The New Tri-State Defender - August 17-23, 2023

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VOL. 72, No. 33

August 17 - 23, 2023

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TSU President Dr. Glenda Glover announces her retirement. She is joined

by TSU Alumnus Dr. Gerald Durley, Vice President of Student Affairs Frank Stevenson, and Acting Provost, Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Robbie Melton. (Photo: TSU News Service)

The three-day Memphis People’s Convention featured issue panels. K. Durrell Cowan speaks during the Crime & Safety panel on the last day. Also pictured (l-r): Wendi Thomas (moderator), Kamilah Turner and the Rev. Keith Norman. (Photos: Karanja A. Ajanaku/The New Tri-State Defender)

Memphis People’s Convention delegates make candidate choices as the ‘work’ continues

by Karanja A. Ajanaku kajanaku@tsdmemphis.com

Patsy Brown sat in the audience on the third and final day of the Memphis People’s Convention as an engaged attendee whose point of reference was the original People’s Convention 30-plus years ago.

She had been there too.

“I’ve been to all three (sessions); Thursday, Friday and today,” said Brown from her aisle seat at the Memphis Sports and Event Center at Liberty Park. “I heard a lot, I’ve learned a lot…. We got the facts that we needed.

“This convention is comparable to the one in ’91, where the people are speaking. The question is will we listen.”

The original People’s Convention yielded a consensus mayoral candidate, Dr. Willie W. Herenton, who later became – by a slim margin – the first African-American elected to serve as mayor

SEE PEOPLE ON PAGE 2

Patsy Brown attended all three days of the Memphis People’s Convention. On the final day, she joined with others in scanning a code that allowed them to note their choice for Memphis Mayor in the Oct. 5th elections.

TSU President Dr. Glenda Glover stepping down “My voice is needed now on a more national platform” TSU News Service Saying she was surrounded by 1,000 of her closest friends, Tennessee State University President Dr. Glenda Glover announced Monday that she will retire following the 2023-2024 academic year.

Glover first shared her plans with the campus family during the annual TSU Faculty Staff Institute that marks the beginning of the new academic year. She later shared that same news during a press conference with the TSU campus and community leaders.

“After almost 11 years and having reached nearly every objective and goal I set for myself and TSU, as the leader of this great institution, my beloved alma mater, I stand before you to announce my retirement as President of Tennessee State University, at the end of the spring semester 2024. It was a decision that did not come too easily, and it was not made lightly. My voice is needed now on a more national platform.”

Those goals and objects were prominently displayed behind her as she spoke to a crowded room of TSU supporters and reporters. SGA President Derrell Taylor, a Memphis native like President Glover, said it is disheartening moment but exciting at the same time to reflect on all the great things she has accomplished and all the ways she continues to lead the University into excellence.

“I believed that every time TSU had a major accomplishment, we just began to work on

SEE TSU ON PAGE 2

County Commission weighs ordinances focused on law enforcement changes

by James Coleman

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Urged on by citizens and area activists, Shelby County Commissioners are considering a trio of ordinances crafted to prevent abuses of power by Shelby County Sheriff’s deputies, including banning the use of specialized units.

Commissioners discussed the proposed ordinances during their regular meeting Monday (Aug. 14). During the meeting, commissioners also approved more than $1.5 million in funding to help redevelop the old Southwest Twin drive-in.

Miska Clay Bibbs voted County Commission chair.

See Community, Page 8.

The Sheriff Department related ordinances are similarly worded to an ordinance passed by the Memphis City Council on March 2, following the bludgeoning death of Tyre Nichols by MPD officers, assigned to a special unit, on Jan. 7. Nichols died Jan.10 as result of the beating.

Like the commission’s proposals, the council’s action originally was in three parts.

“I am sponsoring each of these ordinances really to show support for community organizing

and advocates who are pushing the issues,” said commissioner Britney Thornton.

The proposed commission ordinances would: • Abolish specialized units and prevent the Sheriff’s Department from participating in multi-jurisdictional task forces.

• Halt the practice of pretextual stops for low-level traffic violations. These include infractions like busted taillights, sagging bumper, or improperly placed tag, for example.

• Create a database to compile information on traffic stops, arrests, use-of-force, and complaints against officers.

It quickly became apparent, however, that the first item would require further discussion.

Commissioners decided the proposed wording needed clarification to complement a later resolution. As a result, motions were made to continue debate.

All three items will be brought up for a second reading on Aug. 23. All received unfavorable recommendations in committee.

“As I am assessing and reading the room, item number 16 (dealing the banning of special units) is going to require some additional conversations because I don’t think we have the support that we need to see it through on its third reading,” said Thornton.

SEE COMMISSION ON PAGE 2

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The New Tri-State Defender

August 17 - 23, 2023

Page 2

NEWS

JUMP

CONTINUED FROM FRONT

Rev. Dr. Earle J. Fisher

PEOPLE

CONTINUED FROM FRONT of Memphis.

Powered by UPTheVote901 and its associated sponsors, the 2023 Memphis People’s Convention was crafted to arm eligible voters with facts needed to make candidate choices, notably selecting a favorite from among 17 people seeking to succeed Mayor Jim Strickland, who is term-limited. Attendees chose Paul Young, president of the Downtown Memphis Convention and former head of the city’s Housing and Community Development.

Brown, who joked about being “so old,” was struck by the youth who attended.

“I’m glad to see that this is a new generation, a new age, a new mindset. They are not afraid to speak up and fight for what they want.”

She was irritated by the candidates who did not “have the decency to just show up,” adding that, “I think they are going to learn a lesson.”

The Rev. Dr. Earle J. Fisher, founder of UPTHEVOTE901, said about 750 people attended the convention over the three days.

“Our work is not done here, said Fisher. “All of us need to be committed to a precinct voter turnout in October.”

Saluting the mayoral campaigns of Young and Van Turner Jr., the only two candidates who attended the mayoral session, Fisher said, “Shame on us if we allow people who were not willing to show up and participate to walk away with the vote (in October).”

Most of the mayoral candidates had attended a least one of the meet-and-greet sessions leading up to the convention.

Noticeably absent were former Mayor Herenton and Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner Jr. Referencing the ongoing conversations about the numbers of candidates in the mayoral race, Fisher said, “some candidates are simply more viable than others. It would be a shame for us to witness a low-turnout election and one candidate gets 14,000 votes, another gets 13,000, another gets 8,000, another gets 5,000 and eight candidates get

COMMISSION

CONTINUED FROM FRONT Beyond the wording, a fundamental issue with the resolution, at least with a more conservative member, is the potential vacuum in police work that could occur throughout the county if specialized units were disbanded.

Since the MPD’s specialized units were disbanded, unmarked SCSD vehicles have been put on patrol within Memphis.

“As this is being moved to a future date, I just want to point out, the Shelby County Sheriff’s office specialized units are being mentioned. I must say the ones that are being requested to do away with, being such a high-crime county, we’re going to do away with the specialized unit that deliver warrants to murderers, attempted murderers, carjackers, rapists, and crimes against children,” cautioned commissioner Amber Mills.

