Week of: December 18, 2025
The latest from tsdmemphis.com
In Memoriam: Claudine Penn, first Black female Memphis police officer
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NEWS
COMMUNITY
WHEN MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS LOOKS LIKE CRIME, SHELBY COUNTY’S MENTAL HEALTH COURT INTERVENES
SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITY CELEBRATES RESTORATION AND EXPANSION — Page 4
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Volume 74, Issue 50
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■■ NEWS
TRI-STATE DEFENDER
tsdmemphis.com President Calvin Anderson
Editor Stephanie R. Jones
Published by The Tri-State Defender POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Tri-State Defender, 1509 Madison Ave., Memphis, TN, 38104. GENERAL INFORMATION: Inquiries may be submitted in writing or by calling (901) 523-1818 or by email. TELEPHONE: (901) 523-1818. The Tri-State Defender (USPS 780-220) is published weekly. The Tri-State Defender 1509 Madison Ave. Memphis, TN, 38104. Second-class postage paid in Memphis, TN. The Tri-State Defender is a member of The National Newspaper Publishers Association and the Tennessee Press Association. All materials covered by copyright. No materials herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the Publisher. (901) 523-1818 | 1509 Madison Ave, Memphis, TN 38104 ••• $60 Annually/$5 Monthly Digital subscriptions are available online at tsdmemphis.com
Week of: December 18, 2025
Memphis Urban League approves new officers TSD Newswire The Memphis Urban League (MUL) Board of Directors has approved new officers. The board’s new chairman is Rev. Johnson Saulsberry, Ph.D., founder and chairman of the April 4th Foundation. Other new officers are: Vice president, Rev. Andre Johnson, Ph.D., senior Pastor, Gifts of Life Ministries; treasure, Makita Surgeon, director of North America Transportation at Nike; and secretary, Cynthia Ford Bradford, system community relations manager, Government Affairs Department, Baptist Memorial Health Care Corporation. The MUL board also recently added new members. They are: • Belinda Anderson, community volunteer and business owner • Jerry Hall, Jerry Hall & Associates • Keith Turbett, First Horizon, Memphis and Nashville Markets, Operation HOPE liaison • Valerie Hassell Scott, MPA, senior vice president, HR Business Partner (retired) • Brian Malone, enterprise communications, Tennessee Valley Authority • Pastor Nyrone Hawkins, executive director, Memphis Gridiron Ministries (MGM) Other MUL board members include TN Minority Leader Rep. Karen D. Camper, Tennessee House of Representatives; Cathryn Stout, Ph.D., American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU); Danielle Inez, AWE Ventures; Judge Earnestine Hunt Dorse, retired; Joann Massey, Ph.D, Economic Development Growth Engine for Memphis and Shelby County (EDGE); Kruger W.M. Peoples,
Rev. Johnson Saulsberry
DDS, Clinical Leadership | Licensed Dentist; and, Ben Stewart, Stewart Strategies. “The Memphis Urban League is committed to building impactful partnerships and driving systemic change within the Memphis community,” said Gale Jones Carson, Memphis Urban
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League’s president and CEO. “With a dedicated and visionary leadership team at the forefront, the organization is poised to enhance its impact and extend its reach in 2025-2026 and beyond.” For more information about the Memphis Urban League, visit www. memul.org.
TRI-STATE DEFENDER | tsdmemphis.com
■■ NEWS
In Memoriam: Claudine Penn, first Black female Memphis police officer By Elbert Hubbard Jr.
