We spent a lot of time at this restaurant. Dora would come with her friends and we would come here just the two of us, for a night out or for lunch.

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I am writing this article from a table at Keifer’s restaurant located at 710 Poplar Blvd. Jackson, MS. As I write, I wonder if there are traces of Dora still here? I listen for her laughter, a clink of ice from her tea glass, a slight clearing of her throat. I don’t hear a sound.

We spent a lot of time at this restaurant. Dora would come with her friends and we would come here just the two of us, for a night out or for lunch. After Dora’s funeral my friends Patches and Michele brought me to Keifer’s. When we walked in, I felt lost, like something was missing. It had been months since I’d been inside of a restaurant. I really wasn’t sure what to do. I followed Michele and Patches. I was starving. Couldn’t remember the last time I’d eaten. So, I ate, listened to the conversations that surrounded \me and tried to block out the horrible treatment I’d received at Dora’s funeral.

Keifer’s is known for its good food and casual environment. Mediterranean fare served in a casual, BYOB taverna with murals, exposed beams and outdoor tables. One of my favorite dishes is their marinated cucumbers. They are served with thinly sliced onions and cherry tomatoes. All is marinated in a delicious vinegar based sauce.

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On August 12th, I joined Six Feet Apart cast of storytellers to tell my story “A Staycation That Gave Clarity.”

Click the link below for tickets to Sox Feet Apart’s next open mic.

https://septopenmic.eventbrite.com/

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Today I share an episode of the Heartful Healing Hub podcast, hosted by Diane Lanlois, Sound Frequency and Energetic Healing Guide. In this episode, the Flouncer discusses loss, grief and complicated truths associated with rebuilding a life after caregiving, loss and navigating life.

A sincere thank you to Diane for the opportunity to share my story on her podcast. Click the link below to listen.

Heartful Healing Hub podcast

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Katrina Byrd, also known as the Boa Flouncer, is a literary artist and disability advocate. Born visually impaired, Katrina was nullied in school and her abilities were underestimated. Rather than use these experiences to confirm herself as a victim, Katrina develops strong visually impaired characters in her writing.

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VER $1.7 MILLION INVESTED IN THE ARTS IN MISSISSIPPI THROUGH 322 MAC GRANTS FOR FY27

Posted on July 6, 2026

Katrina Byrd, literary artist living in Jackson, received an Artist minigrant to support web design.

Mississippi Arts Commission

(MAC) is investing over $1.7 million in the arts through grants to organizations, schools, and individual artists across Mississippi for Fiscal Year 2027.

With funding from the Mississippi Legislature and continued support from the National Endowment for the Arts, MAC is awarding 322 grants to individuals and organizations throughout Mississippi. In addition, for the first time in its 33-year history, the Folk Arts Apprenticeship Program increased its award amount from $2,000 to $3,000.

Katrina Byrd, also known as the Boa Flouncer, is a literary artist and disability advocate. Born visually impaired, Katrina was nullied in school and her abilities were underestimated. Rather than use these experiences to confirm herself as a victim, Katrina develops strong visually impaired characters in her writing.

After her partner of twenty-three years passed from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis(ALS), Katrina started advocating for ALS cures and treatments.

Katrina uses the Boa Flouncer, her alter ego, in her advocacy and in her literary work. The Boa Flouncer is a sassy diva who wears feather boas and inspires those around her with her humor, colorful outfits and with her zeal for life. Katrina will use her grant funds to build a website to house her products and services.

“MAC is proud to support outstanding artists, arts organizations, and arts programs across Mississippi,” said David Lewis, executive director of MAC. “We are grateful to Governor Reeves and the Mississippi Legislature for continuing to support the arts in Mississippi. With the crucial funding MAC receives from the Mississippi Legislature and support through the National Endowment for the Arts, we consistently witness how our grantees energize their communities through dynamic programming and enhance the lives of Mississippians.”

The awards include:

General Operating Support for 62 arts organizations.

Project support for 81 arts and community-based organizations to foster the continuation of the state’s folk and traditional art forms, support performances and arts programming, and strengthen education in and through the arts

Project support for 17 artists or arts programs to support innovation, propel artists’ careers, and encourage collaboration between artists and communities.

Artist Fellowship awards to 38individual artists across artistic disciplines who demonstrate the ability to create exemplary work in their chosen field.

Mini-Grants to 101 individual artists to support their professional development and 19 arts and community-based organizations to support arts programming and institutional strategic development.

Also included is Mississippi Whole Schools, a MAC program that provides Pre-K-12 educators with intensive professional development to integrate the arts as a vehicle for promoting high-quality instruction and learning across all disciplines. This year, Mississippi Whole Schools accepted four new schools into its Arts in the Classroom program, with a total of 24 schools participating.

In addition, MAC approved 24 artists and performing groups for inclusion in its Artist Roster and three to the Teaching Artist Roster, which features many of the best artists and arts educators in the state. The Artist Roster and Teaching Artist Roster feature artists who create and work at a professional level within their art disciplines and are available for hire. Organizations that receive Mini-Grants are encouraged, but not required, to hire artists from the Artist Roster.

MAC also received funding for the Building Fund for the Arts grant. These funds are allocated separately, and the announcement will be made at a later date.

To view a list of recipients, visit https://arts.ms.gov/grant-recipients/.

To see the complete list of grantees, information about MAC’s grant programs, Artist Roster, and other services, visit the agency’s website at arts.ms.gov.

Photo Credits:

New Stage Theatre production of Ragtime, photo by Joey Nelms

A.J. Haynes performing at an Across the Table event at the Walter Anderson Museum of Art, photo by Emmi Sprayberry

Installation image from Angi Cooper’s exhibition, Our Wild Kin, Playhouse on the Square (Memphis, TN), June 2026, photo courtesy of the artist.

Tools created during an apprenticeship with Shane Morrison and Palmer Robbins, featuring the apprentices’ finished work.

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Choosing this dress shows that I am embracing me, all of me, even my big ass. https://mavely.app.link/V8FM8BmvVZb.

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Why did you choose the emerald Green Autumn Elegant Dining Women Vintage Square Neck Backless Bodycon Knit Mid-Length Dress,Sleeveless Ruffle Hem Party Cocktail Dress?https://mavely.app.link/V8FM8BmvVZb.

I chose this dress for several reasons. Green is my favorite color. It is the color of growth and the color associated with the heart chakra. I also have this dress in multiple colors including red which I wore when I traced to Washington DC for the I AM ALS Flag Event. The stretch material makes it easy for walking, sitting or searching for Dora’s flag. The material is also wrinkle free, so it is easy to pack. As Dora would say, “You can roll it. Up in the toe of sock and it wouldn’t get wrinkled.”

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