THE MLBC RUNDOWN - Sept. 10, 2026 GREENVILLE IS UP NEXT Here is what is happening, what you need to know and where you can get involved. This week, we are preparing to take our work to Greenville, bringing elected and community leaders together for voter education and making sure Mississippi communities know when redistricting decisions are being discussed. The calendar is full. The opportunities to participate are clear. Let’s get to it. GREENVILLE 2026 Civic Action Meets Delta Culture During Blues Week Next week, we will convene in Greenville for the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus 2026 Annual Legislative Retreat. From September 16 through 20, MLBC members will prepare for the legislative work ahead, engage with residents and local leaders, and participate in Greenville’s Blues Week activities. The Mississippi Delta has shaped music, culture and history around the world. Its people must also have a voice in the decisions shaping Mississippi’s future. Public engagement begins with the Protect Our Voice Greenville Town Hall. GREENVILLE TOWN HALL Wednesday, September 16, 2026 Public arrival: 5:30 p.m. Program begins: 6:30 p.m. Elks Lodge 1818 East Alexander Street, Greenville, MS 38703 Special Guest: District Attorney Scott Colom Join us for a direct conversation about voting, education, redistricting and the issues affecting Black communities across Mississippi. Bring your questions. Bring your concerns. Bring someone with you. Additional Blues Week activities will continue through Saturday, September 19, including the 49th Mississippi Delta Blues & Heritage Festival. VIEW GREENVILLE’S EVENTS CALENDAR OPERATION TURNOUT PART 2 Turning Information Into Action Faith and community leaders came together this week for Operation Turnout Part 2. The virtual session focused on redistricting updates, voter education and preparing trusted community voices to share accurate information with the people they serve. Now the information has to move beyond the Zoom room. This week’s action: ask five people in your family, church, organization or neighborhood to check their voter registration before National Voter Registration Day on September 15. CHECK YOUR REGISTRATION OR GET VOTER INFORMATION More Operation Turnout resources and opportunities will be shared soon. Did you miss the meeting? Catch the replay now: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/mYUFnmUjPIP7xEDR9h93RG94oAZx8y4NIMPwoIFs2fYG9yhUzojVwTPZXRFF0ww.CRoEGpKw5bymDrI2 Passcode: A8h&=K@7 Civics Sunday: Put Faith Into Action Sunday, September 20, 2026 The Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus is calling on pastors, ministry leaders and faith communities across the state to participate in Operation Turnout: Civics Sunday. Participating churches can choose a Civic Engagement Ambassador, set up a voter information table, help eligible voters register or verify their status, share nonpartisan voter information and encourage members to make a voting plan. The goal is to reach at least 20 voters at each participating church. The Civics Sunday Plan of Action includes step-by-step instructions, sample pulpit and bulletin language, an engagement script, a materials checklist and a participation report. Download the plan, choose your church’s lead and prepare to activate on September 20. DOWNLOAD THE CIVICS SUNDAY PLAN OF ACTION BELOW RESOURCE LINKS: state registration-status portal and mail-in voter-registration application. Questions or requests for materials can be sent to mslbc1976@gmail.com. Protect Our Voice. Mobilize the Vote. Transform the Block. Town Halls later this month GREENVILLE Wednesday, September 16, 2026 | 5:30 p.m. Elks Lodge | 1818 E. Alexander Street, Greenville, MS 38703 Special Guest: Attorney Scott Colom LAUREL Wednesday, September 23, 2026 | 11:00 a.m. L.T. Ellis Community Center | 610 Munson Street, Laurel, Mississippi Lunch will be served. GET VOTE READY National Vote Registration Day Is September 15 Do you know whether your voter registration information is current? Take a few minutes to check. If you have moved, changed your name or recently became eligible to vote, find out what you need to do now. Then check on your people. Ask five relatives, friends, church members or neighbors to verify their registration before National Voter Registration Day. CHECK YOUR REGISTRATION OR GET VOTER INFORMATION VISIT THE NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION DAY WEBSITE Being ready before Election Day removes one more barrier between you and the ballot box. REDISTRICTING WATCH Meridian, Your Hearing Is Sept. 10 Redistricting affects which communities vote together and who represents them. The public hearing process gives Mississippi residents an opportunity to speak before new maps are finalized. Meridian is the next stop on the schedule. MERIDIAN Thursday, September 10, 2026 | 6:00 p.m. Meridian Community College McCain Theater 910 Highway 19 North Meridian, MS 39307 Arrive early to sign in and secure your seat. A clear bag policy may be enforced. HATTIESBURG The next redistricting hearing after Meridian will be: Thursday, September 17, 2026 | 6:00 p.m. University of Southern Mississippi Mannoni Performing Arts Center 3057 Hardy Street, Hattiesburg, MS 39401 The September 17 hearing remains scheduled. It is separate from the canceled September 10 Hattiesburg town hall. Want help preparing to participate? Email mslbc1976@gmail.com. Cannot attend in person? Watch the livestream through legislature.ms.gov. Find a hearing near you. Public redistricting hearings are scheduled across Mississippi through October 1. Attend in person or watch online. SEE ALL HEARING DATES AND LOCATIONS WATCH THE HEARINGS LIVE WHAT YOU CAN DO NEXT Know. Share. Show Up. Organize. Know: Check the redistricting hearing schedule and your voter registration. Share: Send the Greenville Town Hall information to someone in the Delta. Show up: Attend a hearing or town hall and bring your questions. Organize: Ask five people in your circle to confirm their voter registration before September 15. The work moves when our communities have accurate information and clear ways to participate. Decisions are being shaped now. Our communities must be part of shaping them. Our Voice. Our Power. Our Future.

THE MLBC RUNDOWN - AUGUST 26, 2026 Faith, voice and action are moving across Mississippi Here is what happened, why it matters and what you can do next. This week, MLBC’s work continues to move from the Capitol into churches, neighborhoods and community rooms. Across Mississippi, the Caucus is sharing clear information, listening to local concerns and demanding answers about decisions affecting Black families. FAITH IN ACTION Churches Are Helping Protect Our Voice MLBC recently met with clergy and church leaders for Operation Turnout, a statewide faith and civic engagement effort. The work is rooted in a truth our communities know well: churches have always helped Black people learn, organize and move. Operation Turnout equips congregations to protect the voice, mobilize the vote and turn faith into action in their communities. Faith leaders were challenged to speak boldly, educate their congregations and help people take action. That can mean sharing trusted information, helping eligible voters prepare, bringing neighbors together and choosing one clear civic action to complete within the next 30 days. One Church. One Action. Thirty Days. · Choose one action your church can complete. · Name one person to lead it. · Set a date and get started. We are the only salt in town. The message draws from the biblical call to be the salt of the earth. Faith has a public role. That work continues before, during and after Election Day. To learn more about Operation Turnout, contact mslbc1976@gmail.com or sign up to the Protect Our Voice Network here. The Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus is connecting people with clear information, listening to local concerns and calling for answers on decisions that affect Black families across our state. MLBC ON THE MOVE - OKOLONA AND UPCOMING TOWN HALLS Okolona Showed Up. Louisville, You're Next. A strong crowd came out for the first Protect Our Voice Legislative Town Hall in Okolona. Community members connected with legislators, heard updates and made space for local voices to be heard. That is what public service should look like: elected leaders meeting people face to face, in the communities they serve. Now the town hall tour is headed to Louisville. Louisville Town Hall Details Monday, August 31, 2026 | 6:00 p.m. Still Valley MB Church Annex 521 Armstrong Street, Louisville, MS 39339 Come hear legislative updates, ask questions and speak directly with members of the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus. Food will be served. Bring your