This week on the Mississippi Arts Hour, Lauren talks with poet A. H. Jerriod Avant, the 2024-2025 John and Renee Grisham Writer-In-Residence at the University of Mississippi. Jerriod was born and raised in Longtown, Mississippi. A graduate of Jackson State University, Jerriod has earned MFA degrees from Spalding University and New York University. His debut collection of poetry, Muscadine, was published in 2023. Listen as Jerriod talks about his artistic journey, teaching and writing poetry, and his decision to move back to his hometown last year.

The episode airs on MPB Think Radio on Sunday, March 17, at 5 p.m. CDT. You can also listen on your favorite podcasting app.