MEMPHIS, TN — Southwest Tennessee Community College (STCC) recently celebrated its annual Open House at its flagship Macon Cove Campus, Friday, April 18. Titled “Igniting the Workforce,” the two-hour meet and greet event opened up the classes and the halls to students and guests to celebrate STCC’s ages-old legacy. Finding an STCC graduate or current student in any hospital hallway in Memphis, and probably other cities throughout the nation, is easy. There are seven locations convenient to neighborhoods throughout the city, and it’s not a stretch to say, “It would be hard for many people to see where they would…
Author: Tony Jones
By Tony Jones NASHVILLE, TN — Tennessee House Democratic Caucus Chairman John Ray Clemmons issued a press release Friday, April 5 calling Education Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds an “embarrassment” after reportedly twice signing applications falsely seeking a tuition waiver to earn a master’s degree and teaching credentials, and stated that she should either be terminated or resign from the position. This is not the first time Clemmons and co-horts have called for Reynolds’ ouster. This past January, he and Tennessee Black Caucus of State Legislators Chairman Sam McKenzie voiced objections stating she did not meet the requirements outlined by Tennessee state…
By Tony Jones MEMPHIS, TN — The Withers Collection Museum and Gallery, in collaboration with the non-profit MVP3 Foundation, has arranged a special one-time screening of a new in-depth documentary chronicling how noted Black history photographer Dr. Ernest C. Withers Sr. amassed what can easily be described as one of Black America’s most important photographic collections. Entitled “SNAP! A Look At Injustice In America”, the feature length documentary will be screened Saturday, Feb. 24, 10 a.m. at the Malco Paradiso Theater, 584 S. Mendenhall. Admission is free. It is to be released for streaming in March by the MVP3 Entertainment…
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…
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…