Nashville PRIDE November 10, 2023

Record number of Black women nominated to federal bench See page 3

ONLY

EDITORIAL Shame on an unfiltered Congress See page 4

Mavis Staples Has “A Story To Tell” See page 7

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volume XXXvII, Number 45

People Are Talking Former Memphis police officer pleads guilty to the murder of Tyre Nichols

Tyre Nichols A former Memphis Police Officer has plead guilty to federal charges over the killing of Tyre Nichols. Desmond Mills, Jr., admitted to one count of deprivation of rights under color of law after using excessive force and failing to intervene and one count of witness tampering, related to covering up the fatal police beating of Nichols in early January.

Nichols’ death several days later sparked national outrage as several officers were subsequently charged. Rev. Al Sharpton delivered Nichols’ eulogy in Memphis, during which Vice President Harris urged Congress to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act to prevent more law enforcement deaths like Nichols’. Since then, the Memphis PD’s infamous SCORPION squad has been disbanded as a Justice Department investigation continues. “[This] marks another major step in the long road toward justice for Tyre and his family. We must remember that our journey is far from over because this officer was not the lone culprit in this heinous killing,” said Sharpton.

Continued on page 5

Realtors’ commission faces $1.78B in damages awarded by jury in inflation case

(photo courtesy of <iStockphoto/NNPA>)

by Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire senior national correspondent A jury in Missouri has found the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and several residential brokerages liable for conspiring to artificially inflate commissions for home sales, resulting in a staggering $1.78 billion in damages. The potential payout may escalate to $5 billion, factoring in the treble damages made possible by the verdict.

Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway-owned HomeServices of America, its two subsidiaries, and Keller Williams Realty were among the other real estate groups found guilty of participating in the conspiracy.

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November 10, 2023

Nashville NAACP 104th Anniversary Freedom Fund Banquet November 18

By Cass Teague On November 18, the Nashville Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) will hold their annual Freedom Fund Banquet, a Dinner & 104th Year Anniversary Celebration at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel Downtown, 611 Commerce St, Nashville, TN 37203. The annual event is one of the major fundraising events held each year, allowing them to operate their office and keep the community informed so the community can hold the school board, the legislature, judicial districts, and the Metro Mayor’s Office accountable for what is happening to the people in our city.

This year the theme is “Thriving Together: Together We Win” and the event begins at 6:00 pm CST with a Meet and Greet Reception, followed at

7:00 pm with the Program and Dinner.

The Keynote Speaker for this year’s Freedom Fund Banquet is Senator Charlane Oliver. Oliver is a Democrat and represents District 19, in Nashville and other parts of Davidson County. Born October 26, Oliver is a Nonprofit Executive, who is married, with three children. She earned her B.S. degree at Vanderbilt University (2005) and her M.P.A. at University of Tennessee Knoxville (2008).

Her community involvement includes membership in the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; Leadership Nashville; NAACP Nashville; CABLE Nashville; The Equity Alliance; Nurture The Next Board Member; and Stand Up Continued on page 5

Senator Charlane Oliver

Impending shutdown—political rifts and global crisis converge

The recent appointment of far-right House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) follows a tumultuous three-week period during which Congress went without a House Speaker, underscoring the deep divisions within the Republican Party.

by Stacy M. Brown, President Donald Trump’s maiden leg- doesn’t work.” He further pointed out NNPA Newswire senior islative venture, a $14 billion bill that both the president and he had national correspondent aimed at fortifying Israel’s defense reservations about the bill, and Senate As the Nov. 17 deadline for a gov- against Hamas, drew sharp criticism Minority Leader Mitch McConnell ernment shutdown looms, Washington for its exclusion of aid to Ukraine and also did not endorse it. grapples with a confluence of domes- substantial cuts to IRS funding. The Former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) tic political divides and escalating move, viewed as an overture to win leveled serious concerns about global conflicts. The recent appoint- favor with Trump, underscores Johnson’s ascendancy to the speaker’s ment of far-right House Speaker Mike Johnson’s conservative agenda. chair, branding him as “dangerous” Johnson (R-Louisiana) follows a Senate Majority Leader Chuck due to his support for overturning the tumultuous three-week period during Schumer (D-N.Y.) minced no words in 2020 election results. Cheney, a vocal which Congress went without a speak- his assessment of Johnson’s approach, critic of Trump during her congreser, underscoring the deep divisions emphasizing the bill’s lack of biparti- sional tenure, argued that Johnson’s within the Republican Party. san support. “His first major legisla- actions contradicted his professed Johnson, who desperately tries to tive effort was not bipartisan at all,” commitment to upholding the endear himself to the twice-impeached Schumer stated. “And I think he’s Constitution. and now four-times indicted former going to learn the hard way that that Continued on page 5

Biden faces eroding support among Arab, Muslim, and Black Americans—all crucial demographic groups

by Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire senior national correspondent Representatives Rashida Tlaib (DMichigan) and Dean Phillips (D-Minnesota) have reportedly emerged as formidable critics of President Joe Biden’s bid for reelection, publicly displaying a split within the party as Democrats desperately attempt to hold onto the White House in 2024. Despite their ideological differences, the two lawmakers have independently voiced concerns about Biden’s policies, creating a unique challenge for the incumbent.

Tlaib, known for her progressive stance on issues, has sharply criticized Biden for his unwavering support of Israel, going so far as to accuse him of enabling the “genocide” of Palestinians in a video statement. As a Palestinian American, Tlaib’s stance could potentially sway Muslim and Arab American voters, a crucial demographic in swing states like Michigan, which is Tlaib’s home state.

Phillips, hailing from the centrist wing of the Democratic Party, has taken a further step by launching a primary challenge against Biden in New Hampshire. Advocating for generational change, Phillips has expressed doubt about Biden’s ability to defeat

President Joe Biden poses for a selfie with then Speaker Nancy Pelosi (Calif.), Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus Hakeem Jeffries (N.Y.) and Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (S.C.) before delivering remarks at the House Democratic Caucus Issues Conference March 11, 2022, at the Hilton Philadelphia Penn’s Landing in Philadelphia (photo by Adam Schultz, courtesy of the White House). former President Donald Trump. He entirely coincidental. Both represent has also pledged to address economic various facets of the Democratic concerns, vowing to “make America Party’s post-Trump landscape: Tlaib stands for the radical progressive affordable again.”

The convergence of Tlaib and Continued on page 5 Phillips’ criticism of Biden is not

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Free Tennessee State Museum Activities on veterans Nov. 11 and Trail of Tears Nov. 16

by Cass Teague Two upcoming events are scheduled over the next week at your Tennessee State Museum. Saturday is a special tour highlighting Veterans. Thursday is a virtual and in-person look at a role Tennessee played in the Trail of Tears.

Saturday, November 11, the Veterans Day Highlight Tour starts at 11:00 a.m. with free admission. Tennesseans have served on land, by sea, and in the air. In honor of Veterans Day, this special tour will take visitors through the military history of the state, from the longhunters on the Tennessee frontier to the modern day.

Chief Curator Richard White will highlight related stories and artifacts throughout the Museum galleries as he offers insight into the various displays. Join us

to honor these men and women while gaining a deeper understanding of Tennessee military history. Space is limited and is on a first come, first served basis, with priority given to those who RSVP through Eventbrite through the museum website.

Thursday, November 16 from 12 Noon - 1pm CST brings a special Lunch and Learn entitled “Preserving the Landscape: Fort Cass and the Trail of Tears.” The Tennessee landscape is integrally connected to the Cherokee Trail of Tears.

Southeast Tennessee was not only part of the Cherokee Nation before removal, but it was also the location of the headquarters for the entire removal operation. In addition, two of the three emigrating depots where Cherokee were held prior to their departure

on the Trail of Tears were located in Tennessee.

Once the Cherokee departed from the emigrating depots, they followed a number of routes across the state on their way to Indian Territory in present-day Oklahoma. Sensing a need to identify, preserve, and interpret the Trail of Tears, Congress designated the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail in 1987.

Since then, countless agencies and organizations, including the Center for Historic Preservation, have worked to protect trail resources and share this history with the public. This presentation will examine the roundup process of the removal through the lens of the Fort Cass emigrating depot in Tennessee and efforts to preserve and interpret the

Trail of Tears in recent years.

Amy M. Kostine is the Programs Manager for the Center for Historic Preservation at Middle Tennessee State University. For over ten years, she has administhe Center’s tered National Historic Trails Program, managing a variety of projects aimed at the preservation and interpretation of the nation’s national historic trails. The majority of those projects have focused on the Trail of Tears and its numerous resources across nine states. She received her AS in photography from Onondaga Community College, BA in history from Le Moyne College, and MA in history with an emphasis in public history and historic preservation from Middle Tennessee State University.

Amy M. Kostine, Programs Manager, MTSU Center for Historic Preservation This Lunch and It will also be Learn event is in-person livestreamed on the in the Museum’s Digital Museum’s website at Learning Center at TNMuseum.org/Videos.

12:00. No RSVPs are If you have any quesrequired to attend this tions please email Pubfree event. lic.Programs@tn.gov.

