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West Memphis mayor talks jobs, economic boom and inspiring children

NNPA NEWSWIRE — “Our priorities are to bring economic opportunities to this city for our people, public safety, creating a quality school system, a cleaner city, and investing in a bright future for our children.”

Published

7 years ago

August 25, 2019

Oakland Post

As he promised shortly after being sworn in as Mayor of West Memphis, Ark., Marco McClendon (left) provided a six-month update on his progress. “I’m dreaming all the time,” said McClendon, pictured here with West Memphis NAACP chapter president Shabaka Afrika. “Our priorities are to bring economic opportunities, public safety, creating a quality school system, a cleaner city and investing in a bright future for our children.” (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley)

By Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell, Special to the New Tri-State Defender

Born and raised in West Memphis, Mayor Marco McClendon is eight months into his first term, which he told constituents at a recent Crittenden County NAACP meeting already is generating new jobs and business opportunities.

“My mother and father live here. So, I am fully invested in the growth and success of West Memphis. This is our time, and God has given me this opportunity for such a time as this,” said McClendon, who headlined the meeting.

“Here is a man, our mayor, fulfilling a promise he made when he took office, to come and deliver an address on his progress for the first six months,” said Shabaka Afrika, NAACP chapter president. “We have heard some exciting things like we haven’t seen here in decades. This is truly a new day in West Memphis.”

McClendon, a former city councilman, was sworn in on Jan. 1. The city is about 70 percent African American and he is second African American elected West Memphis Mayor. Leo Chitman was the first African American elected to the office in 1982.

Reflecting on his swearing-in ceremony, McClendon said, “Our community needed to see that. Our black children needed to see someone who looks like them taking the mayor’s office.”

He supports that assertion with a recent encounter at a favorite restaurant.

“I went into the restaurant to pick up my food, and there were some guys there. We were just talking, and a mother came in with her nine-year-old son. She said to him, ‘Did you know he is the mayor of West Memphis?’ He looked at me and said, ‘You can’t be the mayor of West Memphis.’ I asked him why not, and he said, ‘Because you look just like me.’

“Well, I took out my business card and gave it to him, and I took out my phone and showed him on Facebook that I was the mayor,” McClendon said. “And if you could have seen the look in his eyes. He looked at me like I was a superhero. And he looks at me the same way each time I run into him and other children just like him. More black officials change the landscape for black citizens. God has put me here for such a time as this.”

Expansion and multiple initiatives have created what some in West Memphis consider a corridor of opportunity. The $250 million renovation and expansion at the Southland Casino Racing complex is a major contributor.

McClendon said he expects to be in talks with hotels and restaurateurs looking to also build establishments around the expansion.

“People are buying into our vision for growth and economic development,” he said. “It’s an easy sell. Both I-40 and I-55 run through West Memphis. We are spending $10 million to revitalize the railroad. We just had Coca-Cola move from Memphis over to West Memphis with a $22 million construction bringing hundreds of new jobs.

“I am under a non-disclosure agreement, so I can’t say anything tonight, but an auto manufacturer is coming soon,” he said.” Let’s just say the governor and I are on the same page.”

The city also is building four new structures: two fire stations, one library and information center, and one municipal courthouse.

“Our priorities are to bring economic opportunities to this city for our people, public safety, creating a quality school system, a cleaner city, and investing in a bright future for our children.”

The 41-year-old mayor said he has gained valuable knowledge and advice from former Memphis mayor, Dr. Willie W. Herenton.

“I talked to Dr. Herenton, and he asked me, ‘When all of your department heads are doing their jobs and moving toward attaining objectives in your agenda, what should a mayor be doing?’ He said a mayor should be devising initiatives.

“So, I am dreaming all the time. We plan in the next three years of my administration to make West Memphis the new Southaven. We’re building a water park so families can enjoy good, family fun together. We’re building a movie theatre. And you know what they said in that movie, ‘If you build it, they will come.’

“Oh, and did I tell you we are going to bring our own bus system to West Memphis? We’re going to rebuild and revitalize Broadway Avenue, our main thoroughfare, and bus trolleys are going to run up and down Broadway.”

He promised to continue building a unified community in West Memphis to eradicate any factions that may breed gang violence.

