Yashica Williams, a judge by day and baker by passion, has found a sweet way to balance her career in law with her love for desserts. As the owner of BabyCake’s Bakery in East Nashville, Williams is proving that she can deliver both justice and cupcakes with equal flair. Williams opened BabyCake’s Bakery in August 2022, and as the business approaches its third, the bakery has become a beloved local spot. “I always loved to bake,” Williams said. “I baked with my grandmother and mother. Baking is a stress relief to me. I love it. It’s an outlet for my…
Author: Cynthia Anderson
By Cynthia Yeldell Anderson NASHVILLE, TN — In many ways, Phyllis Poole is a rare commodity. Poole is an African-American female master electrician and owner and CEO of Lady Electrical Company, LLC. She is also a foreman with numerous high-profile projects under her belt. But Poole’s road to success in this male-dominated field was not without its share of hurdles. Poole started Nashville-based Lady Electrical because of her passion for the field. She also noticed the differences between how male and female workers were treated which made her want to step up and be the example for the women who…
By Cynthia Anderson CNN Commentator Van Jones fought back tears in an emotional reaction to the news Saturday that Joe Biden will become the 46th President of the United States. His comments gave a voice to the feelings of many African Americans. “It’s easier to be a parent this morning,” Jones said. “It’s easier to be a dad. It’s easier to tell your kids character matters, to tell them the truth matters. Being a good person matters.” Jones said people who are Muslim living in the United States don’t have to worry about a president who doesn’t want them here,…
By Cynthia Anderson Nashville—More than 10,000 Tennessee voters cast their ballots for rapper Kanye West despite all indications that the rapper had zero chance of winning the 2020 presidential election. West, who himself said he was voting for the first time in his life in a presidential election, chronicled his experience on social media. He wrote his name in for president in Wyoming where he has a ranch. West appeared on the ballet as a presidential candidate with running mate Michelle Tidball across 12 states, where he received a total of approximately 60,000 votes. Tennesseans gave West his highest number…
By Cynthia Anderson Total Health Medical and Dental in Antioch is offering curbside vaccinations this Saturday, Oct. 31st during Halloween. Parents are encouraged to bring children in costumes for candy and free diapers between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. The flu vaccine will be available to adults and children. Total Health Pediatrician Dr. Xylina Bean said she’s seeing a decrease in the number of parents getting their children vaccinated this year which she attributes to concerns over COVID-19. The goal of the event is to allow parents to feel comfortable getting their children’s vaccinations, which in most cases can be…
By Cynthia Anderson NASHVILLE, TN — Grassroots organization, The Equity Alliance, has launched the Our Fair Share initiative to ensure that minorities, small businesses and disadvantaged populations receive a fair share of aid money Nashville received due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In June, Nashville formed an oversight committee to recommend how the city should spend its nearly $121 million in COVID-19 federal stimulus funds. The Equity Alliance is urging community leaders to spend at least 30 percent of that money on assistance for multicultural communities–which have been disproportionally impacted by COVID-19. The Our Fair Share Initiative kicked off July 23…
Home at 253 Natchez Street was a Green Book Entry from 1956-1961 By Cynthia Yeldell Anderson FRANKLIN, TN — The Oscar-winning 2019 movie “Green Book” brought renewed attention to the Negro Motorist Green Book, an annual guidebook of places friendly to African Americans published from 1936-1967. After seeing the film, Franklin preservationist Pam Lewis learned that Franklin, Tenn. has its own Green Book entry. Lewis confirmed that the house at 253 Natchez Street in Franklin known as the Gaylor House was listed in the Green Book from 1956-1961. Lewis worked with a group including African American Heritage Society President Alma…
Community Leaders Urge Home Owners to Beware of Property Scams By Cynthia Yeldell Anderson NASHVILLE, TN — There is growing concern in North Nashville about predatory practices targeting landowners impacted by the recent tornados. Many predominately African American neighborhoods in North Nashville such as the Osage/Fisk Park area and Historic Buena Vista suffered severe damage from storms. NAACP Nashville Branch President Rev. Keith Caldwell said there are contractors riding around trying to buy houses from older black people. “There are all kinds of dubious schemes to get houses from under people who may not be literate,” Caldwell said. “People are…
By Cynthia Anderson NASHVILLE, TN — Entrepreneurs Stacey Lanier and Ila Foster have launched an innovative new business venture that offers health and wellness professionals a way to own their own practice without the overhead associated with starting a business. Lanier and Foster are co-owners of The Atelier (a French name for workshop or studio). It is a space at 5505 Edmonson Pike Ste. 102 in Nashville where members can rent office space in four or eight hour blocks of time. The shared space, known as a “coworking space” allows health professionals such as psychotherapist, dietitians, nurse practitioners, life coaches…
By Cynthia Anderson NASHVILLE, TN — Since 1957, Metropolitan Teachers Credit Union (MTCU) has served the financial needs of African American and minority Metro Nashville School employees and families from its non-descript location at 1605 Jefferson Street. But now the historic financial institution is changing its look and expanding its customer base to accommodate the growing needs of small businesses along the Jefferson Street Corridor. The infrastructure of the building has been upgraded inside and out to achieve a more modern welcoming look. Signage that makes the building more visible and identifiable was also added. Computer systems have been upgraded,…