JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – Emerging civic leaders from across the country are in the capital to learn what it takes to solve problems in their communities.

The National Change Lab is a networking and training opportunity for the next generation of leaders.

Changemakers from Chicago, Detroit, Jackson, Memphis, and San Antonio are participating in the National Change Lab to learn what it takes to solve their community’s challenges, from educational inequality to harm reduction.

The 100 participants learn from civic leaders at Change Collective.

“Everything I read in the paper or saw about the library system was negative,” said Dr. Jared Davis, a plastic surgeon at the University of Mississippi Medical Center who graduated last year and is on the panel discussing “Investing in the South.”

He grew up in the capital and works to improve the Jackson-Hinds library system.

“Libraries need to be seen more as recognized public spaces. They’re not just about books and libraries anymore, but safe spaces for programming, community events, etc.,” Davis said.

Thursday’s panel offered advice on how to secure funding for projects, research donor organizations and the ultimate goal of their projects.

“We know that to solve any kind of problem, whether it’s local, national or global, it takes different sectors, industries and individuals coming together to solve those problems,” said Dexter Mason, executive director of Change Collective. “So we really wanted to bring this diverse group together to really take the work that they’re already doing to another level.”

On Friday, Jackson Mayor Chokwe Lumumba and Memphis Mayor Paul Young will join the conversation on “Investing in the South.”

More than 30 local leaders are participating in the two-day engagement session.

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