TSD Contributing Writer
Funeral services will be held today, Saturday, Dec. 13 for Ret. Police Capt. Claudine Penn, the first Black woman officer hired by the Memphis Police Department. Penn died Dec. 4, the department and her family announced. She was 90. Penn joined the force as a metermaid in 1963 and served 30 years, also becoming MPD’s first Black female sergeant in 1973 and, in 1995, the first Black female to be promoted to the rank of captain. “Her leadership, courage, and commitment opened doors for countless women who followed in her footsteps,” MPD stated on social media. “Penn retired on July 8, 1995, leaving behind a legacy defined by strength, perseverance, and service to the people of Memphis,” the statement continued. Penn’s daughter LaDedria Penn, said law enforcement wasn’t her mother’s first choice of a career. “She wanted to be a fashion model (but) she was only 5 foot 5,” LaDedria Penn said. However, once her mother made the choice, she was totally committed to serving her community. “She wanted to serve, and she always wanted to help people.” Her daughter recalled that Claudine Penn was met with many challenges that often come with being a pioneer, her daughter stated. One stood out, she said. Penn’s first assignment was issuing citations on Beale Street, the only street she was allowed to patrol. Once she ventured onto Main Street and a white man asked why she was there. “She demanded that he was going to respect her uniform and told him that she was doing her job,” LaDedria Penn said. She continued to do both equally Week of: December 18, 2025
Claudine Penn, shown in archival photographs, was the first Black woman hired by the Memphis Police Department and later became its first Black female sergeant and captain, leaving a lasting legacy of service and leadership. (Photo courtesy of LaDedria Penn)
and well throughout her career, she added. In 1968, Penn became a commissioned police officer and joined the narcotics unit in 1973. Rick Jewell, chief of the Mason Police Department in Mason, Tennessee, worked with Penn when he worked for the Shelby County Sheriff ’s Office. Jewell recalled that Penn was quiet but had a solid work ethic. “She never tried to get into anyone else’s business,” Jewell said. “She came in there everyday, took her cases and worked on them. While the rest of us were in the field — executing search warrants and chasing drug dealers —
Penn and another officer were in the Metro Narcotics Squad. They would go out and visit drug stores and doctors offices to see who was writing bogus prescriptions.” Jewell summed up Penn as a class act. “She was well-dressed, very smart and very well spoken,” he said. “She came in every day and did her job and was very professional.” While Penn’s job required a level of toughness, she believed that being a “respectful lady” was equally as important, thus sending her daughter to charm school. “I had to learn how to sit, and I had to learn how to walk,” she said. “I had
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to learn how to get in and out of a car. I watched her give herself facials.” Looking back she wonders how her mother managed her contrasting roles. “I am now 57 years old, and I look at that and I’m like, wow. How did she balance and keep her femininity and yet spend most of the hours of her day in an environment that didn’t want her there? Even though she was on the team.” Carol Carlson, a member of a group for mothers of Memphis police officers, recalled meeting Penn in 2014 during a city council meeting where the topic was taking away benefits from city workers, including police, because of budget concerns. Penn, she said, was there to show support for city workers. It was only later that she learned of Penn’s history with the police department. Carlson said she was amazed when finally was able piece together Penn’s story. “She does have a strong legacy with the Police department,” Carlson said. “I had sat in the right spot to meet this amazing woman, I was just in awe.” Penn’s concern at that meeting and others was for current officers and other city employees. “It did impact her because she would have been losing retirement benefits,” she said. “But she was only there to support the current officers. “To me that spoke so highly of her character and her concern and her identity still as part of the Memphis Police Department. She is just an amazing woman.” Penn’s husband Davis Penn Jr., preceded her in death. In addition to her daughter, she is survived by her son Davis Penn III. Funeral service were Saturday Dec. 13, at Bloomfield Baptist Church, 109 South Parkway West. TRI-STATE DEFENDER | tsdmemphis.com
■■ COMMUNITY
Feels Like Home is ready to feel even more like home for residents Senior living community celebrates restoration and expansion By Judith Black Moore TSD Contributing Writer
