Week of: December 25, 2025
The latest from tsdmemphis.com
Behind the music: Earle Bryant’s life on the road with Smokey Robinson — Page 10
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See some of the best images captured by TSD photographers during the year. — Pages 3–5
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2025
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xAI permit upheld after intense Shelby County air board hearing
tsdmemphis.com
By James Coleman
TSD Contributing Writer 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 25, 2025
An air emissions construction permit awarded to xAI received lopsided approval from the Shelby County Air Pollution Control Board during a seven-hour, at times heated, hearing at the University of Memphis on Monday, Dec. 15. The meeting, attended by hundreds in the morning and dozens in the afternoon, featured robust public comments. The 6-1 vote by the board ends an appeal by the NAACP and Young, Gifted & Green. Both were represented by the Southern Environmental Law Center. A motion to dismiss the appeal was filed by xAI and the Shelby County Health Department. The Shelby County Health Department granted the permit in July, allowing for the construction of 15 permanent natural gas turbines to power the xAI Colossus data center located in southwest Memphis. More than 30 temporary gas turbines had also powered the operation under a 364-day exemption prior to the air emissions construction permit being issued. SELC lawyers argued that the temporary turbines operated illegally without permits and, as a result, the permits for the permanent turbines should be delayed. Nevertheless, the removal of the temporary turbines weighed in xAI’s favor. A majority of board members agreed with the company’s legal counsel, Daniel Van Snow. The Butler Snow attorney argued that current regulations governing their use are ill-defined. The Environmental Protection Agency is studying the matter. “It’s clear as mud as to what the law is
in regard to temporary turbines,” Van Snow said. The SCHD’s attorney from Baker Donelson, David Ayliffe, agreed that the regulations are shrouded in ambiguity. However, during several discussions with the EPA, the health department was informed that permits aren’t required for temporary turbines. “The department got it right. It correctly decided that the temporary constructive combustion turbines did not require a permit, and it correctly issued a permit to CTC for the remaining permanent turbines and subjected
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them to stringent monitoring and air conditioning control requirements,” Ayliffe said. After the vote, SELC lawyers said the decision was “a dismissal without consideration of the law on the merits.” Voting in favor of approving the permit were Doris Boyd, David La Velle, Gideon Sarpong, Randy Womack, Robert Rogers and Steve Sheridan. L. Yu Lin was the only no vote. Members of the board are appointed by the mayors of the city of Memphis and Shelby County.
TRI-STATE DEFENDER | tsdmemphis.com
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2025 Firefighters battle a blaze at historic Clayborn Temple in Memphis, Tenn., early Monday, April 28, 2025. The church, a landmark of the 1968 sanitation workers’ strike and birthplace of the iconic “I AM A MAN” signs, was declared a total loss by dawn. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation. (D’Angelo Connell/TriState Defender)
The Grizzlies retire Tony Allen’s jersey. Tony Allen with his teammates, Zach Randolph (left) and Marc Gasol (right) (Warren Roseborough/Tri-State Defender)
Memphis Tigers players celebrate their 84-72 AAC Tournament championship win over UAB in Ft. Worth Texas on Sunday, March 16. The win capped a 16-2 conference record and 2024-25 regular season championship. (Terry Davis/Tri-State Defender) Week of: December 25, 2025
Former Memphis City Schools Superintendent Dr. Willie W. Herenton wraps his arms around Feagins, who thanked him for his presence and support during her remarks on Jan. 14. (D’Angelo Connell/Tri-State Defender)
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TRI-STATE DEFENDER | tsdmemphis.com
■■ NEWS “SAY HIS NAME! SAY HIS NAME!” and “JUSTICE FOR TYRE!” were chanted as marchers made their way from the intersection of Raines and Ross Roads to Castlegate Lane — the path that Nichols ran as he fled for his life. AT RIGHT: Shelby County D.A. Steve Mulroy answers questions from the media after a jury finds three former Memphis police officers not guilty of all charges against them in the beating death of Tyre Nichols. (Photos: Gary S. Whitlow/Tri-State Defender)
