Habari gani (What is the news?) Memphis!

Mesha Camp, the newest edition to The New Tri-State Defender’s reporting corps, weighs in on local police-community relations, concluding in an analysis that Memphis needs a new relationship model to advance.

Conversations about police reform are warranted but should be done in coordination with police, Memphis Police Association President Michael Williams said in an exclusive interview with Erica R. Williams.

Some Shelby County Schools board members and an array of local residents are telling the SCS administration to put a “sense of urgency” into tracking the district’s spending with minority-owned companies.

Cynthia Daniels, as in Cynthia Daniels & Co. and Black Restaurant Week, debuts a time-is-now event on June 19: The Juneteenth Shop Black Virtual Experience.

Six months into 2020 and many people are already feeling like this is the worst year of this millennium, writes TSD iMom columnist Brittany Holst, who envisions the ongoing protests as the civil rights movement 2.0.

Dr. Rosalyn R. Nichols, pastor of Freedom’s Chapel Christian Church (DOC), writes that the times require that we “act with the certainty needed to get to our goal, courageously dealing with things just as they are, resolutely facing – and surmounting – all dangers seen and unseen.” She adds that when it’s time to reset, “…go outside. Plant a garden. Take a deep breath. Honor God’s creation!

Both sides want “something better” for Memphis. That is the common ground that launched a meeting Wednesday involving some of the leaders of local protests and at least three high-profile local leaders.

In her ongoing observance of African American Music Month, #ACCESS901 columnist Joy Doss turns to “House music all night long” and specifically to Shango Cooke, who keeps the party going.

All of that and this too:

Free masks are back at county public health clinics

As of today, June 11, 2020, the Shelby County Health Department will once again dispense fabric face masks to the public at 814 Jefferson and its other public health facilities located around Shelby County.

The masks, provided in partnership with Tennessee Governor Bill Lee’s Unified Command Group, have been declared safe for human use by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Tennessee Department of Health.

The masks may be picked up, while supplies last, at all Shelby County Health Department locations listed below during the hours of 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., with the exception of the Collierville clinic, which is open Tuesday and Thursday only. No appointment is needed to pick up a mask.

• Cawthon Public Health Clinic – 1000 Haynes, 38114
• Collierville Public Health Clinic (Tuesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.)
• 167 Washington St., 38017
• Hickory Hill Public Health Clinic – 6590 Kirby Center Cove, 38118
• Shelby Crossing Public Health Clinic – 6170 Macon Road, 38133
• Southland Mall Public Health Clinic – 1287 Southland Mall, 38116

On June 1, the Health Department stopped the distribution of the black, knitted face masks provided by the State of Tennessee for distribution to the public.The masks, manufactured by Renfro Corp., were treated with a chemical called Silvadur, an anti-microbial agent applied to fabrics to reduce the growth of odor-causing bacteria.

According to the manufacturer, only trace amounts of the chemical are applied to the fabric and the chemical diminishes each time the mask is washed. SCHD had stopped distributing the masks pending more information.

Many fabrics are treated with Silvadur 930, including sheets, pillow cases, athletic wear and underwear.

According to the EPA, once Silvadur 930 is incorporated into the fabric, it is extremely unlikely it would be inhaled. EPA concludes that inhalation exposure is negligible and not a health concern.

The Health Department will also provide the masks to partnering agencies for them to distribute in the community.

For more information about COVID-19 call the Shelby County Health Department’s COVID-19 hotline at 833-943-1558 or visit the COVID-19 webpage: www.shelbytnhealth.com/coronavirus.

LOC takes 2020 commencement virtual

LeMoyne-Owen College’s 150th Spring Commencement ceremony will be a virtual affair via LeMoyne-Owen’s Facebook Live and YouTube Live on Saturday (June 13) at 10 a.m. CST.

Expect messages from local and national alumni, local celebrities and members of the LeMoyne-Owen College community. “The Bell Ringer,” Memphis DJ will host the virtual after party.

“While we look forward to an in-person ceremony in the future, we could not let the Class of 2020 go unrecognized for all they accomplished by staying the course to complete their degree during a pandemic,” says LOC Interim President Dr. Carol Johnson Dean. “This is the magic and the legacy of LeMoyne-Owen College.”

