The Tri-State Defender - March 5, 2026

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■■ NEWS

Memphis City Council sends charter amendment on library employees to voters

By James Coleman TSD Contributing Writer

Fed-up Memphis Public Library employees’ quest to become reclassified as civil service employees has entered a new chapter after the Memphis City Council voted Tuesday, Feb. 24, to send a charter amendment to voters.

The item passed 10-1.

A notice on the agenda moving the item’s third council vote to March 24 prompted sponsor JB Smiley Jr. to press for a public vote on the long-running issue.

If voters approve the amendment on Nov. 3, the employees would join the ranks of city workers permitted to bargain collectively. In addition to negotiating for better pay and working conditions — both concerns of many library employees — the change would provide employment protections.

The vast majority of the system’s estimated 270 employees are currently classified as “appointed” employees. As such, they can be hired and fired at the will of the mayor.

If voters approve the reclassification, library workers would be required to reapply for their current jobs and a charter provision stipulates “job-related examinations” for civil service employees.

A former Memphis Library employee expressed concerns that current staff weren’t fully aware of the ramifications of the vote. However, one of the representatives of the library workers confirmed the concern.

“As it relates to civil service status and those jobs being reposted, that’s in our charter,” said cosponsor Pearl Walker.

Despite word from a library employee, the appointed workers couldn’t locate the provision in the charter. The city’s attorney assured members it is in the rule book.

“I’m sure they have copies of our charter at the library,” chided Alan Wade. “All applicants for employment in positions protected by this arti-

cle shall be subjected to competitive job-related examinations …”

Council member Jeff Warren proposed a tweak to the amendment’s language that would allow library employees to remain on the job after the reclassification process. However, Wade cautioned against adding language. He told members that including the protection could lead to lawsuits from other civil service employees alleging discrimination.

The only member who voted against the measure criticized the city’s path to certification altogether.

“I don’t think civil service is the mechanism for the future. I think the point is civil service is archaic in the way it is executed,” said Council member Chase Carlisle. “The fact that we

roll people for 36 months plus without any sort of employment certainty is insane. And there’s no fix for that today.”

Anti-immigration resolution passes

Council members also approved a nonbinding resolution requesting a halt to increased anti-immigration enforcement operations occurring nationwide. Michalyn-Easter Thomas requested a freeze of funding to the two Homeland Security Department agencies responsible for enforcement — Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection. The resolution was amended by Warren to continue funding to other DHS departments. It was approved by a 7-1-3 vote.

New research links segregation, poverty to higher breast cancer deaths among black women in Memphis

Judith Black Moore TSD Contributing Writer

Black women in Memphis are dying from breast cancer at more than twice the rate of white women — 6.9% compared with 3.3% — according to new research presented recently at the University of Memphis.

The findings were shared during a panel discussion Monday, Feb. 23, sponsored by Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change at the University of Memphis, where researchers examined how segregation, poverty and long-standing neighborhood disinvestment contribute to late-stage breast cancer diagnoses and higher mortality rates.

The event also marked the release of the Hooks Institute’s Winter 2026 Policy Papers, titled “Breast Cancer Mortality in Memphis: A Holistic Approach — Research Findings and Strategies for Improved Outcomes in Segregated Communities.”

Daphene R. McFerren, J.D., executive director of the Hooks Institute, opened the presentation and Elena Delavega, Ph.D., M.S.W., moderated the discussion.

Researchers from the University of Memphis and the University of Tennessee Health Science Center analyzed data from more than 10,000 breast cancer patients in Memphis. Their findings show that Black women are more likely to be diagnosed at later stages and are more likely to die from the disease.

One finding stood out: even when white women live in poverty, their breast cancer mortality rate remains lower than that of Black women living under the same economic conditions.

Researchers described the overlap of race, poverty and segregation as creating a “perfect storm” in certain neighborhoods.

High-poverty, highly segregated areas — many of which were historically

redlined — show the Dr. Shelley White-Means, one of the lead researchers, said late-stage diagnosis often reflects larger structural challenges.

Transportation limitations, gaps in insurance coverage and environmental conditions all influence whether women receive regular screenings and follow-up care.

