🏫 How are schools recovering from the storm?

⚡ Could NES Have Communicated Better?

Mayor O’Connell and other local leaders are criticizing Nashville Electric Service’s lack of communication in its Winter Storm Fern response. “Nashvillians are justifiably angry,” O’Connell said. [🔐 The Tennessean]

• After a meeting on Sunday afternoon, O’Connell pushed NES to “outperform even their best estimates.” NES is anticipating adding another 500 linemen. [🔐 The Tennessean]
• NES’s timeline estimates full power will be restored to all customers by Feb. 9. [NES]
• As of Sunday at 8 p.m., there were just under 30,000 outages in Nashville. [NES]
• The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency is asking anyone whose home was impacted by Winter Storm Fern to complete a survey to report damage. [TN.gov]
• There’s been a fifth possible storm-related death in Nashville. [WPLN]
• What do you think about the city’s response to Winter Storm Fern? Let me know!

🏫 MNPS Storm Recovery

Metro Nashville Public Schools remain closed today. In the wake of the storm, 71 schools experienced power outages, and as of the end of last week, 21 were still without power. An MNPS spokesperson said they’re dealing with broken pipes, roof leaks, and other storm-related issues. [Nashville Banner]

• Parents are having to navigate juggling work responsibilities and kids. [WPLN]
• MNPS plans for students to return Tuesday. To make up for missing Monday, students will have school on President’s Day, Feb. 16. [MNPS]

✈️ Will the Airport’s Traffic Ever Get Better?

Will the traffic gridlock nightmares at our airport ever get any better? On today’s City Cast Nashville podcast, Nashville Scene reporter Lena Mazel discusses her recent article about how we got here, and what the airport authority and Metro leaders are planning to make it better. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

• More airport news: Canadian commercial air carrier Porter Airlines is coming to BNA, and will launch a direct flight to Toronto on May 11. [🔐 The Tennessean]
• Southwest has ended its open seating policy in favor of assigned seating. [Southwest]

Black history is American history, and though we pay special attention to the significant achievements and contributions Black Americans and people of African descent have made to this country during February, learning and honoring Black history is absolutely of year-round importance.

“Black History Month shouldn't be treated as though it is somehow separate from our collective American history,” said President Barack Obama in 2016. “It's about the lived, shared experience of all African Americans, high and low, famous and obscure, and how those experiences have shaped and challenged and ultimately strengthened America.”

History of Black History Month

Black History Month’s roots started in 1915 — half a century after slavery was abolished — when scholar Carter G. Woodson co-founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. He urged other Black scholars and civic organizations to promote their community’s achievements, and out of that motivation the Association sponsored Negro History Week in the second week of February 1926.

By the late 1960s, Woodson’s concept was expanded into what we now recognize as Black History Month, officially recognized by President Gerald R. Ford during the 1976 bicentennial.

Why February

Woodson, considered the “father of Black history,” chose February to coincide with the birthdays of former slave and prominent abolitionist Frederick Douglass (believed to be Feb.14) and President Abraham Lincoln (Feb. 12), who was influential in the emancipation of slaves. Woodson also chose this week out of tradition, as Black communities had already been honoring these two birthdays during the second week of the month.

Podcast: Nashville Black Market

Ways to Honor Black History Month in Nashville

🛍️ Support Local Black-owned Businesses

• Feast at some of our favorite Black-owned restaurants: Big Al’s Deli, Shugga Hi Bakery & Cafe, Riddim n Spice, Cal’s Country Kitchen, Germantown Pub, Prince’s Hot Chicken, 400 Degrees Hot Chicken, Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken, The Loading Dock, Rolled 4 Ever, and Cupcake Collection.
• Shop small at places like N.B. Goods, Alkebu-Lan Images, Queen Bee Ink, Gladly Gather, Pink Glitter Thrift Boutique, and The Black Candle Company.
• Discover new Black-owned local businesses by attending the Black History Month Expo from Feb. 28-March 1.

🎵 Attend a Performance

• Sudan Archives is performing at The Basement East on Feb. 3.
• Dress in your nicest black clothes for the 20th Annual All Black Affair at the Brooklyn Bowl on Feb. 6.
• Laugh along with Trevor Noah at the Ryman on Feb. 9-10.
• Listen to jazz played by Wynton Marsalis at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center on Feb. 11.
• Miguel is performing at the Ryman on Feb. 11.
• Tramaine Arte’Mis and The I7 Jazz Band will be playing for free at The Frist’s Café Cheeserie on Feb. 12.
• Be amazed by Ogemdi Ude’s “Major” at OZ Arts on Feb 12-14, which celebrates the power and legacy of majorette dance.
• “Hamlet” heads to the South in “Fat Ham,” playing at TPAC from Feb. 13-22.
• Acclaimed vocalist Vinéecia Buchanan pays tribute to jazz legend Carmen McRae with a free performance at The Frist on Feb. 15.
• See Mariah the Scientist at the Ryman on Feb. 18.
• Hear Robert Cray at The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on Feb. 20.
• The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater returns to TPAC on Feb. 21-22.