Christiane Buggs announced as next PENCIL President/CEO Buggs is a Nashville native, MNPS graduate, current School Board Member (Public PENCIL Education Needs Community Involvement and Leadership), the bootson-the-ground resource recruiter to Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS), and its Board of Directors have announced Christiane Buggs as its new chief executive officer, succeeding the transformational leadership of Angie Adams.

Adams publicly announced in March that she plans to step down from PENCIL with her daughter’s graduation from Metro Schools in spring 2024. Buggs will assume the role as PENCIL’s new leader on January 1,

2024, and will have the opportunity to work closely with Adams throughout the spring.

“After five months of a thorough, national search led by a group of PENCIL board members, we are honored to name Christiane Buggs as the next impact leader of PENCIL,” said Hasina Mohyuddin, PENCIL Board chair and co-chair of the CEO Transition Committee.

“Christiane’s proven experience as a leader and deep ties with Metro Nashville Public Schools, as an alumna, teacher, parent, and school board member, made her the top choice.”

Christiane Buggs “PENCIL’s financial programmatic and health, and strong posi-

Regions Bank invests $20 million to expand safe, modern, affordable housing

Leaders from Regions Bank presented Pathway Lending with a 10-year, $20 million investment to support the development of more affordable housing in Tennessee. The setting for the announcement was a multifamily home in North Nashville that was recently rehabilitated thanks to a Regions-Pathway collaboration.

Regions Bank has grow," said Lee Blank, ment in the Pathway announced a $20 million Middle Tennessee mar- fund follows $5 million investment to increase ket executive for supplied by Regions in affordable housing Regions Bank.

2022, bringing the options for under"The benefits of bank’s two-year total resourced communities Middle Tennessee's investment in the fund to in Nashville and beyond. growth are immense. $25 million.

The investment is a 10- But it also creates a chalThrough the fund, year loan to Pathway lenge in that it's harder Pathway collaborates Lending, a community for people to have an with developers for varidevelopment financial affordable place to live. ous purposes, including: institution (CDFI) that Regions' approach to the • Providing working provides capital to Community Investment capital to sustain project developers of affordable Tax Credit program, and operations; multi-family housing in our work with CDFIs • supporting compreNashville and through- like Pathway Lending, hensive interior and out Tennessee. are leading to real solu- exterior renovations; The deal was made tions that will create a • covering costs to possible by Regions’ real impact for people in accelerate project comparticipation in the Ten- Nashville and even pletion times. nessee Community across the state."

Continued on page 5 Investment Tax Credit This latest invest(CITC) program, a strategy that helps the bank advance the economic success of the communities it serves by providing substantial equity for Have you thought about an auction? developing affordable “Most money in the shortest time” rental housing.

1-877-292-6611 or 1-615-292-6619 "This is about making sure modern, affordAUTO AUCTIONS, able housing is accessiINC. LIC #42 ble to more people and more families as Nashville continues to

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in Nashville, tion allowed us [the PENCIL Board of Directors] to be

thoughtful about what our community needs in PENCIL’s next CEO. We believe that Christiane is the right person to lead us into the next phase, ensuring we continue to grow in our ability to serve students and of Metro teachers Nashville,” said John Doerge, former PENCIL Board chair and co-chair of the CEO Transition Committee.

Buggs has worked closely with PENCIL in her various roles and as an ex-officio member of PENCIL’s Board of Directors since 2022.

Though most recently the director of Strategic Partnerships for the Tennessee Educators of Color Alliance, Buggs has more than 10 years of experience in education in Nashville. She is a Nashville native and

former MNPS student who went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in physics and two master’s degrees in education before returning to MNPS as a middle school math teacher and eventually a member of the MNPS Board of Education. During her time with the MNPS School Board, she has had the opportunity to manage a $1.2B budget that serves the social, emotional, and academic needs of 83,000 students across 159 schools.

“I have worked closely with Christiane in my time as director, and have witnessed her lead with great strength, grace, compassion, and collaboration.

Those attributes alongside her passion for education Continued on page 5

November 10, 2023

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Blacks in Alabama gain congressional seat after lawsuit prompts redrawn map

by Barrington M. Salmon, NNPA Newswire contributor Last week, a trio of federal judges chose a new congressional map for Alabama after almost two years of protracted skirmishes in state, federal and U.S. Supreme courts.

Plaintiffs, including the NAACP, ACLU, Shalela Dowdy and Evan Milligan, had filed suit to challenge a new congressional district map drawn by Republicans in the Alabama Legislature which they said violated the landmark 1965 Voting Rights Act. The Republicandominated legislature ignored the U.S. Supreme Court and a lower court, forcing a three-judge panel to appoint a special master to redraw the bound-

aries.

Milligan said in the days after the court victory he has purposely not taken too much time to celebrate.

“I think I expected [this outcome] only very recently in the last couple of weeks,” said Milligan, 42, executive director of Alabama Forward, which describes itself as ‘a statewide civic engagement network committed to bringing together nonpartisan organizations to (build) power around progressive civic issues and movement towards greater freedom.’ “I am rightfully overjoyed, happy and thankful but as I think about those closer cases, there is a lot in store for us to do.”

Fellow activist Cliff Albright said he was of the same mind.

“There’s not much time for celebration, although celebration of the Supreme Court ruling is too strong a word,” said Albright, cofounder and executive director of Black Voters Matter and the Black Voters Matter Fund. “I mean we expected it when the census was done and with the numbers, but I know there’s always questions. Celebration would have been picking the second map.”

“The map that was chosen is technically not a majority-Black district.

It has 48% of the population and a 45% voting population. We have the opportunity because it may be the first time we have a district without being a majority-Black district. It sets a troubling benchmark.

They’re opening up a slippery slope. They could start watering down a majority-minority district.”

Albright, a 2020 Soros Equality Fellow, said he’s aware of the games certain legislators and policymakers play, even as he, fellow activists and voting rights advocates work to bring parity and justice to the electoral process.

“They are not guided by common sense, justice or rightness,” said Albright. “We see antiBlack White supremacy in the Alabama legislature. White supremacy never takes a day off. It’s always playing the long game. When you’re in power, you can play the long game.”

In the interim, Albright said, activists need to concentrate on

Plaintiffs, including the NAACP, ACLU, Shalela Dowdy and Evan Milligan, had filed suit to challenge a new congressional district map drawn by Republicans in the Alabama Legislature, which they said violated the landmark 1965 Voting Rights Act (photo courtesy of <iStockphoto/NNPA). voter education; discussing with the community what the voting and voting rights looks like; stepping up voter regis-

tration and turnout; fighting to establish early voting; instituting Continued on page 5

Judge Sneed and Judge Austin join record number of Black women nominated with the rallying cry, ‘Don’t Buy Gas Where to the federal bench

Mississippi leaders unite in plea honoring Medgar Evers with Medal of Freedom

Medgar Evers (photo courtesy of <FBI.gov>)

by Stacy M. Brown, tion, and boldly probed NNPA Newswire senior into the horrific Emmett national correspondent Till lynching. His pivMississippi’s con- otal role as the inaugural gressional delegation field officer for the has called on President NAACP in Mississippi Joe Biden to posthu- allowed him to forge mously award civil new local chapters, rights icon Medgar organize crucial voter Wiley Evers with the registration drives, and Presidential Medal of lead historic protests for Freedom.

Senators desegregation in public Roger Wicker and Cindy schools, parks, and the Hyde-Smith, alongside iconic Mississippi Gold Representatives Bennie Coast beaches.

Thompson, Trent Kelly, Evers’ journey as a Michael Guest, and civil rights activist Mike Ezell, penned a began with a harrowing heartfelt letter to Biden, encounter when he and imploring him to bestow five friends were the honor upon Evers, forcibly turned away whose unwavering dedi- from a local election at cation to equality, voting gunpoint. The intensely rights, and social justice personal experience, culminated in his tragic coupled with his service assassination outside his in the Battle of NorJackson, Mississippi, mandy during World home on June 12, 1963. War II, drove Evers to The Presidential confront the painful Medal of Freedom is the reality that even defendhighest civilian honor in ing his nation did not the United States, recog- shield him from the nizing those who have scourge of racism or made an indelible mark guarantee him equal through “an especially rights. meritorious contribution According to his to the security or nation- official NAACP bio, folal interests of the United lowing his studies at the States, world peace, cul- historically Black Altural, or other significant corn State University public or private and his tenure selling endeavors.” The presi- life insurance in Mound dent personally chooses Bayou, a predominantly the recipients of the Black community, Evers award. assumed leadership of Throughout his too- the Regional Council of brief life, Evers stood as Negro Leadership a beacon of courage (RCNL). Under his against the entrenched guidance, the RCNL racism of the segregated launched a successful South. He waged a tire- boycott of gas stations less battle against the that denied restroom oppressive Jim Crow access to Black patrons, laws, championed the distributing bumper desegregation of educa- stickers emblazoned

You Can’t Use the Restroom.’ The annual conferences held between 1952 and 1954 in Mound Bayou drew tens of thousands, underscoring Evers’ magnetic ability to inspire collective action.

The NAACP said Evers’ relentless pursuit of desegregation at the University of Mississippi Law School culminated in the landmark 1962 enrollment of James Meredith, eight years after he initiated that battle. On that fateful June 12, 1963, evening, Evers, bearing NAACP emblazoned T-shirts with the defiant slogan ‘Jim Crow Must Go,’ was shot in the back upon entering his driveway. He succumbed to his wounds at a local hospital, a martyr for the cause of civil rights. His assassination, occurring mere hours after President John F. Kennedy’s historic televised address in support of civil rights, sent shockwaves through the nation.

