Mississippi Today (https://mississippitoday.org/author/aallyah/)
Aallyah Wright is a native of Clarksdale, and a Mississippi Delta reporter covering education and local government. She is also a weekly news co-host on WROX Radio (97.5 FM) and collaborator with StoryWorks/Reveal Labs from the Center for Investigative Reporting. Aallyah has a bachelor’s in journalism with minors in communications and theater from Delta State University. She is a 2018 Educating Children in Mississippi Fellow at the Hechinger Report, and co-founder of the Mississippi Delta Public Newsroom.
Rural schools, which serve 235,000 students in Mississippi, are finding creative ways to overcome equity and access hurdles that schools throughout the state are facing. “It’s going to take some private sector help … our churches, faith-based organizations …have to help with this as well”
Map of sites offering free breakfast and lunch to students 18 and under
With billions of dollars at stake, the state Legislature allocated $400,000 to promote the 2020 Census and to dispel misinformation and myths. The Census Bureau recently suspended field operations until at least April 1 over COVID-19 concerns
“…Their management is independent of this individual. We’re proceeding right along,” said chairman of the Mississippi Complete Count Committee
State education chief travels to schools around Mississippi to highlight the 2020 census count and its importance to schools and rural communities across the state. Beginning March 12, the census will begin sending out letters to every household
Higher Purpose Co. honored six black entrepreneurs across Mississippi and launched their $2.5 million campaign to cultivate a regional community wealth hub
Historic building looks to transform into the state’s first rural education and innovation hub for Base Camp Coding Academy and startup businesses. Facebook will support two years of students to attend the coding academy
Mayor Chuck Espy said the unorthodox move, which will involve debates and a vote, is a more democratic method of making these high-profile picks
As of Jan. 3, at least five prisoners at three Mississippi correctional facilities were confirmed dead in disturbances at jails and prisons. These deaths come amid a series of violent disturbances reported via social media and news outlets
The process of mastering the fundamentals of reading begins in kindergarten, where teachers work to set students up for success for the rest of their academic lives
Parents, teachers (from private, charter and traditional public schools), administrators and other stakeholders in Coahoma County identify resources and solutions already available in the community
Families without access to running water for months could have access to a water system in 2020. Task force to form to study the scope of water issues
State agency that oversees electric, gas, water and sewer utilities heard of the families’ situation through media reports.
Six families on the outskirts of Schlater have no access to water. As a temporary fix, the Leflore County Board of Supervisors donated a water tank for the residents and people from Mississippi and other states have donated cases of water while the families await a permanent solution.
A painting of a martini glass with a rifle next to an African American woman’s face sparks social media outrage.