Changing the trend in Mississippi
As the final southern state I visited on my Journey, I had been warned that what I would find in Mississippi was poverty, violence, obesity and ignorance. This from Mississippi’s neighboring states. The day I posted the request for community problem solvers in Mississippi I received an email from Cyrus Webb, President, Conversations Book Club, Meridian, MS. Cyrus wanted to be certain that I knew that Mississippi was not merely a state of bad statistics but a place that breeds leaders and thinkers.
I was surprised and pleased when I got the email and when I arrived at the library in Pearl, Mississippi I was greeted warmly by a young man who exudes the confidence of one who knows the world is his oyster.
We sat down, went through the video introduction rigamarole and Cyrus began to share his story. In his brief tale of life as a Mississippi native growing up a lover of books in a family that did not understand him but did support him, Cyrus casually mentioned that he attempted to take his life three times before the age of 21. Then he just kept talking.
At 33 today Cyrus can talk freely about his past, he knows there is the possibility that by sharing his dark tale he has the chance to help another. Growing up amidst the demons inside he would escape in his books explaining to his family that to him reading a book was the same as watching TV. He saw stories. He also learned through books that he was not alone in his thoughts and at 20, after his final suicide attempt, he figured if he had not died yet perhaps he was not supposed to.
Knowing that books brought him comfort he sought out a book club to join and discovered that there were no book clubs which welcomed men. Not willing to be deterred Cyrus founded the first co-ed bookclub, Conversations. He wanted to make this more than your ordinary club so he started reaching out to authors to see if they’d join in on the conversations either in person or on the phone. They said yes. Before he knew it Cyrus was playing host to lovers of books, authors and people who never even considered reading a book but were intrigued by the topics and eager to meet the author.
Conversations has grown and there are now five chapters across the country. Among other things Cyrus has his own radio show now following the model of his book club and through it he reaches out to school children and adults alike. His goal is to show them who the great role models from Mississippi are so they can see that there is more to Mississippi than the breaking news that always flashes in their heads. He is also encouraging them to join his addiction, the addiction to books.
In our interview Cyrus provided a whole litany of people who he believes are the gems of Mississippi, people like Oprah Winfrey. As I listened to him I just kept thinking, “No Cyrus, YOU are the gem of Mississippi, and I for one am glad that books saved your life.”
As I was about to hit the road to the airport for my flight home to frigid Colorado I received a call from Cyrus. Could I spare a few more minutes to meet Rickey Thigpen, Executive VP Jackson, Mississippi Convention & Visitors Bureau? How could I turn him down? As I sat there and listened to Ricky, a man aglow with his passion for and belief in the future of Jackson, The City with Soul, I knew just why Cyrus had sent me there.
With a brand new convention center - passed by 66% of voters - and Jackson is on the cusp of a revival. Ricky shared the warmth of the people, the access to world class facilities, the restaurants that will keep you coming back for more and the new urban development creating waiting lists for people eager to be a part of the new city life of Jackson. He did not gloss over the problems his state is known for but as Cyrus shared, his job is to change the story. What’s so great for Ricky is that he does not have to make it up. Mississippi and Jackson in particular are on an upswing and Ricky is on the forefront of building the new reality.
Rev. Embra Jackson, Asministrative Assistant to Bishop Hope Morgan Ward United Methodist Confrence, MS is also a part of building this new reality. He does this as part of a team with the Bishop. His passion - tackling the health issues of the church members. In a state where the “dwindling” numbers of the overall state population who belong to a church still top 50%, it makes great sense for the church to take a role in encouraging healthy lifestyle habits. With Ministers the state over running around with pedometers attached to their hips, the faithful leaders are getting healthy and their congregants are following suit.
Rev. Jackson first began his career in the field of law because he wanted to help people. One day he realized that he could probably help more people more deeply as a minister and he announced to his family and friends his intentions.
With great support from his close family he was able to forge past the feelings of isolation when those he thought were close friends could not understand his choice and ended their friendships with him. Years later he knows he has made the right decision. Without a doubt he is impacting the lives and well being of those around him, harnessing the power of his faith and the leadership model provided by the Bishop.
Through the efforts of people like Cyrus, Ricky and Rev. Jackson, Mississippi has a bright future. I would not be surprised if we start hearing those statistics people like to throw around when talking about the Magnolia state begin to change.