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She Educates People in a Man’s World

THE TENNESSEE TRIBUNE — Latiaa Sneed seems uniquely qualified for one of her assignments at Fire Hall No. 1. Sneed majored in theater with a minor in psychology at Middle Tennessee State University and so she likes her role as a Dalmatian dedicated to fire safety.

Published

6 years ago

April 3, 2019

Clint Confehr

By Clint Confehr

COLUMBIA, TN — Latiaa Sneed seems uniquely qualified for one of her assignments at Fire Hall No. 1.

Sneed majored in theater with a minor in psychology at Middle Tennessee State University and so she likes her role as a Dalmatian dedicated to fire safety.

Technically, she wears a costume manufactured for a safety promotions company that portrays the “Fire Pup” in coloring books. However, most children see the costumed crusader as “Marshall” the fire dog on “Paw Patrol,” a children’s cartoon show that’s not standard fare for adults, unless they’re parents, baby sitters, or close relatives.

Firefighter Sneed, an advanced emergency medical technician who started her EMT training at Columbia State Community College, was recruited by Columbia Fire and Rescue Chief Ty Cobb when he was assistant chief. Cobb is a former Democratic member of the Tennessee House of Representatives.

“I started about a year ago,” Sneed said. As for her special assignment that includes wearing the large costume, she grins; “They make the rookie do it.”

The costume head is heavy. It’s hot all the way down to its oversized red fire boots.

Asked if it’s “a dog’s life” being a rookie, she replied, “Well, I’m over the public education program, so … a lot of the times, I’m ‘Marshall’ (also known as Fire Pup) or I go and talk to the kids, but I like it, so it’s OK.”

She teaches fire safety lessons to fire hall visitors. That includes explanations about electrical fires, responsibilities for babysitters, and calling 911. Her chief wants her to emphasize how to escape from a burning building.

Originally from Murfreesboro, Sneed reflects on her MTSU minor in psychology; perhaps that should have been with a focus on child psychology and not just because she portrays Fire Pup. She has a son.

Sneed is also certified in swift water rescue with training at the Tennessee Fire Service and Codes Enforcement Academy in Bedford County. It was challenging. She’s overcome a fear of water.

Her story is of a woman succeeding in a man’s world.

Cobb, with Sneed portraying Fire Pup, visit elementary schools, day care centers, appear at festivals, church- and civic club programs and other events where they distribute coloring books, light-weight, red-plastic fire helmets for children and other goodwill tchotchke-like souvenirs.

“Please be safe,” is Sneed’s request to her audience. “Honestly, that’s the biggest thing.”

She wants to educate all age-groups.

“If you have any questions” about fire safety,” she says, “go to your local fire department.

“Make sure you don’t start something in the kitchen and leave the kitchen. Once you start cooking, be sure to finish.”

Last month, Sneed portrayed Fire Pup (recognized as Marshall by children) at a four-year-old boy’s birthday party in Fire Hall No. 1. After Fire Pup left the children to enjoy their Firehouse sandwiches, pizza and Dairy Queen birthday cake, Sneed led a tour of a big red fire engine in the garage, complete with an opportunity to climb across crew cab seating.

The garage was largely empty. Firefighters remained ready to respond to calls announced on a loud speaker from a dispatcher’s microphone.

“The kids had a good time,” Fire Capt. Josh Carter said. “It’s not an imposition on the firefighters,” but it was a special thing.

Columbia fire-rescue “wants to be involved in the community,” Cobb said March 13 after visiting Columbia Central High School with Fire Pup for a special needs students’ basketball game. The birthday party was an event sold during a silent auction during a formal affair in a restored mansion; last year’s venue for the annual James K. Polk Ball which raises operating funds for the only surviving residence of the 11th President of the United States.

Capt. Carter says if parents bring a son and/or daughter to the hall for a visit, they’re welcome, but Fire Pup might not make an appearance because normally firefighters “don’t do birthday parties” in the fire hall, Carter says, citing liability issues.

Fire Pup, Chief Cobb says, “is just one thing we do to be involved in the community and teach safety.”

This article originally appeared in The Tennessee Tribune.

Clint Confehr

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Remembering George Floyd

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Minnesota State Attorney General Keith Ellison acknowledges that the Floyd case five years ago involved a situation in which due process was denied, and five years later, the president is currently dismissing “due process. “The Minnesota Atty General also says, “Trump is trying to attack constitutional rule, attacking congressional authority and judicial decision-making.” George Floyd was an African American man killed by police who knocked on his neck and on his back, preventing him from breathing.

