Trump targets Black-led cities despite record crime declines
By Stacy M Brown Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent
Donald Trump’s takeover of Washington, D C ’s police force and his threats to extend the same approach to other Black-led cities are being denounced as racially motivated and tied directly to the Project 2025 blueprint The facts tell a different story: under Black mayors, these cities have recorded some of the most dramatic drops in violent crime in decades
See Trump Targets, p 6
As Democrats return to Texas, Republicans get closer to erasing the seats of four Black Members of Congress
By Lauren Burke, NNPA Congressional Correspondent
Texas
Republicans in Texas on orders from President Donald Trump, are now closer to approving a new congressional map that would eliminate five seats’ Democrats have won over several cycles The hyper-partisan move is designed to assist Democrats in boosting their chances in the midterm elections in 2026, as Democrats in Texas ended a two-week boycott aimed at stalling the plan
See Texas Republicans, p 6
Honoring Emmett Till
By: Blackmansstreet
today com
Emmett Till would have been 84 this year
On August 28-30 the Emmett Till Interpretive Center will be hosting Remembering Emmett, a series of programs commemorating 70 years since Emmett Till's murder and Mamie Till-Mobley's courage in sharing her son's beaten corpse with the world
The programs will be held on the campus of Mississippi Valley State University with a concluding event on August 30 in Drew, Mississippi
See Emmett Till, p 6
Ben Jealous fired as Sierra Club’s first Black Executive Director; Many say racism at play
by Jason Ponterotto, Amsterdam News
(New York Amsterdam News/Trice Edney News Wire) - The Sierra Club board of directors voted unanimously to fire its first Black and overall person of color executive director, Benjamin (Ben) Jealous after he was placed on leave in July
Club Board Chair Patrick Murphy announced the August 11 decision to terminate the employment of Jealous with cause in an email to staff It comes after public disagreements between Jealous and staff members from local chapters
See Ben Jealous, p 6
More countries plan to recognize Palestine
By Blackmansstreet
today com
Palestinian flag
The United Kingdom said it would recognize a Palestinian state if Israel does not agree to a ceasefire in Gaza by September Canada said it will recognize Palestine without condition, as more children die in Gaza
This comes after France said it will recognize Palestine as a state during the United Nations General Assembly in September in an attempt to end the war in Gaza, where children are starving, President Emmanuel Macron has said
See Palestinian Flag, p 2
Inside This Week- ForklandVoters List
Eutaw City Council holds last meeting befor e election on August 26th
The Eutaw City Council held its last meeting before the August 26, 2025, municipal elections on August 12, 2025 The Council dealt with mostly routine business The Mayor and all Councilmembers were present
The Council approved purchase of a security system and cameras at the City Barn to prevent vandalism and stealing of equipment
The Council approved renewal of the agreement
The Council approved an agreement for Harbin and Stough CPA firm to do the audit for the city for the fiscal year from October 1, 2024 to September 30 2025 This is the same firm that did the previous two audits for fiscal years ending in 2022 and 2023 The fee for the audit will not exceed $31 000 and be determined later when the amount of work time is calculated Since the City is using an updated accounting system and the financial records will be in place the cost may be less than in prior years
Greene County
Alabama Rep. Curtis Travis joins school board members, superintendent and GCHS staff at initial groundbreaking of Sports Complex Phase I
The Greene County Board of Education held its regular meeting Monday, August 18, 2025 with all board members present Two measures of particular note brought before the board included a recap of the ground breaking at Greene County High School Friday August 15 2025 for Track & Field
Project (Phase I of the Sports Complex at Greene County High School) The expected cost of Phase I will be approximately $1 9 million The State Department of Education is providing a portion of the cost
Commission for its disbursement of $210 003 to the school system for quarters 1 and 2 Lennon indicated that this revenue will be reported in next month’s financial packet The board approved the following personnel items recommended by Superintendent Dr Corey Jones
GCHS; Alicia McMillian –Custodian – 10 month
See School Board, p 3 Gr oundbr eaking held for Spor ts Complex at GCHS
The second measure was the announcement by CSFO, Marquita Lennon, and a huge thank you to the Greene County Racing
Employment for the 2025 – 2026 school year: Eulas Kirtdoll –7th/8th grade Social Studies teacher – RBMS effective August 4, 2025; Erica Clayton – Paraprofessional – EPS effective August 6 2025; Dorethea Childs –Paraprofessional – RBMS, effective August 6, 2025; Khadijah Hunter – Longterm Substitute (SPED) –
Recall: Cedric Murry – 7th/8th grade Business Application teacher –RBMS effective August 4 202 Supplemental pay for Dr Charlayne Jordan to serve as Truancy Officer for the district in the amount of $10 000 Supplemental pay for Rebecca Coleman to serve as Safety Coordinator for the district in the amount of $10,000 Stipends for Coordinators of the Peer Helpers/Peer Helpers Plus Program in the amount of $562 50 per person for the 2024-2025 school year: Marilynn Knott, EPS; Shirley Noland, EPS; Dr Rosalyn Griffin, RBMS; Kathryn Soule RBMS;
Angela Harkness, GCHS; Drenda Morton GCHS; Tamika Thompson GCHS; Barbara H Martin, District Authorization of the following employees to work concessions and ticket booths for the 20252026 school year at the Greene County High School at a rate of $125 per game at the principal s discretion: LaTanya Cockrell; Tracey Hunter; Sarah Brewer; Twelia Morris; Sharon Washington; Mary Henderson; Wanda Gaitor; Makane Morrow; Jacqueline Edwards – Custodial Services
Sing le vehicle cr ash in Gr eene County claims life of pedestrian
A single-vehicle crash involving a pedestrian that occurred at approximately 3:45 a m Friday, Aug 15, has claimed the life of a Sprott man The pedestrian Tobias G Griffin 39 who was in the roadway at the time of the crash, was fatally injured when he was struck by an unknown vehicle Griffin was pronounced deceased at the scene The crash occurred on U S 11 near the 53 mile marker approximately four miles north of Union, in Greene County Nothing further is available as Troopers with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency s (ALEA) High-
way Patrol Division continue to investigate The vehicle involved in the crash, along with the driver, are currently unknown If anyone has information concerning the crash please contact ALEA Troopers at (205) 553-5531
The Eutaw Police Department reported the following arrests
8/12 - Derrick Chavers, of Sawyerville, was arrested on warrants with Eutaw Police Department driving w/suspended The Eutaw Police Department reported the following incidents 8/11- Reshonda Daniels reported fraudulent use of
a debit/credit card
8/11- Anthony Charleston reported an incident
8/11- Richard Gray reported robbery 1st degree
8/12 - Jeffery Wilson reported an incident
8/13 - Jerkayla Watkins reported an incident
8/14 - Daijah Means reported criminal mischief 3rd degree The Greene County Sheriff Department reported no arrests and the following incidents 8/16Cleo Watkins reported criminal mischief 3rd degree and discharge of a firearm into an unoccupied dwelling Item damaged: Bullet hole in Trailer, val-
ued at $400 8/16 - George Pippens reported harassment 8/16 -
Capitol Dome
Emmett Till
Ben Jealous
Carol’s Notes
A Tribute to Blues Artists for All They Carry
Willie’s Guitar
A man so treasured
A guitar so precious
A family so torn So many friends so grieved
Willie King said: I am the blues I have to howl those blues so they don’t take me downWillie and his red guitar
Willie’s red guitar carried his howl, his fingers strummed ts stretched ribs ‘til his own red blood ran hot as that red guitar
Willie lived on the creek with his red guitar He was warmed by the woods and fed by the fields never far from his red guitar
Freedom Creek and that red guitar were the gala and revelry that spilled Willie’s dreams and his labor
But his people lining those rural back roads were his living
A man so treasured wills us his spirit
A guitar so precious is locked in a jail
From people so lost they can’t find their way
To the music
--Community Calendar--
Carol Prejean Zippert
September 21- Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church Pleasant Ridge, AL, cordially invites you and your church family to our choir concert to be held at 2:30 p m Guest speaker for this grand occasion will be Rev Antwon Plott, Pastor of Mt Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Cropwell, AL If you would like to participate in the concert feel free to contact Sis Ireka Hall for more details at 205-792-3148 We’re looking forward to have a glorious time in the Lord Rev Kenneth Gilmore is Church pastor
Ms. Daisy Hutton
August 19th
From your family and friends
Palestine
“In keeping with its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East I have decided that France will recognise the State of Palestine ” Macron wrote
“I will solemnly announce this at the United Nations General Assembly in September this year, he added France, the largest and arguably most influential country in Europe, is the first to recognize a Palestinian state, after European Union members Norway, Ireland, and Spain indicated they would do the same
The decision by Canada France and possibly the United Kingdom angered Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Netanyahu has called out the leaders of France, the United Kingdom, and Canada, claiming they’re “emboldening Hamas to continue fighting forever ” Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada will recognize Palestine as a state in September at the United Nations General Assembly, following similar announcements from the United Kingdom and France
"The deepening suffering of civilians leaves no room for delay in coordinated international action to support peace security and the dignity of all human life " Carney said in a statement Wednesday
The UK says it will recognize a Palestinian state in September unless Israel agrees to a ceasefire in Gaza
“I have always said that we will recognize a Palestinian state as a contribution to a proper peace process at the moment of maximum impact for the two-state solution ” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a press briefing after a cabinet meeting on Tuesday
On Wednesday (23 July), more than 50 former British diplomats and UN officials, including UNA Chair Ian Martin former Chairs Lord David Hannay and Sir Jeremy Greenstock and Trustee Andrew Gilmour signed an open letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer urging the UK to recognise Palestinian statehood and uphold international law
The UK's Foreign Secretary David Lammy has said he is appalled and sickened by the plight of civilians in Gaza, after the Israeli government rejected an international statement which warned suffering has "reached new depths"
