The Alabama New South Coalition’s 41st Fall Membership Convention will be held Saturday, October 18, 2025, 8:00 am to 3:00 pm, at Wallace Community College, 3000 Earl Goodwin Pkwy, Selma, AL, in the Hank Sanders Technology Center. The convention is open to the public, registration fee is $50, which includes lunch. For more information contact ANSC State Coordinator, Ms. Shelley Fearson at 334-262-0932 or email:
alabamanewsouth@aol.com.
The Save Ourselves Movement for Justice and Democracy (SOS) together with other social justice organizations is sponsoring a Caravan from Selma to Marion to Eutaw on Friday, October 10, 2025.The purpose of the Caravan is to alert people in the western Alabama Black Belt of the many funding cuts in Federal programs and services that are coming in the Budget Reconciliation Act, passed by Congress in August.
This legislation, which President Trump calls, “My Big Beautiful Bill” makes cuts over the coming years in healthcare (Medicaid, Medicare, cancer research), SNAP (Food Stamps) and other nutrition programs, including school lunches, LIHEAP (a program to assist people to pay their utility bills), HUD housing subsidies, education programs including Title I, Pell grants and others, all programs directed toward assistance to poor, Black, Brown and other vulnerable people.
The SOS “We Care Caravan” scheduled for October 10, 2025, will alert people at the grassroots level of these coming cuts and onerous requirements to work 20 hours per week to get certain benefits like SNAP.
The Caravan will begin with a rally at 9:00 AM in Selma at the Monument Park, at the Montgomery side of the Edmund Pettus Bridge. Then the caravan of cars with signs, will drive through neighborhoods in Selma and drive through Uniontown en route to Marion. The caravan will travel through Marion neighborhoods and hold a rally at Noon in Marion.
The Caravan will leave Uniontown at 1:00 PM after the rally, wend its way through Greensboro and Sawyerville on its way to Eutaw in Greene County. From 2:00 to 3:00 PM, the caravan will drive through low-income communities of Eutaw. At 3:00 there will be a rally at the William M. Branch Courthouse in Eutaw, Greene County to alert people to the coming cutbacks.
At 4:00 the Caravan will return to Selma through Demopolis. The Caravan will distribute materials on the coming cutbacks at every stop. The first 25 people at each rally will receive a lucky $2 bill for attending. People from around the state are invited to join the caravan at any point along the way.
No Kings Rally in Selma on October 18th at 3:00 PM
SOS will also be sponsoring a rally, with other groups, on No Kings Day, Saturday, October 18, 2025, from 2:30 to 5:00 PM at the foot of the Edmund Pettus Bridge – west side, to protest the authoritarian, illegal and unjust policies and practices of the Trump-Vance Administration. This rally is in conjunction with over 2,000 similar actions across the country to resist the actions of the Trump-Vance Administration.
The October 18th. ‘No Kings Rally” will be a follow-on to a similar rally held on June 14th in the same place. SOS invites members of Alabama New South Coalition which will be holding its Fall Convention, that same day in Selma, to also attend the protest rally.
Persons with questions about either event may contact, John Zippert for more information at 205-657-0273.
The Greene County Board of Education met in a called session, Wednesday, September 24, 2025 and selected Mr. Darryl Aikerson as interim superintendent, effective immediately in order to allow for a smooth transition with Dr. Corey Jones, whose last official day as superintendent is September 30, 2025.
Following the preliminary opening, including removing the executive session item from the agenda, Mr. Aikerson was asked to give a presentation to the board, staff and community members present. He noted that he has served in multiple leadership positions in public education, including teacher, principal and superintendent. Specifically, he served for six years as superintendent of Tuscumbia City Schools (2015-2021). Prior to that, he served as Director of Federal Programs for the Bessemer City Schools for 21 years.
More recently, Aikerson served three months in 2024 as interim superintendent for the Selma City School System. According to Aikerson, Selma City Schools were having financial challenges once the ESSER Funds were depleted. “Much of these funds had been applied to high salaries, which the system could not continue,” he said. He also stated that he left the Selma City Schools in a good condition.
Responding to board inquiries on his style of administrative leadership, Aikerson noted the following: Leadership starts with building relationships; that always comes first; that’s more important. I will communicate regularly with individual board members, meet principals and administrators, connect with parents including attending PTA meetings, athletic and other school events.”
In closing, Aikerson said, “ I am available to contract with the board as a consultant to help with the seamless transition with the new superintendent.”