Look for LeMoyne-Owen’s traditional graduation later in the fall. For more information, visit https://www.loc.edu/about/commencement.

Hearing on police practices/law enforcement accountability puts Cohen, Morial on same page

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) is a senior member of the House Judiciary Committee and chairman of the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties.

On Wednesday, Cohen found common ground with former New Orleans Mayor and National Urban League President Marc Morial regarding the recently introduced Justice in Policing Act, which incorporates three bills long pushed by Cohen: the National Statistics on Deadly Force Transparency Act (H.R. 119), the Police CAMERA Act (H.R. 120) and the Police Training and Independent Review Act (H.R. 125).

In questions to Morial, Cohen said:

“Part of this bill is a provision which Ms. (Vanita) Gupta (President and Chief Executive Officer, Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights) had in her recommendations that an independent prosecutor would restore confidence in the public. Would it?”

Morial said the provision was “an essential element” in the proposed legislation. “This is a reform whose time has come,” he said.

See Congressman Cohen’s exchange with the witnesses here.

Are you down with this?

Today’s TSD MUSIC VIBE: “Good Life” by Inner City

Black Restaurant Week 2020 the second week in March was on track to generate tens of thousands of dollars for African-American eateries.

But a global helping of COVID-19 thwarted the fifth annual event. In a matter of days, life and dining changed.

Cynthia Daniels & Co. is a premiere event planner behind some of the city’s most highly anticipated annual events: Black Bridal Expo, Black Restaurant Week, Soul Food Truck Festival and Black Christmas Expo.

To those, add the biggest, most ambitious effort on Friday, June 19, this year: The Juneteenth Shop Black Virtual Experience.

“The truth is that COVID-19 forced me to broaden my borders,” said Daniels. “The financial fallout has been devastating for black businesses, for all businesses. But we are not powerless to rebuild wealth in our community and leave it to our children.”

Daniels said turning the dollar over and over in the African-American community will keep “our businesses” prospering and growing. She promotes a conscientious intent on the part of “black consumers” to spend money with African Americans and choose to “buy black.”

Daniels was weeks away from June 19, lamenting that she could not travel to visit her mother in Atlanta for Mother’s Day. The pandemic had limited movement, not only locally, but across the country. She got an idea.

“I thought, ‘Why don’t I just go online and buy Mother some gifts I know she would like,’” Daniels said. “And that’s just what I did and posted her local purchases online. The photos went viral, and people in Memphis were thanking me for spotlighting businesses they didn’t even know were here.”

Daniels got to thinking. What if there was an event or occasion for “black businesses” to sale their wares online to anyone? What if there was a day that invited shoppers to purposely buy from black vendors and business owners? And that was the beginning of The Juneteenth Shop Black Virtual Experience.

“My heart goes out to restaurant owners and other business people who have been unable to open back up,” said Daniels. “But 100 businesses, which have kept their doors open, can benefit if we all shop black on Juneteenth, not just for the day, but beyond this inaugural event.”

Shoppers will be able to go to the website: cdcoevents.com and access a portal on the Zoom platform, which will open that Friday at noon.

A virtual buying experience with restaurants, men’s apparel shops, women’s boutique, hair and beauty proprietors, and other enterprises, will be possible.

Daniels set her sights on recruiting 50 businesses. One hundred vendors are actually participating. Fifty of them are local, including restaurants that faced disappointment when COVID-19 halted this year’s Black Restaurant Week.

“This Juneteenth shopping day is very important to us,” said Tamra Patterson, “Chef Tam” of The Underground Café. “When the coronavirus hit, we had to lay off 38 employees. That broke my heart. We went into take-out mode, and we’ve just opened the dining room Tuesday of this week. I am looking forward to Juneteenth shopping.”

Seeing the event grow beyond the borders of Memphis and attracting the interest of businesses in other major cities was empowering for Daniels.

“I set out to recruit 50 local businesses, and that went viral, too,” said Daniels. “Other business people want to get in front of as many buyers as possible. So, I started getting inquiries from 20 other cities, including Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, New York and Los Angeles.

