In this episode of "Hub City Now with Tyrone Tony Reed Jr.", the host interviews Andy Cole, Pro Bono Coordinator at West Tennessee Legal Services.

Cole spoke about how he joined with WTLS, expungements and the upcoming April 19  expungement clinic for charges in Madison County, Tennessee.

This clinic will allow qualifying individuals to have their criminal record erased. People may be eligible for expungement in Tennessee if they had charges against them dismissed, a “no true bill” was returned by a grand jury, they were arrested and released without being charged, they went to trial, which resulted in a not guilty verdict, or the case resulted in a nolle prosequi (prosecution will not be pursued). Additionally, some misdemeanor and felony convictions may be eligible for an expungement.

“Many times, people make mistakes in their lives that stay on their record forever, we want to help people who are eligible for an expungement get these charges erased from their record,” Cole said. “This is a great opportunity for people to be able to move on from their past.”

This clinic is only for people who have charges in Madison County General Sessions or Circuit Courts. Pre-registration is required. Registration is open and ends April 5, 2024. The TN Justice Bus will on-site to support this event. Anyone interested in registering for the clinic can call WTLS at 731-423-0616 or visit wtls.org to complete an online application.

Anyone interested in registering for the clinic can call WTLS at 731-423-0616.

West Tennessee Legal Services, a nonprofit law firm, offers free civil legal representation and educational programs to help people in 17 West Tennessee counties receive justice, protect wellbeing, and support opportunities to overcome poverty. Counties served from offices in Jackson, Dyersburg, Huntingdon, and Selmer are Benton, Carroll, Chester, Crockett, Decatur, Dyer, Gibson, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Henderson, Henry, Lake, Madison, McNairy, Obion, and Weakley. WTLS is funded in part by the Legal Services Corporation and state, federal, and local funding, including United Way in Dyer, McNairy, and Weakley counties. Learn more at www.wtls.org or by following the firm on Facebook.

In this episode of Hub City Now with Tyrone Tony Reed Jr., the host interviewed Mulata Moba of Motema Ministries.

Moba spoke about the 11th Annual Taste of the Congo fundraiser, which will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, October 22, 2022. The event will be held at West Jackson Baptist Church, located at 580 Oil Well Road in Jackson, Tennessee. Doors open at 4:30 p.m.

Tickets are $30 for adults in advance, $35 at the door, $15 for ages 11-17 and free for children 10 and under. Tables reservations are $240 (8 seats).

Come enjoy the tastes and sounds of the Congo with a night of Congolese cuisine, music and fashion to benefit Motema Ministries’ work in the Congo.

Mottema Ministries is “a community of Christians wishing to share the Gospel through empowerment and education with good works and deeds in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Motema means “heart” in Lingala, one of the primary languages spoken in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This simple word represents what drives this organization—a heart for God and a heart for people. In all we do, we at Motema Ministries try to use our hearts to serve people in the Congo.”

The non-profit organization teaches women and men in the Congo to sew and equips them with the skills and tools to become entrepreneurs.

According to the organization, “The Democratic Republic of Congo is one of the largest countries in Africa. It is home to over 75 million people and more than 200 different ethnic groups. Yet, despite its size and diversity, Congo is one of the world’s most poor and broken countries. Years of war and a crumbling economy have ravaged the country, meaning that the average Congolese person must struggle to make a living. Motema seeks to step into these difficult circumstances and provide opportunities to help young entrepreneurs, families, and children. Currently, we operate a vocational sewing school in Masina, a district of Kinshasa, the nation’s capital.”

“At the school, people from the community take part in a multiple-month sewing course, learning how to sew from scratch, free of charge. In a country like Congo where trips to the tailor are a common occurrence, learning this critical vocational skill can provide a source of income and help in finding a job. In some cases, the training has provided young entrepreneurs the impetus needed to begin producing and selling their own products. Students are also mentored by Motema’s staff in Congo and learn about what it means to follow Christ.”

For more information, visit www.motemaministries.org

In this episode of Hub City Now with Tyrone Tony Reed Jr., the host speaks with The Positive Living Group’s Executive Clinical Director, Trauma Expert and Owner Twana Miller and PLG's Director of Marketing and Coordination Events David Bryant.

The Positive Living Group’s vision is to facilitate and enhance positive change in the lives of individuals, couples, families, groups, and communities.

PLG’s mission is to provide evidence-based treatment, a forward-thinking approach, and the most cutting-edge research-based therapy models along with coaching to facilitate positive growth and change.

At PLG, it offers a variety of services and treatment approaches to help you reach your goals. It offers one-on-one counseling, anger management counseling, marriage and family counseling, therapy for children and adolescents, substance abuse and addiction treatment, and infant mental health services. Many of its approaches, such as biofeedback and dry needle therapy, are unique in West Tennessee.

Join the Positive Living Group as it honors everyday heroes from our community Saturday, March 4, 2023, at its 3rd annual Giraffe Awards. It will be held at Picture Perfect Events, located at 2310 N. Highland Ave., Suite B, Jackson, Tenn.

Proceeds from this event will be used to assist members of our community in financial hardship get access to emotional and behavioral healthcare.

Tennessee was ranked one of the lowest states in the nation for access to mental & behavioral healthcare.