FOX 40 introduces Keeping It Real, a bi-weekly editorial presented by RaMona Clay Alexander, VP and General Manager. Share your thoughts with us at FEEDBACK@FOX40TV.COM and the FOX40 Feedback line, 601-965-7540.
March 24, 2021 “Vaccine Rollout”
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Mississippi is re-emerging from COVID-19 hibernation. The vaccine is here and its rollout has been impressive! As of March 23rd, 1,061,253, doses have been administered, with 690,647 of our citizens having received at least one dose and 392,308 having been fully vaccinated. In keeping it real, Mississippi is on a roll!
There are several states that are still trying to figure it out. However, kudos to the Mississippi Department Health and UMMC and their fearless leaders for leading the charge with other state entities, community organizations, hospitals, churches and private facilities. The process has been seamless and well organized. The wait time once you arrive for your appointment has been swift. And as usual, everyone is full of wonderful Mississippi Hospitality.
So, what does this all mean for Mississippi? It’s the first step to economic recovery with our citizens becoming more receptive to get out and shop, travel, attend events and enjoy our great restaurants. More importantly, it’s about families. Being able to hug a love one or visit other family after many months apart is priceless. It means we can began to worship together and enjoy laughter with others. It also means that maybe our children can return to school fulltime and enjoy all the activities of childhood that are so precious and necessary. Our teachers can teach without fear of exposure.
Now, we are not out of the woods just yet. There are variants of the virus that are on the rise and we must still follow all the CDC guidelines until we reach herd immunity. A successful vaccine program like we have in Mississippi is a gigantic start to getting us back to our livelihoods that are the essence of our existence. So, Mississippi lets keep moving in the right direction with the vaccine rollout. Now let’s be real, if we can only get the DMV to take note on the vaccine rollout strategy so our visits there can be shorter when we get a driver’s license, life would really be good in Mississippi.
I am RaMona Alexander, and as always, thank you for your time and watching FOX40!
January 21, 2021 “Diversity”
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There is power in celebrating our differences. The Biden-Harris administration and cabinet reflects the diversity of our great country, the United States of America! A nation whose fabric is woven with humankind from all walks of life. A noted historian stated it best, “With the swearing in of President Joe Biden and Madam Vice President Kamala Harris the broken glass on the floor today is the right kind, showing boys and girls from all different backgrounds… what is possible for them to achieve in this great land of ours!”
Fathers and Dads, think about the amazing possibilities for your daughters! They too can now realize the dream to be President of America is achievable! It’s no longer out of reach, it is a reality! Just think for a moment. For a long period of time, our local, state and federal government was all male and majority of white. As with time, Mississippi has elected public servants who are women and also leaders of color; eradicating many of its traditions of our dark and unpleasant past.
We have shown progress with diversity among our local, state and national leadership which continues to parlay growth and strength for our fine state. The power of our diversity was recently best demonstrated with the change of our state flag that represented the evils of our history , the Old South. Our new flag is magnificent and flies proudly representing who we are, a state of diversity and strength! We did that Mississippi! I am not naïve and think that we do not live in a post racial state or country. We still have much work to do. But the steps we are taking now, continues to be a focus in the right direction.
Several of our Congressional Leaders have released statements that they are looking forward to working with the Biden-Harris administration. As a state and nation, we continue to battle a pandemic that does not discriminate or see color, COVID-19. It will take the power of diversity, and all coming together to find solutions as we move forward into the future!
I am RaMona Clay Alexander, thanks for listening, responding, and watching FOX40.
December 23, 2020 “Holidays”
November 23, 2020 “Thanksgiving”
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Its fall, its Thanksgiving time and we are still dealing with a deadly virus… Covid-19! Mississippians, Let’s Be Real, this virus is killing our family members, friends, neighbors and continues to reek havoc on our health care system, communities and businesses. I know you have heard it a million times; well, I am stating it again and begging….please Mask Up! Wear a Mask it saves lives!
Like most of you, I have COVID fatigue! And yes, I want to spend time with family over the Thanksgiving holidays but it’s just not safe to have large gathering and share in those family traditions! Heck, it’s what we do! But let’s look at in a different way, let’s start new traditions creating memories with our love ones! There are many cool things we can do to show thanks and represent our families. Prepare a non-traditional meal, have movie binge days with immediate family, serving favorite foods. Let the children prepare Thanksgiving dinner, You know that will be fun! Better yet, volunteer to cook for those who may be too busy, such as a healthcare worker’s or first responder’s families.
In Keeping it Real Mississippians, Covid-19 is here this Thanksgiving and we just have to deal with it! In spite of all this, there is still much to celebrate and be thankful for….our families, our great state and the freedoms we enjoy! So come on Mississippians and get on board, let’s be safe and wear a mask to protect ourselves and others! I am RaMona Alexander, and as always, thank you for listening, responding and watching FOX40! Happy Thanksgiving!
