{"id":23376,"date":"2013-02-04T15:30:24","date_gmt":"2013-02-04T21:30:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/news.olemiss.edu\/?p=23376"},"modified":"2016-05-13T14:30:56","modified_gmt":"2016-05-13T19:30:56","slug":"youngest-pastor-of-jacksons-oldest-black-church-to-deliver-keynote-for-black-history-month-kick-off-event-feb-5","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/web20.olemiss.edu\/news\/wordpress\/youngest-pastor-of-jacksons-oldest-black-church-to-deliver-keynote-for-black-history-month-kick-off-event-feb-5\/","title":{"rendered":"Youngest Pastor of Jackson\u2019s Oldest Black Church to Deliver Keynote for Black History Month Kick-Off Event Feb. 5"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>OXFORD, Miss. \u2013 The co-founder of the Department of Minority Affairs at the University of Mississippi is the keynote speaker for the first in a series of Black History Month events scheduled for February.<\/p>\n

The Rev. C. Edward \u201cCJ\u201d Rhodes II delivers the public address at noon Feb. 5 in the Ole Miss Student Union lobby. He will discuss the celebration of diversity and culture at the university. The UM Gospel Choir will perform and the Lift Every Voice Awards presented.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am very humbled and honored to be asked to deliver the keynote for such a historic occasion,\u201d said Rhodes, the 23rd and youngest pastor of Mt. Helm Baptist Church, Jackson\u2019s oldest historically black church. \u201cThis is the 50th year of the university\u2019s integration, the assassination of Medgar Evers and Dr. King\u2019s most memorable speech in Washington, D.C . As we look back on the achievements and sacrifices of those from the past, this generation is challenged to do great things not just for themselves, but for others and the world as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

The event is co-sponsored by the Black History Month planning committee, Office of the Provost and Multicultural Affairs, Office of the Dean of Students and Multicultural Affairs and Office of Campus Programming.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Black History Month committee is very pleased that Rev. Rhodes agreed to serve as this year\u2019s Black History Month kickoff speaker,\u201d said Valeria Ross, assistant to the UM dean of students. \u201cDuring his tenure as a student, he worked with the William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation, was appointed to the Chancellor\u2019s Committee for Respect and Sensitivity, co-founded two college ministries and was an associate minister to youth and young adults at two local Baptist churches.\u201d<\/p>\n