Dustin Cardon

JSU Masking Initiative, MSU Student Pandemic Support and MSU Humanities Council Awards

Jackson State University recently launched an incentive program called "Thank You for Masking Up" that will give students the chance to win gift cards ranging from $25 to $100 each week through the beginning of May.

Hal’s St. Paddy’s Virtual Parade, Second Line and REMIX

Malcolm White, the founder and chief organizer of the annual Hal’s St. Paddy’s Parade and Festival in Jackson, recently announced updates on a planned live virtual parade taking place this year due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Lt. Col. Steven Robinson

Lt. Col. Steven Robinson has served as both a professor and chairman of Military Science for Jackson State University's Department of Liberal Arts since August 2019.

Quarters Because We Care, Micro-Enterprise Business Classes and Free Entergy Tax Prep

The Mississippi Black Women's Roundtable is hosting an event called "Quarters Because We Care" on Saturday, March 20, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Keway Supersudz in Jackson.

MSU Virtual Ragtime and Jazz Festival, New JSU Scholarship and 2021 Ezra Jack Keats Awards

Mississippi State University recently announced that its annual Charles H. Templeton Ragtime and Jazz Festival will take place in a virtual format on March 26 and 27.

Dr. Kanesha Bennett

Kanesha Bennett has served as director of Jackson State University's Lottie Thornton Early Childhood Center since 2017. She previously worked as a preschool teacher at JSU starting in 2015 before assuming her current position.

New Art Museum Exhibit, Mustard Seed Donation Drive, NAMI MS and IMMC Events

The Mississippi Museum of Art is partnering with the Los Angeles County Museum of Art to host a new exhibit called "Betye Saar: Call and Response" from April 10 through July 11, 2021.

USM Women's History Month Events, JSU EnRICH Program and MSU Virtual Workshop

The Committee on Services and Resources for Women at the University of Southern Mississippi is sponsoring a series of activities throughout March in recognition of Women’s History Month.

Tomaz Cunningham

Jackson State University named Tomaz Cunningham as its new interim director of JSU Global in the Division of Academic Affairs in October 2020.

The Shopkeep Co.’s Orange Raven Welcomes New Patrons

Hallie Harris, an artist who long dreamed of opening her own store, made that dream a reality when she opened The Shopkeep Co. in downtown Jackson in October 2020.

Break iT at the Outlets, Bravo! Coquerel Wine Dinner and Mangia Bene Limited Hours

The Outlets of Mississippi recently opened a new attraction called "Break iT," which is a "Smash Room" where customers can physically smash items with baseball bats, golf clubs, hammers and more.

New Belhaven Track Facility, JSU Campus Energy Network and USM Black History Month Displays

Belhaven University recently completed construction on a new eight-lane track and field complex. The track facility is located on the north side of the university's campus and extends from the Bitsy Irby building to Belhaven Lake.

Sekou Smith

Jackson State University recently established the Sekou Smith Journalism Award in honor of its namesake, a JSU alum and NBA reporter and analyst who hosted NBA.com’s “Hang Time” blog and podcast. Smith passed away on Jan. 26 due to complications from COVID-19 at age 48.

Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, Jackson Heat Management Grant and Trash Service Resuming

The Mississippi Museum of Art last week announced the winning students from the Mississippi regional competition of the 98th Scholastic Art & Writing Awards.

JSU Black History Month Segments and MSU Public Online Resource Training

In honor of Black History Month, Jackson State University’s Concert Chorale recently performed a spiritual rendition of “Lord, How Come We Here,” which the university presented online in partnership with Mississippi Public Broadcasting and the Two Mississippi Museums in Jackson.

Jacori Daniels

Jacori Daniels, president of the Jackson State University Student Government Association, came into his position in April 2020 and found himself immediately faced with challenges on campus from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Campbell's Craft Donuts Closure, Virtual St. Paddy's Parade and Fresh Market Lent Dishes

Campbell's Craft Donuts, a branch of Campbell's Bakery located at the currently in-development Belhaven Town Center, closed its doors on Sunday, Feb. 14, due to lack of business and other complications from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Valentine's Day 2021

Jackson couples have plenty of options to choose from local businesses and restaurants to treat their partner to a special evening this Valentine’s Day.

Belhaven Builds COVID Center, JSU Business Partnership and USM VET Program

Belhaven University recently announced that it has completed construction on its own COVID-19 testing center to track asymptomatic students, faculty and staff.

Brian Pugh

Mississippi Business Journal recently named Jackson State University alum Brian Pugh, executive director of the Stennis Center for Public Service, as Top Person of the Year for Mississippi's Top 50 Under 40 Business Leaders for 2020.

Virtual Ignite the Night, New Museum of Art Exhibit and Boychoir Virtual Valentines

The Mississippi Children's Museum recently announced that it will hold its annual fundraiser event, Ignite the Night, virtually for 2021.

MSU Virtual Greenhouse and Endowed Fellowship, USM Feeding Local Veterans

Mississippi State University recently launched a 3D virtual-reality greenhouse project as part of its Future Growers Technology Initiative.

Mitchell Shears

Mitchell Shears, associate vice president for Jackson State University’s Student Success and executive director of its Title III program, recently launched JSU's inaugural First-Generation College Students Celebration.

Galentine's Day at Northpark, Elvie's Valentine's Dinner and Live Vaccination Event

Northpark is hosting a pre-Valentine's Day event called "Galentine's Day" on Saturday, Feb. 13. The event is intended to celebrate female friendships and will feature music, a wine bar, trivia and giveaways, a release from Northpark says.

