www.mississippilink.com Vol. 21, No. 52 october 22- 28, 2015 50¢ October is Hispanic Heritage Month ‘Voting Rights Act Latinfest becomes made things happen’ largest Latino Mississippi Department of Archives and History joins Center of Southern Culture in historic festival in Mississippi film/discussion of 50-year-old Voting Rights Act By Janice K. Neal-Vincent, Ph.D. Contributing Writer The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was signed into law by President Lyn- don Johnson on August 6, 1965. It purported to overcome legal barriers at the state and local lev- Civil rights veteran els that prevented African Robert Clark Americans from exer- cising their right to vote huge crowd. under the 15th Amendment McLemore re- (1870) to the Constitution of vealed that he the United States. grew up in De A filmed Southern Docu- Soto County and mentary Project was shown that Sam Williams and discussed recently at the was the first black Mississippi Department of voter in that par- Archives and History. MDAH ticular county. He commended Wil- Israel Martinez (at podium), Latin American Business Association, is joined by JCVB representatives partnered with the Center of Jennifer Byrd, Cherry Ratliff, Jennifer Chance, Rickey Thigpen, Mary Current, and (seated) Jay Southern Culture in Film at liams, Medgar The Voting Rights Act film Huffstatler, of the American Red Cross. the University of Mississippi. Wiley Evers, who Director and producer was the first per- fought the oppressive regime. By Ayesha K. Mustafaa panic population reaching without ever leaving the Andy Harper (Instructional manent field secretary for the And because of their efforts, Editor over 81,000, Latinfest orga- state of Mississippi. assistant professor of South- NAACP, and other heroes and “we need to tell their stories October is Hispanic Heri- nizers’ aim was to develop In its fourth year, Gordon ern Studies and Journalism at sheroes “who laid the founda- to our young people.” tage Month, and a festi- an annual event to showcase said Latinfest has gained the University of Mississippi) tion for this discussion.” val celebrating this rapidly Latin American professional- support from major sponsors served as moderator. Panel- McLemore added that they Voting Rights Act Continued on page 3 growing sector of not only ism, heritage, and culture by like Nissan, the American ists were three Veterans of the were the brave ones who American society but also uniting the Latino population Red Cross, other LABA- Civil Rights Movement: Mississippi’s population is with local citizens through Link partners and volunteers. Leslie McLemore, Flonzie one of the highlights during diverse cultural exchanges.” Pamela Confer, director Brown Wright, and Rims this month for Jackson. Gordon said this will be of Community and Public Barber. JSU’s College of Business Yet, some still ask, “What accomplished with “themes Relations for Nissan North Following Senator John is Latinfest?” Jessica Gor- that bring all people togeth- America - Canton, spoke at Horhn’s overview of the announces endowment don, Latinfest organizer and er regardless of their back- the press conference. Voting Rights Act of 1965 Latin American Business ground, ethnicity or nation- “Nissan is proud to par- and emphasis on the mass fund honoring Cooley Association (LABA-Link) ality. And that is delicious ticipate with Latinfest for the enfranchisement of racial minorities throughout the co-founder, at a recent press food, music, and dance.” second year, this year joining The Mississippi Link Newswire conference explained, “Lat- She said the goal she hopes as the presenting sponsor,” country, especially in the Jackson State University’s infest has grown to become to achieve by participating South “that resulted in College of Business announced the biggest Latino festival in in Latinfest is that the lo- impossible interrogation,” the creation of the William “Bill” the state of Mississippi. cal community will receive Latinfest panelists engaged in a vig- Cooley Fund to honor the name- “With Mississippi’s His- a “Taste of Latin America” Continued on page 3 orous discussion before a sake’s years of service as a for- mer dean of the college and ac- knowledge his continued support. Photo of the W e e K The college has received near- ly $20,000 in gifts and pledges for student scholarships and pro- grams in support of the endow- Jackson City Council presents resolution ment. A campaign to buttress the fund-raising effort will kick off at Dr. William “Bill” Cooley 7:30 a.m., Friday, Oct. 23, in the to Miss JSU Charence Monique Higgins Penguin with “Coffee with the which was recognized in 2003 by Champ,” followed by “Breakfast Inc. magazine as one of the Top XXXX for a Champion” at 8:15 a.m. in 100 fastest-growing, inner-city Continued on page 5 the JSU Student Center. companies in the U.S. In 2001, Cooley, a native of the Missis- Cooley founded Systems Electro sippi Delta and professor emeri- Coating, a tier-one supplier to tus of management at JSU, is Nissan North America Inc., Can- chairman