On this past Tuesday night at the Metro Council Meeting, Council Member, DeCosta Hastings, moved to prevent a property tax increase for his District 2 residents. Council Member Hastings’ actions by abstaining to vote ‘yes’ on a property tax increase bill sponsored by Tanaka Vercher, made certain the tax increase would not pass. When asked about this, Council Member Hastings stated, “I could not justify raising taxes on the citizens in my District when I know in the most recent re-appraisal many of my citizens are paying more property taxes now because their property values increased. Many of my voters…
Author: Article submitted
“Growing up in post-racial America, Juneteenth was a little known holiday outside of the black community. It feels like while much progress has been made, some things have not changed with regards to knowledge of not only our struggles as freed citizens, but also of our accomplishments. Whenever we get too proud, history tends to repeat itself to some degree in order to keep us in our place.” Thankfully we live in more modern times and have a broader reach for communicating and spreading awareness. Think of Don’t Tread On We! as a study in both our past and present. To quote…
Please see the statement below from WeGo Public Transit’s CEO Steve Bland, regarding last night’s Metro Council Budget vote. We appreciate the robust conversation and efforts of Metro Council last night to adopt a budget that addresses the needs of all Nashvillians. In our rapidly growing city, working to prioritize limited funding resources for schools, emergency responders, and transportation is an unenviable position to be in. Last night only serves to further highlight the need for a long-term, dedicated funding source for transit and other mobility improvements to both improve transit service and to relieve pressure on a Metro…
NASHVILLE, TN – Nashville General Hospital CEO Dr. Joseph Webb cut a ribbon Monday on a new health clinic in midtown. The facility on Charlotte Avenue is taking new patients and making same day appointments. “Now bless, Lord, the hands of all who work in this place. Give them radiant smiles on their faces and receive those who are sick and help to make them well,” prayed Chaplain Omarán Lee. The opening was attended by the clinic staff, officials and department heads of General Hospital, and members of the Metro Council Health & Hospital Committee. Just two years ago…
NASHVILLE, TN – In a vote that held the chambers momentarily stunned Tuesday night the city council failed to pass a substitute budget that would have given Metro schools $50 million, city employees a 3% cost of living raise, and put $6 million into WeGo, Metro’s bus service. The vote was 20 in favor, 18 against, and 1 abstention. Councilwoman Tanaka Vercher’s substitute budget needed 21 votes. Failing to get one more “Yes” vote means Mayor Briley’s budget has become law. For the first time in its history the city council considered four substitute budgets. Another first: the council failed…
NASHVILLE, TN — Lelan A. Statom has been voted Father of The Year by the Nashville, Tennessee Chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated as part of its International Fatherhood Initiatives Program. The award honors men who have made their families a priority while balancing demanding careers and community involvement, and will be presented Saturday, June 15th at the 4th Annual Black Fatherhood Prayer Breakfast which will be held at the Z. Alexander Looby Center located at 2301 Rosa Parks Blvd, Nashville, TN beginning at 8:00 a.m. The Prayer Breakfast is a casual family affair and will include a…
By Sha’Zariea Rogers MEMPHIS, TN — Kingsbury High School was awarded a two-year partnership through Journalism Education Association to assist in building a strong journalism program at the school. KHS was selected in part because of the dedicated journalism students and staff already in place. KHS is a largely diverse public school in Memphis with more than 90% of students coming from a minority background, which contributed to the partnership selection as well. A focus of the JEA partner project is to help in schools where students and advisers may not be able to attend national trainings, according the the…
By Peter White NASHVILLE, TN — Six candidates for at large council answered questions Monday night before a crowd of at least 1,000 at Plaza Mariachi on Nolensville Rd. A coalition of 21 pro-immigrant organizations hosted the forum to hear the candidates answer questions about immigration enforcement, criminal justice, small business and the economy, affordable housing, education, and workers’ rights. District 18 Councilperson Burkley Allen got a question about Affordable Housing. In 2014, Allen managed to get a small source of recurring funding dedicated to low income housing. “What would you do to address the affordable housing crisis?” asked Katherine…
NASHVILLE, TN — carr has been named Senior Advisor. He brings over three decades of experience in intersectional community organizing, activism, social justice work, institution-building, youth development, and arts administration to the table of a campaign that is rapidly gaining momentum. carr, a Nashville native, is a graduate of Metro Nashville Public Schools and Tennessee State University. After graduation, carr launched The Third Eye Newspaper, hosted Straight Talk and Let’s Talk Radio shows, and went on to found The Amun Ra Theatre. He has logged over 100 commentaries on National Public Radio, is an award-winning filmmaker, playwright, and activist, and…
NASHVILLE, TN – On Monday three of the four top candidates for Mayor answered questions from Nashville’s refugee and immigrant population at the Plaza Mariachi. The plaza has a food court and performance space in the middle of a strip mall on Nolensville Rd. There are 13 eateries with different kinds of food, two Spanish language radio stations, a Dominican Barber Shop, a Dubai Jewelry store, a Latin American clothing store, Latin American grocery store, an international calling and money transfer business. There are also regular outlets for H&R Block, GameStop, and Sprint. It’s not like the new Bellevue Mall…