Nashville PRIDE March 3, 2023

Tina Turner Musical highlights 2023/24 TPAC Broadway Series See page 7

Hands On Nashville hosts high-impact volunteer project See page 2

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volume XXXvII, Number 9

People Are Talking Fisk gymnastics team honored by state lawmakers

As part of their annual tribute during Black History Month, the Tennessee Black Caucus of State Legislators (TBCSL) honored the Fisk University Gymnastics team on February 27. The Fisk team is the first Historically Black Colleges and Universities gymnastics team ever to compete at the NCAA level. Last month, in the team’s first tournament competition in Las Vegas, the Bulldogs finished fourth. They were led by toprecruit Morgan Price, who earned the meet’s highest score of 9.9 on the vault.

In an interview, Price said she “had dreamed of being an HBCU gymnast even before there was a team.” “It feels really cool,” Price said. “We have a lot of eyes on us because we are the first and because we are making history, so it’s just so exciting to be a part of the first team ever.”

TBCSL Vice-Chair Representative Jesse Chism of Memphis said as Black History Month winds to a close, caucus members wanted to honor trailblazers both past and present. Also honored was Sampson Keeble, the first Black legislator to ever serve in the Tennessee General Assembly and Barbara Cooper, who served long enough to become the oldest lawmaker to sit on the House floor.

BNA anticipates increased passenger numbers for upcoming Spring Break

As Middle Tennessee prepares for Spring Break vacation, BNA gears up for one of its busiest travel seasons of the year.

As BNA prepares for one of its busiest travel seasons of the year and the airport continues its trajectory of exponential growth, travelers are urged to follow the below tips from BNA for a seamless travel journey: · Arrive early. We’re a new BNA: We recommend passengers arrive two hours early. It allows extra time to navigate areas at the airport, especially ones that passengers might not be familiar with.

Remember, with the recent opening of the Grand Lobby, all passengers will flow through one central checkpoint in the middle of the airport. · Check your flight status. Prior to arriving at BNA, check the status of your flight with your airline. · Understand parking options at BNA. With increased passenger volume, check parking availability before arriving at the airport. Park at BNA. · Stay connected. Follow us on our social media for real-time updates.

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

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Celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8

By Cass Teague Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that's diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women’s equality. Collectively we can all #EmbraceEquity.

Celebrate women’s achievement. Raise awareness about discrimination. Take action to drive gender parity.

International Women's Day is powered by the collective efforts of all.

Collective action and shared ownership for driving gender parity is what makes International Women's Day impactful. Gloria Steinem, worldrenowned feminist, journalist and activist once explained “The story of women’s struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organization but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights.”

So make International Women's Day your day and do what you can to truly make a positive difference for women. IWD belongs to everyone, everywhere. Inclusion means all IWD action is valid. Celebrating women’s achievements and increasing visibility, while calling out inequality, is key.

Equality versus Equity: What's the difference as we #EmbraceEquity for IWD 2023 and beyond?

The words equity and equality are often used interchangeably. Etymologically, the root word they share is ‘aequus,’ meaning “even” or “fair” or “equal” - which led to equity being from the Latin ‘aequitas,’ and equality

Jenny Garrett OBE is an award-winning career coach, leadership trainer, speaker, and author who supports the progression of women and those from ethnically diverse backgrounds in the workplace. from ‘aequalitas.’ Yet, despite these #EmbraceEquity campaign theme similarities, equity and equality are seeks to get the world talking about inherently different concepts, and the why “equal opportunities are no longer IWD 2023 #EmbraceEquity campaign enough” - and can in fact be exclutheme seeks to help forge worldwide sionary, rather than inclusive. conversation about this important issue Defining equality and equity: Let's and its impact. start with a basic definition of each So, what’s the difference between word. Equality means each individual ‘equity’ and ‘equality’ and why is it or group of people is given the important to understand, value, and Continued on page 5 acknowledge? The IWD 2023

Metro Nashville Minority Caucus holds in-person Reception

Metro Nashville Council Minority Caucus members.

By Cass Teague ing Forward,” and the keynote speak- nership between Belmont and Fisk The Metro Nashville Council er was State Senator Raumesh Akbari. Universities around Social Justice.

Minority Caucus held its annual Councilperson Joy Styles served Invocation, with prayer by Jefferson reception at Belmont University as MC, and began by thanking local Street Baptist Church Associate MinThursday, February 23, in person for musician Damien Horne. Styles intro- ister Nikki Harris-Tolliver, along with the first time since 2020. This year’s duced Belmont President Dr. L. GreContinued on page 5 theme was “Back to the Future: Mov- gory Jones, who noted the new part-

Titan stadium agreement submitted for council approval Mayor John Cooper has filed legislation for a proposed final agreement with the Tennessee Titans and the state of Tennessee to construct a new, enclosed stadium. It will relieve the existing enormous unfunded financial burden on the city, return over 60 acres of land surrounding the current Titans stadium back to city control, and keep the Titans in Nashville for the longterm.

The agreement serves as the launching pad to channel future development on Nashville’s East Bank into the kind of neighborhood that serves all residents, transforming land currently used as surface parking lots into a large park, greenways, affordable housing, a multi-modal boulevard, local businesses and more.

Rendering of the proposed Titan Stadium.

“I’m proud of this deal because it able land back to Metro so we can eliminates the enormous liability Continued on page 5 hanging over the city and returns valu-

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Obesity Care Week begins with nearly 50% of African Americans obese

According to recent data, almost 50% of African Americans have obesity, and approximately four out of five Black women are overweight or obese.

by Stacy M. Brown, about body weight all NNPA Newswire senior play a role in whether a national correspondent person will have obesity.

Obesity Care Week However, communi2023 (OCW) kicked off ties of color face unique on Feb. 27 with a focus challenges in each of on the disproportionate these areas, health offiimpact of obesity on cials stated. communities of color.

For example, in the ealth officials United States, only eight responsible for OCW percent of African said racial and ethnic Americans live in a cenminorities have a higher sus tract with a superrate of chronic diseases. market, while 31% of African Americans have White Americans have the highest rate of chron- one. ic diseases.

This means that According to recent minorities more often data, almost 50% of shop in small stores or African Americans have bodegas or eat at fast obesity, and approxi- food restaurants. These mately four out of five places usually have less Black women are over- fresh food and more weight or obese. processed food.

The causes of obesity Cultural attitudes are complex, and a per- about body weight also son’s access to healthy play a role. Non-Hispanfood, safe places to exer- ic White women are cise and play, stable and more satisfied with their affordable housing, body size than non-Hisaccess to quality health panic Black women and care, and social attitudes Hispanic women, and

more interested in losing weight and eating healthy.

Evidence shows that the African American population has less of an impact on existing weight loss interventions, with Black men and women achieving smaller weight losses.

Health officials noted that this suggests that intensive behavioral programs result in lower levels of adherence in Black people than Whites.

Founded in 2015, Obesity Care Week has a global vision for a society that values science and clinically based care and understands, respects, and accepts the complexities of obesity.

Organizers have focused on changing the way society cares about obesity and have worked to empower individuals by providing affordable and comprehensive care and prevention programs, increasing awareness of weight bias, and working to eliminate obesity.

Researchers said obesity not only affects overall health, but it also increases the risk of complications from COVID-19.

According to a recent study of hospitalized patients in the U.S., obesity may also predispose patients to getting the virus and is the strongest predictor for COVID-19 complications.

Unfortunately, African Americans are also disproportionately affected by COVID-19.

According to the CDC, 33% of those Continued on page 5

More employers demanding employees return to the office

by Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire senior national correspondent Josh Wright runs a small eCommerce business that helps consumers get good deals on cell phones and plans but doesn’t believe employers should demand everyone return to the office.

Wright says that people who work at home are more productive because they do not have as many distractions at work.

When people work at home, they can be more focused and focus on their work, Wright said.

“For a small eCommerce business like mine, the cost savings associated with working from home can be significant,” he said.

“Remote work eliminates the need for a physical office space, and employees can use their own equipment, which reduces overhead costs.”

However, Wright’s view isn’t shared by many other employers.

According to the Wall Street Journal, employers are losing their patience with empty desks in the office.

