Mississippi
Mississippi Democratic delegates unanimously endorse Kamala Harris
JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – Mississippi has 49 pledged delegates for the Democratic National Convention.
On Monday evening, WLBT 3 On Your Side received a press release from the Mississippi Democratic Party stating that Mississippi’s delegation to the 2024 Democratic National Convention voted unanimously to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris.
“As chairman of the Mississippi Democratic Party, it gives me great pleasure to endorse Kamala Harris who is a fellow alumni of Howard University. We will work diligently to ensure that she is the next president of the United States. The first woman and woman of color to serve us in the highest office in the land,” said Mississippi Democratic Party Chairman Cheikh Taylor.
Their plan was to cast those pledged votes for Joe Biden. Now that he has pulled out of the race, they are discussing the importance of moving forward with a unified front.
During the virtual meeting, Central Mississippi Transportation Commissioner Willie Simmons and the entire Mississippi Delegation applauded the lifelong dedication to public service of President Joe Biden including passing the bipartisan infrastructure bill that has provided millions of dollars for our highways, bridges, and multimedia transportation systems.
Chairman Taylor praised Joe Biden’s decision.
“I believe that he’s going to go down as one of the greatest presidents of in history, because of this selfless act of putting the country before party,” said Chairman Cheikh Taylor.
At the same time, Taylor believes there is a newfound energy within the party as Kamala Harris is discussed as the likely nominee.
“I mean, listen, that takes our energy level from somewhere around mid-range to through the roof, and I couldn’t be more excited,” added Taylor.
Delegate and state Representative Earle Banks said that logistically things are changing.
“Well, you qualified to run as pledgees for whatever candidate is running,” described Banks. “And, of course, we had Joe Biden. I signed up to pledge to vote for Joe Biden. I don’t think anyone’s bound by anything anymore. But from what I’m hearing from other delegates in Mississippi and across the country and from our Democratic Party chairman, everybody is on the Kamala Harris train.”
National committeewoman Jacqueline Amos thinks it’s an energy boost that could translate to more campaign involvement and ultimately higher turnout.
“To have a female, African American, Black woman, mother, you know, sister, just, you know, leading the country…that’s pretty cool,” added Amos.
Harris visited Mississippi in April 2022. Amos believes a return visit could go a long way.
“The Vice President really should make a visit here to Mississippi,” said Amos. “I know it would have to be brief, but I believe, I truly believe, that she could really drum up some excitement and get people motivated.”
The convention is set to take place from August 19-22 in Chicago.
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Mississippi
Laura Jane Grace and the Mississippi Medicals: “Karma Too Close”
Laura Jane Grace and the Mississippi Medicals (Mikey Erg, Matt Patton, and Paris Campbell Grace) have released a released a new song. It is called “Karma Too Close” and is the second song the group has released so far this year. The band are working on their debut EP. Laura Jane Grace and the Mississippi Medical will be touring the US with Catbite and Taylor Hollingsworth starting in September. Laura Jane Grace will be touring the UK, Ireland, and Europe with The Trauma Tropes (Paris Campbell Grace, Jacopo Fokas, and Orestis Lagadinos ) in November. Check out the song below.
Mississippi
First Black Woman Named To Lead Episcopal Diocese Of Mississippi
by Daniel Johnson
July 22, 2024
Rev. Dorothy Sanders Wells made history on July 20 when she was formally installed as the newest bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi, becoming the first Black person and the first woman to hold the position.
Rev. Dr. Dorothy Sanders Wells made history on July 20 when she was formally installed as the newest bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi, becoming the first Black person and the first woman to hold the position. Wells has held the position since being elected in February 2024 and has been active in the role since May, but it now becomes formally acknowledged by the church with her installation.
According to Al.com, Wells doesn’t focus on the historical significance of her appointment, instead, she wants the congregation she serves to showcase radical love and hospitality to their neighbors. “If it ends when our time together ends on Sunday mornings, then we have already missed the message,” Wells told the outlet. “That should be the beginning. When we walk out the doors, that becomes the beginning of us showing that radical love and hospitality.”
According to USA Today, Wells replaces Brian Seage, who guided the state’s Diocese through the COVID-19 pandemic and the Jackson, Mississippi, water crisis. Shortly after Wells’ election, Seage told the outlet, “This is a historic moment and this marks a new chapter in our history. It’s the first time we have elected a woman and the first time we have elected an African American as the bishop of the diocese. I think this speaks dramatically for this movement within our church.”
The installation was presided over by Michael Curry, who was the first Black person to be the presiding bishop of the Catholic Church and gained worldwide acclaim for his sermon at Prince Harry and Megan Markle’s wedding in 2011.
Wells’ election came after Sharma Lewis became the first Black woman to serve as bishop of the Mississippi United Methodist Church in 2022.
After her election, Wells told USA Today, “I am truly humbled by the confidence that the council has placed in me, and I am so looking forward to working with the good people of the Diocese of Mississippi. We are reading all kinds of statistics and reports about declining church attendance and declining church engagement, but we know God is in the midst of all of this and I am looking forward to exploring with this Diocese all of the ways we can continue love God and love one another and serve our neighbors and care for the people around us.”
Wells hails from Mobile, Alabama, and earned a degree in vocal performance from Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee. She also holds a Juris Doctorate from the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law at the University of Memphis, a master’s degree in divinity from Memphis Theological Seminary, and a doctorate in ministry from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University.
Wells expressed her desire to engage with the community and familiarize herself with the various congregations in Mississippi, telling USA Today, “When we had our meet and greets when I was able to get to know some of the people in the Diocese, I said then that I really want to get out into the districts.”
Wells added, “I want to meet people. I want to meet clergy and I want to meet lay folks in these different convocations. I want to see what is happening in their ministry, and I want to get some good conversations going so that we can be good relationship builders together and be about the business of exploring the ways that we can serve God.”
RELATED CONTENT: Episcopal Church of New York Apologizes For Participating In The Transatlantic Slave Trade, Pledges $1 Million Against Racism
Mississippi
Mississippi State head coach Jeff Lebby excited to coach former Gulfport football star Kai McClendon – WXXV News 25
Mississippi State is entering a special kind of season as they are officially in the Jeff Lebby head coaching era.
Lebby, who was hired back in November of 2023, had a short window to recruit his freshman class. One of those in the class is Gulfport high school alum Kai McClendon. Sports 25 had the chance to speak with Lebby on how his freshman class came together and what he likes most about the former Admiral football star.
“I was really proud of our staff to go and sign the class that we signed in the matter of 12 or 13 days,” he said. “We have so great, great young talent inside the building, which I am really excited about. There are a lot of guys inside that freshman class like Kai who had a great senior year, and then you look up and he doesn’t have a ton of opportunities and then ends up playing for us here at Mississippi State, which is a credit to him and how he played as a senior.”
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