Businesses in Vancouver, Canada, and St. Croix, Virgin Islands are also participating.”

Charisse Barnes-Ferraro is excited her “Afrocentric” accessory shop in Atlanta is on board for Juneteenth.

“I was a teacher for 16 years,” said Barnes-Ferraro. “But I started my shop, The Cayged Collection, after a lot of research and prayer. I was a part of the Black Christmas Expo with Cynthia in 2019. I know this is going to be phenomenal.”

Daniels hopes this shopping day will empower “the whole community”.

“While we certainly invite other consumers to be a part of this day, I believe we have enough buying power in our own community to see our own businesses grow and be sustained by us,” Daniels said. “We must support our own, even after the 19th.”

The list of local businesses includes Bubble Bistro, Phillip Ashley Chocolates, September Nail Salon, Henry Masks and Chef Tam’s Soul Food Superstore.

More information on Juneteenth Shop Black Virtual Experience is available at: www.cdcoevents.com.

Both sides want “something better” for Memphis.

That is the common ground that launched a meeting Wednesday involving some of the leaders of local protests and some local leaders.

Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland and Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris, along with Police Director Michael Rallings, were among the attendees.

“We’ve seen other cities go up in flames,” said Pastor DeVante Hill, an activist and founder of One Church Memphis. We don’t want that for our city. We want better. We can do better.”

Protests took root around the country and throughout the world when a video of a Minnesota officer bearing down with his knee on the neck of George Floyd for more than eight minutes, killing him, was released to the public.

Hill and another local activist, Frank Gotti, met with city and county leaders June 3 to talk about issues that could potentially spark the kind of violence cities across the country have witnessed.

Wednesday was the second meeting.

It was not a negotiation, said Hill, but an opportunity for government leaders to really understand what is sparking the protests.

“We did not come in making any demands on those in leadership,” said Hill. “But we were strongly urging them to take some action and to be a part of the change. We all want to see our city move forward with more racially equitable practices.”

Strickland has said he feels certain that Memphis does not have to go the way of other cities that have experienced violent lawlessness and arson.

“Director Rallings and I are open to listening to all suggestions of how to improve our Memphis Police Department…”

Hill talked about how some activists were interested in improving the relationship between law enforcement and the African-American community in Memphis and Shelby County.

“There are some things we feel would improve the relationship right off,” said Hill. “We want CLERB to have more power and more influence, for one thing.”

CLERB is the Civilian Law Enforcement Review Board. Activists feel the citizen’s board should have a more influential role in matters pertaining to officers who are accused of using excessive force.

Allyson Smith, one of the co-organizers of last Friday’s demonstration in Midtown on Union Avenue, said at a Tuesday (June 9) press conference that African Americans are “over-policed and over-criminalized” compared to whites who come in contact with law enforcement.

Smith decried that two white men who intentionally drove their vehicles into the crowd of protesters were allowed to go free after the incidents.

She asked, “What constitutes a crime – skin color or the intent?”

In addition to more equitable treatment of African Americans by law enforcement, Hill called for “a more just and a more fair” element of anti-bias training for new recruits.

“We also want officers to establish a policy of intervening,” said Hill. “When something is happening on the scene that is not right, such as the action that officer took against George Floyd, other officers should intervene. It should be their duty to intervene.”

Although various organizations have been a part of the protesting in Memphis, neither Hill nor Gotti are a part of any particular activist group.

“I am just an independent activist,” Hill said. “I think other organizations want me to sit back and be quiet. But I can’t do that. I have to stay focused on what the Lord told me to do.”

by Brittany Holst —

Six months into 2020 and many people are already feeling like this is the worst year of this millennium.

As a nation, we have dealt with the effects of COVID-19, including death and loss of jobs. Adding to the stress, the nation is experiencing riots and protests across the nation over the deaths of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Pamela Turner, Atatiana Jefferson, George Floyd, Sandra Bland, Trayvon Martin and so many others.

It’s one thing to read about protests and riots in history books, but it is a completely different emotion to witness it firsthand.

While many protests have been peaceful, some across the country have been violent, with businesses being vandalized and protesters being met with rubber bullets, pepper spray and tasers.

