Vol. 1, Issue 7 July 2019 KEEPING YOU UP-TO-DATE MONTHLY WITH THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN SHELBY COUNTY, TN LETTER FROM THE EDITOR By Yvonne D. Nelson, Ph.D. June brought rain, high humidity and the return of the dreadfully hot summer temperatures back to Memphis before it ended. Numerous Youth Intervention and Development camps kicked into gear as school dismissed for summer break with programs, some evaluated and some not, focused on providing children with safe and educational places to spend the month. Celebrations, college graduations, class reunions, and more. June was an exciting month for these reasons and more. Well, what’s happening in July is what I’m ready to attend. Things like the Academy of Youth’s (Hazel Moore) annual Health Fair and because the Bluff City is two centuries old this year, there’s a lot going on around that. The Memphis Public Library wants you to “reach our and touch your history” through their unique tours of artifacts. “From Elvis’ high school yearbook to W.C. Handy’s music, documents from the Yellow Fever epidemic and programs from Dr. King’s fatal march.” Scheduled from 11 AM to 5 PM on Sat., July 20, 2019, the event will feature guided tours at the start of every hour. We look forward to being there and reporting what we learned next month! This newsletter is for you and about you and the things you know about that are happening in your communities. I am depending on you to make sure we have accurate meeting dates and fresh content for each monthly NEWSCENE edition. NEWSCENE subscriptions are currently available for $36/bi-annually. You can email Memphis.Meetings@gmail, call us at 901-300-0250, subscribe and pay online at iLoveShelbyCounty.com, or write to I Love Shelby County, P.O. Box 9146, Memphis, TN 38190-0146. Thank you, Yvonne The Memphis Chapter of the League of Women Voters held its Annual Business Meeting and Luncheon on Saturday, June 1, 2019, at the University Club of Memphis,. Pictured at the sign in table are Shelby County Election Commission, Administrator of Elections Linda Phillips (left) and LWV Treasurer Sherry Hewlett. Story and Pictures by Dr. Yvonne D. Nelson The League of Women Voters, Shelby County Chapter League ID TN011, held its’ Annual Business Meeting and Luncheon at the University Club of Memphis, 1346 Central Avenue in Memphis, TN from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM, on Saturday, June 1, 2019. District Attorney General Amy Weirich was the event’s guest speaker. The program was opened by President Carol Straughn who introduced Weirich and touched on many of her accolades including managing the truancy reduction Every DAy in School mentoring program and creating the Lives Worth Saving program, a prostitution diversion program at Calvary Episcopal Church. An announcement was made regarding a change in the program’s schedule and Weirich approached the podium to give her speech. Weirich approached the podium on the stage and thanked the LWV for inviting her to the event and making changes to the calendar. “I do have something that has come along suddenly,” began Weirich. “Pastor Ralph White, a community leader who many of you in the audience know died this week and he was the long-serving pastor at Bloomfield Baptist Church where he actually died giving a eulogy. His funeral is at noon just down the road at First Baptist Broad so I appreciate you all giving me the opportunity to go and celebrate his life and all that he has done for this community.” Weirich continued to give honor to White who should be
recognized for the shirts and billboards that say “For God So Loved…” and who would hold an annual prayer vigil that involved people holding hands around the entire 201 Poplar building praying for justice, victims, and more. “Thank you for letting me be here today and to also be there and to honor him,” said Weirich. “It struck me, in preparing my words for today how easy it is to look back as we prepare to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the woman’s right to vote.” Weirich spoke of the challenges the women, and the few men who accompanied them, must have endured to ensure future women would have the right to vote. “They didn’t have the modern amenities that we have today,” said Weirich. “It would have been so easy to give up…, but what they had was hope. They had a vision and they had support. They had hope, they had vision, and they had support – what we need every day.” Weirich