YES! Weekly - June 10, 2020 by YES! Weekly

DON MORGAN

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June 10-16, 2020 YES! WEEKLY

“In the end we will remember not the words of our enemies but the silence of our friends.” Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men [and women] to do nothing.” Edmund Burke We cannot stand by silently while, across our country and right here at home, people continue to be targeted and endangered based on their skin color. We have come together -- business leaders, community leaders, and clergy of all faiths -- to join our voices in protest against the inherent inequalities in our country’s institutions and policies. The brutal murder of the unarmed George Floyd in Minneapolis by a white police oﬃcer who held his knee on Mr. Floyd’s neck for eight minutes is just the latest example of how racism pervades our society and institutions -- including law enforcement – resulting in long-standing inequalities faced by black people. Many of us who are white have never had to deal with prejudice, discrimination or systemic racism that puts us in danger or degrades our very humanity based on the color of our skin. But it must be called out for what it is: racism plain and simple. We all want to live in a society where our families are secure in their homes and have enough to eat, a quality education, good medical care, the opportunity to succeed in life, and can rely on the police to protect us, not abuse us. No one should be denied these basic human needs because of the color of their skin. We must take steps to rectify these wrongs. We commit to the following: • We will forge friendships, business relationships and partnerships across color lines to build the real bonds of community and understanding. • We will work together to be agents of change. We will endeavor to bring together people in our community to address the structural issues that lead to racial inequality and injustice. • We will work to recognize our own personal biases. • We will not tolerate racism. We will speak out against it and will have the tough conversations necessary to educate others about racism. • We will educate ourselves about our country’s history with racism and the impacts that exist today. • We will hold our leaders accountable for discrimination committed by public oﬃcials and for ensuring our justice system is truly fair and impartial in all of its actions. We call out to our entire community to join with us, take action, and live our values by supporting racial justice for all.

Please share your support by using #GSOAgainstRacism. Join the pledge at gsoagainstracism.com

Claire R. Abel • Rev. Audra Abt, Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit • Marikay Abuzuaiter, Greensboro City Council At Large • Action Greensboro and its supporting foundations: Joseph M. Bryan Foundation of Greater Greensboro, The Cemala Foundation, Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro, Phillips Foundation, Cone Health Foundation, Tannenbaum-Sternberger Foundation • Ann & Trip Adams, Educator and Attorney • Tiffany Adams, Executive Committee Member, Future Fund of Greensboro • Daniel Adams, Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey & Leonard, LLP • Stephanie Adams • Joseph Adams, President, Forge Greensboro • Terry Akin, CEO, Cone Health • Ann Alexander • Ray Alexander, President, Greensboro Regional REALTORS Association • Barry Alexander, Community Housing Solutions Voluteer • David Allen, Pinnacle Financial Partners • Melvin “Skip” Alston • Rev. Veranita Alvord, Pastor, Morehead United Methodist Church • Peter Amidon, President, Amidon Solutions • Michaela Amidon, Assistant Park Director, Proehlific Park • Bud & Jill Amidon Strickland • Amy Heywood Gallery • Arthur D. Anastopoulos • Ruth D. Anderson, Ph.D. • Caren & Larry Appel • Ann Terrill Appenzeller, New Garden Friends Meeting • Margaret & Howard Arbuckle, Community Advocates • Meredith & Roy Arkin • John & Lee Atkinson • Alex Audilet, Partner, Fox Rothschild, LLP • Frank & Lindsey Auman • Ravi & Uma Avva, Triad Pan Asian American Network • Shamira Azlan, Vice Chair, Future Fund of Greensboro • Hunter Bacot • Pam Bacot, Reach Out and Read Carolinas • Rev. Ginny Bain Inman, Rector, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church • Tiffany Lam-Balfour & Dave Balfour, Triad Pan Asian American Network Giving Circle • Terry Ball, T.M. Ball, Inc. • David Ball, President and CEO, Venable Sales • Gary & Laurie Bargebuhr • Ron Barner • Kim Barner, Director of Finance, United Way of Greater Greensboro • Rev. Taylor R. Barner, Associate Pastor, First Presbyterian Church of Burlington • Michael Barr, CEO, Greensboro Regional REALTORS Association • Alex & Pam Barrett • Donna G. Barrier, Retired Teacher • Andy Barrow, Cone Health • Scott Baxter, President & CEO, Kontoor Brands • Be Kind Kids, Kids and Maternity Consignment Shop • M. Gertrude Beal, Retired, Guilford College • Susan W. Beard, Senior Wealth Strategist, Old North State Trust • Richard Beard • Nancy Beaver, Volunteer, Public Art Endowment • Sarah Becker, VP, Charles Aris Executive Search • Jon, Durant, and Steve Bell, Bell Partners, Inc. • Rabbi Joshua Ben-Gideon, Beth David Synagogue • Margaret & Bill Benjamin, Attorney, Community Volunteer • Jim & Marianne Bennett • David J. Bergen, Z. Smith Reynolds Professor of Human Relations, High Point University • Meridith Berger, Director, Existing Industry Services, Greensboro Chamber • Beth Berger, Wonderland Bookshop • Marty Bergman, Unitarian Universalist Church of Greensboro • Mike Berkelhammer • Peggy & Nat Bernstein • Luke Bierman, Dean and Professor of Law, Elon University School of Law • Jody Karavanic Bischoff, Senior Practice Leader, Charles Aris Executive Search • Marc Bishop, Partner, Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey & Leonard, LLP • Lynn F. Black, Board Member, Family Service of the Piedmont Foundation • Janet Ward Black, Attorney, Ward Black Law • Sara Bland, EVP, Global Strategy, Kontoor Brands • David Bolton, CFGG • Patricia Boswell • Beth Boulton, Boulton Creative • Danielle Bowman, VP, Charles Aris Executive Search • Jim Brady, President and CEO, Brady Services • Frank Brenner, Greensboro Jewish Federation, Past President • Nancy M. Brenner, Greensboro Jewish Federation, Past President • Rev. Dr. Robert Brewer, Chaplain, Greensboro College • Reverend George Brooks, Mt. Zion Baptist Church • Rev. Hanna Broome, Presiding Elder- Dunn-Lillington District of the AME Zion Church • Danny Brown, United Maintenance Group, Greensboro Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors • Rev. Morris Brown, Senior Pastor, Christ United Methodist Church • Katja Brown, Chair, Piedmont Interfaith Council • Chester Brown, Jr. • Karen Brudnack • Jim & Nancy Bryan, Fairystone Fabrics • Rebecca Buffington, Board Member: ArtsGreensboro, Communities in Schools & Guilford Education Alliance • Mark Bulmer, Managing Partner, Smith Leonard PLLC • Jim Burgio, CEO, ATI Decorative Laminates • Lynn Burgio, Treasurer and Secretary, ATI Decorative Laminates • Lindsay Erin Burkart, synerG Council • Melissa Burroughs, The Cemala Foundation • Ann Busby • Pete Callahan, Piedmont Triad Market President, JPMorgan Chase • Forrest W. Campbell, Jr., Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey, & Leonard, LLP • Linda Carlisle, Former NC Secretary of Cultural Resources • Jim Carlisle, Retired Business Owner • Roy Carroll, The Carroll Companies • April Carter, Nurse • Anne Barton Carter • Robert Carter • Rev. Sarah Carver • David Cashwell, Board Member, Mental Health Greensboro • Mark Cassity, Executive Director, Triad Health Project • Tracie Catlett, Head of School, Greensboro Day School • Marilyn Forman Chandler, Executive Director, The Greensboro Jewish Federation • Dawn S. Chaney, Chaney Properties • Brent Christensen, President & CEO, Greensboro Chamber of Commerce • Apostle Wayne Clapp, Inner Growth Ministry Outreach Inc. • Brian Clarida • Emanuel "Manny" Clark, Attorney, Fox Rothschild LLP • Joe Clark, Board Member, Greensboro Chamber of Commerce • Louann A. Clarke, Community Volunteer • Clem & Hayes Clement, Community Volunteers • Rep. Ashton Wheeler Clemmons, NC House District 57 • Linda & Locke Clifford • Art & Nancy Close, School Teachers • Sallie & Jim Clotfelter • Rev. George M. Coates, United Methodist Pastor • Dr. Robin Coger, Dean, College of Engineering, North Carolina A&T State University • Dina Coker, CEO, Blink LLC • Sue W. Cole, Managing Partner, Sage Leadership & Strategy • Rev. Dr. Eric D. Cole, Senior Pastor, Community Christian Church • Ann Comfort • Joe Compton, First Friends Meeting • Thomas E. Cone, President, Greensboro Jewish Federation • Rene Cone • Betty Cone, President, Cone's Folly Blueberries, Inc. • Spencer B. Conover, Director of Development, Carolina Theatre of Greensboro • Rev. Dr. Anne Conover, Artist in Residence, College Place UMC • Rev. Cameron H. Conover, Jr, Retired Elder, Western NC Conference UMC • Sharon L. Contreras, PhD, Superintendent, Guilford County Schools • Carly Cooke, Small Business Owner • McCabe Coolidge, Community Potter • Julie Ann Cooper, CFGG • Scott Cooper, President, Jeeks, LLC • Carol Cothern, Greensboro Health Disparities Collaborative • Michael Cottingham, VP, Marketing & Communications, United Way of Greater Greensboro • Louise Pinckney Courts, Guilford Education Alliance • Daniel & Kathy Craft • Christina Cromwell, Pure Barre Greensboro • John M. Cross, Jr. & Jennifer Van Zant, Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey & Leonard, LLP • Amy & Glenn Crystal • Candace S. Cummings • Matt & Lisa Curran •

