Nashville PRIDE April 7, 2023

“My daughter is my true legacy,” says Rev. Fuzz See page 3

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EDITORIAL Doing the Right Thing Shouldn’t Be So Hard See page 4

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volume XXXvII, Number 14

People Are Talking

Nashville, TN

April 7, 2023

Donald Trump arrested, Ex-Prez is officially an accused felon

Nashville mourns Kevin Wheaton

Kevin Marchands Wheaton Kevin Marchands Wheaton was born March 12, 1959 in Nashville, the first child of Homer R. and Vesta (Rhodes) Wheaton.

The union was also blessed with a second child, a baby girl, Rise Lynn (Wheaton) Pope, Kevin’s only sibling. Kevin departed his earthly home April 1, 2023, preceded in death by his mother.

Services will be held as follows: Public walk-through, 2:00 – 5:00 pm, Friday, April 7, 2023 at Lewis & Wright Funeral Directors, 2500 Clarksville Highway.

On Saturday, April 8, 2023, at First Baptist Church, Capitol Hill, 625 Rosa L. Parks Blvd., Family Visitation, 10:30 am – 11:30 am; Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Service, 11:30 am; Celebration of Life, 12:00 Noon. The service can be viewed on live stream via FaceBook at Lewis-WrightFD. Burial follows at Woodlawn Memorial Park, 660 Thompson Lane at 2:00 pm.

Kevin professed his faith in Christ at an early age at Clark Memorial United Methodist Church, where he worshipped, fellowshipped and developed lifelong relationships.

Educated first at St. Vincent de Paul School, then Father Ryan High School, he transferred to North Nashville High School, graduating as one of the top students, selected “Best All Around.”

As quarterback #11 in football, he also excelled at Track, with three events the fastest times in the state.

Kevin majored in Engineering at Tennessee State University, truly enjoying tutoring fellow students in math and test-taking strategies.

In 1978, at TSU, Kevin pledged Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated, Alpha Theta Chapter, standing tall and proud as #15 for his line, the “Unpredictable 15.” His Fraternity Brothers meant very much to him, and he meant as much to them, as a much-beloved member of the Fraternity.

Kevin began his professional career at Clopay Industries, later transitioning to the Berry Group, where he was well respected for his expertise, working to perfect safe material production.

Kevin found true love, marrying Tanya Baxter on August 26, 1988, Tanya was his rock and strength throughout their 34 year marriage. They began each morning at 5:00 am with coffee and their Bible, discussing the daily Continued on page 5 The Nashville PRIDE Newspaper is on Facebook and follow us on Twitter: @pridenews

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Former President Donald Trump became the first former U.S. President arrested and criminally charged.

By Stacy M. Brown courtroom at 100 Centre Street down- wasn’t in control of the proceedings in NNPA Newswire Senior town, Trump joined the nearly 8,000 front of him.

National Correspondent other non-violent felony defendants It’s an ironic, if not predictable, fall Former President Donald Trump is who have been arraigned in Manhattan for a man who campaigned in 2016 by now criminal defendant Donald so far in 2023. mercilessly leading chants of “Lock Trump.

Shortly before 2 p.m. EST, Trump her up,” against Democrat Hillary For at least several moments on became the first former U.S. President Clinton.

Tuesday, April 4, Trump was placed arrested and criminally charged. This And as unprecedented and surreal under arrest. after becoming the first to have been was the arrest, the charges leveled His Miranda rights read, and fin- impeached twice. against the bombastic MAGA leader gerprints taken, but authorities spared “Can’t believe this is happening,” reveal what prosecutors claim is a man him a mugshot and customary perp Trump posted as he headed into a who operated as if he were above the walk. courtroom where he found, perhaps for Continued on page 5 Still, as he headed to the 15th floor the first time in his adult life, that he

Gov. Lee introduces ‘action plan’ responding to school shooting Clemmons says Lee’s efforts fall short

Memorial outside of The Covenant School.

One week after the tragic shoot- school security at public and private ing at The Covenant School, Ten- schools; and provide additional nessee Gov. Bill Lee’s administra- mental health resources for Tention announced additional actions to nesseans. strengthen safety at public and pri“There is nothing more imporvate schools across Tennessee. tant than our students safely returnThese measures include enhanced ing home each day,” said Lee. “As legislation and funding to place an Tennessee grieves the tragic loss of armed security guard at every TenContinued on page 5 nessee public school; boost physical

Black Caucus supports Reps.

Jones, Pearson and Johnson The Tennessee Black Caucus of State Legislators released the following stating: “We fundamentally object to any effort to expel members for making their voices heard to end gun violence.

“This political retribution is unconstitutional and, in this moment, morally bankrupt.

“The people who elected us are calling for meaningful action to end gun violence and the people have a right to be heard through their duly elected representatives.

“The House Speaker should be

(l-r) TN State Rep. Justin Jones, Rep. Justin Pearson and Rep. Gloria Johnson leading a real, bipartisan discussion to generate reforms that could stop the next school shooting.

Continued on page 5

Woodcuts receives Historical Marker

Nathaniel Harris speaks at the dedication of the Hostorical Marker for Woodcuts Gallery. (photo from Woodcuts Gallery’s Facebook page)

By Cass Teague Welcomed to the MHC (Metro Nashville Historical Commission) marker family, number 250 went to Woodcuts Gallery & Framing on historic Jefferson Street in Nashville. On Friday, March 24, the community came together to celebrate Mr. Nathaniel Harris and the entire Woodcuts team as their new historical marker was unveiled. Many thanks are due to those who braved the wind and threat of rain to commemorate this occasion, including Council Member Sharon W. Hurt, Council Member Freddie O'Connell, Vice Mayor Brenda Haywood, and former Mayor Bill Purcell.

Continued on page 5

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April 7, 2023

On 55th anniversary Of MLK’s assassination, Rev. Sharpton, Jennifer Jones Austin, Nyu Dean Michael Lindsey consider the nation’s social justice progress FPWA’s CEO and Executive Director Jennifer Jones Austin joined Rev. Al Sharpton and NYU Silver School Dean Michael A. Lindsey Monday night to assess the unfinished business of civil rights and social justice 60 years after the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.

The event comes as the nation remembers the anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s assassination on April 4, 1968. 55 years later, MLK’s vision of freedom is now under threat with efforts across the country to systemically roll back progress that has been made in advancing civil rights for marginalized communities and hate crimes on the rise. As New York awaits a finalized State budget held up by bail reform negotiations, Rev. Sharpton urged the need to preserve voting rights and pass police reform during this period of upheaval.

Sharpton and Jones Austin highlighted evidence of social justice progress, including that former President Trump is being arraigned today

in the same building where the Exonerated 5 were indicted in 1989. At the time, Trump took out ads in the city’s major newspapers calling for the death penalty.

Trump’s criminal charges were pushed forward by Alvin Bragg, the first Black Manhattan District Attorney.

“Today, we cannot just commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy. Some progress has been made in the last 55 years, but we view this moment as a challenge to continue the work,” Rev. Al Sharpton, Founder and President of the National Action Network. “I’m thinking of Dr. King today as the first Black Manhattan DA will deliver us justice and bring criminal charges against President Trump. I’m thinking of the Exonerated 5, who were not just victims of a criminal justice system that did not protect them, but also of vitriol and hate spewed by men like Trump. But today we see progress with the arc of history bending towards justice, just as Dr. King said.

While we celebrate this moment of justice on the

anniversary of King’s assassination, we have to remember the work is not done. Those that despise us are united in their hatred, and we must come together in a common bond to fight for freedom for all of us.”

“Today marks a real indicator of social justice progress. As we remember Dr. King today and all that he stood for, the first Black Manhattan District Attorney is holding President Trump accountable for his alleged crimes. A man who has built his legacy on the backs of those less fortunate and less powerful is finally being brought to justice,” said Jennifer Jones Austin, CEO and Executive Director of FPWA and Visiting Scholar for the NYU Silver School of Social Work.

“Although there is still much more work to do, I am filled with hope for the future of civil rights and social justice work. As we look ahead, I am honored to work alongside Rev. Sharpton in continuing Dr. King’s vision and delivering freedom and equality for our communities.”

“We are incredibly

Rev. Al Sharpton with FPWA’s CEO and Executive Director Jennifer Jones Austin at at the Keepers of the Dream gala. grateful to have had work,” said Michael A. also think about our next Reverend Al Sharpton Lindsey, Dean of NYU’s steps to ensure that those and Jennifer Jones Silver School of Social who are most vulnerable Austin join us at NYU Work, Paulette Goddard have access to services for this critical conversa- Professor of Social that uplift and empower. tion. At the Silver School Work.

On the 55th anniversary of Social Work, the pil“As we look back on of his death, we rememlars of social justice are the progress that we ber that we must all work at the core of our have achieved as a city together to fulfill Dr. approach to social and a country, we must King’s legacy.”

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Democratic Rep. Jolanda Jones’ ex-staffers resign – demand she ‘own her own S.H.I.T.’

by Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire senior national correspondent Texas State Rep. Jolanda Jones earned kudos for her advocacy in the LGBTQ community, her prowess as a track star, and her work as a criminal defense attorney.

But other attributes stand out for those who have worked with and know the District 147 representative.

Critics have pinned words and descriptions on Jones like “over the top,” “combative,” and “arrogant.”

