By Donell Maxie, Communications & Marketing Director
ITTA BENA, Miss. — Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU) held its annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Black History Convocation on Thursday at the Walter Roberts Auditorium in the H.G. Carpenter Building. The event honored Black history and labor, aligning with the theme of Black History Month 2024: African Americans and Labor."
The keynote speaker, Willie Simmons, Mississippi Central District Transportation Commissioner, challenged attendees to reflect on the role of Black workers in shaping the nation and the black story.
Simmons called on young people to take an active role in telling the story of MVSU and the broader Black experience".
"The Black story is exciting," he said, referencing artists such as James Brown and Curtis Mayfield, who emphasized pride and self-respect in their music.
"We are at a time in our lives when we must understand who we are and that we don't need to change who we are."
Simmons also addressed America's current divisions: "I want to say that America is in serious trouble. We are a divided nation along racial and political lines."
He urged the audience to reflect on the country's state, asking, "What's going on? How are we responding to what is going on? We should ask the questions and look at the man in the mirror."
Simmons reminded attendees of the historical contributions of Black labor, pointing out that Black people have worked tirelessly to build America".
"Work and labor have been going on for Black people since slavery," he said. We have labored politically and socially, and we have labored to make America what it is."
He emphasized the importance of preparing for shifts in the workforce, saying", "My challenge to Valley is to get ready for the changing workforce."
Simmons, now in his second term as transportation commissioner, represents 22 counties with a population of about 1 million. In 2024, he was named chairman of the Mississippi TransportatiCommission'sn's Central District.
During his first term, Simmons led significant infrastructure projects, including completing Highway 49 and the I-20 Bridge Replacement. He previously served as a Mississippi state senator for 26 years, during which time he played a key role in securing over $5 billion in investments for state infrastructure.
Before his political career, Simmons served as Deputy Commissioner of Corrections and was a Vietnam War combat veteran.
The convocation also featured performances by the MVSU Choir, which delivered stirring renditions of Great God Almighty and Let Everything That Hath Breath.
Mister MVSU Jon Michael Frazier reminded attendees that Black History Month is a time to reflect on past struggles and future responsibilities."
"We stand on the shoulders of those who fought for the freedoms we enjoy today," Frazier said. "We have a responsibility to carry their fight forward."
As the convocation concluded, Simons'ns resonated with the audience, reinforcing the importance of preserving Black history, embracing identity, and preparing for the future.