Good morning, Memphis, where we saw a crucial win for Memphis football and coach Ryan Silverfield after their game against Tulsa last night.
But, first, Rev. Greg Diaz, a prominent Hispanic religious leader and business owner in Memphis, has faced criticism amid allegations that he recruited dozens of workers from Mexico and made them work long hours for low wages, our Daniel Connelly reports in his in-depth investigative story.
Diaz’s business, TACOnganas food trucks, is now under federal investigation.
Historically low Mississippi River brings history back up to the surface
The Mississippi River water levels have neared record low levels — creating many problems.
However, there is a silver lining to be found as pieces of history have been spotted.
Our Micaela Watts shares her experience while exploring along the river. See what she found by reading her story for subscribers.
Church of God in Christ saints return to Memphis for Holy Convocation
The Church of God in Christ gathered this week for multiple worship services, highlights on world missions, installation of bishops and closed-door business sessions for pastors and elders, our Katherine Burgess reports.
The convocation is the first annual meeting back in the city where it was founded, and it allowed for the first in-person meeting after COVID-19 disrupted gatherings across the world.
“What a joy it is to be back in Mason Temple, back in the City of Memphis, Tennessee,” said the Rt. Rev. J. Drew Sheard, presiding bishop of the Church of God in Christ. “There’s something unique about being in Memphis, Tennessee, something unique about being in Mason Temple. My brothers and sisters, there’s a unique feeling about being here in this place. I’m sorry, but we don’t get this feeling nowhere else. Amen. I’m talking about being at home.”
Memphis rapper GloRilla brings female voice to city’s hip-hop renaissance
GloRilla — the 23-year-old rapper whose name is Gloria Woods — has quickly become the female leader of Memphis’ current hip-hop renaissance, our Bob Mehr reports.
This week, GloRilla released her debut major label EP, “Anyways, Life Is Great,” via Yo Gotti’s CMG label.
“I feel like Memphis is on fire right now,” she said. “There’s a lot of exposure, or more exposure, on the city the last couple years. It feels like people really taking what Memphis rappers do seriously.”
Read Bob’s story to understand how GloRilla got started in music and what’s next for her.
Memphis teacher uses GloRilla beat to teach Spanish
Speaking of GloRilla’s music, it’s been the inspiration for Stephanie Claybourne’s Spanish class as she used an instrumental version of “F. N. F. (Let’s Go)” to create a new song for the alphabet.
A video, which went viral on TikTok under username @srta..clay with over 70,000 followers, showed Sheffield High School Spanish teacher Stephanie Claybourne walking her students through the Spanish alphabet to Memphis rapper’s music.
Grizzlies debut City Edition jerseys
Tonight, the Grizzlies are debuting this season’s City Edition alternate jerseys at the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, our Damichael Cole reports.
The black jerseys take you into the dark, but also shed light on key aspects of Memphis culture. The jersey features brown elements for a chrome effect, diamond texture inside the jersey numbers and Beale Street Blue art framing the team name. An M-shaped bridge is centered at the top of the pants, and the words “For the M” are above the jersey tag, with the M being styled into a grill.
Read Damichael’s story to learn more about the new jerseys and the inspiration behind them.
Today’s 901 was written by Ray Padilla. He can be reached at Raymond.padilla@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @Ray_Padilla_.
