The New Tri-State Defender — December 7-13, 2023

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December 7 - 13, 2023

VOL. 72, No. 49

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Monthly MLGW bill to jump about $5 for most customers

State’s penalties for HIV-positive people are discriminatory, says Justice Dept.

by Kimberlee Kruesi Associated Press

NASHVILLE — Tennessee’s decades-old aggravated prostitution statute violates the Americans with Disabilities Act, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Friday after an investigation, warning that the state could face a lawsuit if officials don’t immediately cease enforcement.

Tennessee is the only state in the United States that imposes a lifetime registration as a “violent sex offender” if convicted of engaging in sex work while living with HIV, regardless of whether the person knew they could transmit the disease.

LGBTQ+ and civil rights advocates have long criticized the measure as discriminatory, making it almost impossible to find housing and employment due to the restrictions for violent sex offenders. Earlier this year, the American Civil Liberties Union and the Transgender Law Center filed a lawsuit seeking to overturn the law in federal court.

The department’s findings on Friday are separate from the ongoing lawsuit.

The department is calling on the state to not only stop enforcing the law, but also remove those convicted under the statute from the sex offender registry and expunge their convictions. The agency also says Gov. Bill Lee should introduce legislation to repeal the law.

The ADA is the landmark 1990 federal law prevents discrimination against disabled people on everything from employment to parking to voting. HIV and AIDS are considered disabilities under the ADA because they substantially hinder life activities.

“Tennessee’s aggravated prostitution law is outdated, has no basis in science, discourages testing and further marginalizes people living with HIV,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke, with the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, in a statement. “People living with HIV should not be treated as violent sex offenders for the rest of their lives solely because of their HIV status.”

The department’s letter was addressed specifically to Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Director David Rausch and Shelby County District Attorney Steven Mulroy.

Shelby County, which encompasses Memphis, was named because DOJ said it’s where the law has been “enforced most frequently.”

Through a spokesperson, Mulroy noted that the allegations stem from cases handled before he took office in September 2022. Mulroy said he agrees with the Justice Department’s findings and his office is fully cooperating.

“We are aware of the DOJ’s findings, will give them appropriate consideration, and look forward to

SEE HIV ON PAGE 2

$1.00

by James Coleman The Tri-State defender

Shante Avant, president and CEO of the Women’s Foundation of Greater Memphis, is the recipient of hug during the nonprofit’s annual Mobile Food Drive. (Photos: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises/The Tri-State Defender)

Women’s Foundation, supporters continue to deliver for 38126 TSD Newsroom With ample support, including from the Booker T. Washington High School girls’ basketball team, the Women’s Foundation of Greater Memphis’ South City Mobile Food Drive recently came through – again – for the residents of ZIP code 38126.

Volunteers provided families with food, household essentials and resources with the holiday season in mind. It was a drive-thru affair held at co-sponsor STREETS Ministries location at 430 Vance Avenue last Friday (December 1).

“The Women’s Foundation is happy to support the families in ZIP Code 38126,” said Shante K. Avant, WFGM President and CEO. “It’s part of our mission and our vision to reduce poverty in one of the poorest ZIP codes in the city of Memphis.”

FedEx, Memphis Shelby County Schools, Urban Strategies were among the sponsors helping WFGM support the families in the 38126 community.

“We know there is a lot of need,” Avant said.

“Today we will support 400 families.”

WFGM started the mobile food drive in 2020 when the pandemic hit.

A player for the Booker T. Washington High School Lady Warriors teams up with one of the supporters that helped the Women’s Foundation of Greater Memphis with this year’s Mobile Food Drive.

“We saw a real need from people suffering from food insecurity,” added Avant. “We’ve been doing these quarterly since the pandemic.”

Long lines spoke to the need.

“We understand and want to provide not only food for our families but dignity in this process.

It’s not easy to come and ask for help. We want to make sure families know we are here to support them, that the Women’s Foundation will continue to care for them and do what we can to continue to support this community.”

WFGM has focused on reducing poverty in 38126 since 2015 and continues that mission through its Vision 2025 Strategic Plan, which includes an emphasis on increasing investment in South City.

Since the pandemic’s onset, the WFGM team and volunteers have distributed food, household products, and personal care supplies to over 2,500 families.

Additional sponsors were Baptist Memorial Healthcare, Bare Needs Diaper Bank, International Paper, Memphis Housing Authority, Methodist LeBonheur Healthcare, Mid-South Food Bank, Nike, RISE Foundation, SCORE CDC, and Urban Strategies.

(For more information, visit wfgm.org.)

Seeking to improve reliability and mitigate outages, Memphis City Council members Tuesday (Dec. 5) agreed to a 12 percent electrical rate increase spread over three years.

The increased funds will be used to update Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division’s aging infrastructure and to trim overgrown tree limbs.

Council members also agreed on a 2024 budget for the utility. It reflects the first 4 percent ratepayer hike installment for the increase.

For most MLGW customers, the increase is expected to add $5 to their monthly bills.

“This is the necessary remedy for decades of disinvestment and failed decisions under previous (MLGW) presidents, (and) under previous councils to adequately address the condition and maintaining it to modern operating standard,” said MLGW President and CEO Doug McDoug Gowen.

McGowen The increase will pay for a systemwide overhaul of the utility’s infrastructure. In addition to routinely replacing transformers and underground cables, MLGW will invest $130 million in distribution automation switches, as well as add 450 voltage regulators. New software and hardware will further improve the distribution system.

The improvements are designed to get power back on more speedily after outages by automatically redirecting electricity around problem areas.

Long-neglected communities such as Orange Mound will see significant investment, too. The historic African-American community will receive a $21 million rebuild to its electrical distribution system.

South Memphis’ Castalia Heights and the East Memphis’ Sherwood Forest areas also will see benefit from similar investments.

Orange Mound was hit hard during the city’s most recent outage-causing weather event.

On July 18, a round of storms caused 138,000 outages throughout MGLW’s service area. While many saw their power restored after a few hours or even a day, interruptions in Orange Mound lingered for days.

“In 35 years, between 1985 and 2020, MLGW had one rate increase approved for 4.7 percent. During that

SEE MLGW ON PAGE 2

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The Tri-State Defender

December 7 - 13, 2023

NEWS

TSU student will walk to receive doctorate after ‘medical miracle’ TSU News Service NASHVILLE – Pearl McKnight assumed she’d continue her educational journey in a wheelchair after a 2010 diagnosis of Cryptococcal Meningitis. As a result, she was left paralyzed from the waist down on her right side.

Fast forward 13 years, in what McKnight calls a medical miracle, she won’t require her wheelchair for Tennessee State University’s upcoming commencement ceremony.

The 59-year-old mother and wife will proudly walk across the stage to receive her doctorate degree in educational leadership.

“God has me here for a reason,” the Murfreesboro native said.

“I got my masters in a wheelchair so I figured that was going to be what a degree would be like for the rest of my life. So, it means so much to me to be able to walk across the stage.”

