Allison Palmer is looking to get her life back on track. She lives in a women’s shelter and is hoping to find a job to support herself and her husband, who is staying in a men’s shelter.
“I just want to be able to stand on my own two feet,” she said.
Palmer, 55, was one of dozens of jobseekers attending Clocked In, a free workforce expo that aimed to connect employers, jobseekers and community organizations to help people find work, training and other resources.
Maailyah Davis, left, and her mother Sonya Davis fill out employment applications during the Clocked In job fair at the Jackson Medical Mall, Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Jackson. Credit: Vickie D. King/Mississippi TodayDeep South Today, Mississippi Today and the Foundation for the Mid South hosted the event, which took place Tuesday at the Jackson Medical Mall. It was made possible by a grant from the Foundation for the Mid South’s Moving Mississippians Forward Through Employment Initiative.
Another jobseeker, Maailyah Davis, 19, attended with her mother and sister. All three were looking for work. She said she’d been looking for a job for a month, and had an interview coming up. She also said she has had trouble finding job openings. Davis, who has a son, said she’s seeking a part-time job.
“I want to spend time with him but still have a job to make money for him,” she said.
Davis is planning to return to school in the fall and work while being a student.
Palmer said her main challenge is her lack of transportation. She hasn’t been in the job market for eight years, but said she is optimistic.
“I’ve talked to a couple people, and they have some opportunities that I think would be good for me,” she said.
Employers and organizations from a variety of fields had tables at the event where they were offering opportunities and resources.
Edd Blake is the coordinator of business outreach for MCA Powered by NeXT, which provides free training programs for people who want to enter the tech industry.
Blake said events like Clocked In are important for breaking down barriers.
“It’s all about access,” he said.
A curious job seeker visits with U.S. Navy reps during the Clocked In job fair event held at the Jackson Medical Mall, Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Jackson. Credit: Vickie D. King/Mississippi TodayAccelerate Mississippi Director of Strategic Alignment Blaise King, left, speaks with Mississippi Today higher education reporter Candice Wilder during the Clocked In job fair at the Jackson Medical Mall, Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Jackson. Credit: Vickie D. King/Mississippi TodayDelores McKinnis, left, and her daughter Crystal McKinnis, center, both with Primerica, answer questions during the Clocked In job fair at the Jackson Medical Mall on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Jackson. Credit: Vickie D. King/Mississippi TodayJobseekers visit with prospective employers during the Clocked In job fair at the Jackson Medical Mall on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Jackson. Credit: Vickie D. King/Mississippi TodayJob seekers visit with prospective employers during the Clocked In job fair at the Jackson Medical Mall on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Jackson. Credit: Vickie D. King/Mississippi TodaySurge Reginal Manager Lindsay Stevens, right, answers questions during the Clocked In job fair at the Jackson Medical Mall, Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Jackson. Credit: Vickie D. King/Mississippi TodayJobseekers visit with prospective employers during the Clocked In job fair at the Jackson Medical Mall on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Jackson. Credit: Vickie D. King/Mississippi TodayJobseekers visit with prospective employers during the Clocked In job fair at the Jackson Medical Mall on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Jackson. Credit: Vickie D. King/Mississippi TodayEdd Blake, coordinator for business outreach at the Mississippi Coding Academy (MCA) Powered by NeXT, demonstrates virtual droning during the Clocked In job fair at the Jackson Medical Mall on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Jackson. Credit: Vickie D. King/Mississippi TodayMississippi Coding Academy (MCA) Powered by NeXT drone equipment and information on display for potential employees at the Clocked In job fair at the Jackson Medical Mall on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Jackson. Credit: Vickie D. King/Mississippi TodayKingdom Covenant Care Director of Care Alisha White, right, answers questions and offers company information during the Clocked In job fair at the Jackson Medical Mall on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Jackson. Credit: Vickie D. King/Mississippi TodayDonte Jones, left, and other MAGCOR representatives answer questions and hand out company information during the Clocked In job fair at the Jackson Medical Mall on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Jackson. Credit: Vickie D. King/Mississippi TodayJob seekers visit with prospective employers during the Clocked In job fair at the Jackson Medical Mall on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Jackson. Credit: Vickie D. King/Mississippi TodayLindsay Stevens, the regional manager at SURGE Staffing, echoed the same point. She said that people in central Mississippi often lack resources.
“I see them come into our offices every day, and they’re looking for jobs, but they don’t know how to apply for jobs or other resources that they may need to gain good employment,” she said.
Donte Jones, director of reentry at MAGCOR, a nonprofit organization that provides support services and job training for people who are currently and formerly incarcerated. He said he wanted to raise awareness about his organization.
“Sometimes they’re a little shy about coming out and trying to find out information because they’ve been told certain things or stigmas or barriers are out there,” Jones said of people who had been incarcerated.
“But there’s a lot of programs and services out there to make sure that they get out and stay out and do well and become tax-paying, law-abiding citizens.”
The expo also featured live conversations with community leaders and Mississippi Today employees about challenges facing Mississippi’s job market and economy.
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