May 14 2015

May 14 - 20, 2015

VOL. 64, No. 18

www.tsdmemphis.com

75 Cents

Unemployment dips below 10 percent for African Americans Lowest since 2008; 8.2 percent in Tenn.

by Freddie Allen NNPA News Service

WASHINGTON – The unemployment rate for African Americans fell to single digits (9.6 percent) in April, for the first time since President Barack Obama was elected in 2008.

Despite the improvement, the African-American jobless rate is still double the unemployment rate of white workers, which has remained flat since February at 4.7 percent.

Valerie Wilson, the director of the Program on Race, Ethnicity, and the Economy at the Economic Policy Institute, a progressive think tank focused on low- and middle-income families, said the gradual decline in the African-American unemployment rate is the result of strong job growth over the past year.

As the economic recovery in the United States continued its slow, uneven climb in April there were still clear disparities, even among adult African-American workers.

Wilson said that, since December, African-American men have enjoyed most of the larger employment gains compared to African-American women.

The unemployment rate for African-American men over 20 years old was 11 percent in December 2014 and 9.2 percent in April 2015, while the unemployment rate for African-American women increased 0.6 percent over the same period.

Since last April, the labor force participation rate, which is the share of the population that is either employed or looking for work, increased from 66.5 percent to 68.7 percent in April 2015 among African-American men. The labor force rate for African-American women only increased 0.7 percent since April 2014.

Wilson said that a renewed focus on targeted jobs programs and infrastructure investments would enable the economy to get closer to full employment, but cuts to public sector employment, especially at the state and local levels, may prolong the sluggish recovery.

According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a nonpartisan research and policy group that designs policies aimed at reducing poverty and inequality, the economy has shed nearly 570,000 government jobs, more than 360,000 jobs in local SEE BELOW 10 ON PAGE 3

Valerie Wilson, the director of the Program on Race, Ethnicity, and the Economy at the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) speaks jobs and the economy in the African-American community during an event at EPI. (Freddie Allen/NNPA News Wire)

MEMPHIS WEEKEND

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REGIONAL TEMPS LITTLE ROCK NASHVILLE JACKSON, MS

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Sacramento Mayor and former NBA player Kevin Johnson introduced a series of troubling statistics during his opening presentation.

(Photos: Lee Eric Smith)

Education Policy Summit challenges leaders to Stand Up for education

by Lee Eric Smith

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

As an NBA player, Kevin Johnson was known to put up big numbers in breathtaking ways.

And even though he’s retired from the NBA, Johnson, now the mayor of Sacramento, Calif., is still putting up big numbers. Only now, those numbers are sobering education statistics splashed on a projector screen.

Johnson was one of several notable names visiting Memphis last week as part of the Memphis Leaders Education Policy Summit presented by Stand Up, an education advocacy nonprofit Johnson founded. The summit, hosted at the UT Health Sciences Center, brought together more than 60 Memphis educators, community leaders and policymakers in hopes of sparking a dialogue that leads to change.

One series of startling statistics seems to draw a straight line from being poor

Journalist and commentator Roland S. Martin (center) took a moment to shine with high school students, Zekeya Stewart from the Tipton County School District; and Dellarontay Readus, a graduating senior at Melrose High School. and illiterate as a child to being poor numbers are gut wrenching. According and maybe incarcerated as an adult. to statistics compiled by Stand Up and And instead of being breathtaking, the presented by Johnson:

Poor children will hear 32 million fewer words by age 4.

Four out of five African-American students aren’t reading at grade level by the 4th grade.

At least 75 percent of poor readers in 3rd grade NEVER catch up.

“It’s scary because you can predict almost everything about a young person’s life because of literacy,” Johnson pleaded. “Health, wealth, jobs, crime, incarceration… everything. This isn’t an anti-white thing we’re talking about. We are all in this together, but the numbers do show that it affects us more.”

Among the other participants joining with Johnson at the Memphis Summit: Television journalist and commentator Roland S. Martin; Connecticut State Rep. Charlie Stallworth (D); Eric Mahmoud, founder and CEO of Seed Academy; George Parker, senior fellow of StudentsFirst; and Michelle Johnson, SEE SUMMIT ON PAGE 3

Rail safety on the menu as City’s partnership with CN Railway rolls on at barbecue fest

by Karanja A. Ajanaku kajanaku@tsdmemphis.com

Five years ago, CN Railway decided it wanted more visibility in Greater Memphis and a “great deal more awareness around rail safety.”

There also were strategic messages the Canadian-based company wanted to deliver about its commitment to diversity.

That’s why Roquita Coleman Williams was brought on board. A solutions manager for CN Supply Chain Solutions, Williams says her presence is a reflection of CN’s commitment to promoting and attracting women to the railroad, “women of color especially.”

Memphis is a strategic point for CN (Canadian National). Thus the push to make sure the message was particularly clear in the Bluff City.

Williams was given the given the green light to establish strategic relationships. One of her first moves was on the City of Memphis Mayor’s Office. CN became the first railroad to partner with the office. An annual public expression of that partnership unfolded again Wednesday evening at the onset of the Memphis in May International Festival World Barbecue Cooking Contest, which begins Thursday (May 14) and stretches through Saturday.

City employees were invited to the City of Memphis tent area. CN backs the city’s presence as a sponsor and foots the bill.

“We get a chance to deliver some real messages around our presence in the community, our commitment to the city, our commitment to leaderSEE PARTNERSHIP ON PAGE 3

Roquita Coleman Williams has an exchange with Kerri Campbell (center), project manager for the City of Memphis Innovation Delivery Team, and Dr. Rosie Richmond Whalum. (Photo: George Tillman Jr.)

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

You are not your disease

How self-acceptance helped me get control over bipolar disorder

their dismissal of me. But my not writing about it didn’t stop people The Root from finding out.

In my case, a local blogger outIn late 2005 I was hospitalized over ted me after I wrote a MySpace post the Christmas holiday at a facility in about being sad. He had previously, Los Angeles. and persistently, conI went by choice, Breaking The Barri- tacted me about reviewwillingly submitting ers of Mental Health ing his self-published myself for observation, group powers up for book, but I had no intermedication, therapy May push est in reviewing it. He, and testing like a good weirdly, seemed to want guinea pig. I needed to See Page 2 to take credit for driving go, after all. I had been me to “madness.” It was misdiagnosed, and fitrue that at the time I nally, by staying for almost a month, wrote the post, I had wanted to die, I would get a lifesaving diagnosis. I but it wasn’t over a future 1-cent-roywas bipolar type II. alty book on Amazon Kindle.

While I was in the hospital, a But his writing about something doctor suggested that I write about personal in the most tacky and exmy story for my local paper, where ploitative way didn’t help the war I I worked, but I balked at the idea.

I didn’t want people to know I was SEE DISEASE ON PAGE 2 “crazy.” I didn’t want their judgment,

by Danielle C. Belton

Danielle C. Belton (Photo: D. Finney)

May 14 - 20, 2015

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NEWS

Breaking The Barriers of Mental Health powers up for May push DISEASE

CONTINUED FROM FRONT was waging inside. After all, I wasn’t ready to tell everyone about my diagnosis. I hadn’t even told some members of my family, yet now, for anyone who searched me on Google – for years –his tawdry post would be the first thing to pop up. When I had job interviews, people would ask me about it.

When I went on dates, the guy would bring it up. It followed me like a lingering stench, when I was trying so hard to “fake” normalcy and failing.

I fell into a deep, dark hole, believing that I was worthless if everyone knew the truth. I wasn’t at peace with my diagnosis back then, which sounded serious and scary to me. So Then, in 2007, I decided to do something about it. I started my own blog, called the Black Snob. I often say I started the blog because I missed writing my old newspaper column, which is true. But the other reason was that I wanted it to be the first thing to come up in the Google search of my name, not the entry from the Ghost of Trolls Past.

I wanted to take control. And I did. I’m Danielle Belton, the Black Snob, not “sad girl, queen of sads; please don’t hire me because of this terrible blog post.”

Taking control of your own story is important when you’re “coming out” as someone living with a mental illness. It’s important to remember the following when confronting the reality of your diagnosis.

You are not the disease. Your mental illness is not you, just as kidney disease, asthma or diabetes is not you. But people less astute about how mental illness works will try to equate you,the individual, with your disease.

Even you might make this mistake. But it’s not true. By being mentally ill, you are no more or less worthy than any allegedly “normal” person.

You don’t have to tell anyone, but you have to “tell” yourself.

I went through almost a decade of anguish because I could not come to terms with the fact that I was sick. I was in deep, deep denial, and my illness would come out in all sorts of destructive, counterproductive ways. I would spend too much money, overeat or not clean my house for months. I would move to a new apartment rather than deal with the mess in the old one, believing that the mess was the problem, not me.

But my problems followed me wherever I went because I was not accepting my illness. Once I submitted to the fact that I was sick, I started on that long road to recovery. It wasn’t easy, but acknowledging that you have a problem is truly the first and most important step toward wellness.

You are in control of your story. When you finally do have to tell people, prepare yourself for the worst but hope for the best.

Although my mother accepted my diagnosis almost immediately (and promptly blamed herself for it, even though it was not her fault), it took my father much longer to understand.

Some of my friends were loving and kind about it, while others stopped speaking to me altogether. I had to accept that if someone was willing to reject me over a disease that I had only a cursory control over through therapy, self-care and medication, then that person was never really my friend.

But remember, no matter how anyone responds, these responses don’t define you. You define you. You know your truth. You live it every day. Don’t let another’s warped perception of

Brandy J. Flynn is a graduate of Jackson State University, where she received her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and her Master of Science in Guidance and Counseling. She also received a Graduate Certificate in Women’s and Gender Studies from The University of Memphis. (Courtesy photo) May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to learn more about mental health conditions and seek out help for them. Memphis-based Breaking The Barriers of Mental Health has planned a month of events, including social media challenges, speaking engagements and a Mental Health Awareness Brunch on May 23.

Founded by Brandy J. Flynn, a mental health counselor, Breaking the Barriers of Mental Health is encouraging Greater Memphis to take a more active role in the prevention, identification and intervention of mental illness.

“Mental illness is real and includes depression, bipolar disorder, panic attacks, anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, schizophrenia and several others,” said Flynn, who has 10-plus years in the counseling field. “These disorders are serious enough and more often than not significantly impact a person’s daily life. Sometimes they can be a result of genetics, neurochemistry, psychological and social factors.”

One in five Americans will experience a mental health issue in their lives either directly or indirectly, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Many sufferers say they feel stigmatized for their illness by friends, family, strangers and the media.

Flynn’s organization is among those working to break that stigma in Greater Memphis. Over the past year, Breaking the Barriers of Mental Health has hosted a free panel discussion as a monthly forum for people to “speak freely about their encounters with mental illness via guided conversations with various com-

munity leaders.”

On May 23, the organization will host a Mental Health Awareness Brunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Memphis Marriott East. Panelists will speak on how to break the stigmas of mental illness, how to recognize triggers, where to seek help, and how mental illness affects everyday life. The scheduled panelists include Gwendolyn Prater and Elanor Harris, licensed social workers; W.J. Bassa, a mental health licensure surveyor; and Michelle Henderson, a former TLC reality star and national suicide prevention advocate.

you cloud your judgment.

There’s still a heavy stigma surrounding mental illness. It has only been in recent years that more people are openly and publicly talking about it. Diagnoses are still punch lines: How many times do you hear people misuse the terms “schizophrenic” and “bipolar” as a way to denigrate others and silence their views?

But this view doesn’t have to be your view. You do not have to internalize the negativity of others

and make it a part of you. You can accept and love yourself, then find your own path to talking to others (or not) about your illness.

You can take your own path to recovery – not one based on what others think, but a peace-centered path all your own.

There’s light at the end of that tunnel if you’re willing to walk it.