Memphis Police officer stops Rev. Dr. William Barber II at the federal building door during the Moral Monday demonstrationprotest cuts to SNAP and Medicade. (Gary S. Whitlow/Tri-State Defender)
Law enforcement officers take an unidentified man into custody outside a vehicle during Memphis Safe Task Force operations. The federal-state initiative includes mutple agencies as part of a citywide crackdown on violent crime. (D’Angelo Connell/Tri-State Defender) Week of: December 25, 2025
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Protesters marched in Memphis and in cities across the for “ No Kings “ demonstrations, decrying what participants see as the government’s swift drift into authoritarianism under President Donald Trump.(D’Angelo Connell/Tri-State Defender) TRI-STATE DEFENDER | tsdmemphis.com
■■ NEWS PHOTOS TELL A STORY OF
2025 State Representitive Antonio Parkinson takes a selfie before accepting an award at the Best in Black gala. (D’Angelo Connell/Tri-State Defender)
The Bluff City was the center of the hip hop world Sunday, August 17, as the first People’s Hip Hop Awards Experience made its debut at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts.. (Gary S. Whitlow/Tri-State Defender)
Thousands gathered at Tiger Lane for Sista Strut Memphis, an annual 3K walk that honors breast cancer survivors. (Gary S. Whitlow/Tri-State Defender) Week of: December 25, 2025
Former State Rep. Johnnie Turner was honored with an 85th birthday celebration and street naming. (D’Angelo Connell/Tri-State Defender)
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TRI-STATE DEFENDER | tsdmemphis.com
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Young Democrat launches primary challenge against U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson in Mississippi By Sophie Bates Associated Press
JACKSON, Miss. — A 33-year-old antitrust lawyer with ties to major Democratic politicians is challenging U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson to represent Mississippi’s 2nd congressional district. Evan Turnage is the latest in a trend of young Democrats looking to oust the party’s old guard and rebrand the party after the 2024 election. “The same old playbook from the ‘90s isn’t going to work anymore,” Turnage said. “We are dealing with Big Tech firms and social media and AI, and we need members of Congress who know how to navigate that terrain.” The Morehouse College valedictorian and Yale-educated attorney has served as chief counsel to then-Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and senior
Week of: December 25, 2025
counsel to Sen. Elizabeth Warren, where he helped craft major legislative proposals, including the No Kings Act, which argued that presidents do not have immunity for Evan Turnage criminal actions, and the Price Gouging Prevention Act, later adopted as part of Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential platform. He currently leads the Southern Justice Project at the Open Markets Institute, an initiative aimed at strengthening economic and political power in Black Belt communities. If elected, Turnage said he would focus on creating economic opportunity and political reform. He drew attention to the persistent economic hardship in the 2nd district,
saying it was the poorest in the poorest state when he was born and remains so more than three decades later. He argues that generational economic stagnation has forced families to watch loved ones leave the state in search of opportunity. “I’ve dedicated my life to leveling the playing field so people can not only get by, but get ahead, and raise a family right here,” Turnage said, adding that he is seeking to make it easier for Mississippians to return home and build lasting opportunity in the district. Thompson, a civil-rights leader and stalwart in Mississippi politics, has represented the district for more than 30 years. He formerly chaired the House Jan. 6 committee and is a ranking member on the House Committee on Homeland Security. The last time Thompson faced a meaningful primary challenge was in
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2012 against former Greenville Mayor Heather McTeer Toney. In a statement, Thompson said he is confident his record will speak for itself. “Elections were created to give people the ability to make a choice,” Thompson said. “I trust the voters of the district.” The district is a Democratic stronghold in a state led mainly by Republicans. It stretches along the Mississippi River, covering the Delta and much of the capital of Jackson. Thompson is facing several other challengers, including Republican Ron Eller, who lost to Thompson in 2024. Voters will choose the party’s Democratic nominee in a primary on March 10, 2026. Stacy M. Brown of Black Press USA contributed to this report.
