Jackson Hinds Library System Receives $10,000 Federal Coding Grant
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www.mississippilink.com VOL. 24, NO. 48 SEPTEMBER 20 - 26, 2018 50¢ CBCF Conference: Jackson Hinds Library Health, “The Dream” and Impeachment System receives $10,000 federal coding grant By Janice K. Neal-Vincent Contributing Writer The Jackson Hinds Library System recently received a $10,000 federally-funded Li- brary Services and Technology Act grant to teach coding skills to elementary students at their seven Jackson library locations. Funds will be utilized to pur- chase iPads and interactive ro- botic toys to teach introductory computer programming skills to elementary-aged students. Texas Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee served as chairperson throughout the con- “This grant will enable us to ference which tackled infant mortality, the opioid crisis, health disparities, offer the basic steps of coding and criminal justice reform. PHOTO BY JACKIE HAMPTON using fun, colorful robots and iPads. This is equipment that By Stacy M. Brown have private health insurance is exciting for any age, and we NNPA Newswire Contributor compared to 75.8 percent of believe that the kids will really An estimated 10,000 people non-Hispanic whites. Further, enjoy this program which could fi lled the Walter E. Wash- the data revealed that more help them prepare for a career ington Convention Center in blacks – 43.6 percent – relied in the fi eld later in life,” said Li- Northwest Washington, D.C. on public health insurance brary Executive Director Patty over fi ve days to hear vital is- like Medicaid, compared to Furr. sues facing African Americans 32.7 percent of whites. What’s The Mississippi Coding and other minorities at the more, statistics show that Afri- Academy was housed in the Congressional Black Caucus can Americans have the high- Welty Library Technology Lab Foundation’s Annual Legisla- est mortality rate of any racial for the fi rst four months of the tive Conference. and ethnic group for all can- academy’s course. During that Organizers left no stone un- cers combined and for most period Welty Library admin- turned during the 48th annual major cancers. istrators became aware of the event that featured honorary This year’s conference need for elementary school co-chairs, Senator Cory Book- theme, “The Dream Still De- children to learn coding and to er of New Jersey and Senator mands,” paid tribute to the incorporate basics to program Kamala Harris of California. legacy of pivotal American computers. Texas Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee civil and social movements Botley, one way to intro- served as chairperson through- of the past 50 years, while duce students to coding, paves out the conference which tack- maintaining a goal of uplifting the way for other computer led such vital topics as infant present-day champions in the programming such as Hour of Anne Sanders, branch librarian of the Medgar Evers Library, looks on as Jamarion Atkinson, 9 years old mortality, the opioid crisis, fi ght for racial equality, justice Code, Scratch or Apple’s Swift (white shirt) and Darius Johnson, 10 years old (blue shirt) observe robotic toy. health disparities, criminal and freedom. Playground. Kimberly Corbett, justice reform and much more. A panel discussion on crimi- Deputy Director, noted that scientifi cally or mathemati- Naturally, the midterm elec- nal justice reform included “Botley encourages sequential cally inclined. It is useful for tions and the possibility of Sybrina Fulton, the mother thinking and each line or square artists, composers, musicians, impeaching President Donald of Trayvon Martin and three is a block of code.” English majors or anyone who Trump commanded much at- black gubernatorial candidates “But girls don’t normally is language-oriented then, to do tention. “We will walk through – Ben Jealous of Maryland, have linear thinking which is coding. the storm together and we will Stacey Abrams of Georgia required,” added Furr. “The Jackson Hinds Library Sys- be productive together,” said and Andrew Gillum of Florida kids have to program to follow tem is expecting 1800 to 2000 Jackson-Lee during the open- brought in overfl ow crowds at lines,” she continued. books on coding for students. ing news conference that fea- the convention center. Osmo, another coding meth- Accordingly, participants can tured the potential 2020 Dem- Rep. Maxine Waters of Cali- od, fosters social intelligence learn the fundamentals of cod- ocratic presidential ticket of fornia, who along with Rep. and creative thinking by open- ing and progress to advance- Booker and Harris. Jim Clyburn of South Carolina ing up the iPad and iPhone to the ment. While directors project U.S. Surgeon General Je- and Rep. Al Green of Texas endless possibilities of physical that it will be in every library rome Adams sat