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■■ NEWS
Shelby County Commission delays vote on school board overhaul amid legal questions
By James Coleman Special to The Tri-State Defender
A state law that could shorten the terms of sitting school board members and trigger a full election for the Shelby County Board of Education is facing pushback in Shelby County, where commissioners have stalled the process over legal and constitutional concerns.
The law, House Bill 1383, would place all nine school board seats on the ballot in the next election cycle. But before it can take effect, the Shelby County Commission must pass a similarly worded ordinance — a step that was delayed during the commission’s meeting Monday, July 28.
“Should we pass this resolution today, a majority of the Shelby County school board members would have their terms abridged,” said Commissioner Henri Brooks. “I do not see how this passes constitutional muster.”
Commissioners voted 10-1 to send the ordinance back to the Education Committee after a motion from Commissioner Mickell Lowery. The delay came amid mounting concerns that the legislation could violate Article 9, Section 11 of the Tennessee Constitution, which prohibits “special, local, or private acts that would remove, change the term of office, or alter the salary of a municipal or county official.”
State law also requires local approval for both the removal of existing board members and the scheduling of a new election. For that to happen, commissioners would need either to place a referendum on the 2026 ballot or pass a resolution — both of which require nine votes. The referendum is considered the preferred option.
The added scrutiny marks a sharp shift from less than a week earlier. On July 23, a commission committee gave the measure a favorable reading, passing it 5-1-1, with Brooks casting the only “no” vote.
Shelby County Board of Education members are seen during a previous meeting in Memphis, Tenn. On Monday, July 28, 2025, the Shelby County Commission delayed a vote on a proposed ordinance that could force all nine board seats into a new election, citing legal and constitutional concerns. (D’Angelo Connell/Tri-State Defender)
“I raised this concern last week,” Brooks said. “You all heard me. To date, no one has provided any defense of the constitutionality of the resolution under this section.”
Voting to send the measure back for further committee review were Commissioners Miska Clay Bibbs, Charlie Caswell Jr., Erika Sugarmon, David Bradford, Britney Thornton, Brandon Morrison, Shante Avant, Chairman Michael Whaley, Lowery and Brooks. Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr. voted no.
State Rep. G.A. Hardaway has requested an expedited opinion from Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti, seeking clarity on the law’s impact on upcoming election cycles. That opinion is expected before the next committee meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 6.
“Thank you for requesting it to be expedited,” Whaley said. “The goal of the referral is to get those questions answered so we know exactly what we are voting on and whether we are in alignment not only with Tennessee law but with the Constitution.”
One notable moment during Monday’s meeting was when even critics of the bill agreed with the broader concept of term limits for school board members. Several other local elected bodies, including the Shelby County Commission and Memphis City Council, are already subject to term limits.
“I think we all want to know why that
would be any different for this particular elected body,” said Natalie McKinney, a current school board member.
On April 22, state senators substituted House Bill 1383 for the Senate version after adopting an amendment that removed a provision stating the bill would not vacate or abridge the current terms of board members. The bill passed 27-8 in the Republican-controlled Senate.
Proponents of the law argue that term limits and realigning school board elections with general election cycles could increase voter turnout and encourage fresh leadership. But critics say the legislation reflects state overreach and could set a dangerous precedent for undermining local control.
“We need to get ourselves behind something and make sure we don’t end up on the wrong side of history by setting a precedent that will be used against every elected body in Shelby County after this one,” warned Shelby County Democratic Party Chair Willie Simon.
The commission is expected to revisit the measure after receiving an opinion from the Tennessee attorney general. Meanwhile, calls for alternatives to forced elections are gaining traction. Party leaders and community advocates are urging reforms that preserve voter intent while strengthening transparency and accountability in school board governance.
President Calvin Anderson Editor Stephanie R. Jones
Listening is the work: Community Foundation takes a year to hear what Black nonprofits really need
GROUNDWORK: MISSION CRITICAL
By Judith Black Moore Special to The Tri-State Defender
Black-led nonprofits often carry the weight of a community’s pain, potential and promise on shoestring budgets and with sheer determination. They tend to the wounds many prefer not to look at and offer hope where systems have failed. Too often, these are the very organizations doing essential but invisible work — responding to crises, restoring people’s dignity and helping rebuild lives.
Much of the time, this must happen before individuals have the stability or support to access the more resourced, well-structured nonprofits that offer life-enhancing services.
Ironically, some of the nonprofits that don’t look impressive on paper are the ones making the most stunning impact. Funders may not be acquainted with these organizations since many don’t make it past the first review of applications. With the scale of challenges we face in Memphis, can we really afford to overlook them?
Many funders feel the nonprofit landscape is too crowded, or they suggest that smaller organizations should fold into larger ones. But what if the question isn’t how to eliminate them but how to strengthen them? What if some of the nonprofits we are dismissing are actually the ones holding our communities together at the seams? Often guided by lived experience more than formal management expertise, could
What
if some of the nonprofits we are dismissing are actually the ones holding our communities together at the seams? Often guided by lived experience more than formal management expertise, could these organizations hold the solutions if better resourced?
these organizations hold the solutions if better resourced?
