Founded in 2019, Refill Jackson runs a nine-week workforce development program that combines classroom instruction in soft skills like professional communication, teamwork and interviewing with hands-on job training and related social services.

The Jackson City Council met Tuesday, August 25 at 6pm, for its regular meeting. For residents unable to attend, this recap highlights several decisions and discussions with potential impact on neighborhoods across Jackson.

If there is one idea that sums up Felecia Tripp’s involvement with Jackson Association of Neighborhoods, it is optimism. Jackson is a glass half full, and Tripp aims to fill it to overflowing, serving on JAN’s Board of Directors as a representative of Ward 3 and chair of its Sustainability Committee.

As founder of Operation Good, Geno Womack has spent more than a decade building a simple but often overlooked philosophy: neighborhoods are transformed from the inside out. Not from the top down.

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.

Missed JAN’s August board meeting? Catch up on our conversation with Mississippi Votes about voting rights and civic engagement, important JAN leadership updates, upcoming opportunities and ways to get involved in strengthening Jackson’s neighborhoods.

Effective neighborhood meetings do not happen by accident. They require advance preparation, a clear structure, consistent procedures and deliberate follow-up.

The Jackson City Council began its meeting by honoring retiring WAPT Chief Meteorologist David Hartman and celebrating the life and legacy of the late Dr. James Clinton Smith, a veteran, pediatrician, educator and longtime community leader.

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.