BlackNatchez.org a semifinalist for outdoor music grant
Published 5:05 pm Tuesday, August 12, 2025
- A rendering of how a stage could be placed and a seating area at the MLK Triangle. (Submitted)
NATCHEZ — If enough Natchezians vote, Natchez could be in line for a grant that would sponsor 10 live music events free to the public beginning in the Spring of 2026.
Joseph Smith, founder of BlackNatchez.org, told Natchez aldermen Tuesday morning that his organization has been named a semifinalist for a grant from the Levitt Family Foundation.
“We believe thriving public spaces are key to healthy communities. And we believe everyone should have access to free, high-caliber entertainment,” reads the Levitt Family Foundation website. “That’s why we’re passionate supporters of creative placemaking that reimages challenged public spaces — neglected parks, vacant downtown lots, former brownfields — into vibrant, music-filled community hubs.”
Smith said, if the grant is received, concerts should be held at the MLK Triangle. The BlackNatchez.org application was chosen as a semi-finalist from among 300 applicants.
The next phase of the competition will be the community voting, which begins Sept. 5 and ends on Sept. 15.
The grant would fund 10 concerts a year — five in the fall and five in the spring — for three years.
“All performing artists would be paid, and all genres would be welcome with a high-priority on blues, jazz, gospel, southern soul, country and classical music,” Smith said.
He said the concerts would be held on Sunday evenings from 5 to 7 p.m.
“That time would offer the least amount of negative impact on our neighbors — residents and businesses,” Smith said.
He said the plans and grant, if successful, supports the BlackNatchez.org mission, which is to build a thriving heritage tourism ecosystem.
“In our mind, this grant also supports the city and its mission. BlackNatchez.org celebrates the history and culture of African Americans, but it is open to anyone,” he said. “If successful, we would hope to partner with the city, police, fire, EMS, parts and recreation, public works and the city’s community liaison.
Ward 1 Alderwoman Valencia Hall questioned whether the MLK Triangle is the best place for the concerts. The city has received a federal grant to create a park at the triangle with a statue of Hyram Revels, the first Black U.S. Senator.
Smith said, “That’s something we can consider if and when we get to that point. There are lots of places we can consider in the Triangle area.”
He said he was simply providing awareness for the mayor and aldermen about the opportunity his group was seeking.
“I think it is a great thing, a great thing to utilize an underutilized space, and we are a worthy recipient. It’s a great way to bring people to that space and a great way to help visualize how we want that space to become community central. It’s a great way to get that started and get it into people’s heads, what that space can be,” said Ward 6 Alderman Curtis Moroney.
When the time comes, residents will be asked to text the word Natchez to 877-409-5525 on Sept. 5 through 15.
“Nobody has to remember that number right now. We will be promoting it heavily prior to the start of voting,” Smith said.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.natchezdemocrat.com ’
