NASHVILLE, TN — Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee will host the 2020 Stand Up for Youth Summit on Thursday, Oct. 1, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The virtual discussion will allow webinar participants to engage in a discussion about various ways to support students and families in the Middle Tennessee community as they navigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and racial injustice. “We are looking forward to sharing how the community can join forces with our agencies to meet the needs of youth during this time. We are thrilled to bring such a dynamic cohort of…
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Public Affairs Content Sponsored by BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee By Dr. Andrea Willis If you’ve recently heard the word “vaccine,” it’s most likely been in relation to the novel coronavirus as anticipation grows for a safe, tested and proven way to combat COVID-19. But there’s another virus to be concerned about — the flu. And this year’s vaccine is available now. It takes about two weeks to be fully effective, so getting a flu shot in September will help protect you as influenza starts to spread in October. While these past months may seem like a blur, the reality is…
Nashville–The International Black Film Festival (IBFF) is celebrating 15 years and is hosting its 2nd virtual festival September 30th through October 4th. IBFF, founded by Hazel Joyner-Smith and based here in Nashville, opened its doors in the fall of 2005, as a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization. IBFF brings culturally diverse communities together from around the globe to showcase their work as emerging and skilled independent filmmakers, actors, composers, screenwriters, directors and other film professionals. The 2020 festival will screen 40-plus independent screenings such as “First Forgotten Champions” (Morecco Coleman, Memphis TN), #Where is Beauty? (Angela McCrae, Los Angeles CA)…
By Dana Davis, 5th Episcopal District, AME Church Sitting in a lawn chair wearing a face mask and decked out in a red jacket and tie while waving to passersby, is Mack Watson. “Hi,” he says, as cars decorated with red and black balloons (his favorite colors) drive past honking their horns. This is a special day for Mr. Watson. The image of a $100 bill taped to his top hat is a clue. Mr. Watson, also lovingly called “Daddy Mack,” turns 100 years old. “This is quite a day. Just think, this is only preliminary, the next 100 years is…
People in Louisville and across the country are unleashing their anger after a Kentucky grand jury on Wednesday indicted one officer for allegedly endangering the neighbors of Breonna Taylor during the police shooting that killed her. Officer Brett Hankison, who has been fired, was indicted on three counts of first-degree wanton endangerment for allegedly endangering Taylor’s neighbors when he fired into the apartment complex. MORE: Hankison indicted on wanton endangerment in Breonna Taylor police shooting case The neighboring apartment had three people inside, thus the three charges against Hankinson, said Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron. The other officers involved in Taylor’s death were not…
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Senior Ride Nashville is launching a new program to provide enhanced support for Davidson County’s oldest residents who are in a high-risk group for contracting COVID-19 and have been asked to remain at home. With the coronavirus numbers still on the rise, staying home aids in protecting them from the virus, while increasing the risk for depression and loneliness. The CDC reports that older adults are at increased risk for loneliness and social isolation because they are more likely to face factors like living alone and the loss of friends and family members. Social isolation can significantly…
By Amanda Terkel and Kevin Robillard, HUFFPOST There have been 1,307 people who have served in the U.S. Senate throughout its history. Only 10 of them have been Black. Those numbers could skyrocket following the November election. Six Black non-incumbent candidates won major party nominations for Senate seats. Victories for the five Democrats and one lone Republican would constitute a dramatic increase in representation in a body that’s been stubbornly white, wealthy and male for nearly all of its 200-plus years. It’s unclear if the six nominations set a record, but Black political operatives, activists and candidates all agreed it’s…
By Gina E. Fann Many Americans, whether they’re observers or participants, are feeling overwhelmed by 2020’s onslaught of protests, pandemics and politics, but members of an MTSU panel say they’re seeing a surprising side of our national unrest: hope. Speaking live via Zoom discussion Sept. 16, members of the “Racial Justice Protests and the First Amendment” panel agreed that this year’s gatherings, which began in Minneapolis after police killed George Floyd in May and have spread to more than 2,000 American cities in all 50 states, are unique to our time. “This has just been such a long period of…
Nashville, Tenn. — The Fisk Jubilee Singers of Fisk University announce their newest album, Celebrating Fisk! (The 150th Anniversary Album). The album, which is more than 150 years in the making, is a collection of 12 songs that beautifully represent and communicate the powerful and vibrant history of Fisk University and its Fisk Jubilee Singers®. It features the group from the stage of Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium, with guest appearances by Ruby Amanfu, Keb’ Mo’, and CeCe Winans, among others. “This product is the result of work done by wonderful people who love Fisk University and Fisk Jubilee Singers®,” shares…
By Rosetta Miller Perry Governor Bill Lee’s record in matters of race and social justice isn’t one to salute. The latest example was evident as Knoxville’s Kristi Davis was sworn in Monday as Tennessee’s newest member of the Court of Appeals. She was appointed to the court by Lee just over 60 days ago. She’s been a judge in Knoxville since 2014, and is the second woman judge to serve on the Court of Appeals from the Eastern Division and sixth woman to serve on the Court of Appeals. But she’s right in line with Lee’s other appointments in that…