Following questions from the community members, Board Vice President, Veronica Richardson, moved to accept Mr. Aikerson as interim superintendent. Ms. Carrie Dancy seconded. There was unanimous approval. A second motion, authorizing the Board President Leo Branch and Vice President Richardson, along with Board Attorney Hank Sanders, to work out the details with Mr. Aikerson, was made by board member Brandon Merriweather, seconded by board member Veronica Richardson. The board gave unanimous approval. President Branch stated that the timeline of the arrangements with Mr. Aikerson will be worked out in the negotiations.
The meeting was adjourned.
School board calls meeting to transfer investments and update bank signatures
The Greene County Board of Education held a called meeting on Thursday, September 25, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. in the Central Office Auditorium with a focus on administrative issues. Board member present included Robert Davis, Veronica Richardson, Brandon Merriweather and Board President Leo Branch. Carrie Dancy was absent. Administrative items included: – Closure of a Certificate of Deposit (CD) with Synovus as of September 23, 2025.
Opening of Certificate of Deposit (CD) at the 13 month term rate with Merchants and Farmers Bank in Eutaw and necessary signature updates; out of state travel of GCHS football team and coaches to attend Atlanta Falcon game on November 16, 2025. Richardson made a motion to approve the items as a blanket; Davis seconded, and there was unanimous approval. The meeting was adjourned.
Lorenzo French with 103 votes defeated (60.5%) Sarah Duncan Brewer with 67 votes (39.4%) in the runoff election, yesterday for District 4 on the Eutaw City Council.
The total number of votes cast were 170 in the runoff to 167 in the election on August 26, which included incumbent Larrie Coleman, who finished third.
This completes the 2025 Eutaw Municipal elections, with Corey Cockrell elected as Mayor. Council members: Valerie Watkins, District 1, Jonathan Woodruff, District 2 and Tracey Hunter, District 3, were re-elected to another term. Lorenzo French, District 4 and Carrie Logan, District 5, are new members elected to the Council for an initial term of four years.
The Eutaw City Council will meet on Tuesday, September 30 at Noon at City Hall to certify the results of the runoff election.
The Mayor and Council members take office as of November 1, 2025, and will plan for their installation and their first meeting as a newly elected Eutaw City Council.
Lorenzo French, contacted after his victory said, “ I thank the voters of District 4 for coming back out a second time to vote in the runoff. I am thankful for the confidence the voters have in me.
“I plan to take a broad perspective of my duties to represent District 4 but also the larger entire community of Eutaw. I will be vigilant and aggressive in my leadership to insure progress for the residents of my district and the city as a whole. I look forward to working with the new mayor and councilmembers to move our city forward with unity and hard work on solving problems facing us.”
The Eutaw City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, September 9, 2025. Mayor Pro Temp, Tracey Hunter, presided in the absence of Mayor Latasha Johnson. All other councilmembers were present for the first meeting since the May 2nd certification of election results.
Corey Cockrell was elected Mayor of Eutaw in the August 26th municipal elections defeating incumbent Mayor Johnson by 526 to 417 votes. Council members for Districts 1, 2 and 3 – Valerie Watkins, Jonathan Woodruff and Tracie Hunter, were re-elected. Carrie Logan was elected to the District 5 council position. The newly elected Mayor and City Council will take office on November 1, 2025.
There is a run-off election in District 4 on next Tuesday, September 23, 2025, between Lorenzo French and Sarah Duncan Brewer. The polling place for District 4 is the Presbyterian Church, which will be open 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, for all eligible voters in District 4.
In new business, the Eutaw City Council:
• Approve Resolution No. 2025-12 appointing Johnnie M. Knott as Acting Absentee Manager, for the dates of September 16 for and 17, 2025, with a compensation of $125 a day.
• Approved registration, travel, lodging and per diem for Councilmembers Valerie Watkins and Tracey Hunter to attend the Alabama Association of Regional Councils in Point Clear, Alabama on October 26-29, 2025. R
• Approved registration and meals for Officer Tyler Johnson to attend Alabama Canine Law Enforcement Training in Northport, Alabama on September 9-15,2025.
• Approved Restaurant Liquor License for Bayou Blue Cajun Bristo, LLC which was previously operated by the Cajun Café Restaurant,
• Approved payment of bills.
