The New Tri-State Defender (September 24-30, 2020)

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September 24 - 30, 2020

VOL. 69, No. 39

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Coalition aims to boost Nov. 3 voter turnout

by Erica R. Williams

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Only 60 percent of Shelby County residents are registered to vote. Even lower is the number of registered voters who historically make it to the polls. A group of local legislators and community leaders are attempting to boost turnout in time for the November 3 general election. Their efforts

come amid COVID-19 adding an extra threat to their mission.

Monday, the group met to discuss ways to tackle voting issues in Shelby County during the “Coalition Get Out the Vote 901” summit. The event was organized by TaJuan Stout-Mitchell, a former member of the Memphis City Council, who said the purpose of the summit was to “encourage collaboration and unify forces against any effort to suppress voting.”

“We are all working so hard, but

we work in silos,” Stout- Mitchell said. “There should be a time every now and then where we put aside our differences and come together under one umbrella and work for one common goal and that’s to drive our vote.”

Under that “umbrella” of summit guests included: Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris, Trustee Regina Morrison Newman, Tennessee State Rep. Joe Towns (D-Memphis), Commissioners Tami Sawyer and Van Turner, Jr., along with community

leaders Gale Jones Carson, Michael Harris, Reverend Dr. Earle Fisher, Dr. Rosalyn Nichols, Steve Mulroy, Cherisse Scott and Keith Williams. Tennessee Senator, Raumesh Akbari (D-Memphis) moderated the event.

“The politics of division and fear are used against us to distract us from corruption and a failure to provide the

SEE VOTE ON PAGE 2

Remembering...

Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Camille R. McMullen, the first African-American woman to serve on a Tennessee appellate court and a former federal prosecutor (Western District of Tennessee), reflects on U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg during a celebration of Bader’s legacy held outside the D’Army Bailey Courthouse on Monday. (Photo: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises) Related commentary, photos on Page 4.

Lessons learned: Living through COVID-19, Part XIV (This is the 14th installment of The New Tri-State Defender’s ongoing account of three Memphians coping with the coronavirus amid government-directed efforts to slow the virus’ spread.)

by Jerome Wright jwright@tsdmemphis.com

A fresh lesson in patience Six months ago, The New Tri-State Defender began an ongoing account of how three Memphians were coping with the coronavirus amid government-directed restrictions to slow the virus’ spread.

Restaurant entrepreneur James Cook and barber William Gandy Jr. have taken financial hits as a result, but have been able to resume their careers.

Margaret Cowan, founder of the nonprofit I Am My Sister’s Keeper, has adjusted to the reality of social distancing while working with the young single mothers she counsels.

Otherwise, she has thrived, somewhat, in the new normal.

President Donald Trump proclaimed on Feb. 25, when there were 57 confirmed cornonavirus cases, that the virus was under control. As of Wednesday (Sept. 23), there were 6,968,226 confirmed virus cases and 203,446 deaths. About 1,000 people are dying daily from the virus.

In Shelby County, as of Wednesday, the Shelby County Health Department reported 30,690 cases of COVID-19 and 449 COVID-19 deaths.

Health Department officials said the county continued to have a spike in cases following the long Labor

With his barbershop services sharply curtailed, William Gandy Jr. continues to fine-tune his musical production, “Grandma’s Big Vote,” which is scheduled for Oct. 25 at the Orpheum Theatre’s Halloran Centre for Performing Arts & Education. (Photo: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises) Day weekend. The 14-day average of new cases was at 196 Wednesday, up from 178 Tuesday (Sept. 22).

When the number of virus cases began to spiral upward in mid-March, federal, state and local government officials issued mandates aimed at slowing the spread, including stay-at-

home and safer-at-home orders. The impact was massive, affecting air travel, dining out, retail and grocery shopping, services offered by barbershops and beauty salons, the closing of schools and much more.

SEE VIRUS ON PAGE 9

$1.00

Ruling in surveillance case yields plusses for both sides

by John Semien

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

A federal judge has modified a 1978 court order to broaden the constitutionally protected political activity of residents.

The court-ordered changes cover social media and other advancements of the digital age, according to a release from the ACLU-TN. The modifications, issued

by Judge Jon Phipps McCalla on Monday (Sept. 21), expand boundaries to include social media, electronic surveillance, body cameras and other modern technology, while maintaining that the city shall not engage in First Amendment-related intelligence, the release said.

In his ruling, McCalla denied the city’s request that it be allowed to work jointly with other law enforcement agencies and its request to share information with private companies.

However, in his 48-page ruling, he said, “The Court grants in part and denies in part the city’s request to modify the Kendrick Consent Decree. The Court finds that sufficient evidence in the record supports granting the Parties’ Jointly Proposed Modifications to the Kendrick Consent Decree.”

The original court order limiting domestic surveillance was issued in the 1978 decision in ACLU-TN’s lawsuit Kendrick v.

Chandler.

In 2018, the court ruled in Blanchard v. City of Memphis that by engaging in surveillance of the protected political activities of activists the Memphis police had violated the 1978 court order.

“We are pleased that the modifications ordered today take into account new technology that did not exist when the original court order was drafted decades ago, but still preserve the strength and protections of the original,” said Thomas H. Castelli, ACLU-TN legal director, in the release.

“The modifications also clarify what the consent decree means so that everyone – including law enforcement – can fully understand the safeguards it provides.”

Jennifer Sink, the city’s chief legal officer said she is pleased the court recognized the need to make modifications to the Kendrick consent decrees.

“The changes will allow the Memphis Police Department to fight crime and use modern technology to protect the citizens of Memphis while continuing to protect their First Amendment rights ⸺ which the city and its police department are strong propo-

SEE RULING ON PAGE 8

The New Tri-State Defender

September 24 - 30, 2020

Page 2

NEWS VOTE

CONTINUED FROM FRONT healthcare and economic opportunity all our families deserve,” Sen. Akbari said. “By joining together, Black, white and brown, we will vote in record numbers and raise our voices in the street to swear in a government, of, by and for the people.”

Panelists reiterated the long road ahead to drive engagement before the next general election. Pointing to threats of voter suppression, leaders said COVID-19 only compounds the problem.

“This is a very important year; it’s a year we all want to forget. It’s a year filled with challenges, but it’s also a year where we have to make sure our voices are heard and our votes are counted,” Mayor Harris said.

The Mayor also mentioned that his team is working closely with the Shelby County Election Commission to ensure there are enough resources for absentee ballots.

Nearly 17,000 Shelby County residents voted by an absentee ballot for the August 6 primary. In November, the election commission is anticipating the number of requests for absentees to be as high as 100,000 due to concerns surrounding COVID-19.

The surplus of requests came after a Tennessee judge allowed all eligible voters to cast absentee ballots due to the pandemic. The ruling was in place during the August 6 primary election but was overturned by the Supreme Court for the November election.

However, all isn’t lost. According to Memphis attorney Steve Mulroy--who helped file the initial lawsuit requesting absentee ballot for all citizens--people can still vote by mail if they believe they or someone in their care faces a higher risk of COVID-19 due to underlying health conditions.

“If you do in fact have underlying conditions, my advice would be to explore absentee voting,” Mulroy advised.

He added that he and his team are currently litigating against the state to seek an order that will allow anyone living with a person with an underlying condition to be able to vote by mail. He also encouraged everyone to consider early voting if they have to go to the polls, to avoid crowds and long lines.

Rep. Joe Towns, Jr. (D-Memphis) also noted an additional lawsuit that he and other Democratic state reps filed to provide an additional layer of accountability for electronic voting machines.

