Nashville PRIDE December 23, 2022

Happy Holidays ONLY

A festive Christmas experience See page 2

U.S. postage stamp honors civil rights icon John Lewis See page 3

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volume XXXvi, Number 51

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Nashville, TN

December 23, 2022

Celebrate Kwanzaa Nashville 2022

Come take a picture with Black Santa on Christmas Eve

NMAAM hosted a Christmas party for the Nashville community with vendors, music, activities, and giveaways on December 10.

There was also a special visit

by Black Santa who will be available this Saturday from 11 am-3 pm to take pictures and hear what's on your Christmas list.

Last Minute Toy Store provides over 6,000 reasons to celebrate giving to families in need this Christmas

(l-r) Sheriff Daron Hall (left) with Dale Robble.

Nashville/Davidson County Sheriff Daron Hall and the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office once again partnered with the Last Minute Toy Store (LMTS) to make sure that over 6,000 children have presents under the tree this Christmas.

As the name suggests, Last Minute Toy Store is the last chance for families in need to shop for free new toys who have not been helped by or have missed the deadline for other Middle Tennessee charities and organizations in 2022.

The event is the result of a year-round effort led by LMTS President Dale Robble with the help of partners like DCSO. This year is the first time in three years that the toy store was able to happen in person.

“During the pandemic we came up with a drive-through program where the family would show up and we would provide a bag full of toys that we had selected for the age group of the children,” said Sheriff Daron Hall.

However, Sheriff Hall said that he and his volunteers missed the experience of shopping with the parents.

“The visual of the mother shopping and seeing her being able to receive gifts for her children that they weren't going to get is hard to even measure,” Hall said.

According to LMTS President Dale Robble: “This Continued on page 5 The Nashville PRIDE Newspaper is on Facebook and follow us on Twitter: @pridenews

Printed on 100% recycled paper

The participants for The Beauty & Burden of Black Excellence NIA program on Friday, December 30 are Rev. Kelli X, Judge Rachel Bell, Patrick Dailey, Jamel Campbell-Gooch, and Johari Matthews.

By Cass Teague inspire Black Pride in the city of UNITY Night at TM Production, 630 Join in this Kwanzaa 2022 to cele- Nashville through the Celebration of Rundle Avenue, Nashville 37210. brate Kwanzaa in Nashville, In-Per- Kwanzaa embodied in the practice Umoja Marketplace opens at 5:30 son and Virtually. The 2022 Annual and adoption of the Nguzo Saba p.m.; the 6:30 p.m. program features Kwanzaa Theme is: “Kwanzaa, Cul- (Seven-Principles of Kwanzaa). They Sankofa African Drum & Dance Comture and the Practice of Freedom: A are Maria Hall, Founder & Chair; pany and Shackled Feet Dance. TickMessage and Model for Our Times.” Joseph Bazelais, Community Engage- ets are $22 via Linktree.

For more about the theme and a mes- ment; Marquita Holt, Marketing; Tuesday, December 27, the origisage from the Founder of Kwanza, Dr. Jamilla Tyrrell, Community Organiz- nators of Nashville’s Kwanzaa celeMaulana Karenga, check out the web- er; Rashad Donaldson, Community bration, the African American Cultursite: https://www.officialkwanza- Organizer; NewLee Made, Photogra- al Alliance, presents A Queen Mother awebsite.org/ phy / Visual Historian. For more Installation Ceremony at The Upper Celebrate Kwanzaa in Nashville in details and to register for these pro- Room, 1908 Grand Avenue, Nashville person or virtually. Kwanzaa grams, visit the website: 37212, at 6:00 p.m. Come dressed in Nashville Week is organized by a https://www.kwanzaanashville.com/ GOLD or your fine African Apparel group of dedicated and passionate Kwanzaa Nashville kicks off on Continued on page 5 individuals who seek to expose and Monday, December 26 with Umoja

Black women lead – Senate Democrats make history with officer elections Sen. Akbari elected Democratic Leader; Sen. Lamar elected Caucus Chairwoman; Sen. Oliver elected Vice-Chairwoman The Senate Democratic Caucus announced today its officers for the upcoming 113th General Assembly.

Sen. Raumesh Akbari (D-Memphis) will serve as Senate Democratic Leader, Sen. London Lamar (D-Memphis) will serve as the Senate Democratic Caucus Chairwoman, and Sen. Charlane Oliver (D-Nashville) will serve as the Caucus Vice-Chairwoman.

This election marks the first time in history any legislative caucus in Tennessee has been led by two Black women—let alone three.

“Since 2013, it has been an absolute honor to serve the people of Shelby County in the Tennessee General Assembly alongside my colleagues who share in my belief that people should come before politics,” said Senate Democratic Leader Raumesh Akbari. “Today and everyday, I stand on the shoulders of legislative trailblazers like Lois DeBerry, Barbara Cooper, and personal heroes like, my mom Lisa Akbari and sister Raumina Akbari. I am grateful for the opportunity to lead our caucus and

(l-r) Sen. Raumesh Akbari, Sen. London Lamar, and Sen. Charlane Oliver. move us forward united by our calling fighting for working families, the midto deliver better results to everyday dle class, young people and seniors, or Tennesseans.” those who feel left behind or targeted Senate Democratic Caucus Chair- by politics as usual. We will not waver woman London Lamar said: “There in our fight for the people. I look forare serious challenges facing the peo- ward to serving my senate colleagues ple of Tennessee and it is an awesome and the citizens of Tennessee.” responsibility to defend our values at “I am honored that my colleagues the state legislature. The Senate DemContinued on page 5 ocratic Caucus remains committed to

House Committee details the charges referred to DOJ against Donald Trump

(l-r) Chair Bennie Thompson and Vice Chair Liz Cheney

By Stacy M. Brown Liz Cheney (R-Wyoming), the comNNPA Newswire Senior National mittee released a 161-page summary Correspondent that focused on Trump’s involvement Donald Trump, who holds the in the effort to overturn his 2020 elecignominious distinction of being the tion loss to President Joe Biden. only twice-impeached U.S. president, The committee concluded that has become the first commander-in- Trump’s efforts “makes him responsichief to have criminal charges referred ble for the violence that unfolded, and against him. unfit to hold office.”

The dubious achievement occurred The panel then laid out a criminal on Monday, Dec. 19, when the House case for the Justice Department, Select Committee investigating the including a cache of evidence.

Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol formally Based upon the assembled evirequested that the U.S. Department of dence, the committee has reached a Justice charge Trump with inciting, series of specific findings, including assisting, or engaging in insurrection the following powerful conclusions against the United States and “giving against Trump: aid or comfort” to an insurrection.

• Beginning election night and conChaired by Rep. Bennie Thompson tinuing through January 6th and there(D-Mississippi) and vice chair Rep. after, Trump purposely disseminated

false allegations of fraud related to the 2020 Presidential election to aid his effort to overturn the election and for purposes of soliciting contributions.

“These false claims provoked his supporters to violence on January 6th,” the committee determined.

• Knowing that he and his supporters had lost dozens of election lawsuits, and despite his own senior advisors refuting his election fraud claims and urging him to concede his election loss, Trump refused to accept the lawful result of the 2020 election. Rather than honor his constitutional obligation to “take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed,” President Trump instead plotted to overturn the election outcome.

• Despite knowing that such an action would be illegal, and that no State had or would submit an altered electoral slate, Trump corruptly pressured Vice President Mike Pence to refuse to count electoral votes during Congress’s joint session on January 6th.

