Mississippi is more than what you have read in your history books. Yes, everything that you have heard has taken place here. However, you have not heard the whole story.

Which state has the highest percentage of black people? Mississippi. Black Mississippians make up 38% of the state. So, when people say, “how can you be black and live in Mississippi?”, they are ignoring the fact that nowhere else in the United States has this many black people per capita. We are the state. That is how we live here.

Which state has the highest percentage of black legislatures? That’s right, Mississippi. 29% of the state legislatures is black. No other state has that many.

Mississippi is the home of Jerry Rice, Walter Payton, and Steve McNair. The home of B.B. King, Big K.R.I.T., and Brandy. This is the birthplace of Darth Vader (James Earl Jones), God (Morgan Freeman), and richest black woman in the world, Oprah.

Mississippi is black culture. Mississippi is influential. Mississippi is the birthplace of America’s music.

Yes, Mississippi has its problems. The state flag does not represent the people of Mississippi. The statewide elected officials ignore the electorate. The state’s jail population is too high, education isn’t funded, and Medicaid is not expanded in the state that has the highest poverty rates in the United States. The state also has a history of voter suppression and disenfranchising minority voters.

Mississippi is evolving. Mississippi is black. That is how we live here. We are the state, and we are fighting everyday to improve the state. Come visit. You’ll learn a lot.