by Cyrus Webb
I have known Gloria-Elayne Owens for quite some time, and it's been great to not just interview her on the radio show but have the opportunity to feature her in 2026 as a MS Success Honoree.
The mission she has to educate individuals and inspire them when it comes to her work in the community--as well as her optimism--is something that we can all benefit from.
Congratulations to you, Gloria, on being recognized as one of our 2026 MS Success Honorees. What has it been like for you to have the work you do be recognized?
For more than 55-years (since I was merely a high school student WORKING in a home-based childcare center), I have worked in a wide range of jobs with many titles and positions in various settings, including educational institutions, health agencies, law enforcement agencies, juvenile justice centers, social service agencies and more. In each job/place of employment, I found my most rewarding, most meaningful and most beneficial experiences in SERVING others - children/youth, families and communities - wholeheartedly, regardless to the diversity.
During the most recent past 10 years, I had the privilege, pleasure and opportunity of working with a TEAM of high school students attending Yazoo's four area high schools (in both the city and the county and with both the public and the private schools), along with a group of caring and committed adults representing various sectors of the local and surrounding communities via Gateway Make-A-Promise (MAP) Coalition originally (based at a local behavioral health agency and originally designed to reduce/prevent substance abuse in Yazoo County).
It is very important to me to have this extraordinary WORK (which ultimately became so much more than just a substance abuse prevention program) recognized so others may learn and appreciate the value of diversity and TEAMWORK!
While I fully understand the 'ugly' Mississippi many of us claim to know, I want people to know about the 'other' Mississippi that I know and love. Throughout my lifetime, I have traveled and visited almost every state in the nation, and I have even resided for brief periods in a few other states; but whenever I'm given a choice, Mississippi will always be my permanent residence because I LOVE MISSISSIPPI and its most valuable resource - the PEOPLE!
We already know how sad it is to hear about what places Mississippi at the bottom; so why not share the Mississippi stories that ranks our state in the top among all other states when it comes to best writers, musicians, athletes, comedians, chefs, talk show hosts and so much more. I'm not suggesting that we forget the 'ugly' Mississippi, because I certainly don't want the past to repeat itself. However, in my old age and unemployment period, I've become determined to make storytelling about 'good' Mississippi my job, especially in airports and train stations where I'm often stuck for hours because I failed to make a buddy pass flight or train schedule on time!
What better way or place to promote literacy, as well as Yazoo and Mississippi Tourism than by encouraging others to read books, magazines and other literary journals about, written by and published by Mississippians, not to mention the the other good stuff about Mississippi-made products, unique shopping experiences, exclusive food choices at restaurants and good times shared at annual festivals, concerts and so forth!
It's a pleasure and blessing to be able to share stories at every opportunity about this Mississippi I know and love!
Who has inspired you when it comes to wanting to make a difference?
I have been blessed my entire life to always be surrounded during my childhood and teenage years by many caring and encouraging adults/community leaders making a positive difference in the lives of others, including family members/relatives, neighbors, teachers, faith-based/church leaders, community activists and so forth, but my beloved mother - Mrs. LeBertha 'Sister Knight' Kimber (October 18, 1911 - January 22, 2001) is my MAIN most influential person!
She always demonstrated how to have courage in adversity and she instilled in me and all of my 8 older siblings to strive to be kind, do right and make a positive difference by treating everybody the way we wanted to be treated! It's been over 25 years since my beloved mother transitioned at the seasoned age of 89 years (ironically when I was then at the of 45, the age Mama was was when I was born)!
I continue to keep her memory and legacy alive, and hope to be like her and grow up to be age 89 too (smile) by living and demonstrating HER MOTTO (her last spoken words to my siblings and me): 'Fight fair, forgive fast and LOVE a lot'!
How has the State of Mississippi shaped you as a creative in the work that you do?
I am a lifelong resident of Mississippi (except having lived briefly in a few other states where I declined an annual salary that was sometimes four times more than my 'little' salary of a teacher, social worker, police officer, counselor and so forth here in Mississippi). I'm infamously known as impecunious: not poor but just having little or no money in most of social circles with family/relatives colleagues, friends/associates who make lots and lots of money; but they fail to understand my choice to be in Mississippi where I'm continuously being shaped to be creative.
I am different! Mississippi has shaped me to be different and richly blessed because I have choices!
What helps you to remain optimistic about the future?
I think of every day as yesterdays tomorrow and todays future! So I start each day by thanking the Good Lord for every new day day! God reminds me to be optimistic about the future, and that optimism grows and grows when I run into one of my former students (from Head Start through High School) SHOWING me that they have become that professional (doctor, lawyer, engineer, artist, teacher, banker, healthcare provider, airline pilot and many more) that they set out to be way back then! They ARE the FUTURE, and that keeps me optimistic about what is still possible.
As someone who has shown what is possible when it comes to believing in yourself, what advice do you have for others when it comes to pursuing goals and dreams!
My advice to others: Set your own goals, work hard at your own pace, PRAY and thank God for every blessing: good, bad or ugly---and brace yourself to go after what He has waiting just for you in His right time!
Thank you for your time, Gloria. Looking forward to seeing what's next for you. How can our audience stay connected with you?
Thank you for the opportunity and the recognition. They can reach me as follows:
Gloria Elayne Owens
Lifesavers Program
P. O. Box 1023
Yazoo City, MS 39194
Phone: 662-528-6050
E-Mail: geowens13@gmail.com
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