Vol. 1, Issue 5a May 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. Let me begin by thanking our readership for their patience while waiting for our May edition of NEWSCENE to be published. Our delay was directly related to our desire to meet the noon, May 1, 2019, deadline to submit our application for financial support through the city of Memphis’ Budget Committee. If approved, this funding will ensure our continued ability to bring you news about things that have happened around Shelby County through NEWSCENE, The NEW SCENE where NEWS is SEEN! With our April edition, we have now published NEWSCENE for our first full quarter. We hope you have enjoyed the variety of news and feature stories each edition has covered and encourage you to share your copies with others. We are looking forward to being able to produce a few hundred printed copies beginning this quarter and we invite you to join our advisory board and to make a taxdeductible contribution to our success. As you know, we depend heavily on you to spread the word about NEWSCENE. Your willingness to share links to featured stories online, your desire to submit calendar events, pictures, and stories about events that have recently taken place, and your desire to support us through advertisements featuring local businesses and activities is appreciated. NEWSCENE is for you and about you and the things you know about that are happening in your community. Let me know what’s going on because I depend on you to make sure I have accurate and fresh content for each monthly edition. Feel free to call me at (901) 300-0250, write me at I Love Shelby County, Attn: Senior Publicist, P.O. Box 9146, Memphis, TN 38190-0146, or you can email us at Memphis.Meetings@gmail.com. Thank you, Yvonne UT Martin Wildlife and Fisheries graduate and Naturalist, Tel Glenn, an employee at Reel Foot Lake State Park, is shown with Storm, a five-year old Bald Eagle who was injured in the park during a storm. Story and Pictures by Dr. Yvonne D. Nelson SCOUTS ROCK AT GRACELAND Hundreds of Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts from all over the country look forward to the Scouts Rock at Graceland day, an annual event where they can learn new skills and earn achievements toward ranks or pin/belt loop/merit badge requirements in American Heritage, citizenship, collections, forestry, service opportunities, journalism and photography. This year’s event was held from 10 am until 3 pm on Saturday, April 6, 2019, at the Graceland Soundstage A, a 20,000 square-foot venue for live music performances, movie screenings, video productions, private events, corporate meetings, conference, and trade show exhibitions located in the new Graceland entertainment and exhibit complex in Memphis, TN. Scouts and those accompanying them were treated to a tour of the Graceland Mansion, visited the two airplanes on the property, saw the horses grazing, enjoyed special Scout Day events and activities, and had access to the entire Elvis Presley’s Memphis Entertainment Complex featuring 12 exhibits and attractions. In addition to bringing nonperishable food items to be donated to the Mid-South Food Bank, scouts were able to design a card to be sent to the U.S. Military through the American Red Cross and earned various badges and achievements that increased their scouting knowledge and abilities through activities finding and identifying trees, learning about museums and careers in museum studies, and
visiting the onsite radio station. Scout families were treated to special rates on rooms at the Guest House at Graceland during their Scout Rock at Graceland day stay in Memphis. Vendors on hand at the event included Elvis Presley Birthplace, American Red Cross, Brooks Shaws Old Country Store, Chucalissa Museum, Discovery Park of America, DUI and TACT Memphis Police Department units, FIRST Tech Challenge Robotics, Humane Society of Memphis & Shelby County, Incredible Pizza Company, Les Paul Foundation, Main Event, Memphis Archaeological & Geological Society, Memphis Grizzlies, Memphis Light, Gas and Water, Memphis Hustle, Memphis Police Explores, Memphis Redbirds, Memphis Rock-n-Soul, Memphis Zoo, Shelby Farms Park, The Children’s Museum of Memphis, The Cotton Museum, Tina Turner Museum, Tennessee State Parks, Tennessee Wildlife Agency, 901 FC Scotter Team, DeSoto County Tourism and the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Department VIPS (Volunteers in Partnership Story Approved by: (Below from left) 6-year old Millington Elementary School Girl Scout Kyndol Harris cuddles with a baby owl during the annual event; Memphis Hustle G-League Intern Luke Peduto (left) checks his aim before tossing his bean bag directly into the hole behind him as Pack 141 scout Braedyn Bennett, 7 awaits his turn to throw; Graceland Tour Operations employee Erma Addison enjoys greeting visitors. Christian Ross | PR & Marketing Specialist Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. | Graceland 3734 Elvis Presley Blvd. | Memphis, TN 38116 cross@graceland.com (Middle, left) Alexia Hall mans the Withers Collection Museum & Gallery booth; (Middle, right) Memphis Hustle G-League Marketing & Promotions team members Cher Warren and Jausalyn Sims work with Scouts during the annual event. Graceland entrance. 2
Human Society of Memphis & Shelby County Volunteer Coordinator Ashley Moore (left) and Nathan Garrison explain the benefits of adopting pets; Graceland employees (Right, from left). Kelton Neyland, Bonnie Dotson, Tawana Cooper, Penny Henderson, Suzanne Ginn, and Ayesha Johnson enjoyed the annual Scouts Rock event held from 10 AM until 3 PM at Graceland on Saturday, April 6, 2019. (Left) Using a modified iPhone as a controller, First Tech volunteer, mom, and coach, Tommie Rodgers (standing) and a group of 7th through 12th grade students from various schools were at the Scouts Rock event. (Right) The FTC Team # 7802 robotics display table. (Left) Surrounded by everything from skins of a black bear, opossum, muskrat, beaver, deer, grey fox, raccoon, elk, red fox, skunk and skulls of everything from both domestic and wild pigs, rats, a snapper alligator, moose’s antler, coyote’s head, bobcat’s head, and more, Tennessee Hunter Education Course instructor Gene Smith is pictured holding the shell of a turtle he found in the wild. (Center) Clark Shaw, CEO and owner of the original 1870 era home of Casey Jones Home and Railroad Museum, located between Memphis and Nashville, TN, was on hand marketing his fun family destination. (Right) According to Memphis Redbird employee Joe Hanson (right), AutoZone Park is the best place in Memphis to spend quality time with your family, school, church, employees, customers, and fellow organization members. Ticket prices are $17 - $36 per seat and groups of 10 or more can qualify for special promotional gifts. 3
