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University of Memphis sit-in commemoration looks back and forward

NNPA NEWSWIRE — On April 23, 1969, 75 BSA members at the University of Memphis staged a sit-in at then-President Cecil Humphreys’ office because he refused to provide $1,750 to bring U.S. Rep. Adam Clayton Powell Jr., the first black person to be elected from New York to Congress, to speak to the association.

Published

7 years ago

April 19, 2019

Oakland Post

By Harlan McCarthy, Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Fifty years ago, Carolyn Goodwin-Willett was a young, scared student thrust into the spotlight as a student activist at then-Memphis State University. Now? Goodwin-Willett is proud of her actions as a Black Student Association member that eventually brought about change to what is now the University of Memphis.

Carolyn Goodwin-Willett, David Acey Sr. and James De’Ke Pope shared reflections during a panel discussion moderated by author Shirletta Kinchen (not pictured). (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley)

“I had the opportunity to come back to this campus in 2004 and work on my master’s. Totally different experience from when I was here in 1966. I was a scared student. I was 17 years old and you were going into classrooms where the entire class would look to the other side of the room and you were the only black student in there.

“It was scary. We didn’t have a lot of choices. Most of us were first generation for our family and they were dependent on us.”

Goodwin-Willett and her fellow BSA members from that time were the subject of a April 12 panel discussion on campus that was moderated by Shirletta Kinchen, author of “Black Power in the Bluff City: African American Youth and Student Activism in Memphis,” which is centered around the Black Student Association sit-in and other historical events in Memphis.

“If not for this book or chapter (1969 sit-in chapter of the book), I’m not sure we would understand the accentuality of that experience of history,” said Aram Goudsouzian, chair of UM’s history department.

On April 23, 1969, 75 BSA members at the University of Memphis staged a sit-in at then-President Cecil Humphreys’ office because he refused to provide $1,750 to bring U.S. Rep. Adam Clayton Powell Jr., the first black person to be elected from New York to Congress, to speak to the association.

After the first sit-in, BSA garnered support from the Memphis chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the Community on the Move for Equality (COME). COME had been active in supporting the 1,300 sanitation strikers the year before.

This plaque, unveiled at the University of Memphis administration building on April 12, commemorates the 1969 sit-in protest that prompted 109 arrests. (Photos: Tyrone P. Easley)

Describing his experience at that time, David Acey, the first president of the BSA, said, “I came here in 1965 and it was terrible. My first semester, there were less than 100 students here. We had no participation in any of the social activity here or anything on campus, no football players, no teachers, no workers in the library.”

With help from the outside organizations, the students would stage a second sit-in on April 28, 1969. Similar to the last protest, police were called. This time the students refused to leave and all 109 were charged and jailed. While the charges were eventually dismissed, blacks continued to demand integration upon campus life.

Despite her undergraduate experience being one of fear, Goodwin-Willett said when she looks back, she’s happy for diversity and inclusion that the BSA created.

“I look at the doors we opened when we came here. We opened doors to have a BSA. We opened doors and had the first black professor here. Not only did we open the doors for the black professor but when she came, she held the door open.”

James De’Ke Pope, the second president of BSA, said BSA also helped those in the community voicing their concerns.

“I wanted to establish a relationship with high school students, especially those that mentioned they were interested in Memphis State. We started a summer school for those coming in and had book exchanges.”

In closing the panel discussion, Harry T. Cash III, assistant director of multicultural affairs and Kevyanna Rawls, president of Student Government Association, reflected on the long-lasting impact and influence of the former BSA members.

Cash recognized the members of the sit-in and blacks who have made contributions to the university community. Rawls cited the roles that have been filled by black students on the campus today and encouraged students to continue to fill those rolls.

Black Power in the Bluff City: African American Youth and Student Activism in Memphis can be purchased on Amazon.

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NFL: Week Two Recap | Jalen Hurts did not fold; Caleb Williams exits game with injury

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts found Darius Cooper with nine seconds left for the game winning touchdown as his team beat the Tennessee Titans 24-20 in Nashville. Hurts finished the day 26/37 for 264 yards. He threw for two touchdowns and two interceptions. Prior to the final drive, the Eagles ran 25 plays for 45 […]
The post NFL: Week Two Recap | Jalen Hurts did not fold; Caleb Williams exits game with injury appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

1 week ago

September 20, 2026

Oakland Post

Prior to the final drive, the Eagles ran 25 plays for 45 yards. During the final drive Hurts went 6-8 with 61 passing yards and the touchdown. Titans defensive tackle — and team captain — Jeffery Simmons said this week that the way to defend Jalen Hurts is to make him “play quarterback.”

Hurts said to Simmons after today’s game: “You started that sh**. I had to finish it.”

