By Stephanie R. Jones
Contributing Writer
Days of activities in Jackson celebrating the memory and birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. culminated Monday, with the 24th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. awards banquet recognizing people from Jackson and Mississippi whose achievements and service to community were in keeping with King’s vision.
The event, organized by Jackson City Councilman Kenneth Stokes, was hosted by Jackson State University with Mayor Tony Yarber as the keynote speaker.
An overflow crowd filled the banquet room in the JSU Student Center ballroom for the event emceed by radio broadcaster Stan Branson of WKXI-107 FM.
Awards were handed out to more than 70 people from all walks of life during the program under the theme “Living the Dream of Dr. King: United and Strong.” Stokes said living King’s dream means achieving what is seemingly impossible. “Even in death, Dr. King still speaks,” Stokes said.
King, who was assassinated in Memphis April 4, 1968, was born on Jan. 15, 1929, and would have been 87 years old this year.
Yarber was introduced by Ethel Mangum, who urged support of the mayor as the city tackles issues and problems that plagued the city long before his tenure began.
“The mayor has a lot to do, but we have to help him,” Mangum said. He can’t fix all the long-standing problems overnight, she said, adding that he still will be held accountable for his actions in handling city business.
Yarber gave a rousing speech that asked and addressed the question King posed years ago: How long? How long before African Americans were granted basic human and societal rights in America?
Yarber echoed the question as it applies to society today by asking how long will it take for us to understand that black minds matter? He also noted that black dollars matter, too. “We are in a perpetual state of slavery, poverty, and deprivation that we all have to give an account for,” he said. Yarber posed the statements in reference to recent chants of “Black Lives Matter” in the wake of police killings of black men across the country.
Yarber touched on issues such as crime, education and economics during his speech, which drew applause from the audience throughout.
“We’re not really concerned about the plight of our people until we are serious about ensuring that 3- and 4-year-olds have the ability to read before they get to kindergarten. How long?” Yarber said. “We’re not serious about the plight of public education if we continue to perpetuate laws that keep our children at a disproportionate disadvantage?”
“Every time Jackson Public Schools starts to do well, you change the rules. How long?” he asked.
King begged the question years ago and today, Yarber said, the answer needs to be “not long.”
When Councilman Stokes tried to present Yarber with an award, the mayor said no. He said Stokes deserved an award for the work he has done for the city of Jackson. Yarber presented Stokes with the “Eagle” award because of his tenaciousness and enduring fight for the betterment of Jacksonians.
“He will fight against anything that affects people, from water bills to police chases in the city to pit bulls in neighborhoods,” Yarber said. “He deserves the honor tonight.”
Numerous Jacksonians were lauded during the event for their service to Jackson and the state with awards in the names of prominent public servants.
Percy Davis, gospel radio broadcaster, was honored as “Man of the Year.” Davis, program director for WOAD-AM Gospel 1300, said he was humbled to have his name associated with the King event. “If it were not for Dr. King, we would not be in this facility tonight.” He urged everyone to rededicate themselves to making a difference in the world every day.
Opera singer DeAnna Tisdale, was selected Woman of the Year. She is the daughter of the late Jackson Advocate publisher Charles Tisdale.
Other key awardees were:
• Zack Wallace, Hinds County Circuit Clerk, Award of Merit
• Dr. Carolyn Meyers, JSU president, Coretta Scott King Award
• Stan Branson, WKXI 107, Barack Obama Award
• Judge Ceola James, Mississippi Court of Appeals, Alice Tisdale Award for Public Service
• Dr. Cedrick Gray, Superintendent of Jackson Public School, Dr. John A. Peoples Award
• J’Wonn, R&B musician, Stan Branson Award
Stephanie R. Jones can be reached at srjones13@gmail.com or (601) 455-0372.
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