Nearly every day, I think about a photograph that once hung in my grandmother’s house—a black-and-white snapshot of my great-grandfather on the family porch in Columbus, Mississippi. He’s seated on a swing, his arm around his youngest daughter, my great-aunt Betty Lou. But the real story lives in the background: two pairs of small, bare feet poking out from behind the swing slats. They belonged to my grandmother, Mary Nell, and her brother, Henry–the original photobombers, mid-prank and mid-giggle.
My grandmother told story after story about that porch—about suitors arriving for her sisters, about watermelon seed spitting contests from the top step, and about the shade that cooled the family in summer and perfumed the air with magnolia.
I regret not claiming that photo when we dispersed her belongings. I think of it often. That porch is more than a memory—it’s a symbol. A Southern one.
The front porch is where we gather, where we welcome, where we reflect. It’s where stories are passed down like heirlooms. And it’s where I invite you to meet me now.
With this issue—my first as editor at large—Good Grit begins its next chapter. Over the past 10 years, we’ve done more than publish a magazine. From backroads to big ideas, Good Grit has become a trusted voice spotlighting the faces, places, passions, and charms that make the South so damn special.
As we look ahead to the next decade, we’re setting our sights on becoming the authority on Southern travel and culture.
And what better place to start than one of the South’s most iconic spaces? Our fall issue—including our stunning cover feature in Natchez, Mississippi—is inspired by the porch, both literal and symbolic.
You’ll meet modern Southern storytellers, explore a stronger-than-ever Asheville one year after Hurricane Helene, and join Southern star Landon Bryant for the debut of our newest column, Let’s Ask Landon. We’ve packed the pages with fall travel inspiration—from Good Finds and Good Times to our Good Sounds playlist for your next road trip.
This issue also marks the launch of our redesigned website, goodgritmag.com—your new go-to for digital stories, travel guides, and insider recommendations across the South. And be sure to follow us on social @goodgritmag for behind-the-scenes moments, trip ideas, and a steady stream of Southern inspiration.
Good Grit was born in Birmingham, Alabama, but today it travels far and wide—just like our readers. We’ve grown from a bold local concept into a beloved regional brand with real influence, an unmistakable voice, and a fiercely loyal audience.
Now, it’s time to write the next chapter. Let’s get started.
I’ll meet you on the porch.
Laura Kate Whitney
Editor at Large
@lk_whitney | @goodgritmag