When she appeared on CBS TV’s Survivor, Jones was ultimately described as “that bitch.”

The former Houston City Councilwoman finds herself in hot water after her entire staff quit.

They presented Jones a

Texas State Rep. Jolanda Jones resignation letter full of accusations of wrongdoing. The staff accused Jones of fostering a hostile workplace in a letter that Chief of Staff Kory Haywood, Legislative Director Catherine Mouer, and District Director Yesenia Wences all signed.

They also said that the outspoken Democrat made it easy for her son,

Christian Jiovanni Teheran-Jones, to have an inappropriate relationship with an intern.

Jones, 57, did nothing to intercede or stop her son’s misconduct, the staffers allege.

Jiovanni Jones, 31, and two other individuals were arrested in January on felony drug possession charges while at Guadalupe River State Park. Jones is currently free on a $20,000 bond.

“We, as a collective of senior staff, have repeatedly attempted to curb your behavior and address the type of work environment you have bred over the last month,” the four-page letter reads.

“But to no avail. We haven’t seen any success. You have continued to endorse, encourContinued on page 5

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rights of Indigenous peoples” and have never been considered expressions of the Catholic faith.

The statement, from the Vatican’s development and education offices, reportedly marked a historic recognition of the Vatican’s own complicity in colonial-era abuses committed by European powers.

It was issued under history’s first Latin American pontiff, exactly one year after Francis met at the Vatican with Indigenous leaders from

Canada who raised the issue.

Thanks to dialogue with Indigenous peoples, “the Church has acquired a greater awareness of their sufferings, past and present, due to the expropriation of their lands, as well as the policies of forced assimilation, promoted by the governmental authorities of the time, intended to eliminate their Indigenous cultures,” according to a joint statement issued by the Dicastery for Culture Continued on page 6

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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 Health/Education ............... 8

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.

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The vatican renounces ‘Doctrine of Discovery’ used to justify colonialism

by Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire senior national correspondent The Vatican has responded to Indigenous demands and formally repudiated the ‘Doctrine of Discovery,’ the theories backed by 15th-century ‘papal bulls’ (decrees) that legitimized the colonial-era seizure of Native lands and form the basis of some property laws today.

A Vatican statement said the papal bulls “did not adequately reflect the equal dignity and

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Page 3 Nashville PRIDE Local Cancer…My Journey in time The Jonah People, the When we share Jacksons and Etta James

by Wanda Clay Now that it is tribute at Schermerhorn springtime, we are also

April 7, 2023

in a season of surprise storms that cause many unexpected necessities including injuries. Just like the weather, life in general has unexpected twists and turns. Rev. Enoch Fuzz, pastor of Corinthian Missionary Baptist Church, had an unexpected diagnosis of stage four lung cancer a couple of years ago. With that, he has also had several unexpected health concerns related to cancer. With each issue, unexpected concerns result. Thus far, he has obtained the proper and necessary resources to keep him in reasonably good health—all things considered.

Unfortunately, the weather causes unexpected health issues and injuries that sometimes require an increased need for things such as blood.

The Red Cross has blood drives anticipating blood needs, because an adequate blood supply is required with emergencies like the challenge weather issues cause hospitals.

Along his journey with stage four lung cancer, Rev. Fuzz continues to help with community concerns and civil duties. With all that he does to assist other organizations, he also has the Enoch Fuzz Legacy Fund that was established by billionaires Joe and Judy Barker to help TSU’s basketball team win the national champi-

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“My daughter is my true legacy,” said Rev. Enoch Fuzz (r) pictured with his daughter, Bethani (l). onship. This Legacy possible, with the Red Fund has also assisted Cross so that they with efforts to support remain able to assist the Red Cross. when those unexpected “I'm just a believer needs for blood supply in helping people when arise. tragedy happens,” said Sometimes we have Rev. Fuzz, noting that to share in order to let it is a blessing to help others know what they the Red Cross. “Anoth- are capable of doing as er church, a couple of a loving citizen for individual households their neighbors. and the Enoch Fuzz Giving doesn’t Legacy Fund were at have to be through a the Community Foun- great organization. Just dation. I gave Gospel as Rev. Fuzz menUnited Baptist Church tioned, there were indi$2,000 earlier this year vidual households that and gave 10 churches joined the legacy with $5,000 or more, plus other churches in makassistance, to Rev. Der- ing a generous offerrick Moore and ing.

Hopewell Baptist During this season, Church.” continue to pray and These were gener- take all possible safety ous donations that Rev. precautions.

Fuzz is glad to share, Keep praying for not to be boastful, but Rev. Fuzz concerning so that readers may be his health and healing. encouraged to help Pray, share and be also. encouraged by the It is important to postings and weekly share monetary contri- readings of ‘Cancer: butions and blood, if My Journey in Time.’

Nashville vOAD: Severe weather preparedness means family planning, education It is severe weather season in Tennessee and a plan to be prepared for disaster can make all the difference in the safety of individuals, families and pets.

Severe weather can encompass floods, heavy rains, tornadoes and high winds, and thunderstorms and lightning. As we move into April, severe weather season continues as Middle Tennesseans have been reminded of

by March’s strong winds and storms.

To help prepare, Nashville Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) reminds that severe weather can happen at any time and any place, and that preparedness should be a priority.

The collaborative, which includes dozens of community organizations including faithbased, nonprofit, volunteer, and government agencies, has put together a wealth of resources and tips on its website at <www.nashvilleresponds.com/get-prepared/>.

"Unfortunately, we cannot stop natural disasters. Therefore, it is crucial that families and businesses prepare for the unthinkable,” said DarKenya Waller, executive director of the Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, a Nashville VOAD member.

“Disaster preparedness ensures we have a plan to keep our families safe and can locate essential paperwork if a disaster occurs. Paperwork such as passports, driver's licenses, insurance policies, child custody paperwork, property records, and estate planning are often critical to disaster recovery.

March marks the beginning of severe weather season in Tennessee and a plan to be prepared for disaster can make all the difference in the safety of your family.

“We highly encour- roar—similar to a age families and busi- freight train. nesses to think beyond · Sign up for your immediate safety plan- community’s warning ning. Having essential system. The Emergency paperwork like a ‘power Alert System (EAS) and of attorney’ or will, National Oceanic and completed and securely Atmospheric Adminisstored, can help when tration (NOAA) Weather deciding on behalf of a Radio also provide loved one if they cannot emergency alerts. If decide for themselves, your community has or sadly, when a life is sirens, become familiar lost." with the warning tone.

The VOAD website · Pay attention to offers a number of weather reports. Meteodownloadable Emer- rologists can predict gency Guides that cover when conditions might categories such as be right for a tornado.

Severe Weather, · Identify and pracExtreme Heat, Flood, tice going to a safe shelPower Outage, Tornado, ter for high winds, such and Active Shooter. as a safe room built Preparedness tips for using FEMA (Federal a tornado include: Emergency Manage· Know the signs of ment Agency) criteria or a tornado, including a a storm shelter built to rotating funnel-shaped ICC 500 standards. The cloud, an approaching Continued on page 5 cloud of debris, or a loud

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By Cass Teague Hannibal Lokumbe’s The Jonah People: A Legacy of Struggle and Triumph will have its World Premiere, a Nashville Symphony Commission, this spring at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. Few artists have conveyed the African American experience in America as movingly and as powerfully as Hannibal Lokumbe. The Jonah People: A Legacy of Struggle & Triumph, his most ambitious project to date, is a reckoning with the past that points toward a redemptive vision for the future.

The story begins in Africa at the gateway to the ships that transported kidnapped people across the Atlantic into slavery.

Audiences will experience the journey from captivity, oppression and servitude, the loss of all freedoms, to the struggle to sustain hope for a way forward. Over the course of this powerful and epic production — complete with full orchestra and chorus, nine vocal soloists, a Jazz quintet, an African drum and dance ensemble, and over thirty actors — Lokumbe will celebrate the spirit of those who endured, those ancestors whose gifts of hope, perseverance and resilience have produced successive generations of black visionaries and worldchangers.

“The Jonah People: A Legacy of Struggle and Triumph was created to end the suffering of a people, who could then end the suffering of a nation, who could then end the suffering of the world,” says Hannibal Lokumbe. Performances are Thursday, April 13, at 7:00 PM; Friday, April 14, at 8:00 PM; Satur-

(top row l-r) Hannibal Lokumbe’s The Jonah People, Crystal Monee Hall, and (bottom row) The Jacksons. day, April 15, 2023 at 8:00 PM and Sunday, April 16, at 2:00 PM. The Jacksons will perform one show on Friday, April 21, at 7:30 PM. Experience the spirit of Motown from one of pop’s most iconic families. Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael – five brothers from Gary, Indiana known as the Jackson 5 – rose to fame for their extraordinary musical talent and spectacular choreography.

They became pop royalty, and launched what became Michael Jackson’s legendary solo career. Hear original members Tito, Jackie and Marlon Jackson perform hits including “I Want You Back,” “ABC,” “Never Can Say Goodbye,” “Sugar Daddy,” “I’ll Be There,” “Maybe Tomorrow,” “The Love You Save,” “Who's Lovin' You,” “Goin' Back to Indiana” and more.

Crystal Monee Hall joins the Nashville Symphony for a concert cele-

brating Etta James’ iconic album, At Last! on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at 7:30 PM. One of the most dynamic vocalists of her time, Etta James was a master of multiple musical genres, and the revered vocalist continues to greatly inspire musicians today.

