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NATCHEZ, Miss. — Dorie Ann Ladner, who fought for civil rights and voter registration in Natchez, has died, her sister, Joyce Ladner, announced on Tuesday. Dorie Ladner was 81.

“My beloved sister, Dorie Ladner, died peacefully on Monday, March 11, 2024. She will always be my big sister who fought tenaciously for the underdog and the dispossessed. She left a profound legacy of service,” Joyce Ladner shared in a Facebook post.

Dorie Ladner is remembered as a giant in the civil rights movement who worked closely with such leaders as Bill Ware, George Greene, and George Metcalfe, among others.

Ser Seshsh Ab Heter-Clifford M. Boxley, who knew Dorie Ladner personally, said it was interesting that she died on Monday, one day before the polls opened Tuesday on primary election day in Natchez.

In a Facebook post shared Tuesday, Boxley said he “brought her back to Natchez to tell her story and free her spirit from all the pent-up stress generated when she did outstanding community organizing for [the] SNCC Voters Project.”

‘A good job done’

Boxley wrote that she had not returned to Natchez since leaving “after having plowed the grounds for voters’ civil rights and a good job done.”

Boxley said he brought Dorie Ladner, and the Rev. Al Sampson of Chicago of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, to Natchez in 2015 for the 50th anniversary of the modern civil rights movement in Natchez as part of his annual Black and Blue Civil War Living History program. The guests spoke at Jefferson College.

Dorie Ladner was one of the first workers to come to Natchez to get people to vote, said Bobby Dennis, executive director of the NAPAC museum. “That was the beginning of the time when we had a heightened length of Ku Klux Klan activity here in Natchez,” he said.

Dennis said that when Dorie Ladner returned to Natchez as part of Boxley’s program, she visited the NAPAC museum.

Dennis pointed to the film, “Black Natchez” (1967), which presents a documentary of the Natchez movement. He noted that Dorie Ladner is shown approaching activist Bill Ware as he stood on top of a car in front of the NAACP Headquarters. She rushed to him and beckoned for his attention. When he knelt to hear her, she said, “The mayor rejected all of the demands.”

In addition to fellow activists, Dorie Ladner’s work has been praised by scholars, historians, and government leaders. The Mississippi Humanities Council described her as “a giant in the civil rights movement.”

“Dorie Ladner was a vital part of the grassroots effort to change Mississippi and America,” said Dr. Stuart Rockoff, executive director of the Mississippi Humanities Council. “A native of the small community of Palmer’s Crossing, she took her experience in the Mississippi movement to become a national leader in the effort for civil rights. The Mississippi Humanities Councils looks forward to honoring the life and legacy of Ms. Ladner and her sister Joyce with a new Freedom Trail Marker to be dedicated in their hometown on May 4th.”

Metcalfe Boarding House

Dorie Ladner was a member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC).

In 1964, during Freedom Summer, she was one of several women who stayed at the Dr. John Banks House at 9 St. Catherine St. At the time, the house served as the headquarters for the Natchez Branch of the NAACP. It was also home to NAACP President George Metcalfe, who lived on the first floor.

The civil rights workers called the residence “Metcalfe Boarding House.” They stayed at the house following the bombing of Freedom House #1 at 611 S. Wall St., according to Boxley.

John Dittmer wrote about the bombing in his book, “Local People: The Struggle for Civil Rights in Mississippi” (University of Illinois Press, 1995):

“In the late summer of 1964, when SNCC organizers Dorie Ladner, Chuck McDew, and Charles Neblett inaugurated COFO’s first project in Adams County, a bomb destroyed the building next to the house where the SNCC workers were staying. Chief of Police J.T. Robinson told Ladner that the ‘bomb was meant for you. I’m surprised you haven’t been killed already.’”

Other women who stayed at Metcalfe Boarding House included Janet Jemmott, who would later marry the respected civil rights leader, Bob Moses; and Annie Pearl Avery, who sometimes guarded the house using her .22 pistol, according to SNCC.

