The New Tri-State Defender -- January 7-13, 2021

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January 7 - 13, 2021

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Local reaction to chaos in D.C.

by Erica R. Williams

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Tennessee lawmakers are condemning President Donald Trump after his supporters swarmed the U.S. Capitol Wednesday to contest the results from the November election.

Trump supporters breached the U.S. Capitol in protest of the election results, which they contend – without offering any substantiated evidence – was stolen from President Trump. At least one person was shot and killed and several others injured during the mayhem that also resulted in the evacuation of Vice President Mike Pence and members of Congress.

Among the evacuated lawmakers was Tennessee Congressmen Steve Cohen (TN-09 “We are locked in the chamber as

the hooligans have entered the Capitol,” Congressmen Cohen tweeted shortly after he and other lawmakers were evacuated and moved to an undisclosed location. “Trump swore to protect the country from enemies both foreign and domestic. He is not only defending us against domestic enemies. He is the domestic enemy.”

Former Vice President Joe Biden won the election capturin6 306 Electoral College votes to 232 for Trump.

However, President Trump has unsuccessfully tried to have the results overturned, claiming that the election was stolen. Although he lost both the popular and electoral college votes, the President has encouraged his supporters to challenge and protest the results.

Several local lawmakers said Wednesday’s violent protests were a result of the President’s actions.

#ACCESS901

Trump supporters try to break through a police barrier, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, at the Capitol in Washington. As Congress prepares to affirm President-elect Joe Biden’s victory, thousands of people have gathered to show their support for President Donald Trump and his claims of election fraud.(AP Photo/John Minchillo) “The violence that’s going on in DC is unacceptable and a direct consequence of the violence and disorder President Trump has caused,” State Representative London Lamar (D-Memphis) said in a written statement to the New Tri-State Defender.

“Our nation and citizens deserve to participate in a fair election process that doesn’t result in a violent coup.

President Trump and his supporters should be held liable.”

State Representative Antonio Parkinson (D-Memphis) echoed similar sentiments as Rep. Lamar.

“As a legislator, a former U.S. Marine, and an American, I am embarrassed, concerned and extremely dis-

SEE D.C. ON PAGE 3

Eric Jerome Dickey at the African American Literary Awards.

(Courtesy photo)

‘Eric’ told ‘our’ stories

by Joy Doss

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

By now most bibliophiles, fellow word nerds and Eric Jerome Dickey super fans have heard of his untimely passing.

Memphis born and beloved by many, Eric will leave lasting footprints in the sand, never to be erased or replaced.

Oddly enough, I met Joy Eric not in MemDoss phis but in New York as I was working (and still do) on the African American Literary Awards. He was very close to my friend Yvette, who also is the founder and executive producer of the awards.

I don’t profess that I knew him well, but on the occasion that we crossed paths, we connected as Memphian.

He was very sweet and friendly.

I am prone to always remember kindness and authenticity. In a world of clout chasers and social climbers (NY and LA in particular), these attributes stand out.

Adjusting to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mt. Vernon Baptist Church-Westwood made drive-through anointing and prayer available Dec. 30-31. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley)

SEE DICKEY ON PAGE 2

SEE COVID ON PAGE 2

Health official turns to ‘trust’ corps to fight ‘anti-vaxing’ Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Barbershops and beauty salons that cater to African Americans are known as places where all kinds of information — serious, hilarious and erroneous — is disseminated.

That is why Dr. Bruce Randolph, medical director of the Shelby County Health Department, is thinking about using these gathering spots, along with churches, as vehicles to share accurate information about the COVID-19 vaccines.

He sees them as a corps of messengers already rooted in the community.

“I plan to launch a campaign with hair care providers, barbers, and ministers to give the facts about

the vaccine,” said Randolph.

“These are people who are trusted and confided in.

They can help to disperse real answers to questions Dr. Bruce people have Randolph (about the C O V I D vaccines and provide) answers grounded in medical research and factual truth.”

Several months before COVID-19 vaccines were available, a survey by the Pew Research Center found that only 72 percent of Americans would “probably or definitely” get a coronavirus vaccination.

Among African Americans who

Judge Teresa Jones, former school board member, dies at 61

by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

COVID-19 UPDATE:

by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell

Judge Teresa Jones: “...for me, all roads lead back to a small farm community outside Holly Springs, Mississippi (Chulahoma), where I grew up. I learned the value of working hard, setting goals and being a person of integrity from the love and values that my parents instilled in me and my siblings.” (Courtesy photo)

participated in the survey, that figure dropped to 54 percent.

While the percentage of antivaccine individuals (anti-vaxers) may vary from region to region, Shelby County officials have concluded that this sentiment is a concerning issue among local African-American residents.

“Like so many other places, a higher percentage of African Americans not only are contracting the disease, the death toll is higher in this community,” said Randolph. “If there is a widespread determination to not take the vaccine when it becomes available, this is going to be a huge problem.”

Randolph has consistently said during COVID-19 Joint Task Force updates that “herd immunity” is

As civil servants go, Teresa Jones was willing to be measured by her attentiveness to those she committed to serve and the reaction to her death over the weekend reflected that she hit that mark with regularity.

The Memphis Municipal Court Judge and former Shelby County Schools board member died Saturday evening after losing her battle with cancer. She was 61.

Jones’ death quickly moved colleagues, classmates, long-time family friends, member organizations and others to share what is an ongoing stream of heart-felt tributes and expressions.

“We have suffered the great loss of a great lady,” said State Rep. Barbara Cooper. “You could always count on her to do her homework. That was especially true on the school board. She always worked for the people and did all she could to give our children a quality education. A great servant, she will be greatly missed.”

The Memphis Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority posted on Judge Jones’ Facebook page: “The Memphis Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority joins with family and loved ones of the Honorable Judge Teresa Jones in grieving the loss of one of Shelby County’s longtime public servants. …We remember her life and celebrate her legacy as a civil servant…”

Jones, whose services on the school board included tenure as president, was an attorney by profession, having served as chief city prosecutor for the City of Memphis Law Division, a post she took on in May of 2013.

Prior to that time, Jones worked as a senior trial attorney and supervisor in the Shelby County Public Defender’s Office. She taught in adjunct professor posts at both the University of Memphis Cecil C.

SEE JONES ON PAGE 2

The New Tri-State Defender

January 7 - 13, 2021

Page 2

NEWS DICKEY

CONTINUED FROM FRONT Whether it was a warm hug or big ole bright smile, I will appreciate him beyond his words.

Now I really gotta get you Eric for not hollering at ya’ girl the last time you were in town!

So wishing we had that additional touch point now. But I really thought we’d see each other again in New York.

I will also always appreciate his kinship with my dear friend Yvette. He supported her personally and professionally with the awards for many years and in many ways.

She said, “Eric Jerome Dickey was a literary legend, a literary icon. He was the sweetest man you could ever meet, with a heart of gold.

“He was the type of man who would give you the shirt off his back if you needed help, without even fully knowing you. He always wanted to see people win.

“Even when in the face of challenging or undermining people, he never retaliated. He was ‘going high’ before Michelle Obama even made it a thing. And sometimes he still extended a hand to those who had previously gone low.

“I remember how he once signed 20 books for a woman at a book signing to the dismay of me and his handlers. But he

JONES

CONTINUED FROM FRONT Humphreys Law School and LeMoyne-Owen College.

She was appointed to the Municipal Court by Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland early in 2019 and was a decisive victory in the October General Election that same year.

“My journey to becoming a judge began in the 1980s when I enrolled in the University of Memphis Law School after graduating from Lane College in 1981,” she once wrote in a candidate survey exchange with The New Tri-State Defender. “But for me, all roads lead back to a small farm community outside Holly Springs, Mississippi (Chulahoma), where I grew up. I learned the value of working hard, setting goals and being a person of integrity from the love and values that my parents instilled in me and my siblings.”

Jones said her entire legal career had been dedicated to “representing and advocating for average citizens, who often feel that they don’t have a voice and will not be treated fairly in Court.

“I believe citizens have a

said, ‘No, if she took the time to lug these books all the way here, I will sign them!’ That’s who he was. His death leaves a hole in my soul.

“It will take some time to get use to a world without Eric Jerome Dickey. He was one of my dearest friends, my confidante, my cheerleader. I will forever miss him greatly.”

For those who don’t know his work, you should absolutely get to know it. He has contributed more to the Black literary canon than even I knew!

He was 29 novels in, with his final work to be released in April. [NOTE: One of his earlier works, “Milk in My Coffee” was my favorite!] He made the New York Times list several times and more than seven million of his books have been published worldwide over the course of his decades-long career.

Recently, his book “Sister, Sister” was honored as one of Essence’s 50 Most Impactful Black Books of the Last 50 Years, and USA Today featured him on their list of 100 Black Novelists and Fiction Writers You Should Read.

Eric Jerome Dickey has been telling our stories for many years. When people were saying black folks don’t read, he, along with a few other writers, said “NAH. We absolutely do and you shall see.”

