Joe Barker currently serves as Executive Director of Southwest Tennessee Development District (SWTDD), an eight-county regional planning and economic development organization located in Jackson. He has a diverse background in public service in both state and local government. Barker has served as both Mayor of the City of Savannah and of Hardin County.
Read MoreKyle Spurgeon is president/CEO of the Jackson Chamber, Jackson, TN. The organization represents over 1000 business members in Jackson-Madison County and parts of West Tennessee.Before joining the Chamber, Spurgeon was vice-president, corporate relations for Jackson Energy Authority. He has also served as marketing director for the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. He has helped facilitate project locations representing more than $2.5 billion in capital investment.
Read MoreThe Friends of Heart Black Tie & Blue Jeans 2022 is presented by West Tennessee Healthcare, was a rousing success as a large group turned out for the silent and live auctions, the amazing meal, and great music by G-3. A fun photo booth was set for some impromptu pictures. A unique Whisky Pull offering special brand and flavor to the custom line of liquors is always a competitive opportunity. This combo of fun, entertainment and financial support to provide heart-saving AED defibrillators to the Jackson community. Jackson is designated as a four-minute heart-saver community, according to Friends of Heart.
Read MoreThe Jackson Madison County Bicentennial Grand Finale Weekend ended with a bang at the Community Concert and Fireworks show at the Jackson Ballpark. The gates opened at 4:30 pm, and the stands were filled with enthusiastic members of the Jackson community ready to celebrate 200 years at the free concert featuring LOLO and the Commodores. The event was free and open to the public, and the many volunteers who helped with Bicentennial events over the past year were given priority VIP seating.
Read MorePhotography by Kristina Only, Chelsea-Catherine Croom & Jeff Watson at Union University.
Read MoreJennifer Graves is a native of Goodlettsville, Tennessee. She married her husband, Jimmy, in 1989, and they have two adult children—Joshua and Elizabeth. Jennifer spent the first portion of her career at Briarcrest Christian School in Memphis where she was asked to develop a program for middle school students with learning disabilities, and soon thereafter high school students. Jennifer served in various roles such as director of the program, middle school counselor, and high school counselor. In 2015, Jennifer answered the call to move to Jackson, TN to start Union University’s EDGE program, an inclusive post-secondary program for young adults with intellectual disabilities. She served at Union until moving to the STAR Center Inc. in June 2022.
Read MoreLocal audiences got an opportunity to find their inner rock star at “School of Rock the Musical” shown June 16-18 and June 23-25 at The Ned. A talented cast presented the play based on the film “School of Rock.” The production was full of great music and laughs. Will Crowe played the lead character, Dewey Finn, a wannabe rock star with no place to live and no money for rent. He poses as a substitute teacher at a prestigious private school to make some easy cash and teaches the uptight kids in his class how to be rock stars.
Read MoreDream Center of Jackson invited the community to join them at a Groundbreaking Ceremony on Friday morning, July 8. Local supporters of the organization have been anticipating this day since 2016 when the Dream Center lost its original building. It was a joyous occasion to break ground on the new facility, which will be a place of healing for women and children for years to come. Executive Director Gail Gustafson expressed her gratitude to the Lord for so much support in the community.
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David Blackwood grew up on a farm in Madison County, Tennessee where he spent many hours playing in the creeks and forests of the Hatchie River bottoms. Little did he know that his playful experiences would return to him later in life in his career.
Some friends of the Scarlet Rope Project hosted a special fundraiser at the home of Kelly and Flint Cox on Thursday evening, May 12. Songwriters Night was a lovely evening full of music and beauty for all who attended. Guests were invited to enjoy cocktails while exploring the beautifully decorated home of Kelly and Flint Cox, nestled on a wooded hilltop with stunning spaces both indoors and outdoors.
Read MoreJackson locals enjoyed a special evening celebrating local artists in the new Arts District downtown on Tuesday evening, May 10. The Arts Backstage is a unique event organized by the Jackson Arts Council that brings together creators of all kinds from the area—visual artists, musicians, performers, authors, crafters—and lets the community enjoy and celebrate the amazing art being created here in the Hub City.
