Congressional Field Hearing on Immigration

www.mississippilink.com VOL. 26, NO. 4 NOVEMBER 14 - 20, 2019 50¢ Getting Answers: The Black Congressional Field Hearing Press survives and thrives on Immigration Raids Alcorn NABJ Lunch and By Levell Williams Contributing Writer Learn featuring Miss. Link On August 7, 2019 the fi rst publisher and editor day of school, nearly 700 Missis- sippi Hispanic and Latino poultry employees were arrested at By Dr. Jerry Komia Domatob build on the solid foundation seven poultry industries in a raid Contributing Writer of Black Press pioneers. by Immigration and Customs This is a vital and prototypi- During their presentation Enforcement (ICE). According cal epoch in human history, Hampton and Cain exhorted to Attorney Cliff Johnson of the when ardent cynics and pes- the importance of promoting University of Mississippi Law simists disparage the black the legacy of African-Amer- School, some 1500 or more chil- press. This negative attitude ican media pioneers. And re- dren were affected by the raid, is evidently akin to the glee- minded them that even with many coming home to fi nd that ful prediction of its inevitable challenges the Black Press either one or both of their parents demise. To these adamant nay- grapples with, they are alive had been arrested and detained, sayers, especially during an era and progressing. with no indication of their return. when the mainstream print me- Bottom Line Profi tability In the following months, the dia arguably reckons with its Though the Black Press has a needs of the many hundreds af- requiem, the status of the black civil rights’ mission, the speak- fected by the raids have been met press raises controversy. “It’s ers noted that they must still only through various efforts of useless and irrelevant,” some practice the craft of journalism generosity by community mem- The fi rst panel of witnesses (Attorney Cliff Johnson pictured in the foreground.) PHOTOS BY LEVELL WILLIAMS arch opponents assert without which is based on facts and bers and immigrant rights ad- guts or gumption. not fi ction; truth not lies and vocates, such as Lorena Quiroz- Foremost champions: reality not myth. Black Press Lewis, lead organizer for the Hampton and Cain members must also survive Mississippi Immigrant Coalition However, two seasoned and and reckon with the quest for and Working Together Missis- distinguished Mississippi me- profi tability and professional- sippi. dia giants, Mississippi Link ism as imperatives for media “They’re American citizens, publisher Jackie Hampton and owners and practitioners. these children,” said Quiroz- editor Othor Cain, credibly ar- Hampton emphasized the Lewis. gue that the black press is alive importance of sales, noting According to Johnson, more and well. that it is the life-line of most than a dozen organizations have Speaking to Alcorn Mass newspapers and other media made organized efforts to al- Communication students in outlets. She stressed that with leviate the effects. “We’re not early November 2019, they the advent of social media, equipped to handle this,” he said. submitted that despite daunt- print sales and advertising In the aftermath of the raids, ing fi nancial, social, cultural have witnessed phenomenal many local and state offi cials and technological hurdles, the changes. were left with no answers as to Black Press battles along. Citing online transactions as why their constituents and depen- These media leaders con- the standard modus operandi dents had been targeted by ICE. vincingly contend that the today, Hampton added that On November 7, at Touga- Black Press’ role is as pertinent media students must adapt to loo College, Congressman and today as at its genesis in the the new era and ways of con- Homeland Security Committee 18th century. They assert that ducting business. Chair Bennie G. Thompson, held as in other historical eras, such Credible Stories a Field Hearing on Immigration as the Civil Rights movement, These speakers further up- Raids to generate answers. Hispanic and Latino families present in support of the detainees and in opposition of the ICE raids Reconstruction and slavery, dated students on media chal- An audience of immigrant the Black Press still performs lenges, internships, job oppor- families, students and faculty of populated with members of the The fi eld hearing would con- front of each panel, on the el- a major role. tunities, trends and strategies. the Tougaloo community, and press surrounding the crowd on sist of two panels of testimoni- evated stage where all could see In championing the cause of They said media practitioners, other Mississippi constituents, the wall. “Everyone we invited is als from Mississippi government them clearly, were the panel of the Black Press, speakers Cain of any race or background, here,” said Thompson in a warm offi cials, knowledgable civilians