Nashville PRIDE July 21, 2023

2023 Nashville Election Special Edition See inside on page 5 ONlY

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volume XXXvii, Number 29

Nashville, TN

July 21, 2023

People Are Talking

Super PAC aims to empower Black voters – secure House leadership

Anthony Davis sworn-in as new Nashville state representative

by Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire senior national correspondent To bolster Black voter participation and secure a groundbreaking achievement in House leadership, a prominent ally of the Congressional Black Caucus is launching a super PAC with ambitious plans to spend tens of millions of dollars.

The newly formed organization, called the Rolling Sea Action Fund, will focus on mobilizing Black voters and aiding Democrats in flipping the House majority.

The ultimate goal is to elect the first Black speaker of the House.

Niccara Campbell-Wallace, former political director of the Congressional Black Caucus PAC, is heading the initiative.

While the Rolling Sea Action Fund will be aligned with the all-Democratic Congressional Black Caucus, it will operate as a ‘hybrid PAC.’ This designation permits the group to raise candidates’ funds while maintaining a separate account to spend unlimited sums on advertisements and other election-related expenses.

To seize the House majority, Democrats must flip five seats during next year’s congressional elections.

If achieved, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries could become the nation’s first Black speaker of the House.

In an NBC interview before the launch of the Rolling Sea Action Fund, Campbell-Wallace expressed confidence in the group’s ability to execute a multi-pronged strategy in 2024 with an expenditure exceeding $10 million.

This strategy includes advertising

Anthony Davis With his family by his side, former Nashville Councilman Anthony Davis was sworn in Monday as the new State Representative for District 51. Davis was appointed to the interim position by the Metro Council to succeed Bill Beck, who died unexpectedly from a heart attack last month.

District 51 encompasses parts of downtown Nashville, the Gulch, Germantown, East Nashville, Madison, Donelson and Inglewood.

Davis, a Democrat, is a lifelong Nashvillian who graduated from MLK Magnet School and owns East Nashville Beer Works.

After serving two terms on the Nashville Council, he said he is well-prepared for his new role: “I previously served District 7 on the Metro Council for eight years and have a proven track record of progressive values and making Nashville a better place to live. I want to bring that same philosophy to my service as your new State Representative.

“My interim term will coincide with the planned special session Gov. Lee will be calling to address public safety. I am ready and willing to do the hard work of standing up to the NRA and other pro-gun special interests to protect our kids from future school shootings. As a father with two children attending public school in Nashville, I’ll be advocating for common sense reforms to our gun laws.”

Davis is being challenged in the Special Democratic Primary by community organizer Aftyn Behn.

U.S House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries campaigns, in-person organizing, and engagement in crucial communities.

The PAC will concentrate its efforts on districts with more than an eight percent Black voting age population, mainly focusing on the most competitive House seats.

Campbell-Wallace also indicated the possibility of the group’s involvement in primary races.

“We know that Black voters are the cornerstone of the Democratic Party

Rev. Jesse Jackson’s extraordinary career in negotiating for release of American hostages abroad

Tenn. NAACP denounces scare tactics on Black churches by Klan The Tennessee State Conference NAACP denounces the scare tactics levied by the group referencing itself as ‘Old Glory Knights of the Ku Klux Klan’ as they left racial and hate literature at Mt. Calvary M.B. Church, Faith United M.B. Church and Bethel A.M.E. Church in the Columbia, Tenn. area.

“This attack on the serenity and sanctity of Black parishioners is nothing less than demonic,” said Gloria Sweet-Love, president of the Tennessee State Conference NAACP. “This brazen act is a reminder that in 1996 numerous Black churches across Tennessee and the Southeast were burned and their parishioners left without a place of worship.

“The fact that these cowardly night riders also left flyers at an apartment complex that has predominately African American tenants shows just how brazen the cowards are that “ride at night”.

We are calling on law enforcement and all elected officials to denounce this cowardly act of terrorism and stay alert to insure that our places of worship are safe and secure.”

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and of protecting American democracy,” Campbell-Wallace told NBC. She further stressed that the initiative would consistently empower and mobilize Black voters, ensuring representation and inclusivity in American politics.

The Congressional Black Caucus comprises several newer members who recently won tightly contested Continued on page 9

Rev. Jesse Jackson

by Stacy M. Brown, rights leader’s astonishing career.

NNPA Newswire senior But a significant part of Jackson’s national correspondent fight for justice was his ability as a deft Rev. Jesse Jackson’s decision to negotiator. step down as president/CEO of the That was no more evident than Rainbow PUSH Coalition this month when Jackson distinguished himself as has led many to reflect on the civil a diplomat.

Beyond his efforts on American soil, he played a pivotal role in securing the release of numerous American hostages held captive abroad.

His unwavering commitment to justice and diplomacy has saved lives and earned him global recognition as a skilled negotiator.

One of the most notable instances of Jackson’s intervention occurred in 1985 during the hijacking of TWA Flight 847.

En route from Cairo to San Diego, Hezbollah militants seized the aircraft and took 153 passengers hostage, including 40 Americans.

Prior to the TWA Flight 847 crisis, Jackson previously negotiated with Syrian officials for the release of a captured American airman, and several Cuban political prisoners.

In each instance, President Ronald Reagan sharply criticized Jackson for interfering with foreign matters.

However, having developed a Continued on page 9

January 6 indictment looms as former President Trump faces mounting legal woes

by Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire senior national correspondent Former President Donald Trump, already indicted on state criminal charges in New York and federal crimes in Florida, is facing another legal challenge.

Trump confirmed on Tuesday that he had been served a “target letter” from the special counsel, Jack Smith, in connection with the ongoing criminal investigation into his attempts to cling to power after losing the 2020 election.

The New York Times reported that the letter indicates that Trump is likely to be indicted in the case, raising the stakes of his already tumultuous legal battles.

This marks the second time Smith has identified Trump as a target in a federal investigation, following the initial notice in June, which was related to the inquiry into Trump’s handling of national defense material after leaving office and his alleged obstruction of efforts to retrieve it.

The former president was charged

Donald Trump speaking with supporters at a campaign rally at Veterans Memorial Coliseum at the Arizona State Fairgrounds in Phoenix, Arizona (photo by George Skidmore, Wikimedia Commons) with 37 criminal counts encompassing the 2020 election in the Peach State. seven violations of federal law, some Taking to his social media platin conjunction with one of his aides. form, Truth Social, Trump expressed He’s also awaiting a decision in his displeasure with the latest developGeorgia, where prosecutors have ments, blaming ‘Deranged Jack empaneled a Grand Jury to look at Smith,’ the prosecutor from Joe Trump’s alleged attempts to influence Continued on page 9

July 21, 2023 National/Local www.pridepublishinggroup.com Cancer… My Journey in time Rachel louise Martin with linda T. Wynn at Tennessee A good day to live

by Wanda Clay said. “So I decided to State Museum August 12 “So, I feel lousy. So live. Let me schedule

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Nashville PRIDE

what? How many other people feel lousy?”

Maybe on occasion this has been your response to how you’re feeling.

Why? Because we don’t always feel well for whatever reasons.

So what do you do on those occasions?

The above quote was from Rev. Enoch pastor of Fuzz, Corinthian Missionary Baptist Church. He said it referred to his diagnosis of stage four lung cancer and all of its side effects. Nevertheless, he is still concerned with the fact that other people may also be feeling ‘lousy’ as well.

“No one is sending condolences to my family,” Rev. Fuzz also said. That makes for a good day, no matter how a person may be feeling. “God has given me another opportunity and another chance to get it right,” Rev. Fuzz

some meetings. There are lots of things to do.

So I don't feel well, but Jesus died not feeling well and not treated well either. I feel like living, I feel like getting well. I don't feel like dying today.”

With thoughts about Jesus and His journey while on earth, the Bible teaches us that Jesus always knew his purpose. He also continued to do his work even when he knew how he would be treatbetrayed and ed, abused.

As children of God, we too, should consider our purpose and how we react to our conditions and feelings at any given time.

Because his work is never done, Rev. Fuzz chooses to make some calls and contacts regardless of how he feels, because he says there is a lot to do.

God’s work is never

Rev. Enoch Fuzz done. Therefore, Rev. Fuzz recognizes he also has work that is never done.

Keep praying because there is a lot to do if you know your assignment. It’s a good day to live. Pray for Rev. Fuzz and his healing. He consistently prays for everyone and always has thoughts of other people feeling worse than him.

“Today is a good day to live,” concluded Rev. Fuzz.

Keep viewing Rev. Fuzz’s posts on Meta and be encouraged by reading our weekly column, ‘Cancer: My Journey in Time.’

By Cass Teague The Tennessee State Museum presents TN Writers | TN Stories: Rachel Louise Martin: A Most Tolerant Little Town, on Saturday, August 12, from 10:30 am – 12 Noon CDT. The event is free and open to the public, but please register on the Museum website first.

In graduate school, Rachel Louise Martin volunteered with a Southern oral history project. One day, she was sent to a small town in in the Tennessee, of the foothills where Appalachians, locals wanted to build a museum to commemorate the events of September 1956, when Clinton High School became the first school in the former Confederacy to undergo court-mandated desegregation. But not everyone wanted to talk.

As one founder of the Tennessee White Youth told her, “Honey, there

Linda T. Wynn was a lot of ugliness down at the school that year; best we just move on and forget it.”

For years, Martin wondered what it was some white residents of Clinton didn’t want remembered. So, she went back, eventually interviewing over sixty townsfolk — including nearly a dozen of the first students to desegregate Clinton High — to piece together what had happened back in 1956; the death threats and beatings, picket lines and

cross burnings, neighbors turned on neighbors and preachers for the first time at a loss for words.

In A Most Tolerant Little Town, Rachel Martin weaves together over a dozen perspectives in a kaleidoscopic portrait of a small town living through a tumultuous turning point for America. The result is a spellbinding mystery, a riveting piece of forgotten civil rights history, and a poignant reminder of the toll on those who stand on the frontlines of social change. You may never before have heard of Clinton, Tennessee — but you won’t be forgetting the town anytime soon after this.

This event is part of the TN Writers | TN Stories series presented in partnership with Humanities Tennessee, Chapter 16 and Vanderbilt University Press. Readings and discussions take Continued on page 9

Once a safe haven for escaped slaves, small Arkansas town suffers water crisis amidst heatwave

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent During the Civil War 1863, Helena, in Arkansas, located in the South and under Union provided occupation, refuge to runaway slaves, becoming a safe haven for them.

The city also served as a training ground for various regiments comprised of colored soldiers.

In the 1940s and 1950s, Helena transformed into a thriving blues community, flourishing as a bustling port town along the Mississippi River.

According to the city’s official website, musicians from all corners of the South would make a stop in Helena, contributing to its vibrant music scene.

To this day, Helena remains the proud host of the nation’s longest-running blues radio show, King Biscuit Time.

The show played a crucial role in launching the careers of numerous renowned musicians.

