By Ivan Sanchez NASHVILLE, TN — Carol Yochem, the Regional president of First Horizon, provided insights into the bank’s history, community initiatives, and plans moving forward. “Our story began in 1864,” Yochem explained, “when Ohio businessman Frank S. Davis arrived in Memphis to open the city’s first national bank.” She emphasized Davis’s vision for banking and credit to fuel commercial growth, culminating in the establishment of First National Bank of Memphis, now known as First Horizon Bank. In her role, Yochem oversees business growth in Nashville, Middle Tennessee, New York, Huntsville, and the Music Sports & Entertainment Group. Regarding the…
Author: Ivan Sanchez
By Ivan Sanchez Jacob Mchangama, the founder and executive director of The Future of Free Speech, a non-partisan think tank based at Vanderbilt University, provides insights into the intricate dynamics between AI and free speech. With a distinguished background in human rights advocacy and academic research, Mchangama’s expertise illuminates the evolving landscape of digital discourse. At The Future of Free Speech, Mchangama spearheads initiatives at the nexus of AI, free speech, and human rights. He highlights recent endeavors, including a symposium co-organized with Vanderbilt University in Nashville and an upcoming conference in Brussels, Belgium. These gatherings convene leading voices from…
By Ivan Sanchez NASHVILLE, TN — Dream 7 Theatre Productions stands as a beacon of artistic expression and community empowerment in the Greater Nashville area. Founded with a vision to provide a nurturing space for African-American performers to explore their talents, Dream 7 has been shaping the theatrical landscape for over two decades. Established in 2000 by the visionary Michael L. Walker, Dream 7 emerged from the ashes of the Mother Ship company, Black Taffeta and Burlap. Walker’s mission was clear: to amplify African-American voices and experiences through the transformative power of theater. Thus, “theater with an edge” became the…
By Ivan Sanchez In 2023, Barbie became a cultural phenomenon, raking in a remarkable $162,022,044 domestically during its opening weekend and a staggering worldwide total of $1,445,638,421, as reported by Box Office Mojo. Despite its commercial success, the film fell short of receiving an Oscar, garnering eight nominations including Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Supporting Actress (America Ferrera), and Best Supporting Actor (Ryan Gosling). Notably, Greta Gerwig (Director) and Margot Robbie (Barbie) were surprisingly omitted from the Oscar nominations, despite acclaim at other award shows. Criticism over the Academy’s decision to exclude Gerwig and Robbie prompted former Secretary of…
By Ivan Sanchez WASHINGTON, DC — Minorities in the U.S. disproportionately bear the impact of student loan debt, facing burdens and limited financial mobility compared to their white counterparts. Structural inequities in education and employment contribute to these disparities, hindering wealth accumulation and perpetuating the racial wealth gap. Barriers to affordable higher education further exacerbate the problem, requiring comprehensive solutions to address both student loan policies and broader systemic issues affecting minority communities. Recognizing the substantial burden of high student loan debt in the United States, the Biden-Harris Administration is working to address systemic issues. Recently announced student loan relief…
By Ivan Sanchez NEW ORLEANS, LA — According to the 2020 census, Black voters account for roughly a third of all people in Louisiana, yet have had only one house seat out of six this decade. The current map in place during the 2022 midterms had one Black majority district centered around New Orleans. Louisiana Black voters sued the state of Louisiana, and U.S. District Judge Shelly Dick asked the legislature to redraw the maps in the pending case, Robinson v. Ardoin. While the case has parallels with the Alabama case that added a 2nd Black majority district in Alabama,…
By Ivan Sanchez The GLAAD Awards, formed to celebrate the diversity of LGBTQ art, announced their nominees for the 2024 season with the ceremony to be held March 14th at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills and May 11th at the Hilton Midtow in New York City. The awards were established in 1990 bythe Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation to recognize and honor media for their fair, accurate, and inclusive representation of the LGBTQ+ community. The awards specifically target and promote positive portrayals of LGBTQ+ issues. Outstanding Music Artist nominees include significant Black talent including Billy Porter for “Black…
By Ivan Sanchez With Christmas break in the rearview mirror, the US Supreme Court (SCOTUS), with it’s newly minted 6-3 conservative majority, will take on multiple controversies, not least among them whether or not a president has immunity from criminal prosecution. City of Grants Pass v. Johnson stems from a controversial law in a small town in Oregon that attempted to ban camping by the homeless. The district court and the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals both struck down the law, although the decision was divided at the Appeals Court level. Now that SCOTUS has determined to take on the…
By Ivan Sanchez Cervical cancer, and the correspondent preventatives such as the Gardasil vaccine are wrapped in controversy, not because of lack of safety of the vaccine, but instead due to the politics around contraction of Human Papillomavirus (HPV). It is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for girls and boys to be vaccinated at 11 or 12, as HPV is the most common sexually transmitted disease. While HPV is not the only risk factor for cervical cancer, the strong correlation between HPV and cervical cancer, vaccination against HPV is one of the best hopes for…
By Ivan Sanchez The U.S. Supreme Court rejected President Joe Biden’s expansive student loan debt relief plan initially presented in Biden v. Nebraska. Due to this setback, students still grapple with the burdensome weight of debt. President Biden’s alternative proposal, anticipated to navigate a more extended rule-making process, will not match the scale of the plan invalidated by the Supreme Court. This revised proposal will concentrate on specific individuals eligible for existing forgiveness plans, those experiencing increased debt since their initial loan acquisition, and individuals who earned degrees from universities lacking accreditation as per the U.S. Department of Education. While…