Never thought I'd see the day when the JFP bloggers were so silent on a topic. So, is there nothing to say about the fiasco that was the Mississippi Best Awards? I am very disappointed in how the event went down. Was there no representation from the JFP? Did you all not go out to support your very own Mr. Webb? Hard to believe from such a support group. And just in case you didn't catch it, there's even an article on it in the CL today. No one to post the link? Is there no interest in this? Why is mum the word on this? Matter of fact Ms. Ladd won an award for Best Editor I believe. Kamikaze won the award for best Columnist. Is that celebratory?

Now mind you, I have no opinion on this except that it was clearly a fiasco (as stated verbally by Ms. Velencia someting who was the thrown-into-the fire-hostess). I do think that these awards are very necessary and should be continued although there are some rumors about the founder...nevertheless, I have no comment on that. Mr. Webb will deal with that I'm sure. I still think that it should be known that this was a masterful idea and it should be applauded that it was done in the first place and we should all come together in some form to ensure that it is continue with some level of organization, commitment, pride and success next year and for years to come.

Congratulations to the winners and the nominees....especially Ms. Infinite, she's the sh@t.

Queen, the JFP had nothing to do with this event. It sounded very ambitious from the beginning, and I had hoped the best for Cyrus.

As far as I know, no one from the JFP attended. I was out of town at a board meeting, and Todd was in charge of the "Rocky Horror" film event Saturday night, which we did sponsor.

Beyond that, I don't know anything except what I've read here and in The Clarion-Ledger. I haven't read the piece today, yet, as I'm just back in town, and it's press day.

So, it's not "mum"; it's just that this event hasn't been on our radar much. If the problems around it merit a bigger news piece, we will follow up on it. Anyone is welcome to provide us any information you think is relevant. And I do thank the people who voted for the awards to me and Kamikaze.

I still don't know what took place or what went wrong. I scanned the clarion ledger and was surprised by what I read. It takes a few dollars and appropriate follow-through to pull these things off. I agree it seemed like a good idea. Queen, I saw a few other post this morning on here concerning the same story. I even saw a few comments by Mr. Webb. I missed you Queen. Don't stay away so long the next time.

Yeah, I don't really know what happened, though. But it does look like it didn't go well. The lesson is probably to start small and do that really well before you move onto something more ambitious.

Just read the Clarion-Ledger article.

Goodness gracious.

Yes Donna....goodness gracious is right. I hate to make assumptions, but it's looking like a little bit more than an overendulgence. Hope not, but it seems to me that there may be an element of fraud here. Just me though.

I was actually hoping to meet you Donna, one of the reason's I attended. Do you know that Maggie Wade was there. I think she won an award too. Yall, it was a tragedy....really....it really was. I really hope that people who invested (I'm not sure there were investors)...but if there were, I really hope that they will still contribute when someone else does a better job at making this awards show successful.

Did you notice the CL's statement at the end of the article making sure to relieve themselves of any association..."not on staff...paid by article". They are so cute!

HEY RAY!!!! MISSED U 2! ;-)

By the way the award was a framed certificate....and by framed I mean a piece of paper in a dollar store frame. AND, to top that off the hostess I mentioned before told us that the reason for the delay, (meaning it being about 8:30 -- show was to start at 8:00 -- and we were being entertained by her and artists pulled from the crowd in a very obvious attempt to passify us) the reason was that they were waiting for the awards!!!! I was completely embarassed that people like Banner, Maggie Wade, the Mayor of Tchula (sorry I don't know Yvonne's last name), William Morgan (with his cute self) and Kaze made it their business to be there and they receive a peice of paper that I can print off my computer and leave on their doorstep.

Not to mention that there was no food! Tickets were $65. He plans to give back $10 in refund. What is he thinking? None of what we say warranted a cost of $65....NOTHING. Everyone there should get a full refund.

Speaking as someone who has organized large events, it can definitely take you off guard -- especially if it is the first event of its kind that you are trying to do. But sometimes people will let you pay them a few days after the event as long as you are able to get an agreement in writing and also pay them some kind of advance or deposit on the honorarium.

I was there. We got there around seven'ish and stayed until the hostess told us there would be no dinner. Now given, I did not pay to be there and I was invited as a presenter; however, I had gone to great lengths with hair, outfit, etc. for a night out (rare for me), so when we heard there would be no food, we left. Especially when there was little communication on how the show would progress. I had assumed that the presenters had been overlooked with other pressing things, and I had no program. I was dressed up and hungry though.

Then we went to Schimmell's and received equally disappointing service, but that's another story for another day and I still love Schimmell's. Same for Cyrus.

I agree, start smaller. I believe in Cyrus's vision though and I will not bad-mouth the organizer. I felt bad leaving, but I justified it by knowing that I had not entered into the event as it was presented. I will say that if Cyrus had said there's this awards thing, here's what we're doing....no food and none of the names...I would have been there on his vision. I was also looking forward to meeting Kamikaze face-to-face, but with no introductions...no name tags...it was very, very hard for me to go row-to-row to find him.

And the hostess was great. I wish I'd had the opportunity to meet her beyond her on the stage. She held up well.

And congrats to the JFP winners.

Laurel, I appreciate your comment. But this was not the result of inexperience in organizing an event. This was the result of something else. Being late starting...yes, result of inexperience and underestimating details. But if what the CL is saying is true then that is just the tip of the ice burg here.

Again, however, I am not trying to condemn the man. I personnaly appreciate him and his efforts. However, if I may liken him to our current mayor, no one knows what he was trying to do. Apparently things he planned and sold tickets for, he did not even handle appropriately. IF the article in the ledger is accurate. Again the city of Jackson has been taken for yet another ride by yet another one of our own, in the name of UNITY and TOGETHERNESS. I am again just as sick as I was when Frank barged into the Upper Level and watched the manger get beat up because he was taping him. Our city is never gone come up if we can't even trust each other to do the right thing. We're headed for destruction!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

emilyb >>>I believe in Cyrus's vision though and I will not bad-mouth the organizer.

Thanks for that, I will follow your lead and not bad mouth Cyrus either. I am just so tired and frustrated with us as a community and this is just not helping. Still and all though, emilyb, you are right, at this point, "bad mouthing" Mr. Webb serves no justice to anyone. And again, that is not what I openned the dialogue for. I paid for my ticket and I feel like I need to be able to vent about the show and it's many disappointments. Personally I thought the hostess was inappropriate....funny and cute....but not fitting for the atmosphere. However, I am sure that she did the very best she could. Kudos to her for holding up under the pressure. Since she was the only face associate with the awards until Webb showed up...........LATER!

Thanks for the reminder.

Queen! I wanted to meet you too! What were you wearing? Did you see the woman in the gorgeous gold gown? Y'all, we were looking good.

Webb posted something in his JFP blog before 6 AM today: http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/comments.php?id=11286_0_67_0_C

I wasn't involved with this, but I did get emails from the Yahoo group set up for this, and even though mistakes were made, I wouldn't say that Webb didn't try. I didn't read most of the emails because he sent so many, and what I did see had to do with planning committees, etc. I say that if you really want to know what was going on and you belong to the Yahoo group, go back and read the posts to see what went down. It would probably tell you a lot more than that C-L article did.

Queen and others, thank you for your posts, however, I had started a thread earlier and honestly didn't see this one until now.

Queen, I wish I had the opportunity to meet you. It would have been good to put a face with the name.
Look, there has been a great deal mentioned here, and I think it is all warranted, however, let me address the errors that have been made, first.

It was said early in this thread by Queen that people paid $65. If that is true, I need to know it, because NO ONE AT ANY POINT WAS CHARGED $65! THE MOST ANYONE PAID WAS $50.00 FOR THIS EVENT. Queen, if you are saying you paid anywhere near $65 for your ticket, then you should make sure that whoever sold you that ticket is questioned on it.

As for the certificates, that was explained in my post that I did early, early this morning so I'm not going to get into that here.

