Page 16 – Chattanooga News Chronicle

Google Allows AI to Access Your Emails–Want to Opt Out or In?

National

January 22, 2026

Google Allows AI to Access Your Emails–Want to Opt Out or In?

Do you have a Gmail account?

Chances are that you are one of the 3 billion users Google claims to hold Gmail accounts. You might want to keep reading this if you don’t want artificial intelligence accessing your emails.

Since 2023, Google has been regularly updating its terms and conditions of use treated as routine by most digital content consumers. Like most other agreements–with lots of fine printed information and a small box at the end of the copy that allows you to toogle a check mark in a box or make a notation indicating your support of the verbose terms–the updates allowed you continued access to your account.

These updates for more than two years have included references to “smart” features that seem to allow ease of composing an email, corrections, and positive features to “give you more granular control” and a better integrated experience. The terms of use include use of Alphabet Inc.’s full suite of products that most know by the name brand “Google,” not the parent company.

Many dismiss concerns and point to an existing disclaimer warning against having confidential information in your emails, specifically, “please don’t enter confidential information that you wouldn’t want a reviewer to see or Google to use to improve our services, including machine-learning technologies.”

Want to see if your account is impacted and have the choice to control your data?

Open your Gmail account on your computer and head to settings or your phone app. The navigation is different, so notice the information listed first is for a laptop/desktop navigation of Gmail settings. The second batch of information is related to your Gmail phone app.

On your computer,

1. Open your Gmail account.

2. Click on the “gear” to open “settings” to see a dropdown menu appear.

3. At the top of the dropdown menu is a prompt to “See all settings.” Click that.

4. Scroll down to find, “Smart features: Turn on smart features in Gmail, Chat, and Meet.”

If that box is checked, uncheck it. Most accounts have opted in automatically without understanding. A second place in the same expanded “See all settings” is just below, “Google Workspace smart features.” Click on the “Manage the Workspace smart features.” Now see two toggles. To opt out of AI using your emails, mark both places–Google workspace and “other Google products.”

On your phone, head to the Gmail app. Once it’s open

1. Touch the three stacked lines up to the left, the menu.

2. Scroll to the bottom to see the “Settings” gear.

3. Open settings and scroll down to the “General” area near the bottom to find “Data privacy.”

4. Open “Data privacy” to find “Smart features” and “Google workspaces smart features.”

5. Make sure both are toggled to indicate you have turned off these settings in both places. Speech and privacy have always been protected. Yet tech is making your data theirs…for profit. Be wise.

Black Infant Mortality in Tennessee Remains Stubbornly Higher Than National Average

Regional

Submitted Article

January 22, 2026

Black Infant Mortality in Tennessee Remains Stubbornly Higher Than National Average

Tennessee continues to struggle with infant mortality rates that exceed the national average, with Black families bearing a disproportionate share of the loss, according to a new report from the Tennessee Department of Health examining 2023 birth outcomes.

The state’s infant mortality rate stood at 6.5 deaths per 1,000 live births, more than 16% higher than the national average of 5.6. While Tennessee’s rate has declined modestly since 2019, health officials say progress has been uneven and racial disparities remain deeply entrenched.

Black infants in Tennessee are still dying at roughly twice the rate of white infants, a pattern that has remained stubbornly consistent in annual health reports. In many parts of the state, Black infants are 2.5 to three times more likely to die before their first birthday. In some counties, Black infant mortality rates exceed 10 to 12 deaths per 1,000 live births, compared to statewide averages that generally fall between six and seven.

The report found that most infant deaths in 2023 were linked to medical conditions, including preterm birth, low birth weight and congenital disease. Preterm and low-birth-weight deliveries remain the leading drivers of infant mortality, particularly among Black mothers, who experience higher rates of pregnancy-related complications such as hypertension and pre-eclampsia.

Sleep-related deaths also continue to be a major and preventable contributor. Unsafe sleep practices–such as placing babies on their stomachs, sleeping outside of cribs or bassinets, or sharing sleep spaces with blankets and stuffed animals–were responsible for a significant share of infant deaths.