Editorial Department Editor: C. Ailene Lydia Staff Writers: David Lawrence; Wanda Clay

Table of Contents Front Page .......................... 1 National/State..................... 2 Local.................................... 3 Editorials ............................ 4 Continuations ..................... 5 Pastor,Pew & Pulpit .......... 6 Leisure ................................ 7

by Stacy M. Brown, WI senior writer In perhaps the most racist, sexist, homophobic, and xenophobic bill crafted since the end of slavery in America, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and his Republican cronies have authored a bill that takes “breathtaking control of viewpoint and content throughout all academic activity in the entire Florida system.”

HB 999 says that all colleges and universities must not spend money on education programs, or other things that support diversity, equity, and inclusion.

“This bill is a road map for wrecking one of our great state systems of higher education,” the University of Michigan Law Professor Julian Davis

HB 999 says that all colleges and universities must not spend money on education programs, or other things that support diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Mortenson tweeted.

The bill eliminates Women’s and Gender Studies as a major or minor at state colleges and universities.

It dictates that there can’t be a major or minor that is “based on the belief system of Critical Race Theory.”

According to the text of the bill, the university president or

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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,

board would do all faculty hiring. It asserts that they “may not delegate” any aspect of any hiring decision or hiring authority to any group or faculty however constituted.

Further, the bill asserts that they are “not required to consider recommendations or opinions of faculty.”

Continued on page 5

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Staff and Afillates Administration Publisher: Meekahl Davis, CEO Advertising Sales: Scott Davis Attorney: Karen Davis

New Florida bill would give governor complete control over state’s higher education system

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The average office occupancy in 10 major U.S. Cities remained below 50% for much of 2022, according to data from security firm Kastle Systems.

The newspaper noted found they enjoy the that companies like Van- flexibility and better guard Group, Paycom work/life balance they Software, and others have achieved through have told employees to remote work. It will be come in to work more in difficult to get them to 2023 to save money. give that up.”

Many employers Duggan said that have asserted that in- many federal employees person work helps with have continued working problem-solving, train- remotely. ing new employees, and She noted that Disit reinforces corporate trict of Columbia Mayor culture.

Muriel Bowser had “Employers face a urged President Joe tough decision. Forcing Biden to either have employees to return can them return or release cause many of these the buildings they foremployees to seek other merly occupied, so the employment,” Caroline city could create more Duggan, chief brand housing space. officer for Lumineux, “The larger issue said in an email. seems to be around the “Employees have Continued on page 5

March 3, 2023

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Local

Cancer…My Journey in time: Stay in the Game

by Wanda Clay On February 12 of this year, football fans across the nation gathered to cheer on their favorite team making it to Super Bowl LVII. Some readers may not want to be reminded that the Kansas City Chiefs pulled off the victory (38-35) on that against the day Philadelphia Eagles.

Both teams were dedicated to the ‘win.’

The lead quarterback for the Chiefs, Patrick Mahomes, had previously been injured some weeks prior. suffering While with his ankle injury, his perseverance to continue to play in the Super Bowl game while in sometimes noticeable pain, led them to the victory.

Rev. Enoch Fuzz, pastor of Corinthian MBC, was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer in early 2020.

Also, he had experienced a few health difficulties prior to this diagnosis, indicating that things were not normal.

Of course, he con-

Rev. Enoch Fuzz tinued to work and do all the things that he normally did—even in discomfort and without the knowledge of what was ailing him.

When it was determined that there was a problem that demanded attention, this put him into another season of his life.

It has been a long journey thus far. However, Rev. Fuzz is moving forward and healing. He is always optimistic along his journey, often saying that someone else has a situation worse than his.

With some difficult days and the need for oxygen he said: “I’m okay. I have to play with the pain and just stay in the game.”

Playing football with an injury is not the same as living to minister. You normally have over a period of years with a consuming disease like cancer. It’s quite different. Yet, the concept of continuing to persevere through pain and unforeseen issues that arise to come out victorious is the same.

You, too, must ‘stay in the game.’ Everyone has situations that cause complications in comfort and lifestyle.

These are overcome with prayer and perseverance. “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction,” 2 Timothy 4:2. While this was written for preaching, it is also true of praying.

Continue to pray for Rev. Enoch Fuzz as he continues to ‘stay in the game’ through it all.

Pray, share and be encouraged by the postings and weekly readings of ‘Cancer: My Journey in Time.’

NeS hosts free energy saving workshops for customers

Page 3

Nashville PRIDE

Hands On Nashville hosts Titans, fans, community for high-impact volunteer project More than 200 volunteers advance Mill Ridge Park development, hosted with Tennessee Titans

Hands On Nashville (HON) recently hosted a community wide day of service at Mill Ridge Park, in partnership with the Tennessee Titans.

Titans staff, fans and community gathered Feb. 18 for several beautification projects and helped advance the park’s development, protect the environment, and prepare the grounds for spring. community “The spirit in Nashville is always strong, but on Saturday the impact these volunteers made was game-changing,” said Darrell Hawks, executive director at Friends of Mill Ridge Park. “Spirits were high, and the enthusiasm was powerful. It was a glimpse into this new park’s future, with all its potential and possibilities. The green space that Mill Ridge Park provides and the services offered by Friends of Mill Ridge Park improve the health and quality of in southeast life Nashville. We can’t thank HON and the Titans enough for partnering with us and making the day such a success.”

During the event, volunteers addressed areas of need across the park’s 600 acres.

Activities included setting up trail markers for

Two volunteers work cautiously to remove wire from an old fence post at Mill Ridge Park. They were part of a community wide cleanup day with more than 200 volunteers hosted by Hands On Nashville and the Tennessee Titans on Feb. 18 (photo by Zachary Doud, Hands On Nashville). future paths, repainting nership with Hands On the Friends of Mill Nashville, as well as Ridge office building, their commitment to volrestoring fences, creat- unteerism in Middle ing seed bombs, expand- Tennessee,” said Lori ing the orchard and Shinton, CEO of Hands more.

On Nashville. “These The event saw volun- days of service are so teers of all ages (with important to HON and parental supervision). its mission and provide a Titans cheerleaders, great way for the comalong with T-Rac (the munity to learn about Titans mascot) greeted service and get a firstguests as they signed in. hand look at our partners Members of the Titans and their impact. administrative staff, as The Antioch commuwell as players and nity has a wonderful alumni, including Ryan resource in Friends of Fowler, Blaine Bishop, Mill Ridge Park, and Andy Levitre and we’re dedicated to conReynaldo Hill, also par- tinue supporting them ticipated in the cleanup. and our nearly 200 non“We’re grateful to profit partners in their the Titans for their part- mission.”

Tenn. renters organize for better living conditions

NES and TVA are partnering to ‘Offer Home Uplift’ to the community.

Customers attending ter Nashville Electric Energy Saving Service (NES) and the workshops will receive a energy-savings Workshop – Wednesday, Tennessee Valley free Authority (TVA) are toolkit valued at $25 to April 5, noon-2 pm at inviting customers to help them get started. A the Southeast Regional attend free home energy complete list of upcom- Center Home Uplift applicaworkshops, where they ing workshops and will learn easy, energy- application assistance tion assistance – Thursday, April 6, 6–7:30 pm efficiency improvements events are listed below. at the Coleman Park Upcoming that anyone can do at Community Center community events home.

Energy Saving Energy Saving In addition to those workshops, NES is also Workshop – Friday, Workshop – Tuesday, offering Home Uplift March 3, noon-2 pm at April 18, 6-7:30 pm at application assistance the Coleman Communi- the Hadley Park Community Center events, where represen- ty Center Energy Saving Home Uplift applicatatives will be onsite to answer questions and tion assistance – Tues- Workshop – Thursday, assist with documents if day, March 7, 6–8 pm at April 20, 6-7:30 pm at customers are applying the Southeast Regional the Hermitage Community Center for the Home Uplift pro- Center Energy Saving Energy Saving gram.

In partnership bet- Workshop with applica- Workshop – Tuesday, assistance – May 2, 6–7:30 pm at the ween NES and TVA, tion EnergyRight’s Home Wednesday, March 8, Southeast Regional CenUplift provides energy noon-2 pm at the South- ter Energy Saving upgrades that reduce east Regional Center Home Uplift applica- Workshop – Tuesday, energy costs and improve comfort. For tion assistance – Tues- May 16, 6-7:30 pm at eligible homeowners, day, March 21, 6-7:30 the Hadley Park Comthe retrofits and renova- pm at the Hadley Park munity Center Energy Saving tions are completely free Community Center Energy Saving Workshop – Thursday, and bear no cost to the customer. These sustain- Workshop – Tuesday, June 15, 4:30–6 pm at able changes are reduc- April 4, 6–7:30 pm at the the Hermitage Commuing poverty and carbon Southeast Regional Cen- nity Center emissions in the region.

