A woman of faith, a devoted mother of two boys, a financial professional and a former flutist, Barnes has learned that life often requires balancing many different roles. Rather than trying to do everything, she has become intentional about doing the right things well. That mindset shapes not only her career and family life, but also her approach to serving Jackson’s neighborhoods.

On Friday, June 26, 2026, the City of Jackson held its annual Employee Appreciation Day at Urban Air Adventure Park near the corner of Ridgewood Road and County Line Road. The afternoon included food, door prizes, giveaways, family activities and an awards presentation recognizing special achievements. But the heart of the day was not the venue, the zipline or the celebration itself. The heart of the day was the people being celebrated.

During the first regular meeting of July, the Council elects its officers for the coming year. Ward 5 Councilman Vernon Hartley was elected President of the Jackson City Council, while Ward 7 Councilman Kevin Parkinson was elected Vice President.

Meet the Zoo Area Progressive Partnership, better known as ZAPP. ZAPP was created several decades ago to help regenerate the neighborhoods surrounding the Jackson Zoo. From the beginning, its mission extended beyond animal exhibits and special events.

The Jackson City Council met Tuesday, June 23, for its regular meeting, following a special public hearing held June 22 regarding proposed regulations for future data center development within the city.

The Jackson Association of Neighborhoods Emerging Leader Award recognizes active young people making a positive impact on their communities. The award highlights Joseph’s commitment to Jackson’s growth and his willingness to step up even as he excelled in the classroom.

On Saturday, June 6, the Jackson Hinds Public Library System held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Jackson’s new Bookmobile. The effort is a major step toward making library services more accessible to the Jackson community by bringing books, technology, and other library services directly to neighborhoods and events.

Launched in 2011, JACKSON 311 is the city of Jackson’s official non-emergency service request system, a single point of contact for a variety of issues, from drainage and city plumbing to potholes, illegal dumping and more. 

The Jackson City Council met Tuesday, June 2, for its regular meeting, addressing blight reduction, public safety, neighborhood partnerships, infrastructure improvements and community recognition.

Drawn to Jackson by a band scholarship, Immanuel Wiggins arrived as a young musician ready to perform. What he did not expect was how deeply the city would shape him, or how much he would grow to love it.

JAN has long served as a connector between neighborhood associations and residents throughout Jackson. While its board includes representatives from each of the city’s 7 wards, much of the work that moves the city forward happens within its committees. These groups focus on everything from neighborhood strengthening to sustainability to parks.

The Jackson City Council met Tuesday, May 19, for its regular meeting, addressing public safety, blight, infrastructure, youth programming, neighborhood development and city operations.

Bees deserve our respect, and not just because they can sting. As essential infrastructure for healthy neighborhoods, bees pollinate plants, support ecosystems, and can bring people together, to encourage beautification, conservation and community.. Since 1970, it’s fallen to the Central Mississippi Beekeepers Association (CMBA) to spread that message far and wide. 

Now entering its fourth year, 601 Day returns May 28 through June 1 with a packed lineup of events stretching across the city. Organized through a collaboration between Visit Jackson, local businesses and community organizations, the celebration continues to grow each year.

As the newly appointed executive director of the Jackson Redevelopment Authority (JRA), Alex Lawson sees the city not as a collection of problems to fix, but as a place full of untapped potential waiting for the right systems, partnerships and investments to unlock it.  

The Jackson City Council met for its regular session, addressing neighborhood development, public safety, city operations and community investment initiatives impacting residents across Jackson.

After engaging more than 385 residents, city staff and stakeholders through a series of ideation sessions, Jackson's Innovation Team is turning community input into action. Four priority areas have been identified to improve neighborhoods across Jackson, and the community still has a chance to weigh in. Take the neighborhood beautification survey today and help shape the future of your community.

This spring, the city of Jackson will once again embrace a Westside Civic Engagement Club (WSCC) tradition that is quickly becoming one of the Westside neighborhood’s most enduring and beloved community gatherings: the annual May Day Festival. Now celebrating its 37th year, the festival returns May 1 and May 2, bringing with it a powerful reminder of what happens when Jackson communities show up for one another.

Located on the outskirts of South Jackson’s historic Duttoville neighborhood, Rosemont partners with the Mississippi Food Network to get nonperishable groceries, fresh produce and other essentials to families and individuals in dire need.

the Jackson Association of Neighborhoods collaborated with the City of Jackson’s Department of Planning and Development to host the inaugural Community Impact Gala at the Jackson Medical Mall. It was an evening that did more than present awards. It told the story of a city powered by its people.