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Parents Want School Choice! Why Won’t Mississippi Deliver?

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE – True equity means giving every child—regardless of income, race, or location—access to an education that fits their needs, not forcing them to settle for whatever system they are born into.

Published

8 months ago

November 17, 2025

BlackPressUSA.com

By Theresa A. Lucas

When it comes to education reform, Mississippi consistently ranks dead last—not for lack of passionate teachers or hopeful families, but because of a system that lags behind and remains resistant to change.

As Southern states like Florida, Arkansas, and Louisiana expand school choice options and empower parents to make decisions best suited for their children, Mississippi remains curiously stuck in neutral. The burning question we must ask ourselves is: why?

The National Momentum

In 2024, over 20 Southern and conservative-led states have aggressively pursued educational choice through charter school expansion, education savings accounts (ESAs), and voucher programs. According to a survey conducted by Morning Consult, approximately 72% of school parents support ESAs, 68% support vouchers, and 66% support charter schools. These policies have increased access to specialized education paths, accommodated diverse learning needs, and provided lifelines for families in underserved communities.

Mississippi doesn’t need to reinvent the wheel. We can look to neighboring states for successful models. Florida’s school voucher program has helped thousands of low-income students access private education. Arkansas recently passed universal ESAs. Even Alabama, historically cautious in educational reform, has made strides in supporting school choice.

What Mississippians Actually Want

Mississippi, on the other hand, has kept its educational choices limited—especially for low-income, minority, and rural families. This has stifled educational innovation in the state, leaving many families feeling hopeless and frustrated, with limited power to advocate for their children.

It’s not that Mississippians don’t want better options. Time and again, they have proven they do. Parents across the state are expressing frustration about overcrowded classrooms, outdated curricula, and test scores that have remained stagnant for decades. Furthermore, standardized testing captures only a fraction of students’ true capabilities. Many families would gladly embrace charter schools, microschools, or homeschooling co-ops if given funding or legislative support. But the problem lies in the state’s hesitancy to disrupt the traditional public school system and create pathways for diverse education and learning environments.

To be clear, this isn’t an anti-public-school argument. Mississippi has many dedicated educators doing their best with limited resources. But we cannot ignore the truth: the one-size-fits-all model no longer serves the diverse needs of 21st-century learners. Children deserve more than a default system based on their ZIP code. Parents deserve more than waiting lists or underperforming districts as their only option.

So What’s Holding Us Back?

So why aren’t we seeing movement in Mississippi the way we are in states like Florida?

First, politics plays a significant role. Mississippi’s education policy is heavily influenced by entrenched interests—public school lobbying groups, teacher unions, and state departments that often resist changes shifting funds away from traditional systems.

There’s a fear that introducing alternatives like charter schools or ESAs would “drain” money from public schools. But here’s the reality: public school funding has continued to increase over the past decade even as more school choice programs have launched. School choice is not about draining; it’s about diversifying. Providing families with more choices doesn’t take away from public education—it raises the bar for all schools to perform better.

Second, there’s a lack of urgency among lawmakers. Despite the data, despite the national momentum for school choice, and despite the cries of frustrated parents, Mississippi legislators often approach education reform with caution, citing budget constraints or the need for “further study.” Meanwhile, students slip through the cracks every year, never tapping into their full educational potential.

Third, rural access is a genuine barrier. Many areas in Mississippi lack the infrastructure for charter schools or educational co-ops. That’s why innovative models—like virtual learning platforms, mobile tutoring services, or hybrid homeschool networks—should be explored. But again, this requires political will, forward-thinking leadership, and strategic investment.

The Path Forward

What’s stopping Mississippi? We need to join them. If we claim to care about educational equity and outcomes, we can’t keep doing the same thing and expecting different results. True equity means giving every child—regardless of income, race, or location—access to an education that fits their needs, not forcing them to settle for whatever system they are born into.

Mississippi has the potential to lead, not follow. But first, we must recognize that parents are the primary stakeholders in their children’s education, not the bureaucracy. It’s time to stop fearing innovation and start embracing the idea that more choices can only make our state stronger.

Let’s give Mississippi’s children the freedom to thrive. Settling for less is no longer an option.

Theresa A. Lucas is a domestic engineer with ongoing experience in home education. She has traveled across state lines and overseas as a former military servicemember and currently resides in Mississippi, where she is a member of EdChoice’s Parent Corps. As an advocate for educational awareness, she knows firsthand the power of knowledge and strives to empower parents, children, and the family unit.

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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.