As we examine legacies of commemoration and ongoing discussions centered around Black History Month, we’re featuring a collection of speeches presented at the “Heritage for New America” public forum, funded by the Mississippi Committee for the Humanities (now the Mississippi Humanities Council) at Jackson State in February 1980. The forum was centered around the question,...Read More

The COFO Civil Rights Education Center will reopen on Monday, February 9! Due to J. R. Lynch Street construction, we ask that visitors park in the Short Street parking lot. Please see the instructions and map below. Gallery 1 maintains its normal hours. Parking for buses and cars is available in the Short Street parking...Read More

Deciding that she would rather celebrate his birth and achievements rather than focus on his death, our founder, Margaret Walker, sponsored one of the first birthday convocations for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., on January 12, 1969, at Jackson State University. As part of Dr. Alexander’s legacy, the Margaret Walker Center continues this annual event....Read More

Call for Proposals The Margaret Walker Center invites proposals for papers, presentations, and panels for the 20th Annual Creative Arts & Scholarly Engagement (CASE) Festival, scheduled for Friday and Saturday, April 10 & 11, 2026. The CASE Festival will feature a keynote address by Dr. Evie Shockley, Director of Creative Writing and Writers and the...Read More

Head to COFO on Tuesday, December 9, at 5:00 p.m. for a book panel and signing with civil rights and history scholars Jere Nash, D’Andra Orey, and Justin Randolph as they discuss their new works! Their books will be available for purchase through Lemuria on-site, along with light refreshments. Jere Nash: Reconstruction in Mississippi, 1862-1877 D’Andra...Read More

Join us in honoring the profound legacy of the U.S. Colored Troops who served during the Civil War! Part of a nationwide program created by the African American Civil War Memorial Museum, the event will include the history of the troops and our sponsored regiment as well as musical performances and the reading of the...Read More

Mississippi’s literary tapestry is woven with the distinct voices, past and present, of authors who evoke a powerful sense of place, resonant imagery, and characters that remain with you long after you’ve turned the last page.   We are proud to help bring that history to the community with our new exhibit, “Margaret Walker &...Read More

Join us from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on October 2, 2025, for the grand opening of our new Margaret Walker exhibit at Jackson State University! Over 10 years in the making, the exhibit explores Walker’s early life, her literary achievements, her work as a professor at Jackson State University, and her enduring legacy. The grand opening will...Read More

The Margaret Walker Center is hiring! We are looking for a Mellon Foundation Visiting Scholar in digital humanities and modern African American history. The Visiting Scholar is a three-year position and will entail a 1-1 teaching load at Jackson State University as well as the organization of two digital humanities convenings for the community. PhD...Read More

Help us celebrate the birthday of our founder, Margaret Walker Alexander! Born on July 7, 1915, Dr. Alexander founded the Institute for the Study of the Life, History, and Culture of Black People (later the Margaret Walker Center) in 1968 at Jackson State University. This year, on July 3 at noon, join us at the...Read More