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June 10-16, 2020

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Rev. Ashley Cyre, Pastor, Crews United Methodist Church • Lawrence D. Czarda, Ph.D., President, Greensboro College • Elizabeth Danley • Katherine R. Davey • Bert Davis, President, 95 Impact Capital, Inc • Carol Davis • Ralph & Jean Davison, Retired • Rev. Karen Day, Clergy • Nancy Jo Dederer, Pastor, Presbyterian Church (USA) • Valerie DeFranco • Maryellen Demaret, UNCG • Chris DeVillers, Thompson Traders, Inc. • Frank Dew, Peace and Justice Advocate, Salem Presbytery • Ed Dickinson, Peacehaven Community Farm • Michael Dinkins, Granville Capital, Inc. • Glenn Dobrogosz, CEO, Greensboro Science Center • Rev. Cecil Donahue, Center United Methodist Church • Anne Dooley, Senior Director of Discipleship Ministries • Mae Douglas, Community Volunteer & Retired Community Executive • Bill & Ellen Drake, Retired • Adam Duggins, Partner, New Page Capital • Bethany & Nathan Duggins • Jeanie Duncan, President, Raven Group • Dana Dunn, Provost/Executive Vice Chancellor, UNCG • Jed Dunn • Rev. Neil Dunnavant, Executive Pastor, First Presbyterian Church Greensboro • Carly Hertz, Outreach & Engagement Manager, Greensboro Jewish Federation • Dennis Duquette • Kate Duquette • Karen M. Dyer, Consultant/Leadership Coach • Derek Ellington, Triad Market President, Bank of America • Rev. Carter Ellis, St. Timothy’s United Methodist Church • Jim Etling, Charles Aris Executive Search • Christine Evans, CFGG • Mark Evans • Jeanine M. Falcon • Rev. Greg Farrand, Co-Director, Second Breath Center • Rev. Nathan M. Finnin • Beth Fischer, UNCG, Vice Chancellor of Advancement • Ellen & Gary Fischer • Marilyn P. Fish • Thea & Edmond Fitzgerald • Reverend Donnell FitzJefferies, St. Matthews United Methodist Church • Lou Anne Flanders-Stec, EVP Entrepreneurship, Greensboro Chamber • Missy Flora, Realtor/Broker • Ann Gromada Flynt, Program Director, Guilford Apprenticeship Program • Lauren Forbis, Marketing & Communications Manager, United Way of Greater Greensboro • Randy Fortenberry, EVP, Global Supply Chain • Jennifer N. Fountain, Partner, Isaacson Sheridan • MacGregor Frank, First Friends Meeting • Kelli Frazier, CEO, LMS • Lucy Froelich, Student/UNC-Chapel Hill • Hon. Henry E. Frye, Former Chief Justice, NC Supreme Court • Shirley T. Frye, Community Volunteer • Ken Fulp • Sam Funchess, President & CEO, The Nussbaum Center for Entrepreneurship • David Gansberg, CEO, Global Mortgage Group, Arch MI • Michael Garrett, NC Senator - District 27 • Michelle Gethers-Clark, United Way of Greater Greensboro, President & CEO • Mark Gibb, Owner, Gibbs One Hundred Brewing • Jane Gibson, Public Support Coordinator, AuthoraCare Collective • Jacquie Gilliam • Frank Gilliam, Ph.D. • Dr. Eric Gladney, Sr. Pastor, Oak Springs Baptist Church • Sarah Glover, Family Success Centers Manager, United Way of Greater Greensboro • Bill Goebel, President, Boy Scouts of America Area 7 • Maria Gonzalez, CEO, ClubFitness Greensboro • Jean & Gary Goodman • Michele Gordon & Pat Levy, Jewish Family Services • Christopher Gorham • Derek Gracey, Senior Associate Practice Leader, Charles Aris Executive Search • Katie S. Graves, Ann Shoemaker, LLC • Robert Gray, Triad Commercial Market Executive, Truliant Federal Credit Union • Sara Gray, Principal, Sara Gray Design/Board President, Center for Visual Arts • Kevin H. Gray, President, Weaver Foundation • Greensboro Science Center, Staff and Board of Directors • Rev. Kelley Groce, Minister Centenary UMC • Rev. Jenna Grogan, First UMC Randelman • Amy Grossmann, President & CEO, North Carolina Folk Festival • Guilford County Partnership for Children, on behalf of the Board • Rev. Dr. Kate Guthrie, New Creation Community Presbyterian Church • Rabbi Fred Guttman, Temple Emanuel • Charles T. Hagan III, Hagan Barrett PLLC • Jennifer C. Hall, Partner, KPMG • Leo & Nancy Halloran • Bob Hamilton, Director Spiritual Care Services, Cone Health • Preston Hammock, President, Moses Cone Memorial Hospital • Terry Hammond • Rev. Dr. Maria Hanlin, Pastoral Care Pastor, First Presbyterian Church • Emily Happel, Owner, Mother Herb CBD • Rep. Jon Hardister, NC House Majority Whip • Jay Harris, IberiaBank, Market President • R. Ross Harris • Terri Harris • George M. Harris • Charrise Hart, CEO, Ready for School, Ready for Life • Steve Hassenfelt, Granville Capital, Inc. • Doug Hassman, Vice President, VF Corporation • Fr. Charlie Hawes, Episcopal Priest/Retired University Chaplain • Luddy Hayden • Terrell A. Hayes, Professor of Sociology at High Point University • Dr. Tracey Nicole Hayes, Founding Board Member, Leadership LINKS, Inc. • Steve Hayes, Director, Guilford Nonprofit Consortium • Deborah Hayes • Deena Hayes-Greene, The Racial Equity Institute • Kimberly Heil, Member, Irving Park UMC • Rev. Oliver Helsabeck, Pastor, Fairfield United Methodist Church • Joan Hendrick, Music Director, Mt. Hope United Church of Christ • Danielle Henley, synerG Executive Council • Erica & Andrew Herman • Cindi Hewitt, Community Volunteer • Dr. Kimberly Kappler Hewitt, Assoc. Professor, UNCG • Tiffany A Higgins , OTR/L • Monica Hix • Nancy Hoffmann, Greensboro City Council • Keith Holliday • Ruth Anne Hood • Deborah Hooper, COO, Greensboro Chamber • Dr. Joseph Huscroft, Department Chair, Marketing and Supply Chain Management, NC A&T State University • Reverend Tamara Z. Ingram • Marc Isaacson, Isaacson Sheridan • Jeffrey Jackman, Financial Advisor, Northwestern Mutual, Future Fund of GSO • F. Randolph & Jane Jackson • Tiffany N. Jacobs, William C. Friday Fellow • Kevin L. James, Dean, Willie A. Deese College of Business and Economics, NC A&T State University • Tony Jarrett, Regional Vice President, Allen Tate Realtors • Matt Johnson, Defining Legacy Financial Advisors • Ron Johnson & Bill Roane • Ainsley Johnston, Event Manager, Greensboro Chamber • Carie Jones-Barrow, United Way of Greater Greensboro • Bradley Kamlet, Future Fund • Patrick Kane • Amy S. Kane, Volunteer, GEA • Rev. Amy Grizzle • Randall Kaplan, CEO, Capsule Group • Kara Cox Interiors • Father Randall J. Keeney, Vicar, St. Barnabas Episcopal Church • Ken Keller, Attorney • Denny Kelly & Lou Bouvier • Rosemary Kenerly • Leslie and Robert Ketner • Brenda Keys • Rev. Denise Kilgo-Martin, Pastor, Summerfield Peace United Methodist Church • Maria King, Clergy • Ed & Emily Kitchen • Leigh Ann Klee, CFO/COO, Pace Communications • Steve Klee, Partner, Fox Rothschild LLP • Margery Knott • Jennifer & Dan Koenig, Attorneys • Rabbi Andy Koren, Temple Emanuel, Co-Chair, Greensboro Faith Leaders Council •The Kranz Family, Vice President, Greensboro Jewish Federation • Sendil Krishnan, Director of Physician & APP Engagement, Cone Health • Laurel Krueger, EVP, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, Kontoor Brands • Rev. Philip Kuntz • Curt Ladig, CEO, Delta Dental of North Carolina • Amy Lamb, Wonderland Bookshop • CC Lamberth, Owner, C2Contractors • Pearce Landry, Granville Capital, Inc. • Preston Lane, Producing Artistic Director, Triad Stage • Robin Lane, RN, NP, MPH, CFGG Grants and Housing Committee • Timothy Lane, MD • William Laney • Claire Lanier, Resident Physician at Cone Health & Board Member of Triad Health Project • Patrick Lanier, Furniture Manufacturing Executive with T. P. Lanier, Inc & Board Member, Greensboro Symphony • Carol LaVack • Kelly Leggett, MD, Chief Clinical Transformation Officer, Cone Health • Rev. Dr. J. Barry Lemons, Pastor, Gibsonville United Methodist Church • Marlene Lentz • R. Preston Lentz, MD, Cone Health Foundation • Wilson Lester, Executive Director, Piedmont Business Capital • Cathy Kaplan Levinson, Chair, Children's Home Society Board of Trustees • Timothy Lindeman, Retired Professor, Guilford College • Robin Lindsey, CEO, Guilford County Partnerships for Children • Ginni Lineberry • Al Lineberry, Jr., Lineberry Group LLC • Carrie Reich Little, Floral Designer at ABBA Design • Bobby Long, Granville Capital, Inc. • Mandy Lotz, Education Administrator • Kevin & Stacey Lundy, CFGG • Vivian Lutian, Lecturer, Greensboro College • Samantha Lyons-Kittrell, United Way of Greater Greensboro • Megan Mabry, Director of Marketing & Communications, Greensboro Chamber • Steve & Leslie Mackler • Dena Maginnes-Jeffrey, CFGG • Andrew Mails, Director, Wesley-Luther Campus Ministries/Spartan Open Pantry UNCG • Janet Makenzie, Retired private school secretary • Nadine Malpass, Senior VP Resource Development, United Way Greater Greensboro • Brian Maness, President & CEO, Children's Home Society of North Carolina • Kathy Manning, Democratic Nominee for US House of Representatives • Marilyn Feuchs-Marker & David Marker • Harold L. Martin, Sr., Chancellor, North Carolina A&T State University • Rev. Dr. Daniel Massie, Transitional Pastor, First Presbyterian Church • Zack Matheny, CEO, Downtown Greensboro, Inc. • Alex & Terry Maultsby • Ruthan May, GO FAR Program Development • Bonnie McAlister • M. Lee McAllister, President/CEO Weaver Investment Co • Trude & Tom McCarty • Ebony McClinton, synerG Executive Council • bruce d. mcclung, Dean, UNCG College of Visual and Performing Arts • Vicki McCready, First Friends Meeting • David & Mary Ann McDonald • Susan & Mackey J. McDonald • Clarence A. McDonald, Market Executive, Wells Fargo • Winston McGregor, Board of Education - At Large • Sarah McGuire, Director, synerG Young Professionals, Action Greensboro • Dr. Christian McIvor, Minister of Music & Worship, College Park Baptist Church • Rev. Beth McKee-Huger, Deacon, Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina • Rev. Dr. Ed McKinney, Pastor, Stokesdale United Methodist Church • Sherry McKinney, Senior Financial Advisor, Stearns Financial Group • Ken Miller, Granville Capital, Inc. • Debby Miller • Joel Mills, Chief People Officer, AdaptHealth • Reverend Dr. Daran H. Mitchell, Pastor of Trinity A.M.E. Zion Church • Minister LaMonica Mitchell, President, VWPM, Inc. • Ralph Mitchell, Nehemiah - The Leadership Company • Trish & John Moore • Skip & Peg Moore, Retired • Gary & Alice Moore, Volunteers, Say Yes Guilford & Ready for School, Ready for Life • Frank Moore, Retired Director of Community Ministries at First Lutheran Church • Ryan Morgan, Senior Associate Practice Leader, Charles Aris Executive Search • Ann Morris, Community Volunteer • Rev. Colston W. Morris, Pastor, Salem & St. John United Methodist