• Trump sought to corrupt the U.S. Department of Justice by attempting to enlist Department officials to make purposely false statements and thereby aid his effort to overturn the Presidential election. After that effort failed, Trump offered the position of Acting Attorney General to Jeff Clark knowing that Clark intended to disseminate false information aimed at overturning the election.

Continued on page 5

Local

Nashville PRIDE

Page 2

Cancer...My journey in time Merry Christmas

By Wanda Clay The end of the year 2022 is very near. But before the coming of the new year, we celebrate and recognize the Christmas season that is upon us. It’s Christmas time and people have been lining the streets with traffic and the stores with shoppers for just the right gifts.

The Rev. Enoch Fuzz is currently having some withdrawals from medications, he said, “I’m gonna be okay,” which continues to be his expectations since the beginning of his journey with stage four lung cancer. And, he will.

With each ailment, discomfort and unforeseen procedure, Pastor Fuzz follows the direction of orders given by his doctors. One of the main orders consistent throughout this journey is always rest. Pastor Fuzz is excited with the love of his family,

Rev. Enoch Fuzz friends and congregation and wishes everyone a Merry Christmas.

Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. As Christmas Day is on Sunday this year, most churches will hold worship services and the churches should be just as crowded as the stores.

When asked how he feels this week, hRev. Fuzz simply says, “Merry Christmas.”

Rev. Fuzz is not, nor has ever been, one to complain about his

current circumstance.

He continues to pray for the world and ask that we all would do the same.

Pray for the complete healing and restoration of Pastor Fuzz’s health as the new year approaches.

I’m sure if Pastor Fuzz could ask for a special gift of Christmas, it would not only include a cancer-free body, but also blessings for others less fortunate than himself.

The pastor of Corinthian Missionary Baptist Church, Rev. Enoch Fuzz said, “Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas to you all!”

If you haven’t already, take a little time to read over the story of Mary, Joseph and a baby named “Jesus!”

Please continue to pray, enjoy and share Pastor Fuzz’s Meta postings and weekly journey with cancer.

A festive Christmas experience

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Historic Civil War trails marker recognizing African American regiments unveiled

by Alexis Clark The first Civil War Trails marker paying homage to three African American regiments has been unveiled in Nashville. The marker is on Foster located Avenue near STEM Prep High School. Tennessee State University associate professor of history, Dr. Learotha Williams, played a major role in the historic project that details the story of the former slaves fighting in the city during the Civil War for the first time as United States soldiers.

Williams said during the event that the marker highlights the site important contributions of the U.S. Colored Troops (USCT).

“This battle, this marker, and this moment only represents a new chapter in our understanding of the Civil

The historical marker is located on Foster Avenue near STEM Prep High School.

War in history and our memory,” collective Williams said. “Be mindful that this should be the starting point and not an end. There is much more that we have to discover and learn about the Civil War.” Dr. Williams helped bring the marker to light providing his by

Titans stadium rendering Mayor John Cooper Titans, as well as a one released the following percent increase for the statement on Metro Hotel Occupancy Tax to Council approving the help pay for the deal: non-binding term sheet “By getting out of a for a new, enclosed sta- lease that has become a dium for the Tennessee billion-dollar liability,

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research about the regiments of the USCT. It was noted that this dedication took place 158 years to the exact date of the Battle of Nashville in 1864, involving the three Black regiments. attending Those included representatives from the Battle of Continued on page 5

Mayor Cooper comments on Metro Council moving forward on Titans stadium

by William T. Robinson, Jr A special thanks to Carol Nicholas for opening up her home to her family, friends and the community. Every room was decorated awakening the myriad of spectators to the beauty of the Christmas holiday season with the joy of sharing, loving, and giving in the name of our most benevolent Savior. Her hospitality thru food, song, and beautiful decorations was breathtaking. Again, thanking her for sharing her beautiful Christmas scenery. (Photos submitted by William T. Robinson, Jr)

Avian Glen Vineyard

December 23, 2022

tonight’s vote is an enormous step toward a better future for Nashville’s neighborhoods and families. Metro will now be in a much stronger position to increase the investments in our fundamental neighborhood priorities: good schools, safe streets, affordable new and housing, improved infrastructure, reliable city services, parks and greenways and more—rather than putting good money after bad in a deteriorating stadium.

“I am grateful to Metro Council for their careful consideration of Continued on page 5

Page 3 Nashville PRIDE National/State Boys & Girls Club celebrity alumni, brand partners spread holiday joy, invest in next generation of leaders December 23, 2022

This holiday season, dedicated supporters continue to join forces to support Boys & Girls Clubs of America as they work together to provide safe spaces, caring mentors and lifeenhancing experiences to over 3.6 million youth at nearly 5,000 Clubs across the nation, on Native lands and U.S installations military worldwide.

A lifetime supporter and former Boys & Girls Club kid, Shaquille O’Neal, decked the halls of the Shaquille O’Neal Boys & Girls Club of Henry County yesterday as he shared holiday gifts and joy with hundreds of Atlanta-area children from kindergarten to 12th grade at his annual Shaq-A-Claus holiday party. Through the Shaquille O'Neal Foundation, the basketball legend continues his 21-year tradition of brightening the holidays by providing thousands of toys, clothing, meals, and more to deserving kids and teens across the country.

Smiles and holiday cheer spread to California, as Knorr and Boys & Girls Clubs of America enlisted two- time

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Emmy-winning television host and Boys & Girls Club alumni, Mario Lopez, to unveil the first kitchen at Boys & Girls Club of Burbank. At this event, Mario co-lead a live cooking class alongside a Knorr chef teaching participants how to make delicious and nutritious meals for under $4 per serving, such as the Knorr Chicken Tacos recipe. As Boys & Girls Clubs of America's Alumni Ambassador of Fitness, Mario advocates for youth and their families to be equipped with the essential skills and education for a healthy lifestyle and holiday season. this Additionally, giving season, JLo Beauty: a beauty and lifestyle brand founded

by Jennifer Lopez, donated $40,000 from the brand’s holiday sales to support Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s mission to help all young people reach their full potential. JLo Beauty partnered with Boys & Girls Clubs of America through the brand’s ‘Glow It Forward’campaign, which is dedicated to paying it forward to causes that provide

NBA legend, former Boys & Girls Club kid and lifetime supporter of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Shaquille O’Neal, provides holiday gifts and joy to hundreds of kids during a “ShaqA-Claus” celebration at Shaquille O’Neal Boys & Girls Club of Henry County. opportunities to shine. kesperson for Boys & Club professionals pro- Girls Clubs of America, vide resources, support credits the Kips Bay and opportunities to help Boys & Girls Club for young people shine providing her first stage every day. Reflecting on ‘shine’ in performing a successful career in arts, so the funds will be entertainment, beauty dedicated to this locaand more, Jennifer tion.

Lopez, a national spo“As we continue to

honor the moment of this festive season, express gratitude and embrace the possibilities available for today’s young people, we are honored to have the support of so many influential industry-leaders, celebrity alumni supporters and corporate partners who share our belief that every child has what it takes to achieve a great future,” said Jim Clark, president/CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

Today, nearly 5,000 Boys & Girls Clubs provide safe spaces where young people can learn and grow. Every kid and teen deserves access to experiences and opportunities that change their lives for the better and are committed to doing whatever it takes to support youth on their path to a great future. In fact,

according to Youth Right Now, a recent survey providing insights on America’s young people: 95% of Boys & Girls Club kids feel they have the skills needed to be successful in a job, while 89% similarly say their club prepares them to persevere when things get hard and 78% of club alumni are satisfied with their career, compared to 65% of adults from the general population.

