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May 14 - 20, 2020
VOL. 69, No. 20
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“I don’t really have a choice. I need to get back to work. I pray …Then I think about the doctors and nurses, who are out there dealing with this, and it puts my situation in a better perspective.” — William Gandy Jr.
Fred L. Davis (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley)
‘Renaissance man’ Fred L. Davis lived to make a difference by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell Special to The New Tri-State Defender
Back at his craft after a pandemic-forced break, William Gandy Jr. trims the hair of Melvin Cole, a long time customer. (Photo: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises)
Living with COVID-19, Part VII This is the seventh installment of The New Tri-State Defender’s ongoing account of three Memphians coping with the coronavirus amid government-direct-
by Jerome Wright Special to The New Tri-State Defender
At 6 a.m. Monday (May 11), William Gandy Jr. was back behind his barber’s time since mid-March, when Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland ordered nonessential businesses to close to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Gandy, who works at the Trimmers on Winchester just west of Elvis Presley
Boulevard, had 21 customers scheduled for Monday, including the writer of this story, all eager to get a haircut. A new health directive for Shelby County allowed hair salons and barbershops to open Wednesday (May 6), under Back to Business plan for Memphis and Shelby County. But, Gandy, his fellow barbers and the owner of the Trimmers shops around the city needed time to prepare to comply with the guidelines, so the shop did not open until Monday. Gandy had the shop to himself Monday. His fellow barbers did not begin work until Tuesday (May 12). Asked if he felt safe, he said, “I don’t
really have a choice. I need to get back to work. I pray …Then I think about the doctors and nurses, who are out there dealing with this, and it puts my situation in a better perspective.” Still, when he got home at night, he washed the clothes he wore that and showered. His feelings about getting back to work mirrors national, state and local debates around the country about the necessity to get the economy rolling again versus the safety of workers and consumers as the pandemic continues. Beyond the safety concerns, Gandy said he had to get used to being back on
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Rust College’s new president looking to connect ‘people to opportunity’ by Lee Eric Smith les@tsdmemphis.com
At Rust College in Holly Springs, Miss., one history-making college president is about to be replaced by another. Dr. Ivy Taylor, who served as mayor of San Antonio, Texas for three years, is set to become president of the tiny liberal arts college tion in the school’s 154-year history. She will succeed Dr. David Beckley, who steps down after 27 years – the longest tenured president in Rust’s history. “I am thrilled to be part of writing the next chapter for this historic institution,” Taylor said in a statement. Taylor’s selection comes after an eight-month search by the
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SEE DAVIS ON PAGE 2
Absentee voting push and pull by Erica R. Williams Special to The New Tri-State Defender
Voting could be a matter of life or death in the upcoming August and November elections according to some Memphis voting right advocates and Tennessee Democratic state leaders. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the groups are calling on Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee to “do the right thing” and allow universal absentee voting. Their requests continue even after Lee an12) that he won’t allow all voters to mail in their ballots. Some who oppose the governor’s decision, like state Rep. London Lamar, called it “irresponsible” and “inconsiderate.” “The lives of Tennesseans are at risk and despite the state opening back up, we as the legislature need to make sure we are implementing policies and systems that will keep all Tennesseans safe,” Lamar said during a virtual news conference hosted by the Tennessee Democratic Party (TNDP), Wednesday. Lamar, who is seeking re-election in the upcoming Aug. 6 state Democratic party primary elections, called on Lee, Secretary of State Tre Hargett and State Coordinator of Elections Mark Goins to implement universal absentee voting.
college’s Board of Trustees. Holly Springs Mayor Kelvin Buck, a Rust College alum, who also served on the selection committee, said that more than 70 candidates were considered, but Taylor rose to the top. “It was a lot that we were looking for, to be honest with you,” Buck said. “We were looking at wanted the new president to have. And going through 70 applicants with a variety of credentials and experiences and talents, we think we have a fresh new face, fresh new set of ideas coming through by way of Dr. Taylor.” Dr. Taylor spent six years as a lecturer in public administration at the University of Texas at San
Fred L. Davis “never stopped wanting to help, to give and to better the environment in his community,” said Lynn Norment, a family friend and church member. The proprietor of Fred L. Davis Insurance Company, a former city councilman and a veteran civil rights activist, Davis died at his home, surrounded by his family on Tuesday afternoon. He was 86. Davis’ sense of and appreciation for community were rooted in Orange Mound. “(He) loved telling stories from back in the day when Orange Mound was in its glory days,” said Norment. “Fred Davis stories” rolled in all day Tuesday as word of his death spread across the Internet. Bennett Moore called Mr. Davis “The Real Deal” and sent condolences to “Mrs. Davis and Sheila (Davis’ daughter) and the rest of the family.”
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Still at your service… Makeda’s Cookies in Downtown Memphis has taken safety cautions en route to living up to its motto: “The Best Butter Cookies in the World.” (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley)