People

Jackson Sr., John W.

Jackson was an organizer and charter member of Clay County Chapter NAACP. Jackson also assisted in organizing the Mississippi Freedom Democratic party and spearheaded the class action suit for desegregation of West Point City School System. Jackson co-founded the Prairie […]

Jackson, James

James Jackson was a local barber and leader of the Deacons for Defense and Justice, a paramilitary group founded to protect the black community and activists. He was the first president of the group. Sources: Umoja, Akinyele Omowale. “‘We Will […]

Jackson, Jessie

In 1985 Jessie Jackson came to Tunica County, Mississippi. He proclaimed Tunica, Mississippi to be “America’s Ethiopia”because of its rank as one of the poorest Counties in the United States. As well Jackson went to an area known as Sugar […]

Jackson, Luther

On Oct. 30, 1959, Luther Jackson was murdered by then Philadelphia, Mississippi policeman Lawrence Rainey. Rainey was not prosecuted. He went on to become Neshoba County Sheriff and was accused of playing a role in the cover up of the […]

Jackson, Woodrow “Champ”: Oral History

WOODROW “CHAMP”JACKSON was born February 10, 1921 in Tchula, Mississippi. He is recognized for preparing the body of Emmett Till for return to his mother in Chicago in 1955. After serving in World War II, he moved to Tutwiler in […]

Jacobs, Charles

Jacobs came to Brookhaven in 1958 and helped to establish the Brookhaven Daily Leader in 1968. He was editor of the Daily Leader during the Civil Rights Movement. Sources: http://www.llf.lib.ms.us/Winnebago/LLF/Oral%20Histories/JACOBS.htm

Johnson, Bertha LeBranche

Bertha LaBranche Johnson was born in Wesson. She was the co-founder of not only the Prentiss Institute but also the Oak Park Vocational School of Laurel. She was the ex-president of the Mississippi State Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs, the […]

Johnson, Jonas Edward “J.E.”

In 1907 the Prentiss Institute was founded by Jonas Edward “J.E.”Johnson (a Laurel native) and his wife Bertha LaBranche Johnson (of Wesson). Mr. Johnson graduated valedictorian from Alcorn A&M College, while Mrs. Johnson studied under Booker T. Washington at Tuskegee […]

Johnson, Sarah H.

Johnson was a civil rights activist and was elected as the first black member of Greenville City Council in 1973. Sources: http://anna.lib.usm.edu/%7Espcol/crda/oh/ohjohnsonsp.html

Johnston, Earl

Earl Johnston lived most of his life in Forest, MS, and became the editor of the Scott County Times newspaper, leaving his job at the Clarion Ledger. He became involved in politics and eventually became Ross Barnett’s campaign manager for […]

Jones, J.W.

Jones was the owner and publisher of The Community Citizen, which circulated in New Albany, during the Civil Rights Movement.

Jones, Lillie

The Jones House was located at 241 Carver Avenue. Lillie “Aunt Lil”Jones encouraged the civil rights movement from her front porch rocking chair across the street from the COFO office. Here house was an ideal lookout post for cars coming […]

Jones, Needham

Before integration, the schools were one of the many public facilities that were segregated. Needham Jones was the principal at the black school known as Locker High School. Even though this school was called a high school, it contained all […]

Jordan, Cleve; Block, Sam; Bevel, James; and Moore, Amzie

Cleve Jordan of Greenwood, Sam Block and others like James Bevel of Itta Bena, Amzie Moore of Cleveland and Fannie Lou Hamer of Ruleville, were able to mobilize existing churches and civic organizations throughout the county and the Mississippi Delta, […]