McKnight will join nearly 700 students for TSU’s Fall Commencement ceremony on Saturday, December 9, at 9 a.m. in the Gentry Center Complex.

Award-winning journalist and former CNN anchor Don Lemon will deliver the keynote address.

McKnight believed the transformative experience fueled her determination to reach graduation and receive her degree on stage without using a wheelchair.

“I have a mission to complete,” she said.

“This offset that I went through was for a reason. To have a better understanding, to make a change in someone’s life.”

McKnight anticipates putting her doctorate degree to use in a position at a school or university advocating for disabled students. Her goal will be to ensure they receive the necessary accommodations for their academic journey.

“I can affirm that the playing field is not level for disabled students,” McKnight said. “I will feel a profound sense of purpose if I can draw upon my experiences and pay it forward.”

The sudden illness and eventual diagnosis set McKnight on a decade-long journey to get her doctoral degree from TSU. She earned two master’s degrees prior to enrolling at TSU and recalled that her health took a turn while she was pursuing her first master’s degree in criminal justice from MTSU. She received her education specialist degree

Pearl McKnight: “I came off of 14 daily medications, and I started walking…. For me to have a total body transformation, it was a medical miracle.” (Photo: Courtesy of Tennessee State University.) two years later, then began her journey towards her doctorate at TSU. “My journey has been very long to get this degree,” McKnight said.

Overtime, McKnight had several surgeries and was on over a dozen daily medications for additional health reasons.

In 2017, McKnight underwent surgery for a cyst removal in her esophagus. The procedure would have a profound impact on her life.

She remembered whispering right before the surgery, “God, I’m in your hands.”

And upon waking up, she felt her legs. After over six years in a wheelchair, she was able to stand up and walk, all while recovering from the procedure. Prior to her esophagus surgery, she was taking insulin four times a day, a fentanyl patch, and many more medications by mouth.

“I came off of 14 daily medications, and I started walking,” McKnight said. “For me to have a total body transformation, it was a medical miracle.”

Throughout this journey, her husband of 42 years, Kenneth, supported her by driving her to school and waiting in the hallways during her classes.

“I just reflect on her dedication and perseverance,” he said.” I knew that she wasn’t going to stop until she got it (her degree).”

McKnight said he couldn’t put into words how he felt when his wife started walking after six years.

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“It was a wonderful feeling because we never thought she was going to be able to walk again. When she did, it was a miracle.”

He and the rest the family look forward to watching her walk across the stage on Saturday.

“She has been an example to me and many others,” he said.

“I know she is going to do great things and be a success.”

Dr. Anita McGaha, director of the Office of Disability Services (ODS) at TSU, credits McKnight’s spirit and relentless pursuit of her dream that helped her reach this milestone.

“Ms. Pearl Knight’s story serves as a source of motivation and inspiration for other students on campus who may be challenged with adversities but continue to be committed in their quest for academic achievement,” McGaha said.

ODS provides reasonable accommodations to registered students, which include academic and housing services.

According to the latest data for fall 2023, the office is providing support for over 100 students with disabilities both in the classroom and the residence halls.

“I can’t wait to have the pleasure to witness her walk across the stage and be hooded,” McGaha said.

“Congratulations in advance to Dr. Pearl McKnight! We are proud of you.”

(TSU’s fall commencement will be live streamed at www. tnstate.edu/livestream.)

MLGW

CONTINUED FROM FRONT same period of time, (it) had two rate decreases. The rate of inflation during that period of time is 280 percent,” said McGowen. “That meant this organization enjoyed an 11 percent rate increase over 38 years.”

While long term lack of investment extended the misery of outages, the root cause was/is overgrown tree limbs McGowen again told council members.

To prevent a replay, partnering tree services already have been contacted about picking up additional work. Four crews have also been added to tackle backyard lines, where most of the failures occur.

“They are out in front of the goals we have set this year, but they have agreed to go faster,” said McGowen. “The net result of all that is you will have fewer outages. When outages do occur, you will have more rapid restoration.”

Along with improved reliability, a more agile communication system is another component that could improve public opinion of the local provider – not only to warn of outages, but to report improvements to the system.

“The reporting aspect, that’s what I think has been the missing part of this…,” said council Chairman Martavius Jones. “The next storm that we have, the next weather event we have, there should be a corresponding report to

HIV

CONTINUED FROM FRONT finding out more about DOJ’s apparent cooperation with local activist organizations and private litigants related to this matter,” Brandon James Smith, Skrmetti’s chief of staff, said in a statement.

A spokesperson for Skrmetti did not immediately respond to an email requesting comment.

Prostitution has long been criminalized as a misdemeanor in Tennessee. However, in 1991 — as the AIDS epidemic provoked panic and prevalent misinformation over prevention — Tennessee lawmakers enacted an aggravated prostitution statute, which was a felony and applied only to sex workers living with HIV.

“The next storm that we have, the next weather event we have, there should be a corresponding report to basically say…the last time we had a major weather event, they were out this amount of time. But, because of these improvements, they were only out this amount of time.”

— Martavius Jones basically say…the last time we had a major weather event, they were out this amount of time. But, because of these improvements, they were only out this amount of time.”

Jones added, the rate increase will save residents money in the long term, explaining that when there’s an extended power outage and someone has to throw out a refrigerator of food, they likely will spend more money replacing the food than they would have on their power bill.

Nevertheless, neither the rate hike nor MLGW went unscathed Tuesday.

The increase was knocked for being punitive on lower income people. Another councilmember chalked up his eventual “no” vote to a history of unfulfilled promises from

The law was later reclassified in 2010 as a “violent sexual offense,” requiring those convicted to face lifetime sex offender registration.

Court documents state that more than 80 people are registered for aggravated prostitution in Tennessee.

The DOJ letter details several of the struggles of those with aggravated prostitution convictions. A lifetime sex offender registration can stop people from visiting with their grandchildren, revoke job offers, and severely limit housing options. One person shared that they were barred from taking a course to get a general education diploma because children might be present in the building.

Plaintiffs who had filed a lawsuit seeking to block the aggravated prostitution law in

MLGW. “This is nothing against you or your administration.

There’s been previous administrations that have told the council, ‘If you pass this rate increase, you’re going to see substantial improvement in terms of reliability,’ said council Vice Chair JB Smiley Jr. “This is more of an indictment of what MLGW has been in the past.”

Despite the negative appraisals, others were more willing to give McGowen and his proposal a shot.

“I know that people are scared that MLGW is not going to execute on the plan like they say they are. I’m putting my faith in Doug McGowen and his team to demonstrate that,” said Councilmember Chase Carlisle.

I think in the time that Doug has been there, I’ve not seen him not deliver on a single thing he promised me. That goes back to his time with the City of Memphis.”

Before Mayor Jim Strickland named McGowen to head MLGW, McGowen was the mayor’s chief operating officer.

Voting in favor of the rate hike were council members Ford Canale, Carlisle, Frank Colvett, Edmund Ford Sr., Rhonda Logan, Worth Morgan, Patrice Robinson, Jeff Warren, and Jones.