The Community Foundation of Greater Memphis (CFGM) spent the past year exploring that idea — doing the groundwork to find answers.
It began in August 2023 during a Black Philanthropy Month town hall that gathered more than 100 Black-led organizations. The room was thick with truth: frustration, fatigue and yet, a fierce hope. In response to a collective
need to be heard, the CFMG created the Black-led Nonprofit Leadership Alliance, a yearlong space where Black leaders could shape the conversation, define what equity should look like in philanthropy and guide CFGM toward lasting change.
“The inspiration for forming the Black-Led Nonprofit Leadership Alliance (BNLA) came directly from listening to Black nonprofit leaders and taking seriously what they shared with
us,” said Aerial Ozuzu, CFGM’s director of community impact. “They called for lasting commitment, real accountability and meaningful partnership. … We couldn’t stop at listening.”
The cohort was made up of 18 Black nonprofit leaders helped shape the Foundation’s next steps. This included creating a clear definition for what constitutes a Black-led nonprofit. Their recommendations are now embedded in CFGM’s 2024–29 Strategic Plan. The time and effort wasn’t performative. It was, as Ozuzu put it, “an act of alignment and activation.”
Apple Seeds Inc., a maternal and mental health nonprofit, was one of
Judith Black Moore
Members of the Black-Led Nonprofit Leadership Alliance gather at the conclusion of a yearlong initiative led by the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis. The cohort spent a year defining equity, shaping strategy, and challenging philanthropic norms to better support Black-led nonprofits. (Lisa Buser/Special to the Tri-State Defender)
From Page 3
■■ PERSPECTIVE
the organizations represented in the alliance. Its Founder and CEO Tenikki Sesley describes the yearlong work:
“It was powerful and deeply affirming to be in a space intentionally created for Black nonprofit leaders to share without filters or code-switching,” Sesley said. “There was a collective strength in the room, and a shared understanding that we are each building something that goes beyond programming. I feel this was a step in restoring dignity, trust and wellness in our communities. That kind of solidarity can’t be overstated.”
Perhaps what made this process most radical was not just what was said, but who was listening.
Funders did not lead the conversation. They didn’t frame the agenda or hold the mic. “It was a welcomed shift, one that felt long overdue,” Sesley reflected. “Having funders simply listen created a kind of reverence for our lived experience and professional insight ... because our stories are not deficits; they are data.”
CFGM Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Sutton Mora
saw this effort as necessary and overdue. “Our job, as a white-led organization that was not, for a long time, responsive to the Black community, was to have the conversation anyway,” Mora stated. “But I’ll also say this, if you push through, the outcome can be pretty beautiful.”
Mora noted that Ozuzu’s early vision was simply to keep the town hall conversation going. “That was literally the least we could do. It was an easy yes,” she said.
“As the conversations evolved and got tougher, she and I worked together to make sure that she, and the members of the BNLA, had everything they needed to be able to speak freely and safely and know that they were being heard,” Mora added.
From the Foundation’s top, the presence was personal. CFGM CEO Robert Fockler attended every meeting. “The Community Foundation, since its founding more than 50 years ago, has never actively served the Black community in Memphis. I needed to show all of the participants that we were serious about listening to Black nonprofit leaders, hearing their concerns and supporting them appropriately.”
He admits the experience reshaped his understanding.“Pretty early on, though, it became clear that despite my assumptions and hopes, the field remains tilted and grossly unfair to Black-led and Black-serving agencies.”
Fockler added, “The Community Foundation has committed to taking meaningful steps to promote Black-led agencies to our donors and to other funders in our community and to better represent their interests however we can.”
Beyond naming the problems, the Alliance offered clarity, including on something as seemingly simple as defining what it means to be ‘Black-led.’
As Mora put it, “It seems like such a simple question. We said, ‘We don’t know, you tell us.’” The result? A nonprofit is considered Black-led if the most senior leader, such as the executive director or CEO, is Black and the leadership team includes other Black people. The board should also reflect the community served, particularly when the organization’s work centers on Black communities.
For a long time, this kind of precision didn’t exist. Now, it guides the foundation’s priorities, especially around Give
8/28, the main day of giving in August, which is designated Black Philanthropy Month.
As for CFGM’s plans for Black Philanthropy Month 2025? “Thanks to the BNLA,” Ozuzu explained, “this year’s Black Philanthropy Month is more than a celebration. It’s an act of alignment and activation. It’s about listening, reflecting and making sure our actions match what Black leaders have made clear they need and deserve.”
That includes launching Powered By Us: Black Generosity in Memphis, a symposium on August 22 shaped by the insight the BNLA surfaced. The goal is to bring attention to the need for Black-led nonprofit organizations to thrive and how the community can help ensure their success.