TRI-STATE DEFENDER | tsdmemphis.com
How to be a standout host this holiday season. 1. Always offer water. You can add fresh fruits and herbs to not only make the pitcher attractive, but also contribute to your theme while adding hints of flavors. 2. Food is a great way to show your skills and creativity - you can even menu pair items with cocktails to craft your theme. 3. Help guests keep track of how much alcohol they've consumed by not topping off their drinks. Remember, each standard drink of beer, wine, or sprirts contains the same amount of alcohol and takes the body about an hour each to process. 4. Serve a non-alcoholic drink as your welcome drink to ensure everyone feels included. 5. Help guests plan ahead by appointing designated drivers or rideshares.
Week of: December 25, 2025
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County administrator La Sonya Hall seeks Shelby County clerk’s office in 2026 By James Coleman
TSD Contributing Writer
Of the Democratic Party candidates angling for Shelby County clerk in 2026, La Sonya Hall is probably the least in need of formal introductions if elected next November. The current Shelby County chief administrative officer, who holds a Ph.D., has been appointed to numerous government posts — both with the county and City of Memphis government — over her 25-year career as a civil servant. “I’ve worked in government my entire life,” said Hall. “I’ve worked for four administrations. Three city mayors and one now county mayor.” Under each executive, Hall has been tasked with “some of the most complex and challenging systems.” These include the transfer of grant programs from the city to the county while serving as interim director of the Shelby County Health Department. “I was able to manage that entire portfolio and get it to a clean audit. I worked with the commissioner of workforce development and managed to get that as clear as we possibly could, with state approvers finding no problems with our audit,” said Hall. The interim stint included managing the county’s COVID vaccination sites. Hall personally stood up and directed the Whitehaven vaccination site. Now, the recurring appointee has declared the Shelby County Clerk’s Office as her next “turnaround” project. Hall pulled a petition Monday for her first run for office. If elected, she will inherit a troubled agency. Under the direction of current Clerk Wanda Halbert, the past eight years have been marked by episodes of dysfunction and disarray. The trouble began with a backlog of license plates and vehicle tag renewals during the COVID pandemic. Week of: December 25, 2025
La Sonya Hall
La Sonya Hall speaks with supporters after pulling a petition to run for Shelby County clerk during her campaign launch in Shelby County, Tenn. Hall, a Democratic candidate, says she plans to bring a business-minded approach to the troubled clerk’s office if elected in 2026.
The slowdown was followed by faulty financial reports submitted to the county treasurer. The latter resulted in a state-ordered financial audit, which produced an action plan to correct the office’s financial ledger. More recently, Halbert ordered offices closed after the Memphis Safe Task Force was announced in late September. The deployment of state and federal authorities to Memphis at the request of Gov. Bill Lee caused a rush by motorists trying to renew lapsed tags or get new registrations. A dispute of rental payments for the Millington branch bookends Halbert’s tenure. According to Hall, she’s a natural fit to lead the ailing department. The clerk’s office performs a series of well-defined functions. In addition to issuing new plates and registrations, the office’s unglamorous duties include providing business and marriage licenses. “The county clerk, unlike any of the other offices, is a transactional office and I want to run it like a business,” said Hall. “I want to run it with a busi-
ness mindset in that these are taxpayer dollars that have to be reported, have to be reconciled and audited.” Moreover, its customers account for the second-largest chunk of annual revenue for the county. During some months, the fees collected are the county’s main revenue source. “It is purely transactional. It’s multifaceted from the standpoint of addressing both citizens and business owners,” said Hall. “One of the biggest challenges I see currently with the clerk’s office is just operational breakdowns. You’ve got long waits, inconsistent processing and then outdated systems.” Jawboning Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris’ successor into investing in updated technology would likely be one of Hall’s first endeavors as clerk. Many computers use outdated operating systems. The antiquated technology not only slows down operations, it also presents an ongoing security risk. When it comes to human error, Hall believes she has the bases covered. “I’ve also trained across the state’s elected officials that include county