questions. Bring your concerns. Bring someone with you. Save the Next Dates HATTIESBURG Thursday, September 10, 2026 | 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. C.E. Roy Community Center | 300 East 5th Street, Hattiesburg, MS 39401 Light refreshments will be served. LAUREL Wednesday, September 23, 2026 | 11:00 a.m. L.T. Ellis Community Center | 610 Munson Street, Laurel, Mississippi Lunch will be served. ACCOUNTABILITY - KOHEN WILEY Kohen Wiley's Family Is Still Waiting for Answers One-year-old Kohen Wiley was fatally shot on June 14 during a law-enforcement encounter in a Walmart parking lot in Senatobia. The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is investigating his death. MLBC has called on Attorney General Lynn Fitch and Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell to make sure Kohen's family receives direct, timely and ongoing updates about the investigation. Some information may need to stay private while the investigation continues. Silence is still not acceptable. READ AND SHARE THE OPEN LETTER MLBC is calling for direct, timely and ongoing communication with Kohen Wiley's family about the investigation into his death. POLICY WATCH - COLLEGE FUNDING Mississippi's public HBCUs serve students and communities across the state. MLBC is asking for a full review before any new funding formula moves forward. College Funding Plan Paused. The Questions Remain. State leaders and the Institutions of Higher Learning Board are considering changes to how Mississippi's public universities receive state money. During its August 20 meeting, the IHL Board took no action on the proposed performance-based funding formula. That means the current formula remains in place for now. The MLBC is still calling for an independent PEER review before any new formula moves forward. The Caucus wants the full picture on the table, including each institution’s funding, student needs, facilities, endowments and history of state investment. The request also includes Mississippi’s public community colleges. The goal is clear: Mississippi should understand who could gain, who could lose and how students and communities could be affected before changing how public colleges and universities are funded. A formula that treats every school the same can still hurt schools that have been underfunded for years. MLBC wants clear facts about what the plan could mean for Jackson State University, Alcorn State University and Mississippi Valley State University. READ THE MLBC REQUEST REDISTRICTING WATCH Redistricting Hearings Have Begun. Our Power Is on the Line. Mississippi lawmakers have started holding public hearings on whether to redraw the state’s legislative, congressional and judicial voting districts before the next census. The first hearing was held August 18 in Tupelo. The next hearing is Thursday, August 27, at 6:00 p.m. at Northwest Mississippi Community College’s Ranger Center, 1210 Church Road in Southaven. The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Louisiana v. Callais does not require Mississippi to redraw its maps. Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act remains law, but the ruling sharply limited how it can be used to challenge maps that weaken Black voting power. MLBC is calling for an open and accountable process, including public hearings across the state, livestreamed meetings, proposed maps and data released for public review, and meaningful community input before decisions are made. Voting maps determine which communities vote together, who represents them and whose voices carry power. Show up, follow the maps and make your voice part of the public record. READ THE MLBC REDISTRICTING UPDATE Find a hearing near you. Public redistricting hearings are scheduled across Mississippi through October 1. Attend in person or watch online. SEE ALL HEARING DATES AND LOCATIONS WATCH THE HEARINGS LIVE Know. Share. Show Up. Organize. Know: Read the redistricting update and learn what changing the maps could mean for your community. Share: Send this Rundown and the Louisville flyer to your church, neighborhood group, family chat or organization. Show up: Attend the Louisville town hall Monday and bring someone with you. Organize: Ask your church to choose one Operation Turnout action for the next 30 days. Decisions are being shaped now. Our communities must be part of shaping them. Our Voice. Our Power. Our Future.