“What we can do now is so much more powerful,” Mora said. And it’s true, when you listen without defensiveness, when you share power, when you center people who have long been pushed to the margins, the work doesn’t just evolve. It transforms.
And that’s what Groundwork is all about. Doing the listening, doing the learning. Doing the work. The mission is critical.
It’s time for Memphis to make its mark as a tech leader
By Melanie L. Mosley Special to The Tri-State Defender
Tennessee is experiencing unrivaled economic growth. In 2024, our state ranked 8th in the country for our growth rate. Much of this growth has been driven by rapidly expanding populations in Tennessee’s leading cities, Nashville and Memphis. The growth is no mystery. Nashville has spent decades crafting itself as an attractive cultural hub for music and a mecca for health care. Now, Memphis is making similar moves: shaping itself into a nationally recognized hub for technological innovation.
Memphis is already home to a quickly expanding tech scene. That burgeoning tech contributed $2.5 billion to the city’s economy in 2024 and supported thousands of jobs. Our city’s leaders have a vision to expand that investment
even further. That vision — the “Digital Delta” — promises innovation, opportunity and growth for all Memphians.
If city leaders are truly committed to building a high-tech Memphis, we need to meet the moment and embrace AI. AI has taken the world by storm. It has helped more accurately diagnose cancer, enabled dairy farmers to improve the health of their herds, given supermarkets insights to cut food waste, and so much more.
AI is an immensely powerful tool, and if leading AI companies like xAI are looking to put down roots, Memphis should be the first city to answer the call.
The city has set ambitious goals to
Don’t stop pursuing financial stability and freedom.
add 2,000 advanced industry companies and 50,000 high quality jobs to the local economy by 2030. By welcoming xAI as our neighbor, we welcome in a new wave of jobs for our ever-growing talent pool. With the greater-Memphis area home to 115 colleges, universities and technical training programs — such as the University of Memphis, Rhodes College and the Tennessee College of Applied Technology — our community is poised to cultivate the technology and business leaders of tomorrow.
Establishing a home for a tech company here creates a domino effect of investment. Following xAI’s decision to build its supercomputer in Memphis last year, the University of Memphis announced a $1 million investment to boost its academic and research capabilities in artificial intelligence. Tecora Murray, executive director
of the Greater Memphis Economic Research Group, noted that by having a mega-player like xAI invest in tech infrastructure in the city, it has made Memphis “more marketable.”
As a business owner myself, I want to see this city thrive. And if one leader in tech settles in Memphis, it signals to others that they are welcome here, too. xAI could bring with it other leaders like Nividia and Dell.
Our town should be a place where innovation and technological advancement thrive. Instead of throwing out unnecessary barriers, we must embrace new partners like xAI, who can bring investment, job opportunities and growth.
Melanie L. Mosley is a local business owner, serving as CEO and owner of Mosley Tax & Accounting Service for almost 30 years.
Melanie L. Mosley
Glo Bash: Coronation of Memphis rap queen
By Ancelious Meeks
Special to The Tri-State Defender
As the popular lyric goes, “It’s 7 p.m., Friday, 95 degrees,” and there couldn’t have been a more fitting backdrop for Grammy-nominated Memphis native GloRilla to celebrate her birthday in grand fashion.
On a humid Friday night, the FedExForum played host to the first-ever “GloRilla & Friends: Glo Bash,” a soldout homecoming concert that not only celebrated GloRilla’s meteoric rise but also paid homage to her community, collaborators and deep Memphis roots. The event doubled as the final stop of her 21-city Glorious Tour, ending with a bang in front of a roaring hometown crowd.
The night kicked off with energy as the arena erupted in cheers for emerging Memphis talent, including Paid Pat, STMG, Fast Cash Boyz, Dee Mula and K Carbon. Fans filled the venue wearing Big Glo merchandise, with many lining up at the merch tables scattered throughout the arena. Excitement and pride buzzed through the crowd, as many declared this moment to be GloRilla’s coronation as the Queen of Memphis rap.
While GloRilla delivered an electrifying headlining performance, the concert also featured a star-studded lineup of special guests. Muni Long confirmed her appearance earlier in the week on social media, while BossMan Dlow and Sexyy Red were also promoted as part of the show. Rumors swirled about surprise appearances from hometown heavyweights like MoneyBagg Yo, G Herbo, Big Boogie, Kodak Black, and Yo Gotti, Glo’s label head and a Mem-
phis rap icon. True to the hype, the evening saw a mix of confirmed acts and surprise cameos that kept the crowd on its feet all night.
GloRilla’s setlist included fan-favorite hits from her debut album “Glorious” as well as earlier breakout anthems. She tore through viral tracks like “Tomorrow,” “Wanna Be,” “TGIF,” “Whatchu Kno About Me,” and her breakthrough hit “F.N.F. (Let’s Go)” — each met with deafening cheers and word-for-word singalongs. Her signature confidence and stage presence were undeniable, feeding off the crowd’s hometown love.
