Attorney Ja’Nekia W. Barton vows to ‘exercise fairness and display integrity’ if elected Bolivar County Court Judge
Andre Johnson 
MAKING HEADLINE NEWS ENDORSES JA’NEKIA W. BARTON FOR BOLIVAR COUNTY COURT JUDGE
Ja’Nekia W. Barton is still very much in the prime of her career.
Interestingly, for a 34-year-old Corporate America professional, she’s undoubtedly made some remarkably brilliant strides.
Despite the assortment of hardships and challenges and hurdles about which she had to conquer, particularly raising her infant son while in graduate school, Barton steadfastly stayed true to herself and, most importantly, clung to unwavering faith in the process.
“For some odd reason, when you go through things it makes a better story,” Barton told Making Headline News this week.
Much to her delight, Barton’s sometimes rocky, turbulent journey, coupled with her quest to defy arguably the greatest of odds, are trends that have greatly positioned and empowered her to function mightily in her element as one of the Mid-South’s youngest and most resourceful attorneys.
“I cannot say I had a lot of challenges in my childhood,” Barton said. “My mother always provided the best she could. At times, she worked two jobs to afford us a certain lifestyle. I recall getting all the latest toys and dolls for Christmas. We had washing machines, snow cone makers, easy baker ovens, ice cream makers and all. Sadly, I believe my mom still has most of these items until some of them burned in a recent fire.”
It is in large part because of the unyielding support of her mother along with her diligently displaying a heart for people that Barton is thoroughly convinced the time has finally come to take yet another monumental step in her illustrious career.
A native of Shelby, Mississippi, Barton earlier this year announced her candidacy for County Court Judge/Youth Court Judge for Mississippi’s Bolivar County in the forthcoming election.
Election Day is November 6.
“As your next County Court Judge, I will exercise fairness and display integrity with every decision. I will make decisions based on the facts, free from outside influence, and will not compromise on matters of good moral principle. Most importantly, I will be committed to the fostering and protection of our children.”
— Attorney Ja’Nekia W. Barton
A county that is named in honor of Simón Bolívar, an early 19th-century leader of the liberation of several South American colonies from Spain, this establishment is comprised of about 34,145 residents, according to the latest U. S. census, and covers five cities: Cleveland, Rosedale, Mound Bayou, Shaw, and Shelby.
For Barton, who currently resides in Cleveland, Mississippi, she’s convinced that now is the time to not just vie for her first political seat. Rather, she’s thoroughly convinced it’s time to give back, thus have an immeasurable impact in the very area in which she grew up.
“I promise to be fair, trustworthy, and to protect our children,” Barton said.
Interestingly, Barton doesn’t shy away from the notion that she can surely make a huge difference amongst the millennials.
“It takes a while for some of them to register that I am a lawyer,” said Barton, referring to today’s generation. “They don’t think lawyers look like me. They often ask my age when I say I am a lawyer. I am actually amused by the response. They are all tuned in. I remember getting this response when I participated in an area career fair.”
MORE ON ATTORNEY JA’NEKIA BARTON: https://www.facebook.com/BartonforBolivar/
For what it’s worth, Barton acknowledged that two words typically come to mind whenever she finds herself assessing the overall landscape of her life, whenever she senses that now is the time to broaden her horizon in her notable, stellar career.
“My son,” Barton says without hesitation. My work in the youth and county court system has made me focus on issues surrounding the youth. While I was always an active community service participant, I figured that I could do so much more with the youth. My experience as a youth court public defender highlighted the need for more caring people in the professional.”
By and large, demonstrating a servant’s heart, Barton essentially acknowledged, is absolutely imperative as she makes a strong case for solidifying such a commendable political seat.
“One of my first experiences in defending a youth was met with so much opposition — after I explained the fact that I was a licensed attorney to the youth,” Barton said. “The boy said that you are all the same and work for the system. I was taken aback by this comment as I was trying to ask him about his goals and aspirations in life.”
Without question, Barton is fully aware that as she lobbies for Bolivar County Judge/Youth Court Judge, being sensitive — yet firm — to the needs of youth undoubtedly is one of the political mechanics and attributes she possesses.
“In my experience with the youth court system, I always talk to the children about their goals in life,” Barton said. “I always ask, ‘How are your grades? Are you attending school regularly? What are you planning to do after high school?’ Often times, I find that no one has taken the time to tell the child that they can be anything they want…that it’s their life (and that they should) own it. And then I state the obvious: ‘Don’t let me see you back in this courtroom again.’”
Barton certainly has strong ties to the Magnolia State.
For starters, she is a 2002 graduate Broad Street High School. A longtime member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Barton is an alumna of Jackson State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mass Communications (and a minor in Psychology).
In 2008, she earned a Master’s in Political Science from Jackson State, and followed that up with a Juris Doctor (or J.D.) from the University of Mississippi School of Law.
SERVANT’S HEART — By and large, demonstrating a heart for serving people, Barton essentially acknowledged, is absolutely imperative as she makes a strong case for solidifying such a commendable political seat.
Talk about a remarkably impressive resume for a 34-year-old Corporate America professional, whose best and brightest days are well ahead of her.
“As your next County Court Judge, I will exercise fairness and display integrity with every decision,” said Barton, who often thinks it necessary to utter what she deems her favorite quote, one that was coined by Frederick Douglass. “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.”
That, after all, are amongst the reasons she’s thoroughly convinced she’s the right candidate to emerge as the next County Court Judge/Youth Court Judge for Bolivar County.
“I will make decisions based on the facts, free from outside influence and will not compromise on matters of good moral principle,” said Barton whom, at just 30 years of age, had argued successfully before the highest court in the state, Mississippi’s Supreme Court. “Most importantly, I will be committed to the fostering and protection of our children.”
Not to mention her commitment to being fair and trustworthy.
For more information Attorney Ja’Nekia W. Barton or to make a donation to her campaign, call 662.302.4236, or write to: The Committee to Elect Ja’Nekia W. Barton for Bolivar County Court Judge at: Post Office Box 1917, Cleveland, Mississippi 38614. Also, send email to: [email protected].
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Andre Johnson is the award-winning Founder and Publisher for Making Headline News. A 2000 graduate of the University of Memphis School of Journalism and a former staff reporter of sports for the Memphis Commercial Appeal newspaper, Johnson covers the NBA Southwest Division from Dallas, Texas. To reach Johnson, send email to [email protected] or to [email protected]. Also, follow him on Twitter @AJ_Journalist.
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