Fly Flamingo p 9 // Local Tours p 13 // ABCs of Downtown p 15 Brain Drain to Gain pp 22-23 // Organic Revolution pp 36-37 // AND Art p 46
No. // Vol. 10, E E R F | 8 17 - 201 Winter 20
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POWER COUPL ES
pp 38-44
QUIRKY GIFTS
the
I N N OVAT I O issue
pp 24 - 25
N Local Menu Guide, starts p 29
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Winter 2017-2018 // The City’s Business and Lifestyle Magazine
boomjackson.com
now at Workplace Solutions
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“We’re (not) going to turn our economic fortunes around, our quality-of-life fortunes around … in a sustained way until we solve the problem of leaking intellectual capital.” —Tim Mask, pp 22-23
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9 JXN Fondren Flamingos Meet the venue that’s named after our feathery, pink friends.
20 JXN A New (Flag) Hope These artists are speaking out through their mediums.
10 A Mini Silicon Valley? Innovate Mississippi is helping the state’s tech industry grow and shine.
22 Biz Brain Gain, Not Drain How Tim Mask wants to reverse the flight.
12 Sisterhood and Community Kia Jones wanted to help girls like her find a way to connect and give back. 13 Finding Local Flair Jane Jones incorporates local culture into her travel itineraries. 14 Expat One Journalist’s Journey Lottie Jones wanted to follow in Oprah’s footsteps—but now she’s blazing her own trail.
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15 Downtown Alphabet As museums bring life to back to the city’s heart, get to know the ABCs of the new hippest ‘hood. 16 Progress Asbestos, A Mural and More The latest developments in Jackson, detailed. 18 Do Gooder All in This Working Together Jackson wants to change the capital city from the inside out.
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24 Gift Guide The Local Present Check out this year’s quirky gift guide. 25 Peekaboo Of Graphic Design and Anime See what’s in Benjamin Brock Martin’s bag. 29 Menu Guide Paid advertising. 36 Bites A Garden of Luck This couple wants to create a movement around organic farming. 38 Power Couples Shiny People Drum roll! These dynamo duos are making a difference. 46 Arts Creativity Meets Social Justice AND creates a space for political and social commentary in art. 47 Images of Pop Culture Local artist Derek Craft likes video games—and his art shows it. 48 Melodies Verses or Versus The Country Cousinz Concert series aims to create a sense of community in music. 50 Events Celebrate Community All you need to know for the next three months in one convenient place. 56 Cool Too Delta Soul See what we found in Greenville. 58 Local List Roderick Red’s Round Read about his 10 favorite places here.
Work. Live. Play. Prosper.
Winter 2017-2018 // The City’s Business and Lifestyle Magazine
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boomjackson.com
editor’s note
We’re All Different Together // by Amber Helsel
Editor-in-Chief and CEO Donna Ladd Managing Editor Amber Helsel
Assistant Editor Micah Smith
Editorial Writers Cam Bonelli // R.H. Coupe Dustin Cardon // Mike McDonald Malcolm Morrow // Jan Richardson Christina Spann // Brinda Willis Listings Editor // Rebecca Hester Interns Adam Berken // ShaCamree Gowdy Photography Stephen Wilson Ad Design Zilpha Young Business and Sales Advertising Director // Kimberly Griffin Sales and Marketing Consultant // Stephen Wright Digital Marketing Specialist // Meghan Garner Distribution Manager // Richard Laswell Assistant to the CEO // Inga-Lill Sjostrom President and Publisher Todd Stauffer CONTACT US Story pitches // editor@boomjackson.com Ad Sales // ads@boomjackson.com BOOM Jackson 125 S. Congress St., #1324, Jackson, MS 39201 p 601.362.6121 // f 601.510.9019 Would you like copies of BOOM Jackson for recruiting, welcome packets or other corporate, institutional or educational uses? Call 601.362.6121 x16 or email inga@jacksonfreepress.com. BOOM Jackson is a publication of Jackson Free Press Inc. BOOM Jackson, which publishes quarterly, focuses on the urban experience in Jackson, Miss., emphasizing entrepreneurship, economic growth, culture, style and city life. © 2017-2018 Jackson Free Press Inc.
Cover photo of Scott Allen by Stephen Wilson See more on pages 16-17
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Winter 2017-2018 // The City’s Business and Lifestyle Magazine
Imani Khayyam
Art Director Kristin Brenemen
I
’ve done art in some shape or capacity for like, have no technical skill, but they’re good at something, and they have a creative voice. pretty much my whole life. I started taking The fact that you can literally be any kind of art classes in seventh grade, and then took artist you want is what makes art great. There them all through high school. I was even in are artists out there who are ridiculously good Advanced Placement art in senior year, and at creating photo-like paintings of still-lifes. One received a score of four out of five on my final of my favorite artists, Alexa portfolio. I won silver keys in Meade, takes the threethe 2006 Scholastic Arts & dimensional world and Writing Awards competition turns it into beautiful paintfor my photography. ings by literally painting on But for as long as I can repeople, furniture, animals, member, people were always whatever is in her setup at sort of confused when it came that moment, and then photo my art. When my teacher in tographing them. Half the my sophomore art class gave time, you can’t even tell that us an assignment to create it’s real life until you see her art that incorporated drawbehind-the-scenes process. ings of shoes, I ended up creManaging Editor But I also follow artists who ating flowers with Converse Amber Helsel work in the abstract, and Chuck Taylors as the petals. who are amazing at creating My teacher was amazed that I ethereal pieces. had managed to come up with Jackson is a hodgepodge of people from something so creative, but he was slightly con- fused by the idea. I created another piece for his all walks of life, and our arts scene reflects that. class that incorporated Skittles, and my pop-art There isn’t one single movement of people dopiece for one of his classes was a giant, poorly ing the exact same type of art. Some of us may have similar styles or use similar mediums, but executed Chuck Taylor that I had painted (also we all approach it in slightly different ways. poorly) the American flag on. Again, he was Over the last few years at BOOM Jackson, amazed, but confused. I’ve met so many different kinds of artists— Obviously, I was a fountain of ideas, but when I had to do something that required ones who are incredible at difficult mediums technical skills, I always seemed to fail miser- such as watercolors like Wyatt Waters; abstract ably. When I was in eighth grade, my teacher artists who use beautiful colors and shapes like Elizabeth Fowler; artists like Jonathan Faulkner, had us recreate a picture of a tiger by drawing whose quirky drawings evoke depths of the subit square by square. It was a super simple asconscious; artists like Scott Allen, who painted signment, right? I thought I understood it. But at some point, I got really off track and ended up the “Welcome to Jackson” mural that’s on this creating a tiger that looked more abstract than cover of BOOM Jackson; artists like Kira Cummings and Ginger Williams-Cook, who tackle intended. In AP Art 4 when my teacher asked us to paint a still life of a pyramid of toilet-paper pop culture and social commentary in fun and interesting ways; and so many more. What rolls, my final painting was hilariously bad. makes Jackson great is the fact that we can all When my classmates and I went to Mississippi State to show the art department staff our be different, but we’re all different together. Managing Editor Amber Helsel is a portfolios, I vividly remember one of them telling me that my portfolio was fine, but it didn’t Gemini, feminist, writer, artist and otaku. She loves her cat, eating, hoarding craft supplies have a direction. It was disheartening to hear and more. Email story ideas to amber@jackson that, and I think that was what finally made me decide against studying art in college. Things freepress.com. turned out for the best, of course. Had I focused on art in college, my life would probably be quite different, and I wouldn’t be typing this editor’s note. But over the last few months, I’ve discovered that art isn’t just about the technical. I’ve met plenty of people, who, boomjackson.com
contributors
es p r es s o d e a l e r Malcolm Morrow
Freelancer Malcolm Morrow has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Southern Mississippi. He is the founder of Jackson-based entertainment blog The Hood Hippie. He wrote about The Flamingo and AND Gallery.
Christina Spann
Ridgeland native Christina Spann is working on her master’s degrees in public policy and administration. She enjoys making people laugh and has a passion to change the face of public-school education. She wrote about Power Couples.
R.H. Coupe
R.H. Coupe recently returned to Mississippi from Strasbourg, France. He wrote about Power Couples.
Dustin Cardon
Web Editor Dustin Cardon is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi. He enjoys reading fantasy novels and wants to write them himself one day. He wrote the Progress story. Work. Live. Play. Prosper.
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Innovation State p 10 A Community of Women p 12 Local Tourism Flair p 13 Lottie’s Journey p 14
Downtown ABCs p 15 City Progress pp 16-17 For Jackson’s Good p 18 Flag Declarations p 20
Find You r Flock
Work. Live. Play. Prosper.
Winter 2017-2018 // The City’s Business and Lifestyle Magazine
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// by Ma
olm Mor n the bu row stling sto refront s Street in e c ti o n of Nor Fondren th State near Cam the lates can be m pbell’s B t additio n to the ade betw aker y is The Flam een peop e v e r growing ingo. Th On Oct. le in the child of M d e is tr e city here 6, the ve v ic ent venu ichael M t, fe ,” Lee sa nue held atured m ilnick, Ah e is the Bradley ys. usic from its grand brainmad and Adair, Ian lo o S th p addi Tho cal ar tists e Jackso ening, w Hanson a “We m n hich s n p J u d a s c o c G h k n created arrad Le , als. as James e. The Fla The Flam Crow an already m d in in go also h go beca been th that has osts a mo use we rowing featured concer ts s e tl h v y a e d weekly h nts like themes s and othe die Rap H appy hou uch as “T ar t sho r things,” appy Ho came up r ws, rappy Ho Lee says u for rent, r. ” h F o L u s E r” te . E d “S and “InT w , th o e a e event all wante when it g cation an r o u p fo on Nov. d to hold r local cr d have a hope to h 16, and eatives, onto the venue to ave other utilized a Lee says lohost eve g r s a venue o u the own p s n d In ts o th a a b d n ers e y dition to d to be same in th others.” music, L The nam e future. owners e e w e c a omes fro says tha nt The F attached t he and lamingo m the dé cases th cour tyar to be a s cor of th the e talents d. e pace tha of Missis “It had th Flaming t s h s o ip o e ws p e pink a will also i visual and the ccents a ar tists. T par ticipa Fondren bird was ll a h te r e o A u fter 5 an in events the first nd it, mind,” L thing tha d Jackso The spac such as ee says. t n e c a In is me to die Mus “When w available the name ings and ic Week e were c to rent fo , we decid . other ev hoosing r par ties e d e to He s , n b ts s o ti . ok signc k with it.” “We hav ays the e a lot o slogan fo “Find Yo f ideas in including r the bu ur Flock mind for doing so siness, ,” is the spac m a nod to wanting e c e more ar r ts ,” he say e, the owne to create t shows s. “We’ve rs a space w and con th and grou h e o p s a te here peo st (such d a ps in Jac fe w as Land v ple things he kson can to bring network s Ocean), re in come an s o with othe m a e nd we ju thing dif d rs and ju st plan ferent to For “We st hang o Fondren more in hope tha ut. .” fo t new co r m ( 3 a 0 ti 1 o 1 n N. State nnection on The St.), find s Flaming and Face the venu o book or v e on Inst isit flamin agram gojxn.com .
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JXN // entrepreneurship
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COURTESY INNOVATE MS
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hen 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. Innovate Mississippi, a nonprofit that receives both corporate and state funding, seeks to help technology-related startups get their business plan in focus—and then connect with potential investors. President Tony Jeff says Innovate Mississippi started as the Mississippi Technology Alliance in 2001, but after the company began working with a broader range of companies, the name changed in 2012. Over the years, he says, the organization has attracted 1,200 clients across the state and has helped about 58 companies raise a total $36 million in funding. “We accelerate technology and innovation startups,” Jeff says. “We operate on a ‘coach-and-connect’ model for businesses. We help get them prepared to present the ideas and projects to potential investors. This is a statewide program, and we hope to build an ecosystem that can help foster more growth of independent businesses by helping to build the resources they need to be successful.” Innovate Mississippi hosts several events that educate new business owners and help to encourage networking between startup founders and the people who can fund their businesses. Those events include the Mississippi New Venture Challenge, Startup Weekends, hack-a-thons, investor pitches, an annual technology conference and more. Developing a high-tech workforce is another focus for Innovate Mississippi—something the group is addressing via the Mississippi Coding Academies. The academies, where student coders meet for 35 hours per week over 11 months, trains recent highschool graduates in coding and business “soft” skills, so they will be ready on the first day an employer needs them. In partnership with the Mississippi Development Authority, Innovate Mississippi launched Jackson and Columbus branches of the program in 2017; classes are tuition-free to students, many of whom are from under-
Innovate the State // 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. served backgrounds. Jackson classes are temporarily housed in the Eudora Welty library, but a permanent classroom for the academy is being renovated in the “innovation hub” next door to the downtown Innovate Mississippi offices. Jeff says that while Innovate Mississippi will work with established companies, their
Winter 2017-2018 // The City’s Business and Lifestyle Magazine
team really likes working with companies that are just getting started. “We will help you build yourself up to a launching-pad stage,” he says. “We also help guide and connect people with resources that may be beneficial to them going forward.” For more information, visit innovate.ms or find the organization on Facebook. boomjackson.com
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We welcome our new Minister
Rob Lowry
This is such an exciting time to be in Jackson and especially the Fondren area. Fondren Presbyterian Church has a rich history of serving and advocating for our neighbors in Jackson. Being a part of this historic church and this exciting ministry is a great joy for me. The prophet Jeremiah called on the people to ‘seek the welfare of the city.’ I am so excited to work with the members and friends of Fondren Presbyterian Church as we continue to seek the welfare of our city.
Fondren Presbyterian Church the church with open doors
3220 old canton road • Jackson 39216 601.982.3232 • fondrenpcusa.org
Work. Live. Play. Prosper.
Winter 2017-2018 // The City’s Business and Lifestyle Magazine
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JXN // empowerment Stephen Wilson
For the Brown Girls // 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 breastcancer survivor. For Brown Girls’ mission is to empower women and girls.
