FullSizeRender When I moved to Jackson 12 years ago, I noticed a self deprecating mentality in town. It didn't affect me too much while I was busy with my little boys. Once I stepped back into the world and planted myself downtown, it really started to bother me. I can see why Jackson is so down on itself. There are people jonesing for a change. There are some who see nothing wrong with the way this town is. There is quite a bit of flight. There are many reasons to want to leave.

The economic struggles that hit Michigan punched Jackson. We're recovering, so it seems. Many of our industries have moved or shut down, so we need to reimagine Jackson. 

I've watched and admired the Pure Detroit campaign from afar. Whenever in Detroit, I pick up some pro-Detroit gear for myself and my boys. I'm a fan of a pro-Detroit message. When I was a kid, the t-shirts you could don from Detroit showed images of a smiley face with a bullet hole in the head that said "have a nice day." Now, Pure Detroit is working hard along with several other brands and groups that I follow on social media, and they've made Detroit cool again.

I want to make Jackson cool again. I have limited time and resources, so I've channeled my energy in creating notecards. Notecards are things we drop in the mail and send to loved ones near and far. We send friends notes of cheer and sorrow. I want to spread the word to the world that Jackson is more than a prison city. I want us to acknowledge and celebrate our culture. I want us to turn around the way we think about this place. 

Some of us are stuck here. Some of us choose to live here. Let's make the best of it, shall we?

(Notecards are $4 each and can be ordered by calling 517.917.4302 or emailing [email protected])