Public health experts describe the disparity as the result of a “web of causation” rather than a single factor. Social determinants of health, including unstable housing, food insecurity and limited transportation, create chronic stress for expectant mothers, particularly in rural areas and segregated urban neighborhoods often described as “maternal deserts.”

Researchers also point to the “weathering” hypothesis, which links the cumulative stress of racial discrimination to earlier health deterioration in Black women, increasing the risk of premature birth.

Black infants in Hamilton County have historically died at rates nearly three times higher than white infants, with Black infant mortality frequently spiking into the 13 to 15 deaths per 1,000 live births range in certain years.

Those deaths are often concentrated in specific zip codes, including 37404, 37406 and 37411, areas characterized by limited access to pharmacies, nutritious food and primary care.

Former Hamilton County Health Department Director Becky Barnes addressed this gap in 2021 as she reflected on more than four decades of public health service.

“We see the statistics, but behind every number is a family and a tragedy,” Barnes said. “When we look at zip codes like 37406 or 37404, we aren’t just looking at health data; we are looking at the history of our city and where we have failed to invest in the well-being of our neighbors.”

That observation remains a core finding of the Hamilton County Health Department’s 2024 “A Picture of Our Health” report, which notes that medical excellence alone has not translated into equitable outcomes.

At the state level, the Department of Health’s latest report outlines several strategies aimed at reducing infant deaths, including expanded promotion of safe sleep practices, smoking cessation programs and increased awareness of prenatal services offered through local health departments. Health officials caution that reversing these disparity trends will require sustained investment and trust-building in communities that have historically been underserved. As one local leader recently put it during public meetings, the persistence of infant deaths in certain zip codes is not a failure of modern medicine, but a reflection of gaps in access, equity and support long before families ever reach a hospital door.

Tennessee Senators push for body cameras at CoreCivic prison

News

Submitted Article

January 22, 2026

Tennessee Senators push for body cameras at CoreCivic prison

A Tennessee Senate panel wants officers at a privately-run prison rocked by a 2025 riot to wear body cameras despite opposition from the state’s correction commissioner. The State and Local Government Corrections Subcommittee recommended a pilot program Tuesday for the state’s private-prison contractor, CoreCivic, to equip detention officers at Trousdale Turner Correctional Center with body cameras in an effort to protect officers and inmates and provide clearer evidence for criminal investigations. State Sen. Ed Jackson of Jackson pointed out that prisons can be “extremely dangerous” because of a shortage of prison officers. “Body cameras would keep everybody honest,” Jackson said.

CoreCivic President and CEO Patrick Swindle estimated the cost of putting cameras on Trousdale Turner officers at $350,000. Senators surmised that CoreCivic was willing to pay for the hardware, but a spokesperson said afterward the company hadn’t agreed to fund the equipment, only that it would work with the state on the policies it adopts. Correction Commissioner Frank Strada, though, balked at the notion of putting body cameras on every prison officer in the state, saying it would cost $6 million for the equipment and $2 million to handle public records requests, including the expense of hiring attorneys and technology specialists to go through video frame by frame and blur people’s faces for privacy reasons. He did not have a cost estimate for a pilot project at Trousdale Turner.

Instead, Strada told lawmakers the Department of Correction is putting together a central intelligence center in Nashville with nearly 30 employees using artificial intelligence to monitor prisoners. The department’s proposed budget for fiscal 2026-27 includes $8.6 million for technology upgrades. The department also plans to spend $1.7 million to fly drones over facilities to stop contraband and phones from being smuggled into prisons. Strada raised privacy questions about video surveillance, mainly the constitutionality of having officers and inmates on video in cells, restrooms and other areas.

Lawmakers and a state attorney, though, said inmates lose some of their privacy rights when sent to prison. Correction officials and CoreCivic leaders also challenged the concept of keeping body cameras turned on at all times, saying the amount of video is overwhelming for those who would monitor it or search for incidents. Strada and a Correction Department lawyer also advised lawmakers the cost of hiring attorneys and technology experts would be extensive if cameras are rolling throughout an officer’s shift.