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ly working on her doctorate degree in epidemiology at JSU, which she expects to receive in 2019, and is a clinical research assistant at My Brother’s Keeper. For Brown Girls operates on a membership basis. Girls ages 14 to 17 have to have Stephen Wilson
t “Queens Night Out II” on Oct. 14, singer and inspirational speaker Vaniessa Cousin serenaded guests with a song, “Encourage Yourself.” During the event, she also spoke about breast-cancer awareness. “I’m still here,” she said, as she began talking about her journey as a three-time breast-cancer survivor. The event, which local nonprofit For Brown Girls Inc. hosted with Miss Black Mississippi USA 2017, is part of For Brown Girls Chief Executive Officer Kia Jones’ mission to empower women and help them effect change in their communities. For Brown Girls, which became an official 501c3 nonprofit organization in 2015, helps girls and women of color throughout Mississippi learn together and advocate the state’s disadvantaged. “I wanted to create an organization that would allow me to serve my community and to provide a vehicle for girls who look like me to start giving back to their own community, not waiting for others to what I could do on my own with the help of brown girls like me,” Jones says. She received her bachelor’s degree in biology from Jackson State University and her master’s in public administration from Belhaven University in 2015. She is current-
For Brown Girls Inc. empowers women and girls of color to help themselves and their communities. sponsorships from parents or legal guardians. Membership is $30 for women 18 years old and up. The organization has programs such as the “Through Thick & Thin Fitness Journey,” which incorporates weekly workouts in the local community; “Share Your Strength,” where members go to Poindexter Park once every three months to feed the homeless and
Winter 2017-2018 // The City’s Business and Lifestyle Magazine
those who are hungry; and “Project Uplift,” where members participate in mentorships for girls in ninth through 12th grade at the organization’s adopted school, Provine High School. The organization has partnered with Product of My Environment, LLC, to create a mentorship program for boys called “Evening the Odds.” The organization’s monthly meetings are at the Jackson State University library on Sundays when everyone is available. “Our members know the needs of their community better than anyone else therefore,” Jones says. “They can address issues and make changes for people with whom they already have a relationship with because they have actually laid eyes on their neighbors and are familiar with them on a personal level. “... These women have the ground-level knowledge of what works and what doesn’t in their community. If we utilize women and girls that are a part of their community, we don’t have to go in and introduce ourselves because the person offering help has been there working already in some capacity with or without notoriety.” For more information, visit forbrown girlsinc.org or find the organization on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram. boomjackson.com
// travel
Doing
n 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. She says the idea for the company popped into her head while she was sitting at her desk at a 9 a.m.-to-5 p.m. job, wondering what she could do to continue her travels and to facilitate easier trips for other people. While attending Mississippi College, Jones spent two semesters abroad—one in England in 1999, and then in 2000 she spent a semester in France and then went to work in Greece. “I was able to see what most people never get to see,” she says. Jones then received a bachelor’s degree in French with a minor in business from Mississippi College in 2001. After graduation, she taught English in France for a year. Since her first time abroad in 1999, she spent time off and on in Europe, mostly in France, until 2009. In 2011, she started More Than A Tourist as a travel service that, in addition to going to tourist sights, would also let people find local places to eat and things to do. “I took my first group of adventurists to France shortly after I started the business, and it was a smash hit for everyone on the trip,” she says. “I showed the group (local) places to dine and explore that I discovered when I (lived in) France.” In 2016, she took specialty travel courses online to enhance her knowledge of customized public and private tours, and vacations around the world. The Greenville, Miss., native’s mission is to help people explore the local points of interest and to make their trips easier by being their guide, translator and planner. Jones, who is the general manager for Underground 119, says she wants to develop specific itineraries such as foodie tours and blues tours around the state. “Clarksdale, Greenville and Vicksburg are attractive blues tours for international travelers who come to Mississippi because Mississippi has such a great blues heritage, as so many blues legends were born in the state,” she says. She has tours planned for 2018 that will include “Paris in Spring” around Memorial Day Work. Live. Play. Prosper.
// by Brinda Fuller Willis STEPHEN WILSON
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the Local Thing
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. and the “French Riviera Tour” Aug. 26-Sept. 4. Jones has also developed the Jackson City Highlight Tours as part of “Local Tours for Locals.” Participants walk, drive or tour on the Mississippi Party Bus, and see and do local things in the city’s neighborhoods. She also organizes “progressive dinners,” with or without transportation, where tourists stop at the three local restaurants for an appetizer, an entree and a dessert. She also wants to organize “Local
Tours for Locals” for surrounding cities such as Vicksburg. Jones is organizing the next Jackson City Highlight Tour for Dec. 9, 2017, following the opening of the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum and Museum of Mississippi History. She will organize another tour in the spring. For more information about Jones’ tours, visit morethanatourist.net or find the business on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Winter 2017-2018 // The City’s Business and Lifestyle Magazine
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JXN // expat
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hile growing up in Jackson, journalist Lottie Joiner admired She worked for the magazine as an associate editor from 1997 to 2000. Mississippi native Oprah Winfrey and says she wanted to be She has also freelanced for publications such as VOX.com, Washinglike her. “I wanted to be a reporter,” she says. “I always ton Post, Essence magazine, Ebony magazine, JET magazine and liked to write, but watching Oprah when you’re young, the Daily Beast. She is currently the interim editor-in-chief of The Crisis magaand you know, she had a daily talk show.” zine, which is the official publication of the National Association Joiner, who grew up in Woodhaven and attended Callaway High School, focused on broadcast journalism at Jackson State University. She for the Advancement of Colored People. She also has a fellowship from the Schuster Institute/Fund for Investigative Journalism to worked for WJSU from 1990 to 1995. She says that one of her favorite parts was doing the gospel show on Sundays. She graduated from JSU with a write about criminal-justice issues. For her fellowship, she is doing bachelor’s degree in mass communications in 1994 where she was not the a multimedia package about the causes of recidivism for USA Today Still, her favorite only young woman who wanted subject to write about is to follow in Winfrey’s footsteps. the Civil Rights Movement. She received a master’s It was a time in our history degree in journalism from Ohio where just ordinary folk like State University in 1995. She Fannie Lou Hamer said, ‘I’m also received a master’s degree sick and tired of being sick and in interactive journalism from tired,’ so they pulled up their American University in Wash// by Amber Helsel plows, and they got to work,” ington, D.C., in 2010. she says. While a student at Ohio “They marched, they State, she got to interview Susan boycotted, they demonTaylor, who was the editor-in strated, they fought for their chief of Essence magazine at the rights, their human rights, time, in the summer of 1995. their civil rights, and what “I just really admired her, they did was change Ameriand I really respected her, and ca. They changed America. that’s when I was like, ‘Oh, I … They sacrificed so much. think I want to be a magazine People sacrificed their lives, writer,’” Joiner says. “… She left people lost their jobs, people a really big impression on me.” lost their homes,” she adds. At OSU, she did her thesis Joiner says she has conon how media portray Mississidered moving back to Jacksippi, and especially her home son many times, but Washstate’s depiction during the Civil ington, D.C., gives her the Rights Movement. opportunity to see national At the same time, George politics unfolding. One of her Curry, editor-in-chief of Emerge favorite moments was being magazine, was writing a book at President Barack Obama’s on Emmett Till. Curry told her inauguration. graduate adviser that he was “I still have goosebumps, looking for a copy of the old actually being able to witness Look magazine with confessions that in person,” she says. of Till’s killers, J.W. Milam and She also got to see Oprah Roy Bryant, which was in the receive her Presidential MedOSU library at the time. He also al of Freedom. “It’s been aweneeded research help. some to be a journalist and to “(My graduate adviser) be a fly on the wall and to be said, ‘I have the perfect person able to write about the jourfor you,’” Joiner says. She then ney of people,” she says. helped do research on Till for “That’s the great thing Curry’s book. about journalism: you get to After graduation, she tell people’s stories, and you moved to Atlanta to work for get to enlighten people, you Upscale magazine for three Lottie Joiner says her favorite parts of journalism are being able to get to empower people, and months. While she was there, be a fly on the wall and to also get the chance to tell other people’s you get to inspire people just Curry called and told her that stories. “You learn so much when you interview people,” she says. through the stories of others.” Emerge had a position open.
Of Oprah, Obama and Ordinary Folk
Anna Carson Dewitt
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Winter 2017-2018 // The City’s Business and Lifestyle Magazine
boomjackson.com
The ABCs of Downtown Jackson // by Amber Helsel
usiness development. Downtown has seen a lot of it lately, including Innovate Mississippi moving here.
marks the spot for downtown: the next hot place to be in Jackson. Mark our words.
outh Media Project. Teenagers create award-winning media in Capital Towers. oo. If you drive west on Capitol Street long enough, you’ll find it. Go and support it.
Winter 2017-2018 // The City’s Business and Lifestyle Magazine
Imani Khayyam
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arlor Market. Chef Derek Emerson bought the business earlier this year, and now he’s changing the menu to Italian with southern flair.
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Imani Khayyam
Work. Live. Play. Prosper.
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nderground 119. It is back and singing the blues to sooth your soul.
estin Hotel. Visit Estelle’s for a glass of vino in the city’s hot new hotel
courtesy
Amber Helsel
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ron Horse Grill. It burned a few times, but it’s back and hot. Check out the “Mississippi Music Experience” museum upstairs.
Imani Khayyam
al & Mal’s. The restaurant/bar/ music venue is a mainstay that supports many causes.
ld Capitol Museum. Go to the state’s first capitol and learn about the rather difficult history that happened inside its walls.
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halia Mara Hall. Catch theater, music and the USA International Ballet Competition this summer.
Alex Thiel
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overnor’s Mansion. Even if you do not agree with Gov. Phil Bryant’s politics, the Governor’s Mansion is a beautiful sight.
tandard Life Building. It also got a facelift in the last 15 years, and it is also one of the most recognizable landmarks on the city skyline.
isit Jackson. They do a lot for the city, and they are located downtown. More at visitjackson.com.
ightlife. Believe it or not, the area has a good nightlife scene. You just have to know where to look. Go down Capitol Street to places such as Cowboy’s Saloon and the King Edward Hotel and toward Hal & Mal’s, where you will find other places to hang out such as Lucky’s and Martin’s.. Amber helsel
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Trip Burns
Amber Helsel
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arish Street. It’s seen better days, but you can visit businesses such as Big Apple Inn, F Jones Corner and Johnny T’s Bistro & Blues there.
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useums. We have a lot. The art museum reopened in November, and the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum and Museum of Mississippi History are also opening in December.
oundabouts. Ever since the city redid Capitol Street, the U.K. has nothing on downtown.
Amber Helsel
owntown Jackson Partners. Say hello to one of their ambassadors when you see them riding on their Segways.
udora Welty statue. Take a trip down Capitol Street and pay homage to one of the state’s most famed writers.
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andmark. This weird curved building downtown was once home to our Carnival-themed Best of Jackson party in 2015.
Amber Helsel
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Amber Helsel
apitol. Downtown Jackson is home to the state’s third capitol building. Even if some bad things happen on the inside, it is pretty to look at if you ignore the homages to the Confederacy.
ing Edward Hotel. This is another Jackson legend brought back to life, and one of the most familiar landmarks on the city skyline.
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uarters. The parking meters eat them like a cow consumes grass.
Amber Helsel
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ackson Free Press and BOOM Jackson. Downtown is our home. Watch for our staff members out and about and pitch us stories. Amber Helsel
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rt Garden. It’s one of the prettiest green spaces you will find in Jackson.
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JXN // progress
Bicentennial Preparations, Development Madness // by Dustin Cardon
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. On Oct. 16, GJAC formally announced Scott Allen, owner of A Plus Signs and Creative, as the winner of the artist search. Allen has painted a number of other large-scale murals in Jackson, including a 40-foot mural in midtown on behalf of the National Endowment for the Arts and the Midtown Arts District. Allen started the “Welcome to Jackson” mural on Monday, Oct. 30, and finished it within two weeks. “We have lots of hand-painted signage and other art projects here in Jackson, but nothing like this,” Allen told BOOM Jackson. “I decided I wanted to focus on typography for this project and give it a bright, bold southern color palette. I figured bold block letters and a ‘less is more’ approach would be the way to go. I want this be something that changes the cityscape and adds character to Jackson. The city looks different with this mural in the foreground, and I hope it changes the perception of how people see downtown and brands the area as something uniquely Jackson.” The mural was completed on Nov. 13, and the two museums open downtown on Dec. 9.
Stephen Wilson
‘Welcome to Jackson’
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.
and Odysseyware courses. Faculty and staff can open accounts at the Provine Hope branch two days a week from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Students 18 and older can also open accounts. Hope will provide financial literacy counseling to students, faculty and staff as part of the program.
Hope Opens at Provine High School
The District’s Food Hall
Jackson Public Schools and Alignment Jackson held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new Hope Credit Union branch at Provine High School on Tuesday, Oct. 10. The facility, which is the first student-run credit union branch in Jackson, has been in development since 2014. Alignment Jackson, a nonprofit United Way affiliate that works with JPS to improve student achievement, helped establish the Hope branch to give students real-world financial experience. About 80 students are working on the branch as part of Provine’s Capstone
The District at Eastover has announced that a food hall, Eastover Market, is coming to the multipurpose development in spring 2018. A food hall is a large section of a retail site, such as a department store, that is dedicated to selling artisanal and boutique-style foods. Eastover Market is a joint development with New Orleans food hall St. Roch Market, which opened in 2014. Eastover Market will occupy an 8,000-square-foot space on the ground floor of The District’s BankPlus building. The market will include eight food and bev-
16
Winter 2017-2018 // The City’s Business and Lifestyle Magazine
erage concepts and a craft cocktail bar, and will also be available as an event venue. Construction will begin in late 2017. The food hall joins other new restaurants in The District.
Edison Walthall Headed Back The Edison Walthall hotel, which closed in 2010, will soon see revitalization. Harris Building Solutions LLC began construction on the building and parking structure in October after the Jackson City Council passed an ordinance on Oct. 10, allowing the developers to avoid elevating the parking structure by 18 inches in accordance with Jackson’s floodplain code. The Edison Walthall project will include 155 loft apartments on the second through eighth floors of the hotel. Harris Building Solutions plans to convert former hotel rooms into one-bedroom studio apartments as part of the reconstruction. At press time, the project did not yet have a finish date. boomjackson.com
New Fondren Hotel Under Way The Heritage Hospitality Group began demolishing buildings in Fondren on Sept. 21 to make room for a 125-room Hilton Homewood Suites Hotel, starting with the famed yellow “Fondren House” in the heart of the Downtown Fondren Historic District. The demolition of the house, which dates to the early 1900s and housed descendants of neighborhood namesake David Fondren Jr., came less than 36 hours after hotel partner Alan Lange told area residents that the house would be the last property considered for demolition during an informational meeting. Developers later demolished the duplex apartments near Fondren House and tore down the building that once housed Que Sera Sera and Green Ghost Tacos on Oct. 3. Hotel Investor Chico Patel said at the Sept. 19 meeting that demolition would take approximately two to four weeks, and full-speed construction will start around January. He added that once the foundation is in place, construction will take about 12 to 13 months.
tor of art and public exchange for the museum, told BOOM Jackson. “We hope it will help visitors look honestly at our past as a state and think about what we want the future to be.” Some of the artists in the gallery include Walter Anderson, Mildred Wolfe and Eudora Welty, along with pieces such as Andy Warhol’s “Triple Elvis” from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. The gallery will run until July 2018. Afterward, the museum will host a public discussion for a new permanent collection, Rankin said.