Presently known as Helena-West-Helena, the city serves as the county seat for Phillips County and is home to a population of slightly over 9,000 people, predominantly African Americans.

And typical of Black communities across the country, Helena-West Helena has its share of problems that arise from discrimination.

Today, as blistering heat beats down on Helena, the city faces a water crisis and meaningful state, and federal aid has remained elusive.

As the city braces for more scorching temperatures, the mercury expected to reach a sweltering 98 degrees next week, it has grappled with a dire water shortage for the past three weeks.

Aid has been slow to

He others have questioned why substantive and timely aid has been slow to materialize, citing similar delays experienced in other predominate African American communities like Flint, Michigan, and Jackson, Mississippi.

In his seven months as mayor, Franklin said he has focused on revitalizing the city by demolishing 90 abandoned homes to eliminate blight and attract residents back to the area.

He said he sees this as an opportunity to replace the aging water lines that lie beneath those houses.

However, the water crisis has not been the challenge for only Franklin.

Since defeating a white incumbent in the mayoral race, Franklin said he’s encountered racism, including death threats, property intrusions, and social media attacks.

“I’m not arguing about a football game.

I’m arguing about the quality of life for Black people and all the people in this inner city,” Franklin stated.

And typical of Black communities across the country, Helena-West Helena has its share of problems that arise from discrimination. arrive, leaving the com- remains in effect due to “Instead, there’s no Acknowledging the munity to rely on bottled leaks sprouting from var- sense of urgency for us. I assistance provided by water for their daily ious compromised parts mean, why would it be? entities such as the needs. of the infrastructure.

We’re Black. There’s no Arkansas National The root cause of According to NBC urgency until they want Guard, the Red Cross, Helena-West Helena’s News, city officials esti- our vote. And that’s Walmart, and Dollar water woes lies in its mate that the cost of what’s happening here. General in offering supaging infrastructure, with repairing the antiquated What else are we left to port and bottled water, pipes dating back at least piping system ranges think?”

Franklin said he worried 60 years, which have from $1 million to $10 The mayor called that if those organizations been bursting throughout million. upon Arkansas’ two are the sole sources of the city.

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Republican senators, help, the city will face a Mayor Christopher Sanders issued a Tom Cotton and John long, scorching summer.

Franklin expressed his $100,000 loan to help Boozman, both of whom concerns in an NBC address the leaks in the failed to provide a satisNews interview. primary water system, factory response to the “Some of the prob- but Franklin and his chief crisis. lems are about infrastruc- of staff, James Valley, While Cotton sent an ture being neglected over deemed it insufficient to aide to assess the situaHave you thought about an auction? the years. It’s just been a resolve the issue. tion, Boozman is sched“Most money in the shortest time” systemic failure,” Although water serv- uled to send one soon.

Franklin said. ice had been partially However, Franklin 1-877-292-6611 or 1-615-292-6619 The crisis reached its restored, low pressure stressed that what his city tipping point on June 25 and new leaks persist. truly needs is immediate AUTO AUCTIONS, when a major water line Franklin has tirelessly access to resources and a INC. LIC #42 broke, causing the city’s sought aid from state and comprehensive solution, computer operating sys- federal authorities but not just visits from repretem that runs the water claims that his pleas have sentatives. plant to fail automatical- fallen on deaf ears. ly.

Speaking truth to As a result, the pre- power, Franklin also wasdominantly Black com- n’t afraid to express his munity endured a gruel- frustration. ing 20-hour period with“In America, where out water in scorching people have the right to temperatures of up to 97 good, quality drinking degrees. water, the federal governSince then, the city ment should be running has been under a boil aid to provide that,” he water alert, which told NBC.

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Table of Contents Front Page .......................... 1 National/Local.................... 2 Editorials ............................ 4 Election Special.................. 5 Continuations ..................... 9 Pastor, Pew, & Pulpit ...... 10 Leisure............................... 11 Health/Education ............. 12

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

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Biracial Blacks seeking identity

by William T. Robinson, Jr. A talk that has gotten very little attention concerns the growing number of biracial children and how they feel identifying in our society.

This is a very broad and layered subject when you consider the complexity of conditions contributing to the mindsets involved in how Black and White biracial children feel, with many not feeling accepted by their peers on both sides.

There are so many factors that may determine how Black biracial children are treated or accepted, especially as it relates to their physical features. The treatment they receive may be contingent on physical features depicting them as more White or Black, although it is often apparent that they may have a combination of both.

In some cases, the Black biracial child looks White and sees the complexity of being considered a Black in this country; therefore, he or she finds it easier to identify and live as a White person. Like it or not, we still live in a country where Whites are more privileged and entitled.

Growing up in a home where you can identify with two races (your mother’s and your father’s family) can be rewarding or confusing, especially if one side of the family is cold and unaccepting of you. It is understandable that the innocent biracial child will respond to love regardless of the color or race of the family.

However, in reality, life can be unkind and family members as well as some of those in the community may make the biracial child feel unwelcome and treated as a pariah.

Imagine feeling you are not accepted by your Black or White peers, with Blacks taunting you that you believe you are White and better than them—and Whites looking down on you as inferior because you don’t appear to be 100% White. Like it or not, this is the reality biracial children encounter

William T. Robinson, Jr. growing up in a racist country where, historically, Blacks were denied equality and were perceived as inferior by their White oppressors. The extent of this physical and phycological abuse to Blacks is so overwhelming that we are still fighting today to overcome its pervasive effect.

Our White forefathers were so appalled and bigoted toward Blacks that they mandated a rule called the ‘one drop rule.’ If you had one drop of Black blood, you were considered Black—even if you looked White. Most African Americans in this country are descendants of biracial unions from slave masters and Black female slaves.

Although Blacks (in general) were despised

by White society as a whole, the children of slave masters and female slaves were often given special privileges over their blacker brothers and sisters.

This historically led to many Black biracial children (mulattoes) thinking they were better than other Blacks and looking down upon them.

It can honestly be said that Blacks are more accepting of biracial children, because there are not too many Black children in America that don’t have some White blood in their DNA. It is evident in all the shades and hues found in African Americans in this country. The White slave masters were relentless in their sexual conquest of enslaved Black females.

Sadly, this country has much improving to do concerning race relations which favor Whites, with inherent privileges and benefits

tipping the scales in your favor if you appear ‘more White.’ After birth, blatantly and subconsciously, in this country you are fed a agenda.

Eurocentric That agenda dilutes and dismisses the historic cultures, traditions and practices of other races or ethnicities.

Since Blacks in general are more accepting of people of color, many biracial children automatically identify with being Black. They find pride and honor in the many accomplishments and achievements people of color bring to the table—even though this country has tried to trivialized or omit the contributions of Blacks.

Look at some of the proud biracial people who unapologetically identify with being Black, e.g., former President Barak Obama; current Vice President Kamala Harris; football activist Colin Kaepernick; activist Benjamin Jealous; actors such as Halle Berry, Jasmine Guy, Jesse Williams, Boris Kodjoe; rappers like Drake and J Cole; singers like Alicia Keys, Mariah Carey, Lenny Kravitz, Faith Evans, Bob Marley, Sade, Jordan Sparks; and ballet dancer Misty Copeland.

Unfortunately, you have some high-profile biracial Blacks who don’t want to be identified as Black at all.

Some biracial Blacks don’t try to use their Black card unless they lose grace with the White community and start looking to the Black community for conformation, aid or support. We have all heard the statement ‘get in where you fit in,’ and no one should understand that statement more than Black biracial children.

Being a biracial Black isn’t as easy as some people may assume, but in this changing world it is getting better. Blacks as a whole, would recommend that Black, biracial children make it easier on themselves and accept being Black—where you are more apt to be loved, understood and welcomed.

July 21, 2023

Retirement of Rev. Jesse Jackson – you can’t bury hope or history

by Julianne Malveaux, News Analysis (TriceEdneyWire.com) – On July 16, Rev. Jesse Louis Jackson announced that he would pivot from his role as president of the National Rainbow Coalition to become a university professor and advisor to his successor, Rev. Frederick Douglas Haynes III, an activist and the pastor of Friendship-West Baptist Church in Dallas. This announcement, accompanied by a laudatory speech from Vice President Kamala Harris, should have been front-page news.

Instead, except for the Chicago newspapers, Jackson’s resignation from the group he founded in 1971 garnered very little national news.

However, Rev. Jackson's transition from leadership was big news to the people who worked on his 1984 and 1988 presidential campaigns. A couple hundred Jackson delegates and campaign workers gathered for a reunion at the PUSH headquarters on July 14-16 to reminisce and celebrate Jackson's decades of leadership. The man whose mantra was ‘Keep Hope Alive’ offered hope to those disheartened by the recent rise in racism, virulent anti-Blackness, legislative and judicial hostility resulting in attacks on voting rights, and the reversal of affirmative action.

Jesse Jackson has not disappeared from the national scene.

Instead, too many want to write Rev. Jackson off—just as they have attempted to write off history. The sentiment to ignore Jackson is the same sentiment that has allowed truth-deniers to introduce legislation outlawing teaching about race in 44 states.

Thanks to Jackson campaign veterans, though, the world will learn that biased journalists can-

Rev. Jesse Jackson not bury either history or hope. At a time when state legislators and Supreme Court justices have attacked voting rights, Jackson's legacy in registering more voters than any other single individual in history is unassailable. And who can deny Jesse Jackson's international impact—from his rescue of Lt. Robert Goodman from Syria through his work on the antiapartheid movement and his relationship with Nelson Mandela?

His international reach is reflected in his participation in this year's PUSH conference, which includes delegates from several African countries, the Caribbean, and Europe.

His peers in the civil rights movement sent tributes of recognition.

They came from the National Urban League's Marc Morial to the National Action Network's Al Sharpton, to tweets from Presidents Bill Clinton and Joe Biden to Chicago's Mayor Brandon Johnson, appreciation rained down on Rev. Jackson.

Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia Fudge defined PUSH as: "to press upon a thing with force to move it away, to move something in a specified way by exerting force." She noted that PUSH has been a force for justice, a force against the barriers of racism. There are setbacks, she said, to be sure. But as long as that force is there, there will be change.

That the United States vice president traveled to Chicago to

salute Jackson crystallizes his importance to the nation and the world. Kamala Harris shared how important Jackson has been to her life and career and said she would not be vicepresident were it not for Jackson's work. Others shared similar tributes.

And I, too, have a testimony.

I met Jackson first in 1973 as an Essence magazine intern and later worked on the 1984 campaign. I vividly remember his assertion in his speech at the Moscone Center that "God isn't finished with me yet." Indeed, since 1984, God has continued to mold, shape, and bless Rev. Jackson.

Jackson isn't giving rousing speeches anymore. But he still brings us to our feet. He doesn't shout. The Parkinson's he has battled since 2017 has reduced his mighty roar to a whisper. But his whisper is that of hope and history. "Keep hope alive," he tells assembled delegates. "I am somebody," he quietly encourages the crowd in his trademark chant.

