Nashville PRIDE February 23, 2023

Nashville PRIDE recognizes Black History Month 2023 © 2023 Multicultural Media Group

ONlY

NAShville PuRuiuDue ‘The Voice of a Proud Community’

50¢

Visit us on the web at www.pridepublishinggroup.com.

volume XXXvii, Number 5

People Are Talking First Super Bowl with two African American QBs

(l-r) Patrick Mahomes, Jalen Hurts, and Doug Williams.

For the first time in history, what is arguably the biggest professional sports game in history will have teams lead by African American players. This year’s Super Bowl will be the first time ever that both teams will feature African American quarterbacks.

Jalen Hurts will lead his Philadelphia Eagles against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.

The first African American quarterback in the Super Bowl was Doug Williams who led the Washington Commanders (then under their old name) to a victory 35 years ago.

Metro Trustee’s Office extends hours The Office of the Metropolitan Trustee will offer extended hours to better meet the needs of Davidson County property owners seeking to make property tax payments before the deadline Tues-day, Erica S. Gilmore, Metro Trustee February 28.

Extended office hours for the Office of the Metropolitan Trustee, Richard H. Fulton Campus: • Wednesday, February 15 – 7:30 am-5:30 pm • Thursday, February 16 – 7:30 am-5:30 pm • Friday, February 17 – 7:30 am-5:30 pm Monday, February 27, and Tuesday, February 28 – 7:30 am5:30 pm.

Representatives will be available in the Sonny West Conference Room and the Office of the Metropolitan Trustee, Suite 220, to collect credit card and check payments. Additionally, taxpayers may view tax statements and make payments online at <www.nashville.gov/trustee>.

For more information on property taxes and payments, call the Office of the Metropolitan Trustee at 615-862-6330.

Nashville Mayor John Cooper will not seek re-election On Tuesday, Nashville Mayor John Cooper announced that he will not seek re-election.

“I have had a great time in my government service. I came as a councilman seven and a half years ago to make government work better for all of us, and four years ago I ran as mayor knowing the city needed change,” said Mayor Cooper. “After a great deal of thought and prayer and talking with my wonderful wife, I have decided not to seek re-election as Nashville’s mayor. We're leaving Nashville in great shape for the next mayor.”

Cooper said that in the months ahead he wants to concentrate on governing while focusing on three things: education and public safety; housing for the homeless; and the East Bank Plan.

The Nashville PRIDE Newspaper is on Facebook and follow us on Twitter: @pridenews

Printed on 100% recycled paper

Nashville, TN

February 3, 2023

Police issue 71 conflicting commands, impossible orders to Tyre Nichols in 13 minutes

by Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire senior national correspondent Footage from Tyre Nichols’ fatal traffic stop found that police officers issued a barrage of confusing, conflicting and sometimes impossible to obey commands.

If Nichols did not comply, or even if he did, the police would respond with increasing force.

According to the footage analyze by the New York Times, police officers shouted a total of at least 71 orders in the roughly 13 minutes before they radioed in that Nichols was in custody.

The orders were given in two separate places: one near Nichols’ vehicle, and another where he had run to avoid being beaten severely.

The video revealed that often the officers shouted conflicting orders, making it difficult for Nichols to understand and obey. Nichols was ordered by officers to display his hand, even as officers held the young man’s hands. At one point, they shouted for him to get down on the ground while he was already on the ground.

And when they had his body under their control, the officers still made him change positions.

The experts agree that the actions of the Memphis police officers were a blatant illustration of a widespread problem in policing, in which officers physically punish civilians for perceived disrespect or disobedience, a phenomenon known as “contempt of cop,” according to the Times.

Tyre Nichols Professor of criminology and crim- tion and confusion during police inal justice at the University of South encounters, modern police training Carolina Geoffrey Alpert said: “It was typically calls for a single officer to be far more rampant in the ‘80s when I present at the scene to issue clear and started doing police work than in the specific commands. It also necessitates ‘90s or 2000s.” that police officers respond profesBefore body cameras, police offi- sionally and proportionally to any percers were becoming more professional ceived act of defiance. and less likely to take things personalThe review by the Times, however, ly, as appeared to have happened with shows that the Memphis officers Nichols, Alpert said. consistently did the opposite.

Because of the potential for escalaContinued on page 7

Joycelyn Stevenson becomes first African American woman elected chair of MNAA Metropolitan Nashville The Airport Authority (MNAA), which owns and operates the Nashville International Airport (BNA) and the John C. Tune Airport (JWN), has announced the election of officers for its Board of Commissioners, including: Joycelyn Stevenson as board chair; James W. Granbery as vicechair; and Andrew W. Byrd as secretary. In accordance with the commission bylaws, the officers will serve the remainder of the current term, which expires on June 20, 2024.

“The MNAA Board of Commissioners are an integral part of BNA and JWN because they help establish policies not just to ensure we’re meeting the needs of travelers, but that we provide an unmatched experience as a world-class airport,” said Doug Kreulen, president/CEO of BNA. “With Chair Stevenson at the helm, I have the utmost confidence that her leadership will help us continue to soar to new heights.”

Stevenson is the first African American woman to be elected board chair.

A native of Macon, Ga., Joycelyn A. Stevenson graduated from Howard University in Washington, D.C. and

Joycelyn Stevenson received her law degree from Vanderbilt University Law School in Nashville. Joycelyn was appointed to the MNAA board in 2020 by Mayor John Cooper. She previously served as board secretary and vice chair. She also worked in the role of vice chair of the board’s Diversity Committee, secretary for the Management Committee, and a member of the BNA Vision and Finance Committee. Stevenson, an attorney, is the Nashville office man-

aging shareholder for Littler Mendelson, a law firm with the largest global employment and labor practice.

Previously she served as executive director of the Tennessee Bar Association. Prior to her role there, she was a shareholder at Littler Mendelson, P.C. and partner at Bradley Arant Boult Cummings, LLP. She attended Howard University and earned her J.D. from Vanderbilt Law School. Stevenson’s prior board service includes serving as president of the Nashville Bar Association, the Lawyers’ Association for WomenMarion Griffin Chapter, and AgeWell Middle Tennessee.

The seven-member Board of Commissioners, appointed by the Nashville/Davidson County Mayor and confirmed by the Metropolitan Council, governs and sets policies for the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority. The board is comprised of three business and finance representatives, two pilot representatives, one engineering representative, and one legal representative. In addition to the newly elected officers: Robert J. Joslin, William H. Freeman, Nancy Sullivan, and Dr. Glenda Glover serve as commissioners.

2023 Capital Spending Plan allocates over $295M to schools and safety

Mayor Cooper discussing investments in education and public safety under the 2023 Capital Spending plan.

On January 26, Mayor John Coop- resources to keep Nashville residents er announced his 2023 Capital Spend- safe; and ing Plan (CSP) that prioritizes three • Upgrading city infrastructure core investments areas, including: to create a more efficient and livable • Providing our teachers and city for all. students high-quality facilities and In addition to this year’s technology to teach and learn; $478,040,000 CSP, Metro is able to • Providing our first responders invest another $84,411,000 toward

long-standing departmental needs in a separate supplemental capital replacement fund. The supplemental one-time spending budget is possible because of conservative revenue projections coupled with robust economic growth that Metro Finance expects will result in an improved FY 2023 revenue forecast, remaining in compliance with Metro’s new fund balance policy.

