Sunday, November 24, 2024
Advertisement
Home Blog Page 11

Harriet Jacobs, Writer and Abolitionist

Submitted Article
-
0
Harriet Jacobs, Writer and Abolitionist

Harriet was an African-American abolitionist and writer whose autobiography, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, published in 1861 under the pseudonym Linda Brent, is now considered an “American classic”.

Born into slavery (about 1813 or 1815) in Edenton, North Carolina, she was sexually harassed by her enslaver. When he threatened to sell her children if she did not submit to his desire, she hid in a tiny crawl space under the roof of her grandmother’s house, so low she could not stand up in it.

After staying there for seven years, she finally managed to escape to the free North, where she was reunited with her children Joseph and Louisa Matilda and her brother John S. Jacobs. She found work as a nanny and got into contact with abolitionist and feminist reformers. Even in New York City, her freedom was in danger until her employer was able to pay off her legal owner.

During and immediately after the American Civil War, Jacob travelled to Union-occupied parts of the Confederate South together with her daughter, organizing help and founding two schools for fugitive and freed slaves. She died March 7, 1897.

Children Can Have High Blood Pressure, Too. Here’s What to Know.

Submitted Article
-
0
Children Can Have High Blood Pressure, Too. Here’s What to Know.

High blood pressure – sometimes referred to as “the silent killer” because it can do serious heart and brain damage before symptoms appear – is common in adults.

But what about children?

Among U.S. children and adolescents, up to five percent have high blood pressure – also known as hypertension – and as many as 18 percent have elevated blood pressure, according to a scientific statement from the American Heart Association published recently in its journal Hypertension.

Until recently, medical experts weren’t focused on hypertension as a childhood issue, says Dr. Bonita Falkner, writing committee chair for the statement. In fact, they weren’t even sure how to diagnose it in children and didn’t look for it unless the child had an underlying condition – such as kidney disease – that might cause blood pressure levels to climb.

“It was not common practice to measure blood pressure in children with no symptoms, so it took a while to figure out what was normal or not,” according to Falkner, professor emeritus of medicine and pediatrics at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia.

Falkner says concerns about childhood hypertension have increased as childhood obesity levels in the U.S. have reached alarming levels. Being overweight and not getting enough physical activity are major risk factors for hypertension, along with poor diet.

“A lot of the same things that cause hypertension in adults can cause it in children,” according to Dr. Andrew Tran, director of preventive cardiology at the Heart Center at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.

Over the past three decades, childhood obesity in the U.S. has doubled, up to nearly 20 percent based on the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Physical activity levels have remained well below federal guidelines: Only about one-fifth of kids ages six to 17 get the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity each day, with activity levels dropping as children age. And according to the CDC, younger children in the U.S. aren’t meeting federal guidelines for eating fruits and vegetables, while regularly consuming sugary beverages.

Conditions such as heart defects and kidney disease also can cause blood pressure to rise in children.

Developing high blood pressure in childhood is especially concerning, Tran shares because the longer blood pressure remains high, the greater the risks to the heart and blood vessels in major organs, such as the brain and kidneys.

“We know that kids who have high blood pressure also tend to have it as adults,” says Tran, who co-authored the recent AHA report.

Research has long established a link between high blood pressure in adults and an increased risk for problems such as heart attacks, strokes and kidney disease. Thresholds for diagnosing high blood pressure are based on this data. In adults, blood pressure is considered high if systolic levels (the top number) are 130 mmHg or more or diastolic levels (the bottom number) are 80 mmHg or higher. Normal blood pressure in adults is less than 120/80 mmHg.

Until recently, data linking blood pressure levels to later cardiovascular events was lacking for children. But studies published over the past few years provide growing evidence that high blood pressure in childhood can cause cardiovascular harm within a few years and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease in adulthood. Based on this data, the new AHA report defines high blood pressure for children 13 and older using the same thresholds as it does for adults.

“We now have evidence that children with hypertension have enlarged hearts and stiffer vessels,” Falkner adds. “There are signs that high blood pressure is having an adverse impact on the child.”

