James ‘Lap’ Baker: One who answered the call of servitude

By Alice Thomas-Tisdale

JA Publisher Emerita

Mr. James “Lap” Baker, everyone’s “go to guy”, succumbed January 30, 2026, at his home in Clinton, MS. He was 77. A Celebration of Life service will be held Friday, February 13, 2026, 11:00 a.m. at his beloved Lynch Street CME Church (2175 J.R. Lynch St., Jackson, MS), where he was instrumental in establishing a summer youth reading program.

Baker was born on July 5, 1948, to John Lee Baker and Catherine King Baker in Picayune, MS. He was a beloved alumnus and survivor of the tragic 1970 Jackson State University campus shooting that claimed the lives of two students. 

On that fateful night of May 14 and into the early hours of May 15, 1970, Baker witnessed the chaos and recalled crawling on his hands and knees dodging police gunfire that resulted in the deaths of Phillip Gibbs and James Earl Green. Dozens were injured and 12 others were shot.

Throughout his life, Baker became a leading voice in commemorating this tragedy and fiercely challenged the narrative that misrepresented the events, attributing the violence to racial injustice. 

“Lap Baker dedicated much of his life to keeping the memories of James Earl Green and Phillip Lafayette Gibbs alive. He was instrumental in guaranteeing that Jackson State would continue to honor their lives and those of the survivors. We all owe him a huge debt of gratitude. He will be missed,” said Robert Luckett, Ph.D., director of the JSU Margaret Walker Center which coordinates the annual Gibbs-Green observance.

In a poignant moment in May 2021, Baker and fellow members of the Class of 1970 were finally awarded their degrees, 51 years after their original graduation ceremony was canceled due to the unrest that day. 

Baker continued his studies at San Jose State University where he earned a master’s degree. He would later dedicate 24 years to teaching at JSU, inspiring countless students and fostering dialogue around social justice and equality through his volunteerism. He also gave voice through his poetry and music.

Baker was highly regarded as a women’s advocate. He not only supported women-owned businesses such as the Jackson Advocate and Geri’s Half Masks but women in public service, including former Rep. Alyce G. Clarke, Hinds County Chancery Clerk Eddie Jean Carr, and his hometown shero, Felicia Breland, the first Black female Mississippi Highway Patrol officer.

Besides his family, church, and community, including Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Baker was most proud of breaking barriers to protect the environment. The following is a reprint from the Mississippi Chapter of the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) recognizing him for his contributions. He served SWANA for 20 years, and is the first African-American to serve on the board of directors and as vice president and president.

SWANA: Tell us briefly about your experience in the solid waste management industry.

BAKER: My experience in the solid waste management industry began in 1996 when I was employed as the Director of Planning and Administration for the Hinds County Department of Public Works. I had to monitor solid waste and illegal dumping activities and wrote the Hinds County Solid Waste Management Plan of Hinds County for 17 years. I had no staff in my division. 

However, I created the first surveillance program for illegal dumping in the history of Mississippi for Hinds County. There was a 45% reduction in illegal dumping in Hinds County after the first year of the program. I created the waste tire recycling program for Hinds County. I utilized the waste tires to create the first rubberized-asphalt project of any county in the history of Mississippi. I also created the white goods (collection of appliances like refrigerators, washers, and stoves) recycling program for Hinds County. 

These programs were instrumental in reducing illegal dumping in Hinds County. I also wrote grant applications for Hinds County with 100% approval. MDEQ asked me if I would utilize the county’s surveillance cameras to catch whoever was illegally burning on Billy Bell Road in North Hinds County. Guess what? I caught him on camera. There are many more things to share with you, but time doesn’t permit.

SWANA: Please provide any personal or family details you’d care to have shared in the newsletter.

BAKER: My mother and family have always been the focus and strength of everything that I have done and accomplished. I attended George Washington Carver High School in Picayune, MS where I was an honor student. During my senior year at Carver High School, I became the starting quarterback in football, the starting guard in basketball and the starting pitcher in baseball. 

I attended Jackson State College and upon graduation, I received a scholarship to attend San Jose State University in San Jose, California. I became the first Black/African-American to receive a Master’s Degree in Urban and Regional Planning in the history of the university. 

In 1974, I accepted a position to become the first Black/African American City Planner in the history of Louisville, Kentucky. In 1977, I accepted a position to become the first Black/African American to write and supervise the development of the health plan for the state of Mississippi. I also incorporated the first Black/African American Planning Consulting Corporation/Business in the history of Mississippi. I am also a vocalist who recorded with nationally-renowned vocalists, Brandi and Ray-J’s father. I am a regular member of Lynch Street CME Church in Jackson, Mississippi.

SWANA: When did you first join the MS Chapter?

BAKER: I was recommended to become a member of the MS Chapter of SWANA in 1998, and was accepted. I became the first Black/African American board member.

SWANA: How long were you a Board Member?

BAKER: I was a board member for over 20 years.

SWANA: In which officer roles, if any, did you serve?

BAKER: I served as a regular member, secretary, vice-president and president of the MS Chapter of SWANA. I was the first Black/African-American to serve in each of those.

SWANA: Why did you join SWANA, and why did you stay involved?

BAKER: As I stated, I was recommended to become a member. I stay involved with SWANA because I love what it is doing.

SWANA: Tell us what safety for solid waste employees means to you and your contributions to keeping them safe.

BAKER: Safety for solid waste employees is important to me because they perform activities that keep people and the environment clean and safe. The garbage/solid waste collection occupation has been in the top 5 for occupational fatalities in the United States for years. I informed the members of the MS SWANA that I was going to submit a bill to the MS Legislature to protect garbage collection employees. A MS Senator introduced Senate Bill 2182 for approval in 2014 and 2015.

SWANA: Do you have a favorite SWANA memory you’d like to share?

BAKER: My favorite memory of MS SWANA has always been the joyful meetings we had.

SWANA: What words of encouragement do you have for our active and prospective young professional members?

BAKER: My words of encouragement for active and prospective young professional members are ‘stay focused and be creative.’