Lawmakers based their decision, in part, on the testimony of Wilson County District Attorney Jason Lawson, whose office handles Trousdale County cases, including those at the prison. Lawson told the committee body cameras would help with prosecution of prison cases by providing better evidence. He showed pictures of inmates attacking an officer at Trousdale and explained that cameras in the prison’s pods are located at each end of a hall and when video is enlarged it doesn’t give a clear look at people’s faces to identify them in court. “This is one of those situations where a picture is worth a thousand words,” Lawson said. The Department of Correction is seeking a $13 million contract increase for CoreCivic next year that would push the company’s total contracts to $243 million for running four prisons. The department also wants $3.5 million to go toward an increase in CoreCivic’s officer pay. (TN TRIBUNE)

Faith leaders issue third urgent call to Gov. Lee on hunger crisis

Regional

Submitted Article

January 22, 2026

Faith leaders issue third urgent call to Gov. Lee on hunger crisis

NASHVILLE, TN — For the third time in recent months, a broad coalition of 314 Tennessee clergy and faith leaders has reached out to Governor Bill Lee, urging him to address a mounting hunger crisis. In a formal sign-on letter delivered today, the leaders demand immediate action before the January 1 deadline to participate in the 2026 federal Summer EBT program—a move that would secure funding for summer nutrition programs for over 700,000 children.

Building on their previous advocacy regarding the $2.2 billion Rainy Day Fund and SNAP benefit lapses, the coalition is now highlighting a critical choice in stewardship. They contrast the Federal Match Path, which fed 700,000 children for a $5 million state investment in 2024, with the State-Only Path of 2025, which spent the same amount of money but reached only 18,000 children, leaving 682,000 behind.

“Governor Lee, stewardship is not proven by restraint alone, but by the courage to use every tool available to protect the vulnerable,” said Rev. Alisha S. Haddock, Co-Pastor of Christian Journey Fellowship Church and Executive Director of Neighbor 2 Neighbor. “When children are hungry and the table is already set, faith demands that we unlock the door and pull out a chair.”

“Feeding children is a moral issue—one I feel compelled to speak to as a pastor,” said Rev. Harriet Bryan, a United Methodist pastor from Clarksville, TN. “I see the impact of hunger on children and families long before summer ends and school begins again, and ensuring that children are fed is a shared moral responsibility that rises above party lines.” Rev. Gordon Myers, a retired Lutheran pastor from Memphis, TN, added: “Arlington is home to many children and families who simply do not have enough to eat. To refuse federal partnership which can address that hunger is morally wrong, economically insane, and constitutionally inconsistent with the peace, safety, and happiness of the people.”

United Ways of Tennessee Name New President & CEO

Regional

Submitted Article

January 22, 2026

United Ways of Tennessee Name New President & CEO

Nashville, TN — United Ways of Tennessee (UWTN), the statewide association supporting and strengthening local United Ways across the Volunteer State, announced today the appointment of Matt Marshall as its next President and Chief Executive Officer, effective February 1, 2026.

Marshall, who currently serves as President & CEO of United Way of West Tennessee, will assume statewide leadership following a highly impactful six-year tenure marked by organizational transformation, innovative community partnerships, and significant expansion of both revenue and reach. In his new role, Marshall will guide the collective strategy of Tennessee’s United Way network, representing local United Ways at the state and national levels, advancing public policy priorities, and strengthening collaboration among member organizations to help improve the lives of residents across Tennessee.

“United Ways of Tennessee plays a critical role in bringing together community leaders, policymakers, and partners to tackle our state’s most urgent challenges,” said Richard Kennedy, Chair of the UWTN Board of Directors. “Matt’s track record of visionary leadership, coalition building, and results-oriented innovation made him the clear choice to lead our statewide network into its next chapter. We are thrilled to welcome him into this role.”

During his leadership in West Tennessee, the organization significantly expanded its regional impact across its 15-county footprint, launching several transformative community initiatives — including United Way’s Annual ALICE Report, the Greater Jackson Financial Empowerment Center, the Pathways2Possibilities Career Expo, All Star Readers, the West Tennessee Nonprofit Network, the 211 Hub, and the Ford Community Center — and strengthened partnerships between business, education, and nonprofit sectors to drive measurable change for working families. In 2022, he was recognized with the United Way Southeast Region Exemplary Leader Award.

