The Mississippi Public Service Commission is proud to highlight the accomplishments of Miss Nayla McClure, who received a $20,000 grant from the Southern Poverty Law Center’s Advocacy Institute. This annual nine-week program trains fellows from across Mississippi in practical experiences to advance advocacy knowledge across the state. Miss McClure’s project focuses on providing accessible water to residents impacted by aging infrastructure in Utica, MS.
“I am incredibly honored and excited to lead the creation of the Water Hub with support from the Southern Poverty Law Center. Water is a basic human right, yet far too many families in rural communities continue to face challenges due to aging infrastructure. This initiative allows me to give back to the community that raised me and invest in long-term solutions that prioritize dignity, health, and justice.” – Nayla McClure
What makes her story especially powerful is her continued commitment to her roots, bringing her expertise back home to help address critical utility issues in her community. Her work is a testament to the kind of talent and leadership the Commission is dedicated to cultivating.
“Miss McClure began her journey with the Public Service Commission as an intern. Today, she’s a full-time policy analyst traveling the country, working alongside utilities to improve systems and solve complex challenges. What’s even more powerful is that while she’s helping address global utility issues, she’s also contributing to real solutions right here in her hometown. This is exactly the kind of talent we’re proud to cultivate and elevate at the Public Service Commission.” – Commissioner De’Keither A. Stamps
“True leaders seek to address the needs of their communities over the needs of themselves. Oftentimes Black, rural and disenfranchised communities are neglected and abandoned by policymakers. Ultimately, it becomes the responsibility of communities and organizations to lean on one another to survive. When policy fails, leaders are born. Miss Nayla McClure answered the call, put in the vital work and continues to positively impact her community through proactive activism. As a graduate of SPLC’s Mississippi State Office Advocacy Institute, Nayla will further her work on the formation of the Water Hub, providing much needed relief for the people in Utica, MS. I am proud of the work Miss McClure has done, and I happily await her future acts of community-based activism.” – Waikinya Clanton, State Director, SPLC