“I have decided to stick with love.  Hate is too big a burden to bear.”  Martin Luther King, Jr.

As we rest and reflect on this beautiful Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, we are reminded of what an extraordinary man he was.  Today, we commemorate the birth of a man whose wise words still resonate so deeply within our hearts. 

On December 10, 2017, Mississippi will celebrate its 200 anniversary as a state.  On that very day, a powerful new Civil Rights Museum will open its doors to the public in downtown Jackson. 

Lucy Allen, Museum Division Director for the Department of Archives and History, is the project director for not only the Civil Rights Museum, but also the Museum of Mississippi History, which will also open in 2017.

This state of the art Civil Rights Museum will feature impressive interactive exhibits, with the voices of Mississippi guiding guests through the struggles and victories of civil rights.  One of many galleries will be titled, “Where Do We Go From Here?” and focuses on where Mississippi has been, where we are in 2017, and where we still need to go.  Lucy eloquently says, “The gallery will be forever changing.”

Stephanie Morrisey, also of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, says there will be a tranquil “This Little Light of Mine” Gallery in the middle of the museum.  “This is a hub where guests can go in, re energize, and contemplate.  The museum tells a story that is overwhelming to hear.  Music such as This Little Light of Mine will play in this peaceful space, as people view a beautiful white sculpture, bathed in light.”

Lucy says, “The Mississippi Civil Rights Museum is the first state supported civil rights museum in the nation; the legislature has provided the funds.  It is very important that Mississippi’s civil rights museum is state supported.  It shows that what happened in Mississippi has not only had an impact on our state, but also on the nation.”  She adds, “We will not concentrate on many national events; we want to talk about the common people who made a difference in Mississippi.”

With the focus solely on Mississippi’s civil rights story, the Civil Rights Museum will feature around 500 artifacts, including content from the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, historic footage from WLBT, and the Medgar and Myrlie Evers papers, which are a “true treasure trove,” says Lucy. 

The outside of this exquisite, moving museum will be completed in June of 2015, and will usher in guests in late 2017. 

For more information on the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, please click here. 

{Blog by Mitchell Walters}

“Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.”  Ralph Waldo Emerson

We absolutely love Emerson’s words that every day is the best day in the year.  And a new year is a fresh start!  It’s a time to prioritize, reorganize, and set dreams and goals for the upcoming months.  We are excited to announce a new blog series entitled New Year, New You!  We will be sharing vital information over the upcoming weeks from professionals around the state.  You can expect helpful hints from financial planners, professional organizers, etc. 

With spring quickly approaching, many Mississippians will be looking to buy a new home!  House hunting, securing mortgages, and buying a home can be a stressful, confusing process.

We reached out to Patrick Davis of The Mortgage Connection, LLC, in Madison.  Today, Patrick shares his expert tips and advice for home buyers! 

1. Don’t go buy anything if you are thinking of purchasing a house.  The reason being if you go out and purchase a     vehicle then your “buying power” slowly diminishes.   I should add, don’t buy anything during the loan process!

2. Try not to go look at homes before getting prequalified.   You might find yourself comparing those higher priced homes to your “buying power”.  Plus, you might lose out on a house if you aren’t prequalified.

3. Have your credit report pulled by yourself or a mortgage loan officer.  I would suggest letting a mortgage professional pull it so that way you all can discuss realistic goals and numbers.  Once you have an understanding of your situation then you can house hunt with a clear picture.

4. You don’t have to have 20% or more to put down on a house.  Most lenders have programs that will allow you to put down a minimum of 3.5%. There are programs out there that will allow you to get into a house with 100% financing.  Obviously putting more money down will lower your house note and most of the time will get you a better rate. 

5. You don’t want to be “married” to a house.  This can be solved by understanding how much home you can afford on a monthly basis.  There are a lot of rule of thumbs out there but you need to look at it from the ground – up.   Most of the time you can get prequalified for more home than you want but if you aren’t comfortable with that particular mortgage payment then you don’t need to go look at that house range.   If the buyers are comfortable with a $1000/mo mortgage payment, then work backwards to see what house range fits their situation.  My clients find this to be very helpful.

6. Get a professional real estate agent to help you, like Emily Ferguson of Nix-Tann & Associates, Inc.  This is just as important as getting the right mortgage loan officer.  Having a great real estate agent will guide you through the process with ease and eliminate problems before they arise.  Plus, they know the market value of every house.

7. Know what market you want to live in but also be open to other markets in the area.

8. Get a home inspection.  They can point out potential problems that could require costly repairs down the road as well as items that need to be fixed now.  Don’t use someone the seller has suggested either.