Story and Pictures by Dr. Yvonne D. Nelson THE 2019 BILL PICKETT INVITATIONAL RODEO RETURNS TO MEMPHIS The Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo was created and managed by promoter Lu Vason (1939 - 2015) who didn’t believe people were fully aware of the role black cowboys had played in the history of the United States. In 1977, while attending the Wyoming Cheyenne Frontier Days, Vason was aroused when no black cowboys were participants in the event. His revelation led to the creation, in 1984, of the all-black rodeo that he named after the legendary black cowboy Willie M. “Bill” Pickett (1870 - 1932), a rodeo performer he learned about while visiting the Black American West Museum of History in Denver, CO, and the person who originated the art of “bulldogging,” a move in which the cowboy rides alongside a steer eventually jumping onto its shoulders and wrestling the steer to the ground while digging his heels into the soft ground. Currently known as steer wrestling, it is one of, if not the most loved event performed in rodeos today. Now in its 35th year, the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo is a popular traveling series that reaches over 130,000 spectators annually across the United States. The Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo with “live black cowboys and black cowgirls doing that rodeo thing” arrived in Memphis April 5-6, 2019. The event was held at the Agricenter ShowPlace Arena, 105 South Germantown Parkway. On Friday morning the hour-long “Rodeo for Kidz Sake” show featuring youth and adult riders tie down roping calves, bareback riding, bull-dogging (steer wrestling), bull riding, barrel racing, and more began at 10:30 am. Spanky the Clown took center stage to keep the crowd entertained throughout the event. Children from various schools attended, cheered, danced, and enjoyed learning about and watching the black cowboys and cowgirls perform various stunts on horses. The full Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo followed Saturday evening at 7. Designed to celebrate and honor black cowboys and cowgirls and their many contributions to building the west, the event serves as a cultural event that provides families an opportunity to enjoy and to embrace the cowboy culture while being educated and entertained with western adventure. Information on the Bill Pickett Memorial Scholarship Fund (BPMSF), the schedule of events and more is available online at The Greatest Show on Dirt! The National Office is located at 5829 South Quintero Circle, Centennial, CO 80015, phone (303) 373-1246. They can be reached by email or by emailing the local Coordinator Ms. Kitty or phoning her at (901) 487-4722. 4
(Above) The opening ceremonies of the 2019 Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo show displayed honor to both the African American and the American flags. (Below) Bill Pickett Invitational performers and Circle W Ranch family members (rear from left) Rena Brooks, Catrina Wright, Mattison Wright, RopeTight Wright (front from left) Jacob Wright and Zion Wright attended the two-day event wearing custom designed Circle W Ranch insignia, classic black cowboy hats, and, for those old enough, traditional western-styled boots. 5 2019 BILL PICKETT INVITATIONAL RODEO
6
(Left top) Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo volunteer, Velma H. Whitelo directs the thousands of children inside the Agricenter ShowPlace arena. (Right) Children attending the event were amazed to see the live cattle and other livestock! (Bottom) Students from Willow Oaks Elementary School joined students from schools all over Shelby to attend the special children’s morning performance held from 10:30 AM until Noon on Friday, April 5, 2019. (Above) Ms. Kitty (left) passed out arm bands to all the children in attendance Friday morning. (Below) Those in attendance enjoyed the hour-long activities including an opening invitational presentation featuring all the performers and the rodeo activities of steer wrestling, tie-down roping calves, bareback riding, and barrel racing. 7
Story by Dr. Yvonne D. Nelson There is an obvious reason why all nine of the Land Use Control Board members unanimously rejected the official decision of the Memphis and Shelby County Office of Planning and Development’s decision to approve the request for the expansion for the Waste Connections of Tennessee, LLC with conditions. The main reason, in the eyes of those who have to deal with it on a daily basis because it sits at the border of their backyards, is because the company is a horrible excuse for a neighbor. Yes, I said it and yes, I mean every word of it. For the past 10 to 20 years, Waste Connections has received complaint after complaint from several neighbors whose property connects to theirs. And, for the past 10 to 20 years, Waste Connections has done little, if anything to rectify the problems they have created. The only reason the company is trying so hard to be a good corporate neighbor at this point is because they’ve already purchased an adjoining 30-acre lot and even though their deed restricts them from expanding operations without the express approval from OPD, they have done just that, but its more tax dollars in the city’s pockets, so no one from the city of Memphis seems to care. Let me clarify one point. It should not be stated that ‘most’ of the neighbors oppose this expansion. Anyone of the neighbors who does not care about this happening is either crazy or they have an internal problem that medicine cannot fix. The quality of life for these people is severely reduced to an almost