Running back Saquon Barkley suffered a stinger in the first half but he ultimately finished the game. He had four carries and nine yards and one catch for eleven yards. He will get an MRI for his injury, but admitted to Cameron Wolfe of the NFL Network he was fine.

Caleb Williams leaves game against Vikings with apparent lower-body injury

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams was helped off the field with a right leg injury with 7:42 remaining in the fourth quarter. Williams was down, writhing in pain after scrambling to his left. After departing the injury tent, Williams raised his right fist, acknowledging the crowd while expressing his frustration. Testing will commence on Monday to find out more details about his injury.

“We’ll know tomorrow,” Johnson admitted regarding Williams’ injury. “He’s in good spirits. He’s a team player.”

Williams finished the day with 138 passing yards and one interception.

“I’m actually happy it’s nothing with the knee — that was my first inclination,” Johnson said. “But, a hamstring could be pretty damaging as well. So, we’ll see. We’ll see how bad it is tomorrow and we’ll go from there.”

Bryce Young once again dominated the Falcons

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young is 5-1 against the Atlanta Falcons and is undefeated at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Today, Young threw for 287 yards and three touchdowns as he led the Panthers to a 34-3 dismembering of the Atlanta Falcons. Georgia Tech alumnus Darren Waller caught two touchdowns and linebacker Devin Lloyd returned one of his two interceptions for a touchdown.

Cooper Rush started his second straight game for the Falcons and it did not go well. The partisan crowd voiced their displeasure after Rush completed 10/17 passes for 86 yards and two interceptions. Jack Strand entered the game for Rush prompting cheers from the Falcons fans. The rookie threw a pick-six on his first career pass attempt. Strand was the first QB to accomplish that feat since Sam Darnold in 2018 and is the first Falcons player to do that since Brett Favre in 1991. Strand finished the day with 59 passing yards and 16 rushing yards.

According to reports, quarterback Michael Penix, Jr. is expected to make his season debut this Thursday at the Green Bay Packers. His return should help the Falcons. They are the first team since the 2008 Rams to not run any plays in the red zone after the first two games to open a season.

The bright spots for the Falcons today were the Spelman College Jaguarettes performing with the Falcons cheerleaders and Florida A&M’s marching band, The Marching 100, also performed during halftime!

Jayden Daniels gets carted off after apparent arm injury

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels appeared to injure his left elbow on the final play of the first half in his game against the Dallas Cowboys. During the play, Daniels got stepped on, braced himself for the fall, and his elbow bent the wrong way. Daniels draped a towel over his head as he exited the field on the cart.

He was later ruled out.

Daniels suffered a dislocated elbow to the same arm during week nine of last season against the Washington Commanders, which led to him being shut down for the remainder of the season.

The post NFL: Week Two Recap | Jalen Hurts did not fold; Caleb Williams exits game with injury appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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The Complete Negotiation Framework — Every Stage, Every Tactic, Every Win

Master the complete vehicle-purchase negotiation framework with Roosevelt Gist and Roosevelt. Learn every stage, tactic, and win!
The post The Complete Negotiation Framework — Every Stage, Every Tactic, Every Win appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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Negotiation framework stages, tactics, and winning strategies from AutoNetwork

Roosevelt Gist and Roosevelt deliver the complete vehicle-purchase negotiation framework in Episode 8 of The Color of Our Money Is Green. This episode covers the three foundations of every effective negotiation, the full seven-stage negotiation sequence with exact language for every stage, and five of the most common dealership tactics with the specific response each one requires.
What You Learn in This Episode:
The three foundations that make every negotiation tactic work
The complete seven-stage car-buying negotiation sequence
Exact language for every stage of the dealership conversation
Five common dealership tactics — the turnover, the four-square, the packed payment, spot delivery, and forced add-ons — and how to counter each one
Why signing preliminary paperwork isn’t the same as signing the final contract
___________________________________________________________________
“The Color of Our Money Is Green: A Buyer’s Guide to What Cars Actually Cost” — stan.store/RGist
____________________________________________________________________
AutoNetwork helps serious car shoppers inspect any new vehicle online before walking into a dealership. I’m Roosevelt — I’ve been reviewing cars and shaping digital car buying and credit union auto leasing since before YouTube car reviews existed.
You’ll find detailed walkaround reviews, POV test drives, and buyer-focused breakdowns covering comfort, space, features, and real-world value.

How to use the channel:
Watch the walkaround of the car you’re considering
Visit AutoNetwork.com for the full review
Check CouponsOffersAndDeals.com for current dealer specials
Walk in already knowing what you want — and what it should cost

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Affiliate disclosure: some links earn a small commission at no cost to you and help support the channel. Insta360 is one of those partners.

The post The Complete Negotiation Framework — Every Stage, Every Tactic, Every Win appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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The post Mazda CX-90 Luxury: Heated Seats & Premium Comfort! #shorts appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/EH5A4eQ4ipY