Mississippi Humanities Council Welcomes Five New Board Members

The Mississippi Humanities Council is pleased to announce the election of five new people to its Board of Directors. The new members bring a wealth of
experience and diverse perspectives to the Council’s mission of promoting the humanities throughout the state.

Joining the esteemed roster of the Mississippi Humanities Council Board are:
• George Bassi -Laurel
• Linda Fondren – Vicksburg
• Miranda Freeman – Tougaloo College
• Tyrone Jackson – Moorhead
• Jay Wesley – Choctaw

George Bassi- Laurel
George Bassi has been the Director of the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art in Laurel, since 1993. He is a native of Leland, MS, and received his undergraduate degree from Delta State University.

Bassi has more than twenty-five years of non-profit management and arts administration experience working at the Delta State University Alumni & Foundation, the University of Southern Mississippi Foundation and the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art. He conducts workshops and retreats on fund raising, arts management, public relations & marketing, grant writing and board resources.

Linda Fondren – Vicksburg
Linda Fondren, a Vicksburg native, is a passionate advocate for community health and wellness. and the founder of the Catfish
Row Museum. With a background in nursing, Linda has dedicated her career to addressing the health disparities in her hometown and
beyond. As the founder of Shape Up Vicksburg, she pioneered initiatives to combat obesity and promote healthy lifestyles among residents, earning national recognition for her work.

Through a partnership with the Mississippi Humanities Council and the Smithsonian Institution’s Museum on Main Street (MoMS) division, Fondren helped bring “Voices and Votes” to Catfish Row Museum. In addition to hosting the exhibit for 6 weeks, the museum developed complementary local exhibits and a series of public humanities programs through a grant from the United States Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Miranda Freeman – Tougaloo College
Dr. Miranda Freeman is an associate professor of English and Dean of Humanities at Tougaloo College. With a deep-rooted commitment to education and scholarship, Freeman brings extensive experience in academia to her role. Her expertise is in Black women writers and she holds a Ph.D. in English Literature and African American Studies from the University of Southern Mississippi.

Through her dynamic leadership and collaborative approach, Freeman continues to shape the academic landscape at Tougaloo College, a skill set that will serve well on the board of the MHC.

Tyrone Jackson – Moorhead
Tyrone Jackson is the President of Mississippi Delta Community College (MDCC). During Jackson’s years of service at MDCC, he has overseen many successful projects, including the renovation of the Stauffer-Wood Administration Building and the new MDCC Bookstore, as well as successfully guiding the university to launch it’s higher education in prison program.

Jackson remains focused on advancing the MDCC’s mission of empowering all students to achieve their educational and career aspirations, including incarcerated learners. Mississippi Delta Community College launched its prison education program in Parchman- Mississippi State Penitentiary with the help of a grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation through the Mississippi Humanities Council.

Jay Wesley – Choctaw
Jay Wesley, Director of Chahta Immi for the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians (MBCI), plays a pivotal role in preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of the Choctaw people. Wesley is dedicated to revitalizing and perpetuating Choctaw language, traditions, and customs for future generations.

As Director of Chahta Immi, Wesley leads initiatives to celebrate and share Choctaw culture through educational programs, community events, and outreach efforts.

The Mississippi Humanities Council also extends its gratitude to outgoing board members for their dedicated service and looks forward to the collective contributions of the new members. For more information about the Mississippi Humanities Council and its initiatives, please visit www.mshumanities.org.