February Edition of Expose' Magazine of Jackson

meetthe

expose’ magazine

Dr. Carolyn meyers

PresIDent

Issue 12 | February 2013

of Jackson

a sPeCIal

16

BlaCK hIstory eDItIon: lots oF hIstory revealeD!

see who’s who In

JaCKson!

2 Expose’ Magazine of Jackson

24 John hardy - revealed 26 see who’s who in Jackson

28 entertainment news

30 Book shelf

ContentsFeBruary 2013

Features06 smith robertson museum 16 Civil rights legends18 Dr. Carolyn meyers, President of Jackson state university

3 www.ExposeMagazineofJackson.com

terri lynn

letter Fromthe eDItor

as a Jsu graduate, it is an honor and a pleasure to feature Dr. Carolyn meyers, the President of my beloved university, in our special Black history edition. Infact Dr. meyers is mak-ing black history as the first woman president of Jackson state university!

I am also proud to honor two of mississippi’s legends that we don’t hear very much about - rev. robert l. t. smith, sr. and John r. lynch (J. r. lynch street is named in his honor and Jackson state university is located on the street that bears his name.)

you will also be introduced to the Director of the smith robertson museum, Pamela Junior. Plus see who’s who in Jackson and much more.

editor in Chief

we are Proud to Present a special Black history edition

on the Cover: Dr. Carolyn meyers, President of Jackson state university

expose’ magazine of Jackson


Bells Choir Robes andworship aids

Choir robesClergy attireChoir stolesChoir CassocksChildren’s robesworship aids

3200 medgar evers Blvd.Jackson, ms 39213

601.982.7112


The Silver Gallery

sterling silver JewelryBeautiful Costume JewelryaccessorieshandbagstiarasBirthstone ringsembroidery services

Jewellery & Gift sets

stephanie Donaldsonowner of silver Gallery

Phone: 601- 952-0525 aDDress: 6380 rIDewooD Court DrIve JaCKson, ms 39211


emoJ:amela, please tell us about the history of smith robertson

museum & Cultural Center.

Ms. Junior: smith robertson museum & Cultural Center is housed in the first school for african americans in the City of Jackson, mississippi. Built in 1894, the school was named after mr. smith robertson, a former slave from Fayette, alabama. mr. robertson was the first african american alderman for the city of Jackson who died in 1899. the school was pinned “the mother school”. alums include, richard nathaniel wright, author of Black Boy and Native Son and randall Pinkston CBs new Correspondent. Jackson was very fortunate to have such a wonderful public

P

smIth roBertsonmuseum

meet

Pamela JunIor

manaGer oF

smIth roBertson museum

school for the children to attend. a large amount of the first faculty members were memorialized for their passionate quest to teaching students. what do I mean by that sen-tence, most of the Jackson area is named after past faculty members such as; Golden nathaniel smith

(G. n. smith elementary); mary l. morrison (morrison elementary); odell Clausell (Clausell elementary); sallie reynolds (closed sallie reynolds elementary) w. h. lanier (lanier high school) John Powell (Powell middle school) and many others. the school closed in 1971 because of the desegrega-

Interview with Pamela Junior, Director of smith robertson museum, operating under the auspices of the City of Jackson.


tion of schools in Jackson. Children were being bused to schools in other com-munities and the enroll-ment was lowered and the school was forced to close. after being closed for many years the city wanted to bulldoze the property, the word of the school being torn down ran rapid through the community and activists and educators such as Dr. Jessie B. mosley and Dr. alferdteen harrison were able to bring orga-nizations together with two-hundred signatures of registered voters. these women took the signa-tures to City hall and were able to buy the facility for $ 1.00. Dr. otha Burton who was the Director of the Department of human and Cultural services was able to get at Community Development Block Grant to renovate the facility. the museum opened in 1984. after some years of managing the museum, Dr. mosley sold the facility back to the City of Jackson and the museum runs under the auspices of its leadership.

emoJ: what is your role at the museum?

Ms. Junior: under the heading of manager of smith robertson museum & Cultural Center I am responsible for managing the facility, staff members and budgetary issues. I am also responsible for making sure that all exhibi-

wall oF Greats

12

see this exhibit when you walk into the museum.

JaCKson’s

PremIer Cultural

museum

tions, either permanent or temporary, tell a compre-hensive story regarding the history of the african american in mississippi.

emoJ: how has the muse-um evolved under your leadership?

