www.thehbcuadvocate.com Mississippi Valley FROM PAGE 1


on the Sunflower County Courthouse steps in March during the 2020 Women’s History Month celebration. The date and time will be announced soon.


“At MVSU, we pride ourselves


by putting students first, and Dr. Turnipseed is truly a faculty member who does just that. I congratulate her and the students on this outstanding accomplishment,”


said MVSU


President Dr. Jerryl Briggs. “Understanding the significance


of our nation’s history is extremely important


knowledge we can


because through this build


communities today,” he added. Civil


rights activist


stronger Charles


McLaurin of Indianola accompanied the MVSU team to present a case to the Sunflower County board detailing Hamer’s significance to Sunflower County and for the implementation of the historical marker. McLaurin,


along with several


other members of the Student Nonviolent


Coordinating Committee


(SNCC), escorted Hamer in 1962 as she made her first attempt to register to vote at the Sunflower County Courthouse. President Lyndon B. Johnson


signed the 1964 Voting Rights Act due in large measure to Hamer’s advocacy. Turnipseed said she’s appealing to the public to support this worthy cause and commemorate this true American heroine.


“My students have set a goal of $5,500 for the completion


of


the historical marker project,” said Turnipseed. “We hope to achieve this goal by January 30, 2020. Thus far, we have received a $3,000 commitment from the Sunflower County Board of Supervisors. We’re giving a special appeal to local churches, social groups, educational


individuals to get involved by making a


contribution for


institutions and the


remaining


balance.” The complete list of donors will be listed and acknowledged during the unveiling ceremony, Turnipseed said. According


to Turnipseed, the


marker will also ensure that visitors of the courthouse are aware of its


historical significance for years to come.


“At MVSU we sincerely care


about historical figures in American history. We want to make sure these cherished and important individuals are remembered in the sands of time,” she said. “Mrs. Hamer falls in this category of people, so we make it our sacred duty to honor her contributions, so that she is not forgotten.” Turnipseed said the project was also a great opportunity for MVSU students


to learn about


significance to American history. “MVSU is committed


Hamer’s to


positively impacting the quality of life and creating extraordinary educational opportunities for the Mississippi Delta and beyond,” she said. “This endeavor allows


MVSU students to reach


new heights by demonstrating their appreciation for the contributions that Mrs. Hamer and her contemporaries made to America.”


Hamer was born in Montgomery


County, MS on Oct. 6, 1917—the 20th and final child of Lou Ella and James Townsend.


Her parents were sharecroppers, and Hamer began working in


the


fields picking cotton when she was only 6-years-old. She learned to read and write and became one of the most important, passionate, and powerful voices of the civil and voting rights movements and a leader in the efforts for greater economic opportunities for African Americans, particularly for women.


acclaimed for


Hamer was internationally her uncompromising


fight to combat white supremacy, whilst being subjected to attacks and assassination attempts. Her work with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and her testimony at the 1964 National Democratic Party’s Convention on behalf of the Mississippi Freedom


Democratic


Party (MFDP) helped change the nation’s perspective on the true meaning of democracy in America. For more information,


or cassie.turnipseed@mvsu.edu. to


support the Fannie Lou Hamer historical marker project, contact Turnipseed


at (662) 347-8198 or


Volume 3 Number 3


The HBCU Advocate 13


Hampton University Band 'The Marching Force' Receives Proclamation from City


Representatives from The Marching Force and City Council members pose for a photo after the Proclamation was presented.


BY HAMPTON UNIVERSITY


HAMPTON, Va. – The Hampton University Band, “The Marching Force,” received a proclamation of recognition from the City of Hampton on Wednesday, January 8, for their service to the city. “Congratulations to the very


deserving Marching Force band for their acknowledgement from Mayor Donnie Tuck and the City of Hampton. Dr. Thomas L. Jones, his staff and the outstanding group of talented musicians and performers characterize not only Hampton University, but the entire Commonwealth of Virginia,” said Dr. William R. Harvey, Hampton University’s President.


Hampton Mayor Donnie Tuck presided over the City Council Meeting to introduce the band and read the official proclamation. “We are recognizing Hampton University’s ‘The Marching Force,’ who just returned from a trip


to


appreciate contribute


diverse cultures; and positively to the world


around them; Force is a grand


WHEREAS, The Marching example of the


positive impact of music on student engagement and success;


WHEREAS, over the years, the band has performed at many prestigious events, including


the


Inaugural Parade for President Barack Obama and the Honda Battle of the Bands; and


WHEREAS, most notably, The Marching Force performed at the 2020 New Year's Day Parade in Rome, Italy, and has been invited to perform in the 2020 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. NOW, THEREFORE, I, Donnie


Rome,


Italy, where they had the stature of performing in the New Year’s Day Parade,” Tuck said.


The Proclamation is as follows: “IN RECOGNITION OF THE HAMPTON UNIVERSITY MARCHING BAND ‘THE MARCHING FORCE’ IN THE CITY OF HAMPTON, VIRGINIA WHEREAS, the


2019-2020


Hampton University Marching Force consists of 195 students representing 28 states, the Bahamas, and the U.S. Virgin Islands;


WHEREAS, The Marching Force provides experiences assist students in their assume


ability responsibility; establish


which to a


professional attitude; gain self-confi- dence; develop a humanistic attitude toward life; become proficient in their area of musical specialization;


R. Tuck, Mayor, on behalf of the City Council of the City of Hampton, Virginia, do hereby recognize THE HAMPTON UNIVERSITY


MARCHING BAND ‘THE MARCHING FORCE’ in the City of Hampton, and urge all citizens to join me in celebrating the accomplishments of this organization in our community. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have


hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the City of Hampton, Virginia, to be affixed this Eighth Day of January, Two Thousand and Twenty.” Dr. Thomas L. Jones, Director


of Bands for HU was excited about the


officially honored by the City of Hampton for our dedication


recognition. “Tonight, we were to


excellence. Once again, our students continue to go above and beyond in everything they do. This is the first time the HU Band has been recognized in this way—yet another first for our band program and our university,” Dr. Jones said.


Photo courtesy of Hampton University


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