June 11, 2024 • 44 mins
The Annual Walls Teen Summit is happening in Walls, Mississippi says Mayor Keidron Henderson and Dr. Juanita Jones with On The Right Track Foundation on The Bev Johnson Show on WDIA Radio.
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Still your good Will and good TimeStation ten seventy w d I A listen
on the free iHeartRadio app for allyour music radio and podcasts. Free Never
Sound is so good Ye with aHeart and Soul of Memphis. Ten seventy
w d I A Memphis just showbell chomping, Memphis talking and all away.
(00:25):
Helm On you go, you go, don't getting ready in time show.
Let's go bell justin we you makeyour day by here. Wud listen
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to one today. You know it'stime of the bells show, Time of
the bell show. Let's go.We are rocking and rolling on this Tuesday,
June eleven, twenty twenty four.Enjoy this beautiful day today. It
is a beautiful day in Memphis,Tennessee. And I am so happy to
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announce. I told y'all I gota mayor coming in. Yeah. I
know, y'all, I've been wonderingwhat mayor. Well, let me say
this. He was elected as thefirst let me say this, as the
first black mayor of the town ofWalls, Mississippi, and the first black
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mayor in the one one hundred andeighty fourth year history of Mississippi's DeSoto County.
Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduceto you, Mayor Hey John Henderson
of Walls, Mississippi. Good afternoon, Mayor Henderson. How are you.
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I'm doing well. I'm live,awake and feeling great. How are you
doing. I'm doing well. I'mdoing well. You look well since I
met you? Yes, you did. It was at the It was at
that Christmas party over at the riverwell, yes, over at the River
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Terrace that yeah, because I wastrying to think of, now, where
did I meet man Henderson? Andyou're absolutely correct. Yeah, I saw
you and I just had to comeover and talk to you. You did
for so long? You did,you and the late great Bobbio Jay uh.
And you know what, you blessme? You really did well.
Thank you, Thank you, MaryHenderson. Will you blessed me? But
tell our listeners, they're going likeWalls Mistlesippy has a black mayor, precious
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town of Walls, Mississippi, asI affectionately referred to it as, Yeah
to precious town. Tell us alittle bit about Mayor Henderson. Well,
obviously, I'm the mayor of Walls, Mississippi, born and raised in Walls.
I do have roots in Memphis.My grandparents rid me in Walls,
Mississippi. My mother was a singleparent and she lived in Walker Homes.
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Yeah, she lived in Walker Homeson Flynn right off of Weaver Road.
So weekends I would spend my timein Memphis, but during the week I
would be in Walls, Mississippi,being reared by my grandmother. And so
I like to say I got thebest of both for us. Yes you
did. And how did you decideto run for mayor of Walls? Well,
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I will tell you. Walls,Mississippi. You know, it's the
fourth weather fifth town in Desota County. And when you think about the explosive
growth over the last thirty years inDesota County. A lot of people don't
know this, but in the midnineties, Desota County was the third fastest
growing county in the entire country.What oh Yeah, And to this day
it's still the fastest growing county inthe state of Mississippi. And our town,
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Walls is on the furthest west sideof Desota County and the growth has
been stagnant in our area. Andso, you know, you talk about
things with my grandmother. About tenyears ago she told me, she said,
you know, you can talk aboutit, or you can do something
about it, you know, AndI said, how am I gonna do
something about it? You know?Right right? But a lot of times,
a lot of times, you know, just starting a conversation will lead
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to great things. And so weput a plan together and I got out
in the community and started, youknow, working with with youth, working
with seniors, just doing whatever Icould in the community. And then I
just got bit by the bug andI said, you know what I'm gonna
I'm gonna run from Mayor. Andin twenty twenty, during the height of
covid H, I ran and gotin and we hadn't looked back since.
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Wow. Wow, now now,Mayor Henderson that that Walls is not that
big. Now it's not that big, but just south of two thousand people.
Wow, that that's that's not bigatough Yeah. Yeah, yeah.
If you if you're going people willsay, you know, if you blink
your missus right right right, yeah, Because we always have seen the sign
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that welcome to Walls is you're goingdown, and people were going to Tunic
or going that way. But I'vealways thought how big is Walls because I
think it's connected close to Horn Lake, right, it is Horn Lake is
our next door neighbor in our town. It's about fifteen square miles okay,
yeah, yeah, and mostly agricultural, although we do have some industry in
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our town. In fact, ifyou've ever shopped at Walmart and you bought
a pillow from Walmart anywhere in thecountry, it was manufactured in walls,
but out of here. Yeah.Brentwood Originals we got them in walls about
a decade ago, and they manufactureall of the pillows. So if you
buy a pillow, whether it's fora couch, for a bed, or
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throw a pillow, whatever the casemay be, it's manufactured in walls.
Their headquarters, believing or not,is in Los Angeles, California. Get
out of see. That's see.I told people I learned something new every
day. Oh yeah, I didn'tknow that, just ma'am. Yeah.
Yeah. So SAMR. Henderson andbeing in walls and I know it's small,
and you say, you know you'reagricultural. What have you been trying
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to get industry? People? Areare they looking at walls to come be
because it's a small town. Oh? Absolutely, Walls is a blank canvas,
as I call it all the time. I mean, you know,
we have access to the river,we have access to the new interchange,
our sixty nine, and as youknow, I mean we're very close to
the Memphis International Airport, you know, so there's a lot of opportunities for
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manufacturing and things that affect and whilstdistribution, but not only that tech as
well. I mean, you know, there are a lot of a lot
of There's an energy site that's aboutsixteen hundred acres that's been on the market
for a while and it's already zonedrights already right for the Pickens, And
we've had a lot of interest overthe last couple of years with companies looking
at that particular site. So we'rejust one you know, catalyst away from
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taking off and we'll be ready.And I think it's a well kept secret
walls and probably a good community.People may want to move too, because
I don't hear about a lot ofcrime and walls. Yeah, you know,
we are at bedroom community. WhatI like to say is we're remote
with access, okay, and welike that, yes, ma'am, absolutely.
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I mean, you know, we'retwenty five minutes away from downtown Memphis,
with twenty five minutes away from thecasinos in Tunica, twenty five minutes
away from the airport. And youknow that we are a very safe town.
We're close knit community, which isgreat, which is great. Yeah,
I remember, and I know youprobably know him, that I met
him when I attended graduate school atJackson State doctor Leslie maclamore, living legend
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civil rights leader. Yes he is. I have seen pictures of him on
stage with Martin Luther King. I'veseen pictures of him with Reverend Jesse Jackson.
I mean this guy, you knowhe marched with Fanny Lou Hamer.
Yes, yeah, and you knowwhat I went through obviously, you know,
twelve years of high school and wentthrough college. And it's embarrassing to
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say I didn't know who Fanny LouHaymer was until I became mayor. But
I did a quick dive, adeep dive, and that woman is amazing,
amazing, And you know, MayorHenderson, I still have honored and
and had the privilege of meeting MissFannylue I call him Miss Fanlu. Yes.
When I was a student at JacksonState University, and then I was
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when I was working in radio innews and then we have press conference.
I got a chance to meet her. Wow, she was amazing. And
like I said, doctor Maclamore,he was the first one Mayor Henderson that
told me. He called me.I was on w j Sues, Jackson
State's radio station, and doctor Maclamoresaying who are you? I like your
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voice, where you come from?And he always encouraged me. Yes,
as he does me. You know, I call him my barrel of knowledge.
You know, he he's encouraging.Yes, he's just knowledge. Yes
he is. And we're both alumniof Russ College, absolutely undergraduate school at
Rust College. Yeah. Yeah,and he loves Russ. He's well oh
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yeah, he say he's still verymuch involved. Yes he is, Yes,
he is, Yes he is.Well good, Well, we're we're
in good company. A man.Well, I'm glad you told us a
little bit about yourself. And forpeople who didn't know Walls, Mississippi,
how's a black mayor? Yes?And Walls is on the move. I
mean we since I've been in office, we've broken ground on four new residential
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developments. I mean essentially, we'veall we've doubled the residency in our town
Walls over the over the last fourand a half years. Wow, yeah,
yeah, So I mean we arewe're on the move. Sounds good,
yes, ma'am, if you've justtuned in this afternoon, I am
talking to the Mayor of Walls,Mississippi. He was named the best Mayor
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of twenty twenty three in the DesodaTimes Tribune. What brother, what you
know? But when I got thatcall, Ms. Johnson, I was
so shocked, and I just feltan overwhelming sense of pride, you know,
and encouragement because you know, youdo things because you know, you
have a heart for stuff, andyou don't really do it for the accolades
and things of that effect. Butto be recognized like that, you know,
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little o'd Walls, little lod key, it really touched me. And
we parlayed that we uh, infact, we I guess we're gonna get
into that a little bit and talkabout this youth summit. But we had
a we had a party to celebrateto raise money for our teen summit that's
going to be kicking off in Walls, and we just thought, what a
great way to get the word outand get some excitement going, you know,
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for our teen summit. Yeah,it sounds good. I am talking
y'all to the Mayor of Walls,Mississippi. When at your turn to talk,
you may have a question for him. Nine zero one, five three
five, nine three four two eighthundred five zero three nine three four two
eight three three three five nine threefour to two will get you in to
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us. You're listening to the legendaryw DA. You're listening to the Heart
and Soul of Memphis, The BevJohnson Show, exclusively on WDA. Somebody
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said June Black Music Month. BlackMusic Music Mon ten seventy w DIA celebrates
Black Music Month. He was borna slave, but with the first African
American to record commercially, he wasfreed and migrated to New York and became
a street singer. He was discoveredand recorded and sold thousands of records.
