5 23 2012

A foot soldier’s tribute

VOL. 61, No. 20

May 17 - 23, 2012

www.tristatedefender.com

75 Cents

New ‘keeper of the flame’ for Juneteenth Special to the Tri-State Defender

by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell The 19th Annual Juneteenth Freedom & Heritage Festival is a few weeks away and off to a brand new start with a new executive director, Telisa Franklin, who says festivalgoers can expect to see something a little different this year.

“With tremendous challenge comes great opportunity to accomplish incredible things as the Lord helps us,” said the 30-something Franklin, a licensed minister, who grew up in the Douglass community, where the three-day festival long has been anchored.

“I appreciate the wonderful opportunity to lead Juneteenth forward. This year, we want to pull the entire community together in a multi-cultural celebration. We want to celebrate all of our people, not just African Americans. There is something for everyone at Juneteenth.”

Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration of the ending of slavery.

Dating back to 1865, it was on June

19th that the Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free. Memphis did not have a Juneteenth celebration until Glynn Johns Reed made in happen in the early 1990s.

“I feel the time is right to pass the torch to a younger executive director who understands the vision of Juneteenth and what the celebration means to this city,” said Reed from her office in New Orleans, where she publishes the Black Pages magazine.

“Telisa Franklin was absolutely the right person to carry this event forward,” said Reed, who will continue to act in an advisory position to ensure a smooth transition.

A native of New Orleans, Reed said she was divinely directed to establish a Juneteenth Freedom & Heritage Festival in Memphis.

“It was 19 years ago that I felt the Lord speaking to me,” said Reed. “I was asleep and I saw the word SEE JUNETEENTH ON PAGE 3

Joseph Crittenden with the Rev. James Lawson in downtown Memphis during one of the many protests that marked Mr. Crittendenʼs life. (Photos courtesy of the Crittenden family/Andrew Withers Collection)

Crittenden pushed ‘for what is right’

Tim Graves, a 1976 Lakeview Elementary School graduate, signs the commemorative banner that was part of a bittersweet celebration at the school last Friday (May 11). (Courtesy photo)

Special to the Tri-State Defender

by Tony Jones

Mr. Joseph Crittenden Sr. died on Tuesday, May 8, 2012 at the age of 93.

In his lifetime, he became a beloved husband, a father to 11, grandfather to 31 and great grandfather to 94. Friends and acquaintances admired and respected him.

Mr. Crittenden worked as a cotton picker, served in the armed forces, made a living as a master tractor mechanic (a much sought after skill in the agricultural south), and was the owner of a series of combination gas stations, auto shops and convenience stores.

His is not a name readily known to the media and historians of the civil rights era, but that victory for human rights could not have occurred without men and women such as Crittenden, the very embodiment of the foot soldier.

Never a sanitation department employee, nor a member of their union, Local 1733 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Mr. Crittenden worked tirelessly for their cause. He was, according to numerous people, the orSEE CRITTENDEN ON PAGE 2

MEMPHIS WEEKEND

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

‘Lakeview School was everything to us’ Special to the Tri-State Defender

by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell

Mr. Crittenden (center with glasses) is among a group escorting Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Ralph David Abernathy during the Sanitation Workers strike in Memphis.

Major employment gains for African-American women Still trail whites NNPA News Service

by Freddie Allen H- 8 3o - L - 6 5o Most ly Sunn y

H- 8 8o - L - 6 5o S unn y

REGIONAL TEMPS LITTLE ROCK NASHVILLE JACKSON, MS

Friday H-90 L-66 H-86 L-63 H-88 L-63

H- 8 8o - L - 6 7o S unn y

Saturday H-89 L-68 H-84 L-62 H-86 L-63

Sunday H-88 L-69 H-85 L-61 H-86 L-63

First, there were the rumors back in early March. Then the official word came from the unified school board: Lakeview Elementary would close this school year for good, along with Graceland and Georgia Avenue elementaries.

“Even before we knew our school was closing, a group of alumni had gotten together and decided we wanted to do something to encourage Lakeview students,” said Carolyn Moore Ester.

“After we learned that the school was closing for good, the plans just grew bigger from there. We contacted all our old classmates, even those who couldn’t make it back home. They sent in donations, and we collected about $4,500. We wanted to make this last celebration memorable for both the students and

WASHINGTON – African-American women are making the most significant gains in employment but still lag behind whites, according to the Labor Department.

The most recent jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that the unemployment rate for African-American women, 20 and older, dropped from 12.3 percent in March to 10.8 percent in April, a decline of 1.5 percent. More significantly, the jobless rate for African-American women has fallen

3 percentage points over the past five months, the largest decline for any demographic over that period.

The unemployment rate for white women, 20 and older has remained flat at 6.8 percent from last December to April, but that stagnant rate is still four percentage points better than the current rate for African-American women. The jobless rate for AfricanAmerican men fell to 13.6 percent to 15.7 percent over the same period, but some economists warn that those figures could be misleading.

“There are two things driving down the unemployment rate,” said Steven Pitts, labor policy specialist at the University of California-Berkeley’s Labor Center. “The improvement in job prospects and simultaneously

some black men dropping out of the labor force.”

When people quit looking for work, they are no longer counted as unemployed. Consequently, the labor force shrinks, causing the unemployment rate to go down. The unemployment rate for African Americans fell from 14 percent in March to 13 percent in April.

“The unemployment rate might look like an improvement, but it’s really just people giving up,” explained Algernon Austin, director of the Race, Ethnicity, and the Economy program at the Economic Policy Institute.

In a 2011 study, the National Women’s Law Center found that SEE WOMEN ON PAGE 3

those who remember Lakeview back in the early days.”

And celebrate they did. Tuesday, May 9, was Teachers Appreciation Day. Teachers past and present were honored during an afternoon luncheon.

“It was good to see some of our old teachers. Walking the halls brought back so many memories.

This was the school I attended first through the eighth grades,” said Ester.

“My husband attended Lakeview and so did my daughter. School was the lifeblood of our community. It was our community center, our playground, our park and our library because we didn’t have any of those things back then. Those were wonderful, happy days.”

Capping off the week on Friday was the May Day Carnival. Students SEE SCHOOL ON PAGE 12

- INSIDE -

• A-K Enterprises proves that marriage is good for business. See Business, page 6.

• Living and firewalking are in-the-moment choices. See Religion, page 9.

• Unhealthy church members need more than a sermon.

See Health, page 12.

• Hunger aid draws hundreds. See Community, page 13.

NEWS

Page 2

CRITTENDEN

CONTINUED FROM FRONT

ganizer/friend/protector who led them out of the gate to begin the strike.

Justifiably proud of his role, but never boastful or arrogant, Mr. Crittenden fought for justice as long as his strength would allow. Even at the age of 89, he was down in the heat of Tunica County, Mississippi helping to organize a public protest, knocking on doors and urging people to support Louise Linzy, who eventually became the first AfricanAmerican female elected judge in the county’s history.

The Rev. Dr. Dwight Montgomery, head of the Memphis Chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, calls Mr. Crittenden the greatest civil rights servant of all time.

“Look at the photos of the era, he was right there beside the men who were out front, placing his own life on the line each and every time,” said Montgomery. “And he did not flinch. It certainly showed him to be a man of true courage.”

The photos Montgomery refers to were taken by famed civil rights photographer Ernest Withers Sr., one of Crittenden’s closest friends. Andrew Withers recalls his father telling him that Mr. Crittenden was his driver during the infamous Emmett Till trial.

“They were followed from Mississippi by the Klan, but Joe ducked into a farm and they hid out until the Klan members got tired of looking for them and left,” said Andrew Withers.

Mr. Crittenden’s close associates also included 24-7 community activists the Rev. Ezekial Bell and business owner Johnnie Williams, who was a playmate of Emmett Till.

Bell, Williams and Crittenden convinced Montgomery to serve as president of the newly reformed SCLC Memphis Chapter in 2004.

“He was really concerned about civil rights,” said Montgomery. “Whether it was about police brutality or

Tri-State Defender

May 17 - 23, 2012

Joseph Crittenden was a key organizer of the “mule train,” which ushered civil rights activists to Washington, D.C. to fulfill Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.ʼs Poor Peopleʼs Campaign in 1968. (Photo courtesy of the Crittenden family/Andrew Withers Collection)

“Look at the photos of the era, he (Joseph Crittenden) was right there beside the men who were out front, placing his own life on the line each and every time.

And he did not flinch. It certainly showed him to be a man of true courage.”

Rev. Dr. Dwight Montgomery

black-on-black crime, he would call me and be truly concerned about the issue and the person. He was my mentor and he was my friend. In reforming the SCLC he would attend every march, and like he did in the 60s, he was right there in front.”

“But that’s Daddy,” laughed Mr. Crittenden’s granddaughter, Tina Crittenden, reacting to one of the Joe Crittenden stories being told by her mother, Gladys Crittenden Jones, with Crittenden’s widow, Annette Crittenden, joining in.

“When we were young he used to tell us he was going to

work, but he was out organizing,” said Gladys Crittenden Jones. “His whole thing the whole time was keeping us safe. He didn’t want us to worry.”

Tina Crittenden recalls her first memory of her grandfather’s civic worth.

“Daddy took us up to the motel to see where it (Dr. King’s assassination) happened. There were a lot of people there, staring, crying and praying, but I remember how they parted when Daddy brought us through. It was like everybody knew him,” she said.

Mr. Crittenden was nobody to play with when it came to “his people,” and that doubled when it came to his family.

“I was 15,” Tina Crittenden recalls, “and called Daddy and asked him could I come work at the store to make some money to go to a basketball camp. This guy came in and tried to rob us. I had the gun that he kept by the register.

Daddy kept yelling ‘Shoot him Tee!’ But I was too nervous, I

couldn’t do it.

“And that’s when I knew the hand of God was on Daddy for real,” she said. “He could have been killed so

many times. The robber was nervous too. He shot at him four, five or six times but didn’t hit him once. That had to be God or he was the worst shot in history. Daddy pulled out this gun he had behind the register and chased him all the way down the street shooting in the air.”

Annette Crittenden remembered the incident in the gas station that her husband at Auction and Third.

“He always worked hard, then came home and went out organizing,” she said, “and I was there with him many of the times.”

In 1966, Mr. Crittenden was with James Meredith, the first African-American admitted to the then-segregated University of Mississippi, when Meredith was shot during the “March Against Fear” – a push to get African Americans to register to vote after the 1965 Voting Rights Act. “He was walking right beside him (Meredith) on the march when Joe saw the barrel of a gun in the bushes,” said Annette Crittenden. “If he hadn’t pushed him, Mr. Meredith would have been killed by the shot.”

Mr. Crittenden “never let us forget our place,” said Tina

Crittenden.

“Not lecturing, but by being.

For years after Dr. King was assassinated, he still felt it in his heart. He would hear a speech or something about it on the radio or on television and it would trigger something in him,” she said.

“Many times, my friends and I would be in the backyard playing basketball and he would play the tapes of speeches while we were playing and I would come in and he would be in tears like it had just happened.”

Crittenden and her mother, Gladys Crittenden Jones, said Mr. Crittenden often relayed stories from his childhood.

“You had to say ‘yes sir’ and ‘yes ma’am’ to anyone white, even the kids he was playing with when the grownups were watching, and it still bothered him. He said his children would never grow up like that.”

Annette Crittenden said her husband did what he did during the civil rights era without receiving any compensation.

“He was just a man dedicated to his family and his people.

He was always pushing...and he never, ever stopped pushing for what was right.”

Tri-State Defender

WOMEN

CONTINUED FROM FRONT

African-American women lost 233,000 jobs between December 2007 and June 2009, then lost another 258,000, 491,000 between June 2009 and June 2011. African-American men only lost 477,000 over that period.

According to the study, not only are African-American women a majority of the African-American workforce (53.4 percent), they head a majority of the African-American families with children.

More African-American women are the heads of households now, “So they have to work, “ explained Maudine Cooper, president of the Greater Washington Urban League. “They’ll often accept less money than a man would be making in the same job.”

A 2012 study on the pay gap conducted by the American Association of University Women found that women working full-time earned just 77 cents to every dollar earned by a man.

African-American women working full-time make just 70 cents for every dollar white men make and 91 cents for every dollar African-American men bring home. White women, on the other hand, received 82 cents for every dollar a white man earns. White men are often used as a benchmark, because at this time they are the largest demographic group in the labor force.

Research by Wider Opportunities for Women found that 62 percent of African-American households and 66 percent of Hispanic households live on the edge of poverty. Even when working full-time, 80 percent of African-American single

JUNETEENTH

CONTINUED FROM FRONT

‘Juneteenth’ written in block letters. My birthday is June 10th. When you spell that out the letters are almost identical, except for an extra ‘e’. That moment really spoke to me, and here we are, nearly 20 years later.”

The first celebration was a church function called “Summer in the Shade.” With live music, games, rides, and lots of food, the carnival atmosphere easily translated into Juneteenth in subsequent years.

