The annual Southern Heritage Classic Cultural Celebration is amongst us and I thought it would be fitting to have the founder, Fred Jones Jr. sit down with me for a live podcast at the historic Cossitt Library. Growing up in the Cleaborn Homes housing community in the Memphis area, Fred attended Booker T. Washington High School active in baseball, basketball, track and band. A severe football injury derailed his hopes of receiving a scholarship to college which led him to taking on jobs such as caddying for the Memphis Country Club and working at a florist on Vance. Fred had a gift for numbers which led him to receiving a job in the auditing department at Union Planters Bank and where he began their management program ultimately receiving BBA from Memphis State in 1971. At this point Fred made a transition and started working for Issac Hayes with Stax Records handling his finances. Having discovered a knack for putting together entertainers with large audiences in the most attractive venues, he started working with a plethora of first class talent including The Isley Brothers, Prince, Bill Cosby, The Commodores, Stevie Wonder, Parliament-Funkadelic, Luther Vandross, LL Cool J, Count Basie, Tyler Perry, Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, The O’Jays, Usher, and hundreds more. As a result, the Southern Heritage Classic began in 1990 in Memphis, TN with HBCU's TSU vs. JSU.

Fast forward to 2023, we are now entering the 34th Southern Heritage Classic Cultural Celebration with a new HBCU headliner, UAPB. Take a listen as Fred shares many stories throughout his journey which includes how the SHC came to fruition and his recollection when he received the news that JSU would no longer participate in the SHC. Fred and his team are laser focused on their strong commitment to continuing the traditional festivities in the Memphis community consisting of a parade, a fashion show, concerts, a golf tournament, tailgate parties, a coaches luncheon, a battle of the bands, and more. He hopes to see you this year at the Southern Heritage Classic in Memphis, TN the weekend of September 7-9 with UAPB vs. TSU.