Northpark Undergoing Renovations
courtesy DLW Architects
On Wednesday, Nov. 8, Northpark Mall (1200 E. County Line Road, Ridgeland) announced that it would be undergoing renovations starting in early 2018. The renovations to the two-story, 958,000-square-foot building include changes to the entrances, food court, children’s play area, restrooms, interior and exterior landscaping, furniture, lighting, common areas and more. “This is going to be a complete upgrade to bring Northpark Mall up to 21st-century design standards,” Northpark Marketing Coordinator MMA Renovates for Christy Campbell told the Jackson Free Press. Bicentennial Celebration In preparation for the state’s bicentennial “The mall hasn’t been updated since 1998, and after this renovation is finished, visitors will and the grand opening of the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum and Museum of Mississippi be able to look forward to a modern, upscale Northpark. We History on Dec. want people to 9-10, the Missisbe able to enjoy sippi Museum of Northpark as a Art is making renohub for commuvations to its pernity gathering.” manent art gallery, The mall “Mississippi Story.” will remain open The museum temthroughout the reporarily de-installed development, and “Mississippi Story” Northpark expects to make way for At a community meeting on Sept. 19, Hilton the renovations to an art gallery titled Homewood Suites investor Chico Patel said full-speed construction for the hotel in be completed by “Picturing MissisFondren would begin around January 2018 November 2018. sippi, 1817-2017: and will take 12 to 13 months to complete For more informaLand of Plenty, Pain once the foundation is in place. tion, visit northand Promise.” parkmall.com or “Picturing Misfind the business on Facebook. sissippi” will be free and open to the public and will feature more than 175 works by 100 or so artists. The works are on loan from private col- UMMC Opens Research Center lectors and institutions like the National Portrait On Friday, Nov. 10, the University of MisGallery, the National Gallery of Art, the Smith- sissippi Medical Center held a ribbon-cutting for sonian Institution in Washington, D.C., and Har- its new Translational Research Center. vard University’s Peabody Museum of Archae- A press statement from UMMC says that ology and Ethnology. the building is “designed to help researchers “Picturing Mississippi is going to look at translate scientific discoveries into therapeutic all the good, the bad and the ugly of our state’s interventions that improve the health of indihistory over the centuries,” Julian Rankin, direcviduals and the public, covering a continuum
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from discovery to recovery.” “The opening of this building marks the end of a lot of hard work on the part of many people in the UMMC research mission who have been involved in its planning and design and the shepherding of its actual creation,” Vice Chancellor for Research Dr. Richard Summers said in the release. The facility will house UMMC’s MIND Center, the John D. Bower School of Population Health and the UMMC Neuro Institute. The top floors will have incubator space for medical researchers, and the building’s basement will house laboratory animal facilities.
Smith Park Restoration Entering Phase II On Nov. 13, city officials and downtown entities such as Downtown Jackson Partners announced that Smith Park renovations are now entering phase two. This phase calls for the removal of the downtown park’s dilapidated concrete waterways, re-sodding the grass to create a more open and level green space, and more. Phase two will take about two months to complete, during which the park will be closed to the public. The City of Jackson partnered with Downtown Jackson Partners and volunteer group Friends of Smith Park. “This project is symbolic of the renaissance occurring in downtown Jackson,” Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba said in a Downtown Jackson Partners release. When completed, Smith Park will be a world-class green space for all of Jackson and the state to enjoy. The project will cost a total of $2.5 million, and phase two will cost $100,000. The Mississippi Department of Archives and History had to approve project plans, as Smith Park is a state historic landmark. Phase one, which happened in 2016, consisted of removing dead and dying trees, and ones that were unsuitable for long-term growth. Phase three will consist of redesigining the open space with landscaped walkways, a modern stage, a water pad and a playground. The release says that Smith Park is one of the oldest continually used parks in America, and it is the only surviving undeveloped square from the original 1822 plan for what was then Mississippi’s new capital. The park was named after Scottish merchant and Jackson transplant James Smith Jr., who donated funds to improve the park in 1884. For more information about the restoration, visit downtown-jackson.com. See more local biz news at jfp.ms/business. Email tips to dustin@jacksonfreepress.com.
Winter 2017-2018 // The City’s Business and Lifestyle Magazine
17
DO-GOODERS // collaboration
Building a Better City Together // by Mike McDonald
I
n 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. The event commenced with an interfaith prayer. The presenters spoke with a cadence akin to a sermon, discussing topics such as alleviating food deserts in Jackson and the need
Working Together Jackson operates as a 501c3 organization. Its core money comes from member institutions such as churches, which pay annual dues to support the group. Lead organizer Perry Perkins says the organization focuses on many issues that come out of the member institutions through house meetings and listening sessions. WTJ partners with Industrial Areas Foundation for staff and leadership training. WTJ, which focuses on areas in Jackson file photo
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.
to reduce neighborhood blight. “(The meetings) are a great space to talk about race relations, economic development in underdeveloped areas, casting light on the issues of everyday people, education and housing,” Working Together Jackson Vice Chairman Ronnie Crudup Jr. told BOOM Jackson. In 2009, a sponsoring committee approached the Industrial Areas Foundation, community-organizing network, about starting Working Together Jackson. In June 2012, WTJ became a fully operational broad-based community organization. 18
most in need (primarily south and west Jackson), helps push initiatives such as community development and institutional repair around the city. WTJ is currently discussing how to make public transportation in Jackson more disability-accessible, as well as doing gun violence and crime-prevention research. At the meeting, Perkins said that while the organization wants to help Jackson’s neediest neighborhoods, Working Together Jackson also wants to help rebuild the whole city. “This reporter asked me the other day what we meant when we talked about rebuilding
Winter 2017-2018 // The City’s Business and Lifestyle Magazine
Jackson. And I told him: All of Jackson needs to be rebuilt,” Perkins said. One example he gave to BOOM Jackson is the entire city’s need for improved infrastructure. Perkins says WTJ is currently working with Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba, the Jackson Public Schools board of trustees and the Better Together Coalition as the school district makes its new transition. Perkins says the group has met with community members to discuss what they would like to see happen in the district, how they can contribute and more. WTJ also focused on the passage of the 1-cent sales tax initiative, and later, its implementation. It worked with Kroger once the store decided to leave the Terry Road location to keep the grocery-store deed on the property, so another grocer could come into the space. WTJ recruited a new store, Cash and Carry, to move into the old building to keep a grocer in the area. The organization has a partnership with Hinds Community College to recruit students for a retraining program, where the school will help a student obtain a General Education Degree certificate when applicable, and in turn, register the student with a technical program specializing in workforce training. The program began with 17 students two years ago and currently has 300 students. By press time, 100 students had graduated with starting pay rates between $19 and $35 per hour. When various speakers mentioned these past achievements and current progress at the meeting, the audience erupted in applause. Those who spoke were aware of the negativity that often surrounds the city. They could sense progress, though. “I initially joined Working Together and have stayed because the group is so diverse,” Crudup Jr. told BOOM Jackson. “We come from all backgrounds of race, religion and economic status. Our group can help bring attention to issues often neglected by politicians. We give people a voice when before they felt powerless. This is a unique and effective forum to solve problems.” For more information on Working Together Jackson, find the organization on Facebook. boomjackson.com
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DO-GOODERS // the future
Interpreting the Flag // by Amber Helsel, photos courtesy Laurin Stennis
P
eople 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.
Artist: Anne Brunson Medium: Jewelry
Artist: Ellen Langford Medium: Acrylic paint
Artist: Michelle Allee Medium: Acrylic paint
Artist: Herb Wiley Medium: Watercolor
Artist: Elaine Maisel Medium: Painted feather
Artist: Harold Miller Medium: Sculpture 20
Artist: Summer Nation Medium: Ceramics
Artist: Tawny Minton Medium: Facepaint
The exhibit opening will be Dec. 21 at the Mississippi Museum of Art (380 S. Lamar St., 601.960.1515, msmuseumart.org) from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The event will have live music, food and drinks. In January 2018, the exhibit will travel to the Mississippi State Capitol and at least three other locations across the nation. For more information, call Laurin Stennis at 601-920-9037.
Winter 2017-2018 // The City’s Business and Lifestyle Magazine
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21
DO-GOODERS // intellectual capital
T
Q
Tell me about the Mississippi Brain Drain Commission. I got a group of people together—some of them were clients that I worked with, particularly in the field of education; others were, like, economic leaders, mostly younger folks—and just started talking about ways to incentivize or to reverse the brain drain that was here because it was something that I had a personal interest in because it affected me. If I had not “Forrest Gump”-ed my way into an internship here, just through an association that I had, I probably in all likelihood would’ve left because 22
I had no idea of the opportunities that exist within Jackson and within a lot of other areas of our state. That was really a shame, and I didn’t think that we are ever going to turn our economic fortunes around, our quality-of-life fortunes around … in a sustained way until we solve the problem of leaking intellectual capital.
advocacy push to educate people about the opportunities that exist in computer science, and the need to start computer-science education at a young age, like middle school or younger. Through Kids Code, we’ve held various contests. We’ve organized our own hack-athons, we’ve helped produce hack-
to some other educational bodies. This state, I am very encouraged with what we have done in that area. (The State has) been really aggressive at instituting a pilot program for computer science— it’s called CS 4 MS—and we have done that in, as far as government moving a program, what’s really Stephen Wilson
he issue of brain drain is dear to Tim Mask, who says he probably would have left the state after college had it not been for him getting an internship at Maris, West and Baker, where he is now the firm’s president. Mask is from Shannon, Miss., which is a small town just south of Tupelo. He attended Itawamba Community College in north Mississippi and then went to school at Mississippi College, receiving a bachelor’s degree in communications in 2000. He was finishing up his last semester in college when he began interning for Delbert Hosemann’s congressional campaign. Hosemann, who ultimately did not win the race that year, was the then-corporate lawyer for Maris, West and Baker. He told Mask that if he was interested in advertising, he could get him an internship interview at the firm. Mask began his internship in 1999 and never left. About five years ago, Mask, along with economic and educational leaders and others, formed the Mississippi Brain Drain Commission. BOOM Jackson sat down with Mask to talk about our shared obsession with reversing brain drain in Mississippi.
Incentivizing
Brain Gain // by Amber Helsel
Q
Why do you think it is important to focus on an issue like brain drain? Like I said, I don’t think that this state that I have a vested interest in ... (is) going to solve our problems, or the issues that have plagued us, without solving that piece because you can’t keep losing your people that have the prerequisites to be your highest-wage earners or your capital creators or your innovators at the clip that we’re losing those people and expect to turn around your economic and your financial fortunes.
Q
What kinds of things has the commission done? We have really focused on two things. One is this piece of conceptual legislation that, really, I think is going into ... the third year of some shape, form or fashion of it. … The second thing that we’ve focused on that’s kind of become its own thing now is a special project that’s become Kids Code Mississippi. It started as just an
Winter 2017-2018 // The City’s Business and Lifestyle Magazine
Tim Mask says that Mississippi will never solve problems such as a poor economy until we stop losing people to brain drain.
a-thons for other organizations … and have acted in an advisory capacity to other organizations that are interested in this. Most of what we’ve focused on has been extracurricular activities not through the school systems, but we have acted kind of as a consultant to the Department of Education and
been breakneck speed, and that’s very encouraging. I believe it was last summer (that) my co-founder, who is a partner at this firm as well, Randy Lynn, wrote a curriculum for a multi-week camp that we held, and it was for children who lived in federally subsidized housing. boomjackson.com
We held that once a week over, I think, six weeks throughout the summer. Things like that are what the Kids Code project has been focused on, and that’s almost taken on a life of its own.
Q
Tell me about the brain-drain bill.
What the brain-drain part of the initiative is focused on now is policy that will hopefully totally reverse the brain drain, and it will be great if we started experiencing brain gain in the state. We’ve got the opportunity to do that because we have a lot of out-of-state enrollment at our colleges and universities because our out-of-state tuition is extremely competitive. It’s a golden opportunity to capitalize on that for sure. … You’ve heard the phrase, “If you want more of something, subsidize it; if you want less, tax it.”? I don’t see that as a political standpoint. I don’t see that as right or left. I see that as an economic principle. That’s just the way it is, so our concept legislation that we’re proposing for this session essentially subsidizes and incentivizes people that qualify to be in this program to stay in the state.
Q
Tell me how it works.
You’d have to qualify for the program, and the way you qualify is there (are) two criteria. One is you have to have graduated from any accredited institution of higher learning anywhere in the world—it doesn’t matter. It’s not just limited to Mississippi schools—any accredited university or college or school, or whatever it may be, as long as it’s an institution of higher learning. … The second criteria is you have to establish yourself as a taxpayer in Mississippi, which means essentially you take a job in the state within a year of graduation. At the end of five years from whenever you became a Mississippi taxpayer, if you are still an established Mississippi taxpayer,
which means you have a job in the Mississippi, and you pay state income taxes, you’re eligible for a one-time, lump-sum refund of the state taxes you have paid over that five-year span. … If you take your refund, and you use your refund to purchase real estate in the state, either residential (you buy a house) or commercial (you buy a prop-
more of a carrot to stick around and receive that refund. What does the State get out of it, other than the downstream effect of these higher-wage individuals? You’re paying in your income tax over the five-year period just like you always would, so there’s no immediate hit at all to the treasury. What we would like to see is that any money that’s as-
“(Brain drain is) a missing piece that we’ve got to figure out a way to close.” erty for a business) then your refund comes back totally tax-free. You get every bit of the state tax you paid in. ...If you are an owner of a business that’s incorporated in Mississippi, either an LLC, LLP or you’re a shareholder in an Inc., you would get that money back 100 percent tax-free. If you don’t meet those two criteria, you still get a refund back. It will be taxed one time. We don’t know the rate yet. The bill is being what they call “scored,” which is the language they use to say what the impact of it’s going to be. That’s going to tell us what the rate will be. I suspect it will be somewhere around 10 percent, so you’ll still keep 90 percent of your refund money. That’s the advantages that the policy would have for the individual. That’s the incentive for them to stay, knowing that if you’ve been here two or three years, and you want to start looking around, well, I might have $8,000, $10,000, $20,000 coming to me if I stick around for two more years. It’s going to be more valuable, I think, to higher-wage-earning individuals, like engineers, like computer scientists, coders, like medical professionals, so I think that actually those higher-wage earners that will up our per-capita income are going to have even
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sociated with that program, the State takes that money and puts it in an interest-bearing fund. At the end of that period, (when) the person gets their refund, the State keeps the interest that was accrued during that period. If I make it four years and 11 months, and then I move, the State keeps 100 percent, so I have to complete my end of the bargain and stay for a full five years, or else all of that stays in the state treasury. I don’t think there’s a lot of downside risk from the state revenue standpoint, especially not immediately, and I think that the multiplier effect of just having more and more and more high-wage individuals in the state is going to have a very quick impact. Those people are going to be spending more. They’re going to be buying property. Hopefully, we’re incentivizing the right people on buying property in the state, so they’ll be paying property taxes. I know that within the course of a few years, it’s going to be a huge net gain for the state, and I think we may not even experience a loss at all. The original problem is brain drain. We’re losing our best and brightest, so if you’re a resident of Mississippi, you are who we’re most concerned about impacting
first and foremost, but there’s no reason to just limit it to in-state residents. If you’ve got a doctorate in robotics and you’re from Washington state or California or wherever, yes, we would love to have you come work here, absolutely, and you would absolutely qualify for this program. … When you do the calculations as far as standards of living, we’re a very attractive place to live. We’ve just got to make sure that we attract and retain the right workforce that’s going to be competitive now and (in) 50 years.
