TRI-STATE DEFENDER
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The Tri-State Defender launches
‘TSD in the Community Forums’ during Women’s History Month
By Candace A. Gray Special to The Tri-State Defender
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The Tri-State Defender, one of the nation’s longest-serving newspapers delivering news to the African American community, is introducing a new series of community-driven discussions to foster connection and engagement among local residents.
The series, “TSD in the Community Forums,” launches next week, during Women’s History Month, with a panel of empowering female leaders from Memphis and Shelby County.
Since the early-1950s, The Tri-State Defender has been a consistent and influential voice in the lives of African Americans across Memphis and the surrounding areas. With a legacy rooted in providing news, resources and advocacy for the community, TSD’s latest venture aims to create a more personal and interactive connection with its audience.
Through these public meetings, TSD will tackle issues that directly impact African Americans while providing space for the voices of community members and leaders. The first installment in the series is scheduled for Thursday, March 20, at 6 p.m. at the Southbrook Town Center in Memphis, 1254 E. Shelby Drive.
The inaugural forum will feature a panel of women leaders who are experts in their respective fields. It will focus on the importance of women in leadership roles, a theme that resonates strongly during Women’s History Month.
Stephanie R. Jones, TSD editor, emphasized the significance of this first forum. “As we pay tribute to amaz -
ing women during Women’s History Month, the panel we’ve convened is reflective of female leadership in our country,” she said. “This is a moment to elevate the voices of those who have shaped, and continue to shape, the trajectory of our community and nation.”
Panelists include: Karen Camper, Tennessee House of Representatives Minority Leader; Chief C.J. Davis, Memphis Police Chief; Carlissa Shaw, attorney; Brenda Hardy, MD, Women’s Healthcare; Bishop Althea Greene,
faith-based leader; and Pearl Walker, Memphis City Council member, District 3.
Lori Spicer Robertson will moderate the discussion. She is vice president and chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion officer at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the founder and CEO of Wundher.
The women will bring a wealth of experience and perspective to the discussion, offering insights on leadership, perseverance and the power that women exert in the community.
President Calvin Anderson Editor Stephanie R. Jones
■■ COMMUNITY
The forums will be more than just discussions — they are opportunities for citizens to tackle issues the Memphis community faces and foster dialogue, hopefully empowering residents to collaborate with city leaders on solutions to improve Memphis and the Mid-South.
Details about forums
The March community forum is free, open to the public, and will take place at 6 p.m., at the Southbrook Town Center, located at 1254 E. Shelby Drive, Memphis, TN.
Registration is required and can be done through Eventbrite at bit.ly/TSDMarchForum.
The newspaper’s leaders hope to draw a crowd of passionate individuals eager to hear from and engage with the panelists.
“This is something we have talked about for a while, and I’m glad TSD is launching these forums this month,” said Calvin Anderson, president of The Tri-State Defender Board of Directors. “The first panel of female leaders will share their life experiences and discuss the importance of having
women in leadership roles. We are grateful for our event sponsors and will announce more of them later this month.”
Sponsors for the first forum include Southbrook Town Center and Felecia Bean Catering. The newspaper will continue to host bi-monthly forums throughout the year on topics affecting the Memphis community.
The next forums will focus on Health
and Wellness in May; Education in July; Public Safety in August; Government and Politics in October; and Entrepreneurship in November. The launch of the “TSD in the Community Forums” is an example of how The Tri-State Defender continues to evolve to meet the needs of the community. In January 2024, the newspaper transitioned to a fully digital format to deliver timely, breaking news and relevant content to its readers across
multiple platforms.
The Tri-State Defender has long been a powerful catalyst for social change, and with this new initiative, it plans to continue its legacy of serving the community by promoting unity, knowledge and empowerment.
For more information, visit www. tri-statedefender.com, or follow TSD on social media for updates on future forums and community events.
Ordinances updating county ethics oversight pass first readings
By James Coleman Special to The Tri-State Defender
Ordinances updating the county’s ethics oversight, including streamlining the body tasked with the responsibility, passed on first readings during the Monday, March 17, Shelby County Commission meeting.
Shelby County Ethics Commission to have fewer members
Members gave a thumbs-up to an ordinance, 7-3, that would pare the Shelby County Ethics Commission from 13 members to seven. The reduction is being sought because, over the body’s 14-year history, the group has failed to achieve a quorum. Seven members are required for a vote to take place.
