Endorsements
Grassroots Power
Individual Endorsements
Rev. Dr. Ronnie C. King Rev. Dr. Ivory and Dr. Lillie Swindle
Legendary Bobby Rush Legendary “Jennifer Holliday – DreamGirl
Mr. Warren Lewis (Elder) Dr. Maurice and Loretta Tyree, Lakeland, TN
Dr. Brenda Taylor Linda Street
Constance Fields Joyce Worsham-Adams
Mrs. Ruby Payne Mr. John Bryant, Somerville, TN
Lucille Mack-Catron Chelsea Camp, Clarksville, TN
Dr. Jeffery Futrell Chasity Davis
Chelsea Glass Rev. Christina Glass
Eula Little Brenda Woods, Bolivar, TN
Riki Lang Stone Gale Jennings
Fadoli Mboge Frances Barnes
Dianne Jones Glenda Glesy, Bartlett, TN
Joyce Worsham-Adams Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth & Jocelyn Bracy, Bartlett, TN
Akbar Khalifah Rev. Dr. Michael Hollowell
Jimmy Nelson Joe and Yolanda Elliott
Johnny Mosley Jordan Sol
Joy Rodgers-Stout Kareem Ali
Ricky E. Wilkins, ESQ. Betty Glenn (Elder)
Rev. Ken Wilson Kenneth C. and LeaRaya G. Cole, Millington, TN
Georgia Ward (Elder) Anquinette Davis
Pastor Anthony Paulette Dr. Samuel Brookins
Lucy Shaw Luke Weathers Sr.
Jamie Griffin Jae Henderson
James Frazier James Herndon
Elaine Turner Rev. Elizabeth and Walter Shell
Shannon Washington Mr. Demetric and Mrs. KhepeRa Brownlee
Michelle Oliver-Turner Mr. Rueben and Lula Barnes
Pastor James Ellis Pastor Anthony Paulette
Marcus Belton Sefu and Aza Basha Uhuru
Mrs. Mary Bradberry Carmen Johnson
Trina Clemmons George Hoosier – Clarksville, TN
Carolyn Crawford Chandra Ellerson
Essie Thurman Earnest Donelson
Lottie Jones Lydia Jefferson
Byron Cook Brenda Woods, Bolivar, Tennessee
Randy Wade Mother Georgia King (Elder)
Ann Yates (Elder) Norman Redwing
Stacey M. Jones Ben Ivy
Eddie Hodges Attorney Terrell Tooten, ESQ.
Carl Mosley, Clarksville, TN
Mr. James and Lula Hall Mr. Larry and Mrs. Sharonda Walker
Patricia Lee Mr. Carl & Addie Jefferson (Retired Navy)
Jarvis Jones Mr. & Mrs. Osupa and Colleen Williams
Sharanda Atwater Curtis King
Greta Griggs Anna Echols
Dorothy Macintosh Anthony Elmore – Heavyweight Kickboxing Star
Angie Lopez Andre and Natalie Sellers
Linda White Alton D. Walden, III
Salahuddin Muhammad Wesley Burrows
Thelma Rudd Glenda Felix
Phillip Griggs Toni Green “Internationally-Known Blues Singer)
Jimmie Franklin Mr. & Mrs. Ronnie and Liz Strickland
Mrs. Ruby Payne (Elder) Pastor Trennie Williams
Girlie Brewer Dr. Ralph and Mrs. Odessa Calhoun
Shannon Washington Mr. & Mrs. Mack and Shari Collins
Shirley McGee Shack Varrie Middleton Hamilton
Vanesser Lampkin Mr. & Mrs. Gerald and Paula Harris
Eric Brinson Kimberly Claire Weaver
Lawrence Wayne
Annie Moffit Gilbert Barnes Carter, III
Gloria Singleton Chief Andre Matthews
April Nelson Archie and Karen Edwards (Retired Lt. Colonel)
Lawrence Wayne Leah Douglas Wooten
Maxine Thomas (Elder) Dr. Isaac Richmond (Elder)
Regina Hughes Mr. & Mrs. Larry and Phyllis Jordan
Balewa Bayete Robert Bain
Earnestine Quarles Mr. & Mrs. Joe and Nancy Gilliam – Clarksville
Tim Birchett III Todderick McWilliams, Chattanooga, TN
Tracey Sol Tyrone Easley (Elder)
Michael Mitchell Cedric Russell Moore (Elder)
Willie Hunter Mr. & Mrs. Bannon and Taylor Gilliland
Sean Hoover Pastor Gerald Rayborn
April Porter Pastor Elijah Oliver – (Retired Army)
Keyera Jones Brianna NaChelle Pender
Dr. Sharron Paige Angela Garrone
Carl Slappy Mr. Elihue & Mrs. Ann Stanback
Wanda Abioto Bennie Cobb
Carolyn Michael-Banks Mr. & Mrs. Willie and Emma Jean Burnett
Evelyn Cummings Revelyn Cummings
Constance Fields Mr. & Mrs. Reuben and Lula Barnes
Stephanie A. Turner Kimmie Lampkin
Gloria Tate Margaret Jordan
Regina Street Lil Loddy (New Chicago’s International Rapper)
Catherine Metcalf Dr. Yvonne D. Nelson
Dr. Will Jenkins Mrs. Terry Hines
Wayne Hines Pat Mcintosh
Coleman Crawford, III Mr. & Mrs. Levon and Caveta Atkins
Toni Driskell Mr. & Mrs. Warren Roseborough
Eugenia Craig Webb Mr. & Mrs. James and Vanessa Rogers, Cordova
Vanessa Anderson Dr. Lenal Anderson, Esq.
