Memphis has one of the highest poverty rates among large cities in the U.S. Some years, Memphis is the large city with the highest poverty rate; other years, we are in second place. Why are there so many poor people in Memphis? A popular answer is that they do not work. But that popular answer is flawed. This does not stop Memphis leaders from speaking endlessly about the need to bring jobs to the city. The Greater Memphis Chamber (GMACC) talks about bringing jobs to Memphis. City Council and the County Commission talk about bringing jobs to Memphis. The Economic…
Author: Kermit Williams
(Children’s Defense Fund) – “On March 7, 1965, a group of us attempted to march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, to dramatize to the nation that people wanted to register to vote. One young African American man had been shot and killed a few days earlier, in an adjoining county called Perry County … and because of what happened to him, we made a decision to march. In Selma, Alabama, in 1965, only 2.1% of Blacks of voting age were registered to vote. The only place you could attempt to register was to go down to the courthouse. You had…
“Forgive them, Father, for they know not what they have done.” In a stunning turn of events, America has once again found its neck under Donald Trump’s foot—a figure with a history that should make any truly patriotic American pause. Instead, voters have chosen to dance with the devil they know (and, apparently, miss). They’ve chosen to forego their own interests in the name of “change.” It’s a choice that, maybe this time, we will come to regret. Trump’s re-election has made it clear that we underestimated the power that economic anxiety has in shaping voter decisions. While many of…
Ask the doctor Q. Is it true that a reliable blood test for Alzheimer’s disease is finally here? A. Yes, but not the blood test we need the most. Let me explain. What is finally here is a blood test to help diagnose Alzheimer’s disease in people who already are having significant cognitive difficulties. About a third of cases of dementia in the United States have another cause, so we need to distinguish Alzheimer’s disease from the other causes. An encouraging study published July 2024 in JAMA found that a simple blood test detecting elevated blood levels of proteins that characterize Alzheimer’s disease was…
Disneyland welcomed guests and the press to attend a grand opening ceremony where attendees visited New Orleans Square and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Celebrating the culture and spirit of this music-loving land, guests enjoyed classic attractions, authentic dining, entertainment, shopping, and more. The land features fresh additions inspired by Tiana’s story from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “The Princess and the Frog,” including Eudora’s Chic Boutique featuring Tiana’s Gourmet Secrets retail shop and her restaurant, Tiana’s Palace. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure ride replaced Splash Mountain and was inspired by Disney’s first Black Princess. Music and signs convey the message of inclusivity—“Everyone is welcome!”—surrounding…
Judith Jamison, artistic director emerita and internationally acclaimed star of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater who, at Ailey’s request, took up the reins of running the company for 16 years, has joined the ancestors. On Nov. 9 at New York-Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center, Ms. Jamison passed away at the age of 81 “after a brief illness,” according to a statement. Her passing is our loss and her memory is our solace. Ms. Jamison’s long-limbed elegance etched indelible images of beauty and grace as her 5’10” body unfurled a procession of breathtaking leaps, slashing kicks, and arm movements that sculpted space.…
The National Coalition of Black Veterans Organizations extends our deepest gratitude for your decades of dedicated service to our nation. During your Presidential administration, you seized the opportunity to recognize the honorable service of then-Colonel Charles Young with a posthumous promotion to Brigadier General, a recognition that our coalition had pursued for more than forty years. In the aftermath of this distinguished honor, we collaborated with the states of Kentucky and Ohio to designate and unveil the BG Charles Young Memorial Historical Corridor. Spanning a 170-mile stretch, the corridor includes more than ten historically Black locations, starting in Nicholasville, Kentucky,…
Ella Jenkins, a self-taught musician who defied her industry’s norms by recording and performing solely for children, and in doing so transformed a marginal and moralistic genre into a celebration of a diverse yet common humanity with songs like “You’ll Sing a Song and I’ll Sing a Song,” died on Saturday in Chicago. She was 100. Ms. Jenkins in 2004 at the Grammys, where she received a lifetime achievement award. With her is Neil Portnow, the chairman and chief executive of the Recording Academy.© R. Diamond/WireImage — Getty Images Her death was confirmed by John Smith, associate director at Smithsonian Folkways Recordings. Ms.…
Statement from NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson “Millions of Americans cast their ballots in one of the most consequential elections of our time. From congressional seats to judicial appointments, and ballot propositions, America decided. No matter who occupies the Oval Office, our mission remains clear. For over a century, the NAACP has, and will continue to champion justice and equity. We are determined to protect and uplift Black and underserved communities. This election cycle we made a historic $20 million investment in efforts to get out the vote and mobilize over 14.5 million Black voters. We’re not stopping there.…
As we reflect on this election and its outcomes, we recognize that for many, there is a sense of disappointment in seeing another opportunity for a woman to lead our nation deferred. Yet, the story of women in America has always been one of resilience, courage, and determination. While history is made at every election, significant change often requires perseverance and sustained effort. Women have faced setbacks before, yet each time, they have rallied together, breaking new ground and driving change. After every challenge, we’ve seen women step forward and lead—from the historic ‘Year of the Woman’ in 1992 to…