Before it was cool and before our voices and our nar-

ratives were more widely acknowledged as viable, he gave us stories of love, a lil bit of lust, family dynamics and triumph over tragedy.

His work was unapologetic before being unabashedly and very publicly black was de rigueur. That was revolutionary at the time!

Authors like him paved the way for so many, whether the younger generations realize this or not.

Don’t take this freedom and acceptance for granted. Folks like Eric, Terry McMillan, E. Lynn Harris, et al, took the lumps for y’all!

A wonderfully bright light has been extinguished. My prayer for Eric is a prayer of

peace. I pray the ancestors, angels and spirit guides were there to greet him.

I pray that he glided peacefully into the good night with that big ole smile on his face.

I pray that his body and spirit are at rest.

I pray that his children take solace in knowing he lived a great life and made a crater-sized impact on this world and in publishing.

I know that he will continue to love on his loved ones from the great beyond. Though he has departed this earthly plane, his words, his works and his legacy live on.

Rest well King, rest well.

right to have their cases heard by an experienced, honest and fair Judge. I am that Judge. I also make sure citizens are treated with respect and are allowed the opportunity to be heard. But most importantly, when citizens enter my court, I make sure they feel the decision will be made based on the law after fully hearing all witnesses and both sides of the proof.”

Mayor Strickland said, “…I was honored to appoint Teresa to the Memphis Municipal Court, Division 1. …

Fortunately, I had the opportunity earlier in the week, not knowing it would be my last, to express those exact feelings to her…”

The United Education Association of Shelby County posted on Jones’ Facebook page Saturday night: “Tonight, we honor the life and legacy of former School Board Member and Judge Teresa Jones. She was a true advocate for students…we are better because of you. RIL! (Rest in Love!)

Shelby County Commissioner Van Turner lauded Jones with reflections of her days on the school board:

“Rest In Peace and Love, Judge Teresa Jones! We never had to guess where you were on a vote when you were on the school board because you were always with the people.

I was so happy for you when you finally achieved your longtime goal of becoming a judge. We appreciate you! We love you, and we thank you for your service!”

A Lane College classmate, Voresa Booker, posted: “My beautiful classmate, Judge Teresa Jones, gained her wings yesterday. To know her was to love her…RIH, T! We will forever miss you.” (RIH is Rest in Heaven) #LaneCollegeClassof ’81.”

A classmate from high school noted that Jones was salutatorian in her 1977 high school class at Byhalia High School.

Shelby County Commissioner Tami Sawyer called Jones “a pioneer for elected Black women.”

Rep. Antonio Parkinson, chairman of the Shelby County Delegation of State Legislators, said Jones made, “fairness and impartiality her priority while sitting on the bench. She was a fierce mem-

ber and chair of SCS School board. More importantly she was our friend.”

Judge Jones was a member of Mid-Town Church of Christ, 1930 Union Ave. Visitation will be there on Monday, Jan. 11, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., with a brief memorial service to follow.

A graveside service is set for 2 p.m. in Tate County, Mississippi at the Carter Sunset Cemetery, Memorial Garden the cemetery, which is located in Aiken, Mississippi in the Tyro community.

J.F. Brittenum & Son Funeral Home in Holly Springs, Mississippi has charge. All services are open to the public.

Masking and social distancing will be strictly enforced.

For more information, contact Brittenum Funeral Home at 662-252-2341.

COVID

CONTINUED FROM FRONT

Eric Jerome Dickey at the African American Literary Awards with Yvette Haywood, the group’s president/ founder. (Courtesy photo)

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critical to Shelby County fully opening back up and returning to some degree of normalcy.

Herd immunity is achieved when 70-75 percent of the population in a certain area is vaccinated.

Randolph is convinced that this general mistrust of the healthcare system must be countered with truth. That is why he is considering forming the “corps.”

Historically, ministers in the African-American community have been important purveyors of information. Enlisting the help of beauty and barber salon professionals is a new twist on a tried-and-true, great idea.

“I believe that initiating the help of stakeholders and influencers in the AfricanAmerican community will have a tremendous impact on those reluctant to take the vaccine,” said Randolph.

“Providers of beauty and barber services have traditionally offered a safe place where people feel free to discuss what’s going on in their lives.”

Aserlean “Lynn” Sanders, proprietor of Lynn’s Got It Going On Beauty Salon and Hair Replacement Studio in Whitehaven, thinks “Dr. Randolph might be on to something.”

She continued, “Many of my clients are well-known, prominent men in our community. Not from any of them, but I’ve heard people say that the vaccine is a way to kill off the black community.

“People generally don’t have a good feeling about anything related to healthcare.

People are afraid. So, I think Dr. Randolph is on the right track. Hair dressers and salon employees and owners talk to a lot of people. We could really tell people what is real and what isn’t.”

Sanders said her hair replacement clients are men who are very influential in the city. She has had conversations with them about the vaccine.

They are already telling people that they should be sure and get the vaccine when

Aserlean “Lynn” Sanders owns Lynn’s Got It Going On Beauty Salon and Hair Replacement Studio in Whitehaven. (Courtesy photo) it becomes available, Sanders said.

“Just the other day, I had a client in,” said Sanders. “I would not mention his name to protect his privacy, but he said, ‘Lynn, we have had measles, chicken pox, mumps, small pox. This virus is just like those diseases. The way we got over them was through vaccination. We have to take that vaccine.’ I agree with him, and I think we can help carry that message.”

Although Randolph has not designated a date to enlist the help of beauty and barber service providers, he said the effort probably would consist of a series of virtual calls on ZOOM, where questions could be answered so that right information is being disseminated to the community.

“Beauty salons and barber shops could be great community sites where people are given the right information about taking the vaccine,” said Randolph. “We want everyone in Shelby County to be protected from the virus.

“The black community continues to be hit the hardest with higher infection numbers and deaths. Giving people the facts about what the vaccine can do will save lives. It’s safe and it’s necessary. Beauty and barber service providers will be important in conveying that message.”

The New Tri-State Defender

January 7 - 13, 2021

Page 3

NEWS

‘We took the Capitol’ Trump supporters storm the Chambers of Congress

by Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire

Thousands of President Donald Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday as Vice President Mike Pence presided over the Electoral College vote.

Carrying Trump banners and American flags and chanting “Stop the Steal,” the protestors blasted their way into the hallowed halls, shoving Capitol police who attempted to beat back the mob by unleashing pepper spray.

The protestors pushed back and successfully breached the building at several locations.

Once the protestors were inside, security hustled Pence away, and members barricaded themselves in various offices.

Gunshots also rang out in the hallway near the chambers, and windows were shattered throughout the building. An unidentified woman inside reportedly was shot in the neck. Her condition is currently unclear.

The National Guard joined the Secret Service, FBI, Capitol Police, and D.C.’s Metropolitan Police at the scene.

Nearby agencies from Virginia and Maryland also were called to assist.

The protestors then chanted, “We took the Capitol.”

The situation unfolded during what historically had been a peaceful transfer of power in which the Electoral College votes are certified in a joint session of Congress.

However, just before the joint-session, Trump led a nearby rally and urged his supporters to show their anger at the Capitol.

The President’s lawyer, Rudy Giuliani called for “a trial by combat” against lawmakers who were certifying the Electoral College votes.

“I could never have imagined a day like this,” Rahm Emanuel, the former chief of staff for President Barack Obama and onetime mayor of Chicago.

“Never could you have imagined seeing the security of the U.S. Congress not only being breached but threatened with their lives like this,” Emanuel remarked during a live interview on ABC News.

After watching African American protests the police killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and others, many Black communities called law enforcement’s response tepid at best.

“So imagine Black folk was in this mix,” Public Enemy frontman Chuck D remarked. The “Don’t Believe the Hype” superstar then posted a video of the Capitol’s unrest.

He questioned: “Would they drop a bomb on ’em like Wilson Goode did.”

“As a part of both Million Man Marches in D.C., we aired differences to the world knowing that we were watched,” Chuck D continued.

“A brother didn’t even take a piss on a tree. Yet, all the Nation of Islam and Minister Louis Farrakhan has gotten was grief and misinformation from many factions here in the U.S.A.” Tracy Fredericks, one of Chuck’s followers, replied: “We [Black people] would never have made it inside the Capitol Building.”

Added Morgan Cherry, a District-based political activist: “These Trump supporters, who are about 99.9 percent white, have gone where no Black demonstrators could have gone. Ambush the Capitol Building.”

Dr. Ebony Hilton, a prolific physician at

D.C.

CONTINUED FROM FRONT appointed in the acts and the incitement of rioting by Donald Trump,” Rep. Parkinson said. “To put the lives of members of Congress, their staffs and others at risk is detestable. This is not patriotic and completely unAmerican and its cowardice. The act of a sitting POTUS puts our country in a position of vulnerability with our enemies.

Our security as a nation is a risk. This is an attempted coup.”

Parkinson also called on all Tennessee lawmakers to “denounce the actions of Donald Trump publicly.”