JSU Retool Your School Grant, MSU Completion Grants and GEER Grant

Jackson State University recently redesigned and renovated the commuter lounge in the university's Student Center through a $50,000 "Retool Your School" campus improvement grant from Home Depot.

Tim Turner

Tim Turner, principal investigator and chair of the Department of Biology at Jackson State University, is currently managing a new program called the JSU Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience, which aims to help underrepresented students enter graduate schools and STEM careers.

Fresh Market Valentine's Meals, Mississippi Coding Academies and Madison Primary Care Center

In preparation for Valentine's Day, The Fresh Market in Ridgeland is offering restaurant-style meals with heart-shaped entrees and desserts that couples can enjoy at home this year.

Millsaps Race in America Conference, USM STEM on Demand Program and Crafted Identities Exhibit at MSU

Millsaps College is partnering with the Mississippi Center for Investigative Reporting, the Mississippi Book Festival and Lemuria Books to host "Race in America," a live conversation between journalists Jelani Cobb and Calvin Trillin—who have both reported on civil rights for The New Yorker—tonight at 5:30 p.m.

Lydia Didia

Jackson State University named Lydia Didia as an assistant professor of accounting in its College of Business in fall 2020.

Sal and Mookie's Moving, Hops and Habanas Closing and Winter Institute Virtual Events

Sal and Mookie's New York Pizza and Ice Cream Joint, which opened in Jackson's Fondren neighborhood in April 2007, is moving to The District at Eastover after 14 years in business.

Sharon Simmons

Jackson State University named Sharon Simmons as a new associate professor in its College of Business in August 2020. Since assuming her position, Simmons has been teaching both entrepreneurship courses and accounting, with a focus on venture creation and commercializing new ideas and technologies.

MSU Day of Service and Donation Drive and USM #WhatsYourPurpose2021 Campaign

Former Mississippi Supreme Court Justice Reuben Anderson will serve as the keynote speaker for Mississippi State University’s 27th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Breakfast and Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 18.

Black Axes Northpark, City Limits Cafe and Friends of Children’s Hospital Donation

Northpark in Ridgeland recently announced that a new location for Black Axes Throwing Club will soon open at the complex.

Virtual Marching Band Event and Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation, Delta Leadership Institute Executive Academy

Four members of the Mississippi State University Famous Maroon Band will take part in a virtual intercollegiate marching band event for the College Football Playoff National Championship game on Monday, Jan. 11.

Andrew "Snakefarm" Burczynski

Andrew "Snakefarm" Burczynski, a Jackson artist and bassist who was one of the founding members of the Jason Turner Band, died of cardiac arrest at the end of December 2020.

Sophomore Spanish Club Closes, Metro Jackson Passport and Holiday Inn "We Care" Program

Sophomore Spanish Club, a ‘90s-themed Latin restaurant that opened inside The District at Eastover in August 2019, recently closed its doors due to complications from the COVID-19 pandemic.

MSU Film Award and College of Education Ambassadors, JSU Mortar Board Inductees

Mississippi State University's Broadcast Education Association Student Media Club recently won first place in a national competition with its inaugural submission to the BEA 168-Hour Film Challenge.

Goodbye 2020: New Year’s Restaurant & Catering Guide

Christmas is days away, and New Year's Eve is fast approaching. Fortunately, the Jackson metro has plenty of options for those eager to say "bye" to 2020, whether it's dinner out or catering for a large group.

Jerome Tinker

The Jackson State University Development Foundation named Jerome Tinker as the organization's executive director on Oct. 1. Tinker joined JSUDF in 2018 and previously served as executive assistant and board administrator.

Singing Christmas Tree Videos, MSU ASLA Award, JSU Angel Tree and Tougaloo Donation

Belhaven University has selected and compiled video performances of its Singing Christmas Tree event going back a decade and photographs from as far back as the 1940s to honor its annual tradition in lieu of a live performance for 2020.

Rachel James-Terry

Jackson State University named Rachel James-Terry as associate director of public relations in University Communications and Marketing on Oct. 16. She previously served as public relations writer and editor for the department since 2016.

Mississippi Coding Academies Techshare Program, Winter Solstice Celebration and Spark Confectionary

Mississippi Coding Academies recently launched a new program called TechShare, which will provide means for coders in remote areas to meet virtually with instructors from MCA's Jackson and Starkville locations.

MSU Black Legislators Exhibit, META Teletherapy and STEM Grant at JSU

DeeDee Baldwin, an assistant professor with Mississippi State University's MSU Libraries, recently launched a new digital exhibit showcasing the first African American men to serve on Mississippi’s state legislature during and immediately after Reconstruction.

Parker Watts

The Mississippi Children's Museum named Parker McInnis Watts, a senior at Madison Central High School, as the museum's Volunteer of the Month for October after Watts volunteered for a total of 28 hours that month.

Fertile Ground Beer Co., My City Social Media Campaign Award and IMMC Grant

The Belhaven Town Center in Jackson's Belhaven neighborhood recently announced that a new craft brewery called Fertile Ground Beer Co. is scheduled to open in 2021.

JSU Grants for Special Needs and COVID-19 Campaign, USM Christmas Dinners

Jackson State University's Department of Counseling, Rehabilitation and Psychometric Services recently received a five-year, $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration for JSU's Rehabilitation Counseling Long-Term Training Project.

Phyllis Lewis-Hale

Phyllis Lewis-Hale, assistant professor of music and director of the Opera Workshop at Jackson State University, received a $6,500 grant from the Mississippi Humanities Council this November to host a two-day event called “From Delta Blues to Opera News: A Mississippi Musical Exposition.”

Stories by Dustin