Her later years

During Dorie Ladner’s later years, she struggled as her health began to deteriorate. A few weeks before her passing, her daughter, Yodit Churnet, opened a GoFundMe page for her mother.

“Dorie Ladner is at a critical time of her life and is in urgent need of home healthcare assistance,” she wrote. “She suffered a stroke and was struck with cancer and underwent a mastectomy. She is also suffering from debilitating back problems such as arthritis and spinal stenosis (surgery in October 2023) and is still in recovery.”

Churnet noted her mother joined the movement while still a teenager and continued to work for human and civil rights for more than 60 years.

“America is a much more democratic society because of the sacrifices made by Dorie to end racial segregation,” she wrote. “Millions of African Americans throughout the South are now able to vote and participate in determining the direction of America because of her contributions.”

NATCHEZ, Miss. – A Native American song by Osage member Scott George, a regular performer at Natchez Powwow, is nominated for an Oscar in the category of Best Original Song, according to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

The song titled, “Wahzhazhe: A Song for My People,” is featured in Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon.” It was composed by George and is performed in the closing dance scene of the film by Osage tribal singers.

Winners of the 2024 Oscars will be announced on Sunday, March 10, during the 96th Academy Awards ceremony at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles. George and the Osage Singers will perform “Wahzhazhe” live at the ceremony, according to the academy website.

Dr. Charles Borum, chairman of the Natchez Powwow, shared the news of George’s nomination in a Facebook post, dated March 3, 2024.

“My friend Scott George has sung many times at the drum at Natchez Powwow … along with the Bighorse brothers and other great singers,” Borum wrote.

The 2024 Natchez Powwow is set for Saturday and Sunday, March 23 and 24, at 319 N. Broadway St. George, a resident of Hominy, Okla., will not be attending this year, according to Borum.

“George and the other Osage singers have been in Natchez multiple times, and we hope to have them return soon,” he said. “It’s exciting for me to see people I know being recognized. George is one of the best singers I sat at the dances with.”

“Killers of the Flower Moon” is a 2023 movie that is based on David Grann’s 2017 nonfiction book of the same name. It tells the horrific story of the Osage murders.

The movie shows how the Osage people became wealthy after oil was discovered on their land in the early 20th century, “only to be exploited and murdered by their duplicitous white neighbors,” reported RTL Today.

The news outlet noted the Osage people played a significant role in the making of the movie. Various scenes were also shot in their heartland.

According to A.frame, the digital magazine of the academy, other nominees competing in the Original Song category include:

“The Fire Inside” from Flamin’ Hot with music and lyric by Diane Warren; “I’m Just Ken” from  Barbie with music and lyric by Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt; “It Never Went Away” from American Symphony with music and lyric by Jon Batiste and Dan Wilson; And “What Was I Made For?” from Barbie with music and lyric by Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell.

Natchez resident David Kelley, who was officially recognized in 2023 as a member of the Osage Nation, said George’s nomination is an important accomplishment for the great Osage Nation and Native Americans in general.

“Since the first invasion of the Europeans on the Native American homeland, the Indian people have been thought of as less than human,” Kelley said. “Even in today’s society, where I believe a conscious effort is being made to overcome racism, there is still a great deficiency in the recognition of the Indian people and the respect for our customs and traditions.”

Kelley said the nomination shines a small spotlight on an artist and great talented man.

“Hopefully, it will in some way begin to change the way this society views the Indian people,” he said.

As for the movie, Kelley said it is a well-made depiction of a great tragedy that was inflicted upon the Osage people.

“It is a story of the greed and murderous spirit of the people trusted with the well-being of the Osage,” he explained. “Our story is worthy of tears. But, through it all the Osage people remain strong. We have not let this wrong-doing change our spirit. God is in control of all things and we are still alive, well and prosperous today.”

NATCHEZ, Miss. – Dr. Roscoe Barnes III, cultural heritage tourism manager for Visit Natchez, was recently named vice president of the Mississippi Historical Society. He was elected Thursday, Feb. 22, during the society’s annual meeting in Oxford.

