Tri-State Defender - January 25-31, 2024

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January 25 - 31, 2024

VOL. 73, No. 4

www.tsdmemphis.com

COMMENTARY

The Rebirth of The Tri-State Defender

by Lee Eric Smith lesmith@tsdmemphis.com

There are two fundamental truths you can count on in the news business.

One is unpredictability – anything can happen, at any time. The other one is that no matter how much that unpredictable event stuns or shocks you, if you’re a true professional, you shake it off and soldier forward.

The news must be published, the people must be informed.

I didn’t need to be reminded of those truths. But the reminder came anyway, when I got the call Tuesday morning that Jerome Wright, Deputy Editor of the TriState Defender, had died unexpectedly that morning. He was 74.

The news threw all of us at the TSD for a loop — no one more than Karanja A. Ajanaku, who retired as Executive Editor and Associate Publisher on Dec. 31. Even before a late-career reunion at the TSD, “Dr. K” and “J-Rome” had decades of history, dating back to their days at The Commercial Appeal in the 1970s.

The plan was to use this edition to “give Dr. K. his flowers” — special coverage, highlighting his iconic career and legacy.

Jerome was excited about it – he and I talked the Monday before he died about what it would look like – a “farewell column” from Dr. K; a “new guy” column from me, talking about filling big shoes . . . blah, Lee Eric blah, blah.

Smith Jerome was planning to interview his longtime friend – two graybeards, talking about why quality journalism matters, especially to Memphis’ African American community. I was looking forward to reading that piece.

Then, on Tuesday, unpredictability.

Followed by shaking it off and soldiering forward. Instead of Jerome’s interview, it was the TSD’s new “Editor Emeritus” who wrote a poignant and touching final farewell to a friend gone too soon — on deadline, no less. Isn’t retirement supposed to free you from deadlines?

But I expected no less from Dr. K. I have said on many occasions that if The

SEE TSD ON PAGE 3

In addition to receiving endorsements from the Memphis NAACP and Afro American Police Association, there was a strong contingent of Davis supporters present for the Jan. 23 Memphis City Council meeting (Photos: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises/Tri-State Defender)

$1.00

How my life intersected with TSD Deputy Editor Jerome Wright

by Karanja A. Ajanaku kajanaku@tsdmemphis.com

Karanja A. Ajanaku, former TSD associate publisher/executive editor (Self photo)

I was expecting to be interviewed Tuesday by veteran journalist Jerome Wright when I got a telephone call about him.

Specifically, the Tri-State Defender’s deputy editor had died. He was 74 The caller was Wright’s wife, Gwendolyn. Her husband had died while on the treadmill the night before.

I gasped and lost my grip for a moment, tears flowing beyond my control. “J-Rome” – as I called him – had become a professional colleague in mid-1977 and a dear friend over the course of time. The scheduled interview was for a story about my transition out of the dual roles of TSD associate publisher and executive editor, the latter of which I held for 16.5 years before ending my tenure on December 31, 2023.

As a professional journalist, J-Rome had a knack for helping people find a trust level from which they felt comfortable sharing aspects of their lives. I’d seen him do it for years.

Long before we became colleagues at

TSD Deputy Editor Jerome Wright (Photo: Facebook)

SEE WRIGHT ON PAGE 3

Waving signs demanding “Justice 4 Tyre Nichols,” Memphians demanding new leadership at the Memphis Police Department packed City Hall for the Memphis City Council meeting on Jan. 23.

In interim role, the CJ Davis drama is on hold — for now But will the embattled police chief be able to win over Memphis?

by James Coleman and Lee Eric Smith The Tri-State Defender

With her reappointment in doubt, Mayor Paul Young opted to bypass a second Memphis City Council vote and appoint current Memphis Police Department Chief Cerelyn “C.J.” Davis as the city’s interim top cop on Tuesday, January 24.

“Chief Davis will serve as the chief of the Memphis Police Department on an interim basis until such time that we bring it back to make it a permanent appointment,” said Young.

And just like that, the MPD Police Chief drama is . . . well, it’s not over, but it’s definitely on hiatus.

Interim appointments don’t require council approval. Which means Davis will get more time to prove she has a winning plan for reduc-

ing crime and shifting a culture that enabled five rogue officers to ruthlessly beat Tyre Nichols in January 2023.

Just because there’s more time on the clock, however, doesn’t mean the questions get any easier. Whenever Young brings Davis’ appointment back before the council, the key questions will ultimately come down to this: How long should citizens wait to see a meaningful drop in violent crime, specifically homicide? How do you discipline or remove officers who go too far — especially when officers are needed to fight the crime wave?

And with all of the social ills afflicting Memphians — including poverty, lax gun laws and untreated mental illness — is it even fair to expect a police chief to fix all this?

Context matters Memphis had already been struggling with violent crime when then-Mayor Jim Strickland tapped Davis to replace outgoing police direc-

SEE DAVIS ON PAGE 8

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The Tri-State Defender

January 25 - 31, 2024

Page 2

NEWS

In 2020, the Tennessee Press Association’s Best Feature Photograph (Group 1) award went to the TriState Defender’s Associate Publisher/Executive Editor Karanja A. Ajanaku. The photo of two former servicemen reflected generations of service. (Photos: Karanja A. Ajanaku/ The Tri-State Defender)

Evvie McKinney sang a social justice solo during an event that celebrated the birthday of Alice Marie Johnson, who (in June 2018) was released from federal prison after serving 21 years on drug-related charges. President Donald Trump granted her clemency.

Pictures by departing TSD executive editor help Memphis see itself

by Karanja A. Ajanaku kajanaku@tsdmemphis.com

Fighting breast cancer is an all-weather mission.

