Under-resourced and underserved: Supporting tornado-devastated communities in Mississippi and the Deep South
2 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. CT
Poor. Black. Rural. And gone. Most of the communities hit by tornadoes over the March 24-26 weekend share these characteristics. They are also strong, resilient and proud, and urgently need philanthropic support.
For the second time in just two months, the Center for Disaster Philanthropy hosted a webinar to examine the impact of tornadoes in the Deep South. Multiple states, including Texas, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia, were hit with multiple devastating tornadoes. The loss of life was highest in Mississippi, where an EF-4 tornado destroyed multiple communities across the state.
Speakers shared the latest information, including critical needs and gaps, and provided takeaways for funders to effectively support relief and recovery efforts.
During the webinar, we looked at the impact of a catastrophic disaster in communities that were already lacking a strong social safety net and infrastructure. What does rebuilding look like when you’re starting nearly from scratch? How do you support communities that have lost everything?
Dr. John T. Cooper, Jr., Assistant Vice President in the Division of Academic & Strategic Collaborations at Texas A&M University, moderated the discussion and panelists included:
- Sherry-Lea Bloodworth Botop, Senior Vice President, Community and Economic Development, Hope Enterprise Corporation
- Mavis A. Creagh, Executive Director R3SM (Recover, Rebuild, and Restore Southeast Mississippi) and Mississippi VOAD Vice Chair
- Melanie Powell, Executive Director, Community Foundation of Washington County
This webinar was co-sponsored by Giving Compass, Alliance Magazine, Council on Foundations, United Philanthropy Forum, Mississippi Alliance of Nonprofits and Philanthropy, National VOAD and ABFE.
Please see the slide deck, read the recap on Giving Compass and watch the webinar recording to learn more:
Photo: Tornado damage in Rolling Fork, Mississippi, March 25, 2023. (Source: David Parker via Facebook)