And the delegates engage in the traditional call and response, amplifying Rev.'s voice, reminding him that while illness may have muted his voice, those who appreciate his contribution to history are ready to receive the baton he is passing and confront the evil forces that would eradicate our rights. As long as we can chant back, keeping hope alive, Rev. Jesse Jackson's place in history is secure. He inspires the nation and the world. Those who appreciate the Jackson legacy will not allow hope or history to be buried.

(Dr. Julianne Malveaux is an economist, author, and dean of the College of Ethnic Studies at Cal State LA. Visit <Juliannemalve aux.com> for more information..)

We cannot forget Sens. Manchin and Sinema killed the John lewis voting Rights Act

by David W. Marshall (TriceEdneyWire.com) – Americans can have short memories at critical moments. Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville is not only aware of this key fact, but he governs by it. The U.S. senator from Alabama is obviously counting on the apathy and short memories of the voters from his state as he celebrates the fact that Alabama will receive $1.4 billion in federal funding to expand access to the internet statewide.

“Broadband is vital for the success of our rural communities and for our entire economy,” Tuberville wrote. “Great to see Alabama receive crucial funds to boost ongoing broadband efforts.” According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, approximately 22% of Americans in rural areas lack high-speed broadband infrastructure which is a modern-day necessity.

Alabama is one of the nation’s poorest states; therefore, at $1.4 billion, only six states nationally are receiving more funding under the program.

As Sen. Tuberville touts the benefits of this investment to his state, will his constituents remember how Tuber-

ville actually voted against the bill that is providing the funding.

Will Tuberville’s rural supporters remember that the funding for this initiative was authorized by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law which President Biden signed in 2021? It’s unfortunate that the freshman senator may ultimately receive undeserved credit for delivering relief to residents living in Alabama’s most depressed areas.

The endless debate over the size and the role of government has become so politically and culturally entrenched that the basic need to responsibly rebuild America’s infrastructure gets restrained by those promoting a ‘limited government’ over a ‘big government.’

The term ‘limited government’ has always been associated with those who are deeply committed to waging America’s culture war.

The same war which, in recent years, effectively twisted the true meanings behind critical race theory (CRT), diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and ‘wokeness.’ To supporters of ‘limited government’ it becomes a government of inaction

rather than a flexible government where its limitations are meant to prevent all forms of abuse and corruption.

When the term ‘limited government’ became a blind response to one of the most critical issues in our nation, it resulted in the long-term decay and neglect of our infrastructure system which is essential for the functioning of our society and commerce system.

Our aging infrastructure includes the vast network of highways, bridges, tunnels, railways and utilities necessary to maintain normalcy in daily life. In 2021 when the World Economic Forum ranked the United States 13th in the overall quality of infrastructure, we didn’t drop to that level overnight.

More than 45,000 U.S. bridges are in poor condition according to the American Society of Civil Engineers. Without a Democratic-controlled White House, Senate and House of Representatives, the $1.2 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill would not be a law today that benefits both red and blue states and communities.

Republicans throughout past election cycles have scored a lot of political points by label-

ing Democrats as biggovernment liberals.

When voters find themselves caught up in the emotions of talking points and political labels, they forget how much their personal lives benefit from programs such as Social Security and Medicare which are considered to be under the umbrella of ‘big government.’ While millions of Republican senior citizens depend on these programs just as much as Democratic and Independent seniors, they forget how Congressional Republican lawmakers have repeatedly sought ways to cut Social Security and Medicare. Social Security was put into place to allow senior citizens some degree of dignity during retirement.

These same voters will also forget how Republican lawmakers proposed repealing the health care provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act. If the repeal became successful, everyone with Medicare will see higher drug prices. The debate over the role and size of government is divisive, but in reality voters from both parties have historically benefitted from Democratic ‘big-government’ initiatives because the invest-

ment in people will always be needed. As long as there are no political consequences to pay, lawmakers such as Sen. Tuberville will continue to oppose meaningful legislation while taking credit for it when the benefits to his constituents becomes obvious. Again, the same lawmakers will cut and repeal meaningful programs as long there is little or no consequences to pay at the ballot box.

Democratic voters also run the risk of having short memories.

There is unfinished business with important pieces of legislation such as police reform and voting rights which failed to advance into law. Both have a major impact on people of color. While the Republican opposition to the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act was no surprise, it was the opposition from two Democratic Senators (Sens. Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema) that killed it. Democratic voters cannot forget the importance of the legislation. It will restore a critical part of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 which required certain states to obtain federal approval before implementing laws which may

David W. Marshall be deemed restrictive to the voting rights for minorities. There are 15 months left until next year’s election.

It is a tall order for the Democrats to keep control of the White House and Senate while regaining control of the House with a strong enough majority to pass voting rights, police reform and immigration reform. It is the culture war which causes many Republicans to vote against their own selfinterests. For voters of color, it has to be the opposite.

(David W. Marshall is founder of the faith based organization, TRB: The Reconciled Body, and author of the book God Bless Our Divided America. He can be reached at <www.davidwmarshallauthor.com>.)

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

July 21, 2023

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Nashville Election

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Nashville PRIDE

Nashville PRIDE Newspaper presents...

2023 Nashville Election Special Edition

vote Now / Election Preview for Nashville’s August 3 Election

Matt Wiltshire

By Cass Teague Voting is underway now for Nashville’s next Mayor, Vice-Mayor, Metro Council members and District 52 in the Tennessee House of Representatives. Early voting for the August 3 Election continues daily, Monday through Saturday until July 29. But, will there be a runoff election on September 14?

According to the

Fran Bush Davidson County Election Commission: To be elected, a candidate for Mayor, Vice Mayor, or District Council Member must receive at least 50% of the total votes cast for their respective office plus one vote (majority of the vote). Council Members at Large must also receive a majority of the vote to be elected, however the “total votes cast for the office” equals

Bernie Cox one-fifth of the total votes received by all candidates running for Council Member at Large. If no candidate receives a majority of the vote, a runoff election will be held for that position on September 14.

Because there are five at-large seats, the top five candidates win.

So, to win a seat outright, at-large candidates must win 10 percent of the total vote. A runoff

RJ Manula would then be held among double the number of available seats. So, if three at-large candidates each get more than 10 percent in the general election, they are elected, and thus there would be a runoff for the remaining two seats by the top four remaining candidates.

In Tennessee House of Representatives District 52, Justin Jones is seeking to return to his seat. It was taken by the

Arnold Hayes Republican supermajority in the Spring in an act of national disgrace.

Republican Party nominee Laura Nelson is also on the ballot.

In the race for Mayor, the following candidates are on ballot: Natisha Brooks, Fran Bush, Heidi Campbell, Bernie Cox, Jim Gingrich*, Sharon Hurt, Stephanie Fre-ddie Johnson, O’Connell, Alice Rolli, Michael Rowan, Vivian

Joy Smith Kimbrough Wilhoite, Matt Wiltshire and Jeff Yarbro. ViceMayor Jim Shulman (Incumbent) is vying for re-election against challenger Angie Henderson. (* at press time it had been widely reported that Gingrich has suspended his campaign and the website has been shuttered; calls to his campaign were unanswered) Council At-Large. In the at-large race for Continued on page 8

Meet Jeff Syracuse, Candidate for Council-at-large

Jeff Syracuse In the upcoming Council-at-Large election, one candidate

stands out as a proven leader with a deep commitment to the community he calls home. Jeff Syracuse, a longtime resident of Nashville, has demonstrated unwavering dedication to the betterment of his neighborhood and the city as a whole.

With an impressive track record of community service, advocacy, and effective leadership, Syracuse is the ideal candidate to represent the diverse interests and

aspirations of Nashville's residents.

A Champion of Community Development: Syracuse's journey began in 1998 when he made Nashville his home to pursue his music degree at Middle Tennessee State University. Since then, he has become deeply involved in the community, working tirelessly to promote and enhance the neighborhoods he cherishes.

As a first-time home-

buyer in Donelson Hills, Syracuse became an integral part of his neighborhood and took the initiative to establish the Donelson Hills Neighborhood Association. Under his leadership, the association spearheaded community-building initiatives, such as a street sign replacement program, entranceway beautification, and regular community meetings, fostering a strong sense of unity among residents.

A Catalyst for Economic Growth: Jeff Syracuse's leadership extends beyond grassroots community engagement. His impressive tenure as the President of the DonelsonHermitage Chamber of Commerce reflects his commitment to driving economic growth and in revitalization Nashville. During his tenure, Syracuse successfully attracted new local restaurants and businesses to the central

business district, breathing new life into the area. Notably, his instrumental efforts led to the establishment of a public/private partnership that brought about the construction of the Branch Donelson Library, which serves as a vibrant civic anchor for a walkable town center. Additionally, Syracuse played a key role in a public/private partnership aimed at transforming Donelson Station Continued on page 6

THE Y AFF ORDABLE HOUSING HE ONL LY ONLY AFFORDABLE EXPER T RUNNING F OR MA AY YOR: EXPERT FOR MAYOR:

MATT MA ATT WILSHIRE “I work on affordable housing and equity.

Matt Wiltshire Ma tt W iltshire understands our housing crisis and has worked hard to get results.”

— Jennif er Horne Jennifer W Wiltshire iltshire will ffocus ocus on:

Vote Vote Matt Matt Wiltshire Wiltshire for for Mayor Mayor on August Augus g st 3 Early Voting: Voting: July 14 - July 29

www.Wiltshire.com Paid for by Matt for Mayor, Anna Cramer, Treasurer

Nashville Election www.pridepublishinggroup.com July 21, 2023 Organizers hold 3rd annual Rep. John lewis March Page 6

Nashville PRIDE

the late civil rights leader.

“Over several weeks, the group settled on proceeding with permanently changing Fifth Avenue to Rep. John Lewis Way to recognize Lewis, who began his lifelong crusade for civil rights and civic justice while a student at the American Baptist Theological Seminary and Fisk University.

The committee held virtual public meetings to gain input and support from the general community, and more than 2,000 individuals, to signed the date, <Change.org> petition to rename Fifth Avenue in honor of Rep. Lewis.

“On Nov. 5, 2020, the Metro Council approved the ordinance

to create Rep. John Lewis Way, beginning at the corner of Jefferson Street and Fifth through downtown to the corner of Oak Street at the historic City Cemetery.

“A few weeks later, on Jan. 14, 2021, Metro Public Nashville’s Works department made the change official by removing the Fifth Avenue Street signs at intersections along the route and replacing them with signs proclaiming Rep. John Lewis Way.” Subsequently, each year a formal dedication and celebration honoring Rep. Lewis is held, including a march and celebration at the Ryman Auditorium on the weekend of the anniversary of Lewis’ death.

Despite rain, Nashville marched to celebrate the life and legacy of Rep. John Lewis and other civil rights icons from Nashville and beyond.