Monitoring high blood pressure in children

For children under 13, hypertension is diagnosed if either systolic or diastolic blood pressure is at or above the 95th percentile, meaning 95 percent of other kids of the same age, sex and height have a lower blood pressure. Normal blood pressure is defined as being below the 90th percentile.

Taking blood pressure measurements in a child is done much the same as it is for an adult, Tran notes. The child should be seated in a quiet room, at rest for three to five minutes before a reading is taken. Their feet should be flat on the floor and their back supported. There should be no distractions, such as digital devices, and the child should not speak while a reading is being taken.

American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines call for an appropriately sized cuff to be placed on the bare skin of the right arm and supported so that the middle of the cuff is at heart level. Measurements should be taken on at least three different days, since readings can vary.

When measurements are higher than normal, the average should be calculated. Home and ambulatory blood pressure measurement devices may help confirm a diagnosis of hypertension.

As with adults, treatment for high blood pressure in children should begin with lifestyle changes, including getting regular physical activity and improving the diet, Tran says. “We recommend dietary changes such as eating more fruits and vegetables and reducing sodium.”

If blood pressure is confirmed to be very high or remains high despite lifestyle changes, medication may be needed, Tran notes. (by American Heart Association/BlackDoctor.org/Jason Henderson)

Bullying in Tennessee is a misdemeanor as of July 1

Submitted Article
-
0
Bullying in Tennessee is a misdemeanor as of July 1

By Tori Gessner

NASHVILLE, TN (WKRN) — A change in Tennessee law that formally defines bullying and cyberbullying and ensures the acts would be treated the same as harassment will go into effect July 1.

The amendment, HB 2590, expands the offense of harassment to include bullying and cyberbullying, according to the language in the legislation, and it will require law enforcement to notify the victim’s parents and/or guardians of the bullying situation at school if the victim is a minor.

“There’s an enormous amount of shame that comes from the impact of bullying,” Rodger Dinwiddie, CEO of Students Taking A Right Stand (STARS) Nashville.

Through STARS Nashville, Dinwiddie provides children and youth fair access to prevention, intervention, and treatment services in schools and communities. According to Dinwiddie, 17 to 20 percent of youth are regularly involved with bullying, whether they’re the bully, the victim, or in some cases, both.

Dinwiddie told News 2 schools are already required to notify parents of a bullying situation in most cases, so the change in the law likely won’t have a big impact on that front. However, he does have concerns over whether categorizing bullying and cyberbullying s Class A misdemeanors will impede school officials from reporting it.

“Tennessee code annotated does require that administrators and/or their designee report bullying when it happens, so I hope that doesn’t deter because of the risk of a possible Class A [misdemeanor] and also because of a potential $2,500 fine,” Dinwiddie said.

Dinwiddie said he also would’ve liked to have seen some preventative, educational measures included in the amendment, but because of the harsh punishment, he believes classifying bullying and cyberbullying as Class A misdemeanors could deter bullies from bullying in the first place.

“Right now the consequences for bullying vary so greatly, albeit schools have some sort of standards of what they’re required to do, this definitely adds something to the mix that was not there prior to the end of the 23-24 school year,” Dinwiddie said.

During the legislative session, Rep. Gloria Johnson (D-Knoxville) told lawmakers she was concerned about the possibility of a school or law enforcement officer unknowingly outing an LGBTQ child being bullied due to the requirement to notify parents of victims under the law change.

“If a child was being bullied for being LGBTQ, and this gets back to their parents,” Johnson said. “I had a friend who at 17 was outed by someone at school and his parents kicked him out of the house and he had to live with other folks. My concern is those situations where the parents having the knowledge could be very problematic for the child.”

Rep. Lowell Russell, (R-Vonore), the bill’s sponsor, argued the law change could save lives.

“Violence or suicides do happen because of [bullying], and even if we have some unintended consequences, ultimately our goal is to protect kids, and this is the only way I know how to do it,” Russell said. House Majority Leader William Lamberth (R-Portland) agreed there is value in notifying a parent about a bullying situation. (Tennessee Tribune Staff)

Chattanooga Police Chief Celeste Murphy Reflects on Historic Tenure

Camm Ashford
-
0
Chattanooga Police Chief Celeste Murphy Reflects on Historic Tenure

On April 8, 2022, Celeste Murphy made history as the first woman, and the first Black woman, to lead the Chattanooga Police Department (CPD). As she took the oath of office, the city witnessed a milestone moment.

