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This story originally appeared in the Jackson Free Press. It was added to the Mississippi Free Press website in 2025.
Note that any opinions expressed in legacy Jackson Free Press stories do not reflect a position of the Mississippi Free Press or necessarily of its staff and board members.

Community Meetings

Monday, May 19

9 a.m., Hinds County Board of Supervisors Meeting at Hinds County Chancery Court (316 S. President St.). The board holds its regular meeting, open to the public. Free; call 601-968-6501; co.hinds.ms.us.

Tuesday, May 20

10 a.m., Jackson City Council Meeting at Jackson City Hall (219 S. President St.). Open to the public. Free; call 601-960-1064; jacksonms.gov.

Wednesday, May 21

1:30 p.m., Mississippi Commission on College Accreditation Meeting at Universities Center (3825 Ridgewood Road). In room 507. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss various accreditation issues and other regular business. OPen to the public. Free; call 601-432-6198; mississippi.edu.

7 p.m., Hinds County Human Resource Agency Meeting at Hinds County Human Resource Agency (258 Maddox Road). The Board of Directors meets on third Wednesdays. Open to the public; Hinds County residents encouraged to attend. Free; call 601-923-1838; hchra.org.

Thursday, May 22

5:30 p.m., Precinct 4 COPS Meeting at Redeemer Church (640 E. Northside Drive). These monthly forums are designed to help resolve community issues or problems, from crime to potholes. Free; call 601-960-0004.

Friday, May 23

7 p.m., People Empowering People Conference at Divine Ministries (1417 W. Capitol St.). The purpose is to unite church leaders, community leaders and residents. Enjoy music from gospel artist Evelyn Turrentine-Agee and a salute to veterans May 23 at 7 p.m. May 24 at 8 a.m., the conference continues with meals and sessions. RSVP. $25 for two guests; pastors, first ladies and community leaders receive free admission if they register by May 16; call 601-675-8181; email divine.ministries02@gmail.com.

Saturday, May 24

8 a.m., People Empowering People Conference at Divine Ministries (1417 W. Capitol St.). The purpose is to unite church leaders, community leaders and residents. Enjoy music from gospel artist Evelyn Turrentine-Agee and a salute to veterans May 23 at 7 p.m. May 24 at 8 a.m., the conference continues with meals and sessions. RSVP. $25 for two guests; call 601-675-8181; email divine.ministries02@gmail.com.

6:30 p.m.-7:45 p.m., ALS (Lou Gehrig’s) Support Group at Methodist Rehabilitation Center (1350 E. Woodrow Wilson Ave.). The group meets in the BankPlus Community Room on the second floor. Free; call 601-364-3326.

Sunday, May 25

8 a.m.-2 p.m., Women’s Day Observance at Pearl Street AME Church (2519 Robinson St.). The speaker is Dr. Prudence Carter, associate professor of education and sociology at Stanford University. Free; call 601-352-6087; email sburks09@gmail.com.

Monday, May 26

6 p.m.-8 p.m., wii-FM (What’s in It for Me) Community Forum at Afrikan Art Gallery and Gift Shop (Jackson Square Promenade, 2460 Terry Road). The topic is “Prepping for the 50th Anniversary of Freedom Summer.” Free; call 601-201-0871 or 601-918-5075.

Community Events

Monday, May 19

Veteran’s Day Parade & Celebration at Downtown Jackson. A first statewide “Welcome Home, Vietnam Veterans Day parade and celebration on the morning of May 19 culminating with the arrival of west coast motorcycle riders at the Harley Davidson store on I-55 South. Free; call 601-454-6702.

Wednesday, May 21

noon, History Is Lunch at William F. Winter Archives and History Building (200 North St.). MDAH volunteer staff coordinator Elizabeth Coleman presents “Discover the Hidden Treasure of MDAH: the Volunteers!” Free; call 601-576-6998; mdah.state.ms.us.

Thursday, May 22

9 a.m.-noon, Developing a Sustainable Fundraising Plan at Mississippi Center for Nonprofits (201 W. Capitol St., Suite 700). Learn how to diversify your fundraising efforts in order to create sustainable funding for your organization. Registration required. $109, $69 members; call 601-968-0061; msnonprofits.org.

Saturday, May 24

10 a.m., DIY Marketing for the Entrepreneur at Corner Bakery, Flowood (108 Market St., Flowood). Learn how to grow your business online. Registration required. $150; call 601-919-9797; tipsystudio.com.

noon-6 p.m., Southeastern Car and Truck Show at Jackson Convention Complex (105 E. Pascagoula St.). See cars, trucks and motorcycles, and meet Hello Kitty and Spiderman. $17.50, children under 12 free; call 800-745-3000.

Monday, May 26

10 a.m., Memorial Day Parade and Activities at downtown Vicksburg. Events include a parade on Washington Street at 10 a.m., a memorial service at 11 a.m. at Vicksburg City Auditorium (901 Monroe St.), and a motorcade on Fort Hill Drive to the wreath-laying ceremony that begins at 12:30 p.m. Free; call 601-634-0163; visitvicksburg.com.

MFP Solutions Lab logo

The Mississippi Free Press produced this story through the MFP Solutions Lab, supported by the Solutions Journalism Network. This series digs into Mississippi’s systemic issues and sheds light on responses to them in other communities. Beyond just reporting on problems, these stories interrogate their causes and inspect potential solutions.

Mississippi native Donna Ladd and partner Todd Stauffer founded the Jackson Free Press in 2002 in the capital city. The heavily awarded local newspaper did many investigations heralded across the state and nation and served as a paper of record due to its diversity, inclusion, in-depth reporting and deep connection to readers and dedication to narrative change in and about Mississippi. In 2022, the nonprofit Mississippi Free Press, founded by Ladd and JFP Associate Publisher Kimberly Griffin in 2020, purchased the journalism assets and archives of the Jackson Free Press. A Google grant through AAN Publishers enabled Newspack's integration of the JFP archives into the Mississippi Free Press website to become part of a more searchable archive of recent Mississippi history and essential journalism.