Though earlier tour dates included
support from Real Boston Richey and Queen Key, the Memphis stop carried unique emotional weight. Branded as the 1st Annual Glo Bash, the concert was a celebratory homecoming, a declaration of arrival and a statement of legacy.
With the Key to the City of Memphis already in her possession, GloRilla used the night to give thanks and show the world why she’s one of the brightest stars the city has ever produced. Born Gloria Woods, the rapper stood in full command of the biggest stage Memphis could offer, gracefully representing her past, present and future.
Despite headlines earlier in the week
about a reported arrest in Georgia, GloRilla stayed locked in. Promoters and fans alike confirmed she was on stage right as planned — showcasing her professionalism, resilience and commitment to the moment.
The Glo Bash signaled the start of what is hoped to be a new tradition. Designed to be an annual event celebrating Memphis culture and music, it blended high-energy performances, surprise guests and hometown pride into one unforgettable night.
As fans spilled out onto the streets of Beale late Friday night, one thing was clear: GloRilla isn’t just from Memphis — she is Memphis.
GloRIlla performs during a sold-out concert at FedExForum. (D’Angelo Connell/The Tri-State Defender)
Part biography, part Black history, part love story: Joy Goddess has it all
By Terri Schlichenmeyer Special to The Tri-State Defender
Mama said.
Mama said to be nice to others. Stand up for yourself, she said. You can do whatever you put your mind to. Stay out of trouble. Take care of yourself and those you love. Mama said a lot of things that shaped your life, and in the new book “Joy Goddess” by A’Lelia Bundles, Mama left a huge legacy. She remembered a time before and a time after.
In the before, Lelia Walker and her mother had little-to-nothing. Lelia’s father had died when she was very young, and it was up to her mother, Sarah, to put food on the table and a roof over their heads with her hard work. There was simply no room for extras.
In the after — after Sarah had become Madame C.J. Walker, head of a beauty empire that catered to Black women — there was money, mansions and a certain kind of fame. There was still hard work, too, but Lelia embraced it because she was proud of her mother’s acumen — maybe more so, in fact, after Madame made young Lelia a “full partner” with the responsibility to run some of the farther-flung accounts.
It was true that mother and daughter didn’t always see eye-to-eye. Because she’d worked away from Madame for years, Lelia felt emboldened to speak her mind, but Madame often shut her down. Lelia wanted to choose her own husband, but Madame let her feelings about the beau be known. They argued fiercely, then acted like there was never any problem. They loved one another,
says Bundles, but they were “fire and ice.”
Bundles says Lelia sought her mother’s opinion on all matters, but she didn’t often heed her mother’s words. Madame didn’t like that, but as the years passed, she gave more and more of the business up, confident that Lelia (later, A’Lelia) would take care of things. Poet Langston Hughes called A’Lelia “the joy goddess of Harlem’s 1920s.”
Filled with lush word-painted images of opulence and wealth and a sometimes-reverential tone, “Joy Goddess” is a biography that covers a lot of territory. Because author A’Lelia Bundles is A’Lelia Walker’s great-granddaughter, it’s part family history as well as Black history. It’s a business biography, too, in a large way. And it’s a love story, pure and simple, one that will appeal to any headstrong mother-daughter pair.
It’s that last part that features most strongly and builds to break hearts, even though readers are never unaware of what’s to come. Bundles is honest about how the Walker women changed surrounding lives — Madame had “adopted” a daughter with mixed outcome. Their beauty empire positively affected Black business and culture for decades, but Bundles seems to push racism aside somewhat in the telling here. Instead, Madame and A’Lelia’s accomplishments and the world they lived in take frontand-center, and you’ll appreciate that.
This is a book for readers who want a wide-reaching biography with hints of inspiration. It’ll make a great book club book or mother-and-daughter tale to share. Read “Joy Goddess.” Mama would approve.
$29.99
364 pages
“Joy Goddess: A’Leila Walker and the Harlem Renaissance” by A’Lelia Bundles c.2025, Scribner
■■ COMMUNITY
Memphis City Council approves Old Daisy lease, $7.25M to redevelop Twin Drive-In site
By James Coleman Special to The Tri-State Defender
Memphis City Council members gave the Old Daisy Theater at 323 Beale St. a new lease on life Tuesday, voting 10-0 to direct Mayor Paul Young’s administration to begin negotiations with the Beale Street Development Corporation (BSDC) on a 50-year lease for the historic venue.
The consent agenda item passed without discussion during the council’s July 22 meeting.
Once a lease is finalized and renovations are complete, the theater will serve as an interpretive center highlighting Beale Street’s rich cultural history. The nickelodeon-style venue is currently used as office space for BSDC, and its exterior operates as an outdoor bar during the spring and summer months.
