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| I'm here with Marsha Belton, MLIS, Technical Service Director at the J.D. Boyd Library at Alcorn State University. (Click on image to enlarge.) |
On Wednesday (2/11/2026), I had the pleasure of speaking at a Black History Month program at Alcorn State University. My topic was "Prospect Hill Plantation and Alcorn State University: Where History Shaped Higher Education." The man on the screen is Isaac Ross, the original owner of Prospect Hill Plantation.
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The "Kick Back at NAPAC" program will be hosted
by Rose Hill Missionary Baptist Church. (Click on image to enlarge.) |
NATCHEZ, Miss. — This year’s Kick Back at NAPAC program will celebrate retired Black educators over the age of 80. The annual event, presented in recognition of Black History Month, will be held 5:30 p.m., Thursday, February 19, at Rose Hill Missionary Baptist Church at 607 Madison Street.
“Celebrating our Black Educators” is the theme for the
program, which will be hosted by Rose Hill Missionary Baptist Church. It is
free and open to the public.
NAPAC Executive Director Bobby Dennis said the program
will include a panel discussion that he will moderate to highlight the
contributions of the retired educators. The panelists will include Zandra
McDonald, superintendent of the Natchez-Adams School District, and retired
educators Joyce Arceneaux-Mathis, Thelma Newsome, Cleveland Watts, and Larry
Jackson.
The Rev. LeRoy White, pastor of Rose Hill Missionary
Baptist Church, will present opening remarks.
“Our educators have helped shape the history of our
community. It will be a great opportunity to highlight those who during
difficult times contributed so much,” he said.
The panel discussion will be followed by a presentation
of an Angel Award to each of the senior retirees. The honorees include:
Estelle Banford, Melissa Bolden, Betty Bowser, Roland
Bowser, Artis T. Simmons Butler, Camille Carter, Mildred Carter, Mildred
Dunham, Lillian Clarke Edney, Nancy Green;
Renza Grennel, Pearl H. Groom, Leola Harris, Peggy
Hickombottom, Larry Jackson, Bessie Jenkins, Joyce Johnson, Lillian Johnson,
Wilbur Johnson, Marjorie Kinds;
Mable King, Fred Marsalis, Mildred Mitchell, Lorene Mock,
Clara Pinkney, Laura Price, Bonita Reed, Evelyn Smith, Mary C. Smith, Mary
Stanton;
Flora Terrell, Elnora Washington, Cleveland Watts,
Jacqulyn Williams, Jenette Wilson, Willie “Bill” Woods, Willie “Coach” Woods,
Clementine Youngblood, Eva Love, Jimmy Love, and Audrey Irving Dean.
The Kick Back at NAPAC program is supported by Walmart,
Concordia Bank, Regions, and United Mississippi Bank.
For more information, call 601-445-0728.
See more at this link: https://listenupyall.com/2026/02/12/natchez-announces-kick-back-at-napac-black-history-program/
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The marker will be dedicated on April 8 during a public ceremony on Silver Street near the Under-the-Hill docks. The event is free and open to the public.
“I am so grateful for the continued progress we are
making in better telling all of the great stories of Natchez,” said Dan Gibson,
Mayor of Natchez. “The story of Prince Ibrahima is one of those remarkable
stories that for many years has gone largely untold. But gradually many are
learning this story. There are even books and documentaries on it — Prince
Ibrahima is a big deal. His is a story of love overcoming hate and of courage
overcoming fear. I am excited that this marker will soon grace our riverfront,
and I encourage all lovers of freedom to learn more about this amazing man and
his amazing story.”
The location was intentionally selected as the place
where Ibrahima first arrived in Natchez as an enslaved man and later departed
the city as a free man with his wife, Isabella. The dedication date marks April
8, 1828, the day the couple left Natchez following Ibrahima’s emancipation,
creating what organizers describe as a powerful “full circle” moment in the
city’s history.
Born into royalty in Futa Jallon in present-day Guinea,
Ibrahima was a scholar and military leader before being captured in battle and
sold into slavery. Transported to Mississippi, he spent decades enslaved before
an international campaign involving the U.S. government and global advocates
led to his release and return to freedom.
The new marker builds on ongoing efforts to expand and
deepen interpretation of African American history in Natchez through public
history initiatives, education, and community-led storytelling. The dedication
will complement February programming and look ahead to additional heritage
initiatives planned for spring 2026.