T h e 2012 Annual Juneteenth & Heritage Festival Telisa will run Franklin Wednesday through Friday, June 15-17, in the historic Douglass Park in North Memphis.

Franklin, who organized the Memphis Glynn Johns Yo u t h f u l Reed Praise of Douglass, is clearly ready to roll.

The three-day festival will feature live entertainment by gospel, jazz, R&B, blues, rap, classical and neo-soul artists.

Food and merchandise vendors, a job fair, exhibits, dancers, storytelling, walk-joga-thon, basketball, softball, family reunions, class reunions, horseback riding, picnics, and more – including The New Tri-State Defender’s 2012 Health Fair – are planned.

This year’s theme is “Honoring African-American Educators,” with a tribute gathering planned at the Memphis Hilton Hotel in East Memphis at 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 14.

Vintage posters from past years will be on display. Local artist and journalist Wiley Henry will unveil this year’s poster during the banquet.

Franklin, who cared for three younger brothers and provided for their college education, is a 1993 graduate of Craigmont High School. She is director of music and fine arts at Golden Gate Cathedral.

“I believe Glynn appreciates what I have been involved with as an entrepreneur and minister,” said Franklin. “I have worked with young people for a number of years. I began a homeless feeding and clothing ministry two years ago.”

And she clearly is ready to build on Juneteenth.

NEWS

Page 3

May 17 - 23, 2012

mothers and 85 percent of Hispanic single mothers don’t make enough to make ends meet and they’re much more likely to lack economic security than white single mothers or single fathers of any racial or ethnic background.

For Cooper, a college education still remains the AfricanAmerican community’s strongest ally in closing the economic gap.

More than 44 percent of African-American women graduate from college, compared to 33.1 percent of African-American men, according to the U.S. Department

of Education.

Cooper said it’s about sacrificing short-term gratification for what really matters.

“I have friends that are going to school and working,” Cooper said. “You have to do what it takes. At some point it’s over and you’ve worked hard, you’ve sweated, you’re exhausted and you’ve gotten through it and that’s the attitude everyone should have.”

That means that AfricanAmerican men have a lot catching up to do in an increasingly competitive job market.

A 2010 study by Georgetown

University’s Center on Education and the Workforce 2018 reported that 63 percent of the jobs newly created or vacated by retiring workers will require at least some college education.

Given that African-American women lead a majority of African-American households and graduate from college at higher rates than AfricanAmerican men, their success is essential as the African-American community recovers from turbulent economic times.

At a 2011 session at Stanford University titled “Black Women and the Backlash Effect

– Understanding the Intersection of Race and Gender,” visiting scholar and expert in workplace diversity Katherine Phillips said that African-American women are excelling in education and entrepreneurship.

“Two-thirds of AfricanAmerican college undergrads are female,” said Phillips.

“And, between 2002 and 2008, the number of businesses owned by black women rose by 19 percent – twice as fast as all other firms and generating $29 billion in sales nationwide.”

Phillips, also a professor of organizational behavior at the

Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., noted that African-American women in the workplace are often viewed as “as independent, competent, and demanding of respect — all classic leadership traits.”

During her research Phillips found that African-American women have more latitude in the roles they play at home and at work. One study found that African-American women who worked outside the home were viewed positively while the same behavior by white women evoked negative reactions.

Page 4

OPINION

Tri-State Defender

May 17 - 23, 2012

John H. Sengstacke Publisher (1951 - 1997)

The Mid-Southʼs Best Alternative Newspaper

A Real Times Newspaper

• Bernal E. Smith II President / Publisher • Dr. Karanja A. Ajanaku Executive Editor

Health care debate will continue well beyond Supreme Court ruling NNPA News Service

by Akeya Dickson

Connect the dots between broadband access and jobs

An after school and summer camp STEM Academy run by the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga has increased students’ proficiency in both math and reading by 32 percent.

In Central Florida, 70 percent to 80 percent of students who enter the local Urban League’s Center for Workforce Innovation Job Training Program graduate with a job at the end of the program.

These rare success stories demonstrate that we know what works in the critical effort to increase broadband access and digital literacy throughout America. But these stories take that goal one step further.

With broadband access much too low and joblessness much too high in communities of color, these Urban League programs make the powerful link between broadband access and jobs.

It’s not enough to place the Internet at everyone’s fingertips, we believe that real progress will only occur if the digital divide is closed in a way that enhances employment opportunities for communities hardest hit by the recession and the jobless recovery of the last few decades.

Last week, the National Urban League’s Policy Institute in partnership with Time Warner Cable, highlighted that reality with the release of a report titled, “Connecting the Dots: Linking Broadband Adoption to Job Creation and Job Competitiveness.”

The report reveals that while the gap is narrowing, the broadband adoption rate in African-American households is still only 56 percent compared with 67 percent for whites.

The rate of broadband access for African Americans without a high school degree is 38 percent, while 51 percent of whites in that same cate-

gory are online at home.

With almost all major companies now posting job openings exclusively online, 77 percent of African Americans without high school diplomas used the Internet Marc to look for a job H. Morial during 2009-10.

Clearly, we must target low-income communities in our efforts to expand access to both broadband and jobs. We applaud efforts such as the FCC’s “Connect to Compete” program that is offering low-cost broadband connections in low-income communities. But more must be done….

We recommend: Creating workforce training in broadband sectors that incorporate job placement – like the successful Central Florida Workforce Innovation Job Training program.

Increasing broadband businesses in economically hard hit areas.

Strategies might include fast-tracking approvals for broadband businesses that are willing to move into hard-hit areas and the kind of hands on management support for start-up businesses that is being offered at the nine National Urban League Entrepreneurship.

Modernizing the education pipeline as a long-term solution. We need more STEM academies such as the one being run by the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga.

(NNPA columnist Marc H. Morial is president and CEO of the National Urban League.)

WEB POSTS

From our online readers at www.tristatedefender.com

President’s support for gay marriage heats up the issue Edition: May 10-16, 2012

(Sitting across from Robin Roberts of ABC’s “Good Morning America,” President Barack Obama on (May 9) uttered words that shook up a good bit of the country and immediately caused ripples in Memphis. “I think same sex couples should be able to get married,” the president told Roberts.)

POST: As a gay black male, I completely support and will continue to support our President Obama. It doesn’t surprise me to hear all the criticism against him coming from the black community, but it does sadden me. It seems that we as African Americans have short memories, because the same hatred the black community is showing against President Obama is the same hatred used against us from the time when we were considered property to this very

minute. I’ve heard many say that they will not vote for him in the next election. I fail to understand how everyone having equal rights and protections under the law is a bad thing?

Again, people forget that there was a time when African Americans had no rights, and the ones oppressing them worked hard to keep things that way! People forget that there was a time when women had few rights and had no right to vote! People worked hard to keep things that way!

In the end, times changed, and we stood up, recognized the injustice, did the right thing! To everyone who opposeS GLBT having equal rights to the rest of the population, ask yourself one question: “How does same sex marriage affect or change my life?”

If you are heterosexual, married (happily or not), same sex marriage has zero affect on your life! If you don’t agree with same sex marriage, don’t get married to someone of the same sex!

Come on people, it’s called EQUALITY!

FACEBOOK FAN OF THE WEEK Tonyaa Staples

Tonyaa Staples is the TSD Facebook Fan of the Week for this weekʼs edition! A graduate of Central High School and Clark Atlanta University, where she majored in Marketing and Allied Health Sciences, Staples can be seen singing and performing at various venues around Memphis.

“I love the Lord; I love my children; I love music; I love to sing (particularly love singing worship songs but I have recently added JAZZ to my favorites. I also like singing soul/neo-soul music),” writes Staples. “I love to paint using acrylics; I love using my gifts to bless others and allowing them to ʻmake room for me.ʼ” Obviously very talented and very loving, Staplesʼ favorite scripture is Isaiah 43:19.

“Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.”

Thanks Tonyaa for being a part of The New Tri-State Defenderʼs Facebook family!

Tri-State Defender Platform

1. Racial prejudice worldwide must be destroyed.

2. Racially unrestricted membership in all jobs, public and private.

3. Equal employment opportunities on all jobs, public and private.

4. True representation in all U.S. police forces.

5. Complete cessation of all school segregation.

6. Federal intervention to protect civil rights in all instances where civil rights compliance at the state level breaks down

DISTRIBUTION: Tri-State Defender is available at newsstands, street sales, store vendors, mail subscription and honor boxes throughout the Greater Memphis area. No person may, without prior written permission of the Tri-State Defender, reprint any part of or duplicate by electronic device any portion without written permission. Copyright 2012 by Tri-State Defender Publishing, Inc. Permission to Publisher, Tri-State Defender, 203 Beale Street, Suite 200, Memphis, TN. 38103. Back copies can be obtained by calling the Tri-State Defender at (901) 523-1818, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.

Pardon the Wilmington Ten

Of the seven years I was editor of Emerge: Black America’s Newsmagazine in the 1990s, I am proudest of our national campaign to win the release of Kemba Smith, a 24-yearold former Hampton University student who was sentenced to a mandatory 24 ½ years in prison for her minor role in a drug ring.

Our first story, written by Reginald Stuart in May 1996, featured a high school graduation photo of Kemba, decked in cap and gown, with the words: “Kemba’s Nightmare: A Model Student Becomes Prisoner #26370-083.” We published two additional stories on Kemba, both written by Stuart.

The original Emerge story caught the attention of Elaine Jones, then director of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund. She began representing Kemba in court and eventually filed a petition for clemency. In late 2000, President Bill Clinton granted LDF’s request and Kemba was released after serving 7 ½ years in federal prison.

I’ve said all along that Kemba wasn’t the only victim of our criminal injustice system. Add the Wilmington Ten to that list.

Most black newspapers are carrying a NNPA News Service story this week by Cash Michaels of the Wilmington Journal describing a national campaign to win pardons for the Wilmington Ten – nine AfricanAmericans and a white female – unfairly convicted in connection with urban unrest. The NNPA is helping spearhead this movement.

In a nutshell, racial strife accompanied the desegregation of New Hanover County, N.C. schools. The all-black high school was closed under the desegregation plan and its students were transferred to the previously all-white high school, where they received a hostile reception.

In February 1971, the United Church of Christ assigned Benjamin Chavis Jr., a native of Oxford, N.C., to help students organize a school boycott.

Amid the racial turmoil, someone firebombed Mike’s Grocery, a whiteowned business located a block away from Gregory Congregational Church, where Chavis had set up headquarters. When fire fighters and police officers arrived on the scene, they were attacked by snipers stationed on the roof of the church. At the time, Chavis and other activists had barricaded themselves inside the building. A riot erupted the next day that resulted in two deaths and six injuries.

Chavis and nine others were charged and convicted of arson and conspiracy in connection with the firebombing incident. Most of the defendants received a sentence of 29 years, with Ann Shepard, the white woman from Auburn, N.Y., receiving the lightest sentence of 15 years and 24-year-old Chavis getting the longest sentence, 34 years.

All nine maintained that they were innocent. In 1980, a federal appeals court overturned their convictions, noting that the trial judge restricted defense attorneys from cross-examining witnesses who had received special treatment in exchange for

their testimony against the Wilmington Ten. Defense attorneys, in their petition to reverse the convictions, noted that the prosecutor failed to disclose “inducement for testimony and speGeorge E. cial favorable Curry treatment offered to each of three important witnesses including leniency, accommodations at a beach hotel and beach cottage paid for by the prosecution, an expense-paid trip for the girlfriend of the chief witness, and the gift of a minibike made after the trial.”

The 4th Circuit Court of Appeals also ruled that the prosecution violated due process rights by failing to turn over evidence that was favorable to the defense, including information that would have impeached the testimony of its chief witness, Allen Hall.

It was Hall who had leveled the most serious charges against Chavis, depicting him as the chief architect of the violence and claiming that he taught others to assemble firebombs and use firearms.

However, despite more than a halfdozen requests from defense attorneys, the prosecutor refused to turn over a second statement made by Allen that directly contradicted at least 15 of his earlier charges.

The prosecutor also failed to turn over a mental evaluation of Hall.

“Significant to this case are the statements in the report that ‘psychological tests reveal an IQ of 82 placing him in the range of borderline defective,’” the appeals court judges wrote. They said Hall’s limited intelligence raised questions about Hall’s “ability to recall in minute detail events that occurred at least one and one-half years prior to the time he was testifying.”

The appeals judges said, “There is also possible knowing use of perjured testimony in connection with this report. Hall testified that he had not undergone a mental examination, and the trial court refused to allow defense counsel to ask Hall in the presence of the jury whether he had been examined by a psychiatrist. Hall did answer the question out of the presence of the jury in the negative and the prosecutor did not disclose the report although he possessed proof positive that the answer was untrue.”

This was the criminal justice system at its worse. The least North Carolina Gov. Beverly Perdue should do is issue a long overdue pardon and heartfelt apology to the Wilmington Ten. (George E. Curry, former editorin-chief of Emerge magazine, is editor-in-chief of the National Newspaper Publishers Association News Service (NNPA) and editorial director of Heart & Soul magazine. Curry can be reached via www.georgecurry.com. You can also follow him at www.twitter.com/currygeorge.)

