Wiley Henry

Memphis

Journalist at The Tennessee Tribune

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Articles

Cohen’s District Director was “an Extremely Talented Administrator”

5 days ago | tntribune.com | Wiley Henry

She was well respected in the community. Thanks to her upbringing, the affable Marzie Gates Thomas often paid homage to the grandmother who raised her to be humble, compassionate, and to treat people with dignity and respect. In addition to her own inherent attributes, Thomas trusted God and never forgot the values that her grandmother, Marzie Simpson, instilled. On June 12, Thomas died at Methodist University Hospital following a short illness.
The Saga of John Amos: A Family Divided

Mar 28, 2025 | tntribune.com | Wiley Henry

MEMPHIS, TN – The last days of John Amos’s life were fraught with discord and conflict, a far cry from his early days on the set of “Good Times” portraying James Evans Sr., who struggled to helm a poor Black family living on the fringes in a Chicago housing project. While Amos’s portrayal of a hardworking patriarch was admirable, his children, on the other hand, have embroiled themselves in legal wrangling before and after the death of their father on Aug. 21, 2024.
An eyewitness account of terror on Bourbon Street

Jan 9, 2025 | tntribune.com | Wiley Henry

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – A man’s body was contorted in a way that you wouldn’t think was humanly possible. It was a heap of mangled flesh. On the other side of the street, a man was bleeding from his head as panic ensued all around. Though he was talking, he was laid out flat. A woman lay on the pavement, not moving—either unconscious or dead. Others were motionless and strewn along Bourbon Street. It was a scene of human wreckage. Pandemonium erupted in New Orleans on New Year’s Day.
Historical Marker Honoring Fort Pillow Massacre Vandalized

Jan 1, 2025 | tntribune.com | Wiley Henry

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – A historical marker commemorating the “massacre” of hundreds of U.S. Colored Troops who fought in the American Civil War at the Battle of Fort Pillow in Henning, Tenn., was vandalized on Aug. 7, 2024, at Memphis National Cemetery, 3568 Townes Ave. Dr. Callie Herd was livid when she was notified by the director of the cemetery that vandals had decapitated the marker. But then she couldn’t believe that someone would be so brazen that they would seek to destroy history.
Christmas Parade in Raleigh Ushered in Holiday Spirit

Dec 19, 2024 | tntribune.com | Wiley Henry

MEMPHIS, TN – Sandy Cheekz was in rare form Saturday (Dec. 14, 2024) morning when she belted out one of her popular songs before a bevy of listeners who braved the inclement weather and amassed along both sides of Austin Peay Highway to watch the Bluff City Christmas Parade in Raleigh.
Stage play conjures up memories of a once troubled life

Oct 16, 2024 | tntribune.com | Wiley Henry

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – A two-hour stage play depicting the life of a once troubled woman conjured up memories that seemed all too real to Wanda Faye Taylor-Wilson, who watched herself being played by actors with grit and emotional fervor. Written and directed by Taylor-Wilson, the play, titled “Lord! Heal My Brokenness,” premiered Oct. 5 at Scheidt Family Performing Arts Center on the University of Memphis campus.
YWCA grateful for truckload of goods

Apr 25, 2024 | tntribune.com | Wiley Henry

By Wiley HenryMEMPHIS, TN — A local women’s facility recently received a generous donation of household items from Amazon and electronics worth more than $100,000 — thanks to BossGiving, a philanthropic organization. Delivered by an 18-wheeler in early April, the sizable haul was unloaded at the YWCA (Young Women’s Christian Association) of Memphis, where survivors of domestic violence are given a safe place to stay unbeknown to their abusers.
Bill Pickett Rodeo rides into Memphis

Apr 11, 2024 | tntribune.com | Wiley Henry

By Wiley HenryMEMPHIS, TN — Nearly 50 children in Memphis will get an opportunity to attend the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo on Saturday, April 13, at the Agricenter ShowPlace Arena, 105 S. Germantown Parkway in Cordova, TN. Thanks in part to a generous donation to Abundant Earth Global, a community development corporation seeking to end poverty in the Frayser community through education, the children will attend the rodeo for free.
Honoring Black Union soldiers massacred at Fort Pillow - The Tennessee Tribune

Apr 4, 2024 | tntribune.com | Wiley Henry

By Wiley HenryMEMPHIS, TN – When Dr. Callie Herd learned that a “massacre” had taken place on April 12, 1864, at Fort Pillow, a Union garrison in Henning, TN, she and her son, Ronald C. Herd II, sprang into action. They have honored the Union’s Black soldiers since 2016 – those who fought and died at Fort Pillow, whom they discovered buried in 109 unnamed graves in Section B at the Memphis National Cemetery, 3568 Townes Ave.
One-of-a-kind food truck serves Memphis homeless

Mar 14, 2024 | tntribune.com | Wiley Henry

By Wiley HenryMEMPHIS, TN — Sean Roberts lost his landscaping job more than a week ago. Now he and his friend, Tiffany Smith, are experiencing homelessness. “My boss moved and gave up the job; he moved on,” said Roberts, 33. On Saturday (March 9), nearly two dozen homeless and hungry men and women — Roberts and Smith among them — were treated to a tasty meal that Daughters of Zion, a 501(c)3 organization fighting poverty and homelessness, served from a food truck.