MSCS board moves closer to forensic audit after Shelby County Commission approval ■■
By James Coleman TSD newsroom
The Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) Board of Education is one step closer to a deep dive into its operations after the Shelby County Commission, during their Feb. 11 meeting, unanimously approved a request for qualifications for an accounting firm to conduct a forensic audit.
The audit is one consequence of the school board’s 6–3 decision to fire former MSCS Superintendent Dr. Marie Feagins. Commissioners also agreed to an amendment to set a deadline of March 31 to engage a firm. It was offered by the resolution’s sponsor, Erika Sugarmon.
Chairman Michael Whaley also crafted language to allow for a single-source hiring. The county’s chief administrative officer can hire one firm directly. Normally, a more time-consuming open bidding process would take place.
“It allows us to expedite the process to get it started and make sure we are hiring a reputable firm for the other amendment, to ensure there is independence from anyone that would be sort of in the audit itself,” said Whaley.
The selected firm will not be permitted to have past or present ties to the school board.
“It goes much deeper than a traditional annual financial audit, which is what’s required of the district every year,” explained Whaley.
The resolution allots $50,000 to make the hire. However, members expect that cost to grow.
“The audit will happen regardless of the clause and we’ll have to work through the process appropriately, but the funds will be identified,” said Commissioner Brandon Morrison. “Everyone knows that it will probably be more than $50,000.”
An earlier amendment includes possible forensic audits of other county school districts as well. However, the commission can only request those
audits, since they only have authority to order an audit of the MSCS board.
Feagins proved to be a popular public figure when the MSCS board brought up the idea of firing her at their Dec. 17 meeting.
Feagins’ cause has also made unlikely allies like MSCS teachers, along with members of the commission. The action also has the support of the local GOP chapter, all the way to the Republican majority in Nashville.
The latter has long been a proponent of conservative education policies, like school vouchers and school choice.
“Dr. Feagins’ firing wasn’t the problem, but actually a symptom of the problem. This is a problem that some people have seen for years,” said Shelby County Republican Party Chairman Worth Morgan. “A lot of the public are becoming aware of it just lately, is that we have
unaccountable, inept, possibly self-interested leadership at the Memphis-Shelby County school board administration.
Public trust has been shattered and people are waking up to it. They are seeing the emperor has no clothes.”
Morgan is a former member of the Memphis City Council. His second four-year term ended in 2024.
On the job for fewer than 10 months, Feagins was fired with cause by the school board Jan. 21.
Feagins filed a lawsuit at the Shelby County Circuit Court on Feb. 3, alleging school board members violated an open meetings law in the runup to her dismissal. The suit accuses various board members of months of behindthe-scenes scheming to end her tenure. All nine members of the elected body are named in the lawsuit.
President Calvin Anderson Interim Editor
Stephanie Jones
Corporate America abandons DE&I, but Black-owned brands are the future
By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
While corporations retreat, Black entrepreneurs continue to build, innovate, and thrive. According to NBC Select, over three million Black-owned brands are in the U.S., spanning every industry imaginable. As corporate America abandons its DE&I commitments, the power shifts to conscious consumers who invest in businesses that uplift and sustain marginalized communities. Here are just a few standout Blackowned brands leading the charge:
Clothing & Accessories
• Telfar – The brand that revolutionized luxury fashion with its motto: “Not for you—for everyone.”
• Hanifa – A trailblazing womenswear brand founded by Anifa Mvuemba, known for its stunning digital fashion shows.
• Pyer Moss – Founded by Kerby Jean-Raymond, this label merges activism and high fashion.
• Grayscale – A streetwear brand bringing bold aesthetics and social commentary to the forefront.
Beauty & Skincare
• Fenty Beauty – Rihanna’s globally inclusive beauty empire that set a new standard for shade diversity.
• Mented Cosmetics – Beauty products created specifically for deeper skin tones.
• Pattern Beauty – Founded by Tracee Ellis Ross, specializing in products for textured hair.
• Alikay Naturals – Natural haircare products with a devoted following.
Home & Lifestyle
• Estelle Colored Glass – Handblown glassware that brings Black excellence to fine dining.
• Jungalow – A home décor brand from designer Justina Blakeney, blending culture and bohemian flair.
• Yowie – A modern design studio curating unique home goods from independent artists.