“I am deeply honored to serve as the next President and CEO of United Ways of Tennessee,” said Marshall. “Working alongside remarkable leaders across our state, I believe we can and will build an even stronger, more aligned, and more resilient United Way network—one that helps every community move forward and upward. Tennessee’s best days are still ahead, and I am grateful for the opportunity to continue this work on behalf of families and communities across the state.”

Nashville protests against U.S. assault on Venezuela

Regional

Submitted Article

January 22, 2026

Nashville protests against U.S. assault on Venezuela

NASHVILLE, TN — A community of activist groups joined together with local community members at Centennial Park in protest of the recent abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, as well as the United States’ bombing of the capital of Venezuela, Caracas. The protest organizers included the Black Alliance for Peace (BAP), the Middle Tennessee branch of the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL), Middle Tennessee Black Gun Club, Nashville People’s Budget Coalition, A Lute Sigue, the Middle Tennessee Democratic Socialists of America, and the Southern Youth Solidarity Network. Wolfgang G. Bronner, B.S., the current BAP Chair, said that the event went well, as it served BAP’s mission in combating much of the propaganda being disseminated to the American public.

“It’s always good to get outside so that people can see that, like, not everybody agrees with what is going on with this country,” Bronner said. “I thought the place was very powerful. Centennial Park, a lot of people frequent there. Vanderbilt University is right across the street.”

Bronner said that since the protest found itself in such a uniquely visible position, they made an effort to be seen by passersby by showing symbolism such as an upside-down American flag. He said other organizations were passing out trifold and materials educating the public on not only what is wrong in the society around them, but also providing them with the tools to take the next steps on how to contribute to societal equality and connect with organizations after the rally.

Bronner said an intention of BAP is to revive the politics of the Black radical peace tradition, of which were the politics “of our ancestors during the ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s.” Bronner said BAP feels as if a lot of these politics have been lost, so they decided it is their mission to redevelop and help people rediscover those politics. Bronner said some of the ways BAP does this are through educational activities, helping other organizations with movement strategy, and through direct actions.

Bronner said much of the education BAP conducts is through education on how American domestic repression is connected to global oppression. He said in short, BAP is helping people understand that nothing happens in a bubble, and that the political issues that people see in the United States are not isolated. Bronner then quoted Malcolm X, saying that he had the best quote summarizing this point through his “chickens eventually coming home to roost” quote.

“Essentially, what he meant by that is all of the destruction, all of the death that this government is spreading around the world, eventually that’s going to come home,” Bronner said. “We’re seeing that through a lot of the ICE raids, a lot of the rhetoric that is coming from the government.

“So just helping people understand that a lot of the things that we’re seeing here in the United States, they’re not different. They’re just domestic manifestations of a lot of the policies that the United States government has globally.”

Bronner said one of the best things citizens who would like to effect change can do is to educate themselves as much as possible. He said it is for this purpose that the BAP records all of their events and puts them online, the reason being that they understand most citizens cannot attend activist events, and they want everyone to get a chance to experience the message of the speaker or speakers.

Citizens looking for future updates can do so on BAP’s website https://blackallianceforpeace.com/#home-above-fold.

Claudette Colvin – Bravery in a Small Package

African American History

Submitted Article

January 22, 2026

Claudette Colvin – Bravery in a Small Package

A 15-year-old boarded a city bus on March 2 after her school day. She ended the day in handcuffs.

That teenager was Claudette Colvin. The city was Montgomery, Alabama. The year was 1955.

As the bus filled, Ms. Colvin remained seated, refusing to surrender her place to white passengers as the unjust laws of the era required.

The very boycott that moved Martin Luther King, Jr. into the national spotlight was first led by a schoolgirl who answered the call on March 2, 1955, months before the arrest of Rosa Parks, on December 1, 1955.

Ms. Colvin later explained that it was as if “history had me glued to the seat.”

She wasn’t the only one to have that opinion. Colvin’s minister bailed her out of jail and informed her that her actions had stirred revolution in Montgomery.

The headlines featured history’s icons in their 30s and 40s. Claudette led as a brave woman in the making.

