Mississippi recently passed a new voting law called the SHIELD Act—short for Safeguard Honest Integrity in Elections for Lasting Democracy. This bill set to become law on July 1 will no doubt create new barriers for eligible voters and increase the risk of mistakes that keep lawful voters from casting a ballot. What Does the SHIELD Act Do? The SHIELD Act changes how Mississippi verifies citizenship for voting purposes. The law requires the Secretary of State to use a federal

The 2026 election is not just another election cycle. It is a defining moment for the future of democracy, representation, and voting rights in Mississippi and across the nation. In the wake of the United States Supreme Court’s decision in Louisiana v. Callais, communities across the South are facing renewed uncertainty about whether Black voters and historically marginalized communities will continue to have meaningful representation at every level of government. The SCOTUS

Mississippi is at a turning point. As we implement the Rural Health Transformation Program through the Governor's office, we have an opportunity not just to stabilize healthcare but to rethink how care is delivered across our state. That work must begin with maternal health. That's why I sent Governor Reeves with a list of recommendations to strengthen maternal and infant health outcomes through the Rural Health Transformation Program. When mothers cannot access safe, timely

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

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