The building was formerly home to the Center for Southern Folklore, which opened in 1983 and operated a museum and interpretive center in the space.
As part of the new agreement, BSDC will relinquish its long-contested claim to a master lease granted by the city in 1982. That lease had been the subject of multiple lawsuits over the past decade.
The city also owns the development corporation that manages the district.
Built in 1917, the Old Daisy Theater was a major stop on the “Chitlin’ Circuit,” an informal network of venues that welcomed Black performers and audiences during the segregation era, when mainstream establishments typically barred both.
In 1937, seeking a larger venue, the theater’s owners opened the New Daisy Theater nearby at 330 Beale St.
Council also advances long-awaited plans for Twin Drive-In site
Separately, the council approved $7.25 million in capital funding to redevelop the long-abandoned Southwest Twin Drive-In into a mixed-use development. The investment marks the first major outlay in a $42.8 million
project. Approximately $3 million in capital funds had already been allocated to the effort.
Construction is scheduled to begin in August. A groundbreaking ceremony was held in May.
City leaders plan to build a new police station, public library and pavilion on the 21-acre site, located in the underserved Westwood area of Southwest Memphis. Officials hope the public investment will attract compatible private development.
“We’re ready to move forward. We’ve got 21 acres … we are going to make things happen. Then, we’ll go all the way down to the Mississippi line. We’re going to stop right there. We’re going
to keep everything on this side,” said Councilmember Edmund Ford Sr.
The new police precinct is expected to be the first facility completed, with an estimated opening in August 2026. The full redevelopment is projected to wrap up by October 2027.
Originally opened in 1956 as the 61 Drive-In, the theater closed in 2001.
Conversations about redeveloping the site began in 2022 between Memphis and Shelby County officials.
“We’ve been working on this for a long time. Third Street has been neglected for years and years and years. This will make the difference. Once this is done, everything else will follow,” Ford said.
The Old Daisy Theater, a historic Beale Street venue built in 1917 and once a stop on the “Chitlin’ Circuit,” is set to be transformed into an interpretive center celebrating the district’s cultural legacy after the Memphis City Council voted unanimously Tuesday, July 22, 2025, to authorize lease negotiations with the Beale Street Development Corporation. (Wikimedia Commons)
Sneakers are the foundation; community is real flex
By Ancelious Meeks Special to The Tri-State Defender
Sneakerheads, creators and vendors from across the region filled the Agricenter Saturday for the 19th edition of SneakFest, Memphis’ premier sneaker and streetwear convention.
With music bumping, rare kicks on full display and vibrant local brands lining the walls, the resale marketplace celebrated Memphis culture, creativity and community.
One standout element of the day was a live tie-dye station led by Luke Cowan, a first-time SneakFest collaborator and Memphis native.
“I’ve been tie-dying for six years — started during the pandemic,” Cowan said as he dipped a shirt into a swirl of color. “I’m also here selling trading cards — basketball, football and baseball. That love for sneakers and cards? It all started with Penny Hardaway. To me, he was our hometown hero.”
Cowan sees SneakFest as a cultural reset. “This brings positive attention to sneaker culture. It’s not what people always hear about Memphis in the news. SneakFest shows we have a thriving creative community,” he said.
Also representing the 901 was Brannon Hobbs, founder of M-Town Merch, whose booth showcased retro-inspired sportswear and Memphis-branded apparel.
“I started the brand five years ago, right around COVID,” Hobbs shared. “I was in Nashville and just didn’t see cool Memphis merch I’d actually wear, so I made my own.”
Now based back in Memphis, Hobbs said the city has embraced his vintage-flavored vision. “I try to give a classic feel, like the old jerseys from the ‘60s to ‘80s or the Starter jackets from the ‘90s. This is my second time selling
at SneakFest, and I love how it uplifts the sneaker culture and gives space to brands like mine.”
Sherman Harper Jr., one of SneakFest’s founding members, reflected on the event’s growth. “This marks SneakFest 19. We started March 8, 2014, and we’ve done two a year ever since,” Harper said. “We were supposed to have this one back in March, but we pushed it back to make sure it was done right.”
The Memphis event is now a staple in the national sneaker scene. “We originally reached out to another sneaker convention to collaborate, but they kind of brushed us off like we weren’t capable. So we came together and built our own lane,” Harper said.
Now, more than a decade later, he said the focus has shifted beyond just resale.
“Our goal is for SneakFest to become a true sneaker convention, where major brands like Nike, Adidas and Puma bring their unreleased merch and showcase what’s next.”
As Harper looked around at familiar faces and new brands, he smiled.
“We’ve watched kids grow into adults, start their own brands and come back to vend with us. It’s all love. No violence, just positive energy and good times.”
With local heavy hitters such as Memphis Meeks, BeU Clothing Company, Cool Quarter Million, Ten Toes, Unlaced and Hype 901 filling the room, SneakFest continues to be a cornerstone for Memphis’ creative economy where sneakers are the foundation, but community is the real flex.
