Mississippi Humanities Council

SB: Developing an Oral History from Concept to Creation
2019-06-06 17:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Trinity Episcopal Church, 305 S. Commerce St., Natchez, MS, 39120
An oral history is a valuable tool in preserving the stories and memories of those who lived through interesting, extraordinary, and important times (for example, World War II veterans or Civil Rights leaders and advocates.) An oral history can encompass a wide variety of groups and/or individuals who have a shared experience. G. Mark La Francis, a long time professional oral historian, demystifies the process, breaking it down into manageable components, from establishing a mission statement, creating questions, selecting interviewees, achieving a quality recording, time-coding and more. Oral history novices need not feel intimidated by a project; in fact, they can feel exhilarated as they preserve forever an important piece of history. This workshop will last approximately two hours and include coaching on how to ask questions, audio devices (and video,) choosing an interview location, and more. As a retired journalist, college instructor and author, LaFrancis has interviewed hundreds of individuals of all ages and histories. The workshop is casual, interactive, and fun. There will be plenty of time for questions. LaFrancis also offers follow-up advice.
Speakers Expertise:
As a veteran of 23 years (active duty during the Vietnam War era and Air National Guard) and as a writer for more than 30 years, LaFrancis is professionally and personally qualified to offer what is a moving and unique presentation. LaFrancis has more than 25 years experience as a professional speaker and presenter, particularly on the topics of creative writing and journalism. With the war ever-present in our lives, his presentation of the experiences of the soldiers and their loved ones will enlighten and engage a wide range of audiences.

Everywhere with Roy Lewis
2019-06-06 18:00 | Jackson State University, 1400 J.R. Lynch Street, Jackson, MS, 39217
A conversation about the photography exhibition “Everywhere with Roy Lewis” at 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 6, in Johnson Hall with Dr. Redell Hearn, Curator of Art and Civil Rights at Tougaloo College and the Mississippi Museum of Art, and Mark Geil, an Associate Professor of art and photography at Jackson State.

Speakers Bureau: Mississippi Telling
2019-06-08 09:00 - 12:00 | Downtown Poplarville, 155 Springfield Road, Poplarville, MS, 39470
Dr. Rebecca Jernigan provides an overview of the storytelling Renaissance in America with emphasis upon the oral tradition in Mississippi. The literary tradition of Mississippi owes much to the rich storytelling legacy that riddles the tales of our families and our communities as reflected in the works of many of our best authors: Welty, Wright, Faulkner, Henley, Williams. As part of the presentation, Dr. Jernigan performs as a story teller calling upon on her rich repertoire of original tales and literary masterpieces gearing her choices of tales according to her audience and offers material for children and adults.
Speakers Expertise:
Rebecca Moore Jernigan is an internationally recognized scholar and professional storyteller who resides in Oxford.

SB: "Chimneyville," The Destruction of Jackson, MS During the Civil War, Fact or Myth!
2019-06-08 09:00 - 17:00, 2019-06-09 09:00 - 16:00 | Brandon City Hall, 1000 Municipal Drive , Brandon , MS , 39042
This presentation lays out the facts pertinent to what happened during the four occupations of the city by Federal forces during the Civil War.
Speakers Expertise:
Grady Howell has worked for the Mississippi Department of Archives and History and has written extensively about Mississippi’s Civil War history.

Ideas on Tap: Who Are You? Identity in America
2019-06-18 17:30 - 19:00 | Coffee Prose, 1619 N West St, Jackson, MS, 39202, United States
On June 18, join the Mississippi Humanities Council and Millsaps College’s Visiting Writers Series at Coffee Prose Midtown for a conversation on identity construction.
The Ideas on Tap program, “Who Are You? Identity in America,” will explore how we define identity, how identity can be constructed, and how issues like race, gender, and technology can alter how we see identity.
Hear from panelists Katie Sorey (Inclusion and Involvement Specialist at Millsaps), Dr. Patrick Hopkins (Professor of Philosophy at Millsaps), and Natalie A. Collier (founder and director of The Lighthouse: Black Girl Projects). Dr. Michael Pickard, Assistant Professor of English at Millsaps, will moderate the conversation.
As always, snacks and great conversation are on us, and drinks are on you.

