Residents in the small, predominantly Black town of Duck Hill, MS couldn’t imagine a rainy day that didn’t result in flooded cars, homes, and businesses. That changed in 2018 with the birth of Mississippi Communities United for Prosperity (MCUP). MCUP brings together residents, scientists, and engineers to solve real problems — from flooding to food insecurity to lead exposure — in the nation’s poorest state and communities long overlooked by traditional development. The organization’s flagship initiative “Achieving Sustainability through Education and Economic Development Solutions” has eliminated flooding in Duck Hill. The multi-agency community partnership has also earned national recognition from the EPA. By providing practical tools and training while advocating for fair policies, MCUP helps communities across Mississippi tackle challenges head-on. Their approach centers community voices in decision-making and builds leadership across generations, creating lasting change driven by those most affected.
Two young community volunteers prepare a garden area in front of Duck Hill’s former high school, which residents have envisioned as a future community gathering place.
Romona Taylor Williams, leads MCUP in the fight against environmental threats to Black communities across Mississippi – and her passion runs deep. “I feel an ancestral obligation. My parents were from here and they were part of the Great Migration. While some advancements have been made over the years, the same ancestral racism still exists. The work must go on, and so do I.” MCUP’s “Zero Lead and Healthy Housing Initiative” fights dangerous lead exposure by training 40 fellows in detection, removal, air quality management, and green building techniques – creating jobs while making homes safer. Through programs like ASEEDS Creek Rangers, MCUP trains young people – many of whom had never been outside their neighborhoods – in environmental stewardship, creating a pipeline of future leaders. What began in one flood-prone town has expanded to five additional counties, with MCUP transforming communities through resident-led natural resource stewardship, food security initiatives, and energy efficiency projects while ensuring local hiring builds community wealth.
Achieving Sustainability through Education and Economic Development Solutions (ASEEDS) is a multi-agency community partnership that is driving sustainability efforts in Duck Hill, Mississippi.