JSU Candlelight Vigil Set to Honor Devon Mannery
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www.mississippilink.com VOL. 22, NO. 52 OCTOBER 20 - 26, 2016 50¢ Flint’s Weaver speaks at Tougaloo Fight to change state Convocation By Ayesha K. Mustafaa Contributing Writer flag continues Tougaloo College celebrat- ed its Founders’ Convocation Community forum planned Nov. 3 on several issues Oct. 16, in the historic Wood- worth Chapel. Culminating the week of activities, Tougaloo wel- comed alumna (class of 1981) and mayor of Flint, Mich., Karen Weaver, Ph.D., as the 2016 Founders’ Con- vocation guest speaker. She is also the city’s first female mayor. Karen Weaver, mayor of Flint, Weaver was born in Flint Mich., and Tougaloo alumna, where she was elected as its was the guest speaker for the mayor in November 2015, college’s Founders’ Convocation during the heat of the city’s Oct. 16. PHOTO BY JAY JOHNSON water scandal that revealed its drinking water was poi- lines and lawn mowers.” soned with high levels of lead Weaver said, “We lived un- and other toxins. der a third world dictatorship Being asked to speak at with no input about where Tougaloo’s Founders’ Con- our taxes went. All city work- vocation, Weaver said “ranks ers were fired and then some at the top of my experiences; rehired at double pay.” I’m honored and thankful to Weaver said she “put some be back at Tougaloo.” skin in the game” when she She focused on the crisis decided to run for mayor. in Flint and how the city got “Every day there was a pro- to the point of first being un- test. Children had rashes, and Duvalier Malone begins a press conference asking for Gov. Phil Bryant to apologize for not removing the Confederate emblem from the state flag. der emergency rule and then their hair was alling out. The PHOTO BY SHANDERIA K. POSEY the revelations of poisoned smell of the water was awful. By Shanderia K. Posey ant for all the decisions made at April as Confederate Heritage ant; however, the request sheds drinking water, when the city And at the same time those Editor the Capitol that continue to cause Month. By Malone’s assessment, light on the ongoing debate. trustees decided to shift the city council members were racial division and negatively im- the October declaration doesn’t Malone asked the audience to water source away from Lake telling the people, ‘the water Mississippi native and com- pact the state. mean much on the governor’s consider the lives of Emmett Till Michigan to the Flint River. is fine.’” munity activist Duvalier Malone Malone noted how earlier this part. and Medgar Evers. “First,” she said, “power Then she found out the is not backing down efforts to month Bryant declared October “How long are we going to con- “It’s not good enough for us to was taken away from the same people had stopped change and/or remove the state Racial Reconciliation Month in tinue with the cliche of calling tra- put an Emmett Till Interpretive mayor, city council of the drinking the water a year ear- flag, which bears the Confederate Mississippi in an effort to break ditional months without action,” Center in the Mississippi Delta ‘majority-minority’ city. The lier, opting to bring in bottle emblem. down barriers between races and Malone said. “An apology comes with us not creating action; action governor of Michigan put the water for themselves and On Oct. 13, Malone and several encourage helpful dialogue to with action.” meaning remove the Confederate city in receivership and began their families. state and local leaders gathered on promote stronger relationships. Admittedly, Malone and sup- to sell off its assets, including the state Capitol steps asking for But during February – Black His- porters did not anticipate actually its golf courses, water pipe- Convocation an apology from Gov. Phil Bry- Flag Continued on page 4 tory Month – Bryant proclaimed receiving an apology from Bry- Continued on page 4 3 credit agencies JSU candlelight vigil set Alcorn State will end deceptive to honor Devon Mannery releases NCAA marketing in From staff reports infractions report Family and friends as well The Mississippi Link Newswire Mississippi as the Jackson State University The National Collegiate Athletic Association community continue to mourn Division I Committee notified Alcorn State Uni- The Mississippi Link Newswire the passing of Devon Mannery, versity on infractions that the university failed to Attorney General Jim Hood announced Oct. who was killed in a car acci- monitor its progress-toward-degree certification 19, that the nation’s three major credit report- dent along I-55 in Madison the process when it improperly certified several in- ing agencies will overhaul their business prac- morning of Oct. 17. eligible student athletes for