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A prayer request at the last reunion triggered the sharing of information about similar health challenges. While it was surprising to hear of the different conditions family members had or previously endured, it was encouraging to see them as survivors and not victims. Many of the biggest risk factors for poor health are within our power to modify, prevent or control. Some conditions are hereditary, while others can be related to our behaviors or environment. One way to maximize our health spans is to start having conversations with our family members. There is no need to detail every ache and pain. You just start with an overview of known medical conditions and outcomes in your family. These are not the most exciting or comfortable conversations to have but having them could make the difference in one’s ability to lead a healthier life. So, let’s change the perception that health issues are something to be kept secret or are out of our control. Question: What one change could you make that would have the biggest impact on your life based on your health and lifestyle profile? Life, pass it on. Please enjoy these photos of some historical sites in North Carolina and Virginia.

Congratulations to Shantrell Green!!! Daughter of Brenda Green, granddaughter of Mamie Catherine Green whose parents were Armspert Green Sr. and Addie Mae Jones.

"At 19 years old society called me a “stereotype” Single Black Mom, uneducated, & unemployed. So I decided to teach society a lesson! I graduated from Memorial High School then went on to pursue my bachelors degree at Dillard University. After I graduated from DU I started a non-profit organization, launched three successful businesses, landed my dream job, and now the icing on the cake…obtaining my Masters Degree from the University Of New Orleans. Doing all of this plus MORE while being a single parent! Nothing comes easy or overnight! Hard work, dedication, prayer, and perseverance will always equal success! " December 9, 2021

Congratulations to Haydon Green - youngest daughter of Alex and Polly Green. Alex’s father was Armspert Green Jr, son of Armspert Green Sr. and Addie Mae Jones. November 9, 2022

Harvey McGee's adventurous spirit is inspirational. A former high school football hero who played college ball and went onto play professionally, is still on the go. He is still creating “glory days”. Harvey takes advantage of opportunities to expand his horizons, maintain and enjoy good health, meet people, and see the beauty of the world in which he lives. Let’s now explore his passion for cycling:

• While living in Jackson, MS., in the late 70’s, he started cycling with his roommate as a pastime and developed a fondness for the sport. He continued cycling when he moved to Connecticut.
• Normally his cycling trips are 50 or more miles each time and generally averages about 250 miles each week.
• Some of his most memorable rides have been in Colorado, Oregon, and along the Montana/Canadian border through Glacier National Park.
• His current favorite bike is a high performance titanium Litespeed.
• Harvey is also a founding member of the Octagon Cycling Club CT in honor of Marshall “Major” Taylor. American bicycle racer Marshall Walter "Major" Taylor (1878-1932) was the world's first Black sports superstar. He was world cycling champion in 1899, American sprint champion in 1900, and set numerous track cycling records.
• He is considering entering and riding in the Paris-Brest-Paris again.
• This year Harvey cycled approximately 500 miles of the Natchez Trace Parkway. His ten day adventure started in Nashville, TN and ended in Hattiesburg, MS.

In 2019, at the tender age of 69, Harvey went to Paris, France to ride in the quadrennial event, Paris-Brest-Paris 2019. He is a Randonneur (rahn-doe-ner), – a long-distance unsupported endurance cyclist. When riders participate in randonneuring events, they are part of a long tradition dating back to the beginning of the sport of cycling in France and Italy. It is the Olympics of cycling. However, friendly camaraderie, not competition, is the spirit of randonneuring. Cyclists must complete a number of shorter distance brevets (randonneurs) in order to qualify for the Paris-Brest-Paris.

Imagine this - 1,200 kilometers (745.64 miles) before you and to be completed in four days or less (depending upon the type of cycle, the rider has between 80 and 90 hours to complete the ride). Can you imagine, 750 miles is the distance from Chicago to Connecticut or New York? No doubt, not only must one be physically prepared but, mentally as well. Although riders may travel in groups, they are yet expected to be self-sufficient. No one to spot you by providing food, water or bicycle replacement parts along the way. Harvey was one of 6,673 entrants from all over the world.

Although Harvey did not complete the August 2019 event, we applaud him as he managed to ride two days before a combination of unseasonably cold weather (nighttime temperatures dropped into the 40s) and cold and flu-like symptoms caused him to end his quest. Courageous, focused, committed and determined are just a few words that describe our cousin.