After a day in which protests turned violent, a show of force was in place outside of the U.S. Capitol. (Screen captures via CSPAN)

the University of Virginia, asked why there were no arrests.

“Where are the handcuffs? Where are the arrests? Where is the tear gas?” Dr. Hilton demanded.

“Did we use up all of the rubber bullets at the peaceful Black Lives Matter rallies because our Capitol Building is under siege? When are law and order going to show up?”

Congresswoman Karen Bass (D-Calif.) called on officials to bring in the National Guard to secure the Capitol. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi eventually did just that.

“I’ve never seen anyone be able to breach the Capitol like this,” Bass stated.

“The President of the United States incited this riot, and someone needs to go over to Pennsylvania Avenue and arrest him.”

Wednesday’s violence will never change the results of the presidential election, lead to a second term for President Donald Trump, or interfere with the transfer of power to the Biden Administration, officials at the National Task Force on Election Crises, wrote in a statement late Wednesday.

“Protest is a fundamental right, violence and mob activity is not – particularly when the goal is to hinder the working of our democratic institutions,” the organization stated.

“Attempting to hinder the peaceful transfer of power and deliberations of the U.S. Congress is fundamentally un-American. The Constitution remains the supreme law of the land and clearly lays out the process for counting the electoral votes in the Twelfth Amendment and that the current terms of the President and Vice Presi-

dent unequivocally end at noon on January 20th,” they continued.

“We must respect the rule of law and law enforcement authorities need to make sure Congress can do its work.”

Meanwhile, militia members gathered around the Georgia Capitol in Atlanta, and breached the Capitol in Topeka, Kansas.

While the protests in Kansas didn’t immediately appear violent, Georgia authorities feared for the safety of secretary of state Brad Raffensperger and his staff.

The secretary of state and his staffers were escorted to safety.

Raffensperger famously recorded a phone call with Trump late last week in which the President attempted to pressure him to overturn the election.

The militia group reportedly included about 25 people, one of them Chester Doles, a longtime white supremacist and member of the Ku Klux Klan.

“We heard reports of threats and left immediately,” Deputy Secretary of State Jordan Fuchs told reporters.

Chairman Scott Golden of the Tennessee Republican Party issued an official statement regarding the violent protests.

“It’s an extremely emotional day for all of us that poured our heart into President Trump’s campaign. We have the right to be heard, but not to the point of violence and destruction. The Republican Party is the party that supports law enforcement, rights, and the rule of law, and not defunding the police. Today’s perpetrators will be brought to justice and the truth will come to light. For now, let’s act responsibly, pray for our country and our leaders, and get ready to Make America Great Again.

Other Republicans, including Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, lent their voices to

the call to protect the freedoms Americans have long enjoyed “The violence happening in our Nation’s Capitol is inexcusable and an affront to our founding principles and freedoms. I snd with our Tennessee delegation that order must be restored immediately and thank law enforcement for their professionalism,” Governor Lee tweeted.

Republican lawmaker Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) tweeted that the protesters were engaged in unlawful actions.

“To the protesters that have breached the Capitol building: you are disrupting the democratic process. You should be ashamed of yourself. This is violence. This is a crime. It must stop.”

“Where are the handcuffs?

Where are the arrests?

Where is the tear gas? Did we use up all of the rubber bullets at the peaceful Black Lives Matter rallies because our Capitol Building is under siege? When are law and order going to show up?”

— Dr. Ebony Hilton

Many prominent African Americans said Black protestors could never have gotten away with what Trump supporters appeared to have pulled off.

“I will say it, because I don’t think a lot of people want to,” Philadelphia 76ers coach Doc Rivers stated. “Can you imagine today, if those were all Black people storming the Capitol, and what would have happened? That, to me, is a picture that’s worth a thousand words for all of us to see.”

Police arrested several people and confirmed that a woman who was shot had died.

National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial and National Action Network President Rev. Al Sharpton called upon Pence and Cabinet officers to invoke the 25th Amendment and remove the President from office immediately.

“For the first time in U.S. history, a violent mob is attempting to overthrow the democratically elected federal government, with the encouragement of the man who lost the election,” Morial said.

“The nation cannot endure another two weeks of his illegal and unhinged efforts to maintain power. If there is a shred of rationality or patriotism left in the Executive Branch, its officers must act in the best interest of the nation and exercise their constitutional duty to remove him.”

Rev. Sharpton added, “There could be no greater proof than the horrifying chaos we are witnessing that President Trump is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office. He has constructed an alternate reality of conspiracy theories and wishful thinking and has deployed a lawless mob to enforce it for him.”

The two civil rights leaders further urged the formal censure of any member of Congress who has promoted fictitious narratives and baseless conspiracy theories about the election.

“It may well be that President Trump believes the fantasies he has woven about his electoral defeat, but his enablers in Congress surely know better, and they must face consequences for the disaster they have wrought,” Rev. Sharpton said.

“Their reckless and craven exploitation of the faith and credulity of Trump’s supporters has led our nation to the brink of collapse,” Morial said. “Patriotism requires that they reverse course, apologize and begin to make amends to the nation they have victimized.

(Follow Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire senior national correspondent @StacyBrownMedia.)

State Sen. Raumesh Akbari (D-Memphis) criticized Blackburn along with Tennessee Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-TN) for joining Trump in refusing to accept President-elect Biden’s win.

“This is insane. All the elected officials have encouraged this – (Bill Hagerty and Marsha Blackburn) – are responsible. You all are responsible for the violence, terrorism, and the crisis that our country is in right now. Blood is on your hands. This is supposed to be America,” Sen. Akbari tweeted.

After praising the protesters earlier Wednesday for gathering at the Capitol, Hagerty has since condemned the violence that ensued.

PERSPECTIVE The New Tri-State Defender, January 7 - 13, 2021, Page 4

With Georgia in mind, five takeaways from battle-for-control elections Associated Press The Rev. Raphael Warnock, a Democrat, defeated Sen. Kelly Loeffler in Tuesday’s special election for an unexpired term for a U.S. Senate seat in Georgia.

Warnock will become the first Black senator in Georgia history.

In the second Georgia runoff, Democrat Jon Ossoff pushed past Republican David Perdue, who was seeking a second term after his first term expired Sunday.

Control of the Senate will now rest with the Democrats.

Here are some key takeaways: Black voters tip the scale Warnock, senior pastor of the church where Martin Luther King preached through the height of the Civil Rights movement until his assassination, made history with a surge in Black turnout.

To be sure, a narrow win out of 4.4 million votes involves plenty of variables. But Black voters were a force in the early vote and on Election Day. Notably, it wasn’t just in metro Atlanta, but also in rural and small-town counties across South Georgia, where Black turnout has historically lagged.

That means it was an alliance spanning from the most affluent Black residents of Atlanta, including recent transplants to Georgia, to those Black Georgia natives who hail from the most economically depressed pockets of the state.

This election cycle a confluence of factors for Black voters: 2020 offered the first general election after the disappointment of Stacey Abrams’ narrowly missing out in 2018 on becoming the first Black woman governor in U.S. history, and it was the first election after the death of Rep. John Lewis, Atlanta’s civil rights icon who once marched alongside King and would publicly joust with Trump.

Loeffler and her Republican allies used the two-month runoff campaign to hammer Warnock with ads calling him “dangerous” and “radical.” They used snippets of his sermons from Ebenezer Baptist Church to accuse him of “hate speech” and “racial” divisiveness.

But Black voters can point to Tuesday’s vote count and take credit for that strategy ending in defeat.

Georgia showing battleground bona fides When President-elect Joe Biden won Georgia by 12,000 votes out of 5 million, plenty of observers assumed it was about a Trump backlash. Certainly, that something to do with it. But following it up with one Senate runoff victory and potentially a second, Democrats proved its status as a two-party battleground going forward.

Trump’s false claims find favor with GOP voters

An official counts ballots for Georgia’s Senate runoff election at the Georgia World Congress Center on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Voters register before casting their vote during Georgia’s Senate runoff elections on Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021, in Atlanta.

(AP Photo/Brynn Anderson) dermine the legitimacy of the election clearly succeeded with Republican voters in Georgia.

About three-quarters of voters who backed Perdue and Loeffler told the AP VoteCast survey that Biden was not legitimately elected in November. AP VoteCast interviewed more than 3,600 voters to measure the electorate’s views on a range of topics.

Roughly 9 in 10 of the Republicans’ backers said they lacked confidence that votes in November’s presidential contest were accurately counted. Half said they have no confidence at all in the vote count. That’s roughly five times as many Republicans who said in November they had no confidence that votes would be counted accurately.

That sentiment clearly tracks Trump’s false rhetoric about election fraud, a claim that has been rejected by Attorney General William Barr, dozens of federal courts and several prominent Republican senators. And the findings demonstrate Trump’s continued hold on the Republican base, something his fellow GOP politicians will contend with even after he leaves office.

Trump still a turnout driver – for both sides

Trump may have lost the presidency but his campaign to un-

Even though it carried risk, Per-

due, who is trying to win a second term after his first one expired Sunday, and Loeffler, an appointed senator trying to win her first election, tethered themselves to Trump every step of the campaign.