Like the runup to the City Council’s vote, several com-

The final day of the Memphis People’s Convention featured remarks from (r-l) State Sen. Raumesh Akbari, Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy, Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris, and Cherisse Scott, founder/CEO of SisterReach. (Photo: Karanja A. Ajanaku/The New Tri-State Defender)

Paul Young

Van Turner Jr.

500 votes apiece. And the person who wins (does so) by 15 or 20 votes.”

At some point in the next few weeks, he said, “We have to have a collective and critical conversation about who should continue their campaigns and who should consider the interests of the majority of the citizens above and beyond their blind ambitions.”

In the days, weeks and years to come, the “work” must continue to “help produce more power, information and representation” along the way to increasing voter turnout,” said Fisher.

After hearing from local officials and community influencers, attendees heard the pitches of Young and Turner before scanning a QR code to register their choices. Young won 225 votes to 110.

Turner, a former County Commissioner, former presi-

dent of the Memphis Branch NAACP, and organizer of the local group given much of the credited for removing three Confederate-era monuments from then city-owned parks, also touted his work for the local Democratic Party and said, “You want a mayor with a proven track record of getting the tough job done.

“You want a mayor who is not afraid to go to Nashville or to Washington, DC to stand for Memphis. … You want someone who is going to stand for you.”

Young emphasized that he supported the Memphis People’s Convention platform.

“That is what my campaign has been about,” he said.

“When we got in this race we knew we were going to have to generate momentum. We knew we were going to have to introduce ourselves to the people of Memphis.”

That, said Young, has involved letting people know of the critical role he played in bringing about projects such as the Memphis Sports and Event Center and the renovation of the old Melrose High School.

“Things don’t happen by chance,” said Young. “They happen because you have an innovative leader who is will-

munity members spoke in support of the ordinances during the commission’s meeting.

However, supporters were cautioned against the potential efficacy of the ordinances.

Since the sheriff is an elected position, too, the commission has limited ability to govern the SCSD’s function.

“We can make these requests all day, but when we talk about things not being watered down and effective, there’s only so much that we can actually do and effectuate.

These things are conceptually great, but when we pass it off to the Sheriff’s Office, it’s up to his office to decide to actually put it into practice,” said Thornton.

Nichols, 29, was stopped at a light on Jan. 2, for allegedly driving recklessly. Offering no resistance, he was tasered and pepper sprayed. Fleeing on foot, officers eventually caught up to him two blocks from his mother’s Hickory Hill home. For three minutes, five officers of the Memphis Police Department’s Scorpion Unit beat, tasered and pep-

pered sprayed.

The five officers, all African American, were fired and charged with second-degree murder and other serious felonies.

While the ordinances are still being ironed out, Shelby County Commissioners Monday also took a step toward improving the conditions of Southwest Memphis’ Westwood community, by approving a resolution to provide $1,548,900 to revitalize the space that had been the home of the long-derelict Southwest Twin drive-in.

Built in 1956, the theater at South Third Street and Raines Road first closed in 1965.

However, it was reopened in 1968, as a twin theater. Along with the Summer Drive-in, they were Memphis’ only drive-in theaters until its final closure in 2001.

The spot later became the location of the Southwest Flea Market, until it was shut down by the FBI a few years later.

Since then, it has become a long-running eyesore for the underserved community.

“Our work is not done here. All of us need to be committed to a precinct voter turnout in October.”

— Rev. Dr. Earle J. Fisher

ing to get out there and do the work.”

Memphis People’s Convention mockelection winners: Memphis City Mayor: *Paul Young City Council Districts: *District 2: Jerri Green *District 3: Pearl Walker *District 5: Meggan Kiel *District 7: Michalyn Easter-Thomas *Super District 8 Position 1: JB Smiley Jr. *Super District 8 Position 2: Janika White *Super District 8 Position 3: Jerred Price *Super District 9 Position 1: Benji Smith

the next one or improved more and I appreciate that and believe that is what it takes in a leader,” said Taylor, a business major.

“Dr. Glover has led this institution to understand how to compete globally. Ultimately, I’m disappointed that as students we are uncertain of what the future holds, but I’m very confident that she will do an excellence job in making the transition as smooth as possible to benefit students.”

Having led the institution for over a decade, President Glover said it was more than a full circle moment to serve as president of her alma mater.

“Serving as President of Tennessee State University has been the honor of a lifetime. Words cannot express the emotions I have as I stand before you this morning. TSU prepared me for every accomplishment I have achieved throughout my career. This is where I got my start, where the seeds of excellence were sown for a young teenager from south Memphis who aspired to change the world.”

Known as the national expert and leader for historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), Glover has guided TSU through a decade of excellence while overcoming challenges and celebrating significant milestones and accomplishments. This includes using her influence to bring national figures to the TSU campus.

“We have elevated the brand, the reputation, and the legacy; and ensured that TSU is on a nationwide platform by increasing the national visibility of this university. TSU is being discussed in rooms where it has never been discussed before.

This recognition helped us recruit even more students, not only from Tennessee but from around the country.”

President Glover’s accomplishments are a source of pride for TSU alumni.

President Dr. Glenda Glover addressed TSU faculty and staff at the annual fall meeting to mark the beginning of the academic year. Glover graduated from TSU in 1974 and went on to have a stellar career in the corporate sector and higher education. She is one of a few women to hold the CPA, Ph.D., JD combination. (Photo: TSU News Service) “Dr. Glenda Baskin Glover serves her alma mater with tenacity,” said Charles Galbreath, president of the Tennessee State University National Alumni Association.

“For over a decade, Dr. Glover has successfully positioned, protected, and promoted Tennessee State University on international platforms. I am encouraged to see a daughter of the Civil Rights Movement wield the wisdom and power of that era, fighting the good fight for today’s injustices. I admire Dr. Glover’s grace under pressure and her humility when praised. Dr. Glenda Glover is a global trailblazer, and her influence will live for generations to come at our beloved alma mater.”

In her announcements, she thanked students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community leaders for their support.

“I am merely retiring from the presidency of Tennessee State University. Wherever my door may be, it will always remain open to the students, faculty, staff, parents, alumni, and the Nashville community.

“I will continue to advance educational opportunities, ensuring fairness, equity, and justice for African Americans and people of color, women, and those often left behind.”

The New Tri-State Defender

August 17 - 23, 2023

Page 3

NEWS

Michael Oher, former NFL tackle known for ‘The Blind Side,’ sues to end Tuohys’ conservatorship

by Teresa M. Walker Associated Press

NASHVILLE – Michael Oher, the former NFL tackle known for being the inspiration for the movie “The Blind Side,” filed a petition Monday in a Tennessee probate court accusing Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy of lying to him by having him sign papers making them his conservators rather than his adoptive parents nearly two decades ago.

