Flint, Michigan mayor is Tougaloo alumna

By Diamond Williams 

Special to The Mississippi Link

Tougaloo College students will soon wrap up the water drive which started Jan. 25, to help alleviate the crisis in Flint, Mich. Donations will be accepted until 5 p.m. Feb 5.

The Tougaloo student recruiters and Tougaloo Ambassadors of Meritorious Scholars, struck an interest in the crisis and planned the drive.

“Our students span the world. They look toward the interest and commitment of the college and represent that,” said Tougaloo President Beverly Wade Hogan in support of the drive.

Karen Weaver, the first woman mayor of Flint, is an alumnus of Tougaloo College. Before Weaver’s election in November 2015, she took a major interest in the water issues of her city.

“My philosophy of life is I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13),” says Weaver, as she set out to make the change she knew was needed.

TAMS, Tougaloo College students and the community have generously contributed water over the past week.

Justin Polk, TAMS representative, said, “This is important because a lot of times we feel as if people don’t care about other people’s struggles because we’re not from the same place. But no matter where you are or who you are, we will help out.”

Water donations from the metro Jackson and surrounding areas are accepted and welcomed. Anyone interested in donating can deliver bottled water to the Blackmon Building on the Tougaloo campus, 500 W. County Line Road, in Tougaloo. The shipment is expected to be sent to Flint Feb. 8.

For more information regarding donations, contact the Tougaloo Office of Administration at (601) 977-7700.