The last known U.S. slave ship is too “broken” and decayed to be extracted from the murky waters of the Alabama Gulf Coast without being dismembered, a task force of archaeologists, engineers and historians announced following a yearslong investigation. The task force headed by the Alabama Historical Commission said that the Clotilda, the last ship known to transport enslaved Africans to the United States, had been broken in half by a large vessel and severely eroded by bacteria. The 500-page report says that the “responsible” way to memorialize the ship is toprotect it under the water where it was discovered in…
Author: Tn Tribune
NASHVILLE, TENN. (TN TRIBUNE) – The second round of funding of the Tennessee Urban Farm and Forestry (TUFF) cost share program is available to businesses in Tennessee’s disadvantaged urban communities that aim to provide education about healthy food or increase agricultural production and forest products. “The first round of TUFF funding is already making a difference for urban indoor farms, agricultural youth education and nutrition, and wood products production,” Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher, D.V.M. said. “We are eager to begin work on the second round of support for food, forestry, and nonprofit agricultural groups.” Urban farm and forestry businesses that…
National –Dexter King, the youngest son of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., and Coretta Scott King, has died after a battle with prostate cancer, The King Center announced on Monday (Jan. 22). King, 62, passed away at his home in California, according to reports. The King Center confirmed in a statement the 62-year-old civil rights activist died Monday after a battle with prostate cancer. The third child of Dr. and Mrs. Coretta Scott King was married to Leah Weber King since 2013. Weber King said in a statement from the King Center, “He transitioned peacefully in his sleep at home with me in Malibu.” She added, “He…
Nashville, Tennessee – Don Victor Mooney (58), of Queens, New York looks to bring the “Sounds of the Atlantic Ocean” to the National Museum of African American Music with his upcoming two year book tour that kicks-off this summer. On his fourth try, Mooney rowed across the Atlantic Ocean from Africa (a first for an African American), following one of the transatlantic slave routes in memory of his brother who died of AIDS and to encourage voluntary HIV testing. The 21 month journey ended at New York’s Brooklyn Bridge. Mr. Mooney will have a moment of reflection at the Nashville Slave Market…
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…
(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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…