Stories of Hope

Our members' experiences are integral to our advocacy efforts.

Featured Story

From Dream to Reality: Owning a Home in NOLA

After 14 years of renting a house in New Orleans, Ezebuiro decided it was time to fulfill her dream of buying a home. As a disabled person who works part-time as a cashier at the Superdome, she had been receiving rental assistance from the Housing Authority of New Orleans (HANO), funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Ezebuiro applied to HANO’s homeownership program, intent on using the subsidy to buy a house rather than continuing to rent. She enrolled in two HANO classes for would-be buyers, Financial Fitness and Homebuyer’s Education.

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Since 1994, our efforts have benefitted more than three million people in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee, and influenced billions of dollars in investments for persistently impoverished communities nationwide.

3 HOPE members and new small business owners, standing in front of their business building.

Member Stories

Read stories of HOPE from our members, partners, and the communities we serve. Through these stories, you’ll gain insight into the challenges families face and the lived experiences that shape our work every day.

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A woman of color and her daughter playing in the backyard of their newly bought home through HOPE.

Impact Reports

Our work has reached millions across the Deep South and driven billions in investments for underserved communities. Read our impact reports to see the tangible results and real stories behind this work.

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Mississippi Delta Students Are College Bound

Mississippi Delta Students Are College Bound

August 18, 2026 | Mallory Shields

When Mississippi’s charter school legislation… When Mississippi’s charter school legislation opened the door to new educational opportunities, longtime educator Amanda Johnson saw a way to transform student outcomes in the Delta. “When I looked at the quality of public schools in the Delta, I definitely… Read More >
HOPE Invests in Stillman College’s Next Chapter

HOPE Invests in Stillman College’s Next Chapter

August 17, 2026 | Mallory Shields

As Stillman College celebrates its 150th… As Stillman College celebrates its 150th anniversary, President Dr. Yolanda Page is leading the institution with a bold vision centered on preparing students from “cradle to career.” Through initiatives like its partnership with I Dream Big Academy, Stillman is creating… Read More >
Bringing Compassionate Care Home

Bringing Compassionate Care Home

August 17, 2026 | Mallory Shields

Natasha and Anthony Cunningham, who each worked 20 years in the healthcare field, turned their shared passion for caring for others into A&D Health Solution, a home healthcare agency dedicated to helping patients remain comfortable and independent in their own… Read More >
2025 HOPE Impact Report

2025 HOPE Impact Report

June 1, 2026 | Mallory Shields

Discover how HOPE is building stronger, more… Discover how HOPE is building stronger, more vibrant communities across the Deep South by connecting people to opportunity, investing in local potential, and creating pathways to lasting prosperity. Read the 2025 Annual Report, “The Community that HOPE Builds,” to see… Read More >
Opening the Doors to Homeownership

Opening the Doors to Homeownership

May 27, 2026 | Mallory Shields

Originally from Honduras, Marlon Paz came to the… Originally from Honduras, Marlon Paz came to the United States at just one year old and later settled in Gulfport, Mississippi, after Hurricane Katrina. Homeownership had always been his dream, but as a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient,… Read More >
Making Revitalization Happen

Making Revitalization Happen

May 27, 2026 | Mallory Shields

As the oldest Black neighborhood in North Memphis, the Klondike community has a long and proud history dating to its founding in 1899. The neighborhood was one of few places that Black residents could own homes, attracting professionals. Major companies… Read More >
A Partnership that Strengthens Community

A Partnership that Strengthens Community

May 27, 2026 | Mallory Shields

The Black Belt Community Foundation (BBCF)… The Black Belt Community Foundation (BBCF) supports community development in Alabama’s Black Belt region, 12 underserved counties in an area significant to America’s civil rights heritage. Based in historic Selma, Alabama, BBCF sources and awards grants that fund critical community… Read More >
Building HOPE for Children in Crisis

Building HOPE for Children in Crisis

May 27, 2026 | Mallory Shields

A child in the throes of a mental health crisis… A child in the throes of a mental health crisis can’t wait two weeks for help. In Memphis, wait times for mental health services at hospitals were stretching as long as 15 days. For children in crisis – especially children… Read More >
Creating Pathways for Success

