Nashville PRIDE June 16, 2023

Skate park dedicated to Tyre Nichols...

See page 2

TSU Aristocrat of Bands makes debut at CMA Fest See page 8 © 2023 Multicultural Media Group

ONLY

NAShviLLE PuRuiuDuE ‘The Voice of a Proud Community’

50¢

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

volume XXXvii, Number 24

People Are Talking

Nashville, TN

June 16, 2023

2nd Rosenwald Schools Exhibition opens at Tennessee State Museum

Justin Jones faces Laura Nelson in Primary Election

Rep. Justin Jones Justin Jones, who ran unopposed, has won the Special Democratic Primary Election for Tennessee House District 52.

Jones, along with Rep. Justin Pearson (D-Memphis) was expelled by Republicans in April following a gun control protest on the House floor.

Following his expulsion, Jones was reappointed to the seat by the Nashville Metro Council.

Jones will face a Republican challenger, Laura Nelson, in the primary election on Aug 3.

Tennessee student spending ranks in bottom 10 nationwide: U.S. Census According to census data, Tennessee is spending less to educate a student than nearly every other state in the country.

New federal data shows Tennessee ranked 44th in per student spending and 42nd overall for teacher compensation.

The data, released in May by the U.S. Census Bureau, reveals the Volunteer State is spending less on each student ($10,507) than every other neighboring state, except Mississippi ($10,170).

Nationally, public school spending per student experienced the largest fiscal year-to-year increase since 2008, up 6.3% to $14,347, according to data from the 2021 Annual Survey of School System Finances.

Tennessee’s per pupil spending lagged 31% below the

Lincoln School - Pikeville, Bledsoe County, TN. (Photo by TN Photographic Services).

By Cass Teague Rosenwald, Tuskegee Institute presi- ers to improve educational opportuni“Building a Bright Future: Black dent Booker T. Washington, and Black ties for Black students. Featured Communities and Rosenwald Schools Communities throughout the South. exhibit topics include Black Education in Tennessee,” presented in partner- Between 1912 and 1937, that partner- before 1912, Black Tennesseans and ship with Fisk University’s John Hope ship resulted in the construction of Rosenwald Schools (1912-1960s), and and Aurelia E. Franklin Library, opens almost 5,000 schools for Black chil- the Legacies of Rosenwald School at the Tennessee State Museum (TSM) dren across 15 southern states, includ- Communities. on Friday, June 16. The community- ing 354 in Tennessee. Rosenwald “We knew in order for such an focused exhibition highlights the work schools drove improvement in Black exhibit to be successful, we would of alumni, descendants, and organiza- educational attainment and helped need to start by reaching out to and tions to preserve the legacies of educate the generation who became familiarizing ourselves with the previRosenwald Schools across the state. It leaders of the Civil Rights movement. ous work done by organizations who is the second TSM show centered on “Building a Bright Future” leads had already been preserving and Schools, following the visitor through the development of telling the histories of these schools,” Rosenwald Andrew Feiler’s “A Better Life for Rosenwald Schools and their legacies said Matthew Gailani, lead curator of Their Children: Julius Rosenwald, by first tracing the history of education the exhibition.

Booker T. Washington, and the 4,978 for Black Tennesseans beginning with “This exhibit is the first major Schools that Changed America,” the Reconstruction period. It explores showcase of the impact and legacy of which closed in May. early partnerships between churches, the Julius Rosenwald Fund Rural Rosenwald Schools were the result schools and agencies like the Freed- School program in Tennessee,” said of an initial partnership between Sears, men’s Bureau, and the work of Black DeLisa M. Harris, Director of Library Roebuck, and Co. president Julius leaders, residents, parents, and teachContinued on page 5

President Biden issues proclamation on Black Music Month, 2023 President Biden issued the following proclamation recognizing June as Black Music Appreciation Month: “During Black Music Month, we pay homage to legends of American music, who have composed the soundtrack of American life. Their creativity has given rise to distinctly American art forms that influence contemporary music worldwide and sing to the soul of the American experience.

“Much of Black music is rooted in African rhythms, coupled with the experience of slavery and struggle in America. Barred from expressing themselves in their native tongues, enslaved people developed a language to articulate their hopes, dreams, sense of loss, and tenacity to overcome the harrowing nature of their lives. They used music to strategically and cre-

Continued on page 5

Amanda Gorman responds to removal of her book in Florida schools Amanda Gorman's poem, ‘The Hill We Climb,’ that was performed at the presidential inauguration, was removed from Florida elementary schools as the result of one parent’s complaint that it contains hate messages and could “cause confusion and indoctrinate students."

Upon hearing the news, Gorman posted the following to social media: “I’m gutted. Because of one parent’s complaint, my inaugural poem, ‘The Hill We Climb,’ has been banned from an elementary school in Miami/Dade County, Florida.

“Book bans aren’t new. But they have been on the rise-according to the ALA: 40% more books were challenged in 2022 compared to 2021. What’s more, often all it takes to remove these works from our libraries and schools is a single objection. And let’s be Continued on page 5

President Joseph R. Biden

atively voice their most deeply held feelings. Today, the creative ways that Black music tells stories of trial and triumph in American life continue to move us all to understand the common struggles of humanity. Spirituals, gospel, the blues, R&B, rock and roll, jazz, pop, rap, hip-hop, and more have molded American culture and given rise to new American art forms emulated around the globe.

Since taking office, my Administration has supported American creators and communities— uplifting more voices, inspiring new generations, and showing the full power of our example as a great nation. We have invested hundreds of millions of dollars in strengthening the Continued on page 5

Trump indictment tests Criminal Justice System

by Barrington M. Salmon (TriceEdneyWire.com) – Former U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr may have said it clearest: “If even half of it is true, then he’s toast. It’s a very detailed indictment and it’s very, very damning." Barr was responding to a 37-count indictment handed down by a Florida grand jury in a stunning denouement to the classified documents case against former President Donald Trump.

Department of Justice Special Counsel Jack Smith dropped the hammer on Trump in the 49-page indict-

ment after Trump, 76, took more than 11,000 classified documents, including Secret and Top-Secret documents and related material to his home in Florida.

The charges substantiate that Trump violated the Espionage Act, illegally withheld national security secrets, lied about it and obstructed the DOJ investigation, according to the Justice Department.

Despite pleas and multiple requests from the National Archives, Trump refused to return the documents until the Federal Bureau of Investigation raided Mar a Continued on page 5

Former President Donald Trump

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

Use the QR code to get your online issue for .75 cents OR get an entire year for $20!

Printed on 100% recycled paper

www.pridepublishinggroup.com

Page 2

Nashville PRIDE

National/State www.pridepublishinggroup.com

Dr. Cornel West jumps in 2024 Presidential Race

by Barrington M. Salmon (TriceEdneyWire.com) – Dr. Cornel West, a renowned scholar, progressive intellectual and social justice activist, announced on Twitter Monday morning he’s running for president.

“In these bleak times, I have decided to run for truth and justice which takes the form of running for president of the United States as a candidate for the People’s Party. I enter in the quest for truth, I enter in the quest for justice, and the presidency is just one vehicle to pursue that truth and justice which is what I’ve been trying to do all of my life,” West said in a twominute 39-second announcement. “I come from a tradition where I care about you. I care about the quality of your life, I care about whether you have access to a job with a living wage, decent housing, women having control over their bodies, healthcare for all, deescalating destruction of the planet, the destruction of America democracy.”

Florida attorney and activist Dimitra Stathopoulos said while she has a great deal of respect for West, she is deeply troubled by an op-ed West recently cowrote for the Wall Street Journal. In it, West praised Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for his support of the classics, saying that the governor’s support of classical education “has universal merit that transcends partisanship. Education based on values, logic and discipline isn’t

Dr. Cornel West (photo: Wikipedia) Republican; it’s timeless.”

West’s announcement triggered elation in some corners, consternation and puzzlement in others.

Aly Wane, an immigration advocate and peace activist who said his politics is decidedly to the Left, said while he has always loved and supported West—this announcement has left him troubled.

“I’m trying to swallow the news. I went from being delighted to, ‘Oh god, this is not going to be great.’ He’s running on that party ticket which is a nonstarter,” Wane said, referring to the People’s Party banner that West is running under. “That party is distrusted because of its leadership and grifter tendencies.

It’s really frustrating.

I’m most startled by his People’s Party choice.”

Wane said the People’s Party was created out of the frustration some had of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders running as Democrat in 2016.

“I realized they’re not serious about organizing and policy positions,” he said. “There are all kinds of accusations of grifting and workplace and sexual abuse allegations against founder Nick Brana. It’s a mess. As much as the Greens (Party) are disorganized, they have the structure to deal with a presidential run. I would have a little more confidence if West was running as a Green Party candidate.”

Stathopoulos said she learned through a Twitter post from Dr. Crystal Fleming, a professor of Sociology and Africana Studies at Stony Brooke University, that West has been a member of the DeSantis’ Classic Learning Initiatives for at least two years, a program that DeSantis just approved funding for all Florida Schools to use.

“This [is] really troubling. It’s sad too because I think it would be great if we had an African American put in right now,” Stathopoulos said. “It’s disheartening.

He was a pivotal part of Bernie’s campaign and a supporter of Rev. William Barber. But the man’s all over the place.

You cannot pin this man down. I don’t know.

Everybody’s opining right now.”

Stathopoulos said she’s fearful that West’s presence in the campaign is a ploy to “muddy up the water” and divide the Black vote. She also said ultimately, it’s all about the money.

Continued on page 5

Mississippi civil rights lawyer arrested for filming controversial traffic stop

by Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire senior national correspondent Mississippi civil rights lawyer Jill Collen Jefferson found herself on the wrong side of the law after recording a traffic stop involving officers from the very police department she is suing in federal court.

The arrest has drawn attention to the ongoing struggle for justice and police reform in the wake of the Black Lives Matter protests that have swept the nation.

Jefferson, president of JULIAN, a prominent civil rights organization, had filed a federal lawsuit against the Lexington Police Department on behalf of a group of city residents just last year.

Her attorney, Michael Carr, revealed that Jefferson was apprehended late Saturday evening, June 10, while documenting officers’ actions during a routine traffic stop.

Despite numerous attempts to obtain comments from the Lexington Police Department, they have failed to respond to comment

requests.

The incident occurred merely nine days after Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division visited Lexington to engage with community members regarding allegations of police brutality within the small town.

A lawsuit in which Jefferson is a plaintiff, alleges that Black residents in Lexington, a small Mississippi town about 63 miles north of Jackson, have been subjected to false arrests, excessive force, and intimidation, causing them to feel “terrorized” by the police.