Social media challenges: • May 4-May 11 – GREEN OUT your social media profile in support of Mental Health Awareness Month. Use #BreakingTheBarriers of Mental Health #MHM2015.

• May 11-May 18 – Wear GREEN for at least one day and take a selfie with the caption -m wearing GREEN to Bring Awareness and help #BreakingTheBarriers of Mental Health #MHM2015 • May18-25 – Flynn will ride around Greater Memphis “taking pictures with YOU holding various facts and motivational messages regarding Mental Health.” To be picked for Brandy’s Mobile Mental Health Message, email breakingthebarriers@gmail.com.

(Tickets for the Mental Health Awareness Brunch are $30 and can be purchased at http://www. eventbrite.com/e/breakingthe-barrier-of-mental-healthbrunch-tickets-16837329907.

For more information, email breakingthebarriers@gmail. com.)

(Danielle C. Belton is an associate editor at The Root. Follow her on Twitter.)

The New Tri-State Defender

The New Tri-State Defender

May 14 - 20, 2015

Page 3

NEWS

SUMMIT

BELOW 10

former chancellor of D.C. Public Schools.

In his keynote speech, Martin delivered pointed and scathing remarks, saying that no one should be above accountability when it comes to policies that affect African-Ameridan children learning – even if they are popular African-American leaders and politicians.

“We are at war,” Martin said.

“We are up against historical forces that are against our children learning – a system built on keeping black folk from learning and keeping black folk working for free. That’s not opinion, that’s fact. This is no time to play. And I don’t care what color you are, if you’re not going to fight with us, then get out of the way.”

Martin said there are difficult but necessary conversations that African-American people need to have about education policy, including rethinking the thirdrail topic of school choice.

“We get so caught up in protecting a (school) building, we never ask what’s going on inside that building,” he continued. “We say, ‘The neighborhood school should be right!’ Well, it’s not . . . And if the neighborhood school is not good for my kid, Hell, I don’t want them going there. . . . If you’re willing to drive across town to go to church, but not willing to drive across town so your child can get a good education, I need somebody to explain that to me.”

After Martin’s keynote address, Johnson moderated a panel discussion with the other featured guests. Among the highlights: Michelle Johnson, who married Kevin Johnson in 2011, spoke on why she chose to enroll her own children in a troubled D.C. public school system when she was serving in the district’s top education post: “How could I run a school district without trusting the district myself?” she said. “And I also wanted to hold myself accountable.”

Before joining Michelle Johnson on StudentsFirst, George Parker often butted heads with her in his role as president of the D.C. teacher’s union. He offered a peek behind the talking points on school choice.

“As the union chief, I knew what to say to get voters riled up: school vouchers are bad because it’ll take money out of the school district,” Parker said. “But I also

government alone, since February 2010.

“The other part of that is that wage growth isn’t anything to cheer about,” said Wilson, adding that wage growth is still below any indication that the economy has really heated up.

According to the Labor Department, average hourly earnings have only increased 2.2 percent since April 2014.

During recoveries in the past, falling unemployment rates meant that companies were forced to raise wages to compete for available workers This recovery is different, Wilson said, in part because there’s still a decent amount of slack in the labor market.

In a state-by-state analysis of the unemployment rates, Wilson found that the African American unemployment rate was “lowest in Virginia (7.4 percent) and highest in the District of Columbia (15.8 percent) in the first quarter of 2015, surpassing Michigan, which had the highest black unemployment rate in the fourth quarter of 2014.”

Wilson also noted that, “although 7.4 percent is the lowest African-American unemployment rate in the country, it is still over 1 percentage point above the highest white unemployment rate (Tennessee). Virginia was one of only eight states where the African-American unemployment rate was below 10 percent in the first

CONTINUED FROM FRONT

CONTINUED FROM FRONT

Former Chancellor of the Washington, D.C. school district Michelle Rhee Johnson speaks at the Memphis Leaders Education Policy Summit on May 7. (Photo: Lee Eric Smith) knew that vouchers meant fewer students in public classrooms, which meant fewer teachers and consequently fewer teachers paying union dues. I’m just saying we have to look beyond the talking points to really see what’s best for our children.”

The event was eye opening for Dellarontay Readus, a graduating senior at Melrose High School. He said his mentor, Cassandra Webster of The Memphis Challenge, brought him to the Summit. “She always takes me to things like this, to get a greater exposure to the world around me,” Readus said.

Readus soaked up a lot during the session, perhaps the greatest lesson being that these conversations are happening at all.

“There are people out here trying to make things better for us and the generation after us,” said Readus, who plans to major in computer science at Stanford University this fall. “Hopefully, future generations will see the fruit of this labor.”

Oh, and he has a few ideas of his own, such as a program targeted at early childhood development, even before Pre-K. The statistic about poor children hearing 32 million fewer words by age 4 really stuck with him.

“It’s good to assist high school, junior high, intermediate students,” he said. “But if there’s a gap in learning at the foundational level, the millions of words they don’t hear, that

would be a nearly insurmountable obstacle to overcome.

“I’ve seen it myself,” he continued. “There were teachers who came in, great teachers who came with it the first day.

I didn’t even know it was possible to teach like that. But they immediately saw in the first week that what they wanted to teach was not going to work.

The students just didn’t have the basic skill set to work with. So they had to take it down another level. That’s not the right thing to do, but it’s the only option they have.

“That’s why I think it’s really the younger children we should be focusing on more now,” Readus said. “That’s where we can have the most impact.”

quarter of 2015.”

Wilson’s research also revealed that the African-American unemployment rate, “is at or below its pre-recession level in six states: Connecticut, Michigan, Mississippi (10.2), Missouri, Ohio, and Tennessee (8.2 percent). But this numerical recovery must be put in proper context because each of these states also had black unemployment rates that were among the highest in the nation before the recession.”

The national unemployment rate was 5.4 percent in April down from 5.5 percent in March and the economy added 223,000 jobs in April for a three-month average of 191,000 jobs per month.

In a recent blog post for EPI, Josh Bivens, the research and policy director at EPI, wrote that returning the labor market to pre-Great Recession levels is too unambitious a goal.

“After all, 2007 could hardly be described as a year with the kind of high-pressure labor market that would boost wages across the board,” said Bivens.

Bivens continued: “Instead, we need to target the kind of high-pressure labor market that we haven’t seen since the late 1990s. Anything less than this will leave the majority of American workers frozen out of sharing in economic growth through wage gains.”

(See interactive state map at http://bit.ly/1e1utZO.) (Follow Freddie Allen on Twitter at @freddieallenjr.)

May 14 - 20, 2015

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The New Tri-State Defender

OPINION

John H. Sengstacke Publisher (1951-1997)

The Mid-South’s Best Alternative Newspaper Powered by Best Media Properties, Inc.

FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK

FLASHBACK: 2005

Bernal E. Smith II President / Publisher

‘I am not supposed to be here’

Dr. Karanja A. Ajanaku Executive Editor

SPECIAL REPORT

New bipartisan Congressional caucus champions HBCUs With 45 members and counting, a bipartisan caucus launches to ensure HBCU needs are heard in “every aspect of policy making and across party lines.”

a fact, if you look at percentage of income,” said caucus member Rep. NNPA News Service James E. Clyburn (D-S.C.) at the same event. “We’re talking about WASHINGTON – A little help good students who need an oppormay be on the way for historical- tunity, who need to go into an enly black colleges and universities vironment that’s nurturing. So we struggling against falling financial are going to have to fight for these support and an increasingly skepti- HBCUs.” cal public.

There is also less aid available for The Bipartisan Congressio- institutions. According to a 2014 renal HBCU Caucus was launched port from the Center on Budget and last week, with Reps. Alma Ad- Policy Priorities, state schools now ams (D-N.C.) and Bradley Byrne rely on students fees and tuition for (R-Ala.) at the helm. Its 45 members 48 percent of and counting their revenues, are charged with compared to 24 safeguarding the percent in 1988. interests of hisOf the nation’s torically black 105 HBCUs, colleges and uninearly half are versities, supstate schools. porting students Meanwhile, and graduates, Texas, North creating a naCarolina, South tional dialogue, Carolina, West and educating Virginia, VirRep. Alma Rep. Bradley other members ginia, Arkansas, Adams (D-N.C.) Byrne (R-Ala.) of Congress on Kentucky, Misthe value of the souri, Florida, and Delaware were institutions. all caught withholding state funds “This bipartisan HBCU Caucus specifically from their HBCUs. is bringing together champions for The Department of Education HBCUs, so that we can make an shells out roughly $300 million for even bigger impact to ensure their black schools each year. But this needs are heard in every aspect of funding, like all federal money, can policy making and across party change without warning from year to lines,” said Adams, creator and co- year. Howard University, for examchair of the caucus, alumna of North ple, is a private school, but has hisCarolina A&T State University, and torically had its own line in the budformer administrator at her alma get that serves as a critical source of mater and Bennett College, both in funding. In 2012, this funding was Greensboro, N.C. cut by more than $12 million, and “(HBCUs) do what no other has remained at that amount each schools do for students like me, a year since. poor black girl from The Obama admin“(HBCUs) do what Newark, New Jersey istration has attemptno other schools who came to North ed to work around the Carolina – wasn’t ful- do for students like financial squeeze by ly prepared – but yet me, a poor black girl awarding grants and North Carolina took from Newark, New contracts to HBCUs me in, got me prethrough the White pared, and I was able Jersey who came House Initiative on to North Carolina – to do what I’m doing but some wasn’t fully prepared HBCUs, right now.” reports state that The caucus comes – but yet North Car- the amount of these at a time when HB- olina took me in, got awards is also on the CUs are facing a bardecline. rage of challenges. me prepared, and I President Obama’s was able to do what In 2011, Congress America’s College put more funding I’m doing right now.” Promise comes on the toward need-based heels of these blows.

Pell grants, but lowThe proposal offers ered the cap to 12 semesters (or six the first two years of community school years) instead of the previ- college free for students who attend ous 18. Non-traditional students, consistently and at least part-time, such as parents, veterans and peo- and maintain a 2.5 GPA. However, ple beyond their early 20s, as well HBCUs and community colleges as low-income students who work have always competed for non-trapart-time, often have complicated ditional students, as well as students circumstances that make it difficult who need extra instruction or assisto go straight through four years of tance to get acclimated and succeed school full time. For such students, in college. With this proposal and it can take several years to earn a slim chances for HBCUs to match degree. the offer, community colleges may “Many of our young people really be a more attractive choice. do have to work…to pay for educa“Anybody that tells you that these tion. So a large majority of students schools aren’t needed, ask them we serve at our HBCUs in particular what is happening on the other end are on financial aid – several types of the spectrum, when we are getting of financial aid,” said rid of affirmative acAdams at a launch “HBCUs deal with tion admissions polievent for the Caucus. many of the same cies, we’re getting rid “We talk about access of various formulae and affordability. You challenges as other that’s used to fund higher education indon’t have access if schools, and then you you don’t have the stitutions, but they want to close down check to go with it.” also face unique ob- HBCUs,” said ClyThe same year, stacles that demand burn. “It means we are federal parent PLUS on track to creating a loan requirements special attention.” permanent underclass were changed in an in this country.” effort to keep finanDespite these chalcially burdened families from tak- lenges, HBCUs still manage to proing on more debt. The changes went duce crucial results. into effect almost immediately, and Despite serving just 3 percent of thousands of previously approved the nation’s college students, the parents were abruptly denied for a 107 HBCUs graduate nearly 20 perrenewal. Thousands of students – cent of African Americans who earn largely African-American, low-in- undergraduate degrees and more come and first-generation – were than 50 forced to pause or delay their col“HBCUs have long been an imlege educations. portant part of our nation’s higher According to data from the Na- education system,” said tional Association of Student Finan“HBCUs deal with many of the cial Aid Administrators, enrollment same challenges as other higher edat HBCUs fell 3.4 percent for fall ucation institutions, but they also 2012. The number of students with face unique obstacles that demand PLUS loans fell 46 percent, and HB- special attention. Our nation’s HBCUs saw a 36 percent decrease in the CUs are evolving as they adapt to awarded dollar amounts. That meant a changing workforce, and through fewer students able to continue col- this caucus, I look forward to helplege, and less revenue for the schools. ing guide the conversation about The Obama administration has how we can best support our nacorrected the oversight, but the dam- tion’s HBCUs.” age has been done.

