Several years ago I was watching an interview/lecture by a southern college professor with a heavy southern accent. She was obviously quite intelligent and make good points, but I wondered if many would discount her ideas because of how she spoke, because the idea had certainly crossed my mind.
On the other hand a professor with a New England accent would likely be considered more authoritative by those who concentrated on the accent rather than the ideas.
Lenny Bruce once said he couldn't picture a rocket scientist with a southern accent.