Food & Beverage
• Partake Foods – A Black-owned snack company offering allergen-friendly cookies and treats.
• Uncle Nearest Whiskey – Honoring Nathan “Nearest” Green, the Black distiller behind Jack Daniel’s original recipe.
• Capital City Mambo Sauce – The D.C. favorite taking over the condiment industry.
Meanwhile, corporate America’s performative commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) is unraveling at an alarming rate. In the years following the murder of George Floyd, corporations made bold promises to support marginalized communities, pledging billions in investments to level the playing field. But as the political landscape shifts and accountability wanes, those commitments are being discarded. A staggering number of major corporations have scaled back or eliminated DE&I programs: Amazon, Target, Amtrak, Goldman Sachs, Disney, Deloitte, PBS, Google, Pepsi, General Motors (GM), GE, Intel, PayPal, Chipotle, Comcast, Accenture, The Smithsonian Institution, the FBI, Meta, Walmart, Boeing, Molson Coors, Ford Motor Co., Harley-Davidson, and John Deere have all abandoned or severely reduced their diversity efforts. The very companies that once paraded their commitment to racial equity in multimillion-dollar ad campaigns are now quietly erasing those initiatives from their bottom lines.
Not everyone is staying silent. Dr. Jamal Bryant, the influential pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church
in metro Atlanta, is leading a 40-day economic fast—or boycott—of Target in direct response to the retailer’s decision to phase out its DE&I initiatives. Target, headquartered in Minneapolis—the city where George Floyd was murdered in 2020—originally pledged $2 billion in investments toward Black-owned businesses. That commitment was due in December 2025, but on January 24, Target announced it would end its DE&I efforts, effectively abandoning that financial commitment. Bryant, appearing on the Black Press’ Let It Be Known news program, condemned the move. “After the murder of George Floyd, they made a $2 billion commitment to invest in Black businesses,” he said. “When they pulled out of the DE&I agreement in January, they also canceled that $2 billion commitment.”
Target is just the beginning. Bryant calls for 100,000 people to halt their spending at the retail giant as a direct challenge to corporate America’s retreat from racial equity. “Black people spend $12 million a day at Target,” he said.
“Because of how many dollars are spent there and the absence of commitment to our community, we are focusing on Target first.” The boycott, designed to coincide with Lent, aims to leverage Black economic power to hold corporations accountable. Within just one week, 50,000 people had already signed the petition at targetfast.org, signaling the growing momentum behind the movement.
Bryant’s demands go beyond reinstating DE&I. “White women are the number one beneficiary of DE&I,” he noted. “What I am asking for is a quarter of a billion dollars to be invested in Black banks so that our Black businesses can scale.” He also called for Target to partner with HBCUs by integrating their business departments into its supply chain infrastructure. Meanwhile, the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA)—the nation’s largest Black-owned media organization—has announced its own national public education and selective buying campaign in response to corporate America’s retreat from DE&I. “We are the trusted voice of Black America, and we will not be silent or nonresponsive to the rapid rise of renewed Jim Crow racist policies in corporate America,” said NNPA Chairman Bobby R. Henry Sr. NNPA President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. reinforced the need for financial realignment. “Black Americans spend $2 trillion annually. We must evaluate and realign to question why we continue to spend our money with companies that do not respect us. These contradictions will not go unchallenged.” In response, Bryant has partnered with Ron Busby, president and CEO of the U.S. Black Chambers, to provide consumers with a directory of 300,000 Black-owned businesses. “You can’t tell people what not to do without showing them what to do,” Bryant said.
And the impact of the boycott is already felt. Since Black consumers began boycotting Target, the company’s stock has dropped by $11, Bryant noted. Stockholders are now suing Target due to the adverse effects of the boycott on its stock value. Bryant said the question is no longer whether corporate America will keep its promises—it’s clear that it won’t.
(YouTube screengrab/NNPA)
■■ COMMUNITY
NAACP Tennessee State Conference leadership training prepares officers for year of continued advocacy
By TSD newsroom
NAACP leaders from across the state gathered at St. John M.B. Church in Stanton, Tennessee, Saturday, February 8, for executive leadership training. More than 200 officers from NAACP Branches participated in the mandatory training led by NAACP Tennessee State Conference President Gloria J. SweetLove. She also serves on the NAACP National Board of Directors and as membership chair.
