■■ COMMUNITY
Shelby County Commission approves universal pre-K expansion to include all 3 year olds
By James Coleman Special to The Tri-State Defender
Shelby County commissioners lived up to their end of the bargain Monday, unanimously approving a joint ordinance with the City of Memphis to expand pre-K schooling to include all 3 year olds regardless of income.
“There are many, many factors that go into what makes a child ready for kindergarten and ready for that type of learning,” Thomas said. “So amending things beyond what happens in a classroom — including family and environment and access to food — there are many things that contribute, or not, to whether a child is ready to learn.”
swayed by her argument, approving the amendment with a 7-1 vote. Caswell voted no.
The current contract with First 8 Memphis expires in June. During negotiations for a new contract, the nonprofit will seek an additional $1.5 million to fund expanded programming.
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Currently, public pre-K programming in the county is only offered to 4 year olds. It was the third and final reading of the ordinance. Members voted to suspend the rules to avoid a fourth vote. The measure required a nine-vote majority to pass and cleared the hurdle with an 11-0 vote.
A similar proposal is awaiting a second vote by the Memphis City Council. Before a final vote, the council’s version will also need to be amended. Commissioners also agreed to expand the ordinance’s goal to include 100% of all eligible children.
Commissioner Britney Thornton offered the amendment. The former Memphis-Shelby County Schools teacher said she wanted to align the program’s expectations with those of the school system.
“I taught for seven years. It would never be OK for me to have 90% goals in my classroom,” Thornton said. “It was always taught to me and enforced by the administrations that I worked under to have 100% goals.”
Commissioner Charlie Caswell Jr., chair of the Education Committee, objected. He cited a previous discussion that included exceptions such as children who are homeschooled or have special needs, as well as families who choose to delay their child’s enrollment.
He also expressed concern about “setting the program up to fail” by creating an unreasonably high bar that can’t be mathematically reached, potentially leading future bodies to view the program as unsuccessful.
Kandace Thomas, PhD, executive director of First 8 Memphis, which implements the county’s public pre-K efforts, agreed with Caswell’s concerns.
Thornton pushed back.
“When you’re using language that we’re going to serve all children, 90% does not cast a vision for all children,” she said. “That’s all this is. A goal. It doesn’t guarantee, or stipulate, or require that you have a performance at 90%, or even 100%. It’s a goal. So why can’t we have an all-encompassing goal?”
The majority of commissioners were
Thornton dismissed concerns that the amendment could delay the process. She suggested the Memphis City Council could also suspend the rules to avoid a fourth vote.
First 8 Memphis serves as the program’s fiscal agent. In addition to financing day-to-day operations, the nonprofit can seek loans and grants from federal, state and local agencies, as well as from other public and private sources.
President Calvin Anderson Editor Stephanie R. Jones
Bernice King reflects on the Fair Housing Act, made law after her father’s killing
By Thalia Beaty Associated Press
Bernice King warns decades of work to reduce inequities in housing is at risk, as the Trump administration cuts funding for projects and tries to reduce funding for nonprofits that handle housing discrimination complaints.
“I shudder to think what’s going to happen — there’s still a lot of residential segregation,” King, CEO of The King Center and the youngest daughter of civil rights leaders The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, told The Associated Press. “It’s better than it was during my father’s lifetime. But going forward, we may end up right back where we were in the ‘50s and in the ‘60s. People will feel very emboldened to discriminate because they know there’s nothing there to stop it.”
In February, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development canceled millions of dollars in grants to nonprofits that handle housing discrimination complaints. A judge temporarily froze the terminations, which HUD said targeted funding awards that included diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, language.
The department will uphold the Fair Housing Act and combat discrimination in housing, a HUD official said, adding that no staffing changes specific to the department have been announced.
King said the attacks on what the administration calls DEI look familiar.
“To me, these are those same old historic, divide-and-conquer tactics to try to keep people fighting with each other and keep people separated and keep a certain hierarchy existing in a society,” she said.
Continuing to press to end discrimination in housing
Whenever she can, King said she highlights her father’s legacy pressing
think what’s going to happen — there’s still a lot of residential segregation,” King said.
for economic equality, including speaking Thursday at the Northwest African American Museum in Seattle, near where Habitat for Humanity of Seattle-King & Kittitas Counties is building a new condominium named after MLK.
The 58-unit apartment block is located on Martin Luther King Jr. Way in King County, which is also named for him. Construction on the site has started and units will eventually be sold to buyers at affordable prices.
