Bicentennial focus group

How do you create a symbol to celebrate 200 years?

How do you develop something that exemplifies the complexity of an entire city—and celebrates a bicentennial—at the same time?

You do so by talking to the people who live in that city. By bringing together a diverse group of citizens of every age, every zip code, every community and getting real input and honest feedback.

• Jackson is home
• no place like it
• warm and welcoming
• an artistic city
• energetic vibe of downtown
• small town feel

So that’s exactly what we did. We gathered focus groups compromised of residents from every zip code to talk with us about Jackson.

So that’s exactly what we did. We gathered focus groups compromised of residents from every zip code to talk with us about Jackson.

We asked, what does this place mean to you? What is our shared history?

• JSU Homecoming
• St. Paddy’s Parade
• Sonic Boom
• Fondren After 5
• Christmas In Jackson
• Cathead Distillery
• Big Apple Inn’s pig ear sandwiches
• Bright Lights, Belhaven Nights

The good and the bad? The profound and painful as well as the proud, lasting, and beautiful?

• Colorful personalities
• Full of caring people
• Sonic Boom
• Walter Payton
• The parades are awesome
• Like a family member you love but may not always like
• Potholes and declining infrastructure
• A strong sense of family

We asked, what should we create to symbolize this city and mark these 200 years?

What shapes, lines, colors, tones, details can convey the statement we all want to make?

• Circles mean inclusiveness… people returning home after moving away… complete… continuous… never ending… everyone all together…

Taking these thoughts and comments into consideration, artist Reshonda Perryman  went to work creating several logos to choose from, and those options were brought to a new group of Jacksonians who talked them over—and finally, we landed on the logo we have today.

And because this logo was not created in a traditional way, it is not a traditional logo. 

But the statement is clear and true.