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By James Coleman The Tri-State Defender
With a week to spare, Shelby County commissioners passed a $1.7 billion fiscal year 2026 budget and set a property tax rate of $2.69 for the upcoming fiscal year during a protracted meeting Monday, June 23.
It was the last full meeting before the beginning of the new fiscal year. Both ordinances toook effect July 1.
Members settled on the state-set property tax rate after numerous bites at the apple. Before opting for Commissioner Mick Wright’s proposed rate, several tax hikes were rejected during roll call votes. All ranged between two and four cents. The new rate was also initially rejected on its first vote.
The tax has been adjusted down from fiscal 2025’s $3.39 rate because of increased property tax assessments. The state sets the county’s certified property tax rate to prevent a windfall. The county is legally required to pass a balanced budget.
Prior to its passage, members approved a pair of amendments to the final budget total that will be covered by revenue from the tax. The first pared down a series of amendments totaling more than $100 million that were brought up during the June 18 committee meetings. It achieved more than $21 million in savings by perusing “actuals,” or hard numbers, from three categories across all county divisions. They include supplies and materials; services and expenses; and professional and contracted services.
“I used those savings to provide a new funding source for a selection of our previously adopted amendments,” Wright said.
If an agency runs out of funding for any of the listed items, the money will be given back through adjusted dollars.
The newly funded items include: another $10 million to the Shelby County Sheriff’s budget; a $3 million
property tax relief program for seniors; $2 million dedicated to universal pre-K education; $1 million to Hospitality Hub; along with money to expand free offerings at the zoo and to fund the establishment of a county-run crime lab. The latter item would ultimately be reduced to $1.5 million, but it will be enough to get the facility off the ground in its first year.
Wright’s amendment passed unanimously after members brushed aside concerns from Shelby County Budget Director Michael Thompson that the “funding source” would “significantly impair” the county’s ability to “provide services to our citizens.”
Furthermore, unintended expenses typically arise. And if the past is prece-
dent, “That funding source is not going to be there,” Thompson cautioned. “They need to be covered and paid for.”
The agenda item was followed by a “starting point amendment” offered by Ford that “strikes his cuts” offered during earlier discussions and replaces them with the cuts from Wright’s amendment. An additional $1.6 million was trimmed by cutting the county’s district connector program, which connects people in need with essential services.
It also funds 3% raises for county employees and sets the base salary at $45,500.
“It’s essentially a substitute of the original proposed budget,” said Chairman Michael Whaley.
A monthly dive into the nonprofit landscape — how such organizations work and the role they play in shaping and strengthening Memphis
By Judith Black Moore The Tri-State Defender
Memphis, if you’re looking for answers, look here. When FBI Director Kash Patel referred to Memphis as the “homicide capital of America per capita,” it drew national attention. But for those who live here, the crisis isn’t new. The community has been sounding the alarm for years. What’s changed is how much louder the rest of the country is hearing it. Memphis now stands at a critical crossroads.
Calls for action, from stricter policing to systemic reform, are growing. But some of the most consistently overlooked responders to Memphis’ challenges aren’t in government buildings or behind microphones. They’re working in church basements and community centers, renting workspace in aging strip malls and working courageously on the streets at night.
They don’t have time for grandstanding because they’re on a mission.
These are the people standing quietly in the background at press conferences, not seeking attention but offering help. They’re the ones showing up for grieving mothers and training fathers to become positive role models. They’re also the ones mentoring and guiding young people toward a better path to prevent the kind of loss that repeats itself too often in Memphis neighborhoods.
They are people who make up charitable nonprofits. Despite their important role, they are often misunderstood. People see the passion but not the pressure. They admire the mission but overlook the mechanics. Behind every act of service is a daily struggle to meet legal requirements, maintain funding, prove impact and build trust. Many nonprofits operate on tight margins — financially, emotionally and logistically. And somehow, they find ways to sustain and fulfill the city’s essential needs.
This monthly column, Groundwork: Mission Critical, isn’t just about celebrating nonprofit work. It will expose what it really takes to do it well, legally
and sustainably. We’ll examine the structure, strategy, stamina and systems necessary to keep nonprofits thriving.
Why should this matter to you? Because for Memphis to become the safer, stronger, thriving city its residents deserve, a healthy nonprofit ecosystem must be part of the transformation. Understanding how this sector works and what it needs matters.
Groundwork: Mission Critical will introduce lesser-known nonprofits: groups that don’t land six-figure grants or celebrity supporters, yet in many ways are the most critical to Memphis’ survival. They are the boots on the ground, navigating red tape to help people access food, shelter and support. They’re the ones mediating conflict, fighting for environmental justice and making sure seniors are not forgotten. In a city that too often makes headlines for what’s broken, their work reminds us of what’s good about Memphis.