James released more than two dozen albums throughout her career, receiving over 30 awards including six GRAMMY® Awards, seventeen Blues Music Awards, inductions into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and GRAMMY® Hall of Fame, and ranking in Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Singers of All Time and 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.

Crystal Monee Hall's varied career has included roles on Broadway (“RENT” and Kristen Chenoweth’s “For the Girls”) and guest appearances on The CW’s “Walker” and HBO’s “High Maintenance.”

She has released three original albums.

Page 4

Nashville PRIDE

Editorials

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April 7, 2023

Real solutions to combating mass killings shouldn’t dismiss banning assault weapons

by William T. Robinson, Jr. Mass killings, especially school shootings, have become common place in this country. But we are not making sufficient progress to combat this ever-pervasive evil.

The pain, hurt and outrage are revisited over and over again by griefstricken parents, family members, and communities actively affected.

While the horror of the nightmare of massacred children and loved ones never subsides from families affected, the hesitancy or failure of legislators to enact real gun legislation with teeth to arrest this violence is inexcusable and unacceptable.

While many Republican lawmakers are quick to offer their condolences and prayers to the families of those killed or hurt in these shooting (or voice disdain for the shooters) they fall short of supporting stricter gun restriction laws.

This contradiction and

display of hypocrisy is fueled by a deep loyalty to the NRA and other gun lobbyists by legislators who are deep into these gun groups’ pockets. They’re more interested in being re-elected than truly trying to reduce the devastating mass shootings inundating the communities of their constituents.

Even a child can see that lawmakers hiding behind the Second Amendment ‘right to bear arms’ are not sincere in their public manifestations of empathy for the families of those hurt or killed. Their insincerity simply adds to the problem. Let’s just be honest and acknowledge what we all know is real in this situation.

Political party loyalty supersedes the lives of our children.

Some Republicans are quick to say that bringing attention to banning assault weapons during the time of these shootings is insensitive, saying it politicizes the

issue. Well, what better time than during these mass shootings? It’s the perfect time to talk about preventive measures and analyze events leading up to mass shootings.

Evidently praying doesn’t seem to be working in eliminating the surge of mass shootings.

Action is warranted through strict gun legislation and nothing less.

The one common denominator that continues to present itself is this: easily attainable assault weapons have been a major factor in most of these mass shootings. These are weapons that literally mutilate the body of its victims. They should be confined to military use only (on battlefields during wars) because of their capability to kill many in a short amount of time. If the public was exposed to pictures of school children killed with assault weapons, I don’t think there would be room for debate.

Assault weapons literal-

Struggle Dr. King gave his life for

by Ben Jealous (TriceEdneyWire.com) – This week in 1968, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated leading a bold effort to teach America an urgent lesson: Racism is not just the boot on the neck of people of color.

It is also the great wedge that divides Americans.

And everyone who gets divided loses.

On Dec. 4, 1967, King announced a multiracial ‘Poor People’s Campaign’ that would march on Washington, D.C., that summer.

The idea gained traction as groups of poor Whites, Asian Americans, Latinos, and Indigenous people joined the campaign being organized by King and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

In promoting it, King would decry the “idle industries of Appalachia” in the same breath as the “empty stomachs of Mississippi.” The reality, King made clear, is that the economic value of poor Whites’ labor had been depressed since the days of slavery by the forced labor and continuing oppression of Black people. The divided get conquered.

The idea that working people of all races had common interests to fight for threatened (as it still does today) the old colonial system of ‘divide and conquer’ that allowed King George and every would-be American oligarch since to extract massive wealth by enforcing massive poverty.

Four months to the day after he announced his Poor People's Campaign (55 years ago this week) King was assassinated on a balcony at the

Ben Jealous Lorraine Motel in Memphis, where he had traveled to stand with striking sanitation workers fighting for decent working conditions.

It’s telling that after all he had been through fighting Jim Crow and segregation (the bus boycott, the first March on Washington, passage of the Civil Rights Act) King was murdered fighting to unite working people across racial lines.

He wasn’t alone.

Robert F. Kennedy was gunned down not long after as he ran for president on a similar platform.

Even before King and Kennedy, Harry Moore and his wife were blown up in their home Christmas 1951 by the Klan.

The Florida NAACP leader was organizing the Progressive Voters League seeking to unite Floridians across racial lines and had just led an effort that registered one million new voters. Even Malcolm X was assassinated after he returned from Mecca, saying unity across racial lines was possible.

Killing those who would unite us is an American tradition older than our nation itself.

The first revolt by American colonists was in Gloucester, Virginia, more than 100 years

before the Declaration of Independence. Indentured Europeans and enslaved Africans organized to rise up against cruel Virginia plantation owners. The organizers were hanged.

Two years to the day after King announced the Poor People’s Campaign, Black Panther Fred Hampton was leading a ‘Rainbow Coalition’ of Blacks, Hispanics, Asian Americans, and poor Whites in Chicago when he was murdered (premeditated and carried out with military precision) by local police.

As in 1968, it's true today that there are almost twice as many Whites trapped in poverty as Blacks. The fact that the nation's news media render the White poor invisible doesn't change the facts.

That so many of us still tolerate millions of Americans of every color being trapped in poverty is a factor in the toxic tensions that threaten our domestic tranquility.

It is also proof we never actually learned the lesson Dr. King gave his life trying to teach us.

If you ever forget the logic of King's final strategy, just pull out a $1 bill and turn it over.

It's right there in the Great Seal of the United States, albeit in Latin: E Pluribus Unum – out of many, one.

(Ben Jealous is executive director of the Sierra Club, the nation’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization. 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 mutilate and destroy the bodies of young chiltimes dren—many decapitating them.

The recent mass shooting in Nashville, killing three children and three adults, has fueled public outrage.

But the state’s legislative Republicans are offering little if any change in their support for lenient gun support legislation.

If Tennesseans are truly incensed and major gun restriction laws are not enacted, then Tennessean voters should show their indignation at the polls and vote these Republican out of office.

They have shown again and again that their allegiance and loyalty is to the NRA and gun lobbies who are known to line their campaign coffers.

It is insulting when Republicans skate around the real issue (banning assault weapons) with rhetoric about arming teachers with guns and having them wear bullet proof

vests. Even the emphasis to address mental health doesn’t delude the easy accessibility to attain especially weapons, assault weapons.

Have you noticed the Republican emphasis on more money for school security and mental health? They avoid the main culprit attributing to the horrendous merciless slaughter of so many of our school children!

They avoid acknowledging that assault weapons are the main culprits contributing to the killing of many young children in a short amount of time! They avoid talking about the devastating damage done to these young bodies by assault weapons!

The truth is that extremely hostile individuals exhibiting anger management problems are capable of mass killings as long as there is easy access to weapons, especially assault weapons. Acces-

William T. Robinson, Jr. sibility to assault weapons is the problem.

Unless they are banned, there has been no real attempt to resolve the problem. If we honestly want to honor those killed in mass school shootings, we shouldn’t rest until assault weapons are banned. We should vote lawmakers who stand in the way out of office.

Let’s listen to and honor the cries of our fallen children and fight for and demand real solutions to prioritizing and banning assault weapons. We owe it to our children.

Beyond thoughts and prayers

by Marian Wright Edelman It happened again.

This time, the mass school shooting was at the Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee.

The victims included: custodian, Michael Hill; principal, Katherine Koonce; substitute teacher, Cynthia Peak; and nine-year-old third graders Evelyn Dieckhaus, William Kinney, and Hallie Scruggs.

Hallie was the daughter of the senior pastor at Covenant Presbyterian Church, the congregation where the private pre-K through sixth grade school was located. Once again, a place of worship and elementary school that should have been sanctuaries were instead reminders that there are no safe havens from guns in our nation. And once again, the shooter was armed with a handgun and two assault-style rifles.

As Newsweek reported: “One of the weapons used appears to be a KelTec SUB2000 Carbine Rifle, a foldable semiautomatic weapon that the manufacturer describes as ‘fun to shoot.’” The KelTec website went on: “Folded, it tucks away nicely in situations where space is limited, but it’s quick to deploy in situations where time is of the essence.”

Why does our nation continue to allow weapons of war that have no business in civilian hands to be manufactured, marketed, and mass distributed as fun to shoot, convenient ways of killing our children?

Soon after the shooting, Rep. Andy Ogles, the Republican member of Congress

who represents the Nashville community where the shooting happened, said in a statement that as a father of three he was “utterly heartbroken by this senseless act of violence.” But others were quick to re-share the Christmas message Rep. Ogles posted to social media in 2021 that featured a photo of him, his wife, and two of their three children smiling and holding rifles as they posed in front of a Christmas tree. His caption read: “The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil influence—they deserve a place of honor with all that’s good.” And so in that family picture, guns were given their place of honor alongside the symbols of the good of Christmas.

Rep. Ogles is just one of a group of elected officials who have made a deliberate show of displaying themselves and their children in Christmas cards that glorify guns along with the birth of Christ.

Meanwhile, as many of those same officials once again offered their thoughts and prayers, another Republican Tennessee Congressman, lifetime NRA member Tim Burchett, was singled out for candidly explaining what he thought they would do next in our nation that stands alone as the only industrialized nation where gun violence is the leading cause of death for children and teenagers: “It’s a horrible, horrible situation.