Ms. Junior: I have been more than fortunate to stand on the shoulders of two wonderful manag-ers before me; Dr. Jessie B. mosley and theresa King who each in their own rights have made my job very easy. Dr. mosley was responsible for the “concept” of an african american museum being housed in this school. she also travelled the entire state of mississippi looking


for artifacts and was pas-sionate beyond measure in her quest to make this museum the best museum in the country. ms. theresa King also had an undeniable passion about this museum. she left an enormous foot print to walk behind. she was responsible for bring-ing well known artists such as Jacob lawrence and his beautiful wife Gwendolyn Knight to Jackson. the historical marker and the beautiful mural of richard n. wright that welcomes you when you drive towards the museum were all powerful changes that were made

under her leadership. then we get to me, I am not one to talk much about what I have done, I truly believe the old gos-pel song, “may the work I’ve done speak for me”. everything that has been done under my leader-ship would only be pos-sible with the wonderful staff members that walk through the doors of the museum everyday. I do believe that like minds work together. I sought out the most brilliant minds to work at this facil-ity. the passion here runs deep and it makes the workload easy. through the tireless efforts of staff

members we have been able to focus solely on teaching to the masses the history of the african american from before he crossed the atlantic ocean (how he lived) to the struggles, trials and tribu-lations that he endured, to living and infusing his culture with the dynamics of the americas. I believe strongly that if we don’t teach our children about the habits, culture and mistakes of our ances-tors, then yes, we/they will repeat them. our job here at the museum is to make sure that each child/adult that comes through those doors leave with

olD

Photo oF the sChool

BeFore BeComInG a museum


more than they can imagine regarding their history.

emoJ: what are some of the events going on at the museum during the year?

Ms. Junior: well, I am excit-ed to say that the museum is truly doing some amaz-ing events during the 2013 year. First of all on the 20th of February we will be join-ing the Penguin restaurant and Bar in having a lun-cheon to “Celebrate the legacy of african americans in mississippi” at 11:30 a.m. at the Penguin restaurant. we are so excited to bring a wonderful retrospect of african american life in Jackson beginning in the early 1930’s all in won-derful black and white photographs. our David taylor Gallery will be fea-turing an exhibit called “Colors between Brothers: Featuring lorenzo Gayden and shambe’ Jones. this exhibition will begin the 11th of February. other exciting programs will include the opening of our new permanent gallery regarding medgar wiley evers! the museum is very excited about this exhibi-tion and included the family in the research. mrs. myrlie evers williams and her chil-dren were very excited to bring this gallery to smith robertson museum and Cultural Center. the perma-nent gallery will start with medgar’s life as a young boy in Decatur, mississippi,

serving in the military, being a student at alcorn state university, becoming the 1st Field secretary in mississippi for the naaCP to his sad demise by Byron De la Beckwith. we want-ed to make sure that the whole story was told, not just portions of the story. we also wanted students to see the steps that medgar

walked to his greatness. all of us have greatness and sometimes it’s the path that we walk that will lead us right into that great-ness. all of us have this greatness, how we use it is of importance. this exhibi-tion will open on the 9th of June which is the begin-ning week of the 50th anniversary of medgar’s death. other events at the museum include the creation of a Civil rights Gallery and the lunch counter scene from the old woolworth Five and Dime store on Capitol street in downtown Jackson.

emoJ: tell us about some of your exhibits.

Ms. Junior: the museum is very excited about the reno-vations that have/will be made. when you walk into the doors of the museum we have a wonderful new “welcome Center” where

you will be greeted with open arms and eager folks to teach you about the his-tory of african americans in mississippi. we have revamped the exhibition regarding smith robertson school. the museum staff wanted to make sure that the entire comprehensive story was told about the school, with large graph-ics. we have also created a new exhibition on richard wright, a former student of smith robertson school who graduated in 1925 and went on to be a famous novelist.

FaCulty memBers 1920’s


upstairs, we are excited to tell people that we have a permanent gallery that tells the story of the african american and his travels during the Great migration called “Field to Factory-1915 through 1940. the museum is elated to say that there are only two venues that you can see this exhibition (1) at the national museum of american history-smithsonian Institute in washington D.C. and smith robertson museum and Cultural Center in Jackson, mississippi. the permanent gallery that I am so very proud of is “From africa to

mississippi” exhibition. we have built the “hole” of the ship inside the museum. the hole of the ship was the part of the ship that the enslaved africans were kept. adults and children, men and women, were placed in the worst of conditions. we want stu-dents/teachers/patrons to feel the pain, feel the sense of hopelessness that these proud people felt! But, through these adver-sities made it through! we must continue to vigi-lantly have a venue where people of all races can learn about the african american. these are just some of the wonder-

ful exhibits that you will be able to see at smith robertson museum & Cultural Center.

emoJ: Can you elaborate on why smith robertson museum is important for the community?

