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VOL. 26, NO. 14 JANUARY 23 - 29, 2020 50¢ Reeves: “I believe there is a leadership crisis in the system.” Rev. William Barber Governor selects committee addresses systemic racism, poverty to search for new MDOC and voting rights commissioner; appoints interim

By Othor Cain Editor Tate Reeves was sworn in as Mississippi’s 65th governor Tuesday, Jan. 14, prior to be- ing elected governor, he served as lieutenant governor for the past eight years. In his capacity as lieutenant governor, Reeves presided over the state Senate and had much infl uence over the state budget and the funding at the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC), an agency he now says is “experiencing a Reverend William Barber II, president of the North Carolina state leadership crisis.” chapter of the NAACP, delivered an electrifying speech during MDOC is the magnolia state’s the 2017 NNPA Mid-Winter Conference in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. prison system and just this past PHOTO: FREDDIE ALLEN/AMG/NNPA weekend amid reports of riots, prison escapes and other inhu- By Stacy M. Brown the war economy in the U.S. NNPA Newswire Correspondent mane videos circulating on social They said the fi ndings have media, two inmates died, bring- Following the Shelby already helped to inform and ing the total reported to seven County v. Holder Supreme build state and local, nonpar- inmates that have died in the past Court case, which gutted tisan fusion movements that few weeks. Reeves Flaggs key provisions of the Voting are committed to challenging To make matters worse, two Rights Act, 14 states had new laws and policies that are an- of MDOC’s top offi cials stepped tion, highlighting a severe offi cer rectional offi cers was denied by all seen the catastrophe that the voting restrictions in place tithetical to the broad tenets down earlier this month. shortage of guards and offi cers lawmakers, while Reeves served current state of our prison sys- before the 2016 Presidential of social justice. Former MDOC Commis- that plagued the agency. Hall’s as lieutenant governor. tem has allowed for, we must election, and there were 868 Barber and Theoharris, who sioner Pelicia Hall, shined a request for pay raises for entry In his fi rst press briefi ng as fewer polling places across is a pastor from New York, Reeves light on the gravity of the situa- level starting salaries for cor- governor, Reeves said, “We have the country, according to the told the Black Press that the Continued on page 3 Poor Peoples Campaign. ranks of the Poor People’s Rev. William Barber II be- Campaign would increase as lieves that everyone has a they broaden their efforts. right to live. They noted fi gures that Through his Poor People’s show 140 million poor and Inhumane conditions, violence and Campaign, Barber is continu- low-wealth people live in ing to build a movement to the United States – from ev- overcome systemic racism, ery race, creed, sexuality and death represent everyday life systemic poverty, ecological place. devastation, militarism of the “We aim to make sure these budget and the false moral individuals are no longer ig- narrative of white religious nored, dismissed or pushed at Mississippi’s Parchman Prison nationalism. to the margins of our political In an exclusive telephone and social agenda,” Theohar- conference with the Black ris stated. Press of America, Barber and With 2020 counting as a his Poor People’s Campaign pivotal election year, Barber co-chair, Rev. Liz Theohar- pointed out that voter sup- ris, said America has a moral pression laws in many states crisis. have only contributed to pov- “Democrats run from pov- erty. erty and Republicans racialize The Poor People’s Cam- poverty,” Barber stated during paign has noted that, since the more than one-hour dis- 2010, 23 states have passed cussion. racist voter suppression laws, “We have invited both sides including racist gerrymander- of the political fence. We’ve ing and redistricting statutes invited the White House that make it harder to register. to come and talk with us. Because of this, early vot- They’ve refused,” stated Bar- ing days and hours have re- ber, the founder of Repairers duced, offi cials have purged of the Breach, a national lead- voter rolls, and there have ership development organiza- been more restrictive voter ID tion, which expands upon his laws. Moral Monday movement. While these laws have dis- “This administration has proportionately targeted black been virtually silent on the is- people, at least 17 states saw sue of poverty. The president voter suppression cases tar- talked about unemployment geting American Indian and being down, but underem- Alaskan Native voters in ployment is up. The number 2016, Barber stated. By Stacy M. Brown worst detention facilities in the In the suite fi led in U.S. Dis- Pelicia Hall and Mississippi of people that have dropped “Thirteen states that passed NNPA Newswire Correspondent world, according to reform ad- trict Court in Greenville, Mis- State Penitentiary Superinten- out of the workforce is up,” voter suppression laws also Tuesday, January 14, hip-hop vocates and human rights orga- sissippi, Jay-Z addressed the dent Marshall Turner as defen- said Barber, who, along opted not to accept expanded superstar Jay-Z sued the head nizations. recent deaths at the prison. dants. with Theoharris, and others Medicaid benefi ts offered un- of the Mississippi Department Death and violence are ram- “These deaths are a direct Earlier this month, hip-hop launched the Poor People’s der the Affordable Care Act,” of Corrections and the warden pant, many inmates are without result of Mississippi’s utter stars T.I., and Yo Gotti called Campaign, spearheaded ini- he added. on behalf of 29 prisoners who beds, and electricity, plumbing, disregard for the people it has on the governor to close the tially by Dr. Martin Luther “These attacks follow a have complained that offi cials and fundamental human rights incarcerated and their constitu- prison or to address the issues King Jr. broader pattern of restrict- have done nothing to stop the are absent. At the same time, tional rights,” the mogul said in adequately. The campaign conducted ing and curtailing democratic violence at Parchman. The con- mold, roaches, mosquitos and the court fi ling. “This is unacceptable,” T.I. what it said was a 50-year au- processes by drawing on lega- ditions at Mississippi’s Parch- rodents far outnumber the more The suit names Department Parchman dit of systemic racism, pover- Barber man prison makes it one of the than 5,000 inmates. of Corrections Commissioner Continued on page 3 ty, ecological devastation and Continued on page 3

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2 • THE MISSISSIPPI LINK JANUARY 23 - 29, 2020 www.mississippilink.com

Hinds County Board Of Supervisors assisting Hinds County Sheriff with detention offi cer recruitment

Mississippi Link Newswire capacity of sheriff’s deputy starting as • Be a Unites States citizen Raymond, MS 39154. Among other physical improve- a detention offi cer. With a starting sal- • Be able to pass a background in- Additionally, applications may be ments to the Hinds County Raymond ary of $27,500.04 annually, there is a vestigation and drug screen. picked up in the Hinds County Per- Detention, the Hinds County Board clear direction for advancement once All interested men and women, who sonnel/Human Resources Offi ce lo- of Supervisors is partnering with an individual is hired and trained. are looking for a stable, rewarding ca- cated on the 2nd fl oor of the Hinds the new Hinds County Sheriff, Lee The Hinds County Board is looking reer as a public servant and willing to County Chancery Court Building or Vance, to increase the number of de- to assist the sheriff in adding a mini- put forth an honest effort are encour- at the security desks on the 1st fl oor tention offi cers in an effort to promote mum of 40 new detention offi cers aged to apply for the detention offi cer of the Hinds County Chancery Court public, offi cer and inmate safety and through this recruitment drive in the position immediately. (316 S. President Street, Jackson, MS secure the jail. coming weeks. Applications can be obtained or 39201) and Circuit Court Buildings In a press conference January 15, Positions are available for all three at the Hinds County Sheriff’s Offi ce (407 E. Pascagoula Street, Jackson, Vance announced that the Sheriff’s shifts. Applicants must: behind the Circuit Court Building at MS 39201). Department is initiating a career path • Be at least 21 years of age 407 E. Pascagoula Street, Jackson, For more information contact the for individuals interested in serving • Possess a high school diploma or MS 39201 or at the Raymond Deten- Hinds County Sheriff’s Offi ce at 601 the Hinds County community in the equivalent (GED) tion Center, 1450 County Farm Road, 974-2900. Vance

JPD 59th Recruit Class September 29, 2019 - January 17, 2020 William L. Skinner Training Academy Jackson, MS

PHOTO BY JAY JOHNSON www.mississippilink.com JANUARY 23 - 29, 2020 THE MISSISSIPPI LINK • 3

Reeves Barber Continued from page 1 Continued from page 1 right the wrongs. ”I believe there is tant to continue playing the blame cies of racism to undermine local Assembly and Moral March on tration’s controversial immigration a leadership crisis in the system,” game.” efforts to organize for better condi- Washington, June 20, during which policies. Reeves said. “This starts at the top. Flaggs expressed sharp criticism tions,” Barber stated. Barber said they would rise as “a The Poor People’s Campaign has High-quality leadership, not just toward those that would criticize As of July 2017, 25 states have powerful moral fusion movement to found that undocumented immi- money, is key.” and not join the efforts in fi nding passed laws that preempt cities demand the implementation of our grants contributed $5 trillion to the Reeves said Thursday, “we are solutions. “I maintain that if you are from adopting their own local mini- moral agenda.” U.S. economy over the last ten years. going to work with the legislature not a part of fi nding solutions then mum wage laws. Most of these are “The fact that there are 140 mil- They paid $13 billion in Social Se- and we are going to ask for the you are part of the problem,” he said in response to city councils passing lion poor and low-wealth people in curity in 2010, but only received $1 amount of funding that is necessary in his offi ce Tuesday in Vicksburg. or wanting to pass minimum wage a country this rich is morally inde- billion in benefi ts. to properly and adequately house ‘I think this is an issue or cause that increases. fensible, constitutionally inconsis- They also pay eight percent of these prisoners.” A request that the Black Caucus should get behind “We found that people can work a tent and economically insane,” Bar- their income in state and local taxes, seemingly fell on deaf ears when he and help fi x…the time is now.” minimum wage job and can’t afford ber added. while the wealthiest one percent pay presided over the senate. Flaggs a longtime former state a two-bedroom apartment,” Barber During the march, Barber said just 5.4 percent. Yet undocumented “We cannot rush the critical job lawmaker, who served from 1988 said. “We found out that there are 2 some of those living in poverty immigrants and most lawfully re- of fi nding a new commissioner for until 2013, will be joined on the million people who work every day would attend and speak for them- siding immigrants are barred from the Department of Corrections. We search team by: for less than the living wage. Some selves. He stated that it was essential receiving assistance under the major must get this right for the people Greg Waggoner, retired Leake of them live in their cars, and they to know that poverty comes in “all public welfare programs, causing of Mississippi. I am turning to my County sheriff go to work every day.” colors” and that it’s more than just hardship for many poor immigrant fellow Mississippians to help me in Jody Owens, Hinds County dis- Theoharris spoke of Maria, a African Americans who are strug- families. this mission,” he said. trict attorney woman they met in El Paso, Texas, gling. In fact, among the 43.7 million Reeves named Vicksburg Mayor Joel Smith, Harrison County separated from her family because He noted that the City of Flint was immigrants in the U.S., there are George Flaggs Jr., as chairman of district attorney of immigration issues. under emergency management when 19.7 million – undocumented and a search committee that will be re- Kathy Henry, who previously “We waded into the Rio Grande it decided to switch its water source lawfully residing – who cannot sponsible for fi nding MDOCs next served on the parole board and the River – the river that separates the from the Detroit Water System to the vote, Barber noted. leader. governor’s juvenile justice advisory U.S. from Mexico – with an action Flint River. “So, we have to understand the “We will ensure that the next committee called “Hugs, not Walls.” Maria got That move poisoned a community history of systemic racism. And we leader of MDOC is transpar- Steve Rushing, Lincoln County to see her son for the fi rst time in of almost 99,000, with a 42 percent have to see how systemic racism is ent, open with the press and quite sheriff 16 years. And for those couple of poverty rate and in which 56 percent impacting not just people of color, frankly open with the people of this Sean Tindell, judge serving on minutes that Maria had with her of residents are black, and 37 percent but also white people today,” Bar- state,” Reeves said. Flagg agrees. the Mississippi Court of Appeals. husband and her son were the fi rst are white. ber stated. “When Reverend Barber “We must fi nd a leader who can Reeves named Tommy Taylor, and only two minutes that she got to Also, Barber noted that 6.1 million says that repressed voter suppres- clean up this department, institute mayor of Boyle and former chair- see her family members because of people had been disenfranchised be- sion can create and further poverty much needed reform and bring man of the House Corrections unjust immigration policy,” Theo- cause of felony convictions, includ- amongst white people, amongst some peace,” Flaggs said. “I’m Committee, as interim MDOC hoarris stated. ing one in 13 black adults. black people, amongst Latinos, ready to roll up my sleeves and get commissioner until a permanent re- The Poor People’s Campaign During the call, Barber continued amongst young people and old peo- to work…this work is too impor- placement is hired. is organizing the Poor People’s to lash out at the current adminis- ple.”

Parchman Continued from page 1 wrote on his Instagram page. “The conditions in the prisons operated by the Mis- sissippi Department of Corrections are absolutely inhu- mane and unconstitutional,” Yo Gotti wrote in a letter to former governor Phil Bryant, a Republican. “To see this happen so close to my hometown of Memphis is truly devastating. That’s why we’re call- ing on Mississippi state leaders to take immediate ac- tion and rectify this issue. If they don’t right this wrong, we’re prepared to take legal action to provide relief for those that are incarcerated and their families,” Gotti stated. In an alarming 2019 report on Parchman and other Mississippi prisons, The Marshall Project found that gang activity isn’t limited to some of the people incar- cerated. They discovered that some prison employees, including some high ranking offi cers and managers, are affi liated with one of two gangs, the Vice Lords or Gangster Disciples. The reasons vary. “Some staffers said gang loyalty gives some offi cers a measure of protection; since gangs have a lot of con- trol, they can prevent certain attacks,” The Marshall Project reported. “Others say gang affi liation began be- fore employment; according to lawsuits, testimony and interviews, gangs directly recruit women to apply for correctional offi cer jobs.” In a tweet, Pro Publica offi cials stated, “Understaffed and underfunded, Mississippi’s #ParchmanPrison re- cently received media attention for its grisly violence, gang control, and subhuman living conditions. Law- makers have known about these issues for years – and have done nothing to fi x it.” Earlier this month, fi ve inmates were killed after al- legedly trying to escape. Video captured by cellphones, which are routinely smuggled into the prison, surfaced online this month appearing to show inside Parchman and the conditions in which inmates live. One shows individuals in orange and white prison uniforms walking through piles of trash and dirty wa- ter. Mold is apparent, and there’s no electricity, heat, plumbing, and many inmates sleep on concrete because there aren’t enough beds. “We sleeping on straight concrete. There are no mats,” one person on the video states. The individuals than demonstrate that there’s no running water by try- ing to fl ush toilets and opening faucets and showers. In another video, two inmates also complain about the lack of running water. “Please get us some help,” they plead. In still another video, an inmate appears to break- down emotionally as he sits in an area where prisoners have disposed of their feces. In the heart of the Mississippi Delta, the prison, once a plantation that was home to hundreds of slaves, has a long history that’s intertwined with Mississippi’s racist past. In 1901, the state government of Mississippi estab- lished Parchman Penitentiary, taking advantage of an opportunity to continue to profi t off of cheap black la- bor, much like whites had done for generations before, while also continuing to exercise violent control over the descendants of former slaves. Historians at the University of North Carolina said Parchman was modeled after a traditional southern plantation, for-profi t prison in Sunfl ower County was segregated until 1971. “While a small farm held white convicts, black inmates labored on Parchman’s mas- sive, twenty-thousand-acre plantation, where they picked cotton, chopped wood, and plowed fi elds under the control of armed guards,” the historians stated. Today, of the more than 5,000 inmates at Parchman, more than 60 percent are African American. The prison has an 11-to-1 inmate to guard ratio, and no one is safe. “I will be requesting that the U.S. Attorney Gener- GET YOUR CURRENT NEWS AND WATCH AP VIDEOS ONLINE AT: al launch an investigation into the ongoing failures in safety, security, health, and environmental standards within the Mississippi Department of Corrections,” stated U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.). “This is unacceptable,” Thompson wrote on Twitter. www.mississippilink.com COMMUNITY

