Browsing: People

Memory Carouthers is making a difference in North Mississippi, one prom dress at a time. Memory’s Magical Dresses and Formal Wear Giveaway provides dresses, tuxedoes, jewelry, and shoes to junior high and high students free of charge for proms and dances. The non-profit organization celebrates its fifth year this month by giving out over 1,000 dresses and tuxedos to youth in the greater Tupelo area.

Pandemic entrepreneurs started over 4 million new businesses in the U.S. during 2020—the highest total on record. People responded to forced furloughs, layoffs, and business closures by starting small businesses. Some started simply out of boredom and needing to pass the time. That was how Wholly Fire Foods from Hattiesburg, Mississippi, started. James Louis, a retired teacher, enrollment officer, and recruiter for Tougaloo College, and his wife found themselves at home, looking to pass the time. Louis, an avid cook suffering from high blood pressure, decided to try gardening. 

Albine Bennett is determined and dedicated to making a difference in her community, particularly in the lives of women in northeast Mississippi.

John O’Conner is a beloved bartender and music connoisseur at Ground Zero Blues Club-Biloxi. The 65-year-old has always been passionate about live music and making people smile. So, when news traveled along the Mississippi Gulf Coast Line that John’s home burnt down and he was severely injured, Ground Zero-Biloxi staff, patrons, and the community rallied together. 

In 2012, Bryan moved to Mississippi and became an ASL instructor at Ole Miss with only 19 students. Today, Ole Miss offers a new ASL interpreting minor, and Bryan is one of four faculty teaching over 450 students.

“Excellence, discipline, grit, integrity, and teamwork” are personal values which Assistant Superintendent Dr. Michael Eubanks has built his life around and will be bringing with him to his upcoming position as Superintendent of the Laurel School District.

Love is certainly in the air this Valentine’s Day, and Millsaps College is no exception. There are some MAJOR romances (pun intended) at the private liberal arts college in historic Jackson.

Meet Rosalyn L. Robb-Herrington, owner of LaTresa’s Treats. Rosalyn is a passionate full-time baker. She has a wonderful family including her husband of twenty-three years and her two children: Taylor and Mason Jr. 

For the past 28 years, thousands of Mississippi high school and college athletes have been impacted positively by the words and actions of Scott Carter, the Southeast Director for USA Youth Outreach.

For the first time, professional mermaids worldwide will meet in Switzerland in May for the inaugural Merlympics. Pine Belt native Emily Shaw will be there representing Mississippi. The competition will test the mermaids’ aerobics and strength underwater. 

Uniformed in a chef’s hat and jacket, University of Mississippi freshman Sarah Harmon sat at a special table in the Rebel Market on Nov. 10 decorating cookies. She adorned the treats with words such as “dream,” “love” and “joy.”

These were no ordinary cookies, however, and Harmon is no ordinary baker. Harmon, who has been blind since birth, wrote the words in braille to raise awareness of those with visual impairments.

Amongst thirteen others, Tamira was part of a seven-way kidney swap— making history as the largest kidney swap in the state of Mississippi at UMMC. This swap included a total of fourteen people.

Henry Fletcher is a man who works hard and in his own words, just does his job. And because of that, he was justifiably rewarded.

Dixie Newman owns and manages Jacked Up Coffee Bar in Biloxi. Jacked Up Coffee Bar is a premier coffee shop and bar that proudly serves French Truck Coffee directly from New Orleans.

Andrew L. Pickens, Sr. is a retired U.S. Army veteran with 25 years of service.

He was raised in the small town of Cordele, GA, and enlisted in the Army in Georgia. After basic training at Fort Jackson, SC, and advanced individual training in Supply at Fort Lee, VA, he reported to his first duty station at Fort Campbell, KY. 

Veterans Day is a day for us to slow down, so that we can honor and celebrate the sacrifices of the brave men and women who selflessly serve our nation. There are so many emotions that are tied into this special day, and I’m sure most people would agree; however, the sentiment I feel myself going back to the most is simply gratitude.