Allyson Felix, the most decorated track and field athlete in history, understands the challenges athlete moms face. The retired sprinter and mother of two is advocating for Olympic moms, leveraging her experience to provide them with better support during the upcoming Paris Olympics. Felix, who holds a record 20 World Championship medals and 11 Olympic medals, including seven golds, has teamed up with Pampers to create the first-ever Pampers Nursery in the Athletes Village at the Paris Olympics. This nursery will offer a space for Olympic moms to bond with, nurse and play with their babies, helping to alleviate some of the pressures of competition. “I just knew how difficult it was to compete at the top level after I had my daughter, and some practical things were really hard. And so when I joined the Athletes Commission of the IOC, I really wanted to be that voice for athlete moms, and just take away one less thing for them to worry about in the pressure of competition,” said Felix. The Pampers Nursery will be located in the heart of the Athlete Village Plaza, where athletes live during the games. It will be a place where athletes can step away and have private time with their babies, Felix said. “I think it really tells women that you can choose motherhood and also be at the top of your game and not have to miss a beat,” said Felix. Felix will be attending the Paris Olympics, but in a new capacity. She says she feels a mix of emotions as she prepares for her first Olympics in two decades without competing. There’s a bit of loss and grief, Felix said, but also excitement for this new chapter. “I’m bringing my whole family, and we will be able to take in the games and watch them with a lot less nerves. So I’m looking forward to that as well,” she said. For first-time Olympians, Felix offered simple advice. “Embrace it. This is a moment that does not come around, it’s not guaranteed. You have so much pride to represent your country and just really to take it all in and give it your absolute best.” Felix also shared her excitement about a $20 million grant from the Melinda French Gates Foundation to support Black maternal health. Upon learning about the grant, Felix said she was initially shocked and deeply humbled, especially after hearing that French Gates had been following her advocacy efforts. “I’m so humbled to receive it, and I’m excited to put the money to good work,” said Felix.
Generations of minor league baseball players have lived with the dream that they’ll get called up to the big leagues, playing in a Major League Baseball (MLB) game. Even announcers like Curt Bloom, the radio voice of the Birmingham Barons, had that dream, which was fulfilled two seasons ago when he was part of the broadcast crew for the Chicago White Sox, the parent club of the Barons. But Bloom admits that he couldn’t imagine that Birmingham’s Rickwood Field, the longtime home of the Birmingham Barons and the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro Leagues, would get the call to host an MLB game. “I never thought that Rickwood would get the call to the big leagues,” Bloom said. “It was our city jewel, our city gem. If you want to come see a game where Willie Mays played, you come to Birmingham. Now, come June 20, if you want to see where Willie Mays played, turn on your TV.” Mays is one of 182 Baseball Hall of Famers who have played at Rickwood. Those legends include Ty Cobb, Rogers Hornsby, Satchel Paige, Oscar Charleston, Mule Suttles, Josh Gibson, Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Ted Williams, Stan Musial, Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, Roberto Clemente, Rollie Fingers and Reggie Jackson. Willie Mays, died last week at 93, two days before the game to honor him and other Negro League players who got their start at Rickwood. Mays was revered for his hitting, fielding and base runni9ng abilities. He finished his career with 3286 hits, 660 home runs, 12 golden gloves, and a batting average of .302. Mays’ career spanned from 1951 to 1972 with the Giants, where he won a World Series in 1954, was a 24-time All-Star, and was a two-time National League MVP. And while he’s not in the Baseball Hall of Fame, Bo Jackson played at Rickwood as a prep star for McAdory High School, a collegiate slugger for the Auburn Tigers and as a pro with the Memphis Chicks. Jackson was the 1989 MLB All Star Game MVP with a leadoff homerun. Another football player, Auburn University’s and the New Orleans Saints’ Frank Warren, played a football game at Rickwood. His Phillips High School Red Raiders fell 7-3 to the West End Lions on Sept. 17, 1976. While those legends all got a chance at the big league America’s oldest baseball park is indeed getting its chance as it hosts the St. Louis Cardinals and the San Francisco Giants on June 20 in the MLB Tribute to the Negro Leagues. This is no preseason and it’s no exhibition. This is a real MLB game that has come to Birmingham. The game is part of a three-day baseball extravaganza where the real stars of the show are the ballpark that sits a block south of Third Avenue West and north of Lomb Avenue in the Fairview Neighborhood