Mississippi Humanities Council

The 4th Annual Winning the Race Conference
2017-03-27 - 2017-03-28 | Delta State University, 1003 W Sunflower Rd, Cleveland, MS, 38733, United States
The Winning the Race Conference was developed with three overarching goals: engage in conversations with campus and community constituencies that will build an appreciation for diversity differences and a spirit of community through shared ideas; promote a broad discourse on race relations by building conversations to bring together diverse communities in the Delta through sharing of ideas and building cooperation; and to rekindle a hope that Delta communities will move toward greater equality and forward and open thinking while reducing racial disparities and tensions.
Delta State University’s award-winning race relations conference, Winning the Race, will feature two highlight speakers at this year’s event which will be hosted on campus March 28-29. Keynote speakers for the 2017 conference will be announced soon.

This year’s conference is titled “Winning the Race: Advancing Education in the Mississippi Delta.” The inaugural program spearheaded by Delta State President William N. LaForge in 2014, was designed as an innovative academic conference. The 2017 schedule promises to build on the meaningful dialogue presented at previous conferences.
Delta State University
No Cost
Sponsored by Delta State University & Mississippi Humanities Council
For more information:
Dr. Temika Simmons, (662) 846-4365

Can We Achieve This Togetherness in Our Time?
2017-03-23 18:00 - 20:00 UTC | Eureka School, 412 East 6th Street, Hattiesburg, MS, 39401, United States
Please join The Freedom50 Research Group as they present critical perspectives of the Clyde Kennard case in relation to racial progress at the University of Southern Mississippi by means of a three-part lecture series in the spring of 2017. This lecture series is designed to examine the (in)visible signs of cultural change that have occurred at the university and the challenges it faces as a public institution marked by a sordid history of race relations as it also extend to the entire state.
Program will be held March 23rd, March 30th, and April 6th, 2017 from 6-8 p.m.
Eureka School, 412 East 6th Street, Hattiesburg, MS 39401
No Cost
Sponsored by University of Southern Mississippi & Mississippi Humanities Council
For more information:
Dr. Loren Saxton Coleman-601-266-5811

Philosophical Fridays: Changing Our Mind-Making Sense of the Christian Fight over LGBT Inclusion
2017-03-20 14:00 - 15:30 UTC | Gonzales Auditorium, 1999 Pearl St, Hattiesburg, MS, 39401, United States
Many Mississippians today have had scant exposure to genuine philosophical inquiry and debate and know little about philosophy’s long, distinguished history. Even those who may have taken a philosophy course in college likely studies only selected topics and have a limited sense of the wide range of issues philosophers discuss. As a result, many people think of philosophy merely as an abstract intellectual pursuit with little relevance to everyday affairs of their lives.
In response, the Department of Philosophy and Religion at USM is continuing its popluar “Philosophical Fridays” speakers series in the fall of 2016 and spring of 2017. The series features respected philosophers giving presentations on a variety of issues. Their talks will be non-technical and readily accessible, of students, faculty, and community members. These events will take place at 2:00p.m. on Fridays in the Liberal Arts Building on the Hattiesburg Campus. The topics will range from a discussion about linguistic violence, ethics in a pluralistic world, and free will, to moral psychology.
March 20, 2017
David Gushee, Mercer University
Title: “Changing Our Mind: Making Sense of the Christian Fight over LGBT Inclusion”
USM, Gonzales Auditorium 2:00-3:30pm
No Cost
Sponsored by USM & MS Humanities Council
For more information:
Dr. Samuel Bruton-601-266-4518

Speakers Bureau: Mississippi in the Great War
2017-03-14 18:30 (America/Chicago) | Quisenberry Library Clinton MS, 605 E. Northside Drive , Clinton , MS, 39056
Anne Webster is a retired archivist at the Mississippi Department of Archives and History.

Tougaloo College presents #WAKEUP
2017-03-09 19:00 - 2017-03-10 21:00 UTC | Bennie G. Thompson Building, 500 West County Line Road, Jackson, MS, 39174, United States
The Division of Humanities, Department of English/Creative Writing & Theatre Emphasis presents the innovative theatrical spring production of #Wakeup!
#WAKEUP opens our eyes to the deep causes of African American issues in society; the issues that is typically uncomfortable to speak about. Not just about racism but conversations that should benefit all sides of the spectrum. Issues of gun violence, police brutality, rape culture, race relation/politics, racial representation in politics, establishment in society, gender equality, voting equality, stereotypes, mean girl syndromes, the business of the black church and more. These conversations are shared through the presentation of a unique blend of dark comedy, drama through scenes and monologues, music, dance choreography, spoken words and poetry, visual art, and songs.
This incredible production is lead, directed, performed, choreographed, and written by The Tougaloo College’s Encore Theatre Ensemble, and the Dramatic and Creative Writers. It will run March 5th-8th during Humanities Week at 7:00pm.
Bennie G. Thompson Building, Tougaloo College
No Cost
Sponsored by Tougaloo College & MS Humanities Council
For more information:
Kimberly Myles 601-977-4433

