Clean ups don’t need to be hard – Natchez, Mississippi

Having an idea, bringing people together, and taking small steps gets things done.

Joe Smith, executive director of Black Natchez, wanted a clean-up of his street, MLK Street. Joe told me, “I took a page from your playbook and worked to build a coalition and gather allies.”

Anyone can host a clean-up.

In Natchez, clean-up work was needed on MLK Street. All it took was a few people who wanted to help, some students who wanted community service hours, and adults who knew the street’s stories and wanted to see their community blossom.

How it got organized:

Joe’s mom had the pretty vests that workers wear. Her friend in Public Works made sure they had tools.  With the donations received, the group bought barbeque chicken dinners from another organization that was having a fundraiser that day. Keep the money local!

They shared on social media and in a press release they needed:

  • Folks to sign up to clean or serve food
  • Can’t help? Donate to offset the cost of supplies and or food.Or commit to cleaning a portion of MLK another time.
  • Call for help that day in a 3-hour time frame.

  • Did people show up?

    Yes, they did! From students to the older folks, they showed up. Even 92-year-old Ms. Sanders, who regularly picks up trash and debris in the area, showed up, got her bags, returned, and had lunch.

    What is the story about MLK Street?

    Historically, MLK St, formerly known as Pine Street, was home to many of Natchez’s black elite and an epicenter for black history and culture. Notable MLK residents and business/ property owners included George & Fannie Brumfield, Henry and Albert Dumas, the Mazique Family, and Natchez’s black mortician families- the Mackel, Webb, West, & Williams Families – and so many more. Former Mayor Butch Brown envisioned Natchez’s MLK St. as the most beautiful MLK St. in the country; BlackNatchez members share this vision and plan to do all they can to make it a reality.


  • Why does it matter?

    Tourism is the 2nd largest industry in Natchez. Currently, heritage tourism represents less than 5% of Natchez’s tourism industry. MLK St. could again be a central place for locals and visitors to experience an essential layer of Natchez’s rich culture.

    A clean, vibrant MLK will increase property values, attract more visitors, new businesses, and property owners, resulting in more tax revenues, and position the area to play a vital role in Natchez’s emerging heritage tourism ecosystem. 

    What is BlackNatchez.org?

    BlackNatchez.org is a nonprofit organization based in Natchez that seeks to use heritage tourism as an engine for community revitalization, workforce development, and historic preservation.