Though Byron De La Beckwith, a member of the Ku Klux Klan, was arrested for Evers’ murder, he remained free after all-White juries twice failed to reach a verdict on his guilt. It would take three decades for justice to prevail, as De La Beckwith was finally convicted. Evers was buried at Arlington National Cemetery, honored with full military rites and in the presence of over 3,000 mourners.

Evers’ legacy endures, echoed in the music of luminaries like Bob Dylan and Phil Ochs, and immortalized in the 1996 film The Ghosts of Mississippi.

His family, including his wife, Myrlie EversWilliams, and brother Charles, continued to carry forth his torch.

by Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire senior national correspondent President Biden this week nominated Judge Julie S. Sneed and Judge Jacquelyn D. Austin to the U.S. District Courts for the Middle District of Florida and the District of South Carolina, respectively. The White House said the nominations continue to show Biden’s ongoing commitment to diversify the federal judiciary and ensure that the nation’s courts reflect the multifaceted nature of the United States.

32 Black With women appointed by Biden already confirmed by the Senate for lifetime judgeships, “The Biden-Harris administration continues to set records when it comes to professional and demodiversity,” graphic Stephen Benjamin, director of the White House Office of Public Engagement and a senior adviser to the president, said in a statement to TheGrio, which first reported the nominations.

Benjamin noted that the number of Black female federal judges appointed under this administration surpasses any single administration in history.

Both Judge Sneed and Judge Austin are exceptionally well-qualified, with impressive legal careers before their

Judge Julie S. Sneed nominations. Sneed has served as a U.S. magistrate judge for the Middle District of Florida since June 2015. Before her judgeship, she gained extensive experience as a partner and associate at law firms Akerman LLP and Fowler White Boggs Banker, P.A. Additionally, she worked as a law clerk for Judge James D. Whittemore on the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida and Judge Chris W. Altenbernd on the Florida Second District Court of Appeal. Her legal education includes a J.D. from Florida State University College of Law and a B.S. from the University of Florida.

Austin has served as a U.S. magistrate judge for the District of South Carolina since 2011.

Before her judicial career, she built a solid foundation in private practice at Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC, where she worked her way up from

associate to partner.

Austin also served as a law clerk for Judge Matthew J. Perry, Jr. on the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina. She holds a J.D. from the University South Carolina of School of Law and a B.S. from the University South Carolina of School of Engineering.

Biden’s commitment to increasing diversity on the federal bench has yielded results, with two-thirds of the 148 federal life-tenured judges confirmed so far being women and people of color.

This includes a record number of civil rights lawyers and public defenders, which the House said White emphasized the administration’s dedication to promoting fairness and justice within the judicial system.

Among Biden’s most celebrated judicial nominees is Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, who made history last year as the first Black woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court.

“These choices also continue to fulfill the president’s promise to ensure that the nation’s courts reflect the diversity that is one of our greatest assets as a country—both in terms of personal and professional backgrounds,” White House officials said in a release.

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Shame on unfiltered Congress

by William T. Robinson, Jr. We live in a world where most of us are held accountable for our unsavory actions. They result in dire consequences at times. This does not seem to be the case when it comes to our elected officials in Congress who often seem to be exempt from charges that would leave the average American citizen accountable and usually jobless. This double standard can no longer be ignored and should be addressed.

Change should be implemented by an overwhelming outcry from the public.

This disregard for equality in distributing justice is apparent in Congress and is an insult and affront to those thousands of American citizens being held accountable with fines, loss of jobs, and even

prison time for malfeasance and illegal improprieties. You would think that our elected officials would correct this injustice occurring among their colleagues, but they seem complicit in their failure to offer legislation to correct or punish this abuse of power.

How can anyone overlook the serious allegations of Congressman George Santos of New York that include fraud identity, wire fraud, falsifying records, claiming wrongfully unemployment benefits, conspiracy to commit offenses against the United States—and pilfering thousands from donor’s credit cards. He arrogantly states he will not step down regardless of the findings of coninvestigagressional tions. He shouldn’t have that option if found guilty. It should be an

automatic expulsion.

This miscarriage of justice continues among noted politicians any time you have wolves guarding the henhouse.

Congressman Matt Gaetz of Florida stills holds his position after being arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol and allegations of witness intimidation, and even sex trafficking. Apparently being young White men in Congress offers you privileges and entitlements not available to others.

Sen. Robert Menendez of N.J. is accused of taking bribes of cash, gold bars, and a luxury car in using his influence in foreign affairs to aide Egypt and other countries. Large sums of money ($500,000) and gold ($100,000) were found hidden in his home. Understand that serious evidence is often

Calls for an immediate cease-fire Why Middle East peace could avert regional conflagration

by Michael A. Grant, J.D. During the late 1970’s, I went to work for the Carter Administration in the press office of Health and Human Secretary Services Joseph Califano. While our agency was focused primarily on domestic issues, one of President Carter’s all-consuming objectives was a foreign policy issue: How to broker a peace between Israel and her Arab neighbors.

With Carter’s tenacity and the willingness of Israel’s Menachem Begin and Egypt’s Anwar Sadat’s to come to Camp David to hash out what would later be called the Camp David Peace Accords, the world was given an example of how seemingly unbridgeable national interests could be harmonized through skillful diplomacy.

Today, some 45 years later, the Middle East is once again mired in deadly conflict with casualties mounting for both Israelis and Palestinians. An attack by Hamas on innocent Israeli civilians has been countered by airstrikes on innocent Palestinians with a ground invasion resulting in the deaths of thousands, including more than 3,000 who are children.

As of this writing, over 1,500 Israelis and at least 8,000 Palestinians have lost their lives. The number of wounded on both sides is much larger. Over 200 hostages are being held in captivity. humanitarian The crisis in Gaza has already reached nightmarish proportions with shortages of food, clean drinking water, medical supplies and fuel needed for hospitals to operate reaching dangerously low levels. Children are suffering and dying!

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu believes that this will be a protracted struggle; hopefully, he will be proven wrong. The sooner this war is ended, the better for all concerned.

This includes Israelis.

The United States has leverage to discourage further carnage. We have not effectively used our resources as bargaining chips to secure a reliable two-state solution, with two sovereign powers, ruled by governmental authorities recognized by the United Nations and the world community.

To be an honest broker in this latest conflict, the U.S. must demonstrate to the people of the region that it wants a fair deal for both sides. If with our foreign aid, Israel has carte blanche

Michael A. Grant, J.D. ability to encroach and occupy without restraint, Arab resentment will proliferate—thereby giving justification to rogue states’ desires to exploit local tensions.

My prayer is that the Holy Spirit will move the people of the world to insist on an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Pictures of the human suffering broadcasted around the world should shock the conscience of all who say they believe in a just and compassionate God. If you have read this article, please join a world-wide movement calling for an immediate cease-fire between Israel and Hamas. Remember President John F. Kennedy’s exhortation: “God’s work on this earth must truly be our own.”

(Michael A. Grant, J.D., is former president of the National Bankers Association.)

Making connections that can help save the planet

by Ben Jealous (TriceEdneyWire.com) -- If we’re going to realize the climate benefits of historic federal support for clean energy and jobs approved in the last two years, connections are the key. And I’m not just talking about electrifying homes and buildings.

We need to connect people to the benefits spread throughout the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Act. We do that by connecting people to others in the communities where they live and with the individuals, local units of government, and nonprofits who can help them take advantage of a lengthy list of tax credits and rebates for everything from electric cars to more energy efficient windows and doors.

The need is clear.

Seven in 10 Americans say they know little or nothing about the IRA by name. The same is true for specific parts of the package like tax credits for home solar

panels and heat pumps.

Bobby Foley of Elephant Energy, a climate tech start-up in Colorado, sees the information gaps and hears the questions up close.

“We are on the ground, scoping out a heat pump with homeowners and installing it.”

Foley can help that homeowner use rebates from a local utility and the city of Denver, alongside state and federal tax credits, to cut the cost on a new $20,000 electric heat pump to heat and cool their homes by more than half. He can install heat pumps in homes without ducts and in places where temperatures drop below zero.

The result is far less carbon and 300% greater energy efficiency than a furnace and air conditioner at substantially lower monthly cost to the customer, he said.

But the people Foley meets already know enough to at least inquire. There are more than 100 programs scattered through the $370 billion in the IRA that

aim to assist individuals, businesses, and state and local governments.

Projections show that if we can use all that money thoughtfully and equitably, we can cut greenhouse gas emissions by 40%.

There’s a good deal of evidence to show that people need help to connect. The National Council on Aging, for example, estimates seniors leave $30 billion of potential government assistance for food, housing, and health care unclaimed. There’s often a lack of awareness or misconceptions about the difficulty of applying. The non-profit Code for America, which works to make government more effective and accessible, found that even the words used to offer programs like tax credits and food assistance to Americans makes a difference in their response rate.

For clean energy incentives, many states also have stepped in with their own support that can significantly improve the attractive-

obtained beforehand to warrant these felonious allegations.

