By Andre M. Perry and Anthony Barr NASHVILLE, TN — North Nashville’s famed Jefferson Street was once a booming hub for the city’s Black middle class. During the Jim Crow era, Jefferson Street was known for its thriving business and entertainment districts that were supported by key institutions, including four historically Black colleges and universities (Tennessee State University, Fisk University, Meharry College, and the American Baptist College). Like Tulsa, Oklahoma’s Black Wall Street, Jefferson Street provided an area in which residents could deposit checks in Black-owned banks, shop at Black-owned stores, and dine at Black-owned restaurants. It was also a central…
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In perhaps the best produced National Leadership Awards – or any virtual conference – since the pandemic forced most to move away from in-person gatherings, the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) celebrated its annual soiree in style. Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Congresswoman Cori Bush (D-Missouri), Dr. James Hildreth, Dr. Ebony Hilton, and Olympic record-setter Allyson Felix, each received recognition for their excellence and commitment to the Black community and the world at-large. “Thank you to Black Press of America and the National Newspaper Publishers Association for this gracious award and, to my brother Dr. Benjamin Chavis,…
Unique Program Will Create A More Inclusive Cancer Research Environment, Help Address Health Disparities ATLANTA – September 22, 2021 – The American Cancer Society (ACS), along with four historically black medical schools including Charles Drew Medical School, Howard University, Meharry Medical College, and Morehouse School of Medicine, today announced a groundbreaking Diversity in Cancer Research (DICR) Program to help improve diversity, equity, and inclusion in the cancer research field. The inaugural initiatives of the overarching program include DICR Institutional Development Grants. The four HBCUs have received DICR grants in a pilot program for 2021-2022. The awards provided through the DICR…
By Lucas L. Johnson II NASHVILLE, TN — When Sonya Thomas was asked about the impact COVID-19 is having on K-12 education in black communities across Tennessee, the proud mother of four didn’t hide her emotion. “I’m worried about our children,” said Thomas, her voice trembling. “It’s serious.” Thomas is executive director of Nashville P.R.O.P.E.L., a parent advocacy group made up of mostly Black and brown parents from North Nashville. The parents, and other education advocates, say there was an issue with learning loss before the coronavirus, but that COVID-19 worsened the problem when students had to learn remotely instead…
NASHVILLE, TN — A new picnic pavilion is now under construction in Hadley Park near the corner of 28th Avenue North and Albion Street. “I’m excited to see improvements in Hadley Park that are worthy of its historical significance to Nashville,” said Metro Parks Director Monique Horton Odom. The picnic pavilion will replace an older picnic shelter that was built in the 1960s that had reached the end of its lifespan. The striking, butterfly-roofed pavilion is designed to anchor this high-profile corner of the park and celebrate the culture of the surrounding community with colorful, patterned ceiling panels inspired by…
NASHVILLE, TN — With more than 7,000 active COVID-19 infections in Davidson County, a coalition of healthcare providers and other organizations are asking Nashvillians to mask up, get vaccinated, and sign a pledge to help spread accurate information to their neighbors. Led by the Nashville General Hospital Foundation and Neighborhood Health, more than thirty-seven businesses, organizations and individuals have signed on to “Nashville Takes on COVID” so far. More than 1,000 Nashvillians have died of COVID since the beginning of the year, and more than 40% of young people have yet to be vaccinated. Health care providers are exhausted due…
By Anthony Fauci An extraordinary physician-scientist, Barney Graham has made major contributions to vaccinology for decades. He helped pioneer the field of structure-based vaccine design, which relies on understanding the mechanics of how viruses and human cells bind and interact—thus enabling transformative advances against important viral diseases, including COVID-19. Dr. Graham’s major technological breakthrough enabled scientists to take viral proteins that provoke a potent immune response—such as the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, a structure essential for the virus to infect cells—and hold it in the exact shape the protein assumes before fusing with a human cell. The resulting form is the…
Robinhood’s grant supports key programs advancing financial wellness WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Bankers Association (NBA) National Bankers Community Alliance (Alliance) 501(c)(3) nonprofit affiliate is pleased to announce a grant from Robinhood, an innovative financial services platform with a mission to democratize finance for all. The grant will support the Alliance’s pillar to assure financial wellness for minority millennials to close the racial wealth gap in America. “Emphasis on programs and services that prioritize financial well-being is a vital step toward eliminating the racial wealth gap,” said Baiju Bhatt, chief creative officer and co-founder of Robinhood Markets. “We are proud…
Cookeville, Tennessee – Bringing together some of the top students at Tennessee Tech University, a new initiative is taking Tech’s campus visits and student recruitment to a personal level. Partnering with the Office of Admissions and Campus Visits, the Tennessee Tech Trailblazers officially formed its inaugural class this fall with more than 40 members. This new group will be offering personal, one-on-one campus tours to prospective students and their families while also fostering genuine connections between current Trailblazer students and future Golden Eagles. “At Tennessee Tech, we put students first and what better way to foster personal connections than by…
It is with profound sorrow that the family of Dr. A.P. Johnson, Jr. announces his passing on Tuesday, September 21, 2021 surrounded by family and friends. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to The AP Johnson Sr., MD and Paul A. Johnson, MD Memorial Scholarship Fund payable to: Meharry Medical College Gift Management Services, Hulda Lyttle Hall, 1005 Dr. D.B. Todd Jr. Blvd., Nashville, TN 37208. Online gifts can be submitted at https://registration.MMC.edu/giving.html. Indicate in comment section, “In memory of Dr. A.P. Johnson Jr.”.To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dr. A.…