Community leaders and candidates for political offices joined together Thursday to celebrate Meridian’s future leaders at Shaking Hands with Our Future.

 

The event, which started a decade ago, is a moment for Meridian’s youth to hear from successful city leaders and learn how they too can become pillars in the community, said James Carter, who runs the Carter Foundation and helped start the event. It is also a time for young men and women to learn about their city, the people tasked with running it and the importance of voting.

 

“We want y’all to know whatever y’all do, keep God first and stay true to yourself,” he said. “Especially y’all politicians because we’re expecting y’all to be our leaders.”

 

Kenneth Scott, a Meridian native, distribution engineer for Mississippi Power and president of Young Professionals of Meridian, encouraged students to take advantage of the opportunities that come their way. Those opportunities are there, he said, and it is up to young people to seize them and grow into the leaders of tomorrow.

 

Adrien Cross Phillips, who served as emcee for the event, encouraged youth to exercise their right to vote when they reach 18. Voting, she said, is extremely important as it is both a way for citizens to have their voices heard and shape their community.

 

“One thing I want to put on your mind is that you have the right and the freedom to choose your future when you cast your vote. You make your thoughts and wishes heard when you cast your vote, and it is important to vote, because if you don’t vote, what does your opinion mean,” she said. “You have to cast your vote, you have to speak out, and you have to make sure you’re an informed voter as well.”

 

Candidates for mayor, city council and state Representative also encouraged youth to stay true to themselves, work hard and stay out of trouble as they grow, learn and decide what careers they want to pursue.

 

Joseph Denson, a local attorney running for House District 82 in a special election, said students should prioritize learning and not give in to peer pressure.

 

“You don’t need to be cool,” he said. “You need to graduate.”

 

Lauderdale County Sheriff Ward Calhoun also encouraged Meridian youth to make good choices and invest in themselves. Going to school, learning and working hard are not just good ideas, they are investments that, like financial investments, will grow and compound into even greater opportunities.

 

Also recognized Thursday was L.O.V.E.S. Kitchen Executive Director Fannie Mae Johnson, who founded the Shaking Hands with Our Future event. In starting the forum, Johnson wanted to show Meridian’s young people what their futures could look like and the possibilities that are open to them, said Carter.

 

Not everyone will run for public office or become a doctor, lawyer or law enforcement, he said, but Johnson helped show them that the opportunities were there.

 

“Thank you, Fannie Johnson for your leadership, your guidance and your vision,” Phillips said. “And thank you, Mr. Carter for always doing what you know is right to do.”