non-existent state of being. On days when the odors from the garbage operations are extremely strong, you cannot comfortably sit outside. It made me sick to my stomach in August 2018 when I walked door-to-door obtaining many of the nearly 1,000 petition signatures against the expansion and although he can’t tell you himself due to government regulations, the regular USPS mail carrier recently stood in my yard while delivering a package and told me he has to skip lunch on those same days because the smell makes him too nauseous to eat. Our neighborhood residents did not just start complaining about the odors, the rats, or the snakes. They’ve been complaining about them and other issues for the past 10-20 years and a few have some records and proof to support this. One neighbor records the days the odors are the strongest on a calendar. The point is that Waste Connections is only trying to clean up our environment because they want this expansion request approved. Once they have the total 40-plus acres to do as they please, our homes will become even more undervalued. We have many neighbors who have worked all their lives and who plan to retire in their current homes near this unwanted facility that has grown out of its current surroundings over the last 10-20 years. The company claims they are grandfathered in and that they do not have to do anything they don’t want to and have said, through their paid representatives, that they will leave the garbage, the smell, and the vermin just as they are if they don’t get their way. And we believe them. This company is so low down that their representatives are walking the neighborhood, twisting the truth, and obtaining signatures under false pretense to show the neighbors support the expansion effort when they don’t. Whitehaven, we need to stop it. We need to stop settling for less when we know we deserve more and we deserve better. We do not wish to see this waste transfer facility bringing more county garbage to our area to transport it wherever they take it. We do not want this environmental monstrosity growing any larger and further destroying our lovely, mostly bedroom community. Please join us at 3:30 PM on Tuesday, May 21st to complain. If you can’t come then support us by calling each and every one of the 13 council persons to let them know exactly how you feel about their decision to allow this in our Whitehaven community. Let me be so bold as to ask you to inquire if they’ve visited the area prior to the clean-up currently being undertaken and if they’d want it in their backyard. I think you get my point. Thanks! 8
9
Story and Pictures by Dr. Yvonne D. Nelson The Reverend Samuel Billy Kyles (1934 - 2016), was the founding pastor of the Monumental Baptist Church, 704 South Parkway East, in Memphis, TN, in 1959. The Civil Rights Activist, delegate to the First African National Congress, and Pastor was the co-founder and a founding member of the National Board of People United to Save Humanity (PUSH), the executive director of Rainbow/PUSH-Memphis, and the executive producer of Rainbow/PUSH WLOK Radio. Kyleswas appointed by President Bill Clinton to serve on the Advisory Committee on Religious Freedom Abroad. He was affiliated with the World Baptist Alliance, the Progressive National Baptist Convention, National Evangelist, the Ecumenical Minister’s Task Force, Chairman of the State Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, and an executive committee member of the National Rainbow Coalition. Kyles was the recipient of numerous awards and honors for his work to further civil rights. On Sunday, April 7, 2019, Kyles’ wife, Aurelia Kyles, Monumental Pastor, Rev. Wade Bryant, and members of the Monumental Baptist Church family held “A Man Remembered,” a tribute to the Life and Legacy of Rev. Samuel Billy Kyles. Known as a “Social Justice Advocate,” the event, titled the “2019 Samuel Billy Kyles Social Justice Award,” presented Social Justice Awards to Rev. Dr. Earle Fisher, #901UptheVote founder and Pastor, Abyssinian Baptist Church, 3890 Millbranch Road and Ms. Jamaea Nelson, a third generation member of Monumental Baptist Church and 12th grade student at Lausanne Collegiate School. The program was emceed by Monumental members and fictional radio announcers Sandra Rashad and Anita Phillips. The event was staged to appear as if it were being held in the recording booth of the fictitious PUSH 102.5 radio station. As the ladies paid tribute to the life and times of Kyles, the listening audience received a brief educational lecture of the civil rights activist and more. Judge Bernice Bouie Donald, a federal judge for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit and former judge on the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee, was the special guest speaker. “I just want to express my gratitude to Aurelia for including me on this program,” said Donald. “You know Rev. Kyles led a committed life of service and activism. He was a son, a husband, a father, an activist, a preacher, a teacher, a leader, an advocate, a visionary, a dreamer, an ambassador and he was also a friend. This icon could walk with kings and queens and come right back and sit down and chat with the least of these. He was a powerful, powerful man… God bless you Monumental. We are all better because Rev. Kyles lived.” The program continued with song and praise and three notable students, 7th grader Brandon Johnson of the Memphis School of Excellence, 9th grader Myles Rashad of Overton High School, and 10th grader Matthew Jones of the Memphis University School, each of whom read tributes to Kyles life and the many accomplishments he achieved during his life. “One of the things we are honoring my husband for this year is to present both a youth award and an adult award that’s called the Samuel Billy Kyles Social Justice Award, said Aurelia Kyles. “This year to field the nominees for our youth award we are very pleased to partner with Facing History and Ourselves which is an organization that was very near and dear to my husband. It is an organization that really helps young people to understand how to identify the injustices in our country and really take some action.” Facing History and Ourselves provides