POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Tri-State Defender, 1509 Madison Ave., Memphis, TN, 38104.
GENERAL INFORMATION: Inquiries may be submitted in writing or by calling (901) 523-1818 or by email.
TELEPHONE: (901) 523-1818.
The Tri-State Defender (USPS 780-220) is published weekly. The Tri-State Defender 1509 Madison Ave. Memphis, TN, 38104. Second-class postage paid in Memphis, TN.
By Lee Eric Smith Special to The Tri-State Defender
Correction: This article has been updated to remove references to two people whose names were included in error and are not mentioned in an amended lawsuit filed by Marie N. Feagins, who was fired by the Memphis Shelby County School Board. Sheleah Harris was not a member of the board during the time in question, and her name is not mentioned in the lawsuit. Michelle Robinson McKissack is not the board’s vice chair, and her name is not mentioned in the lawsuit.
Former Memphis-Shelby County Schools Superintendent Dr. Marie Feagins has filed an amended lawsuit accusing the Shelby County Board of Education and Board Member Towanna Murphy of orchestrating her termination through secret meetings, political retaliation and defamatory public statements.
The 40-page complaint, filed May 30 in Shelby County Circuit Court, expands significantly on the original wrongful termination filing and alleges violations of the Tennessee Open Meetings Act and the Tennessee Educators Protection Act, breach of contract, defamation and false light invasion of privacy.
At the heart of the amended filing is a claim that Feagins’ ouster was not about performance, but political retaliation, specifically tied to her refusal to quietly renew a $4 million contract with a politically connected nonprofit tutoring program — Peer Power Foundation.
Feagins claims she became a target after rejecting pressure to bypass an open bidding process for the Peer Power contract, which was set to expire in June 2024.
One day after filing a police report and seeking an order of protection against Peer Power co-chair Charles
“Dow” McVean Jr. claiming he verbally harassed her, Feagins states in the amendment that she received a profane phone call from Memphis City Council Chairman JB Smiley Jr.
Smiley is not named as a defendant in the lawsuit, but his alleged comments are cited as evidence of political interference.
The lawsuit also alleges that several MSCS Board members began meeting privately as early as August 2024 to build consensus around terminating Feagins. Such meetings, the suit argues, violate state laws requiring public deliberation of official board business.
The complaint further alleges that MSCS Board members used taxpayer funds to hire two public relations firms — The Carter Malone Group and Hiltzik Strategies of New York City —
to craft messaging around her removal.
The Carter Malone Group’s contract with MSCS, which began in Nov. 2024, was concluded on May 31. Deidre Malone, of Carter Malone, said her firm’s contract was for general communications.
Murphy is named individually as a co-defendant in the amendment. She is accused of spreading false and defamatory rumors about Feagins in the community, including claims involving a stolen vehicle and false statements that Feagins had “lied to the board.”
Feagins’ original contract, signed in April 2024, was for a four-year term with a $325,000 annual salary. She is seeking either reinstatement or financial damages totaling at least $487,500 — plus benefits and legal fees.
By Leah Willingham Associated Press
BOSTON — Harvard University will relinquish 175-year-old photographs, believed to be the earliest taken of enslaved people, to a South Carolina museum devoted to African American history as part of a settlement with a woman who says she is one of the subjects’ descendants.
The photos of the subjects identified by Tamara Lanier as her great-greatgreat-grandfather Renty, whom she calls “Papa Renty,” and his daughter Delia will be transferred from the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology to the International African American Museum in South Carolina, the state where they were enslaved in 1850 when the photos were taken, a lawyer for Lanier said Wednesday, May 28.
Lanier’s attorney Joshua Koskoff told The Associated Press that the resolution is an “unprecedented” victory for descendants of those enslaved in the U.S. and praised his client’s yearslong determination in pursuing justice for the people she had identified as her ancestors.
“I think it’s one of one in American history, because of the combination of unlikely features: to have a case that dates back 175 years, to win control over images dating back that long of enslaved people — that’s never happened before,” Koskoff said.
A key question of the case was whether Harvard could legally be allowed to continue owning dehumanizing images of enslaved people who couldn’t consent to taking part. The Massachusetts court system ultimately sided with Harvard on the question of ownership, but allowed Lanier to continue to pursue emotional damages from the institution.
Harvard said Wednesday that it had
long been working to relinquish ownership of the images “to put them in the appropriate context and increase access to them for all Americans.”
Negotiations between Harvard and Lanier lawyers resulted in a settlement that included the removal of the images from Harvard’s ownership.
