Mississippi News

Art gallery brings Africa to Jackson, Mississippi

Published

2 years ago

September 10, 2022

This art gallery brings Africa to the ‘City With Soul'

by Vickie King, Mississippi Today
September 10, 2022

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.

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Mississippi News

Warm and breezy for the weekend – Home – WCBI TV

Published

3 hours ago

April 26, 2024

Staff Editor

www.wcbi.com – Isaac Williams – 2024-04-26 06:06:18

SUMMARY: Temperatures will be above average in Columbus, Mississippi for late April, reaching the lower to middle 80s. Rain and thunderstorms are expected to return to the forecast on Monday. The weekend will be warm and breezy with highs in the low to mid 80s, although there might be occasional showers. Heading into next week, showers and storms are likely on Monday afternoon and evening, with a potential for locally heavy rain and a risk of severe weather. Scattered showers may continue through Tuesday and Wednesday as a slow-moving front approaches.

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Mississippi News

House Speaker Mike Johnson appears at Mississippi event

Published

11 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Staff Editor

www.wjtv.com – Cameron Smith – 2024-04-25 21:26:41

SUMMARY: US Speaker of the House Mike Johnson visited Mississippi and spoke at Jackson Preparatory School during an event hosted by NACLC. While reporters were unable to ask him questions, student Sophie Slade asked him about balancing foreign and domestic policy priorities. Johnson emphasized the importance of America first but not America only, and expressed concern about projecting weakness in foreign policy. He also discussed issues at the southern border and his recent speech at Columbia University about the protests following the war between Israel and Hamas. Additionally, officials announced that the US is expected to provide $6 billion to fund long-term weapons contracts for Ukraine.

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Mississippi News

Community stands behind mother who lost her daughter tragically

Published

14 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Staff Editor

www.wcbi.com – Shawanda Jones – 2024-04-25 19:01:00

SUMMARY: Sonya Baldwin, a longtime Hardee's employee in Columbus, Mississippi, recently lost her daughter Ashanti Jade Turner. Despite the tragedy, Baldwin has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from her community. Turner's granddaughter spoke about her close relationship with her aunt, emphasizing that her legacy will live on. Chick-fil-A in Columbus will be holding a candlelight vigil in Jade's memory. Baldwin expressed gratitude for the support during this difficult time and emphasized the importance of remembering her daughter. The community's response has been a source of comfort for the grieving family.

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