For the third year, other civil rights icons website <johnlewisway. ing Nashville’s Fifth local elected officials from Nashville and com>: “Shortly after Avenue in memory of and civic organizations beyond. The march U.S. Rep John Lewis hosted a march along began at the intersection passed away on July 17, Rep. John Lewis Way. of Rep. John Lewis Way 2020, the Minority CauDespite poor weather, and Jefferson Street, cus of the Metropolitan the event brought continuing all the way Nashville and Davidson Thursday, August 3, 2023 Elections together the Nashville along John Lewis Way County Council and a community to celebrate and ending at the Ryman group of community the life and legacy of Auditorium. leaders started talking Rep. John Lewis and According to the about the idea of renamAll Early Voting Locations Open

EARLY VOTING SCHEDULE

Jeff Syracuse... from page 5 into a regional transit center, featuring a new FiftyForward center, housing options, restaurants, and retail spaces.

Such initiatives underscore Syracuse's ability to foster collaboration and drive innovative development projects that benefit the entire community.

Advocacy for Music and Arts: With nearly 25 years of experience in the music industry, Syracuse possesses an unparalleled understanding of the critical role that Nashville's creative community plays in shaping the city's cultural identity and economic success. As an advocate for the music ecosystem, he is committed to preserving Nashville's sta-

tus as a global capital of music. His involvement in organizations like the Blues Foundation and Music Makes Us demonstrates his dedication to preserving music history, supporting education, and ensuring the future of this uniquely American art form.

Syracuse's passion for nurturing Nashville's creative spirit is a testament to his ability to champion the interests of artists, musicians, and all those who contribute to the city's vibrant cultural landscape.

Conclusion: In Jeff Syracuse, Nashville has a Councilat-Large candidate who possesses the experience, vision, and commitment needed to lead the city into a prosper-

ous future.

From his extensive community service to his instrumental role in economic development and his advocacy for the music industry, Syracuse has consistently demonstrated his dedication to improving the lives of Nashville's residents.

With his strong leadership skills, collaborative approach, and a deep understanding of the issues facing the community, Syracuse is the candidate who can unite the city and work tirelessly to address the diverse needs and aspirations of Nashville's residents. Vote for Jeff Syracuse as Council-atLarge and witness the positive transformation he will bring to our great city.

www.berniecox.com

Friday, July 14, 2023 - Saturday, July 29, 2023 Friday, July 14 Saturday, July 15

8:00 am ʹ 5:30 pm 8:00 am ʹ 4:30 pm

Monday, July 17 Tuesday, July 18 Wednesday, July 19 Thursday, July 20 Friday, July 21 Saturday, July 22

8:00 am ʹ 5:30 pm 8:00 am ʹ 7:00 pm 8:00 am ʹ 4:30 pm 8:00 am ʹ 7:00 pm 8:00 am ʹ 5:30 pm 8:00 am ʹ 4:30 pm

Monday, July 24 Tuesday, July 25 Wednesday, July 26 Thursday, July 27 Friday, July 28 Saturday, July 29

8:00 am ʹ 5:30 pm 8:00 am ʹ 7:00 pm 8:00 am ʹ 4:30 pm 8:00 am ʹ 7:00 pm 8:00 am ʹ 5:30 pm 8:00 am ʹ 4:30 pm

Belle Meade City Hall Bellevue Library Bordeaux Library Casa Azafrán Community Center Edmondson Pike Library Goodlettsville Delmas Long Community Center Green Hills Library Hermitage Library Howard Office Building Madison Library Margaret Maddox East YMCA Southeast Library

4705 Harding Pike, Nashville 37205 720 Baugh Road, Nashville 37221 4000 Clarksville Pike, Nashville 37218 2195 Nolensville Pike, Nashville 37211 5501 Edmondson Pike, Nashville 37211 200 Memorial Drive, Goodlettsville 37072 3701 Benham Avenue, Nashville 37215 3700 James Kay Lane, Hermitage 37076 700 President Ronald Reagan Way, Nashville 37210 610 Gallatin Pike South, Madison 37115 2624 Gallatin Pike, Nashville 37216 5260 Hickory Hollow Parkway, Antioch 37013

Davidson County Election Commission | 1417 Murfreesboro Pike, Nashville, TN 37217 | 615-862-8800 | www.nashville.gov/vote

July 21, 2023

www.pridepublishinggroup.com

Nashville Election

Nashville PRIDE

Page 7

Official Sample Ballot State of Tennessee Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County August 3, 2023 Davidson County Election Commission Jim DeLanis, Chairman Tricia Herzfeld, Secretary Will “Butch” Burns, Member Dan Davis, Member A.J. Starling, Member Attest: Jeff Roberts, Administrator of Elections

Page 8

Nashville PRIDE

Nashville Election

Meet Joy Kimbrough, candidate for City Council District 1 Joy Smith Kimbrough is a lifelong resident of District I. Born and raised in Bordeaux, she has attended every zoned public school in the district; Wade Elementary, Jordonia Elementary, Cumberland Elementary, Joelton Jr. High, and Whites Creek Comprehensive High School. Joy’s children and grandchildren were also born in District 1 and attended District 1 schools.

Joy received her Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Tennessee State University and received her Master of Science Degree from Cumberland University. Joy received her Doctor of from Jurisprudence University Southern Law Center.

As a law school student, Joy was the Managing Editor of Law Review. While still in law school, Joy wrote and published an article about housing discrimination entitled, The Federal Housing Act: No More Absolute Owner Liability When Employees Discriminate. This publication has been cited by other highly regarded scholarly journals. Also, Joy was the recipient of the prestigious American Intellectual Property Law EduFoundation cation Scholarship (AIPLEF) which was only awarded to seven other law school students nationwide. While in law school, Joy clerked for the Honorable Robert Rigsby in Washington, D.C., and interned for the Tennessee Attorney General’s Office. Prior to law school, Joy was a police officer who graduated at the top of her class.

Currently, Joy is a

Civil Rights Attorney licensed to practice law in the State of Tennessee and the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee. Joy has also represented clients in the State of Kentucky, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit in Atlanta, Georgia. As an attorney, Joy takes pride in representing the Joy has underdog. secured million and multi-million dollar settlements on behalf of her clients whose civil rights were violated. Also, as an attorney, Joy has personally filed to expunge over 3,000 criminal records which allows those who have paid their debt to society a chance at obtaining jobs, housing, and financial aid.

At the core, Joy is a ferocious advocate for Joy social justice. worked hand-in-hand with community advocates as they successfully gathered enough signatures to have the option of having a Community Oversight Board placed on the ballot. Joy worked with union members to educate the community on the advantages of keeping “right to work” out of the State Constitution.

Joy has and continues to advocate on behalf of those with mental health illnesses to encourage treatment over incarceration. Joy has served as an attorney for the Legal Redress Committee of the Nashville NAACP and she has provided countless hours of probono representation to those who could not afford an attorney.

Joy has litigated some of the most high-

Joy Smith Kimbrough profile trials in Tennessee. As a result of her trial work, she has appeared on several national television shows as a legal analyst, including Snapped, Sins and Secrets, Secret Lives of Stepford Wives, and Chris Hansen’s Crime Watch Daily. Joy has also appeared on CNN, NBC, and CBS. Additionally, she has been interviewed by almost every local (Nashville, TN) news channel and newspaper.

Joy is a member of several academic honor societies, professional organizations, and service organizations. She was the recipient of the Nashville NAACP’s Legacy Award for exemplifying the tenets of the NAACP to ensure political, educational, social and economic equality.

Joy was also awarded the Women of Legend and Merit award from her alma mater, Tennessee State University.

Joy has spent the majority of her adult life fighting for others. As an attorney she has greatly reduced her client caseload in order to take the fight and vigor she exemplified in the courtroom and in the community to the City Council on behalf of her lifelong District 1 neighbors.

www.pridepublishinggroup.com

July 21, 2023

Arnold Hays: Why am i running?

My life experiences are what led me to run for Council At Large.

My journey began in the small-town of Calhoun, Alabama, located in Lowndes County -- a place previously referred to as “Bloody Lowndes” because of the overt racism and violence against African Americans to maintain segregation.

A defining moment in my life occurred after the Selma to Montgomery March, when SNCC workers stayed in the county to assist in defending, mobilizing and registering Black voters.

During this period, I attended mass meetings, and witnessed the first county African American candidates, since reconstruction, risk their lives to run for office. Faith in God is also important to my Whether journey. advocating for equity of the marginalized in the corporate world or social justice and/or police accountability in Nashville through the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), NOAH, the Community Oversight Now, or the NAACP. Fighting for those on the margins is in my DNA. What will become of everyday people if we maintain the status quo and continue to elect representatives that care more about self-promotion than improving the community? As economic prosperity continues,

so should the care for those on the margins.

There is nothing wrong with prosperity, but far too many poor and working people lack the basic resources of shelter, food and a living wage to continue to live in Nashville.

What I witnessed on Christmas Day 2022 convinced me that it was time to do something to make change. Seeing hundreds of people, left with no other choice, come to the Nashville Rescue Mission on one of the coldest days of the year is one of the reasons that I am running for Council At Large. People like and others them deserve better, in a city of enormous wealth.

A ‘Safer City for All’ cannot be achieved in a vacuum.

We need to work toward creating a public safety environment that is conducive to protecting both citizens and sworn officers.

Nashville is becoming more dangerous for all of us with assault weapons on the street, relaxed open carry laws, and a lack of background checks. We need to do something -- whether background checks, or banning assault weapons.

Let’s acknowledge that policing is a challenging job, but police accountability is also important for a safer Nashville.

We are entering year five of the opera-

Arnold Hayes tion of the Community Oversight Board and it is widely acknowledged that there have been some improvements in oversight of the police, including memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department (MNPD) and the Community Board Oversight (COB). As well as policy improvements, like the soft empty hand control reporting.

Nashville is yet to effectively address the issue of mental health and policing.

The co-response model with the combination of police and mental health professionals, was chosen instead of a community-driven model backed by seasoned advocates that centered the expertise of mental health professionals.

There needs to be more mental health funding that allows both police and social workers to do the jobs that they are trained for.

Election preview... from page 5 council, incumbents Burkley Allen and Zulfat Suara are running for reelection, along with current district council members Delishia Porterfield, Russ Pulley, and Jeff Syracuse among 20 total candidates. The other candidates are Chris Crofton, Chris Cheng, Stephen Downs, Quin Evans-Segall, Ronnie Greer, Arnold Hayes, Brian Hellwig, Olivia Hill, Yolanda Hockett, Tim Horne, Howard Jones, Marcia Masulla, Gilbert Ramirez, Deloris Vandivort, and Jonathan Williamson.