4 • THE MISSISSIPPI LINK JANUARY 23 - 29, 2020 www.mississippilink.com Mississippi native Women’s Council for Philanthropy headlines FEED to honor John A. and Mary Special to the Mississippi Link The MS Legislative Black Cau- cus Foundation for Education for Economic Development (FEED) Peoples during inaugural luncheon will have its Annual Blackmon, El- lis, Fredericks and Young Banquet, Thursday, January 30, at the Westin Jackson Hotel, Jackson, MS at 7:30 p.m. The speaker for this year’s ban- quet is Eddie Glaude, Jr., MSNBC political commentator. Glaude, according to his bio, is Glaude a scholar who speaks to the black and blue in America. His most Religion, Race and Nation in Early well-known books, Democracy in 19th Century Black America, which Black: How Race Still Enslaves the was awarded the Modern Language American Soul, and In a Shade of Association’s William Sanders Scar- Blue: Pragmatism and the Politics borough Book Prize. Glaude is also of Black America, take a wide look the author of two edited volumes, at black communities and reveal and many infl uential articles about complexities, vulnerabilities and op- religion for academic journals. He portunities for hope. Hope that is, has also written for The New York in one of his favorite quotes from Times and The Huffi ngton Post. W.E.B Du Bois, “not hopeless, but Known to be a convener of con- a bit unhopeful.” versations and debates, Glaude Other muses include James Bald- takes care to engage fellow citizens By LaToya Hentz-Moore serve as role models and cil to establish an endowed numerous diverse civic pro- win, Malcolm X and Bobby “Blue” of all ages and backgrounds – from jsumsnews.com provide career mentorship scholarship for students at grams and organizations. Bland. In addition to his readings young activists, to fellow academ- The event will initiate to the student ambassadors JSU.” “Council members, alum- of early American philosophers and ics, journalists and commentators, Women’s History Month by who implement community President Emeritus Peo- ni, university friends and contemporary political scientists, and followers on Twitter in dialogue honoring JSU’s former pres- service projects throughout ples served as the sixth family will have an op- Glaude turns to African-American about the course of the nation. His ident and first lady, John A. the semester. president and was instru- portunity to display their literature in his writing and teaching scholarship and his sense of himself and Mary Peoples. The inau- “The council is comprised mental in helping Jackson gratitude for John and Mary for insight into African-American as a public intellectual are driven gural luncheon will be held of a diverse group of accom- State gain university status Peoples,” says Cohen. “Ad- political life, religious thought, gen- by a commitment to think carefully Wednesday, March 4 at the plished and professional fe- in 1974. Peoples is also a ditionally, the luncheon der and class. with others in public. Accordingly, Country Club of Jackson. male leaders who work dili- legendary history maker will highlight the accom- He is chair of the Department of his writing and ideas are cited and The mission of the WPC gently towards enhancing with numerous other acco- plishments of Mary, which African American Studies, a pro- shared widely. is to change the face of phi- our university through phi- lades in higher education is most appropriate during gram he fi rst became involved with Claude, originally from Moss lanthropy by working with lanthropy,” says Veronica and civic and social activi- Women’s History Month.” shaping as a doctoral candidate in Point, Mississippi, will share during female students from di- Cohen, vice president for ties throughout his lifetime. “We are excited about this Religion at Princeton. He is the his visit to his native state, “2020 – verse backgrounds so they Institutional Advancement/ Mary Peoples will be ac- event because the additional current president of the American The Gathering Storm.” may see themselves as phi- External Affairs and execu- knowledged for serving as funds will assist our stu- Academy of Religion. His books Tickets available to the public for lanthropists through leader- tive director for the JSU De- a long-time educator in the dents with staying in school on religion and philosophy include $100. For ticket information, con- ship, scholarship and men- velopment Foundation, Inc. Jackson Public School sys- and developing leadership African-American Religion: A Very tact Patricia Trowles at 601 954- torship. “The funds from this lun- tem and as a diligent com- skills that will withstand Short Introduction and Exodus! 9645. Council members also cheon will enable the coun- munity leader who supports long after they graduate.” COMMUNITY

www.mississippilink.com JANUARY 23 - 29, 2020 THE MISSISSIPPI LINK • 5 Habitat for Humanity Mississippi Capital Area honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through collaboration with local entities “Atmos Energy is delighted to partner with Habitat for Humanity in the home rehab project for the Broadmoor Initiative. We care about investing in the communities we serve. Homeownership is an essential part of achieving the American dream. Atmos Energy is proud to donate our time and our capital particularly on Dr. Martin Luther King Day, to make sure a deserving family has a new home.”

- Bobby Morgan, Atmos Energy Public Affairs vice president

Mississippi Link Newswire minster Baptist Church, St. Luke’s Monday, January 20, Habitat United Methodist Church and St. for Humanity Mississippi Capital Mark’s United Methodist Church, Area (HFHMCA) began their fi rst HFHMCA will be able to provide extensive home rehab of 2020 by a safe, decent, affordable home for honoring Dr. Martin Luther King a fi rst-time homebuyer. Jr. “This is a special opportunity In collaboration with Anderson to honor Dr. King’s legacy,” said United Methodist Church, Atmos executive director of HFHMCA, Energy, Baptist Health Systems, Merrill McKewen. “A local fam- following 12 Saturdays. This rehab struction of their home or the home Mississippi Capital Area at no profi t with an interest-free Butler Snow, Christ United Meth- ily in need of a home will benefi t project brings together a diverse of others. They also participate in Habitat for Humanity Missis- mortgage to families who cannot odist Church, Covenant Presby- from this extensive, collaborative group of individuals to empower homeownership classes about sippi Capital Area is a faith-based qualify for traditional bank loans. terian Church, Galloway United partnership and we are grateful a local family to purchase a home budgeting, home maintenance organization founded in 1986. We Homeownership combined with Methodist Church, Madison for those that are making this pos- through an interest free mortgage. and being a good neighbor. They have built or renovated simple and Habitat’s required fi nancial educa- United Methodist Church, Mis- sible.” HFHMCA homeowners make a purchase their home with a zero- sustainable homes for 645 families tion allows these families to invest sissippi College School of Law, Amongst the 13 entities, up to down payment and contribute 125 interest 30-year mortgage. in Hinds, Madison, and Rankin in our community and their future New Hope Baptist Church, North- 360 volunteers will participate the hours of sweat equity on the con- About Habitat for Humanity counties. Habitat homes are sold simultaneously. 6 • THE MISSISSIPPI LINK JANUARY 23 - 29, 2020 www.mississippilink.com Students at Wingfi eld can benefi t JPS board approves redesign plan to support from Ag partnership with Hinds CC ‘Excellence for All’ Mississippi Link Newswire Wingfi eld High School is Mississippi Link Newswire home to the Academy of Natu- On January 7, the Jackson ral Resource Utilization. The Public Schools Board of Trust- program prepares scholars who ees approved unanimously the are interested in careers in agri- district’s Optimizing for Eq- culture. Students may now take uity school redesign plan. The advantage of a new pre-appren- plan will expand the district’s ticeship through a partnership pre-kindergarten opportuni- with Hinds Community College ties, support the development and the Mississippi Apprentice- of a world-class teaching and tivities and data from a recent ship Program that will expose learning center, and generate enrollment study conducted by students to agribusiness and cost savings that pave the way Education Resource Strategies entrepreneurship. Through the for long-term strategic invest- based in Cambridge, Massa- program, students will receive ments. chusetts, to inform the school personal leadership develop- The school redesign plan redesign plan. ment and community service builds upon the district’s fi ve- After releasing the plan De- learning opportunities. Pre-ap- year strategic action plan re- cember 6, 2019, the district prenticeship programs prepare leased earlier this school year, held community meetings to students to enter and succeed in which outlines fi ve key com- inform parents about the spe- an apprenticeship program. Academy of Natural Resource Utilization scholars and educators at Wingfi eld High School. mitments the district made to cifi c impact of the redesign Participating Wingfi eld stu- scholars and families that are plan on their scholar’s school. dents will also complete the skills that students need to be that measures a range of hard reer Readiness Certifi cate that guiding its decisions and ac- The full school redesign plan Mississippi Community Col- successful as employees. Schol- and soft skills relevant to any demonstrates to employers that tions. In addition, the district was presented to the board for lege Board’s Smart Start Pro- ars who complete the program occupation, at any level, and they have acquired the skills relied heavily on information consideration as information gram. This program is designed will have an opportunity to take across industries. These stu- needed to be successful in the gathered through its ongoing only at its regular board meet- to teach the technical and social the ACT WorkKeys assessment dents may earn a National Ca- workplace. community engagement ac- ing December 17. JPS announces Parent, Teacher, Administrator of the Year at Spring Convocation Mississippi Link Newswire in Educational Leadership – Ad- by their schools and selected by Each year, usually in the ministration & Supervision from a committee based on a rubric to spring, Jackson Public Schools Mississippi College, a Master of assess their performance. Their unveils the Parent, Teacher, and Arts in teaching from Belhaven selections are representative Administrator of the Year at sep- University, and a Bachelor of of the outstanding talent in the arate school-level programs. This Arts in political science from schools and administrative offi c- year, these presentations were the University of Southern Mis- es throughout JPS. Each honoree made during the Spring Convo- sissippi. His favorite quote about received a personalized plaque cation held January 6. education is “Education is the and gift bag. The Parent, Teacher Two categories were added this passport to the future, for tomor- and Administrator of the Year year for Support Employee of the row belongs to those who prepare will represent the district for the Year and Education Leader of the for it today,” by Malcolm X. state-level recognition program. Year. The 2019–2020 honorees JPS Superintendent Errick L. Greene, left, participated in a presentation recognizing Dawson Principal JPS Support Employee of the “We have so many talented peo- are: Vicki Conley as Administrator of the Year, Lanier teacher Tia Carr-Hall as Teacher of the Year, Casey Prin- Year ple in Jackson Public Schools,” JPS Parent of the Year cipal Anthony Moore as Education Leader of the Year, Property Accounting Data Clerk Patricia Ransom Patricia Ransom, Property Ac- said JPS Superintendent Errick Mark Anthony Davis Jr., Spann as Support Employee of the Year and Spann parent Mark Anthony Davis Jr. as the JPS Parent of the Year. counting L. Greene. “We wanted to ac- Elementary Ransom is a lifelong resident knowledge as many as possible. Davis has two children at JPS Teacher of the Year JPS Administrator of the Elementary has improved from of Jackson. She grew up in the Thank you to all of our winners Spann Elementary, Lia in second Tia Carr-Hall, Lanier High Year an F to a B. Conley involves com- Georgetown area and graduated and to everyone else who’s out grade, and Clair in fi rst grade. Carr-Hall was born and raised Vicki Conley, Dawson El- munity partners and parents in from Lanier High School. She there doing big and little things to His oldest son Mark Anthony in Jackson and is a product of ementary initiatives that promote achieve- holds an Associate of Arts degree serve our children and families.” III graduated from fi fth grade at JPS schools. She attended Boyd Conley is the principal of ment, growth and confi dence in in business administration from More than 4,000 JPS employ- Spann in 2019. As a parent, Da- and Green Elementary Schools, Dawson Elementary School. the scholars at Dawson. Hinds Community College. Her ees gathered to kick off the start vis tries to prepare his children Chastain Middle School and She started her career in educa- JPS Education Leader of the fi rst position after graduating was of the second semester at the 2020 for life, and that includes helping Bailey Magnet High School. She tion as a fourth-grade teacher in Year in human resources at Jackson Spring Convocation. Themed them succeed in school, prepare obtained a Bachelor of Science Greenwood, Mississippi. While Anthony Moore, Casey El- Public Schools, where she was re- “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now,” the for college and careers and navi- in education with an emphasis in she held a full-time teaching po- ementary sponsible for assigning substitute district highlighted a number of gate family and friend relation- mathematics from Jackson State sition at the Virden Early Child- Moore is currently serving as teachers. Eight years later, she achievements worth celebrating. ships. While he does not expect University. As an undergraduate hood Center, she also worked as the assistant principal at Casey moved to the Property Account- The number of schools rated B his children to have the same at JSU, she was inducted into the a substitute teacher at other area Elementary. He is the district’s ing Department, where she has increased by 17%, and the num- interests that he did as a child, Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. public schools. She began work- fi rst honoree for Education Lead- served as a data clerk for the last ber of schools rated C, considered he expects them to give 100% at She has taught mathematics and ing in Jackson Public Schools in er of the Year. Moore started his 20 years. Ransom has three chil- successful, increased by 25%. whatever they do. He is deeply Algebra I at Lanier High School 1998 as a second-grade teacher career in education as a substi- dren that attended JPS schools. With a fi ve-year strategic plan involved in their activities, which since joining the district in 2013. and later became an assistant tute teacher and afterschool tutor. She believes you cannot educate a in place and guiding the path to include ballet, kung fu and read- Hall believes all students can principal. In her tenure as a build- He eventually landed a teaching child’s mind without also educat- success, JPS is poised to realize ing clubs. He works with their learn. She includes a variety of ing-level administrator, she has position at the Career Academic ing the heart and that everybody a promising future for the district mom to make sure they can take techniques and strategies in her led two schools from failing to Placement Alternative School in the district plays a role in this, and scholars. advantage of great opportunities lessons so that she can reach each being rated successful. At John at Duling. During his tenure in from the cafeteria worker to the Convocation gives JPS admin- with the hope of passing on what of her students on their level and Hopkins Elementary, she helped JPS, he has served in the roles of custodian, to the bus driver, to the istrators an opportunity to impart they have learned from life to help each of them experience suc- the school improve from an F to a principal, assistant principal and teachers and administrators. the direction and vision for the make their children’s lives better. cess. C. Under her leadership, Dawson teacher. Moore holds a Specialist Each honoree was nominated district.