This year, Boys & Girls Clubs of America is honored to team up with like-minded partners who have strengthened their commitment to youth through giving campaigns, in-store activations and opportunities to round up at the register. These efforts include: Adidas, ALDI, Cricket Bridgestone, Wireless, Forever 21, Kohl’s, and Papa Johns.

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U.S. postage stamp honors civil rights icon John Lewis The late congressman and civil rights giant, Rep. John Lewis, will be honored with a postage stamp in 2023, the U.S. Postal Service announced last week.

The design for the stamp uses a photograph taken by Marco Grob for a 2013 issue of Time magazine. Lewis, then 73, wears a dark suit and blue tie and looks directly into the camera.

A 1963 picture of Lewis at a workshop on nonviolent protest in Clarksdale, Mississippi, taken by Steve Schapiro, is planned for the margin of the printed stamp sheets.

The Postal Service said the stamp “celebrates the life and legacy” of Lewis, who died at age 80 in 2020 from

Image of the new postage stamp honoring the late congressman and civil rights giant, Rep. John Lewis. (photo courtesy of U.S. Postal Service via AP) pancreatic cancer.

“Even in the face of hatred and violence, as well as some 45 arrests,

Lewis remained resolute in his commitment to what he liked to call ‘good trouble,’” the agency said.

Lewis’ bloody beating by Alabama state troopers in Selma in 1965 helped galvanize opposition to racial segregation. By that time, he was a major leader in the Civil Rights Movement—having helped found the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and spoken at the March on Washington just before Martin Luther King Jr.’s ‘I Have a Dream’ speech.

Lewis went on to be elected to the Atlanta City Council and then to a long career in Congress, where he was frequently hailed as a moral leader.

NASA Artemis 1 Mission recap

By Cass Teague The United States space program is committed to returning human beings to the moon this decade, and then taking them to Mars. NASA’s Orion spacecraft successfully completed a parachuteassisted splashdown in the Pacific Ocean at 9:40 PST, 11:40 CST on Sunday, December 11, 2022, as the final major milestone of the Artemis I mission. Artemis is the first step in the next era of human exploration.

Together with commercial and international partners, NASA will establish a sustainable presence on the Moon to prepare for missions to Mars.

Artemis I was the first integrated test of NASA’s deep space

At 1240 p.m. EST, Dec. 11, 2022, NASA’s Orion spacecraft for the Artemis I mission splashed down in the Pacific Ocean after a 25.5 day mission to the Moon. Orion will be recovered by NASA’s Landing and Recovery team, U.S. Navy and Department of Defense partners aboard the USS Portland. (Credit NASA / James M. Blair) exploration systems the Orion spacecraft, SLS rocket, and the supporting ground systems and was supported by

thousands of people around the world, from contractors who built the Continued on page 5

NASHviLLE P*R*i*D*E Staff and Afillates Administration Publisher: Meekahl Davis, CEO Advertising Sales: Scott Davis Attorney: Karen Davis Editorial Department Editor: C. Ailene Lydia Staff Writers: David Lawrence; Wanda Clay

Table of Contents Front Page .......................... 1 Local.................................... 2 National/State..................... 3 Editorials ............................ 4 Continuations ..................... 5 Church ................................ 6 Health/Education ............... 7

Contributing Writers: Alvin Campbell; T.A. Spence; Reeju Davis General Columnists: William T. Robinson, Jr. Church Columnists: Rev. Barbara WoodsWashington, Dr. Monterey D. Lee, Sr. B. Bethel Writers/Photojournalists (fl): Cass F.L.Teague, Jr., Wanda Clay, Justin Darden,

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Nashville PRIDE

Editorials

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December 23, 2022

Enjoying, respecting the holiday season

by William T. Robinson, Jr. The holiday season began with Thanksgiving and ends with New Year’s Eve—encompassing other spiritual holidays and celebrations such as Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa. The holiday season should be a time to reflect the love and humanity we all share, us closer bringing together in respect for each other promoting goodwill and unity.

Thanksgivings and New Years Eve are holidays we all celebrate in unison during the Holiday Season but some holidays and observances during this period are celebrated and enjoyed by select groups.

Holidays found in such as December Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa are and respected among their observers but not cele-

brated or recognized by everyone. These are holidays and celebrations that are revered and special to observers, but should be respected by non participants. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Some people are indifferent as to respecting other groups, especially as relates to their religious practices and traditions.

While all people are not monolithic in what they believe, that shouldn’t make one disrespectful of different group’s beliefs. Remember we are a country that claims to appreciate diversity.

But all too often we tend to push or promote Eurocentric assimilation. We all bring something to the table, and it shouldn’t divide us. It should make us more appreciative of others’ contributions and traditions. observing People their special holidays

shouldn’t be made to feel uncomfortable when others disclaim the significance of their observance. You don’t have to participate in everyone’s observance, but don’t disrespect followers of a certain faith or those manifesting cultural traditions and beliefs—as long as it doesn’t cause harm or promote hate toward others. For example: A non Christian shouldn’t get mad at someone for saying ‘Merry Christmas’ to them or at a Jew wishing them ‘Happy Hanukkah.’

As a devout Christian, I am going to celebrate Christmas. It is one of the most holy days of the year for Christians.

One shouldn’t be offended by the spiritual significance and fanfare given to Christmas by those wishing someone a ‘Merry Christmas.’ It shouldn’t be frowned

Reaffirming solidarity between Blacks and Jews in

by Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. I will not be silent on the issues of racial hatred, violence, and prejudice. I am speaking out publicly in support of the recent call by billionaire African American business leader and philanthropist, Robert F. Smith, to stand up against the resurgence of racism and antisemitism in America.

Blacks and Jews in the United States have had a long history and tradition of working together and sacrificing together for freedom, justice, equality and equity. Lest we forget: we have marched together for over a century. We have shared blood together. And we have died together for the cause of freedom in the Civil Rights Movement.

Both of our communities today increasingly are the targets of violent hatred, ignorant stereotypes, and a demonic supremacist ideology.

Racism and antisemitism are twin evils that cannot be ignored or trivialized.

In a recent full page paid advertisement in The New York Times, Robert F. Smith said: “At a time when racism and antisemitism are on the rise, I am determined to partner with leaders from all faiths to recognize ‘Fifteen Days of Light.’ We are unifying to celebrate Chanukah and Kwanzaa together, and encourage communities nationwide to join us in our support for one another.”

‘Fifteen Days of Light’ is a timely national opportunity to do what Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. prophetically defined as the development and establishment of a ‘Beloved Community.’ Dr. King envisioned that this would be a nationwide multiracial community where there would be no racism, no antisemitism, and no hatred toward anyone. All people, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, or faith would live together with mutual respect and unconditional love for all.

As we prepare to go into 2023, disunity between Blacks and Jews is ahistorical and counterproductive. We cannot afford to be nonchalant or indifferent.

Smith’s statement to encourage participation in acts of remembrance across the nation celebrating both Chanukah and Kwanzaa together over a 15-day period this month reminded me of the need to reaffirm the solidarity between Blacks and Jews.

I attended the historic 1963 March on Washington where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his eloquent and transcendent ‘I Have a Dream’ speech. I recall the strong advocacy

The Black community and the Jewish community share a long, shared history of struggle and fighting for civil rights. from Jewish leaders like Arnold Aronson of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights that supported Dr. King and the Christian Southern Leadership Conference (SCLC), the NAACP, and other civil rights organizations at the March on Washington.