Q
What’s the next step for the bill?
It will be written into actual legislative language, and then it will be dropped on the (legislative) floor. Either in the House or the Senate, somebody will introduce the bill. We want to have co-sponsors from both parties because I don’t see this is as a left or right bill. I see it as extremely bipartisan. It may be its own standalone bill, or it may be part of a larger economic package. We don’t know that, yet. It was dropped on the floor, I think in 2015, as its own standalone bill in the House, and it did not make it to a vote that year. I’m actually glad it didn’t because (with) the language in that bill, the setup was a little different, and I don’t think it was as strong, and I don’t think it would have been as impacting as it is in its current form.
Q
Is that going to happen in the upcoming 2018 legislative session?
That’s what we’re shooting for. I know time is rapidly drawing near, but we’re optimistic that we’ll be able to get it in this session. For more information about the Mississippi Brain Drain Commission, visit fastforward.ms.
Winter 2017-2018 // The City’s Business and Lifestyle Magazine
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GIFT GUIDE // local
Give Generously // by Amber Helsel
T
he holiday season is upon us, and Valentine’s Day is in February. Those are great gift-giving holidays, but it is also important to give throughout the year. BOOM Jackson has compiled a list of local gifts to show your loved one how much you care.
1. Painting on wood, Kit Barksdale Mississippi Craft Center, $30 2. Bowl, Charles “Chick” King Mississippi Craft Center, $419 3. Wire wrap bracelet, Alan Kolodney Mississippi Craft Center, $120 4. Beeswax soap, Bee Hive Apiary Mississippi Farmers Market, $6 5. Beeswax lip balm, Bee Hive Apiary Mississippi Farmers Market $2.50 6. Tea tree oil bath salts, April Showers Mississippi Farmers Market $5 7. Eucalyptus oil bath salts, April Showers Mississippi Farmers Market $5 8. Painting on window Vickie Gilbert Mississippi Farmers Market $35 9. Watercolor painting, April Showers Mississippi Farmers Market, $10 10. Enamel pin, Emily McDowell Thimblepress, $10 11. Print Thimblepress, $25 12. Confetti tape Thimblepress, $18 13. Felt birdhouse, Wild Woolies Fair Trade Green, $29 14. African Market Basket, Fair Trade Green, $15 15. Christmas tea towel, Hanging by a Thread Fair Trade Green, $15
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Winter 2017-2018 // The City’s Business and Lifestyle Magazine
boomjackson.com
16. Hat Swell-o-Phonic, $20 17. Belt Swell-o-Phonic, $18 18. Skateboard deck Offbeat, $40 19. T-shirt Offbeat, $25 20. Painted journals Jax-Zen Float, $6 each 21. Guitar strap Jax-Zen Float, $25 22. Ornament Jax-Zen Float, $5 23. Ornament ButtaMack Designs, $10 24. Painted bottle ButterflyHOME, $10 25. Painted bottle ButterflyHOME, $10
Where 2 Shop Craftsmen’s Guild of Mississippi (950 Rice Road, Ridgeland, 601.856.7546, craftsmensguildofms.org) Mississippi Farmers Market (929 High St., 601.354.6573) Thimblepress (113 N. State St., 601.351.9492, thimblepress.com) Fair Trade Green (2807 Old Canton Road, 601.987.0002, fairtradegreen.com) Offbeat (151 Wesley Ave., 601.376.9404, offbeatjxn.com) Jax-Zen Float (155 Wesley Ave., 601.691.1697, jax-zenfloat.com) ButtaMack Designs, ButterflyHOME (Shondra Macklin, shondrarmacklin@hotmail.com)
B
Peekaboo
1. Expanding file
4. Drawing tablet
6. Ruler
9. Notepad
2. Sketch paper
5. Drawing tablet cord and stylus
7. “Biomega” manga
10. Pencil
3. Flash drives
y day, Benjamin Brock Martin is a graphic designer at BadgePress in Ridgeland, but he carries his artistic skills into his business, PixelMoth Apparel, creating animeand pop-culture-centric T-shirts. Recently, Martin gave us a peek inside his work bag to see what life is like for him. Here is what we found.
Work. Live. Play. Prosper.
8. Pencil bag
Stephen Wilson
designer
Can we peek inside your work bag? Write editor@ boomjackson.com.
Winter 2017-2018 // The City’s Business and Lifestyle Magazine
25
LITTLES // extra, extra! Uncommon Advice for Starting a Small Business from Forbes
BOOM BUST
Fondren Hotels Public Works pins Civil Rights Museum Newsletters #MeToo Giving gifts Cool neighborhoods Mural selfies Downtown #realboj
Fondren House Sink holes That dang flag Blogging Why #MeToo exists Grinchism Gentrification Selfies at funerals Floodplains #copycats
Mississippi’s Small Biz
Here are facts-to-know from the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy’s 2017 data on our state. Small businesses comprise
In 2013, professional, scientific and technical services made up
The 2017 data shows that the state of Mississippi has
of the state’s businesses.
of the total small-business employment share.
nonwhite-owned businesses.
99.3 percent
78 percent
74,801
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Address your excuses. Figure out the reasons you think you can’t start a business and find a solution. Listen to people who give you advice. Write things down and keep notes. Get people to be honest with you about what they think. Think of your business in terms of how it could solve a problem. Forbes says it’s easier to get a customer base when you’re fixing a problem, and fitting into a certain market or niche. Keep it simple and don’t go overboard. You can’t do a million things well, especially in the beginning. When you start to figure out your idea, add up the total expenses, keeping your personal expenses in mind, and create a budget. Imagine what it would be like with no incoming money (it could happen, Forbes says), and come up with a plan for the worst outcome. Keep your day job and build your business in stages before you leave your paycheck behind. Sell people on your business. All the time. Every single day. Know the legal requirements for starting a business. Sos.ms.gov is a good resource. Use both your passion and knowledge in your new business. Read more at jfp.ms/forbesbiztips.
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Book your holiday event or party today in our newly renovated facility. 601.969.7101 ext.103
Capital Towers • 125 S. Congress Street, 19th Floor • Jackson, MS jburton@mmihg.com
rewrite the rules It’s time to start thinking of Mantle. not as office space but rather a great place to have your morning cup of coffee or your afternoon cocktail with friends or colleagues, whether you work with us or not. Mantle. is a city club, and a workspace, not the other way around. see all the rules + join the waitlist www.mantlecityclub.com
Work. Live. Play. Prosper.
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444 Bounds St. Jackson MS | 601-718-7665 28
Winter 2017-2018 // The City’s Business and Lifestyle Magazine
boomjackson.com
Jackson Menu Guide
Winter 2017-2018 Aladdin Mediterranean Grill p 31 Bonfire Grill p 33 Cinco De Mayo p 31 Eslava’s Grille p 33 Fusion Thai & Japanese Cuisine p 34
Gumbo Girl p 34 Hal & Mal’s p 32 Pig & Pint p 30 Surin of Thailand p 32
Menu Guide (pages 29-34) is a paid advertising section. For these and more visit www.jfpmenus.com
V O T E D IB E S T IB IB Q SMALL PLATES Pork Rinds & Queso ... 6.99 Fried Boudin Balls … 6.99 Sausage & Cheese Plate … 9.99 Pork Belly Corn Dogs … 7.99 Pimento Cheese … 6.99 SMOKED WINGS Memphis // Asian Style 6pc ... 8.99 / 12pc ... 12.99 Pecan Wood Smoked Wings / House-Made Pickles / Smoked Garlic Ranch Dressing
P&P DISCO FRIES
French Fries / Queso / Smokehouse Beans / Pickled Onions / Pico de Gallo Jalapenos / Mississippi “Sweet” BBQ Sauce / Sour Cream
Brisket … 11.99 // Pulled Pork … 10.99 Smoked Chicken … 10.99 NACHOS
Smokes Poblano Queso / Smokehouse Beans / Pickled Onions Pico de Gallo / Mississippi “Sweet” BBQ Sauce / Sour Cream
Pulled Pork … 9.99 // Smoked Chicken … 9.99 Brisket … 10.99 TACOS Flour Tortillas / Mango-Jícama Cole Slaw / Pico de Gallo / Mississippi “Sweet” BBQ Sauce
IB E S T O F J A C K S O N 2 0 1 5 - 2 0 1 7 SALADS BLT Salad … 8.99 // House Salad ... 6.99 Smoked Chicken Caesar ... 9.99 ‘QUE PLATES
Choice of 2 sides: Collard Greens / Fries / Smoked Tomato Cole Slaw / Potato Salad / Pasta Salad Baked Beans / Pork Rinds / Side Salad / Fried Green Tomatoes / Watermelon
Award Winning Pepsi-Cola Glazed Baby Back Ribs Half-Slab … 15.99 / Full Slab … 26.99 Pulled Pork Plate … 12.99 Brisket Plate … 14.99 Smoked Half Chicken Plate … 13.99 ‘Que Sampler … 22.99 Pitmaster Sampler ... 29.99 Grand Champion Sampler for 2 ... 49.99 Red Beans & Rice ... 13.99 SIDES Collard Greens / Fries / Smoked Tomato Cole Slaw Potato Salad / Pasta Salad / Watermelon Smokehouse Beans / Pork Rinds Fried Green Tomatoes / Side Salad ... 2.99 PIGLET PLATES
(Served w/ Fries & Soda, Lemonade or Iced Tea)
Brisket (2) … 8.99 // Pulled Pork (2)… 8.99 Smoked Chicken (2) … 8.99 Fried Green Tomato Tacos (2) ... 7.99 BBQ Taco Sampler (3) … 10.99
Kid’s Burger ... 6.99 // Kid’s Chicken Tenders ... 6.99 Kid’s Corndog ... 6.99
SANDWICHES
DESSERTS Bananas Foster Pudding … 4.29 White Chocolate & Cranberry Bread Pudding … 4.29
Choice of 1 side: Collard Greens / French Fries / Comeback Cole Slaw / Potato Salad / Watermelon Smokehouse Beans / Pork Rinds / Red Beans & Rice / Side Salad / Fried Green Tomatoes Banana Foster Pudding (Add $1.50) / White Chocolate & Cranberry Bread Pudding (Add $1.50)
BBQ Pork Sandwich … 8.99 BBQ Chicken Sandwich … 8.99 BBQ Brisket Sandwich ... 9.99 Fried Green Tomato BLT … 8.99 Smoked Chicken Salad Sandwich … 8.99 The Bacon Melt …10.99 Boudin Burger …10.99 Fried Bologna Sandwich ... 8.99
3139 N STATE ST, JACKSON PIGANDPINT.COM (601) 326-6070
TAKEOUT ONLY
(Takeout Only... No Substitutions...)
The P&P 6 Pack ... 55.99 The P&P 12 Pack ... 109.99 The P&P BBQ Pork Taco Pack ... 49.99 The P&P Baby Back Rib Pack ... 59.99 The P&P Pulled Pork BBQ Nacho Pack ... 69.99
Taco Tuesday!
Buy one get one free margaritas and $1 tacos
Cinco de Mayo
MEDITERRANEAN GRILL
MEXICAN RESTAURANT Antiojitos Mexicanos
served with guacamole and our sour cream Crispy Nachos - $5.95 Quesadilla - $7.50 Pizza Mexican - $7.50 Appetizer Sampler - $9.95
Sopas
Cinco De Mayo Tortilla Soup - $5.95 Puebia Chicken Soup - $5.95
Ensaladas
Ensalada De Guacamole - $8.50 Ensalada Lijera - $7.50 Ensalada Al Carbon - $8.50
Esp eciales De La Casa Combo Fajita - $12.95 Quesadilla Fajita - $9.49 Stuffed Avocado - $8.99
Mariscos
Enchiladas Del Mar - $10.95 Chimichanga Vallarta - $10.95
Los Americanos
Hamburguesa Santa Fe - $7.95 Sandwich Al Carbon - $8.99 Fajita Potato - $7.99
Burritos
Burrito Al Carbon - $9.95 Burrito El Ajusco - $8.95 Burrito EL Sarape - $9.50
Enchiladas
Enchiladas Mexico City - $8.50 Enchiladas Tabasco - $8.99 Enchiladas Michoacan - $10.95
Postres
Flan Mexicano - $4.49 Sopapillas - $4.49 Nieve Frita - $4.49
880 Lake Harbour Dr. Ridgeland, MS (601) 957-1882
Jackson Menu Guide.
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2.95 5.49 3.75 4.49 4.49 4.49 4.49 7.59 7.99 7.59 8.59
Add meat on your salad for $3.50 Add feta on your salad for $0.50
Appetizers $ODGGLQ·V 6SHFLDO +XPPXV 'LS %DED *DQXM 'LS 0XVDEDKD )RXO 4XGVLD (mixed hummus & foul) /HEQD )ULHG .LEE\ 0HDW RU 9HJJLH 'ROPDV 3LFNOHV DQG 2OLYHV )HWD &KHHVH DQG 2OLYHV 6SLQDFK 3LH )ULHG &KHHVH )DODIHO %DVPDWL 5LFH Z 6DIIURQ )UHQFK )ULHV
14.69 3.95 4.50 4.50 4.50 4.50 4.50 4.50 4.50 2.50 3.50 4.00 5.95 3.50 2.50 2.50
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3.99 4.99 5.49 5.49 6.49 5.49 5.99 6.49 4.79 4.99 5.49
Entrees
served with salad, hummus, rice and white or whole wheat pita bread
&RPELQDWLRQ 3ODWH 12.99 6KDZDUPD 11.69 &KLFNHQ /XOD 10.69 &KLFNHQ 7HFND 11.69 &KLFNHQ .DEDE 11.69 /XOD .DEDE 12.69 %HHI .DERE 12.99 &RPELQDWLRQ .DEDE 16.99 %HHI 6KDZDUPD 3ODWH 12.99 /DPE .DEDE 3ODWH 12.69 *\UR 3ODWH 11.69 /DPE &KRSV 16.99 /DPE 6KDQN 15.99 %LJ &RPER 17.69 )ULHG .LEE\ 10.99 +XPPXV ZLWK /DPE 10.69 6KULPS 3ODWH 12.99 7LODSLD 3ODWH 11.69 %DUUDPXQGL 15.99 0HDW *UDSH /HDYHV 3ODWH 9.69
Desserts
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1.95 1.95 1.95 1.65 3.69
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$ODGGLQ *URFHU\ )RQGUHQ /DNHODQG 'U 7HO )D[ Winter 2017-2018 // The City’s Business and Lifestyle Magazine
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SURIN OF THAILAND Best of Jackson 2017
BEST THAI
HAPPY HOUR 4:30-7PM 7 DAYS A WEEK 1/2 Nigiri/Maki roll $2 Off House Wines by Glass, Beer and Signature Martinis
$8 DAILY LUNCH MENU BOOK OUR PARTY ROOM for Rehearsal Dinners, Birthday Parties Corporate Events and more!