The Congressional Ethics Committee doesn’t seem to have any teeth. It’s just a deceptive tool giving the illusion that flagrant, felonious acts of congressmen are being investigated. The punishment in many notable investigations may be seen as a slap on the wrist.

Why are elected politicians adamant in initiating policies and laws legislating penalties and prison time for citizens convicted of abusing the trust of their fellow Americans when they refuse to regulate their own colleagues? It has graduated to the level that Congress is the epitome of hypocrisy— incompetency at best.

Doing the right thing should be the consensus of our elected officials in Congress, but there are

so many loopholes and proprieties awarded to members of Congress that they appear to be above the law.

Moral and ethical provisions for members of Congress are useless if they are not seriously investigated or regulated. As it stands now, we literally have criminals and crooks reigning comfortably and uncontested in Congress. How can we act as the vanguard of righteousness indignation and truth for other countries in the world when we don’t seem to practice or take those tenets seriously ourselves as a country?

Many elected officials running our country are a joke. Literally laughing in our face, they appear to feel that they have immunity from prosecution. And actually, investigating them is so egregious and lengthy that it is apt to

William T. Robinson, Jr. fail.

You can be an embarrassment to Congress and maintain your elected position. The biggest punishment for some Congressmen accused of felonious crimes seems to be simply being dismissed from appointed committees. As it stands, the Republicans lead the list for accusations of refusing to vote to remove members accused of gross improprieties. But they are not alone. We need bipartisan cooperation in doing what we all know is right: voting their crooked colleagues out of office.

Segregationist in the House

by Julianne Malveaux News Analysis TriceEdneyWire.com-Many are rejoicing that Republicans finally got around to electing a speaker, thus breaking the logjam that began when Trump acolyte Matt Goetz (R-Fla.) introduced legislation to eliminate Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.). In selecting Louisiana's Mike Johnson, Republicans chose a selfavowed "evangelical Southern Christian" [read racist segregationist] who is anti-choice, anti-gay rights [and marriage], and anti-education. Johnson is an affable segregationist who has made few enemies in his scant four terms in Congress.

The media keeps describing him as "unknown." Still, while he is a Congressman who does not stand out in a crowd, he is hardly unknown to the Republican inner circle who followed his lead when he opposed counting the electoral votes that chose President Joe Biden. House Republicans didn't just vote for an affable unknown.

They voted for a segregationist election denier who is in close touch with the former president. So those who say they want a post-Trump Republican Party are not telling the truth. These Republicans want a House speaker who is Trump without the vitriol, but a segregationist nonetheless. They are so eager to have this election denier at their helm because many of them are closet election deniers. And in embracing this election denier, they are rejecting the Constitution and the role of law in our politics.

They want to win at any cost, even if it means that they embrace segregation. I'm not surprised!

These are the people who want to go back to the ‘good old days’ when Black people stayed in our place, women remained in the kitchen, gay folks were

Julianne Malveaux invisible, and abortion was unheard of. Are there any moderate Republicans? Are there any unafraid of despotic President former Trump?

Congressman Johnson's career has been marked by his assertive willingness to take away the rights of others, all done with the smile that contributes to his reputation for friendliness. So, he would impose a national ban on abortion.

He would disallow gay people from having sex in their own homes. He describes gay marriage as "deviant," but he does it with a smile. He doesn't raise his voice or shake his fist. He simply works to take away other people's rights.

Johnson’s views on women and abortion are especially troubling. He says women need to have more children, and outlawing abortion will make that happen. For him, I suppose, women are nothing more than breed cows designed to populate the labor force whether we want to or not. He adheres to the ‘great replacement theory’ that Democrats are encouraging immigration to replace ‘American’ voters with immigrants. He has referred to nonexistent ‘open borders’ in his speeches, following the Trump playbook of inciting resistance against immigrant people.

Johnson has never been a fiery rhetorician.

For the most part, he stays behind the scenes.

And he knows that, as a speaker, he can't spout off extremist positions.

So, when asked about marriage equality, Mike

Johnson says it is the law of the land, and he will do nothing to attempt to reverse it. Roe v. Wade was also the law of the land. Then came Dobbs, with the three most recent Supreme Court Justices (Gorsuch, Kavanaugh, and ComeyBarrett) all swore under oath that they would "uphold the law of the land" and would not nullify Roe. But they did it in the Dobbs case when they got an opening. I will not be surprised if, given new Congressional conservative leadership, they support the same thing in this Supreme Court.

There are many regressive legislative possibilities on the table for a segregationist like Mike Johnson. He has already indicated that he will proceed with a Biden impeachment inquiry. He is likely to support anything that undermines affirmative action both in higher education and in the workplace, with the encouragement of deep pockets racists. Alarmingly, Johnson has been described by Alex Johnson, executive director of Social Security Works, as "an enemy of Social Security." If the House Speaker had his way, he would raise the retirement age, lower the cost of living increases, and privatize Social Security. And Republican legislators would likely go along with it, even though they represent Social Security recipients, to embrace a Trump-driven segregationist agenda.

Some describe Mike Johnson’s rise to the speakership as the accidental elevation of a relative unknown. I say it was planned. Look at his record. Look at his statements. And understand that the fight for economic and social justice is ‘on’ with the segregationist leader in the House.

(Dr. Julianne Malveaux is an economist and author. She can be reached at <juliannemalveaux.com>.)

ness of acting to switch to a cleaner product.

That means the opportunities can vary a lot from place to place.

To help fill the gap, the Sierra Club is making a national push to recruit, prepare, and offer volunteers across the country (Community Advocates) to help people and their communities get the support that’s available to protect the planet.

Bekah Ashley has worked with Utah school districts to apply for funds from the infrastructure package to transition their trans-

portation to electric school buses.

Communities can share $1 billion a year.

School buses account for the largest public bus fleet across the country, but school systems “often get overlooked in climate action,” Ashley said.

School board members might have sticker shock: electric buses can cost more than two times new diesel buses, Ashley said. But the federal incentives and the far lower operating costs change that perspective.

Communities recognize the need and favor

of government support for a cleaner economy.

It’s something most of us believe in. But we need to ensure that support doesn’t stay written on the pages of legislation. We need to learn more (preferably from using the incentives ourselves) and share that knowledge with others who can benefit from it.

(Ben Jealous is executive director of the Sierra Club, professor of practice at the University of Pennsylvania and author of Never Forget Our People Were Always Free.)

The editorials on this page do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publishers or staff of this newspaper.

Page 5 Continuations Nashville PRIDE commission... from page 1 Banquet... from page 1 Realtors’ At the heart of the home sellers initiated prevailing in the case. In November 10, 2023

Board Nashville Member.

Senator Oliver is a member of the following 113th General Assembly Committees: Energy, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee; Government Operations Committee; Joint EducHealth and ation, General Welfare Committee; and the Joint Judiciary and Government. She can be contacted at this email: sen.charlane.oliver@cap itol.tn.gov The mission of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is to secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate racebased discrimination and ensure the health

www.pridepublishinggroup.com

and well-being of all persons. Their vision is to ensure a society in which all individuals have equal rights without discrimination based on race.

Founded February 12, 1909, the NAACP is the nation’s foremost, largest, and most widely recognized civil rights organization. Its more than half-million members and supporters throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities, leading grassroots campaigns for equal opportunity and conducting voter mobilization.

In the 21st century, the NAACP is focused on disparities in economics, healthcare, education, voter empower-

ment and the criminal justice system while also continuing its role as legal advocate for civil rights issues.

While much of the NAACP is chronicled is books, articles, pamphlets and magazines, the true movement lies in the faces-the diverse multiracial army of ordinary women and men from every walk of life, race and class-united to awaken the consciousness of a people and a nation.

The NAACP will remain vigilant in its mission until the promise of America is made real for all Americans.

For more information about the Banquet or the organization, contact the Nashville Branch office at (615) 329-0999.

Biden’s support... from page 1 movement through her association with the Squad. Phillips is a member of the Problem Solvers Caucus, which promotes nonpartisan solutions. Politico noted that both factions gained prominence during the Trump era, propelling Tlaib and Phillips to Congress in the 2018 elections. They later joined forces with Biden in the successful effort to unseat Trump in 2020.

The fact that they are now voicing their discontent with Biden signals that the president may face internal challenges within his party.

Recent polling data from The New York Times and Siena College indicates that Biden is trailing the twiceimpeached former President Trump in five of the six crucial battleground states, just one year before the 2024 election.

Concerns about Biden’s age (even though Trump is just three years younger) and dissatisfaction with his handling of the economy contribute to this decline in support. On average, Biden is trailing Trump by 48 to 44 percent across these states, all of which he won in 2020.

And that’s despite Trump’s myriad of legal problems, which include

facing 91 felony charges, having been found responsible for sexually assaulting a writer, and having a judge declare that he committed business fraud.

The most recent poll also highlights a growing discontent among voters, with a majority feeling that Biden’s policies have personally harmed them. Additionally, the multiracial and multigenerational coalition that supported Biden in 2020 is showing signs of strain, as demographic groups that once strongly favored him are now more evenly split.

Among voters under 30, Biden’s lead is marginal, and his support among Hispanic voters has significantly dwindled. In urban areas, Biden’s advantage is now half of Trump’s lead in rural regions.