and the Negro League teams and players who applied their craft there. Where Hall of Famers Played Gerald Watkins is chairman of the Friends of Rickwood, the organization that has worked to maintain the baseball gem that is Rickwood. Rickwood Field opened August 18, 1910, to a wildly enthusiastic crowd that saw their beloved Birmingham Barons beat the Montgomery Climbers, and unknowingly made history. Rickwood was the newest ballpark in the land that day, and 114 years later, stands as the oldest baseball park in America. Industrialist A.H. “Rick” Woodward, for whom the ballpark was named, was not only the owner of the Barons. He never lost his passion for playing the game of his youth, inserting himself into the starting lineup on Rickwood’s opening day. Woodward threw the first pitch ever in his new ballpark. It was not a ceremonial pitch, but it was a ball. Since opening, Rickwood Field has been home to the Minor League Birmingham Barons, the Negro League Birmingham Black Barons and the Birmingham A’s, which was in the farm system of the Oakland A’s. When UAB Baseball began under coach Harry “The Hat” Walker, the Blazers played at Rickwood. “Rickwood Field was a true Field of Dreams,” Watkins said, “where someone like Willie Mays dreamed of playing in the big leagues.” The Birmingham Barons, a Double-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, played their final season at Rickwood in 1987 before heading to the Hoover Met. The Barons moved to their current home – Birmingham’s Regions Field – in 2013, when the team won a league-best seventh Southern League championship. “It’s a special place for baseball fans and history fans,” Watkins said. “Even folks who are on a Civil Rights trail will come here after they go to the (16th Street Baptist) Church and they go to the Civil Rights (Institute and) the Negro Southern League Museum. “We’re a tourist spot. A lot of folks don’t see that but we really are,” he said. “Over the years, we’ve had as many as 38 states represented and eight foreign countries. If you look at our guest book today, you won’t see anybody from local places. You’re gonna see people from out of town or out of the country.” These days, the message on Watkins’ cellphone refers callers to Major League Baseball in their pursuit of tickets to the Giants-Cardinals game. Alabama residents entered a lottery to have a chance at buying tickets to that game. That allotment of tickets sold out in 45 minutes. “The teams (Cardinals and Giants) have an amount and Major League Baseball has an amount,” Watkins said. “Those numbers are not known but they come out of the total somewhere, some way. In the overall ticket numbers, those come out before the (public) tickets go on sale.” Television Experience Capacity at Rickwood Field will be approximately 8,100, down from about 9,500 before the renovations. “We have lost some seating capacity due to the improvements that we made, allowing better access for handicapped individuals,” the Friends of Rickwood chairman said. “We will have to have areas for more press and there’ll be some VIP areas that we’ve never had to deal with before. But, as MLB looks at it, they’re thinking about a television game.” That television experience will be enhanced by a Jumbotron that will be temporally installed in right centerfield. While access to the Major League game is limited, the MLB (Minor League Baseball) game between the Biscuits and Barons and the Barnstorm Birmingham softball contest will have greater access. Prices for Barnstorm Birmingham tickets are $24 in a nod to Birmingham’s own, the great Willie Mays, whose jersey number was 24. As with the other games, MLB will make a select number of tickets for Barnstorm Birmingham available for free to local youth and community groups. Watkins said he’s learned from his conversations with Major League Baseball that it is interested in coming back for a second game. “There’s no guarantees, but we have been told that the main thing we have to do is keep the field up at a Major League level,” he said. “That means we can’t overplay on it. That means we’ve got to make sure it’s cut properly, it’s watered properly, all the chemicals are applied properly.” Simply put, Birmingham must keep its gem polished.
By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
Major League Baseball (MLB) has taken a historic step to rectify a long-standing oversight by officially incorporating Negro Leagues statistics into its historical record. Starting today, the achievements of approximately 2,300 Negro Leagues players will be recognized alongside those of MLB legends like Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb.
For decades, Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb were celebrated as the greatest figures in baseball, with Ruth hailed as the best player and Cobb as the premier hitter. However, these narratives often excluded African American athletes whose contributions were underreported or dismissed. This exclusion persisted despite the talents that led to Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier in 1947 as the first Black player in the modern Major Leagues.
