JPS welcomed new School Board member Beneta D. Burt as she took the oath of office during a ceremony and reception before the regular School Board meeting held July 18, 2012. Burt replaced outgoing member Dr. Ivory Phillips and will represent Jackson's Ward 3 on the seven-member Board.
Burt serves as Executive Director for the Mississippi Roadmap to Health Equity, Inc., which provides support to individuals and communities to help them create change toward health equity through strategic partnerships. Prior to that, she was President and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Jackson. She has also served as Deputy Director of the City of Jackson's Department of Human and Cultural Services and was appointed by Governor Ray Mabus as Liaison to the U.S. Department of Labor.
Burt has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology/Social Welfare and a Master of Arts degree in Public Policy and Administration from Jackson State University. Her numerous awards and recognitions include being named one of The Clarion-Ledger's top 50 “Women Who Inspire” in the Greater Jackson Area and one of The Mississippi Business Journal's 50 Leading Business Women.
Burt is a member of New Hope Baptist Church where she serves as secretary of the New Hope Community Development Corporation. She has one daughter, Twanda Johnson, a granddaughter, Bria, who attends Mississippi College, and a great-granddaughter, Rheagan.