www.mississippilink.com VOL. 22, NO. 25 APRIL 14 - 20, 2016 50¢ Myrlie Evers-Williams opposes airport legislation The Mississippi Link Newswire the Mississippi House tion of the airport that bears her late thority’s five board of commissioners. Evers-Williams said, “I learned from The Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers of Representatives husband’s name. Board members set airport policy, and Mr. Carl Newman, the Jackson airport’s International Airport bears the name of passed a bill that The state Senate already has passed the chief executive officer manages its CEO, that the airport is financially civil rights activist and pioneer Med- would replace the city the airport bill (Senate Bill 2162); how- day-to-day operations. The author of sound and being well-run. As such, gar Wiley Evers who was assassinated of Jackson’s airport ever, both the full House and full Sen- the airport legislation, State Sen. Josh I stand with CEO Newman and the in his driveway in Jackson on June 12, board with a regional ate must approve an amended bill and Harkins, (R-Flowood), believes a nine- Jackson Municipal Airport against any 1963. Evers was the field secretary for Evers-Wil- board. Evers’ widow, send it to Gov. Phil Bryant for his sig- member, regional airport board should takeover of the Jackson-Medgar Wiley the National Association for the Ad- liams Myrlie Evers-Williams, nature to become law. control the Jackson-owned airport. If Evers International Airport by the State vancement of Colored People. is among many community leaders Currently, Jackson’s mayor appoints the bill passes, the state would appoint On March 24, 2016, legislators in concerned about the future and direc- the Jackson Municipal Airport Au- the majority of the new board members. Airport Continued on page 3 Sentencing delayed for Morgan’s career Epps again comes full circle By Othor Cain Contributing Writer JSU grad inspires during journalism banquet Former Mississippi Department of Corrections Commissioner Chris Epps appeared again in federal court Monday before Judge Henry T. Wing- ate to learn his fate -- what he learned -- was that he would have to wait. Wingate delayed sentencing Epps Epps until July 18 because of bombshells dropped by the prosecution. Assistant U.S. Attorney Darren LaMarca shared in court that his team has discovered nearly 16 additional contracts connected to the MDOC kickback-bribery scandal that took Epps down in 2014. The new contract discoveries could increase the gross value to $800 million from the initial $300 mil- Epps Continued on page 3 DeMarco Morgan was the keynote speaker at the JSU School of Journalism and Media Studies Student Recognition Banquet last Friday night. PHOTO BY CHARLES A. SMITH/UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS Founders of Students of Cinema Jaleesa Harris, (from left), Dashawna Wright, and Orionna Brumfield (far right) are shown on the set with Rob Jay of JSU TV, By Shanderia K. Posey conference theme was “Multimedia life would be “I Believe I Can Fly.” waukee, Wis., and for WJTV-TV Editor where they discussed their film, Season of Revenge, Platforms in the Digital Age” and “He is so real in his journey to liv- in Jackson. Achieving his dreams that will debut at 7 p.m. Friday. Jackson State alumnus DeMarco several national and state media ing his dream,” Watley said. didn’t come easy. Morgan offered tons of inspiration professionals shared their expertise Morgan, a 2001 JSU graduate, His father died when Morgan to the university’s journalism stu- with students on how to achieve dreamed of becoming a successful was 10, so he grew up in a single- dents last Friday night as the key- successful careers in communica- news anchor since he was a child. parent home. His older brother took note speaker for the Student Recog- tion. He was particularly interested their father’s death so hard he start- JSU Students nition Banquet. In her introduction of Morgan, and intrigued by the work of Dan ing getting into trouble — crime The banquet marked the final Sylvia Watley, Special Projects Rather. Today, Morgan is a na- and drugs. event for JSU’s inaugural School Coordinator for the School of Jour- tional correspondent for CBS news The Tulsa, Okla., native shared of Cinema hosts of Journalism and Media Studies nalism and Media Studies, said a headquartered in New York. He’s Conference held April 7-8. The perfect song to describe Morgan’s worked in Atlanta, Miami, Mil- Morgan first film fest Continued on page 3 Special to The Mississippi Link There are times when opportunities have to be cre- Byram artist opens Crafters, offers paint classes ated by people