Dustin Cardon

Tanya Fitts

Tanya Fitts, physician owner of Lafayette Pediatric Clinic in Oxford, Miss., became president-elect of the Mississippi chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics on Oct. 30.

Wright's Foundation Car Raffle, Season of Wishes at the Outlets and Children's of Mississippi Toy Drive

Derick Wright, founder and chief executive officer of Jackson-based nonprofit Wright's Foundation for Better Communities, is holding a holiday car raffle until Dec. 23.

Music Event and Technology Grant at JSU, MDCC Joins Mississippi Library Partnership

The Mississippi Humanities Council recently gave Phyllis Lewis-Hale, assistant professor of music at Jackson State University, a $6,500 grant to host an event called “From Delta Blues to Opera News: A Mississippi Musical Exposition.”

Sandra Parks

Sandra Parks, who served on the Mississippi Department of Mental Health Central Office team for 24 years, passed away from a stroke on Monday, Nov. 9, at age 50.

Free Admission for COVID Fighters at 2 Museums, Holiday Inn Donation Drives and HFHMCA Build

The Two Mississippi Museums will offer free admission to health care workers, teachers, law-enforcement officers, fire fighters, and others on Tuesday, Nov. 17, in honor of their work saving lives and serving their communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

USM Groundbreaking and MSU Ribbon Cutting for New Buildings, UM Oxford Science Cafe

The University of Southern Mississippi's USM Foundation recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Quinlan-Hammond Hall of Honor.

Thanksgiving Catering and Seasonal Menu Options 2020

Jackson metro restaurants are offering all sorts of food options for the family-focused holidays, including specialty items and take-home meals.

Rhett Sapough

Rhett Sapough, who moved to Jackson from Spartanburg, S.C., earlier this year, became the new director of admission for Millsaps College on Oct. 1. In his position, he oversees the office's admission counselors and manages student recruitment efforts on behalf of Millsaps.

Sollberger's Going Out of Business Sale, 12 Days of Giving Winners and Molina Marketplace

Sollberger's: Curator of Exceptional Jewelry and Timepieces in Ridgeland is closing its doors after 37 years in business in Madison County. Beginning today, Monday, Nov. 9, the store is hosting a going out of business sale with up to 70% off on the shop's entire stock.

JSU Aspire Program, Tougaloo HBCU Endowment and USM Virtual Dance Concert

Jackson State University recently announced that it is partnering with the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities to participate in a program called "Aspire: The National Alliance for Inclusive & Diverse STEM Faculty."

Arianna Kitchens

Jackson resident Arianna Kitchens has served as archaeology collections manager for the Mississippi Department of Archives and History since December 2019.

Tonya Ware at ReadyNation Mississippi, Jobs for Jacksonians and Mississippi Health Access Exchange

ReadyNation Mississippi, an organization that advocates for evidence-based policies to build a stronger workforce, recently named Tonya Ware, who previously served as the project manager for Leadership Greater Jackson and Youth Leadership Jackson, as its new project director.

Monta Ellis Donates to Sonic Boom, USM Children’s Center Donation and POPSpera at MSU

Former NBA shooting guard Monta Ellis, also known as the “Mississippi Bullet,” recently donated $60,000 to Jackson State University's Sonic Boom of the South marching band.

Vasilios "Bill" Matheos

Vasilios "Bill" Konstantinos Matheos, owner of Bill's Greek Tavern in Jackson and a man many in the city knew and referred to as "God Bless America" for his habit of shouting the phrase to each customer who entered his restaurant, passed away in his home on Oct. 11 at age 85.

Mississippi Boychoir "Be the Light" 5K, Mangia Bene 12 Days of Giving and Black Axes at the Outlets

The Mississippi Boychoir recently announced its inaugural "Be the Light" 5k run and walk and fun run event, which will take place Saturday, Nov. 14, at the Flowood Nature Trail.

Sonic Boom YouTube Event, Tougaloo Endowed Scholarship and SAA 2021 Schedule

Jackson State University announced that its Sonic Boom of the South marching band is partnering with YouTube for a livestream event called “HBCU Homecoming 2020: Meet Me on the Yard.”

