Author: tgreene

Built By Us: Black Women, Power & The Next 250

Post author By tgreene
Post date August 20, 2026
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On July 3, 2026, the Mississippi Black Women’s Roundtable and One Voice convened Built By Us: Black Women, Power & The Next 250 during ESSENCE Festival weekend in New Orleans.

This Mississippi-centered gathering brought together Black women, youth leaders, advocates, entrepreneurs, faith leaders, elected officials, and community changemakers to celebrate our collective power, reflect on the progress we have made, and imagine what the next 250 years should hold for Black women and girls.

The program featured findings from the Black Action Agenda Survey, insights from the Status of Black Women & Girls in Mississippi Report, and a dynamic discussion exploring leadership, advocacy, culture, community, and the future.

Attendees also experienced music from Mississippi’s own DJ Fortress and a special conversation and performance featuring Mississippi-raised singer, songwriter, and storyteller KIRBY.

Built By Us was more than an event. It was an opportunity to honor the women who came before us, amplify the voices shaping our communities today, and create space for the ideas and leadership that will define what comes next.

Watch the full event recap below and experience the conversations, connections, and moments that made Built By Us a powerful celebration of Black women, power, and possibility.

Watch the Full Recap

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT EMPOWERING POLICY Legislation

Teletownhall on Voting Rights & the Shield Act

Post author By tgreene
Post date May 11, 2026
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Mississippians are invited to join an important tele-townhall conversation focused on voting rights, the Shield Act, and the issues impacting communities across the state.

Hosted in partnership with a coalition of organizations committed to protecting voting rights and fair representation, this conversation will bring together advocates, community leaders, and residents for a timely discussion on recent legislative developments and what they mean for Mississippi voters.

Participants will have the opportunity to hear directly from advocates, ask questions, and learn how to stay informed and engaged.

Event Details

Date: Tuesday, May 12, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM CT
Dial-In Number: 877-229-8493
Access Code: 124020

Topics Will Include

The current state of voting rights and recent legislative developments

What the Shield Act does and why it matters

The importance of civic engagement and community participation

How Mississippians can stay informed and take action

Why This Conversation Matters

Voting rights and fair representation are essential to building strong, informed, and empowered communities. As new policies and legislative actions continue to shape access to the ballot, it is critical that Mississippians have the information they need to understand what is happening and how to respond.

At Mississippi Black Women’s Roundtable, we believe informed communities build collective power. We invite you to join this important conversation and share this opportunity with your family, friends, and networks.

Your voice matters.

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Mississippi Women Secure Tele Townhall

Post author By tgreene
Post date May 7, 2026
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Join Mississippi Black Women’s Roundtable for a live Mississippi Women’s Economic Security Initiative Tele Townhall on Thursday, May 7th at 6:00 PM.

During this important conversation, we will walk through our 2026 legislative agenda, which focused on expanding maternal health access, advancing paid leave, supporting equal pay, and strengthening policies that impact Mississippi women, families, and communities.

We will also discuss our 2027 legislative priorities and how we can continue building on this year’s momentum to advocate for policies that move Mississippi forward.

This Tele Townhall is an opportunity for community members, advocates, partners, and supporters to learn more about the issues, stay engaged, and help shape the path forward.

Registration closes three hours before the event, at 3:00 PM on May 7th.

Event Details
Date: Thursday, May 7, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Live Tele Townhall
Register here: http://tthm.com/MSBWR

If you care about policies that directly impact Mississippi women, families, and communities, we invite you to join us for this important conversation.

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Women’s History Month Giving Campaign

Post author By tgreene
Post date March 18, 2026
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Rooted in Our History. Rising in Our Power.

Black women have long stood at the center of Mississippi’s fight for justice, equity, and democracy.

From the courage of civil rights leaders like Fannie Lou Hamer to the community organizers and advocates leading today, the legacy of Black women’s leadership continues to shape the future of Mississippi.

