Scrappy unheralded Grizzlies make Lakers work for 123-120 victory

By

-

04/13/2024

When the Memphis Grizzlies took on the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday, April 12, it might not have meant much to most Grizzlies fans, but for one Make-a-Wish patient, it meant the world. He got the opportunity to see the Grizzlies’ facilities and sit courtside during warmups.

He met Taylor Jenkins and many of the Grizzlies players as they went through their pre-game shootaround. He met some of the Lakers and referees during the final minutes before the opening tip-off and even shot a few shots before the Grizzlies entered the court.

They played the Lakers until the very end, with the Lakers defeating the Grizzlies 123-120. The Grizzlies fall to 27-54. Jenkins on the game and the last 15 seconds said, “Great fight by our guys.”

To the delight of Lakers fans, LeBron James and Anthony Davis played against the Grizzlies. Memphis had 13 players listed on their injury report. The Lakers used a late 8-0 run to end the quarter and get separation from the Grizzlies (34-26). Davis led the Lakers with 13 points in the quarter. Jordan Goodwin had 11 points for the Grizzlies.

The Grizzlies may have started the quarter down eight points, but they continued to battle with the Lakers for the entire second quarter. James had 11 points in the quarter. Jake LaRavia, fresh off his career-high scoring against Cleveland, had 17 points in the quarter. Memphis only trailed 68-64 in a high-scoring first half.

In the third quarter, the Grizzlies continued to play well. They led the Lakers by as many as nine points before Davis and James mounted a comeback. Davis and James scored 23 of the team’s 30 points in the third. The Lakers led the Grizzlies 98-97.

The fourth quarter had the feel of a playoff game as each team was trying to put the other away, but it wouldn’t happen. The Lakers took a three-point lead with 15.5 seconds left after two free throws from James. Memphis had a chance to tie the game, but a timeout advanced the ball, and a steal by James put the game on ice.

LeBron James doing LeBron things over the Memphis Grizzlies. (William Weeks/Tri-State Defender)

The Lakers (46-35) were carried by James and Davis. James had 37 points in 41 minutes of action, and Davis had 36 points and 14 rebounds in 42 minutes. The Lakers shot 34 free throws to the Grizzlies’ 21.

LeBron James takes it to the rack against the Memphis Grizzlies. That guy is 39 years old. (William Weeks/Tri-State Defender)

Pippen had a career-high 28 points and six assists. Goodwin also had a career night with 23 points and 16 rebounds. Jake LaRavia continued his hot scoring with 28 points. GG Jackson continued to lead the Grizzlies with 31 points.

Pippen played for the Lakers earlier this season. When asked if he had extra motivation against the Lakers, Pippen said, “Definitely there was extra motivation. You know, they cut me earlier this year, and I was going in there with a little chip on my shoulder, of course. I’m still cool with all those guys, but at the end of the day, they still cut me. So, there was definitely some motivation going into it.”

Jenkins on Goodwin’s play: “Luckily with Jordan [Goodwin], he just plays with his strengths. I thought he was great early in the game coming out, shooting the heck out of it from the 3-point line, making those winning plays. We couldn’t get the first shot to fall there in that first quarter, but to stay close to in the game, it was the second chance. He even got his own rebound one time, or got a rebound and backed it out, knocked down a three.”

Goodwin on his career night said, “I was just playing hard. Not looking at our records, but during the small details every day to get better. Crediting my teammates for passing me the ball.”

Jackson on the team’s competitiveness: “I showed how locked in we are. It was one of the best games that I have played in. The energy and the atmosphere and the intensity [with which] we played with [show] promise.”

On meeting the expectations he had coming into the season, Jackson said, “The only thing I wished I could have got was the Rookie of the Year in the G-League. I knew I wouldn’t be able to play the full season because I was with the Grizzlies. Other than that, it was a little wonky. It has been a crazy year. I hope I can continue to take these leaps and steps to help better my game and the people around me.”

The Memphis Grizzlies’ final game of the season is next. They face either a completely locked-in Denver Nuggets team or a weaker version of the Nuggets since the number one seed could be in the balance on Sunday. The game will tip-off at 2:30 on Sunday, April 14, at the FedExForum.