That day I also remember hearing from a dynamic young freedom fighter named John Lewis who emphasized the urgency for racial equality. Then there was a young Jewish folk singer named Bob Dylan who performed at the March a haunting song he wrote about the tragic assassination of civil rights leader Medgar Evers in Mississippi.

On that sunny day in August of 1963 in Washington there were other freedom movement speakers that included a number of prominent Jewish voices from across the country, including the outspoken Rabbi Joachim Prinz, who spoke about “the shame and disgrace of inequality and injustice” facing the Black community.

Later that year in November 1963, Dr. King joined with theologian Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel at the United Synagogue of America’s Golden Jubilee Convention in New York City. King and Heschel pledged to work together to end racism and antisemitism.

In 1965 when Dr. King, John Lewis, Hosea Williams and other civil rights leaders marched across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Alabama, the historic Selma to Montgomery March, for voting rights, Rabbi Heschel was there marching shoulder to shoulder in solidarity.

The Black community and the Jewish community share a long, shared history of struggle and fighting for civil rights—from August and Henrietta Bondi’s home in Kansas being used as a stop on the Underground Railroad to Jewish organizations participating in the protests following the murder of George Floyd and the acceleration of the Black Lives Matter movement.

According to recent national law enforcement data, today there

has been an unprecedented increase in hate crimes targeted against Black and Jewish communities. According to Anti-Defamation the League, 2021 was the highest year on record for documented reports of harassment, vandalism and violence directed against Jews since the organization began tracking incidents in 1979.Thus far in 2022, the incidents of antisemitism have not declined but have steadily increased.

National The Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) has documented a constant increase in racially motivated attacks on Black people throughout the United States during the past decade. All forms of racism and antisemitism should always be challenged relentlessly. Dr. King said it best: “We must all learn to live together as brothers, or we will all perish together as fools.”

Robert F. Smith, founder, chairman/CEO of Vista Equity Partners, chairman, Carnegie Hall, is taking the right stand at the right time.

Smith stated in the ad: “Michael Eric Dyson recently wrote that ‘African Americans and Jews are passengers on the same ship facing the ferocious headwinds of bigotry and hatred.’ It is time to put aside differences and shift our focus to the shared values that bring all Americans together as God’s children.”

The call to action is: “Join us this holiday season at public events from Los Angeles to New York, or in your own home, to light the Eight Nights of the Chanukah Menorah followed immediately by the Seven Nights of Kwanzaa and the Kinara. Post your own photos of Black and Jewish friends, neighbors and colleagues coming together to #lightthecandles.”

(Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. is president/CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association [NNPA] and is executive producer/host of The Chavis Chronicles on PBS TV stations throughout the U.S. and can be reached at dr.bchavis@nnpa.org.)

upon. Those wishing others a ‘Merry Christmas’ mean no harm or ill will, and shouldn’t have to apologize or feel offended for practicing what they believe when offering cheer and good will. The same should hold true to those celebrating Hanukkah.

Those of the Jewish faith shouldn’t have to apologize or minimize their celebration of Hanukkah because a handful of opponents can’t relate or feel Remember offended. one of the major tenets this country was founded on was freedom of religion.

We should all openly embrace the holiday season with a joyous and loving heart with love and joy for all God’s children. If your religious practice is not one demonstrating love for others then it is not of God, because God is

love. Showing intolerance, disrespect, or hate for others that don’t religiously believe as you do is unacceptable and should be discouraged.

Kwanzaa is a growing celebration that isn’t embraced by all Americans during the holiday season. Kwanzaa is an African American cultural celebration occurring from December 26 through the January 1. It honors African Americans’ culture and traditions inspiring and promoting unity among Americans African through loving, supporting, and respecting each other. While not a religious holiday, Kwanzaa celebrates African American cultural heritage and traditional values helping to promotes goodwill and unity.

When all is said and done, we should conclude that the holiday season is meant to be

William T. Robinson, Jr. inclusive. It should remind us to respect and love each other and be the ‘best we can be’ to better serve our brethren.

We are separated by our differences but offered a rope consisting of love, understanding, and compassion to bring us closer together.

Happy Kwanzaa to the African American community; happy Hanukkah to my Jewish friends; and happy Christmas to my brothers and sisters in Christ.

Stop normalizing anti-Blackness

by Julianne Malveaux (TriceEdneyWire) – Autumn Robeson Monahan is a 17-year-old Black girl attending high school in Slaton, Texas.

The senior, who transferred to Slaton High School when her parents relocated there from Ohio, hoped to be her high school valedictorian based on her stellar grades. Instead, she was subjected to regular, vile, racist harassment from White students who showered her with the ‘N—r’ word, even when she respectfully asked them to "please stop."

From where I sit, the constant use of the ‘N’ word is assaultive and Autumn aggressive. complained to school administrators, who did nothing even though there was a policy that students who used such slurs would be suspended. Instead, the young lady was subjected to multiple verbal assaults and attempted to handle her challenges by asking offending White students to stop using the word. Their Caucasity was rampant. They ignored her requests, and one day she snapped, yelling and slapping the fellow student who seemed to find the use of a racial slur amusing.

Nobody condones violence, and the use of the ‘N’ word is violent.

School administrators chose to take no action against the unnamed White boy (who deserves suspension and more, and his parents should be reported to Child Protective Services for raising such a little monster) but suspended Autumn for 45 days, sentencing her to an ‘alternative’ facility where students are required to wear orange jumpsuits (talk about the school to prison pipeline) and subjected to extreme so-called discipline.

Rather than submit to such extreme insanity, Autumn ran away from home and was considered a suicide risk. Her

Julianne Malveaux parents have filed a lawsuit against the school district and complained to the Department of Education. Still, this amazing young lady has had her high school senior year interrupted and besmirched. And the toxic little White boy who taunted her mercilessly has experienced no consequences. We don’t even know his name!

Anti-Blackness is at a peak, and it is disgustingly virulent. Black people are being openly massacred by so-called law enforcement officers who face few consequences for their murderous ways. They claim they fear for their lives.

What did Autumn fear when, after enduring racist harassment? She snapped. Who wouldn't snap after the madness?

And why is this so acceptable? High school administrators say the ‘N’ word is "only a word." But it is also the last word our ancestors heard before they were lynched. It is the word that was used to marginalize and criminalize. It is a word that sometimes seeps into the lexicon, a word that some say stings less when uttered as ‘nigga’ instead of ‘n—r.’ But it is also a word that is historically objectionable.

The White administrators who said a word is just a word aren’t so weak on enforcement when other ethnic slurs are used.

They wouldn’t say a word was just a word if they were called out of their name. When a young girl complains

about racist hazing, administrators need to stop it. They should not protect the intellectually challenged White boy who insisted that he could use slurs because he was empowered to do so. Autumn complained.

Her parents complained.

Nothing happened. The young lady felt powerless and alone. The entire school system is at fault because they looked away from the madness of racial hazing. But we are also all at fault because we have antinormalized Blackness. violence, Racist whether verbal or physical, is the norm in this nation. It seems okay for White folks to haze, harass, and demean Black people. It is unacceptable, and there need to be consequences, not just for those who attacked and hazed Autumn, but for all of those who choose to haze and attack Black children in education systems all over the nation. Too many people think that racism is ‘no big thing.’ It's not a big thing for ignorant, myopic, and unaffected people. But for Autumn, an ambitious young woman, who has been scarred by these incidents because myopically ignorant White administrators failed to take action, it's a big thing. What action can we take as a collective?

