LEGACY: Rev. James E. Smith

Shock and grief gripped the Union Grove Baptist Church family in Raleigh Sunday when the congregation learned that its pastor had passed after extended illness.

That news also quickly spread through the ranks of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 1733 that "Rev. Smith was gone."

Best in Black Awards: A Memphis tradition is born

I've discovered two very powerful things: the actualization and birth of a long held dream/ vision and the sobering experience of a potentially deadly accident. Last Thursday (Aug. 30), I experienced both in the same evening, providing one of the most unique and inspiring combinations of clarifying moments in my 40 years of living.

The Best in Black Awards (BIB) – conceived in late 2009 –was conceptualized out of a desire to inspire a new level of pride and passion in a sleeping giant, the African-American community of Greater Memphis.

‘Gas For Guns’ aim is less ‘mean’ streets

Law enforcement in Baton Rouge (Louisiana) collected 260; Nashville boasted 260. And on Saturday, Sept. 15, a Memphis pastor and local corporate partners are hoping for an equally successful haul in an upcoming "Guns For Gas" effort.

"Too many lives have been lost because of gun violence, not just here in South Memphis, but all over this city," said the Rev. Ralph White, pastor of Bloomfield Full Gospel Baptist Church.

Dedication yields recognition for NAACP membership workers

The success of the NAACP depends not only on services the civil rights organization renders for its constituents, but on the membership within its organization and those newly recruited.

"Our ability to speak on behalf of this community depends upon the members we bring into this organization," said Madeleine C. Taylor, executive director of the Memphis Branch NAACP. "This task has been assigned to a number of dedicated membership workers who regularly solicit NAACP memberships from their family, church, social and civic organizations."

Judge Fowlkes takes federal seat

Long-time friends, loved ones, city officials, and judges were on hand last Friday when Chief U.S. Dist. Judge Jon McCalla administered the judicial oath to newly appointed U.S. Dist. Judge John Fowlkes Jr.

After serving five years on the Criminal Court bench, Fowlkes was appointed by President Barack Obama last year and confirmed by the U.S. Senate to fill the vacancy left when Judge Bernice Donald was tapped to serve on the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Karate taking hold at Orange Mound center

by Tracy Sow
Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Two years of hard work, practicing twice a week and learning the ancient Japanese discipline of Shotokan paid off for Orange Mound Community Center students of the Gunn's Karate- Do.

Orange Mound Community Center's director, Kristine Strickland, instructor Marcellus Gunn, students and proud parents traveled to their first karate tournament in Greenwood, Miss., winning an impressive total of: 10 first places, 5 second place, a third-place and the Grand Champion.

Wharton receives Susan Burgess Memorial Award

CHARLOTTE, N. Car. – Mayor A C Wharton Jr. on Wednesday received the Democratic Municipal Officials (DMO) 2012 Susan Burgess Memorial Award here in recognition of his commitment to improving education.

Taking the stage, Wharton acknowledged the helping hand from City Councilman Myron Lowery, who nominated him. He had the crowd, which included Lowery and numerous other Memphians who made the trip for the Democratic National Convention, rolling as he said he didn't immediately open the letter that informed him he actually had won the award because he was a bit sore with Lowery and the Council at the time.

Rare but real: African-American Republicans

As members of the Mississippi delegation stepped into the limelight on Monday to cast their votes in what essentially was the coronation of Mitt Romney as the GOP standard bearer, Dr. Freda McKissic Bush was up front and she stood out.

Bush, a physician from Jackson, Miss., is a rarity at the Republican National Convention in storm-tinged Tampa, Fla. She's an African American – one of the few – and determined to set the record straight regarding what African-American Republicans are about. On Wednesday (Aug. 28), Bush and several colleagues spent the afternoon in the CNN news hub, where a throng of media personnel set up.

Worthy of praise, Dr. Maya Angelou heaps thanks on others

by Nicole R. Harris
Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Literary legend Dr. Maya Angelou is a living testament to how individual responsibility is a reflection of one's self. That reality was on display as she spoke at the 14th annual Agape Heartlight Celebration at The Cannon Center for Performing Arts last Saturday (Aug. 25).

"Agape is love. Sometimes we use it loosely, but it means I take responsibility for the time I take up and the space I occupy, said Angelou, the keynote speaker for Agape's largest annual fundraising event. "It means I love you....I take responsibility for myself as I treat you, strangers and friends."

Memphis a pack leader in ‘reward’ schools

Memphis is leading the state....

If your first thought was to complete that fragment with a negative, then think again. In this case, the facts point to an embraceable positive.

Memphis is leading the state with the highest number (20) of "reward" schools. That would be schools with students who scored in the top five percent on end-of-year exams, and made the largest gains over three years.

For the record, those 20 schools are:

‘Amazing Race’ open call for Mid-South thrill-seekers

WREG News Channel 3 is holding an "Amazing Race" Open Call at the Delta Fair & Music Festival on Sept. 9 inside the Agricenter International from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thrill-seekers looking for adventure will have a chance to represent the Mid-South on the show for a future season.

"The Amazing Race has a strong following. There is no doubt, the chance to compete for the adventure of a lifetime will create a lot of excitement," said Ron Walter, president and general manager for WREG News Channel 3.

LEGACY: Alice Oates Sandridge

For many, Alice Oates Sandridge was the embodiment of family and community and they were in attendance last Saturday (Aug. 25) for her homegoing celebration.

Mrs. Sandridge, whose children include former Memphis City Schools Board of Education Commissioner Hubon Sandridge Jr., died Aug. 19. She was 89.