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David Powe
As chief administrative officer for the University of Mississippi Medical Center, David Powe oversees the daily operations of an economic powerhouse. The center represents 10 percent of the Jackson metro area's economy, and its clout is only growing. Six years ago, when Powe took over as CAO, UMMC reported annual revenues of $686 million. This year, the center is on track for $1.2 billion in revenue.
"I Thought the Yankees Would Have Hung You Long Before…"
I edited a children's collection of slave narratives a few years back. This was my favorite reading.
It's the Weekend!
Be sure to warm up if you decide to participate in one of the two charity walkathons taking place this weekend. Today, JSU celebrates its 100th anniversary with a football reception at 4 p.m. at the Mississippi Museum of Art (380 S. Lamar St.) and a gala at 6 p.m. at JSU's Walter Payton Center (Walter Payton Drive). Admission is $100, $50 for children under 12, and $1,000 for a table of 10 for the gala; call 601-983-9490. Mike & Marty and The Deleted Family perform at the High Note Jam at 5:30 p.m. at the Mississippi Museum of Art's Art Garden. The event is free, and there will be food for sale; call 601-960-1515. Dreamz Jxn hosts the GSU v. JSU Pre-party. Rock the Runway: Divas Against Domestic Violence is at 6 p.m. at the Jackson Convention Complex. Admission is $20; call 508-443-4827.
Do Some Good This Weekend
Escape the Friday night drizzle at Salsa Mississippi's Mardi Gras Dance Party. Festivities include a silent auction, Nepali crafts for sale and, of course, lots of dancing. The party starts at 7 p.m. at the Chapatoula Building (115 Cynthia St., Clinton); admission is $20 with proceeds benefiting Mountain Child, a project that provides for the educational needs of 25 Nepali children. If you're not in a partying mood, head to The 25th annual Choral-Organ Festival at Millsaps College, Ford Academic Complex (1701 N. State St.), where choral director Dr. Timothy Coker and organist Bradley Reznicek conduct the 70-voice Millsaps Singers choirs in performing Maurice Durufle's "Requiem." The music starts at 7:30 p.m. Free, donations welcome; call 601-974-1422. For more music options, check out the JFP Music Listings.
BREAKING: JPS Agrees to Overhaul Discipline Policies, Settles Lawsuit
Good news! The Southern Poverty Law Center just emailed this statement, pasted in its entirety:
JACKSON, Miss. – The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) announced today that a federal judge has approved a settlement agreement with Jackson Public Schools (JPS) to reform discipline policies across the district and to end the brutal practice of handcuffing students to railings and poles for hours at a time as punishment for minor rule violations.
‘Revenge' is Sweet
There will never be another "Star Wars" movie. Said aloud, it's a strange, almost sad statement to consider (even for a lesser fan), one that signals a further widening of the void in the magic and imaginativeness of American cinema. George Lucas' grand, visionary space opera, which has spanned three decades and garnered limitless adoration, concludes with last week's release of the series' final chapter (the third chronologically), "Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith."
Road Rage
The hot-button drama "Crash" doesn't just throw down the race card, it plays 52-card pickup with it. Writer/director Paul Haggis draws characters of diverse economic and racial backgrounds and scatters them throughout the Los Angeles of Rodney King and Mark Fuhrman.
Art Smart
So long as Frank Melton isn't accosting you with a firearm in a church when you're just innocently trying to discuss the state of the arts in Jackson with the Arts Council, it's a great time to be an art lover in Jackson. The past couple of weeks had so much going on that even we couldn't keep on top of it, but here's a quick rehash in case you missed out.
Give Bass a Chance
On the first Friday night of every month, strange sounds emanate from Club Volume at the Joint at 206 Capitol St. To the uninitiated passer-by, the fast-paced break beats and deep bass shaking the club's windows probably seem off-putting and he or she simply ignores them altogether. But to the wide array of music fans waiting to go inside, this music, known simply as drum and bass, is the main draw.
James Gray
When performing at a blues venue in Jackson, James Gray, known as "Rock," is almost always stylishly dressed and sporting a fedora, shuffling and twirling pretty women around with his left arm while his right sleeve stays tucked in his belt.
Singing the Gospel, by Stacia V. Hunter
I've been on the gospel scene in Jackson for almost 10 years as a gospel announcer, writer and an event planner; as a result, I've seen the ebb and flow of the rich gospel scene here. I've witnessed the birth of crossover contemporary gospel as well as the passing of some of gospel's legends. I've also observed the multi-talented local gospel artists that we have here in the Jackson and surrounding areas.
Cotton Is King, by Steve Cheseborough
Eddie Cotton Jr. doesn't see any reason to leave Jackson. "Man, this town has been good to me," says the 32-year-old blues singer-guitarist. "They show appreciation. If you get to a place that's bigger, there's just more of nothing to do. Unless you have a big booking agent, the club scene doesn't get any better than this."
[Music] A Rurnt Weekend
Jessica Mizell, a senior at Belhaven College, is an editorial intern at the JFP and one of the main organizers of Rurnt Fest.
Fruits of Change
Cover art by Ramona Ward
Bob Dylan wrote "The Times They Are A'Changin'" 40 years ago and far from Mississippi. But the sentiment applies here and now; young creatives who couldn't be any more different are sharing a common goal — change — and working to make it happen.
A Condemned Man's Last Day…in a Press Release
June 12, 2012 Scheduled Execution of Jan Michael Brawner
In about two hours, Jan Michael Brawner will be executed for the murders of his 3-year-old daughter, ex-wife and former in-laws. The Mississippi Department of Corrections issued the following news release detailing Brawner's final day:
Anita's Favorite Movies of 2009
This is my first "official" blog for the Jackson Free Press, and what better way to take this virgin voyage through JFP blogland than discussing my favorite films of 2009. I compiled the list based on movies that have made their way into Mississippi multiplexes. Thanks to the efforts of Malco, Regal Entertainment and Cinemark, we were able to get a good portion of the year's critically successful films, and I hope that you continue to support their efforts and the smaller films that are not aimed at the adolescent male crowd.
The Emerging Mississippi: Are New Voters Changing State Politics?
Photos by Kenya Hudson
When presidential hopeful Barack Obama entered the Rose Embley McCoy building at Jackson State University on March 10, he flowed easily into the hungry arms of the crowd. At least 100 young people—mostly females—pressed against the metal barricades, screaming and crying to shake his hand, crushing hapless reporters who had the misfortune of already standing at the barricade.
[Aziz] Bought Out: African Americans Sell Future for Shoes
During my last year in school at Jackson State University I learned that African Americans spend three times more than any other ethnic group. When I heard this, I couldn't believe it. After all, I knew we as African Americans were definitely brand loyal, and I knew that we spent a lot more money on material things, but three times as much? This figure definitely appalled me because the average African-American salary is only $21,000 and some change. This means that with the help of credit, we are not only spending what we make, but more.
Jordan Hunter
Nathan Hunter III always wanted his son to be a Morehouse man. This fall, he will see that dream come true when his oldest child, Jordan Hunter, attends the nation's only all-male historically black college.
Lynn Fitch
Lynn Fitch, 49, is from Holly Springs, but has lived in Madison for 26 years. She attended the University of Mississippi for her undergraduate degree and for her law degree. She has two daughters and one son.