Endorsements
Individual Endorsements
Rev. Dr. Ronnie C. King
Rev. Dr. Ivory and Dr. Lillie Swindle
Legendary Bobby Rush
Legendary “Jennifer Holliday – DreamGirl
Dr. Isaac Richmond (Elder)
Dr. Maurice and Loretta Tyree, Lakeland, TN
Dr. Brenda Taylor
Linda Faye Street
Constance Fields
Joyce Worsham-Adams
Mrs. Ruby Payne
Mr. John Bryant, Somerville, TN
Lucille Mack-Catron
Chelsea Camp, Clarksville, TN
Dr. Jeffery Futrell
Chasity Davis
Pastor Tony Walker, Sr.
Rev. Christina Glass
Eula Little
Brenda Woods, Bolivar, TN
Riki Lang Stone
Gale Jennings
Fadoli Mboge
Frances Barnes
Dianne Jones
Glenda Glesy, Bartlett, TN
Betty J, Briggs
Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth & Jocelyn Bracy, Bartlett, TN
Akbar Khalifah
Rev. Dr. Michael Hollowell
Jimmy Nelson
Joe and Yolanda Elliott
Johnny Mosley
Jordan Sol
Joy Rodgers-Stout
Kareem Ali
Neal Merriel Bullock, ESQ.
Betty Glenn (Elder)
Rev. Ken Wilson
Kenneth C. and LeaRaya G. Cole, Millington, TN
Georgia Ward (Elder)
Anquinette Davis
Pastor Anthony Paulette
Dr. Samuel Brookins
Lucy Shaw
Luke Weathers Sr.
Jamie Griffin
Jae Henderson
James Frazier
James Herndon
Elaine Turner
Rev. Elizabeth and Walter Shell
Shannon Washington
Mr. Demetric and Mrs. KhepeRa Brownlee
Michelle Oliver-Turner
Mr. Rueben and Lula Barnes
Pastor James Ellis
Attorney Michael Harrell
Marcus Belton
Sefu and Aza Basha Uhuru
Mrs. Mary Bradberry
Carmen Johnson
Trina Clemmons
George Hoosier – Clarksville, TN
Carolyn Crawford
Chandra Ellerson
Essie Thurman
Earnest Donelson
Lottie Jones
Lydia Jefferson
Byron Cook
Brenda Woods, Bolivar, Tennessee
Randy Wade
Georgia Ward (Elder)
Ann Yates (Elder)
Norman Redwing
Stacey M. Jones
Ben Ivy
Eddie Hodges
Attorney Terrell Tooten, ESQ.
Glenda Glensy
Carl Mosley, Clarksville, TN
Mr. James and Lula Hall
Mr. Larry and Mrs. Sharonda Walker
Patricia Lee
Mr. Carl & Addie Jefferson (Retired Navy)
Jarvis Jones
Mr. & Mrs. Osupa and Colleen Williams
Sharanda Atwater
Curtis King
Greta Griggs
Carolyn Perryman
Mrs. Betty Kessee, Clarksville, TN
Annie Moffitt
Dr. Horace and Jean Scott-Murphy, Clarksville, TN
Tyrone Easley
Mr. Jerome and Lula Wright
Cynthia Ruffin-Houston
Penny Wallace
Marissa Wallace
Levell McAfee
Connie Matthews
Jennifer Seer Ford
Bryanna Wallace
Stanley "Cam Mtenzi" Campbell
Paul Burrows
Nikita Jones
Williams Edwards
Eric Vanderslice
Betty Tyler
Shayla D. Wright
Reginald Pruitt
Margaret Jordan
Rhonda Campbell
Culver Dr. Gail Robinson-Oturi and Dr. Samuel Oturi
Dr. Bobbie Hunter
Dr. Samuel Jator and Dr. Eleanor Jator – Clarksville
Gloria E. Street
Mrs. Serina Gilbert – Charlotte, TN
Cedric Curbinson
Mr. Charles and Mrs. Betty Thigpen
Dan Clearborn
Mr. Mac and Mrs. Shari Collins, Bartlett, TN
Kimberly White
Darnell Osley