In this year’s CSP and supplemental capital replacement fund, over $155,000,000 will be directed toward educational initiatives—with the vast majority directly allocated to Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS); over $140,000,000 toward public safety; and over $97,490,000 toward infrastructure and storm water management.

“With this year’s capital spending plan, we are doubling down on our prior investments and continuing to put Nashville neighborhoods first,” said Mayor Cooper.

“Because of responsible, strategic financial management, we can invest Continued on page 7

Local

Nashville PRIDE

Page 2

Cancer…My Journey in time The thought of a new General Hospital facility

by Wanda Clay While Rev. Enoch Fuzz, pastor of Corinthian Baptist Church, continues to receive treatments for strong pains, he is scheduled to preach for the first time in nearly a year. His sermon is entitled ‘Help from Heaven,’ derived from Psalms 121.

In spite of his pain, Rev. Fuzz also continues to be an advocate for Nashville General Hospital. Dr. Joe CEO of Webb, General Nashville Hospital, has spoken highly of Fuzz’s dedication to the hospital from the first time he ever met him. Dr. Webb said they are in the process of planning a new facility for Nashville’s General Hospital that will complete consideration for the care and all aspects of cancer patients. He indicated that he met Rev. Fuzz nine years ago, and upon their meeting they made a when ‘connection’ Rev. Fuzz was the first to mention the need for a new hospital. However, Dr. Webb did not give much thought to the idea at that time.

As time has moved

Rev. Enoch Fuzz on, he stated: “The lease for General Hospital will end in 2027 and now we have an opportunity to build rather than renovate.

Now is the time to begin looking at this.”

Dr. Webb keeps Rev. Fuzz abreast of the planning because he recognizes him as always being an avid supporter of the hospital.

He notes that Nashville General Hospital is a member of an association in Washington, D.C. that has 350 public hospitals, known as America’s Essential Hospitals.

These hospitals, just like General, service the needs of individuals regardless of their ability to pay.

However, General also serves a large percentage of individuals with the ability to pay. “It just happens that we are proud to attract those people because of service,” Dr. Webb said.

Dr. Webb is excited about the operational plans to build a new facility for ‘Nashville’s hospital,’ essential Nashville General.

Dr. Webb said, regarding Rev. Fuzz, “I pray for him every Rev. Fuzz day.” admonishes everyone to do that on a daily basis. Readers are encouraged to pray for Rev. Fuzz as well as the development of plans for a new General Nashville Hospital. that Remember Rev. Fuzz will deliver a sermon on Sunday, at Corinthian Missionary Baptist Church, 819 33rd Ave. N., at 11 am.

The service will also be live streamed on YouTube CorinthianChurchBaptist Nashville (two words).

Pray, enjoy and share Rev. Fuzz’s Meta postings and weekly journey with cancer and all aspects of life’s journey.

Gladys Knight and The Music of Motown at Schermerhorn Symphony Center this month

Enjoy the Music Of Motown and Valentine’s with Gladys Knight at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center this month.

By Cass Teague Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center will be the spot for classic soul this Black History Month as they present two dynamic shows. One features the legendary artist Gladys Knight herself in a special Valentine’s Day/KNight performance, while the other presents young artists representing the Motown classics in a special evening show for three nights.

Dancing in the Street: The Music of Motown You’ll be dancing in the aisles at this Motown extravaganza featuring smash hits made famous

by Marvin Gaye, The Four Tops, Martha Reeves, Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder and more.

Songs include “Ain’t No Mountain High Eno-

ugh,” “Reach Out I’ll Be There,” “I Heard It Through the Grapevine,” “My Girl,” “Superstition” — and, of course, “Dancing in the Street.”

This very special show features the Nashville Symphony, Nathan Aspinall, conductor; Shayna Steele, vocals; Michael Lynche, vocals; Chester Gregory, vocals; Jacob Navarro, drums; Subh Saran, guitar; and Chris Kuffner, bass.

Three shows: Thurs-

day, Feb. 9, at 7:00 PM; Friday, Feb. 10, at 8:00 PM; and Saturday, Feb. 11, at 8:00 PM. Valentine’s with Gladys Knight Make this Valentine’s Day an evening to remember with a concert featuring the “Empress of Soul” herself, Gladys Knight. Bring that special someone in your life and hear Gladys and Your Nashville Symphony perform hits like “I Heard it Through the Grapevine,” “Midnight Continued on page 5

ESTATE SALES/ VEHICLES/REAL ESTATE

Have you thought about an auction?

“Most money in the shortest time” 1-877-292-6611 or 1-615-292-6619 AUTO AUCTIONS, INC. LIC #42

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 Black History ..................... 3 Church ................................ 7

Advertise in the Nashville PRIDE Call (615) 292-9150

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,

Shiloh Long, Mayes, Inc., Marcus Jones Copy editor: Bill Dorian

Production Department James H. Lewis, Jr., manager; Webmaster Lawrence Davis Circulation Department Scott Davis

Nashville PRIDE (USPS 003861) is published weekly for $40.00 for one year, $80.00 for three (3) years by Multicultural Media 5331 Mt View Rd #1072, Nashville, TN 37013.

Periodicals Postage Paid at Nashville TN. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Multicultural Media PO Box 60487, Nashville, TN 37206. Service by NNPA wire.

Articles submitted for publication are subject to editorial rights of Multicultural Media. Multicultural Media accepts no responsibility for loss or damage to unsolicited articles, photographs, or art. For subscriptions and advertising rates call: (615) 292-9150. E-mail - News and Editorials: npnews@ comcast.net Advertising: prideads@comcast.net.

www.pridepublishinggroup.com

February 3, 2023

Nurture positive influences in your child’s life

by William T. Robinson, Jr. From birth and the formative years in your child’s life, you are your child’s primary molder. You decide the course necessary for your child’s future growth to be productive and successful.

You pick the right schools and provide exposure to different learning venues, such as zoos, libraries and sporting activities. At this stage in their lives, you control their interactions with friends or acquaintances. You are their first and most important teacher, loving and nurturing your child, giving him/her a strong sense of security and trust.

You are the major contributor to your child’s fundamental needs, whether it be social, economic, physical or emotional.

Proper and adequate adherence to providing for these needs will help mold your child into his/her formative, adolescent and adult years. This is a job that should not be taken lightly because the consequences can be detrimental and life altering. While there are other pivotal factors weighing heavily on molding and influencing a child, one must consider the community in which they live, i.e.: their school (especially their instructors); interaction with friends in and out of school; TV; video games; music; cell phones; social media; and their computer, via the internet.

The most positive factor is that parents are in a favorable position to control their children’s involvement in these situations.