SUBSCRIPTIONS: Mail subscriptions to the Tri-State Defender are available upon request.

One Year, $30.00; Two Years, $55.00. Domestic subscriptions must be addressed to: Subscriptions, Tri-State Defender, 203 Beale Street, Suite 200, Memphis, TN. 38103. Delivery may take one week.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Tri-State Defender, 203 Beale Street, Suite 200, Memphis, TN. 38103.

GENERAL INFORMATION: Any and all inquiries can be made in writing, by calling (901) 523-1818 or by e-mail.

TELEPHONE: Editorial and Administration: (901) 523-1818. Display Advertising (901) 523-1818. Classified Advertising (901) 523-1818. Fax: (901) 578-5037.

E-MAIL: Editorial e-mail (press releases, news, letters to editor, etc.): editorial@tristatedefender.com; Display advertising e-mail (ads, advertising price requests, etc.): advertising@tri-statedefender.com; Classified advertising e-mail (ads, advertising price requests, etc.): classifieds@tri-statedefender.com; Subscription/Circulation e-mail (subscriptions, subscription price requests, etc.): subscriptions@tri-statedefender.com; Production e-mail (technical questions/specs, etc.): production@tri-statedefender.com.

The Tri-State Defender (USPS 780-220) is published weekly by Tri-State Defender Publishing Co., 203 Beale Street, Suite 200, Memphis, TN 38103. Second Class postage paid at Memphis, TN.

Your letters to the editor are welcome. For verification, please include your name, address and telephone number.

Mail to: In The Mail, Tri-State Defender, 203

Even if the Affordable Care Act survives U.S. Supreme Court scrutiny, a favorable ruling this summer will not serve as a cure-all for insuring African Americans, according to health professionals and a report in the current issue of Health Affairs.

Healthcare advocates still have to deal with the consequences of November’s presidential election – especially if President Obama is defeated – even if “we win everything in June,” said Mara Youdelman, managing attorney in the Washington, D.C. office of the National Health Program, a nonprofit that advocates for the health rights of low and underserved people.

She made that observation at last month’s National Minority Quality Forum in the nation’s capital. During a panel discussion on “ACA in the Balance: Do We Need a Plan B,” Youdelman said that the next obstacle could be getting Congress to spend discretionary funds to support the United States Department of Health and Human Services efforts.

“We have to get Congress to actually say, ‘We’re going to spend money for the workforce provisions and funding for HHS to have the staff to move forward to implement everything they need to implement, to monitor and new oversight to make sure everything’s done right,’” she said. “So regardless of what the Supreme Court does, we almost need a Plan B as well. We need to make sure that we are able to move forward effectively, efficiently and with the provisions that we want to see happen so that we are addressing disparities.”

The deeply-divided Supreme Court is weighing whether the law’s requirement that most Americans have health insurance is constitutional, and if not, how much of the law to invalidate. A decision is expected in June.

On a Supreme Court that often decides major cases by a 5-4 margin, five of the justices were appointed

by Republican presidents and four were appointed by Democrats. A Washington Post-ABC News poll last month found that most people believe the Supreme Court justices will vote along partisan political lines rather than solely on the merits of the case.

Fredette West, executive director of the African American Health Alliance, said she plans to focus on Plan A – getting the health care law upheld rather than looking for a fallback plan.

“Fight for plan A. Don’t let go. Do not let go. If they can take that from you, they can take anything they want from you,” West said. “If I can jeopardize your health, I can do anything under the sun to you.”

The Health Affairs report, titled “The Affordable Care Act’s Coverage Expansions Will Reduce Differences in Uninsurance Rates by Race and Ethnicity,” is one of the first studies that examined effects of the legislation along racial lines. It said 21.6 percent of African-Americans are without health insurance, compared with 13.9 percent of whites and 33.3 percent of Latinos.

Today, 50.3 million Americans are uninsured, a figure that is projected to drop to 26.4 million if the Affordable Care Act goes into effect. Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage will account for “disproportionately large gains in coverage” among blacks. An 8.4 percent increase is expected in coverage of Blacks by these two programs, rising to 36.5 percent.

“Those eligible for Medicaid and CHIP, but who remain unenrolled, constitute the single largest group, at 35.7 percent,” according to the Health Affairs study. “This eligiblebut-unenrolled group includes 58.8 percent of the blacks who we estimate will remain uninsured under the Affordable Care Act, which is a higher proportion than found in the other racial and ethnic groups examined.”

Dr. Willarda V. Edwards, an internal medicine physician in Baltimore and past president of the National Medical Association (NMA), acknowledges the progress that has been made under health care reform.

“We definitely don’t need a Plan B. If the Supreme Court doesn’t come down with a favorable decision, we know that we have at least gotten everyone at the table,” she said. “All the health professionals have been talking about the need for changing the healthcare system that we have.”

(Akeya Dickson is a Washington correspondent for the NNPA News Service.)

Beale St., Ste. 200, Memphis, TN 38103 E-mail: inthemail@tri-statedefender.com Maximum length: 300 words (subject to editing for clarity)

IN THE MAIL

NATION / WORLD

Tri-State Defender

May 17 - 23, 2012

AFRICA BRIEFS Apartheid-era president stirs controversy with homelands view

(GIN) – In a televised interview with CNN reporter Christiane Amanpour, former president FW de Klerk shocked and dismayed South Africans by defending the homeland policies that sent millions of Black South Africans to live in “Bantustans,” cancelling their citizenship in South Africa as a whole.

De Klerk, a Nobel Prize winner with Nelson Mandela, first agreed that apartheid was morally repugnant, but then added: “ethnic unities with one culture with one language (everyone) can be happy and can fulfill their democratic aspirations in their own state, that is not repugnant.”

Blacks were not put in homelands,” said De Klerk.

“The homelands were historically there. If only the developed world would put so much money into Africa, which is struggling with poverty, as we poured into those homelands.

How many universities were built? How many schools?”

At that stage, said De Klerk, “the goal was separate but equal, but separate but equal failed.’ De Klerk said he later became “a convert” against the system.

It has been estimated that 3.5 million people were forced from their homes from the 1960s through the 1980s, many being resettled in the Bantustans. The government made clear that its ultimate aim was the total removal of the black population from South Africa.

De Klerk’s comments sparked outrage on Twitter, blogs and Facebook. The Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution was one of many: “We condemn in the strongest terms the reckless attempts by former president FW de Klerk to justify and defend the apartheid system….

“The very notion of ‘separate development’ was at the centre of the apartheid ideology, and was predicated on notions of racist supremacy as was Nazism.”

The remarks were later described as “out of context” by the De Klerk Foundation. The ex-president added: “I was the one who for all practical purposes abolished apartheid.

Why would I have nostalgia for that which I abolished?”

Gay marriage support shatters some long-held African Views

(GIN) – President Obama’s recent remarks giving “his personal view” on gay marriage caused a carousel of emotions around the world, with many Africans, including clerics from Kenya, where he has family ties, unable to reconcile with what they say “God Himself objects.”

Every country except South Africa has some form of legislation criminalizing homosexuality. Many countries – including South Africa – are considering introducing new laws further stigmatizing same-sex relationships.

Gay rights activists fear that Obama’s message of tolerance will only prompt African leaders to turn up the volume on their anti-homosexual stance.

“Obama’s comments will provide another opportunity for religious fundamentalists to raise their homophobic rhetoric,” said Damian Ugwu, regional Africa program coordinator for the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission. “In Nigeria, and Africa as a whole, these remarks are going to get a lot of bashing.”

Nigeria’s senate has passed a bill that would criminalize gay rights advocacy with up to 10 years imprisonment, “For us as gay rights activists in Africa, it’s a welcome development to know we have an ally like Obama,” said Ugwu. “The fact that the most powerful person in the world is recognizing the need to respect people and promote the rights of sexual minorities, can only help us.”

In Kenya, where homosexual offenses carry penalties of between five and 14 years imprisonment, activists say Obama’s comments will resonate more with ordinary people because of his Kenyan roots.

Page 5

‘Wilmington Ten’ petition for pardons NNPA News Service

by Cash Michaels RALEIGH, N.C. – Seven survivors and the families of three deceased members of the Wilmington Ten – 1970s civil rights activists convicted 40 years ago of conspiracy charges to commit violence – are scheduled to formally petition North Carolina Gov. Beverly Perdue on Thursday (May 17) to grant each wronged activist a formal pardon.

The petition filing was announced at a press conference last week by members and family of the group; their attorney, Irving Joyner; National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) board members; and numerous supporters outside the North Carolina State Capitol. James Ferguson, an attorney in the original case, has joined Joyner as co-counsel.

The pardon petition, drafted by Joyner, who was the original coordinator of the Wilmington Ten legal defense for the United Church of Christ Commission for Racial Justice, described the Wilmington Ten case as “…a politically inspired prosecution.”

It urges Gov. Perdue to issue the pardons, “…in order to declare each Wilmington Ten member innocent of the offense for which they were wrongfully prosecuted and convicted in the New Hanover County Superior Court in September 1972.”

Those convictions were eventually overturned on appeal, leading to the release of the Wilmington Ten. “There are still too many Black activists who are still being mistreated in this country, who carry badges of

shame, if you will, for spending time in prison, who at the end of the day, their only crime was standing up for the people,” Benjamin Todd Jealous, president/CEO of the NAACP, explained in an interview. “In the case of the Wilmington Ten, we will push (for pardons) and support our state conference in their push to ensure that finally, their names are cleared.”

The pardons, if granted, would officially declare the innocence of the seven surviving members – Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., Wayne Moore, Marvin Eugene Patrick, Connie Levinesky Tindall, James Matthew McKoy, Willie Earl Vereen, Reginald Epps – as well as the three deceased members: Anne Shepard-Turner, William “Joe” Wright, and Jerry Gerald Jacobs.

The charges against them, all related to the firebombing of Mike’s Grocery in Wilmington on Feb. 6, 1971, included conspiracy to murder, conspiracy to assault emergency personnel, conspiracy to burn property with incendiary devices and the actual burning of property.

The defendants were convicted and collectively sentenced to 282 years in prison. Their ages at the time ranged from 19 to 35. Today, most of the surviving members are growing old and are in failing health.

Some revealed that after their arrests, police offered to set them free if they would turn state’s evidence against their co-defendants, especially Wilmington Ten leader Ben Chavis.

It was an offer they refused.

(Special to the NNPA News Service from The Wilmington Journal)

ʻWilmington Tenʼ Survivors… Seated (left to right): Marvin Patrick, Margaret Jacobs and Connie Tindall. Standing (left to right): Ben Chavis, Wayne Moore, Willie Earl Vereen and James McKoy. (Photo by Cash Michaels) Back in the day… Sitting (left to right): Ben Chavis, William “Joe” Wright and Connie Tindall.

Standing (left to right): Wayne Moore, Anne Shepard, James “Bun” McKoy and Willie Earl Vereen.

Page 6

ON OUR WAY TO WEALTHY

A-K Enterprises proves that marriage is good for business

Carlee McCullough

BUSINESS

Tri-State Defender

May 17 - 23, 2012

When Kenneth Turner decided to pursue a business opportunity, he jumped in with both feet full time.

Retiring from Shelby County Government, Turner started a process service business. Shortly thereafter, he saw the opportunity to add property management to the mix and he did. The diversification has been an ideal marriage, with A-K Enterprises now growing at a steady pace.

Carlee McCullough: Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Kenneth Turner: I am a retired officer from Shelby County Government with over 18 years of combined law enforcement experience with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and the Shelby County Division of Corrections. I am currently the co-owner of A-K Enterprises. I am married to Ann and a father of a college student, Kenneth Jr.

CM: How and when did you become involved in process serving?

KT: I became involved in process service in 2000 when I acquired my private process service appointment with the Shelby County General Sessions Court.

CM: You also have a property management division. Tell us about that division.

KT: This division was really my wife’s idea.

We own several properties and manage over 17 rental properties in the Memphis area. We work with a number of contractors thus ensuring the ability to provide a variety of services to our property owners.

CM: What sets your firm apart from other property management agencies in the market?

KT: We take pride in advertising as a onestop shop. We are able to assist our property owners from beginning to end with applicant screening checks, preparing rental agreements, providing expense reports, escrow reports, property condition reports and other documents that are necessary to ensure the proper management of a rental property. We also assist property owners in collecting rental payments and if necessary we utilize our Investigative Division to prepare and file necessary documents for eviction process with General Sessions Court.

CM: What sets your firm apart from other process service agencies in the market?

KT: What sets our firm apart from other process service companies is my extensive train-

ing with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and my certification as an instructor with the sheriff’s office training academy during my tenure with the department, and additional training obtained from the Tennessee Warrants Officer Association.

CM: Process service and property management are Kenneth two distinctively different Turner businesses. What prompted you to diversify your business with these businesses in particular?

KT: Being married brings you together as one. Since we both have experience in two different fields, we decided to combine our experiences and become one in business. My wife wanted to own and manage properties and my experience in process service started a joint venture business.