“Getting them to meetings has proved difficult over and over again,” said Shelby County Attorney Megan Smith.
The proposed number isn’t outside the norm. Several cities, including Nashville and Chicago, have boards with seven or fewer members. Moreover, the Tennessee State Ethics Commission has six board members.
According to the item sponsors, the makeup of the defunct panel has likely contributed to the no-shows. Six members are required to be attorneys, including three retired judges. The rest are at-large appointments. A new member hasn’t been appointed in more than 10 years. However, those who have received an appointment to the volunteer board are considered “holdovers.”
Ethics board appointments are made by the Shelby County mayor, followed by commission approval.
Critics took issue with the timing of the ordinance. Its introduction during a March 5 General Government Committee meeting came less than a week after the arrest of Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr. on Feb. 28, on federal
bribery and tax evasion charges. He is currently on administrative leave without pay from his City of Memphis job in Library Services.
Ford stands accused of securing grants for area nonprofits in exchange for purchases at a business he owns. The practice allegedly dates back to his time on the Memphis City Council. Ford briefly served on both bodies after being elected to the county commission in 2018. He served 11 years on the city council.
“I don’t think this body and this mayor should address it. Let me just say what it is. It is Lee Harris versus Edmund Ford Jr. right now. I think we should save this for the next mayor and the next board of commissioners …,” said Commissioner Amber Mills.
Moreover, a board composed solely of mayoral appointees would give the administration an upper hand in any ethics dispute involving a commission member. In a worst-case scenario, it could also allow complaints against the mayor to go unresolved or even unheard.
“The timing actually has nothing to do with this. I believe we met a while back, a few months ago, to discuss the possibility of bringing these changes,” said Felisa Cox, JD, chief ethics officer for Shelby County. “This is just how it’s fallen on the calendar.”
Still, concerns about political vendettas or the balance of power weren’t enough to derail the ordinance. Voting in favor were commissioners Miska Clay Bibbs, Mick Wright, Brandon Morrison, Henri Brooks, Mickell Lowery, Shante Avant, and Chairman Michael Whaley. Voting against the proposed ordinance were Erika Sugarmon, Britney Thornton and Mills. Ford and Caswell did not vote.
Prior to its approval, Sugarmon proposed an amendment that would keep the membership of the ethics panel at 13. It was rejected on a 5-6-1 vote.
Voting in favor of Sugarmon’s
amendment were Charlie Caswell Jr., Sugarmon, Mills, Thornton, and Ford. Members Clay Bibbs, Wright, Morrison, Lowery, Avant and Whaley voted no. Brooks abstained.
Changes in ethics language for county charter
Members also approved an ordinance 10-0 that would incorporate the state’s definition of “conflict of interest” into the county charter. The proposed charter amendment would apply to elected county officials, officers and employees. Its language would also reflect the state law’s definition of “indirect interest” and a “controlling interest” of a company, as well as how both are presented in a contract.
The wording ensures the commission’s ability to recall Shelby County Board of Education members in the event of a change in state law. Tennessee law currently does not allow commissioners to change the makeup of the elected board.
“The state does have language that would authorize this. Currently, the county charter does not allow for it. Neither does the state. So it would require both the state changing the law, which there are bills filed right now that would do just that. In that case,
Shelby County Commissioners voted down a 30-day freeze on grants Monday, with five commissioners in favor and six opposed. Commission Chair Michael Whaley said the moratorium was intended to provide a period for reflection and rebuild public trust in commissioners’ actions. (D’Angelo Connell/Tri-State Defender)
this would amend the charter to align it with state law,” explained Whaley. In addition to granting recall authority to commissioners, Tennessee lawmakers are mulling a state takeover of the Memphis-Shelby County School District. The proposed intervention follows the school board’s 6-3 decision to terminate Superintendent Marie Feagins’ contract on Feb. 21. Feagins was fired, in part, for her decision to present an MSCS budget to the Memphis City Council and the Shelby County Commission in violation of board policy and state law.
Voting in favor were Clay Bibbs, Caswell, Sugarmon, Mills, Wright, Thornton, Morrison, Brooks, Lowery and Whaley. Commissioners Ford and Avant did not vote.