Emily and Donna, great points and I agree with you. I actually said in my post this morning that it was ambitious. Donna, I am sorry for doing this, but I am going to take something you said on the post that I started and bring it here: I am going to use that thread to go through some things that happened. So I am not going to post anything else here, however, I thank everyone for their comments and I am going to continue the conversation in the other thread.

That's fine, Cyrus. Post wherever you'd like about it.

Here's a question, though; If people were charged even $50 including dinner, why are they only being refunded $10?

It might make sense for you to go public with the amounts of everything collected and then paid out to help people make sense of this thing.

And I think the use of the Project Runway's people's names is very disturbing to a lot of people.

I will get that information on the pricing of the tickets from the guy who purchased my ticket....I'm da queen of course I didn't pay for a ticket, I was a guest!

And emilyb, yes mam, I did see the gorgeous young lady in the gold dress with her hair in a pony tail. You looked marvelous. I was wearing a black pant suit with my hair pinned up.

Cyrus, I didn't see anything posted earlier, and I was not fortunate enough to be apart of the yahoo group that LW mentioned before. I can not go back and read emails or announcements if I am not privy to the group in the first place. So, LW, since you were, consider yourself fortunate. All of us, although we are Mississippians and we are down to make sure that Mississippi is held in everyone's highest regards, we were not informed and can not go back and read these announcements. I still feel like this information should not have just been available for those who were apart of that group. I'm sure all those who attended didn't belong to a webgroup. If that was the only means in which information was shared, then is shouldn't have been a surprise to anyone the manner in which things turned out.

If the tickets were priced different from what was on the ticket, that was a mistake too. That should probably be addressed when you plan to do this again. A word to the wise (I know you said you were not going to post here anymore, but I'd bet my life that you are still reading), next year....please try again. But this time allow some people who have done what you are trying to do to assist you. I would also probably reconsider only dealing with online voting. There are people in our community who do not have access to the internet or computers for that matter who I am sure would like to show support for their favorites. I personally only knew about this because of a friend who just happens to be a friend of one of the people who was asked to attend. I lucked up.

I'd really like to see you succeed at this. I for one, would be more than happy to offer my assistance in any fashion that I can. It would be wise to pull off the type of event you are trying to make this, if you'd start now with publically being frank. As I know you are attempting to do now. You should know that if you don't address those concerns from the public, it will look like you lied to us all. that is the way it seems now. So address it and move on. Everyone that was there share your passion for Mississippi and I am sure that they, like I, want to see this type of awards show be successful.

All night you spoke, as did your planning committee, about the perception that non-Mississippians had about us...being slow, uneducated, and frankly uncapable. Now, my question to you is....do you think that what you accomplished with the awards show (the entire weekend as a whole) killed that perception or contributed to it?????????

I was just told that the Web site had said $65, and $89 for some sort of package. Maybe Cyrus can clarify that.

One thought for the future: the Web group concept for such an event, and especially voting, doesn't make sense. But that's probably obvious at this stage without my saying it.

As for trying again, I suspect that complete transparency at this point is a necessary component to whether or not this could work again in the future. Of course, Queen in her royal wisdom, is saying the same thing.

And Queen's last point is very good. Perhaps the best lesson that can be learned in this whole thing is the importance of organization, follow-through and professionalism in Mississippi. It's vital to remember that Mississippians have long created others' perceptions of us. If we want them to look at us as capable and professional, that's what we have to show—we have to walk the talk, that is. Complaining about what they think of us (the talk), without the appropriate actions (the walk) won't do a darn bit of good. It is our actions that matter.

Yes Donna, nicely put.... and that you ever so kindly for acknowledging my QUEENDOM!!!! ;-)

Um, I meant THANK YOU not that you....OOPS!

Queen, next time whomp me upside my head and introduce yourself. I'm actually a shy person...just a loud writer. I truly and sincerely look forward to meeting you. I was so worried about falling down the stairs in my shoes in front of God, Kamikaze, Maggie Wade and now YOU. That's what was disappointing to me about it. We had really gone out. Limos y'all. All dressed up. We were looking way good and we were TOGETHER.

I would have loved name badges (I was expecting place cards at tables and next year volunteer to make this happen). So many people I wanted to meet, but so many I only know from print or blogging, so it was difficult to go up and say hello.

So did I miss a hella afterparty? I had to go get kids by 10 or 11. We had a curfew :(

I didn't make the afterparty. After all that, I really didn't even believe there was an after party so I just hung out with some friends instead. Now that I know that it was you, I'll introduce myself next time. And you are right everyone really stepped out. I saw some limos, furs, church hats, there was even a really divalishous woman on the front row sitting beside William Morgan. I really wish I knew who she was, she was a show stopper in herself. Did you see her? She had on massive amounts of bling.

Yes there was an AfterParty @ DjScrapDirty & E Brown's Place
Seven*Studioz they didnt attend the Awards because of an earlier event
dealing with the Artshow and Family events in the Art District that same day.

YES! I did. We could have fashion show'd without those Runway folks. Let me know if anyone has pictures. I have three from my camera phone :)

You got pictures Watcher?

Folks, Cyrus knows what he must do....and the clock is ticking...tick..tock...tick...tock.

Just read the article myself "DANG"
Not a Good Look!

Well hellllooooo Kaze. I'm so glad that you showed up. I was beginning to wonder if any one in the likes of you were watching this thread.

Pictures would be good. Had JFP been there we'd be viewing pictures already. Hmmm, that makes me think, did the organizers not even have photographers at this high end event. That would have been nice.

Well Queen the Salt has been Poured on the Poor Guys wounds Can't do anything about it Now he just need a staff to help & also someone to consult him on really how to do an event like the weekend he had. Me myself i fly different Djs from all over the world to chicago and it takes my staff & others to make things work.

check out website
www.globalmixx.com

Starting small is vital. That's why the JFP came out every two weeks in the beginning.

Hopefully it'll get better. I think he'll be fine.

If He wants it to get Better!
Seek & You shall Find!

Look. I went to that fiasco myself and, well, cyrus is full of feces (to keep it clean) ... what plaques. This little dude went to the dollar store bought five frames for a dollar then he went to Wal-Mart bought some cheap paper and printed these "certificates" on his home computer. But what's funny is I asked Cyrus if he had plaques and he told me YES. CYRUS ... here's my plea to you. Quit now and allow the Mississippi Best Awards (which is a great idea) to thrive. Otherwise, this will be the first AND last year.

I thought Cyrus was pretty much the only guy doing the Mississippi Best Awards--and if it's all his fault that things went wrong, then obviously he was--so I'm not sure how it would "thrive" if he quit. Sounds to me like it's basically a one-man show.


Cheers,

TH

But it could thrive if someone credible takes the helm, but EVERYONE must distance themselves from Cyrus

"Credible"? "Takes the helm"? You talk about this as if it were some kind of corporation. It obviously isn't. It's C.A. Webb running an event. Let's get real here. He steps aside, and there is no "Mississippi's Best Awards" unless someone else decides to pick up the ball and run with it. This is a shoestring project.

No offense, willwork, but your criticisms of the guy are beginning to sound way too personal to me. I don't know what he deserves and doesn't deserve, but I'm not really interested in gutting Cyrus Webb.


Cheers,

TH

Like i said Pouring Salt on His Wounds will not make it better the best thing to do is call him personally or email him & let him Know to his face What he has & hasn't done right@ the end of the day it will make Mississippi look bad if we keep things looking bad ..yes ! I SAID WE!!! so smashing the dude & i dont know him like that & i wasnt Nominated for an award will not Make it any better.

Message to Mr Webb

Next time you decide to do an event of this Magnitude Bring people in that has been through Event planning or has relationships to Bring monies in to accomplish your goal. The people of jackson are speaking & you see people are making it where the status that you do have has been crushed by one event. I will not hide behind THE WATCHER name and everyone knows me if
you are planning for next year please call on the key Players for help.


