Nationwide — Maddi Morgan, an 11-year old girl from Washington, DC, says she wants to be the next Supreme Court Justice and she even wrote a letter to the White House asking President Biden to choose her for the role.
With Justice Stephen Breyer’s retirement, Biden is reportedly looking to fill the vacant seat with a Black female, which would be the first-ever in the US. Maddi, a small girl with big dreams, is hoping that she will be considered.
“There aren’t really many requirements to be a part of the Supreme Court. You just have to be appointed by the president. So, I thought, why not? And I just shot my shot,” Maddi told CBS News.
Maddi said she started aspiring to be a part of the American government when she learned about the topic in fourth grade. And since then, she believes she could handle the tough job.
“Children don’t have a voice in this country,” she confidently said. “Give them a small one.”
Maddi’s parents said they are proud of their daughter’s passion and confidence. Her father Tony said, “We were just amazed and delighted by her insight into what this country needs. The insight we need. Many voices to represent us. We’re just very proud and delighted by her wanting to do this.”
The White House confirmed it has received the letter. White House spokesman Andrew Bates said, “While it’s clear that Maddi is very bright, gifted at making a case, and will go on to do great things, I cannot comment on the Supreme Court vetting process.”
Maddi said if she gets the role, it would be easy for her to commute since she lives a few blocks away from the Supreme Court. If she doesn’t get the role, Maddi said she still has other big dreams to help the country.
“I would definitely understand that President Biden does not want a child on the Supreme Court,” she said. “But I have always wanted to be an astrophysicist. I’ve always been quite interested in space and stuff.”
Chattanooga, TN – (March 1, 2022) – The Hamilton County Democratic Party will host its annual “Blue Wave Dinner” on Saturday, March 19 at 6:30 p.m. at the Chattanooga Convention Center.
“We are excited to bring back this annual event so we can celebrate and support the outstanding progressives who are fighting for better health care, better wages, and better public schools across the Tennessee Valley,” said Hamilton County Democratic Party Chair Rachel Campbell.
“We’re going to win by registering, engaging, and mobilizing voters and building strong grassroots campaigns for change,” says Tennessee Democratic Party Chair Hendrell Remus, who will provide remarks at the event.
Congresswoman Lucy McBath (GA-6) of Atlanta will be the keynote speaker at the dinner. Following the loss of her son, Jordan, to gun violence, McBath left her 30-year career as a flight attendant at Delta Airlines to become the national spokesperson and faith and outreach leader for Everytown for Gun Safety and Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. She ran for Congress in 2018 after the mass shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Since entering Congress in 2019, McBath has sought bipartisan solutions to end gun violence, uplift small businesses and our economy, protect and serve our nation’s veterans, and lower the cost of healthcare and prescription drugs.
The event will also feature entertainment from award-winning political cartoonist Clay Bennett. Mr. Bennett has been the editorial cartoonist for the Chattanooga Times Free Press since 2007. He won the Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Cartooning in 2007, and is also the recipient of the Sigma Delta Chi Award, the National Journalism Award, the National Cartoonist Society Award for Editorial Cartoons, the Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award, and the National Cartoonists Society’s Award for Editorial Cartoons, among many other honors and awards.
Guests will be asked to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a recent negative COVID-19 test.
WHAT: Hamilton County Democratic Party’s Blue Wave Dinner WHEN: Saturday, March 19, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. WHERE: Chattanooga Convention Center, 1 Carter Plaza, Chattanooga, TN 37402 MORE: For Information, tickets, and/or sponsorships, contact hamcodems.com/blue-wave-celebration or 423-227-0759
On Saturday, April 9 and Sunday, April 10, the Bessie Smith Cultural Center will host the Big 9 Roots Festival. On Saturday, April 9 the event will take place from 2:00 pm until 11:00 pm on East ML King Boulevard between Lindsay Street and University Street.
