Mississippi Native: Dyamone White

"Mississippi has made me a visionary. I see the state as being a blank canvas. When I travel, I see what other locations offer and think about ways to replicate those offerings in Mississippi."

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 entrepreneur, financier, and arts lover Dyamone White, who recently announced her candidacy for Mississippi House of Representatives, District 63. In her interview, Dyamone explains what motivated her to run for election.

Featured contributor Dyamone White.

Where are you from?

Between Bolton and Edwards, Mississippi.

How long have you lived in Mississippi?

Since birth—1992; 30 years. I’m a Mississippian, born and raised. My family has lived here for at least four generations. It’s safe to say that Mississippi is in my blood.

What inspired you to run for office here in Mississippi?

I see opportunity. I see opportunity for my district—Western Hinds County—and the state. Opportunity in the sense of increasing the quality of life for residents through policy, lowering the cost of groceries with the elimination of the grocery tax, expanding Medicaid, and providing more access and resources to the people who live and work here. 

My platform is centered on providing access to housing, opportunities, creating unity, instilling a sense of safety, and supporting public education. My experience is varied. I have worked as a banker in a local regional commercial bank, a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI)—a nonprofit bank. And I have also worked for a federal agency charged with spearheading economic development. I have the skillset and access to the resources needed to change the landscape of my district and attract businesses to meet the needs of our people. 

I want to develop affordable housing for families, disabled, seniors, veterans, etc. through the low-income housing tax credit program, Housing and Urban Development (HUD) products, and partnerships through the Mississippi Home Corporation (MHC). Create jobs by luring companies to the district through opportunity zones, another federal tax credit program. Partner with community colleges for workforce development and teaching financial literacy.

Currently, my district is a food desert. Fresh food access is a primary critical need for folk in Western Hinds County where most people have to drive up to 30 miles just to get to a grocery store.

We have our work cut out for us, but we have to make sure our people have access to healthy and affordable food opportunities, whether it comes from the state assisting in the creation of community gardens and farmers markets through grant programs, or creating a state incentive to attract grocery stores.  

What are you hoping to accomplish for your community by representing them in office?

Hope! Once hope arrives, electoral collaboration arrives. People will be interested in politics because dollars will be going further, opportunities to build generational wealth through home purchases will be set in motion, increasing the median income average for families. All too often I hear people say they don't vote or are not engaged in politics because they have no reason to be. They feel that nothing has changed locally. I aim to change that apathy to opportunity by working with younger voters to get them to see their strength and their ability to affect change in the political process.

I often whisper to myself that my path home from work has not changed since I took the same path home from school—that's roughly 30 years.

We have had a few things different—a manufacturing plant and lighting on the interstate in that area. But every time I travel to New Orleans, Memphis, Birmingham, Atlanta, Washington, D.C., their landscapes are ever-changing. I want those changes and opportunities for my family, for my community.