Fred Jones, founder of the Southern Heritage Classic, stepped right into two touchy topics – consolidation and race relations – during his keynote talk at the Greater Memphis Chamber of Commerce Leadership Luncheon at the Holiday Inn University of Memphis.

 “Consolidation will change our community tremendously,” said Jones, voicing support for a metropolitan government, which supporters say will reduce administrative costs by eliminating redundancies and producing cost savings.

“Can we afford to continue to pay for two governments and continue to give the level of service that our people deserve?” he asked rhetorically, as many in the audience answered silently or with a slight shake of the head.

Jones, president of Summitt Management Corporation, said many people fear consolidation.  

“It’s just fear. You hear a lot about ‘that’s just the way Memphis is.’  Overcome that fear and be willing to make a change,” he said.

Discussions of race relations often make many Memphians uncomfortable as well. Jones did not shy away from that topic either.

“Race relations are horrible and we don’t want to seem to deal with it,” he said.

Jones, who will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Classic September 9-12, said he has been hearing people talk about the same two challenges – poor race relations and negativism - for 20 years.   

“The first step:  Confront it,” said Jones, who received an ovation at the end of his speech. “Challenges need to be confronted. We have to deal with it; be willing to converse about it. We can’t wait until there’s a crisis.  Be willing to change it and do something about it; contribute our time and energy.”  

Crises, in general, tend to be defined as a city or a county problem, Jones said. He encouraged audience members to focus less on personalities and residency – two factors which tend to build divides across the community.  Simply resolve to deal with the challenges, he said.

Jones said consolidation and race relations, although touchy issues, must be dealt with if Memphis is to prosper. And he intends to lead by example.  

Founded in 1990, the Southern Heritage Classic cultural celebration – a four-day event with tailgate party, golf tourney, fashion show and related events – brings $16 million annually to Memphis, Jones said.  Tickets for this year’s football classic between Jackson State and Tennessee State go on sale July 10.