If you want more details on this adventure, visit

• https://www.pbpresults.com/2019 - and enter his name, or better still, talk with him at the 2022 reunion or call or email him.
• History of PBP: Touring and Racing https://www.paris-brest-paris.org/index2.php?lang=en...
• Sleepless en Paris …et Normandie …et Bretagne: PBP 1999 by Eric Fergusson, Coast Magazine, November 1999 https://www.randonneurs.bc.ca/.../1999_sleepless...

For more information on Major Taylor:

• The Fastest Bicycle Rider in the World by Major Taylor

The Unknown Story of “The Black Cyclone,” the Cycling Champion Who Broke the Color Barrier

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-unknown-story-of-the-black-cyclone-the-cycling-champion-who-broke-the-color-barrier-33465698/

Picture one - Harvey on the road

Picture two - Harvey (middle in blue) with his riding buddies

George A. Green - Father and Mother were Armspert Green Sr., and Addie Mae Jones. Wife was Miriam Dillon Green. Children Alicia Green Brown (h. Tim) and George Green, Jr., (w. Tammy). Grandchildren Dillon Brown and Anderson Green .

Simon Green, born in 1890, was a U.S. Army soldier during World War 1.  His parents were Jeff Green and Florence Brown Green.  We honor Simon Green for his service during a time when it was difficult at best, to be Black, serve in the military and hail from Mississippi.  Attached are a copy of his Draft Registration Card and the Statement of Service document.

To give you an idea of what Simon did during his time on active duty, he served in the 164th Depot Brigade.  The role of depot brigades was to receive and organize recruits, provide them with uniforms, equipment and initial military training, and then send them to France to fight on the front lines. The depot brigades also received soldiers returning home at the end of the war and completed their out processing and discharges.

The descendants of Simon Green are eligible to receive a Presidential Memorial Certificate signed by the current president.  They may obtain it by going to the U.S. Dept., of Veterans Affairs at https://www.cem.va.gov/pmc.asp  There is no cost for the certificates and multiple copies can be requested at one time.

References for further reading about life for an African American soldier during World War 1:

University of Central Florida, The Engineers and Pioneers of WW1 https://vlp.cah.ucf.edu/wwi/pioneerengineer.html

65th Infantry Regiment, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/65th_Infantry_Regiment

World War 1: Loyalty and Dissent in Mississippi During the Great War, 1917-1918 by Richard V. Damms https://www.mshistorynow.mdah.ms.gov/issue/World-War-I-the-great-war

Simon Green Registration card image

We are All Game-Changers

We have a rich history full of family members that were/are game-changers. Let me introduce to some and present to others George and Mirian Green, the parents of Alicia Green Brown and George Green, Jr. We celebrate the life and legacy of this husband and wife power team. Educators. Leaders. Trailblazers. Respected. Applauded.

As you review some of their accomplishments, contributions and honors, proudly reaffirm to yourself that YOUR journey can be evolutionary and impactful as well. When you finish reading this, please feel free to give a “shout out” here to your school, milestones, accomplishments, awards, etc.

George and Mirian Green were staff members of Coahoma Community College in Clarksdale, MS. The following are a few highlights from their lives:

Administration staff members:

• George A. Green, Director of Athletics and Instructor in Mathematics, B.S., Alcorn State University; M.Ed., Mississippi State University; Additional Study, Delta State University
• Mirian D. Green, Dean of Library and Instructional Resources, B.S., Southern University; Additional Study, University of Mississippi [i]

Administration staff members:

• Mirian D. Green, Dean of Library and Instructional Resources and George Green, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics [ii]

Mirian Green Writer and Artist Laboratory:

• The Barron-Miller Center for Fine Arts was originally constructed in 1965 as a small gymnatorium to be used primarily by Coahoma Agricultural High School. The facility was used for physical education classes, small assemblies and basketball practice when originally constructed. The facility was renovated in 1990-91 to be used primarily by Coahoma Community College as a facility for art classes, performing arts and small assemblies. The attractive two-story building houses the Henry Dorsey Studio; the Thomas A. Richardson Studio; the Georgia A. Lewis Theater; the Eddie Mae Jackson Drama Laboratory; and the Mirian Green Writer and Artist Laboratory. [iii]

2008 Inductee into the Mississippi Community College Sports Hall of Fame – George A. Green [iv] Career summary is listed on the attached pic of the inductee program booklet.