Sips from the Sipp

Episode 33: Black Man's Burden, Chapter 17

June 13th, 2024  |  Season 1  |  24 mins 47 secs

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.

In Chapter 17, William H. Holtzclaw narrates his visit to a progressive Black colony in Mississippi that disproves former racial stereotypes by successfully managing five thousand acres of land and fostering positive race relations. This chapter highlights the colony's achievements and the influential role of a dedicated Black teacher, illustrating the significant impact of community-focused education and agricultural self-sufficiency.

Episode 34: DJ Hudson - Black Man's Burden ch. 17 Discussion

June 27th, 2024  |  Season 1  |  36 mins 58 secs

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. Hudson emphasized the importance of education as a tool for social and economic empowerment, reflecting on how these historical narratives resonate with current challenges and opportunities in Black communities. The conversation also touched on the political and social implications of education and community building as a form of resistance and empowerment.

Episode 35: Black Man's Burden, Chapter 18

July 4th, 2024  |  Season 1  |  25 mins 3 secs

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.

In Chapter 18, Holtzclaw addresses the disparities in agricultural education in the South, noting how recent enhancements primarily benefited white farmers, leaving Black farmers neglected. His advocacy led to legal challenges that resulted in more inclusive educational policies, alongside his efforts to combat lynching and promote social justice through direct appeals to state governance.

Episode 36: Brandon Forester - Black Man's Burden ch. 18 Discussion

July 11th, 2024  |  Season 1  |  41 mins 44 secs

In this episode, Brandon Forrester from Media Justice joins the discussion on Chapter 18 of "Black Man's Burden," focusing on Holtzclaw's advocacy for Black agricultural and educational development through his strategic letter-writing in the early 20th century South. Their dialogue explores the systemic neglect faced by the Black community and draws parallels between Holtzclaw’s historical context and ongoing issues in racial justice and community organizing today.

Episode 37: Black Man's Burden, Chapter 19

July 18th, 2024  |  Season 1  |  49 mins 7 secs

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" describes the founding and growth of the Utica Normal and Industrial Institute, highlighting its success in transforming an underserved area through education and community involvement. The narrative showcases the institute's impact, illustrated by a student's victory in a statewide oratory contest and the positive engagement between the school and local residents, reflecting a significant shift towards community betterment and educational excellence.

Episode 38: Jasmine Cannon - Black Man's Burden ch. 19 Discussion

July 25th, 2024  |  Season 1  |  40 mins 36 secs

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 Normal and Industrial Institute, highlighting his impact on education and self-sufficiency for Black communities.

Episode 39: Season 2: Gospel Music in the Black Church Tradition - Debra Mays-Jackson

April 15th, 2026  |  Season 2  |  40 mins 57 secs

In the Season Two premiere, host Jean Greene welcomes former Utica Vice President Dr. Deborah Mays-Jackson, whose family legacy at Utica runs deep. She shares how the mentorship of Dr. Cooper redirected her path from accounting to music, shaping not just her artistry but her character. The conversation also explores gospel music as a living language of the Black community — rooted in the spirituals, carried through the church, and resilient enough to carry its message into the future.

Episode 40: Season 2: Gospel Music in the Black Church Tradition - Frank McGriggs

April 22nd, 2026  |  Season 2  |  36 mins 58 secs

Mr. Frank McGriggs, founder of the Voices of Reason quartet, traces his musical journey from childhood rehearsals in Utica to forming a gospel group on the battlefields of Iraq — and ultimately back home, where music and ministry led him into a career in education. The conversation explores how gospel quartet music has served as a lifeline of hope for a community that has weathered significant economic and institutional loss. Mr. McGriggs closes with a commitment to mentoring the next generation of singers and musicians, ensuring the rich gospel tradition of Utica continues for the ages.

Episode 41: Season 2: Gospel Music in the Black Church Tradition - Maurice Morgan

April 29th, 2026  |  Season 2  |  45 mins 25 secs

Mr. Maurice Morgan Sr. is a gospel guitarist and songwriter whose career took him from rural North Carolina to performing overseas with the Five Blind Boys of Alabama and touring with some of gospel's greatest names — before love and music brought him to Utica for good. Now settled here with his wife Angela James and their family, Maurice has just released his debut solo album Rightful Heir, a milestone decades in the making. He shares his deep conviction that gospel music is most powerful when sung from the spirit rather than just the page, and speaks to his commitment to mentoring the next generation of artists in the Utica area.

Episode 42: Season 2: Gospel Music in the Black Church Tradition - Curtis Shears

May 6th, 2026  |  Season 2  |  35 mins 57 secs

Mr. Curtis Shears grew up just down the road from the Utica campus in a singing family, and his musical path — shaped by Dr. Bobby Cooper, Opera South, and a scholarship to Tougaloo College — eventually led him to a founding membership in the Mississippi Mass Choir, where he has been singing for nearly four decades. That ministry has taken him to Spain, Japan, and before the Pope, yet Curtis has never stopped claiming Utica as home. He closes the conversation by sharing the story of the Utica Community Choir, a cross-church ensemble he helped revive that continues to bring voices — and hope — together across the area.