02/04/10 - Madison County

By: Nick Austin
naustin@wbbjtv.com
7:00 p.m.
 
Amidst a budding civil rights movement, Nell Huntspon and her late husband, Gene, tried to follow their dream of owning a business in Jackson.  They stumbled over many roadblocks but were eventually able to welcome customers into their floral shop in 1968.  It was the first black-owned floral business in the Hub City, and the competition was tough.  "Pretty difficult. It took a lot of guts," said Ms. Huntspon.  There were 12 other similar shops in the city at the time and they were all white-owned.
 
Their business was initially met with a bit of hostility and a cold shoulder.  "Some people in the community would refuse to buy from us," recalls Huntspon.  However, after some time passed, they came around.  "I think they saw that I was here to stay.  We tried our best to run a business, a professional business to serve all people."
 
Her perseverance paid off through the years and the Nell Huntspon Flower Box "blossomed" into a successful Jackson establishment.  Ms. Huntspon was encouraged as a young girl to accomplish big things. "I was taught that if somebody else can, I can, too," she said.
 
Her daughter, Cassandra Sharp, has been working in the shop for 24 years.  During her childhood, she learned discipline and a strong work ethic from her mother.  "We had rules we had to follow.  We had chores we had to do."
 
Despite much negativity in the beginning, Ms. Huntspon always tried to not dwell on that and focus on her dream.  Her success in business generated other recognition in the Jackson area.  She has served on the board of the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce, the local NAACP chapter, the Civil Service Board, the BanCorp South Citizens Advisory Board, the African-American Chamber Board, and most recently the Madison County Election Commission.  Her community service also garnered many civic awards.
 
"I always knew she would always be a front-runner in the community," said Sandra Brown, a customer and former employee of Huntspon's store.
 
At almost 74, Nell Huntspon shows no signs of slowing down.  She encourages the black youth in Jackson and Madison County to stay focused and directed.   "Stay on task, and if you have a dream, never lose sight of your dream," inspired Ms. Huntspon.