Wilkinson County Mound Sites: Field Facts and Artifacts
2019-06-29 15:00 - 19:00 | Wilkinson County Museum, 165 Boston Row, Woodville, MS
The Wilkinson County Mound Exhibit opens June 29th, 2019 in the Wilkinson County Museum in downtown Woodville, Mississippi at 3pm, in conjunction with a “Meet the Archaeologists” discussion and Artifact Roadshow event at the African American Museum. The exhibit is curated by Dr. Megan Kassabaum, Assistant Professor of Anthropology at the University of Pennsylvania and Weingarten Assistant Curator at the Penn Museum, and two studen curators, Arielle Pierson and Erin Spicola.

The Mound Exhibit will feature Native American artifacts from Wilkinson County and will highlight the county’s two sites on the Mississippi Mound Trail–the Lessley and the Smith Creek sites–located along state highway 24, west of Woodville.

Re-Entry Mississippi: 50 Years of the Apollo Program
2019-07-07 - 2019-07-08 | Delta State University Capps Archives Building, 1003 W Sunflower Rd, Cleveland, MS, 38733, United States
Our nation is celebrating 50 years of space exploration through the Apollo programs and projects this year and the Delta’s men and women were intrinsically involved in the explored, discovery, and successes of the new NASA programs.
The in-house curated exhibition provides a platform for understanding the breath and depth of the NASA program and its effect on today’s STEM initiatives while the public programming provides the audience an opportunity to hear from those who were involved in the ‘boots on the ground’ discovery and leadership of the Apollo programs. The exhibit and program will provide a greater understanding of NASA and Mississippi’s relationship then, now, and for the future.

SB: Mississippi Telling
2019-07-10 09:00 - 12:00 | O.B. McClinton Foundation grounds, 2106 Gravel Springs Rd., Senatobia, MS, 38668
The presenter provides an overview of the storytelling Renaissance in America with emphasis upon the oral tradition in Mississippi. The literary tradition of Mississippi owes much to the rich storytelling legacy that riddles the tales of our families and our communities as reflected in the works of many of our best authors: Welty, Wright, Faulkner, Henley, Williams. As part of the presentation, Dr. Jernigan performs as a story teller calling upon on her rich repertoire of original tales and literary masterpieces gearing her choices of tales according to her audience and offers material for children and adults.
Speakers Expertise:
Rebecca Moore Jernigan is an internationally recognized scholar and professional storyteller who resides in Oxford.

SB: A Look at Mande Culture through Traditional Music
2019-07-12 12:00 - 14:00 | Kemetic Institute of Mound Bayou, 205 N. Edwards Ave., Mound Bayou, MS, 38762
This presentation will give the listener a glimpse of the Mande Culture of West Africa. In the tradition of the Mande, the history and culture is orally preserved in the minds and through the music of the Djeli (oral librarian/mandenka hereditary professional musicians). The establishment of the Mali Empire can be recalled and retold in the musical piece of the legendary Densoba (great warrior) Sunjata. This discussion explores the function of the Mande music and musical instruments, Mande class system, songs, ceremonies and stories. The discussion also examines the influence of West Africa on American culture and why the djembe was outlawed during slavery. Participants will learn about the djembe, its introduction by drummers like Babatunde Olatunji in 1950 and Ladji Camara from Guinea, and how it spread throughout America.
Speakers Expertise:
Jerry Jenkins is a musician and educator trained in the music of West Africa.

Ideas on Tap: Look At Me: Image and Identity in the Digital Age
2019-07-16 17:30 - 19:00 | Coffee Prose, 1619 N West St, Jackson, MS, 39202, United States
On July 16, join the Mississippi Humanities Council and Millsaps College Visiting Writers Series at Coffee Prose Midtown for a conversation on identity in the digital age.
The Ideas on Tap program, “Look At Me: Image and Identity in the Digital Age,” will explore how we define identity and how photography and technology have changed the way we define and present ourselves.
Hear from comedian and social media influencer Rita Brent, photographer Imani Khayyam, and Mississippi Museum of Art Center for Art & Public Exchange director Monique Davis. As always, snacks and great conversation are on us, and drinks are on you.