Bill Pickett Rodeo is in town to remind you that Black cowboys (and cowgirls!) exist — and they always have

By

Lee Eric Smith

-

04/12/2024

0

Bill Pickett even roped his way past segregated Hollywood. He performed in “The Bull Dogger.” (Photo: Wikipedia)

Editor’s Note: This feature story was originally published in 2019. It has been updated ahead of this weekend’s Bill Pickett Rodeo, set for April 13 at the Agricenter.

The Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo saddles up at Agricenter International this weekend, showcasing some of America’s top African-American cowboys and cowgirls. And if you thought black folk don’t go to rodeos, let alone ride bulls and rope calves in them, you’re in for a treat – and a history lesson.

Long before #OscarsSoWhite became a thing, Barbara Love knew something was off. Like a lot of people, she grew up watching Westerns on TV and at the theatres. It was who she didn’t see that caught her attention.

“It fascinated me because television glorified the cowboy,” said Love, better known as “Miss Kitty” on the rodeo circuit. “I grew up on John Wayne, Gary Cooper and Henry Fonda. And I thought, ‘My great-grandfather ran a livery stable in Alabama.”

“Why is it that all the cowboys are white?” she asked.

Of course, there were plenty of black cowboys. Cowgirls, too. Many of their names are forever lost to history, but one name still stands tall: William Pickett.

Born near Austin, Texas in 1870, Pickett’s list of accomplishments belongs in history books – he invented the “grab-‘em-by-the-horns” style of bull wrestling called bulldogging. He performed around the world, became the first black cowboy movie star and performed for the British Royal Family.

Picket died in 1932. And although he was enshrined in multiple halls of fame, it wasn’t until 1984 that a cowboy named Lu Vason launched the Bill Pickett Rodeo to pay homage to the iconic figure. Unfortunately, even in the 1980s, America needed a black rodeo for the same reasons Pickett never got the universal appreciation he deserved.

“White rodeos really weren’t open to us,” Miss Kitty said. “Either black cowboys weren’t invited, or they weren’t scored fairly. That’s just how it was.”

These days, the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo is the world’s only African American touring rodeo, bringing joy to sell-out crowds across America. Other than Memphis, additional rodeo stops include Denver, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Washington, D.C., and Trenton, N.J.

After Lu Vason became ill and passed away, his then-wife Valeria took over the rodeo operations to continue his legacy. Under the leadership of Valeria Howard Cunningham, the rodeo has continued to thrive. You read that right: In an industry dominated by white males who typically scoff at women and/or people of color, a black woman is running the show.

Barbara Love is the local organizer for the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo – but she’s better known as “Miss Kitty,” pictured here in a TSD file photo with her horse Silver.

That brings us to how Barbara Love, the Memphis coordinator for the Pickett Rodeo, came to be known as “Miss Kitty.” In the extra-macho world of rodeos, the name started as a sexist jab, the retired teacher said.

“It was from ‘Gunsmoke,’” Miss Kitty said, referring to the classic TV western. “There was only one woman on the show – Miss Kitty. And often, I was the only woman at these rodeos. So people started calling me that. I hated it.”

That only added fuel to the fire, she continued.

“I used to cry,” she added. “And when people find out something like that bothers you, that’s when they really pick at you.”

Stuck with a nickname she hated, she adapted and made it work for her.

“It spread like wildfire to the point where I just had to go on and accept it,” Miss Kitty said. “If I was trying to call (the Mayor’s office) and used my real name, they were like, ‘Who?’ But when I said, ‘Miss Kitty,’ they knew who I was.

“I didn’t name me that,” she said. “Memphis named me that.”

For 28 years, Miss Kitty has brought the Bill Pickett Rodeo to Memphis, and she’s always made sure to mix education in with entertainment. On Friday morning from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., students will be the featured guests at the “Rodeo for Kidz Sake,” exposing youngsters to animals, cowboys and cowgirls. “The kids show is sold out. I could have done two kids shows this year,” she said.

The rodeo experience teaches the kids about the importance of Black Americans in the development of the West.