The Mississippi Black Women’s Roundtable carries this legacy forward through programs that strengthen civic engagement, build leadership, and support communities across the state.

This Women’s History Month, we invite you to join us in honoring this legacy while investing in the next generation of leaders.

Our campaign goal is to raise $10,000 by March 31 to sustain programs that:

Advance civic engagement and voter participation
Develop emerging leaders through training and advocacy
Support economic security initiatives for women and families
Provide direct community outreach and rapid response support

Every contribution moves this work forward.

Donate today and help us rise together.

Legislation NEWS

Advancing the Mississippi Women’s Economic Security Initiative (MWESI) Policy Agenda

Post author By tgreene
Post date January 15, 2026
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The Mississippi Black Women’s Roundtable is advancing the Mississippi Women’s Economic Security Initiative (MWESI) during the 2026 Legislative Session.

The priorities highlighted in this graphic reflect the core issue areas MS BWR is focused on to strengthen economic security, family stability, and opportunity for women and communities across Mississippi. These priorities guide our policy advocacy, coalition work, and engagement throughout the session.

MWESI Priority Areas Include:

Maternal Health

Diaper Tax Elimination
Healthcare Coverage Expanded for Mothers and Families
Doula certification and access
Midwifery Licensure
Workplace Lactation Support

Economic Justice

Comprehensive Paid Family and Medical Leave
Teacher Paid Parental Leave Coverage
Earned Sick and Safe Leave

Address Wage Disparities

Salary History Bans
Mississippi Living Wage
Teacher Compensation

Civic Participation

Voting Rights Restoration
Voting Access Modernization

Family Support

Childcare Access
SNAP and Nutrition Access

Together, these priorities reflect a comprehensive approach to advancing women’s economic security and strengthening families statewide. MS BWR will continue engaging policymakers, partners, and communities while sharing updates throughout the legislative session.

Learn more about our work and follow along at @ms_bwr.

NEWS NEWSROOM

Exciting News: Paid Parental Leave for State Employees Takes Effect in Mississippi!

Post author By tgreene
Post date January 5, 2026
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On January 1, 2026, Mississippi’s State Employees Paid Parental Leave Act takes effect! This momentous win means that more than 32,000 state government employees in Mississippi now have the right to paid parental leave for the birth or adoption of their child.

“This is a powerful step forward for Mississippi families,” said Cassandra Welchlin, Executive Director of the Mississippi Black Women’s Roundtable. “Paid parental leave affirms that our state employees should not have to choose between caring for a new child and maintaining financial stability. This policy reflects what we know to be true: when families—especially Black women and mothers—are supported at work, entire communities thrive.”

Starting January 1st, Mississippi state government employees–including university employees–who are the primary caregiver of a child will be able to take six weeks of paid parental leave after the birth or adoption of their child. This bill passed the legislature with bipartisan support, and saw support from a plethora of voices, including the Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch. Supportive workplace policies like paid parental leave have demonstrated benefits for employers such as increase in retention and recruitment of qualified employees, and supported positive health outcomes for all members of the family, especially maternal health and infant brain development. This new policy will make Mississippi a more supportive state for working families as mothers and fathers are struggling to balance the joys of parenthood with maintaining their paycheck!

The Mississippi Black Women’s Roundtable led a collaboration of partners including the Mississippi Early Learning Alliance, A Better Balance, and the American Heart Association, along with the Mississippi Women’s Economic Security Initiative, to advocate for this transformational policy. We will continue our work to expand paid family and medical leave for all workers in Mississippi as about 954,000 workers (79%) do not have access to paid family leave through their employer. “As we’ve seen over the years in our Southern office, incremental steps to advance paid parental leave for public sector employees are critical stepping stones to ensuring that paid leave can be a reality for all workers.” said Kameron Dawson, Legal Director of the Southern Office at A Better Balance.

