NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Tennessee State University alumna Oprah Winfrey is coming home to headline TSU’s Spring Commencement as the keynote speaker for the undergraduate Commencement on Saturday, May 6 at 8 a.m. CDT, in Hale Stadium. United States Congressman Bennie G. Thompson, Miss-Second District, will address graduate students at an indoor ceremony on Friday, May 5 at 5 p.m. CDT, in the Gentry Center Complex. Over 800 students will receive degrees in various disciplines across both days. “Commencement is always a special time for our students and their families, as it marks a major milestone in our students’…
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NASHVILLE, TN — Howard Jones held a news conference last Friday, April 7 regarding the threat to the lives of school personnel. This news event was held on the steps of the Juvenile Court Building. Jones, an assistant principal at Stratford High School is an example of “one life spared,” rather than one lost. Only a few days following the horrific shootings at Covenant School, a student was being disciplined and used his cell phone to tell someone “I don’t give a f_ _ _ _ about Mr. Jones and I am going to ‘clock’ him.” The statement was made…
By Mike Freeman House Republicans in Tennessee on April 6, 2023 attempted to kick out three Democratic lawmakers for breaking House rules after protesting on the floor of the chamber for gun reform. They were successful in expelling two of them: Justin Jones and Justin Pearson, who are both Black. The one who stayed, Gloria Johnson, is white. If you want to know what hardcore racism looks like, this is the perfect photograph. It’s not a coincidence the uppity Black members were expelled but the white one was not. When Johnson was asked why she was spared, she told CNN…
In an interview on “Meet the Press,” Justin Jones and Justin J. Pearson, who were expelled over their protests against gun violence, vowed to return to the Legislature. By Summer Concepcion/NBC The two Black Democrats who were ousted from the Tennessee state House said Sunday that their presence there was a source of tension from the start — even before their protests on the chamber floor in the wake of a deadly mass shooting. The GOP-controlled state House voted last week to expel Justin Jones, who represented the Nashville area, and Justin J. Pearson, whose district included Memphis, over those…
By Natalie Allison NASHVILLE, TN — I covered the statehouse for years. It’s been heading in this direction for a while. The same dynamic is on display at the state Capitol, where former Rep. Eddie Mannis — a John Kasich-Gary Johnson voter in 2016 and a gay Republican — entered the legislature in 2021 with plans of voting like a moderate, in line with his Knoxville district. Last year, he bowed out after just one term, later saying there were “too many people there who are just mean and vindictive,” only caring about “winning at all costs.” Other members live…
By Paula Anderson JACKSON, TN — The Chamber started under the African American Business Coalition in 1999 and officially changed its name to The Jackson Madison County African American Chamber of Commerce (JMCAACC). The nonprofit, 501 c3 organization, offers member benefits and activities for African American and minority businesses in West Tennessee. The Chamber’s mission is to “promote and assist the economic growth and development of businesses that are members of the organization. We will have a positive impact on the City of Jackson and West Tennessee communities as a whole.” Don McCorry, executive director and finance director, has been…
By Stacy M. Brown WASHINGTON, DC — With the federal government spending a pittance of its advertising dollars with Black-owned media and President Biden demanding that agencies expand contracting opportunities for historically disadvantaged businesses, including those owned by white women and people of color, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia Fudge has made a specific pledge to African American publishers and media company owners. “I will take a look at it, and if advertising spending is where you say it is, we will change it,” Fudge declared following a question from National Newspaper Publishers Association President/CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis…
NASHVILLE, TN — Soles4Souls, an organization committed to turning shoes and clothing into opportunity, will host its third annual Race4EveryKid during the month of May. Race4EveryKid is a virtual movement challenge to raise funds to provide shoes to kids experiencing homelessness. Whether you decide to walk, run, cycle, or swim, every dollar you raise will provide joy and dignity to kids across the United States. More than 1.5 million American children experience homelessness, and in Nashville, more than 4,000 children lack a stable residence. Every $20 raised through Race4EveryKid can provide a pair of new kicks to a homeless child,…
NASHVILLE, TN — Hands On Nashville (HON) has unveiled the finalists for the 37th Annual Mary Catherine Strobel Volunteer Awards, presented by Jackson National Life Insurance Company. The 2023 Strobel Awards honor volunteers of all ages for outstanding investments of time and talents to benefit Middle Tennessee over the past year. Award recipients will be announced May 12 in a celebration at Marathon Music Works. Each recipient will receive $1,000 to donate to the charity of their choice. “It was difficult to narrow this year’s phenomenal nominees down to just a few finalists,” said Hands On Nashville President and CEO…
NASHVILLE, TN — Senate minority Leader Sen. Raumesh Akbari, D-Memphis, issued a statement urging the Republican supermajority to take up Gov. Bill Lee’s call for gun reform. “In this moment, our families deserve action to stop future gun violence. The governor is right to make this a priority before session ends. “Our caucus announced last week five common sense reforms to reduce gun violence, including expanded background checks and an extreme risk protection order law. When done right, these are smart and effective solutions to keep kids and families safe. “We are ready to work with the governor and we…