Dear Friends, Thank you to everyone who joined us, supported us, and stood with us as we prepare for the 2026 Mississippi legislative session. Your encouragement and engagement mean more than I can adequately express. “The work doesn’t stop when the event ends. Your continued support helps ensure we are prepared to fight and lead for you.” As we move into this session, we anticipate difficult but necessary policy fights — protecting public education, strengthening and equitab

Mississippi continues to face one of the most severe maternal health crises in the nation, with Black women disproportionately impacted by preventable complications and deaths related to pregnancy and childbirth. Addressing this crisis requires more than isolated reforms—it demands a comprehensive, coordinated policy response. The Mississippi Maternal Health Legislative Package that I've introduced is a holistic framework designed to strengthen maternal health outcomes acros

“Mississippi’s maternal health crisis did not happen overnight, and it will not be solved by symbolism alone. This initiative represents what real leadership looks like—showing up in the communities most impacted, centering Black women and families, and pairing advocacy with concrete action. When we invest in maternal health, we invest in the future of our state.” JACKSON, Miss., Jan. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. will commemorate its 106th Founders' D

I am deeply honored to be named a recipient of the 31st Annual For My People Awards , presented by the Margaret Walker Center at Jackson State University. The awards luncheon will take place on Friday, January 16, 2026, at 11:30 a.m.  in the JSU Student Center Ballroom. Since 1996, the For My People Awards have recognized individuals and institutions whose work has made an indelible contribution to African American history and culture. Rooted in the legacy of poet and scholar

Photo Curtesy of Jay Johnson From the Jackson Advocate: The Crescent Foundation and the brothers of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. – Mu Sigma Chapter held its 18th Annual Image Awards & Scholarship Gala November 29, 2025, at the Westin in downtown Jackson, MS. The night was filled with celebration and gratitude. This year’s distinguished honorees were: Coach T.C. Taylor – Education, Chief Joseph Daughtry Sr. – Law, Debra McGee – Business, Sheletta Buckley – Humanitarian, Rep

Photo by Imani Khayyam https://m.jacksonfreepress.com/news/2016/mar/25/capitol-street-coalition-police-pursuits-endangeri/

Photographer: Sophia Knight

The Mississippi Department of Health’s declaration of a public health emergency due to Mississippi’s rising infant mortality rate is both...

This article was written for and published by Milbank Memorial Fund. As a Black woman, a state legislator, and a mother raising three...

Credit: Eric Shelton/Mississippi Today

I am proud to present this year’s legislative package—a reflection of the challenges we faced, the progress we fought for, and the values...

I write in strong opposition to the devastating cuts to AmeriCorps programs nationwide and in unwavering support of their full...

Jackson State University Master of Public Policy Administration Dr. Andre L. Hines, Professor Dr. Ivan Ozherelev, Advisor PPAD 595:...

At a time when our schools need more teachers, our hospitals are fighting to stay open, and our roads are crumbling, Mississippi...

WHAT:  Representative Zakiya Summers will host the 6th Annual Mother’s Day Brunch to celebrate mothers and their daughters from across...

From American Heart Association JACKSON, Miss., April 17, 2025 — The American Heart Association, a global force for healthier lives for...

Black Maternal Health Week, April 11-17, 2025, calls attention to the Black maternal and reproductive health crisis in the U.S.

Who: State Representative Zakiya Summers, Mississippi Black Women’s Roundtable, Mom.Me , Six Dimensions, Central Mississippi Chapter of...

House Bill 811 contains strategic barriers designed to silence the political voice of Mississippians. This bill is steeped in the same...

Despite being the most educated group in the country, Black women still earn the least. Rep. Zakiya Summers says it’s time to change...