The Mississippi Black Leadership Institute is the brainchild of Congressman Bennie G. Thompson and former Executive Director Derrick Johnson, who is committed to developing community and political leaders from progressive communities across the state of Mississippi. The Institute offers a professional leadership development immersion, which is facilitated by One Voice Mississippi, Incorporated. They believe that a collective vision can be achieved by cultivating emerging leaders through a common bond of unity, excellence, and a commitment to transform Mississippi.
The Mississippi Black Leadership Institute (MBLI) is a community of scholars, elected officials, business leaders, and community organizers working together to exchange information, provide support, and provide access to other local professionals and political leaders to produce progressive change.
The Mississippi Black Leadership Institute opens doors of opportunity by promoting an agenda of leadership development to achieve equity and justice for vulnerable and marginalized Mississippians whose voices and values are often underrepresented.
An invitational program for leaders aged 25-45 from various disciplines across the state of Mississippi. Participants commit to an intense nine-month curriculum of civic engagement, public policy and governance, state history, and relationship development in an effort to prepare and produce a cadre of informed, socially conscious public servants. Graduates of the Institute will help to advance, advocate for, and articulate an agenda of equity in their respective communities.