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www.mississippilink.com JANUARY 23 - 29, 2020 THE MISSISSIPPI LINK • 7 ‘Celebrating the Muse Legacy’ Mississippi’s honoring retiring Hinds CC graduation rate exceeds national President Clyde Muse average

The Mississippi Link Newswire in grade 9, students choose The Mississippi Depart- whether they want to work to- ment of Education (MDE) ward a traditional diploma, or recently released the high take additional classes to earn school graduation rates for the an academic, distinguished 2018-19 school year, which academic or career and tech- show the state’s graduation nical education endorsement. rate has hit an all-time high of Students can earn more than 85%, higher than the most re- one endorsement. cent national graduation rate. Each diploma option pre- The 2019 national graduation The Mississippi Link Newswire Raymond, Miss 39154 or email tunity for a quality, affordable with vocational-technical pro- pares students to be success- rate is expected to be released ful after graduation, whether The legacy of retiring Hinds to [email protected]. The and accessible higher education. grams for the county’s nine later this month. that be in the workforce, a Community College President deadline for submission is April A native of Benton County public high schools. The size of The graduation rate for stu- career and technical training Clyde Muse will be celebrated 30. and a preacher’s son, Muse is a the campus more than doubled dents with disabilities nearly program, the military or col- Feb. 20, 2020 at a fundraising Muse announced to the Board graduate of East Central Com- in 2007 with the addition of 60 doubled from 23.2% in 2014 lege. event with proceeds going to- of Trustees at the Dec. 4, 2019 munity College, Delta State acres of land on the south end to 42.2% this year. Students who earn an aca- ward the Muse Legacy Endow- meeting his intention to retire University and Mississippi State of the current campus bordering The state’s drop-out rate fell demic or distinguished aca- ment. June 30, 2020 after 42 years as University. He was a teacher and Interstate 20. The Garner family to an historic low of 9.7%, a demic diploma endorsement The “Celebrating the Muse chief of the college and 68 years coach in Canton and Starkville donated 20 acres and the Rankin decrease from 13.9% in 2014. from a public high school Legacy” event is 11:30 a.m. at as an educator. before becoming a principal in County Board of Supervisors “Mississippi’s rising gradu- automatically qualify for ad- the Clyde Muse Center on the Muse became president of Starkville and then school super- bought another 40 acres on be- ation rate is the result of our mission into any of the state’s Rankin Campus in Pearl. Indi- then-Hinds Junior College on intendent in Hinds County from half of the college. students’ signifi cant academic public universities. vidual tickets are $100 each with July 1, 1978. He is the longest 1969 to 1971 and Meridian from The Clyde Muse Center, gains in recent years. Student Mississippi’s high school a series of sponsorship levels and serving community college pres- 1971 to 1978. He served a total where the event is being held, is achievement is at an all-time graduation rate is calculated benefi ts available for groups. ident in Mississippi history and of 26 years in K-12 public edu- located on the additional proper- high and is continuing to in accordance with federal “The Muse Legacy Endow- among the longest serving col- cation in Mississippi, including ty. Opened in 2011, its construc- climb,” said Carey Wright, and state law using a four- ment has been established by lege presidents in the nation. He leading Hinds County schools tion was funded by the taxpayers state superintendent of educa- year cohort method. The 2020 friends of Muse to honor him is often called the “Godfather” through desegregation in 1970. of Rankin County through the tion. “I congratulate teachers, graduation rate is based on and support those endeavors of Mississippi community col- His accomplishments at the Rankin County Board of Super- school leaders and parents students who entered grade 9 near to his heart – No. 1 being leges for his committed vision in college since then are vast. visors. for helping students complete for the fi rst time in the 2015- students, No. 2 being faculty and moving all the colleges forward, Over the last 42 years, Muse Muse also oversaw the expan- high school prepared for col- 16 school year. staff and No. 3 being the com- not just Hinds Community Col- has improved infrastructure at sion of the Raymond Campus lege, postsecondary training, Graduation rates for 2018- munities that we serve,” said lege, and his ability to assemble all six Hinds locations, guid- across Highway 18 to Seven the military and the work- 19 will be refl ected in the ac- Jackie Granberry, executive diverse groups of stakeholders to ing two branches that began as Springs Road where agricultural force.” countability ratings for the director of the Hinds Commu- bring a project to fruition for the vocational-technical centers programs are housed at the Ted High school students now 2019-20 school year. nity College Foundation. “He benefi t of all. He has been the into comprehensive campuses, Kendall III Agricultural Com- have the opportunity to earn 2020 Graduation Rate Re- is known as someone with a big architect of many partnerships the Jackson Campus-Academic/ plex. As the demand increased an endorsement with their port: mdek12.org/OPR/Re- heart for all people and lives out with business and industry, es- Technical Center and the Vicks- for business and industry train- high school diploma. Starting porting/Accountability his value of ‘servant leader.’” pecially for workforce projects. burg-Warren Campus, which re- ing, Eagle Ridge Conference The college is also compiling Most of all, however, he is cently opened the George-Oakes Center opened in 1996. a memory book to present to known for his love for and dedi- Building. Nursing and allied For more information, call Muse upon his retirement. Any- cation to the students the college health programs moved from the 601 857-3630 or email jgran- one wishing to send a personal serves and its employees. Early Raymond Campus to Jackson [email protected]. Anyone message or share a remembrance in his presidency, he coined the Campus-Nursing/Allied Health wishing to donate can also do Hinds CC rated can mail a letter to Hinds Com- term “The College for All Peo- Center in 1982. so online at foundation.hindscc. munity College Foundation, c/o ple” while working to ensure all The Rankin Campus on High- edu/Muselegacy. Muse Memories, P.O. Box 1100, Mississippians have the oppor- way 80 in Pearl began in 1983 among best in nation for Community colleges to unveil associate degrees The Mississippi Link Newswire college in Mississippi named Hinds Community College a fi nalist. economic impact study has been named among the Hinds Community College best online colleges in the na- offers nearly 500 online class The Mississippi Link Newswire annually from public four-year tion for associate degrees for sections each fall, spring and Nine months ago, the 15 presi- universities in Mississippi, about 2020. summer semester through dents in the Mississippi Com- 58 percent previously attended a Seattle-based Intelligent. the Mississippi Virtual Com- munity College system commis- Mississippi community college. com, an independent aca- munity College (MSVCC), a sioned an economic impact study “Understanding the value of demic research group, gave consortium of 15 community that would evaluate the support of public education and workforce Hinds the designation Most colleges in Mississippi offer- its mission. With the recent com- training has historically been chal- Online Class Options among ing Internet-based courses. pletion of the study, the presidents lenging, until now,” said Jesse a group of 60 regionally ac- Students at its member col- now have that information to uti- Smith, Jones College president credited institutions that offer leges are offered fl exibility lize for more strategic planning and Legislative Committee chair associate degrees and have in testing and other vital re- and decision-making. of the Mississippi Association of fully online programs avail- sources. The report, prepared by the Na- Community and Junior Colleges. able. The comprehensive re- For spring 2020, Hinds has tional Strategic Planning and Re- “We intend to show legislators, search guide was based on an experienced an increase of search Center at Mississippi State county offi cials and the citizens of initial study of 383 education 4.5 percent in online students University, will be the subject of Mississippi how critical commu- programs at 149 accredited taking both academic and ca- a Jan. 21 press conference, which nity colleges are for the successful colleges and universities of- reer-tech courses, compared is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. at the future of the State of Mississippi. fering associate degrees, with to spring 2019. second fl oor rotunda of the Capi- school graduates enter community ter the Mississippi workforce ev- Specifi cally, we can make a rea- 60 institutions making the ac- Intelligent.com provides tol. colleges within one year of gradu- ery year. These graduates support sonable assumption on the return ademic research group’s list comprehensive information Among the data in the “Invest- ation. an additional 6,421 jobs, create on investment to the State of Mis- of fi nalists. on higher education programs ing in Mississippi” impact report • Nearly 81,000 Mississippians $509 million in wages and sala- sissippi and the potential for in- Programs were rated on as well as fi nancial aid, in- are such facts as are trained each year in commu- ries, $73 million in state and local creased earnings for the student curriculum quality, gradua- ternships and study strate- • 96 percent of community col- nity college non-credit workforce tax revenue and contribute $1.2 who earns a community college tion rate, reputation and post- gies, among other resources. lege students are Mississippi resi- programs, supporting the creation billion to the state’s Gross Domes- degree or workforce credential.” graduate employment. Hinds Results of the survey may dents. of 1,240 additional jobs. tic Product. For more information on the rated 30th out of the 60 fi nal- be found at https://www.in- • More than two-thirds of Mis- • On average, 8,876 Mississippi • Of the approximately 13,000 impact study, contact Finee Ruf- ists overall on those factors telligent.com/best-online-col- sissippi college-bound public high community college graduates en- undergraduates awarded degrees fi n, fi nee.ruffi [email protected]. and was the lone two-year leges-for-associates-degrees/ 8 • THE MISSISSIPPI LINK JANUARY 23 - 29, 2020 www.mississippilink.com CSET’s Sonic Boom featured Leszczynska earns global in new Dear Silas acclaim as and Big K.R.I.T. video

National By Rachel James-Terry jsumsnews.com Mississippi music art- Academy of ists Dear Silas and Big K.R.I.T.’s video “I Got It” features JSU’s very own Sonic Boom of the Inventors fellow South. The feel-good video dropped Jan. 21 at 6 p.m. and pays homage to all good By L.A. Warren things Jackson with one be- jsumsnews.com ing The Boom. After earning a 2018 medical Last year, Dear Silas, patent to eliminate infamma- whose full name is Silas tion and infection in patients Stapleton III, signed a part- whose artifcial implants be- nership agreement between come brittle and start chipping, his Dear Silas LLC and Dr. Danuta Leszczynska was RCA Records, a subsidiary recently selected to the world- of Sony Music. The rapper wide National Academy of In- and trumpeter shared that ventors Fellows Program. the horn-based track and big Polish native Leszczynska is band feel of the song im- a longtime faculty member in mediately brought the Sonic the College of Science, Engi- Boom to mind. “They are neering and Technology. Cur- the baddest band in the land. rently, she’s a researcher and Of course, they needed to be professor in the Department of in the video,” he explained. Civil and Environmental Engi- The song “I Got It” is a neering and Industrial Systems motivational anthem Sta- and Technology. She will par- pleton said he hopes will ticipate in an annual induction Dr. Danuta Leszczynska is squash the perception that ceremony/meeting April 8-10 among 168 new fellows from local artists cannot fnd suc- in Phoenix, Arizona. throughout the globe elected to cess living in Mississippi. Late last year, she was among the 2019 Class of Fellows for the “K.R.I.T. is a great example 168 new fellows from through- National Academy of Inventors. of what happens when you out the globe elected to the She has earned two patents. work hard. And I think I’m 2019 Class of Fellows. Four an example of making it are Nobel laureates. As well, nate titanium metal, which is without leaving.” she’s now one of 1,228 NAI her primary focus. A Jackson native, Staple- fellows who represent more “You’re putting these im- ton said the treatment of than 250 prestigious universi- plants in the human body,” she the video is a result of his ties and governmental and non- said. “There’s a lot of research pride for his hometown. proft research institutes. Ac- going on to cover this metal Cameos of his former grade cording to NAI, these fellows or plastic with something that and high schools, plus the hold more than 41,500 U.S.- closely imitates the cover of the city’s vibrant murals, are issued patents that have created bone. But the artifcial one can just some of the fxtures the Dear Silas and Big K.R.I.T. more than 36 million jobs and become very brittle and start rapper chose to highlight. $1.6 trillion in revenue. chipping. If the cover starts He also wanted to dispel The invitation to join the chipping, it causes infamma- any negative thoughts asso- fellows class surprised Leszc- tion and infection.” ciated with the capital city. zynska, whose experience in She began collaborating with “I feel it’s my responsibility grafting led to her second pat- a Polish Ph.D. student who had with my platform to ensure ent. She was nominated to be- made 3D implants at the War- the city gets as many good come a member of the NAI by saw University of Technology. looks as possible.” Dr. Almesha Campbell, director The student ran into problems For Dr. Roderick D. Little, of JSU’s Technology Transfer, trying to fgure out how to cov- associate director of bands Commercialization and Re- er implants in patients. That’s and marching band director search Communications in the when Leszczynska merged of the Sonic Boom, the col- Offce of Research and Eco- her grafting research with his laboration was a no brainer. nomic Development. study. She said, “We’re trying “We play a variety of music However, little did they know to make something so close to from original compositions that Leszczynska would be cho- the real thing that the body can to popular contemporary sen serendipitously as a fellow. accept it.” music. Hip-hop and what “This is a big honor. I’m Ultimately, their technology we play correlate with each looking forward to meeting proved functionally success- other vastly because we al- other people to do more col- ful. “Now, we’re looking for a ways attempt to appeal to the laborations because we can- company to do more medical younger generation because not do this alone and expect study and provide more money they are the age group that our research to be on top. We before the (composite coating) we attract as potential mem- need collaboration. My hus- is approved for use as a metal bers,” Little shared. band (also a JSU professor and to cover implants,” Leszczyn- Furthermore, the director distinguished professor) and I ska said. said it is always a plus to have thousands of collabora- As an NAI fellow, Leszczyn- work with artists in the mu- tors around the globe,” Leszc- ska will be allowed to publish sic industry. Not only does zynska said. topics related to applied sci- it bring positive notoriety to She and her fellow inductees ences, transformative technol- JSU’s band program, but it expect to “share fndings be- ogy and academic innovation also brings notoriety to the cause research is so expensive. in NAI’s “Technology and In- artist, he said. Each member can bring their novation.” As well, she’ll be “The song ‘I Got It’ pro- own expertise to different ar- able to serve on national com- poses a very positive mes- eas,” she said. mittees of the NAI and partner sage. Positivity is what we As it relates to her latest organizations. promote with our program.” patent, Leszczynska said the Leszczynska said her Lastly, Little shouted out technology is a “method for achievement is just a tip of Dear Silas, and his attorney, obtaining a composite coating the iceberg because JSU “has Jeffrey Graves, a JSU alum, on titanium implants for tissue really good research. It’s rec- for the opportunity to be fea- engineering.” She said doctors ognized for contributions in tured in the video. “We hope have a choice when it comes chemistry, engineering, biolo- that more artists take notice to adhesive bond for implants. gy and environmental science. and book “THEE Best Band They can use plastic molding We compete with the very best in the Land” to take part in or a more superior method – in- universities.” their video as well.” STATE

www.mississippilink.com JANUARY 23 - 29, 2020 THE MISSISSIPPI LINK • 9 Governor Tate Reeves announces nationwide search for new MDOC commissioner

