Although Mississippi has a painful past, we should reflect on how far we have come and continue to uplift our communities for a better tomorrow—specifically Black communities. My late husband Randy McLaughlin, a former truck driver, built a small business buying cars and offering them at an affordable price to single moms and others needing reliable transportation. He wanted families to have a car without the burden of a car payment. Randy recognized how lifting up one family could benefit others, and how helping a neighbor had an impact on the neighborhood. He saw the potential of taking that philosophy…
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ATLANTA, GA — The City Council of Atlanta, by ordinance, has approved the erection of a statue of Ms. Xernona Clayton, who graduated in 1952 from Tennessee State University with honors. The statue will be crafted by world-renowned sculptor, Ed Dwight of Denver, Colorado. The statue will be located in the heart of the city as approved by the City Council and serve as a special reminder of the invaluable contributions Ms. Clayton has made to the city, the state, and the nation. For over 60 years, Ms. Xernona Clayton has helped fight the dragons of prejudice for all of her…
MILWAUKEE, WI — A local business is partnering with Marquette University to bring students with dietary restrictions more food options in the dining hall. Through Marquette’s Eat Local initiative, products from Pink Bakery Inc. are coming to Marquette. Nubian Simmons is the owner of Pink Bakery, which makes allergen-free baking mix products. It’s a local, Black-owned business on the near west side, and Simmons says the idea behind her business stems from her personal challenges with food allergies. “I’ve been allergic to milk my whole life. We would try some of the allergy-free things and they weren’t that good, so…
WASHINGTON, DC — The Senate unanimously passed a resolution sponsored by U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), and Chris Coons (D-Del.) that condemns the recent bomb threats at HBCUs and reaffirms the government’s commitment to combatting violence against students, faculty, and staff. “Tennessee is home to seven Historically Black Colleges and Universities,” said Senator Blackburn. “The recent bomb threats at Fisk University and other HBCUs across the nation put the safety, education, and wellbeing of students at risk. This resolution affirms our bipartisan commitment to supporting HBCUs and condemning violence on our campuses.” “The recent bomb threats against…
NASHVILLE, TN — Judge Rachel L. Bell is running for re-election!! Her petition was qualified a few weeks ago and her campaign team is ready. Early voting is April 13-28 and Election Day is May 3, 2022. Judge Bell shared, “We are in the home stretch of this campaign, and I call it the 4th Quarter. I compare my campaign strategy to playing basketball. It’s in the 4th Quarter you give all you can, play fair and leave it all on the court. In this case the ballot.” This is Judge Bell’s 3rd time running for office as she was…
NASHVILLE, TN — Six women who have helped shape the university and its history are being honored as part of a new Women at Vanderbilt Portrait Project at the Margaret Cuninggim Women’s Center. The portraits, commemorating women from the 19th century through today, will be unveiled at an event on March 14. “This project helps tell the stories of women who have had a monumental impact at Vanderbilt,” said C. Cybele Raver, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. “These beautiful new portraits honor and elevate these role models, and hopefully inspire future generations here at Vanderbilt.” The honorees include…
NASHVILLE, TN — With the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, many people began working from home. But for Kiarra Smith, home wasn’t where she was working from – it’s what she was working towards. “Someone has to want to break the cycle and use the resources they have to move out and provide a better situation for their family,” Smith said. “I was that person for my family.” Smith moved into a two-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment at the Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency’s (MDHA) Neighborhood Housing in 2012. She began hearing about the Family Self Sufficiency (FSS) program offered…
NASHVILLE, TN — Craft beer lovers, get ready for another round. The Tennessee Craft Brewers Guild invites you to Nashville’s “Farm to Tap” Festival on Saturday, March 12, from noon to 4 p.m. at Tailgate Brewery, 7300 Charlotte Pike, Nashville, TN. The festival, the second of three planned across the state this year, will showcase more than 30 in-state craft breweries featuring brands which utilize Tennessee grown crops and products. “We are excited to show connoisseurs as well as casual customers the wide array of creative offerings our members are producing across a vast spectrum of tastes and preferences,” said…
Letter to the Citizens of Mason from the TN Comptroller Dear Citizens of Mason, Last month I visited the Town of Mason to have a difficult discussion with your town leaders. Mason is at a critical point in its history, and I am concerned about its future. In m_y c;,pigion,.it’s time for Mason to relinquish its charter. For at least 20 years, the town government has been poorlymanaged. Audits have been late, budgets have not been approved, major infrastructure needs have been ignored, and fraud has taken place… just to name a few issues. For years we have been told…
NASHVILLE, TN — Dean of the Tennessee State University Honors College, Dr. Coreen Dawkins Jackson was among four distinguished alumni from William Jewell College honored at Celebration of Achievement activities. The Citation for Achievement Award was created in 1944 and is the highest honor given to William Jewell alumni who have made significant contributions in their profession. An academician, administrator and author, Jackson graduated as valedictorian in her native Jamaica at age 16 and accepted a full academic scholarship at William Jewell College to study Speech Communication. She also holds a Master of Science in Broadcast Journalism from Brooklyn College…