Churches • Frances & Phillip Motley • Jaimie Mudd, Pastor, Greensboro First Friends Meeting • Meryl Mullane, Principal, Mullane Public Relations • Sarah Rose Mustafa, Teacher • Tracy M. Myers, EVP Member Engagement, Greensboro Chamber • Bobbie Needham • Donna & Bob Newton • Bob Niemczyk, Lead Principal Engineer, Volvo • Wendy Nitsos • Roy Nydorf • Kathy O'Brien, The O'Brien Art Gallery • Michael O'Connell • Lise O'Connell, Office Manager, John Wagner State Farm • Sandra L.O'Connor, Realtor • Mindy Oakley, Executive Director, The Edward M. Armfield, Sr. Foundation • Chad Oakley, Chief Executive Officer, Charles Aris Executive Search • Betsy Oakley • Jeff Oleynik, Brooks Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey & Leonard, LLP • Jose Oliva, Manager of Public Affairs, Replacements, Ltd. • Kevin Ortiz, Banking Officer, BB&T now Truist • Elaine T. Ostrowski • Stephanie Ouzts • Alexandra Pappas, synerG Council Member • Sara Anne T. Parham, Community Volunteer • David Parrish, Greensboro City Manager • Rev. Dr. Jeff Paschal, Minister, PC(USA) • Cathy W. Patrick • Marci & Grady Peace • Cierra Pearson, Salon Owner, MCstylz • Martha Peddrick, Attorney, Johnson, Peddrick, & McDonald, PLLC • Julie Peeples • Mary Lesa Pegg, UNC Greensboro • John & Marilyn Pelehach • Robbie Perkins, Market President - NAI Piedmont Triad • Art & Sharon Perper, Perper Design • Rev. Dr. Rebecca Todd Peters, Professor of Religious Studies, Elon University • Lloyd & Jane Peterson, Retired Physician and Community Volunteer • Phil Petros, PWC, Greensboro Office, Managing Partner • Reid L. Phillips, Managing Partner, Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey & Leonard, LLP • Jim Phillips, Partner, Brooks Pierce McLendon Humphrey & Leonard, LLP • Jeff Phillips, Chairman, Guilford County Board of Commissioners • The Phillips Foundation • Minta E Phillps, MD, Citizens Climate Lobby • Peter Placentino, Senior VP, Brown Investment Properties • Amy Plyler, CFGG • Roger & Nan Poplin • Sandy Post, Controller, Greensboro Chamber • Wendy Poteat, President & CEO, Say Yes Guilford • Robert Powell, Assoc. Prof, NC A&T State University • Mark Prince, President & CEO, GMA/First Point • Erica Procton • Skip Purcell, Granville Capital, Inc. • Nancy King Quaintance, Vice President, Quaintance-Weaver Management, LLC • Dennis Quaintance, President, Quaintance-Weaver Management, LLC • Rev. Sharon Quate, Assistant Pastor, CUMC • Nicole Quick, Candidate for NC House, District 59 • Rev. Paula Rachal, Rector, All Saints Episcopal Church • Nancy Radtke, Agent, Allen Tate Realtors • Libby Ramsey, Dancing Dogs Yoga Greensboro • David Ramsey, Greensboro Chamber • Rick Ramsey, New Page Capital • Caroline Raper • Mark Rector, Board of Directors, Greensboro Chamber of Commerce • Lyndon Rego, Chief Catalyst, CoMetta • Tim & Carolynn Rice, CEO Emeritus, Cone Health • Joyce Richman, President, Joyce Richman & Associates, Ltd • Barbara Richter, Executive Director, GreenHill Center for North Carolina Art • Jess Rigel • Rev. James M. Rissmiller • Simonne Ritchy , Proprietor, M'Coul’s • Kirsten M. Roberts, Executive Committee Member of the Future Fund of Greensboro • Ann & Russ Robinson • Karl H. Robinson, President, R & R Transportation, Inc. • Susan & Freddy Robinson • Senator Gladys Robinson , NC Senator - District 28 • William & Beverley Rogers, Guilford College Retirees • Dorian Rose, Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement, UNCG • Erin Rosen, Vice President, Greensboro Jewish Federation • David Rosenstein • Ellen & Allan Ross, MD • Joe Rotondi, Executive Director, Forge Greensboro • Terri Rouleau, Sr. Human Resources Manager, Procter & Gamble Greensboro Browns Summit • Betty Ruffin • Jennifer Ruppe, Executive Director, Guilford Green Foundation & LGBTQ Center • Jodee Ruppel, 5x5 Consulting • John Ryan, President & CEO, Center for Creative Leadership • Lucy & Henry Sackett • Margaret & Walter Salinger • Arthur & Emilie Samet • Sylvia & Norman G. Samet • Tara McKenzie Sandercock, CFGG • Steve Sandercock, Greensboro Urban Ministry • Walker Sanders, President, Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro • Dabney Sanders, Project Manager, Downtown Greenway, Action Greensboro • Jose A. Sandoval, synerG and LCCG • Yubisela Aranda Sandoval, Board Member, Latino Community Coalition of Guilford County • Sara Lee & Paul Saperstein • Matt Sayre • John S. and Brenda W. Sayres, President & CEO, Sayres Management & Associates • Nick Scarci, synerG Council Member • Dr. Stuart & Dana Schleien • Susan Shore Schwartz, Executive Director, The Cemala Foundation • Jerrold C. (Jerry) Schwartz • John G. Scott, Jr • Roger & Kate Seel • Michelle Haaf Seifert , Blue Ridge Builders of the Triad • Greg Seifert, Blue Ridge Builders of the Triad • Rev. Jun Seok Seo, Greensboro Korean UMC • Ara Serjoie, Vice President for Advancement, Guilford College • Mark Setzler, Professor of Political Science, High Point University • Catherine Sevier, State President, NC AARP • David Sevier, The Generations Study Group • Vivian R. Sheidler, Greensboro Jewish Federation • Terri L. Shelton • Donna Shelton, Executive Director, Mental Health Greensboro • Shenanigans • Megan Shepard, Director, CWS Greensboro Refugee Program • Rev. Alan Sherouse • Michael Sherrill, M.G. Newell Corporation • Anne Shoemaker, Principal, Anne Shoemaker, LLC • Scott Shoener, EVP, Chief Human Resources Officer & Corporate Communications, Kontoor Brands • Lin Shropshire, Retired school counselor • Susan Shumaker, Cone Health Foundation • Brad Shumaker, EVP and CFO, Center for Creative Leadership • Susan Siegel, Head of School, B'nai Shalom Day School • Raffi Simel • Sue & Gary Simmons, S&G Consulting • Rob & Tammy Simmons, Machine Specialties Inc. • Matthew Slaine, CEO, Quality Restaurant Group • Linda and Tom Sloan • Jonathan Wilds Smith, Managing Partner, Smith Partners Wealth Management • Anne Flegal Smith, CCO, Smith Partners Wealth Management • Justin Smith, Financial Planner, Smith Partners Wealth Management • Leigha S Smith, Region Bank President, Wells Fargo • Mark Smith • Rev. Baylee Smith • Donna Smith Chase, PCUSA Director of Christian Foundation • Patrick Snow, Pastor, Irving Park United Methodist Church • Amy Snyder • Phil Spears, Head of School, Canterbury School • Mack Sperling • R. David Sprinkle, Retired CEO, The Todd Organization • Pamela P. Sprinkle, Board of Directors, Mental Health Assoc. Greensboro • D. Phelps Sprinkle, CFGG • Jill & Todd Starcevich, Starcevich Family Holdings, LLC • Bishop Adrian F. Starks, World Victory Church • Bob Stec • Barb Steslow, Teacher, Greensboro Day School • Cheryl Cullom Stewart, CFGG • Carrie & Will Stewart, Green State Power • Heather Stinson, Lawyer and Author of Radical • Doug & Joan Stone • The Strack Family, UNCG, UNC CH, THN • Rev. Pam Strader, United Methodist Pastor • Jennifer & Aaron Strasser, Owner, Lucky's Pet Resort & Day Spa • Deborah Suess, Quaker Pastor • Wanda Swain, President of the Board, Triad Coaching Connection • John Swaine, President and CEO, International Civil Rights Center and Museum • Reverend Debra Swing, Associate Pastor, First UMC High Point • Lizzy Tahsuda, Director, Campus Greensboro at Action Greensboro • Hilda Tajalli, synerG Executive Council • Adam Tarleton, Partner, Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey & Leonard, LLP • Rev. Christi Taylor, Associate Pastor, Oak Ridge United Methodist Church • Gaither and Tom Terrell • Clifford E. Thompson, Thompson Traders, Inc. • Alejandra O. Thompson, Thompson Traders, Inc. • Clifford R. Thompson, Thompson Traders, Inc. • Jonathan J. Thompson, Thompson Traders, Inc. • Cecelia Thompson • Emily G. Thompson, CFGG • Martha Thompson • Cindy Thompson, Executive Director, Boundless Impact • Samantha Thompson De Lizarraga, Thompson Traders, Inc. • Tammi Thurm, Greensboro City Council • Suzanne & Tom Tilley • Ray Trapp, Director of External Affairs, Office of the Chancellor, North Carolina A&T State University • Rev. Jeremy Troxler • Leslye Samet Tuck • Martha Turner • Patricia and Edward Tweedy • Rev. Dr. Michael Usey, College Park: An American Baptist Church • Ben Obinero Uwakweh • Christina Van Wagenen, Greensboro Jewish Federation • Elizabeth Vannoy, Speech Language Pathologist for Guilford County Schools • Dr. Rosemarie Vardell • Effie Varitimidis, Project Coordinator, Tanger Center for the Performing Arts • Mayor Nancy Vaughan, City of Greensboro • Sharyl Villier • Tony Villier, QWRH, O.Henry and Proximity Hotels • Ashlee Wagner, Senior Practice Leader, Charles Aris Executive Search• John Wagner, Owner, John Wagner Insurance & Financial Services, Inc • Chris Waldeck, EVP, Global Brand President – Lee® • Tom Waldron, EVP, Global Brand President – Wrangler® • Barbara Wales, Real Estate Broker, Berkshire Hathaway Yost & Little • Rev. Dale Walker, Chaplain • Heavenly Walker, Member Engagement Specialist, Greensboro Chamber • Nancy Walker, Retired Professor, UNCG • Jon Wall, Partner, Higgins Benjamin • Sarah D. Warmath, Community Volunteer • Tim Warmath & Edward Comber • Rev. Thomas I. Warren, Clergy, United Church of Christ • Jacob Watkins, Associate Practice Leader, Charles Aris Executive Search • Laura Way, President & CEO, ArtsGreensboro • Mike Weaver • Katherine Weaver, President, Residence Development Corporation • Margaret Webb, Pastoral Minister at New Garden Friends Meeting • Rustin Welton, EVP, Chief Financial Officer, Kontoor Brands • Barbara West, Greensboro Chamber • Holly West, Marketing & Communications Manager, Greensboro Chamber • Cathy West, Senior Director of Worship and Arts, Christ United Methodist Church • Debbie White, Greensboro Chamber • Jill M. White, Senior Counsel, Womble Bond Dickinson • Penny & Ed Whiteheart • Dr. Kathleen Whitmire, President, SDG Enterprise • Bob & Judy Wicker • Justin Williams-Blackwell • Alex Williamson, Member, Future Fund of Greensboro • Taylor Williamson, Member, Future Fund of Greensboro • Rev. Courtney Willis, First Baptist Church • Nick Wilson, Proprietor, 1618 • Paislee Winkler, synerG Council Member • Mary & Art Winstead, Community Volunteers • Melanie Noe Woodard, Wellness Coach, Licensed Professional Counselor • Bishop James Woodson • David, Jon & Alex Worth, Worth Industries • Walt Yates, synerG Council Co-Chair • Brady & Kristen Yntema • Andy Zimmerman, AZ Development • The Rev. Dr. & Mrs. Charles Zimmerman, Retired Lutheran Pastor, Retired educator •