Her tenure has been marked by significant accomplishments. But now, just over two years in, an ongoing Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) probe into Chief Murphy’s residency threatens to tarnish her record.

The 27-year law enforcement veteran sat down last Wednesday for an exclusive one-on-one interview at the office of the Chattanooga News Chronicle, where she candidly discussed the department’s progress, and some of the challenges she faces.

Chronicle: “How are you and the CPD working to prevent violence and keep Chattanooga residents safe?”

Chief Murphy: “For years, we’ve tracked the data and we’ll deploy our resources where that data shows us those areas that have the most concerns. And then we also look at the community–what they’re voicing, what they’re saying, what are their concerns. But what we found was that we can’t come up with a plan and execute the plan by ourselves. We got to work together with the community in order for us to be a success.

The long-term plan is, of course, one of my passions. When I got here, I spoke about working in the community with the youth, because with some of the gang activity, we’re seeing children getting younger and younger entering into this gang, right. And the police department’s part of this is that we’re trying to get on the front end of that to make sure we create a path for children so that there’s no decision for them to go in the wrong direction. Sometimes we focus so much on the child, but then we’re not helping to mitigate some of the challenges of the child’s environment. It’s a collective thing. The point is to get children when they’re younger and create a path for them that’s safe and productive.”

Chronicle: “Can you discuss the department’s policies and procedures regarding use of force, and any recent efforts to improve transparency and accountability?”

Chief Murphy: “So, I’m glad you asked that. You know, one of the things that have been focused on me since I’ve been here is about me making sure that we make this department more transparent. I’ve spoken before about shaping the behavior of the officers on this department, so I streamlined policies to be a little bit more clear. And as far as use of force, our use of force policy right now is up for review. But it’s not just that particular policy, like there’s something wrong with it. We review all our policies every year.

And the reason why it’s taken so long to go through the process is because this time for that particular policy, I had a focus group created of community members to look at the policy before I signed off on it and implemented it department-wide. So that’s an extra layer of transparency that I added to even out our policy writing process. We hold people accountable when they go outside of policy, and I’m a stickler for that.

And another one of the, I guess, modes of transparency that also bridges the gap between us and the community is that about twice or three times a year, we do a community police academy.”

Chronicle: “How is the CPD working to build trust and positive relationships with residents in Chattanooga’s Black neighborhoods?”

Chief Murphy: “We’ve created units specifically for that. I’ve expanded my communications team. We have a director over public affairs. I have a social media coordinator. And then we have a sworn police sergeant who kind of bridges the gap between the time when we have to discuss investigations and then forward information to our non-sworn staff, because they know how to communicate to the community way better than we do. There has to be that bridge there to be able to translate how we speak, you know, in “cop talk” to make sure that it’s transparent. And not just transparent, but understandable for the community who definitely does not work with us every day, nor knows the ins and outs of handling investigations. So that communications piece is very, very important to be able to bridge that gap.”

Chronicle: “What specific initiatives are in place to recruit and retain Black officers in the Chattanooga Police Department?”

Chief Murphy: “Yeah, I admit that’s been a challenge. It was a challenge before I got here, and it’s even a challenge now. There’s just not that many Black applicants that have made a dent since I’ve been here to the overall numbers. So to enhance that, we’re doing things like partnering with our local high schools. And we’re hoping to do a partnership with Chatt State. We’re partnering with those areas where our children are going for activities, and it’s a feeder system into what I would ultimately hope to be this profession of law enforcement.”

Chronicle: “What role can the Black community play in working with the police department to improve public safety?”

