Jerry Mitchell
@jmitchellnews.bsky.social
Leading investigative reporting team at Mississippi Today. Stories helped put 4 KKK members & serial killer behind bars. Author, Race Against Time.
#OnThisDay in 1968, SC state troopers killed students SC State students Samuel Ephesians Hammond Jr., Henry Ezekial Smith and Delano Herman Middleton who were protesting a bowling alley that refused Black patrons. 50 were also wounded.
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1968: Orangeburg Massacre results in three dead - Mississippi Today
On this day in 1968, three students were shot and killed by state troopers who fired on demonstrators at the South Carolina State College campus in Orangeburg, South Carolina.
mississippitoday.org
February 8, 2026 at 2:06 PM
#OnThisDay in 1968, SC state troopers killed students SC State students Samuel Ephesians Hammond Jr., Henry Ezekial Smith and Delano Herman Middleton who were protesting a bowling alley that refused Black patrons. 50 were also wounded.
mississippitoday.org/2025/02/08/1...
mississippitoday.org/2025/02/08/1...
I'm interested in talking to people who have toured the Medgar & Myrlie Evers Home since last summer. What did the park rangers tell you about Medgar Evers and his life? What did the park rangers tell you about Myrlie Evers and her life? Just email me at jmitchell@mississippitoday.org.
February 7, 2026 at 2:19 PM
I'm interested in talking to people who have toured the Medgar & Myrlie Evers Home since last summer. What did the park rangers tell you about Medgar Evers and his life? What did the park rangers tell you about Myrlie Evers and her life? Just email me at jmitchell@mississippitoday.org.
#OnThisDay in 1866, Frederick Douglass & other Black leaders met w/ POTUS Andrew Johnson. Douglass called on him to fight against Jim Crow laws and enforce Black Americans' right to vote. Johnson said no.
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On this day in 1866, President Andrew Johnson rejected plea to enforce Black voting rights
On this day in 1866, President Andrew Johnson rejected Frederick Douglass' plea to enforce Black Americans' right to vote.
mississippitoday.org
February 7, 2026 at 1:43 PM
#OnThisDay in 1866, Frederick Douglass & other Black leaders met w/ POTUS Andrew Johnson. Douglass called on him to fight against Jim Crow laws and enforce Black Americans' right to vote. Johnson said no.
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#OnThisDay in 1961, the civil rights “jail-in” movement began when the “Friendship Nine” were arrested for requesting service at a “whites-only” lunch counter in Rock Hill SC. Their “Jail, No Bail” strategy became the model for the Freedom Riders months later.
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1961: The civil rights 'jail-in' movement begins - Mississippi Today
On this day in 1961, the civil rights “jail-in” movement began in South Carolina when eight Black students and a civil rights organizer were arrested for requesting service at a “whites-only” lunch co...
mississippitoday.org
February 6, 2026 at 1:50 PM
#OnThisDay in 1961, the civil rights “jail-in” movement began when the “Friendship Nine” were arrested for requesting service at a “whites-only” lunch counter in Rock Hill SC. Their “Jail, No Bail” strategy became the model for the Freedom Riders months later.
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mississippitoday.org/2025/02/06/1...
The National Park Service has removed visitor brochures from the Medgar & Myrlie Evers Home National Monument. Among the anticipated changes? No longer calling his murderer a “racist.”
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Medgar Evers’ killer was a Klansman, but Trump administration says stop calling him a racist - Mississippi Today
Among anticipated changes to a new visitor brochure for the Medgar & Myrlie Evers Home National Monument is no longer using "racist" to describe the killer of the civil rights leader.
mississippitoday.org
February 5, 2026 at 1:43 PM
The National Park Service has removed visitor brochures from the Medgar & Myrlie Evers Home National Monument. Among the anticipated changes? No longer calling his murderer a “racist.”
mississippitoday.org/2026/02/05/m...
mississippitoday.org/2026/02/05/m...
#OnThisDay in 1994, a Mississippi jury convicted Byron De La Beckwith of Medgar Evers' murder. Myrlie Evers said, "What [the killer] failed to realize was that Medgar was still alive in spirit and through each and every one of us who wanted to see justice done.”
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1994: Jury convicts Byron De La Beckwith of murdering Medgar
On this day in 1994, a jury convicted Byron De La Beckwith for the 1963 murder of Mississippi civil rights leader Medgar Evers.
mississippitoday.org
February 5, 2026 at 1:20 PM
#OnThisDay in 1994, a Mississippi jury convicted Byron De La Beckwith of Medgar Evers' murder. Myrlie Evers said, "What [the killer] failed to realize was that Medgar was still alive in spirit and through each and every one of us who wanted to see justice done.”