competition. tices and offer Mississippians unlimited access Mannery, 20, of Jackson was The NCAA discovered the in- to free credit reports over the next three years a part of JSU’s Sonic Boom of correct certifications during an in order to resolve Hood’s investigation into the South Marching Band and NCAA Division I Academic Per- the agencies’ mistakes on credit reports and on the drumline. formance Program audit. It was deceptive marketing activities. A candlelight vigil will take discovered that the panel found The agencies were accused of putting their place at 7 p.m. Oct. 20, at Am- the university did not provide own interests ahead of those of Mississippi phitheater B in front of Jacob adequate rules education to its Rankins consumers by failing to properly verify debts L. Reddix Hall on campus. academic advisors, which resulted in the school and failing to delete paid or expired debts from In addressing band members failing to monitor its certification process. credit reports. about Mannery’s passing, JSU The NCAA imposed a two-year probation pe- The credit reporting agencies, Experian, Band Director Roderick Little riod, a vacation of records for games in which TransUnion and Equifax will pay the state a said, “Mr. Mannery played ineligible student athletes competed and a total of $7.175 million. Starting in November, in the percussion section in $5,000 fine. Mississippi residents will be eligible to receive which he was a major asset The case involved unintentional violations unlimited free credit reports for three years, and a young man with a very of the NCAA’s progress-toward-degree certifi- one free FICO credit score every year for three promising future. Although he cation legislation that resulted in 26 ineligible years, in addition to other benefits provided by did not participate in band this Mannery PHOTO FROM FACEBOOK student athletes being allowed to compete in the credit bureaus under terms of settlements year, he is still, very much so, a athletic contests from 2011-12 through 2014-15 with Hood. part of our Sonic Boom family. to maintain the natural order Ave. in Jackson. Family hour academic years. The three credit reporting agencies compile I can imagine that the percus- of things. I am planning to pay is from 6-7 p.m. The violations occurred in 11 sports: men’s and sell credit reports on almost every Missis- sion section will feel this the tribute to him, and also those The funeral is set for 11 basketball, men’s and women’s tennis, base- sippi adult. The reports are the basis for deter- most, so support them even we’ve lost along the way, in a.m. Oct. 22 at Word & Wor- ball, men’s and women’s cross country, football, mining whether and on what terms consumers more. the future.” ship Church, 77 Jeff Stallworth women’s soccer, softball, men’s and women’s are offered credit cards, student loans, auto “If I had all of the answers of A public visitation is set for Way, I-220 in Jackson. Inter- track and field and women’s volleyball. the way of the world I’d share, 1-6 p.m. Oct. 21, at Jackson ment will take place at Gar- Credit but I do not. Some things are Memorial Funeral Service, den Memorial Park, 8001 U.S. Alcorn Continued on page 4 not meant for us to understand 1000 W. Woodrow Wilson Hwy 49 in Jackson. Continued on page 4 100 Black Men Jackson Public Kevin Hart Share this issue with a friend of Jackson holds Schools announces kills in new by mailing it to: 20th anniversary scholars for the week stand-up Inside celebration of Oct. 4-11 ‘What Now?’ Page 6 Page 10 Page 19 2 • THE MISSISSIPPI LINK OCTOBER 20 - 26, 2016 www.mississippilink.com Rep. Thompson honors Vietnam veterans during pinning ceremonies PHOTOS BY KEVIN BRADLEY Oct. 14, U.S. Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) announced he had joined the U. S. Vietnam War Commemorative Partners Program. The U.S. Vietnam War Commemoration program was authorized by the 2008 National Defense Authorization Act to honor the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. As a Commemorative Partner, Thompson hosted events that demonstrate the nation’s gratitude to and respect for Vietnam veterans and their families. The events thanked and honored Vietnam War veterans, prisoners of war, personnel missing in action and their families for their contributions and sacrifices. “Vietnam was one of the costliest and divisive wars that this country has ever seen and the veterans who stood up to answer the call of service should be honored and appreciated. This 50th anniversary commemoration is our way of saying ‘thanks’ to the Vietnam veterans in the Second Congressional District of Mississippi,” said Thompson. Two pinning ceremonies were recently held. The first was in Greenwood at the Greenwood Leflore Civic Center at Oct.