Contested Council District candidates are District 1: Ruby Baker, Sean Dailey, Rob Harris, Joy Kimbrough and Timothy Thompson; District 4: Davette Blalock, Mike Cortese and Brian Sullivan; District 5: Terri Klingner and Sean Parker (I); District 6: Clay Capp, Brandes Holcomb and Daniel McDonell; District 7: Emily Benedict (I) and Danny Williams; District 8: Martez Coleman, Deonte Harrell and Jullian Leggs; District 9: Tonya Hancock (I) and Stephanie Montenegro;

District 10: Jennifer Webb and Zach Young (I); District 11: Joe Delucas, Sherard Edington, Jeff Eslick and Eric Patton; District 14: Jordan Huffman and R.J. Mamula; District 15: Jeff Gregg and Dan Jones; District 16: Alexa Little and Ginny Welsch (I); District 17: Tonya Esquibel, Teaka Jackson and Terry Vo; District 18: Karen Bannister, Tom Cash (I) and Angus Purdy; District 19: Jasper Hendricks III, Jacob Kupin, Derek Lisle and Jonathan Turner; District 20: Scott Gillihan and Rollin Horton; District 21: Jamel Campbell-Gooch and Brandon Taylor (I); District 22: Jessica Dauphin and Sheri Weiner; District 23: Thom Druffel (I) and Lisa Williams; District 24: Brenda Gadd and Carlos Rousselin; District 25: David Ackerman, Jeff Preptit and Rolando Toyos; District 28: David Benton and Travis London; District 29: Tasha Ellis, Jama Mohamed, John Reed and Michele Vetter; District 31: Dia Hart and John Rutherford (I); Dis-

trict 34: Luke Elliott and Sandy Ewing; and District 35: Carson Smart and Jason Spain.

Early Voting for the August 3 Election continues Friday, July 21 8:00 am – 5:30 pm; Saturday, July 22 8:00 am – 4:30 pm; Monday, July 24 8:00 am – 5:30 pm; Tuesday, July 25 8:00 am – 7:00 pm; Wednesday, July 26 8:00 am – 4:30 pm; Thursday, July 27 8:00 am – 7:00 pm; Friday, July 28 8:00 am – 5:30 pm; and Saturday, July 29 8:00 am – 4:30 pm at Belle Meade City Hall; Bellevue Library; Bordeaux Library; Casa Azafrán Community Center; Edmondson Pike Library; Good-lettsville Delmas Long Community Center, Green Hills Library, Hermitage Library, Howard Office Building, Madison Library, Margaret Maddox East YMCA and Southeast Library.

Early Voting Schedule for the Thursday, September 14, 2023 Elections, including Runoffs will be at the same locations, Friday, August 25, 2023 through Saturday, September 9, 2023.

Trusted Leadership for the City of Nashville I am a Native Nashvillian, Educator, Entrepreneur, Former MNPS School Board Member, Experienced Community Leader, Homeowners Association President, a Graduate of Tennessee State University, a Wife, Mother of Five Sons, and a New Grandma of a Baby Boy. My priorities will be neighborhoods, affordable housing, homelessness, crime prevention & safety, education and infrastructure.

As I focus on these priorities and many more, I will have a plan, procedures will be in place and progress will be made.

Nashville is recognized for its diversity with rich culture and history, businesses, education, arts, food, and music. We are very proud to celebrate our Heritage.

By voting for me, Nashville will regain a trusted leader who will make our city better than ever.

Vote for me, Fran Bush as your next Mayor!

WWW.FRANBUSHFORMAYOR.COM

July 21, 2023

Nashville PRIDE

Continuations

www.pridepublishinggroup.com

Page 9

Historic Maryland home Jesse Jackson... from page 1 reputation in conflict leaders. nerve cells breaking resolution, Jackson Another landmark down and consequently that once housed Freedom swiftly embarked on a hostage negotiation led reduces the amount of diplomatic mission to by Jackson occurred in the chemical, dopamine, Fighters, facing foreclosure Lebanon.

1999 when Serbian that sends signals to the

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent A piece of Maryland and Black history teetering on the edge of foreclosure is a home that holds significance.

Once a refuge for the Freedom Riders, a group of activists who challenged segregation on buses and at bus terminals, the historical currently dwelling serves as the residence of prominent Civil Rights leader Janice Grant.

Grant, the former Harford County NAACP Chapter president, helped pave the way for African Americans to exercise their right to vote in the United States.

Sadly, her historic and cherished abode, encapsulating decades of rich history, may soon slip away if she can’t raise $50,000 by the end of July.

“I want the young people to know their history,” Grant asserted in an interview, emphasizing the importance of preserving this historical landmark.

Now 90, Grant

Janice Grant (Photo: Harford Civil Rights Project) eagerly shared stories about the venerable home.

She said her family acquired the house in 1917, and it subsequently became a gathering place for civil rights activists.

Freedom “The Riders used to meet at that house,” she exclaimed.

Grant herself is a celebrated Civil Rights icon, joining forces with Andrew Goodman and Chaney in James Mississippi to help register Black voters.

Reflecting on the challenges faced during

the 1960s civil rights movement, Grant recalled racial discrimination and voter suppression as significant obstacles.

During that tumultuous period, her house assumed a pivotal role in shaping history.

While churches in the area feared arson attacks for supporting the movement, Grant’s home welcomed Freedom Riders like Mickey Schwerner.

“They would come from various states and there was nowhere else for them to meet at that time,” Grant said.

“The Freedom Riders knew this was a house they were welcomed.”

According to the Harford Civil Rights Project at Harford College, Community Freedom Riders staged protests on Route 40 and the surrounding the area in 1961 to prevent racial segregation and exclusion in restaurants and hotels.

As of the latest update, a community-led Go Fund Me has raised just over $4,000 of the needed $50,000.

Super PAC... from page 1 races.

The members include Emilia Sykes of Ohio, Don Davis of North Carolina, Lauren Underwood of Illinois, Jahana Hayes of Connecticut, Lucy McBath of Georgia, Colin Allred of Texas, and Steven Horsford of Nevada.

Meanwhile, Republicans have also tried to diversify their roster of House candidates, with candidates of color and women contributing to their success in the 2020 House races.

NBC News noted that, despite Black voters’ overwhelming sup-

port for Democrats, recent polling indicates a slight decline in the party’s image among this demographic.

Campbell-Wallace believes the Rolling Sea Action Fund’s “alwayson” approach will help maintain Black voter engagement.

She pointed to President Joe Biden’s and Vice President Kamala Harris’ initiatives on unemployment, infrastructure, and student loans, as well as their significance as representatives for their communities. While the group’s primary focus is

reclaiming the House majority and electing Hakeem Jeffries as speaker, Campbell-Wallace acknowledged the under representation of Black women in the Senate.

She further highlighted the pursuits of Congressional Black Caucus members running for higher offices, such as California Rep. Barbara Lee’s bid for the Senate.

Campbell-Wallace left the matter open when asked about potential involvement in primary races, saying: “We’ll see.”

In a daring move, he met with Hezbollah leaders and engaged them in intensive negotiations.

Jackson’s empathetic approach and genuine concern for the hostages’ welfare allowed him to establish a rapport with the captors.

He also demonstrated his commitment to addressing the broader political grievances in the region, which resonated with the militants.

After several days of discussions, intense Jackson’s efforts bore fruit, and the militants agreed to release some of the hostages.

Although the release of the remaining captives took longer, his perseverance and determination ultimately led to their safe return home.

The TWA Flight 847 crisis’s successful resolution earned him praise from the American public and international

that Trump and his allies employ to resist defeat, with at least two grand juries investigating his efforts to retain power.

Recent appearances by key figures in the Trump camp have shed light on the investigation’s scope.

The Times reported that Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, appeared before one of the grand juries in June.

Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Trump’s former personal lawyer, also had a recent interview with prosecutors.

Key areas of focus for prosecutors include assessing Trump’s state of mind and examining efforts to fundraise based on his false claims of widespread voter fraud. Further, prosecutors scrutinize whether he was aware of his electoral defeat and explore

attempts to assemble fake electors to cast ballots supporting Trump during the electoral college certification.

After the 2020 election, Trump spent several weeks publicly insisting on his victory and exploring avenues to remain in power, including contemplating using government resources to seize voting machines.

The pinnacle of the aftermath was the January 6, 2021, rally near the White House, where he encouraged his supporters to march on the Capitol while the electoral victory of Joe Biden was being certified.

The ensuing chaos saw a mob storm the Capitol building, with some members of the mob even calling for the deaths of Vice President Mike Pence and Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Rachel louise Martin... from page 2 place in the Digital Learning Center at the Tennessee State Museum. All events include an opportunity to purchase books through the Museum store and get them signed by the author.

The author, Rachel Louise Martin, Ph.D., is a historian and writer whose work has appeared in outlets like The Atlantic and Oxford American.

The author of Hot, Hot Chicken, a cultural history of Nashville hot chicken, and A Most Tolerant Little Town, the forgotten story of the first school to attempt court-mandated desegregation in the wake of Brown v. Board, she is especially interested by the politics of memory and by the power of stories to illuminate why injustice persists in America today. She lives

in Nashville, Tennessee.

The host, Linda T. Wynn, is the Assistant Director for State Programs with the Tennessee Historical Commission and a former member of Fisk University’s faculty, where she taught subjects in history and public administration in the Department of History and Political Science. A co-founder of the Nashville Conference on African American History and Culture, she is an active scholar and contributor to numerous publications including Profiles of African Americans in Tennessee, which she co-edited with Dr. Bobby Lovett (1996); and editor of Journey to Our Past: A Guide to African-American Mar-kers in Tennessee. She currently serves as Chair of the Metropolitan Historical

Commission of Nashville and Davidson County.

These Temporary Exhibitions are currently at the Museum: Building a Bright Future: Black Communities and Rosenwald Schools in Tennessee (through February 25, 2024); Military Representation through Public Art at the Tennessee State Capitol; Early Expressions: Art in Tennessee Before 1900 and In Search of the New: Art in Tennessee after 1900.

The Tennessee State Museum is located at 1000 Rosa Parks Blvd., Nashville, TN 37208.

Ample parking and admission are free. To register for the TN Writers program, and for more information about the museum, go to their website: https://tnmuseum.org/

part of the brain that controls movement.

The disease affects about 60,000 Americans each year, and afflicts as many as 10 million globally.

Diagnosed in 2015, Jackson determined to work through his illness before publicly announcing it two years later.

Still, his efforts have saved lives and contributed to the global perception of America as a country that values peaceful resolution over aggression.

“Recognition of the effects of this disease on me has been painful, and I have been slow to grasp the gravity of it,” he said after publicly announcing his illness.

“A Parkinson’s diagnosis is not a stop sign but rather a signal that I must make lifestyle changes and dedicate myself to physical therapy in hopes of slowing the disease’s progression.”

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Fmr. Pres. Trump... from page 1 Biden’s Department of Justice, for giving him only four days to report to the Grand Jury.

In his post, Trump implied that such short notice likely points toward an imminent arrest and indictment.

The news of this letter came to light following an inquiry into whether Trump had been informed about being a target in the investigation.