“Our parents spend much more (Follow Jazelle Hunt on Twitter at money on educating their children @JazelleAH.) than white families do. That’s just

by Jazelle Hunt

‘Moving with a sense of purpose’ Local chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity commits to community uplift

by Dr. Ernest L. Gibson III In this current moment, as Memphis makes strides in new developments, growths and expansions, we are reminded of how this city historically has been plagued by violence. In particular, we know that black men, young and old alike, are unceasingly haunted by the question as to whether or not their lives matter. And as the nation collectivizes behind the slogan popularized by social media – “#blacklivesmatter” – in response to a series of tragedies that span from systemic racism to pure disregard, local Memphians are forced to join the discussion.

Furthermore, as violence committed by youth becomes more sensationalized, we are led to ponder if such behavior is directly linked to the growing loss of hope, feelings of despair, and general absurdity consuming the nation.

Whether it be in response to the re-emerging phenomenon of hate which targets black bodies or the proliferation of black youth caught within American absurdity, there is one organization that remains committed to social and racial uplift through the cultivation of leaders and civic servants. The men of the Alpha Delta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated have rededicated themselves to both discussions surrounding the importance of community development and the act of being active agents of change in the city.

Embodying the vision of its current president, Kevin Spragling, members of the historic fraternity are “moving with a sense of purpose.” Most recently, the fraternity participated in the National Civil Rights Mueum’s annual program honoring the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (himself a member of the es-

teemed fraternity) by reminding the community of King’s multiple ties to Memphis, offering a litany of remembrance celebrating his contributions, and performing a tribute of “Wake Up Everybody” to incite the city to a more responsible awareness and action.

Additionally, the chapter has sponsored a series of initiatives geared towards the education and development of Memphis youth.

Some of these include its annual Black and Gold Gala, which rewards at least three high school students with college scholarships and organizational support; a program entitled “Project Alpha” focusing on young adult responsibility, sexual education, and self-wellness; a summer program geared towards the cultivation of the next generation of leaders – “Youth Leadership Development Institute”; and other programs.

Even more, the fraternity has secured and is currently renovating the old Whitehaven library in hopes to cement their efforts at community uplift within a part of the city that can truly benefit from its presence and initiatives while also having a facility allowing for more effective outreach.

The men of Alpha Delta Lambda are – in their own respects – leaders, educators, and social agents within the city who believe that the beauty of Memphis lies in our ability to continually invest in our youth, protect the lives of all humanity, and pursue growth/expansion responsibly and diligently. In the spirit of their founding members they understand that when service is coupled with integrity, compassion, and intelligence, the city wins, the country wins, the world wins.

(Dr. Ernest L. Gibson III is Associate Editor to the Sphinx, Alpha Delta Lambda Chapter, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.)

The men of the Alpha Delta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated have rededicated themselves to both discussions surrounding the importance of community development and the act of being active agents of change in the city.

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I am not supposed to be here.

I did not fully understand why my father and other family members would always find ways to mention me and the things that I was attempting to accomplish to everyone they encountered.

Today, it hit me. I am not supposed to be here.

My father grew up on Mr. HM Haney’s plantation in Jonestown, Miss. Oftentimes, he would miss or be late to class because he had to pick cotton.

My mother’s circumstances were not much better. She grew up in the Fowler home housing projects in Memphis, Tn. I am the child of two individuals who grew up extremely poor.

I am not supposed to be here.

However, my parents saw a future that did not include poverty for themselves or their children.

So on May 16, 2015 when I walk across the stage and receive my Juris Doctorate, I will not be doing it for myself but for my parents who did everything they could to put me in a position to succeed.

J.B. Smiley Jr. (Photo: Christopher Franklin)

QUOTING

Affordable Care Act ‘helping save lives’ “We not only have food deserts in our Memphis communities, but we have health care deserts as well.

I am disappointed that the Tennessee General Assembly has neglected to expand TennCare coverage to 280,000 Tennesseans, as that would go a long way towards improving the situation here, but I am glad that the Affordable Care Act is helping fund new clinics, like one in Raleigh, that are providing care to those who otherwise would not have access to it and are helping us fight infant mortality in Memphis….

“Everyone in the Ninth District should know that the Affordable Care Act ensures that they can no longer be denied coverage simply because of a pre-existing condition and that preventive services no longer require co-pays or deductibles….

With millions of Americans now enrolled in the law’s health insurance marketplaces, the law’s benefits and protections are helping save lives in our city and around the country.”

(Remarks delivered at the Shelby County Health Department’s 2015 Infant Mortality Summit, May 7, 2015.)

Rep. Steve Cohen

The New Tri-State Defender

May 14 - 20, 2015

Page 5

NEWS

New law would overhaul special education funding in Tennessee It is not clear if Gov. Bill Haslam will sign the bill that critics say would hand money to parents with few safeguards

by Sheila Burke Associated Press

NASHVILLE – A bill passed

by Tennessee lawmakers could give parents of severely disabled children more than $6,000 a year to spend on education and therapies that they choose, though critics say the measure hands the money to parents with few safeguards.

Traditional vouchers give families whose children attend poor-performing public schools a way to pay for private schools.

A measure in that vein failed this year, but lawmakers did approve the program for disabled children, giving parents much more freedom to determine how to spend the money. It is not clear if Gov. Bill Haslam will sign the bill into law.

The money, a combination of state and local funds, could be

used for private school tuition, approved therapies and tutoring. Participating parents would waive their federal right to an IndiGov. Bill vidualized Haslam Education Program, which mandates that public schools provide disability-related services designed to meet a student’s unique learning needs. Some worry that waiving that right means less money for both the child that leaves and the local school district because of the loss of federal dollars.

Public school officials and parents have plenty of concerns.

Some worry that children will

leave for private schools that are ill-equipped, only to come back and need even more help. They also say that the program siphons money away from public schools, effectively taking dollars away from disabled children who remain in public schools.

Some also were concerned about fly-by-night operations bilking the system. They aren’t sure $6,600 a year is enough to ensure standards will remain in place to make sure children get what they need.

But supporters say safeguards are in place. For instance, parents would have to choose from state-approved vendors. And some parents say it gives them options for children who simply can’t attend a traditional school.

Amy Gondolfo of Mt. Juliet said her 3-year-old son, Dylan, can’t attend school because he needs so much health care

equipment that he would have to be taken there by ambulance. He was born with a rare heart condition, and she worries that public schools can’t give him the therapy he needs.

“And because he couldn’t physically attend the school, they wouldn’t pay for his physical therapy, and they also would only give him three hours a week with a home school teacher, which for a child who is as delayed as Dylan — he’s had two strokes and a heart attack — three hours a week is not sufficient,” she said.

Gondolfo said she would take the $6,600 a year to pay for more physical therapy and occupational therapy.

Cathy Sanford, a mother of two special needs children in Williamson County, worries that roughly $6,600 a year won’t go very far. Sanford’s 15-year-old

son, Zane, doesn’t speak, has limited mobility and is intellectually disabled. Her 12-year-old daughter, Kate, has an intellectual disability as well, though the girl is fully included in a regular classroom with modified work.

She said it has been a boon to Kate’s self-esteem because she’s not considered “other.” But she is concerned the new bill could threaten that arrangement.

“I think that parents who could find a placement for their child and chose to do that would siphon off money from the rest of us, and frankly my kids are really expensive to educate,” Sanford said.

Arizona first passed a bill giving parents education money and allowing them to customize its use for their children in 2011, and Florida and Mississippi have since passed similar laws, said Josh Cunningham, a senior pol-

icy specialist with the National Conference of State Legislatures.

In Tennessee, parents would pay for services up front and be reimbursed, said Rep. Roger Kane, a Republican from Knoxville who co-sponsored the House bill. Only about 18,000 students would be eligible — generally those with the most severe disabilities — and Kane said the experience in other states has shown not all would apply.

The state Board of Education will write the rules for the program, which goes into effect in 2016, and the Department of Education would decide on an approved vendor list. Kane said he plans to monitor implementation if Haslam signs the bill.

“We’re in the trenches with these folks, and we’re going to make sure the Department of Education does the right thing for these children.”

Gestalt Community Schools, Power Center CDC to host ground breaking

Gestalt Community Schools (GCS) and Power Center Community Development Corporation (PCCDC) will host the official groundbreaking ceremony for the new Power Center Academy at Eden Square campus from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, May 16 at the southeast corner of Winchester and Mendenhall, across from the Mendenhall Square Mall.

The groundbreaking will kick off phase 1 of the 43acre project, Eden Square Town Center, a comprehensive community development model that will include Power Center Academy middle school, a performing arts center, a wellness center, housing

PARTNERSHIP

CONTINUED FROM FRONT ship and diversity,” said Williams.

CN’s face and ambassador in Memphis, Williams is passionate about being an advo-

through Habitat for Humanity, and retail. The planned development will be constructed on the western most side of the Hickory Hill community, which was once a blighted and abandoned 394-unit apartment complex (formerly the Marina Cove Apartments).

“The Eden Square Town Center will be an oasis of hope and promises to transform the Hickory Hill community and the Mid-South,” said Dr. Stacy L. Spencer, chairman, PCCDC. “Eden Square Town Center is possible thanks to our ministry, non-profit, government and commercial partners believing in the vision and working together.”

“We feel honored to be

a part of such an innovative community project … We believe this development is a true ‘gestalt’ in that the unified whole is greater than the sum of its parts,” said Derwin Sisnett, CEO. Phase I of the Power Center Academy is scheduled to open Fall 2016 to accommodate 400 6th-8th grade students per year. The project construction is under the direction of EMJ and Montgomery Martin as the general contractors for the middle school and performing arts center, respectively.

The campus and facility construction project is an estimated at $12 million and will create more than 275 jobs in its first phase of construction,

to be completed over the next year. Additional phases are anticipated to be completed over the next 3-5 years.

The Power Center CDC partnered with New Direction Christian Church in 2008 to charter Power Center Academy. PCA schools, now under the Gestalt Community Schools umbrella, are among the top charter schools in the State of Tennessee. Since its inception, PCA has seen numerous successes through increased achievement scores and meaningful community involvement.

Once the dust has settled, this will be one of the most important and transformational charter school build projects

in the City of Memphis.

Gestalt Community Schools (GCS) is a system of K-12 college-preparatory charter schools in targeted Tennessee communities that provides strong academic outcomes for their scholars through initiatives including meaningful community involvement.

GCS catalyzes community leadership to help revitalize the neighborhood as it operates its schools in that community. Gestalt Community Schools currently operates five schools in the Memphis community and serves nearly 1,700 scholars in grades K 12. For more information visit

http://www.gestaltcs.org.

The Power Center Community Development Corporation is a 501(c)(3) public benefits corporation established to focus on the progression of economic, educational, and social development in the Hickory Hill Community of Memphis.

The primary role of the PCCDC is to explore opportunities for community development and implement innovative community-wide programs. This is done primarily through careful collaboration with organizations that specialize in economic, educational or social development.

For more information visit http://www.powercentercdc. org.

cate for women and the growth of women in the transportation industry.

Two weeks ago, CN held its annual general meeting at the Peabody, the first time its been held here in seven years.

“It was a statement about our commitment to the city,” said

Williams, “and also we made a contribution of $100,000 to Le Bonheur (Children’s Hospital). Earlier in the year we did a match where employees made contributions and (CN) made a match of that, raising $800,000 for St. Jude.”