Voting no were councilmembers Cheyenne Johnson, Michalyn Easter-Thomas, Smiley, and Jana Swearengen-Washington.

October said the DOJ’s letter only further supports their efforts.

The lawsuit was brought by four unidentified people and OUTMemphis, a nonprofit that serves LGBTQ+ people.

“OUTMemphis welcomes the DOJ’s findings that, through its outdated and punitive aggravated prostitution law, Tennessee is discriminating against people living with HIV,” said Molly Quinn, executive director, OUTMemphis, in a statement. “We agree, and that’s why we are suing to get the law struck down. Whether this issue is resolved informally or in court, it is long past time to end HIV criminalization.”

Associated Press writer Adrian Sainz contributed to this report from Memphis, Tennessee.

The Tri-State Defender

December 7 - 13, 2023

A park is so much more than a place to play.

It can also be a space for gathering and reflection.

That’s why we’re partnering with the National Civil Rights Museum to reimagine an all-new Founders Park. Our up to $9.6 million investment will give visitors a place to honor those who fought for equality.

Learn more about how we support our communities at BlueCrossHealthyPlaces.com

©BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Foundation is an Independent License of the BlueCross BlueShield Association

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PERSPECTIVE The Tri-State Defender, December 7 - 13, 2023, Page 4

Taking stock of the push for Universal Education Savings Accounts

by Curtis Weathers

Special to The Tri-State Defender

The push for Universal Education Savings Accounts or ESAs in Tennessee is heating up.

Universal Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) are a relatively recent development in the educational choice landscape here in the United States. ESAs are state-funded accounts that families can use to pay for various educational expenses, including private school tuition, tutoring, and educational materials.

The history of ESAs in Tennessee is marked by legal controversies and ongoing debates about the role of public and private funding in education. The state’s experience mirrors the broader national conversation about the balance between expanding educational choices for families and supporting our public education systems.

Eligibility for ESAs varies by state.

In those states that have such laws, ESAs are available to all students, regardless of income or special needs status.

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

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee wants to

expand the program beyond just those three school districts by offering public money for private schooling statewide, regardless of family income.

Curtis Last week, the Weathers Governor introduced the Tennessee Education Freedom Scholarship Act, which could allow students in Tennessee to attend any school, private or public, of their choosing.

The Governor’s proposal would provide scholarships next school year, worth about $7,000 each, to 20,000 students.

According to the Governor’s office, “10,000 grants will be reserved for students whose families’ incomes are below 300% of the federal poverty level, students with disabilities, and those who are eligible for the existing Education Savings Accounts pilot program. The remaining 10,000 slots will be made available to any student currently entitled to attend a public school.”

After the first year, Governor Lee says the plan will expand to include “all Tennessee students entitled to attend a public school, prioritizing currently enrolled students, low-income, and public-school students if demand

exceeds available funding.”

The Governor’s new proposal would make choice a reality for every Tennessee family and child. The grants could be used at any private school and for most home school programs as well.

The Governor’s plan still has to be approved by the state legislature.

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

From a parent’s perspective, the combination of charter schools and private school vouchers or education savings accounts to support broader school choice is a huge plus.

As a parent, I support the idea of using my tax dollars to send my child to whatever school I choose, whether it is a public charter school, a private school, or even for homeschooling.

However, there are some unintended consequences that need to be taken into consideration as this process moves forward. Taking taxpayer dollars to fund private school tuition statewide would divert much-needed resources from already underfunded public schools. This proposal could, in fact, do great harm to public education in Tennessee and other states with similar laws.

Memphis Shelby County Schools, for example, is looking at cutting up to $150 million in next year’s budget. The Governor’s proposal would surely entice more students to leave district schools for private or other educational alternatives, which

In his online pitch to expand Universal Education Savings Accounts or ESAs in Tennessee, Gov. Bill Lee embraced the assertion that “Education has the power to change a child’s life, & every TN student deserves to attend the school that fits their unique needs – regardless of income or zip code. When parents choose, students succeed.” would invite even deeper cuts to future budgets.

Some advocates believe ESAs can help improve education by making public schools compete with private schools for students in a free market environment. As a former charter school principal, I always felt the tug and pressure of free market competition for students in our school system.

Each year, we competed vigorously with both private and other charter schools for students to fill our seats.

Don’t get me wrong, I am a staunch advocate for the expansion of school choice in our state—the broader the menu of “quality” choices, the greater the benefits for our children.

With the continued growth of charter schools and now the expanded availability of private school vouchers, parents have a growing menu of high-quality schools from which to choose for their children’s education.

I’m concerned about the damage that can be done on our way to this new normal in public education.

Public schools will have to offer better educational services and safer spaces for learning and be more accountable to parents in order to compete with publicly funded private schools.

Yes, that’s right, I know, it sounds weird: “publicly funded private schools.” Who could have imagined we’d be seeing the emergence of government-subsidized private school tuition used in the manner we’re seeing it unfold today?

This type of funding system will have to be monitored very closely.

Safeguards need to be put in place to track how these students and families are being supported and strengthen accountability measures to ensure funds are being utilized appropriately.

The future of ESAs is uncertain.

The debate will likely continue for many years to come. However, it is clear that ESAs are a growing trend in school choice and are likely to play an increasingly important role in American education for years to come.

So, hold on to your hats, we are on the verge of the most sweeping change in K-12 education policy in decades, and it’s going to be a very bumpy ride.

(Follow me, TSD’s education columnist, on Twitter @curtisweathers.

Email me at curtislweathers@gmail. com.)

The Voting Rights Act is in serious trouble — again!

by David A. Love thegrio.com

Once again, voting rights are under attack, and a fatal blow to the already weakened Voting Rights Act could be underway. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit recently ruled that only the federal government — and not an individual or organization — may bring a lawsuit alleging racial discrimination under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. The appeals court upheld the ruling of Judge Lee Rudofsky in Arkansas State Conference NAACP v. Arkansas Board of Apportionment, a case that alleged racial gerrymandering in Arkansas. Specifically, the plaintiffs claimed that the state’s voting maps were racially gerrymandered because Black voters are over 16 percent of the population of Arkansas, yet the state maps contain only 11 percent majority-Black districts.

Judge Rudofsky, a Trump appointee, ruled that only the U.S. attorney general may file a racial gerrymandering claim, not a private party.

We have a problem here if Black citizens have to rely on the federal government to fight for voting rights in federal court. What if the attorney general is appointed by a president who is hostile toward Black voting rights? If people and civil rights organizations are blocked from using the Voting Rights Act to protect them-

selves from racial discrimination — and the attorney general does not believe in voting rights for everyone and refuses to act — where does that leave the people?

David This decision A. Love is more proof that even out of office, Donald Trump continues to hurt Black voters and other groups who face racial discrimination at the ballot box. It takes very little awareness to understand that when the next Republican president — for example, a President DeSantis or President Trump, perish the thought — is in office, Black folks are out of luck.

