Turry M. Flucker

Turry M. Flucker is a transformational leader with over thirty years of experience in governmental relations, arts administration, historic preservation, curatorial practice, and library and archive management. He is Vice President of Collections and Partnerships at the Terra Foundation for American Art, based in Chicago, Illinois, and Paris, France, where he oversees the foundation's art and library collections. As one of five executive officers, he plays a significant role in expanding the narratives of American art on a global scale, demonstrating his entrepreneurial spirit.

Before joining the Terra Foundation, Flucker volunteered as the director and curator of Mississippi's first modern art collection, which Dore Ashton established. His educational background includes graduating from the Center for Curatorial Leadership in partnership with Columbia Business School at Columbia University, earning a Magister in Artibus from the Center for the Study of Southern Culture at the University of Mississippi, a Baccalaureus Artium from Tougaloo College, and graduating as a classical vocalist from the High School for Performing and Visual Arts in Houston, Texas.

Flucker's deep interest and expertise in art history and philanthropy have been shaped by the writings of influential figures such as Samella Lewis, Cedric Dover, Edwin Embree, and Charles S. Johnson. He has authored Art and Activism at Tougaloo College, provided an exhibition review of Beyond the Blues: Reflections of African America in the Fine Arts Collection of the Amistad Research Center, and co-authored pictorial publications documenting the contributions of African Americans in New Orleans, Louisiana, and Jackson, Mississippi.

Shirlethia V. Franklin, Esq.

Shirlethia is a Partner in the Washington, DC office of Jones Day. She is the practice leader for Jones Day’s New Lawyers Group, former co-chair of the Firm’s Black Lawyers Group, and a partner in the Business and Tort Litigation practice where she litigates complex, high-stakes cases across a broad range of industries. She also maintains an active pro bono practice, most notably playing a pivotal role in Jones Day’s Rule of Law in Africa trainings in Kenya, representing migrants in asylum cases, and serving as first-chair counsel in a matter defending the Charlottesville city councilors’ vote to relocate the Confederate statues at the center of the violent rally there in August 2017. Shirlethia has been recognized by The National Law Journal as a “D.C. Rising Star,” Bloomberg Law’s “They’ve Got Next,” and the Washington Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 for her “proven track record of success.”

Prior to joining Jones Day, Shirlethia was Deputy Chief of Staff and Counselor to the Attorney General at the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) during the Obama administration. In these roles, she counseled two Attorneys General on significant law enforcement issues, high-profile environmental matters, and key policy initiatives. She also served as a lead on the DOJ Agency Review Team during the 2020 Biden-Harris transition. Shirlethia is a former White House Fellow—one of the nation’s most prestigious fellowships for leadership and public service—and former member of the President’s Commission on White House Fellowships and Board of Directors of the White House Fellows Foundation and Association.

Shirlethia currently serves on the board for the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, and was awarded the Brooks Burdette “Rising Impact” Award by the Lawyers’ Committee in 2022 for her work in connection with the nomination and confirmation of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson.

A proud Mississippi Delta native, Shirlethia received her B.A. from Tougaloo College, where she graduated Valedictorian and served as Student Government Association President. She currently serves as Governance Chair of the Tougaloo College Board of Trustees. She received her Juris Doctor from Howard University School of Law, where she served as Editor-in-Chief of the Howard Law Journal.

Marcia L. Fudge, Esq.

Marcia L. Fudge was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. She is a graduate of Shaker Heights High School, where she lettered in five sports, and attended The Ohio State University, where she majored in Business Administration and minored in comparative literature. She received her law degree from Cleveland State University Cleveland-Marshall School of Law.

As a dedicated public servant for nearly five decades, Fudge has devoted most of her life to improving the quality of life for the people of this country, focusing on those with the greatest need. In March 2021, Fudge was confirmed to serve as the 18th Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). After serving three years in this post, Fudge announced her resignation and overall retirement from public office.

Prior to confirmation as HUD Secretary, she served as the U.S. Representative for the 11th Congressional District of Ohio where she was a member of several Congressional Caucuses, including founder of the Rock and Roll caucus, a tribute to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame located in Ohio’s 11th district, and past Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus.

In 1999, Ms. Fudge was elected the first female and first African American mayor of Warrensville Heights, Ohio, a position she held for two terms. Her career in public service began in the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office, rising to the rank of Director of Budget and Finance. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, where she served as a Past National President, and is a member of the Greater Cleveland Alumnae Chapter. Even with all of these accolades, her proudest accomplishment is being the daughter of Mrs. Marian Saffold.