I also noticed that when I was with the Sheriff’s office that there was a need for a company that could serve as a combination of a property management company and a process service company specializing in providing services for individual property owners. The funny thing about it is that both professions correlate with each other. We find ourselves combining our services for all of our property owners, thus allowing them the pleasure of owning their properties and transferring the anxiety of day-today property management to our firm.

CM: What is the greatest reward in being an entrepreneur?

KT: Knowing that we are providing valuable services to the community, having control of our destiny, and being blessed to follow your dreams.

CM: What advice would you offer other aspiring business owners?

KT: Plan accordingly. Never stop believing in your dreams. Be prepared for the trials and tribulations of being a business owner. Always take advantage of opportunities to invest in advertising and marketing your business. Surround yourself with people who have agendas that are similar to yours. Distance yourself from the negative people in your life. Network.

Network. Network.

CM: Any closing remarks?

KT: Yes, there is no way that I could have progressed to this point without the support of my smart and beautiful wife, who is such a vital and important part of the business. I can’t put into words how much her love and support has inspired and helped me in dealing with the success of the business. Never give up on your dream and always trust in God. (Contact information: A-K Enterprises 4466 Elvis Presley Blvd. Ste. 245. 901- 690-3899, 901-383-7723.

Website: www.a-kenterprise.com; Email address: akenterprise65@yahoo.com.)

MONEY MATTERS

Disability income insurance:

Protection for business owners One of your greatest assets is the ability to earn an income. If you were to lose that ability due to a disabling accident or illness, how would you pay your bills, send your kids to college, and save for retirement?

A disability can create substantial economic hardship for individuals and their families. As a business owner, both your personal finances and your business could be at risk.

One way to help protect against the financial loss associated with a disability is to purchase disability income insurance. If you pay the premiums, an individual policy can provide you with a tax-free income stream while you are unable to work.

Weigh your options

When evaluating disability income insurance policies, it’s helpful to consider the following.

• Definition of disability. You can typically choose between “own occupation” coverage and “any occupation” coverage. With “any occupation” coverage, you can claim disability only if you are unable to perform any type of job. This type of coverage is generally less expensive than “own occupation” coverage.

• Amount of monthly coverage. You can purchase disability insurance that will replace a certain percentage of your income – normally up to 50 percent or 60 percent of your pre-disability income. You should purchase

coverage that will enable you to meet your monthly financial obligations.

• Waiting period. The waiting period represents the amount of time that must pass between the date you become disabled and the date that disability income payments begin. The longer the waitCharles Sims ing period, the less expensive coverage will be.

Jr., CFP • Benefit period. The benefit period can range from several months to life. The longer the benefit period, the higher the cost of insurance.

• Business overhead expenses. If you have business overhead expenses such as employee salaries, rent, copy leases, etc, do not forget this valuable coverage.

A disability income insurance policy could make the difference between financial security and financial hardships. Don’t wait to consider this protection until it’s too late.

(Charles Sims Jr. is President/ CEO of The Sims Financial Group. Contact him at 901682-2410 or visit www.SimsFinancial Group.com. The information in this article is not intended to be tax or legal advice, and it may not be relied on for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. You are encouraged to seek tax or legal advice from an independent professional advisor.)

Tri-State Defender

BUSINESS

May 17 - 23, 2012

Here’s how I see that…

Fred Jones, founder of the Southern Heritage Classic, spent some quality with students during a recent Career Day at Lucy Elementary School. (Photo by Tyrone P. Easley)

Clinics offer help for delinquent city taxpayers The second of five scheduled tax clinics to assist Memphians delinquent in paying their city property taxes will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday (May 19) at the Benjamin Hooks Central Library at 3030 Poplar The clinics are jointly sponsored by Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP, the law firm charged with collecting delinquent city taxes, and the City of Memphis Treasurer’s Office. In Memphis, municipal property taxes are due June 1 of each year and become delinquent after August 31.

“The purpose of the clinics is to reach out to taxpayers in their communities so they can talk directly to members of our staff to discuss their property tax issues,’’ said Melissa Palo, the law firm’s managing attorney in Memphis. “Our goal is to work with taxpayers to find a way to pay their delinquent taxes.’’

During the first taxpayer clinic in March, the Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson successfully assisted 15 taxpayers, with each placed on a reasonable payment plan designed to prevent their property from being forced into a tax sale.

Palo said anyone planning to attend the clinic to discuss property tax issues should bring a tax bill, a recent letter from the Linebarger law firm, or their account (parcel) number. Those interested in attending should call 901-260-4058 to reserve a seat. Reservations allow the law firm’s staff to research your account prior to the clinic. The clinic will begin with a brief overview by the City of Memphis Treasurer’s Office and law firm representatives describing the tax

BRIEFLY: A homebuyer/refinance education workshop will be held Tuesday (May 22) from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Crye-Leike Quail Hollow office at 6525 Quail Hollow, 4th floor training room. For more information, RSVP at 901-412-3500. The event is being hosted by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Beta Epsilon Omega Chapter.

process and the consequences of being delinquent.

“As tax collectors, we understand that there’s a personal reason why each delinquent taxpayer is behind in paying his or her property taxes.

We’re here to try and help them find a way to pay their taxes and become current,’’ Palo said.

In November 2011, delinquent taxpayers received their final notice from the City of Memphis to pay their 2010 taxes or face being sued. After taxes become 17 months delinquent, state law requires the City of Memphis to file a lawsuit for collection of all delinquent land taxes.

As required by law, on February 1, 2012, Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP filed a lawsuit on behalf of City of Memphis, including 18,144 real property accounts, to collect more than $20 million in delinquent 2010 taxes owed to the City of Memphis. It’s the ninth annual lawsuit the law firm has

filed on behalf of the city.

“It really is critical for taxpayers delinquent in paying their property taxes to pay them either in full or in a scheduled payment effort,’’ Palo said. “Failure to pay your property taxes could result in foreclosure, and we don’t want that to happen to any homeowner.’’

Since the City of Memphis hired Linebarger to collect its delinquent taxes, Linebarger has collected more than $182.9 million in back taxes.

Three more clinics are scheduled: July 28 – Frayser Community Development Corporation (CDC), 3684 North Watkins St., 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; August 25 – Whitehaven Branch Library, 4120 Millbranch Rd., 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Nov. 10, 2012 – Orange Mound Community Center, 2572 Park Ave., 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

(For more information, please contact: Melissa Palo at 901-528-1844.)

Page 7

RELIGION

Page 8

Tri-State Defender

May 17 - 23, 2012

Same-sex marriage support irks coalition of Memphis-based pastors

(PRWEB) – A coalition of African-American clergy headed by the Rev. Dr. William Owens, founder and president of the Coalition of African American Pastors (CAAP), has responded strongly to President Obama’s declaration of support for same-sex marriage.

Owens, a Memphis-based minister with the Church of God in Christ (COGIC), said there’s no doubt that the president’s endorsement of same sex marriage is going to hurt him among African-American voters.

“Absolutely it will and especially among the black churches where the conviction against same sex marriage is so strong,” Owens said. “I think many black Christians feel somewhat betrayed by the president on this – this is something that black churches have always stood firmly against.”

Owens said he is appalled by the ongoing effort by GLBT activists to link sexual diversity to the historic fight for civil rights for African

Americans.

“We cannot and will not remain silent while marriage, the most fundamental institution in our and any nation, is undermined by our own President while using Christian language and Rev. Dr. relating it to civil William rights,” said Owens Owens, members of CAAP, and others in a written statement.

“We stood, marched and fought against racial discrimination as legally and morally evil. It is a violation of the first principles of our faith that God created all men in His image, and the first principles of our nation that recognized that all men are created equal. For activists, politicians and now the highest office in the nation to

link sexual behavior God calls sin to the righteous cause Martin Luther King gave his life for is abominable in and of itself. There is no civil right to do what God calls wrong.”

According to the statement, coalition members have vowed to “stand in our pulpits, stand in the streets, stand in the chambers of policymaking and stand at the ballot box for those who are for God’s design of marriage and family. We, like Martin Luther in his crucible hour, can only say, ‘Here we stand, we can do no other.’ This fight for marriage, family and the very existence of a moral order has just begun.”

The coalition includes: Bishop George D. McKinney, senior pastor of St. Stephens Cathedral in San Diego, jurisdictional prelate of Southern California Second Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction and COGIC General Board member; Bishop Felton Smith, prelate of the Tennessee Eastern First Jurisdiction,

senior pastor of New Covenant Fellowship Church of God in Christ in Nashville, and Episcopal Coordinator on the Board of Bishops for COGIC. Bishop Brandon B. Porter, senior pastor of Greater Community Temple, Memphis, prelate of the Tennessee Central Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of COGIC. Bishop Ed Stephens, Jr., senior pastor of Golden Gate Cathedral, Memphis.

Bishop James H. Gaylord, senior pastor of Kelly Temple Church of God in Christ, Harlem, N.Y., prelate of the 1st Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of Eastern New York.

Dr. Dwight Montgomery, pastor of Annesdale Cherokee Baptist Church, Memphis, and president of the SCLC (Memphis Chapter).

Dr. Chuck Singleton, senior pastor of Loveland Church, Ontario, Calif.

Bishop Robert Jefferson, senior pastor of Cullen Missionary Baptist

Church, Houston.

Bishop Janice Hollis, presiding prelate of the Covenant International Fellowship of Churches, Memphis.

Bishop David Allen Hall, D.M., jurisdictional prelate of the 1st Ecclesiastical Headquarters Jurisdiction of Tennessee and the senior pastor of Temple Church of God in Christ, Memphis.

Bishop Charles Rodgers, senior pastor, New Dimensions Ministries, Memphis.

Supt. Jerry Taylor, senior pastor, Holy City COGIC. The Rev. H.O. Kneeland, pastor, Union Valley Baptist Church, Memphis.

The Robert Bowers, pastor True Faith Baptist Church, Memphis.

Ivory Jackson, associate pastor, Faith Temple Church of God in Christ, Memphis.

Elder Robert Morris, acting minister of New Jerusalem COGIC, Memphis.

At WLOK, 35 years is reason for celebration

WLOK (1340 AM), the first radio station owned by African Americans in Memphis, will celebrate its 35th anniversary of African-American ownership with an anniversary dinner Friday (May 18) at the Marriott East, 2625 Thousand Oaks Blvd.

The dinner will bring together gospel celebrities, dignitaries, and loyal listeners to pay tribute to the radio station pitched as “Memphis’ leading source of gospel music and news.”

“When WLOK began in 1977, there were many people who didn’t believe that a blackowned radio could succeed in Memphis. But 35 years later and we’re still here,’’ said Art Gilliam, president of Gilliam Communications, Inc. “We owe our success to our listeners, but we also owe our success to the station’s dedication to the community it was founded to serve.’’

Job well done…

Scheduled to speak during the dinner celebration are: Memphis Mayor AC Wharton, Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell and Congressman Steve Cohen.

Entertainers include the Greater Hope Baptist Church Choir, Victory in Christ Christian Church Praise and Worship Team, The Mighty Men of Art Brown, The Bell Singers Gilliam and The Melodic Truth.

WLOK daily features gospel music along with news, information, and community service. WLOK has been designated by the Tennessee Historical Commission as a Tennessee Historical Landmark.

Happy birthday, mom…

Mrs. Jimmie Lou Boyd celebrated her 80th birthday at Morning View Baptist Church last Saturday, May 12. On hand were eight sons, Ronald, Clem, Nilerom, Ben, Bobby, Ray, Johnny Michael and Clyde. (Photo by Tyrone P. Easley)

The Rev. Melvin D. Watkins Jr. (left), co-pastor of Mt. Vernon Baptist ChurchWestwood, recently graduated from Memphis Theological Seminary, an accomplishment that drew praise from the Rev. Dr. James L. Netters Sr., Mt. Vernonʼs senior Pastor. (Photo by Tyrone P. Easley)

PRAISE CONNECT -A WEEKLY DIRECTORY OF MINISTERS & CHURCHES-

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

—John 13:34

METROPOLITAN BAPTIST CHURCH

767 Walker Avenue Memphis, TN 38126

ASSOCIATE MINISTERS

ST. ANDREW A.M.E. CHURCH 867 SOUTH PARKWAY EAST Memphis, TN 38106

Dr. Reginald L. Porter Sr., Pastor

901-946-4095 fax 948-8311

(901) 948-3441

Early Morning..........7:45 AM Church School..........9:45 AM Morning Worship......11:00 AM

Rev. Davena Young Porter Rev. Linda A Paige Rev. Luecretia Matthews

Bible Study For Youth and Adults Tuesday - 7:00 PM “Spirit, Soul, and Body!”

