By Reginald Stuart NASHVILLE, TN — Interim Mayor David Briley may have a suffered a big voter rejection earlier this week of the $5 billion dollar–plus mass transit proposal. He’ll have little time over the next few days to digest the impact of the vote, however, as his next crucial career challenge —the May 24 special election for mayor— is just ahead. For sure, Briley the 54-year-old grandson of the late Mayor C. Beverly Briley, did not start this year with any idea of what would be thrust on his table by spring time. He says he was happy being…
Author: Reginald Stuart
By Reginald Stuart NASHVILLE, TN — As a child growing up in Nashville, LaDonna Boyd did not know she might someday rise to become chief executive of the R.H. Boyd Publishing Corp, the nation’s oldest African-American owned publishing house. For sure, Boyd, a different leader for a different generation of the company, has prepared for the job. Over the years, Boyd learned the ropes of the publishing company from the ground up, working the stock room to sales to planning and management. She’s earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Spelman College in Atlanta and a master’s degree in finance…
By Reginald Stuart Millions of parents, teachers and students across the country of all ages took a break from their busy routines last week to think about and honor the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who was assassinated April 4 in Memphis by a sniper, abruptly ending his historic crusade for equal justice and civility for all people, regardless of race, economic status, religion, age and other distinctions. On many college and high school campuses, dialogues were held to openly talk about where America stands today, 50 years after Dr. King’s death when it comes to actively achieving Dr.…
By Reginald Stuart NASHVILLE, TN — When Fisk University this week rolls out its red carpet for the official inauguration of Kevin D. Rome, its new president, the spotlight will be focused on him. Many eyes will also be on veteran Fisk icon Jessie Carney Smith, an inauguration co-chair who has been the right hand of the 150 years old institution’s leaders for more than 50 years. Smith is a part of the glue, Fisk staffers and watchers say, that has helped keep the institution in tact over its oft-time bumpy years. She joined the Fisk library staff in 1965…
NOTE: Due to the passing of Senator Thelma Harper’s husband, the reception that was planned honoring her on Thursday morning (3/29) at the Senate will be rescheduled for another time. The Senator’s annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday will continue in his honor. By Reginald Stuart NASHVILLE, TN — Growing up in rural Hartsville, Tennessee, Paul Wilson Harper never knew he would make the nation’s history books. He did in a big way, despite keeping his cool, low profile and demeanor for decades on the busy business streets of North Nashville. From his early adult years as a service attendant at…
By Reginald Stuart With bands playing at full tilt in dance halls and bars throughout the city and music enthusiasts swarming nearly every street, it was not surprising in the 1950’s and 1960’s, that Nashville was generating scores of talented entertainers who went on to create careers that spanned the globe. Back in Nashville, they were simply considered just the neighbor up the street. The city’s walk of fame, if it had one, would over shadow Hollywood’s historic row in an instant. The same town, music and mentors who gave a start to country music singer Brenda Lee, rhythm and…
By Reginald Stuart WASHINGTON, DC — President Trump’s suggestion that school teachers be armed as part of an effort to enhance school safety for children has been rejected in separate comments by Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam and Metro Nashville Schools chief Shawn Joseph since the terrifying Florida school shooting in late February. Other school leaders are staying on the sidelines of the issue, despite growing demand from high school students for lawmakers to restrict use of military style assault weapons. “I’m not certain I see arming teachers as being the answer, because I think there’s a very small percentage of…
By Reginald Stuart WASHINGTON, D.C. — Lots of school systems across the country, from elementary level through college, look forward to the winter breaks as a time to rest and refresh. In most cases, the winter breaks end and school resumes. One sign of things getting back to normal on many campuses is the familiar sight of steam billowing through the ventilators on grounds, sidewalks and streets. This school year has been one for the books for many, however, due to the mix of unexpected weather from forest fires in the West, to hurricanes in the South and along the…
By Reginald Stuart WASHINGTON, DC — Legendary journalist Simeon Booker, who became known world-wide during his lifetime as a key messenger of news that helped America focus on civil rights injustices in the last half of the last century, was honored here this week with a first class farewell at the historic Washington National Cathedral. Well-established figures in the news media and politics gathered for the low-key tribute to Booker who died at in December at age 99. The Washington Bureau Chief for Johnson Publishing Company’s Jet and Ebony Magazines for nearly half a century. His reporting for the publications…
By Reginald Stuart WASHINGTON, DC — When President Trump this month reached the first anniversary of his tenure as chief executive of the United States, he had hoped to mark the occasion at his Florida resort surrounded by jubilant supporters and financial backers. Instead, Trump marked the occasion holed up here in the White House, avoiding most contact with the public—even by tweet—as the federal government partially shut down after Congress refused for the third time in recent weeks to approve a spending bill to keep the national government running. The inability of Trump to get the Republican controlled Congress…