DeAndre Turner
Andre and Desma Turner, Jackson, TN
Debra Gleese
Barnes Dee Nelson
Donna Sherta
Eddie Hodges
Eric Brinson
Eugenia Craig-Webb
Gilbert Barnes Carter, III
Ms. Johnnie Griffin
Helen Jackson
Horace Taylor (U.S. Presidential Candidate)
Jackalyn Ezell
Jackie Murray
James Smith
James Valentino
Jamie Griffin
Janice Munday
Karim Qadir
Sybil Presley
Dr. Yvonne D. Nelson
Tasha Lampkin
Jarvus Montez Turnley
Shauntel Mathis
Jayden Hunt
Kevin Jones
Mr. Jerome and Mrs. Lula Wright
Jimmy Samuels
Angela Marie Williams
Dr. Kevin Brooks
Kevin Jones
Keyera Jones
Briana Pender, Clarksville, TN
Sequita Hayes
Stephanie Becton
Kimani Shotwell
Aaron and Demetria Jones
Pearline Richmond
Rita Richmond
Chester Brooks
Kizzy Dunlap Jones
Lisa Corbett
Vanessa Smith
Monifa Ajanaku
Beverly Pearson
Yvonne Richmond
Juanita Hunt
Kamau Ajanaku
Cynthia Hunt
Lillie Williams
Vicki Rogers
Lewistine Greer
Regina Hughes
Gena Heelz
George Tillman
Latoya Swindle
Rossie Wilson
LeRoy Shane
Levon Atkins
Lorenzo Caldwell
Deborah Walker
Mary Ann Corpal
Dorothy Webb-Chalmers
Sandra Hebron
Tamara Allen
Yolanda Thigpen
Bobby Maxwell
Anna Echols
Dorothy Macintosh
Anthony Elmore – Heavyweight Kickboxing Star
Angie Lopez
Andre and Natalie Sellers
Linda White
Alton D. Walden, III
Salahuddin Muhammad
Wesley Burrows
Thelma Rudd
Glenda Felix
Phillip Griggs
Toni Green “Internationally Known Blues Singer)
Jimmie Franklin
Mr. & Mrs. Ronnie and Liz Strickland
Mrs. Ruby Payne (Elder)
ssa Rogers, Cordova
Vanessa Anderson
Pastor Trennie Williams
Girlie Brewer
Dr. Ralph Calhoun
Shannon Washington
Mr. & Mrs. Mack and Shari Collins
Shirley McGee Shack
Varrie Middleton Hamilton
Vanesser Lampkin
Mr. & Mrs. Gerald and Paula Harris
Eric Brinson
Kimberly Claire Weaver
Lawrence Wayne
Linda Nettles Harris, Esq.
Annie Moffit
Gilbert Barnes Carter, III
Gloria Singleton
Chief Andre Matthews
April Nelson
Archie and Karen Edwards (Retired Lt. Colonel)
Lawrence Wayne
Leah Douglas Wooten
Maxine Thomas (Elder)
Dr. Isaac Richmond (Elder)
Regina Hughes
Mr. & Mrs. Larry and Phyllis Jordan
Balewa Bayete
Robert Bain
Earnestine Quarles
Mr. & Mrs. Joe and Nancy Gilliam – Clarksville
Tim Birchett III
Todderick McWilliams, Chattanooga, TN
Tracey Sol
Tyrone Easley (Elder)
Michael Mitchell
Cedric Russell Moore (Elder)
Willie Hunter
Mr. & Mrs. Bannon and Taylor Gilliland
Sean Hoover
Pastor Gerald Rayborn
April Porter
Pastor Elijah Oliver – (Retired Army)
Keyera Jones
Brianna NaChelle Pender
Dr. Sharron Paige
Angela Garrone
Carl Slappy
Mr. Elihue & Mrs. Ann Stanback
Wanda Abioto
Bennie Cobb
Carolyn Michael-Banks
Mr. & Mrs. Willie and Emma Jean Burnett
Evelyn Cummings
Revelyn Cummings
Constance Fields
Mr. & Mrs. Reuben and Lula Barnes
Stephanie A. Turner
Kimmie Lampkin