“It’s one thing for the votes to be cast, it’s another thing for the votes to be received and counted,” said Joe Towns.

“If you know the history of politics in this town you know that people have been stealing votes for a while, and votes that are stolen and manipulated are typically minority votes.”

Shelby County Election Commission Administrator, Linda Phillips—who was not in attendance at the summit-said leaders should also consider that low voter turnout in Shelby County is not always a result of engagement or concerns of voter suppression.

“One of the problems with calculating voter turnout is that it is dependent on the number of registered voters,” she told the New Tri-State Defender after the summit. “What we have found in Shelby County is that when we do a precinct wide mailing – to notify voters of a change in polling place, for example – about 20% of them are returned as undeliv-

erable. I suspect that many of them do not still live in Shelby County.”

Local voting advocacy organizers said they’re doing the work to not only encourage citizens to vote but also provide them with resources to get to the polls.

Organizations like Shelby County Democratic Party and the NAACP- Memphis Branch, plan to offer free rides to the polls for those who may not have transportation.

“We want people to know, if you want to vote in Shelby County, just pick up the phone

and we can get you a ride,” Shelby County Democratic Party Chairman, Michael Harris said.

Another issue that has arisen due to COVID-19 is the possible decrease in poll workers.

Harris said most poll workers are usually older and fear

working on election day due to health concerns. As a result, the county will host a poll worker job fair, October 6.

While the summit’s main focus was voter turnout and engagement, the U.S. Census was also a highlight, as organizers pointed to the ways

they are ensuring their voter initiatives also double as Census informational sessions and sign-ups.

The last day to register to vote in the November election is Oct. 5. Early voting begins October 14.

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The New Tri-State Defender

September 24 - 30, 2020

Page 3

NEWS

1 officer indicted in Breonna Taylor case; not for her death LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A Kentucky grand jury on Wednesday indicted a single former police officer for shooting into neighboring apartments but did not move forward with charges against any officers for their role in Breonna Taylor’s death.

The jury announced that fired Officer Brett Hankison was charged with three counts of wanton endangerment in connection to the police raid of Taylor’s home on the night of March 13.

Immediately after the announcement, people were expressing frustration that the grand jury did not do more.

“Justice has NOT been served,” tweeted Linda Sarsour of Until Freedom, a group that has pushed for charges in the case. “Rise UP. All across this country. Everywhere. Rise up for #BreonnaTaylor.”

Attorney Ben Crump, who is representing Taylor’s family, tweeted that the charges involved “NOTHING for the murder of Breonna Taylor.

This is outrageous and offensive!”

At a news conference, state Attorney General Daniel Cameron said Hankison and the two other officers who entered Taylor’s apartment announced themselves before entering the

Former Louisville police officer Brett Hankison.

(Photo: Louisville Police Department via AP, File) UPDATE: Louisville police reported late Wednesday that two officers were shot amid protests over a lack of charges in the Breonna Taylor case.

Police say a suspect is in custody. apartment and did not use a no-knock warrant.

“According to Kentucky law, the use of force by (Officers Jonathan Mattingly and (Myles) Cosgrove was justified to protect themselves.

This justification bars us from pursuing criminal charges in Miss Breonna Taylor’s death.”

Regarding the inevitable disappointment by those who wanted criminal charges brought in Taylor’s death, he remarked, “The decision before my office as the special prosecutor in this case was not to decide if the loss of Ms.

Breonna Taylor (Photo: Courtesy of Taylor Family attorney Sam Aguiar via AP, File) Taylor’s life was a tragedy.

The answer to that is unequivocally yes.”

Cameron added that, “I understand that Breonna Taylor’s death is part of a national story, but the facts and evidence in this case are different than others” involving police shootings.

“If we simply act on emotion or outrage, there is no justice,” Cameron said. “Mob justice is not justice. Justice sought by violence is not justice. It just becomes revenge.”

He added that the FBI is still investigating potential violations of federal law in the case.

A Republican, Cameron is the state’s first Black state attorney general and a protege of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell who has been tagged by some as his heir apparent. His was also one of 20 names on President Donald Trump’s list to fill a future Su-

A woman reacts to news in the Breonna Taylor shooting, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in Louisville, Ky. A grand jury has indicted one officer on criminal charges six months after Taylor was fatally shot by police in Kentucky. The jury presented its decision against fired officer Brett Hankison Wednesday to a judge in Louisville, where the shooting took place. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) preme Court vacancy.

Taylor, an emergency medical worker, was shot multiple times by officers who entered her home using a no-knock warrant during a narcotics investigation. The warrant used to search her home was connected to a suspect who did not live there, and no drugs were found inside. The use of no-knock warrants has since been banned by Louisville’s Metro Council.

Cameron’s office had been receiving materials from the Louisville Police Department’s public integrity unit while they tried to determine whether state charges would be brought against the three officers involved, he said.

Before charges were brought, Hankison was fired

from the city’s police department on June 23. A termination letter sent to him by interim Louisville Police Chief Robert Schroeder said the white officer had violated procedures by showing “extreme indifference to the value of human life” when he “wantonly and blindly” shot 10 rounds of gunfire into Taylor’s apartment in March.

Taylor’s boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, opened fire when police burst in, hitting Mattingly. Walker was charged with attempted murder of a police officer, but prosecutors later dropped the charge.

Walker told police he heard knocking but didn’t know who was coming into the home and fired in self-defense.

On Sept. 15, the city settled

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a lawsuit against the three officers brought by Taylor’s mother, Tamika Palmer, agreeing to pay her $12 million and enact police reforms.

Protesters in Louisville and across the country have demanded justice for Taylor and other Black people killed by police in recent months. The release in late May of a 911 call by Taylor’s boyfriend marked the beginning of days of protests in Louisville, fueled by her shooting and the violent death of George Floyd while in police custody in Minneapolis on May 25.

Several prominent African-American celebrities, including Oprah and Beyoncé, have joined those urging that the officers be charged.

PERSPECTIVE The New Tri-State Defender, September 24 - 30, 2020, Page 4

THE CULTURAL COACH As Ginsburg began winning cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, gender barriers began to fall. As a result, life became easier for women ensuring, for example, they could get a mortgage or open a checking account without a male co-signer and receive benefits equal to their male colleagues.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg: The fight is never over, not even after you lose

by Linda S. Wallace

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a fighter who loved to think and a thinker who loved to fight – a rare, yet powerful, combination.

“Fight for the things you care about, but do it in a way that leads others to join you,” the former associate justice of the Supreme Court once said.

Her early challenges growing up in Brooklyn, N.Y. tested her strength and prepared her for a purpose-driven life spent dismantling inequality and gender discrimination.

Her older sister died when she was a baby; Linda S. her mother died of Wallace, The Cultural cancer and was burCoach ied the day before her high school graduation. Adversity taught her to work harder.

Ginsburg went onto earn a bachelor’s degree at Cornell University, where she met her husband, Martin. She was a young mother with a baby when she began studies at Harvard Law School. After her husband received a job in New York, she transferred to Columbia Law School, where she graduated and tied for first in her class.

Nobody back then would hire a bright female lawyer, so after graduation she created a new career path. Ginsburg devoted herself to advancing gender equity by arguing that the Constitutions’ guarantee of equality put women and men on equal footing.

This was a concept so novel that it was not easily grasped by men of that day, Ginsburg said.

It is difficult to explain injustice to someone who has never been knocked down by it. In a documentary on her life called “RBG,” Ginsburg would later describe herself as “part kindergarten teacher” for the role she played educating others about women’s challenges.