“I’ve been talking to young brothers, and I tell them, ‘We are all brothers. How can you kill your brother?’ Public safety is paramount in my administration.”

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Jovita Moore Mural Still Has Not Been Repainted in Grant Park

ATLANTA VOICE — A mural depicting late journalist Jovita Moore, painted on the exterior wall of a building now occupied by Bellwood Coffee in Grant Park, was painted over in April. Moore passed away in 2021 after decades of working in Atlanta television news. Bellwood Coffee owners stated in May they were unaware of Moore’s identity or significance to the community before painting over the mural.
The post Jovita Moore Mural Still Has Not Been Repainted in Grant Park appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 weeks ago

July 8, 2026

Oakland Post

At the corner of Boulevard, SE. and Rosalia St., SE., directly across the street from an abandoned home and a Methodist Church, is Bellwood Coffee. One of hundreds of coffee shops in Atlanta, this place of business would not be worth a solitary discussion if not for the way its exterior walls are currently painted. There was once a mural depicting the late Jovita Moore, a beloved journalist who worked in Atlanta for decades. Moore, who passed away in 2021, mentored many of the people you see on television newscasts today. Though her legacy will never be forgotten, it was the mural of her image that was erased.

In April, members of the Grant Park community voiced their disgust at the mural, which graced a side wall of the building now occupied by Bellwood Coffee’s Grant Park location, before it was painted over. In its place are the words “Bellwood Coffee; Cocktails, Biscuits, Dry Goods, Air Conditioning. *Heat Too”. In May, the business owners responded to the community pushback on social media by acknowledging they did not know who Moore was before painting over her image. And later admitted that they did not attempt to find out what she meant to the community.

On May 21, the Bellwood Coffee Instagram account had a post about being “in close contact with Jovita’s family and are actively working on next steps in this process.” Two months later, the mural has not been replaced, repainted, or repositioned on the property. Nothing has been done. Black history is often erased, most recently by the current Presidential administration, but oftentimes on a smaller, quieter scale. The mural was originally painted by muralist Tommy Bronx, who had been in contact with the business owners about repainting it. As of July 6, Tommy Bronx had responded to a direct message via his Instagram account from The Atlanta Voice about any updates on his plans to repaint the mural.

“We’re currently working on it. You should see some movement in the weeks to come,” he wrote in a response.

On Monday, July 6, the business had several patrons inside and was running smoothly with three employees manning the counter. The Atlanta Voice dropped by Bellwood Coffee to get a look at the exterior wall where the mural once stood as a memorial to a journalist and mother who lost her life to brain cancer at the young age of 54. Moore’s image added some color to the block. The grey wall in its place does not.

A direct message was sent to the Bellwood Coffee Instagram account, and there hasn’t been a response as of 7 p.m. on Monday.

The post Jovita Moore Mural Still Has Not Been Repainted in Grant Park appeared first on The Atlanta Voice.

Based on reporting by Atlanta Voice.

The post Jovita Moore Mural Still Has Not Been Repainted in Grant Park appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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‘Proud to Hang Her from a Tree’: Man Arrested for Threatening Black Senator

ATLANTA DAILY WORLD — A New York man faces felony hate crime charges for allegedly posting a threat against New York State Senator Lea Webb. James A. Crosby, 49, of Binghamton, was arrested by New York State Police after investigators determined he posted a threatening comment on a social media news post about a Juneteenth celebration.
The post ‘Proud to Hang Her from a Tree’: Man Arrested for Threatening Black Senator appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 weeks ago

July 8, 2026

Oakland Post

A New York man is facing felony hate crime charges after allegedly posting that he’d be “proud to hang” New York State Senator Lea Webb from a tree in response to a news story about a Juneteenth celebration.

James A. Crosby, 49, of Binghamton, was arrested June 23 by New York State Police after investigators determined he posted a threatening comment on a WBNG 12 News Facebook post. “I’d be proud to hang her from a tree,” Crosby wrote, according to WBNG.

Crosby was charged with making a terroristic threat as a hate crime, a class C felony, per the New York State Police. He is currently being held at Broome County Jail.