Seattle Habitat CEO Brett D’Antonio said naming the building after King offered a chance to talk about racial equity in housing, part of Habitat for Humanity’s efforts to raise awareness about fair housing. This includes its April fundraising campaign Home is the Key, in remembrance of the Fair Housing Act’s passage.
“There was just no better opportunity to name the building in honor of Dr. King as we look to the work ahead of
us in tackling affordable housing needs across the country, but also here in Seattle,” he said.
Bernice King remembers when her father moved their family in 1966 to a third-floor walk-up without heat in Chicago. He came to Chicago to try to break through discrimination in housing, which left Black residents paying more in rent for worse conditions than white tenants.
Martin Luther King Jr. campaigned in Chicago, speaking to crowds of tens of thousands around the area and leading a march to City Hall to tape their demands on the front door. A week after he was assassinated in 1968, the Fair Housing Act was signed into law, which prohibited discrimination in housing based on race and other characteristics and created mechanisms to resolve complaints.
She said the dream of fair and equitable housing that the law’s passage
signaled has still not been realized.
“To allow its provisions to be weakened is to betray the commitment and the sacrifices made to realize it,” she said, speaking in Seattle.
Housing inequity continues today
Large discrepancies in homeownership between Black, Hispanic and white Americans persist today, though that is just one measure of inequity in housing access. The National Fair Housing Alliance found housing discrimination complaints reached a record 34,000 in 2023, with most involving rentals and over half having to do with discrimination based on disability.
Diane Levy, who researches housing at the Urban Institute, said she was concerned about who will take future fair housing complaints if funding to nonprofits that handle those complaints is significantly diminished.
“If you experience discrimination, if it’s blatant, that takes a toll,” she said, adding that even unseen discrimination limits where you can live and whether to rent or buy a home, which, in turn, limits where you can work or go to school.
Levy also noted the administration ended federal protections against housing discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Bernice King said this moment calls for creativity and perseverance.
“People feel like it’s okay to discriminate — okay to suppress, oppress and deny,” she said. “It just means those of us who are on the side of standing up for what is right and fighting for freedom, justice and equality, have even more work to do.”
Associated Press coverage of philanthropy and nonprofits receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
Bernice King, CEO of The King Center and youngest daughter of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, warns that decades of work to reduce housing inequities are at risk as the Trump administration cuts funding for equity initiatives and seeks to limit support for nonprofits handling housing discrimination complaints. “I shudder to
(Lauren Gerson/Wikimedia Commons)
■■ NEWS
Michelle Obama: ‘I’m not divorcing Barack — I’m choosing me’
By Stacy M. Brown BlackPressUSA.com
Senior National Correspondent
Former First Lady Michelle Obama is setting the record straight about her marriage, brushing off rumors of a split from former President Barack Obama and calling out the sexist assumptions that fueled them.
In part two of her appearance on the “Work in Progress” podcast hosted by Sophia Bush, Michelle Obama addressed the online speculation that ramped up earlier this year when Barack Obama appeared alone at several high-profile events, including the funeral for former President Jimmy Carter and the inauguration of Donald Trump. Critics quickly jumped to conclusions — but Michelle Obama made it clear that her choices had nothing to do with marital discord.
“This year people couldn’t even fathom that I was making a choice for myself,” Obama said. “They had to assume that my husband and I are divorcing. This couldn’t be a grown woman just making a set of decisions for herself, right?”
She added, “That’s what society does to us. We start actually finally going, ‘What am I doing? Who am I doing this for?’ And if it doesn’t fit into the stereotype of what people think we should do, then it gets labeled as something negative and horrible.”
The bestselling author and former first lady, who spent eight years in the White House without scandal — unless one counts Barack Obama’s infamous tan suit — said her efforts to make room for her voice and decisions have often been misinterpreted. “I feel like it’s time for me to make some big girl decisions about my life and own it fully,” she said. “Because if not now, when? What am I waiting for?
“Look, the summers are — we’re in the summer countdown at 61, right? It’s not so tragic if something happens to
“If there’s one person I can always count on, it’s you, @BarackObama. You’re my rock. Always have been. Always will be.” — Michelle Obama
you and you’re 80. So now is the time for me to start asking myself these hard questions of who do I truly want to be every day?”