It took awhile for her to find the right argument, but she did: “Think about how you would like it to be for your wife and daughters,” she would ask.

As Ginsburg began winning cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, gender barriers began to fall. As a result, life became easier for women ensuring, for example, they could get a mortgage or open a checking account without a male co-signer and receive benefits equal to their male colleagues.

“I ask no favor for my sex,” Ginsburg would say in closing arguments before the Supreme Court. “All I ask of our brethren is that they take their feet off our necks.”

Local attorneys and others moved by the death of United States Supreme Court Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg honored her legacy during a public memorial in Downtown Memphis outside the Judge D’Army Bailey Courthouse. (bottom) Speakers included Shayla Purifoy, president of the Ben F. Jones Chapter of the National Bar Association. (Photos: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises)

Ruth Bader Ginsburg (Photo: U.S. Supreme Court) Ginsburg volunteered for the American Civil Liberties Union and served on its board of directors and as one of its general counsels in the 1970s. In 1980, President Jimmy Carter appointed her to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia and in 1993 Bill Clinton nominated her for the Supreme Court.

As a woman and business owner, I am deeply grateful for all that Justice Ginsburg has done for me. Had it not been for her, I might not have had so many career options as an African-American woman, including the ability to work for myself, make business and contract decisions or to buy a house.

However, I most admire her for the way she behaved in defeat and used disappointment over a court ruling to educate others, like a kindly kindergarten teacher might do.

In her dissent on the landmark ruling, Holder vs Shelby County (AL), Ginsburg argued passionately that voting discrimination had not ended.

The case concerned the constitutionality of two key provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965: Section 5 protected minority voters’ rights by requiring that certain states and local governments obtain federal preclearance before making changes to their voting laws or practices; and Section 4(b) laid out the coverage formula that de-

termines which jurisdictions are subjected to preclearance based on past discriminatory voting practices.

On June 25, 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled by a 5-to-4 vote that Section 4(b) was unconstitutional because the coverage formula, which determined which jurisdictions were subjected to preclearance – a type of overview or monitoring – was based on data over 40 years old.

Chief Justice John Roberts reasoned that coverage today was based on decades-old data and eradicated practices, suggesting that preclearance had been effective and was no longer needed.

Ginsburg disagreed. “Throwing out preclearance when it has worked and is continuing to work to stop discriminatory changes is like throwing away your umbrella in a rainstorm because you are not getting wet,” she wrote in her dissent.

Ginsburg taught us that if our side doesn’t win, the fight still is not over. We must turn

dissent into an art and skill, as she did. And we must do it in a manner that opens hearts and minds to our way of thinking.

“Reacting in anger or annoyance will not advance one’s ability to persuade,” she wrote in an op-ed for the New York Times.

Affectionately nicknamed “Notorious RBG” by a generation of youthful admirers, Ginsburg understood that loud and angry mass protests aren’t the only way to fight back.

Sometimes, one person who works unbelievably long hours, and chooses her words with care, can make this a more equitable world.

(Communications specialist Linda S. Wallace helps clients develop cross-cultural messages for the workplace and the media. Readers can submit questions on work or personal matters to theculturalcoach@ aol.com.)

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The New Tri-State Defender

September 24 - 30, 2020

Page 5

RELIGION

Pushing forward, ARISE2Read adjusts to the times

by Jerome Wright jwright@tsdmemphis.com

ARISE2Read, the religious-based organization with a mission to have the inner city’s second graders reading at third-grade level, is making adjustments to effectively continue its mission during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We have created a virtual platform so that our volunteers will be able to work with students virtually. …The teachers and administrators (at local schools served by the organization) are really working hard to figure out how to get all the bugs worked out…,” said Karen Vogelsang, the organization’s executive director.

The volunteer tutors commit to serve for one hour a week, coaching two students, one each for 30 minutes.

ARISE2Read also provides every second grader in ARISE2Read schools 8 to 10 brand new books each year.

Lavonice Williams of Collierville, a licensed mental health counselor, is one of those volunteers. Originally from Clearwater, Fla., she moved to Memphis in 2001 and has been in practice since 2007. Her firm is

WholeHeart Women’s Christian Counseling, which primarily works with women and adolescent girls.

“I wanted to serve and also share Karen the vision of Vogelsang (ARISE2Read) (President and) Founder Donna Gaines,” Williams said.

Asked what she enjoys about tutoring, Williams said, “Being there; building a connection with the students. … It’s just a joyful experience watching them build their self-esteem. …”

She tutored at Treadwell Elementary School, the program’s original school, in Highland Heights last year.

Gaines, the wife of Bellevue Baptist Church’s Senior Pastor Steve Gaines, started ARISE2Read, a faith-based literacy program for second graders in the greater Memphis area, in 2012. The program was in 41 schools last year, Voglesang said.

Vogelsang said the majority of the students supported by the organiza-

Aided by ARISE2read, this student says thanks to volunteers via a video message. (Screen capture) tion are African American.

“We have several schools, where there is a high population of Hispanic students that we serve,” she said.

Vogelsang has been ARISE2Read’s executive director for 2½ years. She was a banker for 15 years before making a career switch to education in 2003, joining the legacy Memphis City Schools. She taught mostly at Keystone Elementary in the Raleigh-Frayser area.

She was named the 2014-2015 Tennessee Teacher of the year.

“Reading is critical to whatever you want to do,” she said.

Research has shown that children living in poverty, who read proficiently by the end of the third grade, have an 89 percent graduation rate.

So, Vogelsang said, that statistic makes the organization’s mission crucially important.

About 24 percent of third graders in Shelby County Schools scored proficient in reading on the state’s

standardized assessment TNReady, according to numbers released in August 2019.

SCS has a goal to have 90 percent of its third graders reading proficiently by the year 2025.

Shelby County Schools are holding classes virtually because of the COVID-19 pandemic. That presents challenges and opportunities for ARISE2Read, Vogelsang said.

The challenge is how to tutor students in a virtual setting. That also brings concerns about utility service cutoffs at financially challenged households, which could stifle virtual learning.

Still, virtual learning offers an opportunity to serve more students.

She said her “hope and prayer” are that this may allow tutors to serve more students by, among, other things, saving travel time and allowing more flexible scheduling for tutors.

On another positive note, Vogle-

sang said she had conversations with Highland Heights Baptist Church about on-site tutoring.

Also, the organization is working with a YMCA Leaning Hub to use its staff and students to help tutor.

ARISE2Read has tutored some 1,200 second-graders a year over the past two years, including 1,235 last year.

Vogelsang personally has been in the tutoring trenches, supporting students at three different schools last year.

The organization trained 1,161 volunteers last year. Vogelsang said volunteers come from all walks of life and the organization also partners with government agencies and other nonprofits for volunteers.

For more information about ARISE2Read go to https://arise2read. org/ or call 901-347-5545.

(Jerome Wright is deputy editor for The New Tri-State Defender.)

Pleasure shared...

A longtime member of Collins Chapel CME, Jean Turner celebrated her 88th birthday on Sept 19. Her son, Allan, was among those delivering well wishes.

(Photo: Tyrone P. Easley)

Standing in the need of...

Presiding Elder Bethel Harris, pastor of Collins Chapel CME, offered this prayer as he focused on students confronted with digital class settings and those in need of food support. With him are First Episcopal District Presiding Bishop Henry M. Williamson Sr. and the bishop’s wife, Doris Yvonne Williamson. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley)

The New Tri-State Defender, September 24 - 30, 2020, Page 6

‘This is 2020:

Meaningful Stories, Artful Healing’ TSD Newsroom Picture this: a virtual showcase of the healing-based art from a selection of Memphis- area students.