Read MoreThe 9th Annual First Ladies’ Luncheon took place at the Jackson Fairgrounds on April 7, 2022 from 12-1pm. The First Ladies’ Luncheon is the largest annual fundraiser for the United Way of West Tennessee, and this year’s crowd was the largest yet. The luncheon is a tablescapes event, which means that each table is uniquely decorated by its sponsor. The doors open an hour early for attendees to enjoy previewing the creative and beautiful tables throughout the event space.
Read MoreLeanne Braddock, Commander, US Navy (Retired) has served as the President of Preservation of East Main and Surrounds (POEMS) for the past five years. She and her husband, Ed Cookenham, have lived in Jackson for the past five years.
Read MoreTom Britt was the Master of Ceremonies with Ann Keyl, president of this year’s Sports Hall of Fame award ceremony. Along with the Hall of Fame awardees there was recognition of school athletes across Madison County. Next was the Billy Schriver Distinguished Service Award. There were nine $1,000 scholarship recipients for outstanding students.
Read MoreThe 28th Annual Blue Suede Dinner and Auction was hosted on Saturday, Feb. 26, at the Carl Perkins Civic Center in Jackson. This year’s concert featured The World Turning Band, a Fleetwood Mac tribute band, and everyone showed up in their best 1970s and 1980s attire and enjoyed some great music!
Read MoreA large crowd gathered at the Carl Perkins Civic Center on Thursday night, February 17th, to cheer on the models of the 11th Annual Lights Camera Fashion Runway Event. This special event, presented by My Best Friend Jenna, is the Mid-South’s largest prom runway fashion show which also raises money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The 53 models for 2022 were all West Tennessee high school students chosen from hundreds of applicants. The models spent the last few months building new relationships and learning modeling techniques while developing their own creative strategies to raise money for St. Jude.
Read MoreThe Jackson Symphony held the 20th annual Crystal Ball Saturday evening, January 29 at the Carl Perkins Civic Center in downtown Jackson. If you’ve ever been to one of the Symphony performances, you know how wonderful the organization is for our community! The beautiful music and entertainment they provide are truly one of the best events in the Hub City. The event is important because not only does it support the Symphony, but also because it brings arts to our community and into the schools.
Read MoreSt. Mary’s School and Sacred Heart of Jesus High School held a joint fundraiser on Saturday night, February 5. Guests dressed up and came out to the Carl Perkins Civic Center to enjoy an evening of dining, dancing, bidding and betting at the Mardi Gras Auction and Casino Night Gala. The evening began with a cocktail hour and silent auction followed by a meal with Vegas-style entertainment. After dinner, there was an exciting live auction. Then the casino and disco opened for the rest of the night.
Read MoreLizzie Emmons is a native West Tennessean from Dyersburg, Tennessee. Lizzie is a passionate advocate for the arts with experience in arts administration, graphic design, education, therapy, and both music performance and visual art. She is involved with various arts advocacy initiatives in Tennessee. Currently she serves on the Board of Directors for ArtsEd Tennessee and serves as the Board Secretary, and she is also the Vice-Chair for the City of Jackson’s Public Arts Commission. She has presented at many conferences on the benefits of the arts including the National Association for Multicultural Education’s Tennessee Conference, the Tennessee Disability Mega Conference, UT Martin’s ARTStanding, and the Tennessee Arts Academy. She is also a recent graduate of Leadership Jackson.
Read MoreBlack Tie & Boxing benefitting JDRF has become a premier event in Jackson. The event was founded in part by Ronnie and Susan Morris, JDRF President Hayden Simons and his wife who have dealt with her Type 1 diabetes for 23 years. The unusual thing is Addison Coleman, the emcee, was diagnosed at age 10 years. Emcee Abby Moffett was diagnosed at age five, and announcer Richard Mullikin has several family members with Type 1 diabetes!
Read MoreIt is where I am from, it has provided a great life, and it’s my family’s history and its future!
I strive and work every day to make Jackson and rural West Tennessee a better place to live.
I remember PoFolks Restaurant and want to start a petition to bring it back! And if that’s not Jackson enough, then it’s because I’m proud to build homes in a community that values hard work, relationships, and doing things the right way.
Jackson is engrained in me. One can seek out a place to live where they are comfortable, but it is special when you live in a place that fulfills you. Yes, family heritage, family friends, business success, and one’s faith can be fulfilling, but the Jackson community is special. Jackson provides all the elements for me that make life good.