Musical artists will be performing throughout the day on the BlueCross BlueShield of TN Community Foundation Stage located at the Bessie Smith Cultural Center. Closing out the night will be Sam Sims & Friends, featuring Kipper Jones. Sam Sims was born and raised in Chattanooga and has been a staple in R & B, Pop, Rock, & Jazz for over 25 years. Known for being one of the most versatile bassists in today’s music, he has worked with musical giants such as Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey, Justin Timberlake, Janet Jackson, Backstreet Boys, Whitney Houston, and many more.
All along East MLK will be food and merchandise vendors selling great food, beer, local art, and various products while local musicians perform. The great merchants that are located on what once was known as “The Big 9” will be open and offering their various services and merchandise.
Sunday, April 10 from 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm will be Gospel on the Lawn at the Bessie Smith Cultural Center. Local gospel groups, quartets, and choirs will perform on the BlueCross BlueShield of TN Community Foundation Stage. MLK Boulevard will be closed between Lindsay Street and Houston Street and there will be food trucks selling food and drinks. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy some great gospel music on the lawn of the Bessie.
This two-day event is presented by the Bessie Smith Cultural Center and has been developed to highlight and preserve Chattanooga’s rich African American history, and to honor those who have made history and are continuing to make history. Both days are FREE to attend and are family friendly. The Bessie Smith Cultural Center will have an art gallery on the lawn on Saturday, featuring art from local student who submitted their work for the Bessie Smith Cultural Center Art Contest.
There is still availability to be a sponsor or vendor for the Big 9 Roots Festival. For more information contact the Bessie Smith Cultural Center at (423) 266-8658 or email pwilkes@bessiesmithcc.org.
Sponsors for the Big 9 Roots Festival include: Platinum Sponsors – City of Chattanooga, G93, & Power 94 Elite Sponsor – EPB Fiber Optics, Lyndhurst Foundation, Benwood Foundation, & Coca Cola Premier Sponsor – Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union, Chattanooga Tourism Company, & Mary Walker Historical & Educational Foundation Gold Sponsor – First Horizon Foundation
For many years we’ve celebrated Black History Month at BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee. But this year’s Black Health and Wellness theme sparked some of the most inspiring discussions yet.
At BlueCross, we believe in health equity and are committed to deepening our understanding of the diverse people we serve and creating specific standards and practices that will help improve their health outcomes. That’s what culturally competent care is all about.
During our recent employee Black History Month event, we were fortunate to be in the company of an individual on the forefront of public health in America, and someone I consider a mentor and a friend, Dr. James E.K. Hildreth, the president & CEO of Meharry Medical College. Dr. Hildreth shared how he was led to pursue a career in medicine, and discussed the history of health and wellness in the Black community as well as the journey toward advancing health equity.
His words were powerful and helpful in understanding what social determinants of health are and how they affect some people more than others. He reminded us that access to education and quality health care, your neighborhood, the built environment that we find ourselves in – and especially technology – all matter. And they all have the ability to create separation between people in disadvantaged communities and achieving better health.
We know that the COVID pandemic has exacerbated health disparities. And although minority communities have shown resilience, many remain at increased risk for a variety of health conditions.
Like Dr. Hildreth, I didn’t see Black doctors growing up, although I had heard of them. What I did see on a daily basis was a lot of hard work and determination all around me, which helped propel me to become a doctor. So when I was accepted into Georgetown Medical School, it wasn’t just me entering those doors, it was the hopes and dreams of my entire family and community.
Now it’s my hope that we continue these discussions – and the hard work and determination it takes to create change beyond this month’s celebration.
Dr. Andrea Willis is senior vice president and chief medical officer for BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee.
Chattanooga High Center for Creative Arts (CCA) Acting Department will present “Epic Proportions” March 4, 5, and 12 at 7 p.m. in the Sandra Black Theater, 1301 Dallas Rd.
“Epic Proportions” tells the story of brothers Benny and Phil, who find themselves working as extras in the spectacular Biblical epic film Exuent Omnes, which means “Everybody Out.” All 3,400 extras on the fantastical D.W. DeWitt film are supervised by Louise Goldman, who tries to keep everything and everyone in line, despite there being only two bathrooms.
