An Oral History with Mr. Brnnie Stone Gooden

IV Generation

 

A lifetime resident of Clarksdale, Mississippi, Mr. Bennie Stone Gooden has played an important role in economic development and education in Coahoma County. As one of the founding members of SERA, the Southern Education Recreation Association, Mr. Gooden wrote the grant proposal to fund Coahoma County's first Head Start program in 1964. He then served as project director for Head Start. Later, he expanded his efforts to include aiding adults by helping establish Coahoma Opportunities, Inc., the county's first community action agency. Mr. Gooden continues to work with Coahoma Opportunities, Inc. He holds degrees from Jackson State College and attended the University of Illinois.

 

Bennie is the Grandson of Marion1 Stone and Pauline Walker Stone.  He is currently Housing Director and Civic Leader of Clarksdale, MS, Director and Senior Vice President of Southland Management Corporation, CEO of the Bennie Stone Gooden Estates in Clarksdale, and board member of the Chapel Hill Estates.  Bennie is also Chairman of the Chapel Hill M.B. Church Building and former executor of Frank Stone and Alberta's estate in Clarksdale, MS.   In remembrance of his grandfather, Bennie successfully petitioned the City of Clarksdale to re-name major street after him.  To his credit, Bennie is depicted in several  chapters the Nicholas Lemann’s national best seller  “The Promised Land”.  " The Great Black Migration and How It Changed America".

 

After obtaining his Bachelor of Science Degree from Jackson State University, Jackson, Mississippi, Bennie further study at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, Illinois; holds Real Estate Salesman License under the authority of the Mississippi State Board of Realtors; over twenty-five years of experience in real estate development and property management (HUD/FMHA related);  recognized HUD housing consultant; serves as president and/or general partner of several government housing developments; former educator and director of several Community Action/Self-Help projects; active in local and state civic, educational and religious projects and programs; serves on several local and state boards and commissions.  (posted 2006).