Memphis has not historical-

ly been a huge point of visibility for CN. Williams’ job is to lead the change so CN is not just pulling trains in and out of the city, but rather is a part of the city and recognized as such.

City employees, Mayor A C Wharton Jr. and members

of his administration, and other elected officials mixed with CN employees, members of CN’s management team and representatives of the firm’s Canadian operation at Wednesday’s affair.

“We wanted to highlight rail safety, especially with

the recent incidents around safety,” said Williams, noting a man hit by a train while jogging earlier in the year.

“That really brought to the forefront how much more attention we need to pay to telling the community about rail safety.”

At a glance

May 14 - 20, 2015

Page 6

BUSINESS

The New Tri-State Defender

ON OUR WAY TO WEALTHY

Connecting the dots will help artists succeed in the entertainment business The hardest part of the entertainment industry is figuring where to begin. ConnecTheDots has established itself in entertainment as the premiere company for independent artists and production companies.

Now they have ventured into the speaker arena to share their knowledge with the masses with the creation of ConnecTheDots…360 and spread the knowledge to groups along with the ability to focus on individual performers and companies.

Carlee McCullough: Tell us your name. What is the focus of the new company?

Reginald Byrd: My name is Reginald Byrd and my partner, Chris Davis. We are consultants, advisors and public speakers as it relates to marketing, business development, and entertainment. My focus is economic development, inspirational development, and artist development with all of my clients.

CM: How did you get into public speaking about the entertainment business?

RB: Through our artist development company, ConnecTheDots… and just seeing a void in the industry for this type of service.

C M : How did you turn this into a business?

RB: As consultants, we are trained to look for opportuCarlee McCullough, nities that can bring Esq. success to others. We decided that instead of only helping our client’s individually, we can also inspire them in a group setting. We motivate them to see that they are not alone on their path to success.

CM: What makes you unique from other speakers?

RB: With our consulting team in place, we have the resources and experts to take them beyond the group setting, to a more personal and intimate relationship pertaining to their individual success.

CM: What are some of the latest trends in your industry?

RB: Being an indie artist is becoming the new norm.

Artists are realizing that they had always been the least paid, yet have the responsibility of bringing millions of dollars to major labels. They did not

of their communities and role models to the next generation.

CM: How have you handled advice along the way as it relates to your public speaking?

RB: We are constantly in consultation with successful business owners and developers to continue to grow as consultants. It is our chosen responsibility to stay current with the market and business platform in different industries that will assist in the growth and success of our clients.

Chris Davis have the proper guidance to help them along their career path. Even the major “A list” artists are exploring the indie path to success.

CM: When did you realize you had knowledge that people desired?

RB: When the product started becoming a household name in the industry with little or no mainstream advertising.

We grew off of word of mouth.

What’s better than a co-signer?

CM: What inspires you in business?

RB: The success of our cli-

Reginald Byrd ents. We build brands.

CM: How can potential clients book you for speaking engagements?

RB: You can contact our business manager/partner about any speaking engagements that may interest you.

Her name is Sierra Rhodes and she can be contacted via email at connecthedotts@gmail.com CM: What is your ultimate goal with public speaking?

RB: To inspire our youth on their road to success as entrepreneurs. We want to empower them to become future leaders

CM: What is the reaction you receive from people that use your services for the first time?

RB: We have had a really great response. We generally have a passion for the success of all our clients. And they are the reason we continue to be successful in our field.

CM: What is the name of your speaker business and how did you arrive at the name?

RB: ConnecTheDots…360, which was derived from consulting different companies on their approach to success. We want to provide an outlet for all entrepreneurs on any level.

CM: What do you speak about?

RB: Some of the areas that we help up-and-coming artists

with is radio promo, A-C list production, studio recording and engineering, video production and placement, copyrights, trademarks, publishing and a lot more.

CM: What motivates you in business?

RB: The success of our clients.

CM: How does public speaking relate to your business ConnectTheDots...?

RB: They are closely related. ConnecTheDots…360 is the speaker bureau, which focuses on the masses. What we offer to the public is a chance to advance in areas of concern with their companies.

The consulting company ConnecTheDots concentrates on the individual artist’s rise to stardom.

CM: Closing words?

RB: Success is not gained without work.

(For more information, contact Reginald Byrd at 901314-3375; Chris Davis, 901530-8923; or Sierra Rhodes, 901-297-8767. Or email ConnecTheDotts@gmail.com)

(Contact Carlee M. McCullough, Esq. at 901-7950050; email – jstce4all@aol. com.)

IBM names Memphis and 15 other municipalities as IBM’s Smarter Cities Challenge grant winners IBM sending experts to Memphis to help address growing volume of non-emergency EMS calls The City of Memphis is among 15 municipalities to receive a grant recently from IBM’s Smarter Cities Challenge program (@CitiesChallenge). The city was selected from a highly competitive pool of more than 100 cities around the world that applied for the grant of consulting services from IBM experts to address the city’s growing volume of non-Emergency Medical Service (EMS) calls.

Memphis will use its expertise to address the volume of non-emergency calls to the Memphis Fire Department’s EMS. In 2014, MFD responded to almost 120,000 EMS calls. About 25,000 calls were classified as non-emergencies.

Non-emergent call volume has increased by 10.5 percent over the past 3 years.

With 27 percent of Memphians in poverty, the city has a large population of poor residents who lack transportation and health insurance and have a high incidence of chronic diseases that require frequent medical care. Many use EMS and emergency rooms as their primary care and the volume of these non-emergency calls impacts responses to real emergencies and causes constant budget overages.

“Understanding the importance of reliable response, balanced with medical needs of the people in our community who are reliant on public safety nets is a strategic priority for us,” said Mayor A C Wharton Jr. “MFD is already developing a pipeline of projects to address EMS challenges including nurse based dispatch, community paramedicine, and preventative healthcare education.

IBM’s Smarter Cities Challenge is a pro bono initiative that helps cities with critical issues ranging from jobs creation, transportation, and public safety, to healthcare, revenue, social services, and public works. IBM’s partnership with the city on this issue has a commercial value of USD $500,000. Additionally, Twitter and IBM are joining forces to provide grants to Memphis and two other cities giving them access to Twitter’s rich data on the topic of their Smarter Cities Challenge grant.

The Smarter Cities Challenge team will analyze the data provided by Twitter to derive insights from the voices of citizens and visitors. Examples of how Twitter data could

be used include but are not limited to: timelapsed geographic mapping of movement patterns of city Mayor A C Wharton Jr. residents; sentiment analysis around existing or proposed policies and programs; and heat mapping of food-borne illnesses and other infectious diseases.

These analytics can be applied to a wide range of urban issues and provide insight for transportation and infrastructure investments, building efficiency and sustainability, emergency management response systems, and more.

This data-driven insight will be incorporated into the roadmap of recommendations delivered at the conclusion of the 3-week Smarter Cities Challenge engagement.

“Successfully meeting this EMS challenge will have national implications, as other cities struggling to address this same issue will be able to learn from our experience. We

are hopeful that with the help of IBM’s experts, a national model can be created here in Memphis,” Wharton said.

“We are grateful for IBM’s commitment to helping cities around the world meet some of their most daunting challenges.”

Here’s how a typical Smarter Cities Challenge engagement works: After intense preparation, IBM Smarter Cities Challenge teams, made up of six IBM experts, spend three weeks working closely with city staff in each winning city, analyzing data about a critical issue facing the municipality.

Team members consider diverse perspectives on the topic through meeting with local officials, citizens, businesses,

and not-for-profits. Best practices used by other cities are studied. After working closely with city leadership, the IBM team then recommends inno-

vative and specifically tailored ways to address the issue it studied in that particular city, providing a road map on how the city can improve.

The New Tri-State Defender

May 14 - 20, 2015

Page 7

RELIGION

TSOR’S ANNUAL SPRING REVIVAL

The Tennessee School of Religion held its Annual Spring Revival May 4-7 at Boston Baptist Church Inc., 4226 Jackson Ave. Rev. Ralph White (left), senior pastor of Bloomfield Full Gospel Baptist Church, presided over Wednesday evening services. Joining Rev. White were Dr. Edward Parker, president of TSOR; Dr. C.J. Bryant III, pastor of Vollintine Baptist Church; and Dr. Christopher B. Davis, senior pastor of St. Paul Baptist Church. (Photos: Tyrone P. Easley)

The MAAI Class of 2015...

Twelve women completed an 18-month class to become missionaries for the Church of God in Christ Department of Women. Presentations of their credentials to missionaries took place May 5. The 2015 class members are Michelle Alexander Best (below), president; Erma M. Oliver, vice president; Felicia Davis, secretary; LaThres Rice, chaplin; Lindia King, treasurer; Courtney Burrage, Ida Clark, Lillian Hayes, Willie Edna Haynes, Mary Lou Hilliard, Sandra Kimmons and Barbara J. Vasser. (Photos: Tyrone P. Easley)

Dr. Christopher B. Davis delivers a poignant message during Wednesday’s service as Rev. White looks on.

CHURCH NEWS Married couples retreat in Mexico set for June 12-15

Rev. D. L. Schllark was led by the spirit on Thursday evening while delivering a power-packed message. He is currently the pastor of New Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church.

Are you in need of a get away this summer?

If you are a married couples, you don’t want to miss the “ 2 0 1 5 Dr. Stacey Married Spencer C o u ples Retreat: Healthy Living, Healthy Loving” Friday, June 12 – Monday, June 15.

Hosted by Dr. Stacy L. Spencer and First Lady Rhonda Spencer of New Direction Christian Center, the couples retreat in Zoetry Parasio, De

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. – Hebrews 11:1 (KJV)

La Bonita, Rivera Maya, Mexico.

Special guests will be Ben and Jewel Tankard.

For more information visit www.healthyloving2015. com.

New Salem Baptist to host ‘Relighting the Lighthouse’ N e w S a l e m Baptist Church, 2237 S. Parkway East, will be the venue for “Relighting the Lighthouse,” featuring Dr. Jasper Williams,

Dr. Frank E. Ray Sr.

Dr. Arthur Jackson, Dr. Jamal Bryant, Dr. John Adolph, Dr. Billy Bell, Rev. Charles Tate, Dr. Tolan Morgan, Dr. Tellis Chapman and Dr. Frank E. Ray Sr., the host pastor.

The event is July 6-9. For group rates and registration, call 1-800-375-4007.

Summer camp for youth at First Baptist Broad

Parents looking for a summer camp to send their children will have the option to send them to Youth Summer Camp 2015 at First Baptist Church-Broad, 2835 Broad Ave., from June 1 through July 31.

For more information, contact the youth office for applications at (901) 323-2429 or (901) 791-0198.

ENTERTAINMENT The New Tri-State Defender, May 14 - 20, 2015, Page 8

Nat D. Williams

WHAT’S HAPPENING MYRON

What about the couples?

I often hear people complain about too little to do in Memphis for couples, especially married couples.

That is very far from the truth.

First of all, anything one person can enjoy can most certainly be enjoyed by two people. Second, married people tend to get a little comfortable when it comes to free time.

After you finally get past the routine of everyday life, you just wanna spend your free time relaxing and recharging. I’m married myself, so I know it’s easy to make excuses as to why you’re not getting out.

But every now and then, you gotta get out and enjoy your life. You only have one to live. Life is not supposed to be all work and no play! Where’s the fun in that?

It’s amazing what a night out can do for a marriage or relationship.

You never know…it just might be the thing the both of you need to ward off the marriage blues. You might even fall in love again.

So get off the couch, bypass the Redbox and stop making excuses!

Book on it The What’s Happening Myron Book Club Day is Saturday afternoon from 2 to 4 at McKinley’s Restaurant, 3279 Kirby Parkway. Our local featured author is Dr. Melinda Harper, who released a marriage guide called, “A Profit to Her Husband.”