Gloria Tate
Margaret Jordan
Regina Street
Lil Loddy (New Chicago’s International Rapper)
Catherine Metcalf
Dr. Will Jenkins
Mrs. Terry Hines
Wayne Hines
Pat Mcintosh
Coleman Crawford, III
Mr. & Mrs. Levon and Caveta Atkins
Toni Driskell
Mr. & Mrs. Warren Roseborough
Eugenia Craig Webb
Mr. & Mrs. James and Vanessa Rogers, Cordova
Vanessa Anderson
Rhonda Campbell-Culver
Daphney Johnson-Micenhamer
John Burrows
Denna Smith
Jesse Jeff
Donna Muhammad
April Porter
Nikita Jones
Angela Nolen
Noble Darren Yancey
Kandee Barnes Cooper
Patricia Malone-Johnson
Cynthia Miller
Constance Gipson
Ruthie Oliver
Mattie Street-Lewis
Ellen Butterfly-Allen
Netra Washington
Daphne Thomas
Ernest Brazell
Norma Ward-Adkins
Walter Broady
Trinia Weathers-Boyce
Nataki Ajanaku
LeNiece Woods
Tammy Gordon
Martha Bolton
Antoinette Gilbert-Brittenum
Bennie Nelson-West
Bob Winbush
Myra Hodo
David Paige
Ms. Katherine Oris
Tara E. Stewart
Willetta Muhammad
Dee Shaun Peoples, Esq.
Tonja L. Hughes
Wayne Ingram, Jackson, TN
Debrel Moore
Rosemary Moore
George McClinton
Lydia McClinton
Davida Cheairs
Carmen D. Brown
Gwendolyn M. Gross
Carlostine Jones
Abdul Wakilder
Betty Tyler
Taylor Tyler
Bishop Taylor
Pastor Tony Walker
Augustine D. Kpuinen
Mrs. Brendia H. Clark
Kynetria B. James
Aaron James, Sr.
Gail Thompson
Jayemaccia James
Roy M. Burrow
Robin Amis
J.D. McNary
James M. Edwards
Louise Jones
Walter Jones
Glenda Davidson
Roger Clark
Vivian Turner
Arnedra Aldridge
Anderlynne Taylor
Carolyn McCracken
Davidra Cheairs
Dianne Jones
Carlestine Jones
Lucrecia Louis
Precious Carter
Tracie Burrow
Patricia Bowers
Willie Dillion
Erica McHatch
Shelia Seeray-Love
Dorothy Hamilton
Venessa Richmond
Gloria Jones
Wanda Hunt
Terrell Hunt
Gwendolyn Nelson
Roosevelt Boyd
Marcella Shepherd
Mia Shields
Leolie Gibson
David Jerome Page, III
Jessica Brown
Ingus R. Stigler
Elveen S. Carson
Eva M. Brown
Elgiee W. Barfield
Bertha M. Jones
Gracie Jones
Teresa Kent
Zikia Nesbitt
Rozelle Nesbitt
Russell Kent
Tanisha Jennes
Business & Corporate Endorsements
Mid-South Kwanzaa, Inc.
UMOJA Foundation, Inc.
New Chicago Community Development Corporation
New Chicago Community Partnership Revitalization Corporation
The African American International Museum Foundation
Phyllis Weakley Study Club
Family Farmers Association
Wolf River Chickasaw Association
National Farmer’s Association
Young Men University, Inc.
Coalition of Community Unions, Inc.
African American Emancipation Proclamation of Justice in the United States of America
Original and Historic National Million Woman March & Universal Movements
Oka Nashoba Chickasaw Nation
NO MORE TEARS FOUNDATION
The Stone Award, Inc. – Cam Mentzi
Phase II Adult Reentry Training Camp
Paint Yourself Clean, Inc.
