie continued to work as a producer and traveled the world as a DJ, DJing sets or parties for celebrities, many who were close friends like Will and Jada Pinkett Smith. In 1999, Biz Markie was featured on Will Smith’s song, “So Fresh,” along with rap legend Slick Rick, and appeared in the music video directed by Jada Pinkett Smith. Over the years, Biz Markie appeared on numerous television shows and films including “The Meteor Man,” “Men in Black II,” “Eve,” “Crank Yankers,” “Empire,” “Yo Gabba Gabba,” “Sharknado 2,” “Mad TV” and “Black-ish.”

In recent years, Biz Markie suffered from diabetes and had been hospitalized for the past few months following a stroke. In early July, it was reported and confirmed the hip-hop legend had been moved to hospice care, after false reports of his death surfaced online.

Hall is survived by his wife Tara Hall, who reportedly held his hand as the rapper transitioned. The “Clown Prince” is now the “Crown Prince of Hip-Hop.” Biz Markie was 57.

Nsenga K. Burton, Ph.D, is NNPA Newswire’s culture and entertainment editor.

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To The Editor:

Regarding the potential sale of county land just east of 52 in downtown Winston Salem: The county owns the land just east of 52 in large part because the existing neighborhoods were decimated when Highway 52 was built 50 years ago. The area could use improvement and two local churches are stepping up to help with proposals for senior and workforce housing. This is good and there is a great opportunity here to build a more walkable, liveable community for these future residents.

Although the county has 1.3 acres immediately available (there is much more land in this area currently utilized for various county services), the city actually owns the vast majority of public land in this area and throughout the city, namely the roads themselves. In this case, 5th Street and Highland Avenue are underutilized by automobile traffic, yet they remain unpleasant for pedestrians, persons using electric wheelchairs and other vulnerable road users “VRUs.” There is an opportunity here for the city and county to work together to create a great hub of walkable development. There is a grocery store at the intersection of Martin Luther King Drive and 5th Street which is right around the corner. Fifth Street could be an ideal conduit for VRUs to gain access to downtown Winston-Salem and the new Innovation Quarter. There is the Career Center, Carver and Kennedy High Schools, Wake Forest downtown campus, and lots of other excellent facilities that would all be more accessible to local residents.

The first challenge here is supporting the city’s efforts to create safer, pedestrian-friendly streets. As a society, we may want to pay attention to the fact that our culture of road design prioritizes fast vehicle movement and NOT safety and pleasant experiences for VRUs. The second challenge would be to relax outdated “zoning laws” at both the county and city level. Yes, we need parking, but perhaps senior citizens and workforce

housing residents would trade a large parking lot with dedicated car parking per unit in exchange for a dynamic, connected, walkable, livable community.

We value individual liberty and we blame motorists who make a mistake, yet because we are human, we all make mistakes. When it comes to vehicular trauma, we need to assign appropriate blame to the role that road design plays. The roads in this area and throughout Winston-Salem are designed as classic “stroads.” They are designed as a “road” to move cars quickly, yet they don’t make sufficient effort at slowing traffic and making higher speeds more uncomfortable for motorists, all elements of a “street” which can be utilized by VRUs as well as cars.

Another sad example of this is the northern end of Peter’s Creek Parkway at the new Salem Parkway off ramp which State DOT did a beautiful job of recently renovating; however, the new, wide fast lanes of this stroad make pedestrian access to the city supported W-S Dash baseball stadium entirely unpleasant and dangerous. So dangerous in fact that our police department gets called to act as crossing guards whenever there is game. If this isn’t obvious, try walking from our hub of downtown activity on 4th Street to the baseball stadium.

Hopefully the city and county can work together to remove barriers to sensible development for a modern city. As an example, let’s not look to Charlotte or the Triangle or even just within the United States. We live in Winston-Salem for many reasons, one of which is that we like the many benefits of life in a small city. Two countries have recently, within the past 30 years, created much safer communities for VRUs: The Netherlands and Denmark.

I commend our local politicians for having the courage to get up and represent us. I hope that we can continue to build community support for world class road design leading to a more liveable, equitable city. This will require our divided and siloed local governments to work together.

Tadhg O’Gara, MD Winston-Salem

Let’s keep Historically Black Colleges and Universities in a bright and permanent light Dr. James B. Ewers Jr.

Guest Columnist

The brilliance of HBCUs is creating a buzz in the higher education community. Some would argue that the notoriety around them is at an all-time high.

If you went to an HBCU like I did, the pride you have has been multiplied.

They are getting kudos monthly. Alumni of these schools are blazing trails and capturing honors as well as opportunities.

Scholars and stars who graduated from Historically Black Colleges and Universities are crossing the academic sands with distinction. Their journeys are bringing them back full circle to their roots.

Say it loud, I’m an HBCU grad and proud!

Many would say that HBCU graduates and African Americans as a race have landed many positions at PWI,s (Predominantly White Institutions).

Now, if you are Black and did not go to an HBCU, you want to work at an

HBCU. Take for example Nikole Hannah-Jones, who attended the University of Notre Dame and received her bachelor’s degree.

Until last week, Nikole Hannah-Jones was on the journalism faculty at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She had a treasure trove of honors and awards at UNC. She received the Young Alumni Award in 2017; the Distinguished Alumna Award in 2019 and was inducted into the N.C. Media Hall of Fame in 2020.

Ms. Hannah-Jones has also won the Pulitzer Prize in 2020 for her work on The 1619 Project.

She said, “I have loved the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill since I was a child watching Tar Heels basketball on television.” These comments came from her as she resigned her wouldbe tenured position at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

She has moved on to a more prestigious position.

Ms. Hannah-Jones is now The Knight Chair in Race and Journalism at Howard University in Washington D.C. Howard University is one of the most renowned HBCUs in the country. It was founded in 1867.

Another African Amer-

ican scholar, Ta-Nehisi Paul Contes, will also join the Howard University faculty.

Their road to HU will be a reminder to many the power and influence that our schools have in America. It is my thinking that more African Americans in higher education and other fields will want to cast their futures with HBCUs. The power of publicity gave us an inside view at what happens when Black people test traditional systems. We come out stronger and better for it.

In the coming months and years, our schools will be more coveted destinations and not off-road detours. Faculty will see them as their first choice for employment.

With more distinguished HBCU faculty will come more students of all ethnicities. Recruiting high caliber students will become less difficult.

Partnerships with corporations are becoming more frequent. They are seeing the viability and value of HBCUs and their graduates. Seeking out these alliances will influence the diversity of the workforce and will also provide more internship opportunities for students.

The pandemic made our campuses pause over the past year. It appears

now that in the coming months, they will be back.

There will be some modifications and it will be up to each school to define what those modifications will be.

Students will return to the “block” to talk in between classes. They will have big stories to tell and maybe some big laughs, too.

We as alumni must continue to support them with our time, money and connections. We can do no less.

HBCUs have been beacons of excellence for years. By being proactive, we can have a hand in their growth for decades to come. We take pride in them because of what they have done for us.

Historically Black Colleges and Universities have been steadfast and have never wavered from their mission.

James B. Ewers Jr., Ed.D., is a former tennis champion at Atkins High School in Winston-Salem and played college tennis at Johnson C. Smith University, where he was all-conference for four years. He is a retired college administrator. He can be reached at overtimefergie.2020@yahoo.com.

T he C hronicle

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J uly 22, 2021

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Moral intelligence or nuclear war?

Robert C. Koehler

Guest Columnist Let’s dance at the border!

One of these days, something will give - the rich, the powerful will suddenly look around cluelessly. What’s happening? Awareness will sweep across the planet: We are one and life is sacred. This consciousness will even invade political life and what I call moral intelligence will find political traction.

This won’t mean that life suddenly becomes simple = anything but!

The politics of today, nationally and internationally, is simple: somebody wins, somebody loses.

War is inevitable; there are always several on the horizon and the primary consequence of every war that is waged is that it spurs more wars, a fact that remains officially unnoticed. Only some lives matter; those that don’t are collateral damage, illegal aliens, or simply the enemy. Nuclear weapons (ours, only ours)

are justified, necessary and must be continually upgraded. National borders, however arbitrary, are sacred (the only thing that’s sacred). If these norms are challenged, the best response is mockery and cynicism.

Transcending this mindset requires facing life in all its complexity, which is a necessary part of our personal lives. But could it be that facing the endless complexity of life is also politically possible?

This seems to be the question I’ve been given to ponder - and cherish - as I step into my elder years.

Come on! Politics requires simplistic public herding, does it not? You can’t steer a country without an enemy.

As a peace journalist, I usually begin by focusing on the media. Consider this recent Washington Post piece regarding the use of nuclear weapons.

Even though the article is critical of the Trump administration, which in 2018 “expanded the role of nuclear weapons by declaring for the first time that the United States would consider nuclear retaliation in the case of ‘significant non-nuclear strategic attacks,’” the article remains trapped, I fear, in linear, conventional think-

ing.

