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Former Memphis mayor eyes those ‘left out of this economy’ as he seeks return to mayor’s office

NNPA NEWSWIRE — “I met a brother on the street who asked me why I was running again at my age,” the 78-year-old Herenton said to the crowd gathered inside the South Memphis venue at 3356 South Third St. on Saturday afternoon. “I told him two reasons…because I want to, and because I can.”

Published

7 years ago

April 18, 2019

Oakland Post

By Erica R. Williams, The New Tri-State Defender

The Staple Singers’ “Let’s Do It Again” resounded from a speaker before Dr. Willie W. Herenton emerged from the back of the room. He shook hands with people in the crowd as he made his way to the stage to address hundreds of attendees who’d gathered to hear him officially launch his bid for Memphis mayor.

The song that played in the background was intentional. “Let’s Do It Again” has become the campaign slogan for Herenton, who previously served as the mayor of Memphis for 17 years, making him the longest serving person in that position. And he wants another shot at it. He wants to do it again.

“I met a brother on the street who asked me why I was running again at my age,” the 78-year-old Herenton said to the crowd gathered inside the South Memphis venue at 3356 South Third St. on Saturday afternoon. “I told him two reasons…because I want to, and because I can.”

The crowd cheered before he offered a less comical response.

“Part of why I want to run again is because I want to be aspirational and inspirational for those who have been left out of this economy.”

Herenton, the first African American elected to serve as mayor, said crime, generational poverty and education are among the top focuses of his campaign platform.“

“I am going to push vocational, technical education,” he said. “When I went to Booker T. Washington High School, we had shop. We need to get back to that.”

Herenton also touted his own 47 years in public service, including his long-running stint as mayor before he resigned in 2009. After that, he unsuccessfully challenged Congressman Steve Cohen for the 9th District seat in Congress.

Saturday, Herenton took his supporters on a “trip down memory lane.”

“How many of y’all remember when I was mayor?” he asked. “We would have 3,000 kids every summer with city jobs. For many of them they got their first job when I was mayor.”

Cassandra Haynes-Cowan was one of those kids. Only 15 at the time she participated in the former mayor’s summer initiative, she said the experience changed her life.

“That job made me much more mature and responsible. We worked the whole summer with no problems. And it showed us that someone hadn’t forgotten about us. I will always support Mayor Herenton. I know what he can do because he’s done it for us.”

Herenton also received an endorsement from the Memphis Police Association (MPA).

Mike Williams, MPA president, on Saturday said, “We’ve talked to Dr. Herenton prior to endorsing him, and he has asked, what is it going to take to restore the benefits, how can (he) help.”

During the rally, Herenton spoke avidly of his desire to create a minority economically empowered city, and he didn’t mince words when calling out his opponents.

“This current administration wants to build buildings, we want to build families,” he said referring to incumbent mayor, Jim Strickland, who is running for a second term. “When we look at this economy. There is no way Memphis can be a thriving metropolis when 40 percent of the 60-percent majority is living in poverty. We can’t have two Memphis’.

As for his other high-profile challenger, Shelby County Commissioner Tami Sawyer, who is leading her campaign with the slogan, “We can’t Wait,” Herenton had this to say.

“When you talk about proven leadership…we’re not talking about novices. We’re not talking about people who are opportunists. We’re not talking about people who say they can’t wait. Those that say they can’t wait – they are going to wait.”

Sawyer, who officially announced her run for mayor in March, is among a new generation of grassroots activists. She organized the first Black Lives Matter protest in Memphis and led the #takemdown901 protest that demanded the removal of Confederate statues in local city parks.

Not discrediting the need for a new generation of leaders, Herenton said it’s one of the reasons he feels compelled to give it one more go as mayor.

“We must prepare the platform for the next generation,” he said. “I didn’t do that when I was mayor and that’s why we have a vacuum in leadership. But when I go back, part of our agenda is to plant the seeds and to grow the next generation of leaders.”

Herenton said he’s confident that he’s the “best candidate for the job”, and even more certain that the people of Memphis will vote him back in office in October.

“At the end of the day, we’re going back to City Hall.”

The city’s municipal election is October 3. Lemichael Wilson, a small business owner, has also specified that he will run.

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Youth-Led Black August Event Brings Past to Present at East Oakland Boxing Association

The mission of Youth Alive! Is to “break the cycle of violence, heal trauma, and uplift a thriving community of leaders, to save lives in Oakland and beyond” by serving “as mentors, youth leaders, counselors, case managers, intervention specialists and violence interrupters,” working “to help violently wounded people heal themselves and their community.”
The post The mission of Youth Alive! Is to “break the cycle of violence, heal trauma, and uplift a thriving community of leaders, to save lives in Oakland and beyond” by serving “as mentors, youth leaders, counselors, case managers, intervention specialists and violence interrupters,” working “to help violently wounded people heal themselves and their community.” appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 weeks ago

August 29, 2026

Oakland Post

By Jana Lang Propel Youth Reporter

Youth-Led Black August Event Brings Past to Present at East Oakland Boxing Association

The East Oakland Boxing Association (EOBA) and Youth Alive! came together on Aug. 21 to share with their community all that Black August means to them.

