www.mississippilink.com VOL. 23, NO. 24 APRIL 6 - 12, 2017 50¢ College Hill - 110 years of laboring in the Spirit By Daphne M. Higgins celebration of College Hill were in perfect harmony with the Lord, actively welcoming Religion Editor Missionary Baptist Church in it’s anniversary theme, “Labor- all to “come along…” as they “Come along, my friends Jackson, Miss. ing in the Spirit: Remembering learn and grow in the Lord. come along” were the first lyr- For a church that embraces the Past, Rejoicing in the Pres- The celebration began Sat- ics sung by the male chorus of the motto, “Moving the Mass- ent and Investing in the Future” urday, April 1, with its annual the First Missionary Baptist es Toward the Mission of the (James 2:26). College Hill Pastor Michael T. Williams, Gail and Sen. John Horhn, guest Church of Gulfport during the Master,” the remaining lyrics For 110 years, College Hill College Hill speaker S.V. ‘Sonny’ Adolph Jr. PHOTO BY JAY JOHNSON 110th year church anniversary of the song “Ride This Train” has been a constant servant of Continued on page 3 Lee mulls “high crimes and Stepping outside of traditional misdemeanors” ministry to become a public servant for Trump By Othor Cain Editor At 39 years old, Ronnie Crudup “Let’s Rebuild Together” Jr., feels a new call from God to do ‘more’ for Jackson. That calling in- cludes stepping outside of the four walls of New Horizion Interna- tional Church, where he currently serves as the executive director of the church’s community arm New Horizon Ministries. Crudup vividly recalls a short stay in the hospital nearly two years ago after an unexplained fall. “I was hospitalized for three days and all I could do was look up at the ceiling and I heard that voice…that Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) expressed concerns voice from God, asked me a ques- about President Donald Trump’s potential ties to tion…If the doctor comes back and Russia, as NNPA President and CEO Benjamin F. says to you, you only have a year or Chavis Jr., look on. Jackson Lee spoke during a 2017 two left to live, what are you going NNPA Black Press Week event at Howard University to do.” I had to ponder that ques- in Washington, D.C. FREDDIE ALLEN/AMG/NNPA tion and that’s when I decided I’m going to give all of my energy and By Stacy M. Brown time to boys and young men, help- NNPA Newswire Contributor ing them become great and making After just two months in the Oval Office, sure South Jackson is transformed.” President Donald Trump has already proven Crudup moved to South Jackson to be a liability to the free world, keeping in 1993 and has watched the area Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) up many that he’s called home for over a nights wondering what the New York City decade slowly decline. “I’m a firm real estate developer will do next. believer, you can either sit on the Ronnie Crudup Jr. announcing his candidacy for mayor of the city of Jackson backed by family, friends and supporters. However, the veteran Congressional Black sidelines and complain or you can Caucus (CBC) member isn’t just losing sleep, get up and get involved…I chose In offering himself as a public Crudup is making this invest- What Crudup also knows is that she’s investigating the possibility of draft- the latter,” he said. servant with his quest to become ment in the city for the long haul. he isn’t seeking the mayor’s seat ing articles of impeachment against the 45th Crudup has recruited businesses the city’s CEO, Crudup under- “I think its time for a new direc- for financial gain. “Listen, I’ve had president. to South Jackson, bought, trans- stands it will take collaborative ef- tion and regardless of how this race many folk approach me during and “High crimes and misdemeanors,” an ani- formed and created affordable liv- forts to move Jackson in the right turns out, I’m committed to staying even before this campaign and say mated Jackson Lee told a gathering of Black ing in South Jackson and created direction. “We didn’t get to this involved…if by chance it won’t be to me…we like what you’re doing Press reporters, editors and publishers at sports programs for youth. “It’s not place overnight and we will not a Crudup administration, I’m com- in South Jackson, let us help you Howard University last week. that I’ve done all of these things by rebuild overnight, but what we can mitted to working with the next ad- expand your work there, make a She pointed to Trump’s alleged ties to Rus- myself, its the very essence of what do immediately is join forces, bring ministration in some capacity,” he larger imprint of your work….pay sia and the possible role that Russian officials my