Creating Pathways for Success

May 27, 2026 | Mallory Shields

Louisiana Key Academy is a public charter school network dedicated to serving students with dyslexia through evidence-based, structured literacy instruction. Led by CEO Dr. Laura Cassidy and CFO Jonathan Snyder, the network operates three campuses in Baton Rouge, Covington, and… Read More >
Paving the Way for Growth

Paving the Way for Growth

May 27, 2026 | Mallory Shields

Founded in 2021 by entrepreneur Patrinia Whitlow,… Founded in 2021 by entrepreneur Patrinia Whitlow, P&W Multi Investments LLC was created to build long-term wealth through real estate investment while supporting small business growth in Montgomery, Alabama. Alongside her husband, William Whitlow, the company operates The Whitlow’s Barbershop,… Read More >
Reviving Properties, Restoring Communities

Reviving Properties, Restoring Communities

May 27, 2026 | Mallory Shields

Myers Portfolio, founded in 2024 by… Myers Portfolio, founded in 2024 by husband-and-wife team Lorenzo and Meghan Myers, is expanding access to affordable housing across Tennessee. Based in Cordova, the couple has steadily grown the business over the past two years, combining hands-on property rehabilitation with… Read More >
HOPE Paves the Way

HOPE Paves the Way

May 27, 2026 | Mallory Shields

Marcus Myles turned a childhood fascination with trucks into a career as the owner of A1 Rocks in a Box, a gravel supply business. Launched in 1993 with a small loan from Myles’ mother, the business grew steadily. But when… Read More >
Where Legacy Begins

Where Legacy Begins

May 27, 2026 | Mallory Shields

For Arteshia Anderson, homeownership represented… For Arteshia Anderson, homeownership represented far more than purchasing a house; it was about creating stability, growth, and a foundation for the future. Married to her husband, Deandre, for five years, Anderson describes herself as driven, dependable, and deeply committed… Read More >
The School that HOPE Built

The School that HOPE Built

May 27, 2026 | Mallory Shields

Dr. Angela Lang can stand on the front steps of… Dr. Angela Lang can stand on the front steps of the public charter school she founded in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and see the dumpster where she and her sister scavenged for food as children. “I grew up in a housing project… Read More >
So Much More than a Hill of Beans

So Much More than a Hill of Beans

May 27, 2026 | Mallory Shields

Devin De Wulf turned his love of beans into a New Orleans nonprofit that feeds a neighborhood’s sense of culture and community. Years ago, De Wulf launched a ragtag neighborhood parade christened the Krewe of Red Beans. By 2020, the… Read More >
Financing that Fuels High Performance

Financing that Fuels High Performance

May 27, 2026 | Mallory Shields

Tamara Brown is the owner and operator of… Tamara Brown is the owner and operator of 93Octane, a Memphis, Tennessee–based firm dedicated to delivering exceptional client satisfaction through the effective management of project scope, budget, timeline, and quality. With more than two decades of experience serving the Greater… Read More >
In the Driver’s Seat

In the Driver’s Seat

May 27, 2026 | Mallory Shields

For many Americans, a car is more than… For many Americans, a car is more than transportation. It is the ability to get to work on time, to reach a doctor’s appointment without asking a favor, the simple dignity of moving through life on their own terms and… Read More >
Homeownership: A Dream Turned into Reality

Homeownership: A Dream Turned into Reality

May 27, 2026 | Mallory Shields

Temechius is a devoted daughter, mother, and grandmother who has always put her family first. While working full time, she also cares for her elderly father. Homeownership was a dream she carried for years, one she believed was out of… Read More >
Breaking Ground for Groundbreaking Research with Tuskegee University

Breaking Ground for Groundbreaking Research with Tuskegee University

May 27, 2026 | Mallory Shields

In August, Tuskegee University broke ground on the… In August, Tuskegee University broke ground on the Center for Genomics and Health Disparity Research, an annex to the Carver Research Center. The $14 million project builds on a long legacy of research at Tuskegee University in the health care… Read More >
Opening the Gateway to Homeownership

