Barrett Hatches was the first black president – of the Jackson Central High School student body, in his hometown of Jackson, Mississippi. It was 1973.
He had been junior class president of the recently integrated high school. With a love for politics and the encouragement of friends, he decided to contend for the high school’s highest student honor.
After putting in his bid, he used to walk the halls, looking at the dozens of previous student body presidents whose senior pictures adorned the walls. He even picked out the spot where his picture would likely hang, should he win.
And he did win. But he never had the satisfaction of seeing his proud presidential face on the walls beside the previous student presidents. Rather than hang the image of a young black man beside the dozens of white student body presidents who had preceded him, school administrators took down all of the other pictures instead.
“I have that picture of me on the wall of my office to this day,” Hatches said.
Hatches is the newest commissioner on the Missouri Gaming Commission, appointed by Gov. Jay Nixon in May. He has led many companies, mostly in the energy sector, as president and CEO, and remains a consultant with investments in the energy sector. But politics remains this successful businessman’s first love.
This is clear in how he talks, even today, of the aftermath of that racist decision made by Jackson Central High School administrators. Hatches said there was no organized reaction from black students and, indeed, no significant racial strife at the school during his senior year as student president.
“I think my friends and supporters didn’t want to embarrass my administration,” Hatches said – keeping a completely straight face in describing his “administration” as an 18-year-old student body president.
Hatches has gone on to work in leadership roles in many states. He has served in many previous advisory positions with political responsibilities. He has hosted many fundraisers for candidates from both major parties in many states, from Alaska to Missouri, where he is enjoying his second residency in Kansas City.
“As a businessman, the politician who supports my business has my support,” Hatches said. “When I am alone in the voting booth, that is when I express myself.”
The governor who appointed him to the five-member Missouri Gaming Commission has his explicit support. After Hatches was appointed, on the advice of Commissioner of Administration Kelvin Simmons, he immediately raised issues of diversity and inclusion with the board and the casinos it oversees. And he found those issues already under consistent scrutiny.
“That reflects this administration,” he said of Nixon and Simmons.
Though Hatches pointed out that board holdovers that had been appointed by Gov. Matt Blunt (including Darryl T. Jones of St. Louis) – and, especially, commission staffers – also deserve credit.
“Everything I know I get from staff,” Hatches said.
“They bring the data and recommendations, and we take their investigations and study them and render a decision.”
Though it is an unpaid position, receiving only a small stipend for travel expenses across the state, this veteran CEO (most recently, of Swope Health Services in Kansas City) said it is “as tough as any job I have ever had.”
“The first decision I made was tough, and every decision I have made since was just as tough,” Hatches said. “Every decision we make affects someone’s livelihood. And I respect that.”
At first, it was not a position he embraced. But when he considered the long history of corruption in gambling, and the fact that the commission would be issuing a new gaming license on his watch, he decided to serve – “for the specific reason that integrity is a key factor with his commission.”
Integrity – and diversity.
“Just look at the people who visit the casinos across this state, and I visit them all,” Hatches said. “We want to see some reflection of that in the business they do.”
Hatches pointed out that the commission oversees all aspects of casino business in the state and the casinos’ records are open to the commission.
“If we find a casino that is not as sensitive to this matter as we are, we ask questions,” Hatches said.
“In fact, they are all more than willing to participate in diversity initiatives in any way they can. But they look to us for leadership. This is about what it takes to do business in this state.”
Hatches insisted that minority-owned businesses have every reason to consider Missouri casinos open for their business.
“All these casinos have diversity officers, someone championing diversity in suppliers. All it takes is one call to ask who is handling diversity. That is your entry,” Hatches said.
“It’s only an entry – not a guarantee. You still have to be competitive in price and know how to get the job done. But at least you have access to the system. Traditionally, minority businesses had no access. They didn’t know whom to call. Now, we have access, and I encourage businesses to use that.”