campaign is all about, we are our contacts to the city at large and said. “When we made the decision you a great salary,” he said. “Some played in distributing fake news stories and rebuilding South Jackson together create opportunities for growth,” to do this, I knew that I would not people think I’m crazy for pass- leaking, damaging emails that disrupted and and now I want to help lead the ef- Crudup said. “It will take every cit- return to the church to work in min- derailed Hillary Clinton’s bid to become the forts to rebuild Jackson together,” izen in this city working together, istry ... of course, I will still wor- Crudup that’s how we ‘Rebuild Together.” ship at New Horizon!” first woman to become the president of the he said. Continued on page 3 United States. “High crimes and misdemeanors” is a phrase used in Section 4 of Article Two of the United States Constitution. The statute states that “The President, Vice Top five candidates meet in social media forum President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Im- By Othor Cain Editor peachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high crimes and misdemean- Tuesday, March 28, citizens gath- ors.” ered at the Jackson Convention Com- According to the Constitutional Rights plex in downtown Jackson for the Foundation (CRF), a non-profit, community- first ever Social Media Town Hall based group, working to educate young peo- Forum. ple about the importance of civic participa- The forum was designed to con- tion in a democratic society, the framers of the nect the candidates for Jackson’s top U.S. Constitution borrowed the phrase “high job with voters through social media. crimes and misdemeanors” from the English This forum provided voters a deeper Parliament; the phrase was originally used to focus on issues rather than the normal describe “grounds to impeach officials of the political rehetoric heard during cam- crown.” paign speeches, television and radio The post on the CRF website continued: commercials and at local churches. “Officials accused of ‘high crimes and misde- “I’m really glad I attended this fo- meanors’ were accused of offenses as varied rum,” said Carol Woodson. “It gave as misappropriating government funds, ap- me an opportunity to get up close pointing unfit subordinates, not prosecuting with each of the candidates and I Top five mayoral candidates Ronnie Crudup Jr., Robert Graham, John Horhn, Chokwe A. Lumumba and incumbent Mayor cases, not spending money allocated by Par- walked away with a better under- Tony Yarber PHOTO BY JAY JOHNSON liament, promoting themselves ahead of more standing of whom I’m going to sup- deserving candidates, threatening a grand port.” and wanted to hear from these candi- Kimberly Campbell, executive di- what’s happening.” jury, disobeying an order from Parliament, ar- The social media forum was spon- dates and in particularly hear where rector for AARP Mississippi. “This More than 200 people were as- sored in part by the Mississippi affili- they stand on issues surrounding election is far too important for us Lee ation of AARP. “We are non-partisan Jackson’s aging population,” said not to get involved and understand Candidates Continued on page 3 Continued on page 3 Mississippi College Book Review: Share this issue with a friend student-athletes The President’s by mailing it to: boost Make-A-Wish Kitchen Cabinet Inside Page 17 Page 18 LOCAL 2 • THE MISSISSIPPI LINK APRIL 6 - 12, 2017 www.mississippilink.com Media giants motivate Alcorn students Distinguished media professionals’ perspectives By Dr. Jerry Komia Domatob Contributing Writer A galaxy of communication giants converged at Alcorn State University March 29 to celebrate the institution’s an- nual media day. Distinguished panelists The Mississippi Link Pub- lisher Jackie Hampton; Epit- ome Magazine Publisher & Founder Todrick Johnson; Mis- sissippi Association of Broad- casters Chief Executive Karla Hooten; Clarion Ledger report- Epitome founder Todrick Johnson with Jerry Domatob Todrick Johnson with students PHOTOS BY JERRY K. DOMATOB er Therese Appel; WCBI-TV General Manager Derek Rog- tive assistant. ers in Columbus-Mississippi. The department offers bach- Rogers encouraged students elor degrees in mass commu- to take advantage of educa- nication and graduates serve in tional and professional av- the media. enues at their disposal. Hamp- The occasion was attended ton encouraged the students by students, professors, observ- to embark on practical work, ers and high school pupils. networking, seeking guidance Alcorn Jazz Ensemble pro- from professionals and higher vided tunes during lunch with education. their virtuoso performance.