“The NAACP turns 116 years old on Wednesday, February 12,” said SweetLove. “This training and the work the NAACP is charged with doing is more important now than ever. Some want us to turn back, but we are not going back, we are organized and ready for the fight at the national, state and local level.”
Those in attendance had a refresher on the history, vision and mission as well as the importance of membership,
leadership and advocacy.
The NAACP Tennessee State Conference’s Legislative Day on the Hill is February 11, where more than 150 members will travel to Nashville to meet with state legislators. Governor Bill Lee is scheduled to speak to the members in attendance.
The NAACP TN Education Committee Co-Chair James Shaw presented on the importance of effective leadership.
“An effective leader is someone who listens and works with the membership on creating a cohesive team,” said Shaw.
Some of the Tennessee branches in attendance included: Memphis, Crockett County, Collierville, Jackson, Tipton County, Somerville, Haywood County, Lauderdale County. Murray County, Sumner County and Clarksville.
This was the third mandatory training for the state of Tennessee executive committee members.
NAACP leaders from across Tennessee gathered in Stanton on Feb. 8 for executive leadership training, led by State Conference President Gloria J. Sweet-Love, with over 200 officers in attendance. (Courtesy NAACP Tennessee State Conference)
By Taylor Batson Special to The Tri-State Defender
Memphis’ entrepreneurial ecosystem is getting a major boost with the launch of Innovate Xcelerate, a program aimed at fostering a diverse pipeline of innovative entrepreneurs. Spearheaded by Epicenter, the city’s leading hub for startups and business innovation, the program is set to provide crucial resources and support to aspiring business owners across Memphis.
“We [at Epicenter] realized that Memphis has undervalued the talent in many of our communities, and Innovate Xcelerate is designed to apply those lessons, providing a full ecosystem of support to help entrepreneurs not just survive but thrive,” said Choya Johnson, entrepreneurial programs specialist at Epicenter.
Innovate Xcelerate is based on the idea of uncovering talent in communities where innovative problem solvers may have been overlooked in the past. The program is open to Memphis residents ages 18 and older and promises support for budding entrepreneurs. It offers hands-on support with things like funding, mentorship, corporate connections and resources essential to entrepreneurs for building sustainable businesses.
The two-year program, backed by a generous $380,000 grant from the MassMutual Foundation, officially kicked off February 7 with a design thinking workshop held at Epicenter. Focused on the five phases of design thinking, the workshop is used to spark innovation and develop creative solutions to problems. This event will be followed by a Hackathon from March 7–9, led by CodeCrew, a Memphis-based bootcamp that trains aspiring entry-level software developers. It is known for empowering underrepresented groups in technology.
■■ BUSINESS
Epicenter kicks off new initiative to build diverse pipeline of innovative entrepreneurs
“It’s going to be a high-energy event where participants form teams to develop their business ideas into working prototypes,” said Johnson. “Over three days, you’ll collaborate with mentors, refine your concept and present your
solution to a panel of judges.”
The Hackathon gives participants an opportunity to test their ideas and get feedback. Following the Hackathon, 10 selected teams will receive funding to develop product prototypes and join a year-long accelerator program. Participants will gain access to technical assistance, legal and accounting advice, marketing guidance, and opportunities to connect with corporate buyers.
At the conclusion of the accelerator, at least three finalists will be awarded up to $25,000 each in capital investments, with the possibility of more funding opportunities.
Johnson, who previously served as Capital Programs Specialist at Frayser Connect, will lead Innovate Xcelerate. For Johnson, Innovate Xcelerate is a huge step toward deepening the idea
that Memphis is the epicenter of inclusive innovation.
“The long-term impact [of the program] is central to attracting future investors and job creators and strengthening the city’s economic growth by building and retaining companies that offer incentives for founders and innovators to thrive,” said Johnson.
By investing in innovative business ideas and fostering a culture of entrepreneurship, Innovate Xcelerate aims to contribute to Memphis’ economic growth while empowering historically underrepresented entrepreneurs.
“We want to be the hub for entrepreneurs in Memphis and the Delta Region, front and center, growing the ecosystem of tech and innovation companies and talent,” Johnson said, “and we’re well positioned to do that.”
