
Christmas by Christmas, day by day, we as a people are at our best when we treat others — individually and collectively — as we would want them to treat those nearest and dearest to us. Throughout the year and in each edition, The New Tri-State Defender brings you images of that truism in action in myriad forms and expressions.
As we observe Christmas 2021, here are some of our recent photographic reflections.
GALLERY SLIDESHOW
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In remembrance … Brian Clay, founder/CEO of Greater Memphis Media, Inc., presents the Bernal E. Smith II Academic Achievement Award for Memphis/Shelby County Students Attending HBCUs to Tamara Young on behalf of her late son, Miles Young. The Holiday Scholarship Soiree was held at Mahogany Restaurant. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley/The New Tri-State Defender)

Down with the cause … The Memphis Branch NAACP held its Annual Membership Laydown at its headquarters at 588 Vance Ave. on Dec. 18. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley/The New Tri-State Defender)

Clara A. Mason received the Achievement Award for her work in research and development at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital as the Booker T. Washington High School Class of ’56 held its 2021 Holiday Gala program at Mt. Moriah East Baptist Church. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley/The New Tri-State Defender).

BTW Class of ’56 Holiday Gala … Mt. Moriah East Baptist Church was the venue. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley)

The Westwood Alumni Association saluted new football coach Devin Scates (second from left) with the support of Sanders Catering, whose owner, Odell Sanders (right), is an association member. Also pictured: Joe Cox (left), Westwood Neighborhood Association President Olor W. Hughes, and Elbert Brent, a Westwood alum. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley/The New Tri-State Defender)

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. celebrated its 115th Year Founders Day, with Jeffrey Hines, national chairman of the Strategic Planning Committee, in Memphis for the observance at Grace United Methodist Church, 1619 E. Raines Rd. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley/The New Tri-State Defender

A few of the distinguish Alpha men at the 115th Founders Day observance at Grace United Methodist Church. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley/The New Tri-State Defender)

The executive board of the Alpha Alpha Gamma Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. was in sync at Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley/The New Tri-State Defender)Chapter

'...truth and the light' ... The Rev. Dr. Basil Brooks, pastor of Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church in Cordova, speaks at a meeting of the Memphis Baptist Ministerial Association. His sermon topic was "Jesus is the Answer (He is the truth and the light. What a friend we have in Jesus." (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley/The New Tri-State Defender)

Saying farewell ... The homegoing service for the Rev. Dr. H.O. Kneeland Jr., the longtime pastor of Union Valley Baptist Church, was held Dec. 12. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley/The New Tri-State Defender))

Celebrating 180 years ... Collins Chapel CME recently celebrated its Friends and Family & Church Anniversary (180th, 1841-2021). Those on hand included the Rev. Bethel Harris Jr., presiding elder of the Northwest District; Bishop Henry M. Williamson Sr., presiding prelate, 1st Episcopalian District, and the Rev. Q.H. Whitlock Jr., presiding elder of the Aberdeen-Tupelo District and former pastor of Collins Chapel. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley/The New Tri-State Defender)

Royal Black & Elegant Silver … The Baptist Ministers’ Wives Guild hosted the Royal Black & Elegant Silver Gala. Pictured (l-r): Guild President Deborah Womack, former President Annie Harwell and Carolyn Mabin. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley/The New Tri-State Defender))

Hard work pays off… As a reward for a semester of hard work, these Westwood High School students were surprised with a visit by Memphis rapper Al Kapone (back, center) on Dec. 8. The event was courtesy of ProGeny Place, the West Tennessee Regional Partner for Jobs for TN Graduates. (Photo: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises/The New Tri-State Defender))
The TSDMemphis.com Christmas Vibe