Stand for Children Tennessee will host just such a showcase for “This is 2020: Meaningful Stories, Artful Healing” on Thursday (September 24) at 6 p.m. via Zoom and Facebook Live.

Elementary, middle and high school students in Memphis and Shelby County submitted more than 30 works of art to express their views on the global pandemic and racial injustice issues. The showcase will feature the finalists from each grade level. Showcase registration is online at https://bit. ly/artfulshowcase.

The concept for “This is 2020” evolved during a Stand member meeting as participants were discussing the birthday of Breonna Taylor, who was fatally shot by Louisville Metro Police Department officers earlier this year and whose death, along with those of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and others, sparked local and national protests against police brutality.

A discussion about ways to get students involved led to the idea to give them an opportunity to share their thoughts and stories as a way to start the healing process.

“Creative expression can be a beneficial way for us to process and respond to traumatic experiences during this time of uncertainty,” said Dr. Crystal Harris, Stand member and creator of “This is 2020.

“With this call for submissions, we wanted to open up a space for young people to share personal stories and experiences in an environment that encourages learning rather than critique. With this showcase, each person becomes the communal teacher and learner as they and we artfully express personal thoughts, fears, hopes, and frustrations about brutal times and memories regarding a virus, race, policing, policies, myths, and/or systems.”

Originally from Detroit, Harris, who teaches college literature and writing classes and is also an

“With this showcase, each person becomes the communal teacher and learner as they and we artfully express personal thoughts, fears, hopes, and frustrations about brutal times and memories regarding a virus, race, policing, policies, myths, and/or systems.”

— Dr. Crystal Harris entrepreneur, became involved with Stand through her work with the education outreach arm of Memphis Interfaith Coalition for Action and Hope (MICAH).

Her experiences during Stand’s fellowship program, a three-week intensive course in education advocacy, provided her with more background about Memphis’ education history, the policies involved, past and present, and how to effect change moving forward.

Harris envisioned “This is 2020” as a process by which students could embrace and be inspired by the genuine, passionate energy and dedication of the adults in the Stand community rather than be negatively influenced by the divisive energy often prevalent in society today.

“We received well over the number of submissions that I imagined for a first try. The students have produced everything from poetry and essays to songs and graphic design. I’m so proud of each one of them for creating and being a part of the cultural moment,” she said.

“Many of the entries, beyond revealing raw talent in a particular field, are incredibly perceptive. I’m also proud of them for being brave enough to share their work with others.”

All “This is 2020” showcase finalists will receive a Stand for Children-branded Black Lives Matter T-shirt and will be entered in a drawing to win a $50 gift card.

Amelia Halter, who is in the sixth grade, shares her take on the coronavirus.

Third-grader Alex Alphonse shares his reflection on the virtual-learning experience. (Courtesy photos)

Lauren Wylyle, a sixth-grade student, brings together two faces now seared into the ongoing push for police reform.

Yearlong exhibit to celebrate Willie Mitchell and Royal Studios TSD Newsroom Royal Studios – the legendary studio that was instrumental in shaping the sound of Memphis soul – will be celebrated with a new exhibit opening at GRAMMY Museum® Mississippi in Cleveland, Miss. on Oct. 1.

The exhibit, which is titled Willie Mitchell & The Music of Royal Studios, is collaboration involving Memphis Tourism, the Mississippi Museum and Memphis-based Royal Studios. It will tell the story of the iconic studio, one of the oldest in the world, and the late Willie Mitchell, who ran the studio and produced many artists on its label, Hi Records.

On display through Sept. 5, 2021, the exhibit will feature artifacts from Royal Studios and Hi Records artists,

such as: - Boo Mitchell’s Record Of The Year GRAMMY® Award for Bruno Mars’ “Uptown Funk,” which was recorded at Royal Studios; - Willie Mitchell’s Trustee GRAMMY Museum® Award - Al Green’s “No. 9” microphone, an RCA 77DX ribbon mic that Green preferred to use on his recordings; - Numerous other artifacts from legendary Royal Studios artists and sessions.

“The Royal Studios display at GRAMMY Museum Mississippi will educate visitors on the impact that my father, Willie Mitchell, and all the producers and artists he worked with at Royal Studios and Hi Records have had on the Memphis sound,” said GRAMMY-winning artist and producer Lawrence “Boo” Mitchell,

son of Willie Mitchell and current owner of Royal Studios.

“We are thrilled to be able to partner with the Museum to bring the history of Royal Studios to life in the form of this exhibit. The artifacts and stories we culled together will show how instrumental Royal Studios has been and continues to be in shaping the music and careers of so many influential artists of yesterday and today.”

Emily Havens, executive director of GRAMMY Museum Mississippi, said, “Willie Mitchell and Royal Studios played such an important role in developing the Memphis soul sound. And today, as one of the oldest still-operating recording studios in the world, Royal Studios continues to bring us music by such contemporaries as Bruno Mars and John Mayer.

We’re thrilled to be able to share this

important piece of music history with our visitors.”

Kevin Kane, President/CEO of Memphis Tourism, said, “As the home of blues, soul and rock and roll, Memphis continues to have a large impact on American music, and, like so many studios in Memphis, Royal Studios has played an important role in putting Memphis on the musical map. It’s an honor for us to get to partner with these two music institutions to bring the story of Royal Studios and Memphis music to life.”

GRAMMY Museum Mississippi is currently open with updated health and safety protocols on Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.

(For more information, visit www. grammymuseumms.org.)

Willie Mitchell signed with Hi Records in 1963 as a session trumpeter. The pinnacle of his personal recording career was in 1968 with “Soul Serenade,” which reached No. 10 on the charts. (Courtesy photo)

The New Tri-State Defender

September 24 - 30, 2020

Page 7

ENTERTAINMENT TAKING NOTE!

Larry D’s new single ‘I’m Good’ makes official debut

TSD Newsroom

It’s official: “I’m Good” – the new single by Larry D – was officially released Friday (Sept. 18) after its premiere earlier this month.

The former lead singer of The Bar-Kays, who has been busy with his music endeavors since stepping away from the iconic band, will perform “I’m Good” live in concert on pay-per-view on Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. (CT).

With his son, Larry Dodson II, Memphis native Larry D launched Music Moves Records, which premiered the new single earlier this year. The upcoming concert will feature all of The Bar-Kays’ hits with the elder Dodson as lead singer, including “Too Hot to Stop,” “Shake Your Rump to the Funk,” “Freak Show’ and “Grown Folks” Jessica Ray from Made in Memphis Entertainment will open for Larry D. Ray is the daughter of celebrated Stax Records bassist Ray Griffin.

Tickets are on sale now.

(For more information, including upcoming tour dates for Larry D., visit www.thelarrydodson.com.)

Larry Dodson Sr., who now performs as Larry D, and his son, Larry Dodson II, launched Music Moves Records. (Courtesy photos)

Jessica Ray

COMMUNITY The New Tri-State Defender, September 24 - 30, 2020, Page 8

NCRM, Keepers of 306 to host virtual economic justice town hall

TSD newsroom

Keepers of 306, an action initiative of the National Civil Rights Museum that engages civic-minded young leaders, will host a live-streamed town hall entitled “Where Do We Go from Here? Economic Justice” next week.