Opening the Gateway to Homeownership

May 20, 2026 | Mallory Shields

HOPE partnered with Gateway Community Development… HOPE partnered with Gateway Community Development Corporation in Yazoo City, Mississippi, to support 40 families in moving from renting to homeownership. The families were participants in a lease-to-own agreement that would allow them to become homeowners in the Roberts Estates… Read More >
From Fairways to Front Porches

From Fairways to Front Porches

May 20, 2026 | Mallory Shields

HOPE used New Market Tax Credits to transform a back nine into new beginnings. HOPE partnered with New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity to help transform a 40-acre site that was previously part of a golf course into Rising Oaks,… Read More >
Putting the HOPE in Homebuying

Putting the HOPE in Homebuying

May 20, 2026 | Mallory Shields

Anthony and Destiny Cook were raising two small… Anthony and Destiny Cook were raising two small children in California when layoffs stripped away their income. Rather than wait for a recovery that wasn’t coming, the Cooks took a deep breath, made a life-changing decision, and packed up to… Read More >
The House that HOPE Built

The House that HOPE Built

May 20, 2026 | Mallory Shields

It began with a literal dream. Jason “Smiley”… It began with a literal dream. Jason “Smiley” Abrams, an area ministry director for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, dreamed he was walking through a spacious, modern home where college students not only lived, but also grew in their faith. “I had… Read More >
Leveraging Ownership

Leveraging Ownership

May 20, 2026 | Mallory Shields

Wilmar Jacobs has been a proud HOPE member-owner since 2015. When it came time to purchase his first home, choosing HOPE was an easy decision. Years later, he was ready to tap the equity he had built up through his… Read More >
Building Strength From the Ground Up

Building Strength From the Ground Up

May 20, 2026 | Mallory Shields

It’s hard to focus on rigorous teaching and… It’s hard to focus on rigorous teaching and learning when the faucets run dry and the roof leaks. Founded in 1869, Tougaloo College is a small institution that makes a big impact. Tougaloo produces 40% of the Black healthcare professionals… Read More >
Riding in Style

Riding in Style

May 20, 2026 | Mallory Shields

As an aircraft mechanic, Bernard Tibbs travels all… As an aircraft mechanic, Bernard Tibbs travels all over the world for work. But when he returned home to Memphis, Tennessee, he decided it was finally time to pursue something a little closer to his heart — his dream car,… Read More >
Reviving the Historic Sweet House

Reviving the Historic Sweet House

May 20, 2026 | Mallory Shields

Built in 1906 for Henry Wilson Sweet, the historic Sweet House is a two-story, Victorian-style residence once considered the most impressive mansion in Bessemer, Alabama. More than a century later, the house will have a new purpose with the help… Read More >
Uniting in Faith and Building a Legacy

Uniting in Faith and Building a Legacy

May 20, 2026 | Mallory Shields

Established in 1874, Marine Missionary Baptist… Established in 1874, Marine Missionary Baptist Church has long stood as a steadfast pillar of faith in Jefferson, Louisiana. Senior Pastor Donald Robinson has faithfully led the church, guiding it through decades of growth, transition, and transformation. In the aftermath… Read More >
Planting Roots

Planting Roots

May 20, 2026 | Mallory Shields

For Kevin Bradley, homeownership wasn’t just about… For Kevin Bradley, homeownership wasn’t just about buying a home. It was about creating an environment where his family could grow, gather, and thrive. A father of three from Alabama, Kevin, originally planned to use a VA loan, for veterans,… Read More >
Educating Tomorrow’s Leaders

Educating Tomorrow’s Leaders

May 20, 2026 | Mallory Shields

In May 2023, Talladega College, a 158-year-old historically Black college in Alabama, and one of the region’s largest employers, faced a pressing need to consolidate debt and improve its cash flow. Recognizing the college’s vital contributions to region’s economy, HOPE… Read More >
Saving for College

