Urban Art Commission to honor local mural artist at Gooch Park

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07/12/2024

Excitement is building in the Memphis community as the UrbanArt Commission (UAC), in partnership with HUG Parks Friends and Memphis City Parks, prepares for the dedication of a new mural at Gooch Park Community Pool.

The event is set to take place on July 13, 2024, at 1:00 PM at Gooch Park Pool, located at 1974 Hunter Ave, Memphis, TN 38108. After renovation delays, the pool opened earlier this week on July 10.

The mural was created by Memphis native Jamond Bullock. Bullock was born and raised in North Memphis where he frequented Gooch Park and Pool with his family as a kid. After graduating from LeMoyne Owen College, Bullock founded his visual arts company, Alivepaint, where he began to express his creativity freely. Bullock then went on to create several murals displayed across the nation.

Bullock, known for his vibrant and thought-provoking murals, completed a series of artworks titled “Slice” surrounding the pool at Gooch Park. The positive response from the community was overwhelming, leading to Bullock being commissioned to extend his creative touch to the pool house. The new mural, “Slice 2.0: We All Stars,” is a stunning addition to the park, celebrating community spirit and unity.

“Gooch Park just got a facelift,” said Bullock.

Jamond Bullock’s murals at Gooch Park are mesmerizing. (Photo: Lee Eric Smith/Tri-State Defender)

Bullock shared his thoughts on the project through a heartfelt message on his Instagram page

“It’s rare to be given an opportunity to come back to a community and paint, but when the community calls you back to do more work, you pick up the phone and answer. I thank God every day for my gifts, and this was a chance to help bring inspiration and healing to a community I am connected to,” said Bullock.

“Life can be like a game of chess, but you have to look beyond your surroundings to continue to elevate. We often forget that it’s more than one spotlight; we can all shine together. We All Stars. This is the first building we have wrapped front and back, so if you get a chance, it’s a sight to see.”

One of many Gooch Park murals created by Jamond Bullock. (Courtesy UAC Communications)

Bullock serves as a positive role model in his community, giving young kids someone to look up to.

“They tell me all the time ‘He’s one of us’,” said JoAnn Street, founder of HUG Parks Friends.

The dedication event promises to be a memorable occasion, with a series of activities planned to engage and celebrate the artist including a mural unveiling and ribbon cutting, remarks from Jamond Bullock, community celebration, and so much more.

The dedication will take place during the Art in the Park event at Gooch Park, providing the community with a unique opportunity to see the new mural up close and meet the artist.

The mural dedication is more than just an art event; it is a celebration of community resilience, creativity, and the shared vision of a brighter future.

To ensure your spot at this event, please register on EventBrite: Gooch Park Pool House Dedication.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to witness the unveiling of “Slice 2.0: We All Stars” and be part of a community celebration that promises to inspire and uplift.

Memphis City Council approves ordinance to expand MLGW board on first reading; hears update on xAI facility

By

James Coleman

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07/12/2024

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A referendum ordinance to expand the MLGW board to include suburban representation narrowly passed during the Tuesday, July 9 Memphis City Council meeting.

Members approved the item 6-5. If the ordinance passes on a third and final reading, it will be added to the November ballot.

“This was an item that was brought to us from people outside of Memphis, requesting that we add two voting board seats,” said Councilman Jeff Warren. “It’s my understanding that the people that brought this to us, they just want us to vote on it, up or down. I think that it would be reasonable for us to take this, move it downstairs and go for three readings.”

During the close of the earlier Memphis, Light, Gas & Water Committee meeting, the item failed on a voice vote, after chairman JB Smiley ruled it didn’t reach a seven-vote majority to proceed. However, the item was added to the consent agenda, after members consulted with Council Attorney Alan Wade in council chambers.

Consent agenda items are voted on without debate.

Its reintroduction drew no objections, despite an earlier motion from Smiley to delay a vote for two weeks and continue discussion that overwhelmingly passed.

Earlier, Smiley ruled that motion by Warren to let the item proceed before the full council failed to muster a seven-vote majority, as required by the rules.

The failed motion was packaged with an amendment. With the updated proposal, one proposed seat would go to a resident of unincorporated Shelby County – Arlington and Lakeland – while the other would go to a resident of Collierville, Germantown or Millington.