Visible Portraits of Light
Celebrity and Public Figures Endorsement
Bobby Rush “Legendary Blues Singer”
Bobby Rush (born Emmett Ellis Jr. in Homer, Louisiana on November 10, 1933) is an American blues musician, composer, and singer. His style incorporates elements of blues, rap, and funk. Rush has won twelve Blues Music Awards and in 2017, at the age of 83, he won his first Grammy Award for the album Porcupine Meat. He is inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame, Mississippi Musicians Hall of Fame, and Rhythm & Blues Music Hall of Fame.
In 2007, he became the first blues artist to perform in China, earning him the title “International Dean of the Blues.” He was later named Friendship Ambassador to the Great Wall of China after performing the largest concert ever held at that site.
In addition, Rush has toured in most major markets around the world, including Sydney, Australia; Paris, France; Tokyo, Japan; Shanghai, China; Johannesburg, South Africa; Berlin, Germany; Rome, Italy; Barcelona, Spain; Lucerne, Switzerland; New York, New York; Chicago, Illinois; Memphis, Tennessee; Los Angeles, California; to Jackson, Mississippi.
In 2014, Rush's album Down in Louisiana, was Grammy-nominated for "Best Blues Album", and won a Blues Music Award in the 'Soul Blues Album of the Year' category, whilst Rush was also nominated in two other categories. Following 2014's Grammy nomination, Rush was nominated again for "Best Blues Album" in 2015 for Decisions, with Blinddog Smokin' and featuring Rock n' Roll Hall of Famer Dr. John. In July 2014, Rush performed with Dan Aykroyd one of James Brown's songs on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. He appears in the 2015 documentary film I Am the Blues. He also appeared as himself performing "I Ain't Studdin' You" in the 2019 film Dolemite Is My Name.
Mr. Warren Lewis (International Fire Barber) - Honorary Supporter
Warren Lewis's career as an innovative barber started with a chicken in Mississippi. Now, at 80, Lewis has been using his unique flame technique to cut hair in North Memphis for more than 60 years. Lewis has been cutting hair consistently since he moved to Memphis from Mississippi in 1951. When he started, he charged 50 cents for a haircut. "My first week, I made $19!" he laughed. "It was a lot of money then."​
​Here's how it works: Lewis lights long, skinny tapers, then touches the flame to the client's head. Once the hair has burned to the desirable length, Lewis snuffs out the flame with his hands. He's careful to put the flames out before they turn from yellow to blue, lest he burn the client.​
Despite his notoriety, Lewis is a fixture in his north Memphis neighborhood. A sign outside of his shop proclaims that section of North Thomas to be "Warren Lewis Street", and the shop's building (and the immediate area) are referred to as Warrentown. Mr. Warren was elected mayor of Warrentown in a mock election in 1994. In addition to his work as a barber, Lewis founded the Black Knights (an economic development organization), was involved in the civil rights movement and organized the Emergency Assistance Bank, a food bank that served the neighborhood around his shop.
Jennifer Yvette Holliday
(born October 19, 1960) is an American singer and actress. She started her career on Broadway in musicals such as Dreamgirls (1981–83), Your Arms Too Short to Box with God (1980–81) and later became a successful recording artist. She is best known for her debut single, the Dreamgirls number and rhythm-and-blues/pop hit, "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going", for which she won a Grammy in 1983. She also won a 1982 Tony Award for Dreamgirls.
Anthony Elmore
Anthony Elmore is known as the World’s Super Heavyweight Kickboxing Champion. Anthony "Amp" Elmore was the 1st person to bring E.S.P.N. to Memphis in 1981. In the 1980's Elmore was a household name of E.S.P.N. While E.S.P.N. produced the shows Elmore credits his headling E.S. P.N. events as Anthony Elmore movies. Elmore was the 1st to produce World Title bouts in Memphis for Black Entertainment Television (BET). In the history of Memphis, Tennessee prior to Anthony "Amp" Elmore there has never been a born Memphian who had ever produced a 35mm Theatrical Film that showed in movie theaters. Elmore wrote, produced, directed, and starred in his semi-autobiographical film "The Contemporary Gladiator" released in 1988.
