#JXNMS is in the news and we’ve got the good stuff! In case you missed it, here are a handful of positive, uplifting features from the past couple of weeks.

The Fertile Ground Documentary, which debuted one year ago this week, has been honored with a 2021 Southeastern Emmy. Image: Drew Dempsey

The Fertile Ground Documentary, which debuted one year ago this week, has been honored with a 2021 Southeastern Emmy in Societal Concerns – Long Form Content. Robby Piantanida, Taiwo Gaynor and
General Usage LLC are noted as award recipients. The documentary follows the life of local residents experiencing challenges accessing healthy food options, while also detailing the systematic policy failures that have allowed “food swamps” to thrive.

JXN’s ABC affiliate, WAPT, also picked up a Southeastern Emmy for Morning Newscast (Smaller Markets 76+) for the team of Christana Kay, Erin Pickens, Richard Bourne, Keegan Foxx.

The Regional Southeast EMMY® Chapter is one of 19 chapters throughout the United States identifying and celebrating television excellence at the local and regional level of The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

The world’s largest square dance event is coming to JXN and will be bringing nearly 2,000 visitors from 46 states to the city this week.

The National Square Dance Convention will celebrate its 70th anniversary in JXN from Wednesday, June 23 through Saturday, June 26 at the Jackson Convention Complex.

Additional Soul-Filled Weekend events tentatively include a President’s reception, coaches luncheon, high school recruiting opportunities, a golf tournament, college fair, 5k run and walk, a concert and a Sunday church service.

Visit Jackson and the City of Jackson have announced a “Soul-Filled” Weekend, September 25 and 26, with two college football games at the core of a slate of additional activities that include music, fitness, food and more. 

Game one, the W.C. Gorden Classic, pits Jackson State University against Delta State University on Saturday, September 25. Game two, the Delta-Bayou Classic, pits Mississippi Valley State University against Southern University on Sunday, September 26. 

Greater Jackson Arts Council has secured a title sponsor, the Jackson Heart Foundation, for the upcoming limited-edition signature Keith Haring Fitness Court project. The fitness court merges eye-popping, colorful creations from an art world superstar with a state-of-the-trend outdoor fitness court fostering wellness, movement and community engagement. GJAC is aiming for a fall completion date.

Collective Good, a new sustainability general store carrying local farmer produce, maker products, and home goods, has opened at the Ecoshed (133 Commerce Park Drive). Run by Emily Pote (Coffee Prose, which has a location at the Ecoshed), the store will be open during regular business hours and for special events like Jxn Flea.

After 92 years of providing excellent air service in Jackson, MS, Hawkins Field Airport (HKS), formerly known as Davis Field, has been added to the National Register of Historic Places by the U.S. Department of the Interior. On Thursday, June 17, 2021, the Jackson Municipal Airport Authority (JMAA) celebrated the auspicious occasion with an official unveiling ceremony at the Hawkins Field Old Terminal Building.

Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba (center) stands beside the new historic marker at Hawkins Field. Image: Larry Bass for JMAA