The former receives all three services – gas, electric and water – from the utility. They would receive a “full voting power seat.” The latter, meanwhile, only receive electricity and gas from MLGW. As a result, their choice would be excluded from any water-related issues.
If the referendum passes in November, City of Memphis Mayor Paul Young would make the nominations. City council approval would follow.

Names are already being thrown in the hat. A local environmental group has already pitched a nominee to Warren.

Currently, all five voting board members are required to reside within the city limits of Memphis.

The proposed ordinance follows a resolution passed by the MLGW board in April, to increase its membership. Two seats would be added to represent areas outside the Memphis city limits, particularly the suburbs.

Over the years, the utility’s charter has been amended several times. A home rule ordinance was passed in 1983. Prior to that, members were only required to live within Shelby County.

MLGW was created in 1939. A board was soon established that had three members. It was expanded to five members in 1951. By 1980, the utility’s president and vice president were no longer considered members of the board.

MGLW Committee members were also informed that the utility and Tennessee Valley Authority are working together to design a greywater treatment facility at the incoming xAI facility in Southwest Memphis.

Both are slated to receive design plans and cost of the facility from a local engineering firm, CDM Smith, within the month.

xAI is an artificial intelligence company founded by businessman Elon Musk, who also founded Space X and Tesla Motors, Inc.. It is expected to employ 320 people.

The facility will filter wastewater from the City of Memphis Waste Water plant to produce water clean enough for industrial uses. The goal is to produce 10 millions gallons of usable water per day to meet forecasted needs. The water is currently discharged directly into the Mississippi River.

“We did our level best to make sure we protected our future and all of our resources with the actions that we took here,” said MLGW President and CEO Doug McGowen.

MLGW began discussions with xAI in March. Public announcement of the project was in April.

Mayor Young Appoints Interim Animal Services Director

By

James Coleman

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07/12/2024

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With an investigation into allegations of neglect still ongoing, Mary Claire Borys has been named interim director of Memphis Animal Services.

City of Memphis Mayor Paul Young made the announcement during during a meeting with animal advocates at City Hall on Thursday, July 11.

MAS director Ty Coleman was placed on suspension four days after the heat-related death of a dog named “Lulu,” on June 24. The pit mix was allegedly left outside in an unshaded playpen at the Memphis Animal Shelter as temperatures reached 93 degrees. The heat index hit 105 degrees.

Coleman was renominated for the position by Young – who is in his first term – and was reappointed by the Memphis City Council in January.

Borys previously served as the strategic initiatives administrator of Division of Housing and Community Development since 2017. Her employment with the division includes Young’s tenure as its director. His five-year helm at the department ended in 2021.

Her stint with MAS begins Monday. A title is pending.

Prior to Borys’ appointment, City of Memphis Chief Administrative Officer Antonio Adams had been leading MAS. On Tuesday, July 9 he addressed the issue with city council members.

“Addressing the elephant in the room, I’d like to thank you all for your support as we in the administration, we in the city go through…turbulent times at Memphis Animal Services. We are continuing to stabilize services there,” Adams said.

He also said MAS was currently implementing a plan to improve services – including hiring more staff.

During the Libraries and Neighborhood Improvement Committee meeting, council members approved an intergovernmental agreement with Shelby County for animal housing and rabies tag collection. Opponents fear the resolution will add more responsibilities to an already troubled division.

“Our Memphis animal shelter is in a hot mess right now,” said Councilwoman Yolanda Cooper-Sutton. “We’re going to have to get our own house clean before we start adding other stuff to our house…and get it managed well.”

Meanwhile, Young has promised a “broad” investigation into Coleman’s leadership. He earns $120,000 annually.

With an annual budget of $6 million, MAS’ 70 full-time and part-time shelter employees care for around 9,000 animals per year.

Memphis City Council Scrutinizes Residency Requirements for First Responders

By

James Coleman

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07/11/2024

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Memphis City Council members kicked off a discussion of residency requirements for first responders – not to mention Memphis Police Department leadership – during the Tuesday, July 9 executive meeting.

The talk was prompted by the resignation of Assistant Deputy Chief Shawn Jones. The MPD’s second-in-command departed from the department on Monday, July 8, after an accumulation of disclosures surrounding his residency.