Chief Murphy: “Come to us for your facts. Come to us when you have concerns. Because first, I don’t want people to get on the wrong foot with a narrative that’s not completely accurate. That instills fear. You know, again, we’re transparent. If there’s an issue somewhere, I’m going to come up front and say, ‘Yes, we’re having an issue in this neighborhood, but here’s my plan to address it. And I need your help. I need you to give us information. I need you to, and this can all be anonymously.’ I’m not making anybody feel in any way vulnerable working with us. But we absolutely need the support of the community to be able to combat some of the crime that we continuously and historically have issues with.” When asked about the inquiry surrounding her residency, Chief Murphy simply stated, “I’m being investigated by the TBI, but it’s not anything that I can talk about.”

Lincoln University Celebrates 2024 Commencement, Bestows Honorary Doctorate to Creative Genius, Stevie Wonder

Submitted Article
-
0
Lincoln University Celebrates 2024 Commencement, Bestows Honorary Doctorate to Creative Genius, Stevie Wonder

THE AFRO — The commencement was not only a celebration of academic achievement but also a testament to the resilience and determination of its graduates. Among them was AFRO Arts and Culture writer, Ericka Alston Buck, who received her degree in human services. Buck’s journey to graduation was particularly inspiring, having navigated the challenges of adult life, parenthood and the COVID-19 pandemic– all while pursuing her education. Her story is a testament to the transformative power of perseverance and dedication.

Graduation season is upon us! On May 5, Lincoln University, the first degree-granting historically Black college or university (HBCU), proudly held its 165th Commencement Ceremony. Over 400 undergraduate and graduate students were honored, marking the culmination of their academic journey and the beginning of a new chapter in their lives.

The ceremony, held on Lincoln’s main campus, was a momentous occasion filled with joy, pride, and celebration. Distinguished speakers for the event included Bryan Stevenson, the esteemed founder and executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative, who delivered the keynote address. Stevenson, known for his tireless advocacy for social justice, resonated deeply with Lincoln’s commitment to critical thought and equity.

Lincoln University President Brenda A. Allen, Ph.D., expressed her admiration for the esteemed speakers.

“Bryan Stevenson addressing our graduates at Lincoln University’s 2024 Commencement Ceremony stands as a testament to the university’s dedication to fostering critical thought and pursuing social justice,” said Allen.

The ceremony also bestowed honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degrees upon four remarkable individuals: Dr. Johnnetta B. Cole, Cherelle Parker of the class of 1994, Stevie Wonder, and Bryan Stevenson himself. Each honoree has made indelible contributions to society, embodying the excellence and leadership that Lincoln University champions.

The commencement was not only a celebration of academic achievement but also a testament to the resilience and determination of its graduates.

Among them was AFRO Arts and Culture writer, Ericka Alston Buck, who received her degree in human services. Buck’s journey to graduation was particularly inspiring, having navigated the challenges of adult life, parenthood and the COVID-19 pandemic — all while pursuing her education. Her story is a testament to the transformative power of perseverance and dedication.

“Lincoln University understands the needs of adult students. Being able to graduate while working full time and being a parent made this 20-year journey possible for me,” said Buck. “Receiving my degree on the same day Stevie Wonder received his honorary doctorate made the moment all the more special. He is an iconic figure in the music industry and a champion for social causes.” “He epitomizes the spirit of excellence and service that Lincoln University instills in its graduates,” Buck continued. “His presence added an extra layer of significance to an already momentous occasion.”

My preventing squatters Public Service Announcement!

Terry Howard
-
0
My preventing squatters Public Service Announcement!

My passing interest in the issue of “squatters” was, at best, lukewarm. That was until I got a wakeup call with news about squatters being evicted from several homes not that far from where I live. Okay, so what?

Well, you see for yours truly, social media conjures up the image of a pond in that it’s a great place to bait a hook and drop a fishing line in and see what bites. So I decided to bait my hook with this piece of, eh, “squatter bait,” toss it out, sip on a cold one and see what I could catch:

“Who’s the typical squatter, why do squatters squat and what can we learn from a balanced look at an issue that’s getting increasing attention?”

Wow, it didn’t take long for “Lois” to take the bait. You see, my “buddy” Lois cuts me no slack whenever I put something out that she has a problem with, or just to “bust my chops.” Here’s her latest:

“Terry, you might feel differently if it was your house that they squatted in while you were on vacation. It’s not their home!”