Judge Lee Coffee swears in Sherra Wright before she testifies in the hearing to change her plea to guilty in the death of her ex-husband, NBA stalwart Lorenzen Wright.

Memphis Fire Department Chief Gina Sweat (l) and Memphis Police Department Chief Cerelyn “CJ” Davis faced tough questioning during a Memphis City Council session following the death of Tyre Nichols.

Vice President Kamala Harris arrives in Memphis for the funeral of Tyre Nichols.

Then-Mayor Jim Strickland was among the local officials to greet her.

After a court hearing for five former Memphis Police Department officers accused of beating Tyre Nichols to death, renowned attorney Benjamin Crump addressed the media, along with Nichols’ parents, RowVaughn Wells and Rodney Wells.

The Big River Run was a patriotic affair for these two.

Jesse Turner Park was the setting for this cat-mouse game that ended with the runner picked off of second base.

Nervous as a kid on the first day of school, I made my way into the home of the Rev. Dr. Samuel “Billy” Kyles, who was on the balcony of the Lorraine Hotel when the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was gunned down in Memphis on the evening of April 4, 1968.

Determined to put my best professional foot forward, I introduced myself to the civil-rightsera icon and then introduced the other person in the room as “my photographer.” Hours later, I got an unexpected, in-my-face lesson: “I’m not your photographer!”

From that day forward, I began building a more dynamic understanding of who a news photographer is/can be. During my recently-ended, 16.5-year career as the executive editor of The Tri-State Defender, I was aided by the journalism talents of multiple photographers.

I’ve even become one.

In 2020, the Tennessee Press Association awarded me first place (Group I) for Best Feature Photograph. The photo of two former servicemen told a story of generations of service.

While the shifting landscape of the news industry made learning photography a no-brainer upgrade to my journalism/communication skillset, I learned to love what I can say with a photograph in much the same way I love choosing words and crafting phrases for the stories I tell.

I still am mapping the next steps of my future, knowing that I somehow want to be involved with the growth and development of the African-American community, particularly its children. I feel certain telling “our” stories will be an anchoring point, with photography a beloved tool.

With that context, I yielded to TSD Interim Editor Lee Eric Smith’s suggestion that I share some of the story-telling images that I captured during my TSD tenure, which ended New Year’s Eve night with me immensely thankful for TSD’s readers and forever grateful for the creative talent pool that I leaned upon through the years.

The Tri-State Defender

TSD

CONTINUED FROM FRONT Tri-State Defender has a soul, it’s name is Karanja Ajanaku.

I’ve worked with him since 2015 — first, covering Grizzlies’ games, then features and general assignments. Eventually, I’d pick up page layout duties as well. There were plenty of Thursday mornings where Doc and I saw the sun rise at the TSD’s offices on Beale because we’d been up all night getting the paper out.

It was not always easy working with Doc. Words like “prickly” and “curmudgeon” come to mind, but that’s only before you get to know him. After a while, you see what’s really happening: Doc is serious – serious about his work, about how he conducts himself. And when he’s in his zone, he’s focused and intense.

What else would drive someone to pick up a red pen and meticulously proofread page layouts at 1 a.m. while others are sleeping? Or to patiently work with eager

WRIGHT

CONTINUED FROM FRONT TSD, we had been trailblazers, along with Otis L. Sanford, at The Commercial Appeal (CA), Memphis’ longstanding daily newspaper. As the “Three Amigos,” we challenged stereotypes with a combination of presence, professionalism and skills as we covered law enforcement (Wright), the federal beat (Sanford) and city hall (me).

J-Rome was the oldest member of our trio. He’d worked as a copy clerk for the CA and earned a journalism degree from Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis) in 1972. He drove a cool red Corvette, dressed impeccably, worked hard, enjoyed card and board games (spades, bid whist, backgammon) and was so approachable.

Over the years, our careers, life choic-

January 25 - 31, 2024

Page 3

NEWS

but untrained writers, to help mold them into the journalists and storytellers that Memphis needs?

When your boss dies unexpectedly in 2018 (RIP Bernal E. Smith III), what drives someone to MAKE SURE that the publication not only publishes that week, but is filled with moving tributes?

It’s the same thing that drove Jerome — a passion for newspapers. A commitment to not only getting the facts out, but more fundamentally, getting them right.

A self-directed mandate to develop Memphis’ next generation of question-askers and critical thinkers.

And a determination to face the unpredictable, shake it off and soldier forward.

The realities of the newspaper business have finally caught up with us at the TSD, and it seems everything is changing. We’ve suspended printing our weekly print edition, turning our focus to how you consume news everyday – online, on your computer or mobile device. For those who still love the feel of a newspaper in your hands, we offer this monthly edition.

But make no mistake: the TSD is evolving. Over the coming months, we will be actively reinventing what it means to be an African American-owned media outlet in the Mid-South. We want to incorporate more voices, more opinions, and more solutions. Memphis needs answers and while you may not find all of them in the TSD, we want to be the place where the conversation happens.

When the TSD launched in the 1950s, it was because there was no other news source that African Americans felt like they could trust. Thanks to trailblazers like Dr. K and Jerome we started to see our faces, our communities, our stories in mainstream media. And that was before the internet, social media and Black Twitter.

With such a diverse news menu, some might question the need for Black-owned media these days. I’m not one of those people. Neither was Jerome Wright. But nobody could explain WHY Memphis needs the Tri-State Defender like Karanja Ajanaku.

“Memphis is a majority African-Ameri-

can city and we are sure that if we provide the community with what it needs today, they will respond relative to readership and support,” Ajanaku told Memphis Magazine in 2018.

