Hi Friend,

As we look ahead to 2025 and beyond, I want to acknowledge the hope and the uncertainty that this moment holds. Elections have a way of revealing the stark divides in our nation, but they also present an opportunity for renewed focus on what binds us together. At MDC, we remain clear-eyed about the challenges that lie ahead, but we are equally clear about our unwavering commitment to advancing equity and economic mobility across the South.

Our mission has never been more essential. At MDC, we believe that everyone—regardless of background or circumstance—deserves a fair chance to pursue meaning, dignity, and community. While shifts in policy and leadership may create new challenges, our mission does not change. We remain rooted in the belief that equity means a better life for all in the South, not a select few. Our work is not dictated by election outcomes but by the enduring needs of communities across the region. We will continue to work tirelessly with our partners to create change on the ground, change that will allow people to have the choice-filled lives we all seek.

Right now, it’s critical to hold steady to what works while also sharpening our strategies. To that end, MDC will:

• Keep working — Equity and opportunity remain essential to a thriving South, and we will press forward with the same commitment and urgency.
• Build understanding through proximity — We will bring people together across lines of difference, knowing that solutions come when diverse perspectives are in the room.
• Develop regional priorities — The South’s challenges do not stop at state borders, and neither will our efforts. We will continue to leverage regional collaboration as a path to lasting change.
• Go where the evidence takes us — We will seek out objective, reliable sources of information to ensure our work is guided by facts and data, not fear or speculation.
• Remember what it really means to be an ally — Being an ally is more than offering support from a distance, it’s about joining the fight. We will continue to be in communities, walking and working alongside partners toward our shared goals.

We know this work is hard, and it does not happen overnight. It is sometimes slow, challenging, and deeply personal. It’s about people—their lives, their families, and their futures. We acknowledge the weight of this moment and recognize that many are feeling exhausted. But we also know that progress is possible when we stand together with conviction and courage.

Politicians and the politics they espouse will come and go. Engaging with people across the South around MDC’s core values of meaning, dignity, and community will remain our focus. We stand with our partners old and new in facing the year ahead and continue to be grateful for being with you on this journey. 

In solidarity,
John L. S. Simpkins
President & CEO, MDC
 

The State of the South