A “listening session” organized by the Rankin County chapter of the NAACP along with the Department of Justice changed course after attorneys who represent the sheriff’s department and the county sat in, and were asked to leave to prevent victims from feeling intimidated. 

The NAACP had organized the session on Thursday, Oct. 25, at Mount Carmel Ministries in Pearl in association with the Justice Department to provide for a safe space for victims of police excesses by Rankin County law enforcement to speak up. The Justice Department opened an investigation into the patterns and practices of policing in Rankin County last month, after six members of a “Goon Squad” of deputies were sentenced for their role in the abuse and torture of three men. An investigation by the New York Times and Mississippi Today had revealed that the abuse spanned decades, and dozens of Rankin County residents had experienced similar brutality at the hands of officers. 

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland had called the actions of the “Goon Squad” “a betrayal of their community, a betrayal of their profession.”

The invitation to the listening session urged Rankin County residents who felt that they had been affected by any kind of discrimination, harassment or potential civil rights violations to attend. 

Angela English, president of the Rankin County chapter of the NAACP, said that when she asked the attorneys to leave, they refused, insisting the session was a public event. So instead of inviting attendees to share their experiences with the group as planned, the NAACP arranged for private one-on-one sessions in separate rooms of the church.

“When they realized they weren’t hearing anything, they left after like 20, 30 minutes,” English said about the attorneys. 

She claimed that a Rankin County deputy and a former officer of the FBI were also present. 

In a statement made on Facebook in September, the Rankin County Sheriff’s Department had written that it would “fully cooperate” with all aspects of the Justice Department’s investigation, “while also welcoming DOJ’s input into our updated policies and practices.”

Jason Dare, an attorney who represents the Rankin County Sheriff’s Department, said he was not attending on behalf of the department, but rather in his individual capacity as a member of the Rankin County community. He claimed that he was there to learn.

“That is the most absurd thing I’ve ever heard,” English said. 

“I was just sitting in the back. I was not dressed in anything other than attorney attire,” Dare said. He added that he did not have a badge or gun issued by the sheriff’s department. 

“I’m not sure anybody even knew who I was until I was introduced [to English] and I was asked to leave.”

Dare said he told two Justice Department officials that he planned to attend the listening session a day in advance, and that they didn’t raise concerns. 

Mississippi Today has attempted to reach Neeta Pal of the Department of Justice. This story will be updated if she responds. 

Richard Cirilli, an attorney at Brunini Law who attended the session, had not responded to a request for comment at press time. In 2018 and 2019, the Rankin County Board of Supervisors hired the Brunini firm to lobby on their behalf, according to government transparency group OpenSecrets. The story will be updated if and when Cirilli responds.

This article first appeared on Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

There are adages about sewing that make one smile.

“Sewing isn’t just a hobby, it’s a way of life.”

“Sewing is my happy place.”

“Sewing is like magic, but with fabric.”

All true for Annette Olowo-Ake, who with her husband Mike, owns and operates Perfect-Fit Alterations, located in the Fondren District in Jackson. The business sits tucked just west of North State Street on Mitchell Avenue. 

For 34 years, Olowo-Ake has made magic with needle, thread and fabric, whether she brings a teenager’s glam dress dream come true from a photograph to altering the length of a tee shirt to an emergency popped zipper fix or broken button. She admits, she really is in her happy place. 

Walk into her alteration shop and be immediately greeted with a smile.

“My grandmother taught me to sew,” said Olowo-Ake. “I was an accounting major. And yes, I had an accounting job,” she shares with a slight eye roll. “But I kept drifting back to sewing. I realized I loved my sewing more. So, here I am.”

“One thing accounting taught me, though, was how to manage money.”

“My husband and I started out with no loans of any kind. You know what we did? We saved our income tax checks and each time, we would buy one piece of equipment. We paid ourselves a salary. But that was it. No dipping into the bank account for frivolous things.”

“Over time and different locations, we built up a following. We built up a business,” she says proudly. “This place here was originally my husband’s shop. I was over on Old Canton Road. But as the years passed, as we got older, we simply decided to just have this one. And it’s been a blessing.”

Covered in bits of thread and wearing more varied sizes of pins in her work smock than a pin cushion, Olowo-Ake doesn’t miss a beat, from taking measurements for a party dress, writing up a customer’s requests, answering the phone and shouting out a greeting to a previous customer who “didn’t want to hold you up, I just stopped my to say, hi.”

“She’s good people and a good, good friend,” said Dr. Jim Aron, checking on clothing he’d previously dropped off and needing broken buttons replaced on a pair of slacks. 

“I’ve known him since he was a med student driving a beat up old truck,” said Olowo-Ake, taking a pair of slacks from the doctor. “It’s a little over 30 years, ’bout as long as I’ve been here. All of his children are doctors now. That’s how long we’ve known each other.”

The two hug and the doctor heads on his way as another customer enters the shop, and is greeted by name.

It’s obvious Olowo-Ake is truly wielding magic with fabrics and threads. She’s creating, making memories, friends and repeat business.

“This is an art I learned from my grandmother. It’s kind of sad really, because it’s a dying art. Kids today seem to be more interested in their phones. It’s a new age, though. I don’t fault them. Times change.”

Perfect-Fit Alterations is located at 538 Mitchell Ave. in the Fondren District in Jackson.

Shop hours: Monday – Friday, noon – 5 p.m. Closed: Saturday and Sunday.

This article first appeared on Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

Oct. 25, 1940

Benjamin O. Davis Sr. became the first Black American promoted to brigadier general in the U.S. Army. 

His parents wanted him to head to college after graduating high school, but Davis chose a military career instead. He served in the Spanish-American War in the 8th United States Volunteer Infantry, an all-Black unit. 

He overcame rampant prejudice and rose in the ranks. In 1900, he became the first Black American officer, and a year later, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army. He served with the famed “Buffalo Soldiers” regiment in the Philippines, leading to his temporary promotion to lieutenant colonel. 

During World War II, he became the Army’s top adviser on race relations and served with the European Theater of Operation. For his stellar work, the Army honored him with the Bronze Star Medal and the Distinguished Service Medal, France awarded him the Croix de Guerre with Palm and Liberia gave him the Grade of Commander of the Order of the Star of Africa. 

His important work paved the way for other people of color — just one of six Black officers in the Army between the Civil War to World War II. 

On July 20, 1948, after 50 years of military service, Davis retired in a public ceremony with President Harry Truman presiding. Six days later, Truman issued Executive Order 9981, which abolished racial discrimination in the armed forces. Twenty-two years later, Davis died and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery. In 1997, the U.S. Postal Service issued a stamp in his honor.

This article first appeared on Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.