April 21 Virtual Panel Discussion to Revisit “The Unheard Word”

Mon, 04/19/2021 - 11:11am | By: David Tisdale

The Unheard Word Live!, a virtual panel discussion set for 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 21 on Zoom, will take a look at the impact and legacy of The Unheard Word, a publication designed for a Black student audience at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) beginning in 1990.

The Unheard Word was published by USM alumna Dr. Riva Brown, who will be a member of this virtual panel discussion that assembles other Black USM alums to discuss the origins and impact of the publication, offer critical reflections on the current climate of racial reckoning, and motivate a new generation of USM students from all backgrounds. Dr. Brown (’93, ’98, ’13) is a former journalist and currently an associate professor of public relations at the University of Central Arkansas.

This event will be presented by USM’s Center for Black Studies and Center for the Study of the Gulf South. To access this event via Zoom, visit usm-edu.zoom.us/j/94136287593 or on Facebook Live by visiting the USM Center for Black Studies Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/The-Center-for-Black-Studies-1665941373620850.

“We want this event to bring attention to Black and other minority students' experiences at Southern Miss as a predominately white institution at what could be the most challenging time in their lives,” said Dr. Sherita Johnson, an associate professor of English and director of the USM Center for Black Studies. “The Unheard Word served as an outlet for cultural expression to highlight the achievements of Black students and to bring attention to problems affecting Black students. Before social media, Black students at Southern Miss had The Unheard Word.”

Along with Dr. Brown, the panel discussion will include the following USM alums:

*Dr. Fredrick L. Hickmon

Fredrick L. Hickmon, Ph.D., ’94, is a 20-year educator and current principal of Mississippi’s only secondary school for Indigenous students, Choctaw Central High School.

*Robert P. Taylor

Robert P. Taylor, Ed.D., ’90, deputy state superintendent for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and former superintendent of North Carolina’s Bladen County School District.

*Carlton Wade

A hip-hop journalist with more than 15 years of experience writing for notable magazines who has been published in The Source magazine, Complex.com and Yahoo.com. He also worked as a public relations writer for Sony/ Columbia, Atlantic and Jive Records.

“I hope audiences will take away the importance of contributing to something worthwhile that can span generations and make a positive impact on educating Southern Miss students,” Dr. Brown said. “Contributing to the Center for Black Studies and the Kennard Scholars Program through the USM Foundation can make an impact.”

The Center for Black Studies and Center for the Study of the Gulf South are in the USM College of Arts and Sciences. For information about the Center for Black Studies, visit https://www.usm.edu/black-studies/index.php; for information about the Center for the Study of the Gulf South, visit https://www.usm.edu/gulf-south/index.php.