Early returns and turnout projections show why.

Democrats were running stronger in the early voting than they did in November, and that had Republicans nervous. Those worries followed weeks of Trump railing that Biden stole the election, spurring GOP fears that he’d drive some of his loyalists to skip the runoff out of protest while also repelling moderate and GOP-leaning independents in urban and suburban areas.

GOP strategists felt somewhat better Tuesday as they watched turnout in conservative counties and across the outer ring of metro Atlanta where Republicans still have troves of votes.

But, as it goes in the era of Trump, Democratic turnout stayed strong, as well, with Fulton and DeKalb in the core of metro Atlanta on pace to nearly match or exceed their general election turnout. That makes a steep hill for Republicans in the newfound swing state.

Even with Trump’s steady drumbeat of falsehoods about the voting process, state elections authorities and officials from both

Democratic U.S. Senate challenger the Rev. Raphael Warnock speaks during a rally, Monday, Dec. 21, 2020 in Columbus, Ga. with Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris and fellow Democratic U.S. Senate challenger Jon Ossoff. (AP Photo/Ben Gray) parties said Tuesday’s voting and the count appeared smooth. There were no reports of hours-long lines. Elections officials also took advantage of rules changes since November that allowed advance processing of absentee ballots — so they can be counted more quickly. As the count moved into Wednesday, Georgia officials seemed to be managing the process without major issues.

Kemp faces trouble Trump endorsed Georgia’s Republican Gov. Brian Kemp during a contentious GOP primary in 2018, only to call him “incompetent” and promise to campaign against him in 2022 because he didn’t heed the president’s demands to reverse Georgia’s presidential results.

According to AP VoteCast, Republican voters are siding with Trump: About 6 in 10 approve of Kemp’s handling of the election aftermath. In November, AP VoteCast found about 9 in 10 Trump backers approved of Kemp’s overall job performance.

Kemp already was facing the prospect of a strong general election challenge from Abrams, the Democrat who is expected to seek a rematch from her 2018 loss. She

would come into the race with a boost from all her voter registration work that paid off with Biden’s and Warnock’s wins. And now Kemp has to shore up his standing in his own party before thinking about Abrams or any Democrat.

Democrats high-touch ground game Democrats seem to have had a broader reach than Republicans in contacting voters. About 6 in 10 voters say they were contacted on behalf of Democratic candidates, compared with about half for Republican candidates.

Democrats’ ground game may have helped them turn out voters.

Overall, about 4 in 10 said they were contacted and responded with a pledge or commitment to vote. These voters were more likely to favor Ossoff and Warnock than Perdue and Loeffler.

New residents changing politics AP VoteCast showed signs that newcomers to Georgia were more Democratic than longtime residents of the state. Those who have lived in the state for longer than 20 years leaned Republican, while those who have moved more recently favored Democrats.

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The New Tri-State Defender

January 7 - 13, 2021

Page 5

RELIGION SPIRITUALLY SPEAKING “When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness; but will have the light of life.’” – John 8:12

Walking is so much more than just exercise

by James A. Washington Jr. NNPA Newswire

If I haven’t before, let me ask you now: Can somebody explain a “faith walk” to me?

I frequently refer to my own spiritual transformation that way and I’ve had others describe this “thing” that I’m on …’as you go down this road’….’as James A. you complete Washington Jr. this walk.’ I’ve even used the faith walk phrase when trying to explain a new and different view of the world as now seen by someone who believes being saved is more than just some trite saying.

This, whatever it is, is serious and I have to admit, very tangible. I really can feel it.

I was just curious about the walk reference. I suppose when you think about it, many in the bible had truth revealed to them on a walk, on a journey, while going from one place to another at God’s direction and even during the subconscious traveling in a dream. It’s a simple analogy and if you think about, what is more meaningful than a walk with someone you respect, admire, love and can learn from?

One of the most memorable experiences I’ve ever had was to walk with my children when they were toddlers. There was something about them exploring and discovering the world around them without fear, because they knew Daddy was right there.

Have you ever witnessed this?

Have you ever been a part of the experience of walking and talking with someone you were totally in sync with? That must be one of the reasons people refer to discovering God as faith walking.

The effort to get closer to God requires movement. I believe the walk reference is probably an attempt (an excellent one), to describe the experience of following, or trying to follow, the path laid down by Jesus Christ.

The best example we have is Enoch. “Enoch walked with God:

then he was no more, because God took him away.” Genesis 5:24. The bible talks about walking humbly, walking in the light, walking with the wise, walking together and yes, walking on water. The point seems to be that life is a journey and if the truth be told, the journey is infinitely better if God goes along for the ride.

We want and at times need to talk to God along the way. Maybe, if we’re truly blessed, He’ll talk back.

Searching for Him here on earth is fundamentally a spiritual experience. To walk with the Lord can only be described as “stepping out on faith.” Once taken, life changes.

You change. You have to. I know I did.

So, I guess I’ve kind of cleared up my own dilemma. This faith walk is merely an acknowledgement that you are letting God order your steps, lead you through, guide you in this world. When you do this, God will direct you straight to Him. When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness; but will have the light of life.” John 8:12. So this walk thing suggests by doing so, you can directly connect with God. You can do what Enoch did.

You can hope and pray like Enoch that God will take you to Him also.

That’s the point isn’t it?

So, when you get up tomorrow, think about this and let God order your steps consciously for one day. Make a concerted effort to listen and hopefully hear what He is telling you on that day. The bible says faith comes by hearing. What better way to hear than by taking a deliberate stroll with the Lord? Try it. You might find God showing up in the strangest places and in the strangest faces. But you’ve got to look.

I guarantee, if you go deliberately looking for God just one day, you won’t be alone for long. You see He has this marvelous way of showing up right on time when He knows somebody is indeed seeking Him out. Remember, however, the first step is up to you.

May God bless and keep you always.

(NNPA Newswire contributor James A. Washington Jr. is co-publisher of the Dallas Weekly News.)

Watch out! …

With praise and prayer, Bishop Charles H.M. Patterson (bottom) and Pentecostal Temple Church of God in Christ, held its traditional “Watch Night” meeting in conjunction with the end of 2020 and the advent of 2021. (Photos: Tyrone P. Easley)

Purposeful choices…

At Christ Baptist Church in Whitehaven, first lady Minerva Little and The M.A.D. (Making a Difference) Lady Boutique is focused on providing shoppers an avenue to support needy families. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley)

The New Tri-State Defender, January 7 - 13, 2021, Page 6

Memphis-born author Eric Jerome Dickey succumbs to illness

TSD Newsroom

Best-selling author Eric Jerome Dickey, whose roots began in and extended from Memphis, died in Los Angeles on Sunday (Jan. 3) after battling a long illness. He was 59.

Dickey’s death was confirmed by The New Tri-State Defender on Tuesday via an email exchange with Emily Canders, senior publicity manager, Dutton & Plume, Penguin Random House.

The author of 29 novels, Dickey’s work “has become a cultural touchstone over the course of his multi-decade writing career, earning him millions of dedicated readers around the world,” a release from Canders detailed.

Recently, his book “Sister, Sister” was honored as one of Essence’s 50 Most Impactful Black Books of the Last 50 Years.

Also, USA Today featured him on their list of 100 Black Novelists and Fiction Writers You Should Read.

More than seven million of Dickey’s books have been published worldwide.

Dena Owens, TSD’s freelance business writer, was among Dickey’s classmates at Memphis State University (now University of Memphis).

“I last saw him a few years back in New Orleans before a roundtable about one of his books,” Owens said. “Eric was the life of the party in college and would strongly defend any point in his books once he became well-known. He was always friendly and truly a deep thinker.”

Dickey’s multiple New York Times bestselling novels include “Milk in My Coffee,” “Cheaters,” “Chasing Destiny,” “Li-

Eric Jerome Dickey’s “Sister, Sister” recently was honored as one of Essence’s 50 Most Impactful Black Books of the Last 50 Years.

ar’s Game,” “Between Lovers,” “Thieves’ Paradise,” “The Other Woman,” “Drive Me Crazy,” “Genevieve,” “Naughty or Nice,” “Sleeping with Strangers,” “Waking with Enemies,” “Pleasure,” “Dying for Revenge,” “Resurrecting Midnight,” “Tempted by Trouble,” “An Accidental Affair” and “Decadence.”

Born on July 7, 1961, Dickey lived on Kansas St. in South Memphis, went to Riverview elementary and junior high schools and graduated from Carver High School.

He earned a degree in Computer System Technology from Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis), moving to L.A. in 1983 in pursuit of an engineering career.

Landing a position as a software developer, Dickey later chose to pursue acting and stand-up comedy. Continuing to grow, he wrote comedy scripts and then published his first short story in 1994.

The winner of multiple author-of-theyear awards, Dickey was honored with numerous other literary honors. “Mr. Dickey’s characters have enough sultry self-confidence to suggest, at their best, a Prince song on paper,” a reviewer once wrote in The New York Times.

