The New Tri-State Defender

The Memphis New Tri-State Defender is an urban African American centric multi-media company and weekly newspaper published in Memphis, Tennessee.

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The New Tri-State Defender
Fifth-year anniversary finds Mt. Vernon pastor reflective, resolved - TSDMemphis.com Five years into his pastorship of Mt. Vernon Baptist Church-Westwood, the Rev. Melvin D. Watkins Jr. is reflective about “precarious and unsafe shifts in the culture” that don’t “bode well for the generations coming up behind us.”  Fresh off Mt. Vernon’s recognition of his fifth pastoral anniversary, Watkins warily takes stock of “rampant gun violence […]

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Golf - as entertainment - delivered a must-see finish at FedEx St. Jude Championship - TSDMemphis.com As streams of excited golf fans at the FedEx St. Jude Championship made their way to the third playoff hole, someone in the crowd screamed, “Cue the music; we’re walking in Memphis.” At that point on late Sunday afternoon, thousands upon thousands of others were watching on television to see the conclusion of a golf […]

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Ja shows his mastery with a ‘50-piece’ outing - TSDMemphis.com It was one of those, “Do you remember where you were nights?” The night Memphis superstar point guard Ja Morant scored a career-high and franchise-record 52 points, setting franchise-high-scoring marks in back-to-back games. This Monday evening had a sense of urgency before the first game-time ball bounced. The Grizzlies (43-20) defeated the San Antonio Spurs […]

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14 PHOTOS TELL A STORY OF 2021 - TSDMemphis.com

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A Voice became THE Voice – Spotlight on Wendy Moten - TSDMemphis.com by Candace A. Gray — If you’ve never watched NBC’s “The Voice,” you’ve likely at least heard about the vocal powerhouse, Memphis-native Wendy Moten on the most recent season (21), that concluded Tuesday evening, leaving more than 7 million Americans in (what some might say is) shock when a trio (Girl Named Tom) won.  A […]

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Grizzlies dig out of a hole to bury Trailblazers - TSDMemphis.com Winners of nine of their last 10 games, the Memphis Grizzlies did something Wednesday in the win at Portland that they had not during this streak: come from behind late to secure the victory. Down by six late in the third quarter after having fallen behind by even more in the frame, the Grizzlies dialed […]

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South Memphis looks forward to more economic development through TIF - TSDMemphis.com by Candace A. Gray — “It’s a great day in the neighborhood. South Memphis has a TIF, y’all!,” proclaimed Rebecca Matlock Hutchinson, founder and executive director of South City Opportunity Revitalization Empowerment (SCORE) Community Development Corporation . Hutchinson’s infectious excitement touched those who gathered recently at the busy South Memphis intersection of Mississippi Boulevard and […]

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Indie Memphis presents Black Creators Forum and Indie Memphis Film Festival - TSDMemphis.com by Brianna Smith-Herman — Indie Memphis Film Festival presented the 4th Annual Black Creators Forum (BCF) Oct. 15-16. The forum is series of workshops, discussions and speakers led by notable Black critics and industry professionals. The forum’s goal is “to ease the barrier of entry for Black artists who would like to work in film.” […]

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Blue's City Donuts bring unique style and flavors to Raleigh The proven greatness of dough fried, flaky and delicious – that’s the main focus at Blue’s City Donuts. Located at 5735 Raleigh Lagrange Rd., the bakery is a new addition to the Raleigh area. Local chef Rueal Braden is the owner of Blue’s City Donuts. State Rep. Antonio Parkinson, who represents Raleigh, recently presented him […]

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Native Memphian a standout in new generation of aspiring playwrights

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Emoni Bates' star power is now part of Hardaway's UofM orbit - TSDMemphis.com The summer of Penny Hardaway just continues to shine, with the luster of five-star recruit Emoni Bates adding to the anticipation of a special season on the court for the University of Memphis Tigers. A top-ten prospect, Bates – a 210 pounder, who can play multiple positions – stands 6’9” and has been savored as […]

