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`He Worked 2 And 3 Jobs to Pay for My Tuition … I Got My Degree With Him, 3 kids, And Working Full-Time’

BY JE’DON HOLLOWAY-TALLEY Special to the Birmingham Times “You Had Me at Hello’’ highlights married couples and the love that binds them. If you would like to be considered for a future “Hello’’ column, or know someone, please send nominations to Barnett Wright bwright@birminghamtimes.com. Include the couple’s name, contact number(s) and what makes their love […]
The post `He Worked 2 And 3 Jobs to Pay for My Tuition … I Got My Degree With Him, 3 kids, And Working Full-Time’ first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Published

1 year ago

December 5, 2023

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BY JE’DON HOLLOWAY-TALLEY

Special to the Birmingham Times

“You Had Me at Hello’’ highlights married couples and the love that binds them. If you would like to be considered for a future “Hello’’ column, or know someone, please send nominations to Barnett Wright bwright@birminghamtimes.com. Include the couple’s name, contact number(s) and what makes their love story unique.

MARLENE AND ERRICK GRIGGS

Live: Center Point

Married: Jan. 28, 1999

Met: In June 1998, through a mutual friend, Marlene’s church member, who told her he had the perfect match and connected her with Errick. They met for the first time at Alley’s Drugstore in West End.

“I gave Errick my phone number through my friend from church, and we talked a little bit and set up a face-to-face meeting… I wanted it to be in a public place. There’s a big age difference, I was only 28, and he was [over] 40, so I was a bit nervous,” said Marlene. “I was walking around the store when I saw him walk in and he was looking around like he was looking for somebody, which made me know I was the one he was looking for. I was peeping through the shelves to get a good look at him, and when I saw what he looked like I came out of hiding,” she laughed. “I was like, ‘ok, he got me’.”

“She was what I was looking for, she was a nice looking lady and I really liked her and wanted to get to know her better so we decided we would go to the movies…,” Errick said.

First date: A week later, at the Regal Movie Theater in East Lake. They saw the action movie, “Enemy of The State” starring Will Smith.

“At first I was a bit nervous because I was wondering [if people] were going to think I was there with my father because he’s a bit older but that wore off. He was very accommodating, he bought me all the snacks. He was a great gentleman. We hit it off laughing and talking and it was like we were the only two in there,” Marlene recalled.

“I enjoyed making her laugh and learning that she was a wonderful person. I got to know what she wanted in life and everything I wanted in a woman, she was. A man always knows what he wants in a woman, and by the end of the movie, I knew she fit the criteria. We ended up having a lot of fun,” Errick said.

The turn: For Marlene, it was July of 1998. “I met Errick right around the time my father passed, and right before he [died] I called my dad and said, ‘Daddy I met somebody, but he’s 11 years older than me’, and my father said, ‘That’s good, maybe you found somebody that’ll know how to treat you’,” Marlene remembered. “And a week later, my father passed and I couldn’t believe he didn’t get to meet him. …Errick became my comfort during that time, and the first time my car broke down I called him crying and said ‘my car is down and I can’t call my daddy’ and Errick [took care of it] … He was a really good friend in my time of need and we grew together.”

“…Marlene really grew on me and after her dad passed I knew she was it, we spent more time learning each other and getting to know each other better. I didn’t have to ask her to be my girlfriend, there wasn’t anybody else. All I did was work and I was looking for a good woman and God just gave her to me,” Errick said.

“He never did ask me to be his girlfriend, but he would always tell me he was ‘holding it on the road’ as in keeping the car straight on the road, and that’s what we were doing. Then on Labor Day [1998], he gave me a key to his house, and I knew then that he was serious about me. He was going out of town [to Thomasville with his brother] and he gave me the keys and said I could come over if I just wanted to get away,” Marlene said.

The proposal: Christmas Eve 1998 in the living room at Errick’s house in Central Park. “I had cooked for her and she came over for dinner (I can’t remember what I cooked), but I always cooked for her and I still do … We ate and were in the living room watching TV, and I got up and got down on one knee and I asked Marlene would she marry me, and she said ‘yes,’” Errick said.

