Media Contact: Rep. Zakiya Summers, electsummers@gmail.com
Black United Summit International Showcases Mississippi HBCUs during recruitment fair, community day on October 9
September 7, 2021 – Jackson, MS – Black United Summit International (B.U.S.I.) is coming to the Capitol City this fall to help promote Mississippi’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). It’s A B.U.S.I. Day, co-hosted by Representatives Zakiya Summers and De’Keither Stamps, will take place on Saturday, October 9, 2021, at Battlefield Park in Jackson, MS (953 W. Porter Street). This FREE community event kicks off at 9:30 a.m. with a park clean-up followed by the HBCU Recruitment Fair from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
It’s A B.U.S.I. Day will feature all of the state’s HBCUs as well as a vendor fair with non-profit organizations and small businesses, talent showcase, and DJ. Vendors and talent show participants are encouraged to register in advance.
Samuel X and Leonard Omarr Muhammad founded Black United Summit International Organization (BUSI) in 2012 to create a designated environment and central point for all HBCUs to unite in an effort to brainstorm, create, plan, and implement ideas, programs, and systems that ultimately are in the best interest of HBCUs, its students and graduates, and their future! The mission of the organization is to inspire every black, college-bound student to attend a HBCU while creating entrepreneurship opportunities in the community.
“My mother, Dr. Geraldine Edwards-Brown, served as a professor at Jackson State University. She taught me the importance of striving for excellence. We know that communities are struggling in this pandemic. We are working to inspire our people to make our cities a decent and safe place to live through the leadership of our HBCUs,” said Muhammad.
“I have been a part of the B.U.S.I. team for the last several years and I am so excited to bring this amazing organization to my hometown,” said Rep. Zakiya Summers, D-68. “As a current JSU Tiger, I believe in the power of HBCUs, and I am working to support them as much as possible inside and outside of the State Capitol.”
Vendor spots for non-profits and educational institutions are free, and $25 for small businesses. Talent show participants must be 18 or under and performances must be clean. Performers could win cash prizes – $100 for first place, $50 for second place, and $25 for third place – in an Apollo style showcase. Mississippi Votes is co-sponsoring this event.
To register, volunteer, or for more information, please visit B.U.S.I. on Facebook, at www.busiconference.org, or email Rep. Summers at electsummers@gmail.com.
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