By Rev. Earle J. Fisher, Special to TSDMemphis.com

I spent a great deal of time in 2015 working to ensure that since Memphis is approximately 65 percent black, that the concerns and accomplishments of the black community were felt, seen, and heard. I entered into the New Year with a newfound resolve to continue to expand the scope, reach and impact of the black liberation movement in Memphis.

The movement for black lives in Memphis has always been about more than better police and civilian relations. It’s about black economics, black politics, black education, black love, black joy and black freedom.

Sadly, as I have considered the landscape of decisions made in city hall, declarations made by city leaders and the city’s peculiar commitment to a nuanced “grit and grind” that continues to only affirm and applaud the black bodies that do the bidding of white power brokers and corporatized interest, it’s becoming clearer to me that those in Memphis’ leadership infrastructure are determined to change demographics of the city from majority black to majority white!

I recently read a tragically white washed outlook for Memphis in the Memphis Flyer by Ms. Bianca Phillips entitled, “The Year Ahead In Memphis.” However, I’m not sure if this is foresight or hindsight. The article details a deeply vanilla side of Memphis without any substantial chocolate swirls. Read it yourself. Then riddle me this:

How many black-owned businesses are mentioned? From what I could recognize, zip. Zero. None.

In a peculiar take on media outlets that help shape the outlook of the city, The Commercial Appeal is mentioned but not The New Tri-State Defender or MUTV1 Black Thought.

Crime and public safety is mentioned. Ironically, Mayor Strickland ran on a “crime is out of control” platform but according to the article crime is down. Add to that, there is no mention of the Darrius Stewart shooting. No mention of the TBI Report. No mention of the #BlackLivesMatter movement continually developing in Memphis. Yes, rape kits mentioned (rightfully and necessarily so) but no mention of body cams. And this theme of erasure and neglect permeates the “outlook.”

Music is mentioned (can’t talk Memphis without talking music) but no mention of Marco Pavé, Tonya Renee Dyson, Yo Gotti, Kia Shine, WHRK, KXHT, WRBO, WDIA or WLOK. And it is blasphemous to talk Memphis music while omitting our numerous gospel artists such as Dr. Leo Davis, Darrell Pettis, Courtney Franklin and the Barnes Family (and that doesn’t even scratch the surface).

And while we’re talking black art, how does one mention the Memphis art scene without saying Hattiloo Theater and Ekundayo Bandele?

How can there be an “outlook” that ignores these critically and impactful voices and contributions? This is clearly more than oversight.

One might be tempted to be grateful for the politics section mentioning two black politicians. However, history has taught us that every politician in black skin is not a participant in black liberation – quite the contrary. Next.

It was very important and pertinent to mention the LGBT community. Yet, I see absolutely no color in the analysis. We must be clear, there are several black queer folks in Memphis who need to be affirmed and recognized for their bravery and insightful contributions to the well-being of the city.

They say pictures are worth a thousand words. What about several pictures? Look at the images in the article. There is not a pinch of black in it. All salt. No pepper. How telling. Go figure.

Lastly, how can we forecast a year in Memphis without mentioning the state of public schools and education? I guess not everyone sees the children as our future – or at least not the ones being auctioned off to the highest bidders for takeovers.

To be fair and frank, I tweeted Ms. Bianca Phillips directly on January 12th to ask her about this erasure and negligence to see if I was missing something. It seems she kindly erased (or at least disregarded and ignored) my tweets and kept it moving. White privilege personified.

If one haphazardly glances at this “outlook” without considering the subtle undertones of white supremacists erasures at work within it, it becomes easy to ignore the implications of writing about a majority black city but giving minimal mention to the black contributions within the broad range of sectors that make up such a historical city.

I can’t accept this as the outlook for me, my people and this great city. This is not a year ahead; this is a blast into the past. This is not progress; this is regression into Jim and Jane Crow 2.0. This is the white washing of a city built on black suffering and perseverance.

I believe that the picture painted here expresses the deep desires of those in power and leadership to ensure Memphis is no longer, statistically, a “majority black” city. I believe the writer when she suggests this is the “outlook” for Memphis this year…. I’m just WOKE enough to see who this “outlook” is and is not looking out for.

(The Rev. Earle Fisher is senior pastor of Abyssinian Baptist Church and co-spokesperson for the Memphis Grassroots Organizations Coalition.)

Turur Food Network Chefs efs Neely and Ayanna Johnson loose in a local Sam’s Club and customers just may start e just may start eing more seafood.

Neely and Johnson were the hosNeely and Johnson were the hoss last Saturday (Oct. 24) of a “Chat and Cook” session held in the meat section of Sam’s Club at 7475 Winchester Rd. It was part of National Seafood Month and the Seafood Nutrition Partnership’s (SNP) three-year national public health education campaign targeting Memphis and 8 other cities.

The SNP is a 501 (C) (3) nonprofit whose mission is to “inspire a healthier America through partnerships that raise awareness about essential nutritional benefits of eating seafood.”

