Leland, Mississippi: The Village That Raised Me

Leland, Mississippi. once considered the "Hellhole" of the Delta, transformed itself into a vibrant little community which was able to provide support and encouragement when Velma Allen needed it most. This segregated Mississippi community withheld many basic amenities from her, but because of a determined mother ,her church, teachers, and numerous individuals in the Leland community, she overcame the appalling shortcomings she experienced financially and experientially.

Leland, Mississippi. once considered the "Hellhole" of the Delta, transformed itself into a vibrant little community which was able to provide support and encouragement when Velma Allen needed it most. This segregated Mississippi community withheld many basic amenities from her, but because of a determined mother ,her church, teachers, and numerous individuals in the Leland community, she overcame the appalling shortcomings she experienced financially and experientially. "Leland, Mississippi: The Village That Raised Me" is a personal memoir intertwined with a cultural history. This is an ode to a community and the Christian faith that held it together.

Velma P. Allen was born in Leland, Mississippi and continued to live there primarily until 1964 except for time spent in college and nine months of teaching in Belzoni, Mississippi. Velma attended Mississippi Vocational college(now Mississippi Valley State University); Mississippi State University, Michigan State University, and studied English at the University of Iowa and Kansas State University. The author has also enjoyed a singing and songwriting career and has an extensive discography available on her website: veeallen.com. The author published a book last year, "Annie Mae's Boys and Me", describing the relationships between her musician brothers (James Son Thomas, Al Perkins, Mickey Boss) , her mother, Annie Mae and herself. She has earned Bachelor's, Master's and doctorate degrees and has been an English teacher, Special Education Director in Lansing, Michigan, Superintendent of a the Michigan School for the Blind, A Program Officer for the Mott Foundation in Flint Michigan, and most recently, President and CEO of Mott Children's Health Center in Flint Michigan.