Rooted in community care and civic responsibility, many of today’s nonprofits evolved from church aux-
iliaries, mutual aid societies and grassroots advocacy networks. For decades, especially in Black communities, these groups operated nonprofit-like institutions long before 1954 when what we now recognize as a 501(c)(3) officially became part of federal tax law. Then and now, these mission-driven organizations don’t wait for permission to serve. They see the need and get to work.
With dwindling resources and mounting challenges, many nonprofits operate on grit and goodwill. They are staffed by people who wear multiple hats and work hours that far exceed a typical workday. Yet they remain undeterred. They innovate, stretch and hustle not for headlines or glory but for impact.
If lasting change is going to happen in Memphis, it won’t start in Washington. It will begin here with charitable people on the ground doing the hard, often invisible work. That’s the role of nonprofits, and this monthly column is your invitation to learn more about them and what it takes to achieve the missions they set out to accomplish.
By Dalisia Ballinger The Tri-State Defender
In a historic move honoring one of Memphis’ most influential figures, the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority (MSCAA) Board of Commissioners voted Thursday morning to rename Memphis International Airport after FedEx founder Fred Smith.
The resolution, which passed unanimously during the June 26 board meeting, recognized Smith’s transformative contributions to the city, the airport and the global logistics industry. As the founder of FedEx, Smith helped shape Memphis into a worldwide shipping hub, leaving a lasting imprint on the region’s economy and international reputation.
Terry Blue, president and CEO of MSCAA, released a statement following the vote:
“Today marked a truly special moment in the history of our airport and our city. The MSCAA Board of Commissioners voted to rename Memphis International Airport (MEM) in honor
of Frederick W. Smith — a visionary leader, a transformational entrepreneur and a cornerstone of Memphis’ global identity.
“Mr. Smith’s legacy is woven into the fabric of our airport. His vision for FedEx not only revolutionized the way the world ships packages but also positioned Memphis as a global logistics hub. His impact is immeasurable, and his contributions have touched countless lives in our community and beyond.
“This is more than a name change — it is a reflection of a legacy that continues to lift Memphis and its people.”
The official renaming process is expected to continue over the coming months, with MSCAA coordinating with local, state and federal agencies. Blue said airport officials have already begun working bringing the tribute to fruition.
Smith, who died June 21, founded Federal Express in 1971 and launched operations in 1973. What began as a modest express delivery company evolved into a global logistics powerhouse, cementing Memphis’ role in
international commerce. Today, FedEx is one of the largest transportation companies in the world, and its global
By Terri Schlichenmeyer The Tri-State Defender
You fit right in.
Whatever it takes, that’s alright. It’s human nature to change your mind and be one with the group. To relax your presence to maintain good will. To stay quiet and under the radar — but be careful. As in the new book, “The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery” by Clarence A. Haynes, denying who you really are can be deadly.
Beautiful, talented and driven, Gwendolyn Montgomery’s touch was magic. Everyone who wanted to be famous knew that she alone could make it happen, that her work at Sublime Creative could make someone a legend like Gwendolyn herself.
Yes, she was a superstar.
Personally, though, things were different. Working long hours with whiny, demanding stars was fine, but Gwendolyn wanted companionship. She was lucky she met James, who was sweet and kinda geeky, not perfect, but better than another one-night stand.
And there was that other problem: Someone or some thing was trying to ruin Gwendolyn’s career.
It was horrible when a fashion show she’d organized at the Brooklyn Museum was trashed by a red substance that the police said was blood. It was terrible when the same thing happened at an event she’d done for her baddest, most spoiled client. But the gory Spanish words scrawled on the wall of both venues were what scared her the most.
“TRAIDORA,” they said. Traitor. Ever since he was a teenager, Fonsi Harewood talked to ghosts. Recently, he learned that he could sleep with
one, too. That super-hot incubus was literally only the man of Fonsi’s dreams, though, so Fonsi renounced love and threw himself into being a part-time psychic and running La Playa, a store for believers in the spiritual.
He loved that store and his customers, but lately he’d noticed that something was wrong and his BFF’s mother, Estelle, also a psychic, confirmed it. El Intermedio, the spirit world, was roiling, and they needed someone with more power to help hold the spirits back.
Someone like Fonsi’s long-estranged cousin, also a Guardián, wherever she was.
If you’re like a lot of people, you pick up a book, skim the first few pages and make your decision: to read or not to read. Do that with the beginning of “The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery” and you’ll be tempted to put it back.
