Tri-State Defender


COMMUNITY February 3 - 9, 2011


Among 100 posed to write ʻnext chapter of American Historyʼ In honor of Black History


Bernal E. Smith II


division of NBC News, the list includes 100 African-American men and women who are writing the next chapter of American history. Nominated by a team of ex-


perts, affiliates, and contributors from across the country, and members of TheGrio.com and


COMMENTARY The heart of the matter


by Nicole Gates Special to the Tri-State Defender


is Campaign Co- ordinator for the Shelby County Office of Early Childhood & Youth.) In a perfect


Nicole Gates


world, there is no child left behind, no failing schools and children are performing


mortality, teen pregnancy, juvenile crime, children exposed to violence, no one organization fighting a cause alone; there’s not even a cloud in the sky, unless you need one. Of course, life isn’t always per-


outstanding lev- els. No infant


at (Nicole Gates


resources and armed with two dy- namic mayors. We are fortified with many organizations – equipped with the spirit of grassroots leadership – ready and willing to answer the call to address the myriad disparities and social ills. They include the Shelby County Office Early Childhood & Youth, The Blues Project, Centering Pregnancy, Healthy Start, Parents as Teachers, Boys, Inc., Memphis Teen Vision, Girls, Inc., Defending Child- hood, Project Single Moms, Stand for Children, The Baby Feat Project, Agape, and the rebirth of Communi- ty Voice, to name a few. Serving as the Campaign Coordi-


fect. That’s why there’s the Ask First campaign that asks the question, “Is it Good for the Children?” In a more perfect world, the question would be a standard, and we are an imperfect Memphis – a city learning to get down to the heart of the matter through strong grassroots and collab- orative efforts. We are rich in community/family


nator for the Shelby County Office of Early Childhood & Youth, I came to realize that the heart of the matter truly relies on collaboration. Collab- oration: a recursive process where two or more people or organizations work together in an intersection of common goals. Can we answer the call without it? Collaboration forces us to see things from other perspec- tives. Does that not lend to the vision of a ONE Memphis? The re-launch of the “Ask First”


and then ask, “Is it good for the chil- dren,” before you make a decision, choice or judgment! After all, the heart of the matter lies within you and we do not live in a perfect world!


heart? Are there any Memphians bold enough to reach out of the box and lis- ten to the children? They are crying out! Can you hear them? Turn your world down, listen closely and you can hear themasking for you to show, lead and guide themto a place thatwill pro- vide them a higher quality of life. Who’s listening?Are you listening? I dare you to speak to your heart


www.shelbycountychildren.org or call 901-385-4224.


columns designed to focus public at- tention on issues that affect Mem- phis’ children. It is part of a Shelby County initiative to remind everyone, in every aspect of daily life, to “Ask first… Is It Good for the Children?” For more information, go to


(This is one in a series of guest


commodity. The return on our invest- ment in them will yield us a One Memphis, a decrease in disparities and, ultimately, a better quality of life for those now too young to build that life for themselves; our babies. Does it hurt, me tugging at your


the gift of collaboration. A gift we take for granted, it allows us to fight for a common cause on common ground. Think about it, we already have the lead, great programs with many potential and benefits. Our children are our most valuable


been quoted as saying that “Memphis has some of the greatest resources.” Today, I tug at the hearts ofMemphi- ans and employ you to ask, “Does it matter who is answering the call?” Who are we representing in our deci- sion-making? Did we miss the memo that stated this was a competition? It is essential that we hone in on


campaign has weighed onmy spirit. I pledge to no longer struggle trying to get down to the heart of the matter. I encourage you to join me, but before you do, ask, “Why are we missing the mark, setting the standard below the bar? Then get an understanding that Memphis can handle any chal- lenge! On numerous occasions, I have


Month, Tri-State Defender Presi- dent / Publisher Bernal E. Smith II has been recognized, as one of “TheGrio’s 100: History Makers In The Making.” Released by theGrio.com, a


