www.mississippilink.com VOL. 23, NO. 37 JULY 6 - 12, 2017 50¢ One city. One aim. One destiny. PHOTO BY JAY JOHNSON Ushering in a new era of leadership for Jackson Lumumba sworn in as the youngest mayor in city’s history By Othor Cain grateful for losing to former that he subscribed to and also Editor mayor Tony Yarber. “I’m actu- ultimately dedicated his family His dad was elected mayor of ally grateful that we lost the elec- toward.” the City of Jackson just days be- tion in 2014, not because the sin- During Lumumba’s swearing fore the 50th anniversary of the cerity was not there, not because in service, on the same stage his assassination of Medgar Evers we didn’t believe we would have father stood and was sworn in in 2013. He announced his can- done a good job, but, we’ve been just four years ago, he became didacy [for the second time] able to appreciate far more that’s engulfed with emotions. “A son for mayor of Jackson on what going on with the city of Jack- only holds his father’s hand for would have been Malcolm X’s son, and I’ve been able to ap- a short while, but he holds his 91st birthday in May 2016. His preciate more within myself,” heart forever,” he said as he dad died Feb. 25, 2014, less than Lumumba shared on the website fought back tears. “I can’t help a year in offi ce as mayor. Two democracynow.org. but to be emotional today.” weeks after delivering an im- “People have to remember, He also paid homage to his passioned eulogy and laying his in 2014, not only did I bury my mother. “My mom’s spirit was father to rest, he announced his father in a two-month time span infectious, she was the fi rst per- candidacy [for the fi rst time] for and then enter into an election, son to tell me that I was bril- a special election to fi ll the seat my wife was pregnant with our liant,” he said. “If you had the left vacant by his dad, March 11, fi rst child. And so there was a privilege of knowing her or 2014. world of change. You had a fi rst- meeting her, she is someone that Chokwe Antar Lumumba, time candidate, who had not run you would never forget.” 34, was offi cially sworn in as for junior class president, much Lumumba ran on a people’s mayor of Jackson, Monday, be- less mayor of a city. And so, platform. In Chicago a few fore a standing room only crowd we’ve been able to, you know, weeks ago, speaking at the at Jackson’s Convention Center gather more information and People’s Summit, Lumumba Complex. “We observe today not position ourselves better. Every- shared his thoughts about that as a victory of our chosen candi- thing happens in a perfect tim- platform. “From the moment we date, but a celebration of our uni- ing. And so, we’re happy where announced, we worked hard and ty,” Lumumba said to a cheering we fi nd ourselves at this time, aggressively on an agenda that crowd. “It’s about our collective to move forward the agenda included social justice, econom- efforts to move Jackson forward. that my father embarked on, an ic democracy and making certain A blessing deferred isn’t a agenda of a people’s platform, that the people had a voice,” he blessing denied. one that was not only, you know, shared. “That’s our story, and Having had hopes of fulfi lling symbolic of his work in his short the unexpired term of his father term as mayor, but symbolic of Lumumba in 2014, Lumumba said he was his work, a lifetime of work, Continued on page 3 Jackson’s First Family Chokwe Antar Lumumba, Ebony Lumumba and daughter Alake’ Maryama PHOTO BY JAY JOHNSON Inaugural Prayer Service Banks and Lindsey sworn in as new council members By Nina Brown By Othor Cain Intern Editor FREE THE LAND! FREE THE When the Jackson City Council LAND! FREE THE LAND! The city meets for the fi rst time this fi scal of Jackson has a new leader. Monday, year, two new faces will appear in July 3, the city of Jackson offi cially be- council chambers. stowed the honor of mayor on Chokwe In Ward 6, voters elected politi- Antar Lumumba, after having won the cal organizer and consultant Aaron Virgi Lindsay (7), Aaron Banks (6), Charles Tillman (5), Ebony and Mayor Chokwe A. Lu- Banks. This seat became vacant when general election with 94 percent of the mumba, DeKeither Stamps (4), Melvin Priester (2), Ashby Foote (1) PHOTO BY JAY JOHNSON vote in June. former Councilman Tyrone Hendrix The day began at 7:30 a.m., with a opted not to seek reelection after be- the Mississippi Association of