NASHVILLE, TN – The narrow passage of SB836 (Watson) in the Tennessee State senate makes one thing clear: the growing bipartisan opposition including constituents, faith leaders, business owners, veterans, lawmakers from both parties, children, and educators is weakening support for this cruel attack on children’s education ahead of its next consequential vote, Monday, April 14, at 9AM CT in the state House Finance Ways and Means Subcommittee. The Education For All Tennessee campaign of more than 60 partner organizations released the following statement in response to the Senate’s narrow passage of the bill: “For generations our country has ensured all…
Author: Tribune Staff
Clinton, New York – Former President Barack Obama did not mince words on Thursday, April 3, when addressing the stark differences in how his administration was scrutinized compared to President Donald Trump’s current leadership approach. Speaking at Hamilton College in Clinton, New York, Obama delivered pointed remarks about what he sees as a troubling double standard. “It’s unimaginable that the same parties that are silent now would have tolerated behavior like that from me or a whole bunch of my predecessors,” said Obama to applause from the audience during a speech where attendees were prohibited from recording. The former president’s comments, detailed…
NASHVILLE, TN – The Ninth Annual Harry T. Burleigh Spirituals Festival Scholarship Concert will take place on Monday, April 14th at 7:30 p.m. at the Laura Turner Concert Hall in the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. Presented by the Tennessee State University Department of Music and Big Blue Opera Initiatives (BBOI), in collaboration with the Nashville Black Music Association (NBMA), Burleigh Legacy Alliance of Erie, PA, and the Nashville Symphony, this special event honors the rich legacy of African American music and culture as well as raising funds to support deserving students. This year’s concert, themed “Sankofa Sonority: Sounds of Our History,…
WASHINGTON, DC—U.S. Representative John Rose (R-TN), a member of the House Committee on Agriculture, eighth generation farmer, and former Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture reintroduced H.R. 2462, the Black Vulture Relief Act. The bipartisan legislation is being co-led by Rep. Darren Soto (D-FL), who serves on the Committee on Natural Resources. The legislation will allow livestock producers and their employees to take black vultures without a permit if they believe the vulture will cause death or injury to their livestock. It is currently illegal to take black vultures without a sub-permit from the authorizing state agency, encasing the issue in bureaucratic…
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart McWhorter recently visited Middle Tennessee State University in one of his ongoing #McWhorterOnTheMove trips across Tennessee. McWhorter explored MTSU’s cutting-edge research and workforce development in quantum science from Hanna Terletska, how the university is a national leader in Concrete Industry Management from program director Jon Huddleston and from College of Basic and Applied Sciences Dean Greg Van Patten during the commissioner’s two-hour visit Wednesday, March 26. McWhorter and several staff members have been crisscrossing the state, visiting universities, high schools, industry and more in the quest to make…
Campaign Targets Seven U.S. Cities – Louisville, KY; Durham, NC; Milwaukee, WI; Newark, NJ; Albuquerque, NM; Philadelphia, PA; and Detroit, MI NEW YORK, NY – In a drive to curb a decade-long rise in drug overdose deaths in Black populations, a “You Have the Power to Save Lives” campaign launched in seven U.S. cities today urging community leaders to collaborate with public, civic, clergy, and other local influencers to promote access to the lifesaving, overdose-reversing medication in their neighborhoods. The core message and call to action is for Black leaders and communities to talk about and carry naloxone, taking power…
Led by Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti, Tennessee and 17 states announced today the conclusion of their investigation into Wells Fargo & Company following the company’s decision to abandon certain Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) policies. “Companies exist to make money, not policy. When giant corporations collude to limit consumer choice, they deprive Americans of the accountability and transparency that comes from representative government,” said Attorney General Skrmetti. “I commend Wells Fargo’s pro-consumer decision to step away from utopian policymaking, and I look forward to the rest of America’s major financial institutions following its lead.” The coalition has been investigating whether Wells Fargo and five…
On Saturday, April 12, hundreds of swimmers from throughout the Nashville area will dive in at the Ensworth Natatorium for the 4th annual Swim Across America – Nashville Pool Swim, a community team relay swimmer event raising funds for critical cancer research at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (VICC). Swimmers and volunteers interested in participating can register at swimacrossamerica.org/nashville. To date, Swim Across America – Nashville has raised $275,000 for VICC, helping to fund groundbreaking cancer research and clinical trials. “The Swim Across America – Nashville event is such an inspiring event,” said Chris McPherson, event director of the Swim Across…
Belmont University has appointed Cleo D. Rucker, J.D. as the new associate vice president of human resources and chief human resources officer, effective June 1. Rucker will oversee human resources initiatives supporting more than 1,600 faculty and staff at Belmont, bringing expertise in aligning HR strategies with institutional mission during a time of significant change in higher education. Rucker joins Belmont with more than 20 years of extensive human resources experience, most recently serving as chief people experience officer and associate vice chancellor at Vanderbilt University. Since joining Vanderbilt in 2011, Rucker has championed significant cultural and operational developments while…
In recent weeks, Trump escalated his assault on small businesses by signing an Executive Order to gut the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA). The MBDA was created to assist businesses owned by people of color — who face the greatest barriers to accessing capital — the resources and opportunities necessary to start and sustain their businesses. Through its nationwide network, the MBDA has played a crucial role in helping minority-owned businesses secure funding, create jobs, and navigate economic challenges, including during the COVID-19 pandemic. This reckless move will have a significant impact on small businesses, particularly entrepreneurs of color who…