The Voting Rights Act was enacted to protect against Jim Crow schemes to dilute the voting power of Black people and other marginalized groups.

Section 2 of the VRA is important because, reflecting the language of the 15th Amendment, it bans voting procedures and practices that discriminate by race, color or certain language minority groups. This is why the recent attacks on Section 2 matter.

In 2021, the Supreme Court looked over what remained of the carcass of the Voting Rights Act after it was gutted in 2013’s Shelby v. Holder decision and, for the first time, upheld the denial of voting rights under Section

2. In this case, the court upheld two Arizona laws — one banning absentee ballot collection by anyone except a caregiver or relative, and the second throwing out ballots cast in the wrong precinct. An appeals court had struck down both laws because of the impact on voters of color and the absence of voter fraud invoked to justify the laws, but the 6-3 conservative Supreme Court majority upheld the laws.

Because that’s what they do.

The Republican assault on voting rights is all a numbers game, a matter of basic math. With their wholly unpopular policies geared towards a dwindling base of regressive white voters, the GOP has decided to keep their atrocious ideas. However, staying in power requires the MAGA party to ditch democracy and restrict voting rights.

“Everybody shouldn’t be voting,” they say, using red herrings and subterfuges like “voter fraud” to make their case. Besides, the MAGA faithful believe the white man is an endangered species, and they don’t want to be replaced by melanated people in the voting booth. Neither did Bull Connor, Ross Barnett, Geoge Wallace or any number of Jim Crow segregationists who feared their political days were numbered if Black people got their voting rights.

While there is hope, even an expectation by some because of legal precedent that the Supreme Court will overturn this latest decision

and uphold Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, we can’t be so sure, can we? With the Dobbs decision — overturning Roe v. Wade and the right to an abortion after 50 years — as exhibit 1, the Supreme Court has demonstrated that it will do what it wants to do and when it wants to do it — legal precedent be damned.

For all of the conservatives’ talk about originalism and precedent, the extremist justices of the high court majority will do mental gymnastics and risk hypocrisy and inconsistency in service to white supremacy.

That point remains true even after the Supreme Court protected Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act in June.

In Allen v. Milligan, the court upheld Section 2 and struck down Alabama’s congressional maps. Voting 5-4, the court rebuked the state of Alabama and its efforts to stop the Voting Rights Act from banning racist gerrymanders who sought to dilute Black voting power.

That decision, written by Justice John Roberts, will give Black people another district in Alabama and could boost Black voting rights in other states as well. Perhaps Roberts is playing the long game and throwing a few bones as a public relations ploy to salvage his reputation and the legitimacy of the corrupt institution he leads. However, lest we are inclined to call Roberts a hero, it is important to understand that Roberts is no friend of civil rights and no friend of Black

people outside of Clarence Thomas.

As Politico has amply laid out, Justice Roberts has spent his decades-long legal career attacking the Voting Rights Act, including Section 2 — from his clerkship with the racist Justice William Rehnquist to his time at Reagan’s Justice Department to his current job on the nation’s highest court. The man has been at this for a long time.

After all, Roberts wrote the 2013 opinion in Shelby v. Holder, which gutted the Voting Rights Act by neutralizing the preclearance requirement of Section 5. This enforcement mechanism required states with a history of Jim Crow-style tactics and policies against Black voters — such as voter intimidation, threats and disenfranchisement — to seek federal permission before changing their election laws. It was after this ruling that many Republican-controlled states began passing voter suppression laws that we’re still dealing with today.

Will the Supreme Court save what’s left of the Voting Rights Act? Time will tell. But as long as hostile Republicans are in power and in a position to gut our rights, the trajectory always looks bleak.

(David A. Love writes investigative stories and op-eds on a variety of issues, including politics, social justice, human rights, race, criminal justice and inequality. Visit davidalove.com.)

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The Tri-State Defender

December 7 - 13, 2023

RELIGION

Page 5

COMMENTARY

During the funeral services for three victims of a recent mass shooting, Taylor Bobo (seated with cast), who also was injured in the incident, had multiple layers of support, including Raines Station precinct officers, who are credited for helping save her life. (Courtesy photo)

Actions during and ‘beyond the call of duty’ draw praise in wake of a mass shooting TSD Newsroom Dr. L. LaSimba M. Gray Jr., pastor emeritus of New Sardis Baptist Church, and his wife, Carol Gray, recently directed a letter of commendation to Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn “C.J.” Davis regarding the actions of several Memphis Police Department officers.

The essence of that letter is reflected here as a commentary.

Last Saturday (Dec. 2), the officers attended a funeral service at New Sardis for victims of a recent shooting. It was a follow-up to action taken earlier.

“This was obviously done out of the goodness of their hearts and a desire to do something to ease the pain and make a difference,” Dr. Gray said, putting the letter of commendation into context. “They were not ordered.”

The letter by the Grays noted the actions of Lt. Byron Hardaway and officers Cody Sutton, Makayla Haslett, Kendrick Miller, Brandon Barnes, Jason Beauregard, Carey Owen and Michael Pointer.

It reads: “Too often you only hear from the community when there are negative complaints. However, in this case a heroic and lifesaving response compels us to say ‘thank you’ to these officers.

“A few days ago, there was a tragic shooting that took place in Memphis, where three women and one teenager was shot. … (The) women unfortunately passed away.

Dr. L. LaSimba M. Gray Jr. and his wife, Carol Gray, during a visit to the foundry, where work was being completed on a statue of the late crusading journalist and legendary civil rights figure, Ida B. Wells. (Courtesy photo, TSD Archives) The teen, Taylor Bobo, after being shot six times, lived! It is our understanding that the young teen lived due to the

heroic actions of Lt. Byron Hardaway and several of his officers from the Raines Station (precinct), who were at the scene after the shooting “These (officers), from what we understand, immediately went into emergency medical action to help save the life of the young teen who had been shot several times and was in medical distress, bleeding profusely. They were able to lessen the bleeding, thus saving her life until the emergency medical paramedics arrived on the scene.

“Today, December 2, 2023, those same officers entered New Sardis Baptist Church Sanctuary with the family at the funeral service for the three ladies who were slain during that incident! Taylor, with assistance, also attended the service. The officers not only attended, but served as pallbearers.

“After the service, they accompanied the family and friends to the cemetery for burial. They kindly assisted Taylor, as her mobility is impaired due to the leg injury.

They gathered around the cart that was carrying Taylor to the cemetery as they encouraged her, consoled her, and treated her with so much love and kindness!

“These officers went above and beyond the call of duty and are indeed a credit to their profession. Their presence today was comforting and assuring to all who attended.

They carried themselves so humbly, yet, with so much dignity!

“God bless Lt. Byron Hardaway and his carrying men from Raines Station!!!”

The Tri-State Defender, December 7 - 13, 2023, Page 6

African Jazz Ensemble Director Ekpe Abioto and The Second Line Band.