I want Jackson to be visionary and strategic. I have always, and will be, FOR Jackson in all ways possible to make Jackson better. It is going to take a team effort to accomplish all of the opportunities before us, and no doubt it will take vision and change. Our community is ready to take Jackson to the next level, and I look forward to seeing it happen!
I believe in building better — homes, businesses, and relationships — right here in the community that built me.
Because I don’t just live here, I have a passion for seeing Jackson become the very best it can be.
Since I moved to Jackson 47 years ago this town has offered our family life-long friendships, career opportunities, and the desire to continue to grow with our community as a wonderful place to call HOME.
I believe in where we’re headed. Whether it’s helping our airport grow, supporting small businesses, or just being a good neighbor, I’m proud to be part of Jackson’s story. This city is taking off, and I’m glad to be on board. (Couldn’t resist the airport puns.)
I absolutely love this community. My family, my friends, my education, and my career are all rooted in this great community, and I only foresee it just getting better and better with time. We have so much to be grateful for to be able to call this place our home!
This is where I can make the greatest difference, where collaboration thrives, and where a brighter future for our children is not just a hope, but a shared reality we are actively building together. #winning
...this city has shaped me, inspired me, and given me the opportunity to serve and grow alongside an amazing community.
I am Jackson because I have aimed to improve both myself and the West Tennessee community.
Jackson is my home and always has been. I was born here. My parents and all of my grandparents are buried here. I spent my formative years here, my professional career here, and now my retirement years here. Jackson has changed so much and it has changed for the better. Many people choose to relocate to Jackson because of everything it has to offer. I consider myself fortunate to have been born here, and I firmly believe that Jackson’s best days are still ahead.
After living for the last 21 years and being in business for the last 20 years I’m proud to run Jackson’s version of “Cheers,” where everyone knows your name and genuinely cares. I firmly believe in the trajectory of our town, and the opportunity that Jackson offers is rare -- to be on the cusp of extraordinary growth and opportunity. I’m proud to be a Jacksonian and rabid Rams fan.
Jackson is a representation of who I want to be. It is a city that opens its doors to people from other places and embraces them as one of their own. I hope that is how I have lived my life. No matter where I am, the people and the experience make or break the deal. I am a product of my family, and I hope to maintain the small-town feel that I experienced all those years ago when I stepped onto the campus of Lambuth University.
I am a product of the genuinely kind people who live here. Jackson has given me the opportunity to practice medicine that I never imagined possible. Hopefully I am making a positive impact on a community that I love.
In this one unique location, mountains meet music…art meets adventure...culture meets cuisine…and no one meets a stranger. The walkability of downtown allows people to explore and discover vibrant murals, local music, historic sites, art museums, parks, greenways and more. With its sophisticated mix of culture and cuisine, experience a destination served up with genuine hospitality.
On Sunday night, May 19 The Jackson Symphony continued the popular Symphony on the Move concerts in the lovely Vann Gardens neighborhood. Many gathered on the lawn to listen to the beautiful music by members of the Jackson Symphony.
Other Jacksonians in my generation and I are a bridge: remembering what we loved about growing up in this town and helping transform it into a place our kids and grandkids will be proud of. I am part of the Jackson that was, the Jackson that is now, and the Jackson we will create together.
On June 6 hundreds of participants gathered at the Farmers’ Market in downtown Jackson for the Heaven’s Cradle Twilight Run and Downtown Rendezvous. The Twilight Run is a special occasion to honor and remember the children of bereaved families and is Heaven’s Cradle’s largest fundraiser.
I AM JACKSON because… I believe in Jackson and the surrounding area, and I am excited to see continued growth in our community. I am blessed to be in a professional role that allows me to not only enjoy living in this community, but also to serve in ways to help improve it. To see Jackson and the surrounding areas thrive throughout the years, and to help make sure this growth and development continues is a beautiful thing!
The First Ladies Luncheon was held Thursday, April 18, at the Jackson Fairgrounds. The event, presented by United Way of West Tennessee, has become a favorite tradition in Jackson and West Tennessee. Table sponsors had the opportunity to create unique tablescapes.
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Socializing Throughout West Tennessee!
I AM JACKSON because…
No matter where life or my career has taken me, this has always been home. My family’s roots here run deep, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to live, work, and give back to the community that has meant so much to us.