for a fi reside each received the National play. “This music game writes in Jackson and will move to the chat during a luncheon titled, Newspaper Publishers Asso- a song. Boys and girls venture counties, coding already exists “Protecting the Health, Safety ciation’s (NNPA) Leadership evenly to the game. It’s a cute in many elementary schools. and Security of African-Amer- Award, helped to celebrate the game designed to encourage Computer coding is a growth ican Communities.” “This is hip-hop culture and stole the learning for educational and fun industry in Mississippi. Thus, about lifting up health for all,” spotlight. purposes. So students learn the the Mississippi Coding Acad- Adams said. Joseph “Rev. Run” Sim- coding language as well as the emy was formed last year to Another health disparities mons of Run-DMC fame also fundamentals,” Corbett stated. begin to teach computer cod- forum highlighted Census Bu- appeared on a panel to discuss Furr and Corbett concur that ing to high school graduates. reau statistics which revealed it is good to possess coding Jackson Hinds Library Executive Patty Furr and Deputy Director Kim- that 54.4 percent of blacks CBCF skills, even if a person is not Coding berly Corbett demonstrate how interactive robotic toys teach comput- Continued on page 3 Continued on page 3 er programming fundamentals to elementary students. Reasonable doubt remains ahead of sentencing By Stacy M. Brown made during the campaign of then-can- (NNPA) President and CEO Benjamin F. do that you have to go in with a neutral NNPA Newswire Contributor didate, and now-District Attorney, Kevin Chavis Jr., said it was important for the mind,” Cosby said. Much has gone unreported about the Steele, whose campaign promised to Black Press to cover the trial and to re- It’s been an uphill battle for the icon, Bill Cosby trial and what many perceive “Get Cosby.” main impartial and balanced. particularly after a jury found him guilty as an overwhelmingly suspect set of Cosby, who fi nally lashed out at Steele Just two years prior to the start of the of three counts of aggravated indecent as- charges fi led against him, resulting in a after the verdicts in April, has maintained trial, Cosby himself told the NNPA News- sault in April, just months after another hearing that many experts cite as an af- his composure in the face of what appears wire that he too wanted fairness – and the jury failed to deliver a verdict, reportedly front to ethics laws. The fairness of the to be an easily-appealable jury decision. icon was clear that he wasn’t seeking any divided either 10-2 or 7-5 in favor of ac- proceedings is further called into ques- When the comedian initially was or- favors. “Let me say this: I only expect the quittal. tion based upon the arguably question- dered to stand trial in 2017, National black media to uphold the standards of Cosby able ethics and out of court statements Newspaper Publishers Association excellence in journalism and when you Cosby Continued on page 16 White House Initiative Washington Share this issue with a friend selects Jackson State Black by mailing it to: students as 2018 HBCU Inside Competitiveness Scholars Hinds Page 8 Page 18 Continued on page 3 LOCAL 2 • THE MISSISSIPPI LINK SEPTEMBER 20 - 26, 2018 www.mississippilink.com New Ed. Era, Holmes Co. Pt. 4 ‘What’s in a name?’ Doretha Draine Wiley Fine Arts Magnet Academy The Mississippi Link Newswire Dear Mrs. Doretha Wiley, Magnet Academy itself is a recently- them. Shakespeare once asked the ques- I saw you on Ed Bradley’s Brown developed component of the newly “I am proud to be a part of the plan- tion in his famous 17th Century vs Board of Education Decision operational district. Coordinated by ning committee for this grand occa- play, Romeo and Juliet, “What’s in Twenty-Five Years After, documenta- Durant, Miss. native Gregory Wash- sion,” Stone said. “The most enjoy- a name?” Today, in the 21st Century ry several weeks ago. I am writing to ington, Ph.D., the academy students able task is contacting her former education era of the Holmes County thank you for sharing your thoughts have the opportunity to take art, students to inform them of the occa- Consolidated School District (HCC- on national television with all of us. band, choir, dance, drama/debate, sion. SD), the answer is Doretha Draine You have no idea how elated I was theater arts, radio, television and The contacts lead to conversations Wiley Fine Arts Magnet Academy. to hear you articulate in unqualifying print journalism courses. According about Wiley and the outstanding ser- The HCCSD Board of Trustees language my own beliefs about the to Washington, a strings component vice she gave her students. Of course, voted 5-0 August 9, to name the new- varied roles black teachers must be will also be added. “The academy there are many conversations of “I ly created Fine Arts Magnet Acad- willing to play.