25 years of celebrating the genius of W.C. Handy

by Florence M. Howard The Tri-State Defender

A who’s who of local community, church and business leaders gathered on Sunday (Dec. 3) to celebrate the 150th birthday of the “Father of the Blues” W.C. Handy.

Held at the Halloran Centre For Performing Arts & Education, the celebration was part of this year’s W.C. Handy Heritage Awards, presented by Heritage Tours and the W.C. Handy Memphis Home and Museum.

A highlight of the celebration included the presentation of the 2023 W.C. Handy Heritage Award for Lifetime Music Achievement to renowned jazz trumpeter Wynton Marsalis.

Howard Robertson of Trust Marketing accepted the honor on behalf of Marsalis, who was unable to attend the event. Robertson expressed the trumpeter’s appreciation of the honor and announced Marsalis’ then upcoming performance (December 5) at First Baptist Church Broad.

The celebration included Ekpe Abioto, director of the African Jazz Ensemble, leading The Second Line Band down the aisle as they played “Down by the Riverside.”

Stan Bell of WDIA Radio and V101 emceed the event.

Elaine Turner of Heritage Tours highlighted the occasion and history of the W.C. Handy Heritage Awards – The Man, The Music, The Movement.

Handy, the acknowledged Father of the Blues, “put Memphis on the global map.”

Born on Nov. 16, 1873, in Florence, Alabama, William Christopher Handy was “the son and grandson of former enslaved Methodist ministers.”

According to his online biography, he was born in a log cabin that was built by his grandfather.

Young Handy, surrounded by Negro spirituals, work songs and Methodist hymns, “embodied it all and stored it in his bosom when he ventured from his hometown to explore this magical music by which he was so inspired.”

As part of the Heritage Awards program, Memphis’ own blues and jazz singer Joyce Cobb, in a tribute to W.C. Handy, played the harmonica and in her melodic voice sang snippets of “Memphis Blues,” “Beale Street Blues” and “St. Louis Blues” – all composed by Handy and songs that put him on the international blues map.

Also honored at Sunday’s event were:  The McKinney Trio of Kurl McKinney (keyboards), Paul McKinney (trumpet, bass), Dr. Alvin McKinney (saxophone) was honored with the Music Legacy Award.  The Gospel Music Workshop of America, Inc. (Memphis Chapter) under the leadership of Delores Crawford Wade was honored with the Gospel Award. *Memphis Jazz Workshop pianist Ste-

The program cover for the 25th W.C. Handy Heritage Awards.

Elaine Turner of Heritage Tours highlighted the occasion and history of the W.C. Handy Heritage Awards. (Photos: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises/ The Tri-State Defender)

Stan Bell was the evening’s emcee.

Joyce Cobb sang snippets of W.C. Handy songs in tribute to the “Father of the Blues.”

Authentic Beale Street musicians and entertainers honored during the 25th celebration of the W.C. Handy Heritage Awards. phen Lee was recognized with the Jazz Award along with fellow honorees – bassoonist Michael Scott of the Memphis Jazz Workshop and trumpet player Johnny

Yancey, also of the Memphis Jazz Workshop. *R&B/Soul singer Larry Springfield was recognized with the Authentic Beale Street

Musician Award. *Blues vocalist Joyce Henderson also was recognized with the Authentic Beale Street Musician Award.

Founded in 1983, Heritage Tours is celebrating its 40th Anniversary. It was founded by Elaine Turner and her late sister, Joan Nelson.

Turner said that Heritage Tours is the first African-American-owned tour company in Tennessee to highlight the contributions of African Americans.

As directors of The W.C. Handy Home Memphis Museum, Heritage Tours initiated the W.C. Handy Heritage Awards, now in its 25th year.

“We started because we were the managers and directors of the W.C. Handy Museum and we wanted to recognize W.C. Handy each year on his birthday as well as honor other authentic musicians who have kept his music alive.

“We honor the musicians who have kept his heritage alive,” Turner said in a postevent interview with the Tri-State Defender.

“Over the last 25 years, we have honored over 150 authentic Beale Street musicians and entertainers. We realize that it was important for Memphis to recognize the Father of the Blues and to realize his great contribution to Memphis and to music. So, during this celebration we honor people who have kept Handy’s music alive.”

The Tri-State Defender

December 7 - 13, 2023

ENTERTAINMENT

Add these two ‘great’ books on Black entertainers to the ‘essential to read’ list

by Terri Schlichenmeyer Special to The Tri-State Defender

The person on the screen looks just like you.

And that’s important. Once was a time when you rarely saw a Black face in entertainment unless you were specifically looking for one – which is why these great books on Black entertainers are so essential to read.

First of all, elegance almost oozes from “Lena Horne: Goddess Reclaimed” by Donald Bogle, a gorgeous book, part of the TMC library.

Bogle begins his narrative in the spring of 1993, when “a radiant Lena Horne entered the famous MGM recording soundstage for the first time in nearly forty years.” She was there to shoot footage for a compilation movie on entertainment and, says Bogle, it was “a bittersweet experience.”

From there, he takes readers through the briefest of childhood biographies before getting to the good stuff: Horne’s career that began in Harlem. It was the Depression, and competition for the best positions at the Cotton Club was fierce; despite that the Club had other beautiful women onstage, it was Horne who “caught the eye of just about everyone who saw her.”

Filled with everything you want to know about Lena Horne, her life, loves, and many of her contemporaries, “Lena Horne: Goddess Reclaimed” is comprehensive and wide. It’s one of those books you’ll want to keep on your coffee table, to browse and show off. Bonus: carefully chosen photos enhance what you’ll read.

If the small screen is more your thing and you want to remember how far television’s come over the decades, then you’ll want “Black TV” by Bethonie Butler.

Ask any TV viewer about their favorite show or series and if it’s got a full cast of Black actors, you’ll probably find it in this heavy volume. Comedies, dramas, even variety series have their own chapters; Flip Wilson, Redd Foxx, Arsenio Hall, Diahann Carroll, they’re all in here.

With this book on your lap, you’ll take a trip to the Soul Train studio, and visit the Huxtable living room.

Remember how “In Living Color” skewered almost everything? Remember the night James Evans died?

Which “Sister, Sister” twin was your favorite? Is the new version of “The Wonder Years” realistic enough for Black audiences?

Bethonie This book is absolutely packed Butler with insider information, memories, stars, guest stars, and lots of pictures to nudge your nostalgia and send you looking for something to binge-watch on, repeat or to catch new. It’s a great book to share with generations who missed seeing these shows live. Or just sit and read “Black TV” and let that be tonight’s entertainment.

If these books on Black entertainment aren’t enough for you, then be sure to look around for more. Author Donald Bogle has several other biographical Bogle volumes on the shelves. You’ll find books about and by Black stars, books about specific movies and TV shows, retrospectives that will take you way back, and more behind-the-scenes peeks of your favorite series. Your bookseller or librarian will be able to put these books in your hand because they’re good like that.

And so are these books.

