Real Mississippi

In the literary world of Oxford, Mississippi, hidden gems can be discovered on every corner. Jill Moore, who runs Square Books, Jr., is one of them. She knows what it means to think--and to read--like a child, and that makes all the difference. Written and recorded by Ava Grace Noe and produced by Levi Stevens.

Covid-19 caused thousands of businesses across the nation to close down and ruined the economy. But members of the Hattiesburg Convention Commission found a way to combat these issues. Vicki Taylor, the wife of the Commission’s executive director, turned the alleyway behind the Saenger Theater into The Hattiesburg Pocket Museum. Since then, the museum has had over 100,000 visitors and contributed over $17 million to Hattiesburg’s economy. Written by Asher Rials and produced by Justin Doan.

When Anne Moody and other activists sat down at the Woolworth's lunch counter in Jackson, Mississippi, they were taunted and abused by white supremacists and the police. Fred Blackwell, a photographer for the Jackson Daily News, captured the intensity--and the horror--of the moment in a photograph that helped to galvanize support for Civil Rights. Because Anne Moody's face was in the image, she could not go to her home in south Mississippi again. Her name and accomplishments have almost been forgotten there as a result. Written by Keyonna Griffin and produced by Ben Billa.

Media coverage of the Jackson, Mississippi water crisis has focused on the blame game. Whose fault was it? Where did all the money for infrastructure go? Who should be in charge of making sure it doesn't happen again? As usual, when "adults" argue during moments like these, children suffer the most. Whether there isn't water at home or at school, Jackson's students are being hurt.

When Robert St. John was a young man, he didn't think he'd live to be 25. He knew he had a substance abuse issue, but didn't know how or where to get help until he got arrested and ended up in rehab. Now, as one of Mississippi's most successful restauranteurs, he hires members of the recovery community. It's not mere charity. It's good business. Written by Jaqueline Smith and produced by Max Flaschka.

Queer culture been demonized in Mississippi since the 1830s. In recent years, the state has slowly improved its environment for those in the LGBTQ+ community. Some denominations have been especially progressive in making the state friendlier to members of the community. Unfortunately, anti-trans bills have outweighed the inclusive laws. Written and recorded by Victoria West.

Biloxi Beach was constructed in the middle of the 20th Century to prevent erosion and for the recreational use of everyone in the city--everyone who was white. The city neglected to see African Americans as equals and restricted their access to the "public" beach. This podcast, written and produced by Julia Nguyen, retells the story of Dr. Gilbert R. Mason, Sr., the lead organizer of the Bloody Sunday wade-ins and a catalyst for the Civil Rights Movement in Mississippi. 

Mrs. Edwina William’s passion for reading to children is rooted in the belief that reading is not just a means of acquiring knowledge, but also a way to stimulate the imagination and foster creativity. Mrs. William’s alter ego, Mother Goose, loved by children all over Mississippi's Golden Triangle, hopes to instill a love for reading and self-confidence in children. Written by Bethany Setiawan and produced by Tony Bradley.

Lots of smart people don't like going to school. At its worst, it seems to exist to make students feel bad about what they don't know. It also emphasizes knowledge and skills that were important two generations ago--not today. Written by Adalberto Estrella and produced by Kermit Oville.

Southaven, the third largest city in Mississippi, is known for being a suburb of Memphis, Tennessee. In recent years, Southaven’s economic development has dramatically increased its population as well as its diversity. Ironically, Southaven now faces a surprising issue: white flight. This time, white people are moving from Southaven to whiter suburbs including Hernando and Olive Branch, forcing the city to grapple with a delicate issue of perception: Do its residents see it as a continually appealing place to live? Written by Iris Xue and produced by Marqueveon Quinn.