The town hall event will broadcast on the museum’s website and Facebook Live on Tuesday (Sept. 29), beginning at 6:30 p.m. CT. The goal of the virtual forum is to raise awareness of the economic inequities facing the nation and the measures every Memphian and American can take to mobilize change.

A panel of national and local leaders will discuss topics, including creating economic impact for communities of color through workforce

development, community development, entrepreneurship, ownership, policy change, and voting.

“As we again examine the question asked by Dr. King – ‘Where do we go from here?’ – the issue of economic justice remains front and center,” said Terri Freeman, President of the National Civil Rights Museum.

“This year we’ve seen the disproportionate effects of an economic downturn on Black and Brown people. We know the wealth gap between Whites and Blacks has continued to grow. How do we address this today to have a real impact on people’s lives? This is why today’s conversation is so important.”

September’s virtual town hall marks the second of the series, which was prompted by the museum’s mission to be a source for education and action during these unprecedent-

ed times. The first virtual town hall discussed the value of voting in the 2020 elections with national voices, including CNN commentator Bakari Sellers and Tennessee State Sen. Raumesh Akbari.

“The goal of ‘Where do we go from here: to the polls!’ was to implore our viewers to become civicly engaged and activate change,” said Trevia Chatman, Chair of Keepers of 306. “Voting is our power and our voice. While voting is detrimental and necessary, it is not the only tool to overcome years of intentional oppression.

“In this second town hall, we will expose the systemic economic injustice of poverty that continuously plagues communities of color and discuss the impact necessary to create economic justice. It is time to organize and dismantle the intentional

creation of generational poverty like never before.”

The museum’s Dr. Noelle Trent, director of Interpretation, Collections & Education, will give historical context to economic disenfranchisement of the Black community and specific instances of.

A panel of educators, community activists and representatives will be moderated by Tracie Potts, senior Washington correspondent for NBC News Channel. Potts has reported for NBC for over 20 years covering politics, medical research and health policy.

Panelists include: • Dr. Andre M. Perry, author, national commentator on race, structural inequality, and education; • Dr. Rashawn Ray, professor of Sociology and executive director

Tracie Potts of the Lab for Applied Social Science Research (LASSR) at the University of Maryland, College Park; • Rev. Dr. Stacy Spencer, senior pastor of New Direction Christian Church, Chair of MICAH (Memphis Interfaith Coalition of Action and Hope); and • Stefanie Brown James, co-Founder, executive director of The Collective in Washington, DC. (For more details and RSVP information, visit http://civilrightsmuseum.org/keepers-of-306.)

Shelby County targets SCS’ virtual learning needs with $750,000 dedication TSD Newsroom

The big 2-1!...

Pamela Hill, who co-owns Makeda’s Homemade Butter Cookies with Maurice Hill, holds up the number 21, signaling the popular eateries 21st year of business. The birthday was Sept. 18. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley)

Tennessee projects big math, reading drops due to COVID-19 NASHVILLE (AP) – Tennessee education officials on Wednesday predicted a big hit to student learning due to interruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The state Department of Education projected a 50 percent decrease in reading proficiency rates and a 65 percent drop in math among third graders.

The estimates come as Republican Gov. Bill Lee and his administration continue to urge districts to hold in-person classes during the

RULING

CONTINUED FROM FRONT nents,” she said. “The modifications will also ensure that our police officers can successfully comply with the order.”

ongoing pandemic.

“What we’re looking at is unprecedented,” Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn said at a news conference Wednesday. “And I think that the drops that we are seeing in terms of learning loss as a result of school building closures is going to take more than a school year. So I want us to have realistic expectations for the hard work that’s happening with our superintendents, teachers, principals and more.”

Schwinn said the projections are based off a study done in June by her department and partnering organizations, district-level data and beginning-of-the-year assessments completed by more than 30,000 students to date.

Schwinn said the third grade literacy rate is usually 33 percent, but it’s projected to now be 12 percent to 14 percent. Fourth grade math proficiency usually is 33 percent to 35 percent, and it’s now estimated to be 17 percent.

While the decree allows the city to view information posted to social media for legitimate law enforcement purposes, such as in the course of a criminal investigation, it clearly states that the city cannot create undercover accounts on social media or surveil people ex-

ercising their free speech rights for purpose of First Amendment-related intelligence.

The modifications also include restrictions on the use of body-worn and other cameras during protests and assemblies.

The purchase of headsets and other digital devices are on the needs list that will be addressed by Shelby County Schools (SCS) with a $750,000 dedication from Shelby County Government.

Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris, Shelby County Commission Chairman Eddie Jones and Commissioner Tami Sawyer presented a check for $750,000 to SCS through the SchoolSeed Foundation.

“Our priority should be the education and welfare of the children of our community,” said Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris. “It is important for all students to have access to learn, whether they are in virtual learning academies or learning virtually from home. Access to resources like headphones and other digital devices is vital to assure continuous development during this pandemic.”

Last month, SCS provided laptops and Internet hotspots to students, who started the school year learning from home because of the pandemic. SCS Supt. Dr. Joris Ray and school board members accepted the donation from Shelby County Government.

“I am extremely grateful for the investments made by Mayor Harris and the Shelby County Commissions on behalf of Shelby County Schools’ students. These resources will enhance the District’s efforts to ensure students have access to the tools they need to succeed,” said Ray. “I’m proud of the community and its leaders for serving as change champions during this unprecedented time.”

Shelby County School Board Chair Miska Clay Bibbs said, “Based on the guidance of our Board and feedback from our families, we believe that headsets create a better virtual learning environment at home and better opportunities for the success of our students.”

Shelby County Commission Chairman Eddie Jones noted the priority status afforded “the future of our children’s education” since the start of the pandemic.

“Education doesn’t stop, and neither should educational investments if we’re going to meet our children’s academic needs,” said Jones.

“I’m glad to be a part of this initiative and hope to see more ways we can help Shelby County students get through this time. ” Shelby County Commissioner Tami Sawyer said local leaders should “do our due diligence to make sure youth are prepared for this academic school year. Because of this investment, parents can focus more on thriving and navigating through this pandemic and have a little less stress knowing their child has some essentials while navigating a new way of learning.

“I’m proud to support making sure young people have what they need during this time.”

The New Tri-State Defender

September 24 - 30, 2020

NEWS

Page 9

SPORTS

VIRUS

CONTINUED FROM FRONT Thousands of layoffs, furloughs and reduced services resulted.

Local barber and beauty shops were among businesses labeled nonessential, and ordered closed. When they reopened two months later, it was under strict guidelines.

“I thought for sure it (the closing) would be for only two or three weeks,” said Gandy, lamenting two months without any income. “It was horrible.”

Only about 55 percent of his customers have returned, Gandy said.

“I have quite a few elderly customers,” he said, adding that many are concerned about getting out because of the virus.

“Financially, I’ve had to cut back to my penny-pinching ways. I’m not eating out as much.

I’m cooking at home more and I’ve switched to a healthier diet, which helps save money.”

For Gandy, the virus delivered a fresh lesson in patience.

“That (patience) was taught to me by my mother and grandmother, but I’ve really learned what that means over the last six months.

“I’m a bachelor, so I was always on the go; going out a lot. Now, I only go places when necessary.”

Meanwhile, Gandy continues to fine tune his musical production, “Grandma’s Big Vote,” which is scheduled for Oct. 25 at the Orpheum Theatre’s Halloran Centre for Performing Arts & Education.

The full-scale musical production is based on Gandy’s book, “Grandma’s Big Vote,” which tells a story about his 106-year-old grandmother, Mary Alice Gandy, who made national headlines when she voted for the first time in 2008, casting her ballot for Barack Obama.

