MBRU & Southwest Tennessee Community College
Every Wednesday you can catch Memphis Bus Riders Union at Southwest Community College’s Union campus signing up new members and learning about the issues facing students who rely on MATA. Our newly elected Co-chair, Shelia Williams, is a student at Southwest. Shelia attends classes at both the Macon and Union campuses. Transportation between the two makes for an arduous daily routine. Students members are organizing an MBRU meeting on campus. We hope to build a partnership between student riders, MATA, and Southwest administration to ease the financial burden on students by reducing fares and creating routes that better serve their needs.
MATA Budget Concerns
In budget news, MATA will be meeting with City Council next week to discuss the budget shortfall, which may be anywhere between $1 and $3 million this year, depending on whether or not MATA receives the federal grant money it has applied for. Service changes for the worst and best case scenario are currently being planned. The implementation of these changes will take place June 1st. City funding for MATA rests in the hands of Mayor Wharton, who will present his eagerly awaited budget proposal to City Council April 15th.
The Memphis Bus Riders Union will have more information on these and other initiatives at our regular monthly meetings. If you’d like to get involved with the work of prioritizing public transportation in Memphis, please join us!
Next Meeting:
Saturday, April 12th, 12 – 2pm
Memphis Center For Independent Living
1633 Madison Ave. (across from Cash Saver; Bus #2)
Have you met the newly elected leadership of MBRU?
Come meet the newly elected officers and other members as we continue to organize for better public transportation in Memphis!
Leonard Ewing, a 61-year-old Memphis native and founding member of MBRU. Leonard has a deeply felt connection to the struggles of daily riders, as he has been riding for many years. Leonard lives in the Medical district and most often rides the #2. Leonard serves as male Sergeant at Arms. He is a fair moderator who ensures that everyone will have a voice in the decision making process.
Jewel Jones, was elected to serve as female Sergeant at Arms. Jewel is an activist for the rights of people with disabilities and a founding member of MBRU. Jewel is a fierce critic who backs up her passionate words with direct action. She values action over words.
Shahin Samiei, a 26-year-old research associate for the University of Memphis, serves as hard-working Secretary. Shahin is a founding member of MBRU, and a master data analyst with a passion for exploring the facts that bring truth and social justice to our world.
Cynthia Bailey, Outreach Coordinator, has a special talent for mobilizing bus riders to action, “POWER & UNITY”. When Cynthia tells you to be somewhere -you’d better show up! Cynthia brings style and aesthetic sensitivity to the movement, making sure all eyes are on MBRU.
Shelia Williams, 37, born and raised in the Frayser community. She is a hard working mother and a student at Southwest. Shelia helped organize and establish the MBRU, which has happily elected her as our Co-chair. Shelia’s many talents include working and communicating with diverse groups to bring about social change and is most passionate about issues facing women.
Brad Watkins, a founding member of MBRU and Organizing Director at the Mid-South Peace & Justice Center, was elected to serve as Treasurer. Brad’s experience and wisdom working on many social justice movements in Memphis makes him an enormous asset to MBRU. Brad is a logical thinker who concerns himself with the details that are most often overlooked.
Bennett “Fresh” Foster, 29, is a part time Fellow at Mid-South Peace & Justice Center. Bennett is one of the founding organizers of MBRU. As active male Co-Chair Bennett brings to the group his energy and desire for collaboration.