stated that her employment at 201 Poplar started in 1991. At that time, she was fresh out of law school, single, and ready to begin the job she had always wanted to have. She married a law school classmate the following year. The couple has remained together and have four children ages 13 to 26. “When I started in the DA’s office, the office looked much different than it does today,” said Weirich. “I was one of a handful of women. We weren’t allowed to wear pants. There wasn’t a maternity leave policy. There were typewriters everywhere and nobody was wearing a cell phone. And what we did was to go to court every day and made decisions. We reacted. We evaluated cases that the police department delivered to us.” Weirich then began to talk about how the DA’s office has changed over the years. “We now have more women employees in the DA’s office. We do have a very nice maternity leave policy,” said Weirich who mentioned the DA’s office had just moved into new office spaces at 201. “After almost 40 years of some people being in the basement and never leaving their office, they now have a window.” The whole process of moving has given the office time to look through old desks, relive the past, and to look towards the future of the organization. “We’ve been doing a lot of reflecting within the office as people cleaned out closets and desk drawers,” said Weirich. “To look back on where we were, where we are, and where we hope to be. The same as we do as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the women’s right to vote.” Lunch consisted of chicken crepes, seafood scampi, or vegetable risotto. After dining, Carol took to the podium to finish the business portion of the annual event. “We have our past State President, Sharon Fidler; our local past President, Peg Watkins; and we have a number of our management team members here,” said Straughn as she called for each of them to stand. “We have a good contingency and we do have room for a couple more, so during our meeting you can be thinking about that. 2
“The LWV is, as you know, fast approaching its’ 100th birthday. The organization does not support or oppose individual candidates or political parties. The league members are encouraged to be politically active, attend candidate meetings, caucuses, to support candidates of their own choice, and run for offices themselves.” As the luncheon ended, Straughn called the annual business meeting to order. Guests were encouraged to stay or leave depending on their personal schedule. The current officers are President Carol Straughn, Vice-President and Voter Education Outreach Chair Peg Watkins, Secretary Kathleen Bradley, Treasurer Sherry Hewlett, Voter Services Chair Sharon Fidler, VOTER Editor Anna Smith, Environmental Chair Sue Williams, Election Commission Liaison Barbara Williams, and Development Chair Nita Black. Additional information on the Memphis Chapter can be found online at lwv.org. (Left) LVW Members and friends of the League enjoy the annual luncheon event. (Above left) Election Commission Liaison Barbara Williams reports on LWV information during the business meeting. (Center) District Attorney General Amy Weirich was the guest speaker at the League of Women’s Voters annual Business Meeting and Luncheon held Saturday, June 1, at the University Club. (Above right) LWV President Carol Straughn (right) presents guest speaker Weirich with a token of appreciation before her departure for another event. (Below) The business meeting shared information about the League with those in attendance. 3
GOT A SPECIAL EVENT COMING UP? NEED A BIGGER SPACE TO HOST IT? Story and Pictures by Dr. Yvonne D. Nelson Named after W. H. Bingham, “an Irish immigrant, hotelier, planter, magistrate, politician, and entrepreneur,” the Binghampton community, nestled somewhere around and between the southern border of North Memphis, East Memphis on the east, the Midtown area on the west, and the Overton Park/Poplar Avenue area on the south, was founded in 1893. Many businesses have come and gone over the years and the racially integrated area has recently been the location for an influx of innovative ideas. The Rec Room and Civil Axe Throwing are two of those most recent developments. The Rec Room, located at 3000 Broad Avenue at Tillman Street, features several large 20’ screens for video games and bigger-than-life-sized sports events. The 6,000 sq. ft. location has six rentable living rooms for hosting parties of 10 or more and the