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, singer James Brown, the “Godfather of Soul,” hit #1 on the R&B charts for a record 6th week with “Say It Loud — I’m Black and I’m Proud (Part 1).” Brown saw 17 singles go to #1. He became an inaugural member of the Rock and Rock Hall of Fame.
mississippitoday.org/2024/11/09/1...
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November 9, 2025 at 1:16 PM
#OnThisDay in 1968, singer James Brown, the “Godfather of Soul,” hit #1 on the R&B charts for a record 6th week with “Say It Loud — I’m Black and I’m Proud (Part 1).” Brown saw 17 singles go to #1. He became an inaugural member of the Rock and Rock Hall of Fame.
mississippitoday.org/2024/11/09/1...
mississippitoday.org/2024/11/09/1...
#OnThisDay in 1837, abolitionist editor Elijah P. Lovejoy was assassinated by a pro-slavery mob. He is considered the first martyr for freedom of the press in America. He had pushed for the end of lynchings of Black Americans and the abolition of slavery.
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mississippitoday.org/2024/11/07/o...
November 7, 2025 at 12:54 PM
#OnThisDay in 1837, abolitionist editor Elijah P. Lovejoy was assassinated by a pro-slavery mob. He is considered the first martyr for freedom of the press in America. He had pushed for the end of lynchings of Black Americans and the abolition of slavery.
mississippitoday.org/2024/11/07/o...
mississippitoday.org/2024/11/07/o...
#OnThisDay in 1869, Klansmen kidnapped and savagely beat Georgia legislator Abram Colby, leaving him for dead. In 1869, the KKK offered him a bribe to not run for re-election. He refused & they beat him. It was one of many acts of violence during Reconstruction.
mississippitoday.org/2024/10/29/1...
mississippitoday.org/2024/10/29/1...
October 29, 2025 at 12:57 PM
#OnThisDay in 1869, Klansmen kidnapped and savagely beat Georgia legislator Abram Colby, leaving him for dead. In 1869, the KKK offered him a bribe to not run for re-election. He refused & they beat him. It was one of many acts of violence during Reconstruction.
mississippitoday.org/2024/10/29/1...
mississippitoday.org/2024/10/29/1...
#OnThisDay in 1926, Chuck Berry, “The Father of Rock & Roll,” was born in St. Louis. Recorded “Johnny B. Goode,” “Roll Over Beethoven!” & “Rock and Roll Music,” which influenced Beatles & others. (Can't post on Blue Sky in MS. It's blocked.)
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mississippitoday.org/2024/10/18/1...
October 18, 2025 at 2:49 PM
#OnThisDay in 1926, Chuck Berry, “The Father of Rock & Roll,” was born in St. Louis. Recorded “Johnny B. Goode,” “Roll Over Beethoven!” & “Rock and Roll Music,” which influenced Beatles & others. (Can't post on Blue Sky in MS. It's blocked.)
mississippitoday.org/2024/10/18/1...
mississippitoday.org/2024/10/18/1...
100 years ago today, B.B King, “The King of the Blues,” was born on a plantation near Itta Bena, Mississippi.
In 1987, he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. In 2006, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the greatest civilian honor.
mississippitoday.org/2024/09/16/1...
In 1987, he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. In 2006, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the greatest civilian honor.
mississippitoday.org/2024/09/16/1...
September 16, 2025 at 10:25 AM
100 years ago today, B.B King, “The King of the Blues,” was born on a plantation near Itta Bena, Mississippi.
In 1987, he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. In 2006, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the greatest civilian honor.
mississippitoday.org/2024/09/16/1...
In 1987, he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. In 2006, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the greatest civilian honor.
mississippitoday.org/2024/09/16/1...
#OnThisDay in 1619, 20+ Africans, kidnapped by Portuguese forces, landed in Point Comfort VA on an English ship, the 1st recorded Africans to arrive in England’s American colonies. By the time slavery ended, nearly 15M Africans had landed in the Americas.
mississippitoday.org/2024/08/20/1...
mississippitoday.org/2024/08/20/1...
August 20, 2025 at 4:34 PM
#OnThisDay in 1619, 20+ Africans, kidnapped by Portuguese forces, landed in Point Comfort VA on an English ship, the 1st recorded Africans to arrive in England’s American colonies. By the time slavery ended, nearly 15M Africans had landed in the Americas.
mississippitoday.org/2024/08/20/1...
mississippitoday.org/2024/08/20/1...
