Mark Braboy
Blue & White Flash / Staff Writer
Jackson State University lost one of its most outspoken students on Aug. 6. when Michael Teasley, 2011-2012 JSU National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) president, passed away from heart failure. Many JSU students, staff and faculty members were left with vivid memories of his fight against injustice.
Prior to his arrival at Jackson State, Teasley lived a life of spiraling highs and lows. When he was younger, he dealt with the divorce of his parents and then dropped out of junior high school and lived a troubled lifestyle. Years later, he lost his mother at the age of 18 and as a result, was motivated to turn his life around and earn his General Equivalency Diploma (GED).
Teasley first gained national attention as the first elected white NAACP president at a historically black university. A political science major and aspiring attorney, Teasley joined the NAACP and held the position of vice president before being elected chapter president in 2010.
His other activities included being the first white person to join the J.I. Martin Lodge #701 in Jackson, Miss. where he became a Freemason. While at JSU, he was a Blue & White Flash staff member and a photographer with Domina Photography.
Teasley became active in the community for notable causes such as the Cradle to Prison Pipeline campaign, the 2010 Jamie and Gladys Scott case and their fight for full pardon and release from prison, the Anti-Proposition 26 Movement, the non-violence on college campuses rallies, and other social issues.
According to Dominique McCraney, Teasley’s fiancé, one of his community outreach efforts included starting a GED program for dropouts in the neighborhood surrounding JSU.
“Some of his students were gang members that he tried to combat the issues of the school to prison pipeline. He also worked with Planned Parenthood to protect women’s rights,” said McCraney.
“He worked tirelessly to protect those he felt were unfairly persecuted including the Scott Sisters and helping his neighbor who he felt was wrongly accused of a crime.”
McCraney added: “Michael was prolific as well as an artistic person. He wanted a better Mississippi and worked from the ground up in grassroots movements to help Mississippi one person at a time.”
McCraney stated that Teasley kept voter registration papers on him at all times to make sure every person he encountered was registered to vote. His long term goals included attending Howard Law School where he hoped to major in civil law, working for the NAACP, ACLU, and the State of Mississippi to make changes for the better. His ultimate goal was to one day run for mayor of the city of Jackson.
Since his death, the JSU community has reflected on the contributions Teasley made to the university.
“What was interesting about Michael was that he really wanted to be successful in the classroom,” said Michelle Deardorff, Interim Chair and Professor of Political Science. “But he had a sense of urgency regarding the issues of injustice in the world and he felt that there was never enough time to do all of it.”
Former JSU NAACP Vice President and biology major Timothy Fizer of Jackson, Miss. said, “Michael Teasley was a Godsend as a friend and as a human being. He had a beautiful soul. He transcended so much more than what a man really is, he was really like a guardian angel. He provided a lot of insight. Even on this campus he had a lot of respect for African-Americans, knowing that they had to struggle but he also appreciated all of the good things and all the good qualities that come from struggling.”
According to older brother, Gregory Teasley, he was proud to realize how important his brother was in the lives of the people he served and the impact he made on JSU after his passing.
“I understood what Mike was involved in, but at the same time, I didn’t know what Mike was involved in until he passed away and I got an opportunity to communicate with his friends and associates at Jackson State. After reading all of the articles about my younger brother, it really opened my eyes to the impact that he made on so many people,” his brother stated.
Before attending JSU, Teasley was a successful real estate manager and was also involved in telecommunications, but according to his father, Oscar Teasley, all of his success and money caused him to become a person that his family didn’t recognize.
“The best thing that ever happened to Michael was when he lost his edge. He went from being a ‘got everything executive’ down to zero, down to the only option I got is to get an education,” said Teasley.
His father credits Jackson State as being influential in Teasley’s growth and development as a man.
“The best thing that ever happened to Mike was losing his telecommunications deal, being broke and enrolling in Jackson State. Jackson State created an environment where he could find out who he was. My prayer for Michael was always for Michael to find his place. Years and years of constant prayer and Mike found his place at Jackson State University.”
Jackson State University is currently raising money for the Michael Teasley Endowment fund. If you would like to give, contact Tangelia Kelly, Associate Director of Annual Giving at 601-979-1760 .
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