www.mississippilink.com VOL. 24, NO. 9 DECEMBER 21 - 27, 2017 50¢ Each year makes us stronger and more committed to doing the work we love. We do it for you and hope we have enlightened your lives in some way. Thank you for making The Mississippi Link your newspaper choice in print and online. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. ~Your Mississippi Link Newspaper Family Jackson’s Top Retired Education Personnel Cop announces retirement group bestows scholarship By Othor Cain Editor on future educator After more than 30 years on the force, Jackson’s po- lice chief calls it quits. Vance, By Othor Cain who was named chief of po- Editor lice by former Mayor Tony In the true essence of the spirit and Yarber announced Wednes- reason for this holiday season, the day that he would retire at the Jackson Metropolitan Retired Educa- end of the year. tion Personnel Association held its When named in 2013 as annual Christmas Social Tuesday and Yarber’s choice for police awarded another $1,000 scholarship. chief Vance said then, “I Formed in 1969, the group has been started off as a recruit, and I going strong for nearly 48 years, men- worked my way up from beat toring educators, awarding scholar- cop to sergeant, from lieuten- Vance ships to future educators, sharing best ant to commander, to assis- practices and of course reminiscing tant chief all through those or hold-over capacity for lon- on yester-years, fondly known as ‘the years. From a professional ger than one hundred eighty good old days.” Tuesday was no dif- standpoint, obviously it’s a (180) days in a position that is ferent when more than 100 retirees fulfi llment.” required by law to be fi lled by gathered in the community center on Vance said becoming a po- appointment of the governing Albermarle Road in Jackson. lice offi cer was a calling, a body of a municipality, or by This year’s scholarship recipient career he didn’t want at fi rst. mayoral appointment with was Monica Curry, a sophomore music “God put me here because the advice and consent of the education major at Hinds Community He wanted me here,” Vance council or alderman. If such College in Raymond. When reached said. “And you work on His position is not fi lled within by phone, Curry was ecstatic with the schedule, not yours, right? He the 180 days after the expira- honor. “Based on the criteria for the picked the time for me to step tion of the position’s term, no scholarship, I was humbled and hon- into this, and Mayor Yarber municipal funds may thereaf- ored to receive it,” Curry said. “I hope obviously went along with ter be expended to compen- one day to become a vocal teacher and that.” sate the person serving in the choir director. This scholarship will Current Mayor Chokwe position. help me pursue my dreams.” Antar Lumumba, who began December 4, marked 150 Another component of this festive serving as Jackson’s mayor in days that Vance has been holiday gathering is the music pro- July had not offi cially named serving in a hold-over role. vided by the melodious sounds of the Vance as his choice to lead Thursday is the last coun- Jackson Metropolitan Retired Com- the men and women of JPD, cil meeting for 2017 and the minity Chorale. Founded by Ruth P. but Vance remained in the council agenda does not in- Hobbs in 1978 with six retired female role with much uncertainty clude an action item pertain- teachers, the choir now seats more than about his future. According to state statue 21-15-41, no per- Vance Educator son shall serve in an interim Continued on page 3 Continued on page 3 Curry Actor, activist and father: Ossie Davis remembered We were all in the same position, so Guy Davis continued: “When I Ossie Davis would it’s wasn’t about, ‘Hey, my dad was on got into trouble, dad would make me TV last night,’ because everybody’s stand there with my palms facing up have turned 100 this dad was on TV last night.” and he’d look me in the eye and tell A host of stars lived in and around me what I did wrong and take his belt year. His children the family’s Mount Vernon, N.Y. en- off and ‘Wham!’ [hit my hands with clave, including writer E.B. White, the belt]. He could hurt you without remember his life producer Dick Clark, actor Art Carney ever harming you.” and boxer Floyd Patterson. Meanwhile, Ruby Dee, “could light By Stacy M. Brown “As an adult and a parent myself, you up and your knees would be buck- NNPA Newswire Contributor I came to discover just how wonder- ling, before you were hit.” Entertainer and activist Ossie Davis ful and amazing our parents were and Mostly, the lessons taught by Davis would be 100 years old if he was alive how thoughtful they were,” said Guy and Dee were about life – particularly today. Yet, it’s impossible to celebrate Davis, an accomplished blues musi- life as an African American. One les- his life without also honoring the sto- cian. son involved boycotting Christmas ried career of his wife and life partner, Guy Davis pointed toward his par- after the 16th Street Baptist Church Ruby Dee. ents’ activism and their deep friend- bombing that killed four little black Entertainer and activist Ossie Davis would be 100 years old if he were alive today. Given the heightened racial tensions FAMILY OF OSSIE DAVIS ships with folks like Paul Robeson and girls; others involved planning direct in America, it’s also hard to ignore Malcolm X. Ossie Davis ultimately actions following the assassinations of that Davis and Dee always stood out honor their mother and father for his While Davis and Dee were famous would give the eulogy at Malcolm X’s Medgar Evers and John F. Kennedy. as dedicated activists for freedom, jus- birthday. actors, their children said that they funeral. Davis and Dee were prominently in- tice and equality. “I’ve always thought of being their never felt they had anything to brag Davis said his parents taught lessons volved in the Civil Rights Movement “We raised them well,” joked Nora children as ‘ordinary and extraordi- about around the neighborhood. even while administering discipline. and together they planned marches, Davis Day, one of the couple’s three nary,’” said Day. “On Saturday, we “Many of our friends were in the “They were like Joe Louis’ boxing sit-ins and other acts of civil disobedi- children. did our chores, scrubbed the bathroom same position,” Muhammad said. “We gloves, the left and the right,” said ence and protests. Nora joined her sister, Hasna Mu- and we did our homework. They were played with Sidney Poitier’s children, Guy Davis. “One was the punisher The children remembered making hammad, and her brother, Guy, for an serious about parenting, not unlike Harry Belafonte’s children and the and the other was the educator. They Davis interview with the NNPA Newswire to many homes.” children of other activists and actors. worked well together.” Continued on page 3 University photographer Book Review: Share this issue with a friend and mentee ‘get the Heroes of by mailing it to: picture,’ win 2017 Libris Black History Inside Iconic Images Award Page 8 Page 18 COMMUNITY 2 • THE MISSISSIPPI LINK DECEMBER 21 - 27, 2017 www.mississippilink.com Ward 6 Councilman moving full speed ahead Gift award from mom and dad. Aaron Banks receives award from family members Patricia (mom), Barron (dad), Aaron, LaTona (wife) nomic development, land use, recre- of America’s cities and towns before Banks joins national ation and parks, historic preservation Congress, with the administration and leadership circle and international competitiveness. The at home. appointment was announced by NLC “Serving on an NLC committee is By Othor Cain President Mark Stool, Mayor of Little one of the most effective ways for a lo- Editor Rock, Arkansas. cal offi cial to advocate for their com- The proud family members of Ward Banks gleamed with joy and excite- munity in Washington,” Stool said. “I 6 Councilman Aaron Banks gathered ment as his family gathered in his offi ce am thrilled to have Aaron Banks join in his offi ce Monday for a triple cele- at City Hall. “Serving on this commit- a team of local leaders from around bration. They celebrated Banks’ birth- tee not only gives me the opportunity the country working to craft our policy day, him being just an all around good to represent the City of Jackson, but in platform and to solve the most pressing guy and his recent appointment to the addition, to put forth innovative policy challenges facing our communities.” National League of Cities (NLC) 2018 positions, seek solutions for greater Barron Banks, Aaron’s father, was Community and Economic Develop- economic opportunities for Jackson responsible for assembling the group ment (CED) federal advocacy com- and most importantly to learn,” Banks to celebrate the young Banks’ achieve- mittee. This committee has the lead said. ment. “We’ve been trying to celebrate responsibility for developing NLC’s As a committee member, Banks will Aaron for awhile now and this feels federal policy positions on issues in- play a key role in shaping NLC’s pol- right. Aaron continues to make all of volving housing, community and eco- icy positions and advocate on behalf us proud,” Barron said. Banks fi nishes up work before celebration. www.mississippilink.com DECEMBER 21 - 27, 2017 THE MISSISSIPPI LINK • 3 Educator Continued from page 1 50 members both male and female.