Economics and education – a work in progress

If we didn't hear enough conversation about the economy during the 2012 presidential campaign, the day following the reelection of President Barack Obama (Nov 7) the conversation was still top of mind – but in a different setting.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Black Enterprise teamed to present a symposium on economics and education reform, entitled "Today's Business Crisis: Educating Tomorrow's Workforce." The setting was the Grand Ballroom of the Peabody Hotel downtown.

After sales tax defeat, which way is up?

Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell Jr. says that the defeat of the proposed half-cent sales tax referendum should be taken as a clear signal that it's time for the body charged with unifying the schools to avoid any more distractions and get down to brass tacks.

As the county's chief executive, Luttrell will be heavily involved with the new system, and is part of the 21-member Shelby County Transition Planning Commission that is crafting the new school system.

Down goes Flinn; No sweat, says Cohen

No sweat, no threat, Congressman Steve Cohen told The New Tri State Defender following his trouncing of ninth-district GOP opponent Dr. George Flinn Jr. in Tuesday's election.

Defeating Flinn 188, 245 to 59,676, the victory ensures Cohen's fourth term in the seat.

TSD taps Dr. Herenton for Men of Excellence keynote

Former Memphis Mayor Dr. Willie. W. Herenton will be the keynote speaker when The New Tri-State Defender (TSD) hosts its fourth annual Men of Excellence Awards Reception and Presentation on Saturday, Nov. 17 at 6:30 p.m. at The Holiday Inn University of Memphis, 3700 Central Avenue.

Civic engagement goes awry at University of Mississippi

OXFORD, Miss. – University of Mississippi officials say they have initiated a thorough review of an election night incident that apparently degenerated into the use of uncivil language and racial epithets.

University of Mississippi police were notified by students shortly before midnight Tuesday (Nov. 6) that Twitter chatter was indicating students were gathering near the student union to protest the results of the election. The officers found 30-40 students gathered in front of the union, and over the next 20 minutes the gathering had grown to more than 400 students, many of whom were chanting political slogans.

BRIEFS & THINGS: ‘Living legend’ barber is still giving at 80

Master barber extraordinaire, entrepreneur and community partner Warren Lewis will celebrate his 80th birthday on Monday (Nov. 12) at Bridges, 477 Fifth Ave., in Uptown Memphis beginning at 6 p.m.

AARP event elevates health and family

AARP invites Memphians to come out Saturday (Nov. 10) for a day full of free health screenings, resources and fun designed to help families get healthy and stay healthy.

‘Forward’ – from 44th to 45th

By the time the first of the national news networks had called Campaign 2012 for President Barack Obama, many of his supporters in Greater Memphis already had drawn their own conclusion.

Nervous while GOP candidate Mitt Romney held the early popular-vote lead, that mood transitioned as state after state that had been leaning "blue" officially was assigned to the Obama column. By 10:30 p.m., it was clear that he first African American elected president of the United States had become the first African American re-elected president of the United States. The 44th president would transition to the 45th.

Foote Homes’ future to get City Council attention

The City Council on Tuesday (Nov. 6) will be asked to adopt a resolution requesting that the Land Use Control Board hear the Vance Avenue Collaborative plan. The one-sentence notation on the Council's agenda gives no indication of the emotional intensity attached to the request.

For residents of the historic Foote Homes public housing development, the issue hits home. It involves the way forward for many who have lived there for years. The Council will weigh in on a redevelopment plan to forward to the U.S. Department of Housing and Development for HOPE VI funding.

‘Whoomp! (There it is)’ victory goes to Al Bell

A federal court in Texas has granted Memphis-connected soul music legend Al Bell the rights to his iconic song "Whoomp! (There It Is)."

Described by The Hollywood Reporter as "one of the fastest selling songs in music history," the verdict orders the music firm DM Records to pay Bell after it was established that the company was illegally licensing the use of the song.

Berklee conference attunes students to life via music

Boston's highly-respected Berklee School of Music brought its nationally recognized City Music Network Conference to downtown Memphis this week, posting up at the Westin Hotel for a three day intellectual dissection of the theme: "American Popular Music: The Untold Story."

The conference was a joint presentation by Berklee and the Stax Music Academy, which is part of the national link of music schools in Berklee's extended online music curriculum. Six students from Stax were among 109 students from throughout the nation that participated in the summer program on the Berklee campus. Fifty-nine students from 4th through 12th grade earned full scholarships through the college's online Pulse music program.

MCS shares its knowledge of education innovation

Kimberly Smith, principal of North Jackson Elementary School in Jackson, Miss., listened intently and scribbled notes as a panel of Memphis City Schools (MCS) teachers discussed teacher evaluation and recognition during Leader|Share at the University of Memphis.

Her biggest takeaway was feedback on the new teacher evaluation system. Teachers are embracing the system by using it to plan and deliver instruction to meet goals.