Poverty. Flooding. Inequity. The Delta is no stranger to these problems. Nor are Deltans strangers to coming together to face these challenges. In these photos from 2019, Delta residents embody the spirit of the region’s resiliency. — R.L. Nave
Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today, Report For America
Olecia James, left, and Jasmine Shepard. James and Shepard filed suit against Cleveland School District for alleging systemic racism and inequality.
Eric J. Shelton, Mississippi Today/Report For America
Travis Jones at his thrift store Thursday, April 11, 2019 in Belzoni, Miss.
Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today, Report For America
A large crack in the side Goodman-Pickens Elementary School nearly stretches from the roof to the school's foundation.
Eric J. Shelton, Mississippi Today/Report For America
Warren County resident Mike Brown spray-painted the water tank outside of his home with a message that reads” Finish the Pumps” near Redwood, Miss. South Delta residents are posting this phrase around the area to appeal to lawmakers and the EPA.
Eric J. Shelton, Mississippi Today/Report For America
A radio tower surrounded by flood water near Mayersville Miss., Friday, April 5, 2019.
Eric J. Shelton, Mississippi Today/Report For America
Farm equipment is nearly submerged in flood water in north Issaquena County, Miss., Friday, April 5, 2019.
Eric J. Shelton, Mississippi Today/Report For America
Billy Whitten stands in front of his farmland in Valley Park. Over a 1,000 acres of his land are submerged in flood water.
Eric J. Shelton, Mississippi Today/Report For America
A corn field that survived flooding in Tula, Miss. About 220,000 acres of farmland were flooded in the Mississippi Delta earlier this year.
Eric J. Shelton, Mississippi Today/Report For America
Flood water surrounds an irrigation system in the Mississippi Delta.
Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today, Report For America
Kendrick Lewis, 11, holds a sign at the intersection of North Broad Street and 7th Streets in Leland Monday, September 9, 2019. Residents will vote for a $8.75 million bond referendum that will fix issues in the schools.
Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today, Report For America
The Leland School High School band performs during a rally in support of the district's consideration of a $8.75 million bond referendum that will fix issues in the schools.
Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today, Report For America
Structural damage outside of Leland Elementary School.
Eric J. Shelton, Mississippi Today/Report For America
Travis Jones is photographed at his thrift store Thursday, April 11, 2019 in Belzoni, Miss.
Eric J. Shelton, Mississippi Today/Report For America
Roddy Berry sits on a bench in Belzoni, Miss., Thursday, April 11, 2019. Humphreys County, where Belzoni is located, is the most audited county in the nation, according to a recent ProPublica report.
Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today, Report For America
Chase Reid works on a blues inspired piece during the Paint the Town event in Clarksdale Tuesday, October 1, 2019.
Eric J. Shelton, Mississippi Today/Report For America
Jessie Parker, a native of New Orleans, sits on his front Thursday, April 11, 2019 in Belzoni, Miss.
Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today, Report For America
A vacant farm barn located near County Road 298 and Schlater Road in Schlater, Miss., Tuesday, December 18, 2019.