Barnes will serve with the new president, Dr. Rebecca Tuuri, associate professor of history at University of Southern Mississippi. She fills the position previously held by Will Bowlin, instructor at Northeast Mississippi Community College, who completed his term in office.

“Roscoe Barnes III has been active in the work of the Mississippi Historical Society and cares deeply about the history of our state,” said Brother Rogers, secretary-treasurer of the organization. “We look forward to benefiting from his leadership.”

Barnes said he has enjoyed serving with the society and that the new appointment is an honor.

“I’m fortunate to be able to work with so many scholars, historians, and students of Mississippi History,” he said. “Thanks to the Mississippi Historical Society, I’m connecting with people throughout the state who love Mississippi. These are people who are helping to preserve our history while using multiple channels and resources to share this history with the public.”

Barnes joined the society’s board of directors in 2022. In 2023, he was named chairman of the Awards Committee.

New board members announced during the society’s 2024 meeting include Tony Bounds, Tougaloo College; Kasey Daugherty, The Max; Heather Denné, Jackson State University; Kristi DiClemente, Mississippi University for Women; Linda Fondren, Catfish Row Museum; and Malika Polk-Lee, BB King Museum.

NATCHEZ, Miss. – The George F. Bowles House, located at 13 St. Catherine St., is the recent recipient of a historical marker presented by the City of Natchez and NAPAC museum.

Mayor Dan Gibson and a group of local residents unveiled the marker in front of the house during a dedication ceremony Wednesday, Feb. 28. The mayor was joined by Larry and Brenda Holmes, the current owners of the house; Alderwoman Valencia Hall; the Rev. Birdon and Debra Mitchell, next door neighbors; and Dr. Neifa Hardy.

Friends and family members of the Holmes also attended the event which was held in recognition of Black History Month.

“It is such a blessing to witness the great things happening in Natchez,” said Gibson. “Being able to celebrate the history of this home, located in the Holy Family Catholic Church Historic District, and in the heart of the historic black business and residential area of North Natchez, is just another step forward in telling our story, all of it, for One Natchez.”

The marker is inscribed with the words, “The George F. Bowles House: 1886 – 1890.” It displays the NAPAC museum logo and a QR code for additional information on the site.

Larry Holmes said that he and wife were elated about the marker.

“We both feel good about it,” he said. “This is something we’ve wanted for a long time. George F. Bowles was an important man in our history and his story, as well as the story of his wife, needs to be told.”

Larry Holmes grew up behind the house, across the street known as Bowles Alley. In 1977, he moved into the house as a tenant. He said that he and Brenda purchased the house in 1984, and it has been their home ever since.

Birdon Mitchell, pastor of Zion Chapel A.M.E. Church, has been the Holmes’ neighbor for many years. He said he was happy to see the recognition given for their property.

“Larry and Brenda are very knowledgeable about the history of this property,” Birdon Mitchell said. “They love telling the stories about this house and they’re eager to share this information with the broader community. Natchez is fortunate to have this property preserved for the present and future generations.”

George F. Bowles (1844-1899) was a prominent African American who played a significant role in Natchez’s history in the 1800s. Born enslaved in Charleston, S.C., he gained his freedom before the start of the Civil War.

Bowles came to Natchez in 1871 after practicing law in  Tennessee. In the 1880s and 1890s, he served as a member of the state House of Representatives from Adams County. He was a successful businessman, inventor, newspaper publisher, and philanthropist. His wife, Laura E. Davis Bowles, was a member of a prominent black family.

George Bowles built his house between 1886 and 1890, according to Mimi Miller of the Historic Natchez Foundation. It is located in the Hospital Hill neighborhood on the very site that was home to Natchez’s first public hospital building, the Mississippi State Hospital, built in 1813.

Before its main section was demolished in 1866, the hospital existed on the north side of St. Catherine across from the present location of Holy Family Church. The Bowles house is flanked on the west by the Dr. John Bowman Banks house and on the east by the parsonage of Zion Chapel A.M.E. Church.

