www.mississippilink.com VOL. 22, NO. 16 FEBRUARY 11 - 17, 2016 50¢ Jackson airport gets support from coalition By Shanderia K. Posey at the State Capitol announc- Currently, JMAA’s board consists it’s introduction “doesn’t make Editor ing its stance against Senate Bill of five people appointed by Jack- logical sense.” He noted that sup- The Coalition for Economic 2162 authored by Sen. Josh Har- son’s mayor and confirmed by the porters of the legislation have Justice has joined a list of sup- kins of Flowood. Jackson City Council. indicated use of airport revenue porters against legislation that The legislation would change “We believe that this bill repre- beyond Jackson would be fair. would lead to the state taking the makeup of the Jackson Mu- sents politics of old,” said Attor- However, Bakari said he doesn’t over the Jackson-Medger Wiley nicipal Airport Authority’s Board ney Chokwe Lumumba Jr., who recall officials of Madison and Evers International Airport. of Commissioners by allow- is a coalition member. Lumumba Rankin counties finding it nec- The coalition, which includes ing the governor to appoint two also emphasized the airport is essary to discuss those counties’ members of the Legislative Black people from Hinds County, two now operating “in the black.” revenue with the city of Jackson. Caucus and other organizations people from Rankin County, Akil Bakari, a business owner Attorney Chokwe Lumumba Jr. speaks to the media against legislation such as Cooperation Jackson, and two people from Madison and coalition spokesperson, said Airport allowing the state to take control of the Jackson-Medger Wiley Evers held a press conference Tuesday County, and an at-large member. Harkins’ bill is a “false flag” and Continued on page 3 International Airport. PHOTO BY SHANDERIA K. POSEY JSU, NFL legend Legislators — Richardson endorse Clinton remembered By Stephanie R. Jones After seeing Contributing Writer Richardson play, Smith told his Before Willie L. Richardson mother, “I don’t Jr. left his imprint on Jackson want you to buy State University, before he made me a trumpet. his mark in the National Football Richardson I want to play League, the young wide receiv- football.” er from Coleman High School “Willie was a one-man show in Greenville made an impres- that day,” Smith said of Rich- sion on other high schools boys ardson, who scored six touch- in a game against Lanier High downs. “He was my biggest in- School in 1959. spiration.” That’s when retired NFL play- Richardson, an NFL Pro- er Noland Smith said he knew Bowler and member of the JSU he wanted to play football. Hall of Fame, SWAC Hall of Smith said he went to that Fame, Mississippi Sports Hall game to see the band and con- vince his mother to buy him a Richardson trumpet. Continued on page 3 AC Mayor Dupree BL K M on diversity HistoryONTH By Natalie Bell Rep. Earle Banks (at podium) and other state Legislators endorsed Hillary Clinton for the Democratic presidential primary at the State Capitol He sat down Wednesday. Special to The Mississippi Link with The Missis- Currently serving his fourth sippi Link to talk Mississippi Link Newswire lies,” said Rep. Earle Banks, the “As the youngest African “From working to provide term as mayor of Mississippi’s about what drives More than 20 Mississippi leader of the Legislative Black American elected to a Legisla- everyone access to quality, af- fourth largest city, Johnny L. Du- him as a political legislative leaders announced Caucus. “From helping achieve ture in U.S. history, I am proud fordable health care to expand- Pree, Ph.D. walks into a room with leader in the face their support Wednesday at the the Children’s Health Insurance to support Hillary Clinton be- ing voting rights, Hillary Clin- a sense of urgency, visibly and Dupree of obvious chal- state Capitol for Hillary Clinton Program, which covers more cause she has a proven record ton has proved time and time audibly excited about the possi- lenges in Mississippi – a state with in the Democratic presidential than 8 million kids, to her com- of advocating for quality public again that she’ll stand up for us. bilities for success for Hattiesburg 37-percent African-American primary. mitment in this campaign to education for all students and That’s why I’m supporting Hill- and all of Mississippi. population and the highest number The senators and representa- raise wages, she has continually ensuring access to affordable ary Clinton for President,” said He is Hattiesburg’s first black of black elected officials, but still tives endorsed Clinton citing worked to expand opportunity higher education. In addition, Rep. Jarvis Dortch. mayor, first elected in 2001, and has not elected a black