Mayor, City Council Give the Boom 'Their Roses’ in Advance of Tournament of Roses Parade
July 17, 2024
The Jackson City Council and Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba recently honored Jackson State University’s Sonic Boom of the South. The City of Jackson presented a resolution supporting the band’s participation in the 136th Tournament of Roses Parade, proclaiming July 19, 2024, as the official “Give the Boom Their Roses Day.”
“We’re representing not just JSU, but all HBCUs because we know what we have to offer to music education, our state and our nation,” shared JSU Director of Bands Dr. Roderick Little. “We work with our students day in and day out, and often they are not recognized for their hard work. We are here as ambassadors for our students to let them know we support them in everything they do.”
Little proceeded, thanking JSU President Dr. Marcus Thompson for being a “stellar supporter of the Sonic Boom of the South and Jackson State University.”
On Friday, July 19, Jackson State University (JSU) will celebrate the inaugural “Give the Boom Their Roses” Day with a series of tributes in honor of the history and legacy of the Sonic Boom of the South. The event will highlight alumni, students, and associated organizations such as Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity and Tau Beta Sigma Honorary Band Sorority.
All efforts are geared toward raising $850,000 to support the student’s travel and performance in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California, on January 1, 2025.
“Jackson State's Sonic Boom of the South is this city's band. It is this state's band. It's this region's band. Further, it is an opportunity to represent southern culture and HBCU culture on one of the largest platforms in the nation,” said Chair of JSU’s Department of Music Dr. Lisa Beckley-Roberts. “These students come out and represent the university, the city, and the state whenever called. They work tirelessly. They are also amazing scholars who perform in the classroom with as much finesse and style as they do on the field. We want to give them their roses.”
Ward 4 City Councilman Brian C. Grizzell presented a resolution on behalf of the city council during their July 16 meeting.
“The resolution, of course, is an open call for not only the city, the state, but also the region to come out and support these young people, but also to let them know that we support them as ambassadors of not only the city of Jackson, but my alma mater also,” he said.
Lumumba added: “Whether you went to Jackson State or not, it feels like our professional team. It feels like our institution. So we’re excited for the Sonic Boom.”
The show will kick off the morning of July 19 on the JSU social media platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, Twitter/X, and YouTube. Follow the HBCU at JacksonStateU.
Donations can now be made to support the Sonic Boom's performance in the 136th Tournament of Rose at www.jsums.edu/roses.