By: Raquel Williams | Jan 6, 2025
Clarksdale, Mississippi – If you are ever in the mood to gripe about education in our community, be on the lookout for future opportunities to voice your concerns. Adrienne Hudson, a homegrown educator, has created a sounding board for community stakeholders to share their frustrations but, most importantly, to exchange ideas on building a better working relationship between the community and the school system. She and her team are committed to listening to the concerns and suggestions of those who invest in the system and those who benefit from it to foster collaborative efforts to enhance education.
“Hot Topics & Hot Chocolate” community chat was held one cool Tuesday evening in mid-December. The community was encouraged to mark their calendars for Dec. 17 at 6 PM. The usual efforts were made to promote the event. Organizers strategized and tried to cover all bases, but there was still a very modest turnout. However, there was a powerful display of unity, honesty, and hope. Participants shared hard truths about the challenges we face, but the energy in the room was undeniable—we all agreed that change is possible when we come together with a solution-driven mindset.
The event, titled “Cocoa & Conversation: Hot Topics in Education,” was a wonderful opportunity for the community to share. RISE, Inc. is known for supporting education in the Mississippi Delta, and this event was no different. Discussions focused on key community issues in education, with the objective of shaping impactful solutions through conversation. The Executive Director, Mrs. Adrienne White Hudson, set out to engage with local educators and community leaders to share ideas and solutions for our schools while enjoying delicious hot chocolate and great company. I must say, the hot chocolate was delectable. Raven Johnson, Crystal Bradley (Board Member for RISE), and Jasonya Harris (Executive Assistant) made each cup with love, overflowing with marshmallows, whipped cream, and care.
Even though the turnout was small, the voices were big. There was a powerful display of unity, honesty, and hope. Participants shared hard truths about the challenges we face, and the energy in the room was undeniable—we all agreed that change is possible when we come together with a solution-driven mindset.
The collaborative ideas that emerged were inspiring, and it’s clear that our community is ready to play an active role in enhancing education here in Coahoma County.
Adrienne Hudson declared, “At RISE, we believe that meaningful change starts with conversations like these—where honesty meets action. We are committed to keeping this momentum going and invite everyone to remain engaged as we turn ideas into impact. Together, we will RISE.”
Mrs. Josephine Rhymes was quite responsive to the groups efforts by declaring that there is often a lack of trust in the school system and offered several suggestions to bridge the gap between parents and educators. Rhymes, who works closely with the district as an integral part of the Community Engagement Council, has committed her time and efforts to work together for the greater good.
Others in attendance included Mr. Melvin Miller, city attorney, who spoke about recruiting and rebuilding the population of both the city and county, and Brenda Luckett, a retired educator, who referred to Clarksdale as “The Teacher’s Lounge.” Both comments sparked conversations about the need to better market the positives of our city and to become welcoming to all in nontraditional ways.
Attendance was diverse, including retired educators, current educators, nurses, doctors, administrators, journalists, lawyers, lobbyists, therapists, and entrepreneurs. The melting pot of stakeholders came ready to target deficiencies and vow to address them with commitment.
If you know anyone interested in pursuing a teacher’s license, they can contact RISE, Inc. for assistance. If you are interested in being part of a positive movement in Clarksdale, check out their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/518304211531727/.
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