Ms. Junior: I keep going back to the cliché if you are not familiar with your path, how do you move forward! our people are stuck in a rut, because we don’t have a sense of who the slave was, where he came from and how he lived before making that voyage. the culture of the african american is so rich,

rICharD wrIGht exhIBIt


smith robertson museum is located at 528 Bloom street in downtown Jackson, ms 39202.

loCatIon

hours of operation are from: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. monday through Friday. weekend: saturday 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

museum hours

Phone number: 601.960.1457

ContaCt:

so vast, so important to all people. this land was built by the african american! we must keep teaching and show the resilience of these strong people. why is this museum so important, you ask? Because we have every-thing you need to know about the african american in mississippi. everything you want to know about the african before he came to the americas, how it felt for eight weeks on a vessel with no idea on what or where they were going, could you do this today? what we give to the community is their strength back, their integrity back, their fortitude back! If we don’t bring these character-istics of the african before he got on that ship, then we will forever be lost.

aBove: atrIum Below: GIFt shoP

ParKInG:

Parking is Free!



From FIelD to FaCtory exhIBItIon



“this is a life sized replica of an actual holding area for slaves in the ship. you can walk through the exhibit to see where the slaves where actually kept. there will also be sound effects. It’s very dark and erie!”


rev. robert l. t. smith, sr.and Granddaughter

mInIster oFJaCKson’s CIvIl rIGhts movementrev. r. l. t. smIth

everand r. l. t. sr., was the first african american to run for u. s. Congress since reconstruction.

“After the urging of many prominent Negro and white citizens in the fourth congres-sional district, I have consented to run for a seat in the Unites States House of Representatives from the fourth Congressional District of Mississippi”.

rev. r. l. t. smith, sr. was born in utica, mississippi. he married annie louise mason of Bolton, mississippi. they were the proud parents of 11 children.

he taught school at an early age. later he became a postman and business man. his gro-cery story, smith’s supermarket, was located on valley street in Jackson. his wife and daughters ran the store while he was on his mail route as a postman.

rev. smith, my grandfather, became interested in the plight of black people and therefore involved himself with the civil rights movement. he was a good friend of medgar evers and he was also closely aligned with rev. martin luther King, Jr. who resided in rev. smith’s home on Dr. King’s trips to Jackson, mississippi.

rIn 1961, after years of working with the civil rights movement, he decided to run for the u. s. house of representatives against John Bell williams. this was a tumultuous time for him to seek the office of congress.

During this time he received many threatening phone calls and the window panes were broken out of his super market. Bob moses, another civil rights leader, volunteered to travel the state with rev. smith, giving him protection and assistance.

even though his bid for u. s. Congress was not successful, he was a pioneer for other african americans from mississippi to seek congressional office post the reconstruction era.

Image Credit: miss. Dept. of archives


John r. lynch (1847-1937) was a slave. his mother, Catherine white, also a slave, was of african and european heritage. Patrick lynch, his father, was from Dublin, Ireland. after his father died he and his mother were sold to a plantation in natchez, mississippi.

although John r. lynch’s only formal education consisted of four night classes, he spoke english fluently.

Prior to becoming involved with politics mr. lynch taught himself photography. he had a suc-cessful photography business in natchez, mississippi.

John r. lynch’s public service began when he was appointed as Justice of the Peace by mississippi Governor ames in 1869. later that same year he was elected to the mississippi house of representatives. he was also mississippi’s first african american speaker of the house. he served several terms in that office until 1873.

In 1873, at the age of 26 he was the youngest person to be elect-ed to Congress. he was one of the first african americans to be elected to a congressional office. he served in the 43, 44th, and 47th Congress.

his election of 1877 was con-tested. this was a time when certain white groups were using intimidation to suppress the black vote. During this time the majority of the state changed from republican control (which was the party of most Black people at that time) to a majority Democratic Party control.

“mr. speaker, it is not social rights that we desire. we have enough of that . . . ”

as a result, mr. lynch’s election of 1877 was contested and he was not allowed to take his seat.

although mr. lynch introduced and argued several bills into congress, he is probably most known for his historical debate of the Civil rights act of 1875. (see excerpt of his speech).