And we’re not gonna fix it.” When a reporter followed up to ask Rep. Burchett if he thought there was any role

Marian Wright Edelman Congress could play, he answered: “I don’t see any real role that we could do other than mess things up.” When another reporter asked specifically what else could be done to protect other children like his own little girl and keep them safe at school, he replied that his child was homeschooled.

In his opening prayer in the Capitol the day after the shooting, Senate Chaplain Retired Rear Admiral Barry C. Black gave a rare, pointed, powerful plea on behalf of our nation’s leaders that stands as a prayer from all of us: “Eternal God, we stand in awe of You. “Lord, when babies die at a church school, it is time for us to move beyond thoughts and prayers.

“Remind our lawmakers of the words of the British statesman Edmund Burke: ‘All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing.’

“Lord, deliver our senators from the paralysis of analysis that waits for the miraculous.

“Use them to battle the demonic forces that seek to engulf us. We pray, in Your powerful name, Amen.”

Remembering the assassination of Dr. King

By Dr. John E. Warren, Publisher San Diego Voice & Viewpoint Newspaper Fifty five years ago this week, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated at the age of 39. His death rocked the world and America’s African American community in particular which responded with riots and destruction in our cities and streets. During the years since, we have seen many of his dreams for a better America come to pass. But what Dr. King said he had

Dr. John E. Warren seen “going to the mountain top” the night before his death, has still not materialized in part.

Yes, we have had our first Black President of

the United States and our first Black Vice President who happens to be a talented Black woman who was a United States Senator and former Attorney General of the State of California, but equality still eludes us as Black and African Americans continue to lag behind White America in life expectancy, income, home ownership and just about every other area.

As we celebrate Dr. King’s Birthday each year with what is now a national holiday, let us remember why and how

he died as a sacrifice for all of us and the benefits so many enjoy today. We keep his death from being in vain by continuing the fight against poverty, discrimination and the “Insufficient Fund” check he said Black America had been given instead of equality, freedom from segregation and a second class citizenship so many of us have been forced to live with. Let us remember some of his most important statements like “give us the ballot and we will elect people with a moral righteous-

ness about the fairness we are most concerned about.” But what good is the ballot, if we don’t vote and won’t vote; what good is Civil Rights and Voting Rights Laws if our only concern is about ourselves instead of the collective that Dr. King fought and died for.

Today, our cities are not burning as they were 55 years ago when we learned of the death of Dr. King. Instead of crying out in righteous indignation, too many become tranquilized with the wine of “just

enough”, no longer having the passion or concern for the struggle we still live with 55 years after his death. Let's remind ourselves and others that Dr. King did not die in vain. Let’ rise up and fight voter suppression, the gutting of the Voting Rights Act, police murders in and out of custody and the war of real Black history in America. As the song says “...wake up everybody, no more sleeping in bed..”. Time to join the struggle in remembering why Dr. King died.

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

Page 5 Nashville PRIDE Continuations Trump arrested... from page 1 Gov. Lee... from page 1 April 7, 2023

law for a long time – including when he ruled the Oval Office.

Indeed, the freshly unsealed indictment brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg included 34 criminal charges – all felonies related to falsifying business records, including several relating to allegedly making hush money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal.

Judge Juan Merchan, a former prosecutor with 16 years on the bench, unsealed Indictment No. 71543-23, after Trump’s team reviewed them.

Bragg alleged that Trump falsified business records to hide other crimes, including illegally pumping up his presidential campaign with ill-gotten cash. the Specifically, indictment alleges that Trump conspired with others to undermine the integrity of the 2016 election, a contest in which Trump defeated Clinton.

Prosecutors alleged that Trump took part in an unlawful “catch and kill” scheme that included an illegal $130,000 payment he ordered to suppress information that would hurt his presidential campaign.

www.pridepublishinggroup.com

Trump allegedly violated state and local election laws, making the charges a felony.

The charges potentially carry a four-year prison sentence, which could mean that Trump, the current GOP 2024 presidential frontrunner, has entered a race that could end with him either in the White House or in prison.

Despite an apparent somber mood displayed

by Trump which signaled just how weighty the proceedings were, his campaign released a fundraising email seeking contributions of at least $47 for a T-shirt that contained a fake mugshot of the ex-president emblazoned with the words “Not Guilty.”

Reportedly, Trump has raised more than $8 million since word of an indictment spread.

With security a big issue in the ex-presiarraignment, dent’s prosecutors in Atlanta and Washington continue to investigate Trump, which could also lead to criminal charges, were provided the ability of witnessing how New York handles a case involving a divisive former commander in chief in a safe and drama-free way could be a critical test case.

The potential cases against Trump in Atlanta and Washington relate to the former president’s interference in the 2020 presidential election in Georgia and the January 6 insurrection on Capitol Hill that left several people dead.

Many top Republicans, including some of Trump’s potential rivals in next year’s GOP presidential primary, have criticized the case against him.

President Joe Biden, who has yet to announce that he’s seeking reelection next year, and other leading Democrats have primarily had little to say about it.

Trump is scheduled to return to Manhattan for a second court date in December.

Prosecutors insist their case against Trump has nothing to do with politics.

“Manhattan is home to the country’s most significant business market,” Bragg stated.

“We cannot allow New York businesses to manipulate their records to cover up criminal conduct. As this office has done time and time again, we today uphold our solemn responsibility to ensure that everyone stands equal before the law.”

Kevin Wheaton... from page 1 scripture and the events of the day. Kevin and Tanya were blessed with one child, a son, Kevin Marchands Wheaton, II, born June 16, 1995, who brought joy to his father every day, golfing, spending quality time together, traveling, and sharing a love of hats.

Kevin leaves to mourn and cherish his memory his loving and devoted wife, Tanya Baxter-Wheaton; son,

Kevin M. Wheaton, II; Homer R. father, Wheaton; sister, Rise’ Wheaton-Pope, brotherin-law, Charles “Chuckie” Pope; sisters in law Rosalind Baxter, Yvonne Sandra Katallage, Denise Baxter, and Shaquana Baxter; brothers in law Kawan Baxter and Ravon (Alicia) Baxter and Marvin (Denappa) Brown; nieces Kellye Pope, Sierra and Giavanni Baxter, Jade

Jasmine; Baxter Zachary nephews (April) Pope, Anthony and Joshua; loving and devoted aunt Myrtis Childs; devoted cousins (Trimane) Marsha Dunn, Henry Moore, Vivian (Larry) Wilhoite, and Thersa Pilate; beloved co-workers at Berry Group, brothers of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Alpha Theta Chapter, and his close friend David Todd.

Rep. Jolanda Jones... from page 2 age, and create an abusive and hostile work environment in the without workplace accountability for you or your relatives’ actions.”

The staff said that Teheran-Jones’s relationship with the office intern “shows disrespect for the workplace and lowers the office’s morale.” They challenged Jones, writing: “Jiovanni is not only your son but General Counsel at Elite Change, Inc., the registered lobbying firm and the financial vehicle of the representatives’ campaign manager, Dallas Jones.”

The employees said that this relationship might amount to sexual harassment or a conflict of interest between Dallas Jones’ office and Jolanda Jones’ state office. Among the myriad of charges in the letter, the employees said: • Jones abused the power of her office by manipulating Wences to falsely take the blame for finding out that her son’s affair was with a much younger intern.

• The younger Jones threatened to state false allegations to his mother that Wences conducted illegal business in the state office because he’s reportedly angry at her.

• Jones knew her son had a severe mental illness and yet decided to place Wences in harm’s way.

• Further, Jones had involved her staff in her personal and family affairs without regard for work-life boundaries and the scope of the staff’s employment.

• Jones asked staff to assist in coordinating the terminal cancer treatment of her son’s fatherin-law.

• Jones instructed her staff to involve themselves in her son’s legal issues and criminal charges.

• Jones called staff at all hours of the night and on weekends to discuss work and to drive her from place to place.

In 2018, Jones wrote the book, Owning My S.H.I.T: Suffering Hardship and Internalizing Trauma. When concluding their letter, Jones’ staff said, “It is time you own your S.H.I.T.” Jones did not return telephone messages left by the Black Press.

Earlier, she released a statement about her staff’s resignation.

“Working in the Texas Legislature is a stressful and demanding job, especially when you are in a daily fight to protect your constituents from attacks on their families, civil rights, schools, and their ability to control their own bodies.” Jones wrote. “Some of my staff have decided this job is not for them. I wish them good luck and success in their next endeavors.”

In May 2022, Jones became the state’s first openly gay and Black state legislator. At least two others identifying with the LGBTQ community have joined Jones in the Texas legislature.

Throughout her political career, which dates to the early 2000s as a Houston Independent School District trustee and a member of Houston City Council, Jones had enjoyed the backing of Democrat heavyweights like U.S. Rep. Al Green, former Houston Mayor Lee Brown, and State Rep. Ron Reynolds.

In 2016, Jones was among the six African American lawyers cast in the WE TV network reality show, Sisters in Law, which chronicled their personal lives and work in the courtroom.

An Alief Elsik High School graduate, Jones later won the U.S. Track and Field Heptathlon and earned three NCAA heptathlon championships.

Despite her courtroom, track, and electoral success, many said Jones’s accomplishments paled when com-

paring how she dealt with others.

