The Antar Era: 365 Days of Building a ‘Radical’ Foundation
Jackson's youngest mayor, now 35, assumed his official duties on July 3, 2017, and since then, he has been on a determined-but-rocky mission, as the world looks on.
What Lumumba’s ‘A-Team’ Earns
As we get nearer to annual budget hearings in the City of Jackson, you can almost feel the tension mounting around money issues.
OPINION: Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba Is a Man
In the current political climate, where the American president and Mississippi governor are people who lie to cover their evil plans, it is rare when an elected official does the right thing and accepts ownership of a wrong, simply because he is the leader and all responsibilities lie with him, regardless of the ineptitude of those working under him.
Lumumba Cites 'Failures' That Led to Death of Frances Fortner
On behalf of the City of Jackson, Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba has accepted responsibility for not preventing the accident that killed Frances "Franny" Fortner.
Mayor Lumumba Hosting Crime and Justice Summit Tonight at 6 p.m.
Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba and the City of Jackson will host a Crime and Justice Summit tonight at 6 p.m. at the Jackson Convention Complex downtown.
Mayor Lumumba, Police Out of Sync?
If you walked into Jackson City Hall two weeks ago at just after 7 p.m., you would have seen the mayor's chief of staff, Safiya Omari, in a tense, loud exchange with public defender Adofo Minka, who had just criticized Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba publicly on how he is handling officer-involved shootings.
What Lumumba’s ‘A-Team’ Earns
As we get nearer to annual budget hearings in the City of Jackson, you can almost feel the tension mounting around money issues.
Mayor Refutes Ethics Complaint Claiming JPD Destroys Immigration Records
In one of his more assertive and direct public statements, Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba refuted an ethics complaint from a local conservative think tank accusing the City of Jackson of destroying immigration records called detainers.
Mayor Calls Zoo's Move 'Disingenuous,' 'Disrespectful' to West Jackson
In his first public statement since the Jackson Zoo announced its board is now supporting its relocation from west Jackson to LeFleur's Bluff State Park close to Rankin County, Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba sternly advocated for the zoo to stay put.
'Man to Man': Mayor, Leaders Talk Empowerment with JPS Middle School Boys
While the middle-school girls of Bailey APAC were away on a girls-only science-related field trip on Friday, the boys were invited into the auditorium to engage with a panel of city leaders and professionals.
OPINION: The Mayor’s Task Farce
In the "most radical city on the planet," the "emperor" has no clothes. Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba has repeatedly provided cover for the Jackson Police Department, which has consistently exacted violence on residents.
Mayor Commits to Zoo, West Jackson Development Projects
Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba publicly agreed and committed to several upcoming and ongoing projects designed to revitalize west Jackson during a luncheon on Wednesday, April 25, at New Horizon Church International.
Mayor: No More Mugshots Released of Juveniles, People Shot by Police
Monday was the day Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba signed an executive order to stop the Jackson Police Department to stop disseminating mugshots of those involved in officer-involved shootings, such as a young woman local police killed by firing into her car in late January.
EDITORIAL: Mayor, JPD, Get on Same Page About Officer Shootings
When it comes to police transparency, Jackson is on a volatile tectonic plate that could cause tremors at any moment. Especially when City officials are the ones off-kilter and inconsistent.
EDITORIAL: Lumumba Administration Must Be Proactive, Appoint Promptly
There's a modern-day adage that is good advice for the Lumumba administration: "Stay ready so you don't have to get ready."
New Interim Police Chief Anthony Moore ‘Familiar’ with National Trends
Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba appointed Anthony Moore as the interim chief of the Jackson Police Department today. Moore fills former Chief of Police Lee Vance's spot, as he retired suddenly late in December.
Council OKs Municipal Judges, Debates Bonds
June Hardwick, a Hinds County municipal judge under the first Mayor Chokwe Lumumba, returned to that post in late December after the Jackson City Council confirmed her and re-confirmed two other existing municipal judges, Henry C. Clay III and Ali Shamsiddeen.
Poor Treatment of Local Media Comes to Head at Sanders, Lumumba Town Hall
U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders travelled from one predominantly black city to the next on Wednesday for public appearances in commemoration of the 50-year anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination.