“Assistant Chief Jones did have an apartment in Memphis. So, he lived in Memphis, but he also had a home in Atlanta, where his wife lived…He went home periodically. Clearly, he voted there. But that did not drive the decision we made to move on. We made that decision on what we felt was best for the department. I’ll leave that one at that…,” said City of Memphis Mayor Paul Young.

Like MPD policy, Tennessee state law permits first responders to live within two hours of the community they serve. The distance between Atlanta and Memphis is nearly 400 miles. By car, the trek amounts to around a six-hour drive.

“The idea that the number two person, that Chief Davis said over and over again she relied heavily on, could not be here within two hours, is problematic in my opinion. Even if it’s not illegal, or against policy at this point. It’s problematic, because we need people to be able to be here and respond in real time…That’s what I heard over and over again,” said Councilwoman Jerri Green. “I don’t know if we still, or ever will, have a clear picture of how much time was spent here, versus in Georgia.”

Young defended Jones’ job performance, saying he saw the former officer on the scene when responding to “a lot of tragic events.”

“When I’ve shown up with MPD, Chief Davis…A.C. Jones was there. I know that he has been showing up…When I showed up, I saw him,” defended Young.

State law was loosened to allow officer-starved police departments to cast a wider net to draw-in recruits. The MPD currently has a complement of around 1,940 officers. It’s goal is to reach between 2,200 – 2,300 officers.

The wording of the law – according to the interpretation of Mayor Paul Young’s administration – provides a lof of leeway for the “two-hour” requirement.

“You can’t take any adverse employment action against a first responder, regardless of where they reside…The department can implement a response time requirement. So, you have to be able to respond within two hours,” said Attorney Tannera Gibson. “The statute permits that. Otherwise, the way the statute is written, you can live in California.”

One member blamed the media for stoking a non-issue into a scandal.

“Blackballing Black people needs to stop. This is the same crap that killed MLK. Your lies. Your personal agendas. The Memphis Police Department has a job to do. We got enough violence. We got enough behind the scenes stuff going on. We need to try to work together. The man is gone now. He’s gone. What is this discussion about? The attorney has given us what the state law is,” said Councilwoman Yolanda Cooper-Sutton.

Jones was hired by interim MPD Chief Cerelyn “CJ” Davis on Sept. 13, 2021. At the time, MPD’s compliancy window for residency extended six-months. Both were previously employed by the Atlanta Police Department.

The state law was signed by Governor Bill Lee on May 24, 2022.

“By our calculations, the bill was passed during that time period…six months and 11 days after he started,” defended Gibson.

Nevertheless, state law and public perception are two different things. Jones continued to lose standing locally with each report.

“I know some things we allow the administration to deal with. But sometimes, certain things rise to the point where council members need to voice their concerns, as it relates to a particular item,” said Council Chair JB Smiley. “This is an opportunity for us to discuss what transpired and where we are with MPD.”

Even so, no members of the MPD attended the afternoon meeting.

“The fact that we’re talking about MPD policy and procedures and I look out into this room, I do not see the Memphis Police Department here…bothered by that…,” said Smiley.

Relevant Links: https://tri-statedefender.com/residency-for-police-firefighters-headed-back-to-memphis-city-council/01/30/
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Deputy SBA Administrator chats with Memphis entrepreneurs about resources for Black-owned businesses

By

Lee Eric Smith

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07/10/2024

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Deputy SBA Administrator Dilawar Syed sat down for a "fireside chat" with about 30 Memphis area business leaders on July 10. Moderating the discussion was Zendaria Davidson, Deputy Director of the City of Memphis Office fo Business Diversity and Compliance. (Photo: Lee Eric Smith/Tri-State Defender)

Last October, a report by HeartlandForward.org said that while Memphis has almost 55,000 Black Owned businesses, less than 1,200 of them have employees.

On Wednesday Small Business Administration Deputy Administrator Dilawar Syed said he thinks that number should be closer to 15,000 — and that the SBA is there to help make it happen.

In a fireside chat titled “SBA and Entrepreneurship in a Diverse America,” Syed emphasized the significant impact of federal initiatives such as the bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the American Rescue Plan, and the Inflation Reduction Act. These investments, he noted, are reminiscent of the New Deal era in their scale and ambition, aiming to create new opportunities for entrepreneurs nationwide.