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LEGACY: Dr. Erma L. Clanton - All the world was her stage - TSDMemphis.com While teaching Theater and Communications at the University of Memphis, Dr. Erma L. Clanton tried always to “create new opportunities for our children to act, to speak and to communicate effectively.” Her success at doing so there and elsewhere added to a legacy ripe with living examples of talent nurtured by her guiding hands. Dr. […]

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TSD FLASH! - Community in photos, something to ponder and today's music video vibe: Aretha Franklin serenades the Obamas - TSDMemphis.com Where a few are gathered… The Mother’s Day service at St. Mark Baptist Church on Lauderdale, where the Rev. J.C. Bacchus (below photo, seated) is pastor, was heartfelt by those who chose to congregate and worship in-person, adhering to measures recommended for safety during the coronavirus pandemic. (Photos: Tyrone P. Easley) So they say it’s […]

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Publicity 101: Pandemic and Beyond classes set for nonprofits - TSDMemphis.com Pandemic and Beyond– a free and upcoming one-hour webinar on nonprofit publicity strategies – is designed to acknowledge the global public health emergency and help nonprofits chart a course to an afterlife. “We’re all trying to get the right messages to the right people, and nonprofits are facing pressures,” said Marvin Stockwell, director of media […]

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Obama criticizes virus response in online graduation speech - TSDMemphis.com by Jill Colvin — WASHINGTON — Former President Barack Obama on Saturday criticized U.S. leaders overseeing the nation’s response to the coronavirus, telling college graduates in an online commencement address that the pandemic shows many officials “aren’t even pretending to be in charge.” Obama spoke on “Show Me Your Walk, HBCU Edition,” a two-hour event […]

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TSD FLASH! - Community in photos, something to ponder and today's music video vibe: Aretha Franklin serenades the Obamas - TSDMemphis.com Where a few are gathered… The Mother’s Day service at St. Mark Baptist Church on Lauderdale, where the Rev. J.C. Bacchus (below photo, seated) is pastor, was heartfelt by those who chose to congregate and worship in-person, adhering to measures recommended for safety during the coronavirus pandemic. (Photos: Tyrone P. Easley) So they say it’s […]

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Spinning away Covid 19 stress in Memphis - YouTube Video-journalist Terrisa C. Mark, reporting for The New Tri-State Defender, encounters fitness trainer India Johnson while in pursuit of how Memphians are ke...

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City's summer youth program going virtual; no business partners - TSDMemphis.com The City of Memphis’ MPLOY Youth Summer Experience 2020 will be executed virtually without the use of business partners and/or service providers. Ike Griffith, special assistant to Mayor Jim Strickland and director of the Memphis Office of Youth Services (MOYS), made the announcement via a news release today (April 22). “This virtual program will be …

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Tennessee looking into virus testing for all state inmates - TSDMemphis.com NASHVILLE — Tennessee corrections officials are looking into whether to test all state inmates for the new coronavirus after positive tests have come back for staffers and inmates, a Department of Correction spokeswoman said Tuesday. On Friday, the department mass tested 1,145 workers at Northwest Correctional Complex and Bledsoe County Correctional Complex, finding that 13 department …

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Moving to funnel more help to small businesses, city fashions micro-loan programs - TSDMemphis.com The City of Memphis has created a pair of micro-loan programs to assist local businesses negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The loans are intended to serve a wide-range of businesses by providing funding relief for rent, payroll and expenses. “The impacts of COVID-19 have been felt by everyone, but our small businesses have been …

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Individual stimulus checks begin to arrive, what should you expect? - TSDMemphis.com by Stacy M. Brown — Payments from the $2.3 trillion federal coronavirus stimulus package have begun hitting individual bank accounts. In a memo, IRS Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the first round of payments were sent on Thursday, April 9, and should arrive in bank accounts beginning no later than Tuesday, April 14. Most Americans …

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Seagram's Escapes brings empowerment tour to Memphis - TSDMemphis.com Seagram’s Escapes kicked off its seven-city Keep it Colorful Women’s empowerment tour with a collective of local women leaders at the University of Memphis Holiday-Inn. The event was hosted by “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” star Cynthia Bailey on Feb. 24. The Seagram’s Escapes brand is female-focused, celebrating women and championing female empowerment. As proof …

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Spinning away while social distancing - TSDMemphis.com In search of how Greater Memphis-area residents are keeping up with their fitness routines during this period of mandated isolation, TSD video-journalist Terrisa C. Mark encountered India Johnson, spinning away.  

