On January 24, 2023, Mississippi First, along with 35 early learning collaboratives, pre-K champions, government officials, and the Mississippi Department of Education, celebrated ten years of transformative high-quality pre-K in Mississippi.
Over 75 people attended the celebration in Jackson last week. Senator Brice Wiggins, Senate sponsor of the pre-K law, read a proclamation from Governor Tate Reeves naming the week of January 23-27, 2023, as Early Learning Collaborative Week and gave remarks. Mayor Toby Barker (Hattiesburg), House sponsor of the pre-K law, also gave a speech detailing the significance of the moment. Rachel Canter, Mississippi First’s Executive Director, led a recognition ceremony for the original bill sponsors as well as current champions.