#OnThisDay in 1963, when James Meredith became 1st Black student to graduate from the University of Mississippi, NAACP lawyer Constance Baker Motley cheered him. She shepherded his successful admission through courts. 1st Black female to serve as federal judge. mississippitoday.org/2023/08/18/1...
August 18, 2025 at 12:27 PM
#OnThisDay in 1963, when James Meredith became 1st Black student to graduate from the University of Mississippi, NAACP lawyer Constance Baker Motley cheered him. She shepherded his successful admission through courts. 1st Black female to serve as federal judge. mississippitoday.org/2023/08/18/1...
#OnThisDay in 1959, innovative trumpeter Miles Davis released his album, “Kind of Blue,” profoundly influencing jazz, rock & classical music. Many critics regard it as the most outstanding jazz album ever released. Received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
mississippitoday.org/2024/08/17/1...
mississippitoday.org/2024/08/17/1...
August 17, 2025 at 12:35 PM
#OnThisDay in 1959, innovative trumpeter Miles Davis released his album, “Kind of Blue,” profoundly influencing jazz, rock & classical music. Many critics regard it as the most outstanding jazz album ever released. Received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
mississippitoday.org/2024/08/17/1...
mississippitoday.org/2024/08/17/1...
Best-selling author Greg Iles died today. He was an absolute ball of fire, a mind that went from 0 to 90 in just a few seconds. I will definitely miss him!
mississippitoday.org/2025/08/15/a...
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August 16, 2025 at 2:31 AM
Best-selling author Greg Iles died today. He was an absolute ball of fire, a mind that went from 0 to 90 in just a few seconds. I will definitely miss him!
mississippitoday.org/2025/08/15/a...
mississippitoday.org/2025/08/15/a...
#OnThisDay in 1906, the Niagara Movement, forerunner to NAACP, called for enforcement of 13th-15th Amendments: “The Negro race in America ... needs help and is given hindrance, needs protection and is given mob-violence ... needs bread and is given a stone.” mississippitoday.org/2024/08/15/1...
August 15, 2025 at 12:17 PM
#OnThisDay in 1906, the Niagara Movement, forerunner to NAACP, called for enforcement of 13th-15th Amendments: “The Negro race in America ... needs help and is given hindrance, needs protection and is given mob-violence ... needs bread and is given a stone.” mississippitoday.org/2024/08/15/1...
#OnThisDay in 1908, about 5,000 white men in Springfield, Illinois, wanted to lynch two Black men in jail. When the mob discovered the men had been moved, they began to terrorize Black Americans & their supporters, killing 16+. Massacre inspired NAACP's creation.
mississippitoday.org/2024/08/14/1...
mississippitoday.org/2024/08/14/1...
August 14, 2025 at 11:59 AM
#OnThisDay in 1908, about 5,000 white men in Springfield, Illinois, wanted to lynch two Black men in jail. When the mob discovered the men had been moved, they began to terrorize Black Americans & their supporters, killing 16+. Massacre inspired NAACP's creation.
mississippitoday.org/2024/08/14/1...
mississippitoday.org/2024/08/14/1...
#OnThisDay in 1954, Lamar Smith, a WWI veteran who organized Black Americans to vote, was shot dead on the courthouse lawn in Brookhaven, Mississippi. An all-white grand jury refused to indict, despite the fact the sheriff saw the killer covered in blood.
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mississippitoday.org/2024/08/13/1...
August 13, 2025 at 11:37 AM
#OnThisDay in 1954, Lamar Smith, a WWI veteran who organized Black Americans to vote, was shot dead on the courthouse lawn in Brookhaven, Mississippi. An all-white grand jury refused to indict, despite the fact the sheriff saw the killer covered in blood.
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mississippitoday.org/2024/08/13/1...
#OnThisDay in 1932, comedian & civil rights activist Dick Gregory was born in St. Louis. 1st Black comic to talk on “Tonight Show.” When he heard surplus food was cut off to Mississippi Delta in 1963, he sent 14K lbs of food. Arrested w/ protesters in Greenwood.