■■ COMMUNITY Live Nation breaks ground on Memphis concert venue
By Liaudwin Seaberry and Brianna Smith-Herman
Special to The Tri-State Defender
Memphis’ music scene is set to expand with the arrival of Live Nation Entertainment’s new Satellite Music Hall, a new 1,300-seat concert venue near Crosstown Concourse.
Local leaders and representatives from Crosstown Concourse, Live Nation Entertainment and Stax Music Academy gathered for March 4 to break ground at the site of the 30,000 sq. ft. venue, expected to open in fall 2026.
“We are proud to join Crosstown Concourse and Live Nation as we celebrate the groundbreaking of Satellite Music Hall,” Memphis Mayor Paul Young said. “This state-of-the-art venue will bring world-class performances to our residents and attract more visitors, all while developing local talent and creating new jobs. It is a huge win for Memphis.”
The name Satellite Music Hall is a nod to the history of Stax Records. Founded as Satellite Records in 1957 by Jim Stewart and Estelle Axton, the label later rebranded as Stax when it was relocated to McLemore Avenue. Today, that location houses the Stax Museum of American Soul Music.
Furthering the Stax connection, Live Nation is partnering with the Stax Music Academy, an after school music program for 6th-12th grade students, to establish an apprenticeship program for its high schoolers. It will provide a space for students to work with professionals and gain practical experience in lighting, sound and music production. The academy doesn’t have its own dedicated space for students to produce live performances.
“My hope is that welcoming Live Nation to Memphis facilitates a significant front door for international touring acts, many of whom already have a reverence for our city as a key market.” — Jared “Jay B.” Boyd
High school senior Zipporah Israel has been a member of Stax Music Academy since the 6th grade. She has earned several scholarships through the organization and plans to attend Loyola University in New Orleans. She is looking forward to the partnership with Live Nation.
“I’m incredibly excited about the opportunity this new venue will create for young artists like me, from the stage to the back of the house,” Israel said. “The partnership with Live Nation will give music production students even more real world experience.”
Todd Richardson, president and CEO of Crosstown Concourse, said the project is a plus for all involved.
“By adding 100 high-quality shows to Memphis’ music calendar each year, we believe that today’s groundbreaking for Satellite Music Hall is a monumental step forward for Crosstown Concourse and for the city as a whole,” Richardson said of the venue that’s expected to provide150 jobs through Live Nation.
Jared “Jay B.” Boyd, also known as DJ Bizzle BlueBans, program manager for WYXR-FM Memphis, said the venue should help Memphis attract top-tier talent.
“My hope is that welcoming Live Na-
tion to Memphis facilitates a significant front door for international touring acts, many of whom already have a reverence for our city as a key market,” Boyd said.
“When fans wonder why their favorite artist announces a tour that includes New Orleans, Nashville, Birmingham and St. Louis, but not Memphis, the same fans sometimes conclude there must be something unappealing about our city’s concert venues,” Boyd added. “Simply having Live Nation here in Memphis could change that, as so many large-scale global tours are exclusive to their brand.”
However, Boyd also emphasized that the arrival of a corporate giant like Live Nation doesn’t have to come at the expense of the city’s independent venues.
“For people who might be afraid of welcoming this new business to the Mid-South, I think a happy medium looks something like a ‘both-and’ scenario. Our independent venues can survive and thrive by servicing those tours that aren’t connected to the Live Nation ecosystem, and we benefit as music-lovers by having a wealth of options to patronize,” he said.
High school senior Zipporah Israel, a member of Stax Music Academy since the 6th grade, expressed excitement about the partnership with Live Nation. (Liaudwin Seaberry/Tri-State Defender)
A rendering shows the exterior of Satellite Music Hall. (Courtesy Live Nation)
A makeover, not a takeover
On eve of Nashville trip, Memphis faith leaders and community rally against state takeover of MSCS
By Lee Eric Smith Special to the Tri-State Defender
Despite passionate opposition from Memphis faith leaders, educators and community advocates, a bill that could place Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) under state control advanced out of a key Tennessee House subcommittee Tuesday, March 19.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Mark White (R-Memphis), would allow the state to assume authority over a local school board if it determines the district is “fiscally impaired” or experiencing governance issues. Supporters argue the measure is necessary to ensure accountability, while critics — including MSCS board members and Memphis leaders — say it is a targeted attack on local control.
Organized by the S.O.S. (Save Our Students) Coalition, a delegation of Memphians traveled to Nashville in an effort to stop the bill, which critics argue is an overreach by state lawmakers into local education. Despite pushback from Democratic lawmakers and community members, the bill cleared its first legislative hurdle and now moves to the full House Education Committee.
