A solutions center dedicated to removing barriers so all Mississippians can flourish.
Mississippi
Joined November 2013
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Getting out of prison is one thing. Successfully staying out is another.
Jobs, housing, treatment, family support, and a path forward can all shape what happens when someone returns home.
That’s why reentry isn’t just a corrections issue. It’s a public safety issue.
“When Crime Goes Unsolved” looks at Mississippi’s return-to-custody data and why what happens after prison matters for safer communities.
Read more: empowerms.org/when-crime-goe…
A case can only move as quickly as the system behind it.
That includes the often unseen work of processing DNA, firearms evidence, toxicology, fingerprints, and other evidence that can help move an investigation forward.
Mississippi has made significant progress in reducing its forensic backlog. But thousands of cases are still waiting.
Why does that matter for public safety?
Read the report: empowerms.org/when-crime-goe…
From New York City kitchens to building nationally recognized restaurants in Jackson, Hunter Evans has found opportunity right here in Mississippi.
In the latest episode of The Empower Podcast, Hunter joins Grant Callen to talk about his culinary journey, the realities of restaurant ownership, and why he's chosen to invest in his home state.
Watch the full conversation: empowerms.org/hunter-evans-c…
Here’s the tension in Mississippi’s crime data: Violent crime is down, but homicide remains stubbornly high.
Those two things can be true at the same time.
And if we want to build safer communities, we need to understand both the progress we’re making and the challenges that aren’t going away as quickly.
Our latest report takes a closer look: empowerms.org/when-crime-goe…
Mississippi politics didn’t always look the way it does today.
So how did Mississippi go from being a Democratic stronghold to a Republican powerhouse? And what can that political transformation tell us about the state today?
Hear the full conversation on the podcast as we dig into the history, personalities, and political shifts that reshaped Mississippi.
Listen here: empowerms.org/andy-taggart-j…
A crime being reported doesn’t mean the story ends there.
The next question is whether the person responsible is ever held accountable.
Mississippi’s clearance rates vary widely depending on the crime, and the numbers raise important questions about what law enforcement agencies need to solve serious cases and deliver justice for victims.
We dug into the data in “When Crime Goes Unsolved.”
See what we found: empowerms.org/when-crime-goe…
Young men need more than someone telling them what’s possible. They need people willing to show them.
That’s what Milton Williams Jr. and the mentors at Men United are doing in Marks, Mississippi. They’re showing up, sharing what they’ve learned, and helping young men across the Delta build the skills and confidence to lead.
The goal is simple: Give young men good examples to follow today so they can become those examples tomorrow.
Read more: empowerms.org/how-one-missis…
NEW INFORMATION on the largest school choice initiative in history! And it’s available to Mississippi students and taxpayers! We take a look at the basics of the program and explain what families and taxpayers should know. Start here: empowerms.org/education-free…
Mississippi’s crime data has some good news.
Violent crime is moving in the right direction. But dig a little deeper, and the picture gets more complicated.
Homicide. Unsolved crimes. Forensic backlogs. What happens after prison.
Our new report, “When Crime Goes Unsolved,” looks beyond the topline numbers to understand where Mississippi is making progress and where we still have work to do.
Take a look: empowerms.org/when-crime-goe…
This week, Andy Taggart and Jere Nash sit down with Grant Callen and share what prompted them to revisit their book, what has changed in Mississippi politics, and why they felt this new edition was worth writing.
The 3rd edition is coming soon and we’re giving you a little behind-the-scenes look at the story behind it.
Watch the full episode here: empowerms.org/andy-taggart-j…
What makes punishment a real deterrent?
The likelihood of being caught.
Dr. Kristin Vance Richards takes a closer look at an often-overlooked part of public safety: whether the people responsible for serious crimes are actually identified and apprehended.
Mississippi trails the national average in clearing several violent crimes. So what does that mean for victims, law enforcement, and communities across our state?
Read more: empowerms.org/public-safety-…
Crime is down in Mississippi. But that’s not the whole story.
Our new report, "When Crime Goes Unsolved," takes a closer look at what the data reveal about public safety across the state.
Reported violent and property crime have declined, but Mississippi continues to face serious challenges with homicide, unsolved crimes, forensic capacity, recidivism, and gaps in public-safety data.
The report establishes a baseline for understanding where Mississippi is making progress, where challenges remain, and what it will take to build safer communities.
Read the full report: empowerms.org/when-crime-goe…
Jackson’s challenges get plenty of attention. But what about its potential?
After coming to Mississippi for a two-year teaching assignment, Kevin Parkinson chose to stay, build a life here, and eventually serve on the Jackson City Council.
On The Empower Podcast, he shares why he remains optimistic about the capital city and believes Jackson is worth investing in.
Watch the full episode: empowerms.org/kevin-parkinso…
What does Jackson need to get right to move forward?
Ward 7 City Councilman Kevin Parkinson believes it starts with the basics, but building a stronger city also means thinking about all of Jackson and the people who call it home.
On The Empower Podcast, Kevin joins Grant Callen to discuss the challenges facing Mississippi’s capital city, the progress being made, and what it will take to move Jackson forward.
Watch the full episode: empowerms.org/kevin-parkinso…
Why are so many Mississippians still disconnected from the workforce?
Rebekah Staples, our Fellow on Work, joined Mornings with Richard Cross to discuss findings from our latest report, The Tape Measure Problem, including workforce participation, skills gaps, and the barriers keeping many Mississippians from finding and keeping meaningful work.
Watch the conversation to hear what Mississippians told us and what it could mean for the future of work and opportunity in our state
youtu.be/57XM4Q6hgcA?si=cyDA…
We’re looking for a strategic thinker, strong relationship builder, and policy mind who knows how to turn good ideas into real solutions.
Empower Mississippi is hiring a Vice President for Public Policy to lead our policy development, government affairs, and coalition-building efforts.
This role is based in Ridgeland, Mississippi, and is an opportunity to help shape solutions that expand opportunity for Mississippians.
Could this be you? Or does someone in your network come to mind?
👉 Learn more and apply: empowerms.org/were-hiring-vi…
Choice is something we value in nearly every part of life. Why should education be any different?
The Colemans make the case that families should have that same freedom when it comes to something as important as their children’s education.
👉 Watch the full episode: empowerms.org/jack-elizabeth…
Mississippi has momentum. Now we need leaders ready to build on it.
As the race for governor takes shape, Empower Mississippi Founder & CEO Grant Callen shares what he’s looking for in our state’s next leader: a bold vision, a clear-eyed view of our challenges, and the courage to lead.
What can Mississippi become, and what will it take to get there?
Read the full column: empowerms.org/what-im-lookin…
For some families, taking a better-paying job can mean losing childcare or other assistance before their new income is enough to cover the difference. For others, simply getting to work or finding reliable childcare can be the hurdle.
These are practical problems, and they deserve practical solutions.
👉 Learn more in The Tape Measure Problem: empowerms.org/new-empower-mi…