There is a renewed sense of momentum at Feels Like Home this December and it has little to do with the holiday season alone. The nonprofit senior living community at 3393 Kirby Road is entering a new phase marked by fresh renovations, long-term expansion plans and the launch of its Will to Rebuild capital campaign, a two-phase effort to restore and grow the campus after a devastating fire two years ago. For residents, it signals not just added spaces and amenities but life moving forward. “Feels Like Home is a balanced housing solution that’s focused on providing one of our most vulnerable populations an affordable, safe and loving environment,” says founder and managing partner Vanecia Belser Kimbrow, Esq. “We provide the support seniors need to live independently in their golden years in an active lifestyle community that feels like home.” Kimbrow founded Feels Like Home after searching for senior housing for her mother and being struck by the cost and limited options available to families seeking independent living that was both affordable and dignified. What began as a personal challenge evolved into a mission-driven response to a growing need. That mission is embodied daily by residents like Willie Cox, an eight-year resident affectionately known as the “mayor” of Feels Like Home. “This is my home,” said Cox, who Week of: December 18, 2025
welcomes visitors and points out the features that convinced him to move in. “After a stay at a rehabilitation facility, they encouraged me to look at independent living. I visited Feels Like Home and I just loved the place from the first time I walked in. I love the entertainment center, the nurses, the food and I love happy hour.” Cox now takes pride in showing the community to prospective residents and visitors, speaking with the enthusiasm of someone who is excited to call the place home. Candy Old shares Cox’s fondness of Feels Like Home. Rolling her wheelchair up to the door of her apartment, Old unlocks it and is eager to invite visitors inside. “See my apartment. I love everything about this place,” she said. “I’m settled in and I don’t plan to go anywhere.” Inside she points to the details that anchor her sense of home: her stove, her spacious living room and a wall filled with photographs of her younger self and family members. “I got so much room in here,” she said. The sense of care residents describe has a lot to do with the daily presence of Lisa Richmond, the facility’s manager, who moves easily through the halls greeting residents by name, stopping to chat and attending to small details like gently whispering to one resident to wipe the crumbs from his mouth. “I enjoy working with elderly people,” Richmond said. “Many of them just want that personal touch and I give it to them. It’s important to me to also make them laugh.”
Residents of Feels Like Home gather for lunch at the senior living community as it celebrates restoration efforts and plans for future expansion.
Vanecia Belser Kimbrough, founder and managing partner of Feels Like Home, displays construction design plans during a tour of the senior living community at 3393 Kirby Road.
Although Feels Like Home is an independent living facility, Richmond says attentiveness is essential. “If I notice I haven’t seen someone, I knock on doors to make sure they’re okay,” she said. Richmond does not live on site full time but maintains a residence on the campus and stays overnight when necessary, particularly during severe weather. “This is all a part of caring for residents,” she said. That sense of collective responsibility was tested in December 2022
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when a fire claimed the life of one resident and destroyed the community’s common area, forcing residents to vacate the property. For an entire year, the displaced residents lived together in temporary housing as a collective, preserving routines, relationships and the shared identity that defined the community. Longtime resident Ron Huggins remembers the fire and is thankful for the
See Page 5 TRI-STATE DEFENDER | tsdmemphis.com
From Page 4 effort that allowed them to all move to one location rather than separate. “That was good that they made sure we could be together and not be split up,” he said. “I appreciated that a lot.” In December 2024, exactly two years after the fire, residents returned to the renovated back corridor of the original property. The homecoming was emotional and celebratory. “Feels Like Home has always been about more than housing,” Kimbrow said. “It’s about dignity, respect and allowing seniors to age in place surrounded by people who know and care for them.” Restoration is still underway and the plans extend beyond replacement. The rebuilt common area will include a full dining hall, recreational space and a full-service clinic, services the facility did not previously offer. Residents will have access to vision, dental and medical care onsite. Shot RX will occupy part of the upstairs space, and plans also include a pharmacy and a walking trail. Feels Like Home serves 23 residents downstairs and 25 upstairs in apartments. It also has 15 housing cottages on the property. The long-term vision includes 90 additional units with construction expected to begin in spring 2026. Feels Like Home’s new phase is being designed with the surrounding neighborhood in mind. “We want to invite our neighbors,” Kimbrow said. “Just like a senior center where seniors sign up we will have this available here for nonresidents as long as they are center members.” “The planned renovation and new construction of the site is a testament to the power of community,” she added. “Feels Like Home II will be better than ever.” For residents who lived through displacement and return, the rebuilding is not just about square footage. It is about preserving a way of living that values independence without isolation and affordability without sacrifice. As Feels Like Home looks to the future, it remains focused on ensuring that seniors have access to affordable, safe, dignified housing — a place that offers comfort, care and, above all, the feeling of home. Week of: December 18, 2025