Dickey leaves four daughters.

Due to COVID-19, there will be no services at this time.

Journey to Justice virtual symposium to put spotlight on criminal justice reform

by TSD Newsroom The National Civil Rights Museum and Just City are hosting a virtual symposium, Journey to Justice, to highlight critical criminal justice reform work that’s being done throughout the country and to demonstrate how much work remains to be done.

The 90-minute virtual event consists of three Journey Stops, or panel discussions, and includes a keynote by award-winning attorney and clemency champion Brittany K. Barnett.

The partnered event with Just City provides a platform for thought leaders to present research, share stories and perspectives on today’s pressing social issues, as well as the history that has led us to this

point. The complementary work of both organizations will serve as a unique backdrop for this important conversation.

“Justice has been an issue in this country for centuries,” said Veda Ajamu, the museum’s Director of Community Engagement and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives.

“The Journey to Justice symposium is not only to bring awareness to the continued injustices in the criminal legal system, but also to offer a callto-action. We have brought together an esteem group of individuals in the criminal justice space, including those directly impacted, to share their perspectives, life experiences and recommendations.”

The symposium focuses on

how this system impacts families and society, how it continues to hinder returning citizens and juveniles, and what we must do to ensure opportunity, progress and safety for everyone.

The first panel is Journey Stop I: Roots of an Unjust System with Megan Ming Francis, a political science and public policy professor at University of Washington, Duane Loynes, Rhodes College urban studies and Africana studies, and Sarah Lockridge-Steckel, CEO and founder of youth empowerment organization The Collective.

The second panel is Journey Stop II: Pandemic, Policing and Prosecution with panelists Demetria Frank, diversity and inclusion director and professor at University of Memphis

School of Law, Kevin Ring, president of criminal justice reform advocacy group FAMM, and Alex S. Vitale, sociology and coordinator of Policing and Social Justice Project at Brooklyn College.

The third panel is Journey Stop III: Returning Citizens and Transforming Justice with directly impacted speakers Marcus Bullock, who developed a mobile app to help keep families connected during incarceration through his company Flikshop; Topeka Sams, who founded the Ladies of Hope Ministries and is an social justice advocate and talk radio host; and Robert Shipp, who consults on violence and speaks on criminal justice reform.

The symposium features keynote speaker Brittany K.

The Journey to Justice virtual event will feature a keynote by award-winning attorney and clemency champion Brittany K. Barnett. (Screen capture) Barnett who has won freedom for number people serving death sentences for federal drug offenses. She is the founder of organizations like Buried Alive Project and Girls Embracing Mothers.

Barnett has been named one of America’s most Outstanding Young Lawyers by the American Bar Association.

She recently published a memoir of her personal experiences with the criminal justice sys-

tem in “A Knock at Midnight.”

The virtual event also includes spoken word by Memphis poet Yolanda “Quiet Storm” Gates.

The event is free, however, registration is required by January 8 to access event platform on January 9.

(For information and to register, visit the museum’s website.

The New Tri-State Defender

January 7 - 13, 2021

Page 7

ENTERTAINMENT

After a year of trauma, self-care must be a priority for Black people in 2021 A list of some simple but important things we can do starting today!

by Sophia A. Nelson thegrio.co

Life is 100 percent about the choices that we make. And most of the time, we as Black people make choices out of necessity, out of obligation, and regrettably sometimes out of desperation.

If we want a better way forward in 2021, our decision making needs to change. We need to start putting selfcare first. And we need to stop accepting what life throws at us and make a decision to take life by the hand and drag it along to where we want to go.

No longer being dragged along by our circumstances, our fears, and our lack. It’s time to shift into a New Year, Sophia A. with a new attitude.

Nelson Let’s be honest, the COVID-19 crisis of 2020 will not end on Dec. 31, 2020. It will sadly carry over well into 2021, which means that we as a racial-ethnic group in America will continue to be unequally afflicted by the virus economically, physically, relationally and emotionally.

The normal “New Year’s Resolutions” will not cut it in 2021. The normal “isms” that we throw about in church like “too blessed to be stressed” will no longer cut it. It’s time to get real. To get raw. And to have a plan.

As Black and brown people in the United States, we need a strategy to help us not just survive this season, but to thrive despite of it. We need tools to help us stay positive, nurtured and affirmed. It is, of course, the fuel of our faith that has historically carried our ancestors and us through unbelievably challenging times — but faith alone will not be enough.

We must learn to take care of ourselves first, so that we can take better care of others. …2020 confirmed our worst fears: that despite seeming progress for Black America, the United States remains a place that is separate and unequal.

We were reminded that our interactions with law enforcement are not the same as white Americans; that the dangers our Black sons, fathers, brothers and husbands face every day can very easily turn deadly. We have been traumatized and we walked around daily with “Post Traumatic Black Syndrome” in which 2020 took an extra toll on an already stressed community.

While there are no silver bullets to how we overcome these hurdles, there are, however, some practical things we must do to protect, respect, and nourish ourselves. To do anything less is to give in to the aforementioned inequities and traumas. We must not give in.

I compiled a list of some simple but important things we can do starting today to help us get through what President-elect Joe Biden calls “our darkest days ahead.”

You must sleep. Stop burning both ends of the candle and wondering why you are agitated, stressed, angry even.

Make a commitment to rest your soul and feed your body everyday by sleeping at least 7-8 hours a day.

You need a morning ritual. My saving grace is the early morning silence with my morning coffee, meditation and prayer before everybody else wakes up, the dogs start barking, the packages start being delivered, and the noise of the world creeps in. You must make time for silence when you wake up. You need to get centered. You need to get your body moving. Get your soul stilled. It changes everything for the better. Trust me.

Exercise. You have to move! I am a Peloton addict. But I suggest you start with simple walking. Walk a short distance everyday, then increase it as you feel able. Ten minutes turns into 20. And 20 minutes turns into 35 minutes.

Walking is good for your heart, your hormonal balance, brain function and it can help you lose weight. Try it. You will never want to go without it.

Love. We all need love. While is may be rough out here in the dating streets and the pandemic has stifled the ability to connect in person, look at this as a chance to rekindle and strengthen emotional ties. Look at this time as a chance to return to some of the rituals of ancestral courtship, versus the 21st century surface dating by app and random, meaningless sex. We all need love, so be a well of love that attracts and pours out love.

Community. The biggest toll of the pandemic is the impact it’s had on us is our inability to commune, which is an essential aspect of our culture. From family reunions, church, and other community gatherings, COVID-19 has disrupted these sacred spaces. We’ve had to pivot into other ways of connecting. The truth is that we can’t do life alone, nor were we meant to. Write letters. Send cards.

FaceTime or Zoom. Have socially-distanced gatherings with masks outdoors and within CDC guidelines indoors.

We need the connection of our family and friends now more than ever. Make it a priority and do it every week in some form or fashion.

(Sophia A. Nelson is the author of three non-fiction books. Her 4th book, “Be the One You Need” will be published in October 2021 by Simon & Schuster.)

COMMUNITY The New Tri-State Defender, January 7 - 13, 2021, Page 8

Slow-going on police community action units rile Council members

by James Coleman

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Memphis Police Department Director Michael Rallings on Tuesday (Jan. 5) defended the slow implementation of the revival of COACT (community action) units, one of the recommendations of the Public Safety Task Force, blaming the COVID-19 pandemic for creating staffing shortfalls.

“At this current time, we are unable to do something different with our COP unit. At best, we could staff two COACT units. Right now, due to the shortage of officers and supervisors, it’s just not practical,” Rallings told Memphis City Council members.

The department, which currently has a staff of 2,032 officers, has been severely impacted by the virus. According to Rallings, 1,069 officers or

civilians have been quarantined since the pandemic began. There are currently 154 in quarantine or isolation.

COACT was once widely used by the department. The program was disbanded and 16 were shut down in 2011 after they were found to be improperly maintained. The two units currently operating are in the Orange Mound and Hollywood neighborhoods.

Recommendations call for the program’s expansion into areas such as South Memphis and Frayser.

The task force, which is led by Councilwoman Rhonda Logan, includes representatives from the City Council, the Police and Fire Departments, police union members, activists and the city’s Chief Human Resources Officer.

The recommendations came at the request of the city administration.

The list also calls for an increase in staffing for the department, which

also hasn’t happened. The increase is supposed to be covered by the current budget.

Previously, the department and council had hashed out an agreement of three COACT units until staffing could be increased.

“You approved a complement of 2,500 police officers. So, every challenge we have comes back to a staffing issue. I would ask you to continue to support us in our efforts to hire and retain police officers so we could do the community policing that you want us to do.

“Staffing challenges us because we spend most of our time trying to make complement; just putting enough officers in a seat to answer calls for services. We spend $25 million a year on that effort to make up for a staffing shortage,” Rallings said.

Councilmembers, however, were

not in the mood for excuses, whether they are staffing or pandemic-related.

