Utica, located in the southwest corner Hinds County, is a rural community that is predominately African American. It has a population estimate of 869. The majority of the population are elderly and growing older. Main Street is dominated by abandoned businesses and other buildings that have been closed down. They are also common throughout the town. Hope Credit Union is a community development financial institution that provides financial and community services to residents in economically distressed areas such as Utica. This photo essay focuses on Utica and its people. They are the symbol of the struggle for the future in predominantly black rural South. [siteorigin_widget class=”largo_image_widget”][/siteorigin_widget] [siteorigin_widget class=”largo_image_widget”][/siteorigin_widget] [siteorigin_widget class=”largo_image_widget”][/siteorigin_widget] [siteorigin_widget class=”largo_image_widget”][/siteorigin_widget] [siteorigin_widget class=”largo_image_widget”][/siteorigin_widget] [siteorigin_widget class=”largo_image_widget”][/siteorigin_widget] [siteorigin_widget class=”largo_image_widget”][/siteorigin_widget] [siteorigin_widget class=”largo_image_widget”][/siteorigin_widget] [siteorigin_widget class=”largo_image_widget”][/siteorigin_widget]