An eight-ounce burger grilled to your order and served on a bun with lettuce, tomato, pickle, and onion
Better Burger $8 Cheese Burger a Pair o' Dice $8.50 Border Burger $9 Bacon-Cheese Burger $9 Diddy Wah Diddy $20 Free Press Veggie Burger $8 $2 Extras: Potato salad, French fries, Baked potato
Decatur Street Muffeletta Size: Quarter $7.75 Half $11.50 Whole $20 Michael Rubenstein Sandwich $9.25 Glennie’s Hot Roast Beef $9.25 Vashti’s Hot Turkey $9.25 Chicken Mozzarella $9.25 Chicken-Fried Steak Sandwich $9.25 Southern Fried Chicken Sandwich $9 Grilled Portabella Mushroom $8.75 Downtown Club $10 Aunt Voncil's Spicy Pimento Cheese & Bacon $5 Grilled Cheese & Soup of the Day $8.50 Served with lettuce, tomato, mayonnaise, and pickle on authentic New Orleans French bread.
Shrimp $11 Mississippi Catfish $11 Oyster $12 Hot Roast Beef 10 Half n’ Half Shrimp/Oyster $10 Andouille Sausage $9.25
The following entrees are served with soup or salad and your choice of: baked potato, french fries, potato salad or rice. Gumbo add $1
Hamburger Steak $15 Chicken Zita $15 Shrimp Platter $22 Oyster Platter $20 Catfish $20 Seafood Platter $23
For all side items (jalapeños, cheese, green onion, onions, guacamole, etc) add 50¢ each. For andouille sausage, add $2
3000 Old Canton Road, Ste. 105, Jackson (601)981-3205 Like us on Facebook! www.surinofthailand.com M32
Winter 2017-2018 // The City’s Business and Lifestyle Magazine
jfpmenus.com
Now you can access local restaurants’ menus any time, day or night, on your computer, tablet or smartphone!
ibachi
All Hibachi Served with Fried Rice, Sweet Carrots (Saturday & Sunday Dinner Only) Dinner served with Salad Lunch Time: 11am - 3pm
Hibachi (L) (D) Vegetable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 7 Chicken . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 7 Shrimp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 8 Steak . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 8 Salmon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 9 Tuna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 9 Red Snapper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 9 Scallops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 9 Chicken & Shrimp . . . . . . . . . 9 10 Chicken & Steak . . . . . . . . . . 9 10 Chicken & Scallops . . . . . . . 10 11 Steak & Shrimp . . . . . . . . . 10 11 Steak & Scallops . . . . . . . . 10 11 Shrimp & Scallops . . . . . . . . 10 11 Jumbo Shrimp . . . . . . . . . . 10 11 Chicken, Steak & Shrimp . . . 12 13
Yakimesi (Fried Rice)
Jackson Menu Guide.
Monday - Wednesday Enjoy an appetizer, two entrees, and a dessert to share
All for $30! DAILY LUNCH SPECIALS
Thai Noodle or Fried Rice
Open from 11:00-2:00
Thai Entrees
Served with Steam Rice 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Garlic Pepper 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mix Vegetable 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sesame Chicken
118 Service Dr Suite 17, Brandon, MS 601-591-7211 Open 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
DATE NIGHT SPECIAL
Vegetable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Chicken . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Shrimp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Steak . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Combo (choice of two meats) . . . . . . . . . 9 Combo (Chicken, Shrimp and Steak) . . . . 11
Your Choice of Chicken or Vegetable 8 Beef 9 . . . . . Shrimp 10 . . . . . Combo 11 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pad Thai 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pad Kee Mow 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Thai Fried Rice
Plus, get maps, phone numbers, social media feeds and much more!
We have you covered with specials all week long!
LATIN SATURDAYS Groove to live latin music while Chef Jairo serves up the best latin food in town: Arroz con Pollo, Bandeja Paisa, Caldo de Res, Empanadas, Paella, Pastelon, Papa Rellenas, Tostones, and more!
2481 Lakeland Drive 601.932.4070
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Thai Lunch Special Mon - Sat: 11:00am - 3:00pm Chicken, Tofu, Pork Or Vegetable 9 Beef 10, Shrimp 11, Combination (choice two meats) 12, Seafood (shrimp, squid & mussels) 13
Served with Soup or Spring Rap (No soup with To Go Order)
UP TO 50% OFF FROM LOCAL MERCHANTS
L-1. CURRY OH CURRY L-2. SPICY BASIL L-3. CASHEW NUT L-4. EVER GREEN L-5. GARLIC AND PEPPER L-6. GINGER DELIGHT L-7. LAMA FIVE L-8. MIXED VEGETABLE L-9. PAD THAI L-10. PAD KEE MOW L-11. PAD PRIK L-12. PRIK KHING L-14. SPICY BASIL FRIED RICE L-15. PAD SEE-EW
Japanese Lunch Special
Items Below Serve with Soup, Salad. Vegetable, Steamed Rice or Japanese Fried Rice (No soup with To Go Order)
H-1. HIBACH VEGETABLE . . . . . . . . . . 7 H-2. HIBACH CHICKEN . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 H-3. HIBACH STEAK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 H-4. HIBACH SHRIMP . . . . . . . . . . . 10 H-5. HIBACH FISH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 H-6. HIBACH SCALLOPS . . . . . . . . . . 11 H-7. HIBACH FILET MIGNON . . . . . . 12 H-8. HIBACH CHICKEN & STEAK . . . 11 H-9. HIBACH SHRIMP & CHICKEN . . 12 H-10. HIBACH STEAK & SHRIMP . . . 13 H-11. HIBACHI FILET MIGNON & CHICKEN . 13 H-12. HIBACHI STEAK & SCALLOP . . 13 H-13 HIBACHI CHICKEN & SCALLOP 13 H-14. HIBACHI SHRIMP & SCALLOP . 15 H-15. HIBACHI FILET MIGNON & SCALLOP 15 H-16. HIBACHI FILET MIGNON & SHRIMP . . 15
Large Lunch & Dinner Menu of Authentic Asian Cuisine Also Available Two Locations Open Daily 11:00am-9:30pm for Dine-In or Carry-Out IN FLOWOOD OFF LAKELAND DR: 1002 Treetop Blvd 601-664-7588 IN MADISON ON HWY 51: 1030-A Hwy 51 601-790-7999 M34
Winter 2017-2018 // The City’s Business and Lifestyle Magazine
Visit jfpdeals.com today! jfpmenus.com
BITES // organic
The Lucky Garden // by Amber Helsel
I
n Sue Hernandez’s hand is a curved pale yellow object with intricate webbing. When you shake it, tiny brown seeds fall out. “It’s a luffa,” she says—yes, the kind you would use to bathe only this is a wild luffa plant, instead of a loufah sponge. Hernandez is a founding partner at Gluckstadt Garten, along with Matthew Middleton. She says that she wanted to start growing organic produce when she had her son, Vincent, who is now 13. “I used to make his own baby food, and I used to see how expensive it was to go buy organic vegetables,” she says. “This was, like, 10 years ago. I think the only organic store we had here was Rainbow (Natural Grocery Cooperative). I lived in Clinton, so it was an inconvenient thing, but I did it because I wanted to give my son the best food. I bought organic milk, and I 36
made my own baby food.” She moved to Colorado in 2014 and says that she noticed that everyone there loved being in nature, and using environmentally conscious practices such as sustainable gardening and water harvesting. “It’s just like a way of life over there,” she says. Hernandez learned how to grow in organic soil and through methods such as aquaponics (the combination of raising fish and growing plants in water, creating a symbiotic ecosystem) and hydroponics (growing plants without soil, instead using a nutrient-laden water solvent). She and Middleton met after she returned to Jackson in 2015. His family owned an old dairy barn in Gluckstadt, which they had purchased from one of the original settling families. He and his cousin, Dorothy Killen, had started a small organic farming
Winter 2017-2018 // The City’s Business and Lifestyle Magazine
operation behind the dairy barn. However, she left to run Two Dog Farms with her husband, Van Killen. Shortly after that, Middleton met Hernandez. She says that before they met, they both knew what they wanted to do, so after they met, collaborating on organic gardening made sense. “We just merged our ideas together, and we both learned together,” she says. “… It’s hard to find someone that’s interested in such a niche little interest or hobby.” When they first met, Hernandez was working as a property manager for New Orleansbased law firm Diversified Enterprise. Though she says she enjoyed working in an office, she often found herself looking out the window and wishing she could be outside. “He made an offer saying, ‘Come quit your boomjackson.com
STEPHEN WILSON
job and come full time at the garden,’” she says. “It was a huge step. I knew that farming wasn’t going to make as much money as I was making, but I was willing to take that risk; I was willing to take that plunge. “I had that much faith and that much passion in it that I didn’t give it a second thought,” Hernandez says. Around January 2017, she took the leap of faith and began working at Gluckstadt Garten full-time. That spring and summer, Middleton and Hernandez sold organic produce at the Mississippi Farmers Market, with everything from eggplants to different varieties of tomatoes and peppers to squash and cucumbers. “We tried everything that we knew people would like,” she says. They say that people especially liked the big tomatoes, Work. Live. Play. Prosper.
and also the varieties of salad tomatoes that Middleton grew. “There were like six different varieties of the little salad tomatoes,” he says. Hernandez says that kids especially liked the salad tomatoes, and occasionally, little boys would come up to the table and ask for the hottest pepper they had. “We tried to go for color because we wanted to attract children,” she says. “I feel like if you get them young, they’ll always be healthy eaters.” One reason Hernandez believes it’s important to farm organically is taste. She says that when she’d cut conventionally grown carrots up for baby food when her son was younger, she noticed how bitter they tasted. Organic carrots were sweeter, she says. “It actually tasted like I thought a carrot
After Matthew Middleton and Sue Hernandez met in 2015, they decided to work together on creating an organic farm. This past summer, they sold their produce at the Mississippi Farmers Market. Next spring, they will start selling community-supported agriculture boxes.
should taste,” Hernandez says. Middleton says organic farming is more difficult than traditional farming because they cannot use herbicides, pesticides or chemical fertilizers. “We try to do everything as sustainable as possible,” Hernandez says. Some of their methods include hand-pulling weeds or laying cardboard (Germantown Wine & Spirits donates boxes to Gluckstadt Garten) on top of them to suppress them; using used coffee grounds that Mississippi Cold Drip Coffee and Tea Company donates for nitrogen in the fertilizer; feeding chickens with kitchen scraps and putting what they cannot eat in a compost; using rainwater; and companion planting, which means grouping certain plants together to form a symbiotic relationship. For example, they planted beans, squash and corn together. The beans put nitrogen back into the soil, and they grow on cornstalks as a natural trellis. The squash has broad leaves that shade the plants and keep weeds away. They also planted marigolds around the entire garden as a natural way to keep pests away, and planted basil in the tomatoes to attract pollinators. She and Middleton also say that another reason they farm organically is because it might be healthier in the long run. They say that farming organically is also about staying local, which they say could lessen our carbon footprint because the produce doesn’t have to travel as far. “Money is a huge issue, but it’s still worth it regardless,” Hernandez says. Once they get the farm ready to be open to the public, they hope to have events such as Farm to Table, and also weddings and events in the dairy barn. Next season, they hope to sell enough community-supported-agriculture boxes to fund a high tunnel, and to be able to keep giving the community fresh produce. For more information on Gluckstadt Garten, visit gluckstadtgarten.com.
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Dynamic duos
P
ower Couple. Dynamic duos. Dream teams. Call them what you want, but to us here at BOOM Jackson, the phrase means something amazing. These are the couples who are changing things —whether it’s in their respective fields or the community at large. They embrace love, teamwork and passion. We salute them. photos by Stephen Wilson
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Winter 2017-2018 // The City’s Business and Lifestyle Magazine
boomjackson.com
Power Couple:
Rob Hill and Ryan McElveen Rob Hill and Ryan McElveen, who have been together for nine years, say they have not given up on Mississippi, and are determined to stay and improve the lives of all Mississippians. “We know that the majority of Mississippians believe that all people should be treated fairly, and that gives me hope,” Hill says. A mutual friend introduced the two men in 2008, and they began dating a short time later. At one point, one of them received a job offer out of state, and they began finding another place to live. But then, they considered their lives here. “We have family and good friends here, and we like living in Jackson,” Hill says. McElveen says that he and Hill love the food, theater and arts scene in Jackson, and now they have hope that the state can improve—something they didn’t always have before. “I grew up knowing that I would never be able live openly with the one I love,” he
says, “but here I am.” McElveen, 38, grew up in Hazelhurst, Miss., and received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Mississippi State University in 2002. He worked in Atlanta for two years before returning to his home state in 2005. He is currently the assistant vice president and system support manager for Trustmark. Hill, 43, grew up in Forest, Miss., and received a bachelor’s degree in communication from a MSU in 1997 before attending divinity school at Duke University. He graduated with a Master of Divinity in 2002 and returned to Mississippi. He worked with two United Methodist churches near Utica before becoming the pastor of Broadmeadow Church in Fondren from 2005 to 2014. He left to become the director of the Human Rights Campaign of Mississippi. The couple live in Northeast Jackson and plan to get married in the future. —R. H. Coupe
Power Couple:
Matt Holl and Kristen Tordella-Williams The work of Matt Holl and Kristen Tordella-Williams connects education, the arts and community in Jackson. The couple met in Ithaca, N.Y., where Holl was teaching at the local high school, and Tordella-Williams was teaching at Alfred University’s liberal arts college. “We bonded over Kristen’s homemade mac ‘n’ cheese,” Holl says. “And then Matt showed up with a meal of baconwrapped, apple-stuffed chicken and bread pudding,” TordellaWilliams says. Naturally, Holl’s surprise
proposal came in February 2017 over brunch with friends. The couple got married in July 2017 in Preble, N.Y. Four years ago, TordellaWilliams joined the studio art department at Millsaps College. “I was elated to get a tenuretrack position at Millsaps, and Matt was equally thrilled to move away from the cold weather to warm, sunny Jackson, Mississippi,” she says. Holl, 40, teaches theater arts to fourth- through 12th-grade students at Jackson Public Schools’ Power Academic and Performing Arts Center, where he says his
Work. Live. Play. Prosper.
big focus is technical theater. “The students and I build all the sets and handle lights, sound and special effects,” he says. “My students and I have prepared five shows concurrently this fall.” Holl also works as director of the Lewis Art Gallery at Millsaps College. The couple, along with several collaborators, produced the community-drive arts festival, Verge JXN, in April 2017. The couple says that Verge, which grew from Figment Jackson, is a convergence of their strengths and enthusiasm for the arts and community.