In the petition filed Monday in Shelby County Probate Court, Oher asks for the conservatorship to be terminated along with asking for a full accounting of the money earned off the use of his name and story. He also asks to be paid what he is due along with interest.

He accuses the Tuohys of enriching themselves at his expense by continuing to “falsely and publicly” represent themselves as his adoptive parents “to the date of the filing of this petition.”

“Oher discovered this lie to his chagrin and embarrassment in February of 2023, when he learned that the Conservatorship to which he consented on the basis that doing so would make him a member of the Tuohy family, in fact provided him no familial relationship with the Tuohys,” according to the petition.

Oher, who has never been a fan of the movie about his life, also asks in the petition that the Tuohys be sanctioned and required to pay both compensatory and punitive damages determined by the court.

Steve Farese, a lawyer for the Tuohys, told The Associated Press they will file an answer to the allegations in court but declined to comment further. He was among three attorneys served on behalf of the Tuohys on Monday.

Leigh Anne Tuohy did not immediately respond to an email sent via her personal website. Her husband told The Daily Memphian the conservatorship was done to satisfy the NCAA as Oher considered Tuohy’s alma mater Mississippi for college.

Sean Tuohy said he and his wife would end the conservatorship if that’s what Oher wants.

“We’re devastated,” Tuohy said. “It’s upsetting to think we would make money off any of our children. But we’re going to love Michael at 37 just like we loved him at 16.”

The movie was nominated for an Oscar, and Sandra Bullock won the Academy Award for her portrayal of Leigh Anne Tuohy.

Oher accuses the Tuohys of never taking legal action to assume custody from the Tennessee Department of Human Services before he turned 18. The conservatorship paperwork was filed months after Oher turned 18 in May 2004.

He moved in with the Tuohys just before his senior year of high school and says he was told to call them “Mom” and “Dad.” Oher says in the petition he was encouraged to call the attorney who filed the conservatorship paperwork “Aunt Debbie” Branan.

Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy stand on a street in New Orleans, Feb. 1, 2013. Michael Oher, the former NFL tackle known for the movie “The Blind Side,” filed a petition Monday, Aug. 14, 2023, in a Tennessee probate court accusing the couple of lying to him by having him sign papers making them his conservators rather than his adoptive parents nearly two decades ago. (AP Photo/ Gerald Herbert, File)

Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Michael Oher sits on the beach during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in Baltimore, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2010. Oher, the former NFL tackle known for the movie “The Blind Side,” filed a petition Monday in a Tennessee probate court accusing Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy of lying to him by having him sign papers making them his conservators rather than his adoptive parents nearly two decades ago. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)

Michael Oher, left, Collins Tuohy, second from left, and Leigh Anne Tuohy, whose lives are portrayed in the Oscar-nominated movie “The Blind Side,” speak with Pastor Kerry Shook, right, March 3, 2010 at Woodlands Church’s Fellowship Campus in The Woodlands, TX. (AP Photo/The Courier, Eric S. Swist, File)

“We’re devastated,” Tuohy said. “It’s upsetting to think we would make money off any of our children. But we’re going to love Michael at 37 just like we loved him at 16.”

— Sean Tuohy Oher also alleges the Tuohys had him sign paperwork almost immediately after he moved in as part of the adoption process. Oher says he was “falsely advised” that it would be called a conservatorship because he was already 18 but the intent was adoption.

“At no point did the Tuohys inform Michael that they would have ultimate control of all his contracts, and as a result Michael did not understand that if the Conservatorship was granted, he was signing away his

right to contract for himself,” according to the petition.

A book based on Oher’s life was released in September 2006. The author, Michael Lewis, was described in the petition as a childhood friend of Sean Tuohy’s. The petition alleges Oher’s conservators began contract negotiations for movie rights.

The petition alleges a deal was reached to pay the Tuohys, plus children Sean Jr. and Collins, $225,000 plus 2.5% of future defined net proceeds hinging on Oher’s signature. A contract titled “Life Story Rights Agreement” was “purportedly signed by Michael Oher” and dated April 20, 2007, according to the petition.

The petition says Oher believes the signature is similar to his own but that he “at no time ever willingly or knowingly signed this document and that nobody ever presented this contract to him with any explanation that he was signing such a document.”

In the petition, Oher asks for a full ac-

“At no point did the Tuohys inform Michael that they would have ultimate control of all his contracts, and as a result Michael did not understand that if the Conservatorship was granted, he was signing away his right to contract for himself.”

— petition filed in Shelby County Probate Court counting of his assets and how they were used considering his life story produced millions of dollars and he received nothing for the rights to something that would not have existed without him.

Oher was the 23rd overall pick in the 2009 draft out of Mississippi, and he spent his first five seasons with the Baltimore Ravens. He wound up playing eight NFL seasons, including 2014 when he started 11 games for the Tennessee Titans. Oher finished his career with two years in Carolina.

He started 110 games and won a Super Bowl with the Ravens. He also finished second in the voting to Percy Harvin of Minnesota for The Associated Press NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year after starting all 16 games his first season at right tackle.

Oher, who turned 37 in May, last played in 2016. He was released in 2017 by Carolina.

Nearly two years ago, supporters cheered when Britney Spears was freed from her conservatorship. The ruling came after Spears publicly demanded the end of the arrangement, which had prevented her from making her own medical, financial and personal decisions since 2008.

Spears’ high-profile battle put a spotlight on efforts that advocates across the United States have launched raising questions that such strict controls result in more harm than protection.

(Associated Press Writer Adrian Sainz in Memphis contributed to this report.)

PERSPECTIVE The New Tri-State Defender, August 17 - 23, 2023, Page 4

Maui’s wildfires and public education collide

by Curtis Weathers

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

The devastation that occurred last week in the village of Lahaina on the Hawaii island of Maui was breathtaking.

The island was hit with hurricane-force winds and wildfires unlike any they had ever experienced before. The photos and video footage of the flames and devastation will stay in my mind for quite some time.

Lahaina was burned to the ground.

Rescue efforts are continuing, but according to reports, hundreds of people are still unaccounted for and the official death toll as of Tuesday (Aug. 15) afternoon was 99.

After hearing about the devastation, my thoughts immediately turned to the children of that community. One could not help thinking about the fear that must have been in their hearts and the long-term ramifications they will surely endure for the rest of their lives.

The devastation was catastrophic! The fires are now considered the deadliest in modern U.S. history.

According to Hawaii’s Department

of Education, on the island of Maui, there are 34 public schools serving a population of 164,000 people in an area of 1,162 square miles.

Curtis The four pubWeathers lic schools in Lahaina enroll about 3,000 students and employ just over 300 faculty and staff.

Not surprisingly, educators (teachers and administrators) in the hardest hit areas were reaching out to students and staff to help meet community needs, even as they grappled with their own personal losses.

“Honestly, there are just no words,” said Lora-Lea Grando, a vice principal at Maui High School, who shared her thoughts as she worked at a makeshift evacuation shelter in the school. “We can’t even think about school at this point. [Hundreds of students] won’t have a place to go, and we haven’t even processed what that

looks like.”

