C.Sade Turnipseed, AA, BA, MS, MBA, PhD

About Me

BIOGRAPHY

C. Sade Turnipseed is Mississippi’s Diversity Educator of the Year, 2017. She is also a public historian and community outreach (Public Relations) specialist. She is also the long-time host and producer of Delta Renaissance the number one rated (locally generated) talk show in the Mississippi Delta, which airs during prime-time on the NBC affiliate network. Turnipseed has willingly volunteered her talents for the development of this public affairs talk show, which undoubtedly attributed to its longevity. As Founder of Khafre, Inc, and da’ House of Khafre, Turnipseed initiated: the Cotton Pickers of America Monument, Sharecroppers Interpretive Center, and Cotton Kingdom Historical Trail; the Sweat Equity Investment in the Cotton Kingdom Symposium and Cotton Pickers Ball; and the Healthy U Gourmet Academy for Youth in the Mississippi Delta. Prior to coming to the Delta Turnipseed was the visionary force at the helm of numerous cultural arts programs, throughout S.F Bay Area, including Khafre Cultural Community Center and Sade's Court in downtown Oakland. Turnipseed also served as Programming Director for Peralta Colleges Television; and as community outreach associate for KQED-TV, in San Francisco.

Turnipseed was invited to participate in the Center for Advancing Opportunity (CAO)’s State of Opportunity in America Summit, a two-day conference “convening the nation’s leading researchers in the field of education, criminal justice, and entrepreneurship. The Summit is an initiative created by a partnership with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, the Charles Koch Foundation, and Koch Industries. Turnipseed was also invited to Ghana, by the UNAID’s Global Alliance of Mayors and Leaders from Africa and of African Descent, to participate in the 4TH WORLD SUMMIT OF MAYORS AND LEADERS FROM AFRICA AND OF AFRICAN DESCENT: Cities Leading Sustainable Human Development and Economic Empowerment for Africa and the Diaspora. The event was held on June 1-3, 2015, and hosted by His Excellency Mr. John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana. On October 23, 2012, Turnipseed received a US Congressional Honor by Congressman Bennie G Thompson, for her commitment to preserving the rich history and heritage of the Mississippi Delta. In 2008, Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour selected Turnipseed to be one of three Fellows for the Delta Regional Authority’s, Delta Leadership Institute. She has also received the NAACP Youth Outreach and Cultural Learning Award, in 2012.

As the official Diaspora representative to the Pan African Film Festival, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (FESPACO), Turnipseed volunteered in this capacity between the years 2003-2009. Turnipseed sat on the Board of Directors for The Blues Foundation, in Memphis TN; Blues Society, Indianola, MS; the Mississippi Delta Arts Alliance, Belzoni, MS; and, the National Association of Black Storytellers, Baltimore, MD. Turnipseed is the recipient of numerous community services and arts advocacy awards for her volunteer efforts; and, ran an impressive 2013 mayoral campaign as the Independent candidate for Mayor in the city of Indianola, MS. She received over 43% in a two-week general election campaign against the Democratic incumbent. Turnipseed is an internationally acclaimed public historian who has been invited to speak and facilitate workshops in: Ghana, China, Barbados, Norway, France, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast and Nigeria.

​Professor Turnipseed currently teaches African, American and World History at Mississippi Valley State University; and has taught previously at University of District of Columbia, California State University, Northridge. She is the founding Director of Education and Community Outreach for the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center, in Indianola, MS; and, the Cultural Arts Director for the Mississippi Action for Community Education, (MACE—producers of the MS Delta Blues and Heritage Festival). Turnipseed’s true passion is her work with young people. As demonstrated in every endeavor, Turnipseed makes it known that “if it does not involve the children, it does not involve me.” As demonstrated in the founding of Healthy U, The Harmonica Parade, and the Young Publisher’s Network (YPN) established in 2006. In essence, the philosophical approach and teaching strategy applied to Turnipseed’s workshops / classes / and teaching strategies is one that emanates from an ancient African dictate to historical appreciation and cultural understanding. It begins with knowledge of self. You cannot fully function in society, nor appreciate the significance of lessons from the past, if you have no understanding of your own history.

Turnipseed’s overall philosophical approach to understanding life, love and liberty is, you must be willing, ready and able to volunteer for the betterment of humankind when necessary to fully

KNOW THY SELF.