The Mississippi Link Newswire Governor Tate Reeves an- nounced a group of diverse, experienced Mississippians to help in the mission of fi nding a new leader for the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC). Holding a press conference in the Governor’s press briefi ng room, Reeves was joined by the group, led by Vicksburg Mayor George Flaggs Jr., that will assist in a nationwide search to pro- Waggoner Owens Smith vide a recommendation for the MDOC Commissioner. “We cannot rush the critical job of fi nding a new commis- sioner for the Department of Corrections. We must get this right for the people of Missis- sippi. I am turning to my fel- low Mississippians to help me in this mission,” said Reeves. The Honorable George Flaggs, Jr. is currently serving his second term as mayor of the City of Vicksburg. He fi rst took the oath of offi ce in 2013. Flaggs Henry Rushing Tindell Previously, Flaggs served as a member of the House of Rep- on several other committees, tive Budget Committee, Public group include: where her duties required her resentatives from 1988 to 2013. including Appropriations, Health and Human Services Retired Sheriff Greg Wag- to work with the U.S. Depart- He served as chair of the Cor- Banking and Financial Ser- and Rules. goner has over 43 years of law ment of Justice and the Missis- rections Committee and served vices, Constitution, Legisla- Other members of the search enforcement experience, serv- sippi Department of Correc- ing 20 of those years in correc- tions. tions. He retired with the rank Sheriff Steve Rushing cur- of captain and ran for sheriff of rently serves as sheriff of Lin- Leake County in 1999. He has coln County, having recently served as Leake County sheriff been elected to serve his fourth for 20 years, recently retiring term. He began as deputy sher- from that offi ce. Waggoner has iff in Lincoln County in 1996, a Bachelors degree from Mis- moving up to captain of in- sissippi College in administra- vestigations before becoming tion of justice. sheriff in 2006. During the Taylor District Attorney Jody last 13 years as sheriff, he has Owens currently serves in been a member of the National stepping up to serve Missis- the Hinds County District At- Sheriff’s Association, a mem- sippi once again,” said Reeves. torney’s Offi ce. He previously ber of the Mississippi Sher- Taylor has a long and storied served as managing attorney iff’s Association where he was career of serving Mississippi. of the Mississippi offi ce of the elected twice to serve as presi- Before serving as mayor of Southern Poverty Law Center. dent, and currently is serving Boyle, Taylor was a member of In this role, he brought civil on the legislative committee of the House of Representatives. rights cases throughout Mis- the Mississippi Sheriff’s Asso- He served as chair of the Cor- sissippi. In his legal career, ciation. Rushing is a graduate rections Committee and served he has tried civil and crimi- of Copiah-Lincoln Communi- on several other committees, nal jury trials. He has experi- ty College and holds a degree including Judiciary B, Judi- ence litigating cases in sev- in criminal justice from the ciary En Blanc and Military eral states, including Florida, University of Southern Missis- Affairs. Taylor’s service to Louisiana and Mississippi sippi. Mississippi also includes time both in state and federal court. Judge Sean J. Tindell cur- serving as a district attorney Previously, Owens served as a rently serves on the Missis- investigator, chief deputy sher- Hinds County special prosecu- sippi Court of Appeals. Pre- iff, city police offi cer, prison tor. He is a graduate of Jackson viously, Tindell served in the warden and election commis- State University and received Mississippi Senate from 2012 sioner in Bolivar County from his law degree from Howard until his appointment to the 1985 to 1987. University Law School. Jody bench. He was chair of the Sen- During the press conference, is a Lieutenant in the United ate Judiciary A Committee and Reeves disclosed that on his States Navy Reserves and has vice chair of the Senate Tour- fi rst day in offi ce he instructed proudly served his country for ism Committee. From 2002 to the Department of Public Safe- over seven years. 2007, he was an assistant dis- ty to assign an offi cer from the District Attorney Joel trict attorney for the Second Mississippi Bureau of Investi- Smith currently serves in the Circuit District of Harrison, gations to bring order and root Harrison County District At- Hancock and Stone Counties. out the underlying issues at the torney’s Offi ce. In his duty as Tindell entered private prac- State Penitentiary at Parch- district attorney, Smith pros- tice in 2007, also serving as a man and throughout the De- ecutes and defends on behalf prosecutor for the City of Bi- partment of Corrections. Sta- of the State, in all courts of the loxi and as city attorney for the tioned at Parchman, the offi cer County. In his legal career, he City of Diamondhead. is tasked with uncovering any has experience trying criminal Reeves also announced the criminal activity – whether it and civil cases. interim commissioner for the be conducted by inmates or Kathy Henry recently Department of Corrections correctional staff – and provid- served for over 5 years on the during the press conference. ing a full, independent investi- Parole Board, appointed by “While we work to fi nd the gation. Governor Phil Bryant. Prior right fi t for our state and our “The ultimate responsibility to that, she served 20 years on people, we need an experi- for violence always lies with the Governor’s Juvenile Justice enced leader who can step those who carry it out. But in Advisory Committee, appoint- in and step up to restore or- this moment, we must ask if ed by Governor Kirk Fordice der in the short term. I have there is more that we can do to and reappointed by Governor asked Mayor Tommy Taylor eliminate the opportunity for Haley Barbour. Henry was to serve as interim commis- such actions. Can we do more also appointed by Barbour as sioner for the Department of to provide for peace? I believe Mississippi’s Representative Corrections, and I am glad to we can. To do so, we must get on the National Juvenile Jus- announce that he has accepted to the heart of the problem. tice Advisor Committee. For this critical task. Taylor has And it starts with bringing or- eight years, she worked for proven his dedication to serv- der to Parchman,” Reeves said. Congressman Chip Pickering, ing our citizens – today he is NATIONAL

10 • THE MISSISSIPPI LINK JANUARY 23 - 29, 2020 www.mississippilink.com

African Americans are 40 percent of the Is Dr. King’s dream being nation’s homeless denied or deferred? population Disparities in housing perpetuate racial wealth gap TriceEdneyWire.com The total number of home- By Charlene Crowell body wins.” TriceEdneyWire.com less is 567,715 and 40 percent “An obvious advantage of or 225,735 are African-Amer- Once again, the only fed- living in an ethnically diverse ican, although only 13 percent eral holiday honoring a person city is increased intergroup of the nation’s population is of color has been celebrated contact,” added co-author black, according to “The 2019 across the nation. The 38-year Kelln Li, a Ph.D. and assis- Annual Homeless Assessment span of Dr. Martin Luther tant professor of sociology at Report to Congress.” King Jr.’s life continues to California State University’s The numbers are based on be remembered and revered. Dominguez Hills campus. “Point-In-Time Estimates of Since his tragic death, time has “Such interaction might hap- Homelessness” taken one night About 48 percent or 270,607 shown he was also prophetic. pen at various layers of the in January 2020. The Point-In- of the homeless are white. They “Change does not roll in city: among students in school, Time Estimates reported that also comprised just over half of on the wheels of inevitability or neighbors living on the same 27 percent of the 56,381 who the unsheltered population or but comes through continuous street.” were unsheltered were black. 57 percent of 119,487. struggle,” said Dr. King. “And “Thanks to this opportunity Unsheltered homeless means Asians were 1.3 percent or so, we must straighten our to get to know people who are they are sleeping in cars, on the 7,228 of the homeless popula- backs and work for our free- unlike us, research has shown streets or in parks or on buses, tion. Hispanics or Latinos were dom. A man can’t ride you un- reduced prejudice, stereotypes, subways and elevated trains. 22 percent or 124,615 of the less your back is bent.” or negative attitudes across “African Americans have homeless population. Native From voting rights to de- people of different ethnic or remained considerably over- Americans were 3.2 percent or segregation in public accom- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. giving “I Have a Dream” on Aug. 28, 1963. cultural background,” conclud- represented among the home- 17,966 of the homeless popula- modations, transportation and ed Li. less population compared to the tion. employment, Dr. King’s Bap- Comments by the St. Louis U.S. population,” according to Men and boys comprise tist cadence resonated with a Fed Center for Household Fi- the report. 343,187 or 60.5 percent of the generation to champion what nancial Stability would appear Blacks represented 52 per- homeless compared with wom- was wrong, and to also speak to have reached similar conclu- cent of the homeless population en who comprise 219,911 or up for what is right. In that sions through its independent with children. 38.7 percent of homeless. noble pursuit, he came in 1964, fi n d i n g s a s w e l l . the youngest person to become “We fi nd that families who a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. are thriving tend to be white, Yet in 2020, much of the college-educated and/or old- hard-won rights championed er,” said the St. Louis Fed. States sue to stop by King are under attack by “We fi nd that families who are the very governments charged lem; we just need the political to save a 10 percent down struggling tend to have one or to enforce both laws and regu- will and resources.” payment for a median-priced more of these characteristics: changes to Food lations. Especially for black While lawmakers debate the home. But for black and Latino black or Hispanic; no four-year America, rollbacks of much- appropriate federal commit- households earning the median college degree; and/or younger. Stamps Program needed programs jeopardize ment to affordable housing, income, the number of saving We also fi nd that many families access to basic life needs such consumers are increasingly fi - years expands to 21 and 17 across the board are striving as nutrition, safe water, legal nancially challenged to keep a years respectively to amass a for more economic security.” justice and housing itself. roof over their heads. 10 percent down payment on For these reasons and others, The irony is that the enact- For the past 30 years, the that same-priced home. it does not make sense for the ment of the historic 1968 Fair National Low Income Housing “When the president asks, Trump Administration to sus- Housing Act followed less than Coalition has annually pub- what do African Americans and pend rules and data mapping a week after King’s assassina- lished Out of Reach, that tracks minorities have to lose? How tools that alert communities tion in Memphis. Hence, as we the cost of rental housing about affordable, quality hous- to potential fair housing viola- honor Dr. King, we are also across the nation. According ing and a shot at the American tions. Yet on January 6 HUD called to continue progressive to its 2019, report, the average dream,” queried Congressman proposed suspending its Affi r- efforts to better include all of monthly fair market rent for a Emanuel Cleaver in a January matively Furthering Fair Hous- the Americans whom histori- two-bedroom or one-bedroom 9 Politico article. ing (AFFH) rule that provides cally have been locked out or rental home is $1,194 and $970 Ample research documents HUD program participants left out when it comes to hous- for a one-bedroom unit. how far the nation has yet to with a planning framework ing: people of color, women, “[L]ow wages, wage in- travel when it comes to hous- and data tools to enable them families, people with different equality, racial inequities and ing, homeownership and the to take meaningful actions to TriceEdneyWire.com The federal government pays physically challenged and all a severe shortage of affordable still-widening racial wealth overcome historic patterns of Fourteen states and the Dis- the full cost of SNAP benefi ts who still suffer the insidious rental homes leave too many gap. segregation and foster inclu- trict of Columbia have fi led a but shares the cost of adminis- nature of housing discrimina- vulnerable people unable to af- A new report released days sive communities free from federal lawsuit to prevent the tering it on a 50-50 basis. Ac- tion ford their housing,” states the before the 2020 King holiday, discrimination. Trump Administration from cording to the Department of As the number of homeless report. An average renter must States with the Most Racial This year, it would be pru- cutting off nearly 700,000 Agriculture’s proposed rule, Americans now number more work 52 hours per week to af- Progress (January 2020) by dent to ask, ‘What happened Americans from participating people with a gross income of than 560,000, Congresswoman ford a modest two-bedroom WalletHub.com, names and to the dream King had to make in the Supplemental Nutrition $16,000 or with assets of more Maxine Waters, chair of the apartment ranks states with the best and America’s promises of free- Assistance Program under new, than $2,500, would no longer U.S. House Financial Services Consumers seeking to tran- worst disparities in housing dom, justice and equality – true more restrictive guidelines they qualify for SNAP benefi ts. Committee (HFSC), has added sition from renters to home- segregation, as well as wealth for all peoples?’ And its corol- have proposed that will take ef- SNAP benefi ts provide the homelessness and homeless owners face another daunting and employment. This research lary, ‘What are we prepared to fect later this year. largest nutritional safety net, prevention to her committee’s challenge. According to the found that DC (District of Co- do about it?’ The lawsuit fi led by the state feeding 37 million Americans. 2020 priorities. National Association of Real- lumbia), Illinois, Louisiana, “Discrimination in housing attorneys general seeks a pre- People who are SNAP eligible “Homelessness affects the tors in December 2019, the me- Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylva- is not a thing of the past, it is liminary injunction to prevent receive $127 or about $1.39 per very fabric of our communi- dian existing-home price for all nia and Wisconsin were each ongoing and real,” observed the rule from going into effect meal in SNAP benefi ts. ties,” noted Waters. “When I housing types in October was among the 10 states with the Nikitra Bailey, an EVP with the April 1, 2020. Nearly 9 million African speak to families in my district $271,300, up 5.4 percent from worst housing segregation. Center for Responsible Lend- The lawsuit challenges a U.S. Americans receive food stamps who are dealing with homeless- November 2018 ($257,400), as When wealth and employment ing. “Low-income communi- Department of Agriculture rule each month, which is 25 per- ness, I see the toll this housing prices rose in all regions. That were ranked by state, these ties and communities of color that would limit states’ ability cent of the black population, insecurity is taking on them, means a 10 percent down pay- same states along with Minne- now more than ever need the to extend SNAP or Food Stamp according the Center on Budget including their children, who ment for a median-priced home sota were also among the worst government to provide them benefi ts. The changes propose and Policy Priorities, a Wash- can’t concentrate in school be- would require $27,130. More- ranks of the nation. with critical tools to combat a three-month time limit for ington, D.C., progressive think cause they’re sleeping in a car over, a 20 percent down pay- “Volumes of research have discrimination in housing and SNAP benefi ts for jobless in- tank that analyzes federal and at night... We need to do more ment, which would remove the shown that when people from the insidious harms that result. dividuals 18 to 49 who are not state budget policies. if we are going to address the added cost of private mortgage diverse backgrounds are to- Instead we have seen HUD, disabled or raising children. “Denying access to vital rental housing and homeless- insurance would be double in gether in school, neighbor- under the current administra- In addition, the coalition SNAP benefi ts would only ness crisis: we need to preserve cost – $54,260. hoods, or workplaces every- tion, do the opposite.” charges that the rule under- push hundreds of thousands of the affordable housing that we According to calculations body wins,” said Meera E. Charlene Crowell is the mines Congress’ intent for already vulnerable Americans have, and we need to increase by the Center for Responsible Deo, a law professor with Center for Responsible Lend- SNAP and that the USDA vio- into greater economic uncer- investments in programs that Lending (CRL), nationwide it Thomas Jefferson School of ing’s communications deputy lated the federal rule-making tainty,” said New York State’s develop new housing or pro- would take 14 years for a pro- Law and one of the report’s director. She can be reached process. Attorney General Letitia James. vide rental aid. We know what spective homebuyer earning authors. “Making the unfamil- at charlene.crowell@responsi- New York, California, Con- The states argued that the the solutions are to this prob- the national median income iar more familiar means every- blelending.org. necticut, Maryland, Massachu- Trump administration’s pro- setts, Michigan, Minnesota, posed changes: Nevada, Oregon, New Jersey, Contradicts statutory lan- Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, guage and Congress’s intent for Vermont, Virginia and the Dis- the food-stamp program trict of Columbia are coalition Raises health care and home- members. less costs while lowering eco- The states sued the United nomic activity in the states GET YOUR CURRENT NEWS AND WATCH AP VIDEOS ONLINE AT: States Department of Agricul- Amends the law for arbitrary ture and George Perdue III, the and capricious reasons department’s secretary, in U.S. Violates the federal rule- District Court for the District of making process. Columbia. The SNAP benefi ts program On July 24, the Trump Ad- was established in 1964. Con- ministration proposed changing gress amended the program the way states calculate who is in 1996 to encourage greater eligible to receive SNAP ben- workforce participation among www.mississippilink.com efi ts. recipients. www.mississippilink.com JANUARY 23 - 29, 2020 THE MISSISSIPPI LINK • 11

