www.mississippilink.com VOL. 22, NO. 44 AUGUST 25 - 31, 2016 50¢ Gibbs, Green face Remembering runoff for District 72 By Stephanie R. Jones George Curry Contributing Writer Candidates Debra Gibbs and 1947 - 2016 Synarus Green were the top vote getters in the State House of Rep- resentatives District 72 special election Aug. 23, and will meet in a runoff Sept. 13. Gibbs led the race with 701 votes, just five votes more than Green, who had 696. The num- bers were even closer in Hinds Green County voting, where Gibbs was in front of Green by one Veteran journalist George Curry speaks vote. during Black Press Week at the National Two other Press Club in Washington, D.C., in 2014. candidates in the PHOTO COURTESY FREDDIE ALLEN/AMG/NNPA race received far Gibbs fewer votes. Theresa G. Kennedy received 200 and A. Shae Bucha- non-Williams got 158. There was one write-in vote cast. Black Press journalist was champion of civil rights The district covers parts of Hinds and Madison counties but By Hazel Trice Edney of the National Newspaper noon until 7 p.m. where the Rev. Bernard Lafayette, Martin Lu- most of the ballots were cast in Trice Edney Newswire CURRY’S COLUMNS Publishers Association’s news Jessie Jackson is expected to ther King confidant and chair- Hinds. Renowned civil rights and In memory of George Curry, two service.” speak. man of the Southern Christian The special election was held black political journalist George of his most recent columns are Curry’s fiancée Ann Ragland Having grown up in Tusca- Leadership Conference, shortly to fill the seat vacated by Kimber- E. Curry, the dean of Black republished in today’s paper on confirmed the funeral will be loosa, Ala., during the height before midnight Aug. 20. ly Campbell, who was re-elected Press columnists because of his page 16. held at 11 a.m. Aug. 27, at the of racial segregation, Curry of- “This is a tragic loss to the in November but recently left the riveting weekly commentary Weeping Mary Baptist Church, ten said he “fled Alabama” and movement because George Legislature for a position as state in black newspapers across the the questions and doubts,” said 2701 20th St. in Tuscaloosa, vowed never to return when he Curry was a journalist who paid director of AARP. country, is being remembered the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. with Ala. Rev. Al Sharpton will give went away to college. However, special attention to civil rights Green, legislative/congressio- this week as a legend. whom Curry traveled exten- the eulogy. A viewing is set for Ragland said he always told her because he lived it and loved nal liaison for the city of Jackson, Curry died suddenly of heart sively, including to the funeral 8:30-11 a.m. before the funeral. to return him home to Tuscaloo- it,” Lafayette told the Trice touted his 20 years of experience failure Aug. 20. He was 69. of President Nelson Mandela. Ragland said a viewing will sa upon his death. Edney News Wire through his working with government. He is- “He stood tall. He helped pave “He was a proud and tireless ad- be held at Elizabeth Baptist Shocking rumors of his death spokesman Maynard Eaton, sued an open thank you note to the way for other journalists of vocate of the Black Press, serv- Church, 2650 Elizabeth St. also circulated heavily in journalistic color to do their jobs without ing two tours as editor-in-chief in Tuscaloosa Aug. 26 from circles until it was confirmed by Curry District 72 Continued on page 2 Continued on page 3 Fitzgerald receives Winter-Reed Award from MAPE By Shanderia K. Posey sizing the role of education in Partners in Education launched past president of MAPE; remarks Editor strengthening Mississippi’s com- the Winter-Reed Partnership from Clyde Muse, Ph.D., presi- Oleta Garrett Fitzgerald, di- munities. She also leads efforts to Award in 2007 to honor former dent of Hinds Community Col- rector of the Children’s Defense expand access to early childhood Gov. William Winter and late Tu- lege; invocation by Ben Burnett, Fund’s Southern Regional Of- education for the region’s most pelo businessman Jack Reed Sr. Ph.D., dean at William Cary fice, received the 2016 Winter- vulnerable populations. for their lifelong contributions to University School of Educa- Reed Partnership Award during a Fitzgerald is the second wom- public education and to provide tion; remarks from Cathy Grace, tribute luncheon Aug. 23, at the an to receive the Winter-Reed ongoing recognition for Missis- Ph.D., co-director of the Gradu- Clyde Muse Center in Pearl. award. About 200 people at- sippi’s outstanding education ate Center for the Study of Early Fitzgerald