Educa- Council members ing named the executive director for tors (MAE). prayer breakfast followed by a prayer Continued on page 3 service at Grace Inspirations Church in West Jackson under the leadership of Danny Ray Hollins. Jimi Jones, pas- tor of Free Christian Ministries, where Mayors begin new 4-year terms in several Mississippi cities Lumumba and his family are members, presided over the spirit-fi lled worship By Emily Wagster Pettus shortfall, crumbling infrastructure, • Democrat Lynn Spruill took the service. Associated Press furloughed city employees, crime oath Monday to become the new Attendees, who came from near and The new mayor of Mississippi’s and a water crisis, we must stand mayor of Starkville – the fi rst woman far to feast on both physical and spiritu- capital city says he wants it to be with a great resolve and become to hold the job in the city. Spruill is a al food, were greeted with inspirational Lumumba receiving a word from his pastor. “invested in the principles of human more determined than ever before to former Navy pilot and was mayor of singing and praise dancing. Buds of PHOTO BY JAY JOHNSON rights, justice and equity.” face these issues head-on,” Lumum- Addison, Texas, from 1988 to 1993. Promise, a female dance ensemble and Chokwe Antar Lumumba, a ba told a standing room only crowd • The new mayor of Clarksdale, one of Lumumba’s favorites, shared readings by Minister Jorge Torres 35-year-old attorney, was inaugu- at the Jackson Convention Complex. Democrat Chuck Espy, was inau- their gift of dance to the highly popular of Iglesias Hispana De Clinton, who rated Monday in Jackson. He is one of several municipal gurated Monday to a job once held song “Nobody Like You Lord.” “As we face the looming threats of leaders in Mississippi who are be- The service also included scripture Prayer underperforming schools, a budget ginning four-year terms of offi ce: Mayors Continued on page 3 Continued on page 3 MDWFP Graduates Book Review: Share this issue with a friend Eleven New The Boss by mailing it to: Conservation Inside O cers Page B1 Page A4 A2• THE MISSISSIPPI LINK JULY 6 - 12, 2017 www.mississippilink.com www.mississippilink.com JULY 6 - 12, 2017 THE MISSISSIPPI LINK • A3 Prayer Lumumba Continued from page 1 Continued from page 1 Court of Appeals Judge Latrice Westbrooks administers oath of office to Lumumba as wife Ebony looks on. PHOTO BY JAY JOHNSON we’re sticking to it.” Tackling the city’s budget is top priority for Lu- Lumumba plans to implement “people’s as- mumba, who is also known as a social justice ac- semblies.” “This speaks directly to our campaign tivist and attorney. “Shortly after we take office, promise which has become a staple in conversa- we have to pass a budget. And so, it’s important Emotions for the Lumumba Family ran high at the prayer service. PHOTO BY JAY JOHNSON tions around town, ‘when I become mayor, you that we have the right people in place,” he said. shared Isaiah 58: 6-12. Father Jerry Tobin of minister-in-training at the Firehouse Church become mayor,’” he said. “These assemblies will “We have a transition team that’s in place right Norbertine Priory shared scriptures from Co- in Meridian, offered uplifting and encour- give residents an opportunity to participate in the now, looking at the issues which Jackson is facing, lossians 3:1-7. Both scriptural messages pro- aging words not only to youths but those decision making process.” making certain that we don’t make plans just off vided Lumumba the encouragement needed who work with youth in various capacities. There’s a spirit of newness and freshness that is conjecture, but a fact-based analysis of where we to lead the city of Jackson down the right Jones, who offered a prayer specifically resonating in the city. Attorney and die hard Jack- find our city, and bringing together not only people path. for Lumumba, asked the mayor to stand as sonian Carlyn Hicks agrees. Hicks described Lu- who have the acumen and ability and skill to do Church leaders from various congrega- he delivered it. Jones read scriptures from 2 mumba in a post on her Facebook page: My broth- the job, but people who have a passion, a passion tions offered focused-specific prayers rang- Samuel 23:1-4. “This is The Word of the Lord er, my friend, and now…our mayor. The youngest which goes beyond just the way we see electoral ing from youth, unity, economics and the to you Mr.