Restoring the vision of Prentiss Institute for generations to come.
Restoring the vision of Prentiss Institute for generations to come.
Jonas Edward “J. E.” Johnson graduated from Alcorn Agricultural and Mechanical College as valedictorian. Bertha LaBranche Johnson studied under Booker T. Washington at the Tuskegee Institute. Their vision allowed thousands of young Black men and women to become educated and go on to serve communities throughout Mississippi, the US, and the world.
The school attracted some of the best African American educators and lecturers in the US and was considered by many as one of the finest schools in the state for Black students.
"African Americans faced limited educational opportunities in Mississippi at the turn of the twentieth century. To challenge those limits, Jonas Edward "J.E." Johnson and Bertha LaBranche Johnson founded the Prentiss Normal and Industrial Institute in Jefferson Davis County in June 1907. "
~Cale Nicholson, The Mississippi Encyclopedia
Board Member, 2000 to present
Education: Pearl River Community College
Employment: Jefferson Davis County Board of Supervisors, currently President
Associations: Mississippi Association of Supervisors (MAS)
Past President, MAS, current President Nominating Committee MAS, Vice President MAS Insurance Trust. Currently serving on the Southern Mississippi Planning and Development District and the Twin District Development Board.
Member of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church.
Connection to Prentiss Institute: Relatives attended Prentiss Institute
Board Member, 2000 to present
In charge of maintenance of the Prentiss Institute buildings and campus grounds. Education: Prentiss HS 1972, A.A. Degree Prentiss Institute 1974, attended Alcorn State University, Completed 4-year Apprenticeship Pipe Fitter & Welding, Vicksburg, MS.
Employment: 29-years with Georgia Pacific, Monticello MS. Retired in 2018. Associations: Prentiss Institute National Alumni Association, Prentiss Institute Museum Committee, Shivers Water Association, Shivers MS, Brotherhood Investment Club, New Hebron, MS.
Connection to Prentiss Institute: Born in Jeff Davis County Parents Luther and Arte Ree (Griffith) Armstrong (fourth of nine children). One brother attended Prentiss Institute, David Armstrong. Also met wife at Prentiss Institute (Janice Dixon Armstrong)
Board Member, 2007 to present
Education:B.A. Economics, Tougaloo College, Tougaloo, MS., M.A. Social Sciences- Atlanta University, Atlanta, GA., additional studies Community College Education-Mississippi State University, MS; Management and Economics, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS.
Employment:Funeral Director, Owner and Manager, Williams Mortuary, Brookhaven, MS since 1983.
Previous Employment: Economics Instructor Jackson State University, Jackson, MS., retired after 37 years. Vocational counselor, Opportunities Industrialization Center, Jackson MS. Instructor of Economics, Utica Junior College, Utica, MS., History Instructor, Alcorn A&M, Utica, MS., Chairman-Division of Social Science and an Instructor, McComb Public Schools, McComb, MS., Assistant to the VP of Marketing, American Scientific Products Division American Hospital Supply Corporation, McGaw Park, Illinois.
Associations / Affiliations: The Association of Social & Behavioral Scientist, Inc. Current Executive Committee Member, Time and Place Committee Chairperson, Nominations Committee Chairperson, Past President and Past Treasurer.
Connection to Prentiss Institute: Both parents attended Prentiss Institute (father, elementary and secondary education; mother, Jr. College). Most of father’s family, Prentiss natives, attended the school from its inception to its closure.
Board Member
Associations: Jefferson Davis School Board, President
Jefferson Davis County Chamber and Economic Development, Board Member Business Owner Norwood Medical and other businesses in downtown Prentiss, MS.
Board Member, 2003 to present
Former Board Treasurer (15+ years), Project Manager Rosenwald Building Renovation and the Science Building
Education: Graduate of Prentiss Institute Jr. College High School 1955, B.S. Degree Alcorn State University, 1959, Lorman, MS., Master of Education- Oklahoma State University 1971, Stillwater, OK., Professional Continuing Education, Tuskegee Institute, Mississippi State University, Southern University, Baton Rouge, LA., University of Southern MS., William Carey University, Tougaloo College, Capitol University, Columbus, OH.
