By: Donell Maxie, Communications Director
Mississippi Valley State University will celebrate its scholars at 11 a.m. Tuesday during the institution’s annual Honor’s Convocation. This year’s convocation will premier virtually on MVSUs official YouTube channel and Facebook page.
MVSU scholars from 2020 and 2021 will be acknowledged during the ceremony. This year’s speaker will be MVSU alum Tim Lampkin (08), the Chief Executive Officer of Higher Purpose Co., a 501c3 economic justice nonprofit building community wealth with Black residents across Mississippi supporting the ownership financial, cultural, and political power.
“ I’m truly grateful to be the keynote speaker for the 2021 Virtual Honors Convocation,” said Lampkin. It is always great to be back at MVSU since this institution allowed me to step into leadership and service. I know Valley is one of the reasons I have been able to create my definition of success,” he added.
The Mississippi Business Journal selected Lampkin as one of the 2019 Top Entrepreneurs in the state. Ashoka and American Express recognized him in 2018 as an emerging innovator addressing the racial wealth gap in the United States.
As a former Common Future Fellow and Movement Voices Fellow, who has over a decade of community development and entrepreneurship experience, Lampkin hopes his speech will serve as an inspiration to others.
“The purpose of my speech is to inspire everyone apart of the MVSU family to represent our beloved HBCU and walk-in excellence every day proudly,” Lampkin said.
Lampkin previously managed the Racial Equity Program for the Mississippi Humanities Council, which won the national 2018 Schwartz Prize. Lampkin also worked for Southern Bancorp Community Partners to implement community initiatives and assisted rural entrepreneurs at Delta State University.
He continues to produce narrative change documentaries highlighting relevant Mississippi topics. Lampkin serves on the Cooperative Food Empowerment Directive board and the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Community Development Advisory Council.
He was recently appointed to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Consumer Advisory Board (CAB).
Lampkin also holds degrees from Delta State University and Bellevue University. He is currently finishing a Doctor of Education degree at the University of Arkansas.