MLB Commissioner Robert Manfred announced this significant change three years ago, emphasizing the league’s commitment to correcting a historical wrong by elevating the Negro Leagues to “Major League” status. John Thorn, an MLB historian, and the Negro Leagues Statistical Review Committee have been responsible for the meticulous process of officially incorporating Negro Leagues stats into MLB records. The team has been reviewing thousands of box scores and other historical data to integrate the statistics of the seven Negro Leagues into MLB’s database.
Josh Gibson, a standout in the Negro Leagues, will now lead multiple batting categories. His career batting average, slugging percentage, and OPS surpass those of Ty Cobb and Babe Ruth. While some of Gibson’s legendary feats, such as the nearly 800 home runs mentioned on his Hall of Fame plaque, will not be included, many of his official stats will now be recognized.
Thorn hailed the decision as “not only righting a social, cultural, and historical wrong, it’s defining baseball as a game for Americans without exclusion.” He emphasized that baseball is a sport of tradition, but its capacity for profound change is equally significant. To honor the Negro Leagues, MLB will host a tribute game on June 20 at Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama—the oldest professional baseball park in the U.S. Players will don period uniforms and pay tribute to legendary center fielder Willie Mays, an Alabama native.
With the integration of these statistics, players like Buck Leonard, Buck O’Neil, Cool Papa Bell, Doc Sykes, Monte Irvin, Leroy Satchel Paige, and Gibson will finally receive their due recognition. Fans will now appreciate the true scope of their talents and achievements.
Sean Gibson, the great-grandson of Josh Gibson and executive director of the Josh Gibson Foundation, expressed the family’s excitement over this acknowledgment. “We always considered him a major league; he just didn’t play in the major leagues,” Sean Gibson told NBC Sports. He is eager to see how his great-grandfather’s stats compare to those of other MLB legends.
Reflecting on this milestone, he added, “If Josh Gibson was alive right now, he’d be honored. He’ll probably wonder why it took so long. He’ll be happy for all the other baseball players, and more importantly he’ll be excited for his family to carry on his legacy.”
Alabama Association of School Business Officials (AASBO) has selected Greene County CSFO, Mrs. Marquita Lennon to participate in the organization’s 2024 Leadership Program. The objective of AASBO Leadership is to develop future leaders in school business management to help improve the quality of education in Alabama and their respective communities. Mrs. Marquita Lennon was selected to be one of 12 CSFO’s out of 137 CSFO’s in the state of Alabama.
The Greene County Board of Education held its regular session, Monday, May 20, 2024 with all members present along with Superintendent Dr. Corey Jones and CSFO Mrs. Marquita Lennon. In his report to the board, Dr, Jones stated that 90% of Eutaw Primary School 3rd grade scholars scored at reading proficiency level, a significant increase from the previous year. Jones noted that only 6 students did not score on proficiency level, out of 61 students, but they can enroll in summer school classes and retake the ACAP exam. “We have encouraged the parents to please get their children in summer school to prepare for another opportunity to move on to the 4th grade,” he said. Jones also explained that student scores in remaining grade levels will be released in June. Dr. Jones gave a special salute to Mrs. Marquita Lennon for her selection into the AASBO Leadership Program. He presented the following positive school news. Robert Brown Middle: Teacher and staff appreciation held May 6-10; Athletic Banquet held May 7 with scholars receiving certificates and trophies; Honors Program held May 8; May Day held May 10; 8th grade graduation held May 14, where Sheriff Jonathan Benison presented $150 Walmart gift cards to 65 eighth graders. ARLA presented tokens of appreciation to students in Math and Science. Greene County High: Senior Honors Day held May 1, acknowledging student scholarships from colleges and other organizations; Sheriff Jonathan Benison presented the following awards – Valediction