ENTERTAINMENT ■■ An honest book that might help make you whole
Book review
By Terri Schlichenmeyer The hole you’re in is a deep one. You can see the clouds above, and they look like a storm. You sense the wind, and it’s a cold one. It’s dark down there, and lonesome, too. You feel like you were born there — but how do you get out of the deep hole you’re in? You read the new book “Let Me Be Real With You” by Arshay Cooper, you find a hand-up, and bring someone with you. In the months after his first book was published, Arshay Cooper received a lot of requests to speak to youth about his life growing up on the West Side of Chicago, his struggles and his many accomplishments. He was poor, bullied and belittled, but he knew that if he could escape those things, he would succeed. He focused on doing what was best, and right. He looked for mentors and strove to understand when opportunities presented themselves. Still, his early life left him with trauma. Here, he shows how it can be overcome. One must always have hope, Cooper says, but hope is “merely the catalyst for action. The hope we receive must transform into the hope we give.” Learn to tell your own story, as honestly as you know it. Be open to suggestions, and don’t dismiss them without great thought. Know that masculinity doesn’t equal stoicism; we are hard-wired to need other people, and sharing “pain and relatability can dissipate shame and foster empathy in powerful ways.” Remember that trauma is intergenerational, and can be passed down from parent to child. Let your mentors see your potential. Get therapy, if you need it. There’s no shame in it, and it will help, if you learn to trust it. Enjoy the outdoors when you can. Learn self-control. Give back to your community. Respect your financial wellness. Embrace your intelligence. Pick your friends and relationships wisely. “Do it afraid.” At first look, this book might seem
like just any other self-help offering. It’s inspirational for casual reader and business reader, both, just like most books in this genre. Dig a little deeper, though, and you’ll spot what makes “Let Me Be Real With You” stand out. With a willingness to discuss the struggles he tackled in the past, Cooper writes with a solidly honest voice that’s exceptionally believable, and not one bit dramatic. You won’t find unnecessarily embellished stories or tall tales here, either; Cooper instead uses his real experiences to help readers understand that there are few things that are truly insurmountable. He then explains how one’s past can shape one’s future, and how today’s actions can change the future of the world. “Let Me Be Real With You” is full of motivation and instruction that’s do-able
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“Let Me Be Real With You” by Arshay Cooper c.2025, HarperOne $26.00 240 pages
for adults and teens. If you need that, or if you’ve vowed to do better this coming year, it might help make you whole.
TRI-STATE DEFENDER | tsdmemphis.com
■■ NEWS
When mental health crisis looks like crime, Shelby County’s Mental Health Court intervenes Designed to break the cycle of arrests, the program offers treatment, supervision and a path to stability “Graduates leave the program with a stabilized treatment plan, stronger connections to community supports — including housing, employment programs, clinicians and peer support — and a reduced risk of recidivism.” — Mental Health Court Judge Sheila B. Renfroe
By Judith Black Moore TSD Contributing Writer
On a recent Thursday at 201 Poplar, seven men and women walked across a courtroom in tassels and mortarboards instead of into a prison cell. They were the latest graduates of Shelby County’s Mental Health Court, a program designed to intervene when untreated mental illness drives people into the criminal justice system. It offers individuals whose criminal actions were caused by mental illness a chance for a new start. “Graduation from Mental Health Court shifts the focus from punishment to sustained recovery and improved functioning for both the participant and their family,” said Mental Health Court Judge Sheila B. Renfroe. “It replaces the cycle of arrest and incarceration with evidence-based treatment, ongoing care coordination and court-supervised accountability.” That shift comes as communities nationwide continue to wrestle with the intersection of mental illness, crime and policing. Research consistently shows that a significant share of people killed in police encounters were experiencing a mental health crisis at the time. Meanwhile, local jails have become one of the largest providers of mental health care — often by default rather than by design. Shelby County’s Mental Health Court was created to address the recurring cycle of individuals entering jail for low-level, nonviolent offenses driven by unmet mental health needs. Rather than focusing solely on punishment, the court employs a problem-solving model that blends judicial supervision with treatment, care coordination and community-based support. Week of: December 18, 2025
Celebrating the graduation of seven participants from the Shelby County Mental Health Court on Dec. 4 are, from left, Shelby County Chief Public Defender Phyllis Aluko; Mental Health Court Judge Sheila B. Renfroe; Keith Burgess, president of the nonprofit Recovery Out Loud; and Bryan Carson, court coordinator.