“When I started working with rodeos, I had to dig to find information about the Buffalo Soldiers,” Miss Kitty said, referring to the historic African American military unit. “Nobody knew about them. We’re creating an awareness about this history.”

Thousands of spectators are expected to gather to watch black cowboys and cowgirls compete in eight major rodeo events. Among them (abbreviations intact): Bare Back Ridin’, Bull Doggin’, Calf Ropin’, Steer Undecoratin’, Barrel Racin’, Kid’s Calf Scramblin’, Relay Racin’, and Bull Ridin’.

“Nobody ever leaves disappointed,” she said.

Miss Kitty said that though she extends invitations to schools all around the Mid South, the only schools to respond are typically in Memphis and Shelby County. Which is a shame, she said.

“You can’t force somebody to participate,” Miss Kitty said. “All you can do is invite them.

“I don’t understand why little white children don’t get to learn about this history.”

NAREB Memphis President: Paying $1,700 in rent? ‘You can buy a home for cheaper than that’

By

Lee Eric Smith

-

04/12/2024

0

Untitled-3 (1) — Daryl Lewis, President of the Memphis Chapter of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers.

My mother died almost five years ago, in April 2019. I never imagined I’d type these next words, but in hindsight, I’m glad she passed when she did, before COVID-19 shut down everything.

Had she lived another year, she likely would have died in the asssited living home where she was staying – without me or my brothers being able to see her before passing, or giving her a proper funeral for that matter. Thank God she didn’t leave us with those problems.

No, bless her heart, she left us with another problem. She left me and my brothers the home house we grew up in, the one she and my dad built in the 1950s. But there was no legally valid will to say who got the house. We wrangled over it for a few years, but my brothers have built lives elsewhere, and eventually deeded the house – and the responsibilities thereof – to me.

And so the question falls to me, like so many of us who have inherited property:

“What do we do with Big Mama’s House?”

That’s the big question that will be tackled during the National Association of Real Estate Brokers’ National Realtist Week 2024. As part of NAREB’s 100-City Wealth Building Tour, the Memphis chapter is hosting a week of activities aimed at increasing black wealth — more specifically, increasing black land ownership.

A week of activities culminates on Saturday, April 13, at Greater Faith COGIC with a free workshop from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The featured panel, “What To Do with Big Mama’s House?” will provide tips on keeping and leveraging inherited property into generational wealth.

I spoke with Daryl Lewis, local president of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers’ Memphis Chapter about NAREB’s “Building Black Wealth Tour,” aimed at arming people of color with the knowledge to build wealth. And as a owner of inherited property, I asked about Big Mama’s House. Here’s our conversation, edited for clarity and length:

Tri-State Defender: I’m eager to dive into the importance of Realtist Week, especially its focus on wealth building in our communities. Can you share why it’s crucial and its local impact?

Daryl Lewis, NAREB Memphis President: Sure. So National NAREB President Courtney Johnson Rose wanted to embark on a 100-city tour to build black wealth through real estate. We’ve discovered that real estate is a fundamental part of wealth-building portfolios, especially in the black community, where it has traditionally been a means of generational wealth.

There are no millionaires who have been created without real estate as a part of their portfolio. Especially within the black community, real estate has been one thing that was able to be passed down from generation to generation to create wealth. Memphis, as a majority minority city, we should own more real estate.

But some of our neighborhoods have been left desolate and people have moved out of the city due to economic woes. But now we are seeing it seen where if someone can afford $1,700 a month in rent, they can buy a home cheaper than that.

TSD: Memphis seems to be a renter’s market, with investors impacting property values. How does this trend affect wealth building for those looking to buy homes to live in?

Lewis: Well, one of the things that we’re doing with the 100 City Black Wealth Tour is a workshop called “What to do with Big Mama’s House.” That’s going to be one of the segments that’s going to be taught on Saturday.

By selling off legacy property, people have sold off their family’s legacy. Some people have lost their family’s legacy by not maintaining it, paying the property taxes, keeping it up. And while investors have come in and bought it up, it’s not totally investors’ fault. We should have been wise enough to maintain our family’s legacy versus squandering it all for a few pennies.