Notably, male voters are now favoring Trump by a significant margin, reversing a gender-based advantage that Democrats had previously enjoyed.

Even traditionally strong Democratic demographics, such as Black voters, are showing increased support for Trump, reportedly reaching 22% in some

states. Biden’s handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict has also generated controversy, particularly among Arab American voters, with support for the president dropping from a comfortable majority in 2020 to just 17%.

The Arab American Institute recently commissioned a poll that further revealed that the majority of Arab Americans no longer identify as Democrats, with 32% siding with Republicans and 31% as independents. The poll also shows an uptick in support for Trump, who is likely to be the Republican candidate in 2024, with 40% indicating they would vote for him, a five-point increase from 2020.

Politico and Axios have offered insight into the dynamics shaping the 2024 election. Politico’s analysis underscored the pivotal roles of Tlaib and Phillips. At the same time, Axios provided context regarding the ambitions of prominent Democratic figures like California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker in the lead-up to the 2028 presidential race and their ignorance of Biden’s 2024 re-election efforts.

Impending shutdown... from page 1 “He was willing to set aside what he knew to be the rulings of the courts, the requirements of the Constitution, in order to placate Donald Trump,” she said.

USA Today political writer Rex Huppke provided a scathing assessment of the situation, calling attention to the perceived lack of direction within House Republicans. “If you haven’t already passed out from the vacuous stupidity of all that, you might be wondering: ‘Hey, what are these House Republicans doing about the rapidly approaching Nov. 17 deadline to keep the government open?’”

Huppke said. He went on to paint a vivid picture of internal discord, referencing legal troubles Trump faces and characterizing the House Speaker with a “disingenuous-youth-pastor vibe” facing the challenges of avoiding a government shutdown right before the holidays.

In the Senate, a bipartisan effort led to the passage of three critical government funding bills covering areas such as military construction, veterans’ affairs, agriculture, transportation, and housing. The decisive 82-15 vote aims to break the deadlock and provide a path to avert a

potential shutdown. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (DWis.), a member of the Appropriations Committee, expressed hope that this progress will compel Congress to approve a short-term funding bill, affording the time needed to finalize a budget before yearend.

“There is definitely uncertainty with regard to how the House will respond to our strong bipartisan votes on appropriation bills,” Baldwin said. “But we hope that they will conclude, especially seeing the strong bipartisan votes, that the only way forward is through bipartisanship.”

Regions Bank... from page 2 The fund is making a difference in several communities, including North Nashville. That’s where Pathway is working with a developer to revitalize multi-family duplexes along Village Trail.

The two-bedroom, one-bathroom rental units had not been updated since the mid1980s. Now, along with new roofs, gutters, and windows, there’s fresh interior paint, new cabinets, countertops, appliances, and tile and luxury vinyl plank flooring throughout each unit. Up next, there are plans to install wood privacy fences, and back patios.

Each unit will rent for $1,250 per month,

which is $150 lower per month than the current Housing and Urban Development (HUD) measure for affordable housing in Davidson County. “With financing through Pathway’s Tennessee Affordable Multifamily Housing Loan Fund, these upgrades are enhancing the overall quality of housing and helping to preserve the character of the North Nashville neighborhood,” said Clint Gwin, president/CEO of Pathway. “We’re expanding the supply of affordable rentals and preventing the displacement of longtime residents.

We’re thrilled about these opportunities made possible with support

from Regions.”

Blank said Regions’ latest investment shows the bank’s commitment to creating more inclusive prosperity in Nashville.

“We have been here for 140 years, and we see ourselves as partners in Nashville’s growth from a mid-sized city to a major metropolis,” Blank said. “We want to do what we can to ensure more people benefit from that growth.

“Collaborating with Pathway makes it possible for more of our neighbors who live and work in the city to continue to call Nashville home and to flourish in the community they know and love.”

case were home sellers’ objections to an association rule mandating them to offer a non-negotiable commission to buyers’ agents before listing a home online, typically ranging from five percent to six percent. The plaintiffs argued that this rule stifled competition and increased home prices.

The verdict, however, liberates sellers from being compelled to pay buyers’ agents while agents gain the autonomy to set their commission rates.

The landmark decision paves the way for potential similar lawsuits to surface in other states.

This week, a lawsuit was filed in Missouri against the association and other brokerages, including Redfin, Compass, and Douglas Elliman. The suit contends that the rule requiring home sellers to pay commissions to buyers’ agents infringes upon the Sherman Antitrust Act. The case dates to 2019, when a group of

legal action against the National Association of Realtors and various residential brokerages.

Anywhere While Real Estate and REMAX Holdings were initially named as defendants, both parties settled for a cumulative $140 million before the commencement of the trial, according to reports from the Wall Street Journal.

Michael Ketchmark, the lead attorney for the plaintiffs, hailed the verdict as “a tremendous day of accountability for these companies.”

In response to the ruling, NAR President Tracy Kasper said the matter is far from concluded.

She said the association intended to appeal the liability finding, emphasizing their belief that NAR rules serve the best interests of consumers, foster marketdriven pricing, and promote healthy business competition.

Additionally, Kasper indicated that they remain optimistic about

the interim, NAR plans to request a reduction in the damages awarded by the jury.

Kasper further highlighted in court that NAR’s rules ultimately benefit consumers and ensure the efficiency, transparency, and equity of local MLS broker marketplaces.

The cooperative compensation rule, she argued, allows sellers to achieve higher prices for their homes and exposes them to a broader pool of potential buyers.

Additionally, buyers gain increased access to more homes and representation options.

“We will appeal the liability finding because we stand by the fact that NAR rules serve the best interests of consumers, support market-driven pricing, and advance business competition,” Kasper said.

“We remain optimistic we will ultimately prevail. In the interim, we will ask the court to reduce the damages awarded by the jury.”

Officer pleads guilty... from page 1 “Tyre was the victim of a police department culture that clearly celebrated brutality, where officers were hammers and every civilian looked like a nail. That’s why it was so important the SCORPION squad was disbanded, and the Justice Department answered our call to turn over every stone when

looking at their practices and procedures.

“But as I noted in Tyre’s eulogy, these unnecessary killings will only continue so long as bad actors are covered by qualified immunity.

Cops who want to break the public trust will only think twice once they realize their job, their pension or their house is

on the line. We need Congress to do right by these victims and prevent future tragedy by finally passing the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.” Trial for the four remaining officers: Tad-arrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Justin Smith and Emmitt Martin III is set for trial on August 12, 2024.

Christiane Buggs... from page 2 and determination to see our children succeed, will benefit her greatly in pushing PENCIL’s mission forward,” remarked Dr. Adrienne Battle, director of Metro Nashville Public Schools. “I look forward to working alongside her in a new capacity as the CEO of PENCIL, a crucial partner to MNPS.” PENCIL was established 41 years ago by community and business leaders to link community resources to Metro Nashville Public Schools to help young people achieve academic success and prepare for life.

Its work remains guided by the district’s needs, is student-centric, and is achieved through community partnerships and tangible engagements.

“PENCIL makes a difference in the lives of Metro Schools students, families, and teachers every day. I have witnessed it, admired it, and played a part in it during my time with MNPS,” said Christiane Buggs.

“It’s a community effort:

a mission to provide equitable access to resources and opportunities to our students, so we can empower them to succeed now and in the future.”

In her role as CEO, Buggs will be responsible for the leadership and management of PENCIL under the direct supervision of the Board of Directors, including operational leadership of the staff, implementation of programs, and the financial health of PENCIL. She will be responsible for seeking the input of key stakeholders and diverse voices on major initiatives and decisions, while remaining anchored in PENCIL’s mission and vision. She will work closely with the director of Metro Nashville Public Schools and MNPS leaders to shape the services that PENCIL and PENCIL Partners provide based on district priorities, determined necessary for student success.

“I am delighted to be the next leader of such

an incredible organization, and to have the opportunity to work with the PENCIL community to support a district that I grew up in and love so dearly,” Buggs said.

“I have had the privilege of working with Christiane over the last couple years. She is respected, thoughtful, and an exceptional leader who cares deeply for our young people, our public schools, and the future of Nashville,” said Angie Adams, PENCIL president/CEO. “I know Christiane loves PENCIL and feel confident that she is uniquely suited to grow PENCIL’s impact while staying true to its vital mission, vision, and values.

“It has been an honor to be part of PENCIL’s mission and its transformational growth for the past eight years. What tempers my sadness in saying goodbye is knowing that PENCIL is thriving with a fabulous board and committed staff, and I have no doubts that it will continue to do so under Christiane’s leadership.”

Blacks in Alabama... from page 3 voter changes; and ensuring that polling stations stay open long enough of all those who want to vote to do so.

“That discussion needs to start today,” he said. “We still have battles over Section 2, racial gerrymandering and related issues.”

Alex Aronson said he was struck by the brazenness of the Alabama state legislature.

“Alabama’s defiance is striking and nearly unprecedented in this country’s history. A recent report offers important color and context,” said Aronson, a judicial accountability advocate and former chief counsel to U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse. “This is not an organic development.

Legislators are not acting or making strategy independently. There is a billion-dollar force which has been entrenched in the judiciary. About $600 million has been spent to control

the composition of the court.”