Obama also spoke about the discomfort women often feel when asserting themselves. “When I say ‘no,’ for the most part, people are like, ‘I get it,’ and I’m OK,” she said. “That’s the thing that we, as women, I think we struggle with — disappointing people.”
Despite the rumor mill, the Obamas have continued to share affectionate public messages. On Valentine’s Day, Barack posted a photo with Michelle, writing, “Thirty-two years together, and you still take my breath away.” Michelle echoed the sentiment in her post: “If there’s one person I can always count on, it’s you, @BarackObama. You’re my rock. Always have been. Always will be.”
The couple met in 1988 at a Chicago law firm. Michelle, a 25-year-old Harvard Law graduate, was assigned to mentor Barack, then a summer associate finishing law school. They married in 1992 and have two daughters, Malia, 26, and Sasha, 23.
Michelle Obama in 2023 (Wikimedia Commons / Photo by Armando Tinoco)
By Judith Black Moore Special to The Tri-State Defender
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The financial fallout from shifting federal priorities under the Trump administration hit home for some nonprofits earlier this month. Among them was Memphis’ Blues City Cultural Center (BCCC), a staple in the arts community for more than 40 years, which received notice that its grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) had been terminated.
A letter issued to BCCC Executive Director Ayana C. Williams on April 2 cited President Donald Trump’s Feb. 19 executive order, “Commencing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy,” as the basis for an “urgent priority” to eliminate non-statutorily required activities and functions. The NEH stated the decision was necessary “to safeguard the interests of the federal government, including its fiscal priorities.”
The Trump administration’s series of executive orders in early 2025 reprioritized how federal dollars are allocated to education, health and nonprofit initiatives and dismantled key DEI frameworks across federal agencies. The changes are triggering concerns across multiple sectors.
For BCCC, the abrupt cancellation of grant funding means the loss of $25,000 designated for its Storied Place project — an arts and history initiative centered on Orange Mound, the first neighborhood in the United States built by and for Black people.
“This isn’t just a budget cut — it’s a cultural shutdown,” said Williams. “The cancellation of funding for Blues City and other arts organizations counting on NEH funding means removing access to the arts — especially in schools, senior centers and neighborhoods where the-
■■ NEWS
Loss of NEH funding impacts Blues City Cultural Center as other nonprofits brace for impact of policy changes
ater and other creative experiences aren’t convenient. Many people rely on us to bring the arts to their neighborhoods because art transforms lives.”
The organization’s slate of educational programming is rooted in local history, original works and visual storytelling. With the cancellation of funding, they are considering ways to continue planned activities.
“Our role is to amplify community voices through the arts,” she said. “Like other organizations impacted by federal funding shifts, we will have to lean more on community support, identify other revenue sources and be innovative.
“I also hope citizens will reach out to Congressional representatives and remind them not to minimize the importance of arts and culture to humanity when it comes to funding considerations.”
BCCC is just one of many Memphis nonprofits navigating the wave of financial uncertainty as changes in federal policy begin to take root. While some organizations have not yet received direct termination letters, many rely heavily on government-funded partners or programs for operational support.
“We began seeing a gradual reduction in indirect funding in late fall of 2024,” said Judy C. Martin, nurse practitioner and executive director of Alzheimer’s & Dementia Services of Memphis Inc., which provides therapeutic day care for individuals with memory loss — 90 percent of whom are Black.
“If this continues, we will have no choice but to raise prices, increasing the financial burden on caregivers — most of whom are already stretched thin,” Martin said.
Though the center receives no direct federal dollars, about half of its funding is tied to government programs such as Medicaid and agencies like the Depart-
ment of Health and Human Services now under scrutiny or being scaled back in light of broader budget shifts.
“Challenges for Black families living with Alzheimer’s and dementia could be significantly impacted,” said Martin. “Most of these families require some type of governmental support for the therapeutic day care we provide.”
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis, also in Memphis for more than 40 years, has helped low-income residents purchase their first homes and has provided repairs so seniors can remain in their homes. It is uncertain how potential pass-through funding changes will play out for the charity.
“We rarely receive direct federal funding,” said CEO Dwayne Spence, “but we are often a sub-recipient of pass-through funding administered by state and local governments and other organizations. Changes to those funding programs could affect our work in the future.”
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis primarily relies on donations, grants and revenue from its ReStore, but rising building costs — driven in part by tariffs on materials — pose an increasing challenge. “The ever-changing government funding landscape has only strengthened our commitment to expanding our funding streams,” said Spence.