Imagine what your reaction will be years from now when your child tells you they are studying this in history class and ask you about what it was like during the time.

Black people are tired. Tired of being targeted because of the color our skin tone. Tired of the injustices that continue to plague this nation.

Cops killing innocent black men and women. Citizens taking it upon themselves to target the innocent and make citizens’ arrests that ends in violence.

Other races judging and following us around while trying to shop. When does it stop? The treatment of our race since we first were brought to America has been despicable.

As African-American parents, we worry about our children – going to school, driving in their car, walking down the street, riding a bike.

We find ourselves having to have “The Talk” with our children on how to behave when stopped or approached by the police, who are meant to protect and serve the communities where we live.

Now the worry is more amplified, not just for everyday things that could happen in life but for the targets that are on their backs.

With current events of police killings, the target is larger than ever. We not only worry about our children, but for ourselves, our parents, cousins, siblings, uncles, aunts, grandparents and friends.

If you are black, you worry.

Dantré Harris, educator and founder of BigFaithTalk, has been on the front lines during the recent protests in Memphis. While he is not a parent, he is a black man in America with the same fears as everyone else.

I had the opportunity to discuss with him the purpose behind BigFaithTalk and what being on the front lines meant to him.

“There are all types of ways to protest, but being on the front lines, joining people of all nationalities, races, and ethnicities is powerful beyond measure,” said Harris. “Being on the front lines allows me to be a vessel for our communities.”

Fighting for change means putting yourself in a position to challenge the norm and make a difference. Sometimes, people do not understand until things are staring them in the face.

“It allows me to effect the lives of others through not only words, but action,” Harris continued. “It allows me to be able to look into the eyes of officers and leave an everlasting memory of humanity every day that they put their uniform on.”

Everyone shedding light on the racial injustices in America has a goal. We want it to end. We want consequences, not excuses, when innocent black men and women are killed by those meant to protect and serve, along with citizens who take it upon themselves to beat and kill.

Abuse of power has to stop.

Harris’ goal is to “spread the words of grace and patience.

“It’s not up to me as a mere man to inspire fear. In order to drive out fear of the hearts of all mankind is to bring light.”

There are so many people flooding the streets in protest of racial injustices with hope that true changes are made and racial injustice finally comes to an end.

There is so much pain in America and something needs to be done.

“Everyone vents their pains and their concerns in many ways and I’m in agreement with all forms of protesting,” said Harris. “I feel that it’s imperative to get out in the streets because there’s no fairness in war and we, as citizens, are in a state of war against systematic oppression. It’s my obligation to do my part in destroying the old ways of policing and racism yet inspire reform.”

BigFaithTalk is a non-religious, faith-inspired platform that you can support and be a part of the organization. God, service and reality is the focus.

The recent protests have resulted in the state of Minnesota to criminally charge all four officers involved in George Floyd’s death.

That is just a start. Now we need them to be convicted in the courts and for legislative laws to change.

We also need officers and citizens involved in other killings of innocent black men and women to be charged.

As a nation, we see how standing together for a common goal can make a difference. Pray for strength and understanding within ourselves and others.

Spread love not hate, right not wrong. Change will come. This is the Civil Rights Movement 2.0 and our voices will be heard. Black Lives Matter!

Go outside today. Plant a garden. Take a deep breath. Honor God’s creation, for the first time or anew.

Amid unspeakable pain, suffering and death, all of nature is showing signs of healing, largely because humans – responsible for the care of God’s creation – were required to shelter in place.

People of faith are being called to both shelter in place and change the behavior that reflects how we have taken for granted and neglected our responsibilities of caring for God’s creation. We are being called to change our behaviors, to repent, by seeking ways to restore the land upon which we live, here, and around the world.

Sacred texts – Genesis 1.26-28 and 2 Chronicles 7.14 – offer a perspective about this journey of faith. There may even be others that better speak to this moment in our lives.

In the Genesis passages humans are made in the image and likeness of God and then given dominion and authority to care for God’s creation. Honest, sincere self-assessments tell us that we have neglected that responsibility. We have mismanaged the resources of creation – from the ways we pollute the air to how we have pillaged the soil and over-harvested the seas.