“If you’re going to live in a democratic republic, the individual has to be informed,” he continued. “And if he doesn’t have the tools to take in the information and make informed decisions, you’ve got a problem.

“So we’re focused on the local: reporters and photographers interviewing, taking photos, talking to local people, producing local stories about local people involved in the unfolding of life around them,” he added. “That’s what it’s about — verified information.”

Accurate information to make informed decisions. That’s the legacy that Dr. Karanja Ajanaku and Jerome Wright leave us.

And regardless of where you find our work — in print or online — that’s our challenge, our commitment, our calling.

Let’s get to work.

es and happenstances took us in varying directions. Yet the friendship and respect-bond remained intact. At the funeral for my father in Natchitoches, La. (in 2002), I looked up and there was J-Rome and Gwen, who had made the six-hourplus drive unannounced to me.

On Christmas night 2003, I signed off (as night news editor) on the next day’s edition of the CA. Four and a half years later (and after a run as a small-business owner), I walked into the Downtown offices of The Tri-State Defender as executive editor.

The challenges – internal and external – were immense. At one point, the newspaper was sold to local ownership. And then, tragically in 2018, Bernal E. Smith II, who engineered the sale, died suddenly at 45.

As I reviewed the TSD situation, it was clear that I needed high-level editing help and from someone who could appreciate the need and the challenges. I thought

of my friend and colleague, “J-Rome” Wright, who had retired as the Editorial Page Editor at the CA after – by self-description – an association of “45 years, 7 months and 16 days.”

We met at the Mahogany Memphis Restaurant, where I made the pitch for him to join me at the TSD. We talked our way to a multi-year agreement that withstood the ravages of the pandemic and the gyrations that are forcing the journalism industry to reinvent/repackage itself on the fly.

When the Tennessee Press Association contests for 2021 and 2022 yielded firstplace finishes for the TSD in the areas of Coronavirus News Coverage and Coronavirus Features, features written and edited

by J-Rome helped anchor TSD’s entries.

Once again, he had demonstrated his knack for helping people find a trust level from which they felt comfortable sharing aspects of their lives.

Recently, I was asked about my fondest memory while at the TSD. My answer: “My fondest memory is actually a stream of memories of the people that I came to know or know better through my association with the TSD.” Among such memories are those of my dear friend and colleague, “J-Rome” Wright.

Services are pending.

He also leaves three daughters, Meredith Davidson of Scarsdale, New York, Elizabeth Wright of Nashville, and Victoria Wright of Los Angeles; a stepson, Albert Glenn of Huntsville, Alabama; two sisters, Rosalind Holman of York, Pennsylvania, and Paula Dandridge of Nashville; a brother, Raymond Scott Dandridge of Nashville; and a granddaughter, Beatrice Davidson of Scarsdale, New York. He also leaves his former wife, Cecelia Payne Wright of Memphis.

Leading Change for Better Lives Dr. King’s leadership and bravery helped change the world without violence. He risked everything to give all of our children a better tomorrow. His sacrifice will never be forgotten because the peaceful change he demonstrated with the life he lived remains the model we all aspire to follow every day.

www.renasantbank.com

PERSPECTIVE The Tri-State Defender, January 25 - 31, 2024, Page 4

Memphis Shelby County Schools: Five Issues to Watch Closely in 2024

by Curtis Weathers The Tri-State Defender

No one can say the 2023 calendar year was boring for leaders, teachers, and students of Memphis Shelby County Schools. The year, as usual, was filled with excitement and controversy.

From a botched superintendent search process to news of an after-school Satan Club opening in one of its schools, there was no shortage of controversial issues to wrap your mind around in 2023.

While multiple issues made for an interesting year, there were five, in particular, that we will be keeping a close eye on in 2024.

The stakes couldn’t be higher as these issues will have massive implications for the future of Memphis Shelby County Schools students, families, and employees going forward.

Budget Deficit First, Memphis Shelby County Schools is grappling with a massive budget deficit of $150 million, primarily due to the cessation of federal pandemic relief funding.

School systems all across the nation have been bracing for what some describe as a “fiscal cliff” - or the discontinuation of funds from federal aid programs that have provided billions of dollars over the past few years to support staff additions, rais-

es and bonuses, construction projects, and tutoring programs.

District leaders are taking a hard look at which programs and positions they can afford Curtis to trim without Weathers sacrificing or impeding academic progress.

There was a proposal on the table to eliminate up to 675 jobs along with an assortment of programming cuts that are expected to address only about half the projected deficit.

Whatever cuts are implemented, they will have significant implications on school and district operations going forward.

After-School Satan Clubs You’ve probably read recently about an organization called the Satanic Temple and their interest in starting an After-School Satan Club in one of the district’s elementary schools. When the news broke a several weeks ago that Chimney Rock Elementary School would be hosting an after-school club called the “After-School Satan Club,” I was shocked. The news of their intent prompted immediate concerns among parents, school administrators, and the broader faith community.

I never thought in a million years

I would see a satanic organization openly and brazenly try to set up shop in an elementary school building with the intent of indoctrinating elementary school children with satanic beliefs disguised as fun and wholesome educational activities.

From a legal perspective, little can be done to prevent this organization from moving forward with its plans, they are already having sessions after school. Still, community members and district officials must closely monitor this organization’s activities and do what they can to prevent it from expanding to other schools.

School Vouchers in Tennessee Thirdly, the push to expand school vouchers nationwide is gaining momentum.

Here In Tennessee, vouchers are available only to students zoned to attend a public school in Memphis-Shelby County Schools, Metro Nashville Public Schools, Hamilton County Schools, or a school in the Achievement School District (ASD).

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, however, wants to expand the program beyond just those three school districts by offering public money for private schooling statewide.