CV-2018

EDUCATION:

2010-16     Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN

                       • PhD, Public History—Huhta Fellow (2014-15)       

1999          George Washington University, Washington, DC

                       • Certificate of Completion, Distance Education & Web-based Instructional Designs

1995-97     Golden Gate University, San Francisco, CA

                       • MBA, Marketing/International Management

                       • MS, Telecommunications Management

1992-93     University Berkeley, Extension, Berkeley, CA

                       • Advertising

1989-91     San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA

                       • BS, Media (radio & television) Communications

AWARDS / ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

• Diversity Educator of the Year, Institute of Higher Learning, State of Mississippi, 2017
• NAACP, Certificate of Accomplishment, Moorhead, MS, 11/16
• BOSS Lady: Breaking the Glass Ceiling Award, Grammy Museum, Cleveland, MS, 10/16
• Historic Preservation Award, AKA Sorority, Mound Bayou, MS, 2/22/15
• Middle Tennessee State University -- Huhta Fellow, 2014     
• Community Service Tribute: Black History Month Spotlight, New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, Indianola, MS, 2/9/14
• Studio 53, Community Award, St Louis, MO, 2013
• Youth Outreach and Cultural Learning Award, NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet, 4/12
• U.S. Congressional Honor for commitment to preserving the rich history and heritage of the Mississippi Delta, by Congressman Bennie G Thompson, October 23, 2012
• Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour selected Fellow, Delta Regional Authority, Delta Leadership Institute, 2008
• Delta Blues Most Dedicated Award, MS Blues Reunion Festival, Belzoni, MS, 11/11
• Participant, George Melendez Wright, New Orleans Conference, 2011
• Host, Delta Renaissance, Cultural Arts Talk Show, WABG-TV, 2009-current
• Host, Delta Scene, Public Affairs Talk Show, WXVT-TV, Greenville, MS, 2007-09
• Delta Regional Authority: Delta Leadership Institute, Fellow, ‘08-09
• MC/Announcer, Indianola Christmas Parade, Indianola, MS

• First African American Woman to sit on the Economic Development Foundation, Board of Directors, in Choctaw County Mississippi, USA, 2004-2007
• Diaspora (USA/Canada/South America/Caribbean/West Indies) Rep., Pan African Film & Video Festival, Ouagadougou, (FESPACO)-Paul Robeson Award, 2003-09
• Entrepreneur of the Year: African Bridge, Inc, 2004
• Black Filmmaker’s Hall of Fame—Best Producer Award, 1993
• Telecommunications Education Trust--Jack P. Eckley, Graduate Scholarship, 1995
• TeleCommunications Association (TCA) Fellowship, 1994
• Republique de Cote d’Ivoire, Ville d’Abidjan—Les Palmes d’Honneur de la City, issued by Mel Theodore EG, Maire de Cocody, 1993
• Independent Producer of the Year, Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame, 1993
• American Women Radio & TV (AWRT), Outstanding Media Student Award, 1987

TEACHING EXPERIENCE:

Courses:

• History: American / African / World / Public History—Mississippi Valley State University, Itta Bena, MS
• History: American / African—Cal State University, Northridge, CA
• Public Relations: Marketing / Mass Media –University District of Columbia, Washington, DC
• Video Production: Scriptwriting / Photography—Chatsworth High School, Chatsworth, CA

2013-         Assistant Professor, History—Mississippi Valley State University, Itta Bena, MS

2011-12     Healthy U Youth Empowerment Program, da’ House/Khafre, Inc, Indianola, MS

2012          Lecturer, Youth Bridges Mentoring Program, BB King Museum, Indianola, MS

2008          Visiting Professor, Errol Barrow Centre for Creative Imagination, University of Barbados, Barbados WI

2007          Visiting Professor, Errol Barrow Centre for Creative Imagination, University of Barbados, Barbados WI

2005-13     Young Publishers’ Network, Red Clay Publishing/Khafre, Inc, Mississippi

2002-04     Professor (Adjunct)—Dept. of African Studies, Cal State Univ., Northridge, CA

2002          Professor (Adjunct)—Dept. of Communications, El Camino College, CA

2002          Professor (Adjunct)—Dept. of Communications, West Coast Univ., L.A., CA,

2001-03     Instructor, Art Department, Los Angeles Unified School District, L.A., CA

2000-01     Instructor, English Department, Los Angeles Unified School District, L.A., CA

1998          Professor (Adjunct)—Dept. of Communications, University of DC, WDC

BUSINESS/ PUBLIC RELATIONS/CULTURAL MANAGEMENT:

National Association of Black Storytellers (NABS), CHAIR, PUBLIC RELATIONS

Dr. Mary Ann Harris, Karen “Queen Nur,” Karen Abdul-Malik Presidents-2013-2017

KHAFRE Inc., FOUNDER/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, Non-profit Mississippi-based arts organization, 10/2003-current

Projects underway:

• Cotton Pickers of America Monument Complex/Cotton Kingdom Historical Trail, Founder
• MS Delta Blues Back to Africa Education and Cultural Exchange, Creative Director
• Youth Empowerment Program, Healthy U; Young @ Heart—Let’s Do Art!

da’ House of Khafre , GENERAL MANAGER, Cultural Arts Center, Historical Downtown Indianola, MS, 2010-current.