Thank You again JFP
PEACE
DJ SCRAP DIRTY
Seven*Studioz
VIOLATOR MANAGEMENT
BARAK ENT (HOME OF SLUM VILLAGE)
WWW.GLOBALMIXX.COM

"But it could thrive if someone credible takes the helm, but EVERYONE must distance themselves from Cyrus" willwork4food


Like i said Pouring Salt on His Wounds will not make it better the best thing to do is call him personally or email him & let him Know to his face What he has & hasn't done right@ the end of the day it will make Mississippi look bad if we keep things looking bad ..yes ! I SAID WE!!! so smashing the dude & i dont know him like that & i wasnt Nominated for an award will not Make it any better.

Message to Mr Webb

Next time you decide to do an event of this Magnitude Bring people in that has been through Event planning or has relationships to Bring monies in to accomplish your goal. The people of jackson are speaking & you see people are making it where the status that you do have has been crushed by one event. I will not hide behind THE WATCHER name and everyone knows me if
you are planning for next year please call on the key Players for help.



PEACE
DJ SCRAP DIRTY
Seven*Studioz
VIOLATOR MANAGEMENT
BARAK ENT (HOME OF SLUM VILLAGE)
WWW.GLOBALMIXX.COM

Well said. To be honest, it still sounds to me like the big thing is that Cyrus took on the work of about 20 people himself. If he brings lots of other people on board to help organize next year's, it could be a beautiful thing.


Cheers,

TH

Tom, I think he still can be sued by Bravo for misusing the people for Project Runway, their likenesses, ect...

This isn't "too much work", this is "didn't think through clearly".

The two aren't mutually exclusive, but I'm through critiquing Cyrus for now. I didn't lift a finger to help during any of this--though admittedly, a large part of that is because I'm just not crazy about the whole concept of a Mississippi's Best Awards.

It's always nice to get an award, but for me the value of an award is that it comes from somewhere--the Oscars and Emmys from the respective Academies, the Tonys from the American Theatre Wing, the Golden Globes from the Foreign Press Association, the Images from the NAACP, the SAGs from the Screen Actors Guild, the Nobel Prize from the Nobel Committee, the Pulitzer Prize from Columbia University, and so forth. The beauty of an award is hearing "They like me, they really like me"--where "they" is some institution that one deeply values.

There are other practical problems with all this. We're Jacksonians, so we have limitations as Jacksonians when it comes to evaluating the rest of the state. Would we even know who Yvonne Brown was, for example, if she were not running against Bennie Thompson in District 2, which includes Jackson? Are there mayors on the Gulf Coast, for example, responding to Katrina, who might have been more appropriate choices for this award? I question how anyone--regardless of how old or how esteemed they are--can create a list of candidates over such a broad geographic area in such a broad range of fields. That Cyrus even tried is remarkable. Give the man credit for dreaming big.

I think there was a basic problem with the concept where Cyrus put too much on his own shoulders and, as we all do when we put too much on our shoulders, probably got a little scatterbrained in the process. I doubt Bravo will sue him for that, but I really question whether it makes sense to have a Mississippi's Best Awards without first having an infrastructure to put it together. I'm always more impressed with coalition work. Could Cyrus help organize the 2007 MAP Coalition Awards, for example, if anyone involved is interested in such an animal?

I think the future is pretty bright for Cyrus Webb. It sounds like he stepped in it this time, but if he does the right thing here (and I can't imagine that he won't), then I think he'll learn from this and go on to do bigger and better things. The Mississippi's Best Awards should not be seen as representing Mississippi, IMHO--I have to state a rare point of departure from Donna here--but rather as one of those Lucy-in-the-sky-with-diamonds projects that young artists try that don't always work out.


Cheers,

TH

Link to the original thread that was already started about this:

http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/forums/threads.php?id=11267_0_16_0_C

"Link to the original thread that was already started about this:"
Jo-D



Thats over & done with anyway!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's not over and done with until explanations are made....................

"It's not over and done with until explanations are made............" Jo-D



Jo-d
Dont you think you need to call that Guy and have him Explain to you ?????
Unless you spent money on that event & didnt get a refund i think he shouldnt have to explain on a forum.I think he should explain to all those people who spent money & im sure he Knows all of them personally). Myself I really dont care what he has to say because it didnt affect me in any shape or form .The reason how i know he has to know whom it is Im in Radio in Jxn
my cousin is in TV & Politics & the afterParty was @ my venue so i caught allllllllllllll the last min Vents so i feel the people whom stepped in & pulled strings & spent bread($) & time that who needs the explanation.

Guys, I'm not ignoring any of you. I have been working with others to get all the paperwork together so we can finish our report.

Jody, I understand that you want things explained and they will be, but the important thing is to get the business-side of this done first. And Jody, I am a little surprised by you: You were supposed to be a presenter, which would have given you two tickets. You sent me an email saying for healh reasons you couldn't be there, and you have been speaking like you were front-row center. I don't blame you for wanting to know what happened here, but I have to wonder why you seem so invested in it.

My name and word was invested in it Cyrus. I promoted this "event" from my own lips and fingertips.. the ramifications of this are far extending more than you think.. it's not JUST your reputation that was put on the line. Even when I withdrew as a presenter because of the heart issues I'm having, I promoted and told people to go. Quite frankly and honestly, a near heart attack seems to have saved me from a disappointing night.. of having to present dollar store frames and do-it-yourself certificates???? At least that's what's being said was given out. Yeah, I'm so invested in it.. my word to people, and my endorsement, means more than you realize to some people and I guess, personally, I don't appreciate having to apologize for your f*** ups!

Personal i see i guess i will fall back Nowwwwww!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tom, I can certainly understand a limited level of loyalty to Cyrus. I share in that. However, if it were just that this man bit off more than he could chew, you'd be justified in your way of thinking. However that is not the case at all. And the more I see Cyrus posting these "come backs 2 liners" the more convienced I am that this is way way more than just that. Cyrus used peoples names to get folks to come out to an event that he has been promoting for months maybe even a year. Not even having booked the building until the morning of. That to me does not sound like one who had intentions that were good and sound. How would you even know to promote that place when you haven't even booked it, paid for it. Suppose, just suppose he had gone there Saturday morning and someone else already had that spot booked. He was going to cancel it just like the project runway thing and just like the dinner. He had confimation from those models that they would not attend, but yet he still USED their names as if they had been paid and a contract had been signed. He DID NOT HAVE A CATERER for a dinner that he had been promoting for the same legnth of time. How is that possible if it's not just flat out a SCAM!!! Now I'm gonna call it what it is. You all can come on here and hold up for him just because he is a small fella with a nice innocent look about him and because you know him if you want....that's you're choice. However I as well as every other MISSISSIPPIAN is well within their rights and it's understandable for them to have a problem with him. I am down right insulted that he thought he could pull this over on at least 350 people including politicians, musicians, artists, dancers, singers, journalists....and fans. He took us for a ride and if you continue to stay on the passenger seat --he'll keep driving. I'm getting out this car, I can tell there a dark tunnel up ahead and who knows what's on the other side.

"It's always nice to get an award, but for me the value of an award is that it comes from somewhere--the Oscars and Emmys from the respective Academies, the Tonys from the American Theatre Wing, the Golden Globes from the Foreign Press Association, the Images from the NAACP, the SAGs from the Screen Actors Guild, the Nobel Prize from the Nobel Committee, the Pulitzer Prize from Columbia University, and so forth. The beauty of an award is hearing "They like me, they really like me"--where "they" is some institution that one deeply values. "

..Therein lies the probelm Tom..WHO made THOSE institutions so important? WHY are THOSE institutions so important but an awards show started to honor MISSISSIPPI'S Best is not credible? WHY must we sit back and wait to receive kudos from others. WHAT makes them so valid? in the words of Public Enemy F**K a grammy!!! That further perpetuates the self loathing and low self-esteem that a lot of our young people have. They grow up being told if its from MISSISSIPPI its second rate. A "jackie" at the Jackson Music Awrds holds just as muvh weight for me as the Ozone award I just recieved and any other award I hope to recieve nationally in the future. We have to get out of that mindset. Our awards dont have to come from somewhere else to be valid Tom, WE MATTER. Im a little thrown by those comments.

