Our Mississippi Summer 2015 by Sherman Studios

ourMississippi SUMMER 2015

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Publisherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Letter

elcome to another edition of Our Mississippi Magazine. I surely have enjoyed working with our writers in putting this edition together. Despite all the turmoil surrounding our state right now, I think we were able to accomplish many of the things we set out to do with this edition. We call ourselves a statewide, multicultural magazine. With the addition of companies like Toyota, Nissan, Yokohama and others, Mississippi is steadily changing. The state is represented by roughly 40 percent African Americans now, and the Hispanic population is on the rise, especially along the Gulf Coast area. The state is becoming more global and we want to be a vital part of that change in this great state. We try to be all inclusive, especially regarding a segment of this community that is often neglected. We spend plenty of time focusing on diversity. Many of our articles are related to that. We truly believe that diversity is a vital part to growth and prosperity for Mississippi. Many of the corporations we deal with believe that also. SAVE THE DATE Speaking of corporations, we have set the date for the 2016 Our Mississippi Honors Gala. The event is set for March 12, 2016 in Tupelo. For those of you unfamiliar with the event, the gala honors Mississippi corporations for their diversity and inclusion practices. We will be selecting those companies later this fall. Good luck to them all. Thanks again for reading our magazine and please support our advertisers. They are all very special and we are really appreciative of their participation. God Bless and continue to love one another!

ourMississippi SUMMER 2015

PUBLISHED BY Legend Publishing Company PUBLISHER Wesley Wells

PHOTOGRAPHY Brinda Willis | Wesley Wells | Shelby Daniel CREATIVE DIRECTOR Fran Sherman GRAPHIC DESIGNER Eric Null ADVERTISING SALES Wesley Wells CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Kierra Ransey | Judy Smith | Brinda Willis | Lisa Bynum CONSULTANT Samir Husni ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Dave Clark

ON THE COVER

Jeff, Patty and Taylor Norwood Photo By Wesley Wells

Our Mississippi Magazine is published quarterly by Legend Publishing Company, Copyright 2012, Legend Publishing Company. Reproduction without written consent from the publisher is strictly prohibited. OM is not responsible for unsolicited materials. We welcome your comments. Letters to the editor should be mailed to: Our Mississippi Magazine P.O. Box 1388 | Tupelo, MS 38802 Those interested in advertising can email us at: legendpublishing@comcast.net or call (662) 844-2602. www.ourmississippimag.com

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Want to keep up with whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going on in Mississippi? Subscribe to Our Mississippi Magazine. Get two full years (8 issues) of Our MIssissippi Magazine for just $35, or you can get a one-year subscription (4 issues) for $20. Just fill out the form below and send your check or money order to the address above or subscribe online at: www.ourmississippimag.com Name_____________________________________________________

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contents Cover Story SUMMER 2015

09 PLACE NOT RACE IS WHAT MATTERS AND PATTY NORWOOD: LOVE AND 14 JEFF BASKETBALL

SHELTON: DESPITE COMMUNITY 17 JASON TRAGEDIES, MAYOR SAYS TUPELO SPIRIT STILL ALIVE AND WELL OLYMPICS FLAME OF HOPE ARRIVES 20 SPECIAL AT TOYOTA MISSISSIPPI

TOP 5 MISTAKES MINORITY AND WOMEN BUSINESS OWNERS MAKE WHEN SELLING TO LARGE CORPORATIONS & HOW TO AVOID THEM

WILLIAMS: ATMOS ENERGY, 24 ORRDEN MISSISSIPPI DELTA THE RIGHT FIT

MISSISSIPPI ENERGY: HOW AABE IS LIGHTING THE WAY FOR OUR FUTURE

MISSISSIPPI ECONOMIC COUNCIL’S LEADERSHIP MISSISSIPPI CLASS

CHEMISTRY QUEEN MISS 31 USM’S MISSISSIPPI HANNAH ROBERTS JUST MAY SHATTER A FEW STEREOTYPES

FEMALE VICE PRESIDENT FOR 35 FIRST STUDENT AFFAIRS NAMED AT MSU

GATHERINGS NAMED TO NEW 36 CEDRIC INTERIM AVP FOR MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS ROLE AT MSU MYRLIE EVERS-WILLIAMS 38 UMMC INSTITUTE FOR THE ELIMINATION OF HEALTH DISPARITIES & INCLUSION: TOOLS 40 DIVERSITY FOR EFFECTIVE PHILANTHROPY TIME: STAR-STUDDED 44 MUSIC LINEUP HEADLINES JACKSON RHYTHM AND BLUES FESTIVAL ANNIVERSARY EXHIBIT 47 KATRINA AT OHR O’KEEFE MUSEUM FOOTBALL - CAN 50 MISSISSIPPI MAGNOLIA STATE REMAIN AMONG SEC’S ELITE? FISHING IN MS: 54 CRAPPIE THE SECRET IS OUT!

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Mississippi

diversity

Place, not Race is what matters

BY LISA LAFONTAINE BYNUM

“Education is transformational. It changes lives. That is why people work so hard to become educated and why education has always been the key to the American Dream, the force that erases arbitrary divisions of race and class and culture and unlocks every person’s God-given potential.” — Condoleezza Rice Former United States Secretary of State and National Security Advisor

ring up the topic “racial segregation” in a conversation and the South — Mississippi in particular — is usually the first place that comes to mind. Mississippi’s past is a notorious one, marked by injustice and violence. It’s a past its citizens are not proud of, but it’s a past that the generations since then are actively working to overcome. Dr. Domenico Parisi, professor and director at the National Strategic Planning & Analysis Research Center (nSPARC) at Mississippi State University, says we should DR. DOMENICO PARISI no longer let our history define who we are. Parisi, in conjunction with Michael Taquino, deputy director and associate research professor at nSPARC, and Daniel Lichter, professor and director of the Cornell

ourMississippi

Population Center at Cornell University, conducted an extensive study on geographical segregation within the United States. Their findings, titled, “The Buffering Hypothesis: Growing Diversity and Declining Black-White Segregation in America’s Cities, Suburbs, and Small Towns?” were recently published in the March 25 issue of Sociological Science. According to Parisi, the stereotypes held today about modern Mississippi are incorrect. The assumption is the most extreme cases of segregation lie in the South. However, Parisi and his colleagues found that the South actually has the least number of segregated neighborhoods. Larger metropolitan areas such as Detroit, Milwaukee, New York, and Chi-

PHOTOS COURTESY MEGAN BEAN/MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY

“Yet, one doesn’t have to search very hard to find scores of data that consistently prove Mississippians earn the lowest income nationally and have the highest poverty rates.“

cago are in fact the most highly segregated areas. “In larger cities, races are literally separated by boundaries,” says Parisi. “There is no potential for global diversity to occur. In the South, because we live in close proximity to each other, we do acknowledge each other and are learning how to live together.” That doesn’t mean Mississippi has completely overcome the issues that have held it back in the past. However, as more generations fill the gap between pre-and-post Civil Rights era Mississippi, the willingness to accept differences becomes more commonplace. “Newer generations don’t think like that anymore,” Parisi says. “They don’t see black or

white or our cultural differences as a source of conflict. When we view diversity as an asset, we become a more open society. Diversity separates the winners from the losers. Those that undermine a global community will be left behind.” Parisi points to a reversal of the Great Migration that occurred in the early part of the 20th century as evidence that the South is making strides towards a more globally diverse community. At the turn of the last century, Georgia, Mississippi, and Alabama had the largest African American population. Beginning in 1910, approximately six million African Americans left the South due to the rampant racial oppression and discrimination in the area at the time. The

•Summer 2015 •

north promised jobs, freedom, and more opportunity. By 1970, New York, Illinois, and California had the largest African American populations. However, by 1975, the African American population slowly began making its way back. A shift in job markets, lower cost of living, lower taxes, and even warmer weather had its appeal. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the largest shift has taken place within the last 10 years. Leading the way are young, college-educated African American professionals and retirees. It’s a shift that will continue to transform Mississippi both economically and in terms of diversity. Explains Parisi, “Industries such as Nissan that have moved into Mississippi have opened doors. We are seeing a return migration. People are fed up with the social and physical abuse and coming back. They are coming back and they see that we now better understand how to deal with race relations than in the past.” Race and ethnicity is assumed to be a predominately white or black divide. However, the 2010 census revealed that Mississippi is home to more varied ethnic groups. For instance, the Mississippi Gulf Coast is home to the state’s

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largest concentration of Asian Americans. Mississippi is also home to over 80,000 Hispanics. While people do seem to be overcoming preconceived perceptions of race, Parisi feels that in the future, place -- not race – will be the biggest obstacle facing the state. Education is the catalyst to freedom and prosperity. It provides opportunity for everyone with the desire – regardless of color – to become successful. Yet, one doesn’t have to search very hard to find scores of data that consistently prove Mississippians earn the lowest income nationally and have the highest poverty rates. Likewise, Mississippi trails behind the nation in terms of education. Without adequate education, higher paying jobs are usually out-of-reach. Not surprisingly, the state’s poorest places have the worst performing school districts. “We have to increase accessibility to minorities and provide equal opportunity,” Parisi adds. “In most cases where there is conflict, it’s an issue of race or place. If it’s an issue with place, you can fix that. Communities need help to end their cycle of poverty. In Mississippi today, most of our issues have to do with place.” OM

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•Summer 2015 •

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Mississippi

profile

Jeff and Patty Norwood

“Love and Acceptance”

BY JUDY SMITH, PHOTO BY WESLEY WELLS

•Summer 2015 •

“The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.” Isaiah 11:6

t Many times, the state of Mississippi has taken a few hard knocks by the press and is often ranked last in many things. The state has often been portrayed as mired in the ways and discriminations of the past, never progressing or changing with the times. But that is so not true. The “Hospitality State” upholds its name and has developed into a very culturally diverse state and has become a shining star for the formation of global communities around the world. Tupelo High School Head Basketball Coach Jeff Norwood, his wife Patricia “Patty,” and their precious daughter Taylor Rae are perfect representatives of this movement and the change that has swept through the state, progressing forward based on the time-honored ideas of acceptance, love, and peace. The Norwoods are truly a classic example of the global community that continues to grow and prosper in Mississippi. Rather than focus on race issues, the Norwoods only see love and respect for one another and their fellow man, and they are leaders in this wave of progress. Despite their differences in background and nationality, they have found a common ground based on love and their mutual adoration of basketball. African American, Jeff Norwood was born in Tupelo, Mississippi, but his excellence on the hardwood carried him around the country as a player and coach. After serving time at various schools, including the University of Southern Mississippi and William Carey University, Norwood finally made his way back home. Jeff Norwood made history at Tupelo High School as being named the first African American basketball coach. Although Norwood was thrilled with the honor, he never really gave it much thought until he was questioned about it several times by the press.

