Diamond Jenkins and De’Arbreya Lee
Staff Writers
On Saturday, Nov. 12, more than 250 participants came together to celebrate the life of Latasha Norman in the ‘4th Annual Latasha Norman Memorial 5k Run/Walk’. Attendees also witnessed the proclaiming of a new day for the city of Jackson to celebrate, “Latasha Norman Day”.
Recognizing the importance of informing the public about the dangers of domestic violence among young adults, the Latasha Norman Day proclamation, which was presented by Thelman Boyd from the Office of Mayor Harvey Johnson, Jr., urged all citizens to participate in the annual Latasha Norman Memorial 5k Run/Walk.
Mr. and Mrs. Danny Bolden, Norman’s parents and members of the Norman family, thanked the city of Jackson, Jackson State and supporting church members for their participation in the life celebration.
“Since this has happened to our family, my wife and I have become advocates for domestic violence. We take this really dear to our hearts,” said Bolden. During his speech, Bolden proposed a challenge to all there, that everyone would invite a guest to the run/walk next year. “We’re about helping and saving someone else’s life.”
It’s been five years since the since the death of JSU student Latasha D. Norman raised local and national attention to the issue of domestic violence. Since then, JSU named a counseling center and created the now annual run/walk to celebrate the life of Norman while also promoting awareness among college students and members of the community.
The run/walk, sponsored by the Office of Student Life, ING Financial Partners and the Mississippi Coalition against Domestic Violence had 27 volunteers, 3 sponsors, 16 donors, 31 teams, and 62 individuals of which included many church groups (including Unity Faith Baptist Church from Greenville, Miss.), several organizations, family members, Hinds County District Attorney’s Office, and Boyd.
Purple, the color representing domestic violence, and white balloons were distributed to each participant before the run to represent the advocacy of domestic violence. As professional runners led the way, purple balloons were released in the air.
Dontrell Banks, an accounting major from Summit, Miss., and run/walk participant said, “I participated because I’m a member of the accounting society and she was [Norman] also.” Banks, who also won first place in the 19 and under division, said that the memorial has increased his knowledge of domestic violence.
Katerri O’Neal, a junior business management major from Rockford, Ill., said: “I wasn’t expecting to win anything. I was simply trying to support the good cause of raising awareness of domestic abuse. It’s a good thing that there is a run/walk to support Latasha Norman’s legacy.”
O’Neal was a third place winner in her age division at the run/walk.
Since the loss of Norman, the university has taken many measures to help end stories like Norman’s by increasing the awareness of domestic violence through various outlets.
In 2007, Jackson State renamed the former campus counseling center ‘The Latasha Norman Center for Counseling and Psychological Services’ whose mission is to provide services and activities that can assist students as they are building their problem-solving skills, managing relationships and becoming more independent and confident in all aspects of life.
The center is also committed to working with JSU students who may be experiencing emotional, mental, or even physical abuse. Representatives of the LNC also speak with students in the dormitories and classrooms in outreach programs.
Run/Walk Race winners were: 5K Run – Men Overall Male: Curt Knight 16:47
5K Run – Women Overall: Jasmine Evans 21:02
5K Walk – Men Overall: Larry Robinson 31:28
5K Walk – Women Overall: Mariam Mosavizahed 36:16
RUN TEAMS McNair Scholar Determinants Alex Liggins, Saint Ranson, Lee Cavett 1:39:37
For a complete list of winners and photos from the event, go to www.mstrackclub.com
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