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clerks on customer service delivery.” According to Hall, “a lack of customer service” is a common complaint among citizens. She believes more could be done, particularly for senior citizens, the disabled and veterans. “I have stopped and actually observed how we operate the county clerk’s office. Senior citizens with walkers are standing in line. I know there are ways we can process senior citizens by making sure there are prioritizations,” said Hall. One solution to get lines moving is offering designated areas to provide services to the demographics. Data could also be pored over in search of optimal times for appointments. “We can use technology also to make sure that we don’t have wait times. You can have specialized appointments. We can use data to inform us as to how many senior citizens we have. Designate particular times when senior citizens can come in and our veterans can come in as well,” said Hall. However, one quick solution Hall promises never to employ when lines grow too long is to close up shop for the day. “We are going to be open as our hours dictate. I promise not to ever close — not for something like that. We want to make sure that people know we will provide them with top-notch service every day.” TRI-STATE DEFENDER | tsdmemphis.com
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Former MSCS superintendent Marie Feagins enters Democratic primary for Shelby County mayor By James Coleman
TSD Contributing Writer
Short-lived Memphis-Shelby County Schools Superintendent Marie Feagins is the latest notable figure to join the Democratic primary field in the wideopen 2026 Shelby County mayor’s race. The former school administrator announced her candidacy to about 100 well-wishers gathered at the Memphis Performing Arts Academy in southwest Memphis on Wednesday, Dec. 17. “I believe we’re ready for leadership who can govern with compassion, with courage and a little bit of common sense,” Feagins said. The announcement follows a personnel change in Feagins’ ongoing lawsuit against Memphis-Shelby County Schools. She is suing the board, alleging it violated state sunshine laws by coordinating her firing in secret. Earlier this month, attorney William Wooten withdrew as her counsel and was replaced by attorney Rachel Lambert. Shelby County Circuit Court Judge W. Christopher Fruella agreed to a request to pause the case Monday, Dec. 15. The matter is scheduled to be taken up again in February. A political newcomer, Feagins is also a relative newcomer to Shelby County. Hired away from the Detroit public school system in April 2024, she quickly built a following among students, teachers and parents, while drawing criticism from school board members. She is now seeking elected office following that brief but high-profile tenure. “I never ever aspired or desired to be a career politician. And I absolutely did not move to Memphis to be a mayor. So, perhaps I am standing here tonight because, like most of you, I know what it’s like to have to fight for an opportunity,” Feagins said. A savvy social media user, Feagins Week of: December 25, 2025
Marie Feagins, former Memphis-Shelby County Schools superintendent, announces her candidacy for Shelby County mayor at the Memphis Performing Arts Academy on Wednesday, Dec. 17. (Gary S. Whitlow/Tri-State Defender)
Young supporters celebrate Feagins’ mayoral announcement with dancing at the Memphis Performing Arts Academy in Memphis on Wednesday, Dec. 17.
used Facebook and Instagram skillfully during her nine-plus months on the job. Frequent visits to MSCS
schools, promoted on those platforms, helped her win favor with students and parents. She also secured raises for Page 9
underpaid teachers and other MSCS employees. The school board did not extend Feagins the same goodwill. Following an investigation, she was fired in January by a 6-3 vote. The reasons cited included misleading the board on overtime, unapproved financial actions, grant mismanagement, interference in procurement and a lack of communication with board members. The move, however, backfired on the board. State lawmakers intervened in an attempt to replace members through a recall vote. When that failed to pass constitutional muster, Shelby County commissioners approved an ordinance to realign board elections with their own. Five board members saw their four-year terms shortened by two years. All nine school board seats will be on the ballot alongside Feagins’ mayoral bid. “One year ago today, you organized. You sent emails. You made phone calls. You stood up. You showed up shoulder to shoulder to demand something better for education for our children,” Feagins said. Feagins is the seventh candidate to enter the race. She will face Memphis City Council member JB Smiley Jr., Shelby County Commissioner Mickell Lowery, Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk Heidi Kuhn, Shelby County Property Tax Assessor Melvin Burgess and Shelby County Chief Administrative Officer Harold Collins in the May 5 primary. The field is rounded out by another newcomer, Air Force veteran Rusty Qualls. If current dynamics hold, the Democratic nominee is expected to be favored in the November general election. So far, the Republican Party has not fielded a candidate. The filing deadline is Thursday, Feb. 19, at noon. TRI-STATE DEFENDER | tsdmemphis.com
■■ ENTERTAINMENT Behind the music: Earle Bryant’s life on the road with Smokey Robinson By Lee Eric Smith
