2016 Election: A Tough Time for WomenWomen, we must no longer consent to walk on eggshells and allow ourselves to be interrupted and belittled by men, whether "below" or "above" us in a pecking order. And men, nothing about this cultural misogyny makes America a stronger …
How America Sees ‘Them’With the recent extrajudicial killings, i.e. murders, of Alton Sterling, Philando Castile, Paul O'Neal, Tyre King, Terence Crutcher and Keith Lamont Scott, as well as the attempted murder of Charles Kinsey, the unpleasant reality of the one-sided relationship between criminal …
Save the Arts, Save the Arts CouncilBy cutting funding to the Greater Jackson Arts Council, the City of Jackson administration ends a 35-year-long legacy of providing access to funding and support for those with the least amount of exposure to the traditionally white-only art network. Barring …
Define Your ScarWe all have scars. I know mine is a physical scar, and others' might be mental, but it's there. My scar is a source of strength, power and love of self. I defined my scar. What's your scar, and what …
It Started With RamenI had real ramen for the first time last year at one of the Mississippi Museum of Art's Museum After Hours events. And I don't mean the instant kind. I was so excited that I took a photo of it …
I’m a Mississippian by Choice—TwiceWait, you were out of Jackson ... and you came back?" The man's face was incredulous. He couldn't understand why someone would leave Jackson, Miss., and then consciously return. But then again, I had spent the last 15 minutes hearing …
Help Kids with Action and Planning, Not EgoIt's a tough time for children in Jackson, and in Mississippi overall. Truthfully, at least when it comes to poor children, the state has never been especially kind or helpful to them.
A Stranger in a Foreign LandMy heart skipped a beat and then pounded so hard that I thought it was coming out of my chest. What had the pretty little French store clerk said? My worst nightmare!
The Right to Be Politically IncorrectAs I saw all the anger that mostly white people were hurling at Colin Kaepernick for simply taking a knee to make a point, I could see how much his protest really mattered.
On Post-9/11 UnityWhen people recall the events of 9/11, they generally view it as a day of immense tragedy. Yes, heroic actions took place that no billion-dollar comic-book movie will ever be able to emulate, but 9/11 is judged as a day …
Don’t Let Up on the State Flag: It Must ChangeMississippians have attempted to change the state flag in several venues: ballot initiatives, lawsuits and petitioning lawmakers to pass legislation. So far, nothing has worked.
Normalizing White SupremacyUpon reading an article that author David Edwards wrote about an interview on CNN where host Soledad O'Brien had a few things to say about the network "profiting off the hate speech that has fueled Donald Trump's political rise," I …
Looking for Leaders, Equitable ThinkingFor years, I figured I'd like to go through Leadership Greater Jackson, but it "wasn't the year" for me—not enough time to commit or money or both—but this year, when I learned someone was willing to nominate me, I asked …
What Makes Ole Miss SpecialWith the University of Mississippi's decision to discontinue the use of "Dixie" at athletic events, the all-too-predictable uproar of those who site "heritage," "tradition," and "political correctness" surfaced in Internet comments and letters to the editor.
City Must Pick Up the Pieces, Move OnThe City of Jackson needs to do whatever it takes to keep from being ruled and stagnated by rumors and lawsuits. And let's be honest, after the lawsuits filed against Mayor Tony Yarber and the administration, a lot of rumors …
A Topsy-Turvy WorldI didn't make it to the recent Donald Trump rally in Jackson, but I'm sure my ears would have perked up as soon as the Republican presidential candidate began attacking NAFTA and the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement.
Trump, Bryant Stooping for Nervous White VoteYou can't make it up. The governor who is fighting to enact an anti-LGBT law in Mississippi is working diligently to get the Ku Klux Klan's choice for president elected to the White House. And that isn't even the amazing …
It's Time for Mississippi to Come Together on the Confederate Flag"We must support our universities who have stepped up to the plate and decided to fight for what they know is right. We have to let them know that we stand with them and that we thank them for their …
¡Chino!In July, I returned from an eye-opening trip to Cuba with the Kellogg Fellows Leadership Alliance. During our 10-day excursion, we met with scholars and local experts to learn about the country's health, education, agricultural and political systems.
Mississippi, Time for More Women in OfficeIt's 2016, a year that some would argue is historic in nature, as women around the country watch another woman heading a major political party's campaign for the White House. But sexism is far from over, even within millennial circles, …
Stinker Quote of the Week: 'Safe'Donald Trump thinks he knows what the American people want, but he has no idea when it comes to what matters most to "minorities."
Your Sanity MattersMiss Doodle Mae: "The summer of 2016 was a time of mean-spirited individuals escalating fear, apathy, bigotry, racism, xenophobia, homophobia and racial self-hatred. To soothe the nerves of staff and the community, Jojo, our compassionate leader, will organize a sales …
Look to HattiesburgJackson is far from perfect, but it’s at least a city that knows things needs to change—and for the most part, it seems to want to.
Ego, and the Fear of LosingWe power up each step. We rise higher and higher. We feel our legs become heavy. We make one last push to the top. We reach the top of the stadium. We turn back around. We go again.
VA, Please Listen to VeteransThe U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has taken a step, albeit a small one, in the right direction. They've admitted they have a problem, specifically with wait times for military veterans.
Taking the LeapI cannot step into my leadership—my calling—without taking my team with me. We must all rise together. This realization and this bold honesty has transformed me. I am convinced that I will be a better leader and a better servant …
The Art and Craft of Dak PrescottI love that the 23-year-old tells anyone who will listen that his success so far is about how hard he works on his craft. It's almost like he is intentionally walking reporters back to the main thing in all the …
Within Our LifetimeI recently spent three days in St. Louis with 10 brilliant people from the Within Our Lifetime Network strategizing on how to end racism. While we had planned this gathering months in advance, we could not have predicted the juxtaposition …
From a War Zone to Pink SkiesOne thing I've always liked about the world is its beauty. The skies are blue and pink. The palm trees, the landmarks, everything I notice about the world are beautiful but with an ugly truth.
Mississippians have attempted to change the state flag in several venues: ballot initiatives, lawsuits and petitioning lawmakers to pass legislation. So far, nothing has worked.
I love that the 23-year-old tells anyone who will listen that his success so far is about how hard he works on his craft. It's almost like he is intentionally walking reporters back to the main thing in all the …