AM 1070 WDIA Sundays, 10:00-10:30 AM

SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES

SUNDAY Sunday School .....................8:30 am Morning Worship Service ....10:00am WEDNESDAY Bible Study .........................10:30 am Mid-Day Prayer Meeting .....12 noon Evening Prayer Meeting........7:00pm FRIDAY Cable Channel 17 ............... 8:00pm

TV Cable Access Broadcast Tuesdays, 7:30 PM, Channel 17 Website:www.saintandrewamec.org

Dr. & Rev. Mrs. Reginald Porter

THE BLVD Ea s t 6745 Wol f Ri v e r B oule v a r d @ Ki r by Pa r k wa y ( i n t he Cl a rk Ope r a Me mphi s Ce nte r ) Me mp h i s T N 3 8 1 2 0

Dr. Frank A. Thomas Senior Servant

“Ministering to Memphis-Spirit, Soul and Body”

TEMPLE CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST

672 So. Lauderdale 38126 P.O. Box 314 Memphis, Tn 38101 Phone (General) 774-1572 Pastor: 775-0740 Secretary: 775-1909

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

WEEKLY SERVICES

Sunday Sunday School 9:00 a.m.

Morning Worship 10:30 a.m.

Night YPWW 5:00 p.m.

Night Service 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday Night Prayer 6:00 p.m.

Bible Study 7:15 p.m.

Wednesday Choir Rehearsal 7:00 p.m.

Friday Morning Prayer 9:00 a.m.

Night Service 7:30 p.m.

BROADCASTS 9:30 a.m. Sunday WDIA - 1070 AM

No Telecast Service

— Proverbs 1:7

Dr. David Allen Hall Pastor

“The Founder’s Church”

First Pastor: Senior Bishop C.H. Mason

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.

—Ecclesiastes 3:1

Greenwood Christian Methodist Episcopal Church 3311 Kimball Ave. Memphis, TN 38111 (901) 744-7531 (901) 744-7664

Worship Services Sunday Sunday School Worship Service

Clarence Kelby Heath Wednesday Pastor

Noon - 1 p.m.

6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Child Care Center (901) 948-6441 Monday-Friday 6 AM- 5:30 PM Emergency Food Pantry Rev. Kenneth S. Robinson, Pastor & Clothes Closet Rev. Marilynn S. Robinson, Co-Pastor Wednesday 6 PM-8 PM

9 a.m.

10:30 a.m.

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

—Revelation 1:8

RELIGION

Tri-State Defender

Page 9

May 17 - 23, 2012

LIVING THE LIFE I LOVE

Living and firewalking are in-the-moment choices

Dear Lucy: A dear friend of mine has just received a diagnosis of cancer and told that she only has a certain amount of time to live. She has already begun to act like it’s all over.

I am angry and devastated at the idea of her passing and wish that there was something I could do to help out.

What can I say or do?

– FG Dear FG: Rather than say something about diagnoses, predictions of death, prognoses, treatments etc., I would rather talk to you about a couple of experiences I have had.

First story: My husband, Harold, was diagnosed with a cancer and told he would be dead in two years without a particular treatment path that included some really significant losses in quality of life. Harold had always been one of the most pleasant, happy and life-affirming people to grace the planet. He opted out of the treatment recommendations in favor

of living life fully or not at all. He also opted to use alternative approaches to his health.

More than anything, I observed him make a solid, irrevocable decision to be alive in each and every Lucy present moment.

Shaw When people would visit him, they would go away with a feeling of having been the center of his attention because he spent his time focused on speaking to people of the wonders in their lives. He lived seven years after being sentenced to only two.

Second story: Several years after Harold passed on, I went to a retreat and was introduced to firewalking.

Yes, walking barefoot on a six-foot bed of hot coals! To take the walk was optional. First, we walked out into this field and watched the staff build this huge woodpile and set it on fire. We went back to the classroom to wait about an hour for it to burn down to hot coals.

During this hour, the retreat facilitator taught us the principles of walking on fire without getting burned.

Very simple rules were imparted.

• Before stepping onto the coals decide that you will not be burned.

• Walk quickly.

• Pay attention to the task at hand.

• Keep your eye on the end. The end is that you will walk on the hot, burning coals and not be burned.

• If you are afraid, do not get on the coals.

That was it. Of course, we signed a statement that we were walking at our own risk. I walked that night and was so impressed with the simplicity

Please join the Tri-State Defender Fan Page on Facebook

and message in it that I went on to become a Certified Firewalking Instructor.

To me, firewalking is what living is pretty much about; making a decision to live fully in every moment and not be burned; to look for the good in every situation; paying attention to the present moment (the only one you really have), and being fearless. The scriptural reference that has always summed this up for me is the 91st Psalm. Reading it every single day is an excellent way to get through personal fires.

Another important strategy is that of asking, in every situation, “What am I learning?” “If what my body is feeling or experiencing was a message of life to me, what would that message be?”

Every change that we endure, search out its goodness and embrace as a step upward is a blessing. The inherent nature of life is change. Help

your friend to continue to live, learn and grow as you model the same behavior in your interactions with her.

Let your life tell the story that you want her to hear.

Walking over hot coals is a cinch when you make the decision at the outset to not be burned.

Thank you for the question, Lucy

(Check out Lucy Shaw’s website at http://www.heartworks4u.com. You may send your questions to her by U.S. mail to: Heartworks4U, LLC; 4646 Poplar Ave. Ste 201, Memphis, TN 38117 or by e-mail to lucy@heartworks4u.com.)

(For help with the feelings that get in the way of prayer and peace of mind, get Lucy’s new book, “BE NOT ANXIOUS.” Order it directly from her at 901-907-0260 or go to her web site www.heartworks4u.com.)

ENTERTAINMENT Tri-State Defender, Thursday, May 17 - 23, 2012, Page 10

WHAT’S HAPPENING MYRON?

Is it time to change ‘The Game?’

Here is some notso-great news for all of the Derwin and Melanie fans out there. Tia Mowry has posted on her Twitter account that she will not be returning to “The Game” next season.

Mowry Hardrict’s tweet: “Just wanted Myron to let all my fans Mays know that I will not be returning to ‘The Game’ for season 6. It was an incredible run and I had lots of fun.”

You know what this means, right?

If there’s no Melanie, then Pooch Hall’s character, Derwin, will probably not return either. Hall, however, has already been cast as a series regular on Showtime’s “Ray Donovan” and was only to have a recurring role next season anyway.

Could it be time to retool the show?

Could it actually be time to go ahead and cancel it while it still has at least a little popularity?

I say cancel it. If not, the next season of the show will only be a shell of what it used to be.

Mike Epps Loves Memphis

Mike Epps loves Memphis does. I got a chance to check out Epps’ show on Mothers Day. The guy is very funny.

I haven’t been to many comedy shows where I couldn’t enjoy the show because my jaws were hurting from laughing – from beginning to end.

One thing I noticed is that this guy loves and appreciates Memphis. All during the show he made references to Memphis and its surroundings. And you can tell he wasn’t just briefed on it when he got here. He already knew and he knew it well. I really believed that he has spent some time in the city, especially Orange Mound.

Basketball Wives movie?

Shaunie O’Neal, the creator of “Basketball Wives” is looking forward to the big screen version of her brainchild. She says the movie will be much like her original idea of the show, which did not include the bickering and catfights that you are used to tuning into to very show.

O’Neal said would be in control of the concept and will be able to do it her way.

I’m looking forward to seeing what this product will look like. Ill be honest, I have never sat through a full episode of the show. Maybe the movie might be different.

Rodney Perry visits Bartlett Comedy Spot

If you’ve seen any episode of the “Monique Show” on BET, then you know Rodney Perry. If not, let me school you on this brother!

Perry was the sidekick, kind of like what Andy Richter is to Conan O’Brien.

Yeah, that guy, lol. Well, Perry is coming to the Bartlett Comedy Spot this weekend, May 18-19 for four big shows.

Admission is $10 or 4 for $20! What a deal! The Bartlett Comedy Spot is located at 5709 Raleigh Lagrange at Sycamore View. For more information call 901-590-3620 or just hit Funnyman Prescott up on Facebook!

Block Party for Peace

The Block Party for Peace Powered

by Black Market Strategies is a threeday job, college and health Fair surrounded by concerts, events for kids and other free family entertainment.

This year’s event will be held at Kmart at 3201 Austin Peay from May 25 at 9 a.m. until midnight on May 28.

The mission of the Black Party for Peace is to educate and empower Memphis communities through an annual signature event that is specifically geared towards peace, community empowerment, education and living a healthy lifestyle. There will be a free concert featuring Chico Debarge on May 26 at 6 p.m.

Karaoke Night at Opinions

Do you like to sing? Do you think you can? Well, every third Friday of each month is Karaoke night at Opinions.

Whether you’re good or bad, it doesn’t matter. everyone is invited. Come out this Friday, May 18, doors open at 7. Admission is $5 until 10 p.m. and $7 thereafter. You can also reserve a table for your birthday. Call Cynthia Bowen for more details at 901- 268-0380.

(Got an event you’d like for me to attend, email me at myron@ myronmays.com)

Charlie Wilson (center), formerly of the GAP Band, produced pure excitement during this 2009 highenergy performance at the DeSoto Civic Center (now the Landry Center).

‘Uncle Charlie’ is the messenger GAP Band icon passionate about health education NNPA News Service

by Bobbi Booker

These days, Charlie Wilson talks to men and women about different life-uplifting things. He tries to sing the “right kinds of music” and make people feel happy and good.

“That’s what I’m here for: I’m a messenger,” said Wilson, a musical icon who broke out as a member of the Gap Band (“You Dropped A Bomb On Me,” “Outstanding”) in the ’80s.

Now a revered solo artist – 2005’s certified gold “Charlie, Last Name Wilson,” 2009’s Grammy-nominated “Uncle Charlie” and his latest release, “Just Charlie” – Wilson is committed to promoting awareness and educating his community about prostate cancer.

As a survivor of a disease that afflicts one in six American men – and one in three African-American men – Wilson in 2008 teamed up with the Prostate Cancer Foundation. In April, he announced teaming up with Janssen Biotech to launch their Making Awareness A Priority (M.A.P.) program, which brings together leading voices in advocacy and health education through live events in select cities across the country.

Wilson credits his wife of 18 years, Mahin, for saving his life by insisting on twice-yearly doctor visits.

“Stuff that I used to shy away from was those exams, because it hurts, but the mammograms will hurt women, too, so I just had to man up and get the exam, get poked with the needles and all that stuff that I kept shying away from,” Wilson said.

“I wanted to share this news with everybody else, just as I had been sharing my drug and alcohol abuse prior to that. People say to me, ‘Man, why are you telling everyone your business?’ And I say, ‘It’s not my business, this is your business. I’m trying to alert you and let you know what’s killing men and brothers out here.’”

Growing up in the church as the son of a Pentecostal bishop, Wilson said he is influenced every day by his early lessons.

“I believe strongly in God and pray every morning before I get up and at night before I go to sleep, just in case I get caught up,” he said. “If the other angels pay me a visit, I want to be able to ask God to forgive me for all the things I’ve done that day. Spirit plays a big part in my life. We strongly believe in faith and God, so we try to live our life the right way. We do a lot of praying in this home here.”

Wilson struggled with alcohol and drug addiction that consumed him once The Gap Band broke up. He credits his belief in a higher power for his success today.

“Scripture says, ‘I give you life, and that more abundantly,’ and I take that into account,” said Wilson. “This life is worth living. If I have to go, and it’s not going to be by my hands, then the time allotted for me is up. So, I’m going to try and live it the best way I can.

“It used to be that I was existing in this life because I was an alcoholic and a crack cocaine addict, so the ups and downs were bad for me,” said Wilson. “But I never stopped believing in God. I would always ask God, ‘Don’t let the devil kill me out here while I’m getting myself back together,’ and he gave me a chance.

“I don’t know if I would have another chance if I were to slip back out and went

A prostate cancer survivor, Charlie Wilson has teamed with Janssen Biotech to launch their Making Awareness A Priority (M.A.P.) program, which brings together leading voices in advocacy and health education through live events in select cities across the country. (Photos by Warren Roseborough)

back to that life and just going from pillar to post and from drug spot to drug spot. I think (God) would say, ‘You asked me for that and I gave it to you and you went back, so time’s up.’”

Wilson was honored earlier this year with Grammy nominations for his chart-topping single, “You Are,” Best R&B Song and Best R&B Performance. In 2010, he also received two Grammy nominations for Best R&B Album, “Uncle Charlie,” and Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for his hit single, “There Goes My Baby.”

“I’ve tried really hard to stay current and consistent in radio and try to cut the best records that I could,” said Wilson.

“In the beginning, when I started my solo career, I wasn’t in the studio every day; when it was time to record I would go in.

Now, it’s like an everyday thing. I try and record music like it was back in the day.

It’s paying off that way, because you stay close to something that you’re passionate about.”

With The Gap Band, Wilson and brothers Ronnie and Robert helped define and popularize an upbeat form of funk that was equally infectious and lasting. “Outstand-

ing,” “You Dropped a Bomb On Me” and “I Don’t Believe You Want To Get Up And Dance (Oops Up Side Your Head)” were among their immense catalog of hits and are among the most sampled songs in music history. One of Wilson’s vocal signatures is the giggle, or short, spasmodic laugh, that is interspersed in many of his funk hits.

