Carpe Diem Enterprises

It is our mission to "Seize" each day as an opportunity to promote peace and understanding among all people; to enlighten, inspire, and encourage good will; provide a place for growth in mind and spirit; to undertake projects that promote the common good of community and humanity; to respect the peace and dignity of every human being; to serve Christ through all of our efforts.

Why Carpe Diem Enterprises?

In 2002, I had re-entered newspaper journalism after a two year hiatus while I held public relations positions with the State of Mississippi. One day I was thinking about a number of different things I would like to do - a kind of a potpourri of projects. I thought perhaps that I could do all of those things under one "umbrella" of an organization.

My favorite movie is Dead Poets Society where Carpe Diem, Latin for "Seize the Day" was the primary theme. It really inspired me to make the most of my life and so Carpe Diem Enterprises was born.

I reserved a domain for my venture but lacked the financial resources at that time to actually breathe life into it. Carpe Diem Enterprises remained dormant until now.

With my wife Emily now on board and given the many talents she has, there is so much we can do. We decided to create Scott County Strings to encourage musical arts in Scott County, Mississippi. I decided to bring Carpe Diem Enterprises out of the moth balls.

Earlier this year, we obtained corporate status with the Mississippi Secretary of State,  making Carpe Diem Enterprises a limited liability company and Scott County Strings a non-profit arm of the company. We are in the process of obtaining a tax exempt status for Scott County Strings so we can apply for grant funding and solicit other support.

It will be slow going at first as we get things off the ground. However, feedback for some of the projects we already have on tap is very positive.

Please keep coming back for updates and news on what we are up to.

And so the adventure begins..... 

Who We Are

My name is Chris Allen Baker. I am a native of Winona, Miss., and I am currently a resident of Scott County, Mississippi. I am the news and sports editor for The Scott County Times, a weekly newspaper in Forest, Miss.

After graduation from Winona High School, I earned a bachelor's of arts degree in journalism at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss). I entered the professional ranks of newspaper publishing with tours of duty at seven newspapers before arriving at the one I am at now. I also have two years experience in public relations work with the State of Mississippi.

I am a member of the Episcopal Church where I serve as a licensed diocesan worship leader. 

In 2006, I married Emily who is my partner in love and music.

I am the president, founder and managing partner of Carpe Diem Enterprises, LLC.

For more details click here

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My name is Emily Stromberg Baker. I am a native of West Hartford, Conn., and I am currently a resident of Scott County Mississippi. I am a full time employee of the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra where I am a member of the cello section.

I am also a fully licensed teacher in the Symphony's strings program in the Jackson Public Schools in Jackson, Miss., where I have worked since 2001.

After graduation from William H Hall High School, I earned bachelor's and  master's degrees from Peabody Conservatory, one of the top 10 music conservatories in the world.

In 2006, I married Chris and I am the vice-president and strings music director of Carpe Diem Enterprises, LLC. and president of Scott County Strings, Inc.

For more details click here