“I was totally surprised because I didn’t think he would propose so soon, so when he pulled the ring out I was blown away and excited,” Marlene said. “It hadn’t even been a year since my father died so I told him I didn’t want a big wedding because I didn’t have anybody to give me away, so I just wanted to go to the courthouse. And that’s what we did, we decided on January 28, 1999.”

The wedding: At the courthouse in downtown Birmingham, officiated by a courthouse clergyman. Marlene’s sister, Marilyn attended as a witness.

Most memorable for the bride was a moment of reflection before heading to the courthouse. “…I was really close to my father and not having him there while everything was happening, I was kind of scared, I was missing my dad. But Errick was very supportive and sweet and made sure I was all right with the decision we were making. He told me that we could always have a wedding whenever I was ready for it. That’s why we’re having a vow renewal in January to celebrate our Silver [25-year] anniversary. I am going to get to wear a [wedding] dress,” Marlene said.

Most memorable for the groom was a moment of gratitude to God. “Just knowing that Marlene was really heaven sent. She is very rare, and I was glad to be able to marry her because she was everything I ever wanted in a woman and I really appreciate her,” Errick said. “I was mostly thanking God for sending her to me because I had never met a woman like Marlene, and she made me the happiest man on earth.”

Words of wisdom: “Communication is key. Since Errick was older and more mature than me [when we got married] he would always tell me nobody else comes into this house but you and I. We can get advice from other people, but, we have to deal with the decisions we make … Always keep God at the center of that foundation and always be considerate of each other. I consider him in everything I do, and I feel that he does the same when it comes to me,” Marlene said.

“Always keep God first. You will have ups and downs but always remember to hold hands even closer in the downtime. Talk to each other about any, and everything and work it out. Between husband and wife, whatever goes down, always be together. Keep people out of your business because at the end of the day, you and your wife are going to have the final say so. Have no secrets. Handle the money together, and just talk and communicate about everything,” Errick said.

As the Griggs approach their 25th wedding anniversary, Marlene reflected on the early years of their marriage when Errick made a commitment to put Marlene through school “and he worked two and three jobs to pay for my tuition, he was determined to send me back to school. I got my degree with him, three kids, and working full time,” Marlene said.

Errick has reached retirement and Marlene said she considers her husband’s commitment to her education a highlight of their marriage. “He’s older and retired now, and I want him to enjoy his retirement. I’m working and I’m glad he’s able to [relax],” she said.

Happily ever after: The Griggs attend Greater Emmanuel Temple Holiness Church in Birmingham, where they both serve in the choir ministry and have three sons, Errick Jr., 24, Markkus, 22, and Darrin, 18.

Marlene, 53, is a Panola (South Ala.) native, and Livingston High School grad. She attended Troy University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology, and the University of West Alabama, where she earned a master’s degree in special education. She works for Midfield City Schools as a special needs education teacher.

Errick, 64, is a Titusville native, and Glenn High School grad. He retired from the City of Birmingham as a maintenance professional, after 28 years of service.

Birmingham Personal Injury Attorneys | Guster Law Firm, LLC

This article originally appeared in The Birmingham Times.

The post `He Worked 2 And 3 Jobs to Pay for My Tuition … I Got My Degree With Him, 3 kids, And Working Full-Time’ first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

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Remembering George Floyd

Published

5 days ago

May 25, 2025

Oakland Post

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OP-ED: Oregon Bill Threatens the Future of Black Owned Newspapers and Community Journalism

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Nearly half of Oregon’s media outlets are now owned by national conglomerates with no lasting investment in local communities. According to an OPB analysis, Oregon has lost more than 90 news jobs (and counting) in the past five years. These were reporters, editors and photographers covering school boards, investigating corruption and telling community stories, until their jobs were cut by out-of-state corporations.

Published

7 days ago

May 23, 2025

Oakland Post

By Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr.
President and CEO, National Newspaper Publishers Association

For decades, The Skanner newspaper in Portland, the Portland Observer, and the Portland Medium have served Portland, Oregon’s Black community and others with a vital purpose: to inform, uplift and empower. But legislation now moving through the Oregon Legislature threatens these community news institutions—and others like them.

As President and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), which represents more than 255 Black-owned media outlets across the United States—including historic publications like The Skanner, Portland Observer, and the Portland Medium—l believe that some Oregon lawmakers would do more harm than good for local journalism and community-owned publications they are hoping to protect.