Many parents find offering their children a spiritual foundation is a priority as a means of providing them with a sense of morality, respect for humanity, and a relationship with God that will follow them throughout their lives. Make sure you cultivate a strong sense of self worth and a determination in your child that they can succeed in all their endeavors if they work hard and persevere.

Teaching love and respect for others is paramount to molding well rounded, altruistic, empathic, productive young adults. Success usually follows children who feel good about themselves and are dedicated to serving others. Keep in mind that a child cannot truly love others if

they don’t love themselves. When a child loves him/herself, there are many negative things they simply won’t do.

Children should be with a provided healthy and inviting atmosphere at home, conducive for learning and developing. Your child should have positive family members and relatives such as aunts, uncles, grandparents, and godparents he or she can emulate. But most of all, your children should feel comfortable talking to you. They should feel you are their best listener and supporter, especially when they are trying to do the right thing in spite of what the rest of the world may be doing.

Young children’s interactions with their peers should be safe and supervised. Parents should surround their children with others who are warm, loving, and respectful.

Enjoy the innocence that is associated with children at the early stages of their development. Laughter, interaction, and smiles should be constant reminders that they are well adjusted and happy.

It is paramount that during the formative years, children are made to follow rules and instructions, because it is basic for developing a structure that will aid them in their fluidity of learning. It is an accepted fact that if you can follow instructions, you can be successful in life. Discipline should shadow structure as two instrumental factors in raising productive, caring and successful young adults.

Rewarding children for being positive, kind and helpful can be with accomplished positive words of affirmation, a warm smile, or with a reassuring pat on the back. More time should be directed acknowledging the positive things a child does. Avoid if possible from dwelling on the negative. Leadership qualities should be ingrained at an early age. Your child should experience self satisfaction from doing the right thing, regardless of what others do.

Key to realizing a positive outcome for your child is that you can’t wait until he/she is in middle school or high school to try to implement the practices mentioned above.

All too often, that

William T. Robinson, Jr. would be too late. Then trying to correct the problem is extremely difficult. Behavioral or emotional problems don’t usually show up without previous warning signs of impending problems. The formative years should be taken very seriously in evaluating steps going forward in determining your child’s social development and academic growth.

During the onset of pre-adolescence or during adolescence, many children begin to manifest oppositional or defiant behavior contrary to what is acceptable or normal.

Acceptance by their peers becomes their number one priority.

Blind allegiance to questionable friends may temporarily usurp valuable advice given to children from loving parents.

Motivational speeches made by parents or adults offering guidance and direction to teenagers may fall upon deaf ears or become null and void when compared to the power of peer pressure.

Let’s face it parents!

Hormones and peer pressure are serious contenders, swaying many of our children away from us for a considerable period of time. However, there is hope for a peaceful transformation during this time if you have provided your children with positive influences from day one. At this stage of the game, your best game card is to monitor your children’s friends. Make sure they share the same values you have instilled in your own children.

Hopefully, the positive influences you provided during your children’s formative years will become a definitive part of their psyche that can help aid them as they navigate through their adolescent years. As the adage goes, a good child may stray and make mistakes—but if given a good foundation, he/she will eventually find his/her way home again.

February 3, 2023

www.pridepublishinggroup.com

BHM 2023

Nashville PRIDE

Page 3

Nashville celebrates Black history Month In 1926 Carter G. Woodson founded the first Black History Week, selecting the second week of February to commemorate the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, whose birthdays were the 12th and 14th, respectively. In the 1940s, efforts began to expand the week to a month, with West Virginia Blacks inaugurating the change.

Known then as Negro History Month, the expanded commemoration began to spread and by the mid-1960s had taken root in Chicago, where cultural activist Frederick H. Hammaurabi, who founded the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, made the change. Later in that decade, young Black college students all over the country (starting with Kent State in Ohio in February of 1969), who were becoming more politically conscious and active, began changing the name to Black History Month.

In 1974 then-President Gerald Ford met with civil rights leaders Vernon Jordan, Bayard Rustin, Dorothy Height, and Jesse Jackson and two years later made the celebration of Black History Month official. As he said at the time: "We can seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history."

As the Association for the Study of African American Life and History notes on its website about the adoption of Black History Month: "Since the mid-1970s, every American president, Democrat and Republican, has issued proclamations endorsing the Association's annual theme."

Nashville is celebrating the holiday this month at events throughout the city. Listed below include just a few.

Nashville Public Library The Civil Rights Room in the Nashville Public Library is a space for education and exploration of the Civil Rights Collection. The materials exhibited capture the drama of a time when thousands of African American citizens in Nashville sparked a nonviolent challenge to racial segregation in

Tennessee State Museum Black History Tour the city and across the South. the stories of some of Tennessee's most links between the landscape and the National Museum of African noteworthy historic Black businesses traumatized human body. Mapping American Music with ‘The Legacy of Black new paths toward recovery, Nkanga’s The National Museum of African Entrepreneurship in Tennessee’ series. work conveys the necessity of American Music (NMAAM) officially Each Thursday as part of its ‘Lunch & acknowledging the violence caused by opened to the public in January 2021. Learn’ program, a guest will join the exploiting natural and human Discover the central role African museum’s curator of social history, resources if we are to overcome the Americans have played in shaping and Tranae Chatman, for a conversation on damaging legacy of extraction under creating all genres of American music. how they continue the legacy of their colonialism and global capitalism.

From classical to country to jazz and family businesses.

This exhibition is part of the Tennessee hip hop, NMAAM has integrated hisUnited Street Tours Triennial for Contemporary Art, a tory and interactive technology to United Street Tours offers a series statewide series of exhibitions and pershare the untold story of more than 50 of five-star rated, historical Nashville formances coordinated by consulting music genres and sub-genres. Tours walking tours that are led and curated curator María Magdalena Camposinitially follow a weekend schedule by locals. Tours show the hidden cul- Pons of Vanderbilt University’s and will be held on Saturdays and ture that many find difficulty to dis- Engine for Art, Democracy & Justice Sundays 11 am-6 pm. cover on their own and are education- that explores the theme of repair and Tennessee State Museum al, interactive, and inclusion-focused. healing, particularly with regards to Learn more about Black History at The focus is on slavery, freedom, civil the Global South and its colonial histhe Tennessee State Museum. The per- rights, culture, and social justice. Great tory. manent exhibitions feature Black for all age groups.

OZ Arts Nashville History from the early days of the Frist Art Museum Compagnie Hervé Koubi: ‘What state’s beginnings through the Civil Nigerian Belgian artist Otobong the Day Owes to the Night.’

War and Reconstruction and the Civil Nkanga creates tapestries, drawings, With gravity-defying athleticism Rights Movements in Tennessee. videos, sculptures, and performances and mesmerizing grace, 12 highThroughout the month of February, the that feature narratives of wounding Continued on page 6 Tennessee State Museum will honor and healing, making metaphorical

DIFFERENT NATIONAL ORIGINS.

SAME FAIR HOUSING RIGHTS.