Sources close to Trump confirmed to the New York Times that he received the letter, but they anticipate that the former president would decline the invitation to appear before the grand jury.

The specific aspect of Smith’s investigation that could lead to Trump’s indictment remains unclear.

The probe has delved into a range of strategies

forces captured three American service members during the Kosovo conflict.

Jackson traveled to Belgrade, Serbia, to talk with the Serbian leadership.

Despite the tense and complex political climate, he skillfully navigated through diplomatic obstacles and pressed for the service members’ release.

Jackson’s unyielding dedication and tenacious spirit in fighting for the hostages’ freedom were instrumental in securing their safe return. intervention His highlighted the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in resolving international crises.

“I stood ready to do whatever I could within the bounds of the moral and legal law to help,” Jackson said.

In 2017, Jackson announced that he had Parkinson’s disease, an illness caused by certain

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Page 10

Nashville PRIDE

Pastor, Pew, and Pulpit www.pridepublishinggroup.com July 21, 2023

Two churches hold Autura Eason-Williams Day of lament and Action (AEWDlA) July 30 in Nashville, Memphis

by Wanda Clay On Sunday, July 30, members and friends will gather at 4 pm in Nashville and Memphis to remember the loss of Rev. Dr. Autura EasonWilliams, one of their community beloved leaders of the United Church.

Methodist Lament worship services will be held in Nashville at Clark Memorial United Methodist Church, 1014 14th Ave. N., with Rev. Toi King, senior pastor; and in Memphis, Tenn. at United Centenary Methodist Church, with Rev. Keith Caldwell, senior pastor. This day of lament is established by the Black Methodists for Church Renewal (BMCR) of the Tennessee/Western Kentucky Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church following the tragic sudden death of Rev. EasonWilliams.

On July 18, 2022, Rev. Eason-Williams was killed by gun violence as three teenagers attempted to steal her car from the driveway of her home in Memphis. Rev. Eason-Williams was an African American United Methodist minister and the creator of Signposts: Anti-Racism and Beloved Community.

Ironically, she was also an advocate for Black youth. This day of lament will honor her and provide opportunity for lamentation and discussion regarding gun awareness, violence reduction, and repair in communities.

The question to be tackled as a part of the action during the lamentation is ‘How do we reduce gun violence and trauma in our communities?’

“This is necessary because of the violence that occurs every day with ‘car jackings,’ the availability of guns and

Rev. Dr. Autura Eason-Williams people trying to get back at each other,” said coordinator Rev. Marilyn Thornton, pastor of Dixon Memorial and Blakemore United Methodists Churches.

“The churches are coming together as this violence is affecting the people of our communities with long-lasting trauma. This is not a one-time effort because we are losing children, young adults, and professionals. This lament and action is to benefit the community as a first annual project to bring attention to the fact that there is too much violence by guns.”

In Nashville the impact testimony and informative interaction will consist of the following: • Rev. Tara and Mr. Chan Williams of New Covenant Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) • Rev. Davie Tucker, Director of Nashville/ Metro Human Relations Commission, president of Interdenominational Ministerial Fellowship (IMF), and pastor at Beech Creek Missionary Baptist Church • Rev. Neelley Hicks, associate at Glencliff UMC, and trainer for Triumph Over Trauma • Organizing for Art Projects at Dixon Memorial UMC, 1111 Buchanan Street There will be music, videos, artwork, and

more.

In Memphis the impact testimony and informative interaction will consist of the following: • Ian Randolph, Political Affairs chair of the Memphis NAACP • Rev. Roz Nichols, president of Memphis Interfaith Coalition for and Hope Action (MICAH) • Terrance Ryans, director of Mission and Shelter, St. Matthews UMC, trainer for Triumph Over Trauma • Organizing for Art Projects at Centenary UMC Whether worshipping in Nashville or in Memphis, the public is invited. As this event is ultimately about the issue of gun violence that affects us all, everyone is encouraged to attend, regardless of being a member of these churches or a United Methodist.

“Autura was a strong voice and active member of the church and the community,” said a member of BMCR as she recalls the minister’s support and presence at every session held. “It is indeed a tragedy that she wanted life to be better for young Black teens— and their violence on that day took her life.

She deserves for her efforts to continue in the name of Jesus, which results in this day of lament and action.”

Mrs. Glenese Scales is president of BMCR Tennessee/Western Kentucky Annual Conference of the UMC. The AEWDLA was conceived by the late Rev. Roger Hopson and Rev. Marilyn E. Thornton.

For any additional information, questions and concerns, contact: Rev. Thornton: Marilyn e.thornton@gmail.com, Rev. Tondala Hayward: tondala.hayward@ twkumc.org.

Expressions of Faith Grow Up Church

by Brandy Lee, Guest Minister “Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong. Do everything in love,” 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 (CSB).

We need to advance to maturity.

‘Being alert’ means to be quick noticing any unusual and potentially dangerous or difficult circumstances. ‘Standing firm’ refers to refusing to change a decision and/or position.

‘Being courageous’ means you are not deterred by danger or pain, because you are brave. ‘Being strong’ means you are able to withstand great force or pressure.

During the ever growing changes of society and people, we must remember the wisdom of God as seen through the Apostle Paul in our key verses. We must become more spiritually aware.

Spiritual awareness is a shift in consciousness in which a person moves from identifying with the physical body and mind to recognizing a deeper connection with the divine.

Christians should be like strong soldiers. Be on guard and watch for their Lord’s return. Jesus commanded us to “watch” (Matthew 24:42, 26:41, Mark 13:37).

Paul warned Christians to “stand fast” in their liberty in Jesus (Galatians 5:1), in Chris-

tian unity (Philippians 1:27), in the Lord Himself (Philippians 4:1), and in the teaching of the apostles (2 Thessalonians 2:15).

Christians are told to “be strong” in passages like Ephesians 6:10 and 2 Timothy 2:1.

The theme in this verse is ‘militant,’ e.g., ‘watch’ and be continually on your guard. ‘Stand fast’ in the faith, and ‘keep in your ranks.’ Do not be disorderly Be obedient and resilient. Keep close together when you are attacked and do not flinch. Maintain your ground. Resist. Press forward and don’t stop. Stay unified in order to conquer. Be strong. If one part of the enemy is too great a force, strengthen that division. Maintain as the body of Christ and summon up all your courage. Sustain each other and fear not, because you were made to be fearless.

God is calling on all the children of His Kingdom to rise up and be strong together. As Christians, we have become complacent. We believe we are strong in sections, instead of being all unified. As previously explained, if one part of the body is weak, go and strengthen it. We have some weak parts of the body of Christ today. As the Kingdom leaders of today, we are required to build the Kingdom and maintain. God called us out as His army for the

Min. Brandy Lee Kingdom of God, and we have a war at hand in the Spirit.

All the watching, all the standing fast, all the bravery, and all the strength the Corinthian Christians might show meant nothing without ‘love.’

“If I have the gift of prophecy and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so that I can move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing,” 1 Corinthians 13:2 (CSB).

Even as we teach, preach, and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ we must do it in love. We can no longer be known as the church of judgment. We must grow up and strengthen our weakness. We need to be alert, stand, be brave, and be strong ‘in love’!

Will you grow? Or will you keep allowing the Kingdom of God to suffer underneath your leadership? It’s time for a change, and it starts with us. We need to be renewed, revived, and anointed fresh with God for this new era of time.

Faith of A Mustard Seed

By Barbara A. Woods Washington, M. Div. It bears repeating that it occurs to me that this current status of "Church Closed" by "The State" under a Covid-19 order, as unconstitutional as it may be, has given rise to the most "Chaotic State" of life as seen by most all who are yet alive. With both The Schools AND The closed, Churches "Social Distancing" became the order of the day. While the Educational Life and the Religious Life of the nation was banished to 'cyberspace'; the Political Life propelled us into nonstop utter... Chaos. The very last of the God give rights... to "Breathe Fresh Air" —even now being taken away as politicians decide that "Masks" must be worn at all times at the risk of our new... police state!

In the mean time, Church Folks do not, I repeat, DO NOT take your eyes off the "Church as our only Black Community Real Estate." Fact is that there are Black Church properties built on land given by Black Families with contingency clauses that if the property ceases to be a Church, the land must be returned to the Family.

My 2nd Year in Seminary, I received a Letter dated "September 11, 1979" from the Rev. Dr. Howard Thurman's Educational Trust: "I am pleased to extend to you on behalf of the Howard Thurman Trust in invitation to participate in a seven day intensive seminar discussion with me on the grounds and the meaning of religious experience. We will examine the bearing of these elements on the life and the fulfillment of those of us whose roots are in the black community.

The general direction of our discussion will be

Barbara A. Woods Washington, M. Div. along the lines of my statement in "Jesus and the Disinherited." You will be one of ten young people from different sections of the United States. All of whom have two things in common: 1) The "nerve center of consent" has been given to the religious life as a personal commitment and 2) each one is Black."

When I returned to school, I chased the reason why I was selected among the entire student body for this endeavor and learned that it was because of the way I took notes in class!

While my Seminary Mentor Congregation was Central Church with the Rev. Dr. Joseph E. Lowery my shepherd Pastor, Elma Joyce Harris was Mentoring at Ben Hill Church being shepherded by Rev. Cornelius Henderson.

Which is the return to "This Vision of Black Church".

At the close of what I still consider the most important Conference Panel Dialogue that I have experience in Black United Methodism, Bishop Nichols, as Moderator, asked me and Rev. Elma Joyce if we would join him, Rev. James and Rev. Henderson for a Documentation Strategy Session.

When the Five of us sat at table, Bishop Nichols asked me if I would take

the responsibility for transcribing and putting a presentation of the Conference together for publication. He then asked Rev. Henderson to give me copies of the tapes made in order to deliver this. After several follow up attempts, I was unable to received anything from Rev. Henderson.

Each time Joyce called to inquire if I had received the tapes of the 1993 African American United Methodist Clergy Summit from Rev. Henderson, the answer was No. She knew the 'secret' better than I did and asked for my 'notes'. While somewhere pack away in my boxes of archives I have total and complete documentation of this history, I must rely upon The Rev. memory.

Elma Joyce Harris, then a Pastor in the Kansas Conference, took my notes and carved out a "Black Clergy Women's Agenda"; applied for and received a grant for a Planning meeting where she flew in 8 Clergy Women for a two day "working through" of what we had taken away from the Atlanta Clergy Summit.

In August of 1993 we met at a hotel in Cleveland. In two days we returned to our homes with the Vision of introducing this agenda to the 1994 National "Black Methodist For Church Renewal" meeting as the birthing of "BMCR The Clergywomen". organizing of the Clergy Women at the March 1994 BMCR meeting in Philadelphia was like none that I had experienced in all my years of attending. Highlighting our work was the First BMCR Clergy Women's Banquet with the late Bishop Leontine Kelly as Speaker.