Its focus is on the fact that, because of the Trump decision, it’s possible that the recent cyberattacks on U.S. companies, apparently the work of criminal organizations based in Russia, could be used as a justification for a nuclear response. While this is unlikely and utterly insane, “imagine,” the article tells us, a much worse cyberattack, one that not only disabled pipelines but turned off the power at hundreds of U.S. hospitals, wreaked havoc on air traffic control systems, and shut down the electrical grid in major cities in the dead of winter. The grisly cost might be counted not just in lost dollars but in the deaths of many thousands of people.

Wow! This is certainly cruel and evil, almost in the zone of U.S. bombing runs in Iraq, Afghanistan, etc. (we’ve dropped 326,000 bombs on various countries since 2001), but the article continues to express profound concern that in a trigger-happy administration, it could result in a nuclear retaliation, which would not only be wrong but … uh ... illegal under international law. The key moral point the article makes seems to be primarily technical.

While the American

public would indeed be likely to want vengeance after a destructive enemy assault, the law of armed conflict requires that some military options be taken off the table. Nuclear retaliation for ‘significant nonnuclear strategic attacks’ is one of them.

Two things about this paragraph stop me cold.

First of all, the assumption that “the public” (whatever that is) would be focused on vengeance after a horrific cyberattack is simplistic, to say the least.

The public - you, me, and perhaps everyone on the planet - would be in shock, wounded and grieving, and would be primarily focused on healing, help and the heroism of the many who gave their lives in rescue efforts. When I recall the days right after 9/11, what I think about are people lined up to donate blood, not shaking their fists in cartoonlike demands for vengeance against whomever.

But to slide such an assumption - the public is impulsive and stupid - into an article about nuclear weapons removes the possibility of bringing a larger awareness to the discussion, a public awareness that nuclear weapons should never be used and, indeed, should not exist

in our hands or anyone else’s. The Post appears not to want to go that far, instead presuming with its words that our national leaders are the ones keeping things calm and under control, even if they need to be kept in check by international law.

I fear there are far deeper realities loose in the world: a militaryindustrial complex that will do whatever it can to prevent the world from transcending war; the possibility of a president in political trouble, seeing war (even the nuclear button) as a solution; and the hidden forces of the deep state, exerting pressures on political leaders the public will never know about.

To declare that nuclear weapons can only “legally” be used in retaliation for a nuclear strike hardly leaves me feeling safe. Are we left with a world continually at war with itself, with our best hope being that all future wars will be waged legally and politely?

Regarding nukes, the Post notes, the Obama administration’s guidance document declares that “the United States will not intentionally target civilian populations or civilian objects.” And a former head of the U.S. Strategic

Command under Obama told the Post the command had developed nuclear delivery “tactics and techniques to minimize collateral effects.”

“Minimize collateral damage” is a phrase you’d use only in regard to people whose lives didn’t matter. And if the weapons involved are nuclear, it sounds like a grotesque lie. All of which intensifies my outrage: We are one and life is sacred. The game of war has been going on sufficiently long - a dozen millennia or whatever - and is at its stopping point. We can no longer create a wasteland and call it peace. The wasteland that is in our power to create is Planet Earth.

I know the human species has what it takes to reach beyond its artificial borders and refuse to let this happen. The time for the best of us to emerge is now.

Robert C. Koehler (koehlercw@gmail.com), syndicated by PeaceVoice, is a Chicago award-winning journalist and editor.

He is the author of “Courage Grows Strong at the Wound.”

Presidential prerogatives Mel Gurtov Guest Columnist Once upon a time, American leaders only went to war when, in accordance with the Constitution, Congress declared it. That practice has long since been abandoned.

In recent times Congress either votes to “authorize” a war already underway or is only casually consulted if at all. Though the 1973 War Powers Resolution was meant to restrain an imperial president who had led the country to defeat in Vietnam, no president since has faithfully followed that law’s requirements. Thus, whereas in authoritarian systems the great leader simply orders troops into action, in democracies like ours, going to war is sneakier, in two ways.

First, in justifications, as when the President dispatches troops on the basis of his role as commanderin-chief, invoking “national security,” the “national interest,” “regional stability,” “humanitarian intervention,” “restoring order,” and other wideopen categories that most Congress-members are loath to challenge.

Second, in methods, by using indirect warfare, such as drones, special forces, economic and cyber warfare, and sabotage; and unofficial (and deniable) assets such as the CIA, private company mercenaries, and thirdcountry partners.

No one understands the game better than Joe Biden, who as a senator had a consistent record of opposing the use of force without Congressional approval. He says he wants to end the “forever wars” in the Middle East. As Afghanistan shows, however, “ending” does not actually mean terminating. The “forever wars” will go on, justified by an understanding of presidential power

that leaves enormous room for military action even when troops are withdrawn.

In the Middle East since the George W. Bush administration, the legal basis for U.S. military involvement has been Congressional Authorizations for the Use of Military Force (AUMF). Authorizations amount to blank checks and have been freely exploited by Democratic and Republican presidents alike to attack terrorists and unfriendly states, support allies, and sustain very large forces in the region.

The authorizations are so expansive that they could be used to go to war with Iran, attack the Syrian regime’s chemical weapons depots, protect Israel, or reintroduce forces in and around Afghanistan.

Biden says he would like to revoke the 2002 AUMF, which was directed at Iraq, and he apparently has support in both houses of Congress to do that. But that still leaves the much broader 2001 AUMF, which gives

the president the power to “prevent any future acts of international terrorism against the United States.”

His capacity to deploy forces and use other assets in the Middle East and Africa will not be all that constrained.

Remember Ronald Reagan’s war-making in Central America, which culminated in the IranContra affair? That secret operation, though eventually exposed, demonstrated how a president determined to defeat a particular enemy (Nicaragua) could go around Congress.

The Democratic opposition in Congress fought a rearguard action as it struggled for legislative language that would tie Reagan’s hands. The lesson of Iran-Contra is that presidents have enormous resources at their disposal for conducting wars. A skeptical or hostile Congress is often playing catch-up.

But the problem goes much deeper than presidential hubris. Congress may often be behind the curve when it comes to

national security, but it is still part of the problem rather than the solution.

Bipartisanship has much to do with the expansion of presidential power in national security matters.

A majority almost always rejects efforts to limit the commander-in-chief’s authority, as shown, for example, during the Bill Clinton intervention in the Balkan wars of the 1990s and the post-9/11 start of endless wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Republicans and Democrats then rejected efforts to restrain a president by recourse to the War Powers Bill.

In fact, if that bill were up for a vote today - and two senators plan on doing just that - it probably wouldn’t pass, whereas if continued direct U.S. involvement in Afghanistan - or sending troops to Haiti in order to “help restore order” - were put to a vote, those actions probably would pass. The reality, of course, is that a president wouldn’t put any of those decisions to a vote

by Congress.

I conclude that no sig-

nificant inroads in presidential power in foreign affairs are possible without redefining U.S. national security. Foreign policy needs to be humanized and demilitarized; Congress must resist authorizing poorly defined military action in advance. The bloated military budget, three times the size of China’s and 10 times Russia’s, must be deeply cut; the use of force must be proportional and seldom used; and diplomacy must be reenergized, with an emphasis on engaging adversaries as well as friends.

President Biden is correct to say that foreign policy begins at home.

But he must avoid the trap presidents typically fall into - the temptation of undemocratic warmaking.

ology control it.

European tribal ethos is clouded by racism on many levels and in many ways. And when it was transported across the Atlantic Ocean, beginning in the late 15th century, it found fertile ground where it could run rampant with the genocide of the original inhabitants and the importation of enslaved labor from Africa. It was not by accident that European priests stepped off the boats with the first Spanish adventurers; and every subsequent wave of colonists brought their ethnocentric gods with them. The importation of their version of creator and the redeemer asserted their privilege to claim all that they surveyed – in the name of their god.

We should not attempt to deny the fact that religion was used to justify many forms of racist evil that landed on America’s shores as this society marched toward its present-day existence. This racism still exists in America’s DNA. So deeply is it embedded in the American ethos that, in many Black churches across this country, the image of a white Jesus is the central point of focus. And some

Black churchgoers do not push back more rigorously against the common practice of depicting Adam and Eve as European-looking people with light skin, as they gave birth to the human race, despite the scientific evidence that the first humans, and the ancestors of us all, were inhabitants of Africa and had dark skin.

It is not likely that many white Americans will come to see their god as anything other than a white anthropomorphic deity, because creationism, coupled with a white Adam and Eve created in the image of their god, secures their place at the top of the hierarchy of all things. But it is important that people of good conscience conduct their lives with the understanding that this is a version of a god that tribalism, born of white supremacy, has created.

Mel Gurtov, syndicated

by PeaceVoice, is professor emeritus of political science at Portland State University and blogs at In the Human Interest.

Creating God Oscar H. Blayton

Guest Columnist

There is an ugly truth why some segments of white American society are so fierce in their defense of creationism.

Simply put, that reason is white supremacy.

But without a critical examination of creationism within the context of those religious cultures that support and espouse it, one can easily overlook the racism that is at its core and the tribalistic ethos that breathed it into life.

