MVSU Mass Communication Speakers Series features a Mississippi Delta Mayors Civic Forum, in observance of Black History Month 

ITTA BENA, Miss. — Mississippi Valley State University’s Department of Mass Communication will kick off its Spring Semester 2026 Speakers Series with a Mississippi Delta Mayors Civic Forum on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, at 11 a.m. in the Business Building Auditorium, in observance of Black History Month.

The mayoral forum, themed “The Delta Speaks: Local Power, Delta Voices, Student Impact,” will bring together Mississippi Delta mayors for a dynamic conversation focused on the region’s future and the role of civic leadership in shaping opportunity for communities and students alike.

The discussion will be centered around, but not limited to the following timely and impactful issues:

• Preparing the Delta for the Next Storm: Disaster readiness, infrastructure, and community response
• The Digital Divide in the Delta: Broadband access, media equity, and economic opportunity
• Who Tells the Delta’s Story?: Narrative power, leadership, and representation

As part of the department’s Black History Month observance, the forum highlights the historical and contemporary impact of Black leadership across the Mississippi Delta, while encouraging meaningful civic engagement among students.

“This event reflects the department’s commitment to connecting classroom learning with real-world leadership and community dialogue,” said Acting Department Chair Dr. Carolyn L. Gordon. “Black History Month is not only a time to reflect on the past, but also a time to engage with the present and to help prepare our students for the future.”

In alignment with the University’s emphasis on experiential learning and workforce training, students in public relations, journalism, and radio and television production classes are leading promotional efforts for the event, and will engage in historic and informational storytelling opportunities stemming from the mayoral civic forum. 

In collaboration with WVSD TV Studio, WVSD 91.7 FM Radio, and the award-winning Delta Devils Gazette, students will have the opportunity to report, record, write and produce multi-platform coverage before, during, and after the forum.

The event is free and open to students, faculty, staff, and members of the surrounding community.

For additional information, contact the MVSU Department of Mass Communication at (662) 254-3630 or email: carolyn.gordon@mvsu.edu 

About the MVSU Department of Mass Communication
The Department of Mass Communication at Mississippi Valley State University prepares students for careers in journalism, public relations, broadcasting, and speech communication through rigorous coursework and hands-on professional experiences. The Spring 2026 Speakers Series reflects the department’s dedication to civic engagement, media leadership, and student-centered impact.