Hijinks ensue: Benny and Phill both fall in love with and fight to the death for Louise; DeWitt locks himself in the pyramid, refusing to complete the movie; the bumbling crew tries to part the Red Sea on the side, and everything falls apart–including the Trojan horse. Ultimately, they must all work together to survive the desert heat and try to complete something they’ll all be proud of.
CCA acting teacher Tripp Pettigrew, who directs “Epic Proportions,” said the slap-stick comedy is perfect for raising spirits at this late date in the COVID pandemic.
“‘Epic’ was the only play I could think of wanting to direct at this time,” the first year teacher explained. “Everything right now feels so heavy, divided and important with a capital I. My hope is that you’ll leave the Sandra Black with a smile on your face, having forgotten about anything that troubles you. The kids in the show have learned to handle comedy beautifully and they surprise me with their antics daily.”
“Epic Proportions” has a run time of approximately 1 hour 50 minutes, including one 15-minute intermission. The show stars Carter McKissick, Delaney Barclay and Tilleigh Nazor-Comer as Benny, Phil and Louise.
The ensemble cast includes Alisha Armstrong, Story Bumgardner, Landon Greene, Avery Hampton, Cori Hartman, Annabel Hudgins, Aiden Jackson, Luis Lopez, Lucy Martin, Sam Mazurek, Kamara Morris, Jenna Moss, Aidan Patterson, Je’annyia Phillips, Layla Rice, Fields Thomas, Winter Tutor and Olivia Williams.
For tickets and more information, contact Tripp Pettigrew at pettigrew_t@hcde.org or visit http://cca.hcde.org.
Now we don’t have to look to go too far for a truism of that adage. You see, Douglasville native Zakiya Hooker shares a striking resemblance to her father in addition to their demeanor and sheer talent.
On my way to finishing up my last installment for African American History Month and wanting to depart from historical figures who typically get recognized during the month, I stopped by the home of Zakiya Hooker, a progeny of the blues legend, the late John Lee Hooker.
I sat on her couch with her husband, R&B singer Ollan Christopher Bell, (her dog Lisa) and talked about the latest news before shifting to a conversation about her and her remarkable life and career.
At first glance it would seem that Zakiya Hooker was born into the blues. You could even say she had a front-row seat to view the best the genre had to offer, right in her own living room as the daughter of John Lee Hooker. She started to follow in her father’s career path in 1991, a year that turned out to be bittersweet for the younger Hooker. That was the year she took to the stage with her dad for the first time, and father and daughter delivered a duet.
“I remember that as an intense, stomach-tightening experience,” she said. “I got sick after I left the stage and went straight home.” She was quick to say that in the end it was a heart-warming experience being on the stage with her dad.
“There I was a nobody on stage performing with one of the all-time greats who just happen to be my dad. There are no words to describe the bond and special love between father and daughter. None.”
As happy as that occasion was, Zakiya soon was forced to face tragedy. The youngest of her three children, John, 20, was killed in a car crash. Three years earlier, her son Maurice was jailed and faced a long confinement behind bars. But like her father and a generation of blues artists before her, she learned how to prevail in the face of adversity.
“My mom was 18 when I was born and for years, I had a strained relationship with her. But she did the best she could raising eight kids and was always involved in our school activities. We reconciled before she passed away.”
After a 28-year career as a supervisor in the court system in San Francisco, she joined her dad on stage and afterwards launched her own singing career and performed on stages globally.
Zakiya Hooker shares a striking resemblance to her father John Lee Hooker.
Zakiya, whose name at birth was Vera Lee Hooker, didn’t change her name until after she’d relocated to California following the breakup of her first marriage. As a single parent, she re-christened herself with a first name that translates from Hebrew as “pure,” and from Swahili as “intelligence.” In 1987, she became acquainted with her next husband, Ollan Christopher, who had worked previously with Curtis Mayfield. The couple owns a recording studio, and Ollan contributes to his wife’s music as bass player, co-songwriter, and producer. He also sang background on her second album. Zakiya has performed on shows with Etta James, Jon Hammond, Taj Mahal, Peter Green, Narada Michael Walden, Charlie Musselwhite and many more from all genres.
