If you have been paying attention to social justice, civic action, or political change in the state of Mississippi over the past several years, one name consistently rises to the top: Corey J. Wiggins. He is a figure who seems to be everywhere at once, from the halls of the state capitol advocating for policy change to local churches inspiring communities, to the streets supporting grassroots movements. But who is the man behind the title? What drives him? And more importantly, what is his vision for a more equitable Mississippi?
In this article, I want to take you beyond the headlines and the official biographies. We will explore the journey of Dr. Corey J. Wiggins, not just as a leader, but as a person whose life’s work is a testament to the enduring power of committed, strategic, and compassionate advocacy. My own interest in his work comes from watching how he communicates complex policy issues in a way that feels personal and urgent. He has a unique ability to connect the dots between a statistic in a report and the real life of a family in the Delta, and that is a skill worth understanding.
The Foundation: Education and Early Calling
To understand Corey Wiggins the leader, you must first understand Corey Wiggins the scholar and the believer. He is not someone who stumbled into this work; his path was built intentionally through education and faith. He earned his doctorate in public policy, a detail that is crucial to understanding his leadership style. While many activists lead with passion alone, and that is vital, Wiggins complements that passion with a deep understanding of data, systems, and how policy is made and unmade.
Think of it this way: you can shout from the rooftops that a system is unfair, and you might be right. But to change that system, you need to understand its blueprint. You need to know which lever to pull, which law to amend, and which budget line to challenge. His PhD in public policy gave him that blueprint. This academic background is paired with his role as a reverend. This combination is profoundly significant. It means he can speak to both the head and the heart. He can quote data on healthcare disparities in the morning and deliver a sermon on human dignity in the evening. In my opinion, this duality is his superpower. It allows him to build bridges between different worlds, from the academic to the spiritual, from the political to the personal.
His professional journey before leading the NAACP was a training ground. He worked with various institutions and initiatives focused on community health, economic development, and policy research. This was not work done in a distant ivory tower. It was work done in and with communities, giving him a ground level view of the challenges facing everyday Mississippians. He saw firsthand how a lack of access to quality healthcare could cripple a family, how underfunded schools limited a child’s future, and how economic policies could either uplift or suppress entire towns.
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The Multifaceted Fight: Core Areas of Advocacy
As the Executive Director and President of the Mississippi State Conference of the NAACP, Wiggins operates on multiple fronts. The fight for civil rights in the 21st century is not a single issue battle. It is a interconnected web of injustices, and Wiggins approaches it as such.
1. The Unending Battle for Voting Rights
The right to vote is the bedrock of a democratic society, and in Mississippi, this right has been a battleground for generations. Under Wiggins’ leadership, the NAACP has been relentless in protecting this sacred right. The work here is twofold. First, there is the defensive work: fighting against laws that make it harder for people, particularly people of color and the elderly, to cast their ballots. These can include strict voter ID laws, purges of voter rolls, and reduced polling places in certain neighborhoods.
I remember listening to him explain this issue once. He did not just call a law “bad.” He explained how reducing early voting hours disproportionately affects shift workers who cannot get off work on a Tuesday. He explained how closing a polling place in a rural area means an elderly person without reliable transportation might have to choose between their health and their vote. This is where his policy expertise shines. He makes the abstract, tangible. The second part of the work is offensive: launching massive voter education and registration drives. The NAACP, under his guidance, works tirelessly to ensure that every eligible Mississippian is registered, knows their rights, and understands the power of their voice. They are not just fighting to protect the vote; they are fighting to empower people to use it.
2. Reforming a Broken Criminal Justice System
Another central pillar of Wiggins’ advocacy is criminal justice reform. Mississippi, like much of the United States, grapples with mass incarceration and its devastating effects on communities. The NAACP under Wiggins pushes for reforms that address this from root to branch. This includes advocating for alternatives to incarceration for non violent offenses, fighting to end cash bail systems that punish people for being poor, and promoting rehabilitation and re entry programs for those who have served their time.
He often speaks about the “collateral consequences” of a criminal record. It is not just about the time served in prison. It is about the difficulty finding a job afterward, the barriers to securing housing, the strain on families. He argues that when we fail to help people successfully reenter society, we are not enhancing public safety; we are creating a cycle of poverty and recidivism. His approach is about creating a system that is more just and, ultimately, more effective at building safe communities.