“These investments are creating an entrepreneurial stimulus by necessitating new classes of companies to support large-scale projects like Ford’s EV factory near Memphis and major solar installations,” Syed stated.

The event, organized by the City of Memphis Office of Business Diversity and Compliance, focused on how federal investments under President Biden’s administration are fostering entrepreneurial growth and economic development in historically underserved communities. It was held at the Universal Life Building, an icon of Black wealth in Memphis.

Syed highlighted that 18 million new businesses have been founded in the past few years, with the SBA playing a crucial role in providing access to financing, mentorship, and federal contracts. Syed shared that the SBA facilitated $372 million in loans in Tennessee last year, supporting small business owners with working capital, equipment, and real estate financing. He underscored the SBA’s commitment to democratizing access to capital, particularly through simplifying processes for smaller loans, which has resulted in a 47% increase in small-dollar lending.

Syed: “It’s very important that communities that have been historically underserved all have access to opportunity, funding, mentorship, and federal government contracts.” (Photo: Lee Eric Smith/Tri-State Defender)

“It’s very important that communities that have been historically underserved all have access to opportunity, funding, mentorship, and federal government contracts,” he said.

Syed also highlighted the importance of awareness about available resources, noting that many entrepreneurs are unaware of how to engage with the government and access funding.

“A lot of times people are looking for a $10,000 loan or $20,000 loan. We’ve simplified that process to drive more small-dollar lending that SBA can support.”

Syed mentioned that in Memphis, a majority Black city, there are only 1,518 Black-owned businesses with employees. He stressed the need for intentional policies to change this number, aiming for a future with significantly more Black-owned businesses thriving in the city. He also drew parallels to Black Wall Street and the Tulsa Massacre, underscoring the importance of overcoming historic barriers to support the growth of Black-owned businesses.

Local business leaders expressed their appreciation for the SBA’s efforts. Earnest Strickland, President and CEO of the Black Business Association of Memphis, highlighted the historical challenges Black entrepreneurs have faced.

Among the business leaders ready to help small businesses grow: Eric Terrell, regional SBA Director; Dr. Nashawn Branch of the TN Small Business Development Corporation; Zanderia Davidson, Memphis OBDC; Deputy SBA Administrator Diliwar Syed; Ernest Strickland of the Black Business Association of Memphis; and TN District SBA director David Glasgow TN District SBA Director.(Photo: Lee Eric Smith/Tri-State Defender)

“We’re running with injuries,” Strickland said. “Many of those entrepreneurs actually came from Memphis where they experienced yet another tragedy. It’s been a theme with Black people in this country for so many times.”

Strickland also mentioned the BBA’s “Succession Solutions” program, which reminds would be entrepreneurs that instead of starting a business from scratch, they can consider acquiring existing businesses.

“There are aging owners having succession challenges. And we have many Black-owned minority-owned entrepreneurs looking to start businesses,” Strickland said. “We’re really wanting to marry these two dynamics. We want to bridge that gap by allowing them to have the resources and tools to acquire companies instead of always having to start things.”

Dr. Nashawn Branch, Executive Director of the Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC), emphasized the importance of teamwork and support for new businesses.

“If you are starting a business, you do not have the time, money, or the luxury of failure,” Branch said. “We strive to flatten that learning curve, where we have experienced entrepreneurs to help newer entrepreneurs succeed.”

Eric Terrell, Senior Area Manager with the Memphis SBA, discussed the critical role of federal certifications in helping local businesses expand.

“My job is to get you caught up on certifications for the SBA and how to market yourself to the federal government,” Terrell said. “Our job is to make sure that we keep the small business owners engaged with federal contracting.”

Syed concluded the event with a call for intentional policies to overcome historic barriers and support the growth of Black-owned businesses in Memphis.

“We need to change the number of Black-owned businesses with employees from 1,500 to hopefully 15,000,” he said, stressing the SBA’s ongoing commitment to fostering inclusive economic growth.

The event marked a significant step in the SBA’s efforts to support Memphis entrepreneurs, ensuring they have the resources and opportunities to thrive in an evolving economic landscape.