On Wednesday, Lanier stood holding a portrait of Papa Renty while arm-inarm with Susanna Moore, the greatgreat-great-granddaughter of Harvard biologist Louis Agassiz, who commissioned the images on behalf of the university and whose theories on racial difference were once used to support slavery in the U.S. Both great-great-great granddaughters — one of enslaved people and another of a man who exploited them — praised the resolution.
“This is a moment in history where the sons and daughters of stolen ancestors can stand with pride and rightfully proclaim a victory for reparations,” Lanier said. “This pilfered property, images taken without dignity or consent and used to promote a racist pseudoscience, will now be repatriated to a home where their stories can be told and their humanity can be restored.”
Moore called the images captured by her ancestor, Agassiz, a “deeply racist project.”
“This victory reminds us that the meaning of such objects in museums can and should change,” she said. “This woman standing next to me, she knew all along she was not small and she was not alone.”
In 2019, Lanier sued Harvard, alleging the images were taken “with-
out Renty’s and Delia’s consent and therefore unlawfully retained.” The suit attacked Harvard for its “exploitation” of Renty’s image at a 2017 conference and in other uses. It said Harvard has capitalized on the photos by demanding a “hefty” licensing fee to reproduce the images.
Agassiz came across Renty and Delia while touring plantations in search of racially “pure” enslaved individuals born in Africa, according to Lanier’s suit. To create the images, both Renty and Delia were posed shirtless and photographed from several angles.
“To Agassiz, Renty and Delia were nothing more than research specimens,” the suit said. “The violence of compelling them to participate in a degrading exercise designed to prove their own subhuman status would not have occurred to him, let alone mattered.”
In 2021, a Massachusetts court ruled that photos are the property of the photographer, not the subject — a stance affirmed by the Massachusetts Supreme Court.
However, while Harvard sought to have the case dismissed, the state high court allowed the case to proceed on Lanier’s claim to emotional distress damages.
The state’s highest court recognized “Harvard’s complicity in the horrific actions surrounding the creation of the daguerreotypes,” saying that “Harvard’s present obligations cannot be divorced from its past abuses.”
In a statement, Harvard said it had “long been eager to place the Zealy Daguerreotypes with another museum or other public institution.”
“This settlement now allows us to move forward towards that goal,” the university said. “While we are grateful to Ms. Lanier for sparking important conversations about these images, this was a complex situation, particularly
since Harvard has not confirmed that Ms. Lanier was related to the individuals in the daguerreotypes.”
A new home for Renty and Delia Tonya M. Matthews, CEO of the International African American Museum, called Harvard’s relinquishing of the images a moment “175 years in the making.”
“The bravery, tenacity and grace shown by Ms. Lanier throughout the long and arduous process of returning these critical pieces of Renty and Delia’s story to South Carolina is a model for us all,” she said in a statement.
The South Carolina museum has committed to working with Lanier and including her in decisions about how the story of the images will be told.
In Lanier’s lawsuit, she asked for Harvard to acknowledge its complicity in slavery, listen to Lanier’s oral family history and pay an unspecified sum in damages. An undisclosed financial settlement was part of the resolution with Harvard announced Wednesday, but Koskoff said Harvard still hasn’t publicly acknowledged Lanier’s connection to them or its connection to perpetuating slavery in the U.S., Koskoff said.
“That is just left unanswered by Harvard,” he said. Koskoff said he wants to be clear that Lanier and his team “firmly support” Harvard’s current fight against the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump as the White House moves to cut billions in federal aid and block the enrollment of international students, accusing the institution of being a hotbed of liberalism and antisemitism.
“We are not here today to bash Harvard ... but that doesn’t mean that they are perfect, and that doesn’t mean that they don’t have the obligation to tell a full history, even one that sheds poorly on their own veritas,” he said.
By Terri Schlichenmeyer Special to The Tri-State Defender
Your parents both hate being late.
It’s never bad to be where you’re supposed to be, you know: on time, ready and eager for whatever’s next. A party, your church service, lunch at Grandma’s house — it’s always best to arrive at the start with a smile. Being prompt is just good manners or, as you’ll see in “The Juneteenth Alphabet” by Andrea Underwood Petifer, pictures by Ana Latese, it could become a much bigger matter.
After the Civil War ended in April 1865, four million formerly enslaved people embraced the end of bondage, but enslaved people in Texas did not. They weren’t informed of emancipation until much later, not until June 19, 1865. On that day, the Union Army arrived in Galveston, Texas, to spread the good news, and there was a jubilee.