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August 12, 2025 at 11:43 AM
#OnThisDay in 1932, comedian & civil rights activist Dick Gregory was born in St. Louis. 1st Black comic to talk on “Tonight Show.” When he heard surplus food was cut off to Mississippi Delta in 1963, he sent 14K lbs of food. Arrested w/ protesters in Greenwood.
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#OnThisDay in 1921, Alex Haley, the author of “Roots” and “The Autobiography of Malcolm X”, was born in Ithaca NY. His interview with Malcolm X became a highly regarded 1965 book on the civil rights leader before he experienced the immense success of “Roots.”
mississippitoday.org/2024/08/11/1...
mississippitoday.org/2024/08/11/1...
August 11, 2025 at 11:45 AM
#OnThisDay in 1921, Alex Haley, the author of “Roots” and “The Autobiography of Malcolm X”, was born in Ithaca NY. His interview with Malcolm X became a highly regarded 1965 book on the civil rights leader before he experienced the immense success of “Roots.”
mississippitoday.org/2024/08/11/1...
mississippitoday.org/2024/08/11/1...
#OnThisDay in 1920, Mamie Smith sang “Crazy Blues,” detailing the “outrage by a woman driven mad by mistreatment,” music critic David Hajdu wrote in the NYT. The song popularized the blues, selling 2M+ copies and paving the way for other Black female performers.
mississippitoday.org/2024/08/10/1...
mississippitoday.org/2024/08/10/1...
August 10, 2025 at 12:41 PM
#OnThisDay in 1920, Mamie Smith sang “Crazy Blues,” detailing the “outrage by a woman driven mad by mistreatment,” music critic David Hajdu wrote in the NYT. The song popularized the blues, selling 2M+ copies and paving the way for other Black female performers.
mississippitoday.org/2024/08/10/1...
mississippitoday.org/2024/08/10/1...
#OnThisDay in 1904, diplomat Ralph Bunche was born in Detroit. He was a member of the “Black Cabinet,” which #FDR consulted on minority issues. He negotiated the 1948 armistice agreements between Israel & Arab states. Received Nobel Peace Prize.
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mississippitoday.org/2024/08/07/1...
August 7, 2025 at 12:32 PM
#OnThisDay in 1904, diplomat Ralph Bunche was born in Detroit. He was a member of the “Black Cabinet,” which #FDR consulted on minority issues. He negotiated the 1948 armistice agreements between Israel & Arab states. Received Nobel Peace Prize.
mississippitoday.org/2024/08/07/1...
mississippitoday.org/2024/08/07/1...
#OnThisDay in 1963, a 1,000 Black Mississippians defied arrest and KKK threats by the KKK to cast protest votes in Mississippi. “I had fear in my heart,” said activist Billie Johnson b/c she knew police would beat her. When they didn't, she thanked God 3 times.
mississippitoday.org/2024/08/06/1...
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August 6, 2025 at 12:22 PM
#OnThisDay in 1963, a 1,000 Black Mississippians defied arrest and KKK threats by the KKK to cast protest votes in Mississippi. “I had fear in my heart,” said activist Billie Johnson b/c she knew police would beat her. When they didn't, she thanked God 3 times.
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mississippitoday.org/2024/08/06/1...
#OnThisDay in 1979, Patricia Roberts Harris began serving as secretary of Health, Education and Welfare under President Jimmy Carter. 1st Black woman to serve in the presidential cabinet and 1st Black woman to enter the presidential line of succession.
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August 3, 2025 at 12:21 PM
#OnThisDay in 1979, Patricia Roberts Harris began serving as secretary of Health, Education and Welfare under President Jimmy Carter. 1st Black woman to serve in the presidential cabinet and 1st Black woman to enter the presidential line of succession.
mississippitoday.org/2024/08/03/1...
mississippitoday.org/2024/08/03/1...
#OnThisDay in 1924, James Baldwin was born in Harlem. His book “The Fire Next Time” became a best-seller. He wrote notes for a novel about Medgar Evers, Martin Luther King and Malcolm X. His words were captured in the 2016 documentary, “I Am Not Your Negro.”
mississippitoday.org/2024/08/02/1...
mississippitoday.org/2024/08/02/1...
