Josephine Rhymes is a professional educator that leads key Clarksdale after-school job training, enrichment, and children’s development programs. Perhaps no other has consistently helped the youth of Clarksdale like Ms. Rhymes. Josephine is the past Executive Director of Tri-County Workforce Alliance (TCWA). In operation since 1996, TCWA helps bring economic and community development to a three-county region (Coahoma, Bolivar, Quitman) of the Mississippi Delta. Currently, one of the most important TCWA programs focuses on job training for the healthcare industry in partnership with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.
Ms. Rhymes is also the past Program Director of Youth Leadership Clarksdale, a program she helped to conceive 18 years ago. A lifelong educator, she also taught at both the high school and community college level and was selected for Who’s Who Among American Teachers in 1990. Josephine has a Bachelor’s degree from Southern University and A&M College and a Master’s of Education from The University of Mississippi. In 1992 she received the NAACP’s Education Award and was selected Citizen of the Year for Clarksdale/Coahoma County in 1999.
Josephine has been completely involved in the Clarksdale community for decades. She has an extensive track record of service which include the District Workforce Council, the Mississippi State and Regional Advisory Committees for the Southern Rural Black Women’s Initiative (SRBWI), the Clarksdale/Coahoma County Chamber of Commerce (past President), the Executive Committee of the Clarksdale/Coahoma County Industrial Foundation, Mississippi State Sector Strategy Team, and she is a member of the National Network of Sector Partners Advisory Board. Currently, Ms. Rhymes serves on the board of Delta Health System Northwest Regional Hospital, Aaron E. Henry Community Health Center Board, P 16 Council Member for Clarkdale Municipal School District, and Insight Center for Community Economic Development.