(11:48):
George Washington Johnson went from slave torecording artist. I'm flow wrote with a
taro fine art with your black musicMoment, celebrating our rich musical history.
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Al my law on the Heart andSoul of Memphis. Ten seventy w d
I. As you're listening to theBev Johnson Show, here's Bev Johnson and
I'm talking with Mayor Kedron Henderson,the mayor of Walls, Mississippi. Going
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to our phone lines to talk toyou. Hi, Steve, Hello,
my most beautiful black queen. Heymy Steve. Hello, mister children Henderson,
what's going on? Baby? Look, my name is Stephen Sidney.
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Refresh your memory a little bit.Let me tell right, let me Chad
bail Bell that guy man when wewas coming to the FIST. I'm gonna
be quick because I know people wantto get in. Man. I just
want to commend you. I rememberwhen you first got that position for Marriyll
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Wallas, Mississippi Many. I wasso proud. Man. You're doing a
wonderful job. And just let mesay this, when me and my wife
was coming to the FIST, Iswear, man, you took very,
very very good care of us.Man, I'm talking about you treated us.
Man. You just really took careof us. I don't want to
go no farther but main, you'redoing a wonderful job, man, And
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I just want to just give yourprops right now. Glass you to Marya.
You're doing a wonderful job. Iknow you're still down at the pit,
but mame, thank you for takinggreat, great care of us.
When me and my wife was comingto the bus and y'all got the bench
crayd legs. That being said,I'm gonna let somebody. I'm gonna let
somebody get in. I'm gonna letsomebody else get in. Man, hey,
man, you take care of man. You're doing a wonderful job.
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Thank you so much. I receivedthat, man. Thank you. I
really appreciate those those super kind words. Man, Thank you, thank you.
Welcome Bill you welcome. Hi.Chris, Hey, how you doing,
Bail. I'm doing well, Chris, and yourself, I'm doing fine.
What do you say? Yes,sir, I wanted to ask the
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mirror about how far the walls godown sixty one? Does it go all
the way down to that? Uh, first service station once you leave the
city, it would be the firstservice station on the on the on the
right hand side, it's a redlight there. I think this Lake Come
a run yep, yep. Yeah. That that is actually where our town
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limit stops that star Landing Road,And if you go to the left there
will be one of our new residentialdevelopments called the Landing And then just down
from there is Lake Coming High Schooland then Lake Common Middle School and also
Lake Comed Elementary. Yeah and thatuh yeah, that that is going to
be one of the focal points ofthe growth of our town right there.
So yeah, that is exactly thelocation that you're referring to. Oh okay,
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man, Well that's all I havefor you, mister man, and
good luck to you, Thank youso much. Good luck to you too.
Thank you, Chris, thank you, I forgot me. Or yeah,
Lake Come Run is in that littlearea too. Oh yeah, oh
yeah. A lot of history inLake Comry too, oh is it?
Yeah, a lot of history.You know, back in the day there
was a lot of juke joints downin that Oh yeah, okay, you
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know about that. Oh yeah,wow, wow, yeah, a lot
of people didn't don't know this.But walls you know, back in the
day before you could get to BillStreet. You if you didn't pass the
smell test in walls with your bandand your singing, you didn't make it
to Bill Street. Uh. Thereis a lady that her final resting places
in walls. Uh. Some ofyour listeners may be familiar with her.
Her name is mephis Minie. Yes, she recorded over a hundred songs in
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walls. Uh, and one ofher songs, uh led Zeppelin did a
cover of it when the when thelevee breaks and they want a Grammy wind
cover of Memphis Many Songs. Yeah, wow, yeah and uh. Two
years ago we had our very firstWalls Delta Festival and we honored her,
got a chance to meet her family. Uh and uh. And in fact
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there they have a staple footprint atevery festival going for it. Her family
does. But yeah, a lotof a lot of history that a lot
of people don't know about in ourlittle precious town. I see, I
see yeah. Back to our phonelines. Hey Norman, Hey bab,
how are you? I'm blatastic?Brother? How are you past? You
know I'm black? Sounds like yougot a blackcastic mail in that bell.
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I got a black tastic mayor upin here? All right? Well,
every brother prince say those wonderful thingsabout him. I shoe agree a certain
agree and listen, mayor, howare you, sir? I'm doing well,
brother? How you doing today?Brother? I'm told black tastic.
I don't know what to sell,dude behind it, but I just want
to bet. Thank you for beinghere for Sama, Thank you for saying
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with us. I've never heard ofMemphis Many, but now that you mentioned
her, I'm going to certain researchand find out how I can thank her
by learning of her and teach othersabout her. So that's that's the only
way I can do that when ourancestors are no longer with us. But
I'm sold those thankful to you,bab. I need to say thank you
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to you bre we for our summercamp enrichment program. It's going absolutely upper
chain as blackcastic as it can be. We're doing all those things that we've
called to do. That he iskeeping our children the reading writing rhythmetic,
but we're also bed teaching them thatblack Castic history. Bam. We have
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some of the greatest children in theworld. I promise you we did.
We really do. Bed. Ourbabies are so wonderful. But Bob,
I just want to thank you becauseyou really know what's happening for us by
giving all the baby here and thepeople in the community. I cannot stop
but thanks kind of Commissioner Henry Brooksfor her work. She's made it possible
for us. But Bell glad itwas all the change. Thank you for
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advertising that. As a result ofthat, Bell Will started write the package
for a Black Man, Boy andGirl. Okay, I said you some
pictures of the man, so I'llkeep you up on what we're doing with
that. Please. I'll just haveto tell you thank you again. Bill,
I love you and you're quite well. What well? Thank you and
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and and Norman. Keep listening becauseyou're gonna be want to get it,
get interested in what Mayor Henderson isgetting ready to tell us about. He's
gonna talk about his teen summit.So you be listening for that because you
may be interested in that. Allright, Norman, thank you, Thank
you, Norman. Bye bye,w D I a hey caller, Hey
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bell, Prince Charles again, howyou doing? I'm doing well, Prince
Charles? Hey, how you doingthat? Sir? Doing well? Are
you? Sir? I'm on thetop shelf. I can't complain. Man.
I drive down sixty one every singleday, headed down the TUNICU.
I got to ask you a questionif I made Oh yeah, a friend
of mine, a friend of mineyears ago, and I'm a belvedown to
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those that I'm an advocate angler.I love the outdoors. And a friend
of mine told me years ago,I'm talking about maybe ten years ago,
set us some great fishing down inthat place. Can you can you verify
that for me. Well, youknow what there used to be years ago.
There's not so much these days.But growing up as a youth man,
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let me tell you we did somegreat fishing. I mean great fishing.
There's a lot of little fishing holesaround Walls. Now you got to
go a little bit further south toget that fishing, just because of development
things of that effect. But hedidn't lie to you. He didn't lie
to you. Well, I knowhe told me. He said it was
some you can get some nice brim, some nice crop up and man if
I could never find that place,but he told me, tell me about
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it. So you just verified whathe did say to me. And in
your town of Walls, Mississippi,what is the population. We're just south
of two thousand people in our inour incorporated town. Oh okay, so
it's still growing, still growing.Yeah, y'all, come on, we
got we got room for you.Looking to move. There's nowhere in the
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world I would move in Mississippi.I visited, but I won't move to
Mississt. All right, Okay,take you, sir, and healthy day,
Thank you too, Thank you.Prince. Yeah, May Henderson,
tell us about your teen summit.What is this all about so Miss Johnson.
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When I was a youth coming up, there was a program, a
summer program that ran for twenty summersin a row. Uh and uh.
It was initiated by the late SisterVirginia with the Sacred Heart Southern Mission and
her in some of her their sisterswould go door to door and ask parents
to have their children attend this thissummer program. And really and truly it
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was more of a feeding program.I mean they fed us breakfast, they
fed us lunch, but they addedso much more to it. We took
field trips on a weekly basis.And as I was growing up, I
learned to swim through that particular program. The first time I stepped foot inside
of a skating ring was through thatprogram. The first time I went to
the zoo was through that particular program. The first time I stepped foot inside
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a movie theater was through that Somany they took us to Chuck a Lisa.
I mean we did stuff every day. They just took us places and
exposed us to things. And itwasn't just walls. It was walls,
it was Horn Lake, it wasSouth Haven, it was Hernando Nez,
but Tunica. I mean they bustchildren in from miles around, and that
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particular program lasted for six weeks,like we could not wait for school to
end, so summer school would startand it was about five hundred children every
summer. Wow, and anyone fromthat area where I'm from, Uh,
they can tell you the fun thatwe had back in those days. And
uh, you know, the programwent away. Program went away. And
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so what we have decided to dowas, you know, try and replicate
it as best we can and selfbirth the teen Summit. So this is
a very very mild version of thatparticular summer program, but we have enhanced
it a little bit with with someeducational stuff as well as a career exploration
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exercise where we are going to haveindustry professionals from all across industries and entrepreneurs
to expose children to different careers.Right, So we're going to have for
example, attorneys, nurses, realators, finance people, banking people, you
know, auto diesel mechanic, youknow, all types of careers and entrepreneurs
will be there to talk to thechildren. You know, what does it
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take to get in this particular feelwhat type of education do you need?
