Nothing quite like a pandemic to turn an Innovative Storytelling Techniques class into a real-life improvisation. Yet, that’s exactly what happened in professor Robert Byrd’s class on the subject at the University of Memphis.
Robert Byrd
Initially tasked with developing their own podcasts, Byrd’s students were told to pivot amid COVID-19 restrictions that limited in-person interactions. Many podcasts became one virtual podcast – a class project dubbed “Life in Quarantine.”
The podcast features locals from various occupations discussing how their professional responsibilities have been altered by the public health emergency. What emergences in “Life in Quarantine” is a quilt of varying experiences and exchanges between students and interview subjects in service, music and other industries.
Katrina Smith
A. Kix Patterson and Katrina Smith, the two graduate students in the podcasting class, were tasked with overseeing the operation as hosts/producers, including editing the interviews, which were conducted virtually on an app called Zencastr. Episodes have already been released.
“I think the most challenging part was just adapting to this new way of doing things,” Smith said. “As a journalist, I have always preferred the face-to-face method of interacting and interviewing people.”
A. Kix Patterson
Patterson heaped praise on the undergraduates and their contributions.
“We are blessed with undergrad, young journalists that are determined to make this a great project,” he said. “They have picked topics and found the interviews that we needed the most.”
Senior Avana Swan reasoned that being part of the virtual podcast project would yield a reward that would help as she sought to enter the workforce. She’s ready to complete her podcast episode.
“I love to produce any type of broadcasting content when I can,” Swan said. “This interview will be good practice and proof of my abilities.”
Junior Ambria Thurmond helped conduct an interview involving the service industry. She came away from the project with much appreciation for the guidance of Patterson and Smith.
“I applaud them for overseeing the entire podcast,” Thurmond said. “I am sure that editing an entire podcast can be complicated, but they’ve done a really good job at it.”
For Smith, the host role was quite a shift from her behind-the-scenes experience.”
“As a host of this podcast,” she said, “this places me outside of my comfort zone and I like the challenge.”
(To hear the “Life in Quarantine” podcast, click here. Also, the website’s social media can be accessed via the link.)
The shooting death of Ahmaud Arbery, 25, went viral on social media on May 6, months after he was gunned down. The video shows Arbery jogging down a street in Brunswick, Ga. It appears to demonstrate the involvement of three men — two on a pickup truck and another filming the scene from behind.
by Lauren Victoria Burke — NNPA Newswire —
Months after the U.S. House passed a new lynching law, which has been held up by the Republican led U.S. Senate, and a day after investigative journalist Ida B. Wells was posthumously awarded a Pulitzer Prize — a lynching story dated February 23, 2020 is in the news.
The shooting death of Ahmaud Arbery, 25, went viral on social media on May 6, months after his murder. The video shows Arbery jogging down a street in Brunswick, Georgia. It appears to demonstrate the involvement of three men — two on a pickup truck and another filming the scene from behind.
Arbery’s death took place on February 23rd about three miles from where he lived. Arbery was an avid jogger and played football.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_qaHL1vNVE
The two men on the pickup truck have been identified through numerous media reports as Greg McMichael, a retired investigator in the Brunswick District Attorney’s office, and his son Travis McMichael. They appear to follow Arbery from behind as he is jogging down a suburban street. Travis McMichael, the alleged shooter, is seen confronting Arbery and part of a struggle ensues in and outside of the camera’s range. The sound of shotgun fire is heard. Arbery is then seen on video collapsing after the sound of the gunshot in front of the truck.
Brunswick District Attorney Jackie Johnson recused herself because one of the men seen in the video of the fatal shooting pointing a gun at Arbery worked in the district attorney’s office.
During an exclusive interview on Roland Martin Unfiltered on May 7th with Arbery’s mother, Wanda Cooper-Jones confirmed there was no support of her from anyone in the small Georgia community after her son died. That is changing. Since the viral video has been widely seen everyone from LeBron James to former Vice President Biden and President Trump has commented on Arbery’s death.
“Initially I was told there was a burglary and a struggle over a firearm,” Cooper-Jones said on Roland Martin Unfiltered. She confirmed she has not watched the video of her son’s death but the description of it from others did not line up with what authorities told her after her son died.
“I need to get these men indicted. They need to go to jail. Two months has been too long,” said Jones on Martin’s show answering a question from Dr. Gregg Carr, the Chairman of the African American Studies Department at Howard University.
Late on May 7, Greg and Travis McMichael were finally arrested. Many observers of the breaking news warned that the exotic charges and where any future court case is likely to take place matters.