When a Survivor contestant referred to her as a “bitch,” and “an angry Black woman,” Jones told Entertainment Weekly those labels caused her to form the Black Survivor Alliance.

“To end systematic racism on Survivor,” she insisted on why she started the alliance. “[Survivor Producer] Mark Burnett foreshadowed portraying me as a ‘bitch,’ his word, not mine, and I didn’t figure out that that was what he was actually going to do because I hadn’t watched previous Survivor. I actually thought Survivor honestly portrayed players. I was wrong.”

But those who worked with her said she was the wrong one. er legislative staffers claimed that, on many occasions, Jones demanded they pick her up from the airport at midnight or drop her off at 3 am.

They alleged that she placed frequent and nonstate-related business calls between 9:30 pm and 2 am, and that Jones repeatedly used state resources for personal gain.

“You have repeatedly called staff while you are in personal situations, such as the shower. You have engaged in physically threatening behavior in public view that has made staff feel unsafe and compromised their ability to complete their duties,” the staffers allege.

“This behavior has also distracted witnesses and other staffers. You have threatened to fire staff members on a daily basis, holding it over their heads for compliance in ethically questionable situations.

“You have made disparaging remarks about staffers’ family members and threatened retaliation if that information is shared with the related staff members.”

six precious lives in the Covenant shooting, we are taking additional actions to significantly boost safety measures at every school with highly-trained guards, physical security enhancements and mental health resources. I thank Lt. Gov. McNally, Speaker Sexton and members of the General Assembly for their partnership as we pursue thoughtful, practical solutions to protect Tennessee students and teachers.”

At the beginning of the 2023 legislative session, Gov. Lee introduced a bill to strengthen physical security at every public school and enhance accountability in school safety protocol. Additionally, the governor’s initial budget proposal included $30 million for 122 Homeland Security agents to serve students at both and private public schools in every Tennessee county. These school safety measures were highlighted in the governor’s 2023 State of the State address in February.

Following the tragic Covenant shooting that took the lives of six Tennesseans, including three children, Gov. Lee and members of the Tennessee General Assembly coalesced around further action steps to strengthen school safety. governor’s The amended legislation and budget proposal will include the following measures: • Enacting a multiaccountability tiered plan to ensure exterior school doors are locked while students are present, with opportunities for corrective action.

State and local law enforcement will be authorized to check for unlocked doors • Requiring that

Black Caucus... from page 1 “Instead, he’s using his power to silence people who are calling for solutions that he opposes. Rep. Justin Jones, Rep. Justin Pearson and Rep. Gloria Johnson have already been sanctioned by the Speaker of the House by their removal from committees and subcommittees.

“Removing these members from the General Assembly will deny more than 200,000 Tennesseans their voice in the legislature, many of whom are African Americans. The Tennessee Black Caucus of State Legislators stands firmly with the people. Do not deny the people their representation.” private security guards are held to a high standard and receive active shooter training prior to being posted at Tennessee schools • Requiring every school district to establish threat assessment teams, a nationally recognized best practice to ensure students are connected to support services and behavioral health when professionals, appropriate • Requiring every public and private school to develop annual safety plans, which must include a newly required incident command drill for school leaders and law enforcement to prepare for what to expect in various emergencies • $30 million to expand a statewide homeland security network with 122 agents serving students at both and private public schools • $140 million to a School establish Resource Officer (SRO) grant fund to place a trained, armed security guard at every public school • $20 million for public school security upgrades • $7 million for private school security upgrades • $8 million for addischool-based tional health behavioral liaisons across the state

However, according to House Democratic Caucus Chairman John Ray Clemmons, though the plan designates more than $170 million dollars to increase school security, there is no mention of gun reform.

“It’s been a whole since The week Covenant School shooting, and Bill Lee has yet to utter the word ‘gun.’

This fact evidences a political cowardice that plagues our Capitol and threatens every community,” said Rep. Clemmons.

“The need to put an armed security guard in every school is a result of the real problem. It is NOT a solution to the problem.

“I am appalled that Gov. Lee would rather militarize our schools and make our children feel imprisoned in their own learning environment than reach across the aisle to pass common sense gun safety legislation.

“We, as Democrats, remain committed to pushing legislation such as ‘red flag laws’ and to encourage responsible gun ownership, and we hope our Republican legislative colleagues will work with us on these efforts. Hopefully, they will demonstrate the courage that is so sorely lacking in the governor’s office.”

Woodcuts... from page 1 “A Cut Above the Rest,” Woodcuts Gallery, at 1613 Jefferson Street near Fisk University, has a long established history of providing framing services, especially to graduates of local colleges such as Meharry Medical College, Fisk University, and Tennessee State University, and this author has noticed how busy they are in particular during graduation season over the years.

They also specialize in art, including original art, with bins full of open edition prints, limited edition serigraphs and giclée’s by AfricanAmerican artists.

Woodcuts, founded over 30 years ago by an engineer who loves woodworking, Nathaniel Harris, has helped to change the course of economic development on Jefferson Street.

Raised in Historic North Nashville, Nathaniel (affectionately called Nate) started his business amongst skeptics.

Nate’s love for woodworking began as a child. His father, a contractor, passed away when Nathaniel was

only 8 years old, but not before he passed along his love for entrepreneurship to his youngest son. graduating After from TSU and beginning a burgeoning career in engineering, Nate still gravitated toward woodworking, doing picture framing and cabinet making after hours. His framing business started thriving when his wife Brenda started getting her cross-stitch artwork framed and showing them to her co-workers.

They requested framing and word spread. What started out as a woodworking shop in his garage spread to the living room, and started to take over the kitchen, so his wife suggested he find a retail location to truly expand.

Once a building people went to for hamburgers, and later Whiting H&G fish sandwiches and bean pies, 1613 Jefferson had become a refuge for drug addicts, riddled with needles and trash. Using his construction background and experience as a draftsman, he worked nights and weekends,

with the help of his wife, daughter, and other family members, to get the building ready for business.

Depleting his retirement account, securing funding from historic Citizen’s Bank and Trust, and with help from Nashville Minority Business Development Center, Nate secured an agreement with Fisk to lease the building, with a strict timeline. From May 1987, he had until September to have the work completed and his business open. Rising to the challenge, Woodcuts Gallery opened to the public September 23, 1987.

Nate, the first president of Jefferson United Merchants Partnership (J.U.M.P), used his own workspace as an example of what can be done with old buildings, many vacant, others in disrepair. Visit Woodcuts Gallery & Framing at 1613 Jefferson Street, Nashville, TN 37208.

Email: WoodcutsArt Gallery@gmail.com or call (615) 321-5357. See their website: https:// www.woodcutsgallery andframing.com/

Nashville vOAD... from page 3 next best protection is a small, interior, windowless room in a sturdy building on the lowest level.

Preparedness tips for floods include: · Know your area’s type of flood risk. Visit FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center at <msc. fema.gov/> portal for information. · If flash flooding is a risk in your location, monitor potential signs such as heavy rain. · Learn and practice evacuation routes, shelter plans, and flash flood response. · Gather supplies in

case you have to leave immediately or if services are cut off. Keep in mind each person’s specific needs, including medication. Don’t forget the needs of pets. · Obtain extra batteries and charging devices for phones and other critical equipment. · Obtain flood insurance.

Homeowner’s policies do not cover flooding. Get flood coverage under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). · Keep important documents in a waterproof container. Create password-protected digi-

tal copies. · Protect your property. Move valued items to higher levels. Declutter drains and gutters.

Install check valves.

Consider a sump pump with a battery.

For more information locally, visit the Nashville VOAD site at <nashvilleresponds.com /get-prepared/>, go to the U.S. Government website <www.ready. gov>, the state of Tennessee TEMA site www.tn.gov/tema.html, or the National Weather Service at <www.weath er.gov/safety/tornadoprepare>.

Page 6

Nashville PRIDE

Pastor, Pew, & Pulpit www.pridepublishinggroup.com

Faith of A Mustard Seed

By Barbara A. Woods Washington, M. Div. Dawne Raines Burke, delivers in print an “American Phoenix: A History of Storer College from Slavery to Desegregation 1865 through 1955”. In her introduction is a most powerful statement which places every person who desires the knowledge of Storer College —right at the “Storer heart.

College’s role as a reforming educational institution and it's symbolic importance to the ultimate success of abolitionist goals, positioned the school nicely as a site for important public speeches on racial issues. On May 30, 1881, for example, on the occasion of fourteenth Storer’s anniversary, Frederick Douglass” (a member of the Board of Trustees) “delivered an unforgettable commencement address on the legacy of John Brown's raid some twenty years earlier.

Douglas said, "If John Brown did not end the war that ended slavery, he did at least begin the war that ended slavery … not Carolina, but Virginia, not Fort Sumter, but Harper’s Ferry, and the arsenal, not Colonel Anderson, but John Brown, began the war that ended American slavery and made this a free Republic.”

The deeper I go into ‘HBCU History’, the more I understand the “Truth” —TURNED into THEORY’. Just for one: I found a note on the US.gov site concerning the “1862 First Morrill Act” indicating Two Black institutions land granted by this original legislation DURING Slavery: the University of DC and the University of the Virgin Islands. Neither these two of Universities’ Web pres-

Barbara A. Woods Washington, M. Div. ence holds nor transmits any knowledge of this! AND the note has disappeared from the US.gov Morrill Act page.