Carolyn Perryman Mrs. Betty Kessee, Clarksville, TN
Annie Moffitt Dr. Horace and Jean Scott-Murphy, Clarksville, TN
Tyrone Easley Mr. Jerome and Lula Wright
Cynthia Ruffin-Houston Penny Wallace
Marissa Wallace Levell McAfee
Connie Matthews Jennifer Seer Ford
Bryanna Wallace Stanley “Cam Mtenzi” Campbell
Paul Burrows Nikita Jones
Williams Edwards Eric Vanderslice
Betty Tyler Shayla D. Wright
Reginald Pruitt Margaret Jordan
Rhonda Campbell Culver Dr. Gail Robinson-Oturi and Dr. Samuel Oturi
Dr. Bobbie Hunter Dr. Samuel Jator and Dr. Eleanor Jator – Clarksville
Gloria E. Street Mrs. Serina Gilbert – Charlotte, TN
Cedric Curbinson Mr. Charles and Mrs. Betty Thigpen
Dan Clearborn Mr. Mac and Mrs. Shari Collins, Bartlett, TN
Kimberly White Darnell Osley
DeAndre Turner Andre and Desma Turner, Jackson, TN
Debra Gleese Barnes Dee Nelson
Donna Sherta Eddie Hodges
Eric Brinson Eugenia Craig-Webb
Gilbert Barnes Carter, III Ms. Johnnie Griffin
Helen Jackson Horace Taylor (U.S.Presidential Candidate)
Jackalyn Ezell Jackie Murray
James Smith James Valentino
Jamie Griffin Janice Munday
Karim Qadir Sybil Presley
Dr. Yvonne D. Nelson Tasha Lampkin
Jarvus Montez Turnley Shauntel Mathis
Jayden Hunt Kevin Jones
Jerome Sawyer Mr. Jerome and Mrs. Lula Wright
Jimmy Samuel s Angela Marie Williams
Dr. Kevin Brooks Kevin Jones
Keyera Jones Briana Pender, Clarksville, TN
Sequita Hayes Stephanie Becton
Kimani Shotwell Aaron and Demetria Jones
Pearline Richmond Rita Richmond
Chester Brooks Kizzy Dunlap Jones
Lisa Corbett Vanessa Smith
Monifa Ajanaku Beverly Pearson
Yvonne Richmond Juanita Hunt
Kamau Ajanaku Cynthia Hunt
Lillie Williams Vicki Rogers
Lewistine Greer Regina Hughes
Gena Heelz George Tillman
Latoya Swindle Rossie Wilson
LeRoy Shane Levon Atkins
Lorenzo Caldwell Deborah Walker
Mary Ann Corpal Dorothy Webb-Chalmers
Sandra Hebron Tamara Allen
Yolanda Thigpen Bobby Maxwell
Rhonda Campbell-Culver Daphney Johnson-Micenhamer
John Burrows Denna Smith
Jesse Jeff Donna Muhammad
April Porter Nikita Jones
Angela Nolen Noble Darren Yancey
Kandee Barnes Cooper Patricia Malone-Johnson
Cynthia Miller Constance Gipson
Ruthie Oliver Mattie Street-Lewis
Ellen Butterfly-Allen Netra Washington
Daphne Thomas Ernest Brazell
Norma Ward-Adkins Walter Broady
Trinia Weathers-Boyce Nataki Ajanaku
LeNiece Woods Tammy Gordon
Martha Bolton Antoinette Gilbert-Brittenum
Bennie Nelson-West Bob Winbush
Myra Hodo David Paige
Ms. Katherine Oris Tara E. Stewart
Willetta Muhammad Dee Shaun Peoples, Esq.