gathered at Holmes Hall. The Immigration Raids and Hampton, urged staff and Black Press large room was substantially welcome. affected by the raids. Seated in students who invited them, to Continued on page 3 Continued on page 3 AT&T launches “Believe Mississippi” Initiative across the state By Jackie Hampton hit the streets to fi ght hunger and food in- Publisher security in Central Mississippi.” On Tuesday AT&T launched its’ “Be- Jackson Mayor Chokwe Lumumba lieve Mississippi” initiatve to help fi ght said, “we operate in an area of scarcity, in hunger and food disparities in communi- a world where we have abundance.” He ties across the state. The launch took place recalled a promise he made when elected in Jackson, Gulfport and Tupelo. Mi- mayor of the city of Jackson. “When I chael Walker, executive director of Exter- become mayor, you become mayor.” He nal Affairs kicked off the launch in Gulf- said “We don’t have the capabilities to port while Gunner Goad, regional director solve all the problems so we called on of External Affairs, kicked off the Tupelo our corporate and community citizens to launch. AT&T pledged $200,000 to fi ght help.” hunger and support in local communities. Mississippi Food Network Board In a packed conference room at the Member Pam Confer was very pleased Mississippi Food Network location on with the launch and what it means to those Beatty Drive, AT&T President Mayo in need. She said, “Communities depend Flynt said “Through Believe Mississippi on a connection with corporate partners in more than 2,300 AT&T employees are order to lift and support faces and places fi ghting hunger in Mississippi and clos- that need us most. AT&T is a model for ing food disparities in urban and rural community collaborations that feed the communities across the state.” Of the mind and the body. Because of them, we $200,000 pledged, $50,000 will go to the all can “Believe in Mississippi.” Mississippi Food Network and $75,000 (L-R) Jackson Mayor Antar Chokwe Lumumba; Keith Elliot, Sow Reap; Charles Beady, MS Food Network; and Mayo Flynt, AT&T As part of the launch AT&T employ- will go to Sow Reap Feed to fund a mo- ees in Gulfport, Tupelo and Jackson went bile market. Food Network, said the support of AT&T by supplying food to families who need Keith Elliot of Sow Reap said “we look to the “Back Pack Room” and prepared Charles Beady, CEO of Mississippi will help relieve poverty-related hunger help. forward to an impactful partnership as we items and packed meals for distribution. Honoring veterans in word Pretty Share this issue with a friend and deed: The Greater One by mailing it to: Bethlehem Temple Church Inside Veterans Ministry Page 5 Page 17 LOCAL 2 • THE MISSISSIPPI LINK NOVEMBER 14 - 20, 2019 www.mississippilink.com Myricks new member Fauna Foodworks presents on Student Advisory Council Supper with Chef Carla Hall The Mississippi Link Newswire and Chef Enrika Williams The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) has an- nounced Kaitlin Elise Myricks as a member of the inaugural State Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council. The council includes students in grades 11-12 or fi rst year of college to serve as members for a term of two school years. More than 150 students from across the state applied for membership on the council and Hall Williams 83 were selected. The council consist of students from differ- The Mississippi Link Newswire ent backgrounds, school size Fauna Foodworks presents Supper with and regions in Mississippi. Its Chef Carla Hall and Chef Enrika Williams overall purpose is to provide Friday, November 22, 5:30 p.m. at the a forum for Mississippi’s stu- Smith-Robertson Cultural Museum. The dents to offer diverse perspec- menu for the intimate dinner is inspired by tives to Carey Wright, state local recipes that are featured in Chef Hall’s superintendent of education. latest cookbook Carla Hall’s Soul Food: The selected students will act Everyday and Celebration. as liaisons between MDE and Hall took a 10-day pilgrimage through public-school students from the South to write her book. She and her across the state. co-author visited places like Jackson, MS “I’m looking forward to (Sugar’s Place), Charleston, Savannah, hearing directly from students Birmingham, and her hometown of Nash- on issues of importance to ville to include these foods in her book. them,” Wright stated. “As our VIP guests will receive a signed copy of clients, we want to make sure this cookbook and will get to chat with public education provides them Hall during a cocktail reception prior to the with the knowledge and skills dinner. they need to be successful. The This dinner is sponsored in part by council also allows students to Bloom with Abigail, Poised Consultancy interact with their peers from Myricks and Visit Jackson.

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