Mississippi Valley State University News October 8, 2012 MVSU HOSTS COTTON KINGDOM SYMPOSIUM AND AMERICAN ANCESTRAL CELEBRATION Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU) will host the "Inaugural Sweat Equity Investment in the Cotton Kingdom Symposium and American Ancestral Celebration", October 11 and 12, 2012 on the campus of MVSU. The two events are a collaboration between Khafre, Incorporated and MVSU. The "Sweat Equity Investment in the Cotton Kingdom Symposium" will have stimulating discussions and historical presentations on leading-edge research, innovative practices, and foundational values of the cotton industry and lifestyle. Some confirmed presenters include: Dr. Jo Baldwin, Associate Professor, Department of English, MVSU; Dr. Luther Brown, Director of the Delta Center for Culture and Learning; monument developer Ed Dwight; internationally acclaimed economist Dr. Julianne Malveaux; Dr. Micah Rueber, Assistant Professor of History, MVSU; retired Vice President University of Massachusetts system and Mississippi Blues Commissioner Dr. Edgar E. Smith; national spokesman Clifton Taulbert; and Mississippi Blues Foundation Board Member Dr. Joseph Martin Stevenson. Khafre, Inc. is an organization whose mission is to build monuments and memorials, develop educational workshops, and programs that focus on topics that preserve the quality of life within the Mississippi Delta. "The partnership with "The Valley" validates the notion that a tribute and monument to sharecroppers and cotton pickers are not just timely, but is significant on many levels. Honoring the legacy of "grandmamma-nem" in an academic arena gives license to further scholarship and international acceptance," said C.Sade Turnipseed, executive director, Khafre, Inc. "Congratulations to Ms. Turnipseed and the board members of Khafre, Inc. Their mission to honor the legacy of those who have made the Mississippi Delta an American treasure is commendable," said University President Donna H. Oliver. Oliver also said, "The University wishes the organization future success, and looks forward to partnering to create innovative educational opportunities for students, faculty, staff, and the community. The University is always looking for ways to expose students, faculty, staff and the Delta community to academic and historical programs." The two-day events are as follows: * Thursday, October 11, 9:00 a.m. in the MVSU Business Education Auditorium will be the "Sweat Equity Investment in the Cotton Kingdom Symposium" * Friday, October 12, 12 noon the official groundbreaking ceremony of "The Cotton Pickers of America Monument and Sharecroppers Interpretive Center" will be held on the Brown-Shirley family historical property in Mound Bayou, (Bolivar County) Mississippi, just off Highway 61 * Friday, October 12, 6:00 p.m. on MVSU campus (pond across from Harrison Complex) will be the "American Ancestral Ceremony: A Tribute to Cotton Pickers and Sharecroppers" * Friday, October 12, 7:00 p.m. in the Lackey Auditorium will be the "Cotton Pickers Ball" The symposium and ground breaking are free to the public. Tickets for the Cotton Pickers Ball are available at the MVSU cashier's window for $25, da' House of Khafre, Inc. 105 Main Street Indianola, and online at: www.ticketriver.com (search: cotton-pickers-ball). Student tickets will be available at the door for $5 with valid picture student ID. Initially created by the state legislature in 1946 to train teachers for rural and elementary schools in the Mississippi Delta, Mississippi Valley State University is one of eight state supported institutions for higher education in the state of Mississippi's consortium of Institutions for Higher Learning (IHL). SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-520-0593 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org> Honor the ancestors, honor the children. Register now http://www.hbculibraries.org/html/2012meeting-form.html for the October 21-23, 2012 HBCU Library Alliance 5th Membership Meeting and the Photographic Preservation Pre-Conference in New Orleans, LA. The Pre-Conference and Membership meeting are open to directors and other librarians.