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Turning the Tide: Unity, History, and the Future of College Football in Mississippi

In early 2025, Southern Miss hired Charles Huff as its first Black head football coach. Minority enrollment reached an all-time high—more than double what it was in the 1990s. It was tempting to believe Mississippi had finally turned a corner, that a new chapter had begun. But right before the recent Southern Miss and Jackson […]

Published

10 months ago

September 16, 2025

Oakland Post

But right before the recent Southern Miss and Jackson State game, a so-called fan brought the past into the present by posting a racist “dos and don’ts” list on the Eaglepost Facebook page, sparking outrage across social media. The rivalry between Southern Miss and JSU goes back decades. This wasn’t that. This was hate.

For the last decade, Black students at Southern Miss have said their PWI “feels like an HBCU.” The clap-back is always swift. Jackson State students remind Southern Miss that it isn’t just about demographics. HBCUs were created to educate Black students who were locked out of white institutions; no amount of shifting enrollment rewrites that DNA.

The Southern Miss student body, its culture, and its conversations are changing. But still, the HBCU running joke speaks to something that, for some, feels sinister. The claim that Southern Miss “feels like an HBCU” misses the mark and verges on parody. With DEI initiatives being erased across higher education, you can’t simply borrow an identity forged in exclusion. However, institutions that came from it and have been carrying that weight for generations are still underfunded and under siege.

Gameday Culture

Gameday at The Rock is theater as much as it is sport. The smell of barbecue drifts through the parking lot. Kids in rival jerseys laugh and play together in the yard while music plays loudly and line dances form. It’s Mississippi’s brand of church: ritual, community, and spectacle. Fans travel from Hattiesburg and Jackson, as well as families divided between black and gold and blue and white, to witness a rivalry that has been ongoing on this field since 1987. It’s an exciting feeling that never goes away.

Then the halftime show brought something that the Facebook trolls could never have imagined. Unity.

First, Jackson State’s Sonic Boom of the South faced the crowd. Then, Southern Miss’s Pride of Mississippi swung in, linking the “S” in JSU and USM with their formations. Suddenly, the unanticipated event occurred. They line danced as one to Cupid’s “Flex.”

It gave me chills, a moment I’ll never forget.

For me, this rivalry isn’t theoretical. It’s family. My father, Dillet Montgomery, played basketball at Southern Miss, and my mother, Rev. Rosa Montgomery-Barron, went there too. My aunt, Phyllis Smiley, graduated from Jackson State. My sister, Delyse, played softball there, and my cousins, Marcus Jr. and Adrian Craft, both played baseball in blue and white. Yes, I’m name-dropping because black and gold run through our blood. Blue and white do too.

That’s why one ugly Facebook post will never define the fan base for me. I grew up on stories of my father arriving at a racist Southern Miss in the late 1970s, when the campus was hostile ground for Black athletes. By the time I came of age during the Jeff Bower years, the culture of Southern Miss football had already begun to shift.

With protests and unrest rising across the country, and Mississippi’s own leadership failing to meet the moment, this was not the time for a racist stunt. Fans come to these games to find joy. The city is proud to host in-state matchups, especially when Mississippi’s HBCUs take the field.

One fan tried to hijack that joy, but the universities refused. Before kickoff, both presidents, Jackson State’s Denise Gregory Jones and Southern Miss’s Joseph S. Paul, released a joint statement affirming unity over division.

The Bigger Legacy

College football has always been a safe space for me and for so many Mississippians. I love the towns that raised me: Hattiesburg, Petal, Ellisville, Laurel, and Jackson. But I don’t love the racism that refuses to die, that insists on showing up uninvited to every gathering, like an uncle who doesn’t know when to leave. That Facebook post was meant to cloud a historic moment. Instead, it threw the spotlight on it.

Coach Huff’s hiring was historic for Southern Miss. He isn’t just another coach climbing the ranks. HBCU culture shaped him. Coach knows he stepped into a position that few Black men ever get to hold.

Huff downplayed the big win after it happened. Instead, he highlighted his friendship with Jackson State’s T.C. Taylor and discussed putting Mississippi football on the map. But make no mistake: this victory was history. Huff broke Southern Miss’s losing streak, did it against an HBCU, and did it in front of a crowd that looked more like him than the sidelines usually do.