Old Asylum History Days
2019-07-19 - 2019-07-20 | School of Health Related Professions Building, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, United States
Are you the descendant of someone who was a patient or employee at the Mississippi State Insane Hospital between 1855 and 1935? You are invited to tell your story!
This free event is open to the public and will include the following activities for attendees:

Have your stories about the Old Asylum recorded to video.
Enjoy presentations about the history of the Old Asylum and plans for the Asylum Hill Project.
Learn how to archivally preserve your own family photos, documents and memorabilia.
Receive free high-resolution scanning of your photos and documents.
Receive a free archival sleeve for your photos and documents.
**Sign up ahead of time or just drop in!**

SB: A Look at Mande Culture Through Traditional Music
2019-07-19 15:00 - 17:00 | Clinton YMCA, 400 Lindale Street, Clinton, MS, 39056

SB: A Look at Mande Culture through Traditional Music
2019-07-26 09:00 - 12:00 | O.B. McClinton Foundation grounds, 2106 Gravel Springs Rd., Senatobia, MS, 38668

SB: A Look at Mande Culture through Traditional Music
2019-07-27 17:00 - 18:30 | China Grove AME Church, 1060 Mannsdale Road, Madison, MS, 39130

SB: The Asylum Hill Cemetery Project
2019-07-31 18:00 - 19:00 | Library of Hattiesburg, Petal, and Forrest County, 329 Hardy Street, Hattiesburg, MS, 39401
The Mississippi Insane Asylum was established in Jackson in 1855 and operated in this location until 1935. During this period, a cemetery was maintained on the asylum grounds in which several thousand deceased patients were interred. This site is now occupied by the University of Mississippi Medical Center, for which mission-critical needs have raised numerous administrative, ethical, cultural and practical challenges in the long-term management of these burial sites. This presentation provides an overview of the history of the asylum and describes a proposal to memorialize those buried in the Asylum Hill Cemetery in a manner that also creates a research and education resource.
Speakers Expertise:
Dr. Ralph H. Didlake is associate vice chancellor for academic affairs and chief academic officer for the University of Mississippi Medical Center. He is also a professor of surgery and director of UMMC’s Center for Bioethics and Medical Humanities. Dr. Didlake’s focus is on the integration of biomedical ethics and professionalism across Mississippi clinical, educational and research efforts.

Let Us March On: Lee Friedlander and the Prayer Pilgrimage for Freedom
2019-08-05 | Margaret Walker Center at Jackson State University, 1400 John R. Lynch Street, Jackson, MS, 39217, United States
Let Us March On: Lee Fieldander and the Prayer Pilgrimage for Freedom is a documentary photography exhibition that details the events and people who participated in one of the first mass protests of the modern civil rights movement in 1957. The exhibition will run at Jackson State from August 5 to November 1, 2019, and it will be featured at three major events including the opening reception of the 2019 Association of African American Museums meeting at JSU on August 7, a roundtable student discussion on September 3, and a gallery talk by Lee Fiedlander himself on October 1, 2019.

Let Us March On: Lee Friedlander and the Prayer Pilgrimage for Freedom
2019-08-07 18:00 - 21:00 | Margaret Walker Center at Jackson State University, 1400 John R. Lynch Street, Jackson, MS, 39217, United States
Lee Friedlander, Untitled, from the series Prayer Pilgrimage for Freedom, 1957, printed later. Gelatin silver print. Yale University Art Gallery, Gift of Maria and Lee Friedlander, Hon. 2004. Courtesy of Fraenkel Gallery, San Francisco. Photo courtesy of Eakins Press Foundation

Let Us March On: Lee Fieldander and the Prayer Pilgrimage for Freedom is a documentary photography exhibition that details the events and people who participated in one of the first mass protests of the modern civil rights movement in 1957. The exhibition will run at Jackson State from August 5 to November 1, 2019, and it will be featured at three major events including the opening reception of the 2019 Association of African American Museums meeting at JSU on August 7, a roundtable student discussion on September 3, and a gallery talk by Lee Fiedlander himself on October 1, 2019.

Ideas on Tap Hernando: The Future of Public Education in Mississippi
2019-08-13 17:30 - 19:00 | DeSoto Arts Council, 2465 Highway 51 South, Hernando, MS, 38632, United States
On August 13, join the Mississippi Humanities Council, the Phil Hardin Foundation, and the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi in Hernando for the first in a special two-part Ideas on Tap series on public education in the state.
The free program will feature an ideologically diverse panel of education policy experts to discuss different approaches to improving public schools. Panelists include Grant Callen (Empower Mississippi), Nancy Loome (The Parents’ Campaign), and a representative from Mississippi First. MHC executive director Dr. Stuart Rockoff will moderate.
A follow-up program that addresses public education in Hernando will take place on September 17. Both programs are part of a larger yearlong series on public education in communities around the state.
As always, snacks and great conversation are on us, and drinks are on you.