The Bowles lived in the house until 1899, the year that both of them died. Laura Bowles died on Aug. 17, 1899, and George died in their home on Dec. 26, 1899, at the age of 55. His pallbearers included Dr. John Banks, G.W. Brumfield and L.D. Kastor. John Roy Lynch was listed as an honorary pallbearer.

The Bowles house is the latest historical site to be added to the city’s Self-Guided African American History tour, which features 29 sites related to African American history. Barber Jessie Winston’s home was added to the tour in December 2023.

The city’s self-guided history tour project was unveiled during a Black History program in February 2023. It is a joint initiative of the City of Natchez and NAPAC Museum. Mayor Gibson has said the project is one of many ways through which the city is telling its complete history.

A detailed article on the history of the George F. Bowles House can be read in the September/October 2023 issue of Natchez Magazine.

LOCATION & DATES: Natchez Convention Center February 24-25 Saturday 11am-8pm | Sunday 10am-6pm.

This fun filled, family event has entertained children and adults across the country. There will be a wide variety of fun and educational activities designed to engage members of the entire family. Embark on a prehistoric journey from the Jurassic all the way through the Ice Age periods and discover the Dinosaurs & Mammals that ruled the earth for more than 200 million years ago! The main exhibit features over 200 Million Years’ Worth of Dinosaurs! You’ll see True-To-Life Size, ultra-realistic dinosaurs in their natural habitats. Other exhibit includes hands-on interaction with these enormous Dinosaurs. Ride on the back of your favorite Dinosaurs. Pet the adorable baby Dinos. Play with the walking dinosaurs that are on the loose. Meet Tracey, a friendly young T-Rex that greets guests and can be found walking around and playing with the kids. There’s a fossil dig area where young paleontologists can dig up ancient bones. Experience Virtual Reality Rides designed to stimulate your child’s imagination and a Jurassic-themed Bounce area with inflatable bounce houses and much more.

Previous events have sold out so buying tickets in advance is highly recommended at: https://www.jurassicempire.com/

PRICING: General Admission: Kids and Adults $20 | Kid’s VIP Unlimited Rides $33 (More details on the website)

NATCHEZ, Miss. — Dr. Roscoe Barnes III, cultural heritage tourism manager for Visit Natchez, will talk about civil rights pioneer Anne Moody and her memoir at the Tuesday, Feb. 27, meeting of the Natchez Historical Society. The meeting will begin with a social at 5:30 p.m. and Barnes’ presentation at 6 p.m., at the Historic Natchez Foundation at 108 S. Commerce St.

The event is free to the public. All are welcome, members and non-members alike.

Barnes’ presentation is titled, “Anne Moody’s Coming of Age in Mississippi: Why It Matters.” His talk will show that while Anne Moody has not received the recognition she deserves, her memoir remains a significant contribution to Mississippi history and has critical implications for race relations, voting rights, human rights, and equality in today’s society.

“Anne Moody’s astonishing life history is one of a girl who found grace and courage in the midst of poverty, bigotry and discrimination,” said Barnes. “She overcame the devastating forces of racism, suffered beatings and endured multiple incarcerations and even death threats in order to help make the world – and the state of Mississippi – a better place to live.”

In addition to being a civil rights activist, Moody was the author of “Coming of Age in Mississippi,” a gripping memoir that has remained in print since the day it was first published in December 1968, according to Barnes.

Born in 1940, Moody grew up in Centreville, in Wilkinson County. After completing high school in Woodville, she enrolled at Natchez College, where she attended the school from 1959 to 1961 on a basketball scholarship. After graduating from Natchez College, she began her studies at Tougaloo College, where she became a civil rights activist.

Moody died on Feb. 5, 2015, at her home in Gloster, Miss., at the age of 74. She had been under the care of her sister, Adline, who told the press that Anne had dementia for several years.

While referencing her book, Barnes noted Moody’s sacrifice and many accomplishments in the 1960s. He said that she participated in peaceful protests, marches, and sit-ins in an effort to desegregate businesses, churches, and public facilities. Despite the dangers at the time, she worked with several civil rights organizations, including the NAACP, CORE, and SNCC, according to Barnes. He said that she also participated in voter registration drives for Freedom Summer in 1964.

