Sigmas present Image Awards

Phi Beta Sigma Mu Sigma Chapter Image Award Recipients were (from left) Johnny Maloney, Eddie Maloney, Rev. Isiac Jackson, Evelyn J. Leggett, Father Jeremy Tobin, Jackie Hampton, Jimmy Wilkins, Silvanus Johnson and Dr. James Warnock. Standing on back row are Vernon Jasper (left) and Mark Young. PHOTO BY JAY JOHNSON

Fraternity also gives scholarships at annual banquet

By Shanderia K. Posey

Editor

Phi Beta Sigma Mu Sigma Chapter Image Award Recipients were (from left) Johnny Maloney, Eddie Maloney, Rev. Isiac Jackson, Evelyn J. Leggett, Father Jeremy Tobin, Jackie Hampton, Jimmy Wilkins, Silvanus Johnson and Dr. James Warnock. Standing on back row are Vernon Jasper (left) and Mark Young. PHOTO BY JAY JOHNSON
Phi Beta Sigma Mu Sigma Chapter Image Award Recipients were (from left) Johnny Maloney, Eddie Maloney, Rev. Isiac Jackson, Evelyn J. Leggett, Father Jeremy Tobin, Jackie Hampton, Jimmy Wilkins, Silvanus Johnson and Dr. James Warnock. Standing on back row are Vernon Jasper (left) and Mark Young. PHOTO BY JAY JOHNSON

The Mississippi Link Publisher Jackie Hampton was one of several recipients of a Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. Mu Sigma Chapter Image Award presented during a banquet July 29, in Jackson.

More than 200 people attended the event at the Mississippi e-center at Jackson State University. Hampton was awarded in the Media category. Other recipients and their respective categories were Con Maloney, Eddie Maloney and Johnny Maloney, Business; Rev. Isiac Jackson, Religion; Dr. James Warnock, Medicine; Jimmy Wilkins, Law; Evelyn J. Leggett, Education; Father Jeremy Tobin, Humanitarian; and Silvanus Johnson, L.T. Smith Achievement Award.

For the past 13 years, the Mu Sigma chapter has hosted the awards banquet to recognize individuals who have made a difference in communities throughout the Jackson area as well as fund scholarships for area students.

A short video highlighting each recipients’ career accomplishments was shown before they accepted their awards. Hampton’s accolades include membership of the Mississippi Press Association and board member of the National Newspaper Publishers Association.

In the video presentation, Socrates Garrett, Mississippi Link founder and local business, said, “Jackie Hampton is an outstanding individual – a young lady that has achieved many milestones in her career from having been hired as a receptionist in a Fortune 500 company to an individual who rose the ranks of sales manager and beyond. She’s earned her stripes. She knows her job. She’s driven. She is a very fierce competitor and yet, she is the most compassionate person you could ever want to be.

“She has taken a newspaper in this market, which is one of the more difficult markets, and gained national recognition throughout this country as being one of the top publishers.”

Tennessee Tribune publisher Rosetta Perry, a close friend and colleague of Hampton’s, also shared why she thinks Hampton was so deserving of the award.

“Jackie Hampton is a wonderful Christian woman. She has a lot of personality. She can meet the queen of England and still be Jackie Hampton,” Perry said as photos of Hampton meeting and greeting President Barack Obama appeared on the screen. “She is very much involved with students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities. She is responsible for thousands of dollars in scholarships for students in those universities through her role as scholarship chair of the NNPA Foundation.”

Perry featured Hampton in her book about African-American female newspaper publishers. Hampton is a member of College Hill Baptist Church where she is a Sunday School teacher and a member of the Public Relations Ministry and  Evangelism Ministry. She is also a Girl Scouts troop leader.

“From the bottom of my heart, I say thank you,” Hampton said as she accepted the award. “When I was first approached regarding this award, my first thoughts were, ‘Oh no, no way.’ I thought there were so many other people so much more deserving at this time, but I humbly accept it and tonight I feel so honored.”

Jackson also expressed humbleness in accepting the Religion award.

“It was Jesus who said, ‘If any man would come after me let him deny himself and follow me.’ I’m really not worthy to receive this award,” said Jackson. “God has so many great preachers, pastors, teachers. I’m just one in a pool of so many, and there’s so much to be done in a world for humanity how can you just award me this, but I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

During his acceptance speech, Warnock acknowledged his career success is not a solo act. “Medicine is a team sport, and I will only accept this award as part of the team of Baptist Heart, Baptist Health Systems.”

Wilkins, who has worked at the law firm of Watkins and Eager all of his career, expressed his appreciation to Phi Beta Sigma.

“By me getting this award, it shows that I must have done something right in my first three years of law practice,” Wilkins said.

The Mississippi Link Publisher Jackie Hampton accepts the Phi Beta Sigma Image Award for Media from Vernon Jasper, chair; (left) and Mark Young, chapter president. PHOTO BY JAY JOHNSON
The Mississippi Link Publisher Jackie Hampton accepts the Phi Beta Sigma Image Award for Media from Vernon Jasper, chair; (left) and Mark Young, chapter president. PHOTO BY JAY JOHNSON

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