In their legal action, JULIAN sought a temporary restraining order against the Lexington police department to secure protection for the town’s predominantly Black population.

Jefferson has repeatedly emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that it is both morally unacceptable and unlawful for Lexington residents to experience such fear and terror from the very police

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,

by Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire senior national correspondent In a heartfelt ceremony, officials unveiled a newly renovated skate park on the outskirts of Sacramento, dedicating it to Tyre Nichols, a young Black man who tragically lost his life earlier this year to police violence.

Nichols, an ardent skateboarder who spent his youth frequenting the park, was killed a fatal during encounter with Tennessee police in January.

City representatives and a diverse group gathered to pay tribute to Nichols’ memory and attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The park, once a cherished sanctuary for Nichols, will now bear his name as a testament to his passion for skateboarding and impact on the community.

Nichols, a resident of Memphis, Ten-

nessee, relocated there with his mother and stepfather just before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

An aspiring photographer, he found solace and inspiration in capturing the beauty of landscapes and sunsets through his lens.

On his website, where he showcased his photography, Nichols expressed how the art form allowed him to perceive the world profoundly and creatively, conveying emotions that words alone could not capture.

According to a lawsuit his family filed against the Memphis Police Department, tragically, Nichols was the victim of a brutal assault by several police officers on January 7 while returning home after taking pictures of the sky.

The incident occurred a mere stone’s throw away from his mother’s residence.

After enduring the

<AC@0<24 2/. 6:<9*6,. /79 2*+.;2,:

**

K'(L K'(L

*74 $0A7D8::4 *74 $0A7D8::4 &(&( 'C829 (454@4<24 'C829 (454@4<24

<AC@0<24

"460:

2/. 6:<9*6,. /79 2*+.;2,:

( /%+ ) " = G=C 34A4@D4 )=280: )42C@8BG 8A018:8BG 0:: CA 5=@ 0 5@44 2=<AC:B0B8=<

<AC:8< 4>4<30<B -4:2=;4

$! )-/, ) ! .*,!

Being there is why I’m here.

C1@4G 8D4<A 0<3 AA=280B4A +<8=< )B@44B )C8B4 $0A7D8::4 *$

Get discounts up to

40%

Call my office for a quote 24/ 7.

Bobby Berry Berry,, Agent 703 Main Street Nashville, TN 37206 Bus: 615-271-2996 .bobbyaberry.com www www.bobbyaberry.com

/A> :OB=LHG HNGMR HNKM IIHBGM>= .I><B:E =OH<:M> .

IKH@K:F MK:BGL OHENGM>>KL MH L>KO> :L :=OH<:M>L ?HK :;NL>= :G= G>@E><M>= <ABE=K>G /AHNL:G=L H? <ABE=K>G <HF> MH MA> :MM>GMBHG H? %NO>GBE> HNKM >:<A R>:K :L : K>LNEM H? :;NL> HK G>@E><M /A>R A:O> <HFFBMM>= GH <KBF> ;NM ;><HF> OB<MBFL H? :G HO>K;NK=>G>= <ABE= P>E?:K> LRLM>F .

OHENGM>>KL :K> :IIHBGM>= ;R : CN=@> :G= >FIHP>K>= MH :=OH<:M> ?HK MA> ;>LM BGM>K>LM H? <ABE=K>G

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.

. MK:BGBG@ BL ?K>> PBMA FHKGBG@ :G= >O>GBG@ <E:LL>L H??>K>= HGM:<M . :M OBLBM PPP <:L: G:LAOBEE> HK@

Call today to advertise on the QR. (615) 292-9150 x101 "0<3A20>4 4A86<

40@3 40@3 &@=>4@BG &@=>4@BG #08<B4<0<24 #08<B4<0<24 <2 <2 (4A834<B80: (4A834<B80: =;;4@280: =;;4@280: <3CAB@80: <3CAB@80:

"0<3A20>4 "0<3A20>4 4A86< 4A86< <AB0::0B8=< <AB0::0B8=< #08<B4<0<24 #08<B4<0<24 "0E< "0E< #08<B4<0<24 #08<B4<0<24 =<2@4B4 =<2@4B4 -=@9 -=@9 *@44 *@44*@8;;8<6 *@8;;8<6 @08<064 @08<064 @@860B8=< @@860B8=<

=AB4@ =AB4@ D4<C4 D4<C4 $0A7D8::4 $0A7D8::4 *$ *$ (( ""

)* )* # # ** )) $) $)

%$ %$ %% ..

E867B E867B "" 40@3 40@3 140@3>; 140@3>; 7=B;08: 7=B;08:2=; 2=;

<< 1CA8<4AA 1CA8<4AA 5=@ 5=@ =D4@ =D4@ G40@A G40@A

;>CB44A -4:2=;4 + 20<LB 14 BC@<43 3=E<

2HKD +E:<> $GCNKR NMHFH;BE> <<B=>GM +>KLHG:E $GCNKR 2BEE +K>I:K:MBHG 2> :K> A>K> MH A>EI

;>CB44A -4:2=;4

Jill Collen Jefferson

<AC:8< 4>4<30<B -4:2=;4

0:: 0:: B= 03D4@B8A4 B= 03D4@B8A4

$=< &@=58B

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

Tyre Nichols assault, Nichols was rushed to a hospital but succumbed to his injuries three days later.

As a result of extensive investigations, five Memphis police officers, all of whom are Black, were terminated from their positions and now face charges including second-degree murder, aggravated assault, Continued on page 3

The Nashville PRiDE Quick Reference Call (615) 292-9150 to advertise

$! )-/, ) ! .*,!

NAShviLLE P*R*i*D*E Staff and Afillates Administration Publisher: Meekahl Davis, CEO Advertising Sales: Scott Davis Attorney: Karen Davis

Skate Park dedicated to Tyre Nichols, honoring a life cut short

+ 20<LB 14 BC@<43 3=E<

department entrusted with their protection.

Jefferson urged the intervention of both the courts and the Department of Justice without delay.

Jefferson’s lawsuit exposed a disturbing pattern of false arrests, excessive force, and intimidation by the police against the residents of Lexington, her attorney insisted.

“As an advocate for her clients, Jill Jefferson firmly believes that this systematic misconduct has plagued the citizens of Lexington,” Carr said.

“Through her ordeal, she aims to bring to light Continued on page 5

June 16, 2023

() ! () $ *-%(!

"460:

T >KMB?B>= ) />LMBG@ T 'HP>LM ) " /%+"N:K:GM>> ( +KB<> T .:F>= G=C :R 34A4@D4 IIHBGMF>GML )=280: T HG?B=>GMB:E 8A018:8BG )42C@8BG T ->LNEML 0::=FBLLB;E> CA 5=@ 0BG5@44 HNKM 2=<AC:B0B8=< T ?M>K #HNKL *G LBM> 2HKD +E:<> $GCNKR O:BE:;E> <<B=>GM NMHFH;BE>'H<:MBHGL T /PH ):LAOBEE> +>KLHG:E $GCNKR +K>I:K:MBHG ELH2BEE LI><B:EBSBG@ BG MH A>EI :K> A>K> KN@2>E<HAHE M>LMBG@ :G= */ +ARLB<:EL ?HK C1@4G 8D4<A $G=BOB=N:EL :G= 0<3 AA=280B4A HFI:GB>L +<8=< )B@44B )C8B4 "" *% *$/ $0A7D8::4

&@8<B8<6 &@8<B8<6 C@B8AL &@8<B:: :: C@B8AL &@8<B =>G 4<B4@ 4<B4@ =>G -4AB -4AB 0;8:B=< 0;8:B=< (3(3 $0A7D8::4*$*$ $0A7D8::4 *((%..!.* .*!,0%!,0% 2 2*((%..! !3 !3 <NKMBLIKBGM:EE<HF<:LM <HF<:LM <NKMBLIKBGM:EE G>M G>M

$7 *-=.9;2:. ,*44

Call today to advertise on the Quick Reference!

(615) 292-9150 x101

HK

&0B4@<8BG

)&

State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, State Farm Indemnity Company , Bloomington, IL P090107 06/09

$=< &@=58B /A> :OB=LHG HNGMR HNKM IIHBGM>= .I><B:E =OH<:M> .

IKH@K:F MK:BGL OHENGM>>KL MH L>KO> :L :=OH<:M>L ?HK :;NL>= :G= G>@E><M>= <ABE=K>G /AHNL:G=L H? <ABE=K>G <HF> MH MA> :MM>GMBHG H? %NO>GBE> HNKM >:<A R>:K :L : K>LNEM H? :;NL> HK G>@E><M /A>R A:O> <HFFBMM>= GH <KBF> ;NM ;><HF> OB<MBFL H? :G HO>K;NK=>G>= <ABE= P>E?:K> LRLM>F .

OHENGM>>KL :K> :IIHBGM>= ;R : CN=@> :G= >FIHP>K>= MH :=OH<:M> ?HK MA> ;>LM BGM>K>LM H? <ABE=K>G . MK:BGBG@ BL ?K>> PBMA FHKGBG@ :G= >O>GBG@ <E:LL>L H??>K>= HGM:<M . :M OBLBM PPP <:L: G:LAOBEE> HK@

HK

&0B4@<8BG

() )&

! () $ *-%(!

T >KMB?B>= ) />LMBG@ T 'HP>LM +KB<> "N:K:GM>> T .:F> :R IIHBGMF>GML T HG?B=>GMB:E T ->LNEML =FBLLB;E> BG HNKM T ?M>K #HNKL *G LBM> O:BE:;E> T /PH ):LAOBEE> 'H<:MBHGL ELH LI><B:EBSBG@ BG KN@ E<HAHE M>LMBG@ :G= */ +ARLB<:EL ?HK $G=BOB=N:EL :G= HFI:GB>L

"" *%

/

June 16, 2023

www.pridepublishinggroup.com

Local

Cancer… My Journey in time

When you’re down and out

by Wanda Clay ‘Down and out’ is a phrase usually associated with being at a low point, being sad and sometimes having feelings of depression.

Rev. Enoch Fuzz, pastor of Corinthian Missionary Baptist Church, is still deeply involved in his bout with stage four lung cancer.

At the beginning of his journey Rev. Fuzz did not know what to expect. He quickly learned that this illness has many layers that only a patient would know. According to his doctors, he is progressively getting better with each year.

However, he is often dealing with new and different ailments that are tied to the initial diagnosis.

This past weekend, Fuzz spent Saturday night at the hospital with his oxygen level at a significantly low rate.