Spence says that increasing costs for building and repair supplies could affect their work in the future. In anticipation, their strategic plan includes strengthening their capacity to serve.
For the Man Up Teacher Fellowship, which funds tuition for aspiring teachers of color in Memphis, concerns about future funding are already beginning to surface.
“We were recently informed that nearly $750,000 in state funding may be cut from our budget request,” said CEO
Patrick Washington. “If this decision is finalized, we will be forced to explore all options, including reducing the number of fellows we can accept this year.”
Washington said the consequences extend beyond classroom staffing. “This is about educational equity, public safety and the future of our schools. We are not just creating teachers — we are investing in Memphis.”
A 2023 report by the National Council of Nonprofits revealed that nearly one in five nonprofit dollars nationwide comes from government sources. For many Black-led and Black-serving organizations in Memphis, that dependency is even greater when accounting for indirect support via local partnerships and grant programs.
Nonprofit leaders across the city are rallying to increase private fundraising and foundation support but agree the stakes are high.
“Relying on government funding is becoming more unpredictable,” said Martin. “We’re adapting, but policymakers must see the real-life consequences of these decisions.”
Despite the uncertainty, nonprofit leaders remain committed to serving the Memphis community. But with each letter like the one BCCC received, the risk of fundamental changes to the services nonprofits provide grows closer to reality. Mitigating that risk, they say, will require increased private-sector support and innovative funding strategies — or simply a reversal of the federal administration’s current viewpoint on priorities.
Ayana C. Williams, executive director for Blues City Cultural Center
■■ COMMUNITY
Dr. Ethelyn WilliamsNeal: A Memphis pediatric legacy retires
By Pamela C. Johnson Special to The Tri-State Defender
After being delivered prematurely following a difficult pregnancy, doctors gave baby Joslynne Moore six months to live. While other doctors recommended sending her to a medical facility for specialized care, her pediatrician, Dr. Ethelyn Williams-Neal, said: “I think she should go home with her family. I think she’ll thrive at home.”
Joslynne did thrive, albeit with some medical disabilities. She is now 18 years old and a high school graduate. She was on hand with her parents, Johnnie and Tantileer Moore, to thank Dr. Williams-Neal Saturday evening. They joined about 200 other people who gathered to celebrate Williams-Neal’s retirement at the Butcher Shop restaurant on Germantown Parkway.
Former employees, patients, colleagues, mentees, church and family members, and others came out to share heartfelt praise and tributes for Williams-Neal, who has overseen the medical care of thousands of patients and “grandpatients” in the nearly 60 years she’s been practicing.
“We owe so much to Dr. Neal,” says Tantileer Moore, Joslynne’s mother. “It was not unusual for her to come to our home to check on Joslynne to save us from making a trip to her office. We’ve all become very close over the years. She’s like family to us.”
Pediatrician Dr. William Terrell recalled how Williams-Neal mentored him as he began his medical career. “We later ended up practicing together. She was one of the hardest-working, most dedicated physicians I know,” Terrell said.
Nurse practitioner Jackie Farris, a
former employee, noted Williams-Neal’s dedication to patient care. Farris recalled how surprised she was to learn the doctor would often share her personal phone number with patients.
“I used to ask her, ‘why are you doing that?’ And she told me she wanted her patients to know they could get in touch with her directly.”
One highlight of the evening was a proclamation from Memphis Mayor Paul Young, acknowledging her many contributions to the Memphis community.
Williams-Neal said she was surprised and touched by the party and the accolades bestowed upon her.
“I didn’t expect all this!” she said. “It’s great to hear people say so many nice things. I’m overwhelmed!”
About her long career, Williams-Neal said, “I just loved being able to help children.”
A graduate of Manassas High School, Williams-Neal earned her bachelor’s degree in medical technology from Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio. Her medical degree is from the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Chicago.
She made history when she became the first African American intern at the City of Memphis Hospitals in 1966. Before going into private practice, Williams-Neal was chair of the Pediatrics Department at St. Joseph Hospital. (St. Joseph merged with Baptist Memorial Health Care in 1997.)
She was also staff physician at the Memphis Health Center, Tufts-Delta Health Center in Mound Bayou, Miss., and Lee County Cooperative Clinic in Marianna, Ark. She spent time as clinical professor of pediatrics at the University of Arkansas for Medical
Sciences and at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee.