Aronson said that money comes from a network built by archconservative activist and right wing power broker Leonard Leo and the Federalist Society, a dark money front group which was instrumental in selecting all six conservative justices on the U.S. Supreme Court.

Aronson, managing director of the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection at Georgetown University, said the Alabama case goes to the heart of whether America remains a democracy or not.

“Something abnormal is happening here. A dark-money network is behind the attacks on Critical Race Theory, book banning and more.

They have been hiding their tracks. They have serious and dangerous plans for America’s future,” he said.

On Twitter, Aronson offered yet another

warning: “Elected Democrats either stand up to confront the Federalist Society’s authoritarian project, or we descend into authoritarianism.

Those are the options.”

Rev. Jim Wallis said Alabama represents the existential struggle between White Christian nationalists and other Americans who aren’t as ideological or who hold different positions.

“This is about race and power. This is a test of the court system, equality, and a test of faith,” said Wallace, a renowned social justice activist, theologian, author and teacher. “It’s about 2024 and the election. History is coming to a crescendo. It’s a choice between a genuine multicultural democracy or a land ordained by God for White Europeans. A whole lot of White people support this. We’re facing, finally, a decision: ‘Is America possible?’”

Page 6

Nashville PRIDE

Pastor, Pew, & Pulpit

Faith of A Mustard Seed

by Barbara A. Woods Washington, M. Div. Thanksgiving 2020 was the "Quadricentennial" of the Mayflower's landing in "The New World".

Historically recorded as having arrived in 1620, these 102 passengers, among them persons who identified as 'religious separatists' in search of another home where they could freely practice their faith; and others seduced by promises of land and prosperity; all of whom chose to make this journey across the ocean. So the hisStory goes of this 66 day seafaring journey to the tip of Cape Cod; and the additional journey to now Massachusetts Bay where they took hold of the land which they gave establishment to as Plymouth.

History has also recorded the Wampanoag, the Mohegan and the Mohican Tribes all living in the now known as the Massachusetts Colony. American History has never cared to record or teach the history of these Original Native Americans, only to begin the History with the fact that these "Indians" assisted the "Pilgrims" in their surviving the settling years upon arrival. You know the story, the Thanksgiving, a Feast, in celebration in 1622, the "Indians (Spiritual People) and Pilgrims (Religious People)" giving thanks to God ...for SHARING! I cannot help but note that the “Founding Father”, George Washington was raised as a Slave Master and in 1743 inherited his Father’s enslaved people at the age of Eleven when Augustine Washington died. By 1789 President Washington issued the Original Thanksgiving proclamation on behalf of the government of the United States ..."Gratitude" for the end of a War that had secured Independence and; for ratification of the Constitution.

Barbara A. Woods Washington, M. Div. In 1827, Sarah Josepha Hale launched a campaign to establish Thanksgiving as a national holiday. Much of Four Decades she spent publishing editorials and scores of letters to presidents, governors, senators, and other politicians; to be known as the "Mother of Thanksgiving.”

By 1863 amidst a Civil War torn divided nation, Abraham Lincoln saw the need for THANKSGIVING in the National Life and scheduled Thanksgiving for the final Thursday in November of every year.

New York was the First State to make Thanksgiving Day a Holiday (1817).

Philadelphia’s Gimbel Brothers Department Store first staged a Thanksgiving procession in 1920 with 50 people. Followed in 1924 by both J. L. Hudson’s Department Store in Detroit and Macy's in New York City. What with every Church in New York State now reverencing Thanksgiving Day as a day of Worship across Christian denominational lines, the concern was registered by not encompassing. When in 1924 R. H. Macy had taken his department store to an entire New York City block of 1 million square feet with a "Grand Opening" on "Thanksgiving Day" in the form of a "Parade".

Now with it's nationally televised Event, in 2024 The World will celebrate "100 Years of Macy Thanksgiving

Day Parade".

Not until 1939, was there a Presidential change in Lincoln's Nationalizing "Thanksgiving Day"; when Franklin D. Roosevelt moved the holiday up a week from 4th Thursday November to 3rd Thursday November. In the midst of the "Great Depression" it was his plan to use the national Thanksgiving Holiday to stimulate the Economy. had America become so sacramental about it's Thanksgiving Day that Roosevelt’s plan met with passionate opposition So much so that two years later he signed a bill returning Thanksgiving to the 4th Thursday in November.

The US Calorie Control Council reported in 2022 that the average American consumes up to 4,500 calories and 229 grams of fat when it comes to the meal now prepared for Thanksgiving day; plus an added estimate of 229 grams of fat. And who can measure the ‘sugars’?

What with all the deserts that grace this Holiday’s Dinner Table.

With a recommended 2,000 calories per day intake, it is said that in terms of treadmill workout, it would require 10 steady hours to burn of what we have come to know as a Thanksgiving Meal.

As a form of Thanksgiving Day Worship, Churches began to feed the Homeless and collect the foods needed to Box and Bag for the traditional mean to take to Families whose economic despair would prevent them from having this Meal Blessing.

Volunteering is now a common expression of altruism on Thanksgiving Day at Senior Citizen Housing communities, Homeless Shelters, Group Homes and the like become Thanksgiving Day Dinner ministries. myfathersmansion press@gmail.com

Expressions of Faith It's all in Him (part 4)

by Bishop-elect Dr. Monterey D. Lee, Sr. Who is Paul, and who is Apollos? I, Paul plant the seed of God's word [lay the foundation]. Apollos waters [helping you grow stronger in the faith], but God gives the increase [wisdom, influence, power and knowledge].

Paul says: ‘I am only here as a servant of Christ to give you the secrets of Him who trusts me. As for myself, I do not care if I am judged by you or by any human court. You can evaluate whether you wish or not. I am a good follower of Christ according to what I know and what I have taught you to believe, if not then judge me. But only God knows a person's heart, and He is the only one with the right to judge. The Lord is the one who judges me.

‘Whatever is in your hearts God will manifest it, He will expose it.

Whatever you engage in, whatever you place your faith in, God will bring it to pass. If it's your own thoughts instead of seeking God's wisdom for your life you will know it. There will be a day when the Lord will return and bring to light the things now hidden in the darkness of man and will disclose [reveal] the purpose of the heart of all. Then each one will receive commendation [praise, recognition and thanks] from God for the life that you have lived

as a servant of Christ. Be it good or bad.’ (1 Corinthians 3:5-6) “Brothers and sisters, I have used Apollos and myself as examples so you could learn through us the meaning of the saying, follow only what is written in the scriptures. Then you will not be more proud of one person than another.

Who says you are better than others? What do you have that was not given to you? And if it was given to you, why do you brag as if you did not receive it as a gift from God?” 1 Corinthians 4:6-7.

Paul says it is so easy for you to become attracted to a spiritual leader who has help you.

It's natural to feel loyal when someone has helped you grow in the Lord. But he warns them against having such loyalty in man that you cause a problem among the people of God. Whatever you do, don't look to man or any true spiritual leader as a representative of self not Christ. He or she can only offer what God has given them to give to you.

“Remember what I said to you when I hear you say ‘I am of Paul’; and another say ‘I am of Apollos’—whose ministry do you believe,” 1 Corinthians 3:4.

We are laborers together with God. So don't look to us, but look to God. And don't look to man, for if you do

Bishop-Elect Dr. Monterey D. Lee, Sr. there will be fighting, slander, broken relationships, dishonesty, power struggle and more. Make sure that your deepest loyalty is to Christ and no one else. If you spend all your time looking to man instead of declaring Christ's message, you don't have Christ in you.

He is not your top priority. Look to Christ because we are only here for your sake—that you might learn in us not from us. To learn in us is to receive the Holy Spirit and the mysteries of the word of God. To learn from us is to learn the ways of man and what he thinks, and what he says. Know the word, and know truth. So don't think of men above that which is written. No one of you be should be puffed up one against the other.

Man is not and will not be greater than God and His word. So receive the word. It is a gift from God to you. Take care of it and don't brag as if you did not receive it as a gift. God gave His word to you, so take care of it (1 Corinthians 3:9).

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November 10, 2023

Faithful utterances True home going celebration

by Dr. Froswa’ Booker-Drew It’s something that we must all do. Despite how much we want to avoid thinking about it or planning for it, it is inevitable. It’s obvious that it is often not something many of us plan for especially in our community. All of us must face the fact that we will all die at some point.

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die,” Ecclesiastes 3:1-2.

My mother reminds me often that just as we plan our lives, we should take responsibility in planning for our deaths as well. I have seen so many families left with the burden of unfinished business, and enormous debt, along with a Pandora’s box of secrets being exposed during the death of a loved one. We have a responsibility to those we love to make sure that we are not creating additional brokenness financially, spiritually, emotionally, or mentally.

It’s critical that we think about the legacy we are leaving behind. I attended a beautiful home going service this past weekend for a friend’s father whose life was a love letter to those he touched. I marveled at listening to family and friends sharing stories about his character. He was married to his wife for more than 60 years.

To listen to his children share about his commitment to their mother and to their family was remarkable.

Repeatedly, the audience was reminded that when you saw Mr. Tatum, you saw his wife—they were two peas in a pod. One of his grandchildren shared that he asked his grandfather about how to have a great marriage since he was recently engaged. grandfather The informed him that his question was inaccurate—he should ask about building his relationship with Christ first would then which impact the man he would become for his wife.

