MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — While Middle Tennessee State University will be officially closed Monday, Jan. 15, in observance of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, the university again invites the campus and wider community to gather that evening for its traditional event honoring the slain civil rights leader and his widow, the late Coretta Scott King. Hosted by the Office of Intercultural and Diversity Affairs and free and open to the public, this year’s MLK Celebration and Candlelight Vigil will be held beginning at 6 p.m. Monday in the second floor ballroom of the Student Union Building, 1768 MTSU Blvd.…
Author: Article submitted
MEMPHIS, TN — On New Year’s Day 1992, a Memphis minister brought his two young sons to the brand-new Pyramid on the Mississippi River. Bishop William Young and his sons, 12-year-old Paul and 8-year-old David, weren’t there to hear music or watch basketball. They went to the Pyramid with about 15,000 other people to see Dr. Willie W. Herenton sworn in as the city’s 61st mayor — and first elected Black mayor. “My dad was so proud,” says Paul. “Proud to see a Black man become mayor, a man he knew and had respect for, a man he knew from…
By Alina Selyukh WASHINGTON, DC — Will America’s two largest grocery store chains get to become one? That’s the question before U.S. regulators, who are deciding whether to block Kroger’s $24.6 billion purchase of Albertsons. Several state attorneys general, too, have signaled they might sue to halt the deal. At stake is a shakeup of the U.S. grocery landscape, where the companies say they face stiffening competition from Amazon, Walmart, Costco and even dollar stores. Employees, state officials and some lawmakers have argued the tie-up would reduce options for shoppers and workers, farmers and food producers. Kroger, the biggest U.S.…
NASHVILLE, TN — Alice Smith-Risby, a beloved member of our community, peacefully passed away on Sunday, January 7, 2024, at the age of 94. She was the First Lady of First Baptist Church, Capitol Hill while her husband, Rev. Kelly Miller Smith Sr., was pastor from 1951-1984 and is the mother of Pastor Kelly M. Smith, Jr. and a member of First Baptist Church for over 70 years. Professor Alice Smith-Risby was a distinguished faculty member at Tennessee State University for nearly 40 years. Her impact on education and the lives of those around her in the community was immeasurable.…
By BOTWC Staff NASHVILLE, TN — The Uncle Nearest brand is making history as it prepares for the launch of a new cognac! Uncle Nearest, the award-winning Bourbon and American Whiskey brand, has just become the largest Grand Champagne vineyard owner in Cognac, France, Shoppe Black reports. The brand acquired the 100-acre Domaine Saint Martin estate in Cognac, France. Situated along the Charente River, the estate previously belonged to the Lord Mayor of Cognac, Philippe Fé de Ségeville, before being purchased by the pioneering Martell family. The Martell family held the property for four generations, PR Newswire reports. The estate…
NASHVILLE, TN — Music City Center, in partnership with Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and First Horizon, will host its annual Small & Diverse Business Forum Thursday, February 8, 2024 from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm in the Davidson Ballroom. The cost is $40 and includes parking, lunch, and forum sessions. The 2024 event will be held in person as part of Music City Center’s Diverse Business Enterprise Program. The interactive forum connects small and diverse business owners with major companies and industry experts. This year’s event will provide educational sessions, networking opportunities, and best practices to empower, engage, and…
NASHVILLE, TN — Neighborhood Health is still offering free flu shots at all its locations. Everyone over the age of 6 months is encouraged to get a flu shot this year, unless certain underlying conditions or allergies exist, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Appointments are required and may be made by calling 615-227-3000. “Neighborhood Health is working hard to protect the health of all in our community. We are the ONLY health care provider in all of Middle Tennessee that has made flu shots completely free for everyone, regardless of insurance status, since the beginning of this flu season. …
Nashville, TN – The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now available for Tennessee students, including recent changes to make it easier than ever to apply for financial aid to support a college education. While the FAFSA typically launches in October on StudentAid.gov, this year the launch was delayed by the U.S. Department of Education due to program updates to improve online functionality. The Tennessee Promise FAFSA deadline has officially moved to May 15, 2024 to accommodate the late opening and to allow students extra time to complete the form. “The FAFSA is now available for all Tennesseans”…
By National Urban League NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE TO CLAUDINE GAY’S HARASSERS: “YOU’RE NOT FOOLING ANYONE”National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial today issued the following statement in support of National Action Network’s protest against the campaign of harassment that led to the resignation of Harvard President Claudine Gay: “From the moment Claudine Gay was named President of Harvard University last year, she has represented an existential threat to the wealthy, white, male power structure that Harvard so long embodied. The relentless racist and sexist campaign to discredit her and drive her from office is just one component of…
WASHINGTON – The Biden-Harris Administration recently announced a federal pardon for every American with a prior record of marijuana-related charges. The sweeping pardons mark a significant step towards justice for those negatively impacted by the decades-long ‘War on Drugs that has had a significantly disproportionate impact on the Black community. In response to this news, Derrick Johnson, NAACP President and CEO, shared the following statement applauding the administration, calling for states to follow this precedent: “For far too long, the criminalization of marijuana has been used as a weapon against Black America. In order to achieve true racial equity, it…