A while back, Neely signed on to co-chair the initiative, joining former NBA star forward Detlef Schrempf, who was in Memphis last year helping to lay the foundation for health consciousness through seafood.

Neely’s energy level – yes the same energy level she brings to her TV appearances – takes the Seafood Nutrition Partnership to, well, another level.

“Today we are going to show you guys an easier way and a healthier way to eating seafood,” she said, taking to the mic and turning that section of Sam’s Club into a stage. “I know there are a lot of times you feel like seafood is hard to eat. Is it clean? Can I handle it?”

Then she went on to make the case for replacing two weekly meals with seafood. And she had help. Sam’s Club has developed a cooking bag that Neely and Johnson showed could make cooking salmon way simpler than many may think.

All while tasting good.

Johnson took the lead on the preparation. “It (the new Sam’s cooking bag) makes it simple and easy and has all your times on here,” she said. “It’s perfect for seafood. You open your bag, season up your stuff and pop it in the microwave.”

Neely drew passersby in for the presentation, telling them the bag makes salmon a lot flakier.

“I ask anybody standing here, where can you cook a meal for 20 minutes at 400 degrees with some veggies on the side, throw it on the platter, whip it up and be ready to eat? Sam’s club is making it easier for moms, busy people, people on the go. But you’re also eating something that’s healthy and great and good for your heart. It’s all about being heart healthy.”

Directing people to the seafoodnutrition.org website, Neely said that’s the home for recipes and information and the place to take the heart healthy pledge.

“You commit to eating two meals of seafood. That’s not hard to do.”

Neely and Johnson talked up the value of partnering with others on the journey to better health and maintaining good health.

Calling for the music and getting the party started, Neely encouraged those listening to ease up on fried foods. “In Memphis, if you walk slow enough, someone might fry you,” she said, talking about Memphians habitual tie to eating fried foods.

The bag can be used in both a microwave and a traditional oven.

Neely said getting more people to eat seafood is really about making a mindset shift and then a lifestyle change.

She’s a witness to what can happen to the body by making such shifts and changes, along with exercise. She’s 50 and slim, having transformed her appearance.

“It’s good to get those Omega-3 acids in our body, which contributes to heart health,” she said. “It’s amazing that people don’t think (more) about their heart. You have to put good things into your body to get good things back. That’s what this partnership is all about.”

Radio personality Mark Stansbury just happened to be at Sam’s when Neely and Johnson struck up the chat-and-cook session. He had one thing in his basket – salmon.

“I eat salmon all the time…for about three years,” he said. “My wife said it was healthy and you need to eat healthy. …”

Tangela Wray also happened upon the cooking demonstration while shopping. “I do eat salmon…for the Omega 3. I’m just getting into it,” she said.

“Being a woman of a particular age you start to lose some of the vitamins in your body,” said Wray. “I knew I needed to replenish.”

Being at the demonstration was fortifying her with more and different recipes, said Wray. “I am really interested in seeing the different recipes that are available.ly interested in seeing the different recipes that are available.

Snacking on a sample from the demonstration, Wray said, “It is very flaky and tender. …I think the bag and time (are plusses). If you are not used to preparing fish, you can overcook it. This gives me an exact time.”

As for getting the info from chefs Neely and Johnson, Wray said, “Fabulous,” noting that Neely is in her age bracket.

“She lost a lot of weight and she looks phenomenal. I want to be on her routine.”

(For more information, visit seafoodnutrition.org.)

It’s possible to do something a second time and experience it as never before. Marvin Johnson is a witness.

Johnson was baptized in 1970. Last Sunday (Oct. 4.), he did it again, this time at Safe Harbor of Memphis – “A Church of Refuge.”

Pastor Eldridge “Deon” Williams and Chaplin Joe Pipken baptized Johnson and three other men – Floyd Williams, Gary Fisher and Lamar Reynolds Jr., all of whom made their way through a program designed to aid those battling alcohol and drug addictions.

“When I was young, I didn’t know the reason for being baptized,” said Johnson. “The reason is to be born again just as Jesus did when he died on the cross. He resurrected and I was resurrected by water, cleansed of all unrighteousness so that the Holy Spirit can dwell in me.”

Johnson is 54 now. The effects of his choices have affected his family and he knows that. He reflects that understanding with this observation:

“With the ups and downs of life experiences and my thirst for knowledge to understand more about Jesus Christ, I can honestly say to my mother, my daughter and the rest of my family that I really feel good about being baptized again with the understanding I have to day.”

Safe Harbor of Memphis is anchored at 3620 Jackson Ave. The mission statement speaks to “reaching men.”

“The goal is to help make sure they (the men) are closer to Christ, gainfully housed and employed,” said Pastor Williams, the director. “We are not looking for temporary fixes. The way to keep what you have is through Christ.”

Williams says all involved in the outreach ministry try to live by Matthew 6:33, citing it this way: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

Family, friends and supporters of those baptized were in in attendance for Sunday’s baptisms.

