Blog Archives - boom jackson

Interpreting the Flag

12/8/2017

by Amber Helsel, photos courtesy Laurin Stennis

People can protest the Mississippi state flag in many ways, and one of them is through art. On Thursday, Oct. 12, local artist and the granddaughter of late U.S. Sen. John C. Stennis, Laurin Stennis, announced that she was taking submissions for a "Mississippi: I Declare" juried art exhibit. She asked artists, creatives and craftsmen to use their mediums to interpret her design of the Mississippi state flag. The deadline for submissions was Dec. 1.

People incorporated the flag into their works in many different ways. Here are some of the submissions for the exhibit.

Building a Better City Together

12/8/2017

by Mike McDonald

Working Together Jackson Vice Chairman Ronnie Crudup Jr., a former mayoral candidate, says he joined Working Together Jackson because of the group’s diversity, and the fact that in can help bring light to issues politicians may neglect.

In south Jackson, attendees shuffled inside Emmanuel Baptist Church, gravitating to the buffet on the far side of the room. The room filled slowly as people continued pouring in after the program began. Working Together Jackson banners hung on both sides of a podium.

Bicentennial Preparations, Development Madness

12/8/2017

by Dustin Cardon

In October, the Greater Jackson Arts Council commissioned Scott Allen of A Plus Signs and Creative to paint a mural on the side of the Gadow Tyler Law Office on Pearl Street. Photo by Stephen Wilson

'Welcome to Jackson'

In August, the Greater Jackson Arts Council announced a search for an artist to paint an 84-by-34-foot mural that welcomes visitors to Jackson. The organization wanted to have the mural, which is in honor of the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum and Museum of Mississippi History, painted on the side of the Gadow Tyler Law Office on Pearl Street downtown.

The ABCs of Downtown Jackson

12/7/2017

by Amber Helsel

Photo by Amber Helsel

A rt Garden. It's one of the prettiest green spaces you will find in Jackson.

Of Oprah, Obama and Ordinary Folk

12/7/2017

by Amber Helsel

Lottie Joiner says her favorite parts of journalism are being able to be a fly on the wall and to also get the chance to tell other people’s stories. “You learn so much when you interview people,” she says. Photo courtesy Anna Carson Dewitt

While growing up in Jackson, journalist Lottie Joiner admired Mississippi native Oprah Winfrey and says she wanted to be like her. "I wanted to be a reporter," she says. "I always liked to write, but watching Oprah when you're young, and you know, she had a daily talk show."

Doing the Local Thing

12/7/2017

by Brinda Fuller Willis

In her business, More Than a Tourist, LLC, Jane Halbert Jones wants to help facilitate a good travel experience for people, and to also help them get a taste of the local culture. She can organize tours and vacations around the world, and also does tours of Jackson. Photo by Stephen Wilson

On Sept. 23, people gathered on a bus for a sightseeing tour of Jackson, stopping in neighborhoods such as Fondren, midtown and downtown.

The tour was part of Jane Halbert Jones' business, More Than a Tourist, LLC.

For the Brown Girls

12/7/2017

by Brinda Fuller Willis

At For Brown Girls, Inc.’s event, “Queens Night Out II,” Vaniessa Cousin speaks to attendees about her journey as a three-time breast-cancer survivor. For Brown Girls’ mission is to empower women and girls. Photo by Stephen Wilson

At "Queens Night Out II" on Oct. 14, singer and inspirational speaker Vaniessa Cousin serenaded guests with a song, "Encourage Yourself."

Innovate the State

12/5/2017

by Malcolm Morrow

Innovate Mississippi President Tony Jeff says that though the organization will work with established businesses, it likes to work with start-ups to help them develop a plan, connect with potential investors and get started right from the beginning. Photo courtesy Innovate Mississippi

When people hear "technology innovation," they probably don't think "Mississippi"—they're probably picturing Silicon Valley or Austin, Texas. But while Jackson still has work to do, changes in the past year—including Innovate Mississippi's move from an obscure office park in Ridgeland to the "innovation hub" on State Street in downtown Jackson—is a sign of a possible tech boom in the capital city.

Find Your Flock

12/5/2017

by Malcolm Morrow

Photo by Stephen Wilson

On the bustling storefront section of North State Street in Fondren near Campbell's Bakery is the latest addition to the ever-growing district, The Flamingo. The event venue is the brainchild of Michael Milnick, Ahmad and Saddi Thompson, Bradley Adair, Ian Hanson and Garrad Lee.

We're All Different Together

12/5/2017

by Amber Helsel

I've done art in some shape or capacity for pretty much my whole life. I started taking art classes in seventh grade, and then took them all through high school. I was even in Advanced Placement art in senior year, and received a score of four out of five on my final portfolio. I won silver keys in the 2006 Scholastic Arts & Writing Awards competition for my photography.