Real Mississippi

Dr. Deepthi Mundra--businesswoman, dentist, and mother of two--makes Mississippi a better place. Whether she's performing community service or helping patients bounce back from damage to their teeth, Dr. Mundra uses her wit and wisdom to put her patients at ease. Written and hosted by Srilaya Karavadi, and produced by Sawyer Levenson.

Samuel Mockbee was just the second architect to earn a MacAurthur Fellowship--also known as a MacAurthur genius grant. His understanding of the ways that the spaces we inhabit transform our lives inspired him to create the Rural Studio at Auburn University. Jillian Snodgrass tells the story of a man whose fascination with design grew out of his desire to affirm the humanity of those who inhabited places he built. Produced by Kenzie Pitts.

Monique Ealey, the Director of Education and Programs at the Mississippi Children's Museum, has a task most would consider daunting: delivering content to students of a variety of ages in a way that makes them want to learn more. From "NASA Day to Neon Nights," Ms. Ealey opens up the universe to our state's children. Written by Xiaohan Yu, and produced by Molly Mosley and Mackenzie Pitts.

Dr. Srinivasan Vijayakumar's most public role involves helping his patients--and his students--use medicine to overcome cancer. However, as writer Aadhav Senthil notes, Dr. Vijayakumar finds joy and meaning in saving souls as well. Produced by Hunter Chunn and Chingun Tsogt-Erdene.

Freeman Ransom, born on a farm near Grenada, Mississippi in 1880, earned something very few African-Americans did during his lifetime: an Ivy League education. As a lawyer, he helped protect the success of the first self-made African-American millionaire, Madame C.J. Walker. He also made it possible for generations of African-American children to follow in his footsteps by advancing legislation that desegregated schools in Indiana, the state where he moved during the Great Migration. Written by Madison Flowers and produced by MiKayla Jones.

Mrs. Amelita Ross does more work in a day than many people do in a week: she teaches at North Jackson Elementary School, runs the desk at a hotel on weekends, helps raise her grandchildren, and works on earning National Board Certification. Her experiences show there's no limit for a person who gives 100% all the time. Written by Nina Patel, and produced by Molly Mosley and Mackenzie Pitts.

Mamie Till Mobley will forever be remembered for the bravery she demonstrated in opening her son's casket as a testimony to the horrors of living under Jim Crow. Her formative years laid the foundation for her strength, which she demonstrated many years beyond her son's burial. Written by Mackenzie Knighten, and produced by MiKayla Jones and Alexis Sorg.

Glenn Armstrong is the last person most people want to see--not because he's menacing, but because his profession puts him in front of patients who have experienced something traumatic. His ability to make people feel whole again comes from his experiences in the field as an orthopedist and from his background in martial arts. Written by Micah Dees, and produced by Hunter Chunn and Chingun Tsogt-Erdene.

In 1964, Dr. James D. Hardy performed the world's first heart transplant at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. However, because the patient died soon after the procedure, Dr. Hardy's legacy involves an improved appreciation of ethics within the field of transplant surgery as well as scientific insight. Written by Khushi Patel, and produced by Hunter Chunn and Chingun Tsogt-Erdene.

When Arielle Hudson gave campus tours to prospective students as a leader at the University of Mississippi, uncomfortable moments often ensued when groups got to the confederate memorial near Ventress Hall. Instead of trying to convince those students that Ole Miss had changed since Jim Crow, she decided it would be better to convince her peers to move that symbol of hatred away from the center of campus. Written by Chloe Sharp, and produced by MiKayla Jones and Alexis Sorg.