“This marker allows us to more fully tell Prince Ibrahima’s story in the very place where his journey in Natchez began and ended,” said Dr. Roscoe Barnes III, cultural heritage tourism manager at Visit Natchez and president of the Mississippi Historical Society. “It is an important addition to how our city showcases its history and a meaningful step in how we recognize the people that shaped this city.”
Additional details about the dedication ceremony and
related programming will be announced closer to the event.
See more at this link: https://www.natchezdemocrat.com/news/natchez-to-dedicate-second-historical-marker-honoring-prince-abdul-rahman-ibrahima-e8b00e0b
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MHC's Witness: The Freedom Memory Project is taking off, and our staff have been traveling around the state to promote the program. The deadline for our 2026 cohort is March 1, so apply today!
To learn more about Witness and how MHC can help your community create new sites of memory that preserve and share the local history of the Civil Rights Movement and the broader struggle for freedom in Mississippi, visit
https://www.mshumanities.org/program/witness-the-freedom-memory-project/
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| The Dr. John Bowman Banks Museum, which is commonly called The Dr. John Banks House, was the home of Natchez's first Black physician. The home was also the headquarters of the Natchez branch of the NAACP during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. It is located at 9 St. Catherine St. In 2023, the property became the site of the city's first Freedom Trail marker. (Click on image to enlarge.) |
NATCHEZ, Miss. — Natchez, Mississippi, one of the oldest continuous settlements along the Mississippi River, announces a diverse lineup of events, exhibits, tours, and cultural celebrations planned throughout February 2026 in observance of Black History Month.
“As a city deeply shaped by African American history and
culture, Natchez is proud to offer meaningful programs that honor the people,
stories, and legacies that continue to define our community,” said Roscoe
Barnes III, cultural heritage & tourism manager at Visit Natchez. “From
faith-based traditions and youth programming to immersive cultural showcases
and historic sites, these events invite residents and visitors alike to engage
with Black history in thoughtful and inspiring ways.”
In addition to February programming and looking ahead to
spring 2026, Natchez will dedicate a new historical marker honoring Prince
Abdul Rahman Ibrahima, an African nobleman enslaved in the Natchez area for
more than 40 years before regaining his freedom. The marker will be dedicated
April 8, 2026, with a ceremony from 10 a.m. to noon on Silver Street near the
Under-the-Hill docks.
The location was intentionally selected as the area where
Ibrahima first arrived in Natchez as an enslaved man and later departed the
city as a free man with his wife, Isabella. The dedication date marks April 8,
1828, the day the couple left Natchez following Ibrahima’s emancipation,
creating what organizers describe as a powerful “full circle” moment in the
city’s history.
Zion Chapel’s Founder’s Day
Sunday, February 8, 2026, 9:30 a.m.
The public is invited to attend the annual Founder’s Day program at Zion Chapel
A.M.E. Church, located at 28 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. in Natchez.
Presenters from the congregation will share the history of the African
Methodist Episcopal Church and its founder, the Reverend Richard Allen
(1760–1831), who was born into slavery and later became the denomination’s
first bishop. For more information, call Norma West at 601-807-0454.
“For My People: A Celebration of African American Culture
through Literature”
Saturday, February 14, 2026, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
The NAACP Youth Council will host the second annual “For My People” celebration
at the NAPAC Museum at 301 Main St. Designed for children ages four – 14, the
program will feature storytelling, book readings, drawing activities, and
interactive fun that highlights African American culture through literature.
Donations are encouraged. Guests are invited to bring a friend and celebrate
together. This program is organized by Angela B. Brooks. For more information,
call 601-445-0728.
Greater St. James Baptist Church Annual Black History
Program
Sunday, February 15, 2026, 3 p.m.
For more than two decades, Greater St. James Baptist Church has hosted annual
Black History Month programs. The 2026 event will feature a guest speaker,
music by the church choir, lessons on African American history, and
refreshments. The program will be held at 549 Lower Woodville Road in Natchez
and is free and open to the public. For more information, call Earline Kinnie
at 601-392-9345 or Deacon Elbert Lyles at 601-597-9570, or email elbert.lyles@yahoo.com.