Last year, the Governor introduced the Tennessee Education Freedom Scholarship Act, which could allow students in Tennessee to attend any school, private or public, of their choosing. The Governor’s proposal would provide scholarships next

school year, worth about $7,000 each, to 20,000 students.

The Governor’s new proposal would make choice a reality for every Tennessee family and child. The scholarships could be used at any private school and for most home school programs as well. The plan still has to be approved by the state legislature.

Tennessee would be the ninth state in the U.S. to pass such legislation.

There is fierce opposition to the governor’s plan, but it is important to note that the potential benefits and drawbacks of voucher programs are still being debated and researched.

Letter Grades for Schools Fourth, toward the end of last year, the Tennessee State Department of Education issued letter grades for public schools in Tennessee.

This is the first year Tennessee has used the letter-grade system, which was passed into law in 2016 but is just now being implemented.

The grading system, of course, has been very controversial. Critics argue the system relies too heavily on standardized test scores, potentially overlooking broader measures of school success and neglecting the needs of disadvantaged students.

Others claim the grading system oversimplifies complex data and can stigmatize schools with lower grades.

Concerns have also been raised about the fairness of comparing schools with vastly different student demographics and challenges.

Despite the criticisms, the letter grade system will remain a prominent feature of Tennessee’s education landscape going forward. It’s important to be aware of its limitations and consider it alongside other factors when evaluating schools.

A New Superintendent Lastly, and most important, is the district’s search for a new superintendent. The search process has been complex and multifaceted, with both positive and negative aspects for sure. The initial selection process was bogged down with controversy.

However, following the initial hiccups, the board adopted a revised timeline and has largely stuck to it, demonstrating a commitment to a thorough and efficient search.

The new process seems to be moving along smoothly and is headed into its final stages, with three finalists awaiting the school board’s final decision. The process included significant community input, using forums, surveys, and focus groups to gather feedback on desired qualities and priorities for the new superintendent.

Kudos to Interim Superintendent Toni Williams and her team; they have done a pretty good job leading the school system during this extended transitional phase.

So, as you can see, there is much to look forward to as we move into the new calendar year. We will closely monitor these five issues as we navigate the next 12 months of 2024.

Biden’s visit to Mother Emanuel in Charleston shines light on shifting role of Black Church in American Democracy

by John Thomas III, Ph.D., Editor, The Christian Recorder

“At Church, Biden denounces poison of Supremacy” “Gaza Protest Erupted During Biden Speech at Mother Emanuel” “Biden’s Appeal to Black Voters Needs an Overhaul” One could be forgiven for wondering exactly what happened at Mother Emanuel on Jan. 6, when US President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. visited in his first campaign swing of the 2024 Presidential cycle.

As an affiliate member of Mother Emanuel, a journalist, and a collegiate Political Science professor, I confess that I needed a few days to sit with the variety of emotions and perspectives that I felt after Monday’s program.

We know that the Black Church as an institution is more to the African American community than a religious place. It is a vital institutional pillar that has undergirded our existence.

From providing physical places to gather and shelter to opportunities for leadership and training to incubators for economic development, the Black Church is a singular institution whose influence sets African Americans apart from different parts of the Diaspora in the Western Hemisphere.

We AMEs take pride in navigating the world of United States politics, including Presidents in our midst. Wil-

liam McKinley visited Quinn Chapel AME Church in Chicago in one of his last speeches before his assassination in 1901. John F. Kennedy invited the entire Council of Bishops to the White House to recognize Daniel Payne’s role in signing the Emancipation Proclamation. And, of course, Presidential candidates routinely attend our General Conferences.

So, when people question the appropriateness of the sitting United States President to show up to an AME Church, our history shows that he is just the latest in a long line of persons who have come to our doors. Furthermore, President Biden has a special relationship with the AME Church.

He was a frequent visitor at Bethel AME Church in Wilmington, Delaware, when he represented that state in the United States Senate. He also personally visited the families of the Mother Emanuel victims and the survivors of the 2015 massacre days after the tragedy in a show of solidarity—even though his own son, Beau, had died of cancer days before. As Congressman James Clyburn (and AME Church member) said in his introduction of the President, “We know Joe.” With this context, the visit of President Biden to an AME Church makes sense.

But we know contexts change. The Black Church is not what it once was, and American Democracy is not what it once was.

When protestors stood up in Mother Emanuel during the President’s speech, I immediately noticed they were the youngest people in the sanctuary. Given that they couldn’t bring in signs, I appreciated their boldness and that, when asked to leave, they respectfully did so and honored the fact that it was a house of worship and sacred ground.

We know that there is a generational and ethnic divide in American opinion on the conflict in Gaza, and many of the people were more concerned that they were “disrespecting the President” than their actual viewpoint about genocide. The largely 60plus crowd in the room was a friendly audience to the President.

And we know that the Black Church as an institution is losing inroads among younger generations.

Faith will always be important to African Americans—but how that faith is practiced and what institutions shape it is evolving and changing.

Likewise, African American voting patterns are shifting, and the arguments and appeals to Black voters must shift.

Bishop Samuel Green, Presiding Prelate of the 7th Episcopal District, reminded those assembled in his remarks that while Ella Baker, Malcolm X, Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King, Jr., and other luminaries of the African American freedom struggle might have had issues with American

President Joe Biden delivers remarks at Mother Emanuel Church.

(Screen capture) democracy if there was a choice between President Biden or former President Trump, we know they adamantly would have backed the incumbent.

This stark reminder of the situation of American democracy, where White nationalist demagogues and insurrectionists have seemingly hijacked one party, speaks to the peril that the country is in. Yet, for a generation that has seen the ladder to opportunity kicked down, George Floyd’s life crushed out of him, and the US Capitol bathed in tear gas, the entire electoral process and its benefits are questionable.

