Five Natchez leaders honored with Keys to the City

Mayor Dan Gibson presents awards during ‘Kickback at NAPAC’ program

Recipients of the Keys to the City stand with Mayor Dan Gibson during the “Kickback at NAPAC” program at the Natchez Museum of African American History and Culture on June 16. From left are the Rev. Melvin White, Laura Ann Jackson, Angela Reynolds, Kristina Carter, Norma West, and Mayor Dan Gibson. 

NATCHEZ, Miss. – Mayor Dan Gibson recently honored five community leaders on behalf of the City of Natchez in recognition of their exceptional leadership and service to the Natchez community. He presented Keys to the City to the Rev. Melvin White, Norma West, Laura Ann Jackson, Kristina Carter, and Angela Reynolds.
 
Gibson made the presentations on Tuesday, June 16, at the Natchez Museum of African American History and Culture. It was part of the “Kickback at NAPAC” program, an event the city has held for the past five years as part of the annual Juneteenth celebrations.
 
“When I look around in our community and I see those bright stars that are planted right here in our midst, I never cease to be amazed,” said Gibson. He noted the program celebrates individuals who have earned special recognition for their contributions.
 
“Positivity is what we’re celebrating tonight, because it’s the positivity that actually makes the difference,” Gibson said. “If it weren’t for the heroes in our midst who made things happen, where would we be?”
 
The honorees were recognized for wide-ranging contributions to the Natchez community.
 
Gibson said White, pastor of Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church, has touched countless lives. “His influence extends beyond the church through his service as first vice president of the General Missionary Baptist State Convention and moderator of the Antioch Missionary Baptist Association, where he has provided guidance and encouragement to churches and ministers throughout the region, raising thousands of dollars for important needs and truly serving God’s people,” he said.
 
“His life stands as a testament to faith, perseverance, and selfless service,” Gibson added. “Through his preaching and teaching, generations have been inspired to walk in faith and serve their communities.”
 
West, a retired nurse, has extended her service well beyond the walls of the healthcare field, Gibson said.
 
In addition to being a devoted member of Zion Chapel AME Church, she is a lifetime member of the Eliza Pillars Registered Nurses of Mississippi and has provided leadership within the Downtown Natchez Alliance. Gibson said her life and work stand as a shining example of what it means to invest in one's community and leave a lasting legacy of compassion and service.
 
Jackson, said Gibson, “has exemplified service, dedication, and community pride throughout her life. Her commitment to public service and civic leadership has left a lasting mark on the Miss-Lou region and brought honor to the City of Natchez.”
 
For many years, Jackson has served as chair of the Miss-Lou Memorial Day Parade. “Beyond her professional achievements, Jackson has devoted countless hours to preserving the culture and traditions of our region,” Gibson said. “As chairperson of the Miss-Lou 30th of May Memorial Day Parade Committee, she has played a vital role in honoring our shared history and strengthening community pride for future generations.”
 
Carter was recognized for her hard work and educational excellence in the Natchez-Adams School District.
 
“Through her volunteerism, leadership, and unwavering support of students and educators, she has become a trusted voice for families and a powerful force for positive change throughout our community,” Gibson said.
 
Gibson said Reynolds’ commitment to education, leadership, and community service has made a profound impact on generations of young people.
 
“Reynolds’ life's work stands as a testament to the values of service, integrity, perseverance, and commitment that define our city,” he said. “Through her vision and unwavering dedication, she has strengthened our schools, empowered countless students, and helped shape a brighter future for generations to come.”
 
The annual “Kickback at NAPAC” program recognizes individuals whose leadership and service have helped strengthen the Natchez community.

Alcorn Alum Dr. John Plump Sings ‘Ol’ Man River’ at 16th Street Baptist Church

While attending the African American Travel Conference in April in Birmingham, Alabama, I had the opportunity to visit the 16th Street Baptist Church on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. The church was bombed by the Ku Klux Klan in 1963, killing four young girls and becoming one of the defining tragedies of the Civil Rights Movement.

During my visit, historian Barry McNealy gave a powerful presentation on the history of the church. His friend and colleague, Dr. John A.E. Plump, sang several songs with deep meaning in the Black community. He also performed “Ol’ Man River,” noting that the great Paul Robeson had sung the song in the church many decades earlier.

Plump is a graduate of Alcorn State University, where he studied voice with a concentration in classical music and contemporary opera.

Take a moment to listen to this powerful performance.

