Featuring Appearances by
Ralph Clark
Ralph is a husband, father, son and grandson. He's also a banker, a proud graduate of Jackson State University and Leadership Greater Jackson, and a lifelong (and currently suffering) Cowboys fan. His Grandma Gwen and young daughter keep him on his toes.
Dustin Barnes
Dustin Barnes is the Clarion Ledger's Digital Director - which means he oversees social media, video production, online engagement and a whole lot of other stuff (including Storytellers promotion and production). He works too hard, has two cats named Vodka and Tonic and is also one of our three Storytellers coaches.
Noel Didla
Noel Didla is an administrator and instructor at Tougaloo College in Jackson, Mississippi. She grew up in southeastern India, where her family made up part of the less-than-3 percent Christian population. She loves hosting and preparing meals for others and is passionate about improving the quality of life for all Jacksonians.
Tom Ramsey
Tom Ramsey is a chef, sommelier and raconteur living in Shreveport, Louisiana. (He lived in Jackson, Mississippi, for 25 years and moved shortly after this Storytellers night.) At his day job, he coordinates the Louisiana Food Prize Festival. At night he wears a cape and fights crime. Not really, but just because he currently doesn't own a cape.
Rita Brent
Rita Brent is a standup comedian, event host and public speaker. She is a graduate of Jackson State University and the Navy School of Music. Rita often appears onstage and on the radio with comedian Rickey Smiley, and recently appeared on Kevin Hart's Comedy Central series, "Hart of the City."
Agenda
November 14, 2017
When Your Grandma Out-Parties You
Ralph's grandma is so ageless, he literally didn't know her age until recently. She's taken care of him at crucial moments in his life - but now he's getting to take care of her by driving her to her (many) out-of-town engagements.
December 1, 2017
When Thor and Grandma Shop for Ice Cream...
Clarion Ledger Digital Director Dustin Barnes is known for working late. One night he worked even later than usual, realized he had no food and went to Kroger. He wound up seeing an unusual sight - one that reminded him to put his phone down and look up every once in awhile.
December 1, 2017
Bringing the Global South to the Deep South
Noel moved to Mississippi to pursue a Ph.D., and wound up staying. But she still cherishes memories of Christmas in India, where her parents were true examples of Christmas spirit. Now she strives to share that hospitality with her students and others in Jackson.
December 1, 2017
A Rite of Passage at Christmas
Tom grew up in what he describes as a "bougie Southern Gothic 'Downton Abbey,'" where suit jackets were required at Christmas dinner. It was in this environment one year that Tom was asked to help his father with the roast - and things went off the rails.
December 1, 2017
An Ode to the Airtight Queen
Rita's family has some airtight holiday traditions - thanks largely in part to the Airtight Queen, Lou. Lou is all about labels and doing things in advance. But recently, she's had to learn to roll with the punches - in her own super-prepared way.