“It was an accident, really. There was something that was going on at that time and it just came out about a track that I was doing,” said Wilson as he emitted a short giggle.

“When I heard it back, I said, ‘What is that?’ and they said, ‘That was you giggling about something.’ We kept it and it got popular, and people would ask me to do that giggle and it just came out that way. It’s just crazy.”

(For more information about the Prostate Cancer Foundation, visit www.myprostatecancerroadmap.com. Uncle Charlie hats are available exclusively at www.unclecharliewilson.com/shop.)

(Special to the NNPA from The Philadelphia Tribune)

ENTERTAINMENT

Tri-State Defender

Page 11

May 17 - 23, 2012

OPENING THIS WEEK

Kam’s Kapsules:

Weekly Previews That Make Choosing a Film Fun

Special to the Tri-State Defender

by Kam Williams

For movies opening May 18, 2012

BIG BUDGET FILMS

“Battleship” (PG-13 for profanity and intense violence) Screen adaptation of the Hasbro board game features an international fleet of ships which comes to the defense of the planet in the wake of an invasion by an alien armada. Starring Liam Neeson, Taylor Kitsch, Alexander Skarsgard, Brooklyn Decker and Rihanna.

“The Dictator” (R for profanity, violent images, crude humor, graphic sexuality and brief male nudity) Sacha Baron Cohen plays the title role in this political mockumentary chronicling the reign of a ruthless Middle East tyrant who’ll stop at nothing to prevent democracy from catching hold in his country.

With Megan Fox, Ana Faris, John C. Reilly, J.B. Smoove and Sir Ben Kingsley.

“What to Expect When You’re Expecting” (PG-13 for profanity, mature themes, crude humor and sexuality) Ensemble comedy examining the trials and tribulations of five couples anticipating the imminent arrival of a bouncing bundle of joy. Principal cast includes Jennifer Lopez, Cameron Diaz, Anna Kendrick, Dennis Quaid and Elizabeth Banks.

INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS

“American Animal” (Unrated) Dark comedy about a terminally-ill young man (Jimmy D’Elia) who loses his sanity when he learns that his slacker roommate and constant companion (Brenda Fletcher) has just found a job. Support cast includes Mircea Monroe and Angela Sarafyan.

“Beyond the Black Rainbow” (R for profanity, drug use, disturbing images, sexuality and graphic violence) Futuristic sci-fi fantasy about a heavily-sedated, mute woman’s (Eva Allan) attempt to escape a mind-control compound being run by a deranged doctor (Michael Rogers). With Scott Hylands, Marilyn Norry and Rondel Reynoldson.

“The Color Wheel” (Unrated) Dysfunctional family comedy about the sibling rivalry which surfaces during a road trip when a just-jilted, young woman (Carlen Altman) enlists the assistance of her obnoxious brother (Alex Ross Perry) to move her belongings after a bad break-up with her college professor boyfriend (Bob Byington). With Kate Lyn Sheil, Anna Bak-Kvapil and Ry RussoYoung.

“Elena” (Unrated) Revenge drama about a

Rihanna (right) makes her acting debut as Petty Officer Cora Raikes in “Battleship.” (Courtesy photo)

trophy wife (Nadezhda Markina) who resorts to desperate measures to protect her inheritance when she learns that her ailing, Sugar Daddy hubby (Andrey Smirnov) has decided to leave his entire estate to his daughter (Yelena Lyadova) from his first marriage. With Aleksey Rozin. (In Russian with subtitles)

“Follow Me: The Yoni Netanyahu Story” (Unrated) Bittersweet biopic about the brother of Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a Lieutenant Colonel who died leading the 1976 raid in Entebbe, Uganda which resulted in the successful rescue of 103 hijacked airplane passengers being held hostage by Palestinian terrorists.

“Hysteria” (R for sexuality) Romantic comedy, set in Victorian London, recounting the sexploits of Dr. Mortimer Granville (Hugh Dancy), the inventor of the vibrator, who landed in a love triangle with a colleague’s (Jonathan Pruce) daughters (Felicity Jones and Maggie Gyllenhaal) after prescribing a regimen of pelvic massages for his stressed out patients. With Rupert Everett, Gemma Jones and Ashley Jensen.

“Lovely Molly” (R for nudity, graphic sexuality, drug use, profanity, disturbing violence and grisly images) Haunted house horror flick about a newlywed (Gretchen Lodge) who finds herself spooked by ghosts after being left alone by her truck driver husband (Johnny Lewis) in the home she inherited from her late father. Support cast includes Alexandra Holden, Ken Arnold and Dan Franko.

“Mansome” (Unrated) Testosterone-level documentary, directed by Morgan Spuirlock, taking a penetrating look at what it means to be a man in today’s less macho age marked

by manscaping and metrosexuality. With commentary by Judd Apatow, Jason Bateman, Paul Rudd and Zach Galifianakis.

“Never Stand Still” (Unrated) Happy feet documentary, shot at the annual Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival in the Berkshires, interweaving inspired performances with interviews conducted with legendary choreographers like Merce Cunningham, Paul Taylor and Judith Jamison.

“Polisse” (Unrated) Cannes Film Festival Jury Prize-winner, set in Paris, about a high-strung cop (Joey Starr) who embarks on a steamy affair with an attractive photographer (Maiwenn) assigned to cover his Child Protection Unit. With Karin Viard, Marina Fois and Karole Rocher. (In French, Romanian, Italian and Arabic with subtitles)

“The Samaritan” (Unrated) Samuel L. Jackson stars in this redemption drama about a recently-paroled murderer whose determination to go straight after 25 years behind bars turns out to be harder than expected when he falls for a troubled woman (Ruth Negga) with a hidden agenda. Cast includes Tom Wilkinson, Luke Kirby and Martha Burns.

“Virginia” (R for profanity and sexuality) Jennifer Connelly stars as the title character in this skeleton-in-the-closet drama about a single-mom secretly embroiled in a 20-year affair with the town’s very-married, Mormon sheriff (Ed Harris). The incestuous plot thickens when their love child (Harrison Gilbertson) unwittingly takes an interest in the lawman’s lascivious daughter (Emma Roberts).

With Toby Jones, Carrie Preston and Amy Madigan.

HOROSCOPES

May 17-23, 2012

ARIES In our society looks sometimes matter more than they should, but that is not to say looks don’t matter. Presentation is important. This week take a few extra moments to make sure that your physical self is as attractive as it can be. You will see a bigger than usual change not only in the way others feel about you but in the way you feel about yourself.

TAURUS A family treat is in store for you if you play your cards right. Family members are ready to praise you for your accomplishments if you approach them with modesty. Give yourself time for romantic encounters. The romantic vibe is high.

GEMINI Ask the friend who comes calling to tell you about the moneymaking idea that is on his or her mind. The two of you would be good together.

Have a private chat with a family member. Make keeping secrets your specialty. Events bring stress but you’re cool.

CANCER Responsibilities at home keep you from traveling. It’s all for the best. Outside ambitions can wait. Keep your spirit light! Look for love in the right places. Possibilities for love increase at home. The tendency to overreact at school or work is strong. Guard against it.

LEO Flexibility and cooperation are the words for this week. Driving a hard bargain will create an impossible barrier. It’s a great week for fun! Give in to the party mood but don’t forget school or work. Remembering to forgive and forget is especially important this week.

VIRGO There is a lot on your plate. Be methodical about taking care of it. Get kids involved in something fun and educational. It’s a good time for it. Save time for romance. Visit a favorite restaurant. Appetites must be fed in a healthy way.

LIBRA Make some plans regarding long-range financial security. Your present frame of mind is good for that. Someone you flirted with wants to be your companion. Give the universe a chance to bring love into your life.

SCORPIO A practical solution is at hand to one of your inventions. Give yourself some space to allow the answer to come to you. Any repetitive task, such as weeding the garden or washing the dishes or car, will be conducive to your receiving the solution.

SAGITTARIUS You may feel an internal pressure towards responsibility this week. Go with the flow and this week will be like a gift. Judging others will bring harsh judgments on you. Let your words assist others in becoming more self-responsible.

CAPRICORN Finding a way to do it better than others is not going to be hard this week. Share your wisdom with other seekers. All who receive your word will benefit this week. Happiness rules! Don’t waste a moment of this perfect week on negative thoughts.

AQUARIUS Strong vibrations bring a series of dramatic interactions with others this week. Practice your charm.

Let your energy carry you upwards to your best, highest self. Let the warmth from inside of you touch others and thereby make your world better.

PISCES You’ll be energizing and inspiring others this week as you speak what’s on your mind regarding spiritual matters and masters. Move slowly with explanations. Others will not understand as quickly as you think they should.

Source: NNPA News Service

Page 12

HEALTH

CHEF TIMOTHY

Unhealthy church members need more than a sermon

by Chef Timothy Moore Ph.D, N.M.D, C.N. Special to The New Tri-State Defender

It occurred to me the other day that if the clergy is so incensed over President Barack Obama’s support of same-sex marriage, they ought to be just as incensed that many of their parishioners are obese and battling health issues without a clue on how to stave off the inevitable.

Obesity is rampant in the AfricanAmerican church, and too many overweight people are packing the pews with little regard for their physical wellbeing. However, if the clergy is responsible for saving souls, shouldn’t they be just as responsible for preparing healthy bodies for the “Kingdom?”

If the church were to take up the banner of health and wellness, the worship experience, in my opinion, would be gratifying. That’s why I decided to write this column based on a conversation I had with someone who’d asked, “Why are AfricanAmerican churches slow about teaching their congregation about the benefits of proper nutrition?”

The question threw me for a loop, but I was prepared nevertheless.

“From what I have observed from certain churches, if it’s not about financial prosperity or giving tithes and offering, it’s not really important,” I explained to the young man, trying not to deride the church or cause a furor.

If you’ve noticed, the AfricanAmerican church and its people are plagued with more than widespread obesity. High blood pressure, diabetes and cancer are growing menaces as well, and our children are suffering from illnesses normally attributed to adults.

The clergy and other church leaders are just as unhealthy as some of the members in their congregation.

Some of them are suffering from

SCHOOL

high blood pressure and diabetes – and many of them are just too fat. So maybe the clergy can’t really preach and teach health and wellness when their own bodies are wretched temples.

The church is where you’re supposed to seek Dr. Timothy and receive spiritual help and Moore healing. But for some reason, the members tend to look elsewhere other than church leadership. It’s not a one-stop shop for most churches, I would imagine.

If there were some, they most likely would entrust their health ministry coordinator to conduct in-house health fairs.

When counseling individuals about nutrition and the benefit of eating a well-balance diet, along with some form of physical exercise, I explain to them that they have to take good care of their body. It is my belief that an unhealthy temple cannot support a soul that’s waiting on its final destination.

To regain ones health, the church faithful will have to stop over indulging in foods such as fried chicken, neck bones, ox tails, peach cobbler, cornbread and sweet tea, and start eating more fresh fruits and vegetables. I assume it’s difficult for most people to give up foods that they’re accustomed to eating – but it can be done.

The clergy needs to stand in the gap for their members who’re stuffing themselves and making themselves sick. If more church leaders get involved in healing more than just the soul, there may not be as much church hopping. People are looking for solutions to their prob-

NEWS

lems – both spiritually and physically.

I don’t think God wants His people to be sick, but you’ll have to trust in Him for your salvation and good health too. It wouldn’t hurt also for God’s representative to intercede on behalf of those struggling with ill health. Just in case I wasn’t clear before, there are some pastors who’ve used the pulpit to advocate for a number of things. Why not advocate for a healthier diet other than the standard staple of soul food?

It’s time for the clergy to take a faith leap and believe in what they are preaching. Do you want to be Christ-like? If you answered yes, you’d need to stay healthy and keep your body fit for the “Kingdom.” But first, you’d have to resist the urge to overeat, which leads to obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes and cancer.

Secondly, stay on your knees and pray.

If the church leader and laity are unfit, it would behoove them to seek help or coordinate a wellness program for the entire church, where a nutritionist, fitness expert or a plantbase chef can come by at the invitation of the pastor and explain the benefits of switching to a healthier diet.

The main thing about eating healthy is that you can save about 25 percent on your overall food budget.

I’m sure church pastors wouldn’t mind a little extra money for tithes and offerings. But you have to eat your fruits and vegetables.

(Dr. Timothy Moore teaches nutrition, heart disease and diabetes reversal through a plant-based lifestyle. He is a professional speaker, wellness coach and personal plant-based chef. He can be reached by email at cheftimothy@cheftimothymoore.com or visit him on the Web sites at www.cheftimothymoore.com or www.twitter.com/cheftimmoore.)

CONTINUED FROM FRONT

ran about the grounds playing games and enjoying treats. There was also a program sponsored by the alumni. It was a bittersweet day as students reveled in the celebration while former students and teachers reminisced.

“There was a lot of laughter. I cried a lot,” said Ester.