For more information on the Home Uplift program, visit <www.energyright.com/residential/home-uplift/>.

by Danielle Smith After several years of work promoting housing rights, an advocacy group for affordable and safe housing in Shelbyville, Tennessee, is celebrating a victory.

Bedford County Listening Project members; renters with the Shelbyville Tenants Organizing for Protection campaign; and the Shelbyville City Council have voted to establish a safe and affordable housing committee to study and make recommendations.

Sophia Tillett, a leader of the Bedford County Listening Project, said the Shelbyville Tenants Organizing for Protections campaign began when they spoke to neighbors and discovered many of them were experiencing substandard housing and continuing rent increases, despite the living conditions, which she noted were unlivable and unsafe.

"There were a lot of bug issues; there's a lot of mold issues," Tillett said.

"The buildings are dilapidated and falling apart.

There are holes in the floors and ceilings and leaks."

Tillett pointed out such were the living conditions at Canterbrook Village, formerly known as Bedford Manor, prior to a resident moving out.

She noted the apartments were renovated, and the residents moved back in.

She added there are still problems with the apartments, and the committee is working on setting up its first meeting with the

Tennessee has a larger gap between affordable rental supply and demand than most states, ranking 34th. The state needs an additional 133,581 affordable units to prevent low-income families from having to spend more than 30% of their income on housing costs (photo courtesy of Lawcain/Adobe Stock).

"And we see it hapShelbyville City Council pen all the time. There to discuss the issues.

Tristan Cole, an are some things that we organizer for the Bedford have managed to change, County Listening Project, like now they say they'll said the committee is at least keep the codes important because, complaint open, even if before, the Shelbyville someone gets evicted," City Council has been Cole said. "The landlord unresponsive to their rec- can't just get rid of it by somebody ommendations.

He evicting emphasized they have entirely."

Cole added they want tried to get the City Council to make certain the Shelbyville City changes to the codes- Council to add rental procompliance pro-cess, and tections for residents, so said currently, residents if they make a code comwho make codes com- plaint, landlords cannot plaints are subject to initiate eviction proceedings on that basis. being evicted.

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Nashville PRIDE

Editorials

www.pridepublishinggroup.com

March 3, 2023

‘Adultification’ of young Black boys

by William T. Robinson, Jr. We should live in a country or society where young children are all viewed the same in how they are identified and treated, However, that is proving to be an erroneous assumption when it comes to how Black especially children, Black boys, are often looked upon. Time has shown us again and again that Black boys as young as 13 are more often than not viewed and judged as adults when it comes to how they are portrayed in our society—especially by the criminal justice system. No matter the severity of the crime their young White counterparts may be guilty of, Caucasian boys are usually viewed as children playing on the leniency of a court system that all too often shows us that they are partial to that race.

While our country is quick to argue the inno-

cence and naiveté of young White boys, Black boys are all too often viewed as vicious, menacing and as corrupt as any man accused of a felonious crime. The ‘adultification’ bias against young Black boys helps fuel the ‘pipeline to prison’ for young Black boys. It’s a lucrative business as well as a well devised operation to decimate and destroy the Black family by removing the potential Black man from the home.

Our country does not view young Black boys in the same light as young White boys. It uses every way possible to display young Black boys in a monolithic view as much older than their appearance, usually with the propensity for harboring an aggressive crime driven agenda.

Young Black boys have been painted to be three to four years older in appearance than their actual age by the media,

which may account for the criminal justice system rationalization in treating these boys as adults in many cases.

There is no excuse for engaging in criminal activity, but America has systemically created communities where poverty is so pervasive that children (specifically, Black young boys) are denied a happy carefree childhood and forced to grow up quickly, with many gravitating to illegal activities to help support their families. Many young Black boys dwell in one-parent homes without a father present.

They then feel forced to take on a financial role as the missing father.

Even in homes where mothers are raising young boys alone, the absence of the discipline and guidance a father can bring is forcing young boys to grow up quickly—taking on the role as the head of the household. These young boys (although they are literal-

Milestones show us where we’ve come from, where we need to go

by Ben Jealous Two things happened last week (one public, the other personal) that made me reflect on how far we’ve come as a nation, how we got here, and what it will take to keep that journey moving forward.

Maryland, my home state, inaugurated its first Black governor, Wes Moore. It’s a description I thought might go to me four years ago when I became only the third person and the first African American to win one million votes in a statewide race. Unfortunately my incumbent opponent was one of the other two.

Attending the inauguration made me think about how we’ve gotten here—more slowly than anyone who truly believes in our American ideals would consider right, but making steady progress all along the way. My vote total helped Wes, just as President Obama’s victory in 2012 eased my way. I think back to being a youth leader in my California county for Rev. Jesse Jackson’s 1988 presidential bid.

While we can bemoan the pace for good reason, we shouldn’t overlook that change has come—that long arc of the moral universe remains. Even when we fall short of something like an electoral victory, we make progress.

The question remains an eternal one when we see injustice, inequity and threats like climate change that are unquestionably existential. How do we pick up the pace?

On the same day, I celebrated my 50th birthday. That means I’ve been organizing and advocating for change for more than half my life. I’m lucky in many respects. Thirty years

Ben Jealous ago, celebrating someone else’s 21st birthday, I remember standing with other young Black men somberly pouring out our drinks in memory of friends who had been killed or imprisoned before we got to college.

I’m luckier still that I’ve had people throughout my life (starting with my parents) who have helped me find my commitment and learn ways to put it into effective practice.

People like Alvin Chambliss, the North Mississippi Rural Legal Services lawyer, who asked me to lead protests against closing two Historically Black Universities to turn them into prisons. People like Norman Hill, a protege of A. Philip Randolph and Bayard Rustin, and union leaders Richard Womack and Bill Lucy who trained me (along with Stacey Abrams and Derrick Johnson) at an AFL-CIO summer institute for Black student organizer—also, people like Bishop Desmond Tutu and Colin Powell.

I remain deeply committed to passing forward all that knowledge and insight, so hard won by folks who preceded me in ways that paved my road. For me that starts with listening to young leaders and organizers both to understand their perspectives as well as to give them space to air what they are compelled to get out. For me,

change starts with listening.

What I hope to impart are the big ideas that were passed along to me, like Gen. Powell’s lesson that finding the one common cause we can share can be much more powerful than a hundred things that we may disagree about.

Finally, I want to charge them to use their own gifts, talents, and knowledge to make the progress we still need.

They will know how best to reach their peers and those who come after them. A ‘quinquagenarian’ like me will never be able to use the tools of their generation to their fullest effect.

What I hope to do is inspire and applaud That’s an optimistic view, I know—one that I get genetically perhaps.

Just before my grandmother died, she took a call from Sen. Barbara Mikulski, who had been a graduate student in social work decades before when my grandmother was creating Child Protective Services in Baltimore.

It was that long arc in view. It was my grandmother who gave me the perspective that still guides me. “Baby, it’s true. Pessimists are right more often, but optimists win more often,” she told me once. “In this life, you have to decide what’s more important to you. As for me, I’ll take winning.”

(Ben Jealous is incoming executive director of the Sierra Club, the oldest and most influential grassroots environmental organization in the country. He is a professor of practice at the University of Pennsylvania and author of Never Forget Our People Were Always Free, published in January.)

ly children) are painted as adults with all the responsibilities that come with being an adult. These young Blacks boys often are forced into engaging in criminal activities, which causes them to be viewed as victimizers. But they are, in truth, victims or pawns in a system that promotes inequality and racism.

Adultification, unfortunately, contributes to many young Black boys thinking they are ballers running the show. However, they are only puppets and pawns eventually destined to be eliminated or brought down.

Putting children in the position of being an adult at an early age is cruel and inhumane. But it is the reality in many economically disadvantaged Black households with missing fathers.

Young Black boys deemed as adults are reminders that this country has a long way to go in eliminating racial

inequality and, poverty.