was honored with tended the luncheon to witness leaders. Learning at the University of Pictured are former Gov. William Winter (from left), Oleta Fitzgerald, the award for her career-long tribute. The luncheon included a wel- Marty Wiseman, Rhea Williams-Bishop and Cathy Grace, recipient of public advocacy work empha- The Mississippi Association of come from Suzanne Bean, Ph.D., Fitzgerald Continued on page 3 the 2009 Winter-Reed Award. PHOTO BY SHANDERIA K. POSEY Bobby Rush signs to Rounder Records New airline comes New album slated for Sept. 16 release to Jackson airport The Mississippi Link Newswire sic. He has been honored with three Gram- The Mississippi Link Newswire half on a nine-passenger Cessna Naming one’s album after a song titled my nominations, as well as 10 Blues Music Beginning Sept. 26, South- Caravan 208, featuring a roomy “Porcupine Meat” may seem a little unusual Awards and 41 nominations. He was induct- ern Airways Express will offer interior with leather seats, large – unless, of course, you’re Bobby Rush, who ed into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2006. flights Sunday through Friday windows and wide aisles, out of earned his first gold record in 1971 with a hit Make no mistake, Rush is not your typi- from the Jackson Medgar Wiley JAN’s private aircraft terminal, titled “Chicken Heads.” cal octogenarian. At age 82, he exudes the Evers International Airport to operated by Atlantic Aviation. He elaborates on his recent composition energy of a 20-year-old, on the road for Memphis International Airport Southern Airways customers by saying, “If a lady won’t treat me right, more than 200 dates a year. His hectic tour and to Nashville International will enjoy designated parking, but she doesn’t want anyone else to have me, schedule has earned him the affectionate title Airport. 24-hour security, a luxury cus- that is hard to digest.” Hence the lyric, “too King of the Chitlin’ Circuit. Rush has trav- Direct flights to Destin, Fla., tomer lounge with wi-fi through- fat to eat, too lean to throw away.” eled the globe including Japan and Beirut. In will be offered daily. out and the convenience of the Porcupine Meat is Rush’s debut release 2007, he earned the distinction of being the Passengers can fly from Jack- corporate aviation lifestyle. for Rounder Records, and one of the best first blues artist to play at the Great Wall of son to Memphis, Tenn. in an Customers can begin to reserve recordings of his 60-plus year career. The China. hour or all the way to Nashville, flights now with Southern Air- album is due out Sept. 16. His renowned stage act features his famed Tenn., in just over two hours. ways at www.iFlySouthern.com Rush estimates that he has cut more than They can reach the beach in Bobby Rush, 82, may win over new fans with the 300 songs since he first began making mu- Rush Destin, Fla., in an hour and a Airport Continued on page 3 release of his new album. PHOTO BY RICK OLIVER Continued on page 2 Annual Scholarship Hinds CC Suicide Squad Share this issue with a friend Awards, Gospel Utica campus falls short as by mailing it to: Music Celebration awarded nearly comic book flick Inside set for Aug. 28 $400,000 Page 6 Page 8 Page 19 LOCAL 2 • THE MISSISSIPPI LINK AUGUST 25 - 31, 2016 www.mississippilink.com Curry Continued from page 1 SCLC national communications of the former paper magazine. director. He had also continued to inde- Curry’s connection to the pendently distribute his weekly SCLC was through his long- column to black newspapers. time childhood friend, confidant In 2003, he was named Jour- and ally in civil rights, Charles nalist of the Year by the National Steele, SCLC president. Steele Association of Black Journalists and Curry grew up together in for his work as editor-in-chief Tuscaloosa, Ala., where they of the NNPA News Service and played football at Druid High BlackPressUSA.com, NNPA’s School. Curry bloomed as a civil public news website. rights and sports writer as Steele “I am heartbroken to learn that grew into a politician and civil Mr. George Curry has passed. He rights leader. has been a beacon for so many “He was a pacesetter with the and a pivotal voice among black pen. He saw things that other publishers. His strength and pur- people didn’t see,” said Steele. Black Press legend George Curry (left) and Ann Ragland attend an NNPA Black Press icon George Curry works on a story in the media center at suit for the truth will carry on “And once he saw those things, reception during the Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Con- the 2016 International AIDS Conference in Durban, South Africa.