“Anne Moody and her book matter to us, and they matter in many significant ways,” said Barnes. “I look forward to talking about the impact of her life history and her literary contribution to American history.”

Barnes is the founding chairman of the Anne Moody History Project, a public history endeavor started in 2017 at Wilkinson County Correctional Facility, Woodville, to promote the legacy of Anne Moody and her book. Barnes writes about Moody at RoscoeReporting.blogspot.com. His work on Moody has resulted in national press coverage and citations in peer-reviewed journals.

Barnes is a member of the boards of directors of both the Mississippi Historical Society and the Natchez Historical Society. He holds a Ph.D. in Church History and Church Polity from the University of Pretoria, South Africa, and a Master of Arts in Religion from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg. He earned his Bachelor of Science from East Coast Bible College, Charlotte, North Carolina.

In addition to being an independent scholar whose research focuses on Moody, F.F. Bosworth, and Ernest Hemingway, Barnes is an award-winning newspaper journalist. He is the author of multiple books, including “F.F. Bosworth: The Man Behind ‘Christ the Healer’” (Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2009) and “Off to War: Franklin Countians in World War II” (White Mane Publishing, 1996).

Barnes’ articles have appeared in scores of newspapers, magazines, and academic journals, including Corrections Today, Good Grit Magazine, American Jails, The Journal of the European Pentecostal Theological Association, The Arkansas Review, Africa Journal of Pentecostal Studies, The Pneuma Review, Natchez Magazine, and Refleks Journal.

Barnes’ work is also published in Brill’s Encyclopedia of Global Pentecostalism (Brill, 2021) and by the online encyclopedia, BlackPast.org. His forthcoming articles will appear in the Mississippi Encyclopedia and the Dictionary of Pentecostal Mission.

This Feb. 27 program held by the historical society is funded in part by a grant from the Mississippi Humanities Council, through funding by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

For more information, visit natchezhistoricalsociety.org, call 601-492-3004 or send email to info@natchezhistoricalsociety.org

NATCHEZ, Miss. – The City of Natchez proudly announces the inauguration of the first annual

“Heroes of Black History” event aims to highlight the significant contributions of individuals from the past and the achievements of present-day citizens their contributions have influenced. This event is designed to become a staple of February Black History Month commemorations.

 

Each year, the “Heroes of Black History” event will feature one of four fields of accomplishment: 

“Arts, Athletics, and Entertainment,” “Church and Community Service,” and “Education and Cultural Heritage,” with this first presentation centering on “Leadership and Politics.” The documentation of those honored will be given to NAPAC for the permanent collection.

 

“Our mission is to shed light on remarkable Natchezians and the influence their collective journeys made and make on the future of our community and nation.” Mayor Dan M. Gibson states, “Among the illustrious figures celebrated this year are early activists Hiram R. Revels and John R. Lynch, whose legacies resonate through the pages of history. The ceremony will also pay homage to Civil Rights trailblazers and the activism of the secret Black Dot Club, whose pivotal role in supporting the Freedom Riders’ efforts continues to inspire us today.” 

 

Among the original Black Dot members included Radford Battiste, the only living member, and the late Jonathan W. Grennell, Jr. Also recognized will be Grennell, Jr.’s nephew, Senator Robert L. Johnson, III, and son, former Natchez Mayor, Darryl W. Grennell — both of whom exemplify the continuity of commitment and service that has always defined our community.

 

The inaugural “Heroes of Black History” will occur on February 22 from 6 to 8 PM at The American Museum of African-American History and Culture (NAPAC) in Natchez, Mississippi, at 301 Main

Street. We invite all community members to join us in commemorating these important stories of our shared history. The City of Natchez is honored to play a role in connecting past accomplishments to those of our current times to help ensure these vital narratives remain alive for generations to come.