By email: myfathersman sionpress@gmail.com

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

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

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

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

Herbert Lester, Jr.,pastor clarkumcnashville.org Cleveland Street MBC 608 Cleveland Street Nashville, TN 37207 615-227-1149 Sunday Worship: 10:45 a.m./9:15 Church School clevelandstreet baptist@comcast.net www.clevelandstreet baptistchurch.com Dr. Donald Snead, pastor Corinthian Missionary Baptist Church 819 33rd Avenue N. Nashville, TN 37209 (615) 977-6855 Sunday School 9:30 a.m.

Sunday Worship 11:00 a.m.

Wed. Worship: 7:30 PM Rev. Enoch Fuzz, pastor Ezra Emmanuel Ministries 2606 Union Hall Rd. Clarksville, TN 37040 www. ezraemmanuelmin.org 9 a.m. Sunday worship 6 p.m. Wednesday Hr of Empowerment 931-378-1092 Overseer Danelle M. Stephens Gospel United Missionary Baptist Church 3700 Fairview Dr. Nashville, TN 37218 615-876-7022 9:30 Sunday School Sunday Worship: 11:00 a.m.

Pastor Carlos A. Jones

Greater St. John Baptist Church 2200 26th Ave, No. Nashville, TN 37208 (615) 263-9450 Sunday Worship: 10:45 a.m.

Herbert T. Brown, pastor Gordon Memorial United Methodist Church 2334 Herman Street Nashville, TN 3728 615-329-2779 Sunday School @ 8:45am Sunday Worship @ 10:00am Bible Studies: Monday Thursday @ 6pm; Wednesdays @ 12 noon gordonmemorialumc.org Rev. Dr. Paula B. Smith, Pastor Jefferson Street MBC 2708 Jefferson Street Nashville TN 37208 615-329-2990 Morning Worship: 10 a.m.

Rev. Aaron X. Marble, pastor John Wesley UMC 901 Benton Avenue 615-298-2019 Sunday worship 8am/11am Daniel M. Hayes, Sr. pastor jwesleyumc@ bellsouth.net http://jwesleyumc.org/ Lake Providence MBC 5891 Nolensville Pike Nashville, TN 37211 (615) 833-5539 Sunday worship: 8am/11am Rev. H. Bruce Maxwell, pastor The Living Word International Church 5100 Wyoming Ave. Nashville, TN 37209 615-297-7437 Worship Times: 11:00 a.m. 7 p.m.

(1st & 2nd Sun.) Bishop Adebanjo thelivingwordcogic.com Mt. Lebanon MBC 222 Franklin Lime Stone Rd. 11:00 a.m. worship service 615-596-0456 jamesgreen@yahoo.com Rev. James J. Green, pastor Mt. Vernon MBC 1022 New Providence Pass Madison, TN 37115 Sunday Worship 11 a.m.

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

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

Pastor Eddie L. Sneed Payne Chapel AME Church 212 Neil Avenue (615) 262-3675 Sunday Worship: 10 am Rev. W. Antoni Sinkfield Schrader Lane Church of Christ 1234 Schrader Lane Nashville, TN 37208 (615) 329-0950 Sunday Worship: 7:45/10:15 a.m./5:00 p.m.

Robert Gardenhire, Pastor Spruce Street Baptist Church 504 Spruce Street Nashville, TN 37203 Worship at 11 a.m.

(615) 329-4105 Pastor Raymond Bowman St. John A.M.E. Church 1822 Formosa Street Nashville, TN. 37208 (615) 320-1026 sainjohname@aol.com Sunday Worship 10:00 a.m.

Rev. Lisa Hammonds St. Luke A.M.E. Church 355 Blythe Ave. Gallatin, Tenn. 37066 615-452-3137 Sunday School 9:15 am Sunday Worship 10:30 am Rev. Dr. Barbara J.Crawford St. Matthew MBC 2412 Osage Street (615) 329-0173 Sunday Worship 11:00 a.m.

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

July 21, 2023

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Page 11

Kindling Arts Festival runs July 27-30 at 5 venues

by Cass Teague Kindling Arts has unveiled the line-up for its highly-anticipated 2023 Festival. The 4-day celebration of local runs Counterculture July 27 Thursday, through Sunday, July 30, 2023, at five distinct venues across West Nashville, with seventeen performance-based projects selected from record-setting application numbers.

Events include a futuristic space opera with intricate fight choreography set to karaoke of 90s nu-metal music, a musical comedy send-up of Nashville’s most popular social media page, an interactive late-night party featuring reimaginings of classic county fair activities, and a multiplicity of fascinating new dance performances. The dizzying array of often unclassifiable performance experiences will be held at OZ Arts Nashville, Darkhorse Theatre, Nashville

School for the Aerial Arts, The Barbershop Theater, and the Global Education Center.

Of particular interest are three events featuring African American artists and themes. They include Bar Fight 2666: Broken Vows, showcasing Jennifer WhitcombOliva in the lead as “Mother Death”; Allison Underground, a narrative burlesque retelling of Alice in Wonderland through a Black lens; and Limitless: A Dance Showcase, featuring two brilliant Black choreographers presenting new works.

Headlining the Festival will be two of the most innovative, interdisciplinary and interactive theatrical projects to be seen in Nashville this year. Bar Fight! 2666: Broken Vows (Let the Bodies Hit the Floor) is the genrehopping, sci-fi space opera by Jessika Malone & Daniel Carter, collectively known as Rabbit

Effect. It has an all-star cast led by local icons WhitcombJennifer and Blake Oliva Holliday, with performances at OZ Arts Friday and Saturday, July 2829.

OZ Arts will also be home to two dance featuring showcases, some of the brightest local choreographers.

Limitless features Kourtney “Koko” French, showcasing a new group piece with a mix of hip-hop and contemporary styles, and Alexandra Winer, showing a new solo dance exploring physical limitations. In Limitless, artists test their physical, spiritual, and creative limits to reach their full potential. The diverse line-up, Thursday, July 27 at 7PM and Saturday, July 29 at 2PM, includes choreographers Emily Rizo Davis, Kourtney “Koko” French, Melissa Miller, Sandy Perez, Amanda Reichert, and Alexandra Winer.

Black Arts Bash returns to Cheekwood, August 19

From morning to night, Cheekwood will celebrate Black artists with music, dance, spoken word, visual art and more. Attendees have the opportunity to explore and experience the many forms of Black musical expression and traditions, including gospel, R&B, and funk.

Other offerings include a community quilt activity, story time and handson activities for the kids, and southern home cooked favorites made by local Black chefs available for purchase.

In addition, and exhibition of art from emerging and established artists will be on view in the Frist Learning Center.

“Black Arts Bash is a celebration of Black homegrown talent,” said Christiana Afotey, Advisory Committee member and owner of Threads by Dreads. “Our city has become a refuge for people from all over the world. Cheekwood offers local artists a home for their crafts, a safe space for Black artists to connect and thrive, and a platform and audience to share

The McCrary Sisters their stories with.”

Activities include performances by Southern Word, Sankofa African Drum and Dance, and the McCrary Sisters, and other talented artists.

Also included is the Black Arts Bash Fine Art exhibition which will happen at the Frist Learning Center Great Hall.

In celebrating Black art of all forms, the 2023 Black Arts Bash Fine Arts Exhibition is the visual component, featuring both emerging and established artists, and aims to tell stories from the mundane to the powerful. The show provides a platform for artists as well as a mentoring opportunity.

Featured artists include: Higgins Bond, DaShawn Lewis, Kimberly Manson, Eric Nyamor, Shadale Smith and X Payne.

A panel discussion will take place with the established artists from 5:30–6:30 pm. High school and university artists will be available for drop-in visits from 11:30–12:30 pm, and 4–5 pm.

The show opens concurrently with Black Arts Bash on August 19 and runs through August 31. For this intergenerational exhibition, Cheekwood is still seeking work (painting, sculpture, photography, drawing, fashion, etc.) made by artists in the Greater Nashville Area who identify as Black or mixed-race. Interested applicants can apply through July 29 at <cheekwood.org/learn/s chool- programs/blackarts-bash-fine-art-exhibition/>.

Other activities include food vendors, arts and goods vendors, African Textile quilt activity and family story time.

Black Arts Bash takes place Saturday, August 19, from 9 am–10 pm. Tickets are on sale now. The event is free for Cheekwood members.

Black Arts Bash is presented by Bank of America.

The event is sponsored by HCA and Asurion and supported by the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.

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(615) 292-9150

Betty Vou Plaît + to Black Back Allison Burlesque’s Underground, a modern, seductive reinterpretation of the literary classic Alice in Wonderland as told through the Black lens premieres Friday, July 28th at 9PM and Saturday, July 29th at 7:30PM at Darkhorse Theatre (4610 Charlotte Ave). Go down the rabbit hole to a Wonderland unlike any you’ve seen before.

Allison Underground brilliantly twists Lewis Carroll’s classic novel into a sensual modern myth that indulges the fantastical elements of the beloved story.

Directed by acclaimed burlesque artist Betty Vou Plaît and featuring the stunning performers from Back to Black Burlesque, this updated Alice puts Black voices at the center of this literary classic.

Don’t be late for this very important date!

Run time is 90 minutes

Jennifer Whitcomb-Oliva as “Mother Death” in Bar Fight 2666: Broken Vows at OZ Arts Friday and Saturday, July 28-29 during the Kindling Arts Festival. with no intermission. including VIP, and a A complete schedule, variety of other packindividual tickets, choice ages are available now at of two Wildfire passes, kindlingarts.com.

The Sporting life: Oppenheimer Edition

by Cass Teague Written and directed by Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer is an IMAX®-shot epic thriller that thrusts audiences into the pulse-pounding paradox of the enigmatic man who must risk destroying the world in order to save it. Oppenheimer is filmed in a of combination IMAX® 65mm and large-format 65mm film photography including, for the first time ever, sections in IMAX® black and white analogue photography.

You should take advantage of the unique opp-ortunity to see it as Nolan intended it to be seen, now at one of only 23 theaters worldwide with the capability to display the phenomenal full frame IMAX FILM version of the movie.

The actual film itself is 11 MILES LONG and weighs 600 POUNDS! The film has one of the greatest casts of all time: Cillian Murphy as J. Robert Oppenheimer, Emily Blunt as “Kitty” Oppenheimer, Matt Damon as Leslie Groves, Robert Downey, Jr., Florence Pugh, Benny Safdie, Josh Hartnett, Kenneth Branagh, Tony Goldwyn, Rami Malek, Jack Quaid, David Krumholtz, James Remar, Gustaf Skarsgård David Dastmalchian, Harry Groener, Emma Dumont, Alden Ehrenreich, Matthew Modine, James D'Arcy, Scott Grimes, among others. Music by Ludwig Göransson (Black Panther) and the director of photography is Hoyte Van Hoytema.

Ronald Auguste plays J. Ernest Wilkins in the film. Jesse Ernest Wilkins Jr. (November 27, 1923 – May 1, 2011) was an African American nuclear scientist,

Dr. J. Ernest Wilkins Jr., who received a Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of Chicago as a 19-year-old in 1942, being honored by the University at a special event. mechanical engineer Project.

