Get TSD news, online anytime at TSDMemphis.com
April 1 - 7, 2021
VOL. 70, No. 13
www.tsdmemphis.com
$1.00
Bishop Brandon B. Porter
Bishop David Hall
COGIC national election lands two local bishops on General Board by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell
Special to The New Tri-State Defender
Winning ways! …
The men’s and women’s basketball programs at the University of Memphis have come up winners in recent days. On Sunday (March 29), the Penny Hardaway-led Tigers netted the National Invitation Tournament Title in Texas. The next day, former Wright State University head coach Katrina Merriweather was introduced as the new coach hired turn the women’s program into a next-level operation. See Sports, Page 9. (Photos: Terry Davis)
Black Business Association turns to Ernest Strickland
by Dena Owens
Special to the New Tri-State Defender
The Black Business Association of Memphis, a leader in minority business growth and development for the city, has named Ernest Strickland as its new president and chief executive officer. He began his new job Thursday (April 1).
Strickland, who has served the Greater Memphis Chamber for the last 15 years – most recently as senior vice president for workforce development – brings extensive experience in economic development, along with hands-on practice as a business owner. BBA’s new leader comes at a time when many minority businesses have closed permanently, locally
and nationally due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Others continue to struggle to keep the doors open. Only a few are thriving. “Ernest is the right man at the right time,” said former BBA president and CEO Mark Yates, now chairman of the BBA Board of Directors. “He will ultimately take BBA to the next level.” Strickland’s Chamber job provid-
ed networking Ernest Strickland opportunities with executives from top companies worldwide. Traveling the globe representing Memphis allowed Strickland to see first-hand what businesses need to compete, not only in the city, but on
SEE BBA ON PAGE 2
Memphis on track for state’s first mass vaccination site
by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell
Special to The New Tri-State Defender
Memphis received more good news on the COVID-19 vaccination front Wednesday (March 31) morning when White House officials announced that a new federal mass vaccination site will be opened in Memphis next week. In a press briefing, Andy Slavitt, White House senior advisor for COVID-19 Response, said it will be
the first federally run, mass vaccination site in Tennessee. The good news out of Washington comes as local officials reported the rate of people being vaccinated has steadily increased. As of Wednesday, the Shelby County Health Department said 317,937 total COVID-19 vaccine doses had been given out in Shelby County and 103,220 people had gotten two shots. About 11 percent of the total
county population has been fully vaccinated, officials said, meaning they have received two shots of either the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines or one shot of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The federally-run site will be at the Pipkin Building. Federal authorities plan to administer 3,000 doses a day at the site. It will be operated in collaboration with the state of Tennessee. On Wednesday, the Health De-
partment reported 90 new virus cases that were the result of 1,420 tests. There were two new virus-related deaths, the agency reported. Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris, at Tuesday’s (March 30) COVID Joint Task Force meeting, emphasized the importance of getting vaccinated and continuing to follow masking, social distancing and hand-washing guidelines.
SEE COVID-19 ON PAGE 2
“When it is known that you have some interest in church governance, your body of work becomes relevant,” said Bishop David Hall, newly elected prelate to the Church of God in Christ General Board. “I ran a good race in 2016, but I came, in 15th place. I felt this year, I had a good chance. I came in ninth.” And ninth place was great standing in a field of 16 bishops vying for a seat on the 12-member General Board. Hall, who is pastor of Temple COGIC, ascended to the national church’s highest executive, governing body. Bishop Brandon B. Porter, pastor of Greater Community Temple COGIC, will serve his second term on the General Board. “After being re-elected to the General Board, Bishop J. Drew Sheard, our new Presiding Bishop, asked me to serve the board as its secretary, which is a strategic part of the Bishop J. Drew Sheard new administration,” Porter said. “So, my desire is to make sure I help our new leader, and advance the vision of the presiding bishop and general board.” The elections were held on Feb. 23, but final results were delayed because of several challenges launched against the results. The elections were never-before-seen, like so many other “firsts” spawned by the COVID-19 world pandemic. The Church of God in Christ made history with its first election of new leaders on a virtual platform. “In the past, the saints vote during the Convocation when it’s an election year,” said Hall. “But because of the pandemic, there was a virtual election to choose a new presiding bishop and general board.” Porter also weighed in on this year’s first virtual election. “Well, because the whole election
SEE COGIC ON PAGE 2