African Americans in Mississippi facts for kids
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 1,149,341 (2017) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Jackson metropolitan area, Mississippi Delta, rural majority Black counties throughout the state | |
| Languages | |
| Southern American English, African-American Vernacular English | |
| Religion | |
| Historically Black Protestant | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Black Southerners |
African Americans in Mississippi are people living in Mississippi who have African American family roots. They are also called Black Mississippians. As of 2019, about 37.8% of Mississippi's population was African American. This is the highest percentage in the entire United States.
Many African Americans were first brought to Mississippi long ago. They were forced to come as enslaved people to work on cotton farms.
History
Early Beginnings
In 1718, French leaders made rules to bring enslaved Africans to the Biloxi area. By 1719, the first enslaved Africans arrived. Many of these early enslaved people in Mississippi came from the Caribbean.
Population Changes
For a long time, African Americans made up most of the people in Mississippi. This was true even before the American Civil War and up until the 1930s. Today, about 37% of the state's population is African American.
Some enslaved people had mixed family backgrounds. They might have had European or Native American ancestors.
During the early 1900s, almost 400,000 African Americans left Mississippi. This big move is known as the Great Migration. They moved to cities in the North, Midwest, and West. They were looking for better jobs and more opportunities. After this, African Americans became a smaller part of Mississippi's population.
Famous Mississippians
Many famous African Americans come from Mississippi. They have made important contributions in many fields.
- Mae Bertha Carter - A key figure in the Civil Rights Movement.
- Aunjanue Ellis - A talented actress.
- Fannie Lou Hamer - Another important leader in the Civil Rights Movement.
- John M. Perkins - A figure in the Civil Rights Movement.
- B.B. King - A legendary blues musician.
- Oprah Winfrey - A famous television host, actress, and producer.
- Jerry Rice - A great NFL football player for the San Francisco 49ers.
- Walter Payton - An NFL football player for the Chicago Bears.
- Brandy Norwood - A popular singer and actress.
- Jerome Barkum - An NFL football player for the New York Jets.
- Lester Young - A famous jazz musician who played the tenor saxophone.
- Muddy Waters - An influential blues musician.
- Howlin Wolf - A powerful blues musician.
- Elmore James - A well-known blues musician.
- Swae Lee - A modern musician.
- Karlous Miller - A funny comedian.
- James Earl Jones - A famous actor known for his deep voice.
- Ray J - A singer and TV personality.
- Sam Cooke - A very popular singer.
- Robert Johnson - A legendary blues musician.
- Ruby Bridges - An activist who helped end segregation in schools.
- Medgar Evers - A brave Civil Rights activist.
- Ida B. Wells - An important journalist and activist.
- Big K.R.I.T - A talented rapper.
- Cassi Davis - An actress.
- Shelby McEwen - An athlete.
- Frederick O'Neal - An actor.
- Beah Richards - An actress.
See Also