If we peer through the mists of time to the earliest organized societies, we find that tribalism steered religious iconography for millennia. Seemingly alone and frightened in a world they did not understand, ancient humans envisioned a kindly and protective deity that would shelter them and make sense of their world. To make these protective deities relatable and easier

to understand, they were given human qualities.

Another word for creating a deity in one’s own human image is “anthropomorphism.” This word is derived from a combination of two Greek words: anthropos, “human” and morphe “form.” And by creating deities in the form of humans, humans were thus in the form of the gods.

Throughout human history, religious iconography often has attributed human qualities to divine beings. But this attribution varied from group to group, or more concisely, from tribe to tribe, sometimes even creating different versions of the same god. For this reason, across the globe, deities were not genetically human, but were attributed qualities of the people in the tribes who worshipped them. So, gods became not only anthropomorphic, but ethnomorphic as well. For this reason, representations of the Hindu god Brahma do not resemble Brad Pitt, nor do depictions of Olorun, the creator god found in Nigerian culture, look like Charlton Heston.

By the Middle Ages, Christianity was securely the dominant religion in

Europe, having eliminated the more ancient beliefs such as those held by Druids and worshippers of Isis. And with dominance comes control. God, Christ and the angels all were represented as having European features and pale skin. As far back as the late 13th century, the devil was portrayed as black in color.

The writings of the monk Caesarius of the abbey of Heisterbach from that period contain references to the devil and demons as having black skin.

The Book of Genesis’ account of “In the beginning ...” was transformed into a Eurocentric narrative with Adam and Eve as people with light skin giving birth to the human race. This article of faith in its European ethnomorphic form is as much a religious dogma to many Americana Christian creationists as are the Ten Commandments.

It has been, and continues to be, heresy to suggest that the darker people of the world – who many creationists believe carry the mark of Cain – were created in God’s image.

This would remove people with light skin from the pinnacle of God’s divine plan, or at the very least,

relegate them to sharing God’s grace with those whom Western culture enslaved and devalued.

This hoarding of God’s goodness was bolstered by the fact that art, history, culture and religion all grew out of what people know best. The famous Renaissance artists Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and Raphael never articulated a saint or angel as having the appearance of an Asian or African because the historiography that informed their world view, and thus their sense of the cosmological, was constricted by their European tribe.

Anthropologists tell us that a “tribe” is, in part, a form of human social organization based on a set of smaller groups having political integration and defined by traditions of common descent, language, culture and ideology. Europeans often avoid the term “tribe” in favor of “nation” or “kingdom” when describing their social organizations and assign lesser degrees of civilization to tribal units. But a tribe by any other name is still a tribe, and tribal behavior is one defining factor when a common language, culture and ide-

Oscar H. Blayton is a former Marine Corps combat pilot and human rights activist who practices law in Virginia. His earlier commentaries may be found at https://oblayton1.medium.com/.

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J uly 22, 2021

The C hronicle

THE CHRONICLE’S BUSINESS OF THE MONTH

Winston-Salem entrepreneur has a right-on-time business 2020 was a rough year for both big and small businesses due to COVID-19. Even now in 2021, many small businesses continue to suffer due to lack of customers.

So, what do you do?

You remain resilient and get creative. Beverly Davis did just that. “My mother told me to never depend on anyone, so I started my own business.

I wanted to do something that I would be comfortable doing with my children when they get older.

Having my own business allows me to have financial freedom, I can dedicate more time to my two children and teach them the way as well,” shared Beverly Davis.

neur said she communicates with her customers to make sure the products that she uses fit their needs.

She sanitizes the laundry as well, to keep her customers safe and healthy.

“If a customer or child has allergies or sensitive skin, I make sure they put that in a special request box,” shared Beverly.

Her first customers were family and friends and she provided such excellent service, the word spread quickly. “My mom, my family and my best friend were amazing. Between sharing my posts on social media and word of mouth, it’s been awesome.

They are my biggest support system.”

What she loves most about the business is traveling, meeting new people, and helping her communi-

gave my future customers the best service.”

I asked Beverly to share some advice to other aspiring entrepreneurs.

“Do lots of research for yourself and don’t depend on someone else’s facts.

Sometimes when you talk to a lot of different people, you’ll get different answers and it can get confusing, because every experience is different.

But you do need to reach out to other entrepreneurs that have the experience,” shared Davis.

Triad Mobile Laundry customers are extremely satisfied with their services. “I am a busy mom that works full time and owns a business. I’m always behind on folding laundry. I booked with Triad Mobile Laundry twice already and I’m hooked. Her service is

Her business offers something most of us that are on the go or have children don’t have a lot of time or energy to do: our laundry! On June 21 Beverly launched Triad Mobile Laundry in Winston-Salem. As we were talking, I was thinking about the pile of laundry I have to deal with and how to schedule a day and time for the mother of two to fit me in for a pick up.

Triad Mobile Laundry not only cleans your clothes, but does basic alterations and other services as well. “If you have clothes that need to go to Goodwill, we’ll pick them up and deliver them for you. Maybe you have a late appointment or dinner date, and you’re in a rush and don’t have time to do your laundry. We’ll come pick them up, wash, iron, fold and then bag them within 24-48 hours. I have press services as well, and sometimes you might wash and dry your laundry, but are too tired to do the rest.

Triad Mobile Laundry will come do that for you. We offer same-day service and delivery as well,” shared Beverly.

The young entrepre-

ty. “I really enjoy making life easier for my customers, and what I do helps relieve stress. Also, we don’t have enough jobs, so when I purchase my own building and additional vehicles, I’m looking to hire people that other businesses turn away. I want to hire people that are disabled, because doing laundry and folding doesn’t take a lot of heavy lifting or a lot of movement.

“I also want to hire and mentor young people, so they will know how to make money, budget and save. I had my son at 17 years old, so I know the struggles young people go through. One of the things I struggled with was time management and organizational skills. I want to help navigate youth through the things I didn’t know or understood when I was their age,” said Beverly.

The Winston-Salem native said what helped Triad Mobile Laundry become a household name is being open to feedback from her first customers, “As a new business, you’re going to make some mistakes, so no matter how bad or good, I needed the feedback to make sure I

amazing and customer service is one of the best. I will continue to use Triad Mobile and will recommend everyone I know to book,” said one mother. One male customer shared that he works 12-hour shifts and doesn’t have a washer or dryer in his apartment, so he loves the service. And his parents are disabled and Triad Laundry gives them one less chore to do.

Repeat customers are the most important testiment for any business.

The quote that keeps Beverly Davis resilient: “If there’s a will, there’s a way. I say it all the time to my kids and co-workers.

No matter what the situation is or how impossible you think it is. I truly believe in my heart if you can encourage yourself that this is what you want, you can do it. It won’t come easy, because the work will be hard. But you will get it done. You have to be willing to put in that work.”

My Business of the Month is Triad Mobile Laundry in Winston-Salem. For more information, call 336-422-6347, follow them on Facebook @triadmobilelaundry, or visit triadmobilelaundry. com

BY BUSTA BROWN FOR THE CHRONICLE

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THURSDAY, July 22, 2021

Also Religion, Community News, and Classifieds Timothy Ramsey Sports Columnist

Baseball’s best player and no one knows him Outside of baseball fans, the name Shohei “Shotime” Ohtani doesn’t ring many bells and that is an absolute tragedy. The Japanese slugger/pitcher is literally a one-man show and no one knows about him and baseball is to blame.

Ohtani is one of the best pitchers and hitters in the game, something we haven’t been able to say about a player since Babe Ruth nearly a century ago.

To have a player dominate as a pitcher and hitter is a dream for Major League Baseball (MLB) and they are not maximizing this opportunity that is in front of them.

Ohtani plays for the Los Angeles Angels, which is the second largest market in the country.

But the Angels are a bad team, so outside of Angel fans, not many people are watching their games or paying attention to what’s going on with them. MLB needs to find a way to change that quickly.

This season has been a remarkable one for him thus far. Shotime made the All-Star game as a starting pitcher and a designated hitter, becoming the first player in MLB to accomplish the feat.

So far, Ohtani has hit 33 homeruns with 70 RBI while having a batting average of .279. Those are good numbers to have for an entire season, but Ohtani has these stats at the All-Star break.

As a pitcher, he is equally as dominant.

Ohtani has a 4-1 record with a 3.49 ERA. He would have several more wins if the Angels provided more run support.

Baseball has been slowly dropping in popularity over the last 20 years. I feel it’s mostly due to the slow pace, lack of excitement, resistance to change, and the fact they don’t market their superstars as much as the other major sport leagues in the country. Ohtani presents the perfect opportunity to jumpstart the league once again.

I have read that certain people in the sports world think that because Ohtani is a foreign-born player, he won’t be able to reach the masses as much as a U.S. born player, but I beg to differ. The uniqueness that he brings to the sport is unlike anything we have ever seen, which will bring more people to the stadiums and to their See Player on B6

Photos by Alphonso Abbott Jr.