September 23, 2020 “Prime Time in J-Town”
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Hello Mississippi! I am so excited its fall and its football and happening right now is the most exhilarating news for our community in a long time… Prime Time has landed in Jackson! NFL Football Hall of Famer, Deion Sanders has brought his talents to Jackson State University (thee I love) as head coach! What does this mean? Well first and foremost, at this moment, JSU, Our Capitol City, and state is the most talked about in the sports world! More importantly, the economic benefits are abound! Think about the impact that COACH PRIME and JSU Football will have on tourism which will bring devoted fans and the Circus of Curiosity to town – spending lots of money, pumping revenues into the coffers of local hotels, our wonderful restaurants, entertainment venues, and other local vendors, which is so needed!
His presence has breathed renewed vigor into the SWAC and HBCSs, providing a greater sense of pride and hope. From the twitter feeds, many are rooting for his success which parlays into fantastic publicity for Jackson, our state and local communities. Gosh, its so thrilling! It’s rather nice to be talked about in such a positive light for a change! And Let’s Keep It Real, I know Mississippians and Jacksonians alike will welcome Coach Prime and his family with the huge hospitality vibe that we show everyday!
In the spirit of the Sonic Boom, “Get ready cause here we come” with Coach Prime’s energy interjecting Christian Values, Leadership, Dedication, Humor, Work Ethic, Education and Class into JSU, the SWAC, the City of Jackson and our State! I am RaMona Alexander, as always, thank you for listening, responding, and watching FOX40. BE WELL!
August 17, 2020 “Shooting at a Funeral”
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MISSISSIPPI, its time to be real. A fatal shootout at a funeral home, a highway patrolman murdered, Mississippi State football player injured by gunfire, year-to-date,, 71 homicides in Jackson… too many shootings to count. When does it stop and how do we end this? Our state and capitol city are beautiful places to live and have so much to offer but the countless murders and shootings are leaving a HUGE STAIN on our image, our quality of life.
I am not sure what the answer is but it’s worth asking the questions and starting the conversation. I want us to be real… Is it a resource issue? Do we have the money to hire and provide additional manpower, which includes foot patrols, community policing and engagement? Do we need to create task forces to address the challenges? I don’t know.
However, I do feel strongly that we need to harness the same energy that was used to accomplish our state flag change to address the Gun Violence. It’s time for activists, community leaders, ministers, deacons, pastors, preachers, teachers, principals, politicians, mayors, governors, television general managers, Chambers of Commerce, thought leaders and anyone with solutions to come together to address this out of control issue of violence. I love Mississippi like most of our viewers, and I want to see the Magnolia State progress, but Let’s Be Real, if we point fingers and say it’s “not my problem” then we just end up not progressing our capitol city and state forward.
I am RaMona Alexander. Thank you for listening, responding and watching FOX 40.
August 3, 2020 “The Mask”
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HELLO MISSISSIPPI !
I AM RAMONA ALEXANDER, VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER OF WDBD FOX40.
WELCOME TO OUR FIRST EDITORIAL, THE FIRST OF MANY CONVERSATIONS I HOPE TO HAVE WITH OUR VIEWERS!
I AM EXCITED YET HUMBLE TO BE ABLE TO SPEAK TO YOU LOCALLY AND ACROSS OUR STATE.
YOU SEE, I AM A NATIVE OF JACKSON: BORN, BAPTIZED, RAISED, EDUCATED RIGHT HERE IN TOWN!
I WAS BLESSED TO HAVE GREAT PARENTS WHO ENCOURAGED ME IN MY CAREER AND PUSHED ME TO SEE THE WORLD AND NOW I AM BACK!
BACK HOME TO MY MISSISSIPPI ! IN KEEPING IT REAL, I ENCOURAGE YOU THE VIEWER TO LET US KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS, WHATS ON YOU MIND AND MOST OF ALL WHAT WE CAN DO AS A COMMUNITY TO MOVE OUR STATE FORWARD.
NOW, WE NEED TO ADDRESS A SERIOUS CONCERN:
AT TIMES LIKE THESE AT A TIME LIKE THIS, ONCE WAS…. IS CHANGING…FOLKS, OUR WORLD IS CHANGING EVERY SECOND.
WE NEED TO “KEEP IT REAL” ABOUT THE CHALLENGES THAT WE FACE IN OUR STATE. I WANT TO SEE OUR STATE AND CITIZENS EXCEL BEYOND IMAGINATION.
BUT WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO. WE CAN START BY WEARING A MASK IN PUBLIC TO PROTECT OURSELVES AND OTHERS.
COVID-19 IS SERIOUS FOLKS. IT WILL KILL! AND LET’S BE REAL, ITS NOT ABOUT POLITICS, ITS ABOUT LIVING.
WE NEED TO DEFEAT THIS VIRUS AND THIS IS A MAJOR AND NECESSARY STEP.
I AM RAMONA ALEXANDER,
PLEASE EMAIL US OR CALL THE FOX 40 FEEBACK LINE AND LET US KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND FOR WATCHING FOX40! BE SAFE AND WELL !