Monday night, ahead of the legislative showdown, clergy members and advocates rallied at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church, calling on Memphis residents to contact their lawmakers and oppose the measure.
Ron Redwing, founder of the S.O.S. Coalition, opened the rally by emphasizing the faith community’s leadership in the fight against state intervention.
“We’re so proud to have today with us many of our faith leaders, many who’ve been leading congregations and us in this city for many, many years,” Redwing said. “This state takeover is something that we vehemently oppose, and the purpose of our gathering here this evening is to show this city, this
community and this state that we’re not going to take it lying down.”
The rally began with a passionate prayer from Dr. Gina Stewart of Christ Missionary Baptist Church.
“God of justice, God of power, God of might, we come before you today with our hearts burdened for our schools,” she prayed. “We come out of concern for the roots that are being attempted to be uprooted.”
Faith leaders took turns reinforcing the rally’s central message: Memphis schools belong under local control.
Apostle Bill Adkins of Greater Imani Church reminded the crowd that the stakes go beyond education.
“We believe democracy must remain in this country,” Adkins said. “A city within the state ought to be able to elect board members, mayors, hire people, and govern its own city without interference from Nashville.”
Adkins suggested that the true motive behind the takeover was not education but control over the MSCS $2.1 billion budget.
“You’re not going to convince me that Republicans in Middle and East Tennessee care anything about our children,” he said. “What I believe they care about is that budget.”
Bishop Linwood Dillard of Citadel of Deliverance Church of God in Christ echoed concerns about outside influence in Memphis education.
“This takeover suggests that Memphis and Shelby County communities are incapable of providing leadership, implying that we need babysitting, micromanaging and dictatorship,” he said. “How can anyone rule what’s best for us if they don’t know us?” he asked.
His closing words summed up the community’s stance: “We may need a makeover, but we do not need a takeover.”
In fiery remarks after the event, Shelby County Board of Education member Towanna Murphy lit into the pro-Feagins movement that ultimately birthed a “no-confidence” vote by Shelby County Commissioners.
“Once they pushed that no-confi-
dence vote, that gave the state the open door to say, ‘Hey, let’s go ahead and do the state takeover,’” Murphy said. “See, the community don’t know that when you do things like that, it comes back to slap us in the face like it is now. And now it’s real.
“This is real now because they made it real when they should have just allowed us to do our jobs and govern,” Murphy continued. “We were within our rights (to dismiss Feagins). We follow policies. We follow rules and regulations. But because we didn’t agree — they didn’t agree with us — they got us to this point now where the state wants to take over.”
While the overwhelming sentiment at the rally was opposition to state intervention, Ardez Clark, a vocal presence at recent school board meetings and a pro-Feagins activist, challenged the movement’s stance.
“We were telling them, ‘Hey, give (Feagins) just a little more time,’” said Clark, one of the more vocal Feagins’ supporters during school board meetings. “We were telling them, ‘The state can step in, the state can step in.’ No . . . they were adamant about what they was going to do.
“Now, all of a sudden, ball is in their court, and they want to stop it?” Clark said. “I’m with the state. I ain’t gonna lie to you. I’m standing 10 toes with it. It’s time for a change, man.”
For Redwing and the rest of the several dozen people who attended the event, the immediate goal is stopping the bill in Nashville. He called on the community to pressure County Commissioners Britney Thornton and Erika Sugarmon, whose no-confidence votes have been cited as part of the justification for the takeover.
“That vote is the trigger the state is using to take over these schools,” Redwing said. “If that vote is rescinded, it changes the trajectory of this bill.”
Area pastors rally Monday to stop state takeover of Memphis Shelby County Schools.
(Photo: Lee Eric Smith/Tri-State Defender)
■■ COMMUNITY
Portrait pays tribute to Memphis Health Center Inc. founder
By Liaudwin Seaberry Special to The Tri-State Defender
Visitors to Memphis Health Center Inc.’s main location at 360 East EH Crump Blvd. will be greeted by an image of the man who helped make possible the medical care they receive there.
The Memphis Health Center hung an oil portrait in the lobby recently honoring the late Chauncey O’Hara Daugherty, MD, for his contributions to health care in Shelby County and later in Fayette County.