Black Farmers’ Market Memphis aims to be oasis in food desert

By

TSD Newsroom

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07/10/2024

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GSW_2628 — One of the many vendors at the opening of the Black Farmers Market Memphis recently at Pilgrim's Rest Baptist Church on E. McLemore. (Photo: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises/Tri-State Defender)

The Black Farmers’ Market Memphis kicked off its third season on recently, with the promise of bringing nutrient-dense fresh food into one of Memphis’ many food deserts.

The market opened on Saturday, June 15, in observance of Juneteenth weekend. The initiative, a collaboration between The Black Clergy Collaborative of Memphis, Pilgrim Rest Church, and Charlotte & Pickens, aims to address systemic issues such as food deserts and the wealth gap, while celebrating the community’s agricultural heritage.

Brittney Sessoms, the owner of Charlotte & Pickens and the visionary behind the market, emphasized the significance of the event.

“It makes no sense that black people anywhere are hungry or unhoused, given our historical connection to the land and food,” said Brittany Sessoms, who brought the vision to life. “The market is a response to the challenges faced by the local community, providing access to fresh, affordable, nutrient-dense food.”

The market offered a variety of local produce and artisanal products. Vendors included Crawford’s Garden Starters, Lockard’s Produce, Midtown Bramble & Bloom, and Toles Farms, as well as Black Majestea, South of the Caribbean Islands, and CxffeeBlack.

The event featured a rich tapestry of local flavors and cultural expressions, creating a vibrant atmosphere for attendees.

One of the highlights was a live plant-based food demonstration by the Nutrition Ambassadors Network, promoting sustainable practices. The first 50 guests received reusable shopping bags with the message “Live, Love, Local,” underscoring the market’s commitment to environmental stewardship.

The market also featured live performances, including a set by DJ Juice the Great and an artist chat with local artist Dottie, moderated by writer Danica Wills. Children’s author Alice Faye Duncan conducted a live reading of her book, “Opal Lee and What it Means to Be Free,” adding an educational component to the event.

Food trucks such as Frozen Spoon, Crossover Eats, and Chi Phi provided a diverse array of culinary options, further enhancing the market’s appeal. These vendors not only offered delicious food but also represented the entrepreneurial spirit within the community.

The Black Farmers’ Market Memphis is not just a marketplace; it is a movement aimed at fostering direct relationships between farmers, chefs, and consumers, creating a self-sustaining ecosystem that benefits the entire community. It stands as a model for transforming local food systems into engines of economic, social, and cultural resilience.

The market will be open every Tuesday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. until September 24, 2024. For more information, visit Black Farmers’ Market Memphis or call 901-646-0947.

Black Farmers Market Memphis (Photo: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises/Tri-State Defender)

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PERSPECTIVE: If we’re serious about improving TCAP scores, it’s going to take ALL of us

By

Curtis Weathers

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07/10/2024

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Untitled-24 — TSD Columnist Curtis Weathers says it will take a "whole community" approach to improve TCAP scores.

For school systems in Tennessee, part of the ritual of preparing for TCAP each year is establishing performance goals in each of the subject areas tested on the state exam.

Indeed, establishing performance goals is a fundamental exercise for any organization whose performance has significant consequences for individuals and their respective organizations.

After poring over Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) TCAP data, I wondered if district schools and the school system as a whole make it a practice to establish performance goals at the start of each school year.

If indeed that occurs, school systems usually do not share that information with the general public. However, that data would be very helpful when evaluating a school system’s performance at the end of the school year.

However, Memphis Shelby County Schools does provide such information. In fact, the district’s annual plan provides a treasure trove of such information along with their performance intentions across a broad spectrum of academic areas.

I have to admit I did not know this data was available for public consumption. The document contained TCAP performance targets for English Language Arts, Mathematics, and various other academic areas. However, there were no projections for any of the other TCAP subject areas, i.e., Biology, Algebra, Social Studies, etc.

While schools set their own performance targets each year, the district, I’m told, does not require its schools to submit performance targets for any particular academic subject area.

Setting annual performance goals for schools and school districts is crucial for driving continuous improvement and ensuring accountability in education, or any field for that matter.

These goals provide a clear direction and focus for administrators, teachers, and staff, aligning their efforts toward specific, measurable outcomes.

It would be helpful if the district published and shared school-level performance targets and district-level performance goals at the start of each school year.