“Verge JXN’s mission is to provide a free interactive arts festival for Jackson and its surrounding communities that celebrates expression and diversity in all forms,” Tordella-Williams says. The couple lives, works— and eats—in the Fondren and Belhaven neighborhoods. Tordella-Williams, 29, says that the couple’s hobbies include eating at local restaurants such as Saltine Restaurant in Fondren and Parlor Market downtown. “We also both enjoy cooking,” Matt adds, “and cocktails on occasion at Apothecary.” —Jan M. Richardson
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Power Couples, from p 39
Power Couple:
William and Shanna Head
William and Shanna Head dated for three years before getting married Aug. 23, 2008. A mutual friend introduced the two, and Shanna says she can still remember thinking that William had the most beautiful blue eyes she had ever seen. William received a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2004. Shanna received a Bachelor of Business Management degree in 2010 from Belhaven University, and an associate’s degree in graphic design from Hinds Community College in 2016. Shanna, 34, is the marketing assistant at the Outlets of Mississippi, and William, 36, is the operations manager at Head Auctions. In the couple’s free time, they like to be involved in the community. “I’m a big believer that you don’t have to do big things, but if you are someone who does a small thing, then you are among a big group of people and you make a big difference,” Shanna says. They have volunteered together with events such as March of Dimes and the Mississippi Craft Beer Festival. Shanna has also volunteered with the Pearl River Clean Sweep and is committee member of the JXN Barleys Angels. William does charity and benefit auctions for the Make A Wish Foundation and St. Joseph Catholic School’s Drawdown charity auction. “You can’t focus on all the negativity ... because you’ll drive yourself crazy,” the couple says. “You have to focus on being the solution and being a part of what’s making the world a better place.” —ShaCamree Gowdy 40
Winter 2017-2018 // The City’s Business and Lifestyle Magazine
boomjackson.com
Power Couple:
Roger and Carla Sturdivant Roger Sturdivant says his favorite thing to create with fused glass is flowers. He cuts the glass for the flower petals into square pieces. He then uses a grinder to shape them into petals. After that, he arranges and glues those onto a clear piece of glass that serves as the frame to hold them in place. Then, he fires the piece in the kiln at 1,300 degrees. “What you get out of that is a piece of glass craft with a raised look and texture to it,” he says. Sturdivant and his wife, Carla Sturdivant, founded their glass crafting business, Fused Glass by Roger and Carla, in 2009 after they both retired. They started with a single home kiln they purchased after seeing fused glass pieces on display during a trip to Alaska and on a cruise to Canada and New England. “(I like the craft because) every pieces comes out completely different,” she says. Carla says that you could use the same technique twice, but the pieces will still be different.
Roger, 73, was born in Jackson and graduated from Provine High School. He graduated from Mississippi College with a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1977. After graduating, he worked with the Mississippi Department of Revenue, which was then the Mississippi State Tax Commission, for 30 years as a data-control and computerroom supervisor. He also served as director of the bureau for 10 years. Carla, 71, was born in Jackson and attended Provine High School. She met Roger through her mother, Lois Chapman, who worked at the now-closed Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company in Jackson. The couple married in 1965. Their son, Christopher, was born in 1971. Carla worked as a proof operator at the now-closed Deposit Guaranty Bank in Jackson. The Sturdivants have been members of the Mississippi and Louisiana Craftsman’s Guilds for three years. —Dustin Cardon
Power Couple:
Tom Head and Deirdre Jackson-Head Tom Head and Deirdre JacksonHead are both avid writers. JacksonHead writes southern-gothic horror short stories, while Head focuses on non-fiction with an emphasis on history. “If you look at our history in Mississippi, we’re famous for pretty frightening stuff,” Jackson-Head says. “The Sovereignty Commission, Emmett Till, murdered civil-rights workers—taking that kind of material and fictionalizing it a bit gives you southern gothic.” Head says: “I got into writing nonfiction because I like to focus on the history of ideas. I enjoy looking at current events and applying the weight of history to them.” He has written 29 books over 17 years, and most recently published “World History 101” through Adams Media. He has written for the Jackson Free Press intermittenly since 2007. The couple met in 2006 at the nowclosed 930 Blues Café in Jackson at an Work. Live. Play. Prosper.
American Civil Liberties Union event, which Jackson-Head was attending with a group of interns from the Mississippi Office of Post-Conviction Counsel. “My party was just getting ready to leave when a song by the Smokestack Lightning band started up,” she says. “Just then, somebody grabbed my hand, and I found myself dancing with him. That was how I met Tom; he literally swept me off my feet.” The two married in August 2016. Jackson-Head has a bachelor’s degree in sociology, which she received from Mississippi College in 2012, and a law degree from the MC School of Law in 2016. Head has a bachelor’s in liberal arts from Exelsior College in 2000, a master’s in humanities from California State University in Dominguez Hills in 2012, and a Ph.D. in religion and society from Edith Cowan University in Perth, Australia, in 2013. —Dustin Cardon
Winter 2017-2018 // The City’s Business and Lifestyle Magazine
41
Power Couples, from p 41
Power Couple:
Alex Mullen and Cathy Chen Alex Mullen, 25, and Cathy Chen, 26, grew up in Oxford, Miss. The couple’s relationship began when they were seniors in high school, but their friendship goes back much further. They met more than 20 years ago, while they were attending Willie Price Preschool. “We grew up together and spent a lot of our time doing projects together and achieving things were passionate about, so that has been a really big part of our relationship,” Chen says. Mullen, who graduated from Johns Hopkins University in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering, is an American memory grandmaster and the current world memory champion. “I’ve won the last two memory championships, but not for any reason because I have a good memory; it’s because I’ve taken memory techniques that I’ve learned about from my competitors, and I have practiced them a lot,” Mullen says. Chen graduated from Princeton University the same year with a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering. The two are currently third-year medical students at the University of Mississippi Medical School. They married at Duling Hall in 2015. “It definitely helps to work on projects with someone else,” Mullen says. “There are times when I’m just kind of inclined to give up or vice versa, and we get some motivation from the other person.” They launched mullenmemory.com, which aims to help people apply memory techniques to remember things that will benefit them in their everyday lives, in 2015. The idea for the website came as they were looking for online resources to see what others had done as far as applying those memory techniques, but they couldn’t find one that satisfied their search. They are currently working on another project, Simple Civics, which aims to help foreigners apply those same memory techniques to be successful when the exam for U.S. citizenship. The pair expects to graduate from medical school in May 2019, and, they say they wouldn’t mind staying in Jackson to continue having a positive impact on the community. —ShaCamree Gowdy
42
Winter 2017-2018 // The City’s Business and Lifestyle Magazine
boomjackson.com
Power Couple:
Jessica and Ashley Noxolo May 26 marked nine years of Jessica and Ashley Noxolo’s relationship. The couple began dating after meeting at a college party on May 2, 2008. The coupled married on Sept. 30, 2017, on the Tougaloo College campus. The couple says their same-sex marriage was a new experience for some of their friends and family. “Everyone kept asking us whose last name we would take,” Ashley says. “We wanted to be creative,” Jessica adds. The couple researched their own family heritage for more than a year to come up with their new last name. “We wanted to come up with something, for our children to have and understand the history of our love,” Jessica says. The couple settled on Noxolo, which means “to bring peace,” and which Jessica says is a mixture of their Indian and Saharan African heritage. Jessica, a Clarksdale, Miss., native, graduated from Tougaloo College in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in English. Ashley, a Jackson native, studied business at Jackson State University. Jessica is an entertainment coordinator at Hops & Habanas in Fondren, and Ashley is a visual designer at Belk in Flowood, Miss., and a shoe designer and stylist. In 2011, Ashley was the first designer from Mississippi to showcase in New York Fashion Week with her brand, Ashley Hart Shoes, while Jessica won a band competition on BET’S 106 & Park with Calico Panache. “Those moments were confirmation that we were doing great things, and we are doing great things together,” Jessica says. The couple have been working on branding themselves, Jessica as a solo artist, and Ashley with her designs. She has released two collections since her time at NYFW. The Noxolos like to invest in Jackson by creating and collaborating with other artists. When not working, they enjoy attending local events. —Christina Spann
Work. Live. Play. Prosper.
Winter 2017-2018 // The City’s Business and Lifestyle Magazine
43
courtesy Jessica Simien and Tony Lofton
Power Couples, from p 43
Power Couple:
Jessica Simien and Tony Lofton Jessica Simien and Tony Lofton began dating in 2015 when Lofton “slid into her DMs” on Instagram, Simien says. “I just told her ‘happy birthday,’ but my intentions were really half-and-half,” he says. “The funny thing is he had tried to talk to me before, so when he sent that message, I thought it was recent,” Simien says. “I gave him my number and told him it was in case he was still interested.” Simien, 30, graduated from Jackson State University with a bachelor’s degree in mass communications in 2010. She has been a blogger and public-relations strategist since she received her master’s degree in public relations from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2012. Lofton, 28, received his associate’s degree in criminal justice from Holmes Community College in 2011. Lofton, who raps as TLo Da Champ, became interested in music when he was in eighth grade. The couple has a 7-month-old son, Marley. They are involved heavily with CityHeart
Church, and they also do volunteer work in the community for places such as the Hinds County Juvenile Justice Center, Tougaloo College and the Boys & Girls Club of Jackson with the David Banner Foundation. Jessica also volunteers with Community Animal Rescue and Adoption, or CARA. “I think that individually, we enjoy our work so much that when we get together, we enjoy doing it together,” Simien says. “We find
ways to make it fun, whether that’s a trip or putting together a show or being with him in the studio. It’s kind of like our work is our fun.” Even though they have their ups and downs, they say they are happy they have each other to lean on and enjoy their success with. They say their goal is to continue evolving both in their career and in the community. —ShaCamree Gowdy
Power Couple:
Alicia Teneia Sanders-Eichelberger and Ben Eichelberger
44
courtesy Alicia Teneia Sanders-Eichelberger and Ben Eichelberger
Alicia Teneia Sanders-Eichelberger, who goes by Teneia, and Ben Eichelberger have a mission to use their music, some crowdfunding and a 32-foot travel trailer to spread a message of love and equality, with a focus on racial, ethnic and social inequality. Sanders-Eichelberger, an award-winning musician, singer, songwriter and Jackson native, graduated from Murrah High School in 2000. She attended both Hinds and Holmes community colleges before moving to Louisville, Ky., to pursue her love of music. She eventually ended up in the music scene in Phoenix, Ariz. Eichelberger grew up in a small town on the Mississippi River in Iowa. He attended college at Iowa State University. After graduating in 2006 with a Bachelor of Liberal Studies degree, he pursued his love of flying and became a flight instructor in Phoenix, Ariz., where he met his future wife in 2012. Eichelberger says it wasn’t love at first sight. Instead, he says, “it was a slow burn. We became friends first and then started to date.” Eichelberger and Sanders-Eichelberger discovered that despite coming from different
backgrounds, they shared a passion for music and for challenging oppression in every form. “We have the same perception of life as an adventure,” Sanders-Eichelberger says. The couple moved to Jackson in 2015, and that same year, they began touring.
Winter 2017-2018 // The City’s Business and Lifestyle Magazine
They renamed their band Teneia as Heart Society in 2017 to reach more hearts with their message of love and acceptance. When in Jackson, the couple parks their trailer in Fondren at Sanders-Eichelberger’s parents’ home. —R.H.Coupe boomjackson.com
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Winter 2017-2018 // The City’s Business and Lifestyle Magazine
45
ARTS // modern
// by Malcolm Morrow
Imani Khayyam / File Photo
A Place for Contemporary Art
AND Gallery’s first exhibit after it opened in November 2016 was artist and co-owner Adrienne Domnick’s “Hip Hop Show Vol. 2” exhibit, which featured her pop art of influential black artists such as Missy Elliott and Lil Wayne.
Adrienne Domnick Imani Khayyam / File Photo
46
Imani Khayyam / File Photo
O
n Saturday, Oct. 8, 2017, AND Gallery in midtown was buzzing with activity. Outside, the smell of barbecue wafted through the air as people mingled and talked, and bands such as Bad Magic performed. Inside, people waited for the premier of the Clouds & Crayons visual album, “Love Soliloquy,” to begin. Pop artist Adrienne Domnick and graphic designer, musician and mixed-media artist Tyler Tadlock opened AND in November 2016 as a way to give the city a gallery that embraces emerging artists, and contemporary art and performance. So far, the gallery has hosted events such as “Hip Hop Show Vol. 2,” which ran from November to January and featured Domnick’s art, the Jackson Indie Music Week wrap party in January 2017, and the “March Forth” exhibit last spring, which featured artwork that addressed social injustices from artists such as Adam Farcus and Betsy Johnson. “It was important for us to provide a platform for art that was focused on social injustice because it’s a subject you don’t see featured often here,” Domnick says. “We wanted to let artists know that we weren’t afraid to showcase art that other galleries may shy away from. It was also because we want to let the various voices and perspectives be presented on the current state of society.” Though the gallery often features art that focuses on political and social issues, Domnick says the exhibits are not always political in nature. “We had some great shows ... come through,
Tyler Tadlock
Winter 2017-2018 // The City’s Business and Lifestyle Magazine
and the audience was impressed with what we have hosted so far. (We’re) still working on getting the physical space into optimal condition,” she says. From Dec. 1 to Jan. 5, AND Gallery will feature Timothy Harding’s exhibit “Working Spaces,” which brings together abstract art and architecture. “This show will set the bar for shows in the area,” Domnick says. “I’m hoping it will give artists a push to be more daring and thoughtful when planning their shows and presentations.” AND Gallery has more shows and events planned for the next few months, including a Black History Month film series in February, a week-long pop-up photo gallery from R. Kim Rushing in midJanuary, and an art installment from Rachel Livedalen from March 9 to May 11. “We want to connect our community to the global art world, bringing outside artists into Jackson and influencing emerging artists locally,” Tadlock says. Domnick says AND is also planning on helping visual artists learn how to present their work in the professional art world. “We want to help educate and guide artists as they become more involved in the business aspect of being an artist,” she says. “Many artists don’t have the chance to gain knowledge on marketing their art in classes, so that portion can often be lacking.” For more information on AND Gallery (133 Millsaps Ave., 601.351.5075), visit andgallery.org or find the business on Facebook. boomjackson.com
// nostalgia
ek
Cr
af t
Craft-y Creations
co ur t
es yD
er
// by Cam Bonelli
I
Craft says each piece takes n Derek Craft’s artwork, he em- braces the nostalgic feeling peo- about three days to complete, and prices of pieces vary on how much ple have toward classic ’90s-era video-game characters such as time and detail is incorporated. He Link from “The Legend of Zelda” also does work on commission and has created around 50 of those piecand Pikachu from “Pokémon,” and characters like Cloud from the “Fi- es since 2016. Craft says he has created pieces that people gave as gifts nal Fantasy” franchise. and can create anything requested. In his craft, he engraves charac “I’ll do anything, but what perters or scenes from the games into sonally appeals to me are video wood and colors the piece with wood stain, acrylic or watercolor paint. game (pieces),” Craft says. “I’ve always felt video games have a cerHe then applies a high-gloss glaze, which adds a three-dimensional ef- tain stigma, and people find playing games childish. I think that fect to each piece, giving there is a game out there the art a screen-like apfor everyone and that charpearance. “I think that acters impact our lives in so “I never really knew there is a many ways.” of wood-burning until last game out Craft says all his piecyear,” Craft says. “I watched there for es hold sentimental value an Instagram video of everyone to him. “I haven’t gotten wood burning and tried and that around to selling some it myself.” characters pieces because they mean Craft says he has impact our so much to me,” Craft says. drawn all his life, and al- lives in “I’m currently working on ways loved video-game and so many a piece that is a scene from anime art styles. ways.” ‘Final Fantasy VII.’ I’ve al “I would draw Megaways had an attachment to man and Sonic when I was growing up,” he says. “Anime and the character Cloud and that game in particular.” video games have always been an Craft says his love of art came inspiration to me.” from the inspiration he got from his Craft says when he first high-school art teacher who encourstarted wood-burning, he picked aged him to be a better artist. Craft Pikachu to start. “I thought to myself, ‘Every- graduated from Pearl High School in 2008 and has lived in the Jackson body knows Pikachu,’” Craft says. “I metro area his entire life. tried mixed media. I started experi menting, and I used the wood-burn For more information, find Craft er, engraver and paint stain at first. Then I moved on to watercolor and on Facebook or on Instagram at Cloudy Crafts. finished off the piece with a glaze.”