The Congressional Black Caucus had demanded arrests the day before and released a statement that in part read, “the killing of Ahmaud Arbery shows us that the spirit of lynching is still alive and well in our nation and something that we cannot tolerate.”
“The scary thing for me is the they thought the video would help his client. The culture is so backwards down there they actually thought that,” said Arbery family attorney Lee Merritt on Roland Martin Unfiltered. The case has widely been compared to the 2012 murder of Trayvon Martin in Florida by George Zimmerman.
“What happened to #AhmaudArbery is a MODERN DAY LYNCHING. This February, the House overwhelmingly passed the Emmett Till Antilynching Act, which would make lynching a federal crime,” wrote Rep. Bobby Rush (D-IL)
South Carolina Republican U.S. Senator Tim Scott wrote, “ Every.single.time. The excuses pour in – ‘he looked suspicious’… ‘we thought he was committing a crime”…The fact remains, #AhmaudArbery was hunted down from a pickup truck and murdered in cold blood. My heart breaks for his family, and justice must be served.”
Likely Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden said, Arbery was “shot down in cold blood,” and his killing reflected a “rising pandemic of hate.”
“AhmaudArbery should still be alive right now. This is tragic and unacceptable. It should ignite us all in demands for justice. I’m calling on the Department of Justice to investigate. We need justice for Ahmaud and his family,” wrote Sen. Cory Booker on Twitter.
(Lauren Victoria Burke is an independent journalist for NNPA and the host of the podcast BURKEFILE. She is also a political strategist as Principal of Win Digital Media LLC. She may be contacted at LBurke007@gmail.com and on twitter at @LVBurke.)
National Nurses Week 2020 is being observed from May 6-12. This is one of several stories saluting nurses that TSDMemphis.com will feature during the tribute.
The COVID-19 virus hit home for nurse Rachel Clayton a few weeks ago when she and her husband, who is an emergency medical technician, decided one of them had to quit.
Rachel Clayton (Courtesy photo)
“This is a decision we had to make because we have three young children and we are trying to reduce the possibility of exposure,” Clayton said.
Clayton joked that now she has a house husband because in his work status, he usually works one day a month. The rest of his time is devoted to his children.
The pandemic is ongoing amid National Nurses Week. It’s especially appropriate now since so many nurses and other medical professions here and around the world are being sickened by the virus or dying from it while caring for COVID-19 patients.
In 1982, President Ronald Reagan signed a proclamation on March 25, proclaiming “National Recognition Day for Nurses to be May 6, 1982. In 1991, the recognition was expanded to a week-long celebration of nurses on May 12, Florence Nightingales’ birthday.
As of Wednesday afternoon, there were 2,948 Wednesday reported virus cases in Shel- by County, up from 2,922 Tuesday, according to the Shelby County Health Department. The number of reported deaths from COVID-19 complications in Shelby County rose from 57 to 58.
Statewide, there were 13,938 confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, up from 13,624 on Tuesday. As of Wednesday after- noon, a reported 239 people have died in Tennessee from COVID-19 complications, accord- ing to the state health department.
Clayton works on the fifth floor at Region One Health Medical Center, where some COVID-19 patients are treated. While trying her best to take care of them, she acknowledges times when she “feels so helpless.”
Clayton said her advice to everyone is to practice social distancing. She said it is the best way to stay safe from COVID-19.
“Take this serious, because it is serious” she said.
Ashanti Coleman
Ashanti Coleman is a traveling nurse practitioner, who gives COVID-19 tests in the drive-thru testing facilities in Frayser, at the Agricenter, in Bartlett and on Tiger Lane.
Ashanti Coleman (Courtesy photo)
Coleman said what frustrates her about the situation is that because so little is known about COVID-19, there is nothing to tell the patients to reassure them. Also, the distance created by the protective masks and extra safety garments hinders bonding with the patient.
“We can’t give them that special touch,” she said.
“We feel helpless because of the unknown,” said Coleman, a University of Memphis graduate and instructor. “It’s stressful for everyone because of the unknown. We can’t educate them about something we don’t know about.”
Coleman said one woman, who drove through the line with three children, reported testing positive for COVID-19 before and was hoping that this test would come back negative so she can go back to work at a nursing home.
But Coleman said the work is rewarding in other ways.
“They (patients) are still very appreciative of what we do, “she said. “People thank us all the time. It’s comforting to know they are in our corner.”
Coleman said she is happy to get experience with drive-through testing because the system they use here in Memphis is heavy on sanitation and workers are given as much cleaning materials as they need.
“I heard a few horror stories about not hav- ing enough equipment,” she said.
