www.mississippilink.com Vol. 21, No. 4 NoVember 20 - 26, 2014 50¢ Benjamin Crump, lead Operation Shoestring’s Conversations attorney for Michael luncheon tackles topic ‘Ethical Leadership’ Brown family, says ‘We By Ayesha K. Mustafaa Editor Operation Shoestring’s an- want accountability’ nual “Conversation” Monday, November 17, 2014 took on the task of defining “Ethical Leader- ship.” The Conversation participants were former Gov. William Win- ter, Jackson’s Mayor Tony Yar- ber and Rev. Jerry Young, Pastor of New Hope Baptist Church and recently elected president of the National Baptist Conven- tion. Moderator was Jerry Mitchell, the award-winning investiga- tive reporter from The Clarion- Ledger newspaper. Operation Shoestring board of directors’ member Deidra Bell gave the welcome remarks. And its exec- Atty. Benjamin L. Crump, lead attorney for the family of Michael Brown, the teenager killed by police in Ferguson, Missouri, speaks to utive director Robert Langford members of Omega Psi Phi Beta Alpha Chapter, Friday, November 14, gave the opening and closing 2014 in Jackson at Fondren Hall. remarks. Bell said the annual “Conver- Operation Shoestring Exec. Dir. Robert Langford, Rev. Jerry Young of New Hope Baptist Church and the By Stephanie R. Jones the country. sations Luncheon” has become Contributing Writer National Baptist Convention, former Gov. William Winter, The Clarion Ledger investigative reporter Jerry While it is widely speculated one of the most anticipated Mitchell and Mayor of Jackson Tony Yarber. PHOTOS BY AYESHA K. MUSTAFAA Atty. Benjamin Crump, lead that a grand jury, now deliberat- events on the Jackson calendar, attorney for the family of Mi- ing whether charges should be where issues are addressed that everyone throughout the state. ticipants were the late Mayor Shoestring chael Brown, the Ferguson, filed in this case, will return no affect not only Jacksonians but Last year, conversation par- Chokwe Lumumba, former Gov. Continued on page 2 Mo., teenager shot dead by po- indictment against Darren Wil- lice, told a gathering of Omega son, 28, the white police officer Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., brothers who shot Brown, Crump said he and guests Friday, November and others are working for due 14, 2014 in Jackson that the goal process in the case. Family of Ruth Helen Harrion in the case is accountability for “We want accountability the 18-year-old football player’s for his (Brown’s) death,” said death. Crump, who is a resident of Tal- unsettled during hearing of Crump was the speaker at lahassee, Fla. Omega’s Beta Alpha Chapter Crump added that there’s David C. Bass Achievement always been a connection be- her accused murderer, lack of Week Gala at Fondren Hall, tween lawyers and preachers where the fraternity recognized dating back to the Civil Rights outstanding achievement of Movement. “I feel that connec- contact from city officials its members. Crump also is an By Stephanie R. Jones of claim with JPD on Septem- or the name of Omega, the first black Greek- Crump Contributing Writer ber 16. The notice was sent the dispatcher, letter public service fraternity in Continued on page 3 Ruth Helen Harrion’s chil- to Jackson Mayor Tony Yar- anything,” said dren are still struggling with ber, current Police Chief Lee Monica Har- the death of their mother, who Vance and City Councilman rion, who lives was killed at her home in July Melvin Priester. Atty. Dennis in California. The Mississippi Link 2014. They had a troubling C. Sweet III is handling the P l a i n t i f f s time reliving that dreadful case. must wait 120 Ruth Helen Harrion day, as the man accused of The family - Harrion’s five days after filing partners with Hansen killing their mother was ar- daughters and one son - have a notice of claim said that is typical for the City raigned on a capital murder yet to get any response, said to give the city a chance to re- of Jackson but he thought the charge in Hind County Dis- daughters Melanie Johnson solve the issues. “We haven’t new city administration might Global Event Management trict Court November 13. and Monica Harrion. “We heard a word from the city, Lorenzo Stewart, 29, plead- don’t know the names of the nothing about reprimands Harrion ed not guilty to murdering officers who went to the house (of officers),” Sweet said. He Continued on page 6 Connect 1 connects Harrion on July 14 although he led police to the alleged with New York firm murder weapon. A court ap- pointed attorney is represent- The Mississippi Link Newswire ing him temporarily. His next Photo of the Week Your ability to network and hearing is set for January 16. grow your business in Missis- Harrion’s children said sippi just got easier. what makes it even harder for 100 Black Men of Jackson