Two Mississippi Museums Making A Difference
Black History Month kicks off with the Mid South Foundation
May 23, 2024
Many Mississippians express a desire to take action to improve race relations.
The Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation (TRHT) initiative in Mississippi, supported by the Foundation for the Mid-South, promotes racial healing through a focus on narrative change, storytelling, relationship building and economic transformation.
At the heart of the initiative lies a commitment to building a state where everyone, regardless of race or ethnicity, has access to opportunities and is treated with dignity and respect.
“One Community” listening sessions were held in the cities of Picayune, Hattiesburg, and Biloxi, Mississippi, bringing together community members, local business leaders, and faith organizations to engage in meaningful dialogue about race, economic equity, and solutions to longstanding issues.
Mission Mississippi organized multiple pre-meetings with regional leaders to ensure diverse representation with key stakeholders such as the MS Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Southeast MS, Hattiesburg Area Development Partnership, and Hattiesburg High School.
In 2024, six institutional partners were selected to lead the Mississippi’s TRHT initiative because of their deep community ties, capacity, and commitment to racial healing.
Founded in 1877, Jackson State University is a public historically black research university in Jackson, Mississippi. It is one of the largest HBCUs in the United States and the fourth largest university in Mississippi. The Institute for Social Justice and Race Relations (ISJRR) at Jackson State University (JSU) is dedicated to addressing issues of social justice, racial equity, and community engagement. Through research, public forums, and educational initiatives, the ISJRR works to foster dialogue about race and promote understanding across diverse communities
Millsaps College, located in Jackson, Mississippi, is a private liberal arts institution known for its commitment to academic excellence, community engagement, and the fostering of social justice and equity. Established in 1890, Milsaps has a long history of leadership in higher education within the state and region. The college’s emphasis on developing well-rounded citizens who are prepared to engage in complex societal issues makes it an ideal partner in the Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation (TRHT) initiative.
Mission Mississippi is a faith-based organization that has been at the forefront of fostering racial reconciliation and healing across Mississippi for over 31 years. Rooted in the Gospel message, their mission is to encourage grace and unity across racial lines by promoting honest dialogue, building relationships, and addressing systemic racial and economic disparities. Mission Mississippi creates safe spaces for meaningful conversations on race, truth, and reconciliation.
Played a critical role in organizing the 60th Anniversary Freedom Summer events, drawing in 564 participants from across the state. The events commemorated the civil rights movement while engaging youth and adults in conversations about racial healing, community building, and the ongoing fight for racial justice. The broad reach of these events demonstrated the power of history in mobilizing new generations to continue the work of social justice advocacy.
Emphasized economic empowerment in the agricultural sector by hosting panel discussions and fireside chats involving over 50 participants. These events aimed to address the historical and systemic barriers faced by Black farmers and agricultural stakeholders, reframing agriculture as a pathway to economic equity for BIPOC communities.
Focused on Jackson’s water crisis, facilitating symposia and webinars attended by over 100 individuals. These efforts highlighted the intersection of environmental racism and systemic neglect in Mississippi’s capital city. By addressing the water infrastructure crisis through a racial equity lens, the Alluvial Collective brought together key stakeholders to develop long-term solutions that prioritize racial justice and resilience.
Download the Truth Racial Healing and Transformation 2023-2024 Evaluation Report
Learn more about FMS’ efforts to advance racial healing in Mississippi. Evaluation reports map local residents’ perspectives, highlighting pathways and road blocks for racial unity.
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Led by the Foundation for the Mid South, Mississippi’s TRHT alliance works to bring people together, to bridge cultural divides, and work toward racial healing across the state. At the heart of the Mississippi Truth Racial Healing and Transformation (TRHT) Alliance is a commitment to building a state where everyone, regardless of race or ethnicity, has access to opportunities and are treated with dignity and respect.
Black History Month kicks off with the Mid South Foundation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 16, 2023 Grant Partners Jackson State
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Launched with support from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF), the Mississippi TRHT initiative follows the WKKF’s national model to empower communities to address systemic challenges, and work together toward transformation.
We are in the business of improving lives in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.