Harper will talk about some of the things she learned in past relationships, as well as her 16-year marriage.

“A Profit to Her Husband” is not only for married people, but for single people as well. Just in case you’re in a relationship and doing things you should only be doing for your spouse.

Even those thinking about getting married or hoping to be someday can get something out of this one.

The session will be informative and entertaining, with Harper also signing copies of her book.

Also, the featured selection this time out will be “The Choir Director 2: The Runaway Bride” by Carl Weber. Stop by and check us out.

Old School Prom Hey guys, trying to get out the doghouse? Are you looking for a way to sweep your girl off her feet? Here’s an idea…take her to the prom. Yes, the prom!

Yeah, I know it’s been over 25 years since you left high school, but Dr. Derrick Payne and Reunion Memphis presents the Old School Prom May 16 at the Esplanade located at 901 Cordova Station. Special guest performances by rap legends Whodini and Lil G from the R&B group Silk. Who’d wanna miss this?

So pull your old tux out of the closet, dust it off and go to the prom… once more for old time’s sake. Get your tickets at Superior Smiles, 4205 Hacks Cross, Suite 118. Or for reserve tickets, call 901-301-7296.

So there you have it. Find a babysitter, stop making excuses and get out there and have some fun…together!

(Got an event you’d like for me to cover or attend? Email at Myron@ whatshappeningmyron.com.)

‘What’s Happening Report’ TV bound The “What’s Happening Report” is coming to television in June!

If you’re already a fan of Channel 24’s “Local Memphis Live” news show, you can now check out the What’s Happening Report each and every Thursday, beginning June 4.

Details to come.

Sign up for the What’s Happening Myron Report at whatshappeningmyron.com.

Myron Mays

inducted into

Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame

Nat D. Williams

by Tony Jones

A

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

2015 Legacy inductee, seminal WDIA radio air personality Nat D. Williams is now featured in the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame.

Williams’ grandson, Nathaniel “Nate” Jones, proudly drove to the ceremony in Murfreesboro (May 2) to accept the award on his family’s behalf.

“He was a very strong influence on us all and as I learned more and more about him growing up I was very proud to be his grandson,” said Jones.

“But just as much as he was respected and loved for his work at WDIA, people used to come up to me all the time and tell me how he reached them when he was teaching at Booker T. Washington High School. I became one of his students when I went to high school, and I remember very well his strong discipline and his always demanding that we get a quality education.”

Beginning in 1948, Williams created the “Tan Town Jamboree” on WDIA, which laid the foundation for the station becoming the first all-black format in the United States. The station went to No. 1 in the Memphis market and grew to legendary status with “Nat. D” right in the center of its popular and influential air personality mix. One of the Mid-South’s most beloved voices during his 42-year run, he stayed at the station until 1972.

Combining his two professions, Williams also created a memorable newspaper byline as a columnist for the original Tri State Defender and the Memphis World. Reporting on life in the South, his work was also featured in the Pittsburgh Courier, New York’s signature African American newspaper the Amsterdam News and many others.

But it was his image and imprint at WDIA that made Williams’ name a fixture in African-American homes throughout the Mid-South.

His accomplishments have also been recognized by the Smithsonian Institution.

Jones’ acceptance of his grand-

father’s Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame award was quite fitting. Formerly the director at the Cannon Center, Jones is known to many as the son of Southern Heritage Classic founder Fred Jones, for whom he works as an event producer.

When Nathaniel was born, “Nat D.” was running everything, as his mother, Naomi Moody, fondly recalls.

“We wanted to give Nathaniel the first name Jamal, but daddy killed that automatically. He

tive number one on the charts baby!

And that was it,” said Moody. “We had history lessons everyday. And extra reports we had to do for him outside of our regular homework.

Daddy didn’t play. He was a strict disciplinarian but he could make you smile quicker than you could bat your eye and pout.”

Williams recognized that black America was about to emerge from its shell, Moody said. “And he demanded we be prepared to join the fight. He couldn’t see well and

Nathaniel “Nate” Jones proudly accepts the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame award in honor of his late grandfather, WDIA radio personality Nat D. Williams. (Courtesy photo) walked right into the hospital room and said, ‘The child’s name will be Nay-than-yul.’ So that’s how my son was given his name.”

Moody says Nat D. kept the house rocking in fun, hard-working fashion for her mother Lucille, and sisters Natolyn and Shirley.

“To speak it in Nat D. terms, education was absolutely impera-

made us do chores blindfolded in case his condition came upon us.

I was the only one it eventually affected but he looked ahead to prepare all of us for it. ” Another memory: “He used to take us down on Auction Street after church and we would have mock slave auctions. He wanted us

Nat D. Williams’ historical marker on Beale Street

to know the pain our people felt.

But he was a community man, too.

I will never forget how afraid we were when he went with Ernest Withers to report on the murder of Emmitt Till (in Mississippi). I was six or seven and my mother was sorely afraid for him. … (she) tried her best to get him to stay but he would not.”

Williams used to call Withers “that boy,” said Moody.” Can you imagine that? Not in a disrespectful way, you know, elder to younger.

Same thing with Rufus Thomas, who was one of his former students.

He used to say it about them all the time. ‘I gonna go get that boy’ and they would go off and do things.”

Moody went off and did great things, becoming an opera singer and never losing sight of her father’s manner and influence.

“I will never forget sitting in the bleachers at LeMoyne-Owen College and seeing Leontyne Price, and then Marian Anderson perform.

It began for me then and it was because of WDIA. They would always give them free records at the station and he would bring these wonderful discs home. Just incredible artists like (“Don’t Worry Be Happy” songwriter) Bobby McFerrin’s father Robert McFerrin, who was the first African American to sing at the Metropolitan Opera, William Warfield, and of course the Billy Holiday’s, Sarah Vaughn and so much blues.”

Everybody called his grandfather “Nat Daddy,” Jones recalled. “I remember my grandmother taking me, my brother and my cousin to WDIA several times to pick him up. The station was on Central then.

He definitely instilled in us that education was the key to everything.

And after seeing all he was able to accomplish there was no way to resist the truth.”

A father himself, Jones laughed, remembering that Nat. D could accurately aim a pretty mean switch, if he needed too.

“Oh yeah! We got all the lessons of life. He started getting sick when I was in about the fourth or fifth grade, and he died when I was in high school. But he definitely set the tone. I always looked up to him.”

Hey, hey, the Blues Hall of Fame has a home!

by Adrian Sainz Associated Press

For 34 years, blues musicians such as the late Lightnin’ Hopkins have been honored with induction into the Blues Hall of Fame in Memphis.

Just one problem: There was no actual hall – no museum packed with artifacts and memorabilia, no place where blues fans could visit and learn about their favorite performer. It was a “cryin’ shame,” to borrow one of Hopkins’ lyrics.

Last Friday (May 8), the Blues Foundation officially opened the Blues Hall of Fame at 421 S. Main St. Foundation president Jay Sieleman says the foundation built the Blues Hall of Fame after raising nearly $3 million, finally providing a destination where blues legends can be properly honored for their work in the uniquely American music genre.

“Aw, man, I’m so proud to be living long enough to see this thing come along,” said veteran bluesman Bobby Rush, a 2006 inductee who says his age is somewhere between 75 and 81. “You can walk through it, feeling like you were there when the music was done.”

Founded in 1980, the nonprofit foundation has inducted more than 140 performers and dozens of non-performers into the Hall of Fame, and acquired numerous songs, albums and pieces of literature. Yearly inductions have been

The Little Milton Bench in front of the Blues Hall of Fame (421 S. Main St.) was unveiled April 9. Pictured are Scrap Iron (Milton’s road manager), Pat (Milton’s widow), and Willie Mae Bland (Bobby Blue Bland’s widow). The museum’s grand opening was May 8. (Photo: Steve Likens) accompanied by an awards ceremony.

The inaugural inductees included Bessie Smith, Robert Johnson and Hopkins. This year’s honorees are Eric Clapton, Little Richard and Tommy Brown.

Having a Hall of Fame with no brick-and-mortar location isn’t unusual. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted members for years before its museum opened in 1995

in Cleveland, Ohio.

Fund-raising efforts to create the blues hall ramped up in 2011, Sieleman said. Two thirds of the money was raised from donations from blues fans, while the rest came from Memphis foundations and nonprofits, he said.

Rock musicians Sammy Hagar and Steve Miller, plus pop singers John Oates, Dion and Cyndi Lauper, are among the donors, Sieleman

said.

The Blues Foundation moved into a building in the South Main district and built the museum in the remodeled downstairs. The building sits across the street from the National Civil Rights Museum and near art galleries, restaurants and bars just south of the downtown area. The museum is also a short drive from Graceland, Sun Studio, Stax Records and other music-related tourist spots.

The museum holds clothing, paintings, bronze busts, records and magazines, Sieleman said. There’s also an interactive database where visitors can access biographies, photos, videos, songs and album covers related to specific artists.

Sieleman says most of the people in the blues Hall are African Americans who grew up poor, yet they became masters of one of the world’s most influential musical styles.

“This is a validation of their work,” Sieleman said. “These folks never asked for much in their life and never got much in their life.”

Rush says it’s significant that the Blues Hall of Fame is located in Memphis, where W.C. Handy published the first commercial blues song and B.B. King played his guitar as the “Beale Street Blues Boy.” “It’s way overdue for Memphis, because Memphis has been a place that always embraced the blues, especially the kind that I do, and old guys like myself do,” said Rush.

The New Tri-State Defender

May 14 - 20, 2015

ENTERTAINMENT

Fox’s ‘Empire’ just got bigger Chris Rock, Alicia Keys join season 2 of the hit series

by Chris Witherspoon theGrio

Network executives have announced that season 2 of the groundbreaking musical drama “Empire” will be a whopping 18 episodes, as opposed to the 12 episodes that debuted during the show’s first season this year.

“Empire” season 2 will debut in early fall and Fox plans to divide the 18-episode run into two halves.

Fox also revealed that a few new Hollywood A-listers would be joining the cast of “Empire” for season 2.

“The network has enlisted actor-comedian Chris Rock, pop star Alicia Keys and singer and “Hunger Games” actor Lenny Kravitz for roles next season,” Fox TV chairman and CEO Dana Walden announced to advertisers in New York on Monday.

“Every Secret Thing,” a crime film directed by Amy J. Berg and written by Nicole Holofcener, stars Nate Parker and based on the 2004 novel of the same name written

by Laura Lippman. (Courtesy photo)

by Kam Williams

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

For movies opening May 15, 2015 BIG BUDGET FILMS “Mad Max: Fury Road” (R for disturbing images and pervasive intense violence) Tom Hardy plays the title character in this reboot of the apocalyptic sci-fi franchise as a warrior haunted by his turbulent past who joins forces with a group fleeing across the barren desert to escape a despicable tyrant (Hugh Keays-Byrne). Co-starring Charlize Theron, Zoe Kravitz, Adelaide Clemens and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley.

“Pitch Perfect 2” (PG-13 for profanity and sexual innuendo) Female empowerment sequel finds the humiliated acapella group, The Bellas, reuniting to restore their dignity in the World Championship competition. Ensemble includes Anna Kendrick, Elizabeth Banks, Hailee Steinfeld, Rebel Wilson, Brittany Snow and Katey Sagal.

INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS “Absolution” (R for profanity, drug use and graphic violence) Steven Seagal stars in this action thriller as a contract killer who comes to the assistance of a woman (Adina Stetcu) on the run from a politically-connected mobster (Vinnie Jones). With Maria Bata, Byron Mann and Josh Barnett.

“Childless” (R for profanity, sexual references and drug use) Otherworldly dramedy about a recently-deceased teen (Natalie Dreyfuss) who tries to set the record straight from the grave after the adults in her life (Joe Man-

Page 9

(Follow theGrio.com’s Entertainment Editor Chris Witherspoon on Twitter @WitherspoonC.) tegna, Barbara Hershey, Diane Verona and James Naughton) start reciting self-serving accounts of the family dynamic. Cast includes Jordan Baker, Scott F. Anderson and Trevor Trout.