Some people have gotten so greedy, they’re saying, “Look, let me capitalize off the market.” But what they didn’t realize is that in doing so, you actually have injured the African American community more.

TSD: “What to Do with Big Mama’s House?” That sounds intriguing, especially because I have inherited property when my mom died in 2019. What should we do with “Big Mama’s House?”

Lewis: Redevelop it. Build on it. But do not sell it. God is not making any more land and there are no people of any race, creed or color that does not have real estate in their portfolio as a wealth building tool — none. So, if you have property that you’re sitting on, and it is in an area where you can see the possible redevelopment may come, do not sell.

Even if you don’t see an opportunity where redevelopment can happen right now, do not sell. That land is valuable in some aspect. Even if you’re just using it to put a community garden on. Allow somebody to farm that particular plot of land, no matter how big or how small, or grow your own crops. Watermelons, greens or whatever the case may be. Maintain that property because it gives you ownership.

And if you needed to put a trailer on it, if the laws would provide for it, then you could put a trailer on it and have your place to live. Tiny homes have never hurt anybody — you just need shelter, right? So if you could build a tiny home for less than $50,000 to $60,000, that is still an opportunity to live cheaper than they would be paying rent. It’s still an opportunity.

TSD: I get it. But real talk: There are a lot of people out here worried about what they’re going to eat tonight. Bridging the gap between living paycheck to paycheck and adopting a wealth-building mindset can be challenging. How do you address this shift, especially among those struggling daily?

Lewis: We won’t be able to help everybody. Even The Bible says the poor you will have with you always. It also indicates that our people perish for the lack of knowledge. But knowledge is only as good as the person that will implement that knowledge they are given.

Really, it’s up to every individual to decide that the solution is greater than the pain. We won’t convince everybody that the homeownership is the best way to generational wealth. We won’t convince everybody that they shouldn’t have the best of everything and they got to start somewhere. That they got to crawl before they walk. You won’t convince everybody of that.

But what you have to do is help those that you can with what you can while you can. If they don’t come and get the knowledge, it’s not because it wasn’t offered. And it’s not because it wasn’t free. It was because they didn’t come and get it and didn’t put it in place.

So, people just need to come get the information and find out what we can do to help them, because again, our people perish for the lack of knowledge.

Consumer Reports: Lunchables other snack kits ‘should not be considered healthy or eaten regularly’

By

TSD Newsroom

-

04/11/2024

0

The classic Lunchables may offer convenience for packing school lunches, but a new Consumer Reports investigation reveals these pre-packaged meals raise several health concerns, especially for children.

Most troubling was the finding that lead and cadmium were present in the lunch kits, which are a go-to staple for quick snacks for children.

“Every kit we tested contained lead, cadmium or both,” said a Consumer Reports spokesman in a TikTok/YouTube clip. “While the amount of heavy metals in teh kits did not exceed any regulatory or legal limits, regularly consuming heavy metals can increase health risks over time.”

The consumer advocacy group recommends the USDA discontinue Lunchables within the National School Lunch Program.

The report found that many Lunchables varieties contain high levels of sodium, often reaching nearly half a child’s recommended daily intake. Excess sodium in childhood can contribute to high blood pressure and other health risks later in life.

The popular lunch kits also rely heavily on processed meats, artificial ingredients, and added sugars, lacking the whole-food nutrition essential for growing kids. Consumer Reports warns that labels such as “made with real cheese” can be misleading, sometimes obscuring the use of heavily processed cheese products with lower nutritional value.

“Bottom line, these highly processed lunch and snack kits should not be considered healthy or eaten regularly,” said a Consumer Reports spokesperson on in videos on TikTok and YouTube.

Consumer Reports encourages parents to explore alternatives like packing homemade meals made in advance, offering a variety of whole-food snacks like fruits and vegetables, and opting for unsweetened beverages.

For the full Consumer Reports article and additional lunch preparation tips, visit https://www.consumerreports.org/health/lunch-and-snack-packs/should-you-pack-lunchables-for-your-kids-school-lunch-a1165583878/

Available now in TSD e-Edition: Building Black Wealth, MLK April 4 events and a solar eclipse

By

Lee Eric Smith

-

04/11/2024

0

Untitled-13 — Check out the latest e-Edition of the Tri-State Defender!

