Poverty in Webb, Mississippi

There is a saying that there is no poverty like poverty in rural America. All across the United States in rural towns you will find families and individuals living in extreme poverty. Some are living without heating, air conditioning, food, and sometimes water. I traveled throughout the states of Mississippi and Louisiana to small towns on poverty tours. Some towns aren't incorporated. The poverty data reports is one of the best placed to start researching and can provide the much need help to your community.

Photo Credit: Walter C. Black, Sr.                   

Webb is a town in Tallahatchie County. According to the 2000 census the population was 587. Webb was founded circa 1880. The first post office was founded in 1880 and named Hood for one of the earlier settlers. In 1882, Judge James L.A. Webb, a Confederate veteran and University of North Carolina, operated the only store there. The town was later renamed in honor of Judge Webb. In July of 2001, Earnestine Dixon became the first African American mayor of the town, serving one term from 2001-2005.

Family Below Poverty Level
According to the most recent surgery, families living below the poverty line in Webb numbered 21, or 16.2 percent of the population. The percentage of families in America living below the poverty line was 9.20%.

Individuals Below the Poverty Level in Webb, MS
Individuals living below the poverty line in the community was 144, or 26.6 percent. The percentage of individuals living beneath the poverty level in the country was 12.40%.

Webb, Mississippi is just one of the many rural towns in America that is poverty stricken. The lack of jobs and resources is the main two reasons why poverty is extremely high in Webb, MS. This past week photo journalist Wesaam Al-Babry and Walter C. Black, Sr spent their Thanksgiving holiday helping me to give out blankets, socks, coats, and other needed items to the needy and documenting through photographs the impoverish conditions. Avrell Stokes a student studying at the University of Southern Mississippi who is just three weeks shy of getting his Master Degree in health policy to help those in need of health care in the state of Mississippi joined us on this mission to help those in need in the Mississippi Delta. He had no ideal that poverty were this bad in rural areas. While driving to other locations, we had the opportunity to discuss poverty issues and causes. He phoned some of his college friends and told them what he was seeing here in the Mississippi Delta. This was his first time visiting the Mississippi Delta. By the end of the poverty tour, he has already arranged to have furniture donated to one of the family in Webb. The family lost their home to a fire about three months ago.

Poverty Hurts Children

Photo Credit: Walter C. Black, Sr.

If you would like to help these families in need, please contact Antoinette Harrell at 504.858.4658 or email Antoinette Harrell at afrigenah@yahoo.com. Items such as food, clothes, shoes, blankets, underwear, educational items, books, toys, pencil and pens are accepted.