MEET THE SOUTHSIDE PLANNING TEAM

Since 2019 the Southside Summer Fest began with excitement for what it could mean for the future. It began in partnership with Jackson Citizens Advisory Council when launching the Southside Mural which gave birth to Southside Summer Fest. Now known as the #SouthsideFestivalSeries, the planning team has diligently and consistently carried on this annual tradition. Meet the team!

Salena Taylor

Founder of Partial 2 Girls

Salena has been a part of the planning team since 2019 and brings the experience of a community resource organizer and hosts Southside Festival Series with the passion of a community leader dedicated to serving her neighbors.

Yhosef Ware

Artist

Yhosef is a retired US Air Force and a life long professional artist and when called in 2018 to lead a design team of artists to paint a mural commemorating the Southside, Yhosef answered the call and lead the team that produced the Southside mural revealed in 2019 at the first annual Summer Fest. Yhosef officially joined the planing team in 2020 and leads the SouthsideFestivalSeries Grounds Crew.

Myeshia Jones

Host of Monday’s With My

Myeshia is a well known community leader and voice of young people, using her story and experience to inspire the next generation. Myeshia joined the planning team in 2021 and leads the community engagement and public relations of Southside Festival Series

Toneka Smith

Owner, T. Smith Consulting

Toneka is a Business consultant helping new and emerging businesses get started while mentoring them along the way. Topeka joined the planning team in 2022 and leads the Funding Development and Strategic Planning of SouthsideFestivalSeries

Hakim Crampton

Founder of AMEN 4 Youth website corportate sponsor southside summerfest series

Inspired by Debra Green, founder of H.A.P.E. who launched the Southside Fall Festival in 2008, Hakim modeled the SouthsideFestivalSeries after this Fall Festival and the vision of Debra Green to see a thriving southside community where both community, businesses and organizations all comes together. With these visions together blended with the Southside mural, Hakim continues to lead this team envisioning a thriving community centered in the heart of the Southside at Elnora Moorman Plaza along the MLK Equality Trail.