Artist Henry Wiley, who specializes in portrait painting and other mediums, painted the portrait of Daugherty, a former cardiothoracic surgeon who founded the center in 1970.
Daugherty, who died in 2001, was a pioneer in Memphis’ medical community, ensuring that quality health care was accessible to all, especially underserved and vulnerable populations, regardless of their ability to pay. His dedication to his patients and the larger community left an indelible mark on the city, particularly among Black Memphians who had historically faced barriers in receiving medical attention.
Lois H. Stockton, interim CEO of the Memphis Health Center, said acknowledgement of Daugherty’s legacy was overdue.
“It has been 55 years since the health center was founded, and he wasn’t recognized for what he has done to help make the Memphis community safer and healthier,” Stockton stated. “Now is the right time to make amends.”
Several members of the Daugherty family attended the unveiling, including his daughter, Valerie Daugherty, MD, who reflected on her father’s
work and his impact on health care in Memphis.
“When he got to Memphis, he was the only board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon in the entire Southeast,” she said. “There were a lot of Black people in Memphis at that time who had never seen a doctor; and for them, it was comforting to be treated by someone they could trust.”
Daugherty’s commitment to the well-being of his patients extended far beyond the operating room. His vision for the Memphis Health Center was rooted in the belief that health care is a fundamental right, not a privilege reserved for the financial elite. Under
his guidance, the center blossomed into a representation of hope for those in need, providing essential medical services to a historically underserved community.
Memphis Health operates three primary care sites, a mobile medical clinic, and three homeless centers. Its clinics offer primary and preventive care services including pediatric/adolescent, adult medicine, obstetrics/gynecology, oral, vision and behavior health among others. Sliding scale payment plans are available for those without insurance.
Willeen Hastings, former CEO of the Memphis Health Center emphasized the continued importance of prioritizing public health in Memphis.
“His work laid the foundation for equitable health care in this city,” Hastings said. “But there is still much work to be done. Memphis continues to face serious health challenges, ranking high in HIV and STD rates. We must continue Dr. Daugherty’s mission to ensure that everyone, regardless of their background, has access to the care they deserve.”
Artist Henry Wiley discusses oil portrait of Dr. Chauncey Daugherty. (Photos: Liaudwin Seaberry/Tr-State Defender)
Lois H. Stockton, center, interim CEO of the Memphis Health Center, said acknowledgement of the late Dr. Chauncey O’Hara Daugherty’s legacy was overdue.
Teach your kids about Women’s History
By Terri Schlichenmeyer Special to The Tri-State Defender
Mom and Grandma know a lot of things. They know what you like for breakfast and for lunch. They help you find the coolest clothes and the best toys. They’re really good at telling stories, teaching you chores and giving you hugs. You know they do great things and so have other women throughout history – so grab these great books and learn more.
March is Women’s History Month and learning about it is easy when you have “The ABCs of Women’s History” by Rio Cortez, illustrated by Lauren Semmer (Workman, $18.99). From artists and activists to Zora Neale Hurston, this book takes very young readers on a tour through decades, other cultures, countries, careers, music and more. Parents will be surprised at the breadth of this book and the women in it. Kids ages 3 to 6 will love the fun, vibrant artwork.
The child who likes to draw and create will find inspiration inside “Make Your Mark” by Jacci Gresham with Sherry Fellores, illustrated by David Wilkerson (Dial Books for Young Readers, $18.99). It’s Gresham’s story of being the first known Black female tattoo artist, the struggles she had and the boundaries she ignored on her way to a career in ink. This is a great tale that parents won’t mind reading aloud because each short chapter starts with words meant to empower kids and to remind them that they can do whatever they put their minds to doing. Be sure to call your 4-to-6-year-old’s attention to the afterword.
Slightly older children who are looking for a good Women’s History Month book can’t go wrong with “Valiant Vel” by Jerrianne Hayslett, illustrations by Aaron Boyd, afterword by Michael Phillips (Wisconsin Historical Society Press, $20). Even when she was a kid in the 1940s, Vel Phillips was an activist in her Milwaukee hometown, speaking out against racism. She became a lawyer in 1951, and she continued to fight for equality and Civil Rights through politics and protest. For the 9 to 13 year old who longs to make a difference in the world, this book is full of photos, artwork, kid-friendly chapters and inspiration.