As one government official put it, “Hawaii’s educators are rising to the challenge, but who is going to rise up and take care of them?” he said.

The federal government, of course, is doing all it can to help the community recover from this disaster.

While school administrators in Hawaii are used to coordinating responses to disasters like storms and similar kinds of hurricanes, the nature of the Lahaina fire and the scale of destruction is unprecedented and simply overwhelming.

But according to state Department of Education officials, most of the public schools on Maui have begun phased re-openings this week, except for the four public school campuses in Lahaina, where most of the damage occurred.

City leaders are trying to restore normalcy as quickly and as safely as possible.

The Department of Education is making sure there are mental health experts on-site to deal with the many issues that will surely manifest as schools try to resume operations as soon as possible.

I, admittedly, like many in this area of the country, have not given much thought to the impact of climate change. But it is a frightening phenomenon with far-reaching implications for every aspect of our society, including public education.

What is clear from what we see happening in Maui is that educators will have a significant role to play as communities and the nation deal with the threats posed by climate change.

School systems in all parts of the U.S. need to be prepared for the challenges that climate change presents and given the resources they need to adapt.

Preparing schools, however, involves a multifaceted approach encompassing infrastructure improvements, curriculum enhancements, community engagement, and sustainable practices.

The devastation in Maui should grab all our attention and cause school leaders to revisit plans to keep students and school employees safe in the event this same kind of devastation happens in their community.

While the severity of climate change can vary based on one’s loca-

tion, experts agree, the consequences for everyone will get far worse before they get better.

We will continue to see a marked rise in sea levels, devastating wildfires and hurricanes, and killer heatwaves before governments (national, state, and local) take aggressive and decisive action.

The sense of urgency in the education community overall seems nonexistent. But this tragedy in Maui has raised my level of concern significantly, as I hope it does others who are able to act.

It is a wake-up call to the nation and the education community, and we better start paying attention and taking preventative measures to help us prepare for what lies ahead.

For this is not a matter of if we will see more catastrophes like we’re seeing in Maui, but when.

(To help families in Maui, visit https://rdcrss.org/3QCiIyE.) (Follow me, TSD’s education columnist, on Twitter @curtisweathers.

Email me at curtislweathers@gmail. com.)

Scientists are incredibly certain. There’s a lot of climate denial out there, but there’s not a lot of it in the scientific community.

Climate Change 101 with Wesley Wiggins

by Kayla Benjamin Washington Informer

Seventh-generation Washingtonian Wesley Wiggins, 23, currently serves as a climate resilience trainer with the D.C. chapter of Black Millennials for Flint, an environmental justice nonprofit. Recently, he spent two years as a fellow with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, working on climate change resiliency in the water sector.

A 2021 Princeton University graduate with a geosciences degree, Wiggins is now preparing to enter a PhD program to study environmental health sciences.

Wiggins agreed to chat about some “Frequently Asked Questions” on the basics of climate change – what it is, how it works and why it matters.

This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.

First of all, what is climate change? What does the term ‘climate’ mean?

So I think the best way I can explain it is by thinking about the difference between weather and climate.

So today: the weather is 83 degrees right now, and it’s partly cloudy. But tomorrow, the weather will change— maybe tomorrow, it’ll be 90 degrees, and it will rain. So every day, we observe a certain type of weather.

Climate is the trends in the weather patterns that we see over time. And so climate change is when the trends that we see change. So let’s think about the summer—in the summer,

we all know the summer to be relatively warm. In D.C., it’s hot and humid. So climate change is seeing over time, over the years, does it get hotter? Does it get more humid? Is there more precipitation? We see those trends changing.

What is causing climate change?

Climate change is caused by a group of gasses called ‘greenhouse gasses.’ And that includes carbon dioxide, methane, and some other gasses. Those gasses trap heat in our planet. They’re supposed to have a positive role in our planet’s atmosphere: it keeps the sun’s warmth inside the planet.

But what we’re seeing is that as we’re burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, natural gas, and causing emissions (of these gasses) from cars, emissions from factories, emissions from lots of other industries—that overwhelming amount of greenhouse gasses causes more and more heat to be trapped in our planet.

How sure are experts that climate change is happening?

Scientists are incredibly certain.

There’s a lot of climate denial out there, but there’s not a lot of it in the scientific community. In fact, a lot of what science is trying to disprove the standing theories—and no one has yet been able to disprove climate change.

How do they know?

There are a lot of techniques to look

back at Earth’s history. And in Earth’s history, the climate has changed a lot.

There are a lot of labs throughout the globe that measure carbon dioxide, methane concentrations in the atmosphere, and that increase that we’re seeing is at an unparalleled rate to any other point in Earth’s history. So this is not a natural change that we’re seeing.

Scientists have (also) recorded that the Earth’s temperature is increasing.

And I’ll say as well—I don’t think we have to rely on experts to know that the climate is changing, even just in my lifetime—and I’m only 23 years old—we’ve seen the earth get warmer.

We can see that there are things happening to the weather, to the planet, that we’ve never seen before.

Even just [this summer], the wildfire smoke from the Canadian wildfires has never been that bad. Seeing all these changes, we can see that climate change is in fact happening.

And we can directly relate that to all of the greenhouse gas emissions that humans are producing.

Are all crazy weather events caused by climate change?

You know, there’s been severe weather for all of human history and all before human history. So it’s not simple to say any single event was caused by climate change. What we can say is that we know there’s a direct connection between increasing Earth’s temperature and flooding or storms or rising sea levels or increased wildfires.

Think about the precipitation. So

Wesley Wiggins leads a training on climate resilience at MLK Library in October 2022. (Kayla Benjamin/The Washington Informer) when the planet warms and temperatures increase, more water evaporates—and the more water in the atmosphere, the more rain we’re going to see come down. That doesn’t mean every time it rains, that’s climate change, or every time it floods, that’s climate change. But we know as the planet’s temperature continues to increase, we will see more severe and more intense rain.

Climate change is more throwing fuel onto the fire than setting the fire, or lighting the match.

What do we, societally, need to do to “fix things” when it comes to climate change?

The best way to combat climate change is to stop emitting greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere, which is going to take a large scale effort, because we all rely on greenhouse gasses in some way or another.

You see that there’s a massive push for electric cars now, and getting rid of gas stoves in favor of electric

stoves. So everything that we do in our day to day lives that already kind of produces gasses on its own, switching it to electricity—even though [our electricity] does come from fossil fuels right now, we do have other sources of energy that we can rely on that aren’t fossil fuels. So making sure that that’s a seamless transition means making sure that we have that electric appliances to rely on so we can make that easy switch from fossil fuels to renewable energies.

(And) I think one of the things that doesn’t get talked about as much is energy efficiency. How can we use less energy for more output, or even less energy for the same amount of output, making sure that energy isn’t going to waste?