The next SneakFest is already in the works, and if Saturday’s assemblage is any indication, the Bluff City can expect another sold-out celebration later this year.
Brannon Hobbs, founder of M-Town Merch, along with his wife, showcased retro-inspired sportswear and Memphis-branded apparel, at SneakFest Saturday at the Agri-Center. (Photos: Ancelious Meeks/The Tri-State Defender)
Chase, left, and Luke Cowan, first-timers at SneakFest, did tie-dying at their Sneakfest booth.
‘We Remember Him:’ A Final Farewell to Karanja A. Ajanaku
By Lee Eric Smith Special to The Tri-State Defender
I didn’t take notes.
I didn’t record anything.
I simply came to bear witness.
On Saturday morning, July 26, over a hundred of us gathered inside Hooks Hyde Hall at the National Civil Rights Museum to celebrate the life and legacy of Karanja Aidoo Ajanaku, the former executive editor and associate publisher of The Tri-State Defender. He died on July 7 after a battle with liver cancer. He was 70.
The room was full — friends, family, former colleagues, protégés and admirers. A slideshow of Karanja played softly on a screen — images of him in radiant African garb, embracing family, smiling wide with close friends. One photo showed him on a motorcycle, a detail that surprised me. Somehow, I had never imagined Karanja on a bike. And yet … of course. His spirit always rode free.
Many came dressed in African attire, from dashikis to flowing robes — some of them people I’d never seen in African clothing, including longtime friend and fellow journalist Otis Sanford. Afrocentricity wasn’t a dress code. It was a declaration. This was Karanja’s circle — people who knew him, people who’d been shaped by him, people who came to say: We remember him.
The ceremony began with opening remarks by Deidre Malone, vice chair of The Tri-State Defender board and close colleague of Ajanaku’s, who served as mistress of ceremonies. Otis Sanford spoke first — his voice steady, his words weighted by nearly 50 years of friendship. “You can’t summarize a friendship like that,” he said. “You just can’t.” He didn’t try. But he honored their bond nonetheless, speaking of laughter shared, work endured and the
memorial
emotional
fa
he shared, “I’m learning more details about his life these past few weeks that I never knew before.” Grief met gratitude in every embrace — a testament to the impact his father left behind. (Photos: Gary S. Whitlow/Tri-State Defender)
rare closeness they maintained to the very end. Sanford had visited Karanja in the hospital just days before he passed away.
Tennessee Rep. G.A. Hardaway later presented a proclamation honoring Ajanaku’s life and work. He, too, spoke of the intellectual depth and moral clarity Karanja brought to every conversation.
Both Sanford and Hardaway lauded Ajanaku’s groundbreaking 1983 Commercial Appeal series, “Black Mosaic,” which explored the complexity and
richness of Memphis’ Black community. Sanford called on the CA to collect the series in book form and publish it.
“It was incredible then. It’s still incredible work.” Hardaway noted that further recognition from the Tennessee legislature is forthcoming.
There was a litany — call and response. I wish I had written it down, but I remember its refrain:
“We remember him.”
The phrase echoed through Hooks Hyde Hall, buoyed by the steady rhythm of the Udu drum. It wasn’t
A memorial service was held for journalist Karanja Ajanaku Saturday, July 26, at the National Civil Rights Museum.
mourning. It was invocation.
Later, Deidre Malone asked those in the audience who had been mentored by Ajanaku to stand. I stood. A third of the room stood with me. It was a quiet, powerful moment. A living ledger of lives changed.
Though it was unmistakably an Afrocentric space, spiritually and visually, the gathering was multiracial, intergenerational and deeply Memphis. That felt fitting, too. Karanja may have centered his work in the Black press, but his impact transcended category.
Near the end, Karanja Ajanaku Jr. took the microphone. Emotional and halting, he shared the weight of loss and love. But then he said something striking.
“My dad was a very private man,” Ajanaku Jr. said. “I’m learning more details about his life these past few weeks that I never knew before.”
Karanja Ajanaku was not difficult to understand. He was committed, intentional, anchored in culture, curious
Karanja Ajanaku Jr. embraces his mother-in-law Sherri Parker after speaking at his
ther’s
Service. In his
tribute,
■■ COMMUNITY
A request was made for all those who had the chance to work
their feet. A subsequent request asked individuals
friend and
reflecting on nearly 50 years of friendship. “You can’t summarize a friendship like that,” he said. “You just can’t.” His words honored not just a bond, but a legacy.
about the world and serious about the responsibility of telling truth, especially in and for the Black community. And now that he’s gone, we carry the work forward.
Because he taught us. Because he believed in us. Because he showed us. Because — we remember him.