USM host Bodies of Work
2017-03-04 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Chicago) | University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg , MS - Mississippi, 39406

Writers in Residence Program- Rita Dove
2017-02-28 - 2017-03-04 | Taylor Auditorium, 40 Old Main, Starkville, MS, 39762, United States
Writers in Residence Program with Rita Dove is a public reading for students, faculty and community members in the Golden Triangle region. Her public presentation is part of a week-long program as a “Writer in Residence” through Mississippi State University’s College of Arts & Sciences Institute for the Humanities. Dove is former Poet Laureate of the United States and Pulitzer Prize winner for poetry in 1987. Her published work includes On the Bus with Rosa Parks (1999), American Smooth (2004), and Sonata Mulattica (2009). During her visit on campus, she will give a public reading, teach a master class on fiction writing, hold office hours to work individually with students and community writers, and interact with faculty, students, and members of the local community.
Taylor Auditorium, Mississippi State University
No Cost
Sponsored by Mississippi State University & MS Humanities Council
For more information:
Dr. William Anthony Hay- 662-325-7094

Speakers Bureau: Music of the War Between the States
2017-02-24 08:30 UTC | East Amory Elementary School, 305 Easthaven Drive, Amory, MS, 38821, United States
Music of this period played on the Appalachian Mountain dulcimer, banjo-mier and wooden spoons. Period clothing worn. Audience may help play the spoons.
Mr. Arinder has studied Early American and Native American cultures for nearly 50 years, assembling a sizeable collection of artifacts which he uses to leade living history programs for local schools, civic clubs and museums. He volunteers as an interpretive historian with the Natchez Trace Parkway, leading monthly history and pioneer craft demonstrations at the Visitor Center in Tupelo.
East Amory Elementary School, Amory, MS-8:30am
No Cost
Sponsored by East Amory Elementary & MS Humanities Council
For more information:
Marcia Moore- mmoore@amoryschools.com

Freedom to Vote- Perspectives from 1900-2017
2017-02-23 18:30 UTC | Hancock Performing Arts Center, 7140 Stennis Airport Rd, Kiln, MS, 39556, United States
Freedom to Vote is a three part lecture series that will examine voting in the United States for women and African Americans and the current trends in voting. In the first lecture, a representative from the League of Women Voters will explain the suffragettes and their journey to the passing of the 19th amendment. Next, a political expert will analyze and discuss the results of the 2016 Presidential election of the eve of the inauguration. The series will conclude by connecting the words of poets and music of the 1960s to the civil rights movement and Freedom Summer.
Please join us February 23rd at 6:30pm. Music and words from Freedom Summer with Dr. Jerry Giddens, Musician and adjunct professor at USM-Gulf Coast.
Hancock Performing Arts Center-6:30pm
No Cost
Sponsored by Hancock Performing Arts Center & MS Humanities Council
For more information:
Catherine Tibbs-228-255-4147

Philosophical Fridays: Born of Conviction - Traditions vs. Conscience in 1960s White Mississippi Methodism
2017-02-17 14:00 - 15:30 UTC | Gonzales Auditorium, 1999 Pearl St, Hattiesburg, MS, 39401, United States
Many Mississippians today have had scant exposure to genuine philosophical inquiry and debate and know little about philosophy’s long, distinguished history. Even those who may have taken a philosophy course in college likely studies only selected topics and have a limited sense of the wide range of issues philosophers discuss. As a result, many people think of philosophy merely as an abstract intellectual pursuit with little relevance to everyday affairs of their lives.
In response, the Department of Philosophy and Religion at USM is continuing its popluar “Philosophical Fridays” speakers series in the fall of 2016 and spring of 2017. The series features respected philosophers giving presentations on a variety of issues. Their talks will be non-technical and readily accessible, of students, faculty, and community members. These events will take place at 2:00p.m. on Fridays in the Liberal Arts Building on the Hattiesburg Campus. The topics will range from a discussion about linguistic violence, ethics in a pluralistic world, and free will, to moral psychology.
February 17, 2017
Joseph Reiff, Emory & Henry College
Title: “Born of Conviction: Traditions vs. Conscience in 1960s White Mississippi Methodism”
USM, Gonzales Auditorium, 2:00-3:30PM
No Cost
Sponsored by USM & MS Humanities Council
For more information:
Dr. Samuel Bruton-601-266-4518

Speakers Bureau: Music of the War Between the States
2017-02-17 01:15 - 15:15 UTC | Heritage Academy, 623 Willowbrook Dr., Columbus, MS, 39705, United States
Music of this period played on the Appalachian Mountain dulcimer, banjo-mier and wooden spoons. Period clothing worn. Audience may help play the spoons.
Mr. Arinder has studied Early American and Native American cultures for nearly 50 years, assembling a sizeable collection of artifacts which he uses to leade living history programs for local schools, civic clubs and museums. He volunteers as an interpretive historian with the Natchez Trace Parkway, leading monthly history and pioneer craft demonstrations at the Visitor Center in Tupelo.
Heritage Academy, Columbus, MS -1:15PM
No Cost
Sponsored by Heritage Academy & MS Humanities Council
For more information:
Pam Short- 662-256-4520