Saving for College

May 20, 2026 | Mallory Shields

While still repaying her student loans, Deidra… While still repaying her student loans, Deidra Williams and her husband, who once struggled financially and lived paycheck to paycheck, committed to setting their children up for a better future by educating themselves about finances and starting college savings early.… Read More >
Driving with Confidence

Driving with Confidence

May 20, 2026 | Mallory Shields

Tunya Collins enjoys being there for her family,… Tunya Collins enjoys being there for her family, whether its transporting her grandchildren to their various activities or traveling for family vacations. “My grandkids are very active in school and I needed a vehicle that could keep up with their… Read More >
Providing Care and Support for Women and Children

Providing Care and Support for Women and Children

May 20, 2026 | Mallory Shields

Established in August 2018, the Women’s Advocacy Center is dedicated to empowering and supporting survivors of domestic abuse in rural and suburban Shelby County, Tennessee. The Center provides vital services not only to women who have experienced abuse but also… Read More >
Change of Address

Change of Address

May 20, 2026 | Mallory Shields

Don London came to Stewpot Community Services, a… Don London came to Stewpot Community Services, a nonprofit offering food and shelter for those in need, more than 20 years ago as a client. Addiction issues had left 32-year-old London homeless and hopeless. London found more than just a… Read More >
Restoring the Entrepreneurial Spirit

Restoring the Entrepreneurial Spirit

May 20, 2026 | Mallory Shields

Arlo Washington, the founder and president of… Arlo Washington, the founder and president of People Trust Community Loan Fund in Little Rock, Arkansas, recognized a critical need for accessible financial services within his community. “I listen to other business owners talk about how hard it was for… Read More >
Fresh Fibers, Fresh Start

Fresh Fibers, Fresh Start

May 20, 2026 | Mallory Shields

Marco Sierra, originally from Guatemala City, Guatemala, had a lifelong dream of owning his own cleaning business. Thirteen years ago, he established Super Klean Carpet, a carpet-washing business in Memphis, Tennessee. He first learned about HOPE through an advertisement on… Read More >
Uniting Families with the Arts

Uniting Families with the Arts

May 20, 2026 | Mallory Shields

The Wallace Center for Arts & Reconciliation… The Wallace Center for Arts & Reconciliation (formerly Klein Arts & Culture) was founded in 2018 after Nell Gottlieb inherited the historic Wallace House in Harpersville, Alabama. Gottlieb was a descendant of the home’s namesake. She joined forces with Mayor… Read More >
Making a Winning Play

Making a Winning Play

May 20, 2026 | Mallory Shields

Kristian Fulton, cornerback for the Los Angeles… Kristian Fulton, cornerback for the Los Angeles Chargers, makes the right plays on the field and in his community. After transitioning from college football to the NFL, Fulton’s parents, Keith Sr. and Michelle Fulton, encouraged him to invest in property… Read More >
Smooth Ride to Electric

Smooth Ride to Electric

May 20, 2026 | Mallory Shields

Jeffery Crosby hadn’t purchased a vehicle in years, and the entire process of purchasing an electric vehicle was foreign. He knew he wanted a vehicle he could charge at home – saving on gas – and, ideally, something that fit… Read More >
Building a Solid Future

Building a Solid Future

May 20, 2026 | Mallory Shields

Terry Jackson, Sr., a masonry contractor and owner… Terry Jackson, Sr., a masonry contractor and owner of Terry for Bricks, has been in business since the late 1980s. Working with his two sons, Terry Jr. and Jermaine in Montgomery, Alabama, the business thrived focusing on residential construction. In… Read More >
Special Deliveries

Special Deliveries

May 20, 2026 | Mallory Shields

Ivory Lee is a registered nurse who spends time… Ivory Lee is a registered nurse who spends time with new mothers and babies in the maternity ward. When she learned that she was going to be a mother herself, her first thought was to have a place for her… Read More >
A New Roof, A New HOPE

A New Roof, A New HOPE

May 20, 2026 | Mallory Shields

Dankie Paynes, a resident of Moorhead, Mississippi, can finally enjoy her home again, thanks to a new roof over her head. After years of struggling with a leaky roof and an uncooperative insurance company, Dankie received $8,000 in funding from… Read More >
Making a Joyful Noise