“Great Achievements in Education: Celebrating our Black
Educators”
Thursday, February 19, 2026, 5:30 p.m.
The City of Natchez will host a Black History program
that will celebrate education while honoring the retired Black educators over
the age of 80. The program will be held at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, February 19, at
the Natchez Museum of African American History and Culture at 301 Main St.
Mayor Dan Gibson said the program will include a panel discussion moderated by
NAPAC Executive Director Bobby Dennis to highlight the contributions of the
retired educators and share stories of inspiration. “Our educators have helped
shape the history of our community. It will be a great opportunity to highlight
those who during difficult times contributed so much.”
The panel discussion will be followed by a presentation
of an Angel Award to each of the senior retirees. For more information, call
601-445-0728
Reign of Royalty: A Celebration of African Kings & Queens
Sunday, February 22, 2026, 3:30 p.m.
Pretty Girls with Brains, Inc. will present “Reign of Royalty: A Celebration of
African Kings & Queens” at the historic Frazier Cultural Center. This
immersive 75-minute cultural showcase celebrates Africa’s most influential
rulers through dance, fashion, music, and traditional cuisine. The program
highlights historic kingdoms including Mali, Egypt, Nubia, Ethiopia, and the
Zulu Nation, offering audiences a vibrant exploration of the heritage that
shaped the African diaspora. Families are encouraged to attend and wear African
attire. For more information, contact Bettye Bell at 601-334-4104 or bcmbell@yahoo.com.
“Celebrating Black History: Honoring the Six Boys who
attended the Steve Harvey Mentorship Camp”
Saturday, February 28, 2026, 3 p.m.
The public is invited to an exciting new program that
celebrates the achievement of the boys who attended the Steve Harvey Mentorship
Camp. The event is sponsored by Seeds of Change Resource Foundation. It will be
held at the Natchez City Auditorium at 207 Jefferson Street. “It isn’t where
you came from; it’s where you’re going that counts,” said Dr. Carolyn Myers,
director of Seeds of Change. She calls on the public to “Come support these
boys who made history.” This celebration is free. For more information, call
601-870-6343.
The Enslaved Journey by Rev’s Country Tours
Entire month of February 2026
In observance of Black History Month, Rev. Tracy A. Collins will offer cultural
heritage tours throughout February focusing on the history of slavery and the
path to freedom through the Civil Rights Movement in Natchez. Tours are
available by request or appointment. For more information, visit www.revscountrytours.com.
Legacy of the Rhythm Night Club
Entire month of February 2026
The Rhythm Night Club Memorial Museum will offer tours throughout February
highlighting the lives and legacies of African American club patrons affected
by the tragic 1940 fire. In addition to these stories, visitors can view newly
acquired artifacts, including an Acrosonic piano, vintage Coca-Cola
memorabilia, and an original “Rhythm Nite Club” sign. Admission is half price
during Black History Month. For more information, visit www.rnconsitemm.org.
New Vision Media Presents the 4th Annual Black History
Art Exhibit
Entire month of February 2026
The 4th Annual Black History Student Art Exhibit will feature artwork by
Natchez–Adams County students throughout February at the WTYJ Studio Lobby,
located at 20 E. Franklin St in Natchez. Hosted by New Vision Media, the
exhibit highlights African American lived experiences and contributions to
history. The exhibition is free and open to the public. For more information,
call Leon Hollins or Malcolm Inniss at 601-446-9911 or visit www.natchezradio.com.
Explore Natchez’s African American History Year-Round
Visitors are encouraged to explore Natchez’s historic
sites, including the Natchez Museum of African American History and Culture at
301 Main St., which tells the full story of African Americans in Natchez from
slavery to the present. Guests can also visit the Dr. John Bowman Banks Museum,
located at 9 St. Catherine St., a pivotal site in the local Civil Rights
Movement and home to Natchez’s first Freedom Trail marker. In addition,
visitors can view the site of Natchez’s first historical marker honoring Prince
Ibrahima, unveiled in October 2025 near Historic Jefferson College. The marker
commemorates Abdul Rahman Ibrahima, an African prince enslaved in the Natchez
area for 40 years before gaining his freedom.
See more at this link:
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Triangle near Armstrong plant
I'm here with Marsha Belton, MLIS, Technical Service Director at the J.D. Boyd Library at Alcorn State University. (Click on image to en...