Queen Cunningham, who drives the mobile mammography unit for Baptist Women’s Health Center Community Outreach, said she sees those challenges daily. She meets many women balancing work, childcare and financial pressures, which makes preventive care difficult to prioritize.

“When I meet patients, they are struggling with a lot of things. That is why this job is so important to me,” Cunningham said. “I drive the mobile unit and I am also a breast cancer survivor. I was diagnosed with breast cancer (after) my first mammogram. That is why I like to be out in the community letting ladies know this is important.”

Leighanne Soden, president of the West Cancer Foundation, said removing barriers remains essential to improving outcomes.

“In the last two years, we have provided more than 14,000 rides for cancer patients. Free breast screenings are available, but despite this, screening numbers were down last year,” Soden said.

“Breaking barriers to care is critical if we want to change these outcomes. Transportation assistance and free screenings are especially important in neighborhoods where healthcare facilities are limited,” she said.

Researchers said the ultimate goal of the project is to provide lawmakers and policymakers with evidence that can guide decisions affecting breast health outcomes, particularly for Black women.

The policy papers recommend expanding Medicaid access, increasing mobile mammography services and targeting high-risk zip codes with resources. They also call for addressing decades of structural disinvestment in historically segregated neighborhoods.

The full research and policy papers are available through The Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change at the University of Memphis at memphis. edu/benhooks.

Shelby County mayoral candidates outline priorities at NAACP forum

By Judith Black Moore TSD Contributing Writer

With the 2026 primary race for Shelby County mayor taking shape, six candidates gathered in Memphis to outline their priorities on economic development, education, transportation and criminal justice during a community forum Thursday, Feb. 26, hosted by the NAACP Memphis Branch in partnership with the Shelby County Voter Alliance.

The forum was held at Springdale Baptist Church and moderated by Deidre Malone, first vice president of the NAACP Memphis Branch and National Women’s Political Caucus president.

Participating candidates, all Democrats, included:

• Mickell Lowery, Shelby County commissioner

• JB Smiley Jr., Memphis city councilman

• Heidi Kuhn, Shelby County Criminal Court clerk

• Harold Collins, Shelby County chief administrative officer

• Melvin Burgess, Shelby County property assessor

• Rusty Qualls, businessman.

Three other candidates did not attend: former Memphis-Shelby County Schools superintendent Marie Feagins, who is running as a Democrat; Republicans John DeBerry Jr., former Tennessee representative, and Joe Brown, former Shelby County Criminal Court judge and TV personality.

Visions for Shelby County

Asked what success for Shelby County would look like, candidates described futures shaped by their experiences in government, business and public service.

Qualls, a political newcomer, said success begins with unity across political and geographic lines. “Success for me is unity across the bridge,” he said. “It is not about me. It is not about you. It is about the people.”

Lowery framed his vision in generational terms. “I am not running for success in the next four years,” he said. “I am running for success in the next 40.”

Burgess said Shelby County needs leaders willing to challenge the status quo. “What we need is bold leadership,” he said. “We need people who are not afraid to speak up and say something because it is the right thing to do.”

Kuhn focused on rebuilding confidence in local government. “People are working hard but they do not believe government is working for them,” she said. “We have to restore hope for Shelby County.”

Collins described a county where families can build stable lives. “Shelby County should be a place where you can live, work and enjoy your time,” he said.

Smiley said success would mean expanding opportunity for younger generations. “Imagine a Shelby County where young people can go outside with hope and endless possibilities,” he said.

Economic development

Candidates were asked which industries they would prioritize to address persistent poverty and inequity.

Qualls said Shelby County should remove barriers that make it harder for entrepreneurs to start businesses. “Stop putting stipulations on the people who are trying to build small businesses,” he said.

Lowery pointed to education and workforce development as key drivers of economic growth. “Small business is the lifeblood of our county,” he said, adding that education should create a pathway from cradle to career.

The candidates also discussed the role of the Economic Development Growth Engine, commonly known as EDGE, which offers tax incentives to recruit companies to the region.

Collins said incentive agreements must include regular reviews. “After a period, you reevaluate them and look to see if they have kept their promises,” he said.

Kuhn said the county should avoid deals that leave behind empty buildings if companies depart. “We do not want

another Electrolux or another ServiceMaster,” she said.

