Jackson residents will honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., with events and community projects in Mississippi’s capital.
Ward 3 City Councilman Kenneth Stokes planned to host a series of events, including the annual MLK Day parade on Saturday, Jan. 18. Those events will commence with a wreath-laying ceremony at the MLK memorial on Freedom Corner at 10 a.m. on Monday.
‘The Opportunity to Serve’
The Foundation for the Mid South is hosting activities across two days, starting on Monday, Jan. 20. First, they will bring together students from schools across the city as well as organizers from community-based groups to put together care packages for the homeless.
Later on Monday, the groups will hold a panel discussion on youth-led activism at the Smith Robertson Museum, then finally a poetry slam at the Bean Barn.
Jackson native and hip-hop artist Stephen Brown will spend MLK Day working alongside young people in the capital city. He said a recent trip to the COFO Civil Rights Education Center inspired him to continue working in the spirit of, not only King but other young activists.
“I found myself unexpectedly inspired by a recent trip to the COFO building on Jackson State University’s campus,” Brown said in a Jan. 16 statement to the Mississippi Free Press.
“I’ve been there plenty of times in my life, but I’m afraid the significance behind it wasn’t something I truly reflected on until as of late,” he continued. “I imagined what it must’ve looked like for these young, student-led organizations to put their flag in the soil and establish themselves as pioneers in moving culture and society forward.”
In 2022, Brown opened the Briarwood Arts Center, a community space where residents can take classes in dance, music, photography and more. He said on Jan. 16 that MLK Day is a great opportunity for young creatives in Jackson to serve together.
“When Mr. Batteast from the Foundation of the Midsouth approached us at Briarwood Arts Center about being involved as an organizer, I immediately thought about the various pockets of young creatives that have emerged over the last few years in Jackson,” Brown explained.
“Groups like Jxnology, Thee Groove Collective, NTheMix, Leaving Legacies, and 7Spaces have been transforming the lives of artists and individuals on a holistic level,” he continued. “It was and is important to me to see them get the opportunity to serve and get a spotlight not for vanity’s sake, but to be respected as legitimate organizations that specifically amplify youth voices.”
Activities will continue into Tuesday, Jan. 21, which the W.K. Kellogg Foundation has designated since 2017 as the National Day of Racial Healing.
‘Dr. King’s connections to Mississippi’
In honor of MLK Day, those interested in visiting the Two Mississippi Museums in Downtown Jackson, including the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, can do so for free through Tuesday, Jan. 21.
Starting on Jan. 18, the Mississippi Department of Archives and History will host events throughout the weekend at the museums. The Night of Culture, inspired by the 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, will take place at 6 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 20.
“This year marks the 60th anniversary of the law’s passage. The Mississippi Civil Rights Museum has exhibits related to that powerful historical moment,” Two Mississippi Museums Director Michael Morris said in a Jan. 6 press release. “The holiday weekend is another opportunity to highlight Dr. King’s connections to Mississippi.”
King visited Greenwood in support of Mississippi Freedom Summer 1964 and he testified on behalf of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party (MFDP) during the 1964 Democratic National Convention, the press release notes.
King also joined Mississippians after a sniper wounded James Meredith during his March Against Fear in 1966, joining the hundreds of others who rallied to complete the march that ended in Jackson.
Throughout the weekend, visitors can participate in themed crafts, student performances, museum tours on voting rights, gallery talks from Freedom Rider Hezekiah Watkins and on-site voter registration, the press release states.
The W. Kellogg Foundation also lists the following three events for this week:
- Bootjack and Red: Exploring Our Past For a Better Future: Join this panel discussion among award-winning storytellers about the brutal lynching of two men in Mississippi, its impact on modern history and where we go from here. When: Jan. 21, 6:30 p.m. Where: 528 Bloom St., Jackson
- NDORH: Celebrating Dr. Perkins: Two Mississippi Museums, Alluvial Collective and the Foundation for the Mid South will host two panel discussions—one celebrating Dr. John Perkins’ contribution to the Civil Rights Movement and the other exploring the role of philanthropy in community transformation. When: Jan. 18-21 Where: 222 North St. #2205, Jackson
- East Biloxi Community Collaborative Racial Healing Circle: EBCC will host a Racial Healing Circle luncheon to explore and appreciate racial equity. When: Jan. 21, 11:30 a.m. Where: Hancock Whitney, Second Floor Community Room, 888 Howard Ave, Biloxi
Lastly, Keep Jackson Beautiful is sponsoring two community clean-up projects on Saturday, Jan. 25—the South Jackson MLK Day of Service event and the Georgetown and Mid-City Community Clean-up project.
The W. Kellogg Foundation has provided operating and Youth Media Project grants to this organization.
Go to mfp.ms/events to see more events in Mississippi.