What can we do? As we end the year and make those empty resolutions, let's make one with teeth. Let's resolve to put an end to virulent antiBlackness.

Let's support Autumn and every young student dealing with racist administrators.

Let's work to get them out of the jobs they do not deserve. Let's say ‘no more’ as emphatically as we can.

(Dr. Julianne Malveaux is an economist, author and dean of the College of Ethnic Studies at California State University at Los Angeles.)

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December 23, 2022

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Continuations

Kwanzaa... from page 1 and Regalia.

This KUJICHAGULIA event is free and open to the public, but please RSVP through Linktree.

Wednesday, December 28 the all-day Ujima event in the historic Club Baron: Elks Lodge, 2614 Jefferson Street features Eat Well: The Black Brunch (private networking event) at 11a.m.; Sleep Well: Our Rest (Mind, Body, and Soul-utions at 3 p.m.; and Be Well: Rooted: Our Liberation A Storytelling Immersive Experience + Community Solution Session at 7 p.m.

Thursday, December 29 Ujamaa Black Business Expo at Scarritt Bennett Center, 1027 –

18th Avenue, South, in Laskey Hall, free and open to the public, no RSVP required, runs 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. p.m., and features Saaneah Live, DJ Soul Infinite, vendors and a food truck.

Friday, December 30 at 6:00 p.m “The Beauty & Burden of Black Excellence” hosted by Scarritt Bennett Center and NIA Montessori School at Scarritt Bennett Center, 1027 – 18th Avenue, South, in the Harambee Auditorium.

Rev. Kelli X moderates panelists Judge Rachel Bell, Patrick Dailey, Jamel Gooch-Campbell, and Johari Matthews.

Please RSVP (free) in advance through Link-

tree.

Saturday, December 31 the free Kuumba Altar Creation Workshop at One Drop Ink, 1511 Jefferson Street, Nashville, in association with the North Nashville Arts Coalition, runs from 12:00 p.m. Noon until 4:00 p.m.

Sunday, January 1, 2023, the Nashville Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. want you to join them in person bringing in the New Year at TM Production, 630 Rundle Avenue, 37210.

Nashville “Imani: Faith with the Deltas” starts at 3:00 p.m., but please Reserve your tickets in advance through Linktree.

Black women lead... from page 1 trust me to lead,” said Caucus Vice-Chairwoman Charlane Oliver.

“My top priorities are to do what’s in the best interest of my district and do the people’s business in the Tennessee General Assembly. I am ready to work.”

Outgoing-Leader Sen. Jeff Yarbro nomi-

nated Sen. Raumesh Akbari for the caucus leadership position.

“It was my pleasure today to nominate and my friend support Raumesh to serve as Senate Minority Leader for the 113th General Assembly,” Sen. Yarbro said.

“She will be the first

African American woman to serve in this role and will do an absolutely amazing job.”

Senate Democrats also appointed Sen. Yarbro to fill an open position on the Joint Fiscal Review Committee.

The 113th Tennessee General Assembly will begin Tuesday, Jan. 10.

Last Minute Toy Store... from page 1 year, 6,920 Davidson County children were served from 2,646 families.

These children will have Christmas this year thanks to over 1,200

hardworking volunteers and thousands of generous supporters of this ministry.”

LMTS is a 501 c (3) ministry of Highland Park Church and United

Methodist churches in partnership with Sheriff Daron Hall and The Davidson County Sheriff’s Office, along with the United States Marine Reserve Toys for Tots.

House Committee... from page 1 • Without any evidentiary basis and contrary to State and Federal law, Trump unlawfully pressured State officials and legislators to change the results of the election in their States.

• Trump oversaw an effort to obtain and transmit false electoral certificates to Congress the National and Archives.

• Trump pressured Members of Congress to object to valid slates of electors from several States.

• Trump purposely verified false information filed in Federal court.

• Based on false allegations that the election was stolen, Trump summoned tens of thousands supporters to of Washington for January 6th. Although these supporters were angry and some were armed, Trump instructed them to march to the Capitol on January 6th to “take back” their country.

• Knowing that a violent attack on the Capitol was underway and knowing that his words

of this marker as a testament to the achievements of African Americans and their role in the development of Nashville,” Sears of Atlanta, Ga., said.

“Many people don’t fully understand the impact African American soldiers had on a war that was fought so close to home, but I hope this marker will change that.”

Sears said she looks forward to pursuing a career in public history to educate people on unknown history that is closer to them than they

this deal, and ultimate vote of confidence. In particular, I’d like to thank the East Bank Committee for their hard work and scrupulous review of the proposal. I am proud of the transparency and robust community engagement throughout this process which included over 30 separate Council and neighborhood meetings, and answers to over 100 detailed questions submitted to my office by Council Members. I am pleased that after a thorough review of the plan, a strong majority agree this deal is a win for Nashville taxpayers.

“As we move toward the end of negotiations

with the Titans, I remain deeply committed to putting Nashville taxpayers first, and I will not compromise on our core principles. This deal is about way more than football. It’s about what is best for Nashville’s financial future.”

In May, Cooper outlined seven commitments to residents any potential deal with the Titans would have to meet. Tuesday’s deal, which passed Metro Council with over 70% support, meets all of them: • Metro will not raise sales tax or property tax to pay for a new stadium.

• The Titans and visitors to the stadium campus will be the primary funding source for stadium construction.

• The Titans, not taxpayers, will cover any construction cost overruns.

• Unlike in the current lease, the Titans will take on the financial responsibility of maintaining the stadium.

• Metro will not sell any public land to finance the stadium.

• The campus will provide high-paying jobs, green space and affordable housing.

• Any new agreement will result in the Titans staying in Nashville for the long haul.

NASA Artemis... from page 3 spacecraft and rocket, and the ground infrastructure needed to launch them, to international and university partners, to small businesses supplying subsystems and components.

With Artemis missions, NASA will land the first woman and first person of color on the Moon, using innovative technologies to explore more of the lunar surface than ever before. We will collaborate with commercial and international partners and establish the first longterm presence on the Moon. Then, we will use what we learn on and around the Moon to take the next giant leap: sending the first astronauts to Mars.

NASA’s Artemis I mission lifted off on Nov. 16, 2022, from Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39B.

With 8.8 million pounds of thrust, the Space Launch System (SLS), is NASA’s most powerful rocket. It stands 322 feet tall, with a mass at liftoff of 5.75 million pounds, and the ability take a payload to the moon of 59,000 pounds. The primary goals for Artemis I were to demonstrate Orion’s systems in a spaceflight environment and ensure a safe reentry, descent, splashdown, and recovery prior to the first flight with crew on Artemis II. It sent the uncrewed Orion spacecraft beyond the Moon, 280,000 miles from Earth, farther than any human-rated spacecraft has ever flown.

After 25 days, 10 hours, 53 minutes, and a total distance of 1.3 miIlion miles, Orion has returned home faster and hotter than any spacecraft has before. Its re-

entry speed was 24,500 mph (Mach 32). The Orion is the next generation spacecraft, designed for the demands of human missions to deep space. Its crew and service module height are 26 feet, with a pressurized volume of 690.6 cubic feet, comprising a mass to the moon of 53,000 pounds, with a return mass at landing of 18,200 pounds.

Artemis is the twin sister of Apollo and goddess of the Moon in Greek mythology. Now, she personifies our path to the Moon as the name of NASA's efforts to return astronauts and a new wave of science payloads and technology demonstrations to the lunar surface. When they land, American astronauts will step foot where no human has ever been before: the Moon’s South Pole.