Employment: Retired Administrator and Teacher, Jefferson Davis County Schools 1959- 2003, Carver High School/Bassfield High School (44 years)
Associations: Jefferson Davis County Alcorn Alumni Chapter President 1960-1970, Jefferson Davis County Alcorn Alumni Chapter Treasurer, Jefferson Davis County Mutual Credit Union (10 years) – now dissolved, Jefferson Davis County Association of Educators President (8 years), Jefferson Davis County Chamber Partnership (19 years), Mississippi Heritage Trust Board of Trustees (4 years), Member of Holly Springs C.M.E. Church, Bassfield, MS., (1959- Present), Church Sunday School Superintendent (30+ years), Chairman of Bassfield Christmas Parade (20+ years)
Connection to Prentiss Institute: Graduate of Prentiss Institute Jr. College High School 1955
Board Member, 2005 to present
Education: B.S. Degree Mathematics- Alcorn State University 1971
Employment: Retired, Alcorn State University, 38 years, Director of Placement Services, Veteran United States Army (3 years)
Associations: Jefferson County Layman Assoc., Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Life Member, Past Chapter President, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Past Treasurer, District of Mississippi, Alcorn State University National Alumni Assoc., Alpha Phi Omega Fraternity, Charter member, Alpha Alpha Lambda Chapter, United Supreme Council, 33rd Degree, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Southern Jurisdiction, USA, Prince Hall Affiliation, Past Worshipful Master, Milton "Cap" Johnson Lodge #708, Kiwanis International, Alcorn Chapter, Charter Member
Scout Master, Troup 459, Boy Scouts of America, International Brotherhood of Magicians, College Placement Services, Past Chairman of Board, Waterloo MBC- Deacon, Board of Trustees.
Connection to Prentiss Institute: Grandson of PNII Founders, son of Past President Alcee L. Johnson (son of Founders) Attended PNII K-10. Met wife at PNII, Classie Owens Johnson, F'67
Board Member, 2011 to present
Special Projects: Special event bookings and license agreements (long-term and short-term rental agreements) marketing, advertising, public relations, graphic communications, and social media. Co-Manager Go Fund Me Charity Bank Account
Education: A.A. Degree Fashion Illustration from El Paso Community College, B.S. Degree Merchandising from Southern Mississippi University.
Employment:20-years with department stores and retail chains, 15 years in the Shopping Center Industry as a Mall Marketing Manager, 5 years in Corporate Marketing, additional experience with the Prentiss Headlight and currently work at the Prentiss Public Library.
Associations: Former member, International Council of Shopping Centers, SMEI Sales and Marketing Executives International.
Connection to Prentiss Institute: Grandparents participated in courses, mother and father were graduates, aunt and uncle also graduated from PNII.
Board Member, 2015 to present
Prentiss Institute National Alumni Board Representative, Co-Manager Go Fund Me Charity Bank Account
Education: Secondary Social Studies, B.S. Intermediate Education 4-8, B.S. Masters in Secondary Education, Elementary Education Adult Education and Elementary and Secondary Principal.
Employment: Retired, McComb School District, McComb MS
Associations: Current President PNII National Alumni Association, Chaplain of the Pike County JSU Alumni Chapter, Mission Mississippi, Deacon at the Spring Beulah Church of Christ (Holiness)USA in Ruth, MS.
Connection to PNII: 1968 Graduate and met wife (Betty Bell Jenkins) at PNII
Board Member, 2019 to present
Co-Manager Go Fund Me Charity Bank Account
Education:B.S. Plant and Soil Science, M.S. Soil Science
Employment:Owner/Founder at Johnson Farms LLC. US Dept. of Agriculture - Risk Management Agency.
Associations:Arkansas and Louisiana Beginning Farmer Coordinator, MS Food Systems Fellow, Member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity inc.
Connection to Prentiss Institute: Great Grandfather, Estus J Johnson, Original Board Member. Grandfather, George Monroe Johnson, attended PI and played football.
Board Member, 2019 to present
Education: B.S. Degree, three master’s degrees, a Specialist Degree, and a Ph.D.
Employment: Jefferson Davis County School District and Youth Headquarters, Inc.
Associations: President, Jefferson Davis County Chamber of Commerce, South 28th Avenue Baptist Church Board of Trustees, Mount Carmel Ministries Board of Trustees, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority
Connection to Prentiss Institute: Deep interest in education; several colleagues attended PI
Gary Bass, Economic Development Director for Jefferson Davis County, discusses his vision for the county and for Prentiss Institute.