usual rate is pretty cheap at just $10/hour Monday through Thursday and $25/hour Friday through Sunday. Living rooms can be reserved for one-hour increments and specials and promotions can be found on the organization’s Facebook page! You’ll find vintage arcade and other table games, board games, outdoor fun and a patio, a full bar, family restaurant pizza, and catering services are available upon request. Living Room rentals include: Party host and dedicated staff Custom food options Unlimited soft drinks Beer and a full bar Lots of games and fun activities! The location is open evenings and children, when supervised by one or more adults, are welcome from opening until 6 pm daily. Age restrictions apply after 6 pm on all days. Visit recroommemphis.com or email memrecroom@gmail.com for specific details and rental information. 4
(Left) Dane Williams (standing) and a group of friends enjoy some family restaurant pizza and the festivities at the Rec Room, 3000 Broad Avenue, on Thursday, June 20, 2019. The free event hosted by the Rec Room, started at 6 pm and lasted until 9 pm. Individuals from all over Memphis dropped by to participate in the NBA Grizzlies Trivia and Watch Party special and Memphis NBA Draft Night traditional event with Kevin Cerrito, Anthony Sain, and Cam Rose. The trivia event featured Grizz-themed prizes as giveaways during the commercials that aired following the Grizzlies pick at No. 2. Trivia prizes were awarded for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, Best Team Name, and the team with the most Grizz spirit. Story and Pictures by Dr. Yvonne D. Nelson There is a new trend taking hold of and in America these days and its called “Axe Throwing!” Axe throwing “is a lumberjack competitive-type sport where competitors throw axes at targets, sort of like darts, with the goal of hitting the bullseye.” You can now sharpen your axe throwing skills at the Civil Axe Throwing, 3020 Broad Avenue, Suite #1, in the Binghampton community. Open throw Options include 1-hour open throw sessions starting at $20/ person for ages 14 and above; 1-hour private axe throwing lessons starting at $160/group (up to 21 people) ages 14 and above; and 2 hours of private axe throwing starting at $280/group (up to 21 people) ages 14 and above. You can also purchase gift cards and find out about upcoming fundraiser axe throwing tournaments to raise funds for your favorite charity! You must wear closed-toe shoes to participate in axe throwing at Civil Axe and there is a minimum of eight (8) people per lane. The organization is located right next door to the Rec Room which has a family restaurant, so no outside food and/or beverages are allowed; however, catering is available through the Rec Room and you can always walk over without going outside to order from their food and beverage menus. Participation in the activities at Civil Axe Throwing does require a signed release of liability form to be on file. Drop by, book online, call (901) 5015855, or email bookingmemphis@civilaxethrowing.com for details. 5 (Below) Shelby Kee (left) and her dad, Steve Kee, celebrate a missed Father’s Day outing by spending time at Civil Axe.
Scenes from the June 2019 Businesses United to Recognize Educators (b.u.r.e.) Outstanding Educators of the Month Ceremony 6
Story and Pictures by Dr. Yvonne D. Nelson The Memphis Shelby County Education Association Auditorium, located at 126 Flicker Street in Memphis, TN, was the location of the June “Outstanding Educators of the Month” program. The event featuring honorees in multiple categories was scheduled to begin at 5 pm on Thursday, June 20, 2019. The event also honored the Hamilton High School Class of 1969 who were celebrating their 50th Year Anniversary. The Outstanding B.U.R.E. categories and monthly honorees of the month for June are as follows: The Margaret B. McKissick-Larry Female Educator of the Month Award - Lori Enos, Elementary Teacher (Retired) Richland Elementary School, Shelby County School District The Commodore C. Primous Male Educator of the Month Award - Keelon Larson Sr., Coach, Boys Basketball Wooddale High School, Shelby County School District The Pat. B. Moore Outstanding Auxiliary Educator of the Month Award - Melvin Cox III, Managing Director, Teaching & Learning Division Teach for America, Shelby County School District The John W. White Principal of the Month Award - James Q. Bacchus, Principal Hamilton High School, Shelby County School District The Sara L. Lewis