Digital Scholarship and Initiatives

On January 20, it was announced that Alexis Jones will be allowed to continue on as Miss Lumbee for the remainder of her term.

Jones was suspended for making a cameo in a music video by rapper Feli Fame. The video, entitled “Big Face Hunnits” has over 50,000 YouTube views. Fame and Jones went to the same high school but at different times. Fame, who meant no harm to Jones or anyone else, said, “I just want to give back, build awareness and make our community a focal point in music.” Fame is from the Pembroke area.

Jones claimed she did not know the severity of the lyrical content and said that her intent was to support a friend.

The Lumbee Regional Development Association took offense to the lyrical content of the song, which was laced with profanity and also made references to sex, alcohol, and drugs. While the LRDA was deliberating, a petition was started online and received 1,281 signatures before the verdict.

So far in her term, Jones has been successful in spreading knowledge about Lumbee culture and has effectively carried out her duties at multiple events.

Jones will be taken off suspension on February 5.