FESPACO, Presenting Reel African Images (PRAI), INTERNATIONAL OUTREACH CONSULTANT, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, W. Africa 2003-09

Delta Renaissance And Delta Scene—Television Talk Show(s), HOST/PRODUCER

Red Clay and KHAFRE Productions…Greenville, MS 2007–current

BB King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center, DIRECTOR, EDUCATION & PROGRAMMING SPECIALIST/OUTREACH, Indianola, MS—9/2007—10/2009

Pan African Film Festival, Ouagadougou—FESPACO

UNITED STATES REPRESENTATIVE ~ Presenting Reel African Images (PRAI), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, W. Africa 2003-09

Mississippi Action for Community Education (MACE),

DIRECTOR, CULTURAL ARTS, Greenville, MS, 2007

YOUNG PUBLISHER’S GLOBAL NETWORK, FOUNDER/MANAGING DIRECTOR,

Ackerman & Louisville, MS –2006—2007

Women’s Channel/WORLDSPACE, Inc., SR. V.P. PUBLIC RELATIONS / SR. WRITER PRODUCER, AFRICA, Washington, DC, 1999

SADE’S COURT—An Eclectic Boutique of African Designs, OWNER/BUSINESS MANAGER, Oakland, CA 1990-1993

KQED-TV Public Broadcasting Service, PUBLIC RELATIONS/AUDIENCE SERVICES ASSOCIATE, San Francisco, CA, 1990-92

Peralta Colleges Television Network, (PCTV), PROGRAMMING DIRECTOR / FILM FESTIVAL PROMOTIONS COORDINATOR, Oakland, CA, 1987-90

INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL EXCHANGE:

CARIBBEAN:

• Creative Writing Workshop, The Blues History, Errol Barrow Centre for Creative Imagination, University West Indies, Barbados, October 2008
• Creative Writing Workshop, Ida B. Wells: American Shero, Errol Barrow Centre for Creative Imagination, University West Indies, Barbados, October 2009
• Writing Workshop Facilitator, Harriet Tubman Writin’ Workshop, National, 2007

AFRICA:

• INVITATION: Fourth World Summit of Mayors and Leaders from Africa and of African Descent, June 1-3, 2015, Accra, Ghana.
• INVITATION: College of Humanities Research Conference 2015, at University of Ghana, from June 18-20, 2015, Accra, Ghana.
• FESPACO/PRAI: Diaspora Coordinator, The Paul Robeson Award Initiative (2009), Sade Turnipseed, Chair
• FESPACO/PRAI: Diaspora Coordinator/Presenter, The Paul Robeson Award Initiative (2007), Charles Burnett, Chair
• Best of the Best African Television Market (BOBTV)— Diaspora Coordinator/Presenter, Abuja, Nigeria 3/06
• FESPACO/PRAI: Diaspora Coordinator/Presenter, The Paul Robeson Award Initiative (2005), Harry Belafonte, Chair
• FESPACO/PRAI: Diaspora Coordinator/Presenter, The Paul Robeson Award Initiative (2003), Maya Angelou, William Greaves, Chair
• FESPACO 2005 “Telling Our Story” The Documentary, Producer, 2005

EUROPE:

• Presenter, Inclusive Museum Conference 2017 - University of Manchester, London England, 9/15-17/17
• INVITATION: Panelist, Mississippi Delta Blues, at the Notodden International Blues Festival 2008, Notodden, Norway

PUBLIC LECTURES/PRESENTATIONS:

• Presenter, United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, March 12-23, 2018, New York, NY
• Presenter, J.A. Fair School District, 2/22-23, 2018, Little Rock, AR
• Presenter, Center for Advancing Opportunity, “State of Opportunity in America Summit,” Washington, DC, 2/5-6/2018
• O Holy Night - First Presbyterian Church, 12/30/2017, Greenwood, MS