“To say that there is a pandemic and we are low on staffing and all of that, to me is not a good response, because you can still do it. There are things the police can do and we continue to suggest it,” said Councilwoman Jamita Swearengen.

“We are going to have to become a little broader in our thinking. But it can be done because it’s more impactful and will certainly make a difference. To say we are in a pandemic and we are low on totals, that is inexcusable.”

She cited social workers, counselors and police service technicians as examples of support workers that could lessen the workload on police officers.

Due to the pandemic, the mission of the department has changed to COVID response and food distribu-

Michael Rallings

Rhonda Logan

tion. The George Floyd-inspired protests also diverted manpower.

Logan said, “I do understand that COVID is impacting that somewhat, but you are going to have to rework something out to make this happen or start with what you have and phase the other ones in. But just to say I don’t have enough staff, I agree with Councilwoman Swearengen, that is unacceptable.”

Nevertheless, Rallings, who is scheduled to retire in April, stood his ground.

“We are fully committed to implementing the resolution you passed.

What I am telling you is, today, we are unable to do it. The numbers matter. When I am missing personnel, the numbers matter.”

Ida B. Wells statue to soon watch over her cherished Beale Street

by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Situated on the southwest corner of Fourth and Beale Streets is a planter and raised grassy platform.

It opens the walkway into Robert R. Church Park. Nothing is there.

But that will all change in July, if Dr. L. LaSimba Gray Jr. has his way.

The Memphis Memorial Committee to honor Ida B. Wells has named July 16 as the day a bronze statue of Wells should be unveiled.

Gray met with artists Larry and Andrea Lugar Tuesday (Jan. 5) afternoon. The married couple presently is working on various artistic and technical details of the sculpture, as well as accompanying pieces.

They listened to Gray’s vision and visited the proposed monument’s site.

“What we’ll do is we’ll have her (Wells) facing west,” said Gray, the committee’s chair. “When Thomas Moss lived here in Memphis, he said ‘Go west. There is no justice here.’

Ida B. Wells didn’t go west, but she went north. Her statue will look to the west.”

Moss, owner of The People’s Grocery, and two of his employees were lynched by a white mob in Wells’ time.

The death of Moss, a close friend of Wells, sparked an indignant outcry from Wells against lynching.

Her speeches and defiant editorials put her life in jeopardy. She finally yielded to the pleas of her friends to leave Memphis.

“We’re finally bringing her back to Memphis,” said Gray. “Ida Wells never returned after moving to Chicago. She loved Memphis. And for so long, we have owed a great debt of love to Ms. Wells for speaking out for her people, even at the peril of her own lynching. Now, we are telling her, ‘Thank you.’”

Gray originally thought a fourfoot pedestal for the statue would be fitting. After talking with the artists, a two-foot pedestal for Wells’ life-size rendering would be more artistically sound.

“My thought is you want people to be intrigued and to know more about her,” said Andrea Lugar. “And the further you put things up, it becomes a symbol. They don’t really know, except this was somebody great.

I’d like for the sculpture to cause

people to go, ‘Who is she, isn’t she interesting, how can I learn more about her,’ even be able to touch it, stand beside it, and get a picture taken beside it, if they want to.”

The Lugars also were commissioned to sculpt a bronze likeness of Wells on the campus of Lane College, where a young Wells attended.

Gray expressed concern that the statue be able to withstand any defacing or attacks by detractors.

“Like 90 percent of the time, public statues are not maintained,” said Larry Lugar. “But if we come in here, wax it a couple times a year — and anybody can do that — it will do just fine. Johnson’s paste wax will do.

Spray paint will simply wipe out.”

Africa in April founder Dr. David Acey, who also serves on the committee, expressed excitement about the statue being in Church Park, where he holds his annual festival.

Four shelters close to the projected statue site will be turned into four major movements of her life. The most compelling display will be the lynching piece that Wells fought so passionately against.

“Larry, there is a sculpture of a bending tree that you did,” said Gray.

The Rev. Dr. L. LaSimba M. Gray Jr. (left) confers with artists Larry Lugar and Andrea Lugar on Tuesday (Jan. 5) afternoon as plans move forward to salute Ida B. Wells-Barnett on Beale Street. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley) “I think that’s the tree we can use for the ‘Strange Fruit’ display. From Holly Springs, to her 10 years in Memphis and beyond, we want to tell about her life and spark discussions about her work.”

Strange Fruit is a colloquialism for lynching, made famous by a song first recorded by singer, Billie Holliday in 1939. Nina Simone re-recorded the doleful tune, introducing it to a new audience in 1965.

“During the festival, people use these shelters, and the homeless

sleep here,” said Acey. But we can work around that. There is so much history here. So much of our legacy is right here. This is the perfect site to honor Ida B. Wells. This is going to be beautiful.”

Projected costs of the statue are mounting and adjacent displays total $150,000. Contributions and gifts to the project are still being accepted.

For additional information, or to donate, call the New Sardis Baptist Church office at 901-754-3979.

Byhalia Pipeline touts $1 million in donations to Mid-South charities

by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

The Byhalia Connection Pipeline has released donation numbers to Mid-South charities indicating that 2020’s benevolent giving totaled $1 million.

Nonprofit organizations and community outreach entities in Tennessee, Arkansas and Mississippi received monetary donations of up to $25,000 and other in-kind assistance.

The trail of generosity ran all along the pipeline’s projected route.

The Byhalia Connection Pipeline is a proposed crude oil pipeline from the Valero Refinery in Shelby County, Tennessee to the Valero Collierville Terminal Facility in Marshall County, Mississippi. It would connect two major existing crude oil pipeline systems, linking the Diamond Pipeline, originating in Cushing, Oklahoma, to the Capline System, which extends from Central Illinois to the Gulf Coast.

The actual work on the pipeline will begin in a few weeks and is scheduled to be completed in nine months.

Plains All-American Pipeline

Uplift Westwood CDC was one of the Memphis Charities receiving donations from the Byhalia Connection Pipeline. Pictured (l-r): Uplift Westwood board member Michael Deutsch, Westwood High School Principal Julia Calloway, Uplift Westwood board member Yvonne Becton, and Uplift Westwood board member Charles Everett. (Courtesy photo/Byhalia Pipeline) Communications Manager Katie Martin said it is “our normal practice to come in and ask people who live and work in the community where our help may be needed. …

“When we come in, we want to be an honest, integral part of the community. And Memphis is no exception.”

A number of informational meetings have been held over the past year between members of the community and the Plains All-American communications team. Concerns

have been consistently expressed by Westwood and Boxtown community residents regarding issues such as safety, oil leaks and pollution of the soil and water.

Several of those meetings have been held at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church-Westwood, where the Rev. Melvin Watkins is pastor.

“Getting a good understanding is important,” said Watkins. “Those in opposition do not represent the whole community, but they have a right to

be heard. Many have expressed issues about gas lines running in the ground.

MLGW has gas lines running all over Memphis. So, communicating effectively will be important as the project moves forward.”

Martin said that Community Advisory Panels (CAP) have been formed in all three counties where the pipeline will run.

“We want to make a real impact in these communities,” Martin said. “A more centralized group will give us greater access. COVID-19 happened, and fortunately, we were nimble and able to adjust.”

Ruth Rawlings-Banks, proprietor of Feed the Needy and executive director of Westwood’s Helping Hands Community Outreach, said the “Byhalia Pipeline people have been a blessing to her organizations.

“We needed the monetary donation, but I told them we needed help with a vehicle to deliver our food baskets. And I also told them we needed warehouse space to store the food.”

Rawlings-Banks said within two weeks of speaking to company representatives, they gifted her a 2015 Toyota Forerunner with a hitch. They also

helped secure warehouse space.

“People have to give them a chance,” Rawlings-Banks said.

“Those gifts helped us add to our tool bucket. We were able to deliver 3,600 food baskets to needy families in Tennessee, Arkansas and Mississippi, not just in Memphis. We welcome them as a caring partner.”

Charitable donations also were given to the Memphis City Library Foundation, Ida B. Wells Statue Project, NAACP, Man-Up Teacher Fellowship and the Mid-South Food Bank.

Cathy Pope, president and CEO of Mid-South Food Bank, said donations from Byhalia Pipeline helped provide 225,000 meals to area families.

Dr. Patrick Washington, founder of the Man-Up Teacher Fellowship, an organization dedicated to increasing the number of male teachers of color in local classrooms, said, “Because of their donations, our organization placed 54 additional teachers in classrooms throughout the City of Memphis and Shelby County.

Martin said the company will continue to look for more opportunities to help.

The New Tri-State Defender

January 7 - 13, 2021

Page 9

CLASSIFIEDS PUBLIC NOTICE THE MEMPHIS URBAN AREA METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION In compliance with federal regulations 23 CFR 450, the Memphis Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) has made the Draft 2020 Coordinated Public Transit – Human Services Transportation Plan available for a 30day public review and comment period, from January 8 – February 7, 2021. These documents will be made available for review online at: https://memphismpo.org. Comments may be submitted to Pragati Srivastava via email at Pragati.

