Mississippi Delta needs discussed at Conference of Black Mayors

HUD Southeast Regional Administrator Ed Jennings Jr. and Mississippi Field Office Director Jerrie Magruder present a certificate of appreciation to Canton Mayor Arnel Bolden for his participation in the Mayor's Challenge to end veteran homelessness.

The Mississippi Conference of Black Mayors (MCBM) held a Federal, State and Local Partners Summit during the spring.

The Summit served as a forum for federal agencies to learn about the needs of Mississippi communities, and for these agencies to share information about resources available for community improvement and sustainability. Atlanta Regional Administrator Ed Jennings, Jr.; Deputy Regional Administrator Willie Taylor; and Mississippi Field Office Director, Jerrie Magruder participated in the event, which was held on May 14 and 15. Representatives from The Small Business Administration, FEMA, USDA and other state and federal agencies also participated.

A bus tour of the Mississippi Delta cities of Charleston, Tutwiler, and Itta Bena was held on the first day of the Summit to see the needs of these communities first hand. On the 2nd day of the Summit, Federal and State agency representatives informed the mayors of resources available through their respective agencies. Program overviews were provided to the mayors during the morning session. Each mayor was able to discuss their specific community needs during one-on-one sessions in the afternoon. Mayors who committed to ending Veteran homelessness in their cities were recognized for their effort.

The HUD Mississippi team has been an active partner in assisting MCBM members in identifying resources to improve their communities. MCBM's primary purpose is assist communities with their efforts to ensure viability. They provide technical assistance and identify resources that will improve the capacity of their member mayors to sustain these communities.

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