“With this exciting step forward, Mississippi’s leaders are showing that families and babies matter. State employee paid leave gives these parents time to care for their new babies and helps children grow up healthier, while also supporting working families and a stronger state. As this policy takes effect, it should also remind us of the importance of expanding these protections so all Mississippi families have the same opportunity to thrive.” said Biz Harris, Executive Director of the Mississippi Early Learning Alliance.

“When a parent can take time to care for his or her new baby, recover from childbirth, or support a loved one without risking their job or paycheck, families are more stable, children are healthier, and communities are stronger,” said Melodie Baker, PhD, a member of the National Collaborative for Infants & Toddlers (NCIT) steering committee. “This policy recognizes that caring for family is not a luxury; it’s essential to the health and well-being of Alabama’s workforce and the next generation.”

You can find more information on this new law here.

Know Your Rights: Mississippi’s Paid Parental Leave for State Employees

Post author By tgreene
Post date December 29, 2025
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This fact sheet is a collaboration with A Better Balance.

As of January 1, 2026, if you are a full-time employee of the state of Mississippi and the primary caregiver of a child, you have new protections to take care of your child and maintain your economic security. Mississippi’s HB 1063 now allows eligible employees to take up to 6 weeks of paid parental leave for the birth of a child or the legal adoption of a child under the age of 18.

What does HB 1063 do?

HB 1063 provides full time state employees and employees of any agency, department, or institution of the state with 6 weeks (240 hours) of paid parental leave. Employees will receive 100% of their regular salary during this leave.

Am I covered?

The law covers state employees in Mississippi who…
- Are classified as full-time,
- Have been employed for 12 consecutive months, and
- Are the primary caregiver of a child.
The following employees may be eligible:
- Full-time employees who are employed by the state of Mississippi or
- Full time employees of any agency, department, or institution of the state.

What constitutes a qualifying life event?

The birth of a child or the legal adoption of a child under the age of 18 constitutes a qualifying life event for paid parental leave.
The paid parental leave must be taken within 12 weeks of the birth or adoption of the child.
Paid parental leave may only be taken once in a 12 month period, no matter how many qualifying events you experience in a year.
Any leave that remains 12 months after your initial qualifying life event can not be carried over for future use.

What is a primary caregiver?

A primary caregiver is the parent who has the primary responsibility for the care of a child following the birth or adoption of a child (ex. A father who is a state employee may be entitled to 6 weeks of paid parental leave if he currently is primarily responsible for the care of his child after their birth or adoption, and his spouse does not work for the state).

How do I request paid parental leave benefits?

You should contact your supervisor or human resources manager to request paid parental leave at least 30 calendar days before the anticipated leave start date, where foreseeable.
If advance notice is not possible due to exigent circumstances, then you should notify your supervisor or human resources manager at the earliest available opportunity.

Can this leave be used for my pregnancy-related health needs prior to giving birth?

No. Paid parental leave cannot be used for prenatal medical appointments or absences due to medical conditions during pregnancy, but can be used for the birth of your child or to bond with your new baby.
You may be able to use other forms of accrued time off, major medical leave, or request time off or other accommodations under federal laws such as the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), or Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA). Learn more at this link.

If both parents work for the state, can they each take 6 weeks of leave?

Only one parent can be the primary caregiver of a child at the same time. The paid parental leave must be used within 12 weeks of the qualifying life event.

How does paid parental leave interact with FMLA and major medical leave?

If you qualify for FMLA and paid parental leave, FMLA will run concurrently with paid parental leave.
After using paid parental leave, an employee may use up to 6 weeks of earned major medical leave for the birth of the employee’s biological child or the placement of a child for adoption or foster care with the employee and to care for the newly placed child within 1 year of placement.

Do I have to use sick or vacation days beforehand?

No. Under this law, paid parental leave is provided in addition to any accrued paid or unpaid sick, vacation, or medical leave.
You do not have to use your vacation or sick days before taking paid parental leave.

Download a PDF version of this resource here.

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