By Ashley Benkarski NASHVILLE, TN — When Rep. John Lewis, shown at right, began getting in “good trouble” in Nashville, he helped cement the city’’s place in the legacy of the Civil Rights Movement as the first Southern city to desegregate lunch counters. An American Baptist College and Fisk University alum, Lewis took part in sit-ins along Fifth Street in 1960 and was among the original Freedom Riders who met the violent backlash of white supremacy a year later in Alabama. Rep. Lewis (D-GA) was honored with the official dedication of that same section of street in his name Friday…
Author: Ashley Benkarski
By Ashley Benkarski CLARKSVILLE, TN — Dr. Michael J. Moss was installed as Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church’s second pastor in June, taking the leadership role left vacant since its founder passed away in the summer of 2017. Pastor Jimmy Terry, Sr. and his wife Servella Broomfield Terry founded the church in 1982. Pastor Terry is survived by his wife, who was present for the Installation Service of Pastor Moss. The Service was attended by church leaders spanning at least three states, with Pastor Dr. Clayborn Lea of California serving as speaker. “It is with humble submission and honor to be…
By Ashley Benkarski AUSTIN, TX — The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), the largest professional membership organization representing the nation’s 325,000 licensed nurse practitioners (NPs), announced April N. Kapu, DNP, APRN, ACNP- BC, FAANP, FCCM, FAAN to succeed Sophia Thomas, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, PPCNP-BC, FNAP, FAANP as its president on June 29. Kapu began her two-year term on July 1. Thomas has served as AANP’s president since 2019 and guided the association through substantial membership growth and legislative successes, the organization reported. Thomas will start her one-year term as AANP Immediate Past President as Kapu assumes the role. “We…
By Ashley Benkarski MEMPHIS, TN — Executive Director of Memphis Artists for Change Tameka Greer is a member of the Black Southern Women’s Leadership Project along with fellows in Louisiana, Texas, Florida, Georgia and Alabama. The group is honoring the Juneteenth holiday by continuing to advocate for voter rights, community empowerment, ending mass incarceration and curbing gun violence, all of which disproportionately affect low-income and Black and Brown communities. “Juneteenth is a celebration and a conversation,” Greer said. Though it’s been recognized by the Black community for generations, Juneteenth was only named a national holiday June 15 this year to…
By Ashley Benkarski NASHVILLE, TN — Jill Biden visited a COVID-19 vaccine drive in downtown Nashville Tuesday to encourage attendees to get vaccinated. The First Lady was met on the tarmac after her Air Force Two landing by Rep. Jim Cooper, Nashville Mayor John Cooper and others before dropping in at Ole Smokey Moonshine Distillery for an appearance with country artist Brad Paisley. Paisley honored Charley Pride, who passed away due to complications from coronavirus, in a quick speech along with performing for attendees. Dr. Biden offered support to people who stepped up to get the shot. Just over 41…
By Ashley Benkarski NASHVILLE, TN — Mt. Juliet student Kierra Perkins is on her way to becoming a household name. Her business, Kandles by Kierra, has been a local favorite for her creative candles for years and with her recent certification as a woman-owned business she’s hoping to expand. That shouldn’t be hard for Kierra; she was introduced to the nation last Thursday with an appearance on the Ellen DeGeneres Show ahead of the Father’s Day weekend. She was also featured in the New York Times recently, the teen and her candles positioned against a backdrop as vibrant as the…
By Ashley Benkarski NASHVILLE, TN – Mayor John Cooper’s FY2021-22 Metro Operating Budget proposal includes a $53,656,100 funding allotment for WeGo Public Transit services, allowing WeGo to advance its goals toward an equitable public transit system in alignment with the recently adopted Nashville Transportation Plan. “WeGo Public Transit applauds Mayor Cooper’s proposed FY2021-22 Metro Operating Budget, and specifically its major commitment to public transportation service,” said WeGo CEO Steve Bland. The investment will directly benefit the thousands of Nashvillians who rely on public transportation services every day, WeGo said. “Last year, WeGo was able to absorb a budget cut…
By Ashley Benkarski NASHVILLE, TN — Outstanding Memphis student Trinity McKinney is one of five Spelman first-years to be awarded the inaugural Morgan Stanley HBCU Scholars Program, the firm reported. Now, she can focus on her future instead of struggling to work enough hours to live or pay back student loans. “This means opportunity to grow as a person and more opportunities for Black people at HBCUs,” McKinney said. The initiative was developed by the newly-established Institute for Inclusion, part of a larger mission to create an integrated, holistic and transparent diversity and inclusion strategy both internally and externally, the…
By Ashley Benkarski NASHVILLE, TN — Tami isn’t just another country music-centric artist. A native Oklahoman, she moved in 1991 to take advantage of the opportunities Music City had to offer. “The content we were recording was very country music at that time in the ‘90s,” she said of her early career. “I loved it but didn’t feel deeply, innately it was me.” Her 2008 release “Be True to Yourself” recalled the era of soul music that her father exposed her to, noting inspirations Etta James, Ella Fitzgerald and Nat King Cole among others. “I felt that I would sing…
By Ashley Benkarski NASHVILLE, TN — Howard Marks is co-founder of video game giants Activision and Acclaim Games (now part of the Walt Disney Company). After launching StartEngine as an accelerator in Los Angeles, Howard relaunched StartEngine as an equity crowdfunding platform after discovering how difficult it was for entrepreneurs to raise venture capital. StartEngine has now raised over $300 million for startups from its online community of over 300,000 investors. “I wanted to try my hand at the other side of the table: investing in other founders and helping other entrepreneurs achieve their dreams,” Marks said. “From [my] experience,…