,W LV LOOHJDO IRU ODQGORUGV DQG UHDO HVWDWH DJHQWV WR GHQ\ \RX KRXVLQJ RSSRUWXQLWLHV EHFDXVH RI \RXU HWKQLFLW\ 7KH )DLU +RXVLQJ $FW SURKLELWV KRXVLQJ GLVFULPLQDWLRQ EDVHG RQ QDWLRQDO RULJLQ ,I \RX EHOLHYH \RX KDYH H[SHULHQFHG D YLRODWLRQ RI \RXU ULJKWV ILOH D FRPSODLQW

$ $POUBDU UIF 5FOOFTTFF )VNBO 3JHIUT $PNNJTTJPO JG ZPV CFMJFWF ZPV IBWF CFFO POUBDU UIF 5FOOFTTFF )VNBO 3JHIUT $PNNJTTJPO JG ZPV CFMJFWF ZPV IBWF CFFO EJTDSJNJOBUFE BHBJOTU PS XXX UO HPW IVNBOSJHIUT EJTDSJNJOBUFE BHBJOTU PS XXX UO HPW IVNBOSJHIUT FAIR F AIR H HOUSING: OUSING: T THE HE L LAW AW IIS SO ON NY YOUR OUR S SIDE. IDE. 6DIHJXDUGLQJ ,QGLYLGXDOV IURP 'LVFULPLQDWLRQ 7KURXJK (GXFDWLRQ DQG (QIRUFHPHQW 6DIHJXDUGLQJ ,QGLYLGXDOV IURP 'LVFULPLQDWLRQ 7KURXJK (GXFDWLRQ DQG (QIRUFHPHQW 7KH ZRUN WKDW SURYLGHG WKH EDVLV IRU WKLV SXEOLFDWLRQ ZDV VXSSRUWHG E\ IXQGLQJ XQGHU D &RRSHUDWLYH $JUHHPHQW ZLWK WKH 8 6 7 KH ZRUN WKDW SURYLGHG WKH EDVLV IRU WKLV SXEOLFDWLRQ ZDV VXSSRUUWWHG E\ IXQGLQJ XQGHU D &RRSHUDWLYH $JUHHPHQW ZLWK WKH 8 6 ' 'HSDUWPHQW RI +RXVLQJ DQG 8UEDQ 'HYHORSPHQW 7KH VXEVWDQFH DQG ILQGLQJV RI WKH ZRUN DUH GHGLFDWHG WR WKH SXEOLF 7KH HSDUUWWPHQW RI +RXVLQJ DQG 8UEDQ 'HYHORSPHQW 7KH VXEVWDQFH DQG IILLQGLQJV RI WKH ZRUN DUH GHGLFDWHG WR WKH SXEOLF 7KH DDXWKRU DQG SXEOLVKHU DUH VROHO\ UHVSRQVLEOH IRU WKH DFFXUDF\ RI WKH VWDWHPHQWV DQG LQWHUSUHWDWLRQV FRQWDLQHG LQ WKLV SXEOLFDWLRQ XWKRU DQG SXEOLVKHU DUH VROHO\ UHVSRQVLEOH IRU WKH DFFXUDF\ RI WKH VWDWHPHQWV DQG LQWHUUS SUHWDWLRQV FRQWDLQHG LQ WKLV SXEOLFDWLRQ 6XFK LQWHUSUHWDWLRQV GR QRW QHFHVVDULO\ UHIOHFW WKH YLHZV RI WKH *RYHUQPHQW 6XFK LQWHUUS SUHWWDWLRQV GR QRW QHFHVVDULO\ UHIIOOHFWW WKH YLHZV RI WKH *RYHUQPHQW

Page 4

BHM 2023

Nashville PRIDE

Tennessee State Museum explores histories of Black businesses with month-long ‘lunch & learn’ series

www.pridepublishinggroup.com

February 3, 2023

African American Art exhibitions for Black history Month at GJCC Henry L. Jones, Nadine Shillingford, and James Threalkill

Andre Prince Jeffries

Dr. LaDonna Boyd

Tranae Chatman The ‘Legacy of Black Entrepreneurship in Tennessee’ series will highlight five historic Black businesses, kicking off February 2 with Prince's Hot Chicken Shack.

Throughout the month of February, the Tennessee State Museum will honor the stories of some of Tennessee's most noteworthy historic Black businesses with the ‘Legacy of Black Entrepreneurship in Tennessee’ series.

Each Thursday as part of its ‘Lunch & Learn’ program, a guest will join the museum’s curator of social history, Tranae Chatman, for a conversation on how they continue the legacy of their family businesses. Visitors will learn the history of these businesses from a new generation of leaders as they share their own experience and insight into their family history. Events will take place at noon, CST, in the Museum's Digital Learning Center, and be livestreamed on the museum's website at except <TNMuseum.org/Videos> where noted.

On Thursday, the series hosted Nashville icon, Andre Prince Jeffries.

Owner of Prince’s Hot Chicken, Prince Jeffries helped put Nashville Hot Chicken on the map. The great-niece to the original founder, Thornton Prince, Prince Jeffries gained ownership of the restaurant in 1980. Prince’s has since been named one of America’s Classics by the James Beard Foundation in 2013. Prince Jeffries has been awarded by the National Fried Chicken Festival, the Nashville Scene, and was inducted

Cheryl McKissack Daniel

Shirley Peace Cobbins and Darrell Cobbins into the Entrepreneur's Hall of Fame by the Nashville Entrepreneur Center last year.

The series will host three additional events in the following order, including: R.H. Boyd Publishing Corporation, McKissack & McKissack, and Peace Realty and Universal Commercial.

“My main goal with this series was to highlight two types of businesses," said Chatman, who curated the series.

"First, the businesses that have been around for over 100 years like R.H. Boyd Publishing Corporation and McKissack & McKissack. And next, businesses that have long histories that are not often shared or talked about enough like Peace Realty and Prince’s Hot Chicken.”

Visitors wishing to purchase lunch in advance of the events can do so via the links at the Museum's Calendar of Events. The Legacy of Black Entrepreneurship in Tennessee schedule and guest biographies including the following: February 9 – R.H. Boyd Publishing Corporation with Dr. LaDonna Boyd In 1896, Richard Henry Boyd founded the National Baptist Publishing Board in Nashville, Tennessee. Today, R.H. Boyd Publishing Corporation upholds the tradition of producing, publishing and Continued on page 6

By Cass Teague The Gordon Jewish Community Center (GJCC) hosts a special series of three art exhibitions for Black History Month this year, featuring the works of Henry Jones, Nadine Shillingford, and James Threalkill. The exhibitions opened February 2nd and close on the 28th. You are invited to the Artist Reception, free and open to the public, as are the exhibitions themselves, on Wednesday, February 8th from 6:00 – 8:00 pm.

Detroit native and Fisk University alumnus Henry L. Jones is an awardwinning poet, visual artist, playwright, and performance artist / actor who is inspired by links to the African Diaspora and his heritage as a Black person. He seeks the human elements which all people can relate to. Jones will read some of his poetry at the Reception.

