Roy Howard Community Journalism Center to Host Inaugural Community Tour

Thu, 09/10/2026 - 09:32am | By: Ame Posey

The Roy Howard Community Journalism Center’s (RHCJC) Community Tour is a new initiative designed to bring journalism, community conversations, media literacy and civic engagement directly into communities across Southeast Mississippi. Each tour will highlight a different host community.

On Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, RHCJC will host its inaugural Community Tour at The Lumberton Church from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free lunch will be provided.

What to Expect
Throughout the day, attendees can participate in:

• Community Conversations - Hear from community leaders about issues affecting Lumberton and the surrounding region.
• Journalism and Storytelling - Learn how local journalism strengthens communities and share story ideas with working journalists.
• Community Skills Lab - Hands-on sessions led by RHCJC students and staff about social media, Canva and working with the media.
• Media Literacy - Interactive workshops through the Center’s “Ask Me What Is True?” initiative.
• Community Connections Lunch - A free lunch bringing together residents, organizations, businesses, educators, journalists and local leaders.
• Community Showcase - Visit vendors from local businesses, nonprofits, churches, civic organizations, schools, healthcare providers and community agencies.

The inaugural Community Tour is being held in partnership with Lumberton Main Street Association, The Lumberton Post and Community Collaborator Arlicia Jordan.

RHCJC will also host a Community Coffee at the Lumberton Cafe ahead of the tour on Friday, Sept. 18, from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. The center invites everyone to come grab a free cup of coffee.

For more information about the Inaugural RHCJC Community Tour or Community Coffee, visit www.RHCJCnews.com, or contact Abria Turner at abria.turnerFREEMississippi and Ame Posey at Ame.PoseyFREEMississippi.

About the Roy Howard Community Journalism Center
The Roy Howard Community Journalism Center at The University of Southern Mississippi is a nonprofit, student-powered newsroom serving 10 counties across Southeast Mississippi through community journalism, multimedia storytelling, media literacy education and civic engagement.

Since launching in 2025, the Center has:

• Hired more than 50 student journalists
• Published more than 350 stories and fact-checks
• Built partnerships with 60+ media organizations
• Conducted media literacy workshops across Mississippi
• Earned 18 Mississippi Association of Broadcasters Awards

Our mission is simple: Reporting What Matters.

About the College of Arts and Sciences 
The College of Arts and Sciences at The University of Southern Mississippi is home to 13 schools, two ROTC units, and more than 100 academic programs. Guided by the University’s mission, we educate students, lead the state and nation in research and the creative arts, and advance knowledge across the humanities, social sciences, and STEM. Through innovative research and nationally recognized student success, we provide pathways to understanding the past, solving today's challenges, and imagining the possibilities of tomorrow.