Yet it was his preference to go home rather than to be admitted. He

Rev. Enoch Fuzz has oxygen at home, and that worked out fine with close monitoring. Consider it a typical week for Rev Fuzz. He simply said: “Wow.” This entire situation is one that could easily move a person into a mindset of being ‘down and out.’ Yet Rev. Fuzz is ‘down’ with proper rest, which will keep him on a healing path and ‘out’ doing the necessary things that keep him in his community and ministry.

Rev. Fuzz is not a

super human. His journey is challenging at times, but his display of being ‘down and out’ is contrary to any negative thoughts of that phrase.

When his energy is down, he is rejuvenated by not only the oxygen often required after being out on a community mission, but by the constant prayer that happens on his behalf.

He is adamant about praying for others just as he asks for prayers for himself.

Keep praying and know that what the devil means for harm, God can make good.

Therefore, being ‘down and out’ doesn’t have to be a negative state of mind. If it is in your make some life, changes in your thoughts. Rev. Fuzz always says: “There’s somebody doing worse than me.”

Keep watching his posts on Meta and be encouraged by reading weekly ‘Cancer: My Journey in Time.’

Diversity and pay levels in city workforce

by Justin Darden Nashville residents and concerned local leaders got the opportunity to examine a recently released report that showed how the city is doing regarding the diversity level and salary level of Metropolitan Nashville’s workforce and improvements that must be made on May 1.

IncluCivics, a report conducted by the Metro Nashville Human Relations Commission, is an analysis examining the employee demographics and salaries of Nashville employees across 51 Metro Nashville departments. The report was divided into categories such as race, gender, and salary equity. According to the report, there was an overall decrease in White employees in Metro Nashville government while the percentage of African Americans, Hispanics, and employees of two or more races had increased from 2015-22.

The report also showed that the percentage of White hires was decreasing, while the percentage of African American hires had increased.

Cathy Carrillo, media relations assistant for the Human Relations Commission, said the purpose of the survey was to examine the demographics of Metro Nashville’s workforce including sex, age, and race. People visiting the gallery report findings at the Nashville Public Library are able to discover why there were disparities in Metro Nashville’s workforce.

“One of the things that stood out to me had to do with who is working in which departments, what it means in terms of race and gender and the disparities in pay,” said Carrillo.

“Another thing that stood out is the income brackets. Often people of color are making the lowest on the income brackets while White people are making more.

We know these disparities exist, but it’s interesting to see it in a real broad way right in front of you in color.”

The report highlight-

Nashville residents viewing the results of the IncluCivics survey at the Nashville Public Library in downtown Nashville. ed salaries and differ- that regarding salary, ences in pay by race and male employees tend to ethnicity. The average make earn slightly more salary of White employ- in wages than females. ees in Nashville were the Jennifer Wang, one of highest, followed by the event attendees, said Asian/Pacific Islander, the report highlighted Native Americans, and improvements in hiring mixed-race employees. practices and changes According to the report, that needed to be made the salary of full-time in Metro Nashville’s hiremployees affected the ing process.

“What really stood income of Metro Nashville employees in out to me is that the 2022 by race when it departments that were came to salary differ- the largest were the ones ences. In 2022, the that were about policing salary difference for us and that highest paid White employees in departments were legalNashville was $70,000 ly-oriented,” said Wang.

Wang said the report while the average salary for African Americans showed Metro Nashville was $59,000 and the government had the salaries for Hispanics highest number of American and Asian Americans African were $58,000 and employees, while the $69,000 respectively. percentage of White The report also showed Americans was decreasthe average starting ing—even though they salary had significant were the highest paid racial differences. The employees in Metro starting salary for Asian Nashville. The Asian American/Pacific Islan- American population in ders in Nashville had a Metro government has starting salary $64,000 also started to improve. in 2022, higher than the Wang said she would starting salaries of His- like to see the city post panics, African Ameri- jobs on their website and cans, and White Ameri- reach out to different community organizacans.

When it came to tions for recruiting help.

The report also highemployment by gender, the report highlighted a lighted disparities in reshuge pay disparity idents living in Davidbetween male and son County. According female employees in to the report, there are Nashville. According to more African American the report, male employ- (73%) and Hispanic ees accounted for 60% employees (52%) living of Metro Nashville’s in Davidson County workforce and female than White employees employees accounted (44%). The report also for 40% of the work- called for areas of force; however, new hir- improvement, such as ing is starting to lean retaining more employtowards gender parity. ees living in Davidson The report also showed County.

Tyre Nichols... from page 2 aggravated kidnapping, official misconduct, and official oppression.

The Nichols family’s lawsuit, filed in April, seeks $500 million in damages, shedding light on the profound impact of this tragedy and the urgent need to address issues of police violence, particularly against unarmed Black men.

Family lawyers representing the Nichols family have revealed that video footage of the

incident captured Tyre pleading to be allowed to return home, emphasizing his proximity to his mother’s house, a mere 100 yards (90 meters) away. The haunting words echo the experiences of countless other Black individuals who have faced unjustified violence at the hands of law enforcement, sparking renewed conversations and calls for systemic change.

Officials said the

dedication of the skate park in Nichols’ name not only serves as a tribute to his love for skateboarding but also stands as a reminder of the ongoing struggle against racial injustice and police brutality.

They said it symbolizes a community’s commitment to ensuring that his untimely death does not fade into obscurity but fuels a movement for meaningful change and the pursuit of justice.

Nashville PRIDE

Page 3

Celebrate Black Music Month and Juneteenth at TPAC

by Cass Teague Malone Studios Dance Academy is proud to present “Living the Legacy” 25th Anniversary Showcase featuring THE CORE, Tennessee’s Premier Aerial Silks Company, on Saturday, June 17, 2023, for two shows, 1 pm and 7 pm, in James K. Polk Theater at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC) in Nashville. With a cast of over 25 professionally trained aerialists, acrobats and dancers, the showcase will excite and amaze audiences of all ages with entertaining acrobatics, tumbling, hip hop and much more during the Juneteenth holiday weekend.

Malone Studios Dance Academy is the only urban youth aerial silks dance company in Tennessee with performers ranging in age from 8-21.

Their mission is to improve access to fine arts education and training for inner city youth, and share the arts theatre experience with underexposed communities throughout the world with sold out performances for over 20 years.

“I’ve seen first-hand that Malone Studios is more than just a dance studio, it's a place where young people particularly African American youth can learn, grow

Cast of 1776 and express themselves in a creative and nurturing environment,” said Sharon Gentry, whose daughters have participated in the program over the years. “The confidence that the students gain as their talent, skills and strength grows is visible and shows up in every aspect of their lives. This program is an invaluable asset to the Nashville community and that is a testament to the vision, commitment, and leadership of the program director, Cindi Malone Lindsey.”

HCA Healthcare / Tristar Health Broadway at TPAC presents 1776 in Andrew Jackson Hall, June 20-25. What will it take to get two dozen powerfully passionate, exceedingly complicated, and all-too-human individuals to settle their differences, while they hold the very future of a nation in their hands?

The Tony Award-winning Best Musical 1776 catapults to blazing new life in a thrillingly new production from directors Jeffrey L. Page (Violet) and Diane Paulus (Waitress).

Suddenly, the songs, humor, and passion of this musical masterpiece soar as never before. A glorious cast, featuring 17 Broadway revival cast members who reflect multiple represen-

tations of race, gender, and ethnicity, portrays the fiery founders of this country, putting history in the hands of the humans who were left out the first time around—and the result is an epic show of passion, debate, and roof-raising musical fireworks. Experience “a 1776 worth celebrating!” You may never think about our country—who we are and why—the same way again.

Outback Presents Leslie Jones: Live! June 24, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. in James K. Polk Theater.

Leslie Jones, the threetime Emmy nominee and SNL alum can currently be seen starring in Taika Waititi’s pirate comedy series Our Flag Means Death for (HBO) Max. Jones will soon produce an Untitled Christmas Comedy for Lionsgate along with Ruben Fleischer and David Bernad along with Jackie Clarke set to write and Lenny Marcus producing. Jones is developing the holiday feature as a potential starring role. In true Leslie Jones fashion, nothing is off the table.

The Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC) is located at 505 Deaderick Street in downtown Nashville.

Their website: tpac.org and box office phone: 615-782-4040.

Page 4

Nashville PRIDE

Editorials www.pridepublishinggroup.com

June 16, 2023

Winning, regardless of the cost

by William T. Robinson, Jr. It is sad but we are becoming a society where winning is everything, and nothing seems to be sacred in accomplishing that goal. While it is nice to win or be considered the best, we cannot dismiss the manner in which those results are obtained. Unfortunately, lying, cheating, and immoral practices are becoming common place in a generation obsessed with winning at any cost. Teaching competitive sportsmanship or the joy of competing in general doesn’t seem to resonate with competitors ob-sessed with winning at any cost. This winning obsession is prevalent in all venues

whether sports, corporate, entertainment, or business. We have been exposed to movies, songs, and social media implying that anything less than winning is meaningless or inconsequential. Make no mistake: winning is nice, but one must also feel good about how you won.

Fraudulent, deceptive unsportsmanlike and behaviors should not be acceptable factors to bring about a win.

We have unscrupulous, scandalous politicians, athletes, entertainers and high profile individuals who are lauded and praised with awards and accolades that should be awarded to more credible, moral, and deserving competi-

tors. When you see undeserving people winning awards or accolades, it diminishes the credibility of the award and the recipient. But what is so despicable in so many cases is the length some individuals or groups will go to win.

I would argue that there is no venue more deceptive and immoral than politicians set on winning at any cost.

Some of these politicians seem to take pride in being mendacious and selling the public snake oil. They don’t appear to have any shame in their game when resorting to the lowest levels of deception to win. Humility is not one of their attributes, and they are masters of manipulating

ignoring fiction of nuclear silver bullet

by Ben Jealous (TriceEdneyWire.com) – A growing chorus in Washington equates weaning our country off energy from killer fossil fuels to relying more heavily on new nuclear power plants. The same debates are happening in state capitals from Richmond to Raleigh, Springfield to Sacramento. This chorus distracts from the real work ahead of ensuring clean, renewable, affordable energy for every community.

The risk of nuclear energy is an easy dividing line. To opponents, names like Three Mile Island, Chernobyl, and Fukushima are all the evidence we need that a catastrophic event is unavoidable and unacceptable. For supporters, those events are a sign that disasters are few.

Both are right. They happen infrequently. But when they do occur, they are cataclysmic.

The more compelling reasons we should drop the silver bullet thinking about nuclear power are its cost and its reliability.