CLASSIFIEDS
LEGAL NOTICE
TO FURNISHERS OF LABOR AND MATERIALS TO STANDARD CONSTRUCTION COMPANY
FOR THE FY 2025 SHELBY COUNTY ASPHALT PAVING PROJECT - NORTH SECTION
Notice is hereby given that SHELBY COUNTY is preparing to make settlement with STANDARD CONSTRUCTION COMPANY for necessary and related work for the rehabilitation and/or construction of FY 2025 SHELBY COUNTY ASPHALT PAVING PROJECT - NORTH SECTION
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Respectfully submitted, James Gloster • Administrator of Purchasing Shelby County Government
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Longtime
fellow journalist Otis Sanford delivers a powerful tribute to Karanja Ajanaku,
with Karanja Ajanaku to stand, and many in the audience rose to
mentored by Karanja to stand, and many in attendance stood up.
Tennessee Rep. G.A. Hardaway presented a proclamation honoring Karanja Ajanaku’s life and work. He also spoke of the intellectual depth and moral clarity Ajanaku brought to every conversation.
LIFESTYLE
Memphian dives ocean depths to break Guinness record
By Dalisia Ballinger The Tri-State Defender
Corhonda “Hooda Brown” Dawson scuba dived in four oceans on seven continents to claim the Guinness World Record for the fastest time doing it: an astonishing 11 days, 19 hours and 23 minutes.
The 52-year-old occupational therapist from Memphis, beat the previous record by over a week in April, carving her name into history with grit, strategy and unshakable determination. In April, she became the first Black woman to earn a Guinness World Record in scuba diving.
But she shared that her scuba diving story isn’t simply about setting a record. It’s about rebirth, tenacity and finding freedom beneath the waves.
Growing up in Whitehaven, miles away from any ocean, Dawson’s earliest water memories were shaped at the local fairgrounds pool, where she once worked as a lifeguard.
“I’ve always been a child of the water,” she recalled. Her parents exposed her to camping, fishing and nature, but the idea of global exploration through scuba diving was nowhere on her radar.
Following a painful divorce, she found herself in a state of emotional turmoil, grappling with the loss of the life she had envisioned. “My life had fallen apart,” she admitted. “I came from a two-parent household, so to be divorced was devastating.” Instead of being consumed by grief, Dawson chose to reclaim her life by learning something new.
She turned to the online marketplace Groupon and signed up for five ran-
dom experiences: a belly dance class, salsa lessons, golf and tennis lessons, and an intro to scuba diving. That last option, meant to be a casual experiment, transformed her life.
“If you had told me in 2012 that I’d be setting Black history or a world record through scuba diving, I would’ve told you, you were lying,” she laughed.
Her journey began modestly enough, getting scuba certified in a murky rock quarry in Metropolis, Illinois, where visibility was miserable and the water was freezing. Once she experienced the serenity of open-ocean diving, she was hooked. “In the ocean, there are no boxes, no deadlines — just organic life looking back at you,” she said.
Dawson became obsessed with the feeling of peace she found underwater. She rose through the scuba ranks unintentionally, taking class after class, not realizing she had quietly earned her Master Diver certification, the highest recreational level in scuba diving.
It wasn’t until the final dive was complete that Dawson fully grasped the magnitude of what she had accomplished — a new world record and a legacy sealed. It wasn’t a grand plan; it happened organically through her love of travel and diving. A friend pointed out the significance of her achievement and nudged her to claim her rightful
place in history.
On April 1, 2025, Dawson dove headfirst into what would become a record-setting journey — racing against time, elements and expectations.
Dawson met the challenge without sponsors, corporate backing or financial assistance — just determination, faith and the support of loved ones.
Throughout her world-record expedition, she battled unpredictable weather, financial constraints and logistical setbacks. Guinness also enforced extra
guidelines: no private transportation, no personal drivers, only commercial airlines, public transit and limited taxi miles allowed.
“There were moments I thought the journey would collapse,” she recalled. “Flights were canceled, money was tight, but every setback was met with generosity or sheer willpower.”
Despite it all, Dawson achieved the feat, diving in the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian and Southern (Antarctic) oceans in just 11 days, smashing the previous
Whalers Bay, Antarctica, was one stop on Corhonda Dawson’s quest to break the Guinness record.
record of 19 days, 19 hours and 40 minutes set by Barrington Scott in December 2024.
Dawson completed dives in Antarctica’s Whalers Bay, Brazil’s Arraial do Cabo, Portugal’s Cascais, Morocco’s Belyounech, Dubai’s Nasimi Beach and Sydney, Australia. She finished with a final dive near Catalina Island, California.
For Dawson, the record is not just a Guinness title but a message of possibility, especially for Black women and young people who rarely see themselves represented in extreme sports.
“I wanted to show that even without all the resources, with no ocean near me, I could still do something remarkable,” Dawson said. “This wasn’t just for me, it was for Memphis, for Black women, for anyone who’s ever been
■■ LIFESTYLE
counted out.”
Dawson’s two daughters Kia and Nya Bolton, both scuba divers, joined her on her final dive in Catalina Island, symbolizing a generational shift not just for herself but for her family and the culture at large.