Elmore's 1988 film is historic in the annuals of Black History in that this film historically is the only theatrical film ever produced in America that included real Black Karate fighters or tell a story of Black men who practiced the "Martial Arts. Anthony "Amp" Elmore is a 5 time World
Karate/kickboxing champion. Elmore's 1988 film was released in Germany and around the world.
Antoine "Lil Lody" Kearney
Antoine Kearney (born January 16, 1989) professionally known as Lil Lody or Lil' Lody, is an American rapper and record producer from Memphis, Tennessee. He is signed to Sony ATV on a publishing deal.
Lody started his producer career in the early stages of his rap career when he met a producer that tried to overcharge him for some instrumentals and started producing his own. Lil Lody was featured with Waka Flocka Flame which was the first song to gain him commercial success.
Shortly after, Young Jeezy reached out to Lody to work on his TM:103 Hustlerz Ambition Album which was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipping over 500,000 copies in the US.[4] After the albums success G-Shock endorsed and sponsored Lody. Lody produced many songs for artists like Juicy J, Rick Ross, P. Diddy, Yo Gotti, Meek Mill, Young Scooter, Wale, Plies, Starlito, Travis Porter.
Linda Street
Linda Street was the first Lady Tiger basketball player over 6’ feet tall and along with Hall of Fame inductee Betty Booker, really brought Lady Tiger basketball into the national spotlight. Street came to the University in the fall of 1976 and lettered for four years for former head coach Mary Lou Johns. Despite missing the 1979-80 season with a knee injury, she came back and finished her career with 2,147 points and 1,453 rebounds.​
She is still the school’s fourth all-time leading scorer and the all-time leading rebounder. Street averaged 15.7 points per game during her career and led the Lady Tigers to an overall record of 102-36 during her four seasons. The Lady Tigers also appeared in the AIAW Tournament in 1977-78. Her name appears 22 times in the Lady Tiger basketball record book. Following graduation, Street went to work for FedEx in Memphis.
Horace Taylor – U.S. 2020 Presidential Candidate - Independent
Candidate Taylor had a simple yet encompassing message, which can be summed up in three words: Restoration, Security, and Progress—forward progress to be exact.
While in the army, then, Staff Sergeant Horace Taylor was awarded a Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) scholarship to attend Memphis State University in August 1990; and in December ’93, Horace earned a Bachelor of Science degree in computer engineering technology and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Signal Corps. In January ’94, now, Second LT Taylor was back on active duty in the Army. In May 2005, Captain Taylor earned a Master of Science degree in Information Technology from the University of Maryland University College.
Carla Thomas
Carla Venita Thomas (born December 21, 1942) is an American singer, who is often referred to as the Queen of Memphis Soul. Thomas is best known for her 1960s recordings for Atlantic and Stax including the hits "Gee Whiz (Look at His Eyes)" (1960), "B-A-B-Y" (1966) and "Tramp" (1967), a duet with Otis Redding. She is the daughter of Rufus Thomas.
After her last Stax recording in 1971, Love Means..., and an appearance in Wattstax in 1972, Thomas slipped into relative obscurity when compared to her 1960s musical heyday. However, she was featured in several modern-day projects, notably including a 1994 compilation of her greatest hits, a 2002 live recording of a Memphis performance and the 2007 release Live at the Bohemian Caverns in Washington, D.C., a long-lost live recording of Thomas in 1967. She would also occasionally tour during the 1980s and became heavily involved in the “Artists in the Schools” program that provided Memphis schoolchildren with access to successful artists. These workshops were organized to talk to teenagers about music, performing arts and drug abuse. In 1991, she appeared with her father at the Porretta Terme Soul Festival. In 1993, Thomas was awarded the prestigious Pioneer Award, along with such musical heavyweights as James Brown and Solomon Burke, from the Rhythm & Blues Foundation in honor of her career achievements. She was also featured in the 2003 documentary Only the Strong Survive that was shown at the Cannes Film Festival and showcased important Stax recording artists. In 2021, Thomas featured on Valerie June's single "Call Me A Fool", which received a GRAMMY nomination for Best American Roots Song.