In 1884 he married a social-ite from louisiana name ella sommervile. the couple had one daughter before their divorce. In 1898 President Grant appointed him as the auditor of the treasury in the navy Department and pay-master in the regular army until 1911.

In 1911, he married Cora williams. they moved to Chicago where he lived the remainder of his life as a lawyer.

CIvIl rIGhts sPeeChoF 1875

excerpt of speech John r. lynch gave when the con-gress of 1875 was debating the passage of the Civil rights Bill of 1875.

Mr. Speaker, it is not social rights that we desire. We have enough of that already. What we ask is pro-tection in the enjoyment of public rights. Rights which are or should be accorded to every citizen alike.

source: wikipedia


exPose: where did you grow up and what did you want to be when you grew up?

Dr. Meyers: I was born and raised in newport news, va. I was drawn to engi-neering the summer before my senior year in high school when I participated in an aerospace engineering summer institute led by nasa and the national science Foundation. at that time, the manned spacecraft center was at langley air Force Base in hampton, va. we got to meet the seven original astronauts and experiment with their equipment and testing vehicles. then we learned the math behind what we had done. that was the first time I realized what you could do with mathematics.

exPose: what did your parents do for a living?

Dr. Meyers: I’m the child of educators. my mother taught talented and gifted students in the public schools in newport news, and my father started out as a pro-bation officer in newport news and went on to become a principal of two elemen-tary schools.

exPose: Can you tell us about your leadership positions prior to coming to Jackson state university?

Dr. Meyers: when I joined Jackson state university, I brought 30 years of academic and administrative leadership experience in higher education, serving most recently as President of norfolk state university in norfolk, virginia. I served as Provost and vice Chancellor for academic affairs for north Carolina agricultural and technical state university, where I was a tenured professor of mechanical engineering and Dean of the College of engineering. I also was a tenured faculty member at the Georgia Institute of technology and was the first associate Dean for research in its College of engineering.

exPose: what are some of the major accomplishments you made as the President of norfolk university?

Dr. Meyers: During my tenure at norfolk, the university received reaffirmation of accreditation by the southern association of Colleges and schools and disciplinary

Dr. Carolyn meyersPresIDent

Dr. meyers is the first female president for Jackson state university. she graciously granted an interview with the magazine.


FeaturInG

Dr. Carolyn meyers

PresIDent


national accreditations in business, teacher educa-tion and engineering. the university also received full certification by the nCaa. some other accom-plishments during that time include a 19 per-cent increase in freshmen enrollment in one year, improved retention rates, and the launch of the honors College, the school of extended learning and the school of Graduate and Professional studies. I oversaw the creation and

approval of a doctoral program in materials sci-ence and engineering, an online bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary stud-ies, a doctoral program in social work and a bach-elor’s degree in social work at new College Institute in martinsville, va.

emoJ: It has been report-ed that you are also achiev-ing great fund-raising goals for Jackson state as well, can you tell us the key to your success in getting

such tremendous amounts of funding for the universi-ties you lead?

Dr. Meyers: we raised $7.5 million during my first year at Jackson state, which was a major increase over previous years. Part of our success came from strengthening our rela-tionships with alumni, who contributed in record amounts. our Institutional advancement team was so successful because they implemented a vari-

Dr. meyers poses at the Inauguration reception.


association of Colleges and schools and national accreditations in business, teacher education and engi-neering as well as full cer-tification by the nCaa. our enrollment climbed to an all-time high of 8,903, and we’ve positioned the uni-versity to become a national model for educating the underserved and achieving global recognition for excel-lence in education, research and service.

emoJ: what are your future goals for this urban univer-sity?

Dr. Meyers: our future is quickly approaching. Jackson state university is

ety of new systems and approaches to increase donations. the support we get from alumni and other friends is a vote of confidence in the direction Jackson state is taking.

emoJ: what are some of the accomplishments that you have made during your leadership at Jsu?

Dr. Meyers: Jackson state university earned a 10-year reaffirmation of accredita-tion from the southern

“we are so proud of our school’s President.”

to open our madison cam-pus this summer, and we will soon open our down-town Jackson location. our campus is truly connected to the entire metro area. we are expanding our course offerings to reach today’s students, and we’re working toward building our enroll-ment up to 15,000 students.

emoJ: what would you say to someone who is con-sidering matriculating at Jackson state university?

