Thirteenth Edition: August 31, 2020
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A local society resource for good news across the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
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Uniquely packaged photo albums and stories dedicated to connecting people to the good causes of our Mississippi Gulf Coast communities and the individuals, businesses and organizations behind them.
Intimate stories spotlighting those people and places who help make the Mississippi Gulf Coast a special place to live and work.
Community Clicks
Boys and Girls Clubs rock on the Mississippi Gulf Coast
Story by Andy Kanengiser
A new music video showcases Boys & Girls Clubs in the Magnolia State.
Featuring Sir the Baptist, the video celebrates a wonderful non-profit organization doing great things for kids for decades on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and elsewhere.
The music video is definitely a hit amid the 2020 pandemic.
Don’t know Sir The Baptist? His mother is from Gulfport. He’s an award-winning singer, songwriter and producer. Sir teamed with Gaither Music Group/Primary Wave Music plus talented kids with Boys & Girls Clubs on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Kids from Central Mississippi as well as Mobile, Alabama clubs pitched in.
The kids vocals blended with musician Sir the Baptist, plus other celebs like Estelle, MC Lyte, Saint Ashleey, Syleena Johnson and Ann Nesby, among others.
The final product showcases the explosive hip-hop anthem “Can’t Help Myself.’’ The creative Studio Blue production was released in August. It has received about a half million streams since its release. The video was shot at BGCGC’s Qatar Center in Pass Christian.
The cause of helping kids thrive is certainly one worthy of a tribute. The six Boys & Girls Clubs of the Gulf Coast serve more than 5,500 children in Harrison and Hancock counties.
In 2020, the Boys & Girls Clubs represent the largest out-of-school youth serving organization on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Black Lives Matter supporters organize Mississippi chapter
Story by Andy Kanengiser
Promoting racial justice and speaking up for the voiceless, supporters of the Black Lives Matter movement organized a new Mississippi chapter.
It was three months ago since George Floyd died on a Minneapolis street after a former police officer kneeled on his neck for nearly nine minutes. Video of the incident sent shockwaves across America to spark protests in cities nationwide, including Mississippi communities.
This summer, Black Lives Matter Mississippi leaders unveiled their statewide grassroots organization as major protests for justice continued across the USA.
One of America’s cornerstone events in 2020 occurred on August 28 as thousands marched in Washington to mark the 57th anniversary of Martin Luther King’s celebrated “I Have a Dream’’ speech. Protests in DC followed a Kenosha, Wisconsin police officer shooting an unarmed Black man, Jacob Blake, in the back seven times.
With Blake, 29, being treated in a Milwaukee hospital with multiple injuries, the shooting happened while his three children sat in his car. After video cameras recorded the incident on social media and news outlets, the U.S. Department of Justice opened a civil rights investigation. To protest the shooting, NBA players cancelled their televised August 26 playoff games. The basketball contests are played in an Orlando arena where Black Lives Matter is the message in large letters on the court. Athletes in other pro sports also postponed their games.
Leaders of Black Lives Matter Mississippi say their new organization is taking root in response to pleas for significant changes to the criminal justice system, calls for police reform and uplifting Black voices.
Gulf Coast resident invests in people
Story and photography by Amanda Compton-Ortiz
Making his best pitch for people both on and off the field is what John E. Cooper IV was born to do.
It’s an attribute he’s built his life around and the standard by which he conducts his business as principal owner and operator of Westchase Insurance Group, LLC.
The company was founded by John in his former hometown of Houston, Texas, in 2016, following his nearly 20-year career in the field since he became a licensed insurer in 2000 and began practicing as an independent broker in 2008.
His love for baseball and his position as starting pitcher may have very well equipped him with the skills he needs to lead a successful career in the competitive world of insurance.
His teammates nicknamed him “Coop.” He played in what is arguably baseball’s most important position.
“The team relies on the starting pitcher to set the tone of the game which has a huge impact on whether a team wins or loses,” John said. “To be a good pitcher, you need to have a strong arm and be able to throw the ball accurately.”
John’s strength, accuracy and reliability in the game is exactly what garnered the attention of scouts with the Boston Red Sox and the Florida Marlins baseball teams in the 1990’s. And it’s those very same traits that have continued to serve him well in his brokerage career today.
And while a shoulder injury may have ended his successful stint in baseball, John believes he certainly did not leave the sport empty handed. He takes his skills to the plate for his insurance clients to help find them the best rates and coverages available for their specific needs.
His new office at 2600 Beach Blvd., Suite 27B, in Biloxi, will serve as his home base where current and future clients are welcome to visit for a free assessment and learn about all of the different products and services the company has to offer – all at affordable rates and uniquely tailored for any situation.
