In early August the Mary S. Nelums Scholarship Foundation honored five local men as “Invisible Giants” at Reservoir Pointe in Ridgeland. The men were celebrated for their contributions to children, youth, and families in underserved communities. The celebration was well attended with more than 200 people.
The “Invisible Giants” awards are given to celebrate the community work of young men who give tirelessly to others, who inspire, motivate and encourage youths to be their best. These giants not only have achieved in their personal careers but exemplify the concept, “to whom much is given, much is expected”. The awards were presented to the giants by Judge Winston Kidd. Judge Kidd also received an honorary “invisible giant” award.
The Mary S. Nelums Foundation mission is to provide scholarships to master level social work students attending Jackson State University School of Social Work. The proceeds from this event will be used to award those scholarships.
The Foundation first scholarship was given in January 2009 in the amount of 1,000
Foundation leaders say the five recipients work in the community is consistent with the social work profession. Nelums said. “These young men demonstrated concern for the social ills that plague our communities are exemplary and they are excellent role models for African-American youth.”
Judge Kidd said: “It was an honor for me to be a part of this great event. The “2009 Invisible Giants” honorees are excellent role models and set high standards for young African American males to follow. I salute the Mary S. Nelums Foundation for making these Giants visible to the entire community.”
In the University news at Mississippi College, Gary Mayfield, dean of the MC School of Humanities and Social Sciences said: “ Dr. Anderson is indeed, an inspiring role model for not only African-Americans, but for all that know him.”
The recipients of the Mary S. Nelums Scholarship Foundation “Invisible Giant” award were:
Brian Anderson, Ph.D., MSW
A graduate of Tougaloo College, Anderson received a doctorate from JSU’s School of Social Work. He is the first African-American to chair the social work program at Baptist-affiliated MC. He also serves as a volunteer basketball coach at Callaway High. In 2009, the Callaway High Chargers won the state’s 4-A boy’s basketball championship in Jackson. That was followed by a victory in the Grand Slam tournament. That hoops classic brought together talented teams from all high school classifications to the Mississippi Coliseum. Anderson previously worked as a basketball coach at the University of West Alabama.
Jackson lawyer G.C. Barnett, who practices indigent criminal defense in the Hinds County public defender’s office. He is a graduate of Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law in Alabama.
Timothy Neyland, a Crosby native who is a licensed certified social worker at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Jackson. He’s working on a doctorate in social work at Jackson State.
Jackson lawyer Aafram Sellers, who devotes much of his practice to working with indigent Mississippians. He is a graduate of the University of Mississippi School of Law.
Terrence Spann, a social worker with Jackson Public Schools. He has worked for many years with the group Mississippi Families as Allies.
The foundation was created in 2007 to pay tribute to Nelums who spent her professional life promoting public awareness of social work nationwide.
Contributions to the Mary S. Nelums Foundation may be mailed to: P.O. Box 12385, Jackson, MS 39236. All contributions are tax-deductible.