This 89-year-old man not only took his children to church but he lived what he taught.

Even as his children had their challenges, they all shared how they came back to their faith because of their father’s teachings, demonstration, and love. Not only did three of his children and a son-in-law share about his life but multiple grandchildren revealed the impact of their grandfather—the time he invested, the conversations, and the love were treasured and irreplaceable.

Church members, Deacons, and even community friends offered words of admiration for a man who made such a difference by just offering words of encouragement, giving advice always rooted in Godly wisdom, or making time to pray with others. Even his brother gave an awesome eulogy which had to be so difficult to lose your brother and yet, give others hope and perspective on their own mortality. What initially

Dr. Froswa’ Booker-Drew started as supporting my friend in the loss of her father became a life lesson for me.

Mr. Tatum’s existence was impactful because of the legacy he left for others. I witnessed his impact in four generations. He lived this scripture: “A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children,” Proverbs 13:22.

His legacy is one that is eternal. His life brought people to Christ because of his character and his actions. So many of us are so fixated on building lives that will fade when we take our last breath (if not sooner) that we are not focused on what is most important: “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal or where your treasure is, there your heart will be also,” Matthew 6:20-21. What are you building and storing for yourself or for God’s kingdom? I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about what a person values in how they spend their time. What do you treasure? And where is your heart?

Nashville PRIDE Directory of Churches 40th Avenue Church of Christ 616 40th Avenue North Nashville TN, 37209 (615) 329-2325 www.40thavecoc.com Sunday School 9:00 a.m.

Sunday Worship 10:00 a.m. & 6:00 p.m.

Bible Study:Wed. 7:00 p.m. and Thurs 11:00 a.m.

Min. Dr. Charles A Beaman Church of Scientology & Celebrity Centre Nashville 1130 8th Ave S Nashville, TN 37203 615-687-4600 7 days a week with Service every Sunday at 11AM scientologyccnashville.org Senior Pastor: Rev. Brian Fesler Clark Memorial UMC Worship service: Sundays 10:00 am 1014 14th Ave. N. 615-329-4464 Senior Pastor: Rev. Toi King Cleveland Street MBC 608 Cleveland Street Nashville, TN 37207 615-227-1149 Sunday Worship: 10:45 a.m./9:15 Church School clevelandstreetbaptist @comcast.net clevelandstreetbaptistchurch.com Dr. Donald Snead, pastor Corinthian Missionary Baptist Church 819 33rd Avenue N. Nashville, TN 37209 (615) 977-6855 Sunday School 9:30 a.m.

Sunday Worship 11:00 a.m.

Wed. Worship: 7:30 PM Rev. Enoch Fuzz, pastor

Greater St. John Baptist Church 2200 26th Ave, No. Nashville, TN 37208 (615) 263-9450 Sunday Worship: 10:45 a.m.

Herbert T. Brown, pastor

Nashville, TN 37208 615-942-5261 Sunday School:9:00am Sunday Service: 10:00am Tues. Bible Study: 6:30pm nehemiahmissionar ybaptistchurch.com

Gordon Memorial United New Salem A.M.E. Church 1800 4th Ave. N. Methodist Church Nashville, TN 37208 2334 Herman Street 615-964-7246 Nashville, TN 3728 Sunday Worship 11 a.m.

615-329-2779 Pastor Eddie L. Sneed Sunday School @ 8:45am Sunday Worship @ 10:00am Payne Chapel AME Bible Studies: Mon. - Thurs.

Church @ 6pm; 212 Neil Avenue Wednesdays @ 12 noon (615) 262-3675 gordonmemorialumc.org Sunday Worship: 10 am Rev. Dr. Paula B. Smith, Rev. W. Antoni Sinkfield Pastor Jefferson Street MBC 2708 Jefferson Street Nashville TN 37208 615-329-2990 Morning Worship: 10 a.m.

Rev. Aaron X. Marble, pastor John Wesley UMC 901 Benton Avenue 615-298-2019 Sunday worship 8am/11am Daniel M. Hayes, Sr. pastor jwesleyumc@bellsouth.net http://jwesleyumc.org/ Lake Providence MBC 5891 Nolensville Pike Nashville, TN 37211 (615) 833-5539 Sunday worship: 8am/11am Rev. H. Bruce Maxwell, pastor The Living Word International Church 5100 Wyoming Ave. Nashville, TN 37209 615-297-7437 Worship Times: 11:00 a.m. 7 p.m. (1st & 2nd Sun.) Bishop Adebanjo thelivingwordcogic.com

Schrader Lane Church of Christ 1234 Schrader Lane Nashville, TN 37208 (615) 329-0950 Sunday Worship: 7:45/10:15 a.m./5:00 p.m.

Robert Gardenhire, Pastor Spruce Street Baptist Church 504 Spruce Street Nashville, TN 37203 (615) 329-4105 Worship at 11 a.m.

Pastor Raymond Bowman St. John A.M.E. Church 1822 Formosa Street Nashville, TN. 37208 (615) 320-1026 sainjohname@aol.com Sunday Worship 10:00 a.m.

Rev. Lisa Hammonds St. Luke A.M.E. Church 355 Blythe Ave. Gallatin, Tenn. 37066 615-452-3137 Sunday School 9:15 am Sunday Worship 10:30 am Rev. Dr. Barbara J.Crawford

St. Matthew MBC Ezra Emmanuel Ministries 2412 Osage Street Mt. Lebanon MBC 2606 Union Hall Rd. (615) 329-0173 222 Franklin Lime Stone Rd. Clarksville, TN 37040 Sunday Worship 11:00 a.m.

615-596-0456 931-378-1092 11:00 a.m. worship service Rev. W.B. Armstrong, pastor ezraemmanuelmin.org jamesgreen@yahoo.com 9 a.m. Sunday worship St. Paul A.M.E. Church Rev. James J. Green, pastor 6 p.m. Wednesday Hr of 3340 W. Hamilton Ave. Empowerment Nashville, TN 37218 Mt. Vernon MBC Overseer Danelle (615) 876-7219 1022 New Providence Pass M.Stephens Rev. Harold Moses Love, Jr. Madison, TN 37115 www.stpaul-amec.com 615-860-0213 Gospel United Missionary Sunday Worship 11 a.m.

Baptist Church Word of Life Christian Bishop Willie Joy, pastor 3700 Fairview Dr. Center International mtvernon1022@cocast.net Nashville, TN 37218 4100 Clarksville Pike 615-876-7022 Nashville, TN 37218 Nehemiah Missionary 9:30 Sunday School (615) 876-3086 Baptist Church Sunday Worship:11:00 a.m.

Pastor Thomas E. Hunter, Sr. Sunday Worship: 11:00 am Pastor Carlos A. Jones Rev. Alexander Arthur 916 16th Avenue North

November 10, 2023

www.pridepublishinggroup.com

Leisure

Mavis Staples has “A Story To Tell”

Mavis Staples at the LBJ Presidential Library, April 8, 2014. (photo by Marsha Miller)

by Cass Teague “We want to honor Get ready to be mes- and celebrate the legacy merized by the leg- of Mavis and the musiendary multiple Gram- cal legacy that she has my winner Mavis Sta- been a part of that beneples as she takes the fits us all,” said Alma stage, sharing her McLemore, Executive incredible journey Director of AAHS. The through music. This in- event, which is being person event is your produced by the ERACE chance to witness her Foundation, will begin soulful voice and capti- with a writer’s round vating storytelling first- hosted by Sims featuring hand. “A Story To Tell… a combination of origifeaturing Mavis Staples” nal songs and some of will be an unforgettable the Staples family's most evening at The Factory, memorable tunes.

Franklin, TN, Liberty Tickets are $80 per Hall, 230 Franklin Road, person or $120 per perFranklin, TN 37064. son for premier seating.

Sunday, November 12, This event is a fundraisfrom 7:00 - 9:30 pm er for the African AmerCST. ican Heritage Society of Mavis will be joined Williamson County. The

by Tommy Sims and African-American HerTom Douglas as well as itage Society is a nonother special guests. profit organization Don't miss out on this whose mission is to colincredible opportunity to lect, preserve, and interexperience the magic of pret artifacts pertaining Mavis Staples in an inti- to Williamson County’s mate setting. Get ready African American culfor a night filled with ture and increase undermusic, memories, and a standing and appreciastory that will touch tion of our heritage for your heart. Mavis Sta- future generations. ples was born July 10, Ex-slave Harvey 1939, and rose to fame McLemore purchased as a member of her fam- four lots in Hard Bargain ily’s band The Staple in 1880. He built one of Singers, of which she is the first residential the last surviving mem- dwellings in the subdiviber. sion. The home served

as a model of community development in Hard Bargain, the first subdivision of its kind in Franklin – a black middle-class neighborhood of teachers, carpenters, masons, and farmers.

During an age where very few homes purchased by former slaves remain in existence, it is quite remarkable that the McLemore House is still standing. Also remarkable is the fact that from 1880 until 1997, a member of the McLemore family maintained ownership of the homestead.

The house was purchased through the joint efforts of the Williamson County Habitat for Humanity and the Heritage Foundation of Franklin and Williamson County.