“In the Read in Red exhibit, I’ve

brought together 24 paintings about life, death, love, personal growth, historical connections, and cultural links,” says Jones. “What’s common among the series is each is red. Also, each painting is a story in a sense. These red stories are meant to be read by translating my layers. The hues of red depicted are connections which flow from one painting to the next. So, they’re separate but joined. They’re bridged by red.

Some of the paintings also have poetry embedded in the work. As both an artist and a poet, I wanted my red to be read with words and colors. This is the first time for me combining both expressions in my art. Usually, I display a poem near a painting. This time they’re made one. I want viewers to experience the red and different dimensions in terms of symbolism. What a viewer sees is an extension of an event or an Continued on page 6

My Wings are Made from the Souls of My Ancestors so I Cannot Fall 30 x 30 inches 2020 by Henry L. Jones 30 x 30 inches

Page 5 Nashville PRIDE BHM 2023 Proclamation on National Black history Month, 2023 February 3, 2023

www.pridepublishinggroup.com

by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. During National Black History Month, we celebrate the legacy of Black Americans whose power to lead, to overcome, and to expand the meaning and practice of American democracy has helped our nation become a more fair and just society. This country was established upon the profound but simple idea that all people are created equal and should be treated equally throughout their lives.

It is an idea America has never fully lived up to, but it is an idea we have never fully walked away from either. The struggles and challenges of the Black American story to make a way out of no way have been the crucible where our resolve to fulfill this vision has most often been tested.

Black Americans’ struggles for freedom, equal treatment, and the right to vote; for equal opportunities in education, housing, and the workplace; for economic opportunity, equal justice, and political representation—and so much more have reformed our democracy far beyond its founding. Black Americans have made a way not only for themselves but also have helped build a highway for millions of women, immigrants, other historically marginalized communities, and all Americans to more fully experience the benefits of our society.

From the start, the Biden-Harris Administration has been committed to using the power of the federal government to address the long-standing disparities that have hampered the progress of Black communities. On day one of my presidency, I issued an Executive Order to advance equity and racial justice in every policy we pursue. I began by appointing the most diverse Cabinet in American history. I have continued to nominate a historic number of Black judges to the Federal bench, including: Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court.

During the height of the COVID19 crisis, my Administration provided

relief to hardworking families, which cut the rate of poverty in Black American communities by nearly a third and cut the rate of poverty among Black children by more than half. My health care policies have dramatically increased health care access and reduced costs for Black American families and capped insulin bills for seniors at $35 per month per prescription.

We are also working to address centuries of neglected infrastructure in Black American communities. My Administration is leading the replacement of lead pipes embedded in cities across America so that every child can safely turn on the faucet and drink clean water. We are expanding public transit and providing high-speed Internet to every neighborhood in the country so parents can get to work and children can do their homework in the comfort of their own homes.

We are using every avenue to confront racial discrimination in housing and in mortgage lending and to help build generational wealth in Black communities. We are working to ensure that any housing agency that receives federal funds will reach beyond the simple promise not to discriminate and will instead take meaningful, affirmative steps to overcome historic patterns of segregation, giving every person a fair chance to live where they choose. We are addressing the negative impacts of redlining and other forms of financial discrimination. And we are working to end a discriminatory system of appraisals that assigns lesser values to Black-owned family homes than to similar homes owned by White families.

Additionally, we have invested nearly $6 billion in Historically Black Colleges and Universities. We have also taken historic action to ease the burden of crippling student debt— action which benefits so many Black students and families. I am proud to have permanently authorized the Minority Business Development

Agency and to have given it expanded authority to help grow Black-owned businesses. I have set a goal to increase the share of federal contracting dollars going to small disadvantaged businesses by 50% by 2025, which will bring up to an additional $100 billion in capital to these businesses.

In May 2022, I signed an Executive Order promoting effective, accountable, and transparent community policing—delivering the most significant police reform in decades. Among other important measures that increase transparency and accountability, it raises policing standards by banning choke holds, restricting no knock warrants, and requiring body-worn cameras on patrols and during searches and arrests. It creates a new national law enforcement database to track records of misconduct, and it aims to safely reduce incarceration, support rehabilitation and reentry, and address racial disparities in our criminal justice system. Additionally, I signed three new hate crime bills, including the Emmett Till Antilynching Act which finally made lynching a federal crime.

Equal access to the ballot box is the beating heart of our democracy.

Without it, nothing is possible; with it, anything is. I restored the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, appointing top attorneys to oversee enforcement of civil rights laws, and the Department has doubled the voting rights enforcement staff. Every agency of my Administration has been ordered to expand access to voter registration and election information. These are all important steps, but I will continue to push the Congress to repair the damage to voting rights in this country by passing the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement and Freedom to Vote Acts, to ensure every American has a voice in the democratic process.

This year, on what would have been Dr. King’s 94th birthday, I was honored to be the first sitting president to deliver a sermon at the Sunday serv-

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. ice at his cherished Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta. The life of Dr. King demonstrates that democracy is an enduring covenant that must be persistently renewed; nothing about it is guaranteed. During National Black History Month, we honor and continue the work of Black Americans who have created a more fair and inclusive democracy, helping our nation move closer to the realization of its full promise for everyone.

Now, therefore, I, Joseph R. Biden, Jr., president of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim February 2023 as National Black History Month. I call upon public officials, educators, librarians, and all the people of the United States to observe this month with relevant programs, ceremonies, and activities.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 31st day of January, in the year of our Lord 2023, and of the independence of the United States of America, the 247th.

Gladys Knight and The Music of Motown... from page 2 Train to Georgia,” “Neither One of Us (Wants to be the First to Say Goodbye)” and many more. The first half of the concert will be presented without Gladys Knight. Following intermission the program will feature Gladys Knight plus orchestra. This is a onenight-only engagement, so get your tickets today before they’re gone.

Black History Month Spotlight Artist: Gladys Knight The great ones endure, and Gladys Knight, best known as the “Empress of Soul” and leader of The Pips, has long been one of the greatest. Very few singers over the last fifty years have matched her unassailable artistry. This

seven-time GRAMMY® Award winner has enjoyed #1 hits in Pop, Gospel, R&B and Adult Contemporary, and has triumphed in film, television and live performance.

Gladys Knight and The Pips have recorded some of the most memorable songs of the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.

Top 20 hits, like “Every Beat of My Heart,” “Letter Full of Tears,” “I Heard it Through the Grapevine” and “If I Were Your Woman,” set the stage for an amazing run in the mid-1970s, with Top 10 gold-certified singles like “Neither One of Us (Wants to be the First to Say Goodbye),” “I’ve Got to Use My Imagination,” “Best Thing to

Ever Happen to Me” and the #1 smash “Midnight Train to Georgia” established Gladys Knight and The Pips as the premiere pop/R&B vocal ensemble in the world.

In 1995, Knight earned her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and the next year, Gladys Knight and The Pips were inducted into the Rock ‘N’ Roll Hall of Fame. Knight published an autobiography, Between Each Line of Pain and Glory, in 1997, and the next year, she and The Pips were presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame. In 2004, Knight received the “Lifetime Achievement Award” at the

T R U E P OW E R S T A R T S W I T H U N I T Y.