Dawson’s journey is a testament to the power of starting over. “When life breaks you down, you have to shift your focus and learn something new. You’ll surprise yourself with how far you can go,” she advised.
From the depths of divorce to the depths of every ocean on Earth, Dawson turned pain into power and solitude into a stunning world record. She stands not just as a record holder but as a symbol of what is possible when you take the leap, literally and figuratively.
Corhonda Dawson dives in Iceland on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge between the two tectonic plates, with her right hand on the Eurasia Plate and her left on the North American plate. The geographical feature is responsible for the island’s volcanic activity.
Corhonda Dawson, seen here in Sylvia, Earle, Antarctica is the first Black woman to dive four oceans on every continent on the globe.
Cover: Corhonda Dawson, holder of the Guinness World Records for scuba diving time, dives near the Great Barrier Reef in Cairns, Australia.
■■ SPORTS Bolton High student Joshua Henderson dies after suffering heat stroke
GoFundMe campaign, initially started as a ‘recovery fund,’ transitions to burial costs
By Lee Eric Smith Special to The Tri-State Defender
A North Shelby County community is mourning the loss of 16-year-old Joshua Henderson, a Bolton High School football player who died over the weekend after suffering a heat stroke during practice earlier this month.
According to his family, Henderson collapsed on the field during a July 7 football workout and was taken to Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in critical condition. He remained on a ventilator for weeks as doctors treated severe complications, including damage to his liver and kidneys, along with blood clots and fluid buildup. Despite their efforts, Henderson died Saturday, July 26, from organ failure caused by heat stroke.
The family’s GoFundMe page, originally created to support Joshua’s recovery, has been transitioned to help cover his burial costs. As of noon on July 28, the fund was about halfway to its $15,000 goal.
The tragedy has shaken the Bolton High School community, where Henderson was remembered as a dedicated student and promising athlete.
“It is with profound sadness that we
share the passing of a beloved Bolton High School (BHS) student, Joshua Henderson,” read a statement from Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS). “He was not only an exceptional athlete and dedicated scholar, but also a source of light and joy to all who knew him. His kindness, determination and positive spirit left a lasting impression on classmates, teachers and our entire BHS community.”
The district said grief counselors and support staff will be available this week at the school for students and staff in need of support.
After Joshua’s collapse, the family began raising money for what they had hoped would be a long but successful road to recovery. A July 21 update reflected both the seriousness of his condition and the family’s growing frustration.
Following Joshua’s passing, the family posted an update on July 27:
“It is with broken hearts that we share the passing of our beloved Joshua,” the family wrote. “Josh was only 16 years old — full of life, laughter and promise. He was deeply loved by his parents, siblings, extended family and all who knew him. His sudden loss has left our hearts shattered and our world forever changed.”
Warning signs of heat stroke include confusion, slurred speech, nausea, rapid heartbeat, headache, or a lack of sweating despite the heat.
“Joshua is still in extremely critical condition. He is still on the ventilator, and every day is touch and go,” the July 21 update read. “He has damage to his liver and his kidneys. There are clots and fluid build up. … The family has not heard ANYTHING from the school or the coaches. No calls, no texts, and NO EXPLANATION AT ALL. Something has to be done. Someone has to be held accountable for this.”
“We are so grateful for the prayers, love and support we’ve received throughout Josh’s hospitalization,” the family said. “Now we ask for your help in a different way as we prepare to lay him to rest. … Joshua’s life, though short, was meaningful and full of light. We want to honor him with the love, dignity and peace he deserves.”
More information about funeral arrangements and memorial events is expected to be announced by the family in the coming days. To learn more about the fundraiser, visit: https://www. gofundme.com/f/support-joshuas-recovery-after-heat-stroke
The circumstances surrounding Joshua’s collapse have also raised broader concerns about athlete safety
amid intense summer heat. On the day of the incident, Memphis temperatures topped 90 degrees with heat indices over 100 — conditions that require special precautions when young athletes train outdoors.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness, and it occurs when the body can no longer control its temperature. Body temperatures can rise to 106°F or higher within just 10 to 15 minutes, leading to brain damage, organ failure or death if not treated quickly. The elderly and children can be especially vulnerable.
Warning signs of heat stroke include confusion, slurred speech, nausea, rapid heartbeat, headache, or a lack of sweating despite the heat. In children and teens, sudden fatigue or disorientation during outdoor play or sports should be taken seriously. If heat stroke is suspected, experts advise calling 911 immediately and trying to cool the person down with cold compresses or a cool bath while waiting for help.
Officials urge families to remain vigilant during the hottest parts of the day, particularly in the mid-to-late afternoon. Limit outdoor activity, stay hydrated with water or electrolyte-replenishing drinks, and make sure children know to take breaks, even if they’re just playing outside.
The Bolton High School community remembers Joshua Henderson as a dedicated student and promising athlete.