Dr. Meyers: Come join us! we will treasure and nurture your excitement, talents, and hopes, as well as your many ideas and dreams. we at Jackson state university will do all we can to make your dreams come true.


President meyers’ Inauguration reception

the history of Jackson state

the origin of Jackson state start-ed in 1877 as natchez seminary. It was renamed Jackson College in 1884. the school remainedin natchez until 1885 when it moved to the current location of millsaps College. some believe that due to protest of some of the whites regarding a black school being located in their suburb, the school had to be relocated. In 1902 Jackson College was moved to its tem-porary location on the corner of Farish street and Griffith street where it remained until 1903 while the construction of the new school location was being com-pleted.

In 1903 Jackson College moved to its present location on John r. lynch street.

Jackson College was renamed Jackson state university in 1975.

Chronological source: h. t. sampson library


Dr. meyers

Is PresenteD wIth

Flowers!


ohn hardy is a native of Jackson, mississippi. he graduated from

Central high school which was located in downtown Jackson. after high school, John attended Jackson state university on a full Presidential scholarship, music scholarship (violin), Jackson touchdown Club scholarship and a tennis scholarship. In 1978 he graduated with honors with a Bachelor of science Degree in Business administration.

In 1986 mr. hardy received his certifica-tion as a Certified Club manager of ClubCorp, Dallas, texas.

he was General manager of the distinguished university Club which

J

John harDyrevealeD

the Penguin has the upscale look and feel of the uni-versity Club but it is accessible to everyone!

IntroDuCInG

John harDy, manaGer

oF the PenGuIn


“as someone who frequented the Penguin as a college stu-dent, it’s amazing to see the new face of the Penguin.”

was located in downtown Jackson for 36 years. John has taught dining etiquette and customer service courses in the City of Jackson, including eight Jackson Public schools, virginia College, antonelli College, five Churches, several Boy scout and Girl scout troops, trustmark national Bank, Jackson state university, Jackson Police training academy and the ms highway Patrol training academy. his delivery is motivational, exciting and interactive.

mr. hardy brings his years of experience to the new Penguin restaurant to create a truly enchanting and enjoyable dining experience!


Dr. Joseph Clay, D.C.Dr. Clay of elite healthcare alliance is a dedicated and compassionate chiropractor who focuses on providing the highest quality chiropractic care. using a whole person approach he customizes each treatment plan to fit the patient’s health and wellness goals.

lawanda Clay is wife of Dr. Joseph Clay as well as the manager of elite healthcare alliance. In addition to being a wife and mother, she is also a mentor of young girls be-tween the ages of 9 and 19. her mentoring organization is called one Plus one.

Christopher is the owner of Customs Cuts and styles which is located at 2445 terry road in Jack-son, mississippi. Chris is noted as a philanthropist who gives free ‘back to school’ hair cuts to the boys in the community.

Lawanda Clay Christopher Paige

seewho’s whoin Jackson


one Plus oneCoaching & mentoring

Girls 9 - 19 years old769-798-2139

Cast of the show: see next page.

entertaInment news starter wIvesConFIDentIal

this is a new show featured on tlC on tuesday nights at 9:00 p.m. central, featur-ing the ex-wives or ex-girl friends of well known celeb-rities.

some of the most noted exes include the ex-girl-friend of basketball player lamar odom, who played for the l. a. lakers.

Critics of the show say that these women should just move on with their lives but others believe that the show is a way to heal the wombs from their past relationships.


monica Joseph-taylor: soon to be ex-wife of Funkmaster Flex.

Josie harris: ex-wife of boxer Floyd mayweather, Jr.

Zakia Baum: ex-wife of rapper Jermaine “maino” Coleman.

Cheryl Caruso: ex-wife of mobster Phil “Philly” Caruso.

tashera simmons: ex-wife of rapper Dmx.

liza morales: ex-girlfriend of nBa baller lamar odom.


wrIte It DownmaKe It haPPen

“...good things happen ...life is a narrative you have a hand in writing”.

this book is chock full of practical every day examples of how people used provened techniques of writing down their goals or wishes to make them happen.

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elite healthcarealliance

350 n. mart Plazasuite B

Jackson, ms 39206

601-987-0067

Custom Cuts & styles

Beauty & Barber shop

2445 terry rd. Jackson, ms 39204

(601) 321-9292

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Documents

February Edition of Expose' Magazine of Jackson