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Talking tomorrow (Feb. 5) about why we need the First Amendment now more than ever. Event is noon at the Mississippi College School of Law in Jackson.
February 4, 2026 at 8:40 PM
Talking tomorrow (Feb. 5) about why we need the First Amendment now more than ever. Event is noon at the Mississippi College School of Law in Jackson.
On This Day in 1913, Rosa Parks was born in Tuskegee AL. Long active in civil rights, her refusal to give up her bus seat became a driving force in the movement. “Knowing what must be done does away with fear.”
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February 4, 2026 at 1:18 PM
On This Day in 1913, Rosa Parks was born in Tuskegee AL. Long active in civil rights, her refusal to give up her bus seat became a driving force in the movement. “Knowing what must be done does away with fear.”
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#OnThisDay in 1956, Autherine Lucy became the 1st Black student to attend graduate school at the University of Alabama, but after riots, the university suspended her “for her own safety.” Her case played a key role in desegregating schools in the South.
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February 3, 2026 at 5:03 PM
#OnThisDay in 1956, Autherine Lucy became the 1st Black student to attend graduate school at the University of Alabama, but after riots, the university suspended her “for her own safety.” Her case played a key role in desegregating schools in the South.
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#OnThisDay in 1955, U.S. Rep. Adam Clayton Powell Jr. chastised Congress for failing to pass civil rights bills. “We are derelict in our duty if we continue to plow looking backward.” The rider he introduced became part of the historic Civil Rights Act of 1964.
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1955: U.S. Rep. Adam Clayton Powell Jr. chastises Congress
On this day in 1955, U.S. Rep. Adam Clayton Powell Jr. chastised Congress for failing to pass legislation barring discrimination in public transportation.
mississippitoday.org
February 2, 2026 at 12:56 PM
#OnThisDay in 1955, U.S. Rep. Adam Clayton Powell Jr. chastised Congress for failing to pass civil rights bills. “We are derelict in our duty if we continue to plow looking backward.” The rider he introduced became part of the historic Civil Rights Act of 1964.
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#OnThisDay in 1960, 4 Black freshmen students from North Carolina A&T sat down & refused to move from the "all-white" lunch counter. More protests followed. By month's end, 31 sit-ins had been held in nine other Southern states, resulting in hundreds of arrests.
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1960: Black students stage sit-in at Woolworth's - Mississippi Today
On this day in 1960, four Black freshmen from North Carolina A&T began efforts to integrate Woolworth's Greensboro's lunch counter.
mississippitoday.org
February 1, 2026 at 1:12 PM
#OnThisDay in 1960, 4 Black freshmen students from North Carolina A&T sat down & refused to move from the "all-white" lunch counter. More protests followed. By month's end, 31 sit-ins had been held in nine other Southern states, resulting in hundreds of arrests.
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#OnThisDay in 1863, the 1st SC Volunteer Infantry Regiment — tmade up of Black soldiers who escaped slavery — began fighting for the Union Army. Their commander wrote, “It was their demeanor under arms that shamed the nation into recognizing them as men.”
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1863: Union Army’s first Black combat unit begins service
On this day in 1863, the 1st South Carolina Volunteer Infantry Regiment — the Civil War’s first combat unit made up of Black soldiers that escaped slavery — officially began their service for the Unio...
mississippitoday.org
January 31, 2026 at 1:28 PM
#OnThisDay in 1863, the 1st SC Volunteer Infantry Regiment — tmade up of Black soldiers who escaped slavery — began fighting for the Union Army. Their commander wrote, “It was their demeanor under arms that shamed the nation into recognizing them as men.”
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Happy Birthday, Oprah Winfrey! Born in Kosciusko, Mississippi, she became the first Black female billionaire. In 1986, she began “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” the most successful talk show in history. Won 18 Daytime Emmys, two Primetime Emmys, a Tony & a Peabody.
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1954: Oprah Winfrey is born in Kosciusko - Mississippi Today
Oprah Winfrey, who became the first Black female billionaire in U.S. history, was born to a single teen mother in Kosciusko, Mississippi.
mississippitoday.org
January 29, 2026 at 2:20 PM
Happy Birthday, Oprah Winfrey! Born in Kosciusko, Mississippi, she became the first Black female billionaire. In 1986, she began “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” the most successful talk show in history. Won 18 Daytime Emmys, two Primetime Emmys, a Tony & a Peabody.
