Photo: The honorable Representative Percy Watson (D) speaks with a supporter as he is keynote speaker of the Steak & Salmon's Meet & Greet.
Monday Night was a huge win for democrats as they try to rally their base in hopes of turning out voters on August 8, 2023 for the party's primary election. The Forrest County Democratic Party in concert with the powerhouse consulting firm Hattiesburg Management Group hosted its second meet & greet to kick of Spring Break Week in the Pine Belt, entitled "Steak & Salmon Meet & Greet" which was held at O' Charley's in Hattiesburg, MS.
Photo: Dr. Eddie Holloway, Senior Associate Provost for the University of Southern Mississippi walks the red-carpet.
The party's biggest stars such as former Democratic Gubernatorial Nominee Dr. Johnny DuPree, Representative Percy Watson, & Senator Juan Barnett as well as local celebrities and dignitaries were in attendance including the newly appointed Senior Associate Provost of the University of Southern Mississippi Dr. Eddie Holloway, Dennis Dahmer, son of assassinated Civil Rights Icon Vernon Dahmer Sr, Vice President of the NAACP Milan Hoze, & Group Chief Executive of Hattiesburg Management Group Dee Moye among others.
Photo: Forrest County Democratic Nominee for Coroner Greg Fluker pictured with son Jeremy Pollard. Also featured is Civil Rights Leader Attorney Glenda Funchess & Rep. Percy Watson.
Democratic candidates and nominees were also in attendance gracing the red-carpet and speaking about their candidacy including the honorable Sharon Thompson of the Forrest County Board of Supervisors representing District 2, the first woman ever elected to the board in county history. "I'm running for re-election. We've made a lot of progress in District 2 but the work isn't finished," Thompson told a crowd of eager supporters.
Photo: Democratic Candidate Shelia Angelety speaks with Constable Jennifer Brown (D).
Followed behind Thompson was her democratic opponent, Shelia Angelety, who said she's running to "inspire young people democrats and republicans to run for offices not just old folks!"
The Forrest County Democratic Nominee for Constable Jennifer Brown & Dee Moye, Group Chief Executive of Hattiesburg Management Group walks the red carpet.
Constable Jennifer Brown spoke about how she's passionate about serving the community as a whole. "I love our community and I want to be re-elected to help people when I can and continue to serve our community," the Democratic Nominee for Constable exclaimed.
Photo: (Below) Democratic Candidate James Fenton & family walks the red carpet.
Democratic Justice Court District 4 Candidate James Fenton passionately spoke to the congregants about the "broken legal system that only works for the rich, well connected, and smart folks," he exclaimed. Fenton, the only justice court candidate who participated in the well attended event went on to say, "It's time to put the Justice Court back in the hands of ordinary people. It's an ordinary court for ordinary people to fix everyday problems. It's not working for us ordinary people!"
Also speaking were two men both chasing history to become the first African American men elected. The Democratic
Nominee for Forrest County Sheriff Kenny Johnson spoke to the crowd about his motivation of being the First African American Sheriff of Forrest County.
Photo: The Forrest County Democratic Nominee for Sheriff Kenny Johnson & family walks the red carpet.
"I'm running not only to protect our civil rights and serve our community, I'm also running to educate our community about their rights and the police in general," Johnson said. "I want to restore the Sheriff's Office as the People's Office and be known as the People's Sheriff!" exclaimed Johnson.
The Democratic Nominee for Forrest County Coroner Greg Fluker briefly spoke about running for office. He's known throughout the party as the most shy candidate, but has one of the biggest support bases in the entire county.
Photo: The Forrest County Democratic Nominee for Coroner Greg Fluker & family walks the red carpet.
Notably not speaking but had one of the biggest presence in the room was the City of Hattiesburg's 1st First Lady to be elected to public office, Johniece DuPree, who served as the city's first African American First Lady. She is running unopposed for District 2 Election Commissioner. Also running unopposed are Senator Juan Barnett and Representative Percy Watson. All 3 public figures are considered well loved and respected leaders both in their party and the Greater Pine Belt Community.
Photo: Democratic Supporter Gia Croom poses with Democratic Nominee for District 2 Election Commissioner Johniece DuPree as she walks the red carpet.
The key guest speakers for the event were Senator Juan Barnett and the Honorable Representative Percy Watson, arguably considered two of the most powerful political figures in the State of Mississippi, both representing Forrest County. Bringing out the heavy hitters early was key to making this event a success according to Hattiesburg Management Group, who organized the event.
The firm's Group Chief Executive Dee Moye, spoke briefly about the event. "Our firm has been working on this event for months. We typically have it once a year. We're fired up about two of the biggest icons in the democratic party, Rep. Watson & Sen. Barnett, both of whom I have an enormous amount of respect for serving as our keynote speakers which definitely made the difference in making sure the event was a success."
Photo: The honorable Senator Juan Barnett (D), Chair of Mississippi Department of Corrections & Dee Moye, Group Chief Executive of Hattiesburg Management Group walks the red carpet.
Barnett, chairman of Mississippi Department of Corrections, spoke about just getting folks registered isn't good enough. "I know some people may get mad at me for saying this but it don't matter how many people you get registered to vote if the folks registered to vote don't actually go out and vote on election day! We've got to do better. We deserve better. Together, we all can do better to getting our friends and love ones out to the polls on election day!"
Photo: (Below) University of Southern Mississippi President of College Democrats Stephon Ward poses with Dennis Dahmer, son of assassinated Civil Rights Icon Vernon Dahmer Sr. walks the red carpet.
Moye went on to say, "Working with both Chairman Brad Parker, Chair of the Forrest County Democratic Party and President Stefon Ward, President of the Young Dems at the University of Southern Mississippi was simply a delight. Both guys worked extremely hard in making sure this event was well put together with candidate participation, rolling out the red-carpet & all. The awesome staff at O' Charley's always accommodate us every year with the very best staff, great food, & even better service!"
The event was a red-carpet local star studded evening that featured a 5 course meal including O'Charley's famous steak and salmon. The first meet & greet was sponsored by Hattiesburg Management Group firm. This event was in concert with the firm.
Known mostly throughout the community influentially as 'Mr. Hattiesburg', Moye excitedly talked about the arrival of whom he considers community heroes. "To see so many big names & community icons, Mr. Milan & Mrs. Stephanie Hoze, Mr. Vernon Dahmer, The Wayside Church Family, Civil Rights icon Glenda Funchess, Dr. Holloway, The DuPree's & so many many others as well as so so so many young people just warm my heart knowing our community is fired up and changing & that's what our firm is all about, building a better community!"
Photo: Jeremy Pollard, son of Democratic Nominee for Coroner Greg Fluker, excitingly greets Hometown Hero Dee 'Mr. Hattiesburg' Moye, HMG's Group Chief Executive, as he walks red carpet.
Comments