In 1993 she released her first CD “Another Generation of The Blues” on Silvertone Records. In 1997 she released her second CD “Flavors of The Blues” on Pointblank/Virgin Records. Her Flavors of The Blues opens with the Robert Johnson classic “Stones in My Passway”, illustrating Zakiya’s supple blues and smooth, jazz-inflected style. The rest of the songs range from tempestuous (“Art of Divorce” and “Let’s Do Something”) to delicate and moody (“Protect Me from The Blues”, “New Orleans Rain “and the torch gem “Drowning in Your Love”.
A recipient of numerous awards in her career, Hooker received awards from numerous Blues Societies in and out of California for her innovative style of music. In 2010 at the West Coast Blues Hall of Fame & Awards Show, Zakiya won “Blues CD of the Year” for “Keeping it real;” on Boogie with The Hook Records. She has spoken on Blues panels and given spoken word performances about this unique American art form. She was selected to give a spoken word performance at film director Martin Scorsese’s Radio City Music Hall Blues Concert in 2003 in New York City.
Her style was on full display when she, husband Ollan and band delivered a jam- packed Valentine’s Day concert at Douglasville’s Vine Café and Market. The audience went wild when she tossed off her wig and threw it on a table because it grew hot in the room.
“I think he would have really like it, especially since the rap music was clean and without profanity,” said Zakiya when asked how her dad would have reacted to the recent super bowl halftime show. “He would have especially liked the style of the women performers,” she said with a smile. Horticulture, baking, and jewelry making is how Hooker spends her time when not performing.
“With me, you see what you get,” she said. “I’m born to be a homemaker. Folks are surprised that I’m basically an introvert although I’m outgoing in public with people.”
When asked what advice she would impart to a young Zakiya Hooker 40 years ago, she paused before answering: “As my dad said, always be true to yourself and choose a mate wisely. And never forget to say I love you to people you do love. I never got to say those words to my late son John and really regret that.”
The National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Chattanooga Chapter, Inc. (NCBW) will be hosting our annual Mardi Gras Scholarship Ball on Saturday, March 12, 2022 at The Chattanoogan Hotel. This year we will be “partying with a purpose” to raise $25,000 for our “Reach to the Future” scholarship program.
Chartered on October 26, 1995, our Chapter has built a rich legacy of advocacy on behalf of Black women and girls. Our mission is to provide programs to meet the needs of women and girls in our community that align with the national agenda in the areas of health, education, leadership development, economic empowerment, and public policy.
Since our inception, we have provided ten (10) inner-city students $1,000 each in scholarships totaling $10,000 each year. Last year, we set a new precedence by awarding ten students with $2,500 each for a grand total of $25,000. This was a new milestone for this Chapter as we set the bar even higher. Even more remarkable is this was accomplished in the midst of a global pandemic which halted all of our signature fundraising efforts. Collectively over the years, NCBW Chattanooga Chapter has given over $275,000 in scholarships since the beginning and we’re nowhere near done. Our goal is to meet, or even exceed, $25,000 during the 2022 Mardi Gras Ball.
In addition to great food, amazing entertainment and an unmatched party experience, we will also host an exclusive pre-event VIP Reception as well as a Silent Auction during the event. We ask that you consider partnering with us either with a sponsorship or contribution toward this worthy cause. Help us continue to make dreams of college a reality for our girls. Enclosed is our sponsorship information and form. Please respond by March 1, 2022 if you are interested in a sponsorship opportunity.
Thank you in advance for your consideration of this request. For more information about NCBW Chattanooga Chapter and our programs, please visit our website at www.ncbw-chattanooga.org. If you have further questions, please contact me via email presidentchatt.ncbwchapter@gmail.com or by phone (423)463-1854. You may also reach out to our Fundraising Committee Chairwoman, Leslie Mayfield, email ncbw.chatt.fundraising@gmail.com or (423)504-6556.