A formal education? You know,can you go to trade school and that
kind of thing to get involved.And the idea behind that is that all
children are not going to go tocollege. Let's just face exactly, they're
not. And even the children thatare going to go to college, don't
waste your parents' money changing your majoreighty seven times. You know, kind
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of know a lane that you wantto be in, develop a passion for
something, because, as you know, if you're doing something that you love
to do, like you you neverreally work a day in your life,
you're right, And so that's whatwe want to do. We want to
just get them exposed to different careerpaths so that they can develop a passion
for something. We are also goingto give them a version of mas Briggs
assessment so that they know and theirparents know what type of personalities that they
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have. I mean, if you'renot a people person, you have no
business going in the hospitality. Youknow, if you're not good with your
hands, well you don't need togo in the auto DZ mechanic. You
know that that kind of thing.And we're also going to provide you know,
obviously good good food for them,good breakfast food, truck style lunches.
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Uh, and uh. And we'realso gonna incorporate the educational infield trip
aspect of it because we're going totake them to the Civil Rights Museum wonderful,
and we have charter buses. Weain't putting them on the Yellow Cheese,
but we have a charter buses withac and recliner seats. We're gonna
take them to the Civil Rights Museum. They're gonna get a guided tour.
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We have a speaker lined up forthem there. And we're also going to
feed them lunch there at the facility, and then we're gonna come back to
the campus for some more activities.Uh. And then that third day,
that that Saturday, So it's Thursday, Friday and Saturday. That Saturday,
we're gonna do a movie night uhthere at the campus in the backyard.
We're gonna sit a big screen,we're gonna have the food truck. We're
gonna have a popcorn, we're gonnahave ices, we're gonna have a DJ
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we're gonna have the moon Bounce forthe little kids. Because the little kids
can't be involved the first two days, but that that third day, it's
gonna be pretty much a community familyfunction. Uh. And I'm so looking
forward to it. Now you broughta special person with you, Oh yeah,
introduce so she can get in totell us what she'll be doing with
the yes. Yes. So youknow, when when we are in the
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political arena, we always try toencourage people to get involved. Uh and
quite frankly, not enough people inany neighborhood really gets involved. Uh.
Well, the good Lord sent ussomeone who moved two walls, Prince charge
you hear me, someone moved twowalls. Uh. And she wanted to
get involved. She started coming toour town hall meetings. Uh and uh,
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you know, she would share openlywith good ideas. She would she
was a regular contributor and uh soI forged your friendship with her, and
uh and lo and behold, thislady already had a non profit organization that
was up and running, and Italked to her about the idea for running
the teen Summit, and I meanshe just jumped in full swing and she's
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been a god seeing. Her nameis doctor Wannita Jones. And I don't
want to steal too much of herthunder. I want her to tell a
little bit about what she does,and particularly with her nonprofit on the right
track because she has been that inteclintercal a component and helping us get this
thing going. Well. Welcome,doctor Jannita Jones. How are you.
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I'm fantastic. How are you.I'm doing fabulous today. Tell us about
your nonprofit? Okay, my nonprofit, as Mayor Henderson said, is on
the right track. And what wedo is help individuals with their career path
and as he mentioned, its careerexploration, career career awareness, career development.
And after we get them into theircareer awareness and career development, we
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not only leave them there, butwe continue with them until they achieved that
particular goal. And so doing that, why did you want to get involved
with Mayor Henderson's summit? To behonest with you, Just as he said,
I first initially started going to themeetings when I moved to Walls because
for some reason, and generally Ido not do that, but for some
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reason, my spirit kept saying youneed to get involved, you need to
get involved with the community. Andlo and behold, I've met the mayor
and some of the aldermen and realizeddidn't know doctor Macklimore was an alderman at
the time. I'm a Jacksonian,myself, two time graduates exactly. So
I wonder where you're there. WhenI was there, I'm sure I was.
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We're gonna tell what. Yeah,I'm just like Mayor a couple of
years ago, a couple of yearsago. Yeah, And I've always had
the urge and desire to help individualsanyway with their career path. Every time
I talk with some you'll you'll seeand they'll tell you she's gonna start getting
in your business, asking you whatyour plans are in life, et cetera,
et cetera. So Mayor said hewas doing this summit and the spirit
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hit me and say, you askhim if you can partner with him,
And that's what I did, andhe said, yeah, sure, And
from that point on we've been goingfull blast. I love it so part
and so so again. Mayor Hendersonkind of told us, doctor Jones,
what what what the summit is about? So in your part and what are
you gonna be helping and teaching theseyoung folks? Okay, my part is
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pretty much then the coordination of theentire summit to be uns with you.
So basically we start I started withthe recruitment, getting the package together and
things of that nature and the aspectof the lineup. My responsibility was to
get that information together in terms ofthe professionals and getting them in terms of
their h in the program and thelineup and things like that. And then
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also the Myers brig component, theassessment piece. That's what we do in
our program as well. We primarilyuse the assessment to determine and help individuals
decide on their personality. And notonly that, but we have a vocational
aspect of it as well to helpthem decide on their career path. I
love that. I love that.Now, now, Mayor Henderson, when
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is the sum going to take place? The first day is the very first
day of summer, June twentieth.That is a Thursday, So we're literally
two weeks away, well a littleless than two weeks away. Actually yeah,
yeah, is it too late?Well, let me ask this is
this summer just for those youth inWalls. That is a great question.
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I have gone door to door inWalls because you know, I love my
precious towne of Walls and I wantall the children in Walls to have an
opportunity to attend. We have fundingfor one hundred children and to answer your
question. No, we do notcare about an imaginary line. Is this
is a ministry right and children fromall walks of life are going to be
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put in a position where they candevelop lifelong contacts at this teen summit because
you know, sometimes it's not onlywhat you know, it's who you know.
So the opportunity is available. Andas I mentioned earlier in the segment,
you know, I have a verystrong ties to Memphis growing up,
you know, in Walker homes,So we don't care about even the state
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line. If you have a teensixth grade through twelfth grade, we need
to get in contact with doctor JonnitaJones to get them hooked up. And
all you gotta do is call heror email her at on the right track.
Give them your numb Yeah, givethem number. Okay. The number
is six six two six seven onetwo six ninety five. One more time,
(30:27):
six six two six seven one twosix ninety five, and the email
address is on the right track zerozero one at gmail. On the right
track, zero zero one at Gmail. And miss Johnson, I just want
to say this because I know she'snot going to say it. She has
been a mentor to me as well, and she has a consulting portion of
(30:52):
her business. Uh. And that'sthe other part of our relationship. She
is helping me set up my ownnonprofit. And you know, there are
a lot of moving parts when you'retrying to, you know, step into
that arena. And she's well versed. She's helped others do the exact same
thing, and she's very free giving. She she doesn't hold back knowledge.
UH. So you know, ifany of your listeners are are interested in
(31:14):
starting up a nonprofit, I wouldstrongly encouraged him to contact this later because
she knows her stuff sounds good.We're gonna go doctor Jones and Mayherndersson to
our phone lines. W D IA hi caller. Hey, I thank
you for taking my call. Beautifulbear. Hey there, doctor and Mayor.
This is late in the game,and I had a couple of questions,
(31:37):
but I'm a married to answer thisone. Uh. For a challenged
areas of community. A lot ofmoney left the state with the bread fire
things where they took a lot ofmoney out of the state, and the
government say he didn't know anything aboutit, but that much money leaving the
state, I doubt that. Butare the mayor's coming together and demanding because
(32:00):
the moneys were for challenged communities.Are the mayors coming together to demand what
happened to that money and to getthat money for their communities. That's a
question. Thank you, Thank you, William Mayor Henderson. Yeah, that's
that's a that's a great question.And quite frankly, you know, as
a public service, that is avery very fair question. Uh. You
(32:21):
know, I typically, you know, don't come in on ongoing litigation and
things of that effect. So Ido apologize that I really can't, you
know, give you any specific informationon it, but I will tell you
that, you know, it's avery very fair question that you asked.
And uh. You know, governmentmoney, whether it's coming from the federal
level, or the state level orquite frankly your next door neighbor, it
(32:45):
should be used for the purposes thatit is intended for. And uh and
and as the mayor Walls, Ican guarantee you that under my administration,
we we we watch those types ofthings very very closely. Very good w
d I Hey caller, Hey,how you doing bath? I'm doing well
in yourself? Good, I'm doinggood. Come on to your guess,
(33:07):
but God to know it to youguess how you doing. How you doing?
Brother? Good? Good, congratulationson being the first mayor of Walls,
Mississippi. Thank you, thank youso much. And congratulations to the
lady forgetting her doctor's degree. Thankyou that success. You don't hear too
(33:28):
much about success these days, butthank god, you all three are successful.