Since the mid-20th century when nuclear power entered the public imagination, the belief has been that energy is ‘free.’ Start the chain reaction make electricity. It’s not, and it never has been (uranium must be mined and reactor fuel is consumable).

We’ve reached a point where renewable sources like wind and solar power are cheaper, in part because they are quicker to come on line.

Lazard, a global investment bank and financial consultancy that reports annually on

the ‘levelized cost of energy’ from various sources, found that nuclear power is two to six times more costly per megawatt hour than wind and solar (which now cost the same per megawatt hour).

The capital cost of large scale solar and wind is at least eight times lower. The time to get new wind and solar into the electricity grid is at least half the time for a new nuclear plant. History shows that anyone who estimates the completion date for a new nuclear plant is wrong.

Unlike most industries that rely heavily on science and technology, the cost of building nuclear plants is rising over time. In Silicon Valley, they call it a reverse learning curve.

Supporters of nuclear power like to argue that nuclear plants are required for reliability, and that they can operate all the time. This ignores nuclear’s vulnerability to climate change: severe weather, extreme temperatures, and both floods and droughts have forced nuclear plants to shut down unexpectedly in recent years.

Additionally, a reactor goes offline for routine maintenance at least every two years, which means a plant must have more total capacity to cover that maintenance routine.

By comparison, wind and solar farms have much fewer operational problems. And battery backups have gotten faster than the gas power generation that nuclear plants often turn to meet peak demand.

Ben Jealous It’s time to confront nuclear’s challenges (uranium mining, accident risk, cost, and climate vulnerability) and double down on the solutions we know will be central to our shift away from fossil fuels.

We can’t afford the distraction of a fiction around nuclear power when burning fossil fuels threatens the health of millions around the world annually. Our focus must be on bringing the clean air, cost saving, and economic benefits of clean energy to communities across the country as quickly as we can.

From home energy retrofits and rooftop solar to wind energy and battery storage, we have more and better ways than ever before to transform our energy systems from fossil fuels to energy that’s actually clean, reliable and renewable.

(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.)

An embarrassment bigger than Trump

by Dr. John E. Warren, Publisher, San Diego Voice & Viewpoint Newspaper In the midst of the discussion of the second indictment of former President Donald Trump, there is an issue greater than, if not equal to, the former President’s alleged crimes.

That issue is the embarrassing spectacle of those elected members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate who have taken an oath to “uphold and defend” the Constitution of the United States, which includes its laws, institutions and process of governance.

That oath respects the separation of powers as established in Articles I, II and III of the Constitution. It requires that the business of the nation be done in the prescribed

Dr. John E. Warren manner of its laws, which gives legislative powers to the Congress, Judicial powers to the Courts and Executive powers to the President as prescribed under Article II. This means that when Republican members of Congress take aim and condemn the Department of Justice, the same DOJ operating under its delegated authority within the prescribed conduct of the

Judicial system, their conduct denies the validity of the very Constitution such members swore to “protect and defend”. It is one thing for die hard Trump supporters to speak as if they are operating in support of the Constitution, and another to, at the same time, say they will not read the indictment and refuse to acknowledge the same legal process that states “No one is above the law” (including Presidents).

These same Trump supporters are joined by elected Republican members of the U.S. House and Senate who join the Trump supporters as deniers of the validity of the current Presidency and our electoral process - except when it works in their favor. Democracy has

credulous people. To add insult to injury, the very people deceived are often adamant defenders of these ‘winners’ even when they are found guilty of malfeasance, lying, deception, or manifesting unbridled disrespect.

We have become a society where winning is the only thing that counts. We frequently dismiss the unsavory measures that may have been used to obtain victory. Normalizing accepting any means to obtain a win is nothing to be proud of. Isn’t it ironic that in our formative years, we were taught to honor and applaud the virtues of honesty, integrity, res-pect and morality only to see in

later years the excepted hypocrisy in exploiting these virtues?

Obsessing over winning has left many losers depressed and even suicidal. The honor and privilege of competing and being recognized in competitions seems to have been lost if you don’t win. Unfortunately, failure has become synonymous with losing, even if you are competing with your equals.

This serves to decimate one’s self esteem and worth.

In reality, all competitors are winners and should be proud. Our obsession with winning is a lurking liability that will present dire consequences in future generations if not addressed.

William T. Robinson, Jr. Sometimes when you win you lose, depending on the price you pay to attain that win. Selling or sacrificing your self dignity makes you a loser despite being declared a winner.

One would assume some houses don’t contain mirrors where their occupants can see their true selves. I am reminded of the statement: “What has a man gained to win the world but lose his soul.”

Mindless menace of violence

by Marian Wright Edelman The day after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated, Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, who had announced his decision to run for president, gave a speech at the Cleveland City Club. He said that it was not a time for politics, but a time of “shame and sorrow,” and he spoke on the “mindless menace of violence in America which again stains our land and every one of our lives”: “No one, no matter where he lives or what he does, can be certain who will suffer from some senseless act of bloodshed. And yet it goes on and on. We seemingly tolerate a rising level of violence that ignores our common humanity and our claims to civilization alike. We calmly accept newspaper reports of civilian slaughter in far off lands. We glorify killing on movie and television screens and call it entertainment.

We make it easy for men of all shades of to acquire sanity weapons and ammunition they desire.

“When you teach a man to hate and fear his brother, when you teach that he is a lesser man because of his color or his beliefs or the policies he pursues, when you teach that those who differ from you threaten your freedom or your job or your family, then you also learn to confront others not as fellow citizens but as enemies—to be met not with cooperation but with conquest, to be subjugated and mastered. We learn, at the last, to look at our brothers as aliens, men with whom we share a city, but not a community, men bound to us in common dwelling, but not in common effort.

We learn to share only a

Marian Wright Edelman common fear; only a common desire to retreat from each other; only a common impulse to meet disagreement with force.”

These words speak clearly to the moment in our nation today. At the time our dark, deep despair at Dr. King’s death was leavened only by the fact that we had Robert still Kennedy. But two months after giving this speech, Robert Kennedy was shot by an assassin at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. He died the next day, 55 years ago on my birthday, June 6, 1968. I never wore the beautiful bracelet my fiancé Peter Edelman, Robert Kennedy’s legislative assistant, had bought at the Ambassador Hotel as a birthday present.

As I walked into St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City where Robert Kennedy’s body lay in state, a weeping Charles Evers, the brother of slain civil rights leader Medgar Evers, clung to me asking over and over, “What are we going to do now?” Riding the train from New York City to Washington, D.C. bearing Robert Kennedy’s body, I was deeply moved by the stricken faces of young and old, Black and White mourners who lined the train route and mirrored my stricken heart. The single most poignant moment for

me was when the hearse Robert carrying Kennedy’s body to rest near his brother John Kennedy at Arlington National Cemetery crossed Memorial Bridge and paused for a brief time at the Lincoln Memorial, allowing the poor people still in Resurrection City from the Poor People’s Campaign to bid farewell while singing the ‘Battle Hymn of the Republic.’

In his speech in Cleveland Robert Kennedy had also said: “There is another kind of violence, slower but just as deadly, destructive as the shot or the bomb in the night. This is the violence of institutions—indifference and inaction and slow decay. This is the violence that afflicts the poor, that poisons relations between men because their skin has different colors. This is a slow destruction of a child by hunger, and schools without books and homes without heat in the winter.” He said for all of this there were no final answers, but we knew what we must do: “We must admit the vanity of our false distinctions among men and learn to find our own advancement in the search for the advancement of all. We must admit in ourselves that our own children’s future cannot be built on the misfortunes of others. We must recognize that this short life can neither be ennobled or enriched by hatred or revenge. Our lives on this planet are too short and the work to be done too great to let this spirit flourish any longer in our land.”

His work became our work, and 55 years later, the work goes on.

Marian Wright Edelman is the Founder and President Emerita of the Children's Defense Fund.

been crippled with the failure of our two Party system collapsing under such refusals by Republican members of Congress to support the very political and judicial process upon which they were elected.

It is an embarrassment to have the Speaker of the House of Representatives and members of the U.S. Senate openly attack the process and indictments brought against Donald Trump.

They refuse to even read the document in which Trump indicted himself through his words, and actions while he simultaneously refuses to acknowledge the threats to national security detailed in his illegal holding and refusal to release Secret and Clas-

sified documents.

If Donald Trump were to be treated like anyone else in a similar situation, the Court would probably order a psychiatric evaluation to consider his fitness to stand trial. His actions and statements are against his personal interest. What does that say for the elected officials and the candidates for the Office of the Presidency on the extreme right who seek to use the Republican Party to support Trump, in spite of the laws he has violated and for which he will be tried, and should be jailed?

The solution to this crisis is for the rest of us to not lose faith in our system of government.

To use our votes and

even the Recall Process to remove from Office those extremists who would violate and throw out our laws and system of democratic governance to support what they want: the replacement of democracy with an authoritarian form of government under Donald Trump.

Their end goal is a physical war of violence against our democratic governmental institutions and those of us who support those institutions.

We must not join the embarrassment of those elected officials who are drinking the Trump Kool-Aid. Thomas Jefferson once said, “Eternal Vigilance is the Price of Freedom”. Let's watch and Vote!

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

June 16, 2023

www.pridepublishinggroup.com

Continuations

Nashville PRIDE

Page 5

Rosenwald Schools... from page 1 Student spending... from page 1 Services at Fisk University.

University Fisk librarian Arnaud “Arna” Bontemps Wendell acquired the Julius Fund Rosenwald Archives on behalf of the university in 1948.

The collection documents the history of the Fund, Rosenwald including the school building program. It is now preserved by the John Hope and Aurelia E. Franklin Library, Special Collections &

Archives.

Library and Museum teams travelled across the state, connecting with many Rosenwald School communities, meeting with Rosenwald School alumni and descendants who shared their stories and experiences. The 4,000 square foot exhibit is a culmination of those visits, together with personal alumni and educator accounts, highlighting 16 of the more than 350 Rosenwald communities

in Tennessee. It engages visitors in understanding the history and significance of these schools and the surrounding communities along with preservation current efforts.

State Tennessee Museum is free and open to the public Tuesdays to Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sundays from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. For more information on exhibitions and events, please visit TNMuseum.org.

Black Music Month... from page 1 National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities while securing over a billion more to help concert halls, museums, theaters, libraries, and other venues recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. I have also had the honor of celebrating legendary Black musicians at the White House who, along with thousands more across the country, have made a lifetime of contributions to this Nation.