On Tuesday Lammy told the BBC that Israel's response was "hugely disappointing" and described the situation in Gaza as grotesque
It comes after the UK and 27 other countries called for an immediate end to the war, and accused Israel of "drip feeding" aid to Gaza's population
A total of 147 out of 193 United Nations member states already recognise the state of Palestine, meaning the UK would join an overwhelming majority of countries that already support this
It would mean the UK observes Palestine's right to statehood and self-determination alongside Israel while opposing Israel’s occupation in areas defined under international law
It may further add weight in moving toward a two-state solution where Palestine and Israel can co-exist in two separate states -- something that Israel has been staunchly against Local hospitals say that at least two more Palestinians were reported to have died from Israel s forced starvation in the last 24 hours
That brings the total number of hunger-related fatalities since Israel s war began to 159
As we reported earlier infants have been particularly vulnerable with shortages of infant formula leaving new mothers with few options for feeding their babies
Of those who died from starvation, at least 90 were children UN officials have repeatedly called on Israel to allow an uninterrupted flow of aid supplies
City Council
The Council also approved travel reimbursement to police officers for training and accepted the resignation of Sharon Trammel from the EMS Board They also approved payment of all bills for the month
In her report Mayor Latasha Johnson recognized the Chief of Police Tommy Johnson, for earning a certificate as a Law Enforcement Executive, after completing 240 hours of training over the past two years She also announced a special public meeting on August 19, 2025, at the Eutaw City Hall to review plans and take public comments for a roundabout to be built at the intersection of Highway 43 and Highway 14 in Eutaw
The roundabout will insure more effective travel flow increase safety and reduce the possibility of accidents at this intersection The public is invited to the meeting
Several Councilmembers raised complaints about the need to cut down a tree near the location of the old swimming pool on Highway 14 because it obstructs the view of drivers entering the highway The repair of potholes and the need for an animal control officer to deal with packs of dogs and feral cats that are roaming the neighborhoods of the city Mr James Lawson raised the issue of why the Council raised its compensation from $300 to $800 a month, a raise of $6,000 a year, but refuses to increase the pay of city workers Some Councilmembers responded that the increase was for the in-coming Council after the election
GIANT KILLERS: MORE THAN TWO (2) BILLION DOLLARS FOR CLIENTS
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Specifically, if you have any of these injuries, call the Giant Killers
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Don’t
Poetry
School Boar d
The board approved the following administrative items recommended by Dr Jones * Travel for Greene County High School band to tour Jacksonville State University band facility and attend the HBCU Labor Day Classic in Jackson, MS on August 31 – Sept 1 2025 * Contract between the Greene County Board of Education and West Central Volleyball Officials Association for volleyball officials for the 2025 – 2026 school year at GCHS * Bid submitted by Birmingham Restaurant Supply, Inc for serving line counters at Eutaw Primary School in the amount of $54,880 (Lowest bidder) * Contract between Greene County Board of Education and Laura Stoppelbein LLC to provide diagnostic evaluations to assist in the identification of students suspected of having autism * Agreement between the
Greene County Board of Education and Grand Canyon University to participate in the Participant s in Learning Serving program * Payment of all bills claims, and payroll • B a n k reconciliations as submitted by Mrs Marquita Lennon CSFO The CSFO, Ms Marquita Lennon presented the following Financial Snapshot as of July 31 2025 Operating reserves total
King & Queen Cantina holds Grand Opening
8 18 months; cash reserves totaled 8 17 months with all bank accounts reconciled The general fun d balance was reported as $8 593 363 61 recon cilia g to the summary cash report Accounts payable totaled $207,847 55; payroll register totaled $888,619 87, with total grade pay to in crude employer match items Local Revenue; property taxes - $17,411 39; sales taxes - $106,496 62; other taxes - $ 5 918 36
Total - $129,826 37
Public officials join school boardmembers, superintendent and staff in ground breaking
GCHS scholars participate in groundbreaking ceremony
Tsunami:
EDITORIAL
Please be sure to vote in city elections Next Tuesday, August 26th
Next Tuesday is an important day for all the municipalities of Greene County On Tuesday, August 26, 2025, the residents of Eutaw, Forkland, Boligee and Union have city elections to elect a Mayor and City Council members
This is your chance to vote for your local officials This is your chance to influence the policies and future direction of your local communities This is your chance to democratically participate to vote for those who will operate your city, set your water, sewer and garbage bills, zone areas you live in for future development, provide more recreation and activities for youth, respond to natural disasters like tornados, hurricanes, flood and other things
Instead of sitting on your couch and complaining about those in politics, here is your chance to go and vote and decide who will be making the decisions and spending tax monies, closest to you, for the next four years
The Publishers of the Greene County Democrat, who live in Eutaw, have been talking to the candidates, reviewing their positions on issues and problems of concern We make the following recommendations:
For Mayor of Eutaw, we support the current mayor, LATASHA JOHNSON for re-election. There are three candidates in this race, the current Mayor, Latasha Johnson, has done a good job in her four years as mayor, we think she should continue and will do more for the residents of Eutaw in the coming four years Mayor Johnson was able to develop a budgeting process for city revenues and expenses, had a clean audit in fiscal year 2023-24, raised over $9 million dollars, in grants, that did not require matching, to improve and update the Water and Sewer System for Eutaw and Boligee Mayor Johnson was able to complete the Streetscape project to beautify the sidewalks on the outside of the Courthouse Square One of her opponents, on the County Commission, voted against providing its share of the matching funds for this project Mayor Johnson had to borrow funds to complete the project In District 1, we support challenger KE’UNDRA COX, who will bring a youth perspective to the City Council, coupled with six years of leadership training in the Air Force In District 2, the incumbent JONATHAN WOODRUFF, should be re-elected for a full term We do not agree with him all the time but at least he studies the materials and generally takes a responsible position on the issues In District 3, the incumbent TRACIE HUNTER is unopposed and will be re-elected. In District 4, we endorse LORENZO FRENCH for this position because of his experience and knowledge of city facilities from running the Robert H Young Community Center and trying to provide more recreational opportunities for young people In District 5, we endorse CARRIE LOGAN, based on her experience and dedication with the Eutaw Area Chamber of Commerce. We also feel that there should be some representation for white residences of the city, on the City Council, which Ms Logan will provide Her opponent Suzette Powell did a good job in her appointed time on the City Council, but we feel Ms Logan’s election will be in the best long-term interest of the city
Your vote matter s, but voting is not enough
by Dr Wilmer J Leon III
(TriceEdneyWire com)“The political philosophy of black nationalism only means that the black man should control the politics and the politicians in his own community The time when white people can come in our community and get us to vote for them so that they can be our political leaders and tell us what to do and what not to do is long gone By the same token the time when that same white man knowing that your eyes are too far open, can send another negro into the community get you and me to support him so he can use him to lead us astray, those days are long gone too ” Malcolm X – The Ballott or the Bullett- April 3, 1964
(TriceEdneyWire com) -
A quiet but powerful change is happening all around us, and it's being driven by artificial intelligence While we often hear about all the exciting new possibilities AI brings, we need to focus on a far more serious issue: the serious threat it poses to communities that are already struggling This isn t a problem for the future; it's a reality we’re living in right now and it s a shift we can't afford to ignore
The signs of this shift often begin subtly, appearing as small changes at work Yet these seemingly minor adjustments can quickly escalate, leading to significant disruption for individuals and families
Just think about Debbie, a single mother in her late 40s For years, her administrative assistant job provided a steady income enough to cover rent and put food on the table for her two kids Then a few months ago her company introduced new AI software Suddenly, her workload shrank Her hours were cut and before she knew it her position was eliminated Now, she stares at grocery receipts, the numbers climbing higher each week and the stack of bills on the counter feels like a mountain The fear isn't just about losing her job; it's about not being
Nation's
able to provide in an economy where every dollar is stretched thin Debbie’s story is becoming increasingly common, a stark reminder of the quiet tsunami of job displacement already hitting our homes
Discussions about AI have largely been dominated by tech giants and futurists The voices of those most vulnerable to its disruptive power have been largely absent We're talking about individuals in jobs that form the backbone of our local economies: administrative assistants, customer service representatives data entry clerks and even those in transportation facing the advent of autonomous vehicles These are roles that often employ women and people of color, communities already grappling with systemic inequalities
A seemingly helpful chatbot on a website might seem convenient, but it's also a powerful sign that a human job is on the line
The truth is AI is a powerful tool, and companies are using it to automate routine tasks, boost efficiency, and cut costs While we don't know the full extent of the coming job losses, the direction is clear: our workforce is changing in a big way
This isn't just about a few jobs disappearing; it s about a fundamental shift in the very structure of our economy People who don't have the skills to adapt will be left behind This shift isn't just a threat to entrylevel jobs Even traditionally secure careers like engineering and coding are at risk, as AI can now automate parts of their work AI's reach is far wider than many of us ever imagined, and its impact is something we can no longer ignore
