Mississippi Native: Al Wheat

"I can’t fault people who choose to leave Mississippi and there may come a day when I do the same, but it won’t change the fact that Mississippi makes me who I am."

What does it mean to call Mississippi home? Why do people choose to leave or live in this weird, wonderful, and sometimes infuriating place? Al Wheat has lived in Mississippi for most of his life, anchored by his friends and fellow University of Southern Mississippi alumni, and the community he has built as an educator and Mississippi History Day organizer. “What started as a program I did with my students has become a strong network of teachers, students, sponsors, and alumni that work together to help promote history education and student research,” he writes. Today, Al shares what keeps him rooted in his home state, including what he claims is Mississippi’s most underrated cuisine!

Al Wheat is from Poplarville, Mississippi.

Where are you from? 

I am originally from Poplarville, Mississippi.

How long have you lived in Mississippi? 

I would say thirty of my thirty-seven years. We bounced around when I was younger, but from sixth grade on, I’ve lived in the state and almost primarily in th…