 UNITED STATES

• Keynote Speaker, African American History Month Celebration, Little Rock, AR, 2/22-23/18
• Keynote Speaker, African American History Month Celebration, New Bethel M.B. Church, Itta Bena, MS, 2/18/18
• The 6^th Annual Cotton Pickers Ball for Khafre, Inc @ da House of Khafre, Indianola, MS, Nov 10, 2017
• The 6^th Annual Sweat Equity Investment in the Cotton Kingdom Symposium for Khafre Inc @ MVSU, Nov 10, 2017
• 3^rd Annual Historical Narrative Student Competition, 10/2017-11/2017
• The 2^nd Annual Sweat Equity Investment Brown Bag @ MVSU, Nov 9, 2017
• Presenter, Inclusive Museum Conference 2017 - University of Manchester, London England, 9/15-17/17
• Invited Speaker, Borough of Manhattan Community College, NY, 2/24/17
• Invited Guest, Maya Angelou’s Dedication, Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, NC, 2/16-19/17
• Acceptance Speech, Diversity Educator of the Year, IHL in Jackson, MS, 2/16/17
• Keynote Presenter: "Embracing Our Greatestness," Reflection and Youth Development Museum, EE Bass Auditorium, Greenville, MS, 2/11/17
• Keynote Presenter: Celebrating Our Legacy, Mound Bayou, MS, Dec 2, 2016
• Presenter: Preserving Black Communities and Townships, Houston, TX, Nov 16-19, 2016
• Presenter: The 5^th Annual Cotton Pickers Ball @ da House of Khafre, Indianola, MS, Nov 11, 2016
• Plenary Session Presenter/Organizer: The 5^th Annual Sweat Equity Investment in the Cotton Kingdom Symposium @ MVSU, Nov 11, 2016
• Judge/Organizer: 2^nd Annual Historical Narrative Student Competition, 10/2016-11/2016
• Coordinator: The 1^st Annual Sweat Equity Investment Brown Bag @ MVSU, Nov 10, 2016
• Emcee—Grassroots Festival, Duck Hill, MS, 7/13
• Emcee—A Special Tribute and Street Unveiling Ceremony in honor of Mary Francis Shepard (AKA “Queen of Jook”), Club Ebony, Indianola, MS 5/13
• Emcee—Grassroots Festival, Duck Hill, MS, 8/12
• Emcee—Mississippi Blues Reunion Festival, Belzoni, MS, 11/11
• Emcee—Delta Blues and Heritage Festival, Greenville, MS, 9/11
• Emcee—Grassroots Festival, Duck Hill, MS, 8/11
• Lead Judge—X-FACTOR (talent search preliminaries)–FOX TV, 5/11
• Emcee—Grassroots Festival, Duck Hill, MS, 8/10
• Emcee—B.B. King Homecoming Festival, Indianola, MS, 6/09
• The Harmonica Project/Parade, Grand Opening Ceremonies for the B.B. King Museum & Delta Interpretive Center, approximately 8, 000 students participated in a statewide effort to promote Blues in Mississippi. The Harmonica Parade had approximately 1,500 participants from schools throughout the Mississippi Delta, 2008
• The Fannie Lou Hamer Empowerment Project for the B.B. King Museum & Delta Interpretive Center, twenty-one ninth grade girls participated in the inaugural program, 2009.
• Don’t Judge Me, A Poetrical (creative director), 2007
• A Small Child Shall Lead Them to Love (creative director), 2006
• Forty Years Tribute to Community Service, Marion Barry, Mayor Washington, DC, 1988
• Fashion in the Symbols of the Adinkra--Ghanaian Embassy, 1987
• Dr. Maya Angelou and Sweet Honey in the Rock for a "Sweet Sunday at the Zellerbach-A Tribute to Women" UCB Zellerbach Auditorium, Berkeley, CA, 1987

• Presenter, Jackson State University, 11/2/2017, Jackson, MS
• Presenter, 18th Annual Graduate History Conference-University of Memphis, 10/20/17, Memphis TN
• Presenter, The 3rd Conference on the Social Sciences, Sociology and Globalization in Asia 9/1-3, 2017, Hiroshima, Japan

• Presenter/Facilitator, College of Charleston Conference "Transforming Public History from Charleston to the Atlantic World," 6/14-17/17