This is not a call for despair however Within this disruption lies immense opportunity AI, while a force for change, is also a tool a powerful one that can be used for progress New jobs are being created in fields related to AI development, data analysis, and the ethical oversight of these very systems The demand for individuals with AI-related skills is already soaring The key is proactive engagement and it starts with learning We cannot afford to be passive bystanders in this technological revolution Our communities must equip themselves with the knowledge to understand AI, to work alongside it, and even to build with it The good news is that access to AI education is becoming increasingly available Organizations like Microsoft Google and DET Impact Academy offer a wealth of free introductory courses and resources on AI fundamentals Organizations like DET Impact Academy and Black Women For Positive Change are also stepping up to provide accessible training and pathways into AI careers for underserved communities Readers are welcome to join a 90minute Understanding Artificial Intelligence class I am teaching, in coordination with Black Women for Positive Change The class is for youth and adults, on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at 6 pm/EST; 5 pm/CT; 4 pm/MT and 3 pm/PST You can sign up at www blackwomenforpositivechange org
The Call to Action: Start Learning Now This is a critical moment, and taking action today is essential We must
begin to build the bridges that connect our communities to the knowledge and skills they need to feel empowered by technology, not intimidated by it • E x p l o r e free resources: Visit the AI learning platforms offered by Microsoft (Microsoft Learn) Google (Google AI) and DET Impact Academy to find introductory courses
• Focus on human skills: While learning AI is crucial, remember that skills like critical thinking, creativity, and empathy will be even more valuable in an AI-driven world
• Advocate for responsible AI: Engage in conversations about the ethical implications of AI We must show up and be present to ensure these new systems are built with guardrails to prevent harm, especially in critical areas like resume scoring or loan processing How we handle this new technology will decide the future of our communities We need to make sure we and our neighbors have the skills to not just cope with these changes, but to build a strong future This is how we can safeguard our incomes protect our family's lifestyle, and create a secure foundation for ourselves and the next generation The time to act is now Dr Denise Turley is a globally recognized AI advisor and educator helping leaders implement AI with clarity, impact, and a people-first approach She is an AI Executive Consultant with Black Women for Positive Change
"most ef fective anti-pover ty pr og r am" decimated to fund mor e tax cuts for billionair es
by Marc H Morial,
President and CEO, National Urban League
(TriceEdneyWire com)“It’s just a given that a civilized society would want to take care of people who are struggling to put food on their table To see that all unwound for the sole purpose of ensuring there was more money to give tax breaks to millionaires and billionaires is beyond unconscionable it’s cruel ” New York Gov Kathy Hochul
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program formerly known as Food Stamps, has been determined to be "our nation s most effective antipoverty program for the non-elderly "
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic SNAP kept nearly 6 6 million people including 3 million children, above the poverty line A 2021adjustment to benefits kept another 2 9
In theory the fundamental premise of American democracy is “one man (or person) one vote ” Under the original concept of Jeffersonian Democracy, in most states access to the
million people out of poverty
Not only does every dollar invested in SNAP generate an estimated $1 80 in immediate economic activity the long-term effect on young children who have access to SNAP is so dramatic that each dollar invested yields an astonishing $62 in value
But none of that is as important to the Trump administration and its allies in Congress as tax cuts for billionaires
The "Big Ugly Bill" passed by Congress and signed by the President last month will strip more than 22 million American families of some or all of their nutrition assistance More than 3 million will be dropped from the program entirely in the first year
This heartless and shortsighted transfer of resources from the most vulnerable to the very wealthiest will reverberate throughout the economy bringing job loss and the failure of small businesses across the nation Shifting costs from the federal government to the states could trigger tax increases or a complete termination of nutrition assistance in a state
The effect on families of color who are twice as likely to rely on SNAP as white families, is especially intense More than
franchise was limited to White males who owned at least a fifty-acre plot of land Towards the end of the 18th century and early into the 19th century, states began lifting the property
two-thirds of the individuals that SNAP helped lift out of poverty in 2023 were people of color and nearly two in five were children
The largest cut to SNAP in American history comes at a time when the Trump administration's misguided economic policies are creating an even greater need for nutrition assistance Economic growth has slowed prices are soaring and unemployment -- particularly Black unemployment - has surged
In times like these, initiatives like SNAP are a bulwark against recession, helping families maintain purchasing power and keeping local businesses alive Without them our economy is weaker and less resilient
The assault on SNAP in the reconciliation package comes from four directions:
• R e d u cing the federal contribution to states’ SNAP programs cutting federal funding for food benefits up to 25 percent, and administrative costs by half
• E x p a n ding SNAP s "harsh, ineffective and red tape-laden" work requirement
• E n d i n g food assistance for 120 000 to 250,000 people with a lawful immigration status,
and education requirements for White males African Americans were legally granted the right to vote with the ratification of the 15th Amendment to the U S Constitution in 1870
including about 50,000 children
• C u t t i n g food benefits for people with low incomes by permanently freezing the cost of the Thrifty Food Plan increasing the paperwork burden, and restricting deductions
The Trump administration has tried to prop up support for its unpopular agenda with false claims about Americans who receive SNAP benefits The majority of ablebodied, non-elderly SNAP recipients already are working: 89% of households with children and a non-disabled adult included at least one member who worked in the 12 months before or after receiving benefits Undocumented immigrants, the administration's go-to scapegoats, have never been eligible to receive SNAP
Allowing American children to go hungry so billionaires can get enormous tax breaks is immoral It's also bad fiscal policy SNAP supports local businesses, stabilizes communities, and invests in the prosperity of the next generation Preserving and strengthening SNAP is not only a humanitarian imperative but an economic one
Women were granted the right to vote with the ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920 See Your Vote Matters, p 7
Smokey the Bear cannot come to the phone, right now
Holding a V ision
By Marian Wright Edelman
A few months before the National Museum of African American History and Culture s official opening in September 2016, Dr Rex M Ellis, the museum’s founding Associate Director for Curatorial Affairs spoke to college-aged servantleaders who were preparing to teach in Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) Freedom Schools® summer programs The museum was the realization of a dream that had been a very long time coming beginning more than a century earlier with Black Civil War veterans seeking a place to memorialize their contributions to our nation, and the ultimate work of constructing and completing the final vision seemed to mirror some of the stories shared inside its walls requiring faith, determination and persistence Dr Ellis described some of the joy and triumph his colleagues felt as they neared the finish line:
When we began back in 2005, we had nothing We had no building We had no collections We had no land to put a building on and very little money We had a very small staff of about three people Many said it could not be done How are you going to raise over $540 million and a building that you say will have over 300,000 square feet and seven stories? It’s too much, they said It can’t be done ’ they said It will certainly take more time to build and what about collections? How are you going to find a world-class collection? Most of the stuff worth having museums have already collected You’re not going to get the good stuff The audience began cheering as he kept speaking We ve got Chuck Berry’s Cadillac, but that s not all We’ve got Maybelline his guitar But that’s not all We got hip-hop artist Chuck D’s jacket The original funkmaster George Clinton, we got his Mothership We got Prince’s tambourine We got Nat Turner s Bible We got Harriet Tubman’s shawl We got Radio Raheem’s boombox from Do the Right Thing We got a training plane flown
by Tuskegee Airmen We got the Olympic torch that Muhammad Ali signed in the 1999 games in Atlanta, his head gear, his training robe and on and on and on We never stopped believing that we could do it We could build this museum We could make it happen We didn t give up, didn t turn back, didn’t listen to those who said that we would fail and the more people saw and experienced our belief they caught the fever too
He then explained how this alone should inspire this group of young teachers: Believe me if we can build a museum there s nothing that you can’t do There’s nothing you can t reach There s nothing you can’t teach But it begins with the vision and it begins with a vision that maybe nobody else can see ” That vision was made real in a transformational collection that has inspired and educated over 11 million visitors and helped light the way for the next generation of Americans since the day its doors opened
Now, just this week, the National Museum of African American History and Culture was named as one of the first eight Smithsonian museums targeted for a “comprehensive internal review by the current administration in order to ensure alignment” with the vision laid out in President Trump’s executive order on Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History ” The National Museum of American History, the National Museum of the American Indian, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, and the National Portrait Gallery are among the other institutions named on the initial list Will Americans stand or fall for any ongoing attempts to edit reframe hide, or delete pieces of our shared cultural history? Or will the true stories of the vision determination, exceptionalism, and contributions of all Americans remain firmly out in the light?