professional development and resources for educators through the mid-south and prepares students for life beyond high school. Their programs provide lessons and resources that help them explore the events and local activism that brought the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to Memphis in the spring of 1968. The agency, headquartered in Brookline, MA, has 10 offices, including a branch in Memphis, TN. “If you can imagine a world built on knowledge and compassion, not racism and bigotry, that’s the world we are seeking to build at Facing History,” said Executive Director Marti Tippens Murphy. “It is people who make choices and choices make history. Here at Facing History when we think of Rev. Kyles, we think of a man who was our teacher and had a huge impact and inspired hundreds of students and teachers over the years through our partnership with him.” Special recognitions were given to the individuals who assisted in the final selection of the youth awardee. The adult and youth awardees were introduced by Rev. Bryant, given their awards, and were able to individually express their appreciation for being selected for the award to those in attendance. Rev. Bryant followed their presentations by closing the program out in prayer with his wife at his side. All those in attendance were invited to an afternoon brunch downstairs in the church’s Fellowship Hall. 10
(Above left) Facing History and Ourselves supporters (from left) Ann Hawkins, Executive Director Marti Tippens Murphy, Dorothy Johnson, Nancy B. Sorak, Justice Janice M. Holder and Judge Bernice B. Donald enjoyed the tribute to the life and legacy of Rev. Samuel Billy Kyles held on Sunday, April 7, 2019, at Monumental Baptist Church located at 704 South Parkway East, in Memphis, TN. (Above right) Representing Abyssinian Baptist Church, were (from left) Memphis Theological Seminar Leadership and Ministry graduate, saxophonist, and entertainer, Dr. Oscar ‘Feelgood’ Sueing, LUTCF, MAR; Mrs. Denise Fisher, and adult awardee, Rev. Earle Fisher. (Below left) Aurelia Kyles (left) and Monumental Pastor Rev. Wade Bryant (right) listen as Facing History and Ourselves Executive Director Marti Tippens Murphy (center) shares the past relationship the organization had built with the last Rev. Samuel Billy Kyles. (Center) Monumental Baptist Church members Sandra Rashad (right) and co-host Anita Phillips gave the event the feel of a “PUSH 102.5 radio station broadcast setting.” Tenor saxophonist Sir Clyde Jones was part of the program’s entertainment setting. (Far right) Third generation Monumental Baptist Church member Jamaea Nelson (center), the youngest of four children and daughter of Rev. James Nelson and Dr. Brenda Hardy, was the first youth awardee honored in the Samuel Billy Kyles Social Justice Award program. Jamaea is a 12th grader at Lausanne Collegiate School who has expressed her compassion in the social areas of eliminating poverty and homelessness. (Below) The program included spiritual songs, recitals, and entertainment by several individuals, entertainers, and groups. 11
Whitehaven resident Arthur Martin (above) held his annual Mardi Gras party from 5 pm until the last party goer went home beginning on Saturday, April 27, 2019. There were free adult beverages, lots of food and good entertainment, fellowshipping, music, dancing, and everyone had a really good time. The traditional event was done up in full Louisiana style! Pictured below near the fire and pot of extra large jumbo shrimp, with bell peppers and more are Martin and friends Tony Williams (left) and James Lattimore (right). 12
Story and Pictures by Dr. Yvonne D. Nelson Close to three miles of improvements have begun to be made on the north section of Elvis Presley Boulevard between Winchester Road and Commercial Boulevard. Traffic has been reduced to two lanes of traffic through September 2020 while the heavily traveled thoroughfare receives roadway improvements, sidewalks and crosswalks, signage, bicycle and pedestrian improvements, drainage, streetscape improvements and more. The improvements are expected to enhance the operational and aesthetic characteristics of the street leading to the famous mansion home of the well-known entertainer it is named for. City of Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland made the official announcement about the work proceeding in front of a group of individuals around 11:30 am on Thursday, April 11, 2019, at the Tennessee Welcome Center, 3205 Elvis Presley Boulevard at Brooks Road. For more mation, visit epbmemphis.com online. infor(Top) Mayor Jim Strickland makes an announcement concerning the pending construction project on Elvis Presley Boulevard (EPB) that is expected to last until September 2020. (Center left) The press announcement concerning EPB was made on Thursday, April 11, 2019, in front of a small group of individuals at the corner of Brooks Road and Elvis Presley Boulevard in the Tennessee Visitor’s Center parking lot. (Center right) Attending the press release to learn when, where, and how long the construction project to repair and upgrade EPB was expected to last were (from left) David Gross, Mary Wray, and Calvin Burton. (Bottom left) Story and Picture by Lyrikal Jenkins The Easter Paint Party/Egg Hunt was put together by Lyrikal Jenkins with help from the No More Silence Foundation . The event was able to pull several families together for a day of full fun! 13