Individuals, entrepreneurs, them is they have heard noth- students and small business ing from the Jackson Police owners will have access to Department. Their mother some of the nation’s top corpo- had called police in the ear- rations and business minds in ly morning hours to report a March 2015 during the inaugu- prowler at her home on King- ral Connect 1 Conference pro- sroad Street in the Bel-Air moting economic development subdivision. in the Mississippi region. Officers went to the home Organizers of the Connect but made no contact with 1 Conference announced a Harrion, then left. Harrion’s unique partnership with the re- Caputo-Hansen son Samuel, found her body spected New York City-based later that day behind a scrub firm of Hansen Global Event Conference co-founder, con- in her backyard. The 67-year- Management (HGEM) to help firmed that the HGEM firm was old had been beaten, strangled market and manage the confer- retained to help meet increas- and shot in the face. ence. ing demands of new registrants Then Jackson Police Chief While the full details of the and corporate sponsors. Lindsey Horton resigned fol- partnership were not immedi- “Hansen Global Event Man- lowing the Harrion’s death. ately available, organizers said agement was a natural fit. They He made the statement just The 24th Annual Scholarship and Mentoring Banquet of 100 Black Men of the pending agreement would have a great deal of experience after the incident that the of- Jackson was held October 18 at the JSU Walter Payton Recreation and expand the reach of the confer- ficers did not follow protocol PHOTO BY JAY JOHNSON ence to reach a national audi- when they responded to the Wellness Center. ence. Connect 1 call at Harrion’s home. See photos on page 4 Jackie Hampton, Connect 1 Continued on page 6 Her children filed a notice Gov. Bryant seeks The Piney Woods Share this issue with a friend Vote $79 million tax cut School installs new by mailing it to: Tuesday, for low earning president, the first Inside November 25 families alumnus for Hinds County Court Judge Page 5 Page 17 2 • the miSSiSSippi link november 20 - 26, 2014 www.mississippilink.com Shoestring Continued from page 1 Haley Barbour and Father Keith Tonkel. Oleta Garrett Fitzgerald was the last year’s moderator. Langford began by acknowl- edging the topic for discussion was selected before the recent resignation and indictment of the Mississippi Department of Cor- rections Commissioner Christo- pher Epps, however, now making these presentations much more pungent. He said the lives of Mississip- pians are “directly and profound- ly shaped by the decisions made by leaders in city, county, state and federal government, in our churches, our schools, businesses and non-profits.” Unfortunately, he said, Mississippi is known for “having leadership by the few for Oleta G. Fitzgerald with Portia Espy Deidra Bell, Operation Shoestring Board of Directors Rev. C.J. Rhodes the few.” Principles, practicality and leadership balance is paramount, Langford said. He then gave way to the panelists. Yarber was asked to address what it takes to have ethical leadership. “Transparency and accountability means that I play with both hands on the table,” he said. As an educator and former principal, the mayor highlighted the new programs introduced in Jackson Public Schools via Alignment Jackson programs. Why is it so hard to maintain ethical leadership was asked of Neddie Winters of Mission Mississippi United Way President Carol Burger Lanier High School students with Chloe Garth Elkins (standing left) Rev. Young. He replied, “We have fallen humanity…. It is a ship in politics. And the attitude nity - build community.” provide resources their families School, who are requirement of character and be- that politics is corrupt contributes He said, “We have to get peo- in central Jackson to empower part of the 21st lief in the Lord and Savior Jesus to the expectation that we are go- ple to understand that our total them to create their own success Century Bridge Christ. ing to have corrupt government self-interest hinges on having an and to serve their own communi- Resource Learn- “We have people with an ‘au- officials.” educated citizenry.” ties. Thus we all rise and we all ing program, were dio’ with no ‘video.’” When He said his father served over Yarber said, “There is no se- rise together.” in attendance and there is education without a reli- 20 years in state government cret that it is about to be contract Part of the cause for the lun- acknowledged. gious background, there is room who regarded politics as a noble season in Jackson. What will cheons is to raise funds, explained They were ac- to “create clever devils,” Young. profession and as an opportunity keep us focused is to be ‘mission Langford.