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MARCUS DEON SMITH On Sunday, more people heard and said the name MARCUS DEON SMITH than at any previous public gathering. As previously reported, Smith died after being hogtied by eight GPD officers during the 2018 Greensboro Folk Festival. The officers held Smith face down on Church Street and applied a restraint device to attach his ankles to his handcuffs. On police body camera videos, Smith cries in pain, gasps, “Help me,” and appears to stop breathing. After his death was ruled a homicide by the State Medical Examiner, the city released a compilation video of the body camera footage, prefaced with the former Greensboro Police Department Chief Wayne Scott giving a description of the death that is contradicted by the individual videos.

5500 Adams Farm Lane Suite 204 Greensboro, NC 27407 Office 336-316-1231 Fax 336-316-1930 Publisher CHARLES A. WOMACK III publisher@yesweekly.com EDITORIAL Editor KATIE MURAWSKI katie@yesweekly.com Contributors IAN MCDOWELL AUDREY SELLEY KATEI CRANFORD MARK BURGER TERRY RADER JIM LONGWORTH

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One Greensboro artist, who thought he was retired, may have to keep working now that social distancing has closed most art galleries. DON MORGAN has been an exhibiting artist since 1978, and since 1990, he has been a professional faux finisher and muralist at his business, Artworks Decorative Painting. 7 Having enjoyed success with its virtual screening of the documentary Circus of Books last month, Winston-Salem’s OUT AT THE MOVIES will next present writer/ director Daniel Karslake’s For They Know Not What They Do, the eagerly anticipated follow-up to his award-winning documentary debut, For the Bible Tells Me So (2007). 8 Downtowns and major roadways have been filled with daily demonstrations. While the forefront soundtrack rings of marching feet and cries of the people—sweet music of its own—musicians and artists continue carrying the TUNES IN THIS TIME OF UNREST. 9 On May 22, as part of Gov. Roy Cooper’s ‘more cautious” Phase II reopening plan, restaurants dining rooms were legally allowed to reopen with limited capacity. However, some

local restaurant owners said they may need a PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM LOAN even more now as employees return. 10 There’s no doubt about it, Donald Trump TWEETS some nasty things about people. He also uses Twitter to fire people and to get people fired-up. 13 ART has filled the boarded-up

windows of downtown Greensboro brickand-mortars turning much of Elm Street into an immersive public art exhibit. Some businesses have made a socially-conscious decision to give a platform to those most affected by police brutality, and have reserved their storefronts exclusively for murals by African-American artists.

“No one is shooting protesters or wants to shoot protesters,” wrote Stokes County militia member Jason Passmore to me in a Saturday night Facebook message. Passmore and two associates have received criticism in the press and social media for appearing in downtown Greensboro in PARAMILITARY ATTIRE with openly displayed semi-automatic weapons during the first three nights of protests.

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DISTRIBUTION JANICE GANTT KYLE MUNRO CARL PEGRAM SHANE MERRIMAN JESSE GUERRA ANDREW WOMACK We at YES! Weekly realize that the interest of our readers goes well beyond the boundaries of the Piedmont Triad. Therefore we are dedicated to informing and entertaining with thought-provoking, debate-spurring, in-depth investigative news stories and features of local, national and international scope, and opinion grounded in reason, as well as providing the most comprehensive entertainment and arts coverage in the Triad. YES! Weekly welcomes submissions of all kinds. Efforts will be made to return those with a self-addressed stamped envelope; however YES! Weekly assumes no responsibility for unsolicited submissions. YES! Weekly is published every Wednesday by Womack Newspapers, Inc. No portion may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher. First copy is free, all additional copies are $1.00. Copyright 2020 Womack Newspapers, Inc.

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[SPOTLIGHT]

NO PUNCHING BAG’S DRIVE-BY ‘PROTEST AGAINST RACISM’ BY KATIE MURAWSKI

On June 7, starting from the parking lot of Coffee Park Airstream on Reynolda Road and looping around the West End Historic District of WinstonSalem, a socially-conscious convoy of 140-200 cars decorated with signs that read, “Black Lives Matter,” “Defund The Police,” “How Many Weren’t Filmed?” and other similar messages, took a Sunday drive around town to bring the movement from downtown to inside the bubble of the predominately white side of the city. “This is the City of Arts and Innovation,” said Angel Fant, the co-organizer of the drive-by Protest Against Racism. “You gotta know that we aren’t about to just march in the street. If D.C. was able to get the “Black Lives Matter” painting on the street, what do you think we are capable of? We are going to come at it with art, and all kinds of ways. This is just the beginning.” Angel, along with her daughters, Tenijah Renée and Danielle Fant, are apparel designers—the first from WinstonSalem to have their work shown at Paris Fashion Week—who created the social justice fashion line, No Punching Bag. The drive-by protest took place from 5 p.m. to about 6:30 p.m. with the Fants leading the pack behind several Winston-Salem Police Department officers on motorcycles, with the almost 200-car procession tailed by WSPD patrol cars. “We weren’t getting to the people that we need to when we do it downtown,” Tenijah Renée said. “Because everyone is going to the same area marching, it’s almost like you are marching to each other, rather than to populations that may be racists,” Danielle added. “We made people uncomfortable because this is an uncomfortable topic and uncomfortable situation. It’s everybody’s problem.” Angel explained that they had been to five protests that happened in the arts district of downtown Winston-Salem last week. She said that the socially distant drive-by worked two-fold: it engaged those who have been purposefully absent from the marches, and it engaged the immunocompromised and the high-risk population for contracting COVID-19. “When we were stopping, and when people were held up, it was symbolic in the fact that this is the time we are in—we are not moving until we make this right—that put people in that same WWW.YESWEEKLY.COM

Tenijah Renée, Angel, and Danielle Fant with Tommy Priest position,” Angel said. “All of us are, pretty much, victims of what happened long ago. Some of us have been trained up that way, and we are continuing this cycle. But it is going to be up to us to change the future. And we have to do it ‘by any means necessary,’ as Malcolm X said.” Tommy Priest, the owner of Coffee Park Airstream, facilitated the drive-by protest by hosting the movement in the parking lot of his business, as well as by helping organize the route. Priest said he was “blown away” by the support the drive-by protest received. “What I saw here was in solidarity with protesters and freedom fighters in Louisville, Kentucky, that are fighting for justice for Breonna Taylor—and now, fighting for justice for the killing of [David McAtee], who used to serve the cops barbecue!” Priest said. “This is not what democracy looks like.” Priest said that also he spoke with participating elderly folks, who told him that they had wanted to get out and march in solidarity but couldn’t due to COVID-19’s threat to their compromised immune systems. “They were so thankful for the opportunity to participate in direct action, and that is what this movement is about currently,” he said. “We are in the direct action mode and now, are pivoting towards putting a list of our demands together.” He said the next step in this movement— not moment— is a call for unity of other local social justice groups such as Hate Out of Winston and Black Lives Matter Winston-Salem.

“If we do that, then we can hold everyone accountable that is in charge,” he said. “In fact, we can change that leadership if we need to, because we all have the power of the ballot.” No Punching Bag wants to continue

the momentum and has announced another drive-by “Protest Against Racism” happening again this Sunday, June 14, at 5 p.m. The line up location is at Research Parkway North in WinstonSalem. (Follow the Facebook event page for more information.) Angel said the route—which would not be shared publicly due to safety concerns—would be different and announced during the line up. Angel said there are many others who look like her that don’t think anything will change. “I want to put some faith in them,” she said. “When we go into East Winston, we want these people to believe that we have the power to make real change, and this is not a temporary thing—this is not a trend. It is no longer blacks against racism. Now, it’s the world against racism—it’s what is right against racism.” “We want people to know that we aren’t going away,” Angel added. “This needs to change; it has gone on long enough.” !

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COVID-19 inspires artist to create more in quarantine

ne Greensboro artist, who thought he was retired, may have to keep working now that social distancing has closed most art galleries. Don Terry Rader Morgan has been an exhibiting artist since 1978, and since 1990, Contributor he has been a professional faux finisher and muralist at his business, Artworks Decorative Painting. Two of his most recent paintings, “Falls” and “Eden, NC,” are on display through June 30 at The Artery Gallery (which is open for framing), along with other local artists’ new works that were inspired by and done during the COVID-19 lockdown. Morgan said there would not be an opening reception, but the art on display may be viewed and purchased.

Morgan said his online collections are categorized as drawings, recent work, the natural world, explorations, and people. His work is inspired and created in real life from places in Greensboro, St. Thomas, Italy, and beyond, with his wife, Marilyn. One of his COVID-19 creations is “Eden, NC,” which depicts a couple in a lush, overgrown garden that, he said, “makes you question whether it is before, or after the virus.” While Morgan works in most mediums, he said his favorite is acrylic on canvas, and working with Procreate software on his iPad makes it easier to send digital stuff to his online site. “I draw with a stylus pen that makes a mark that can be a pen, pencil, brushstrokes as paint, watercolor, anything,” he said. Morgan said he prefers to draw from “scratch,” though he may take a photo to use as a reference. His first memory as an artist was in the fourth or fifth grade when his teacher handed out five-part sheets of carbon

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paper. He did a drawing of his dog, Mitzi, laying on the floor, and was so excited when he had five copies to give to his family—he was already thinking “production.” When Morgan’s son, Gabriel, was 6 years old (who is now 32), he asked what Gabriel would like painted on his bedroom wall mural and was surprised to hear, “I want giant venus flytraps,” instead of Godzilla. Morgan said the mural wrapped around two walls on both sides of Gabriel’s bed so that when he was in his bed, he would be surrounded by nature. Morgan also painted a life-sized mural of three big cats for a young girl who loved lions and tigers, as well as a mural of a life-size train emerging out of the wall behind the bed of an 8-year-old boy, who Morgan said complimented him by saying he was on the boy’s “Greatest Artists” list. Seven years ago, Morgan said he began selling his art online with Fine Art America/Pixels, and now, he has his own website, which features 60 pieces of his original art, that can be purchased as wall art prints on a variety of materials that include canvas, wood, and tapestries, to home décor on pillows, fleece blankets, towels, shower curtains, coffee mugs, to apparel that includes t-shirts and tanks (even toddlers and baby onesies), to yoga mats, greeting cards, spiral notebooks, bags, pouches, cell phone cases, and most recently, face masks.