Burgess said tax abatements must ultimately return value to the community. “The question is when is that money going back into our community,” he said.

Lowery said he would measure success by whether companies create jobs for residents in underserved areas. “Are you hiring people from underserved ZIP codes?” he said.

Smiley said companies receiving incentives should demonstrate a commitment to local communities. “The question is whether they will be good corporate citizens,” he said.

Future of the county jail

Candidates also addressed one of Shelby County’s most debated infrastructure questions: whether the county should build a new jail or relocate the existing facility to another location.

Burgess said the county should move forward with building a new facility. “Yes, we need a new jail,” he said.

Lowery said he supports relocating the jail to the penal farm property and

■■ NEWS

Audience members listen as candidates for Shelby County mayor participate in a forum moderated by Deidre Malone, first vice president of the NAACP Memphis Branch, at Springdale Baptist Church in Memphis, on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026. The event, held in partnership with the Shelby County Voter Alliance, focused on economic development, education, transportation and criminal justice.

argued that the current facility does not emphasize rehabilitation.

Kuhn suggested relocating the jail to the Shelby County Correctional Center and expanding services aimed at rehabilitation. She said the facility should include programs that address the whole person.

Smiley also supported relocation but questioned the lack of progress on planning. “What are we doing there now,” he asked before adding that the jail should be moved.

Collins said he does not support relocating the jail citing financial constraints and operational challenges in-

cluding staffing shortages and deferred maintenance.

Qualls said he would not move the jail.

Education and state intervention

Candidates were also asked about the possibility of state involvement in Memphis-Shelby County Schools.

Burgess criticized Tennessee’s Achievement School District initiative. “We gave the state schools messed up. They gave them back to us messed up,” he said.

Lowery said he opposes state intervention in local schools. “Shelby County should be managed by Shelby County,” he said.

Qualls said local officials should work more closely with school leaders. “We should take care of our own,” he said.

Smiley said local government must address school funding and maintenance needs. “It is the responsibility of the county commission to address deferred maintenance,” he said.

Kuhn said education remains central to the county’s future and suggested reimagining closed school buildings. “Perhaps creating apartments for individuals aging out of foster care or reentry programs,” she said.

Transportation and civic participation

Candidates were also asked whether they would support expanded public transit and transportation access to reduce barriers to civic participation.

Smiley said Shelby County should move toward regional transportation solutions that include surrounding municipalities.

Collins said the county previously offered financial support to the Memphis Area Transit Authority but requested representation on its board, which MATA objected too.

Kuhn said transportation challenges extend beyond Memphis city limits and suggested exploring creative solutions such as shared ride programs.

Lowery said transportation systems must help residents reach jobs and other opportunities. “Sometimes you have to slow down to speed up,” he said.

Qualls said technology could help make transportation and other services more accessible for residents.

The 2026 Shelby County mayoral primary election will take place May 5, 2026. The race will determine who succeeds current Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris, first elected in 2018, who is term-limited and cannot seek a third term.

■■ BUSINESS

Everyone is a singer at The Studio Karaoke

‘Chief joy curator’ seeks to spread cheer and good times in Memphis

By Candace A. Gray TSD Contributing Writer

The disco ball says it all. It greets you as you enter the door at The Studio Karaoke in Poplar Plaza.

Deidre Ellis is the visionary behind this new entertainment offering for Memphis — her love letter, she says, to the city that raised her and afforded her endless opportunities, including this one.

“Memphis needs more joy and I wanted to create a space that’s just for that,” said Ellis. “Memphis is a gem and we deserve spaces like this. My job as the ‘chief joy curator’ is to make this the celebration destination.”

The Studio Karaoke celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon cutting Saturday, Feb. 28., at 3460 Plaza Ave.

For the last several months, a “soft launch” has enabled Ellis and her shoestring team to perfect the current product offerings and prepare for the official public launch.

The Studio Karaoke, the first of its kind in Memphis, features five private Memphis-themed suites where families, friends, colleagues and more can come together over food, drinks and music to connect and have fun.

“My family was the first group to come experience The Studio. We’ve had work groups, birthday parties, and even people who just happened to stop by, and we had a suite available for them,” said Ellis. “It’s a place for everyone.”

