"Economic Development in Cartersville, MS: A Case Study of a Non-profit" by McKenzie B. Perkins
 

Honors Theses

Date of Award

Spring 5-8-2025

Document Type

Undergraduate Thesis

Department

Biology

First Advisor

Albert Nylander

Second Advisor

J.R. Love

Third Advisor

Laura Martin

Relational Format

Dissertation/Thesis

Abstract

The Mississippi Delta Region has long faced significant economic, educational, and health challenges and a steady population decline since the 1940s. In response, community development projects have emerged as powerful tools to promote health, well-being, and social mobility. This thesis investigates the impact of community development initiatives in Cartersville, MS, focusing on the dental clinic, educational programs, and the economic development center established by a non-profit organization. Through the lens of community development theories, the research explores how community leadership, particularly partnerships between EverHope Ministries and Cartersville leaders, is pivotal in addressing health disparities in historically marginalized populations. By engaging directly with local leaders involved in these initiatives, this research provides a mixed-methods analysis, combining interviews with qualitative assessments to evaluate the relationship between poverty, community leadership, and public health outcomes. With Cartersville’s predominantly African American population, the study offers a unique perspective on racialized health disparities. The findings aim to demonstrate how leadership-driven entrepreneurial efforts can inform broader public health and policy strategies in underserved communities, offering lessons for similar areas facing long-standing challenges.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Share

COinS
 
 

To view the content in your browser, please download Adobe Reader or, alternately,
you may Download the file to your hard drive.

NOTE: The latest versions of Adobe Reader do not support viewing PDF files within Firefox on Mac OS and if you are using a modern (Intel) Mac, there is no official plugin for viewing PDF files within the browser window.