“Being able to stay home and just paint all the time is really what I have always wanted to do, but some artists are too upset to concentrate right now,” he said. “One has to deal with the blank canvas, and getting started is always the problem. It’s all fear at the beginning. You got to walk past the fear before you can do anything to the art. You got to start. It’s imaginary to begin, but then it becomes real, and you can always change it. There’s no flow until you open the spigot, and then, it’s wide open.” ! TERRY RADER is a freelance writer/editorial/content/ copy, creative consultant/branding strategist, communications outreach messenger, poet and emerging singer/songwriter.

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June 1-30, artists on display, The Artery, 1711 Spring Garden St., Greensboro, (336) 274-9814, www. donmorgan.pixels.com, www.facebook.com/don. morgan/about?lst=100000293475982%3A6751 72924%3A1591108777

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Know what to do: Stay in, but go ‘OUT’

Mark Burger

Contributor

Having enjoyed success with its virtual screening of the documentary Circus of Books last month, Winston-Salem’s OUT at the Movies will next present writer/director Daniel Karslake’s For They Know Not What They Do, the eagerly anticipated follow-up to his award-winning documentary debut, For the Bible Tells Me

So (2007). The festival is presenting this special screening in association with the film’s distributor, First Run Features. Viewers can purchase a $10 virtual ticket to stream the film, which will be available beginning Thursday on the official OUT at the Movies website. There will be a national “Zoom Q&A” with filmmaker Karslake and some of those profiled in the film. Specific details have not been finalized, but will be forthcoming for those who purchase tickets. For They Know Not What They Do isn’t so much a sequel to For the Bible Tells Me So as a continuation of its themes, further exploration of religion, sexual orientation, and gender identity in 21st-century America, conveyed in intimate terms by the people who have experienced it. The film follows four families of faith: Rob and Linda Robertson, whose evangelical church encouraged them to enroll their son Ryan in conversion therapy; David and Sally McBride, a Presbyterian couple whose youngest son came out as a transgender woman; Victor Baez and Annette Febo, whose Catholic tradition and Puerto Rican upbringing had a major impact on their gay son; and Harold and Coleen Porcher, a mixed-race couple whose child committed self-harm before they were able to come to terms with his gender. WWW.YESWEEKLY.COM

In the film’s press notes, Karslake related: “Making my first film, For the Bible Tells Me So, was an incredible experience, and watching it ignite conversations among communities as the film played at festivals, was translated into 23 languages, and had a successful 140-market theatrical run before premiering on streaming services, was really exciting. “It has been a great ride,” he said, “and for a very long time, I didn’t think I’d make another film about religion and LGBTQ people. But then America started to change ...” “I am really excited about this event,” said Rex Welton, co-founder and director of the OUT at the Movies festival and screening series. “In 2007, (we) screened Karslake’s documentary For the Bible Tells Me So four times and sold over 1,100 tickets. This film is even better. It is riveting!” For They Know Not What They Do received nominations for Best Documentary Feature at the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival and in the New Jersey Films Competition at the 2019 Montclair Film Festival. “One of the best ways to break down barriers and to bring people together is to tell human stories,” Karslake observed. “Nothing is more transformative than when you meet someone onscreen with whom you identify, and then you watch them change. For many Americans, the transgender issue is particularly fear-filled and misunderstood because so few people actually know a trans person … or they at least think they don’t know a trans person.” Last month’s Circus of Books Netflix Party and Zoom Q&A “was a great experience,” said Welton, “and we are looking forward to future Zoom Q&As.” “I hope this film offers an alternative to religious families caught in the crosshairs,” said Karslake. “It is not mutually exclusive to love your child for who God made them to be and stay true to your

faith. The four families in the film prove that. And for those LGBTQ kids or adults whose religion makes them question their own worth and value, I want them to hear loud and clear that they are beloved and important exactly as God made them to be!” At this point in time, the annual OUT at the Movies International Film Festival is scheduled for Oct. 1-4, and prelimi-

nary plans are underway for an outdoor lakeside screening in July, should circumstances permit. For more information, call (336) 9180902, or visit the official OUT at the Movies website, www.outatthemovies.org. ! See MARK BURGER’s reviews of current movies on Burgervideo.com. © 2020, Mark Burger.

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Music in the movement

lack lives matter within music—the soundscape we know wouldn’t exist without black artists. Across the country, people are taking to the Katei Cranford streets for black lives and against police brutality. Downtowns Contributor and major roadways have been filled with daily demonstrations, while the forefront soundtrack rings of marching feet and cries of the people—sweet music of its own— musicians and artists continue carrying the tunes in this time of unrest. As the tip of racism rears its head through the horrors of aggressive authority during a pandemic, it sheds light on the iceberg of systemic issues—like health disparity and income inequality—floating below. “Almost everything in the entertain-

Reset.

ment world drips with the influence of black culture,” said vocalist SunQueen Kelcey Ledbetter, who’s seen her breakout year as a full-time musician challenged by COVID-19. “What’s ironic is that black communities are the most negatively affected by the socioeconomic disparities of the coronavirus,” she added. According to a study by Amfar, the Foundation for AIDS Research, counties with a black majority account for more than half of all COVID-19 cases and almost 60% of deaths. “I think it’s important to examine how much we need artists and musicians,” Ledbetter continued. “Even though live shows got canceled, our art— in particular ‘Black Art’—was still in high demand and deemed essential by the world. People wanted a show, whether it was online or not.” But being in demand doesn’t necessarily pay the bills. “I’ve witnessed this inequality gap firsthand and have performed for a place that paid their white artists more than their black artists,” Ledbetter

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Left to right: Sunqueen Kelcey, Moor_Pluto and DJ Supa Dupa continued of her experience. “We need more equity dispersed amongst our black artists. Which means we need to pay our black artists more and offer more opportunities. The same amount of money that is set aside to pay white artists should be the same, if not more, for black artists.” Turning toward creative outlets worthy of support, Ledbetter praised the Artist Emergency Relief Fund from ArtsGreensboro. “I’ve been blessed by them since this all started,” she said of the aid distributed to local artists affected by the pandemic. Those blessings come in part, thanks to Darlene J. McClinton, ArtsGreensboro grant manager, and CEO of The Artist Bloc (a notable incubator of Triad artistry on its own). For McClinton, the value of creative works is expressed as a simple formula. “Art reminds us of the road we have traveled, and paints a vision of Greensboro’s better future ahead,” she said. In the present, artists turned Elm Street from a boarded-up sundown town into a muraled boulevard for action. “Without creativity, we could not imagine, discover or invent,” McClinton continued. “Creative expression is a natural resource that can be utilized to propel the city of Greensboro forward in terms of cultural diversity and citizen inclusivity.” Greensboro musician, Moor_Pluto, likewise finds cohesion and catharsis within that resource. “Musicians and artists of all sorts are the glue for our society and consciousness,” he said. “It goes unnoticed of all the little things done to make the reality presentable and attainable. We provide a release from what can seem to get too real at times.” As artists provide release, they also lend support, turning talents into resources for protesters and agents of change. “Artists during times of rebellion and major moments in history will be the voices telling the story of the people,” said performer Haile Ferrier, who recently participated in the “Help from Home Benefit,” livestream festival hosted by WSOE 98.3 FM, which was a fundraiser for the fight against racial injustice. “Whether it be through song, dance, or poetry. Their art will live on even when the movement is over.” “Honestly, the one take away from all of

this—or the one thing that I hope people will take away—is that the industry has to change,” said WSOE general manager, Mabel Kitchens. “It needs to look like labels and companies and venues taking a step back and giving their platforms to those who could use the amplification for their voices to be heard.” Amplification resonates for “Help From Home” performer, DJ Supa Dupa. “The value of musicians at this time is important because we have the ability to amplify our voices through our music, so it’s easier for us to try to bring awareness to what’s going on right now,” he said with hopes of awakening unaware populations. “I just want people to educate themselves on what’s happening, and evaluate their privilege,” he added, “because that’s the only way they’ll become allies and make a real change.” Musicians throughout North Carolina are working for that change. The band Black Surfer raised $7,000 for protestor bail funds in less than 24 hours. Ruby Deluxe, a queer bar and venue, transformed itself into a medic station during the Raleigh protests, even in the face of white supremacist vandalism and flashbang fire from Wake County deputies. In the Triad, Greensboro musician FreedopeMajor gathered two rounds of marches, uniting thousands, and closing I-40—twice. As unrest uncovers ugly truths, there is music in the movement and change in the air. Hopefully, leaders are listening. ! KATEI CRANFORD is a Triad music nerd who hosts the Tuesday Tour Report.

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- Sunqueen Kelcey is working on a video for her second-single, “Thick Thighs Save Lives,” visit www.sunqueenkelcey.com/ for more information. - Moor_Pluto released a new collaborative multimedia project at www.moorpluto.bandcamp. com/album/clouds - DJ Supa Dupa has new singles out now at www. soundcloud.com/mrsupadupa - FreedopeMajor’s latest video: www.youtube. com/watch?v=YjDcS1P8Vik&feature=youtu.be

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Restaurants’ need for a PPP loan may increase during limited reopening in Phase II

he dining rooms of North Carolina restaurants have been closed since March 17, which caused massive employee layoffs of Audrey Selley predominantly dinein eateries. On May 22, as part of Gov. Contributor Roy Cooper’s “more cautious” Phase II reopening plan, restaurants dining rooms were legally allowed to reopen with limited capacity. However, some local restaurant owners said they may need a Paycheck Protection Program loan even more now as employees return. Cooper announced on May 20 that restaurants will be allowed to reopen starting May 22 with 50% limited capacity and tables spaced at least six feet apart. Limited dine-in will be in place until at least June 26. “The reality is that, from an economic standpoint, things aren’t going to turn to [normal] overnight,” said North Carolina state Sen. Michael Garrett (D-27). Garrett said he anticipates that restaurants and other businesses in the service industry will need the PPP loan even more as the reopening process begins. “Their margins are going to be tighter because they are going to be serving less customers, and in some cases, possibly operating at a loss,” Garrett said. ”If we can help with their payroll to make sure they keep staff on payroll, or bring people back to work, I think that’s important.” The Paycheck Protection Program, a segment of the United States’ Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act administered by the country’s Small Business Association, started on April 3 to help small businesses keep employees on payroll during the COVID-19 pandemic. The initial $350 billion allocated for the PPP was depleted within two weeks, according to Money.com. A second round of the PPP launched on April 27 with $310 billion available, and three weeks later, nearly $115 billion is still available to loan out, said Thomas Stith, the executive director of the Small Business Administration in North Carolina. WWW.YESWEEKLY.COM