BY TIMOTHY RAMSEY THE CHRONICLE

Saleia Stowe is proof that it’s never too

early to leave your mark. The five-year-old track and field athlete put on a show last week during the AAU National Track and Field meet in Florida. Stowe dominated in the 200- and

400-meter races for her age group and even set a new national record for 5-year-old girls. The future is bright for this young lady.

Local coach lands dream opportunity at the next level

BY TIMOTHY RAMSEY THE CHRONICLE

Corey Stewart played safety for the WinstonSalem State University Rams (WSSU) from 200408. For the past decade, he has been coaching on the high school level, but next season he will be the new assistant defensive backs’ coach for his alma mater.

Stewart was initially approached with the position back in early 2020 by a suggestion from former teammate and current WSSU defensive coordinator Marvin Bohannon Jr. Due to the pandemic, things had to be put on hold for a year.

“He (Bohannon) called me up and he just thought that I would be a good fit for coming over there and at first I thought I was just coming over to help out with film, but after sitting down with him and head coach Robert Massey, Coach Massey felt like I would be a good candidate to help out with the defensive backs,” Stewart said.

“It was about a month before the shutdown happened and so they said they wanted to get me out

Submitted photo

Corey Stewart is the new assistant defensive backs’ coach for the Rams. there for the spring and get me around the guys and see how I did. I was cool with that, but then COVID happened and so they said they were not going to have spring ball and that kind of put me kind of in limbo, because colleges

and high schools were still trying to figure out what they were going to do.

“I eventually ended up having to make a decision because North (Forsyth) needed my answer so they could fill their staff, so I just felt like it was the right

time to make that move, because I had been dreaming about it for so long and what better place to go than your alma mater.”

Coaching wasn’t initially on the radar for Stewart as he wanted to become a sports broadcaster in college. He has a degree in mass communications, but after graduation he started his first two years in coaching as a graduate assistant at WSSU. Stewart says former WSSU defensive coordinator Mike Ketchum was a great mentor for him at the beginning of his coaching career that made him realize that coaching was something Stewart might want to look into long term.

“I had a great defensive mentor in coach Mike Ketchum, who was my defensive coordinator when I was playing there at Winston-Salem State,” said Stewart. “He helped me to be able to not only understand defense from my position, but understand defense from every position on the field. So, he was really instrumental in kind of getting me started

into coaching.

“Once the head coach at the time, Coach (Kermit) Blount, decided to go elsewhere, of course there was a turnover in the staff.

At that time I was in flux about what I wanted to do.”

Stewart began substitute teaching, which was his introduction into the school system. He was bitten by the coaching bug and wanted another opportunity. Stewart actually cold-called every college on the East Coast to inquire about a coaching vacancy that he could fill.

There was an opportunity that opened up for Stewart early in his career with a college in Missouri.

He chose to turn that down due to him signing his lease for his apartment earlier that month. Stewart also had an offer from Greensboro College, but the pay was not enough for him live off of, so he decided to turn that offer down as well.

Stewart says he reached out to a former coach DeAngelo Bell and he was instrumental in See Coach on B6

B2

July 22, 2021

The C hronicle

Elder Richard Wayne Wood

Bishop T.D. Jakes headlines panel about the church, COVID-19 vaccines, and access

BY JOHN W. DAVIS

Sunday School Lesson

Justification through Faith Scriptures: Romans 5:1-11 By the end of this lesson, we will: *Identify the relationship between faith in Christ and justification in the sight of God; *Repent of personal failures to obtain the peace that God gives; *Celebrate our justification through faith.

Background: The Apostle Paul wrote the book of Romans while he was in Corinth, before a visit to Jerusalem. He wrote to introduce himself before his visit and to tell them about God’s plan for salvation. His emphasis in our lesson is on justification. Paul explains that justification is by faith in Christ. He defines justification, explains that it is a universal remedy, it honors the law, and is apart from ordinances and the law. The result of justification is salvation: past, present and future. See the Modern Life Study Bible (Focus, Romans 5:6-11).

Lesson: Justified translates in the Greek: to declare righteous. So, Paul is saying – since Jesus “who knew no sin” bore the sins of the world on the cross, being made “for our sake … to be sin … that in him we might become the righteousness of God” – faith in Him brings the believer into a state of peace and reconciliation with God (verses 1-2). Paul informs the Roman church that faith triumphs in trouble using the progression of growth in tribulations to hope. The chain reaction Paul presupposes results in an outpouring of God’s love (verses 3-4). The evidence is the “Holy Ghost which is given to us.” God has given evidence within our hearts that we belong to Him, because we love The One who first loved us (verse 5).

In verses 6-8 Paul stresses that we were helpless, but God’s grace toward us while we were undeserving sinners was supremely manifested in Christ’s death on the cross. Paul is clear that the cross was not a misfortune but was ordained by God at the right time. “God commendeth his love toward us … Christ died for us.”

Christ’s death was the demonstration of God’s love, righteousness, and salvation plan (verses 5-8).

Reconciliation has two parts: “changed” and “exchange” and involves a change in attitudes of both estranged parties involved – God and man. “… by his blood, will we be saved through Him from the wrath of God.” God’s attitude toward those who believe wholly changed because of Jesus’s sacrifice. God’s wrath and justice are satisfied and believers are made right with Him based on the righteousness of Christ (verse 9). “ … having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.”

Reconciliation encompasses all life, in past, present and future. Paul conveys that salvation is God’s work in three parts: past accomplishment, present process and future hope. Faith in Christ saves us from God’s wrath, frees us from sin and gives us hope for a heavenly future (verses 10-11). (The UMI Annual Commentary 2020-2021, The King James Study Bible, The MacArthur Study Bible, The Jesus Bible, and The Oxford Bible Commentary).

For Your Consideration: How can you be really happy when facing difficult trials or tragedies? What does reconciliation require of us?

Application: Christ offered himself as our substitute. He takes our punishment upon himself. Then he gives us his right standing with God. Christ did the hard part … all we need to do is trust and believe Christ’s person and works and we are justified. Share that nugget with others. It’s called the “Good News “– knowing God justifies us.

Bishop T.D. Jakes believes there’s power in faith, but it is time for action to end the COVID-19 pandemic, once and for all.

“Trouble doesn’t last always but trauma holds on for a while … the church is needed now more than ever before,” said Jakes, who leads The Potter’s House church in Dallas and the T.D. Jakes Foundation.

“Ministry helps with (COVID stress and trauma).”

A diverse group of faith and community leaders recently met for a virtual panel entitled, “Finishing the Race.” The central message discussed what the church needs to know about COVID-19 vaccines and access.

The conversation focused on information and inspiration and also

Photo provided by CNB.com.

Bishop T.D. Jakes Reed Tuckson, the founder of the Black Coalition Against COVID-19; and Dr. Marcela Nunez-Smith, the chair of the U.S. COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force.

“I was that person that was on the fence,” said Kierra Sheard-Kelly. “I lost my grandmother to COVID.”

said Charysse Nunez with the AD Council.

Meanwhile, Tuckson, the former president of the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in the Willowbrook neighborhood of South Los Angeles, said that in his professional medical opinion, being vaccinated is the best and only way

“Make a decision that’s healthconscious, not only your own health but the health of others,” said Bishop T.D. Jakes, who leads The Potter’s House church in Dallas and the T.D. Jakes Foundation. “Don’t politicize this.” touched on the importance of vaccine education and what advocates can do to make communities of color healthier.

“I think things have changed considerably (at the Potter’s House). We have gone from preaching to an empty room to a partially filled room,” said Jakes, before explaining how he’s planning to open up his church in stages to his congregation.

Jakes headlined the panel along with notable guest speakers like awardwinning gospel singer Kierra Sheard-Kelly; Dr.

After talking to her grandfather, cousin, doctor, and nurse, she decided to get vaccinated.

“Make an educated decision … exhaust your options and don’t be afraid to ask questions,” SheardKelly said.

At this point, adults have had access to the COVID-19 vaccine for several weeks, if not months now. The number of Black people who have been vaccinated is far behind white people, according to medical experts.

“We have to lead with empathy and compassion,”

for the Black community to protect itself. “(As of Wednesday, May 19) 48% of Americans have had at least one vaccine dose, 38% have been fully vaccinated,” said Tuckson, who is focused on getting Black people vaccinated.

The White House had set a goal that 70% of all Americans to be vaccinated by July 4. Ultimately, it is up to unvaccinated members of the Black community to educate themselves if they have questions or reservations.

“These (vaccines)

didn’t just pop up yesterday,” said Nunez-Smith, the chair of the U.S. COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force. “We feel more comfortable gathering in houses of worship when we know everyone is vaccinated.”

The decision to be vaccinated is a personal choice. Jakes said he knows why some people are leery but countered by suggesting that people should rely on their own doctors for medical expertise.

“Go to credible places like blackdoctor.org … talk to your local physician,” said Jakes, who added that he personally has faith in COVID vaccines.

He and other faith leaders said it is important for people to be selfless right now by putting the needs of their loved ones ahead of personal reluctance.

