Mississippi MOVE End of 2023 Newsletter

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Civil Rights Hero the late Hollis Watkins - Muhammad & Wife Edna Muhammad (L). Hollis attended Tougaloo earlier in life and received an Honorary Decree Citation from Tougaloo College Administration In 2017 (R)

Mississippi MOVE, Inc.

MOVE-ments 2023 Recap with us. And for us, toward the top of that list would be Hollis Watkins Muhammad. Physician and psychoanalyst Wilhelm Stekel once said “the mark of the immature man is that he wants to die nobly for a cause, while the mark of the mature man is that he wants to live humbly for one.” Respectfully, Hollis indelibly spoke and still speaks for that mature example like few others can. He remains loved by Those of Us he

Honoring Those on whose Shoulders We Stand

We here at Mississippi MOVE would be hardpressed to choose any other source of inspiration or wellspring for our work that did not include our ancestors and role models who are no longer ISSUE. 03 VOL. III

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For all of the efforts and energy we engaged in for 2023, perhaps the most confounding and troubling were responses to climate crisis like the very severe tornadoes that decended upon Sharkey County in the Central-West regions of Mississippi which then sprinted a destructive swath northeast across the state.

Fortunately state and federal agencies responded to the initial crisis on ground zero in Sharkey County, however communities and far away from the primary disaster were largely

overlooked, including Holmes, Attala, Monroe and other areas were left out of direct relief efforts impacted on the same weekend.

Gulf States for a Green New Deal partnered with community organizations like Mississippi MOVE to prep logistics and resources for basic needs everywhere from Aberdeen to Blackhawk and Vaiden.

Around this time, Jackson residents were suffering from rampant issues of poor water quality and flooding which crippled the city’s

MARCH’S DEADLY TORNADOES THAT VIOLATED THE COMMUNITIES OF ROLLING FORK AND ANGUILLA ONCE AGAIN ACTIVATED THE ENERGIES OF THE MISSISSIPPI RAPID RELIEF COALITION, OF WHICH MISSISSIPPI MOVE IS A MEMBER.

water plant, requiring a federal step-in and reassessment.

To add to the burden, Jackson residents soon learned that an ongoing contract skirmish about the Capital City’s trash collection provider’s contract had expired and wouldn’t be renewed.

For weeks the impact of no waste disposal left streets teeming with overfull trash bins and dumpsters, inviting vermin to already waterstressed homes not completely safe to bathe in.

For all of the climate change hardships weighing upon the state, nation and world, that didn’t stop us from civic engagement. This year saw MOVE increase our voter pledge commitments and voter registration drive participation by 40% (roughly 400 individuals, including pledges and new registrants). People have seen and

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“The joy that the pickups experienced from us providing rides really made my day!” a volunteer driver from August’s Roll2ThePolls shared. “[some riders] didn’t want to get out of the car from talking! Great job MSMove this is what the community needs!!”

A large portion of communities that were once jaded with the electoral process have Seeing how MOVE SPONSORED A DUMPSTER BIN IN THE they’re choices have impacted who represents SOUTH JACKSON WILLOWOOD COMMUNITY. RESIDENTS WERE LEFT TO ORGANIZE THEIR them , and how they lead decisively when it OWN TRASH COLLECTION IN THE MIDST OF A counts most as in the tornadic activity and public DIRE WATER CRISIS THAT LEFT JACKSONIANS works situations earlier this year. Mississippi PINNED IN A PUBLIC WORKS DEBACLE THEY MOVE aims to stay at the forefront of this ESSENTIALLY HAD TO DIG THEMSELVES OUT conversation.

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“Orchestrating opportunities to create a more civically engaged community is necessary if we truly want a more civilized union fueled by the People’s corporate commitment to democracy and a more equitable representation for all. I was glad to assist MS MOVE in its ongoing quest to create change in this space.”

