By Ashley Benkarski MURFREESBORO, TN — The Tennessee Grocers and Convenience Store Association held its annual convention May 12-13 at Embassy Suites on 1200 Conference Center Boulevard. The expo brings together local food businesses, suppliers, wholesalers and distributors to forge partnerships and provide opportunities to grow their operations through industry-focused education sessions. Below are some local, Black-owned gems who exhibited their products at this year’s TGCSA convention and are well worth checking out. For more information on TGCSA or the annual convention visit tngrocer.org. Smokin’ Joe’s Chef Joe Bond has a personality to match the intensity of the products he…
Author: Ashley Benkarski
By Ashley Benkarski NASHVILLE, TN — One of the newest concerns of the COVID-19 pandemic is that America, despite mass vaccination efforts, may not reach the percentage of the population necessary for herd immunity. Skepticism and real concerns about the vaccine have blended with rapidly-spreading disinformation which is at least partially responsible for less than half of adults in the nation being vaccinated. Since COVID-19 vaccine distribution began in the United States on Dec. 14, more than 270 million doses have been administered, fully vaccinating over 121 million people or 36.7% of the total U.S. population, NPR reported. According to…
By Ashley Benkarski NASHVILLE, TN — Phala Mire, President and CEO of Women’s Business Enterprise Council South, is providing another opportunity for women business owners to connect with each other and grow opportunities with the development of a co-working space created in Nashville called the WB Collective. Established in 1994, WBEC South’s mission is “to advance and enhance business opportunities between corporations and women-owned businesses through a reputable certification program, education and professional growth opportunities,” its website states. “I truly love working with women entrepreneurs,” Mire said, adding that watching women in traditionally male-dominated industries thrive makes her proud. “Every…
By Ashley Benkarski MURFREESBORO, TN — The plantation once owned by the Maneys, one of Murfreesboro’s earliest and most influential families, has recently come under new management and is working to tell and uplift the stories of those who suffered at hands of the slaves owners and built their grandiose home brick by brick — but it hasn’t always been this way. The property’s past is imbued with all the trappings of injustice found on plantations, but this site has, for the longest time, been one of particular importance to Confederate supporters, holding “Nathan Bedford Forrest Day” every July 13.…
By Ashley Benkarski NASHVILLE, TN — Respected doctor and scholar Dr. Matthew Walker III passed away suddenly at his home in Nashville, TN on Saturday, April 24. Funeral services will be Wednesday, May 5 at Schrader Lane Church of Christ. Viewing is at 10 a.m. and services will begin at 11 a.m., the family has announced. The service will be live streamed and there will not be a repass because of the coronavirus. Devoted husband, father, family man and friend, he is survived by his wife Anna Mary Walker and son Matthew Walker IV. Dr. Walker was born on Nov.…
By Ashley Benkarski NASHVILLE, TN — Managing all forms of your energy is critical to avoiding burnout during the pandemic, Dr. Charlene Dewey told a virtual audience on April 22 during the annual Matthew Walker Sr. Legacy Breakfast. Dr. James E. K. Hildreth, President and CEO of Meharry Medical College and State Rep. Harold Love were honored for their work in the community and scholarships were presented to four Meharry students. Dr. Dewey, a Dean at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, presented “Shifting Gears: Preventing Burnout and Building Resilience in the COVID Pandemic.” While focused on burnout of health…
By Ashley Benkarski The zeitgeist of women’s equality has been alive for decades, though the theme may change. In recent years that theme has shifted to women in sports, with athletes Serena Williams, Simone Manuel and Megan Rapino not only excelling in their field but actively speaking out for justice. Of course, Nashville has its own legends to boast (no, not just the Mannings of football fame). Cathy Bender is a local representation of LeBron James’s “More than an Athlete” motto– The Nashville native dominated every sport she played and continues to demonstrate leadership through her work with Merrill Lynch…
By Ashley Benkarski COOKEVILLE, TN — Two nonprofits brought much-needed medical relief to Cookeville residents from March 20-21, providing $295,000 in free dental, vision and general medical services, one of the groups reported. Remote Area Medical (RAM) and Upper Cumberland Community Host Group (CHG) held a free clinic at Cookeville High School. According to RAM 550 people were served, with 127 receiving a COVID-19 vaccination. RAM will hold another clinic in Morristown, Tenn., Sat. May 1-2. RAM provides pop-up clinics to underserved and uninsured individuals who are geographically distanced from quality health care. Since its founding in 1985, more than…
By Ashley Benkarski NASHVILLE, TN — For many places of worship throughout the nation, this Easter will be the second celebrated virtually. Though the novel coronavirus and its variants are still a danger as recent weeks have seen another surge in cases, the distribution of vaccines is helping some churches open their doors in a health-conscious effort to bring congregants back just in time for Easter, one of the most revered holidays of the Christian faith. The Diocese of Nashville’s churches are all open for in-person Easter services and have been welcoming parishioners to the pews since last June, said…
By Ashley Benkarski Representation matters. Nashville native knows — as a Black woman she’s felt the pain of being unseen, and of not seeing people that look like you in movies and books. To do something about that she launched the Black Book Project, a community-focused program accepting and distributing donated books for local kids that center around characters who share their culture. Her mission is to make sure that African American children are represented in the literature they’re reading so they’ll want to read more. “I want more intentionality for our Brown and Black children,” she remarked. “I’m a Black…