“Dark Star” (Unrated) Reverential biopic about H.R. Giger (1940-2014), the Oscar-winning special f/x wiz best known for his work in the Alien and Species film franchises. (In Swiss German with subtitles) “Every Secret Thing” (R for profanity and disturbing images) Adaptation of Laura Lippman’s novel of the same name starring Elizabeth Banks and Nate Parker as detectives playing a game of cat-and-mouse with a couple of recently-paroled child killers (Dakota Fanning and Danielle Macdonald) and one’s overprotective mother (Diane Lane). With Colin Donnell, Common, Amy Tribbey and Jaden Michael.

“Forbidden Films” (Unrated) Holocaust documentary analyzing 40 Nazi movies still banned because of their offensive and inflammatory content, including such anti-Semitic pictures as “The Eternal Jew,” “The Rothchilds” and “Jew Suss.” (In German with subtitles) “Good Kill” (R for violence, rape, profanity and sexuality) Afghan War drama examining the toll that bombing the Taliban by drones takes on a former fighter pilot (Ethan Hawke).

With Zoe Kravitz, January Jones and Bruce Greenwood.

“I’ll See You in My Dreams” (PG-13 for sexuality, drug use and brief profanity) Romantic dramedy revolving around a retired widow in her seventies (Blythe Danner) who gets another shot at love when she meets a

velvet-voiced gentleman (Sam Elliott) at a speed-dating event. Support cast includes Martin Starr, Rhea Perlman, June Squibb, Malin Akerman and Mary Kay Place.

“Know How” (Unrated) Musical-driven drama relating the real-life plight of five teens being raised in the NYC foster care system.

Co-starring Deshawn Brown, Niquana Clark, Michael Dew, Gilbert Howard and Gabrielle Garcia.

“One Cut, One Life” (Unrated) Veteran filmmaker Ed Pincus (1938-2013), considered the “Father of the Personal Documentary,” turned the camera on himself to shoot this biopic after being diagnosed with a terminal illness. Featuring appearances by Paul Giamatti and relatives Jane and Ruth Pincus.

“Our Man in Tehran” (Unrated) Iran Revolution documentary chronicling the critical role played by Canada’s Ambassador Ken Taylor in the rescue of a half-dozen Americans who took refuge in his nation’s embassy during the 1979 hostage crisis.

Chris Rock

The groundbreaking musical drama “Empire”

“The Surface” (Unrated) Seafaring saga about a pilot (Chris Mulkey) and sailor’s (Sean Astin) struggle to survive after a boat collides with the wreckage of single engine plane floating in the middle of Lake Michigan. With Mimi Rogers, Chike Johnson and Elvis Thao.

“Where Hope Grows” (PG-13 for brief profanity, an accident scene, mature themes, teen sexuality and underage drinking) Tale of redemption about a self-destructive, former pro football player (Kristoffer Polaha) who gets a big lesson in life after befriending a grocery store clerk (David DeSanctis) with Down Syndrome. Supporting cast includes Danica McKellar, William Zabka and Kerr Smith.

Alicia Keys

May 14 - 20, 2015

Page 10

COMMUNITY

BRIEFS & THINGS

GJJD BLUE & YJU

Sergeant Craig Littles

Golf chipping event to support SCS anti-bullying Shelby County Schools (SCS) and the Shelby County Interscholastic Athletic Association (SCIAA) are encouraging all golfers in the area to come out for a great day on the greens in support of local youth. The “Chipping for Children Golf Classic: Best Ball Golf Scramble” will take place June 5 at Tunica National golf resort in Robinsonville, MS. The event will support the District’s anti-bullying programs.

Registration is available through June 1 for individuals and teams, and there are multiple corporate sponsorship opportunities. Registration fees include lunch, 18 holes with cart and a player gift package. There will also be prizes for putting, longest drive and more. Lunch will start at 10:30 a.m., and registration begins at 11 a.m. Tee time is noon.

The “Chipping for Children Golf Classic: Best Ball Golf Scramble” is sponsored by Well Child. The event is part of the District’s commitment to building stronger communities through sport and healthy lifestyles.

For more information, contact Tongela Taylor, (901) 4169941 or taylortl2@scsk12.org.

BRIEFLY: Rep. G.A. Hardaway and Genetic Sports will co-host a Youth Concussion Awareness Luncheon on May 15 at 11 a.m. at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital at 848 Adams. Presenters will share the latest concussion legislation, research and treatment strategies, with time allotted for a Q&A session.

BRIEFLY: With a rally that kicks off in the Bluff City and ends in Dollywood, Memphis is showcasing its newest public refueling station for compressed natural gas, sending a fleet of 20 trucks on tour. The celebration starts at 10 a.m.

May 18 with the grand opening of South Center Fueling Station at 3071 S. Center Rd. The public filling station is a part of Memphis Light, Gas and Water’s South Service Center, which is off Brooks Rd, and U.S. 61. The rally highlights the advantages of compressed natural gas as an alternative fuel source.

The New Tri-State Defender

that some offenders are salvageable and security on our part and educating the public on the other hand helps everyone be able to move forward in the best way possible.”

(Just as a neighborhood should not be judged by the actions of a few bad apples, neither should law enforcement agencies. The New Tri-State Defender’s “Good Blue & You” column spotlights law enforcement officers who do it right. This week’s focus is on Sergeant Craig Littles.)

KC: And Memphis Bears Inc.?

SCL: As I sat in my foxhole in a monsoon in Desert Storm I asked God that if he got me out of this war then please show me what he would have me to do. So when I got home I started the organization Memphis Bears Inc. with roughly 20 kids in 1996 and to date has had over 300 kids come through the program with at least 100 adult volunteers. We work with 5- to 14-year-old boys and girls who play on our sports teams and compete on a national level. We encourage them to also compete in their classrooms for the highest grades possible. We travel and expose them to things outside of their city.

We currently are raising funds to give them an after-school program so that these kids will have places to go and interact with other kids in a safe and controlled environment. We have had many good kids come through this program such as Cassius Vaughn of the Indianapolis Colts, Brandon Ivory from the University of Alabama, Sam Craft of the University of Memphis and various firefighters and police officers that came through the program as well.”

A

24-year veteran of the Memphis Police Department, Sergeant Craig Littles began his law enforcement career as a patrolman out of the North Precinct, where he was assigned to the high schools and public housing division.

While growing up he wouldn’t let his neighborhood’s often bad opinion of police officers detour his dream of becoming one and instead kept his vision close to his heart.

After a military career (1987-91) that included a social education stay in Germany, Desert Storm duty and time with the National Guard, Sgt. Littles was able to draw upon those experiences and says they helped him become the police officer he is now.

Today he is Sex Crimes investigator.

Sergeant Craig Littles: I always wanted to help people that couldn’t help themselves. My family came from Chicago but I grew up in North Memphis in the Ridge Crest Apartments.

During that time the public perception of officers was really bad and I wanted to grow up to be one of the officers that made it good.

Kelvin Cowans: With your military career behind you at that point, what from that experience helped you become a good officer?

SCL: Actually when I was stationed in Germany I learned a lot about the social ability of the different races; it wasn’t that bad. One big difference for me was the language, as I spoke English and of course they spoke German. But as far as racism, it wasn’t there.

Truthfully, they treated you better there than we were treated back home in America. There was one time I remember being in a certain part of Germany where a young man walked up to me and rubbed my skin. He then turned to his mother and asked her does that rub off, as if I was wearing paint or something. He had never saw a black person before. That was eye popping for me.

KC: Speaking of eye popping, Desert Storm had to be pretty challenging.

SCL: Yes, because we thought we

Sgt. Craig Littles started the organization Memphis Bears Inc. with roughly 20 kids in 1996. Over 300 young people have come through the program, with at least 100 adult volunteers. (Photo: Kelvin Cowans) weren’t coming home. Before going off to war you do a lot of training and you really don’t know what it’s about until you go. So prior to leaving you’re issued these dog tags and they are so that your body parts can be identified in case of death. Also in your backpack they give you a body bag so that your fellow soldiers can have something to place your body in for transporting.

There was a lot that I didn’t know, but I grew up quickly.”

KC: We salute you sir. You made a comment earlier as we got ready for this interview that as an officer you

wanted to save somebody every day.

How does that pertain to the Memphis Bears Inc. that you founded in 1996 and is getting ready to celebrate its SCL: I save people every day by doing my job. As an investigator we have to make sure that the sex offenders are living where they are suppose to live and doing the things they are suppose to do as far as reporting in to our agency, as this keeps the public safe everyday. I think that we should also put more information on the Offenders Registry website so the public can have more details of the different levels and types of offenders. I believe

KC: What does your family think about the great things you’re doing in this community.

SCL: They love it because they can see that I love it. I think I’m rubbing off on them a little bit. My twins Morgan and Branson are graduating from high school this weekend from Memphis Business Academy. Brandon wants to become a Marine and Morgan wants to become a forensic pathalogist, as if I know what that is. Then there’s Yarkeva, who is a senior at U.T. Knoxville (and) works with special needs children. I have to say that I am proud of all of them.”

KC: They are all choosing a life of service, which makes me believe that they are proud of you as well.

(To donate or volunteer for Memphis Bears Inc. Please email mphsbearsinc@aol.com.)

(Please Join Good Blue & You Facebook Fan Page! Kelvin Cowans can be reached at (kelvincowans@hotmail. com)

Men-Nefer project looks to historian to reconnect Memphis communities

by Wiley Henry

whenry@tsdmemphis.com

Dr. Ashra Kwesi, dubbed a “master teacher and griot,” will be in Memphis Saturday (May 16) to impart a little wisdom on the origin of African civilization at the Martin Luther King Jr. Labor Center (AFSCME), 485 Beale St. A resident of Dallas, Kwesi will lecture on the “The Afrikan Origins of Civilization; Unlocking The Afrikan Genius From Books in Stones.” Presented by Men-Nefer Productions and Java Complex, the lecture will start at 4 p.m. Ad-

mission is $20, which includes live dance performances, spoken word art, poetry, food and music.

“We’re bringing in someone with information, knowledge of Egypt and the origin of African people,” said Titus Robinson, a recent graduate of the University of Memphis who teamed with Malcolm Robinson, his brother, Terrence Wilson and others to launch the Men-nefer Project, a concept that the team developed to foster unity in the Memphis community.

“It’s a grassroots project to try to better people in the city of Memphis,” Robinson said. “We are bridging the gap with this project, because there’s no real connec-

tion in the Memphis community.”

Robinson said Memphis is strategic for Dr. Kwesi’s lecture.

“Memphis was once the capital city of Egypt (KMT) and named in honor of Menes, the ruler who unified Memphis.

Historically, in the Old Kingdom, Memphis was the seat of the administrative and religious power of Ancient Egypt (Kemet).”

Men-Nefer, he added, means “established in beauty,” according to author Anthony T. Browder’s definition in the book “Nile Valley Contributions To CivSEE HISTORIAN ON PAGE 11

Titus Robinson (left), who helped launch Men-Nefer Productions, is bringing in noted historian Dr. Ashra Kwesi on Saturday (May 16) to lecture on the origin of African civilization. (Courtesy photo)

‘Real Men Read…’

Marital bliss...

