“Trust the Process” is a statement that leaders from throughout the tri-state Delta region of Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi have heard during their 18 months as members of Class I of the Mid-South Delta Leaders (MSDL) program. In January, Class I of MSDL graduated from the program in Little Rock.

“We had 39 outstanding citizens, including 15 Arkansans, complete Class I,” said Jerry L. Smith, MSDL Arkansas Coordinator. “We’ve challenged the graduates to cultivate the art of the possible. We can and will be part of creating the future of this region through establishing connections and expanding the network of resources,” he said.

Tammy Fowler of Jonesboro (from left), David Fletcher of Monette and Everett Fair of Jonesboro, MSDL Class I participants, during a training session in Vidalia, La.

Participants in Class I from Northeast Arkansas include David Fletcher, Monette; Dennis Calaway, Everett Fair and Tammy Fowler, Jonesboro; John Phillips, Walnut Ridge; Jack Crumbly, Earle; Frederic Smith, Wynne; and Joe Guy, Osceola.

Other graduates from Arkansas are Lynette Graham, Lake Village; Dee Davis, Hazen; Rita Conley, Pine Bluff; Diane Luebker, Stuttgart; Robbia Johnson and Lois Boyd, Marianna; and Mark McElroy, Tillar.

MSDL implements an innovative approach to enhance the skills of promising Delta leaders. The program helps participants gain a better understanding of national and global trends in terms of how these trends influence the quality of life and community development in the Mississippi Delta.

The structured MSDL curriculum improves the leadership, management and communication skills of its participants. “I was inspired to keep going and be a good leader,” commented participant Frederic Smith during the closing session held at the Peabody Hotel in Little Rock. Smith directs programs for the Boys and Girls Club in Wynne.

David Fletcher, who serves as Mayor of the City of Monette, summarized the training by stating, “This was the most fantastic experience in my life.”

“Even if we don’t mention MSDL by name, we will never forget that the program has helped us develop a foundation upon which great deeds will be achieved,” stated Everett Fair, who is the executive director of Beacons and Bridges, Inc. in Jonesboro.

MSDL helps develop human resources, which in turn, will allow Delta communities to help themselves. Jerry Smith stated, “The most rewarding part of working with this innovative leadership program has been watching this group grow both personally and professionally. They have developed into stewards of our region.”

MSDL is funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation/Mid-South Delta Initiative through a partnership between Delta State University, serving as the lead partner and fiscal agent; Arkansas State University and Grambling State University.

For more information or to receive an application for Class II of MSDL, contact Jerry Smith, 870-910-8180 or email him at jerry@astate.edu.