Day. I would want to sayone thing. I'm gonna leave you
alone, kudo to you. Iwas thinking about you this morning. I
would listen to another radio session andI thought about you. You've been on
this radio long long time. I'mfifty three now, I was sixteen time
(33:51):
I heard Wait a minute, brother, Now now look, I'm like the
mayor. Now tell you're telling noage but no, you're trying to make
me scund like I'm sorry, I'mold. Oh, but but you know
what, you know what, It'sa blessing and you're right. I have
been doing radio for forty eight years. Wow, brother, I have been
(34:13):
at this and I'm practicing and I'vebeen at this station for forty one years.
Coraculation. Thank you. I'm talkingabout thank you, But I'm not
gonna hold you up. I justwant to give you a kotos and tell
your guests keep up to good work. Let me ask this question. Let
me ask this question. You listen, you would listen to another station where
(34:35):
they're talking about me. I rememberwhen I was working this. Okay,
I'm just messing with you. Youmight remember this. Your faith was on
a milk cart. Yes, yes, yes, it was on a milk
card. And you're absolutely correct.You're right right, I remember that.
(35:00):
I'm gonna let you go, butcongratulations to each with every one of you
own. Thank you so much,Thank you for listener. Bye bye,
w D I a high caller.Hey bell, Hey day, your pleasure,
double your fund? That's right.How you doing, mister ma'am?
I'm doing well, brother. Howyou doing today? I'm holding on,
(35:22):
as we say in no Memphis,I'm holding on. Look, are you
looking for more money for development fromthe federal side? Do you think that's
something that you're kind of small?But there are there is funding available for
that standpart for fire stations and thingsof that nature. That's something that your
(35:45):
team would be interested in talking withme about. Oh absolutely, I mean,
you know, growth, growth issomething that we're spiring to do.
You know you mentioned fire stations.I'm so proud to say one of our
state representatives, Hester Jackson McCrae.She she was integral in helping us very
(36:05):
very recently secure five hundred thousand dollarsof funding to at a training facility to
our fire station and walls. Andwhat that's gonna enable us to do is,
well, let me back the truckup. Currently, if our fire
department need additional training and things thateffect, we would have to send our
guys to another department and ask MutualAid to come in and run our fire
(36:29):
department. So now with this trainingfacility extension to our fire department, we
will not only be able to trainour guys there in walls, but we
will also be able to train otherdepartments in walls, and obviously that's going
to be an additional source of revenueas well. So absolutely, that net
is always out there. We're alwaysyou know, looking for opportunities, whether
(36:52):
it be grants, whether it beyou know, even public private ventures,
We're looking at those types of things. So yes, absolutely, the you
can contact contact me directly. I'mvery public on Facebook. You know there
at the office, someone's always therewilling to listen and and gather ideas to
get me that information. So yeah, reach out to us. Thank you.
(37:14):
Okay, that that sounded like Iwant to I will. I will
do that. In fact, Ithink we have a conference next week with
some lenders that that specialize and rulelending, so it would be actually alone
and not a grant. But butit's special for the rural areas as well.
Yes, sir, oh oh,hello, young lady. I'm sorry
(37:35):
about my manners. Doctor. Howare you I'm doing I'm doing well,
bell and closing. I thought youwas gonna have that old jive west messis
mel clanding on that. I'm heartshout out to Clinton. Don't don't talk
(37:57):
about my little p y T Davis. See that's another thing too, I
said, she got another p ytis a studio with I know how she
worked, but let me say,it's refreshing to see how young men and
our young women doing the thing.Man so and let me say he and
da and he is a young heis a young man. And I love
(38:17):
it when he first introduced me hisselfto me back in during the Christmas time
and he said, I'm mayor,I'm looking at him, you mayor what
he said, Walls Mississippi, Isaid, all right, brother, look
look look they honored me with somethingat the elementary school. They say,
(38:38):
yeah, he's a mayor, he'sthe mayor of Douglas, so I receive
it. But yeah, it is. It is great to hear brother McClinton
and you brother doing the thing.And it's an eighteen year old over in
Arkansas too, man, Yes,it is it is. Where is doctor
Jones? Yeah? Excuse me onemoment I was about to say our speaker
(39:00):
he is the eighteen year old Wowfrom the mayor in Earl, Arkansas,
Jalen Smith. Yeah, good,thank you for saying that, doctor Jones.
That's gonna be great. It's gonnabe great. I actually had the
opportunity to meet him in Atlanta,Georgia about a month and a half ago.
I attended the tenth Annual African AmericanMayor's Conference in Atlanta, Georgia,
(39:22):
and we got an opportunity to meetinsidebar and he got well. Doctor Jones
got in contact with him and heagreed to come, and so we're looking
forward to having him there. He'sa dynamic young guy, he really is.
Yeah, why were shoot the bestand Mclinton and all the rest of
the best, Brother and y'all makeus proud and we get so much negative
(39:45):
stuff sometimes that is great bear tohear our young people doing very positive things
for the future. Thank you allhaving rich you too, Thank you David.
Yes, I love to hear that. Now now, Mar Henderson,
is it too late for young peopleto sign up? Or do they?
How do they sign up? Howdo they get into the summit. It's
definitely not too late. We dohave still some open slots available. We
(40:07):
want to fill all of them.We got funding for one hundred young people.
Uh. And they just need togive doctor Jones a call. Uh
and doctor Jones give him your phonenumber one more time six six two six
seven one two six five yeah.And uh. And then she also has
a website which is uh on theright track dot biz. Yeah, on
(40:30):
the right check on the right trackdot biz. That's the little dot Yeah.
I see, I got you,I got you ood. Yeah.
So we we have open slots available, we want to fill them up.
We don't want any empty seats onthose buses. No, no, And
that sounds fabulous. I love that. And you all got the mayor from
Earl yes, ma'am and so andthat's gonna be inspired me because he's gonna
(40:54):
talk to these young folks. They'regonna see he's eighteen. That's right,
that's right. And tell him aboutthe young men who owned the cookie.
Oh yeah, and I was ableto get this butter butter cookie. The
owners they're sixteen year olds gentlemen.One his name is Jaden, the one
that I met. His father's misterMayo. And I happened to go to
(41:14):
their team. What it was aviolence awaren this event and I talked with
him and they said they were goingto be there and they're going to be
a speaker as well. Oh wonderfulks. So that's a great thing. I
love all this. This is positiveand to help our young folks because they
need it now. And one otherthing I just happened to be on the
internet. It is ironic that Iwas able to do this and a sixteen
(41:37):
year old. I haven't shared thiswith the mayor yet, but I was
going to a sixteen year old gentlemansixteen now owns his own snack shop.
It's called Zack's Snacks. I emailedhim. He wants to be a part
of it. He's going to doa virtual for us in sixteen. He's
a millionaire, now off of thosesnacks. What a millionaire. I love
(42:00):
it. I love it. Yeah, yes, I mean you know,
entrepreneurship, yes, you know,we got that covered, getting into the
workforce, we got that covered.Northwest Community College that one of our sponsors.
We got the education piece covered.You know what, what lane do
you need to be in? Youjust pick it out. We'll have it
available for that. I love it. I love it. I'll give before
(42:22):
I get to Mayor Henderson, doctorJones. Last words you'd like to say
to our listeners today, Please comeout and enjoy the activities and the festivities,
and thank you so much for havingus. I really really appreciate that.
And this is just the first year. Okay, thank you, and
you are quite welcome. And MaryHenderson again, give the date and when
(42:43):
this is all taking place. Sothe easiest way to remember it, folks,
is the very first day of summer. If you forget the date,
just google first day of summer Junethe twentieth. That is a Thursday,
the twentieth, the twenty first,and the twenty second at Thursday, Friday
Saturday. First Annual Walls Teens.Thank you so much. I'm coming to
Walls. Come on I'm gonna comeand visit you at Walls, Mississippi,
(43:07):
WA. I can't wait, andand and may Herenderson tell doctor McLamore.
I said, hello, I promiseyou I will please do. Promise,
please do. I'mping at the bitsto let him know, please do,
please do. Mayor Kedron Henderson,the mayor of Walls, Mississippi. Doctor
juan Nita Jones with on the RightTrack Foundation and we got something in common.
(43:29):
V. I love Jackson State jackJackson State University. Yay day,
Brandy, oh, V. Iloves Yeah. Hey, they know us
up, they know us up.Thank you all so much for being here,
and thank you callers, thank youlisteners for joining us this day on
(43:51):
the BEV Johnson Show. We do, we really do appreciate you. So
until tomorrow, please be safe.Cap a cool head, y'all, and
don't let anyone steal your joy.Until tomorrow, I'm BEV Johnson, and
y'all keep the faith. The viewsand opinions discussed on The BEV Johnson Show
(44:15):
are that of the hosts and callers, and not those of the staff and
sponsors of wd IA.
Still your good Will and good TimeStation ten seventy w d I A listen
on the free iHeartRadio app for allyour music radio and podcasts. Free Never
Sound is so good Ye with aHeart and Soul of Memphis. Ten seventy
w d I A Memphis just showbell chomping, Memphis talking and all away.
(00:25):
Helm On you go, you go, don't getting ready in time show.
