On April 10th, 2025, WTJ convened its membership at Greater Mt. Bethel Church and held an Accountability Session for candidates running for municipal office.
This Accountability Session took place during a high-stakes municipal election season in Jackson. For years, on top of pronounced disinvestment, our city government has been plagued by dysfunction and contention. We reject ill-practiced politics and seek to build and promote working relationships that involve compromise and negotiation for the common good. Our priorities for Jackson, which were the focus of this meeting, reflect our commitment to holding ourselves accountable to the future of our city.
We began this meeting with a fantastic roll call where leaders from our 30-member institutions renewed their commitment to the work by pledging 2025 dues, demonstrating how we raise our money to call our own shots.
Following this decisive action, we presented and secured commitments from front-runner candidates for Mayor, including Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba and Senator John Horhn, and front-running council candidates to work with us around an agenda created by leaders from WTJ, which includes a focus on civility in politics, black businesses, and developing a plan for the physical redevelopment of Jackson using the Market Value Analysis.
The specific four commitments we asked the candidates to make are below.
Civility and Compromise in Public Discourse
Jackson is a deeply divided and distrustful city. Civility and compromise have not been at the center of our recent public life. WTJ pledges to work with the Mayor, the administration, and the Council to create a new spirit of public argument and debate that fosters civility and compromise.
Will you work with WTJ, the Council and other Civic Organizations to create a spirit of Working Together for the common good?
Economic Vitality and Asset Ownership
Working Together Jackson believes in a cooperative relationship with state and federal officials. However, we oppose the takeover of public assets paid for by the citizens of Jackson. We are also committed to Contract Justice. That is why we were deeply engaged in the garbage contract dispute. In a city with an 82% black population, black-owned businesses receive less than 10% of city, state, and federal contracts.
Will you work with WTJ to oppose the takeover of Jackson assets such as the airport? And will you work with us to renew the work of Contract Justice through the development of a thorough disparity study and foster black-owned business development in the city?
Market Value Analysis: Developing a Plan for All of Jackson
We have introduced to each of you our partnership with the Reinvestment Fund and its community participatory Market Value Analysis. WTJ is raising the funds to pay for the first MVA that will aid the city in developing a plan for the physical redevelopment of all of Jackson. This plan aims at issues like blight, infrastructure, and community development—accounting for the needs of Jackson residents including our youth and unhoused population.
Will you commit your administration to work with WTJ, the Reinvestment Fund, Hope Enterprise and other partners in developing a plan for the physical revival of Jackson?
Meeting Regularly to Advance Priorities
Working Together Jackson wants a continuous cooperative relationship with the administration and Council.
Should you win your race, will you commit to meeting at least quarterly with Working Together Jackson?
Press Coverage
Hundreds attend an ‘Accountability Session’ with Jackson Mayoral and City Council candidates
Mayoral candidates speak during Working Together Jackson accountability session
