Events

Overby Center Events

“Overby Center program explores history of Black gospel music with live performance”

Wednesday, February 25, 2025 — The Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics hosted “Free Speech, Freedom Songs, and the Music of Liberation” on February 25 in the Overby auditorium as part of Black History Month.

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“Overby Center will present program on iconic Whiskey Speech by Soggy Sweat on March 24”

March 24, 2026 —

The Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics will present a program on Soggy Sweat’s iconic Whiskey Speech on Tuesday, March 24. The program will feature a screening of a documentary film on the speech, followed by a discussion of the historical context and importance of the speech. Cosponsors for the event are the University of Mississippi School of Law, the Mississippi Judicial College, and the Lafayette County Bar Association.

Event overview

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Overby Center program explores history of Black gospel music with live performance
Overby Center program explores history of Black gospel music with live performance

The Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics hosted “Free Speech, Freedom Songs, and the Music of Liberation” on February 25 in the Overby auditorium as part of Black History Month. 

Overby Center will present program on iconic Whiskey Speech by Soggy Sweat on March 24
Overby Center will present program on iconic Whiskey Speech by Soggy Sweat on March 24

The Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics will present a program on Soggy Sweat’s iconic Whiskey Speech on Tuesday, March 24. The program will feature a screening of a documentary film on the speech, followed by a discussion of the historical context and importance of the speech. Cosponsors for the event are the University of Mississippi School of Law, the Mississippi Judicial College, and the Lafayette County Bar Association.

Only a Pawn in Their Game: Bob Dylan, Medgar Evers and the Delta Folk Jubilee of 1963
Only a Pawn in Their Game: Bob Dylan, Medgar Evers and the Delta Folk Jubilee of 1963

As Mississippi celebrates the 100th anniversary of Medgar Evers’ birth, his daughter Reena Evers-Everette, joined by Mississippi Today’s Jerry Mitchell and Dr. RJ Morgan, a professor at Ole Miss, talked about how she remembered her father and how Mitchell played such a big role within her family. 

USA TODAY Washington Bureau chief Susan Page says Trump has instituted broad change in first 100 days 
USA TODAY Washington Bureau chief Susan Page says Trump has instituted broad change in first 100 days 

The first 100 days of the Trump administration and interviewing notable women such as Barbara Walters were discussed in a program at the Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics. Susan Page, Washington Bureau chief for USA TODAY and a veteran reporter and observer of American politics, discussed her journalistic career.

Only a Pawn in Their Game: Bob Dylan, Medgar Evers and the Delta Folk Jubilee of 1963
Only a Pawn in Their Game: Bob Dylan, Medgar Evers and the Delta Folk Jubilee of 1963

The music and early civil rights work of legendary singer-songwriter Bob Dylan will be the focus of a fall program at the Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics. “Songs of Freedom: Bob Dylan’s Mississippi,” will be presented Oct. 8 at 5:30 p.m. in the Overby Center Auditorium on the Ole Miss campus.

Veteran USA TODAY Washington reporter Susan Page to headline Overby program
Veteran USA TODAY Washington reporter Susan Page to headline Overby program

Susan Page, Washington bureau chief for USA Today and a veteran reporter and observer of American politics, will appear at the Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics on Tuesday, April 29. 

Author Ron Collins on Till: Confront injustice by shining a light on it
Author Ron Collins on Till: Confront injustice by shining a light on it

The tragic events of the murder of Emmett Till in 1955 and the farcical trial that followed were discussed in a program at the Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics on Oct. 9.  Author Ronald Collins discussed his new book, “Tragedy on Trial: The Story of the Infamous Emmett Till Murder Trial.”

Overby Center hosts Great Conversations luncheon
Overby Center hosts Great Conversations luncheon

Listen to the audio of the Great Conversations luncheon with Dean Slabach. The Overby Center hosted the Great Conversations luncheon with students, faculty, and invited guests.

Gen. Clark says partisan division is affecting America’s global influence and his foundation helps to ‘Renew America’
Gen. Clark says partisan division is affecting America’s global influence and his foundation helps to ‘Renew America’

In a jointly-sponsored program by the Lott Leadership Institute and the Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics, General Wesley K. Clark, former Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, and Overby Center chairman Charles Overby joined in a discussion on Feb. 27 in the Overby Auditorium.

Photo Gallery – “Renewing America Together” Panel
Photo Gallery – “Renewing America Together” Panel

View the photo gallery of the "Renewing America, Renewing Hope" panel. In a jointly-sponsored program by the Lott Leadership Institute and the Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics, General Wesley K. Clark, former Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, and Overby Center chairman Charles Overby joined in a discussion on Feb. 27 in the Overby Auditorium.

Primer: Gen. Clark foundation helps to ‘Renew America.’
Primer: Gen. Clark foundation helps to ‘Renew America.’

Next week, the Overby Center will delve into the importance of empowering leaders for civil impact with a discussion featuring General Wesley K. Clark, former Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, and Overby Center chairman Charles Overby.

Panel Photo Gallery – Objectivity and Fairness
Panel Photo Gallery – Objectivity and Fairness

View the photo gallery of the "Objectivity & Fairness" panel held on Nov. 2. Walter Hussman, Jr., publisher of the Arkansas Democrat Gazette, joined the conversation of objectivity with Overby Center chairman Charles Overby.