Scott Crawford

Scott Crawford, a retired clinical neuropsychologist and a member of Jackson’s ADA Advisory Council, has spent years advocating on behalf of people with physical disabilities in the City and working to see important changes to Jackson's streets and sidewalks implemented.

Mississippi Invitational, New Stage Virtual Events and Fiber Internet for State Libraries

The Mississippi Museum of Art recently announced that it will host the Mississippi Invitational, which features contemporary artwork from around the state, in the fall of 2021.

JSU Social Justice Presentation, Tougaloo 151st Founders' Week and MSU Bulldog Blitz Virtual 5K

Leneice T. Smith, associate professor of political science at Jackson State University, is sponsoring a virtual Zoom presentation featuring her father, former Black Panther Party member and pastor Wayne Jenkins, on Tuesday, Oct. 20, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Tony Sultani

Tony Sultani, an oncology specialist who has practiced in the Mississippi Delta for 23 years, recently donated to Delta State University to support the construction of the university's new Financial Investing & Research Lab in the DSU College of Business and Aviation.

Inaka Tea Company, Thailicious and Shower Power MS Donation

Belhaven resident Chat Phillips recently launched his own bottled beverage business, Inaka Tea Company, in Jackson.

USM Trombonist Livestream and Sports Safety Conference, MSU Revised 2021 Spring Calendar

Brass faculty at the University of Southern Mississippi will partner with virtuoso trombonist Wycliffe Gordon to conduct a live streaming event on Oct. 29 at 1 p.m. Gordon is a former member of the Wynton Marsalis Septet and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra and has been a featured guest artist on Billy Taylor's "Jazz at the Kennedy Center" Series. He is a visiting artist in jazz studies at Arizona State University in Phoenix and is director of jazz studies at Augusta University in Augusta, Ga.

Jackson Planetarium Crowdfunding, Hilton Garden Inn Renovations and Mississippi Delivery

Jackson's Russell C. Davis Planetarium, which is currently undergoing a restoration due to a roof leak and resulting interior damage that forced it to close in April 2018, recently opened a page for crowdfunding to support the renovation effort.

Research Grants for USM and JSU, Historical Markers for The Mill at MSU

The Institute for Disability Studies at the University of Southern Mississippi recently received a $100,000 grant from the Administration of Community Living, which will go toward creating a network of resources for young people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities during their transition to adulthood.

City in the Grass at the Museum, Connect JXN and MPB Classroom TV

The Mississippi Museum of Art debuted a new exhibit called "Leonardo Drew: City in the Grass" on Saturday, Sept. 26.

Pandemic Course and Giveback Event at USM, JSU/U of M Collaboration Grant

The University of Southern Mississippi recently released a free online course to help the public better understand COVID-19 and other pandemics.

Isiah Marshall Jr.

Isiah Marshall Jr., associate dean and professor for Jackson State University's School of Social Work, became a member of the Council on Social Work Education Commission on Accreditation in July. His three-year term is set to end in 2023.

WellsFest Cancelled, Emerging Solutions Project and Flu Fighters Coalition

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Wells United Methodist Church in Jackson has cancelled its annual WellsFest events, including the Sept. 22 Art Night, the Sept. 23 golf tournament and the Sept. 26 festival and 5k run.

Grrrl Justice at JSU, Virtual Learning at USM and Suicide Prevention Symposium at MSU

The Margaret Walker Center at Jackson State University and JSU’s student organization Gathering Information Related to Ladies are partnering to host a screening and panel discussion of the short narrative film “Grrrl Justice” on Friday, Sept. 18, at 6 p.m.

Stuffed at Cultivation Food Hall, Mangia Bene Charity and La Brioche Pop-up Shop

California native Rachel Phuong Le, owner of the Poké Stop sushi restaurant at Cultivation Food Hall at the District at Eastover, recently launched a new restaurant inside the food hall called Stuffed Asian Street Food.