Let's go bell justin we you makeyour day by here. Wud listen
(00:46):
to one today. You know it'stime of the bells show, Time of
the bell show. Let's go.We are rocking and rolling on this Tuesday,
June eleven, twenty twenty four.Enjoy this beautiful day today. It
is a beautiful day in Memphis,Tennessee. And I am so happy to
(01:08):
announce. I told y'all I gota mayor coming in. Yeah. I
know, y'all, I've been wonderingwhat mayor. Well, let me say
this. He was elected as thefirst let me say this, as the
first black mayor of the town ofWalls, Mississippi, and the first black
(01:30):
mayor in the one one hundred andeighty fourth year history of Mississippi's DeSoto County.
Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduceto you, Mayor Hey John Henderson
of Walls, Mississippi. Good afternoon, Mayor Henderson. How are you.
(01:51):
I'm doing well. I'm live,awake and feeling great. How are you
doing. I'm doing well. I'mdoing well. You look well since I
met you? Yes, you did. It was at the It was at
that Christmas party over at the riverwell, yes, over at the River
(02:12):
Terrace that yeah, because I wastrying to think of, now, where
did I meet man Henderson? Andyou're absolutely correct. Yeah, I saw
you and I just had to comeover and talk to you. You did
for so long? You did,you and the late great Bobbio Jay uh.
And you know what, you blessme? You really did well.
Thank you, Thank you, MaryHenderson. Will you blessed me? But
tell our listeners, they're going likeWalls Mistlesippy has a black mayor, precious
(02:37):
town of Walls, Mississippi, asI affectionately referred to it as, Yeah
to precious town. Tell us alittle bit about Mayor Henderson. Well,
obviously, I'm the mayor of Walls, Mississippi, born and raised in Walls.
I do have roots in Memphis.My grandparents rid me in Walls,
Mississippi. My mother was a singleparent and she lived in Walker Homes.
(03:00):
Yeah, she lived in Walker Homeson Flynn right off of Weaver Road.
So weekends I would spend my timein Memphis, but during the week I
would be in Walls, Mississippi,being reared by my grandmother. And so
I like to say I got thebest of both for us. Yes you
did. And how did you decideto run for mayor of Walls? Well,
(03:21):
I will tell you. Walls,Mississippi. You know, it's the
fourth weather fifth town in Desota County. And when you think about the explosive
growth over the last thirty years inDesota County. A lot of people don't
know this, but in the midnineties, Desota County was the third fastest
growing county in the entire country.What oh Yeah, And to this day
it's still the fastest growing county inthe state of Mississippi. And our town,
(03:45):
Walls is on the furthest west sideof Desota County and the growth has
been stagnant in our area. Andso, you know, you talk about
things with my grandmother. About tenyears ago she told me, she said,
you know, you can talk aboutit, or you can do something
about it, you know, AndI said, how am I gonna do
something about it? You know?Right right? But a lot of times,
a lot of times, you know, just starting a conversation will lead
(04:08):
to great things. And so weput a plan together and I got out
in the community and started, youknow, working with with youth, working
with seniors, just doing whatever Icould in the community. And then I
just got bit by the bug andI said, you know what I'm gonna
I'm gonna run from Mayor. Andin twenty twenty, during the height of
covid H, I ran and gotin and we hadn't looked back since.
(04:30):
Wow. Wow, now now,Mayor Henderson that that Walls is not that
big. Now it's not that big, but just south of two thousand people.
Wow, that that's that's not bigatough Yeah. Yeah, yeah.
If you if you're going people willsay, you know, if you blink
your missus right right right, yeah, Because we always have seen the sign
(04:56):
that welcome to Walls is you're goingdown, and people were going to Tunic
or going that way. But I'vealways thought how big is Walls because I
think it's connected close to Horn Lake, right, it is Horn Lake is
our next door neighbor in our town. It's about fifteen square miles okay,
yeah, yeah, and mostly agricultural, although we do have some industry in
(05:18):
our town. In fact, ifyou've ever shopped at Walmart and you bought
a pillow from Walmart anywhere in thecountry, it was manufactured in walls,
but out of here. Yeah.Brentwood Originals we got them in walls about
a decade ago, and they manufactureall of the pillows. So if you
buy a pillow, whether it's fora couch, for a bed, or
(05:39):
throw a pillow, whatever the casemay be, it's manufactured in walls.
Their headquarters, believing or not,is in Los Angeles, California. Get
out of see. That's see.I told people I learned something new every
day. Oh yeah, I didn'tknow that, just ma'am. Yeah.
Yeah. So SAMR. Henderson andbeing in walls and I know it's small,
and you say, you know you'reagricultural. What have you been trying
(06:00):
to get industry? People? Areare they looking at walls to come be
because it's a small town. Oh? Absolutely, Walls is a blank canvas,
as I call it all the time. I mean, you know,
we have access to the river,we have access to the new interchange,
our sixty nine, and as youknow, I mean we're very close to
the Memphis International Airport, you know, so there's a lot of opportunities for
(06:25):
manufacturing and things that affect and whilstdistribution, but not only that tech as
well. I mean, you know, there are a lot of a lot
of There's an energy site that's aboutsixteen hundred acres that's been on the market
for a while and it's already zonedrights already right for the Pickens, And
we've had a lot of interest overthe last couple of years with companies looking
at that particular site. So we'rejust one you know, catalyst away from
(06:47):
taking off and we'll be ready.And I think it's a well kept secret
walls and probably a good community.People may want to move too, because
I don't hear about a lot ofcrime and walls. Yeah, you know,
we are at bedroom community. WhatI like to say is we're remote
with access, okay, and welike that, yes, ma'am, absolutely.
(07:10):
I mean, you know, we'retwenty five minutes away from downtown Memphis,
with twenty five minutes away from thecasinos in Tunica, twenty five minutes
away from the airport. And youknow that we are a very safe town.
We're close knit community, which isgreat, which is great. Yeah,
I remember, and I know youprobably know him, that I met
him when I attended graduate school atJackson State doctor Leslie maclamore, living legend
(07:38):
civil rights leader. Yes he is. I have seen pictures of him on
stage with Martin Luther King. I'veseen pictures of him with Reverend Jesse Jackson.
I mean this guy, you knowhe marched with Fanny Lou Hamer.
Yes, yeah, and you knowwhat I went through obviously, you know,
twelve years of high school and wentthrough college. And it's embarrassing to
(07:59):
say I didn't know who Fanny LouHaymer was until I became mayor. But
I did a quick dive, adeep dive, and that woman is amazing,
amazing, And you know, MayorHenderson, I still have honored and
and had the privilege of meeting MissFannylue I call him Miss Fanlu. Yes.
When I was a student at JacksonState University, and then I was
(08:22):
when I was working in radio innews and then we have press conference.
I got a chance to meet her. Wow, she was amazing. And
like I said, doctor Maclamore,he was the first one Mayor Henderson that
told me. He called me.I was on w j Sues, Jackson
State's radio station, and doctor Maclamoresaying who are you? I like your
(08:46):
voice, where you come from?And he always encouraged me. Yes,
as he does me. You know, I call him my barrel of knowledge.
You know, he he's encouraging.Yes, he's just knowledge. Yes
he is. And we're both alumniof Russ College, absolutely undergraduate school at
Rust College. Yeah. Yeah,and he loves Russ. He's well oh
(09:09):
yeah, he say he's still verymuch involved. Yes he is, Yes,
he is, Yes he is.Well good, Well, we're we're
in good company. A man.Well, I'm glad you told us a
little bit about yourself. And forpeople who didn't know Walls, Mississippi,
how's a black mayor? Yes?And Walls is on the move. I
mean we since I've been in office, we've broken ground on four new residential
(09:30):
developments. I mean essentially, we'veall we've doubled the residency in our town
Walls over the over the last fourand a half years. Wow, yeah,
yeah, So I mean we arewe're on the move. Sounds good,
yes, ma'am, if you've justtuned in this afternoon, I am
talking to the Mayor of Walls,Mississippi. He was named the best Mayor
(09:54):
of twenty twenty three in the DesodaTimes Tribune. What brother, what you
know? But when I got thatcall, Ms. Johnson, I was
so shocked, and I just feltan overwhelming sense of pride, you know,
and encouragement because you know, youdo things because you know, you
have a heart for stuff, andyou don't really do it for the accolades
and things of that effect. Butto be recognized like that, you know,
(10:18):
little o'd Walls, little lod key, it really touched me. And
we parlayed that we uh, infact, we I guess we're gonna get
into that a little bit and talkabout this youth summit. But we had
a we had a party to celebrateto raise money for our teen summit that's
going to be kicking off in Walls, and we just thought, what a
great way to get the word outand get some excitement going, you know,
(10:39):
for our teen summit. Yeah,it sounds good. I am talking
y'all to the Mayor of Walls,Mississippi. When at your turn to talk,
you may have a question for him. Nine zero one, five three
five, nine three four two eighthundred five zero three nine three four two
eight three three three five nine threefour to two will get you in to
(11:03):
us. You're listening to the legendaryw DA. You're listening to the Heart
and Soul of Memphis, The BevJohnson Show, exclusively on WDA. Somebody
(11:26):
said June Black Music Month. BlackMusic Music Mon ten seventy w DIA celebrates
Black Music Month. He was borna slave, but with the first African
American to record commercially, he wasfreed and migrated to New York and became
a street singer. He was discoveredand recorded and sold thousands of records.