Making a Joyful Noise

May 19, 2026 | Mallory Shields

As the minister of music at her church, Bertha… As the minister of music at her church, Bertha Rudley knows how to hit all the right notes and make all the right moves regarding her finances. “I never miss a payment, nor have I ever been behind on paying… Read More >
A Clean Financial Solution

A Clean Financial Solution

May 19, 2026 | Mallory Shields

Thirteen years ago, Terri Johnson started Healthy… Thirteen years ago, Terri Johnson started Healthy Cleaning Solutions in uptown New Orleans after her previous employer of 22 years abruptly closed down. She optimistically looked forward to her second career – a cleaning service with an emphasis on child… Read More >
Stepping into Homeownership

Stepping into Homeownership

May 19, 2026 | Mallory Shields

Rikesha Hale of Chickasaw, Alabama, always dreamt of owning a home to raise her family. A remote worker, Hale had grown tired of not having enough space for both. Despite no help from her financial institution of 15 years, she… Read More >
Cruising for La Antojería (the Craving)

Cruising for La Antojería (the Craving)

May 19, 2026 | Mallory Shields

With a tasty combination of fruits, peanuts, and… With a tasty combination of fruits, peanuts, and sweets dressed with savory sauce, La Antojería USA snack cart offers a wide variety of Mexican snacks that will satisfy any craving. When owner Nancy Hernández-Águila was ready to purchase a vehicle… Read More >
Firing on All Cylinders

Firing on All Cylinders

May 19, 2026 | Mallory Shields

With extensive knowledge of vehicles, Cindy… With extensive knowledge of vehicles, Cindy DeLongchamp and her husband started Montgomery Automotive Group (MAG) in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1998. MAG sells high-quality pre-owned vehicles from top brands. MAG’s primary purpose is to provide military personnel with reliable vehicles, whether… Read More >
Financing Made Seamless

Financing Made Seamless

May 19, 2026 | Mallory Shields

After 40 years owning Dixon Interior Finishing, a general contracting firm in Jackson, Mississippi, Frank Dixon figured it was never too late to learn something new. So, he and his sons, who are gradually assuming control of the company, enrolled… Read More >
Thriving with HOPE

Thriving with HOPE

May 19, 2026 | Mallory Shields

Five years ago, Donnell Frost couldn’t have… Five years ago, Donnell Frost couldn’t have imagined the transformative impact Hope Credit Union would have in helping him secure his first truck and home. “HOPE gave me the hope to be the man I need to be,” Frost reflects… Read More >
Healthcare Reimagined and Revived

Healthcare Reimagined and Revived

May 19, 2026 | Mallory Shields

Quitman County Medical Center in Marks,… Quitman County Medical Center in Marks, Mississippi is vital for many residents. Facing financial constraints in a majority Black county that grapples with high poverty rates and outmigration, the hospital closed in the fall of 2016. Local leaders, however, saw… Read More >
In Time for the Holidays

In Time for the Holidays

May 19, 2026 | Mallory Shields

Akia’s struggles deepened as her old truck spiraled into a series of breakdowns, depleting her finances and leaving her without reliable transportation in December of 2023. Faced with limited options, Akia turned to Google in search of pre-approved cars, discovering… Read More >
Rooted in Avondale, Louisiana

Rooted in Avondale, Louisiana

May 19, 2026 | Mallory Shields

Located on the west bank of the Mississippi River… Located on the west bank of the Mississippi River and the outskirts of Greater New Orleans, Avondale, Louisiana, is a small city with a lot to offer. Avondale has been home to Don Francois for nearly 60 years; it’s where… Read More >
Rural Hospital Given New Life

Rural Hospital Given New Life

May 19, 2026 | Mallory Shields

Lauderdale Community Hospital in Ripley, Tennessee… Lauderdale Community Hospital in Ripley, Tennessee received a new lease on life with an infusion of capital to construct an updated, state-of-the-art facility. The project replaced an aging facility and will provide enhanced care for patients and a modernized layout… Read More >
One-Stop Shop for Financial Success