Who qualifies for Mental Health Court Mental Health Court is not open to everyone. Eligibility is carefully defined to balance treatment needs with public safety. Participants must typically have a documented serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia spectrum disorders, bipolar disorder or major depressive disorder with significant functional impairment, or another qualifying behavioral health condition. Eligible charges are generally nonviolent misdemeanors or low-level felonies considered appropriate for diversion. Admission into the program is vetted by the Assistant District Attorney’s Office and approved by the Mental Health Court judge, and participation is voluntary. Defendants must be willing to engage in a structured, court-su-
pervised treatment plan and comply with program requirements. In some cases, prosecutors may make specific provisions to facilitate admission when treatment is deemed critical.
How participants are identified The first point of contact often happens inside the jail. According to data obtained from the Shelby County Sheriff ’s Office, approximately one-third of the current jail population meets criteria for a Mental Health Court referral. Individuals are assessed through the sheriff ’s Intake Department, with additional referrals coming from defense attorneys, prosecutors and court advocates. Officials acknowledge that identifying mental health needs is not always straightforward. Stigma, denial, assessment timing and limited access to clin-
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ical evaluations can all affect reporting accuracy. Even so, the court relies on coordinated, data-driven approaches to identify unmet needs and intervene as early as possible. Once referred, the court responds quickly, meeting participants where they are and tailoring individualized treatment plans designed to stabilize symptoms and reduce repeated justice system involvement. “Graduates leave the program with a stabilized treatment plan, stronger connections to community supports — including housing, employment programs, clinicians and peer support — and a reduced risk of recidivism,” said Bruce-Renfroe. “Additionally, participants may pursue expungement of eligible criminal records, further enhancing employability and long-term self-sufficiency.”
Defining success for individuals, families and the community There are several key considerations that define success in Mental Health TRI-STATE DEFENDER | tsdmemphis.com
■■ NEWS solution to violent crime or police-involved shootings. However, national studies indicate that properly resourced specialty courts can significantly reduce repeat offending among participants and decrease crisis-driven encounters with law enforcement that are most likely to escalate into use-of-force incidents, especially when paired with strong community crisis response systems.
When families are worried, but no crime has happened
Shelby County Mental Health Court officials along with District Attorney Steve Mulroy, left, prepare to hand out diplomas for seven court graduates on Dec. 4.
Court. It is a multidimensional concept measured by outcomes that matter to participants, their families and the community. “For participants, that includes sustained engagement in treatment, housing stability, employment, symptom reduction and compliance with the law,” says Bruce-Renfroe. For families, success often means improved safety, fewer crisis events and
Week of: December 18, 2025
restored family functioning. For the broader community, it shows up as reduced recidivism, fewer incarcerations and enhanced public safety. These outcomes are tracked using both short-term process measures, such as treatment attendance and medication adherence, and longer-term indicators, including rearrest rates and psychiatric hospitalizations. Mental Health Courts are not a single
For families, the most painful gap often comes before court involvement — when warning signs are present but a loved one has not yet committed a crime. Shelby County officials emphasize that families do have options, even in that uncertain space. “Families are encouraged to contact 988, the national mental health crisis line, or local behavioral health access lines to connect with crisis services or mobile crisis teams,” says Bryan Carson, Mental Health Courtroom coordinator. “They are trained to de-escalate situations and link individuals to care. Community behavioral health providers can also conduct urgent outpatient assessments and safety planning to address risks be-
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fore a situation escalates.” When there is immediate danger, calling 911 remains critical, even as courts and clinicians work to reduce unnecessary law enforcement involvement in behavioral health crises. For families hesitant to make that call, Mental Health Court officials stress that seeking help is not about punishment. “Asking for help is a sign of strength, and every step taken toward support is a step toward healing and hope, because supporting our mental health consumers makes us all better,” said Bruce-Renfroe. Mental Health Court, diversion programs and community-based supports are part of a broader system designed to prioritize safety and recovery — not incarceration. Having a crisis plan, knowing available resources and reaching out early can make a meaningful difference. Mental Health Court cannot replace the need for comprehensive mental health infrastructure. But in Shelby County, it stands as recognition that untreated mental illness should not be addressed first with a jail cell, and that public safety is strongest when systems intervene before a crisis turns into catastrophe.
