Black History
Stories documenting the Black history of Simpson County, Mississippi and beyond – highlighting local leaders, everyday people, civil rights organizing, faith, education, and community life. These narratives preserve voices and experiences often overlooked in traditional historical records and affirm Black history as an essential part of our local story.
Freedom and Food: Why Juneteenth Cookouts Are More Than Just a Celebration
Juneteenth cookouts are about more than food. Families across Mississippi use meals, traditions and storytelling to celebrate freedom and preserve history.
From Galveston to Mississippi: Tracing the Real Story of June 19, 1865
More than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation, Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, with news that slavery had ended. This look at Juneteenth explores how freedom unfolded across the South, including Mississippi, and why the story remains relevant today.
Teaching Juneteenth: Mississippi Students Still Learning a History Schools Often Leave Out
Many Mississippi students say they do not learn about Juneteenth in school, leaving parents and educators to fill in the gaps. One Mendenhall High student now crowned 2026 Miss Juneteenth is helping lead that conversation.
Who Started Juneteenth?
Juneteenth began in 1865 in Galveston, Texas, when freedom was finally announced to enslaved people. It grew into a celebration carried by Black families, churches, and communities long before becoming a federal holiday.