A gifted educator nationally recognized for his innovative work with students in the dramatic arts and a successful businessman with a stellar, longstanding record of community service and a deep devotion to his faith are recipients of this year’s Hub Award, considered the most notable accolade conferred on a citizen of Hattiesburg.
Michael Marks, former award-winning director of forensics and theatre for the Hattiesburg Public School District, and Grady Lewis Myrick, Sr., whose decades-old family business – Economy Supply Company – is an icon of historic downtown Hattiesburg, will be presented with the recognition during the Hub Award ceremony and banquet Nov. 16 at Hattiesburg’s Lake Terrace Convention Center. Presented by the Pinebelt Foundation, the event begins with a reception at 5:45 p.m.
The genesis of the Hub Award dates to 1979, when Hattiesburg community leaders honored the late Bobby Chain, a former Hattiesburg mayor and president of the Board of trustees of the State Institutions of Higher Learning, for his service to the community. The award was then permanently established and named The Hub Award, taking from the city’s nickname “The Hub City”, to honor outstanding Hattiesburg citizens each year.
Proceeds from the event support academic scholarships for students at The University of Southern Mississippi and William Carey University, as managed by the Pinebelt Foundation.
Marks says he’s “truly humbled” to be in the company of previous Hub Award recipients who he has admired for so long and sees the distinction as a challenge to join their ongoing efforts in contributing to the overall success of the city.
“It is important to honor those who have worked honestly to improve the quality of life in the Hub City,” Marks said. “I continue my endeavors in that regard because I love teaching and learning, and I revere the work opportunities Hattiesburg has afforded me since I moved here as a 16-year-old freshman at Southern Miss.
“I am grateful for this honor. Know that my best is yet to come.”
Myrick is especially honored to be one of this year’s recipients of the Hub Award because it recognizes service to the city of Hattiesburg.
“Hattiesburg has been home for my entire life,” Myrick said. “I’ve served and been involved in many endeavors for the betterment of the city. There’s no other place I’d rather live, be educated, raise a family, or operate a successful business. I love this community and so proud to be a part of it.”
Michael Marks
In 1974, Marks moved to Hattiesburg as a 15-year-old graduate of Magnolia’s (Mississippi) South Pike High School.
In three years, he became the first Southern Miss African-American student to complete the university’s Honors curriculum, along with a bachelor’s degree in speech communication. At 19, he began his teaching career at Lumberton High School. He later earned a master’s degree in public relations. He was named Mississippi’s Teacher of the Year while at Perry Central High School.
As director of forensics (speech and debate) and theatre for the Hattiesburg Public Schools for 25 years, Marks produced more than 50 productions, including the diverse cast of The Wiz, which traveled to the International Theatre Festival in Edinburg, Scotland to perform for the Queen of England as part of the inaugural Top Ten American high schools. Under his direction, Music Theatre International named Hattiesburg High School (HHS) as having “America’s Best High School Performing Arts Department.”
Marks’ debate teams claimed 25 state titles; his thespians achieved four theatre championships, three national first runner-up finishes, and a command performance of Freedom Summer; and Tiger Mock Trial claimed eight state titles and as many Top Ten finishes in national competition.
Marks was named the Mississippi Bar’s Law-Related Education Teacher of the Year. Having established the country’s first high school chapter of Equity Fights A.I.D.S., his theatre students have originated roles and performed in national shows and films from Broadway’s Hairspray, Gillette, and The Lion King; to films like Marvel’s Black Panther, The Magnificent Seven and
Princess Diaries; to television’s NCIS: New Orleans.
As a playwright, his HHS docudrama The Katrina Project: Hell and High Water toured the continental United States, enjoyed a command performance for the U.S. Congress, and received the National Human and Civil Rights Award. To date, continuing worldwide performances have generated more than $500,000 in relief benefits for natural disaster victims.
Marks is co-author of the book, Katrina: Ten Years After. He culminated his teaching career as a National Milken Educator, principal of the state’s first dropout school, and on international television was named America’s Outstanding Teacher of the Performing Arts.
Marks was elected president of The Mississippi Association of Educators by the state’s educators, and as MAE Executive Director he negotiated a 36 percent pay raise for teachers. Elected as a National Education Association executive officer by millions of America’s educators, he served as national spokesperson for the Read Across America Program, appearing on NBC’s Today Show and MSNBC.
As Chair of the National Task Force on Early Childhood Education, Marks represented the U.S. at the Education International Conference in Berlin, keynoted the India Teachers Conference in Mumbai, and has presented international workshops on diversity, equity, and inclusion in Barbados and in the U.S. Marks also provided the country with educational leadership as national treasurer of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards and as chair of the National Theatre and Dance Credentialing Committee.
A former USM adjunct instructor, he directed public relations for Forrest Health for a decade.