Perhaps egged on by Lois, “Ty” was next to take me to the proverbial woodshed with this dig:

“Don’t even try Howard. They think that they are above living outside like other homeless people. Well, they better not come to my house with that.”

Now those responses from Lois and Ty, and several other not so nice ones that followed, caused some “what did I say wrong” back peddling on my part. So I reread my bait to see if I failed to make myself clear and did not make a right or wrong value judgement on the issue of squatting. Well, I aced the test in that my questions did in no way indicate my stance on the issue and were just genuine inquiry.

Now what this squatter “fishing” experience reminds me of are typical knee jerk reactions when one genuinely brings up certain issues (a mention of race for example – for discussion. (Humm, ever hear the expression “race-baiting?”).

Now the truth is that the profile of a squatter is a lot more complicated and nuanced than conventional wisdom may suggest. Many think about squatters as those who are impoverished, homeless, conniving, never mind that they may be coming out of COVID and can ill-afford high rent, been laid off or otherwise reached a point of desperation in their lives. But the undeniable reality is that squatters are flesh and blood human beings with individual experiences in life and stories to tell like every one of us. Tell me I’m wrong.

Yes, there’s a lot to unpack here so let’s get started.

As I waded through the rapid fire of responses that ensued, a compassionate side of me wondered if squatters had rights. Well, it turns out that they do. The expression “squatters rights” is not an oxymoron after all. The inquisitive reader may be well served by researching squatter’s and homeowners’ rights in their particular state. But before you do that, let’s get back to others who took my bait.

Next it was “Carol” who broke the flow of negative comments about squatters with this:

“The fact is that they (squatters) are probably going through a lot of personal devastation and cannot afford to pay rent. The fact that they may move in and treat the property properly means that they’re just trying to live.”

Then came “Juan” with this gut-puncher:

“I really don’t think that we can seriously talk about this issue without the fact that immigrants like me with large families frequently get stereotyped and treated like squatters.”   

Now since those who took my bait offered nary a solution, I decided to do a bit of research and come up with a short list of actions that make sense.

According to the experts, the best way to not have to deal with a squatter is prevention, that the vast majority of squatters aren’t moving in when homeowners are away on a two-week vacation. They’re doing it when a property is listed for rent. They scour real estate listings to learn which properties are sitting empty. Thus, anything an owner can do to make a property look occupied would go a long way toward discouraging intruders. “Photos in a listing could include a person, or even a dog (perhaps a big, don’t-mess-with-me-looking dog).”

Second, cameras are a deterrent, but the property owner should make sure they are placed securely, or squatters can simply block or remove them.

Third, be sure to use timed or motion-triggered lighting to make a property seem occupied.

Fourth, alert neighbors that your property is vacant and ask them to get in touch if they see any unusual activity.

Fifth, never leave a key in a key box, which can be broken into.

Okay Lois, I’ll end this narrative with a bit of honesty that’ll make you high five it up with your compadres. Yes, my actual experience heavily skewed this piece. Had I pulled into my driveway and found squatters kicking back and enjoying my home this piece would have been written quite differently, if at all. That I’ll concede.

But heeding the advice from a local pastor, “anticipation of unfortunate things can lead to preparation for unfortunate things.” So, let’s heed what we’ve learned here as preparation to protect our property from unwanted visitors of any kind.

Okay, I just baited my hook and tossed my line back into the water to see what else I may catch. Wait…hold on! Already there’s something tugging on the other end. 

Is that you Lois?

Terry Howard is an award-winning trainer, writer, and storyteller. He is a contributing writer with the Chattanooga News Chronicle, The American Diversity Report, The Douglas County Sentinel, Blackmarket.com, co-founder of the “26 Tiny Paint Brushes” writers guild, recipient of the 2019 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Leadership Award, and third place winner of the 2022 Georgia Press Award.

Why Hypertension and Heart Disease Hits Black Americans Harder

Submitted Article
-
0
Why Hypertension and Heart Disease Hits Black Americans Harder

In recognition of National High Blood Pressure Education Month, which is sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this article features evidence-based education and practical tips on how to address high blood pressure with heart-healthy nutrition.  Before delving into the education and tips, below is a brief overview of the condition and health statistics.