received $15,000; Salutatorian received $10,000; student ranking third received $6,000; students ranking 4-11received $2,000; students ranking 12-50 received $1,000. GCHS graduation was held May 16. Greene County Career Center: Dr. Jones shared a video featuring students speaking about their experiences in Career Center programs. He noted that 10 Welding students graduated from Wallace Community College Selma, including 8 juniors and 2 seniors. Modern Manufacturing scholars participated in West Alabama Works Signing Day. Cosmetology Hair Show was held May 2. Onsite Facilities and Compliance Review completed May 17. School construction and Renovation Projects Update: New flooring and roof completed at Eutaw Primary School. All units and materials for the HVAC Project at RBMS have been delivered to the site. Mr. Otis Robinson agreed to clean up all debris at Peter J. Kirksey site at no cost. Dr. Jones reported that three new buses have been delivered and three additional buses are on order, which will provide air conditioned buses for all students. “ We also have a fleet renewal funding plan in place,” he stated. The board approved the following personnel actions recommended by Superintendent Jones. * Catastrophic Sick Leave for Angela Jones, Elementary Teacher, Eutaw Primary School. * Retirement for Cindy Taylor, Truancy Officer for the system, effective June 1, 2024. * Rescinding resignation of James Gaines, Transportation Supervisor. * Resignations: J’Kia Carpenter, Teacher Aide, Eutaw Primary School, effective April 22, 2024. Shafontaye Myers, 6th grade teacher, Robert Brown Middle School, effective May 24, 2024. Alanda A. McEwen, Ed. D, Counselor, Robert Brown Middle School, effective June 11, 2024. Nicole Henley, Health Science teacher, Greene County Career Center, effective June 1, 2024. Employment: Dena Jordan, 7th/8th grade Math TEAMS teacher at RBMS; LaJeffery Carpenter, Bus Driver. * Supplemental Contracts – Separate Contract (Spring Football): Corey Cockrell- Head Coach; Zaddrick Smith- Assistant Coach. * Letters of termination for “Additional Services” contracts to the following employees: (Separate Contract): Greene County High School – Janice Jeames-Askew, Athletic Director; Corey Cockrell, Head Football Coach; Zachary Smith, Assistant Football; Denzel Davis, Assistant Football/ Assistant Baseball; Victoria Moore, Head Volleyball/ Head Girls track/Assistant Softball; Torethia Moore, Assistant Volleyball/Assistant Basketball/Head Softball; Rodney Wesley, Head Boys Varsity Basketball/Assistant Boys Track; Howard Crawford, Head JV Boys Basketball/Head Boys Track; Shafontaye Myers, Head Girls Basketball; Ashley Moody, Assistant Girls Basketball; Quentin Walton, Head Baseball; Halven Carodine, Assistant Boys Basketball. Robert Brown Middle School – Henry Miles, Head Football Coach/Assistant Basketball Coach Boys; Quentin Walton, Head Basketball Coach Girls/Boys/Assistant Football Coach; Tyneshia Fulghum, Cheerleading Coach; J’Kia Carpenter, Assistant Basketball Coach Girls. * Personnel for Summer Learning program: June 3 -27, 2024, from 8:00 am until 1:00 pm – Monday – Thursday: Eutaw Primary School – Carla Durrett, Lead Teacher; Gwendolyn Webb-Paraprofessional; Pamela Pasteur; Pamela McGee; Montoya Binion; LaShaun Henley; Keisha Williams; Shana Lucy Walter Taylor. Robert Brown Middle – Felecia Smith, Lead Teacher; Vanessa Bryant; Demetris Lyles; Raven Bryant; Pinkie Travis, Teacher Assistant; Mary Hobson, Special Services Paraprofessional; Brenda Lawerence, Nurse; Delois Brantley, -Custodian; Michelle Williams, Custodian. Greene County High – Janice Jeames, Lead Teacher; Sylvia Williams; Drenda Morton; Clifford Reynolds; Angela Harkness; Tameshia Porter; Victoria Moore; Tura Edwards; Dr. Dutchess Jones; Rodney Wesley – (Alternate as needed); Jacqueline Edwards – Custodian. Greene County Career Center – Shamyra Jones, ACCESS Facilitator for Career Preparedness; Tweila Morris, ACCESS Facilitator for Career Preparedness (Alternate as needed). Transportation: (Drivers, bus aides and alternates) – Eddie Coats; William Mack; George Pippen; James Gaines; Marilyn Finch; Ayanna Crawford; Carla Russell; Johnny Pelt; Gerald Holloway; Stanley Lucious; Garria Spencer; Carla Russel; Jerdin Grays; Natasha Lewis; James Powell; Arleen Jackson; Coresha Walton; Denise Horton. Summer