Folks, Cyrus is no dummy. He is a well-learned man. He had help, GOOD help and a good group of people around him who worked hard. He did NOT undertake this "alone" He alone knows what he must do, but Im beginning to see that he may not...tick...tock...tick..tock. I have reserved my next actions and reserved crticism because the idea of the MISSISSIPPI BEST AWARDS is too good to die now but it is in danger. Tom, you're not privvy to what some of us are privvy too. Read and dig further. Some "mistakes" arent always "mistakes" if you follow me. But today will tell tick..tock..tick..tock..BOTTOM LINE I WILL NOT SEE MISSISSIPPI COMPROMISED! and he knows what that means!

"Could Cyrus help organize the 2007 MAP Coalition Awards, for example, if anyone involved is interested in such an animal?"

NOPE!

ask Donna how we ran the MUSIC TO HEAL MISSISSIPPI BENEFIT concert after Katrina and how we had a system of checks and balances in place. THAT is a model on how to run a show. but I digress....tick..tock..tick..tock....
Cyrus...stop trying to compile that paperwork. it doesnt matter now sir....save the awards...you know what must be done....and it will one way or the other...

I understand Jo-D's point to an extent. Now my name was placed with some of the Project Runway'ers who did not show/were not there/whatever we want to say in public forums, so that's why I'll stick with public forums to find my answers.

And Queen, I'm grateful you brought it up. Again, I won't bash Cyrus personally, but when I've been telling folks who will be there, what's going on, how great the organizers are, well, one might see where the professional gets personal. I'm counting on him to be honest about what happened when he has all the facts together. More than being out the $$$ for outfit, sitters, etc., more than anything I feel I'm out my word when I've told folks that I'll be working with Project Runway designers. When my friends/readers/MENTORS ask, "How'd it go?" it puts me in a bad situation. I have to be honest and tell them. Lesson learned for many I suppose.

And I STILL believe in the vision. I'll say that again. When I heard, and heard in person, that this is a *black* thing, well, it got me going. I would *hope* that my passions were not exploited nor were those of anyone else. I'd like to keep going forward saying this was more than could be chewed, and going forward rights will be made and mistakes will be noted.

It will go forward emilyb, but with ONE MAJOR change. Otherwise, sadly, it will die. By whose hand? tick..tock..tick..tock....

Ummmmmmmmmmmmm!

Emilyb whoever said that it was a black thing is just as off in their thinking as those who think Mississippians are dumb and slow. It was not in any fashion a black thing. Hell the winner of the most awards was William Morgan the 13 year old country singer. Now, there were more blacks in attendance but that's likely because of the way the event was promoted. Who's name did you hear the most, Banner and Kaze. I heard about the project runway thing, but to be honest, I had never heard of them or the show on bravo ever before, so I was not enthused. Those who heard about this heard about it from word of mouth and the people they talked about most were banner and kaze being there TOGETHER to accpet an award TOGETHER. That's why the element was young, hip hop lovers mostly in attendance. Again, that goes back to organization and promotion. Back to Mr. Webb ....yet again.

But I digress....it was not a black thing. It was a MISSISSIPPI thing. It all goes back to MISSISSIPPI, why are people missing that. That's the reason this man is getting all this flack. Because he did this event in the name of MISSISSIPPI. He did it to stop the stereotypes and to bring us together in something good...something that would makes others take note of us. And he did that, but again, we are seen as underacheivers. Looks like yet again these Mississippi folk are uncapable of pulling off an awards show...hell the man behind it didn't even bother to come through on the events. If they can't do something right in their own state, for their state, they gotta be some idiots, they still in slave mentality. Oh yes people, we are still going to hear it for years to come and this FIASCO has set us back even more.

GEE THANKS!!!! That's exactly what we need! And if this was not done with malice I'd say it happens. Sometimes things dont come off as planned. However, apparently it was since I'm left to draw my own conclusions since I can't get feedback that worth anything from Cyrus.

Queen, I'm speaking from the beginning of the organization. I'd heard about some radio talk show hosts bashing from the get-go when they'd read the hip hop names and questioned from that. I didn't hear the show, but a co-worker had and told me that they were totally bashing it. (that's where I get the "black thing" and it was mentioned in early press releases sent out by Cyrus...that's why I'm saying I'm hoping my passions weren't exploited....)

I'm not missing that it goes back to Mississippi. I'm with you there. The title of the event and all press releases leading up tauted that. And that's what I'm also saying about not getting feedback. When folks ask me what happened, I can only be honest and say my experience. I wish I had more info to give more facts, but all I can say now is that I was told one thing and another happened. It reflects on us each personally who were involved as well as the state as a whole. Just like you heard word-of-mouth about Kaze and Banner (which were names I also word of mouthed), I was word of mouthing that I'd be presenting with a Project Runway designer. Each person who's name was used as had credibility comprimised and there are folks who paid good money for something they did not get.

You're right, and thus my frustration. But emilyb as time passes I'm getting more and more angry. Initially I had just some concerns about what happened. I was kind of taken aback that night, but my biggest issue (that night) was the hostess. I was embarassed as a black woman and I was embarassed for her. I'm not going to get into that though because still and I she made the crowd feel comfortable and it was obvious that she was just up there probably never being told prior to just being thrown up there that she'd have to be the one to entertain us.

But as these threads get longer and as articles come out....still nothing in the way of an explanation from Webb or his committee...that concern is turning into anger. Simply because I feel like he thinks he smarter than anyone who was there and he thinks we'll just let this ride because he said "OH I'm SORRY....I shouldn't have said that". Right now if he did try to organize any functions in MY city, I'd simply protest by word of mouth and on the internet explaining to people that they should not even bother showing up to his events. And I will continue with this thinking until he publicly makes this right.

I just caught up with this thread (Melton does keep a journalist busy), and all I can say is good Lord, what a mess! Kamikaze, when are you going to stop ticking and tocking and tell us what happened?

Kamikaze is right. The MAP Coalition did an excellent job on the Katrina benefit. It's important to understand that it was not overly ambitious, and it wasn't expensive, and there weren't a lot of promises made that couldn't be kept. I see this as a huge problem here, perhaps among others.

I can't really take sides on any of this. I like Cyrus as a person, but I understand people's anger toward him right now, especially as he remains quiet on what happened (which maybe he needs to do for legal reasons). I certainly think he needs to step up and not try to sugarcoat anything at this point. And it may be that he then needs to take a breather from event-planning, or at least having his name out in front of events. Perhaps he could apprentice, of a fashion, with other groups and people who know how to pull off complicated events.

If these awards continue, I will be happy to offer some advice on how to fix some problems that were apparent from the beginning. However, the JFP cannot play any kind of direct role as we already have a highly successful "Best of Jackson" brand, and we cannot bastardize that brand or effort in any way by confusing people in any way that we have anything to do with this other event. I would have told Cyrus that early on had he asked for advice—it might have been good to choose a completely different name that said the same thing he wanted it to.

Speaking of "Best of Jackson," the fifth annual competition season kicks off in next's week issue and on the Web site, so spread the word and keep an eye out for the ballot.

What was the issue with the hostess? What happened there? I felt like she was really put on the spot. I didn't see any order of events and there were no programs for the evening, so I honestly felt sorry for her being up there as the *face* to tell us there was no dinner. And to have to tell the crowd you'll get a partial refund.

What happened as the night went on? I seriously would have stuck it out if I had not been so dang fired hungry.

Thank you emilyb. You are right there was no programs, or agendas. I had to improvise. I'm quite sure you could tell. But to find the negative in what I did as a black woman...a woman period surprises me. It took courage to face a crowd and tell them there was no dinner. I was told we couldn't have food on the 3rd floor. So that is the message I relied. So for being an embrassment. I guess you would feel embrassed if you were the one running around like a chicken with her head cut off!

Honey, I was wanting to send the husband out for snacks for us ALL and start doing some improv with you. Or we could have kick danced. Or had a puppet show. I was feeling you up there. I was feeling it as a presenter...not sure where to be/what to do. I can't imagine being the face of the night. I'm buying your next drinks if we are together again. At a cash bar! I was looking for that as well.

