Mississippi News
Art gallery brings Africa to Jackson, Mississippi
This art gallery brings Africa to the ‘City With Soul'
Jean Carson warmly welcomes customers who stop by the Afrikan Art Gallery at 800 North Farish St., a few blocks north of downtown Jackson, through a haze of scented, burning incense, making sure to mention the gallery's goods are authentic and handmade.
Many items, such as the clothing, are from Ghana, and the wood carvings are from Kenya. The gallery has backpacks for every age in colorful hues and intricate patterns, such as the popular Kente cloth, and “mud cloth,” a Malian cotton cloth dyed using fermented mud. The colors are striking and bold — “a feast for the eyes and a smile for your soul,” said Carson, the manager here.
Before this location, the Afrikan Art Gallery was located near the intersection at Bailey Avenue and Fortification Street. Owner Nyika Ajanaku once operated five businesses in the metro area. Currently, the one store is located in the Jessie Williams Building, a space that's not only an art gallery, but also a meeting place for book signings, educational seminars and after-school activities for children.
Ajanaku has imported a variety of artwork, clothing, jewelry, musical instruments and wood carvings from Africa. From dashikis to kaftans and sundresses, he has filled his store with everything a customer needs to complete an ensemble and decorate a dwelling.
“I just love it here,” said long-time customer Ada Miller Robinson. “I've been coming and buying here for years,” she says, shortly before darting off to help Clemontine Whitaker, a fellow-customer and friend. Both ladies admire a sun dress Robinson models for Whitaker, while Carson tends to a family browsing the jewelry cases.
Ajanaku has been a mainstay in the area for 49 years. His advertising for the gallery reads: “Where the Afrikan image is everything!”
This article first appeared on Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
SUMMARY: Members of Monroe County's law enforcement and Aberdeen city leaders participated in the Special Olympics Mississippi Torch Run, a fundraiser for the Special Olympics. Officers from the Aberdeen Police Department and Monroe County Sheriff's Office, along with the new Mayor of Aberdeen and Police Chief, escorted the torch through town. The torch will be escorted by law enforcement agencies across the state until it reaches Biloxi for the Special Olympics Summer Games. This event is a grassroots effort to support the Special Olympics and promote awareness for the cause. Follow for more updates on Facebook.
The post Monroe County leaders take to streets for good cause appeared first on www.wcbi.com
SUMMARY: A Jackson couple has been enduring harassment and noise from a motorcycle club for the past year, with the club's loud activities causing distress for the couple. The club, Outcast Motorcycle Club, has defended their actions, stating that they can't help the noise from their motorcycles. The couple, particularly concerned about the health of the wife, has contacted the police multiple times for assistance. Jackson Police Chief Joseph Wade has stated that if the club is found to be a nuisance, they may take action to shut it down. The club, with a permit to operate at the location, may have to consider relocating if the situation worsens.
The post Jackson couple claims they've been harassed by motorcycle group appeared first on www.wjtv.com
SUMMARY: Mississippi towns and cities are relieved after lawmakers reached a deal in the final days of the Legislative Session to address the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). The bill, awaiting Governor Tate Reeves' signature, removes power from the PERS Board and requires any employer contribution increase to be recommended to the Legislature. The bill also stops an immediate 5% employer contribution increase, instead implementing a gradual half a percentage point increase over five years. Hattiesburg Mayor Toby Barker, president of the Mississippi Municipal League, sees this as the first step in an ongoing issue, with $110 million allocated to PERS by the Legislature.
The post PERS bill awaits Mississippi governor's signature appeared first on www.wjtv.com
Monroe County leaders take to streets for good cause
Meridian City Council approves contract for managing water departments
Skeletal remains found in Rankin County pond sent to crime lab
Fortification Street in Jackson expected to reopen Friday
Jackson couple claims they’ve been harassed by motorcycle group
Itawamba County superintendent retiring in late June
Gulfport man sentenced to life after killing another man in drunken rage
PERS bill awaits Mississippi governor’s signature
Jackson neighbors want sinkhole fixed
LIVE: Mississippi's third Safe Haven Baby Box comes to Covington County Hospital
Driver’s education set to become mandatory in Mississippi as bill passes
State approves $160M to expand Highway 7 to four lanes in Lafayette County
Geartek expanding operations in Alcorn County
Legislation outlawing ‘squatted’ vehicles in Mississippi signed into law
LCSO wants people aware of a scam circling the area
On this day in 1917
Altercation at Mississippi police department leads to officer-involved shooting
Winston Co. Sheriff’s Office investigates shooting at Dave’s Club
Acadian Ambulance honors Mississippi Paramedic and EMT of the Year
PRC’s Bats Come Alive Late As Blue Devils Beat Picayune To Advance To 6A South State Title Series
Meridian City Council approves contract for managing water departments
Skeletal remains found in Rankin County pond sent to crime lab
Fortification Street in Jackson expected to reopen Friday
Itawamba County superintendent retiring in late June
Jackson neighbors want sinkhole fixed
LIVE: Mississippi's third Safe Haven Baby Box comes to Covington County Hospital
Interview: Lee-Itawamba Library System hosting Helen Foster Lecture on May 9
Interview: Chris Lucius fishing tournament is scheduled for May 11 in New Site
Women accused of vandalizing park in Oxford avoid trial or community service
Natchez hotel employee accused of firing shots into vehicles
-
SuperTalk FM5 days agoDriver’s education set to become mandatory in Mississippi as bill passes
-
SuperTalk FM4 days ago
State approves $160M to expand Highway 7 to four lanes in Lafayette County
-
Mississippi Business7 days ago
Geartek expanding operations in Alcorn County
-
SuperTalk FM21 hours ago
Legislation outlawing ‘squatted’ vehicles in Mississippi signed into law
-
Mississippi News2 days ago
LCSO wants people aware of a scam circling the area
-
Mississippi Today2 days agoOn this day in 1917
-
Mississippi News5 days agoAltercation at Mississippi police department leads to officer-involved shooting
-
Mississippi News2 days ago
Winston Co. Sheriff’s Office investigates shooting at Dave’s Club