Marian Wright Edelman is Founder and President Emerita of the Children's Defense Fund whose Leave No Child Behind® mission is to ensure every child a Healthy Start a Head Start a Fair Start a Safe Start and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities For more information go to childrensdefense org
Public Notices
Greene County EMA will be having a Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) Meeting to update our County Plan provide to FEMA for the 2026 Renewal Year. We will be meeting on Thursday August 28th, 2025 and September 4, 2025 at the Greene County Courthouse Courtroom at 3:00 p m We invite all who would like to be involved to come meeting hosted by Greene County EMA
Senate Sketches #1991.....by Hank Sander s Births and Deaths; Deaths and Births.
Births and deaths; deaths and births Births are inevitable Deaths are inevitable Both come Both go I was profoundly touched by births and deaths this week Births and deaths; deaths and births
On Friday Saturday and Sunday I was in Washington D C for the funeral of Mary Cook Willie Cook was in the Reginald Heber
Smith (Reggie) Program with me, my wife Faya
Rose Toure, our friend
Ruby Roy Wharton and others Willie became a friend for life His wife
Mary became a friend for life Births and deaths; deaths and births
Mary Cook was 87 when she transitioned She had a long and wonderful life
She and Willie had a wonderful marriage They met and fell in love at age 16
Both were successful in their careers They birthed and raised two sons They were married for 67 years Births and deaths; deaths and births
Faya and I loved Willie and Mary We had gone to see them in Washington D C not too long ago
Both were struggling with cancer but you would not have known it sitting with them in their kitchen Their spirits were so radiant
Mary had been struggling with cancer for nearly five years Her sight was severely impacted but I could not tell she was blind as we sat in their kitchen reliving past times Births and deaths; deaths and births
Back in 1969, Willie Cook bragged about his wife all the time We could not wait to see this woman! He bragged about her spirit her mind her beauty her legs, etc He said Mary was the most beautiful woman in North America
He also said he didn t know about the rest of the world, but he knew about North America He said that she had the most beautiful legs They truly loved each other Births and deaths; deaths and births
Willie was an engineer who decided to become a lawyer so he could serve the poor Mary was an administrator at the District of Columbia College Both were outstanding in their fields Both sons were successful in their fields Births and deaths; deaths and births
Mary s funeral was unique There were four speakers besides the minister My perception is that each could speak as long as he or she wanted or needed A friend spoke first He spoke for 10 minutes or so The oldest son spoke next for 15 minutes or so A niece spoke for a few minutes Willie Cook spoke for 25 minutes or so
The eulogy was about seven minutes long All speakers were excellent We all learned even more about Mary's life and spirit It was a wonderful funeral Births and deaths; deaths and births
The events were at a large funeral home The repast had a greater variety of food than any repast I have ever participated in The food was truly delicious Willie said that he wanted all the foods Mary loved served at the repast He knew it was way too much food so he had plenty of carry-out containers He said that he did not want one morsel left in the place Faya and I took four containers for our two grandchildren and ourselves Births and deaths;
deaths and births
Another special moment happened after the repast Willie Cook, Faya Rose Toure, Ruby Roy Wharton, Wayne Williams, and I along with other Reggies sat down to share memories of the initial struggles in the Reggie Program They had very few African American law graduates involved in the Reggie Program They excluded African Americans from Southern law schools We fought to have more African American law school graduates included Willie was our leader We succeeded Talking about those experiences took Willie and the rest of us far from the pains of death We just bathed in joy of remembrance and the presence of each other We all healed a little Births and deaths; deaths and births
We were also touched by birth Faya and I have three children by birth We have nine grandchildren by birth Until this week, we did not have any great grandchildren by birth (I do have grandchildren and great grandchildren by foster relationships but I hardly see them unless they need something) This birth was special Births and deaths; deaths and births
Early Wednesday morning we received a simple message from our daughter Malika Sanders Fortier It simply read "Baby’s here " That was at 2:35 a m When I was able to talk with Malika, I learned that the baby was a girl, was healthy, weighed 7 pounds 8 ounces and was 19 inches long The mother was also healthy after 24 hours of labor Births and deaths; deaths and births
The birth occurred in Summertown, Tennessee on a birth farm operated by five midwives Two of Malika s and Franklin s children were born by natural birth on this farm led by these special midwives Summertown is more than 500 miles roundtrip from Selma so we have not seen our first great grandchild yet We are awaiting the arrival in Selma of the baby and mother Births and deaths; deaths and births
The mother of the new baby is Ayiraa Fortier She is Malika's third child She is our fifth grandchild We welcome our first great grandchild The baby's name is Zoriah It means God has remembered or "Yahweh remembers " It also can mean "Radiance" or "Flower" or "Princess " I mistakenly told friends that the baby's name was Zora then Zorah I corrected my mistakes The child’s name is Zoriah! Births and deaths; deaths and births I immediately began forwarding Malika's initial text "Baby’s here" to friends and family As I received more information I shared it with others in texts, in calls and in person It was a special joy to share info about our new arrival! There were few people at the birth There were many at the funeral It was a sharp contrast to dealing with births and deaths Births and deaths; deaths and births
Now on to the Daily Diary
SATURDAY August 9
2025 – I was in Washington D C for the funeral of Mary Cook I also shared in a repast with many mourners That night we had dinner with two of my grandchildren and two
friends Among others I communicated with the following: Willie Cook and Carolyn Williams of Washington, D C ; Ruby Roy Wharton of Memphis, Tennessee; and Wayne Williams, Askhari Little and Amadi Sanders of Washington D C
SUNDAY – I was still in Washington, D C I hosted the Sunday School Lesson with Faya Rose Toure on Facebook Live and 2105 3 FM Radio Station I handled various matters and flew from Washington D C to Montgomery and drove to Selma Among others I communicated with the following: Sharon Wheeler of Montgomery; Alabama New South Coalition State Coordinator Shelley Fearson; Roy McMillan of Selma on his birthday; and Ainka Sanders Jackson of the Selma Center for Nonviolence and the Bridge Crossing Jubilee
MONDAY – I walked, handled many matters and worked into the night Among others I communicated with the following: Wallace Community College Selma President Dr James Mitchell; Historian Anthony Browder; Xavier Abel of the University of Alabama; Josephine Curtis and Karen Jackson of Selma; Greene County School Board President Leo Branch; Sabrina Marie and Mandy Young of Montgomery; Greene County School Superintendent Dr Corey Jones; and Montgomery Businessman Frank Jenkins
WEDNESDAY – I walked handled many matters participated in a Zoom call and several meetings and worked into the night Among others, I communicated with the following: Alabama State Senator Vivian Davis Figures; Dr Fannie McKenzie of McDonough Georgia; Gloria Pompey and Geraldine Wofford Dr Margaret Hardy and Junior Oliver of Selma; Lowndes County School Superintendent Samita Jeter; Andrew Marks of Washington, D C ; Greg Francis of Or-
lando, Florida; Azali Fortier of Spelman College; Dallas County Tax Assessor Carroll Bonner; Cornelius Blanding of the Federation of Southern Cooperatives; Retired Deputy State Superintendent of Education Dr Daniel Boyd; Dixie Bonner of Talladega; Elouise Robinson and Charles Sanders of Baldwin County; and Dr Rhoda Johnson of Tuscaloosa Alabama
THURSDAY – I handled many matters, participated in meetings and the SOS Conference Call, traveled to Lowndes County and returned to Selma Among others I communicated with the following: Law Professor Emerita Martha Morgan; Reverend Jarmal Sanders of Selma; Brown Chapel Pastor Reverend Leodis Strong; Law Professor Kindaka Sanders; Fourth Judicial Circuit Judge Marvin Wiggins; Lelia Sanders Gordon of Watertown Massachusetts; and Dr Donitha Griffin, the next President of Wallace Community College Selma
FRIDAY – I handled many matters and worked into the night Among others I communicated with the following: Jeremy Bryant of Birmingham; Richard Graham of Jefferson County, Latonya Crockell of Greene County; and LaBarron Boone of Montgomery Alabama on his birthday
EPILOGUE – Birth and death are often perceived as bookends of life However, life commences before birth and continues beyond death Life and death; death and life
50th Annual Black Belt Folk R oots Festival August 23 & 24, 2025 Music, Dance Craf t, Food Play
Dear EarthTalk: Now that the Trump administration has scrapped the EnergySTAR program, how can consumers make sure they are getting energy-efficient appliances?
