Mississippi Disparity Rally Participants

Reverend Dr. John Earl Cameron, Sr., is the third pastor of the Greater Mount Calvary Baptist Church. He was elected to become pastor of the Greater Mount Calvary Baptist Church in March 1970. Under his leadership, the membership of the church grew, and he was able to expand worship services from two Sundays per month to four Sundays per month. In particular, Rev. Dr. Cameron invited local students from Jackson State University to become members of the Greater Mount Calvary Baptist Church. 

Rev. Dr. Cameron served on the Governor’s Council on Minority Affairs, as executive director of the Greater Mount Calvary Community Development Corporation, as a board member of the Jackson Urban League, and as coordinator of youth affairs for the state of Mississippi. In 2010, the Greater Mount Calvary Baptist Church renamed its Family Life Center as the John E. Cameron, Sr. Family Life Center to honor the reverend and his contributions to the church.

Rev. Dr. Cameron obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from Rust College in Holly Springs, Mississippi. In addition, he completed his education at the American Baptist Theological Seminary in Nashville, Tennessee. In 2006, he received the Honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Rust College. 

Dr. Ronald Davis is a urology specialist serving patients in Jackson, Mississippi. His hospital affiliation is at Saint Dominic-Jackson Memorial Hospital. Dr. Davis has an advanced background in treating urinary conditions including prostate cancer and kidney removal surgery. He has more than 30 years of experience. He earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin School of Medicine in 1985 and completed his general surgery internship at Columbus Hospital in 1987. In addition, he finished his residency in the urology department at the University of Mississippi in 1992.

Dr. Lionel B. Fraser is a former urologist from Jackson, Mississippi affiliated with multiple regional medical centers and hospitals. He is the Chief Medical Officer of Central Mississippi Health Services, Inc. and was affiliated with Mississippi Baptist Medical Center, the Merit Health River Oaks medical center, and St. Dominic-Jackson Memorial Hospital. Dr. Fraser received his medical degree from the University of Michigan Medical School in 1977 and has worked as a urologist for more than 20 years. His first residency was at the Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital Surgery Department in 1978 and his second residency was at Brigham & Women’s Hospital from 1979 to 1983. Dr. Fraser has been named Castle Connolly America’s Top Doctor and Castle Connolly America’s Top Doctor for Cancer.

In 1993, Senator Hillman Frazier became a state senator representing District 27. He won his last election on November 7, 2023, and his term ends on January 4, 2028. From 1980 to 1993, Frazier served in the Mississippi House of Representatives. In the past, Frazier has worked as a consultant. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree from Jackson State University in 1971. He also earned his Juris Doctor (JD) degree from George Washington University National Law Center in 1974. 

Currently, Senator Frazier serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee, the Labor Committee, the Public Health and Welfare Committee, the Senate Rules Committee, and the Elections Committee among others.

Dr. Felix Gordon, Jr. is a urologist in Jackson, Mississippi at Saint Dominic-Jackson Memorial Hospital. He has more than 20 years of experience in urology and specializes in prostate cancer and kidney removal surgery among other conditions. In 1992, Dr. Gordon received his medical degree from the University of Mississippi School of Medicine. He worked as a surgery intern at the University of Arkansas College of Medicine in 1994 and obtained his residency from the University of Arkansas College of Medicine in 1997.

Senator John Horhn is in his 32^nd year as a member of the Mississippi Senate where he has been a champion for small business development and the City of Jackson. He serves parts of Hinds and Madison Counties in District 26. Prior to his election, his public service included serving as program manager at the Mississippi Art Commission, film commissioner for Mississippi, state tourism director, and executive director of the Governor’s Office of Federal/State Programs.

Senator Horhn is Chairman of the Housing Committee in the Senate, and he is also a member of the powerful Legislative Budget Committee. For 12 years, he chaired the Senate Economic Development Committee. John has sponsored and/or led the passage of bills authorizing more than $1 billion in projects specifically to support the City of Jackson, including public facilities, hotels, museums, and water/sewer improvements.

In private life, Senator Horhn works as a business development consultant in healthcare, housing, engineering, and small business development. An accomplished actor and storyteller, John is a member of the Screen Actors’ Guild, and he has appeared in numerous TV and film projects. He is married to the former Lydia Gale Cole, and they are the proud parents of two children.

Sheriff Jones served 20 consecutive years with the City of Jackson Police Department from police recruit, through the ranks to the position of Commander prior to his departure. During his tenure with JPD, he served in various divisions, including Patrol Operations, DEA Task Force, Robbery/Homicide Detective, Patrol Sergeant, Investigations Sergeant, Commander of Violent Crimes Division, Public Information Officer, and SWAT Logistics Officer. He also received numerous awards for excellent work and leadership exemplified.