Sincerely, Elizabeth Appling, President Leslie Mayfield, Fundraising Committee Chairwoman
“As the first African American to break through this glass ceiling, I am grateful to God, my fellow activists, my mentor and every person who’s had a hand in my development,” said Chattanooga activist Marie Mott on her acceptance into the Harvard Emerging Leaders On-Campus Program.
Community activist and organizer Marie Mott has been accepted into the Harvard Emerging Leaders On-Campus Program slated for May 8-13, at The Harvard Kennedy School.
According to its website, “Emerging Leaders is an executive education program that brings together renowned Harvard faculty and an international cohort of rising professionals from the United States and abroad for an empowering and energizing week of learning.”
Using “a cutting-edge pedagogy,” the program aims to ensure that attendees “gain the skills and strategic frameworks necessary to capitalize on opportunities and overcome obstacles, returning home inspired to enact change in their country.”
Mott has been at the forefront of the 2020 Black Lives Matter protest and public policy change, and seeks to be an inspiration for young African Americans as agents of change.
“I am so excited to have the great honor of representing Chattanooga in such a prestigious program,” Mott said. “There is no way I would’ve ever been able to have this opportunity without my community. So many people have believed in me and invested into me along the way. I owe it to my city to show that being black is beautiful and we can do absolutely anything we put our mind to.”
Mott serves as chairperson for Civic Engagement at the Hamilton County Chattanooga NAACP Chapter. She spent months working closely with NAACP President Ann Jones-Pierre and other NAACP Executive Board Members to bring awareness to American Rescue Plan dollars awarded to the city and county for the economic repair of the underserved black community.
One of her other priorities is the displacement of Black Chattanoogans out of the city, which has sparked further conversation into solutions for gentrification.
Mott ran unsuccessfully against incumbent Anthony Byrd in the March 2021 race for Chattanooga’s District 8 City Council seat. She is one of three people who have picked up papers to run in the Aug. 9 election for the seat which came open Feb. 1 when Mayor Tim Kelly appointed Councilman Byrd as City Court clerk.
“Thank you to my beloved parents, family and the Harvard alumni that encouraged my candidacy and journey.” Mott said. “I cannot wait to learn, network with young emerging leaders from all over the world and walk the same campus as the ancestor W.E.B. DuBois. This is for all of us, and I want to come back home with vital information we need to inspire a new generation of leaders in Chattanooga.”
Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly last week announced his appointment of Tamara Steward to serve as the city’s inaugural Chief Equity Officer.
Steward’s appointment is a key pillar of the mayor’s plan to enhance the city’s focus on equity and begin to bridge long-festering opportunity gaps in Chattanooga.
The position was created in part through conversations with the mayor’s transition team as a way to help drive inclusivity throughout city government rather than limiting it to a single department.
“Today, the data tells us that Chattanooga is one of the worst places in the nation to grow up poor.” Kelly said. “And while we can’t and won’t attempt to guarantee equal outcomes, what we can do is ensure that every Chattanoogan has access to opportunity. And Tamara has the experience and leadership ability to unlock our community’s true potential.”
During his campaign and term in office, Kelly has talked frequently about equity and diversity as both a moral and a practical goal, pointing to efforts across the business and political spectrum to involve more of the community in the city’s workforce, decision-making and thought leadership.
Steward will lead the Department of Equity and Community Engagement, and will report directly to the mayor. In addition to the functions of the former Office of Multicultural Affairs, the department will also house the newly created Office of New Americans, which will work to more effectively include Chattanooga’s growing Hispanic community in civic life.
“I am deeply honored and excited to join the city and Mayor Kelly in service to our community, its residents and visitors as we work together to realize his vision for One Chattanooga,” Steward said. “Through building bridges, removing barriers, and enabling access, I will work to ensure that Chattanooga is a place where all residents and neighborhoods can thrive and have their voices heard.”
