The future of the South depends on the well-being of its children and families!

Join MDC and Casey Family Programs, in partnership with the Annie E. Casey Foundation, for State of the South™: Child and Family Well-Being— a three-day regional convening bringing together community leaders, advocates, practitioners, policymakers, researchers, philanthropic partners, faith leaders, and people with lived expertise from across the South. 📍 Atlanta, Georgia 📅 October 27–29, 2026 📌 Pittsburgh Yards & Martin Luther King Sr. Community Resources Complex Together, we'll explore how communities, institutions, and systems can work alongside families to create a South where every child has the opportunity to thrive. Through meaningful conversations, cross-sector collaboration, and community-led solutions, we'll examine the policies, narratives, and partnerships shaping child and family well-being across our region. Registration opens in late August, with speaker announcements, the full agenda, hotel information, and additional details coming soon. For Southern artists: We're also accepting proposals from visual and performance artists whose work explores child and family well-being, belonging, hope, and the future of the South. Mark your calendar!!! We look forward to welcoming you to Atlanta this October. 🫵