The Mississippi Humanities Council announced the winners of its 2026 Public Humanities Awards, recognizing outstanding work in preserving and sharing Mississippi’s unique history and culture. The awards ceremony takes place Friday, March 20th, at the Two Mississippi Museums in Jackson, recognizing individuals and organizations who have made notable contributions to the state’s cultural life. This year’s ceremony promises to be a memorable and inspiring event.
Katie Blount will receive the Cora Norman Award, named in honor of the Council’s founding director. This award recognizes someone who has made a significant, longtime contribution to the public humanities in Mississippi. This award recognizes Blount’s transformative leadership at the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. From the opening of the Two Mississippi Museums, the creation of innovative public programming, to the upgrading of the Grand Village of Natchez Indians and other sites, and so much more, her achievements have enriched the cultural life of our state.
Humanities Scholar Award– DeeDee Baldwin, Associate Professor and Engagement Librarian, Mississippi State University. Baldwin receives this award in recognition of her outstanding work researching and highlighting the lives and careers of Black elected officials in Mississippi during Reconstruction and her leadership in commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Clinton Massacre through a series of engaging public programs.
Humanities Educator– Hinds Community College’s Flight to Freedom Prison Education Program. The Hinds Community College’s Flight to Freedom Prison Education Program receives this award for their commitment to students at the Mississippi Correctional Institute for Women and the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility in Pearl. Responding to student requests, the college expanded course offerings to meet Associate of Arts degree requirements. To encourage student success, they launched recruiting and advising events at the prisons, inducted members into Phi Theta Kappa National Honors Society, and celebrated their first graduation.
Humanities Partner– Kevin Brown, author, educator, and community advocate (McComb). The Humanities Partner award recognizes Brown for his collaboration with the Council to broaden its scope and reach new audiences. Brown works in McComb and surrounding areas to connect community members with their shared history. Over the past year, Brown has worked with the MHC on a range of public programs, including three Mississippi Freedom Trail markers, the Speakers Bureau (as a host and presenter), the Great Stories Club, Ideas on Tap, and Reading the Room. Thanks to his vital partnership, McComb has become a center of MHC programming.
Reflecting Mississippi Award – Dr. Emma Phuong To and Jennifer Le (the Gulf Coast Vietnamese Narratives) are being honored with a Reflecting Mississippi Award. The award honors people or organizations who have worked to create a more accurate and inclusive narrative about our state. The Gulf Coast Vietnamese Narratives project’s outstanding work documenting and sharing the story of the Vietnamese community on the Mississippi Gulf Coast culminated in the exhibit at the Maritime and Seafood Museum. Their work has helped deepen public understanding of Mississippi’s ethnic heritage while creating opportunities for the public to learn about the people with whom they share a history and a home.
The Council will also recognize the recipients of the 2026 Humanities Teacher Awards, which pay tribute to outstanding faculty in traditional humanities fields at each of our colleges and universities.
MHC invites everyone to join them at their 2026 Public Humanities Awards ceremony and reception March 20, 2026, at 5:30 p.m., at the Two Mississippi Museums.
Tickets for the Mississippi Humanities Council Public Humanities Awards ceremony and reception are $50 each and may be purchased through the MHC website or by sending a check to the Mississippi Humanities Council, 3825 Ridgewood Road, Room 317, Jackson, MS 39211.