Feeding Program workers for Eutaw Primary School and Greene County High School at a rate of $19 per hour for managers and $17 per hour for cooks for six hours per day for four days a week beginning June 3 – June 27, 2024. (These schools will be used as satellite kitchens): Youlonda Coleman, Manager; Sandy Wilson, Manager; Mary Hill, Cook; Romonda Askew, Cook; Jimirriam Roscoe, Cook; Rosie Mae Davis, Cook. Non-renewal of the following employees: Eutaw Primary School – Barbara Woods, CNP Cook; Sharon Jones, CNP Cook; Quenterica White, Elementary teacher; Sarah Crawford, Elementary teacher; Zaddrick Smith, P.E. teacher. Robert Brown Middle School – Quentin Walton, 6th grade; Jordan Pelt, 6th grade; Tyneshia Fulghum, 6th grade; Valencia Moore, Special Services; Denzel Davis, In-School Suspension Specialist; Tyletha Lord, Media Specialist. The board approved the following administrative items: * Contractual Agreement for Greene County Board of Education and Denise Horton to serve as Behavioral Aide for the system FY 2024- 2025. * Ms. Denise Horton to serve as the behavioral aide for the summer learning program (June 2024). * Agreement between Greene County Board of Education and Kim Herren to provide developmental services for pre-school children during the 2024- 2025 school year. * Agreement between Greene County Board of Education and Quitt Consulting to provide speech-language therapy services for children in Greene County for the 2024-2025 school year. * Agreement between Greene County Board of Education and Tammy W. Lewis MSCCC-SLP to provide speech services for the 2024-2025 school year. * Agreement between Greene County Board of Education and Behavioral Solutions of Mississippi for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Consultative Services and Functional Behavioral Assessments/Behavioral Intervention Plans for students displaying behavioral issues for the 2024-2025 school year. * Out-of-State travel for Shirley Stewart to attend the School Nutrition Association’s upcoming Annual National Conference in Boston, MA, July 14-16, 2024. * Service Contract between Greene County Board of Education and Zachary Rutledge to develop and provide a Dual Enrichment (Welding Level I Lab) program for students at Greene County Career Center. * Agreement between the Greene County Board of Education and West Alabama Therapy, LLC to provide physical and occupational therapy to IDEA eligible students for the 2024-2025 school year. * Agreement between the Greene County Board of Education, Special Services, and H&H Educational Services, LLC to provide psychometric services for the 2024-2025 school year. * Greene County School District Credit Recovery Plan 2024. * Permission for Otis Robinson to clean Peter J. Kirksey property at no cost. * Contract between Greene County High School and West Central Official Association to supply football officials for Spring Game, retroactive to May 7, 2024. * 4-day work week for all extended employees beginning June 3, 2024 and ending July 26, 2024. * Certificate of Affirmation of School Board Member for Leo Branch, Carrie Dancy, Veronica Richardson, Brandon Meriwether, Robert Davis. * Out of State Travel request for Paula Calligan to replace Angela White attending the SREB Conference in Nashville, TN, July 9-12, 2024. * Permission to publicly sell or dispose of surplus items according to Perkins guidelines. * Payment of all bills, claims, and payroll. Bank reconciliations as submitted by Mrs. Marquita Lennon, CSFO. CSFO Marquita Lennon presented Financial Snapshot Report as of April 30, 2024.Operating reserve – 5.53 (months) Combined General Fund reserve; 4.07 (months) Cash Reserve. All bank accounts have been reconciled. General Fund Balance totaled $5,008,743.80 (reconciles to the Summary Report). Accounts Payable Check Register totaled $696,547.91. Payroll Register totaled $938,338.36 (total gross pay to include employer match item). Combined Ending Fund Balance totaled $6,808,512.46. Local Revenue: Property Taxes – $36,134.29; Sales taxes – $98,351.50; Other Taxes – $2,429.12; Total – $139,914.91.
This past Saturday morning, May 4, 2024, Dr. Corey Jones, Superintendent of Greene County School Board held a public kickoff celebration for the construction of a $6 million Sports Complex to serve the students and residents of Greene County.
