By Amanda Frost Conservative Supreme Court justices padded their salaries and took gigs abroad that one critic likened to “all-expenses-paid vacations, with a little teaching thrown in,” courtesy of a law school that used access to the justices to boost its fundraising and status, the New York Times reported Sunday. The cozy ties of Justices Neil Gorsuch, Clarence Thomas, and Brett Kavanaugh to George Mason’s Scalia Law School appear to be legal. But the report is the latest revelation into how conservatives who control the court have regularly received money and lavish perks from ideological backers and people with interests…
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By Mike Mather Q: When you or scholars talk about the “Black Church,” what does that mean to you? A. The short answer is, “it’s complicated.” For some scholars of African American religion, the term “Black Church” conventionally refers to those members of seven historic independent African American Protestant denominations, including National Baptist Convention USA, National Baptist Convention of America, Progressive National Baptist Convention, African Methodist Episcopal Church, African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, and the Church of God in Christ. However, scholars like religious historians Josef Sorett and Anthea Butler suggest that the term “Black Church”…
We believe in direct action the way others believe in divine superheroes. The church talks an awful lot about compassion, but then they act as if they are the arbiters of a bitter, vengeful, patriarchal asshole. Picture Brett Kavanaugh screaming at his confirmation hearing, and you can imagine the God he prays to. They get metaphorical boners fantasizing about the power they can exert over others, and they turn them into literal monuments, phallic middle fingers rising over the highway. All this money they spend on sentimental idolatry—on frivolous roadside attractions like statues and billboards—it’s frustrating, because it could make…
Nashville, Tenn. (TN Tribune)–Fisk University is absolutely delighted to announce that this year’s commencement speaker will be NBA legend, team owner, author, and broadcaster Grant Hill. Grant’s incredible 19-year playing career is only matched by his impressive business success post-retirement. His many ventures span everything from sports broadcasting to real estate and the launch of a private equity mezzanine fund: Penta Capital. From his time at Duke University, Grant has been a global household name and his competitiveness, perseverance, and commitment to community and family has been nothing short of exemplary. A true believer in community investment, Grant’s contributions to…
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced the appointment of Lizzette Gonzalez Reynolds as commissioner for the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE), effective July 1. Reynolds will succeed Dr. Penny Schwinn, who will step down at the end of the school year after more than four years of service to Tennesseans. “During her years of dedicated service, Penny has played a key role in our administration’s work to ensure educational opportunity for Tennessee students and secure the next generation of teachers, while navigating historic learning challenges,” said Lee. “I have tremendous gratitude for her leadership and wish her much success in…
Nashville, TN—Throughout the month of May, especially the week of May 8-12, the Tennessee Department of Education invites all Tennesseans to celebrate Teacher Appreciation Month, Week, and Day and will highlight all the impactful work our teachers are doing across the state. Governor Bill Lee proclaimed May 2023 as Teacher Appreciation Month, to recognize Tennessee teachers for their tireless dedication to students across the state. Additionally, Teacher Appreciation Week is May 8-12, and Teacher Appreciation Day is May 2. If you want to share why you love your current or previous teacher(s), please share on social media using #TNSupportsTeachers. If you are a…
[Nashville, TN] – The National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) has received a multi-year grant of $2,500,000 from Lilly Endowment Inc. through its Religion and Cultural Institutions Initiative. The museum will use the funding to curate the first exhibit of its kind: a showcase of rare, never displayed articles and music of the world-renowned Fisk Jubilee Singers®. Known as the first ambassadors of the Music City, the Jubilee Singers are recognized for their significant contributions to preserving African American spirituals. For 137 years, the ensemble has performed around the world, sharing America’s rich cultural heritage. NMAAM’s vision is to officially portray their years of phenomenal talent in…
NASHVILLE, TN — Dozens of pastors and people of faith gathered in Legislative Plaza this week to lament the harmful policy of the legislative session that just ended and call for a moral agenda going forward including passing common sense gun reform in the special session that will convene in a few weeks. Rev. Brandon Baxter, Pastor of East End United Methodist Church, Nashville opened the press conference reminding everyone of the moral agenda called for by Rev. Dr. Kevin Riggs at the start of the legislative session saying, “A moral agenda draws on the words of Jesus saying, ‘So…
NASHVILLE, TN — The Tennessee Department of Treasury’s Criminal Injuries Compensation Program has paid more than $350 million to victims of violent crime in Tennessee over the past 40 years since the program’s inception in 1982. During that time, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Program has served tens of thousands of innocent victims who had no other means of helping to defray the costs of eligible expenses. The Tennessee Treasury is joining organizations across the country, April 23 – 29, in recognizing National Crime Victims’ Rights Week to raise awareness of victims’ rights, inspire the community, and address unmet needs. In…
NASHVILLE, TN — On Monday, May 1st, International Workers Day, the Metro Human Relations Commission will release 2023 IncluCivics, an analysis of employee demographics and salaries of 10,000 employees across 51 Metro departments. The Executive Summary below includes overall findings on: employee representation by race and gender, salaries by race and gender, demographic and salary trends within departments and by employee roles, and employee residency by counties. The full report, to be released on May 1st, additionally includes detailed department profiles with salary distributions, employee demographics and other details. This report comes after years of rapid change in Nashville and…