• Glucose check. Nurse. Utica
    Registered nurse and volunteer Jasmine Crosby, left, checks Lula Wilson’s blood glucose levels as a part of Hope Union Bank’s community outreach at the credit union’s location on West Main Street in Utica Wednesday, June 6, 2018. Credit: Eric J. Shelton, Mississippi Today/ Report for America
  • Hope Credit Union. Bank customers
    Calandra Davis, program officer for Hope Credit Union, speaks with Utica resident Arthur Wilson during the credit union’s day of outreach at its location on West Main Street in Utica Wednesday, June 6, 2018. “Hope Credit Union encourages the community and lets them know that they have better options, so they won’t be abused because of their financial situation.” Davis said. Credit: Eric J. Shelton, Mississippi Today/ Report for America
  • Hope Credit Union. Food Served. Bank customers
    Yolonda Campbell, Hope Credit Union assistant branch manager, left, and Jan Cook, member service representative, right, prepare a plate of food for Utica resident Inoise Robinson during the credit union’s day of outreach at its location on West Main Street in Utica Wednesday, June 6, 2018. Hope Credit Union provides assistance to residents in areas that are economically challenged. Credit: Eric J. Shelton, Mississippi Today/ Report for America
  • Town of Utica. Road. Mississippi
    Businesses and abandoned buildings occupy Main Street in Downtown Utica Wednesday, June 7, 2018. The small rural town is occupied by nearly 869 residents. Credit: Eric J. Shelton, Mississippi Today/ Report for America
  • Cowboy hat. Abandoned building. Utica
    Larry Loft is photographed near the intersection of Old Highway 27 and West Main Street in Utica Wednesday after expressing endearment for his community. “I moved away to when I was 17, but I found myself missing home,” Loft said. Credit: Eric J. Shelton, Mississippi Today/ Report for America
  • Worker at desk. Utica. Mississippi
    James Owens, who co-owns Omnibus Thrift with his wife Barbara, works at his store on White Oak Street in Utica Wednesday. “My wife and I look at our business as a service to the community,” Owens said. “Its very important that African Americans and rural communities are involved in the conversation about economic development.” Credit: Eric J. Shelton, Mississippi Today/ Report for America
  • Man sits on bench. Utica. Mississippi
    Life-long Utica resident Mack Sears, 68, sits on a bench in the 100 block of West Main Street after leaving Hope Credit Union in Utica Wednesday, June 6, 2018. Utica is about 83 percent African American. Nearly 28 percent of the population lives in poverty. Credit: Eric J. Shelton, Mississippi Today/ Report for America
  • Abandoned building. Signs. Utica.
    An abandoned building with a displayed message is seen in 100 block of West Main Street Main Street in Downtown Utica one day after the 2018 Mississippi Primary Election. Credit: Eric J. Shelton, Mississippi Today
  • Water tower. Utica. Mississippi
    A water tower is surrounded by trees in the rural town of Utica which is located in Southwest Hinds County. Credit: Eric J. Shelton, Mississippi Today/ Report for America

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Eric J. Shelton was a 2018 corps member in Report for America, and joined the team as our first photojournalist. A native of Columbia, Miss., Eric earned his bachelor’s in photojournalism from the University of Southern Mississippi. He was a multimedia journalist for Abilene Reporter-News, chief photographer for the Hattiesburg American and photo editor for the Killeen Daily Herald before joining our team June 2018. He rejoined Mississippi Today as our health photojournalist in January 2022.