Speakers Bureau: Mississippi Telling
2017-02-16 18:00 - 20:00 UTC | Oxford Lafayette Library, 401 Bramlett Blvd , Oxford, MS, 38655, United States
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.
Rebecca Moore Jernigan is an internationally recognized scholar and professional storyteller who resides in Oxford.
Oxford Lafayette Library-6pm
No Cost
Sponsored by Oxford Lafayette Library & MS Humanities Council
For more information:
Nancy OPalko- 662-234-5751

Speakers Bureau: Why We Call it Soul Food
2017-02-16 17:30 - 19:30 UTC | First Regional Library, 307 West Commerce St, Hernando, MS, 38632, United States
“Why We Call It Soul Food” tells the story of why southerners, especially African American southerners, call the foods we eat “soul food.” Dr. Willis discusses the emotional and physical aspects of soul food as it relates to our culture and history. She also discusses the bonds attached to the growing, nurturing and preparation of these foods as it relates to our culture and way of life in the South.
Dr. Willis is a native Mississippian. She grew up on a 200-acre working farm. As a child she had to learn how to cook for 15 brothers and sisters. She holds a bachelor of arts degree in social work with a medical emphasis and a master of education in vocational rehabilitation counseling and psychiatric and orthopedic concentration from Mississippi State University. In 2007 she earned a Ph.D. in theology from the New Foundation Seminary in Terry, MS. While married to an internationally recognized bluesman she traveled the world exploring and experiencing the culture and foods of numerous other countries, thereby learning to appreciate her own culture and history as an African American southerner. She discovered she had a great and unique heritage people wanted to know more about, especially as it relates to soul food in the South from an African American perspective.
Dr. Willis’ expertise on soul food comes from growing up on a working Mississippi farm where she learned to cook for a family of 15 brothers and sisters as a teenager. Her experiences traveling the world with her bluesman husband have given her a unique perspective and knowledge of other cultures, but more importantly, a better understanding of her own southern history and culture as it relates to soul food, which is valued and appreciated by people throughout the world.
First Regional Library 307 West Commerce St, Hernando, MS 38632-5:30pm
No Cost
Sponsored by First Regional Library & MS Humanities Council
For more information:
David Brown 662-429-4439

The Early Pioneer Setters 1790-1840
2017-02-16 11:35 - 13:35 UTC | Mantachie Elementary School, 311 Mustang Dr, Mantachie, MS, 38855, United States
A living history program about the early pioneer settlers in Mississippi. Discussion centers around how they dressed, built their homes, produced and cooked their food, the use of flintlock rifles for hunting and protection of their homesteads, building fire using flint-and-steel, grinding corn in hollow stumps, children’s homemade toys and music on the mountain dulcimer. Period clothing worn, hands-on artifacts display and audience participation encouraged.
Mr. Arinder has studied Early American and Native American cultures for nearly 50 years, assembling a sizeable collection of artifacts which he uses to leade living history programs for local schools, civic clubs and museums. He volunteers as an interpretive historian with the Natchez Trace Parkway, leading monthly history and pioneer craft demonstrations at the Visitor Center in Tupelo.
Mantachie Elementary School, Mantachie, MS 38855 -11:35am
No Cost
Sponsored by Mantachie Elementary School & MS Humanities Council
For more information:
Margaret Adams 662-842-1406

Southern Wisdom from Delta Church Mothers
2017-02-15 14:00 - 16:00 UTC | Neshoba County Library, 230 W Beacon St, Philadelphia, MS, 39350, United States
Award-winning journalist Alysia Burton Steele’s Delta Jewels: In Search of My Grandmother’s Wisdom is a visual and lyrical tribute to African American church mothers from the Mississippi Delta. This groundbreaking collection of oral histories and photographs tells nationally and internationally significant stories rooted in the Mississippi Delta, a distinctive region called “The Cradle of American Culture” by the National Park Service and “The Most Southern Place on Earth” by historian James Cobb.The Mississippi Delta produced cotton, Blues music and the Civil Rights Movement. It shaped the lives and contributions of numerous cultural and social justice icons—black and white, women and men—including Fannie Lou Hamer, Eudora Welty, Emmett Till, William Faulkner, Medgar Evers, Richard Wright, Tennessee Williams…and the celebrated Delta Jewels church mothers. Come sit a spell and hear the revered voices of these living figures of history captured by Alysia Burton Steele.
Alysia Burton Steele is a visual educator at the University of Mississippi, with a focus on oral history and visuals. For this presentation, Steele shares her experiences finding and nurturing relationships to earn trust to collect stories and share them with audiences. She shares audio and video stores as part of her presentation.
Neshoba County Library-2pm
No Cost
Sponsored by Neshoba County Library & MS Humanities Council
For more information:
Wayne McNeer – 601-656-4911