By Dr. Yvonne D. Nelson 2019: The Year of Women in Business Ladies of Distinction Awards Anner J. Echols is a self-made business 21st Century woman. An entertainment talent manager, executive producer, clothing designer and re-designer for her own line, Swept Away Fashions. Echols vast experiences span the realms of being a media publicist, career consultant, talent scout, vocal coach, TV host for talent shows and for on stage productions. She is also a choreographer, director, stylist, fashion, beauty and entertainment consultant, youth empowerment teacher, and founder and CEO of AJE Dreamland Productions and Dreamland TV shows. Dreamland Productions provides staging for showcasing talented artists who dream of one day being discovered. “If you are dreaming and want your dreams made real, schedule an audition with Dreamland to move your career to a higher level,” said Echols, who is known by many as ‘The Fashion Icon.’ “Always remember, your first look is your first impression. Let me help you turn your dreams into realities. Today’s Woman is not the woman of yesterday because the 2019 Lady of Distinction has carved a path, not just for herself, but for generations to come.” In 2018, Echols received the Queen of Production award in Atlanta at the Black I AM Awards along side Angie Stone, Ms. Deb, Rodney Perry, Kathy Smith of K-Smilez Entertainment and was featured nationally on “The Real” last season during black history month. The 2019 Ladies of Distinction awards program celebrating and promoting womDreamland Photo en in business was held from 3 to 5 pm on Saturday, April 20, 2019, at the Marriott East Hotel, 5795 Poplar Avenue in Memphis, TN. A 2-hour Mix and Mingle Reception preceded the show. Designed to honor 15 ladies of distinction who are business owners and/or entrepreneurs who have endured the many unrelenting challenges and difficulties of being a minority-owned operation and have successfully survived, the 2hour awards program gave each honoree the opportunity to share their own story in a way that empowers, inspires, and motivates others to learn how to achieve their goals and dreams of becoming a woman-owned business owner who can also be honored for her success. “These women-owned business managers have endured the challenges and oppositions of being minority-owned business managers by managing, promoting, and marketing their businesses on a day-to-day basis while enduring the many challenges of a minority-owned business,” said Echols. “These women are making a tremendous contribution to the community, their success, hard work, dedication, and commitment is paving the way for other women who are striving and working hard to own their own businesses too.” The 2019 Ladies of Distinction Awards program was produced by Anner J. Echols, CEO of Dreamland Productions, sponsored by YO-HITS.com, and promoted by PINK Jordan Promotions and Kim’s Custom Printing and Signs. The Red Carpet Meet and Greet was held from 1 - 3 pm and included shopping and networking with vendors, entertainment by the smooth sounds of Jazz and R&B artist Crystal “The Sax Lady” Brown and hostess Lady JJ. The list of 2019 honorees include: Cynthia D. Anthony, Owner - Floral Secrets by Lauren Chanel Kisha Bachus, Owner - Kisha’s Kitchen Tess Bear, Change Agent, Trainer, Speaker, and Coach - Healing Hands of Memphis Rebecca Bryson, Owner - Kemm’s Mentoring Plus Crystal Clark-Chatman, CEO - Beautiful Spirited Women Angela Collins-Foxworth, Entrepreneur, Author, Media Publicity Host, Talk Show Producer/Founder/Host *Angel Jackson, Owner - Replenish Kombucha *Davina Jones, Founder & Director - Couture Cares Emily Pearls Kirk, Film Maker, Producer, Director, and Actress - TEPS Productions Kameka Payne, Owner - The Resume Revive Leshundra Robinson, Executive Director - UCAN of Memphis Rose D. Slaughter, CEO, Brilliant Fulfilment - Preferred Medi Spa Esha Vinson, Chief of Education - One Stop Taxes Charity Ware, CEO - MinistryUp Brenda D. Worrles, Author and Surgical Apparel Designer Nominations for the 2020 Ladies of Distinction Awards are being accepted. Nominee recommendations can be sent by email to ajedreamland@bellsouth.net or by completing the “Tell Us Your Dream” form online. * Award accepted by Promoter April Jordan 14
(Top from left) 2019 Ladies of Distinction Awardees Cynthia Anthony, Kisha Bachus, Tess Bear, (Below from left) Rebecca Bryson, Angela Collins-Foxworth, oyce Charity Ware, and Rose Slaughter. 15
(Above) Family and friends were on hand to honor the 2019 women-owned business awardees. (Below) Crystal ClarkChatman was escorted to the event by her husband and brother. (Right) Awardees Clark-Chatman and Leshundra Robinson take pictures with their award. 16
(Top from left) Awardees Brenda Worrles, Kameke Payne, and Esha Vinson (Below left) Catherine Doggett Hernandez, awards program emcee and Dreamland Productions Promotions, Marketing and Model Coach. (Below right) Vendor Brenda Mitchells (left) brought a wide selection of items from her store, J. Mitchells Hair and Boutique, 1216 South University Avenue, Suite F, Little Rock, AR. Mitchells, who had designer outfits, t-shirts, purses, and more, was one of several vendors who attended the event. 17
Story and Pictures by Dr. Yvonne D. Nelson Even with the pending open heart surgery of a close relative, 25 year Feed the Needy (FTN) Board of Directors Chair, President, and Cargill Retiree Ruth Banks-Rawlings knew the third year of providing Easter food baskets in boxes to the community had to go forward. Everyone is aware of basket delivery during Thanksgiving and the city of Memphis’ efforts at Christmas, but when asked about the unique concept to assist individuals and families during the Easter season, Banks replied, “As an organization, we (the FTN Board of Directors) talked about it in 2016 and executed it the following year. We wanted to do more than provide food during Thanksgiving, so we kind of thought about a ‘Christmas in July’ concept and collectively decided on Easter because a lot of families don’t have Easter dinner even though they wish they could. With a limited number of food baskets available, we currently provide baskets during Thanksgiving, and Easter, in the Greater Memphis, Mid-South, and surrounding communities.” The organization delivered 1,150 Easter boxes this Easter season. A total of 3,500 food baskets in boxes including pantry supplies were delivered during the Thanksgiving holiday in 2018. Feed the Needy is a program that started within Cargill,” said Banks. “At the time there were three schools (Florida ES, Kansas ES, and Riverview ES) the company had adopted through the Memphis City Schools ‘Adopt-A-School’ program. These were the three schools that were closest to our plant, in about a 5- to 7-mile radius. We reached out to the schools to see what we could do as a community stakeholder. In talking with the guidance counselors, they shared that during the holidays, a lot of their families were going without a Thanksgiving meal and that’s how this project got