Honoring Black Histor y Month.

Remembering the past. Inspiring the future.

annual BET Awards ceremony.

A humanitarian and philanthropist, Knight has devoted her life to various worthy causes, including the American Diabetes Association – for which she is a national spokesperson, the American Cancer Society, the Minority AIDS Project, amFAR and Crisis Intervention, and The Boys and Girls Club.

She has been honored by numerous organizations as well, including the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), B’Nai Brith, and is a recent recipient of BET’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

February 3, 2023 BHM 2023 www.pridepublishinggroup.com United Street Tours launches Nashville celebrates Black Civil Rights tour of Nashville history Month... from page 3 Page 6

Nashville PRIDE

United Street Tours, a Nashvillebased touring company showcasing the hidden history of the area, has announced the launch of the Civil Rights Tour of Nashville. After a 20month pause in operations during the pandemic, the Black woman-owned small business is re-starting local history tours designed to educate, inform, and inspire racial awareness.

The first Civil Rights Tour of Nashville will kick-start Black History Month on Saturday, Feb. 4.

Highlighting the personal stories of local heroes, attendees will learn about a civil rights leader who trained students in nonviolent resistance, a lawyer who later represented those students fiercely in court, and a college student who demanded change directly from the mayor himself. Tour walkers will visit the location of Nashville’s first sit-in and learn the rules student protesters followed during the movement.

“United Street Tours is excited to bring back our hidden history walking tours of Nashville and launch a powerful new experience this Black History Month,” said Chakita Patterson, founder, United Street Tours. “We welcome everyone to join us in experiencing Nashville history from an African American perspective, and we hope you will walk away with a stronger understanding of how social justice movements of the past have shaped our shared experiences today.”

Based in Nashville since 2019, United Street Tours creates experiences for locals and visitors designed to ignite hope and inspire people to #WalkUnited against injustice, to build bridges, and to contribute to the community.

The company’s founder, Chakita Patterson, is a Memphis-native who earned a bachelor’s degree from Middle Tennessee State University

United Street Tours founder Chakita Patterson. and a Master of Social Work from Radford University. Inspired by her work as a high school dean of students and the topic of the African Diaspora, Patterson creates unforgettable events highlighting the Black experience through the power of storytelling. She is a generational storyteller and educator focused on celebrating underrepresented people and cultures.

“Bridges can be built through education and mended through communication,” said Chakita Patterson.

The Civil Rights Tour of Nashville takes customers on a 90-minute experience highlighting the history of the Civil Rights Movement and how it has shaped current-day America. It takes place Thursdays through Sundays, at 10 am and 3 pm.

The Civil Rights Tour of Nashville departs four days a week from the Nashville Visitor Center at 501 Broadway. Private walking and bus tours are also available to schedule in advance.

Learn more and register for an upcoming experience at: <www.unitedstreettours.com/>.

African American Art... from page 4 experience. Red guides the viewer’s eyes like a map.”

James Threalkill is originally from Nashville, and played wide receiver at Vanderbilt University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Fine Arts. James won an Emmy Award for his creation of a mural painting program with youth from the Edgehill Community in South Nashville. He illustrated a children’s book series entitled “Visions; African American Experiences” that was featured on Sesame Street.

James’ work has been featured on major television programs and in movies. His work has been collected internationally, including locations in South Africa where he met President Nelson Mandela, and in South America

by the U. S. Embassy in Bogota’, Colombia. James currently works out of his studio in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

Nadine Shillingford was born on the island of Dominica in the Caribbean, but currently resides in Nashville. Her art captures people in everyday situations and brings them to life by studying their facial expressions. Her whimsical approach to art also gives life to her work. Nadine does not have a formal art background, and most of her methods are self-taught / trial-and-error and developed through a lot of practice.

Nadine is the author of the book Hello Beautiful! She is a computer security consultant with a doctoral degree in Computer Science from the University of Notre Dame.

velocity performers astound in a lyrical, explosive marriage of traditional Sufi dance and contemporary hip-hop. French-Algerian choreographer Hervé Koubi, who trained as both a medical doctor and dancer, grew up in France unaware of his Algerian heritage. When he learned about it at age 25, the revelation launched a personal and artistic journey that led to the founding of his contemporary dance company.

Compagnie Hervé Koubi is a brotherhood of dancers primarily from North Africa, most with backgrounds in street dance. The internationally-acclaimed performers combine expertise in capoeira, martial arts, hip-hop, and contemporary styles. Performances are February 34 at 8 pm; $25-$40/ticket.

Urban League of Middle Tennessee On Tuesday, February 7, friends and supporters of the Urban League of Middle Tennessee (ULMT) will gather to honor the work of the league over the past 55 years.

Despite the various challenges facing our community, the League has continued to serve and support those in need. This annual event is the organization’s time to reflect on and celebrate the power of diversity and inclusion in the workplace and

brings together the largest gathering of business, community, and civic leaders to explore issues affecting our community and to celebrate the successes of the past year of African Americans and other minority communities across Middle Tennessee.

Nashville Symphony Dancing in the Street – The Music of Motown: the Nashville Symphony Motown extravaganza, featuring smash hits made famous by Marvin Gaye, The Four Tops, Martha Reeves, Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder and more. Songs include ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,’ ‘Reach Out I’ll Be There,’ ‘I Heard It Through the Grapevine,’ ‘My Girl,’ ‘Superstition’—and, of course, ‘Dancing in the Street.’

The symphony will be performing with Gladys Knight on February 14.

Nashville Black Market The Nashville Black Market is back with a Black History Month event at the Fairgrounds, spotlighting more than 100 Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurs.

Dance, drink, and shop—all while empowering Black businesses: Sat., Feb 11, 11 am-7 pm Sun., Feb 12, noon-6 pm

Black businesses... from page 4 distributing Christian resources as well as educational and cultural merchandise and services.

Dr. LaDonna Boyd is the fifth generation president/CEO. Dr. Boyd is shaping and leading the company’s efforts to broaden its scope and offerings for modern needs. She is on the board of several local institutions including Citizens Bank, the National Museum of African American Music, and the Evangelical Christian Publisher’s Association.

February 16 – McKissack & McKissack with Cheryl McKissack Daniel Established in 1905 in Nashville, McKissack & McKissack is the oldest minority and women-owned design and construction firm in the U.S. President/CEO Cheryl McKissack Daniel represents the fifth generation of the McKissack family business as the sole owner, having taken over and reorganized the company from her mother in 2000. She has over 30 years of experience in all phases of the industry.

Born in Nashville, Cheryl comes from

a long lineage of architects and builders that began with an enslaved Ashanti ancestor in 1790.

February 23 (online only) – Peace Realty & Universal Commercial with Shirley Peace Cobbins and Darrell Cobbins.