“Lena Horne: Goddess Reclaimed”

by Donald Bogle “Black TV: Five Decades of Groundbreaking Television from Soul Train to Black-ish and Beyond”

by Bethonie Butler

Page 7

COMMUNITY The Tri-State Defender, December 7 - 13, 2023, Page 8

County Commission plugs funding gap for Whitehaven Stem Center

by James Coleman The Tri-State Defender

Shelby County Commissioners Monday (Dec. 4) unanimously agreed to provide an additional $1.55 million to shore up a funding shortfall on the soon-to-be construction of the Whitehaven High School STEM (Science Technology Engineering Mathematics) Center.

While funding for that student-based project received a green light, a vote on a first reading for a proposed $1.1 million investment in a rugby program that benefits inner-city students will have to wait for a later meeting.

The money for the STEM project closes a funding shortfall that resulted after state regulators required a storm shelter to be installed at the cost-adjusted $9 million facility.

“Either we can do that, or we can give the children in Whitehaven less than what was initially set out,” former Commissioner Eddie Jones told commissioners regarding the additional funding.

Jones, who now is the county Probate Court Clerk, said, “We had nothing to do with that. What the state required… the construction costs went up. That drove everything up. It could still happen, but we would have to do less for those students in that particular area.”

The vote to add the additional funding was 12-0. The project has been in the works since 2018.

The additional funding will bring Shelby County taxpayer’s total investment in the project to around $2.5 million.

“I want to make sure everyone knows we have contributed to this project at a significant level. Due to various

reasons, this is an additional request, on top of that,” said Commissioner Michael Whaley.

While the general fund took an unexpected hit, most of the costs of the public-private partnership have been borne by donors. During the meeting it was announced that an additional $500,000 had been chipped in via philanthropy.

“For that individual, or group that’s going to contribute another half million dollars on top of the five million that was raised, bless them…,” said sponsor Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr. Commissioners Erika Sugarmon and Britney Thornton cosponsored the resolution.

The money for the partnership will be administered by the local nonprofit SchoolSeed.

The center will be on the Whitehaven High School

campus on Elvis Presley Boulevard south of Shelby Drive.

Groundbreaking is scheduled for the coming spring. It is expected to be completed in 2025.

In addition to a STEMnasium, the facility will feature 12 classrooms for instructors to aid students in A.P. and dual enrollment classes in biology, chemistry, calculus, and college algebra. Computer science and coding classes also will be offered.

“This particular building should serve 5,800-6,000 children. It’s in our entire Whitehaven feeder pattern,” said Whitehaven Principal Dr. Vincent Hunter.

“Not only will Whitehaven students have an opportunity to utilize the facilities, but our elementary schools in our neighborhood, as well as our middle school. That’s about nine elementary, middle, and high schools that will utilize

Whitehaven High School Principal Dr. Vincent Hunter touted the value of the Whitehaven High School STEM (Science Technology Engineering Mathematics) Center during a video for the local nonprofit SchoolSeed. the facilities.”

The vote on rugby funding stalled over a funding issue.

The $1.1 million investment would pay for a rugby field at the site of the old Vance Middle School campus at Vance Avenue and Orleans south of Downtown. Memphis Inner City Rugby has been operating there for years.

It follows a conditional agreement between Memphis Inner City Ruby and Commissioner Britney Thornton to include students from

Hamilton High School in its program.

However, commission members rejected an administration request 12-1 (Thornton was the only “yes” vote) for a two-week delay to search for an additional $20,000 in ARPA funding to include more students.

“It’s really unfortunate the students of District 10 are not going to be factored in,” said Thornton. “I’m a little disheartened to see us provide access to some and not to all.”

The Capstone presentations at LeMoyne-Owen College grabbed attention, with faculty members zeroed in and taking notes.

LeMoyne-Owen seniors showcase knowledge and skills during Capstone presentations TSD Newsroom Mothers and fathers, grandparents, siblings and cousins, aunts as well as uncles sat alongside other family members and friends during the Senior Capstone Presentations at LeMoyne-Owen College on Monday (December 4).

A capstone project is “a final project that allows students to showcase the knowledge and skills they have gained throughout their academic program, while applying them to real-world problems and issues.”

The form is an oral presentation, scored by attending divisional faculty members.

Also on hand were junior classmates

in anticipation of the day they would be called upon as graduating seniors to deliver a presentation of their own making.

One by one, senior magicians from all course disciplines – The Division of Natural & Mathematical Sciences, The Division of Fine Arts and Humanities, The Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences, The Division of Education and The Division of Computer Science – answered the call, taking on relatable subjects.

Among them were: Malyk Burnett, who spoke from personal experience about “The Persuasive Information of Social Media.”

Destinie Mull, who made the case for “The Missing Beat of Female Producers.”

These LeMoyne-Owen College seniors were among those who gave Capstone presentations (l-r): Jerry Becton, Jon Tuner, Destinie Mull, D’Angelqueat Warren Jr. and Malyk Burnett - Journalism and Mass Communication. (Photos: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises/ The Tri-State Defender) D’Angelqueat Warren Jr., whose art work filled the room. He lit up as he spoke about how it came to be by way of “The Significance of Inspiration of Other Artists that Influence Artists.”

Jerry Beckton, whose topic – “So-

cial Media and The Power It Has on Politics” – struck a nerve with everyone in the room.

Jon Turner, who probed “Reexamining Genre: An Exploration of Genre through Hip Hop & Reggaeton.”

The Tri-State Defender

December 7 - 13, 2023

Page 9

NEWS

College Board revises Advanced Placement Black history class set to launch in 2024

by Cheyanne Mumphrey

Associated Press

The College Board on Wednesday released an updated framework for its new Advanced Placement African American Studies course, months after the non-profit testing company came under intense scrutiny for engaging with conservative critics.

The revision includes more material on topics including the Tulsa Race Massacre, Black culture’s influence on film and sports, and discriminatory practices related to housing, known as redlining.

The new framework will be used when the course officially launches next academic year.

The course gained national attention early this year when Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, now a Republican presidential candidate, said he would ban

the course in his state because it pushed a political agenda. The College Board later removed several topics from the exam, including Black Lives Matter, slavery reparations and queer life, and was criticized for bowing to political pressure.

The latest changes address some of that criticism.

The course outline includes written works about feminism and intersectionality, which is a framework for understanding the effects of overlapping systems of discrimination or disadvantage. A unit on “The Black Feminist Movement, Womanism and Intersectionality” includes the 1977 Combahee River Collective Statement by a group of Black feminist lesbians who fought against capitalism, imperialism and patriarchy.

The College Board, a nonprofit testing company, had faced criticism last winter for removing intersectionality

from this unit.

The course framework also adds “Legacy” by provocative poet and activist Amiri Baraka as an optional resource in a section on Black arts, after Baraka was among several prominent Black voices removed last winter. Black female writers, including bell hooks and Audre Lorde, also were spotted in the latest revisions.

