Jackson Free Press

Candy Cain

"I shipped off a pig to Hot Springs earlier this week. I shipped off mermaids to Montgomery. … That was huge. I shipped off crosses to Biloxi," Candy Cain. A …

Phyllis Robinson

Photos by Jason Jarin

Originally from Kosciusko, Phyllis Robinson, now in her 40s, has lived in Jackson for over 25 years; she now resides with her husband, two sons, and stepdaughter. With a paralegal …

Pat Fordice

Whereas, Pat Fordice is a good Southern lady. In the documentary "Belles and Whistles" screened at the 2002 Crossroads Film Festival, former first lady Fordice says

John Kelly

While walking the streets of downtown Jackson one day, 27-year-old John Kelly had a simple revelation.

Ricardo Jacobs

Ricardo Jacobs, 24, may not be a native of Jackson, but it's obvious that he loves the city he's called home since the sixth grade. "Jackson is a nice place …

June Hardwick

June Hardwick, 31, believes in Jackson's potential. "People need to get involved, buy homes, get to know their neighbors," she says. "To make Jackson better, Jacksonians must reinvest in Jackson."

Eddie Sandifer

In his quiet office, Eddie Sandifer sits back in his chair gathering his thoughts. Sandifer, 79, is the project director of the Southern Aids Commission, a non-profit organization in Jackson …

Jannie Johnson

Jannie Johnson teaches children in the same one-room Madison County schoolhouse that her grandfather built 85 years ago. Inspired by her late father, herb doctor Seth Ballard Sr., and the …

Janice Cameron

Downtown lawyers, med students, hipsters and retirees—countless Jacksonians of every stripe know Janice Cameron's work, even if they don't know her. With her husband, Dennis, Cameron owns Cups Espresso Café, …

Ron Blaylock

It's not uncommon to find Ron Blaylock at a Jackson event with cameras around his neck and one of his three small children in tow while he works. In April, …

Ted Duckworth

Native Jacksonian Ted Duckworth, 39, is dedicated to changing the face of downtown Jackson. A married father of four, Duckworth graduated from Mississippi State in 1988 with a bachelor's in …

David Butler

David Butler, a senior at Millsaps College, took an atypical route to his final college decision. However, since his arrival at Millsaps, he has never looked back.

Merrill "Mo" McKewen

While working as a project coordinator, events planner and/or fundraiser for more than a dozen non-profit clients, McKewen, who prefers you call her "Mo," has raised two daughters, taught at …

Cheers to Gailya Porter!

Last week, we learned that Smith Elementary has ranked as a Level 5 school. We featured principal Gailya Porter as "Jacksonian" a month ago in our education issue. Here's an …

Ramsey Wise

"It's sort of like a dumpling," Ramsey Wise explains with hand motions.

Isaac Byrd

Isaac Byrd, 54, is not the kind of guy who bases his self-assessments on the opinions of others. "One of the great downfalls of black America and Mississippi is that …

Creshawna Wilson

After being in Jackson for only a year, Creshawna Wilson, 19, of Indianola, Miss., has already made her mark on the city. Her desire to make changes in the media …

Blythe Daigle

Blythe Daigle doesn't look like your stereotypical activist. Dressed conservatively in a gray turtleneck, blue jeans and black clunky shoes, she resembles the other inhabitants of her Belhaven apartment complex. …

Patricia Clincy Harris

Born and raised in Jackson, Patricia Clincy Harris is the mother of one, although she considers all children hers.

Ruth Oguhebe

As she walks into the empty school library, 17-year-old Ruth Oguhebe smiles and reaches out for a hug before sitting down at a table and taking off her shoes.