This month, we celebrate the songs and artists that challenge us

to think critically, stand up to injustice, and believe in ourselves. We recommit to expanding the promise of dignity and opportunity for all Americans. And we revel in the sounds, spirit, and soul of some of the very best music ever created.

“Now, therefore, I, Joseph R. Biden, Jr., president of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2023 as

Black Music Month. I call upon public officials, educators, and all the people of the United States to observe this month by honoring Black musicians and raising awareness and appreciation of Black music.

“In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 31st day of May, in the year of our Lord 2023, and of the Independence of the States of United America the two hundred and forty-seventh” – Joseph R. Biden, Jr.

Dr. Cornel West... from page 2 “Someone asked why the People’s Party?

He didn’t go with the Green Party. I think he’s always been used as a tool,” she said. “The timing is what gets me.

How do you announce and support DeSantis.

It’s alarming to me if Republicans are actually using him to split the Black vote. Then is he gonna go all the way or is he going to push anybody to the left or right.

I don’t get this except to split the Black vote.”

Alexis Morgan, an artist and writer who lives in Philadelphia, agreed with Stathopoulos’ assessment.

“I have a lot of respect for him as an intellectual and as somebody who has given so much of his life and time to social justice, but I am absolutely bewildered by this mess,” she said.

“It was quite wild for me to see the op-ed in WSJ with DeSantis who is a rabid racist and fascist. I cannot reconcile his association with a man devoted to destroying his political legacy.”

In retrospect, Morgan said, she’s actually not surprised with the DeSantis-West connection.

“He has been steeped in academia for a long time. You have to know how to play the game and get tenure,” she said.

“They both have an inclination of classical learning. I imagine that there are financial and other benefits to be linked to this organization. I can see why it would hold an appeal for him. They have a shared baseline of academic elitism. It’s gross to me and I consider myself to be a spirit person. I was not raised in the Black church. I’m Jewish, a minority within a minority. It gives me the ‘hics’ that he would allow his

religious perspective to ally himself with these people.”

Wane, Morgan and Stathopoulos all agreed that West has no chance of becoming president, citing among other things, the considerable barriers Democrats and the political class generally have erected to ensure that any thirdparty bid for the presidency dies before it begins.

“Democrats are, and have been, absolutely ruthless in snuffing out any third-party attempt,” Wane said.

West sat for an interview with his friend and colleague Chris Hedges just before he made his official announcement.

Hedges, a Pulitzer Prizewinning journalist, author, activist and Presbyterian minister, was effusive in his praise of West.

“Cornel will be a singular voice for serious social and political change in an electoral system saturated with corporate money and rigged to crush third parties,” said Hedges in his Chris Hedges Report.

“His decades-long commitment to the oppressed, his fierce opposition to American militarism and empire, his condemnation of the grotesque avarice of the billionaire class, and his determination to halt the ongoing ecocide, will see him contemptuously dismissed by the establishment. For all of these reasons we must support him.”

Hedges said West told him: “We’re at such a low point in the American empire. Its spiritual decay and its immoral decadence are so profound that we have to begin on the foundational level of a spiritual awakening and a moral reckoning. Organized

greed. Institutionalized hatred. Routinized indifference to the lives of poor and working people of all colors,” West said.

He said people have to “get beyond an analysis of the predatory capitalist processes that have saturated every nook and cranny of the culture.

“We’ve got to get beyond the ways in which the political system has been colonized by corporate wealth and by monied elite,” he said. “We’ve got to get beyond that sense of impotence of the citizenry. These are all the signs of an empire in decline. The only thing that we have to add is military overreach, and we see that as well.”

Hedges said West was clear on the task before him.

“What we need is a recognition that the corporate duopoly, both parties, constitute major obstacles and impediments for the kind of spiritual awakening and moral reckoning that focuses on poor and working people,” West said.

What West is calling for, Hedges adds “is, in short, for a political revolution and the overthrow of the ruling corporate class.”

“He sees the two ruling parties as 'parasitical,'" playing off each other in a tawdry burlesque act designed to perpetuate corporate dominance,” Hedges said.

“It’s impossible, he points out, in the twoparty system to vote against the interests of the big banks, the fossil fuel industry, the Israel lobby, the drug and insurance companies, the animal agriculture industry and the arms merchants.”

Lawyer arrested... from page 2 the corrupt practices that have tainted this city, possibly inspiring a nationwide reckoning.”

According to Carr, Jefferson complied with the officer’s request to provide identification and questioned why she was approached while filming on a public street.

However, she was swiftly arrested and charged with three mis-

demeanors: failure to comply, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest.

Jefferson remained in custody at the Holmes County Jail over the weekend, awaiting a court hearing.

Following negotiations, Police Chief Charles Henderson eventually agreed to release her without requiring a bond.

However, Jefferson

adamantly refused to pay the $35 processing fee that the jail demanded to secure her release because she thought her arrest was unfair and unconstitutional.

Her attorney noted that the incident further underscores the urgent need for comprehensive police reform and the significance of the ongoing Black Lives Matter protests.

national average.

According to Tennessee Senate Democrats, Republican policy threatens public education.

“In addition to severe underfunding, the controlling party in Tennessee has under-

mined public schools with harmful policy for a decade,” they said in a release.

“The list of harmful, anti-public education laws is long and growing fast under Gov. Bill Lee: third-grade retention law; private school

vouchers; increased standardized testing; book and material banning; censorship of honest history lessons; and attacks on professional teaching organizations.”

Read the full annual spending report at <Census.gov>.

Amanda Gorman... from page 1 clear: most of the forbidden works are by authors who have struggled for generations to get on bookshelves. The majority of these censored works are by queer and non-White voices.

“I wrote ‘The Hill We Climb’ so that all young people could see themselves in a historical moment. Ever since, I’ve received countless

letters and videos from children inspired by ‘The Hill We Climb’ to write their own poems.

Robbing children of the chance to find their voices in literature is a violation of their right to free thought and free speech.

“What can we do?

We must speak out and have our voices heard.

That’s why my publisher, Penguin Random

House, joined PEN America, authors, and community members in a lawsuit in Florida’s Escambia County to challenge book restrictions like these. To help, donate to and visit @PENAmerican and spread the word about these book bans.

“Together, this is a hill we won’t just climb, but a hill we will conquer.”

Trump indictment... from page 1 Lago last August and seized the critical papers.

Through it all, Trump continued to argue that he had the right and executive privilege as a former president, to hold on to these and other government documents, documents including holding America’s most critical and sensitive military and nuclear secrets. Trump is now the first U.S president to face federal charges.

“I’m not seeing evidence from all the past issues that he’ll be held accountable. The list of Trump’s wrongdoings is like a receipt from CVS. Much of the wrongdoings were done well before he became president and he’s untouched,” said political consultant and commentator, Michele Watley. “Call me when he’s convicted. I would be surprised if he is convicted. Chalk it up to White privilege, wealth, his network and family connections. All of these have shielded him.”

Trump is looking at 37 charges detailed in a 49-page indictment: willful retention of national defense information (31 counts); conspiracy to obstruct justice; withholding a document or record; corruptly concealing a document in a federal investigation; a scheme to conceal; making false statements and representations; and espionage. He is slated to appear at a federal courthouse in Miami on June 13.

Watley, a Kansas City, Missouri resident and founder and owner of The Griot Group LLC, a strategic communications and political advocacy consulting practice, said “no one Black that I know of would not be held accountable or killed or had their careers desecrated for the things he’s done.”

At his age, she said, Trump has spent three quarters of a century doing all the illegal, illicit and questionable things he’s done and he’s never being held accountable or responsible. With Trump facing his first indictment and unresolved cases in the District of Columbia and Georgia, there are a host of uncertainties.

“When you look at all the charges, it will be interesting to see how this plays out with his base. And how other candidates will treat him and his presence in the race,” said Watley, who has more than 15 years’ experience in public affairs, political strategy and advocacy, and governmental processes.

Special Counsel Jack Smith, who had not made a public statement during the investigation, held a brief press conference after the indictment was unsealed.

“Our laws that protect national defense information are critical to the safety and security of the United States and must be enforced,” said Smith, who encouraged everyone to read the document in full. “Violation of these laws put us at risk. Americans put their lives at risk. We have one set of laws in this country, and they apply to everyone.”

Bill Berlow, a retired writer and associate editor at The Tallahassee Democrat said he was aghast at Trump’s treasonous behavior.

Trump's “Given well-documented laziness and haphazard attitude toward securing highly sensitive classified information, during and after his presidency, one can only guess how much of that information fell into the hands of agents of foreign governments, especially since access to Mar-ALago was not difficult,” he said. “I would be extremely surprised if this fiasco has not already cost the lives of some U.S. and foreign agents and other assets who provided our intelligence services with sensitive information.”

Berlow, a consultant at William R. Berlow Inc., said his guess is that the actual damage to America’s intelligence services is incalculable.

“Not only because of the breaches described in the indictment but, perhaps more importantly, those dozens of examples left out of the indictment at the behest of U.S. intelligence agencies. I can think of only one word to appropriately describe this: treason."

David Cannady, senior partner at Cannady & Associates, offered an unusual scenario that would nullify the clear and present danger Trump still poses to the safety and security of the United States, whether it be his alleged cavalier treatment of state secrets, his involvement and instigation of the Jan. 6 coup and riot and his reputed fascist and authoritarian leanings.

“It’s pretty significant. They did not pull any punches,” Cannady said of Smith’s investigative findings. “They made sure that unlike Hillary and other cases, that they can’t say they don’t know if he did or didn’t do it. It was conclusive.

That was extremely important to protect the political process.”

This might be why Trump wants to run: to have fodder for his campaign run, said Cannady, a former assistant state attorney with the Broward State Attorney’s Office.

“These are felonies.

If he’s convicted of these crimes, this will prohibit him from ever becoming

president again,” he said. “The question is do you, are you, can you indict a former president? If you say no one is above the law, then you have to go through this process. This is not something that people haven’t been indicted for in the past. It’s so jarring because of who it is and the political climate.”

Cannady said the claims made against Trump are legitimate and the indictment is pretty boiler plate, but if convicted, Trump could be looking at a long stretch.

“Did he do it? Yeah, he did it,” Cannady said.

“He’s so brazen, he thinks he can flout and disregard any and all laws. If he’s convicted, what are the implications to his presidency?

All the things inside of me say he will be indicted. They’re showing him they can reach out and touch him. He faces 90 years in prison. I think if he’s convicted, he would serve something minimal and be pardoned by whoever is president, Democrat or Republican.”

Cannady’s reasoning was simple.