Oregon Senate Bill 686 would require large digital platforms such as Google and Meta to pay for linking to news content. The goal is to bring desperately needed support to local newsrooms. However, the approach, while well-intentioned, puts smaller, community-based publications at a future severe financial risk.

We need to ask – will these payments paid by tech companies benefit the journalists and outlets that need them most? Nearly half of Oregon’s media outlets are now owned by national conglomerates with no lasting investment in local communities. According to an OPB analysis, Oregon has lost more than 90 news jobs (and counting) in the past five years. These were reporters, editors, and photographers covering school boards, investigating corruption, and telling community stories, until their jobs were cut by out-of-state corporations.

Legislation that sends money to these national conglomerate owners—without the right safeguards to protect independent and community-based outlets—rewards the forces that caused this inequitable crisis in the first place. A just and inclusive policy must guarantee that support flows to the front lines of local journalism and not to the boardrooms of large national media corporations.

The Black Press exists to fill in the gaps left by larger newsrooms. Our reporters are trusted messengers. Our outlets serve as forums for civic engagement, accountability and cultural pride. We also increasingly rely on our digital platforms to reach our audiences, especially younger generations—where they are.

We are fervently asking Oregon lawmakers to take a step back and engage in meaningful dialogue with those most affected: community publishers, small and independent outlets and the readers we serve. The Skanner, The Portland Observer, and The Portland Medium do not have national corporate parents or large investors. And they, like many smaller, community-trusted outlets, rely on traffic from search engines and social media to boost advertising revenue, drive subscriptions, and raise awareness.

Let’s work together to build a better future for Black-owned newspapers and community journalism that is fair, local,l and representative of all Oregonians.

Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., President & CEO, National Newspaper Publishers Association

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Hate and Chaos Rise in Trump’s America

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Tactics ranged from local policy manipulation to threats of violence. The SPLC documented bomb threats at 60 polling places in Georgia, traced to Russian email domains.

Published

7 days ago

May 23, 2025

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

The Southern Poverty Law Center has identified 1,371 hate and antigovernment extremist groups operating across the United States in 2024. In its latest Year in Hate & Extremism report, the SPLC reveals how these groups are embedding themselves in politics and policymaking while targeting marginalized communities through intimidation, disinformation, and violence. “Extremists at all levels of government are using cruelty, chaos, and constant attacks on communities and our democracy to make us feel powerless,” said SPLC President Margaret Huang. The report outlines how hard-right groups aggressively targeted diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives throughout 2024. Figures on the far right falsely framed DEI as a threat to white Americans, with some branding it a form of “white genocide.” After the collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, a former Utah legislator blamed the incident on DEI, posting “DEI = DIE.”

Tactics ranged from local policy manipulation to threats of violence. The SPLC documented bomb threats at 60 polling places in Georgia, traced to Russian email domains. Similar threats hit Jewish institutions and Planet Fitness locations after far-right social media accounts attacked them for trans-inclusive policies. Telegram, which SPLC describes as a hub for hate groups, helped extremists cross-recruit between neo-Nazi, QAnon, and white nationalist spaces. The platform’s lax moderation allowed groups like the Terrorgram Collective—designated terrorists by the U.S. State Department—to thrive. Militia movements were also reorganized, with 50 groups documented in 2024. Many, calling themselves “minutemen,” trained in paramilitary tactics while lobbying local governments for official recognition. These groups shared personnel and ideology with white nationalist organizations.

The manosphere continued to radicalize boys and young men. The Fresh & Fit podcast, now listed as a hate group, promoted misogyny while mocking and attacking Black women. Manosphere influencers used social media algorithms to drive youth toward male-supremacy content. Turning Point USA played a key role in pushing white nationalist rhetoric into mainstream politics. Its leader Charlie Kirk claimed native-born Americans are being replaced by immigrants, while the group advised on Project 2025 and organized Trump campaign events. “We know that these groups build their power by threatening violence, capturing political parties and government, and infesting the mainstream discourse with conspiracy theories,” said Rachel Carroll Rivas, interim director of the SPLC’s Intelligence Project. “By exposing the players, tactics, and code words of the hard right, we hope to dismantle their mythology and inspire people to fight back.”

Click here for the full report or visit http://www.splcenter.org/resources/guides/year-hate-extremism-2024.