“Make a decision that’s health conscious, not only your own health, but the health of others,” Jakes said. “Don’t politicize this.”

Jakes summarized his message by talking about the importance of the church in the nation’s ongoing recovery. Others agreed, saying with all of the fear and loss that has been experienced in Black and brown neighborhoods during the pandemic, seeking ongoing spiritual guidance will be key.

Resources are available at BlackFaithVaccineToolkit.org.

John W. Davis is an OW reporter.

RELIGION CALENDAR

Thursdays and Saturdays Free Meals Christ Rescue Temple Church, 1500 North Dunleith Ave., will serve hot meals as part of the People Helping People Feeding Program. Meals will be served every Thursday and Saturday from noon until 1 p.m. at the church’s location. For more information, call 336-7229841.

Each Sunday Worship services Green Street United Methodist Church, 639 S. Green St., Winston-Salem, invites you to join online worship services on Sundays at 11 a.m., or in-person services at 8:45 a.m. The 11 a.m. service, which is available via Facebook and YouTube, is a celebration of the diversity of the human family, a no-frills service that is thoughtful, personal, and deeply spiritual. The 8:45 a.m. service is a quiet, contemplative space including prayer, scripture, preaching, and communion; masks and social distancing will be in effect in the sanctuary. Join us at www. greenstreetumc.org, on YouTube, or on Facebook.

NOW Zoom services New Birth Worship Center (NBWC) in East Bend

has gone virtual. Please join Dr. James L. E. Hunt, Senior Pastor on Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. on Zoom webinar. The link is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84789021891 or Dial-In: 1 301 715 8592 ID Mtg. #: 84789021891.

In addition, Sunday School is taught by Deacon James Henry at 9 a.m. via telephone conference call #: 1 917 900 1022 ID#: 868433#.

All are welcome to join us for Zoom (virtual) Bible Study on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. Our Pastor, Dr. Hunt, will be the teacher. The Zoom Link: https://us02web. zoom.us/j/89195349778 or Dial-In Mtg #: 1 301 715 8592 ID#: 89195349778#.For additional information, please call 336-699-3583 or visitwww.newbirthworshipcenter.org or visit our Facebook page.

July 25 First Waughtown Baptist Church (FWBC) Livestream Senior Pastor Dr. Dennis W. Bishop will deliver the morning message, continuing the series, The Vivid Covenant, at 10 a.m. Sunday, July 25. The reference scriptures are Genesis 1:28 (The Cultural Mandate) and Matthew 28:19-20 (The Great Commission). The service can be found on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com

(search - First Waughtown Baptist Church); Facebook Live, https://www.facebook.com/FirstWaughtown/; and the First Waughtown website, https://www.firstwaughtown.org.

July 25 Virtual Sweetheart Tea The Forsyth County Missionary Union will have a virtual Sweetheart Tea Sunday, July 25, at 3 p.m.

The Zoom Meeting ID: 954-0432-1482 and Passcode:846017 or call in: 1-301-715-8592 Meeting ID: 954-0432--1482# Passcode:846017# How to submit items to the Religion calendar: The deadline is Sunday at 11:59 p.m. to have all calendar items submitted for that week’s paper. Send your calendar items to news@wschronicle.com. You can also drop them off, Monday through Friday before 5 p.m., or mail your items to Winston-Salem Chronicle, 1300 E. Fifth St., Winston-Salem, N.C. 27101; or send them via our website, www.wschronicle.com.

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Second Harvest holds groundbreaking for new headquarters SUBMITTED ARTICLE

On the cusp of its 40th year of service to the people and communities of Northwest North Carolina, Second Harvest Food Bank held a groundbreaking ceremony on the site of its future headquarters facility at Whitaker Park, in the heart of WinstonSalem.

“The story we share today is about much more than a new structure,” said Second Harvest Chief Executive Officer Eric Aft. “It is the story of our incredible partner agencies, tremendous community collaborators, amazing volunteers, inspiring donors, and the best staff of any organization in our region – and how, together, we will confront hunger and its root causes in new, more innovative, more efficient, and more impactful ways than ever before.”

“I am pleased to welcome Second Harvest Food Bank to Whitaker Park,” said Don Flow, chairman of the Whitaker Park Development Authority, Inc. “Second Harvest Food Bank is a wonderful organization with an important mission. Their new headquarters and distribution center is a great fit with WPDA’s vision for a mixed-use business park on the former RJ Reynolds manufacturing campus.”

“Building off of a legacy established 39 years ago at our founding under Nan Griswold, strengthened by the passionate leader-

Submitted photo

(Left to right) Cinny Strickland Graham, Michelle Cook, DD Adams, Cynthia Anderson, Eric Aft, Mayor Allen Joines, Phil McAdams, Dave Plyler, James Paul, Bob Leak. ship of Clyde Fitzgerald as both a three-time board chair and 10-year CEO, we are ready to create a future that will honor our past, immediately achieve greater impact, and continuously seek new opportunities to transform our work and the lives of those we serve,” said Aft. The new, 139,192 square foot Second Harvest headquarters facility and accompanying technology will address space challenges and operational inefficiencies currently facing the Food

Bank, which in 2009 was distributing 9 million pounds of food and this last 12 months distributed 50 million pounds of food, including 7.5 million pounds of fresh produce, to address urgent needs of families facing food insecurity.

The Whitaker Park location in the heart of Winston-Salem will offer an inviting, easy-toaccess location for Second Harvest’s 6,200-member strong volunteer community and open the doors for hundreds of new volun-

Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation applications for Systemic Change Strategy fall 2021 grant cycle due July 22 SUBMITTED ARTICLE

The Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation (ZSR) is accepting applications for its State-Level Systemic Change Strategy fall 2021 grant cycle until 12 noon on July 22. The grant is open to any eligible local, regional, and statewide organization and coalition or collaborative that is aligned with ZSR’s core values, mission and statelevel vision and working to achieve state-level systemic change. ZSR’s State-Level Systemic Change Strategy is one of three major strategies that comprise All For NC: Z. Smith Reynolds Foun-

dation’s Framework for Grantmaking and Learning (https://www.zsr.org/ grantmaking-framework) .

The Foundation believes that lasting statelevel systemic change is most likely to be achieved and sustained through the combined efforts of networks of local, regional and statewide organizations working with different constituencies; using multiple strategies and approaches; and working together toward common or aligned goals. Local organizations do not have to have a contract or memorandum of understanding or other formal arrangement with a statewide organization to be eligible to apply for a grant. This grant supports organizations that are working to achieve state-level systemic change within and across the following prior-

ity areas: Advancing public education; fostering a healthy and sustainable environment; promoting social and economic justice; and strengthening democracy. ZSR recognizes that each of these four areas intersect in multiple ways, and will look for approaches that not only strengthen each, but also work across them.​ Local, regional and statewide organizations that are working to achieve systemic change at the state level, within and across the foundation’s priority areas, are eligible to apply for general operating support grants. Coalitions or collaboratives that are

working to achieve systemic change at the state level, within and across the foundation’s priority areas, are eligible to apply for project grants. Local, regional and statewide Black, Indigenous, people of color (BIPOC) led and serving organizations that are working to achieve state-level systems change are strongly encouraged to apply.

“For decades, ZSR has supported positive changes to state-level systems and structures to ensure that North Carolina is a place where all people can thrive,” said Maurice “Mo” Green, executive director of the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation.

“We desire for all North Carolinians to have access to high-quality education, to benefit from a healthy and sustainable environment, to enjoy economic

opportunity under just and fair rules and to be able to engage fully in civic life.

ZSR seeks to invest in local, regional and statewide organizations that are willing to complement and amplify each other’s work towards a vision of statelevel systemic change that allows all North Carolinians to have the resources and opportunities necessary to achieve their full potential.”

The deadline to submit a grant application for the State-Level Systemic Change Strategy is July 22 at 12 p.m. (noon). It is important to note that this application deadline is one week earlier than in re-

cent years. In addition, all site visits for the fall 2021 grant cycle will be conducted virtually, either by phone or video.

Trustees will make award decisions in November 2021.

Organizations are encouraged to read through our list of Frequently Asked Questions (https:// www.zsr.org/state-level/ faq) and Rarely Fund List (https://www.zsr.org/ state-level/rarely-funded) to find out more about whether their work fits into the State-Level Systemic Change Strategy.

For more information, including eligibility criteria and/or how to apply, visit: https://www.zsr.org/ state-level.

Questions about ZSR’s State-Level Systemic Change Strategy should be directed to info@zsr.org. .

teers who are ready to be a part of our mission. The location also offers critical highway access for Second Harvest’s distribution network and partner agencies.

Second Harvest’s nationally recognized Providence Culinary Training work and community meals program, as well as the Food Bank’s nutrition education services, will have the space needed to provide expanded opportunities for job training, collaborative partnerships with health providers and other community part-

ners, and additional entrepreneurial ventures that will impact the immediate challenge of hunger and its root causes.