Working under the and mathematician. A child prodigy, he direction of Arthur attended the University Holly Compton and of Chicago at the age Enrico Fermi, Wilkins of 13, becoming its researched the extracyoungest ever student. tion of fissionable His graduation at a nuclear materials, but young age resulted in was not told of the him being hailed as research group’s ulti“the Negro Genius” in mate goal until after the national media. the atomic bomb was Wilkins was one of the dropped on Hiroshima.

African American sci- Wilkins was the co-disentists and technicians coverer or discoverer on the Manhattan Proj- of a number of pheect during the Second nomena in physics such as the Wilkins World War. In 1940, Wilkins effect and the Wignspectra. completed his AB in er–Wilkins mathematics at the When Wilkins’s team University of Chicago. was transferred to Oak He went on to an MS Ridge National Laboand PhD in mathemat- ratory in Tennessee, ics at the same institu- due to the Jim Crow tion, which he com- laws of the Southern pleted in 1941 and United States, Wilkins 1942. Wilkins taught was prevented from mathematics from working there.

Dr. J. Ernest 1943 to 1944 at the Tuskegee Institute Wilkins, Jr. pledged the (now Tuskegee Uni- Iota Chapter of Kappa versity). In 1944 he Alpha Psi Fraternity in returned to the Univer- 1938, and served as the Grand sity of Chicago where Fraternity’s he served first as an Keeper of Records & associate mathematical Exchequer; his father, physicist and then as a J. Ernest Wilkins, Sr. physicist in its Metal- served as the Fraternilurgical Laboratory, as ty’s 13th Grand Polepart of the Manhattan march.

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Page 12

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July 21, 2023

HBCUs revamping admissions policies amid affirmative action decision

by Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire senior national correspondent In the wake of the Supreme Court’s recent decision to end affirmative action in college admissions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have taken steps to adapt their admissions policies.

With the expected increase in applicants, HBCUs reportedly are gearing up to become more selective, aiming to maintain the quality of education they provide.

Last month’s ruling by the high court, which prohibits colleges from considering race during the admissions process, has sent ripples through the academic landscape.

For many universities, affirmative action has been crucial for fostering diversity and inclusion. While not HBCUs are expecting an increase in applications due to last month’s affirentirely unexpected, the decision poses mative action ruling by the high court. measure. a significant challenge to HBCUs, uphill battle.

She said that approach would allow “If our applicant pool doubles, we which have historically played a pivotal role in educating Black graduates could not double our student body students to reflect on their experiences without seriously compromising the and articulate the importance of race in and promoting racial diversity.

The Root reported that HBCU lead- quality of our education,” David A. their lives and aspirations.

Morgan State Meanwhile, ers anticipate a surge in applications Thomas, the president of Atlanta’s University’s Admissions officials from students seeking environments prestigious Morehouse College said.

“With Morehouse College expect- reportedly are contemplating using that encourage open discussions about ing a significant surge in applications essay prompts or letters of recommenrace during the admissions process.

The schools have long served as over the next three years, maintaining dation to encourage applicants to bastions of support for Black students, its commitment to providing an eco- engage in meaningful discussions especially in the face of systemic chal- nomically diverse student body is at the about race.

As the spotlight shines brightly on lenges like underfunding, housing forefront of its agenda.”

To combat some aspects of the HBCUs after the affirmative action shortages, and aging infrastructure.

Compared to predominantly White Supreme Court’s ruling, Aminta verdict, officials at those schools maininstitutions, The Root noted that Hawkins Breaux, president of Bowie tain that they are determined to rise to HBCUs have also struggled with sub- State University, suggested the inclu- the challenge and continue their compar cybersecurity measures and limited sion of an essay component in admis- mitment to fostering diverse, inclusive, WiFi access, further adding to their sion applications as a possible and intellectually stimulating environ-

ments.

“Historically Black Colleges and Universities are carrying an outsized burden to diversify so many industries in America,” Howard University President Wayne A.I. Frederick, said in a nationally televised interview.

“We represent only three percent of the higher [education] institutions, but we are responsible for 25% of the bachelor’s degrees,” he said.

Frederick called the court’s decision unfortunate. “By not allowing race to be considered in admissions elsewhere, you can put an even more outsized burden on historically Black colleges and universities who don’t have the capacity to carry that type of a burden.”

Frederick further acknowledged that HBCUs admissions decisions now will become more complicated.

“Obviously, we all are going to be kind of avoiding lawsuits, and so trying to have a very sterile process,” he said.

“It is going to be almost impossible, and trying to create one is going to be far more difficult today given this ruling. So I think that we are all going to have to look at the rules very carefully.

Finally, Fredrick told CNN that the ruling could put an additional burden on HBCUs to produce more graduates to work in various industries and set up institutions to worry about legal challenges that could be presented over admissions.

“So, it is going to be a road that is going to require a lot more resources. I think that institutions that don’t have as many resources could be blindsided by lawsuits about this,” Frederick said.

Biden Administration offers new plan after Supreme Court halts student debt cancellation

by Charlene Crowell (TriceEdneyWire.com) – On June 30, a long-awaited and consequential Supreme Court decision denied forgiveness that would have erased $430 billion of federal student loan balances for 20 million borrowers and lowered the median amount owed by another 23 million borrowers from $29,400 to $13,600.

Instead, the nation’s highest court yielded to six states (Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and South Carolina) that had challenged the plan’s legality. The decision also revealed stark differences within the court that will likely affect future decisions.

In his opinion for the 6-3 majority, Chief Justice John Roberts, referring to Education Secretary Miguel Cardona wrote: “The Secretary asserts that the HEROES Act grants him the authority to cancel $430 billion of student loan principal. It does not. The question here is not whether something should be done; it is who has the authority to do it.”

In a stark dissenting opinion, Associate Justice Elena Kagen rebuked her colleagues and signaled future problematic decisions with the currently constituted court.

“After today,” said Justice Kagen, “no one will have to go back 50 years for the classic case of the Court manipulating standing doctrine, rather than obeying the edict to stay in its lane.

Thus, the Court once again substitutes itself for Congress and the Executive Branch—and the hundreds of millions of people they represent—in making this nation’s most important, as well as most contested, policy decisions.”

Reactions by consumer advocates and civil rights organizations were as swift as they were serious.

“The Supreme Court’s decision to strike down the president’s program is a clear disregard for what millions of Americans need, especially Black Americans,” said Derrick Johnson, CEO of the NAACP. “America has so easily forgiven greedy corporations for their debts. Why would they refuse to provide the same grace and investment in our own students?”

“There is no time to wait. The Administration must act fast to deliver promised relief to worried borrowers and prevent the federal government from sending bills Americans cannot afford to pay in September,” said Abby Shafroth, co-director of Advocacy with the National Consumer Law Center.

Concurring with these and other advocates, Jaylon Herbin, director of Federal Campaigns at the Center for Responsible Lending said: “We urge President Biden to explore all his options, including using his executive and statutory authority, to provide student loan debt relief to the millions of Americans who will face increased financial insecurity when payments restart.”

In response to the Supreme Court’s June 30 rejection of student loan forgiveness, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona announced a three-pronged effort to mitigate student loan debt beginning this summer and before July 1, 2024 when new borrower regulations will take full effect.

“The Department finalized our new income driven repayment plan, Saving on A Valuable Education (SAVE), which will be the most affordable repayment plan in history,” said Secretary Cardona. “It will cut monthly payments to zero dollars for millions of lowincome borrowers, save all other borrowers at least $1,000 per year, and stop runaway interest that leaves borrowers owing more than their initial loan.”

Borrowers who enroll in the plan and pay what they owe will no longer see their loans grow due to unpaid interest. An estimated 70% of borrowers who already were on income-drivenrepayment (IDR) before the payment pause are expected to see their payments on undergraduate loans cut in half, compared to other IDR plans. This will ensure that borrowers will not see their balance grow as long as they keep up with their required payments.

SAVE also provides adjustments for borrowers with varying family status and incomes. For example, single borrowers earning less than $15 an hour or $32,805 annually will not have to make any payments. Borrowers with a family of four can earn up to $67,500 and owe no payments. Married borrowers who file their taxes separately will no longer be required to include their spouse’s income in their payment calculation for SAVE. These borrowers also will have their spouse excluded from their family size when calculating IDR payments, simplifying the choice of repayment plan for borrowers. And borrowers earning above these annual amounts would save more than $1,000 a year on their payments compared to other IDR plans.

When the plan is fully implemented next July, additional benefits will begin and include:

Nashville General Hospital earns Trauma level iii designation Nashville General Hospital (NGH), a national leading public safety-net hospital, serving Nashville and Davidson County has earned a Level III designation in trauma care. This provides the Nashville and Davidson County community another option for highquality, accessible trauma care.

The designation, conferred by the Tennessee Health Facilities Commission, was granted for an initial period of three years. A hospital with a Level III Trauma Center provides prompt assessment, management, surgery and stabilization for trauma patients. In addition, the designation requires that a trauma surgeon be on call and on-site within 30 minutes of an emergency room physician’s determination requiring a patient undergo surgery.

“I’m so proud of our trauma services team for their dedication in achieving this designation to increase the hospital’s impact on the needs of the community and allow-

The Tennessee Health Facilities Commission has granted NGH’s request to be designated for Level III trauma care. ing us to provide more comprehensive care,” said Dr. Joseph Webb, D.Sc., FACHE, chief executive officer. “Our goal is to care for all Nashvillians. Every second counts in a traumatic injury situation, and this level of care allows us to take care of more patients, faster and closer to home.”

• Borrowers who have undergraduate and graduate loans will pay a weighted average of between 5-10% of their income based upon the original principal balances of their loans. For example, a single undergraduate borrower making $50,000 a year would see payments fall an additional $72 a month, bringing their total reduction on the SAVE plan to $163 a month.

• Borrowers whose original principal balance was $12,000 or less will receive forgiveness after 120 payments, the equivalent of 10 repayment years. An additional 12 payments will be added for each additional $1,000 borrowed above that level, up to a maximum of 20 or 25 years.

• Borrowers in default will gain access to the existing income-based repayment (IBR) plan, allowing them to

access lower payments and progress toward forgiveness while they work to exit default. However, borrowers in default who provide income information that shows they would have had a $0 payment at the time of default will be automatically moved to good standing, allowing them to access the SAVE plan.

Full details of the SAVE plan are available at: <www2.ed.gov/policy/ highered/reg/hearulemaking/2021/idrfactsheetfinal.pdf>.

An old adage teaches us that where there’s a will, there’s also a way. Many hope that this alternative loan forgiveness program will relieve the nation of its unsustainable debt.

(Charlene Crowell is a senior fellow with the Center for Responsible Lending.

She can be reached at <Charlene.crow ell@responsiblelending.org>.)