NATCHEZ– The 35^th annual Natchez Literary and Cinema Celebration (NLCC) is set for February 22-24, 2024. The 2024 NLCC theme “Rites, Rituals, and Religion in the Deep South” will explore life and death experiences in a series of presentations on religious traditions, burial rituals, cemetery history, mourning practices, and historic holidays which are all deeply embedded in the Southern Experience. This two-and-a-half-day event will feature scholars whose presentations parallel an evolving historical American narrative of the living and the dying based on both “Old World” traditions combined with a profound sense of democracy, race, and ingenuity. Most events and presentations are free of charge and will be held at the Natchez Convention Center at 211 Main Street in downtown Natchez.

The conference will kick off the morning of Thursday, February 22^nd with opening remarks at 8:30 a.m. from Natchez Mayor Dan Gibson, Co-Lin President Dr. Dewayne Middleton, and Interim Vice President of the Natchez Campus Dr. Ronnie Nettles. William Winter Scholars and Vance Fellows will also be recognized during this time. The morning presentations include author and President of the Delaware State Funeral Directors Association Todd Harra, author and professor Dr. Sarah J. Purcell, and Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky, professional lecturer at George Washington University and author. A book signing will be held at 11:15 a.m.

Thursday afternoon activities resume at 1:15 p.m. with Elisabeth Grant-Gibson moderating a panel discussion with authors Alex Jennings, Dr. Olivia Clare Friedman, and Deb Wiles.

The final presentations of the day will come from author Dr. Robin Roberts at 2:00 p.m. and author Greg Melville at 3:15 p.m. A book signing will follow at 4 p.m.

Thursday’s events wrap up with two ticketed events. Tickets are $25 for a cemetery tour with the Friends of the Natchez City Cemetery to tour the 100-acre cemetery established in 1822. Tours will be at 4:15, 4:30, 4:45, and 5:00 p.m. At 6:00 p.m., experience an 1877 reenactment of Annie Stewart’s wake at Sunnyside Plantation. This is the true story of Annie Stewart, a young bride who died during her stay at Sunnyside while preparing for her wedding. Tickets are $50 and will include cocktails and a reception at Sunnyside Plantation.

A full day of activities begins Friday, February 23^rd at 8:30 a.m. with the presentation to Duncan Morgan with the Thad Cochran Award of Achievement, Angie Thomas with the Richard Wright Award for Literary Excellence, and recognition of the John D. W. Guice Young Writers Competition winners.

Friday’s presentations begin at 9:30 a.m. with author and Purdue University professor emeritus Dr. Robert May. Authors Joseph McGill, Jr. and Herb Frazier will present at 10:15 a.m. with a book signing to follow.

The afternoon lineup begins at 1:00 p.m. with author Jim Wiggins, followed by a panel discussion with Dr. Charles Marsh, Dr. Robert P. Jones, Dr. Carolyn Dupont, and Dr. C.J. Rhodes moderated by Father Andy Andrews. At 2:45, author and professor Dr. Elaine Frantz Parsons will present, followed by author and Wayne State assistant professor Dr. Kidada E. Williams. A book signing will follow.

A screening event of documentary In The Bones will begin at 4:45 p.m. followed by discussion with producer and director Kelly Duane de la Vega, Mississippi Representative Robert L. Johnson III., and Natchez Police Chief Cal Green.

The final event on Friday is a ticketed event at St. Mary’s Basilica with a presentation by Father Aaron Williams, and author Emily Mallory will be signing her book following the presentation. Tickets are $35.

The 2024 NLCC concludes with “Mimosas in the Mourning” on Saturday morning at 9 a.m. Tours of three rural cemeteries will follow breakfast at Church Hill Variety. Tickets are $40.

To view the full conference agenda, purchase tickets, or learn more about the NLCC, visit www.colin.edu/nlcc.

 

About the Natchez Literary and Cinema Celebration

The NLCC is a time-honored tradition in the State of Mississippi, with a well-deserved reputation as one of the state’s most significant annual conferences devoted to literature, history, film, and culture. Each February the NLCC chooses a new topic related to humanities in the American South and brings nationally known scholars and authors to Natchez for the award-winning conference.

