Mississippi Native: Denise Powell

"As long as I have drive and purpose, I’m happy anywhere—on the bayou or in a busy city."

What does it mean to call Mississippi home? Why do people choose to leave or live in this weird, wonderful, and sometimes infuriating place? Today we hear from physician, runner, and 2023 Climate & Health Equity Fellow, Denise Powell.

Featured contributor Denise Powell, who lives in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.

Where are you from?

I was raised a “Pearl girl” but also spent much of my life growing up in Jackson because of family and education. My family is from all over the state with a lot of roots in Vicksburg and Utica. 

Why did you leave Mississippi? Where did you go?

Back in 2019, I moved to San Francisco, California for my medical residency training for many reasons, including having family out there, as well as yearning to learn about community work and justice from a different lens. I feel it’s important to be open to cross-culture collaboration and understanding to move our communities forward.

With friend/colleague Dr. Elisabeth Young at an Anti-Racist Run Club in Japantown, San Francisco.

 Why did you return to Mississippi?

There are many reasons I came back to the land that raised me and many other Mississippians. Much of my family is spread throughout the state, and it’s been great seeing them more. 

As a healthcare provider, there is also this pull to be a part of solutions in a state that often lags in health outcomes, but there’s also this other component of financial freedom from state-funded programs that support physicians working in Mississippi like myself. 

My favorite part so far though, has been the blossoming of creative energy, from music, to the many books that have been authored and continue to be written by Mississippi artists. There’s this sense of instant community that comes with hanging out at a local blues club, running the streets of Jackson with other people in a run club, or going to a pop-up block party to support local shops. The revitalization of my home has been my favorite reason and motivation for returning, and I hope to continually be a part of this trajectory moving forward.