politician her commitment to taking on for all Americans. I am proud she’s a progressive thinker. I am “Hillary Clinton will get still going strong, focusing on to statewide office since Recon- the issues that Mississippi fami- to stand behind her as she of- confident that she will represent things done for Mississippi. I’m what he sees as his purpose – struction. Mississippi is the poor- lies face every day. “Hillary fers real solutions to problems the interests of all Mississippi- building healthy families and put- est state in the nation and one of Clinton has a proven record of that face our communities every ans, instead of just a select few,” ting them in stable homes, where fighting for children and fami- day.” said Rep. Jeramey Anderson. Clinton the door to prosperity is open. Dupree Continued on page 3 Continued on page 3 Senator Jordan discusses book Priester shares black history By Janice K. Neal-Vincent By Janice K. Neal-Vincent gar Wiley Evers, and the Rev. Contributing Writer Contributing Writer Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and The Mississippi Department During New Hope Baptist family members who have been of Archives and History kicked Church’s first program for its proponents for the betterment off events this month featuring month-long Back in the Day of humankind. When she was Sen. David Jordan discussing Black History series, guest a child, Priester had conversed his book From the Mississippi speaker Attorney Charlene with her father who was called Cotton Fields to the State Sen- Stimley Priester reflected on “boy” by a young portal worker. ate: A Memoir. voting rights, civil rights icons, She asked her audience: “How The program was a part of and survival tools for today’s old does a man have to be be- MDAH’s History is Lunch se- youth. fore he stops being a boy?” ries. At the outset of the Feb. 4, As she expounded on tough At the event, Attorney Mike program Priester said it was es- times, the attorney said, “If we Espy, former Secretary of Ag- sential to harness self-respect, to tried to vote, we put our lives at cherish and to nourish the black Attorney Charlene Priester was Jordan Sen. David Jordan signs book for attender. PHOTO BY JANICE K. NEAL- race by remembering bridges History the keynote speaker. PHOTO BY Continued on page 2 VINCENT like Fannie Lou Hamer, Med- Continued on page 3 JANICE K. NEAL-VINCENT 4 JPS teachers JSU’s Hughes Will Rock & Roll Share this issue with a friend among 12 introduces Hall of Fame by mailing it to: honored by recruiting class, ever induct Inside Greater Jackson staff, seeks funds Kool & The Chamber on Signing Day Gang? Page 8 Page 16 Page 19 2 • THE MISSISSIPPI LINK FEBRUARY 11 - 17, 2016 www.mississippilink.com Jordan Continued from page 1 Actress protests state flag riculture and former House rep- owned and operated hotel in the resentative of the Second District, Delta to discuss the Emmitt Till recalled experiences with the tragedy. senator as he introduced and pre- Jordan graduated from Missis- sented him to the audience. sippi Valley State College in 1959 Espy opined that Jordan was and enlisted in the U.S. Army that “an overlooked hero” with angelic year. As years went by, he taught qualities. Referencing a dialogue at a number of schools, advanced he witnessed between the late his studies at the University of Nelson Mandela and Jordan, Espy Wyoming, was a dual-office hold- said the two leaders were alike in er (Greenwood senator and city three ways. “They must be called; councilman), debated issues on they are compassionate; and they many bills, and authored the Mis- command absolute respect from sissippi Blues Bill “to promote au- those they’re fighting for.” Retired professor and chair thentic Mississippi blues music for Jordan, a Greenwood native, of Jackson State University’s the purpose of economic develop- told those in attendance, “When Department of English, Mabel ment and to empower the African- I speak to a group of this magni- Pittman, selects a book to be signed American culture that created it.” tude, I better have a good begin- by Sen. David Jordan. The senator appealed to the au- ning and a good ending and I must PHOTO BY JANICE K. NEAL-VINCENT dience for a Mississippi healing. keep them close together.” He called for a flag that repre- Jordan and many black school the wrong color could cost you a sents all Mississippians. He then children in the Delta attended scolding, a beating, or even your noted, “The shooting at my home, school four months out of the life.” the death of an innocent African- nine-month school year because Jordan witnessed brutality on American man in a terrible hate they had to pick cotton. “I earned several occasions.