By Tony Jones Headed for the Thursday, Oct.5 th showdown, the Memphis mayoral election is so close itcould give Vegas odds makers a migraine. The usual professional political observers have commented that whichever candidatecarries the Whitehaven district will be the ultimate victor, but the final count will decide if they were right. As of press time, the Shelby County Election Commission’s Early Voting Daily Reportthat of the 57,951 ballots casts, the Second Baptist Church in east Memphis leads led at 7,387, fellow east Memphis location the White Station Church of Christ second at 5,888, and Whitehaven’s Abundant Grace poll third…
Author: Tony Jones
By Tony Jones MEMPHIS, TN — Robust early voting totals suggest a nerve rattling conclusion to the 2023 Memphis Municipal Election that will be nearly as compelling as the 1991 contest that resulted in Dr. W. W. Herenton becoming the city’s first elected African American mayor. Set for Thursday, October 5th, due to a packed field of 17 candidates, the former five term, the 83-year-old former chief executive is a surprisingly viable candidate to return to the office that he held for 19 years. “We need 30,000 votes to win,” Herenton recently told supporters on Facebook, and according to several…
By Tony Jones For my money, Lucille Mack-Catron is the most compelling story of the 2023 election. After inheriting the mantle of Executive Director of the Beale Street Development Corporation (BSDC) following the death of her husband Randle Catron in 2015, she has since grown into a dearly beloved public figure seen as the very personification of black dignity and strength. Of course, these qualities are not enough to guarantee a seat on the council. There are six others vying for the seat, including a former councilman and others that may have built a winning strategy, but whomever wins should…
By Tony Jones Memphis-bred jazz trumpeter Freddie Jones has been the Dallas Cowboys’ National Anthem player for the past decade. The Cowboys have a huge fan base in the black community here, so the fun fact should add some cool fuel to the Cowboys-Steelers debate that’s always going on around here, escalated once again with the start of the 2023 NFL season. Due to broadcast stipulations, Jones’s every appearance is not televised, but die hard Cowboys fans have probably seen him and his signature navy blue trumpet several times. Youtube has a great rendition here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUAPspNL4II&t=11s Disclosure, Jones is the…
By Tony Jones MEMPHIS, TN — Early voting for the Memphis Municipal Election begins Friday, Sept. 15 and will conclude two weeks later on Saturday, Sept. 30. Election Day is Thursday, October 5. The early tallies could prove to be a harbinger for which campaigns will survive until election night. The withdrawal deadline for all races was Thursday, July 27. Former Memphis Mayor Dr. W. W. Herenton has polled strongly in the 17 candidates running for mayor. But his early strength may wither as polling numbers are not that high for any candidate due to the number of candidates in…
By Tony Jones NASHVILLE, TN — Two HBCU firsts bring additional excitement to the Southern Heritage Classic this year. For the 2023 edition, with events scheduled from Thursday, Sept. 7th leading up to the game’s kickoff Saturday, September 9th at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, when the Tennessee State University Tigers will face newly minted opponent the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Golden Lions. TSU will be bringing the adrenaline of playing its first season opener on prime time national television when NBC will broadcast its game with Notre Dame, Saturday, Sept. 2nd at 2:30 P.M, while UAPB will be…
By Tony Jones MEMPHIS, TN — With the entire state abuzz about Ford Blue Oval City planting its roots in Tennessee, the MMBC Continuum 16th Annual Economic Development Forum held at Memphis’s Renasant Convention Center August 15th thru 17th took on a heightened level of excitement and importance this year. Themed “The Future Is Now”, the 2023 edition included an innovative crime focused seminar and a surprising reveal shared by Head of Supplier Diversity & Inclusion Travis M. Spencer. Spencer says what’s really in process at the approximate $6 billion, 3,600 acre Blue Oval City site is a vehicle known…
By Tony Jones MEMPHIS, TN — In an exclusive advance interview with the Tennessee Tribune, Money Motion Entertainment, LLC spokesperson Lonnie “OG Big L” Love confirms that the company has finalized a $150 million distribution deal with the China Film Group Corporation (CFGC). MME will be directing the fund’s focus to co-fund minority sourced and based Entertainment projects, and will retain distribution rights for North America and select international rights for artists and producers creating socially conscious content for music, film and television platforms. CFGC will retain all rights for China and select markets. Based in Atlanta, MME is comprised…
By Tony Jones The Shelby County Election Commission will be conducting another Primary Election on Thursday, June 15th for the District 86 seat currently held by Rep. Justin Pearson. Linda Phillips, Administrator of Elections, Shelby County Elections Commission explains why. “TCA 2-14-201 requires a special election when 12 months or more remain in the term of a vacant seat. With the expulsion vote, the seat technically became vacant. It’s currently being held by Representative Pearson according to a Shelby County Commission appointment, not an election. Since this seat is up for re-election in November, 2024 (12 months or more away), the Governor,…
By Tony Jones MEMPHIS, TN — A new federal ruling signed in January will allow states the option to utilize Medicaid to create better health care outcomes for inmate populations. The goal is to make sure they are transitioned back to society with a health care connection if needed. First reported by news site Tradeoffs in Black History Month, the report went national via coverage on National Public Radio (NPR). Focusing on the plight of released inmate Lee Reed’s chronic spine condition, the episode reveals how inadequate health care access for released prisoners balloons recidivism rates, societal issues and costs.…