Tonja L. Hughes Wayne Ingram, Jackson, TN
Debrel Moore Rosemary Moore
George McClinton Lydia McClinton
Davida Cheairs Carmen D. Brown
Gwendolyn M. Gross Carlostine Jones
Abdul Wakilder Betty Tyler
Taylor Tyler Bishop Taylor
Pastor Tony Walker Augustine D. Kpuinen
Mrs. Brendia H. Clark Kynetria B. James
Aaron James, Sr. Gail Thompson
Jayemaccia James Roy M. Burrow
Robin Amis J.D. McNary
James M. Edwards Louise Jones
Walter Jones Glenda Davidson
Roger Clark Vivian Turner
Arnedra Aldridge Anderlynne Taylor
Carolyn McCracken Davidra Cheairs
Dianne Jones Carlestine Jones
Lucrecia Louis Precious Carter
Tracie Burrow Patricia Bowers
Willie Dillion Erica McHatch
Shelia Seeray-Love Dorothy Hamilton
Venessa Richmond Gloria Jones
Wanda Hunt Terrell Hunt
Gwendolyn Nelson Roosevelt Boyd
Marcella Shepherd Mia Shields
Leolie Gibson David Jerome Page, III
Jessica Brown Ingus R. Stigler
Elveen S. Carson Eva M. Brown
Elgiee W. Barfield Bertha M. Jones
Gracie Jones Teresa Kent
Zikia Nesbitt Rozelle Nesbitt
Russell Kent Tanisha Jennes
BUSINESS AND CORPORATE ENDORSEMENTS
Mid-South Kwanzaa, Inc.
UMOJA Foundation, Inc.
New Chicago Community Development Corporation
New Chicago Community Partnership Corporation
The African American International Museum Foundation
Phyllis Weakley Study Club
Family Farmers Association
Wolf River Chickasaw Association
National Farmer’s Association
Young Men University, Inc.
Coalition of Community Unions
African American Emancipation Proclamation of Justice in the United States of America
Original and Historic National Million Woman March & Universal Movements
Oka Nashoba Chickasaw Nation
Phase II Adult Reentry Training Camp
NO MORE TEARS FOUNDATION
The Stone Award, Inc. – Cam Mentzi
Paint Yourself Clean, Inc.
Elect Dr. Carnita Atwater
Governor of the State of Tennessee
Pastoral Endorsements
My beloved Pastor supports and endorses me for the candidacy of the Governor of the State of Tennessee:
Rev. Dr. Ronnie C. King is the Senior Pastor of Grace Missionary Baptist Church located in the historic New Chicago community. He has been very instrumental is assisting me with numerous outreach activities that I have performed in this poverty-stricken neighborhood for decades.
He graduated from Ole Miss with a degree in Political Science. While at Ole Miss, King announced his calling to the ministry. Torn between attending law and seminary schools, King selected Southern Methodist University, Perkins School of Theology, Dallas, Texas, to further his ministerial studies. He was granted a full Fellowship at Perkins. Three years later, King graduated with a Masters in Theology.
As a young man in his early twenties, King took the leap to serve in the United States Navy as a Chaplain. He rose from the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade (0-2) to a Captain (0-6), becoming one of the most respected and leading Naval Officers. While in the Navy, he earned a second Master’s degree (Master of Science) from The National Defense University, National War College in National Security Strategy. The double Masters in Theology and National Security Strategy were the perfect union to do greater ministry work worldwide.
After 30 years of faithful and dedicated service in the armed forces, King retired with an Honorable Discharge. Commendations came from U.S. Governors, Senators, Congressional members and Presidents George H.W. Bush, Jimmy Carter, William ‘Bill’ Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack H. Obama.
Rev. Dr. Pearl Lurry Rev. Christina Glass
Rev. Frederick Harvey, Sr. Rev. Anthony Paulette
Rev. Dr. Lillie Swindle Rev. Dr. Ivory Swindle
Rev. Dr. Kevin Brooks Pastor James Snearly
Pastor Trennie Williams Rev. Williams
Evangelist Ruby Payne Rev. Dr. Michael Hollowell
Pastor Elijah Oliver Rev. Kenneth Wilson
Pastor Gerald Rayborn Rev. Carl Larkin
Dr. Isaac Richmond Pastor Jimmy D. Williams
Rev. James Ellis Bishop Jerry Ivery
Celebrity and Public Figures Endorsement
Bobby Rush “Legendary Blues Singer”
Bobby Rush (born Emmett Ellis Jr. in Homer, Louisiana on November 10, 1933) is an American blues musician, composer, and singer. His style incorporates elements of blues, rap, and funk. Rush has won twelve Blues Music Awards and in 2017, at the age of 83, he won his first Grammy Award for the album Porcupine Meat. He is inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame, Mississippi Musicians Hall of Fame, and Rhythm & Blues Music Hall of Fame.
