10/21/2026
We were honored to host the opening event of the 2026 Clyde Kennard Lecture Series on Monday evening, welcoming friends of the Sixth Street Museum District for an authors’ reception and discussion of Mixing: Race, Higher Education, and the Case of Clyde Kennard.
On Tuesday evening, the series continued at The University of Southern Mississippi, bringing the community together to reflect on the life and legacy of Clyde Kennard—a Korean War veteran and civil rights pioneer who courageously challenged segregation in higher education in Mississippi.
We extend our sincere thanks to Dr. Sherita L. Johnson of Pennsylvania State University, Dr. Cheryl D. Jenkins of Talladega College, and Dr. Rebecca A. Tuuri of The University of Southern Mississippi for sharing their scholarship and helping us better understand Kennard’s fight for educational equality. We are also grateful to our partners at USM’s Center for Black Studies, the Forrest County Branch of the NAACP, Renasant Bank, and the School of Interdisciplinary Studies and Professional Development for making this series possible.
As we reflect on these meaningful gatherings, we are reminded that homecoming is about honoring those who paved the way for us. Clyde Kennard’s courage opened the door for conversations, opportunities, and progress that continue to shape our communities today. His story deserves to be remembered and shared with future generations.
📍 The conversation continues in Jackson TODAY!
Join the authors for at noon on Wednesday, October 21, at the Museum of Mississippi History and Mississippi Civil Rights Museum. Michael Morris, director of the Two Mississippi Museums, will moderate a panel discussion with three of the authors.
The event is FREE and open to the public, with a livestream available on the Mississippi Department of Archives and History’s page and YouTube channel. Books will be available for purchase, followed by a book signing.