Boys and Oath Keeper militia groups who ultimately led the attack on the Capitol. As January 6th approached, the intelligence specifically identified the potential for violence at the U.S. Capitol. This intelligence was shared within the executive branch, including with the Secret Service and the National President’s Security Council.

• Intelligence gathered in advance of January 6th did not support a conclusion that Antifa or other left-wing groups would likely engage in a violent counterdemonstration, or attack Trump supporters on January 6th. intelligence Indeed, from January 5th indicated that some leftgroups were wing instructing their members to “stay at home” and not attend on January 6th. Ultimately, none of these groups was involved to any material extent with the attack on the Capitol on January 6th.

To read more, go to pridepublishinggroup.com.

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USCT regiments are also noted to have fought valiantly at Peach Orchard Hill, which is five miles south of were the new marker stands. Dr. Williams says he has hopes that a marker will be placed there in the near future.

The state of Tennessee joined the Civil War Trails program in 2008 with over 350 sites in Tennessee for guests to visit the footsteps of trailblazers like the men who were honored this week for their bravery on Dec. 15, 1864.

Mayor Cooper... from page 2

would incite further violence, Trump purposely sent a social media message publicly condemning Vice President Pence at 2:24 p.m. on January 6th.

• Knowing that violence was underway at the Capitol, and despite his duty to ensure that the laws are faithfully executed, Trump refused repeated requests over a multiple hour period that he instruct his violent supporters to disperse and leave the Capitol, and instead watched the violent attack unfold on television. This failure to act perpetuated the violence at the Capitol and obstructed Congress’s proceeding to count electoral votes.

• Each of these actions by Trump was taken in support of a multi-part conspiracy to overturn the lawful results of the 2020 Presidential election.

• The intelligence community and law enforcement agencies did successfully detect the planning for potential violence on January 6th, including planning specifically by the Proud

Nashville PRiDE Quick Reference

Trails marker... from page 2 Nashville Trust, Stem Prep High School, Civil War Trails, and Tennessee Department of Tourist Development.

During the unveiling, several presenters spoke about the need to preserve and expand the number of markers that the impact honor Americans African made on the war.

One of Williams’ history students, Jasmine Sears, said she is excited to see another part of history being honored in a positive light in Nashville.

“I view the unveiling

Page 5

Nashville PRIDE

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Page 6

Nashville PRIDE

Church

The intriguing history of ‘O Holy Night’ Scandal, politics and ground-breaking moments power history of popular Christmas song

by Crystal Caviness The story of ‘O Holy Night’ is as dramatic as when the popular Christmas carol crescendos to the verse that rings out, ‘Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices! O night divine, O night when Christ was born!’

Scandal, politics and ground-breaking moments power the history of the popular Christmas song. While sorting out fact from fiction may leave a narrative less spectacular than legend, the popularity of ‘O Holy Night’ has never waned across the centuries.

Concerning the facts: the ‘when’ is a bit fluid, but the ‘where,’ the ‘who’ and the ‘why’ are generally undisputed. In 1843 or 1847 in the small French town of Roquemaure, a local poet named Placide Cappeau was asked by the priest to write a Christmas poem to commemorate the renovation of the church organ.

After composing the poem, Cappeau asked Adolphe Adam, a popular composer, to set the lines to music. History claims the song titled ‘Cantique de Noel’ debuted in 1847 at a midnight mass and a favorite became among French congregations.

What follows is a story of intrigue that definitely makes for good reading, though scholars place doubt on its accuracy. Cappeau allegedly was not a religious man and, after writing the lyrics to ‘O Holy Night,’ he was said to have denounced the church to join a socialist movement. Likewise, many publications report that Adam was Jewish.

Having a popular Christian church song whose authors either

weren’t religious or who didn’t celebrate the birth of Jesus was unacceptable to the Catholic Church in France. So the song was banned for more than two decades.

In recent years, however, the story of Adam’s Jewish heritage has been disputed.

As the song gained popularity in France, an American writer, John Sullivan Dwight, discovered ‘O Holy Night’ in 1855. Inspired by the lyrics about Christ’s victory over sin and our humanity, shared Dwight slightly revised the third verse to read: ‘Truly, he taught us to love one another; his law is love and his gospel is peace. Chains shall he break, for the slave is our brother; and in his name all oppression shall cease.’

He published the updated version in his Dwight’s magazine, Journal of Music, which propelled the song to popularity in the United States (particularly in the North during the Civil War, as abolitionists related to the antislavery sentiment).

Another bit of trivia about ‘O Holy Night’ is the claim that it was the first song ever broadcast live. Canadian inventor Reginald Fessenden, a protégé of Thomas Edison, was an early pioneer of radio broad-

casting. He alleges that on December 21, 1906, he broadcast a recording of Handel’s ‘Largo,’ followed by himself reading from the Gospel of Luke and then playing ‘O Holy Night’ on the violin. This exciting placement in history, though, has been questioned. Some records say that Fessenden actually played ‘Adore and Be Still’ and misremembered it in the retelling.

Even if ‘O Holy Night’ can’t claim the distinction, the song has been recorded hundreds of times throughout the world by the likes of Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Josh Groban, Lauren Daigle, the cast Glee, Martina of McBride and Tommy and the Drennan Monarchs who reached No. 1 on the Official Irish Singles Chart in 1971 with their version.

Whether Cappeau was an atheist, Adam Jewish or was Fessenden marked the first broadcasted performance with the popular Christmas song seems not to matter.

More than 175 years later, at Christmas Eve services throughout the world, congregations rejoice in the promise brought by Jesus’ divine birth by singing the words, ‘With a thrill of hope, a weary world rejoices.’

Expressions of faith Think

by Bishop-elect Dr. Monterey D. Lee, Sr. Mortify [put to death] what belongs to your earthly nature and your members of evil desires.

• Sexual sin [immorality or fornication] • Impurity [uncleanness] • Lust [inordinate affection] • Evil desire [concupiscence] • Greed which is a form idolatry [covetousness] We have to cut them off just like cutting off limbs of a tree. They must be cut off before they destroy us. We must make a conscious, daily decision to remove anything that supports or feeds these desires— anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth, lying to one to another, sexual sin, lust, greed and impurity.

These things arouse the wrath [the extreme anger of God]. These things are a set up and a trick of the enemy to destroy you. The enemy wants you to do these things so that the anger of God will come on the children of disobedience.

“For the wrath of God came on the children of disobedience,” Colossians 3:6. This includes turning from God and to have the wrath [punishment] of God come upon you.

This is a set up! People you cannot let the enemy play with your mind.

Stop and think first before you do or say anything. Say to yourselves today: I will not be tricked again by the enemy.

He wants you to mess up, be dirty, make a mess of your life—misdirect you, ruin you, have you screw up, make a wreck of your life or spoil you with lies. As Christian’s you are Christ’s seed and Christ lives within you, so He can shape you into what you should be. You have died once; you don’t have to die again.

Christ has given you power over the enemy to live for Him in your new life. What you used to walk in, you don’t walk in anymore. You are renewed in the knowledge of God each day.

The games are over in your life! There’s no more being played with by the adversary [the conflicted one]. This time around you are going to think because you don’t want any more tricks. You once walked in these things when you were living in sin [the old man)], but now you have put away all the ways of the flesh [the old you].

Now you have put on the new man. You are being renewed, restarted, and reopened. You will take up again and begin again in knowledge according to the image of your creator, your God that created you in Christ Jesus. The Christian life is a continual learning program.