While Brett Favre’s welfare scandal continues to cast a shadow over Southern Miss, Coach Huff is making headlines in a different way. The narrative can change—if we let it. Football, the South’s true religion, has been far too slow to allow Black men into the pulpit. Coach Huff has the potential not only to win games but also to reshape what leadership in Mississippi football means.

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Jovita Moore Mural Still Has Not Been Repainted in Grant Park

ATLANTA VOICE — A mural depicting late journalist Jovita Moore, painted on the exterior wall of a building now occupied by Bellwood Coffee in Grant Park, was painted over in April. Moore passed away in 2021 after decades of working in Atlanta television news. Bellwood Coffee owners stated in May they were unaware of Moore’s identity or significance to the community before painting over the mural.
The post Jovita Moore Mural Still Has Not Been Repainted in Grant Park appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 weeks ago

July 8, 2026

Oakland Post

At the corner of Boulevard, SE. and Rosalia St., SE., directly across the street from an abandoned home and a Methodist Church, is Bellwood Coffee. One of hundreds of coffee shops in Atlanta, this place of business would not be worth a solitary discussion if not for the way its exterior walls are currently painted. There was once a mural depicting the late Jovita Moore, a beloved journalist who worked in Atlanta for decades. Moore, who passed away in 2021, mentored many of the people you see on television newscasts today. Though her legacy will never be forgotten, it was the mural of her image that was erased.

In April, members of the Grant Park community voiced their disgust at the mural, which graced a side wall of the building now occupied by Bellwood Coffee’s Grant Park location, before it was painted over. In its place are the words “Bellwood Coffee; Cocktails, Biscuits, Dry Goods, Air Conditioning. *Heat Too”. In May, the business owners responded to the community pushback on social media by acknowledging they did not know who Moore was before painting over her image. And later admitted that they did not attempt to find out what she meant to the community.

On May 21, the Bellwood Coffee Instagram account had a post about being “in close contact with Jovita’s family and are actively working on next steps in this process.” Two months later, the mural has not been replaced, repainted, or repositioned on the property. Nothing has been done. Black history is often erased, most recently by the current Presidential administration, but oftentimes on a smaller, quieter scale. The mural was originally painted by muralist Tommy Bronx, who had been in contact with the business owners about repainting it. As of July 6, Tommy Bronx had responded to a direct message via his Instagram account from The Atlanta Voice about any updates on his plans to repaint the mural.

“We’re currently working on it. You should see some movement in the weeks to come,” he wrote in a response.

On Monday, July 6, the business had several patrons inside and was running smoothly with three employees manning the counter. The Atlanta Voice dropped by Bellwood Coffee to get a look at the exterior wall where the mural once stood as a memorial to a journalist and mother who lost her life to brain cancer at the young age of 54. Moore’s image added some color to the block. The grey wall in its place does not.

A direct message was sent to the Bellwood Coffee Instagram account, and there hasn’t been a response as of 7 p.m. on Monday.

The post Jovita Moore Mural Still Has Not Been Repainted in Grant Park appeared first on The Atlanta Voice.

Based on reporting by Atlanta Voice.

The post Jovita Moore Mural Still Has Not Been Repainted in Grant Park appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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‘Proud to Hang Her from a Tree’: Man Arrested for Threatening Black Senator

ATLANTA DAILY WORLD — A New York man faces felony hate crime charges for allegedly posting a threat against New York State Senator Lea Webb. James A. Crosby, 49, of Binghamton, was arrested by New York State Police after investigators determined he posted a threatening comment on a social media news post about a Juneteenth celebration.
The post ‘Proud to Hang Her from a Tree’: Man Arrested for Threatening Black Senator appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 weeks ago

July 8, 2026

Oakland Post

A New York man is facing felony hate crime charges after allegedly posting that he’d be “proud to hang” New York State Senator Lea Webb from a tree in response to a news story about a Juneteenth celebration.

James A. Crosby, 49, of Binghamton, was arrested June 23 by New York State Police after investigators determined he posted a threatening comment on a WBNG 12 News Facebook post. “I’d be proud to hang her from a tree,” Crosby wrote, according to WBNG.

Crosby was charged with making a terroristic threat as a hate crime, a class C felony, per the New York State Police. He is currently being held at Broome County Jail.