Ideas on Tap Tupelo: The Future of Public Education in Mississippi
2019-08-15 17:30 - 19:00 | The Thirsty Devil, 202 Main St, Tupelo, MS, 38804, United States
On August 15, join the Mississippi Humanities Council and the Phil Hardin Foundation in Tupelo for the first in a special two-part Ideas on Tap series on public education in the state.
The free program will feature an ideologically diverse panel of education policy experts to discuss different approaches to improving public schools. Panelists include Grant Callen (Empower Mississippi), Nancy Loome (The Parents’ Campaign), and a representative from Mississippi First. MHC executive director Dr. Stuart Rockoff will moderate.
A follow-up program that addresses public education in Tupelo will take place on September 12. Both programs are part of a larger yearlong series on public education in communities around the state.
As always, snacks and great conversation are on us, and drinks are on you.

SB: Kiss Me, I’m Italian — and Irish, Chinese, African, French — and So Are You: Ethnic Heritage in Mississippi
2019-09-03 19:00 - 20:30 | South Mississippi Genealogy & Historical Society, 307 2nd Ave , Hattiesburg , MS
Mississippians and outsiders alike have traditionally viewed the state’s population as basically two cultures, black and white, usually in stark contrast and conflict. However, recent attention and research have stressed the remarkable number of ethnic populations in the state and their broad and deep influences in our evolving culture. The indigenous population (primarily Choctaw) quickly mingled with the earliest European immigrants, including English, Scottish, Irish, German, and Jewish settlers. After the Civil War, Chinese and Italians were recruited into the Delta to replace slave labor, and by the end of the century a significant contingent of Syrians (Lebanese) were used in the same way. In the late 19th- mid 20th-centuries, came waves of Dalmatians, Cajuns, and Vietnamese. The state has also seen small but significant influxes of groups from the Philippines and India. Most recently, a second group of Spanish-speaking peoples, especially following Katrina, have settled in the Coast area, as well as throughout the rest of the state. We see developing patterns of interaction, influence, recognition and appreciation, all creating the unique culture that is the essence of Mississippi. Along the way Carpenter discusses terms such as race, ethnicity, nationality and other concepts used to discuss this extraordinary intermingling of peoples in our state.
Speakers Expertise:
Dr. Barbara Carpenter is former director of the Mississippi Humanities Council. Much of her career has been spent studying and discussing the importance of literature, history, art, and other insights into our own and other cultures in creating meaningful lives for ourselves and in understanding our roles and relationships within our own communities and society at large.

Tennessee Williams Tribute
2019-09-05 - 2019-09-08 | Rosenzweig Arts Center, 501 Main Street , Columbus , MS, United States
“Stella!” Shouting Contestant

The Tennessee Williams Tribute is an annual multi-day event honoring the life and works of Columbus-born playwright Tennessee Williams. This year’s Tribute will include four performances of an original play, a scholars’ reception, a poetry writing contest and reading, “Stella!” shouting contest, two one-act plays, and a memorabilia display.

Let Us March On: Lee Friedlander and the Prayer Pilgrimage for Freedom
2019-09-10 18:00 - 19:00 | Johnson Hall Art Gallery, 1400 John R. Lynch Street, Jackson, 39217
Let Us March On: Lee Friedander and the Prayer Pilgrimage for Freedom is a documentary photography exhibition that details the events and people who participated in one of the first mass protests of the modern civil rights movement in 1957. The exhibition will run at Jackson State from August 5 to November 1, 2019, and it will be featured at three major events including the opening reception of the 2019 Association of African American Museums meeting at JSU on August 7, a roundtable student discussion on September 10, and a gallery talk on October 1, 2019.

Ideas on Tap Tupelo: The Future of Public Education in Tupelo
2019-09-12 17:30 - 19:00 | The Thirsty Devil, 202 Main St, Tupelo, MS, 38804, United States
On September 12, join the Mississippi Humanities Council, the Phil Hardin Foundation, and the CREATE Foundation in Tupelo for the the second in a special two-part Ideas on Tap series on public education in Mississippi.
The free program will focus on the state of public education in Tupelo, the relationship between public education and economic development, and how communities define success for their public schools. Panelists include Sean Suggs (Toyota Motor Manufacturing Mississippi), Dr. Rob Picou (TPSD Superintendent), and a TPSD teacher. CREATE Foundation’s president Mike Clayborne will moderate.
The program is part of a larger yearlong series on public education in communities around the state.
As always, snacks and a great conversation are on us, and drinks are on you.