Bernie Sanders, Mayor Lumumba Have Campaign-Like Chat on MLK Anniversary
Cries of "Bernie 2020!" accented the conversation between U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders and Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba at a town hall on economic justice 50 years to the night since Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in Memphis.
Council: Continue, Don’t Double Tourist Tax
At a special Jackson City Council meeting called just before the long Christmas weekend, Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba asked members to reauthorize the Jackson Convention and Visitors Bureau and double the tourist and convention tax that supports the bureau from 1 percent to 2 percent.
City Council Rejects Mayor's Request to Double Tourist Tax in 2018
The Jackson City Council voted against Mayor Chokwe Lumumba's request to double the local tourist tax this morning from 1 percent to 2 percent on purchases at restaurants, hotels and motels.
Lumumba Praises Retiring Chief Lee Vance As Maybe 'Best', Day After 'Project Eject' Tweets
Jackson Police Chief Lee Vance suddenly announced his retirement effective in a about a week after 30 years on the force.
City to Vote on Doubling Tourist Tax in Special, Pre-Holiday Meeting Thursday
In a late-announced Jackson City Council meeting scheduled for 10 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 21, the members will decide if they want to pursue an increase in the local tourist and convention tax from 1 percent to 2 percent.
Trump First to Tour Museum Saturday, Mayor Lumumba Will Boycott Opening
President Donald Trump is not scheduled to speak during the opening ceremony of the Museum of Mississippi History and the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum this Saturday.
First People's Assembly Kicks Off with High Energy, Without Mayor
Jackson's mayoral visioning committee hosted its first people's assembly at the Smith Robertson Museum on Tuesday.
Shaky City Communication, A New Ice Rink, Spanking
It was mostly business as usual at the last Jackson City Council meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 21, just before the Thanksgiving holiday.
First People's Assembly Kicks Off with High Energy, Without Mayor
Jackson's mayoral visioning committee hosted its first people's assembly at the Smith Robertson Museum on Tuesday.
Mayor Lumumba Pledges Transparency on Public Tour of City Hall
In efforts to make operations at City Hall more transparent, Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba hosted an open house and tour of his office and the top floors of City Hall on Friday.
The ‘Radical’ Mayor, 120 Days Later
Hundreds of Jacksonians sat in mostly silence as Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba delivered his "State of the City" address on a late Monday afternoon in Thalia Maria Hall in downtown Jackson.
Lumumba's 'Radical' 100 Days: Cooperatives, Crime ... and an NFL Team?
Standing on the sunny side of Jackson City Hall, Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba reflected on his first 100 days in office this morning, focusing on economic development and crime, with his transition team and other city officials surrounding him.
Lumumba Alleges 'Nefarious Intent' in JPS Audit, Says City Will Fight
Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba rallied with advocates on Tuesday ahead of this morning's Mississippi Commission on School Accreditation meeting, during which members will determine whether or not to put Jackson Public Schools is in an "emergency" situation.
UPDATED: Lumumba, City Council Quietly Raise Property Taxes to Fill Budget Holes
Late last week, the Jackson City Council approved a 2-millage tax increase in a close 3-2 vote, with two city council members not attending the last-minute Friday-evening meeting.
Lumumba, Council Raise Property Taxes Tonight, Pledge to Be 'Good Steward' of Funds
In a rare Friday-night meeting, the Jackson City Council increased property taxes on the city's homeowners at a special meeting announced by fax 25 hours earlier at 4:45 p.m. on Thursday.
First Lady Ebony Lumumba Urges Provine Students to Bring 'Serious Change'
Jackson first lady Ebony Lumumba spoke to Provine seniors on Wednesday morning, encouraging them to pursue their further education and prepare to be the change agents in the world.
Lumumba Administration Growing: Hatcher, Kumar, Williams Join City's Team
The new mayor of the capital city took office on July 3, along with the slightly reconfigured Jackson City Council. Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba, 34, announced his first wave of appointees three days later at his first city council meeting as mayor.
Council Unanimously Approves Lumumba’s First JPS Appointee, Returning a Quorum to the Board
The Jackson City Council unanimously approved Letitia Simmons Johnson to serve as the Ward 2 member of the Jackson Public Schools Board of Trustees at its meeting Tuesday morning.
Running Jackson: New CAO Robert Blaine Shares His Vision
After a vibrant career as a traveling trombonist and conductor, Robert Blaine put down roots in Jackson, where he hopes to direct a comeback story.
New Council Leaders Laud ‘Brand-New Era’ for Jackson
With a new mayor riding into Jackson with a strong mandate, returning city council members are predicting that much can change for the capital city—in a good way.
Tillman, Priester Voted to Lead City Council, Lumumba Announces Appointees
Jacksonians crowded into City Hall today, leaving no standing room, at the first city council meeting with the newly elected mayor and council body.
Jackson's Youngest Mayor, Council Members and Citizens Take Oath to Serve
Standing ovations, joyful music, and resounding applause filled the Jackson Convention Complex this morning as the city council and youngest mayor of Jackson ever recited the oath of office.
Jackson, It’s Time to Go to Work
We're excited to see the work, progress, ideas, energy and journey of the Lumumba administration unfold, and we plan to hold them accountable and suggest solutions every step of the way.
Lumumba Inauguration Festivities Begin This Week
Chokwe Antar Lumumba will take the mayoral office on Monday, July 3. The new city administration has planned several community activities ahead of the inauguration, which begin this weekend at Smith Park in downtown Jackson.
New Mayor-elect Lumumba Will Get to Appoint 3 JPS Board Members
The Jackson Public School District will be down three Board of Trustees members by the end of June, meaning Mayor-elect Chokwe Antar Lumumba will be responsible for filling the board once he takes office July 3.
Lumumba Responds to Republican Opponent's Call for Recount
Mayor-elect Chokwe Lumumba sent an official statement in response to his Republican opponent Jason Wells' call for a recount.
UPDATE: Lumumba Wins Mayor's Race, Republican Candidate Wells Wants Recount
"We have a lot of work to do," Chokwe Lumumba said. "If you have the best ideas, we will work with it."
'Worldwide Celebrity' Lumumba Gets Personal in Live Podcast Interview
Beau York introduced Chokwe Antar Lumumba, the Democratic nominee for Jackson mayor, as a "worldwide celebrity," setting the tone for an entertaining interview last night in downtown Jackson.
Let’s Elect Lumumba on June 6 and Get Organized
I've had a number of great conversations recently with local business people who are curious to see where our city is headed now that the primary is behind us, and it appears that Chokwe Antar Lumumba, who surprised many by winning the primary outright, will be our next mayor.
Making of a Landslide: Chokwe A. Lumumba and a Changing Jackson
Primary night wasn't supposed to end that way. Chokwe Antar Lumumba could not possibly beat nine Democratic opponents outright and avoid a run-off. Here's why he did.
‘Victory Is Mine’: Lumumba Landslide Win Defies Conventional Wisdom, Polls
Chokwe Antar Lumumba likely claimed the Jackson mayor’s seat, winning the Democratic primary by a landslide against other candidates, drawing more than twice the votes as the second-place candidate.
JFP Endorsement: Chokwe A. Lumumba for Jackson Mayor
Chokwe Antar Lumumba's strong national presence will bring recognition and resources from outside Jackson to help raise our stature as a progressive and creative capital city that appeals to young people and innovators.
Broadening the Tent: Lumumba Vows to Gain, Give Respect as Mayor
Chokwe Antar Lumumba says that addressing crime in a comprehensive way means getting to the core systemic issues that lead to many of Jackson's problems, including poverty and a lack of economic opportunity.
UPDATED: Teens Quiz Mayor Hopefuls on Crime, Sidewalks and Myths About Youth
Five teenagers of the Mississippi Youth Media Project challenged seven mayoral candidates during Jackson's first Youth Mayoral Forum held at Provine High School Monday evening.
Generational Feud Roils Mayoral Forum
A seemingly innocent mayoral candidate forum quickly turned into a brutal debate between mayoral candidates Robert Graham and attorney Chokwe Antar Lumumba last night.
UPDATED: Lumumba Files Campaign Report, Third Behind Horhn, Graham in Donations
On a major campaign filing date, Mississippi Sen. John Horhn leads, so far, in donations with upwards of $200,000 in donations to date, although he has spent much of it.
A Chokwe Lumumba Primer: His 2013 JFP Interview, Audio, Campaign Reports
Chokwe Lumumba first came to Jackson in the early 1970s as a civil-rights activist. He returned to Michigan shortly after to attend law school, returning to Mississippi in 1988.
