Born in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, One Voice was founded on the fundamental principle that policy is only effective when it is informed by the voices of the community. The organization’s roots trace back to the MS Gulf Coast and South Mississippi, where local NAACP branches reported being excluded from official emergency services and left in the dark regarding critical information. In response, Black churches stepped into the gap, opening their doors to provide essential shelter, meals, and resources. Recognizing these systemic inequities, the State Conference NAACP and its community partners mobilized to provide immediate relief while documenting the disparities that would ultimately shape One Voice’s mission:

• A Legacy of Advocacy: One Voice’s early advocacy was defined by the fight against post-Katrina recovery policies that prioritized Gulf Coast businesses over rebuilding homes, specifically supporting families who were denied insurance coverage or renters left entirely displaced.
• Commitment to Climate Justice: As environmental crises have become more frequent, disaster recovery has evolved into a cornerstone of our climate justice work; in collaboration with our partners, we provide essential shelter, food, clothing, and utility assistance to families facing hardship.
• The Mississippi Disaster Relief Coalition (MDRC): As a founding member of the MDRC, One Voice helped unite Mississippi organizations during the pandemic to pool resources, establishing both a 24-hour rapid response team for immediate emergencies and a dedicated team focused on long-term recovery needs.
• The Vision for a Hub: The concept of a permanent resiliency hub was born from this long-term planning; as emergency budgets were increasingly drained by temporary hotel stays for survivors, we began researching sustainable disaster recovery models used in other states.
• From Storage to Shelter: Originally envisioned as a storage site for emergency goods supplemented by scattered-site housing, the project expanded significantly when the Jackson Public School District began seeking community-centered solutions for surplus buildings, allowing us to integrate comprehensive shelter space into our plans.
• A Vibrant Community Center: Beyond its emergency functions, the Hub will serve as a year-round cultural center where Jackson residents can learn, retreat, and gather—prioritizing the arts and providing a safe, creative environment for young people to thrive.
• A Sanctuary in Times of Need: During periods of crisis, the facility will transform into a full-scale sanctuary, offering displaced families and youth a secure place to shelter for as long as they need to recover.