Real Mississippi

The home of the University of Mississippi and William Faulkner, Oxford, Mississippi is a southern town filled to the brim with history. You can find that history etched in stone. With Confederate monuments, memorials and sculptures; looking closer and then taking a step back, the statues of Oxford, Mississippi paint the bigger picture. Written by Ava Wilson and produced by Colt Sorey.

What has become of Mississippi's capital and metro area, and the state as a whole? Is it worthy of being called the "Hospitability State" or is the motto just a tired piece of marketing? Dylan Wiley speaks with a friend and fellow swimmer about the disparities they see in schools and in neighborhoods in the Jackson metro area. Produced by Dorothy Virges.

The Mississippi Delta is not renowned for its education system. A recent school consolidation in Cleveland, Mississippi offers an opportunity to study the dynamic relationships between race, class, public education, and perception. Written and produced by Rushyendranath Reddy Nalamalapu.

Theater is an extracurricular many students take for granted. That used to be the case in Northwest Mississippi. Former high school director Ms. Judy Defrehn paved the road of opportunity for this theatrical community to its current destination: a massive success. Written by Noah Curtis Lee and produced by Andrew Grieve.

Luke Woodham killed his mother and two students at Pearl High School a quarter century ago. How did the school and the city recover? They started by coming together and supporting one another. Looking at the last 25 years closely, we can see that healing is a process. Written by Sabrina Sims.

Dr. Clara Reed is an African American woman from Belzoni, Mississippi who has given so much back to her town. She is a trailblazer who has created available and affordable healthcare for her hometown. Founding Mid-Delta Home and Hospice in 1978. Reed’s strong will and faith led to the success of her business. Written by Kelvin Pool and produced by Atticus Ross.

The mayor of Starkville, Mississippi, Lynn Spruill, was the first woman to land on a U.S. navy aircraft carrier. While this alone is enough to make her a hero, she went on to pursue a career in business and politics that greatly benefitted Starkville. Written by Maddie Brain and produced by Nick Nagle.

Florence Mars was a white activist in Philadelphia, Mississippi. She testified in the FBI investigation of the murders of James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner--the Philadelphia Three--who were attempting to register African-Americans to vote. Klansmen and local police officers murdered all three and his their bodies in an earthen dam. The whole town wanted to cover the crime up. Except Florence Mars. When the residents discovered her involvement with the investigation, they burned down her barn, poisoned her livestock, and boycotted her farm. Written by Laykin Dixon and produced by Kinsley Collum, with Bridget Pieschel voicing the words of Florence Mars.

Chief Phillip Martin was the elected leader of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians from 1979 to 2007. His military service led him to decide that if Europe could be rebuilt after WWII, then Mississippi's Choctaws could have better schools and lives, too. Members of the tribe still feel the effects of his work today--fifteen years after his death. Written by Iysiahs York and produced by Emma Potts.

It’s not impossible to overcome generational curses set out by Mississippi’s old standards. John Grisham, world-renowned legal thriller author, proves just that. Stereotypes can be broken, and voices will be heard. He continues to do what’s right and fights for justice despite the way he was raised. Written and produced by Lisa Seid. Interviews and quotes credited to Today, France 24, Cato Institute, and Centurion.