Brian Longworthy, Puyallup WA
With the EnergySTAR label disappearing, consumers should know how to still make energy-efficient decisions in their homes
Have you ever seen a little blue sticker on your appliances, or paid attention to
Ben Jealous
the EnergySTAR label when shopping for new ones? Those blue EnergySTAR labels are the most widely recognized symbol when Americans search for energy-efficient appliances
A joint effort between the EPA and the Department of Energy the program is estimated to have saved $500 billion in energy costs and 4 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions since 1992 The EnergySTAR label is only offered to appliances and homes that
meet their product-specific high standards
However, earlier this year the Trump administration initiated plans to cut the EnergySTAR program, despite protests from economists environmentalists and consumer advocates With the EnergySTAR label disappearing, consumers should know how to still make energy-efficient decisions in their homes
Another label that appears on appliances is the
The Sierra Club has operated as one of the largest and oldest environmental justice organizations in the United States since its founding in 1892 Jealous took on the role in 2023 Jealous wrote a weekly column on environmental issues of concern to Black and other people of color The Greene County Democrat regularly published his column Representatives from the group have not provided details about why Jealous was terminated However, Jealous released a statement pushing back He highlighted his record in his short tenure, including bolstering membership and staff positions in several red states where there had been none
“It is disheartening unfortunate but perhaps not surprising that the board has chosen an adversarial course that the facts so clearly cannot support I have begun the process under my contract to fight this decision I am confident that we will prevail, Jealous said He has also retained legal representation in the case
Jealous 52 has a prominent career in civil rights and activism having served as president of the NAACP from 2008 to 2013 and People for the American Way from 2020 to 2022 He also had an unsuccessful bid in the Maryland gubernatorial race in 2018 In environmental justice, he began as a forest protection activist in high school There are no previous scandals of note regarding his leadership
Former Club board members Aaron Mair and Chad Hanson released a statement in support of Jealous calling the decision wrongful and discriminatory and citing a smear campaign from specific union groups
“Where past white executive directors followed particular procedures and practices that were treated as sound, acceptable, and wise, Ben has been severely criticized for following the very same fiscally prudent and professional practices ” the statement in defense of Jealous reads
Instead of recognizing and appreciating the fact that Ben is both a civil rights leader fighting for racial justice and a longtime defender of wild places and lover of Nature, Ben’s vision was met with a troubling resistance from some who made the racist assumption that he would shift the organization away from environmental work simply because he is Black and was a former NAACP executive
Mair and Hanson discussed a Phantom Staff Letter, used to oust Jealous, that was allegedly signed by 117 club staff members, to which they point out there is no way of verifying any signature because no names were included They also called out the Progressive Workers Union (PWU) a separate group that says it represents around 200 national and state chapter employees and volunteers, although there has not been verification
“The Sierra Club’s first Black Executive Director is being treated like a fall guy, unfairly blamed for Board and past management decisions made before he began his job ” the statement reads
Some of the issues of contention that PWU has highlighted with Jealous s leadership include the multiple rounds of layoffs at the organization, supposed mismanagement of the budget, dismantling the Equity Department, halting the work of the Restorative Accountability Recommendations Tracking & Implementation Team and “gutting” the Healthy Communities program which provided funds for much of the chapters work on the ground
In a letter released on August 12, the PWU BIPOC Caucus responded to the allegations of racism against Jealous “BIPOC staff and allies alike have been voicing our concerns about Mr Jealous’s leadership and actions not because of his identity but because of the impacts of his choices We believe the former Board Members making these accusations are weaponizing racial justice in an attempt to silence those raising concerns, including BIPOC staff,” the statement read
The caucus claims based on their independent analysis that nearly half of the firings under Jealous involved BIPOC staff
Jealous s claims of racism corroborate other claims of similar treatment in the organization by former employees
In the nation s capital, Trump declared what he called liberation day in D C , vowing to “wipe out crime savagery filth and scum ” But his rhetoric is at odds with his own Justice Department s data, which shows the District reached a 30-year low in violent crime in 2024 Overall violent crime fell 35% from the year before Homicides dropped 32% robberies 39%, and armed carjackings an astonishing 53% Assaults with dangerous weapons also declined continuing a trend of steep reductions since a post-pandemic peak in 2023 Chicago has seen similar success Mayor Brandon Johnson noted that the city reduced homicides by more than 30% and shootings by almost 40% in just one year, calling the progress historic The results reflect investments in youth employment, community outreach, and neighborhood-based violence prevention programs
In Los Angeles, Mayor Karen Bass reported that homicides dropped 14% between 2023 and 2024 crediting expanded gang intervention programs and community-based initiatives aimed at preventing retaliatory shootings Bass dismissed Trump s federal intervention as nothing more than a “power grab ” a political stunt meant to undercut local leadership Baltimore has also posted consecutive annual declines since 2022 Officials report that homicides and nonfatal shootings have fallen significantly carjackings were down 20% in 2023, and other major crimes decreased further in 2024 Only burglaries saw a slight rise Mayor Brandon Scott pointed to the city’s Comprehensive Violence Prevention Plan launched in 2021, which treats violence as a public health crisis and invests in community interrupters victim services and neighborhood stabilization Scott accused Trump of using crime as a “wedge issue and dog whistle” while cutting federal support for anti-violence programs Oakland stands as another example According to the Major Cities Chiefs Association, homicides fell 21% and all violent crime dropped 29% in the first half of 2025 compared with the same period in 2024 The gains are credited to the Department of Violence Prevention, created in 2017, as well as partnerships with grassroots organizations The things we are doing are working ” said Nicole Lee of the Urban Peace Movement while warning that Trump s threat to send in troops or impose youth curfews would only create an environment of fear” and put young people of color in the crosshairs Despite the hard data, Trump has smeared these cities as “crime-ridden” and “horribly run His words have been matched by actions stripping authority from local leadership in D C , deploying National Guard troops on city streets, floating youth curfews, and threatening to replicate the model elsewhere For Black mayors the motive is clear It was not lost on any member of our organization that the mayors either were Black or perceived to be Democrats And that s unfortunate, said Savannah Mayor Van Johnson, president of the African American Mayors Association
Trump s moves track directly with the hardline agenda of Project 2025, which aims to consolidate federal power and weaken local autonomy Black mayors say they will continue to stand together and defend the progress their cities have made We need to amplify our voices to confront the rhetoric that crime is just running rampant around major U S cities, Johnson stated It s just not true It s not supported by any evidence or statistics whatsoever ”
yellow Energy Guide managed by the Federal Trade Commission It lists the estimated annual energy cost ($) and electricity use (kilowatt/hour) and shows a scale comparing the product to similar models While useful for reference, it’s important to remember that these are based on national averages, and your costs may increase if you use the appliance more or live in an area with higher average living costs
The Consortium of Energy Efficiency places energy-efficient appliances on a Tier List from 1 through 4 with Tier 1 being equivalent to the minimum EnergySTAR standards, and Tiers 2, 3 and 4 showcasing increasing exceptional performance While they don t provide stickers on products, CEE has an online di-