Second Harvest leaders announced that its Hunger for Change Capital Campaign had reached and surpassed its initial $10 million goal and now has $275,000 left to raise to reach the $13,075,000 stretch goal, thanks to a $2 million gift from the Larson Family through Feeding America. The organization is seeking to raise as much money as possible

to reduce its need to borrow funds required for the project and to ensure it can create a facility that will be responsive to the challenges created by hunger in our community and serve as its home for decades to come.

For additional information about the Hunger for Change campaign, community members can visit HungerforChangeNC. org or reach out to Carolyn Breese, vice president of philanthropy and community engagement for Second Harvest, at 336407=4646.

Foundation and social workers help college students and honor Michael L. Clements SUBMITTED ARTICLE

The need for public health social workers is growing and is especially needed today. Michael Clements, long-time member of the North Carolina Public Health Association, Social Work Section states, “The value of the practice of social work could never be more essential than in the past year. Families and individuals need this unique discipline to guide and support them through the loss, grief, depression, and despair.”

To help college students learn more about the field from practitioners, the North Carolina Public Health Association-Social Work Section, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, created a conference scholarship for a social work student. The opportunity enables students to further explore the field with an immersion opportunity and to learn from current social work professionals. The students also are equipped with contacts for more rapid employment after graduation.

Social workers named the program after local community leader, Michael L. Clements, who spent most of his career in public health and social work before his last position with Winston-Salem Foundation, where he served for six years as vice president of community relations before retiring.

Clements attributes the opportunities and progression of his career to his education and experiences in the field of public health and social work and the importance of building relationships and trust in serving and solving community needs. Clements is a member of Reynolda Rotary Club, Goodwill

Submitted photo

Michael L. Clements presents certificate to previous awardee, Michelle Presnell.

Industries Board of Directors, and the YMCA of Northwest NC Board, and has served in leadership positions with American Red Cross, March of Dimes, Community Care Center, Family Services of Forsyth County, State Employees Credit Union, and many other nonprofits.

The scholarship honors Michael Clements’ dedication to public service and energetic leadership. Now the group strives to endow the scholarship in partnership with the Shallow Ford Foundation to ensure an annual and everlasting opportunity for social work students. “Our Social Work Section is honored to be embraced by the Shallow Ford Foundation,” says LaSonya Tuttle, current chair of the NCPHA Social Work Section.

Students interested in learning more or applying can visit https://ncpha.

memberclicks.net/socialwork. Those wanting to support Michael L. Clements and/or the mentoring opportunity for social work students, can contribute to the endowment online at: www.sff.gives/ socialwork or by check to: Shallow Ford Foundation, marking Social Work in the memo line, and mailed to: P.O. Box 567, Clemmons, NC 27012 The Shallow Ford Foundation (formerly named the Clemmons Community Foundation) exists to connect community and philanthropy for enduring results. The Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit, first formed in 2004 by the Rotary Club of Clemmons and converted to a community foundation in 2012. For more information, visit ShallowFordFoundation.org or call 336-663-6794.

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STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE FORSYTH COUNTY DISTRICT COURT DIVISION

NOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS BY PUBLICATION NORTH CAROLINA FORSYTH COUNTY

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE THE WINSTON-SALEM CITY COUNCIL ON PETITIONS FOR ZONING CHANGES

IN THE MATTER OF: DESTINEE JOHNSON DOB: 07-06-15 CARSON JOHNSON DOB: 07-06-15

19 JT 102 19 JT 103

NOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS BY PUBLICATON TO: John Doe - Father of the Juveniles TAKE NOTICE that Juvenile Petitions seeking relief against you have been filed in the above-entitled action. The nature of the relief being sought is an adjudication of Termination of your Parental Rights with respect to the above-referenced children pursuant to N.C.G.S. 7B-1111.

You are required to make a written answer to the Petitions alleging to Terminate Parental Rights within forty (40) days after the date of this notice; and upon your failure to make a defense to the Petitions within the 40 day period specified herein or to attend the hearing on the said Petitions, the Petitioner will apply to the Court for terminating your parental rights to the above-referenced juvenile.

Any counsel appointed previously to represent you and not released by the Court shall continue to represent you.

In the General Court of Justice, District Court Division, Before the Clerk Rey David Salazar Rosales v. Luis Orlando Figueroa-Olivia; 21SP397 (Forsyth County) To Luis Orlando Figueroa-Oliva, Take Notice that a pleading seeking relief against you has been filed in the above-entitled action. The nature of the relief being sought is as follows: PETITION FOR LEGITIMATION You are required to make defense to such pleading not later than August 23, 2021, and upon your failure to do so the party seeking service against you will apply to the Court for the relief sought.

This the 8th day of July, 2021 Jessica G. Armentrout Attorney for Petitioner Greenwood Law 119 Brookstown Avenue Suite 300 Winston-Salem, NC 27101 336-661-8788

If you are indigent and not already represented by appointed counsel, you are entitled to appointed counsel and provisional counsel has been appointed upon your request subject to the Courts review at the first hearing after this service.

The Chronicle July 8, 15, 22, 2021

The hearing on the Petition alleging to Terminate Parental Rights is scheduled for 9:30 a.m., on Wednesday, September 29, 2021 in Courtroom 4-J of the Forsyth County Hall of Justice in Winston-Salem, North Carolina or as soon thereafter as the Court can hear the said case.

All persons, firms, and corporations having claims against NANCY BERRY LOVE, now deceased, are notified to present them to GEORGE VAUGHN FOGLEMAN, Executor of the decedent’s estate, in care of the undersigned attorneys at their address on or before September 30, 2021 at 3493 Forestdale Drive, Suite 103, Burlington, North Carolina 27215, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the deceased please make immediate payment.

This the 13th day of July, 2021 Theresa A. Boucher Attorney for the Forsyth County Department of Social Services 741 Highland Avenue The Chronicle July 15, 22, 29, 2021 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having qualified as Fiduciary of the Estate of Sudie Hanes Clayton (21 E 1542), also known as Sudie H. Clayton, Sudie Martha Clayton, deceased April 28, 2021, Forsyth County, North Carolina, this is to Notify all persons, firms, and corporation having claims against the Estate of said deceased to present them to the undersigned on or before October 21, 2021 this Notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. All persons indebted to the said decedent or estate shall please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This the 19th day of July, 2021.

Ernest V. Logemann Fiduciary for Sudie Hanes Clayton, deceased 1514 Cloverdale Ave. Winston-Salem, NC 27104 The Chronicle July 22, 29, and August 5, 12, 2021

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NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS OF NANCY BERRY LOVE

Dated this 28th day of June 2021 George Vaughn Fogleman Executor of the Estate of Nancy Berry Love (21-E-1140) F. Paul Koonts Oertel, Koonts & Oertel PLLC 3493 Forestdale Drive Suite 103 Burlington, NC 27215 Telephone: (336) 524-0355 The Chronicle July 1, 8, 15, 22, 2021

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NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, pursuant to the requirements of Article 19 of Chapter 160A of the General Statutes of North Carolina, that the City Council of the City of Winston-Salem will hold a public hearing in the Council Chamber at City Hall, Room 230, 101 N. Main Street, Winston-Salem, NC at 7:00 p.m. on August 2, 2021, on the following proposed amendments to the Official Zoning Map of the City of WinstonSalem, North Carolina: 1. Zoning petition of Frederick W. Fogg; Lanier Williams Real Estate, LLC; and MDC NC1, LP, to amend and change from LB and RS9 to LBS (Convenience Store and Retail Store): the zoning classification and Official Zoning Map of the property located at the northeast corner of Ebert Road and West Clemmonsville Road; property consists of ± 4.98 acres and is PINs 6813-717485, 6813-71-9491, and 6813-71-8269 as shown on the Forsyth County Tax Maps and on a site plan on file in the office of the City-County Planning Board (Zoning Docket W-3471).

2. Zoning petition of Salem Congregation, to amend and change from C to IP: the zoning classification and Official Zoning Map of the property located at the southeast corner of East Salem Avenue and Rams Drive and the east side of City Yard Lane; property consists of ± 3.90 acres and is PINs 6835-43-5721, 6835-43-5670, 6835-43-5581, 6835-43-5472, 6835-43-5397, and 6835-43-7590 as shown on the Forsyth County Tax Maps (Zoning Docket W-3476).

3. Site Plan Amendment of Front Street Wallburg, LLC for changes related to modifying the overall site layout in a LI-S zoning district: the zoning classification and Official Zoning Map of the property located at the northeast corner of Wallburg Road and Sherlie Weavil Road; property consists of ± 91.58 acres and is PINs 686355-3241 and 6863-45-6988 as shown on the Forsyth County Tax Maps and on a site plan on file in the office of the City-County Planning Board (Zoning Docket W-3478).

4. Site Plan Amendment of Psi Delta House Corporation for changes related to the addition of an accessory building in the northern portion of the site in a RM8-S zoning district: the zoning classification and Official Zoning Map of the property located on the north side of Polo Road, west of Long Drive; property consists of ± 1.08 acres and is PIN 6827-22-3105 as shown on the Forsyth County Tax Maps and on a site plan on file in the office of the City-County Planning Board (Zoning Docket W-3479).