Trust this, though: Despite it being a jumble at first, you won’t be sorry if you stay. Whether you believe in ghosts or you scoff at the idea of a spirit world, this novel will satisfy your cravings with lots of hair-raising moments and one or two moderately-explicit eyebrow-raisers, along with an intriguing back-story that includes a bit of mystery.
But it’s not all boo-who. Author Clarence A. Haynes injects enough excitement and humor to keep even the most sober-minded reader entranced with a plot that’s twisty fun.
For your vacation this year, you know you’re going to want to take a good book along, and you can’t go wrong with “The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery.”
Check your suitcase. It’ll fit right in.
Chatman President, Bank of America Memphis
By Dalisia Ballinger The Tri-State Defender
The Memphis Performing Arts Academy (MPAC) has cut the ribbon on its second location, a beautiful, state-of-the-art facility designed to serve more students and families across the city.
The academy celebrated its grand opening on Saturday, June 21, at 8146 East Shelby Dr.
With the expansion, MPAC is opening its doors wider than ever before, making room for an even larger and more diverse group of students. Since its founding in August 2024, MPAC has more than doubled its enrollment, growing from an original 150 students to nearly 500 students today. That number is increasing daily, with MPAC enrolling up to 20 new students per day as families across the city seek opportunities for their children to learn, create and thrive.
The new space allows MPAC to build upon its mission of nurturing young minds by combining strong academics with performing arts including piano, drums, dance, gymnastics, taekwondo and visual arts. The academy’s first location at New Direction Church (6120 Winchester Road), laid the foundation for this remarkable growth.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrated community and possibility, with hundreds of students, families, staff and local leaders coming together for the moment. The event featured inspiring performances by MPAC students and a moving guest performance by gospel recording artist Wess Morgan.
“We’re so grateful for this new chapter and for the chance to make an even greater impact for our students and families,” said Quinton Cox, MPAC founder and CEO.
“We’ve built this academy to give children a space where learning can be
“The arts taught me focus and gave me a way to connect to learning. That’s what I want to give every child who walks through our doors — a chance to find their voice, build resilience and unlock their unique gifts.”
— Quinton Cox
inspired by the arts, where math can come alive through music, discipline can be learned through dance and every child can find a way to connect and express themselves,” Cox said.
Cox is a passionate educator and musician who knows from personal experience just how life-changing the arts can be. As an alum of Memphis-Shelby County Schools and LeMoyne-Owen College, Cox discovered music as a way to overcome academic struggles and build discipline, focus and confidence.
“I wasn’t a natural when it came to academics,” Cox shared. “But when I discovered music, something clicked,” he stated. “The arts taught me focus and gave me a way to connect to learning. That’s what I want to give every child who walks through our doors — a chance to find their voice, build resilience and unlock their unique gifts.”
With its new facility and expanded programming, Cox said MPAC is poised to continue nurturing talent in an even more inspiring space.
For families interested in enrolling their children, MPAC offers an easy way to secure a spot. For more information on MPAC, parents or students can text “secure my child seat” to (901) 848-7625. Registration is open for students in Pre-K through 7th grade.
By Judith Black Moore
The Tri-State Defender
Born a year after the 1963 hate crime that claimed the lives of four little girls, Lisa McNair’s letters to the sister she never got to know trace a quest to understand, belong, and above all, forgive.
The 2025 Women’s Conference at First Baptist Church, Lauderdale, held Saturday, June 28, offered a blend of fellowship, emotion and reflection, centered on the theme of forgiveness.
Lisa McNair served as keynote speaker. Her life is forever linked to one of the most horrific tragedies in American history — the Sept. 15, 1963, bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, which killed her older sister.
Having known McNair through family ties, conference chair Kathy Cowan introduced her with deep admiration.
“I would sit back and study Lisa,” Cowan said. “Wondering how someone who went through so much could carry no hate. I saw the evidence of true forgiveness in Lisa.”
Denise McNair, Lisa’s sister, was one of four Black girls killed when Klu Klux Klan members planted at least 15 dynamite sticks under the steps leading to the church basement. The explosion occurred while the girls were preparing for Sunday School — a blast that tore a seven-foot-wide hole in the wall and created a five-foot-deep crater.
Lisa was born nearly one year later, into a family forever changed by the racially motivated attack. She never knew her sister in life, and because the tragedy was so painful, it was rarely discussed by those who lived through
on
Birmingham
June
thread in McNair’s story — the tension of identity, belonging and the journey toward self-acceptance. “There was a period of time when I felt I didn’t fit in anywhere,” she said. “Growing up, I usually didn’t bring up who my sister was, not right away. But if I left the room, someone else would.”