TRI-STATE DEFENDER | tsdmemphis.com
■■ NEWS
Greater Memphis Chamber charts a bold future at annual Chairman’s Luncheon Attendees learn of 2025 milestones and 2026 goals By Candace A. Gray
TSD Contributing Writer
The Greater Memphis Chamber’s Annual Chairman’s Luncheon, held Wednesday, Dec. 10, unfolded as both a high-energy celebration of the city’s economic momentum and a moment of collective reflection on the life of one of Memphis’ most transformative figures. As about 1,000 attendees took their seats, music from the Garry Goin Band ignited the celebration. However, the program officially opened with full pomp and spectacle with a parade down the center of The Peabody Grand Ballroom, led by Memphis hip-hop pioneer, Al Kapone, the University of Memphis pep band, Sound of the South, pom squad and Pouncer the Tiger. The processional set an atmosphere of civic pride and forward-looking optimism. Kapone announced that the Chamber was recognized with the national honor of Chamber of the Year Award from the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE), a distinction Executive Director Ted Townsend attributed directly to Memphis’ trajectory. “Your chamber is greater because our city is greater,” said Townsend. The momentum paused for a solemn tribute to Frederick W. Smith, the FedEx founder who passed away earlier this year. Born in 1944 and raised by a single mother, Smith’s family roots in transportation — from a grandfather who captained steamboats to a father who early-on drove Greyhound buses — shaped his lifelong focus on commerce and logistics. A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Smith Week of: December 18, 2025
Richard Smith speaks about the legacy of his father, FedEx founder Frederick W. Smith, during the Greater Memphis Chamber’s Annual Chairman’s Luncheon on Wednesday, Dec. 10, in Memphis.
Incoming Greater Memphis Chamber Chairman Duncan Williams speaks about civic engagement and economic growth during the Annual Chairman’s Luncheon on Wednesday, Dec. 10, in Memphis. (Photos: Calvin Anderson/Tri-State Defender)
revolutionized global shipping in April 1973 when FedEx launched with 185 packages on its first night; the company now moves more than 17 million packages daily. A tribute video emphasized Smith’s belief in “shrinking time and distance and advancing global progress.” Richard Smith reflected on his father’s legacy. He described Fred Smith as a man who preferred productivity over recognition, offering kindness anonymously and treating everyone with dignity. A believer in preparation and discipline, he often cited the adage,
“Prior planning prevents poor performance.” Richard Smith noted that his father prized the FedEx “PSP” philosophy — People-Service-Profit — and the “Purple Promise” to always deliver outstanding service, while maintaining unwavering calm under pressure. In honor of his father’s impact, Richard Smith announced that the city’s airport will be named for the logistics giant. Smith said his father was a humble leader who preferred team accomplishments to personal accolades. “If we want to honor his legacy, fill the void he
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left,” he said. “Keep moving forward in commerce and innovation.” Throughout the luncheon, Memphis’ corporate community highlighted its role in sustaining that progress. Executives from the Peabody, Kroger and Valero emphasized their contributions to the regional economy, including Valero’s role as the state’s only oil refinery and its commitment to safe production of the fuel that powers the region. Outgoing chamber Chairman Greg Duckett reflected on his term, which included the Chamber receiving its national honor. His father, present at 92 years old, received recognition from the stage. Incoming Chairman Duncan Williams was introduced through a humorous video, featuring the Memphis Grizzlies hype team and even Williams’ mother. His remarks focused on the good news unfolding across the region. One highlight was the recognition TRI-STATE DEFENDER | tsdmemphis.com
■■ NEWS “We used to chase companies; now companies are chasing Memphis. The underdog has become the overachiever. We are no longer the backup option; we are the first call.” — Ted Townsend
Laurel Brown, Google’s head of data center public affairs, discusses the company’s $4 billion investment in the Memphis region during the Greater Memphis Chamber’s Annual Chairman’s Luncheon on Wednesday, Dec. 10, in Memphis.
