Annual African Street Festival in Hadley Lillard Park September 15-17 See page 3
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EDITORIAL Where are the Black mothers? See page 4
Shades of Black Theatre Festival See page 6
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volume XXXvII, Number 35
People Are Talking Don Sundquist, 47th governor of Tennessee, passes away
Former Tennessee Gov. Don Sundquist Former Tennessee Gov. Don Sundquist passed away on Sunday, August 27, peacefully, surrounded by family, following surgery and a short illness. He was 87 years old. Born in Moline, Illinois on March 15, 1936, Sundquist was a graduate of Augustana College. He went on to serve in the United States Navy. After years in the printing and advertising industry in Shelbyville and Memphis, he was elected to Congress, representing Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District. Sundquist served six terms in Congress, and was on the Ways and Means Committee, where he earned the reputation as a staunch fiscal conservative. He was elected governor of Tennessee in 1994, and re-elected to a second term in 1998. Under his leadership, Tennessee implemented a ground-breaking welfare reform program, comprehensive crime legislation focusing on victims’ rights, and set record levels of economic development. His administration was instrumental in bringing two national sports franchises, the Tennessee Titans and the Nashville Predators, to the state. “We are comforted by our faith and friends, and know he is with our Lord and loved ones in heaven,” said former First Lady Martha Sundquist.
Nashville, TN
September 1, 2023
Thousands gather at Lincoln Memorial for 60th anniversary March on Washington
(center) Martin Luther King III along with his wife, Andrea Waters King, and daughter, Yolanda King lock arms with Rev. Al Sharpton as they march to the King Memorial to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington. (Photo: Roy Lewis/Trice Edney News Wire) by Hamil R. Harris people who gathered in Washington on Poverty is still with us. And now, gun (TriceEdneyWire.com) – Sixty years August 28, 1963, the gathering was violence has come for places of worafter Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. stood more diverse and those who spoke said ship, our schools, and our shopping at Lincoln Memorial and offered his racial and economic challenges were centers.” dream for a racially diverse America, more daunting than ever before. Miss King’s speech came before 15-year-old granddaughter, his “If I could speak to my grandfather her father, Martin Luther King III, and Yolanda Renee King, said her genera- today, I would say I’m sorry we still Rev. Al Sharpton spoke. They, along tion is ready to carry MLK’s unfin- have to be here to re-dedicate our- with her mother Andrea Waters King, ished legacy in new ways. selves to finishing your work and ulti- organized the event that brought While the size of the crowd on mately realizing your dream,” she thousands to the nation’s capital to Saturday was a fraction of the 250,000 said. “Today, racism is still with us. Continued on page 5
Meet Chris Cheng, candidate for Nashville Metro Council-at-large for Sept. 14 election
Continued on page 5
Poet, writer, and activist Navita Gunter passes Chris Cheng I’m Chris Cheng. I’m running for Nashville’s Metro Council at Large to: - Preserve our parks, greenways, and recreational spaces. - Invest in our libraries, schools, art hubs, and community centers.
- Advocate for safe and sustainable countywide infrastructure. - Support our teachers, first responders, and metro employees. - Champion our small businesses and local entrepreneurs. I have tremendous energy and enthusiasm for this city. I love the people here. I’m running to make Nashville a better place for all of us. This is home. Champion for Local Small Businesses: I'm running to be the Metro Council’s steadfast advocate for local small businesses - integral pieces of our city’s unique culture, taste, and charm. My wife and I are farmers market vendors. We own Hot Sauce Nashville, a local hot sauce company. I’m whole-heartedly grateful for our small business community and the local support. I want to commit my energy to representing and serving our local entrepreneurial community. Whatever the policy or issue, I'd strive to advocate for our local small businesses: How would a new policy proposal impact our small business com-
munity? How could upcoming development plans best support the locally owned shops, restaurants, and makers? Community Investments: I'm passionate about supporting our public places that help build neighborhood bonds and strengthen community relationships: preserving our parks, outdoor recreational areas, and greenways; investing in our libraries, art hubs, farmers markets, and community centers. We should be investing in our neighborhoods all across Davidson County. Infrastructure: I want to advocate for safe and sustainable countywide infrastructure: smooth roads, clean water, reliable utilities, green parks, safe sidewalks, attainable housing, and ubiquitous internet access. I'd collaborate with our local sustainability organizations to guide our county towards building a cleaner environment and strengthening our land and waterways for extreme weather and natural disasters. Continued on page 5
Special session ends with very little accomplished Navita Gunter Navita Gunter, a cervical cancer survivor, noted poet, and motivational speaker, has passed away. “Today one of my friends of 26 years passed away,” posted her notable friend Henry Jones on Facebook. “Her name is Navita Gunter who was a poet, an author, an activist, an open-mic Poetry host (Kijiji Coffee House), a mother, a grandmother, a mentor to many, a fighter and so much more. She overcame many obstacles in her life. Continued on page 5 The Nashville PRIDE Newspaper is on Facebook and follow us on Twitter: @pridenews
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The legislative special session called by Gov. Bill Lee in response to the Covenant School shooting ended with very little accomplished. Marked by an altercation between Republican House Speaker Cameron Sexton and Rep. Justin Pearson, the silencing of Justin Jones, and a Democrat walk out of the chamber, the Senate quickly adjourned on Tuesday. Tennessee Democrats released the following statement about the session: “Because of the failed leadership of Gov. Bill Lee and this GOP supermajority, Tennessee’s children are no safer today than they were before the special session convened. “There is no sugarcoating the utter incompetence and disrespect for democracy exhibited by the GOP supermajority since last Monday. “From House rules used to silence Democratic members and prohibit signs and the callous forced removal of crying mothers from a House committee, the Republicans’ blatant disrespect for and displays of indifference to the concerns of Tennessee families were on full display throughout this seven days long session. “Yesterday, when one of our members was arbitrarily ruled out of order
Tennessee State Capitol and silenced, our Caucus stood united can leadership is incapable of leading as one and walked out. However, and it is failing Tennessee families. because the GOP holds a supermajori- Our children deserve better.” ty of seats, they were able to conduct Despite the lack of accomplishbusiness without a single Democrat in ments, Gov. Lee says the session the chamber. brought a little bit of “hope.” “The actions and policies of this “We have made some headway this state legislature do not reflect the will week. Four of our bills passed,” he of a majority of Tennesseans or our said. “Significant funding was focused values. It has been made clear over the on issues that matter to public safety. course of this special session. RepubliContinued on page 5