(Kayla Benjamin covers climate change & environmental justice for the Informer as a full-time reporter through the Report for America program. This story appeared originally in the Washington Informer.)

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The New Tri-State Defender

August 17 - 23, 2023

Page 5

RELIGION

‘Strengthening Our Convention’ …

The 75th Tennessee BM&E State Convention was held Aug. 9-10 at Koinonia Missionary Baptist Church, where the Rev. Dr. Roosevelt T. Joyner, the group president, is the host pastor. The theme was “Strengthening Our Convention Through Pastoral Support.” The Rev. Rickey L. Dugger, senior pastor of Norris Avenue Missionary Baptist Church, delivered the Wednesday night sermon. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley/The New Tri-State Defender)

Presiding Bishop Marvin Frank Thomas Sr. (right) with Juvenile Court Judge Tarik Sugarmon.

Presiding Bishop Presiding Bishop Marvin Frank Thomas Sr. sets the spiritual context.

In the spirit of good health...

The 1st Episcopal District of the CME Church held its health fair at Morris Park last Saturday (Aug. 12). The district’s presiding bishop is Marvin Frank Thomas Sr. (Photos: Tyrone P. Easley/The New Tri-State Defender)

Support from a community partner.

Attending and supporting the heath fair.

Bless this gathering.

The New Tri-State Defender

August 17 - 23, 2023

EDUCATION

Page 6

New MSCS board member Mauricio Calvo has one year to make an impact and here’s how he plans to use it

by Laura Testino Chalkbeat Tennessee

Mauricio Calvo, the newest member of the Memphis-Shelby County Schools board, took his oath of office next to the children’s section of a public library, with the county’s juvenile court judge swearing him in.

This was purposeful, Calvo had explained. The ceremony was meant to represent his passions and priorities: literacy and juvenile justice, as well as workforce readiness and Latino students.

Calvo, a longtime Memphian and CEO of the advocacy group Latino Memphis, was appointed to the board to serve the remainder of Sheleah Harris’ term in District 5, representing students and families in Cordova.

“I’m taking this appointment with a big sense of urgency,” said Calvo.

The Memphis school board has not had a Latino member in recent history, and Calvo, a Mexican-American who became a U.S. citizen in 2018, believes he may be the first Latino in local public office. His presence on the board could be welcome representation for the families of thousands of Latino students who make up 18 percent of the district.

Calvo ran unsuccessfully for a City Council seat in 2019, and ran for school board in 2020, before dropping out to endorse Harris. Last year, he served on one of the committees that helped develop the state’s new school funding formula, known as Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement, or TISA. As an appointed school board member, Calvo has just a year remaining in his term – he hasn’t decided whether he’ll pursue election next summer – but it’s poised to be a big year. The board is trying again to select a new superintendent, after its last attempt soured and Harris abruptly resigned.

Beyond that, the district faces persistent challenges with academic performance, a slow recovery from the pandemic, and relations with a state government that has pushed a strongly conservative education agenda.

Calvo talked to Chalkbeat about how he plans to guide the district through these challenges.

Mauricio Calvo, CEO of Latino Memphis, was appointed to the Memphis-Shelby County Schools board and sworn in during an August ceremony. He will serve for one year, the remainder of Sheleah Harris’ four-year term. (Photos: Laura Testino / Chalkbeat)

Mauricio Calvo will represent students and families in District 5, which includes Cordova, and also has an additional interest in supporting the district’s English language learners.

You are, at least in recent history, the first Latinx person in this position on the school board. What do you hope your colleagues learn from you in this year?

As far as I am concerned, yes, I am the first Latinx person I think in public office in Shelby County. I don’t think the Shelby County Commission, the Memphis City Council, or the school board ever had anybody. And I say this with a sense of, yeah, pride, but also humbleness and responsibility, because I do feel the pressure, in a good way. Some of that may be self-imposed. It could also be a little bit of impostor syndrome. It does come with a responsibility, because when you’re the first, you certainly don’t want to be, shouldn’t be, the last, or the only one. So that’s big.

I’m also part of the LGBTQ community, and I’m open about that. I’m Mexican-American. I have an accent. I wasn’t born here. I am an American citizen now. I think there are a lot of intersectionalities. I think that matters in representation, particularly in a community that for so long, has been very Black and white. So it is disruptive in a positive way.

alone is not going to do it. We need to make sure that the district is utilizing this extra money the right way.

I would say that for this and for everything else we need, we need to get away from the “We have always done it this way.” I’m very much going to be looking (for), as a characteristic of the superintendent, somebody who’s very open to innovation, to benchmarking what is happening in other districts, because, you know, when we think about that, it is not only supporting the students that are English language learners. It’s also supporting their families.

But I think I saw there’s about 12,300 English language learners in the district.

So I’m curious to see, what else are we doing? Are we just doing the bare minimum?

Are we deploying enough resources to the schools with larger numbers?

Perhaps my soft spot is how we’re serving recent arrivals that are more challenging to fit into grade level. So you may have a child from Guatemala who’s 12 or 13, and he’s really too old to put in elementary school, but really if you just put him in middle school, they’re going to be completely lost.

I know we have a newcomer center. But I’m curious to see how well we’re doing with that.

You were on the TISA subcommittee for ESL students. There’s quite a bit of funding for students who are English language learners. How do you, from your board seat, plan to evaluate how the board is spending funds toward those programs and toward resources, and whether or not they are working?

This is something very important. And although I keep saying that I represent everybody, obviously, I will have a special emphasis on English language learners.

When I sat on that committee, I actually made some public comments that it was disappointing. The whole process was complex. It felt very scripted. It felt that they had already arrived to decisions when they were asking us. I think at the end of the day, it’s better than what we had before — there’s more funding. But just funding

The application for MSCS superintendent has been posted for Round 2. Sheleah Harris, your predecessor, was very publicly a critic of the process. What should your constituents know about how you plan to help the board navigate this process, and what you feel your role will be?

I would love to have a conversation with the search firm. I’m not familiar with the scope of this search team, if they’re just going to say, “Hey, here’s a group of people,” are they actually going to help us filter them? At what point do they stop and say, “Here’s the list,” versus really selecting? Do we have somebody coaching us, advising us how to select this?

I spoke with a member in the City Council, and he told me, “I believe that selecting this superintendent is as important, if

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

not more important than selecting the next mayor.” And I think he’s right on. We cannot take this lightly, and we need to know what we are doing.

From crime, to economic development, to housing, to homelessness to nutrition – we have the future of Memphis on our hands. And we are asking this person to set the vision, to create a plan, to get the staff (for) 110,000 customers every day. If somebody doesn’t believe or doesn’t understand that, they really need to have a check-in with themselves.

It is time to stop saying them and us, private and public, you know, this or that, or Black or white. The superintendent is going to have to be somebody that can rally a ton of people. And we as a board have a humongous responsibility getting this right. I want to go to bed knowing that I did absolutely everything I could to help bring this person here, and then select the person, support that person, hold the person accountable. That is our main job.