School of the Month Award - Hamilton High School, Shelby County School District The Ophelia Watson Flowers Program of the Month Award - Yale Road Learning Center of Memphis Veronica Finnie, Founder & CEO The Willie W. Herenton Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award - Mildred Lee Taylor, Educator (Retired) Sherwood Middle School, Shelby County School District The Jimmy Delnoah William Friend to Education Award - Early Drane, Volunteer & 1969 Hamilton High School Graduate The Kiwayna & Trennie Lanier Williams Outstanding Parent Award - Dr. Gwendolyn Cowan-Flowers, LeMoyne-Owen College (Student Financial Services Counselor) The Ruby J. Payne Outstanding Author of the Month Award - Mabra Holeyfield, Author - “Use What You Got” CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 7
Scenes from the June 2019 Businesses United to Recognize Educators (b.u.r.e.) Outstanding Educators of the Month Ceremony 8
Scenes from the June 2019 Businesses United to Recognize Educators (b.u.r.e.) Outstanding Educators of the Month Ceremony CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 9
Scenes from the June 2019 Businesses United to Recognize Educators (b.u.r.e.) Outstanding Educators of the Month Ceremony 10
Scenes from the June 2019 Businesses United to Recognize Educators (b.u.r.e.) Outstanding Educators of the Month Ceremony 11
Save the Date... TOPICS INCLUDE HOW YOU CAN HELP FIGHT AGAINST... Blight, Environmentally Unhealthy Communities, Unfair and Harmful State/Senate Bills, On Voting & Elections and the State of Black Person Tuesday, July 9, 2019 5:58 - 7:28 PM CST Greater Faith Tabernacle Ministries 905 E Shelby Drive, Memphis, TN 38116 SAVE TIME SIGNING IN. REGISTER ONLINE @ https://www.eventbrite.com/e/save-the-date-tuesday-july-9-2019-tickets-64280249958 SIGN OUR ONLINE PETITION NOW! CLICK THE LINK OR THE PICTURE... https://www.thepetitionsite.com/753/756/130/demand-waste-connections-to-cease-operations-now/ DEMAND WASTE CONNECTIONS OF TN, LLC CEASE THEIR WASTE TRANSFER STATION ACTIVITIES AND LEAVE WHITEHAVEN NOW! CALL CITY COUNCIL (901) 636-6786 TO SAY “NO” WE WANT WASTE CONNECTIONS TO GO! 12
A room full of opposed residents filled the Whitehaven Library to protest City Council’s decision to approve the WCs expansion. Story and picture by Dr. Yvonne D. Nelson The debate continues and most everyone wants to know, why? Why is this transfer station expansion approval a discussion item for the Memphis City Council? I guarantee you might just find out if you come to City Hall at 3:30 PM on Tuesday, July 2, 2019. Certain households on Brevard Drive, the street of homes in Whitehaven whose back and front yards are closest and/or adjacent to Waste Connections of TN, LLC, a waste transfer company located at 621 E. Brooks Road, were invited to a private tour of the company at 1 pm on Wednesday, June 12, 2019. During the outside portion of the tour, a council representatives was partially pictured covering her face from the odor and the odor was mild on the day they visited. The community said “NO” in August and again in September. The company went back to the drawing board, fired Brenda Solomito Baser and hired attorney, business owner, and former (failed attempt) council candidate Brian J. Stephens, President and Co-Founder of Caissa Public Strategy. Stephens, in turn hires an African American named Adrian Bond. I suppose Stephens may have thought our Black community would listen to Bond instead of the white person because he was Black and we are too. I guess no one had informed Stephens that Blacks can be, and often are, their own worse enemy. A Black person might just sell out their own biological mother for $2.00, if they have an opportunity. In my opinion, any smart person knows better than to just trust a person they don’t know - especially when they are Black. The District 6 appointee had already decided to hold a town hall meeting the following Monday, so what was the purpose of the tour the previous Wednesday? The invitations to the Monday meeting were actually being delivered by the U.S.P.S. while the tour was taking place, so you can’t say it wasn’t premeditated. It was purposely planned and it failed. Every official that was present had either personally appeared before the McCorkle Road Neighborhood Association when invited in 2018 or had sent a representative in their place. The appointed councilperson had to verbally acknowledge the meeting was a waste of time to herself as well as those