Breaking Mississippi is the explosive inside story of one man’s war against racial segregation in 1960s America. This is a taster from ‘Divine Destiny’, the first episode in the series. To hear more, search for ‘Breaking Mississippi’ on BBC Sounds.

By becoming the first black person to apply to the all-white University of Mississippi – James Meredith will draw in the KKK and JFK – and trigger the largest number of troops ever deployed for a single disturbance on US soil.

Across 10 episodes and with US public radio journalist Jenn White as our guide - James Meredith takes us from his childhood in rural Mississippi where racism runs deep – to a pivotal flashpoint in US civil rights history that will be described as the last battle of the American Civil War.

This could be our last opportunity to hear James Meredith tell this story in his own words and in a way that's never been heard before.

Presenter: Jenn White Producer: Conor Garrett Editor: Philip Sellars Original Music Score: Ashley Beedle and Darren Morris. Recorded @ North Street West Audio Engineer: Gary Bawden With special thanks to the University of Mississippi.