by DAVID HAMILTON

NATCHEZ — Natchez Mayor Darryl Grennell unveiled a new city seal design Tuesday at the Natchez Board of Aldermen meeting.

The new seal, designed by Natchez native Vidal Blankenstein and produced by her Jackson design firm “Imaginary Company,” is meant to represent the “rich and diverse history of Natchez.”

“I am pleased to help continue building the brand for the ‘Next Natchez.’” Blankenstein said.

Grennell said the seal will not be used for tourism branding, rather it will be featured on letterheads, keys to the city and other “official city materials.”

“This is only for the city, its departments and related economic development,” Grennell said.

The seal features imagery representing four distinctive features of Natchez.

First, the seal prominently depicts a Natchez Indian, which is a modification of the image found on the fountain located in downtown Natchez.  Grennell said the image was designed after consulting Native-American experts.

Also displayed are the French, British and Spanish flags that once flew over Natchez.

The next feature is one that has been omitted from city branding until now.

“This is the first time the African-American culture has been recognized in the city seal,” Grennell said.

The emblem is marked with the West African Adinkra symbols “Mmere Dane,” which means “change,” and “Boa me na me mmoa wo,” interpreted to mean “help me, and let me help you.”

Finally, the seal displays the 15-star American flag that was raised over Natchez in 1797.

The city paid $3,000 for the development of the design.

In addition to the seal and key to the city, Blankenstein said the package included evaluation of web site structure, letterhead and business cards, digital mastheads for each department, PowerPoint slides, note cards, presentation covers, email signatures and screen savers.The city will now begin gradually implementing these materials.