Several sources that were required course content in the framework released in February were listed as optional in the latest revision, including an interactive map of the 1919 Red Summer riots by white supremacists, a speech

by Frederick Douglass and writings between Malcolm X and Maya Angelou in Ghana.

The College Board in April had said it would revise the course after the Florida controversy, promising an “ unflinching encounter with the

facts,” an announcement that some scholars interpreted as an admission that it had watered down the course. However, the nonprofit did not add back every topic downgraded in last winter’s update. The Black Lives Matter movement is still not included in the final AP exam, although it is mentioned along with other grassroots organizing examples and listed among sample topics schools could choose from for further discussion.

“There is a lot of content to cover, and that is because students have not been exposed to this. So it feels overwhelming at times that there’s a lot that they don’t know,” said Nelva Williamson, who is a member of the course’s development committee and who teaches one pilot class of AP African American Studies to 31 students at Young Women’s College Preparatory Academy in Houston.

Williamson said those who teach the course are asked each month what is going well and what needs work. “But then there’s also this piece: ‘What would you like to see?’” Williamson, who has been teaching for more than 40 years, said of piloting the AP course.

“The updates are based on teacher recommendations, and changes coincide with the latest scholarship and resources used at the collegiate level.”

The College Board offers AP courses across the academic spectrum, including in math, science, social studies, foreign languages and fine arts. The courses are optional and taught at a college level. Students who score high enough on the final exam usually can earn course credit at their university.

The AP African American Studies course was initially piloted in 60 schools in 2022 and was expanded this academic

year to about 700 schools and about 13,000 students.

The revised framework “defines the course content, what students will see on the AP exam, and represents more than three years of rigorous development by nearly 300 African American Studies scholars, high school AP teachers and experts within the AP Program,” the College Board said in a statement.

Next year, the AP course will be available to all schools in the U.S. But it remains unclear how many will actually offer it.

“We are encouraged by the groundswell of interest in the class,” said Holly Stepp, spokesperson for the College Board.

(Cheyanne Mumphrey reported from Phoenix. AP data journalist Sharon Lurye contributed to this report from New Orleans.)

Former ambassador and GOP politician sues to block Tennessee voting law Associated Press NASHVILLE — Former Ambassador to Poland and longtime Tennessee Republican politician Victor Ashe sued state election officials on Wednesday over a law he claims is so vague that he could be prosecuted for voting in a Republican primary.

The 1972 state law requiring primary voters to be “bona fide” party members or “declare allegiance” to the party has rarely been invoked, but legislators voted this year to require polling places to post warning signs stating that it’s a crime to vote in a political party’s primary if you are not a bona fide member of that party.

Ashe and other plaintiffs challenge both laws in the lawsuit filed in federal court in Nashville. They argue that Tennessee voters aren’t registered by party, and the law does not define what it means to be a bona fide party member, to declare allegiance to a

“Vague statutes that chill the freedom to fully participate in the political process are unconstitutional.” party or long that allegiance must last. Such vague terms invite arbitrary enforcement and are likely to intimidate otherwise legitimate voters, the suit claims.

“Vague statutes that chill the freedom to fully participate in the political process are unconstitutional,” the lawsuit states. The plaintiffs are asking a judge to declare the voting laws unconstitutional and prohibit their enforcement.

The law is intended to discourage so-called crossover voting, where members of one party vote in another party’s primary in order to interfere, but the lawsuit claims that the effects are potentially more far-reaching.

Ashe says that although he is a lifelong Republican who has served as both a state senator and state representative as well as mayor of Knoxville,

he also routinely and publicly criticizes his fellow Republicans in a weekly column for the Knoxville News Sentinel.

“Ashe reasonably fears that the people in control of today’s Tennessee Republican Party may not consider him a bona fide member affiliated with the party and could seek to prosecute him if he votes in the next primary election,” the lawsuit states.

Another plaintiff is real estate developer Phil Lawson, who is a Democrat but has also voted for Republicans and made financial contributions to Republican candidates. The League of Women Voters of Tennessee is the third plaintiff. The civic organization that helps register voters says it doesn’t know how to accurately inform them about the primaries without subjecting them

CLASSIFIEDS NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC The following person(s) has asked the City of Memphis Alcohol Commission for permission to sell beer for ON premise consumption.

APPLICANT: Taco Y Mariscos Bar & Grill, LLC D/B/A: Taco Y Mariscos Bar & Grill, LLC LOCATION: 1571 Sycamore View Road Anyone desiring to circulate a petition FOR or AGAINST said establishment selling beer at this location must secure the petition blanks from the undersigned Commission at 2714 Union Ave. Extended 1st floor.

Must be filed no later than Tuesday.

Jared Johnson, Chairman Anna Vergos Blair, Member Claudette Boyd, Member Barry Chase, Member Chad Hampton, Member Brian Harris, Member

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Yolanda Fullilove, Executive Secretary City of Memphis Alcohol Commission

to potential prosecution. The league also worries that volunteers could be subject to a separate law that punishes people who promulgate erroneous voting information.

Tennessee voters often decide which primary to participate in based on campaign developments. The partisan balance in Tennessee means many local elections are decided in the primary, with the large cities leaning heavily Democratic and most other areas leaning heavily Republican. It is not uncommon for people to vote for one party in local elections and a different party in federal or statewide elections.

Republicans, who control the Tennessee legislature, have discussed closing primaries for years, but the idea is controversial and has never had enough support to pass.

The lawsuit names Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett, Coordinator of Elections Mark Goins and Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti as

defendants. A spokesperson for Hargett and Goins directed questions to the attorney general’s office. A spokesperson for Skrmetti did not immediately respond to emails on

Thursday morning.

Victor Ashe

(This Associated Press story is by Travis Loller.)

SPORTS The Tri-State Defender, December 7 - 13, 2023, Page 10

Cyclones, Tigers and dueling aspirations set for the Liberty Bowl

by Terry Davis

Special to The Tri-State Defender

The University of Memphis’ 2023 postseason bowl appearance will be a “backyard” experience against an Iowa State team eager to build upon a turn-around season.

The Tigers (9-3) will take on the Cyclones (7-5) in the 65th Annual Liberty Bowl at Simmons Bank Stadium – their home turf – on December 29, with the kickoff set for 2:30 p.m.

“We are very excited for the opportunity. It is not very often you can partner with friends in your own backyard for an experience like this,” said Laird Veatch, the U of M’s vice president and director of Intercollegiate Athletics. “This is a special opportunity for our fans. We are going to do everything we can for a great experience for our fans.”

Liberty Bowl Committee President Steve Earhart talked by telephone with Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell about the pairing of the American Athletic Conference and Big 12 Conference teams.

“Matt was talking about the game and the great atmosphere,” said Ear-

Terry Davis

hart. “He was looking forward to coaching against (Memphis head) coach (Ryan) Silverfield.”

The Big 12’s Iowa State was 4-8 last season and looks to continue to grow with the Liberty Bowl appear-

ance.

