F. L. Speights of Ripley, Mississippi, devoted his life to education. He recalls helping to start the first black high school in Ripley as well as his memories of school integration during the 1960s.

     In August of 1964, forty Freedom Schools were set up in Mississippi in support of the Freedom Summer civil rights project.  Gloria Clark, a first grade teacher from New Bedford, Massachusetts, explains her decision to come to Mississippi and participate.

Palmer Foster of Tupelo was introduced to Scouting as a teen in his home town of Ripley. He recalls his time as a Boy Scout and as the first African American Boy Scout executive in Mississippi.

     Idalia Holloway of Holly Springs began farming at an early age.  Besides growing crops like cotton and sorghum for cash, her family grew all of their food as well.  Holloway recalls how her father would mill the sorghum into juice and cook it down to make molasses. She also discusses cooking on a wood-burning stove.

     In 1965, Raylawni Branch and Elaine Armstrong were the first African-American students to enroll at The University of Southern Mississippi. She reflects on her experiences as a student and on her career as an Air Force officer and as a nursing instructor.

Raylawni Branch recalls her experiences as a civil rights activist and as one of the first African-Americans to attend The University of Southern Mississippi.

     In the 99 year history of The University of Southern Mississippi, no one has had a greater impact on the athletic program than Bernard Reed Green.  When Green came to the school in 1930, football games were still being played in the city park. He discusses how the program evolved during his time as a player, as head football coach, and as USM’s first full-time director of athletics.  (photo of Line coach Thad "Pie" Vann and Bernard Reed Green)

University of Southern Mississippi graduate student, Isaac Gang, immigrated to Jackson, Mississippi, from post-war Southern Sudan in 1995, several years before the "Lost Boys" of Sudan made their journey to the U.S.  He discusses fleeing war and genocide, assisting the Lost Boys in their transition, enjoying the simple modern luxuries, and the importance of giving back. (photo of Isaac Gang at the University of Juba, July 2007)