As I walked out of Mother Emanuel and back to my office, I saw the snappy punditry beginning to digest the President’s visit. Some things, however, take time to sit and think through. We do ourselves a disservice with snap judgments for a microwave news cycle.

Members of the AME Church must think about what it means for the

President of the United States to visit our church and what it means for Israel to flout humanitarian norms in the Gaza Strip. We must ask ourselves how best to use our resources to serve the communities we minister to in this troubling time for American Democracy.

There are no easy answers, but we know that our faith in Christ will guide us, and we must be obedient enough to follow and act upon it.

(John Thomas III, Ph.D. is the Editor of The Christian Recorder, the official newspaper of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. He is the President of the Associated Church Press and an Executive Committee Member of the World Association of Christian Communicators--North America Section. A native of Nashville, Tennessee, he has recently relocated to Charleston, South Carolina where he is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science at the College of Charleston.)

Information • Inspiration • Elevation Published by The Tri-State Defender

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The Tri-State Defender

January 25 - 31, 2024

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NEWS

Leaders and members of the National Baptist Convention gathered in January for the Joint Board Session at the Renasant Convention Center. The theme was “We Are Better Together,” based on Ecclesiastes 4:1-9. (Photos: Courtesy of Minerval Little/Spirit Magazine)

Baptist leaders meet in joint session

Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris addresses the body.

NBC Leadership on display (from left): Pastor Rickey L. Duggar; PNBC President Dr. David Peoples; NBMCA President Dr. Anthony Sharp I; NBCA President Dr. Samuel C. Tolbert, Jr.; and NBC USA President Dr. Jerry Young.

Newly installed Memphis Mayor Paul Young welcomed participants to Memphis and the convention.

On Monday night, participants were treated to a special performance by the Male Chorus of the Memphis Baptist Ministerial Association, who brought powerful praise and worship!

Between the praise music and powerful messages, The Holy Spirit wouldn’t let the crowd sit down Monday night!

The Tri-State Defender, January 25 - 31, 2024, Page 6

Renowned filmmaker/actor Tyler Perry (center) took a break from filming in Clarksdale to take a photo with Mayor Chuck Espy (second from left) and members of the Clarksdale Police Department, who posted the image on social media. “Thank you Mr. Perry for choosing Clarksdale!!” said the post.

Tyler Perry Brings New Netflix Production ‘Joe’s College Road Trip’ to Memphis and Clarksdale

by TSD Newsroom Filmmaker Tyler Perry is putting on a white wig for a role again, but this time, it won’t be Madea’s name in lights – it’s her brother, Joe. Perry was in the Mid-South recently filming “Joe’s College Road Trip,” the latest in his multifilm deal with Netflix. The production, which has filmed in Memphis and Clarksdale, Miss., will finally feature a hilarious side character in many of Perry’s other movies: Joe, Madea’s cranky brother.

“Joe’s College Road Trip” is a come-

dy-drama that explores the generational divide and the richness of Black history through the eyes of a grandfather and his grandson. The film’s narrative revolves around Brian, who sends his son B.J. on a college tour with his grandfather, Joe. Brian hopes Joe will teach B.J. about Black History and the real world, a journey filled with both humor and poignant moments. As they embark on the trip, B.J. begins to appreciate the struggles and triumphs of previous generations and develops a new perspective on his relationship with his grandfather.

The Clarksdale Police Department ex-

pressed its enthusiasm for hosting the production. “Thanks to Mayor Chuck Espy for arranging a meet and greet with Mr. Tyler Perry. Tyler Perry Studios chose Clarksdale, MS to shoot scenes for his upcoming movie, Joe’s College Road Trip. Thank you Mr. Perry for choosing Clarksdale!!“, shared the department on social media.

Perry, a notable actor, playwright, filmmaker, and comedian, is best known for his Madea film series and has garnered acclaim for his contributions to both stage and screen. His recent projects with Netflix, including ‘Six Triple Eight’ and ‘Mea Culpa,’ showcase his versatility as a direc-

tor and producer.

The selection of Memphis and Clarksdale for the filming of ‘Joe’s College Road Trip’ underscores the region’s growing prominence in the film industry and Perry’s commitment to telling diverse stories.

The project promises to be an exciting addition to Perry’s catalog on Netflix, joining the ranks of other successful titles like ‘A Madea Homecoming’ and ‘A Fall from Grace.’

The production was on Beale Street on Tuesday, Jan. 23 to shoot scenes for the movie. TSD Photojournalist Gary S. Whitlow snapped some photos . . . . Check them out!

That’s “Joe” in his signature white afro, driving the classic red convertible down Beale. And if you look really closely you can see . . .

Nope, not Tyler Perry: . . . . Nope, that’s not Tyler Perry in the driver’s seat!

That’s what people in the film business call a “stunt double!”

If you ever wondered how movies and TV shows film people riding in cars, this is one way they do it, with a huge camera rig mounted on another car.

The Tri-State Defender

January 25 - 31, 2024

Page 7

NEWS

Dozens participate in vigil marking anniversary of Tyre Nichols’ fatal beating by Memphis Police On January 7, 2023, Tyre Nichols was mercilessly beaten by rogue Memphis police officers in a South Memphis neighborhood. He died a few days later.

One year later, candlelight vigils were held in Memphis, Nichols’ hometown of Sacramento, and in other cities seeking to keep the flames lit on police reform. And at the core of all these incidents, there is a mourning mother.

“One year ago today, I lost the most precious thing God ever gave me,” said RowVaughn Wells, Nichols’ mother.