That was the first Juneteenth.
There are A-B-Cs for that.
A is for album, a homemade book of memories and clippings so that kids in the future can understand their history. B is for black and for beautiful. C is for culture and celebration and community, three very important things to remember on Juneteenth, which began in America but is celebrated in many countries.
G is for Galveston, the city where the celebration was born. H is for healing, but also for HBCUs, or historically Black colleges and universities. K is for secrets being kept, and for families that were kept apart during slavery. And L is for laws — the good ones that made Juneteenth possible; and the bad ones, like Jim Crow laws.
O is for Opal Lee, a real person who worked hard to make Juneteenth a national holiday; she is known as the “Grandmother of Juneteenth.”
R and S are both important parts of the celebration, red for the food and drink that are traditional at Juneteenth celebrations, and sounds and songs that make the holiday great!
As an adult, you can probably think of many other representations for letters of the alphabet that are not inside “The Juneteenth Alphabet.” Civil War, notification, enslavement, parade, your list may be long and what’s here is often a stretch. As an adult, you might think that the author missed a few points. And that’s okay because you’re an adult, and this book isn’t for you.
Kids who love to celebrate Juneteenth will enjoy the narrative inside this book, and children who are just learning about the holiday will get
“The Juneteenth Alphabet” by Andrea Underwood Petifer, illustrated by Ana Latese c.2025, Duopress / Sourcebooks
$14.99
40 pages
a nice, rounded education for it here. Petifer’s A-B-Cs include many sidebars meant to launch discussion with older kids, while Latese’s illustrations will keep younger children interested. If you still notice omissions, there’s room in both word and photo for parents to make additions. What fun!
This is a great book for kids ages 3 to 5, and it gently leads 6-and-7 year olds to learn more on their own. If your family has Juneteenth plans this summer, you’ll want “The Juneteenth Alphabet.” Find it now, soon, or better late than never.
By Brianna Smith-Herman Special to The Tri-State Defneder
Memphis’ annual Juneteenth celebrations will kick off early with events beginning this weekend and continuing through the next, closer to the official holiday on June 19.
The 32nd Annual Memphis Juneteenth Festival is set for Friday and Saturday, June 6 and 7, at Medical District Park (formerly Sciences Park) at Madison Avenue and South Dunlap Street. The celebration runs from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day and is free and open to the public.
place in June, Franklin wanted to ensure collaboration over competition for attendance, which spurred the earlier scheduling of Juneteenth events.
“I want to ensure that all Juneteenth celebrations receive strong support and have the opportunity to be successful without overlapping or competing events,” she said.
Recognizing the importance of unity and shared purpose, she added, “There’s enough space for all of us to shine together.”
By coordinating with other community events and artists, the Memphis Juneteenth Festival continues to serve as a unifying platform.
This year’s festival carries the theme of empowerment, with a strong emphasis on celebrating “Men of Impact” and amplifying Memphis’ diverse cultural contributions. Other festival highlights include:
Martin
In between the two weekends is the annual Juneteenth Freedom Luncheon at 11:30 Thursday, June 12, at the Holiday Inn University of Memphis Grand Ballroom, 3700 Central Ave. Award-winning journalist Roland Martin will be the keynote speaker. Martin is the host and managing editor of #RolandMartinUnfiltered, the first daily online show dedicated to news and analysis from an explicitly African American viewpoint, and CEO of the Black Star Network, an OTT platform featuring diverse news and cultural programming.
Telisa Franklin, who was the first to organize Juneteenth celebrations in Memphis, notes the importance of the celebration.
“For over three decades, I have personally invested in this festival because I’ve seen how vital it is to our community,” Franklin said. “It’s not just an event — it’s an investment in our future, a celebration of our history and a platform for our voices.”
With Black Music Month also taking
• Live performances from local and national artists including Courtney Little, J. Buck, Gerald Richardson, Eddie Valero, Changing Faces and Kut Klose, in honor of Black Music Month.
• A Greek Yard Show and Greek Stroll showcasing the spirit and tradition of Black fraternities and sororities.
• A car show featuring over 100 custom and classic vehicles.
• Theater and dance performances, along with a full musical production.
• A run-walk event promoting wellness, unity and community engagement.
Beyond entertainment, the festival aims to educate and empower. A political round table discussion, speeches from local leaders and a segment honoring elder men in the community are among the many activities designed to deepen understanding of Juneteenth’s historical and modern-day significance.
Importantly, this year’s festival takes
“For over three decades, I have personally invested in this festival because I’ve seen how vital it is to our community. It’s not just an event — it’s an investment in our future, a celebration of our history and a platform for our voices.”
