ATLANTA (AP) — A billionaire couple is giving $100 million to Atlanta’s Spelman College, which the women’s school says is the largest-ever single donation to a historically Black college or university. The donation was announced Thursday by Ronda Stryker and her husband William Johnston. She is the billionaire granddaughter of the founder of medical device maker Stryker Corp. and he is the chairman of money management firm Greenleaf Trust. They live in Michigan. Spelman said that it would use $75 million to endow scholarships. The rest of the money will be used for other purposes, including developing an academic focus…
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NASHVILLE, TN — Dr. Russell T. Jackson, a Meharry Medical College graduate and a noted physician at Cedar-Sinai Medical Center for many years, made his transition to his heavenly home on Christmas Day, 2023. Russell and his wife, Dierdre Downing-Jackson, relocated to St. Petersburg, FL few years ago. A Celebration of Life to honor him and his significant contributions will be held on Saturday, January 20, at 1 p.m. at Greater Mt. Zion AME Church, 1045 16th Street South in St. Petersburg 33705. The services will be live streamed at https://greatermtzioname.org/ Born July 3, 1935 in Atlantic City, New Jersey,…
By Steven Greenhouse MEMPHIS, TN — Elmore Nickleberry, one of the last living participants in the Memphis sanitation workers’ strike of 1968, a historic walkout that sought to win respect and equal rights for African American workers and that drew the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King to their side, died on Dec. 30 in Memphis. He was 92. His death was confirmed by his wife, Mary Nickleberry. Nickleberry was one of 1,300 sanitation workers who joined the 65-day strike, which culminated in a major civil rights and labor union victory, albeit at a tremendous cost — Dr. King was assassinated…
NASHVILLE, TN — Tusca Alexis, is one of four democratic candidates, running for the Davidson County, Fourth Circuit Court Judge. The elections will be held on March 5, 2024. Early voting will occur from February 14th through February 27th, 2024. Alexis brings over three decades of legal experience. She has practiced in diverse areas of the law, in Courts throughout the State of Tennessee. Alexis has practiced family law (including matters of divorces, adoption, child support, custody, etc.), criminal defense, medical malpractice, worker’s compensation, personal injury, wrongful death, and probate matters, for more than 33 years. Alexis’ portfolio includes certifications…
By Clay Cane Various news publications have reported in recent weeks that former President Donald Trump has been making inroads with Black voters. Author and radio host Clay Cane says he’s unconvinced. From his infamous “what the hell do you have to lose?” remark to his shallow “Platinum Plan” economic agenda for Black Americans, former President Donald Trump’s outreach to the Black community over the years has been little more than political theater, devoid of real substance. But the performance-artist-in-chief might just have outdone himself. Trump’s latest disingenuous stunt came last month with the boast about winning supposed backing from…
NASHVILLE, TN —State Representative Vincent Dixie is asking Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti for an opinion on a new State House rule that limits access to part of the observation gallery to those with special tickets issued by lawmakers. The controversial rule was put in place on Tuesday by House Speaker Cameron Sexton. Under the new rule, the west side of the public gallery is now limited to media members, legislative staff and VIP guests who are only allowed access with a special ticket. Each of the 99 state representatives is given one ticket per day to pass along to a…
NASHVILLE, TN — This February, escape the chilly Nashville temperatures by visiting Orchids at Cheekwood and be immersed in an abundance of tropical orchid arrangements. The showstopping floral display is presented in conjunction with orchid-themed adult education classes and workshops, special music performances and a concert series. Orchids at Cheekwood. Experience the beauty and wonder of orchids at Cheekwood. The winter celebration, on view from February 10 through March 10, takes over the historic home in its sixth year. This year’s show promises to delight and transport visitors to a tropical paradise. In the Mansion Loggia, the display showcases a…
NASHVILLE, TN — Nashville Repertory Theatre continues their 39th Season with Paula Vogel’s acclaimed play Indecent at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center from February 2nd to the 11th. Indecent is a love letter to the power of theatre, a cautionary tale of the consequences of censorship, and a reminder that love always triumphs over hate. Inspired by the true events surrounding a controversial 1923 Broadway play, Paula Vogel’s Indecent tells the behind-the-scenes story of the courageous artists who risked their lives to perform a work deemed “indecent” as it journeyed from Warsaw, Poland, to Broadway in the early 20th century.…
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Tennessee State University Honors students are champions once again, securing the first and second places in scholarly research at the National Association of African American Honors Programs (NAAAHP) Conference for the second consecutive year. The 32nd annual NAAAHP conference took place in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, during the fall semester, where TSU honors college students competed against students from 10 other HBCUs nationwide in various categories. Hosted by Southern University, the competition featured TSU honors students excelling in the research poster category, the quiz bowl category, and Honors Got Talent. Meaghan Lewis, a senior honors…
NASHVILLE, TN — In 1988, Reverend James “Tex” Thomas called leaders together from the IMF and the NAACP to plan for the first MLK March in Nashville, TN. A few of the names present were as follows: C.E. McGruder, Walter Searcy, Pastor Marcell Kellar, Dr. Charles Kimbrough, James Morris, Rev. Marilyn Ramsey, Venita D. Lewis, Rev. James Turner, Rosie Sheers, Kwame L. Lillard, Councilman Mansfield Douglas, Rev. Enoch Fuzz, Deloris Wilkerson and State Rep. Harold Love Sr., and many others. The purpose of the meeting was to establish a location and organize the city of Nashville for the first MLK…