TSD Contributing Writer
For three decades, Earle Bryant lived a life most music fans only glimpse from the audience — moving quietly behind the scenes to make sure the show went on. From airport tarmacs and five-star hotels to backstage hallways and late-night bus rides, Bryant served as tour manager for music legend Smokey Robinson during the later chapters of Robinson’s storied career. That journey was the focus of Bryant’s newly released book, “All Access: Touring the World with a Superstar.” During a book signing and conversation at the Withers Collection Museum & Gallery, Bryant reflected on his career, his faith and the man who gave us “The Tears of A Clown.” Asked to describe what a tour manager does, Bryant smiled and summed it up in a single word: “Everything.” But as he explained, the job goes far beyond logistics. A tour manager is responsible for shepherding artists and their entire entourages from point A to point B — handling travel, hotels, ground transportation, schedules and the inevitable surprises that come with life on the road. “Being prepared is everything,” Bryant said. “There’s a lot of stuff that happens unexpectedly.” He shared a story from a winter tour when a snowstorm grounded their flight. With a show still scheduled, Bryant activated a backup plan he had arranged in advance — calling for a bus, loading the crew and driving through the night to ensure Robinson made it to the stage. “The audience doesn’t care why the plane was grounded,” he said. Week of: December 25, 2025
“They bought tickets. My job was to get us there.” Bryant’s path to the music industry was anything but conventional. Raised without ambitions of entertainment or touring, he once planned a very different future. “I used to be a chef,” he said. “I wanted to open a restaurant, cook and ride off into the sunset.” What changed, he believes, was what he refers to as “divine intervention” — a term he used repeatedly throughout his talk. After serving in the U.S. Air Force, Bryant worked at a VA hospital, unsure of his next step. A recommendation from a supervisor led him unexpectedly to Motown founder Berry Gordy’s doorstep. That introduction turned into a series of roles at Motown Records — from security to director of security, to purchasing — working with artists including Rick James, Teena Marie, The Four Tops and the Commodores. Eventually, that experience led him to Smokey Robinson. Bryant recalled one of his earliest lessons working with Robinson, one that revealed the artist’s character. Running late for a flight, Bryant tried to move Robinson past a fan asking for a photo. Robinson stopped anyway, wrapped his arm around her, and took the picture. “On the plane, he told me, ‘Without those people, neither one of us would be sitting here,’” Bryant said. “That told me everything I needed to know about who he was.” Trust became the foundation of their relationship. Bryant titled his book “All Access” because, as Robinson’s tour manager, he often had the same access Robinson did—to executives, promoters, and even presidents. He recalled a visit to the White House during the
Earle Bryant signs a copy of his book “All Access: Touring the World with a Superstar” for a young reader. (Gary S. Whitlow/Tri-State Defender)
Obama administration, when a credentialing issue delayed his entry. Robinson refused to proceed without him. “He told them, ‘I’m not going in unless Earl goes in,’” Bryant said. “Again, that showed his character.” Bryant repeatedly credited his grandmother for instilling the values that guided his career. She taught him to believe in himself, to be honest, and to do his best — lessons he carried into every role. “She told me, ‘You can do anything,’” he said. “And I believed her.” That belief eventually carried him to writing a book, something he never imagined doing. The most difficult chapter, Bryant shared, recounts the loss of his infant son, a tragedy he describes with unflinching honesty. Writing it forced him to stop for weeks before continuing. But Bryant said the purpose of the book — and of sharing his story publicly — is to encourage young people to see possibilities beyond what they’re told is available to them. “There’s a lot of money to be made in the music industry that doesn’t involve
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being on stage,” he said. “You can make a good living if you learn the business.” Now retired since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Bryant spends his time writing, golfing and considering ways to mentor the next generation. Though no longer on the road, he remains in close contact with Robinson and reflects on his career with gratitude rather than nostalgia. “I knew when it was time to walk away,” he said. “And when I did, I didn’t look back.” If there is one message Bryant hopes readers take from “All Access,” it is the same one his grandmother gave him decades ago: believe in yourself. “You don’t have to accept the world the way it is,” he told the audience. “You can shape it into what you want it to be.” For a man who spent his life ensuring others reached the spotlight, Earle Bryant’s own story is finally having its moment — and it’s one worth hearing. Copies of “All Access: Touring the World with a Superstar” are available at the Withers Collection Museum & Gallery, 333 Beale St. TRI-STATE DEFENDER | tsdmemphis.com
