Mississippi Native: Gregory Johnson
"I’m happy with who I’ve grown up to be and I’ve never been more sure of who I am now. I love being Black and I’d choose being Black in every lifetime."
What does it mean to call Mississippi home? Why do people choose to leave or live in this weird, wonderful, and sometimes infuriating place? After pursuing a career in Los Angeles, filmmaker Gregory Johnson has returned to his native Moss Point, where he continues to innovate around film and media with his production company Owl Next Door. Though he always felt “different” from his peers growing up, Greg remains rooted to Mississippi through his family and his connection to Mississippi Black culture. Greg writes: “I wish the rest of our country would look past the veil of our trauma and bloodshed and see the love and culture born from the mundane.” Today Gregory Johnson shares how he has been shaped by the long legacy of Mississippi creativity and ingenuity.
Where are you from?
I’m from Moss Point, Mississippi.
How long have you lived in Mississippi?
I’ve lived here all my life. I moved to California back in 2023 for film school and finally returned this year.
What does “home” mean to you? How does Mississippi fit into that definition?
“Home” just makes me think of whatever makes me serene. The orange sunsets, nightly frog croaks, the unity between citizens. Mississippi is the literal definition of southern bliss and hospitality! As much as I love LA and being in a big city, I think the quiet country lifestyle will always be my preference.
Living in Mississippi has given me the most honest and unfortunate truth about being a Black man in America. There’s really no other place to learn about how you’ll really be treated outside of the South or around the world.
How have you cultivated community here in Mississippi? Who are the people who have made you feel rooted here?
As a kid, I was sheltered from the outside world due to what felt like anxiety from my parents about my town and its reputation. In high school, I joined Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) in hopes of developing leadership skills and breaking out of my shell (which I did eventually). Going out with friends outside of school was rare, but when I would, some of the best times were had. I only have a handful of friends here I still communicate with but besides that, the only roots I have here are with family. My parents, sisters, and nephews ground me in moments of weakness or despair. They remind me to keep going and that things will be alright.
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?
Honestly, I get more surprise reactions saying I’m from Mississippi than weird questions about how it is. People usually inquire if it’s still racist but they ask from the perspective of thinking it’s the same racism from the Jim Crow/Reconstruction era. It’s not…but that dark spiritual energy still haunts our land and public image to this day.
How has living in Mississippi affected your identity and your life’s path?
Living in Mississippi has given me the most honest and unfortunate truth about being a Black man in America. There’s really no other place to learn about how you’ll really be treated outside of the South or around the world. I struggled with my identity in every aspect for the longest time as a kid. Being labeled “The Whitest Black Kid” due to my intellect and voice, constant speculation of my sexuality from my peers, being taken advantage of by people I trusted...all because I was different. I feel like I owe it to my younger self to finally solidify my identity after processing many traumas and micro-aggressions over the years. Now I’m twenty-three years old…I’m happy with who I’ve grown up to be and I’ve never been more sure of who I am now. I love being Black and I’d choose being Black in every lifetime.
The only real expectation I have from Mississippi is for us to have great food, and, to no one’s surprise, we have the best food in the country.
What is something that you’ve learned about Mississippi only by living here? In what ways has Mississippi lived up to your expectations?
I recently just learned that a lot of Mississippi buildings or plazas that go empty and rot for years can’t be taken over by the city it’s in due to state laws! The state rarely gives any city leeway to do as they wish with their controlled property once it’s abandoned which I think is insane. We could have more restaurants, movie theaters, and even parks if power were actually given to city lawmakers.
The only real expectation I have from Mississippi is for us to have great food, and, to no one’s surprise, we have the best food in the country.
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 see myself in Mississippi for a long period of time as I get older. I already have plans to travel the world and be elsewhere, especially when my Hollywood career takes off. I enjoy California but I don’t see myself making a promise to live there full time (at least right now). I’ve had that experience of living in another state for more than a year so I don’t think I’m rooted to being back home forever. I’ve had my tipping points of being here (who hasn’t?) but I will never talk down on being from Mississippi.
What do you wish the rest of the country understood about Mississippi?
I wish the rest of our country would look past the veil of our trauma and bloodshed and see the love and culture born from the mundane. We have so many musicians, artists, writers, directors who go unnoticed due to folks believing Mississippi doesn’t have talent! People have their dreams buried here out of fear of failure or jealousy or doubt from the ones closest to them.
People hear “Mississippi” and immediately think we’re people who willingly suffer and just don’t want to be saved. My response to that: It’s not about being saved; it’s about creating something beautiful from nothing. If non-Mississippians had as much compassion for life like we do, we could inch closer to solving problems across the country without prejudice…but that’s a plan that might take another 250 years.
People hear “Mississippi” and immediately think we’re people who willingly suffer and just don’t want to be saved. My response to that: It’s not about being saved; it’s about creating something beautiful from nothing.
Do you have a favorite Mississippi change-maker, writer, artist, or musician who you think everyone needs to know about?
I’ve recently started to get into Richard Wright. He’s a Black man, born near Roxie, MS, who’s written many stories documenting Black men fighting injustice, a corrupt society, and the governmental system. Medger Evers (born in Decatur, MS) is the first change-maker that comes to mind. He was the first field officer in Mississippi for the NAACP. He was a main pioneer for the Civil Rights Movement in Mississippi before being assassinated for his advocacy…just a couple hours after President John F. Kennedy addressed the nation in a speech supporting civil rights. I wouldn’t label myself as an activist but both of these men have influenced me to use my writing and stories to promote change in the world for the greater good.
If you had one billion dollars to invest in Mississippi, how would you spend your money?
I personally want to put more financial emphasis into Mississippi’s film industry and local artists. I would use the funds to strengthen journalism and film studies in all Mississippi schools, encouraging Black kids and adults to pursue creative endeavors locally. I would also love to fund Moss Point in regards to reviving destroyed or abandoned buildings to increase tourism and show what our small, lovely city has to offer.
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’ll put myself out there because why not? I’m a writer who develops surreal, genre-bending screenplays and (future) novels surrounding Black culture under my production company, Owl Next Door. I am also creating my own online video platform to highlight cinema, horror, spirituality, history, and the Black experience in modern-day America.
Gregory Johnson is a filmmaker born and raised in Moss Point, Mississippi. He ventured to Los Angeles to pursue a career in Hollywood. He has developed stories across multiple genres such as horror, thriller, science fiction, and fantasy. He worked on film sets in a range of various positions but gravitated towards writing and directing. He highlights Black historical fiction and sociopolitical context in his works. Greg expands his artistic ability and personality through acting, photography, essays, and lighting design.
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As my grandmother would say, "Tell yo' story, baby; tell yo' story." Here's to another Mississippi storyteller about to add more necessary fabric to our wonderful literary quilt.