The Trumpet Awards on Living Your Best Life Radio with Genma Holmes

Living Your Best Life Radio with Genma Holmes is starting 2014 off with coverage of the Trumpet Awards.

The Trumpet Awards was created to recognize outstanding accomplishments of Blacks and others who have succeeded against great odds and inspired success in others.

Xernona Clayton, president and CEO of the Trumpet Awards Foundation, is the creative force behind the luxurious and entertaining event.

On Saturday, January 25, 2014 tune in to hear updates from Genma week long adventure behind the scences covering events like High Tea with High Heels, Civil Rights Hall of Fame Induction Ceronmony, 2014 Trump Award Honorees, and the tireless work of Xernona Clayton.

We will also hear from several phenonmal women; DeAndra J. Cullen, The Wilbourn Sisters, and Robin Lori. Listen to hear how they are changing how business is done in their fields by being change agents who are making a difference.

Living Your Best Life Radio, radio that empowers, inspires, and motivates you to live your BEST life can be heard on 760AM in the Middle Tennessee Region, on Tune In Radio, streamed live on the web at UStream.TV  on Saturdays from 9:00-10:00am CST and on military bases.

More About Xernona Clayton
Xernona Clayton is the Founder, President and CEO of the Trumpet Awards Foundation, Inc. and Creator and Executive Producer of the Foundation’s Trumpet Awards.  The Trumpet Awards is a prestigious event highlighting African American accomplishments and contributions.  Initiated in 1993 by Turner Broadcasting, the Trumpet Awards has been televised annually and distributed internationally to over 185 countries around the world.

Ms. Clayton began her television career in 1967 and became the south’s first Black person to have her own television show.  The Xernona Clayton show was a regular feature on WAGA-TV, CBS affiliate in Atlanta.

 Xernona moved to Atlanta in 1965 where she accepted a position with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and worked closely with the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  Ms. Clayton also traveled extensively with Mrs. Coretta Scott King on her nationwide concert tours.
Dedicated to promoting racial understanding, Xernona Clayton has been a leader in civic projects and civil rights activities for several years.  In 1966, she coordinated the activities of Atlanta’s Black doctors in a project called Doctors’ Committee for Implementation, which resulted in the desegregation of all hospital facilities in Atlanta.  This project served as a model and a pilot for other states throughout the country and received national honor from the National Medical Association for its impact.

Her persistent fight against the dragons of prejudice and bigotry was never more apparent than in 1968, when the Grand Dragon of the Ku Klux Klan denounced the Klan and credited Xernona’s influence with his change.

Ms. Clayton’s dedication to the community is reflected in the many hours she spends promoting human relations through bi-racial groups devoted to improving racial understanding.

A recipient of numerous media awards, Xernona has been widely honored for her contributions to humanity.  She is included in various editions of some very impressive biographical publications.
“The Peaceful Warrior” a biography of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. authored by her late husband Ed Clayton and co-authored by Xernona in the revised editions, has been published in several languages.  Xernona Clayton’s autobiography, “I’ve Been Marching All the Time”, was published in 1991.

Montford Point Marine Mark H. McCann, Sr. on Living Your Best Life with Genma Holmes

Join Living Your Best Life as we celebrate our military heroes' journeys before and after their service to our country. Hear from men and women who are sons and daughters; husbands and wives; fathers and mothers; grandparents; siblings; and loyal friends. Hear members of the Marines, Army, Air Force, and Navy share personal stories and highlights from their military careers. All have roles that made them the "first" in many endeavors throughout their lives and in the military. We will hear about their rarely discussed acts of courage and sacrifice that embody servant leadership that will empower, inspire, and motivate listeners.
 

On Saturday, January 11 will hear part 1and January18, 2014, we will hear part 2 interview with, Montford Point Marine and 2012 Congressional Gold Medal Recipient, Mark H. McCann, Sr. who turned 92 this week. Mr. McCann will share about his early start in life and why he enlisted in the USMC which was segregated at the time. Listen as he shares about fighting two wars, the one abroad as well as the one at home, civil rights. He will also share how his military training prepared him to become a professor and later an administrator at Tennessee State University.

Bert Watkins, Mark McCann, Jr. and Mark McCann, Sr.

Mr. McCann is joined in the studio by fellow Marines; Bert Watkins (Vietnam) and McCann's son, Mark McCann, Jr.(Iraq). Watkins and McCann, Jr. will share how McCann Sr.'s integration of the Marine Corp paved the way for them to become Marines and how they still fought for the Right To Fight in other ways long after McCann Sr. help opened the doors for them. 

Tune in to hear from "The Few. The Proud. The Marines."

Living Your Best Life Radio, radio that empowers, inspires, and motivates you to live your BEST life can be heard on 760AM in the Middle Tennessee Region, on Tune In Radio, streamed live on the web at UStream.TV  on Saturdays from 9:00-10:00am CST and on military bases.


More About More Mark H. McCann, Sr.

