Jackson Free Press

When I logged into our production server this week, something had changed—there was just a single "Issue 1" sub-folder in the working directory. It was an unceremonious symbol of a momentous occasion—Volume 6 had begun, the previous year's files moved to the archives. The Jackson Free Press has completed five years of publishing.

The JFP started as a prototype issue in September 2002, produced by a core team—Jimmy Mumford, Donna Ladd, Stephen Barnette and myself—and a bevy of contributors including Deborah Noel, Bingo Holman, Mimi Holland-Lilly, Judy Jacobs, Jennifer Spann, Nina Parikh, Claretta Hasberry, Earl Fyke, JoAnne Prichard Morris, Michele Coffield, Deke Andrews and Lori Herring.

One secret to that preview issue was the artistic talent—Jimmy's designs coupled with the artwork of Tony DiFatta and the photography of Charles Smith. That creative spirit has carried over through five years of great art, photos and page design to accompany the excellent reporting.

Remarkably, Stephen was able to sell some ads for the first real issue, based on that preview issue and his own talent as a designer. Alisa Price soon joined us, bringing experience and determination to our sales team.

From there, it was all downhill. (Ha!)

Actually, it's been a hell of a scrap. But there are milestones and memories:

The stories: coverage of Trent Lott's gaffe at Strom Thurmond's birthday; "The War Issue"—a prescient cover story about the myths of going to War in Iraq; Donna's story about Charles Evers and Bob Dylan meeting at JubileeJAM; Donna's narrative about Catholic Church abuse; Casey Parks' investigative story about the pro-life movement; Donna's "Melton Tapes" coverage; Brian Johnson's award-winning Cedric Willis story; Donna and Kate Medley's reporting that James Ford Seale was still alive, ultimately helping bring him to justice. And, of course, all the stories over the years about music, food, events, concerts, nightlife, health and wellness, breaking news and politics.

The offices: We started in an apartment in Belhaven Heights, moved to a duplex in Belhaven and finally into to a real suite of offices in Fondren—offices that quickly got back power after Katrina, which meant not only that we could keep the Web site running with posts about gas and ice and donations needed, but also we could provide a place for staffers to sleep, cool off and cruise the Internet, checking on friends and family.

The people: I can't name them because I'll inevitably leave somebody out. We've had wonderful folks through our doors, young and young-at-heart, often learning and honing their craft: reporting, editing, design or business. We hold on to the rising stars for as long as we can and then release them to the world—the legacy of a little paper that's seen tons of native talent.

The accolades: the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies (AAN) has been central to the JFP experience. We got past the cut-throat admissions committee and became members after only a year of publishing; we've since won 14 writing awards in just four years, making us one of the most heavily awarded papers in the country. (Credit Donna and her team.)

Donna was elected to the board of directors of AAN last summer and just this week was appointed the Diversity Chair for the association. Her national plan—create more opportunities within the alternative news media for journalists and business people of color while helping newsweeklies appeal to a diverse new generation of readers through both the talent those papers can develop and the stories they choose to report.

The events: We've been able to work with, promote and sponsor scores of arts organizations through large events (JAM, Crossroads, CelticFest, ArtMix) and small—we've even gotten to start our own, the JFP Chick Ball, to raise awareness and money to help victims of domestic violence. Most memorable are the Best of Jackson parties each year, where we celebrate the pinnacle of what Jackson has to offer—and have a great time doing it.

Finally, the competition: Since the day we launched, we knew that one of our goals was to wake up the slumbering giant that was corporate media in the Jackson Metro. That's been slow going, but we've made considerable progress—Donna Ladd and Adam Lynch have done stronger reporting on Melton and Co. than any other outlet, including breaking the Ridgeway duplex story on our Web site. Our team offers challenges to conventional media "wisdom" on contentious issues such as tort reform, insurance, immigration, taxation and Haley Barbour's lobbying ties and the viability of "cold" civil rights cases. We've gone in-depth with scores of political candidates and opinion makers in our effort to serve democracy and smart government in Jackson and the state.

Since the day The Clarion-Ledger started distributing the Weekend section in little white boxes around town through the day The Clarion-Ledger came and told us we'd need to start paying them to distribute at many of our drop locations, we've known that fighting Goliath on the business front would be tough. Through that adversity has come opportunity in the form of the Mississippi Independent Publishers' Alliance (MIPA), a group of determined independent publishers who have banded together to offer alternatives to The Clarion-Ledger's strong arm tactics.

Along the way we've had members of MIPA loan us a car, share leads and contacts, discuss business practices, and enjoy parties and meetings together as small business owners and friends.

So what do the next five years hold? More award-winning news and features … I can guarantee that. More recommendations and advice about living with grace and style while getting out evenings and weekends to enjoy yourself. More local business initiatives, more opportunities for reader-driven feedback and content, and more online tools.

Most of all, though, it'll be more of the same—reporting you can trust, true stories you can't get elsewhere and a celebration of the creative spirit that makes Jackson what it is—bigger and better than its challenges.

Thanks to you—readers, advertisers and contributors—for helping to make the JFP a full part of the Jackson experience. We hope you'll continue the journey with us.

Previous Comments

ID

75342

Comment

For y'all! luv, pikersam

Author

pikersam

Date

2007-09-19T18:45:30-06:00

ID

75343

Comment

That is what JFP means to me. Trust and Truth. In a mad, mad, mad world, ya'll give it to me straight. Thank you Donna, iTodd and all the rest for keeping your eye on the prize. I love you guys. peace & love, xena

Author

Bourree'

Date

2007-09-19T20:01:23-06:00

ID

75344

Comment

You all have done a great job and a great service to Jackson for the past five years. Where would we be without you all? Here's to five more and beyond.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2007-09-19T20:35:54-06:00

ID

75345

Comment

Five years! YAY! What a milestone! I thank you guys so much for what you have done for this community, and in particular, me. I didn't know how clueless I was about my hometown until I started reading the JFP and visiting the Web site. In addition to learning to read between the lines, I learned that I should not be afraid to ask tough questions about what is going on in my community. Blogging here gave me the boldness not to just follow along with what the majority says and think for myself. To be completely open, Wake Up Jackson wouldn't exist if it wasn't for you guys. The L.W. pre-JFP would have never considered starting something like that because that L.W. would have probably been a follow-the-crowd Meltonite. Thanks again, and (holding up glass of Kool-Aid) here's to five more years. CLINK!

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2007-09-19T21:10:25-06:00

ID

75346

Comment

I remember Donna and Stephen I think it was, showing up one night outside E&E Restaurant & lounge on Robinson St. They showed Mr. Evers the preview issue and talked with him at length about their vision for the Jackson Free Press. The paper has never wavered from that vision. Agree or disagree there has always been room for open honest conversation. That to me is the key to the Free Press, it's been one long invigorating, honest conversation. Here's to the art of conversation and many more years to come.

Author

BuyJxn

Date

2007-09-19T21:21:40-06:00

ID

75347

Comment

Oh by the way, when's the party?

Author

BuyJxn

Date

2007-09-19T21:21:59-06:00

ID

75348

Comment

I don't care what you say. I'm still 29.

Author

emilyb

Date

2007-09-20T05:30:52-06:00

ID

75349

Comment

me too. 29 and holding! Happy Birthday JFP!! Thanks for giving a spring chicken like myself a chance! :)

Author

music chick

Date

2007-09-20T07:59:19-06:00

ID

75350

Comment

What great comments! Thanks, all. I knew someone would ask about a party. We just haven't had time to plan one. However, being that I don't celebrate birthdays, but birthmonths, and the fact that the first regular issue came out in late October, we have plenty of time to celebrate. We're going to save the big party energy for January Best of Party, but we're going to schedule a special Southern Fried Karaoke and perhaps a birthday lounge over the next few weeks. Also, the Reconciliation forum next Thursday is hereby designated a JFP Birthmonth event. September ArtMix will be a special birthday edition for the JFP. (We'll see about wearing party hats and having a cake or something at our table, along with the free wine.) Any other thoughts on where/how to gather in honor of our fifth? I'll get it all in the paper next week. Let's just celebrate for a month in every way we can think of!

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-09-20T08:21:04-06:00

ID

75351

Comment

OH, and the Collective event on the 27th (go after the Reconciliation forum!) counts as an other way to celebrate the JFP's birthmonth, as well as the rebirth of The Collective, which Casey Parks helped started when she was here.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-09-20T08:32:01-06:00

ID

75352

Comment

I think you mean the October ArtMix? I'll wear a party hat!! I'm excited about the Collective event, too... sounds very cool.

Author

music chick

Date

2007-09-20T09:05:28-06:00

ID

75353

Comment

Yes, OCTOBER ArtMix. Sorry! Andi, can you help (wo)man the table? I'm going to be out of town, and Ronni needs helpers? Contact her directly.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-09-20T09:45:35-06:00

ID

75354

Comment

Yes, as far as I know I can be there. That's what I meant about wearing a party hat! I'll shoot her an email. :)

Author

music chick

Date

2007-09-20T09:58:58-06:00