PRESERVED Christian Living Steps Part III

By Pastor Simeon R. Green III way once in a while. This is different social, racial and gether. This letter is addressed Special to The Mississippi Link the key to getting along with economic backgrounds all to- to all of them. Why, because We read in other Christians. Sometimes gether in the church are united leaders and lay people in the of Faith Philippians 1:6: it’s diffi cult but when we real- in Christ. church are partners together. “Being con- ize what they will be, we can We read in Galatians 3:28, Look at Paul’s greeting in By Shewanda Riley do it. “There is neither Jew nor verse two: “Grace and peace believe I can complete the goal; I fi d e n t o f t h i s Columnist very thing, that You and I today are not liv- Greek, there is neither bond to you from God our Father fi nd myself with a new struggle. he which hath ing in the Day of the Lord; we nor free, there is neither male and the Lord Jesus Christ. I’ve always The fi rst step of faith is hard, begun a good are not living in the day of the nor female: for ye are all one (Philippians 1:2). This was considered myself but I’ve learned the next step work in you will perform it Old Testament; we are not liv- in Christ Jesus.” The gospel Paul’s favorite greeting to a woman of great of faith is sometimes the hard- until the day of Jesus Christ.” ing in the day of the Millen- brings us all together. those whose lives had been faith. But this est. Why? Sometimes you are so Perhaps Paul’s joy in these nium; we are not living in the The Bible says that we are changed by the gospel, em- year, I’ve been glad to have taken the fi rst step. people at Philippi was that day of eternity, we are living all saints in Christ Jesus. My phasizing God’s grace in sal- challenged more Also, you have the option of not he was seeing them by faith. in the day of Jesus Christ. We friend, I want us to learn that vation and the peace we have than ever to not going any further. You also have Not as they were, but as they are all partners in the Gospel leaders and lay people are with God through Jesus Christ just call myself the option of going forward and would be when God’s work together. partners together. This letter our Lord. woman of great faith. The chal- completing your faith walk. was done. He was looking at If you are part of the church is all about being partners in Rev. Simeon R. Green III is lenge this year has been whether James 2:14, 17 says that we have them with the eyes of faith. He or if you belong to Christ, then the gospel, so Paul emphasiz- pastor of Joynes Road Church I’ll be able to keep taking those to do something when we say we was sure that He who began you are a partner in the gos- es that he and Timothy are fel- of God, 31 Joynes Road, steps of faith. have faith because “What does it a good work in them was go- pel. The gospel brings people low servants of Christ Jesus. Hampton VA 23669. He is a Ask yourself this question – profi t, my brethren, if someone ing to fi nish it, so Paul could from different backgrounds Paul doesn’t just address the member of the National Asso- which has the biggest impact on says he has faith but does not have say that, even though he may (Acts 16). The gospel is the leadership or the people in the ciation of Evangelism Church your life? The fear of following works?... Thus also faith by itself, have been rubbed the wrong great unifi er. People from church, he addresses them to- of God, Anderson, Ind. God, the fear of not following if it does not have works, is dead.” God or the fear comes once you Lately, I’ve been working on start following God? Recently, and walking out my faith. It’s I’ve been dealing with each one of taken me nearly 9 years to go Moving the Masses Toward the Mission of the Master those fears and stating things like, from being a woman of faith who “My life won’t really change if I boldly says “I can do it” to being don’t do what God wants me to. I a “walker of faith” who takes one mean, I’ve been obedient in other faith fi lled step after the other. areas so what’s so wrong with Psalm 37:23-24 says, “The steps me not doing this one thing?” I of a good man are ordered by the realized this as I struggled be- Lord, and He delights in his way. ing completely obedient and as I Though he fall, he shall not be prayed for God to show me His utterly cast down; For the Lord will for my life. upholds him with His hand.” It 1750 The more I prayed, the more I says “steps” and not “step” which SUNDAY saw the signs and felt the spiritual makes me think that we fulfi ll our Worship Services www.nhcms.org nudging to go in one specifi c di- God-given purpose when we trust 10:00 a.m. rection. In the past, I’d been more God and keep walking in faith. Sunday School 8:45 a.m. willing to go where I felt God’s Shewanda Riley is a Fort Worth, MONDAY spirit was leading me. This time, Texas based author of “Love Intercessory Prayer 9:00 a.m. however, I didn’t want to do it. In Hangover: Moving from Pain WEDNESDAY fact, I’d been resisting the nudg- to Purpose After a Relationship Prayer Service 6:30 p.m. ing of God’s spirit for at least 9 Ends” and “Writing to the Beat of years. Not believing I had enough God’s Heart: A Book of Prayers Classes: Children • Youth • Adult - 7:00p.m. Michael T. Williams faith to do it was part of the rea- for Writers.” Email preserved- Pastor son I struggled. Now that my faith [email protected] or follow has increased to a level where I her on Twitter @shewanda. New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church Pastor, Dr. F. R. Lenoir Sunday School - 9:15 a.m. Sunday Morning Worship - 10:30 a.m. Live Radio Broadcast WOAD AM 1300 - 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

“A Church Preparing for a Home Not Built by Man” New Bethel M. B. Church • 450 Culberston Ave. • Jackson, MS 39209 601-969-3481/969-3482 • Fax # 601-969-1957 • E-Mail: [email protected]

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12 • THE MISSISSIPPI LINK JANUARY 23 - 29, 2020 www.mississippilink.com Sure glad Will a woman be president in 2020 By Julianne Malveaux Clearly, the Times not only thinks a ment fell apart because women were In other words, gender is not a NNPA News Wire Columnist to be woman can win, but in endorsing two not on the same page. Accusations qualifi cation for higher offi ce. And if In a most unusual women for the Democratic nomination, against Tamika Mallory and Linda Sar- the women endorsed by the New York endorsement, the New they are saying that women are the best sour, two of the co-chairs of the march Times do not fully explore the concept York Times has en- of the Democrats in the race. And, in caused much discussion and rancor, of intersectionality and speak on it, they black dorsed both Senators the past two years, we’ve seen signs so much so that the second Women’s will likely sideline some votes, even Elizabeth Warren (MA) that women are gaining politically. The March attracted a fraction of the people though many others would vote for By E. Faye Williams Trice Edney Newswire and Amy Klobuchar women’s sweep of the 2018 elections who showed up to the fi rst one. And the Bubba the Fool to get rid of 45. (MN) for the Demo- certainly bodes well for women. At the third march was operated on a differ- Both Warren and Klobuchar are ex- When you think about cratic nomination for president. Appar- same time, is gender a suffi cient quali- ent model. It did not equal the excite- citing candidates. Warren’s progressive the harsh treatment ently, the Editorial Board of the Times fi cation for the presidency? ment or momentum of the fi rst march, ideas endear her to the left, and Klobu- black people have ex- disagrees with Senator Bernie Sanders Three years after the fi rst fl awed but although there were many more local char’s more moderate approach to so- perienced, and still ex- (VT), who allegedly told Warren that a overwhelmingly successful Women’s marches and other activities associated cial and economic challenges appeals perience in this country, woman could not win the presidency. March in 2017, the realignment of the with the marches. to others. The Times did a good job of when you think of 400 I’d love to see the right woman in the March “movement” has illustrated Women can’t “come together” un- contrasting the two women. years of black people be- White House, but I’ve been among the cracks in the foundations of feminism. less they acknowledge our differences, But can either win the president? ing enslaved, having gone through Jim many who have wondered openly if, in These fl aws perhaps go back to the as well as our similarities. Thanks to When then one-term Senator Barack Crow, segregation, lynching and every a polarized and sexist United States, a scuffl e over who should get the vote Tarana Burke and folks like Professor Obama ran for president, l liked him indignity you can think about, don’t woman can win both the nomination fi rst between our nation’s fi rst feminists Kimberly Crenshaw, some black wom- very much but didn’t think a black you at least say to yourself, “I’m sure and the presidency. like Elizabeth Cady Stanton and civil en are openly addressing issues of race man could succeed in this racist nation. glad I’m black?” Though polls are not a defi nitive rights activists like Frederick Douglass. and class in feminism. But I’ve heard Thankfully, I was wrong. Can a woman I say that because I watch the news measure of who will win an election, In resenting the fact that black men got few white women, either politicians or win in 2020? I’m hoping the best can- religiously, and listen to all sides of Warren and Klobuchar tend to poll the vote before white women, those intellectuals, deal with issues of racism didate will win, and the best candidate this Trump thing. I look at everybody more weakly than the men in the race early feminists used extremely dispar- in the women’s movement. Is there re- may well be a woman. involved, and none of the crooks or ac- – Vice President Biden, Sanders and aging language against black men, us- ally “a women’s movement?” There are Dr. Julianne Malveaux is an econo- cused crooks look like you or me. I know former Mayor Pete Buttigieg. ing terms like “savage” to suggest these women’s issues, and women’s march- mist, author, media contributor and ed- some of our ancestors suffered severe Have we come such a long way since men did not deserve to vote. es, and an exhilarating display of anti- ucator. Her latest project MALVEAUX! and outrageous beatings and other sin- 2016 that a woman is electable? Can so- Can anybody say “intersectionality?” Trump sentiment three years ago (don’t On UDCTV is available on youtube. ful indignities, but we’ve never heard called progressive men who want to get Or to make it more clear, use the words forget that 53 percent of white women com. For booking, wholesale inqui- of any of them engaged in conduct like 45 out of the White House overcome of Sojourner Truth and say, “Ain’t I A voted for that man), but when do wom- ries or for more info visit www.juli- that attributed to Donald Trump, Mike their gender bias to vote for a woman? Woman.” The women’s march move- en come together? annemalveaux.com Pence, Rudy Giuliani, William Barr, Robert Hyde, Devin Nunes, and all of those unsavory characters who meet at the Trump Hotel bar. You can take note that none of them look like you or me. Despite a few bad apples among us MLK’s legacy even more relevant from time to time, none of them are ma- jor players in this plot to get dirt on the Bidens or subvert national interests. Rachel Maddow interviewed Lev as hate crimes continue to rise Parnas who described what can only be called a serious mob operation. If just By Marc H. Morial Angeles, Chicago, with the Jewish radical breeding ground: – found slur- ganizations and individuals across the one half of what Parnas has shared with Trice Edney Newswire community being the most frequent ridden comments like “You are throw- United States in support of truth, ra- us is true, we are living in a very dan- “The ultimate weak- target in all fi ve of the cities. ing high-quality octane fuel” on the cial healing and transformation. More gerous country, and I’m sure glad to be ness of violence is that “These data refl ect several trends, in- “fi re” of Jewish-black relations, “Let’s than 70 events around the nation were Black. it is a descending spi- cluding an escalating tribalism, where see some riots,” and “If you break the scheduled, and you can follow the I read about Darryl Scott (one of ral, begetting the very various prejudices like anti-Semitism, black-Jewish alliance, it’s all over for conversation on social media using the us) and others trying to pull a fast one thing it seeks to destroy. xenophobia and homophobia, among the Jews.” hashtag #HowWeHeal. down at Virginia Union University in Instead of diminish- others, are widely shared across a It’s instructive to note that the goal As one of the Anchor Institutions, Richmond by trying to entice people ing evil, it multiplies it. diverse grouping of people,” Brian of white nationalists is to drive a we stand side-by-side with racial jus- to be present to honor Donald Trump Through violence you may murder the Levin, the report’s lead author, said. wedge between marginalized groups. tice and organizations representing La- and Jared Kushner on the sacred day liar, but you cannot murder the lie, nor “Next, local demographic changes in And vital that we actively and force- tinos, Asian-Americans, Native Amer- America observes Dr. Martin Luther establish the truth. Through violence densely populated cities means more fully resist these efforts. icans and other ethnic and religious King Day. The hook was to offer money you may murder the hater, but you people are coming into contact with “Injustice anywhere is a threat to communities – tied together, as King – lots of it to unsuspecting black people do not murder hate. In fact, violence each other right at a time when fearful justice everywhere,” King wrote in said, in a single garment of destiny. who didn’t know the real purpose of merely increases hate.” – Martin Lu- stereotypes are increasingly become Letter from a Birmingham Jail. “We As disheartened as we may be by the the event. Yes, I admit that was a bad ther King Jr. the kindling for violent behavior.” are caught in an inescapable network rising level of hate crimes, and as dis- act, but even that does not rise to the A report that hate crimes surged in In the wake of the shooting and of mutuality, tied in a single garment gusted as we may be to read the words level of what black people (red, yellow America’s fi ve largest cities last year stabbing attacks on Orthodox Jews in of destiny. Whatever affects one di- of online trolls, we must guard against and brown people, too) have seen on has broken just as we honor the na- New York and New Jersey, far-right rectly, affects all indirectly.” meeting hate with hate. the news every night. I know Scott is tion’s best-known victim of a hate trolls hoping to exacerbate racial ten- The National Urban League, as one Friedrich Nietzsche wrote, “Who- friends with Trump and his supporters crime. sions have been posing online as Jews of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation Ra- ever fi ghts monsters should see to it – but what he tried to do is small time The Center for the Study of Hate and to post racist screeds against African cial Equity Anchor Institutions, cel- that in the process he does not become compared with what Trump’s friends Extremism at California State Univer- Americans. ebrated the fi fth annual National Day a monster.” from another mother have done and are sity, San Bernardino, found that hate Online sleuths who traced the rac- of Racial Healing the day after Martin The monster of racism feeds on ha- now trying to cover up. crimes were at their highest level since ist plot back to the website 4chan – a Luther King Jr. Day. The day is a call tred. The only way to kill it is to starve Black people, for once, can be glad September 11, 2001, in New York, Los site that author Elad Nehorai called “a to action to mobilize communities, or- it. to be black. I know I am. I pray that my good white friends are wishing they could be black, brown, red or yellow, too because we’ve never committed any act remotely close to the current The legislature could help a lot by doing a lot less crimes we’re seeing. All white people aren’t involved, and By Jon Pritchett 30 years ago? They certainly looked sentially open the door for innovation, companies in Mississippi are too de- I congratulate them; but think about Mississippi Center for Public Policy and performed much differently than rather than one where entrepreneurs pendent on state government. And the their new, uncomfortable feeling every The new year brought they do today. need to seek permission from the state. state is too dependent on the federal time they turn on their televisions ob- a new legislative ses- People moved to those places be- If Mississippi wants to get in the tech- government. We have the third highest serving only white people, many with sion to Jackson. It also cause of opportunity, and made them nology world, and we are convinced level of economic dependence on fed- whom they identify and support, mixed brought new estimates cool. And there are policies the state this is essential, a permissionless inno- eral grants-in-aid in the nation (43%) up in this corruption. from the Census bureau can adopt that would put Mississippi vation policy in healthcare would be a and the fourth highest level of our Those of us who are fortunate enough on Mississippi’s popu- ahead of the curve when it comes to na- big step in the right direction. economy driven by the public sector in to be black know well what daily re- lation. tional policy and position the state to be We need to continue to reform our the country (55%). criminating, negative news feels like. For the fourth time in fi ve years, competitive nationwide. occupational licensing requirements. Politicians, state agency directors Imagine how it feels to those whites Mississippi lost population. The state’s For starters, Mississippi needs to This includes providing universal rec- and government bureaucrats cannot whose new reality is that our current population declined by 4,871, the sixth move away from a desire to overregu- ognition of licensing, following the create the economic growth we need. national disgrace is not shared. highest total in the country. Mississippi late commerce and embolden gov- path paved by Arizona. If you have They can, however, work together with Imagine having these accusations di- and neighboring Louisiana, which saw ernment bureaucrats. Mississippi has been licensed in one state, that license our various representatives and create rected at you or those who refl ect your a decrease of 10,896 residents, are the more than 117,000 regulations that cut should be good in Mississippi. Again, an environment that allows and en- values. The leader of this mob has been only states in the south to lose popula- across every sector of the economy. A we could lead on an issue that would courages private economic activities. impeached, but, unlike typical conse- tion over the past year. This is a con- successful model to stem this growing be particularly benefi cial to military Ultimately, with such an environment, quences for those of us who are non- tinuing trend. tide would be a one-in, two-out policy families. it will be the entrepreneurs, business white, for all the witness verifi ed, con- A look at a map of domestic migra- where for every new regulation that is Our current licensing regime serves owners, productive workers, creative demnable acts, unless there is a miracle tion, which measures where Americans adopted, two have to be removed. If a to lower competition and increase costs disruptors, capitalists, managers and of justice, 45 won’t even be convicted. are moving over the past year, shows a regulatory policy is so important, make for consumers, while not providing consumers who deliver the economic Many of the senators elected to rep- picture of the haves and the have-nots the government prove it. those consumers with a better product. growth we all seek. resent all of us have already indicated when it comes to population growth. The Trump administration adopted a Occupational licensing is an example There’s no rule that Mississippi that they will turn a blind eye to the vo- Large swaths of the northeast and similar executive order in 2017, and the of how Mississippi misses the oppor- has to lose population. Alabama, with luminous evidence that would change midwest show a declining population, numbers show we are actually seeing tunity to grow her economy by acting whom we share much in common, the mind of a normal, objective person. while the interior west, west coast (save decreases greater than two-to-one. in defensive ways to protect the slices had a domestic migration growth that At least for the next few days non- for California), and the southeast saw This could be particularly benefi cial of our economic pie for the well-con- ranked 18th in the country last year. white people can watch and live with- population gains, substantial gains in in healthcare and tech policy. No de- nected when the reality is we could cre- We’d celebrate that. Some will look at out the fear or threat of being maligned some states. partment regulates more than the De- ate a much bigger economic pie if we Mississippi’s woes and say the problem and condemned for involvement in this So what can we do to join our south- partment of Health, but our goal should encouraged more creative disruption, is that government doesn’t do enough. national travesty. ern neighbors? be a push toward free market health- competition and risk-taking. As the success of our neighbors shows, Dr. E. Faye Williams is national We may look at Mississippi and say care reforms that encourage choice and Finally, Mississippi needs to shed its that couldn’t be further from the truth. president of the National Congress of things like, “we don’t have any cool competition. Certifi cate of Need reform abundant reliance on government and Jon Pritchett is the president and Black Women. (www.nationalcongress- large cities today that people want to would be a good place to start. the public sector. Whether for public CEO of Mississippi Center for Public bw.org). She’s also host of WPFW.FM move to.” But honestly, were Salt Lake In tech policy, the state has the oppor- assistance, grants, contracts, jobs or Policy, the state’s non-partisan, free- 89.3’s “Wake Up and Stay Woke.” City or Raleigh or Nashville that cool tunity to be one of the fi rst states to es- specifi c tax breaks, the citizens and market think tank.