Stith said part of the reason funds are lasting longer in the second round is because the average loan size decreased from $207,000 to $70,000, which Stith said is an indication that smaller businesses are receiving loans. Stith said the SBA took steps between the first and second round to increase the opportunities of small business owners to receive loans, in response to concerns that large, publicly traded companies eligible for loans in the first round, pushed out smaller businesses. A report by research website Business. org on May 3 found that 96,032 North Carolina small businesses—or 10.5%—received a PPP loan, which placed North Carolina as the third lowest funded state in the country. On May 16, The SBA reported that over 109,000 North Carolina small businesses received PPP loans, totaling over $12 billion. Garrett said the latest updates on the PPP revealed that only 8.9% of the total loans had been given to businesses in the restaurant and hospitality sector. Aurelio Ruiz, manager of Kiosco, a mexican restaurant in Greensboro, has not yet received a PPP loan. Ruiz said he applied for a loan the first week the program started in April, but he has not heard back. Ruiz said only eight of his employees are working at the restaurant, compared to about 32 to 34 before the pandemic. Ruiz said Kiosco has had a 80% drop in sales since March 17, and he needs the PPP “pretty bad” in order to bring back some of his employees. Stith said his recommendation for business owners who have not yet received a PPP loan is to frequently check in with their financial institution on the status of their loan application. If an applicant experiences delayed responses from their bank, Stith said they might have more luck if they switch lenders. Ray Essa, owner of Cafe Pasta in Greensboro, said his PPP loan application was approved in the second round after switching from what he calls a “big bank” to a small, community bank. Stith said in the second round, the SBA allocated more funds to lenders with smaller assets, as smaller businesses are more likely to have a relationship with a small bank rather than a large bank. Ray said he temporarily laid off seven workers, but with the PPP loan he plans to bring all of them back and put them on

payroll. At least 75% of the loan has to go towards keeping employees on payroll in order for the loan to be fully forgiven, according to the SBA’s website. Cindy Essa, sister to Ray Essa, is the owner of Pastabilities, an Italian eatery in Greensboro, and she said she has not received a PPP loan yet. Cindy also anticipates that her need for a PPP loan will become more dire when dine-in service resumes. “The longer and more gradual the restrictions are lifted, we will need it especially then,” she added. Cindy said she furloughed about five of her wait staff since dine-in was prohibited in March. Her servers will return during Phase II, but if restrictive measures only allow service at half capacity, she said her staff might not get the same hourly wages they were used to before the pandemic. Herbie’s Place, a 24-hour diner in Greensboro, qualified for a PPP loan in the second round, said manager Jackie Depeyster. Depeyster said she is worried that the loan may not be enough to supplement lost revenue and pay returning workers when dine-in resumes. If Herbie’s Place can only serve halfcapacity when they open for dine-in, Depeyster explained, it will likely be harder to keep every employee on payroll. “I think even at full capacity, we won’t be as busy as we were,” Depeyster said, forecasting how her customers—many of whom are elderly—may not feel financially able, or safe enough, for dine-in service. “There’s a lot of [elderly customers] that I’ve seen everyday for 13 years, but I haven’t seen them one time during this pandemic.” Depeyster said that before COVID-19 and the stay-at-home order, there would be about 10 employees working at Herbies Place during lunch rush-hour on a Friday. Now, the number of staff inside the diner is paltry—composed of herself, a server, a dishwasher, and a cook. Depeyster said she temporarily laid off four of her employees- all of whom are wait staff, cooks, or dishwashers- and she predicts she will have to permanently lay off at least two of them. Depeyster said her employees who are earning unemployment benefits are making more than they would be if they were working. “The challenge will be getting individu-

als to come back to work,” Stith said, noting how some employees are making more money on unemployment benefits than they would be at home. The North Carolina Department of Commerce increased unemployment benefits from April to July 2020 so someone who is unable to work due to COVID-19 can earn an extra $600 per week in addition to regular State unemployment benefits. The SBA created a condition for PPP loan borrowers that if they make an offer to an employee to come back to work and the employee refuses, the salary of that employee will still be accounted for in the forgivable portion and not held against the loan borrower, Stith said. According to the North Carolina Department of Commerce’s website, if an employer asks their employees to return to work during Phase II, a worker who wants to be eligible for unemployment benefits has to prove their health would be at significant risk by returning in order for them to continue earning unemployment benefits. Two bills aimed at helping the struggling restaurant industry will soon be voted on by the North Carolina General Assembly. The first, Senate Bill 748, would allow restaurants to sell alcoholic drinks for takeout and delivery. The second proposed bill, also known as the “Save our Restaurants Act,” is Senate Bill 788, which will allocate $50 million in funds to loan to restaurants to help cover expenses not covered by the PPP. Garrett said that unlike a PPP loan, which has guidelines on what a portion of the loan has to be spent on in order to be forgiven, loans under the Save our Restaurants Act will not be forgivable, but will give more spending freedom to borrowers. Looking ahead, Garrett said the service industry may even need an additional round of PPP loans, but ultimately, that depends on how safe people feel going out to restaurants. “I think people will be concerned about taking their families out into public, and going into restaurants and movie theaters, if the spread of the virus is not under control,” Garrett said. “To a degree, some of [restaurants’ need for a PPP loan] will be driven by how slow or quick we reopen the state’s economy, but to a greater degree, it will be driven by how well we do at containing the spread of the virus.” ! JUNE 10-16, 2020

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Trump Twitter wars both bad and good

here’s no doubt about it, Donald Trump tweets some nasty things about people. He also uses Twitter to fire people and to get people fired-up. Jim Longworth He gives dangerous medical advice Longworth via Twitter, and he tweets about his at Large imagined superiority on an almost daily basis. Trump uses Twitter a lot; in fact, he was the first presidential candidate—and is the first

president—to use that platform as his primary source of communication with the public. The problem is that nearly everything Trump tweets is either untrue or inflammatory. He did not have the largest crowd in Inaugural history. Clorox is not safe to inject or ingest. He does not hire the best people. Obama was not born overseas, and he did not wiretap Trump’s office. And, we have not defeated either ISIS or COVID-19. Independent fact-checking sources tell us that since taking office, Donald Trump has told in excess of 15,000 lies—many of them having been communicated via Twitter. Sadly, we have become almost immune to the effects of those lies, some of which have even glorified violence, and Twitter has done nothing to keep us

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from being infected by them—until now, that is. Last week, protests and riots broke out across the nation following an incident in which Derek Chauvin—a white Minneapolis cop—killed George Floyd, an unarmed black man. Trump implied in a tweet that the protestors (aka “thugs”) should be shot. Earlier that same week, the president tweeted that MSNBC host and former Congressman Joe Scarborough should be investigated for the murder of a woman who worked in Scarborough’s Congressional office. In fact, the woman in question, 28-year-old Lori Klausutis, died from a fall caused by a heart condition. But Trump isn’t the kind of person to let the facts get in the way of a good story. This wasn’t the first time he had alluded to a murder plot, and he was in the process of doubling down on that heinous rumor when the Minneapolis incident occurred. Twitter stepped in and began posting disclaimers in conjunction with the president’s tweets. Angered by what he considered to be bias and censorship, the president issued an executive order directing the FCC and FTC to study the viability of imposing new regulations on social media companies. At first glance, Trump’s order seemed dangerously totalitarian, but this particular knee-jerk reaction may actually result in some much-needed legislation. Radio and television broadcasters, for example, are licensed and regulated by the federal government. If a T.V. station refuses to meet the needs of a particular

group of viewers or violates community standards, or if an anchorperson spews a bunch of expletives on air, then that T.V. station could incur a hefty fine and even lose its license. Twitter, Facebook and other similar companies, however, are not regulated—Section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act, which recognizes them as platforms rather than publishers, protects them. Thus, social media giants can’t be sued or fined or shut down. For years now, I have called on Congress and the FCC to regulate Twitter and Facebook the same way they do broadcasters, but our elected officials don’t seem inclined to initiate such a change. Too bad, because too many people have been hurt emotionally and financially by malicious and false statements posted on social media. Take, for instance, the case of Lori Drew, who set up a MySpace account under a false name with the express purpose of sending libelous and harassing messages to a 13-year-old neighbor girl. The girl subsequently killed herself. I don’t know how Trump’s executive order will play out. If it leads to legislation, which regulates and punishes social media companies, and convicts customers who abuse those platforms, then the president’s seemingly totalitarian action may end up being the best thing to happen to the internet since Al Gore says he invented it. ! JIM LONGWORTH is the host of Triad Today, airing on Saturdays at 7:30 a.m. on ABC45 (cable channel 7) and Sundays at 11 a.m. on WMYV (cable channel 15).

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Marcus Deon Smith called ‘Greensboro’s George Floyd’ at #BlackoutNC rally

n Sunday, more people heard and said the name Marcus Deon Smith than at any previous public gathering. As previously reported, Smith died after being hogtied by eight Ian McDowell GPD officers during the 2018 Greensboro Folk Festival. Contributor The officers held Smith face down on Church Street and applied a restraint device to attach his ankles to his handcuffs. On police body camera videos, Smith cries in pain, gasps, “Help me,” and appears to stop breathing. After his death was ruled a homicide by the State Medical Examiner, the city released a compilation video of the body camera footage, prefaced with the former Greensboro Police Department Chief Wayne Scott giving a description of the death that is contradicted by the individual videos. (A far more graphic three-and-a-halfminute compilation of the body camera videos can be found on YouTube under the title “Greensboro Police hogtie and kill Marcus Deon Smith.”) To this date, none of the officers involved in Smith’s death have received any disciplinary action. In the year and a half since Smith’s death, activists and other speakers have criticized the City of Greensboro’s response in front of audiences as large as several hundred people. On Sunday afternoon in LeBauer Park, Smith’s family and their supporters spoke passionately and angrily to an audience of thousands, who chanted Smith’s name and denounced Greensboro’s police, mayor, and city council. The rally, titled #BlackoutNC: An Anti-Police Brutality Demonstration, was about more than the death of one black man at the hands of the Greensboro Police Department. One of its purposes was to announce Greensboro Rising’s demands to the city. While these demands include ending the curfew, defunding the police, requiring signed permission before police execute a search without a warrant, ending marijuana arrests, and allowing the Police Community Review Board to hold police YES! WEEKLY

JUNE 10-16, 2020

The family of Marcus Deon Smith speaking at the #BlackoutNC rally in LeBauer Park on June 7 accountable and to have the power of subpoena, the first demand is the following: Make amends to the family of Marcus Smith, an unarmed man experiencing homelessness who Greensboro police hogtied and killed in the street. a. Apologize and adequately compensate the family of Marcus Deon Smith for his homicide death. b. Fire the officers and their supervisors who helped cover up the homicide for their wrongdoing, demand that the county fire the paramedics involved, and issue a public apology from the City of Greensboro for the killing of Marcus Smith and over 50 years of police brutality and corruption. c. Set up a memorial to honor the life of Marcus Deon Smith and all other victims of police violence in Greensboro. “We traveled this road many times, only to be almost laughed at by city council,” said Kim Smith, Marcus’s sister, in her speech on Sunday. “We had no idea that my brother was hogtied. That was something they left out, but they left it out on purpose. We won’t ever stop fighting for Marcus. Greensboro, you had a George Floyd in your city. Marcus Smith was the George Floyd of Greensboro!” “I brought him here just to start a new life,” said Marcus Smith’s brother, Len Butler, before his voice faltered in grief. After composing himself, Butler thanked the multiracial crowd, expressing gratitude to both black activists and white allies. “I don’t have much to say,” said Marcus’s father, George Smith. “But I saw the video.

