CIVIL RIGHTS

Jackson is also home to the Smith Robertson Museum & Cultural center, the first schoolhouse in Jackson for African American children, where famed author Richard Wright was valedictorian of his class. The museum now houses a permanent exhibit of Medgar Evers, an African slave ship and the Woolworth Counter Sit-In conducted by students from Tougaloo College, along with other temporary exhibits, art, artifacts, and photography.

Jackson State University’s campus was the site of pivotal protests and numerous civil rights organizations during the peak of the Civil Rights Movement. Most recognized is the Council of Federated Organizations (COFO), established in the early 1960’s and responsible for organizing the 1963 Freedom Vote, the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, and the 1964 Mississippi Summer Project.

AND the City With Soul is where you’ll find the Farish Street Historic District, once known as the “Black Mecca,” a hub for black-owned businesses up until the 1970s.

The City With Soul is more than James Beard award-winning Soul Food. From fresh produce to Gulf Seafood, our food is better than yours!

Jackson restaurants – from small mom and pop eateries to chef-driven concepts – offer some of the best authentic southern cuisines. Enjoy Cajun, Greek, Italian, and barbecue, all with a unique southern twist.

The District at Eastover is home to the state’s first food hall.

Cultivation Food Hall offers patrons a variety of culinary options all in one location. From curated cocktails to coffee and French pastries to nourishing poke bowls, the food hall serves as an incubator for new restaurants. The vendors may change throughout the year, but the variety of choices remains.

The success of Jackson as a culinary destination can be attributed to many of its most successful chefs: celebrity chefs, chefs with a vision, a goal, and award-winning recipes. Whether serving competition barbeque, creative cocktails, authentic French crepes, regional seafood, or Wagyu beef, Jakson restaurants are thriving in a supportive environment, and visitors are all reaping the benefits.

Come see what is being served in the City With Soul.