Wiley Henry, deputy editor of The New Tri-State Defender and volunteer reader for the “Real Men Read” program, read to 3-to-5-year-olds Tuesday morning (May 12) at Renaissance Early Headstart in the South Memphis community. Rev. Marlon Foster (seated left), CEO and founder of Knowledge Quest, followed Henry with a enticing story about dinosaurs. “Real Men Read” is a monthly outreach (mobile) program of male volunteer readers who visit childcare centers to promote reading to 3-to-5-year-olds living in low-income areas of South Memphis. The program, launched eight years ago, is the brainchild of Inger Upchurch, manager of Cornelia Crenshaw and Gaston Park libraries. (Photo: Inger Upchurch)

Lester D. Benton and the former Cherae L. Davis expressed their love for each other during their wedding celebration Saturday (May 2) at Overton Park Formal Gardens, 1914 Poplar Ave. The pouring of sand is symbolic of one. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley)

The New Tri-State Defender

May 14 - 20, 2015

Page 11

COMMUNITY

‘Lunch with Legends’ strengthens LeMoyne-Owen’s tapestry

by Paula Anderson

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

The title was direct and on point: Lunch with Legends.

Held last Friday (May 8) on the campus of The LeMoyne-Owen College (LOC), the event was a vehicle for the HBCU to honor living alumni legends for their contributions during the 1950s and 1960s.

The focus was on the stories of five standouts, with alumni from various classes gathered in Brownlee Hall to listen to and learn from the honorees.

Each had a valuable experience to share with the audience, with stories shared about civil rights, football and racial barriers. The overall message was the impact that LOC made in their lives.

The legendary alumni were Tenn. State Rep. Johnnie R. Turner (Class of ’61), Velma Lois Jones (’52), Marie Bradford (’52), Maynard Jordan (’50) and Willis Dandridge (’50.

A first generation college graduate, Turner said, “I am what I am because of the grace of God and LOC.” As a working student, Turner risked her job to take part in the sit-in movement. An instructor told her, “You will ruin your future and will never be able to get a job.”

Now the representative for District 85 after a long run as executive director of the Memphis Branch NAACP, Turner said, “We are still fighting the same issues that were prevalent during the sit-in movement, like racial inequality and inadequate educational resources for people of color.”

LOC gave her “a chance”

The “Legends” honored last week at The LeMoyne-Owen College were Willis Dandridge, Velma Lois Jones, Marie Bradford, Maynard Jordan and Johnnie R. Turner. (Courtesy photo) and she believes it can help to mentor students. “It is time to save a generation,” said Turner.

Clarence Christian, president of National Alumni Association, said, “The Lunch with Legends was aimed to share the personal stories of alumni from earlier eras in the history of the College. Their stories are some of the threads that create the tapestry that is

LeMoyne-Owen College.”

Bradford’s story included marching with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and supporters to Morgan City, Miss. Velma Lois Jones and other friends stimulate her to march.

Bradford reflected on businesses burning in South Memphis during the civil rights period and made the connection to the recent riots in Baltimore.

“Marching should be done peacefully,” she said.

Active during the civil right movement, Jones said, “I had no deficiency after leaving LOC and was able to attend Columbia University.

Legends Jackson and Dandridge were football players at LOC. Maynard was a quarterback and Willis was a wide receiver.

The luncheon was part of an eventfilled weekend for LOC, including commencement where Democratic Party strategist and political commentator Donna Brazile delivered the keynote address.

(Paula Anderson is a freelance writer. She can be reached writingbydesign7@gmail.com.)

Two emerge as finalists as LOC seeks a new president

Dr. Ashra Kwesi, a historian and lecturer of African history, civilization, religion and culture, will be in Memphis Saturday to talk about the origin of African civilization.

HISTORIAN

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10 ilization.”

“We want to create a network or platform for the city of Memphis to develop a KMT-Unity (Black Unity),” said Robinson. “This network will provide us with the awareness of Black-Afrikan-owned businesses to support and black economical and spiritual empowerment.”

He said the mission is to cast a bright light on black businesses, such as bookstores, cafés, restaurants, radio stations, etc., that are owned and operated by black business owners and entrepreneurs.

“We are creating a social network for people to have greater access to the various talents and skills that many of our people possess within the city of Memphis. We are creating an avenue to provide an environment for people of like minds.”

The last one…

LOC President Johnnie B. Watson and Robert Lipscomb, board of trustees chairman, confer during commencement exercises. It will be the last for Watson as president of the College. His retirement is effective June 30.

About Ashra Kwesi Dr. Ashra Kwesi is a historian and lecturer of African history, civilization, religion and culture. He studies extensively and travels abroad quite frequently to the African continent. He spent 14 years as an apprentice in Kemet (Egypt) to the renowned African Kemetologist, Dr. Yosef ben Jochannan, also known as Dr. Ben. Dr. Kwesi also performed extensive field research in Sudan, Ethiopia and Kenya with Dr. Ben and now continues Dr. Ben’s legacy of educating African American people on the African Nile Valley.

For more information, visit www.menneferproject.com or call 901-864-5008.

Look to the future…

Democratic Party strategist and political commentator Donna Brazile delivered the keynote address for The LeMoyne-Owen College during commencement 2015 at Temple of Deliverance Church of God in Christ, 369 G. E. Patterson Ave., on Saturday. (Photos: Shirley Jackson)

Open forums with stu- ecutive vice president for dents, faculty, staff and Academic and Student Afalumni recently greeted fairs at Southwest Tennestwo candidates who want see Community College, to become the 12th presi- where she was responsible dent of The LeMoyne-Ow- for strategic planning and en College (LOC). Another institutional research. round of talks is set for May As the Chancellor of 20-21 as the selection pro- Baton Rouge Community cess continues to choose a College, Miller provides successor to outgoing Pres- leadership to a merger with ident Johnnie B. a technical colWatson. lege. The merger The two finaltransforms BRCC ists are Dr. Anfrom a two year drea Lewis Miller, college with a chancellor of Baprimary focus on ton Rouge Comtransfer programs munity College, to a comprehenand Dr. Russell sive 6-campus “Russ” Wigginton, community colvice president for lege with an emExternal Programs phasis on transfer, at Rhodes Colcareer, technical Dr. Andrea lege. When they Lewis Miller and workforce return to the LOC development procampus Miller and grams.

Wigginton will As Rhodes Colengage in forums lege’s vice presiwith elected offident for External cials, community Programs, Wigleaders and memginton helps esbers from the faith tablish and impleand business comment institutional munities. strategy for the The LOC Board college’s engageof Trustees will ment in Memphis meet with Milland beyond. He Dr. Russell er and Wigginton also oversees col“Russ” following the folege grants, founWigginton rums, with a sedations and govlection anticipated ernment relations, in June. Watson, who has career services and the censerved as president since ter for life-long learning.

2008, announced last June Wigginton earned his that he planned to retire doctorate in history at the this year, effective June 30. University of Illinois at UrA presidential search bana-Champaign. Earlier, committee recommend- he graduated from Rhodes ed Miller and Wigginton College with a Bachelor of to the college’s board of Arts in History. trustees. Aided by the exSpecializing in Afriecutive search firm Green- can-American and comwood/Asher & Associ- munity history, Wigginates, the search committee ton taught in the Rhodes sought to identify a broad Department of history for range of highly qualified eight years (1996-2004). candidates from around For two years, he served the country. as special Assistant to the Miller, who has a doctor- President for Community ate in cell and developmen- Relations before a 5-year tal biology from Atlanta stint as vice president for University, got her Bach- College Relations. elor of Science in Biology NOTE: Both candidates’ from LOC. She has 20- biographical sketches, plus years of experience in along with Miller’s curhigher education, includ- riculum vitae and Wiggining 6 years as LOC’s vice ton’s resume, are available president for Academic Af- online at www.loc.edu., fairs/Dean of Faculty. She where more information devoted another six years about the college also is to serving as provost/ex- available.

May 14 - 20, 2015

Page 12

Legal Notices

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS OF ROAD CONSTRUCTION BIDS TO BE RECEIVED ON JUNE 5, 2015

Sealed Bids will be received by City of Germantown, 1930 South Germantown Road, Germantown, TN 38138 until 2:00 p.m. (Central Time) June 5, 2015 and opened publicly at Council Chambers, City of Germantown at that hour. The reading of the bids will begin at 2:05 p.m.

The City of Germantown, Tennessee, an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer, seeks to retain the services of a Prime Contractor to provide various construction services related to the Wolf River Boulevard Repaving project (described in greater detail below). This is a Local Surface Transportation Program (STP) funded project under the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) Locally Managed Program. This project shall adhere to all applicable Federal and State procedures and regulations. The Prime Contractor must prequalify with the Department of Transportation in accordance with Section 54-5-117 of the “Tennessee Code Annotated” and Tennessee Department of Transportation Rule 1680-5-3 prequalification of contractors before biddable proposals will be furnished. Bids will not be accepted from a contractor that is not on TDOT’s pre-qualified list: http://www.tdot.state.tn.us/construction/ prequal/prequal.pdf.

The Wolf River Boulevard Repaving project involves pavement milling, demolition, reconstruction of the existing pavement and sub-base and overlay of the milled areas. All work is to take place within existing rights-of-way. The project is bounded by Germantown Road on the west and Kimbrough Road on the east (approximately 0.33 miles).

A non-mandatory pre-bid conference will be held at 10:00 AM, May 28, 2015, at the Department of Economic and Community Development office, 1920 Germantown Road South, Germantown, TN 38138.

The City of Germantown hereby notifies all bidders that an 8% Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) goal has been set for this project and must be met or exceeded.

Bidding documents ($25) may be purchased from Ms. Lisa A. Piefer, City of Germantown Procurement Director at (901) 757-7260.

The New Tri-State Defender

CLASSIFIEDS THE NEW TRI-STATE DEFENDER CLASSIFIEDS 203 Beale Street, Suite 200 Memphis, TN 38103 PH (901) 523-1818 FAX (901) 578-5037 HOURS: Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

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Rates are non-commissionable and are quoted at the net rate. No refund for early cancellation.

For additional information contact Sales Dept. at (901) 746-5201 or email: advertising@tsdmemphis.com The City of Germantown 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.

The City of Germantown 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.

NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY

BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. § 67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: 1. Purchaser: David Moore Tax Parcel # 07009100000020 Tax Sale #1002 Exhibit #1483 Price Offered: $1,000.00

Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) days of the initial publication of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 9:30 a.m. on June

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All ads subject to credit approval. The New Tri-State 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 changes. Deadlines for cancellation are identical to placement deadlines. Rates subject to change.

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1, 2015, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort.

SHELBY COUNTY LAND BANK 584 ADAMS AVENUE, MEMPHIS, TN 38103 MIKE BLACKWELL (901) 222-2581 NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY

BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. § 67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: 1. Purchaser: CN & T International Corp.

Tax Parcel # 04507700000180 Tax Sale #1002 Exhibit #936 Price Offered: $6,300.00

Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) days of the initial publication of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 9:00 a.m. on June 4, 2015, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort.

SHELBY COUNTY LAND BANK

NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY

BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. § 67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: 1. Purchaser: CN & T International Corp.

Tax Parcel # 06004400000070 Tax Sale #1003 Exhibit #13125 Price Offered: $5,400.00

Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) days of the initial publication of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 9:15 a.m. on June 4, 2015, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort.

SHELBY COUNTY LAND BANK 584 ADAMS AVENUE, MEMPHIS, TN 38103 MIKE BLACKWELL (901) 222-2581 NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY

BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. § 67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: 1. Purchaser: CN & T International Corp.

Tax Parcel # 05203300000220 Tax Sale #1003 Exhibit #11335 Price Offered: $5,850.00

Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) days of the initial publication of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 9:30 a.m. on June 4, 2015, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort.

SHELBY COUNTY LAND BANK 584 ADAMS AVENUE, MEMPHIS, TN 38103 MIKE BLACKWELL (901) 222-2581

NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY

BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. § 67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: 1. Purchaser: CN & T International Corp.

Tax Parcel # 02504000000120 Tax Sale #1003 Exhibit #2635 Price Offered: $5,400.00

Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) days of the initial publication of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 9:45 a.m. on June 4, 2015, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort.

