Memphis Mayor Paul Young has formed a comprehensive task force to attack the “chaos.” By Tony Jones MEMPHIS, TN — Orange Mound State Representative G.A. Hardaway (D93) says the Black community must either “Vote or Die,” to fight back against the violent crime eating up our neighborhoods. Hardaway issued the warning in a follow up call to the Tennessee Tribune concerning the “emergency” town hall meeting he spearheaded this past Saturday (February 10) at the Mt. Pisgah CME Church to express outrage at the latest murder shocking Orange Mound and the rest of the city. Unfortunately, the circumstances driving the call…
Author: Tony Jones
By Tony Jones MEMPHIS, TN — First year mayor Paul Young has created a comprehensive task force and announced a war on the crime that has placed a metaphorical straitjacket on the city’s day to day life. At the press conference introducing the initiative to the public, Young made it clear that either the criminals are going to run the city, or the government elected to do so. From legislative input to active-duty responsibilities, the task force ties all the city’s law enforcement channels together to develop an active front. Flanked by the partnering officials, Young told the public after…
By Tony Jones MEMPHIS, TN — Memphis based visual artist Ephraim Urevbu has created a transcendent work of art entitled “The Naked Truth Art Project” that may be the most essential tactile work created here since the National Civil Rights Museum. For decades now, Urevbu‘s studio and gallery, Urevbu Contemporary, at 410 S. Main, has been a mandatory downtown destination for art lovers and now it deserves traction around the world. Originally from Nigeria, he’s honored his adopted home as powerfully as the greatest musical and social voices imprinting our history. That’s not an exaggeration. Think of the project like…
By Tony Jones The Memphis City Council swiftly voted Tuesday, January 23 to table the decision to reappoint Memphis Police Department Chief Cerelyn“C.J.” Davis until a later date. The unanimous decision now makes Davis the department’s interim director. Mayor Paul Young and Memphis City Council Chairman J. B. Smiley, Jr. met to discuss the pivot before Young introduced it. “We are in a crisis. Not just the reality of crime, but the perception of crime,” he said. “My goal is to resolve the chaos. My support of Chief Davis is not wavered. We’re going to use this time to show…
By Tony Jones After a dynamic inaugural start, City of Memphis Mayor Paul Young was immediately slammed into Memphis reality at the Memphis City Council committee hearing Tuesday, January 9 to present his cabinet choices. All his nominees were accepted except City of Memphis Police Department Chief Cerelyn“C. J”. Davis. The 7-6 vote against her is non-binding and will be decided by the full council Tuesday, January 23. As expected, Davis’s interview was fraught with tension. Available on YouTube, there have been complaints about the often disrespectful discourse and demeanor of the interview, and especially that of current City Council…
By Tony Jones MEMPHIS, TN — Mayor-Elect Paul Young is scheduled to give a dramatically anticipated inauguration speech at his official swearing in ceremony Monday, Jan. 1, 2024, 11 A.M., at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts. Young’s speech highlights a celebratory weekend leading up to the installation of the new city government. The Inauguration Parade & Block Party kicks it off Saturday, Dec. 30th, 10 a.m., at Tiger Lane. Sunday, Dec. 31st, 3 p.m., the 901 Unity Choir Concert begins at the Greater Community Temple Church of God In Christ (COGIC). Both are free, but require website registration.…
By Tony Jones MEMPHIS, TN — The Southbrook Towne Center is sponsoring a community Christmas party and fundraiser for the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) on Friday, Dec. 22nd, starting at 5 p.m. Donations are $25. “It’s called Willie Harper Presents A Winter Wonderland Experience,” Project Manager Greg Grant explains. “It’s named for our Chairman of the Board. We’re going to be giving out presents to kids that may not have anything else they can look forward to for Christmas, and it’s also a dedicated fundraiser honoring the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), which will turn 80 years old April…
By Tony Jones MEMPHIS, TN — The African American Police Association (AAPA) was hit with the hard news that it’s co-founder Clifton Dates, Jr. died on Friday, Dec. 9, 2023. It was especially painful because the organization was planning for its milestone 50th Anniversary Christmas Party, which occurred on Saturday, Dec. 16 at Perignon’s Restaurant and Event Center. The news was quite a blow because the event had been structured to honor Dates and fellow co-founder James Bolden, now the last surviving founder of the original seven that established the AAPA in June, 1973. They are the aforementioned Bolden, Dates,…
By Tony Jones MEMPHIS, TN — Thankfully, ruefully, social activism has become one of the watchwords of our times. Thankfully, because with the assistance of the internet, systemic racism is kept on the frontlines. But also, ruefully because with the awareness at internet there’s a plethora of so called “activists” not getting much done in real world terms. But again thankfully, there are many others like Sharon Mourning. Known as “Diamond” to most people she encounters, Mourning was named Activist of the Year at the 5th Annual Hood Idol Awards, held this past November in Hazlehurst, Mississippi a half hour…
By Tony Jones While Memphis city leaders grapple with the crime rate, I stumbled upon a Thanksgiving story that goes a long way to answering some of the questions. There’s even a lesson in it for the so-called “woke” social media activists and other know-it-all’s that constantly criticize everyone but themselves. Is it just me or have you noticed that any discussion about family, faith, and self-responsibility is missing in the debate about crime? Thugs are nothing new. When I was a front-page reporter for the Tri State Defender, I knew I had to pull back from covering crime because…