“As Michael Jackson said, ‘This is it,’” said an excited Juanita Sims Doty, Ed.D. Friday night (June 25) at the unveiling of the inaugural issue of Who’s Who in Black Mississippi.
The book is published by Who’s Who Publishing Company of Columbus, Ohio. Sims Doty serves as the company’s Mississippi associate publisher. It contains 275 African Americans featured in the 208-page colorful edition which celebrates African-American achievements. “We have spiritual leaders. We have entrepreneurs. We have professionals. We have academia,” Doty said.
The unveiling reception and program attracted a packed-house from across the state to the downtown Jackson Marriott Hotel.
Who’s Who Vice President of Market Development Carter D. Womack said, “This is our first state book. It’s going to be a phenomenal tool for African American young people to see role models and what they can be by visualizing it and reading about phenomenally talented African Americans who lead the State of Mississippi.”
Prior to the Mississippi book, Who’s Who Publishing, primarily produced its Who’s Who publication to highlight African Americans in 25 major metropolitan cities across the United States such as Who’s Who in Black Washington, D.C., Who’s Who in Black Detroit and Who’s Who in Black Los Angeles.
Doty is proud that Mississippi is the first state book. “We know that African Americans make up 37 percent of the state of Mississippi. So what better way can we celebrate our heritage and those of us who are working so hard to make Mississippi shine than to put this in a publication in which history is documented,” she told The Mississippi Link.
She thanked God for the opportunity to spearhead the endeavor. “Any talent or creativity that I have is a gift from Him,” she said. She took on the challenge of helping to produce the book because of her passion for her home state. As she travels, she wants to be able to tangibly share with those who have negative connotations about Mississippi some of its diamonds, living legends, interesting personalities, community leaders, corporate professionals, etc.
Master of Ceremonies Othor Cain, managing editor for The Mississippi Link, attested to her passion for Mississippi. “If you say one foul word about Mississippi, she will check you,” he said. “She really is the epitome of what Mississippi is.” He also told the audience, “You represent what we are so proud to share with the world – that we are a brand new Mississippi.”
Former Secretary of Agriculture Mike Espy wrote the Foreword for the book. “I travel a bit around the world also, and when [some] people find out that I’m from Mississippi, there is always a slight pause as if there is [a need for] some kind of sympathy,” Espy said. He urged everyone to purchase a copy of Who’s Who in Black Mississippi. He has personally pledged to purchase a number of copies for some of the local schools and he challenged others to do the same for schools throughout the state. “Don’t just open the book to your page and say, ‘look at me.’ Open the book and say, ‘look at us,” Espy advised, igniting audience applause.
A curriculum guide to the book is being developed by education leader and consultant I.D. Thompson, Ph.D. “We want teachers to be able to use the book as a framework that can be integrated into the curriculum that’s already there,” said Thompson.
Who’s Who Chief Operating Officer Cassandra Bozeman stressed the importance of sharing the publication with children. “We know there is no doubt that children absolutely believe that they can be what they can see. That’s why we do what we do,” Bozeman said.
The positivism of such publications was also accentuated by Lawrence Crawford, chairman of the Board for Real Times Media, the conglomerate under which Who’s Who and other enterprises are owned. “There’s so much bad news that prevails that we feel particularly our young people need to know who the real role models ought to be,” stated Crawford.
Those attending the event – both honorees and non-honorees – say the Who’s Who in Black Mississippi unveiling made them feel proud to be members of the Magnolia State.
“It is a great honor for some of Mississippi’s outstanding leaders representing the areas of law, medicine, accounting, banking, sports, business, community leaders and education to be recognized. It shows the diversity of leadership that exist in the State of Mississippi,” said Maggie Terry Harper. “I extend commendations to Juanita and Carter for the hard work they put into this process to ensure its success,” Harper added.
“This book shows that there are a lot of men and women in Mississippi who have struggled a lot, and they’ve come a long way…by pulling themselves up, by working really hard, by having good character, by believing in God, putting things first that need to come first, and this is why we’re here,” said The Honorable Mayor Johnny L. Dupree of Hattiesburg, Miss. Dupree is also pleased that the book will be used to educate children.
“Open this book and be inspired,” Espy said in his foreword’s closing comments.
Who’s Who in Black Mississippi is a registered trademark of Real Times Media. It may be purchased online at www.whoswhopublishing.com
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