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‘Stitching Freedom:’ a tale of wrongful incarceration and redemption Book review By Terri Schlichenmeyer The seams are textbook straight. You made sure of it. There’ll be no need for a thread-ripper for you. No, you planned before you picked up a needle, and you were careful with each poke of through the fabric. A few snips here, a quick tack there, and you’ll be done. As in the new book “Stitching Freedom” by Gary Tyler (with Ellen Bravo), this project almost took a lifetime. Growing up in St. Rose, Louisiana, Gary Tyler tried to avoid major trouble. He says he was often the victim of racism in school, though, and he didn’t put up with it so he ran afoul of authority now and then. On the day he was suspended for “causing problems in the classroom,” he wasn’t worried; he considered it another day off. He didn’t know that it would be his last day of freedom for more than forty-one years. After wandering around awhile, visiting with friends and a cousin, Tyler went back to the school that day, where an altercation on a bus ended in the death of a white teenager. Tyler was there, but he wasn’t involved; witnesses confirmed it, before telling different stories at trial, then recanting. Still, he was arrested for the murder, taken to jail, tried, and sent to Angola Prison, sentenced to die by electric chair. Still a teenager, Tyler was careful who he befriended in Angola, keeping away from trouble and finding mentors in the OGs who’d been there awhile. Week of: December 25, 2025
With their guidance, he learned things he hadn’t known — legal terms, how to find the right lawyer, how to raise money and get by. They corrected his grammar and his thinking. They taught him how to present himself. He learned the value in service, and he became a prison seamster. Tyler says he knew prison would be bad, but despite knowing other young men who’d been there, he underestimated how bad it would get. And he never would have believed he’d find men who would become his family and who’d save his life. Crime features big in the news lately. You could be forgiven if you’re feeling fatigue from it, but check out “Stitching Freedom.” Here, the crime is racism. Surprise: You won’t get the sense that Tyler needed a halo. He admits to being a bit of a rascal sometimes, with rather typical teen behavior before his incarceration. This honesty stretches. He also presents believable, abundant evidence that despite his proximity to where the crime occurred, he didn’t do what he was accused of doing. Through that account and beyond, he shows readers how racism kept him down, and how he kept his hopes up and his head high. “Stitching Freedom” isn’t scary or particularly scared-straight-ish, and there’s a bit of humor at the end in Tyler’s post-prison memories of learning about modern life. That means you can read his story yourself and feel comfortable giving it to a teenager who needs it. Find this book, then watch your time get all sewn up.
“Stitching Freedom: A True Story of Injustice, Defiance, and Hope in Angola Prison” by Gary Tyler with Ellen Bravo c.2025, One Signal Publishers $29.00 288 pages
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TRI-STATE DEFENDER | tsdmemphis.com
■■ PERSPECTIVE
Stewardship can be philanthropy too: Rethinking year-end giving in Memphis Groundwork: Mission Critical Judith Black Moore As we contemplate peace and goodwill this holiday season, many people in Memphis and around the nation are navigating heightened fear and uncertainty — a reminder that year-end giving can also be an act of protection. Memphis is often described as one of the most philanthropic cities in the nation. We give generously, we volunteer wholeheartedly and we show up for causes that matter. At the same time, we remain one of the poorest large cities in America, grappling with persistent crime, deep inequality and generational disinvestment. Both things are true. As 2025 draws to a close, that tension feels sharper than usual during this season of light-hearted galas, campaigns and end-of-year appeals. Judith Black But this December’s Moore realities make anxiety feel heavier than normal and needs seem more widespread. State troopers, National Guardsmen and other law enforcement agents have increased their presence as part of the Memphis Safe Task Force. Traffic stops are up. Arrests are up. For some residents everyday routines now come with added caution. It is important to note this fear is not confined to one community, Memphis is also home to immigrants from across the world, including the African diaspora. Alongside Hispanic communities, these immigrants are living in fear as well. They are all navigating the same uncertainty, heightened by language Week of: December 25, 2025
A mural is seen along Lamar Street in Memphis, Tenn. As year-end giving campaigns ramp up across the city, community leaders say philanthropy also includes supporting neighborhood-based organizations that help residents navigate fear, instability and unmet basic needs.