“That never really crossed my mind at first. My thought process just doesn’t work that way until it was mentioned to me so many times,” Jeff Norwood said. “I was just happy to be getting a great job at a great school, and it was wonderful to be coming home. I am proud to be a part of history, but I focus more of my attention on being a good coach and strong role model for these young men. That’s what really matters to me most.” The 24-year coaching veteran, Jeff Norwood loves coaching basketball because he loves the sport and loves to win, obviously, but more importantly he loves the be a part of the lives of these young people, helping to guide them along on their journeys in life. He loves to watch them grow and mature and tries to be a positive influence in their lives as they prepare to step out into the real world. It was a mutual respect and passion for the game of basketball that brought Jeff and Patty Norwood together, but it has been love that has kept them together. Jeff and Patty Norwood met while coaching basketball at Nichols State, became friends, and the rest as they say, is history. Born in Dallas, Patty Norwood came from a culturally diverse family, containing Thai and Chinese lineage from her mother and Caucasian from her father. Patty Norwood spent her formative years in Victoria, Texas, always harboring a passion for basketball, but she was raised in a family that was accepting and loving to all. Patty Norwood was raised to see the beauty of the mind and soul rather than to judge others by color of skin. Despite cultural differences, Jeff and Patty Norwood have built a strong relationship that withstands whatever conflicts they may face in the world, but they feel fortunate that they have been accepted and supported wherever they have gone.

“I am proud to be a part of history, but I focus more of my attention on being a good coach and strong role model for these young men. That’s what really matters to me most.”

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“Things were going to change because they needed to change, and I think Mississippi is and has been headed in that direction for a long time even though it’s not always as well publicized,” Jeff Norwood said. At Tupelo High School, Patty Norwood teaches Physical Education and serves as assistant basketball coach for the girls’ team so the basketball gym is popular locale for the them. For the Norwood family, basketball is definitely a family affair, and they wouldn’t have it any other way. They love to support one another in all that they do. When the Norwoods returned to Jeff Norwood’s hometown of Tupelo, they were welcomed with open arms and many were happy that one of their own citizens returned to his roots to help the basketball program prosper and to also be a positive role model in the lives of the future generations. “It has been very special for me and my family to return home,” Jeff Norwood said. “It’s hard to express how much the support of the community and my wife and daughter mean to me. That’s what makes all my work worthwhile.” Growing up in Tupelo, Jeff Norwood has viewed how the area and the state have progressed since his early years there, and he and his family are well pleased with the positive direction in which Mississippi is headed and the progress that has already been made. “Things were going to change because they needed to change, and I think Mississippi is and has been headed in that direction for a long time even though it’s not always as well publicized,” Jeff Norwood said. “You can see the progress in communities coming together and working together, and that’s really special. Today, you see more of the various races going to the same churches, and that has really formed a strong foundation for cultural change and acceptance.” For the Norwood family, Mississippi will always be home. Jeff Norwood enjoys being back in the land of his youth and being close to his family. He loves that Taylor Rae gets to experience the slower-paced life of Mississippi and growing up surrounded by family and close friends. Jeff Norwood admits that he simply loves the excellent fishing and hunting grounds that his home state offers, but what he loves most about living in Mississippi is that the state offers something very rare that can’t always be found around the country. “What I like best about living here is that the state is built up and around small communities,” Jeff Norwood said. “Even in the bigger areas, such as Jackson or the Gulf Coast, those cities are built up of little communities that help to nurture the young and offer support to their neighbors. I grew up in a small town where everyone knew each other, and I really prefer that. It’s a really special way to grow up-like you’re one big family regardless of nationality.”

Although there have been some dark spots in Mississippi’s past, that is true for any state and area, but that history has fueled the state to work even harder to become better than before and more accepting of all--a shining light to the nation. “We really strive here in Mississippi to move past our former mistakes and welcome everyone with open arms without any prejudice,” Jeff Norwood said. Patty Norwood suggests that if someone has never been to Mississippi, then they really should come visit. “I think they’d find out that a lot of the stereotypes and images of racism are not here, and that we have progressed a long way from the old days where society was so separated,” Patty Norwood said. “Mississippi and its people are really warm and loving, and you really feel part of the family when you are here.” For an excellent example of global communities coming together, the Norwoods have no further to look than their cherished daughter, Taylor Rae. She sees the world without restrictions of nationality, race, or gender. Through the eyes of a child, she imparts a knowledge and understanding well beyond her years that we all could take a lesson from and should follow. “She has really been a blessing in our lives,” Jeff Norwood said. “She crosses all racial barriers and doesn’t see the world in black and white. We’ve always taught her that the color of skin is not important. As we’ve learned in the Bible, it all comes down to the blood of the people, and we are all the same. She really views everyone that way. There are no differences in her eyes.” Taylor Ray seamlessly interacts and coexists with all nationalities, focusing on the content of their hearts and offering love without judgment. A beautiful rainbow of nationalities, containing African American, Asian, Thai, Indian, Caucasian, and Chinese blood, Taylor Rae truly represents the concept of a global community that prospers as a culturally diverse world as she appreciates others for their unique qualities without judgment or criticism. “We’ve always made sure that she knows of all the different nationalities that she is made of, and she should be proud of them because that’s what makes her really unique and special,” Patty Norwood said. “Without all those nationalities, she wouldn’t be who she is, so we see her as a representation of all of those nationalities. That’s what makes her uniquely special, and it’s really a blessing for her and all of us. She doesn’t see race or racial barriers. She just sees people for who they are, not what color they are.” OM

•Summer 2015 •

Mississippi

profile

Jason Shelton

Despite Community Tragedies, Mayor Says Tupelo Spirit Still Alive and Well BY LISA LAFONTAINE BYNUM; PHOTOS BY SHELBY DANIEL

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t becomes evident after talking with Jason Shelton for just a few minutes that he is extremely proud to be from Tupelo. “I’m from East Tupelo. Elvis was from East Tupelo,” he explains. “Unfortunately, I can’t sing, or play the guitar, and I’m not as good looking. But we are from the same side of town.” In 2013, Shelton made history when he became not only the youngest mayor ever elected, but the first democrat elected in 30 years and the first from his community of East Tupelo. Luckily, musical talent wasn’t a requirement to run the city of approximately 35,000 people. It was an opportunity Shelton almost passed up. After the previous mayor decided not to seek re-election, Shelton wanted to ensure the city he grew up in continued to move forward with many of the progressive ideas that would bring about a better quality of life for its citizens. He didn’t think he would be able to win as a Democrat and actually tried to persuade a few of his Republican friends to run. When his efforts didn’t pan out, Shelton decided to run after all. Shelton credits his ties to the community as the catalyst behind his successful campaign. His family roots date back to the turn of the last century. His mother’s family hails from nearby Itawamba County, his father from Lee and Pontotoc Counties. Shelton grew up in Tupelo, attended Lawhon Elementary and Junior High School and graduated from Tupelo High School in 1994. He received his undergraduate degree from Mississippi State and received his law degree from Ole Miss. After

law school, Shelton said he never considered not moving back to Tupelo. “Tupelo is home,’ he said. “I never thought about going anywhere else. My dad and uncle are both lawyers and since I was a small child, I wanted to come back here and practice law.” Shelton took office in July 2013 and admits taking over the reins had a learning curve. For his first few months in office, his primary focus was developing a new budget. By the time the holidays rolled around that year, Shelton was looking forward to relaxing and spending time with family. Two days before Christmas, tragedy rocked the Tupelo community. On the morning of December 23, Mario Edward Garnett was traveling from Atlanta after attempting to rob a bank in the area. He stopped in Tupelo, where he robbed a BancorpSouth branch. Tupelo police pursued Garnett and shots were fired. After the smoke cleared, one officer was dead, another was in critical condition, and Garnett was still on the loose. The FBI immediately set up a command center in Tupelo and continued their pursuit of the armed robber. Garnett was later shot and killed by a police officer while attempting to rob a bank in Phoenix, Ariz. on December 28. “Something like this would be a terrible shock for any community,” Shelton said. “But for a community the size of Tupelo, we had never had anything like that happen before. It was an extremely difficult situation for us to endure.” Unfortunately, it wouldn’t be the last hardship Shelton’s administration would withstand. Four months

•Summer 2015 •

“The mayor’s job is to be the head cheerleader for his town,” Shelton said. “I want to have a positive impact on the revitalization of our neighborhoods and strong support for our public school systems.” times. A month later, the Mississippi Municipal League presented Tupelo with its Award of Excellence for “meeting the challenges of municipal government through innovative problem solving, excellence in management, citizen participation and striving to provide a higher level of service.” Professionally, things appear to be taking an upwards turn for Shelton and the city he loves. Life is looking pretty good for the young mayor personally as well. Recently, he became engaged to former Miss Mississippi Chelsea Ricks. The couple plans to wed next summer. Shelton does plan to seek re-election after his term is up. However, win or lose, he hopes people will look back on his time on office and see the love and passion he has for his childhood home. “The mayor’s job is to be the head cheerleader for his town,” Shelton said. “I want to have a positive impact on the revitalization of our neighborhoods and strong support for our public school systems.” OM

COURTESY PHOTO

later on April 28, 2014, an EF3 tornado with 111mph winds ripped through the town. It destroyed an estimated 2,000 residences and 100 commercial buildings. Cleanup and rebuilding efforts have been ongoing and expected to continue for at least another year. Two major tragic events all within Shelton’s first year in office. It has been a rocky road for Shelton and the people of Tupelo, but he says he’s proud of the way his town has banded together to overcome what would seem like insurmountable odds. “Everybody has really come together and jumped in with both feet. I hope we are able to keep that community spirit alive.” Now in his third year in office, Shelton is finally able to focus on the issues he built his campaign around – economic development, urban renewal, and improving the quality of life for residents. In May, Tupelo received its fifth “All-American City Award” by the National Civic League. It is the only city in the south to receive this distinction five

JASON SHELTON AND CHELSEA RICKS

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Mississippi

community

TEAM TOYOTA

Special Olympics Flame of Hope Arrives at Toyota Mississippi

Local athletes and plant team members participate in Unified Relay Across America

oyota Mississippi recently celebrated Special Olympics athletes at its Blue Springs, Miss., production facility. Local athlete Justin Rosenthal, who will be competing in golf at this year’s world games, participated by cheering on Toyota team members and Vice President Sean Suggs as they carried the Flame of Hope in a one-mile torch run on its way to the 2015 Special Olympics World Games.

“Being a part of the Unified Relay Across America is a truly gratifying and humbling experience,” said Suggs. “It is because of our team members’ commitment to diversity and inclusion that Toyota has strong community-based partnerships. We look forward to growing our relationship with Special Olympics and continuing to celebrate the abilities of its athletes in Northeast Mississippi.”