Twenty-seven years ago, Ms. Colvin was interviewed from her then-home in the Bronx, NY. The retired nurses aide and mother of two recalled that she had been studying Black History month in her segregated school. She spoke of being inspired by Harriet Tubman who freed slaves via the Underground Railroad and Sojourner Truth, a former slave and abolition leader.

Claudette said, “I had freedom on my mind.”

Colvin didn’t experience slavery, but she most certainly lived in a world of less freedom in the land founded on freedom.

“We couldn’t try on clothes. You had to take a brown paper bag and draw a diagram of your foot…and take it to the store.” Colvin related to the reporter. “Can you imagine all of that in my mind? My head was just too full of Black History, you know, the oppression that we went through. It felt like Sojourner Truth was on one side pushing me down, and Harriet Tubman was on the other side of me pushing me down. I couldn’t get up.”

Ms. Colvin related her panic in the Montgomery jail, “It was just like a Western movie. And then I got scared, and panic come over me, and I started crying. Then I started saying the Lord’s Prayer.”

Why was Claudette Colvin not the icon of the Montgomery Bus Boycott? Colvin rationalized that Rosa Parks was an adult role model who was simply attempting to commute to work and live life.

Still, Claudette did it. She was inspired by fearless women. She showed her own bravery…at 15 years young.

Just days before Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was honored on the federal holiday that to this day informs us of times when the focus on differences in skin color irrationally fueled hatred but marks better days of opportunities and clarity, Ms. Claudette Colvin passed from this earthly existence. On January 13, 2026, the 86-year-old died peacefully of natural causes in her Texas home.

Let’s inspire and keep freedom on our minds. (By Robin Smith)

Follow-up: After the boycott, Colvin and her family moved to New York, where she remained for 50 years before moving back to Alabama in 2004. She worked as a nurse’s aide, and it was only after she retired that she began to speak more openly about her actions, often speaking at schools about that day in 1955. In recent years, Colvin’s role in the early days of the movement has garnered more attention, although she is still frequently overlooked in accounts of the boycott. In 2016, she and her family pushed for more content on her role in the Montgomery Bus Boycott at the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C.

A street in Montgomery was named for her and March 2, 2017, was designated Claudette Colvin Day by the city. In 2018, Congressman Joe Crowley of New York issued a Congressional Certificate to Colvin recognizing her public service contributions. In December 2019, Colvin was included on one of four granite historical markers dedicated along with the Rosa Parks statue on Dexter Avenue in Montgomery. In late 2022, Colvin petitioned the Montgomery Circuit Court to expunge her 1955 arrest record, and on December 16, 2022, Montgomery Circuit Court judge Calvin Williams cleared her of all charges. Colvin died on January 13, 2026./Editor

Surviving cancer, my story!

Commentary

Terry Howard

January 22, 2026

I begin with an undeniable; arguably the scariest six letter word in human experience is CANCER, especially if you’ve been diagnosed with it, know someone who has or lost loved ones from that dreaded disease. We’re at a point in our history where the question has shifted from who has cancer to who hasn’t?

Now the truth about cancer is that it won’t give you a call or send you a text message when it’s on the way. Nor will it let you know its type and couldn’t care less about who you are, the stage in your life, the size of your bank account, your current physical condition or what you were doing when it came knocking. It hasn’t the foggiest idea what discrimination is.

But where once the word would strike fear in us, today thanks to early detection and advances in research, much of the potency has been removed from the word and “survivor” is a welcomed add on to the word.

Now let’s learn from a cancer journey through the actual experiences of Tyrone Griffin, a man who has transitioned from running marathons, to confinement for weeks in a hospital with round after round of radiation and chemotherapy, to being blessed today with the designation “cancer survivor.”

When he pulled up a chair across from me, Mr. Griffin reached across the table and clasped my hand as if he was about to ask me to join him in prayer, which I would have obliged. But instead, he placed my hand on top of a head now dotted with patches of black and gray hair, and declared with a cheshire cat-like smile,…“I’m a cancer survivor!”

As background, Griffin, is the president of the Rosenwald Museum in Hiram, Georgia, a member of the Board of Directors with the Paulding County Chamber of Commerce and creator of TheBlackMarket.com website. I should also mention that he’s a physical fitness enthusiast who runs in marathons.