Poverty may be seen by many as the main factor contributing to why some Black children (usually Black boys) are literally forced to take on the role of helping to financially support their families. If America provided true equality and financial opportunities to all families, then these young Black boys would not experience the stress of growing up too soon, trying to be the missing fathers in their homes.

We need to change the perception of how Black boys are viewed.

We need more positive, productive, successful Black men volunteering to mentor our young Black boys, offering them options and guidance that may be missing from biological fathers not in the homes. Young Black boys should not have the stress and added responsibility of heading households because of absent fathers who may not be in the home

William T. Robinson, Jr. because of incarceration.

There is a time to be a child and a time to be an adult. Let us help our young Black boys enjoy the precious time of being a child while they can. We may not be able to change racism or the systems economical affecting so many Black families any time soon, but we can educate our children about the ills in society, hoping they can someday be advocates bringing about positive change. Adultification is unfortunate, but we can teach our young Black boys how to be wiser— hopefully avoiding being a victim of our criminal justice system.

Black history isn’t ‘controversial’ – it’s real life

by Svante Myrick Black history is the undeniable history of this country, its people, actions, triumphs, and atrocities. Yet Black history is deemed ‘controversial’ by people like Gov. Ron DeSantis, institutions like the College Board that attempts to water down curricula, and those that press for outright bans on teaching about the contributions and experiences of African Americans in public schools. A battle is raging right now against words like ‘intersectional’ and ‘systemic marginalization.’

Meanwhile, the freedom to learn, the future of education, and the brilliance of our children are caught in the crosshairs.

The context of historical events, and things many of us have directly experienced, are being called concepts too complex or challenging for high school students to appreciate. First, this is an obvious smokescreen. But to these critics, the response should be clear: How can the lived and daily experiences of millions of people be too controversial to teach in school? The answer: They can’t, and it’s our moral duty to ensure our children understand that.

Attempts to ban history are inherently malicious. When I say Black history is American history, I know it’s true; you know it’s true; and the people who think Black history shouldn’t be taught in schools know it’s true.

That’s why they want it banned. Hiding our history is an attempt to rob us of our historic voice, erase our contributions, and make our justified

Svante Myrick outrage look unreasonable.

The attacks are also designed to further divide us as a nation.

When Black history is taught prominently in schools, students learn to see Blackness and Americanness as one and the same. That’s precisely what opponents don’t want.

If you’re banning history, you’re on the wrong side of it.

Throughout all of world history, the people attempting to limit, rewrite, or ban history have had one thing in common: they were the bad guys. We’ve seen the tactic used to oppress any number of groups around the globe, the most obvious of which was Nazi Germany banning and burning books on everything from Judaism to human sexuality. With such abundant historical evidence that banning the teaching of history is morally abhorrent, it’s even more shocking that we’re still having to defend against it today.

Attacks on education are attacks on the past, present, and future. History deserves to be taught authentically, even when that history is unpleasant. We owe it to the people who got us to this point to portray their lives and their lessons correctly. When we deny any student

the truth, we hinder their ability to grow into empathetic adults who will continue driving society forward. We are shooting ourselves in both feet if we think society can progress without an honest view of history as a guiding light. For people who want to ban Black history, denialism and regression are the whole point.

Those who oppose Black history are destined to fail. Labeling a topic as ‘controversial’ won’t make it go away, nor will removing it from school curricula, especially in a day and age when kids can access virtually unlimited information with the swipe of their fingers. We will fight back against the banning of Black history, just as we’ve done every time our lived experiences have been disregarded and called ‘controversial’ or worse. And we will win, because the truth cannot be silenced.

Black history is at the heart of America’s origins, how it has endured, and how it will survive future challenges. Instead of trying to ban it, the people who consider it so controversial should try actually reading it.

They might learn something.

(Svante Myrick is president of People For the American Way. Previously, he served as executive director of People For and led campaigns focused on transforming public safety, racial equity, voting rights, and empowering young elected officials. Myrick garnered national attention as the youngest-ever mayor in New York State history.)

Desantis learned wrong lessons from history – wants to ensure no one else learns right ones

by Marc H. Morial, President/CEO National Urban League “Every record has been destroyed or falsified, every book rewritten, every picture has been repainted, every statue and street building has been renamed, every date has been altered. And the process is continuing day by day and minute by minute. History has stopped. Nothing exists except an endless present in which the Party is always right” George Orwell, 1984.

The Jacksonville ball field where Henry ‘Hammering Hank’ Aaron played as a 19-year-old minor leaguer in 1953 now bears his name.

It’s where he and two of his teammates, Felix Mantilla and Horace Garner, endured hostile taunts from fans. Off the field, they received death threats.

When the team traveled, they couldn’t stay at the same hotels where other teammates stayed or eat with them at the same restaurants.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis doesn’t want the high school students who play on that field (at least the White ones) to know why. Other governors and elected officials, looking to capitalize on the racial resentment and White grievance DeSantis hopes will propel him into the White House, are following his lead. This insidious campaign is an effort not merely to warp Americans’ view of our past, but to thwart the dismantling of systemic and institutional racism.

To paraphrase an old business adage: you can’t manage what you can’t measure, and you can’t measure what you can’t see.

White students might feel ‘guilt’ or ‘anguish’ to learn that Aaron was forced to hide under his bed as a child when the Ku Klux Klan marched through town. Or that after he and his teammates ate in a Washington D.C. restaurant, they listened as the staff shattered every dish they’d used. Or that he received as many as 3,000 racist, threatening letters a day as he closed in on Babe Ruth’s home run record.

That’s why school administrators in Duval County, where Jacksonville is located, temporarily barred the children’s book Henry Aaron's Dream from its libraries and classrooms. Other books kept off the shelves were Roberto Clemente: Pride of the Pittsburgh Pirates, and Thank You, Jackie Robinson.

Following a nation-

wide outcry, those books and others that broached the topics of racism and discrimination have been reinstated, and DeSantis has tried to pass off the ban as “a joke” and a publicity stunt. But DeSantis’ own Stop WOKE Act, which restricts the discussion of race and diversity in schools, and the Parental Rights in Education law (better known as ‘Don't Say Gay’) explicitly require the reviews that forced the district to remove the books.

Among the 47 books the district returned to the publisher after review were The Life of Rosa Parks, and Separate is Never Equal.

Politicians in other states are embracing the DeSantis Stop WOKE ploy like cynical moths drawn to the flames of a burning cross.

At least 36 states have

adopted or introduced laws or policies that restrict teaching about race and racism. In North Dakota, teachers effectively are forbidden to acknowledge the existence of systemic racism. Researcher Jeffrey Sachs, who tracks such legislation for PEN America, said: “The law now is saying that whenever a teacher talks about racism, they may only describe it as a product of an individual's own biases or prejudices.

They cannot describe it, even when the facts command them to, as something more endemic or embedded within American society.

“It's a way essentially of preventing teachers, I think, from being honest about a lot of the uglier sides of American history and contemporary society.”

If DeSantis and his imitators get their way, our

schools will produce an entire generation of Americans oblivious to the legacy of slavery and Jim Crow, to the decades of redlining that shaped our communities, trapping families within an endless cycle of poverty and violence, to the pervasive myths that deny Black patients medical treatment and pain relief.

When Americans saw the images of Elizabeth Eckford taunted by racists as she entered Little Rock Central High School, of Alabama state troopers bludgeoning John Lewis on the Edmund Pettis Bridge or police dogs attacking teenagers in Birmingham, they were galvanized into action by what they saw. DeSantis and his imitators have learned the wrong lessons from history. They want to make sure no one else learns the right ones.

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

March 3, 2023

www.pridepublishinggroup.com

Continuations

Int’l Women’s Day... from page 1 same resources or opportunities.

Equity recognizes that each person has different circumstances, and allocates the exact resources and opportunities needed to reach an equal outcome.

Belgium-based YouTuber Tamara Makoni, founder of Kazuri Consulting as she clearly explains the difference between equality and equity - and why it truly matters: “Imagine that you are babysitting two children, and they are hungry,” says Tamara.

“You go to the fruit

bowl, and you start to pick up two apples to give them to each child.

However, you remember at the last moment that one of the children is allergic to apples.

Instead, you reach for one apple and one banana, and that way you're being fair,” explains Tamara.