Facilitator Tyrome Smith works with participants at The Innovate Xcelerate Design Thinking Workshop, helping teams solve problems with a focus on user needs, empathy, and rapid prototyping. (Photos courtesy Epicenter)
Participants work through a human-centered problem-solving process at The Innovate Xcelerate Design Thinking Workshop.
When emancipation wasn’t the end
Book Review:
By Terri Schlichenmeyer Special to The Tri-State Defender
Your kids will have a better life than you had. You’ll make sure of it, saving for their education, demanding excellence from them, requiring discipline and offering support for their dreams and desires. Their success is your dream, and, as parents did in the new book “Slavery after Slavery” by Mary Frances Berry, you’ll fight to see that it happens.
In the years after the end of the Civil War, some Southern former slave owners refused to accept that slavery was over, and the courts often sided with them. In particular, under habeas corpus, Black children were sometimes taken from their parents and placed into an “apprenticeship,” which was another word for “slavery” then. Berry estimates that more than two million 10-to-19-year-olds were trapped in this way for years.
Here, she shares the stories of many of them.
In late 1865, Nathan and Jenny Cox lost their five children to their former “master,” who also took seven other children by persuading a local magistrate to let him apprentice the kids. As time passed, some of the children took their former owner’s last name as their own which, in effect, erased their family’s history.
When 6-year-old Mary Cannon was in danger of being apprenticed, a white woman came to her defense. Ultimately, the courts sided with Mary’s benefactor, and the girl was returned to her parents to live on their former enslaver’s plantation.
Hepsey Saunders tried to leave her former owner’s plantation, but he “refused to let her take the children” that were born when she was enslaved. Though the theft of her children happened in 1865, the story lingered over a span of decades.
In most of the cases Berry cites, the families – with or without the return of their children – remained uneducated, unhealthy and under discrimination. Imagine, she says, that these former slaves had had a chance to control their own lives. Imagine, she says, “if these Black people were permitted to pursue the American Dream…”
While it may seem that “Slavery after Slavery” is a historical narrative, that’s not all you’ll get if you tackle this skinny book.
When reading the stories inside, readers may struggle to keep track of what’s told. The accounts are a bit repetitious and each one packs a lot of names, legal decisions, court rulings and places, some of which nearly require a law degree and all of which demand full attention. That can be overwhelming, unless you shut the door and avoid any distraction.
Berry uses these stories to point out lasting damage done to many Black families, which is essential information for readers to ponder. She goes
“Slavery after Slavery: Revealing the Legacy of Forced Child Apprenticeships on Black Families, from Emancipation to the Present” by Mary Frances Berry
c.2024, Beacon Press
$27.95
184 pages
further to argue that what happened to the two million children is reason enough for reparations, which makes a good argument, but it’s sometimes misplaced inside the flow of this book.
Still, readers will agree that the accounts Berry uncovered have been hidden too long, and shedding light on them is essential. What’s in “Slavery after Slavery” educates, and could help make conversations better.
Mary Frances Berry
■■ NEWS
Flyers distributed across Tennessee by white supremacists
By TSD Newsroom
While Memphis and much of Tennessee continue to push forward into the future. It would seem a few groups want to pull everything back into the past. Some Tennessee residents recently found hate-filled flyers from white supremacy groups such as the Ku Klux Klan and Patriot Front.
In Memphis, flyers were distributed in late January. They are similar to ones found in Kentucky, Ohio and Virginia. This comes after President Donald Trump signed several executive orders during his first week back in office, including one that outlines mass deportation.
Kermit Moore, president of NAACP Memphis branch, said: “The Memphis branch executive committee has come out against the flyers that have been circulating for the past two weeks or so. We denounce these kinds of actions.
The NAACP Memphis branch has stood against racism and sexism since its inception in 1916, and we will continue to fight these threats by any means necessary. We will not stand by idly, and we encourage law enforcement to investigate these matters thoroughly.”
The most recent flyers surfaced January 28, 2025, in Chattanooga, Cleveland and Athens, Tennessee. Authorities responding to a Chattanooga call were met by several residents who found the flyers on their streets. One resident reported seeing people on the back of a truck throwing the flyers in the roadway.
These flyers state, “Leave now, self-deport, avoid deportation” and “Americans on guard: Help us protect our homeland.” The group listed on the flyers is the “Trinity White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan.” According to the Chattanooga Police Department, the flyers invite new members into their group while informing them of a Kentucky event.