Editorials and Letters to the Editor may be e-mailed to [email protected] or mailed to 2659 Livingston Road, Jackson, MS 39213. The views and opinions expressed on the Op/Ed pages are not necessarily the views and opinions of The Mississippi Link. The Mississippi Link also reserves the right to edit all material for length and accuracy. HEALTH

www.mississippilink.com JANUARY 23 - 29, 2020 THE MISSISSIPPI LINK • 13 State’s 2020 CMNH Champion keeps the beat with a mended heart

The Cumberland family includes par- ents Tara and Jason and children Davis Surrounded by her fellow dancers, Sybil gets a hug from her dance teacher, Carol and Sybil. Sybil performs a routine with her fellow dancers. Merrill. umc.edu nual Mississippi Miracles Radiothon, a ballet, tap and jazz, among others. surgeries because I was a baby then, but I has a congenital heart defect, making it As a competitive dancer and tumbler, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals “Dance is in Sybil’s heart,” said studio am happy to be healthy now,” Sybil said. the most common type of birth defect. Sybil Cumberland of Preston moves to a fundraiser that benefi ts Children’s of founder Merrill. “It just pours out of her. “I see my doctor once a year so she can According to the U.S. Centers for Dis- musical beat. Mississippi, broadcasting her story with Sybil always strives to do her best, and check my heart.” ease Control and Prevention, about 1 mil- Thanks to Children’s of Mississippi Meridian-area stations. she is all about learning her craft.” Sybil entered the world at a healthy 7 lion children live with congenital heart cardiologists and surgeons, she steps to During the 2019 college football sea- Merrill includes an improvisational pounds, 5 ounces, but unbeknown to her defects. Because of medical advances, that beat with a healthy heart. son, Sybil was the Kid Captain for Mis- time during dance lessons, and she had family and physicians, she arrived with a there are now more adults – about 1.4 Named Mississippi’s 2020 Children’s sissippi State University when the Bull- put on the Kidz Bop version of “Fight broken heart. million – than children with congenital Miracle Network Hospitals Cham- dogs hosted Alabama. She’s also active Song” to inspire choreography by her The fi rst sign of trouble: Sybil didn’t heart defects. pion during a celebration in Meridian in supporting other causes, serving as students. take her fi rst breath until several minutes Once Sybil’s heart defects were dis- Wednesday, Sybil has been a patient of an ambassador for the March of Dimes’ Sybil heard the words, “This is my after birth. “They put her on a CPAP im- covered, she was too weak for the sur- Children’s of Mississippi’s Children’s March for Babies and modeling in fash- fi ght song, take back my life song,” and mediately,” Tara said. gery to close the holes. At 2 and a half Heart Center since she was an infant. ion shows for the American Heart Asso- told Merrill, “That’s my song.” Sybil had a healthy weight, so she months, a band was placed on Sybil’s Born with a congenital heart defect, ciation. “She is a fi ghter,” Merrill said, “and went home after two and a half weeks in pulmonary artery to restrict blood fl ow Sybil underwent two surgeries at the “Children’s of Mississippi keeps my she’s a very special little miracle.” a neonatal intensive care unit. However, to her lungs. Sybil then regained her state’s only children’s hospital, recover- heart healthy,” Sybil said, “and I will do Today a healthy second-grader at she was growing weaker by the day. strength for a more extensive surgery at 6 ing in the hospital’s pediatric intensive my best to represent the children’s hospi- Kemper Academy, Sybil sees pediatric At fi rst, her feeding problems were months that closed the holes in her heart care unit. tal and the patients there.” cardiologist Dr. Aimee Parnell to make blamed on refl ux, but when Sybil, about and removed the band on her pulmonary “Sybil’s life was saved by Children’s Every year, 170 local Children’s Mira- sure her surgical repairs grow as she 2 months old, went into distress, the artery. of Mississippi care,” said her mother, cle Network Hospitals identify a Cham- does. Cumberlands knew they needed a higher “Children’s of Mississippi not only Tara Cumberland. “Anything we can do pion in each of their local communities “Sybil has always been a precious level of care. Tara and husband Jason treats children. They treat the entire to support the children’s hospital, we will to serve as the face for children treated little thing,” said Parnell, associate pro- took Sybil to Children’s of Mississippi, family,” said Tara. “The treatment she do.” at their local children’s hospital. These fessor of pediatric cardiology. “Every where they were told their daughter was received was unbelievable. Jason and I Sybil couldn’t agree more. During De- ambassadors spend their year advocating time she comes to see us at Children’s suffering from congestive heart failure. were new to the heart world, but the doc- cember, she collected toy donations to for the charitable need of children’s hos- of Mississippi, she’s really sweet and Holes in her heart were stealing blood tors and nurses were beside us, answer- give to children’s hospital patients. Tara, pitals across North America. friendly. She’s more reserved now, but as from the rest of her body and sending it ing our questions.” Sybil and older brother Davis delivered Tara said Sybil’s Champion year will a younger child, she loved to run around to her lungs. Both surgeries went well, but Parnell wagonloads of Barbie dolls, action fi g- combine “two of her loves, dance and the exam room.” Children with congenital heart defects said Sybil will need to see a cardiologist ures, stuffed animals, games and books Children’s of Mississippi.” Sybil has known Parnell as long as spend so much of their energy on breath- throughout her life to monitor her heart’s to Children’s of Mississippi in time for With her healthy heart, Sybil performs she can remember, since she was just ing and on circulating blood through condition. the gifts to brighten Christmas for pa- with a dance company from Carol Mer- 9 months old when Parnell became her their bodies that they fail to thrive be- “She has a low risk of ever needing tients. rill Academy of Dance in Meridian, cardiologist. cause there’s little energy left for eating. more surgery,” Parnell said, “and she She’s also been a regular at the an- competing in dance forms as varied as “I don’t remember having my heart About one in every 100 babies born should have a healthy life ahead.”

If obstructive sleep apnea makes rest elusive, a new device can help umc.edu via a coil running from the hypoglossal more uncommon breaking of the pa- Susan Walters didn’t realize how nerve to a battery acts much like a pace- tient’s jaw to move it forward and stretch much sleep she wasn’t getting until her maker, she said. A sensor placed between the face; to CPAP or the use of mouth- University of Mississippi Medical Cen- the muscles in the rib area detects when pieces that hold the mandible forward ter specialist team gave her the therapy to the patient takes a breath, activating a and mouth closed. get a full night of restful slumber. gentle pulse that opens the airway. And, weight loss is an important treat- Since the late 1990s, Walters said, “I “The patient uses a remote control ment, Richert said. “As the body mass was waking up several times a night, to turn the device on before they go to index goes up, the incidence of sleep ap- gasping for breath and snoring. I didn’t sleep, and off again after they get up,” nea goes up,” Richert said. “It’s becom- think there was anything to it, and that Lewis said. “It takes about 30 minutes ing more common. We’re more aware of everybody snores.” for it to start working,” which gives the it.” Her sister thought otherwise. “She was patient time to fall asleep, she said. Lewis has performed 30-plus proce- using a CPAP mask, so I got tested for The patient hears two beeps when dures, more than any other provider in the one,” Walters said of continuous posi- they turn on the remote and a green light state. Lewis has served on the American tive airway pressure, a ventilator therapy shows to indicate it’s been activated, Academy of Otolaryngology’s national for sleep apnea patients that uses mild Lewis said. “The patient feels a single sleep committee and holds certifi cation air pressure delivered through a mask to pulse on their tongue when it connects,” in sleep medicine from the American keep airways open. Walters uses a surgically implanted device, activated by a remote control, that works she said. Patients turn off the device by Board of Sleep Medicine. UMMC is an The CPAP wasn’t for Walters; much to open up her airway, allowing her to sleep soundly without interruption caused by pressing a gray button, then listening for ABSM-accredited sleep center. newer technology offered by an implant snoring and loss of breath. two beeps. “A status ring on the remote She’s collecting data at the Medical that uses a gentle electric pulse to open up will turn white,” Lewis said. Center as part of her committee duties. her airway was. “I thought I was sleep- Sleep Center, located at Select Specialty stimulation to the hypoglossal nerve that Walters is among the fi rst patients to “I was on staff at the University of Pitts- ing, but I’d get up and feel like I hadn’t Hospital in north Jackson. controls movement of the tongue and receive the implant surgery from Lewis, burg when this device was originally rested at all,” she said of the CPAP. “The The majority of studies involve pa- some airway muscles. How much stimu- who began performing it in 2017. Lewis researched,” said Lewis, who also is a machine cord was inconvenient when tients spending the night at the Sleep Lab lation can be controlled by up and down works with patients to fi nd the right set- member of the American Academy of I turned over in the bed. I used a chin so that their breathing, snoring, move- buttons on a small, hand-held remote ting to give them the best sleep. “You Sleep Medicine. strap, and I had to keep my mouth closed ment and oxygen levels can be moni- control. can step up the setting by one level to Walters said the device, manufactured and breathe through my nose. It was dif- tored. Some patients, though, take part Lewis implanted the small device in increase the stimulation, or you can step by Inspire Medical Systems Inc., has fi c u l t . ” in an in-home study that records air fl ow, Walters’ chest as an outpatient proce- down if it feels uncomfortable,” she said. helped her both physically and mentally. Walters coped with obstructive sleep oxygen levels and chest movement. dure, then activated it about a month Most patients tend to slowly increase The mother of three grown daughters, apnea, a condition in which a person suf- Richert said that the large majority of later after giving the three small inci- the stimulation during the fi rst two Walters retired to Clinton after working fers disrupted sleep and low blood oxy- the sleep studies performed at UMMC sions time to heal. Walters said she felt months of use “until they aren’t snor- for 21 years at an insurance company in gen levels because their tongue is sucked are to determine if a patient has obstruc- immediate relief. ing, or feel that they are sleeping better,” Ohio. against the back of their throat. That tive sleep apnea. The most common “I was surprised the fi rst time that it Lewis said. “Some people feel like they “I’d fall asleep, but I’d be back up blocks their upper airway, often causing treatment is CPAP or a newer version worked,” Walters said. “I felt so differ- get so much benefi t that they don’t turn it about an hour and a half later with the the patient to snore, be unusually sleepy of that machine that adjusts during the ent when I got up in the morning. I was any higher, but when they have a follow- CPAP,” she said. “Then I’d fall asleep in during the day, and sometimes suffer car- night. “If the machine notes apnea, it rested and could stay up later without be- up sleep study, they fi nd that they could my chair. This was such a big change. diovascular problems, depression or loss will increase the air pressure on its own,” ing drowsy the next day. I realized what I use more. “I should have done this long ago. I of concentration. Richert said. hadn’t been getting all those years.” “The purpose is to fi nd the setting that mostly did it to please my sister, but once Trying to better troubleshoot the prob- Richert suggested Walters visit Dr. The FDA-approved device, designed gives you comfortable sleep,” Lewis I found out what a difference it made … lem, 77-year-old Walters underwent Andrea Lewis, an associate professor in to provide long-term relief, has a battery said. She was right.” a sleep study conducted by Dr. Allen the Department of Otolaryngology and life of about 11 years. It works inside UMMC’s sleep team strives to fi nd To be evaluated for the sleep therapy Richert, division chief in the UMMC De- Communicative Sciences. Lewis deter- the body to address the root causes of a solution for all patients, whether it’s implant, call the Department of Otolar- partment of Psychiatry and Human Be- mined that Walters was a candidate for obstructive sleep apnea, Lewis said. An the device implanted by Lewis; surgery yngology and Communicative Sciences havior and medical director of UMMC’s a sleep therapy device that delivers mild electrical impulse delivered to the tongue ranging from removal of tonsils to the at 601 815-0821. CLASSIFIED

14 • THE MISSISSIPPI LINK JANUARY 23 - 29, 2020 www.mississippilink.com

LEGAL LEGAL LEGAL

Advertisement for Proposals Advertisement for Electronic Bid ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS – NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS Re-Bid 3111 Provine High School Restroom and Locker Room OB CURTIS WATER TREATMENT PLANT GRAVITY THICKENER #1 Sealed proposals will be received by the City of Jackson, Mississippi, until 3:30PM Renovations AND #2 REHABILITATION PROJECT Central Standard Time on February 11, 2020, Offi ce of City Clerk, City Hall, 219 Jackson, Mississippi South President Street, Jackson, Mississippi 39201, to supply labor and equipment Sealed, written formal bid proposals for the above bid will be received by as required to perform all related items of work covered under the 2020 Mosquito the Board of Trustees of the Jackson Public School District, in the Business Sealed bids will be received by the City of Jackson, Mississippi, until 3:30 Abatement Services for the City of Jackson, Mississippi (“City”). Offi ce, 662 South President Street, Jackson, Mississippi, until 2:00 P.M. P.M. CST, Tuesday, February 25, 2020 at the City Clerk’s Offi ce located (Local Prevailing Time) February 12, 2020, at which time and place they will at 219 S. President St., for supplying all labor, materials and equipment A Pre-Proposal Conference will be held on January 22, 2020 at 3:00PM in the 5th be publicly opened and read aloud. A Pre-Bid Conference concerning the as required under the plans and specifi cations for the construction of OB Floor Conference Room of the Warren Hood Building, 200 South President Street. project for Provine High School Restroom and Locker Room Renovations CURTIS WATER TREATMENT PLANT GRAVITY THICKENER #1 AND Jackson MS 39201. All potential contractors. subcontractors. and other interested will be held at Provine High School, 2400 Robinson Street, Jackson, MS #2 REHABILITATION PROJECT, SRF LOAN NO. DWI-L250008-02. parties are encouraged to attend. on January 24, 2020 at 1:30 P.M. Attendance at the pre-bid conference is Please address envelope to City Clerk, P.O. Box 17, Jackson, MS 39205. not mandatory but strongly encouraged. The Board of Trustees reserves the The City is committed to the principle of non-discrimination in public contracting. It is right to reject any and all bids, to waive informalities, and to withhold the The entire project must be completed within (300) calendar days. the policy of the City to promote full and equal business opportunity for all persons acceptance of any bid if approved for forty-fi ve calendar days from the date The contract will be subject to liquidated damages in the amount of doing business with the City. As a pre-condition to selection, each contractor, bidder bids are opened. fi ve hundred dollars ($500.00) per calendar day for each consecutive or offeror shall submit a completed and signed Equal Business Opportunity (EBO) calendar day in which the contract time is exceeded. Plan, with the bid submission, in accordance with the provision of the City’s Equal Plan holders are required to register and order bid documents at www. Business Opportunity (EBO) Ordinance. Failure to comply with the City’s Ordinance jpsdmsprojects.com. A $200.00 Non-refundable deposit shall be required The City of Jackson is committed to the principle of non-discrimination in shall disqualify a contractor, bidder, or offeror from being awarded an eligible contract. on each set of bid specs/documents and must be purchased through the public contracting. It is the policy of the City of Jackson to promote full an For more information on the City of Jackson’s Equal Business Opportunity Program, website. All plan holders are required to have a valid email address for equal business opportunity for all persons doing business with the City. please contact the Offi ce of Economic Development at 601-960-1055. Copies of registration. Questions regarding website registration and online orders, As a precondition to selection, the Ordinance, EBO Plan Applications and a copy of the services are available at please contact Plan House Printing, 607 W. Main Street, Tupelo, MS 38804, each contractor, bidder or offeror shall submit a completed and signed 200 South President Street, Room 223, Warren Hood Building, Jackson, Mississippi (662) 407-0193. Questions regarding bid documents please contact Krystal Equal Business Opportunity (EBO) plan. Failure to comply with the 39201. Lamm at Duvall Decker Architects, Phone: 601-713-1128 or Email: kl@ City’s ordinance shall disqualify a contractor, bidder or offeror from duvalldecker.com. being awarded an eligible contract. For more information on the City of The City hereby notifi es all bidders that in compliance with Title VI of the Civil Jackson’s Equal Business Opportunity Program, please contact Michael Rights Act of 1964, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2000d to 2000d-4 that all bidders will 1-16-2020, 1-23-2020 Davis with the offi ce of Economic Development at (601) 960-1856. Copies be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not of the ordinance, EBO Plan Applications and a copy of the Program are be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, national origin, or sex in available at 200 South President Street, Warren Hood Building, Second consideration for an award. LEGAL Floor, Jackson, Mississippi.