“You still give one piece of fruit to each child, but you're also being equitable because you're giving each child a legitimate way of satisfying their hunger.

If you had gone for two apples, the child

who's allergic to the apple would on the surface have a way to satisfy their hunger, but they couldn't do that without getting ill. In this way you're being fair. You're giving each child a piece of fruit but, you're also giving them something that is in line with their individual needs so they can be successful.”

Look for local activities to join in your community, or find ones, including hundreds of free virtual activities on the official website: https://www.internationalwomensday.com/

New Florida bill... from page 2 Jeremy C. Young, Pen America’s senior manager of Free Expression and Education, called the bill “terrifying.”

Pen America is a non-profit group that protects and promotes free speech around the world by promoting literature and human rights.

“Florida HB 999 would enact the most Draconian and censorious restrictions on higher education in the history of this country,” Young said. “The bill would make tenure and faculty hiring committees meaningless, ban diversity statements, and centralize control of core curricula and mission statements in the hands of political appointees. it “Unexpectedly, would also ban gender studies majors.”

Florida’s HB 999 would end state public higher education in favor of one man’s authoritarian control of public university decisions and end academic freedom and shared governance.

Young said the bill would stop higher education in Florida from being a place where people could ask questions and speak their minds freely.

“Free expression and

higher education advocates must fight these provisions with everything we have, in Florida and any other state where they appear,” Young said.

“HB 999 is the central battleground for the soul of higher education.

If we stand on the sidelines, we will lose.”

DeSantis has repeatedly said he would fight censorship against Floridians from big tech companies and social media platforms.

He also said the state should ban “ideology” and “indoctrination” in state schools.

The bombastic governor said Florida education should be “rooted in the values of liberty and the western tradition” and block public institutions from “supporting campus activities or programs that promote” socalled divisive concepts such as CRT or DEI. The new law would build on the governor’s Stop WOKE Act from 2022, which says that certain ideas about race can’t be taught in schools.

The new bill would prohibit specific academic concepts, putting the governor’s calls into legislation. The bill text states the hiring process rule applies to any position at a university,

including the president.

Further, faculty members’ tenure status would also be open for review by the board of trustees at the request of a board’s chair.

HB 999 prohibits officials from using university resources to “promote, support, or maintain any programs or campus activities that espouse diversity, equity, and inclusion, whether directly or through contracts, grants, or service agreements.”

In January, DeSantis talked about tenure and hiring practices for Florida universities.

He said the change would allow the state to prevent “certain worldviews” from being promoted when faculty committees make academic hiring decisions.

Study of western civilization, the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of subsequent Rights, amendments, and the Federalist Papers would also be required. are also There and requirements changes for college and university courses focusing on social sciences and behavior, natural sciences, and math.

If the bill passes the Florida Legislature, it will take effect on July 1.

Obesity Care Week... from page 2 hospitalized with the virus were African Americans, compared to 13% of the U.S. population.

Inequities in access to and quality of care result in poor overall health and many chronic diseases, such as obesity and diabetes.

This can affect individuals’ chances of getting COVID-19.

The communities in which African Ameri-

cans live may place them at greater risk for developing chronic illnesses. For example, they may not have access to healthy foods or safe places to play or exercise.

For people who try to eat healthy, living in a ‘food desert’ means that they must go to a grocery store. They often must do this by public transportation.

disparities These need to be addressed so that all communities have the resources and support they need to achieve and maintain a healthy weight.

“Obesity Care Week 2023 highlights the need for comprehensive and inclusive approaches to obesity care that consider the unique challenges faced by communities of color,” organizers stated.

More employers... from page 2 question of productivity,” Duggan said.

“Are employees as productive working from home as in the office? Employers will need to balance their needs with retention to determine what works best for their employees and their company.”

However, McKenna Moore, an associate editor at LinkedIn, said remote work may be past its prime.

Moore wrote that, in the current U.S. job market, many employers have taken remote-work arrangements off the table.

“Data from LinkedIn’s Workforce Report shows the rapid rise and fall of employers’ willingness to target remote candidates,” Moore said.

In an analysis of over 60 million paid job postings on LinkedIn since January 2021, researchers found that remote jobs had the highest number of jobs in March 2022.

But Moore noted that spike gave way to an abrupt decline.

In November 2022, barely 14% of paid job postings invited remote applicants. “It might be helpful for businesses to have workers located in

an office, where they can keep an eye on them and offer constructive criticism to guarantee timely project completion,” said Calvin Willis, a tech entrepreneur. An organization might see, for instance, that its remote workers are constantly a few days behind schedule on projects, whereas those based in the office never miss a deadline.

“Having everyone in the same room at the same time encourages conversation and cooperation among workers, which isn't always easy to accomplish when everyone has different hours.”

For much of the pandemic, companies took a ‘fairly soft’ approach to policy enforcement, fearful that too rigid a stance on in-office work could harm morale or lead to turnover.

Although companies set office policies, some managers largely allowed workers to ignore them. The average office occupancy in 10 major U.S. cities remained below 50% for much of 2022, according to data from security firm Kastle Systems.

According to Kastle, most employees want to work in an office at least

a few days a week.

Many workers also see the benefits of working in an office.

Meanwhile, some employers insisted that enforcing the rules is a matter of fairness to the workers who have been complying.

“Uneven and inconsistent adoption has created inequities in how the model is applied and has made it difficult to realize the benefits of inperson learning, collaboration and connection,” Vanguard officials said in a memo.

Some Vanguard employees said they were told by their managers that if they didn’t comply with the return-tooffice policy, they would be terminated without severance.

At Paycom, nearly 80% of the company’s employees are already working five days a week at the company’s headquarters.

Many employees began returning to the office in August 2021.

“From the start of the pandemic, Paycom communicated that working from home would be a temporary solution while we prioritized everyone’s health and well-being,” a spokesman said.

Nashville PRIDE

Page 5

Titan stadium... from page 1 build new affordable housing, beautiful parks and greenways, a powerful transit hub that reconnects neighborhoods and so much more,” said Mayor John Cooper. “We took on this complex and decade-old problem of the old stadium lease and fixed it, refusing to pass the buck to the next administration, and came out on the other side with a more fiscally responsible deal for taxpayers and a future world-class city asset.

This is a win for Nashville, and I’m grateful to our partners at the state and the entire team who has worked tirelessly for over a year to get it done.”

“We are extremely appreciative of the efforts of Mayor Cooper and his office over the past several months as we worked to complete definitive documents,” said Burke Nihill, Titans president/CEO. “We believe these documents embody the core principles we presented in December and look forward to our upcoming discussions with Metro Council and the Sports Authority.”

On December 21, Metro Council voted by a two-thirds margin to approve the framework where football-related funding sources including the Titans, the NFL, and personal seat license (PSL) sales will combine to represent the largest source of funding for the new stadium. At least $840 million for the new stadium and any construction cost overruns will come from the Titans, NFL, and PSL sales. Five hundred million dollars will come from a one-time state contribution.

The remaining $760 million will come from revenue bonds issued by the Metro Sports Authority to be repaid by revenue

generated primarily by hotel visitors and users of the new stadium. Both revenue sources designated by state statute for the Sports Authority bonds can only be used to fund stadium related construction and maintenance, and in the case of the hotel tax contingent upon the building of a new, enclosed stadium.

The proposed final agreement incorporates feedback received from community leaders, council members and Nashville residents.

Enhancements to the proposed final agreement include the following: In the original framework, the Titans agreed to cover the infrastructure required to open the new stadium as part of the overall project budget, for which the Titans are ultimately responsible for cost overruns.

The final agreement adds additional infrastructure included in the project scope of what the Titans will be covering, including funding towards parts of the street and plaza infrastructure.

Excess revenue generated by the sources used to repay Sports Authority bonds may now be used to fund additional debt service reserves or to prepay portions of the bonds early, reducing interest costs paid and potentially saving millions of dollars.

In the term sheet, Metro was responsible for capital expenses to keep Nissan Stadium functional until the new enclosed stadium opens without limits. In the final agreement, the team agrees to front these costs, with Metro reimbursing the team up to $42 million through sources such as cash on hand at the Sports Authority and sales taxes generated by PSL

sales. Metro’s maximum exposure is capped at that amount.