in attendance. My question to you is what do you see when you look at this picture? I see a picture that depicts environmental racism and injustice. We are requesting everyone to join the fight at 3:30 PM Tuesday, July 2nd in council chambers. This company picks up waste products in Horn Lake and other parts of MS and TN, brings it to Whitehaven, and transfers them from Whitehaven to Walnut, MS to be buried. The waste station’s proximity to residential housing is in spitting distance of many retirees retirement homes which gives rise to serious health and safety concerns; yet the city wants to approve the expansion. You say you haven’t figured out why yet? Well, maybe I should suggest you wear something RED and come to 125 N. Main Street Tuesday, July 1st at 3:30 PM for your first free lesson in “Misleading Verbal Agreements...” I guaranteed you’ll pass the class with flying colors by the time the session is over! 13
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LISTEN UP! COUNTLESS NUMBERS OF PEOPLE ARE LEAVING HERE DAILY WITHOUT MAKING PREPARATIONS… ...WE WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE ONE OF THEM. July 1, 2019 DI’MANS, Inc. Post Office Box 9146 Memphis, TN 38190-0146 RE: Technology Seminars for Seniors My ZIP - My Email Meetings Free Announcement Calendar Greetings, The board and staff of DI’MANS, Inc., a nonprofit, IRS recognized organization founded in 1999, wishes to invite you to join us as we begin to reintroduce Shelby County to our series of informational presentations on subjects we believe you need to know about. Subscribe to our online newsmagazine NEWSCENE at iLoveShelbyCounty.com TODAY, to stay informed... We will begin offering free classes on topics that include: Gardening for Survival Navigating Your Mobile Device with Confidence, Especially for Seasoned Citizens Social Security Disability: Application Submitted, Approval Received Securing loved ones’ futures by preparing for the End-of-My-Life Student loan management: What You Should Know Before and After Signing The Real ID: What’s Happening after October 1, 2020? Hosting Voter Registration Drives: What you need to know Who are You Voting For? Meet the Candidates Thank you, Phone (901) 300-0250 for information, to make a donation, or for volunteer opportunities! 15
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D & R Tree Service & Landscaping Donald Hawkins, Proprietor LICENSED, BONDED, AND INSURED WITH REASONABLE PRICES TOO! (REFERENCES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST) TREE REMOVAL TREE THIN/TOP OUT DEAD LIMB REMOVAL STUMP REMOVAL STUMP GRINDING MULCHING AND FLOWER BEDS FOR SERVICE & QUOTES CALL (901) 335-7580 Questionable things in Memphis?!! View of the new Memphis sign from Riverside Drive. So where do you have to stand to read it properly? On Mud Island in front of it! QUESTION? Was this a former bus stop? I-240 RAMP TO MILLBRANCH MILLBRANCH RAMP TO I-240 NONCONNAH TO BROOKS RD VIA MILLBRANCH Why would a bus stop be here though? This bench is in the middle of nowhere! This bench is located at the intersection of Millbranch Road and Nonconnah Boulevard. There is no reasonable explanation as to why anyone would place a bench here. There are countless numbers of real bus stop locations that don’t offer any shade from the sweltering summer heat of Memphis or shelter from its harsh winter winds. The next time you exit or enter the expressway from this location, if you are stopped in the light or can safely do so, be sure to look at the southwest corner. This is exactly what you’ll see! 17
District 33 State Senator Katrina Robinson of Shelby County held her inaugural “School’s Out Fun Fest” at Marquette Park in East Memphis on Saturday, June 29, 2019. On stage visiting and discussing music and more are Fun Fest DJ MicTee (right) and DJ Truck. Pastor Dwayne Hunt Katrina Robinson is a graduate of Whitehaven High School. She studied Biology Pre-Med and Chemistry at Xavier University of Louisiana where Dr. Charles Champion and Dr. Lester Carter attended, received a BS in Nursing from Union University, and a BBA in Marketing Management from the University of Memphis. Robinson, 38 is a Registered Nurse, Leadership Memphis graduate, and the Founder and Director of The Healthcare Institute: Healthcare Career College where interested individuals can become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in 12 months time. The institute also offers training for becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant by taking a 3 week day or 5 week evening course. As a member of the 111th General Assembly, she is the Chair of the Shelby County Ethics Commission, on the Military Academy Nomination Board, member of the National Organization of Black Elected Legislative (NOBEL) Women, member of Emerge Tennessee Alum and Advisory councils, Advisory Board member of SRVS, and member of the Shelby County Democratic Party, Democratic Women of Shelby County, Junior League of Memphis, and the National League of Nurses. Robinson’s District 33 committees include being a member of the Senate Energy, Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Senate Judiciary. She was elected (14,164 votes) to the Tennessee State Senate to represent District 33 (part of Shelby County) on November 6, 2018 upon winning the seat from former Senator Reginald Tate (6,464 votes) in the Democratic primary on August 2, 2018. Her term ends in 2022. The community was invited to join Senator Katrina Robinson for a day of “fun and relaxation” from 1 to 6 pm on Saturday, June 29, 2019 at Marquette Park, 4946 Alrose Avenue in Memphis, TN. Dedicated to students and their families, Robinson held the fun– and information-filled event to celebrate a successful upcoming school year. Themed “School’s Out Fun Fest,” the free event provided economically-friendly fun for parents and children, food and drinks, children’s rides, a game truck, rock climbing, bounces, music by DJmictee and more. You had to be present to win the giveaways which included a PS4, bikes, fuel, and grocery cards. For more information on The Healthcare Institute: Healthcare Career College, visit THI-TN.com or call (901) 2440844. You can also like Senator Robinson’s Facebook page, follow her on Twitter @katrinafortn, call her Senate office in Nashville at (615) 741-2509, or email SenatorRobinson@outlook.com. 18
(Above) District 33 State Senator Katrina Robinson took office in November 2018. On Saturday, June 29, 2019, she sponsored her first School’s Out Fun Fest for students and their families. The free event, attended by hundreds of supporters, was a huge success. (Below) Memphis Shelby Pal is a nonprofit organization devoted to preventing crime, building character, and promoting success in youth through youth mentorship. Memphis Shelby Pal members (front from left) Jean Speaks, Darnesha Brown, Sierra Qualls, MPD Ofc. J. Anderson, and Jada Knox of the Mt. Moriah Station Road Runners are registering athletes of all skill levels for Cheerleading (ages 4-14) and Football (ages 5-12) camp. Click “Register Now” at MemphisShelbyPal.org or call (901) 830-4424 for details. CONTINUED ON PAGE 20 19
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1. Shelby County Schools (SCS) Division of Early Childhood employees (from left) Detris Crane, Ed.D., Pre-K Administrator Winter Cox, and Regina Payne are screening children who will be 4 years old by August 15, 2019. Call (901) 416-3450, email TATETL1@scsk12.org or visit scsk12.org/prek for details; 2. Theresa Gillespie Isom needs your support in the August 6 DeSoto County District 7 election. Call (901) 343-9169, visit tgisom.webs.com, @tgisom or mail to POB 2008, Olive Branch, MS 38654; 3. State Senator Katrina Robinson; 4. Food serving youth committee volunteers Makyra Childers and India Pierce (far left); 5. Hadskey family members Sarah (not pictured) Rowan and Glynn (right) on the team up on the “Balance Up” game; 6. There was no shortage of work for the volunteers signing in guests; 7. Memphis Police Department (MPD) TACT team officers (from left) J. Bradley, D. Hart, A. Smith, and J. Boyd; 8. Goodwill Excel Center School Director, Candis Dawson-Taylor, and Vice President, Chuck Molinski help adults 18 and older obtain their high school diplomas. Visit excelcentermemphis.org or call (901) 323-6221 to enroll today! 9. Blaise and Brielle Morgan are excited with their new face paint by Nyree (left) of 901 Parties.com. Call (901) 878-9386 for booking and prices. 10. Senator Robinson and guests Cupid Shuffle dancing. 11. SCS Family and Community Engagement employees (standing) Melinda Callahan, (seated) Dwayne Scott, Antonio Avant, and Antonio Harvey wants you to voice your concerns through a short online survey available at bit.ly/SCSFamilyInput. Also pictured are Speaking Life Healthcare rep and Administrator, Thomas McDonald. Click the link to participate today! 