The COVID-19 pandemic has shown once again that nurses are the tip of the spear when it comes to fighting sickness and disease.
Like cold and flu bugs, the virus is spread via droplets when a person coughs or sneezes. The droplets land on surfaces and are picked up on the hands of others and spread further. People catch the virus when they touch their infected hands to their mouth, nose or eyes.
That is why, in testing, swabs are used in the inside of the nose or mouth, and can be uncomfortable. But the nurses say their patients don’t complain about it.
It follows that the single most important thing you can do to protect yourself is keep your hands clean by washing them frequently with soap and water or a hand sanitizing gel. Health authorities also are urging people to stay six feet or more apart when moving around outside your home and to wear a face mask.
Crystal Shotwell
Crystal Shotwell (Courtesy photos)
Crystal Shotwell, a nurse practitioner at Baptist Hospital, said she has only tested a few patients for COVID-19. She works in the triage area of the labor and delivery unit, where in the past she has not needed to.
Now all patients coming into Baptist Hospital have to be tested. Shotwell said she has worried for her co-workers and friends on the front lines, working with patients, who deal with this virus daily.
“I’ve had some friends affected by it,” Shotwell said. “Some have been quarantined. It’s scary because we’ve never had this to happen before.
“When it comes to this virus there is still a lot we don’t know.”
For Pearl Eva Walker, being an energy equity advocate involves mobilizing citizens and spreading awareness. (Courtesy photo)
by Pearl Eva Walker —
Energy is a basic necessity of daily life, whether we are flipping on a switch or plugging into a socket. While we as customers can’t shop around for who we buy energy from, Memphis’ power company, Memphis Light, Gas & Water (MLGW), is now deciding whether or not it will find a new energy provider, which could save Memphis hundreds of millions of dollars every year. This switch could lead to a better life for all Memphians and could help our community recover from the extraordinarily hard times brought about by the COVID-19 crisis.
Pearl Eva Walker (Courtesy photo)
I work with the Memphis Has the Power Campaign – a campaign to ensure Memphians have affordable, equitable, and clean energy to power their lives and be successful. Together, with community organizations and leaders, we are working to achieve energy justice and create a cleaner, more prosperous Memphis.
My time as an energy equity advocate has shown me how energy is tied to so many areas of our lives, like public health and transportation. After witnessing Memphis communities, especially Black and Brown, struggle with unaffordable energy, high electric bills, coal ash pollution, and lack of access to safe and affordable clean energy options like solar, I have worked to mobilize concerned citizens and to elevate their awareness, understanding, and conversation around the dangers of climate change and the importance of clean energy.
My advocacy provided me with the opportunity to be a part of Memphis’ first Energy Justice Conference, hosted by Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE) in 2017. In 2018, I addressed the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Board regarding a fixed fee hike in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. I also traveled to Atlanta that year for the Just Energy Summit at Morehouse College sponsored by the Partnership for Southern Equity and in 2019, I attended the Climate Strike at our nation’s capital.
My concerns and passion for helping my fellow Memphians and ensuring they have a just energy future led me to run for Memphis City Council in 2019. While on the campaign trail, I participated in the Energy Democracy Tour stop in Memphis. The event, hosted by Appalachian Voices, SACE, and others, provided opportunities for community members to learn more about MLGW, TVA, and how our energy system works.
Sadly, I was the only candidate present, and there were no elected officials in attendance. Yet now more than ever, Memphis’ elected officials must take action to help Memphians with their energy needs.
Supporters of Memphis Has the Power want Memphians to have affordable, equitable and clean energy to power their lives. (Courtesy photo)
Memphians suffer from one of the highest energy burdens in America. Energy burden is the percent of household income a household pays in energy costs. The national average is around 3 percent – yet in Memphis, many families with lower incomes pay upwards of 25 percent. In fact, Memphis has the most unaffordable energy of any major city in the nation. This poverty impedes Memphians daily and is exacerbated by volatility such as what we are experiencing today from COVID-19, which has rendered so many of us unable to work and feeling the most severe brunt of economic hardships.
Those of us who had already been paying high portions of our monthly income for energy even before the coronavirus swept through our city are especially vulnerable to hardships and uncertainties, and most in need of relief through action by our elected officials.
In recent months, MLGW has been examining the possibility of breaking free from its current energy supplier, TVA, who MLGW pays about a billion dollars per year to for energy, and getting less expensive energy from a new supplier. MLGW will be releasing a report on its findings later this month, however we already know from multiple previous studies that such a switch would save hundreds of millions of dollars per year for Memphis.