The City is committed to cultivating and ensuring the quality of life of its citizens, The City of Jackson, Mississippi (“City of Jackson”) is committed to through various services, employment, initiatives, and assistance. The City Advertisement for Reverse Auction Bid cultivating and ensuring the quality of life of its citizens, through various encourages all persons, corporations, and/or entities doing business within the City, programs, employment, initiatives, and assistance. The City encourages as well as those who seek to contract with the City on various projects and/or conduct Bid 3117 New Fortinet FortiGate 3401 Firewall all persons, corporations, and/or entities doing business within the City, business in the City, to assist the City in achieving its goal by strongly considering as well as those who seek to contract with the City on various projects City residents for employment opportunities. Reverse Auction bidding for the above bid will be received by the Board of and/or conduct business in the City to assist the City in achieving its goal Trustees of the Jackson Public School District, in the Business Offi ce, 662 by strongly considering City residents for employment opportunities. Proposals (one signed original plus fi ve copies) and the EBO Plan (one signed South President Street, Jackson, Mississippi, until 2:00 P.M. (Local Prevailing original plus fi ve copies included with the proposal) shall be submitted in a sealed Time) February 06, 2020 at which time Reverse Auction bidding begins The City of Jackson hereby notifi es all bidders that in compliance with package and plainly marked on the outside of the package: “REQUEST FOR electronically. The Board of Trustees reserves the right to reject any and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2000d to PROPOSALS FOR MOSQUITO ABATEMENT SERVICES. Interested companies all bids, to waive informalities, and to withhold the acceptance of any bid if 2000d-4 that all bidders will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in may obtain a copy of the detailed Request for Proposals at no charge from the approved for forty-fi ve calendar days from the date Reverse Auction bid response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the City’s Website at http://wwwjacksonms.2ov/bids or from James Caldwell, Manager, opening ends. grounds of race, color, national origin, sex, or disability in consideration Infrastructure Management Division, City of Jackson, Department of Public Works, for an award. Warren Hood Building, 200 South President Street, Suite 531, Jackson, MS 39201 Un-priced bid proposals will be accepted until 3:00 p.m. (Local Prevailing Time) or j caldwell(a. city j ackson. ms.us Friday, January 31, 2020. Specifi cation responses must be submitted for this Minority and women’s business enterprises are solicited to bid on this bid event. Prior to this cutoff time, all interested vendors will be the given contract as prime contractors and are encouraged to make inquiries THE CITY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REJECT ANY AND ALL PROPOSALS. the opportunity to participate in the auction. Vendors submitting acceptable regarding potential subcontracting opportunities and equipment, material specifi cation responses will be invited to participate in the electronic reverse and/or supply needs. Robert K. Miller Director, Department of Public Works auction at HYPERLINK “http://www.centralbidding.com” www.centralbidding. This contract is funded in whole or in part by funds from the Consolidated com on February 06, 2020 beginning at 2;00 p.m. local time. Vendors must be Appropriations Act of 214 (H.R. 3547); therefore, this project must comply 1-16-2020, 1-23-2020 registered with Central Bidding in order to participate in the reverse auction. with the American Iron and Steel Requirements of the Act. For any questions concerning the reverse auction process or how to register, Any contract or contracts awarded under this invitation for bids are please contact Central Bidding at 225-810-4814. expected to be funded in whole or in part by anticipated funds from LEGAL the Drinking Water Systems Improvements Revolving Loan Fund 1-23-2020, 1-30-2020 (DWSIRLF) loan program from the State of Mississippi. Neither the State of Mississippi, the Local Governments and Rural Water Systems Improvements Board, the MS Department of Health, the MS Commission LEGAL on Environmental Quality, nor any of their employees, is or will be a party to this invitation for bids or any resulting or related contracts. This procurement will be subject to all applicable sections of the Mississippi NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Code of 1972, Annoted, as they apply to local governments, in accordance CITY OF JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI with Appendix D of the DWSIRLF Program Regulations. SIGN VARIANCE FOR ELIZABETH CLAIR’S The PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS AND CONTRACT DOCUMENTS may THE JACKSON CITY COUNCIL WILL CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING ON be examined at the following locations: THE SIGN VARIANCE FOR ELIZABETH CLAIR’S TO RECEIVE CITIZEN INPUT HAS BEEN SCHEDULED FOR TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2020 AT • Offi ce of the MSDH/DWSIRLF Program: located at 570 East 10:00 A.M. IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS AT THE CITY HALL BUILDING, 219 Woodrow Wilson, Suite U232, Jackson MS 39215, call Colleen Cook, SOUTH PRESIDENT STREET, JACKSON, MS, 39201. INTERESTED Project Manager at 601-576-7518. CITIZENS ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND. PLEASE CONTACT THE • Offi ce of the Consulting Engineer: Cornerstone Engineering SIGNS & LICENSE DIVISION (601) 960-1154 FOR MORE INFORMATION. LLC, located at 710 Northside Drive, Suite A, Clinton, MS 39056, call Mauricka McKenzie, P.E., Project Engineer at 601-473-2403 offi ce. 1-23-2020, 1-30-2020 One copy of the Plans, Specifi cations and Contract Documents may be procured from the Consulting Engineer, upon payment of $250, none of which is refundable. LEGAL • Offi cial bid documents can be downloaded from Centrl Bidding at www.centralbidding.com. Electronic bids can be submitted at www.centralbidding.com. For any questions relating to the electronic NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING bidding process, please call Central Bidding at 225-810-4814. CITY OF JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI SIGN VARIANCE FOR DISTRICT DRUGS The BID SCHEDULE may be examined at the following locations:

THE JACKSON CITY COUNCIL WILL CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING • Mississippi Procurement Technical Assistance Program (MPTAP) 1-9-2020, 1-16-2020, 1-23-20 ON THE SIGN VARIANCE FOR DISTRICT DRUGS TO RECEIVE CITIZEN INPUT HAS BEEN SCHEDULED FOR TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2020 AT Mississippi Development Authority, Minority & Small Business 10:00 A.M. IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS AT THE CITY HALL BUILDING, 219 Development Woolfolk Building LEGAL SOUTH PRESIDENT STREET, JACKSON, MS, 39201. INTERESTED CITIZENS ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND. PLEASE CONTACT THE 501 North West Street, Suite B-01 SIGNS & LICENSE DIVISION (601) 960-1154 FOR MORE INFORMATION. Jackson, MS 39201 Contact: LaTisha Landing 601-359-3448 Alta Woods Park and Medgar Evers Park aka Virden Addition Playground Resurfacing CDBG Projects 1-23-2020, 1-30-2020 The Standard Specifi cations adopted by the City Council may be procured from the Department of Public Works, if desired upon payment BID CANCELLATION NOTICE: of $5.00 dollars for each specifi cation. By way of this notice, the Alta Woods Park and Me dgar Evers Park aka Virden A NON-MANDATORY Pre-Bid Conference will be held on February 5, Addition Playground Resurfacing CDBG Project has been cancelled, and will be re- 2020, at 11:00 A.M. local time, in the 5th fl oor conference room of the bid in the near future. Warren Hood Building, 200 South President Street, Jackson, Mississippi. All potential contractors, subcontractors, and other interested parties are We will make every attempt to notify everyone in the current Central Bidding “Visit encouraged to attend. List”. Bidders must be qualifi ed under Mississippi law and possess a certifi cate New Playground Equipment and Rubber Surfacing - Alta Woods Park Park, 2026 of responsibility issued by the Mississippi State Board of Contractors Alta Woods Park Blvd. and Medgar Evers Park aka Virden Addition, 3157 Edwards establishing its classifi cation as to the value and type of construction on Ave., Jackson, Mississippi (CDBG Project). which it is authorized to bid. Each bidder must deposit with its proposal, a bid bond or certifi ed check in an amount equal to fi ve percent (5%) of the 1-16-2020, 1-23-2020 total bid for the work, payable to the City of Jackson, as the bid security.

The successful bidder shall furnish a Performance Bond and Payment Bond each in the amount of one hundred percent (100%) of the contract amount awarded. Attorneys-in-fact who sign Bid Bonds or Payment Bonds and Performance Bonds must fi le with each bond a certifi ed and effective dated copy of their power of attorney.

Proposals shall be submitted in triplicate, sealed and deposited with the City of Jackson’s City Clerk prior to the hour and date designated above. Each bidder shall write its certifi cate of responsibility number on the outside of the sealed envelope containing its proposal.

The City of Jackson reserves the right to reject any and all bids and to waive any and all informalities

Robert K. Miller Director, Department of Public Works

1-23-2020, 1-30-2020 www.mississippilink.com JANUARY 23 - 29, 2020 THE MISSISSIPPI LINK • 15

LEGAL P ICK UP Advertisement for Reverse Auction Bid HE ISSISSIPPI INK Bid 3118 Child Nutrition Kitchen Furniture and Equipment T M L AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS: Reverse Auction bidding for the above bid will be received by the Board of Trustees of the Jackson Public School District, in the Business Offi ce, 662 South President Street, Jackson, Mississippi, until 2:00 P.M. (Local Prevailing JACKSON SPORTS MEDICINE VOWELL’S MARKET PLACE Time) February 10, 2020, at which time Reverse Auction bidding begins BULLY’S RESTAURANT Fortifi cation and I-55 5777 Terry Road electronically. The Board of Trustees reserves the right to reject any and all bids, to waive informalities, and to withhold the acceptance of any bid if 3118 Livingston Road MURPHY USA CITY HALL approved for forty-fi ve calendar days from the date Reverse Auction bid CASH & CARRY 6394 Ridgewood Rd (North Jackson) Terry Road opening ends. Capitol Street and Monument Street REVELL ACE HARDWARE CLINTON Un-priced bid proposals will be accepted until 3:00 p.m. (Local Prevailing Time) CITY HALL Terry Rd (South Jackson) Monday, February 3, 2020. Specifi cation responses must be submitted for this DOLLAR GENERAL 219 S President St WALGREENS bid event. Prior to this cutoff time, all interested vendors will be the given 807 Berkshire St - Clinton, MS the opportunity to participate in the auction. Vendors submitting acceptable GARRETT OFFICE COMPLEX 380 W. Woodrow Wilson Ave specifi cation responses will be invited to participate in the electronic reverse auction at HYPERLINK “http://www.centralbidding.com” www.centralbidding. 2659 Livingston Road TERRY CANTON com on February 10, 2020 beginning at 2;00 p.m. local time. Vendors must be DOLLAR GENERAL SERVICE STATION registered with Central Bidding in order to participate in the reverse auction. A & I 3957 Northview Dr (North Jackson) For any questions concerning the reverse auction process or how to register, 716 Roby Street - Canton, MS at Exit 78 please contact Central Bidding at 225-810-4814. DOLLAR GENERAL B & B CITY HALL 1-23-2020, 1-30-2020 2030 N Siwell Rd 702 West North Street - Canton, MS West Cunningham Avenue DOLLAR GENERAL BOUTIQUE STORE 4331 Highway 80W RAYMOND LEGAL 3355 North Liberty - Canton, MS HINDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE DOLLAR GENERAL BULLY’S STORE WELCOME CENTER 5990 Medgar Evers Blvd DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION Church Street - Canton, MS 505 E. Main Street BUREAU OF BUILDING, GROUNDS AND DOLLAR GENERAL COMMUNITY MART SUNFLOWER GROCERY REAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT 1214 Capitol St (Downtown Jackson) JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI 743 Ruby Street - Canton, MS 122 Old Port Gibson Street, DOLLAR GENERAL FRYER LANE GROCERY ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS Raymond, MS 304 Briarwood Dr Martin Luther King Drive - Canton, MS DOLLAR GENERAL LOVE FOOD MART Sealed bids will be received at the Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real HAMLIN FLORAL DESIGN 120 E. Main Street, Property Management, 501 North West Street, Suite 1401 B, Jackson, 2855 McDowell Rd 285 Peace Street - Canton, MS Mississippi, 39201, until 2:00:00 p.m. on Thursday, 02/25/2020 , for: DOLLAR GENERAL Raymond, MS JOE’S SANDWICH & GROCERY RAYMOND PUBLIC LIBRARY RE: GS# 204-075 CMTE 2.0 (Storage Building) 104 Terry Rd 507 Church Street - Canton, MS East Mississippi Community College J & A FUEL STORES 126 W. Court Street, Raymond, MS RFx #:3160003415 K & K ONE STOP RAYMOND CITY HALL 3249 Medgar Evers Blvd. 110 West Fulton Street - Canton, MS at which time they will be publicly opened and read. Contract documents may LIBERTY BANK AND TRUST 110 Courtyard Square, Raymond be obtained from: LACY’S INSURANCE RAYMOND COURTHOUSE 2325 Livingston Rd. 421 Peace Street - Canton, MS Professional: PryorMorrow PC - Columbus (Columbus, Mississippi, through the Offi ce listed herein) MCDADE’S MARKET SOUL SET BARBER SHOP UTICA Address: Post Offi ce Box 167 Northside Drive 257 Peace Street - Canton, MS HUBBARD’S TRUCK STOP Columbus, Mississippi 39703 Phone: 662-327-8990 MCDADE’S MARKET #2 TRAILER PARK GROCERY Mississippi Hwy 18 Email: [email protected] 653 Duling Avenue 22 Westside Drive - Canton, MS PITT STOP A deposit of $150.00 is required. Bid preparation will be in accordance PICADILLY CAFETERIA 101 Hwy 18 & 27 with Instructions to Bidders bound in the project manual. The Bureau of Jackson Medical Mall BYRAM Building, Grounds and Real Property Management reserves the right to waive BOLTON 350 W Woodrow Wilson Avenue DOLLAR GENERAL irregularities and to reject any or all bids. NOTE: Telephones and desks will BOLTON LIBRARY not be available for bidders use at the bid site. SHELL FOOD MART 125 Swinging Bridge Dr. 5492 Watkins Drive BOLTON CITY HALL Calvin R. Sibley, Bureau Director HAVIOR’S AUTO CARE Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management 5495 I-55 South Frontage Road

1-23-2020, 1-30-2020

LEGAL

DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION BUREAU OF BUILDING, GROUNDS AND REAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

Sealed bids will be received at the Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management, 501 North West Street, Suite 1401 B, Jackson, Mississippi, 39201, until 2:00:00 p.m. on Tuesday, 02/25/2020 , for:

RE: GS# 213-054 New Student Housing Northwest Mississippi Community College RFx #: 3160003429 at which time they will be publicly opened and read. Contract documents may be obtained from:

Professional: Eley Guild Hardy Architects - Jackson, P.A. (Biloxi through the Offi ce listed herein) Address: 329 East Capitol Street Jackson, Mississippi 39201 Phone: 601-354-2572 Email: [email protected]

A deposit of $250.00 is required. Bid preparation will be in accordance with Instructions to Bidders bound in the project manual. The Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management reserves the right to waive irregularities and to reject any or all bids. NOTE: Telephones and desks will not be available for bidders use at the bid site.