•Summer 2015 •

Today’s Mississippi ceremony is part of an ongoing celebration from Toyota as the Official Automotive Sponsor of the 2015 Special Olympics World Games, taking place in Los Angeles from July 25 to August 2. With more than 7,000 athletes, 177 represented countries and 30,000 volunteers, the 2015 Special Olympics World Games will be the largest sports and humanitarian event this year. In addition to torch stops, Toyota dealers nationwide are supporting Special Olympics USA athletes and coaches in their journey to the Games through a fundraising program. Toyota’s Blue Springs facility added to that with a $5,000 donation to support local programs in Northeast Mississippi. “Toyota really stepped up to show their support for Special Olympics Mississippi and our athletes,” said Tony Bahou, President and CEO of Special Olympics Mississippi. “We are thankful for their leadership and commitment to helping develop our athletes and create communities of inclusion for our most vulnerable citizens.” The athlete from Lee County, Mississippi, represents the state and country in the golf competition this summer, and is living his dreams to compete in the World Games. “I had to overcome having open heart surgery, but Special Olympics has changed my life by meeting new people, going places I’ve never been and having experiences with my family,” said Justin Rosenthal, Special Olympics athlete competing in golf at this year’s world games. “My dad plays alternative shot with me

and my family is always there to support me.” Production Control Team Member Jennifer Mangles knows firsthand what Special Olympics means for many individual in Mississippi and across the country and was honored to be able to run in the torch relay. “Special Olympics hits close to home for me, because I have three family members with special needs,” said Mangles. “I go to Indiana and participate in Special Olympics with my nephew every year. Running in this relay gave me another opportunity to support my family and celebrate the unique abilities each of them possesses.” In 2014, Toyota Mississippi produced nearly 180,000 Corollas and recently produced its 500,000th Corolla, a production accomplishment that was achieved faster than any other Toyota plant in the U.S. – a testament to the 2,000 hardworking team members who have answered increasing consumer demand since the plant opened in 2011. The Special Olympics event complements Toyota’s local investment in employment, philanthropic efforts and environmental responsibility. To date, Toyota has donated more than $700 million to non-profits across the U.S. In Mississippi, Toyota has contributed more than $2 million to organizations, including Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Mississippi; Catch Kids, Inc.; Habitat for Humanity; Mississippi BEST Robotics; NAACP; Regional Rehabilitation Center; The Family Resource Center of Northeast Mississippi and Tree of Life Clinic. OM

TOYOTA OFFICIALS ANNOUNCING $5,000 DONATION TO SPECIAL OLYMPICS.

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Mississippi Mississippi

column business

Top 5 Mistakes

Minority and Women Business Owners Make When Selling to Large Organizations and How to Avoid Them BY SHAYNA RATTLER

ou set a goal for your business to generate revenues of $200,000 next year. You have the option of landing twenty $10,000 contracts or four $50,000 contracts. Which scenario is the most appealing to you? If you chose the twenty $10,000 contracts, you can quit reading now. This article is NOT for you. However, if you prefer to work with fewer clients that can afford to pay you more, then read on. This article was written JUST for you! Did you know that large organizations spend $13 TRILLION every year on goods and services? The good news is that those goods and services include almost everything imaginable. They buy everything from training, graphic design, motivational speakers, professional organizers, social media gurus, even scuba diving instructors and ventriloquists! Yep, I too was surprised at the last two... Further, many large organizations are actively seeking out opportunities to work with small business owners. Specifically, many have made commitments to spend a determined amount of money with women and minority-owned businesses. Isn’t that a great opportunity for those of you looking to do business with clients who are LOOKING for you AND can afford to pay you? Not so fast! It’s great that you want to do business with the large company and that same large company wants and needs to do business with you, but there are some things you should know first. Before you rush out and start knocking on the doors of large organizations read on to learn how you can do so successfully. Not handling these lucrative contracts the proper way can be detrimental to the future of your business. HERE ARE THE TOP 5 MISTAKES I SEE SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS MAKE WHEN SELLING TO LARGE ORGANIZATIONS: 1. The small business owner wastes the time of the decision maker. When you get the opportunity to speak to a decision maker at the corporate

or government level, use your time wisely. These professionals, much like yourself are extremely busy and have a limited time schedule in which to identify a qualified supplier to meet their needs. Before you contact them, be sure to fully understand their needs. Know exactly what they do and what they buy. You can find this information by locating the corporate social responsibility page of their website or searching for the company name + “supplier diversity.” Further, when you have the opportunity to speak with a decision maker, make your comments brief. Do not start with anything that does not have to do with their profitability. Also, do not lead with your woman or minority-owned status. Lead with your value to the company’s business. That’s who you are. It is extremely important to know your niche and remember that everybody DOESN’T need what you sell! Practice explaining what you do in a concise way that shows how you solve their problem. If you don’t know their problem, conduct more research to discover it before you contact them. You should be able to explain what you do in just one, simple sentence. Try something like this. “My company does “x” (what product or service you offer) for “y” (who your ideal client is. Be specific) who want “z” (solution they are seeking). This one sentence should fully, but briefly describe your value proposition that is the one thing that only your company can do. 2. The small business owner does not meet the large organizations’ needs. There is a lot that takes place before and after the sale of landing a large contract and it is imperative that you perform well during each phase. Entitlement doesn’t exist in the corporate or government world. Commit one rule to memory; you succeed based solely on how well you impact profitability. If a potential client has a need that exceeds the capacity of your company, don’t give up. This is not a

•Summer 2015 •

definite indicator that this contract is not for you. It may be possible for you to subcontract with a prime company to complete the contract. This is often referred to as Tier 1 and Tier 2 partnerships. Partnering as a subcontractor or Tier 2 participant is a great way to build your company’s experience and reputation. To locate prime or Tier 1 companies, network within your NAICS code or industry to find someone to partner with to develop a larger footprint. Another way I often see small business owners not meet the needs of large organizations is that they don’t properly follow up with their client. Discuss upfront the level of communication and preferred method of communication that is expected from the client and then stick to it. Not meeting the need of the large organization is a great way NOT to get asked back. This alone can ruin the future of your business. 3. The small business owner does not understand “corporate etiquette.” I told you earlier that large organizations are actively looking to do business with you, but there is a right and a wrong way to communicate with them. First, they will likely not call you. (In the event they do, do not assume they remember who you are). You must contact them and email is usually the most effective method. Be prepared to call and/or email them several times without a response. This is common, as they are extremely busy and are contacted by potential vendors continuously. Here is where persistence is your friend. Be prepared to contact them 5-7 times before you get a response. I should also tell you here that it might take months to actually close on a contract. I spoke with a business owner once that shared with me she stayed in touch with one of her target clients for six years before she earned their business! I also must tell you it has been her largest contract to date and that currently over 80% of her total annual revenue comes this this one client, EVERY year. I’ll say it again--persistence is your friend! Let me clarify one key point before we go on. It is possible to over communicate. You want to stay in touch without being annoying. One point of contact every 2 weeks is sufficient. Some of those contacts should be to provide something of value, say an article you read that is of interest to the prospect or a referral to another potential supplier that may meet one of their needs. Coming from a place of service will help you stand out among the crowd of other potential suppliers fighting for their attention. Another rule of corporate etiquette is to never mail printed materials. They will only get lost or more likely, thrown away. Remember, these professionals are in contact with hundreds of potential suppliers and it is not possible for them to keep up with an enormous amount of printed materials. Rather, always have a virtual copy to send them, preferably a PDF. One last rule of etiquette and this is difficult for many small business owners to grasp because they strongly believe in their product or service and they are confident that what they offer is exactly what their potential client needs. Do NOT go around the procurement or supplier diversity professional if you don’t get any business. If there is no business to give,

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there is just no business to give. No does not necessarily mean no forever, sometimes it simply means not right now. The procurement and supplier diversity community is small and intimate. You are remembered for both good and bad. People move around from company to company and your reputation moves with them. 4. The small business is not set up to thrive. After you land a large contract you must execute well, especially behind the scenes. If you are a one-man show, or you don’t have systems in place, you are in big trouble! It is impossible to fake it with the big boys. Take the time before you market to your target clients to get your house in order. It is imperative that you have good systems and good people in place. Be sure that someone qualified is designated to handle accounting, customer service and other vital components of running a business. If your budget is limited, consider hiring staff virtually or on an as needed basis. Ask yourself; do you spend more time working on your business or in it? Now is a good time to discover if you truly have a business or if you simply own a job.... 5. The small business has no effective growth strategy in place. When making the decision to add corporate or government contracts to your business it is wise to start with the end in mind. If done properly, the return on your investment can be ten-fold. It is also wise to rely on the expertise and judgment of others during this critical time in the life cycle of your business. If you are like most small business owners, you are very close to your business. Your business is your life. This can be good, but it is difficult to read the label from the inside of the jar, meaning it is very hard to see your own blind spots. Be willing to look hard at areas of your business where you may have become complacent, are operating out of fear, or have avoided all together. Become competent or preferably, hire professionals in these areas. Consider utilizing SCORE or hiring a business coach. You’ll be glad you did. Adding corporate and government contracts to your business is a great way to maximize your profits for greater impact. If you avoid the above common pitfalls, you will be well on your way to breaking the million-dollar mark. After all being in business should be about, Freedom, Fun, and Funds!!! OM ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Shayna Rattler is the CEO and Founder of Corporate Attraction and is a leading authority on minority business development and supplier diversity. She provides training and development to MWBEs to help them attract and retain their ideal corporate client. She also provides supplier diversity training and consulting to empower corporations to attract and retain their ideal su pplier and to improve the performance of their supply chain. Learn more at www.CorporateAttraction.com or call 888-937-4282

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Orrden Williams

Atmos Energy, Mississippi Delta the right fit BY LISA LAFONTAINE BYNUM

•Summer 2015 •

“I tell my children, ‘Everyday is a new day. I’m going to meet somebody new and share in a lot of their situations.’ This is the perfect job for that. I guess it’s the old rehab counselor in me.”

t was love that brought Orrden Williams, Operations Manager for Atmos Energy Delta District, to Mississippi. However, it was the state’s hospitality that won him over and convinced him to move hundreds of miles from home to the Mississippi Delta.5. Williams was born and raised in Chicago, Ill. He attended college at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in administration of justice. He also completed graduate studies at Southern Illinois Rehabilitation Institute. After graduation, Williams returned to the Windy City and became a youth drug rehabilitation counselor. While attending a workshop for drug counselors at the University of Chicago, Williams met his future wife — Annie — a native of Greenville an also a counselor at the time. “The day I met my wife, she let me know in no uncertain terms that she was moving back to Mississippi,” Williams recalled. Williams admits that by the time of that chance encounter, he was becoming burned out on his career choice. He decided to visit Annie in Mississippi, and fell in love with the area. “Growing up in Chicago, you just don’t speak to people you don’t know. You aren’t friendly with them,” he said. “Also, I went to college in an area that was similar to the Delta. It’s quiet, you can see the stars. I longed for that again.” Based on that visit, Williams decided to leave Illinois, adding with a laugh, “The fact that Annie lived there didn’t hurt either.” Shortly after settling into his new life in the South, Williams accepted a position as a burn technician at Delta Regional Medical Center’s Burn Unit while he looked for another job in counseling. However, his job search proved to be unsuccessful. He began expanding his job search because he jokes, “I was starving to death.” Unfortunately, because of his credentials, he was over qualified for many of the positions he applied for. Williams finally applied for the position of

