Malcolm White

Malcolm White led the Mississippi Arts Commission (MAC), an arts-based granting and servicing agency, for twelve years as Executive Director, before retiring there in September 2020. He also served as director of Visit Mississippi, the state’s tourism office, where he developed and implemented plans to create economic growth and opportunities through tourism, the creative economy and promoted the state as a travel destination and film location. Prior to his time in public service, he worked in the hospitality industry, owning and operating an iconic gathering spot in Jackson - Hal & Mal’s - and organizing special events and festivals throughout the south. White created and continues to produce Hal’s St. Paddy’s Parade that benefits Children’s of Mississippi and generates over $10M in annual economic impact for the City of Jackson. 
A native of Stone County, Mississippi, White holds a bachelor’s degree in social studies from the University of Southern Mississippi. Throughout his career, he has served on numerous civic organizations, boards and commissions including chairing the Mississippi Blues Commission and the Jackson Historic Preservation Commission. ​

White was featured in the 2014 book, Mississippi Entrepreneurs, and has been awarded the Mississippi Humanities Council’s Preserver of Culture Award.  In 2015, he published the book, Little Stories: A Collection of Mississippi Photos, and in 2018, The Artful Evolution of Hal & Mal’s, a collection of stories about his family’s 37 year business enterprise. Hal & Mal’s was honored to receive the 2020 Keeping The Blues Alive Award from The Blues Foundation and the Jackson Music Awards, City With Soul “Nightclub of the Year Award”, in 2022.  Malcolm and his late brother Hal were awarded “Jackson Icons” status in 2021. 
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White currently co-hosts the weekly Mississippi Public Broadcasting radio show, Deep South Dining and contributes to the Mississippi Arts Hour radio broadcast he began while at the Mississippi Arts Commission. ​