Srivastava@memphistn.gov.

It is the policy of the Memphis MPO not to exclude, deny, or discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, immigration status, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, religion, veteran status, familial or marital status, disability, medical or genetic condition, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal or state law in its hiring or employment practices, or in its admission to, access to, or operations of its programs, services, or activities. All inquiries for Title VI and/or the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), or for persons with disabilities that require aids or services to participate either in the review of these documents may contact Nick Warren at (901)-6367146, fax (901)-636-9404, or email Nick.Warren@memphistn.gov to make accessibility arrangements.

This notice is funded (in part) under an agreement with the State of TN and MS, Departments of Transportation NOTICE TO BIDDERS REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS Shelby County Government (the “County”) has issued RFQ number 21-010-11, seeking to retain the services of one or more consultant firms to provide professional services for the planning and development of the Division of Planning & Development (DPD) Memphis Urban Area Metropolitan’s Planning Organization’s (Memphis MPO) 2050 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP). The County is issuing this Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to solicit written proposals from consultants or consultant teams who are interested in providing such services.

Based on an evaluation of responses to this RFQ, a consultant or consultant teams will be selected and invited to participate in further discussions and negation of a contract agreement for the requested services. Information regarding this RFQ 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. RFQ 21-010-11 DUE DATE THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2021 @4:00 P.M. (CST) 2050 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) for the Division of Planning & Development (DPD) Regional Memphis Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (Memphis MPO) 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 NOTICE TO BIDDERS Shelby County Government has issued Sealed Bid number I000649 Weatherproofing Project at 1060 Madison Avenue. 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 I000649 DUE DATE FEBRUARY 11TH, 2021 @2:00 PM (CST) (SB-I000649) WEATHERPROOFING PROJECT AT 1060 MADISON AVENUE All bids will be opened and read via teleconference by Shelby County Government at the time mentioned above. Please use the following information to join the bid opening: To join by phone, call the necessary numbers below: External: +19012222777 Internal: 22777 Meeting ID: 9012222260# Meeting PIN: 06222# A Voluntary Pre-Bid Meeting – All interested respondents are invited to participate in this meeting via teleconference on Thursday, January 21, 2021 at 9:30 am (CST). Please use the following information to join the pre-bid meeting: To join by phone, call the necessary numbers below: External: +19012222777 Internal: 22777 Meeting ID: 9012222260# Meeting PIN: 06222# 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 NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY

BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Xavian Thomas Tax Parcel #: 07105700000050 Tax Sale #: 1401 Price Offered: $500.00 Terms: Cash

THE NEW TRI-STATE DEFENDER CLASSIFIEDS 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.

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tive Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort.

Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400 NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY

BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Xavian Thomas Tax Parcel #: 07106300000140 Tax Sale #: 1303 Price Offered: $400.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 1:30 p.m. on March 10, 2021, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort.

Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400

Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 1:00 p.m. on March 10, 2021, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort.

NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY

BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT

Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400

Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 10:30 a.m. on January 28, 2021, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort.

NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY

BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Xavian Thomas Tax Parcel #: 07106600000480 Tax Sale #: 440.00 Price Offered: $440.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice.

If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 1:00 p.m. on March 2, 2021, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospec-

Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Jillian Voorhees Tax Parcel #: 05903400000230 Tax Sale #: 1002 Price Offered: $300.00 Terms: Cash

Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400

(901) 746-5201 or email: advertising@tsdmemphis.com.

ADJUSTMENTS: PLEASE check your ad the first day it appears. Call (901) 523-1818 if an error occurs. We can only offer in-house credit and NO REFUNDS are issued.

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Tax Parcel #: 07005000000330 Tax Sale #: 1603 Price Offered: $800.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 9:30 a.m. on January 28, 2021, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort.

Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400 NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY

BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Desmond Hearn Tax Parcel #: 04302300004110 Tax Sale #: 1503 Price Offered: $400.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 10:00 a.m. on January 28, 2021, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort.

Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400 NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY

BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Byhalia Pipeline LLC Tax Parcel #: 08204700000090 Tax Sale #: 1603 Price Offered: $2592.00 Terms: Cash

Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property:

Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 9:30 a.m. on January 29, 2021, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort.

Lacretia Muse-Jones

Shelby County Land Bank

NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY

BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT

584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400 NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY

BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Byhalia Pipeline LLC Tax Parcel #: 08204600000030 Tax Sale #: 1404 Price Offered: $8771.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 1:30 p.m. on January 22, 2021, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort.

Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400 NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY

BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: AJ Investors, LLC Tax Parcel #: 07007900000090 Tax Sale #: 1302 Price Offered: $100.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 1:00 p.m. on January 28, 2021, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort.

Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400 NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY

BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: United Investments, LLC Tax Parcel #: 05900600000400 Tax Sale #: 1603 Price Offered: $600.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 1:30 p.m. on January 28, 2021, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort.

Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400

NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY

BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Martinez and Cruz Wealth Management LLC Tax Parcel #: 05204700000180 Tax Sale #: 1301 Price Offered: $1400.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 10:30 a.m. on February 5, 2021, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort.

Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400 NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY

BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Martinez and Cruz Wealth Management LLC Tax Parcel #: 07002600000600 Tax Sale #: 1003 Price Offered: $2500.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 1:30 p.m. on January 5, 2021, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort.

Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400 NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY

BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Dwyanne McCurdy and Tibyea McCurdy Tax Parcel #: 07005200000250 Tax Sale #: 703 Price Offered: $175.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice.

If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 2:30 p.m. on March 2, 2021, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort.

Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400

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SPORTS The New Tri-State Defender, January 7 - 13, 2021, Page 10

GRITGRINDGRIZZ:

Ja or no Ja, shorthanded Grizzlies determined to compete

by Lee Eric Smith

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Almost every NBA season, there’s a talented team with high expectations that sooner or later will have those expectations upended by injuries.

The most recent and glaring example of that are the Golden State Warriors, who were already dealing with Klay Thompson’s ACL injury in 2019 when fellow Splash Brother Steph Curry broke his hand just four games into the 2019-20 season.

From NBA Champ to NBA Lottery in one season. Injuries.

Thank goodness Ja Morant’s ankle sprain during at 116-111 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Dec. 28. isn’t quite that serious. Optimistic team projections would mean him missing 10-11 games, returning in time for the MLK game against Phoenix.

There is no replacing what Morant brings to the team.

You could say the same about Jaren Jackson Jr., a shot-blocking freak with a reliable threepoint shot. Who knows what Justise Winslow will bring; injuries have kept him off the court since he arrived from Miami last February. And it would be nice if the injuries stopped there, but they don’t.

Though not injured, key reserve De’Anthony Melton was away from the team because of COVID safety protocols. And end-of-bench players Killian Tillie and Johntay Porter are both sidelined, as is Jon Konchar (ankle), who has worked his way into meaningful minutes in Coach Taylor Jenkins’ rotation.

With so much early-season adversity, wins will likely be hard to come by. And we won’t really get a glimpse as the Grizzlies’ true strength until Jackson and Winslow are healthy.

But if you expected these young cubs to fold, well, you haven’t been paying attention.

The Grizzlies were competitive in both Lakers games, nearly pulling out a win in

their snazzy Stax-inspired jerseys on Tuesday night.

The speed at which the Grizzlies play has changed.

Their scrappiness has not.

“Our bench is crucial for us,” Jenkins said after the Grizzlies nail-biter 94-92 loss to the Lakers. “Any of those guys that come in, I love how hard they’re playing, how together they’re playing. They’re just scrapping on the defensive end. Guys are stepping into great roles right now and providing great spark off the bench.”

From his first press conference, Jenkins talked about cultivating a team identity of unity, accountability and competitiveness.

“One of the few things (we) don’t have to worry about (is) we’re very tight on and off the court,” Kyle Anderson said after his 28-point game helped seal the Brooklyn win after Morant went down. “We came here with a “road” mentality, trying to win games and we know to do that, we got to stick together.

Even when the star players are down, watching these young cubs hustle on defense will melt any Grizz fans heart.

Memphis had 16 steals against the Lakers Tuesday, and held them to season lows in field goal percentage (43.7) and points. Gorgui Dieng contributed 13 points to the effort.

“We have to be very active,” Dieng said. “On defense, you have to be active ... trying to get steals and deflections. If one person starts it, everybody’s going to join, and I think that’s what we have.

“We’re not questioning ourselves to play hard,” he said. “I think this team plays hard every night, but we have to play smart every once in a while.

We have to play smarter.”

That’s one of those “learning how to win” things that every young team has to go through, and despite the Grizzlies being ahead of schedule, they are not exempt from taking their lumps.

Fans won’t be in the stands

anytime Lee Eric soon to Smith roar their approval of this young hardworking squad. It’s a shame, because there is indeed so much to cheer for, especially in this 20th anniversary season in Memphis.

But even if fans can’t show up to the arena, they can rest assured that the Grizzlies are going to show up. And they’re going to work their butts off.