These performance goals would serve as benchmarks for evaluating progress, identifying areas of strength and weakness, fostering transparency and communication with stakeholders, including parents, community members, and policymakers, and making data-driven decisions to enhance educational quality.

Establishing performance targets in areas such as student achievement, attendance, graduation rates, and even teacher effectiveness can help our community understand more fully what it takes to help schools achieve their goals and help prioritize their resources and initiatives more effectively.

While the district celebrated the gains made in various content areas and at various levels this school year, those numbers still did not reach the specific goals set by the district at the start of the school year.

For example, last year, MSCS set a proficiency goal of 32% (rounded) in English Language Arts and 24% in Mathematics (Source: District Annual Plan). The school system missed its performance target in English Language Arts by nine percentage points and its Mathematics target by four percentage points.

I would love to see a list of the schools that set and met their TCAP performance goals. Those schools deserve an extra dose of recognition and celebration.

But wouldn’t it be great if the entire Memphis and Shelby County community had specific, well-constructed involvement in helping our schools attain their performance goals each year, especially in English Language Arts and Mathematics?

We can do this as a community!

We can form powerful partnerships that can help boost academic achievement in our schools, especially on state TCAP exams. Schools can engage parents through workshops and various communication platforms, help answer questions about the TCAP exams, providing them with the tools and knowledge to support their children’s learning at home.

Faith-based institutions can offer tutoring and mentoring programs, supplement classroom instruction, and provide students with additional academic support and a safe space for learning.

Our churches can foster a sense of community and belonging, providing students with the emotional and spiritual support they need to overcome obstacles and stay motivated.

Many religious teachings emphasize values such as discipline, perseverance, and respect for authority, which are essential for academic success. Faith-based institutions can help instill these values in children, preparing them for the challenges of standardized testing and beyond.

By working together (schools and the community), we can create a comprehensive support system that will allow our children to achieve their academic goals and address some of their social and emotional needs as well, leading to improved TCAP performance at every level.

This level of collaboration won’t be easy, but it can be done.

It MUST be done.

Methodist Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center hosting Community Health Fair on July 13

By

TSD Newsroom

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07/09/2024

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450345821_904123678421595_9073379467130892637_n — The Team from Methodist Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center will be on hand to help with screenings and more. (Photo: Facebook/Methodist LeBonheur Healthcare)

The Methodist Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center will host a Community Health Fair on Saturday, July 13, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Wilson Hall Gym, located at 251 S. Claybrook on the Methodist University Hospital campus.

This event aims to provide essential health services and information to the community at no cost.

The health fair will offer free health screenings, including tests for diabetes, cholesterol, blood pressure, dental, and vision health. Attendees can also receive COVID-19 vaccines and boosters, making it an ideal opportunity for those needing to stay up-to-date with their immunizations.

Additionally, there will be Sickle Cell trait testing and valuable information on sickle cell disease, mental health, and other health topics.

Highlights of the event include CPR and choking rescue demonstrations, a blood drive sponsored by Vitalant, and a variety of information tables from local community organizations. Free lunch and numerous giveaways will be available for attendees, creating a welcoming and engaging atmosphere for all participants.

The Methodist Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center is committed to improving the health and quality of life for those affected by sickle cell disease through comprehensive care and innovative treatments. The center provides a preventive outpatient clinic, a dedicated emergency infusion unit, and ongoing patient education.

For more information about the Community Health Fair or services provided by the Methodist Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center, call 901-478-2277 or visit Methodist Healthcare.

Memphis Redbirds to Celebrate Memphis Red Sox Night in August

By

TSD Newsroom

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07/08/2024

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The Memphis Red Sox played at Martin Stadium on Crump Blvd.

The Memphis Redbirds will honor the historic Memphis Red Sox, a prominent Negro League team, at AutoZone Park on Saturday, August 10, 2024.

The event, part of MLB’s “The Nine” initiative, will feature a tribute game, giveaways, and a fireworks display. The first 1,500 fans will receive a Memphis Red Sox tumbler. Special offers include all-inclusive suites and discounts for Little League Baseball teams.

The Memphis Red Sox were one of the founding members of the Negro American League, playing a significant role in African American baseball history. Founded in 1920, the team was a powerhouse in Negro League baseball, fostering great talent and offering a source of pride for the black community during segregation. Their legacy is an essential part of Memphis’ rich baseball history, contributing to the cultural fabric of the city and the sport.