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meter reader at Mississippi Valley Gas (MVG). Once again, he heard the same words that had caused so many other doors to close. Recalls Williams, “I was being interviewed by Mr. Frank Duncan and he told me, ‘Orrden, you’re overqualified. You don’t want this job.’ I told him, ‘Mr. Duncan, yes I do. I need this job.’” Williams admits he took the job thinking he would only be there for a short time until his “real job” came along. But over the next 16 years, he would be promoted to a variety of positions within the company until he was finally appointed to District Manager in 1995. When Atmos Energy Corporation purchased MVG in 2003, he became Operations Manager. “Turns out,” he says, “This WAS my real job!” As operations manager, Williams oversees all aspects of operations. This includes service work such as setting meters, reading meters, turning on gas lines, and checking for leaks; construction and maintenance, which encompasses installing, fixing and repairing lines above and below ground; and compliance, that includes surveying lines for leaks, accuracy and corrosion. Williams says Atmos has provided a supportive working environment that he has been privileged to work in. “Atmos has raised the bar as far for opportunities. The availability for diversity is just outstanding. The sky is the limit.” He also adds that the people he comes in contact with everyday — both co-workers and customers — are what he loves the most about his job. “I tell my children, ‘Everyday is a new day. I’m going to meet somebody new and share in a lot of their situations.’ This is the perfect job for that. I guess it’s the old rehab counselor in me.” OM

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Mississippi Energy

How AABE is Lighting the Way for our Future BY: LISA LAFONTAINE BYNUM

f the 210 million licensed drivers in the United States today, a small percentage have ever experienced anything like the Energy Crisis of the 1970’s. In 1970, gas guzzlers ruled the road and Americans had become accustomed to what seemed like a never ending supply of cheap fuel. In 1973, a series of events lead to an oil embargo imposed by the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC). The embargo caused massive fuel shortages and sky-high prices for the United States. The shortage didn’t just affect FRANK MAGEE our ability to fill up at the gas station. It affected everything from how we heated our homes to our economy. While the embargo was lifted in 1974, oil prices still remained high. The Nixon and Ford administrations both enacted measures to combat growing anxiety. Shortly after Jimmy Carter took office in 1977, he formed a special task force to spearhead the issue head on. Clark Watson was the minority business owner of an energy-consulting firm in Denver in 1977. Watson was concerned that not only did President Carter’s task force not include anyone with a real knowledge of any of the major energy sectors, but black and other minority groups were

not represented among the panelists. Watson feared any legislation brought about by the task force’s recommendations would not take into consideration the needs of these groups. In July of that year, Watson and several well-known African American businessmen, who were also concerned with the country’s ongoing energy crisis, met in Washington, D.C. The men wanted to ensure that African Americans played a role in energy legislation in addition to facilitating the appointment of more minorities to non-traditional government positions. By December, the American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE) was formed. Today, AABE has 37 chapters across the United States, including the Gulf Coast chapter, which encompasses the Mississippi and Alabama gulf coasts and the Florida panhandle. Frank Magee, community development representative for Mississippi Power and past president of AABE Gulf Coast, says AABE has grown to encompass so much more over the years. “The primary focus of the Gulf Coast chapter is education outreach and environmental stewardship,” Magee says. The Gulf Coast chapter sponsors numerous projects throughout the year. They work with faith-based and community groups to clean up

•Summer 2015 •

underserved communities. They also host energy efficiency workshops through Habitat for Humanity in addition to working with low-income senior citizens to weatherize their home at no cost. Impacting young minds is another important cause. The chapter hosts student workshops in October for Black Energy Awareness Month (BEAM). Approximately 100-150 students attend these events, which are held in all three states. The main goal of the workshops is to expose students to the possibility of a career in the energy industry. “Many of these students have never seen a chemist or an engineer,” explains Magee. “For students who don’t want to go to college, there are great jobs available they may not know about — such as electricians or operators. The national organization and our chapter want to encourage more young black students to pursue STEM [science, technology, engineering and mathematics] courses.” During the events, students are educated on how energy is produced. They also provide guid-

“The primary focus of the Gulf Coast chapter is education outreach and environmental stewardship,” Magee says.

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ance in valuable soft skills such as interview skills, appropriate attire, and the pros and cons of social media. Magee says Mississippi hosts the largest of these events. The chapter has given out approximately $99,000 in scholarships to 66 students in Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. The organization pairs students with members who mentor them throughout their college career. Magee adds that they also provide co-op opportunities and have had several students receive job offers after graduation as a result. “A career in electricity is not like having a career as a doctor or a lawyer,” Magee says. “It’s not something you can see, but it’s something we have to have.” OM

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•Summer 2015 •

Mississippi

business Mississippi Economic Council’s

Leadership Mississippi Class Members of 2015 class enjoyed a reception on the rooftop of Park Heights Restaurant in Downtown Tupelo.

MICHAEL BELLIPANNI, MELISSA RUSSO, SHERRI BEVIS, CHRIS GRAY, AND LAURA HARTRESS SMITH.

TONYA MOORE AND EMILY PICKERING

WALTER MOORE, ANTHONY WARREN AND BRIAN NETTLES

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JERRY TARANTO, MARY CRACCHIOLO SPAIN, AND GAYLENE MCHALE

•Summer 2015 •

Mississippi

profile

USMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Chemistry Queen

Miss Mississippi Hannah Roberts Just May Shatter a Few Stereotypes BY JIM COLL, PHOTOS COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI

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annah Roberts is fully aware of the first impression some will have of her as she travels the country as Miss Mississippi—it comes with the crown. And that’s not all good; nor is it entirely bad. State titleholders in the Miss America pageant are viewed by supporters as the best of the best, talented, beautiful and intelligent young women—but by cynics as possessing the polar opposite of many of those positive traits. But Hannah Roberts—recent University of Southern Mississippi graduate, Goldwater Scholar, accomplished violinist, med school student and humanitarian—is smart enough to know that first impressions can be woefully wrong. And the new Miss Mississippi, named this evening in Vicksburg, might just change a few opinions. “Hannah is a rarity among her peers, grounded in her values yet open-minded,” said Wynde Fitts, Associate Dean of Students at The University of Southern Mississippi. “She is an exceptional young woman not because of the accolades she’s received but for the way in which she has achieved them. I’ve met very few people like Hannah whose talent and intellect are matched with a genuine caring heart. “Hannah possesses all the qualities of a Miss Mississippi. She is the whole package of poise, professionalism and personality. She is a strong woman whose ability to meet challenges head on is only matched by her true sincerity.” Roberts, who was the first runner-up in the 2013 Miss Mississippi Pageant and took last year to prepare for the medical school-qualifying exam, won the competition of 30 young women from across the state. That group included other Southern Miss students: Arrielle Dale, Miss New South; Bethany Cuevas, Miss Magnolia; Kaylee Scroggins, Miss Metro Jackson; and Michaela Moore, Miss Leaf River Valley.

THE CHEMISTRY QUEEN Roberts’ list of academic accomplishments were virtually unmatched by her peers. She not only competed favorably with her fellow Southern Miss students, but students across the country. As a sophomore, she was one of three Mississippians named a Goldwater Scholar, which recognizes the next generation of great research scientists. The scholarship, named for former senator Barry Goldwater, is the premier award in the United States conferred upon undergraduates studying the sciences. With Hannah’s signature pink laboratory goggles and superb intelligence, one professor dubbed her the “Chemistry Queen.” In the classroom or in the laboratory, few students had the work ethic or intelligence, according to professors. “Hannah is one of the best students I have had the privilege to teach during my 11 years at USM,” said Dr. Doug Masterson, associate dean in the College of Science and Technology. “She is one of those rare students that seems to be able to do just about anything. She completed four classes with me and excelled in each.” A biochemistry major with a minor in biology, Roberts was named the outstanding senior from the College of Science and Technology and is a member of the Southern Miss Student Hall of Fame. And when she applied for and was accepted to medical school, reviewers found that searching for a “B” grade on her transcript was almost a futile task, even if they tracked her school records back a decade and a half. Masterson said Roberts’ focused approach to her classwork and research raised the bar for her classmates and instructors. “She has a vigorous approach to learning that is contagious in class,” Masterson said. “She not only brought out the best in herself, but also her classmates and teachers. She is certain-

•Summer 2015 •

ly not your typical student. She is highly motivated, focused, and determined to achieve all of her goals.” To be sure, the importance of education was communicated to her at an early age by her parents, both teachers. Mother Danna Roberts teaches gifted education at Seminary High, and father James Roberts is an agriculture teacher at Sumrall High— contributing to her pursuit of a career in the sciences. “My goal is to work in pediatric reconstructive surgery, helping kids who have been affected by burns, birth defects or other conditions that require reconstruction,” said Roberts. “I feel like I can make a difference with kids.” She hopes that other young women will also consider STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields for careers. Many of her presentations to schoolchildren not only relate to reading but center on scientific topics, often accompanied by a short chemistry experiment. “It is important to educate girls about STEM opportunities while they are still choosing what they want to be when they grow up,” said Roberts. THE CONCERTMASTER Roberts makes classical violin her hobby. She began playing violin at five years old and continues today not only as an accomplished performer, as evidenced by her playing of the classical piece “Zigeunerweisen” by Pablo Sarasate, at the Miss Mississippi pageant, but as a mentor to young musicians. “I remember working on her technique through etudes and pieces and noticed that it was very easy for her to play fast/flashy music,” said Jorge Gonzalez, conductor of the Southern Mississippi Youth Orchestra, of which Roberts was a member. Gonzalez said she quickly became “a true leader and an inspiration for the younger players.” Roberts served the orchestra as concertmaster, the second-most significant person in the orchestra, and a position reserved for highly skilled musicians who can learn music quickly. More recently, Gonzalez said Roberts spoke to the orchestra’s current musicians and audience at the orchestra’s fall concert. “She spoke about the importance of learning to play an instrument—that it has opened many doors for her. She is a passionate advocate for the arts.”