If you’re looking for your familiar paper version of The Tri-State Defender — as in one actually printed on paper — well, you won’t find it anywhere. As of January 2024, we’ve gone paperless!

By now, we hope you’ve noticed some of the changes we’re making at The Tri-State Defender as we position ourselves and our news organization to thrive in the future. And one of those changes is that we are no longer printing a weekly edition of the newspaper, instead, printing once monthly. Be on the look out for that in the community!

But we know people are used to the “newspaper” feel. So as we evolve into the future version of The TSD, we share with you our newly redesigned digital edition.

In this edition, Interim Editor Lee Eric Smith talks with Daryl Lewis, president of the Memphis Chapter of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers about building black wealth. Also, highlights from April 4 Commemorations of the life of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.; The opening of the Clubhouse at Pine Hills Golf Course; and a creative explosion hosted by Heal The Hood Foundation!

Click below to access a PDF of our paper — laid out in familiar style. You can flip pages, zoom, etc., all from your computer, tablet or smartphone. And be on the lookout for our monthly print edition as we get closer to May!

There are many more changes on the way! Stay with us . . . and stay tuned!

Memphis City Council pushes back against bills moving through Tenn. Legislature

By

James Coleman

-

04/11/2024

0

Memphis City Council members voiced their opposition to a pair of bills pending in the Republican-dominated state legislature – including the elimination of two Shelby County judicial courts – during the Tuesday, April 9 meeting.

Another criticizes a bill that would create a school voucher system in Tennessee.

Both passed using same-night minutes.

“We already have a judicial system that needs support,” said chairman JB Smiley. “Instead of giving us support, what’s currently transpiring is the general assembly is proposing to remove seats from the Tennessee circuit court in Shelby County and the criminal court in Shelby County.”

State bill 2517/HB 2002 would the eliminate Circuit Court Division seat currently occupied by Judge Mary Wagner. It would also terminate to former Shelby County Criminal judge Melissa Boyd’s District-9 Criminal Court seat.

Boyd is currently undergoing treatment at a state-run center in Jackson for drug and alcohol abuse. The 59-year-old pleaded guilty to charges of harassment and coercing a witness last week. She failed tests for cocaine and alcohol while out on bond awaiting trial. She resigned before proceedings began.

A replacement hasn’t been named.

The seats would move to the state’s fourth and nineteenth judicial districts. Combined, they cover four counties in East Tennessee, one in Middle Tennessee and another in West Tennessee. The bill would create one circuit court and one trial court for the 23rd and 4th Districts.

Supporters have cited a 2019 report from the state comptroller’s office that deemed the two court seats “over-judged” since 2002. State senators moved the item from the judiciary committee on a 5-3 vote.

The resolution notes the bill’s concerns over “safety risks” and “the swift administration of justice” in Shelby County.

The Memphis Bar Association opposes the move.

State Senator Brent Taylor, District 31, has also resisted the proposal. The Democrat from Memphis proposed an amendment to keep the District 9 criminal court in Shelby County. It failed.

If the bill passes, he supports the creation of an identifiable backlog to distribute circuit court cases among concurrent jurisdictions.

I think everyone should be added as a co-sponsor. I don’t think there’s any objection this particular thing,” said Smiley. “Hopefully, we can get this to our lobbyist, so they can do their job.”

Voting in favor were Ford Canale, Yoland Cooper-Sutton, Michalyn Easter-Thomas, EdmundFord, Sr., Jerri Green, Rhonda Logan, Philip Spinosa, Jana Swearengen-Washington, Pearl Eva Walker, Jeff Warren, Janika White and Smiley.

HB 1183/SB 0503, meanwhile, would establish a voucher system throughout the state of Tennessee. The legislation would allow money to flow to private schools, including faith-based institutions. Currently, only learning centers within the state’s various public school systems receive taxpayer funding.

Arkansas and Arizona recently passed respective voucher systems.

Among others, the Memphis-Shelby County Education Association – the area teachers union – opposes proposed law.