rectory where you can check the tier rating once you find an appliance you like and are thinking of buying
Finally the U S Department of Energy and organizations like SoCalGas have guides on saving energy and electrical costs in your home These include tips for buying new appliances, such as looking for blueflame gas stoves or testing the seal on fridge doors
There s advice for improving the energy usage of your current appliances, like adjusting your thermostat when away from home
Even regular cleaning of appliances can ensure they are working as efficiently and safely as possible A 2022 study by researchers at San Jose State University found that the most impactful way for consumers to
cut energy usage and costs isn’t by changing out older appliances for more energy efficient new ones but by changing their own behavior in terms of energy consumption choices based on household profile, no matter what equipment they have
Although it’s discouraging to see the EnergySTAR program potentially cut, it s valuable for households to make an effort to improve their energy usage or buy energy-efficient appliances, in whatever steps possible for them
CONTACTS
The CEE Directory The Energy Guide Department of Energy Tips
Montravius King who served as South Carolina chapter director from 2023 to 2025 told the AmNews he experienced several hurdles including racial discrimination in attempting to lead his chapter, and that the local board of the Sierra Club in South Carolina was never responsive
Virginia Sanders 82 who has worked with the Sierra Club in volunteer and staff roles on and off since 1981 in South Carolina said she saw firsthand how racism affected both Jealous and King s tenures She cited an instance where news of Jealous s appointment in 2023 was intentionally kept silent from South Carolina members and another where he was not invited to a Freedom Fund Banquet
“The welcome mat was not laid out for Ben Jealous ” Sanders told the AmNews According to Sanders she has long been pro-union but that her experience with PWU was that they were inexperienced and focused on complaining instead of using resources
Other officials, including Dr Angelle Bradford Rosenberg, chair and manager of the Delta Chapter have expressed frustration with the decision
“Honestly this process has been cloaked in such silence and lack of transparency and communication and empty platitudes, Bradford said Patrick s announcement email appears to reflect very little understanding of the gravity, impact, grief, and humiliation tied up in the vastness of this decision to fire the Club’s first Black ED This is tragic Not a ‘moment of renewal ’’’
Others including Rev Al Sharpton and the National Action Network have reacted to the firing, releasing a statement calling for an independent party to mediate a resolution between both sides
“There are serious racial implications in firing a Black man of Ben’s caliber, in this fashion at a time when diversity is under attack ” Sharpton said
Emmett Till
For more information and to register for the event visit
https://tillapp emmett-till org/items/show/1
Emmett Louis Till, a 14-year-old Black boy who was visiting from Chicago, was abducted and lynched in Mississippi in 1955 after being accused of whistling and touching Carolyn Bryant, a White woman, in her family's grocery store
Outraged Roy Bryant Carolyn's husband and his half-brother J W Milam abducted Till and tortured him to death
The two men were indicted and tried in September 1955 During the three-day trial, prosecutors presented courageous testimony from Moses Wright, Till’s great-uncle, who witnessed his abduction and Willie Reed an African American sharecropper who overheard Bryant and Milam torturing Till An all-white jury set the men free
Following the trial, Bryant s Grocery and Meat Market went out of business when locals boycotted the store
The remaining structure barely stands today, and is just four crumbling brick walls with trees growing inside of them
A sign was installed in 2011 to signify that the location was part of the Mississippi Freedom Trail
Since then, the marker has been destroyed by bullet holes, and a second sign was vandalized in summer 2017 Despite efforts to revitalize the dilapidated property as a true Civil Rights landmark the current owners are unwilling to sell the building to preservationists
The brutality of Till s murder and the acquittal of his killers by an all-white jury drew attention to the long history of violent persecution of African Americans in the United States
Till posthumously became an icon of the civil rights movement
Five decades later, according to a new book, she confessed to a Duke University historian, “That part’s not true ” that never touched for whistling at her Carolyn Brant died at 88 on April 27, 2023
Till became an icon of the civil rights movement
July 25 of this year marked what would have been Emmett Till s 84th birthday and the two-year anniversary of the monument s designation
Texas Republicans
The Texas Republicans’ reaction to their boycott turned bizarre today as Texas Republicans who control the Texas House, led by GOP House Speaker Justin Burrows, mandated that police would escort Democrats over the next two days if they wanted to depart the Capitol Much like the rising levels of disrespect that white Republican lawmakers in the south demonstrated in Tennessee towards Black Democrats Rep Justin Jones and Rep Justin Pearson in 2023, Texas Republicans appear to be operating on a level of partisanship that is racially driven though lawmakers on the right deny it
Texas Democrats left the state to delay the play but not to stop it on August 3 A disagreement emerged among the Democrats about whether to return with a segment of the group arguing that winning national attention was the goal of their August 3 departure Other Democrats in the Texas House regard the moment as a loss and say that a moral victory” is not satisfactory
“We killed the corrupt special session, withstood unprecedented surveillance and intimidation and rallied Democrats nationwide to join this existential fight for fair representation reshaping the entire 2026 landscape,” said Texas Rep Gene Wu, Chairman of the Texas House Democratic Caucus in a statement on August 18
After leaving Texas for two weeks to stall the Republicans’ redistricting plans, the Democrats have now returned Their return means that Republicans can procedurally move forward with changes in congressional maps that are likely to flip and/or eliminate at least four seats now held by Democrats They include the seats of Congressional Black Caucus members Rep Jasmine Crockett and Marc Veasey
Texas Republicans also moved the seat of Rep Al Green, a Black Democrat who protested President Trump during his address to Congress on March 4 2025 even further to the right That change in the maps revealed on August 18 will make it even more difficult for Rep Green to be re-elected
Republicans are in the majority in the U S Congress with 219 members versus 212 Democrats The 2026 elections in the U S House are all but guaranteed to be close As President Trump’s polling numbers fall, he remains fully aware that, as Gov Newsom put it, his presidency is over if Democrats win the majority in the U S House starting in January 2027
The moment represents one of the most unheard-of partisan moves in modern politics
Texas Republicans are barely shielding the intended purpose of their unprecedented middecade redistricting Congressional redistricting usually takes place every ten years in tandem with the annual CENSUS
But the moves by Texas Republicans will be challenged in court The question is, will the challenge be met with the same partisan results as the maps that have been redrawn and if the case makes it to the U S Supreme Court, will they remain consistent with the previous precedents regarding racially redrawn districts?
The following is the Official List of Qualified Voters for Forkland District 1
Anthony Cedric
Anthony Cederraneisha
Anthony, Tamatha
Bonner, Cameron D Branch, Malcom
Connell Branch Stacy Branch, Thaddeus
Donnell
Branch Carolyn Ann Kimbrough
Branch, Eric
Carden, Alicia A
Carden, Gloria Jean Cole Stephanie Gay
Dauphin Carrie Anne
Dauphin, Ray Charles Edwards, Carl Isaac, Terrence
Jines Roy Louis
Maholmes Corey
Maholmes, Rodney Phillips, Gary W
Prater Jerry Stone Cynthia Knight Stone, Kenneth Quitman Tate, Tammi L Tate James E
Taylor Stephen S Turner, Sandy Quarles, Eddy
Quarles Mallie Ayres
Quarles Tony Rand, Richard
The following is the Official List of Qualified Voters for Forkland District 2
Addison, Beverly A
Armstead, Christopher D
Armstead Johnny Lee
Armstead, Patrick Deon
Armstead, Denise Evans
Armstead Theodora
Boone Glynis B Beck, Don Beck, Tamala T Jackson
Beck, Pamela Broadwater Tavion
Bryant Woods Lameka
Bryant, Steve Bryant, Destiny Carter Natasha Cook Ernestine Clark
Coats, Keith Kentrell Collins, Ashley Fonta
Qualified Voter s for For kland Municipal Election
Collins, John Collins, Mary Crum Patricia Davis, Jamison Davis, Mary Lee Turner Foster, Aslan I Foster Julie N Gaitor Harry Gaitor, Harry R Gaitor, Jamirea L Gaitor, Shaneequa N Gaitor Wanda F
