By Lynn Norment MEMPHIS, TN — It was a jubilant day in Memphis – a time of celebrating the life and legacy of Ida B. Wells and the unveiling of a statue honoring the courageous journalist, educator, civil rights leader and suffragist. Several hundred people on July 16 gathered at Beale and Fourth streets in downtown Memphis, where the life-sized bronze statue was erected at Ida B. Wells Plaza adjacent to Beale Street Baptist Church. In the basement of the historic church from 1889 to early 1890s, Wells published the Free Speech and Headlight newspaper. Wells’ great-granddaughter and two great-grandsons…
Author: Lynn Norment
By Lynn Norment MEMPHIS, TN — Reverend Dr. Elaine Sanford is a woman on a mission. And she refuses to allow the Covid-19 pandemic to slow her down. As founder of HER Faith Ministries Inc. in Memphis, she is focused on helping homeless and needy women and their children achieve better lives by becoming stable and self-sustaining. The organization offers programs to empower and protect needy women and children while helping to strengthen their ability to succeed. “Our vision is to aid in the reduction of poverty, food insecurity and other deprivation by providing such basic needs as emergency food,…
MEMPHIS, TN — Over the years I’ve heard and read a lot about mental health being considered a stigma in the Black community. That was always disturbing to me, though it was true. For too long, many people have ignored the symptoms and lived with mental health issues when there was no reason for them to suffer. Despite what others think and do, it is up to each of us to take care of ourselves – and that means our mental health as well as our physical health. Maybe I’m more open to discussing mental health issues because I grew…
By Lynn Norment MEMPHIS, TN — Plans for a controversial crude oil pipeline through a Black Memphis neighborhood has stirred up protests, lawsuits, a call for help from the President of the United States and charges of environmental racism. The 49-mile pipeline, a partnership between Valero Energy Corporation and Plains All American Pipeline, was set to run underground to connect a Valero refinery in Southwest Memphis to the company’s facility in Byhalia, Mississippi. It would connect to an existing pipeline that stretches from Illinois to the Louisiana Gulf Coast. At least 7 miles of the pipeline would run through low-income,…
By Lynn Norment NASHVILLE, TN — This year, April 4 is significant on two levels. It is Easter, the day that Christ rose from the tomb after being crucified so we human beings can be forgiven for our sins and have everlasting life. April 4 is also the 53rd anniversary of the day that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. In the African American community, each of these transitions is memorialized in a special way. This year, thoughts and hearts undoubtedly will focus on two men whose missions, accomplishments and short time on earth continue to greatly influence our…