Herman Morris, former president of MLGW, recently said in a news story that TVA’s wholesale power costs are roughly 7.5-8 cents/kWh while an alternate supplier of energy would charge just 4-4.5 cents/ kWh. During these unprecedented times brought on by COVID-19, these savings could also help lessen the economic blow for all Memphians.
We can effect positive changes for Memphis by pressing decision-makers to take swift and aggressive action that will provide access to good-paying clean energy jobs and bring more affordable and cleaner energy to Memphis.
Memphians, please sign the petition urging our community leaders to do what is right for our city and help chart an equitable and clean energy future for all. Visit MemphisHasThePower.org and take action today.
“The time is always right to do what is right,” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
“Black Mama’s Day Bailout was started to show the impact on families of the imbalances in the system and to mitigate those imbalances and lack of access.” -- Shahidah Jones (Courtesy photo)
There are things we know and that are actively discussed. Like, black men are the most negatively impacted by the criminal justice system. We know that black, Latino, migrant and poor people are subjected to longer, harsher sentences than other groups. But what we don’t think about is how black women are impacted.
TSD #Access901 columnist Joy Doss. (Photo: Demarcus Bowser)
Women need a different type of support. Sometimes they don’t have access to basic feminine hygiene needs while in holding. Depending on how long they’re in jail, who is available to give them health checks like mammograms and pap smears? And, generally, the longer a person sits in jail, the more likely they are to take a plea bargain.
Enter the Black Mama’s Day Bailout, which is under the umbrella of the Official Black Lives Matter Memphis organization. It was launched in 2017 to address the needs of moms and caregivers (male or female presenting, trans, gender non-conforming). I spoke with organizer Shahidah Jones. She is so passionate! Talking to her is like Sunday service!
“Black Mama’s Day Bailout was started to show the impact on families of the imbalances in the system and to mitigate those imbalances and lack of access,” she said. “When you think of a criminal you don’t think of them as mamas right?”
As the system tends to dehumanize and divorce offenders from their humanity, BLM and the bailout initiatives challenge the images and narratives. Yes, this person did this thing, but she is also a person and a mama. We see black mamas as the centerpiece of the community, so what do you think happens to the family/community structure if mama is stuck in jail?
The goal for this Mama’s Day is to raise $50,000. This will provide bail for five people with bonds up to $10,000. They do not use bail bondsmen and they do not bail people out without their consent.
They also address recidivism by following up with the families to make sure they have what they need. And not in the “well-meaning” way. They ask them what they need so that they can help put them in a position to thrive. The biggest deficits tend to be addiction support, mental health support and homelessness.
I was definitely schooled over the course of this 45-minute conversation. There are so many things that we need to rethink altogether – restorative justice, crime versus harm, the entire court system process, crimes of survival and of course the way we consume imagery.
Shahidah breaks it down.
“There is a difference between crime and harm. Many times, a crime has been committed but no personal harm was done. I don’t take away the value of things lost but there are a wide variety of ways that people are criminalized without causing harm or loss (of life or quality of life.”
For instance, she says, “(People who are jailed for) fees and fines, failure to appear… they are (also) impacted by the system.”
Then there’s the process. You may have to appear in court a minimum of three times for something as simple as your tail light being out, jaywalking, speeding or disorderly conduct. Or, if someone makes bail, the judge can decide to forgo assigning them a public defender.
For people who are in a precarious financial situation or don’t have the luxury of missing work, even one day can have a disastrous effect on their livelihood. Who takes care of the kids? What if your job finds out? Some companies can use the “character clause” as a reason to fire an employee.
The bailout project(s) has become critical for vulnerable populations. For many, even a $100 or $200 bail could lead to a strain on the household.
To date, 50 people have been bailed out through the Black Mama’s Day Bailout.
(To donate: www.midsouthpeace.org/blm or via cashapp: $officialblmmemphis. If you know someone in jail and awaiting trial, contact the BLM Office at 901-708- 3159, ext.102. If they’re calling from jail, they can call the google voice number: 901-286-2210.)
The Facebook Journalism Project Supporting Local News Coverage of COVID-19 will "help us help you," Associate Publisher/Executive Editor Karanja A. Ajanaku tells the TSD's audiences.
“Prior to the pandemic, The New Tri-State Defender already had identified the need to adjust its business model. Primarily, the goals were to significantly increase our digital footprint while expanding depth, variety and quality of coverage.
Then, boom comes COVID-19 and a pandemic response that thrusts virtual communication/learning onto the front burner and in a way that foreshadows permanent change.