started.” Valero retiree and FTN Secretary Roberta ‘Bert’ Richards said, “If you had a box and you had 10 people [to feed], you could really be talking about 20-30 thousand people getting fed, but when you’re talking about one person, it could last one person from Thanksgiving all the way until Christmas. “Our goal is to increase services by ten percent every year. When you consider that most families include four people, we believe our donations fed nearly 30,000 of our neighbors,” said Banks. “With all of the pallets of extra food that we donate to area food pantries, we believe we have fed an additional 4,500 people.” This is the second year the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office has participated in the FTN operation. “I’ve been with Feed The Needy for about 5 or 6 years,” said Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Domestic Violence Unit Detective Nichole Brumley, whose father, Johnny Brumley, is the FTN Vice Chair and a Valero retiree. “The Sheriff’s department joined FTN last year. I love participating with this organization because it provides food to people and communities who really need it. I love to see the look on their face when they open that box an everything is neatly placed meaning it was a thoughtful mission. I love helping people in need, it’s my job. It’s what I do as a Deputy Sheriff.” While working at Valero, Mr. Brumley and FTN Secretary, Bert Richards would often meet up with Banks and other Cargill employees at a few of the same Adopt-A-School locations in the community. “At that time we were providing scholarships,” said the senior Brumley. “Cargill and Valero had both adopted Carver HS and we would often meet up during the science fairs, reading projects, and several other school events. That’s how and when we began talking about the food drive. When Ruth told us there was a greater need for food in the community based on data she was receiving through the school guidance counselors, Ms. Bert and I arranged a meeting with our HR department at Valero and they told us to make it happen.” “I’m the oldest of 12 siblings,” said Brumley. “During the holidays and even on regular days, people would always help us. Even though we didn’t have much, we had each other; my mom did the best she could and that is what motivates me. I try to instill that into Nichole and my grandson.” Banks agreed, “I grew up in Memphis and I have 11 siblings. I know what it’s like not to have enough food for everyone in your household. Several fraternities and sororities blessed our family with food and clothes to help my mother when I was growing up. I feel like the tables have turned now. Together, we can bless other families that may be in the same position.” “The joy is ours to see their face when they don’t have food,” said Richards. More than 100 volunteers helped to make this years’ Easter event a success. In addition to providing food boxes weighing 45 lbs. each, FTN provides hundreds of items to area shelters and food pantries so they can feed others. To help raise funds for Thanksgiving 2019 and Easter 2020, the MPD Community Outreach Program (COP) is sponsoring “Striking Out Hunger,” a bowling fundraiser, on Saturday, September 21, 2019, at Billy Hardwicks All Star Bowling Center, 1576 South White Station Road. Area companies and individuals are encouraged to participate. Registration will begin at 9 am and bowling will start at 10 am. The registration fee for participants is $30/person. Registration fees include 3 games, bowling shoes, a commemorative t-shirt, and one door-prize ticket. Additional door prize tickets can be purchased to help raise more funds. For additional information, contact Banks or Major Sandra Green at (901) 327-4092, (901) 568-9298, or by email. The entire FTN Board of Directors includes Banks, Brumley, Richards, Steve Freeman, FTN Chief Operating Officer and Barnhart Crane employee; FTN Assistant Secretary Andrea Goodman, a The Hershey Company retiree, and Treasurer Christina Lewis of Richardson Oil Seed (formerly Conagra Foods). 18
For more information or to volunteer, visit FTN online, send them an email, write them at Feed The Needy, Post Office Box 2067, Memphis, TN 38101-2067, or you can contact them by phone at (901) 482-1114. At three o’clock in the morning on Monday, April 15, 2019, when most were just turning over the first time to get those last 3 to 4 hours of sleep before waking up and starting their day, this group of enterprising individuals had already left home and traveled to a warehouse located at 2158 Heyde Avenue inside the former Defense Depot off Airways Boulevard near the Airways Police Precinct. You might ask yourself why would anyone get up so early to go to a warehouse? For what purpose? For the purpose of packing 1,150 boxes weighing approximately 40 pounds each, consisting of a 10-12 lb. ham, canned vegetables, dinner roles, cooking oil, margarine, cornbread mix, eggs, boxed macaroni and cheese, rice, canned greens, canned Ro-Tel with diced tomatoes and green chilies, dry spaghetti, spaghetti sauce, mashed potatoes, canned yams, cake mix and frosting. An Easter basket/box that made Easter a little bit better for 1,150 individuals and families living in Memphis and the Mid-South - Something Feed the Needy (FTN) Executive Director Ruth Banks (front in red sweatshirt) and hundreds of volunteers do twice a year at Thanksgiving and now Easter. Pictured are (front from left) Banks, Memphis Police Department Explorers cadet D. Garland (kneeling); (1st row standing from left) Shelby County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) Ofc. J. Bells, Lesa (Fred) Jackson (behind Banks), SCSO Ofc. V. Ford, SCSO Ofc. M. Jackson, Diamond Ramirez of Latino Memphis, SCSO Ofc. R. Kight, MPD Ofc. J. Perry, FTN Secretary and retired Valero employee Roberta ‘Bert’ Richards, and Memphis Police Department (MPD) Ofc. C. Campbell; (rear, standing from left) MPD Ofc. B. Huff, MPD Ofc. T Jones (hidden), MPD Ofc. D. Smith, SCSO Ofc. C. Ewing, retired Valero employee and FTN Vice Chair Johnny Brumley, SCSO Ofc. Kendra Fain, MPD Sgt. A. Parks, and retired Cargill employee Fred ‘Action’ Jackson. Photography by Marvina Saulsberry 19
