SPRINGFIELD, TN — Springfield Baptist Church, located at 401 Main Street in Springfield, Tennessee, will host the 4th Annual Night of Champions July 10, 6 p.m., welcoming Tennessee Titans Quarterback Malik Willis and a live performance by the Jason Lovins Band for an evening of inspiration and music. Night of Champions celebrates athletes who exemplify the values of faith, perseverance and community. Willis will serve as keynote speaker and will share his powerful story of overcoming obstacles and, most importantly, his journey with Jesus. Before the talk, the Jason Lovins Band will play live. The event is free and open…
Author: Press Release
By Rev. Dorothy S. Boulware One of the most exciting pieces of news from the 2024 Hampton Ministers Conference is the launch of Hampton University’s School of Religion, which offers the usual degrees in religion and theology, and is now the first HBCU to offer a doctorate. “It’s more than a dream come true. It’s much needed at this time in the life of the Black church and the Black community. Churches need as much support and assistance as we can give them,” says Rev. Dr. Debra L. Haggins, founding dean of the School of Religion, executive director and treasurer…
NASHVILLE, TN — Baseball was the theme, particularly with last Thursday’s MLB salute to the Negro Leagues by Major League Baseball and the passing of Willie Mays. The Nashville Stars – named for the old Nashville Negro Leagues team – helped sponsor the celebration and provided jerseys, bats, balls, posters and t-shirts for the event. Dwight Lewis, longtime reporter, editor and columnist for The Tennessean and a member of the TSU baseball team in the 1960s, regaled the audience with his memories of watching Negro Leagues teams play in Knoxville and his stories about several of Nashville’s Negro League…
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (TN Tribune) – FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) today announced that Karen Blanks Ellis will become the company’s next chief sustainability officer, effective July 1, 2024. The appointment of Ellis follows the decision earlier this year of the company’s longtime sustainability leader, Mitch Jackson, to retire on June 30 after a 39-year career at FedEx. Ellis previously held the role of managing director, Strategic Environmental Management & Sustainability at the company. “In every role I have held at FedEx, I’ve been proud to work for such a forward-thinking and respected corporate actor in sustainability. Now as chief sustainability officer,…
NASHVILLE, TN – For 30 years, Volunteer Tennessee has invested in programs to meet the most pressing needs in communities across the state. To continue that legacy, the governor-appointed commission is proud to invest over $8 million of 2024-25 AmeriCorps grant funding in 18 organizations across the state. “We are excited to leverage this grant funding from AmeriCorps to address some of the toughest problems facing our state,” said Amy Walter, chair of the Volunteer Tennessee commission. “From homelessness to school readiness and food insecurity to environmental improvements, AmeriCorps members strengthen communities and improve lives while developing key civic and leadership…
NASHVILLE, TN — United Way of Greater Nashville (UWGN) announced today that Erica Mitchell, chief impact officer, UWGN, will be the new chief executive officer beginning January 1, 2025. Earlier this year, UWGN’s CEO Brian Hassett announced his retirement. An executive search committee made up of a diverse cross section of UWGN board of trustee members, community stakeholders and philanthropic partners was charged by the board to identify a new CEO. There are no anticipated organizational changes during the transition. “We are thrilled to have Erica serve as CEO beginning next year. Her remarkable leadership as our chief impact officer…
Business leaders Anthony Lewis and Gil Beverly join board of directors NASHVILLE, TN — After three decades serving on the Citizens Savings Bank & Trust board of directors, and as board chairman since 2017, Attorney Richard Manson will step down making room for two new board members to assist the historic bank continue in its strategic direction. Nashville-based Citizens Savings Bank & Trust is the nation’s oldest continuously operating minority owned and operated bank. Bank officials expressed their gratitude and appreciation to Manson in a letter acknowledging his “outstanding leadership and dedicated service.” Manson was saluted for his “commitment, passion, and…
WASHINGTON, D.C. — An oil portrait painted from life of Attorney Fred Gray, by artist Michael Shane Neal, has been acquired by The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. for its permanent collection. The portrait was commissioned by “Friends of Fred Gray,” a group of donors who believed in the historical significance of a painting of Gray and its inclusion in the museum’s collection to educate future generations on his work for the Civil Rights Movement throughout his lifetime. A native of Montgomery, Alabama, Gray is a nationally-recognized Civil Rights attorney, celebrated lecturer, successful author, minister, and former legislator.…
By Rebecca Cohen Frederick “Flips” Richard is already making a name for himself in men’s gymnastics as he soars into the Olympic trials, having recently clinched the No. 2 spot at the U.S. Gymnastics Championships, but he has been captivating an audience on social media for years and has big plans for the sport’s future. Richard, 20, grew up in Stoughton, Massachusetts and first hit the gym at twoyears old. After his parents saw him on their bed throwing flips he’d seen in his older sister’s gymnastics classes, they decided to put him in class, too. But he wouldn’t listen…