What does it mean to call Mississippi home? Why do people choose to leave or live in this weird, wonderful, and sometimes infuriating place? You likely know Landon Bryant from his often hilarious, sometimes controversial (when it comes to sugar or salt on grits), and always insightful “let’s discuss…” monologues on Southern culture. Landon grew up and still lives in Laurel, Mississippi. As his online presence has grown, so, too, have the opportunities outside of the state. But Mississippi, he says, will always be his “home base.”

Where are you from?

Laurel, Mississippi

How long have you lived in Mississippi?

My entire life.

What does “home” mean to you? How does Mississippi fit into that definition?

Home means my people. A house can be a home but a house is just a shell without love or memories of love. Mississippi is my home and it is full of people I love. 

I get to show off our state to the world and revel in the good things about Mississippi with people who may not know how wonderful this place can be. 

How have you cultivated community in Mississippi? Who are the people who have made you feel rooted here?

I share the best parts of our culture with the world and invite them to discuss life and the intricacies of living in the South on my social media platforms. I get to show off our state to the world and revel in the good things about Mississippi with people who may not know how wonderful this place can be. 

What’s the weirdest question or assumption you’ve encountered about Mississippi (or about you as a Mississippian) by someone who’s never been here?

I hear the stereotype about not wearing shoes all the time. My response is always the same: “We aren’t barefoot—there’s ants and stickers in the yard.” 

It’s very easy to focus on the things that aren’t great about our state but I think it’s more powerful to focus on the things that bring us together.

How has living in Mississippi affected your identity and your life’s path?

Living in Mississippi has defined my entire life. I can’t imagine who I’d be if I wasn’t born and raised here. I certainly wouldn’t be sharing the nuances of Mississippi culture with the world if I didn’t grow up surrounded by this culture. 

What is something that you’ve learned about Mississippi only by living here? In what ways has Mississippi lived up to your expectations?

One thing Mississippi can teach you if you live here is how to live everyday focused on the positive. It’s very easy to focus on the things that aren’t great about our state but I think it’s more powerful to focus on the things that bring us together.

We live in spaces full of people who don’t look exactly the same and we are stronger for that. Our culture is rich because of the many rich cultures found here. 

Do you ever consider moving away someday? Does a sense of duty keep you rooted here?  Do you have a “tipping point”?

I don’t really think about moving away. I have a lot of opportunities in places like Nashville, New York, and L.A. and I’m sure I’ll gratefully take some of those. But, my home base will always be here. This place is part of who I am on a fundamental level and no matter how far I go, I’ll always be home when I’m here. 

What do you wish the rest of the country understood about Mississippi?

I wish the rest of the country understood the love and care we have for each other here. There are plenty of people who don’t line up with my values, but that’s the case everywhere. I wish people could see how we are such a diverse place and we live in that diversity everyday—we don’t just talk about it from a room full of people who look exactly like us. We live in spaces full of people who don’t look exactly the same and we are stronger for that. Our culture is rich because of the many rich cultures found here. 

We aren’t barefoot—there’s ants and stickers in the yard.

Do you have a favorite Mississippi writer, artist, or musician who you think everyone needs to know about?

I think Jesmyn Ward is a literary powerhouse and, if they don’t already, literature students from around the world will (and should) study her work.

If you had one billion dollars to invest in Mississippi, how would you spend your money?

I know that every child deserves the opportunity to advance themselves in this world and I believe quality public education could provide those opportunities. I would spend time researching how best to help teachers and students in our state and then put the money towards them—the teachers and students.

What or who do you want to shamelessly promote? (It can absolutely be a project you’re working on, or something you are involved in.)

I want to promote the Mississippi Arts Commission. They are a wonderful organization dedicated to promoting art and artists in Mississippi through programs like Mississippi Whole Schools where schools are provided with the resources and education to teach academics using the arts. I taught at The Laurel Magnet School of the Arts, a public school that used this method, and I personally saw how valuable an arts-based education can be.

Landon Bryant is a dynamic force in the world of social media, rapidly gaining fame as an influential Southern storyteller. His journey, however, roots back to his days as an acclaimed Art teacher at LMSA and as the Youth Art Month Coordinator for the Mississippi Art Education Association. Landon's leadership and expertise have shone in various educational and art-related roles. He has graced the New York Times front page and is working on his first book. Known for his captivating speaking engagements, Landon leaves audiences deeply satisfied, blending his rich experience in education with his fresh, influential voice from the South.

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