While the research on “UDC’s Web” more definitively traces it’s roots to the school for “colored girls” that Myrtilla Miner founded in 1851; ‘UVI’s Web’ transmit their founding as 1962! —100 years of their education history… white washed.

So much so that the only piece that I can uncover with ‘relationship of these things’ is Alexander Hamilton, born in the Virgin Islands. “Education is Legislation.” (Me) Burke writes further on Storer saying, “The college was formed from several Mission schools founded around 1865, the result of the efforts of a group of committed philanthropist. …Their efforts were subsequently responsible for giving rise to a Negro College Movement,” Time and time again I am finding where HBCU history is now ‘falling short’ of the whole truth. It appears as though the education history of Africans born in America begins at the point when the money from rich white philanthropists infuse the already existing schools for the purchasing

of the Land and Buildings where in so many cases, the schools ALSO take on the names of the benefactors… leaving the original black men and women who founded these schools as a fading footnote. Lost —to THEIR telling and recording of OUR education history!

In 1903 W. E. B. Du Bois released “The Soul’s of Black Folk”, of which James Weldon Johnson writes in his Autobiography: “a work which, I think, has had a greater effect upon and within the Negro race in America than any other single book published in this country since “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”.

By 1905 Du Bois sent invitations to 59 Black men of scholarship and stature to join him in the vision of what became known as the “Niagra Movement”.

‘Twenty-Nine’ came to Canada and the following year the meeting was held at Storer in Harper’s Ferry.

Burke continues in saying, “Ironically, Storer College, founded on integrationist principles, met its demise as a degree granting institutions in the wake of the landmark 1954 Supreme Court decision, “Brown v. The Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas. While many historically black colleges continued on after the tradition of "separate but equal" ended, Storer College was faced with monetary struggles and an unsympathetic state legislature. The college therefore opted to close its doors, with defenders of the decision declaring that its historic mission of integrated education was fulfilled.” by email: myfa thersmansionpress@ gmail.com.

‘Doctrine of Discovery’... from page 2 and Education and the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.

The document states that the ‘Doctrine of Discovery’ (a theory that served to justify the expropriation by sovereign colonizers of Indigenous lands from their rightful owners) “is not a part of the teaching of the Catholic Church.”

It further affirms that the papal bulls that granted such ‘rights’ to colonizing sovereigns have never been a part of the Church’s Magisterium.

NPR noted that the doctrine was laid out in a series of papal bulls. The first one was issued in 1452. They authorized col-onial powers such as Spain and Portugal to seize lands and subjugate people in Africa and the ‘New World,’ as long as people on the lands were not Christians.

The outlet further noted that scholars widely note three bulls: Pope Nicholas V’s Dum diversas (1452) and Romanus Pontifex (1455); and Pope Alexander VI’s Inter caetera (1493).

“Back in the in the 19th century, it was used as a precedent which gave people a sense of title to land that had not been owned with an official title in deed,” Rev. David McCallum, executive director of the Program for Discerning Leadership based in Rome, told NPR. So what began as a religious decree in the 1400s then became the basis for a legal concept in the U.S., when the Doctrine of Discovery was invoked in an 1823 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that Indigenous people had only rights of

Faithful utterances Insecure leadership

by Dr. Froswa Booker-Drew Lately, I’ve been bombarded in conversations about leaders— people sharing experiences of ‘supposed’ leaders that belittle, isolate, and bully, demoralize. These dominating authority figures create toxic work environments of fear, guilt, and shame. I hear stories of abuse in the workplace of individuals who begin to doubt and question their abilities.

Supervisors who have caused tears, created chaos, or criticized everything but offered no solution. They are arrogant, deflect, blame others and take no responsibility. Often, these toxic leaders are insecure, and their internal issues tend to have repercussions externally.

Insecure leaders are often masking their feelings of inadequacy and need for affirmation and validation through arrogance and entitlement.

King Saul in the Bible illustrates what happens when you allow insecurity to cloud your judgement. “When David returned from killing the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, playing songs of joy on timbrels. The women sang as they played, and said, “Saul has killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands.” Then Saul became very angry.

This saying did not please him. He said: “They have given David honor for ten thousands, but for me only thousands. Now what more can he have but to be king?” And Saul was jealous and did not trust David from that day on,” 1 Samuel 18: 6-9, NLV. David saved Saul’s life by killing Goliath.

Instead of paying attention to the move of God and reveling in the victo-

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ry, he is threatened by what others are saying.

He lost sight of God appointing him King and instead of trusting God, he began to doubt. He was more concerned with what others thought than what God said. He was unable to celebrate David. Insecurity will make you minimize the success of others to feel better about yourself. As God’s Hand continued to bless David, Saul’s jealousy grew. Saul saw God was with David.

Instead of being grateful for the blessings David received, Saul became more disgruntled which further distanced him from God. Saul’s fear of David escalated into multiple murder attempts on David by Saul. Insecurity is dangerous. Saul’s focus on David damaged his leadership and his judgement. He failed to follow God’s instructions several times which had far reaching He consequences. allowed his insecurities to take his focus off of the vision and God’s leading to losing it all.

His team lost faith in his abilities. It caused him to make rash decisions and disobey God. Saul made excuses, which allowed him to deflect responsibility for his actions.

Completely opposite, David’s rise was a result of his focus on God. He grew his faith instead of his fear. David was kind and compassionate. He was focused on the people instead of a need for praise. David sought God and was called a man after God’s own heart (Acts 3:22). He trusted God for his abilities and not relying on his strength. David’s obedience to God, even with mistakes along the way, built a legacy that is remembered even today. As leaders, we all must think of the legacy we will leave. How will people remember you

Dr. Froswa Booker-Drew and your leadership?

How did they experience you? “Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith,” Hebrews 13:7, NRSV. If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, will others want to imitate you, your faith and follow in your footsteps?

Or will they see your willingness to only deal with those you feel sorry for or beneath you to make you feel better about yourself, fleeing from opportunities of growth to learn from those who make you feel threatened? As people of God, our leadership matters, too. It’s so easy to blame the world for its lack of leadership, yet choosing to ignore how many leaders who are Believers are doing the same thing to those in their congregations and community organizations. We are hurting people, too. Saul’s harmful reach was not only to David, his followers but ultimately, his family.

Insecurity can ruin lives, organizations, and communities.

Lead with love. Be led by God. (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.)

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

A Vatican statement said the papal bulls, or decrees, “did not adequately reflect the equal dignity and rights of Indigenous peoples” and have never been considered expressions of the Catholic faith. “occupancy,” not owner- but this action by Pope ship, over lands they had Francis and the Vatican long lived on. is by far the most imporThe land, then, was tant that is happening in open for the taking. the world right now,” “As a result of this environmental justice being written into the pioneer, civil rights and American property law, racial justice advocate it was actually consid- Vernice Miller-Travis ered a precedent,” wrote on Twitter.

McCallum said, includ“Few things have ing citations as recent as done more damage the a 2005 case in upstate world over than the New York, involving the papal ‘Doctrine of DisOneida Indian Nation. covery.’”

Invoking the Christian mandate to respect the dignity of every human being, the Vatican said on Thursday, “The Catholic Church therefore repudiates those concepts that fail to recognize the inherent human rights of indigenous peoples, including what has become known as the legal and political ‘doctrine of discovery.’

“I know there’s a lot of other news clogging the airwaves right now

April 7, 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

April 7, 2023

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‘Unapologetically Black’ Angel Reese got her ring – the world got another dose of racism

by Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire senior national correspondent LSU’s Angel Reese’s post-game gesture has sparked a conversation about double standards in basketball.

As the final seconds ticked off the clock in LSU’s dominating 10285 victory over Iowa, Reese waved her hand in front of her face, stared at Iowa guard Caitlin Clark, and pointed towards her ring finger.

Reese made it clear.

She was the one going home with the championship ring.

For all the trash-talking and lack of sportsmanship on Clark’s part, Reese received the backlash.

Commentators including longtime sportscaster and former MSNBC anchor Keith Olbermann, the response was telling.

Olbermann called Reese a “f...ing idiot,” while others called her a hood rat.

Shaquille O’Neil, the NBA Hall of Famer who played for LSU’s men’s basketball team in the 1990s, told Olbermann to shut up.

Reese, the Black superstar, was taken to

task on social media for lacking grace in victory.

After the game, and to her credit, Reese remained unapologetic.

“All year, I was critiqued for who I was. I don’t fit the narrative,” Reese said. “I’m too ‘hood. I’m too ghetto.

Y’all told me that all year.”

As many have noted, there remains a divide between White and African American women over opportunities and perception.

White players are considered tough and fundamentally sound, while Black players are seen as flashy brawlers, sports columnist William Rhoden observed.

In this case, the focus was on double standards.

Black players are vilified for doing the same things White players are praised for doing.

Caitlin Clark’s trash talk gestures had been lauded throughout the NCAA tournament, Rhoden said.

Clark repeatedly made the “you can’t see me” gesture during Iowa’s win over Louisville in the Elite Eight. She was heralded as confident and brash.