And, Gandy said he is making headway toward a movie based on the book.

“I didn’t think it would last this long” James Cook, who owns Lenny’s Grill and Subs and Runway 901 Bar & Grill at Memphis International Airport, said he also has learned patience, but in different context than Gandy.

He had to close both businesses when airport travel nosedived because of the virus. Travel has increased enough, however, to allow him reopen both businesses on limited schedules.

During the closures, he worked for another Lenny’s franchisee to earn money and worked with his father’s landscaping business. He still cuts grass when time allows.

“I knew this (a drop in passengers) was going to happen, anyway. The airport is transitioning and COVID came along. I knew it was going to take a while to get back to normal, but otherwise, I didn’t think it would last this long,” he said.

“What I’ve learned is that you have to have the gaud and the ability to pivot,” he said. “You can’t put all your eggs in one basket, especially in entrepreneurial settings.”

That is why he bought a Whitehaven building and began rehabbing it into the Nubian Design Studio, a barber and beauty salon.

As for the continued financial viability of his eateries, Gandy said, “With airport concessions, with proper management, they are profitable,” even with the reduced operating hours.

“I’ve had to persevere” Cowan’s I Am My Sister’s Keeper helps single working mothers increase their earning potential. She now works with 22 women.

The COVID-19 crisis and safe distancing impacted the way she interacts with “her mothers,” but Zoom meetings and other adjustments have helped.

She said all of her mothers, except one, have jobs.

She also has learned patience.

“I knew that starting a nonprofit was a process,” she said. “I’ve had to persevere. COVID has forced me to buckle down and focus.”

Cowans finished an associate’s degree and will enroll at the University of Memphis in January to earn a degree in sociology. She has gotten the nonprofit involved with several nonprofit partners over the last six months to distribute food and clothing to the needy.

I Am My Sister’s Keeper received several small grants, including from the Community Foundation, to help further the nonprofit’s mission. And, the organization landed a significant grant from the Network for Good’s Jumpstart program, which is providing free services for a year, valued at $10,000.

Her nonprofit recently moved into a temporary home, at least until January, at Longview Heights Seventh-day Adventist Church, 685 East Mallory, which she will use to collect and distribute donated items.

She said having an actual business address will help in landing grants.

Cowan said the nonprofit is considering purchasing a home from the Land Bank, which she hopes can be rehabilitated into housing for her mothers.

The mothers would have to pay rent and utilities, but “it can relieve a lot of stress on the mothers if they know they have a nice affordable place to live.”

For more information about I Am My Sister’s Keeper, go to https://iammysissyskeeper.org/ (Jerome Wright is deputy editor for The New Tri-State Defender.)

Gale Sayers (Photo: Getty Images)

Gale Sayers, Bears Hall of Fame running back, dies at 77

CHICAGO (AP) – Gale Sayers, the dazzling and elusive running back who entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame despite the briefest of careers and whose fame extended far beyond the field for decades thanks to a friendship with a dying Chicago Bears teammate, has died. He was 77.

Nicknamed “The Kansas Comet” and considered among the best open-field runners the game has ever seen, Sayers died Wednesday, according to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Relatives of Sayers had said he was diagnosed with dementia. In March 2017, his wife, Ardythe, said she partly blamed his football career.

“Football fans know well Gale’s many accomplishments on the field: a rare combination of speed and power as the game’s most electrifying runner, a dangerous kick returner, his comeback from a serious knee injury to lead the league in rushing, and becoming the youngest player inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame,” Bears chairman George McCaskey said in a statement. “People who weren’t even football fans came to know Gale through the TV movie ‘Brian’s Song,’ about his friendship with teammate Brian Piccolo. Fifty years later, the movie’s message that brotherhood and love needn’t be defined by skin color still resonates.”

Sayers was a blur to NFL defenses, ghosting would-be tacklers or zooming by them like few running backs or kick returners before or since. Yet it was his rock-steady friendship with Piccolo, depicted in the film “Brian’s Song,” that marked him as more than a sports star.

“He was the very essence of a team player — quiet, unassuming and always ready to compliment a teammate for a key block,” Hall of Fame President David Baker said.

“Gale was an extraordinary man who overcame a great deal of adversity during his NFL career and life.”

Sayers became a stockbroker, sports administrator, businessman and philanthropist for several inner-city Chicago youth initiatives after his pro football career was cut short

by serious injuries to both knees.

“Gale was one of the finest men in NFL history and one of the game’s most exciting players,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said. “Gale was an electrifying and elusive runner who thrilled fans every time he touched the ball. He earned his place as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.”

Sayers was a two-time All-American at Kansas and inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as well.

He was selected by Chicago with the fourth pick overall in 1965, and his versatility produced dividends and highlight-reel slaloms through opposing defenses right from the start.

He tied one NFL record with six touchdowns in a game and set another with 22 touchdowns in his first season: 14 rushing, six receiving, one punt and one kickoff return. Sayers was a unanimous choice for Offensive Rookie of the Year.

“I played football a long time and I never saw a better football player than Gale Sayers,” said Hall of Fame tight end Mike Ditka, Sayers’ teammate from 1965-66. “I mean that. He was poetry in motion.

Besides that, he was a great guy. It’s just a shame that he’s gone. He was special.”

Ditka, later coached Walter Payton, giving him an upclose look at two of the best running backs. But the greatest performance he saw might have been Sayers’ six-touchdown game. Playing San Francisco at a muddy Wrigley Field, just about everyone else was slipping and sliding.

“He was playing on a different field than we were,” Ditka said. “The field was wet, it was slippery, it was kind of muddy. He was unbelievable.

He was making runs and cuts that were unbelievable.”

Sayers was an All-Pro during the first five of his seven NFL seasons (1965-71). But he was stuck on a handful of middling-to-bad Bears teams and, like Dick Butkus, another Hall of Fame teammate selected in the same 1965 draft, he never played in the postseason. Sayers appeared in only 68 games total and just two in each of his final two seasons while at-

tempting to return from those knee injuries.

“Will miss a great friend who helped me become the player I became because after practicing and scrimmaging against Gale I knew I could play against anybody,” Butkus said. “We lost one of the best Bears ever and more importantly we lost a great person.”

In 1977, at age 34, Sayers became the youngest player inducted into the Hall of Fame.

In presenting him at the ceremony, Bears founder George Halas said: “If you wish to see perfection as a running back, you had best get a hold of a film of Gale Sayers. He was poetry in motion. His like will never be seen again.”

Butkus said he hadn’t even seen Sayers play until a highlight film was shown at an event in New York that both attended honoring the 1964 All-America team. He said the real-life version of Sayers was even better.

“He was amazing. I still attribute a lot of my success from trying to tackle him (in practice),” Butkus said at the Bears’ 100th anniversary celebration in June 2019.

“I never came up against a running back like him in my whole career, as far as a halfback. And that was counting O.J. (Simpson) and a couple of other guys,” he added. “No one could touch this guy.”

The Bears drafted them with back-to-back picks in ’65, taking Butkus at No. 3 and Sayers at No. 4. It didn’t take long for Sayers to win over veterans who had helped the Bears take the NFL championship in 1963.

“We were both No. 1s, so they’re going to make it hard on us and show us the ropes and everything else,” Butkus said. “But Gale just ran circles around everybody. Quickly, they adopted him.”

The friendship between Sayers and backfield mate Piccolo began in 1967, when the two became unlikely roommates. Sayers was Black and already a star; Piccolo was white and had worked his way up from the practice squad. Early on, they were competing for playing time and carries.