Bishop-elect Dr. Monterey D. Lee, Sr. The more we know of Christ and His work, the more we are being challenged to be like Him. The process of learning is lifelong, and we must never cease learning and obeying.

We must keep in line with the will of God. The Christian Church has no barriers of nationality, race, education, social standing, wealth, religion, or power.

Christ breaks down all barriers and He accepts all people who come to Him. This is why nothing should keep us from telling others about Christ and His love for all believers.

“For Christ is our peace, who has made us all one, and has broken down the middle wall of partition between us,” Ephesians 2:14.

This is why in Christ there is no Greek or Jew; no circumcision or uncircumcision; barbarian, Scythian, slave or free. Christ is all and in all.

As the born-again we should be in the business of building bridges, not building walls. Set your minds on things that are above [Christ], not on things that are of this world. Think!

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December 23, 2022

Faith of A Mustard Seed

by Barbara A. Woods Washington, M. Div. It is no small thing that ‘Presence’ equalizes ‘Witness’. It’s ‘First Person’. I-We can only bear witness to what we have seen.

The Legal field has clearly delineated this Truth in determinating that a ‘2nd person witness’ is one who heard said —hearsay is NOT PRESENT and their testimony is inadmissable. This could be a small part of “...the relations between things are seen for the first time” that Howard Thurman speaks and writes about; or it could be a huge part Martin unknown.

Buber made his mark on Theology in his work “I and Thou.”

‘First Person Relationship’… when knowledge comes. Impossible to BE the same again.

It occurs to me that the discipline of listening to a person of knowledge, no the ability, no the skill of listening to a person of knowledge is what happens when you attend the opening and/or closing Conference Address; or a Ted Talk, perhaps; or a Sermon —on the mount or maybe a sermon on the plains.

It is ‘monologue’.

Which unlike dialogue we listen to respond with our own thoughts about what is being said; perhaps as an antagonist or other disagreeable purpose.

Dick Gregory was that Equalizer of Knowledge. OK so it looks like a new coinage in the revelation of this column this 2nd day of Christmas... “Equalizer of Knowledge”! I have long now been persuaded, since my classroom at Bennett College, that every individual should have not

Barbara A. Woods Washington, M. Div. less than ‘Three Living Guides’. Those 3 persons whom you are guided by their understanding, and thinking, and writing and Truth Proclamation of the whole of life. Dick Gregory was a Living Guide for life to me.

Lots of others but not the availability. Such godliness. When I was in DC for the 50th Anniversary March on Washington I ran into him on the street. No no bodyguards, crowds, no fanfare.

Humility. Even in his latter years, he gifted the world his knowledge through the Social Media context.

In one of his 3 hr shows at Zanie’s Nashville, there was very little comedy. He came onto the stage with a tattered leather notebook full of Articles of news from all over the planet (his word used for world, earth). He spoke of how many researchers informed him daily of the smallest of events found hidden in daily print. I found him to be the greatest of all times in his witness to “the relations between always, things...” always making us aware of this that we now see “for the very first time”.

He chose this posture several times when he visited “The Breakfast Club” for interviews OR to

‘equalize knowledge’.

Yeah. That’s it! And when Charlemayne da god was not listening or hearing his ‘relations between things’ he would say to him, “They told me you was a smart man!”

The ‘Mood of Christmas’ seems to be more and more difficult to catch as the years go by. So swift has been the disappearance of the age old signs of this Christian faith based celebration which at one time had the power to cause the planet to just... Be Still! Advent. Angels.

Baby Jesus. Bells.

Bows.

Bethlehem.

Bright star, bright eyes, bright lights. Candles.

Candy canes. Carols.

Charity.

Chestnuts.

Children. Chimney.

Christ. Saviour. Cards.

Christmas Tree. Cider.

Dancing merrily. Deck the halls. Dolls. Doves. nog.

Elves.

Egg Emanuel. Evergreen.

Family. Reindeer. Fireplace. Frankincense.

Friends. Gay apparel.

Gifts.

Gingerbread.

Gloria in ‘Excelsis Deo’. Gold. Good Will towards Men. Holly.

Holy. Icicles. Inn. Jolly. Joy. Joseph. Kiddie cars. Lamb. Laughter. Love. Magi. Mass.

Manger.

Mistletoe.

Myrrh.

Nativity.

Naughty OR Nice.

Noel.

Ornaments.

Peace on Earth. Poinsettias. Presents. Ribbons. Santa. Shepherds. Snow... flakes and men. Stable.

Stockings. Toys. Tidings. Tinsel. Turkey.

Virgin Mary. Wise Men. Worship.

Wreaths. Yule.

Mary, did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters?

Lest we forget the ‘knowledge of salvation” Reach out by email: myfathersmansion press@gmail.com

Nashville PRiDE Directory of Churches 40th Avenue Church of Christ 616 40th Avenue North Nashville TN, 37209 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. & Thurs 11:00 a.m.

(615) 329-2325 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 scientology-ccnashville.org Senior Pastor: Rev. Brian Fesler Clark Memorial United Methodist Church 1014 14th Ave. North Nashville, TN 37208 Ph: (615) 329-4464 FAX: (615) 321-0975 Sunday Worship: 8:00 a.m./10:45 a.m.

Herbert Lester, Jr.,pastor clarkumcnashville.org Cleveland Street MBC 608 Cleveland Street Nashville, TN 37207 615-227-1149 Sunday Worship: 10:45 a.m./9:15 Church School clevelandstreet baptist@comcast.net www.clevelandstreet baptistchurch.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 Ezra Emmanuel Ministries 2606 Union Hall Rd. Clarksville, TN 37040 www.ezraemmanuelmin.org 9 a.m. Sunday worship 6 p.m. Wednesday Hr of Empowerment 931-378-1092 Overseer Danelle M. Stephens Gospel United Missionary Baptist Church 3700 Fairview Dr. Nashville, TN 37218 615-876-7022 9:30 Sunday School Sunday Worship: 11:00 a.m.

Pastor Carlos A. Jones

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 Gordon Memorial United Methodist Church 2334 Herman Street Nashville, TN 3728 615-329-2779 Sunday School @ 8:45am Sunday Worship @ 10:00am Bible Studies: Monday Thursday @ 6pm; Wednesdays @ 12 noon gordonmemorialumc.org Rev. Dr. Paula B. Smith, 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 Mt. Lebanon MBC 222 Franklin Lime Stone Rd. 11:00 a.m. worship service 615-596-0456 jamesgreen@yahoo.com Rev. James J. Green, pastor Mt. Vernon MBC 1022 New Providence Pass Madison, TN 37115 Sunday Worship 11 a.m.

615-860-0213 Bishop Willie Joy, pastor mtvernon1022@cocast.net

Nehemiah Missionary Baptist Church Pastor Thomas E. Hunter, Sr. 916 16th Avenue North Nashville, TN 37208 615-942-5261 Sunday School:9:00am Sunday Service: 10:00am Tues. Bible Study:6:30pm nehemiahmissionary baptistchurch.com New Salem A.M.E. Church 1800 4th Ave. N. Nashville, TN 37208 615-964-7246 Sunday Worship 11 a.m.

Pastor Eddie L. Sneed Payne Chapel AME Church 212 Neil Avenue (615) 262-3675 Sunday Worship: 10 am Rev. W. Antoni Sinkfield 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 Worship at 11 a.m.

(615) 329-4105 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 2412 Osage Street (615) 329-0173 Sunday Worship 11:00 a.m.