The resolution is sponsored by Easter-Thomas, Green, Walker, Cooper-Sutton, Swearengen-Washington, Logan, Smiley, Ford and Warren.

Voting in favor of the resolution were White, Cooper-Sutton, Easter-Thomas, Ford, Green, Logan, Swearengen-Washington, Walker and Warren.

Canale abstained, while Philip Spinosa did not vote. Chase Carlisle wasn’t present for either vote.

You can watch the full meeting above. Committee meetings are posted here below:

YEE-HAW! Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo set for Saturday at Agricenter

By

Florence Howard

-

04/11/2024

0

This Saturday, the fearless rough riders and high-stepping horses of the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo (BPIR) will showcase their skills at the Agricenter Showplace Arena. Showtimes are 1:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. The arena is located at 105 South Germantown Parkway, between Walnut Grove and Wolf River Blvd.

Now in its 40th year, the Bill Pickett Rodeo was started in 1984 to educate the community about Black Cowboys and their influence on the American West.

“Historically, one out of every four cowboys was Black,” says Valeria Cunningham, BPIR president and owner. “However, this fact often remains overlooked in textbooks and media.”

Show highlights include bareback riding, bull riding, bull dogging, calf roping and more. Other events feature junior and ladies breakaway roping, barrel racing and ladies steer undecorating.

Women and children are featured in breakaway roping and barrel racing activities. Women also show off their riding and roping skills by chasing a steer, decorated with a ribbon that she must retrieve.

Born 153 years ago on December 5, 1870, Bill Pickett was a performer, an actor and the Black cowboy who invented the sport of cattle wrestling (also known as bulldogging). His online biography said that he achieved success even though most rodeos banned Black rodeo performers.

Cowboy Marcus Verser, who says “I’ve been rodeoing all my life,” is expected to be among the competitors on April 13th at the Agricenter.

https://billpicketinvitationalrodeo.ticketspice.com/2024-memphis-tn-tickets or by calling 901-378-7470.

Memphis Artists and Creatives Gather at Evolution Pop Culture Education Summit

By

TSD Newsroom

-

04/10/2024

0

Recently, Memphis’ creative community converged at the annual Evolution Pop Culture Education Summit.

Hosted by Heal the Hood Foundation of Memphis at the Power Center Academy on March 23, the event aimed to uplift and empower local creatives in a celebration of positive artistic expression.

The summit showcased a diverse array of talent, with panel discussions featuring celebrated comic book creator Martheus Wade, wrestler Dustin Starr, cartoonist Katie Jones, and 3D printing specialist Larry Evans. Conversations explored topics such as AI’s evolving role in art, pathways into creative careers, and the sources of artistic inspiration.

Scenes from the Evolution Pop Culture Summit (Photos: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises/Tri-State...

1 of 9

“We believe that art can change the culture of the city if we are responsible with the gifts that God has given us,” said LaDell Beamon, founder of Heal the Hood Foundation.

“Many times, we see art that is an expression of anger, violence, drugs, and degrading behavior that affects the way children see their future being celebrated and awarded,” Beamon continued. “The summit changes the narrative by giving creatives a platform to create and celebrate art that isn’t agenda-driven.”

The event kicked off with an energetic performance by the Kirby High School Marching Band and featured additional performances by Preacher Man, Rell Meyers & Ruby, B-Radical & R-Love, and event co-host Ken Ken Worldwide.

Project Manager Natasha Clay Hill played a vital role in organizing the successful event, which included a variety of engaging vendors and food trucks for attendees to enjoy. Sponsorship from Attorney Angela Green and State Representative Karen Camper provided key support for the summit.

Heal the Hood Foundation of Memphis is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization using arts and media science to enact positive change in the region. To learn more about the foundation or donate, visit www.hthmemphis.org or call 901-566-0743.

Philanthropic Black Women of Memphis Offers Grants up to $5,000 to Local Nonprofits

By

TSD Newsroom

-

04/10/2024

0

The Philanthropic Black Women of Memphis (PBWM) announced Thursday that it is offering grants of up to $5,000 to local nonprofits focused on economic self-sufficiency within Shelby County.