And finally, for readers ages 9 and up, “The Six – Young Readers Edition: The Untold Story of America’s First Women Astronauts” by Loren Grush with Rebecca Stefoff (Simon & Schuster, $17.99) may be just right
Women’s History Month Books for Kids by various authors
c.2024, 2025
$17.99 - $20 various page counts
for Women’s History Month. This edition is all about America’s first female astronauts – Sally Ride, Anna Fisher, Kathy Sullivan, Rhea Seddon, Judy Resnik and Shannon Lucid – and their groundbreaking, history-making work at NASA and beyond. Here, your child will thrill to tales of their training, their work, what it’s like to be an astronaut, and what it’s like to struggle while focusing on a big dream. Older children will think this book’s out of this world.
■■ BUSINESS
Cxffeeblack & Castle Retail Group: A historic partnership rooted in Memphis’ legacy
TSD Newsroom
Cxffeeblack, a Black-owned coffee brand reclaiming coffee’s African origins, has entered partnership with Castle Retail Group, the Memphis-based, family-owned business behind Cash Saver, High Point Grocery and South Point Grocery.
The collaboration represents more than business — it’s a convergence of two families from different communities in Memphis, both shaped by the land, both committed to investing in the future.
With the partnership, Cxffeeblack products are now available at South Point Grocery and soon will be at High Point Grocery and Cash Saver locations. Cxffeeblack will also serve as the wholesale coffee provider for the in-house coffee shop at Castle Retail Group’s upcoming location, South Point Grocery at Silo Square in Southaven, Mississippi.
At the heart of the collaboration is a deep respect for history and a shared belief in the power of hard work. Rick James, owner of Castle Retail Group, sees it as a continuation of his family’s legacy — a legacy rooted in labor, dignity and the land itself.
“My grandfather and grandmother worked the land,” James said. “They farmed in Arkansas, lived in a oneroom shack with a dirt floor and paid the people who worked alongside them in Booker T. Washington half-dollar coins as a sign of respect,” James recalled. “They knew that the people in the fields with them were equals, even when the world didn’t see it that way.”
Those same coins — minted between 1946 and 1951 to honor the journey of an African American leader from a
slave cabin to the Hall of Fame — have now reappeared in a new context, as James and his family join forces with Bartholomew Jones, founder of Cxffeeblack.
“We’re doing what we can with what we have, just like our ancestors did,” said Jones. “My grandmother picked 600 pounds of cotton a day in Alabama. My great-grandfather found ways to own his labor in Arkansas. And now, we’re reclaiming coffee — not just as a product, but as a legacy.”
Beyond placing Cxffeeblack on grocery store shelves, Jones said the collaboration represents an investment in the next generation. By making Cxffeeblack the wholesale coffee provider for Castle Retail Group’s in-house coffee shop at their upcoming location (South Point Grocery at Silo Square) in Southaven, this partnership ensures that Memphis-grown Black coffee culture continues to expand.
“This is the kind of partnership that can change a city,” James said. “Too often, we let barriers divide us — race, neighborhood, history — but at the root, our stories are more connected than we think. We’re all tied to the land, to labor and to the pursuit of dignity. That’s what this is about,” Jones said.
Taylor James, vice president of Castle Retail Group, thinks this partnership should give confidence to others thinking of investing in Cxffeeblack. “We not only believe in the business potential of Cxffeeblack, but we believe in their mission and their importance in the city of Memphis. We hope other folks join us in investing in an independent, locally owned business,” he said. For more information, go to https://wefunder.com/cxffeeblack/
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Barton Malow Builders / Grinder, Taber, Grinder / Allworld invite firms to bid on the Final Bid Documents for Liberty Stadium in Memphis, TN. Bid Package #05 scope will include all Interior Construction and Hardscape construction trades. Scope is divided in procurement packages available by contacting our team. Documents are being released by the design team March 21, 2025. Additional
information will be provided in our outreach meetings virtually and scheduled visits on site. First Virtual meeting will be March 26th with invites available from Ron Hooks.
BMB | GTG | AWPM, An Association shall not discriminate in recruitment or employment conditions because of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, veteran status, or other status as defined by all applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and orders. Contact Ron Hooks for more information on this opportunity ronald@allworldmail.com.