Though karaoke was created by a Japanese engineer and made its U.S. debut on the West Coast in 1982. It became even more popular on the East Coast in the 90s and 2000s, with Karaoke-themed bars and

restaurants popping up. Ellis saw a need for this new offering in Memphis when she returned in 2021.

“After living in Maryland and spending time in D.C., and coming home during the pandemic to be with family, I realized there was a void in this space. And the time and opportunity presented itself — I had to go for it,” said Ellis.

Ellis, whose background is in business, marketing, international education and tech, was working for a

company when she moved back to Memphis, but lost that job in January of 2024. She soon found herself working on a business plan for this new venture. She realized every move she had made throughout her career prepared her for this moment.

“Before Houston’s closed, I even worked there for six months to gain some restaurant and bar experience,” she said. “And I’ve learned a lot from the entrepreneurial community in Memphis.”

■■ BUSINESS

She interfaced with organizations like Epicenter, the Small Business Development Center, Memphis Medical District Collaborative, Memphis Public Libraries and its SCORE program, and the MMBC Continuum. They, along with other small business owners, informed and empowered her every step of the way.

In April 2024, Ellis wrote the business plan and started her research, visiting several “karaoke boxes” (as they are called) across the country. It took her a year to find the right space but once she got the keys in September 2025, the plan was put into motion.

“I’m not the first entrepreneur in my family, but maybe the first to do something of this scale. I hope my children realize that when they grow up, they can do this, too. There are no limits.”

— Deidre Ellis

“We have all of our permits, licenses — including food and liquor — and we’re ready to go. That’s not everyone’s story, but I’m thankful it’s ours,” said Ellis.

The grand opening event will be block party style with festive activities inside and out. Attendees will have an opportunity to try out the karaoke software developed by Lyrical Systems, based out of Oregon. The company is constantly adding to the library of 70K+ songs and has a dedicated librarian who adds songs daily.

“We’re the first company in the South to partner with them, which is amazing because companies from overseas don’t necessarily have the songs we want to sing here,” said Ellis.

In addition to having a great song selection, there is also a vast array of languages users can choose from. “We’ve had a guest visit three times — once

with a few family members, once more with more family members and a third time with her work friends. We can see the songs they’re singing on the backend and saw that they were singing in Mandarin,” said Ellis.

In addition to showing off their karaoke skills, attendees will also be able to purchase some of the signature cocktails The Studio Karaoke will offer on its menu, as well as some of the food options.

“We’re hoping to partner with CiCi’s pizza in the future for kids’ parties,” said Ellis. “We’re also working with schools to become a location for field trips.”

Speaking of the future, once this one is running and thriving, Ellis plans to open additional locations across the city.

“I’m not the first entrepreneur in my family, but maybe the first to do something of this scale. I hope my children realize that when they grow up, they can do this, too. There are no limits,” said Ellis.

The Studio Karaoke, at 3460 Plaza Ave., is located in the northwest corner of Poplar Plaza (directly behind the Kroger gas station, behind CiCi’s pizza).

Attendees can register to attend the grand opening for free here.

The Studio Karaoke is open Wednesday and Thursday, 4-10 p.m. and Friday through Sunday, 4 p.m. - 12 a.m. Visit https://thestudiokaraoke.com/

In an era of war, division and political fury, judges warn the rule of law is under strain

Retired federal jurists recall when courtroom rulings came with death threats — and say the warning signs are familiar

By Lee Eric Smith TSD Contributing Writer

A war overseas that many Americans don’t understand. Sharp political division at home. Court rulings ignored. Judges publicly attacked, threatened, labeled “radical” and “dangerous.”

Sounds like 1966. Also sounds like 2026.

Inside the Ford Theatre at the National Civil Rights Museum, four retired federal judges gathered Thursday, Feb. 26 to remind an audience that during the Civil Rights era, it wasn’t only marchers and ministers who faced danger.

Judges did, too.

“These were people who literally put their lives on the line to support the rule of law,” said Hon. Jeremy D. Fogel, recalling federal jurists who issued desegregation rulings and endured ostracism, threats and violence.

The forum — “Justice in Balance: The Courts, Civil Rights, and Our Democracy” — was hosted by the museum in partnership with Keep Our Republic and livestreamed nationally.

