Smithsonian National Youth Summit Inspires Mississippi Students to Reflect on Education and History
Sixty students from across Mississippi gathered Tuesday, October 14, at the Old Capitol Museum for the state’s first Smithsonian National Youth Summit, an event exploring how education and history influence civic life.
Held in the museum’s historic House Chamber, the program brought together students from the Jackson Public Schools–Tougaloo Early College High School, Richland High School, Pelahatchie High School, North Pike High School, and Brandon High School for a day of discussion, reflection, and learning. Participants examined landmark moments in American education, including Brown v. Board of Education, Alexander v. Holmes, and the student movements that advanced equal access to learning.
The day included two panel discussions. The first, led by Kari Baker, director of education at the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, and Drew Gardner, museum programming manager at MDAH, explored the history of education in Mississippi up to desegregation, with additional context provided by Brother Rogers of the Old Capitol Museum. The second panel focused on current trends and legislation in education and featured State Senator David Blount; Stephen Brown, director of the Briarwood Performing Arts Center; and Terrius Harris, director of Indigenous Partnerships and Inclusive Economy for the American Sustainable Business Network.
For Lauryn Smith, a student in the JPS–Tougaloo Early College High School program, the conversation on Freedom Summer left a lasting impression.
“Education and voting go hand in hand,” Smith said. “The more informed you are, the more informed your vote will be.”
Coordinated by Kari Baker, director of education at MDAH, the summit encouraged students to think critically about the connections between history, education, and the future.