Held on EOBA’s patio at 816 98th Ave. in Deep East Oakland, the two organizations hosted their second annual Black August Experience, featuring a food tasting, financial literacy and mindfulness workshops, and voter registration with the League of Women Voters Oakland (LWV).

Black August is known as a time to uphold the legacy of prisoners who protested their conditions by fasting, fighting, and educating themselves on the economic and political circumstances that contributed to their incarceration.

According to its website, “EOBA is a multi-service youth and community development hub that goes far beyond the ring. While rooted in the discipline of boxing, for nearly 40 years EOBA has also integrated robust programs in workforce development, food justice, afterschool enrichment, financial literacy, mentorship, and wellness.”.

The mission of Youth Alive! Is to “break the cycle of violence, heal trauma, and uplift a thriving community of leaders, to save lives in Oakland and beyond” by serving “as mentors, youth leaders, counselors, case managers, intervention specialists and violence interrupters,” working “to help violently wounded people heal themselves and their community.”

Through Coro California, another leadership organization serving young people across the state for 80 years, they gained a broader understanding of Black August.

EOBA Executive Director Dawna Williams spoke about how much she learned about Black August from the youth who created it. “I let them educate me,” she said. Instead of talking about prison reform and mass incarceration, Williams and youth interns found that Black August meant so much more. “We would have done a disservice if we had just focused on who the people were and what their situation was…We tried to take their message from back in the day and make it relevant to the young people today. What do they need to know?”

Youth interns created and placed posters around the patio to help participants understand how traditional Black foodways, civic engagement, financial literacy, and the power of education are relevant to Black resistance today.

An EOBA member described Black August with Youth ALIVE! as “a whole vibe. “This year we added the Fun Zone for the kids, because you really cannot go wrong with a Fun Zone. I also loved seeing everyone chillin’ in the outdoor lounge, catching some Vitamin D and just enjoying a Friday evening together.”

The food tasting, a popular event from last year, featured traditional Black foods such as black-eyed peas, johnny cakes, and fried chicken. Led by Williams, the tasting included a talk about how these traditional foods were made and why they are forms of Black resilience.

The “‘Plate of History’ was a favorite of the online writers. “Fun, educational, and did I mention delicious? Our Taste of History cook, Angela Southall, served up some good eats while connecting food to history and culture.”

The writer also commended the “League of Women Voters Oakland for their civic leadership and for getting our young people informed, ready, and registered to vote.”

Overall, it was a “good Friday event in East Oakland,” the writer said.

Upcoming Black August events: Building Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency (BOSS), will host “Black August: The Arc of Liberation” at Oakland City Hall on Sat. Aug. 29, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The websites for East Oakland Boxing Association, Youth Alive! and CORO are sources for this report.

Jana Lang is an Oakland resident, teacher, gardener and poet participating in the Propel News Initiative.

The post The mission of Youth Alive! Is to “break the cycle of violence, heal trauma, and uplift a thriving community of leaders, to save lives in Oakland and beyond” by serving “as mentors, youth leaders, counselors, case managers, intervention specialists and violence interrupters,” working “to help violently wounded people heal themselves and their community.” appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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EV Home Charging Warning: What Dealerships Won’t Tell You! #shorts

Is your home EV charging setup ready? Dealerships may not warn you about critical outlet and circuit needs. Find out before you plug in!
The post EV Home Charging Warning: What Dealerships Won’t Tell You! #shorts appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 weeks ago

August 29, 2026

Oakland Post

Dealerships won’t tell you: charging this big battery at home isn’t always simple. Verify your outlet capacity, circuit, and setup before assuming level one or basic outdoor outlets will suffice.

Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/A9Cd2SspoaQ

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The post EV Home Charging Warning: What Dealerships Won’t Tell You! #shorts appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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Car Buying Secrets: Dealership Traps & How to Avoid Them #shorts

Don’t get tricked at the dealership! Learn essential car buying secrets to secure the best deal and avoid hidden traps.
The post Car Buying Secrets: Dealership Traps & How to Avoid Them #shorts appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 weeks ago

August 29, 2026

Oakland Post

Before stepping into a dealership, secure bank pre-approval for your financing rate. Then, get the out-the-door price in writing. Never discuss monthly payments until that number is fixed. Test road noise and rear visibility yourself. Decline add-ons with a simple ‘Not today’. Check backseat space with your tallest household member.

Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/maAOBjO1puY

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The post Car Buying Secrets: Dealership Traps & How to Avoid Them #shorts appeared first on BlackPressUSA.