But the message in Memphis was local, historical and urgent.

When the robe carries risk

In recounting the sacrifices of the Civil Rights Movement, Americans often speak of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Medgar Evers and Malcolm X. Less remembered are judges such as J. Waties Waring of South Carolina, who ruled against segregation and was ostracized in his community; Frank Johnson of Alabama, who allowed the Selma-to-Montgomery march to

“Preservation of the rule of law is not a spectator sport.”

— Hon. Bernice B. Donald.

proceed; and Robert Vance, the federal judge assassinated in 1989.

Judge Allyson K. Duncan noted that Waring’s wife was spat upon in public and that bricks were thrown into their home.

“It goes beyond ostracism. It was venomous,” she said.

The point, the panelists said, was not nostalgia. It was a warning that judicial independence — the ability to rule without fear or favor — has never been self-sustaining. It depends on public trust and public defense.

“Preservation of the rule of law is not a spectator sport,” said Hon. Bernice B. Donald.

A courtroom turned mirror

Donald, who retired from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit in 2023, offered a story that drew quiet laughter — and then reflection.

On her first day as a General Sessions Court judge in Memphis, the first African American woman to hold the post in Tennessee, she called her first case: a young white man facing a traffic violation.

“I was there in an elevated position wearing my black robe, ready to do justice,” Donald said. “Right below me were my two minute clerks — an African-American female to my left,

an African-American male to my right. At a 45-degree angle on the floor was a prosecutor — an African-American male.

“Ringing the courtroom was the security team — four Shelby County deputies in uniform, one African-American female and three African-American males — each armed with a standard-issue Smith & Wesson weapon strapped to his or her side. And we were open for business. Open for justice.”

Donald remembered the young man’s eyes going wide as he realized his case would be decided by people of color.

“He came with fear and trepidation,” Donald said. “I suspect he was concerned about whether he could get justice in a courtroom where there was no one who looked like him.”

He asked for a continuance. Thirty days later, he returned with an African

American defense attorney. Donald told the story not as irony, but as metaphor.

“Look at the years — the dozens of years — that African-Americans all across this country entered courtrooms hoping for justice and believing in their hearts that they were not going to get it,” she continued. “Not because they

■■ NEWS

didn’t have cases of merit, but because race, socioeconomic status and other things provided a barrier.”

Today’s flashpoints

Moderator Otis Sanford pressed the panel on current events — including instances in which court orders have been publicly criticized or disregarded.

Fogel cited recent immigration cases in which judges ordered hearings before deportations, only to learn the individuals had already been removed.

“There’s three pillars to the rule of law,” he said: decisions based on evidence and legal principles, the right to a hearing and an honest decision-maker.

When those pillars are weakened — whether through defiance, intimidation or public vilification — the consequences ripple outward.

Judge James T. Giles reminded the audience that grievances against a king who controlled judges appear in the Declaration of Independence itself.

Without constitutional protections, including lifetime tenure, judges could be punished for unpopular rulings, he

said. And when judges are threatened with impeachment simply for decisions some dislike, Donald warned, the damage is deliberate.

“That kind of thing is designed to undermine public trust and confidence in the judiciary,” she said.

The arc does not bend alone

As the forum closed, Donald invoked Dr. King’s words about the arc of the moral universe.

“It doesn’t bend of its own volition,” she said.

“It only bends because men and women of courage … apply their hands firmly to that arc. And they push and they pull it in the direction of justice.”

In the 1960s, that push came from marches, pulpits and courtrooms. In 2026, the judges suggested, the setting may look different — social media instead of street corners, impeachment threats instead of bricks through windows — but the question is the same.

Will the public defend the independence of the courts before erosion becomes collapse?

Dr. Darnita Anderson Hill discusses osteopathic medicine, representation at Baptist Health for Black History Month

Special to the Tri-State Defender

In celebration of Black History Month, the Student National Medical Association at Baptist Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine welcomed speaker Dr. Darnita Anderson Hill, who specializes in osteopathic medicine, for a discussion titled, “The Road through Medicine: Challenges, Growth & Purpose.”

Kayla Bouknight, a second-year medical student at the College of Osteopathic Medicine, emceed the program on Thursday, Feb. 26 in the Groner Auditorium.