Old pink house in Natchez, Mississippi, is now home to The Legacy of Madison interpretive center

 The Legacy of Madison offers immersive look at under-told history of Natchez

Brittany Bell and her mother, Bettye Bell, are the co-owners of The Legacy of Madison, a historic home transformed into an interpretive center dedicated to sharing Natchez’s under-told history. 

Through immersive storytelling, music, cultural experiences, and traditional soul food, The Legacy of Madison is helping broaden how residents and visitors experience and understand the city’s rich heritage.

 For more information, call 601-334-4104.

Legacy of Madison offers immersive look at Natchez's under-told history

New interpretive center highlights African American history, music legacy, and youth development

By Roscoe Barnes III

The Natchez Democrat

June 16, 2026

Bettye Bell, center, and her daughter, Brittany Bell Surratt, recently opened The Legacy of Madison to share Natchez’s history. They are pictured with Brittany’s daughter, Chozyn Channell Bell. (Click on image to enlarge.)

NATCHEZ, Miss. -- A long-vacant pink house on the corner of Madison and N. Dr. M.L. King streets has been reborn as The Legacy of Madison, a new tourism attraction and interpretive center dedicated to sharing the untold and under-told history of Natchez.

 

The site, located at 516 N. Dr. M.L. King St., is co-owned and managed by retired educator Bettye Bell and her daughter, Brittany Bell Surratt. The two said the new venture will provide a cultural and educational experience for residents and visitors.
 
It provides a quiet, welcoming environment where visitors can discuss Natchez history over coffee, tea, and traditional tea cakes, said Bettye. The experience also includes a full three-course meal.
 
“Natchez has a lot of untold and under-told history,” said Brittany. “While Mississippi is often associated with the blues, Natchez has made significant contributions to jazz and hip-hop as well.”
 
She said much attention has focused on antebellum homes and the Civil War, while African American history remains underrepresented.
 
“We want to tell those stories,” Brittany said.
 
Bettye agreed. "We look forward to sharing how African Americans helped build Natchez and went on to make nationally and internationally recognized contributions," she said.
 
Brittany’s vision for the house stems from her love of history, literature, and travel. “I meet people from all around the world. When they visit Natchez, they’ve only learned one side of Natchez’s history.”
 
The mother-daughter team hopes to inspire local youth. “The historic property serves as both a tourism destination and a training center designed to prepare local youth for careers in hospitality and tourism,” Bettye said. “Young people can develop customer service, public speaking, cultural awareness, and leadership skills while gaining firsthand experience.”
 
The team believes Natchez has important stories that deserve greater attention. Among those stories is the connection between rapper Nas and Natchez through his father, world-renowned jazz musician Olu Dara Jones, who was born and raised in the city.
 
“That is an under-told story and key contribution to music history,” Brittany said. She noted Natchez has deep-rooted music contributions to national music history that goes beyond the blues.
 
Another celebrity with Natchez ties is actress Yara Sayeh Shahidi, best known for her role on the ABC sitcom, “Black-ish,” Brittany said.

The pink house at the corner of N. Dr. M.L. King and Madison streets is now home to The Legacy of Madison, an interpretive center dedicated to sharing Natchez's untold and under-told history. (Click on image to enlarge.)

This site features four rooms that provide visitors with an immersive experience through story-telling, music, historical artifacts, and cultural displays.

 

The interpretive center highlights a range of notable figures, including Greg Iles, Hiram Rhodes Revels, John R. Lynch, Robert H. Wood, Richard Wright, Ellen Douglas, Alexander O’Neal, Geeshie Wiley, Judge Lillie Blackmon Sanders, Judge Mary Lee Davis Toles, Dr. Albert Woods Dumas Sr., and others.
 
Themes include such topics as Reconstruction era leadership, African American political history, Natchez writers and authors, music legends, cultural contributors, educational trailblazers, and local “firsts” in leadership.
 
Each tour concludes with a Southern soul food experience inspired by traditions of the late 1800s and early 1900s.
 
The house was built in the late Queen Anne style between 1901 and 1904, according to Mimi Miller, executive director emerita of the Historic Natchez Foundation.
 
Brittany purchased the house from Alvin Garrison, mayor of Ferriday.  It was previously owned by Frederick David Todd, whose father, Dr. J.R. Todd Jr., was a respected community leader and historian known for his contributions to healthcare and civil rights.
 
Tours are available Friday through Monday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Admission is $55 for adults and $25 for children ages six and older.
 
Group tours are available by reservation with a minimum of 12 people.
 
For more information, call 601-334-4104.
 