Now to top all that off he was very public in sharing his cancer journey on Facebook, the reason why I reached out to him in the first place. So, talking about uncharted waters, imagine being granted a chance to interview a cancer survivor. But Griffin was gracious enough to provide that opportunity.

So where do I start? What questions should I ask and avoid? Now drawing mental blanks on answers to those questions, let alone managing my own uneasiness, common sense kicked in when I decided to reach out to several folks whose opinions I value for help.

Based on their feedback here’re the questions that framed my conversation with him:

HOW ARE YOU DOING TYRONE? I APOLOGIZE IF THAT’S A QUESTION AND OTHERS MAYBE I SHOULDN’T ASK?

TYRONE: (laugh) No problem. I understand the genuine intent behind the question. But I will say that every case of cancer is different and every person dealing with cancer has different expectations relative to how they wish to be treated, including the questions posed to them. But to answer your questions, I’m truly blessed to be a survivor.

WHAT TYPE OF CANCER WERE YOU DIAGNOSED WITH?

Squamous Carcinoma. Although I can’t say for sure, I learned that had I been vaccinated for HPVP as a child, that may have prevented this diagnosis at this stage of my life. What’s different about this form of cancer is that sometimes it results in problems with one’s metabolism that occur in only 1% of the population. I guess that makes me a one percenter. Call it levity but my doctor told me that if I had to have a form of cancer, this is the one to have compared to the more serious types.

WHAT COMPELLED YOU TO SHARE YOUR STORY

ON FACEBOOK?

I decided to because for the most part my life is an open book. If you share the good, you should share the not good as well, especially if telling your story could impact others in a positive way.

DID YOU EVER ASK, “WHY ME?”

I did but my family answered for me. They told me that I was the only one strong enough to deal with it. I remembered when I was unemployed back in 2010 when I asked myself “why me?” The answer then as it is now is “why not me?’

WHAT’ S YOUR JOURNEY

BEEN LIKE?

Humm, where do I begin. What immediately comes to mind is being in a hospital bed surrounded by specialists in every aspect of cancer followed by 10 rounds of chemo, 35 rounds of radiation and experiencing blood clots and pneumonia. Preceding all that was a heart attack I suffered in 2024 when I lost 40 pounds. I suffered burned out taste buds and lost so much weight that the face recognition on my phone stopped working because it no longer recognized me. But these days my days are fairly normal. I eat pretty much anything I want. Of course, like anyone diagnosed with cancer I had to face my own mortality.

WHAT CAME TO MIND WHEN YOU REFLECTED ON ALL THAT LIFE THREW AT YOU IN LESS

THAN A YEAR?

Actually, I was taken aback somewhat when I reflected on the sequence of my medical challenges. I asked myself if a heart attack prepared me for cancer. Was the good Lord sending me a message? When you’re humbled and confined to a hospital bed for weeks at a time subjected to frequent doctor’s visits, no appetite and inability to get a good night’s sleep you’d be surprised at the thoughts that run through your head including best or worse case scenarios and, of course, thoughts about your own mortality.

YOU MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS A TWO-WEEK GAP IN THE TIME BETWEEN WHEN YOU WERE FIRST DIAGNOSED AND YOUR CANCER WAS CONFIRMED. TELL US WHAT THAT PERIOD OF TIME WAITING WAS LIKE.

Truthfully, not knowing the results was one of the most anxious times in my life, one that I wouldn’t wish on anyone. You try to carry on with a normal life but have a cloud of uncertainty hanging over you the entire time.

WHAT COMPELLED YOU TO GET ENGAGED RIGHT AFTER

YOUR DIAGNOSIS?

All I can say is it had to be God talking to me. I proposed at 2 AM two days before I ended up in the hospital. Because she was my fiancé the doctors shared my situation with her. She accepted my proposal and said, “we’ll deal with this together.” And during my journey she’s been by my side every step along the way.

BESIDES YOUR FIANCE’ WHAT DID YOU HEAR FROM YOUR

SUPPORT SYSTEM?

At first I did not know how big my tribe was and was humbled by discovering that I had impacted so many people. The city council provided me with a fruit basket, and I received so many calls, cards and messages of support that I lost count of them.