Williams-Neal’s service to the community reached beyond medical halls. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. and has been involved in several local organizations including the Memphis Chapter of The Links Inc., the Ashanti Literary Guild and The Society Inc. She has also served on several boards, including those of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and Bluff City Medical Society.
Williams-Neal was born in Mason, Tenn., the second of three sisters. Their father, John Ed Williams, moved his wife Odessa and family to Memphis
while the girls were young, so they could take advantage of more educational opportunities.
To honor their parents’ zeal for education, she and her sisters Willie Mae Williams Crittendon and Dr. Beverly Williams-Cleaves (both deceased) established college scholarship funds at Friendship Baptist Church and Manassas High School, as well as an endowment at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine for aspiring medical students.
Dr. Williams-Neal said her retirement plans include travel and continuing to mentor young medical professionals. “I’ll do whatever I can to help young people as long as I can.”
Dr. William Terrell presents a commemorative photo to Dr. Ethelyn Williams-Neal that shows her with fellow members of the Volunteer State Medical Society. (Photo/ Pamela Johnson)
■■ COMMUNITY
Sista Strut Memphis brings community together for breast cancer awareness
By Brianna Smith-Herman Special to The Tri-State Defender
On a sunny Saturday morning, thousands gathered at Tiger Lane for Sista Strut Memphis, an annual 3K walk that honors breast cancer survivors, raises awareness, and celebrates the strength of Black women. With music, dancing, and a sea of pink and purple, the event radiated joy, resilience, and powerful community spirit.
Now in its 11th year, Sista Strut Memphis continues to unite families, friends, and supporters for a cause that disproportionately affects African American women. Organized by iHeartMedia Memphis, the event featured a lively vendor village, health and wellness resources, and heartfelt tributes to survivors and those lost to the disease.
Among the participants was Kay Young, who perfectly captured the energy of the morning: “We come every year. We celebrate for the people we lost, and we celebrate for the people that are here. And we’re gonna keep strutting, ‘cause that’s what we do!” she said, her words bursting with enthusiasm as she clasped hands with loved ones ready to walk.
Katrina Newsom, a six-year breast cancer survivor, shared how personal the walk is for her:
“It means a lot because I am a breast cancer survivor. This walk means everything to me and my family. It’s a time for us to come out and support the other survivors and all the warriors out there. I would say early detection is key — so please be aware and get your mammo-
grams. It means the world to me for my friends and family to be out here supporting me, which they do all day, every day.”
Sista Strut is more than just a walk — it’s a living celebration of sisterhood and solidarity. From laughter and music to shared tears and tight hugs, the atmosphere at Tiger Lane was electric.
“This right here is sisterhood. This is support. This is strength. This is for all the mothers, sisters, aunties, cousins — this is love in action,” said one participant proudly, pausing to wave at fellow walkers adorned in coordinated shirts and glittered sashes.
Backed by local organizations and sponsors, Sista Strut also serves as an educational platform, providing essential information about early detection, access to screenings, and healthcare resources.
As the walk kicked off and the crowd poured onto East Parkway.
Music thumped and sneakers hit the pavement. It wasn’t just about raising awareness. Proceeds from the walk will benefit Sisters Network of Memphis and S.T.A.A.R.S community health center in Memphis.
Memphis entertainer Chic Rodgers goes pink from hair to toe for her performance at Sista Strut.
Three breast cancer survivors participate in the Sista Strut activities at Tiger Lane Sunday.
Participants line up for the Sista Strut Walk. (Photos: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises/The Tri-State Defender)
Former NBA dancer Craig Wright leads dancers from his line dancing studio.
LIFESTYLE
Singing together, building community: ‘Sing It, Memphis’ brings soul to the riverfront
By Candace A. Gray Special to The Tri-State Defender
On the Memphis riverfront, a new sound is rising. It’s joyful, familiar and characteristically Memphis. This Saturday, April 19, from 5 to 7 p.m., Memphis River Parks Partnership (The Partnership) will launch Sing It, Memphis , a community music series designed to bring Memphians together through the shared power of song.
Set against the backdrop of the reimagined Tom Lee Park, which reopened in 2023 — specifically at “A Monument to Listening”— the kickoff event’s theme is “Spring Sing.” The Partnership invites attendees to belt out feel-good classics, the kind of songs parents might blast on weekend mornings while tidying up the house. Think soul, funk, gospel — all carefully-curated with the spirit of community in mind.