The CPD contacted the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force and the Tennessee Fusion Center about the flyers.
William Bader, who calls himself the imperial grand wizard of the Trinity White Knights of the KKK, has even gone so far as to call East Tennessee news organizations claiming his group delivered a total of 2,000 flyers to several cities. He said they are distributing flyers in several Southern states to recruit new members.
A Cleveland resident told a “Local 3 News” TV reporter that as both an American and a human being he was “disgusted” at the sight of the flyers.
In a written statement, Chattanooga City Council member Demetrus Coonrod said the flyers “strike at the very heart of what we hold dear in our diverse communities. Please make no mistake, there is utterly no place for such vile hate-filled rhetoric in Chattanooga or anywhere else in our country.”
The CPD report says these flyers were meant to intimidate immi-
grants. In a written statement, Chattanooga Police Chief John Chambers said CPD is “working tirelessly, utilizing every resource available, to identify and hold accountable the individuals who, under the cover of nightfall, sought to spread fear, hatred and division in our community.”
Law enforcement agencies encourage anyone with information that might be connected to these flyers to contact authorities immediately.
Some residents were shocked to see this level of hate still exists in their community and refused to let this group have the last word. In
response to the KKK flyers, some put up their own flyers that state, “Chattanooga ‘hearts’ immigrants.” Other community members have refused to let children see the KKK flyers. To keep kids from accidentally coming across one, they are working together to clean up their neighborhoods.
Moore said: “We ask all Memphis and Mid-South people to join us in the fight for a fair and just society. Together, we will rise above hatred and be a stronger united community. United we stand. Divided we beg.”
(Jay Green contributed to the reporting of this story.)
Recruitment flyers from the KKK and another Patriot Front have recently resurfaced in the Mid-South.
By Terry Davis Special to The Tri-State Defender
Memphis avenged their only conference loss with 88-81 win over the undermanned Temple Owls on Sunday, Feb. 9 at the FedExForum. It is the seventh victory in a row for the #16 Tigers.
The grudge match failed to feature a matchup between the second and third leading scorers in the nation, after Temple’s Jamal Mashburn, Jr. missed a second game in a row with an injured foot. The senior guard scored 21 points in the Owls’ 88-81 upset win on Jan. 16.
Memphis was also down a starter due to Tyrese Hunter’s gimpy knee.
Their absence had no effect on Tigers guard PJ Haggerty’s game, however. Division I’s third leading scorer led all players with 20 points on 8-15 shooting. His seven assists was also a game best.
But the effects of a 100-91 double overtime loss on Thursday against South Florida may have had an impact.
Entering the tunnel at the half with a 35-35 tie, the Owls faded in the second half. Both teams traded baskets early in the period, but a Haggerty jumpshot with 18:17 that tied the game 37-37. It also triggered a quick 7-0 run. After :45 seconds elapsed, the Tigers were up 47-42. They wouldn’t give up a lead again. A Haggerty three-pointer with 4:33 left in the game gave the Tigers their largest lead, 79-64. Memphis iced the game at the free-throw line after the Owls were forced to foul late.
Tigers’ Coach Penny Hardaway found a solution for the lineup challenge with the insertion of Dante Harris.
The former Alcoa High standout added 14 points, hitting 6-8 from the field. Harris is a transfer from the Virginia Cavaliers, where he
■■ SPORTS
Memphis Tigers top Temple Owls 88-81 to avenge only conference loss
Terry Davis
averaged 2.5 points and 1.4 assists as a redshirt junior.
His previous callup from the bench, Dain Dainja, continues to prove its wisdom. The senior big man scored 18 points and snatched a game-high eight rebounds in 30 minutes of action. Senior forward Nicholas Jordan added 11 points, while backup center Moussa Cisse contributed 10 points and six rebounds off the pine. Dainja replaced Cisse as a starter on Jan. 23.
Memphis hasn’t lost a game since the switch. Their last defeat was an 88-81 upset loss at Temple on Jan. 16.
Dain Dainja scored 18 points and had 8 rebounds. The Tigers entered the game as the only team shooting over 40 percent from three-point range and shot 42 percent for the game. Harris had 14 points in 29 minutes of action.