(Top left) Barnhart certified crane operator and CDL driver Robert Terrazas was one of two volunteer forklift drivers who helped move 1,150 Easter Basket food boxes stuffed with approx. 40 lbs of food items to the docks at a warehouse located in the former Defense Depot on Thursday, April 18, 2019. (Top right) Feed the Needy Executive Director Ruth Banks (left) and Shelby County Sheriff’s Officer’s and second year volunteers V. Ford (rear) and R. Kight (front right) were up early packing boxes for Thursday’s delivery schedule on Monday, April 15, 2019. (Below left) Feed the Needy (FTN) Chaplin and New Revelation Missionary Baptist Church Pastor, Rev. Edward L. Vaughn and FTN Executive Director Ruth Banks were on hand early Thursday morning, April 18, 2019. (Below right) Twenty-five year FTN volunteer and Secretary Roberta ‘Bert’ Richards verifies the content of boxes early Monday morning. 20
(Top left) William Macklin, an employee of Economic Opportunities (EcOp), a Leadership Memphis Foundation program designed to help individuals with criminal records to re-enter mainstream society (Below left) Barnhart employee Stanly Ingram (center with thumbs up) joined Valero employees (from left) Carlos Ashford, Grant Jacobson (rear), Brian Novicki, and Greg Swearingen (sitting) volunteering during the 2019 Feed the Needy Easter Basket/Box campaign. 21
(Above) The early morning warehouse crew shift included a prayer by SCSO and second year volunteer Ofc. R, Kight and luncheon treat. (Below left) Ofc. D. Coleman leads the way with a load of boxes being delivered to Kate Bond ES. (Below right) While the SCSO crew awaits a dolly, Sgt. Richard Blair carries two of the boxes into Lowrance ES, the first stop on the crew’s five school delivery route conducted Thursday, April 18, 2019. 22
(Above) The SCSO delivery crew, consisting of Det. N. Brumley, Ofc. M. Hulon, Ofc. D. Coleman, Sgt. R. Blair, Ofc. R. McKinney, and Lt. Michael Joffre were joined by Lt. A. Buckner, Deputy Jackie Glover, and Deputy Ashley Fox at Kate Bond ES where Raven Jones, Maude Bryeans, Michael Kearney, Marilyn Jones, Anna Porter, and Felicia Brewer accepted the numerous Easter Basket/Box donations delivered on April 18th for families in their school district. (Below) Over at Northaven ES, the crew received assistance from Principal Louis Padgett (front right) and three Northaven ES students, Chadon Hammond and brothers Jamoner and Jacoby Williams. 23
24
(Left top) Lowrance ES, where Kelvin Bates (front, second from right) is Principal, had the first special Easter Basket/Box delivery the SCSO crew made on Thursday, April 18, 2019. (Left bottom) The crew made it’s final delivery around 10:30 am at EE Jeter ES, 7662 Benjestown Road, in Millington, TN. Pictured with the crew are Counselor Pamela Allen (rear to the right of the boxes), Assistant Principal Christina Wilkerson (in front of Allen) and Interim Principal Freddie Criss (to the left of the boxes). (Above) When the crew stopped at Mt. Pisgah ES, Principal LaVonda Jones (front, left) Counselors Devonah Bowers (left center), Angela Sanders (right) and Exceptional Children teacher Monica Towles were on hand to accept the donations. SCSO Director of Public Affairs/Legislation Cliff Lafferty (rear right) .Not pictured - Assistant Principal Travis McGlothian.. (Below) 2019 FTN Easter Basket/Box contents. SCSO’s Delivery Schedule for April 18, 2018 Leave Defense Depot for Lowrance Elementary School 7:20 AM - Arrive Lowrance Elementary School 7740 Lowrance Road, Memphis, TN 38125 8:05 AM - Arrive Mt. Pisgah Middle School 1444 Pisgah Road, Cordova, TN 38016 9:00 AM - Arrive Kate Bond Middle School 2737 Kate Bond Road, Bartlett, TN 38133 9:45 AM - Arrive Northaven Elementary School 5157 North Circle Road, Memphis, TN 38127 10:15 AM - Arrive E.E. Jeter Elementary School 7662 Benjestown Road, Millington, TN 38053 25 Photography by Ruth Banks
Story and Pictures by Dr. Yvonne D. Nelson, Dr. Carnita Atwater held a meeting on Wednesday, April 17, 2019, regarding the Memphis 3.0 Plan, a comprehensive set of recommended developments designed, among other things, to grow Memphis up instead of out. The meeting was held at the Dave Community Center, 915 Chelsea Avenue in the north Memphis community. The parking lot began to fill up and by the start of the 6 o’clock meeting, there weren’t any parking spaces available. Attendees signed in upon entering the location and everyone was given the opportunity to speak towards the end of the meeting. On hand for the event were city of Memphis employees John Zeanah, Director of the Office of Planning and Development (OPD) and the Comprehensive Planning Administrator Ashley Cash. Both tried to assure the crowd that they were open to suggestions all of which fell on deaf ears. The lengthy list of speakers began to discuss issues pertinent to their varied areas of town to no avail and several City Council District 7 candidates including Jerred Price spoke. “Your communication and marketing could be a lot better,” said Price, who currently volunteers as a Commissioner with Memphis City Beautiful. “I can post all the time on Facebook, but that doesn’t reach the voters. We’ve got a lot of voters. You’ve got to put flyers on doorknobs and door handles. I would encourage you to maybe reconsider your marketing plan.” Another meeting was held at the Hickory Hill Community Center, 3910 Ridgeway Road, on Monday, April 29, 2019. Comments from social media sites seemed to mirror those of the meeting held on the 17th. It appears as if the city of Memphis, OPD needs to scratch the current plan and go back to the drawing board or the community needs to be allowed to draw up the plans for their own neighborhoods. My point is that I have been actively involved with the McCorkle Road Neighborhood Development Association, Inc. of Memphis since its inception in 1994 when we were given street signs by the Memphis Police Department and officially considered to be a registered neighborhood watch group, a designation they reneged on April 16, 2019, because the Raines Station precinct couldn’t find any records on the association in their files. A quick look at the neighborhood listing of the 1,170 active neighborhood associations that the Memphis 3.0 Plan representatives sent