Episode 16: I talk with David & Mike about the re-envisioning of the planetarium in Jackson, MS! I grew up going to the planetarium so it was fun to contemplate how our view of planetariums have changed so drastically with access to new technology, new documentation of space from the newly launched James Webb Space Telescope Launch, and private citizens access to space travel.
Mike Williams: Director of Russell C. Davis Planetarium
Mike Williams, Jackson native and a staunch space science education advocate and self-avowed cosmic nerd. After studying Mass Communications and Graphic Design at Jackson State, Mike embarked upon a career in music production and engineering, training at Malaco records and eventually going on to work on Grammy-nominated musical projects. Along the way his professional range grew to include web development, marketing, and video and film production, including years-long creative and marketing stints with Sean “P. Diddy” Combs Global Enterprises, production on MPB’s Emmy-winning children’s show Ed Said, projects with the Bravo!, OWN, and BET networks, Random House and Penguin Publishing, and a host of other media entities. After living in six different states and two countries, Mike arrived back in Jackson at its planetarium as a production technician, where he would 4 years later become its director. It was then that his new mission of advocacy began to crystallize, and his vision of revitalizing the planetarium began to take shape.
David Lewis: Deputy Director of the Department of Human and Cultural Services for the City of Jackson, overseeing the Cultural Division.
Born and raised in Belhaven, David is undeniably passionate about the city of Jackson. His commitment to finding creative ways to bring life, energy, and awareness to the great places, spaces, and people of Jackson is unwavering. A 2015 graduate of Mississippi State University, David earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture. From 2016-2018, David pursued a Master’s Degree in Urban and Regional Planning at Jackson State University while he also worked as a Project Specialist for the Greater Jackson Arts Council. David is also a member of the Advisory Council for Downtown Jackson Partners. In his role as Deputy Director, he works with the Arts Center of Mississippi, the Russell C. Davis Planetarium, the Smith Robertson Museum, the Municipal Art Gallery, and serves as Manager of Thalia Mara Hall, where he helped usher in a 35% increase in revenue during the 2018-2019 fiscal year. David received the AIA “Friend of Architecture” award in 2018 and Visit Jackson’s SUMMIT “Friend of Tourism” award in 2020. David and his wife, Mary Lee, attend church at Redeemer Jackson and reside in Belhaven with their dogs, Sam and Jack.
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