But when the club dropped its policy of segregating play-

ers by race in hotel room assignments, they forged a bond. In 1968, Piccolo helped Sayers through a tough rehab process while he recovered from a torn ligament in his right knee. After Sayers returned the next season to become an All-Pro, he made sure his friend shared in the credit.

They became even closer after Piccolo pulled himself out of a game early in the 1969 season because of breathing difficulties and was diagnosed with cancer. That phase of their friendship was recounted first by Sayers in his autobiography, “I Am Third,” and then in the 1971 movie “Brian’s Song.”

With actor Billy Dee Williams playing Sayers and James Caan in Piccolo’s role, the made-for-TV movie was later released in theaters.

Sayers stayed by Piccolo’s side as the illness took its toll, donating blood and providing support. Just days before Piccolo’s death age 26, Sayers received the George S. Halas Award for courage and said: “You flatter me by giving me this award, but I can tell you here and now that I accept it for Brian Piccolo. ... I love Brian Piccolo and I’d like all of you to love him, too.

Tonight, when you hit your knees, please ask God to love him.”

After his playing days, Sayers served as athletic director at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale and founded several technology and consulting businesses.

Sayers made the 130-mile trip from his home in Indiana to attend the opening ceremony of the Bears’ 100th-season celebration in June 2019, receiving a rousing ovation.

“It’s amazing someone that was so beautiful and gifted and talented as a player and later in life to have that happen to you is really, I know, tough on everybody,” Hall of Fame linebacker Mike Singletary said that weekend.

“It’s tough on his teammates, former teammates. It’s tough on the league. And as a player,” Singletary concluded, “it just makes you take a step back and thank God every day for your own health and blessings.”

The New Tri-State Defender

September 24 - 30, 2020

Page 10

SPORTS

Win or lose, Deion Sanders is primed to make a difference at Jackson State

by Carl “Lut” Williams The Undefeated

If you thought Jackson State’s announcement on Monday of NFL Hall of Famer “Prime Time” Deion Sanders as its new head football coach was not groundbreaking, think again.

“When Good Morning America” cohost Michael Strahan, a fellow NFL Hall of Famer and Black college legend from Texas Southern, interviewed Sanders as a guest on Tuesday, a Black college hire has never gotten that kind of exposure.

The addition of the flamboyant Sanders to the storied Jackson State program and to the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) would have been enough to turn heads. But he’s promising to bring a staff with what he says has “84 years of NFL experience.”

For now, the Jackson State faithful can only dream about a team of Hall of Fame assistant coaches such as Sanders’ NFL buddies Michael Irvin (receivers), Emmitt Smith (running backs), Charles Haley (defensive line) and should-be Hall of Famer Erik Williams (offensive line).

HBCU football ready to go to next level

Deion Sanders: “I have a commitment to excellence in each and everything I do. ...We’re going to win. We’re going to look good while we win, and we’re going to have a good time.” (Photo: Twitter)

Coaches, administrators and fans have to be salivating at the prospect of Jackson State facing the likes of Grambling, Southern, Florida A&M and its chief rival Alcorn State – the true blue bloods of Black college football – with “Neon Deion” and his cohorts on the sideline. It should certainly boost the bottom line for Jackson State, already the perennial leader in FCS attendance. Perhaps it will also lead to a turnaround for the Jackson State program, which has won just one SWAC championship in 21 years and posted its last winning season in 2013.

From 1968 through 1976, just after the NFL-AFL merger, between 53 and 70 players from the historically Black college and university (HBCU) ranks were taken each year in the NFL draft. There have been just 70 HBCU players taken in NFL drafts in the 20 years since 2000. The hiring of Sanders is a small step in reversing this recent trend and the latest reverberation in a year of potentially seismic shifts involving HBCUs. Few professional athletes crave as much attention as Sanders, who spent 14 years as the most flamboyant cornerback and kick returner in the history of professional football. His athletic exploits, which include two Super Bowls and a World Series appearance during a nine-year stint in Major League Baseball, are only matched by his larger-than-life personality, which has made him a coveted NFL commentator and celebrity pitchman for corporate giants such as Nike, Pepsi and Burger King.

Whether his celebrity status will translate to wins on the football field is another matter. He is not the first former professional player to lead an HBCU program,

although he is unquestionably the most celebrated.

The list includes Ken Riley and Earl “Hitman” Holmes at Florida A&M, Doug Williams at Grambling State, Stump Mitchell at Southern, current Morgan State football coach Tyrone Wheatley, Mississippi Valley State’s current basketball coach Lindsey Hunter, Steve Wilson at Howard, the gridiron guru at North Carolina A&T Sam Washington and Monte Coleman, the former head coach at Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

Each had distinguished pro careers.

But not one is a Hall of Famer like Sanders.

Archie “Gunslinger” Cooley, Marino “The Godfather” Casem and Alvin “Shine” Wyatt were among the most colorful sideline figures with nicknames to match. None can match the clout or street cred of “Neon Deion.”

This isn’t the first time Jackson State has hired a former NFL star to fill its coaching vacancy. Harold Jackson is a beloved and heralded former Tigers player with Hall of Fame credentials who took the reins of the program during the 2014 and 2015 seasons. He amassed 579 receptions, more than 10,000 receiving yards and 76 touchdowns during an outstanding 16-year NFL career (1968-83), and had an equally prolific run as an assistant in the college and pro ranks. He is rightfully perched behind Jackson State’s four Pro Football Hall of Fame members – Lem Barney, Walter Payton, Jackie Slater and Robert Brazile — in the annals of Jackson State football. But his tenure as head coach lasted just 17 games with a 6-11 record.

Sanders is promising a different result. “I have a commitment to excellence in each and everything I do,” Sanders said. “We’re

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going to win. We’re going to look good while we win, and we’re going to have a good time.”

The COVID-19 pandemic pushed the SWAC and Jackson State season back until the spring of 2021. We’ll know then. But don’t be fooled, Sanders is a smart and intelligent man.

Getting on the HBCU bandwagon Amid a pandemic that has now taken nearly 200,000 American lives, a disproportionate share of them Black Americans, and a renewed focus on police and white vigilante violence that has claimed its own share of Black lives, there has been a renewed focus on and interest in HBCUs, a historic safe place for such victims.

Earlier this year, Florida A&M and Bethune-Cookman announced they would leave the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference after this season to join the SWAC, in effect creating an HBCU superconference.

Oklahoma City Thunder perennial AllStar Chris Paul, president of the National Basketball Players Association, donned gear and sneakers with HBCU logos during each of his teams’ 12 appearances in the Orlando, Florida, bubble. He also spoke forcefully about the historic and contemporary importance of these institutions.

Blue-chip prospect Makur Maker shook up college basketball by choosing Howard University over a list of major college suitors. He has also challenged other elite Black basketball prospects to follow him into HBCU land and end the pipeline that has created generational wealth for those other programs and their head coaches.

Former NBA All-Star Mo Williams re-

turned to his home state, not to join Nick Saban at his alma mater, the University of Alabama, but to become the new head basketball coach at Alabama State. NBA star Stephen Curry made a multiyear commitment to fund a new golf program at Howard.

“Why not? Isn’t this the time? Isn’t this the moment? Isn’t this what’s needed?” said Sanders, a recent HBCU graduate of Talladega College in Alabama, perhaps seizing the time and marrying his decision with those previously mentioned.