Lakeysha Hallmon, Ed.D.

Dr. Lakeysha Hallmon is a native of Batesville, Mississippi, and a 2004 graduate of Tougaloo College. While at Tougaloo, she was a student leader, serving on the SGA, the Vice President of the NAACP, a member of Young Democrats, and organizer for the South Jackson Juneteenth Festival, a member of the Gamma Omicron Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha, and a proud Residence Assistant.

After graduating from Tougaloo College, Dr. Hallmon spent 13 years in the education industry—teaching in the Mississippi Delta, Jackson, MS, and in 2011, moved to Atlanta, GA, where she became a research and evaluation specialist for the Georgia Department of Education. In the Fall of 2015, Dr. Hallmon began developing her first business, and her career as a nationally celebrated business owner launched in 2016.

Recognized as one of the most brilliant minds in education and business, Dr. Hallmon has transformed the lives of thousands of Black entrepreneurs across the world. Her love of community, paired with her mantra, “Support Is A Verb,” inspires and educates African Americans to create generational health and wealth. As an award-winning expert in education and business development, she leaves an indelible mark on any business that walks through her door. Dr. Hallmon has developed an economical vehicle that empowers the Black community through cooperative economics. Her ‘key’ to success is her village.

She moves businesses from sales to success and inspires them to become doers, supporters, and leaders of change. The mission-forward visionary advocates and empowers artisans, creators, and burgeoning Black businesses who want to thrive. After founding the Village Market in 2016, she has reached and served 1,440 businesses and facilitated $7.3 million in direct sales to Black-owned businesses. Now with several verticals under the Village Market moniker, Dr. Hallmon has recently expanded her village to include her storefront, The Village at Ponce City Market, a curated collection of premier Black businesses. She has cultivated a team of her own, employing 100% Black people, over 90% of them women. From Atlanta all the way to the Bahamas, the Mississippi-bred thought leader helps businesses with big ideas turn them into even bigger profits. Her goal is to build a Black mecca, where Black businesses can build and grow anywhere, and with several market storefronts on the way, she’s just getting started.

Dr. Hallmon’s expertise in education spans 15 years, where she has served as a critical voice and advocate for creating empowering learning and work environments for students and employees, and is deeply passionate about work efficacy and social-emotional learning.

Dr. Hallmon has been featured in Forbes, Essence, Black Enterprise, CNN/ HLN, the Today Show, NOW THIS, the Source, Atlanta Business Chronicle, Bustle, the Root, Forbes for the Culture, Therapy for Black Girls, and Black on Air.

A sought-after speaker, served as the keynote speaker for the Fall graduating class at Clark Atlanta University and the Boys and Girls Club of NW Mississippi and graced the stages of the Steve Harvey Foundation, National Urban League, Hope Global Forum, GoodWill, Beyond School Hours National Conference, Students At-Risk Conference, National Summer Institute Conference, GA Federal Programs Conference, the Power Rising Conference, EnricHER Conference, Atlanta University Center’s Financial Literacy and Innovation Conference, and the HBCU Entrepreneurship Financial Literacy Expo. Dr. Hallmon has worked with the White House Office of Public Engagement, serves as an Ambassador for the City of Atlanta, and was sought out by the Essence Festival to serve as one of the curators for the annual festivities.

Dr. Hallmon was inducted into the 40 under 40 Society at her undergraduate alma mater, Tougaloo College. She was also inducted into the Atlanta Business Chronicle 40 Under 40. recognized in 2021 by the Root 100 as one of the most successful African Americans, and listed in the inaugural Forbes 50 Champions. Dr. Hallmon was appointed to the 61st Mayor of Atlanta transition team to serve on the ethics and procurement committee for the City of Atlanta. Dr. Hallmon is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

Dr. Hallmon’s debut book was published in winter 2023 by Harper Collins.

Derrick Johnson, J.D.

President and CEO, NAACP

Derrick Johnson serves as the 19th president and CEO of the NAACP, a role he has held since October 2017. With a long history of leadership within the NAACP, including vice chairman of the National Board of Directors and president of the Mississippi State Conference, he has been instrumental in guiding the Association through a period of reinvigoration and transformation.

Under Johnson's leadership, the NAACP has taken numerous impactful initiatives to advance racial justice, expose systemic inequities, and amplify the organization's advocacy for Black communities across the nation. Most recently, he spearheaded the launch of NAACP Capital, a fund of funds aligned with the NAACP's mission of achieving equity, political rights, and social inclusion for Black people and all persons of color. In 2020, Johnson led the "We Are Done Dying" Campaign, which exposed systemic inequities in American healthcare and beyond, further amplifying the NAACP's advocacy during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also oversaw the Jamestown to Jamestown Partnership in 2019, commemorating the 400th anniversary of the arrival of enslaved Africans in America.

