Kevin Parkinson: Choosing Jackson

Why would a family put down roots in Jackson when so many others have left?

In this episode of The Empower Podcast, Grant sits down with Ward 7 City Councilman Kevin Parkinson, an educator who came to Mississippi for a two-year teaching assignment and stayed. Kevin shares why he chose Jackson, what led him to run for office, and what he has learned during his first year on the City Council.

They discuss the city services Jackson must get right, its progress on water and public safety, and the challenges that remain. Kevin explains how population loss and perceptions of the city reinforce each other, while Jackson’s neighborhoods, culture, and people give him hope for its future.

The conversation also explores Kevin’s experience as a school principal, the value of giving families more education options, and why he believes Jackson is a place worth investing in.