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PAGES OF LOVE A childhood marked by numerous visits to doctors’ offices helped Roberts develop a passion for the life-changing pursuits of reading and medicine. By the time she entered the sixth grade, Roberts had parlayed her love of reading into a special book donation project for sick and underprivileged kids. With the help of her family and friends, she began collecting new and gently used children’s books from a multitude of donors. The initial book drive began around Valentine’s Day 2005, which prompted Roberts’ grandmother, Shirley Roberts, to suggest “Pages of ampLove” for the project’s title. Among other accolades, Hannah was honored by Forrest General Hospital’s Spirit of Women program as its Youth Spirit in Action Award winner. That same year she took home the National Youth Role Model Award. “What makes Hannah extraordinary is that even though she is from a small, rural town in Mississippi, she has big dreams and works hard to achieve them,” said Kathy Emmons, Spirit of Women coordinator. “Not only does she help sick children, she helps those with whom she comes in contact by demonstrating a servant’s heart – one who sees a need and takes action to help those who cannot help themselves.” Fast-forward to the present, and “Pages of Love” has swelled to more than 25,000 book donations to hospitals, clinics, schools, churches and related organizations. Roberts concedes that she never imagined such phenomenal success from the charitable endeavor. The gratitude that pours in reinforces Roberts’ belief and reminds her of the impact she is making. “Dear Hannah, Thank you so much for the books. I did not have any before, and now I have 11. It will help me become a better reader,” read one recent note from a young girl. The kindness of this handwritten note scribbled on paper is not lost on the new Miss Mississippi. “We’ve sent books to hospitals, schools, homeless shelters, and boys and girls clubs. I believe that one of the greatest gifts you can ever give a child is a book. I honestly did not think I would still be doing this after 10 years. It just kind of snowballed after the first year or two,” Roberts said humbly. Even though Hannah Roberts may not fit a mold, her kind and giving nature—something Mississippi is known for—is a stereotype she proudly embraces. OM

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“THE HELP” How it helped Mississippi embrace its history

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•Summer 2015 •

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First female vice president for student affairs named at MSU

ississippi State University has selected Regina Y. Hyatt as its next vice president for student affairs, the first woman to serve in this role at the 137-year-old land grant institution. Hyatt’s appointment, effective July 1, is pending approval by the Board of Trustees, Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning, and comes after an extensive national search by a diverse committee charged with making the final recommendation on the position to MSU President Mark E. Keenum. Hyatt, who succeeds former Vice President of Student Affairs William “Bill” Kibler, has served for the past four years as dean of students at the University of Alabama, Huntsville. “I am very pleased about having Dr. Hyatt join our MSU leadership team,” said Keenum. “She brings impressive credentials and a strong dedication to advancing student-centered programs for our university. We’re fortunate to have someone with Regina’s skill set joining our university administration at this exciting time in MSU’s history.” Jerry Gilbert, MSU provost and executive vice president, echoed Keenum’s remarks. “I look forward to working with Dr. Hyatt as a colleague and am confident she will make an excellent Division of Student Affairs even better,” said Gilbert, who also chaired the search committee. “She brings an outstanding set of experiences that will enable her to be a highly effective leader.” As MSU’s vice president for student affairs, Hyatt will serve as a member of the President’s Cabinet and provide executive-level leadership and vision for the Division of Student Affairs. Strategic planning for programming to support student life and success is also among the responsibilities of the job.

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Moreover, Hyatt will help manage issues in student affairs associated with MSU’s enrollment growth. Functional areas that report to this position include the Office of the Dean of Students, health services, assessment and testing services, dining, housing and residence life, recreational sports, bookstore and the Student Honor Code Office. Hyatt said, “I am so appreciative to President Keenum, Provost Gilbert and the search committee for their support and am delighted to become a part of the vibrant MSU community. In my visits to campus, I have been impressed with the outstanding and dedicated staff in the division. Additionally, every student I have interacted with exemplifies the Mississippi State spirit and is committed to the values and ideals of this great institution.” MSU College of Arts and Sciences Dean Greg Dunaway, a search committee member, said of Hyatt, “She is committed to student success and understands the importance of the integration of campus life activities and academics in order to achieve this goal. She will be a terrific leader for our university.” JoJo Dodd, MSU Student Association president, said, “I’ve had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Hyatt at great length. Her experience in student affairs, combined with her focus on student success, will make her a great asset to both students and the MSU community as a whole.” A former board chair for the National Association for Campus Activities, she also has held leadership positions with the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators and Leadershape, Inc. Having presented at many professional conferences, Hyatt has been published in various professional journals and has been active in Huntsville community service projects. OM

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COURTESY PHOTO

Cedric Gathings

Named to new interim AVP for multicultural affairs role at MSU 36

•Summer 2015 •

ississippi State has appointed a new interim assistant vice president for multicultural affairs to oversee and expand the university’s longstanding efforts in cultivating a diverse and inclusive campus community. Cedric Gathings has served as assistant dean of students and director of the university’s Holmes Cultural Diversity Center for the past two years and has been responsible for developing and coordinating programs to enhance an environment of cultural diversity on campus. He routinely assists minority and international students in their transition and acclimation to the university. Gathings will continue to lead the Holmes Center while assuming expanded leadership of MSU’s overall multicultural programs. “Mississippi State University’s historical narrative has been one in which diversity and inclusion have consistently been core values,” said MSU President Mark E. Keenum. “We believe the best way to honor that long history of providing equal opportunity to students is to make our multicultural programs broader and more expansive. Cedric Gathings is the right person to lead that effort.” Gathings holds a master’s of education in sociology and a bachelor’s degree in social science from Delta State University. He also is a graduate of Northeast Mississippi Community College in Booneville, where he earned an associate’s degree with an emphasis in elementary education. “I have great confidence that Cedric will lead and inspire a significant expansion of Mississippi State’s efforts in diversity and inclusion,” said MSU Provost and Executive Vice President Jerry Gilbert. “Cedric brings great enthusiasm to this vital task and he already has the trust and respect of our students.” Previously, Gathings was associate director for MSU’s Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life from 2008-2013. He managed the daily operations of the office directly responsible for leadership and vision of the university’s Greek system. “Whether it is bringing together students of difference races, different religions, or different lifestyles, Cedric Gathings has devoted his professional career to bringing us all together to work toward a better Mississippi and world,” said MSU interim Vice President for Student Affairs Bill Broyles. “I am delighted that Cedric will be continuing these efforts in his new position at Mississippi State.” Before joining MSU, he gained additional experiences in higher education at East Mississippi Community College, Mississippi University for Women and Mississippi Valley State University. He has served as an adjunct professor in social sciences for Holmes Community College

and East Mississippi Community College. At MSU, Gathings is advisor to the Black Student Association and oversees the Safe Zone Advisory Board, which administers the campus-wide program that promotes a welcoming and safe community for LGBTQ students, faculty and staff. He also directs International Student Orientation and provides leadership and oversight to 16 international student organizations. “Cedric has demonstrated excellence in his leadership of the Holmes Cultural Diversity Center and will excel in this role,” said incoming MSU Vice President of Student Affairs Regina Young Hyatt. “As MSU continues its commitment to diversity and inclusion through its support of programs, services and activities that promote a focus on cross-cultural understanding, Cedric is the ideal person to provide leadership in this important work.” That assessment was shared by the leader of MSU’s student government. Student Association President JoJo Dodd said Gathings has a great rapport with students. “There isn’t a person who engages with students more to help them find their fit at Mississippi State. His passion for empowering students to step out of their comfort zones, participate in conversations about substantive issues, and challenge the status quo is powerful because of his genuine love for students,” Dodd said. Gathings has served on numerous MSU departmental and division committees, from the Service Dawgs Committee and Sexual Assault Response Team to the Student Success and Diversity Council committees. He is a member of the President’s Commission on the Status of Minorities, and he is a graduate of MSU’s Learning Experience for Aspiring Professionals, also known as LEAP program. “My passion is for helping other people,” said Gathings. “At Mississippi State, I’ve been fortunate to develop genuine relationships with people from all walks of life and from all backgrounds. I’m very excited about the opportunity to make our university’s diversity efforts more comprehensive and more robust.” Gathings has been recognized with several awards including the MSU Staff Diversity Award. In 2014, the Southeastern Greek Leadership Summit presented him the organization’s Service Award. Gathings is a member of the Southern Association for College Student Affairs, Mississippi Association of Residence Hall Students, Mississippi Association of College Student Affairs Professionals, Order of Omega Honor Society, Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors, Southwestern Black Student Leadership Conference and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., among others. OM

“Mississippi State University’s historical narrative has been one in which diversity and inclusion have consistently been core values,”

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health

UMMC Myrlie Evers-Williams Institute for the Elimination of Health Disparities

Research, relationships road to reducing health disparities

(FROM RIGHT) SHANTE BLACK, GINA HAMILTON AND AMBER GRAY GET FIT AS THEY EXERCISE ON THE GROUNDS OF THE JACKSON MEDICAL MALL. THE THREE TAKE PART IN MEDICAL MALL IN MOTION, A GROUP-BASED CHALLENGE AND PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN UMMC’S MYRLIE EVERS-WILLIAMS INSTITUTE FOR THE ELIMINATION OF HEALTH DISPARITIES, THE MEDICAL MALL FOUNDATION AND HUMANA THAT ADDRESSES NOT JUST FITNESS, BUT CHRONIC HEALTH CONDITIONS SUCH AS DIABETES, OBESITY AND HYPERTENSION.

new collaboration between two programs dedicated to eliminating health disparities, both named for female African-American civil rights leaders, isn’t your traditional agreement. “So many groups work in silos,” said Dr. Bettina Beech, University of Mississippi Medical Center associate vice chancellor for population health and professor of pediatrics and family medicine. She says that won’t be the case in a budding research relationship between UMMC’s Myrlie Evers-Williams Institute for the Elimination of Health Disparities and Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center’s Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity in Winston-Salem, N.C. The two entities have recently signed a memorandum of understanding, or MOU, that details their plans to together perform health

disparities research across multiple platforms. Here’s why it’s different and why it matters, Beech said. “It’s one thing to say you are partners. It’s another to sign a MOU,” she said. “This is an agreement between a public and a private institution. Both of the programs are named after internationally regarded African-American women. That’s unique.” Myrlie Evers-Williams, a civil rights activist and widow of slain civil rights leader Medgar Evers, and the late Maya Angelou, hailed globally for her poetry and commitment to civil rights, “are two individuals with very strong voices in human rights and social justice,” Beech said. The two programs will exchange resources and people in an effort to address health risk factors, among them obesity and diabetes, that are common to Mississippi and North Carolina. The exchange

•Summer 2015 •

will include a co-sponsored research lecture series; health disparities research, training and education programs; collaboration on research grants; and a research exchange program for medical and biomedical science students and faculty. “People throw around the word ‘partnership,’ but we are bringing together resources to address very complex issues,” said Beech, who also serves as executive director of the Myrlie EversWilliams Institute. For Beech, the collaboration is the culmination of a vision several years in the making. She served as co-director of the DR. BETTINA BEECH Maya Angelou Center at Wake Forest Baptist before coming to UMMC in January 2013. There, she and Dr. Ronny Bell, also co-director of the Maya Angelou Center, began discussing a possible long-term affiliation between UMMC and Wake Forest Baptist. At the time, Beech was the principal investigator for a study examining risks of obesity, diabetes and other metabolic conditions in African-American youth in a collaboration between Wake Forest Baptist and UMMC’s Jackson Heart KIDS Study. Beech said those conversations DR. JENNIFER C. ROBINSON continued after she came to UMMC. “That’s when we decided to solidify our relationship.” “We developed a good working relationship, and we felt like we had a lot of great initiatives going on,” said Bell, professor in Wake Forest Baptist’s Division of Public Health Sciences and director of the Maya Angelou Center. “When she moved down there, we thought we could continue to work together,” he said of himself and Beech. “We have similar missions to address health disparities. We really feel like this is very unique, given the namesakes of both of DR. RONNY BELL our centers.” The collaboration “gives us the opportunity to bring together other researchers and resources to improve the health of Mississippians, and to decrease the health disparities that occur by race, ethnicity, income, gender, geographic location and sexual orientation,” said Dr. Jennifer Robinson, associate professor in the UMMC School of Nursing. “As a nation, we’ve been working on health disparities and inequalities for a long time. It’s complex. It’s an incessant problem,” Robinson said. “It will take that critical mass of scientists and policy makers who are focused on it to make the difference in achieving health equality.”

