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The Prentiss Normal and Industrial Institute was founded by Mississippi natives and visionaries Jonas Edward “J.E.” Johnson and Bertha LaBranche Johnson. Over a century ago, Prentiss Institute opened its doors to African American youth searching for formal education but barred from attending white-run schools. It is one of the oldest educational institutions for African Americans in The Magnolia State. 

Mississippi is home to countless talented artists and entertainers. One of them is James Earl Jones. The iconic actor, known for his golden baritone voice, passed away this week. He left behind a legacy of performances in Hollywood classics like Field of Dreams and Star Wars, where he famously voiced Darth Vader.

For 50 years, the Palace Theater was the hub of Main Street, Downtown McComb. It started in 1939 when two brothers, Najeeb and Haleem Solomon, took half their store and made it into a movie theater, which became the iconic Palace Theater. 

More communities in Mississippi are becoming health conscious and looking at ways to support the health of their residents. They increase walkability with sidewalks and bike lanes or embrace wellness amenities like group fitness, fitness centers, and healthy food options. Residents can be encouraged to explore local nature with designated walking trails. Community gardening can also enhance community engagement and improve health. The Belhaven Heights community hopes to bridge several of these to enhance the greater Jackson community’s health and engagement with a new outdoor fitness center. 

Researching old communities sometimes reveals information about thriving towns from days of yore now consisting of little more than a volunteer fire department and a church or two. Bexley is one such place.

The residents of Pontotoc, Mississippi, invite everyone to come to their 30th Annual Bodock Festival this Friday and Saturday, September 13 and 14. 

Imagine a community bookstore in a historic building full of color, life, and charm. A place where local artists are welcome, and people passing by the storefront window come into read because they are so drawn to the aesthetic of floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, and fun, eclectic vintage furnishings, that they just can’t help but walk inside! Welcome to The Author Shoppe in downtown Hattiesburg, where everyone is welcome.

Labor Day is right around the corner, and I think I speak for all of us when I say that a break is very much needed. Thankfully, you can spend your Labor Day weekend exploring one (or more) of the greatest destinations Mississippi has to offer. Here are the top five destinations I’d recommend. 

ur veterans are crucial to life as we know it today because they protect our freedom, provide us with a way to learn about our history, and risk their lives for people they have never met. In 2022, Mississippi had 146,793 veterans, 6.5% of the state’s adult population.

When Sawmill Landing Park is finally opened this fall, there will be lots to learn about the natural and cultural…

Card Rates (cardrates.com) conducted a survey with 3,000 credit card holders with outstanding points. This survey unmasked 126 of the top most opulent destinations in the United States. The Mississippi Gulf Coast, Oxford, and Natchez were voted amongst some of the most luxurious places to visit in the country.

Each year, on the Saturday before Labor Day, the iconic Prairie Arts Festival takes place in historic downtown West Point, Mississippi. This year’s event is slated for August 31, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., with arts and crafts vendors from multiple states displaying their wares along Commerce Street and throughout Sally Kate Winters Park.

Imagine enjoying local dining, shopping, exercising, and relaxing without ever having to get behind the wheel of a car. For many people in Mississippi cities, a walkable or bikeable neighborhood like this seems out of reach. However, longtime friends Beth and Kaite Seymore are trying to change that, starting with the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The friends recently opened Tour de Coast, Mississippi’s first private E-Bike share company.

Can you find Mississippi’s tiniest museum? Hidden downtown, the Hattiesburg Pocket Museum is located in a “secret” alley where you can discover a little world with BIG interactive art installations!

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education has become recognized for instilling critical thinking and problem-solving, bridging skill gaps for an ever-changing workforce, and providing a more well-rounded education.

After emancipation and through World War II, juke joints were widely popular in the south. They provided a gathering place for people like Tommy Johnson, Son House, Robert Johnson, and countless other musicians to develop their music. One might say that juke joints were the incubators for the blues.