When we were required to shelter in place, God’s creation began to heal itself.

Air quality improved because our cars, trains, planes and buses were sheltered in place. The air quality in places such as Boston and Washington, D.C, register as the cleanest  since NASA starting measuring air pollution back in 2005. Animal shelters are no longer killing hundreds of animals daily as human beings have found their hearts opened to adopting and bringing pets into their lives.

Here in Memphis, the first order to shelter in place was announced in a press conference on Tues., March 24. Shelby County Health Director Alisa Haushalter issued the formal health directive for most of Shelby County, including Memphis residents and businesses.  Schools, libraries, museums and sports and entertainment activities from Beale Street to the FedExForum were cancelled.

By the end of March 2020, we were grappling with determining what was essential and nonessential to our lives. For communities of faith, mosques, temples and churches, this would be a decisive moment at the intersection of our faith and well-being.

People of faith traditionally gather for worship as an essential expression of faith.  Limiting the numbers of those who gather and ultimately closing worship facilities sent shock waves throughout faith communities in Shelby County and across the nation.  Faith leaders and parishioners sought direction on how to respond from sacred text.

Uncomfortable being seen as proponents of science over faith, clergy women and men found themselves at a watershed moment. For many, the Passover story of the Exodus would become a touchstone.

Then Moses called all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Go, select lambs for your families, and slaughter the passover lamb.  Take a bunch of hyssop, dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and touch the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood in the basin. None of you shall go outside the door of your house until morning. ²³ For the Lord will pass through to strike down the Egyptians; when he sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the Lord will pass over that door and will not allow the destroyer to enter your houses to strike you down.

The metaphorical message often drawn was that we would go inside of our homes and shelter in place as the death angel of COVID-19 passed over us, just as the Israelites. I knew there were inherent problems with embracing this powerful biblical story as our guiding message. For one, it is a gruesome, brutal, savage story of the loss of first-born baby boys and male animals at the hand of God, as punishment for the God-given hard heartedness of Pharaoh (Exodus 7.3) in not freeing the Israelites.

We hear the cries pain and loss:

At midnight the Lord struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the prisoner who was in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of the livestock  Pharaoh arose in the night, he and all his officials and all the Egyptians; and there was a loud cry in Egypt, for there was not a house without someone dead.

Add to this our own reality check:  We initially believed that African Americans were not contracting COVID-19, only later to discover that in fact we were being disproportionately, adversely impacted by the virus.  We were dying at alarming rates.  In this biblical story we would be the Egyptians!

I understand the intention, and every metaphor will collapse when pushed too far.

But please bear this in mind, sheltering in, listening to experts, following science does not have to conflict with one’s faith any more than taking your blood medicine means you don’t believe in Jehovah-Rapha.  Closing worship facilities does not place the wisdom of human beings over the wisdom of God.  For those who follow Jesus, the rock he describes in Matthew 16.18 was born of flesh and built of stone.

As stewards of God’s creation, in these particular times, we must act with the certainty needed to get to our goal, courageously dealing with things just as they are, resolutely facing – and surmounting – all dangers seen and unseen.

And when you need a reset, go outside. Plant a garden. Take a deep breath. Honor God’s creation!

 (Dr. Rosalyn R. Nichols pastors Freedom’s Chapel Christian Church (DOC), 961 Getwell Rd. Visit https://www.freedomschapel.com/. Find Freedom’s Chapel on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/freedomschapel.church, IG and YouTube.)

Most Black Memphians and Mississippians have some cousins “Up South,” which is Chicago. While blues and jazz may have traveled “up river” from the Bayou, the Delta and the Bluff City, Chicago sent house music “down river.” It traveled to us then subsequently across the world.

House (music) was born in the ’80s as the progeny of disco and, in turn, begat many other iterations, including electronic, EDM, dubstep techno and arguably Baltimore house.

Respect your roots guys! And those roots are right on the South Side of The Chi, where Frankie Knuckles landed. (Note: Though Frankie is widely credited as the godfather of house, he got hip to the sound by hanging around Southside legend Remix Roy.)