of Adrian Maclin, a Memphis-Shelby County Schools fine arts educator named Grammy Music Educator of the Year. In a video segment, Maclin described the joy of watching students experience “a-ha moments” and build confidence. His Cordova High School students, who recently performed “I Dream a World,” were applauded as examples of Memphis’ artistic potential. Keeping it Memphis, Central High School’s award-winning Jazz Band, led by Country Music Hall of Famer Ollie Lidell, also shared a few musical numbers during the luncheon. Townsend used his keynote remarks to outline the chamber’s economic development strategy, positioning Memphis as “America’s Digital Delta.” With a regional footprint spanning nine counties and three states, he emphasized the growing importance of information movement alongside Week of: December 18, 2025
traditional logistics. Major technology investments are reshaping the tri-state area, including Google’s newest data center projects in West Memphis and new industrial opportunities in Rossville, Tennessee. Laurel Brown, Google’s head of data center public affairs, highlighted the company’s $4 billion investment, climate-conscious design and commitment to local workforce development, including free AI training for 10,000 residents. “We maintain a healthy disregard for the impossible,” Brown said. “This investment will spark and sustain economic growth.” Townsend acknowledged regional mayors in attendance, including Memphis Mayor Paul Young,West Memphis Mayor Marco McClendon and Rossville Mayor Judy Watters. With Smith joining him back on stage, Townsend announced that Lega-
Attendees fill The Peabody Grand Ballroom during the Greater Memphis Chamber’s Annual Chairman’s Luncheon on Wednesday, Dec. 10, in Memphis.
cy Power Capital intends to establish a “Neural Nexus” innovation hub downtown, spanning two blocks near FedExForum and Beale Street. The project will pursue sovereign cloud computing initiatives and attract top researchers in collaboration with the city’s two Carnegie R1 classified research institutions, University of Memphis and University of Tennessee Health Science Center. Memphis’ economic performance, Townsend noted, validates the chamber’s strategic direction. The region surpassed $100 billion in gross regional product, logged 111 ribbon cuttings, welcomed 10 major corporate projects in 2025, and attracted $23.7 billion in capital investment. “We used to chase companies; now companies are chasing Memphis,” said Townsend. “The underdog has become the overachiever. We are no longer the backup option; we are the first call.” Looking ahead, the chamber fore-
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casts 50 active projects for 2026, totaling 11,100 new jobs and $8.6 billion in additional investment. Thirty percent of those projects originate outside Memphis, signaling rising national interest. The luncheon concluded with a big reveal for Memphis in May: The festival will salute Ireland in 2026. Williams followed up with his priorities for the year ahead to renew civic engagement, which include workforce and economic development, a revitalized downtown and a coordinated strategy to “share the good news” about Memphis’ progress. The event closed with a spirited performance of “Happy” by the Tennessee Mass Choir, featuring soul singer Marcus Scott, underscoring the afternoon’s message: Memphis’ momentum is real, growing and increasingly united. The streamers and pyro were a nice touch, too. TRI-STATE DEFENDER | tsdmemphis.com
PUBLIC NOTICES / CLASSIFIEDS Housing & Community Development Annual Grant Applications Open December 8, 2025. The City of Memphis Division of Housing and Community Development (HCD) is pleased to announce the opening of applications for the Strategic Community Investment Fund (SCIF) grant programs for Fiscal Year 2027 (July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027), at 8:00 am on Monday, December 8, 2025 Applicants are invited to apply for the following Federal and City-funded programs designed to strengthen Memphis neighborhoods and improve the quality of life for residents. Funding opportunities include the following: · Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) · Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) · HOME-Funded Tenant Based Rental Assistance (HOME-TBRA) · Neighborhood Partnership Grant (NPG) This is a competitive funding process that allows the City of Memphis - HCD to support community-based programs, initiatives, and projects that directly benefit Memphis neighborhoods and citizens. More than $6.4 million was awarded to local agencies to implement housing and community development initiatives during Fiscal Year 2026 (July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026). Applications will be available online for the above programs starting at 8:00 AM on Monday, December 8, 2025. The deadline for electronic submissions is 4:00 PM on January 30, 2026. Additional information on HCD’s funding opportunities, including SCIF, can be found at https:// memphistn.gov/agencies-serving-communities-and-vulnerable-populations/ **FOR MORE INFORMATION** For inquiries about City of Memphis - HCD’s FY27 grant programs, please contact Anthony R. Self at Anthony.Ray.Self@memphistn.gov.
