It's All About Timing

www.mississippilink.com VOL. 19, NO. 23 MARCH 28 - APRIL 3, 2013 50¢ It’s all about timing Leadership forum JSU named Wayne Brent its seventh celebrates Women’s head men’s basketball coach History Month Women who lead and women as social change agents By Ayesha K. Mustafaa Editor Closing this year’s Women’s History Month was a joint effort by the Jackson State University Development Foundation Wom- en’s Council, the Jackson Chap- ter of the Links philanthropy organization, and Tougaloo Col- lege. A forum was created where women of influence, as agents of change and holding power packed positions came together to share what has shaped and di- rected their lives and careers. Dr. Beverly W. Hogan, Mavis P. James and Dr. Carolyn W. Meyers The historic setting in the Ben- nie G. Thompson Academic and see” film, the distinguished are “connected by their commit- Civil Rights Research Center on women all acknowledged that ment to equality..., celebrating the Tougaloo College campus es- they indeed were “Standing on leadership of women today and tablished a sense of reverence for Their Sisters’ Shoulders.” honoring women who have em- these women. As panel partici- Also the three participating in- Coach Brent proudly shows off his JSU jacket. pant Constance Slaughter-Har- stitutions’ statement of purpose Leadership forum Read story on page 20 vey made reference to a “must for the forum stated that they Continued on page 3 “It takes a village” and 100 Black Men of Jackson, Inc. answers the call Paying it forward: from By Ayesha K. Mustafaa and prior members continu- Editor ously reactivate and there are the Veterans of Civil Out front, the corner sign tons of inquiries. at the home of the 100 Black He described his journey Men of Jackson, Inc., 5360 through the organization to Rights Movement to Highland Dr., reads, “It becoming its eighth president. takes a whole village to raise “I joined the organization a child.” Don Lewis was when I was 30 years old, Young People’s Project ceremoniously installed as and I’m now 50. In the first By Stephanie president of the organization month, I was elected as re- R. Jones March 3, 2013, and said this cording secretary and served Contributing Writer is more than a slogan: “This two years for the founding It was a re- is what we do on a daily ba- president Leroy Walker. turn home, sis.” their old New officers inducted for the 100 Black Men of Jackson, Inc.: (L – R) Dr. Marcel D. According to Lewis, The Turner, treasurer; Zachary S. Williams, corresponding secretary; Don Lewis, CPA, s t o m p i n g 100 Black Men of Jackson, 100 Black Men president; Dr. Marcus D. Chanay, vice president, Kodi D. Hobbs, recording secretary ground, their Inc. has 75 active members Continued on page 2 PHOTO BY JAY JOHNSON safe haven during trou- bled times. Dr. Myrlie Evers-William and Dr. Beverly Hogan Members of Celebrating with the faithful: Antioch Christian Church installs new pastor Veterans of the Mississippi to be back at Tougaloo,” Civil Rights Movement, Goodloe Palmer said. “Tou- Songs, prayers and sermons usher in Lonnie O’Quinn as pastor Inc. gathered at Touga- galoo provided a refuge and loo College for five days lodging for many of the out- By Dr. Jerry Komia Domatob Wednesday through Sun- of-town Freedom Riders Special to The Mississippi Link day, March 20 - 24, 2013, to who came in 1963 to protest revisit history, examine the racial injustice here and to PORT GIBSON - The amiable, present and plot a path for help spur changes.” articulate and awesome Pastor the future, as it celebrated The conference provided Lonnie O’Quinn received Clai- its 8th annual conference. a forum for young people, borne County Antioch Christian like the ones who shaped Church’s leadership mantle Sat- “Seventy-two veterans urday, March 23, 2013. who fought tirelessly for the movement in the 60s. Clerics, families, friends and social equality in the 1960s Attended by about 250 peo- observers converged on the his- attended the conference, ple, it included workshops, some of whom had not been film screenings, book sign- toric hill top church strategi- (L-R) Reverends Brown, Wells, Johnson, Hughes, Cruel, Wells and Edwards with Pastor O’Quinn at mic. cally perched on woodlands. It back to Mississippi in 50 ings and events honoring was transformed into a biblical years,” said Cynthia Good- some involved in the move- melody of prayer in oratori- gation cheering, applauding and encircled O’Quinn and his wife intendent, Rev. Elijah Brown, of- loe Palmer, executive direc- ment. cal theater style. The inspiring laughing. and