Grants for Projects at MSU and USM, JSU to Serve as Polling Place

The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, an organization devoted to curing spinal cord injury by advancing research and improving the quality of life for individuals with paralysis, recently awarded a grant to Mississippi State University’s T.K. Martin Center for Technology and Disability to help clients with paralysis.

LaShanda Jordan

The Jackson Workforce Leadership Academy, a leadership fellowship for workforce development professionals, recently accepted LaShanda Jordan, executive director of Jackson State University's Career Services Center, into its inaugural Class of 2020-21, which runs through January 2021.

Charles Araujo

Charles Araujo, an adjunct instructor for Jackson State University’s School of Social Work, became president-elect for the Mississippi Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers on July 1.

MSU Receives Grants for Blindness Research and Solar Fuel, USM Online University Forum

The National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research recently gave a five-year, $4 million grant to Mississippi State University's National Research and Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision to fund seven research projects focused on greater employment outcomes for people with blindness or low vision.

Businesses Soldier on Amid Pandemic

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues on, so does Mississippi. Businesses across the capital city and beyond are adapting, reopening or doing whatever they can to help or become better connected with their communities. Plus, services are cropping up to help.

Jackson Building and Rebuilding in Equal Force

Even though the pandemic has slowed many things down or brought them to a halt, Jackson continues to work toward growth and change with both new construction and renovation.

Dave’s Triple B Relocating, Virtual Mississippi Science Fest and Celebrate the Pearl Challenge

Madison resident and professional chef David Raines announced that he is moving his restaurant, Dave’s Triple B, Restaurant from its present location at 970 High St. in Jackson to Main Street in Flora.

USM Mask Distribution, JSU/UVM Online Lead Course and Tougaloo #VoteHBCU Competition

The University of Southern Mississippi recently partnered with the Fannie Lou Hamer Cancer Foundation and the Mississippi Network for Cancer Control and Prevention on an effort to distribute thousands of free protective face masks to residents of the Mississippi Delta.

Mississippi Boychoir Recruiting, MS-SBDC and MSU Small Business Videos and Fresh Market Ultimate Dinners

The Mississippi Boychoir is currently recruiting members for both its Jackson and Vicksburg divisions. Recruitment is open for second graders through high school seniors.

Heather Denné

Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba appointed Heather Denné, director of community engagement at Jackson State University, to the nine-member board of the Jackson Historic Preservation Commission in late July.

MSU Outstanding Economic Impact Award, UM Virtual Internship Course and Tougaloo/Nike Partnership

The Mississippi Main Street Association presented its Outstanding Economic Impact Award to Mississippi State University and the City of Starkville for their “Orientation Dine Around Downtown” project.

JSU’s New Director of Bands Talks Virtual Musicianship

Robert Little, Jackson State University's new director of bands since July 1, says music is something that dwells throughout his entire family.

Tommy Wright

Tommy Wright, a partner at the Anderson, Crawley and Burke law firm in Ridgeland, has been handling cases such as worker's compensation, personal injury, construction accidents and premises liability as a civil-defense litigator for 11 years.

Newk's Cares, Virtual Mississippi Book Festival and Jackson Tablet Donation

In honor of Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month in September, Newk’s Eatery is preparing to launch a series of virtual events and in-store initiatives at all of its locations. Newk's is also hosting its annual Lunch & Learn event on ovarian cancer research and prevention on Thursday, Aug. 20.

MSU Partnership Middle School, Grants for JSU Students and USM Faculty

Mississippi State University and the Starkville Oktibbeha School District recently established the new Partnership Middle School at MSU. MSU and SOSD officials held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, Aug. 4.

Angie Moncrief

Flowood native Angie Moncrief has owned and operated Action Talent Agency since 2014.

Mississippi Coliseum Complete, New Stage Scholarships and Malco Reopenings

Mississippi Agriculture and Commerce Commissioner Andy Gipson recently announced that work finished five months early on renovations to the Mississippi Coliseum at the Mississippi State Fairgrounds, partially due to event cancellations from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Stories by Dustin