Peace Realty was established in 1959 by Samuel Peace. The company is credited with developing the Lakeview Gardens subdivision, the first neighborhood for middle-income Black professionals in Memphis. To honor his grandfather’s legacy, Darrell Cobbins established Universal Commercial Real Estate in 2007, Memphis’ first Blackowned commercial real estate company. Cobbins has worked with countless businesses and agencies across the city including the Memphis Urban League, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and FedEx. Shirley Peace Cobbins, daughter of Samuel Peace and Darrell Cobbins’ mother, will speak on the history of Peace Realty and her time working with her father. Darrell will discuss the influence of his grandfather’s legacy on his career.

WE’VE COME THIS FAR BECAUSE THEY HAD THE COURAGE TO FLY. Nashville International Airport® celebrates the achievements and accomplishments of African American pioneers during Black History Month.

February 3, 2023

www.pridepublishinggroup.com

Church/Continuations

Faith of A Mustard Seed

By Barbara A. Woods Washington, M. Div. To begin a Black History month study here for 2023 is excerpts from “Showdown for Nonviolence”. It is included in “The Testament Of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches of Martin Luther King, Jr. The introduction here says: King had Dr. already been assassinated by James Earl Ray in Memphis, Tennessee, on 4 April 1968 when this article appeared. The worst period of racial rioting in U.S. history erupted.

This article prophesied that these riots would occur because “America is reaping the harvest of hate and shame planted through generations of educational denial, political disfranchisement and economic exploitation of its black population.”

“The policy of the federal government is to play russian roulette with riots; it is prepared to gamble with another summer of disaster.

Despite two consecutive summers of violence, not a single basic cause of riots has been corrected. All of the misery that stoked the flames of rage and rebellion remains undiminished. With unemployment, intolerable housing and discriminatory education a scourge in Negro ghettos, Congress and the administration still tinker with trivial, halfhearted measures. ...Nonviolence was a creative doctrine in the South because it checkmated the rabid segregationists who were thirsting for an opportunity to physically crush Negroes. ...

This is the reason there were less loss of life in ten years of southern protest than in ten days

Barbara A. Woods Washington, M. Div. of northern riots. ...Today, the northern cities have taken on the conditions we faced in the South. Police national guard and other armed bodies are feverishly preparing for repression. ...For us in the Southern Christian ConferLeadership ence, violence is not only morally repugnant, it is pragmatically barren. ...We cannot condone either riots or the equivalent evil of passivity. ...We are taking action after sober reflection. We have learned from bitter experience that our government does not correct a race problem until it is confronted directly and dramatically. ...In the earlier Alabama actions, we set no time limits. We simply said we were going to struggle there until we got a response from the nation on the issues involved. We are saying the same thing about Washington. ...Just as we dealt with the social problem of segregation through massive demonstrations, ...we are now trying to deal with the economic problems— the right to live, to have a job and income— massive through protest. It will be a Selma-like movement on economic issues. nationwide ...A nonviolent movement is very important. We

know from past experience that Congress and the president won’t do anything until you develop a movement around which people of goodwill can find a way to put pressure on them, because it really means breaking that coalition in Congress.

It’s still a coalitiondominated, rural-dominated, basically southern Congress. There are Southerners there with committee chairmanships, and they are going to stand in the way of progress as long as they can. They get enough right-wing midwestern or northern Republicans to go along with them. ...And we are honest enough to feel that we aren’t going to get any instantaneous results from Congress, knowing its recalcitrant nature on this issue and knowing that so many resources and energies are being used in Vietnam rather than on the domestic situation.

We call our demonstration a campaign for and income jobs because we feel that the economic question is the most crucial that black people and poor people generally, are confronting. ...When you have mass unemployment in the Negro community, it’s called a social problem; when you have mass unemployment in the white community, it’s called a depression...”

Ask yourself ‘what has changed in 2023, 60 years since the March On Washington where we have been lulled asleep by the perpetuation of King’s message being somewhere out in the land of “Dreams” while, once again, all eyes turn to Memphis. by email: myfathersmansionpress@g mail.com

Tyre Nichols... from page 1 There is no evidence in the footage that the present officers did anything to prevent the excessive use of force.

Actually, it seems to prove the opposite.

After Nichols attempted to flee the scene, an officer can be heard on camera saying: “I hope they stomp his ass.”

The Times noted four “crucial instances” in which police officers reprimanded Nichols for disobeying incorrect orders.

An officer is seen pulling up to the intersection where Nichols’ car was trapped between two unmarked police cars at the start of the footage.

The cop sprang out of the car, gun drawn, to join two others who are racing toward Nichols.

When one of the officers pulled Nichols out of the car, the other two immediately began shouting: “On the ground!”

These are the initial instructions in a series of contradictory directives that threw Nichols off.

Nichols noted that the police officers had ordered him to sit on the ground.

However, several officers are heard yelling the same order with growing anger and threats of violence.

One shouted: “Get down on the ground! I am going to tase your ass.” It appears that the officers’ tension rises when Nichols repositioned himself, yet still assured the officers that he’s no threat.

“You guys are really doing a lot right now,” Nichols said. “I’m just trying to go home. I am on the ground!” as officers pinned his arms down, pressed a Taser

against his leg, and barked increasingly threatening words at him.

Now one of the officers gave more detailed instructions: ‘On your stomach.’

Nichols was hit in the face with pepper spray three seconds later by one of the officers.

Nichols was then surrounded by officers who demanded to see his hands.

However, one of them had a hold on his left arm, while another cop had a hold on his right. The police still hadn’t made it clear how they wanted Nichols to behave.

A third officer rushed up with pepper spray.

Then he warned: “You’re about to get sprayed good.”

The other officers began punching Nichols in the face. Nichols reacted by pulling his hands back to cover his face. As the punching got more intense, the pepper spray was released.

Nichols again tried to reassure the officers that he was attempting to cooperate, all the while he attempted to wipe the pepper spray from his eyes.

“Okay,” Nichols pleaded. “All right. All right.”

While one of the officers had a firm grip on Nichols, a second officer arrived and made the same demand—that he show his hands.

Once again, Nichols appeared confused by the competing instructions.

As he flailed about, the police officers issued even more conflicting commands and applied more physical punishment. Again, he was hit

with pepper spray.

After being peppersprayed three more times, Nichols lay on his side and rubbed his eyes as two officers stood over him. An officer then kicked Nichols in the face.

At this point, Nichols was barely conscious or coherent, but the police were treating him as though he was actively resisting them.

“Lay flat, goddamn it,” one officer said.

As he lay there, Nichols groaned and writhed in pain, having repeatedly been tased, kicked in the head, punched, and pepper sprayed.

When another officer yelled “Lay flat!” they behaved as if Nichols was refusing to comply.

One officer lifted Nichols off the ground and forced him to kneel by grabbing his handcuffed arm. Another officer then repeatedly hit him with a baton while saying: “Give us your hands!”

He tried to avoid being hit with the baton as he was surrounded by four police officers.

“Give me your [bleeping] hands!” another officer said.

But Nichols, because of having an officer pin his arms behind his back, another grip his handcuffed wrist, and a third punch him in the face, simply couldn’t comply.

He collapsed to the ground and cried for his mom, but the brutality continued.

In total, six officers have been dismissed and five stand accused of second-degree murder.

In a press conference last week, attorneys for two of them said their clients would be entering not guilty pleas.

