Shakira Porter: Overcoming Abuse, Helping Others
by Maisie Brown Photo of Shakira Porter by Kelsee Ford “It was dark. It was scary. The longer I sat, the walls just seemed to slowly close in on me. I felt really lonely. Sometimes it was nice to be by myself, but other times I felt really alone.” This is what 17-year-old senior Shakira […]
Raha Maxwell: Reporting Real Solutions to Problems
By Kelsee Ford Photo above of Raha Maxwell by Kelsee Ford On Feb. 18, 2002, Raha Maxwell received news no child wants to hear. In his brown house laid with bricks on Alexander Road in Bolton, Miss., his mother, June Hardwick, said the words that would change his life forever: “Raha, your father was just […]
Kaitlyn Fowler: Targeting the ‘World of Journalism’
by Darryn Price Photo above of Kaitlyn Fowler by Kelsee Ford Kaitlyn Fowler originally wanted to study business, but a theater convention on February 2017 in Gulfport, Miss., helped redirect her goals. Ryan Pangracs, an international thespian officer who is responsible for leading workshops at theater conventions and traveling to Washington, D.C., for National Arts Advocacy Day, directed […]
August Harp: In Love with Soccer
By Lailaa Bashir Photo above of August Harp by Kelsee Ford The number of days it took for August Harp to first experience his lifelong passion: 1080. The time it took to pry him from the seat to enter the YMCA: 15 minutes. The time it took for Harp to fall in love with soccer for […]
Ruben Banks: ‘Most Likely to Become President’
by Ariel Willingham Photo above of Ruben Banks by Kelsee Ford Light rain drizzled across the ground as Ruben Banks, 16, arrived at Zion Chapel Missionary Church one evening. Although the atmosphere was gloomy, he was excited to be speaking with a small group of young men he could relate to being that they are […]
Z’eani Furdge: A New Life from Dark Times
by Sean Collins Photo above of Z’eani Furdge by Kelsee Ford Z’eani Furdge was 7 years old and living with her parents and sisters in Chicago when she and her stepbrother decided to lie down on the floor and watch some TV. Furdge’s father then grabbed her and beat her with a belt until she […]
At Inaugural, Mayor Chokwe Lumumba Lifts Up Jackson
Mayor Chowke Lumumba and the new first lady, Ebony Lumumba, greet supporters at his inauguration on July 3, 2017. (Photo by Kelsee Ford) By Kenyetta Brown Early on this sunny Monday morning, I went with a team of Youth Media Project students to witness history inside the Jackson Convention Complex as our youngest mayor in the […]
Interview with Jackson’s Mayor-elect, Chokwe Lumumba
On Wednesday, May 3, the day after the Democratic primary for mayor, Chokwe Antar Lumumba visited the Youth Media Project learning space to sit with student journalists from Jim Hill High School and Wingfield High School. Lumumba talked about the community of Jackson, youth engagement, future creative placemaking opportunities, and a message of embrace for […]
Maggie Jefferis: A Teacher and a Filmmaker
by Leslyn Smith Photo above of Maggie Jefferis by Sonni Pressley It was a Tuesday when Maggie Jefferis swung open the door to the old building. The halls of Bailey APAC were dimly lit, the floors slanted, and the then-unfamiliar sound of a metal detector went off as she walked in. There was a faint smell of […]
Kenyatta Brown: ‘Carpe Diem’ and a Journalism Headstart
by Aja Purvis Photo above of Kenytta Brown by Kelsee Ford The drizzle fell lightly from the dark sky. In his maroon and white jersey, the number 11 printed on the center of his back, Kenytta J. Brown strategically kicked the soccer ball as he headed toward the goal. Coming from his blind side, a […]
