Gloria Dickerson’s journey reflects her lifelong dedication to community and empowerment. Before her current work, she served as Controller at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and later became Program Director, leading the Mid-South Delta Initiative, which focused on economic and community development. Prior to her time at Kellogg, Gloria was the Vice President of Financial Operations for MINACT, Inc. in Jackson, Mississippi. She retired from Kellogg in 2009, but her commitment to service continued.
In 2015, Gloria made history when she was elected to the Sunflower County Board of Supervisors as the second woman to be elected. Born and raised in Drew, Mississippi, she and her family were pioneers in the fight for educational equality. In 1965, her parents, Mae Bertha and Matthew Carter, alongside their seven children, became the first Black family in Sunflower County to sign the "freedom of choice" papers, desegregating the Drew public school system. Their courageous story is told in Silver Rights by Constance Curry, The School Is Not White by Doreen Rappaport, and the documentary The Intolerable Burden.
Gloria founded the Mae Bertha Carter Learning Center in 2017, where she leads transformative programs for youth and adults, focusing on life skills, health, African American history, education, and career readiness. She holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Mississippi and an MBA from Millsaps College. A former CPA, Gloria is also a certified instructor in Heal Your Life®, Mindful Schools®, Primordial Sound Meditation, and is a life coach.
Gloria lives in Drew, MS, with her husband Donald, and they have one son, Deidrick. Through her leadership and programs, she continues to empower the Delta, ensuring that her community thrives.
A Trailblazer in Sunflower County
“I was innocently excited about going to a new school and meeting new friends.
I never expected the kind of treatment we received and the hostility directed towards us.”
In 1965, Gloria Dickerson, just 12 years old, walked with her six siblings into the all-white Drew Public Schools, making history as the first Black children to integrate the space. It wasn’t just about education—
it was a direct confrontation with the racial inequality gripping Mississippi and the nation. After the deaths of the three Civil Rights Workers in Philadelphia, MS, the Carter family’s resolve to send their children to the all-white school system was one that would change the course of Gloria’s life and cement the future of Drew, MS forever. That pivotal moment ignited something in Gloria, something that would grow throughout her life: a passion to transform her beloved Drew into a place of opportunity, healing, and hope.
Gloria’s family faced violence and intimidation for their choice granted by federal government through the Freedom of Choice (FOC) plan. The plan was put in place from 1965-1970 to aid with the integration of public schools. Despite this ruling, Drew, MS was in no interested in ensuring the integration of their schools. The shots fired into their home and the destruction of their garden were reminders of the risks these young learners would face if they defied the social norms in Drew. But Gloria’s parents, Mae Bertha and Matthew Carter, never wavered. They knew that education was the key to breaking the chains of poverty and injustice, and they weren’t about to let threats stop them. “My parents valued education and wanted us to receive the best we possibly could—and rightfully—get,” Gloria recalls. “They knew the books were better, the buses were better. Everything was better.”
“I never hated anyone. I might not have liked what they did, but I always tried to love. And we all need to try to make a positive difference in the lives of others.”
Glorisa’s parents’ courage didn’t just shape Gloria’s future—it shaped her vision for her hometown. After a successful career with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and as a CPA, Gloria returned to Drew with a burning desire to give back. She founded We2gether Creating Change, a nonprofit that uplifts Drew residents and seeks to revitalize the community by creating spaces of opportunity and empowerment.
But transformation doesn’t come easy. Gloria, with her characteristic perseverance, faced resistance, roadblocks, and promises that were never kept. So, she decided to take matters into her own hands. In 2016, she ran for Supervisor and won, becoming only the second woman in Sunflower County history to serve in that role. She now holds the torch passed to her by her parents and uses her leadership to push for the physical, emotional, and mental revitalization of Drew. Her vision is clear: a town where the past doesn’t hold people back but propels them forward into a brighter future.
Gloria’s story isn’t just about overcoming—it’s about leading the charge for lasting change. It’s about teaching the next generation to be proud of their roots, to stand up for justice, and to build a community where everyone thrives. With We2gether Creating Change, she’s doing just that, creating pathways for young people to use their skills and talents to contribute to the prosperity of Drew.
As Gloria says, “I never hated anyone. I might not have liked what they did, but I always tried to love. And we all need to try to make a positive difference in the lives of others.” This philosophy of love and resilience is at the heart of her work. Her biggest dream? To see Drew transformed into a place where opportunity abounds, and where her community thrives mentally, emotionally, and economically.
Gloria’s journey has laid the groundwork, but there is so much more to be done. It’s time for us to stand with her, to support We2gether Creating Change, and to be a part of this powerful movement. Together, we can honor the legacy of her parents and ensure that the future of Drew is one of hope, unity, and revitalization.
Let’s make Gloria’s dream Drew’s reality. Donate today in creating a brighter future for Drew.