The Mississippi Municipal League (MML) is set to host the 16th Annual Youth Leadership Summit from March 1st to 2nd, 2024, at Mississippi State University in Starkville, Mississippi.

The summit will commence with a Welcome Reception on Friday, March 1st, at the Colvard Student Union on the university campus. Councilman Joseph Norwood of Meridian, the 2023-2024 Chairman of the MML Youth Committee, invites all Summit attendees to join for an evening of food, music, and fellowship.

On Saturday, March 2nd, students in grades 9-12 from across the state will participate in workshops focusing on leadership, community service, college preparedness, and decision-making. Attendees can attend sessions led by campus groups, the Stennis Center for Public Service, and the Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office. The conference keynote address will be delivered by Noah Harris, a Hattiesburg native currently serving as Confidential Assistant with the White House Office of Management and Budget.

In addition to the educational sessions, attendees will engage in a community service project by donating items to Starkville Strong, a local non-profit organization focused on addressing food insecurity, homelessness, housing insecurity, and community advocacy.

A new program, “Trade Talk,” will debut at this year’s summit, providing students with information on post-high school career options. The panel discussion is made possible by sponsors, including the Mississippi Chapter of the American Public Works Association, Nucor Steel Jackson, Inc., and Truckworx.

Over 300 students from 17 cities and towns across the state have registered for this year’s conference. Councilman Joseph Norwood expressed pride in the MML Youth Leadership Summit, stating, “This is the premier youth leadership event in Mississippi. These young people are the future of our state, and the summit is a great way to engage them in thinking and preparing for their future.”

Alongside the Mississippi Municipal League, sponsors for the event include the MS Chapter of the American Public Works Association, Mississippi Power, Mississippi State University, North Mississippi Mayors Association, Nucor Steel Jackson, Southern Mississippi Planning and Development District, and Truckworx.

The Mississippi Municipal League, established in 1931, represents 290 city, town, and village governments in Mississippi. Its mission is to help cities and towns excel through training, lobbying at the state and federal levels, and providing resources and networking opportunities. For more information about the Mississippi Municipal League, visit www.mmlonline.com.