5. Zoning petition of Winston-Salem Business Adventures, LLC, to amend and change from RS9 to HB: the zoning classification and Official Zoning Map of the property located on the east side of Germanton Road, north of North Patterson Avenue; property consists of ± 1.83 acres and is a portion of PIN 6828-82-3711 as shown on the Forsyth County Tax Maps (Zoning Docket W-3480).

6. Zoning petition of Terry Ray Hicks, to amend and change from RS9 to RS9-S (Residential Building, Single Family and Accessory Dwelling, Detached): the zoning classification and Official Zoning Map of the property located on the north side of South Hawthorne Road, between Miller Street and Irving Street; property consists of ± 0.22 acres and is PIN 6825-319148 as shown on the Forsyth County Tax Maps and on a site plan on file in the office of the CityCounty Planning Board (Zoning Docket W3481).

7. Zoning petition of Jones Estates A&W, LLC, to amend and change from MH and RS20 to MH-S (Manufactured Housing Development): the zoning classification and Official Zoning Map of the property located on the north side of High Point Road, east of Glenn Hi Road; property consists of ± 9.72 acres and is PINs 686403-4167 and 6864-02-3802 as shown on the Forsyth County Tax Maps and on a site plan on file in the office of the City-County Planning Board (Zoning Docket W-3482).

8. Site Plan Amendment of BRE Tarpon Whitaker Square, LLC for changes modifying the overall site layout in a HB-S zoning district: the zoning classification and Official Zoning Map of the property located at the southeast corner of North Peace Haven Road and Whitaker Ridge Drive; property consists of ± 12.19 acres and is PIN 6816-24-9417 as shown on the Forsyth County Tax Maps and on a site plan on file in the office of the City-County Planning Board (Zoning Docket W-3484).

MISCELLANEOUS

Second Harvest Food Bank is hiring!

Check our current opportunities at: SecondHarvestNWNC.org/Employment

The City of Winston-Salem is looking to fill the positions for Temporary Laborer (SOAR) Temporary Laborer – Clerical (SOAR) Historic Tour Guide Utilities Plant Operator – Water Treatment – 1405 Assistant Traffic Maintenance Supervisor – Signal – 2594 Administrative Secretary – 1225 Maintenance Worker – C&M – 1349, 1367 Crew Leader – C&M – 1339 Heavy Equipment Operator C&M - 1316 Please visit: www.cityofws.org for job description and application process.

The City of Winston-Salem is looking to fill the positions for Athletic Assistant – Field Supervisor – 0 Fire Inpector – 3992 Senior Video Producer – 1029 Electrician – PFM – 1615 Senior Human Resources Training Analyst Please visit: www.cityofws.org for job description and application process.

Spring/Wachovia Hill Apartments Managed by Community Management Corp.

1 Bedroom Units conveniently located in Winston Salem, 62 yrs of age or older Handicapped and/or disabled. Section 8 assistance available. Income restrictions apply. Call 336-251-1060. 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m. on Mon and Fri, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on Wed. Equal Housing Opportunity

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All parties in interest and citizens are invited to attend said hearing at which time they shall have an opportunity to be heard in favor of or in opposition to the foregoing proposed changes.

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During the public hearing the City Council may hear other proposals to amend the zoning of the above-described property or any portion thereof.

At the end of the public hearing, the City Council may continue the matter, deny the proposed rezoning, in whole or in part, grant the proposed rezoning, in whole or in part, or rezone the above-described property or any portion thereof to some other zoning classification.

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Prior to the hearing, all persons interested may obtain any additional information on these proposals which is in the possession of the CityCounty Planning Board by inquiring in the office of the City-County Planning Board in the Bryce A. Stuart Municipal Building on weekdays between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

BY ORDER OF THE CITY COUNCIL Sandra Keeney, Clerk to the City Council of the City of Winston-Salem The Chronicle July 22, 29, 2021

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Community Calendar Each Wednesday Marketing outside of the box HUSTLE WinstonSalem is hosting July’s session of Marketing Outside the Box: The Power of Influencer Marketing.

A community of creatives to support your brand not only builds brand awareness, social growth and valuable content creation; it enhances performance marketing efforts and drives concrete sales and returns. Every Wednesday from 12:30-1:30 p.m.

Register by going to www. hustlews.org/events-programs. For more information, contact hustlewsinfo@gmail.com.

NOW – Oct. 15 Liberty Street Urban Farmers Market Open The Liberty Street Urban Farmers Market, 1551 N. Liberty St., is now open from 4 to 6 p.m. every first and third Fridays of the month through October 15. The market accepts SNAP EBT cards for purchases. Applications to sell at the market are still being accepted, and there is no cost to apply. Urban farmers and community gardeners are encouraged to apply. Prospective sellers can pick up an application at the market or find the application online at CityofWS.org/2720.

Sellers who are growing within five miles of the market will have priority, but growers outside of this area are welcome too.

July 23 Application deadline The city is accepting applications for the next class of City of WinstonSalem University, to be held for 11 weeks starting Aug. 26, 2021. This free, in-person program gives citizens a better understanding of city government, including the

responsibilities of various city departments and the city’s role in the community.

Applications must be received by 5 p.m. July 23.

The application and more information are posted online at CityofWS.org/ CWSU. Applications can be printed and mailed in, or submitted online. Applications are also available by calling CityLink 311.

July 31 Class reunion fish fry Come and help the East Forsyth Classes from 1974-1978 prepare for their combined class reunion.

The classes will be having a Fish Fry on July 31 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Plates are $10 each and will contain home cooking: fresh filleted fish, baked beans, cole slaw, rolls and homemade deserts. The event will take place at Absolute Enterprises, 3000 Carver School Road (corner of Carver Road and New Walkertown Road).

Aug. 6 Ball person tryouts The Winston-Salem Open will hold tryouts for ball persons on Friday, August 6 from 4 to 5:30 p.m.

The tryouts are open to the public and will be held at the Wake Forest University Indoor Tennis Center at 100 West 32nd Street (adjacent to Truist Field).

More information, including online registration, is available at WinstonSalemOpen.com under the “Volunteers” tab at the top right of the homepage, by emailingballpersons@ winstonsalemopen.com.

Aug. 14 Outdoor Movie Night Experiment in Self-Reliance (ESR) is partnered with Forsyth County Pub-

lic Library to host three movie nights throughout the summer as part of the fifth year of their Outdoor Movie Series.

The movie series is family-friendly and offers free admission. On August 14, the movie will be with “Raya and the Last Dragon” (rain date is August 21).

How to submit items to the community calendar: We appreciate your community news. Here’s how you can help us to process your news more efficiently: *Please give us complete information about the event, such as the sponsor and address, date, time and place of the event and contact information so that the public can contact someone for more information if needed. *Please submit items in document form in an email or Word or PDF attachment. *Submit photos as attachments to emails as jpegs at least 4 inches wide by 6 inches deep rather than sent on documents. Please send captions with photos. *Please do not send jpeg fliers only, since we cannot transfer the information on them into documents.

The deadline is Sunday at 11:59 p.m. to have all calendar items submitted for that week’s paper.

Send your calendar items to news@wschronicle.com. You can also drop them off, Monday through Friday before 5 p.m., or mail your items to Winston-Salem Chronicle, 1300 E. Fifth St., Winston-Salem, NC 27101; or send them via our website, www. wschronicle.com.

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The C hronicle

Local author’s first book, ‘Thirty Years Naked,’ to be released in August

BY TIMOTHY RAMSEY THE CHRONICLE

Kecha Brabham has had the idea for writing her first published book for six years. Now that her dream has come to fruition, she wants everyone to check out her book, “Thirty Years Naked ‘Walking the Path Toward Forgiveness.’”

The book is scheduled to be released in early August and Brabham is excited for everyone to read it. Thirty Years Naked will actually be the first book in a trilogy. She says the book is fiction, but several events and characters of the book were derived from real life experiences she had or stories she had been told.

“Really it’s about a young Black female that talks about her journey through forgiveness and she decided to forgive the demons in her life, so she could set herself free,” said Brabham. “This is like part one of what is probably going to be a three-part series.

“Part one starts from the very beginning and just walks us through to a certain point and then, of course, part two would come in later.”

Brabham says the book initially started off as a short story, but the more

Player

From page B1

TV’s.

Stephen A. Smith, cohost of ESPN’s First Take, was under fire last week for some insensitive comments made about Ohtani.

I feel his comments were taken somewhat out of context, but I think he could have worded himself better, especially with his tremendous command of the English language.

Smith said that while he gets that baseball is an international sport, “when you talk about an audience gravitating to the tube or to the ballpark … “I don’t think it helps that the No. 1 face is a dude that needs an interpreter.” He attempted

Coach

From page B1

getting Stewart back into coaching. That conversation took place at the right time, because Stewart was actually thinking about moving on from coaching at that point in time.