They tried to get me to look at it a second time. I couldn’t see my son die two times.” His family put their arms around him as he wept. “You would not want to be standing where I am today,” said Marcus’s mother, Mary Smith, in her address to the supportive crowd. She described how the Greensboro police originally told her family that her son “was suicidal and collapsed,” without any mention “that he was hogtied, suffocated and died on the ground.” She also said her son “died just the same way George Floyd died” and that “their autopsies were exactly the same.” “Greensboro City Council and [nowformer] police Chief Wayne Scott have played us,” Mary Smith said. “They told lies. I mean lies after lies after lies, like Marcus Smith’s life didn’t count. But lo and behold, we found out what happened, that he was hogtied. He was hogtied so tight that his arm hemorrhaged. And [Mayor] Nancy Vaughan said she found no wrongdoings.” Mary Smith also gave YES! Weekly the following statement: “Our family was in disbelief that this kind of thing was happening in 2018! How can a man be hogtied in the 21st-century? Greensboro police murdered my son like Minneapolis ones murdered George Floyd. Greensboro Police Chief Wayne Scott and Mayor Nancy Vaughan did not give us any information as to where his body was. We had to call every morgue in Greensboro to find him. We did not know he was hogtied until our lawyer forced them to show

him and my husband the body camera video. When we found it was a homicide, we were devastated. How could eight police officers sworn to serve and protect kill the unarmed man who came to them, asking for help? How could two EMS workers just stand there and watch those officers do it? My husband has been sick ever since he saw our son take his last breath face-down on Church Street. I refuse to watch that footage. We are still trying to comprehend why Nancy Vaughan and the city council did not do their job and tell the City Manager to fire Wayne Scott. Why was Wayne Scott allowed to retire after he lied about my son and covered up for the officers who killed him? It’s appalling that Chief Wayne Scott retired with a pension a day after my son’s birthday. We have to find out the answers to why this happened! Nancy Vaughan could have avoided all us this if she’d acted like the Mayor of Minneapolis after George Floyd’s death.” Representing the Smith family in their federal civil rights lawsuit against the City of Greensboro, eight GPD officers and two EMTs are local attorney Graham Holt and Flint Taylor of the People’s Law Office of Chicago. Taylor gave YES! Weekly the following statement: “We fully support the protestors naming of Marcus Smith, together with many other black victims of police suffocation and asphyxiation, including George Floyd in Minneapolis, Eric Garner in New York City, and Derek Williams in Milwaukee, as victims of racist and illegal police violence, and we call on Mayor Vaughan, the Greensboro Police Chief and the Greensboro News and Record to emphatically and definitively follow suit. We also fully support the protestors’ demand for full and complete reparations for the brutal, inhumane and racist police killing of Marcus Smith, including a full and public mayoral and police apology that includes an admission of the GPD’s cover-up of the truth under former Chief Scott, a public memorial commemorating Marcus Smith, disciplinary action against all of the City and County officers involved, and an independent criminal investigation by a Special Prosecutor.” ! IAN MCDOWELL is the author of two published novels, numerous anthologized short stories, and a whole lot of nonfiction and journalism, some of which he’s proud of and none of which he’s ashamed of.

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Centering African-American voices in downtown Greensboro murals Art has filled the boarded-up windows of downtown Greensboro brickand-mortars turning much of Elm Street into an immersive public art exhibit. Some businesses have made a sociallyKatie Murawski conscious decision to give a platform to those most affected Editor by police brutality, and have reserved their storefronts exclusively for murals by African-American artists. Atiba Berkley, president of the Piedmont Blues Preservation Society, said that a Blues Society business affiliate (who asked to not be named) had recently made headlines for the wrong reasons. Allegedly, Stokes County Militia members co-opted the storefront’s logo in a photo-op during the unrest on May 31 and June 1. Berkley said the owner of the shop (where that picture was taken) wanted to make his intentions and beliefs clear: he did not endorse or condone white supremacy. “We just wanted the community-at-large to be aware that this business was unaffiliated with white supremacy, and the white supremacist movement,” Berkley said. “They co-opted a space without asking, and when it was documented by journalists, I think the shop became collateral damage.” Berkley said the owner of the shop contacted him and asked how he could help rectify the situation. Since the owner expressed interest in having a mural painted on his storefront, Berkley said they decided to reserve that space for “black and brown people to have their voices seen and heard.” “We decided to do things in a different context than what some other folks are doing,” Berkley explained. “The Blues Society was interested in doing that, and we decided that we would pick some blues images to give artists another perspective from which to celebrate and center blackness in the conversation.” Berkley said the space for the murals includes approximately four 8-foot by 10-foot areas, and that the subject of the murals would be primarily AfricanAmerican blues musicians. Berkley said the artists would be able to choose from WWW.YESWEEKLY.COM

those images and would have full creative control. Berkley said that the owner of the business would be leaving it up for an extra two weeks after it is completed and is providing meals, supplies and a stipend for each artist collaborating on the mural. In addition, Berkley said the Blues Society would preserve the images after they are taken down for a future visual art display. “We are a nonprofit that deals with black arts and culture—not just blues music,” Berkley said. “All the cultures and disciplines overlap, so we want to do our part to pay respects and make sure that conversation is understood as well. When you minimize black art to a good lyric or guitar lick, you are missing a lot of the point of the expression of art.” Berkley also hopes this mural can help tackle conversations about race and representation in the arts. “The blues audience in America, as far as consumers are concerned, are predominately white,” Berkley said. “It’s a very unique situation for [blues] being a black art form, where the number one consumer currently is white. That happens with most black art forms: rock ‘n’ roll— black art form, white audience. Hip-hop/rap—black art form, white audience—It’s a common theme, which allows some room for different conversations.” Downtown Greensboro staple, Elsewhere Museum, came up with its own mural project and reserved its space exclusively for African-American artists as well—with A&T professor, co-owner of The Artist Bloc, and ArtsGreensboro grant manager Darlene McClinton spearheading the effort. Matthew Giddings, Elsewhere’s new executive director and Thea Cohen, Elsewhere fellow, worked with a team of six others to come up with a list of African-American mural artists they knew of in Greensboro. Through a “word-of-mouth fundraising campaign,” Giddings said that Elsewhere was able to raise money to be able to pay up to nine artists at least $200 each, and ArtsGreensboro was able to donate primer. Giddings said this mural would be a collaborative effort with the themes of Elsewhere’s vision for “building collaborative futures” tied into “Black Lives Matter: past, present and future.” “Having this be black-led and predominantly black mural artists is what needs to be seen,” Giddings said. “I think this is an opportunity to lead with doing the right things.”

Some of the lead artists on the team include McClinton, Jamin Guinyard—aka Jay Squids, Karena Graves—aka Kidd, A&T professor Xavier Carrington, Lady Q—aka Quadasia Prescod, and Phillip Marsh, the art administrator of Rockers Print Shop. McClinton said she envisions a “bright, bold and vivid mural that tells a story of pride, dignity, and liberation from beginning, middle to end.” “I think it is important for black voices to be the center of this project because we are the ones that are living through the pain and living through this experience,” she explained. “Nobody can really tell your story the way you tell your story. This is a time for creatives to speak visually and to be heard on all platforms. Creating art is therapeutic and creative expression can foster healing and mental well-being.” Marsh is an artist involved with the mural at Elsewhere, and he is a collaborating artist on the Blues Society mural. He said supporting African-American creatives is both necessary and important now more than ever. “This is our moment,” Marsh said. “We need our voices heard, because at this moment —in a time of change, we need to have the participation that we haven’t had for over 400 years. There is a new generation putting in a new voice. Along with that voice, we are saying to powerful people that we have a voice, too. No matter how insignificant you may feel, you are in the community—you have a voice, too. That is what art is about, and that is what this project is about, and it is an honor to be a part of it.” Marsh said he feels that some of the artwork he has seen is tone-deaf, considering the seriousness of the statements that most of the murals are making. “The artwork has been sanitized—as you can see, [with] daffodils and rainbows and flowers,” he said. “This isn’t what this moment is about—this moment is about black pain. We just saw one of our brothers’ lives snuffed out prematurely— this is not a good time. To think that people are so disconnected from our community, that they don’t even recognize pain—to where they feel a creative message that they want to say is something positive at this moment— shows the tone-deafness of people in our community. That is really why this project is important, and all the projects that I have been a part of have been important. I am making sure to make sure that the message is being relayed in this moment. There

would be no Civil Rights Museum if there wasn’t dangerous work done to make that moment happen. Same as now, we have a transformative worldwide event going on. When we look back on this moment next month, next year, 10 years from now—does Greensboro really want to be known for putting up daffodils?” As a 45-year-old black man who has had numerous negative experiences with police officers and has “done three years in prison for things that other people would get a slap on the wrist with,” Marsh thinks those are the kinds of messages that are important. To him, those are the messages that should be shared right now. Marsh added that the subject matter of black art could be painful because of the harsh reality of systemic racism, which may not be palatable to white people. “We live in a lot of chaos,” Marsh said. “When people are so uncomfortable, it is because they don’t know how to operate in chaos. But black people, we live in chaos every day, so this is nothing to us. Even in that perspective, we need to do a better job understanding that sometimes, it is best to be a leader, and sometimes it is best to be a follower. And in this moment, all of society needs to understand how to be a follower so that they can truly hear what black people are saying, instead of listening to respond to tell us why we aren’t feeling what we are feeling.” ! KATIE MURAWSKI is the editor-in-chief of YES! Weekly. Her alter egos include The Grimberlyn Reaper, skater/public relations board chair for Greensboro Roller Derby, and Roy Fahrenheit, drag entertainer and self-proclaimed King of Glamp.

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see?