VIDEO: Armand Saiia is ArtsNatchez’s Artist of the Month for June!

Come meet Armand in person and view his stunning sculptures and paintings this Saturday, June 13, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the ArtsNatchez Gallery, 425 Main St.

In this video, Armand shares insights into his sculptures and paintings.

Sculptor Armand Saiia Named ArtsNatchez’s Artist of the Month for June

Reception set for Saturday, June 13, in downtown Natchez, Mississippi

by Mississippi Monitor | Jun 5, 2026 | Capital/River
By Roscoe Barnes III

Armand Saiia, ArtsNatchez’s Artist of the Month for June, displays photographs of his sculptures at the gallery. (Click on image to enlarge.)

NATCHEZ, Miss. – Sculptor Armand Saiia says he’s been a “lone wolf” in the world of art, and it’s a status he holds with pride.

During the 1960s, when people were partying and many were protesting the Vietnam War, Saiia found peace in the arts. “My refuge was the museum, and I still exist in that space,” he says, adding that art springs from a sense of integrity.
 
“Art is the most honest thing a person can do,” he explains. “It’s like dancing naked in front of people -- all the time. I just feel that honesty is the best policy. We live in a time where things are not very honest.”
 
Saiia has been named ArtsNatchez Gallery’s Artist of the Month for June, and the public is invited to view his latest work at the gallery on Saturday, June 13, at 425 Main St. His reception is from 5 to 7 p.m. It is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.
 
Saiia’s exhibition will include medium-sized and small sculptures, as well as paintings he has completed over the past eight months. He describes his paintings as a blend of realism and abstraction. Saiia signed the series "Fortunate Thomas," combining his given name, Fortunato, with the surname of his late friend Joan Thomas, who painted the backgrounds featured in the works.
 
“The work is collaborative. That’s one of the distinctive aspects of this show.”

Sculptor Armand Saiia, ArtsNatchez’s Artist of the Month for June, poses with his large sculpture “Subjugation” in front of the gallery. The mixed-media work features wood carved to resemble bone, forged metal, chains, and solar-powered lighting. (Click on image to enlarge.)

As with any good artist, each piece of Saiia’s work tells a story. For instance, one of his larger sculptures is designed with a log that resembles a large bone on one side and stacked metal and chains resembling anchors on the other. He calls it “Subjugation,” a work that reflects themes of suffering.

 
Discovering Art
 
Saiia, who is of Sicilian descent, grew up in Buffalo, New York. Although he has lived “all over the country,” he says, he absolutely loves his hometown. “I’m a proud Buffalonian,” he says.
 
It was in Buffalo that Saiia discovered his love for art.
 
Saiia attended McKinley High School in Buffalo, where he trained to become a commercial art director.
 
Saiia says he was not only a good student but also among the top students in his class. “I started doing sculpture out of a 2,000-pound log. As a kid, I used to make snow sculptures, igloos, and stuff. That was my calling. I fell in love with shapes, spaces, and forms.”

Sculptor Armand Saiia poses with his large bone-like sculpture “#2 Wing Section” at ArtsNatchez Gallery in downtown Natchez. (Click on image to enlarge)

While Saiia enjoys drawing and painting, he is first and foremost a sculptor. “I draw well, but up until eight months ago, I hadn’t painted since college.”

 
Saiia graduated from Buffalo State Teachers College, where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Sculpture.
 
Saiia credits much of his artistic development to time spent at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery. After winning a workshop scholarship around the age of 10, he became a familiar face at the museum and spent countless hours studying the works of abstract artists.
 
“The security guards got to know me. They let me hang out in the art museum unsupervised. From age of 10 until I went to college, I would hang out with the works of abstract artists.”
 
Discovering Natchez
 
Saiia moved to Natchez about two years ago after living in Baton Rouge.
 
“I was familiar with Natchez,” he says. “I love history, and Natchez is like the birthplace of everything in the South.”
 
Saiia found a home at a good price that provided adequate space for his studio and outdoor garden, where he grows fruits and vegetables. Canning vegetables is one of his favorite pastimes.
 
Saiia was particularly pleased to find that his home is only minutes from the Blues Highway. “Blues is my favorite thing,” he says. “It touches my soul and is very honest. I’m happy to be where I am, and I’m happy to be working. There’s so much to discover here.”
 
Saiia says he’s excited about the upcoming reception, where the public can see his creations. He views the show in part as an introduction of himself to the Natchez area.

Artist Armand Saiia with his paintings on display at ArtsNatchez Gallery. (Click on image to enlarge.)