NOTICE TO BIDDER(S) Sealed bids will be received by the Shelby County Government in the Department of Housing online until 9:30 a.m. on Friday, January 2, 2026, as shown below: MULTIPLE AND ENTIRELY DIFFERENT LEAD HAZARD REDUCTION AND REHABILITATION JOBS ARE CONTAINED IN THIS BID NOTICE. BIDDER(S) MAY ELECT TO BID ON ANY OR ALL OF THE JOBS IN THE NOTICE. SEALED BID I000962 DUE ONLINE AT 9:30 a.m. Friday, January 2, 2026 1. Rehabilitation of Owner-Occupied Housing Units throughout Shelby County some of which may require the use of lead-safe work practices and techniques, and 2. Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Jobs. Detailed specifications for the items above may be obtained through the Neighborly Portal beginning Friday, December 19, 2025. All bids will be opened and publicly read by the Shelby County Government at the time mentioned above at the Department of Housing, 6465 Mullins Station Road Memphis, TN 38134, (901) 222-7600; TTY Number (901) 222-2301; or for information in Spanish 901-222-7601. Award recommendations will be posted at the following website https://www.develop901.com/ housing upon review of the bid opening results. As a condition precedent to bidding, each bidder must apply and qualify for a Vendor Number and Business Registration Number (BRN) prior
Week of: December 18, 2025
TSD CLASSIFIEDS 1509 Madison Ave. Memphis, TN 38104 PH (901) 523-1818 HOURS: Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. DEADLINES: Display ads Friday 5 p.m. Classifieds ads Monday 5 p.m. STANDARD RATES: $8.00 per line for 1 column ad. Rates are non-commissionable and are quoted at the net rate. No refund for early cancellation. For additional information contact Sales Dept. at (901) 746-5201 or email: advertising@tsdmemphis.com. GENERAL INFORMATION: The Tri-State Defender reserves the right to edit all copy or to reject or cancel any ad at any time. Copy change during ordered schedule constitutes new ad & new changes. Deadlines for cancellation are identical to placement deadlines. Rates subject to change. We can only offer in-house credit and NO REFUNDS are issued. THE TRI-STATE DEFENDER assumes no financial responsibility for errors nor for copy omission. Direct any classified billing inquires to (901) 523-1818. to submitting your response. We have now transitioned to conducting bids online through Neighborly. If you have not already signed up, you can do so at https://portal. neighborlysoftware.com/SHELBYCOUNTYTN/ contractor. All documents submitted must be current and uploaded into your Neighborly account. Bids submitted without all required documentation will be unacceptable. Paisley Pogue (Paisley.Pogue@shelbycountytn.gov or 901-222-7611) will be assisting with any questions you may have regarding uploading the documents. All new contractors will need to register with the Neighborly portal in order for their bids to be accepted on projects. Interested contractors not currently on the contractor list should contact the Department of Housing in order to schedule a meeting with the Housing Site Inspector. Paper copies of bids are no longer available. The Department of Housing encourages participation from WBE, MBE, LOSB, and Section 3 Contractors under these rehabilitation programs. The Shelby County Government reserves the right to reject any or all bids and to waive any informalities therein. By order of LEE HARRIS, MAYOR SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Scott Walkup, Administrator
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