-The Blues Society mural can be found across from the ballpark, next to Acropolis, located at 416 N. Eugene St. The mural at Elsewhere, located at 606 S. Elm St., should be completed by Friday. To donate to Elsewhere’s artist fund for the mural, visit: https://checkout.square.site/buy/HPVZQAKDRSVLW3WHBTJDEYY6 -The Piedmont Blues Preservation Society is teaming up with the North Carolina Folk Festival on Sept. 11-13, for its 34th annual Blues Festival. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, The Blues Society had to delay its annual fundraiser. Donations can be sent via CashApp: $PiedmontBlues or PayPal, sales@piedmontblues.org, or by mail to P.O. Box 9737 Greensboro, N.C., 27429. The Blues Society is seeking new members, sign up via www. piedmontblues.org. JUNE 10-16, 2020

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Protest leader to white militia: ‘Don’t tell me you’re on my side’ “No one is shooting protesters or wants to shoot protesters,” wrote Stokes County Militia member Jason Passmore to me in a Saturday night Facebook message. Passmore and two associates have Ian McDowell received criticism in the press and social Contributor media for appearing in downtown Greensboro in paramilitary attire with openly displayed semi-automatic weapons during the first three nights of protests. A 2019 “Hatewatch” report by the Southern Poverty Law Center called the Stokes County Militia “a paramilitary antigovernment group” and described its executive officer Brandal Thomas Payne as a member of “neo-Confederate propaganda group Identity Dixie (ID)” that was “instrumental in organizing the deadly ‘Unite the Right’ rally in Charlottesville, Virginia.” A June 2018 Indy Week article by Jordan Green described Passmore as a former Iraqi contractor who has uttered anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant rhetoric at political gatherings. The article also describes what Green called Passmore’s “fluid stance on white nationalism” and alleged that he had conducted firearms training with white supremacists. “Fuck the media,” wrote Passmore in his message to me. It was unclear if this was a response to unfavorable coverage. On May 30, the first day of protests in downtown Greensboro, Passmore posted on his Facebook that he was “at GPD headquarters, on the tracks when the gas was used and in front of Natty Greene’s.” He also stated that he and his associates were armed with concealed pistols. Later, as looting broke out on Elm Street’s South Side, Passmore posted, “the killing is about to start.” In his message to me, Passmore acknowledged that post but gave the following statement. “If people keep Looting and burning down our city the government is going to bring in the national guard then there going to shoot me, you and anyone else.. just like they are shooting people in Kentucky.” He wrote that the claim “that I threatened to kill protesters is complete bull shit.” He also wrote the following passages: “Was I downtown with a Gun yes. would I have defended my self and others and private property yes. Would I shoot some YES! WEEKLY

JUNE 10-16, 2020

Photos of Jason Passmore were sent by Passmore to Ian McDowell

kids or adults because there mad the Police have killed them or there friends fuck No... I’ve had friends Killed ... I know plenty of friends that have been abused or beat or killed by Federal Police or local police... We The People are At War with a Evil tyrannical government. And it will not end peacefully. The days of Marching peacefully like MLK are gone... but destroying private property of private people can Not continue. the regular people and business owners will demand actions and government Never ever ever has a good reaction to” He claimed that he and his compatriots were there to defend protesters. “Me and 6 white guys I was with was in a position to move between Police and protesters if it come to some Kent State shit. (Kent state the NG and police Murdered Anti-war protesters at a college during the Vietnam war) Me and my friends Will Not allow today, tomorrow ever... we are patriots are we Should All be in the streets.” But he also expressed disapproval of protester behavior. “I have to say screaming and yelling and talking shit to the Officers in front of GPD HQ was not only disrespectful but unbecoming of the protest and only set to enrage officers when they deal With those individuals again... those officers didn’t kill mr Floyd and I’m sure like most officers agreed that the guy was wrong ... I don’t understand what any of those officers in Greensboro did to anyone other then stand for 1 hour being insulted and harassed ... but there public servants. And volunteered to stand there or they where ordered... Why Did GPD command choose 7-8 white officers to stand in front of a angry mob of protesters... Kinda

looks like GPD help throw gas on a fire that damn sure didn’t need anymore fuel.” I asked him if he had a response to Green reporting that a Eugene Street motorcycle shop owner, whose establishment Passmore claimed to have “defended,” told Green that he did not ask for protection, was alarmed by the arrival of the armed men, and called the police. “Me and The shop owner spoke,” Passmore replied. “[T}he police did not order us to leave and we had no request to leave On Sunday night. he did call the police and we spoke with them. We was asked to leave when we returned the following day and our assistance was not welcome...we left. That being said we where Outside of the Protest Zone and we where on a public sidewalk... we committed No crime and only came for the common good.” Shortly after I received Passmore’s final message, I got a call from Anthony, the

organizer of the peaceful 10-hour protest that shut down parts of I-40 on May 29, and one of the organizers of the march on Wendover this past Saturday. As Anthony had denounced Passmore in my earlier interview with him, I told him about Passmore’s claim to have been there to protect protesters. Enraged, Anthony wanted to make a statement and insisted that it be attributed to him, rather than to just a black man who’d protested on Saturday. “We do not need a white militia to protect us,” Anthony said. “If they want to show us what side they’re on, let them leave their damn guns at home and come say a prayer for us when we’re out marching. If they’re really for peace, it’s time to show it. We don’t need them with guns protecting the local business owners who don’t even want them the fuck there. We don’t need them intimidating our neighborhoods riding around with semi-automatics. We got the police to do that. They’re already out there intimidating us with their guns. We gotta work on that, too.” Where Passmore had referenced Kent State, Anthony referenced the Greensboro Massacre. “This ain’t 1979; this is ain’t the Morningside Massacre. My father was there when that shit happened. I grew up hearing his stories of KKK riding around, jammed into the back of their trucks with guns. Them times is over. We, the people, stand together. If some white militia thinks that, for one second, we’re going to let them come at us with their hate and propaganda—it won’t work. Now is the time to re-educate the people. Now is the time to break the wheel. Now is the time to show what we can do when unity comes together.” Anthony said that Passmore should “enjoy this shit while you can because a change is starting that can’t be reversed.” He denounced Passmore’s claim to be on his side. “Don’t tell me you’re on my side. If you are on my side, you’d be out there on the front line making sure we’re good—not with damn guns, but by delivering some water, some chips, some pizzas, some hand sanitizers. That’s what we need.” Anthony concluded by referring to the mother of the man fatally hogtied by the Greensboro police in 2018. “[If they are] really on our side, they need to be donating money to Marcus Smith’s mama.” ! IAN MCDOWELL is the author of two published novels, numerous anthologized short stories, and a whole lot of nonfiction and journalism, some of which he’s proud of and none of which he’s ashamed of.

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last call

[THE ADVICE GODDESS] love • sex • dating • marriage • questions

SMELLS LIKE QUARANTINE SPIRIT

I started seeing a guy right before quarantine. In fact, we’ve broken quarantine a lot to be together at his place. I really like him, but I’m worried Amy Alkon because our entire relationship has Advice taken place indoors Goddess (watching movies, playing video games, sex). We have no experience together in real life, and maybe I don’t know the real him. What if we go to dinner and he’s rude to the wait staff? How can I figure out what kind of person he is when we can’t go to places where we engage with other people? —Worried You see who people are when they’re tested. That’s why fiction is filled with knights going off on a decades-long perilous quest for the Holy Grail as opposed to briefly looking behind the couch for the Apple TV remote. However, you don’t have to wait till restaurants reopen to get a sense of whether this dude’s a good guy or some Mr. Complainypants McMantoddler. And frankly, restaurant encounters are a pretty low bar for revealing character. Most people trying to make a good impression (and especially sociopathic douchesicles) know to contain themselves, genteelly waving their server over rather than yelling across the restaurant, “Yo, waitslave!” Because we live in Modernville, our lives

are physically easier than at any other time in human history. We go to the gym to get the physical workout we previously would’ve gotten milking the cows and plowing the fields. Hard times that come from both physically and emotionally difficult situations are the gym where character is made and shows itself, where you see whether a person is fragile or “antifragile.” “Antifragile” is a term by risk researcher and former derivatives trader Nassim Taleb to describe how stress and conflict are sources of improvement for living things, strengthening them and making them more able to cope with difficult and unpredictable situations. In other words, the quarantine can be a good thing for character investigation. In lieu of dinner dates, you can schedule challenging one-on-one activities that show you what he’s made of. Camping and hiking are two sure character exposers. Or, if you prefer your challenges less wilderness-oriented, you could work together to assemble IKEA furniture. Consider yourself on the path to happily ever after if you don’t end up with three mysterious pieces of hardware left and/or murder-suicide each other with an Allen wrench.

crossword on page 11

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TRIAL BY FIREWORKS

I seem to need more excitement than most people. After eight months together, my boyfriend and I have fallen into a routine. Simply scheduling regular date nights seems unlikely to improve things. I’m 35, not 5, and I realize an ongoing relationship won’t be as exciting as when it was new, but I’m worried my boredom is a sign I don’t really love him. (And I’m pretty sure I do.) —Worried Woman

answers [CROSSWORD]

Take turns planning them, and keep what you’re planning a secret from the other (save for any necessary information about wardrobe, etc.). Because novelty and surprise are the baby mamas of excitement, even an unexpected date eating hot dogs together on a bench while watching the sun set over a pretty body of water is likely to check the boxes. But don’t stop at suggesting mystery date nights. Tell your boyfriend why: because you have quite the appetite for excitement. He can’t provide what he hasn’t been told you need, and this breeds resentment. You grow resentful over your unmet needs, and then he grows resentful over your resentment. And because it’s called “making love,” not “confirming hate,” any excitement you two had about sex (with each other) follows general excitement out the door, and “that thing” you do in bed becomes listening through the walls to the neighbors actually having sex. !

Unfortunately, love is not a cure for boredom, so there’s a point in a relationship when it’s tempting to trade a lifetime with Prince Charming for three hours with Prince Random Stranger. With love and stability comes predictability, the slow, bleak death of excitement. This is a bummer for anyone in a relationship, but especially hard if you “need more excitement than most people.” That suggests you are a high scorer in a personality trait psychologist Marvin Zuckerman termed “sensation seeking.” It plays out in a jonesing for novel, varied, and intense experiences “and the willingness to take risks for the sake of such experience” (such as risking a relationship for some strange). Recognizing that you have this craving could help you meet it in less romantically destructive ways. You might feed the beast on your own by taking up adrenaline-amping activities like hang gliding or zip lining, or if those are a little out of geographic or budgetary range, jogging through dark alleys in bad parts of town. To bring more novelty and surprise to your relationship, trade weekly date nights for weekly mystery date nights.

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2020 / 2021

ANOTHER EXCITING SEASON

Ben Vereen

An Evening with Jen Kober Friday, September 18, 2020 – 8:00 PM Scotland’s Tannahill Weavers Friday, October 23, 2020 – 8:00 PM Voctave Thursday, November 5, 2020 – 7:30 PM The Raleigh Ringers Sunday, November 8, 2020 – 2:00 PM

Hands of Liberace by Philip Fortenberry Sunday, November 15, 2020 – 2:00 PM Ernie Haase & Signature Sound with David Pendleton Sunday, November 22, 2020 – 2:00 PM Christmas Songs & Stories with John Berry Sunday, November 29, 2020 – 7:00 PM

Jump, Jive & Wail featuring the Jive Aces Friday, April 9, 2021 – 8:00 PM Steppin Out with Ben Vereen Saturday, April 10, 2021 – 8:00 PM Croce Plays Croce Sunday, April 11, 2021 – 7:00 PM Mike Super Friday, April 23, 2021 – 8:00 PM Webb Family Gospel Homecoming with Tim Lovelace Saturday, April 24, 2021 – 8:00 PM

Sons of Mystro Friday, January 15, 2021 – 8:00 PM Ballet Folklorico de Los Angeles presents ¡Viva Mexico ¡Viva America Friday, February 12, 2021 – 8:00 PM Rodney Marsalis Philadelphia Big Brass Friday, March 12, 2021 – 8:00 PM

Ballet Folklorico de Los Angeles

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