MDC Rural Forward

Voting rights remain one of the defining civil rights issues of our time, and the South continues to be at the center of that struggle.

In a new commentary published by Mississippi Free Press, MDC President & CEO Lakeisha Hood Moïse and Race Matters Institute Director Kamilah Pickett examine the continued dismantling of Voting Rights Act protections and what it means for Black political power, representation, and democracy across the South.

The piece explores how today's legal and political battles are connected to a much longer history of disenfranchisement, and why the consequences extend far beyond elections.

Read the full commentary:
https://www.mississippifreepress.org/opinion-courts-continue-to-attack-black-voting-rights-in-the-south/

What does it take to expand access to food and nutrition supports across North Carolina?

A new Catalyst Blog shares lessons from the Coordinating SNAP and Nutrition Support effort, with contributions from Jenna Bryant, MDC Senior Program Director, and other statewide partners.

The work highlights how stronger connections between SNAP, WIC, and Medicaid, along with input from people with lived experience, can improve how families access essential services.

Read the blog to hear directly from the team and learn how collaboration is opening doors for communities across the state!
🔗: https://aphsa.org/resources/breaking-barriers-to-food-access-north-carolinas-snap-coordination-story/

In a recent op-ed, MDC’s Harrison Dale reflects on immigration, citizenship, and history, drawing connections between past and present to examine how legal status, belonging, and protection can shift over time.

The piece challenges us to consider how we define citizenship and what it means to build a society rooted in dignity and safety for all.

Check out the article by clicking the link: https://mdcinc.org/2026/03/17/anne-frank-and-what-is-a-citizen/