The Tri-State Defender, one of the nation’s longest-serving newspapers delivering news to the African American community, is introducing a new series of community-driven discussions to foster connection and engagement among local residents.
The series, “TSD in the Community Forums,” launches next week, during Women’s History Month, with a panel of empowering female leaders from Memphis and Shelby County.
Since the early-1950s, The Tri-State Defender has been a consistent and influential voice in the lives of African Americans across Memphis and the surrounding areas. With a legacy rooted in providing news, resources and advocacy for the community, TSD’s latest venture aims to create a more personal and interactive connection with its audience.
Through these public meetings, TSD will tackle issues that directly impact African Americans while providing space for the voices of community members and leaders. The first installment in the series is scheduled for Thursday, March 20, at 6 p.m. at the Southbrook Town Center in Memphis, 1254 E. Shelby Drive.
The inaugural forum will feature a panel of women leaders who are experts in their respective fields. It will focus on the importance of women in leadership roles, a theme that resonates strongly during Women’s History Month.
Stephanie R. Jones, TSD editor, emphasized the significance of this first forum. “As we pay tribute to amazing women during Women’s History Month, the panel we’ve convened is reflective of female leadership in our country,” she said. “This is a moment to elevate the voices of those who have shaped, and continue to shape, the trajectory of our community and nation.”
Panelists include: Karen Camper, Tennessee House of Representatives Minority Leader; Chief C.J. Davis, Memphis Police Chief; Carlissa Shaw, attorney; Brenda Hardy, MD, Women’s Healthcare; Bishop Althea Greene, faith-based leader; and Pearl Walker, Memphis City Council member, District 3.
Lori Spicer Robertson will moderate the discussion. She is vice president and chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion officer at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the founder and CEO of Wundher.
The women will bring a wealth of experience and perspective to the discussion, offering insights on leadership, perseverance and the power that women exert in the community.
The forums will be more than just discussions — they are opportunities for citizens to tackle issues the Memphis community faces and foster dialogue, hopefully empowering residents to collaborate with city leaders on solutions to improve Memphis and the Mid-South.
Details about forums
The March community forum is free, open to the public, and will take place at 6 p.m., at the Southbrook Town Center, located at 1254 E. Shelby Drive, Memphis, TN.
Registration is required and can be done through Eventbrite at bit.ly/TSDMarchForum.
The newspaper’s leaders hope to draw a crowd of passionate individuals eager to hear from and engage with the panelists.
“This is something we have talked about for a while, and I’m glad TSD is launching these forums this month,” said Calvin Anderson, president of The Tri-State Defender Board of Directors. “The first panel of female leaders will share their life experiences and discuss the importance of having women in leadership roles. We are grateful for our event sponsors and will announce more of them later this month.”
Sponsors for the first forum include Southbrook Town Center and Felecia Bean Catering.
The newspaper will continue to host bi-monthly forums throughout the year on topics affecting the Memphis community.
The next forums will focus on Health and Wellness in May; Education in July; Public Safety in August; Government and Politics in October; and Entrepreneurship in November.
The launch of the “TSD in the Community Forums” is an example of how The Tri-State Defender continues to evolve to meet the needs of the community. In January 2024, the newspaper transitioned to a fully digital format to deliver timely, breaking news and relevant content to its readers across multiple platforms.
The Tri-State Defender has long been a powerful catalyst for social change, and with this new initiative, it plans to continue its legacy of serving the community by promoting unity, knowledge and empowerment.
For more information, visit www.tri-statedefender.com, or follow TSD on social media for updates on future forums and community events.