Whomever he brings with him, Sanders, on reputation alone, will have a leg up on landing the four- and five-star recruits who have escaped HBCUs the last 50 years.

He has “primed” himself for this position moonlighting as an offensive coordinator for his son, the quarterback at three-time state champion Trinity Christian High School in Cedar Hill, Texas, as well as serving as a coach and mentor to the nation’s best high school players during the annual Under Armour All-America Game.

Sanders can bring electricity to any situation. It’s doubtful there’s anything he’s been involved in since his days as a high school quarterback in Fort Myers, Fla., that hasn’t produced fireworks. He made his entrance at the news conference at Jackson State’s Lee E. Williams Athletic and Assembly Center in a Cadillac Escalade with a police escort and the famed Jackson State Sonic Boom of the South marching band ahead of him.

He’s definitely got the sizzle. Now let’s see if he can bring the steak.

(Carl “Lut” Williams is the publisher and editor of the Black College Sports Page.)

The New Tri-State Defender

September 24 - 30, 2020

NEWS Wells Fargo CEO apologizes for comments about diversity

by Ken Sweet Associated Press

NEW YORK – Wells Fargo CEO Charles Scharf apologized Wednesday for comments he made suggesting it is difficult to find qualified Black executives in the financial industry.

Scharf said in a memo to employees “there is a very limited pool of Black talent to recruit from” in corporate America. The memo was written in June, but became public only this week.

The comments and similar statements made in a Zoom meeting, reported by Reuters, led to an intense backlash in Washington and on social media.

“Perhaps it is the CEO of Wells Fargo who lacks the talent to recruit Black workers,” said Rep. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez of New York, on Twitter.

Scharf on Wednesday said in a prepared statement that his comments reflected “my own unconscious bias.”

“There is no question Wells Fargo has to make meaningful progress to increase diverse representation,” he wrote. San Francisco-based Wells has pledged to increase hiring of minority candidates, particularly through Black colleges and universities, as well as new anti-racism training programs at the bank.

The banking industry has had to face a reckoning in the wake of the death of George Floyd for its role in the racial and economic inequality that Black and other minorities face.

On Wednesday, Citigroup announced that it would direct $1 billion of the firm’s capital toward closing the “racial wealth gap” in the United States.

None of the six big Wall Street banks have ever had a Black or female CEO. Citigroup two weeks ago announced it would promote a woman to CEO next year, the first on Wall Street to do so. Banks large and small are still regularly cited for discriminatory practices, including allegations of “redlining” Black homebuyers. Redlining is a practice in which banks deny or avoid providing credit services to consumers because of racial demographics or the neighborhood where they live.

About 13 percent of named executives at financial services companies are a racial or ethnic minority, according to Institutional Shareholder Services.

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CLASSIFIEDS Sr. Manufacturing Engineer Sr. Manufacturing Engineer for Medtronic, Inc. located in Memphis, TN. Designs manufacturing processes, procedures and production layouts for assemblies, equipment installation, processing, machining and material handling. Master’s degree in Bio-Medical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering and two (2) years of experience in quality or manufacturing engineering and two (2) years of post-bachelor’s progressive experience in all of the following: Developing validation protocols, test methods and test fixtures; Navigating risk activities to include PFMEA including Design FMEA (Failure Mode & Effects Analysis); ISO13485, ISO 14971, ISO 9001, US FDA Quality System Regulation (21 CFR 820), EU Medical Device Directive; Process validation using (IQ/OQ/PQ) and CAPA (corrective and preventative actions); Developing manufacturing processes and equipment at contract manufacturers and internal operations facilities; Root cause analysis, Fault-tree Analysis, 5S, Statistical Process Control, GR&R, Defect Analysis and Process Capabilities; LABVIEW, MATLAB, MINITAB, SAP, and Oracle Agile PLM; Statistical methodologies for data analysis and conclusions; Lean manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies, incorporating GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices.

Apply at https://jobs.medtronic. com/, Req.20000EO0. Medtronic is an equal opportunity employer committed to cultural diversity in the workplace. All individuals are encouraged to apply.

Request for Proposal Gestalt Community Schools (GCS) is accepting bids for instructional materials/tools, platforms that support virtual learning, and Nursing services for students in grades K-12. GCS is a public charter school organization that serves students in Shelby County, TN. Proposals must be received

by Tuesday, September 29, 2020.

To request an RFP, please email us at bids@gestaltcs.org.

NOTICE TO BIDDERS Shelby County Government has issued Sealed Bid number I000604B, Purchase of WalkThough Body Scanners for the Shelby County Division of Corrections. 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 I000604B DUE DATE FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9TH, 2020 AT 2:30 PM CST (SB-I000604B) PURCHASE OF WALK-THOUGH BODY SCANNERS FOR THE SHELBY COUNTY DIVISION OF CORRECTIONS Shelby County is an equal opportunity affirmative action employer, drug-free with policies of non-discrimination on the basis of race, sex, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or military service.

By order of LEE HARRIS, MAYOR SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT NOTICE TO BIDDERS Shelby County Government has issued Sealed Bid number I000639, Turn-Out Gear & Accessories. 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 I000639 DUE DATE WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14TH, 2020 AT 2:00 PM CST (SB-I000639) TURN-OUT GEAR & ACCESSORIES Shelby County is an equal opportunity affirmative action em-

THE NEW TRI-STATE DEFENDER CLASSIFIEDS 203 Beale Street, Suite 200 Memphis, TN 38103 PH (901) 523-1818 HOURS: Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

DEADLINES: Display ads Friday 5 p.m.

Classifieds ads Monday 5 p.m.

ployer, drug-free with policies of non-discrimination on the basis of race, sex, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or military service.

By order of LEE HARRIS, MAYOR SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY

BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: 201 Property LLC Tax Parcel #: 05903300000170 Tax Sale #: 1501 Price Offered: $400.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 10:30 a.m. on October 27, 2020, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort.

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

BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: 201 Property LLC Tax Parcel #: 05903400000040 Tax Sale #: 1501 Price Offered: $500.00 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 October 21, 2020, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort.

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

BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Sweetwater Global Partnership/ MPAC Tax Parcel #: 06900700000030 Tax Sale #: 1002 Price Offered: $2000.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of

STANDARD RATES: $6.00 per line for 1 column ad.

Rates are non-commissionable and are quoted at the net rate. No refund for early cancellation. For additional information contact Sales Dept. at (901) 746-5201 or email: advertising@tsdmemphis.com.

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 October 27, 2020, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort.

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

BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Sweetwater Global Partnership/ MPAC Tax Parcel #: 06900500000230 Tax Sale #: 1004 Price Offered: $2200.00 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 October 27, 2020, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort.

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

BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Sweetwater Global Partnership/ MPAC Tax Parcel #: 06901000000250 Tax Sale #: 1503 Price Offered: $400.00 Terms: Cash

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: Eric W. Martin Tax Parcel #: 03503300000010 Tax Sale #: 49 Price Offered: $200.00 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 October 27, 2020, 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.

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 October 14, 2020, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort.

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

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

NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY

BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT

NOTICE 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:

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:

Clyde Brooks Tax Parcel #: 08302700000170 Tax Sale #: 1603 Price Offered: $800.00 Terms: Cash

Charles Otieno Tax Parcel #: 03509200000060 Tax Sale #: 1502 Price Offered: $5400.00 Terms: Cash

Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 1:30 p.m. on October 21, 2020, 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.

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 October 21, 2020, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort.

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

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

NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE

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The New Tri-State Defender

September 24 - 30, 2020

Page 12

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