Sips from the Sipp

In this episode, host Jean Greene welcomes Mr. Curtis Shears, a lifelong Utica area native whose musical roots stretch back to stomping feet and acapella harmonies in an old wooden country church. Raised in a family of eleven siblings — nine of whom came through Utica Junior College — Curtis was singing from the time he could stand on a step stool in the choir loft. His journey took him from Morni...

In this episode, host Jean Greene sits down with Mr. Maurice Morgan Sr., a gospel guitarist and songwriter whose extraordinary journey took him from a sharecropping family in Wilson, North Carolina, to playing alongside some of the most celebrated names in gospel history — including Willie Banks, the Five Blind Boys of Alabama, and the Canton Spirituals. Rooted in a grandmother who shouted in the...

In this episode, host Jean Greene welcomes Mr. Frank McGriggs, a Utica native whose love of gospel quartet music has followed him from childhood church rehearsals to the battlefields of Iraq and back home again. Mr. McGriggs traces his musical roots to age 13, when Mrs. Kathleen McGriggs recruited him into the Traveling Voices, instilling in him not just harmony and technique but a lifelong ethic...

In this opening episode of Season Two, host Jean Greene welcomes Dr. Deborah Mays-Jackson, a proud product of the Utica campus whose family roots there stretch back generations. Dr. Mays-Jackson, former Vice President at Utica, shares how she arrived at Utica intending to study accounting, only to discover the music department — and the transformative mentorship of Dr. Cooper — during her first se...

In this final episode of Season 1, Jean is joined by Jasmine Cannon, a documentary filmmaker and Alabama native, to discuss Chapter 19 of "Black Man's Burden." Jasmine shares her deep connection with Holtzclaw's journey, reflecting on how his perseverance and vision resonate with her own experiences as a Black woman from the South. They explore Holtzclaw's relentless efforts to establish the Utica...

A reading of William Holtzclaw's autobiography, Black Man's Burden. Chapter 19. William Holtzclaw was the founder of the Utica Normal and Industrial Institute, a "Little Tuskegee" in rural Utica, Mississippi. His book, the first published by an African American in Mississippi, recounts his journey in establishing the school. Chapter 19 of "Black Man's Burden" delves into the achievements of the Ut...

In this episode, Brandon Forester from Media Justice joins us to delve into Chapter 18 of "Black Man's Burden." Brandon, a National Organizer for Internet Rights, explores the thematic layers of the chapter, focusing on how Holtzclaw addresses the systemic neglect of the Black community in agricultural development and education in the South. Highlighting Holtzclaw's strategic use of correspondence...

A reading of William Holtzclaw's autobiography, Black Man's Burden. Chapter 18. William Holtzclaw was the founder of the Utica Normal and Industrial Institute, a "Little Tuskegee" in rural Utica, Mississippi. His book, the first published by an African American in Mississippi, recounts his journey in establishing the school. Chapter 18 highlights the challenges and progress in agricultural educati...

In this episode, Jean Greene was joined by DJ Hudson, who delved into Chapter 17 of "Black Man's Burden" by William Holtzclaw. Hudson discussed the powerful role of education in empowering African American communities, as illustrated by Holtzclaw's account of his students who profoundly impacted their communities after graduating from his institute. The discussion highlighted the achievements of a...

A reading of William Holtzclaw's autobiography, Black Man's Burden. Chapter 17. William Holtzclaw was the founder of the Utica Normal and Industrial Institute, a "Little Tuskegee" in rural Utica, Mississippi. His book, the first published by an African American in Mississippi, recounts his journey in establishing the school. Chapter 17 of "Black Man's Burden" recounts William H. Holtzclaw's visit...

In this episode, Jean welcomes Mr. Gerald Collins, an Electronics Engineering Technology instructor at the Utica campus, who has a long-standing connection with the institution, both as a former student and as an instructor for 13 years. The discussion centers on Chapter 16 of "The Black Man's Burden" by William Holtzclaw, highlighting Holtzclaw's achievements in building the Utica Institute from...

A reading of William Holtzclaw's autobiography, Black Man's Burden. Chapter 16. William Holtzclaw was the founder of the Utica Normal and Industrial Institute, a "Little Tuskegee" in rural Utica, Mississippi. His book, the first published by an African American in Mississippi, recounts his journey in establishing the school. This chapter captures William H. Holtzclaw's reflection on the journey of...

In this episode, Mrs. Doris McClure, retired office manger and budget analyst for Title III at Utica, shares insights on Chapter 15 with host Jean Greene. Mrs. McClure discusses Mr. Holtzclaw's observations regarding the fear instilled by groups like the White Caps among Black communities, juxtaposed with governmental actions aimed at ensuring safety. Holtzclaw's narrative underscores the importan...