She described how people’s attitudes shifted once they learned of her connection to the bombing. “The book is really for people looking for how to fit in,” she said. “I can’t tell you how many young people come up to me after my talks and say, ‘That’s my story, too. Can you tell me how to navigate it?’ If nobody else reads the book, it’s for them.”
it. Through years of quiet discovery and personal reflection, she has come to know who her sister was in a way that transcends memory.
Now a writer and speaker, McNair is the author of “Dear Denise: Letters to the Sister I Never Knew,” a memoir told through a series of heartfelt letters. The book’s poignant cover features a
striking photograph of Denise holding a white Chatty Cathy, a popular doll in the 1960s. It was their father’s favorite image of his late daughter. “It was never a concern at the time that the doll was white,” McNair said. “There were no dolls that looked like us. Denise just loved the doll.”
That comment reflects a broader
During her talk, McNair used photographs and stories to guide the audience through personal memories, historical insight and an unflinching exploration of trauma. One haunting image she shared was of a bloodstained piece of concrete removed from Denise’s head — an object their mother
kept for decades before donating it to the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute.
“I never understood why she kept it,” McNair said. “But now, with efforts to erase history, I do. It’s a tangible reminder that hate kills.”
She spoke candidly about the emotional burden of being a living link to one of the darkest moments in U.S. history. “Sometimes Black people say, ‘I don’t want to explain myself to white people,’” she said. “But I grew up an unwilling participant in a life-changing, culture-changing event. It’s not my job. I don’t get paid to do this. But sometimes, you’re the only one who will.”
McNair recalled a moment when the white wife of her pastor asked her to guide her and her children through the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. She agreed. “At the end of the tour,” McNair said, “she broke down in a gut cry and
admitted, ‘I’m a racist, too. My father has said some of those things.’”
McNair said she hugged the woman and thanked her for her honesty. Then she told her, “Now you have a mandate to go and tell others what you learned today — bring your whole family so they can learn too, because so many people just don’t know.”
She said even members of her predominantly white church, many in their 60s and 70s, have confided in her that they never learned about the bombing or its significance.
In “Dear Denise” McNair also touches on the lingering mental health toll of the tragedy. “The bombing happened on a Sunday, and people went back to work on Monday,” she said. “There was no counseling. No one talked about it.”
She shared the story of Lynn, Denise’s best friend, who would have been with
“Sometimes Black people say, ‘I don’t want to explain myself to white people. But I grew up an unwilling participant in a life-changing, culturechanging event. It’s not my job. I don’t get paid to do this. But sometimes, you’re the only one who will.”
— Lisa McNair
her that day but stayed home with her sick brother. “Lynn emotionally died after losing her best friend,” McNair said. “She never came to terms with it and was clever in how she avoided talking about it.”
McNair said Lynn never followed
through on a promise to speak with filmmaker Spike Lee for “4 Little Girls,” his Oscar-nominated documentary about the bombing. According to McNair, Lynn struggled for decades with unresolved grief and died on the same date the bombing had occurred.
Despite living with the weight of the tragedy, McNair told the audience it is forgiveness that has given her parents and her younger sister, Kim, peace. She said her father reminds her that, “We have to have the courage to forgive,” echoing the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “We have to remember our basic humanity.”
Throughout her remarks, McNair wove together hard truths, small joys and deep human contradictions as she reflected on her journey to find belonging in a racially complex world.
“Dear Denise: Letters to the Sister I Never Knew,” published by the University of Alabama Press, is available at local bookstores and online.
By Dalisia Ballinger The Tri-State Defender
In a city where exhibiting strength is a way of life and tenacity is passed down through generations, vulnerability can be a harder language for men to speak.
That language found a voice during a series of workshops and events June 21 at Agricenter International Expo Center.
Baptist Memorial Health Care hosted its Heart & Soul: A Men’s Wellness Collective, where men from across the Mid-South came together, free from the weight of silence and stigma, to take an honest look at their health, both inside and outside.
Here, they weren’t asked to “man up” or “stay strong” but encouraged to slow down, listen and recognize that their well-being is worth nurturing.
The morning began with a “Special Tribute to Men” from Memphian and actress Elise Neal, reminding the men present that their lives and health matter.
“I’m not a man, but I know that we need them,” she said passionately. “We need them in our lives. We need them to feel strong and healthy. We need them to get their prostate exams. Overall, we want them to be their best,” said Neal, whose words set the tone for a day of promoting wellness.