The creation of the Nashville Needs Impact Fund, which the Titans will make annual payments over the term of the lease totaling at least $47 million, to be used by nonprofits serving Nashville and Davidson County for public education, public transit, gender equity in sports and affordable housing. This provision is aimed to fulfill amendment F in RS2022-1827, the term sheet resolution passed in December.

Local activist group, Stand Up Nashville, is calling for a ‘no’ vote until they have more information.

“Nashville loves the Titans, and as a city we want the franchise to feel our appreciation.

But the city also has an obligation to prioritize what’s best for our residents before wasting billions of our hard-working residents’ tax dollars,” said the group in a release.

“We know the needs of Nashville. It hasn’t changed in the past 13 years. Nashville needs affordable housing, adequately funded public schools, better transit, and jobs that pay a living wage ($20 per hour) that don’t require a degree or specialized training.

“We have been down this road too many times before with Amazon, Alliance Bernstein, Oracle, and now the Titans.

We absolutely know what happens when we prioritize big business over the needs of the majority of Nashville residents: Gentrification, underfunded schools, majority White urban core, and more infiltration and takeover of a progressive city by conservative interests.”

The proposal is expected to go before the Council on March 7.

Minority Caucus... from page 1 Islamic prayer and message by Kasar Abdulla, was introduced by Minority Caucus ViceChair Antoinette Lee. Councilperson Jennifer Gamble thanked and recognized the sponsors for the event, following the Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilperson Styles.

Councilpersons Brandon Taylor and Joy Styles then presented the WINS, or the gains made by the Minority Caucus over the preceding year. Taylor noted the naming of the Rip Patton Transit Center, the Diane Nash Plaza, John Lewis Way, and other recent accomplishments. Styles noted the successful hosting of the more than 200 delegates of the National Black Caucus of Elected Officials, and spending initiatives made possible through the American Rescue Plan, including the $10 million for Burris Hall at Fisk University, among others.

Councilperson Sharon Hurt gave a stirring and heartfelt introduction to this year’s Pioneer Award recipient, former Councilperson and State Senator Brenda Gilmore, noting her grace, power, and kind-

Councilperson ness.

Kyontze Toombs presented the Trailblazer Award to rising State Senator Charlane Oliver. Minority Caucus Chair Delisha Porterfield presented the Chair’s Award to Metro Human Relations Commissioner and transgender rights advocate Dr. Marisa Richmond, who stated “it is wrong to criminalize people for love.”

Councilperson Zulfat Suara had the pleasure of introducing the keynote Speaker Senator Raumesh Akbari, noting that Akbari also adheres to the three R’s, the three principles she finds necessary for effective public service: Respect for Self, Respect for Others, and Responsibility.

Senator Akbari addressed the audience with a message about legacy, the leaders who came before us, and paved the way for the present and future leadership. Her examples were women who had been pioneers in political endeavors, such as the Honorable Shirley Chisholm (the first black woman elected to the United States Congress, in 1968), Senator Thelma Harper (the

first African-American woman state senator in Tennessee and the longest-serving female state senator in Tennessee history), Representative Barbara Cooper (in office from 1996 until her untimely passing on October 25, 2022), and Senator Ophelia Ford (2005– 2014), and United States Supreme Court Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson.

Akbari noted that Justice Brown Jackson had famously said, “In my family we went from segregation to the supreme court in one generation,” while Akbari witnessed that “I went from segregation to the Tennessee senate in one generation.” Her question to the gathering: “What are we willing to do to ensure our future generations?

What we do right now matters.”

Chairperson Porterfield closed the event, thanking Belmont, especially Joyce Searcy, and former Councilperson Jerry Maynard, who “birthed this event,” and named the 62 past and present ethnic minority persons who have served on the Metro Nashville Council.

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Page 6

Nashville PRIDE

Pastor, Pew, & Pulpit www.pridepublishinggroup.com

Faith of A Mustard Seed

By Barbara A. Woods Washington, M. Div. What is most factual for me is how Black America has survived this Nation’s long lifetime of oppression; on the least amount of resources: for our Family Life, for our Educational life, for our Church life, et al.

NOW, Students and their Parents challenge what we have managed to ‘keep alive’ for over 110 years… continuing to impact Black life on a now global level.

Those ‘students and they mamas’ who don’t feel as though TSU meets your expectations of privilege, please move on without using your life as a weapon of destruction against our Institution.

In 2019 I attended the Mayoral Forum at Greater Bethel Church.

What a wonderful surprise to arrive to find the convening of a well meeting of oiled NOAH, (Nashville Organized for Action and Hope) under the leadership of then Bethel’s Pastor, the Rev. Edward Thompson. So prior to The Forum I slipped into the balcony in observance.

To begin with, a Delegation roll call!

Then to find myself in the midst of the most showing important from ‘the people of Nashville’ that I have witnessed. There had been a designation of the “Ten Greatest Problems” of the city.

Then a division of labor to form Ten Research Groups; with the chair of each pre-

Barbara A. Woods Washington, M. Div. senting the findings. I was, at this point completely engrossed in the level of scholarship on the realities of the ‘spoken city, AS word’.

Vote was then cast per delegation for the ‘Top Three’. I pause to identify the fact that my top 3 was the bottom 3 for the convention. The synopsis given by the chair of “Trafficking the Problem”, Dr. Connie Graves of Meharry, brought me in tears as she identified Nashville is #2 in the south, behind Atlanta, in the Trafficking of PEOPLE (not drugs).

It became number 1 for me… tucked away in the balcony. So in 2019, NOAH put before the Mayoral Forum at Greater Bethel Church the greatest problem of the city of Nashville: “Affordable Housing”!

I appeal to all to this REALity: The entire nation is suffering from a major Housing crisis. Black families here in Nashville are being displaced —OUT OF

THE City.

Black homes sold out, bought out. Just open your eyes to the Jefferson Street corridor. Study the ever rising rate AND new found causes of Homelessness… nationwide! Yet you persist in laying this National problem, this City problem at the feet of President Glover???

TSU is Surviving as a Leader among HBCUs, many of who are in life and death struggles to keep the doors open. If you are not WORKING to make Tennessee State ‘That University HBCU’ that will educate the ‘Three Generations’ beyond you, then take Self Inventory… and do it some place else.

You want to Fight?

Fight for the Funds that have already been proven as ‘Owed To You’ after years of this State’s under funding of Federal funds that have yet to reach it’s EARmark. Your ‘TSU creds’ are lacking if you have not ‘Marched To The State Capital’ at least one time… ‘bout ‘Yo School!

What will it take for the City of Nashville to ‘Own its Creds’ of being #2 in the number of Historically Black Colleges and Universities in a single City of this Nation; again, behind Atlanta. The Housing Problem at TSU is a Nashville problem, it’s a State of Tennessee problem…

OWN IT and become a part of the solution! by email: myfa thersmansionpress@ gmail.com.

Faithful utterances I am because of them Remember your history – your long and rich history

by Dr. Froswa Booker-Drew I was recently asked how I celebrate Black History Month. The reality is that I’m a Black woman all year. Who I am and those I am descended from encompass more than 28 days.

My DNA is rich with so many brilliant, hardworking, caring individuals who made a path despite so much opposition. Despite the racism, sexism, violence, unequal opportunities and so many other barriers, they preserved. They dreamed that we would overcome and there have been so many advancements. Yet there is so much more that has to be accomplished. Until we have a society that is equitable, just, and inclusive for all, we still have work to do. This means everyone in our community.

We have such a rich history of individuals in our culture. There is no way to surmise our contributions, struggles, moments and movements in a short, concise way. Our history begins well before slavery and even before the arrival to the Americas. This is my feeble attempt of exploring some of the richness of those who came before, whose shoulders we stand on. This week’s column is dedicated to my ‘sheroes.’ So often, I think society tends to focus on just a few of the well-known leaders of our history but I want to highlight those who may not be on your radar, one national and three DFW ‘sheroes.’

• Ida B. WellsBarnett – I love Ida B. Wells because of her tenacity and brilliance.

She not only dealt with losing her parents and infant brother so young but having to take care of her siblings as well. She took a job in Memphis as a teacher to keep her family together. “After

the lynching of one of her friends, Wells-Barnett turned her attention to White mob violence. She became skeptical about the reasons Black men were lynched and set out to investigate several cases. She published her findings in a pamphlet and wrote several columns in local newspapers. Her expose about an 1892 lynching enraged locals, who burned her press and drove her from Memphis. After a few months, the threats became so bad she was forced to move to Chicago, Illinois.” She was a founder of the National Association of Colored Women’s Clubs which focused on suffrage (voting).