Clark followed up

TSU Football Fall Schedule and Spring Game April 15

TSU Head Football Coach Eddie George

By Cass Teague Tennessee State University football team and head coach Eddie George have announced that their spring game will be played at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 15 at Hale Stadium. This will be coach George’s second spring with the Tigers, as he enters his third year as the head coach. The Tigers return 67 players from last year’s 4-7 team and welcome in nine new signees for spring practice.

The 2023 schedule includes five home games with two against HBCU opponents. The conference slate includes six contests between the joint conferences of the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) and Big South.

Week 1 – Sept. 2 TSU at Notre Dame, Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, Indiana.

TSU kicks off its 2023 schedule against Notre Dame. This is the first time in program history the Irish face an HBCU when the Tigers make their trip north for their 2023 home opener. TSU will become the first FCS school to play Notre Dame since the subdivision split. The game will be televised nationally on NBC, Time TBA. Week 2 – Sept. 9 TSU vs. UAPB, Liberty Bowl, Memphis, Tenn.

The Tigers take on Arkansas Pine-Bluff in the 34th edition of the Southern Heritage Classic, for TSU’s first year not playing Jackson State in the SHC since 1993, when they took on Grambling State.

Week 3 – Sept. 16

TSU vs. Gardner-Webb, Stadium TBD (Hale or Nissan) Nashville, the John Merritt Classic.

The Bulldogs are Big South Champions.

Week 4 – Sept. 23 Bye Week Week 5 – Sept. 30 TSU at UT Martin Hardy M. Graham Stadium, Martin, Tenn. TSU’s first OVC game.

Week 6 – Oct. 7 TSU at Kennesaw State, Fifth Third Bank Stadium, Kennesaw, Georgia. The Owls went 5-6 last season as an FCS independent.

Week 7 – Oct. 14 Homecoming. TSU vs.

Norfolk State, Stadium TBD (Hale or Nissan) Nashville. The Tigers host fellow HBCU foe Norfolk State. This is their first meeting in over 50 years, since 1972 when TSU won NFSU 56-6.

The Spartans, who compete in the MEAC, went 2-9 last season.

Week 8 – Oct. 21 TSU vs. Lincoln (CA) Stadium TBD (Hale or Nissan) Nashville. The NCAA DII Oaklanders went 2-8 last season.

Week 9 – Oct. 28 TSU vs. Lindenwood Stadium TBD (Hale or Nissan) Nashville. Last season, the Lions’ went 7-3 (1-3 OVC. Week 10 – Nov. 4 TSU at Charleston Southern, Buccaneer Field, Charleston, S.C. Their second Big South opponent; the Buccaneers went 2-8 last season.

Week 11 – Nov. 11 TSU at Eastern Illinois, O'Brien Field, Charleston, Ill. The final road game of the season. The Tigers took down the Panthers 37-17 in Nashville last season.

Week 12 – Nov. 18 TSU vs. Tennessee Tech, Stadium TBD (Hale or Nissan) Nashville.

George and the Tigers close out the regular season. TSU took down TTU 30-14 on the road last season against a traditional OVC and instate rival.

2023 Season Tickets are on sale now and single-game tickets will be available on Aug. 10.

her “you can’t see me” gesture Friday against South Carolina freshman guard Raven Johnson.

Rhoden noted that Clark finally got her comeuppance when Reese lit her up for 15 points and 10 boards, eventually earning the women’s NCAA tournament’s most outstanding player.

Reese played brilliantly in an overall team effort that frustrated Clark, who was called at least twice for pushing off the ball and picked up four fouls.

Clark claimed afterward that she didn’t see Reese’s gesture, and Iowa’s head coach Lisa Bluder gave a near muted response, saying “We’re all different people, and we all have different ways to show our emotion.”

In other words, it was fine when her player (a White athlete) gestured, but not-so-cool when the winning player (a Black champion) gave a little back.

“Ultimately, the conversation around Reese’s gesture is not just about trash talk. It’s about how Black players are perceived differently than White players,” Rhoden said. “Reese’s gesture

was an unapologetic response to the criticism she has faced all year.”

And as White commentators like Olbermann continued their rhetoric and race-baiting, Black sportscasters like Rhoden, ESPN’S Stephen A. Smith, and FS1’s Shannon Sharpe, stepped up to back Reese.

“We see it two different ways. When Caitlin Clark did the John Cena, it was considered ‘swag,’” Sharpe said.

“Angela Reese does the same gestured and it’s considered ‘classless.’

“It’s funny how American society sees Black and White.”

“Angel Reese said ‘unapologetically me.’

She meant unapologetically Black. It’s so obvious what this is. This is not about anything other than race. One is a celebration and is celebrated.

The other is condemned.

And why? Only because a Black did the exact same gesture that a White female did 48 hours earlier.

“Trash talk is a part of the game. But White trash talk and Black trash talk is viewed entirely different and we know why.”

For all the trash-talking and lack of sportsmanship on Clark’s part, Reese received the backlash.

On his First Take ‘Well, you know what, show, Smith also went in that’s not the classiest on the race issue. thing to do. Clark kind “We all know that of instigated this, and the there’s a White/Black fact that hasn’t been issue here, because the brought up tells us a lot fact of that matter is about our society as a when Caitlin did it, peo- whole. You know exactple were celebrating it— ly what the hell you’re and they were talking doing as people when about nothing but her you want to bring up greatness,” Smith said. how Angel Reese “But the second a sis- acted—but you don’t ter stepped up and threw want to bring up how it back in her face, now Caitlin Clark acted. you’ve got half the bas- That’s the inconsistency. ketball world saying That’s the story.”

Movie Reviews: Air

Matt Damon and Viola Davis in Air.

by Dwight Brown, Young). He’s the #3 Film critic for pick of the NBA draft, DwightBrownInk headed for the Chica.com and NNPA go Bulls and watching News Wire him jump high in the (***) air for a shot is magic.

“I love that brown Knight and Rob ball.” That’s what a 7- Strasser (Jason BateEleven cashier says to man, Ozark), vice a Nike basketball exec president of marketas he buys magazines ing, think Sonny is with NBA stars on the crazy. But Howard covers. The young White (Chris Tucker), man expresses what Nike’s athlete’s liaikids, teens and adults son, and George Ravaround the country eling (Marlon Wayfeel. An affinity for ans, Respect), one of basketball, its heroes Jordan’s 1984 Olyand camaraderie. A mpics coaches, fellowship. encourage him. Sonny There are legends is on a mission: “I’m in sports, but only one willing to bet my king of kings. Billion- career on one guy.” aire Michael Jordan, Standing in the the richest and most way is Jordan’s pushy, successful athlete of foul-mouthed agent all time. How did he David Falk (Chris become a household Messina, Argo), who name, a brand, an warns Sonny not to entity? It took a vil- meet with Jordan’s lage. parents behind his It’s 1984. Ronald back. But to cut Reagan is the presi- through the red tape, dent. Prince’s ‘Purple Sonny’s gonna have to Rain’ rules the charts, break rules and find a and an elderly woman way to kiss the feet of in a commercial won- Deloris (Viola Davis) ders: “Where’s the and James (Julius Tenbeef?” The sports gear non) Jordan. Can this company Nike, Inc., White man from Orein Beaverton, Oregon, gon impress two busiis synonymous with a ness-savvy and caurunning shoe craze tious African Amerithanks to its entrepre- cans who can see neurial, self-actual- through a line of B.S.? ized co-founder/CEO This all-American Phil Knight. The com- story cuts across genpany’s small orphan- erations, genders, like basketball divi- races, classes and sion, run by Sonny political views.

Vaccaro (Matt DaEveryone knows mon), has been greatly ‘MJ’ and can recogeclipsed by the hoop nize his Air Jordan dreams of Adidas and basketball shoes.

Converse. Given a Unraveling how the measly budget of Jordan/Nike empire $250K, Sonny could came to be is a smart pay three mediocre b- idea. Cleverly written ball players to endorse and reimagined by Nike gear, but his first-time screenwriter heart isn’t in it. He’d Alex Convery, the rather sign a big characters are in baller, but the compe- place, the conversatition is tough. tions repeated, and the He has a bright moments of discouridea. Give all the agement, bravery, money to just one apprehension and sucplayer, Michael Jor- cess relived. dan (Damien Delano Continued on page 8

Anatomy 101 ACROSS 1. Emir, alt. sp.

6. Comic book cry 9. *One of 27 in hand 13. Dhaka, formerly 14. Half man, half goat 15. Pressure ulcers, e.g.

16. Type of wrap 17. Old fashioned “before” 18. Do like ivy 19. *Smooth, skeletal or cardiac 21. *”Gray's ____” 23. Gardener's tool 24. Detected by olfactory system 25. Acronym-named sandwich 28. Sore throat voice 30. Retires from military service 35. Steak option 37. Place at angle 39. Double, in French 40. *Certain apple's namesake 41. Fork pokers 43. Heavy metal's Quiet ____ 44. *Pelvis bone 46. *Hardened keratin plate 47. Wedding promise?

48. Mandela 50. *Part of eye, not flower 52. Tokyo, formerly 53. Alpine transport 55. Cuckoo 57. *Vein to “go for” 61. *Cell body, axon and dendrite 64. Use the other side of pencil 65. Caviar alternative 67. Mafia’s top dogs 69. “The best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men gang aft _” 70. Fuss 71. Modern correspondence 72. Opposite of want 73. Japanese currency 74. Pep gathering DOWN 1. Annoying pop-ups 2. “Yes, ____!”

