Who We Are

Organizing locally for statewide change

Working Together Mississippi (WTM) is an organization that works to revitalize Mississippi's civic infrastructure by developing leaders in community-based institutions, strengthening their capacity for collective action, and connecting them to engage on statewide issues that affect their communities.

Our work starts in the places where people live, work, and worship. We employ a nonpartisan methodology rooted in broad-based community organizing, which brings together diverse institutions and communities to build power and solve shared problems.

Unlike traditional advocacy or activist organizations, WTM does not begin with an issue agenda in place. Instead, we start by listening. Our organizers conduct hundreds of one-to-one relational meetings with community leaders to understand local concerns and identify shared priorities.

Building a Local Base

Chapter sponsoring committees are active in Lee, Oktibbeha, Copiah, Forrest, Lamar, western Hinds, Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson Counties. Pre-sponsoring committees are forming in Madison and Rankin Counties. Our sister organization, Working Together Jackson, has a base of more than 35 institutions in the capital city. Learn more about our chapters.

Changing the State Flag

WTM organized clergy from a cross-section of faiths and denominations to issue public statements calling for a new state flag. Their moral leadership helped shift public opinion and laid the groundwork for the 2020 legislative vote that retired the old flag and adopted a new state flag.

Expanding Healthcare Access

WTM's campaign helped secure the 12-month extension of postpartum Medicaid benefits in 2022, and continues to advocate for full Medicaid expansion to cover the estimated 100,000+ uninsured Mississippians in the coverage gap.

Reversing the Brain Drain

Mississippi's brain drain is a vicious cycle. Without the talent, the economic activity, and the civic participation of young people, the state struggles to build the kind of communities that make people want to stay. Rethink Mississippi is WTM's initiative to reverse this trend by engaging young professionals and returnees in civic life.