— Telisa Franklin
a strong stance on public health. With Memphis ranking second nationally in rising HIV rates within the Black community, Score Health has joined as the presenting sponsor to help raise awareness and provide education and resources throughout the event.
Also, attendees can expect a diverse selection of local food trucks offering everything from traditional Southern comfort foods to international cuisine and vegetarian fare. A curated arts and
crafts market will feature Black-owned businesses and local artisans.
While Juneteenth was only recently recognized as a federal holiday in 2021, Memphis Juneteenth has long been a staple in the city’s cultural calendar.
“We’ve been doing this long before it was popular,” Franklin said. “Now that the world is catching up, we’re proud to say that Memphis Juneteenth has become the official celebration for our city and county.”
Tickets for the Juneteenth Freedom Luncheon are $125 per person, with tables of 10 available for $1,000. Visit www.901tix.com or call 901-281-6337 for table reservations and sponsorship opportunities. For more information about this week’s events, visit www. MemphisJuneteenth.com
– The Major Taylor 5th Annual Juneteenth Freedom Ride, on June 14, starts at Wiseacre Brewery, 2783 Broad Ave. This community bike ride offers route options of 23, 44 or 63 miles. Riders of all levels are welcome. Registration includes support along the route and a post-ride beverage at Wiseacre.
– Juneteenth at the National Civil Rights Museum, June 19. Admission to the museum will be free from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests can explore exhibits that reflect on African American history and take part in Community Day activities that honor the historical significance of Juneteenth.
– Juneteenth Douglass Freedom & Heritage Festival, June 20-22, at Douglass Park.
With more than 30 years of tradition, this neighborhood-based celebration promises free concerts, delicious food, local vendors and a welcoming, community-centered atmosphere.
By Lee Eric Smith Special to The Tri-State Defender
The national, state and local branches of the NAACP are demanding that the Shelby County Health Department issue an emergency shutdown order for xAI’s controversial supercomputer facility in South Memphis, citing a long list of alleged environmental violations and a breakdown in transparency.
The May 29 letter, addressed to health department Director Dr. Michelle Taylor and the MLGW Board of Commissioners, accuses both agencies of enabling xAI to operate “without constraint or restraint,” despite the company’s use of dozens of methane gas turbines that the NAACP says were never properly permitted.
The historic civil rights organization claims the situation violates the Clean Air Act and the Tennessee Open Meetings Act and undermines the health of nearby residents — many of whom live in the historically Black neighborhood of Boxtown.
“The message that SCHD and MLGW have sent to the community is that billionaires matter more than the taxpayers and residents who live there,” the NAACP wrote.
But Monday afternoon, MLGW issued a point-by-point rebuttal, dismissing the NAACP’s claims as “baseless,” “inflammatory” and demonstrating a “complete lack of understanding” of MLGW’s legal role.
“We must provide utilities to customers in our service territory in a non-discriminatory manner,” wrote MLGW President Doug McGowen in a letter addressed to NAACP officials. “MLGW has no role whatsoever in authorizing, governing, supervising or monitoring xAI’s use of gas turbines.”
McGowen emphasized that MLGW is a municipal utility governed by fed-
eral energy law and does not regulate air quality. That responsibility, he said, falls to the health department, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The core of the NAACP’s argument lies in its assertion that xAI brought in more than 35 methane gas turbines to power its data center operations without first obtaining the permits required under the Clean Air Act’s New Source Review program. Further, the group argues, the utility and public health agencies failed to enforce basic transparency requirements around public meetings and environmental oversight.
In their letter, the NAACP claims SCHD knew about xAI’s operation as early as June 2024, when residents began raising questions, but failed to act.
Instead, they argue, the agency deferred to the federal EPA while allowing the company to operate unchecked for nearly a year.
MLGW, in turn, pointed to its public outreach efforts, including a Q&A with the Memphis City Council in August 2024 and a dedicated website providing updates about xAI. It also reiterated its leadership role in developing an $80 million wastewater recycling facility intended to keep xAI, TVA and Nucor Steel off the Memphis Sand Aquifer.
Still, public trust remains fragile.
Recent community hearings, including a charged public forum at Fairley High School, have been marked by outrage and skepticism, with residents chanting, “We don’t want it!” and booing xAI’s representative off stage. Several residents questioned the legality of the turbines. Others simply doubted
the premise that any fossil fuel-driven facility could be called clean.