SB: Personal Experience Writing
2019-09-14 13:00 - 14:00 | Crosby Memorial Library, 900 Goodyear Blvd., Picayune, MS, 39466
Richelle Putnam shares the power and therapeutic value of words and how to explore the future by visiting the past. She shares her personal experience stories from different anthologies, provides writing prompts to spur attendee recollections and teaches how to slip past the protector to reach emotional honesty. Other speaker topics are: “How to Create Three-Dimensional Characters,” “Pour Story Foundations onto Southern Landscapes” and “Developing Character Emotions.”
Speakers Expertise:
Richelle Putnam has been published in many print and online publications in adult and children’s literature and is the author of three regional history books. She is listed on the Mississippi Arts Commission’s Artist/Teaching Artist Roster.

RESCHEDULED: Interactive Site-Specific Slavery Tour
2019-09-15 17:00 - 18:30 | University of Mississippi, P.O. Box 1848, University, MS, 38677, United States
Participants in the workshop will learn how to combine physical movement with traditional theatre to create a Physical Theatre Work. The participants will learn about the history of the enslaved & Civil Rights at The University of Mississippi, and then use this information to create site-specific works on the campus in areas and on sites related to this history
September 15th – 5-5:30 pm – Public Performance
All sessions will take place on the campus of the University of Mississippi.
Meet at the Confederate Statue on University Circle.
Contact Professor Jennifer Mizenko for further information: 662-832-1407, jmizenko@olemiss.edu

OR

To register go to: https://oxfordarts.com/shop/product/1689-movement

Ideas on Tap Hernando: The Future of Public Education in Hernando
2019-09-17 17:30 - 19:00 | DeSoto Arts Council, 2465 Highway 51 South, Hernando, MS, 38632, United States
On September 17, join the Mississippi Humanities Council, the Phil Hardin Foundation, and the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi for the second in a special two-part series on public education in DeSoto County.
The free program will focus on the connection between public education and economic development in the area. Panelists include Corie Haynes (local realtor and DCSD parent), Cory Uselton (DeSoto County School District superintendent), and Dr. Michael Heindl (Northwest Mississippi Community College Northwest Rangers). Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi president Tom Pittman will moderate the panel.
This program is part of a larger yearlong series on public education in communities around the state.
As always, snacks and great conversation are on us, and drinks are on you.

Ideas on Tap Meridian: The Future of Public Education in Mississippi
2019-09-19 17:30 - 19:00 | The MAX, 2118 Front St, Meridian, MS, 39301, United States
On September 19, join the Mississippi Humanities Council, the Phil Hardin Foundation, and The MAX – Mississippi’s Arts + Entertainment Experience in Meridian for the first in a special two-part Ideas on Tap series on public education in the state.
The free program will feature an ideologically diverse panel of education policy experts to discuss different approaches to improving public schools. Panelists include Rachel Canter (Mississippi First), Grant Callen (Empower Mississippi), and Nancy Loome (The Parents’ Campaign). MHC executive director Dr. Stuart Rockoff will moderate.
A follow-up program that addresses public education in Meridian will take place on October 17. Both programs are part of a larger yearlong series on public education in communities around the state.
As always, snacks and great conversation are on us, and drinks are on you.

Ideas on Tap: Who Gets to Be American:
2019-09-24 17:30 - 19:00 | Hal & Mal’s, 200 Commerce Street, Jackson, MS, 39201, United States
On September 24, join the Mississippi Humanities Council at Hal and Mal’s in Jackson for the first in a three-part series on immigration and American identity.
The September 24 program will focus on the history of immigration and naturalization in the U.S. in order to help us better understand who gets to be an American. The program will feature small group discussions of key historical moments in our national debate over naturalization and immigration with help from facilitators Noel Didla, Dr. Stuart Rockoff, L Patricia Ice, and others.
As always, snacks and great conversation are on us, and drinks are on you.

Let Us March On: Lee Friedlander and the Prayer Pilgrimage for Freedom
2019-09-24 18:00 - 19:00 | Margaret Walker Center at Jackson State University, 1400 John R. Lynch Street, Jackson, MS, 39217, United States
Let Us March On: Lee Friedander and the Prayer Pilgrimage for Freedom is a documentary photography exhibition that details the events and people who participated in one of the first mass protests of the modern civil rights movement in 1957. The exhibition will run at Jackson State from August 5 to November 1, 2019, and it will be featured at three major events including the opening reception of the 2019 Association of African American Museums meeting at JSU on August 7, a roundtable student discussion on September 10, a panel discussion on September 24, and a gallery talk by Eric Etheridge on October 29, 2019.