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Foresight, desire to help yield free mask giveaway - TSDMemphis.com Camp Chambers founder Jimmy Chambers last week had a feeling that a government-level suggestion to wear face masks in public might be coming as the coronavirus continued its march through Shelby County. He said to wife and program director, Ressie Chambers, “Let’s give away free face masks.” And in perfect superhero fashion, they have saved …

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First responders work on in harm’s way - TSDMemphis.com The city’s first responders are facing a new enemy in the form of the COVID-19 virus, a threat that is invisible to the naked eye and as lethal as any weapon. That puts these vital public servants on the front lines of possibly contracting the virus while serving and protecting citizens.   Sgt. Chris Price, …

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Dems pursue ‘clear guidance’ on COVID-19 from Gov. Lee - TSDMemphis.com All 30 legislative members of the Tennessee Democratic Caucus want Gov. Bill Lee to quickly develop and make available a comprehensive, statewide plan for battling the COVID-19 outbreak. Caucus members detailed their collective position in a letter that was sent to Lee this week. “We are slow in getting the equipment we need for the …

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iMom: Searching for the best approach to discipline a child - TSDMemphis.com by Brittany Holst — Growing up I never thought I wanted children. Now that my husband and I have been blessed with a beautiful daughter, I reflect and wonder why I wanted to deny myself the beautiful experience of motherhood. Zaniah (Niah), my daughter, recently turned a year old. She is as ACTIVE as she …

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Griggs sets shooting record as Tigers fall in home finale - TSDMemphis.com As University of Memphis guard Madison Griggs knocked down her fourth three-pointer of the game with 4:53 left in the third quarter, the crowd went berserk. There was good reason to celebrate the deep-range shot. By swishing that bucket, Griggs broke the record for most three-pointers converted by a freshman in American Athletic Conference (AAC) …

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Bloomberg talks one-on-one with The TSD - TSDMemphis.com Michael Bloomberg said he “gets” the African-American community, vowing to pursue an agenda that highlights his commitment to “right the wrongs of racial inequalities,” if elected President of the United States. In Memphis last Friday for a rally at Minglewood Hall in Midtown, the billionaire businessmen and philanthropist spoke with The New Tri-State Defender during …

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Jill Biden reaches for support for former VP Joe Biden - TSDMemphis.com With voters in Tennessee and 13 other states preparing to head to the polls for Super Tuesday (March 3), a Sunday afternoon “meet and greet” with Jill Biden rallied hundreds of Joe Biden supporters to post signs and knock on doors. Loflin’s Yard in Downtown Memphis was the setting. The presidential candidate’s wife called his …

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Healthier living program set for Craigmont debut - TSDMemphis.com The Craigmont High School Healthy Living Launch Event will celebrate a new program designed to educate ninth graders participating in the school’s Lifetime Wellness classes about the importance of living a healthy lifestyle. The event is set for Jan. 9 at 10 a.m. at Craigmont High School, 3333 Covington Pike. The comprehensive program will present …

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Governmental elitism benefits a select few - TSDMemphis.com by Joseph B. Kent — Runaway elitism for the benefit of the small few is the governing doctrine in Memphis. Empowered and overseen by local legislative bodies, elitism not racism, has governed the competitive decline of the Memphis ecosystem on the back of a majority-black community in need. Elitism is locally carried out, with diverse …

The Memphis Tri-State Defender is an African American newspaper published in Memphis, Tennessee.

The Tri-State Defender is one of the longest continuously-published African American papers in the Southern United States and as such is quite prestigious for a publication of its type. It was very active in the Civil Rights Movement. As its name implies, it is aimed at the African American market not only in Memphis, but also in nearby areas of Arkansas and Mississippi.