Ebony Gee

by Lea Thomas and Natalie Collier
Photo by William Patrick Butler
April 5, 2006

"There's nothing to do in Jackson." This is one of the most common complaints and misconceptions echoed all-around our bold new city, and Ebony Gee, 23, grows more determined to quiet those voices everyday.

"I got tired of my friends complaining about not having anything to do in Jackson besides going to clubs," she says. Hence the birth of "Southern Spirit," a weekly television program aired on Public Access Channel 18 Friday nights at 7 p.m. The purpose of the novelty show is to cover events that are going on around the metro. Ebony and her crew head out to the events as they're happening and let those who are sitting at home in on a little of the action. Also, viewers are given a heads up on the activities for the subsequent week. In a nutshell, "Southern Spirit" promotes art events happening around the state.

"Southern Spirit gives artists their 15 minutes of fame." Gee says. In fact, she says that she was even unaware of the number of creative spirits in the city until she began the show.

Gee strives to promote positive images and a point of view that is different from what is shown nightly on mainstream media.

Gee is a native of Camden, Miss., and a Tougaloo College graduate. She is also an independent filmmaker who won a grant from the Mississippi Film and Video Alliance for her first documentary, "Faces of the Frontline." It reveals the thoughts of soldiers who have fought in wars. She is currently working on a docudrama called "Miseducation."

"Miseducation" covers difficult yet significant issues that kids wrestle with daily. Its purpose is to explore the educational system here in Mississippi. A part of what drove Gee to the project was wondering, "What is Mississippi doing to help students deal with things that aren't academic?" The docudrama is slated to confront such issues as sex, drugs and violence. Local actors dramatize tough situations and interpret them in a problem-solution style.

Among Gee's industry influences are Quentin Tarantino ("Kill Bill"), Paul Haggis ("Crash"), Spike Lee ("Inside Man"). Personally, her mother is her rock. "My mom is my biggest influence. She is a strong, independent, single mom," she says, beaming.

Dedicated to the perseverance and uplift of Jackson's artistic evolution, Gee has big plans for the future. "I ultimately want to start a production company and establish a film school for younger kids similar to the Upward Bound program." She says.

"Jackson has a lot of potential. It's just going to take a lot of volunteer workers and non-profit organizations." She says with confidence.

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