Author: C. Jiles

August 2019

It’s Member on the Move time!!
Each month we will be highlighting one of our awesome Chapter members. August spotlight goes to Ms. Sharon Shaw.

Ms. Shaw is a 91’ Industrial Technology/Airway Science graduate of Jackson State University. 

She is currently an Air Traffic Controller/Support Specialist and Lead for Memphis Air Route Traffic Control Center Aviation Tours. Sharon introduces youth to Careers in Aviation. She is also a Facilitator for Memphis ACE Camp. 

Organizations/ Affiliations include: National Black Coalition of Federal Aviation Employees (NBCFAE), Professional Women Controllers (PWC), Memphis Blackhawks, FAA STEM AVSED

What is your favorite memory from JSU? : My favorite memory at JSU was Friday nights on the Plaza watching the Sonic Boom and Greeks.

What do you enjoy most about being a member of Memphis Alumni Chapter? I enjoy most the fellowship and opportunity to network with and support other alums in my community. 

Favorite rival game to attend:? My favorite game to attend is The Southern Heritage Classic.

Anything else you would like to add? 
My advice to freshman is not to overload their academic schedule the first semester. Leave some room for social adjustment and acclimation to new environment. Take an elective that has nothing to do with their intended major, something never done before or something that they’re curious about.

July 2019

Its “Members on the Move” time! 
Each month we will be highlighting our awesome Chapter members. This week’s member on the move is Sheila Christine McDuffie, a 2018 Interdisciplinary Studies graduate of JSU. Sheila graduated summa cum laude with a 3.8 GPA. 

Ms. McDuffie is a substitute teacher for Shelby County Schools who is working on a Masters in Early Childhood Education and Development at Jackson State University.

Recent Accomplishments:
Ms. McDuffie is a retired flight attendant for Delta Airlines. She currently volunteers with Shelby County Schools where she was voted most valuable volunteer at A. Maceo Walker Elementary School. 
Also, in the past few months, Sheila has organized tours with the City of Memphis Mayor’s office and Steve Schular, Special Assistant for the Mayor Neighborhood Concerns program. She partnered with the City of Memphis to find solutions to many concerns that affect the quality of life in her community.

Organizations/ Affiliations:
As a committed member of Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Sheila has served as the chair of the church’s school’s adopter program for three Whitehaven schools. She also organized their Back-to-School Uniform and school supply drives. 
Ms. McDuffie is an active alumna for JSU helping to promote the university and working tirelessly to get many donations for the upcoming Bluff City Soiree. She also serves as the committee lead for acquiring silent auction items from many businesses throughout the city of Memphis.

Join JSUNAA- MEMPHIS, get connected and you too can be a MEMBER on the Move!

June 2019

It’s Members on the MOVE time!
Each month we will be celebrating our awesome chapter members… This month we celebrate Brandy J. Flynn.
Ms. Flynn received her BS in Criminal Justice ( ’00) and 
Master of Science in Guidance & Counseling (’04) from Jackson State University. She is the Owner of Brandy J. Flynn Counseling and Consulting Services and Founder/Executive Director of Breaking the Barriers of Mental Health.

Recent Accomplishments:
Brandy has an upcoming episode on For My Man, which is a crime documentary that is shown on TV ONE. Brandy has opened up the East Memphis location of Better Days Tax Service where she serves as branch manager. She has recently hosted her Sixth Annual Mental Health Awareness Brunch for “Breaking the Barriers of Mental Health”.

Organizations/ Affiliations:
Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Member of JSUNNA-Memphis/co-runs the social media team
Board Member of Step by Step Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Foundation.

What is your favorite memory from JSU? :
I have so many memories from JSU that it is so hard to pick one. I will say one of my favorite times is hanging out on the yard on a sunny day after one o’clock. I remember the yard being so packed because everybody is out hanging out. I also remember seeing people pouting because they had to go to class and they could not hang out.

What do you enjoy most about being a member of Memphis Alumni Chapter?
What I enjoy most about being a member of the Memphis Alumni Chapter is the fellowship and taking care of business to ensure future students have a better chance of successful opportunity at JSU, than I had. Don’t get me wrong, I was very successful during my time, but when I was in school, I didn’t have the chances ( or didn’t know about the opportunities) that is now being offered to upcoming students.

Favorite rival game to attend: ? 
My FAVORITE rival game is the Southern Heritage Classic. There is NOTHING like talking CASH MONEY to people that I know that went to TSU that is from the city, and at the same time fellowship with them

Anything else you would like to add ?
Attending Jackson State University is the best decision that my mom allowed me to make. Jackson State made me become the confident woman that I am today and I am so happy to have the experience. It prepared me for the real world by teaching me to handle the world that isn’t always nice. Every time I meet a high school student, I always ask them about college. I ask them about their choices and tell them that a HBCU should be one because I am a proud product of one.

April 2019

Its “Members on the Move” time! 
Each month we will be highlighting our awesome Chapter members. This week’s member on the move is Dr. Derek Henson. Dr. Henson is a 91′ (Undergraduate) & 2009 (PHD) graduate of JSU. 

Recent Accomplishments:
I recently started my own company – The Henson Consortium. (www.drderekhenson.com). We focus on building communities and economic empowerment via our grant writing, strategic planning and financial services. 

Organizations/ Affiliations:
Currently the Vice chair for Arrow Academy of Excellence Charter School in Memphis and a member of the New Olivet Baptist Church.

What is your favorite memory from JSU?
My ultimate favorite memory of JSU would be the first time I marched into Memorial Stadium with the Sonic Boom of the South! The excitement that BOOM brings anywhere is unmatched any world!

What do you enjoy most about being a member of Memphis Alumni Chapter?
I enjoy the family atmosphere that the Memphis Chapter has. We are all connected by JSU but have become “family”. Many of the members are not native Memphians so we have built family bonds through our “Blue Blood” connections.

Favorite rival game to attend: 
Well us against everybody would be my first answer! But if I must choose then I would rank them Mississippi Rival – of course Alcorn; SWAC Rival – Southern Ugh! And finally, Tennessee State because of Southern Heritage Classic!

Anything else you would like to add?
My family is an HBCU and 3rd Generation JSU family! My Mom, my aunt, my brother, my nephews and nieces have all attended JSU and two of my sisters attended Mississippi Valley and Dillard Universities. I would tell any student looking to pursue higher education don’t sleep on HBCU’s. You can get a quality education and build life long “Family” bonds that are hardly anywhere else in the world!

March 2019

Its “Members on the Move” time! 
Each month we will be highlighting our awesome Chapter members. March member on the move is Rubbie Patrick-Herring.
She graduated from JSU class of 72’ with a B.S. in Special Education and Rehabilitation.
Currently, Mrs. Herring is enjoying her retirement and her marriage of 27 years! 

Organizations/ Affiliations:​
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Memphis Alumnae Chapter, Life Member NAACP, Mississippi Blvd Christian Church. 

What is your favorite memory from JSU?
​Pledging Delta Sigma Theta. Sorority December 1969. I also think about the fact that I was standing in front of Alexander Hall when it was shot up during 1970.​

What do you enjoy most about being a member of Memphis Alumni Chapter?
Meeting all the younger alumni and seeing their loyalty, support and passion for our dear old college home. They get the fact that it’s up to us to make a difference. 

Favorite rival game to attend:?
It doesn’t get any better than when we play Southern University in football. The bands, tailgates, atomosphere are fantastic.

Anything else you would like to add? 
​​​​​​Thee I Love………..