Participants were engaged and eager to learn about Hill’s take on osteopathic medicine as the event recognized

legacy, service and representation in osteopathic medicine.

Hill is a board-certified physician in family and osteopathic medicine and has more than three decades of experience in clinical practice, medical education, community health and holistic primary care. She authored “Blacks in Osteopathic Medicine: An Idea Whose Time Has Come,” a book that chronicles the history, achievements and ongoing influence of Black osteopathic physicians.

She comes from a historical lineage of doctors of osteopathic medicine and shared with the audience that her father, William G. Anderson, DO, was among some of the first African Amer-

ican doctors of osteopathic medicine in the country. Anderson served as the first and only African American president of the American Osteopathic Association.

When asked about what osteopathic medicine means to her, Hill explained that it’s a more holistic approach to healthcare. In her healthcare practices, Hill brings a patient-centered philosophy, emphasizing prevention, education and community outreach.

“We consider the mind, body and the spirit,” Hill said. “We’re looking at the whole individual. You’re going to manipulate all aspects of a patient’s life to bring them to wellness. You’re going to consider their social life, mental state

and their diet.”

“I hope my peers and attendees left with a deeper understanding of what it truly means to be a doctor of osteopathic medicine,” said Bouknight.

Bouknight said she hoped her peers and attendees left with a deeper understanding of the field of osteopathic medicine.

“Dr. Hill’s story resonates with me because it reflects the type of physician I aspire to become,” Bouknight said. “She leads with purpose and uses her platform to create spaces for others. Her journey reminds me that pursuing a career in medicine requires service, integrity and a willingness to show up where you are needed most.”

Books to read by women and about women for Women’s History Month

Book review

By Terri Schlichenmeyer

The history books seem to be full of men.

Galileo, Frederick Douglass. Abraham Lincoln. Jesse Jackson, Franklin Roosevelt, the list goes on. So this month, put a few women on your radar by reading these great books during Women’s History Month.

Soon, your mind may turn to If you’re interested in gardening and greenery, “When Trees Testify” by Beronda L. Montgomery (Henry Holt, $27.99) is a great place to gather historical information.

It is written by a renowned biologist and explains how African Americans have made their mark on the world of botany, and vice versa. Trees, especially, have been essential in Black history, and Montgomery writes specifically about seven of them, plus the cotton shrub. This is a great book for historians, of course, but also for gardeners, homeowners, and anyone who appreciates a tree.

Everything has to start somewhere, and in “Riding Into History” by Amy Nathan with Sarah Keys Evans (Duke University Press, $29.95), you’ll read the story of Women’s Army Corps PFC Sarah Keys, who was trying to take a bus home from her post at Fort Dix, New Jersey when she was arrested for disorderly conduct for doing what Rosa Parks would do some three years later. Her actions, says Nathan, still resonate today. This is an important story to read, one that’s not often told when talking about the Civil Rights Move-

ment. (Out March 24).

Another little-told story in women’s history is that of Sylvia Moy, so find “It’s No Wonder: The Life and Times of Motown’s Legendary Songwriter Sylvia Moy” by Margena A. Christian (DaCapo, $30).

You’ll want to dust off your favorite vinyl when you read this book about the woman who wrote songs for Stevie Wonder, The Isley Brothers, Martha and the Vandellas, and the Temptations. She was the first woman to become an in-house Motown producer-songwriter, and she had to fight to keep that place. You’ll like this incredible, til-now-hidden story, especially if you’re a fan of old-school tunes from back in the day.

And finally, “Black. Single. Mother.” by Jamilah Lemieux (Roc Lit, $32.00) is a book that’ll make you want to thank your mother.

This is a wide but intimate examination of being a single mom who happens to be Black — the ups and downs, the myths, the nasty comments and the absolute joys. It’s about what it’s like to raise kids without their father around, and why respect and love from the rest of society is long overdue. Written through interviews with more than 20 single Black moms, this is a strong look at a topic that’s rarely examined in such a wide, open-hearted way. (out March 10)

And if these books aren’t enough, then head to your favorite bookstore or library and ask for more. The staff there can help you find whatever you need to read for Women’s History Month, in almost any category and for almost any age group.

