Great City Summit: Event focuses on helping Jackson solve infrastructure issues

More than 100 community leaders and some of the nation’s top thought leaders gathered Thursday in Jackson “to learn and dream about ways to continue to serve Jackson.”

Thursday’s gathering was the inaugural Great City Mississippi Foundation summit at Jackson’s The Railroad District.

Great City Mississippi is a non-profit organization with the mission of working to help Jackson thrive. It is comprised of local business and community leaders who work with local, state and national leaders with a focus on public safety, infrastructure, quality of life and economic and workforce development in Jackson.

“Our city stands at a crossroads as we consider the future for ourselves and our children,” said Taylor Nicholas, executive director for Great City Mississippi. “Great City is working hard to cast a spotlight of hope on our capital city and spur conversations, through events like today, that will amplify efforts of good work around the metro area.”

Jackson has experienced a series of major problems in recent months, including a water crisis due to an aging water system, garbage collection issues and increasing crime.

Murrah student carries guns into school: Murrah student tries to take guns into school. Second incident this week at Jackson schools

Jackson trash fight: Mayor vs. council: What's next in Jackson trash fight?

Nicholas said Thursday’s summit was not an attempt to create an impression that all is well in Jackson but to suggest new policies and ideas and to offer solutions where efforts are lacking.

"I am thankful to leaders nationally that are here who have faced other similar challenges of their own," Nicholas said. "The Great City Mississippi Foundation is a new effort in Jackson that stands on the shoulders of those who came before us. I hope this foundation will amplify efforts throughout the city and help generate a better quality of life, infrastructure and economic development.

"I believe a city that works together, dreams together and builds together has a brighter future with hopes of developing new friendships at the summit.

Speakers and panelists for the summit included Ryan Gravel, Atlanta Beltline Founder; Stephen Moret, Strada Education Network president and CEO; Susan Garrard, Mississippi Children's Museum president and CEO; Chip Pickering, Incompas president and others.

President and CEO of Visit Jackson Rickey Thigpen, a native Jacksonian, said he has received multiple calls about the infrastructure in Jackson over the past few months.

"I believe that if we listen to the people in the community, acknowledge the infrastructure and have an honest discussion on how we can move forward by identifying our challenges while marking them off the list individually, we can make Jackson a better place," Thigpen said.

Religious leaders believe faith is the way to mend Jackson

The first panel consisted of the Senior Pastor of New Hope Baptist Church Dr. Jerry Young; Chancellor and CEO of Reformed Theological Seminary Dr. Ligon Duncan and Moderator Douglas Baker, who has worked at the highest level of government.

The panel discussed the role faith should play as a main component to bringing the City of Jackson back together.

Young said he has served as a pastor at New Hope Baptist Church for 43 years and has seen a lot of changes in Jackson.

"I believe that the path to mending Jackson starts with our faith," Young said. "The problem with Jackson is that we have too many small people in leadership roles that prefer their preferences over principles and faith."

Young said you can't change behavior without changing what individuals believe.

Duncan said that trust hadn't been built properly in the community and ... a sense of faith is lacking.

"We can't ignore the past and hope to share the future," Duncan said. "I believe that if we change our perspective and come together respectfully, we can build a better future for the City of Jackson."

Building a better Jackson

The second panel consisted of the President of The Mississippi Children's Museum and Founding Board Member Susan Garrad; President and CEO of Strada Education Foundation, Stephen Moret; and Executive Director of New Horizon Ministries and Mississippi State Rep. Ronnie Crudup Jr. The panel discussed was of building a better future for Jackson through children.

Crudup said being a native of Jackson for many years, he believes more recreational activities were available for children and young adults compared to the present.

"Not only do I want the best for my kids but also other kids within the community to have access to more recreational activities that could lessen the criminal activity in Jackson," Crudup said. "For about 15 years, I've led an effort along with others to engage the youth in basketball to change the narrative on our younger teenagers. The idea started from seeing that most kids, particularly in south Jackson, aren't attending church throughout the week, which led to using our gym, "The Ark," to take that time to minister to them."

Crudup said the 100,000-square-foot Ark building is being transformed into a sports complex but looks like a regular building to passers by.

"The gym started with 100 students coming throughout the week back in October of last year but has proliferated to hosting over 200," Crudup said.

Moret said the challenges Jackson faces are similar to those in other cities, which struggle to build a better quality of life in some areas.

"The way we get more people involved with economic development for the city of Jackson is by coming together to create shared aspirations, visions and goals," Steven said. "We must find a way to strengthen education and opportunities that move us forwards."

Great City Mississippi is comprised of local business and community leaders who work with local, state and national leaders with a focus on public safety, infrastructure, quality of life and economic and workforce development in Jackson, according to the foundation’s literature.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Great City Summit hosts forum on improving Jackson infrastructure