Eligible organizations, which must possess a 501(c)(3) status and operate on an annual budget of less than $250,000, are invited to apply for this annual funding opportunity.

Sharon Devine Harris, president of PBWM, emphasized the organization’s commitment to supporting the community.

“It is our responsibility to give back to the community that has given us so much,” Harris said. “Our members look forward to reviewing the applications and awarding grants to organizations providing exceptional support to our residents.”

The grants aim to bolster efforts in career development, education, entrepreneurship, scholarship, and health, reflecting PBWM’s broader mission to foster economic empowerment. However, the organization clarified that it would not fund individuals, for-profit entities, churches, or initiatives promoting religious activities. Additionally, projects must not start before the grant process completion and must comply with federal, state, and local nondiscrimination laws concerning equal employment opportunities.

Interested nonprofits can access grant applications now, with a deadline set for April 26, 2024.

The selection process will include application reviews, with interviews to be conducted by May 1. Finalists will be announced by May 15, and the grant recipients will be revealed on May 31, 2024.

For more details on the grant and the application process, visit PBWM’s website at http://pbwmemphis.org.

About Philanthropic Black Women of Memphis:
Founded in January 2005, PBWM is a group of eight progressive and civic-minded women dedicated to contributing positively to their community. The organization, privately funded by its members, focuses on initiatives that promote community growth and individual empowerment in Memphis.

Judge: Ja Morant acted in self-defense in altercation with teenager

By

Associated Press

-

04/10/2024

0

Ja Morant acted in self-defense when a teenager accused the two-time NBA All-Star of punching him during a pickup game at the home of the Memphis Grizzlies guard’s parents in 2022, a judge has ruled.

Shelby County Court Circuit Judge Carol Chumney cited Tennessee law on when the issue of self-defense can be raised, and she wrote in a ruling issued Monday that Morant “enjoys a presumption of civil immunity.”

The judge wrote that “a provocateur generally cannot invoke self-defense; if you start a fight, then you should be ready to finish it” under Tennessee law. She also noted the only provocateur in this situation was the plaintiff, Joshua Holloway, with everyone else just wanting to play basketball.

Mike Miller, a former NBA player who was at the house when the fight occurred, testified that Holloway hitting Morant “in the face with a basketball ‘kind of started everything,’” the judge wrote in the ruling.

Additional evidence backed up that claim, and none contradicted it, the judge wrote.

The lawsuit filed by Holloway accuses Morant of assaulting him during a pickup game on July 26, 2022. Then 17, Holloway had been invited to play at the private full-sized court of the Morant family. Holloway now plays basketball for Samford.

Morant claimed he was defending himself after Holloway aggressively threw the basketball at him with a one-handed, baseball-style pass that hit him in the face during a check-ball situation. A “check” is a common practice in pickup games in which two opposing players pass the ball to each other to see if their teammates are ready, often before starting a game or after a foul.

Now 24, Morant testified during a December hearing that he was worried about getting hurt after the teen bumped him in the chest, balled his fists and got into a fighting stance before Morant punched Holloway.

Morant’s childhood friend, Davonte Pack, also is a defendant in the lawsuit. Pack has acknowledged punching Holloway once and knocking him to the ground. Morant was not charged criminally, but Pack was charged with misdemeanor assault. That charge was later dismissed.

The December hearing centered on Morant’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit under Tennessee’s so-called “stand your ground” law.

The NBA player’s lawyers argued Morant is immune from liability under the law allowing people who feel threatened at their homes to act with force in certain situations. The law is used in criminal cases, but an earlier ruling by this same judge cleared the way for Morant’s lawyers to apply it in the civil case.

The ruling also noted testimony that Holloway had been allowed inside the Morant home to watch TV, play video games or help himself to food.

Morant tore the labrum in his right shoulder in early January, a season-ending injury that required surgery to a season that started with Morant suspended by the NBA for the first 25 games for a video of the guard flashing a handgun online.

The video showed Morant sitting in the passenger seat of a car and was posted after he finished serving an eight-game suspension in March for another video in which he displayed a handgun in a Denver-area strip club.

Morant apologized for both videos.

Buy now

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: