From the Ground: Recapping The Cookout

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Local organizations pose for a group photo at The Cookout, Justin Hardiman for 'Sipp Talk

With Mississippi making national news around our current Senate race, we wanted to make an intentional effort to center the stories of Mississippians, and organizations on the ground doing the work, and who have been long before the world started watching.

On Sunday, November 8, ‘Sipp Talk hosted The Cookout at the historic Patton House, a media and mobilization mixer bringing together Mississippi creators, community organizers, advocates, and everyday folks to connect, exchange information, and continue to build collective power.

Local creators and press gather to hear from local organizers on the ground to learn accurate information about the current Senate race in Mississippi and affidavit ballot counting, by Justin Hardiman for 'Sipp Talk

The central idea of this gathering is the fact that Mississippi is saving Mississippi. Before the national narrative swoops in, making notes, assumptions and headlines about how Mississippi is handling this Senate race, we wanted to cultivate a space for our local media and creators to hear what's going on from the people leading this moment.

Make no mistake, Mississippi isn't here in this historic moment because of some external power believing in us. We're here because of the people who work tiredly around the clock to make sure our votes is protected and counted.

The organizations who were in the room included JXNology, People's Advocacy Institute, Jackson People's Assembly, Mississippi Votes, Mississippi Center for Justice, ACLU Mississippi, Black Voters Matter and SPLC.