One-Stop Shop for Financial Success

May 19, 2026 | Mallory Shields

As an eighteen-year member of HOPE, Sharon Holloway always looked to the Credit Union for advice and service to meet her financial needs. “I would always take advantage of HOPE’s Holiday Loans to buy gifts for my family,” says Holloway.… Read More >
Education with a Global Impact

Education with a Global Impact

May 19, 2026 | Mallory Shields

School is now in session at Instant Impact Global… School is now in session at Instant Impact Global Prep (IIGP) in Natchez, Mississippi. Opened in August 2023, IIGP will ensure students from Pre-K through 8th grade develop skills to prepare them for the ever-evolving workforce. Dr. JoAnn Rucker is… Read More >
Jammin’ to a New Beat

Jammin’ to a New Beat

May 19, 2026 | Mallory Shields

Phillip Rollins owns and operates OffBeat,… Phillip Rollins owns and operates OffBeat, Mississippi’s only Black-owned record and comic book store. Based in Jackson, OffBeat offers comics, alternative art, vinyl records, and apparel. “I want to create a space that will have a lasting effect on the… Read More >
Third Time’s the Charm

Third Time’s the Charm

May 19, 2026 | Mallory Shields

Shuwanda Boyd lived in an apartment for over ten years. With her rent steadily increasing and her children having limited space to play, Boyd decided it was time to find a place for her and her family to call home.… Read More >
Writing the Recipe for Success

Writing the Recipe for Success

May 19, 2026 | Mallory Shields

Dr. Crystal Sanders established Ms. Ann’s Catering… Dr. Crystal Sanders established Ms. Ann’s Catering in 2015. She started the business to honor her late grandmother, who left her mark with her down home cooking style. “We were looking for ways that we could help her legacy live… Read More >
From Dream to Reality: Owning a Home in NOLA

From Dream to Reality: Owning a Home in NOLA

December 11, 2025 | admin

Yvette Burke Ezebuiro refers to HOPE mortgage… Yvette Burke Ezebuiro refers to HOPE mortgage originator Abby Virgil, who shepherded her through the process of becoming a first-time homeowner, as “my angel.” After 14 years of renting a house in New Orleans, Ezebuiro decided it was time to… Read More >
Financing Flavor

Financing Flavor

December 1, 2025 | Mallory Shields

In the heart of the historic Tremé neighborhood, Baby’s Snack Box stands as a testament to resilience and flavor. Since 2011, the business has been serving up a delightful mix of snowballs, ice cream, nachos, and burgers, earning the title… Read More >
Breakthroughs Begin with HOPE

Breakthroughs Begin with HOPE

December 1, 2025 | admin

Maddie and Richard Cannon’s son, Ace, was… Maddie and Richard Cannon’s son, Ace, was diagnosed as with autism spectrum disorder when he was just two years old. Ace was nonverbal, locked in an isolated world where it seemed no one beyond his family could reach him. When… Read More >
Helping Businesses Spring Forward

Helping Businesses Spring Forward

December 1, 2025 | admin

With experience in both human resources and… With experience in both human resources and education as a math teacher, instructional coach and assistant principal, Spring Mercadel saw an opportunity to knit the two bodies of work together and launch her own venture. Mercadel’s passion for education inspired… Read More >
Resilience Begins with HOPE

Resilience Begins with HOPE

December 1, 2025 | admin

Twenty-three years, seven months, and three days. That’s how long Robert Jones was incarcerated for a violent crime he did not commit. Falsely charged when he was just 19 years old, Jones was finally cleared of all charges on his… Read More >
Making Housing Happen

Making Housing Happen

November 6, 2025 | Mallory Shields

In the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans, two new… In the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans, two new houses with gardens are now home to people who were formerly unhoused. The houses were conceived and built by Louvis Services, which focuses not only on building permanent, dignified housing… Read More >
Fueling Up on HOPE