SHELBY COUNTY LAND BANK 584 ADAMS AVENUE, MEMPHIS, TN 38103 MIKE BLACKWELL (901) 222-2581

NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY

BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. § 67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: 1. Purchaser: Joseph Brown Tax Parcel # 05006400000010 Tax Sale #1002 Exhibit #1098 Price Offered: $3,600.00

Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) days of the initial publication of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 9:00 a.m. on May 28, 2015, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort.

SHELBY COUNTY LAND BANK 584 ADAMS AVENUE, MEMPHIS, TN 38103 MIKE BLACKWELL (901) 222-2581

A SHOW OF RECOGNITION

Dr. Charles Champion was showered with applause and well-wishes from family and friends after the Memphis City Council adopted a resolution approving an honorary street name change for him on May 5. The resolution was submitted by District 7 Councilman Berlin Boyd (right). (Photos: Tyrone P. Easley)

Harry and Cornelia Durham accepted a proclamation honoring the late Dr. Charles L. Dinkins Sr. on behalf of First Baptist Church, Lauderdale, where he served as pastor for many years. Council Edmund Ford Jr. submitted the resolution.

SAYING THANKS TO TEACHERS

M-SCEA President Keith Williams (right) joins with Futrell Redditt (left) and Damon The Memphis-Shelby County Education Association held its 36th Annual National Williams in saluting the group’s scholarship recipients at the National Teacher Day Teacher Day Banquet at the Hilton Memphis on May 8. Myrtle B. Malone, whose Banquet. education career spans 42 years, was among the retirees recognized by M-SCEA. Also pictured (l-r) are keynote speaker Damon Williams, who was introduced by Futrell Redditt. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley)

SPORTS The New Tri-State Defender, May 14 - 20, 2015, Page 13

GRIZZ TRACK

No Allen, big problem for the Grizzlies Memphis loses Game 5; Game 6 Friday at FedExForum Grizzlies-Warriors, Box

by Josh Dubow Associated Press

OAKLAND, Calif. – The Memphis Grizzlies figured Tony Allen’s absence would hurt on the defensive end.

They hoped that Jeff Green and Vince Carter could make up for the defensive stopper’s injury on the offensive end.

Instead Green and Carter struggled to make shots and Marc Gasol was unable to dominate inside as the Grizzlies fell 98-78 to the Golden State Warriors in Game 5 of their second-round series on Wednesday night.

“Once a guy doesn’t play you don’t look for another guy to do what Tony Allen does, because Tony Allen has a special talent,” Gasol said. “If you bring somebody else that has different talent that can bring something different to the party.”

That didn’t happen and now the Grizzlies head home for Game 6 trailing the best-ofseven series 3-2 and uncertain whether Allen’s sore left hamstring will be healthy enough for him to play Friday night.

Allen’s was relegated to cheerleader status and he spent much of the game exhorting his teammates from the bench in a suit instead of frustrating the Warriors.

“That had nothing to do with us putting the ball in the basket,” Carter said. “That had nothing to do with us not being on the same page together. We can’t use that as an excuse. I refuse to let us use that as excuse.

MEMPHIS (78)

Je.Green 5-13 0-0 10, Randolph 6-12 0-0 13, Gasol 8-22 2-2 18, Conley 5-10 3-3 13, C.Lee 3-3 0-0 7, Udrih 1-2 0-0 3, Carter 3-10 1-1 8, Koufos 0-4 1-2 1, Calathes 0-2 0-0 0, Adams 1-1 1-2 3, Smith 0-0 0-0 0, Leuer 1-2 0-0 2, Ja.Green 0-2 0-0 0.

Totals 33-83 8-10 78.

GOLDEN STATE (98)

Barnes 4-8 3-5 14, D.Green 3-9 1-1 7, Bogut 3-7 0-0 6, Curry 6-16 0-0 18, Thompson 7-16 4-4 21, Iguodala 7-10 0-0 16, Livingston 3-4 0-0 6, D.Lee 3-7 0-0 6, Ezeli 0-0 0-0 0, McAdoo 2-2 0-0 4, Barbosa 0-1 0-0 0, Holiday 0-1 0-0 0, Rush 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 38-81 8-10 98.

Memphis Golden State

3-Point Goals_Memphis 4-15 (Randolph 1-1, Udrih 1-1, C.Lee 1-1, Carter 1-6, Calathes 0-1, Ja.Green 0-1, Conley 0-2, Je.Green 0-2), Golden State 14-30 (Curry 6-13, Thompson 3-4, Barnes 3-5, Iguodala 2-3, D.Green 0-5). Fouled Out_None. Rebounds_ Memphis 48 (Gasol 12), Golden State 49 (Bogut 9). Assists_ Memphis 21 (Gasol 6), Golden State 28 (D.Green 9). Total Fouls_Memphis 17, Golden State 13. A_19,596 (19,596).

(AP)

Tony Allen has a handful for Andre Iguodala and Golden State in Game 3 at the FedExForum. Now nursing a hamstring injury, Memphis chances of surviving the semi-finals is ailing also. (Photo: Warren Roseborough) He gives us a major boost. Yes he does. As much as he means to us, we still have to match the level of intensity regardless.”

Green started in Allen’s place and scored 10 points on 5-for13 shooting. Carter was even worse, missing 7 of 10 shots and scoring just eight points as the

Memphis head coach Dave Joerger had given his Grizzlies a history lesson reminding them of previous blown 2-1 leads in the postseason. It didn’t help.

On Monday night against the Golden State Warriors at the FedExForum, the Grizzlies lost their fourth straight Game 4 (101-84), the third of those on their own court. They just didn’t play with the same defensive intensity as the last two games.

“We lost our composure early in the first half, especially in the first quarter,” Joerger said. “We needed to keep that closer in the first quarter. We had a chance there. Our offense really struggled tonight, and it put our defense in a bad way.”

Instead, it was the Warriors beating the Grizzlies to nearly every loose ball, scrapping to keep their dream season from falling to the brink of elimination. They got back their offensive rhythm as well leading by as many as 26 points, and they had their best game shooting outside the arc knocking down

Grizzlies failed to get the offensive boost they had expected.

Gasol shot just 8 for 22 and the 13-point lead the Grizzlies built in the first quarter behind a fast start by Zach Randolph was erased with a 16-2 run capped by Stephen Curry’s 3-pointer in the closing sec-

onds that gave Golden State the lead for good.

“We just got a little careless,” point guard Mike Conley said.

“We lost focus. We let their stars get too many easy looks. Once that happens they got a little rhythm. It’s tough to come back, especially when they’re playing

at home.”

Allen missed the final nine games of the regular season with the hamstring injury. Coach Dave Joerger said Allen re-aggravated the injury in Game 3 and was limited to four points on 2-for-9 shooting in 16 minutes in a Game 4 loss that left the series tied at two games apiece.

In Game 4, the Warriors often left Allen open on the perimeter so center Andrew Bogut could be a help-side defender and double-team Gasol and Zach Randolph in the paint.

GAME 4 RECAP

by Teresa M. Walker Associated Press

25 16 16 21—78 26 23 25 24—98

Grizzlies fall to Warriors in Game 4

With Beno Udrih of the Grizzlies on the deck, Golden State’s Stephen Curry eyes the loose ball, and Draymond Green helps the referee with the turnover call.

Golden State evened the series 2-2, defeating Memphis 101-84. (Photo: Warren Roseborough) 14 3s to overcome 21 turnovers.

“We got into scramble mode too early defensively,” Grizz

center Marc Gasol said.

Golden State’s head coach Steve Kerr challenged his Warriors to ratchet up the intensity to playoff-level. With MVP Stephen Curry leading the way, they responded and looked like the team that cruised through the regular season.

Curry scored 21 of his 33 points by halftime, and the Warriors snapped their twogame skid by routing the Grizzlies to tie the Western Conference semifinals at 2-2.

“Tonight we took a step towards understanding that sense of urgency and kind of competitiveness and physicality to the game,” Kerr said. “It was probably our most competitive effort, definitely of the series, but probably of the playoffs just in terms of understanding you got to play every second.”

The Warriors hadn’t lost three straight games all season, and they never came

close as they took back homecourt advantage. Curry hadn’t scored more than 23 points in a game in this series, and he nearly had that by halftime.

Draymond Green had 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Warriors while Klay Thompson had 15 points, Harrison Barnes 12 and Andre Iguodala 11.

“We set the tone the first quarter and kept the foot on the gas pedal the whole way, and that’s how we play,” Curry said.

Gasol had 19 points and 10 rebounds for Memphis while Zach Randolph had 12 points and 11 rebounds. Mike Conley finished with 10 points and seven assists but was 4 of 15 from the field. Memphis pulled its starters with 3:00 left.

“This series could have been close to over if we hadn’t come out like we were supposed to tonight,” Warriors center Andrew Bogut said.

“You know it’s never over until the end, but being down 3-1

Allen had dominated the previous two games defensively to help Memphis take a 2-1 series lead. He helped hold Klay Thompson in check on the perimeter and the players he guarded shot just 29.6 percent overall.

Thompson didn’t go off in Allen’s absence like he did late in the regular season when he scored 42 points and made 8 of 10 3-pointers in a Golden State win on April 13. But he did score 21 points to lead the Warriors.

going home is a pretty tough task, so 2-2 right now in a three-game series and we like our chances.”

Green looked like the forward who got the most firstplace votes for defensive player of the year. He teamed with Bogut and Barnes making the night miserable for Randolph and Gasol with Bogut roving over to the paint while nominally defending Tony Allen. Green scored eight of Golden State’s first 10 points.

Memphis led only briefly with its last at 9-8 and never got within double digits in the second half.

The Warriors took control with a 16-6 run that made it 34-24 early in the second quarter, their biggest lead since the opener of this series.

Curry didn’t take his first shot until 3:30 left in the first quarter, and he missed his first 3 along with a layup. He settled down and had seven points by the end of the period, including a 27-footer giving Golden State a 28-20 lead at the end of the frame. The Warriors outscored Memphis 33-24 in the second, taking a 61-44 halftime lead.

GAME 3

Zbo goes from ‘just a kid’ to low-post nightmare for the Warriors’ Kerr

by Kelley D. Evans kdevans@tsdmemphis.com

Zach Randolph – the strong forward element in the Grizzlies “smash” attack – once was a teammate of Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr. Dipping back into his memory of his days with the Portland Trailblazers, Kerr painted a picture of the young Z-bo.

“Zach was literally a baby,” said Kerr, a well-traveled guard at the time. “He was just a kid. He had no idea what the NBA was about.”

Speaking at a pre-game press conference at the FedExForum before Randolph, smash brother Marc Gasol and the rest of the Grizzlies grinded out a 9989 victory, Kerr recalled

Kelley D. Evans

that the n o w well-seas o n e d Randolph used to sit in a compartment with him and Chris Dudley w h e n traveling from city to city by

airplane.

“Chris and I were both 37, basically almost retired, and Zach’s questions were fantastic,” said Kerr, recalling questions such as “How much time do we get off for Christmas?”

“He didn’t know. He was just the sweetest, nicest kid.

He had no clue,” said Kerr,

respectful of Randolph’s transition, which he summed up this way: “The fact that he’s gone from this kid who knew nothing about the league to being a leader, not only of his team, but somebody who’s really important here in the community in Memphis.”

Randolph, said Kerr, has “really matured and grown into really a good and a heck of a player.”

Kerr’s former teammate now is one heck of a lowpost problem for the rookie coach’s Warriors. The top seed in the Western Conference playoffs trails the fifth-seeded Grizzlies two games to one, with Game 4 Monday night at a packed FedExForum.

Randolph led all scorers with 22 points in Game 3.

Zach Randolph, whose low-post play has created headaches for Golden State, drives on Festus Ezeli (left) and Harrison Barnes of the Warriors in Game 3 at the FedExForum.

(Photo: Warren Roseborough)

Page 14

May 14 - 20, 2015

The New Tri-State Defender