Our selection largely reflects the dedicated work of our boots-on-the-ground staffers, freelancers and contributing associates. Performing well during the pandemic means conveying timely/needed information for safety and security, growth and development. They’ve been getting the job done for our audiences under extremely difficult circumstances.
This support funding also will position The TSD to push forward with its special focus on ZIP Code 38126, one of the poorest in the nation. Just ahead of the MLK50 commemoration, The TSD began a deep dive into 38126. An enhanced association will strengthen our veins into myriad other communities/segments with ties to this historical South Memphis community.
To all of our consistent readers/listeners/viewers, thanks for your ongoing support. For those just starting the journey with us, welcome. And if this is your introduction to The TSD, I invite you to explore TSDMemphis.com and consider stepping up and moving forward with us.
COVID-19 has left no community untouched. Infecting more than 1 million Americans and resulting in the deaths of more than 75,000 people as of May 8, the coronavirus has taken an especially dramatic toll on African Americans and other communities of color.
While the nation still lacks complete racial data on COVID-19 patients, according to the latest data where race was provided, African Americans accounted for more than one-third (33%) of COVID-19 deaths in the U.S., yet make up only around 13 percent of the population.
This disproportionate impact is seen here in Tennessee, too. Despite comprising only 17 percent of the population, African Americans represent 21 percent of COVID-19 cases and roughly 31 percent of deaths across the state, according to the latest data available.
These startling numbers highlight the troublesome nature of health disparities in our country. Simply put, when compared to white Americans, racial and ethnic minorities often face higher rates of illness and worse health outcomes whether from more common ailments such as diabetes or the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
As part of her ongoing educational series on the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Andrea Willis, senior vice president and chief medical officer at BlueCross, explains some of the factors driving health disparities and what you can do to protect yourself and others who may be vulnerable.
Why is coronavirus impacting African Americans at such high rates?
Dr. Willis: There are several reasons.
1. African Americans have higher rates of pre-existing conditions.
Regardless of race, this disease is known to have a greater impact on those with underlying health conditions. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), diabetes, heart disease and long-term lung problems are the most common health conditions among Americans hospitalized with COVID-19. African Americans suffer from those health conditions at a higher rate than other groups, making them more vulnerable to the more severe impacts of this respiratory illness. Even when it’s well controlled, a pre-existing condition means the body is expending energy to lessen its impact. When those health issues are not well managed, the body is fighting a potentially losing battle – and coupled with COVID-19, the odds are stacked even greater.
These COVID-19 health disparities – often referred to as the “crisis within a crisis” – cause additional stress to the body, which also negatively affects the immune system, at a time when we need our immune systems to function optimally.
2. African Americans and other minorities are less likely to be able to work from home.
African Americans and Hispanics hold a disproportionately higher rate of essential roles that require in-person interaction. Jobs like emergency workers, bus drivers, grocery store clerks, cleaning crews, delivery staff and nurses are on the front line. They’re often more exposed to others who may be infected, or who are not practicing infection prevention recommendations. Many African Americans hold hourly positions and may not have health benefits or paid sick leave, making it more challenging to seek health care when sick or suffering from chronic conditions.
3. African Americans’ housing challenges may contribute as well.
Social determinants – the circumstances in which people are born, grow, live, work and age – have a major impact on health outcomes, especially for those in vulnerable communities. For example, African Americans and other racial minorities are more likely to live in densely populated areas, and people living in high-population cities and in multi-residence properties may find it harder to practice social distancing. African Americans are also more likely to have multiple generations living together in one home. Younger members of the family who are working among the public in essential jobs may unintentionally bring the virus home and expose more vulnerable elderly relatives. Overall, these living situations lead to a higher risk for spreading coronavirus due to the greater potential contact with other people.
What is BlueCross doing to help lessen the burden in vulnerable communities?
Dr. Willis: The COVID-19 pandemic is exposing health disparities that exist among minority communities. As we’ve discussed, there are a lot of complicated reasons for that. One is that some members of the African American community may resist seeking care due to their distrust of providers, the health care system and historical mistreatment. We’ll continue working to gain their trust by partnering with our provider network across the state to make sure culturally competent care is the standard and to bring better health to all the people we serve in Tennessee.
We’ve also offered enhanced support to vulnerable communities by:
Educating community members on cost-effective COVID-19 testing available through local health departments
Providing funds through the BlueCross Foundation to support free testing for the uninsured population in Memphis
Texting online resources from the CDC to BlueCross-insured people who are high-risk and face social or health care disparities
Proactively calling BlueCross members who fall into certain high-risk categories to discuss safety precautions
We believe the best approach to maintaining health is an active one — we encourage everyone to build a relationship with a primary care physician (PCP) even before one is facing a health problem. For those who may not have an established PCP relationship, there will soon be additional options available to help make primary care more accessible and convenient. BlueCross has entered a joint venture with Sanitas to open four medical centers in Memphis this fall with extended hours, to foster an environment for consistent care.