(11:48):
George Washington Johnson went from slave torecording artist. I'm flow wrote with a
taro fine art with your black musicMoment, celebrating our rich musical history.
(12:09):
Al my law on the Heart andSoul of Memphis. Ten seventy w d
I. As you're listening to theBev Johnson Show, here's Bev Johnson and
I'm talking with Mayor Kedron Henderson,the mayor of Walls, Mississippi. Going
(12:31):
to our phone lines to talk toyou. Hi, Steve, Hello,
my most beautiful black queen. Heymy Steve. Hello, mister children Henderson,
what's going on? Baby? Look, my name is Stephen Sidney.
(12:54):
Refresh your memory a little bit.Let me tell right, let me Chad
bail Bell that guy man when wewas coming to the FIST. I'm gonna
be quick because I know people wantto get in. Man. I just
want to commend you. I rememberwhen you first got that position for Marriyll
(13:15):
Wallas, Mississippi Many. I wasso proud. Man. You're doing a
wonderful job. And just let mesay this, when me and my wife
was coming to the FIST, Iswear, man, you took very,
very very good care of us.Man, I'm talking about you treated us.
Man. You just really took careof us. I don't want to
go no farther but main, you'redoing a wonderful job, man, And
(13:37):
I just want to just give yourprops right now. Glass you to Marya.
You're doing a wonderful job. Iknow you're still down at the pit,
but mame, thank you for takinggreat, great care of us.
When me and my wife was comingto the bus and y'all got the bench
crayd legs. That being said,I'm gonna let somebody. I'm gonna let
somebody get in. I'm gonna letsomebody else get in. Man, hey,
man, you take care of man. You're doing a wonderful job.
(14:00):
Thank you so much. I receivedthat, man. Thank you. I
really appreciate those those super kind words. Man, Thank you, thank you.
Welcome Bill you welcome. Hi.Chris, Hey, how you doing,
Bail. I'm doing well, Chris, and yourself, I'm doing fine.
What do you say? Yes,sir, I wanted to ask the
(14:22):
mirror about how far the walls godown sixty one? Does it go all
the way down to that? Uh, first service station once you leave the
city, it would be the firstservice station on the on the on the
right hand side, it's a redlight there. I think this Lake Come
a run yep, yep. Yeah. That that is actually where our town
(14:45):
limit stops that star Landing Road,And if you go to the left there
will be one of our new residentialdevelopments called the Landing And then just down
from there is Lake Coming High Schooland then Lake Common Middle School and also
Lake Comed Elementary. Yeah and thatuh yeah, that that is going to
be one of the focal points ofthe growth of our town right there.
So yeah, that is exactly thelocation that you're referring to. Oh okay,
(15:11):
man, Well that's all I havefor you, mister man, and
good luck to you, Thank youso much. Good luck to you too.
Thank you, Chris, thank you, I forgot me. Or yeah,
Lake Come Run is in that littlearea too. Oh yeah, oh
yeah. A lot of history inLake Comry too, oh is it?
Yeah, a lot of history.You know, back in the day there
was a lot of juke joints downin that Oh yeah, okay, you
(15:35):
know about that. Oh yeah,wow, wow, yeah, a lot
of people didn't don't know this.But walls you know, back in the
day before you could get to BillStreet. You if you didn't pass the
smell test in walls with your bandand your singing, you didn't make it
to Bill Street. Uh. Thereis a lady that her final resting places
in walls. Uh. Some ofyour listeners may be familiar with her.
Her name is mephis Minie. Yes, she recorded over a hundred songs in
(16:00):
walls. Uh, and one ofher songs, uh led Zeppelin did a
cover of it when the when thelevee breaks and they want a Grammy wind
cover of Memphis Many Songs. Yeah, wow, yeah and uh. Two
years ago we had our very firstWalls Delta Festival and we honored her,
got a chance to meet her family. Uh and uh. And in fact
(16:22):
there they have a staple footprint atevery festival going for it. Her family
does. But yeah, a lotof a lot of history that a lot
of people don't know about in ourlittle precious town. I see, I
see yeah. Back to our phonelines. Hey Norman, Hey bab,
how are you? I'm blatastic?Brother? How are you past? You
know I'm black? Sounds like yougot a blackcastic mail in that bell.
(16:45):
I got a black tastic mayor upin here? All right? Well,
every brother prince say those wonderful thingsabout him. I shoe agree a certain
agree and listen, mayor, howare you, sir? I'm doing well,
brother? How you doing today?Brother? I'm told black tastic.
I don't know what to sell,dude behind it, but I just want
to bet. Thank you for beinghere for Sama, Thank you for saying
(17:07):
with us. I've never heard ofMemphis Many, but now that you mentioned
her, I'm going to certain researchand find out how I can thank her
by learning of her and teach othersabout her. So that's that's the only
way I can do that when ourancestors are no longer with us. But
I'm sold those thankful to you,bab. I need to say thank you
(17:27):
to you bre we for our summercamp enrichment program. It's going absolutely upper
chain as blackcastic as it can be. We're doing all those things that we've
called to do. That he iskeeping our children the reading writing rhythmetic,
but we're also bed teaching them thatblack Castic history. Bam. We have
(17:48):
some of the greatest children in theworld. I promise you we did.
We really do. Bed. Ourbabies are so wonderful. But Bob,
I just want to thank you becauseyou really know what's happening for us by
giving all the baby here and thepeople in the community. I cannot stop
but thanks kind of Commissioner Henry Brooksfor her work. She's made it possible
for us. But Bell glad itwas all the change. Thank you for
(18:12):
advertising that. As a result ofthat, Bell Will started write the package
for a Black Man, Boy andGirl. Okay, I said you some
pictures of the man, so I'llkeep you up on what we're doing with
that. Please. I'll just haveto tell you thank you again. Bill,
I love you and you're quite well. What well? Thank you and
(18:32):
and and Norman. Keep listening becauseyou're gonna be want to get it,
get interested in what Mayor Henderson isgetting ready to tell us about. He's
gonna talk about his teen summit.So you be listening for that because you
may be interested in that. Allright, Norman, thank you, Thank
you, Norman. Bye bye,w D I a hey caller, Hey
(18:53):
bell, Prince Charles again, howyou doing? I'm doing well, Prince
Charles? Hey, how you doingthat? Sir? Doing well? Are
you? Sir? I'm on thetop shelf. I can't complain. Man.
I drive down sixty one every singleday, headed down the TUNICU.
I got to ask you a questionif I made Oh yeah, a friend
of mine, a friend of mineyears ago, and I'm a belvedown to
(19:15):
those that I'm an advocate angler.I love the outdoors. And a friend
of mine told me years ago,I'm talking about maybe ten years ago,
set us some great fishing down inthat place. Can you can you verify
that for me. Well, youknow what there used to be years ago.
There's not so much these days.But growing up as a youth man,
(19:36):
let me tell you we did somegreat fishing. I mean great fishing.
There's a lot of little fishing holesaround Walls. Now you got to
go a little bit further south toget that fishing, just because of development
things of that effect. But hedidn't lie to you. He didn't lie
to you. Well, I knowhe told me. He said it was
some you can get some nice brim, some nice crop up and man if
I could never find that place,but he told me, tell me about
(20:00):
it. So you just verified whathe did say to me. And in
your town of Walls, Mississippi,what is the population. We're just south
of two thousand people in our inour incorporated town. Oh okay, so
it's still growing, still growing.Yeah, y'all, come on, we
got we got room for you.Looking to move. There's nowhere in the
(20:22):
world I would move in Mississippi.I visited, but I won't move to
Mississt. All right, Okay,take you, sir, and healthy day,
Thank you too, Thank you.Prince. Yeah, May Henderson,
tell us about your teen summit.What is this all about so Miss Johnson.
(20:45):
When I was a youth coming up, there was a program, a
summer program that ran for twenty summersin a row. Uh and uh.
It was initiated by the late SisterVirginia with the Sacred Heart Southern Mission and
her in some of her their sisterswould go door to door and ask parents
to have their children attend this thissummer program. And really and truly it
(21:07):
was more of a feeding program.I mean they fed us breakfast, they
fed us lunch, but they addedso much more to it. We took
field trips on a weekly basis.And as I was growing up, I
learned to swim through that particular program. The first time I stepped foot inside
of a skating ring was through thatprogram. The first time I went to
the zoo was through that particular program. The first time I stepped foot inside
(21:32):
a movie theater was through that Somany they took us to Chuck a Lisa.