For the Rev. Dr. Keith Norman, vice president of government relations at Baptist Memorial Health Care, creating a space like this was not just a priority, it was a calling. “The decision for Baptist Memorial to create this men’s wellness event was simple — because the men deserve it,” he said. “That’s our commitment here at Baptist, to foster care and provide wellness for all. Men deserve spaces like this, spaces created exclusively for them, and this is the heart of our mission.”
Throughout the day, the men participated in breakout sessions focusing on mental and physical health, and they learned how to respond to adverse
childhood experiences. They also learned ways to foster deeper connections and resilience within themselves and their families. They were met by health care professionals, mental health advocates and volunteers who spoke openly about stigmas that too often silence men and prevent them from seeking help.
Attendees also took part in free health screenings for high blood pressure and diabetes, learned life-saving CPR techniques and connected with community organizations.
The collective included some fun as well, with various vendor booths and a performance by the Grizzlies cheerleaders.
Special guest Da’Vinchi, star of Starz’s hit television series “BMF,” encouraged men to recognize that caring for their health is an investment, one that can uplift families and communities.
A highlight of the day came from husband and wife actors Michael Jai White and Gillian White, who discussed the roles that connection and support play in mental and emotional well-being.
“With the mental health part, it’s just checking in,” said Gillian, who has had roles on “NCIS” and “The Oval.”
“We’re each other’s therapist. We constantly check in with each other, making sure we’re doing okay. It’s about supporting one another every step of the way.”
Michael, who was the first African American to portray a comic book superhero, starring as Al Simmons in “Spawn,” echoed his wife’s sentiment. He also further addressed a reality many men understand all too well. “There’s so little space in television and in media that’s devoted to men and men’s health,” said Michael, who is also a martial artist with a black belt in seven different karate styles.
“This is a very important thing for men to step into who they’re intended to be. That’s why events like this are needed because it’s nonexistent otherwise,” he added.
For attendee Tedarius Anderson, the day was deeply personal. “Being a man, I’ve done a lot and seen a lot, and it gets stressful at times, and I don’t know where to turn,” he shared. “Here, I was able to get some things off my chest to men that get it.
“I even took away that I sometimes get in my own way. I’m going to work on that.”
Heart & Soul: A Men’s Wellness Collective was a reminder that every man no matter where he comes from or what he has been through is worthy of belonging, healing and support.
For more information on men’s wellness initiatives provided by Baptist, visit www.baptistonline.org.
By James Coleman The Tri-State Defender
Evangelical Christian School product and native Memphian Kam Jones emerged from the second round of the NBA Draft as a new member of the Indiana Pacers Thursday, June 26.
The junior out of Marquette was the 38th pick overall. The Pacers acquired the pick from the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for a 2030 second-round pick and cash considerations.
After his name was announced by NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum, Jones and his cousin provided an uplifting moment with a celebratory handshake and hug. He also thanked the rest of his family and supporters seated nearby.
“My whole table over there,” Jones gestured. “We got my dad, my momma, Coach Martin, my agent and my little cousin, Dillon. He’s more talented than me. He’s very good at a lot of sports. I told him, just keep running. You never know what can happen.”
The draft was held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Unlike past years, the 2025 draft was a two-day event. The first round was held the previous evening.
Jones wound up in an enviable landing spot for a rookie. If he sticks with the team, the 6-foot-5 combo guard could provide backup minutes at both guard spots. Pacers All-Star starting point guard Tyrese Haliburton is currently recuperating from a torn Achilles tendon suffered in Game 7 of the NBA Finals against winner Oklahoma City Thunder
Jones will try to earn minutes in a backcourt that includes veterans Andrew Nembhard and T.J. McConnell, along with second-year players Ben Sheppard and Johnny Furphy. The Pacers
also selected 23-year-old point guard Taelon Peter from Liberty with the 54th overall pick on Thursday night.
“I’m just excited to get to know those guys out there, build those relationships, build those friendships,” said Jones.
He will likely take part in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. It runs from July 10–20.
As his college career progressed, Jones continued to show upside. After emerging from his freshman season with Big East All-Freshman honors, he followed up with an All-Big East second-team nod as a sophomore. This past season was no different. Jones tallied a career-high 17.2 points per game on the way to an NCAA Tournament run that ended in
the Sweet 16. He spent four seasons with the program.
At one point in the draft process, Jones was considered a possible first-round selection. With both playmaking and shot-creation skills, he offers versatility to a backcourt in need of depth. It was his average athleticism and a streaky outside shot that lowered earlier projections. He shot 31.1% from 3-point range in 2024–25.
Jones also boxes. He credits the sport with adding “toughness” to his game.
“I really think boxing takes on that killer instinct, that killer mindset, that toughness you need. I’ve been in there a lot. It’s definitely been a help to my career,” said Jones.