“If he is convicted, I believe a president will pardon him. It’s important for people like him to know they can be touched,” he said.

“We’ll be seeing the judiciary and criminal justice aspects of the system play out. If he’s ultimately indicted and sentenced, he will know that anybody can be touched. Trump may negotiate and offer, through a plea deal, not to run again.”

There is considerable angst among law enforcement, Democrats and political observers that Trump’s court appearance may trigger violence from his devoted and rabid followers.

Trump has been coaxing his followers to react to this latest indictment and social media has been abuzz with anger and threats against the Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Biden administration and Democratic members of Congress.

It is clear that even if Trump isn’t re-elected president, during his time in the White House he ignited a wildfire of White grievance, selfpity, persecution and retribution that excites his base and is scaring the hell out of what used to be the Republican Party.

One thing is clear: Conviction, sentencing or not, Donald John Trump isn’t going away.

And it appears that those most concerned about the considerable blast radius caused by Trump and Trumpism still have no idea how to defuse what he’s selling and what he has come to represent.

Page 6

Nashville PRIDE

Pastor, Pew, & Pulpit www.pridepublishinggroup.com

Faith of A Mustard Seed

By Barbara A. Woods Washington, M. Div. I attended a Conversations NPL at the downtown Public Library this week that was entitled “From Renewal To Revitalization - Jefferson Street.”

Key for me is that consideration is rarely given to the little known fact of Nashville being the City that houses the 2nd largest number of Historically Black Colleges and Universities where, three of the four are residentially —Jefferson Street.

Some very vital facts were presented with Tasneem Grace of Mosaic Changemakers as Moderator. Edward Kindall who represents the ‘lifeline’ of Jefferson Street gave that autobiographical view of life before the “Renewal”... that time when in a Segregated Nashville, the Businesses of Black North Nashville were in full bloom. The Homes, The Churches, The Club Night Life, The Drug Stores, The Hospital tied to the only Black Medical School in historic times — Meharry Medical College. The broken promises made to the community regarding the hard fought battle with the Federal and Sate’s plan to cut Interstate 40 through the main artery of this thriving Black community of Jefferson Street. in NashvillePost 2020 wrote “Don’t Forget North Nashville in response the Tornado where destruction”, Megan Seling raised the question: “Will the long-promised revitalization finally follow?”

She writes: “The historic, predominantly Black neighborhood and Nashville’s unifying efforts to begin to clean up its estimated $30 million to $50 million in damages were featured in the New York Times and on ABC News. But that incredible display of goodwill was only a small bandage —both for the storm damage and for the decades that Nashville has neglected

Barbara A. Woods Washington, M. Div. the people of North Nashville. In the 1960s, government the designed Interstate 40 to cut directly through neighborhood. the After a long legal battle, highway was the approved and built, severing much of North Nashville from downtown and splitting its main artery, Jefferson Street.”

Then the “Renewal” became a reality. Dr. Mary Ellen Pethel of Bellmont University set the events of “Renewal” in perspective of the whole picture of the 1960s on Jefferson Street. The number of homes taken in displacement for replacement of the Interstate.

The Battle that the community was in as a constant... compounded by the Civil Rights Struggle of the Day. The Bombing of Z Alexander Looby’s Home. The Downtown Woolworth Counter. The Freedom Riders and Fighters.

The vital role that the HBCUs played in this moment in Nashville History, but told in another space and time.

When the questions were received, I was first, in this instance, to raise my hand. I questioned the use of the terminology: “Renewal” and “Revitalization”? I stated that I had graduated from Tennessee State University in 1975 at which year the class, in mass, had to leave Nashville to find jobs where Nashville had none for us. Many of my Classmates, I added, are in Atlanta and Houston.

I stated that I returned to Nashville in 1993 to marriage and in almost 20 years nothing on Jefferson Street had

changed. I questioned the term “Revitalization” and stated that it should be identified as “Gentrification” because after all these years, this Revitalization of Jefferson Street IS NOT for US! I called their attention to the Hadley Park space that shares common streets with the TSU Campus and has a major history in connection. Dr. Learotha Williams, History Professor at TSU had mentioned in his panel presentation, the meetings held to decide our fate where no Blacks even attend. I reminded him of a recent meeting held at Hadley Park recently where no Blacks were there by design as they plan to made Hadley a ‘Dog Park’ to accommodate the “Gentrification” of WHITES ONLY being moved into all the, what was single Black Family dwellings, now all new multi, multi-housing units built throughout the Jefferson Street Community.

Did I say that I live in the Jefferson Street Community? And walk most every day in Hadley Park? And see “Revitalization/ the of Gentrification” Nashville...

North daily? And seeing the “Revitalization IS NOT FOR US?! And seeing that all of the Whites moving in are bring the biggest dogs with them and we have not talked “Guns” in Tennessee, in THIS SPACE and Time!

What I see is that the goodwill gestures spoken of by the NashvillePost resulted in the now “goodwillers” owning the tornado devastated properties that, once again, has displaced more of the Black Population of the Jefferson Street Community.

Sad for me, in this space and time, was to hear someone ask ‘what organizations in North Nashville should they look to for more” and the room went silent...

By email: myfa thersmansionpress@ gmail.com

Expressions of Faith “The Promise” (Part 2)

by Bishop-Elect Dr. Monterey D. Lee, Sr. My friends, God said: “As My people, you must have knowledge. Get it and hold on to it, for there are others who lack knowledge, because they are without Me. This is why they refuse to listen and hear My words. It’s their disobedience to the power of My word that stops them from receiving understanding, and wisdom. They go against My power: My power that performs miracles; My power that brought the children of Israel out of Egypt; power that will take My people to a land full of plenty; My power! Receive knowledge so you can have power, Dunamis Power—the ability of God, the efficiency [order and might, a greater plan] that can only come from God. So in this hour, in this timing, don’t be without the keeping power of God. Get your understanding.

“My children, you will now live in righteousness, and sin will be removed from your hearts. You will keep your word and no longer turn away from Me. This time you will not break your word, because you are now unchangeable in your character, your will, and covenant promises.

“I have pardoned your iniquity [your sins],

the transgressions of My remnant is no more. I am a God that loves to show My mercy to a people who has returned back to Me as Lord. I will not hold you back, but I will forgive you because you have repented, and now I will offer forgiveness to all that come back to Me. This is My free offer to you if you come back.

There is no one like Me. I have shown you compassion. I have subdued [conquered] your iniquities and have thrown them into the deepest part of the sea.”

Micah, the prophet of God, would say: “I have been sent to deliver a message to you [Israel] that your waywardness has been thrown into the deepest waters because you have returned to holiness. You have come away from your selflessness and you seek to worship God and turn your faithful love into a divine force. God has not given up on you for

Bishop-Elect Dr. Monterey D. Lee, Sr. His love is unending.”

And God said: “Now the 12 tribes of Jacob, with his 12 sons, I will be kind to as I did to your ancestors long ago.

I, the Lord your God, will be fair to you, and as My people I need you to do right unto Me.” From the Gospel of God: “I have shown you what is good; and what I require of thee, be justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with the Lord your God,” Micah 6:8.

You have My promise. Do I have yours?

ESTATE SALES/ VEHICLES/REAL ESTATE Have you thought about an auction?

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

June 16, 2023

Faithful Utterances Double-mindedness: Design for disaster

by Dr. Froswa Booker-Drew A friend called me recently to ask for help.

She was frustrated because a person I referred her to who initially said ‘yes’ was now being unresponsive and not following up on their commitment. Not only have they placed this entity in a bad situation because of a deadline, but they are also jeopardizing their reputation.

It would be okay if this was an isolated incident, but it has become a pattern of saying ‘yes’ only to fall through on the commitment. In a world that pushes multi-tasking and winning the rat race, it’s easy to say ‘yes’ only to end up disappointing yourself and others.

As a child, I was told your word is your bond.

The Bible tells us to let our ‘yes’ be ‘yes’ and our ‘no’ be ‘no’ (Matthew 5:37). Being overcommitted and not following through is being doubleminded. The reference comes from James 1:5-8: “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.”

Double-minded is from the Greek word ‘dipsuchos’ which means a person with two minds or two souls.

When we are doubleminded, we are struggling between making things happen our way or staying resolute in our

belief in God. Doublemindedness causes us to trust our decision-making instead of asking God for wisdom to discern what is best for our lives. Ultimately, it is believing that money, momentary fame, influence, or relationships are our source. It is failing to put God first. When God does not answer or show up in the way we want, we are frustrated with God. Our decision to move forward without God creates an onslaught of responsibility and emotions that come from being overwhelmed.

What would happen if we commit to God’s will for our lives instead of our own?

It’s so easy to believe that we can do it all. On our own, it is impossible.

With God, this changes possibilities the (Matthew 19:26). So much of our desire to be all things to everyone is rooted in ego and pride.

Our egos do not want to submit because we want to be in control. James 4:7-10 reminds us that submission to God is paramount to our success. “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Come near to God and he will come near to you.

Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you doubleminded. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”

Pride will make you believe that you can do it all. The Bible warns us of what happens when we are prideful: “First pride, then the crash— the bigger the ego, the harder the fall,” Proverbs 16:18, MSG. The crash can result in damage to our reputation, our credibility, and

Dr. Froswa Booker-Drew our word. No one is perfect. The goal is more of God in our lives and less of our will. Without pursuing consistent time with God, we place ourselves in the position of deceiving ourselves into the lie that we don’t need God and that we can do it ourselves. Doublemindedness keeps us restless, unstable, overcommitted and can affect every area of our lives.

Matthew 6:33, MSG, can help us with doublemindedness: “If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen— don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.”

Selah.

(Dr. Froswa’ BookerDrew is the president of Soulstice Consultancy and the founder of the and Reconciliation Restoration Foundation <r2fdn.org>.)

Nashville PRiDE Directory of Churches 40th Avenue Church of Christ 616 40th Avenue North Nashville TN, 37209 www.40thavecoc.com Sunday School 9:00 a.m.

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

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

(615) 329-2325 Min. Dr. Charles A Beaman Church of Scientology & Celebrity Centre Nashville 1130 8th Ave S Nashville, TN 37203 615-687-4600 7 days a week with Service every Sunday at 11AM scientology-ccnashville.org Senior Pastor: Rev. Brian Fesler Clark Memorial United Methodist Church 1014 14th Ave. North Nashville, TN 37208 Ph: (615) 329-4464 FAX: (615) 321-0975 Sunday Worship: 8:00 a.m./10:45 a.m.