Taylor, of the health department, has not publicly responded to the NAACP’s letter. But in a May 16 update on the SCHD website the department said it was still reviewing more than 1,700 public comments on xAI’s permit request and had not yet made a final decision.
Taylor, who recently announced her departure from the agency in August to lead the Baltimore City Health Department, has not indicated whether a ruling will be made before her exit.
Meanwhile, community advocates continue pressing for accountability, and the NAACP has not backed down.
The letter concludes with a call for immediate penalties, a full audit of emissions sources on and around the site, and the suspension of operations until legal compliance is ensured.
By James Coleman Special to The Tri-State Defender
Responding to a rise in violent crime, the Shelby County Commission has approved a resolution requesting that the City of Memphis be designated a federal “priority community” — a move paired with a one-time request for $10 billion in federal funding.
According to Commissioner Mick Wright, who sponsored the resolution, the designation would be unprecedented.
“It’s not, to my knowledge, anything that currently exists,” Wright said. “This is my attempt to say Memphis should be at the front of the line anytime any kind of resources or funding are available.”
Commissioners approved the consent agenda item in a 9-0-1 vote during their Monday, June 2, meeting. It was the second vote on the proposal.
The resolution references recent remarks by FBI Director Kash Patel, who reportedly referred to Memphis as the “homicide capital of America” during a congressional update in May. Patel, appointed in early 2025, made the comment in testimony to the U.S. House following a violent weekend in Memphis in which 12 people were shot — three fatally, including a 16-year-old girl.
“As members of the federal government are looking our way, are talking about us, this is to say, ‘We need help,’
and we should be at the forefront when they are thinking about the communities they want to help,” Wright said.
The resolution also quotes U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., who urged Patel to “make certain that we have every resource we need in Memphis.”
It also references Mayor Paul Young’s support for “any effort that brings more resources to Memphis.”
Memphis currently has a homicide rate of 15.8 per 100,000 residents, placing it among cities with the highest murder rates, including St. Louis and New Orleans. However, according to the Memphis Shelby Crime Commission, violent crime in the city declined by 9 percent in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year.
Wright, one of four Republicans on the commission, said the $10 billion request targets infrastructure issues that impact public safety.
The resolution identifies:
• $1.4 billion to replace the aging Shelby County Jail at 201 Poplar Ave.
• $1.5 billion to rebuild the Regional One Health campus.
• $2 billion for Memphis-Shelby County Schools to address deferred maintenance.
“Those are three specific things, but it says we have a tremendous amount of need,” Wright said. “I put that figure at somewhere around $10 billion of additional capital need that we have.”
None of the three projects are addressed in Shelby County Mayor
Lee Harris’ proposed fiscal year 2026 budget, which is currently under commission review.
According to the resolution, prioritizing federal investment in Memphis and Shelby County “will produce a massive return on investment and free up local resources to fully meet public safety demands.”
Wright introduced the resolution during a General Government Committee meeting on Wednesday, May 28.
“From my standpoint, this is just a general request for help,” he said. “The resolution speaks specifically of our capital needs.”
Still, not all commissioners were fully supportive. Some voiced concern about potential conditions attached to federal assistance.
“Sometimes, when you get help from the federal government, it comes with strings. Conditions,” said Commissioner Henri Brooks, who chairs the committee. “At this point, considering the current administration, I’m not sure I want to go there right now. But I support your concept.”
Brooks abstained from the final vote.
During the committee discussion, Commissioner Erika Sugarmon emphasized the need for collaboration across all levels of government to address Memphis’ public safety challenges.
“When I talk to state representatives, they are of the mindset that we all need to get together — all of the elected
“Sometimes, when you get help from the federal government, it comes with strings. Conditions. At this point, considering the current administration, I’m not sure I want to go there right now.”
— Henri Brooks
legislators, like the munis [municipalities], as well as the state level and the commissioners,” Sugarmon said. “Maybe we could have something at the federal level as well.”
By James Coleman Special to The Tri-State Defender
After four years at her current post, Shelby County’s Health Department Director Dr. Michelle Taylor has accepted a similar position in Baltimore, Maryland.
Her last day on the job will be Aug. 1.
Taylor was appointed by Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris in 2021, following the resignation of former director Alisa Haushalter. In a previous stint with the department from 2013–2016, Taylor served as deputy administrator.
“I was confident that Dr. Taylor was the right person to lead our health department. She is a dedicated public servant, and her compassion for the community is truly inspiring,” Harris said in a statement.