3. Beige

4. E-wallet content 5. Resentment 6. Musketeer’s sword 7. *Smallest bones location 8. Work the dough 9. Diamond in a cutting tool 10. “Wonderfilled” cookie 11. a.k.a. Indian Lilac 12. Grammy of sports 15. Like a Haunted Mansion visitor?

20. Minimum 22. Endorsement 24. Alfresco 25. *It contains cerebellum and parietal lobe 26. Big Dipper shape 27. Hiker’s path 29. *Largest organ 31. Fogginess 32. Speak one’s mind 33. *AB+ or B34. Vigorous fight 36. Outback birds 38. Dam-like structure 42. Snail trail 45. Like certain Cr¸e 49. Giannis’ league 51. Cup holder 54. Orderly arrangement 56. Popular movie genre 57. J in B. J. King 58. Serve as motive 59. Em’s and Dorothy’s last name 60. CPO, in auto industry 61. Glowing gas 62. Iridescent gem 63. Byproduct of wool combing 66. Percy Bysshe Shelley’s poem 68. Canny Solutions from last puzzle

Page 8

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April 7, 2023

HUD sets $5.5M award for HUBCUs to conduct housing, community development research

by Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire senior national correspondent The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has announced awards totaling $5.5 million for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to conduct housing and community development research.

The announcement came during a Black Media Roundtable hosted by HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge.

Adjoa Asamoah, HUD’s senior advisor for Racial Equity; Melody Taylor, regional director for the MidAtlantic Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity; Alanna McCargo, president of Ginnie Mae; and Erica Loewe, the director of African American Media at The White House, also participated in the roundtable.

“HBCUs create economic opportunity both for their students and throughout the communities they serve,” Fudge stated.

“At HUD, we are proud to partner with HBCUs to expand the voices in the housing research space to support strong communities, build affordable housing, create job opportunities, revitalize neighborhoods, and promote homeownership.”

HUD will provide the funding to Texas Southern University ($3 million) and North Carolina AT&T University ($2.5 million) to establish or bolster their existing Centers of

Excellence that conduct housing and community development research.

At Texas Southern, the school’s research will focus on individual and community wealth building, and housing security and stability. It also will focus on planning and infrastructure inequity that affects underserved communities.

At North Carolina AT&T, the funds will allow the university to establish a center with research that would focus on the production of affordable housing, homeownership, renewable energy, sustainable communities, and postdisaster recovery.

“This funding will bolster efforts HBCUs are making to expand opportunities for underserved communities and strengthen community development,” Fudge said.

Under Fudge, HUD has worked to advance racial equity and ensure steps to make homeownership more accessible for Black Americans.

In a Fact Sheet, HUD officials noted that through the Federal Housing Administration, the agency has implemented major reductions to the annual premiums it charges homebuyers for mortgage insurance.

Officials said the action will help Black low-and-moderate income residents save an estimated $600 million in the next year, and billions over the next decade.

Additionally, HUD’s Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity issued a policy

“This funding will bolster efforts HBCUs are making to expand opportunities for underserved communities and strengthen community development,” said HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge. statement in 2021 about making way lenged.

The powerful tool for HUD and for lenders to resolve inequities in homeownership that individuals of private plaintiffs to address polices that cause systemic inequality in houscolor face.

Previously, the agency published a ing, includes policies on criminal notice of proposed rule making to records, zoning requirements, lending restore the department’s Discrimina- and property insurance policies that tory Effects Standards and allow poli- impact equal access to housing opporcies that unjustifiably exclude people tunities for Black people, HUD offifrom housing opportunities to be chal- cials indicated.

Belmont, Fisk students hack into data as part of Social Justice Collaborative

Belmont University and Fisk University collaborated to hold the Social Justice Hackathon. (photo courtesy of Belmont University) end of a full day of data ‘hacking,’ or

by Haley Charlton Groups who participated in the diving into data to look for themes, March 24 Social Justice Hackathon collaborating on insights and develop(an event resulting from the Belmont ing suggestions for actionable change.

University and Fisk University Social A panel of judges from Fisk and named the ‘Equity Justice Collaborative, with assistance Belmont from Belmont Data Collaborative) Engineers’ group the winners, used data to tell compelling stories for although the goal of the event was not to win, but to make meaningful relachange.

Many of the seven groups opened tionships between universities while their final presentations by creating tackling complex social challenges.

Belmont senior Marcus Knight two hypothetical personas. One individual would be a resident of said the hackathon was outside of his Nashville’s 37215 zip code—an afflu- creative wheelhouse but reminded him ent, predominantly-White area of of the “simple fact that there is potenNashville; the other, a resident of the tial and capacity for real, legislative, 37208 zip code —one of Nashville’s actionable change in the lives of Nashvillians and Americans everylower-income neighborhoods.

The individuals would have drasti- where. Don’t let the modern defeatist cally different stories, according to the narrative fool you. Change is always findings from the data sets that possible.”

One Belmont student participant, Belmont and Fisk students studied.

Students looked at issues that residents freshman Creative and Entertainment of the 37208 neighborhood face at Industries major Andrea Lawrence, higher rates, such as criminally high decided to participate after having a interest rates on payday loans, difficult fun experience with a previous Data Collaborative access to healthcare facilities, amounts Belmont Hackathon and enjoying the opportuof sleep and more.

The presentations were given at the nity to meet new people, see one

Air movie review... from page 7 A contagious feeling of triumph prevails in a spirit of entrepreneurship, fair play and respect for others that is so nostalgic it’s enviable. It’s the good ole days, not these divisive ones.

Far too often director/actor Ben Affleck is in the news for banal, gossipy reasons (Bennifer) and not for his talent. It’s easy to forget that he and co-star/co-producer Matt Damon won a Best Original Screenplay Oscar for Good Will Hunting or that in 2013 he directed the Best Motion Picture of the Year, Argo. Finally, Affleck’s topnotch directing skills are on display again, and he’s in the zone. He pulls animated and emotional performances from his entire cast and under his guidance, everything feels as real and entertaining as a movie can be.

The filmmaker gets a great assist from the time-warp sets and locations (production designer François Audouy, Ford v. Ferrari) and clothes (Charlese Antoinette Jones, Judas and the Black Messiah). A bouncy energized ‘80s playlist includes soul (‘Ain’t Nobody’ by Rufus), rock (ZZ Top’s ‘Legs’) and pop (Cindi Lauper’s ‘Time After Time’), like a preserved jukebox (music supervisor Andrea von Foerster). There’s no let up. No dull spot. The footage has a steady beat (editor William Goldenberg, Argo) and the understated cinematography (Robert Richardson, Hugo) doesn’t’ glamorize the bland office building in Beaverton or simple life in the burbs of Wilmington, North Carolina—Jordan’s hometown.

Affleck, the cast, crew and script

put you in a time capsule and take you back to the 1980s. Collages of the times set the tone. As Sonny gives an impassioned plea to the Jordans to sign up with Nike, glimpses of the real Jordan’s days of glory and tragedies fill the screen like an omen—as if to say success comes at a price.

Damon plays his everyman card with Sonny. Likable, pudgy, earnest and a progressive thinker. Affleck, as Knight, who puts his big feet on a desk emphasizing his earthy spiritual self.

It’s a caricature of a benevolent but narcissistic CEO. Tucker is so affable you wonder why he isn’t in more films, while Messina’s take on the cutthroat agent is hilarious. He’s a liar, protector and self-absorbed salesman.

The sports/jock trash-talking banter between him and Damon’s character is hysterical.

Tennon, as the silent stoic dad, says more in a glance than a page full of dialogue. When Viola Davis’ Deloris negotiates on behalf of her son with Nike, you feel bad for the billion-dollar corporation—it doesn’t stand a chance. Mom: “He deserves a piece.”

Sonny: “A shoe is just a shoe.” Mom: “Until my son steps in it.” The actress displays the perfect balance of determination and warmth. Hard to take your eyes off her.

Air is a rousing crowd pleaser. A unique American story about the love of a brown ball so strong that it changed culture, the power dynamic for athletes and confirmed that big business, people and dreams can be a powerful equation.

another’s strengths and skills, and collaborate to create a solution to a reallife problem in a short amount of time.

“It was a fantastic experience getting to work with students at Fisk because they were so kind and helpful when providing their perspective to us as Belmont students. The areas that we live and go to school in are drastically different, so it was a crucial part of understanding those differences and where we could help improve their community.”

Lawrence’s group presented partnerships with banks and loan companies as a solution to the inequity when it comes to the rate that loans are given to people of color vs. White people.

The groups also proposed job and internship fairs for Fisk students to create deep Nashville connections that will push them to stay in the area postgraduation and give back to their community directly.

“Having the data to back up the

problem that is being experienced helps to drive an impactful solution.

Using the data to create insights and see the numbers sometimes helps people realize the severity of the situation rather than just discussing the overall idea,” Lawrence said.

The Social Justice Collaborative between Belmont and Fisk, funded by a grant from the Rechter Family Foundation, is designed to cultivate champions for social justice by providing knowledge and experiences for students, exposing them to civil rights movements across the Middle Tennessee area, encouraging leadership and guiding them to create a body of work that will inspire the world.

The collaboration takes shape through a joint course that students from both universities enroll in, working together to tackle issues surrounding systematic barriers of health care, education, housing, jobs and the criminal justice system.