Calvin R. Sibley, Bureau Director Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management

1-23-2020, 1-30-2020

LEGAL

DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION BUREAU OF BUILDING, GROUNDS AND REAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

Sealed bids will be received at the Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management, 501 North West Street, Suite 1401 B, Jackson, Mississippi, 39201, until 2:00:00 p.m. on Tuesday, 02/25/2020 , for:

RE: GS# 217-016 GHEC - New Chiller Mississippi Delta Community College - Greenville Higher Education Center RFx #: 3160003430 at which time they will be publicly opened and read. Contract documents may be obtained from:

Professional: Edmonds Engineering, Inc. (Hoover, Alabama, through the Offi ce listed herein) Address: 1900 Lakeland Drive Jackson, Mississippi 39216 Phone: 601-362-6478 Email: [email protected]

A deposit of $100.00 is required. Bid preparation will be in accordance with Instructions to Bidders bound in the project manual. The Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management reserves the right to waive irregularities and to reject any or all bids. NOTE: Telephones and desks will not be available for bidders use at the bid site.

Calvin R. Sibley, Bureau Director Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management

1-23-2020, 1-30-2020 16 • THE MISSISSIPPI LINK JANUARY 23 - 29, 2020 www.mississippilink.com MLK Prayer Breakfast Greater Bethlehem Temple • Jackson, MS • January 20, 2020 PHOTOS BY ANITA YOUNG www.mississippilink.com JANUARY 23 - 29, 2020 THE MISSISSIPPI LINK • 17 BOOK REVIEW: DELIVERED

AFRICANBY MIDWIVES: AMERICAN MIDWIFERY IN THE TWENTIETH-CENTURY SOUTH BY JENNY M. LUKE C.2018, UNIVERSITY PRESS OF MISSISSIPPI $30.00 / HIGHER IN CANADA • 193 PAGES

By Terri Schlichenmeyer can woman and you were preg- rized to be healers,” which was ever, so did the perception that educational requirements for tients endured, and those things Columnist nant, you might have struggled “a power that the white medical not calling a doctor for a baby’s professional midwives have be- might make you scream before The mailman’s come and with more than just labor: white establishment could not under- birth indicated “an indifferent come steeper, which can lead to you hurry-up-and-wait for rele- gone for today. doctors simply didn’t have to mine.” negligence toward” the child. questions of affordability. vant-but-scholarly information He never brings you much treat black patients if they didn’t What the white establishment Black mothers still reached out Still, in “Delivered by Mid- that slows the process down. It anymore anyhow, just a few want to. Because of this, “many could do, however, was to point to midwives but it was increas- wives,” she shows a continued ends in a somewhat-frazzling, bills and a card sometimes; now African-American women in the out the high rate of maternal and ingly becoming “a marker of need for midwives, especially acronym-laden whoosh. and then, you might get a box Jim Crow South had no expec- infant death in black communi- status” and more “’scientifi c’” to in poorer communities – though That doesn’t make this a bad of something you purchased tation of medical care for preg- ties. Because of this, laws were have a hospital birth. By 1970, getting to that point here can book – it makes this informa- and that’s always fun. You nancy and childbirth.” made in the 1920s to regulate and though racism persisted and sometimes feel a lot like labor. tive and interesting, good for know, though, that the mailman And so, as did their foremoth- midwives of all races. Classes “hospital care and medical ex- Luke moves her history at students and prospective mid- doesn’t always bring you what ers when they were slaves, la- on hygiene and cleanliness were pertise were… not expectations a good pace before repetition wives, but not a curl-up-by-the- you ordered. As in “Delivered boring women relied on “gran- taught to help improve the health of African Americans...” nine forces everything to slow down, fi re something to read. by Midwives” by Jenny M. ny midwives” to “catch” their of the most poverty-stricken out of ten black women deliv- then it speeds up again, so things Still, if it’s the kind of medi- Luke, someone else brings a dif- babies. Doing so was a natural mothers and their families, and ered their babies in hospitals. move quickly inside this book – cal, African-American, or femi- ferent kind of package. conclusion, says Luke, since joining a “midwife club” was The tide is turning back again, and then they don’t. We’re treat- nist history you’re looking for, At the turn of the last century, both men and women in early mandatory. says author Jenny M. Luke, but ed to painful, wincing tales of “Delivered by Midwife” is the if you were an African-Ameri- black communities were “autho- As World War II began, how- there are issues – specifi cally, past midwives and what their pa- total package.

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18 • THE MISSISSIPPI LINK JANUARY 23 - 29, 2020 www.mississippilink.com Jackson’s Zeta Phi Beta Sorority welcomes sisters homecoming

By Dr. Jerry Komia Domatob Medical Mall, Zetas celebrated them to take advantage of the The Jackson response is rector of Mississippi Kenya L. 14, 1938 at 727 Rose Street and Alexandria Williams the sorority’s centennial Janu- National Centennial proclama- championed under the leader- Washington. Jackson, Mississippi. Guest Writers ary 16. tion. ship of Lucille Green. They The proclamation’s purpose ZETA’s main thrust is com- Clad in sky blue outfi ts, Come Home Zeta’s Proclamation theme collaborate with the Interna- is to bring sisters back home munity service which consists Jackson-Mississippi’s Zeta Phi The national offi ce called all is, “All ABOARD: THE ZETA tional President, Valerie Hol- to Zeta because, “Once a Zeta of education, fi nal womanhood Beta Sorority, zestfully wel- Zeta sisters to come home. Re- TRAIN TO RECLAIM SIS- lingsworth Baker. always a Zeta.” and sisterly love. comed sisters coming home. sponding to the plea Jackson’s TERS ENCOURAGED TO They also cooperate with the Historical Landmark Green serves as Jackson’s Converging in the Dr. Ollye Zeta chapter enthusiastically COME HOME TO ZETA.” Regional Director M. Kathy R. Jackson’s Zeta Phi Delta So- chapter 24th president. Shirley Media Room, Jackson provided an opportunity for Astute Leaders Tatum and the 16th State Di- rority was organized October Healthcare concerns loom large for Mississippi voters as new legislative session opens

Mississippi Link Newswire R. Shrader, chairman of the De- amount that families pay for Making healthcare more partment of Government and their health insurance. Among accessible and affordable in Politics and director of Ameri- these voters, 33% back allowing Mississippi has overtaken in- can Studies at Millsaps College. Americans to choose between a frastructure repair and public “One of the trends we see in public option or private health school funding as the most im- this quarterly survey is that Mis- insurance, while 23% favor re- portant priority for Magnolia sissippians – who are frequently placing the current health care State voters. seen as being politically divided system by expanding Medicare The Millsaps College/Chism – agree on several important to cover all American citizens. Strategies State of the State Sur- policy questions. Aside from 36% say they instead want to re- vey for January 2020 found that strongly supporting Medicaid duce existing regulations in the over 70% of voters are worried expansion, 78% extend nega- insurance markets. about being able to afford the tive evaluations of the state’s • 55% support using public- cost of medical coverage for roads and bridges, 62% support private partnerships to fund in- themselves and their families, amending the state’s Jim Crow- frastructure projects. including insurance and out-of- era provisions for state elections Although 78% say that the pocket expenses. Meanwhile, in the Mississippi Constitution, quality of the roads and bridges support for expanding Medicaid and nearly 60% want to bring in Mississippi are only fair or under the Affordable Care Act teacher salary and benefi ts up to poor, just 45% are willing to pay has remained steady with 60% the southeast regional average.” higher taxes, tolls or fees to fund in support and 29% opposed. Looking at the views of Mis- improvements. United States Senator Cindy sissippians regarding national “We invite the recently elect- Hyde-Smith is seeking reelec- politics, a majority of voters ed statewide offi cials and law- tion this year to a full six-year (82%) say they are closely fol- makers to dig deeply into this re- term in Washington. Of the sur- lowing the impeachment pro- port,” said Brad Chism of Chism veyed voters, 44% approve of ceedings against President Strategies. “They will see how her job performance in the Sen- Donald J. Trump; 53% of Mis- their constituents feel about a ate while 36% disapprove. A full sissippi voters oppose the presi- number of public policy options. 19% of the Mississippi elector- dent’s conviction and removal And as always, we welcome the ate neither approves or disap- by the Senate while 42% are opportunity to work with the proves of her performance with in favor. These numbers differ faculty at Millsaps to produce the election ten months away. from recent national polls which this scientifi c statewide survey According to our fi ndings at fi nd voters equally split regard- of the Mississippi electorate.” this early stage, Hyde-Smith ing conviction and removal by The State of the State Survey holds a nine-point lead over the United States Senate. involves a partnership between likely Democratic challenger Additional highlights from the Millsaps College Depart- Mike Espy with nearly 20% of the 10th quarterly State of the ment of Government and Poli- the electorate undecided, includ- State Survey: tics and Chism Strategies. The ing 34% of Independents and • 50% of voters believe the survey was conducted January 30% of Republican leaners. state is heading in the wrong 3-7, 2020 with a sample size “This quarter’s State of the direction, while 42% say it is of 618, with 51% of interviews State Survey informs us that heading in the right direction. conducted via cell phone and Mississippians are worried about • 44% disapprove of the job 49% via landline. The survey the availability, accessibility and performance of the Mississippi has a Margin of Error of +/- affordability of health insurance Legislature, while 31% approve. 3.94%. Results were weighted and favor expanding Medicaid • 56% favor adding some form to refl ect voter turnout for the by a wide margin,” said Nathan of Medicare option to reduce the 2020 Mississippi elections. ENTERTAINMENT

www.mississippilink.com JANUARY 23 - 29, 2020 THE MISSISSIPPI LINK • 19 Dallas Examiner publisher Mollie Belt to receive NNPA Lifetime Achievement Award

By Stacy M. Brown how important the Black Press remains versity of Denver where she graduated Belt noted that she successfully applied NNPA Newswire Senior Correspondent to its readers, sponsors and advertisers. with a major in sociology and psychol- for a grant from AT&T to start “Future A tragedy initially brought Mollie “It’s imperative that we publish the ogy when she was forced to take over Speak,” a publication aimed at develop- Belt into the world of newspaper pub- news and remember at all times that we the paper. ing young minority journalists. lishing. are the voice of the black community,” She did so without any experience. She also used the Dallas Examiner to Now, 34 years after the tragic murder Belt stated. Belt spent her career working as an increase HIV/AIDS awareness and pre- of her parents – Dallas Examiner pub- “We have to remember that we are employment counselor for the Texas vention by publishing numerous articles lisher and civil rights leader Fred Finch here to print the news. I always think of Employment Commission, and she also and special supplements, including her Jr. and Mildred Finch – Belt’s foray into what someone told me years ago, which held several positions for the city of award-winning pieces titled, “PROBE,” the news business is nothing short of a was to not worry about getting more ad- Dallas and the federal government. “Battling AIDS in Our Community” triumph. vertising, to just print the news, and if “I was the only child, I inherited the and “Innocence Lost.” A former longtime government em- your editorial content is good, the ad- newspaper,” Belt stated. Under Belt’s guidance, the Dallas ployee, Belt is set to receive the Na- Belt vertising dollars will come,” she added. “I did not know the newspaper in- Examiner has won a host of local, state tional Newspaper Publishers Associa- In Dallas, Belt observed that when dustry, and it was something that I had and national awards. In 2002, the news- tion (NNPA) 2020 Publisher Lifetime Chair and Houston Forward Times pub- The Dallas Examiner was founded it to learn on the job. My father wasn’t a paper earned honors as “Best Weekly Achievement Award during the trade lisher Karen Carter Richards. was the only black-owned newspaper newspaperman either and when I look Newspaper” by the Texas Publisher’s organization’s Annual Mid-Winter “Mollie has demonstrated great lead- in which the community could receive back, there are a lot of things that we do Association. Training Conference in Fort Lauder- ership and guidance to uplift the pub- hard news. differently today,” she noted. The Dallas Examiner also has cap- dale, Florida, January 24. lishers and the entire organization,” “Black newspapers are the only real “We have a niche market, and we tured at least twelve awards from the The NNPA’s Executive Committee Richards stated. voice of the community that I know of have to continuously stress that,” Belt regional chapter of the National Asso- unanimously selected Belt for the honor. NNPA President and CEO, Benjamin in Dallas. We don’t have a black-owned added. ciation of Black Journalists, including With the theme, “Publishing Indus- F. Chavis Jr., stated that the NNPA “res- television station or a black-owned ra- “Even though we know that we now “Best Newspaper” and “Best Practices.” try: Innovation & Sustainability of the olutely congratulates Mollie Finch Belt dio station,” Belt stated. live in a digital world – and we have to For Belt, the NNPA Publishers Life- Black Press of America,” the three-day for being selected to receive the 2020 Born in 1943 in Dallas, Belt’s mother have a digital presence – we also have time Achievement Award will forever conference, which begins on Jan. 23, NNPA Lifetime Achievement Award.” was a mathematics instructor while her to remember the print edition and that stand out as most special. includes training workshops, panel dis- “Mollie’s local, statewide, regional father was an attorney and civil rights our community still enjoys reading the “When you receive an honor from cussions and presentations. and national leadership as the distin- leader who, in 1986, founded the Dallas print edition and our community loves your peers, it’s all the more meaning- “It is with great pleasure that the guished publisher of the Dallas Exam- Examiner. pictures.” ful,” Belt stated. NNPA Executive Committee has select- iner exemplifi es the best of the Black Tragically, after publishing just four After taking over the paper, Belt de- “I get a lot of awards and honors ed Mollie Belt for the honor of the Pub- Press of America,” Chavis stated. issues of the newspaper, Belt’s parents cided to pour much of her resources into from various organizations, some of lishers Lifetime Achievement Award For Belt, the conference isn’t just were murdered in their home. making the Examiner a success, in part, which are related to the community, but for her contributions to the NNPA for about accepting such distinguished hon- Belt attended Spelman college for to carry out her parents’ legacy. this one is very special, and I’m really so many years,” stated NNPA National or from her peers, but it’s a reminder of one year then transferred to the Uni- In a 2013 HistoryMakers interview, touched,” she stated. 20 • THE MISSISSIPPI LINK JANUARY 23 - 29, 2020 www.mississippilink.com Hinds County School District Weekly Update ENGAGING-EMPOWERING-ENSURING-EXCELLENCE HCSD Life Skills Academy students go on feld trip

HCSD host Mississippi Health Schools Move to Learn program

Move to Learn is based on a simple concept: When kids get to move at school, things get better. Grades go up. Behavior problems and absences go down. Simply put, everybody wins. Move to Learn is about getting students moving and learning better than ever before.