What is High Blood Pressure?

Written as two figures, blood pressure is measured as the pressure when the heart has pumped (systolic) and when the heart is in between beats (diastolic). When the heart pumps blood, blood pressure is higher than when it is in between beats. The systolic measurement will be higher than the diastolic measurement. 

How Hypertension and Heart Disease Disproportionately Affect African Americans

In the US, approximately 1 in 3 adults have high blood pressure, however, most people are not aware they have this condition due to a lack of signs or symptoms. Hypertension is more common among African Americans than Caucasians and is less likely to occur in Mexican Americans (Heart Disease and African Americans | Office of Minority Health, 2023).  To reiterate, uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to heart disease and stroke.

According to the CDC, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the US. The most common type of heart disease is coronary artery disease (CAD), which can lead to heart attack. You can reduce your risk for heart disease through lifestyle changes such as eating a heart-healthy diet.

How Does Heart Disease Disproportionately Affect African American Populations?

•             In 2019, African Americans were 30 percent more likely to die from heart disease than non-Hispanic whites.

•             Although African American adults are 30 percent more likely to have high blood pressure, they are less likely than non-Hispanic whites to have their blood pressure under control.

•             African American women are nearly 50 percent more likely to have high blood pressure, as compared to non-Hispanic white women.

Addressing Hypertension with Healthy Eating

It is known that high levels of sodium (salt) consumption are linked to high blood pressure. In the US, most people consume more than twice the level of recommended sodium intake. Guidelines recommend up to 2,300mg of sodium per day for an adult. Those at higher risk should

consume even less (up to 1,500mg of sodium a day). Higher risk groups include those who have diabetes, kidney disease, existing high blood pressure, and African American people. It is also recommended that people eat potassium rich foods which help lower blood pressure. Potassium rich foods include fish, green leafy vegetables, bananas, citrus fruits, and potatoes.

In addition to reducing their sodium intake, people should reduce their consumption of unhealthy fats.  Eating the right types of fat (unsaturated) and avoiding the unhealthy ones (saturated and trans-fat) helps reduce the buildup of plaque in your blood vessels.  Reducing your sodium and unhealthy fat intake lowers your risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Tips to Reduce Sodium in Your Diet

•             In general, foods with more than 300mg of sodium per serving may not work well for people with hypertension.

•             Look for the sodium, saturated fat, and cholesterol on your food label and make sure these nutrients are under 20 percent of the Daily Value.

•             Try alternative ways to season your food such as using citrus juice, herbs, and spices and always taste your food before adding salt.

•             Incorporate recipes from the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension plan, which was created by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

Foods that Lower Your Blood Pressure Include:       

•             Berries contain antioxidants that have a lowering effect on blood pressure.

•             Bananas contain potassium, which can help manage hypertension.

•             Drinking beet juice may reduce blood pressure because it contains dietary nitrate.

•             Leafy green vegetables are rich in nitrates, which help manage blood pressure.

•             Watermelon contains the amino acid citrulline, which is converted to arginine producing nitric oxide, a gas that relaxes blood vessels and encourages flexibility in arteries.

•             Garlic, fermented foods, lentils, yogurt, pomegranates, nuts, citrus fruits, oily fish, and tomatoes are a few other heart-healthy foods. (BlackDoctor.org – Article contributor: Eric Meredith, MEd, MS. RDN, CDE, CHES; HistoryMinorityhealth.hhs.gov)

Kelly Administration and CPD Partner with 423 Chainbreakers, Downtown Chattanooga Alliance on Violence Prevention Pilot Program

Camm Ashford
-
0
Kelly Administration and CPD Partner with 423 Chainbreakers, Downtown Chattanooga Alliance on Violence Prevention Pilot Program
The Downtown Chattanooga Alliance team of ambassadors work to keep the downtown area clean, welcoming and safe.

Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly last Friday announced that Memorial Day Weekend will mark the launch of a new pilot program designed to positively engage young people and encourage a safe environment in downtown Chattanooga on selected weekends throughout the 2024 summer.