Reflecting on Johnson’s journey, Pastor Williams said, “I’m honored Marvin beat the fork in the road. I’ve been overjoyed having him here and happy to see him leave; yet sad. Jokingly, I told him, I was going to football tackle him at the gate (on the way out).”

With millennial voting at five percent the day before elections, millennial leaders are organizing to urge the demographic to vote., millennial leaders are organizing to urge the demographic to vote.

Part of the strategy was the All World Media Group’s release Wednesday of a YouTube documentary dubbed “Why Not Vote..a Group’s release Wednesday of a YouTube documentary dubbed “Why Not Vote.”

TThe documentary was in tandem with a press conference set for the Overton Square plaza early Wednesday afternoon. Representatives from All World Media Group, Memphis Grassroots Organizations’ Coalition, Millennials for Memphis and VOTUS teamed for that push.e documentary was in tandem with a press conference set for the Overton Square plaza early Wednesday afternoon. Representatives from All World Media Group, Memphis Grassroots Organizations’ Coalition, Millennials for Memphis and VOTUS teamed for that push.

A press release spreading the word about the push included this backdrop:d about the push included this backdrop:

“Millenni“Millennial voting has been low this election cycle and this group of millennials hopes to improve that number. On the heels of the WHY NOT VOTE MEMPHIS video released by All World Media Group, the represented party will speak to why millennials are disengaged while urging them to toss apathy aside and participate in the political process.disengaged while urging them to toss apathy aside and participate in the political process.g has been low this election cycle and this group of millennials hopes to improve that number. On the heels of the WHY NOT VOTE MEMPHIS video released by All World Media Group, the represented party will speak to why millennials are disengaged while urging them to toss apathy aside and participate in the political process.disengaged while urging them to toss apathy aside and participate in the political process.

Polls open Thursday at 7 a.m. with voting until 7 p.m.

There have been numerous changes to traditional polling sites. To determine where you should vote, visit this Shelby County Election Commission portal:

http://www.shelbyvote.com/index.aspx?NID=122p://www.shelbyvote.com/index.aspx?NID=122

Ben Cauley was at home on stage. He’d raise his trumpet, close his eyes and with intensity signaled by the tightening of his brows send air flowing through his horn routinely causing goose bumps to dance on the arms of listeners.

An original member of the Memphis-rooted and world renowned Bar-Kays, Mr. Cauley died Monday night at Methodist South Hospital. He was 67.

Mr. Cauley was on stage on June 6 in Clarksdale, Miss. when the Bar-Kays were inducted into the Rhythm & Blues Music Hall of Fame. He moved the audience that day, but it wasn’t with his trumpet or through his vocal talent.

Filled with emotion, Mr. Cauley talked about all that he had been through, shedding tears as he referenced the Dec. 10, 1967 plane crash near Madison, Wisc., that took the life of soul man Otis Redding and the lives of all of his fellow members of the Bar-Kays, except James Alexander, who was on a different flight.

Mr. Cauley alone survived the crash. Two decades later, he dramatically overcame a health scare – an aneurysm and massive stroke.

“Heavy hearts at the Stax Museum today, mourning the loss last night of our wonderful friend,” read a post on the Stax Museum Facebook page.

“Most fans know that about Ben but what we’d like you all to know is that Ben was one of the sweetest people in the world and a true gentleman and mentor,” the post continued. “Our thoughts today are with his family, friends, and millions of fans. We love you, Ben.”

LaMont Robinson, chairman of the Rhythm & Blues Music Hall of Fame, did as many others did on Tuesday – reflected on their paths crossing – directly and indirectly – with Mr. Cauley’s. He noted that the last performance of Redding and Bar-Kays before the crash was in his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio.

“My parents were at that show,” said Robinson. “I got a chance to express to him that the whole induction ceremony was about him. Because any time that you escape death like he did, God had his hands on him. My condolences go out to his family. I am glad that he got a chance to see himself inducted into the Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame. He was too much! My condolences go out to his family. I am glad that he got a chance to see himself inducted into the Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame. He was too much!

Larry Dodson, now the lead singer of the Baon, now the lead singer of the Bawas a teenager when he joined the a teenager when he joined the

“Ben was without a doubt one of the greatest trumpet pl doubt one of the greatest trumpet pls I’ve ever heard,” Dodson told The New Tri-State Defender on Tuesday afternoon. “And probably one of the things that most people don’t really know about him is Ben was a really, really good singer…”

And, said Dodson, Mr. Cauley was a teacher.

“And not just vocally. I mean he was a showman. He had style, he was always a sharp dresser. He was aa star in every sense of the word.”

The homegoing plans for Mr. Cauley, a South Memphis product, have not yet been announced. He leaves five daughters, Shuronda Cauley-Oliver, Chekita Cauley-Campbell, Miriam Cauley-Crisp, Monica Cauley-Johnson and Kimberly Garrett; and two sons, Phalon Richmond and Ben Wells.