During the subsequent investigation, state police found Crosby was in illegal possession of firearms despite being prohibited from owning them due to a prior felony conviction. Investigators recovered a rifle, a large-capacity ammunition feeding device, and a firearm suppressor — all prohibited under New York state law, per the NYSP.

Crosby was charged with four additional counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, all class D felonies.

Webb, who represents New York’s 52nd Senate District, had been a featured speaker at a Juneteenth flag-raising ceremony at Binghamton City Hall, where the celebration included prayers and the singing of the Black national anthem.

Police said Crosby’s comment was posted in response to a WBNG news story covering the event.

The day before his arrest, Crosby posted a Facebook apology claiming the comment “was not intended to be racial in any way” and was made in reference to what he described as a “criminal,” citing criticism of Webb over her use of nonprofit legal aid in a foreclosure case — a matter state watchdogs said created an appearance of a conflict of interest, per the Ithaca Voice. He was arrested the following day.

Webb issued a public statement June 25 condemning the threat.

“It was extremely disappointing and hurtful to see the now-deleted threat and attacks on my life in response to a story about Juneteenth, a national holiday that recognizes the ending of slavery in America,” she said. “Feedback and thoughts on policy are one thing, but to make a public call for lethal violence is absolutely unacceptable and dangerous. We must recognize our shared humanity and reject violence in all forms.”

She thanked Gov. Kathy Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, and law enforcement for their “swift response.”

Following Crosby’s comments, social media users called for a boycott of his contracting business, Crosby Home Improvements.

The Binghamton City Democratic Committee also called for an investigation into the incident before his arrest.

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The post ‘Proud to hang her from a tree’: Man arrested for threatening Black Senator appeared first on Atlanta Daily World.

Based on reporting by Atlanta Daily World.

The post ‘Proud to Hang Her from a Tree’: Man Arrested for Threatening Black Senator appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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CARICOM: Strengthen Integration for Future Generations

NEW YORK CARIB NEWS — Outgoing CARICOM Chairman Terrance Drew called on regional leaders to build a stronger and more effective Caribbean Community that benefits future generations. Speaking at the 51st Regular Meeting, Drew urged modernization of governance structures and improved implementation of Community decisions to make CARICOM safer and more prosperous.
The post CARICOM: Strengthen Integration for Future Generations appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 weeks ago

July 8, 2026

Oakland Post

Speaking Sunday at the opening of the 51st Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government in Saint Lucia, Dr. Terrance Drew said the region must modernize its governance structures, improve the implementation of Community decisions, and ensure CARICOM becomes safer, more prosperous, and more relevant to the lives of its citizens.

The meeting, being held under the theme “CARICOM: From Resilience to Renewal in a Changing World,” coincides with the Community’s 53rd anniversary. During the ceremony, Dr. Drew formally handed over the rotating CARICOM chairmanship to Saint Lucia’s Prime Minister, Philip J. Pierre.

Reflecting on his six-month tenure as chairman, Drew praised fellow regional leaders for maintaining their commitment to democracy, good governance, unity, and the rule of law despite mounting global economic and geopolitical challenges.

“Throughout these challenges, CARICOM chose engagement over isolation. Together, we reaffirmed our commitment to a fair and rules-based international trading system and ensured that the interests of small developing states continued to be heard.”
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He highlighted progress made in strengthening the CARICOM Single Market and Economy, including deeper trade cooperation, expanded labour mobility, and efforts to lay the foundation for long-term economic growth. Drew also noted the Community’s growing partnerships beyond the Caribbean, particularly with the African Union, while stressing that every international partnership should advance the interests of all parties involved.

The outgoing chairman also expressed appreciation to Dr. Carla Barnett and the CARICOM Secretariat for their professionalism and unwavering support during his tenure.

“Whenever I called, you answered. Whenever support was required, you and your team responded with diligence, competence, and excellence.”

Dr. Drew urged the Secretariat to continue preserving its impartiality while faithfully implementing decisions made by Heads of Government, saying that balance has helped strengthen the regional integration movement.

The conference continues in Saint Lucia with regional leaders expected to deliberate on key issues including regional security, climate resilience, trade, economic integration, food security, Haiti, reparations, and strengthening the CSME.

Based on reporting by New York Carib News.

The post CARICOM: Strengthen Integration for Future Generations appeared first on BlackPressUSA.