“The only way to really get better at football is to practice football,” Campbell said in a television interview soon after the announcement of the matchup. “One of the great things about … the (Liberty Bowl) game being on the 29th is that it gives us more time to really grow forward.

“This group has not wasted an opportunity to get better. And my guess is that the leadership of this team – and really the energy of our young players – will allow us to get through finals and really put some time and effort into continuing to get better at the sport of football.”

Silverfield said it was privilege for

Matt Campbell, head coach of the Iowa State Cyclones.

(Screen capture)

During the 65th Annual Liberty Bowl at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, Memphis head coach Ryan Silverfield will guide the Tigers upon their home field in search of a tenth win in the 2023 campaign. (Photo: Terry Davis/The Tri-State Defender) the Tigers, who will be seeking a coveted 10-win season – to get the invitation to play in the Liberty Bowl.

“To be able to play in our home stadium is an honor. We are excited about the matchup,” he said. “Their quarterback was the Big 12 Freshman of the Year. I couldn’t be more

honored to be taking my team there.”

The two programs fielded teams in the 2017 Liberty Bowl, where 57,000 in-the-stadium fans witnessed a 2120 Iowa State win.

For the Tigers, going bowling at home is a bittersweet opportunity.

One of the perks benefits of going to

a bowl game is traveling to a different city and reaping all of the benefits that come with that experience.

Conversely, by staying at home the Tigers will get the plusses of being in familiar environs and the program will not have to incur the travel and other costly expenses associated with bowl games.

“We are not getting on a plane, but we will get the guys out of their dorms and homes,” Silverfield said.

“We will provide events for them. I know the bowl will have a tremendous setup for us.”

The 65th Annual Liberty Bowl at Simmons Bank Stadium will be televised nationally on ESPN. The first half will be the only football on television at that time, providing both programs with an enhanced opportunity to showcase their programs to the nation.

Tigers fail to stand up to Ole Miss’ second-half push

by Terry Davis

Special to The Tri-State Defender

In the latest test of his team’s ability to grade out as a winner in the self-described “tough schedule” head coach Penny Hardaway put together, the University of Memphis Tigers fell to Ole Miss (80-77) in Oxford, Mississippi on Saturday afternoon.

“We just need to execute better,” said Memphis center Malcolm Dandridge, who came off the bench to score 13 points, including a thunderous dunk. “We have all the answers to the test, but we have to find a way to execute it on the court better.”

It was the second straight lost for the Tigers (5-2), who succumbed to an undefeated (7-0) Ole Miss team that fed off of the energy of a near-capacity crowd that rocked The Sandy and John Black Pavilion.

The Tigers, who led at halftime and controlled much of the game, could not close the deal.

“There are no moral victories. I put this tough schedule together,” said Hardaway. “We all have to do better as a group. Coach (Chris) Beard had his team ready. Jaylen Murray and Matthew Murrell had a heck of a game. We have to learn have to how to finish these games out.”

Murrell, who played at Whitehaven High School, had 20 points and connected on 5 of 6 three-pointers, along with 6 rebounds and 5 assists.

Murray led Ole Miss with 22 points.

He hit on 4 of his 6 three-pointers, which he paired with 9 assists while surrendering a single turnover.

The Tigers scored 50 points in the paint. However, they were only successful on 3 of their 18 shots from beyond the arc while Ole Miss shot 50 percent (11 of 22).

“Some of that is from not closing out properly, which we worked on all week,” said Hardaway of the Tigers’ three-point defense. “A lot of these guys still have bad habits from other teams that they are still trying to get rid of. These are growing lessons. We will keep growing.”

Memphis head coach Penny Hardaway zeroes in on the play of his Tigers.

Former Memphis big-man Moussa Cisse is back on the court as a member of the Ole Miss team that held off Jayhlon Young and the Tigers in Oxford on Saturday. (Photos: Terry Davis/The Tri-State Defender)

Matthew Murrell, a former Whitehaven High School player, helped Ole Miss outlast Jayvon Quinerly and the Tigers as the area rivals faced off in Oxford on Saturday.

Ole Miss jumped out fast, scoring the first seven points of the game.

The Tigers responded quickly with a 9-0 run. They surged to a 10-point lead (19-9) with 12:55 after Nick Jourdain followed up a missed shot.

Murrell brought Ole Miss within a point (23-22) with a triple at the 8:31 mark in the first half.

Memphis’ David Jones scored 16 of this team-high 22 points in the first half. He also finished with 7 rebounds, grabbing 3 in the first half, along with 2 steals.

The Tigers, who led by 7 (37-30) at halftime, had ample opportunities for a bigger lead but were hampered by three shot clock violations and

critical turnovers that led to easy Ole Miss points.

With 14:01 left in the game, Ole Miss tied it up on a layup by Murrell. Murray gave Ole the lead with two free throws. Ashton Hardaway pushed the Tigers back head (54-53) with his first points, a three-pointer.

The rivals went back and forth, with the Tigers leading by as many as 4 points but were unable to pull away.

Ole Miss outscored Memphis by 10 (50-40) in the second half.

“They (were just aggressive),” Hardaway said, pivoting to an assessment of the Tigers’ second-half offense. “We understand what to do.

If I am not calling the play, it is on the point guard to call the play.

“We are not trying to make things up. If it looks unorganized, it is them (Ole Miss) junking the game up and switching everything. …They just played better defense than we did.”

The Tigers had a chance to send the game into overtime with 6.8 seconds to play. Starting point guard Jayvon Quinerly took the inbound pass the

length of the court, but his shot was short as time expired.

NOTES: — The game was the first this season for former University of Memphis player Moussa Cisse, a double-transfer student, who recently was granted a waiver to play this season by the NCAA. Memphis’ Dandridge and Cisse have remained in close contact since Cisse’s departure.

“It was great seeing him. It was great going against him,” said Dandridge. “I am happy the NCAA cleared him. It was a friendly matchup, but we don’t have any friends on the court.”

Cisse had 2 points and 4 rebounds in 15 minutes — Ole Miss’ first-year head coach, Chris Beard, had plenty of accolades for Hardaway and the Tigers’ program: “I have a lot of respect for coach Penny. He was one of the best players in college and pro basketball. He has established himself as one of the best

coaches in college basketball. Leading into this game they are a top-10 type program.”

— On Thursday (Nov. 30) in a California court, Memphis recruit Mikey pleaded guilty to a felony charge of making criminal threats.

The plea agreement ends an assault case against Williams stemming from a March 27 incident at his home, where shots were fired at a vehicle outside his home in San Diego.

Williams’ status with the team has not changed. According to Hardaway, he will speak with Memphis’ athletic director and see what the next steps are for Williams. According to the plead agreement, if Williams completes certain items the charges will be reduced to a misdemeanor when he returns to court in August 2024.

— Next up for the Tigers is another road test as they travel to Richmond, VA to play Virginia Commonwealth University on Wednesday (Dec. 6) at 6 p.m. (CST). The Tigers return to the FedExForum on (Dec. 16) to face the Clemson Tigers at 2 p.m.