Author: Tn Tribune

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – This month, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced the Ensuring Likeness Voice and Image Security (ELVIS) Act, a bill updating Tennessee’s Protection of Personal Rights law to include protections for songwriters, performers, and music industry professionals’ voice from the misuse of artificial intelligence (AI). Tennessee’s music industry supports more than 61,617 jobs across the state, contributes $5.8 billion to our GDP, and fills over 4,500 music venues. “From Beale Street to Broadway, to Bristol and beyond, Tennessee is known for our rich artistic heritage that tells the story of our great state,” said Gov. Lee. “As the technology…

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(RNS) — At the historic Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem, New York, the preacher is often aided in his delivery by blasts from the organ that emphasize his points. On Sunday (Jan. 14), the speaker hardly needed the help. “We need a shaking in this country,” declared the Rev. William Barber, the Disciples of Christ pastor and civil rights organizer, to emphatic applause. “Until low-wage workers are paid, we need to shake some things up! Until everybody has affordable housing, we need to shake things up!” Barber told the packed congregation, bringing them to their feet. His sermon at Abyssinian was part…

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By Jessica Pumphrey National (TN Tribune)-National Trust for Historic Preservation’s African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund is awarding $4 million in its second round of Preserving Black Churches grants to 31 historic Black churches across the U.S. Notably, two of the churches selected for grants are located in Tennessee. Henderson Chapel AME Zion Church in Rutledge, built in 1890, served as a center of cultural activity throughout the Jim Crow era and will now receive support for an architectural assessment and comprehensive preservation plan. Additionally, The House of God Church Inc. in Nashville, founded in 1903, will use grant funding…

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Nashville, Tenn. (TN Tribune)-The Jean and Alexander Heard Libraries have acquired the personal collection of Dom Flemons, a Grammy Award-winning songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and cultural historian whose music and research have brought greater awareness to African Americans’ extensive contributions to roots music. The collection was compiled and curated by Flemons and his wife, Vania Kinard, to include research materials on Black cowboys, musical instruments, an Edison phonograph with several playable wax cylinders, historical sheet music, field recordings, art pieces, memorabilia, personal gifts, autographed records, and materials documenting Flemons’ professional music career over the past 20 years. “This is a treasure trove for anyone interested…

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NASHVILLE – Gov. Bill Lee and Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher, D.V.M. announce the appointment of Heather Slayton as Tennessee State Forester and Assistant Commissioner for the Forestry Division. She succeeds David Arnold, who is retiring after more than three decades of public service.“This is an exciting period of transition for the department,” Commissioner Hatcher said. “We are indebted to David for his visionary leadership and we are proud that Heather is taking on this challenge.” As State Forester and Assistant Commissioner, Slayton will now oversee 400 division staff members and the management of more than 168,000 acres of state-owned forests. Additionally,…

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Memphis, TN – In an effort to tackle the root causes of economic poverty and crime in the Greater Memphis area, Centenary United Methodist Church, located at 584 East McLemore Avenue, is set to host the 2024 Expungement Clinic on January 27, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. In a letter from the church, it is emphasized that the initiative stems from the recognition that a direct correlation exists between poverty levels and crime rates. Rather than relying solely on law enforcement, the church believes in a holistic approach that places much-needed resources directly at the point of need…

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By Kenya Hunter, Associated Press Nearly 21 million children in the U.S. and its territories are expected to receive food benefits this summer through a newly permanent federal program, but Mississippi will not be among them after the State rejected the funds. It is not clear whether the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians will participate. The United States Department of Agriculture announced the program on Wednesday. Thirty-five states, all five U.S. territories and four tribes opted into the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer program, or Summer EBT, which the government says is meant to supplement existing programs during the summer that…

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By Joe Pitts Nashville, Tenn. (TN Tribune)-On Monday, Jan. 15, our great city of Clarksville, Tennessee, will join the rest of the nation in observing a federal holiday honoring the birthday of a very important American. “Greatness” is a term perhaps over-used at times, in describing various individuals and their achievements. But for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., it is indisputably the correct descriptive term. It is absolutely right and appropriate that we observe this day. Dr. King, born in January 1929, stands above the rest across our free nation, for his tireless efforts in the 20th century to bring…

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nterdenominational Ministers Fellowship (IMF), organizers of Nashville’s MLK Day March and Convocation since 1989 made the decision late Sunday night to cancel the 39th Annual March and to stream the Convocation. “Due to the extreme winter weather, we have decided to keep the safety of our community members first and foremost, said Rev. Davie Tucker – President of IMF. All of the Nashville community is invited to the virtual MLK Day celebration with renowned poet and speaker Nikki Giovanni (photo attached) streaming on Facebook Live at 9 a.m. Monday, January 15th here. Media is invited to attend the direct zoom link upon request. All speakers…

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By John Thomas III, Ph.D., Editor, The Christian Recorder One could be forgiven for wondering exactly what happened at Mother Emanuel on Monday when US President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. visited in his first campaign swing of the 2024 Presidential cycle. As an affiliate member of Mother Emanuel, a journalist, and a collegiate Political Science professor, I confess that I needed a few days to sit with the variety of emotions and perspectives that I felt after Monday’s program. We know that the Black Church as an institution is more to the African American community than a religious place. It…

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