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At a time when research dollars can be scarce at both public and private institutions, the agreement makes sense, Beech said. “It’s best to bring the two together, rather than competing for resources,” she said. It also allows both institutions to take advantage of educational offerings that the other does not have. “Wake Forest Baptist has a Division of Public Health Sciences that’s as big as some schools of public health,” Beech said. “I’m excited about our young researchers going to Wake Forest Baptist to work with researchers there. They have different types of research than we have, and only a small number of our faculty focus on population studies. Every place can’t have every program, so these partnerships are important so that we can have economies of scale.” Bell said about 70 of Wake Forest Baptist’s faculty members are affiliated with the Maya Angelou Center, and about a quarter of those are obesity or diabetes researchers. “We’ve also done work in cancer and HIV,” he said. The collaborative research provides an opportunity to focus on the varied populations in Mississippi and North Carolina, Bell said. “In Mississippi, you have a larger portion of the population that is African American than here, but we have a fairly sizeable American Indian population, and our Hispanic population is growing,” he said. “And, like in Mississippi, our challenges include having a pretty large population living in rural areas.” It’s important to note, Robinson said, that “other institutions want to partner with UMMC. Sometimes, we don’t appreciate what we have to offer in resources, expertise and different perspectives. I see a real institutional commitment to achieve better health for the people of Mississippi.” Bell and Beech say now more than ever, universities and academic medical centers should join together to conduct research and exchange information. “In our age, just from a technological standpoint, there’s more of an emphasis in science and education to not work in silos,” Bell said. “We want to be respectful of that, and that we are able to work together and to utilize the resources we each have.” What makes the collaboration so solid, Beech said, is that the MOU makes it permanent. “So often, they’re based on personalities,” Beech said. “If I leave here, the partnership still exists.” OM

Mississippi Mississippi

column business

Diversity & Inclusion:

Tools for Effective Philanthropy BY LINDA G. WILEY, PH.D.

We need philanthropy to look more like America so we can better respond to America’s issues.

he issue of diversity and inclusion in philanthropy has been of growing concern in recent years, garnering increasing attention from both inside and outside of the philanthropic sector. While many foundations have long sought to become more inclusive as a logical extension of their missions, the business case for incorporating diversity has renewed interest in understanding how diversity can also enhance the effectiveness of philanthropic organizations and the results of their efforts. Good intentions alone do not make philanthropic success. A gift can be given for the right reasons, but to the wrong people. For example, the story is told of a foundation in a major American city that wanted to help poor families in a distressed neighborhood. The foundation decided to donate car

seats to families taking their newborn babies home from the hospital. It was a well-intentioned and generous idea. However, most of the families that received car seats did not have cars. If people from the neighborhood being served had participated in the planning process, this costly mistake could have been avoided and a real need could have been identified and addressed. When the concepts of diversity and inclusion are added to basic due diligence, the result can create a philanthropy that is responsive and effective. So, what do we mean when we refer to the terms “diversity” and “inclusion”. Diversity refers to any collective mixture – people, backgrounds, personalities, ethnicities, socio-economic statuses, etc. It is a relative term and, therefore, exists only on the basis of comparison. An individual is not diverse

•Summer 2015 •

in-and-of himself but, only when compared to another individual. For example, a woman is not diverse on the basis of gender unless she is compared to a man. And, in that case, the man is just as diverse since he is not a woman, but you will not likely hear him referred to as diverse. Why? Because men in America are the normative gender group. In other words, men are not typically compared to women and found to be different. It is women who are compared to men. It is not enough to have a collective mixture. You have to ensure that every voice is heard – equally. Inclusion refers to the extent to which all entities in the collective mixture are given equal access and equal treatment and made to feel valued and respected. Sticking with the example of gender, if women are on your board, do they have the same level of influence as the men? Do they hold positions of power? Are their ideas valued and respected? Are you sure? There is evidence to suggest that philanthropic organizations can achieve a wide range of advantages by embracing diversity. Here are some key benefits of doing so: • Enhancing innovation and problem-solving. Diversity and inclusion can lead to greater innovation in a philanthropic institution by increasing an organization’s capacity to develop effective solutions. This is particularly important given the increasingly complex nature of the social and environmental problems that foundations typically address. • Bringing new perspectives and approaches to grantmaking. Diverse staff and board membership can also broaden the pool of ideas and perspectives a foundation can bring to bear to improve programming. • Building broader networks and tapping new resources. Adding diverse staff and board members typically extends the institutional benefits of inclusivity beyond the individual contributions of new practitioners themselves. Each new person expands a foundation’s network of potential contacts and resources. • Increasing responsiveness to communities. Foundations must be accountable to the communities they serve where diversity is concerned. As national demographics continue to change, expanded diversity can help private and family foundations to respond more effectively to resulting shifts in community need. • Recruiting top talent. In an increasingly diverse labor market, the best talent will not be found solely among straight, white males. To recruit and retain highly-skilled employees from this talent pool, foundations must create welcoming, satisfying work environments for the different types of people who will comprise the field’s best and brightest. In this emerging context, inclusive foundations—those that embrace different cultures, backgrounds and experiences; develop reputations for being supportive places for diverse staff members; provide opportunities for promotion and career advancement among diverse employees; and make all workers feel valued, rather than isolated—will have a distinct advantage in

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attracting the most talented staff and board members. • Reflecting values. Recognizing that there is a business case for diversity in philanthropy does not mean that foundations should lose sight of their commitment to inclusiveness as part of their social justice and equity missions. Focusing on diversity is simply a way of ensuring that organizations’ internal cultures and practices reflect and support their missions and values. If you are considering a philanthropic endeavor of any size, consider the following questions to help refine your thinking. • How well do we really know the communities we serve? Listening to different viewpoints can give new insight to donors and provide ideas to improve programs. The key is the extent to which diverse individuals participate in the decision-making process. • Do we have the right voices at the decision-making table AND are we listening to all of the voices? The “right voices” include different points of view, ages, experiences, and more. The voices of the populations served often provide critical information that can save time, reduce mistakes, and inspire better-directed giving. • Are we missing anything? To maximize effectiveness, gather all of the information and advice needed before designing your giving strategy and making specific gifts. • How can we evaluate the impact of our giving? Not only are diversity and inclusion important before a gift is given, they also play a vital role in helping donors understand the impact of their gifts. Evaluations can and should be designed to incorporate the feedback that comes from quality relationships developed with people possessing diverse and inclusive perspectives. Giving to others to promote the common good and improve their quality of life is a noble act that requires well informed funding decisions. When we gather information from diverse sources, our decisions gain a roader base and, therefore, greater potential for success. OM

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Dr. Linda G. Wiley is the CEO of Turning Point Leadership Group, LLC an innovative relationship management firm. With more than 20 years of experience, Dr. Linda trains and coaches individuals and consults with organizations for more effective relationships in this diverse and complex world. www.drlindawiley.com. Follow her on FB and Twitter.

August 27-28, 2015 at The Mill Thursday, August 27 6:00–8:00 p.m.

Men and Women of Color Empowerment Dinner

Friday, August 28 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Men and Women

August 27-28, 2015 at TheSummit Mill of Color

Thursday, August 27 Friday, August 28 For more information, contact: 6:00–8:00 p.m. 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

NaToya at 662-325-2493 or thill@oidi.msstate.edu MenSanders and Women of Color Men and Women Hannah Street Owens Empowerment Dinner at howens@oidi.msstate.edu of Color Summit

For more information, contact: NaToya Sanders at 662-325-2493 or thill@oidi.msstate.edu Hannah Street Owens at howens@oidi.msstate.edu

•Summer 2015 •

JCV8655-16 R&B Fest- Our Mississippi.pdf

6/19/15

2:46 PM

it’s live

IT’S ON

THE ISLEY BROTHERS

CHAKA KHAN

F E AT U R I N G RONALD ISLE & ERNEST IS Y LEY

M A C Y G R AY

Catch the full lineup @ SEBASTIAN MIKAEL

J A C K S O N F E S T I VA L . C O M TM

www.bcbsms.com Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi, A Mutual Insurance Company is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. ® Registered Marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an Association of Independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans.

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Mississippi

entertainment

COURTESY PHOTOS

Music Time

Star-studded lineup headlines Jackson Rhythm and Blues Festival BY JUDY SMITH

ome to the “City with Soul,” Jackson, Mississippi, to enjoy the state’s deep cultural heritage and poignant music at the third edition of the Jackson Rhythm and Blues Festival scheduled for August 14-15, 2015, at the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum. Enjoy two days of some of the grittiest blues, rocking music, and soulful tunes you’ve ever heard.

Music lovers will be treated to a wide array of musical talents and artists, including Chaka Khan, The Isley Brothers, featuring Ronald Isley and Ernest Isley, Raheem Devaughn, Macy Gray, Taylor Hicks, Avery Sunshine, Ana Popovic, Bobby Rush, and many more talented artists. Featuring over 30 artists on five stages, there will be plenty to keep everyone entertained. Plus, guests will be treated to a unique

•Summer 2015 •

experience, four indoor, air-conditioned venues that will be magically changed into the Juke Joints of days gone by. “It’s Boomin’!” is the theme of the fest and the juke joints, and you’ll certainly find out why when your ears are taken on a musical journey celebrating the history and heritage of the state and its talented musicians. Held in the charming country setting of the historical landscape located at the Agriculture and Forestry Museum, guests can follow the roots of the state’s music, tracing its history from the farm and cotton fields located on the 40acre complex, and may acquire a first-hand experience of the development of the state’s most soulful music. Don’t forget to check out the 13 miniature replicas of the Mississippi Blues Trail markers on the property as you journey deeper into the heart of the blues and the history of the state. Come find out where the Blues were born. At the outdoor stage, soak up a variety of musical genres at the City with Soul Music Stage. Throw a blanket on the ground and enjoy a musical mixture of Rhythm and Blues, Jazz, and Neo-Soul from talents, such as The Isley Brothers who are still going strong after five decades in the music industry and over 20 Top 100 Singles. The “Queen of Funk,” Chaka Khan who has established an impressive legacy in the musical arena with 10 Grammys to her name and has sold over 20 million records worldwide. She’ll be bringing her soulful stylings to the stage. Don’t forget to sample some of the delicious deep-fried fresh Mississippi farm-raised catfish, pulled

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pork, beef brisket, tender ribs, and a variety of beverage choices, including the premium signature Festival drinks, wine, beer, or whatever your pleasure. Stop by the three air-conditioned buildings that have been transformed into Juke Joints: The Downtown Divas Den, the Highway 49 Blues Shack, or the Farish Street Stage. You’ll be enchanted by the moving stories featured in the songs and will be moved by the heart wrenching music that will grace your heart and soul. Blues legends, Bobby Rush, Grammy-nominated Dorothy Moore, and Denise LaSalle, will be bringing their talents in this unique experience and celebration of the blues. Check out the other indoor venue--the Jammin’ Jailhouse Acoustic Stage. While you’re serenaded by some of the most talented musicians in the state, you may browse around and purchase a keepsake from some exquisite artisans to forever remind you of your time spent in the heart and soul of the rhythm of the city. If you enjoy good music, then you definitely do not want to miss out on the amazing musical lineup featured at the third Jackson Rhythm and Blues Festival on August 14-15, 2015. Start making your plans to attend two memorable days of amazing music that will surely be good for the body and soul. Check out the official website at http://www.jacksonrhythmandbluesfestival. com for more information and ticket information. This is one festival that you simply do not want to miss! It will have your heart “boomin’!” OM

B.B. King The King of the Blues

1925-2015

In remembrance of the King of the Blues, we are reprinting this picture that ran in Our Mississippi in 2012.