“This isn’t just about music,” said Jasmine Coleman, director of Programming and Engagement for Memphis River Parks Partnership. “Sing It, Memphis” is about community healing, joy and collective expression. It’s a chance to see how powerful we are when we come together, even just for a couple of hours, to do something simple — like sing.”
The event series is curated by singer Keri Lee, whose creative energy has helped shape the project from day one. A Memphis native and seasoned performer, Lee is no stranger to big stages. She will join R&B crooner John Legend on tour later this year. But for her, Sing It, Memphis is every bit as exciting and important as those upcoming arena shows.
“Memphis has a rich, deep musical legacy,” said Lee. “We’re the home of blues and soul music, and the birthplace of rock and roll.
“Voices from Memphis changed the musical landscape of the world. But the most powerful voice is the one we raise together. This series is a tribute to that legacy — and to our future.”
Lee recently returned home after having lived in New York, Los Angeles and Mexico.
“I came home for the holidays, and Memphis wouldn’t let me leave,” said Lee. She expressed her gratitude for being in the right place at the right
time for the opportunity to lead this program.
How Will Sing It, Memphis Flow?
The idea is simple yet powerful: a free, family-friendly, monthly community singing event where everyone is welcome, regardless of his or her vocal chops. There is no stage and no pressure, just a communal space to gather and harmonize. The goal is to foster belonging and connection through something everyone loves: music.
Lee will host Saturday’s inaugural session with help from local gospel sensation, Dani McGhee Barlow. DJ Gee Honey will facilitate the vibes. Attend-
ees can expect curated tracks that spark nostalgia and joy, interwoven with dancing, storytelling, and likely some laughter.
“We picked a few songs that people might know, songs that feel like home,” said Lee. “I want folks to come out, hear that first note, and say, ‘Oh yeah, that was Saturday morning at my mama’s house.’ That’s the vibe we’re going for.”
At Tom Lee Park’s “A Monument to Listening,” the installation provides a symbolic and literal space to be heard, surrounded by sweeping views of the river and the selfless spirit of Tom Lee
“Sing It, Memphis is about reclaiming our public spaces for joy,” said Coleman. “We want this to be a tradition — a monthly moment to connect, reflect and just enjoy being together. This is about harmony, in every way.”
The event Saturday is the first of many planned from now through December, each one centered on a different theme and musical vibe, reflecting the diversity and dynamism of Memphis itself, stated Lee.
“This is just the beginning,” she said. “In the coming months, we will feature guest vocalists and other musical surprises. But the star of this show is the community. Everyone’s voice matters. Everyone belongs.”
For Coleman, Sing It, Memphis is more than a program — it’s part of a movement.
“We believe in Memphis,” said Coleman. “We believe in the power of music to bring people together, to heal and to celebrate who we are. This is just one more way we’re creating inclusive spaces for that to happen.”
Registration for the April 19 event is free and open to the public.
Follow on social: @memriverparks @theekerilee and @singitmemphis on Facebook
www.memphisriverparks.org
Keri Lee leads impromptu singers at the 2024 “Sing It, Memphis” at Tom Lee Park in 2024. The event returns to the park this weekend. (Photos: Sing It, Memphis)
Keri Lee
By Clay Bailey Associated Press
Ja Morant got in trouble again for aiming an imaginary gun to celebrate 3-pointers, so he has gone to a different make-believe violent way to mark a long-distance shot.
The Memphis Grizzlies leading scorer, who was fined $75,000 recently for mimicking pointing a long gun after a basket from outside the arc, acted like he was pulling the pin and tossing a grenade in Thursday night’s 141-125 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Morant, who was 5 of 13 from 3-point range, in some cases even covered his ears after the windmill-like hurl of the invisible explosive.
“That’s my celebration now until somebody else has a problem with it, and I’ll find another one,” Morant said after Thursday’s shootaround.
The league handed down the $75,000 fine on April 4 after Morant twice made what was considered an “inappropriate” imaginary gun-aiming gesture on the court. He was previously warned by the league office that this gesture could be interpreted in a negative light.
The gestures that drew the fine were made by Morant during the Grizzlies’
■■ SPORTS
Morant changes 3-point celebration to pretend grenade toss in light of league fines and warnings
110-108 victory over the Miami Heat on April 3, but it first drew the league’s attention in an April 1 home game against the Golden State Warriors.
That led to the investigation and the warning before Morant did it again against Miami.
