Empower Mississippi

Empower Mississippi Helping every Mississippian rise by removing barriers to success But we believe everyone should have the opportunity to make choices that improve their lives.

Founded in 2014, Empower Mississippi is an independent, nonprofit advocacy organization dedicated to removing barriers to opportunity so all Mississippians can flourish. We've found that many Mississippians are burdened by laws that make it difficult to get a good education and find meaningful work. Mississippians should have opportunities to make choices that improve their lives. We envision a Mi

ssissippi where:
• Every child has access to a quality education.
• Parents have the freedom to choose the best educational
setting for their children.
• People have the opportunity to find meaningful work and
provide for their families.
• A fresh start is attainable for all citizens, including those who
have made mistakes.

Work is more than a paycheck. It’s independence, purpose, and the opportunity to build a better life.This Labor Day, we ...
09/07/2026

Work is more than a paycheck. It’s independence, purpose, and the opportunity to build a better life.

This Labor Day, we celebrate the hardworking Mississippians building stronger families, stronger communities, and a stronger Mississippi.

Happy Labor Day from Empower Mississippi!

09/02/2026

Hope can change the direction of a community.

The Colemans believe rebuilding the Delta starts with restoring hope, but it also takes entrepreneurship, hard work, and people willing to invest in their communities.

On this episode of The Empower Podcast, Jack and Elizabeth Coleman share why they’re betting on Rosedale and what it takes to create opportunity from the ground up.

👉 Watch the full episode: https://empowerms.org/jack-elizabeth-coleman-betting-on-the-delta/

You can’t pursue a career path you don’t know exists.In our conversations, many people had limited awareness of local ca...
08/27/2026

You can’t pursue a career path you don’t know exists.

In our conversations, many people had limited awareness of local careers, apprenticeships, training programs, and other ways to get ahead. Better outreach and stronger career connections can help change that.

👉 See what we learnedhttps://empowerms.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/The-Tape-Measure-Problem-.pdf

Across seven focus groups and conversations around the state, we heard people talk about what work means to them: provid...
08/21/2026

Across seven focus groups and conversations around the state, we heard people talk about what work means to them: providing for their families, becoming financially independent, building a career, and creating something of their own.

Those conversations helped shape our latest report on work and opportunity in Mississippi.

👉 Read The Tape Measure Problem:https://empowerms.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/The-Tape-Measure-Problem-.pdf

08/19/2026

Can helping someone actually make things worse?

Rep. Celeste Hurst has spent years serving people through inner-city ministry and now in the Mississippi Legislature. Along the way, she’s learned that good intentions alone aren’t always enough.

On this episode of The Empower Podcast, Celeste joins Grant to talk about poverty, compassion, and why real help requires relationships, dignity, and accountability.

👉 Watch the full episode: https://empowerms.org/rep-celeste-hurst-when-helping-hurts/

What does a tape measure have to do with Mississippi’s workforce?More than you might think.Over the past year, we listen...
08/13/2026

What does a tape measure have to do with Mississippi’s workforce?
More than you might think.

Over the past year, we listened to Mississippians across the state about work and opportunity. What we heard was clear: Mississippians want to work. But too often, barriers and gaps in preparation keep opportunity out of reach.

Our new report, The Tape Measure Problem, shares five lessons about connecting more Mississippians to meaningful work.

👉 Read the full report: https://empowerms.org/new-empower-mississippi-report-finds-mississippians-want-to-work-but-many-remain-disconnected-from-opportunity/

08/12/2026

History has a lot to teach us about the ideas that shape America.

In the latest episode of The Empower Podcast, Grant sits down with award-winning writer and filmmaker Dayton Duncan to explore the story behind America's national parks and why preserving them for everyone became one of our nation's most enduring ideas.

🎧 Listen and watch the full episode now: https://empowerms.org/dayton-duncan-the-story-behind-americas-national-parks/

Back-to-school season is about more than backpacks and school supplies. For many Mississippi families, it also brings on...
08/07/2026

Back-to-school season is about more than backpacks and school supplies. For many Mississippi families, it also brings one important question:

Where will my child thrive?

The answer looks different for every family. Read the stories of Mississippians who are navigating that journey and discover the shared hope that unites them all: every child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and become who they were created to be.

📖 Read the full story: https://empowerms.org/more-than-a-backpack/

As a new school year begins, we're grateful for everyone investing in Mississippi's next generation. We wish you all the best in the year ahead.

Address

1000 Northpark Drive
Ridgeland, MS

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Empower Mississippi posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share