A native Chattanoogan, Steward previously served as a leader in human resources for TVA, where she spearheaded transformational projects across the federal agency, and has also led efforts in human resources, financial services, external relations, emergency management, as well as diversity and inclusion.
She represented TVA in the Leadership Chattanooga class of 2022 through the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce. Prior to TVA, Steward was the community outreach manager for Hamilton Health Care System.
She was also president of the board of directors of A Step Ahead Chattanooga, served on the economic opportunity committee for the Mayor’s Council for Women, and was appointed to the board of directors for CARTA, where she was elected as vice chair.
Steward graduated from Girls Preparatory School, received her bachelor of science in sociology from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and earned her MBA from Bryan College. She is also a certified project management professional through the Project Management Institute.
She enjoys traveling with her husband, Adrian as well as reading, cooking, and spending time with family and friends.
Presenting a unified front. (Saul Loeb-Pool/Getty Images)
By Allison M. Prasch, Assistant Professor of Rhetoric, Politics and Culture, University of Wisconsin-Madison
It was a familiar scene.
The president of the United States strode down the aisle of the U.S. House of Representatives to deliver the State of the Union address, the only constitutionally mandated instance of presidential speech. Usually, it serves to lay out the White House’s policy agenda for the coming year, along with perceived accomplishments.
On top of this, Biden also had to respond to an international crisis he did not choose, and one that could come to define his presidency: Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
With horrifying images from Kyiv and Kharkiv circulating on social media and a rising death toll of Ukrainian citizens, Biden sought to articulate how the state of the union was linked to the current state of the world – and democracy’s ability to survive in that world.
As a scholar of Cold War presidential rhetoric, I know Biden’s choice of words echo themes of past chief executives who spoke to Americans amid tension in Eastern Europe.
In this, his first State of the Union address, Biden spoke of national unity at a time of deep political polarization. He reminded his audience that they shared “a duty to one another, to America, to the American people, to the Constitution … [and] an unwavering resolve that freedom will always triumph over tyranny.”
By stressing a shared commitment to seeing freedom triumph over tyranny, Biden tapped into a common refrain of U.S. foreign policy rhetoric.
Biden also celebrated the courage and conviction of the Ukrainian people.
Just as John F. Kennedy declared in 1963 that “all free men” could identify as citizens of West Berlin, a city surrounded by a tyrannical government, Biden praised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and “every Ukrainian” for “their fearlessness, their courage, their determination, [that] literally inspires the world.”
Indeed, the visual and embodied symbols of Ukrainian resistance filled the House Gallery, with some members of Congress dressed in yellow and blue – a deliberate nod to the vivid colors of the Ukrainian flag. Ukraine’s ambassador to the United States, Oksana Markarova, was seated next to first lady Jill Biden in the balcony.
These references underscored what Biden described as Putin’s attempt to “shake the very foundations of the free world” and belief that he could “make it bend to his menacing ways.” But the Russian president had badly miscalculated, Biden said. “He thought he could roll into Ukraine and the world would roll over. Instead, he met a wall of strength he never anticipated or imagined.”
By focusing on Putin’s unprovoked attack on democracy, Biden shifted the focus from partisan infighting and political division to a unifying theme around which his entire audience could rally: a renewed commitment to defending the “free world.” Indeed, the more than hour-long speech was light on criticism of Republicans, with no mention of Donald Trump nor the attempted insurrection at the U.S. Capitol just over a year ago. Rather, just like during the height of the Cold War, Biden chose to stress the values that have historically united Americans.
To close, Biden declared that the “state of the union is strong – because you, the American people, are strong.”
This was America’s “moment of responsibility,” its “moment to meet and overcome the challenges of our time … as one people.”
Although presidents almost always comment on the strength or health of the nation, this particular articulation also bore a striking similarity to another president, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy who just days earlier declared that “each of us is the president … because we are all responsible for our state.”
For both Biden and Zelenskyy, the strength of the nation – and the survival of democracy – was defined by individual citizens, not an isolated leader desperate for power and determined to elevate their own image. (The CONVERSATION)