The one remaining parcel of the original four lots was divided into two lots, and the newly formed African American Heritage Society, with the assistance of the Heritage Foundation, purchased the lot on which the dwelling sits.

The African-American Heritage Society views its commitment to the museum as a way to promote cultural and historic preservation, encourage tourism, create family legacies, and educate the community about the deep, rich heritage of black Franklin, Williamson County, and the Middle Tennessee region.

To donate, become involved, or for more information, please contact: African American Heritage Society of Williamson County. 615.

305.0904; info@ aahswc.org P.O. Box 1053, Franklin, TN 37065. https://aahswc .org/

Nashville PRIDE

Page 7

Movie Reviews: Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project

Nikki Giovanni in Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project.

by Dwight Brown, she needs to tell her life to love people who say Film Critic for NNPA story. A portrait painted to themselves I'm going News Wire and in words that are as to find a way to smile.”

DwightBrownInk.com evocative as those in She’s woefully truthful (***) any Toni Morrison or about her challenges “A lot of things I Bernice McFadden raising her son. She’s don’t remember, I novel. alarmed about Martin choose not to rememThe characters that Luther King’s assassiber. I make up the rest. revolve around her nation: “An act of war.”

That’s what storytelling seem larger than life, She’s a resigned mothis all about,” said though they may just be er, and a prophet too. poet/writer/activist/edu- family, friends or colThen there are the cator Nikki Giovanni. leagues to her. The precious times when the In this very enlight- issues she discusses Fisk University graduening homage, by docu- seem monumental, as if ate and American Book mentarians Joe told from a pulpit. They Award-winner shows Brewster and Michéle crescendo in moments why she’s a worldStephenson, the icon like the footage that famous poet—someone and intellectual gets the captures James Baldwin with the keen ability to respect she deserves. and her exchanging distill the most compliYears of speaking tales and opinions like cated thoughts down to truths, reflecting on her griots preserving histo- simple, winsome life and discussing ry. As Giovanni reflects proclamations: “I racism, sexism, clas- on her time on this believe the most beautisism and other social earth, she expresses her ful poem ever heard is issues, with the intelli- experience in cadences, your heart racing.” gence of a scholar and sermons and anecdotes In Going to Mars: the wit of a genius, that seem almost The Nikki Giovanni brought her to this Biblical, or newswor- Project, the spotlight place. thy, or reverent, or all of shines magnificently on Clips, interviews that.

Giovanni. and photos are well When she gets perThis perceptive docassembled and paced sonal; when she recol- umentary is a brilliant (editor Terry Long). lects her abusive dad archivists give-back to The low-key format and tough times—the Black America’s poet doesn’t expand the doc- outer world seems in laureate, while she is umentary genre on any the distance, and the still here, still able to level, but that’s a good inner Giovanni comes smell, hold and see thing in this case. The into view, deep in them. filmmaking is never a thought and expressing It’s a complete treasdistraction. Everything hurt. She’s learned to ure, precious and prothe directors do sup- persevere or at least found, both the docuports and surrounds cope and has lived to mentary and Nikki Giovanni with the tools tell the tale: “You have Giovanni.

Page 8

Nashville PRIDE

Health/Education

www.pridepublishinggroup.com

TSU receives $2.3 million grant to combat maternal mortality

by Alexis Clark Tennessee State University is set to address the increasing death rate of new mothers across the state and the country with a grant of $2.3 million from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The five-year grant will support the establishment of a research center dedicated to applied maternal health disparities research. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), maternal mortality rose from 861 maternal deaths in 2020 to 1,205 maternal deaths in 2021, a 40% overall increase.

Dr. Wendelyn Inman, TSU’s Interim Public Health program director, addressed the urgent need for action as the United States has the highest rate of maternal deaths across the globe.

“That should be unheard of,” Inman said.

“Part of it is because we don’t have culturally competent providers.

Providers aren’t sensitive to their needs.”

TSU has been allocated $483,400 of the HRSA grant for the first year. Inman, who is the principal investigator for the grant, noted the significance for underrepresented women, emphasizing the importance of being part of research from the beginning, rather than entering at a later stage, when it might be too late.

“That will make a big different to some women’s life, and some child who gets to keep their mother.”

The CDC is categorizing maternal mortality as death while pregnant or within 42 days of the end of pregnancy. This is irrespective of the duration and site of the pregnancy, from any cause related to or aggravated by the pregnancy or its management, but not from accidental or inci-

Interim Public Health Program Director Dr. Wendelyn Inman (r) discussing research on maternal mortality with second-year Master of Public Health student J’La Jenkins (l) at TSU (photo courtesy of Tennessee State University). dental causes. Statistics underserved communifrom the World Health ties. She said the numOrganization, from bers are declining and 2021, revealed “the that receiving this grant maternal mortality rate from HRSA shows the commitfor non-Hispanic Black university’s (subsequently, Black) ment to turning those women was 69.9 deaths numbers around.

“Not only is this per 100,000 live births, 2.6 times the rate for going to impact me, but non-Hispanic White generations after me. I (subsequently, White) was astonished at how women (26.6.) Rates for the university is currentBlack women were sig- ly underfunded, but we nificantly higher than are still able to be the rates for White and house of this research center,” she said.

Hispanic women.” second-year From 2017 to 2020, TSU Master of Public Health the state of Tennessee student J’La Jenkins reported that 113 women believes cultural compe- died during pregnancy tency is important, even or within a year of pregnancy from causes relatwithin her program.

“Especially being a ed or aggravated by Black woman of child- pregnancy. These pregdeaths bearing age, knowing nancy-related the importance of how accounted for 35% of all high the rates of mater- deaths during that perinal mortality are among od. A published report Black women that look from the state also saw a like me,” Jenkins said. 2.5% increase in birth “It is important that we related deaths for nonhave TSU, which is in Hispanic Black women the heart of a Black compared to their noncommunity, to be the Hispanic White counterresearch center for this parts. Cardiovascular diseases, compounded work.”

Jenkins added that by disparities, emerged receiving this grant as leading causes. TSU, enables TSU to increase along with 15 other the public health work- HBCUs, received fundforce representing ing to establish research

centers.

Dr. Inman expressed the importance of involving the community in the research process to ensure a diverse and inclusive approach from the ground up. Inman said this research, alongside other HBCUs, will create research turned into interventions to help within the community.

“We are going to have research centers so we can train doctoral, master’s level, and undergraduate students to join the public health workforce and the health care workforce to make a difference from the inside out. HRSA knows that if we can get more African American providers out there, we will see better outcomes.

This will also highlight the pivotal role it plays in addressing the root causes of maternal mortality.”

Dr. Quincy Quick, TSU’s associate vice president of Research and Sponsored Programs, stressed the grant’s significance.

“Receiving funding from HRSA at TSU will bolster our capacity and capabilities in public health research, specifically as it relates to maternal mortality rates,” he said.

“This is particularly significant given that the state of Tennessee has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the country.”

Both Inman and Quick believe the HRSA grant, and HBCU maternal mortality research initiative will place underrepresented women at the forefront. Just as important, it positions TSU to provide groundbreaking research to address this health disparities and to train a diverse and inclusive public health workforce that can bring the meaningful change needed to save lives for the state of Tennessee and beyond.

November 10, 2023

Ambitious new undertaking will affect lives of Black populations worldwide

Meharry President James E.K. Hildreth, Ph.D., M.D. October 18 was a historic day for Meharry Medical College with the launch of the Together for CHANGE (T4C) initiative, the inaugural project of the Diaspora Human Institute Genomics (DHGI), a newly founded nonprofit established and led by a team from Meharry Medical College.

The initiative, in partnership with leadpharmaceutical ing companies at the highest level of drug development (Regeneron, Astra-Zeneca, Novo Nordisk and Roche) is a comprehensive 10year initiative that will lead to more equitable medical research and better treatments for populations Black worldwide by creating the first genomics database of people of African ancestry (the world’s largest) composed of genomic and phenotypic data from up to 500,000 volunteer participants. It will also invest in and promote the education and employment of more people of African ancestry in genomics and related STEM fields. The project was driven by the vision and hard work of

Meharry President, Dr. James E.K. Hildreth Senior Vice and President of Research and Innovation, Dr. Anil Shanker.

“Our role as a leader in the future of genomics will have a profound and lasting impact on the research of specific diseases that disproportionately affect people of African ancestry,” Dr. Hildreth said in a message to campus shortly before the announcement.

“Not only will we make new discoveries, we will create treatments that address the health needs of our most vulnerable.”

Evoking the memory of Henrietta Lacks and the men of the Tuskegee experiments, Dr. Hildreth told those at the present announcement that the work of the DHGI and the T4C initiative will respect the trust of the people for whom Meharry has been the health care voice for nearly 150 years.

Participation will be solicited, not assumed or taken. Data collected will be on a voluntary basis. The information will then be stripped of all identifiers and managed with utmost security, overseen by an Ethics Committee of community leaders.

“Starting today and with this momentous partnership, we begin to leave the past in the past where it belongs,” Dr. Hildreth told those gathered.

“Because Together for CHANGE will ensure that, at last, our future and the future of generations to come will be different from those who came before.”

A N I M P O RTA N T M E S S AG E F R O M M E D I C A R E

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