• Agreed to cancel the next regular meeting on September 23, due to the Run-off election and to schedule a meeting at Noon on September 30, 2025, to certify the results of the run-off election.
Councilwoman Valerie Watkins reported standing water on Brown and Roebuck streets and in the 200 block of Chambers Court, this water may indicate a water leak for the city employees to repair.
Joe Powell, Assistant Clerk, gave all the council members and newly elected members, an information sheet from the Alabama League of Municipalities about require training for municipal officials. Under Alabama Law 2024-194, all city officials are required to complete 10 hours of training annually for a total of 40 hours in their first term in office, starting January 1, 2025. Officials must complete a core curriculum of 20 hours comprised of twenty specific trainings from an approved list.
By Blackmansstreet Today
African Union joined the Group of 20, also known as the G20, which could have major implications for Africa’s role in global geopolitics.
As the continent faces various challenges, ranging from climate change to political instability and economic inequality, experts disagree on how big an impact G20 membership will have as the AU joins 20 of the world’s largest economies.
Seven African countries have experienced military-led coups since 2020, most recently Gabon and Niger, raising questions about political stability, the lack of which makes it harder to address pressing issues like terrorism and food shortages in many countries.
Permanent G20 membership signals the rise of a continent whose young population of 1.3 billion is set to double by 2050 and make up a quarter of the planet’s people.
Clark Atlanta University
By April Ryan, NNPA Corespondent
Multiple Historically Black Colleges and Universities are on lockdown and or canceling classes due to what are called “credible threats.”
Spelman, Clark Atlanta, Southern University A and M College, Bethune Cookman, Alabama State, Virginia State, and Hampton University are taking precautionary actions amid threats. Clarke University in Atlanta currently has a “shelter in place” order. These threats came a day after the deadly shooting of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University.
Reverand William Barber of Repairer of the Breach, in a written statement, says, “We are facing a dangerous moment in our nation—violence should not be justified when we disagree with someone’s politics, nor should it be justified to use lethal force and military power to repress vulnerable communities.” Regarding the threat against the HBCU campuses, the schools listed in this article decided to lock down and cancel classes after receiving threats.
North Carolina Congresswoman Alma Adams, Founder and Co-Chair of the Bipartisan, Bicameral HBCU Caucus, expressed, “I am distressed to learn that colleges and universities across the country are being forced into lockdown due to credible threats of violence against their campuses. I am actively monitoring these situations and am praying for the safety of everyone.”
Reverend Al Sharpton of the National Action Network says his organization is also monitoring the recent threats against these HBCUs, emphasizing, “We have seen too much violence on our campuses, whether it was the brazen murder of Charlie Kirk yesterday or the threats against these HBCUs today.” The civil rights leader stressed, “Colleges and Universities should be a place of free expression and debate in a way that’s respectful, engaging, and productive.” He emphasized that “what we have seen in the last two days is anything but that.”
In 2022, the FBI offered HBCU’s security training after a series of large-scale bomb threats against HBCUs during Black History Month that year.
Four Spirits Sculpture in Kelly Ingram Park in Birmingham, across the street from 16th. Baptist Church, the two boys killed on the same day, were added later.
By April Ryan, NNPA White House Correspondent
It is 62 years later after the death of the four little girls in the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, just weeks after the August 28, 1963, March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.
Democratic, Alabama Congresswoman Terri Sewell said this anniversary reminds us to reflect on issues our forefathers fought for during the most powerful movement in this nation: civil rights, voting rights, and civil liberties. Twelve years ago, the four little girls received the Congressional Gold Medal posthumously: Addie Mae Collins, Dennis McNair, Cynthia Wesley, and Carol Robertson.
Shavon Arline-Bradley of the National Council of Negro Women says we are commemorating one of the most gruesome acts of violence in our country’s history, where 4 Black Girls from Birmingham, AL lost their lives at the hands of White Supremacists.” Dr. Amos Brown, pastor of the Third Baptist Church of San Francisco, says of the heinous, deadly bombing that there was “no respect for our humanity,” feeling the crime emphasizes “they don’t see us as being human.”
Bradley also articulated,” Their sacrifice sparked the nation to come to grips with the harsh realities of what it meant to be Black in America.” The children were in church during the Sunday School hour when, “These innocent young girls sought to learn more about their faith and how to love thy neighbor as themselves,” when the deadly explosion occurred, adds Arline Bradley.