prayed for them to lead and tor of the veterans organiza- songs, prayers, commendations The ceremony hit its apogee, guide the church with God’s Pastor installation tion. Paying it forward and reflections kept the congre- when all the clergy - about 20 - Grace. Claiborne School super- Continued on page 7 “Overall, the veterans Continued on page 14 were extremely excited Business of the Winners Shirley Caesar Share this issue with a friend Black Press to announced for releases album at by mailing it to: serve special role Region II Science end of Women’s Inside and Engineering History Month Fair Page 5 Page 9 Page 12 LOCAL 2 • the mississippi link march 28 - april 3, 2013 www.mississippilink.com 100 Black men Continued from page 1 “After his tenure ended, household and high crime our communities some chil- J.R. Jones became the sec- rate, including young black dren don’t have natural par- ond president and with him men killing each other. ents. And it is important that I served as corresponding “100 Black Men can fill in they have others to take care secretary for two years. I for that absentee father, and of them. also served under president we can help make our com- “The motto here is the Af- Barnett Taylor for two years. munities safer. rican proverb, ‘It takes a vil- “Then under president Les- “A lot of the men in the or- lage to raise a child.’ These lie McLemore, I transitioned ganization are entrepreneurs. men are a village. While into the position of treasur- They look out for their men- you hear about them doing er, since I was a CPA. Les- tees when openings come these things, know that they lie served for two years and up at their particular job or are taking from their own rotated off to Robert Gibbs, company. They look to see if time, from their weekends to who became the fifth presi- any of them qualify for that spend with a child. dent. With him, I remained position. “They help to make their four years as treasurer. “We are in the schools and boys whole again. We often “The next president was have contact with our boys talk about doing all you can Eric Stringfellow with whom and spend time with them for the child, but then send I remained two years as trea- every week. We treat these him back into a sick com- surer and two years as vice boys just like we would munity. How can you make president. After him was treat our own child. If they that child whole? So it is the Shelton Swanier, who served are having a problem with attachment that these men as president for four years, a teacher or having a prob- give to those young boys that and I served with him as vice lem with a lesson, we get in- make them feel like ‘I am Hinds County Sheriff Tyrone Lewis (L) and State Senator Sollie Norwood (R) join 100 Black Men new president Don A. Lewis and president. Then naturally, it volved.” somebody, and I have some- past presidents J.R. Jones, Leroy Walker Jr., Judge Robert Gibbs and Shelton Swanier. PHOTO BY JAY JOHNSON was my turn to step up to the The organization has been one who cares about me.’” plate and be president.” asked by Gov. Phil Bryant’s Lyles said the men also tion also works “to save lives With longevity and the office to join in a fatherhood teach fiscal responsibility, through offering an aquatics ability to work together, initiative to mentor young how to manage themselves program in the summer - free Lewis said the members black men in June. on the job and to live within to the youth. Black males and have a common purpose and “We have the pathway to their means. She said while black girls are taught swim- goal, “to help our inner city success program and entre- Mississippi statistics show it ming and water safety. We boys who don’t have a father preneurship program. We has the highest rate of obe- participate in other activities figure in the home.” place an emphasis on health sity and teenage pregnan- in the community. The orga- Lewis said, “We want to - teaching healthy lifestyles cies, the message 100 Black nization gives its financial make a difference in their and nutrition,” Lewis ex- Men want to project is that dollars to support other agen- lives. Once you start men- plained. “we are here for the com- cies and their activities.” toring, you get attached to “We will conduct a health munity and don’t plan to go The local organization the child and the child does fair here this summer and anywhere.” belongs to the international not want to let go. Soon they offer free health screening. “While you see this great 100 Black Men of Ameri- move on to high school.

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