Nashville PRIDE

Page 7

expressions of faith Follow me

by Bishop-elect Dr. Monterey D. Lee, Sr. • “I am in Christ, and I am telling you the truth, I do not lie. My conscience is ruled by the Holy Spirit, and it tells me I am not lying.

• “I have great sorrow and always feel much sadness.

• “I wish I could help my Jewish brothers and sisters, my people. I would even wish that I were cursed and cut off from Christ if that would help them.

• “They are the people of Israel, God chose children. They have seen the glory of God, and they have the agreement that God made between himself and his people. God gave them the law of Moses and the right way of worship and his promises.

• “They are the descendants of our great ancestors, and they are the earthly family into which Christ was born, who is God over all.

Praise him forever!

Amen,” Romans 9:1-5 (NCV).

Paul expressed concerns for his Jewish kinsmen (his brothers and sisters) saying that he would be willing to take their punishment if that would save them.

He knew that the only one who could save anyone was Christ. But if it could save the Jews then he was willing to take on the punishment.

Paul shows a love that can only come from God, a rare depth of love. Like Jesus, he was willing to be a sacrifice for others. Paul is willing to put his life on the line for the people of God. We have to ask ourselves the same ques-

tion? How concerned are we for those who don't know Christ? Are we willing to sacrifice time, money, energy, comfort, and safety to see them come into the faith of Jesus Christ?

In 30 A.D., the first Christian church began in Jerusalem, on the day of Pentecost.

Pentecost is a Christian festival celebrating the descending of the Holy Spirt onto the disciples of Jesus after His ascension. This is a hold on to the seventh Sunday after the Passover.

On that day, Peter preached to many visitors from Rome, both Jews and Gentiles who believed the Jewish word (the holy Bible), 3000 became and Christians (Acts 2:9-11, 2:41). These Christians carried the gospel back to Rome.

In this letter Paul is giving the believers the truth about the Christian faith and to come away from false ideas about being born agin.

He gives practical advice about how Christians (you and I) should behave towards each other. How we should respect our men and women of God (our pastors).

Paul makes this statement: “I am speaking the truth because Christ is with me. I will not lie.” Paul is not asking the people of God to trust in human conscience, but to trust in the God in him with the Holy Spirit as his witness—which is the Spirit of truth.

This is why you must have a strong spiritual discernment. You need to know how to process in the Spirit of God and

Bishop-elect Dr. Monterey D. Lee, Sr. discover what God is saying to you from all people. Is it the truth or is it a lie?

Paul is saying: “I'm not lying to you, because I have the Holy Spirit, which is the Spirit of truth leading me to do the right thing. He is sad when he thinks about his relatives, the Jews—the chosen of God who have not fully accepted the messiah, Jesus Christ, as savior. remembered Paul that Moses prayed to God when the Israelites sinned and worshipped a golden calf. Moses thought that God would not forgive them and Moses asked God to punish him instead. He asked God to remove his name from the book of life (Exodus 32:32).

Paul, like Moses, would suffer God's punishment for the people of God just to see them live for Him at whatever the cost. Paul is willing to suffer this punishment, so that the Jews could receive God's salvation.

As pastors, all we seek is for the people to trust Christ and to receive God's salvation.

We must believe in Jesus Christ as the messiah.

Isaiah 53:1-12 speaks of the messiah, Jesus, who would suffer for the sins of all people.

This is the humility, and mercy of Christ for God's people.

Capital Spending Plan... from page 1 in projects like building brand new facilities for Lakeview, Percy Priest and Paragon Mills Elementary Sch-ools, and creating the new Nashville Youth Empowerment Center.

Significant investments at NDOT and Metro Water Services will continue to improve the core city services that our residents rely on every day.

Making smart investments alongside our city’s growth is essential to creating a Nashville that works for all. I’m proud to take a big step toward that important goal today.”

In the 2023 CSP, Cooper has proposed building brand new schools for Lakeview Elementary and Percy Priest Elementary, and funding a near-total renovation of Paragon Mills Elementary—fully funding three new elementary schools.

The proposal also calls for $27 million in upgrades, repairs and much-needed maintenance at MNPS schools across the county.

“The capital investments proposed by Mayor Cooper will help us create and sustain excellent learning communities for our students, teachers, and support staff,” said MNPS Director of Schools Dr. Adrienne Battle. “Schools that are welldesigned, beautiful, and safe play a key role in our work to make every student known and pre-

pare every student for success. These additions, renovations, and up-grades will build on the investments from Mayor Cooper and the Metro Council that we've been so fortunate to receive for the past few years.”

As part of Cooper’s commitment to public safety, he is moving forward funding a new home for the Davidson County Juvenile Justice Center. Located on Brick Church Pike, the new Nashville Youth Campus for Empowerment will replace the deteriorating building currently across from Nissan Stadium, and will house a 14-acre campus to serve nearly 80,000 young people.

The new facility will include a 24-hour assessment center to support youth in crisis, spacious meeting rooms for court staff and community partners to conduct mediations and peacefully resolve situations when possible, and a safe exchange facility for custodial visitation to strengthen families.

This year’s CSP will fund phase one of the center’s construction at $92 million, with the additional funding for the $230 million center slated for future budgets.

“This multimilliondollar investment by Mayor Cooper solidifies the city’s support for children and their families,” said Judge Sheila Calloway.

“I am thankful that our city is prioritizing the nation’s first familycentered, traumainformed campus in Nashville-Davidson County that will equip and empower our youth toward success. The Nashville Youth Campus for Empowerment (NYCE) will make a difference in generations to come.”

Other public safety initiatives include $11 million for a new Nashville Fire Department headquarters, a new barn for MNPD mounted patrol in Old Hickory, new firetrucks, police vehicles and ambulances, and the planning for a new gun range.

This year’s CSP also allocates $78,990,000 to Nashville Department of Transportation (NDOT) to expand resurfacing projects to more neighborhoods, implement traffic calming and other Vision Zero initiatives to eliminate pedestrian fatalities, upgrade traffic management and signaling to cut down on congestion, and a number of other essential infrastructure investments.

That total also includes $13,806,000 to significantly expand sidewalk construction in neighborhoods across Nashville. An additional $18,500,000 has been allotted to Metro Water Services for investment in stormwater management to mitigate flooding.

www.pridepublishinggroup.com

Page 8

Nashville PRIDE

www.pridepublishinggroup.com

%

Only 38 of Americans have a written * financial plan

62

%

don’t have a written financial plan

Now there’s an easier way to get one started, with impressive digital tools from Bank of America.

We get it. Financial planning can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. With dozens of digital tools, personalized solutions and local experts in Nashville, Bank of America makes it easier to start this year fresh—and stay on track.

Tyson Moore President, Bank of America Nashville

Go to bankofamerica.com/nashville to learn more

What would you like the power to do?®

*Source: TIAA 2022 Financial Wellness Survey, Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America-College Retirement Equities Fund, 2022.

Bank of America, N.A. Member FDIC. Equal Credit Opportunity Lender © 2023 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

February 3, 2023