Tennessee has always been a late bloomer when it comes to civil rights and that also extended to the education of its children. In the 20-year period between 1951 to 1971, 43 public school districts in Tennessee were sued to desegregate its schools. Tipton County was one of them. Although, the Supreme Court unanimously decided on May 17, 1954, "separate educational facilities … [Read more...] about Integrating schools: Tipton County Schools went from freedom of choice to federally-mandated desegregation
Black History
Cherishing the right to vote: A look back on a family tradition of showing up to the polls
Today, many Americans take the act of voting for granted. It’s one of the most cherished and basic rights of citizenship as an American – the right to choose who governs and makes the laws that impact our daily lives. But for many Black Americans who were born before 1947, this fundamental political right wasn’t always available to them. Tipton County Election Commissioner … [Read more...] about Cherishing the right to vote: A look back on a family tradition of showing up to the polls
Local Black History group wants historic Price house for museum
The home of Dr. Thomas Price, Tipton County's first African-American doctor, is one step closer to becoming a museum after Tuesday's vote by Covington's Board of Mayor and Aldermen to have it evaluated. Last year, the Association for the Preservation of African-American History and Culture asked the board to purchase the property, which is located on Highway 51 North, next to … [Read more...] about Local Black History group wants historic Price house for museum
Dancing queen: Deborah Walker integrates dance, drama into everyday learning
A line of children is formed in the hall outside Deborah Walker’s room, students waiting patiently as older dancers straggle behind from the previous class. Twenty-nine youngsters fill into the dance studio and at once the open space turns into a crowded room. The fourth graders take second position and begin warming up with isolations. Led by four dance captains, today’s … [Read more...] about Dancing queen: Deborah Walker integrates dance, drama into everyday learning
Hot, spicy and world-famous: How a Mason man’s chicken became known the world over
Though there's a location right around the corner from his hotel in Memphis, when Joe Claybon comes home, he drives all the way to Mason to eat at the original Gus's Fried Chicken. "The food's good," he says. "It's their own recipe and nobody can imitate it. Nobody can cook chicken like they can." Now living in Nashville, Claybon was born and raised in Mason. It's a cold, but … [Read more...] about Hot, spicy and world-famous: How a Mason man’s chicken became known the world over
Doing the Right Thing: John Edwards on a legacy of activism and public service
John Edwards relaxes in his seat, folding his hands in his lap while he thinks. “Quincy Barlow, Minnie Bommer, Mayor David Gordon,” he says with a smile, now curling his thumb and forefinger around his chin while listing other people who’ve influenced him. “Jimmy Naifeh, Jeff Huffman, of course my parents …” It’s a Tuesday afternoon and Edwards, who represents Covington’s … [Read more...] about Doing the Right Thing: John Edwards on a legacy of activism and public service
Lessons in legacy: Covington principal Marcus Heaston challenges students to consider what they’ll leave behind
“What is going to be your legacy?” Marcus Heaston asks, sitting behind his desk with his hands folded. Heaston, the new principal at Covington High School, tells a story about his family that has affected his life. “My parents were teenagers when my mother became pregnant with me. She was faced with the difficult decision of becoming a young mother,” he said. Heaston sits back … [Read more...] about Lessons in legacy: Covington principal Marcus Heaston challenges students to consider what they’ll leave behind
The Second-Generation Doctor: Chiropractor Jayson Cannon on entering the medical field
It wasn't a parental directive, nor was it exactly expected, but it kind of made sense that Jayson Cannon would enter the healthcare profession. He has a brother with a degree in biology, a sister with a degree in psychology, and, as most Tipton Countians know, his father, Jesse Cannon, was a doctor of internal medicine for 30 years before retiring in 2011. “I grew up … [Read more...] about The Second-Generation Doctor: Chiropractor Jayson Cannon on entering the medical field