Fueling Up on HOPE

June 9, 2025 | Mallory Shields

Dennis Long was looking forward to his retirement… Dennis Long was looking forward to his retirement and spending time traveling on the open road. Unfortunately, plans changed after a stroke forced Mr. Long to retire early from his job as a traveling nurse practitioner. His income was reduced… Read More >
Reaching for the Stars

Reaching for the Stars

June 9, 2025 | Mallory Shields

HOPE celebrated the groundbreaking for the renovation of the Russell C. Davis Planetarium, marking a pivotal moment in downtown Jackson’s renaissance. The project, supported by Hope Enterprise Corporation and other financing partners, aims to revitalize the outdated facility and transform… Read More >
Empowering Women, Rebuilding Lives

Empowering Women, Rebuilding Lives

June 9, 2025 | Mallory Shields

Musee is a local manufacturer specializing in… Musee is a local manufacturer specializing in premium bath products. All products are handmade in Mississippi by women in recovery from substance abuse and incarceration. “We really believe you don’t define a person by their past, but you look at… Read More >
Happy Glaze

Happy Glaze

June 9, 2025 | Mallory Shields

Since 1995, Monroe’s Donuts & Bakery has been… Since 1995, Monroe’s Donuts & Bakery has been a cornerstone in Jackson, Mississippi. This beloved family-owned shop delights customers with delicious glazed donuts, irresistible cinnamon rolls, and a variety of sweet confections. Founded by Monroe Jackson, whose love for baking… Read More >
Kimberly Patrick: Her Time is Now to Own a Home

Kimberly Patrick: Her Time is Now to Own a Home

June 9, 2025 | Mallory Shields

Living in her rented mobile home in Pearl, Mississippi, Kimberly Patrick yearned to buy a house of her own. She wrote a letter to herself and put it in her Bible. “I just prayed and prayed,” she said. On January… Read More >
Operating from a Premise of Hope

Operating from a Premise of Hope

June 9, 2025 | Mallory Shields

The only grant maker in the state focused solely… The only grant maker in the state focused solely on women and girls, The Women’s Foundation of Mississippi, makes strategic investments and supports programming that creates economic security for women in marginalized communities. “I operate from a premise of hope,”… Read More >
The Sweet Taste of Opportunity

The Sweet Taste of Opportunity

June 9, 2025 | Mallory Shields

When the owner of Sweet Stuff bakery in Biloxi,… When the owner of Sweet Stuff bakery in Biloxi, Mississippi, offered employees Renee Brown and Stephanie Bock the chance to buy the bakery, the two women saw it as a golden opportunity to become small business owners. There was just… Read More >
A Place to Call Home

A Place to Call Home

December 4, 2024 | Mallory Shields

Sylvia Brandon has lived in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, for over 48 years, paying rent and wanting to make it her goal to become a homeowner.  “I’ve rented all my life…and I didn’t want to keep giving somebody money for something… Read More >
Delta Memorial Hospital

Delta Memorial Hospital

December 3, 2024 | Mallory Shields

In the Arkansas Delta, the Delta Memorial Hospital… In the Arkansas Delta, the Delta Memorial Hospital in Dumas had a long history of providing quality health care services to rural, low-income, and uninsured patients. At the same time, facilities were outdated, cutting-edge equipment was lacking, and patient capacity… Read More >
Fostering Creative Excellence

Fostering Creative Excellence

December 2, 2024 | Mallory Shields

In Fort Smith, Arkansas, a place for creativity is… In Fort Smith, Arkansas, a place for creativity is rising, casting its light on an entire community. The Community School for the Arts, nestled by the riverfront, looks forward to transformative changes thanks to $5 million in funding through the… Read More >
No More Ubers

No More Ubers

December 2, 2024 | Mallory Shields

Dustin Gunn, a first-year college student at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, realized he needed his own vehicle to maintain a busy schedule with school and work. Working as a lifeguard at the Jess Odom Community Center in… Read More >
Building Ownership

Building Ownership

December 2, 2024 | Mallory Shields

On Halloween 2022, Magan Hubbard and her daughter… On Halloween 2022, Magan Hubbard and her daughter Mackenzie, 16, received the biggest treat of all when they moved into their new home in Little Rock, AR. Hubbard’s monthly payments for the brand new house were about the same amount… Read More >
Making Health Care Happen