THE MLBC RUNDOWN - Sept. 3, 2026 When Communities Speak, Things Move Here is what happened, why it matters and what you can do next. This week brought a clear reminder: when people organize, speak out and keep the pressure on, public officials must respond. From Senatobia, where city leaders fired the police chief, to Louisville, where residents filled the room to speak directly with lawmakers, Mississippi communities are making their voices heard. The work is also crossing state lines as Black lawmakers build stronger partnerships around the issues affecting the people they represent. ACCOUNTABILITY IN SENATOBIA Senatobia Aldermen Fire Police Chief The Senatobia Board of Aldermen voted unanimously Tuesday to fire Police Chief Harold Vanderford. Vanderford attempted to resign after investigative reporting revealed that he repeatedly used racist slurs in private text messages. The Board rejected his resignation and terminated him instead. The people of Senatobia refused to let this be pushed aside. Community members kept asking questions, demanding accountability and making it clear that this conduct could not be accepted from someone entrusted to lead a police department. The firing matters. But it does not answer every question. The investigation into the police shooting that killed 1-year-old Kohen Wiley remains open. Kohen’s family is still owed facts, direct communication and a full accounting of what happened on June 14. Accountability cannot stop with one personnel decision. Read the latest reporting:https://mississippitoday.org/2026/09/01/senatobia-police-chief-fired-after-racist-texts/ TOWN HALL RECAP Louisville Showed Up - and the Story Traveled Residents came together Monday for the Protect Our Voice Legislative Town Hall in Louisville. The Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus partnered with the Winston County Branch of the NAACP to discuss voting, possible changes to Mississippi’s congressional districts, new state gun laws and other issues affecting local communities. People did not simply sit and listen. They asked questions, raised concerns and spoke directly with elected leaders. WCBI covered the town hall, helping carry that community conversation beyond the meeting room. That matters. When residents show up and local media tell the story, more people understand what is at stake—and more people know how to get involved. Watch and read the WCBI coverage: https://www.wcbi.com/ms-black-caucus-encourages-voter-participation-ahead-of-election/ Later this month GREENVILLE Wednesday, September 16, 2026 | 5:30 p.m. Elks Lodge | 1818 E. Alexander Street, Greenville, MS 38703 Special Guest: Attorney Scott Colom LAUREL Wednesday, September 23, 2026 | 11:00 a.m. L.T. Ellis Community Center | 610 Munson Street, Laurel, Mississippi Lunch will be served. BUILDING POWER ACROSS STATE LINES Mississippi and Tennessee Lawmakers Strengthen Their Partnership The Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus recently joined the Tennessee Black Caucus of State Legislators in Nashville for important conversations about education, healthcare, economic opportunity, criminal justice reform and voting rights. Black communities across the South face many of the same challenges. Our responsibility does not end when a meeting is over. Black communities across the South face many of the same challenges. The work now is to stay connected, establish shared priorities and turn those priorities into measurable action. This collaboration gives Mississippi and Tennessee lawmakers an opportunity to strengthen their strategies around education, healthcare, economic opportunity, criminal justice reform and voting rights. Thank you to our Tennessee colleagues and every MLBC member who participated. Our families are counting on us to continue this work with purpose and urgency. Photo credit: Mayor Erik D. Simmons RETREAT AND TOWN HALL The Work Moves Forward in Greenville MLBC members will convene in Greenville September 16–20 for the 2026 Annual Legislative Retreat. The retreat will include a public Protect Our Voice Town Hall: Wednesday, September 16, 2026 | 5:30 p.m. Elks Lodge | 1818 E. Alexander Street | Greenville, MS 38703 Special Guest: Attorney Scott Colom REDISTRICTING WATCH Natchez: Your Voice Belongs in the Room The next public redistricting hearing will be held: Tuesday, September 8, 2026 6:00 p.m. Alcorn State University MBA Building Auditorium, Natchez Campus 15 Campus Drive Natchez, MS 39120 Arrive early to sign in and secure your seat. A clear bag policy may be enforced. Want help preparing to participate? Email mslbc1976@gmail.com. Cannot attend in person? Watch the livestream through legislature.ms.gov. Find a hearing near you. Public redistricting hearings are scheduled across Mississippi through October 1. Attend in person or watch online. SEE ALL HEARING DATES AND LOCATIONS WATCH THE HEARINGS LIVE OPERATION TURNOUT One Church. One Action. Thirty Days. Operation Turnout Part 2 will bring faith leaders and community partners together for virtual organizing session focused on voter engagement and coordinated civic action. Wednesday, September 9, 2026 | 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. | Virtual meeting via Zoom Every church can take one clear action. Identify a civic engagement captain who will share voter registration information, hearing dates and time-sensitive community action alerts with the congregation for the next 30 days. REGISTER FOR OPERATION TURNOUT PART 2 WHAT YOU CAN DO NEXT Know. Share. Show Up. Organize. Know: Learn what proposed map changes could mean for your community. Share: Send this Rundown and the upcoming event information to your church, neighborhood group, family chat or organization. Show up: Attend the Natchez redistricting hearing on September 8, join Operation Turnout Part 2 on September 9 and attend the Greenville town hall on September 16. Organize: Ask your church to appoint one civic engagement captain for the next 30 days. Decisions are being shaped now. Our communities must be part of shaping them. Our Voice. Our Power. Our Future.

Protect Our Voice The Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus represents, serves and advocates for public policies that affect the well-being of Black Mississippians. We are working toward a state where Black Mississippians thrive through effective leadership and equitable policymaking that strengthens communities, protects rights and ensures dignity and opportunity for every generation. Verify Your Voter Registration Everything You Need to Know to Vote in Mississippi The Latest There's no need for mid-decade redistricting, and any committee actions must be held to the highest standards of integrity and transparency. Scroll to the bottom for the Public Hearing Schedule. Read More Where MLBC Stands Mississippi is facing an attack on Black representation and renewed uncertainty over its political districts following the Callais decision affecting voting-rights protections. State leaders have expressed interest in redrawing Mississippi’s four congressional districts, state legislative, and judicial districts. Although legislative redistricting committees have been established, new maps have not yet been presented. Callais is not a command nor a mandate to redistrict. It changed the standard courts will use in certain Voting Rights Act cases, but it did not erase the Constitution nor authorize racial discrimination. Any new map must still be drawn without intentionally diminishing Black voting strength. Political maps determine which communities vote together and who has the opportunity to elect representatives who understand their needs. When communities are divided unnecessarily, their voting strength can be weakened. When the process happens behind closed doors, residents may not have an opportunity to review proposed maps, identify problems or explain which communities should remain together. Fair representation helps communities advocate for: Strong public schools Accessible health care Safe roads and reliable infrastructure Affordable housing Economic investment and good-paying jobs Accountable government Fair treatment under the law We want to be clear: Mississippi Republicans are making a discretionary political decision to consider new maps. Any effort to dismantle or weaken the voting strength of Black Mississippians would threaten the ability of Black voters to elect a representative of their choice. Maps decide representation. Representation influences resources. Resources shape the future of our communities. Our Position The Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus believes: Black voters should not lose meaningful representation because legal standards or political priorities change. Communities should not be divided merely to weaken their voting strength. Mississippi’s only majority-Black congressional district should not be dismantled for partisan advantage. Every proposed map should be released early enough for meaningful public review. Public hearings should be held throughout the state before maps are finalized. Residents must have access to understandable maps, population data and information about proposed changes. Black communities, rural communities and other communities of interest must have a genuine opportunity to be heard. Maps must be evaluated by their real effect on voters—not simply by the stated intentions of those who draw them. Public participation must begin before decisions are made, not after a plan has already been completed. MLBC will speak openly, stand courageously and use its influence to protect the rights and representation of Black Mississippians. Take Action Protecting our voice requires more than watching what happens at the State Capitol. It requires informed, organized and sustained community participation. Utilize this suite of actionable items to Protect Our Voice and join the Protect Our Voice Network by completing the contact form at the bottom. Protect the Voice Join the MLBC Protect Our Voice Network. Complete the contact form below. Attend MLBC town halls and official redistricting hearings. MLBC encourages you to participate in the public hearing nearest you. Submit written or oral community testimony. For the public access policy, click here . Know your legislators and ask legislative leaders to provide public hearings, accessible data and adequate notice. Contact your legislators before any redistricting vote. Invite MLBC to speak at your church, campus or community meeting. Share trusted redistricting information with your network. Mobilize the Vote Verify your voter registration, address, polling place and ballot. Help seniors, students, recently relocated residents and people with name changes verify their information. Create a personal voting plan. Help at least five relatives, friends or neighbors prepare to vote. Participate in Stroll to the Polls on the first day of in-person absentee voting on September 21, 2026. Recruit poll workers and nonpartisan poll monitors. Share voter-protection information and report voting problems. Counter misinformation by sharing information from trusted sources. OPERATION TURNOUT Civics Sunday | September 20, 2026 The Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus is calling on churches and faith communities across the state to activate for Operation Turnout: Civics Sunday. This statewide, nonpartisan effort will help congregations get registered, verify their voter information and prepare to participate in upcoming elections. Each participating church is encouraged to designate a Civic Engagement Ambassador and aim to reach at least 20 voters. Register. Verify. Prepare. Your church can participate by: Setting up a voter engagement table before and after worship Helping eligible citizens complete a Mississippi voter registration application Helping registered voters verify their status, address and polling place Sharing accurate, nonpartisan information about voter ID, absentee voting and upcoming elections Encouraging each person to make a voting plan and help someone else become vote ready Reporting participation and submitting photos to the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus The Civics Sunday Plan of Action includes preparation steps, a materials checklist, an engagement script, sample pulpit and bulletin language, voter resources and reporting instructions. Watch the Operation Turnout 2 Virtual Briefing Missed the virtual Operation Turnout meeting? Watch the recording to hear how the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus is preparing for Civics Sunday and how churches can help their congregations register, verify and prepare to vote. WATCH THE OPERATION TURNOUT RECORDING Recording passcode: A8h&=K@7 After watching, download the complete plan below and prepare your church to participate on September 20. [DOWNLOAD THE CIVICS SUNDAY PLAN OF ACTION] VERIFY YOUR VOTER REGISTRATION DOWNLOAD THE MISSISSIPPI VOTER REGISTRATION APPLICATION Questions or requests for materials can be sent to mslbc1976@gmail.com . Transform the Block Organize a neighborhood cleanup or community-needs assessment. Hold a youth listening session. Mentor and develop young community leaders. Partner with local schools, churches and neighborhood organizations. Attend meetings of your city council, board of supervisors or school board. Advocate for investment in housing, health care, parks, schools and infrastructure. Turn voter participation into year-round community power. Join the Network Complete the form or email the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus at mslbc1976@gmail.com First Name Last Name Email Message Thanks for submitting! Send

Thank You Sponsors! To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. Cooperative Energy NBCSL 49th Annual Legislative Conference The Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus proudly served as state host for the National Black Conference of State Legislators (NBCSL) 49th Annual Legislative Conference on December 7–12, 2025 in Biloxi, MS. This nationally recognized event brought together more than 1,000 state legislators, business leaders, and legislative staff from across the country for in-depth discussions on policies shaping our communities. NBCSL is a premier platform for networking, education, and advocacy—addressing critical issues such as economic development, education, healthcare, and criminal justice reform. Hosting this conference in Mississippi was both a tremendous honor and a unique opportunity to showcase our state’s rich heritage, resilience, and commitment to progress. HBCU Tailgate Welcome Reception The MLBC 2025 HBCU Tailgate Welcome Reception during the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) Annual Legislative Conference was held on Monday, December 8, 2025, in Biloxi, Mississippi at the Gruich Community Center. This year’s theme—“The Legacy Lives Here”—celebrated the enduring impact of our Historically Black Colleges and Universities, our Greek-letter organizations, and the collective work we continue to advance for Black communities across the nation. The Welcome Reception was a signature experience that brought together legislators, policy leaders, advocates, students, alumni, and partners from across the country for an evening of fellowship, culture, and celebration. With live music, food, and community engagement, this event set the tone for a week of meaningful discussion and policymaking. It also provide the MLBC with an important opportunity to showcase Mississippi’s rich HBCU legacy and our commitment to fair public policy.

MLBC Retreat 2025 Unifying the Caucus, prioritizing our shared mission, and moving forward together. Thank You Sponsors! The Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus brought together our members in a spirit of unity, reflection, and strategic planning. Over several days, members engaged in meaningful conversations about the state of the caucus, identified legislative priorities for the coming year, and strengthened the bonds of fellowship that ground our work. From strategy sessions and policy discussions to moments of celebration and connection, the retreat underscored our shared commitment to advancing justice, equity, and opportunity for all Mississippians. The retreat also honored our rich legacy of leadership, while challenging us to think boldly about the future. Together, we emerged with a renewed sense of purpose and a clear vision: to move forward as One Caucus, united in service to the people of Mississippi. We thank all our members, partners, and sponsors who contributed to making this retreat a success. The lessons, strategies, and commitments made here will guide our work in the upcoming legislative session and beyond. Black Caucus Retreat 8-18-2025 043 Black Caucus Retreat 8-18-2025 1011 Black Caucus Retreat 8-18-2025 032 Black Caucus Retreat 8-18-2025 043 1/121