“Our building is 52 years old. We had a fire back in the ’80’s, and part of it was rebuilt. I walked around the grounds, and I was saying to my daughter, ‘The hockey box was over there, our library right over here, and the monkey bars were there. Our gym was right here.’

“She said, ‘Mom, how do you remember all of that?’ I told her, ‘Lakeview School was everything to us. We came home and took off our school clothes, and went back up to school. Football practice was in the back. The basketball team practiced in the front. Choir practice, band practice. We were always at school, even after school….We’ll never forget growing up here and what Lakeview meant to us.”

‘We understand why’

“My mother’s father moved the family up here to Memphis from around Eudora, Mississippi,” said Shannon Swan Meeks.

“A lot of people were coming up from Mississippi looking for a better life. My grandfather had gotten a job driving a tractor. He even brought his parents up here to Memphis. My granddad helped clear the land where Lakeview School and the homes in our community were built.”

Meeks recalled staying in the community with other transplants who had come to Memphis.

“My mother graduated from Geeter High School in 1954. The school (Lakeview) was built in 1959.

It was our neighborhood school.

Even from little children, we knew we would attend Lakeview and graduate after the eighth grade. Geeter would be our high school. That’s just always the way it was.”

Meeks brother was ahead of her in school, and every teacher he had, she got.

“School was like our second home. Our teachers were like our parents while we were at school.

Lakeview was like one big family.

It was like we were in a private school. All our parents were involved in the PTA. My mom didn’t work, so that gave her a lot of time to be involved in our school activities.”

As expected, eighth-grade graduation ushered in the transition to

CLASSIFIEDS

Tri-State Defender

May 17 - 23, 2012

TRI-STATE DEFENDER CLASSIFIEDS 203 Beale Street, Suite 200 Memphis, TN 38103 PH (901) 523-1818 FAX (901) 578-5037 HOURS: Mon-Fri 9am - 5pm

DEADLINES; Display ads Monday 5 p.m.

Classified ads Monday 5 p.m.

RATES: Rates are non-commissionable and are quoted at the net rate. All rates are flat rates. No refund for early cancellation.

For additional information contact Sales Dept. at (901) 746-5201 or email: advertising@tristatedefender.com BEER PERMITS Flat Rate $30

Employment

Drivers: Local West Memphis $1,000.00 Sign-On Bonus, Home Daily!

If you have a personal vehicle call Werner Enterprises today!

1-888-880-5902

Legal notices

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS Sealed Bids will be received by the Riverfront Development Corporation, in their offices at 22 North Front Street, Suite 960 Memphis, TN, 38103 until 2:00 P.M. June 13th, 2012 and opened publicly at 22 North Front Street, Suite 960 Memphis, TN, 38103 at that hour. The reading of the bids will begin at 2:00 P.M., June 13th, 2012.

The project consists of the construction of a River Park as part of the overall development of the Beale Street Landing Project. The project site is located at the apparent intersection of Beale Street and the Wolf River Harbor, west of Riverside Drive, north of Tom Lee Park, east of the southern tip of Mud Island, and south of the expanse of historic cobblestones in Memphis, TN. The Riverfront Development Corporation hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively insure that in any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprises will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation, and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of age, race, color, religion, national origin, sex or disability in consideration for an award.

SOUL SURVIVAL 1 Column - 1 Week $30 2 Column - 1 Week $40

MEDICAL - 1 Month $128 LEGACY - $150 - $350

GENERAL INFORMATION Some categories require prepayment.

All ads subject to credit approval. TriState Defender reserves the right to correctly classify and edit all copy, or to reject or cancel any ad at any time.

Only standard abbreviations accepted.

Copy change during ordered schedule constitutes new ad & new charges.

Deadlines for cancellation are identical to placement deadlines. Rates subject to change.

ADJUSTMENTS; PLEASE check your ad the first day it appears. Call 901-523-1818 if an error occurs. We can only offer in-house credit and NO REFUNDS are issued.

TRI-STATE DEFENDER assumes no financial responsibility for errors nor for copy omission. Direct any classified billing inquiries to 901-523-1818.

The Riverfront Development Corporation is an equal opportunity affirmative action employer, drug-free with policies of non-discrimination on the basis of race, sex, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or military service.

Telephone: 901-312-9190.

The owner reserves the right to waive any informality and to reject any or all bids.

Bidding documents may be obtained on or after May 14th, 2012 for a $200.00 non refundable payment per set by contacting the Architect at: Bounds & Gillespie Architects, PLLC 7975 Stage Hills Boulevard, Suite 4 Memphis, TN 38133-4010 Phone: 901-377-6603 Fax: 901-388-5765

Bidding documents may also be examined at the following locations: Mid-South Minority Business Council 158 Madison Ave., Suite 300 Memphis, TN 38103 Phone: (901) 525-6512 Renaissance Business Center 555 Beale St. Memphis, TN 38103 Phone: (901) 526-9300

Memphis Builderʼs Exchange Plan Room 642 South Cooper Street Memphis, TN 38104 Phone: (901) 272-7495

Real estate

The Greenwood CME Church has lease space available for schools, day care, or office use. Please contact 901-744-7531 for an appointment.

Classifieds NOW ACCEPTS Call Tri-State Defender @ 901-523-1818

The human fixtures at Lakeview Elementary School included Mable Gilmore (l), a third-grade teacher, and Pearlie Johnson, whose long stint as a secretary started soon after the school opened in 1959. (Courtesy photo) Geeter. Then bussing took some of them from Geeter to Whitehaven and Fairley.

“We didn’t let that separate us, though,” said Meeks. “Many of us have stayed in touch, even to this day. Things change, and we understand the economics of school closings,” said Meeks.

“Most of us have moved away to other communities, but some of our parents and those who raised us are still living there. Most of the residents are elderly now. We understand why Lakeview is closing, but it is still so emotional for us.”

‘The community has changed’

Luerunia Johnson, 68, is a 50-year resident of the Lakeview Gardens community. In 2005 and after 37 years with Memphis City Schools, she retired as head cook.

“Lakeview Elementary School was the first school I worked at in the late sixties and early seventies as a cafeteria helper,” said Johnson. “I have always loved cooking and enjoyed seeing the children coming through the lunch lines. We served about 350 students daily.”

The community, said Johnson, has changed.

“There are very few school aged children here. There are mostly elderly people in the community now.”

What about the building?

During his days at Lakeview, Glen Burnett was a class officer and he participated in the student council.

He still recalls the extended support system.

“Back in those days, it was nothing for a teacher to stop in at your house after school. They all knew our parents, they knew where we lived, and they helped to raise us,” said Burnett.

“We were protected within our community, but our teachers also made sure we were exposed to other things outside of Lakeview Gardens.

Our parents as well as our teachers shaped who we became as adults.”

Alumni and former teachers all hope that the structure will continue to be a part of the community.

“I hope the building can be made into a community center, or maybe a place for seniors, since so many seniors reside in Lakeview Gardens now,” said Burnett.

“It would mean so much if our school could be utilized and continue as a vital part of our community.”

COMMUNITY

Tri-State Defender

Page 13

May 17 - 23, 2012

‘The magnitude of the need’ Hunger aid draws hundreds

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Hundreds of Memphians on Wednesday (May 16) made their way to St. Paul Baptist Church in Whitehaven, one of the partner sites for Feed The Children’s Americans Feeding Americans initiative.

“There are many families in America who are in crisis. Our city and our neighborhood here in Whitehaven is a microcosmic example of what’s happening in the rest of the country,” said Senior Pastor Dr. Christopher B. Davis.

“The magnitude of the need in the community was evidenced by the response we had.

The community was so very appreciative. We won’t solve the hunger problem today but we are happy to do our part to provide some relief to those who we were able to reach.”

Each family received a box of food designed to last a household of four for up to a week, a box of personal care items and a box of Avon products. The church operates a food pantry weekly and provides for approximately 100 families per month.

According to statistics from Feed The Children via the U.S. Census, 26.5 percent of

people in the city of Memphis live in poverty with nearly 40 percent of children under 18 living at or below poverty.

Feed The Children is a Christian, international, nonprofit relief organization with headquarters in Oklahoma City, Okla. It delivers food, medicine, clothing and other necessities to individuals, children and families who lack these essentials due to famine, war, poverty, or natural disaster.

(For more information on the church or the weekly food pantry, visit www.spbcmemphis .org or call 346.5544.)

Feed The Childrenʼs Americans Feeding Americans initiative dropped anchor at St. Paul Baptist Church on Wednesday to address a need that the Rev. Dr. Christopher B. Davis said was “evidenced by the response.” (Photo by Deadrick Doggett)

BRIEFS & THINGS U of M Law School names diversity programs coordinator

The Omni Prep Academyʼs first “Walk For Freedom” was a fundraiser for the Withers Collection Museum & Gallery and chance to see the schoolʼs connection to the community. (Courtesy photo)

Education equals freedom is formula for success at Omni Prep Academy Special to The New Tri-State Defender

“Education equals freedom is like a mime in a box. The mime is in the box because it has no education; the education is the key. When the mime gets an education, the key opens the door to freedom and the mime is free.”

Celina Williams, Seventh grade scholar, Omni Prep Academy

Middle school scholars at Omni Prep Academy (OPA) visited the Withers Collection Museum & Gallery in February. Last Friday (May 11) – three weeks to the day of their visit – they got a chance to build on the earlier connection.

The occasion was the first annual “Walk For Freedom,” which served as a fundraiser for the Withers Collection Museum & Gallery. The February visit to the museum and gallery was part of OPA’s Saturday school field experiences.

“The Walk for Freedom serves two major purposes for our students. First, the walk underscores the need for them to pursue, with vigor their own educational goals,” said Marc Willis, co-founder and CEO of Omni Prep Academy.

“Secondly, our students see more and more of how our school is a part of a larger community and by supporting the Withers Collection Museum & Gallery, we are participating and connect-

ing in our community.”

OPA scholars will give the Withers Collection Museum & Gallery a gift of $200 to continue opportunities for young people to experience the Beale Street icon.

“It is such an honor and a privilege for the Withers Collection Museum & Gallery to be the recipient from this wonderful and brilliant program that teaches students at and early age philanthropy,” said Rosalind Withers, daughter of the museum’s namesake, the late and renowned photographer Ernest Withers.

“It ties into our mission of education and preservation of my father’s work. We were able to educate the students as they visited our museum with the historical images of my father’s work and they are now a contributor to the preservation of more than a million of his images.”

“We would like to encourage more students to be like the students at Omni Prep Academy and give back to the community toward any program that they believe in,” said Withers.

Omni Prep Academy, located at 3333 Old Brownsville Rd., is a public charter school in the Raleigh area serving grades K-3 in the lower school and grades 5-8 in the middle school. The school plans to expand the annual Walk for Freedom and include other community organizations.

Jacqueline O’Bryant is the new coordinator of diversity programs at the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law at the University of Memphis.

O’Bryant will oversee the Tennessee Institute for Prelaw, the state’s only summer diversity access program for law school. She will also actively recruit and support diverse law students, while developing addiJacqueline tional diversity OʼBryant outreach initiatives for the school.

A former deputy prosecuting attorney for Pulaski County (Little Rock) in Arkansas, O’Bryant also taught as an adjunct professor at Philander Smith College in Little Rock. She also has served as in-house counsel for Alltel Communications in Little Rock and worked with the Arkansas Public Defender Commission in the state capital.

Bryant holds a law degree from the Bowen School of Law at the University of Arkansas, Little Rock and a B.A. degree in political science from Alcorn State University in Mississippi. She was a member of the Overton Inn of Court in 2008-09, and she was a public service extern for U.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas in 2005.

Tribute for former Fayette County Schools supt.

Former Fayette County Schools’ Supt. Myles Wilson will be honored during a tribute event dubbed “Cotton Sack to Superintendent” to be held June 1 beginning at 7 p.m. at House of Faith Ministries on HWY 76 in Somerville.

Wilson, who was born and raised in Fayette County, retired last year after serving eight and a half years as superintendent, and more than 40plus years in the field of education.

He served two terms as president of the Somerville Rotary Club and two terms as president of the Fayette Teachers Association.

“He has also served as a county commissioner for more than 22 years. Myles has paid his dues,” said Lane College National Alumni Association President Dr. L. LaSimba Gray Gray.

Isaac Northern, regional vice president of the alumni association and coordinator of the event said, “Supt.

Wilson touched so many lives during his tenure as a teacher, coach, asst. principal, principal and superintendent. He was a pioneer. The odds

were against him but he persevered and overcame them.”

The Rt. Rev. Lawrence L. Reddick III, chairman of the board of trustees at Lane College and presiding prelate of the First Episcopal District of the CME Church, will be the featured speaker. For more information, call 901-754-3979 or contact Louise Holloway at 901-465-2504.

BRIEFLY: Memphis City Schools will sponsor the Second Annual Exceptional Children Parent Summit from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Colonial Middle School at 1370 Colonial Rd. on Saturday (May 19). Workshops tailored to the needs of each student’s disability will be held throughout the day. Joe Fisher, Tennessee Department of Education assistant commissioner for Special Education, will be the guest speaker. For more information, contact Annette Vaughn at 901416-0161.