She also said, “Today, as we celebrate their contribution to the freedoms we enjoy today, let us be reminded that we shall overcome and victory belongs to those of us that fight for liberty and justice for all.” Meanwhile, there is a fifth survivor, Sara Collins Rudolph, Addie Mae’s sister, who lost her eyes and carries scars from the bombing.
Two young boys Virgil Ware and Johnny Robinson were also killed the same day in other parts of Birmingham and history has chosen to recognize them as part of the ‘hidden history’ of civil rights in the city.
Alabama Rep. Curtis Travis joins school board members, superintendent and GCHS staff at initial groundbreaking of Sports Complex Phase I. Public officials join school board members, superintendent and staff in ground breaking. GCHS scholars participate in groundbreaking ceremony
The Greene County Board of Education held its regular meeting, Monday, August 18, 2025 with all board members present. Two measures of particular note brought before the board including a recap of the ground breaking at Greene County High School, Friday, August 15, 2025, for Track & Field Project (Phase I of the Sports Complex at Greene County High School). The expected cost of Phase I will be approximately $1.9 million. The State Department of Education is providing a portion of the cost.
The second measure was the announcement by CSFO, Marquita Lennon, and a huge thank you to the Greene County Racing Commission for its disbursement of $210,003 to the school system for quarters 1 and 2. Lennon indicated that this revenue will be reported in next month’s financial packet.
The board approved the following personnel items recommended by Superintendent Dr. Corey Jones.
Employment for the 2025 – 2026 school year: Eulas Kirtdoll –7th/8th grade Social Studies teacher – RBMS, effective August 4, 2025; Erica Clayton – Paraprofessional – EPS, effective August 6, 2025; Dorethea Childs – Paraprofessional – RBMS, effective August 6, 2025; Khadijah Hunter – Long-term Substitute (SPED) – GCHS; Alicia McMillian – Custodian – 10 month.
Recall: Cedric Murry – 7th/8th grade Business Application teacher – RBMS, effective August 4, 202. Supplemental pay for Dr. Charlayne Jordan to serve as Truancy Officer for the district in the amount of $10,000. Supplemental pay for Rebecca Coleman to serve as Safety Coordinator for the district in the amount of $10,000.
Stipends for Coordinators of the Peer Helpers/Peer Helpers Plus Program in the amount of $562 50 per person for the 2024-2025 school year: Marilynn Knott, EPS; Shirley Noland, EPS; Dr. Rosalyn Griffin, RBMS; Kathryn Soule, RBMS; Angela Harkness, GCHS; Drenda Morton, GCHS; Tamika Thompson, GCHS; Barbara H. Martin, District.
Authorization of the following employees to work concessions and ticket booths for the 2025-2026 school year at the Greene County High School at a rate of $125 per game at the principal’s discretion: LaTanya Cockrell; Tracey Hunter; Sarah Brewer; Twelia Morris; Sharon Washington; Mary Henderson; Wanda Gaitor; Makane Morrow; Jacqueline Edwards – Custodial Services.
The board approved the following administrative items recommended by Dr. Jones.
* Travel for Greene County High School band to tour Jacksonville State University band facility and attend the HBCU Labor Day Classic in Jackson, MS on August 31 – Sept 1, 2025.
* Contract between the Greene County Board of Education and West Central Volleyball Officials Association for volleyball officials for the 2025 – 2026 school year at GCHS.
* Bid submitted by Birmingham Restaurant Supply, Inc. for serving line counters at Eutaw Primary School in the amount of $54,880 (Lowest bidder).
* Contract between Greene County Board of Education and Laura Stoppelbein, LLC to provide diagnostic evaluations to assist in the identification of students suspected of having autism.
* Agreement between the Greene County Board of Education and Grand Canyon University to participate in the Participant’s in Learning Serving program.
* Payment of all bills, claims, and payroll.
Bank reconciliations as submitted by Mrs. Marquita Lennon, CSFO.
The CSFO, Ms. Marquita Lennon presented the following Financial Snapshot as of July 31, 2025. Operating reserves total 8.18 months; cash reserves totaled 8.17 months, with all bank accounts reconciled. The general fun d balance was reported as $8,593,363.61, recon cilia g to the summary cash report. Accounts payable totaled $207,847.55; payroll register totaled $888,619.87, with total grade pay to in crude employer match items. Local Revenue; property taxes – $17,411.39; sales taxes – $106,496.62; other taxes – $ 5,918.36. Total – $129,826.37.
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