Community “TEA” for June 6, 2021

With his vaccination outreach efforts, President Joe Biden and his push to reach a July 4 goal to get Americans vaccinated, Biden announced the “Shots at the Shop” initiative which will recruit barbershops and salons to mobilize their communities to get vaccinations throughout June. The administration is working with the Black Coalition Against COVID, the University of Maryland Center for Health Equity, and SheaMoisture to initiate the new effort. Participating barbershops and salons are expected to provide and display vaccine information and educational materials, as well as host vaccination events with assistance from local partners.

While continuing his push for a 70% vaccination rate in the U.S. by July 4, the Biden administration’s plans to distribute surplus vaccines to countries in need. Pressure has been growing on the White House to develop a plan to donate its excess vaccines to countries that have been hit hard by the virus without the same access to vaccines as wealthier nations.

Vice President Kamala Harris, who was en route to Latin America on Sunday, but was forced to return to Joint Base Andrews after her plane had a “technical issue”. Said her chief spokesperson and senior adviser Symone Sanders, “It is a technical issue. There are no major safety concerns. She said the vice president would be switching planes to continue the trip.

As demand for COVID vaccines continues to fall in Georgia, the community vaccination site at Mercedes-Benz Stadium is closing on Monday, June 7. Vaccines are still available at pharmacies and health care facilities in metro Atlanta and across Georgia. Many do not require appointments. For vaccine locations, go to Georgia Department of Public Health and www.vaccine.gov.

Many news shows are providing coverage on the Tulsa Race Riots, however, before there was Tulsa, there was Forsyth County where over 1100 blacks in 1912 were threatened and killed until everyone black had left the county. They were forced to leave their homes and churches. Many were burned to the ground as property was stolen and assumed by white neighbors. Blacks were beaten, hung, and terrorized with impunity by white Georgians.

Harry and Meghan, also known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, welcomed their second child, Lilibet “Lili” Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, who was born Friday. Her name pays tribute to both Harry’s grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, whose family nickname is Lilibet, and his late mother, Princess Diana. The 7 lbs., 11 oz baby girl was born at 11:40 a.m. at the Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital in Santa and is the eighth in line to the British throne.

Citing a retired FBI agent who investigated the case, former rap music mogul Suge Knight, the founder of Death Row Records who is serving a 28-year prison sentence for intentionally running over and killing a man in 2015, hired an assassin to carry out the slaying of rapper Notorious B.I.G. in 1997, according to the NY Post. Christopher Wallace, who also went by the name Biggie Smalls, was shot to death on March 9, 1997, as he sat in a vehicle at a red light after leaving the Soul Train Music Awards in Los Angeles. He was 24 years old.

June is the 51st celebration of Pride Month, a time when millions of people come together in support of the LGBTQ community. Parades and festivals are scheduled throughout the month of June as celebrations across the globe resume as COVID-19 restrictions are lifted and more people receive a coronavirus vaccine.

The Atlanta Hawks beat the Sixers 128-124 for another playoff road win during Game 1 of the East semifinal Sunday in Philadelphia.

The Falcons have done the unthinkable as they trade Julio Jones to the Tennessee Titans, parting ways with the most prolific receiver in franchise history. In exchange, Falcons will get a second-round pick next year and a 2023 fourth-round pick for the 32-year-old Jones, who had 848 receptions for 12,896 yards in 10 seasons. A seven-time Pro Bowl selection, two-time All-Pro and a member of the NFL’s all-decade team for the 2010s, Jones made arguably the biggest catch in franchise history with his leaping grab against the Patriots in Super Bowl 51. God Speed Julio…your fans in Atlanta will miss you and cheer for your success in Tennessee.

Duke University’s Coach K is calling it quits and will retire. Duke announced Wednesday night that the 74-year-old Krzyzewski, the all-time winningest coach in men’s Division I basketball history, would retire after the 2021-22 season.

Jazz lovers will be happy to know that the Atlanta Jazz Festival will return during the Labor Day Weekend, Sept 5-6. The event usually occurs over the Memorial Day Weekend, but it was canceled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and pushed back this year due to continued COVID restrictions.

Attention Walmart Shoppers, the store has now adjusted its hours to be open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. This is the first increase in operations since the company drastically cut hours in the early days of the pandemic. Walmart will continue to hold its weekly senior hours for those most vulnerable to COVID-19. Walmart dropped mask requirements for fully vaccinated customers and employees after the CDC issued new guidelines.

Have a wonderful week…