• Juanita Craft – In the ‘30s, Juanita Jewel Shanks Craft, risked her life establishing NAACP chapters across the state of Texas. In 11 years, she organized over 180 chapters. “In 1955, she organized a protest of the State Fair of Texas against its policy of admitting Blacks only on ‘Negro Achievement Day.’ She later served for two terms on the Dallas City Council. Although I never met Mrs. Craft, I was honored to work with her home in my 20s when I was assistant director at the South Dallas Cultural Center and ultimately serving as vice president of Community Affairs at the State Fair of Texas.

• Kathlyn Joy Gilliam – I met Mrs. Gilliam as she led ‘Clean South Dallas’ early in my career. The mentoring I received was invaluable.

Mrs. Gilliam is most notably remembered for her 23 years as a trustee of the Dallas Independent School District (DISD). Upon her election in 1974, she became the first African American female trustee and was the first African American to lead as board president during the 1980-82 term.

expressions of faith Commitment: Holy Lent

by Bishop-elect Dr. Monterey D. Lee, Sr. "For the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, ‘The just shall live by faith,’" Romans 1:17.

"To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt deceitful through desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness," Ephesians 4:22-24.

Ash Wednesday started this past Wednesday.

But what is Ash Ash Wednesday?

Wednesday is the start of the Lenten period that leads up to the resurrection. As Christians, we believe that Jesus was resurrected. During this period, we/Christians show repentance/sincere regret and remorse for our sins and we believe that Jesus Christ died for them.

Ash Wednesday starts the 40 days of sacrifice leading up to to the resurrection. This is the beginning of Lent.

But what is Lent?

Lent is the 40 days of reflecting on the past and preparing to honor Jesus' resurrection. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday February 22 and ends on April 2.

Holy Week starts is from April 3-8. April 9 is Resurrection Sunday.

Remember that Jesus gathered with His 12 disciples to celebrate

the Passover before He was crucified which took place on Good Friday.

We are to comment to lent sacrifices/pleasures like TV, coffee, chocolate, supper, sweets, soda, social media meat, and more— then give this time over to God as a time of spiritual renewal.

Spiritual renewal is renewal of the mind, soul, and body. This is a holistic approach to a total transformation of the way a person thinks, feels and receives as the power of the Holy Spirit moves us to a place of reflecting on God's word.

We are transformed as a believer to discern what is good, acceptable, perfect according to the will/standards of God (Romans 12:2).

Now during this time, we are to turn away from sin and be faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ and the Gospel word.

Keep this time secret (Matthew 6:16-18).

Reveal to yourself your struggles (1 Peter 5:6).

Take on something that will free you (Isaiah 58:6-7).

Honor your choice (Colossians 2:16-17).

Seek inward thanking (Daniel 9:3).

Remember the sacrifice (John 3:16).

As a people committed to Christ, our actions reflect who we are and what we believe. We are committed to Christ as His people/church. We don't attend church; we

Bishop-elect Dr. Monterey D. Lee, Sr. are the church. For we are the organism of Christ as His body, not an organization of the church. In Christ we live in Him and have a total commitment to Him. We live by His word daily, pray daily, and meditate daily. This is what makes us ‘one’ as the people of God. What will you sacrifice in this season?

In this text, Paul confirms God's revealed word, which is the power of the gospel of faith to the churches in Rome and Galatia.

As it is written, the just shall live by faith.

Paul is reiterating Habakkuk's word in Habakkuk 2:4: "The just shall live by faith."

He reveals this word to the saints (the born again, the chosen, and the remnant) in Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:1, and Hebrews 10:38. "The just shall live by faith."

This is a prophetic word describing what will happen in the future for the chosen people of God, you and I. For God foresees and knows what will happen in your life as a people of faith.

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

Dr. Froswa Booker-Drew • Dr. Mamie McKnight – I met Dr. McKnight early in my career as well and she was always so kind, warm and approachable. She, too, made such an impression on me. She was the founder of Black Dallas Remembered, Inc., a nonprofit organization devoted to the preservation of the Dallas Black community and was responsible for leading the investigation and preservation of Freedman’s Cemetery. It is the burial site of thousands of early Black Dallas settlers that would have been destroyed by the expansion of Central Expressway. I was blessed to work on this project in its early stages.

They are not the only ones who have made an impact in my life. It was important to remember and pay homage to those who came before. The Bible encourages us to remember. The Lord commands: “Remember your history, your long and rich history,” Isaiah 46:9. It is important for us to use this month to remember, celebrate, and not forget the vast journey of our experiences. I am because of them.

(Dr. Froswa’ BookerDrew is the CEO of Soulstice Consultancy and the founder of the R2 Foundation <r2fdn.org> as well as the author of four books. She is the host of the Tapestry podcast.)

March 3, 2023

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

March 3, 2023

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Tina Turner Musical highlights 23/24 TPAC Broadway Series

By Cass Teague TPAC has announced a magical 2023-24 Broadway season highlighted by the inspiring story of the Queen of Rock n’ Roll, Tina – The Tina Turner Musical.

There is only one… her voice is undeniable... her fire is unstoppable… her triumph is unlike any other. An uplifting comeback story like no other, Tina – The Tina Turner Musical is the inspiring journey of a woman who broke barriers and became the Queen of Rock n’ Roll.

Set to the pulsepounding soundtrack of her most beloved hits, this electrifying sensation will send you soaring to the rafters. One of the world’s best-selling artists of all time, Tina Turner has won 12 Grammy Awards and her live shows have been seen by millions, with more concert tickets sold than any other solo performer in music history.

Featuring her much loved songs, Tina – The Tina Turner Musical is written by Pulitzer Prizeplaywright winning

Katori Hall and directed by the internationally Phyllida acclaimed Lloyd.

Enchantment abounds in all of the 2023-24 HCA Healthcare/TriStar Health Broadway at TPAC Season, Presented in Partnership with Nissan and filled with the hottest titles direct from New York and on tour.

Featuring six Nashville premieres, including a two-week engagement of the Tony®-nominated Best Musical Disney’s Frozen; Mrs. Doubtfire, based on the beloved film and directed by four-time Tony Award® winner Jerry Zaks; Funny Girl, featuring one of the greatest musical scores of all time; the Tony Award®-winning reimagination of Bob Dylan’s legendary songs in Girl From The North Country; and Beetlejuice, the Broadway smash hit based on Tim Burton’s dearly beloved film.

The 2023-24 Broadway at TPAC lineup also includes the highlyanticipated return of Wicked, the sensational

2023-24 HCA Healthcare/TriStar Health Broadway at TPAC Season Wicked – Oct. 11-29, 2023 Mrs. Doubtfire – Nov. 7-12, 2023 Funny Girl – Jan. 2-7, 2024 **The Cher Show – Jan. 19-20, 2024 Girl From The North Country – Jan. 30 - Feb. 4, 2024 Tina – The Tina Turner Musical Feb. 13-18, 2024 Beetlejuice – March 12-17, 2024 **Annie – March 27-30, 2024 Disney’s Frozen – May 7-18, 2024 Hairspray – June 11-16, 2024 ** = 2023-24 Special Add-On Presentations

Naomi Rodgers as Tina Turner in The Tina Turner Musical, coming to TPAC February 13 18, 2024. (photo by Matthew Murphy for Murphy Made, 2022) untold true story of the Award®-winning musiWitches of Oz, and the cal featuring 35 of her Tony Award®-winning hit songs, and Annie, the musical comedy Hair- timeless classic that has spray. In addition, TPAC reminded theatergoers will have two limited for decades that sunshine engagement presenta- is always right around tions, including The the corner.

Cher Show, the Tony “Over the past 42

years, TPAC has presented a variety of compelling, inspiring and entertaining performances, and we are proud to offer this uplifting Broadway lineup of powerful stories of hope, self-discovery, and the importance of family and friends,” says Jennifer Turner, TPAC President and CEO. After current season ticket holders renew, season tickets will be available to the public starting March 13. Purchasing season tickets allows theater lovers to lock in the best seats at

the best price compared to purchasing shows individually.