Gilmore Martha Gilmore, Willie Marie Gray, Anner Marie Gray Terry Donnell
Hamilton Barbara J
Hines, Marie Perry Hubbard, Aaliyah Isaac,Vincent Jackson Ben Jackson Juanita L Jackson, Julia Naomi Jackson, Marlos Jermaine Jackson James Jackson Freda Jean
Jackson, Nick McCall, Yolanda
McClore Antionette D McClore Lula
Merriweather, Alicia D Merriweather, Ebonee B Monroe, Chelsea Shandrea Moore Janet Richardson, Denedra A Richardson, Tiajuanna C
Johnnae Turner, Brenda Marie Turner, Dornelius Turner Priscilla Dianne Turner Kiera Laprecious Turner, Morrnesha
Latrice
Winters John Lee Winters Theadore Woods, Lynette
The following is the Official List of Qualified Voters for Forkland District 3
Anyichiye Allene Blake Jamaal Lamont Branch, Dorothy W Branch, Leo
Your Vote Matter s
Benison, Louvertha
Winters
Benison Clifford E
Croxton, Abraham Jr
Croxton, Fannie Mae
Croxton, Rodriguez
D’Juan
Daniel Lizzzie Mae
Davis, Prestoria
Davis, Preston Leon
Davis, Thomas J
Fountain Kenna S
Foster Priscilla D
Gaitor, Harry R
Gaitor, Harry
Gaitor Wanda Finch
Gibbs Lakenya R
Gibbs, Terventius A
Gibbs, Terventius A Jr
Gulley, Hortense
Hall Sylvester
Hill Clarence
Hill, Janie Mae
Hill, Jasmine M
Hill, Andrew Hill
Tiffany
Isaac Georgia R
Jones, Gloria Jean
Knott, Bernice
Knott Calvin
Knott Ferdinand G
Knott, Johnnie
Knott, Joseph Tyrone
Knott, Marilynn Willie
Knott Terrence
Longmire Shimana
Lashay
Medford, Mariyah A
McAlpine Charlie
Merriweather Tyrone
McKinley, Viola
Pelt, Celeste
Plaskett, Gregory
Plaskett Jandria Shanta
Plaskett Susie P
Robinson, Dorris M V
Robinson, Eddie
Robinson, Eddie Jr
Robinson Tamarious L
Robinson Tina M
Russell, Clifton W
Scott, Ida Mae
Scott Prentice Jamaal
Scott Ruby Lee
Smith, Christian
Smith, Elizabeth A
Smith, Deandre Jamal
Smith Gary
Smith Thomas Jr
Smith, Elmira
Sullivan, Carol T
Taylor Patricia
Thomas Elizabeth
Thomas, Alonzo
Thomas, Georgia
Even though the franchise had become constitutionally protected for African Americans in many states especially in the South and mid-West African Americans faced state-enforced systemic disenfranchisement Article I Section 4 Clause 1 of the Constitution known as the "Elections Clause," gives state legislatures the power to prescribe the "Times, Places, and Manner" of holding elections for senators and representatives There are other constitutional provisions that address presidential elections For decades state-enforced, systemic disenfranchisement was the order of the day in many states across the country Jim Crow laws enforced racial segregation from the late 19th to the mid-20th century These laws affected all aspects of everyday life for African Americans from impacting the ability to go to school access to housing employment travel and access to public accommodations to voting The implementation of literacy tests poll taxes grandfather clauses and direct personal physical intimidation were all tools used to keep African Americans from voting Congress and the Supreme Court came to the rescue (or so it was thought) with the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 The 1964 Act outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin and eliminated many of the voter discrimination tactics that had been used to suppress the African American vote The 1965 Act prohibited racial discrimination in voting and empowered the federal government to oversee state elections The 1965 Act is considered by many to be the most effective piece of federal civil rights legislation ever enacted because it changed the relationship between the federal and state governments relative to voting
As America celebrates the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 it is important to realize that it and other acts before it are under attack These acts primarily deal with the processes or “mechanics” of voting, not the “business” of electoral politics For evidence related to the process or mechanics of voting being under attack you can turn to the work of investigative journalist Greg Palast In his piece, Trump Lost Vote Suppression Won Palast documents how if all legal voters were allowed to vote if all legal ballots were counted Trump would have lost the states of Wisconsin Michigan Pennsylvania and Georgia Vice-President Kamala Harris would have won the Presidency with 286 electoral votes As in Bush v Gore in 2000 this election was determined by good old “vote suppression,” the polite term we use for shafting people of color out of their ballot We used to call it Jim Crow ”
Based upon Palast’s research, here are key data points that he was able to uncover related to mechanics of the process:
• 4,776,706 voters were wrongly purged from voter rolls according to US Elections Assistance Commission data
• By August of 2024 for the first time since 1946 self-proclaimed vigilante” voter-fraud hunters challenged the rights of 317 886 voters The NAACP of Georgia estimates that by Election Day the challenges exceeded 200 000 in Georgia alone No less than 2,121,000 mail-in ballots were disqualified for minor clerical errors (e g postage due)
• At least 585,000 ballots cast in-precinct were also disqualified
• 1,216,000 provisional ballots were rejected, not counted
• 3 24 million new registrations were rejected or not entered on the rolls in time to vote
In the context of the ‘business of electoral politics since the 2010 supreme Court decision in Citizens United v Federal Election Commission corporations and unions have been granted the same First Amendment free speech rights as individuals Corporations and other entities can spend unlimited amounts of money on political campaigns Hence, the “business” of electoral politics
According to an April 2024 article in The Guardian entitled, Pro-Israel US groups
Thomas, Rashaun
Latrice
Thomas Rochell Denise
Thomas, Sabrina
Timmons, Darneisha Z
Vester, John Henry
Vester Rashad
Vester Ollie L Washington, Laquita
Ann Lashae
Washington, Laquisha Westmoreland Mike
Westmoreland Yris
Woods, Charlie Woods, John Ollie
Woods Mary Louise Zellars Chilanda
The following is the Official List of Qualified Voters for Forkland District 4
Craig, Margaret Crenshaw Crenshaw, Gregory Dewayne Crenshaw Robert Lee
Davis, Ester Gilbert, Daisy Ann Gray Gilbert Jerry S Gilbert Brandon Giles, Ethel Giles, Lawrence Gray, Samitria Monique Gray Davalon J Gray Kalyn
Hardwick, Verneshia Hardwick, Vince Darrell Hardwick Willie Marie Isaac Carzella Spencer Isaac Earlean W Isaac, Johnny Lovell
Jackson, Thomas Jefferson Johnson Alphonso Johnson, Carolyn Johnson, Corbin Johnson, David A Johnson David Jr Johnson Ida Mae Kirk, April Lewis, Thelma Martin, Brenda McIntosh Vincent Terrell Monghan Johnny E Mullen, Vince C Jr Neal Henry Edward Parker Robert L Jr Pearson, Nicholas Pearson, Tiffany Perry, Melveria Gray Prater Jerry Prater Kathleen Prater, Mary Lee Robinson, Stacy Benison Rogers Alexia V Sears Rosie Thomas Smith, DaquantonParnell Jordyn Smith Jamiyah S'Dajah Pauline Smith, Jordan Smith, Shameka G Spencer, Sallie B Thomas Devontae Turner-Isaac Kinya Vester, Betty Ann Vester, Natasha S Vester Nicole Dyan Vester Ulysses Washington, Malinda Denise Washington, Sharon Renee Washington Tiffany Denise Williams, Albert Jr Williams, Ariel Simone Williams Brooks Williams Tracy Latara Williams, Edward Jr Williams, Jada Williams James Williams Donna Fay Williams, Dorothy Davis Williams, Syvonia Lafaye Winston Doris Winston Geraldine Williams Winston, Jeremy
The following is Official List of Qualified Voters for Forkland
District 5
Austin Jeremy Austin, Sharon D Birl, Gregory Dean Benison, Dedrick M Benison Bobbie Jean Chaney Joseph R Crispin, Serena T Crispin, Nicholas D Davis, Carlando R Finch Cassandra Ravizee Finch, Eugene Foster, Priscilla Denise Gilbert Brandon Rashad Gilbert Jerry S Hall, Thomas Henley, Mary Ann Henley, Marlou T Hubbard Lashana Somone Jackson, Desmond Jackson, Eddie Jackson, Jacqueline Pertrece Jackson Jessica Jackson, Jyrin Jackson, T Kenan Jackson Lashondra Williams Jackson, Michael Jackson, Reggie Jackson, Susie Jemison Jessie Marie Smith Jemison, Louis Jr McGee, Antonia Bernard McGee Bennie James Moore, Sidney Ravizee, Brenda Lee Ravizee, Dominique S Ravizee Minnie Ravizee Jarvis Ravizee, Jerrion Sandridge, Charles G Scott, Theodora Rebecca Smith Henry Sugars Earnestine Sugars, Emma Laura Sugars, Manuel Sugars Tuwanda Lakee Taylor Lorenzo Jr Turner, Tony Terell Walker, Isaiah Wesley, Kalvin L Wright Ciyon P Wright Kirstyn S
plan $100m effort to unseat progressives over Gaza – “The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) is betting that $100m will be enough to fight back a wave of progressive dissent over Israel’s war in Gaza this election cycle The 2024 election will be bellwether of the enduring impact of these groups on US politics amid shifting US public opinion on Israel ”
Many voters are confused They can’t understand why in so many instances the individuals they elect to represent their interests, get to Congress and represent the interests of outside forces In the African American community many wonder if the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), originally known as the Conscience of the Congress has become unconscious?
