The Mississippi Link

Nearly 100 people came out for the media reception to launch the inaugural edition of Who’s Who in Black Mississippi.

Held at the Roberts Walthall downtown Jackson, Sept. 15, the reception gave attendees an opportunity to meet the corporate sponsors and learn more about the publication.

The Mississippi publication is the newest member of the Who’s Who Publishing Company dynasty. Who’s Who is the nation’s largest annual directory publisher, targeting the African-American market.

Who’s Who in Black Mississippi is an historic publication, because it is the first statewide publication in the Who’s Who family. The other publications highlight African Americans in various cities.

“It was profitable for us to start a state book,” said Who’s Who Publishing National Sales Vice President Carter Womack. “We are excited as we launch this state book.”

The book will highlight the outstanding accomplishments of black Mississippians and is expected to have a positive economic impact on the City of Jackson and the State of Mississippi.

According to associate publisher Juanita Sims Doty, Ph.D., Mississippi has much to share with the world. “With the state of Mississippi having a 37 percent African-American population, this will be a great way of documenting and spreading the good news about our people,” Doty said as she announced the publication. “Certainly, we want the world to know about the diversity of our outstanding talented Mississippians.”

In addition to highlighting outstanding Mississippians, Who’s Who in Black Mississippi will serve as a teaching tool for students throughout the state.

A social studies curriculum will be written as a companion to this publication.

“Each person featured in the book must agree to visit schools and speak to students throughout the state about their accomplishments,” added Doty. Veteran educator I. D. Thompson will write the companion curriculum.

Also former U.S. Rep. Mike Espy will write the foreword for the inaugural edition of Who’s Who In Black Mississippi™. Espy is the former secretary of agriculture in the first Clinton administration, and served in the U. S. House of Representatives as the first African-American member since the Reconstruction era.

Espy said, “Our history is replete with stories of professional success, academic development, business achievement, and political power of many who persevered against the odds. This important first edition will no doubt serve as a seminal resource in our schools to provide inspiration to our children.”

Who’s Who in Black Mississippi will be financed by corporate sponsors. Current sponsors include: Entergy, Regions Bank, the Mississippi Development Author-ity, and the Jackson Convention and Visitors Bureau.

For more information about the Who’s Who in Black Mississippi or to become a sponsor, contact Juanita Sims Doty at 601-566-9039 or via email at jsdoty@comcast.net.

See reception highlights on page 17 of The Mississippi Link print edition and e-edition.