12. Memphis Housing Authority (MHA) Public Housing FSS Coordinator Kawanna Poe is looking for public housing residents or Housing Choice Voucher recipients who want to own a home, continue their education, find a job, repair credit and reduce debt, and more! Call Poe at (901) 544-1357, or email her at ph.fss@memphisha.org. MHA Housing Choice Voucher FSS Service Coordinator, Sheila Hooks, can be reached at (901) 544-1347, or by email at hcv.fss@memphisha.org. You can also visit the Memphis Housing Authority online at memphisha.org, call (901) 544-1000, or visit @memphishousingauthority on Facebook or @housing_memphis on Twitter. The MHA is an Equal Housing Opportunity company. Call (855) 752-5773 for leasing information on the South City housing program. 13. Party Bounce Rentals employee Chris manned the Rock Climbing wall at the event. 14. MPD Recruiter, Ofc. K. D. Moore, was ready to discuss the duties of a Memphis Police Officer and sign on all new talent. 15. Conductor Gene Schooling had the best job of the day riding his train along the walking trail in Marquette Park near Park Avenue. 12 13 14 15 DID YOU KNOW? There are several moneyless ways you can support nonprofits like DI’MANS, Inc. dba NEWSCENE and the McCorkle Road Neighborhood Development Association, Inc. of Memphis (serving all of ZIP Code 38116). When you shop at Kroger you can, AT NO COST TO YOU, support DI’MANS, Inc. by enrolling in the Community Rewards Program and earning rewards for DI’MANS every time you shop! Visit Kroger.com/ communityrewards and support Organization #DN098. Smile.Amazon.com is a website operated by Amazon with the same products, prices, and shopping features as Amazon.com. The difference is that when you shop on AmazonSmile, again, AT NO COST TO YOU, the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products to DI’MANS Inc., the charitable organization of choice! 22
IT’S A WATER-MELON-FUNDRAISING-A-THON! YOUR SUPPORT IS APPRECIATED PLEASE HELP DI’MANS, INC. dba NEWSCENE (EIN 26-4009342; CFC# 46643) and THE McCORKLE ROAD NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION, INC. OF MEMPHIS (62-1641637) AS WE WORK TO BETTER OUR COMMUNITIES... WE ARE SELLING WATERMELONS FROM FL & AL Place your order online at: https://iloveshelbycounty.com/watermelon-fundraiser or call (901) 300-0250 today... ...Delivery available (for a nominal fee)! 23
Happy Birthday Deacon Richardson! Deacon Jesse Richardson’s (second from left) held a birthday program and dinner in honor of his upcoming birthday. On hand at the head table for the event were (from left) Pastor Oscar Walker Jr. of Praise of Joy, Pastor Dr. Pearl Lurry of Vision Temple Ecumenical Church and Outreach Ministries, Inc., and Richardson’s Pastor and nephew, Pastor Cameran Harris of True Love Baptist Church. Story and Pictures by Dr. Yvonne D. Nelson To celebrate his upcoming birthday, Deacon Jesse Richardson invited nearly 100 friends and relatives to join him for a birthday dinner at 4 PM on Saturday, June 2, 2019. Much to his surprise, nearly 150 people showed up. The event was held in the Family Life Center of the Norris Avenue Missionary Baptist Church, 1437 Norris Road in Memphis, TN. The program emcee was Pastor Calvin Myers of Botts Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. Minister Cedric King opened the program with a devotion and the True Love Praise Team performed several musical selections. Pastor Travis Dancy gave a stirring welcome and occasion followed by a solo performance by soloist Sister Beverly Trice Bell. Gospel comedian Brother Fred Mitchell lightened the mood with several funny stories about his past and a few jokes. “Back in the 70s and 80s I was always attending Christmas parties,” started Mitchell. “One year, somebody spiked the punch and a young lady had drank some, gotten drunk, and asked me for a ride home. Being the gentleman that I was, I knew I could trust myself and agreed to drive her home. The next day my wife and I were riding in the car and glanced over and saw a shoe on the floor. When we got to a stop light, I diverted my wife's attention and quickly retrieved the shoe and threw it out of my window. When we got to our destination it was taking my wife a long time to get out of the car, so I asked her was everything okay? She replied, no, saying that she couldn’t find her shoe!” Soloist Brother Therman Richardson sang and The Glass Singers (Charles Pop Glass, Cordia Glass, Pearl Clark, Stephiane Johnson, and Gordon Glass) performed several musical selections before dinner was served. Groups were called by table number to dine off of cuisine prepared by the capable caterer, Dorothy Harris and her crew of helpers which included Richardson’s niece, Alexcia Mathis, Jalen Bolton, Coby, Alexius, and Zaryion Westbrooks. Short words were provided by Richardson’s nephew, Pastor Cameran Harris (as a Deacon), neighbor, Pastor Oscar Walker, and Pastor Dr. Pearl Lurry (as a friend). The celebration ended with a reunion of Richardson’s Bible Aires and musical selections by the True Love Male Chorus and The Kings of Harmony. A good and festive time was had by all. 24