The Sports Complex will include three phases. Phase 1 includes a Football Field with bleachers, lighting, a press box, entrance plaza, which will be surrounded by a running track and broad jump and pole-vaulting areas for Track and Field, toilets, and a concession area. Phase 2 will construct a Football Fieldhouse with home and visitors dressing areas. Phase 3 will include a Softball and Baseball Complex, with toilets and concession stand.
The Greene County Board of Education, with help from our state legislative delegation of Senator Bobby Singleton and Representative Curtis Travis, secured $1.1 million, from the Lieutenant Governor’s Discretionary Fund for Educational Capital Projects, to begin Phase 1 of the project this year. The Board has established a “Sport Complex Committee” of community leaders and volunteers to give advice and help to raise funds for the project.
At the Kickoff celebration, there were several large placards with drawings of the potential elements of the Sports Complex. One of which we have photographed and included with this news story.
Superintendent Jones explained the project at the Kickoff celebration. He was joined by Eutaw Mayor Latasha Johnson , Coach James E. Morrow, from the City Council of Boligee, Representative Curtis Travis and Board President, Leo Branch of the Greene County Board of Education, in giving greetings and support for the project. The Greene County High School Band and Cheer-Leaders performed several musical and dance numbers.
The initial $1.1 million will be spent on preparing the football field, constructing the track and field areas, and as much of the other facilities that the funds can be stretched to purchase. McKee and Associates of Montgomery, an architecture firm with experience designing schools and school facilities, has been contracted to provide architectural design and inspection services. Contractors will be asked to bid on elements of the project.
The Sports Complex Committee has been meeting regularly to discuss strategies to raise private funds from citizens, organizations, churches, business, and other sources to help match public funds that may become available for the project.
Leo Branch, President of the Greene County School Board, commented, “We want to have a way for everyone, from the smallest donors to the largest, to participate in helping to build this project. We plan to sell bricks or stones, which will be engraved with the names of donors, to construct walkways at the Sports Complex. We also want to offer large corporations that operate in our communities, like Love’s Truckstop, RockTenn, Alabama Power, Consolidated Catfish, Black Warrior Electric, Colonial Pipeline and others, the naming rights on the football field, buildings, and other facilities at the Sports Complex.”
Anyone interested in supporting the Sport Complex Committee may contact the Greene County Board of Education and Superintendent Corey Jones, at 220 Main Street, Eutaw, Al 35462, phone 205-372-3109.
By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
A bill introduced this month in the Alabama Legislature aims to revise the state’s holiday calendar by adding Juneteenth as a recognized state holiday. The proposed legislation, known as HB367, also proposes that state offices will no longer close on Confederate President Jefferson Davis’s birthday, sparking debate among lawmakers and activists.
The bill seeks to amend Section 138 of the Code of Alabama 1975, which currently lists holidays resulting in state office closures. Under the existing law, state offices close on holidays such as Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee’s birthday, and Confederate Memorial Day.
Alabama GOP Rep. Chris Sells of Greenville, the original proponent of the bill, proposed that government employees could decide whether to take off the first Monday in June for Confederate President Jefferson Davis’s birthday or Juneteenth on June 19. Sells asserted that this proposal does not add another holiday to the existing 13 state holidays, addressing concerns raised by some state legislators. The national average of state holidays is 17, four more than Alabama currently recognizes.
However, Alabama Democratic Rep. Chris England of Tuscaloosa argued against the proposal, stating that there are already three state holidays recognizing the Confederacy, making it unnecessary to give employees an either/or choice between Davis’s birthday and Juneteenth.
The controversial bill comes on the heels of Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves declaring April 2024 as Confederate Heritage Month in that state, which reportedly keeps alive a 31-year-old tradition that began in 1993. Beauvoir, the Biloxi museum and historic home of Jefferson Davis, which receives funding from the state, announced the proclamation in a Facebook post.
The Mississippi Free Press reported that Beauvoir is owned and operated by the Sons of Confederate Veterans, a neo-Confederate organization that promotes “Lost Cause” ideology, a revisionist history that whitewashes the Confederacy’s racist past and downplays the role of slavery in the Civil War. The Free Press noted that Beauvoir annually receives $100,000 from the State of Mississippi for development and maintenance.