Thank you, Patrick, for this wonderful advice!  Patrick can be reached at 601.559.5990 or [email protected]

{Photo is courtesy of Stephanie Rhea and Blog by Mitchell Walters}

Following a private first look and foot washing ceremony at their church, Kendall Poole and Will Ellis arrived at The South Warehouse in downtown Jackson.  Throughout their romantic vows, guests held glowing candles, creating a dreamy, intimate affair.  After the service, guests savored delicious fare at an elegant seated dinner, an homage to the bride's beloved Sunday lunches with family.

Kendall and Will's spectacular wedding is featured in the first print issue of Inspiration Mississippi Magazine!   We hope you will pick up a copy today!  All of Kendall and Will's lovely details, inspiring ideas and romantic photographs truly come to life on the pages of Inspiration Mississippi. 

Vendors:
Ceremony and Reception Venue:  The South Warehouse
Photographer: Adam + Alli Photography
Dress:  The Bridal Path
Hair & Makeup:  Kate McNeely of Trim Salon
Tuxes:  Tuxes Too
Videographer:  Brock Gomez Productions
Lighting: Davaine Lighting
Catering and Florals:  Fresh Cut Catering & Floral
Bartending:  World of Wines & Liquors
Band:  Almost Famous Band
Bride’s Cake:  Cakes by Iris
Groom’s Cake:  The Cake Diva
Transportation:  Your Special Day Car Service
Photo Booth:  Big Bad Photo Booth
On-Site Artist:  Ginger Cook
Ceremony Music: Joyful Praise Choir
Sound:  Bobby Gross Productions
Accessories:  Molly Gee Designs (hair piece and belt) Broque Revival (jewelry)

In 1970, three fashionable, creative and fun friends decided to open a business in Jackson.  With an interest in gorgeous wedding gowns, the women noticed that brides had to visit large department stores in order to find their perfect dress.  Together, the women opened one of the earliest and most successful bridal boutiques, The Bridal Path.

Radiant brides-to-be flock to the lovely store from all over the South.  The Bridal Path carries some of the most coveted bridal designers, and many of the brands are not carried in nearby stores. 

The Bridal Path's Gail Savage says, “One of our favorite things about working with a bride is being a part of a very special time in a family’s life.  They become part of our family and they all know that there isn’t anything we wouldn’t do for them.”

With many couples getting engaged over the holidays, we asked Gail to share The Bridal Path’s tips for choosing your perfect wedding dress:

Thank you, Gail, for your fantastic advice!  For more information on The Bridal Path, please visit their website here.

“The Blues are really about telling a story.  Ask any blues musician what the blues represent to them and they will tell you it’s about life and telling their stories.  Mississippi has produced more blues musicians than any other part of this country.  It has not only affected Mississippi, but the culture of the entire United States.”

Dr. Edgar Smith

This Saturday, January 10, runners from around the country will gather at the Art Garden at the Mississippi Museum of Art for a beloved race around the city of Jackson.  The Mississippi Blues Marathon, sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield, boasts a beautiful, rolling course in the capital city.  Participants will enjoy a spectacular mix of Blues music throughout the race, and award-winning medals will greet them at the finish line.

John Noblin, Director of the race, says, “We are looking forward to again welcoming runners from all over the country and beyond for the 8th Annual Mississippi Blues Marathon.”

While the course is impressive, what’s most impressive is who directly benefits from the race. 

A portion of the proceeds from the annual marathon is donated to the Mississippi Blues Commission’s Musician Benevolent Fund.  Dr. Edgar Smith, founding chairman of the Blues Musician Benevolent Committee explains, “Many of the Mississippi blues musicians are living in extreme poverty, needing food, shelter, and medical care.  We are about assisting these needy blues musicians who don’t have the funds to pay for their medical bills or everyday expenses.  We have even taken care of burial costs.”

Mississippi is the “Home of the Blues” and this poignant music has roots deeply planted in our Delta soil. However, many of the artists who express their heart and soul in the blues are greatly struggling. 

The need to help our blues musicians is real. 

Though Dr. Smith spent much of his life as a biochemist researcher and professor in Boston, Massachusetts, he has returned to his hometown to retire and enjoy life.  “I am a native of the Mississippi Delta.  I have been involved in the blues all of my life.  I grew up next to the biggest juke joint in town and those are the people with whom I grew up.”  Dr. Smith’s heart is in the blues.  Wishing to help these ailing musicians, he took the leadership role with the Fund Committee and says, “The group has been outstanding.”

The Mississippi Blues Marathon grants $10,000 each year to the Benevolent Fund.  “This has been a tremendous help to us and we are extremely grateful to Blue Cross Blue Shield.  This is a way for people to directly benefit our blues musicians.”  What a wonderful way to support the musicians who so beautifully express their life stories through the blues. 

For information on the MS Blues Marathon, please click here.

To learn about the Mississippi Blues Commission, visit their website here.  You can learn about the Benevolent Fund here. 

Thank you, Dr. Edgar Smith, for sharing your story and the opportunity to help Mississippi's blues musicians in need!
{Blog by Mitchell Walters}