Mississippi Delta native Chiquikta Font is the executive director of Delta Hands for Hope, Shaw, Mississippi, which is also located in the Mississippi Delta. Fountain led the transition from providing youth programming after school and summer programs to becoming an emergency food pantry when the pandemic struck. Editor’s Note: This interview was edited for length. Mississippi Today: What does it take to be the director of Delta Hands for Hope in Mississippi? Chiquikta Fountain is a youth-focused organization. We do a lot around education. After school programming is done, and we offer summer camps. We also place emphasis on nutrition and health. 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? Fountain: Yes. 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 advocate and community leader changed through the social reckoning and pandemic that’s taking place? Fountain: There is still hope. These things are indeed happening in our region. I will use my position and view to prove it. These were issues we dealt with long before we knew COVID-19 and coronavirus. These are great opportunities for me to highlight the wonderful people in my community. Since we started this project, one thing I have noticed is the people who come to help. Every day, these young people come. They are there every day, no matter what the situation is. It is so touching to see their generosity. Many of these seeds were planted in the community and into the children before I arrived. Although I don’t claim credit, I feel that I have helped them see that this is not only a great thing to do on their resumes, but also a way to show them that kindness is something they should be more of. You never know what someone is going through and how they feel when they return home. Let’s make someone’s day better or give them food they don’t normally have. This is an opportunity to become the person you want to be. We don’t just want to talk about leadership. These leaders must set the example and provide opportunities for youth to follow them. Mississippi Today: This sounds like your leadership style is shaped by the example you set for the youth. Fountain: Absolutely. Even though I had a teenage son, I wasn’t sure I was up to the task. 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 overthinking it. I had seen in the past many older people who were abandoned and didn’t have anyone to love, support, understand, and encourage them. Now I don’t have to take over the parenting of these children, but I can be an extension of their home and help them to build those relationships. Many children I see are just ignored because of their last names. They have behavior problems, but it’s hard to know why. It doesn’t mean that their last name is a good indicator of their personality. They can still be great. This new phase of leadership is a way for them to be more than what I expect them to be. It will also allow me to help them see things 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 want you all to see that this is something I care about.