Meanwhile, the Alabama bill has faced criticism from activists and community leaders. Tuscaloosa County NAACP President Lisa Young expressed concerns over honoring Jefferson Davis, citing his legacy of racist comments and outward support of slavery.
“Confederate President Jefferson Davis left a legacy of racist comments and outward support of slavery, making many feel a holiday in his honor is inappropriate,” said Young. “One of Davis’s most infamous comments is ‘Our inferior, fitted expressly for servitude.’ We clearly know in 2024 that African Americans have contributed greatly to the growth of the United States and civilization across the world. So, we know that’s a falsehood. And we don’t want to celebrate anybody who held those beliefs.”
Young described Juneteenth as a learning holiday for the entire state. “Juneteenth represents the day the last slaves in the country learned of their freedom,” she said. “We do better when we know better.”
If passed, the proposed legislation will add Juneteenth to the list of recognized holidays in Alabama and introduce Mrs. Rosa L. Parks Day, set for the first day of December each year. If approved by the Alabama Legislature, the bill is scheduled to take effect on October 1, 2024.
L to R : Paris Henderson, Madison Mills and Katelyn Perry and Debutantes : Kalyjah Allen, Paris Henderson, Shaniah Jones, Amber Lewis, Madison Mills, Tia Moore, Katelyn Perry, Ariel Richardson, Hannah Robinson. Escorts : Demarcus Allen, Darrack Davis, TJ Hatch, Jayden Lewis, Marcus Steele II, Tavis White , Camden Williams, John Foster
Greene County Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated held its 38th Debutante Ball on Saturday, April 6, 2024 at the Eutaw Activity Center in Eutaw, AL. Nine lovely young ladies made their debut to families and friends.
Debutante Madison Mills of Tuscaloosa, AL was crowned Miss Debutante 2024. First Runner up was Debutante Katelyn Perry of Moundville, AL and Second Runner up was Debutante Paris Henderson of Epes, AL.
The guests enjoyed an elegant evening that was An Extraordinary Affair. Dr. Florence Williams is the Chapter President and Mrs. Nancy Cole and Ms. Sharon White were Committee Co-Chairs.
Dr. Dionne Edison is an educator, author, crafter and artist. These activities are opportunities to learn by doing, telling stories through crafting/art and facilitating financial stability.
As an author, she has published two books. The MARCH OF THE C.O.W.S: Creatures of Wonderful Simplicity, is a whimsical book featuring cows. The pictures are scenes she photographed around Greene County, Alabama. THIS IS MY FATHERS’ WORD is a compilation of Rev. Milton Hurst’s sermon notes. She collaborated with daughter, Asenath Edison, to publish SUCCESS BEYOND ACADEMICS: How to Set Expectations for Life. Initially for high school students, this book is ideal for guidance in developing other transitioning plans in life.
She has also contributed to three anthologies. Pam Ryans was the lead on the collaborative effort for PEN IT! vol. 1, and PEN IT! vol. 2: The People’s Accounts, Emotions, and Thoughts of 2020 by Pam Ryan. They dealt with observations of life and COVID-19. Voices of Valor by Dr. Mary Gaskins gives voice to stories of African Americans that would otherwise be lost in time.
Arts and craft skills serve as therapy, opportunities for self-expression and financial resources. She is passionate about crochet, drawing and painting. These activities provide visual perspectives when words fail. She enjoys working with youth using arts and crafts to develop transferable skills in science, technology, engineering, math, marketing, business, and self-care. Dr. Edison says, Share your story. Each one, reach one, touch one, teach one. Everyone has a story to tell. Take time to share and listen. The message may not be for you but for someone you meet.”
Feb. 19, 2024 (GIN) – Kelvin Kiptum, a superstar of long distance running and the first man to run the marathon in under 2 hours, died tragically in a late night car crash in western Kenya.
He died along with his coach, Gervais Hakizimana , when he veered off the road into a ditch and hit a large tree, the authorities said. He and Hakizimana were killed instantly. A third person in the car, Sharon Kosgei, was injured. Kiptum was 24 years old.
