How to Live Like a Local in Jackson, MS
Toni Cooley is an accomplished and well-respected member of the Jackson community. Born into an Air Force family, Cooley spent her early years moving a lot and living in many different locations. She attended Stephens College in Minnesota and worked at Turner International in Georgia before settling down in Jackson, MS. Cooley is currently president of Systems Electro Coating, which she co-founded with her father, and has served on many corporate boards throughout her decades-long career. Cooley shares her 29 years of experience living in Jackson.
How would you describe the culture or personality of Jackson?
Jackson is so charming; it’s a place that draws you in. Inevitably, every person who has ever visited, whether from another U.S. or international community, is taken with it. They always say, “I don’t want to leave.”
Visitors learn that Jackson is the people who comprise it, who do phenomenal work in their areas of interest or where they find themselves. We are caring and welcoming to a person. Jacksonians are life’s wonderful tapestry. We are Jackson.
How does Jackson compare to other places you’ve lived?
I find Jackson to be a microcosm of Mississippi – warm, hospitable, neighborly. It’s a place where the “systems” are easy to access. You can readily meet the state, city and local leaders, and become immediately involved in diverse community activities.
In spite of some of its challenges, it’s one of the nation’s best-kept secrets. I’ve lived in large metropolitan areas – Washington, D.C., Minneapolis and Atlanta – prior to Jackson. These were fast-paced environments comprised of residents who were not accepting of outsiders, took inordinate amounts of time to get to and from work and entertainment, and were segregated between natives and transients. Jackson is the converse.
What are some of your favorite spots in town?
Two of my favorite coffee shops are Soule and Urban Foxes. As far as restaurants go, I love Johnny T’s Bistro & Blues, Sugar’s Place and Char Restaurant. Clearly, I do a lot of eating out. I love shopping at Conkrete Sneaker Boutique and Maison Weiss, and my favorite museum is Two Mississippi Museums (which comprises the Museum of Mississippi History and Mississippi Civil Rights Museum).
What do you do for fun and entertainment?
I love Tuesday Night Jazz with Raphael Semmes at Hal & Mal’s, as well as their Monday Night Blues. I also attend various community programs/projects, such as those held by West Jackson’s the Bean Path and the Center for Social Entrepreneurship (CSE).
What are some of your favorite local events?
I enjoy attending football and basketball games at Jackson State University. I also really love the Mississippi Book Festival and Friday Forum at Refill Cafe in West Jackson.
