JANS – What was billed as “an engaging and empowering conversation featuring three remarkable individuals: NAACP President/CEO Derrick Johnson, Groundwork Project Founder Hon. Joe Kennedy, and Mississippi Workers’ Center for Human Rights Founder and Executive Director Jaribu Hill” did not disappoint. The conversation was held June 8 at Tougaloo College in historic Woodworth Chapel and was moderated by MS NAACP Executive Director Charles Taylor. Tougaloo president, Dr. Carmen Walters welcomed the audience to the campus.

During the thought-provoking discussion, panelists shared their invaluable insights and experiences, shedding light on the immense potential that effective organization holds within a democracy and capitalistic society. Attorney Hill summed up the hour long program by saying, “It’s important to say that all classes across all races must come together to keep the engine of racism from moving forward.”

Special guests included Organizing Accelerator fellows on their last leg of a 20-week mentoring program; Hazel Dukes, past national president, NAACP; and Karen Boykins-Towns, vice chair, NAACP National Board of Directors, all in town for the 60th annual observance of the assassination of Medgar Wiley Evers, NAACP’s first Mississippi field secretary. Among those welcoming them were local NAACPers, former alderwoman Addie Green, and Commissioner Dr. Le’.