Mark H. McCann was born on January 8, 1922 in Waynesboro, Mississippi. He received his early education through eighth grade in Mississippi.  His ninth through twelfth grade years were spent at Wilcox High School in Miller Ferry, Alabama. Shortly after graduating from high school, Mr. McCann attended Snow Hill Institute in Alabama under the War Power Training Program. “I signed up because that was what you did back then. You fought for your country,” reflected Mr. McCann.

When Mr. McCann joined the United States Marine Corps (USMC) on August 16, 1943, he was unknowingly making history. During World War II, McCann was one of the first of approximately 20,000 African Americans who enlisted to become a Marine. This was unprecedented at the time because of Jim Crow that existed even in the Armed Services. Executive Order 9981 issued by President Roosevelt, required the armed services to recruit and enlist African-Americans. The USMC was the last branch of the military to desegregate.

The Montford Point Marines were crucial to many of the battles fought during World War II, especially the battles of Iwo Jima, the Chosin, Reservoir, and the Tet Offensive. Despite having to overcome much discrimination to become a Marine, then fight for the right to fight alongside their fellow Marines,  Mr. McCann along with other Montford Point Marines served our nation bravely while fighting for freedoms abroad even though they were not able to experience those same freedoms, like the right to vote, in their own country.

Mr. McCann served in the Marines until 1946. As a Marine, he was trained in communications and experienced combat. After witnessing the horror of war and grateful for his life, he was determined to make the most of his training as started his post combat life in Nashville. With an honorable discharge from the Marines at the rank of Corporal, Mr. McCann enrolled at Tennessee State University, then known as Tennessee Agriculture and Industrial College. While attending college, he met his future wife, Quinnetta Evelyn Bugg. He received his Bachelors in 1949 and his Masters in 1951. After receiving his Masters, Mr. McCann became Professor McCann at Tennessee State and taught Business and Economics until 1975.

Mr. McCann training in Marines made him a natural leader at the university. In 1975, he later became Director of Personnel and Human Resources. In 1980, he was promoted to Budget Director. In 1983, he was promoted again to Director of Auxiliary Services and V.P. of Business Affairs and finally, Senior Analyst. Mr. McCann served in that role until his retirement from Tennessee State University in1992.

Photo Credit: Mark McCann, Jr. and Genma Holmes

Celebration of Life for Clarence J. "Pop" Holmes

Clarence Jones Holmes, known affectionately as “Pop”, was on born June 13, 1942 in Watervalley, Mississippi to the union of Connie Holmes and Lueisa Baker Holmes who proceeded him in death. Pop passed away December 25, 2013.

Pop accepted Christ at an early age and was a proud member of Greater Community Grace Temple COGIC. He served faithfully on the deacon board and sang in the male chorus. He was passionate about attending service and sharing the word of God with others, visiting the sick, working in the community and serving his neighbors wherever possible.

Pop's love for his family was front and center. He was devoted to his wife Vera whom he loved dearly and married in 1962.  He was the proud father of Clarence, Michael, Roger, and Eric. His sons often turned to him for advice and sought his perspective on living a good life. He was a doting grandfather and was prominent in his grandchildren's live. Pop would often travel to their elementary, high school, and college events to cheer them on. He encouraged his sons and grandchildren to always do what is right.

Pop was a hard worker; he worked many jobs to support his family--at times holding down three jobs. He also worked to help others. Helping others no matter what the circumstances was essential to his belief. He was known far and near for showing love to people. He never met a stranger. It appears he passed down this trait to his children and grandchildren. He retired from D. Canale Brewery.

Pop was a football fanatic and was passionate about the New England Patriots much to chagrin of the Steelers and Titans fans in the Holmes family. Pop traveled often. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and loved eating wild game and frying fish.

Pop loved to travel and was an avid hunter and fisherman. After retiring from D. Canale Brewery, he often traveled to popular hunting and fishing places. He loved to cook and eat the wild game he bagged and fry fish he snagged. Pop was a football fanatic and often traveled to games to cheer his team. Pop was a foot fanatic and often traveled to games to cheer his cheer for teams. He was passionate about the New England Patriots--much to the chagrin of most of the Holmes family members who are Steerlers and Titans fans.

A devout follower of Jesus Christ, Clarence “Pop” Holmes as a strong as he lived it. He will be missed by his family but his legacy will live on forever and ever.

Visitation:

Friday, January 3, 2014

Harold Ford Funeral Homes

4-6 PM

1638 Sycamore View Road

Memphis, TN 38134

901-379-0861

Funeral Services:

Saturday, January 4, 2014

11:00 AM

Greater Community Temple COGIC

924 North Dunlap

Memphis, TN 38118

Repast:

Greater Community Temple COGIC

5151 Winchester Road

Memphis, TN 38118

Should friends desire, contributions may be sent to the following organization that are meaningful to the Holmes Family:

The Oasis Center 

The Holmes Family Fund

1704 Charolette Pike

Nashville, TN 

www.oasiscenter.org 

The Frist Center for the Visual Arts

Military Families Fund

919 Broadway

Nashville, TN 37203

www.fristcenter.org

Hard Bargain Association

Ty's House Community Center
P.O. Box 545
Franklin, TN 37065-0545

www.hardbargain.org