The fine was the culmination of several questionable incidents involving firearms. Morant was suspended for 25 games at the start of the 2023-24 season after he was seen on video waving a gun in a car. He previously was suspended eight games after he was seen with a gun in a Denver-area nightspot.
“I wasn’t surprised,” Morant said of the latest fine, “just for showing people what’s pretty much been evident for the last two years.”
But the grenade celebration drew criticism from the TNT studio crew on Thursday night. Kenny Smith noted that Morant “has a history that maybe he shouldn’t be doing that.”
Shaquille O’Neal added: “He knows what he’s doing because y’all are going to keep talking about it.”
As for Charles Barkley, he said the happiest person may be former Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins, fired March 28 because “he ain’t got to deal with this immature stuff.”
“He (Ja Morant) knows what he’s doing because y’all are going to keep talking about it.” — Shaquille O’Neal
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant, fined $75,000 for a gun-like celebration after hitting a 3-pointer, debuted a new gesture — a grenade toss — during a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday, April 11, 2025. “That’s my celebration now until somebody else has a problem with it, and I’ll find another one,” he said. (Noah Smith/Tri-State Defender)
■■ SPORTS Fore!
By Terri Schlichenmeyer Special to The Tri-State Defender
Three hundred thirty-six little pockmarks.
Placed atop a thick sliver of wood, the ball they’re on presents a challenge. Whack that dimpled sphere into 18 holes in the ground, do it in as few swings as possible, and you can ace the game. Do it and, as in the new book, “Together We Roared” by Steve Williams and Evin Priest, you could be a champion of a different stripe.
When the first call came, Steve Williams thought it was a prank. It was a late spring night in 1999 and the voice on the other end of the line identified itself as Tiger Woods. Because Williams had a friend on the golf circuit who did an authentic-sounding Woods impression, Williams hung up the phone.
And the phone rang again. And again. Yes, it was Tiger Woods, who wanted to ask Williams to be his new caddy. Williams said he wanted to think about it.
Caddies, say the authors, are weather analysts, topographers, psychologists, mind-readers and companions. The luckiest ones become friends with their bosses, which is what happened with Williams and Woods – although the fact always remained that Woods was in charge. Williams had to learn what Woods needed on the course, and hew to it firmly.
Sometimes, that meant getting up at “dark-thirty” to be ready to caddy as the sun rose. It meant knowing when Woods wanted a fan or another golfer to leave him alone – and to get rid of the
interrupter quickly. It meant telling Woods which golf club was best, given the situation, and knowing when the time was right to argue with him.
As their working relationship deepened, so did their friendship. Williams enjoyed Woods’ “generosity and loyalty.” In turn, he cared for Woods on the course, giving his best for a dozen years until their partnership ended swiftly with the most explosive controversy.
Here are the first and perhaps most important words you need to know before you even touch “Together We Roared”: know golf.
Without a basic understanding of the game, the bulk of this memoir might as well be written in Cyrillic. Authors Steve Williams and Evin Priest talk the talk and their stories are thrilling and inspirational, but only if you know your way around a golf course. If you’ve watched a game with even the slightest knowledge of what’s going on, you’ll love the tiny nuggets of insight because it’s apparent that they come from a respectful insider whose aim is not to gossip. But this can’t be underscored enough: Just being a Tiger Woods fan won’t be adequate, and you will be thoroughly befuddled more than not. Reading it won’t be the fun you want.
If you’re a fan and a golfer, though, then yeah, this is a book for you.
In their introduction, the authors list common questions that they’re asked, and they promise to candidly answer them here. They do, and you’ll be glad. If you love the game, “Together We Roared” will fit you to a tee.
320 pages
$30.00
“Together We Roared: Alongside Tiger for His Epic Twelve-Year, ThirteenMajors Run” by Steve Williams and Evin Priest c.2025, Wm. Morrow
SPORTS
Butler, Curry lead Warriors past Grizzlies 121-116 to secure seventh seed in West playoffs
By Janie McCauley Associated Press
SAN FRANCISCO — Jimmy Butler and Stephen Curry threw their arms around each other and embraced.
Playoff Jimmy in all his brilliance on the big stage took all the pressure off Curry, and now they’re taking the Golden State Warriors to the playoffs.
“I know I want to win a championship so he needs, his what, this would be No. 5?” Butler said.