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#OnThisDay in 1963, Harvey Gantt became 1st Black student at Clemson University & Charlotte’s 1st Black mayor 20 years later. In 1990, he lost to Sen. Jesse Helms who aired a commercial that showed a white American denied a job that went instead to a minority.
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1963: Harvey Gantt becomes first Black student at Clemson
On this day in 1963, Harvey Gantt became the first Black student at Clemson University in South Carolina, the last state to hold out against court-ordered desegregation.
mississippitoday.org
January 28, 2026 at 12:51 PM
#OnThisDay in 1963, Harvey Gantt became 1st Black student at Clemson University & Charlotte’s 1st Black mayor 20 years later. In 1990, he lost to Sen. Jesse Helms who aired a commercial that showed a white American denied a job that went instead to a minority.
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#OnThisDay in 1847, more than 100 citizens of Marshall, Michigan, helped Adam Crosswhite and his family, who had escaped slavery, flee to Canada rather than be captured by bounty hunters. After the Civil War, Crosswhite and his family returned to Marshall.
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1847: Adam Crosswhite flees to Canada - Mississippi Today
On this day in 1847, more than 100 Marshall, Michigan, citizens helped escaped slaves Adam Crosswhite and his family flee to Canada.
mississippitoday.org
January 27, 2026 at 12:34 PM
#OnThisDay in 1847, more than 100 citizens of Marshall, Michigan, helped Adam Crosswhite and his family, who had escaped slavery, flee to Canada rather than be captured by bounty hunters. After the Civil War, Crosswhite and his family returned to Marshall.
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#OnThisDay in 1870, Virginia was readmitted to the Union after the state passed a new constitution that allowed Black men to vote and ratified the 14th and 15th Amendments but hope faded by the end of the year when the Legislature created the 1st Jim Crow laws.
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1870: Virginia is readmitted to the Union - Mississippi Today
On this day in 1870, Virginia was readmitted to the Union after the state passed a new constitution that allowed Black men to vote and ratified the 14th and 15th Amendments.
mississippitoday.org
January 26, 2026 at 1:31 PM
#OnThisDay in 1870, Virginia was readmitted to the Union after the state passed a new constitution that allowed Black men to vote and ratified the 14th and 15th Amendments but hope faded by the end of the year when the Legislature created the 1st Jim Crow laws.
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#OnThisDay in 1965, Annie Lee Cooper—portrayed by Oprah in the film “Selma” — had been standing in line for hours outside the courthouse in Selma AL, attempting to register to vote. When the Voting Rights Act passed Congress in 1965, she was finally able to vote.
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1965: Police beat, jail Annie Lee Cooper in Selma - Mississippi Today
On this day in 1965, Annie Lee Cooper was beaten and jailed in Selma, Alabama, in a confrontation with the sheriff while trying to register to vote.
mississippitoday.org
January 25, 2026 at 1:03 PM
#OnThisDay in 1965, Annie Lee Cooper—portrayed by Oprah in the film “Selma” — had been standing in line for hours outside the courthouse in Selma AL, attempting to register to vote. When the Voting Rights Act passed Congress in 1965, she was finally able to vote.
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The 1967 bombing of the Beth Israel Congregation, Mississippi’s oldest synagogue, came as part of a reign of terror by the nation’s most notorious Ku Klux Klan. The latest attack on the house of worship came Jan. 10.
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Recent attack on a synagogue the KKK firebombed in 1967 shows 'history repeats itself'- Mississippi Today
The 1967 bombing of the Beth Israel Congregation synagogue in Jackson was part of a reign of terror by the Ku Klux Klan. The latest attack on same synagogue, which happened this month, shows that “his...
mississippitoday.org
January 24, 2026 at 4:37 PM
The 1967 bombing of the Beth Israel Congregation, Mississippi’s oldest synagogue, came as part of a reign of terror by the nation’s most notorious Ku Klux Klan. The latest attack on the house of worship came Jan. 10.
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#OnThisDay in 1941, Aaron Neville—who NPR once said “sings like an angel who swallowed a wah-wah pedal”—was born in New Orleans. His song, “Tell It Like It Is” made Rolling Stone's “500 Greatest Songs of All Time.” Successful duets w/ Linda Ronstadt & solo hits.
