WASHINGTON, DC — Sonya L. Ross, the Associated Press’ race and ethnicity editor and former White House reporter, has quietly retired from the news cooperative after 33 years, settled a three-year-old discrimination suit against her employer and begun her own journalism project. “I retired from AP at the end of June to run my own journalism initiative, Black Women Unmuted,” Ross, 57, told Journal-isms last week by email. Among the initiative’s first efforts is “Madame Mayor,” a series exploring governance issues cities with black female mayors — in Atlanta; Baton Rouge, La.; Charlotte, N.C.; Chicago; New Orleans; San Francisco and…
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Commentary by Jacksonville Free Press Dear President Obama, First, let me thank you for being a true statesman and such an exceptional role model. You have been an inspiration to so many people around the world. Thank you for your passion, intelligence, commitment, aptitude and swagger. You are one of the coolest brothers that I have ever seen – you, Samuel L. Jackson, John Shaft, Avon Barksdale (The Wire) and Ghost (Power). You are as cool as the other side of the pillow. Not only are you my favorite President of all-time, you are my favorite light-skinned guy of all-time. Forget…
MEMPHIS, TN — On Saturday, September 28, 2019 the 20th Year Women of Stamina Awards Celebration & Torch Passing will be presented to the Memphis community. For twenty years Comrades N Community Inc. has been a champion for Women of Stamina gifts being used to inspire, encourage and inform younger generations via their bio-created community events, and honoring God’s gifts to women 80 and older. We believe the more than 100 events presented has allowed WOS legacies to work its most marvelous purposes more effectively locally than any reading of them at a two-hour awards program could ever accomplish. The…
By Tennessee Tribune News Service NASHVILLE, TN — The National Collaborative for Health Equity (NCHE) announced that Executive Director and co-Founder Dr. Brian Smedley will resign effective October 31, 2019, to assume a new role as Chief of Psychology in the Public Interest at the American Psychological Association. Dr. Gail Christopher, former Vice President and senior advisor at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, will succeed Dr. Smedley as NCHE Executive Director on November 1, 2019. As Vice President for Food, Health and Well-being at the Kellogg Foundation, Dr. Christopher oversaw programming in Food, Health and Well-being, Leadership and Civil Engagement, and…
NASHVILLE, TN — Registrations are being accepted for the 2019 Business Marketplace, presented by the TriState Minority Supplier Development Council (TSMSDC). The event will be held October 7-8, 2019 at the Nashville Renaissance Hotel. The conference and exhibits will also include workshops. One-on-One Business Interviews, by appointment only, and will be available for registered certified minority vendors and corporate purchasers. With the theme, “No limits, Just opportunities,” the purpose of the conference is to increase awareness of domestic and global issues which impact economic development among corporations and minority businesses; and designed to discover valuable techniques to shape, enhance, and…
MURFREESBORO, TN — A trailblazing former state lawmaker with a passion for education is bringing her vast political experience and academic background to Middle Tennessee State University as a Distinguished Visiting Professor in political science. Former state Rep. Beth Harwell, the state’s first female speaker of the House of Representatives, was formally introduced in her new academic role Tuesday, Sept. 24, by MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee during a campus news conference attended by local state lawmakers and university leaders. “While at MTSU, Dr. Harwell will be available to work with our faculty in a variety of ways, from serving…
MEMPHIS, TN — Mempho Music Festival at Shelby Farms Park (memphofest.com) today announced its food & beverage line-up for the weekend-long event taking place at Shelby Farms Park on October 19 and 20. Super-VIP attendees and Luxury Box ticket holders will experience meals catered by renowned chef, Jimmy Gentry, whose Paradox Catering is considered among the best boutique caterers in the Mid-South and whose restaurant, P.O Press Public House & Provisions, is one of the most celebrated eateries in Greater Memphis. Access to a Super VIP lounge also includes plush lounge furniture; open bar serving premium craft beer, wine and…
NASHVILLE, TN — Health care professionals from across the city of Nashville will donate their time and service at a free medical and dental clinic at Haynes Middle Health/Medical Science Design Center on Saturday, Sept. 28, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The “Agape Clinic” will be at the middle school located at 510 West Trinity Lane. Free services include primary care, women’s health, pediatrics, dentistry, and hearing. There will also be sports physicals, as well as a winter clothes donation. “This is a great opportunity to address the needs of the people in the community,” says Dr. Joel Nichols,…
SACRAMENTO, CA — He was tireless in the fight for access and respect for Black journalists and relentless in championing for Blacks to have a seat at the proverbial table. Sacramento OBSERVER publisher emeritus Dr. William H. Lee went on to his glory, having passed away on Sunday, September 22. Dr. Lee was 83 years old. Dr. Lee was born on May 29, 1936, in Austin, Texas. His parents (Rev. Charles R. Lee, father, and Carrie Lee, mother), with sons William and James R. Lee, moved to California, first to San Francisco and then to Sacramento, in the early 1940s.…
CLEVELAND, MS — Three-time GRAMMY® Award-winning, Mississippi-born country artist Charley Pride will be the inaugural recipient of GRAMMY Museum® Mississippi’s Crossroads of American Music Award at the Mississippi Museum’s 2019 Gala on Friday, Nov. 1. Established by the Museum’s Board of Directors, the Crossroads of American Music Award honors an artist who has made significant musical contributions influenced by the creativity born in the cradle of American music. Pride will appear at the Museum’s 2019 Gala to accept the award on Nov. 1 at GRAMMY Museum Mississippi. “I’m honored to be the first recipient of this award from the GRAMMY…