And in a moment reminiscent of Mamie Till’s choice to allow reporters to see her lynched son Emmet Till in 1955, Wells held up a picture of her son’s bruised and bloodied face.

“Y’all see this picture, y’all see this picture,” she said.

“This is my son, Tyre, this happened right here where we are standing, this is what happened to my son on January 7th.”

Newly inaugurated Memphis Mayor Paul Young attended the vigil as did Chief of Police CJ Davis were also present.

January 7 marked the anniversary of Tyre Nichols’ brutal beating at the hands of rogue Memphis Police officers.

To commemorate the day, candlelight vigils were held in both Memphis and Nichols’ hometown of Sacramento.

In a moment reminiscent of Mamie Till’s choice to allow reporters to see her lynched son Emmet Till in 1955, Tyre Nichol’s mother, RowVaughn Wells held up a picture of her son’s bruised and bloodied face.“Y’all see this picture, y’all see this picture,” she said. “This is my son, Tyre, this happened right here where we are standing, this is what happened to my son on January 7th.” For more photos from the vigil, see page 5. (Photos: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises/The Tri-State Defender)

CLASSIFIEDS PUBLIC NOTICE SHELBY COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING CONSOLIDATED PLAN FOR FY 2025-2029 AND FISCAL YEAR 2024 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN PUBLIC HEARING Shelby County Department of Housing will hold a public hearing to discuss Shelby County housing and community development needs in preparation for the Consolidated Plan for FY 2025 through 2029 as well as the Fiscal Year 2025 Annual Action Plan (HUD Program Year 2024) with both in person and virtual attendance options on Wednesday, January 31, 2024.

In Person Attendance Option: Shelby County Code Enforcement, Training Room, 6465 Mullins Station Road Memphis, TN 38134. Attendees should enter the Code Enforcement Building through the Training Room entrance; upon walking up to the building, attendees will need to follow the signage that leads to the Training Room.

Virtual Attendance Option: A virtual option to join is also provided, and participants can join the meeting with a computer, tablet, or smartphone at https://www. gotomeet.me/DanaSjostrom or dialing in from a phone +1 (224) 501-3412, Access Code 169-900933 at the above noted meeting time.

If you plan to attend the public hearing and have special needs, please contact the Department of Housing at (901) 222-7600 by 4:30 p.m. Thursday, January 25, 2024 and we will work to accommodate you. Citizen input and public participation is strongly encouraged.

The consolidated planning process for FY 2025-2029 serves as the framework for a community-wide dialogue to identify housing and community development priorities that align and focus funding from the CPD formula block grant programs Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program.

The FY 2025 Annual Action Plan establishes the basis for the use of entitlement funds for the period of July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025.

The primary purpose of this hearing is to receive comments on community development needs in order to consider them in the consolidated planning process for the FY 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan as well as for the FY 2025 Annual Action Plan. Shelby County anticipates receiving level funding for the upcoming program year; $1,169,819.00 in CDBG and $472,756.00 in HOME funds in Program Year 2023/ Fiscal Year 2024. Shelby County expects to submit the Consolidated Plan for FY 2025-2029 and the Annual Plan for FY 2025 to HUD on or before May 15, 2024 following a 30 day review and comment period.

The hearing will also provide an update on current activities under the CDBG and HOME Programs, information on Section 3 contracting opportunities; and will provide information on other programs operated by the Department of Housing.

Persons wishing to comment on the Consolidated Plan for FY 2025-2029 and/or the FY 2025 Annual Action Plan may do so by

writing to Dana Sjostrom via email dana.sjostrom@shelbycountytn. gov or mail Shelby County Department of Housing, 6465 Mullins Station Road, Memphis, TN 38134. Shelby County will schedule an additional public hearing in April 2024 to present the draft Consolidated Plan for FY 20252029 and the Annual Action Plan for FY 2025 for public comment before it is submitted to HUD. For additional information contact the Department of Housing at 901-222-7600 or TTY at 901-2222300.

The Shelby County Department of Housing does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age or disability in employment or the provision of services. Equal opportunity/equal access provider.

Para mas información en Español, por favor llame al 901-222-7601.

Lee Harris Mayor Scott Walkup, Administrator Shelby County Department of Housing

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: Zaravelo Developments LLC Tax Parcel #: 05809500000020 Tax Sale #: 1801 Price Offered: $5,700 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 2/20/2024, 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 1075 MULLINS STATION, BLDG. E-1 MEMPHIS, TN 38134 (901) 222-1150 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: Zaravelo Developments LLC Tax Parcel #: 05815300000090 Tax Sale #: 1801 Price Offered: $11,500 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 a.m. on 2/20/2024, 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 1075 MULLINS STATION, BLDG. E-1 MEMPHIS, TN 38134 (901) 222-1150 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: Zaravelo Developments LLC Tax Parcel #: 05808600000010 Tax Sale #: 1804 Price Offered: $5,700 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 2/20/2024, 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 1075 MULLINS STATION, BLDG. E-1 MEMPHIS, TN 38134 (901) 222-1150 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: Zaravelo Developments LLC Tax Parcel #: 05209200000170 Tax Sale #: 1704 Price Offered: $4,500 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 11 a.m. on 2/20/2024, 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 1075 MULLINS STATION, BLDG. E-1 MEMPHIS, TN 38134 (901) 222-1150 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: Zaravelo Developments LLC Tax Parcel #: 04703300000070 Tax Sale #: 1802 Price Offered: $4,000 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 11:30 a.m. on 2/20/2024, 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 1075 MULLINS STATION, BLDG. E-1 MEMPHIS, TN 38134 (901) 222-1150

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: Paul Aguilar» Tax Parcel #: 0934170J000670 Tax Sale #: 1903 Price Offered: $9,600 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 a.m. on 2/21/2024, 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 1075 MULLINS STATION, BLDG. E-1 MEMPHIS, TN 38134 (901) 222-1150

The Tri-State Defender

January 25 - 31, 2024

Page 8

NEWS

“She was always on point and knew this school district like the back of her hand. Rest well, Queen Mother!”