Sheriff Jones graduated from St. Joseph Catholic High School in the spring of 1996 before going on to study at Tougaloo College and Belhaven University in Business Administration. He is currently studying Criminal Justice-Corrections at Jackson State University. He began his career in law enforcement at the age of 22, as an Honor Graduate of the 28th Recruit Class of the City of Jackson Police Academy.

Sheriff Jones is an esteemed member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Gamma Rho Chapter, Tougaloo College. He and his wife Monya are the proud parents of Chandler, Morgan, and Adyson, and reside in the City of Jackson, MS where they serve the community through various civic organizations, which include Sheriff Jones being a member of the Boys and Girls Club of Central MS Executive Board of Directors.

Sheriff Jones also serves as the Secretary/Treasurer on the Executive Board of the MS Sheriffs’ Association and was recently appointed as a Commissioner for the MS Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission. 

Mr. Jerry C. Knight is an ambassador for the Prostate Health Education Network (PHEN) from Jackson, Mississippi. Mr. Knight is also the Founder and leader of a local prostate cancer support group called “You Are Not Alone.” He is native to the state of Mississippi. Mr. Knight is a prostate cancer survivor and advocate for awareness, a salesman, an EMS driver, and a former small business owner. As a five-year prostate cancer survivor, he regularly and passionately shares his cancer journey with male organizations, men’s church groups, and targeted health and wellness events. He and his wife, Connie, currently reside in Ridgeland, Mississippi. They are the proud parents of seven children, 19 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Mr. Knight aspires to effectively impact men on all levels by raising awareness primarily among the African American community.

Timothy Quinn, M.D., is native to Mississippi and works as a family doctor at Quinn Healthcare in Ridgeland, MS. In 2003, he began practicing family medicine in Jackson, MS with a focus on wellness and fitness. He is the medical director of Quinn Healthcare, PLLC, and a member of the City of Jackson Medical Taskforce. Dr. Quinn has published articles in the Jackson Free Press and the Clarion Ledger from 2005 to 2012. He has also contributed as a medical expert to local news stations and radio stations. 

In 2009, the Black Entertainment Television (BET) special Heart of the City: Dying to Eat in Jackson featured Dr. Quinn as an expert doctor. In 2012, the Mississippi Business Journal named Dr. Quinn as one of the “Top Forty Under 40.” He received his bachelor’s degree from Belhaven University in Jackson, Mississippi, and he obtained his medical degree from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee. In addition, Dr. Quinn completed his residency at Martin Luther King Drew Medical Center in Los Angeles, CA.

Marvel A. Turner, Sr., PhD, CPA, is the owner of Turner & Associates CPAs as well as the President of 100 Black Men of Jackson, MS. Inc. Dr. Turner is a certified public accountant as of 1980. Dr. Turner is also an assistant professor in the Department of Accounting at Jackson State University. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Mississippi Society of Certified Public Accountants, the Mississippi Association of Black Certified Public Accountants, and the National Association of Accountants among other organizations.

Dr. Turner earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Jackson State University in 1973. He also obtained his Master of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1975 as well as his Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration from Jackson State University in 2004.

Rev. Dr. John A. Wicks, Jr., is from Jackson, Mississippi, and has worked as an associate minister at New Hope Baptist Church in the City of Jackson. By August 1998, he began serving as an associate minister at New Hope Baptist Church in Jackson and then started working at Mount Nebo Baptist Church by August 2000, becoming the new pastor on March 25, 2001. He has received multiple awards including the Metro-Jackson chapter of the NAACP 2008 Medgar Evers Award, the Mississippi Gospel Music Awards’ 2011 Pastor of the Year honoree, and the 2017 Pastor of the Year Award from the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Awards program. 

Rev. Dr. Wicks attended Jackson Public Schools until graduating from Murrah High School. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science and Applied Mathematics from Alcorn State University and graduated at the top of his class as valedictorian. Rev. Dr. John Wicks also earned a Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, North Carolina as well as a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Virginia Tech University in Blacksburg, Virginia. In addition, he taught computer engineering at Tuskegee University in Tuskegee, Alabama, and computer science at Jackson State University in Mississippi.

Rev. Stanley Wright is a native of Jackson, Mississippi. He was educated in the Jackson Public Schools. He is a graduate of Brinkley Jr. Sr. High School. He attended Alcorn State University, Tougaloo College, and Jackson State University, where he received a B.S. degree in Psychology. He did further studies at the Mississippi Baptist Seminary. He is a member of the “You Are Not Alone” prostate cancer support group for nine years. He has an extensive background in law enforcement and recently retired with over 25 years of service with the Jackson Police Department. He is a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

He is happily married to Emily Benson Wright, and they are the proud parents of six children and nine grandchildren. He is the second born of four to Willi L. Wright, Sr. and Annie Wright. He has been a member of Cade Chapel M.B. Church for over 60+ years, where he also serves as an associate minister. His passion is to inform, instruct, and inspire both the lost and saved not just through words, but through his living as well.