www.mississippilink.com VOL. 23, NO. 13 JANUARY 19 - 25, 2017 50¢ President Barack Obama delivers a farewell speech Yes we did: President Obama that highlighted the goals and accomplishments of his administration in Chica- delivers long goodbye go, Ill. The crowd chanted “four more years,” during By Lauren Victoria Burke interviews, endless retrospectives crowd, as his final days in office the speech. PHOTO BY DER- NNPA Newswire Contributor and analyses. approached. ICK TRIPLETT/CHICAGO CRU- The first black President of the During an unseasonably warm “Michelle and I have been so SADER United States will leave office at night in Chicago, President Barack noon January 20. The run-up to Obama shared his thoughts and Obama his departure has been featured in experiences with a hometown Continued on page 4 Dreams do come true AKA celebrating a legacy of supreme service Lequoya Williams and her children, Riyah and Syrius, pose for cameras Monday in front of their new Habitat home. By Stephanie R. Jones Contributing Writer Three Jackson residents had lots of cheer during the holiday season. They Alpha Kappa Alpha members (in white) present awards to recipients Dr. Byron D. Orey, Dr. Lisa Osunleti, Dr. Larry Johnson and Dr. Scharri Ezell Walker. PHOTO BY STEPHANIE R. JONES moved into new homes – homes of their own – just before and after the Christmas By Stephanie R. Jones ber of BDO. BDO was founded in 1934. “These Baptist Church and president of the holiday. They have Habitat for Human- Contributing Writer Leggette said the day was also an enthusiastic, talented women knew National Baptist Convention USA, ity Mississippi Capital Area to thank. An overflow crowd made up mainly opportunity to reflect on the trailblaz- that if the world is to be made better, Inc. Habitat for Humanity Mississippi of women in white dresses and pearls ing AKA founders, to share accom- I must get in there to make it better – Community Service Recipients of Capital Area dedicated three homes in filled Tougaloo College’s Woodworth plishments of members past and pres- supreme service,” Leggette said. the Year were Jackie H. Hampton, Midtown Monday as part of its celebra- Chapel Sunday to commemorate the ent, and to look to the future. “How will we live up to our found- publisher of The Mississippi Link, tion of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day founding 109 years ago of Alpha “Our founders in 1908 asked, ‘what ers’ vision?” Leggette asked. “There and Alice Thomas Tisdale, publisher of Service. Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. can I do, how can I render service?’” is no better way to do something for of The Jackson Advocate, for their LeQuoya Williams closed on her Members of Beta Delta Omega Leggette said. “These women knew yourself than to serve others. We cele- work in sharing news and experi- four-bedroom, two bath home on Man- Chapter, a graduate chapter in Jack- that there is no greater call than service brate the legacy of supreme services.” ences of the local African-American ship Street Dec. 28 and moved in Jan. 1. son, Miss., along with Gamma Rho and it’s up to us to carry that out.” In that vein, the chapters recognized community. “It’s the greatest thing to happen to me Chapter (Jackson State University) Alpha Kappa Alpha, the first so- some Jackson Metro area community The Dr. Ernestine Holloway Educa- in a while,” said Williams, who started joined to host their 109th Founders’ rority for African-American women, members who serve their communi- tors of the Year awards went to Larry the process of working on her home in Day Observance. They paid tribute was founded on the campus of How- ties day to day in accordance with the Johnson and Scharri Ezell Walker, April 2016. Williams is the mother of to their founders as well as members ard University Jan. 15, 1908. It re- sorority’s goals. both of Tougaloo College. two children, Syrius, 3, and Riyah, 1. of the Jackson Metro area whose life mains committed to “Service to All Recognition was given in the areas Liza Osunleti Beckely-Roberts of Williams and the other new home- work has aligned with the mission of Mankind” by providing community of health care, leadership and com- Jackson State University, and Byron owners have interest-free, 30-year service to which Alpha Kappa Alpha outreach to neighboring communities munity service. D. Orey, Jackson State University po- mortgages. Williams said some people adheres. under the umbrella “Launching New Jasmin O. Chapman, chief execu- litical science professor, were named thought her home was one provided “Today we are celebrating a lega- Dimensions of Service,” the organi- tive officer of Jackson-Hinds Com- the Dr. Cozetta White Buckley Edu- by HUD, and came with restrictions