Derek Craft uses the craft of wood-burning to create art that features characters from video games such as the “Final Fantasy” franchise, “The Legend of Zelda” and “Pokémon.”
Work. Live. Play. Prosper.
Winter 2017-2018 // The City’s Business and Lifestyle Magazine
47
MELODIES // relationships
Versus
&
Verses
// by Micah Smith
O
Carolyn Cole / OurGlass Media Group
Vitamin Cea, a relative newcomer to the Jackson hip-hop scene, was one of the artists to perform for “Jackson vs. Tennessee.” 48
Winter 2017-2018 // The City’s Business and Lifestyle Magazine
Carolyne Cole / OurGlass Media Group
ne might not expect for an event with “versus” in the title to be about forming relationships, but Brad “Kamikaze” Franklin, owner of OurGlass Media Group, says that is exactly the core of the company’s ongoing Country Cousinz Concert Series. “The name of it basically comes from the fact that, if you’re from Mississippi, everybody’s got a cousin that lives in Mississippi or a cousin in the South,” Franklin says. “The concept was that we wanted to pair up Jackson artists with artists from other states, first of all, here in the southeast area and then having it branch out.” The series stems from the company’s goal of empowering Jackson artists and teaching them to be self-sufficient, he says. By performing together, both local and touring artists are able to expand their network, with the end result being a sort of exchange program where Country Cousinz participants can help set up shows for each other in their hometowns. Timaal Bradford was one of the artists representing Jackson at OurGlass Media Group’s inaugural Country Cousinz Concert Series event, “Jackson vs. Tennessee,” on Sept. 15 at Hal & Mal’s.
“It’s an opportunity for artists in Mississippi to really market themselves against artists from other markets that are already a little more grounded,” Carolyne Cole, creative director and event coordinator for OurGlass, says. “… Even though Mississippi is known as the birthplace of American music, people still don’t really know about the indie scene or the hip-hop scene here. They know about blues and things like that. I think this is an opportunity to say, ‘Hey, we have artists here that can do the same thing or do better things than artists from cities that are bigger.’” While Franklin came up with the concept, Cole leads the charge at each event, suggesting potential performers, handling artist check-in and communicating event details to participating rappers, among other tasks. She joined OurGlass in late August and helped launch the first Country Cousinz event, “Jackson vs. Tennessee,” at Hal & Mal’s on Sept. 15. The debut featured local hip-hop artists Dono Vegas, Ray Kincaid, Vitamin Cea and Timaal Bradford, as well as rising Tennessee rappers Soulman Snipes, Be Howard, Crisis 901 and Jason da Hater. The follow-up, “Jackson vs. Louisiana,” took place Nov. 10 and featured Jackson artists T-Lo Da Champ, Cadillac Pac, Yung Jewelz and DevMaccc, alongside Louisiana emcees Kaye the Beast, T.K. Osaze, Joe Scott and Nefa Records. Franklin says they plan on continuing the series in bimonthly intervals, with the next installments being “Jackson vs. Alabama” in January and “Jackson vs. Arkansas” in March. They expect to announce more soon, he says, and he hopes that, as more people learn about the showcases, they will be move to a monthly or even weekly format. “We want this to be that oasis, where the artists who have really been chomping at the bit to get onstage, this is the place for them to be able to do it,” Franklin says. For more information, find OurGlass Media Group on Facebook. boomjackson.com
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Winter 2017-2018 // The City’s Business and Lifestyle Magazine
49
Events // xxx
7
1 14th Annual Night of Musical Artistry Dec. 1, 7 p.m., at Duling Hall (622 Duling Ave.). Comedian Rita B. is the host. The Mississippi Jazz Foundation concert features music from Avery Sunshine and Mike Burton. Doors open at 6 p.m. $40 in advance; call 601.594.2314; missjazzfoundation.com.
1
Chimneyville Crafts Festival Dec. 1, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Dec. 2, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., at Mississippi Trade Mart (1200 Mississippi St.). The holiday shopping event features 150 craft vendors from around the region, music, hors d’oeuvres, beverages and more. $10 per day; call 601.856.7546; craftsmensguildofms.org.
2017 Metro Jackson Heart Walk Dec. 2, 8 a.m., at Mississippi State Capitol (400 High St.). The 5K walk through downtown benefits the American Heart Association. Registration begins at 8 a.m., and walk starts at 9:15 a.m. $250 suggested fundraising goal; email gsametrojacksonhw@heart.org; metrojacksonheartwalk.org.
2 3
Mississippi Girlchoir Holiday Concert Dec. 3, 3-4 p.m., at Galloway United Methodist Church (305 N. Congress St.). The program includes holiday favorites with selections from variety of genres, historical periods and geographic locations. $15 admission; call 769.218.9398; email msgirlchoir@ msgirlchoir.org; msgirlchoir.org.
Fondren Unwrapped Dec. 7, 5-8 p.m., in Fondren. Fondren Renaissance’s annual family-friendly afterhours shopping experience and open house includes live music, art, visits from Santa, and more. Free admission; call 601.981.9606; fondren.org.
9
Opening Day & Bicentennial Celebration Dec. 9, 11 a.m., at Mississippi Civil Rights Museum (222 North St.). On the museum plaza. The opening event for the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum and the Museum of Mississippi History includes music, speakers, food trucks and more. Free admission; email info@2mississippimuseums.com; mdah.ms.gov.
7-8 Country Christmas Dec. 7-8, 5-8 p.m., at Mississippi Agriculture & Forestry Museum (1150 Lakeland Drive). The family-friendly holiday event includes a sampler breakfast, story time with Mrs. Claus, pictures with Santa and Rudolph, and carousel and wagon rides. Free admission; call 601.432.4500; email msagmuseum@mdac.ms.gov; msagmuseum.org.
7-21 “Beauty & the Beast” Dec. 7-9, 7 p.m., Dec. 10, 2 p.m., Dec. 14-16, 7 p.m., Dec. 17, 2 p.m., Dec. 19-21, 7 p.m., at New Stage Theatre (1100 Carlisle St.). The musical adaptation of Disney’s popular animated film tells the classic story of Belle and the Beast. Appropriate for all ages. $35 admission, $28 for seniors, students and military; call 601.948.3533; newstagetheatre.com.
9
“Picturing Mississippi, 1817-2017: Land of Plenty, Pain & Promise” Dec. 9, at the Mississippi Museum of Art (380 S. Lamar St.). The exhibit celebrating the state bicentennial features more than 175 works from more than 100 different artists, including Jean-Michel Basquiat, Andy Warhol, John Steuart Curry, John James Audubon, Eudora Welty and more. Exhibit on display through July 8. Free admission; call 601.960.1515; msmuseumart.org.
Sesame Street Live! Let’s Party! Dec. 13, 2 p.m., 6 p.m., at Mississippi Coliseum (1207 Mississippi St.). The interactive stage show features a variety of characters from the popular children’s TV program “Sesame Street,” including Big Bird, Elmo, Grover, Oscar the Grouch, Cookie Monster and more. $15$60; ticketmaster.com.
13
16
“Light Has Come: The Angels’ Story” Dec. 16, 2 p.m., 7 p.m., Dec. 17, 2 p.m., at Thalia Mara Hall (255 E. Pascagoula St.). Ballet Magnificat presents the holiday production, which tells the Nativity story through the eyes of angels who were present. $20-$50; call 601.977.1001; email erin@ balletmagnificat.com; balletmagnificat.com.
30
Soulabration 2017 Dec. 30, 7 p.m., at Mississippi Coliseum (1207 Mississippi St.). The concert features performances from Grammy Award winner Bobby Rush, Peggy Scott-Adams, Calvin Richardson, Omar Cunningham, Adrian Bagher and Big Pokey Bear. $32-$50; ticketmaster.com.
Jackson area events updated daily at jfpevents.com.
Post your own events or send info to events@boomjackson.com
50
Winter 2017-2018 // The City’s Business and Lifestyle Magazine
boomjackson.com
courtesy Young Sir Photography; courtesy MS Craft Center; courtesy Mississippi GirlChoir; Trip Burns; Joan Marcus; Imani Khayyam; Feld Entertainment
December
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Work. Live. Play. Prosper.
Winter 2017-2018 // The City’s Business and Lifestyle Magazine Trustmark - Boom 7.625 x 4.925 Dec
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Events // celebrate
January Blue Dream Jan. 6, 8 p.m.-midnight, at Spacecamp (3002 N. Mill St.). The Chicago-based psychedelic funk-rock act’s new single is titled “Freedom Eyes.” Bad Magic also performs. $5 admission; email spacecampjxn@gmail.com; spacecampjxn.com.
714
Riverdance Jan. 23, 7:30 p.m., at Thalia Mara Hall (255 E. Pascagoula St.). The international Irish dance group performs a concert featuring traditional Irish dance and music as part of its 20th Anniversary World Tour. $35-$75; ticketmaster.com.
13
Jeanne Robertson: Rocking Chair Tour Jan. 13, 8 p.m., at City Hall Live (1000 Municipal Drive, Brandon). Robertson is an award-winning humorist, author and motivational speaker who can be heard on Sirius XM’s “Laugh U.S.A.” Doors open at 7 p.m. $33-63; ticketmaster.com.
Jackson Indie Music Week Jan. 7-14, in Jackson. The weeklong music festival takes place at various venues across Jackson and features concerts, industry panels, a music-video showcase, parties and more. Performers include Spacewolf, James Crow, Marcel P. Black, Lisbon Deaths, DevMaccc, Coke Bumaye, Bad Magic, Alfred Banks, Cody Rogers, Ben Ricketts and more. $40 early-bird all access, $25 individual day pass; jxnindiemusic.com.
11
Shen Yun Jan. 11, 7:30 p.m., at Thalia Mara Hall (255 E. Pascagoula St.). The international classical Chinese performance company presents a program using dance, orchestral music, animated backdrops, costumes and more to share traditional Chinese culture. $80-$120; call 800.380.8165; shenyun performingarts.com.
16
Mississippi Mavericks— Innovative Musicians of Mississippi Jan. 16, 7 p.m., at Millsaps College (1701 N. State St.). In Gertrude C. Ford Academic Complex. Awardwinning baritone James Martin and guest performers present a concert celebrating work of Mississippi’s musical innovators, such as Howard Johnson, Milton Babbitt, Lehman Engel, William Grant Still and more. This event is part of the Arts & Lecture Series. $10 admission, $5 for students with ID; call 601.974.1130; millsaps.edu.
12
Cabaret at Duling Hall: The King of Rock and Roll Jan. 12, 7:30 p.m., at Duling Hall (622 Duling Ave.). The Mississippi Opera presents an evening with music from Elvis Presley tribute artist Victor Trevino Jr. $30 admission; call 601.960.2300; email info@ msopera.org; msopera.org.
23
20
JDRF Hope Gala 2018 Jan. 20, 6-11:30 p.m., at The Westin Jackson (407 S. Congress St.). The gala celebrates the 20th anniversary of the JDRF Mississippi chapter, which raises funds for type 1 diabetes research. Includes a cocktail reception, a seated dinner, a live auction, an after-party featuring dueling pianos and more. Proceeds benefit the JDRF’s programs. $200 dinner, $1,600 VIP table for eight, $2,000 VIP table for 10, $45 per person after-party; call 601.981.1184; email mississippi@jdrf.org; jdrf.org.
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Harlem Globetrotters Jan. 23, 7 p.m., at Mississippi Coliseum (1207 Mississippi St.). The international-touring exhibition basketball team is known for its combination of theatrical and comedic playing style. $19-$83; call 800.745.3000; ticketmaster.com.
27 2018 Mississippi Blues Marathon Jan. 27, 7 a.m.2 p.m., at Mississippi Museum of Art (380 S. Lamar St.). The 11th annual marathon features live blues music throughout the race. Marathon, half-marathon and “Quarter Note” quarter marathon options available. A portion of the proceeds goes to the Mississippi Blues Commission Musicians’ Benevolent Fund. $100 marathon, $90 half, $50 quarter, $220 team relay; msbluesmarathon.events.
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Best of Jackson Party Jan. 28, 6 p.m. The Jackson Free Press’ annual party celebrates the winners and nominees for the Best of Jackson competition. Includes live entertainment, dancing, food from local restaurants, adult beverages and more. Sign up for to receive a free invitation at jfpdaily.com. More details to be announced. Invitation only; subscribe to jfpdaily.com; read more at bestofjackson.com.
Jackson area events updated daily at jfpevents.com.
Post your own events or send info to events@boomjackson.com
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Winter 2017-2018 // The City’s Business and Lifestyle Magazine
boomjackson.com
courtesy Jackson Indie Music Week; courtesy Shen Yun; flickr/Ed Schipul; file photo; flickr/Bill McChesney; Jack Harti/Riverdance; courtesy Harlem Globetrotters; courtesy Mississippi Blues Marathon
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Chamber II: Mozart by Candlelight Jan. 13, 7:30-9 p.m., at Belhaven University Center for the Arts (835 Riverside Drive). The Mississippi Symphony Orchestra presents a candlelit concert featuring bassoonist Jon Wenberg performing the music from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. $19 per person, $5 for students with ID; call 601.960.1565; msorchestra.com.
Bringing The Community Together:
Promoting Racial Harmony and Facilitating Understanding
Monthly Discussion Luncheons Second Wednesday, 11:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Join us to “lunch and learn” with provocative speakers and discussions held at the Mississippi Arts Center in partnership with the City of Jackson.