Herbert Lester, Jr.,pastor clarkumcnashville.org Cleveland Street MBC 608 Cleveland Street Nashville, TN 37207 615-227-1149 Sunday Worship: 10:45 a.m./9:15 Church School clevelandstreet baptist@comcast.net www.clevelandstreet baptistchurch.com Dr. Donald Snead, pastor

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

June 16, 2023

www.pridepublishinggroup.com

Leisure

Page 7

Nashville PRIDE

Gloria Gaynor: I Will Survive documentary blesses the 2023 Tribeca Film Festival

by Dwight Brown, (***) “You think I'd lay down and die? Oh no, not I, I will survive.”

The lyrics to the song ‘I Will Survive,’ which won the only Grammy for Best Disco Recording in 1980, could also be words written on the first page of Gloria Gaynor’s diary.

She’s lived that song.

And there she was, after the premiere of her bio/documentary Gloria Gaynor: I Will Survive, singing on stage at the 2023 Tribeca Film Festival. A legend, icon and soul survivor watched her life story play out on the screen.

She had to feel proud of herself and the audience was happy to watch her bask in the glow.

Wisely, TV producer turned first-time documentary director Betsy Schechter doesn’t just assemble a photo collage and videography of history.

Gaynor’s Instead, she also charts Gaynor’s years-long quest to make a gospel LP. Viewers are reminded of her storied career, experience her life journey and watch a protago-

Gloria Gaynor stars in Gloria Gaynor I Will Survive documentary (photo

by Dwight Brown). nist fight an entrenched music industry that compartmentalizes artists.

She’s evolving from the disco to the praise worship genre. Regardless.

The facts are catalogued. Abandoned by her father, raised by a single mom, molested and sexually abused as an adolescent then married to a man who spent her into poverty. You

want to root for her as she goes to college, struggles to find her place in the world of Christian music and shows everyone that at age 80 she’s lived through the good times, survived the worst and risen again.

A recent Donna Summer documentary catalogued her life story but felt trite. This doc

feels rich because its central focus is a very wise, educated woman who shares what she’s learned and dispensed it in profound, philosophical streams of thoughts, e.g.: “Kids don’t know they’re poor, if they’re loved.” She learned lessons from her upbringing and a mom who made her feel whole.

She also understands the

virtue of staying focused and on course as she turns her career around.

That’s manifested by her determination to finish her long-gestating gospel album, without detours: “If you’re going from Florida to New York, you don’t have to go by way of California.”

There are glimpses of Gaynor at her peaks, being feted as an international star—her valleys; touring with no band; singing backed only by a CD; recovering from a debilitating back injury; star singer in several bands; working with Clive Davis; losing her contract and remerging with a disco hit that would become her anthem. It’s all on view.

Gaynor recollects her own story. Her manager, producer, relatives and others fill in the gaps.

Photos, footage, TV interviews and a toe-tapping playlist provide a steady verve that will keep music fans, baby boomers and fellow survivors engaged for 99 minutes.

The film’s most touching scene is when Gaynor visits a school in

Valencia, Spain that has struggled. Her song ‘I Will Survive’ contributed to the students finding hope, determinaand triumph. tion Gaynor arrives as the prophet, lauded, accepted and loved—demonstrating that a singer, person and song can empower others.

That ministry of positivity is what she brought to the stage June 9 at the Tribeca Film Festival. Moviegoers saw her life story on screen and reveled in the combination of film and live disco and gospel music by the two-time Grammy winner.

The film was the preamble, a heartfelt, inspiring documentary about an iconic soul survivor.

Then Gloria Gaynor took the stage and blessed everyone with her presence. It was a gift all will cherish, dearly.

“I've got all my life to live. And I've got all my love to give, and I'll survive.”

Dwight Brown is a Film critic for NNPA News Wire. You can read his reviews at Dwight BrownInk.com.

Rod McGaha presents Juneteenth Music and Art Exhibit at ACME and hadley Park Concert

by Cass Teague Rod McGaha, a sound and visual artist, will present a Juneteenth music and art exhibit at ACME in downtown Nashville from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm on Monday, June 19, 2023. The event is free and open to the public.

The exhibit, titled “We Stand, We Love, We Play, We Dance,” will feature original and music images inspired by great Black musicians, artists, dancers, thinkers, and activists. These include Thelonious Monk, Duke Ellington, Shirley Horn, Nina Simone, Nikki Giovanni, Miles Davis, Martin Luther King Jr, Malcolm X, Lena Horne, James Baldwin, and more.

“These great minds have greatly influenced how I compose and perform music, while also shaping the way I see through the lens,” said McGaha. “The images and music represent how Black people have always used creativity to address issues of inequality. How black people have always

worked towards an altruistic community.”

The exhibit will also feature a live concert, dancers, and a video and photography exhibit.

“I hope this exhibit will inspire people to celebrate Juneteenth and to continue to fight for equality,” said McGaha.

Musicians for the event include Don Aliquo-Saxophone, Yosvany Cordero-Percussion, Rob Linton-Bass, Giovanni RodriguezPercussion, Roy (Futureman) Wooten-Drums, and of course, Rod (Preacherman) McGahaTrumpet. The featured Dancers are Shabaz Chijioke Ujima and Thea Jones Brown.

Jazz in the Park is a monthly series of Friday evening concerts at the Hadley Park Bandshell with some fantastic local artists. The next concert is Friday, June 23 at 5:30 pm, and features trumpeter Rod McGaha.

A longtime favorite of jazz fans in Nashville, Chicago native Rod McGaha continues to blaze new creative trails.

Mentored by jazz master Clark Terry at DePaul

University, Rod went on to perform with such artists as Lou Rawls, The O’Jays, Bebe and Cece Winans, Take 6, and Kirk Whalum, and Max Roach and his Brass Quintet. Jazz artists today frequently cross stylistic boundaries but Rod has done this since the 1990’s, drawing from gospel, funk, and R&B as well as classic jazz. His interests in photography and visual art are often combined with jazz in creative multimedia projects.

Free concerts in the park give everyone in the community the chance to enjoy great music in a family-friendly setting. The Nashville Jazz Workshop is the sponsor. The Hadley Park Bandshell has plenty of park bench seating and large open areas for lawn chairs and picnic blankets. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and picnic blankets, or enjoy the ample park bench seating. Rain policy: in case of inclement weather, patrons will be notified by 4:30 pm via the NJW

Rod McGaha (photo by Bo May, courtesy Nashville Jazz Workshop) website, Facebook, and Instagram.

Rod is a frequent instructor at the Nashville Jazz Workshop and a frequent performer in the Jazz Cave.

He also loves performing for children and has appeared in the NJW’s new Jazz A.M. series.

Concerts are from 5:30 to 7 pm and are free and open to the public.

Friday, May 19, Emmanuel Echem opened the series, and Friday, July 14, Cord Martin closes it out.

Legendary hip-hop icons Run-DMC headline star-studded concert celebrating 50th anniversary of genre at Yankee Stadium

by Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire senior national correspondent In a historic event that will pay homage to the roots of hip-hop, the legendary Yankee Stadium in the Bronx will host a starstudded concert commemorating the 50th anniversary of the genre.

Live Nation, the prominent entertainment company, has announced that the much-anticipated celebration, aptly named ‘Hip-Hop 50 Live,’ will take place on August 11, symbolizing the day that hip-hop culture was born.

The concert holds even greater significance than initially anticipated.

It could be the final show for hip-hop trailblazers Run-DMC, who will grace the stage as the headlining act.

Titled ‘Bottom of the 9th… The Walk Off,’ their set alludes to the possibility that this performance will be the group’s last, adding excitement and nostalgia to the event.

Unfortunately, according to organizers, an original invitation extended to the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) to cover the show from backstage will no longer be honored.

The NNPA, representing over 230 African American newspapers and media companies, including esteemed publications

Run-DMC like Rolling Out, EBONY, immediately returned.

The New York Amsterdam The concert’s lineup is News, Chicago Defender, an homage to the pioneers and the Philadelphia Trib- of hip-hop, with DJ Kool une, expressed uncertain- Herc, credited as the origty about the access organ- inator of the genre, and his izers would afford the sister Cindy Campbell, Black Press. who organized the semiNNPA President/ nal party in 1973, leading CEO, Dr. Benjamin F. the ‘Pillars of Hip-Hop’ Chavis, Jr. is respected as set. a godfather among the Accompanying them hip-hop elite as the organ- are esteemed figures such izer of the Million Man as Grandmaster Caz, KurMarch, executive director tis Blow, Mele Mel, Roxof the Hip Hop Summit, anne Shante, Scorpio, and and for his role in the hip- The Sugar Hill Gang. hop-themed motion picJoining Run-DMC as ture, Belly. Chavis also co-headliners are iconic serves as a special advisor artists Snoop Dogg, Lil to the Universal Hip Hop Wayne, and Ice Cube, Museum board. promising electrifying Rocky Bucano, the collaborations and surexecutive director of the prise guest appearances Universal Hip Hop Muse- during their performancum, revealed that Mass es.

Appeal, the production The lineup boasts company in charge of the impressive talent, featurevent, holds the reins ing T.I., Fat Joe, Comregarding press privileges. mon, EPMD, Slick Rick, Messages left for officials Ghostface Killah, Lupe at Mass Appeal weren’t Fiasco, A$AP Ferg, and

more.

The concert will also feature a ‘Queens of HipHop’ set, showcasing powerhouse female artists Eve, Lil Kim, Remy Ma, and Trina, with the possibility of additional guests joining them on stage.

To keep the energy flowing throughout the event, renowned DJs Battle Cat, Clark Kent, Mannie Fresh, and Marley Marl promise to provide captivating sets for what’s expected to be a sold-out crowd.

Speculation regarding Run-DMC’s future has been circulating since January, when co-founder Darryl ‘DMC’ McDaniels hinted that the group, unable to carry on without the late DJ Jason ‘Jam Master Jay’ Mizell, would bid farewell with one last monumental concert this year.

Speaking with LL Cool J’s Rock The Bells Radio, McDaniels acknowledged that RunDMC’s essence rested in the triumvirate of talent, stating, “We can’t be RunDMC without Jay.” Many anticipate Run DMC’s final performance will count as a poignant tribute to their legacy and a testament to the enduring impact of their music.

Pre-sale tickets for ‘Hip Hop 50 Live’ are available through Ticketmaster.

Tv Dads ACROSS 1. Necklace lock 6. Blue 9. *Mr. Micelli in “Who’s the Boss” 13. “The Tortoise and the Hare,” e.g.