Y'all, did they actually go through and present all the awards? Hearing about it, it all seems like a mess.

Kamikaze writes:
Our awards dont have to come from somewhere else to be valid Tom, WE MATTER. Im a little thrown by those comments.

Then I obviously didn't articulate myself very well. Let me say, for example, what I was going to say in a second email, but didn't (because I felt like I was piling on): The certificate of appreciation I got from the ACLU in June is worth as much to me as a degree even though I'm pretty sure only 12 people, tops, were involved in making that decision, and it's important to me because of who those people were and because of what that told me about what they thought of me. But if there was some Johnny-come-lately Mississippi's Best Award that put me up as "Mississippi's Best Civil Libertarian" because I got the most online votes, when I knew damned well that there were other people in the state more deserving of it, I wouldn't even want to show up!

That's why I used MAP as an example. If MAP gives out awards, that means something. If the Mississippi ACLU or Jackson Area NOW or Mississippi NAACP or Unity Mississippi sponsor awards or give out certificates of appreciation, that means something. If some new group that exists solely to give awards pops up and gives awards, what does that mean, really? There's no institution behind it. That's what I'm saying. I'm not saying that it sucks because it's Mississippi. I'm saying I don't get it because there's not a "there" there to give out the awards.

My great-great uncle was poet laureate of Alabama during the late 1970s. When I read his bio, I hear that he got an honorary doctorate from World University Danzig, as did the current poet laureate of Mississippi. What does that doctorate mean? Bupkus, because World University Danzig, as far as I know, never did anything but award honorary doctorates to poet laureates. If it were, say, JSU or Millsaps, then it'd mean something, but some "World University Danzig" thing that came out of the blue to award doctorates and then vanish in the night...what does that mean, really? Do you get what I'm saying now?


Cheers,

TH

And Val, it sounds like you did a REMARKABLE job under the circumstances. I remember reading in this thread or another where somebody specifically praised your performance. Emcee'ing is hard work even when everything goes right, and it sounds to me like (to put it mildly) not everything went right.


Cheers,

TH

And I wasn't there, but I have to say that Cyrus' emails are not warming the cockles of my heart right now. I have no dog in this race; I was not a presenter, nominee, or attendee. I was not interested in being any of the above, for reasons stated in my post to Kamikaze two slots up. I came into this thread because I felt like Cyrus was getting reamed and I respect the man and felt like I should step in, but he's not doing his part and I don't really know what the hell I'm talking about now, so should I shut up now? I think I'll shut up now.


Cheers,

TH

("Cyrus' emails" --> "Cyrus' posts")

(And to give another example: Jackson's Best Awards, headed up by the JFP. Voted on by readers, but awarded with the JFP's full institutional backing. Good stuff. Tom Head Presents Jackson's Best, with voting on www.tomhead.net? Not so good!)

tom would you be willing to serve on the committee for next year's events if the right folks are in place? let me know. A change is gonna come.

Kamikaze, sure, but I really feel very strongly that an organization of some kind--preferably one receiving funds from the event (would HeARTS Against AIDS be interested in this? maybe Operation Shoestring?)--should be the ones giving the awards out. I just feel funny about the idea of an organization that exists just to give out awards giving out awards.


Cheers,

TH

I'm soory that you all think the right people were not in place. Truth of the matter is the planning committee did it's part as for as making initial contact. I was on the planning committee as well and it's a shame that the award show turned out like it did. We took Cyrus at his word...big mistake. We were in the dark just as the public. Onther thing I am the State Organizer for people living with HIV/AIDS so planning/organizing is what I do throughout the Mississippi. By the turnout of the award show you would have never known. I am not going anywhere when it comes to planning next years event. We (previous) planning committee members are already in the process of planning next year's event. So we need to get together and discuss "What's next?"

OMG--you're THAT Valencia? Woman, you rock--you have as much positive energy as anybody I've ever met--and I can just imagine you emceeing an event. THAT choice is one I can get behind completely, and I'm sorry the rest of the event wasn't up to snuff because I think you would SHINE in that role under any normal circumstances.


Cheers,

TH

Thanks Tom. It's me. Many people don't see me like you have. It would be an honor to work with Kamikaze, you and the many others that have a geniune love for Mississippi.

I'm with Tom that there really needs to be an institution behind such an awards ceremony. The idea, in general, is great but without having someone behind it (and by someone I don't mean a person or small band of individuals), it lacks alot like Tom has suggested.

Maybe the Mississippi Arts Commission as the parent org and use monies raised to benefit arts in schools? Most of the fields covered under "best of" seemed to involve arts and humanities which is why I suggested MAC. Just a thought.

Further, I'd like to see far more information on the people and what they've done. Randomly allowing Joe Blow to make a nomination, in my opinion, waters down the whole system.

Just rambling and throwing my two bits in.

By the way, I love Val more the Tome. ;-)

That'd be Tom. Grrr.

I think you are right Knol. There should be a nomination process. Someone everyone could agree upon. Let's not make the same mistakes. Knol, I love you too.

Brian and ya'll LOL..Here's what I've been waiting on. so now I can call the dogs off. just sent to my email and hopefully for mass release. But now is when the true healing can begin:



To: Whom It May Concern

From: Cyrus A. Webb,
Mississippi's Best Planning Committee

Date: Wednesday, November 1, 2006

Re: Resignation from Mississippi's Best Planning Committee

_________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________

This is to inform you that effective immediately I am resigning as
Committee Chair for the Mississippi's Best Planning Committee.

Though I still believe in the vision for the committee and its premise to
recognize the best out of the state of Mississippi, I think it is best
for a new force to stand up and lead the project to even greater heights.
Over the next several weeks information will be released on who will keep
the vision alive. I ask that you continue to support the Mississippi's
Best project and those who will be moving us forward.

I want to thank everyone who showed me support and shared my enthusiasm
over the past few months in putting this awards program together. Even
though I am leaving the executive ranks, be assured that those who will
serve on the next committee and as committee chair will do all they can
to improve on what was envisioned, making sure that our state is given
credit for what it is accomplishing everyday. I have the promise of many
people who believe in what was birthed in July 2006 that they won't allow
it to die.

All I ask is that we as a state support them, continuing to remind them
of that promise.

As always, I ask for your thoughts and prayers. Continue to enjoy life.
Continue to enjoy Mississippi.

..those of you who widh to really help. now is the time but first a new head needs to be named and Ive already spoken to some credible, trusted, respected officials who could be the face and help to get those monies. Just had to get that settled. I wasnt going to let my folks down. Now the major obstacel to folks dealing with the awards has been removed.

Now can we focus on next year?

fa sho. valencia holla at me. jackie just emailed me and got me her info. kamikaze601@hotmail.com ya boy has the best hand and a master plan lets make it happen. Tom, Knol, Scrap we can move forward now.

I'm proud of you Cyrus for holding your tongue. People may not realize the trouble you can get yourself into should you later get sued in some way.

Val, who all was on the planning committee?

FINALLY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jackie, myself, Myra Perry and Marilyn Moering. I hope we can start over and try to salvage our credibility. My new motto is follow up and follow through. We are in the process of getting real awards for the winners and making sure we right the wrongs. It's not about us it's about the people that spent there hard earned money. I'm looking to work with any and everyone. I love Cyrus dearly. I've know him for 10 years and I wish nothing but the best for him.

VAL >>>>>>>>>>>VIOLINS (Im crying now) (Joke)

Thats whats up
goto my website

www.globalmixx.com

You will see the Pics of my Award Ceremony


peace
ScrapDirty
Hot97/Violator Management

Before thinking about a next event, folks, I'd think your first priority should be a public accounting of every dime taken in, spent, donated, refunded. Once you re-establish credibility that way, THEN start talking to people about doing another event. First, though, you've got your work cut out for you.

And I'd suggest that it would be most appropriate for Cyrus not only to step out of a leading position, but to resign from being involved with the event altogether. Also, I want to hear from you what happened and where the money is. All this talk about enthusiasm and the future is meaningless without a full accounting of what he did and did not do. I see little of use in that e-mail from him.