Mississippi

profile entertainment

Katrina Anniversary Exhibit at Ohr Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Keefe Museum

BY JUDY SMITH, PHOTOS BY BILLY DUGGER AND VINCENT CREEL

ourMississippi

t was a time of apocalyptic devastation, destruction, and despair. August 29, 2005, is a date that will forever be etched in the minds of many. On this iniquitous date in history, Hurricane Katrina made landfall along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, bringing such destructive wraith and obliterating many areas and homes along its path. Casualties of lives and cities were destroyed, leaving a virtual wasteland in what once was such a beautiful, enchanting landscape. It has been ten years since that perilous day. Although after the storm, it seemed that the Mississippi Gulf Coast and the state would never be the same, great improvement has been made, and the state and its people are much stronger and even better than before. This prominent event in the nation’s history is the subject of the compelling exhibit, “Katrina + 10: You’ve Seen the Storm. Now See the Recovery.” at the OhrO’Keefe Museum of Art in Biloxi, Mississippi. This extensive endeavor into the heart of the storm is part of a six-month project that has been open since April and will continue until Labor Day. Each week speakers, ranging from former Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour to former Mississippi Congressman Gene Taylor, several Coastal mayors, firemen, policemen, and others that

played pivotal roles during this devastating time, have taken part in “Katrina Conversations” panel discussions and the Hancock Bank Katrina Café to talk about all aspects of the hurricane from its formation, path of destruction, and the long recovery process. “Hurricane Katrina affected so many lives in South Mississippi, and I think this exhibit is a comprehensive view of what really went on during that time and the aftermath of such a horrific storm,” Kevin O’Brien, Executive Director of the Ohr O’Keefe Museum, said. “It really helps to gain a better understanding of this time. As you grasp all the events that we went through, I think you can better understand and appreciate the progress that we have made along the Gulf Coast and in the state.” “Katrina plus 10” is an interactive exhibit that represents many aspects of this important time in our state’s history. WLOX, the Gulf Coast’s local broadcasting ABC affiliate, features an exhibit where visitors may view coverage leading up to the hurricane, tracking its landfall, its path through the state, the aftermath, and recovery process at three kiosks in the exhibition hall which allows visitors to scroll through these compelling broadcasts. The Gulf Coast’s local newspaper, The Sun Herald, has a display of its news and pictorial coverage

•Summer 2015 •

of the hurricane. Despite the lack of power and many other essentials, the newspaper never missed a publication and worked to document this prominent event in the area’s history, earning the newspaper many Pulitzer Prizes for its exceptional coverage. There is also an exhibit sponsored by Mississippi Power, honoring the 12,000 workers and volunteers from around the country that worked to have electricity restored to the area within 12 days after the storm. The exhibit also includes the restoration of the art that was created from the destruction left by the storm’s wraith down US 90 along the coastline. From those damaged and destroyed trees, Marlin Miller created beautiful works of art, carving angels of hope and paying tribute to the many things that make the Gulf Coast special. The exhibit contains stories and displays of inspiration and hope, making us all proud to call Mississippi home. There are so many aspects of this exhibit that it had to be extended over several months to fully tell this time story and to mark this important anniversary in the Gulf Coast’s and the state’s history. This is a truly moving exhibit that should be experienced by all. “I’ve observed that about 70 percent of our guests that have come through have been from out of state or did not experience the hurricane,” O’Brien said. “I think that gives them a better understanding of the hurricane and how devastating a time this was. It also shows how much progress we have made since then. Most local residents, I think, have found the exhibit to be a very emotional experience for them and feel kind of uncomfortable viewing some of the images which is completely understandable because that was such a difficult time for us all.” Already, the museum has played host to over 15,000

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guests who have viewed this highly moving exhibit. Those numbers are impressive and should continue to grow as the anniversary of this infamous date draws near. “The main message of the exhibit is how we have worked through the destruction and have recovered as an area and as a community. It is a story of recovery and rebirth and renewal,” O’Brien said. “It is that resilient spirit of our people that comes through in this very moving exhibit.” Despite the heartbreaking images and subject matter of the exhibit, it was important for the staff at OhrO’Keefe to present a display that was not completely depressing. The exhibit ends on a positive note as it shows the resiliency of the coastal communities and the state at large. Even though the coastline has changed a great deal, what has not changed has been the love and support of Mississippians. “I think we are a stronger Gulf Coast and are a stronger people because of Hurricane Katrina,” O’Brien said. “Our values I think have changed, and people really cherish their lives and their loved ones without putting much emphasis on material things because when all of those things are destroyed all you really have are one another. The hurricane taught us many lessons on being better prepared for such storms, but more importantly, we have realized that the truly important things in this world are not things. I think this exhibit really exemplifies the heart of the Gulf Coast and Mississippi and its people.” For more information about this exhibit and future lecturers and panel discussions, you may check out the exhibit website at: http://www.Katrinaplus10.com. Also, check out the Ohr O’Keefe museum website for more information on hours, price of admission, and other information at: http://www.georgeohr.org. OM

Mississippi

PHOTO BY: MEGAN BEAN

sports

Mississippi Football

Can Magnolia State Remain among SEC’s Elite? BY PAUL JONES, PHOTOS BY JOHN BOWEN

he Magnolia State was on top of the college football world last season and held that spot for the first couple of months of the season. And whether it was Mississippi State or Ole Miss, the national headlines about the 2014 season often included the Bulldogs and Rebels. Now both programs are attempting to prove

that they are here to stay and ruffle feathers in the nation’s toughest division - the SEC Western Division. And the Bulldogs and Rebels have taken different approaches when it came to last year’s success and their success so far this decade. Mississippi State finished 10-2 last season and spent five weeks as the nation’s No. 1 team. The

•Summer 2015 •

“We’ve got to stay consistent,” Freeze said. “With this conference, there is no one who is bad at recruiting. Everyone is good at it.” Bulldogs ended the year with a spot in a New Year’s Six bowl game - the Orange Bowl - and had 12 players either drafted or being signed as NFL free agents back in April. Meanwhile, the Rebels reached as high as No. 3 nationally and also played in a New Year’s Six bowl game - the Peach Bowl. When the first-ever College Football Playoff rankings came out, it included both Mississippi State and Ole Miss. So how did they get to this point? While for both, it’s been a steady climb. The Bulldogs have played in five straight bowl games under the direction of Dan Mullen. And under head coach Hugh Freeze, the Rebels have reached three straight bowl games and improved their win total each year under Freeze. One of the building blocks of the Bulldogs’ program has been recruiting in-state kids and other under-the-radar prospects. Helping fuel much of the production last season was the Class of 2011 signees, a class at the time was considered very week. But it consisted of former Bulldogs Preston Smith and Benardrick McKinney - both second-round NFL selec-

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tions - and Josh Robinson, along with the likes of current Bulldogs Dak Prescott and Taveze Calhoun among others. “Well, it is really what Coach Mullen said when he first took over at Mississippi State,” said Mississippi State assistant coach/recruiting coordinator Tony Hughes. “People used to say you can’t win here at Mississippi State and you can’t compete for championships. They said Mississippi State would always be a doormat program. “But Coach Mullen’s whole philosophy started with studying history about the state and he found out that the majority of the great players from this state came from smaller high schools. So he said if we could find those kinds of players, we could compete for championships in the SEC and we did that last season by sticking with that philosophy.” Under Mullen, the Bulldogs have also played in a pair of Gator Bowls and the consistent winning has produced attendance records at Davis Wade Stadium. Also under Mullen’s watch, the administration and athletic department have

encountered new strides from a facilities standpoint. That includes a new football-only facility for the players and coaches - the Seal Complex - and the expansion at Davis Wade Stadium. And again, it’s been largely done by Magnolia State players or players from nearby states, and building a program that prides itself on development and evaluation. “People laughed at Coach Mullen when he said those things when he first got here and thought it was a joke,” added Hughes. “But what he was talking about is going to every school in the state. He wants to find those kids that are not necessarily highly-recruited and put them in our program where we can develop them as players and as young men - athletically and socially. “We can put them in a training program different than anyone else in the country. We have shown we can develop them into great people and great players. We can have a great program with Mississippi kids or kids in a six-hour radius within our school. And we have never changed our philosophy no matter what anyone else is doing.” With the Rebels, it didn’t take Freeze long to turn

around one of the darkest eras for Ole Miss football. Before his arrival the Rebels had a double-digit losing streak in the SEC under former coach Houston Nutt and faced issues on and off the field. In his first season, Freeze led the program to the postseason and followed that up with bowl events in his second and third season at the helm. And the Rebels’ rise up the rankings has been a different approach than the Bulldogs when it comes to recruiting. Ole Miss has used more of a national approach and it paid off in a major way with the Class of 2013, which has played a huge role in the Rebels’ success of late. That class featured the likes of Robert Nkemdiche, Laremy Tunsil, Laquon Treadwell and Evan Engram all from the out-of-state ranks along with former South Panola standout Tony Conner. Those headliners propelled that Class of 2013 to great heights as one of the top recruiting classes in the country. And those nationally-known Rebels are all expected to be high NFL Draft choices next April in the 2016 NFL Draft and are a major reason why preseason

•Summer 2015 •

predictions have the Rebels as a consensus Top 20 pick. “We’ve got to stay consistent,” Freeze said. “With this conference, there is no one who is bad at recruiting. Everyone is good at it.” And the Rebels have their sights on bigger and even better things this fall. “We talk to them about the process,” Freeze said. “I think that the minute you get hung up on results, you’re setting yourself up. What happens when those results don’t come through? And in this league, as you know, no one can sit here and in good conscience feel like we’re a shoo-in to do that. I call it cautious optimism. “We’re ready to compete. I believe that with all my heart. I can’t control injuries and all those things. But I know talent-wise and depth-wise, we’re at a point now where we’re ready to be relevant. Now to me, I talk to them about keeping their focus on

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the process and the results will take care of themselves.” Of course, both programs have tasted success before in the SEC. The Bulldogs reached the SEC Championship game in 1998 and took advantage of Alabama and Auburn being not quite as elite as both programs are today. But these days, Mississippi State and Ole Miss are mentioned in the same conversation, as proven last year, as those programs and Alabama, Auburn and LSU have all either played for a national championship or won a national championship this decade. Not to mention Texas A&M is now very competitive in the SEC West and still a new force to deal with in the division. Like always, the Bulldogs and Rebels will have to follow up last season’s efforts in order to gain more respect from the national writers. But it wouldn’t be wise to bet against either this season as the Bulldogs and Rebels set out to prove they are both on solid ground. OM

Mississippi

recreation

Crappie Fishing in MS BY BERNARD WILLIAMS, OUTDOOR WRITER

The Secret is Out!