- Talibah, MOVE Volunteer

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VOLUNTEERS HANG OUT AT A GOTV RALLY IN JACKSON’S PRESIDENTIAL HILLS PARK. DURING THE EVENT, WE HANDED OUT FLYERS AND PLEDGE CARDS & SPOKE WITH RESIDENTS ABOUT THE GENERAL ELECTION.

For this type of work, persistence and

energy must meet, thankfully to help shoulder burdens, networking is always essential.

Mississippi MOVE remains aware that coalitionbuilding and partnerships help us get the word out. Whether it’s working with local businesses like Offbeat in Jackson for Read’n Feed events that nurture mentorship, literacy and pride in young people, or working with Hattiesburgbased Southeast Mississippi Rural Health Initiative providing a variety of community-based resources affecting health and social-wellness.

Media partnerships in radio, newspaper, television and digital/online media assist us

“We joined forces with families from area neighborhoods to combine the spooky fun of Trick or Treat with the serious business of voting.

It was a memorable event for kids and adults alike” relates George ‘Chuck’ Patterson, Jr., MOVE Gulf Coast Organizer. “As families and little ghouls and goblins filled their bags with candy, they also had the opportunity to take a pit stop at our special photobooth. I had the pleasure of capturing some fantastic moments with all the Trick or Treaters, and we made sure they left with both sweets and some newfound knowledge about the importance of voting. Let’s keep the spirit of community and civic engagement alive all year long!” in making sure that civic information reaches Mississippi communities quickly and timely.

“We were thrilled to join forces with WJZD 94.5 FM for an incredible Get Out The Vote event during November Fest. Together, we made a resounding call for civic participation and reminded everyone of the power of their voice and vote” says George Patterson, Jr. “This event marked a significant step in our ongoing efforts to empower our communities and boost voter engagement. We are deeply committed to ensuring that every eligible voter knows their rights and understands the importance of their vote.”

The Mu Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. is a longtime strategic partner for the “Sleepout to Help the Homeless” an effort to assist Metro Jackson’s unhoused population.

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Volunteers Narjis & Mikal Uqdah register voters at Columbia’s Juneneeth. New transplants to the area (but not new to work), the Uqdahs roll up their sleeves regularly with Mississippi MOVE. “Our communities are the lifeblood of

democracy, and it’s vital that every eligible voter’s voice is heard. It was a pleasure to be part of this event, reminding our

neighbors that, just like Halloween candy, voting is a treat we can all enjoy. - George “Chuck” Patterson, Mississippi MOVE

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A GOTV RALLY IN ROLLING FORK SAW COMMUNITY MEMBERS STILL LIVELY AND READY TO REBUILD AND RESTORE A GRAVELY-WOUNDED SHARKEY COUNTY AFTER MARCH’S DEADLY TORNADOES.

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“NIGHTCAP KNOWLEDGE” PODCAST IS A MATURE-THEMED MEDIA DISCUSSION TACKLING TODAY’S SOCIOPOLITICAL LANDSCAPE HOSTED BY GEORGE PATTERSON, JR. & MAC EPPS OF MOVE. THE PODCAST AIRS TUESDAY NIGHTS AT 9PM CST ON TWITCH & FACEBOOK LIVE.

OneVoice participants gather for annual Legislative Day of Action.

The event brings community organizers and stakeholders to the MS State Capitol to make their presence known & remind elected leaders of local concerns.

MOVE joined elected officials, business owners, health advocates & community leaders donating time, meals, water, sanitation supplies and registered voters in early summer 2032’s tornadoes that rocked Bolton & Edwards, MS.

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Download Black Voters Matter’s new “Empower App” on Apple or Android devices today...!

As a stakeholder organization, Mississippi MOVE is passionate about civic advocacy, and that includes engagement, education and empowerment. Mississippi MOVE’s work is supported by Black Voter’s Matter Fund of Mississippi, Black with No Chaser, the Institute for Advancement of Minority Health, FairCount, OneVoice, SOLVE and Southern Partners Fund. Our work STARTS with registering voters with the hope and idea that civic engagement nourishes humble roots of social action that bloom into responsible leadership.

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