■■ NEWS

It’s not just Black South Carolinians who owe Jackson a debt of gratitude. Anyone who enjoys the rewards of a rapidly growing state, thanks in part to manufacturers like luxury carmaker BMW and airplane maker Boeing locating here, owes him, Greenville Mayor Knox White said.

After a storied civil rights career, Jesse Jackson headed home to South Carolina to lie in state

By Jeffrey Collins Associated Press

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. never stopped fighting for civil rights around the world. This includes South Carolina, the state where he was born and raised, and where he first experienced state-sanctioned racial discrimination.

Jackson’s body lay in state Monday inside the South Carolina Capitol. It started with a rousing version of the Black national anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” that reverberated through the Statehouse — a building that was partially destroyed in 1865 during the Civil War, which South Carolina started to keep slavery.

Before the doors opened to the public, politicians and other guests remembered a man who grew up in segregated Greenville and, in 1960, led seven Black high school students into the whites-only library branch. They sat down, quietly read books and magazines, and were arrested. And Jackson’s civil rights career began.

“Because of his efforts, I can sit where I am today,” said Democratic U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, who has served 33 years in Congress and first met Jackson when they were on rival high school sports teams in segregated South Carolina. They forged a lifelong friendship through the civil rights struggle.

Jackson’s casket carried by horsedrawn caisson

Jackson died Feb. 17 at age 84 after battling a rare neurological disorder that affected his mobility and ability to speak in his later years.

His casket, draped in an American flag, arrived at the South Carolina Statehouse on a horse-drawn caisson on a chilly, cloudy morning. A special white-gloved Highway Patrol honor guard escorted Jackson inside the Statehouse and to the second floor, where well over 100 people packed under the rotunda for a ceremony before the public was invited in to pay their respects. Behind Jackson’s casket, with his back turned, was a statue of former U.S. Vice President John C. Calhoun, a zealous defender of slavery.

When the Statehouse doors opened to the public, a line seven blocks long was waiting. People walked up to the second floor and were given a moment to pray or take a picture or a selfie before a trooper in a dress uniform politely asked them to keep moving.

The South Carolina services are part of two weeks of events. It began with Jackson’s body lying in repose last week at his Rainbow PUSH Coalition’s Chicago headquarters.

After South Carolina, Jackson will be returned to Chicago for a large celebration of life gathering at a megachurch and the final homegoing services at the

Rainbow PUSH headquarters. Plans for a service in Washington, D.C., to honor him have been postponed until a later date.

Jackson fought for the poor

Nationally and internationally, Jackson advocated for the poor and underrepresented for voting rights, job opportunities, education and health care. He scored diplomatic victories with world leaders.

Through his Rainbow PUSH Coalition, he channeled cries for Black pride and self-determination into corporate boardrooms, pressuring executives to make America a more open and equitable society. He was the Civil Rights Movement’s torchbearer after the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination, and would run for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1984 and 1988.

Jackson was present in 2015 when the South Carolina House voted to finally remove the Confederate flag from the Capitol grounds. Several were placed there during the 1960s in opposition to the federal government’s push for integration.

South Carolina’s longest-serving legislator found Jackson in the celebration.

Democratic Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter said he pulled her aside.

Mayor says Jackson ‘freed us all’

“It’s great to take down the Confeder-

ate flag. But what about the Confederate agenda,” Cobb-Hunter recalled him saying. “What I want people to remember is there is still much work to do.”

Jackson also pushed in 2003 for Greenville County to honor King by matching the federal holiday in his honor.

It’s not just Black South Carolinians who owe Jackson a debt of gratitude. Anyone who enjoys the rewards of a rapidly growing state, thanks in part to manufacturers like luxury carmaker BMW and airplane maker Boeing locating here, owes him, Greenville Mayor Knox White said.

“Can you imagine a BMW or a Boeing would locate in a segregated South Carolina? Of course not,” White said. “He freed us all.”

Jackson is just the second Black man to lie in state at the South Carolina Capitol. State Sen. Clementa Pinckney was honored in 2015 after he was shot and killed in the Charleston church shooting that led to the removal of the Confederate flag from Statehouse grounds.

Associated Press writer Sophia Tareen in Chicago contributed to this report.