His civic contributions include serving as the first African-American President of the Downtown Hattiesburg Association, Municipal Elections Commissioner, Tourism Commissioner, Mississippi Miss Hospitality Advisory Board, Pinebelt Foundation Development Chair, YMCA Board President, Sales & Marketing Professionals President, HPSD Foundation Executive Director, Southern Miss Partners for the Arts, USM Alumni Association Board of Directors, PRAM, Hattiesburg Arts Council Board, Pine Burr Area Scouts, Mayoral Health Council Chair, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Education Committee and Retired Education Personnel of Mississippi.
A lifetime member of the NAACP, he recently received USM’s Martin Luther King Award. As CEO of Stage, Style & Study, his advocacy campaigns have included Pine Belt: This is Our Shot and successfully lobbying for national EPA approval for the international distribution of Spartan Mosquito Products.
Marks’ community and professional theatre credits include National Chair Secondary School Theatre Programs, National Steering Committee of National Arts Education Partnership, Mississippi Theatre Association Outstanding Director, Best MTA Actor, MTA Representative to Southeastern Theatre Conference (National All-Star Actor), Just Over the Rainbow Theatre President, Hattiesburg Civic Light Opera Board, Director Hattiesburg Coalition for the Arts, Laurel Little Theatre, Local Casting Director for Historia Films, Director finalist for Yale University Drama, Summer Stock in Scottsbluff, Nebraska; University of Iowa Summer Acting Institute Instructor, Lifetime Achievement Honoree of Dance Art Dance, and Mississippi Arts Commissioner.
Marks is founding chair for the Biloxi Catholic Forensic League, Hattiesburg Hall of Fame, Mississippi Vaccine Equity Initiative, as well as the Mississippi Pinnacle Awards. He hosts a weekly talk show on Mississippi’s first minority-owned radio station, WJMG, and he was recently inducted into the National Speech & Debate Hall of Fame.
The son of two public school teachers, he continues his advocacy for children and education as National Executive Director of Schools Against Vaping and Educational Consultant for HORNE’s national project for public school innovation.
Grady Lewis Myrick, Sr.
Before the age of three, Myrick moved with his family from Laurel to Hattiesburg.
He attended the former George Hurst Demonstration School on the USM campus until 10th grade, when he transferred to Hattiesburg High School, graduating in 1953. He then attended USM where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business. He is a lifetime member of USM’s Alumni Association, Century Club, Eagle Club, “M” Club, President’s Circle, USM Foundation Honor Club, and has supported the university’s athletic teams and many significant campus projects.
Myrick also served on the USM Foundation Investment Committee, is a recipient of the Alumni Association’s Moran Pope Service Award, and is a member of the Southern Miss Alumni Hall of Fame.
Myrick’s father started their family business, Economy Supply, in 1941 on a 2nd Street single property in downtown Hattiesburg, where it remains today. The company currently owns property from Mobile Street. to New Orleans Street., where the original building and warehouse still stand.
From 1956 to 1995, Lewis worked at Economy Supply Company, first with his father and brother and later as the sole senior owner. After his many dedicated decades of service to the building company, t is now operated by the fourth generation of the Myrick family.
In addition to his work with USM and Economy Supply, Myrick has been an active member of local churches, including Temple Baptist Church, University Baptist Church, and currently Hardy Street Baptist Church. He has served as a deacon, trustee, finance committee member and chair, building committee member, baptism committee member, and Bible teacher.
Myrick served on the WCU Board of Trustees for nearly 20 years and was a member of the presidential selection committee of the university’s ninth president. He is a member of the WCU Covenant Society, the President’s Circle, and is included on the Carey Wall of Honor.
His other community service includes 20 years as a charter member of the Hattiesburg Convention Board, and chairman of its finance committee to construct the Highway 49 convention center building. He also served on the architect selection committee for the Public Libraries of Hattiesburg, Petal, and Forrest County; was an officer of Hattiesburg Downtown Association; and was a member of the City Planning Committee.
A founding member and former President of the Rotary Club of Hattiesburg – Sunrise, Myrick was chosen as Rotarian of the Year and a Paul Harris Fellow for outstanding service. He has been a member of the Hattiesburg Homebuilders Association, Perry County Forestry Association, National Wildlife Association, Hattiesburg Civic Light Opera, Kindness Foundation, Hattiesburg Zoological Association, and Hattiesburg Historical Society.
Myrick is married to the former Margie Loustalot Covington. Lewis has four children - Lewis Jr., Lance, Lisa Cobb and Leigh Buckley. He has a stepson - Lawson Covington - 13 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
Many members of the family are actively involved in their family business, Economy Supply, and the local community.
A man who prizes his relationship with God, Isaiah 40:31 is Myrick’s favorite scripture passage: “But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not be faint;” his favorite expression and wish for every man, woman and child is “May you walk with the sunlight shining and a bluebird in every tree. May there be a silver lining on every cloud you see. Fill your dreams with sweet tomorrows; never mind what might have been. May the good Lord bless you until we meet again.”
For more information, or to reserve tickets to the Hub Award ceremony and banquet, contact the Pinebelt Foundation at (601) 583-6180.
