Legacy receives 2026 REACH Award from the Children’s Foundation of MS
JANS – Legacy Education and Community Empowerment Foundation, Inc. was recognized as a 2026 REACH awardee during the Children’s Foundation of Mississippi’s 2026 Summit, Sowing Seeds of Success: Cultivating a Bright Future for Mississippi’s Children, held April 29–30, 2026, at the Clyde Muse Center in Pearl, Mississippi.
The two-day summit brought together leaders, professionals, advocates, educators, community partners, and stakeholders from across the state for learning, connection, and conversation centered on the well-being of Mississippi’s children and families. Sessions focused on key issues affecting children across the state, including health, education, economic well-being, and family and community life.
A major highlight of the summit was the release of the 2026 Mississippi KIDS COUNT Risk & Reach Report. The report pairs data on child well-being with real examples of people, programs, and organizations working to support children and families across Mississippi.
As part of the Risk & Reach Report, REACH awardees were selected through community nominations to highlight meaningful, community-rooted work taking place in counties throughout the state. The recognition honors organizations, programs, and initiatives that help meet the needs of children and families in practical and impactful ways.
Legacy Education and Community Empowerment Foundation, Inc. was selected as a 2026 REACH awardee for its work in Scott and Attala counties. The organization supports children and families by creating positive educational enrichment opportunities, such as providing food and clothing assistance, tutoring and mentoring students, supporting families, offering educational resources, and offering year-round professional services. Legacy’s outreach area is 17 Mississippi counties of Scott, Leake, Smith, Jasper, Attala, Newton, Neshoba, Lauderdale, Madison, Rankin, Hinds, Yazoo, Forrest, Issaquena, Sharkey, Holmes, and Noxubee.
The Board of Directors are Founder and Board President Attorney Constance Iona Slaughter-Harvey (Scott); Incorporator and Board Treasurer Verna M. Myers (Madison); Finance Committee Chairman and Retired United States Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Robert Kincaid (Scott); Star Mathematics Educator Frances Richmond (Scott); and retired United States Air Force Chief Sergeant Master Delano Barney (Scott).
Staffers are Deacon D.L. Bennett (Scott); Constance Harvey-Burwell, EdD., Co-Founder and Executive Director (Hinds); and Deacon Andrew Crudup (Scott).
County Liaisons are Barbara Haymer (Yazoo), Laura Jordan (Lauderdale), Ruby Hill (Leake & Attala), Apryl and Retired MS Highway Patrolman Malcolm Johnson (Newton), Charles and Deloise Jones (Hinds), Dr. Tangelia Kelly (Rankin), Joniya Pace (Scott), Verna M. Myers (Madison), Daniel Harris Sr. (Sharkey & Issaquena), Dorothea Vanburen (Forrest), and Pastor Hanna Cowling (Jasper & Smith).
Through the summit, the Risk & Reach Report, and the recognition of REACH awardees, the Children’s Foundation of Mississippi highlighted both the challenges facing children and the people and programs helping create stronger futures across the state.
To learn more about the Children’s Foundation of Mississippi and the 2026 Mississippi KIDS COUNT Risk & Reach Report, visit https://childrensfoundationms.org/.
To learn more about Legacy Education and Community Empowerment Foundation, Inc., visit www.leacef.com.