emeritus of Systems ton. By the end of 2015, Systems Electro Coating, Systems Con- Electro Coating is expected to be sultants Associates and Systems the sole provider of frames used IT. He earned a bachelor’s of sci- in the manufacture of all trucks ence degree in chemistry from and SUVs produced by Nissan in Tuskegee Institute. In addition, the nation. he served 21 years in the U.S. Air Since 2006, Systems has been Force and is a decorated Vietnam among Black Enterprise’s Top War veteran, retiring as a lieuten- 100 largest African-American ant colonel. companies in the U.S., ranking Subsequently, Cooley returned 32nd in 2014. to his native Mississippi, earn- Tickets to the breakfast are $25 ing a master’s degree from the each. University of North Dakota in For more information and res- industrial management and later ervations, contact Gail Fulgham accepting a teaching position at at 601-979-2617; Mary White at JSU. Also, he studied and taught 601-979-2672; or Jean Walker at management at Mississippi State 601-979-2413. Gifts and pledges On behalf of Councilman Kenneth Stokes, a resolution honoring and commending Charence Higgins as the beautiful, multi-talented University, where he earned a to the William “Bill” Cooley Miss Jackson State University 2015-2016 was presented to her by his administrative assistant Ethel Mangum, in his absence. Higgins doctorate in business administra- Fund may be mailed to the JSU will be crowned Miss JSU on Thursday, October 22 at 7 p.m. at the JSU Lee E. Williams Athletic Center. Pictured above (first row) Vick Sexton, Valerie Snell, John Higgins, John Higgins II, Charence M. Higgins, Daphne Higgins, Beverly Hodges, Ethel Mangum, (second tion. College of Business, 1400 John row) Carl Snell, Linda Rush, (third row) Carla Alexander PHOTO BY JAY JOHNSON While at JSU, Cooley founded R. Lynch Street, P.O. Box 18660, Systems Consulting Associates, Jackson, MS 39217. Milestones in United Nations Tougaloo College 146th Founders’ Day Share this issue with a friend Democracy ...30 Day 2015 fighting by mailing it to: years in Jackson hunger and disease Inside Page 9 Page 6 Page 17 2 • the mississippi link OctOber 22- 28, 2015 www.mississippilink.com Area E4 Toastmasters District 43 conducts Fall Speech Contest District 43 Director Toastmaster Angela Tornes and Area E4 Toastmasters International members By Janice K. Neal-Vincent, Ph.D. Contributing Writer Toastmasters International, exist- ing and connecting globally, em- powers people to achieve their full potential and to realize their dreams. Within their clubs and external en- virons, they strive to improve their communication and leadership skills. Toastmasters Barbara Lowe (runner up); Roxanne Winham (winner); Mason Daily practice of critical and ana- Graves, and Corneilus Toole - other Humorous Speech contestants lytical thinking, effective delivery, and logical reasoning enables them ers were afforded the opportunity to 2015.” to make positive changes that impact improve their speaking abilities and The Jackson State University not only their lives but also those to recognize the best as encourage- student continued, “I’m encouraged with whom they come in contact. ment to all; to provide an opportunity and I am looking forward to more Theirs is an emphasis on holism, to learn by observing the more pro- competition. The sky is the limit in for they incorporate many aspects ficient speakers who have benefited Toastmasters International and I in- of subject matters to bring to light from their toastmasters’ training; and tend to go higher and higher.” memorable messages. Further, toast- to recognize the value of humor in Toastmasters’ Club Mission State- masters have their unique styles, de- speaking. ment is as follows. “To provide a spite adherence to various guidelines Toastmaster Roxanne Winham mutually supportive and positive as they fulfill numerous communica- was the winner with her speech titled learning environment in which every tive and leadership roles. “A Hairy Tale.” individual member has the opportu- Area E4 Toastmasters District 43 Area E4 Clubs are: CMAT; nity to develop oral communication demonstrated leadership styles in Downtown Jackson; Echelon; Guess and leadership skills, which in turn their Fall Speech Contest which con- Who’s Talking Now; Lifebuilders; foster self-confidence and personal sisted of table topics and humorous and Tougaloo College. growth.” The club’s values are: in- speeches at Reformed Theological In representation of Area E4 at Di- tegrity; dedication to excellence; ser- Seminary Student Center on Satur- vision E contest, Toastmaster Lowe vice to the member; and respect for day, October 3, 2015. competed in Table Topics, and Win- the individual.” Contestants delivered 2-minute ham competed in Humorous Speak- Toastmaster Ramona Jones impromptu speeches (speeches de- ing at Jackson Medical Mall’s Thad served as contest chair and Toast- livered on the spur of the moment Cochran Center Saturday, October master Mari Scott served as contest without preparation because of prior 17, 2015.