I distinctly remember house filtering through the neighborhood dance parties because, as I mentioned, inevitably somebody’s cousin was visiting from Chicago. Everybody had a dance routine to “Jack Your Body!”

And, when I lived in New York once upon a time there was always a house set, and cipher (dance circle), to close out the night. Oh man, those kids would go off. It was beautiful to watch people just feel the music deep in their souls and move with it. The movement inspired by this particular music is different. It’s a vibe. Sorta like break dancing, modern dance and creative movement had a baby!

We can’t celebrate #blackmusicmonth without a nod to house music! Though it isn’t as prevalent or available here except in small circles and of course gay clubs (cause Frankie Knuckles!), it is still very much alive, present and beloved. Aside from Memphis House Mafia and streaming platforms, Memphians have very limited access to house music parties or the music itself.

But Shango!

Shango Cooke, or DJ Shang Silk, is the Chicago native that presides over the “House in the Midsouth” set every Friday and Saturday from 7 p.m.-9 p.m.  on SCS Radio/88.5FM and he’s one of the curators of the monthly party (in normal times) of the same name. He started the “House in the Midsouth” parties six years ago. It evolved to the radio show a couple of years later, with a rotating crew of GOODLife DJs – DJ Rawhouse, Deadly DJ Kelly, DJ TJ, DJ Dantz King and DJ Brandon.

Today, “House in the Midsouth” has an ever-growing legion, which includes syndicated shows in Des Moines, IA and a soon-to-be-launched show in Clarksdale, MS via the Coahoma College radio station. Good yields growth!

“(House) DJs are really spinning, taking the time to blend. It doesn’t sound like gym shoes in the dryer. These guys can really DJ,” he declares.

And I cosign, as these are facts. Cause sometimes yall…sometimes. I’ll just say this – substance and skill over style. (No shade but shade.)

Last year, Shango and crew produced the “If Beale Street Could Dance” dance/fitness party here in Memphis and to his delight and surprise, people came down to Memphis from various cities.

“It was really unusual. People travel to Chicago or to Atlanta for House in the Park. I was surprised people travelled to Memphis for house music!” They hope to be back next year when the world is right side up.”

So, can we keep the legacy going?

Shango’s answer is a resounding, YES!

“As long as the DJ keeps creating and the producers keep making hits, house music will be around for a very long time.”

For those who are not familiar, want to get familiar or just amp up your playlist, here’s Shango’s Top 10:

• “Liquid Liquid” by Optimo
• “Good Life” by Inner City
• “Jack My Body” by Nick Non Stop
• “Work It Out by” Karizma
• “You Ain’t Really Down vs 119 bpm” by P Sol
• “I Want You For Myself” by George Duke
• “Flowerz” by Armand Van Helden (Also a JD fave!”
• “Everyman” (Joey Negro’s Soul Strut) by Double Exposure
• “Devotion” by Ten City
• “Bad Boy” by Jamie Principle

**Bonus JD Fave:

“Music Sounds Better”/Stardust

(Don’t forget to tune in to 88.5 FM every Friday and Saturday night to get your party started! Follow them @houseinthemidsouth on both IG and Facebook.)

Memorializing George Floyd in Memphis

(Photos: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises)

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The setting on Monday (June 8) was outside the Vasco Smith County Administration Building as a local memorial service was held for the late George Floyd, whose death by the hands — literally a knee sustained to his neck — of a now former Minneapolis Police Department officer killed the 46-year-old Minnesota man, setting off sustained protests nationwide.

A virtual programming note

The National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) and 100 Black Men of America, Inc. are hosting  a virtual community townhall panel discussion between law enforcement officials and national, influential community leaders today (June 10) at 5 p.m. (CDT)

Watch live at Facebook.com/NOBLEOrganization and Facebook.com/100BlackMenOfAmericaInc.

Panelists:

• Cerelyn “C.J.” Davis, NOBLE National President
• Thomas W. Dortch, Jr., Chairman, 100 Black Men of America, Inc.
• Jamal Harrison Bryant, Pastor, New Birth Missionary Baptist Church
• Benjamin Crump, Attorney, Ben Crump Law
• Chaka Zulu, Producer, Director and Actor
• Mirtha Ramos, Chief of Police, Dekalb County