•Summer 2015 •

BACKGROUND Often referred to as specks, whiteperch, sac-a-lait, slabs, croppie, papermouths or crappie; it’s the same fish all over the country. Mississippi is blessed with an abundance of these panfish. Fishermen travel from all over the country to fish the fertile waters of north and central Mississippi. I recall one morning arriving at the South Greysport Landing on Grenada Lake and seeing a parking lot full of trucks and not a single tag said Mississippi. That tells me one thing; we have something tourists want, our crappie. The world record black (5 pounds) and white (5 pounds, 3 ounces) were caught here in Mississippi. Enid and Sardis Lakes hold that distinction. So it would seem logical to go where the records were caught if you want big crappie. According to a MS Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks study conducted from 2011 to 2014, Grenada Lake finished as the top lake in overall quality indicator rankings followed by Sardis, Lake Washington, Eagle Lake, Enid, Arkabutla, Barnett and Tenn-Tom Waterways. 99 crappie over 3 pounds were weighed in at crappie tournaments with the majority (86%) coming from Grenada Lake. Fishing for crappie can be as simple or complicated as you make it. In the spring crappie come to the banks and shallows to spawn; a few years ago this would be the only time people would fish for crappie. The banks around my home lake of Barnett would be filled with bank fishermen trying to fill their coolers with this tasty table fare. Catching a mess of crappie can be done with a cane pole and a few minnows or with an ultra-light rod and reel, a slip cork, and a tube jig cast and worked slowly along the shallows. The purpose this article is not to educate you on how to catch crappie but what lakes and techniques work best on these lakes. Out-of-state crappie fishermen call the area between Jackson, MS and Memphis, TN the “Crappie Interstate”. GRENADA LAKE Grenada Lake ranks number one as the best crappie fishery in the country. It’s about time we rank number one in something positive. I personally can speak for Grenada Lake producing huge stringers. Catching 3+ pounders on Grenada is really not a big deal. It’s produced big mamas for years. I can remember my first trip to Grenada in the early 80’s; that was

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before the word about monster slabs spread. We fished three days; while our catch ratio was about average the fish were huge. We could place 10 or 11 fish in a 5 gallon bucket and it would be level to the top. Grenada hosts more crappie guide services than any other lake in MS. I have friends that guide on Grenada; some average 150+ days of the year. Considering most charge in the $400 per day range, I would say that brings in an excellent yearly income. The City of Grenada is well aware of the economic impact that comes from crappie fishing at Grenada Lake. In 2013 they gave Crappie Masters Tournament Tour well over $100,000 to bring their national championship to Grenada Lake. The tournament totaled 200+ crappie teams from all over the nation. A drought in Mississippi 6 years ago was beneficial for Grenada. When sections of the lake dried up, the exposed bottom was regenerated with weed growth and willows, which were flooded by recent wet springs. This is the 5th year of high water on Grenada, when we get high water we typically get highly successful spawns. The number of age-classes that make up the 12-inch and longer fish is going to be phenomenal. The forage base of shad also has benefited from the recent years of high water, so there is plenty of food to boost crappie growth. Combine all of these factors and you are talking about unbelievably strong age-classes of fish. We’ll continue to see 15- to 16-inch crappies for at least the next two or three years. For big fish at Grenada in spring, dip jigs or minnows with long poles alongside stumps or buckbrush. Spider-rigging about 3 to 6 feet deep targets big suspended females. SARDIS LAKE Sardis Lake is located about 40 miles south of Memphis, TN. It was created back in the 30’s as a flood control lake. Sardis has excellent facilities for camping, boating, swimming and fishing. The lake is managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers and the MDWFP. This lake gets tremendous pressure from out-of-state fishermen; particularly TN fishermen. Sardis has experienced the greatest size increase in its crappies due to the recent high-water years. Last fall, we were catching more 13- to 15-inch fish than I’ve seen in 20 years. The thing about Sardis is the number of quality fish you can catch; it’s not uncommon in the spring to catch a 20-fish limit

and have to release only four or five under 12 inches, with three or four of the keepers over 2 pounds. That is a big rebound from where the population has been in the past. Sardis’ turnaround has also been the result of the 12-inch minimum length limit and heavy weed growth in the upper end of the lake where most of the crappies spawn. Crappie can be caught on Sardis using the following techniques: spider-rigging, jig fishing, pulling crankbaits, or longlining jigs. ARKABUTLA LAKE Arkabutla produces crappies in the 2.5- to 3+ pound range. Arkabutla is a tough and challenging lake to fish because the water is so much darker but on the other hand it gets a lot less fishing pressure and you have a good chance to catch a monster crappie. In a 20-fish limit, having 5 fish over 2.5 pounds with a shot at 3-pounder isn’t unusual. In the fall the fish are shallow in deep and open water. Arkabutla has a tremendous forage base of shad. I’ve caught fish in open water fish 2 feet deep in 12 to 15 feet of water. Crappie can be caught on Arkabutla using the following techniques: spider-rigging, jig fishing, pulling crankbaits, or longlining jigs. Work stake beds and brush piles near ditches in bays and creeks. ENID LAKE Lots of threadfin shad and plenty of cover make End Lake a crappie factory. This is a shallow lake with lots of sloughs and nutrients. On spring trips we usually catch four or five 2-pounders in a 20-fish limit. Enid is excellent in the late fall and early winter. The DWFP operates a fish hatchery at Enid. The biologist keep is stocked fully. It’s possible but not legal to catch a limit in the early morning and late afternoon. Crappie can be caught on Enid using the following techniques: spider-rigging, jig fishing, pulling crankbaits, or longlining jigs. Work trees and river ledges and creeks. ROSS BARNETT RESERVOIR Located a few miles north of Jackson, MS, Barnett hosts some excellent crappie fishing. This 33,000 acre is often overlooked as big crappie lake. I grew up fishing Barnett. In those days the limit was 50 fish per person and you could catch multiple limits as long as you left the lake. I can remember my dad and me catching our limit two times in one day several times. The lake has plenty of space to find and catch crappie; it has an excellent shad population. Barnett was built as a recreation lake by damning up the Pearl River just above the Hinds County line.

The lake contains many old creek channels, river channels and oxbow that were once part of the Pearl. Fall and winter are the best seasons to catch big crappie on Barnett. In late fall you have massive shad migration. Nearly all the shad from the lower lake move up the lake to what we call up-river. In doing so they must past underneath the Highway 43 Bridge. Crappie wait in ambush and gorge out on these migrating shad. I’ve seen 100+ boats at or around this bridge. Barnett is one of the few lakes that have no size limit or pole limit. The state limit of 30 fish per person is still in place. It’s not uncommon to catch 8 or 10 fish in the 2 pound class out of a 30 fish limit. Crappie can be caught on Barnett using the following techniques: spider-rigging, jig fishing, shooting docks, pulling crankbaits, or longlining jigs. TENN-TOM WATERWAY The Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway is a 234 mile manmade waterway that extends from the Tennessee River to the Tombigbee River in Alabama. Aside from the economic impact of the waterway the Tenn-Tom is an excellent crappie fishery. According to most local fishermen the old river runs are where most of the fish are located. The most important factor to catching fish on this waterway is current. Current dictates where the crappie will locate all the time. A single barge can displace enough current to cause fish to stop or start biting. Crappie like to hide or relocate from the current; best areas are places where you can find current breaks. The best places to fish this river system are going to be at or near any wood cover. Find old tree stumps, laydowns, or man-made stake beds and work them with a single pole jig. My favorite is a B’n’M 12’ BGJP with a 1/16th ounce jig head and a white tube jig. Tipping the jig with a minnow or a Berkley Crappie Nibble makes a big difference on days when a little scent is needed. CONCLUSION So now you have it; I’ve let you in on the trophy crappie lakes in Mississippi. It’s up to you to get off the couch, get away from the computer and wet a line. I suggest you hire a guide. Our website for Magnolia Crappie club (www.magnoliacrappieclub.com) has a guide section that lists all the top crappie guides for the above mentioned lakes. Crappie101 (www.crappie101.com) also lists top crappie guides. Hire a guide and eliminate the guesswork. Carry a handheld GPS device and mark the spots. They may not work all yearlong but you will have a basis to start. Finally, be safe on the water and keep what you can eat and release the rest. OM

•Summer 2015 •

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entertainment Upcoming Mississippi Music Festivals Jackson Rhythm & Blues Festival Take the short drive to Jackson, Mississippi, for two days of music during the Jackson Rhythm & Blues Festival. This year’s performance lineup includes Chaka Khan, The Isley Brothers featuring Ronald Isley and Ernest Isley, Raheem Devaughn, Macy Gray, Taylor Hicks, Avery* Sunshine, Ana Popovic, Bobby Rush and many, many more. The festival will be held August 14 and 15 at the Mississippi Agriculture & Forestry Museum. A stellar music mix and line up guaranteeing a good Jackson, Mississippi time with over 30 Artists on 5 stages, including 4 indoor, air-conditioned venues, transformed into Juke Joints- It’s Boomin! Event Dates: May 1, 2015 - May 2, 2015 Contact Name: Jordan Harris Contact Phone: 601-292-7121

Jill Scott Ardenland and Red Mountain Entertainment present Jill Scott. Tickets start at $46.50. Event Dates: August 11, 2015 Address: 255 E Pascagoula St City: Jackson Website: http://www.ardenland.net/event

Southern Heritage Classic Music Festival Southern Heritage Classic Music Festival Sep 11, 2015 7:30pm LANDERS Center, 4560 Venture Dr, Southaven Enjoy Classic performances by Anthony Hamilton, Fantasia, Johnny Gill and Avery*Sunshine. Hosted by Jammin Jay Lamont. Event Dates: September 11, 2015 Address: 4560 Venture Drive, Southaven Website: http://www.ticketmaster.com Contact Phone: 1-800-745-3000

Mississippi Gulf Coast Blues & Heritage Festival Enjoy one of the top blues festivals on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Top named blues entertainers will headline this event. Visitors will have an excellent opportunity to hear their favorite songs, eat delicious food and refreshments, see culture exhibits and share in this fun outing with the entire family. Event Dates: September 12, 2015 Address: Jackson County Fairgrounds, 2902 Shortcut Road, Pascagoula Contact Name: Addie Brent Contact Phone: 228-497-5493

•Summer 2015 •

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