their culture they re proud about. they call it the mighty mississippi for a reason. i think that goes beyond the current. it s about the impact this river has had on what we become as a nation and what we decide to become as a nation. i m carlton mccoy, raised in inner city d.c., educated in kitchens around the globe. these days i make a living as a master sommelier. i m a nomad, driven to move in and out of different cultures, different worlds. to celebrate diversity by embracing what makes us both unique and the same. after all, we carry our travels with us to our next destination. that s what life is all about. let s do this. i grew up in washington, d.c., raised by my grandmother who is from virginia. so i always felt i had one foot in the south. but as a young child, i was taught to fear the south a little bit because of the deep scars of our family s past. it s very easy for someone who was raised in the black community to come here and feel very negative thoughts abou
operates. the concept of southern hospitality still exists here. no matter what color you are, what political party, there is a warmth here where people want you to come in. they want to show you a part of their culture they re proud about. they call it the mighty mississippi for a reason. i think that goes beyond the current. it s about the impact this river has had on what we become as a nation and what we decide to become as a nation. i m carlton mccoy, raised in inner city d.c., educated in kitchens around the globe. these days i make a living as a master sommelier. i m a nomad, driven to move in and out of different cultures, different worlds. to celebrate diversity by embracing what makes us both unique and the same. after all, we carry our travels with us to our next destination. that s what life is all about. let s do this. i grew up in washington, d.c., raised by my grandmother who is from virginia. so i always felt i had one foot in the south. but as a young child,
my stand-up comedy specials here at the alamo theater. rita brent is a force. born and raised in jackson, she believes a city with soul has a bright future. rita grew up playing the drums in her church, went on to be an army corps drummer and a musician, only to give it all up for stand-up comedy. you re at work and you re doing number two, you got to hurry your ass up. you got to get in and get out before somebody see your shoes. can i get a witness? you re a hometown hero. yeah, the last show i did at the alamo was september 29th. it was called sip on this tea. i have some tea to share. the tea was i m moving to new york, but also i m coming out of the closet. one of the reasons we got divorced, y all, and i ll be completely honest, i forgot to tell my husband that i like women. we re on ferris street, once the hub of black entertainment and commerce, the signs of neglect are obvious. but the recently renovated
here, i think it s a necessity to move on. so i think it s incredible that you did this. thank you. i know there has been controversy around tate and his film the help, but i have to tell you, after spending time with tate and john, it s clear their efforts are having a positive impact on mississippi. we all know there is an enormous amount of work to be done in this country concerning race. basically, america needs some therapy. by confronting our dark history, we can set the stage for future progress. another place worthy of a second look is the state capital of jackson. as i m learning on this trip, mississippi has no shortage of hometown heroes cheering it on. we re passing the alamo theater right now. i have just a special connection to this place. as a stand-up comedian, i ve done all four of my stand-up comedy specials here at the alamo theater. rita brent is a force. born and raised in jackson, she