Freshman guard Aiden Tobiason led Temple with 18 points after going a perfect 4-4 from the field. He also drilled 7-7 from the free throw line. Senior forward Steve Settle III added 17 points and sophomore guard Quante Berry chipped in 16 points. Fellow starter Steve Dezonie contributed 13 points, while Elijah Gray led the Owls bench scoring with 10 points.
Hunter has had problems with the knee all season. Swollen and sore before the contest, there is concern about lingering issues heading into the spring. In the meantime, he will have several days before the next game.
Memphis begins a two-game road trip that begins at South Florida on Thursday, Feb.
Memphis Tigers guard PJ Haggerty led all players with 20 points on 8-of-15 shooting and also recorded a game-high seven assists. He is the third-leading scorer in Division I. (Noah Smith/The Tri-State Defender)
13 and concludes at Wichita St. on Sunday, Feb. 16. The Tigers host Florida Atlantic on Sunday, Feb. 23 at the FedExForum. Tipoff is at 1 p.m.
SPORTS League leading Thunder roll over Grizzlies 125-112
By Liaudwin Seaberry Special to The Tri-State Defender
Western Conference-leading Oklahoma City showed why they are the tops in the NBA after the Thunder outmuscled the Grizzlies 125-112 in a possible playoff preview at the FedExForum on Saturday, Feb. 8.
The Grizzlies’ loss also puts further cushion between the teams in the standings. At a league-best 42-9, Oklahoma City currently holds a 7.5 game lead over second place Memphis. It is the second loss in the last 10 games for the Grizzlies, who fall to 35-17.
Hot shooting from deep, several courtesy of second chance opportunities via offensive rebounds, hindered the Grizzlies the first three quarters. As a result, Oklahoma City entered the final quarter with a 104-93 lead.
“This my first time seeing them since they became good,” reflected Grizzlies guard Ja Morant. “I feel like we had shots that just didn’t fall like they normally do on the offensive end.”
Thunder shooting guard Aaron Wiggins hit seven of his eight three-pointers during the span. He finished with 26 points and 11 rebounds. Nine boards were on the offensive end. He joined center Isaiah Hartenstein in out hustling the Grizzlies under the boards. The veteran big man led both teams with 14 rebounds, including eight on the offensive end. He also added 12 points.
As a team, the Thunder outrebounded Memphis 55-40. Twenty-one boards were collected under their own basket.
“You shoot the same percentages and give up 24 more shots, do the math right there and that’s obviously going to be a big problem,” said Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins.
Both teams shot 42.9% from deep for the game.
The extra looks also benefited Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who led all players with 32 points on the night. The 2025 All-Star shot 8-26
from the field, including 3-5 from deep.
He also managed to draw several fouls in drives to the basket, hitting 13-16 from the charity stripe. Gilgeous-Alexander also had a game-high eight assists.
The 2018 11th overall pick was named to the Western Conference AllStar team for the third year in a row. It is the second consecutive year he has been named a starter.
He outpaced the Grizzlies’ all-star representative Jaren Jackson, who scored 19 points, along with three blocks and three steals. However, the 6’11” power forward was limited to three rebounds.
Jackson has recently topped 30 points
in several games. It is his second time being named a reserve all-star. He also made the team in 2023.
“I’m just blessed to be a part of it,” said Jackson. “There’s going to be great players everywhere and it’s going to be a lot of fun.”
All five Thunder starters finished in double digits. Fellow all-star reserve Jalen Williams added 25 points, six rebounds and six assists. Defensive ace Alex Caruso added 14 points.
Memphis found a rhythm in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Thunder 29-21, however the deficit was too great.
Desmond Bane led the Grizzlies with 20 points on 7-15 shooting,
including 3-5 from deep. His nine rebounds were also a team-high. The fifth-year guard also had five assists. Morant added 16 points, seven assists, and five rebounds.
“We have a lot of things that we need to do better,” Bane said. “We still have a lot of games left to play, but we must look ourselves in the mirror and continue to improve.”
Santi Aldama scored 18 points off the bench. Fellow reserve GG Jackson added 11 points.