• Panelist: Challenging The Exclusive Past / Strategies for a New Public History of Agriculture and Rural Life, Baltimore, MD, 3/17/16
• Panelist: Historical Memory and Commemoration, 58^th Annual Missouri Conference on History and Midwest Regional Meeting of Phi Alpha Theta, Columbia, MO, 3/11/16.
• Keynote Presenter: The Year of Cotton, University S. Carolina (Columbia), 3/3/16
• Keynote Presenter: Ida B. Wells presentation, Holly Grove M.B. Church, Lexington, MS, 2/28/16
• Keynote Presenter: Ida B. Wells presentation, Columbus-Lowndes Public Library, Columbus, MS, 2/18/16
• Keynote Presenter: Auburn University Montgomery (AUM) Conference, Montgomery AL, 2/6/16 (invited)
• Panelist: MLK, Jr Commemoration—Empowerment of the Minds/Discussing Civil Rights in America, MVSU, Itta Bena, MS, 1/17/16
• Presenter (Love): An Evening of Community Leaders, Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church, Inverness, MS, 11/28/15
• Keynote Presenter: Cotton: The Fabric of Complexity, Drew University, N.J., 11/17/15
• Keynote Presenter: Cotton: The Fabric of Complexity, United Nations, N.Y., 11/16/15
• Plenary Session Presenter/Organizer: 4^th Annual Sweat Equity Investment in the Cotton Kingdom Symposium, MVSU, Itta Bena, MS, 11/12/15
• Presenter: Humanities Council Symposium, Appalachia University, Charlotte, NC, 10/9/15
• Moderator / Presenter: California Black Chamber of Commerce 20^th Annual Ron Brown Symposium-Women's Leadership Forum, Sacramento, CA, 9/15
• Presenter: BB King Day-“Blues People and the Food They Eat,” MVSU, Itta Bena, MS, 9/3/15
• Keynote Presentation: “Making the Connection” Merritt Middle School, Indianola, MS 5/15
• Keynote Presentation: “How Long” St Luke’s COGIC, Moorhead, MS 2/22/15
• Organizer/Emcee—3^rd Annual Sweat Equity Investment in the Cotton Kingdom Symposium, MVSU, Itta Bena, MS, 11/7/14
• Emcee—The 31^st NAACP Banquet, Congressman Bennie G. Thompson, Keynote, Moorhead, MS, 10/25/14
• Judge—3^rd Annual Delta Hot Tamale Festival, Greenville, MS 10/18/14
• Emcee—Mound Bayou Summer Fest, Mound Bayou, MS 8/30/14
• Presenter—43^rd Testimonial Program honoring Dr. David Matthews and Mrs. Lillian Matthews for 63 years of Service, Bell Grove Baptist Church, Indianola, MS 8/24/14
• Presenter—Embracing Opportunities Beyond the 21^st Century, MVSU 8/19/14
• Presenter—N’s Scholarship Gala, Greenwood/Leflore Civic Center, 5/14
• Panelist—Crossing Over: Borders & Bridges, Kentucky-Tennessee American Studies Association (KTASA), 5/16/14
• Presenter—History is Lunch (Brownbag), MS Dept. of Archives and History, 5/14/14
• Welcome Address—NV Scholarship Gala, Greenwood, MS Convention Center 5/3/14
• Emcee, Retirement Celebration—Curtis L. Smith, Indianola, MS 5/3/14
• Panelist—Founder’s Week—Valley Pioneer Forum & Panel Discussion: Building on Traditions of the Past to Reclaim our Destiny, Mississippi Valley State University, 4/22/2014
• Emcee, A Night of Creativity—Greenville Scholars, EE Bass Aud., Greenville, MS, 4/14
• Featured Presenter—The Kentucky-Tennessee American Studies Biennial Meeting, Heritage Center of Murfreesboro, TN, 5/16-17/14
• Featured Speaker—BROWNBAG History is Lunch, Jackson, MS, 5/14/14
• Featured Speaker—Raspberry Men’s Club, Charter School Issues, Indianola, MS, 4/15/14
• Featured Speaker—Telling Our Stories, Revel’s Missionary Baptist, Indianola, MS 2/23/14
• Featured Presenter—From the Flatlands to the Coast: Bringing the Mississippi Delta to the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Center/University of Southern Mississippi panel discussion, Ocean Springs, MS 1/31/14
• Featured Presenter—Workers Built This Country, A Smithsonian presentation, Henry M. Seymour Library, Indianola, MS, 12/17/13
• Organizer/Emcee—2^nd Annual Sweat Equity Investment in the Cotton Kingdom Symposium, MVSU, Itta Bena, MS, 10/18/13
• Emcee—Grab the Mic Talent Showcase, Containment Ent., Greenville, MS, 9/27/13
• Judge—Grab the Mic Talent Showcase, Containment Ent., Greenville, MS, 9/14/13
• Facilitator—Sunflower Cty School Bd Meet and Greet, NAACP, Indianola, MS, 9/12/13
• Emcee/Presenter—Celebration of the Arts 2013, Floyd & Bessie Johnson Foundation, and 18^TH Jazz and Heritage Festival, Greenville, MS, 8/13
• Keynote Presenter—Los Angeles Black Book Expo, 8/13
• Panelist—Oxford Blues Festival panel on tourism, Oxford, MS, 7/13

• Presenter—National Black Graduate Students Association conference, Detroit MI, 3/13
• Panelist—Relevance of HBCUs, MVSU, Itta Bena, 2/13
• Panelist—Roots & Migration: Celebrating Art and the History of the Mississippi Delta Symposium, St Louis Art Museum, St Louis, MO, 2/13 (a special 2-day event)
• Judge—Poetry Out Loud Competition, MS Art Commission, BB King Museum, 2/13
• Organizer/Emcee—1^st Annual Sweat Equity Investment in the Cotton Kingdom Symposium, MVSU, Itta Bena, MS, 10/12
• Emcee—Congressman Bennie Thompson’s Town Hall Meeting: Get Out the Vote, Indianola, MS, 10/12

• Community Awards Presenter—NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet, Indianola, MS 4/12
• Health Awareness Presenter—Delta Health Alliance Health Fair, Indianola Promise Community, Indianola, MS, 4/12
• Presenter, Anti-Bullying Student Engagement Rally, Rolling Fork H.S., Rolling Fork, MS
• Emcee—Mary Francis Shepard Day “MS Delta’s Queen of Jook,” Indianola, MS, 4/12
• Presentation—African American History Month, New Hope COGIC, Indianola, MS, 2/12
• Emcee—African American History Month Celebrating African American Education, NAACP, Indianola, MS, 2/12
• Lecture/Presentation—NBGSA South Central Regional Conf., MSU, Starkville, MS, 11/11

• Emcee—Robert Johnson Remembrance Festival, Greenwood, MS, 10/11

• Emcee—Sunflower County Christmas Parade, Indianola, MS, 12/09
• Presenter—Ida B. Wells: Creative Writing Workshop into American History, Mississippi Arts Commission, Oxford, MS, 7/09
• Presenter—Ida B. Wells: Creative Writing Workshop into American History, Mississippi State University, Writer’s Club, Starkville, MS, 05/09
• Presenter—Fannie Lou Hamer Empowerment, B.B. King Museum, Indianola, MS, 3-5/09
• Presenter—Ida B. Wells: Creative Writing Workshop into American History, City College San Francisco, CA-luncheon, SF, CA, 8/08
• Presenter—Blues Harmonica Project, B.B. King Museum, MS (statewide), 4/08