Making Health Care Happen

December 2, 2024 | Mallory Shields

For 43 years, Dr. Mona McBride’s mother, Mary… For 43 years, Dr. Mona McBride’s mother, Mary Arnold, was a pastor in the small city of Hamburg, Arkansas, and a pillar of hope to the community. Today, Dr. McBride views the new CAREFirst pharmacy and wellness center that she… Read More >
Rebekah Baker, Age 7: Member Owner

Rebekah Baker, Age 7: Member Owner

December 2, 2024 | Mallory Shields

After winning a gift card at a “Black Financing for Business” course hosted by the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center, Candace Baker researched HOPE and decided it was the right place to begin a nest egg for her… Read More >
Moments in Consumer Lending

Moments in Consumer Lending

December 2, 2024 | Mallory Shields

“If it′s planted in the ground,” Sergio Lozano… “If it′s planted in the ground,” Sergio Lozano said, “I can make it grow.” A year-round farm laborer, Lozano works in rice, corn, cotton, and soybean fields from daybreak until sundown to support his wife and two children. Since arriving… Read More >
2024 HOPE Impact Report

2024 HOPE Impact Report

January 21, 2024 | Mallory Shields

Read More >
2023 HOPE Impact Report

2023 HOPE Impact Report

January 21, 2023 | Mallory Shields

We are pleased to share HOPE’s 2023 Annual Impact Report, “HOPE Makes It Happen.” The report chronicles HOPE’s efforts to expand economic opportunity throughout the Deep South over the last year. Read More >
Transforming Capital to Transform Lives

Transforming Capital to Transform Lives

January 21, 2023 | Mallory Shields

Of the 1.3 million members of the “life-saving… Of the 1.3 million members of the “life-saving sisterhood” of GirlTrek, 56% live in the South. So when it came time to invest some of the organization’s funds, the organization’s leaders turned to HOPE because they knew and valued CEO… Read More >
Making Advocacy Happen

Making Advocacy Happen

January 20, 2023 | Mallory Shields

Since HOPE’s inception, the organization has… Since HOPE’s inception, the organization has placed a high priority on advocacy. Drawing on the experiences of its members and by advancing thought leadership, the organization leverages its influence to challenge the policies and practices of government and private institutions… Read More >
Making HBCUs Happen

Making HBCUs Happen

January 20, 2023 | Mallory Shields

United Negro College Fund research illustrates the outsized impact of HBCUs on Black economic mobility: though HBCUs comprise fewer than 3 percent of American colleges and universities, they enroll 10 percent of all Black students and produce 17 percent of… Read More >
2022 HOPE Impact Report

2022 HOPE Impact Report

January 21, 2022 | Mallory Shields

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2021 HOPE Impact Report

2021 HOPE Impact Report

January 21, 2021 | Mallory Shields

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2020 HOPE Impact Report

2020 HOPE Impact Report

December 17, 2020 | Mallory Shields

HOPE’s work combines historic moments into a movement toward economic justice – a movement that affords opportunity to ALL people, and that propels America onward in our journey toward a more perfect union.  Read More >
2019 HOPE Impact Report

2019 HOPE Impact Report

October 30, 2019 | Mallory Shields

Across the Deep South, generations of resilient… Across the Deep South, generations of resilient public servants, artists and business leaders have broken barriers, distinguishing themselves, while making life better for others. In a region marked by entrenched economic, racial and social disparities, HOPE taps into this wellspring… Read More >
2018 HOPE Impact Report

2018 HOPE Impact Report

October 30, 2018 | Mallory Shields

During this silver anniversary year, we look back,… During this silver anniversary year, we look back, reflecting on the lessons gleaned from our collective efforts. We also look beside us, thankful for the people and communities we serve, and the partners who helped make HOPE’s work possible. And… Read More >
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“We were working women, and we didn’t have the collateral that a lot of these other, bigger companies have, all we had was our knowledge and our ‘want to do.’
That’s all we had.”

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HOPE employee supporting a couple during a member services interaction.

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