Author: Clint Confehr

By Clint Confehr HENDERSONVILLE, TN — Dr. Lois Jordan, the first black woman elected to Nashville’s City Council, has a few observations about politics. First elected in 1971, Jordan speaks now as a political strategist; a political tactician since that race for the District 17 seat she won by campaigning door to door. Her district was divided by railroad tracks, literally and symbolically for a divided culture. To get white votes, she drove her convertible, top down, through those neighborhoods. Then, she walked her dog, Banner, named after Nashville’s now-defunct conservative newspaper, to attract attention before campaigning door to door.…

By Clint Confehr BORDEAUX, TN — Perseverance and prayers are a big part of what put Smokin’ Joe’s fish batter on store shelves in one of America’s largest retail food companies. Nevertheless, Joe “Smokin’ Joe” Bond of Kings Lane is clear on another point as he’s introducing new products. “The Kroger family has been good to me,” says Joe, steadfast in his belief that he’s got the better fish batter. “A hush puppy and meat seasoning are what I’m coming out with next,” he says. Joe’s story of family, fellowship and faith dovetails with business and state interests and procedures…

By Clint Confehr MEMPHIS, TN — McCullough Law — a civil law firm specializing in bankruptcy, personal injury, family law and other civil cases started in Memphis — recently opened a Music City office. McCullough Law’s Nashville office is on the 20th floor of One Nashville Place, 150 4th Ave., North, in what’s known as the Regions Bank building, across Printer’s Alley from Country Music Television headquarters. “What I like about Nashville, apart from the growth of the city and its economic base, is the entertainment component, and the growing diversity of the work force because we do labor and…

By Clint Confehr Long term plans are being laid by civil rights leaders as they’re dismayed by complacency and mistakes. “The Democratic Party is probably going to lose the next national election if they continue the way they are going,” Rev. Eugene F. Rivers III says.  Rivers, pastor at Azusa Christian Community Center, an independent Pentecostal church in Boston is “talking about the next presidential election.” President Donald Trump could be re-elected, “or somebody worse.” Vice President Mike Pence? “Or somebody worse,” Rivers said. “The black community has to develop a domestic development program that focuses on 2038,” he said.…

By Clint Confehr NASHVILLE, TN — At different times in her career, Ana Escobar’s prosecuted and defended domestic violence cases since 1995. Now, she wants to preside and judge. “I know how hard it is for somebody to accuse someone who they love or have loved,” Escobar said while discussing her bid for a seat on the bench in Division III of General Sessions Court. The judge in that Davidson County court hears domestic violence cases for eight months and then goes “into the regular rotation” as a judge being assigned to other kinds of cases. “It’s hard as a…

By Clint Confehr NASHVILLE, TN — Surrounded by Tennessee State University, Schrader Lane Church of Christ is celebrating its centennial throughout 2018. This congregation officially started in May 1918, so we are recognizing this as our centennial year,” says Robert Gardenhire, minister at the church on 14 acres. Schrader Lane Church of Christ celebrates homecoming on the third Sunday in June. This year, it’s June 17, Father’s Day. A recent tour focused on child care and senior housing. Between those bookends of life, Schrader Lane Church of Christ offers much more for congregants and the community at-large. “TSU was called…

There’s a basic difference between Marsha Blackburn and Phil Bredesen, the two likely candidates facing each other Nov. 6 to succeed U.S. Sen. Bob Corker. It’s their view of the job as a member of the world’s greatest deliberative body, as it was called during a junior high school civics class in the 1960s when this student was listening. During political events when Blackburn first ran for Congress, she said she wanted the job so she could support George W. Bush’s agenda. Later it was to fight Barrack Obama. Now, as Blackburn spokesperson Andrea Bozek told the Associated Press, “We…

This is the view from a window a few yards from where a fatal bullet was fired at about 6:01 p.m. April 4, 1968, killing America’s best known Civil Rights leader, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In the foreground on the grassy yard is a tent used by a TV news crew for coverage of the 50th anniversary of the assassination. A white wreath with red decoration is placed at the front of the room where King was staying in the Lorraine Motel. Photo by Clint Confehr

By Clint Confehr MEMPHIS, TN — Innercity school children here came to attend the 50th commemoration of the death of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Shawn Anderson, chief operating officer of Word of Faith Christian Acadmy and daughter of the school’s founder, Dr. Gene Crockett, said the students “were prepared” for the day, having been taught lessons “on social justice — how far we’ve come and how far we have to go… “They’re taught that education is critical to achieving social justice and equality,” the school’s COO said of the 20 students with her. Total enrollment is 100. She…

By Clint Confehr MEMPHIS, TN – An anonymous man shouted “Let freedom ring” among thousands of people in front of the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel as a church bell rang. The bell began tolling 39 times at 6:01 p.m. for the time the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was shot by a sniper across Mulberry Street. Dr. King was 39 years old. Famous Civil Rights leaders from the 1960s and ‘70s spoke during this Wednesday, April 4, 2018, program exactly 50 year after King’s assassination on the second floor balcony in front of his motel room.…