FAMI LY & SPEC IAL GUEST SPEAKER S I STER CAROLYN L IVINGSTON MARIAN TRI PLETT and REV . JOHN WI LKINS TAMMY & TYRONE HARRI S AND ESSENCE BI LLS CONTINUED ON PAGE 26 25
TRUE LOVE MALE CHOIR THE BIBLE AIRES THE KINGS OF HARMONY 26
PASTOR DR. PEARL LURRY S I STER DELAINA RAY PASTOR OSCAR WALKER FAMI LY & FRI ENDS J ESSE RI CHARDSON PASTOR CALVIN MYERS 27
2019 Memphis People’s Convention 28
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(Above) Tour guides (from left) Kyra Amerson, Morgan Cannon, Lonnie Graham (rear), and Ronnie Wesby had help from Researcher Gabrielle Richardson on the tour. (Below) UofM Intern and University of Memphis Junior Kyler Gilkey performed a musical selection. Story and Pictures by Dr. Yvonne D. Nelson With the program tours behind them, Whitehaven 38116 arts-based summer project participants have begun preparing for their next big project, the grand finale scheduled to be held on July 11, 2019, at Abundant Grace Fellowship, 1574 E. Shelby Drive. “The goal of the program is for the participants to use the arts for a better way of life through dance, songs, and acting,” said Blues City Cultural Center Education Director, Roniece N. Gilkey. “The experience is designed to expose youth to the history of their community.” The tour allowed the students to share facts from the informational research they personally did on previously selected areas of Whitehaven. “The tour was very, very interesting,” said tour guest Shirley Shorty who learned some things she didn’t know on the tour. “The best part of the tour were the guides - the children. They were excellent!” 30
(Above) The Whitehaven 38116 Summer Youth Experience, sponsored by the Blues City Cultural Center, held tours of the Whitehaven community on Tuesday and Wednesday, June 25-26, 2019. Pictured are camp participants and program supporters preparing to board the bus for the Wednesday tour. (Above) Lonnie Graham served as the main guide, introducing many of the stops made during the informative and entertaining tour of Whitehaven bus trip, taken from 10 AM until 11:30 AM on Wednesday, June 26, 2019. (Below) Participants approach the bus to start the tour. (Above) Whitehaven High School student and Whitehaven 38116 Summer Youth Experience participant Morgan Cannon, 16, co-narrates portions of the tour of Whitehaven as part of her job description of being a singer, researcher, oral historian, cultural interpreter, writer, and marketing planner. 31
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SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSCENE, the NEW SCENE where NEWS is SCENE, for $72.00 per Year or $7 per Month! Single and multiple copies are also available for purchase. Thank you for subscribing to our first NEWSCENE publication. We are the NEW SCENE where NEWS is SEEN! We hope you enjoyed the stories about and the pictures taken at events we visited last month. We are looking forward to sharing more pictures and stories with you next month about the many events taking place this month. As you know, we can’t be at more than one event at a time, but we are here to assist you to get your events online, in our calendar, and in print. Don’t forget you can click on the links that are included to visit websites, blogs, Facebook pages and more! We want to be the first place you look to learn about the things happening in your community, but we won’t know about what’s happening unless you tell us. Write to us at NewsceneShelbyCo@gmail.com or call (901) 300-0250 to leave us a message. We promise to return your call in a timely fashion. NEWSCENE . . . ...is currently seeking ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS and passionate and outgoing volunteer photojournalists who can write stories and take pictures at local events. Interested persons should phone (901) 300-0250 for details. 36
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