WASHINGTON – AFSCME President Lee Saunders released the following statement: “We are grieving for the workers, the majority of whom were Asian women, tragically targeted and murdered in Atlanta, Georgia. AFSCME condemns these acts of violence against women and any attempt to deny that this is the direct result of growing anti-Asian racism and hatred across our country. We extend our sincerest condolences to the families who lost their loved ones and demand justice for the victims. America’s leaders must stand up to condemn this violence and racist statements that blame Asians for the pandemic. AFSCME will never stop fighting…
Author: Article submitted
NASHVILLE, TN — On Tuesday, March 9, 2021 two separate judges who preside in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee approved settlements of tip and wage theft claims, covering almost 500 workers and valuing more than $1 million in total payout. The cases were brought against Strategic Hospitality (Pinewood Social, Downtown Sporting Club, The Bandbox, Merchant’s, Bastion, Henrietta Red, Patterson House, and The Catbird Seat) and M Street Entertainment Group (Tavern, Saint Añejo, Kayne Prime, Moto, Virago, and Whiskey Kitchen), respectively. Workers in the suit brought against Strategic Hospitality restaurants were represented by the law firm…
NASHVILLE, TN — Meharry Medical College announced that Kevin Bryant, Managing Director US Public Entity Practice Leader at Marsh, will join the College’s Board of Trustees. Bryant’s appointment supports the College’s continued expansion of its regional, national and international partners. With more than 30 years of experience in the insurance brokerage industry, Bryant’s professional efforts focus on state and local government, nonprofit and public entities, which he will leverage to support the College’s advancement as a trailblazer fostering the elimination of health disparities. “We’re thrilled to welcome Mr. Kevin Bryant to the Meharry community and our distinguished Board of Trustees,”…
NASHVILLE, TN — One year ago, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee (BBBSMT) pivoted to virtual operations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, the agency has formed a new partnership with Meharry Medical College and expanded its programs. “Our team has approached the challenges of this past year as an opportunity to innovatively grow our programs and partnerships to meet the evolving needs of Middle Tennessee’s youth,” said Melissa Hudson-Gant, Chief Executive Officer at BBBSMT. “Amid constant change, what endures is our laser focus on the young people we serve. There’s never been a more crucial time…
NASHVILLE, TN — Meharry Medical College has announced the receipt of a $1.1 million grant from the Truist Foundation to develop a national model for COVID-19 contact tracing through advanced technology solutions to limit the spread of the virus, especially among minority populations most impacted by the pandemic. The funding will help expand COVID-19 contact tracing through social network analytics and geographic information system mapping to identify hot spots across the country. This work will be done alongside local health departments and their efforts to combat COVID-19. “The Center for the Study of Social Determinants of Health is committed to…
By Caroline Kitchener WASHINGTON, DC — On the grounds of the U.S. Capitol, the majority of monuments depict White men. But soon, the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg could become a permanent fixture. A bill introduced Tuesday by the Democratic Women’s Caucus — including co-chairs Rep. Jackie Speier (D-Calif.), Rep. Lois Frankel (D-Fl.), Rep Brenda Lawrence (D-Mich.) — and by Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) in the Senate, would construct a monument of the feminist legal titan in a “place of prominence” at the Capitol. A monument of Ginsburg, who died in September, would be a tribute to her…
NASHVILLE, TN — Jody Watley, the Grammy award winner trendsetting icon in music, video, fashion and style has been appointed to be National Museum of African American Music’s first ever membership ambassador for the museum. Watley is one of the architects of 21st century pop. From her groundbreaking marriage of rap & R&B (1987’s “Friends,” a collaboration with hip-hop legends Eric B. & Rakim) to her vision-forward marriage of high fashion, street fashion and music in the ‘80s (long before it became the norm), to her fusion of jazz and underground club culture with keen pop instincts, and the ease…
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — A veteran activist against sexism and racism both in and out of government delivered the keynote address for MTSU’s celebration of National Women’s History Month. Mary Frances Berry, the Nashville, Tennessee-born former chair of the U.S. Civil Rights Commission through four presidential administrations will speak at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 16. Berry was a member of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights from 1980 to 2004 and served as chair from 1993 to 2004. During her tenure, at the behest of President Jimmy Carter, Berry initiated a comprehensive affirmative action study. It recommended timetables for reversing discrimination of…
(Washington, D.C.) – President Joe Biden has nominated extraordinary women of color to high-level jobs in the Biden-Harris administration. Many of them are being attacked and smeared by the far right. That’s why People For the American Way has launched the #HerFightOurFight campaign. We cannot let far-right forces silence and smear these trailblazing women who are eager to advance the progressive values that Americans voted for when we put Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in the White House. Our first ad tells the story of Vanita Gupta, who has been nominated for associate attorney general. Gupta was a young civil…