In 2007, he became the first blues artist to perform in China, earning him the title “International Dean of the Blues.” He was later named Friendship Ambassador to the Great Wall of China after performing the largest concert ever held at that site. In addition, Rush has toured in most major markets around the world, including Sydney, Australia; Paris, France; Tokyo, Japan; Shanghai, China; Johannesburg, South Africa; Berlin, Germany; Rome, Italy; Barcelona, Spain; Lucerne, Switzerland; New York, New York; Chicago, Illinois; Memphis, Tennessee; Los Angeles, California; to Jackson, Mississippi.
In 2014, Rush’s album Down in Louisiana, was Grammy-nominated for “Best Blues Album”, and won a Blues Music Award in the ‘Soul Blues Album of the Year’ category, whilst Rush was also nominated in two other categories. Following 2014’s Grammy nomination, Rush was nominated again for “Best Blues Album” in 2015 for Decisions, with Blinddog Smokin’ and featuring Rock n’ Roll Hall of Famer Dr. John.
In July 2014, Rush performed with Dan Aykroyd one of James Brown‘s songs on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
He appears in the 2015 documentary film I Am the Blues. He also appeared as himself performing “I Ain’t Studdin’ You” in the 2019 film Dolemite Is My Name.
Mr. Warren Lewis (International Fire Barber)
Warren Lewis’s career as an innovative barber started with a chicken in Mississippi. Now, at 80, Lewis has been using his unique flame technique to cut hair in North Memphis for more than 60 years. Lewis has been cutting hair consistently since he moved to Memphis from Mississippi in 1951. When he started, he charged 50 cents for a haircut. “My first week, I made $19!” he laughed. “It was a lot of money then.”
Here’s how it works: Lewis lights long, skinny tapers, then touches the flame to the client’s head. Once the hair has burned to the desirable length, Lewis snuffs out the flame with his hands. He’s careful to put the flames out before they turn from yellow to blue, lest he burn the client.
Despite his notoriety, Lewis is a fixture in his north Memphis neighborhood. A sign outside of his shop proclaims that section of North Thomas to be “Warren Lewis Street”, and the shop’s building (and the immediate area) are referred to as Warrentown. Mr. Warren was elected mayor of Warrentown in a mock election in 1994. In addition to his work as a barber, Lewis founded the Black Knights (an economic development organization), was involved in the civil rights movement and organized the Emergency Assistance Bank, a food bank that served the neighborhood around his shop.
Jennifer Holliday
Jennifer Yvette Holliday (born October 19, 1960) is an American singer and actress. She started her career on Broadway in musicals such as Dreamgirls (1981–83), Your Arms Too Short to Box with God (1980–81) and later became a successful recording artist. She is best known for her debut single, the Dreamgirls number and rhythm-and-blues/pop hit, “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going“, for which she won a Grammy in 1983. She also won a 1982 Tony Award for Dreamgirls.
Anthony Elmore
Anthony Elmore is known as the World’s Super Heavyweight Kickboxing Champion. Anthony “Amp” Elmore was the 1st person to bring E.S.P.N. to Memphis in 1981. In the 1980’s Elmore was a household name of E.S.P.N. While E.S.P.N. produced the shows Elmore credits his headling E.S. P.N. events as Anthony Elmore movies. Elmore was the 1st to produce World Title bouts in Memphis for Black Entertainment Television (BET). In the history of Memphis, Tennessee prior to Anthony “Amp” Elmore there has never been a born Memphian who had ever produced a 35mm Theatrical Film that showed in movie theaters. Elmore wrote, produced, directed, and starred in his semi-autobiographical film “The Contemporary Gladiator” released in 1988.
Elmore’s 1988 film is historic in the annuals of Black History in that this film historically is the only theatrical film ever produced in America that included real Black Karate fighters or tell a story of Black men who practiced the “Martial Arts. Anthony “Amp” Elmore is a 5 time World Karate/kickboxing champion. Elmore’s 1988 film was released in Germany and around the world.
Antoine “Lil Lody” Kearney
Antoine Kearney (born January 16, 1989) professionally known as Lil Lody or Lil’ Lody, is an American rapper and record producer from Memphis, Tennessee. He is signed to Sony ATV on a publishing deal.
Lody started his producer career in the early stages of his rap career when he met a producer that tried to overcharge him for some instrumentals and started producing his own. Lil Lody was featured with Waka Flocka Flame which was the first song to gain him commercial success.