The program is a collaboration between the Chattanooga Police Department, 423 ChainBreakers, and the Downtown Chattanooga Alliance.

The 423 Chainbreakers work to connect directly with young Chattanoogans to build relationships and steer them away from violence and criminal activity. To this point, their work has mainly been focused in the Avondale/Bushtown area, where they’ve seen significant success.

In the pilot program, members of the 423 Chainbreakers will spend time downtown on select weekend nights from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., focusing in areas where young people often congregate. Their presence will be in addition to increased police patrols downtown.

“The hardworking men and women of CPD do an excellent job enforcing the law in Chattanooga and have worked hard to build deep relationships with our community. But in addition to arresting people after a crime is committed, we need to reach people before they turn to criminal activity,” said Mayor Kelly.  “The 423 Chainbreakers’ work in other parts of Chattanooga has made a real difference, and we’re excited that they’ll be coming to downtown.”

“The Chattanooga Police Department is eager to collaborate with community visionaries to ensure positive youth engagement and create a safe and inclusive environment for all Chattanoogans,” said Chattanooga Police Chief Celeste Murphy. “This collaboration with the 423 Chainbreakers and the Downtown Alliance will be the first step to an enriching summer for all.” “I’m incredibly pleased the 423 Chain Breakers will be working Memorial Day weekend in our downtown district. The Chainbreakers are engaging consistently with city youth in multiple locations, and having them downtown to offer peer-to-peer support makes a difference,” said Downtown Chattanooga Alliance Executive Director Steve Brookes. “This is exactly the kind of partnership we need to support these youth and align with Mayor Kelly’s One Chattanooga vision.”

CARTA–Out of COVID Money and Facing an Uncertain Future

Robin Smith
-
0
CARTA–Out of COVID Money and Facing an Uncertain Future

“We are on the brink of going out of business.” That statement is now echoing throughout local media, as well as the legislative and executive offices of both the city of Chattanooga, the primary local funder and Hamilton County governments, for CARTA, or the Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority.

Chairman of the CARTA Board Johan de Nysschen made the stirring comment, but it shouldn’t be one of surprise based on data collected and publicly presented for several years by the transportation authority which serves the downtown Chattanooga, Brainerd, and Midtown routes. Service to Northgate Mall and Northpoint Boulevard are the northern most points of service on the western side north of the Tennessee River and a route to the Enterprise South Center on the River’s eastern side.

Looking at ridership in CARTA’s own data, fare-paying passengers reached a recent high of 88,260 in October 2023, but took a sharp decline to almost historically low levels in the last few years of data to 71,657 in January 2024.

It was in January this year that CARTA welcomed President and CEO Charles Frazier who immediately promised a strategic plan to align services with needs in the area, but also to address the net losses being reported monthly in CARTA’s publicly available “Variance Report.”

The challenge of operating public transportation is to provide those individuals without a physical method of transportation, or those who have no access to driving. Many, if not most, of these customers are low or fixed income individuals. A February report recording details the cost of bus transit per customer at $9.94, down from over $10 in 2023, likely reflecting soaring fuel costs. Those who ride CARTA shuttles cost the authority $3.39 per ride.

The economy of things is undeniable. As ridership declines, the cost per ride will increase.

Back in November 2022, a special report broadcast by Newschannel 9, the local ABC affiliate, revealed a decline in ridership and noted that only 7% of CARTA’s annual budget came from fares, the rest came from taxes, other sources of public funds, such as grants, and parking paid in downtown lots and meters owned by the transit authority.

Noting by experience, the Newschannel 9 reporter traveled routes with buses of capacity of up to 40 riders only having 1-5 riders at any given time.

What caused the stark warning spoken by the CARTA Board Chairman? Federal funds supplied by the US Government as subsidies to address operational gaps due to COVID are soon to expire. Yet many of the post-COVID policies remain impacting ridership, such as remote work by two large employers downtown, TVA and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee. As local government leaders approve budgets, the clear need for affordable transportation is an essential service for access to healthy foods, doctors’ appointments, and work. Hats off to Mr. Frazier for his leadership to see that establishing routes and right-sizing operations to serve the largest number of riders is key to holding down fares.

