Taste of West Jackson

Overview

Prepare yourself for a fun-filled day of food, music, and community during the return of the Taste of West Jackson. Our event aims to celebrate the vibrant culture and culinary scene in West Jackson, bringing together local chefs, restaurants, food enthusiasts, nonprofit and for-profit vendors, families, and community members. All proceeds from this fundraising event will benefit the Refill Jackson Initiative (RJI).

“West Jackson is the heartbeat of the Capitol City,” said Representative Zakiya Summers (MS-68) who also serves as a RJI board member. “The Taste of West Jackson is an opportunity to showcase the assets and promote positivity within the community.” Notable features will include the Taste Competition for food vendors, Taste of the Arts for creatives and entertainers, Taste of Business, and Taste of Fun for the kiddos.

John Perkins, also known as "Big John," lead pastor of Common Ground Covenant Church, started Taste of West Jackson back in 2016. The festival continued for four years, amassing more than 1,000 attendees annually. It featured the best of the best in food and music, and celebrated the economic and community development happening all across the West Jackson community. The Refill Jackson Initiative is honored to continue this legacy and invites the public to be a part of this incredible event. Aside from the incredible food, event-goers can enjoy live music performances, a Children's Village, and vendors from the profit and non-profit community. RJI will offer a taste of all of the resources located in and around West Jackson.

Based in West Jackson, The Refill Jackson Initiative (RJI) is a nonprofit with a mission to empower young adults ages 18 to 24 so that they are more equipped and motivated to enter into the workforce and be self-sufficient. “Since our inception, we have trained more than 160 young people with a 78-percent success rate of moving them into employment or education,” said Carol Burger, RJI Board Chair. “With our partners, RJI is breaking barriers to the workforce, helping cohort members put in actionable personal and professional goals, and creating a healthier, wealthier West Jackson for everyone.”

For more information about RJI and to sign-up to participate in the Taste of West Jackson, visit our website at refilljackson.org.