DID YOUR FAITH HELP YOU THROUGH YOUR JOURNEY?

Absolutely. All along I had a good relationship with my creator who I believe brought me back for a reason, among them to provide hope and to give voice to how others are feeling having to deal in life with difficult challenges.

WHAT’S YOUR DEPARTING MESSAGE TO READERS WHOSE LIVES HAVE BEEN, AND WILL BE TOUCHED BY CANCER?

Accept that life comes at you fast and there will be circumstances in your life that are out of your hands. Don’t take anything for granted and appreciate it while you got it good. Cherish life and know that every day you have is a blessing.

In the end, here’s my key takeaway from what I learned from my time with Tyrone Griffin for that day in the future when – note that I didn’t say “if” – cancer interrupts someone in your life: be present with them, touch them – cancer is not contagious – become a member of their “tribe” and, when asking them questions, focus on their unique experience, coping mechanisms, life changes and, if nothing else, ask “what can I do more of, less of, stop doing altogether or start anew to help you in your journey?”

And while you’re at it, count your blessings!

FYI: Cancer Survivor Network: cancer.org and the 800 number: 1.800.227.2345

Terry Howard is an award-winning writer, a contributing writer with the Chattanooga News Chronicle, The American Diversity Report, The Douglas County Sentinel, Blackmarket.com, recipient of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Leadership Award, and third place winner of the Georgia Press Award.

January and February–Ramp up for Local Black History Events

Local

Submitted Article

January 22, 2026

January and February–Ramp up for Local Black History Events

What better way to gear up in honor of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and gear up for Black History Month in February than to take note of the amazing events set for the next few weeks.

Thursday, January 29 – The Tennessee Department of Tourism is hosting a qualifying event for the Tennessee Songwriters Week at the Bessie Smith Cultural Center from 6-8 p.m. Come cheer on local talent performing their best for a chance to be in the finals across the state known for its musical history and roots. The event is free and open to the public.

Monday, February 2 – Chattanooga’s Black professionals are invited to the Hunter Museum to a free bimonthly series for networking and the celebration of community and culture from 6-8 p.m. Register at https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/pqpr3vf.

Thursday, February 5 – Join the National Pan-Hellenic Council for a night themed, “Greek Steps, Black Roots” featuring members of the Divine Nine performing the energetic and athletic choreography that uniquely shapes the Black fraternity and sorority traditions. The Bessie Smith Cultural Center hosts the event from 6-7:30 p.m.

Thursday, February 19 – UTC’s Director of Africana Studies, Dr. Michael Williams will present an informative and historical overview of the role of Black spirituals in the journey through suffering, oppression, and powerlessness of generations of African Americans that still commands to “Lift Every Voice!” Following Dr. Williams presentation, local musicians and vocalists will perform and celebrate various historical pieces. The event is from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Bessie Smith Cultural Center.

Thursday, February 26 – Be part of the unveiling of the historical marker on the Bessie Smith Cultural Center lawn set for placement to inform us now and in future generations of the lives lost to lynchings in Chattanooga over 100 years ago. Historians will discuss the impact to the community to remind us of the progress and opportunities that came at great cost.

Events at the Bessie Smith Cultural Center request registration on its events page – https://www.bessiesmithcc.org/upcoming-events.

Don’t miss the opportunity to celebrate, live, and make history in our community!

KEEPING WARM! Socks and Toboggans for Homeless and Needy

Local

Submitted Article

January 22, 2026

KEEPING WARM! Socks and Toboggans for Homeless and Needy

Thomas Evans (Blue Boys Barber Shop) and wife Pam speak to VOLUNTEERS

This is the 4th year that Master Barber Thomas Evans has put his idea ‘warming up our community’ into ACTION by providing hats, tobboggans, scarfs, and gloves for those in need as well as the homeless that pass by the barber shop on a daily basis.

The goal for 2026 was to fill 100 bags with items to provide warmth and items that many of us take for granted: socks! Thomas expressed Thanks to everyone for the generous donations and support……..250 bags were filled and given to those in need! The Evans were filled with GRATITUDE in reaction to the succes of this year’s project and especially for the many lives that were touched.

Thomas’ final remarks were…. “Many, Many THANKS! It take a Village!”

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