I published a piece to that effect in 2022 wherein I wrote “Now is the time for the African American community to take stock not of the original 13 members of the CBC but of the current 58 Are they in fact addressing the problems facing the African American community? Are they taking effective “group-action”? Has the “conscience of the Congress” become unconscious? Have they devolved into a comprador class of relatively privileged, wealthy and educated natives of a colonized land that have been bought by the colonizers? More simply put by the late Glen Ford, have they become the Black Misleadership Class ?
Just look at the data According to Open Secrets and the numbers for the 2023 - 2024 election cycle based on Federal Election Commission data Rep Ritchie Torres received $1 635 583 from the Securities & Investment industry and $535 798 from AIPAC During that same period House Minority Leader Rep Hakeem Jefferies received $866 425 from AIPAC Rep Gregory Meeks received $510,128 from the Pro-Israel industry (as classified by Open Secrets) and another $448,828 directly from AIPAC According to a 2024 report from JStreet, the JStreetPAC – the political fundraising arm of the pro-Israel advocacy group J Street – announced it has raised over $6M for the Harris-Walz presidential campaign
It is important to understand that what is documented here is not illegal This is pay to play politics in America aka He who pays the piper calls the tune As a result of the decision in Citizens United v Federal Election Commission corporations and unions have been granted the ability to use money as free speech
Listeners to my programs ask, “does my vote matter” and “what do I have to do to bring about change?” Yes, your vote does matter, but voting is not enough Too many people believe that once the vote is cast the job is done The reality is, that’s when the work starts Change takes constant pressure, engagement, and yes finances Too many in the African American community continue to vote for representatives who are paid by outside forces to support issues that are not in the best interest of the community Simply put the community does not control the representatives it elects because the community is not paying to play That’s why as Fred Hampton said by engaging in this process in the prescribed manner you continue to “ come up with answers that don’t answer explanations that don’t explain you’ll come up with conclusions that don’t conclude ” They can’t make it make sense
As America celebrates the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, it is important to realize that it and other civil rights acts are under attack The fundamental elements of democracy are under attack Steve Bannon, the Trump whisperer , was very clear They are engaged in a daily fight for deconstruction of the administrative state
It s a direct assault on the processes or mechanics of voting coupled with the business of electoral politics Don t ever forget “He Who Pays the Piper Calls the Tune! Also if you don’t pay for a seat at the table you will probably be on the menu
Dr Wilmer Leon is a nationally broadcast radio talk-show host Author of Politics
mer enrichment program Therefore Summer 2025 was filled with a blast of knowledge and strategies for our youth with computers visual technology
Lower Gainesville Road member s
par ticipate in CPR tr aining
Pictured L To R: Alfretta Crawford, Wesley Hodges, Severe Strode, President of LGR-VFD, Johnni Strode-Morning, Edgar Calloway, Instructor, Shaquille Harkness and Sharon Warren
Submitted by Johnni Strode-Morning
Lower Gainesville Road Volunteer Fire Department (LGR-VFD) members participated in a CPR training on August 18th, 2025 Mr Wesley Hodges of the Hodges Foundation of Boligee, Alabama, sponsored the CPR training session at old Paramount school for the community Mr Edgar Calloway, instructor, presented a detailed training for the group with an activity involvement by all present, including chest compressions and AED (defibrillator) instructions and demonstrations
demonstrations, competitive hands on games and activities We are looking to continue with an After School Tutorial Program beginning Monday, August 18, 2025, Monday –
NOTICE OF CIVIL
ACTION
Jeffrey Harris, whose whereabouts are unknown, must answer the State of Alabama s Petition for Condemnation related to the seizure of $3,000 00 in U S currency during a traffic stop on March 1 2025 in Greene County Alabama, by the 13th day of October, 2025, or, thereafter a judgment by default may be rendered against him in Case No CV-2025900075, Circuit Court of Greene County Veronica Morton-Jones Clerk of the Circuit Court of Greene County
Zane L Willingham
315 Main Street
Eutaw AL 35462
Attorney for State of Alabama
tcg 8/20,27, 9/3,10
Legal Notices
In the Matter of the Estate of Sinnie Neal
Carolyn’s Tid Bits by Carolyn Young
If only If only I had pursued my dreams If only I had given my best If only I had told them how much I care If only I had taken a chance If only I had followed my heart If only I had make a difference in their lives If only I had given more If only I could have led a life with no regrets Do not live a life of if only's
Happy birthday to Kenya Gordon, James Chisolm Arthur Jeames
Teresa Carpenter Mary Bryant, Ashanti Crawford, Tyrone Lester, Sr , Antonie
Donald Valera Smith Asia Quinnie Alexus Cooper Amelia Johnson, Jonathan Lewis, Kenton Carpenter, L y k
r d , Equilla Hoskins Calvin Bryant Sheronda
---Le gal Notices---
Richardson Deceased Notice of Service by Publication
To: Syni Jean Champion Inaam Kenyatta Aisha Kenyatta, Crispen R i c h a r d s o n , G e r a l d
Richardson and Demetrius Richardson You will hereby take notice that on the 13th day of August, 2025, Dwayne Walton as Personal Representative of the Estate of Sinnie Neal Richardson, filed in this Court a Peitition for Final Settlement You are hereby notified to be an appear before me at the Probate Office of Greene County, Alabama, on the 24th day of September 2025 at 11:00 a m when the Petition will be considered, and show cause, if any, you have to allege as to why said Petition should not be approved Done this 19th day of August, 2025
Rolonda M Wedgeworth, Probate Judge
3tcg 8/20 27 9/3
In the Probate Court of Greene County, Alabama
In the Matter of the Adminstration of the Estate of Edgar Williams, deceased with will annexed Notice to Creditor Letters of Administration of said deceased having been granted to the undersigned on the 12th day of June 2025 by the Honorable Rolonda Wedgeworth, Judge of Probate of Greene County Alabama notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred Edgar B Williams, Administrator
Williams, Katlyn Johnson, Sharon Washington, Ethan Williams, Kwasi Branch, Shirley J Noland "I know that there is nothing
Pruitt & Pruitt P A
312 South Washington Street P O Box 1037 Livingston Alabama 35470 3tcg 8/6,13, 20
LEGAL NOTICE
Cornerstone Civil Contractors LLC hereby gives notice of completion of contract with the Greene County Water and Sewer Authority for the construction of Project No FS010431-01 Greene County Water Project This notice will appear for four consecutive weeks beginning on 8/15/25 and ending on 9/12/25 All claims should be filed at PO Box 20225 Tuscaloosa AL 35402 during this period
Cornerstone Civil Contractors LLC
4tcg 8/20,27,9/3,10
Gastr opar esis Awar eness Month shines light on a
little-known Digestive Disor der
Submitted by:
Tameka
August is recognized na-
tionally as Gastroparesis
Awareness Month a time dedicated to increasing understanding of this oftenoverlooked digestive condition Gastroparesis, which literally means “stomach paralysis,” affects the stomach s ability to empty food properly, leading to symptoms such as nausea vomiting bloating and severe abdominal pain While it can impact anyone awareness is especially important in rural communities like those in Alabama s Black Belt region, where access to spe-
cialized healthcare and gastroenterology services can be limited Many residents may not be familiar with the disorder and delayed diagnosis can lead to worsening symptoms, poor nutrition, and reduced quality of life
Health advocates across West Alabama stress the importance of education early detection and local outreach to bridge healthcare gaps in rural areas In the Black Belt’s small towns, where resources are often stretched thin, community health workshops,
local clinics, and partnerships with regional hospitals can play a vital role in spreading awareness about gastroparesis
By encouraging residents to recognize early symptoms and seek medical evaluation, communities can help prevent complications and connect patients with the care they need With August dedicated to shining a spotlight on this condition public health leaders hope to start more conversations and empower residents to take charge of their digestive health
SUBSCRIPTION RATES
$25 Greene County Residents
$30 Alabama Residents
$35 Out-of-State Residents
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OVER 16 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
“CALL US FOR ALL YOUR ELECTRICAL NEEDS” Store Hours
8 a m - 3 p m Monday - Friday RESIDENTIAL COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL 215 Boligee Street Eutaw, AL 35462
CELL: 205-496-6019 Email : BoligeeElectric@bellsouth net Reginald Chea em Proprietor
Tuscaloosa
600 Lurleen B Wallace Blvd , S
Attorney at Law
Facsimile: 205-409-0672 Tuscaloosa, Al 35401 BOLIGEE ELECTRICAL