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June 2, 2025

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Mural showing the portrait of George Floyd in Mauerpark in Berlin. To the left of the portrait the lettering "I can't Breathe" was added, on the right side the three hashtags #GeorgeFloyd, #Icantbreathe and #Sayhisname. The mural was completed by Eme Street Art (facebook name) / Eme Free Thinker (signature) on 29 May 2020. (Wikimedia Commons)

By April Ryan
BlackPressUSA Newswire

“The president’s been very clear he has no intentions of pardoning Derek Chauvin, and it’s not a request that we’re looking at,” confirms a senior staffer at the Trump White House. That White House response results from public hope, including from a close Trump ally, Georgia Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene. The timing of Greene’s hopes coincides with the Justice Department’s recent decision to end oversight of local police accused of abuse. It also falls on the fifth anniversary of the police-involved death of George Floyd on May 25th. The death sparked national and worldwide outrage and became a transitional moment politically and culturally, although the outcry for laws on police accountability failed.

The death forced then-Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden to focus on deadly police force and accountability. His efforts while president to pass the George Floyd Justice in policing act failed. The death of George Floyd also put a spotlight on the Black community, forcing then-candidate Biden to choose a Black woman running mate. Kamala Harris ultimately became vice president of the United States alongside Joe Biden. Minnesota State Attorney General Keith Ellison prosecuted the cases against the officers involved in the death of Floyd. He remembers,” Trump was in office when George Floyd was killed, and I would blame Trump for creating a negative environment for police-community relations. Remember, it was him who said when the looting starts, the shooting starts, it was him who got rid of all the consent decrees that were in place by the Obama administration.”

In 2025, Police-involved civilian deaths are up by “about 100 to about 11 hundred,” according to Ellison. Ellison acknowledges that the Floyd case five years ago involved a situation in which due process was denied, and five years later, the president is currently dismissing “due process. “The Minnesota Atty General also says, “Trump is trying to attack constitutional rule, attacking congressional authority and judicial decision-making.” George Floyd was an African-American man killed by police who knocked on his neck and on his back, preventing him from breathing. During those minutes on the ground, Floyd cried out for his late mother several times. Police subdued Floyd for an alleged counterfeit $20 bill.

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Oakland Post: Week of May 28 – June 30, 2025

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of May 28 – June 3, 2025

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May 30, 2025

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Black Feminist Movement Mobilizes in Response to National Threats

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — More than 500 Black feminists will convene in New Orleans from June 5 through 7 for what organizers are calling the largest Black feminist gathering in the United States.

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4 days ago

May 30, 2025

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown
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More than 500 Black feminists will convene in New Orleans from June 5 through 7 for what organizers are calling the largest Black feminist gathering in the United States. The event, led by the organization Black Feminist Future, is headlined by activist and scholar Angela Y. Davis. Paris Hatcher, executive director of Black Feminist Future, joined Black Press USA’s Let It Be Known to outline the mission and urgency behind the gathering, titled “Get Free.” “This is not just a conference to dress up and have a good time,” Hatcher said. “We’re building power to address the conditions that are putting our lives at risk—whether that’s policing, reproductive injustice, or economic inequality.” Hatcher pointed to issues such as rising evictions among Black families, the rollback of bodily autonomy laws, and the high cost of living as key drivers of the event’s agenda. “Our communities are facing premature death,” she said.

Workshops and plenaries will focus on direct action, policy advocacy, and practical organizing skills. Attendees will participate in training sessions that include how to resist evictions, organize around immigration enforcement, and disrupt systemic policies contributing to poverty and incarceration. “This is about fighting back,” Hatcher said. “We’re not conceding anything.” Hatcher addressed the persistent misconceptions about Black feminism, including the idea that it is a movement against men or families. “Black feminism is not a rejection of men,” she said. “It’s a rejection of patriarchy. Black men must be part of this struggle because patriarchy harms them too.” She also responded to claims that organizing around Black women’s issues weakens broader coalitions. “We don’t live single-issue lives,” Hatcher said. “Our blueprint is one that lifts all Black people.”

The conference will not be streamed virtually, but recaps and updates will be posted daily on Black Feminist Future’s YouTube channel and Instagram account. The event includes performances by Tank and the Bangas and honors longtime activists including Billy Avery, Erica Huggins, and Alexis Pauline Gumbs. When asked how Black feminism helps families, Hatcher said the real threat to family stability is systemic oppression. “If we want to talk about strong Black families, we have to talk about mass incarceration, the income gap, and the systems that tear our families apart,” Hatcher said. “Black feminism gives us the tools to build and sustain healthy families—not just survive but thrive.”