Black Entrepreneur Who Repeated the 9th Grade Twice With a 1.3 GPA Just Earned His Ph.D.

Submitted Article
-
0
Black Entrepreneur Who Repeated the 9th Grade Twice With a 1.3 GPA Just Earned His Ph.D.

Nationwide — 37-year-old Ron Lewis, Jr. was once a two-time high school freshman with a 1.3 grade point average, but now he holds three college degrees. In June 2024, he will be awarded his Doctorate in Business Administration degree from the International University of Leadership during their official Spring Commencement Ceremony in Morocco, Africa. The program is a Top 20 DBA program that focuses on leadership and entrepreneurship. He is also now a successful entrepreneur, real estate agent, and motivational speaker.

Growing up in Jacksonville, Florida, Ron struggled throughout high school like many African American students. Fortunately, he was never placed in Special Ed, but he had to repeat the ninth grade nonetheless. But the lowest point for Ron was at age 22 when during two semesters at Florida Community College (now Florida State College at Jacksonville), he earned straight F’s — eight in all. He became so discouraged that he dropped out of college, shut down his thriving promotional products printing company, and joined the U.S. Army.

In the Army, Ron began following motivational speaker Eric Thomas and motivational speaker and former Ohio State Representative Les Brown, and Ron himself became a “motivational conference junkie.” Frequenting motivational conferences, he surrounded himself with others who were just as determined to stay motivated.

He began reading books like The Secret to Success: When You Want to Succeed as Bad as You Want to Breathe by Eric Thomas, and that’s when things began to shift. “That was the first book I ever read from front to back, and I was 27 years old,” Ron says. “Thomas wrote, ‘If you can look up, you can get up,’ and something in me shifted. When I learned it took Thomas twelve years to earn a four-year degree, I could relate to that. I also realized a Bachelor’s degree is still a degree. The amount of time it takes to earn a degree doesn’t matter.”

With that in mind and now as an Army veteran, Ron returned to college. This time, he enrolled at the University of Phoenix and tapped into the subject matter he was passionate about–Business classes, creating a marketing strategy, a business plan, branding, and other creative aspects of Business Management.

Concentrating on the coursework that he enjoyed allowed him to thrive, and nine years after starting his collegiate career at Florida Community College, Ron became the first person in his family to earn a college degree. He then applied to the University of Phoenix’s MBA program on academic probation. He says, “I had four classes to prove I belonged at the MBA level.”

By the time the four courses were complete, Ron had something he had never had in his life: a 3.0 GPA. Now fully dedicated, he became a motivational speaker in his community. Ron says, “If you focus on yourself, you don’t mind losing. When I focused on my community, my goals became bigger than just me. That made me determined to complete the journey.”

Today, Ron speaks to students all over the country – including a recent assembly of over 1,000 students at the community college where he once earned eight straight F’s. “I show up and approach the conversation with full transparency, and I share how I learned to hold myself accountable. I may be the doctoral candidate walking across the stage in June, but failure is a huge part of my success story. When I explain that, it helps students recognize that they have the same potential, no matter their background, and even those struggling right now can relate.”

“Some of these students need tutoring to help them connect with the material sooner or a stronger support network at school or at home,” he says. I aim to help them understand that they have the power to turn this all around if they just keep trying. I am a living, breathing example of that.”

Now, as a Doctoral candidate, Ron is a Dean’s List student and a Delta Mu Delta International Honor Society member maintaining an academic standing only a few points shy of a perfect grade point average. He has also successfully defended his dissertation entitled “How Learning

Entrepreneurship at an Early Age Could Possibly Reduce Poverty and Homelessness.” With so much focused conversation around learning gaps, facts, and stats surrounding underperforming Black youth and the school-to-prison pipeline, Dr. Ron empowers students and gives them something else to think about — considering advanced degree programs for themselves. He comments, “Failing is not losing! Failure is actually a part of success. It’s a process. You only lose when you quit.”

1...101112...190Page 11 of 190

Contact us:

© 2021-2022 Chattanooga News Chronicle. All rights reserved.
Website Hosted by DragonTech IT Services, Inc