barriers, unfamiliar systems and the real possibility of being caught in situations they do not fully understand or feel equipped to manage. Across immigrant communities nonprofit leaders are working overtime to handle crisis situations, support children afraid to go to school and help families manage anxiety that stretches far beyond the holiday season. These realities do not fit neatly into a fundraising brochure. Nor do they translate easily into a 60-second public service announcement. Yet this is exactly where Memphis nonprofits are doing some of their most essential work. Across the city, organizations are stabilizing families in quiet, unglamorous ways. They are translating documents, hosting know-your-rights sessions, providing emergency food, offering legal referrals and creating spaces where people can breathe. They are educating residents about their civic rights, reminding people to vote and helping communities understand how local and state decisions shape daily life. They are absorbing fear so it does not spill further into classrooms, streets and homes.
This is not work driven by headlines or large marketing budgets. It is work driven by trust and sustained by proximity. While year-end giving is often framed as generosity, this year, it may be better understood as stewardship. Stewardship asks different questions. Not just what inspires us, but what steadies the city. Not just what is visible, but what is holding things together when pressure rises and prevents situations from boiling over. Data shows that Memphis does not lack generosity. Yet the pressures residents face — compounded this year by expanded federal and state intervention — point to a misalignment in how that generosity is distributed. Large, well-established institutions play an essential macro role in shaping systems, advancing policy and delivering services at scale. At the same time, the nonprofits most critical to day-to-day community stability are often smaller and less visible. These organizations provide the micro-level, direct-touch support that meets immediate needs, builds trust and prevents crises before they escalate. For a city to truly stabilize and prog-
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ress, both must thrive. When either is under-resourced, the ripple effects are felt across the entire community. As donors consider where to give before the year closes, there is value in looking toward organizations that specialize in stability: Community-based nonprofits providing eviction prevention; groups supporting immigrant families; organizations focused on re-entry support, transportation assistance and legal navigation. These are just a few nonprofit categories that rarely have donor campaigns, but they are often the first call when challenges threaten our wellbeing. This kind of giving may not come with a ballroom or a spotlight. It may just come with a folding table, a donation hotline or an overworked volunteer answering the same questions for the tenth time. But this is what it looks like when philanthropy meets reality — and quite often identifying these philanthropic opportunities requires a little research and some patience. Memphis has long prided itself on being a benevolent city but there is still an overwhelming amount of need going unaddressed. As the year comes to a close, resolving to give more thoughtfully can deepen our sense of stewardship and better align philanthropy with the most mission-critical work. Helping people feel protected, respected and safe — this is generosity in its purest form. For a city striving toward peace, comfort and joy, it is the most sacred groundwork of all. Judith Black Moore is a nonprofit consultant and founder of Taking Back the Future, a youth-focused nonprofit. With decades of leadership experience at nationally recognized nonprofit organizations, she brings a seasoned, strategic lens to the issues that matter most in the nonprofit sector. TRI-STATE DEFENDER | tsdmemphis.com
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Betty Reid Soskin, oldest National Park Service ranger, dies at 104 Associated Press RICHMOND, Calif. — Betty Reid Soskin, who rose to national fame as the oldest National Park Service ranger and used the spotlight to talk about the African American experience during World War II, has died. She was 104. Her family and the park service announced her death through social media, saying she was surrounded by loved ones at her home in California when she died Sunday. They did not release a cause of death. “She was a powerful voice for sharing her personal experiences, highlighting untold stories, and honoring the contributions of women from diverse backgrounds who worked on the World War II Home Front. Thank you for your service, Ranger Betty,” the park service said in a statement. When she was 85, the longtime community activist was hired as an