• Presenter—Young Publisher’s Network, North Eastern Mississippi, 1/06-07

• Guest Lecturer—Winston County School District, Louisville, MS, 8/03-06
• Guest Lecturer—Choctaw County School District, Ackerman, MS, 8/03-06
• Writing Instructor—Choctaw County Public Library, Ackerman, MS, 6/04-06

VIDEO PRODUCTIONS:

• Dr. John Henrik Clarke: Master Teacher of All Time--video series, 1986-89
• JUNETEENTH: Oakland Style (Award winning documentary), 1988
• Fashion in the Symbols of the Adinkra--Ghanaian Embassy, 1987

ARTICLES PUBLISHED:

• Turnipseed, C. Sade (8/12/2016) “Creating A Commemorative Site on The Heritage and Memory of Cotton Pickers in The Mississippi Delta: A Community Driven Movement”

• Turnipseed, C. Sade (5/30/2013) “Khafre, Inc Helps to Empower Delta Youth” Life in the Delta, Greenville, MS
• Turnipseed, C. Sade (6/2012) “Minnie Cox, Postmaster” Enterprise Tocsin, Indianola, MS
• Turnipseed, C. Sade (2/2012) “The NAACP Annual Freedom Fund Banquet” Enterprise Tocsin, Indianola, MS
• Turnipseed, C. Sade (2009) “The Thrill is Here” Blues Festival Guide 2009
• Turnipseed, (2006) Delta Democrat Times, free-lance
• Turnipseed, (2006) “B.B. King, The Blues King” Goge Africa, contributing editor
• Turnipseed, (2006) Winston County Journal, columnist
• Turnipseed, (2006) Choctaw County Plaindealer, columnist
• Turnipseed, (2006) Public Relations Strategies for African Film Producers of the 21^st Century--Best of the Best African Television Market—Abuja, Nigeria 3/06
• Turnipseed, (2006) “To Brand or Not to Brand, Is No Longer the Question”--Best of the Best African Television Market—Abuja, Nigeria 3/06
• Turnipseed, (2006) No More Room for Anything but LOVE, Poetry, Ackerman, MS
• Turnipseed, (1990) American Women in Radio & Television, Writer, San Francisco, CA
• Turnipseed, (1985-6) CA Voice Newspaper, Contributing Editor, Berkeley, CA
• Turnipseed, (1985) Sun Reporter, Affiliate Staff Writer, San Francisco, CA

Partial listing

BOOKS PUBLISHED:

• Turnipseed, C. Sade (2016) Cultural Heritage, Monuments, and Memory of Cotton Pickers in the Mississippi Delta: A Community Driven Historical Preservation Movement, Mound Bayou, MS—PhD Dissertation

• Turnipseed, (2009) Delapabeauty: How Mother Nature Reclaims Itself, Mississippi Delta, Indianola, MS
• Turnipseed, (2005, 2015) Saving Ourselves: A Surrogate Embrace by Writers of the 21^st Century, Anthology, San Francisco, CA
• Turnipseed, (2005) Kissin’ My Dust, Poetry, San Francisco, CA

BOOKS (EDITED):

• Hurst, Andrew (2010), “Wayne Ave.”
• Barlow, Elvie (2009), “Covered by the Blood”
• McNutt, Peggie (2007), “Divine Inspirational Poetic Messages”
• Hannah, Troy A. (2007), “My Life: A Poetic Story Of Love”
• Norton, T. Clarice (2006),  “Poetry’s Mistress”
• Lee, Walterine (2006), “Poetry From The Heart…Then And Now”
• Fair, Maxine (2006), “Country Gurl: Poetry From Down South”
• McNutt, Peggy, (2006), “A Divine Call”

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS:

• National Black Graduate Students Association, 2013
• National Association of Black Storytellers (NABS)—Public Relations Chair, 2012
• Delta Regional Authority, Board Member (alternate MS state representative) 2012-
• National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Executive Committee, 2012
• Mississippi Delta Arts Alliance, 2011
• George Melendez Wright, (National Parks Affiliate), 2011 Fellow
• Blues Foundation, Board of Directors, 2009-2012
• Blues Society, Indianola, Board of Directors (Parliamentarian), 2009-current
• Delta Regional Authority/Delta Leadership Institute, Fellowship 2008-09
• Folk Alliance, International, 2007-current
• Mississippi Action for Community Education (MACE), Cultural Arts Director, 2007
• Best of the Best African Television Market, BOBTV—Abuja, Nigeria, 2007
• U.S. Rep., Pan African Film & Video Festival, Ouagadougou, (FESPACO), 2003-09
• National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), North East Mississippi Regional, Member, 2006
• Choctaw County Econ. Dvmt. Bd. of Directors, Ackerman, MS—Member, 2003-07
• Young Publisher’s Global Network, Chair, 2006-07
• University of California, Northridge, English Instructor-Pan African Studies, 2002-03
• El Camino Community College, Public Relations Instructor, 2002
• West Coast College, Public Relations Instructor, 2003
• Los Angeles Unified School District, English Teacher, 2000-02
• West Valley Chamber of Commerce, Northridge, CA--Vice-Chair, 2001
• University of District of Columbia, Adjunct Professor- Communications, 1999
• Sacramento Cable Board Commission, Sacramento, CA—Member, 1993
• San Francisco Cable Foundation, SF, CA--Executive Board Member, 1991
• TeleCommunications Association (TCA), member, Sacramento, CA, 1990

