Featuring Appearances by
Diane Williams
Diane Williams is a "narratologist" who tells stories at events and in classrooms. She's also the author of "Mississippi Folk and the Tales They Tell: Myths, Legends and Bald-Faced Lies." And she is a mixed-media fiber artist and member of the Craftsmen's Guild of Mississippi. Originally from New Jersey, Williams has been in Mississippi for 30 years.
Jerry Mitchell
Jerry Mitchell is an investigative journalist for The Clarion-Ledger in Jackson, Mississippi. His work has helped put four KKK members behind bars, and last year his series of stories on Felix Vail resulted in the oldest conviction of a suspected serial killer in U.S. history. In addition to Jerry's newspaper work, he is currently writing a memoir.
Joy Bethea
Joy is a writer, blogger, traveler and the oldest of nine home-schooled siblings. She currently works in internal communications at a nuclear plant in Port Gibson, Mississippi, but she's done everything from cleaning houses to working for Delta Airlines. Visit her blog for her latest adventures.
Donivon Duffy
Donivon is brand developer and public relations manager at Southern Beverage Company, and he designs and sells T-shirts under his Donnie Wahl label. He switched stories on us a week before this event and still brought the house down. We look forward to him participating at future #MSStorytellers nights.
Chellese Hall
A Detroit native, Chellese moved with her family to Mississippi when she was six years old. She is the communications coordinator for the Woodward Hines Education Foundation, which helps Mississippians prepare for and obtain a college education through the Get2College program and other services. She also serves on the board of the Women's Foundation of Mississippi; co-hosts a podcast called "Let's Talk Jackson"; is a Belhaven University alumn; sings in her church's worship band (she's a closet singer/songwriter); and is constantly seeking ways to empower the marginalized in her adopted home state.
Agenda
September 28, 2017
Mississippi Funerals 101
Diane was still new to Mississippi, so an elderly aunt served as her tour guide at a traditional home-going celebration - complete with long-winded speakers, a repast and "put-backs."
September 28, 2017
When Cold Cases Don't Stay Cold
Jerry wrote a news article that got the Medgar Evers assassination case reopened - and then he talked (face to face! for six hours!) with the murderer. After that, Jerry looked into another civil rights cold case - a horrifying tragedy that resulted in a surprisingly humorous murder trial.
September 28, 2017
A Hurricane, Two Siblings and a Terrible Cake
In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Joy used a questionable culinary technique to bake an especially awful cake. It was only years later that somebody reminded her why.
September 28, 2017
Behind the Manners
Donivon has been the only black man at plenty of white functions - but this engagement party was so swanky, there were two gate codes. Donivon walks us through the comically awkward evening and reveals the three kinds of people he meets at predominantly white events.
September 28, 2017
Getting Stuck (Literally) in Mississippi
During a recent visit to San Diego, Chellese met a relative who said, "You seem so successful. Why are you still in Mississippi?" There are many reasons - but one came up on a sticky afternoon when Chellese had some car trouble.