Shirlene Anderson
Shirlene Anderson is the former deputy director of the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics (MBN), where she retired after 29 years of service. Shirlene’ law enforcement career began in 1976 as a Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics (MBN) Agent where she was promoted through the ranks from Agent to Lieutenant Colonel. During her tenure with MBN she served as District Supervisor of a field office responsible for narcotics operations in 10-counties, she also served as Regional Supervisor of 4 field offices. In October 1997, she was appointed as Chief of Enforcement/Deputy Director, where she managed enforcement operations for the entire Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics. In July 7, 2005, Shirlene Anderson was appointed Chief of Police for the City of Jackson Police Department.
She is a graduate of Mississippi Valley State University where she completed her Bachelor degree in Education. Shirlene volunteers with the National Federation of the Blind, and Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service/ Connect 1 Summits. Affiliation including; National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), Life time member of Mississippi Valley State University alumni
Geneva James
Ms. James career began in 1977 at Region I Mental Health Center in Clarksdale, MS as an Alcohol/Drug Counselor. Upon returning to Jackson, MS in 1978, she began employment at the Mississippi Department of Human Services. While employed at DHS she held several positions: Eligibility Worker, Program Specialist & Projects Office III in Economic Assistance; Social Worker, Area Social Work Supervisor and Licensed Teacher.
Ms. James has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Studies/Political Science from Alcorn State University and a Master of Arts from Jackson State University in Sociology-Alcohol/Drug Studies with a concentration in Education and Public Information. Since retiring from Oakley Training School in 2008, she has taught at Jackson State University, worked as a Day Care worker and served as a consultant at Operation Shoestrings.
Ms. James serves on the Martin Luther King’s Annual Breakfast Committee. She is the Coordinator of the Family Education Network Services at New Horizon Church International.
Linda Raff
Mrs. Raff began her career in 1967 at the Mississippi Department of Human Services as a foster care worker. Mrs. Raff was instrumental in beginning the Jackson Public Schools social services department. She later worked for the Department of Education and Job Development Training at the R&D Center. While employed for the Mississippi Department of Mental Health, she worked to establish the community regional mental health centers. In 1979 Mrs. Raff was hired by Catholic Charities and became Executive Director in 1979; where she remained until her retirement in 2008. Mrs. Raff is credited with developing over twenty social service programs to serve the community through Catholic Charities.
Mrs. Raff was active in the Civil Rights Movement of 1960’s and 70’s. She was the first woman to serve on the board of Hinds General Hospital where she was board Chair for five years. Mrs. Raff holds a M.S. in Social Work from Florida State University.
Connie M. Dixon, Ph.D.
Dr. Dixon received a B.A. in Sociology, a Masters in Guidance and Counseling and a Ph.D. in Educational Administration from Jackson State University, Jackson, MS. She has worked with commitment for the W.E.B. Du Bois Honors College in the positions of Assistant to the Dean of Honors College, Chief Academic Advisor for the Intensive and Accelerated Research Program. Presently, Dr. Dixon is the Director of Honors Student Services and Activities; and is an instructor for University Success and Honors Colloquium. She is a member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, Phi Kappa Delta and Alpha Epsilon Lambda.
Addie L. Green
Mrs. Green is the founder and CEO of the Mississippi Outreach Foundation, Inc. She has over 40 years of working with the Civil Rights Community, NAACP and Community Service. Mrs. Green received her education at Hinds Jr. College in Utica and Jackson State University. Presently she serves as Alderwoman and Election Commissioner for the City of Bolton. Mrs. Green is a former President and Youth Organizer for the Bolton/Edwards Branch of the NAACP, Vice-President of the IUE local 698 Union and Retired Employee from Packard Electric-Division of GM. She is a member of the Chapel Hill MB Church in Bolton, MS.
Paul Matens
Mr. Matens serves as Lead Social Worker, Assistant to the Chief of Social Work Service and Coordinating Social Worker at the GV Sonny Montgomery Veterans Administration. Mr. Matens also served as an instructor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior (Social Work) at the University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Medicine. He received Bachelors in Math Education and a Masters of Social Work from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, LA. Mr. Matens community memberships include but not limited to the State of Mississippi Department of Mental Health Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Advisory Council, Partners to End Homelessness, Inc and Member of the City of Jackson 10 year Plan to End Homelessness.
Beneta D. Burt
Ms. Burt serves as chair and executive director for the Jackson Roadmap. Prior to joining the Roadmap Project, Ms. Burt served as president and chief executive officer of the Urban League of Greater Jackson for twelve years. She was appointed as deputy director of the City of Jackson’s Department of Human and Cultural Services, where she co-managed ten city departments. Ms. Burt was appointed as liaison to the U.S. Department of Labor, under then-governor, Ray Mabus. She also worked for the Manpower Demonstration Research Corporation, in New York City, where she provided oversight and monitoring of six research initiatives in eight states. Additionally, in 2010, Ms. Burt was appointed by the mayor to serve as a commissioner for the Jackson Redevelopment Authority.Ms. Burt earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology/Social Welfare, and a Master of Arts degree in Public Policy and Administration (MPPA), from Jackson State University. She has received numerous awards and recognition. She was recognized by The Clarion-Ledger newspaper as one of the top fifty “2001 Women Who Inspire” in the Greater Jackson Area; and recognized by the Mississippi Business Journal in 2002, as one of Mississippi’s Fifty Leading Businesswomen. She also received the New Horizon’s Community Service Award in 2005. She is a current member of Leadership Jackson Alumni Association; serves as an advisory board member in the School of Public Health, Jackson State University; and, is currently serving a fourth term as a national grant reviewer for the State of Wisconsin’s Healthier Wisconsin Partnership Program, Medical College of Wisconsin.