For the Mississippi Black Women’s Roundtable (MS BWR), 2024 has been a year of activation, leadership, and community power. That power lives in each and every one of us, and can not be taken from any of us. MS BWR offers a way for you to plug in and take your seat at the table – through action or donation. We need your support with us!
From the Voting Booth to the Policy Table
Through civic engagement programming like the Power of the Sister Vote Campaign and Black Youth Votes, MS BWR creates pathways for people to step into their power and take the lead on issues impacting their communities.
This year, the Power of the Sister Vote (POTSV) made waves of change by engaging 387 women across 17 counties, and increasing voter turnout in eight counties with historically low participation rates. Not only were these boot camps spaces for people to learn more about the voting process, but also join a network of empowered leaders ready to make their voices heard at the polls. POTSV boot camps also provided child care services, making it easier for families to attend, engage, and get out the vote.
For college students looking to engage their campus community, the Black Youth Votes Ambassador program was an entry point for them to take the lead and make their voices heard. This year, the program expanded to seven Mississippi colleges and universities, increasing the youth vote in critical areas of the state.
Another valuable resource, the result of the dynamic partnerships among MS BWR, the Women’s Foundation of Mississippi, and One Voice, is Mississippi Women in the Lead (MWL). Now in its second year, MWL creates opportunities for women of all backgrounds to prepare for elected office positions and drive change for their communities. This year, 30 inspiring women are set to take the lead with Mississippi Women in the Lead!
Advancing Economic Security
A major component to sparking community power is addressing Mississippi’s economic disparities. We’ve found that economic injustice disproportionately impacts women, particularly Black women, in our state contributing to larger inequities that stand in the way of community development and progress.
Through the Mississippi Women’s Economic Security Initiative (MWESI), MS BWR has brought together key stakeholders and coalition partners to bring the issue of economic disparity to policymakers. During the Mississippi state legislative session, we connected community leaders to training sessions centered on how they could make their voices heard on issues, like economic security, during the legislative session. They then put those skills to work during our advocacy event on the Capitol steps!
Community Rapid Response
MS BWR has addressed the immediate needs of families and communities impacted by natural disasters or infrastructure breakdowns through the Community Rapid Response Initiative (CORRI). Ensuring that families are able to recover from these events ensures that communities stay resilient.
This year, MS BWR assisted over 40 families with rental and utility support, provided free laundry services to over 200 families, and leveraged partnerships with local organizations to grow resource and service networks. We’re thankful to the volunteers from our network and community partners for making this work possible!
The Power is with Us
The spirit of community matters now more than ever. Every step toward justice, every voice raised, every hand extended builds a better future for Black women and their families across the state. We invite you to join the Power of Us and help us continue to shift power where it matters most. Whether you join as a volunteer, a leader, or a supporter, you are helping build a brighter future for our state!