I do have experience, because I’ve served on a number of boards, locally and nationally. But I am also not shy. I can check my ego at the door, and say, “We need help.”

You’ve obviously worked with state officials before in different capacities, even on TISA. How have you thought about how you will be able to advocate for Memphis with people who aren’t from here at the state legislature?

I do recognize that importance of the relationship with Nashville. I think having Rep. (Mark) White chair the education committee is key, because he understands Memphis. But we have – I have said this before, and I will say again – we have a legislature that, in general, does not like Memphis. But we are going to continue to build relationships.

I do plan to use any experience that I have in visiting Nashville and building relationships with people, because where Memphis goes, it’s going to be important for the future of Tennessee.

I’m very committed to building a relationship with the County Commission,

with the City Council – not necessarily to say that they need to be funding (MSCS), because they probably don’t have the money. But that doesn’t mean that they cannot do anything for us.

There’s a Latina (as) the new (Tennessee) secretary of education. I haven’t had a chance to meet her. From what I have read, she’s probably more conservative than I would probably have liked.

I know education is important for the governor, and for the previous governor.

I think we should advocate for districts to have the flexibility that they need, because not all districts are equal – ours being not only the largest, but probably the most diverse. But we have our own challenges. And as such, we deserve our own say. These are our taxes: people in Shelby County paying taxes, sending them to the state and then coming back. For the most part, we are paying for our education, and we have the right to have a strong voice on how we want that shaped.

How, as a leader, do you determine the leading challenges and evaluate how the district and how the city, the county are responding to them? How are you going to evaluate and prioritize?

I think we have to flip the narrative. Instead of having the district being blamed for everything, I think the district needs to say, “Hey, we’re big boys here. We have $2 billion. We have 200 schools. We have 110,000 children. We’re the second largest employer. What are we doing about all of these things?” That doesn’t mean that we have to solve all of those things. But it certainly means that our hands need to be, in some way or capacity, in a lot of those things.

It may not be the position, my responsibility, to tackle all of this, but I’m not the only board member. There are nine of us.

And also there are 14,000 employees.

We need to embrace this role as a big, humongous player in the city.

I think the district works really well with some partners, and other partners either haven’t had a good experience or haven’t heard from the district in a long time. We need to be in all of these conversations, and also other people need to join us on this work. Because we can no longer just blame the district for everything.

There’s an expectation for example, from FedEx to sponsor things, to be here, to do this. People want the Grizzlies and St. Jude and FedEx to do well. People in general, whether you have kids or not in the public system, people should have a positive perspective about us.

How do we change the narrative and say, now the Grizzlies and St. Jude and FedEx don’t have to solve all the problems, but they are touching the problems, and we need to do the same. But we don’t need to do it alone. I need and we need people to join us on this work.

In closing, I want to say the opportunity is there. Yes, the challenge is also there.

That’s why I’m doing this.

(Laura Testino covers Memphis-Shelby County Schools for Chalkbeat Tennessee.

Reach Laura at LTestino@chalkbeat.org.)

The New Tri-State Defender

August 17 - 23, 2023

NEWS

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Page 7

COMMUNITY The New Tri-State Defender, August 17 - 23, 2023, Page 8

Miska Clay Bibbs voted County Commission chair

by James Coleman

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Shelby County Commissioners Monday (Aug. 14) set their leadership posts for the next legislative year, after commissioners Miska Clay-Bibbs and Charlie Caswell mustered enough votes to gain the leadership posts.

Their elections to commission chair and chair pro tem (vice chair), respectively, followed a previous vote that stalled out last month.

Clay-Bibbs will replace outgoing chairman Mickell Lowery. Caswell will slide into Clay-Bibbs old vice chair seat. Their leadership terms begin Sept. 1.

“The fact that you have five Black women (on the commission) that were elected at a point in time. That really represents what Shelby County looks like…as well as hearing our voices.

“This is an opportunity to take our collective power to move forward.

We will not necessarily always agree, as a whole, but I think the key is making sure we try to get there together, in order to try to change the lives of the citizens of Shelby County,” ClayBibbs said.

“The fact that you have five Black women (on the commission) that were elected at a point in time.

That really represents what Shelby County looks like…as well as hearing our voices.”

— Miska Clay-Bibbs The first-term member beat out commissioner Amber Mills for the commission chair in two rounds of voting. Voting for Clay-Bibbs were members Shante Avant, Britney Thornton, Erika Sugarmon, Michael Whaley, chairman Mickell Lowery, Caswell, and Clay-Bibbs. All are Democrats. Democrat Edmund Ford Jr. abstained.

“As someone who’s chaired for two years a body that actually had a bigger budget than Shelby County at the school board and went through a bunch of different trials and tribulations around what it looked like while serving as a chair during an unprecedented time. So, I had the experience of leadership in that way,” said ClayBibbs.

Prior to the second round of voting, her opponent argued for a return to an era of bipartisanship. In past commissions, chairs had garnered majority votes from mainly opposition party members. Commissioners

would also alternate the party of the chairmanship. Second term members also had a deference.

“I do find it insulting that a firstyear commissioner — still a honeymoon period where everybody loves you … thinks so little of the second-term commissioners,” Mills said before the vote.

Republicans on the commission have routinely argued that a return to the past would help the commission work with others also, namely Republicans in the GOP-dominated Tennessee General Assembly, to achieve goals for the county.

In contrast, Shelby County Democratic Party chairwoman Lexie Carter alluded to censuring Democratic commissioners who crossed party lines.

Mills also condemned a rumor that circulated during a failed chair vote in July. Prior to that vote, activists claimed the commissioner was a member of Moms for Liberty. The

conservative group advocates against school curriculums that mention LGBTQ rights, race and ethnicity, discrimination, and critical race theory.

Like in previous votes, Mills gained the votes of fellow-Republicans Mick Wright, David Bradford, Brandon Morrison, and herself.

Last month’s chairmanship vote failed after Clay-Bibbs took part in a backroom negotiated deal to save Mayor Lee Harris’ wheel tax increase.

Proposed in early June, the tax is expected to cover the first five years of construction costs – $350 million – of a $1.6 billion rebuild of the Regional One Health hospital campus.

New high schools will also be built in Cordova and Frayser.

With votes going nowhere, Harris called a bi-partisan meeting on June 11 to save his second-term centerpiece. The meeting was attended by Republican commissioners Wright and Bradford, along with another Democratic counterpart, Lowery.

Although a compromise reduced the tax from $50 to $25, several Democrats on the commission claimed “misinformation” was spread during the meeting. Thornton criticized the gathering for making “decisions” for

the larger Democratic majority.

Opponents also called the tax “regressive.”

Among them were fellow Black Caucus Democrats Edmund Ford, Jr., Sugarmon and Thornton. Budget amendments proposed by the group had been pulled during negotiations.

The impasse led to nine rounds of failed chair votes last month. ClayBibbs fell one vote short each time.

Another vote was canceled last week.