I mean we did stuff every day. They just took us places and
exposed us to things. And itwasn't just walls. It was walls,
it was Horn Lake, it wasSouth Haven, it was Hernando Nez,
but Tunica. I mean they bustchildren in from miles around, and that
(21:52):
particular program lasted for six weeks,like we could not wait for school to
end, so summer school would startand it was about five hundred children every
summer. Wow, and anyone fromthat area where I'm from, Uh,
they can tell you the fun thatwe had back in those days. And
uh, you know, the programwent away. Program went away. And
(22:15):
so what we have decided to dowas, you know, try and replicate
it as best we can and selfbirth the teen Summit. So this is
a very very mild version of thatparticular summer program, but we have enhanced
it a little bit with with someeducational stuff as well as a career exploration
(22:36):
exercise where we are going to haveindustry professionals from all across industries and entrepreneurs
to expose children to different careers.Right, So we're going to have for
example, attorneys, nurses, realators, finance people, banking people, you
know, auto diesel mechanic, youknow, all types of careers and entrepreneurs
will be there to talk to thechildren. You know, what does it
(22:59):
take to get in this particular feelwhat type of education do you need?
A formal education? You know,can you go to trade school and that
kind of thing to get involved.And the idea behind that is that all
children are not going to go tocollege. Let's just face exactly, they're
not. And even the children thatare going to go to college, don't
waste your parents' money changing your majoreighty seven times. You know, kind
(23:21):
of know a lane that you wantto be in, develop a passion for
something, because, as you know, if you're doing something that you love
to do, like you you neverreally work a day in your life,
you're right, And so that's whatwe want to do. We want to
just get them exposed to different careerpaths so that they can develop a passion
for something. We are also goingto give them a version of mas Briggs
assessment so that they know and theirparents know what type of personalities that they
(23:45):
have. I mean, if you'renot a people person, you have no
business going in the hospitality. Youknow, if you're not good with your
hands, well you don't need togo in the auto DZ mechanic. You
know that that kind of thing.And we're also going to provide you know,
obviously good good food for them,good breakfast food, truck style lunches.
(24:06):
Uh, and uh. And we'realso gonna incorporate the educational infield trip
aspect of it because we're going totake them to the Civil Rights Museum wonderful,
and we have charter buses. Weain't putting them on the Yellow Cheese,
but we have a charter buses withac and recliner seats. We're gonna
take them to the Civil Rights Museum. They're gonna get a guided tour.
(24:26):
We have a speaker lined up forthem there. And we're also going to
feed them lunch there at the facility, and then we're gonna come back to
the campus for some more activities.Uh. And then that third day,
that that Saturday, So it's Thursday, Friday and Saturday. That Saturday,
we're gonna do a movie night uhthere at the campus in the backyard.
We're gonna sit a big screen,we're gonna have the food truck. We're
gonna have a popcorn, we're gonnahave ices, we're gonna have a DJ
(24:48):
we're gonna have the moon Bounce forthe little kids. Because the little kids
can't be involved the first two days, but that that third day, it's
gonna be pretty much a community familyfunction. Uh. And I'm so looking
forward to it. Now you broughta special person with you, Oh yeah,
introduce so she can get in totell us what she'll be doing with
the yes. Yes. So youknow, when when we are in the
(25:11):
political arena, we always try toencourage people to get involved. Uh and
quite frankly, not enough people inany neighborhood really gets involved. Uh.
Well, the good Lord sent ussomeone who moved two walls, Prince charge
you hear me, someone moved twowalls. Uh. And she wanted to
get involved. She started coming toour town hall meetings. Uh and uh,
(25:33):
you know, she would share openlywith good ideas. She would she
was a regular contributor and uh soI forged your friendship with her, and
uh and lo and behold, thislady already had a non profit organization that
was up and running, and Italked to her about the idea for running
the teen Summit, and I meanshe just jumped in full swing and she's
(25:56):
been a god seeing. Her nameis doctor Wannita Jones. And I don't
want to steal too much of herthunder. I want her to tell a
little bit about what she does,and particularly with her nonprofit on the right
track because she has been that inteclintercal a component and helping us get this
thing going. Well. Welcome,doctor Jannita Jones. How are you.
(26:18):
I'm fantastic. How are you.I'm doing fabulous today. Tell us about
your nonprofit? Okay, my nonprofit, as Mayor Henderson said, is on
the right track. And what wedo is help individuals with their career path
and as he mentioned, its careerexploration, career career awareness, career development.
And after we get them into theircareer awareness and career development, we
(26:42):
not only leave them there, butwe continue with them until they achieved that
particular goal. And so doing that, why did you want to get involved
with Mayor Henderson's summit? To behonest with you, Just as he said,
I first initially started going to themeetings when I moved to Walls because
for some reason, and generally Ido not do that, but for some
(27:07):
reason, my spirit kept saying youneed to get involved, you need to
get involved with the community. Andlo and behold, I've met the mayor
and some of the aldermen and realizeddidn't know doctor Macklimore was an alderman at
the time. I'm a Jacksonian,myself, two time graduates exactly. So
I wonder where you're there. WhenI was there, I'm sure I was.
(27:29):
We're gonna tell what. Yeah,I'm just like Mayor a couple of
years ago, a couple of yearsago. Yeah, And I've always had
the urge and desire to help individualsanyway with their career path. Every time
I talk with some you'll you'll seeand they'll tell you she's gonna start getting
in your business, asking you whatyour plans are in life, et cetera,
et cetera. So Mayor said hewas doing this summit and the spirit
(27:52):
hit me and say, you askhim if you can partner with him,
And that's what I did, andhe said, yeah, sure, And
from that point on we've been goingfull blast. I love it so part
and so so again. Mayor Hendersonkind of told us, doctor Jones,
what what what the summit is about? So in your part and what are
you gonna be helping and teaching theseyoung folks? Okay, my part is
(28:15):
pretty much then the coordination of theentire summit to be uns with you.
So basically we start I started withthe recruitment, getting the package together and
things of that nature and the aspectof the lineup. My responsibility was to
get that information together in terms ofthe professionals and getting them in terms of
their h in the program and thelineup and things like that. And then
(28:37):
also the Myers brig component, theassessment piece. That's what we do in
our program as well. We primarilyuse the assessment to determine and help individuals
decide on their personality. And notonly that, but we have a vocational
aspect of it as well to helpthem decide on their career path. I
love that. I love that.Now, now, Mayor Henderson, when
(28:59):
is the sum going to take place? The first day is the very first
day of summer, June twentieth.That is a Thursday, So we're literally
two weeks away, well a littleless than two weeks away. Actually yeah,
yeah, is it too late?Well, let me ask this is
this summer just for those youth inWalls. That is a great question.
(29:22):
I have gone door to door inWalls because you know, I love my
precious towne of Walls and I wantall the children in Walls to have an
opportunity to attend. We have fundingfor one hundred children and to answer your
question. No, we do notcare about an imaginary line. Is this
is a ministry right and children fromall walks of life are going to be
(29:44):
put in a position where they candevelop lifelong contacts at this teen summit because
you know, sometimes it's not onlywhat you know, it's who you know.
So the opportunity is available. Andas I mentioned earlier in the segment,
you know, I have a verystrong ties to Memphis growing up,
you know, in Walker homes,So we don't care about even the state
(30:07):
line. If you have a teensixth grade through twelfth grade, we need
to get in contact with doctor JonnitaJones to get them hooked up. And
all you gotta do is call heror email her at on the right track.
Give them your numb Yeah, givethem number. Okay. The number
is six six two six seven onetwo six ninety five. One more time,
(30:27):
six six two six seven one twosix ninety five, and the email
address is on the right track zerozero one at gmail. On the right
track, zero zero one at Gmail. And miss Johnson, I just want
to say this because I know she'snot going to say it. She has
been a mentor to me as well, and she has a consulting portion of
(30:52):
her business. Uh. And that'sthe other part of our relationship. She
is helping me set up my ownnonprofit. And you know, there are
a lot of moving parts when you'retrying to, you know, step into
that arena. And she's well versed. She's helped others do the exact same
thing, and she's very free giving. She she doesn't hold back knowledge.
UH. So you know, ifany of your listeners are are interested in
(31:14):
starting up a nonprofit, I wouldstrongly encouraged him to contact this later because
she knows her stuff sounds good.We're gonna go doctor Jones and Mayherndersson to
our phone lines. W D IA hi caller. Hey, I thank
you for taking my call. Beautifulbear. Hey there, doctor and Mayor.
This is late in the game,and I had a couple of questions,
(31:37):
but I'm a married to answer thisone. Uh. For a challenged
areas of community. A lot ofmoney left the state with the bread fire
things where they took a lot ofmoney out of the state, and the
government say he didn't know anything aboutit, but that much money leaving the
state, I doubt that. Butare the mayor's coming together and demanding because
(32:00):
the moneys were for challenged communities.Are the mayors coming together to demand what
happened to that money and to getthat money for their communities. That's a
question. Thank you, Thank you, William Mayor Henderson. Yeah, that's
that's a that's a great question.And quite frankly, you know, as
a public service, that is avery very fair question. Uh. You
(32:21):
know, I typically, you know, don't come in on ongoing litigation and
things of that effect. So Ido apologize that I really can't, you
know, give you any specific informationon it, but I will tell you
that, you know, it's avery very fair question that you asked.
And uh. You know, governmentmoney, whether it's coming from the federal
level, or the state level orquite frankly your next door neighbor, it
(32:45):
should be used for the purposes thatit is intended for. And uh and
and as the mayor Walls, Ican guarantee you that under my administration,
we we we watch those types ofthings very very closely. Very good w
d I Hey caller, Hey,how you doing bath? I'm doing well
in yourself? Good, I'm doinggood. Come on to your guess,
(33:07):
but God to know it to youguess how you doing. How you doing?
