La’Shenda Hudson: Born to Blossom and Charm
Photo and story by Clay Morris Clicking and clacking along the entrance to the church in shiny patent-leather starter heels, 7-year-old La’Shenda Hudson was oddly ecstatic about the next few hours dedicated to death. It was an unusually sweltering day in late January 2007, and the little girl was about to experience one of the […]
Madysin Bratton: A Changed Mind, New Attitude
Photo and story by Jaylyn Sutton On the first day at Provine High School, Madysin Bratton thought her experiences would mirror or at least be as fun as those depicted in “High School Musical.” However, in the end, her eyes opened, and she realized high school was not as glorious as it seemed on TV. […]
Mirracle Caston: Regaining Her Confidence
Photo and story by Starlette Simmons As the sun danced off the balcony of the apartment building, she stood steady. Thirteen-year-old Wynter Kimes’ mind was overflowing with ideas, “Why are people so mean to each other? Why don’t people value justice? What can I do to help others?” She then walked down the hallway of […]
Wynter Kimes: Changing Her World Through Writing
Photo and story by Jacquey Davis As the sun danced off the balcony of the apartment building, she stood steady. Thirteen-year-old Wynter Kimes’ mind was overflowing with ideas, “Why are people so mean to each other? Why don’t people value justice? What can I do to help others?” She then walked down the hallway of […]
Jacquey Davis: His Own Man
Photo and story by Wynter Kimes Silence took over the room within only 10 seconds. The clock was counting down. It was July 2, 2018, and Jacquey Davis was playing with his wolverines, his teammates in the Mississippi Basketball Association summer league. They were in the finals championship, game seven in Brandon. The outcome would […]
Bradley Mitchell: City Boy with a Country Past
Photo and story by Danyelle Tillman The hot sun was beaming on Bradley Mitchell’s face as his last day in rural Byram approached, with him soon returning to Jackson to live. He looked around and soon realized that the country place was like a second home to him. Mitchell is a city boy with a […]
Danyelle Tillman: Learning to Focus
Photo and story by Bradley Mitchell Danyelle Tillman was at school in math class being hyperactive on May 2, 2011. She was on the phone with a friend about a school project when her sister Octavia came into the room talking loud and throwing things. After school at 5 p.m., Tillman asked Octavia to be […]
Rayven Jones: Accepting Herself, Becoming a Leader
Photo and story by Shaddia Lee “Mom, I do not look like everyone else. I have thick, coarse black hair and the rest of the little girls in my class have silky, long, smooth hair,” little Rayven Jones told her mother more than a decade ago. Who knew that an innocent 5-year-old could be bullied […]
Cymone West: Auditioning for Life
Photo and story by Ja’Corey Mitchell In the 8th grade at Bailey APAC Middle School, Cymone West had to audition for a school play, “Politics In The Land of Oz.” The night before, she memorized a monologue in 45 minutes. She acted it out five times, and the next day she auditioned in front of […]
Anthony Hawkins: Inspired by Underdogs
Story and photo of Anthony Hawkins by Carley Dunson One day while Anthony Hawkins was in gym class, a girl approached him and threw a basketball at his head. The other kids laughed while he cried. Hawkins was being bullied often during that time. Kids would talk about how he dressed. He says that he […]