Our bold vision is to end the institutional, structural and systemic racism in Mississippi and the Southern Region that drives inequitable economic policies and to bring about an educational system that provides every student – regardless of race, gender, religion, zip code or disability – with a first-rate, quality public education.

Our primary objective is to enable communities to hold political, economic, education and environmental decision makers accountable to the needs and interests of all citizens. We emphasize the importance of building strong community organizations, through effective community organizing and public education. We know that only when African Americans and low-wealth communities in Mississippi and other parts of the South are educated and engaged can institutional racism be confronted and dismantled. Southern Echo uses an intergenerational approach and implements its training and technical assistance programs to provide community members with information, resources, and skills needed to become effective community advocates, assume leadership roles, and work together to fully engage African Americans.