Pictured are dozens of protestors of that decision gathered in Jackson, Miss., on May 20, 2026.
MFP Photo by Rogelio V. Solis
Now Published: Voting Rights in the South featured in Mississippi Free Press
Last month, we shared a preview of a new op-ed from MDC President Lakeisha Hood Moise and Race Matters Institute Director Kamilah Pickett examining the continued dismantling of Voting Rights Act protections and what it means for Black political power across the South. We're excited to share that the piece has now been published in the Mississippi Free Press.
In the commentary, Lakeisha and Kamilah connect today's legal and political battles over voting rights to the South's longer history of disenfranchisement. It also explores why protecting equitable representation remains essential to ensuring communities have a voice in the decisions that shape healthcare, education, housing, economic opportunity, and public investment.
The piece is a reminder that attacks on voting rights rarely stop with one community, and that protecting our democracy requires continued civic engagement, collective action, and accountability.
Take a few minutes to read and share the full commentary at the button below.
Hadley Hosford selected as 2026-2028 George B. Autry Fellow for Southern Policy and Research
We're excited to announce that Hadley Hosford has been selected as MDC's 2026–2028 George B. Autry Fellow for Southern Policy & Research.
Chosen through a highly competitive selection process, Hadley brings a passion for advancing equitable public policy and a strong foundation in research focused on economic opportunity and accessibility across the South. As a recent Dan Broun Program Associate at MDC, we're thrilled to see her continue this work in the Autry Fellowship.
Read the full announcement to learn more about Hadley's background, the fellowship, and what's ahead at the button below.
2024 Graduation. Courtesy of Burke County Public Schools, from EdNC
From Viral Moment to Policy Opportunity: Rethinking Student Loan Debt in North Carolina
When a surprise gift eliminated student loan debt for some graduates during North Carolina State University's commencement ceremony this spring, it sparked headlines across the country and an important conversation about the realities of student debt.
In a new commentary published by EdNC, MDC's Jenna Bryant explores why moments like these resonate so deeply and how they point to a larger opportunity for North Carolina. While individual acts of generosity can change lives, lasting change requires policy solutions that support the millions of borrowers still carrying student loan debt.
Building on that conversation, MDC recently released a new set of Student Debt Relief Coalition Policy Priorities, outlining practical, state-level recommendations to reduce student loan debt burdens, strengthen workforce stability, and expand economic opportunity for North Carolinians.
Together, the op-ed and policy priorities make the case that addressing student loan debt isn't just about education, it's about strengthening families, communities, and North Carolina's economy.
🔗 Read Jenna Bryant's op-ed in EdNC.
🔗 Explore MDC's Student Debt Relief Coalition Policy Priorities.
Growing the Team: Welcome to MDC's Newest Staff
MDC is growing! Please join us in welcoming six new team members to our Rural Prosperity and Investment (RPI) team.
This summer, we're excited to welcome Cassie Childress, Dillon Frost, and Mason McVeety as our newest Dan Broun Program Associates, along with Ryan Odom, Sarah Feldman, and Tira Beckham, Ph.D., who join the team in key program coordination and partnership management roles.
Together, they bring experience in public policy, community engagement, philanthropy, environmental justice, rural development, nonprofit leadership, and systems change—all grounded in a shared commitment to advancing equitable opportunities for rural communities across the South.
We're thrilled to have each of them join MDC and look forward to the perspectives, partnerships, and leadership they'll bring to our work.
Thank You, Jacksonville! Looking Ahead to
State of the South: Atlanta
Thank you to everyone who joined us for State of the South™: Jacksonville this spring. Together, we explored the challenges and opportunities shaping the South from housing and disaster recovery to community wealth-building, land preservation, and the stories that connect us across the region.
Whether you joined us in Jacksonville or are just catching up, we've gathered a collection of resources to continue the conversation. Explore session reflections, a short documentary on Duval Displaced, and new briefs on food access and heirs' property, tools designed to support community leaders, practitioners, and advocates working toward a more equitable South.
And we're not done yet.
State of the South™ is headed to Atlanta, Georgia, October 27–29, where we'll convene leaders from across the region to explore child and family well-being and continue building connections that move the South forward together. Save the date now and stay tuned for registration details coming later this summer.
🔗 Explore the Jacksonville resources on the State of the South website and at the button below.
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