In Memoriam: Sara L. Lewis: A Pillar of Strength and Advocacy in Memphis Education TSD Newsroom Memphis mourns the loss of a beloved and influential figure, Sara L. Lewis, who passed away on January 22, 2024. Her departure marks the end of a significant era in Memphis’s educational and community landscape.

“Today we lost my beloved grandmother, Sara L. Lewis,” wrote DeAara Lewis, Sara’s granddaughter, on Facebook. “Her passing signifies the end of an era in our family and the City of Memphis, a city she deeply loved. We are asking for privacy during this challenging time and appreciate your understanding and support.”

Lewis, a retired member of the Memphis City School Board, was a fierce advocate for equity and educational excellence. Her commitment to these ideals was unwavering, as reflected in her own words from 2003.

DAVIS

CONTINUED FROM FRONT tor Michael Rallings.

But she brought baggage. Davis’ earlier tenures in Atlanta and Durham, NC, were plagued with some of the same issues she’s faced in Memphis, including a special “tough on crime” task force that came under scrutiny while she was police chief in Durham.

The spotlight got much hotter in January 2023, when five rogue police officers on MPD’s SCORPION unit mercilessly beat Tyre Nichols, who died from his injuries days later.

Now faced with her own “George Floyd”-type incident – complete with shocking video footage – Davis acted quickly. She fired the officers and shut down SCORPION. Soon after, the former cops were arrested and charged with murder.

The swift response prompted noted activist/ attorney Ben Crump to declare that Memphis had provided a “blueprint” for how police misconduct should be handled going forward.

Meanwhile, more and more Memphians — specifically children — were being gunned down than ever before. In 2023, MPD records show there were 398 homicides, which broke the 2022 record of 302 homicides.

Not surprisingly, voters and elected officials want change.

“Chief Davis had two-and-a-half years. I think that’s ample time to get it right,” Smiley said on Jan. 9. “I just think Memphis ultimately deserves smart and innovative policing practices that we have seen across this country.”

‘She’s had to learn the city’ Both the NAACP Memphis Chapter and the Afro American Police Association offered strong support for Davis, saying she needs more time — and more help.

“Look at where my focus has been. It’s been on children, on minority affairs, and equity issues, on standards,” Lewis said at the time. “It’s been on the things that need to come about to make Memphis City Schools a better school system.”

On social media, Memphis Shelby County Schools said Lewis “fought fiercely for equity and educational excellence. May the bright light of her legacy guide us to build the Memphis our children deserve.”

Lewis was instrumental in bringing WQOXFM 88.5 on the air, as well as C19TV, both broadcast arms of the school district over the years, said station manager and radio personality John Best.

“It is because of her efforts and her colleagues that we have 88.5FM and C19TV and the Broadcast Program,” Best wrote on Facebook “She was always on point and knew this school district like the back of her hand. Rest

“She’s only been in her position a little more than two years,” said Vickie Hayes-Terry, Executive Director of the Memphis NAACP. “We feel that is not enough time to clean up a police department that had major problems before she arrived.”

AAPA President Christopher Price agreed.

“Chief Davis, or anyone in her position, is going to end up being a scapegoat,” Price said.

“She’s had to learn the city, the community, the psychology and the sociology of Memphis. You can’t expect immediate results. It’s a challenging job with no absolute blueprint.”

Open Carry Laws = More guns, violence And while it’s true that homicides have hit record highs each year since Davis’ appointment, Davis and her supporters agree on an unsung culprit in the spike in gun violence.

“We understand that the homicide rate increased last year,” Hayes-Terry said. “But we also understand that state laws were changed to open carry for guns.”

In 2021, the Tennessee State Legislature voted to allow “permitless carry.” Once Gov. Bill Lee signed it into law, it meant that virtually anyone can purchase and carry a handgun — no training or license required.

“Nobody thought that through,” said AAPA President Christopher Price, still a veteran MPD officer. “Maybe part of the legislature’s rationale was that if everyone has guns, nobody is going to commit crimes. Like in the cowboy days. But I think it’s had the complete opposite effect.

“Now everybody has a gun,” Price said. “So everybody says, ‘I’m the tough guy on the block. I got this gun, I can even up the score.’”

Resistant to Change During her Jan. 9 appearance before the

From Garbage Man to Game Changer: Elmore Nickelberry and 1968 Sanitation Workers fought to be treated like humans

by Lee Eric Smith lesmith@tsdmemphis.com

Sara L. Lewis well, Queen Mother!”

Lewis’s legacy in Memphis is profound. She was more than an educator; she was a beacon of hope and a tireless advocate for the underprivileged. Her life’s work centered on creating a better future for the children of Memphis, and her impact will be felt for generations to come.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by N. J. Ford And Sons Funeral Home, Inc. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to local educational charities, continuing Sara’s lifelong mission of supporting education for all.

Sara L. Lewis’s life was a testament to her belief in the power of education and community. Her contributions have shaped the educational landscape of Memphis, leaving a legacy that will continue to inspire and guide.

Council, Davis indicated that it’s not that she’s not trying to change things; it’s that some officers under her direction are pushing back.

“Some of our officers are having problems,” she said. “They are not used to discipline at the level our community, or the council expects. They’re not used to various policies and procedures that will take our department to a higher level. Change is uncomfortable for them.”