During Monday’s meeting, Ford Jr. said he would seek the opinion of the Tennessee Attorney General’s office if the tax hike’s passage was legal.

Caswell, meanwhile, gains the vice chair seat after beating Wright 7-4.

Also in his first term, he takes a background in community organizing into his new role.

“To be able to serve over this past year. To be able to see this body do something. For many years, as somebody who worked at the grassroots level, on the ground, not understanding why things were not done. Now, I have this capacity to help make it happen upstream,” said Caswell.

Voting for Caswell were Avant, Brooks, Clay-Bibbs, Lowery, Sugarmon, Whaley and Caswell.

Wright gained votes from Mills, Morrison, Bradford, and Wright.

National Women’s Political Caucus Elects New Board President, Officers Deidre Malone was Elected President to Lead the Organization From The New Tri-State Defender newsroom The National Women’s Political Caucus (NWPC) elected long-term member Deidre Malone as its 15th President during its 36th Biennial Conference in Richmond, Virginia last weekend.

Malone, the two-time NWPC Tennessee Caucus President, follows out-going president Donna Lent who served eight years in the leadership role.

“It’s an honor to follow former president Donna Lent who has been extremely dedicated to NWPC and done a great deal to take it’s work to another level,” said Memphian Malone, founder the Carter Malone Group, a well-known marketing firm.

“I look forward to serving with our new board of directors as we build a case across this country to elect prochoice women to all levels of government in 2024 and years beyond.”

Malone continued, “Women in this country need equality and we are going to spend the next two years

continuing to fight for it and electing women to office who will fight for women’s rights.”

Malone ran on a platform of increasing the national profile of the National Women’s Political Caucus through increased brand awareness, strategic growth, leadership development, candidate recruitment, training and support and alliance building.

“We have to be intentional about identifying pro-choice women to run for office,” said Malone. “With the Dobbs decision allowing states to determine healthcare choices for women, we continue to go backwards, rather than forward. We have some work to do, not just in Tennessee, but across the country.”

NWPC has caucuses in 12 states with plans to expand in the next two years.

“After my election as president, I held my first board meeting and discussed a focus on expanding into at least three states a year,” said Malone.

“The National Vice President of Membership is Ruby Powell Dennis, and the Vice President of Commu-

nications is (Memphian) Gale Jones Carson. Tennessee is well represented on the National NWPC Board.”

At the convention, young women from Missouri, Virginia, California, Virginia, and New York were in attendance.

“The Missouri Women’s Political Caucus brought a group of high school and college students to the convention to learn about the political process and participated as full delegates at the convention. I was honored to have Memphian and Sewanee of the South junior Dottie Ferriera nominate me for the presidency.

Young women are our future and succession planning are important to the life of any organization.”

The convention honored the Tennessee Three State Rep. Gloria Johnson as a Women of Courage. Malone introduced Rep. Johnson who is a former NWPC Tennessee president.

Other honorees include former New York Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney and NWPC Virginia President Andrea Miller.

Others newly elected officers are

Deidre Malone (Courtesy photo) Leta Schlosser, Vice President of Political Planning and Appointments; Gale Jones Carson, Vice President of Communications; Ruby Powell-Dennis, Vice President of Membership, and Dawn Lott, Vice President of Development.

Some of the founders of the National Women’s Political Caucus include Gloria Steinem, former Con-

gresswoman Shirley Chisholm, Betty Friedan, Fannie Lou Hamer and more than 300 other women.

The NWPC, founded in 1971, is a national, multi-partisan, grassroots membership organization dedicated to identifying, recruiting, training, and supporting pro-choice women candidates for elected and appointed office.

Cultivating Community Through Food NNPA NEWSWIRE — Relish was founded by visionaries Le’Genevieve “Vie” Squires and Brittiany Peeler, who believe in putting their heart and soul into introducing flavorful ingredients to the community.

Their passion for cooking and expressing love through mouthwatering meals was driven by the lack of variety they were provided as youth.

Ford is honoring Black Business Month by highlighting those within the culinary space and their inspiring contributions to the community.

This month is all about connecting with businesses who are striving for change. In support of similar efforts, Ford Fund is a sponsor of the Ford

Resource and Engagement Center for Detroit Food Academy (DFA), an organization formed to inspire young Detroiters through culinary arts and food entrepreneurship.

Their goal is to facilitate an environment of collaboration, creativity, and education with their various programs. And through one of the key organizers at DFA the Black-owned, woman-owned catering business: Relish was created.

“Everyone should have access to quality foods which was our inspiration to start Relish. Food is love and we have an amazing opportunity to express that in our craft,” said Squires, co-founder of Relish.

Squires and Peeler believe in putting their heart and soul into introducing flavorful ingredients to the community. Their passion for cooking and expressing love through mouthwatering meals was driven by the lack of variety they were provided as youths.

They are inspired by the work and history of their ancestors with a fervent desire for their community to experience an abundance of healthy foods that are readily available in other geographic areas. Relish blends the home-cooked tastes of their roots with the exciting fresh flavors and dishes they discover through travel.

Relish was founded by visionaries Le’Genevieve “Vie” Squires and Brittiany Peeler who believe in putting their heart and soul into introducing flavorful ingredients to the community.

“It’s super important to share stories and resources for our youth to

thrive and food is a vehicle,” Peeler said.

The New Tri-State Defender

NOTICE TO BIDDERS Shelby County Government has issued Sealed Bid number I000828, Enterprise Storage Solutions.

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-I000828 DUE DATE TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2023 AT 2:30 PM CDT (SB-I000828) ENTERPRISE STORAGE SOLUTIONS Shelby County is an equal opportunity affirmative action employer, drug-free with policies of non-discrimination on the basis of race, sex, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or military service.

By order of LEE HARRIS, MAYOR SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT

LEGAL NOTICE REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS RFP NUMBER 24-0002

GROUND MAINTENANCE PACKAGE C

Sealed responses to this Request for Proposals for providing Ground Maintenance Services will be received by the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority (Authority), Procurement Division, Memphis International Airport, 4150 Louis Carruthers Dr, Memphis, TN 38118 until 2:00 PM local time, September 27, 2023. A listing of all proposers responding will be posted to the Authority’s website after the response deadline. Responses to Requests for Proposals and Requests for Qualifications will not be publicly opened.

A complete Request for Proposals Packet with submittal instructions, additional data, and response format may be found on the Authority’s website ( https://flymemphis. com ) on or after august 15, 2023.

A mandatory pre-proposal conference will be held Wednesday, September 6, 2023, at 11:00 AM, at the Authority’s Board Room on the Mezzanine Level, Terminal B of the Memphis International Airport, 2491 Winchester Road, Memphis, TN 38116. All attendees must register at www.eventbrite.com.