During her tenure, Taylor led the county’s COVID-19 pandemic efforts, including the final COVID task force
briefing in 2023. She also has made improvements to county satellite health clinics, along with anti-HIV efforts. The health department recently made free HIV tests available for county residents.
Taylor was also recently named chairelect of the Big Cities Health Coalition, after joining the organization last fall.
The group features leaders from health departments from the nation’s largest cities. Together, they exchange strategies and jointly address public health issues facing large metropolitan areas.
“Dr. Taylor is a world-class leader, and I’m grateful that she’s bringing her talents and experience to Baltimore,” said Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott in a statement. “She shares my commitment to expanding affordable health resources in every single neighborhood of our city.”
The pediatrician earned her medical degree in 2002 from East Tennessee State University in Johnson City. Taylor
also holds a master’s degree in epidemiology from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis, along with a bachelor’s degree from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.
The native Memphian is also a graduate of White Station High School.
“This place is not just where I work, but it’s also a place I call home, and serving in this role has truly been an honor. In four years, I have had the magnificent privilege of working alongside a team of dedicated and passionate professionals to strengthen the public health system in Shelby County,” said Taylor.
Prior to her appointment as health director, the military reserve lieutenant colonel spent two years on active duty in the Office of the Air National Guard Surgeon General from 2019–2021.
“Shelby County has been fortunate to have her leadership and service in promoting health equity and protecting
our communities. I am proud of Dr. Taylor as she steps into the vital role of Commissioner of Health for the Baltimore City Health Department,” said Harris.
By James Coleman
Special to The Tri-State Defender
Shelby County Commission held off on a vote setting the FY2026 property tax rate during the May 28 Budget and Finance committee meeting after members discovered Mayor Lee Harris’ $1.7 billion budget proposal is $9.5 million above tax projections.
The annual rate is based on forecasted tax collections, which are supposed to balance with the yearly budget. Instead, the Harris administration relied on past revenue projections for the proposal’s overly optimistic collection rate forecast.
“Finance has treated them like they are the same, but it’s not,” said Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr. “You cannot just come up with $9.5 million just because you have hopes and wishes and dreams.”
To come up with the projections, the administration parsed months out of past revenue hauls. One figure exceeded a 100% collection rate. The total contrasted with the monthly projections the Shelby County Trustee’s Office typically crunches.
In years past, the county has struggled to meet its collection rate on a variety of taxes. Newman confirmed the county is on target with its current collection goals as FY2025 winds down. But the FY2026 proposal…
“Including a 98% collection rate for realty and personalty is not going to happen, and you will have a $9.5 million hole in your budget,” quipped Shelby County Trustee Regina Morrison Newman.
Nevertheless, Shelby County Deputy Budget Director Michael Thompson defended the use of the revenue projections. He also pointed out the documents bore Newman’s name on the ledgerhead.
“This is a tremendous budget that I
am very proud of,” prefaced Thompson.
But if the administration’s tax collections goals aren’t met, the county could be forced to begin laying off personnel. Budget priorities, such as raises for Shelby County Sheriff’s Office jail employees and for county workers, also could be imperiled.
“I can’t be proud of a proposed budget that has a $9.5 million gap,” shot back Ford.
One option to cover the gap is to increase Harris’ proposed FY2026 property tax rate by three cents. Eliminating TIF (Tax Increment Financing) is another. Cutting the appeals allowance from the tax assessor’s office could work too, provided no one appeals their appraisal.
All three options were given a thumbs up by Thompson.
“I think Trustee Newman just mentioned several great ways that we can reach a number to ensure that all of our Shelby County employees and citizens are serviced appropriately in FY2026,” he replied.
Members agreed with Commissioner Brandon Morrison’s request to kick the item to the next committee meeting on June 18.
The budget overshoot is the latest wrench in the works of a contentious budget season. Harris kicked off the negotiations with a claim that his FY2026 proposal included a 66-cent property tax cut. However, commissioners continue to dispute the claim.
If the rate were to remain at $3.39, increased property tax values would lead to a tax windfall, which is prohibited by the state.
The administration and commissioners are waiting on the state trustee’s office to certify a rate. Thompson confirmed a resolution is “prepped and ready” to include an “appropriate number.”
By Dalisia Ballinger Special to The Tri-State Defender
Health met heritage Saturday morning as The Juice Joint officially opened its doors at the Crosstown Concourse. The grand opening drew in a crowd eager to taste fresh, cold-pressed juices, smoothies and acai bowls — all served with a side of soulful flair.