What should people do to protect their health?
Dr. Willis: People can take several steps.
Focus on your chronic conditions, even during this pandemic. Continue to maintain preventive care routines and follow-up appointments with health care professionals, even if it’s through telehealth. These virtual services are covered by insurance plans such as BlueCross and provide quality care from a certified physician from the comfort and safety of your home, 24/7. And regular follow-ups are one tool to fight against worsening uncontrolled conditions like hypertension and diabetes, the “silent killers.”
Be intentional about getting or staying physically active.
Eat a diet that includes fruits and vegetables.
Get plenty of rest or sleep.
Wash your hands with warm soapy water for at least 20 seconds.
Even with businesses starting to reopen, continue to practice physical distancing and wear masks and gloves in public places.
Disinfect surfaces in the home frequently.
Go to CDC.gov and use the symptom-checker if you think you may have COVID-19 symptoms. The symptom list has now been expanded by the CDC to include fever, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, chills, shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat and new loss of taste or smell.
If you follow this guidance, you can help limit the spread of coronavirus.
For ongoing updates about the BlueCross response to COVID-19, visit BCBSTupdates.com.
Serving the Pentecostal Temple COGIC congregation is a way of life for Bishop Charles H. Mason Patterson Sr., even when a pandemic keeps the sanctuary closed and the parking lot becomes a place of worship. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley)
The coronavirus approaches the “Saints” of the Church of God in Christ the same way it does anyone anywhere in the world – it aims to infect and kill. The toll has been heavy, including taking the lives of two members of the General Board.
Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake Sr. {Photo: Facebook)
On May 1, Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake Sr., sent out a sobering message.
“While we understand that many states are now proceeding with efforts to ease stay-at-home mandates with the reopening of restaurants, malls, movie theaters, churches and other public venues at limited capacity, we must continue to stress that we are not yet in the clear with the coronavirus pandemic,” wrote Bishop Blake.
“Collectively, as a denomination, we must use wisdom in realizing the need for continued social distancing, which will undoubtedly continue to impact the ways in which we would normally gather for church services, church meetings and church events. We do not recommend the reopening of COGIC churches at this time.”
Local church leaders have responded creatively, including virtual, online services. Last Sunday, Bishop Charles H. Mason Patterson Sr., pastor of Pentecostal Temple Church of God in Christ, held a socially-distanced service on the parking lot of Pentecostal, which adjoins Robert R. Church off Downtown Memphis.
Bishop Brandon B. Porter (Courtesy photo)
Bishop Brandon B. Porter, who pastors Greater Community Temple COGIC, is a member of the General Board of the 6-million-plus international denomination. While many COGIC members have suffered and died from COVID-19, COGIC itself “is not in crisis” from the coronavirus, he said.
COGIC, which is headquartered in Memphis, is known for what Porter called its “great gatherings, which could lend to some of our spread.” COVID-19 is thought to have taken root in the latter part of 2019, not reaching the US until after the first of the year. As 2020 dawned, COGIC officials went forward with business as usual with their gatherings
“And we weren’t privy to know what was going on,” said Porter. “And then when we did find out, there were such mixed signals coming from the White House and with the scientists and doctors. While some were saying it’s a pandemic, others are saying it’s a hoax. So we didn’t know who to believe.”
COGIC’s “Saints” – as they are called, “got caught in the crossfire, I believe, of this whole scenario,” said Porter. “And as a result, some of them were still having a meeting in March and not knowing that they were projecting themselves into an environment that had been infectious … or that would have been a bridge for this COVID-19 to touch other lives. And I believe unequivocally that that happened.”
Bishop T.T. Scott {Photo: cogic.org)
Among the COGIC leaders felled by the coronavirus was a friend of Porter’s, Bishop T.T. Scott of Coahoma County in Mississippi. The 88-year-old Scott died in early April. He had pastored the local church since 1972.
“A very, very dear friend,” said Porter.
The largest of the COGIC gatherings, the Holy Convocation in St. Louis set for November, is a question mark for now.
“There are mixed emotions and apprehensions about it. We’re still in discussion,” said Porter, noting that this year also is an election year within COGIC.
“And so it’s a big year for us and we have no idea what’s going to happen because there’s this unforeseen, uncharted territory of ours,” he said. “But you know, Bishop Charles Mason, who’s the founder of the Church of God in Christ, canceled a Holy Convocation in 1918 (the year of the so-called ‘Spanish Flu’ pandemic outbreak.”