In the same meeting, Councilman Edmund Ford Sr. suggested envy and sexism may be at work — that some staff aren’t ready to take orders from a woman.

“I know a lot of them, they’d love to have your job. I wouldn’t, that’s a hard job,” Ford said. “Clean house with some of them. Go on and let them retire. Bring in ones that really care; ones that have your back, not stab you in your back.”

Time will tell Even as Young made the announcement about Davis’ interim role, he was still adamant that she’s right for the job and just needs more time.

“I made the decision that I felt like Chief Davis is the right person at the right time. My commitment has not wavered,” Young said on Jan. 23. “But I also understand that there are doubts. I understand and respect that.”

Meanwhile, Davis said she is still focused on serving the Bluff City and it’s people.

“I love this community and I’ve served twoand-a-half years, from my heart, to this community,” she said. “And I plan to continue to do that.

“There’s a lot of work that needs to be done, but this community is willing to help us get the work done.”

In 2024, it’s hard to believe that anyone would feel the need to walk around Downtown Memphis with a sign declaring in all caps: “I AM A MAN.” It says something about the desperation of those garbage men that in Lee Eric 1968 they felt the need Smith to remind people of their basic humanity.

Elmore Nickelberry was one of those men who did just that. Nickelberry died just before the new year at age 92, having lived a full life -and living long enough to see at least some of the change that he and the 1968 Sanitation Elmore Workers fought for.

Nickelberry Note my choice of words above: “Garbage Men.” Nowadays, it’s more polite and sophisticated — more DIGNIFIED — to use the term “Sanitation Worker.” But in that time, white garbage men got little respect and black garbage men got ZERO. In an interview with NPR’s “StoryCorp,” Nickelberry and fellow worker Taylor Rogers described the life they and their fellow garbage men lived — working long hours in the blazing sun or the freezing rain. It was common for those workers to hoist leaky garbage cans on their heads or shoulders — with smelly slime dripping onto and into their clothes.

Sometimes, before they could go into their homes after a hard day’s work, they had to step out of their shoes — so they wouldn’t track maggots into the house.

“It was rough. We’ve seen some terrible things,” Nickelberry told StoryCorp. “Sometimes you cry. Sometimes you get mad. You get up in the morning and say, ‘I ain’t going to work.’ And then, I see my kids. And I look at ‘em. And I had to go to work . . . because that’s the only way I could feed my family.”

How little respect did they get? Before the accident that eventually launched the strike, there had been another accident that killed a garbage man. The workers complained, but nothing changed.

Think about how sick segregation is when YOU GOTTA RIDE IN THE BACK OF A GARBAGE TRUCK — A GARBAGE TRUCK! — because you’re black. A few years ago, I touched on this for a video series we did called “History Hidden in Plain Sight.”

As we commemorate his death, take a few minutes to soak in some of Mr. Nickelberry’s lived experiences, the HISTORY he helped create. We’ve posted a few clips to get you started: Certainly, we’re not done fighting for justice and equality in America. “Black Lives Matter” is the new sign black folks are wearing on their chests to declare their humanity to the world. But think about Mr. Nickelberry and the other garbage men the next time you’re dragging your can out to the curb.

And if you happen to see some guys hanging off the back of a garbage truck, take a minute to acknowledge their humanity — and to thank them.

In Memoriam: Carl E. Johnson Sr., Pillar of Education and Community, Passes Away at 88 Carl E. Johnson Sr., the longest serving elected school board member in the nation, passed away on December 26th, 2023, at the age of 88.

His final services were held on Jan. 6 at Metropolitan Baptist Church.

Born in Memphis on October 2, 1935, Carl Johnson Sr.’s lifelong commitment to education began with his own, as he advanced from Florida Elementary to Booker T. Washington High School and then to LeMoyne-Owen College.

He honed his expertise in biology and education through a Master’s from the prestigious Brooking Institute in Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Army Medical Laboratory.

Mr. Johnson’s career was a tapestry of service and leadership. As an educator, he imparted his knowledge in local schools and furthered his impact by serving as an instructional

developer and director of Government Relations at Shelby State Community College. His entrepreneurial spirit shone through his ownership of the Walnut Service Center Construction Group and in his consultancy roles in education, housing, and government Carl E. relations.

Johnson Sr. The longest elected school board member in the nation, Mr. Johnson’s tenure on the Memphis City Schools Board was notable for his dedication to excellence and equity. His leadership extended to prestigious memberships and leadership positions across an array

of institutions, from the NAACP Board of Directors to the National School Board Association.

Carl Johnson Sr. was a man of faith, serving as a deacon at Metropolitan Baptist Church and as a proud brother of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. His life was a testament to his deep commitment to family, education, progress, equality, and advocacy. He was celebrated as a beacon of humanity, embodying the best of what one can be in service to others.

Memphis City Council Chairman JB Smiley Jr. shared heartfelt words, recalling Mr. Johnson as not just a political mentor but a true family figure.

“You welcomed me into your home, broke bread with me, freely shared your wisdom, and allowed me to be a part of your family,” Smiley said on Facebook. “You were so much more

than your titles; you were a builder of both structures and community, a researcher, a city director, and a church member whose absence will leave a void impossible to fill.”

Carl E. Johnson Sr.’s legacy is not just in the institutions he helped build and the policies he helped shape, but in the personal lives he touched and the wisdom he imparted. He leaves behind a community enriched by his dedication and a family inspired by his love.

His departure is felt deeply by his family, including his loving wife of 64 years, Christine Currin Johnson, son Carl Everett Johnson Jr., and daughter Cerise Johns, as well as by the broader Memphis community to which he dedicated his life. The family welcomes memories and tributes to be shared, requesting privacy during this time of bereavement.