From the 1940s to the 1960s, the Ebony Theater held a significant position in Jackson, with a lasting effect on its cultural and historical landscape. A Black-owned theater in Jackson during Jim Crow segregation laws, the theater played a central role in the city's Black community, serving as a vital cultural hub. Black people were not allowed to enter white theaters in Mississippi as patrons or audience members under segregation restrictions that enforced racial separation in public accommodations until the mid-1960s.

A Place to Watch, Sit, and Simply Be

The Ebony was a place for Black people to watch what they wanted and sit where they wanted without confrontation. Located in the 900 Block of the historic John R. Lynch Street corridor, the Ebony was surrounded by an abundant civil rights community, including sites such as the NAACP office (formerly Medgar Evers' office), the Masonic Temple, and the COFO Civil Rights Education Center. In an effort to restore and recreate a similar look and feel, Jackson State University's Office of Community Engagement is seeking submissions to provide pivotal guidance.

Help Preserve the Ebony's Story

"I am collecting memorabilia, photos, and old memories," said Zaria Miller, a Community Planner at Jackson State University. "We want it to stay as preserved as we can. We want to be able to preserve that history. What we know is that we want to keep the original signage of the Ebony Theater, like the dramatic old nostalgia, cinema-type of look."

JSU is seeking to document the theater's noteworthy time and location to ensure the story never dies. Submissions of stories and photos of the venue and patrons from its illustrious cinematic history will help preserve the memory of the building as it was in its original form. Old newspaper clippings, flyers, tickets, and short interviews are also welcome. JSU has received more than $2 million to revitalize the area.

Funding and the John R. Lynch Street Corridor Revitalization Project

"We have received funding from the Mellon Foundation to start the redevelopment plan," Miller said of the sizeable donation. "We also have other funding from Home Depot, USDA, and others."

The Ebony is included in the Plan Study for the 900 Block Revitalization and Streetscape area as a small part of the larger project, the John R. Lynch Street Corridor Revitalization Project, a comprehensive historic preservation and community revitalization plan spearheaded by Jackson State University (JSU). The goal is to preserve the rich African American history along the corridor while promoting economic development and cultural tourism for JSU, West Jackson, and the city as a whole by focusing on protecting historic structures.

"We do plan to break ground very soon," Miller said.

If you have any historical contributions about the Ebony Theater, please email Zaria Miller at zaria.s.miller@jsums.edu.