During the subsequent investigation, state police found Crosby was in illegal possession of firearms despite being prohibited from owning them due to a prior felony conviction. Investigators recovered a rifle, a large-capacity ammunition feeding device, and a firearm suppressor — all prohibited under New York state law, per the NYSP.

Crosby was charged with four additional counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, all class D felonies.

Webb, who represents New York’s 52nd Senate District, had been a featured speaker at a Juneteenth flag-raising ceremony at Binghamton City Hall, where the celebration included prayers and the singing of the Black national anthem.

Police said Crosby’s comment was posted in response to a WBNG news story covering the event.

The day before his arrest, Crosby posted a Facebook apology claiming the comment “was not intended to be racial in any way” and was made in reference to what he described as a “criminal,” citing criticism of Webb over her use of nonprofit legal aid in a foreclosure case — a matter state watchdogs said created an appearance of a conflict of interest, per the Ithaca Voice. He was arrested the following day.

Webb issued a public statement June 25 condemning the threat.

“It was extremely disappointing and hurtful to see the now-deleted threat and attacks on my life in response to a story about Juneteenth, a national holiday that recognizes the ending of slavery in America,” she said. “Feedback and thoughts on policy are one thing, but to make a public call for lethal violence is absolutely unacceptable and dangerous. We must recognize our shared humanity and reject violence in all forms.”

She thanked Gov. Kathy Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, and law enforcement for their “swift response.”

Following Crosby’s comments, social media users called for a boycott of his contracting business, Crosby Home Improvements.

The Binghamton City Democratic Committee also called for an investigation into the incident before his arrest.

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The post ‘Proud to hang her from a tree’: Man arrested for threatening Black Senator appeared first on Atlanta Daily World.

Based on reporting by Atlanta Daily World.

The post ‘Proud to Hang Her from a Tree’: Man Arrested for Threatening Black Senator appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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CARICOM: Strengthen Integration for Future Generations

NEW YORK CARIB NEWS — Outgoing CARICOM Chairman Terrance Drew called on regional leaders to build a stronger and more effective Caribbean Community that benefits future generations. Speaking at the 51st Regular Meeting, Drew urged modernization of governance structures and improved implementation of Community decisions to make CARICOM safer and more prosperous.
The post CARICOM: Strengthen Integration for Future Generations appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 weeks ago

July 8, 2026

Oakland Post

Speaking Sunday at the opening of the 51st Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government in Saint Lucia, Dr. Terrance Drew said the region must modernize its governance structures, improve the implementation of Community decisions, and ensure CARICOM becomes safer, more prosperous, and more relevant to the lives of its citizens.

The meeting, being held under the theme “CARICOM: From Resilience to Renewal in a Changing World,” coincides with the Community’s 53rd anniversary. During the ceremony, Dr. Drew formally handed over the rotating CARICOM chairmanship to Saint Lucia’s Prime Minister, Philip J. Pierre.

Reflecting on his six-month tenure as chairman, Drew praised fellow regional leaders for maintaining their commitment to democracy, good governance, unity, and the rule of law despite mounting global economic and geopolitical challenges.

“Throughout these challenges, CARICOM chose engagement over isolation. Together, we reaffirmed our commitment to a fair and rules-based international trading system and ensured that the interests of small developing states continued to be heard.”
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He highlighted progress made in strengthening the CARICOM Single Market and Economy, including deeper trade cooperation, expanded labour mobility, and efforts to lay the foundation for long-term economic growth. Drew also noted the Community’s growing partnerships beyond the Caribbean, particularly with the African Union, while stressing that every international partnership should advance the interests of all parties involved.

The outgoing chairman also expressed appreciation to Dr. Carla Barnett and the CARICOM Secretariat for their professionalism and unwavering support during his tenure.

“Whenever I called, you answered. Whenever support was required, you and your team responded with diligence, competence, and excellence.”

Dr. Drew urged the Secretariat to continue preserving its impartiality while faithfully implementing decisions made by Heads of Government, saying that balance has helped strengthen the regional integration movement.

The conference continues in Saint Lucia with regional leaders expected to deliberate on key issues including regional security, climate resilience, trade, economic integration, food security, Haiti, reparations, and strengthening the CSME.

Based on reporting by New York Carib News.

The post CARICOM: Strengthen Integration for Future Generations appeared first on BlackPressUSA.