What We Do

We focus on three interconnected strategic focus areas. Each strengthens the others, and together, they form the foundation for shared growth.

Education that supports efforts to expand access to learning at every stage of life, ensuring individuals have the knowledge and skills to thrive from early childhood through adulthood.

Early Learning: Lays a strong foundation for children from birth through age eight, nurturing cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development in their most formative years.

K–12 Innovations: Strengthens learning experiences beyond the standard curriculum, sparking creativity, critical thinking, and personal growth from kindergarten through high school.

Adult Learning: Creates pathways for lifelong learning, career development, and leadership skills.

Tallahatchie Early Learning Alliance (TELA), an initiative of the SonEdna Foundation, brings families, educators, and local changemakers together to strengthen early learning and set the stage for lifelong success. Our goal is clear: to ensure every child in Tallahatchie County can Thrive By Third grade.

Mississippi Early Learning Alliance (MELA) exists to build, strengthen, and support coalitions to advocate for systems change to improve early learning and child development outcomes statewide in Mississippi. SonEdna Foundation was the inaugural funder of MELA.

Economic Development that supports community efforts to build capacity and leverage assets to create sustainable growth.

Cultural Economy: Creates collaborative spaces that allow stakeholders to align around shared goals that build on the Delta’s distinctive culture as the foundation for a shared economic future.

Workforce Development: Supports a connected ecosystem of skill building, entrepreneurship, and business growth.

Social Enterprise: Champions innovation that sparks new industry models and external investment.

Environmental Sustainability that supports efforts to conserve the asset of the land and unlocks its potential for travel, tourism, and recreation.

Agricultural: Connects local growers to champion sustainable farming and to build shared strategies that cultivate the Delta’s long-term vitality.

Ecological: Supports the balance between preservation of the Delta’s diverse natural habitats and economic development.

Geological: Aligns stakeholders to address erosion, land loss, and resource management for a more stable, resilient future.

Who We Are

How We Do It