Written by: JR Robinson

The Visionary: Milton Williams, Jr.

Milton Williams, Jr., the Founder and CEO of Men United, Inc., has been instrumental in improving the quality of life within underserved communities in Mississippi. Born and raised in Lambert, Mississippi, Williams established Men United, Inc., a 501c3 organization, with the mission of providing young men with the opportunity and resources needed to develop leadership skills. The organization aims to inspire, educate, train, and empower youth through character-building, innovative thinking, discipline, and accountability.

Williams' journey towards founding Men United, Inc. began in Lambert, Mississippi, where he attended South Panola High School and was actively involved in the Quitman and Panola County Martial Arts Program. After graduating from high school, Williams pursued higher education at Mississippi's Delta Community College and later at Delta State University, where he continued to expand his horizons and deepen his knowledge.

The Challenges Faced by Young Men in Mississippi

Mississippi faces several challenges that create a need for organizations like Men United, Inc. Mississippi ranks as the state with the second most at-risk youth. The state has a high percentage of single-parent households, with 46% of all Mississippi children living in such families. Furthermore, 19.1% of people in Mississippi live in poverty.

These issues contribute to the challenges faced by young men in Mississippi, such as a higher risk of poverty, early pregnancy, and violence when growing up in environments lacking economic stability and role models. Additionally, Mississippi has the second-highest youth poverty rate in the country.

Mississippi, the 32nd largest by area and 35th-most populous of the 50 U.S. states, has long experienced significant poverty and financial distress. Approximately one in five Mississippians lives in poverty, and the state ranks second to last in overall child well-being among the 50 states. The state's unemployment rate is the highest of all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Mississippi's residents face many chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and heart disease, and childhood maladies like autism and asthma. These health issues are a manifestation of a deeper health crisis in the state, which has the lowest life expectancy and the highest rate of infant mortality. The state's health system performance has been deemed the worst in the country, with the state ranking as one of the worst for a number of health categories, including reproductive and women’s health and racial health equity.

Inequality in Mississippi is increasing, leading to disparities in public educational and health access and unequal educational learning and health outcomes. This inequality is also reflected in the state's judicial system, where there are concerns about fair representation on the Mississippi Supreme Court.

The state's infrastructure also faces challenges, as seen in the water crisis in Jackson, Mississippi, which left around 150,000 of the city's mostly Black residents without drinkable water. This crisis has resulted in extreme public health injustice geographically against African Americans.

The Impact of Men United, Inc.

Men United, Inc. has been successful in developing leadership skills in its participants, teaching them important life skills such as tying a tie, shaking hands, and treating others with respect. By providing young men with the opportunity and resources needed to develop leadership skills, Men United, Inc. is helping to address the challenges faced by this demographic in Mississippi. The organization's impact can be seen in the Mississippi Delta, where it has been working to reduce the incarceration rate and provide young men with alternatives to the streets, gangs, and drugs.

Comparison with Other States or Regions

When comparing Mississippi to other states, it ranks No. 48 overall among U.S. states based on 71 metrics across eight categories. The state's gun laws are also weak, with a composite score of 3 and a gun violence rate of 33.9 gun deaths per 100,000 residents.

In terms of economic well-being, Mississippi's median household income is well below the U.S. median household income, with the gap being over $10,000 (about 20 percent of the median income) since at least 1995. The state's per-capita combined state and local taxes in 2019 were $3,949, compared to $3,422 for Tennessee, $3,985 for Florida, and $4,710 for the national average.

Mississippi's infrastructure and public services also lag behind other states. For example, the state is set to receive $429 million in federal funding over five years for drinking water and wastewater systems improvement, but Jackson, the state's capital, must wait and fight for its share.

Mississippi faces significant challenges in various aspects, including poverty, health, infrastructure, and public services. Comparing the state to other regions highlights the need for targeted investments and policy changes to improve the well-being of its residents. Organizations like Men United, Inc. play a crucial role in addressing these issues by providing mentorship and resources to the youth, helping them overcome the challenges they face in Mississippi.