WASHINGTON (AP) — At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, when many churches moved their services online, the Rev. William H. Lamar IV initially shuddered at the thought that he needed to morph into a “video personality” to stay engaged with his parishioners. “I resisted kicking and screaming because I’m a child of the ’70s,” said Lamar, the senior pastor of historic Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C. “I’m not a digital native.” Four years later, Lamar, a talented preacher, has adjusted to offering both virtual and in-person services. After a noticeable attendance drop, more Metropolitan congregants are…
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Nashville, TN – During a very busy and harmful Holy Week in the TN State Legislature, Tennessee pastors responded.Rev Ingrid McIntyre Connects Holy Week to this year’s legislative session “As a pastor and lifelong Tennessean, I believe that all Tennesseans, whether they live in Memphis, Johnson City, or Chattanooga, deserve the freedom to be themselves and to live without fear of gun violence in their communities, the freedom to receive a high quality public education in their neighborhood, and the freedom to be themselves. Yet instead of prioritizing policy to move us closer to that reality our elected leaders have spent…
WASHINGTON – The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) today announced that Tennessee can apply to receive $15,814,288 to empower individuals and communities with the tools, skills, and opportunities they need to benefit from meaningful access to high-speed Internet. As part of the “Internet for All” initiative, a key component of President Biden’s “Investing in America” agenda, NTIA announced today the availability of more than $800 million nationally in funding for states from the Digital Equity Act’s State Capacity Program. “President Biden is committed to ensuring everyone in Tennessee and across America has access to affordable, reliable…
SEVIERVILLE, Tenn.(TN Tribune) — The twentieth annual Mountain Soul Vocal Competition is now accepting entries for 2024. This unique competition honors the songwriting of Sevierville native Dolly Parton by inviting contestants to sing one of the more than 3,000 songs she has penned — in their own vocal style. “Songwriting and storytelling are an integral part of Smoky Mountain culture and no one does it better than Dolly,” says Sevierville Chamber of Commerce Director of Marketing and Communications Amanda Marr. “Dolly’s catalogue of music is impressive and so versatile across all genres. This competition encourages vocalists to delve into her music and create a memorable performance.” As…
Nashville, TN (March 26, 2024) – The Senator Thelma Harper Foundation announced today the 39th Annual “Kids are Special Too” Easter Egg Hunt will be held this Saturday, March 30, 2024 at the Metro Police Training Academy, 2715 Tucker Road in Nashville. The first 500 children to arrive will receive a gift bag filled with goodies and all children present at the start will have the chance to hunt for over 5,000 Easter eggs. Hidden among the eggs will be over 75 prize eggs. The annual event was begun by the late Nashville State Senator Thelma Harper and has continued for over three decades. Senator…
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (TN Tribune) — Memphis Mayor Paul Young, in partnership with the African American Mayors Association (AAMA), announced the launch of the Black Mayors’ Coalition on Crime (BMCC), an initiative to harness the collective power of black mayors across the nation to fight crime. The inaugural meeting will take place in Memphis on March 27-28 and will host 21 mayors and their proxies from Washington D.C., IN, TN, MO, MS, LA, AR, GA, AZ, CA, and NC. Young has received support from big-city mayors, including Mayor Eric Adams from New York City and Mayor Karen Bass from Los Angeles. “For the first time in history, we have an unprecedented number of black mayors in some…
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee Gov. Bill Lee signed a bill into law vacating the TSU board and announced new appointments to the TSU board following action taken by the General Assembly. Each appointee is an alum of the University. Tennessee House Republicans on Thursday voted to vacate the entire Tennessee State University board over the outcries of Democrats as the GOP supermajority reneged on a previous deal struck in committee to keep three of the board’s 10 members. Each of the new appointees are alums of TSU. “Tennessee State University is a remarkable institution and my administration,…
NASHVILLE, TN — In celebration of Scarritt Bennett Center’s 100th year in Nashville, the community is invited to attend a conversation with Dr. Bernice A. King, daughter of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Mrs. Corretta Scott-King, who will be speaking in historic Wightman Chapel 67 years after her father. On April 25, 1957, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke in Wightman Chapel at Scarritt College to the Conference on Christian Faith and Human Relations. On the last day of the conference, he addressed some 350 church leaders, the day after receiving the Social Justice Award from…
By CNN WASHINTON, DC — The US House Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) will be dissolved as part of the government spending bill that passed Friday, the office’s director said in a statement. Sesha Joi Moon said in her statement to CNN that her department will be replaced by the Office of Talent Management under the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer. The Office of Diversity and Inclusion will close effective Monday March 25, Moon said. The change comes as DEI programs and initiatives across the country are facing increasing attacks from critics and Republican lawmakers. The office was…
NASHVILLE, TN — On Saturday, March 30, the Be Pro Be Proud Mobile Workshop will make a stop at Advance Financial in Fayetteville, Tennessee at 2009 Wilson Parkway. The mobile workshop gives teens hands-on experience in skilled workforce jobs such as welding, construction, heavy machinery, forestry, and more. The workshop is a custom-manufactured, expandable semi-trailer filled with cutting-edge virtual and augmented reality technical career simulators. The demand for skilled workforce jobs has never been higher with the current workforce in Tennessee and across the country reaching retirement age. The Be Pro Be Proud initiative addresses the growing realization that successful…