NBC News editorial teams, “TheGrio’s 100” shines a spot- light on the next generation of African-American history mak- ers and industry leaders from 10 fields, including business, edu- cation, sports, science and the environment, media, service and activism, politics, health, pop culture and the arts. “It is an incredible honor to be


nities and the lives of people,” said Smith. “I appreciate the- Grio.com for this visionary ef- fort to recognize and inform the world about the work that we are doing in communities all across the country.” Other honorees include First


considered amongst this year’s top 100 young African Ameri- can’s doing notable work to pos- itively impact not just our per- spective industries but commu-


Lady Michelle Obama, for her “Let’s Move” campaign; singer and education advocate Jill Scott, actress Viola Davis, Olympic Gold Medalist Cullen Jones and NBA star Kevin Du- rant, among. TheGrio’s 100 will be pro-


filed on all platforms of NBC News including “NBC Nightly News,” “TODAY,” MSNBC, CNBC, and msnbc.com start- ing February 1, and will contin- ue at theGrio.com and on MSNBC throughout the month. Local NBC affiliates in At- lanta, Cleveland, San Diego, Washington, Memphis, St. Louis, Philadelphia, Charlotte and elsewhere will also profile honorees from their respective markets. Beyond NBC News’ broadcast


and digital outlets, several social media platforms are also en- gaged with “TheGrio’s 100” ini-


Page 17


‘History Makers’ for Defender’sPresident / Publisher Smith


tiative. TheGrio is working with foursquare, the location-based mobile application, to generate branded content and create a Black History “badge” that users can unlock by following The- Grio on foursquare and checking in at more than 100 locations across the country that have been identified as historically relevant to Black History Month. For more information, visit:


foursquare.com/thegrio. Fans can also check out more


about “TheGrio’s 100” on The- Grio’s Facebook page and on Twitter @thegrio with hashtag #thegrios100.


The problem is…


Cora Haywood, an employee of the United States Post Office, tells Rep. Steve Cohen ofMemphis about her concerns during theAnnual 9th District Office Issuesmeeting at Cohen’s office in the Clifford Davis/ Odell Horton Federal Building onMonday (Jan. 31). (Photo by Earl Stanback)


CARES…. On Saturday (January 29), the Memphis CARESMentoring Movement celebrated its Third Anniversary andAwards Pro- gramat the National Civil RightsMuseum. The program was sponsored by the Black Rose Foundation for Children and theAfricanAmerican Net- work at FedEx, withmore than 200 people in attendance.May- orACWharton was the keynote speaker. Three awards were presented to five people. Willette Patton, chair of re- cruitment forMemphis CARES, presents Virgie Banks with one of the three 2011 Uji- maMentoringAwards. (Photo by Earl Stanback)


BRIEFS & THINGS


‘Real Talk: Youth Violence A Candid Conversation’


ton and Shelby CountyMayor Mark H. Luttrell, along with the Memphis Youth Violence Prevention Policy Council, need input from the public to develop a plan to combat youth violence. The city of Memphis is one


MemphisMayorACWhar-


Memphis Youth Violence Pre- vention Policy Council has been created to develop the plan. The Council consists of representatives from more than 20 public and private agencies. Four community workgroups have been tasked with assessing youth-related prevention, intervention, re- entry, and enforcement efforts as part of the plan. “Real Talk: Youth Vio-


of six cities selected by the United States Department of Justice to participate in a Na- tional Forum on Youth Vio- lence Prevention. Each city must form a comprehensive community-based plan to pre- vent youth and gang violence in their communities. Led by both mayors, the


present the developed plan to the Department of Justice at the Youth Violence Summit in Washington, D.C. The initia- tive is being spearheaded by the Memphis Shelby Crime Commission, at the request of mayors Wharton and Mayor Luttrell, and will ultimately become part of the continuing Operation: Safe Community action plan. To RSVP, call 901-507-4198 or send an email


@memphiscrime.org by Feb- ruary.


