Got Two Wings: An Autobiographical Sketch of an Extraordinarily African American Man

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Dr. Herbert Simmons, Jr. is a native of Jackson Parish, born in Hodge, Louisiana. He grew up in Pleasant Grove, an outlying community of the Town of Jonesboro. Reared by his loving and compassionate paternal grandmother, Melissa Hasson Simmons, she taught him the basic principles of life: hard work, responsibility, good work ethics, manners, respect for elders, and the pursuit of excellence. He is a graduate of Jackson High School in Jonesboro, Grambling College, Howard University School of Law, and the University of the District of Columbia, School of Mortuary Science. He spent much of his early professional career in the field of Consumer Advocacy and also co-founded the National Consumer Information Center in Washington, D.C. He also taught consumer law courses at his alma mater Howard University during his tenure in Washington, D.C. Dr. Simmons held a number of high profile positions, including Undersecretary for the Louisiana Department of Social Services in the administration of Governor Buddy Roemer. He has lectured at universities, consumer organizations and churches all over the nation. Jet Magazine featured him several times and he appeared on CBS's "Sixty Minutes" investigative news magazine program, hosted by the late Ed Bradley. As the first African American appointed to serve on the Lafayette Airport Commission he eventually rose to the rank of chairman of the commission, and was appointed to a second five-year term. Currently, Dr. Simmons is a full time tenured professor at his alma mater, Grambling State University in the Department of Criminal Justice, and is president of the Faculty Senate. He served as Board Chairman for the Greater North Louisiana Community Development Corporation, founded by Simmons and his wife, Janice, in 2000. He served as coordinator of the nationally renowned, a football game between Grambling State and Southern University held annually in New Orleans, Louisiana. (The Bayou Classic is reported to be the largest African American sporting event in the nation.) He has received numerous awards, keys to cities, citations, and an invitation to present a paper at Oxford University, and has spoken at events all over the nation. A Christian brother with a strong belief in God, two of his favorite scriptures are Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me…" and Psalm 30:3, "Weeping may endure for a night, but Joy cometh in the morning." Herb is married to Janice Marie Harmon Simmons. They are the parents of three children, Herbert Horatio, Lawanna, and Zachary Omari. They are active members of Rivers of Joy Ministries in Jonesboro, Louisiana, under the leadership of Bishop Kelvin G. and Pastor Rhonda Stewart.