letters to omits my association as well. I do not know if it is proper to say that only those who the plan, as written, and currently benefits were the only one’s contacted, but surely one would think that my 25-year old neighborhood association should have been properly notified when these 1,170 letters were mailed. In closing I just want to say that I’ve been trying to obtain information from several city departments, but I never get a response. I can pull up documents requesting a neighborhood association listing, but what I received was a listing with mostly affluent neighborhood associations in it. When I complained that none of the associations listed were in the predominantly black areas, I was informed that a neighborhood directory no longer existed, so how did the (Continued on next page) (Above) Dr. Carnita Atwater (standing) addressed a room full of Memphis 3.0 Plan opponents during a meeting she held on April 17, 2019, at the Dave Wells Community Center, 912 Chelsea Avenue. (Below) 26
Memphis 3.0 Plan obtain its neighborhood directory when the city, in writing, said that one didn’t exist after providing me with a partially completed one? Something in the air smells afoul with this entire Memphis 3.0 Plan and we need to get to the bottom of it. We are inquiring minds who just want, demand, and deserve to know. There are a multitude of things that are wrong with and in our government. Maybe it’s time we address them all. Scenes from the April 17, 2019 event 27
Story and Pictures by Dr. Yvonne D. Nelson Throughout the year Shelby County Schools (SCS) Intervention Specialist, Author, and No More Silence Memphis Foundation founder and Executive Director LaTrossica Wilson holds events that focus on the health and well-being of youth and young adults who must survive in abusive environments daily. Saturday, April 10, 2019, was no exception. Beginning at 10 AM in the morning, the organization held a Child-Youth Anti-Violence Summit and Rally at their offices located at 3865 Winchester Road, Suite 6, in Memphis, TN. Tammy Groves Thornton, an artist, graphic designer, photographer, author, educator, and illustrator, was one of several talented entrepreneur's who spoke. My art is tied to my purpose said Groves Thornton, who loves drawing. “Art was my wat of escaping my reality at a young age; that’s why I firmly believe art is healing.” The four-hour child-youth rally was sponsored by the No More Silence Foundation (NMSF), ibank, the Memphis Child Advocacy Center, the Memphis Police Department and Shelby County Schools. “Every year we bring awareness during sexual assault awareness month in the form of a rally with entertainment,” said Wilson. “This year we’re making connections, switching it up, and making loud noise in Memphis so that everyone will be aware of what’s really going on in the lives of our youth and young adults. Designed to help children of all ages, the program featured career choices, speakers, live art, entertainment, and concessions. Speakers included teen speaker Khamilla Johnson, piano therapist Lacoby Fentress, realtor Treissa Parks, SCS educator Morticia Brooks Taylor, and yours truly, Dr. Yvonne D. Nelson. “The child-youth summit and rally addresses the risk of silence on child sexual abuse in the Memphis area,” said Wilson. “The summit and rally speakers we’ve invited to speak today are police officers, teens, parents, and subject matter experts who will address concerns and legal issues related to childhood sexual abuse.” Topic areas included understanding the signs and risk; Implementing preventative measures; preparing for and responding to an allegation; complying with abuse reporting requirements; creating registered sexual offender policies, searching criminal records effectively, and applying changes in the law. “You must know and understand the facts,” said Wilson. “One in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be sexually abused before reaching 18 years of age and these statistics skip no geographic areas. One in 3 reported cases involve peer sexual abuse or children abusing other children. And yes, over 80% of the victims of these crimes know their predator personally.” The mission of the NMSF is to provide coping mechanisms trough the arts using multiple educational strategies to help with healing from sexual abuse trauma in multipurpose ways. For more information, call (662) 510-4751, visit us online at nomoresilencememphis.com, or email nomoresilencefoundation@gmail.com. (Below) MPD Officer Leake (in the D.A.R.E. Corvette confiscated in a drug deal case) and MPD Officer Rutherford (not pictured but in vehicle at top right) were an instrumental force speaking at and ensuring the safety of the NMSF rally team who participated in the Anti-Violence Summit and Rally held Saturday, April 10, 2019. (Top Right) Children at the River City Heights Townhomes, 3716 Winchester Road were treated to a surprise visit from the NMSF rally team and received $1 donations from ED LaTrossica Wilson. Officer Leake passed out MPD badges and Officer Rutherford provided information on police vehicle horns, lights, and speakers, etc. 28
(Bottom left) Lyrikal Jenkins, daughter of the NMSF Executive Director, LaTrossica Wilson and owner of Amazing Creations by Lyrikal was one of several young adults who participated in the Anti-Violence Summit and Rally held Saturday, April 10, 2019. (Bottom right) Memphis Playwright Valencia C. Scott (left) was in attendance and helped Dr. Yvonne D. Nelson pass out popcorn prizes during her talk. Photography by Lyrikal Jenkins 29
30
Alternative & Holistic Health Services ORDER HERE (800) 403-7155 Congratulations! On Your New Venture, Wishing You Well! - Lmec-xi nus CFC #46643 31 CLICK HERE TO VISIT US ONLINE
Order your favorite team blanket! Email: Memphis.Meetings@gmail.com Subject: team appeal Include Your order & contact info. 32
33
(NOTE: The History of the Memphis Cotton Makers’ Jubilee will continue in the June 2019 edition of NEWSCENE) 34
35
Advertise Your Business or Promote Your Event Free Calendar Listings and 10% OFF Your Ad through June 1, 2019 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 Memphis.Meetings@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
1 Publizr