Mississippi is a typical American southern state.

No state epitomizes the American South better than Mississippi: First-time visitors are often struck by how friendly residents are — the "southern hospitality" for which this part of the country is famous. They’re also likely to be amazed (and far less pleased) at the year-round heat and humidity.

Entire communities also come to understand that while it is necessary to hold their governments accountable, it is equally important that in their own relationships with each other, they exemplify the leadership values they wish to see in their own leaders, namely justice, integrity and trust.