Rev. W.B. Armstrong, pastor St. Paul A.M.E. Church 3340 W. Hamilton Ave. Nashville, TN 37218 (615) 876-7219 Rev. Harold Moses Love, Jr. www.stpaul-amec.com Word of Life Christian Center International 4100 Clarksville Pike Nashville, TN 37218 (615) 876-3086 Sunday Worship: 11:00 am Rev. Alexander Arthur

December 23, 2022

www.pridepublishinggroup.com

Health/Education

Horizon Therapeutics adds Meharry Medical School as a Horizon Scholars partner Medical Meharry College student Glynn Chatmon is the newest scholar in Horizon Therapeutics’ ‘Horizon Scholars’ program. The Horizon Scholars program provides scholarships to cover student debt costs and offers professional mentorship, peer networking, internships and job opportunities for students.

For Chatmon, the first Meharry medical student to receive a fully paid scholarship, the Horizon scholarship will drastically reduce his school post-medical financial debt and allow him to focus on why he attended an HBCU medical school.

“As a Black man, I understand the need for Black physicians throughout the health care system. This scholarship will allow me to pursue the medical specialty of my choice. It allows me to aspire and take to heart what I feel called to do, which is to care for and serve marginalized communities,” said Chatmon. “Being able to focus on my studies and not have to worry about finances is something I am beyond grateful to Meharry and Horizon Therapeutics for.”

Meharry’s leadership

tance alone, so Horizon simultaneously invests in providing experiential opportunities to its scholars. Each scholar is matched with a Horizon employee for professional mentorship and can access quarterly programming events to develop professional networking skills, build resumes and practice mock interviews.

Scholars also have the opportunity to meet with employees and learn Meharry Medical Col- about internship and job lege student and Hori- opportunities at Horizon. zon Scholarship recipi“Horizon meaningent, Glynn Chatmon. fully supports diversity understands the need to of thought and experiprovide its students with ence within STEAM access to as many debt fields through our partrelief options as possible. nerships with these insti“As the leader of a his- tutions to ensure a torically Black medical diverse pool of students college, I see firsthand can go to college, pursue the disproportionate their STEAM dreams, effects student loan debt and achieve their full has on our mostly Black career potential,” said and Brown students,” Irina Konstantinovsky, Hildreth said. “The executive vice president, Horizon Scholars pro- chief human resources gram will provide not and chief diversity offionly Glynn, but future cer at Horizon. recipients with the nec- “Education and experiessary resources needed ential learning go handto allow them to focus on in-hand when aiming for their education and a successful career and Meharry’s mission of we look forward to bringing quality care to empowering these scholthe people of under- ars, to fully immersing served communities.” themselves in their highClosing the education er education without the equity gap cannot occur burden of cost after gradthrough financial assis- uation.”

Page 7

Nashville PRIDE

Tennessee ranks 44th for health outcomes A new report highlights what Tennessee could focus on to improve the health of its residents.

The America’s Health Rankings 2022 report from United Healthcare ranks Tennessee 44th among states for health outcomes. The state’s notable challenges include high numbers of smokers and people with multiple chronic health conditions, as well as premature death rates.

Johnson, Michele executive director of the Tennessee Justice Center, thinks the state is not moving in the right direction because elected officials are not prioritizing and making policies to serve everyone.

And the top of that list would be Medicaid expansion, refusing to bring back our dollars so that we can have comprehensive coverage for all Tennesseans,” Johnson said. “And that impacts not just those that are covered, but it impacts all of us.”

Johnson said she is concerned about what might happen when the pandemic public health emergency expires in the spring. She estimates about 350,000 Tennesseans will lose their health insurance, and believes expanding Medicaid would strengthen the state’s health care infrastructure and economy.

The report mentions

One highlight of Tennessee’s overall health ranking in the new report is 33% of people 18 and older have received primary care from a healthcare provider. (photo courtesy of Adobe Stock) violent crime as a health ing aspect may be how factor, and it’s on the rise drug deaths in the U.S. across the country as increased by 30%. well as in Tennessee.

In Tennessee, more Tennessee ranks 48th, than 2,300 people died the same as last year. from opioid overdoses in Nationally, deaths due to 2020. Nationally, about firearm injury have sig- 70% of the drug deaths nificantly increased. are opioid-related. RanJohnson recommended dall noted in most cases, the state find ways to it’s a nonprescription help those who are strug- opioid. That means neargling in order to prevent ly 92,000 additional peocrime. ple died in the United If you want to States due to drug injury decrease violence, you and overdose compared have to increase people’s to the prior year,” Ranbasic needs being met,” dall said. “The CDC is Johnson said. “There’s starting to show that’s lots of research that show declined in the last three if you address people’s months now, but we realbasic needs (food, health ly want to follow it really care, and housing) then closely before we call the violent crimes go that a trend.” down.”

Randall emphasized Dr. Rhonda Randall, drug deaths were among chief medical officer for all races and ethnicity, UnitedHealthcare emp- but there were some sigloyer and individual, said nificant health care disthe report shows the full parities, with higher rates impact of the pandemic, among multiracial and and the most dishearten- African Americans.

als to solicit their recommendations. The search committee met more than 20 times, sometimes for hours at a stretch. The daughter of Haitian immigrants, Gay received a bachelor’s degree in economics from Stanford University. She earned a Ph.D.

in government affairs from Harvard. Gay served as an assistant professor and a tenured associate professor at Stanford before being recruited to Harvard to become a professor of government.

Gay will be sworn in on July 1.

Claudine Gay named president of Harvard – first Black woman to serve (TriceEdneyWire) – Claudine Gay has been named the first Black woman president of Harvard University, and she’s the school’s 30th president.

Since 2018, Gay has served as the Edgerley Family Dean of Harvard’s Faculty of Arts

and Science, the university’s largest and most academically diverse faculty, spanning the biological and physical sciences and engineering, social sciences, and the humanities and arts.

She has had a tough tenure, including blocking the tenure of Lorgia

Garcia Pena, a professor of romance language and literature.

More than 100 faculty members wrote letters of protest about Gay’s decision.

Gay was chosen after the section committee spoke personally with more than 150 individu-

Dr. Claudine Gay

Medicare wants to remind you to get the flu and COVID vaccines at no cost to you. The flu and COVID vaccines will help prevent you from getting seriously ill.

Paid for by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Page 8

Nashville PRIDE

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December 23, 2022

Another boost in the fight against hunger Supporting community wellness and doubling employee donations.

Bank of America proudly continues to support our employees’ health and safety while addressing food insecurity in our local communities, which typically spikes during the winter months.

Our employees are taking action to support the important work of our local food banks. For those who let us know they’ve received a coronavirus booster and/or a flu shot, we’ll donate $50 for each to a local hunger relief organization. In addition, employees can double the impact of their personal donations to fight hunger with our matching gifts program. Through these efforts, we’ll donate more than $8 million to address food insecurity in our local communities.

The team here in Nashville recently presented Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee with a check for $30,000. This contribution is in addition to our long-standing philanthropic support to help fight hunger and food insecurity across the country. We are proud to be able to help our community as we work together to move forward.

Tyson Moore President, Bank of America Nashville

What would you like the power to do?® Learn more at bankofamerica.com/nashville

Donations in each market reflect $50 per employee who has recorded their booster, $50 per employee who has recorded a flu shot and an additional company contribution. Vaccination boosters and vaccination reporting are voluntary. Bank of America, N.A. Member FDIC. Equal Credit Opportunity Lender. © 2022 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.