Butler had 38 points, seven rebounds and six assists creating opportunities on both ends at every chance, Curry scored 37, and the Warriors earned the seventh seed in the Western Conference by beating the Memphis Grizzlies 121-116 on Tuesday night in the PlayIn Tournament.
Curry knocked down a baseline 3-pointer with 1:50 to go and one from the left wing with a minute on the clock then converted four free throws in the closing five seconds.
Golden State is now headed for a best-of-seven first-round series with the Rockets beginning with Game 1 on Sunday at Houston.
“It took 83 games but we’re right where we want to be, which is back in the playoffs and we’ve got a chance,” coach Steve Kerr said.
After a pair of free throws by Curry with 5.4 seconds left, the Grizzlies had one last chance — but Santi Aldama couldn’t inbound the ball before a five-second violation.
Desmond Bane scored 30 points and Ja Morant 22 for Memphis, which will head home to play Friday against the winner of the Mavericks-Kings matchup on Wednesday night in Sacramento to determine the eighth playoff spot.
With the Grizzlies on a roll midway through the third, Butler grabbed momentum back with a steal and dunk.
He shot 12 for 20 in a second straight 30-point performance and his highest scoring game since joining the Warriors at the trade deadline. He made 12 of 18 free throws — having been 63 of 68 from the line over the previous eight games in April.
Morant went down hard rolling his right ankle when he stepped on Buddy Hield’s foot and was fouled by Quinten Post with 4:25 remaining in the third but got up and finished the three-point play to pull the Grizzlies within 82-81.
Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 18 points, while Zach Edey contributed 14 points, 17 rebounds and hit two free throws with 14.3 seconds left.
Curry had eight rebounds, four assists and shot 9 for 22 while regularly swarmed by Scotty Pippen Jr. before he fouled out late.
Curry had lit up the Grizzlies for 52 points on their home floor in a 134-125 win on April 1, and the Grizzlies made him a top priority this time — so Butler took charge.
“He’s different,” Draymond Green said.
He led four straight scoring possessions to put the Warriors up 31-18 late in the first quarter — assisting on Gary Payton II’s cutting dunk, dishing to Post for a 3 and making a 3-point shot and three-point play himself. Butler showed no signs of being affected by a tender left quadriceps muscle after he took a knee from Kawhi Leonard on Sunday.
The Warriors hoped to avoid this extra game, but lost in overtime to the Clippers in the regular-season finale on Sunday for their third home defeat over the final week.
Curry, Green and the Warriors had been 0-3 in play-in games during appearances in 2021 and last year. The Grizzlies eliminated them at Chase Center with a 117-112 overtime victory in ‘21.
PUBLIC NOTICES / CLASSIFIEDS
NOTICE TO ALL PROPERTY OWNERS
As required by Tennessee Code Annotated § 67-5-508, the property assessment records of Shelby County will be available for public inspection at 1075 Mullins Station Road. These records may be inspected Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Any person desiring to inspect these records may do so at the above times and places. Property assessment records may also be reviewed through the Assessor’s website at www.assessormelvinburgess.com
THE SHELBY COUNTY BOARD OF EQUALIZATION WILL BEGIN ITS ANNUAL SESSION TO EXAMINE AND EQUALIZE COUNTY ASSESSMENTS ON MAY 1, 2025. THE COUNTY BOARD WILL ACCEPT APPEALS FOR THE 2025 TAX YEAR UNTIL 4:30 P.M., JUNE 30, 2025, THE LAST DAY OF ITS REGULAR SESSION.
The Shelby County Board of Equalization (SCBoE) is open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 1075 Mullins Station Road, Suite C-142. Any property owner who wishes to appeal to the County Board of Equalization may file in person, online or by mail. Appeals may be filed online by 11:59 p.m. on June 30th. Mailed in appeals must be postmarked on or before June 30th. Failure to appeal may result in the assessment becoming final without further right of appeal. Please contact the SCBoE at 901-222-7300 for additional information or you may visit their website at boe. shelbycountytn.gov
Melvin Burgess Shelby County Assessor of Property
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MANDATORY ON-SITE BID MEETING A mandatory on-site bid meeting to address questions will be held on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at 9:30am at East Shelby Drive Library, 7200 East Shelby Drive, Memphis, TN 38125.
All bids will be opened and read via teleconference by Shelby County Government at the time mentioned above. Please use the following information to join the bid opening: Microsoft Teams Need help? Join the meeting now Meeting ID: 229 586 754 742 Passcode: uF9yy6uG