Big Spain returns to the Big M It’s been nearly two years since Marc Gasol was traded to Toronto, and more than a year since he won a championship there. NBA schedules, pandemics and Orlando bubbles all conspired to delay Gasol’s return to Memphis.

But the homecoming did finally happen. Of course, Gasol signed with the Lakers in the off-season and across both games in Memphis, scored 10 points to go with 10 rebounds and six assists.

Like the other revered members of Memphis’ “Core Four,” the Grizzlies played a tribute video to Gasol during a game break. But with only a fraction of fans in the arena, Gasol was robbed of the spine-tingling standing ovation he surely would have received.

After the game, LeBron said it best: “I just hope that when we get our fans back, he can get another (tribute),” James said Sunday. “What he did for this franchise over the course of those years . . . It was hell coming in here playing them.

Playing Marc, Z-Bo (Zach Randolph) and T.A. (Tony Allen) and the rest of that group.

You knew it was going to be a grind in The Grindhouse.

“I truly hope they show that video again when they get their fans back in here, not only for what he did on the floor but what he meant off the floor as well.”

Grizzlies push forward with ‘Next Man Up’ mentality after losses to Lakers

by Najee El-Amin

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Playing the defending NBA Champions back to back with two of your best players sidelined is no easy task, although for the Grizzlies, this was a scenario they were anxious to see pan out.

“Every time we play versus a team like that, it’s really hard to not really be hype for that game,” said Grizzlies forward/ guard Brandon Clarke. “I think it’s a really good measuring mark for us to see what we’ve got to work on and see what we can do better on.”

Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. are among the team’s early season injuries.

Tuesday (Jan. 5), the Grizzlies set the bar high as they came within one possession of toppling the Lakers. The second of their four-game home stretch began much like the one before it.

The Grizzlies and the Los Angeles Lakers duked it out for much of the first half, exchanging the lead numerous times.

De’Anthony Melton made his first appearance this season after being sidelined because of COVID-19 protocol. He got his feet wet with five points and five assists in the game.

The Lakers were trailing going into the second period, but NBA Finals MVP LeBron James wouldn’t let the game slip away. He dominated late in the game and racked up 26 points and 11 rebounds.

Near the end of regulation, the game remained close. With 1.2 seconds remaining on the clock, the Lakers led by only two points. James inbounded the ball intended for Wesley Matthews, but Melton was able to get a hand on it.

Unfortunately, time expired before Memphis was able to put up a shot attempt. They fell to the Lakers 94-92.

In spite of their loss, Grizzlies Coach Taylor Jenkins was extremely proud of his team’s effort.

“These guys for 48 minutes were unbelievable. (We) Came up a little bit short in the end, one-possession game, but

Brandon Clark goes for a tip-in, battling Markieff Morris of the Lakers at the FedExForum (Jan. 5). (Photo: Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images.) really proud.” Jenkins said.

“So many good things to take away from this game and build on. As I say, whoever we play next, we just have to continue to build on this Even though they have shown glimmers of greatness, this is not the early season the Memphis Grizzlies wanted.

Morant remains out with an ankle sprain. Jackson Jr. is recovering after undergoing surgery for a torn meniscus.

And to add insult to these injuries, the team has yet to secure a home victory.

With so many pieces missing in the Grizzlies puzzle, it would be easy for this season’s expectations to be lower than anticipated.

Despite this, it appears that this has only lit a fire under the young squad, especially for forward Kyle Anderson, who had 10 points, five rebounds and two assists on Tuesday.

During the Grizzlies inspiring run last year, Anderson only started for 28 of the 67 games he appeared in, scoring an average of 5.8 points per game.

This year, however, he has started all seven games for the Grizzlies, playing high-level basketball in each contest.

Anderson adds to Memphis’ offensive firepower by averaging 16.7 points and three assists per game. He also has gotten two double-doubles under his belt making this one of his most productive seasons so far.

Even with this, in order to give Anderson the credit he deserves, one must take a look at the intangibles he brings to the table.

The best example of this came during the Grizzlies’ first road game against the Brooklyn Nets.

Morant exited the game after a bad landing, and someone needed to step up and fill his shoes. What followed was a career-high performance by Anderson (28 points).

Instead of making excuses or looking for one of his teammates to bear the extra burden, he took it upon himself to lead the team.

He capped off the evening by landing two crucial free throws which would secure the win that night. Lately, this type of play has become a trend with Anderson.

He’s still the opportunistic scorer he always was, but now he has gotten more consistent with his play. He’s selfless in his willingness to adopt a greater workload.

In his post-game discussions, Jenkins repeatedly stresses his “next man up” mentality when it comes to his team.

It’s safe to say that he doesn’t have to look too far because one of Memphis’ keys to success during this time of uncertainty is Kyle Anderson.

He and the Grizzlies will have another shot at winning in the FedExForum on Thursday (Jan. 7) when they face the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Brady White wins the Campbell Award

by Terry Davis

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

University of Memphis senior quarterback Brady White is the winner of the 31st William V. Campbell Trophy Presented by Mazda, the National Football Foundation (NFF) announced Wednesday. White is the first person to win this honor for the University of Memphis and the American Athletic Conference.

The Campbell Trophy, commonly known as the Academic Heisman, is presented to the college football player with the best combination of academics, community service and on-field performance. White will be officially presented the award during the 90-minute virtual Home Depot College Football Awards show on Thursday at 6 p.m. CT on ESPN. White won the award over 11 other finalists, who were selected from a record number of 199 semifinalists. As the winner, White receives a $25,000 post-

graduate scholarship. The other finalists receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship.

“My time here at Memphis has been so special,” White said. “The football accomplishments speak for themselves, but I also hope I am walking out of here having positively impacted people in this city by giving them hope, excitement and joy. I also hope I helped establish what the culture is on this team, and I can’t wait to see that carried out over many years to come. I’ll bleed blue for the rest of my life. I’m a Memphis Tiger forever.”

During the 2020 season, White set career school records in wins as a starting quarterback (28), passing yards (10,690) and passing touchdowns (90). He finished No. 5 nationally in passing touchdowns (31) and No. 6 nationally in passing yards (3,380) in his final season at Memphis as he led the Tigers to an 8-3 record. He was named MVP of the Montgomery Bowl in

Memphis’ first bowl victory since 2014. He announced following the game he will now pursue an NFL career.

White concluded his career 73rd on the career FBS passing yards list, surpassing college football greats Marcus Mariota, Matt Leinart, Danny Wuerffel and Ben Roethlisberger in his final game.

“Brady White has meant so much to me and everyone here,” said Memphis head coach Ryan Silverfield. “He has been an incredible leader and an ideal representative of not only our football program but the entire University. An award as prestigious and meaningful as the Campbell Trophy is the perfect honor for him. If I ever have a son, I hope he’s like Brady White. I think that’s one of the best things you can ever say about a young man.

He’s done it the right way, he’s a legend and I know he’s going to continue to be successful as he goes forward.”

Academically, White is cur-

rently a PhD candidate in liberal studies. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business from Arizona State and a master’s degree in sports commerce at the UofM. The Santa Clarita, Calif., native was named to the American Athletic Conference All-Academic Team in 201819 and 2019-20, and CoSIDA Academic All-District in 2019.

He was a Dean’s List student at the UofM for the 2018 fall and 2019 spring semesters while earning his master’s degree in addition to being a Tiger 3.0 Club member for three consecutive semesters. At Arizona State, White was named to the 2016 PAC-12 Conference All-Academic first team.

“We are extremely excited for Brady,” said Laird Veatch, UofM athletic director. “He is among the most impressive student-athletes I have had the privilege to be around, and we can’t wait to see what he accomplishes in the future. Memphis Athletics is very appreciative of Archie

Manning, Steve Hatchell and the selection committee for recognizing Brady’s remarkable accomplishments as a student-athlete and a person.”

“Brady is the definition of what it means to be an exceptional student-athlete,” said UofM President M. David Rudd. “His efforts on the field, in the classroom and in the community represent everything our University is about.

It’s a great honor for a legendary Tiger to be recognized with such a prestigious award.”

White has also been a leader in community service. He has participated in many visits to local children’s hospitals, speaking engagements at local elementary schools and much more over his three years at Memphis.

During the pandemic, White participated in Zoom calls with the Memphis Youth Detention Center to speak with recently released juveniles to help them navigate the transition from the center. He also recently helped

form and create a plan for the Memphis football’s Brady All-In White Gratitude program, an initiative focused on 30 days of giving thanks during the month of November.

“A doctoral student who ranks as Memphis’ all-time leading passer, Brady White is the epitome of what the Campbell Trophy Presented by Mazda represents,” said NFF Chairman Archie Manning, whose sons, Peyton (Campbell Trophy recipient) and Eli, were NFF National Scholar-Athletes in 1997 and 2003, respectively. “Working towards one’s PhD is a daunting challenge by itself. To do it while excelling at the highest level of college football is truly exceptional. Brady embodies the scholar-athlete ideal, and we are proud to have him as a member of this elite fraternity.”