“He (Bell) was able to get me over to Parkland High School and I was a part of that coaching staff and it kind of built from there,” he said. “I was there for three or four years and eventually became the JV defensive coordinator and even the JV head coach at one point.

“That kind of really got me started as far as coaching and having that responsibility of getting my own group, which I didn’t have in college.”

After a few years, Stewart began to get into a groove and began to take to coaching. He says there were things he learned every year that made him a more effective coach for the kids. While coaching

Brabham says she worked closely with her editor, Dr. Felecia PiggottAnderson, and was thankful for her input on the story. They would frequently bounce ideas off of one another to make the book exactly how Brabham wanted it.

Brabham wanted to express that the book is not about her. She says there are stories in the book that are inspired by real life events, but the book is fiction.

After all of the edits, rewrites and additions, Brabham breathed a deep sigh of relief upon completion of the book. She reflected on the time spent on the book over the last six years and is happy to move onto the next phase of her journey.

“It was so amazing,” she said about the feeling of finally finishing the book. “I just closed my laptop and I was just like ‘Yes, Lord.’ It was like 2:30 in the morning and I was sitting downstairs on the couch and I just felt like ‘Yes, I’m done.’”

Not many people have had the opportunity to read the book up to this point.

Brabham wanted to keep people in the dark so all of the pre-release errors were fixed before anyone had a chance to read it.

Brabham actually finished the content portion of the book in August of 2020, but was in the editing stage for six months.

At the same time, she is also working on her doctoral degree, which leaves little time for working on the book.

“Between finishing the book, editing the book, and keeping my grades up and following the timeline for school has been really challenging,” she said. “My kids went to in-

person school this entire school year, so with all of that I was doing, I still had to be mom and make sure they had their homework done and get to basketball and soccer practice.”

Brabham says she wants to inspire other Black female writers to follow their dreams of writing if they have the idea to do so, especially if they are single parents and don’t think they have time.

“You can do anything that you want to, just set your mind to it and do it,” she said about what advice she would give to others. “Don’t take no for an answer and when you’re tired, you have to persevere. We as women know definitely how challenging life can be, especially if you are a mom and a working mom.

“It’s tough, but have that thought in your mind that you can do it and that you can be a role model for the next person to say, ‘You can do it too.’ It’s beyond just publishing a book; it’s about building a brand.”

You can find “Thirty Years Naked” on Brabham’s website for pre-order at www.kppennedthat. com.

were offended by his comments. I don’t think it will matter if Ohtani uses an interpreter or not if he continues to put up these insane numbers at the plate and on the bump.

Ohtani is only 27 years old and is entering his prime. It should be no surprise that he is dominating the sport the way he has this season. Since he entered the league in 2018, he has done nothing but impress and trend upwards.

In 2018 he won Rookie of the Year honors with impressive stats of .285 batting average, 22 homeruns, 61 RBI and 10 stolen bases. As a pitcher, he started 10 games and recorded a 4-2 record with

a 3.31 ERA. If not for Tommy John surgery to his UCL, which kept him off the mound until 2020, he would have even better pitching stats.

He came back from that injury as good as ever.

I bet other teams that had a chance to sign Ohtani are kicking themselves right about now. The reason he chose to sign with the Angels was due to the fact they were going to let him hit and pitch. No other team was willing to guarantee that stipulation in his contract and you can’t really blame them because we have never seen anyone do that in modern history. The Angels were and now they are reaping the benefits from it.

Ohtani has actually been a professional player since 2013, playing with the Hokkaido NipponHam Fighters of the Pacific League of Nippon Professional Baseball.

The Fighters gave Ohtani a similar contract that allowed him to showcase his unique set of skills. He was able to hone his skills as a pitcher and hitter in Japan and the decision to play there before coming to MLB was a good one for Ohtani.

At only 27 years of age, Ohtani has a decade or more to rack up numbers from both sides. It will be interesting to see if he influences younger kids to attempt the same thing as they develop in

the game. It would be nice in the next 10 or 15 years to have a couple of players that make it to the major leagues that can hit and pitch. I definitely don’t want to see the trend end with Ohtani.

Major League Baseball better wake up and realize the golden opportunity they have to market their game to a new audience that probably would never turn on a game. Ohtani is exciting and this could be a great chance to reach a new demographic to replace the older one MLB currently has.

a lot of good coaches that have helped me along in this process.”

Being a former player allows Stewart to better understand his players, he said. He said a coach doesn’t have to be a former player in order to teach, but as a former player he can relate to what his athletes are going through on and off the field.

“I think I can understand what they’re thinking about a little bit better than if I hadn’t played,” he said. “I think that if you haven’t played, you can still understand technique, that’s just a learned thing.

When you’re a former player, you can relate a little bit better with the kids and the experiences they are having and not just on the football field.”

Stewart spent the bulk of his high school coaching career at North Forsyth. Not only was he an assistant on the football team, he eventually became a wrestling coach and the head tennis coach.

He says he is really appreciative to North Forsyth and athletic director Sean Vestal.

“I was busy every season of a high school season,” he said. “They treated me really well over there and Sean Vestal and I have a great relationship.”

Stewart says that Vestal was instrumental in him getting paid as a coach, because his first year he worked voluntarily to gain more experience. Stewart says he wasn’t paid for one year at Parkland, along with one year at Glenn, however, the experience he obtained during that time was invaluable.

“There were three or four years in my coaching career that I wasn’t paid for the whole season,” he said. “And I tell young coaches that are trying to get into this that if you’re just looking for a paycheck, it might not be there, so you really have to love the game, love what you do and love teaching kids, because there might

be times where you might have to sacrifice and part of that sacrifice might be your money.

“For me, I never looked at it as me not getting paid.

I looked at it as a thing of getting experience.”

Even though he is now living out one of his dreams, Stewart says he will miss the players and staff at North, because he has built so many great friendships there. He says he still stays in contact with several players, former players and staff.

Stewart confided in his close family and friends once the position at WSSU opened back up to him.

“I talked to my brother, I talked to my wife, I talked to coach Griffin, because I always respect his opinion in professional matters, I talked to Sean Vestal and a few others,” said Stewart about who he spoke with about the new position.

Stewart says he mulled over his decision for months before actually deciding to take the position

at WSSU. He says many people think it was a nobrainer for him to move up to the next level, but he is big on loyalty, which is why is stayed at certain places for as long as he did.

Now that he is at the next level, the goal for Stewart is to simply come in and build relationships with the players. He feels with the knowledge he has obtained over the last 12 years will allow everything else to fall into place.

“You can have all the ability and skill in the world to teach something, but if you don’t have that relationship, the kids aren’t going to follow you,” said Stewart.

Stewart had the chance to be around the players for a while during the spring and feels confident that the team can compete in the CIAA and even nationally if everything falls into place.

she “got into it,” the more the story continued to develop.

“Well, originally I just wanted to talk about stories that people around me were saying, so Megan, the main character of the book, is a fictitious person, but the things she is going through are real,” she said.

“So it’s like a collaboration of when people call me, just hearing about stuff in different places and so the goal was to do a short story, but the deeper I got into it, it just kept pointing to, if I as an individual could just learn from her story and forgive the people who wronged me, where could I go from there?

How prosperous will I be?

Am I cutting myself short, because I am still so angry at what you did to me, I can’t move forward?”

The journey from the start of the short story to a now-completed novel has been a long one, said Brabham. “In the very beginning, which was probably about six years ago, it started out being comical and then the deeper I grew over the six years, the more I got into it and saw the stories unfolding as an end goal,” she continued. “Once I decided this end goal is going to be forgiveness, I took more of a serious tone as we went

through.

“I had moments of writer’s block, I had moments of too much going on to just settle down to do it, but I got to a point where I just decided that I want to finish it and so I had to buckle down. Part of what happened in the last three years of my life is that my private relationship that I’m in kind of brought some stability to my life. With that stability, it gave me more opportunity to just get it done.”

to clarify himself later saying he was referring to the marketability and the promotion of the sport.”

While I don’t one hundred percent agree with Smith on his comments, because we have seen international players that have spoken limited or no English, become superstars in America. I vividly remember Yao Ming leading the NBA in All-Star fan votes several years in a row and he spoke limited English. However, we all know this country does have its flaws and there are people out there who will not like Ohtani simply because he is a foreign-born player.

Smith apologized to Ohtani and those who at North Forsyth, Stewart says he hit his “sweet spot” as far as understanding the game.

“I think every year is different and every year you learn something new,” he said about coaching.

“I’ve always been confident that I understood football. That came from my days of just playing it. In college, a lot of my teammates would actually come to me on Thursday and ask what I saw on the film, so I guess people always recognized that I understood the game.

Stewart credits current Carver head football coach Wayne Griffin for expanding his knowledge on how offenses try to counter defenses and expose their weaknesses. “Out of my 12 years coaching, I was with Wayne Griffin for eight of those years,” said Stewart. “I was with him at Parkland and he really showed me how to design a defense and how to adjust to offenses during the game. I have been around

Photo credit Denise Benson

Kecha Brabham’s first book took six years to write.

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