Mississippi governor celebrates young men of color

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF) and Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant celebrated the achievements of Mississippi’s young men of color during a special reception at the governor’s mansion on Oct. 14.

“These young men of color are representative of the many accomplished, determined and hard-working Mississippi youth in the state,” said La June Montgomery Tabron, president and CEO of WKKF. “They are the future leaders and mentors of Mississippi.”

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The foundation in 2013 launched an initiative to support programs that put young men of color in Mississippi on a path to success. The $3.8 million initiative to 25 organizations supports a comprehensive network for young men of color from birth into adulthood, developing their educational, emotional, physical and economic potential. 

Many of the young men participating in those programs were at the reception, as well as young men from a summer jobs initiative WKKF supported in Sunflower County and Jackson, Mississippi. 

The foundation also supports Jackson State University’s Call Me MISTER program, which trains and places male African American teachers in schools across the state to inspire and mentor young men of color in the classrooms where they serve. Many youth who are part of that program were at the governor’s reception. 

Gov. Bryant hosted the celebration to honor the young men’s accomplishments and the work of the nonprofit organizations that support them.