By Melanie Townsend-Blackmon City of Drew Mayor As the mayor of a small rural town, I am deeply concerned about the rising trend of vaping among our youth. This issue is not just confined to urban areas; it has penetrated into the fabric of communities like ours in small town Mississippi. The allure of flavored vape products and the misconception of their safety are luring our children into a dangerous habit that could have long-term consequences. We cannot turn a blind eye to the fact that vaping among teenagers is not just a health issue but also a societal concern. It affects their academic ..read more

By Carl Dimitri Sr. BU School of Public Health Editor’s Note: Brown University researcher Erica Walker explores the hidden health impacts of wood pellet production in her home state of Mississippi. As the global demand for clean energy alternatives surges, the wood pellet industry, often touted as a sustainable fuel option, is projected to nearly double in size by 2026. In the United States, the industry’s growth is most pronounced in the rural South, where 91 wood pellet manufacturing plants are situated, constituting 75% of U.S. production. But this growing industry is facing scrutiny over i ..read more

JANS – Are you passionate about filmmaking or eager to share your expertise with aspiring young filmmakers? The City of Jackson is now accepting applications for this year’s Film JXN Youth Summer Camp. This is an opportunity for Jackson youth to learn the ins and outs of the film industry in the City of Jackson and beyond.   This year marks the third year of this program which provides a unique experience for youth aged 15 to 18 who are passionate about filmmaking. The camp offers them a platform to hone their skills, collaborate with peers, and bring their cinematic visions to life – as ..read more

JANS – Mississippi Boychoir celebrates the conclusion of its 29th season with two spring concerts – a preview concert and a full concert on Saturday, May 11, 2024. Those interested in singing with the choir next season are encouraged to attend the preview concert where sign-ups for choir placement for the 30th anniversary season will be available.  The preview concert will be held at St. Richard Catholic Church, 1242 Lynwood Drive, Jackson, at 2:00 p.m. This concert is free and open to the public.  The spring concert will be held at St. Columb’s Episcopal Church, 550 Sunnybrook Road ..read more

JANS – Mississippi revered civil rights attorney, Jaribu Hill, received the 2024 PILA (Public Interest Law Association) Award, Fri., April 19 at CUNY (City University of New York) School of Law. The award is presented to individuals who have made considerable contributions to the legal profession in service of “Human Needs.” Pictured with attorney Hill are Shavani Desai and Kay Escobar, CUNY law students and members of the 2023 Mississippi Project delegation.  This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Project Attorney Hill founded while attending CUNY. The Project came to Mississippi at ..read more

The court hearing for three teen-aged female Lawrence County High School students originally scheduled for April 17 has been changed to June 19, according to NAACP officials in that county. The three students attended a February 2 high school basketball game before stopping at a local store to change seats in their vehicle when they allegedly were cursed at and at least one of them thrown to the ground before being arrested by a Monticello police officer who was assisted by a local fireman. The arresting officer reportedly approached the car driven by the teenagers because a taillight was not ..read more

E-cigarettes and vapes are not a safe alternative to smoking cigarettes. These products contain nicotine. According to the American Heart Association nicotine is a toxic chemical that raises blood pressure by narrowing blood vessels causing the heart to beat harder and faster. Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, can affect the body in many ways. It can lead to an increased risk of stroke, heart attack, or other serious diseases. “E-cigarettes are the most commonly used smoking products, especially among youth,” said Tiffany Johnson, Interim Director of the Office of Tobacco Contro ..read more

The Young, Gifted & Empowered Awards (YG&E) event is back for its 9th year to celebrate young-African Americans from Mississippi and the South who are positively affecting change at local, national, and global levels.  The YG&E Awards is scheduled to air 4:30 p.m. Sunday, April 28th, on WLOO My 35 and stream live on YG&E TV  Roku channel and iOS app.  YG&E is proudly presented by Patty Peck Honda and Cricket.The Young, Gifted & Empowered Awards’ mission is to empower and uplift the voices of the African American community by providing a platform for ..read more

By Sonia O. Butler Jackson Advocate Guest Writer Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated was founded on January 16, 1920, on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C., with principles: Scholarship, Service, Sisterhood, and Finer Womanhood. Finer Womanhood Observance for Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated is celebrated each year from the last full week of February through the end of March. During this period, Zeta places an emphasis on Finer Womanhood in communities of color. The members of Alpha Delta Zeta Chapter (ADZ) in Jackson, MS were excited to launch their annual Finer Womanhoo ..read more

Mary Church Terrell Literary Club, Inc. celebrated its 20th Annual Literary Luncheon April 13, 2024, at the Hilton hotel in north Jackson. The affair also reinforced its 112th year of “Lifting As We Climb” with the awarding of six book stipends to graduating high school seniors Ariana Michelle Brumfield, Kaci Anna Clark, Jayla Arieanna Dunn, A’nyah Ellis, Hart Isaac Jefferson, and Makail Varon Morris. The social service organization is an affiliate of the Mississippi Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs, Inc. and Youth Affiliates, which upholds the national organization’s mission of civic and c ..read more