MEMPHIS, TN — When Dr. Eric D. Harris was appointed director of Memphis Public Libraries on Feb. 9, he inherited leadership of one of Tennessee’s oldest public institutions. Rather than immediately introducing sweeping changes, Harris said he has spent his first months listening, learning, and gaining a deeper understanding of the library system and the people who make it successful. “My top priority has been familiarizing myself with MPL,” Harris said. “Our library system is innovative, service-centered, and has an amazing complement of personnel.” Harris said his first objective has been understanding the purpose and structure of every part of…
Author: TN Tribune Staff Writer
NASHVILLE, TN — The National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. Metropolitan Nashville Chapter encouraged civic engagement by hosting a Women Vote Early event on Saturday, July 25, bringing together women from several African American organizations to cast their ballots during Tennessee’s early voting period. Organizations represented at the event included The Links, Delta Sigma Theta, Music City Zetas, the National Women’s Political Caucus, Les Gemes and the Urban League of Middle Tennessee. “Despite the rain, we showed up because our voices matter, our votes matter, and our future matters,” organizers said in social media post. “We are grateful to…
NASHVILLE, TN — Davidson County voters are being encouraged to review updated voter registration information before heading to the polls for the Aug. 6 State and Federal Primary, County General, and Oak Hill Municipal Election. The Davidson County Election Commission has completed assigning all registered voters to revised congressional districts approved by the Tennessee General Assembly in May. The Election Commission announced June 25 that new canary yellow voter registration cards were being printed and would soon be mailed to more than 471,000 registered voters across Davidson County. Election officials are reminding residents that the updated cards contain the most…
Veteran actor Hal Williams, who won acclaim for his roles on “Sanford and Son” and “227,” passed last week at 91. His representative, Zna Portlock Houston, told The Los Angeles Times about his death in an email. “Hal Williams is legendary for his acting skills, his compassion, and his community engagement,” Houston wrote, describing the actor as “an icon and a true professional.” “He never turned away a fan. He was always embraced so warmly, like he was truly their own family, because he was a cultural touchstone who represented an image of Black fatherhood that was loving and steadfast.…
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Mayor Freddie O’Connell has nominated Nashville attorney Robert “Jaz” Boon to serve on the Nashville Electric Service Board, replacing board chair Anne Davis as her five-year term comes to an end, according to a release. If confirmed by the Metro Council, Boon will join the board at a pivotal time for the city’s electric utility following widespread scrutiny of its response to Winter Storm Fern, which left approximately 230,000 customers without power earlier this year. Boon is an attorney with Sherrard Roe Voigt & Harbison, where his practice focuses on business litigation, commercial matters and environmental health…
NASHVILLE, TN — Rev. Venita Lewis moved to Nashville from Texas in the mid-eighties. She moved to the city to pursue a career in country music. She connected with Carlos Bailey, the late great country artist, in 1985. On June 19, 1985, Rev. Lewis asked Carlos Bailey, “Did the black community celebrate Juneteenth in the city of Nashville?” “What is Juneteenth?” Bailey asked. Rev. Lewis explained to him that it was the date that Texas slaves were freed two years later under the Emancipation Proclamation. She discussed with him that freedom finally came to Texas on June 19, 1865, when…
NASHVILLE — Head coaches at Tennessee State University have submitted a vote of no confidence in Athletic Director Dr. Mikki Allen, citing concerns about the athletics department’s direction, leadership, communication and operational management. In a May 28 letter addressed to President Dwayne Tucker and the Tennessee State University Board of Trustees, the coaches said the action was not taken lightly and was driven by concerns about the development, safety and success of student-athletes. “As Head Coaches entrusted with the development, safety, and success of our student-athletes, we believe it is our responsibility to express serious concerns regarding the current direction,…
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Meharry Medical College dedicated a historical marker Thursday recognizing the contributions of former president Dr. Lloyd C. Elam during a ceremony held outside the Lloyd C. Elam Mental Health Center. Elam served as Meharry’s sixth president from 1968 to 1981 and played a key role in the institution’s development as an academic health sciences center. His leadership also helped expand mental and behavioral health services for underserved populations. Named in his honor, the Lloyd C. Elam Mental Health Center provides a range of services, including inpatient and outpatient psychiatric care, addiction treatment, behavioral health programs and specialized…
NASHVILLE, TN — State Sen. Charlane Oliver says she will not be intimidated after receiving a letter from Lt. Gov. Randy McNally outlining disciplinary actions related to her protest against Tennessee’s congressional redistricting maps. In a statement released Thursday, Oliver characterized the measures as retaliation for speaking out against what she described as racially discriminatory maps. “Yesterday afternoon, I received a letter from Lt. Governor Randy McNally outlining punitive measures against me for standing up — quite literally — for the people of Tennessee,” Oliver said. Oliver argued that Tennessee Republicans “made the unprecedented decision to break state law and…
NASHVILLE, TN — Novella M. Page, a 1960s Civil Rights activist, was honored at her home church on Sunday, May 17, during the Lay Day Service. Because of her daring spirit and commitment to justice during her high school years, she and her twin sister, Christella, slipped downtown, to participate in the non-violent Sit-Ins at the Woolworth Department Store in downtown Nashville. Their parents did not know. “At that time, I felt that I was a part of a movement that will make a difference in the way we were being treated at food establishments. Page was surprised by the…