A reading of William Holtzclaw's autobiography, Black Man's Burden. Chapter 15. William Holtzclaw was the founder of the Utica Normal and Industrial Institute, a "Little Tuskegee" in rural Utica, Mississippi. His book, the first published by an African American in Mississippi, recounts his journey in establishing the school. Chapter 15 explores the complex dynamics of fear among Black individuals...

Jean Greene and Brenda Cooper Jones delve into Brenda's impactful tenure at the Utica campus, where she orchestrated annual student weddings as a unique teaching method, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and community engagement. Reflecting on the historical significance of Booker T. Washington's visit to Utica, they draw parallels between past racial tensions and current challenges, under...

A reading of William Holtzclaw's autobiography, Black Man's Burden, Chapter 14. William Holtzclaw was the founder of the Utica Normal and Industrial Institute, a "Little Tuskegee" in rural Utica, Mississippi. His book, the first published by an African American in Mississippi, recounts his journey in establishing the school. Chapter 14 highlights the pervasive fear and apprehension felt by African...

In this discussion of Chapter 13 of "Black Man's Burden," Utica alumna Cassandra Ellis reflects on the resilience and determination of William Holtzclaw. She highlights his unwavering commitment to his vision despite numerous obstacles and setbacks. Ellis emphasizes the importance of Holtzclaw's ability to garner support from both black and white individuals in the Utica community, illustrating th...

A reading of William Holtzclaw's autobiography, Black Man's Burden. Chapter 13. William Holtzclaw was the founder of the Utica Normal and Industrial Institute, a "Little Tuskegee" in rural Utica, Mississippi. His book, the first published by an African American in Mississippi, recounts his journey in establishing the school. Chapter 13 of "The Black Man's Burden" illustrates Holtzclaw's tenacity i...

The episode features Dr. Linda Laws discussing Chapter 12 of William Holtzclaw's book, "Black Man's Burden," with Jean Greene. Dr. Laws reflects on various themes from the chapter, including education, land ownership, generational wealth, and racial dynamics in early 20th-century Mississippi. They discuss the struggles and successes of black farmers, highlighting the importance of hard work, dedic...

A reading of William Holtzclaw's autobiography, Black Man's Burden. Chapter 12. William Holtzclaw was the founder of the Utica Normal and Industrial Institute, a "Little Tuskegee" in rural Utica, Mississippi. His book, the first published by an African American in Mississippi, recounts his journey in establishing the school. Chapter 12 of "Black Man's Burden" recounts a significant moment in the h...

In this enlightening podcast episode, Jean Greene and Dr. Shirley Hopkins Davis delve into Chapter 11 of "Black Man's Burden," where William H. Holtzclaw's approach to community development takes center stage. Through the Black Belt Improvement Society, Holtzclaw sought to empower African American communities by fostering trust, promoting economic investment, and setting an example of resilience a...

A reading of William Holtzclaw's autobiography, Black Man's Burden. Chapter 11. William Holtzclaw was the founder of the Utica Normal and Industrial Institute, a "Little Tuskegee" in rural Utica, Mississippi. His book, the first published by an African American in Mississippi, recounts his journey in establishing the school. This chapter discusses the establishment and impact of the Black Belt Imp...

In this episode, Jean Greene and Dr. Shirley Hopkins Davis, Dean Emeritus of Hinds Community College Utica Campus, discuss Chapter 10 of Holtzclaw's autobiography, "Black Man's Burden." They focus on Holtzclaw's Teacher's Extension Movement and its implications for today. Dr. Davis highlights the relevance of Holtzclaw's teachings in building communities, promoting education, and addressing issues...

A reading of William Holtzclaw's autobiography, Black Man's Burden. Chapter 10. William Holtzclaw was the founder of the Utica Normal and Industrial Institute, a "Little Tuskegee" in rural Utica, Mississippi. His book, the first published by an African American in Mississippi, recounts his journey in establishing the school. In Chapter 10 of "The Black Man's Burden," William H. Holtzclaw reflects...

In this podcast episode, Dr. Bobby G. Cooper, former Jubilee Singer Director, engages with Jean Greene in a conversation about Chapter 9 of "The Black Man's Burden." Focusing on William H. Holtzclaw's experiences with the Utica Jubilee Singers, Dr. Cooper highlights the challenges faced during early tours, shedding light on their humble beginnings as a quartet and the hardships they endured, inclu...