Shortly after, Young Jeezy reached out to Lody to work on his TM:103 Hustlerz Ambition Album which was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipping over 500,000 copies in the US.[4] After the albums success G-Shock endorsed and sponsored Lody. Lody produced many songs for artists like Juicy J, Rick Ross, P. Diddy, Yo Gotti, Meek Mill, Young Scooter, Wale, Plies, Starlito, Travis Porter.
Linda Street
Linda Street was the first Lady Tiger basketball player over 6’ feet tall and along with Hall of Fame inductee Betty Booker, really brought Lady Tiger basketball into the national spotlight. Street came to the University in the fall of 1976 and lettered for four years for former head coach Mary Lou Johns. Despite missing the 1979-80 season with a knee injury, she came back and finished her career with 2,147 points and 1,453 rebounds. She is still the school’s fourth all-time leading scorer and the all-time leading rebounder. Street averaged 15.7 points per game during her career and led the Lady Tigers to an overall record of 102-36 during her four seasons. The Lady Tigers also appeared in the AIAW Tournament in 1977-78. Her name appears 22 times in the Lady Tiger basketball record book. Following graduation, Street went to work for FedEx in Memphis.
Horace Taylor – U.S. 2020 Presidential Candidate – Independent
Candidate Taylor had a simple yet encompassing message, which can be summed up in three words: Restoration, Security, and Progress—forward progress to be exact.
While in the army, then, Staff Sergeant Horace Taylor was awarded a Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) scholarship to attend Memphis State University in August 1990; and in December ’93, Horace earned a Bachelor of Science degree in computer engineering technology and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Signal Corps. In January ’94, now, Second LT Taylor was back on active duty in the Army. In May 2005, Captain Taylor earned a Master of Science degree in Information Technology from the University of Maryland University College.
Carla Thomas
Carla Venita Thomas (born December 21, 1942) is an American singer, who is often referred to as the Queen of Memphis Soul. Thomas is best known for her 1960s recordings for Atlantic and Stax including the hits “Gee Whiz (Look at His Eyes)” (1960), “B-A-B-Y” (1966) and “Tramp” (1967), a duet with Otis Redding. She is the daughter of Rufus Thomas.
After her last Stax recording in 1971, Love Means…, and an appearance in Wattstax in 1972, Thomas slipped into relative obscurity when compared to her 1960s musical heyday. However, she was featured in a number of modern-day projects, notably including a 1994 compilation of her greatest hits, a 2002 live recording of a Memphis performance and the 2007 release Live at the Bohemian Caverns in Washington, D.C., a long lost live recording of Thomas in 1967. She would also occasionally tour during the 1980s and became heavily involved in the “Artists in the Schools” program that provided Memphis schoolchildren with access to successful artists. These workshops were organized to talk to teenagers about music, performing arts and drug abuse. In 1991, she appeared with her father at the Porretta Terme Soul Festival. In 1993, Thomas was awarded the prestigious Pioneer Award, along with such musical heavyweights as James Brown and Solomon Burke, from the Rhythm & Blues Foundation in honor of her career achievements. She was also featured in the 2003 documentary Only the Strong Survive that was shown at the Cannes Film Festival and showcased important Stax recording artists. In 2021, Thomas featured on Valerie June’s single “Call Me A Fool”, which received a GRAMMY nomination for Best American Roots Song.
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Dr. Brenda Taylor, Treasurer
1098 Firestone Avenue
Memphis, Tennessee 38107
or
Contributions may be made online at ActBlue.com (Carnita Atwater)
CONTACT INFORMATION
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(901) 277-7294 Headquarter Office Number
(901) 502-2326 Alternative Number
RSVP to ATWATER4GOVERNOR2022@gmail.com
Paid for by Friends to Elect Carnita Atwater Governor – Dr. Brenda Taylor, Treasurer
BUSINESS AND CORPORATE ENDORSEMENTS
Memphis Chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America
Mid-South Kwanzaa, Inc.
UMOJA Foundation, Inc.
New Chicago Community Development Corporation
New Chicago Community Partnership Revitalization Corporation
The African American International Museum Foundation
Phyllis Weakley Study Club
Family Farmers Association
Wolf River Chickasaw Association
National Farmer’s Association
Young Men University, Inc.
Coalition of Community Unions, Inc.
African American Emancipation Proclamation of Justice in the United States of America
Original and Historic National Million Woman March & Universal Movements
Oka Nashoba Chickasaw Nation
NO MORE TEARS FOUNDATION
The Stone Award, Inc. – Cam Mentzi
Paint Yourself Clean, Inc.