Frees Women from Jail in Time for Mother's
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Covering local news, politics, and more Channel 10 Friday nights at 7 www.chandlerreports.com Friday, May 10, 2019 MemphisDailyNews.com Vol. 134 | No. 76 Rack–50¢/Delivery–39¢ Memphis Mojo Festival to honor musician Omar Higgins JARED BOYD launch a festival in October in on Wednesday morning. reggae ensemble Chinese Con- some connection to Memphis. Courtesy of The Daily Memphian his memory. “Everything he was doing on nection Dub Embassy and the David Higgins said the idea was Following the memorial ser- “This is part of our grieving, an underground level, we’re try- punk band Negro Terror, died at brought to him, Omar and their vices for Memphis musician this is part of our healing, and ing to make it as big and as broad 37 in April of complications from brother Joseph a year ago by en- Omar Higgins, many in the Mem- ultimately keeping Omar’s leg- as possible. He loved different a stroke and staph infection. tertainment promoter Darrin phis music community said they acy going,” Higgins’ brother Da- subcultures and subgenres, all The Memphis Mojo Festi- Hillis. Higgins said it was one of wanted to make sure his legacy vid Higgins said during the an- different types of music.” val will showcase musicians, lives on. Now one group plans to nouncement at Clayborn Temple Higgins, who fronted the artisans and creatives, all with HIGGINS CONTINUED ON P2 Since 2017, the group has bailed 30 people out of jail in Memphis in its ongoing effort to end ‘Mama’s Day Bail Out’ frees women cash bail. “We see $100 bonds a lot,” Perry said. “It is frustrating and a waste of time for every- one. Why not just release them on their own from jail in time for Mother’s Day recognizance?” Perry and Shahida Jones, both with the Of- ficial Black Lives Matter Memphis chapter, said this week the group plans to bail six women out as part of a national “Mama’s Day Bail Out” cam- paign. In several cities across the country, orga- nizations working through the National Bail Out Collective are working to free mothers in time for Mother’s Day. “No mother or caregiver belongs in a cage,” Perry said. “Some of the women have to choose be- tween medicine, food or getting out of jail. That is not right. We will continue our effort to end cash money bail and keeping people charged with mis- demeanors in jail because they don’t have the abil- ity to pay bail.” As of Wednesday, Shelby County jail records showed 260 women at Jail East. According to the Prison Policy Initiative, as of October 2017, 219,000 women were locked up in prisons and jails across the country. About 96,000 of that total were in local jails, and 58,000 of them had not been con- victed of a crime. Chandler was the first mother Perry bonded out of jail. It took Perry less than 30 minutes to pay Chandler’s $100 bond. Perry said the process, through a partnership with the Mid-South Peace and Justice System, has gotten easier. This was the first bailout event this year for Perry, but she said the organization is planning another event June 19 – Juneteenth – when both men and women will be bailed out if their bond is Erica Perry, a lawyer with the Memphis branch of Black Lives Matter, passes out what amounts to a get-out-of-jail card as she $10,000 or less. canvases general sessions court on May 8, 2019 looking for mothers in need of bail money. (Jim Weber/Courtesy of The Daily Memphian) The organization also is planning a “homecom- ing” celebration May 18 for the women bailed out YOLANDA JONES fight, and her bond was set at $100. grateful for Perry’s offer to pay. for Mother’s Day. Courtesy of The Daily Memphian Erica Perry, an organizer with Of- This is the third year the local chap- Funding for the bonds is coming from dona- Natalie Chandler sat in the court- ficial Black Lives Matter in Memphis, ter of Official Black Lives Matter has tions and fundraisers, Perry said. room at 201 Poplar Wednesday after approached Chandler’s attorney to bailed mothers out of jail so they can be To donate, visit midsouthpeace.org/blm or spending the night in jail. The 35-year- ask about the group paying her bond. home with their children and families contact the group at blacklivesmattermem- old was charged with assault after a She then talked to Chandler, who was before Mother’s Day. [email protected]. 