COGIC leaders and lay people are being encouraged to “continue to communicate and stay connected with the entire denomination via email, our website and various digital and social media platforms.”
And, said Presiding Bishop Blake, “We also continue to encourage and admonish all church leaders on local, national and international levels to adhere to the guidelines outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) during this unprecedented time.”
Spread out in social-distance mode, choir members sing praise on the parking lot. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley)Masks were a very visible part of the day as Pentecostal Temple COGIC improvised, holding service on its parking lot last Sunday. {Photo: Tyrone P. Easley}
The facts associated with the spread of coronavirus include its toll on the African-American community. While about 13 percent of the national population, African Americans in counties with higher African-American populations account for more than half of all COVID-19 cases and almost 60 percent of deaths, according to recently released research data.
Porter ticked off many of the factors, including generational poverty and the lack of – or substandard – primary care and preventative care.
“It’s a result of them not being able to socially distance themselves, because of the kinds of living environments they have to have, sometimes three or four people in a one-bedroom apartment. … And they’re trying to get along and not having access to proper PPE supplies … and so on.”
Many African Americans, he added, are “essential workers. …Either driving transportation, working in factories, distribution, cooking, and also health care and other things that puts them on the front line and they come back to their homes … and sharing those infections and micro-organisms and so on.”
During his virtual service prior to this interview, Porter preached about the need to stay ready and prepared, drawing his next from Matthew 24:44.
As the pandemic continues, Porter said it’s important for parishioners on the local level to remain faithful in giving to the church.
“If you still have employment and income, or increase, you can give to your church so that your church won’t go into foreclosure or have to shut down as a result of having no income. … And the reason being is that when we get through this, and we will, you’re going to need your church again.”
Part of Porter’s role is to make the churches privy to available relief funds, which has meant contact with White House personnel.
Bishop David A. Hall (Courtesy photo)
At Temple COGIC – “The Mother Church,” Bishop David A. Hall is multi-focused relative to the pandemic and keenly locked in on where the African-American community goes post-pandemic.
“We’ve got to get the resolve to fight our way through by any means necessary, and come out on the other side stronger, if possible,” he said.
“We’ve got to come out of this stronger if possible, with more independence, and …having more money, and more means. Now, that’s the challenge….
“Survival says that we embrace our anxiety and just hold on,” said Hall.
“ Listen, I ain’t just talking about grabbing anxiety and then just hold on. I’m talking about grabbing the anxiety and handling that thing. Put the ribbon on it, and setting it in the corner, and say, ‘You sit down. I got this!’”
Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris and his team of administrators is set to meet with the Shelby County Board of Commissioners on Friday in pursuit of a budget agreement.
Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris
Harris is warning of potential county layoffs after the commission rejected his wheel tax proposal on Monday. A balanced budget must be completed by July 1st, the start of the new fiscal year.
According to Harris, the proposed $16.50 wheel tax increase was needed to balance the county’s $1.4 billion operating budget. The increase was expected to generate at least $10.5 million in needed revenue to equalize the 2021 fiscal budget, set to go into effect July 1. Without it, the Mayor said the County could be in trouble.
“My fear is that these decisions by the County Commission will ultimately lead to layoffs,” Harris said after the meeting. “We are estimating that up to 144 county jobs will be put in jeopardy if the Commission cannot find a replacement revenue source for the $10.5 million that the Commission took out of the budget.”
In an overwhelming defeat, only three commissioners voted in favor of Harris’ proposal during the virtual meeting, Monday: Commissioners Mickell Lowery, Reginald Milton and Van Turner.
Turner told his fellow commission members before the vote that they should leave all options on the table and that he feared opposing Harris’ plan would mean ‘somebody won’t eat.’
“We’re having to make significant calls as it relates to the budget,” Turner said. “We’re not just cutting the fat. We’re cutting jobs. We’re cutting away the ability for these people to provide for their family.”
Edmund Ford Jr. (Photo: Karanja A. Ajanaku)
The monetary county discussions have caused a stir this budget season. On April 28, after hours of debate between commissioners and Harris’ administration, the conversation turned personal between Harris and Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr. The sparring of words occurred after Ford referred to the mayor’s plan as “garbage.”
“You’re good at messing up stuff and leaving,” he told Harris. “And I’m not going to let you do that with the Shelby County budget.”
Harris said that Ford has always held a personal grievance against him, allowing it to stand in the way of his proposals, including MATA funding – something Harris has pushed for since taking office in 2018.