All Proposers are responsible for checking the Authority’s website up to the submission deadline for any updates, addenda, or additional information. In accordance

with the Authority’s purchasing policies, the Authority will give a preference to businesses located in Shelby County, Tennessee when awarding contracts and making purchases, unless prohibited by law. The successful Proposer must sign a contract with the Authority that includes Federal Aviation Administration provisions, if applicable, regarding the Buy American Preference, Foreign Trade Restriction, Davis-Bacon, Affirmative Action, Debarment and Suspension, and Drug-Free Workplace, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The Authority reserves the right to reject any or all responses to this Request for Proposals in whole or in part; to waive any informalities, technicalities, or omissions related to this Request for Proposals; and to reject responses on any other basis authorized by the Authority’s purchasing policies.

The Authority is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination based on the grounds of age, race, sex, color, national origin, disability, marital status, military service, or sexual orientation in its hiring and employment practices and in the admission to, access to, or operation of its programs, services, and activities.

By order of: Scott A. Brockman, A.A.E. President and CEO Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority

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: Marilyn Dates Tax Parcel #: 05002300000030 Tax Sale #: 1802 Price Offered: $4,000.00 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 September 15, 2023, 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

August 17 - 23, 2023

Page 9

CLASSIFIEDS 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: Costel Ciocoi Tax Parcel #: 02405200000310 Tax Sale #: 83.1 Price Offered: $50.00 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 September 15, 2023, 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: Costel Ciocoi Tax Parcel #: 02405300000080 Tax Sale #: 95.2 Price Offered: $50.00 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 September 15, 2023, 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.

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Shelby County Land Bank 1075 MULLINS STATION, BLDG. E-1 MEMPHIS, TN 38134 (901) 222-1150

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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: Rodney Hill Tax Parcel #: 04203700000640 Tax Sale #: 1304 Price Offered: $$1,350.00 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 9:00 a.m. on September 15, 2023, 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 New Tri-State Defender

For Whitehaven, the goal is to get back on the winning track with a ‘Roar’

by Terry Davis

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

“Restore the Roar” is what the Whitehaven High School football Tigers are trying to accomplish this season. Last season, the Tigers missed the state playoffs for the first time in over 10 years.

Head coach Rodney Saulsberry has been at the helm that entire time.

“Passion, that is what I expect,” said Saulsberry, who is looking for Whitehaven to improve upon last season’s 5-5 finish. “Guys playing hard and guys playing for one another.

That is what we are excited about.

“Our motto for this year is “Restore the Roar” and getting back to the essence of things.

Playing football for the right reason and playing for your brothers and community.”

In 2012, the Tigers went undefeated (15-0) and won a state championship. In 2016, they won another state championship. The Whitehaven program has landed players on all levels of football from the top SEC teams to some Division II teams.

Notably, the Whitehaven program sports a family atmosphere. Former players routinely return to support the current players.

Saulsberry doesn’t use the excuse of being in one of the toughest football districts in the state when assessing last season’s team, which lost several games in the final minutes. He accepted the results; no excuses.

What will be different this season?

“Don’t skip steps in the process,” said Saulsberry. “Football is process driven. In building a team, the small things matter. When the small things are out of line, you don’t win close ball games. That was the testament of last season.”

The Tigers head into the season with some turnover on the offensive line. Tracey Jackson and Rickshun Wilson will be the leaders of the big guys up front. Jayden Thomas, a sophomore, will man the quarterback position. His passing options include senior wide receiver Kedarius Jones.

Jones had over 600 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns last season and may be one of the faster receivers in the state.

He runs a 10.7 in 100-meters dash.

Terrence (“Speedy) Whitley, a sophomore defensive back, had 4 interceptions last season. He is going to play offense as well this season.

The defensive line will be led by Tavarious Elliott, a junior defensive tackle (5’10” 242 pounds) and Rodney Hunter, a senior defensive tackle (6’3” 260 pounds).

Saulsberry has a message for any opponent that may feel Whitehaven is past its prime.

“We always say respect the ‘haven.’ I love being the underdog. I will take that as a badge of honor. If you don’t have respect for us, we will make it happen on the field.”

Three of the Tigers’ first five games are against district opponents. Two of those are at home (Arlington, Sept. 1 and Houston, Sept. 15).

The Tigers open the season hosting the Central Warriors on Friday (August 18) at Whitehaven Stadium.

August 17 - 23, 2023

Page 10

SPORTS

Little-known winner Lucas Glover stays hot with FedEx St. Jude Classic win

by Terry Davis

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Lucas Glover, currently the hottest player on the PGA tour, defeated Patrick Cantlay in a onehole playoff to win the FedEx St. Jude Classic and the first leg in the race for the FedEx Cup. The week before, Glover, who is far from a household name, won the Wyndham Championship. At 43, Glover is the first professional golfer over 40 years old to have back-to-back wins on the PGA tour.

Glover moved up from 49th place in the PGA standings to fourth with his latest win. It was the second consecutive Terry year that the Davis first round of the PGA playoffs in Memphis ended with extra holes.

After the win, Glover said Quincy, a St. Jude patient, was his good luck charm. After the 18th hole Glover gave Quincy his golf ball.

Glover was steady for the entire final round. He finished the day one under par and tied with Patrick Cantlay at 15 under par.

Cantlay shot a six under par for the day to force the playoff.

“When I got here on Monday, I got the last one (the Wyndham Championship) out of my head and I had to refocus. I had a nice week here last year. I just enjoy the course, the fans. I always have good vibes when I come here.”

On the win, Glover said, “This is extremely special for me. There is no greater blessing than to have

Lucas Glover won the FedEx St. Jude Classic and made a new friend in Quincy, a St. Jude patient. (Photos: Terry Davis/ The New Tri-State Defender)

Patrick Cantlay shot six under par during the final round and forced playoff with Lucas Glover. healthy children; not everybody does. My heart goes out to those people that don’t. One group that needs a round of applause are the honorary pin holders, the kids from St. Jude. My man Quincy was good luck.”

Crowd favorite Rory McElroy and Tommy Fleetwood finished tied for third place just one shot off the pace. McElory had many opportunities to have a better score, but he was not able to connect on many birdie chances on the final day.

Cantlay won the FedExCup in 2021. He is fifth in the FedExCup standings for this season.

The first round of the PGA playoffs teed off in Memphis on Thursday. The golfers were treated to a few days of below normal temperatures for this time of the year. Tuesday was a practice day for all golfers and some participated in the pro-am tourney.

Heavy rains forced a rules adjustment, with the decision made to go with lift-and-clean play throughout the weekend. That meant if a golfer hit a ball in the fairway, he could lift the ball and

Lucas Glover accepts the winner’s trophy from Richard Smith. clean it before the next shot.

On Sunday, the weather forced itself more into the final round.

Play was suspended just as the leaders, TJ Moore and Glover were set to tee off to start their round. The pair was slated to start at 12:50 but did not tee off until 2:25.

The format for this year’s play-

offs is different. Last year, 125 players played in the first round.

This year, only the top 70 golfers came to Memphis, with the top 50 moving on to the second round at the BMW Championship at Olympia Fields Country Club outside Chicago. The top 30 then advance to the Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta.