2021 Educator of the Year Project Impact Mississippi

What began as a community project sponsored by Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, is now a full fledged educational resource. Project Impact Mississippi works to combat education inequalities throughout the state. The nonprofit is active in 36 counties, has provided almost 8500 backpacks filled with school supplies and given more than $60,000 in scholarships to high school students.

Project Impact MS believes that with strong encouragement, constructive mentorships, well-designed programs and scholarships they will positively impact the lives of Mississippi’s youth. The non-profit organization works to combat education inequalities throughout. 

“As Mississippi continues to rank at the bottom in education, there is hope in the fact that our youth are fully capable of competing with their counterparts from communities where youth have access to resources. When our youth gain access to those same resources, they too can thrive and achieve.”

Project Impact Mississippi prides itself on being a resource in communities. They partner with schools, parents and education advocates within counties to be a support system. With programs like the Backpack Give-A-Way, Project Impact raises the money from donors to purchase the backpacks and supplies. They then reach out to community partners to give them away. Another signature program is the organization’s, Build Your Own Scholarship program. This program allows for everyday citizens to directly impact Mississippi youth. Build Your Own Scholarship is the simplest, most efficient way to “reach back” and help point a student in the right direction.

The education system has been significantly impacted by the COVID pandemic. Project Impact Mississippi recently launched a pilot program called Powering through The Pandemic. This program provides students with journals that guide them through expressing how they are feeling.