Economic development <strong>in</strong>itiatives sparked policyefforts such as the mobilization <strong>of</strong> 3,000 residents <strong>in</strong>Jefferson County, Ark., to dem<strong>and</strong> a liv<strong>in</strong>g wagehigher than the m<strong>in</strong>imum wage to help families meetliv<strong>in</strong>g costs <strong>in</strong> P<strong>in</strong>e Bluff, Ark. The issue was placedon the November 2004 election ballot. Even thoughthe proposal was narrowly defeated, organizedactivism has clearly been stirred <strong>and</strong> a base now existsupon which future policy efforts can be built.People’s Institute to address the challenge <strong>of</strong> work<strong>in</strong>gacross racial l<strong>in</strong>es. Dickerson, based at W.K. Kellogg’s<strong>of</strong>fice <strong>in</strong> the Delta, acknowledges that race cont<strong>in</strong>uesto be a difficult issue to bridge, not<strong>in</strong>g that somecommunities decl<strong>in</strong>ed to participate <strong>in</strong> the sem<strong>in</strong>ars.But progress has been made, she says, add<strong>in</strong>g thatMSDI rema<strong>in</strong>s steadfast <strong>in</strong> its belief that unlock<strong>in</strong>gthe full potential <strong>of</strong> the Delta depends on break<strong>in</strong>gdown such historical divides. The latest summaryevaluation <strong>of</strong> MSDI, conducted by the Academy forEducational Development, po<strong>in</strong>ts to some promis<strong>in</strong>gexamples <strong>of</strong> such collaborations across race, rang<strong>in</strong>gfrom black <strong>and</strong> white church congregations <strong>in</strong>Jonesboro, Ark., unit<strong>in</strong>g to create more affordablehous<strong>in</strong>g, to a team <strong>of</strong> black <strong>and</strong> white communitymembers com<strong>in</strong>g together to focus on education <strong>and</strong>health care <strong>in</strong> Belzoni <strong>and</strong> Humphreys counties <strong>in</strong>Mississippi.REGIONAL OPPORTUNITYYoung people work<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> the West Holmes, Miss., Community DevelopmentOrganization’s Vegetable Garden. The Vegetable Garden Project placesemphasis on youth development <strong>and</strong> employment opportunities <strong>and</strong> keepsyoung adults from leav<strong>in</strong>g the county to look for employment by creat<strong>in</strong>gpartnerships that will work as an <strong>in</strong>centive to keep them <strong>in</strong> West Holmes.Through the organization’s Senior Voucher Program, elderly people receivefresh produce from the Garden. (Source: Mid South Delta Initiative).Recogniz<strong>in</strong>g that collaboration across historicaldivides—such as race, religion, class, or geography—would be crucial to achiev<strong>in</strong>g last<strong>in</strong>g change <strong>in</strong> theDelta, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation has deliberatelysought to create opportunities that would br<strong>in</strong>gDelta residents <strong>of</strong> all backgrounds together to worktoward change. With race an obvious <strong>and</strong> <strong>of</strong>tendifficult barrier, special sem<strong>in</strong>ars were <strong>of</strong>fered by theLessons LearnedStaff members <strong>of</strong> the W.K. Kellogg Foundation havecome to appreciate that MSDI is still <strong>in</strong> a learn<strong>in</strong>gphase, <strong>and</strong> its place-based regional approach is stillevolv<strong>in</strong>g. They recognize the importance <strong>of</strong> shap<strong>in</strong>gthe <strong>in</strong>itiative based on <strong>in</strong>put <strong>of</strong> those who wouldbenefit. Before launch<strong>in</strong>g the <strong>in</strong>itiative, W.K. Kelloggembarked on “listen<strong>in</strong>g visits” for 18 months to getfeedback about what residents would like to seehappen <strong>in</strong> their communities. Taylor validates that“the value <strong>of</strong> the listen<strong>in</strong>g exercise was so important<strong>and</strong> cannot be overestimated, [as W.K. Kelloggrepresentatives] still hear how much the granteesrespected” that effort.W.K. Kellogg believes that another critical elementwas hav<strong>in</strong>g an <strong>of</strong>fice based <strong>in</strong> the Delta <strong>and</strong> staffedby a program <strong>of</strong>ficer with deep roots <strong>in</strong> the area. Byma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g a local presence, the Foundation sent aclear message that it wanted to be a “true partner,”expla<strong>in</strong>s Taylor. In addition, hav<strong>in</strong>g a local <strong>of</strong>ficeprovided W.K. Kellogg with “an <strong>in</strong>valuable vantagepo<strong>in</strong>t from which to observe <strong>and</strong> experience firsth<strong>and</strong>some <strong>of</strong> the challenges faced <strong>in</strong> the Delta.” 53To ensure regional impact, W.K. Kellogg “spent agreat deal <strong>of</strong> time network<strong>in</strong>g the teams with eachother across the region <strong>and</strong> build<strong>in</strong>g a web <strong>of</strong>relationships <strong>and</strong> learn<strong>in</strong>g. There are so manysimilarities across state l<strong>in</strong>es <strong>in</strong> the Delta that it madesense to connect the dots,” clarifies Taylor. The latest53“What We’ve Learned,” available at www.msdi.org/learned/.113Funders’ Network for Smart Growth <strong>and</strong> Livable Communities