As the Biden Administration came into office in 2021, Johnson led the charge in calling for a Cabinet-level position dedicated to advancing the nation's issue of racial justice. His efforts culminated in President Biden signing an Executive Order to eliminate systemic racial barriers, ensuring federal policies are rooted in equity.

A seasoned civil rights advocate, Johnson has consistently been on the frontlines of the nation's most pressing issues. From calling out instances of racial insensitivity, like Virginia Governor Ralph Northam's use of Blackface; to condemning the burning of Black churches in Tennessee and Louisiana, he has been an unwavering voice for justice. His leadership also included testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee in opposition to Attorney General William Barr's nomination and overseeing the NAACP's historic vote to impeach President Donald J. Trump at the 110th National Convention in 2019.

One of Johnson's top priorities is financial empowerment for Black Americans. He is working to close the wealth gap by supporting Black entrepreneurs through micro grants and resources. His advocacy also extends to keeping future presidential administrations focused on policies that benefit Black Americans, while actively combating harmful agendas.

Johnson envisions the NAACP as a leader in data-driven civic engagement, shaping the most comprehensive Black voter mobilization efforts to date. By leveraging technology and cutting-edge research, he aims to transform how the NAACP engages with communities across the country. Under his leadership, the organization is becoming the leading authority on Black culture, expanding its legacy from civil rights to fighting for equity across multiple arenas of American life.

Among his recent achievements, Johnson was awarded the 2024 Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Champion Award for his relentless work to eliminate menthol cigarettes and the industry's predatory marketing toward Black communities. He also received the 2024 Tougaloo College Light of Justice Award and the 2022 Warrior of Justice Award, recognizing his steadfast dedication to justice and equity.

Born in Detroit, Johnson attended Tougaloo College in Mississippi before earning his JD from the South Texas College of Law in Houston, Texas. He has furthered his training through fellowships with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, the George Washington University School of Political Management, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). A proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Johnson's career as a veteran activist is defined by his commitment to defending rights and improving lives—whether through advocating for equitable education in Mississippi or pushing for national civil rights reforms.

Johnson is a frequent voice on networks such as CNN, MSNBC, CBS, and ABC, where he advocates for the Black community and all those impacted by systemic oppression and injustice.

Margaret McMullan,Ph.D.

Margaret McMullan is the author of nine award-winning books for adults and young adults. She received a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship in literature and a Fulbright to teach and research in Hungary. Her work has appeared in USA Today, The Washington Post, The Hill, The Bulwark, The Los Angeles Times, The Chicago Tribune, The Boston Herald, Glamour, and The Sun among other journals and anthologies. She was the Melvin Peterson Endowed Chair in Literature and Creative Writing at the University of Evansville, where she taught for 25 years.

She currently serves on the National Advisory Board of the Eudora Welty Foundation, Mississippi Today, and the Mississippi Center for Justice. She founded the McMullan Young Writers Summer Workshop at Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi. Margaret is a member of the International Women’s Forum and the Author’s Guild. She has served as a judge for the NEA, the Fulbright organization and for the Scholastic Writing awards. In 2015, Margaret and her husband, filmmaker Patrick O’Connor began the One Book, One Pass all community reading program in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where they live and work full time.

Carol T. Puckett Palmer

Carol Puckett Palmer has worked in and around the food business her entire career. She is the co-host of Deep South Dining, a radio show celebrating Southern food and culture on Mississippi Public Broadcasting. Formerly president of the Viking Hospitality Group for Viking Range Corporation in Greenwood, she is the founder of The Everyday Gourmet, a cooking school and gourmet retail store in Jackson and its companion store, The Everyday Gardener.

She is chair of the USA International Ballet Competition, past chair of the Mississippi Arts Commission, and serves on the Board of Directors for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mississippi, the B. B. King Museum and Tougaloo College. She attended Jackson, Mississippi Public Schools and graduated from Converse College in Spartanburg, S.C.

Brigetta K. Turner, DDS, PLLC

A native of Jackson, Mississippi, Dr. Brigetta K. Turner received her Bachelor of Science degree from Tougaloo College and completed her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at Meharry Medical College.
She has provided healthcare through her private practice for 36 years understanding that improving the oral health in our community directly affects our overall health.