interpretive ranger at the Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park in Richmond, California. The site at a former shipyard and other parts of the working-class city honors American civilians, including the women who worked in war-related industries, who worked on the homefront during the war. Soskin helped plan the park while working as a state legislative aide. She played a key role in shaping and designing the park by ensuring that it included the oftentimes overlooked contributions of Black men and women. They include the 202 Black sailors who were killed in the July 1944 explosion at Port Chicago, on the northeastern flank of San Francisco Bay, where they were assigned to a segregated unit, loading munitions onto cargo ships bound for the Pacific Theater. Unsafe working conditions led 50 survivors of Week of: December 25, 2025
“I became a ranger when most people retire so I had no idea what it required of me, but it opened up a lot of opportunities that would have been closed to me otherwise.” — Betty Reid Soskin
Betty Reid Soskin, the nation’s oldest National Park Service ranger, is seen at the Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park in Richmond, Calif. Soskin, who helped ensure the park reflected the contributions of Black men and women during World War II, died Sunday at age 104. (Luther Bailey/National Park Service)
the blast to refuse loading munitions. They were court-martialed and convicted of mutiny in a trial that exposed systemic racial inequality in the Navy. As a Black woman, Soskin worked as a clerk for the all-Black boilermaker’s union in Richmond. She advocated for telling the stories of the “non Rosies” who didn’t get to help build the battleships because who didn’t get to help build the battleships because of the color of their skin. “Rosie the Riveter represents the white woman’s experience on the homefront during the war, but as a woman of color, I was never recognized for my work,” she wrote in an October 2020 essay for Newsweek. “I had never understood that I had been involved in the building of the ships. Because at the time, I was 20 years old. I didn’t realize what my role was until I began to go back and recount it for others. It was rather amazing.” Those who got to meet Soskin during visits to the park took to social media Monday to say it was an honor and that she was an amazing woman. One described her as a jewel of the park system, while others said she served as a great inspiration for young rangers. Born in 1921, Soskin wore many hats
throughout her life — a mother, daughter, musician, author, political activist, wife, record store owner, songwriter, painter, grandmother, great-grandmother, prolific blogger and more, as her family recounted. Her family posted on social media that she had led “a fully packed life and was ready to leave.” While a public memorial has yet to be announced, the family said people can share their affection for Soskin through donations to a school that had been renamed in her honor: Betty Reid Soskin Middle School in El Sobrante, California. She had just celebrated her birthday with a visit to the school in September, cheers erupting as she waved to excited children. In 1995, Soskin was named Woman of the Year by the California State Legislature and about a decade later she received the National WWII Museum’s Silver Service Medallion. She explored her nine decades of living through extraordinary moments of history in her 2018 autobiography “Sign My Name to Freedom: A Memoir of a Pioneering Life.” Her experiences included opening Reid’s Records, an influential Blackowned record store in Berkeley with
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her first husband, Mel Reid, and being the first Black family to live in suburban Walnut Creek. Someone burned a cross on their lawn, she wrote, but her family refused to move. She pointed out that the same community that tried to drive her family away elected her 20 years later to serve as a delegate to the 1972 Democratic National Convention. “That is how fast social change occurred,” she said. At the park, her weekly lectures drew large audiences. They also garnered national attention, including the chance to introduce then-President Barack Obama at the Christmas tree lighting ceremony in 2015. In 2008, Glamour magazine named her one of its women of the year. “I became a ranger when most people retire so I had no idea what it required of me, but it opened up a lot of opportunities that would have been closed to me otherwise,” she wrote in her essay. She retired on March 31, 2022. Soskin is survived by two of her four children: Bob and Dorian Reid. Biographical material in this story was written by AP journalist Daisy Nguyen. Susan Montoya Bryan in Albuquerque, New Mexico, contributed to this report. TRI-STATE DEFENDER | tsdmemphis.com
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