"A Night of Storytelling" is a biannual Our Jackson Home event that seeks to create a warm environment for you to dig deeper into the people and places of our city by hearing personal stories from your Jackson neighbors.

The event was created upon seeing the success of theCO's past Pecha Kucha gatherings but wanting to give it an Our Jackson Home twist. So we've gathered some of the best stories of Jackson businesses, passion projects, and artistic endeavors to share with you.

This event is family-friendly and free, where you'll enjoy being told seven Jacksonian tales, hearing some live and local music, and listening to some Jackson poetry—after munching on some tacos from the Takos Borukas food truck, of course. And make sure to grab those tees, illustrated maps, and mugs you've been meaning to get for so long. We will also be launching our brand-new April-July journal—Vol. 3, Issue 1: Identity.

Come hear the stories of your neighbors Friday, April 7 at 7:00 p.m. at theCO, and be on the lookout for our next Night of Storytelling at theCOtoberfest in October!

Stephanie Alexander
The Venue at white oaks farm

Stephanie Alexander is a West Tennessee native, married to her high school sweetheart and the mom to two beautiful children. She loves party planning, DIY renovations, antique shopping, cooking, interior decorating, and farm living. Stephanie's true passion is entertaining friends and family at her home and sharing life experiences together. She and her husband Josh own The Venue at White Oak Farms, opening summer 2017.

Matt Altobell
Jackson Downtown Development CORPORATION

Matt Altobell is the Executive Director of Jackson Downtown Development Corporation. A native of Columbia, Tennessee, Matt came to Jackson in the fall of 2003 to attend Lambuth University, where he majored in Communications with an emphasis in Video and Film Studies. He has chosen to make Jackson his home since college, save for a brief prodigal return to the rolling hills and fabled plateau of his youth. He is a classic film and progressive rock fanatic.

Samuel Bryant
Samuel T. Bryant Distillery

With a family with Jackson roots dating back over a hundred years, Samuel Bryant and his father make some of the best spirits you will find in West Tennessee. Samuel T. Bryant Distillery is located in Jackson just off Exit 74, specializing in whisky, Scottish-style spirits, and homemade moonshine.

Ross Guthrie, Julian Williamson, & RYAN PFLASTERER
 Creators of 30 by Easter

Ross Guthrie is married to Katherine and father to ten children. He has worked as a carpenter/house painter and is now an Anglican Priest at All Saints Anglican Church in Jackson. Julian Williamson raised his family in Jackson and is a native West Tennessean who manages the family farm. His writing is influenced by Robert Burns, Ed Abbey, and Wendell Berry. Ryan Pflasterer has worked as a designer, illustrator, and creative director. He also operates a small printmaking and bookbinding business called Inkwell's Press with the help of his wife Elyzabeth and their three children.

Read Ross's poetry in our April - July 2017 journal (Vol. 3, Issue 1: Identity).

Aaron Hardin
Local Photographer & Union University Professor

Aaron Hardin is an independent photographer based out of Jackson, Tennessee. He was born in the rice fields of central Arkansas but migrated to West Tennessee as a child. His work focuses on life in rural southern communities. Aaron is a graduate of the Hartford Art School International Limited-Residency MFA in Photography program and is currently the Assistant Professor of Visual Communications at Union University.

Read more about Aaron's photography in our Winter 2016-2017 journal (Vol. 2, Issue 4: Origins).

Colton Parker & Skyelor Anderson
Local Musicians

Colton Parker, born in Lexington, Tennessee, has been a full-time musician for the past six years. Current resident of Jackson since 2002, he completed his BA in Entertainment Music Industry at Lambuth University and his MBA at Union University and now travels the country playing music. Skyelor Anderson, a Southaven, Mississippi, native, is a former top-eight season one finalist of The X-Factor. Now twenty-two, he's been on the road since he was sixteen spreading his love for country music.

Read more about Colton's music in our April - July 2017 journal (Vol. 3, Issue 1: Identity).

Maria Tatman
Union University EDGE Student

Maria Tatman is a Jackson native who graduated from Northside High school in 2011 and is currently a second-year EDGE student at Union University. She works for the Old Country Store as their greeter and loves telling stories. 

John Mike & Timond Williams
Loving My 6

John and Timond Williams have been married eleven years and have six beautiful children: Judah, Hannah, Josiah, Jonathan, Zoey, and Zion. Committed to training up their children in the nurture and admonition of Jesus Christ and setting a biblical foundation for them, they homeschool their children. They are also entrepreneurs, own Dynamics Music and Gospel Multitracks, and are creators of the web series "Loving My 6."

Read more about "Loving My 6" on our blog.