who will not sit around and wait for others to make them. By Shanderia K. Posey Byram to do because we always Three Jackson State University students — Editor have to travel so far to do things,” Dashawna Wright, Jaleesa Harris, and Orionna What is faith? Graham said. Around September of Brumfield — did just that when they became the Well for 23 year-old Brianna last year, she had the idea to open founders of Students of Cinema in January. Graham of Byram, faith is leaving Crafters. Students of Cinema was established on campus to a full-time job to start your own Crafters offers children paint provide outlets for students interested in any aspect business. parties and adult paint parties to of filmmaking: writing, producing, acting and so on. Graham, a naturally talented celebrate birthdays or just a “girls The founders are in the early stages of the organi- painter/artist, held a grand open- night out.” Children parties for zation, but that did not stop them from inducting the ing for her new store called Craft- those 16 and younger are $10 per first members into the organization this semester to ers April 9, in Byram. The store person and each child gets an 11 x work on their first film, “Season of Revenge,” and to is located off Siwell Road next to 14 canvas to create artwork. Adult plan their first film festival set for 7 p.m. April 15, at Kroger. parties are $16 per person and each “God just placed this on my heart Cinema to do … and we need something in Crafters Brianna Graham is owner of Crafters in Byram that offers paint classes and Continued on page 3 Continued on page 3 paint parties for adults and children. PHOTO BY SHANDERIA K. POSEY Jackson Public April is National Black New season of Share this issue with a friend Schools names Golf Month. Special Livin’ Lozada by mailing it to: 2016 Parent of event planned premieres in Inside the Year, May Page 8 Page 16 Page 19 LOCAL 2 • THE MISSISSIPPI LINK APRIL 14 - 20, 2016 www.mississippilink.com LETTER TO THE EDITOR COMMENTARY It’s tax time, Stand against ‘religious freedom restoration act’ but corporations credible allies. will be detrimental to the de- more than he or she does at country of freedom. Mississip- I must admit my failed lead- velopment of a secured future this very moment. pi cannot be seen as a leader in aren’t paying ership on LGBT issues. For so for Mississippians. Major I also plead with religious hatred. I ask you not to use the many years, I worked on an as- corporations with operations leaders of all faiths to exer- fears of a few to take our state By Frank Clemente sortment of causes, but never based in Mississippi have al- cise the love and tolerance backwards—to a time of civil Mississippi Link Newswire did my due diligence to speak ready criticized the state for that our beliefs teach. Religion unrest and prejudice. Missis- Tax Day offers a stark reminder of the up for a community that is an this law. Any possible future has never been under attack sippi is a place full of hope and difference between those of us who pay essential aspect of myself. Like expansions or investments by civil rights victories. Faith creativity. We embody south- all our taxes every year and the big cor- many gay men I know, I sat in will be greatly scaled back or has often been a major part of ern hospitality. I ask that you porations that don’t. While families and Malone the shadow whenever gay is- cancelled. No company will positive movement in equality. reconsider your support so that small businesses scramble to file their sues were discussed. I didn’t provide economic stimulus to Today, religion is being used we can all move forward and returns each April, multinational corpo- To My Fellow Mississippi- help the movement get a seat at a place that proudly supports as a justification for hatred and focus on more pressing issues. rations are free to indefinitely ignore a ans, the political and social tables. intolerance. division. Let’s all stand togeth- We must make great leaps to $700 billion U.S. tax bill they owe on For 30 years I’ve been proud As I enter my 30th year on this Our state leaders need to er so our core values aren’t hi- improve education and health $2.4 trillion in profits stashed offshore. of my deep magnolia roots. Earth, I must come to terms understand what they have jacked by ignorant zealots. We standards. We need to rebuild American corporations owe U.S. tax- The many wonderful people with my negligence to the signed-up for. This is not a law must all represent the love that infrastructure. We can create a es on all their income wherever made, of the state have been sup- LBGT family I love so dearly.