■■ SPORTS Tigers’ season exceeds expectations, look for more
By Terry Davis Special to The Tri-State Defender
Fresh off no. 5 seed in the Western Regionals of the NCAA Tournament, along with a American Athletic Conference Tournament championship that punctuated a regular season championship, it’s safe to say that the Memphis Tigers’ 2024-25 season exceeded Penny Hardaway’s original expectations. Particularly when the seventh-year head coach entered the season with no expectations at all.
After a first-round exit in the tournament the previous season, Hardaway was left with a depleted roster. Nicholas Jourdain was the only scholarship player returning. A coaching staff shakeup also muddied the picture. Then the season began.
An initial sign that Hardaway had built something special in short order was during the Maui Classic Invitational. The Tigers started the tournament with a 99-97 overtime upset of the defending national champion Uconn Huskies. They followed up with a 7163 win over Michigan State in the next round, before succumbing to AP No. 4 Auburn in the final, 90-76.
The early success translated during the regular season. Memphis wrapped up their 2024-25 schedule with a 24-5 record. They also blazed through the AAC conference schedule with a 16-2 record.
“We have one of the best resumés in the country. It’s hard to win games on this level. When you win games, whether it’s non-conference or whether it’s in the AAC, it’s tough. I’m just thankful for them respecting that,” said Hardaway.
One constant was PJ Haggerty. The soph-
omore transfer from Tulsa emerged as one of the top scorers in the nation. His 21.8 points per game average currently ranks third in Division I. For his exploits, he earned AAC Player of the Year honors and was named second-team All-American. His efforts in the conference tournament netted an Most Outstanding Player award. He was the AAC Newcomer of the Year last season.
This season’s winner was inserted into the Tigers’ starting lineup after the Tigers’ confer-
ence schedule beganDain Dainja was penciled into the starting five before a contest against Wichita St. on Jan. 23. Hardaway began mulling a switch at center after a upset loss at Temple a week earlier. Following miscue-filled win at Charlotte a few days later, Hardaway made the call-up.
The roster shakeup paid off for both the coach and the player. Dainja finished the season with a 14.2 points per game average. The 6’9” senior transfer from Illinois also averages
7.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks a contest. Hardaway was named AAC Coach of the Year for the 2024-25 season. Now, he’s prepping his team to make a run at an NCAA title and perhaps a NCAA Coach of the Year award.
The Tigers will tip-off against first round tournament draw No. 12 seed Colorado St. on Friday March 21, in Seattle.
Memphis Tigers players celebrate their 84-72 AAC Tournament championship win over UAB in Ft. Worth Texas on Sunday, March 16. The win capped a 16-2 conference record and 2024-25 regular season championship. (Terry Davis/Tri-State Defender)
Terry Davis
Grizzlies retire Tony Allen’s jersey
by Liaudwin Seaberry Special to The Tri-State Defender
Memphis’ current generation of players honored one of their legends with a 124-91 drubbing of the Miami Heat at the FedExForum on Saturday, March 15. The easy win capped a halftime jersey retirement celebration of former Grizzlies defensive stalwart Tony Allen.
Several former Grizzlies’ greats were on hand for the halftime ceremony, including former teammates Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol. Paul Pierce, who played with Allen on the Celtics, also appeared. So did Derrick Rose, who was mentored by Allen while attending the University of Memphis.
Members of Allen’s family also attended the game.
Allen played for Memphis during the prime of his 14-year career. In the seven year run, he
was one of the “four core” of that included Randolph, Gasol and current Timberwolves point guard Mike Conley. However, it was Allen that was the embodiment of the “grit and grind” culture that franchise has embraced ever since.
“He always kept the same attitude regardless of whether he played early on or not,” Randolph said. “He kept working in practice and when his time came to shine, he showed out.”
Allen was picked in free agency in 2010, after the Boston Celtics declined to offer him an extension on his rookie contract. His professional fate changed with his jersey number. Number 9 quickly found a home in Memphis. The Chicago-native was named to the NBA All Defensive team six out of his seven years with the Grizzlies.
“I wasn’t happy with TA leaving, but I knew that the move made him a better player because he needed to spread his wings,” reflected Pierce. “It’s a honor being here…”
Retired Grizzlies legends celebrates the retirement of his No. 9 jersey with his family at his side during halftime of the Grizzlies’ 125-91 win over the Miami Heat on Saturday, March 15. (Photos: Warren Roseborough/Tri-State Defender)
Tony Allen with his teammates, Zach Randolph (left) and Marc Gasol (right)
Art by St. Jude