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Snapshot – Black films set for the Indie Memphis Film Festival

The Indie Memphis Film Festival which kicks off on Tuesday (Oct. 24), is showcasing its commitment to diversity and representation in media imagery during its six-day run. In addition to the 6th year of the Black Creators Forum, the festival that extends through Sunday (Oct....

Remembering Warren Lewis – ‘The Fire Barber’

by Florence M. Howard -- North Memphis barber Warren Lewis’ unusual method of using flaming candle tapers to cut hair launched him into the national spotlight. Lewis demonstrated his flame technique on late-night shows hosted by Jay Leno and David Letterman. He also demonstrated it on...

LEGACY: Janet Hooks – a family’s ‘Queen’ left her essence in community hearts

by TaJuan Stout-Mitchell -- A woman of class, beauty and grace, former Memphis City Councilmember Janet Hooks died on Tuesday (October 10). Whenever she walked into a room, she was stunning. But beauty was second or third to her kind and genuine nature and her...

$500,000 in state funds provided for youth training in job readiness

by Florence Howard -- Tennessee State Rep. Antonio Parkinson presented a $500,000 check to School Seed – an organization he said “shares our dedication to the nurturing the potential of young Tennesseans” – at a special presentation held at Gooch Park on Wednesday. “This generous contribution...

A day of reflection and reckoning: Celebrating the ‘Memphis 13’ with a symbolic mural unveiling

Emotions and remembrances recently permeated the day at Gordon Achievement Academy, where gatherers convened to honor the enduring legacy of the ‘Memphis 13’ and particularly the ‘Gordon 4,’ who desegregated Memphis City Schools 62 years ago on October 3, 1961. Three of the formidable “Gordon...

Local entrepreneur uses new venture to educate people about wine and spirits

by Taylor Batson -- Rick Farwell spent most of his time as a child watching his family operate their own businesses. His uncles owned laundromats and repair businesses, his father owned his own liquor business and his grandmother owned one of the first Black-owned daycares...

Helena-West Helena suffers water crisis amidst heatwave

Helena-West-Helena, Arkansas serves as the county seat for Phillips County and is home to a population of slightly over 12,000 people, predominantly African Americans. As blistering heat beats down, the city has been dealing with a water crisis -- a dire water shortage for three...

Council hears pitch to preserve the history of Pine Hill and Church Park

by Jennifer Sharp -- A pitch is being made to preserve the South Memphis history of Pine Hill Park and The Links at Pine Hill and Downtown’s Robert R. Church Park, which is bordered by Beale St. and Bishop G. E. Patterson Boulevard.  The Rev. Dr....

Equity in early education is more than a score

by Eric D. Harris -- After the 2023 TCAP scores were released, I spoke with two school leaders regarding their school’s performance.  Both revealed different levels of performance and had different interpretations of that performance. Amazingly, both school leaders came to this conclusion: Children in our district...

Pot Liquor – a culturally rich celebration of Southern Soul Food’s culinary heritage

Pot Liquor – a cultural storytelling event – added its essence to the legendary Slave Haven Museum in Uptown Memphis last Sunday (May 28th). A celebration of foods from African ancestors incorporated elements of culture, cuisine, education, entertainment, and community engagement.  Pot Liquor-goers were treated to...