Brother? Good? Good, congratulationson being the first mayor of Walls,
Mississippi. Thank you, thank youso much. And congratulations to the
lady forgetting her doctor's degree. Thankyou that success. You don't hear too
(33:28):
much about success these days, butthank god, you all three are successful.
Day. I would want to sayone thing. I'm gonna leave you
alone, kudo to you. Iwas thinking about you this morning. I
would listen to another radio session andI thought about you. You've been on
this radio long long time. I'mfifty three now, I was sixteen time
(33:51):
I heard Wait a minute, brother, Now now look, I'm like the
mayor. Now tell you're telling noage but no, you're trying to make
me scund like I'm sorry, I'mold. Oh, but but you know
what, you know what, It'sa blessing and you're right. I have
been doing radio for forty eight years. Wow, brother, I have been
(34:13):
at this and I'm practicing and I'vebeen at this station for forty one years.
Coraculation. Thank you. I'm talkingabout thank you, But I'm not
gonna hold you up. I justwant to give you a kotos and tell
your guests keep up to good work. Let me ask this question. Let
me ask this question. You listen, you would listen to another station where
(34:35):
they're talking about me. I rememberwhen I was working this. Okay,
I'm just messing with you. Youmight remember this. Your faith was on
a milk cart. Yes, yes, yes, it was on a milk
card. And you're absolutely correct.You're right right, I remember that.
(35:00):
I'm gonna let you go, butcongratulations to each with every one of you
own. Thank you so much,Thank you for listener. Bye bye,
w D I a high caller.Hey bell, Hey day, your pleasure,
double your fund? That's right.How you doing, mister ma'am?
I'm doing well, brother. Howyou doing today? I'm holding on,
(35:22):
as we say in no Memphis,I'm holding on. Look, are you
looking for more money for development fromthe federal side? Do you think that's
something that you're kind of small?But there are there is funding available for
that standpart for fire stations and thingsof that nature. That's something that your
(35:45):
team would be interested in talking withme about. Oh absolutely, I mean,
you know, growth, growth issomething that we're spiring to do.
You know you mentioned fire stations.I'm so proud to say one of our
state representatives, Hester Jackson McCrae.She she was integral in helping us very
(36:05):
very recently secure five hundred thousand dollarsof funding to at a training facility to
our fire station and walls. Andwhat that's gonna enable us to do is,
well, let me back the truckup. Currently, if our fire
department need additional training and things thateffect, we would have to send our
guys to another department and ask MutualAid to come in and run our fire
(36:29):
department. So now with this trainingfacility extension to our fire department, we
will not only be able to trainour guys there in walls, but we
will also be able to train otherdepartments in walls, and obviously that's going
to be an additional source of revenueas well. So absolutely, that net
is always out there. We're alwaysyou know, looking for opportunities, whether
(36:52):
it be grants, whether it beyou know, even public private ventures,
We're looking at those types of things. So yes, absolutely, the you
can contact contact me directly. I'mvery public on Facebook. You know there
at the office, someone's always therewilling to listen and and gather ideas to
get me that information. So yeah, reach out to us. Thank you.
(37:14):
Okay, that that sounded like Iwant to I will. I will
do that. In fact, Ithink we have a conference next week with
some lenders that that specialize and rulelending, so it would be actually alone
and not a grant. But butit's special for the rural areas as well.
Yes, sir, oh oh,hello, young lady. I'm sorry
(37:35):
about my manners. Doctor. Howare you I'm doing I'm doing well,
bell and closing. I thought youwas gonna have that old jive west messis
mel clanding on that. I'm heartshout out to Clinton. Don't don't talk
(37:57):
about my little p y T Davis. See that's another thing too, I
said, she got another p ytis a studio with I know how she
worked, but let me say,it's refreshing to see how young men and
our young women doing the thing.Man so and let me say he and
da and he is a young heis a young man. And I love
(38:17):
it when he first introduced me hisselfto me back in during the Christmas time
and he said, I'm mayor,I'm looking at him, you mayor what
he said, Walls Mississippi, Isaid, all right, brother, look
look look they honored me with somethingat the elementary school. They say,
(38:38):
yeah, he's a mayor, he'sthe mayor of Douglas, so I receive
it. But yeah, it is. It is great to hear brother McClinton
and you brother doing the thing.And it's an eighteen year old over in
Arkansas too, man, Yes,it is it is. Where is doctor
Jones? Yeah? Excuse me onemoment I was about to say our speaker
(39:00):
he is the eighteen year old Wowfrom the mayor in Earl, Arkansas,
Jalen Smith. Yeah, good,thank you for saying that, doctor Jones.
That's gonna be great. It's gonnabe great. I actually had the
opportunity to meet him in Atlanta,Georgia about a month and a half ago.
I attended the tenth Annual African AmericanMayor's Conference in Atlanta, Georgia,
(39:22):
and we got an opportunity to meetinsidebar and he got well. Doctor Jones
got in contact with him and heagreed to come, and so we're looking
forward to having him there. He'sa dynamic young guy, he really is.
Yeah, why were shoot the bestand Mclinton and all the rest of
the best, Brother and y'all makeus proud and we get so much negative
(39:45):
stuff sometimes that is great bear tohear our young people doing very positive things
for the future. Thank you allhaving rich you too, Thank you David.
Yes, I love to hear that. Now now, Mar Henderson,
is it too late for young peopleto sign up? Or do they?
How do they sign up? Howdo they get into the summit. It's
definitely not too late. We dohave still some open slots available. We
(40:07):
want to fill all of them.We got funding for one hundred young people.
Uh. And they just need togive doctor Jones a call. Uh
and doctor Jones give him your phonenumber one more time six six two six
seven one two six five yeah.And uh. And then she also has
a website which is uh on theright track dot biz. Yeah, on
(40:30):
the right check on the right trackdot biz. That's the little dot Yeah.
I see, I got you,I got you ood. Yeah.
So we we have open slots available, we want to fill them up.
We don't want any empty seats onthose buses. No, no, And
that sounds fabulous. I love that. And you all got the mayor from
Earl yes, ma'am and so andthat's gonna be inspired me because he's gonna
(40:54):
talk to these young folks. They'regonna see he's eighteen. That's right,
that's right. And tell him aboutthe young men who owned the cookie.
Oh yeah, and I was ableto get this butter butter cookie. The
owners they're sixteen year olds gentlemen.One his name is Jaden, the one
that I met. His father's misterMayo. And I happened to go to
(41:14):
their team. What it was aviolence awaren this event and I talked with
him and they said they were goingto be there and they're going to be
a speaker as well. Oh wonderfulks. So that's a great thing. I
love all this. This is positiveand to help our young folks because they
need it now. And one otherthing I just happened to be on the
internet. It is ironic that Iwas able to do this and a sixteen
(41:37):
year old. I haven't shared thiswith the mayor yet, but I was
going to a sixteen year old gentlemansixteen now owns his own snack shop.
It's called Zack's Snacks. I emailedhim. He wants to be a part
of it. He's going to doa virtual for us in sixteen. He's
a millionaire, now off of thosesnacks. What a millionaire. I love
(42:00):
it. I love it. Yeah, yes, I mean you know,
entrepreneurship, yes, you know,we got that covered, getting into the
workforce, we got that covered.Northwest Community College that one of our sponsors.
We got the education piece covered.You know what, what lane do
you need to be in? Youjust pick it out. We'll have it
available for that. I love it. I love it. I'll give before
(42:22):
I get to Mayor Henderson, doctorJones. Last words you'd like to say
to our listeners today, Please comeout and enjoy the activities and the festivities,
and thank you so much for havingus. I really really appreciate that.
And this is just the first year. Okay, thank you, and
you are quite welcome. And MaryHenderson again, give the date and when
(42:43):
this is all taking place. Sothe easiest way to remember it, folks,
is the very first day of summer. If you forget the date,
just google first day of summer Junethe twentieth. That is a Thursday,
the twentieth, the twenty first,and the twenty second at Thursday, Friday
Saturday. First Annual Walls Teens.Thank you so much. I'm coming to
Walls. Come on I'm gonna comeand visit you at Walls, Mississippi,
(43:07):
WA. I can't wait, andand and may Herenderson tell doctor McLamore.
I said, hello, I promiseyou I will please do. Promise,
please do. I'mping at the bitsto let him know, please do,
please do. Mayor Kedron Henderson,the mayor of Walls, Mississippi. Doctor
juan Nita Jones with on the RightTrack Foundation and we got something in common.
(43:29):
V. I love Jackson State jackJackson State University. Yay day,
Brandy, oh, V. Iloves Yeah. Hey, they know us
up, they know us up.Thank you all so much for being here,
and thank you callers, thank youlisteners for joining us this day on
(43:51):
the BEV Johnson Show. We do, we really do appreciate you. So
until tomorrow, please be safe.Cap a cool head, y'all, and
don't let anyone steal your joy.Until tomorrow, I'm BEV Johnson, and
y'all keep the faith. The viewsand opinions discussed on The BEV Johnson Show
(44:15):
are that of the hosts and callers, and not those of the staff and
sponsors of wd IA.
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