2013 – Page 71 – The Mississippi Link

Cleotha Staples of Staple Singers siblings dies

Cleotha Staples, whose smooth and velvety voice helped set apart the sound of the influential and best-selling gospel group The Staple Singers, died Thursday, Feb. 21, at age 78.

Staples, the eldest sister and member of the group her father Roebuck “Pops” Staples started in the 1940s, was at her Chicago home and had been suffering from Alzheimer’s disease for the past decade, said family friend and music publicist Bill Carpenter.

The group included sisters Pervis, Yvonne, Mavis and Cynthia, but Cleotha was the backbone, defining herself by being the “strong, silent type,” said Carpenter, author of “Uncloudy Day: The Gospel Music Encyclopedia.” […]

Woman convicted in child's death up for parole

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Lisa Ameen Crevitt, who admitted taking LSD and tossing her toddler into a river canal, is up for parole in March after 27 years in prison.

The child’s father is fighting to keep her behind bars.

“She doesn’t deserve freedom,” Jeff Crevitt said.

Lisa Crevitt was sentenced to life in prison in 1985 for the murder of her 21/2-year-old daughter, Nikki. She had claimed the girl was abducted May 16, 1985, from a store in what was then Battlefield Mall in Vicksburg. […]

Mississippi finally abolishes slavery

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Due to a procedural glitch the last time around, Mississippi – this month – formally ratified the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery within the state.

It comes a bit late though.

The United States abolished slavery with a constitutional amendment in 1865. But, there were several states that opposed the 13th amendment. And Mississippi didn’t get around to voting on it until 1995. […]

Woman arrested for filing fake insurance claims

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A Bay St. Louis woman has been arrested following indictment on two counts of insurance fraud, Attorney General Jim Hood said.

Dana Aikens, 37, was arrested on Feb. 1 and indicted by a Hancock County Grand Jury. The indictment alleges that Aikens executed “a scheme to defraud” Geico Insurance Company and Liberty Mutual Insurance Company. On count one, Aikens is alleged to have filed a claim for damage from an automobile accident that had already been covered by another insurance company. On count two, the defendant filed a claim for damages in an accident that allegedly never happened. […]

From nine to two…

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Crisler vs Norwood in the home stretch of Senate District 28 race

By Othor Cain

Contributing writer

Vying to fill the unexpired term of the late Senator Alice Harden, Marshand Crisler and Sollie Norwood faced off at New Horizon Church International Monday, Feb 18, to a small crowd of supporters and interested voters.

With three years left on a four-year term, nearly 60,000 voters in portions of West and South Jackson will decide who will represent District 28 when they go back to the polls Tuesday, Feb. 26, for a runoff election…. […]

Mississippi native and NBA star stays connected to home

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By Lonnie Ross

Online Editor

Al Ricardo Jefferson is a Black History maker, born and raised in Mississippi. He uses his stardom and financial success in the NBA to make a difference in his home state state.

He took time out of his busy schedule to host the 2nd annual Community Service Week in his hometown of Prentiss. The week-long event, which was held at the same gym Jefferson played high school hoops, …. […]

Mississippi entrepreneur J. Bolin: young, gifted and black

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By Ayesha K. Mustafaa

Editor

Jason Bolin, 30, is a progressive young black. He is a man with a profession filled with hopes and dreams and aspirations to go further in life. He thinks about how he can help others to become unselfish, sharing, paying it forward while maintining a focus on family values…. […]

Senator Hillman Frazier speaks at Lester Elementary School

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By Jackie Hampton

Publisher

Several local politicians and dignitaries attended the 15th annual Black History month program at Lester Elementary School on Valentine’s Day. Jackson Public School Superintendent Cedrick Gray was also in attendance.

Senator Hillman Frazier, guest speaker for the morning event, said “I have never seen so many politicians in one setting at one time – when it was not about running for office.”…. […]

Seven Mississippi Legends in Black History

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Compiled by Ayesha K. Mustafaa

Editor

MEDGAR EVERS

Topping the list of legendary Mississippi African Americans who impacted the lives of all Americans is Medgar Evers. A tribute to Evers in the context of his impact on the life of Marian Wright Eldeman can be found on page 15 in this issue of The Mississippi Link.

A very special note regarding Evers is the naval ship named in his honor commissioned by former Mississippi Gov. Ray Mabus, who is now Secretary of the Navy…. […]

Myrlie Evers-Williams keynote speaker at Alcorn alumni event in Atlanta

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Alcorn University’s Distinguished Scholar-in-Residence, civil rights activist Myrlie Evers-Williams, will be speaking at an annual alumni event this weekend in Atlanta, Georgia.

Evers-Williams, 79, is the keynote speaker and her theme is: “Coming together, moving forward.”

More than 600 alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends of Alcorn State University will come together on Thursday, Feb. 21 through Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013 for the Alcorn State University National Alumni Association’s annual Mid-Winter Conference.

“A Past to Cherish…. A Future to Fulfill” is the theme, and the meeting will be held at the Marriott Marquis Atlanta. […]