Earlier this year, Harris proposed a $20 wheel tax to fund the city’s transportation authority. The measure also failed to be approved by the commission.
Ford has denied Harris’ claim and doubled down on his disdain for the wheel tax increase at Monday’s commission meeting.
“I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. I will not vote for this,” Ford said before pointing out that many of the community members in his district oppose the tax. “I’ve spoken to a lot of constituents in my district and despite popular opinion they appreciate my leadership on this matter.”
Other commissioners made similar statements as Ford saying that the constituents in their districts also opposed the increase.
But Harris said without it the commission will have to figure out a way to supplement the plan in order to balance the budget and prevent massive layoffs.
Although the county is set to receive Relief Funding through the CARES Act due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it won’t cover the full burden of the budget’s deficit.
Still, commissioners said the current health crisis is another reason why they can’t raise taxes on residents.
Commission Chairman Mark Billingsley
“I cannot in good conscience approve a $16.50 increase in the wheel tax,” Commission Chairman Mark Billingsley said. “It’s crucial that Shelby County decrease expenses and not put a further burden on taxpayers who are already suffering with furloughs and pay cuts.”
Harris said his proposal for a lean and balanced budget has always been with the residents of Shelby County in mind; but the funds must come from somewhere in order to prevent county-wide layoffs.
“I’m not sure where the Commission will find $10.5 million to resolve the budget hole created by their action today. But, I do know that now is not the time to put up to 144 jobs, and the families who depend on those jobs, in jeopardy.”
Lawrence Johnson with his wife, Magnolia Johnson (Courtesy photo)
Services have been set for May 9 for Memphis Realtor Lawrence Johnson — an “idol” to some and the man many credit with helping them purchase their first home.
The death of Mr. Johnson, 80, quickly traveled across social media outlets Monday morning.
Daryle Barnes shared on Facebook that Johnson – the founder of Lawrence Johnson Realtors – was “one of my idols.” Scores of condolences and prayers for his family were posted as the news was shared repeatedly over the course of the week.
Although it has been confirmed that Mr. Johnson died from complications of COVID-19, his children said their father should be remembered for how he lived, not how he died. All three work at his realty office.
Lawrence Johnson with his daughter and granddaughter. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley)
“Our father always put Christ first in everything he did,” said his daughter, Elaine DeVerne Johnson-Miles. “He would begin every office meeting with a prayer and a song.”
Johnson-Miles said her father helped many, many people buy their first home, even if they had credit problems. He would help work through their credit issues.
“Our dad always said he wanted to be as kind to everyone as he would be to his own children.”
The younger son, Eric Johnson, remembered the advice his father gave him in 2005 when Eric first received his real estate license.
“My father told me never to take advantage of anyone and put them in a house they can’t afford,” Eric Johnson said. “Some real estate agents would do it for bigger commissions.”
The eldest child, Spencer Johnson, lauded his father for his strong leadership in the community, church and in his family.
“Our father was loving, kind and generous,” said Spencer Johnson. “And he had a great sense of humor. He could make anybody laugh, and he never met a stranger.”
It was widely known that Mr. Johnson would bring kids in to do odd jobs around the office so they could earn some money and stay out of trouble. He would talk to young people about being obedient to their parents and developing a strong work ethic.
Mr. Johnson established Lawrence Johnson Realtors more than 40 years ago, helping many aspiring realtors get started in the local real estate market. The company also managed single-resident, rental properties, as well as apartment buildings.
Mr. Johnson holds the distinction of being the first African-American to become a Lifetime member of the Memphis Area Association of Realtors Multi-Million Sales Club.
He was a member of the National Association of Realtors, the Tennessee Association of Realtors, the Memphis Area Association of Realtors, the Northwest Mississippi Association of Realtors and the National Association of Real Estate Brokers.
Mr. Johnson was working full-time at his Whitehaven office when he contracted the virus during the latter part of April. After a weeklong stay in Methodist South Hospital, he was released and returned to his home, where he died Monday.
In addition to his three children, Mr. Johnson is survived by his wife, Magnolia; a brother, Harold Johnson; a sister, DeVerne Howell; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
The May 9th services for Mr. Johnson begin with visitation from 9 a.m. until noon at Middle Baptist Church, 801 Whitehaven Lane in Whitehaven. Only 10 viewers will be allowed inside the sanctuary at a time. Everyone in attendance is asked to wear a mask and observe social distancing of six feet apart.
The funeral service will begin at noon. Only 150 people will be allowed to attend because of COVID-19 safety precautions.
R.S. Lewis and Sons Funeral Home has charge. For more information, call 901- 526-3264.