OTHER PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

Creative Arts Knowledge Management and Academic Leadership; Entrepreneurship and Economic Development; and Global Poverty & Peace   

INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL:

Aruba, Barbados (x 4), Belize, Burkina Faso (x 7), Canada, Cuba, Egypt (x 2), England (x 2), Ethiopia, France (x 3), Ghana (x 4), Grenada (x 2), Ivory Coast (x 4), Jamaica (x 11), Nigeria (x 3), Norway, Mexico (x 3), Puerto Rico, Roatan / Honduras, St. Thomas, Senegal, Venezuela.

PERSONAL INTERESTS:

Traveling, Writing, Theater, Reggae / Soul / Classical Music, Sunsets, Walking along any ocean shore…

PROFESSIONAL REFERENCES:

Available upon request



On Being a Public Historian

I am a public historian/educator and community outreach specialist. As Founder of Khafre, Inc I conceived and developed special projects that include: the Cotton Pickers of America Monument and Sharecroppers Interpretive Center; Cotton Kingdom Historical Trail; the Sweat Equity Investment in the Cotton Kingdom Symposium and Cotton Pickers Ball; The Harmonica Parade, and the Healthy U Gourmet Academy for Youth and Adults in the Mississippi Delta; Sweet Sunday at Zellerbach, featuring Maya Angelou and Sweet Honey in the Rock; and many other phenomenal projects and programs. I am currently teaching American history at Mississippi Valley State University. Prior to this position, I served as the Director of Education and Community Outreach for the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center, in Indianola, MS; and, the Cultural Arts Director for the Mississippi Action for Community Education (producers of the MS Delta Blues and Heritage Festival), in Greenville, MS. My true passion is my work with young people. I am also the founder and editor of the Young Publisher’s Network (YPN), established in 2006, in Ackerman, MS; and continues in Sunflower County, MS.

I received a U.S. Congress House of Representative Honor for commitment to preserving the rich history and heritage of the Mississippi Delta, by Congressman Bennie G Thompson, October 23, 2012. In 2008, Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour selected me to be one of three Fellows for the Delta Regional Authority’s, Delta Leadership Institute. I sat on the Board of Directors for The Blues Foundation, in Memphis TN; Blues Society, Indianola, MS; the Mississippi Delta Arts Alliance, Belzoni, MS; and, the National Association of Black Storytellers, Baltimore, MD. I am also the recipient of several community service and arts advocacy awards; and, I ran a very strong impressive 2013 mayoral campaign as the Independent candidate for Mayor in the city of Indianola, MS.

My educational accomplishments include: a PhD, in Public History, from Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN; a MBA in International Business Management & Marketing and a MS in Telecommunications Management, both from Golden Gate University, San Francisco, CA.

Becoming a historian challenges me to intertwine my love of life, passion for travel and African art; and, unwind the stories of my ancestors from far away places and the not so distant past, into a collection of narratives (prose) for children and anyone else who dares to learn from a life lived with love, hate, passion, indifference, adventure, oppression and now obsession. If successful my work, my passion, shall facilitate and heighten the awareness of many significant historical moments and enable more substantive engagements with different people around the world and their cultures. My hope is through this force of passion the depths of my love and my willingness to live a blissful life becomes not just useful, but intrinsic scholarship that is understood by children and benefits the study and interpretation of world history by everyone.

As I travel, read and explore…I discover…I learn…I live…they (we) are re-remembered. This is my approach to teaching and being a historian.

xoxoxoxox

  Celine (my niece) and Me

in da' House of Khafre, Indianola, MS USA

My WORK…

I have actively spearheaded a movement towards a "Delta Renaissance" throughout the Mississippi Delta. My goals are to bring films, lectures, visual and performing arts to the most “disenfranchised region of America.” My hope is to expose these various disciplines to everyone, so that they may see the power artistic expressions have particularly on young people; and hopefully encourage many of them to embrace their creativity and develop their artistic talents as a career option.

I believe presenting culturally relevant projects that celebrate local people can have an everlasting impact on the social confidence and esteem of its residents.

On June 3-6, 2010, I along with my partner Robert Terrell, opened da' House of Khafre located at 103-105 Main Street, in the historic district downtown Indianola, MS. This new art house/cultural boutique features African Art, fashion and wonderful, clean, healthy gourmet cuisine, from around the world...A brand new concept in the Mississippi Delta!

The name Khafre is in honor of one of the great African Pharoahs, the 4th dynasty King Khafre, whose reigned last between the years 2558 - 2532 BC. King Khafre is the builder of the second pyramid at Giza (Kemet) Egypt. Many prominent Egyptologists believe Khafre also deserves credit for the world-famous Sphinx which is located at Giza as well. 