The brainchild behind the venture is Darious Robertson, a Memphis-based playwright and actor whose passion for juicing began during the COVID-19 pandemic. “It started as a personal lifestyle change,” Robertson explained. “That love for juices sparked something greater — and now it’s a business rooted in both wellness and community.”
Before launching the Concourse location, Robertson tried out the concept with a successful test kitchen on Cooper Avenue. “That was the trial run,” he said. “The response was overwhelming, and it confirmed that Memphis was ready for something fresh — literally and culturally,” he said.
Choosing the Crosstown Concourse as the home for his flagship location was no coincidence. The revitalized vertical urban village is known for its focus on community, wellness, and the arts — values that mirror Robertson’s mission.
The name The Juice Joint is a creative twist on the classic “juke joint,” a nod to the historical Southern spaces that brought people together through music and community. “The Juice Joint is a play-off of a juke joint,” said Robertson. “I want this to be a place where everyone can feel health-conscious and happy with what they’re consuming.”
The Juice Joint’s menu includes a vibrant selection of cold-pressed juices, nutrient-packed smoothies and antioxidant-rich acai bowls, designed to nourish the body and lift the spirit. With its retro aesthetic and upbeat energy, the space reflects Robertson’s vision of a wellness destination that feels both familiar and new.
But the offerings don’t stop there. The Juice Joint also stocks healthy snacks such as probiotic sodas and other grab-and-go items — perfect for visitors on the move. The retail section features branded T-shirts, tote bags and lifestyle merchandise, allowing customers to take a piece of the brand’s positive energy with them.
The grand opening was filled with joy, music and a
“The Juice Joint is a play-off of a juke joint. I want this to be a place where everyone can feel healthconscious and happy with what they’re consuming.”
— Darious Robertson
long line of supporters — many of them family and close friends. “He’s been working on this for so long, and to see this come into fruition, I couldn’t be more proud,” said Latisha Robertson, Darious’ mother. Barbara Sharp, a longtime family friend, echoed the sentiment: “We’re so happy for him. He’s always been a man of God and doing great things. We had to come and support.”
Looking to the future, Robertson has big plans. “I want The Juice Joint to have multiple locations eventually,” he shared. “In the meantime, I plan to create initiatives in my community focused on how to be healthy — and hopefully inspire others to want to open their own juice spot.”
Today, The Juice Joint employs a team of six staff members, many of whom are local hires. Robertson says creating jobs and opportunities in the community was just as important as creating smoothies and juices.
As Memphis continues to grow its health and wellness scene, The Juice Joint is poised to become more than just a juice bar. It’s a cultural experience rooted in flavor, community and purpose.
Chatman President, Bank of America Memphis
Shelby County Government has issued Sealed Bid number I000918A Erosion Control, East Shelby Library, 7200 East Shelby Drive. 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 I000929 DUE DATE MONDAY JUNE 16, 2025 AT 2:00 PM CST (SB-I000918A) EROSION CONTROL, EAST SHELBY LIBRARY
Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
Microsoft Teams
Join the meeting now Meeting ID: 290 692 523 623 1 Passcode: 6SV3qg9E
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
LEGAL NOTICE Request for Bids
MSCAA Project Number 18-1413-03
TW Bravo Hot Spot 1 – Construction
Sealed bids for TW Bravo Hot Spot 1 – Construction will be received by the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority (Authority), Procurement Department, 4150 Louis Carruthers Drive, Memphis, TN 38118, until 2:00 PM Local Time on 7/10/2025. Bids will not be received at any other location. Within 30 minutes thereafter, the bids will be opened and publicly read via phone/ video conference
Bid Opening Virtual Link
https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_NWFlZTYxYmUtM2VkOS00OGJlLWI1YWItNWJmMTJjMzE3NGE4%40thread. v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%227d15b1386f30-4477-b779-756687956003%22%2c%2 2Oid%22%3a%228659cc03-f592-4b3f-84d1d045f17019ff%22%7d
Bid Opening Call-in Option
Phone: (872) 242-8851; Conference ID: 123947805#
The Bid Documents, including a description of the scope of work, the required response format, and additional instructions may be obtained on or after 5/28/2025 , 2025 online at www.flymemphis.com
A Virtual Pre-Bid Meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at 11:00 AM local time via the phone/video conference links below:
Pre-Bid Meeting Virtual Link https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_YzcyYzM1OWEtMzgzNS00NWE4LWI5YmMtMTQwYWI4NjgxNjJm%40thread. v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%227d15b1386f30-4477-b779-756687956003%22%2c%2 2Oid%22%3a%228659cc03-f592-4b3f-84d1d045f17019ff%22%7d
1509 Madison Ave.
Memphis, TN 38104
PH (901) 523-1818
HOURS: Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
DEADLINES:
Display ads Friday 5 p.m.