A quick review of his collection shows multiple sculptures with chains, which he admits is a recurring element in his work because of what they represent.

Saiia also likes working with old, forged metal. One of his creations, titled "Jack the Humorist," incorporates the car jack from a Model T Ford mounted on a wheel hub and stone base. The piece also features a skull cast in plaster.
 
An overview of his work over the years may be summed up in the title of his popular series, “Steel, Stone and Bones.” As with the chains, he has used creative ways to sculpt wood into structures that look and feel like actual bones.
 
Saiia believes he has spent a lifetime creating art because it is what he was meant to do.
 
“I can’t do anything else,” he says. “I wanted to be a doctor but knew I’d never fit. I’d rather hold tight to my poetic license.”
 
The gallery is open daily at 10 a.m. For more information, call 601-442-0043.

Armand Saiia displays a photograph of his sculpture “Jack the Humorist,” which incorporates a Model T Ford car jack, wheel hub, stone base, and a plaster skull.

Chicago, hands off Hound Dog Taylor!

Top of the Morning column published in The Natchez Democrat (Wednesday, May 3, 2026, page 4A) 

(Click on image to enlarge.)

Top of the Morning
 
Chicago, hands off Hound Dog Taylor! 
 
By Brandon McCranie

Attention citizens, government officials, and tourists alike: The City of Natchez has been robbed, and nobody’s even noticed.

All the way up in Chicago, they’re celebrating and honoring something they have no claim to. They stole a dog — a Hound Dog, to be more specific.

Now, I’m not talking about the kind of hound dog with long, floppy ears. No sir, this is a very special kind of hound dog. What makes him special? All sorts of things. But here’s the problem: Chicago is running around, acting all high and mighty like they have some kind of claim to this music legend. He’s even an inductee into the Blues Hall of Fame.

I guess I can’t blame them. But what really makes Hound Dog Taylor special to me — and I mean really, really special — is the fact that he was born right here in little old Natchez. That’s right, a Natchez Native Son.

Hound Dog Taylor was born here in 1915… or maybe 1917. It depends on who you ask. He was known for trying to throw folks off his trail. Imagine that. A hound dog trying to keep folks off HIS trail for a change. He even told interviewers he was born in Lounder, Mississippi. Y’all, there ain’t no such town, city, village, or borough in Mississippi.
 
There’s a whole lot of unknowns when it comes to Mr. Taylor, but here are a few facts, just so you understand a little bit about the man and the incredible life he lived. He earned the name Hound Dog because his friends said he was “always on the hunt!” On the hunt for what? Why, the ladies, of course! He was a notorious ladies' man.

In fact, that’s why he left us. It’s always a woman, ain’t it? The story goes that he was romantically involved with a white girl, the news of which was not well received by a group of fellas who scampered around in white sheets and pointy hats. One night, those fellas put on their silly-looking outfits and went to Hound Dog’s house. They even put a big wooden cross in his front yard. I don’t believe they were planning to have a Bible study, as they set that big cross on fire.
 
I guess Hound Dog didn’t feel much like company that night because he slipped out his back door, hid in a ditch all night, decided he was done with Mississippi for good, and joined the Great Migration north.
 
When he got to Chicago, he realized he’d left his piano all the way back down south. Instead of going back to get it, he got himself a cheap guitar and a blown-out Sears amplifier. He turned the volume ALL the way up and started banging on that thing with a tempo and rhythm as loud and as fast as the train that carried him up to his new home. The people there heard him and started tapping their feet and clapping their hands.

Before you knew it, just about everyone in Chicago was dancing to the music of Theodore Roosevelt Taylor…the Hound Dog. And that’s the truth.

Ain’t that something? Chicago may have made the legend, but Natchez made the man. I think Natchez, and Mississippi as a whole, owe the man a long-overdue, restorative, karmic debt.
Along with Dr. Roscoe Barnes III and Visit Natchez, I’m leading the effort to have a Mississippi Blues Trail marker erected here in Natchez in Hound Dog’s honor. It’s the very least we can do, the way I see it. He deserves to be recognized and remembered as another reason there’s no place like Natchez, and also as a reminder of our city’s unique and sometimes indefensible past.

I hope you enjoyed learning just a little bit about Hound Dog Taylor. There’s way too much to put in a newspaper article. So, I’m writing a book. Coming soon: Six Finger Blues: The Almost True Story of Hound Dog Taylor by Brandon McCranie.
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BRANDON MCCRANIE is a Natchez resident.