3. The Bedrocks of Equity: Education and Healthcare
You cannot talk about justice without talking about education and healthcare. These are the fundamental systems that determine a person’s life chances. Wiggins and the Mississippi NAACP are deeply involved in the fight for equitable school funding. In a state where school quality can vary dramatically from one district to another, often along racial and economic lines, this is a critical civil rights issue. He advocates for policies that ensure every child, regardless of their zip code, has access to a quality education that prepares them for the future.
Similarly, the fight for healthcare justice is paramount. Mississippi has some of the worst health outcomes in the nation, with stark disparities between white communities and communities of color. Issues like maternal mortality, where Black women are disproportionately affected, are a major focus. The NAACP advocates for the expansion of Medicaid, which would provide health insurance to hundreds of thousands of low income Mississippians. I have heard Wiggins frame this not as a political issue, but as a moral one. He asks a simple, powerful question: “In a state as wealthy as ours, as blessed as ours, why should anyone die from a preventable disease because they cannot afford to see a doctor?” This reframing cuts through the political noise and centers humanity.
The Strategy: Grassroots Power and Strategic Influence
What makes Corey Wiggins’ leadership particularly effective is his strategic approach. He understands that lasting change requires both “grassroots” and “grasstops” engagement. Grassroots means mobilizing people in local communities, organizing rallies, phone banks, and town halls. It is about building power from the ground up.
Grasstops, on the other hand, means engaging with elected officials, business leaders, and other influential figures to advocate for policy changes. Wiggins moves seamlessly between these two worlds. He can be in a community center in the Delta listening to residents’ concerns one day, and the next day he is in Jackson presenting those concerns to legislators with data driven proposals for solutions. This dual strategy ensures that the voices of the people are not just heard in the streets, but are amplified in the rooms where decisions are made.
His leadership is also deeply collaborative. He understands that the NAACP does not have to, and cannot, fight these battles alone. He builds coalitions with other advocacy groups, faith leaders, and community organizations. This unity creates a much more powerful and unified voice for change.
Conclusion: A Steady Hand for a Challenging Time
Corey J. Wiggins is more than just the head of an organization. He is a symbol of a modern, resilient, and strategic civil rights movement in Mississippi. He carries the weight of the NAACP’s storied legacy while steering it confidently toward the complex challenges of the 21st century. His unique blend of academic rigor, spiritual depth, and genuine connection to the people he serves makes him a uniquely formidable leader.
The road ahead for justice and equality in Mississippi is long and filled with obstacles. But in leaders like Corey J. Wiggins, we see a guide who is equipped for the journey. He reminds us that the fight for civil rights is ongoing, that it requires both passion and precision, and that its ultimate power comes from the collective will of the people. His work is a powerful reminder that change is possible when we have the courage to lead with both our minds and our hearts.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is Corey J. Wiggins’ official title?
A1: He serves as both the President and Executive Director of the Mississippi State Conference of the NAACP. He is also often referred to as Dr. Corey Wiggins, acknowledging his doctorate, and Reverend Corey Wiggins, acknowledging his ordination as a minister.
Q2: What did Corey Wiggins do before leading the NAACP in Mississippi?
A2: Before his current role, Dr. Wiggins built a extensive background in public policy, community development, and health equity. He worked with various organizations focusing on research and initiatives aimed at improving the lives of Mississippians, particularly in the areas of health and economic opportunity.
Q3: What are the main issues the NAACP is focused on in Mississippi under Wiggins?
A3: The key advocacy areas include:
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Protecting and expanding voting rights.
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Reforming the criminal justice system.
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Fighting for equitable funding and access in public education.
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Addressing healthcare disparities and advocating for Medicaid expansion.
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Promoting economic justice and workers’ rights.
Q4: How can I get involved with the NAACP’s work in Mississippi?
A4: You can visit the official website of the Mississippi NAACP to find your local branch. Involvement can include becoming a member, volunteering for events like voter registration drives, attending town halls, and following their work on social media to stay informed about current campaigns and actions.
Q5: Why is the combination of his “Reverend” and “Dr.” titles significant?
A5: This combination signifies a leadership style that appeals to both empirical evidence and moral conviction. His doctoral training allows him to deconstruct policy with data, while his role as a reverend allows him to connect with people on a deeply human and spiritual level, framing justice as a moral imperative. This makes his advocacy both intellectually robust and emotionally compelling.