The Memphis Red Birds will pay tribute to The Negro League’s Memphis Red Sox on August 10. (Photo Illustration: Lee Eric Smith; Photos from milb.com)

MLB’s “The Nine” initiative, launched to honor the legacy of the Negro Leagues, focuses on celebrating and preserving the history of these pioneering players and teams. This initiative not only acknowledges their contributions to baseball but also educates new generations about their impact.

It is named after the number worn by legendary Negro Leagues player Buck O’Neil and symbolizes the nine players on a baseball field, representing unity and teamwork.

Taylor McFarquhar, Director of Promotions for the Memphis Redbirds, stated, “This is a unique opportunity for Memphis to celebrate our rich baseball history and honor the legacy of the Memphis Red Sox. We invite everyone to join us for this special night.”

For more details and ticket purchases, visit the Memphis Redbirds website or contact Taylor McFarquhar at (901) 722-0228 or Kenneth Allen Sr. at (901) 281-4207.

LeMoyne-Owen installs Dr. Christopher B. Davis as 14th President

By

TSD Newsroom

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07/08/2024

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Dr. Christopher B. Davis has shed the interim title to become the 14th President of LeMoyne Owen College.

After serving a year as the interim president of LeMoyne-Owen College, Dr. Christopher B. Davis has ascended to become the 14th President of small HBCU college in South Memphis.

Monday morning, LeMoyne-Owen College hosted an installation ceremony on campus, which was attended by a diverse gathering of students, faculty, staff, alumni, and distinguished guests, all eager to witness the beginning of Dr. Davis’s official leadership tenure.

The ceremony commenced with an enthusiastic welcome from Patricia Covington, the outgoing chair of LOC’s Board of Trustees, who immediately introduced and praised her successor as chair of the board: Memphis attorney Vanecia Belser-Kimbrow.

Kimbrow, in her inaugural address as board chair, expressed gratitude for Covington’s leadership and the trust placed in her by the board.

“I am excited about our future and the remarkable journey we are embarking on together,” she said in introducing Davis as LOC President. “Dr. Davis brings a unique perspective to our school. Not only has he actively served on the board of trustees for nearly eight years, but he is also a community advocate and an accomplished academic.”

Dr. Davis’s formal introduction was met with enthusiastic applause. He stepped to the podium, visibly moved by the occasion.

“It is a tremendous honor to stand before you as the 14th President of LeMoyne-Owen College. I am deeply humbled by this opportunity and grateful for the trust placed in me by both trustees, the faculty, the staff, and the entire LOC community,” Dr. Davis began.

In his address, Dr. Davis outlined his vision for the future of LeMoyne-Owen College.

“Education is a transformative force, and at LOC we are dedicated to providing knowledge and experience in an ever-changing world,” he asserted. Dr. Davis emphasized the importance of investing in faculty, expanding academic programs, and creating opportunities for experiential learning. He also highlighted the significance of community engagement, stating, “LeMoyne-Owen College has always been a beacon of hope and progress in Memphis, and we will continue to build partnerships that benefit both our students and our city.”

Dr. Davis paid tribute to his family, acknowledging their support and sacrifices. “I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to my wife and my children. Their support, love, and encouragement have been our foundation for this journey,” he said, drawing heartfelt applause from the audience.

Reflecting on his previous role at the Theological Seminary, Dr. Davis shared his excitement about bringing a spirit of collaboration and innovation to LeMoyne-Owen College. “One of my top priorities will be to enhance the academic experience for our students. This means investing in our faculty, expanding our academic programs, and creating opportunities for experiential learning,” he outlined.

Dr. Davis concluded his address with a commitment to open dialogue and mutual respect within the LOC community. “I aim to work collaboratively with all stakeholders to ensure that LOC continues to thrive and make a meaningful impact on the lives of our students and the broader community,” he declared. “Thank you once again for this incredible honor. I’m excited about the future of LeMoyne-Owen College. Go Magicians!”

The installation ceremony was a celebration of past achievements and future aspirations, marking the start of a new chapter for LeMoyne-Owen College under Dr. Davis’s leadership. The community looks forward to the positive changes and continued success that his presidency promises to bring.

Note: Vanecia Belser-Kimbrow also sits on the board of The Tri-State Defender.

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