Mississippi Today: What does it take to be a director for Delta Hands for Hope in Mississippi? Chiquikta Fountain is a youth-focused organization. We do a lot around education. After school programming, summer camps, and a focus on nutrition and health are some of the things we do. Our summer feeding program is an example. Because of COVID, we are currently operating as an emergency food pantry. We’re using our experience in helping children in the area to make sure they have access to food until school starts. We try to help in any capacity that the community requires, but our primary focus is on youth. Mississippi Today: Do your views of yourself as both a leader and advocate for the community? Chiquikta Fountain: I do. Before I started this job, my background was in advocacy, especially in education advocacy. When I was offered this job, one of my goals was to make use of that experience as a director. It worked together, I think. We have so many resources at our disposal and we should be using them to empower and change the lives of our youth. I want to give them the tools they need to navigate the world, whether they live in Shaw or not. To show them that they are still capable of making a difference. They can still make an impact and help their families. We cannot focus our efforts solely on youth support and ignore the family unit. We’re open to doing whatever we can to bridge this gap. Mississippi Today: How has your role as an advocate and community leader changed through the social reckoning and pandemic that’s taking place? Chiquikta Font: There are still people doing amazing things, even in times of struggle and crisis. There is still hope. These are great opportunities for me to highlight the wonderful people in my community. Since we started this project, one of the most striking things I’ve seen is people volunteering to help. Every day, these young people come. They are there every day, no matter what the situation. It is so touching to see their selflessness. Mississippi Today: It seems like your example of leadership is influencing the way you think about yourself. Chiquikta Fountain: Absolutely. Even though I had a teenage son, I wasn’t sure I was ready to take on this role. I didn’t know what I was getting into or how to approach these young people. As I settled into my job, I realized that I was not able to take over the role of the parents. However, I am an extension of the family and have the opportunity to create those opportunities. This new leadership phase is a way for them to not be what I want them to be but to help them see what they don’t see. This could be an opportunity for me to tell them, “You don’t need to leave Shaw to be great.” There are many things you can do here as a young adult. You could say, “OK volunteers, you guys handle this, and I’m going up at the office.” But they have to see me sweating, dirty, and dusty. Because that is how they know I am invested. I’m not here to get a pat on my back, but because I need all of you to see that I am a part. This Q&A was published in The Inform[H]er’s round-up section.