on cy of supreme service,” said guest zation says. Its international program prehensive Health Center, was recog- cators of the Year. what could be done. “I had to explain speaker Evelyn J. Leggette, Ph.D., focuses on: Educational Enrichment, nized as Health Care Advocate of the The chapters presented $1,000 to them that this is my home; I own it provost and senior vice-president Health Promotion, Family Strength- Year. checks for endowed scholarships to and there are no rules and restrictions. for Academic and Student Affairs at ening, Environmental Ownership, Leadership Recipient of the Year I just have to pay my mortgage,” Wil- Jackson State University and a mem- and Global Impact. was Jerry Young, pastor of New Hope AKA liams said. Continued on page 4 Williams’ niece also was celebrat- ing Monday. Valondria Williams and her 11-year-old son Kordell Johnson, moved into their new home a few blocks away on McTyere Avenue in December Area Greeks participate in coat collection as well. Tierra Christian and her two sons By- By Stephanie R. Jones in need, said Floyd Williams, chair- ron Burns, 7, and Tristian Burns, 3, were Contributing Writer man of the event and a member of Al- excited about the dedication and bless- Jackson Metro area residents might pha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. ing of their new home on Kevin Barnett not need coats right now but it’s still The coat drive is the council’s event Court. winter and cold weather will come to give service on Dr. Martin Luther “It’s a good feeling to be able to say again before the season is over. King Jr. Day. “We wanted the Divine 9 ‘this is my own,’” Christian said. To make sure everyone stays warm (African American Greek-letter frater- The houses were made possible by the when temperatures do fall, the Metro nities and sororities) to do something contributions of 850 hours of service by Jackson Chapter of the National Pan collectively on this day,” Williams volunteers from Baptist Health Systems, Hellenic Council – an umbrella group said. New Hope Baptist Church, Covenant of black sororities and fraternities The Warm Coats and Warm Hearts Presbyterian Church, and five United – held its annual “Warm Coats and initiative was started by the national Methodist Churches – Christ UMC, An- Warm Hearts” initiative in conjunction news program Good Morning Ameri- derson UMC, Madison UMC, St. Luke’s with Burlington Coat Factory at Metro ca. UMC, and Saint Mark’s UMC. Center Mall Monday. Williams said during Monday’s Members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. joined This is the 7th year the council has other members of the Mississippi Panhellenic Council in a coat donation drive for Dr. Habitat held the drive to collect coats for those Coats Continued on page 4 Continued on page 4 Martin Luther King Jr. Day. 2017 MLK CHS senior scores Audacity: How Share this issue with a friend Parade photos perfect on ACT Barack Obama by mailing it to: Defied His Critics and Inside Transformed America Page 22 Page 11 Page 21 2 • THE MISSISSIPPI LINK JANUARY 19 - 25, 2017 www.mississippilink.com A day of service honoring the life, lessons and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Monday, January 16, 2017 • Jackson, Mississippi www.mississippilink.com JANUARY 19 - 25, 2017 THE MISSISSIPPI LINK • 3 4 • THE MISSISSIPPI LINK JANUARY 19 - 25, 2017 www.mississippilink.com Habitat Obama Continued from page 1 Continued from page 1 touched by all the well wishes that ernment only serves the interests we’ve received over the past few of the powerful – that’s a recipe for weeks. But tonight, it’s my turn to more cynicism and polarization in say, ‘Thanks.’ Whether we have our politics,” said Obama. seen eye-to-eye or rarely agreed at In some cities and towns, in- all, my conversations with you, the come inequality and poverty got American people, in living rooms worse over the last eight years. In and in schools, at farms, on fac- the 2016 election, the “America tory floors, at diners and on distant first” message delivered by Donald military outposts – those conversa- Trump, and the inequality argu- tions are what have kept me honest, ments repeated by Senators Bernie and kept me inspired, and kept me Sanders (I-Vt.) and Elizabeth War- going,” President Obama told the ren, opened a discussion about eco- crowd. nomic mobility and the American Tickets for the farewell address at dream. McCormick Place in Chicago, Ill., One of the major takeaways of were difficult to come by. People Obama’s time in office was that a waited in line for hours to secure strategy of obstruction against the them. first black President of the United The President’s voice was emo- States served as a reminder that, for tional several times.