14. Beer acronym 15. Check recipient 16. Angler’s basket 17. Circle part 18. “Orange” warning 19. *Mr. Keaton in “Family Ties” 21. *Mr. Cunningham in “Happy Days” 23. Dad’s offspring 24. “Jack and the Beanstalk” instrument 25. General Post Office 28. Plural of cecum 30. Pompous windbag 35. Not written 37. Scotch ingredient 39. Complain 40. Spanish surrealist Joan 41. Formed #17 Across 43. Press back arrow key 44. Not odds 46. “Musical” constellation 47. Backgammon predecessor 48. Louisiana music genre 50. Aware of 52. Jeans brand 53. In a little while, old-fashioned 55. Old age, old-fashioned 57. *Mr. White “Breaking Bad” 60. *Mr. Stark “Game of Thrones” 63. Ruffle on a blouse 64. Determine the sum 66. Feline sound 68. Bronze, e.g.

69. Chasing game 70. “All joking ____” 71. Big Bang’s original matter 72. Compass bearing 73. Type of stocking DOWN 1. Olden-day aerosol can propellant, acr.

2. Lawrence, for short 3. Aid and ____ 4. Like gelled hair

5. Relating to pelvis 6. a.k.a. Xi’an 7. Credit card rate, acr.

8. Putin’s country house, e.g.

9. Samoan money 10. Deed hearing 11. Egghead 12. Up to the present time 15. a.k.a. melon tree 20. Organ swelling 22. What organza and forgiveness have in common 24. Calm and peaceful 25. *Mr. Addams “The Addams Family” 26. Outhouse 27. Propelled like Argo 29. *Mr. Winslow in “Family Matters” 31. Give the cold shoulder 32. Twofold 33. *Mr. Johnson in “Black-ish” 34. Glittery stone 36. Like certain Ranger 38. Seaside bird 42. Old hat 45. Scatterbrained, in U.K. 49. Top seed 51. Nickname for dad (2 words) 54. Speak like Cicero 56. ____ Buchanan of “The Great Gatsby” 57. China’s Great one 58. Often goes with \ “willing” 59. Rumpelstiltskin’s weaver 60. Upper hand 61. Not top-shelf 62. Popular symbol of extinction 63. *Mr. Pritchett in “Modern Family” 65. *Mr. Conner in “Roseanne” 67. Skin cyst Solutions from last puzzle

Page 8

Nashville PRIDE

Health/Education

www.pridepublishinggroup.com

June 16, 2023

TSU Aristocrat of Bands makes successful, historic debut at 2023 CMA Fest

by Alexis Clark Tennessee State University’s Grammy-award-winning Aristocrat of Bands continues to go where no other band has gone. This time, it was at the 2023 Country Music Association Fest (CMA) in downtown Nashville, serving as the opening act. Early morning concert goers rocked to the soulful sounds of AOB and watched the Sophisticated Ladies creating an unforgettable HBCU band experience.

Thursday marked another successful and historic performance as the TSU band became the first collegiate band to perform at the four-day music festival.

“This is important because people don’t usually associate country music with HBCU bands, said Hailey Russell, a Nashville native who is a piccolo section leader for AOB. “So us performing today felt like bridging a gap and letting us celebrate music all around.”

Russell said the best part of the overall experience was kicking off the CMA Fest Hall of Fame Ceremony with a performance on the John pedestrian bridge.

Seigenthaler “Playing on the pedestrian bridge with everyone who walked past being able

to enjoy our music even if they weren’t there for the CMA Fest was my favorite part.”

TSU graduate student Jibril Lee, who plays the trumpet, said he was very excited about the outcome of the crowd and their performance. “It was a different stage, a different environment and it was amazing,” Lee said. “I’m feeling pretty excited about the future of AOB performances of this magnitude, like the CMA Fest.”

The massive crowd, at the Riverfront Stage, also roared with applause as the band accompanied local 8th grade student Ariah McEwen, who sang the National Anthem.

Assistant band director Larry Jenkins said the performance represented everything AOB and the university stands for. “This was an amazing performance,” Jenkins said. “I am glad we were able to represent the university on this stage and that the crowd got to experience the culture as we know it.”

AOB’s Director Dr. Reginald McDonald said he is grateful that the students took time out of their summer to be a part of CMA Fest memories.

“For them to give up two weeks of their summer to be here for TSU is

AOB and the Sophisticated Ladies rocked the crowd with an unforgettable HBCU band experience. truly amazing,” McDonald said. now. This is the opportunity for people “I am feeling extremely proud right to see the excellence of TSU.”

André L. Churchwell, MD, named to Tennessee health Care hall of Fame 2023 inductee class André L. Churchwell, MD, has been named to the 2023 inductee class of the Tennessee Health Care Hall of Fame.

Churchwell graduated from the Vanderbilt School of Engineering magna cum laude in 1975. He attended Harvard Medical School and earned his medical degree in 1979. He completed his internship, residency, and cardiology fellowship at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia.

Dr. Churchwell is a professor of medicine (cardiology), professor of radiology and radiological sciences, professor of biomedical engineering, and senior associate dean for Diversity Affairs at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.

Churchwell will be recognized at a celebration and reception at the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts on Tuesday, October 17, along with four other inductees, including: Wilsie S. Bishop, MSN, MSED, DPA – professor and vice president for Health Affairs emerita at East Tennessee State University; Vicky Gregg – founding partner, Guidon Partners, and former CEO BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee; Stephen Reynolds – president emeritus and senior consultant at Baptist Memorial Health Care; and Philip A. Wenk, DDS – CEO of Delta Dental of Tennessee.

With a mission to honor those who have made significant and lasting con-

André L. Churchwell, MD tributions to the health and health care industries, the Hall of Fame was created by Belmont University, the McWhorter Society and the Nashville Health Care Council, a founding partner. Since its inception in 2015, the Hall of Fame has inducted nearly 50 health care leaders.

The nomination process began last October and was open to practitioners, executives, entrepreneurs, mentors, teachers, scientists, researchers, innovators or any person with a connection to the health or health care field who – • was born, lived or worked in Tennessee • made a significant impact and lasting contribution to health care at the local, state, national or internation-

Men have unique health needs that should not be ignored

Statistics show many men are inclined to not see a doctor until in the later stages of physical or mental ailments.

By Terry Kanakri (courtesy of Kaiser Permanente) For many men, due to cultural or other reasons, they often neglect to schedule annual check-ups that are vitally important or postpone seeing a doctor when experiencing health issues because of the belief that “being a man” or masculinity means you should tolerate pain.

Unfortunately, such behavior can lead to serious consequences, as early detection and treatment often are the keys to the cure of many health problems.

With June being “Men’s Health Month,” it’s important for men to understand that good health should never be taken for granted and that seeking help is not a sign of weakness, says Dr. Fred Alamshaw, a family medicine physician with Kaiser Permanente Southern California.

“It’s important to know that catching a disease in its early stages can be the difference between life and death,” Dr. Alamshaw said.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 13.2% of men aged 18 and older in the United States were considered to be in fair or poor health in 2021.

“One conclusion to this troubling statistic is that many men are inclined to not see a doctor until in the later stages of physical or mental ailments,” said Dr. Alamshaw, who is chief of family medicine at Kaiser Permanente Orange County.

Dr. Alamshaw noted that many men struggling with physical or mental health issues, are often more likely than women to have not sought treat-

ment or have not had recent contact with a healthcare professional.

“This is regardless of income or ethnicity,” Dr. Alamshaw said. “This type of reluctance often leads to men not seeking help until their mental or physical health has progressed to a point where it might be too late by then.”

One reason for such behavior, Dr. Alamshaw explained, is that many men want to exhibit the traditional gender norms of ‘masculinity.’ They may also want to display the need for independence or control. Others have an unwillingness or fear of appearing weak or vulnerable due to cultural norms or societal pressure.

Dr. Alamshaw encouraged men to set such feelings aside, noting it’s advisable for them to at minimum undergo certain key checkups by healthcare providers to remain in good health and prevent serious illness.

They include: • Blood pressure checks.

• Screening for diabetes and cholesterol.

• Prostate cancer screening.

• Colon cancer screening.

Dr. Alamshaw added men also need to pay special attention to their mental health, instead of just focusing on good physical health.

“One can never underestimate the importance of good mental health as being a critical part of our overall health,” he explained. “Remember: It's OK to ask for help, as it’s well known that for men, it’s a difficult subject many do not wish to discuss, resulting in them minimizing their feelings or symptoms.”

Such behavior can have drastic consequences, however, he said. “If they’re experiencing mental health challenges and don’t seek treatment, which can result in alcohol and drug abuse and possibly suicide, as well as other forms of abuse that are twice to three times more common among men than in women.”

It’s important to remove all stigma among men about seeking care for mental health disorders, Dr. Alamshaw said stressing, "Admitting you need help is not a sign of weakness or failure."

“Mental health should be treated like any other medical problem,” he explained. “It needs to be destigmatized and viewed as any other medical condition.”

al level • exhibits the highest ethical and professional character • serves as an outstanding role model in their community Among the accomplished nominees, inductees were chosen by a selection committee made up of health care leaders in various sectors from across the state. Selected inductees represent some of Tennessee’s greatest health and health care pioneers, leaders, and innovators.

“It is a tremendous honor to acknowledge the remarkable achievements of this year’s Tennessee Health Care Hall of Fame inductee class,” said Belmont University President Dr. Greg Jones. “As we move closer to opening our Frist College of Medicine and continue training providers in our esteemed Colleges of Nursing and Pharmacy & Health Sciences, we draw great inspiration from the profound impact these five individuals have had on health care. Each inductee has championed health and well-being for Tennesseans and beyond, and I look forward to formally celebrating their contributions in October.”

In addition to recognizing

Tennessee’s most influential health and health care leaders, the Hall of Fame serves as an ongoing educational resource to document the rich history that has contributed to Tennessee’s position as the nation’s health care capital. Beginning in 2024, the Hall of Fame will have a permanent location, open to the public, within Belmont’s Thomas F. Frist, Jr. College of Medicine. The building is slated to open in spring 2024.

Sponsors of this year’s induction ceremony contribute to the long-term viability of the Hall of Fame and the McWhorter Society Scholarship Program, which benefits students pursuing careers in the health sciences.

Since the inception of the McWhorter Society and the Tennessee Health Care Hall of Fame, more than $3.7 million has been raised to support McWhorter Society Endowed Scholarships, with more than 200 students receiving 428 annual scholarships since 2014.

A comprehensive list of Hall of Fame inductees since 2015 (along with information on sponsorship opportunities for the October 17 induction event) can be found on the Tennessee Health Care Hall of Fame website.