Beale Street Merchants ‘Beale Street Blues Kings Competition’


lence,” a community forum, which had been scheduled for an earlier date, is re-scheduled for 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 9, at the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library, 3030 Poplar Avenue. Citizens will be briefed on the state of juvenile violence in


each Beale Street club choos- es a band from those not cho- sen for the final competition of the International blues Challenge (IBC) at the Or- pheum, and those bands are invited back on Saturday af- ternoon to compete at the New Daisy Theater, 303 Beale. Adozen bands will be given


the opportunity to play on Sat- urday afternoon, culminating in the final playoffs Saturday


Beale Street Merchants Asso- ciation will host the 5thAnnu- al “Beale Street Blues Kings” competition at the New Daisy Theater. During the competition,


On Friday (Feb. 5), the to reception


our community and then break into work groups to brain- storm ideas and solutions. In April, the Council will


urday for the ‘Beale Street Blues Kings Competition’, with the Cigar Box Showcase by Johnny Lowebow and Very Special Friends. There will al- so be a jam session after the competition. There is a $5 cover or free


entry with IBC credentials. Sponsors this year include: Coors Light, Redbull, Bare- footWines and Coca-Cola.


Get the 2-1-1 at resource fair


ty Resource Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library on Feb. 11. The Memphis Urban


The LINC 2-1-1 Communi-


Kings” contest has become one of the most prestigious events of the IBC, which be- gan Tuesday and runs through Saturday. Doors open at noon on Sat-


evening. The final four bands will receive a cash prize. The best of the four wins the covet- ed leather jackets and the title of “Beale Street Blues Kings.” The “Beale Street Blues


Schnucks stores on Farming- ton Blvd., Truse Parkway and Kirby Whitten Rd. and at MHC Ford on Transport Rd. in the parts department or the offices of Two Men and a Truck on Shelby Oaks Dr. Food collected will help to


Memphis


the Boy Scouts’Good Turn for America, a national call to ser- vice to address the issues of hunger, homelessness, and poor health in our nation. Schnucks, Two Men and a


Finals, finals, finals!...


For the second consecutive year, a team from the Uni- versity ofMemphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law has advanced to the national finals of the Thurgood MarshallMock Trial tournamentMarch 9-13 in Hous- ton.Mock trial team members are, left to right, Joseph McKinney, Angela Harris, Chandra Madison, and LaChina Algers. (Courtesy photo)


Call 211 or 901-415.2790 for more information.


League Young Professionals and representatives from other community agencies will be available to field questions on civic involvement, employ- ment, housing, health, and more. The fair will bring to- gether 75-plus organizations that work with area residents on fulfilling basic needs and building a better Memphis.


‘Scouting for Food’ 2011 The Chickasaw Council of


for Food drive. During the week leading up


Boys Scouts of America will collect non-perishable food items for Mid-South Food Bank on Saturday, Feb. 12, during their annual Scouting


to outing, Scouts will deliver flyers to households through- out the Mid-South to remind them to have food ready. Non-perishable food items should be left in a bag for Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts to pick up on the 12th between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Food dona- tions may also be dropped off from now through the 12th at


feed hungry and needy people through Mid-South Food Bank’s 325 charitable feeding programs in 31 counties. Scouting for Food is part of


www.midsouthfoodbank.org or www.chickasaw.org.


Super Bowl Party with Fairley’s Bulldogs


The Fairley High “All Alum- ni” 1968-2010 Super Bowl Party is Sunday (Feb. 6) from 4 p.m to 10 p.m. at Bank’s Restaurant & Lounge at 5218 Millbranch at Holmes Rd. Free admission and guests


are welcome. Complimentary refreshments with potluck welcome, cash bar / BYOB. For more


call/text Delissa “Dee” Mc- Cray at 901-493-9486.


information, Attention Fairley Bulldogs!


Truck and MHC Ford are the sponsors of Scouting for Food 2011. For more information, contact Stewart Williams, Chickasaw Council, at 901)- 327-4193 or


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