..was thinking the same thing Donna. That e-mail didn't mention any of that aspect.

I didn't see a public apology, which it sounds like Cyrus owes everybody, plus specific offers re: the refund policy. No offense to the man, but this is beginning to stink to me, too, and I think I'm going to back away from trying to defend Cyrus and let him speak for himself, which is what I (as someone who was not involved in the event) should have done from the get-go.


Cheers,

TH

Jody, on a more serious note, are you okay...? I know heart trouble's a mess. I came down with an irregular heartbeat a couple of years ago and it turned out to be nothing (though I'll probably have to go on beta blockers when I get older), but I've done the whole Holter monitor thing, too. Health problems in general aren't all that fun, but worrying about the ticker can be especially traumatic, I know.


Peace,

TH

Should know more tomorrow.. family doc said she couldn't tell anything wrong from the echogram or the EKG.. those looked good. Several instances on the Holter monitor shows a heartbeat of 144 so she's sending me on to the cardiologist tomorrow. I imagine a stress test and some dye will get to the bottom of it. It came about from feeling fluttering, palpatations, whatever to call it and getting very dizzy and lightheaded when I got them, almost like I was gonna pass out. So, yeah, go ticker!

Well Donna, Marilyn Moering has already emailed me and said Building Bridges didnt receive anything. Don't know about Grace House or the others perhaps val can name the other charity that was supposed to benefit. Getting a full accounting may never happen Donna honestly, could be wishful thinking. We know who WASNT paid and we know who DIDNT get the donations. So I dunno hopefully he will answer the bell.

..But as far as the resignation, its means he will have nothing at all to do with the planning or execution of the awards in the future. He knows that, and I will stick around to make sure since I helped to procure his resignation in the first place. Besides any info we need to get, HE'S OUT which as we all agree, is best.

Jo-D and Tom, I had to wear a Halter monitor back in '99 for heart palpitations. They said the beats weren't fast enough to be considered dangerous (or was it because I'm a female...hmmm). Anyway, I'm still here, so...

As for the thread itself, I went back and read all of the new comments, and I wish now that I did not post a message before all these other details. Now that I have more information, I have BIG question marks in my head right now. I got so many emails about this event that I assumed no detail was looked over. Maybe I should have read all of them instead of just three or four. Now I see that there were some MAJOR oversights, and I hope that everything about the planning of the event (especially the $$$) will be fully explained so that all the problems can be resolved. All of this is really sad. I just want to see all of this fixed soon. There is a lot of anger, sadness, disappointment and grief in the comments I read here and the other thread - I can feel it. C.A., please give everyone the information they are asking for. It would be easier to hide or jump off the nearest bridge, but don't. These folks need closure, and they need it now.

This business with Mississippi's Best is sounding scarier with every post. Seriously. Cyrus, I know I didn't even buy a ticket, but as someone who cares about the charities involved, let me add myself to the list of folks who would really like to see an accounting of where the money went.

Latasha, the doctor gave me the same answer he gave you, so obviously we share many things when it comes to matters of the heart (har har!).

Jody, sounds to me like you're in good hands, bud. Please keep us posted. If the echo looks good and the EKG looks good, sounds to me like the problem might turn out to be one of those nice ones where all you have to do is take a pill. And if he does put you on beta blockers, those are nice--good for the nerves, among other things (if you've got an essential tremor, it'll probably get rid of that in addition to whatever good it does for the rest of you). I took a beta blocker once and it felt GOOD. I was completely sedate, and talked in this slow, gentle baritone like Joe Lieberman. I'm sure I was annoying as hell, but my anxiety disorder was completely gone! And my grandfather was on beta blockers ever since he was in his twenties or thirties, and lived to be 91 (and it wasn't his ticker that quit on him--I'm sure it would have kept going if the rest of him had).


Cheers,

TH

I forgot to mention that the beta blocker also lowered my pulse to 40, which is part of the reason why I didn't stay on it... ;o)


Cheers,

TH

A pulse of 40, Tom? You should have just put on a dark suit and changed your name to Gomez Addams. Yikes.

Regarding the topic, when Saturday came, I felt guilty about not being involved with the event and not going. Now I don't know what to feel - relief that I stayed home or anger at myself that I didn't get involved so that maybe I could have prevented this somehow. I'm no event planner, but maybe I could have seen a warning sign, something, anything.

How can i raise all kinds of gay hell if I'm "completely sedate" and talking in a "slow, gentle baritone like Joe Lieberman"???? haha ;]

Yeah, or Lurch. That was a pretty scary low pulse! But I love what it did to my brain chemistry... :o)

Re Saturday: I'm kind of glad I wasn't involved. A lot of people were, they were kept out of the loop, and now they're finding their names attached to something they had no control over. I don't think either of us could have prevented what happened...

Now, planning ANOTHER event is another matter entirely. When's the next NAMI fundraiser...? You've got my email address and phone number; please feel free to use it. I haven't had a chance to work with/hang out with Latasha Willis for any length of time yet, and that sounds llike fun!


Cheers,

TH

Jo-D, I could have done a totally convincing version of Right Said Fred's "I'm Too Sexy." My voice was RIGHT THERE! ;o)


Cheers,

TH

Now, planning ANOTHER event is another matter entirely. When's the next NAMI fundraiser...? You've got my email address and phone number; please feel free to use it. I haven't had a chance to work with/hang out with Latasha Willis for any length of time yet, and that sounds llike fun!

I'm keeping my eyes open for when the next NAMIWalks campaign will start, so I will let you know then. It may not be until March, but if things get going sooner, I'll send an email. Now that turned out fine because since it was my second try, I learned from the prior year's mistakes. I also learned from last year's mistakes (such as paying for all the T-shirts myself - never again) and I am not afraid to admit when I goofed. Admittance is a sign of accountablity.

...But ya'll do realize that coming clean means telling the truth, which means admitting or showing guilt which I dont think we will get. i hope we do, but as we say we may have to "charge it to the game" its too much like right for him to show up somewhere and admit he kept some money somewhere.

kamikaze in my opinion i think we need to just call it a lost and move on. maybe we can give the people who bought ads and tickets a discount for next year's awards. nobody will really be able to understand why cyrus did what he did. i think the problem lies deeper than him just wanting pocket some extra money. in time the truth will prevail and he will have to answer to it whether he choose to or not. inspite of all my anger and hurt, i just pray that God will touch his heart and his spirit and fix whatever it is that's out of place.

Cyrus needs to do the right thing. He can do it without digging a deeper hole by running off at the mouth needlessly. He needs to pay who he is supposed to pay, do what he's supposed to do, then move on determined not to make the same errors again.

Unless someone decides to sue, but then you have to ask what money you could get out of this....

Hey Mr SHo-Nuff ...You know its too much like right to admit to something in his Mind he probably feels not wrong.The Best thing that just happend in a few days was the People of the City Spoke & that was very Powerful.Now only if we can Scan all the bogish promoters whom Burned Jackson with all the Fradulant Concerts we will be good.

Ironghost writes:
Unless someone decides to sue, but then you have to ask what money you could get out of this....

If something shady was done, then there wouldl probably also be applicable criminal statutes. I'm really bummed out that Grace House, AAIM, and Building Bridges have apparently received no funds from this event, that Cyrus is not sharing the budget information, and so forth. I wasn't directly involved, but these are good charities and they deserve better than this.


Cheers,

TH

Planning an event? Need outstanding, forthright, creative ideas that will make your event a success? Contact Shondra Macklin (Blaque Butterfly).......Your one-stop creative shop! I will help assist by being the creative director for your event. I will help plan the decorative layout, I have the ability to visualize and bring to life YOUR vision, and even design one-of-a-kind decorations/dinnerware for the event. If interested...for future reference...contact me @ blaqbutterfly04@yahoo.com or request to view my profile @www.myspace.com/blaqbutterfly04.
P.S. I'm only interested in being apart of committees that are composed of honest, forthright individuals. The true success of any event lies within proper planning, time allotted for mistakes/mishaps, and a HECK of a team.
(We must have the ability to turn all negatives into positives...that's one of the keys to survival!)

if anyone is interested in being a part of the MS Best Committee for next year, you can contact me@ Jackiedoll_2000@yahoo.com Like Blaq said we are only looking for honest, dependable, forthright people.