They also enjoy other exclusive benefits such as easy exchange privileges, savings on additional single tickets and flexible payment plans that allow them to spread the cost of a season package over up to eight months.

To purchase season tickets and review the full benefits, pricing, and map, visit seat TPAC.ORG/Broadway, or call TPAC Patron Services at 615-7826560.

Movie Reviews: Luther: The Fallen Sun

by Dwight Brown, critic for Film <DwightBrownInk.co m> and NNPA News Wire (***1/2) What a story! Right from the beginning this psychological/crime/thri ller grips you and doesn’t let up until it’s done.

Caleb, a young White male custodian, works a night shift cleaning floors in an empty London office building. He gets a cryptic, threatening call: “Meet me here in 15 minutes, or everyone will get the screenshots.” Terrorized that his mother and girlfriend will see something he’s ashamed of, he runs out of the building in a panic.

It’s pouring rain as he drives towards the destination. A car is stopped in the middle of the road.

Someone is laying on the ground, motionless.

Shocked, he calls 911 to report his discovery, looks at the dead body and turns to view the passenger. The person stretched out on the pavement gets up and grabs him. Caleb disappears.

The next day law enforcement surrounds the vehicle and investigates. Detective Chief Inspector John Luther (Idris Elba) is among the ‘sea of blue.’ He is shocked when they discover that the passenger in the car is a corpse from years ago. And so, it begins.

For fans of the BBC series Luther, this feature film is a continuation of characters, plot lines and that same astute feel for crime/drama that made the TV show a thrill and Elba an international star. For those who know

Idris Elba stars in Luther The Fallen Sun nothing about the series, against him. How on no prior knowledge of earth will he solve this who, what and where is crime spree?

There is never any necessary to be riveted to a narrative that com- doubt that Luther will track his man to the ends mands attention.

Not sure what is of the earth—that his going on in the head of sojourn and stoical screenwriter Neil Cross, determination will keep but what comes out is a genre fans and adults talent for spinning sick, hooked up to this cat and demented and compul- mouse killing spree for sively entertaining two hours and nine mintales—hard to guess utes. As the pace quickwhat will happen next, ens and quickens, your what locations you’ll heart will pound anxtravel to, and exactly iously for Luther and his how depraved cyber ter- safety. Elba has been in rorist and serial killer many films, with some David Robey (Andy not up to his acting stanSerkis, Rise of the Plan- dards. Seeing him in this et of the Apes) will be. milieu puts his strengths You can bet that his evil, into context. He needs to cunning deviltry will be the lead and given the snare innocent victims, space to let his persona kill them and horrify the unfurl. He needs a imaginative entire city. And that strong, through the internet and director, like Jamie media, he will scare peo- Payne, to give him the ple into becoming pawns opportunity to be the in his war against alpha.

Payne’s style permehumanity.

Luther fights to stop ates every scene with the wave of cruelty and perfect staging, wellcrowd is eager to solve old coordinated grudges. As he plots his scenes, well choreocourse, his path gets graphed action seqblocked by accusations uences and an expertly

guided cast. He even adds a touch of David Lynch flair when events lead to a wintry location and an icy pond reveals haunting images.

The production elements are up to the challenge too. Tight editing (Justine Wright, The Last King of Scotland), captivating cinematography (Larry Smith, Eyes Wide Shut), music that intensifies on cue (Lorne Balfe), lived-in looking clothes (Susan Lyall, Molly’s Game) and props and places that perfectly evoke settings (production designer Jon Gary Steele; set decoration Liz Ainley and Liz Griffiths) all serve their purposes well.

The supporting cast’s mini dramas add worthy subplots to the main narrative, with Cynthia Erivo as Luther’s replacement DCI Odette Raine; Dermot Crowley as Martin Schenk, an old confidant; and the mysterious Thomas Coombes as Archie Woodward, Raine’s colleague.

Luther: “One point of commonality between the victims and we’ll find our killer.” That’s the plan. Search, discover, capture. But nothing goes as it should. A sadistic psychopath holds the reins, so nothing is predictable. As the forces of good and evil head for a clash, only a few moments with unlikely rescues or generic action scene gimmicks mar what’s on view.

Once you start watching you won’t stop. You won’t turn off the TV until this overpowering storytelling gives you permission.

And there is no safe word.

Zimmerman scores game-winning goal as Nashville SC opens 2023 season with win The Nashville Soccer Club opened the 2023 Major League Soccer season with a 2-0 victory over New York City FC in front of a crowd of 28,051 at GEODIS Park.

Jacob Shaffelburg scored the insurance goal for Nashville SC in the 80th minute.

Defender Walker Zimmerman anchored the backline to a shutout and scored the gamewinning goal for Nashville SC after finding the back of the net in the first half.

As a homage to Johnny Cash, Zimmerman ran to the corner flag using it as a mic and singing the song ‘Ring of Fire.’

After entering the match as a sub in the 75th minute, 2022 Landon Donovan MLS MVP Hany Mukhtar made an immediate impact on the pitch run-

ning through the New York defense and setting up Shaffelburg who scored the second goal of the contest five minutes after Mukhtar’s arrival.

For the first time in club history Nashville SC did not wear gold in a home contest as Nashville SC sported its new Man in Black Kit on Saturday. The night honored Johnny Cash with the inspired kits and musical performances from his son, John Carter Cash.

Prior to the game, the Nashville Soccer Club announced the contract extension of Head Coach Gary Smith and his coaching staff through the 2025 Major League Soccer season.

Smith’s extension comes after three successful inaugural seasons reaching the playoffs consecutively, a feat only

Nashville SC players celebrate Walker Zimmerman’s game-winning goal. expansion sides Atlanta Saturday, March 4, at United FC, Chicago Fire Red Bull Arena in FC, LAFC, and Seattle Harrison, New Jersey.

Sounders FC have ever Kickoff is scheduled for accomplished.

6:30 pm, CT, and will be The Nashville SC televised on the MLS will take on the New Season Pass on the York Red Bulls on Apple TV App.

The Oscars ACROSS 1. Adam and Eve’s son 5. Blink of an eye, for short 8. Tricep location 11. Laughing on the inside, in text 12. ____ bowl, frozen dish 13. Bid on a house, e.g.

15. Show off 16. Actor’s role 17. Nostrils 18. *“Everything Everywhere All At Once” or “The Fablemans” nominee 20. Trampled 21. Humpty without t 22. *Cate Blanchett’s 6-time nominated movie 23. Store in a silo 26. Tiny crustacean 30. Chop off 31. Not digital 34. Cut with a beam 35. Empty spaces 37. Not good 38. Relating to pond scum 39. Capri or Catalina 40. Lament 42. ____ Khan 43. Full event 45. *He’s won the most academy awards 47. Jump key 48. Not yes, nor no 50. Male sibs 52. *“The Fablemans” composer John _____________, 53-time nominee 55. Resin-producing tree 56. Call to Mary 57. Get-out-of-jail money 59. Bye, in Castile 60. Ages and ages 61. Competitive advantage 62. Appetite 63. Farm female 64. Fender-bender damage DOWN 1. Key often used with ctrl 2. Gold rush, e.g.

3. Purse with notions 4. Leechee, alt. sp.

5. Dandruff locale 6. This bird gets the worm?

7. Give a traffic ticket 8. Big do 9. Cattail, e.g.

10. *”____ Harris Goes to Paris,” Best Costume Design nominee 12. Tarzan and such 13. Like beer at a kegger (2 words) 14. *”The Banshees of Inisherin” nominee 19. Polynesian dance, pl.

22. Dress like Ancient Greeks 23. *Austin Butler’s gyrating character 24. Gallows loop 25. Oil crisis 26. *Last year’s Best Picture winner 27. Like a Druid, e.g.

28. Missouri River tributary 29. Flying nuisance 32. Lend a hand in crime 33. Order’s partner 36. * “Guillermo ____ ____’s Pinocchio” 38. “My wife can vouch for me,” e.g.

40. Address to a boy, slangily 41. Bucolics 44. Desert traveler’s hope 46. Bikini Bottom locale 48. Variation of meow 49. Skirt shape 50. Past tense of bid 51. Roman remain, e.g.

52. Cry of glee 53. Like a full-fledged Mafia man 54. Leo or Libra 55. Jared’s competitor 58. Allow Solutions from last puzzle

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March 3, 2023

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