The Grizzlies begin a five-game road trip at Phoenix on Tuesday, Feb. 11. Their next home game is on Feb. 25 against the Suns at the FedExForum. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Oklahoma City Thunder, with a league-best 42-9 record, extended its lead to 7.5 games over second-place Memphis after the Grizzlies’ 125-112 loss. (Noah Smith/The Tri-State Defender)
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PUBLIC NOTICE THE MEMPHIS URBAN AREA METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION
In compliance with federal regulations 23 CFR 450, the Memphis MPO will present the 2021-2025 Safety Performance Measure (PM1) Targets and the Memphis Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Greenprint Plan for adoption. Furthermore, the MPO will present the 2024 State of the MPO Report, update the 2025 MPO Calendar, and deliver a presentation on the Winchester Road Corridor Study. Additionally, the MPO will elect a Chair and Vice-Chair of the Transportation Planning Board (TPB) and share any relevant information from the MPO committee or board members and MPO staff.
These documents were made available for review and comment at the MPO’s office and online (memphismpo.org), and written public comments were accepted through Wednesday, February 12, 2025. The Memphis Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Greenprint Plan, was made available for a public review and comment period ending on January 17, 2025. The TPB of the Memphis MPO will hold a public hearing to accept oral comments and take action on the proposed items.
The public hearing will take place on:
Date: Thursday, February 27, 2025
City of Memphis seeks ideas on road improvements as part of Safety Action Plan
By TSD Newsroom
The City of Memphis Safety Action Plan seeks to improve local roadway safety by significantly reducing or eliminating roadway fatalities and serious injuries through recommendations focused on all road users. This plan needs public input from all Memphis road users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, commercial vehicle operators and personal conveyance and micro-mobility users. You can take part by attending public engagement meetings:
• Wednesday, February 12, 2025, 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. Saint Andrew AME Church, The Fellowteria, 867 S. Parkway E., Memphis, TN 38106
• Monday, February 24, 2025, 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. Benjamin Hooks Library, Meeting Room C, 3030 Poplar Ave., Memphis, TN 38111
Food will be provided for these community meetings. Check the website for additional meetings.
Visit MemphisSafetyActionPlan.com to:
• Provide your valuable input
• Learn more about the plan
• Explore recent crash data statistics
Memphis residents are invited to at-
Time: 1:30 PM
Location: Holiday Inn University of Memphis, 3700 Central Avenue, Memphis, TN 38111
The full meeting agenda will be made available, 10 days prior to the meeting, on the Memphis MPO’s website: (memphismpo.org). If you need assistance in participating in the meeting, please contact the MPO Office at 901-6367146 and provide at least seven (7) days notice.
It is the policy of the Memphis MPO not to exclude, deny, or discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, immigration status, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, religion, veteran status, familial or marital status, disability, medical or genetic condition, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal or state law in its hiring or employment practices, or in its admission to, access to, or operations of its programs, services, or activities. For any and all inquiries regarding the application of this accessibility statement and related policies, or for persons that require aids or services to participate either in the review of these documents or during the hearing, please contact Nick Warren, at 901-636-7146 or Nick. Warren@memphistn.gov.
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Shelby County Government has issued Sealed Bid number I000912, Avaya Phone Systems Maintenance and Support (Information Technology Department). Information regarding this Bid is located on the County’s website at www.shelbycountytn.gov . At the top of the home page, click on the dropdown box under “Business”, Click on “Purchasing” and “Bids” to locate the name of the above-described Sealed Bid.
SEALED BID-I000912 DUE DATE THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 2025, 2024 AT 2:30 PM CDT
(SB-I000912), AVAYA PHONE SYSTEMS MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT (Information Technology Department)
Shelby County 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.
By order of LEE HARRIS, MAYOR SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT
tend one of the public meetings or visit the website and provide critical input.
“It’s important that we hear from individuals who can share their concerns about streets and roadways they view as unsafe in Memphis,” said Douglas Swett, PE, RSP1, Kimley-Horn.
Through a multifaceted approach, the plan aims to address various factors contributing to accidents, prioritize interventions based on data-driven insights, involve the community in decision-making processes, identify specific projects to enhance safety, and secure support from leadership to ensure effective implementation and long-term sustainability.
The Memphis Safety Action Plan can play a crucial role in improving road safety for all people in the City. Since the Memphis Safety Action Plan is focused on local roadway safety, interstates and expressways will not be considered in the plan’s development. This plan is funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program and will meet all requirements established in that program.