BRIEFLY: Impact Baptist Church celebrates its move to Northaven on Saturday (May 19), beginning with a parade that starts at noon at Northaven Elementary School. The groundbreaking ceremony will be at 2 p.m. at the school. For more information, call 358-3391 or visit www.impactbcm.org. Dr. Michael C. Ellis is pastor.

BRIEFLY: Federal, state, local and non-profit organizations will gather on May 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to assist veterans and their families in Shelby County with questions about enrollment, filing claims, housing education and employment opportunities during an outreach event at Memphis Pentecostal Assembly at 8941 East Shelby Dr. For more information, contact Julia Richardson, 901-577-7673, Julia.richardson@tn.gov; Carol Baldwin, 901-523-8990, ext. 5141; Joseph Tyler, 901-230-9458, militaryminded@yahoo.com.

BRIEFLY: Memorial Park Funeral home will hosts its annual Memorial Day program beginning at 11 a.m. at Memorial Park Cemetery.

The program will feature a live cannon salute and a keynote address by Secretary of State Tre Hargett.

BRIEFLY: The Greater Memphis Chamber’s “A Conversation With…Jack Truong” will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Memphis Cook Convention Center at 255 North Main on June 8. The president and CEO of Electrolux will give an update on timeline, jobs and the company’s place in the community. The event is $35 for members, $40 for non-members. Registration: Tunga Lee: tlee@memphischamber .com or call 901-543-3571.

BRIEFLY: The Westwood High School Class of 1977 will commemorate its matriculation the weekend of July 13-15. For information concerning the events planned for the 35th year class reunion, contact Elbert Brent III at 901-634-5358 or Christopher Howard at 901-550-8036

Doctorates in chemistry for 3 African Americans at University of Mississippi Special to The New Tri-State Defender

OXFORD, Miss. – If three African-American students graduated from the University of Mississippi with doctorates in chemistry all at the same time, would that be a big deal?

Yes, it would! That’s what happened last Friday (May 12).

“On average, about 50 African-American students receive Ph.D.s in chemistry nationwide each year, so UM produced 6 percent of the national total,” said Maurice Eftink, associate provost and professor of chemistry and biochemistry.

The history-making candidates who received their degrees were Kari Copeland of Coldwater, Margo Montgomery of New Orleans and Jeffrey Veals of Gloster. A fourth African-American stu-

dent, Shanna Stoddard of Louisville, Ky., is on track to earn her doctorate in chemistry in December.

“This is a significant achievement for these three graduates and their families, and it is also significant for the university,” Chancellor Dan Jones said. “UM 2020, our new strategic plan, calls on us as the flagship university of our state to lead our state and region in preparing professionals in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, especially from underrepresented groups.”

It is the second time in recent years that UM has set a benchmark in STEM fields.

The university produced four African-American Ph.D.s in mathematics in 2006.

“That was an even more outstanding achievement given that there are only 15-to-30

African-American Ph.D.s in math granted each year,” Eftink said.

Charles Hussey, UM chair of chemistry and biochemistry, said the department and its faculty are “absolutely devoted to the success of minority students, regardless of whether they are undergraduate or graduate students.”

The newest alums

“I am elated to earn my doctoral degree from the University of Mississippi,” said Copeland, whose general area is computational quantum chemistry. She worked on characterizing the subtle interactions between molecules that influence many important processes in chemistry and biology, including how molecules in our bodies – proteins and DNA, for example – rec-

ognize each other.

“I feel my degree is just as worthy as a degree from Harvard or any other Ivy League institution,” said Copeland, whose immediate plans are to continue research at Jackson State University as a post-doctoral researcher.

Montgomery, who did research in bio-organic chemistry, is very interested in teaching and envisions becoming a role model for future scientists.

“I want to remind students that no matter how impossible things may seem at times, if you continue to study and work hard, everything and anything is possible,” she said.

“Creating an interest for science at an early age will hopefully encourage more minorities to study science in college and beyond,” Montgomery

Kari Copeland, Margo Montgomery and Jeffrey Veals are trendsetters with doctoral degrees in chemistry.

(Courtesy photo) said. “No longer will it be a phenomenon to have three African-Americans graduate with a doctoral degree in chemistry, but rather routine.”

Veals, whose field is computational chemistry, used computational methods to explore the possibilities of storing and releasing energy using strained molecular structures.

He said receiving his degree felt “surreal, but great.”

“If you would have asked

me nine years ago as a freshman if I would have a Ph. D. by the time I was 27, I would have laughed and said, ‘Yeah, right,’” he said. “Ole Miss has grown on me over the years, so it does feel good to have received it from here.”

(For more information about chemistry and biochemistry education at UM, visit w w w. o l e m i s s . e d u / d e p t s / chemistry_biochemistry/.)

SPORTS Tri-State Defender, Thursday, May 17 - 23, 2012, Page 14

James wins third MVP amid debate NNPA News Service

The National Basketball Association (NBA) has made Miami Heat forward LeBron James just the eighth player in league history to win a third Most Valuable Player trophy, placing him in elite company.

James now joins Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls, Bill Russell and Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics, Moses Malone of the Philadelphia 76ers, Wilt Chamberlain of the 76ers and Los Angeles Lakers, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson of the Lakers in claiming three or more MVP awards.

After a disappointing Finals appearance last year, James has responded with one of the best statistical seasons in NBA history, averaging 27.1 points per game, 6.2 assists per game and 7.6 rebounds per game. And while a championship this season – James’ first if it happens – would finally push this season’s MVP into an even more elite level, would it be enough to silence James’ critics for good?

LeBron Sports James writers P e r r y Green and Stephen D. Riley of the AFRO Sports Desk take on the debate.

Stephen D. Riley: Should James win a ring this year, he would undoubtedly have done the one thing that critics have said he couldn’t and that’s win a title. The MVP season was just part of a redemption campaign that James has been on since coming up short last June. And while this Heat team was compacted to run off a string of titles, just claiming one would, and should, be enough to cease James’ hatred.

Perry Green: He’s not getting off that easy. James is the one who predicted multiple titles and that’s what he’ll need to calm the criticism. And let’s get one thing straight: there’s no such thing as hatred for LeBron James. You just have a bunch of people who recognize how talented this guy is and they want him to live up to the potential that we’ve been pummeled with since his entrance into the NBA nearly 10 years ago. A player of James’ talents is capable of at least three titles.

I’ve seen enough of the regular season honors; I NEED to see him win a Finals MVP award before he silences this critic.

Anything less than that and the criticism will continue.

S.D. Riley: Three MVP trophies and an NBA title is enough to say the guy lived up to his talent. Several great NBA players have come and gone through the league just winning one and having their position in NBA history etched in stone.

Oscar Robertson (Cincinnati Royals, Milwaukee Bucks) and Julius Irving (Philadelphia 76ers) immediately come to mind. Hakeem Olajuwon (Houston Rockets) might have been the most talented center over the last 30 years and he only won two. So with one ring, a host of All Star appearances and three MVP awards, James would have done enough.

P. Green: I understand it’s not James’ fault that the media tried to morph him from a super talented teenager into a ring-heavy icon but that’s just the nature of the beast. And let’s be honest here: Who have we seen with more talent than James since Jordan? The answer is nobody. I have yet to see a basketball player possess the talents of LeBron James step onto a professional court.

We’re talking rebounding, passing, scoring, athleticism and just sheer dominance. To add all of those traits up and place them into a 6-foot-8-inch muscle machine, we should expect a wall of championship trophies. One would be nice but for a player of his abilities, several would be fitting.

(Special to the NNPA from the AFRO Sports Desk)

‘Next year’ came too soon for the Grizz and fans Special to The New Tri-State Defender

by Kelley Evans

Memphis fans wanted to believe that the Grizzlies could make franchise history and move into the second round of the NBA Playoffs for the second consecutive year. Late in the fourth quarter, the faithful among 18,119 fans stood and held up the gold “Believe Memphis” growl towels strategically placed in each seat before the game. The song “Don’t Stop Believing” sounded throughout FedExForum. The Grizzlies were down by six.

And that’s pretty much how that part of the story ends.

The Grizzlies were defeated (82-72) in the winner-take-all battle on Sunday (May 13) against the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 7.

On Monday (May 14), there was time for reflection.

General Manager Chris Wallace

“You learn every year,” said Wallace, noting that there is a great deal of work to be done in the off season, given the number of roster players who are restricted free agents.

“I have to tip my hat to The Clippers. They are a tremendous team with great depth, a true superstar in Chris Paul – a real up and coming team. It was the best series so far in the NBA. We gave the fans some thrills along the way,” he said.

“After you have a loss in the playoffs, you have to find a way to get better. You just can’t stay with the status quo. That doesn’t mean you’re going to blow the team up or anything. But you have to look

Zach Randolph

Chris Wallace

to add the players that can make your team better.”

That, he said, includes looking for a shooter and a back-up point guard.

Head Coach Lionel Hollins

“We need to address our issues before we can really go forward,” said Hollins. “I just want us to be more professional, more disciplined and more in tuned with what we’re doing. We need scoring off the bench. We need defense off the bench.

“What I will look at is what we need to do better – me as a coach and us as a team,” said Hollins.

“I’ll get criticized for that and I’ll take the criticism from the media and the fans. I’m very secure in who I am as a person and the job that I’ve done. Once I got over the pain last night, I slept like a baby. We did all we could and we lost.”

Lionel Hollins

perfect player. I’m not the perfect guard. All you can do in the off season is to try to get better.

“In a short season like this, it’s like an emotional roller coaster,” said Mayo. “You have a lot of highs and lows. If you remember this feeling, hopefully it will motivate you to do better next year.”

Zach Randolph

“I really didn’t get much sleep last night,” said Randolph. “By far this was my hardest year in basketball. There have been ups and downs from the injury and by coming in from this summer and being so prepared – my best ever.

“We’re looking for a championship. We’ve got a good team.

We can compete,” said Randolph.

“I feel like we were supposes to win this series. This summer is going to be an important summer for this team.”

O.J. Mayo

said Allen. “Next year is next year and I’m looking forward to it.

“The fans were cool this season.

They’re like a red bull to the system,” said Allen. Memphis has the best fans that I’ve ever been around. They showed big support during the lockout. They were huge during the playoff season. I just want to send a big shout out to the fans.”

Rudy Gay

“I’m going to take a little bit of time off mentally,” said Gay. “We are now a playoff team.

It’s tough. I will continue to work hard. We can regroup and we can all get better.”

Marc Gasol

“I’m just as upset as anybody else. I feel that we still should be playing,” said Mayo. “I’m not the

“I’m going to get in better shape. I’m going to improve shooting and ball handling, just being a better competitor,”

“It’s been a tough season,” said Gasol. “I just finished my season yesterday and I haven’t really thought about anything.

“But I know every player needs to get better – in every aspect. I love my teammates. I love every single one of them like they are all my brothers.”

Tony Allen

Rudy Gay

Marc Gasol

O.J. Mayo

Tony Allen

Photos by Kelley Evans

Crossover City 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament to benefit Special Olympics Special to The New Tri-State Defender

The inspiration came from a news story that aired on WMC-TV in February. The story highlighted Tony Payne, a Memphis Special Olympics athlete selected by the NBA to play with current NBA All Stars and past NBA legends in the first NBA Cares/Special Olympics Unity Sports Basketball Game in Orlando, Fla. The executive team of Lion’s Den Productions, Co. (President, Richard Hervey, Vice-President Jamila Webb, and VP, Public Rela-

tions/Marketing Felicia Carson) was prompted to action.

Plans for the Crossover City 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament were revised.

“Initially, the Crossover City 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament would showcase some of the Tri-State’s most talented recreational & competitive basketball players and provide free health screenings. However, after learning about Tony Payne’s inspirational story, we were compelled to donate towards the mission of Special Olympics of Greater Memphis,” said Carson.

The Crossover City 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament, scheduled for Saturday, June 23, will donate 100 percent of funds earned through admissions and concessions to benefit the Special Olympics of Greater Memphis and provide free health screenings.

“Being inspired is great.

However, the inspiration driven by desire and motivation to help others is that which makes our communities stronger,” said Lisa Taylor, director of Special Olympics of Greater Memphis. “We appreciate the efforts of these young professionals to help

our mission”.

The Special Olympics of Greater Memphis is a nonprofit organization committed to helping persons with intellectual disabilities participate as productive and respected members of society at large.

It offers a fair opportunity to develop and demonstrate skills and talents through sports training and competition and by increasing the public’s awareness of capabilities and needs.

The Crossover City 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament will give talented Special Olympics athletes the oppor-

tunity to “show off” their skills during a five minute Special Olympics Exhibition Game.

To register youth or adult teams (men & women elite/non-elite) to participate in the Crossover City 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament, visit www.crossovercity.net. The tournament is scheduled for Davis Community Center located at 3371 Spottswood Ave. (For detailed information about the Crossover City 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament, visit www.crossovercity.net.)