You are right Jackie and Blaque. This is a volunteer committee so if you are expecting anything you will be on the wrong committee. Contact me as well at v_robinson04@yahoo.com If you are interested in becoming a member. We will have a nominating process also, we are trying to plan a meeting sometime next week. What is a good day/time for everyone? We have not received paperwork as of yet.

Alrighty then people, I'm back. Firstly congratulations to Mr. Webb for stepping down. Congratulations to Val who did step into the fire and I am the one who mentioned displeasure with you as a hostess. However, Val, if you read my posts you would see that I did take into account that you were just as blind in this as we all were. I just mentioned that for what those awards were "suppose" to stand for, you were clearly outside of your element. However, I do admit that I know it took guts and YOU DID HOLD UP WELL UNDER THE PRESSURE. I was proud of you as a black woman. It just went back to Cyrus and his inability to handle things appropriately. If that had been the fashion show or something or a talent show, you would have been perfect. Still and all, I commend your efforts, you clearly showed more b@lls than Cyrus.

Secondly, yall all ready to get to next year, well I'm with Donna. I'd like to know what happened to the money. Is Cyrus excused because he bowed down. He should be held accountable. No sir, we should not just chunk it up to a loss and move on. No. We do way to much of that in this state. All is fair. No it is not. This man took us for granted. He used us. And he contributed to that negative image that not only NON MISSISSIPPIANS have of us, but other Mississippians who doubt themselves and believe that we are jokes. He contributed to that mindstate and I am thoroughly displeased.

Kamikaze you continue to make us proud. you're love and respect for this state goes without words and it should be commended. I mean we rest assured in knowing that if someone does wrong by our state, at the very least we have KAMIKAZE. So thank you.

Again, to the ladies who believed in Cyrus that were on the committee, apparently, it was not your fault. You were dooped as we were. I think you all looked lovely and carried yourself in a very classy manner. I hope you do continue to work on the committee for next year's events. I would love to assist if possible. As you can tell, I will accept nothing but the best to represent this state of mine. From hosting, to voting, to trophies....all of the above. If they can do it anywhere else, it can surely be done here.

Honestly I think it's time to close discussion about next year's plans. The major issue here isn't being dismissed....I personally think that typing back and forth about it isn't going to help. There needs to be some major moves made to get to the bottom of the situation. I'm sure that legal officials and others read the JFP...so maybe someone will take the first step toward getting this problem solved. The question still remains: If you didn't plan on making money from the event and nothing was booked, why was there even a priced ticket? We all could have just formed a line at the Telcom Center, went inside and entertained ourselves, if you didn't plan on making any money. Let's all meet back up at 88 keys (Metro Center) and get our refunds.That shouldn't be a problem being that you didn't intend to make any money. You also said that this event was for Mississippi...well Mississippi is waiting...you wanted our attention..You have it..now where's the MONEY? You like to talk....we're listening/looking. It's just so amazing how quiet he is now. He was just typing away, sending so many e-mails, we couldn't even read them all, prior to October 28th. I guess it's "Mission Accomplished." This is just my take on it....I think it's time for the typing to stop.

the committee has taken steps to get the proper authorities on the case. but if no one complains about it, then theres not much we can do. if anyone was present at the awards, bought ads, or items for the gift bags and want to place a complaint please email me and i will give you the contact information to file an official report.

Jackiedoll_2000@yahoo.com

Blaque, I can feel your pain, but I can also assure you that we are not just typing. this is a healthy dialogue. Some of us may not have an avenue like this to vent about these frustrations. And yes, I know, I feel the same way, talk is just that talk (or type in this case)...but still in all if it were not for this dialoge Mr. Webb would not have resigned from his post, the committee members would never have been heard. As you may or may not know, my first impression, prior to reading Val's post was that the entire committee was probably just as bogus as Cyrus. BUT, now I know that he did the committee the same way he did the rest of the state. So don't take lightly this forum and the dialogue. It's working....trust me. And the frustration you feel, you are not alone. I understand that you're level of frustration may be different from some of ours, however it is still frustration all the same. We now understand what this was and who it benefited. But at the same time when discussions take place on this board, things become magnified and people become aware of things that they may not have known or could have ever been privvy to. So be thankful that enough people live and breathe MS are still here and ready to SHOW AND PROOVE.

Peace sista.

I have just been given information, independently verifiable, that has addressed some of my concerns. That this was a screwup is unquestionable, that people deserve refunds if they ask for them is unquestionable, but again, I have been given reason to doubt that Cyrus' motives in this were sinister, and would urge folks to wait a little longer for the full facts to come out before doing anything as formal and permanent as filing a complaint. I'm not a lawyer, but I don't think one more week is going to make much of a difference.


Cheers,

TH

And I realize this post was a VERY unpopular one to write--I didn't really want to write it--but as long as I've participated in this thread, I think I have a moral obligation to post what I just posted. If the information I've been given turns out to be incomplete, then obviously I've been suckered twice--I'm probably the only person on Earth who manages to pull off being hopelessly paranoid and hopelessly gullible, all at the same time--but I personally doubt, now, that Cyrus' motives were as sinister as they first appeared, and that's all I'm in a position to say. God forgive me if I'm wrong.


Cheers,

TH

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!! just catching up today!

Tom,

Depends on who the info came from. And I'm not asking you to tell us, just pointing out the fact.

I'm not really in a position to say more than that I no longer personally believe that Cyrus has done anything sinister here. Since I've been sworn to secrecy, that's really all I can say right now.


Cheers,

TH

Well Tom, until whatever new information you have is brought to the forefront sinister seems to be an appropriate word. Now, since I am not one to condemn a man without proof and since all we've gotten from Cyrus up to this point is a bunch of hogwash....I'm inclined to think that waiting before filing a permanent complaint will do no good. This incident happened a week ago tomorrow. This man has been under the fire for days. If there is something that would clear him, why did it take so long for him to state and why would he instead resign. Does that make sense to you? Could it be possible that you are allowing your gullibility to get the better of you in an effort to just hold out for a "friend"? Commo man, if I knew that I was being accused of all but stealing and lying constantly to an entire state, if I had evidence to proove I'd been wrongfully accused, I surely would not resign as opposed to bringing this evidence to light. And it wouldn't take a week or better for me to do it. Matter of fact the next day would have been an appropriate time to squash all the accusations....which by the way he still has yet to do. Seems like he has had adequate time to prepare documents and falsify information if you ask me. But, with that being said, I hope he can clear himself. that would probably be good for him in some capacity.

Queen, I hear what you're saying and I felt the same way 24 hours ago. All I can say is that I don't now. That means only what it means, and is worth only what it's worth.


Cheers,

TH

I feel ya Tom. We shall see I suppose.

When is this information supposed to come out?

Guilty until then.

well i know i can't wait to see this information. wish i could've seen it monday morning.

Innocent until proven guilty, remember, dear?

I believe Tom. We don't have all the facts yet. At this point, waiting until all the facts are in would be the most prudent thing to do.

And I don't know why I'm saying "we": I didn't buy a ticket, and I was not involved in any way. I have nog dog in this fight.

FYI..I've TRIED to be professional, cordial, and forward with this guy and THIS is what he does!!!! Cyrus this is no longr your event. the real committee will speak soon. You've crossed th line. You and I talked so you already know what its gonna be...Hope you got your answers ready Tuesday cuz i think i few folks got some questions...