Natchez, Miss. – Dr. Carolyn Myers is organizing a Black History program that will honor the contributions of African American women at 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17, at the Natchez City Auditorium, 207 Jefferson St. The program is titled, “Back Down Memory Lane: African American Women (Past and Present) who Changed History and Culture.” It is free to the public.

Myers said the program will feature local women of various churches and organizations who will portray the women being recognized. A special segment of the program will focus on Mississippians and Natchez natives, she said.

The program is part of an on-going effort by Myers to share the stories of African Americans each year during Black History Month and throughout the year.

“Each year we do something for Black History Month,” she said. “Last year I did something on Emmett Till. We had two movie nights with a free showing of the film, ‘Women of the Movement.’ The weekend following, I took two buses of seniors to the Mississippi Delta to learn more about Emmett Till and the civil rights movement.”

Myers and her traveling seniors were joined on the trip by Mayor Dan and Marla Gibson, and Alderwoman Valencia Hall.

Myers’ travel group is called “Seniors on the Move.” The group takes week-long trips to historical sites in Mississippi and other states every year.

“This year I wanted to do something different,” she said. “I want to let people know about a lot of women who became ‘the first person’ in their respective fields that many people do not know about. Some of them have not received the recognition they deserve.”

Myers, a retired educator, said she “did a lot of research on women all over the world, not just those in Natchez.”

“In 2019, I did a program recognizing the ‘50 Distinguished Men Across the Miss-Lou Area,” Myers said. “During that program, the women presented the awards to the men. This time, the men will present the awards to the women.”

Those attending the “Back Down Memory Lane” program are asked to bring two canned goods or non-perishable items to donate to Stewpot.

This program is sponsored by Seeds of Change Resource Foundation.

For more information, call 601-870-6343.

Natchez, Miss. – The second annual art exhibit featuring the works of African Americans is on display in the lobby of the WTYJ /WMIS radio station at 20 E. Franklin St.

The event, which is called the Natchez Black History Month Art Exhibit, is hosted by Malcolm Innis, owner of New Vision Media, and is being featured for the entire month of February in recognition of Black History Month. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. It is free to the public.

“I’m pleased to say that we have art work that is influenced by Natchez notables,” Innis said. “We have several artists participating in the exhibit, and their work speaks for them.”

In addition to Richard Wright and the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, the exhibit includes photographs of historic homes, drawings and paintings with African American themes.

On the wall is a framed collection of photos of historical African American sites by Natchez folk artist Debra McNeal. Her work presents images of the Forks of the Road slave market site, the Proud to Take a Stand monument, the William Johnson House, Zion Chapel A.M.E. Church, site of Wharlest Jackson Sr.’s bombing, NAPAC museum, Richard Wright’s childhood home, the Rhythm Night Club Memorial Museum, and Brumfield School.

A table in the lobby presents the art of Virgie Prichett of Fayette who uses a bust, doll, and drawings to tell the story of Wharlest Jackson Sr. Jackson was a civil rights leader who worked as a treasurer for the NAACP in the 1960s. He died when his truck was bombed by the Ku Klux Klan on Feb. 27, 1967.

Jackson became a target of the Klan because of his work with the NAACP and his promotion at the Armstrong Tire and Rubber Company.

Other featured artists include Georgette Houston of Fayette; Bradley Bruce of Woodville; Leon Hollins III, Mack James, and Diane Penfield, all of Natchez.

Hollins, who works as a photographer and artist, created a mixed media presentation of Richard Wright, the famous author of “Native Son” and “Black Boy.”

“We’re trying to give the Natchez community and our core radio listeners a taste of the beauty of art,” said Inniss. “We want to create inspiration for people to come and see this important talent. We also plan to reach out to schools and ask them to provide field trips to students.”

Additionally, Innis said, the exhibit is a great attraction for tourists coming in off the boats. Wine and cheese will be served every Saturday or Sunday.

For more information, call Leon Hollins at 601-334-0987.