October 14, 2024 — The Foundation for the Mid South, a major philanthropic leader building community solutions in the South, announces sponsorship of a statewide listening tour spotlighting real stories and lived-challenges of Mississippi families.
Alongside partner the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), the inaugural Mississippi Truth, Poverty and Democracy Tour will run from October 13-15th. Featuring a series of community roundtables, expert clinics and legislative hearings, the SPLC organized tour offers a vehicle for Mississippians to voice their issues and concerns to state and local leaders and highlight their local economic needs.
The Truth and Poverty Tour partnership builds on the Foundation’s racial healing initiative, the Mississippi Truth Racial Healing and Transformation (TRHT) Alliance announced earlier this year. In surveying participants’ in community conversations convened across the state for racial healing dialogue, many communities said they felt disconnected from decision-makers and that they lacked adequate resources to advocate for themselves effectively.
“The Foundation for the Mid South is committed to bringing more people to the table who can participate in making change in their communities,” said FMS CEO Gregory Johnson. “ The Truth and Poverty Tour will serve as a beacon of truth-telling, data collection, and community empowerment. The SPLC, alongside our valued partners such as the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, One Voice, ACLU-MS, Mississippi Poor People’s Campaign, and the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus, is embarking on an essential journey of truth-telling.”
FMS Vice President Cassio Batteast participated in the Housing Restoration Clinic, which took place in Robinsonville, MS and the Affordable Housing Crisis Town Hall, in Canton, MS to provide practical guidance on keeping families in their homes.
FMS Education Program manager George Stewart participated on the Education & Democracy, Fireside Chat held at the Fannie Lou Hamer Memorial Site in Ruleville, MS
“Experiencing hardship should not lead to loss of shelter and the threat of homelessness,“ said Batteast. “The Housing Restoration Clinic will offer guidance on how our communities can deal with the rising cost of housing and highlight the ways in which it burdens Mississippi families.”
Tour collaborators include NAACP Legal Defense Fund, One Voice, ACLU-MS, Mississippi Poor People’s campaign, professional the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus and others.
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About the Foundation for the Mid South
The Foundation for the Mid South (FMS) is dedicated to improving the quality of life in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi by investing in people and organizations that create lasting solutions to regional challenges.
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