At press time, there are eight candidates who have entered the special election for mayor of Jackson, after the sudden passing of Mayor Chokwe Lumumba Feb. 25, 2014. To follow are their an-nouncements in the order they were made.

Lumumba was laid to rest

Saturday, March 8, 2014, and with the opening of business Monday, March 10, the first press conference was called by former mayor, Harvey Johnson Jr. announcing his candidacy for mayor of Jack-son.

Johnson went through a list of his accomplishments during his previous mayoral terms, stating that the one per-cent sales tax that Lumumba

got approved with 90 percent of the electoral vote was first initiated by his administration in 2009.

Johnson said it is his ex-perience as three-time for-mer mayor that makes him the best candidate. The final crown during his last term was to see the Westin Hotel deal across the street from the Jackson Convention Center get off the table.

And he addressed questions about his residence, stating that he has been a Jackson resident, although some peo-ple got his residence confused with a barn and horse stable that he built and owned out-side the city.

Johnson held his press con-

Johnson PriesterYarber Lumumba

Quinn (FiLe Photo)

horhn PhotoS BY AYeShA MUStAFAA

Wilson (FiLe Photo)

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The Value of HBCUs

Insid

e

The Jackson (MS) Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. celebrated Found-ers Day in February with a pro-gram and inspirational message from Southern Regional Direc-tor Cheryl W. Turner, around the theme “Embrace the Past, En-hance the Present, Empower the Future.”

Turner is a member of the So-rority’s National Executive Board

and responsible for 212 chapters in the southern region, which includes the states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee, and the Bahamas.

With the sanctuary of College Hill Baptist Church filled with Deltas from local chapters and invited guests, Turner reminded sorority members of their lifetime commitment to service, urging them to continue to live the Del-ta legacy and to strive for even

greater impact in their local com-munities.

A highlight of the reception that followed was the fellowship among sorority members that in-cluded recognition of the “Delta Dears” in attendance.

In 2014, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. celebrates 101 years of scholarship, service and sister-hood. The Jackson (MS) Alum-nae Chapter marks it 73rd year in May with 300 members.

Phyllis Anderson, the first fe-male tribal chief of the Missis-sippi Band of Choctaw Indians, helped kick off Women’s History Month events at The University of Southern Mississippi at an opening reception, March 6, at the Interna-tional Center on the University’s Hattiesburg campus.

Anderson, a native of the Red Water community, was officially sworn in as the first woman chief in Choctaw history in October 2011.

The Women’s History Month events at Southern Miss will con-tinue March 18 with Mississippi native and award-winning author Jesmyn Ward, 6:30 p.m., Thad Co-chran Center, Ballrooms I and II.

Research presentations by the Committee for Services and Re-sources for Women grant recipients will host a brown bag luncheon at noon in the McCain Library room 203, March 25.

The Forum on Women’s Health and Healthcare Access will be held March 26, 6 p.m., in the R.C. Cook

Union, Room H. It is sponsored by USM Feminist Majority Alliance.

The closing ceremony of Wom-en’s History Month will be March 31 with the Committee on Services and Resources for Women awards presentation, 4 p.m. in R.C. Cook Union Room B.

For more information about Women’s History Month at South-ern Miss, contact Robyn Curtis at robyn.curtis@usm.edu.

On Facebook, visit “Southern Miss Committee on Services and Resources for Women.”

Jackson (MS) Alumnae Delta Chapter celebrates sorority’s founding

Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians’ chief opens Women’s History Month Events

Special Election for the next mayor of Jackson set for April 8

Eight mayoral candidates proclaim to be ‘the best leader for Jackson’

CandidatesContinued on page 7

By Ayesha K. Mustafaaand Stephanie R. Jones

Members of the Jackson (MS) Alumnae Chapter join President Julia Crockett and Southern Regional Director Cheryl W. turner at the group’s recent Founders Day celebration at College hill Baptist Church.

Chief Phyliss J. Anderson (second from left) with 2013-2014 Choctaw indian Princess Lanena Grace John (second from right) and first alternate Robin South (left) and second alternate onnahinli Denson

W o m e n ’ s H i s t o r y m o n t H s a l u t e …

The Mississippi Link Newswire

The Mississippi Link Newswire

Celebration of Life for Mayor Chokwe Lumumba

Photos on page 5