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The Rev. Barron Banks, a visiting professor at Jackson State University in the Department of History and Philosophy, is assisting the Rev. Dr. Eddie Carthan in revitalizing the economic and educational future of Holmes County.
“We are obligated to be servant leaders,” said Banks, whose hometown of Tchula is in Holmes County. “My desire is to fulfill a purpose for which I was destined, and that is to help bring worthwhile change. Because iron sharpens iron, key individuals are collaborating to help foster community resurgence in an area impacted by stagnation. We want a brighter future for all residents there and will promote education as a major means for achieving economic growth and prosperity throughout Holmes County.”
Holmes County Superintendent of Education Dr. Angel Meets, along with her staff, met with Banks and members of the Jackson community on Jan. 11, setting the first of several initiatives in motion.
The meeting focused on free tutoring and after school assistance for students with special needs. This initiative will be hosted at Holmes Central High School in Lexington, Miss., and is expected, to begin with, the 2017-2018 school session.
A second initiative will feature a series of virtue and value classes for children and junior youth. These classes will be held Saturdays at the historic Saints College in Lexington, Miss.
Saints College sits on the founding grounds of the Church of God in Christ (COGIC), whose officials will be partnering with Banks and Carthan on various initiatives.
Banks, Carthan and COGIC officials look to bridge the gap between public school, Sunday school and home training with the implementation of these programs.