Her non-profit organization, The SmileMaker Foundation features faith, family and friends coming together to create smiles on the faces of those who need them, physically, spiritually and emotionally.
Her named scholarship at Tougaloo College opens financial doors for students demonstrating financial needs and excelling in their pursuit of a degree.

Dr. Turner is the past Grassroots Representative for the DentaQuest Foundation and the Mississippi Oral Health Community Alliance (MOHCA) forming partnerships with the MS State Legislature and U. S. Congress to improve oral healthcare, equity, access, and expansion of Medicaid and Medicare.
She has served as the President of the Mississippi Dental Society.

Dr. Turner was recognized as one of the top 50 Business Women of Mississippi.
She was voted as the Tougaloo College Sesquicentennial National Alumna of the Year and is a divine member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

“It is an honor to provide service to my Alma Mater as a Trustee.I welcome the opportunity to be a steward of the rich legacy that brought me through her gates almost forty five years ago. I look forward to introducing the Eagle Queen to the world.”

Rev, Dr. J. Lawrence Turner

A native of Jackson, Mississippi, Dr. Brigetta K. Turner received her Bachelor of Science degree from Tougaloo College and completed her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at Meharry Medical College.
She has provided healthcare through her private practice for 36 years understanding that improving the oral health in our community directly affects our overall health.

Her non-profit organization, The SmileMaker Foundation features faith, family and friends coming together to create smiles on the faces of those who need them, physically, spiritually and emotionally.
Her named scholarship at Tougaloo College opens financial doors for students demonstrating financial needs and excelling in their pursuit of a degree.

Dr. Turner is the past Grassroots Representative for the DentaQuest Foundation and the Mississippi Oral Health Community Alliance (MOHCA) forming partnerships with the MS State Legislature and U. S. Congress to improve oral healthcare, equity, access, and expansion of Medicaid and Medicare.
She has served as the President of the Mississippi Dental Society.

Dr. Turner was recognized as one of the top 50 Business Women of Mississippi.
She was voted as the Tougaloo College Sesquicentennial National Alumna of the Year and is a divine member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

“It is an honor to provide service to my Alma Mater as a Trustee.I welcome the opportunity to be a steward of the rich legacy that brought me through her gates almost forty five years ago. I look forward to introducing the Eagle Queen to the world.”

Michael O'Neal Weems, Esq.

A native of Jackson, Mississippi, Dr. Brigetta K. Turner received her Bachelor of Science degree from Tougaloo College and completed her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at Meharry Medical College.
She has provided healthcare through her private practice for 36 years understanding that improving the oral health in our community directly affects our overall health.

Her non-profit organization, The SmileMaker Foundation features faith, family and friends coming together to create smiles on the faces of those who need them, physically, spiritually and emotionally.
Her named scholarship at Tougaloo College opens financial doors for students demonstrating financial needs and excelling in their pursuit of a degree.

Dr. Turner is the past Grassroots Representative for the DentaQuest Foundation and the Mississippi Oral Health Community Alliance (MOHCA) forming partnerships with the MS State Legislature and U. S. Congress to improve oral healthcare, equity, access, and expansion of Medicaid and Medicare.
She has served as the President of the Mississippi Dental Society.

Dr. Turner was recognized as one of the top 50 Business Women of Mississippi.
She was voted as the Tougaloo College Sesquicentennial National Alumna of the Year and is a divine member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

“It is an honor to provide service to my Alma Mater as a Trustee.I welcome the opportunity to be a steward of the rich legacy that brought me through her gates almost forty five years ago. I look forward to introducing the Eagle Queen to the world.”

Lesly Gaynor Murray, Esq.

Lesly Gaynor Murray is a member of the Public Finance, Tax Incentive and Credit Markets Group and has extensive experience serving as bond counsel, issuer's disclosure counsel and underwriter's counsel, and in particular has over 30 years’ experience in the areas of single-family and multifamily housing bonds. Ms. Murray has worked with the Georgia Housing and Finance Authority continuously since 1986 as either bond counsel, issuer's disclosure counsel or underwriter's counsel on both single-family and multifamily financings. She also has worked with local housing agencies, underwriters, 501(c)(3) and for-profit developers and other financing participants through the Southeast and other parts of the country on single-family, multifamily and governmental essential function housing projects. In addition to her focus on affordable housing financings, Ms. Murray has maintained a broad-based public finance practice working with governmental issuers, underwriters, project developers, credit and liquidity providers, private placement purchasers, corporate trustees, investment providers and other financial institutions on a wide variety of financings.

She is recognized by Best Lawyers in America. She obtained her J.D. from the University of Georgia and is admitted to the Georgia State Bar.