Classifieds ads Monday 5 p.m.
STANDARD RATES:
$8.00 per line for 1 column ad.
Rates are non-commissionable and are quoted at the net rate. No refund for early cancellation. For additional information contact Sales Dept. at (901) 746-5201 or email: advertising@tsdmemphis.com.
GENERAL INFORMATION:
The Tri-State Defender reserves the right to edit all copy or to reject or cancel any ad at any time. Copy change during ordered schedule constitutes new ad & new changes. Deadlines for cancellation are identical to placement deadlines. Rates subject to change.
Pre-Bid Meeting Call-In Option
Phone: (872) 242-8851; Conference ID: 690722022#
Instructions on Pre-Bid Meeting and Site Visit request can be found at https://www.flymemphis. com/rfps-rfgs. Attendance at the Pre-Bid Meeting is strongly recommended.
All Bidders are responsible for checking the Authority’s website up to the submission deadline for any updates, addenda or additional information. The successful Bidder must sign a contract with the Authority that includes Federal Aviation Administration provisions, if applicable, regarding the Buy American Preference, Foreign Trade Restriction, Davis-Bacon, Affirmative Action, Debarment and Suspension, and Drug-Free Workplace, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Each bid must be made by a contractor licensed in Tennessee and be accompanied by a 5% Bid Guarantee. The successful bidder must execute a Performance Bond and a Payment Bond in the amount of 100% each of the Contract Price and meet the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) participation goal for this project, which is 26%.
The Authority reserves the right to reject any or all responses to this Request for Bids in whole or in part; to waive any informalities, technicalities, or omissions related to this Request for Bids; and to reject responses on any other basis authorized by the Authority’s purchasing policies. The Authority is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination based on the grounds of age, race, sex, color, national origin, disability, marital status, military service, or sexual orientation in its hiring and employment practices and in the admission to, access to, or operation of its programs, services, and activities.
By order of:
Terry Blue, A.A.E. President and CEO Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority
LEGAL NOTICE Request for Bids
MSCAA Project Number 25-0200-01
Inbound-Outbound Roadway Sealcoat
Sealed bids for Inbound-Outbound Roadway Sealcoat will be received by the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority (Authority), Procurement Department, 4150 Louis Carruthers Drive, Memphis, TN 38118, until 2:00 PM Local Time on 7/1/2025. Bids will not be received at any other location. Within 30 minutes thereafter, the bids will be opened and publicly read via phone/ video conference (information for the phone/ video conference can be found at www.flymemphis.com). A complete Request for Bids Packet with submittal instructions, additional data, and response format may be found on the Authority’s website (www.flymemphis.com) on or after June 6, 2025
A virtual pre-bid conference will be held Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at 11:00 am Local Time via video conference. The link to the video conference can be found at www.flymemphis.com. The project site will be available for inspection immediately following the meeting. It is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED those wishing to submit a bid to attend the pre-bid conference and make a site visit. All attendees should register for the site visit by sending an email to bidquestions@ flymemphis.com
All Bidders are responsible for checking the Authority’s website up to the submission deadline for any updates, addenda, or additional information. In accordance with the Authority’s purchas-
ing policies, the Authority will give preference to businesses located in Shelby County, Tennessee when awarding contracts and making purchases, unless prohibited by law. The successful Bidder must sign a contract with the Authority that includes Federal Aviation Administration provisions, if applicable, regarding the Buy American Preference, Foreign Trade Restriction, Davis-Bacon, Affirmative Action, Debarment and Suspension, Prohibition on Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment, Domestic Preferences for Procurements, and Drug-Free Workplace, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Each bid must be made by a contractor licensed in Tennessee and be accompanied by a $5,000 Proposal Bond. The successful bidder must execute a Performance Bond and a Payment Bond in the amount of 100% each of the Contract Price and meet the Small Business Participation Program (SBPP) participation goal for this project, which is 0%.
The Authority reserves the right to reject any or all responses to this Request for Bids in whole or in part; to waive any informalities, technicalities, or omissions related to this Request for Bids; and to reject responses on any other basis authorized by the Authority’s purchasing policies.
The Authority is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination based on the grounds of age, race, sex, color, national origin, disability, marital status, military service, or sexual orientation in its hiring and employment practices and in the admission to, access to, or operation of its programs, services, and activities.
By order of: Terry Blue, A.A.E. President and CEO Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority
