How a Natchez woman made history as one of the Tougaloo Nine

Top of the Morning column published in The Natchez Democrat (Sunday, March 15, 2026, page 4A) 

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Top of the Morning

 

How a Natchez woman made history 

as one of the Tougaloo Nine

 

By Roscoe Barnes III

 
Geraldine Edwards Hollis was a Tougaloo College student in the early 1960s when she and eight classmates walked into the whites-only Jackson Municipal Library, sat down with books, and made history.
 
The group became known as the Tougaloo Nine. Their peaceful sit-in, also called a read-in, lasted only 15 minutes, but it sparked the library's integration and youth protest movements across Mississippi.
 
At that time, Black residents were barred from the whites-only public library, even though it was supported by all taxpayers, including Blacks, Hollis told WLBT reporter Quinton Smith. “The goal was to make a difference in our society,” she said.
 
Born in Natchez, Hollis is a 1959 graduate of Sadie V. Thompson High School. She now lives in California and is the author of “Back To Mississippi: Sidewalks represent a journey to the paths of my success, follow my steps and take the journey!” (Xlibris US, 2011).
 
The Tougaloo Nine included, besides Hollis: Meredith Anding Jr., James “Sammy” Bradford, Alfred Cook, Janice Jackson, Joseph Jackson Jr., Albert Lassiter, Evelyn Pierce, and Ethel Sawyer. All nine were members of the NAACP Youth Council who were mentored by Medgar Evers, NAACP's field secretary in Mississippi.
 
The group’s historic protest occurred on March 27, 1961. Led by Jackson, they first visited George Washington Carver Municipal Library, which served only Black patrons, and requested a book they knew it did not have. They later visited Jackson Municipal Library, where Jackson walked up to a clerk and asked for a philosophy book. The clerk denied his request, saying “There’s a colored library on Mill Street. You’ll be welcome there.”
 
In response, all nine of the students sat down at different tables inside the library, pulled out books, and began reading. When asked to leave, they remained seated and continued reading. The library staff called police, who arrived and asked the students to leave. But they kept reading, at which time the police arrested them on charges of breach of the peace.
 
The students were tried the next day and found guilty of breach of the peace. Although each was fined $100 and sentenced to 30 days in jail, the judge suspended the sentences and ordered them not to engage in further demonstrations, an order they obeyed.
 
The news media dubbed the group the “Tougaloo Nine.”
 
The sit-in did not immediately change any laws or result in immediate integration. However, it set off protests in the Jackson community and inspired peaceful protests statewide. It led to a class-action lawsuit filed by the NAACP on behalf of the Tougaloo Nine and others in January 1962. In mid-1962, a federal court ruled segregation in public facilities unlawful, and soon after, the Jackson Public Library and the broader Jackson-Hinds library system were desegregated.
 
On August 17, 2017, the Tougaloo Nine were honored with a Mississippi Freedom Trail marker at 301 North State St., Jackson, in front of the former Old Jackson Municipal Library building which is now part of the Jackson Hinds Library System.
 
These brave students were also recognized by M.J. O’Brien on March 5 at the Annual Meeting of the Mississippi Historical Society in Meridian, Mississippi. O’Brien is the author of “The Tougaloo Nine: The Jackson Library Sit-In at the Crossroads of Civil War and Civil Rights” (University Press of Mississippi, 2025). His book won the 2026 Book of the Year Award presented by the Society.
 
I learned about Hollis’ activism from Bobby Dennis, director of the Natchez Museum of African American History and Culture. As I read about her, I came to see that her experience underscores the power of peaceful protests and the importance of equal access to public resources funded by all taxpayers.

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ROSCOE BARNES III, Ph.D., is the cultural heritage tourism manager at Visit Natchez.
 

Natchez Powwow set for March 28-29 on the Bluff

Natchez Powwow returns to the Bluff March 28–29, 2026, with free Native American music, dance, food and crafts, featuring Oscar-nominated songwriter Scott George.
 
By Roscoe Barnes III
Special to The Democrat

Eddie Yellowfish, Osage-Otoe-Comanche, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, will serve as the head singer of the Southern Drum at the Natchez Powwow set for March 28-29 on the Natchez Bluff. Photo Courtesy of Eddie Yellowfish (Click on image to enlarge.)

NATCHEZ, Miss. – The Natchez Powwow, a festive cultural event that has captivated locals and visitors for over 30 years, will take place March 28-29 at 319 N. Broadway St. on the Natchez Bluff.

“As we say each year, this is a wholesome family event that provides good entertainment and a celebration of the Native American culture in a safe environment,” said Natchez Powwow Chairman Dr. Chuck Borum. “We invite everyone to come enjoy themselves. This is a great time to meet people and build relationships while learning about Native American traditions.”

The Natchez Powwow is an annual event that celebrates Indigenous culture through music, singing, and traditional dance. In addition to participants wearing colorful Native American regalia, the event features food, arts and crafts, and more.

Admission is free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs for seating.

Powwow program

This year’s powwow will feature Frank Carson, Otoe-Pawnee, of Stillwater, Oklahoma, as master of ceremonies; and Darsh DeSilva of Round Rock, Texas, as arena director.

Eddie Yellowfish, Osage-Otoe-Comanche, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, will serve as the head singer of the Southern Drum; and Free “Bird” Kasler, Otoe, of Chouteau, Oklahoma, as head man dancer.

The program will also feature Wonzie Kline Kole, Mescalero Apache-Comanche of Dallas as the head lady dancer; and James Barton of Summerville, South Carolina, as the head gourd dancer.

Yellowfish said Tuesday he is looking forward to the Natchez Powwow, which will be his first visit.

“I feel honored to do this,” he said. “Everyone speaks highly of this dance and gathering.”

He said other singers have told him that “they always enjoyed the dance” at the powwow in Natchez.

Yellowfish said a powwow is special for many reasons. In addition to being a “gathering of tribes” and recognizing one’s culture, “it’s a chance for us to honor tradition and sing old songs and help everyone have a good feeling,” he said.

He added that he appreciates the community coming together for the powwow events. “I think the powwow is a good thing to share with people of other cultures,” he said.

Oscar-nominated songwriter

Supporting Yellowfish at the drum this year will be Oscar-nominated songwriter Scott George of Hominy, Oklahoma, who will return to Natchez. He has participated in the Natchez Powwow around five or six times, he said.

George composed, “Wahzhazhe (A Song for My People),” that was featured in Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon.” On Sunday, March 10, 2024, George and the Osage Tribal Singers performed the song at the 96th Academy Awards.

George said in a recent interview that it is hard to describe the experience and recognition he and the Osage Singers received for their performance at the Oscars.

“We were caught up in the moment doing what we were asked to do,” he said. “We didn’t think too much about it until it was done, and then we couldn’t believe we were there.”

He added that “it was an overwhelming opportunity” for them. “We didn’t have time to get nervous,” he said. “We practiced many times, and we got through it without any mistakes.”

Because of the bright stage lights, they could not see the massive audience during the performance. George said it was only when they watched the performance on YouTube and television did they truly see and feel the power of the standing ovation, he said.

George said they also enjoyed seeing the celebrities, like Dwayne Johnson, who took photos with them.

As for the song itself, George said its inspiration came from his tribal history. “The words in the song are asking my people to stand up,” he said. “’Stand up. God made this for us.’ We always heard our old people, even back before the Civil War, pray that we would still be here.”

Since its founding in 1988 by Borum, the Natchez Powwow has generated national publicity through its participants and performers. In 2018, the Natchez Powwow was listed as one of the top 20 events of that year by the Southeast Tourism Society.

Powwow schedule

Saturday, March 28 9 a.m. -- Food and Craft and Farmer Market Vendors open 12:30 p.m. -- Gourd Dance 2 p.m. -- Grand Entry and Intertribal Dancing 4 p.m. -- Camp Feed for Singers and Dancers and family/friends 6 p.m. -- Gourd Dance 7 p.m. -- Grand Entry and Intertribal Dancing 9 p.m. – Closing Sunday, March 29 9 a.m. -- Food and Craft Vendors open 12:30 p.m. -- Gourd Dance 2 p.m. -- Grand Entry and Intertribal Dancing

As noted on the event’s website, alcohol is prohibited at the powwow. It is not allowed in the powwow area or in the trader or food vending area.

Borum said the powwow is financially supported by local Natchez businesses, individuals, and the Natchez Convention Promotion Commission/Visit Natchez.

For more information on the powwow, visit https://www.natchezpowwow.com, or send email to Powwow Chairman Dr. Chuck Borum at cborum@hotmail.com.

See more at this link:
https://www.natchezdemocrat.com/news/natchez-powwow-set-for-march-28-29-on-the-bluff-a1ca4b45

2026 Natchez Powwow

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Newspaper clipping from The Natchez Democrat, announcing the 2026 Natchez Powwow (published March 8, 2026, page 3A).

#NatchezPowwow