From: Cyrus A. Webb <cawebb4@juno.com>
To: msbestawards@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [msbestawards] MS' Best Founder gives awards, new info. and announces new Committee Chair
Sent: Wednesday, November 8, 2006 8:10 AM
Two weeks after the 1st Mississippi's Best Awards occurred in
Jackson, MS, the event's founder, Cyrus A. Webb, will be holding a
news conference on Tuesday, November 14, 2006 at 1p.m. at the Richard
Wright Library (515 McDowell Road next to Key Elementary). The
purpose of the meeting will be to announce the winners that were
recognized on Saturday, October 28, 2006, give a disclosure of the
profit/loss of the event and present the checks to the organizations
who were benefiting from the inaugural year. Joining Webb will be the
legal representative who came on board to check the paperwork of the
event and verify the information.

The premise of the Mississippi's Best Awards is to recognize those
who have made strides in the state as well as those who are seen as
rising stars. Webb first announced the event in July 2006 and used
the next few months to pull it all together. He formed a committee to
help with the event. "It was an ambitious undertaking," he
admits. "Not everything went as I would have wanted it to." Part of
the issues that came from the first year were advertised events that
didn't materialize. Accepting responsibility and not wanting to fuel
the negativity that the event hoped to fight, Webb resigned as the
Committee Chair, thus dismantling the committee that was in place.

With the news conference on Tuesday, November 14th, Webb hopes to
provide some closure for the first year and provide a catalyst for
the upcoming year. In his closing remarks, he will name his choice
for Committee Chair for the 2007 awards.

"It was important for me to make sure that someone would be in place
that I knew would carry things along," says Webb. "I won't be
involved in the Executive decisions that are made or even decide who
serves on the next committee. That will be up to the new Committee
Chair, however, I will give my input. I have found it amusing that on
some message boards people are already 'getting in line' to be a part
of next year's event, even planning meetings and campaigning for a
role. Let's hope they show the same support and enthusiasm when the
REAL committee is formed.

"

Since I left things kind of ambiguous above, I want to take this opportunity to clarify that I have no interest in serving on the Mississippi Best Awards Committee, regardless of who heads it up. I wish everybody the best, but this just isn't my bag--particularly since my schedule as an activist-volunteer is picking up. If I can be of help in finding speakers or whatever as a non-member of the committee, please feel free to contact me, but I don't really want to be involved in any kind of central way because 2007 is already looking really busy for me.


Cheers,

TH

That will be up to the new Committee
Chair, however, I will give my input. I have found it amusing that on
some message boards people are already 'getting in line' to be a part
of next year's event, even planning meetings and campaigning for a
role. Let's hope they show the same support and enthusiasm when the
REAL committee is formed.


You know this dude is AMAZING. I say let him do what he feels he needs to do and whoever he's talking about that forming a new committee should just drop the name all together and come up with a credible awards ceremony and allow Cyrus to wallow in in his unfortunate situations.

when he was talking about people on message boards ready to "get in line" to be a part of next year's event, he was talking about me. but that's okay Cyrus because the REAL committee has already formed and is moving forward. just thought you should know.

Personally, all, I think it's time that "Mississippi's Best" is put to rest. If folks want to get together and do a completely different thing (the name "pride" in the name, or such), then that might be a good idea. But this thing is on its way to be becoming a real farce. Actually, it already is.

I do not plan to cover the press conference.

Donna I completely and totally am in agreement with your stance. I think we are possibly giving too much credibility to the idea of what Cyrus might have to offer in a press conference. The idea that after 2 weeks he is now ready to service the community by offering some fabricated story of how he got to this point. I have heard so much more about this guy since all this came to light that now his explanation is about as warranted as Bush's explanation to being in Iraq....there is no logical or rational explanation that would be based on truth. And what makes him think that we would trust someone that HE would see fit to be the Committee Chair. I'd like to already go on record as saying that whoever it is that he thinks should take over his "spot" would probably be in for a huge awakening. Probably could call him Rick Whitlow and call Cyrus -- Frank. Don't need it, not interested.

New show, new team, new committee, nothing needed from Mr. Webb, if that's his real name.

Ok ive been missing for a few days Just read through more Posts.
I am really tripping out now! :)

YOU GOT MY VOTE CHANGE THE NAME & LETS MOVE SWIFTLY!
...........................................................................................

Well just don't call it Mississippi Pride lest the gay folk reign down fire on you! ;]

LOL....LOL....LOL....LOL!!!!!!!!

How bout one of the following

Mississippi "All-Star" Awards (MASA)

And the MASA goes to......

Well I only came up with one, so I guess it wouldn't be "one of the following" instead...."the following". OOOPS

After more consideration the above sort of sounds like Massa (or Master -- as in slavery), huh? Uh, maybe I should keep thinking.... or maybe it could just be MAS instead of MASA.....ha!
I dont' know....but still thinking..................... :-)

Cyrus,

One thing that confuses me. You wrote:

This is to inform you that effective immediately I am resigning as
Committee Chair for the Mississippi's Best Planning Committee.

Okay, all well and good. But then you wrote:

With the news conference on Tuesday, November 14th, Webb hopes to
provide some closure for the first year and provide a catalyst for
the upcoming year. In his closing remarks, he will name his choice
for Committee Chair for the 2007 awards.

Dude, unless I'm missing something, you forfeited the authority to appoint a new committee chair when you resigned as chair. If you had resigned pending appointment of a replacement, then that would have been one thing--but you didn't, so unless the bylaws specify that the ex-chair (even if he has already resigned) has the authority to pick a successor, I'm not sure how this would work. It seems to me, from my experience with nonprofits, that the task of choosing a new chair would rest with the remaining committee members.


Cheers,

TH

QUESTION? Has anyone heard or seen Cyrus Webb since all of this went down? What? He's hiding in out his momma's house or something? This guy has turned that shoulda been positive into something that can live on, but with conditions. How can the Rankin Arts Alliance still trust his leadership? How can anyone in the Jackson metro area trust what he says is true. A man truly has nothing but his word and his integrity and, well, Cryus blew all that out the TelCom Center on Oct. 28.

Tuesday, November 14th was yesterday. Anyone know what happened?


Cheers,

TH

Not much, evidently. I've tried to contact Cyrus to no avail, and the two poems I've seen from his new poetry book so far read like really weird attacks on other members of the committee.

I'm a damned gullible fool. Please disregard everything I said in this thread. I obviously have no idea what the hell I'm talking about.


Cheers,

TH

Tom, My name is Jerrie Glasper (aka Kiddio). I am an artist for Southern Breeze Gallery in Highland Village, The Attic Gallery in Vicksburg, and soon to be Alexander and Victor Gallery in NOLA. I am also a member of the group: Jackson Area Creative Professionals (JACP) from which I first encountered your acquaintance when you replied to my post: HAVE FAITH IN GOD. I was prepared to go to battle with Cyrus and you suggested that I wait for the FACTS. I bowed out of that fight because I don't know the facts, indeed; I'm just an outsider from the delta. I thank you for your candor and sobriety as well as your basic human kindness and willingness to give Mr. Webb the benefit of the doubt. You were not quick to judge and that, my captain, is an admirable stance to assume under such ambiguous circumstances. I've read your commentary on this matter. Au contraire, You are no fool, Sir. Be watchful and search for the underlying truths that power this situation and don't allow your frustration to sap you of your FOCUS.

Ah, yes. The elusive "truth" which always promises salvation and redemption for those who've fallen by the wayside.

Any timeframe on when we'll see the truth, rather than empty promises? Every day he waits to either produce the truth or admit he screwed up makes it harder.

Jerrie, thanks so much for the kind words. They mean a lot.

I have to say, though, that I do feel like I've been had. Cyrus did send me a private email when he saw this post, but the fact that he is saying absolutely nothing publicly on this thread or on his web site, that he promised a press conference where all would be revealed and then didn't deliver, and that his latest private email, like the others he has sent, is labeled "confidential," is not encouraging.

He obviously doesn't care whether or not people are left with suspicions and unanswered questions. Not that reputations are everything, but if people were suspecting the things about me that they suspect about Cyrus, I'd be a little more eager to clear the air. His silence mystifies me, and not in a good way. At best, he's testing the loyalty of his supporters in an unfair way. At worst...


Cheers,

TH