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January 24, 2026 at 2:32 PM
#OnThisDay in 1941, Aaron Neville—who NPR once said “sings like an angel who swallowed a wah-wah pedal”—was born in New Orleans. His song, “Tell It Like It Is” made Rolling Stone's “500 Greatest Songs of All Time.” Successful duets w/ Linda Ronstadt & solo hits.
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A new lawsuit accuses Rankin County prosecutors of refusing to release public records that could play a role in reversing wrongful convictions resulting from criminal acts by a “Goon Squad” of deputies, many of whom are serving decades in federal prison.
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Groups sue Rankin DA over public records of ‘Goon Squad’ cases - Mississippi Today
A lawsuit filed in Rankin County Chancery Court seeks to force the district attorney's office to release public records about cases in which "Goon Squad" deputies were involved.
mississippitoday.org
January 23, 2026 at 3:21 PM
A new lawsuit accuses Rankin County prosecutors of refusing to release public records that could play a role in reversing wrongful convictions resulting from criminal acts by a “Goon Squad” of deputies, many of whom are serving decades in federal prison.
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Newly surfaced footage from Rankin County jail captures a guard’s blow that broke an inmate’s jaw. That inmate, Dustin Rives, did not receive medical treatment until 25 days later, by which time he had developed a deep infection that required surgery.
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Video shows guard’s jaw-breaking blow to inmate - Mississippi Today
A video, captured by security cameras inside the Rankin County jail, shows guard Jordan McQueary striking an inmate, Dustin Rives and breaking his jaw.
mississippitoday.org
January 22, 2026 at 1:51 PM
Newly surfaced footage from Rankin County jail captures a guard’s blow that broke an inmate’s jaw. That inmate, Dustin Rives, did not receive medical treatment until 25 days later, by which time he had developed a deep infection that required surgery.
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#OnThisDay in 1906, Willa Beatrice Brown was born in Glasgow KY. Became the 1st Black female to earn a commercial pilot’s license. She and her husband owned the 1st Black-owned private flight training academy. Nearly 200 future Tuskegee Airmen trained under them.
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1906: Aviation pioneer Willa Beatrice Brown is born
On this day in 1906, pioneer aviator and civil rights activist Willa Beatrice Brown was born in Glasgow, Kentucky.
mississippitoday.org
January 22, 2026 at 1:44 PM
#OnThisDay in 1906, Willa Beatrice Brown was born in Glasgow KY. Became the 1st Black female to earn a commercial pilot’s license. She and her husband owned the 1st Black-owned private flight training academy. Nearly 200 future Tuskegee Airmen trained under them.
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#OnThisDay in 1921, George Washington Carver became one of the 1st Black experts to testify before Congress. White peanut farmers, desperate to convince lawmakers of need for ariff, believed Carver could captivate them—and captivate he did.
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1921: George Washington Carver testifies before Congress
On this day in 1921, George Washington Carver became one of the first Black experts to testify before Congress.
mississippitoday.org
January 21, 2026 at 1:55 PM
#OnThisDay in 1921, George Washington Carver became one of the 1st Black experts to testify before Congress. White peanut farmers, desperate to convince lawmakers of need for ariff, believed Carver could captivate them—and captivate he did.
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#OnThisDay in 1900, Black Congressman George H. White introduced a bill to make lynching a federal offense, only to see the bill die in committee. Hundreds of anti-lynching bills followed, even as 4,700+ lynchings took place. The bill finally passed in 2022.
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January 20, 2026 at 1:46 PM
#OnThisDay in 1900, Black Congressman George H. White introduced a bill to make lynching a federal offense, only to see the bill die in committee. Hundreds of anti-lynching bills followed, even as 4,700+ lynchings took place. The bill finally passed in 2022.
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#OnThisDay in 1856, Mississippi native Bridget “Biddy” Mason won her family's freedom in landmark court case. Bought land and organized the 1st A.M.E. Church in LA. Used her wealth to aid charities, shelter impoverished, visit prisoners & educate Black children.
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January 19, 2026 at 2:00 PM
#OnThisDay in 1856, Mississippi native Bridget “Biddy” Mason won her family's freedom in landmark court case. Bought land and organized the 1st A.M.E. Church in LA. Used her wealth to aid charities, shelter impoverished, visit prisoners & educate Black children.
mississippitoday.org/2025/01/19/1...
mississippitoday.org/2025/01/19/1...