His record of world records began with his first marathon in Valencia, Spain, in 2022, with a winning time of 2:01:53. At the London Marathon in 2023, he crushed the field to win in 2:01:25, the second-fastest time in history, 16 seconds short of the world record of 2:01:09 held by Eliud Kipchoge, also of Kenya.
Finally, he broke a new world record at the Chicago Marathon, obliterating the world record with a score of 2:00:35
Kiptum was born on Dec. 2, 1999, in Chepsamo, Kenya. As a young man, he worked as a goat herder and trained as an electrician before deciding to become a runner.
In an interview with the BBC, coach Hakizimana recalled the little boy herding livestock barefoot. “It was in 2009, I was training near his father’s farm, he’d come kicking at my heels, and I would chase him away.”
News of Kiptum’s death brought tributes from Kenya, throughout Africa and across the world of road running. William Ruto, Kenya’s president, wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “Kiptum was our future. An extraordinary sportsman has left an extraordinary mark in the globe.”
Kiptum’s victories came at a time when nearly 300 athletes from Kenya were being punished for using banned substances, tarnishing the country’s image as a running powerhouse.
As a result, the 23-year-old record-holder — who has not been accused of doping — found himself defending not only what he had done in Chicago, but what he had not. His record time, he said, was the product of running 150 miles or more per week at altitude, not the use of banned substances.
“My secret is training,” he said. “Not any other thing.”
World Athletics president Sebastian Coe offered his condolences. “We are shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the devastating loss of Kelvin Kiptum and his coach,” he wrote. “An incredible athlete leaving an incredible legacy, we will miss him dearly.”,
Kiptum’s survivors include his wife and two children.
Meanwhile, in Cairo, around 10,000 runners participated in a Run for Gaza marathon. Ticket sales will be used for much needed humanitarian aid for the people in the Gaza Strip
Runners from 30 different countries took part, with French participant Lauren Cocula telling the AP news: “If we don’t save people in Gaza, we are going to just fail humanity as humans so I think it is important.”
The event was organized by Egyptian minister of Social Solidarity Nevin Al-Qabbaj in cooperation with the Egyptian Tribal and Families Council, the Minister of Environment Yasmine Fouad and the Minister of Youth and Sports.
By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
President Biden continues to make significant strides in alleviating the student loan debt crisis, announcing the approval of debt cancellation for an additional 74,000 student loan borrowers. The latest action contributes to the record-breaking relief the administration has provided to more than 3.7 million Americans.
Earlier this month, Biden announced the accelerated implementation of a crucial provision under the Student Aid for Voluntary Education (SAVE) plan, which the administration said has helped 3.6 million Americans by canceling their student debt. Biden said the plan aims to create a more affordable student loan repayment structure while providing life-changing support to students and their families.
“Today, my administration approved debt cancellation for another 74,000 student loan borrowers across the country, bringing the total number of people who have had their debt canceled under my administration to over 3.7 million Americans through various actions,” Biden said in a statement on Jan. 19.
The beneficiaries of the latest round of relief include nearly 44,000 teachers, nurses, firefighters, and other public service professionals who have earned forgiveness after a decade of dedicated service. Additionally, close to 30,000 individuals who have been in repayment for at least 20 years without receiving relief through income-driven repayment plans will now see their debts forgiven.
Biden credited the success of these relief efforts to the corrective measures taken to address broken student loan programs. He asserted that these fixes have removed barriers preventing borrowers from accessing the relief they were entitled to under the law.
The president outlined the broader achievements of his administration in supporting students and borrowers, including achieving the most significant increases in Pell Grants in over a decade, aimed at assisting families with incomes below approximately $60,000 per year. Other accomplishments include fixing the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program and introducing the most generous income-driven repayment plan in history, known as the SAVE plan, he said.
Borrowers are encouraged to apply for this plan at studentaid.gov. In response to challenges, including the Supreme Court’s decision on the student debt relief plan, Biden affirmed the administration’s commitment to finding alternative paths to deliver relief to as many borrowers as possible, as quickly as possible.
“From Day One of my administration, I vowed to improve the student loan system so that higher education provides Americans with opportunity and prosperity, not the unmanageable burdens of student loan debt,” Biden asserted. “I won’t back down from using every tool at our disposal to get student loan borrowers the relief they need to reach their dreams.”