August 2, 2025 at 1:42 PM
#OnThisDay in 1924, James Baldwin was born in Harlem. His book “The Fire Next Time” became a best-seller. He wrote notes for a novel about Medgar Evers, Martin Luther King and Malcolm X. His words were captured in the 2016 documentary, “I Am Not Your Negro.”
mississippitoday.org/2024/08/02/1...
mississippitoday.org/2024/08/02/1...
#OnThisDay in 1910, after a series of lynchings, a massacre took place in Slocum TX, killing between 8 & 20+ Black Americans. “Men were going about killing Negroes as fast as they could find them,” the sheriff told The New York Times. No one was ever prosecuted.
mississippitoday.org/2024/07/29/1...
mississippitoday.org/2024/07/29/1...
July 29, 2025 at 12:13 PM
#OnThisDay in 1910, after a series of lynchings, a massacre took place in Slocum TX, killing between 8 & 20+ Black Americans. “Men were going about killing Negroes as fast as they could find them,” the sheriff told The New York Times. No one was ever prosecuted.
mississippitoday.org/2024/07/29/1...
mississippitoday.org/2024/07/29/1...
#OnThisDay in 1919, a melee between Black & white citizens began after a Black youth swam into "white" territory in Chicago & drowned: 38 died, 500+ were injured & 1,000 Black families lost their homes. That violence spread & became known as “Red Summer.”
mississippitoday.org/2024/07/27/1...
mississippitoday.org/2024/07/27/1...
July 27, 2025 at 12:10 PM
#OnThisDay in 1919, a melee between Black & white citizens began after a Black youth swam into "white" territory in Chicago & drowned: 38 died, 500+ were injured & 1,000 Black families lost their homes. That violence spread & became known as “Red Summer.”
mississippitoday.org/2024/07/27/1...
mississippitoday.org/2024/07/27/1...
Sad to hear of the passing of Vernon Dahmer Jr. His father died defending his family from KKK attack. The Sr. Master Sgt. handled the funeral, etc. "I didn't have time to cry." When a jury convicted KKK leader Sam Bowers of ordering his father's murder, tears flowed. He finally had time to cry.
July 26, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Sad to hear of the passing of Vernon Dahmer Jr. His father died defending his family from KKK attack. The Sr. Master Sgt. handled the funeral, etc. "I didn't have time to cry." When a jury convicted KKK leader Sam Bowers of ordering his father's murder, tears flowed. He finally had time to cry.
#OnThisDay in 1964, Unita Blackwell became the Issaquena County delegate for the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, which fought to replace the state’s all-white delegation. In 1976, she became the 1st Black woman to serve as a mayor in Mississippi’s history.
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mississippitoday.org/2024/07/25/1...
July 25, 2025 at 12:43 PM
#OnThisDay in 1964, Unita Blackwell became the Issaquena County delegate for the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, which fought to replace the state’s all-white delegation. In 1976, she became the 1st Black woman to serve as a mayor in Mississippi’s history.
mississippitoday.org/2024/07/25/1...
mississippitoday.org/2024/07/25/1...
#OnThisDay in 1950, African-American troops of the U.S. Army’s 24th Infantry Regiment began the offensive that enabled them to recapture Yechon, South Korea. It marked the first city restored to friendly hands. South Korean officials honored the regiment.
mississippitoday.org/2024/07/20/1...
mississippitoday.org/2024/07/20/1...
July 20, 2025 at 6:20 PM
#OnThisDay in 1950, African-American troops of the U.S. Army’s 24th Infantry Regiment began the offensive that enabled them to recapture Yechon, South Korea. It marked the first city restored to friendly hands. South Korean officials honored the regiment.
mississippitoday.org/2024/07/20/1...
mississippitoday.org/2024/07/20/1...
#OnThisDay in 1948, Dockum Drug Store in Wichita KS refused to serve Black patrons at its lunch counter, and students protested w/ sit-ins. Rexall, which owned the Dockum stores, halted discrimination at all lunch counters nationwide because of the protest.
mississippitoday.org/2024/07/19/1...
mississippitoday.org/2024/07/19/1...
July 19, 2025 at 1:16 PM
#OnThisDay in 1948, Dockum Drug Store in Wichita KS refused to serve Black patrons at its lunch counter, and students protested w/ sit-ins. Rexall, which owned the Dockum stores, halted discrimination at all lunch counters nationwide because of the protest.
mississippitoday.org/2024/07/19/1...
mississippitoday.org/2024/07/19/1...