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One group is focused on those who have served, or are serving, ANNA COX THOMPSON in the military. Courtesy of The Daily Memphian “We have such a great story to tell. For Any organization looking to be an example, 10 to 11 percent of our workforce “employer of choice” understands that comes through [the] military,” explains company culture plays a vital role in at- Pierce. “We work well together because tracting – and retaining – talent. of the symmetry in beliefs of hard work AutoZone wants to be sure that every and discipline.” employee, or AutoZoner, knows the rea- Another pillar of AutoZone culture is son they do what they do for the customer. its willingness to partner with community One way employees express the company’s organizations and encourage employee distinctive culture is with a cheer at the philanthropic giving and engagement. beginning of each gathering. As a major contributor to the St. Jude “In all (that we do) we’re trying to po- Thanks and Giving campaign, AutoZone sition AutoZone as an employer of choice has donated more than $30 million to the College students learn more about job opportunities at the Launch Session hosted by and differentiate what we have to of- hospital over the years. And the company AutoZone last fall. (Submitted) fer,” says Vince Pierce, director of talent is one of the largest local contributors to acquisition. the Salvation Army Angel Tree every year. “There are more choices today than “AutoZone exemplifies a culture of giv- mix with coworkers, including executives New Memphis partners with AutoZone ever before,” Pierce said, and he wants to ing,” says Pierce. “Memphis is known for such as CEO Bill Rhodes. for professional development through each be “disciplined and intentional” about being a leader in charitable donations, and AutoZone may tip the scale for a po- of their leadership programs. AutoZone is helping employees answer the question, AutoZone embodies that type of spirit.” tential employee with its philanthropic also a partner in the New Memphis col- “Why AutoZone?” AutoZone also cultivates ways employ- efforts, or its on-site gym at Front Street legiate work, Launch: Campus to Career. “Just because we’re local doesn’t mean ees can engage with one another, such as headquarters. The company is committed To learn more about these programs, visit we’re the right choice (for everyone); we food truck Fridays, when AutoZoners can to being an employer of choice. newmemphis.org. Hosted by ERIC BARNES of the Daily Memphian and publisher of The Memphis Daily News. Each week Barnes delves into major stories in Memphis and the region with local journalists, business executives, community leaders, and politicians, as well as journalists analyzing the major stories from the Memphis area. Guests on past shows have included Mayor Jim Strickland, Mandy Lemons of Low Society performs during a press conference announcing the inaugural Mayor Lee Harris, members of the Memphis City Council, the Shelby Memphis Mojo Festival in honor of Omar Higgins. (Patrick Lantrip/Courtesy of The Daily Memphian) County Commission and local school boards, as well as executives from major Memphis companies and leaders from organizations HIGGINS CONTINUED FROM P1 style of music. Beale Street will host blues and rock, The Edge will have rockabilly such as MIFA, EDGE, the Urban Land Institute, and many more. Omar’s dying wishes that he and Joseph and country music, Soulsville will feature see Mojo Fest through. soul and hip-hop acts, and the area around Organizers said they plan to put on Graceland will feature Elvis-inspired mu- an entertainment and arts industry expo sic and other oldies acts. on Oct. 2-4, with concerts taking place Festival promotional materials list the Oct. 5 to 6. Halloran Centre, Visible Music College, Friday at 7:00pm WKNO Channel 10 Proposed venues include four zones, The Consortium, Stax Museum, Royal Friday at 7:30pm WKNO2 called “villages” by festival organizers. Studios, LeMoyne Owen College and The Sunday at 8:30am WKNO Each village is in a neighborhood that has Guest House at Graceland as sites for in- been designated to feature a particular dustry expo events. Friday, May 10, 2019 MemphisDailyNews.com Page 3 Memphis International Airport chief joins industry task force on drone incursions WAYNE RISHER Courtesy of The Daily Memphian Memphis International Airport chief Scott Brockman has been named to an industry task force looking at unauthor- ized incursions of drones into restricted airspace.