summary evaluation <strong>of</strong> MSDI found that network<strong>in</strong>goccurred at different levels: between communities,between communities <strong>and</strong> <strong>in</strong>termediaries, as wellbetween donors <strong>and</strong> grantees. Many cross-sitemeet<strong>in</strong>gs that have been held <strong>in</strong> the region have beenattended not only by grantees but also bypolicymakers, community leaders, <strong>and</strong> other donors.In retrospect, W.K. Kellogg realizes that a key factor<strong>in</strong> MSDI’s success has been ensur<strong>in</strong>g thatopportunities were created for all stakeholders tonetwork, <strong>in</strong>teract, <strong>and</strong> share ideas.Furthermore, the Foundation also realizes thatcoach<strong>in</strong>g “is an <strong>in</strong>dispensable part <strong>of</strong> the MSDImodel.” 54 It <strong>in</strong>vested resources <strong>in</strong> creat<strong>in</strong>g a cadre <strong>of</strong>15 community change coaches, one for each <strong>of</strong> the15 community teams work<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> 27 <strong>of</strong> the 55counties <strong>and</strong> parishes <strong>in</strong> the region. The coacheswork with <strong>in</strong>dividual grantees <strong>and</strong> guide them“through the challenges <strong>of</strong> strategic plann<strong>in</strong>g,coalition-build<strong>in</strong>g, program implementation, <strong>and</strong>evaluation.” 55 The coaches themselves work with eachother as a group <strong>and</strong> learn from each other. Thecoach<strong>in</strong>g model has <strong>in</strong> effect created a resourcenetwork for the region that did not previously exist.care about you, then that provides <strong>in</strong>spiration <strong>and</strong> afeel<strong>in</strong>g that we can move forward.”54“What We’ve Learned,” available at www.msdi.org/learned/.55“Ripples <strong>of</strong> Change <strong>in</strong> the Delta 2003-4,” available atwww.msdi.org/documents/ripples<strong>of</strong>change.pdf.Contact PeopleGloria Dickerson<strong>Regional</strong> Program Coord<strong>in</strong>atorW.K. Kellogg Foundationgloria.dickerson@wkkf.org(601) 944-4170Frank TaylorProgram Director, Food Systems & RuralDevelopmentW.K. Kellogg Foundationfct@wkkf.org(269) 968-1611Bishop Alv<strong>in</strong> B. WalkerExecutive DirectorRENEWAL, Inc.bishop.walker@renewal<strong>in</strong>c.org(318) 387-0686Oak wetl<strong>and</strong>s <strong>in</strong> the Arkansas Delta, at the Louisiana Purchase State Parknear Br<strong>in</strong>kley. (Source: Mid South Delta Initiative).The Foundation recognizes that to move towardsbuild<strong>in</strong>g a successful regional equity movement, ithas to work with <strong>and</strong> through community <strong>and</strong>regional networks <strong>in</strong> order to connect pockets <strong>of</strong>activism, advocacy, resistance, <strong>and</strong> hope. Dickerson,W.K. Kellogg’s key staff person <strong>in</strong> the Delta,summarizes that the Foundation’s presence <strong>in</strong> aregion pervaded by a sense <strong>of</strong> hopelessness has been<strong>in</strong>strumental <strong>in</strong> lift<strong>in</strong>g people’s spirits. As sheexpla<strong>in</strong>s, “People <strong>in</strong> the area need to know that thereis someone out there that can <strong>of</strong>fer some hope, <strong>and</strong>once you have a national organization say<strong>in</strong>g that weREGIONAL OPPORTUNITYPart III: Section 3: Connect<strong>in</strong>g to <strong>Regional</strong> Opportunity 114
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Stories of Philanthropic Leadership
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Signs of Promise:Stories of Philant
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Funders’ Network for Smart Growth
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(II. B.)(II. C.)Turning Neighborhoo
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Annie E. Casey FoundationBaltimore,
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The International Community Foundat
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