2018 Dialogue Circles Ongoing for adults and youth, see website Dialogue Jackson presents dialogue circles, a series of facilitated, curriculum-based discussion sessions that can open minds, change hearts and build lasting friendships.
2018 Friendship Ball Spring 2018, check dialoguejackson.org Join the board of directors of Dialogue Jackson in celebrating two people who have given back to the community by encouraging racial harmony and understanding in Jackson and Mississippi. Plus, meet our members, make new friends and enjoy a fantastic party.
2500 North State Street | 100 Alumni Drive msfcu.us | 1-800-643-1567
Work. Live. Play. Prosper.
More information: www.dialoguejackson.org Winter 2017-2018 // The City’s Business and Lifestyle Magazine
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Events // travel
February
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Stop in the Name of Love Feb. 3, 7:30 p.m., at Thalia Mara Hall (255 E. Pascagoula St.). The Mississippi Symphony Orchestra and Las Vegas vocal quartet Radiance Four present a tribute to the women of Motown and R&B, featuring music from The Supremes, Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner and more. $15-$49; call 601.960.1565; msorchestra.com.
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Shovels & Rope Feb. 10, 8 p.m., at Duling Hall (622 Duling Ave.). The Charleston, S.C., husband-andwife folk duo’s latest album is titled “Little Seeds.” Doors open at 7 p.m. $30 in advance, $35 at the door; call 877.987.64867; ardenland.net.
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Cabaret at Duling Hall: Musically Ever After Feb. 12, 7:30 p.m., at Duling Hall (622 Duling Ave.). The Mississippi Opera presents a concert that tells the story of two performers in a relationship through Broadway show tunes and popular musical-theater songs. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. $25 per person; call 601.960.2300; msopera.org.
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3 JXN Natural Hair Expo Feb. 3, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., at Jackson Medical Mall (3350 W. Woodrow Wilson Ave.). The expo features vendors, giveaways, discussion panels, demonstrations, entertainment and more. Guests include comedian Rita Brent, LeCourtney Harness, Morgan Lavine, Melody Washington, Tosi Ufodike, Towanda Simmons, Jessica Singleton and more. $7 general pass, $15 exclusive pass; call 769.300.1514; jxnnhe.com.
Mississippi: the River, the People, the State Feb. 13, 7 p.m., at Millsaps College (1701 N. State St.). In Gertrude C. Ford Academic Complex. Mississippi State University history professor Jim Giesen, archivist and writer Jim Barnett, and John Ruskey of Clarksdale, a musician, painter, writer and owner of Quapaw Canoe Company, discuss the Mississippi River and its influence on our state. This event is part of the Arts & Lecture Series. $10 admission, $5 for students with ID; call 601.974.1130; millsaps.edu.
Spaytacular: Around the World Feb. 17, 6-10 p.m., at Table 100 (100 Ridge Way, Flowood). The fundraiser features a silent auction, live entertainment, a raffle, drinks and a buffet dinner. Proceeds benefit Mississippi Spay & Neuter. $50 per person, sponsorships available; email shelby@msspan.org; msspan.org.
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Ignite the Night: Mississippi Music Feb. 17, 7-11 p.m., at Mississippi Children’s Museum (2145 Museum Blvd.). The annual adults-only fundraiser features food, cocktails, photo booths, music, a silent auction and more. This year’s installment celebrates Mississippi’s musical heritage. Admission TBA; call 601.981.5469; mschildrensmuseum.org.
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Fight for Air Climb Feb. 24, 8 a.m.noon, at Regions Plaza (210 E. Capitol St.). Includes a race up 22 floors with proceeds going to the American Lung Association’s efforts to combat lung disease. $25 registration, $100 fundraising minimum; email victoria.stein@lungse.org; call 601.206.5810; climbjackson.org.
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“The Wizard of Oz” Feb. 7, 7:30 p.m., at Thalia Mara Hall (255 E. Pascagoula St.). The musical is an adaptation of the iconic 1939 film and follows the story of Dorothy, Toto, Scarecrow, Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion as they travel the Yellow Brick Road toward the Emerald City. $35-$70; call 888.502.2929; ticketmaster.com.
“Silent Sky” Feb. 13-17, 7:30 p.m., Feb. 18, 2 p.m., Feb. 20-24, 7:30 p.m., Feb. 25, 2 p.m., at New Stage Theatre (1100 Carlisle St.). The dramatic play is based on the true story of 19th-century astronomer Henrietta Leavitt and explores women’s societal roles during an era of scientific progress. $30 admission, $25 for seniors, students and military; call 601.948.3533; newstagetheatre.com.
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Tedeschi Trucks Band Feb. 28, 7:30 p.m., at Thalia Mara Hall (255 E. Pascagoula St.). Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks front the Grammy Award-winning blues-rock act. Marc Broussard also performs. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. $39.50-$69.50; call 877.987.64867; ardenland.net.
Jackson area events updated daily at jfpevents.com.
Post your own events or send info to events@boomjackson.com
54
Winter 2017-2018 // The City’s Business and Lifestyle Magazine
boomjackson.com
file photo; courtesy Melody Washington; flickr/Sam Howzit; Leslie Ryan McKellar; file photo; file photo; file photo; Mark Seliger
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So You Think You Can Fish? Feb. 3, 9 a.m.-noon, at Mississippi Museum of Natural Science (1505 Eastover Drive). In Rotwein Theater. The seminar features anglers and biologists answering question on fish and fishing techniques, along with additional related activities throughout the museum. Included with admission; call 601.432.2400; mdwfp.com.
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T he C i t y’s B us i ne s s a nd L i f estyle Ma g a z i ne ... 4 t i m e s a ye a r!
Summer Listen Up: Local Podcasts p 10 // Zen in JXN p 22 // Office Trinkets p 26 // Lemonade Life p 38 // Youth Media p 46 // Vicksburg Bound p 56
Spring 2017 | FREE // Vol. 9, No. 4
Edit o rial : - Business of Healthcare - Young Influentials - Jackson’s Best Doctors - Summer Menu Guide D eadl ines: - Ad Reserved: 4/29/18 - Ad Final: 5/6/18
COOLEST
WORK SPACES ARTISTS, DEFENDERS, MAKERS
pp 40-45
Local Menu Guide,
Fall Edit o rial : - Fall Food and Fashion - Arts and Events - Fondren Section - Fall Entertaining - Fall Menu Guide D eadl ines: - Ad Reserved: 7/30/18 - Ad Final: 8/7/18
starts p 31
Spring E d i t ori al: - Coolest Offices - Spring Office Fashion - Parades! - Fondren Section - Spring Menu Guide
Deadlines: - Ad Reserved: 1/27/18 - Ad Final: 2/3/18
Winter Edit o rial : - Hitched Weddings - Power Couples - Business News - Winter Menu and Catering Guide D eadl ines: - Ad Reserved: 10/28/18 - Ad Final: 11/4/18
BOOM Jackson, The City’s Business and Lifestyle Magazine, is distributed in over 200 locations in the Jackson Metro, including area grocery stories, high traffic businesses and curbside “BOOM” boxes. BOOM is placed in business-class hotels in the metro area, and is distributed by local chambers and visitor’s bureaus. Copies are available for meetings, trainings and recruiting by local companies and organizations. Subscriptions are available for $12/year for shipping and handling costs. Call 601-362-6121 x11 for more information. Boom Jackson is a publication of Jackson Free Press, Inc.
COOL TOO // heart
Delta Soul // by Amber Helsel
N
inety miles northwest and through winding highways and endless miles of Delta farmland sits a city that calls itself the Heart and Soul of the Delta: Greenville, Miss. If you want to better understand the state’s blues and literature history, Greenville is the place to go.
Greenville History Museum (409 Washington Ave., 662.335.5802) The city that calls itself the heart and soul of the Mississippi Delta obviously has some stories to tell, and the history museum helps tell some of them. The museum walks visitors through the city’s history, from prehistory to the late 20th century. The exhibits are divided by decades and events such as the Great Flood of 1927, which helped shape the history for cities along Mississippi River. If you want to know more about the flood, you can also visit the Greenville 1927 Flood Museum (118 S. Hinds St.) Midtown Greenville (825 S. Main St., 662.580.5150) Back in 2011, I visited McCormick Book Inn while in college, and it was one of those bookstores that smell like you think a bookstore should smell. The store opened in Greenville and became a local hangout for those who wanted to delve into literature, a place for visit56
Amber Helsel
Jim’s Café (314 Washington Ave., 662.332.5951) If you like history and pancakes the size of your head, make Jim’s Café your first stop. Jim’s is the oldest diner in Greenville, and as you sit and eat your food, you can see historic city relics on the wall. If you come on the right day, you might even encounter people who can tell you stories of the city. The menu includes everything from breakfast food to burgers, so there’s something for everyone. Just make sure you get there before 2 p.m. Jim’s Café is only open Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Winterville Mounds (2145 Highway 1 N., 662.334.4684, wintervillemounds.com) A little way down Highway 1, when you can see a tall green hill rise up among the stretch of road, you know you’ve made it to the Winterville Mounds, which was a ceremonial center for prehistoric Mississippian tribes. The site, which is protected as a state park, features 12 mounds, a museum and two plazas. Near the back of the site is the Temple Mound, which stands 55 feet tall, making it one of the top 10 largest mounds in the U.S.
Winterville Mounds Riverfront It wouldn’t be a good trip to a river town if you didn’t go to the riverfront just once. While it has outposts where you can sit in your car and look at the water or even walk down a path onto the beach, Greenville’s riverfront is also home to Trop Casino, and on the right day, you can even watch the American Queen launch. Oh, and take a drive on the levee. Nelson Street If you’re a blues fan, visiting Nelson Street is a must. Back in the day, this was Greenville’s Farish Street. The street, which has a Mississippi Blues Trail marker, housed grocery stores, record shops, cafes, and other businesses, and of course, it was home to a bustling blues scene.
Winter 2017-2018 // The City’s Business and Lifestyle Magazine
flickr / Lucianvenutian
Amber Helsel
The American Queen
ing writers and tourists and a local landmark. Sadly, the store closed near the end of 2011. But earlier this year, the space that once housed the bookstore got new life in the form of Midtown Greenville. You can eat lunch there, then browse books and gifts. Tamales at Doe’s Eat Place
Blues clubs such as the Casablanca, the Flowing Fountain and the Playboy Club once dotted its landscape, and blues artist Willie Love even recorded a song called “Nelson Street Blues.” While it’s not the same as it was back then, it still has Greenville staples such as Doe’s Eat Place (502 Nelson St.) with its famous tamales. Tamale Trail (southernfoodways.org) If you ask anyone where you should eat in Greenville, chances are they’ll say Doe’s Eat Place, and they’ll definitely tell you to try the tamales. Doe’s is part of the Mississippi Delta’s Tamale Trail. Try tamales at other restaurants on the trails such as Hot Tamale Heaven (1427 Highway 1 S., 662.702.5116), Jack’s Hot Tamales (112 E. Alexander St., Greenville, 662.335.6512), Maria’s Famous Hot Tamales (605 Toni St., 662.332.7847), Rick’s Express (2309 Martin Luther King Blvd. S., 662.235.0226) and Scott’s Hot Tamales (304 Highway 1 S., 662.332.4013). Mighty Miss Brewing Company taproom (525 Washington Ave., Suite B, 662.379.6477, mightymissbeer.com) With House Bill 1322’s passage earlier this year, which lets breweries sell beer on the premises, breweries have been expanding their offerings and opening taprooms. Greenville’s Mighty Miss Brewing Company, which the founders, including Delta-Democrat Times Publisher Jon Alverson, started in 2015, opened its taproom to the public on July 5. Now, you can take a tour of the brewery, and you can also sit at the bar and enjoy one of Might Miss’ beers. You can even learn about the Delta because the beers, such as Arcola Amber and Sledge Saison. boomjackson.com
Featuring Finalists and Winners from Best of Jackson
BESTOFJACKSON.COM For Advertising, Call 601.361.6121 Ext. 11
MY LOCAL LIST
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Roderick’s Top // by Amber Helsel
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You might just see local filmmaker Roderick Red all around town, and you may even catch him at one of his top 10 favorite places in Jackson. Here is his list.
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1 Midtown (madeinmidtownjxn.com)— Midtown is my professional and personal playground. It’s home to some of the most eclectic finds, dope art and coolest events in the city. 2 Babalu Tapas & Tacos (622 Duling Ave., Suite 106, eatbabalu.com)—I like Babalu not only because of the food and service, but because it’s a Jackson original that has expanded through the southeastern region from Birmingham to Atlanta and North Carolina. 3 Mantle. (622 Duling Ave., 601.362.2444, growatmantle. com)—This is one of my go-to places to wrap up work or grab an after-work brew. As a City 58
Club member, I love to host my monthly meet-ups and even important meetings with clients in this space. 4 Coalesce Coworking (109 N. State St., 601.985.7979, coalescejxn.com)—Coalesce blends entrepreneurship, technology and engagement in one great space. It’s also near one of to my favorite local businesses, Thimblepress. 5 Sweet & Sauer (The Hatch, 126 Keener Ave., 303.748.0444, sweetandsauer.co)—This is one of most favorite local businesses because it is not only #MadeInMidtown; it also has some of the best kombucha and fermented foods available.
Winter 2017-2018 // The City’s Business and Lifestyle Magazine
6 CityHeart Church (1417 Lelia Drive, 769.218.9389, cityheartjackson.com)—This is my church home and absolute favorite place to worship and fellowship with people. CityHeart is a breath of fresh air in a city and state full of churches (and its creative team is dang good). 7 AND Gallery (133 Millsaps Ave., 601.351.5075)—AND is hands down one of the best places for art in Jackson. The gallery showcases some of the most innovative and captivating work while consistently pushing the envelope. 8 Podastery (121 N. State St., podastery.com)—This business is home of some of my favorite local podcasts and is morphing to one of the coolest
places Jackson, as it hosts live podcasting events from concerts to interviews. 9 Aladdin Mediterranean Grill (730 Lakeland Drive, 601.366.6033, aladdinin jackson.com)—If you’re a foodie like me, you’d appreciate Aladdin. In my opinion, it is one of the best restaurants in the city with great food and service at a great price point. 10 Mississippi Farmers Market (929 High St., 601.354.6573)—Every Saturday morning, I get on my bike and ride from Fondren to the farmers market to stock up on all things local, from fruits and veggies to meats to kombucha. boomjackson.com
IMANI KHAYYAM; COURTESY MADE IN MIDTOWN; COURTESY BABALU TAPAS & TACOS; COURTSEY MANTLE; COURTESY COALESCE COWORKING; COURTESY SWEET & SAUER; COURTESY CITYHEART CHURCH; COURTESY AND GALLERY; COURTESY PODASTERY; COURTESY ALADDIN MEDITERRANEAN; COURTESY MISSISSIPPI FARMERS MARKET
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