There we present several free educational programs that utilize the Delta culture to create unique artistic expressions, i.e.:

I            Young Publishers’ Network (YPN) -- founded in 2003, to offer young (at heart) individuals the opportunity to become published authors. First-time authors between the ages 10 and 95 meet weekly to discuss book projects and publish their work(s).

II            Healthy U... Gourmet Academy for Youth, as an after-school culinary arts program that serves twenty students (maximum) per rotation. We will offer two weekly classes on Saturday, during the regular school and summer semesters, beginning in the spring of 2011. Lectures and demonstrations will be held primarily on the “Front Porch” stage area, which accommodates approximately eighty people and allows us the opportunity to invite parents and facilitate an occasional discussion that reflects on the cultural and culinary contributions made by previous generations (“grandmamma‘nem”). This is important to provide a historical context as to how the southern cuisine, i.e., “Soul Food” is prepared and the reasons why.  My goal is to redefine soul food, as follows: S = sustainable; O = organic; U = unprocessed; L = living (because that’s what they will be if they make healthy choices in life). From this informed place the students will understand how things and conditions have changed, in same way that they too must change (their diets), in order to remain mentally alert and physically fit for a healthy future.  The name “Healthy U...Gourmet Academy for Youth” was intentionally chosen to bring awareness and to help improve young people’s perceptions of themselves. We believe by applying terms such as, “Gourmet” and “Academy,” to a Delta-based health and educational program that invites the participation of “the most underserved and impoverished children in America” will go a long way to inspire our students to think differently about themselves, the Mississippi Delta and the worthiness of both to be enriching and deserving of a healthier life.  We believe this program will awaken a passion for healthy lifestyles and ultimately help our young people be more deliberate in their career choices.

III            Historical Showcases, -- featuring people/places/events in world history...for creative interpretation by youth in the Mississippi Delta! I came up with the idea to hold monthly art/writing/research competitions for students, between the ages 10-25. Students from throughout the Delta are encouraged to attend Historical Showcases, or research as a class, the "historic" person/place or event of the month. The Students are challenged to gather additional information to interpret the historic person, place or event in their own unique way, as: poem, short story, one-act play, song, dance or visual presentation. This is a really cool way to engage our youth in history...artistically...The goal is to provide a $100.00 incentive prize monthly to the student(s) with the most creative interpretation. Additional prizes will be awarded based on participation. All theatrical/storytelling performances take place on the Front Porch Stage, (with discussion and question and answers immediately following), at da' House of Khafre.

IV            Friday Scholars -- This weekly academic challenge goes out to the 7-12th grade students in public schools, throughout the Delta. Every week the announce is made for children to present with their "A" in a particular subject. The most impressive project/paper will appear on the Nightly News aired on WABG-TV, during the Delta Renaissance news segment. The student with the most "A's" at the end of the semester will be the featured guest on Delta Renaissance television show that appears on both WABG-TV and WABG-Radio, every Saturday at 1:30pm.

V            In addition, I currently host and co-produce the number one cultural affairs talk show, in the Delta, on the number one television station in the Mississippi Delta:

"Delta Renaissance" on NBC=TV, and WABG, the NBC and ABC affiliates, respectively. ("Delta Scene" on WXVT a CBS affiliate; is a public affairs show we produced and that ran for two years prior to moving over to WABG. During both television shows I promote and encourage support for education and cultural arts activities throughout the Delta. I network through personal visits to local schools, universities and churches (depending on subject matters); I also utilize general methods of press releases, flyers, PSAs and word of mouth. The plan is to syndicate “Healthy U... Gourmet Academy for Youth,” and create a informative segment that focuses on “youth in the kitchen.” As producer, I will oversee all aspects of production and the overall operations of the “Healthy U...Gourmet Academy for Youth.”

VI            Cotton Pickers of America Monument and Sharecroppers Interpretive Center-- In recognition of the people who prospered from the cotton industry, and in honor of the folks who planted, chopped and picked cotton, As Executive Director of Khafre, Inc, I shall along with our team, erect a monument approximately 30-feet and seated on approximately 20 acres of prime cotton/“blues” land (HWY 61). The Monument is intended to increase awareness, knowledge, and appreciation of historic sites, structures, and landscapes relating to the cotton industry and the sharecroppers experience. The goal is to give dignity back to those who may have lost it along the way to and from the cotton fields. The plan is to secure the site, as part of the National Parks Services.

 "It is time to say Thank You, to the cotton pickers"

John Jarvis, USA National Parks Services Director

 Sade in burkina Faso, W. Africa

during FESPACO festivities ---oooh La La!!!!!

 INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC RELATIONS & IMAGE CONSULTANT

I present with excellent management and communications skills that transcend boundaries of

intolerance and unfairness.

Third-graders Write the Blues: www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14620540

 

HOUSE OF KHAFRE:

African Art Experience in  the  Mississippi Delta - interview by Karen Brown on MPB/NPR