At the 2025 Mississippi State Bar Convention, former State Supreme Court Justice Dawn Beam interviewed over 20 people in 3 days to bring you a special 7-part series of her Hope Mississippi podcast.

In part one, Dawn hosts three compelling conversations that showcase how hope manifests in unexpected places. 

Podcast producer Hillary Kane reveals the behind-the-scenes magic that brings these stories to listeners. Reminding us that everyone possesses unique gifts to contribute. Whether polishing audio or practicing law, our individual talents can amplify messages of hope when directed toward community challenges.

Dean Jim Rosenblatt shares his remarkable journey from southwest Mississippi farm boy to Army JAG Corps officer to Mississippi College School of Law leadership. His philosophy of lifelong mentorship, appearing at everything from bar exams to weddings, demonstrates how consistent encouragement creates lasting hope. Through programs like adoption clinics, law students transform families while still in school, proving that legal professionals can impact thousands rather than dozens.

Judge Vincent Davis's story is one of transformation through education. After losing his mother at a young age, teachers "adopted" him, with one persistent educator repeatedly telling him he should become a lawyer. That voice eventually led him to law school despite his initial lack of interest. His most profound moment as an assistant district attorney came when pursuing justice for a murder victim's family in a case others considered unwinnable, bringing hope through accountability when it seemed impossible.

Hope Mississippi's Mission: The sobering reality remains: one in four Mississippi children lives in poverty, and one in five experiences food insecurity. These statistics aren't just numbers—they're our collective challenge. Through these conversations, we discover that Mississippi's transformation occurs through individual commitments to mentor, encourage, and be present for others. The small acts of hope accumulate into the broader "miracles" we celebrate.

Join us for new episodes on the 1st and 15th of each month as we continue sharing stories of transformation from across Mississippi. Each story reminds us that when we contribute our unique gifts, Mississippi rises together.

Josh Woodward from the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services explains how ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) accounts allow people with disabilities to save money without losing crucial public benefits like SSI and Medicaid. These revolutionary accounts provide financial freedom for individuals who have previously been restricted by the $2,000 asset limit, giving them independence and control over their financial lives.

• ABLE accounts allow people with disabilities to save up to $19,000 per year.
• Account holders can maintain SSI benefits with a max balance of up to $100,000; for Medicaid, the max is $235,000.
• Disability onset must currently be before age 26, expanding to age 46 in January, 2026.
• Money in ABLE accounts can be used for qualified disability expenses.
• Unlike special needs trusts, ABLE accounts give direct control to the individual.
• ABLE accounts can be opened with just $25.
• Anyone can contribute to someone's ABLE account – family, friends, or organizations - and it is a tax deduction.
• Mississippi ABLE is offering $100 contributions to the first 20 new accounts opened in August.

For more information about Mississippi ABLE, visit mississippiable.com or contact Josh Woodward directly at [email protected] or (601) 853-5257.

Former band director David Willson shares the transformative teaching philosophy that changed countless lives over a long career, including 32 years at Ole Miss. From humble beginnings in Jackson, Mississippi, Willson's journey reveals how music education became his pathway out of poverty and into a life of purpose.

He was our host, Dawn Beam's band director, and she proclaims that he was such an incredible leader, she would have followed him off the proverbial cliff!
 
 Willson candidly discusses how he revolutionized his teaching after discovering he was "tired of yelling at students." His turning point came when he found Dale Carnegie's "How to Stop Worrying and Start Living" at a thrift store for 25 cents—a book he read twice despite not being "a reader." This sparked the development of his signature "Every Day in Every Way" philosophy centered on goal-setting, positive reinforcement, and consistent enthusiasm.
 
 What sets Willson's approach apart is his deep empathy for students' circumstances. "You have no idea what that student has been through from the moment they woke up till they get to your classroom," he explains. This understanding led him to shift responsibility away from blaming students to examining his own teaching methods. When students struggled, Willson concluded, "I either didn't teach them exactly what I needed them to do or I didn't motivate them to want to do it."
 
As a university educator, Willson trained future band directors with practical tools rather than abstract theories. His mentorship extended beyond graduation, as he maintained relationships with former students, checking in on their progress and offering support. This dedication created a ripple effect, with Willson's influence reaching thousands of young musicians through his students, who went on to become educators themselves.
 
Willson's powerful closing thought serves as both a challenge and inspiration: "One person is going to be that pivotal moment in somebody else's life. Just one little word of encouragement, one arm around somebody, and just saying 'we're going to get this. I won't give up if you won't give up." His story reminds us that educators aren't just teaching subjects—they're shaping lives.

Reverend Eddie Spencer shares his powerful journey from childhood poverty to ministry, including his recent battle with cancer and sepsis that brought him near death yet deepened his faith and peace in Christ.

• God has a plan to use each of us uniquely—your testimony, whatever it includes, can impact someone who needs exactly your perspective
• Eddie's path included service with Young Life, opening three restaurants in the Mississippi Delta, and eventually pastoring multiple churches
• Despite coming from generational poverty, Eddie's life was transformed by mentors who invested in him, showing how we can be God's hands and feet
• Eddie faced a life-threatening battle with sepsis and prostate cancer, spending 42 days in the hospital and losing 83 pounds
• We should not use our weaknesses as excuses not to change—God can transform any aspect of our lives if we surrender it to Him
• When we align our desires with God's will, He provides exactly what we need, not necessarily what we think we want
• Eddie's peace in the face of terminal illness comes from certainty about his salvation—"to be absent from the body is to be present with Christ"

If you have not given your life to the Lord Jesus Christ, don't continue to put it off. There is nothing but a step between us and death. Search your heart—if you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior, just ask Him to come in and forgive your sins, and He will change your life.

Eddie Spencer's life story reads like a modern parable of redemption. From a childhood marked by humiliation and poverty to a young adulthood filled with violent crime, Spencer's trajectory seemed fixed. But what happens when divine intervention meets a willing heart?

The turning point came in first grade when classmates mocked him for wearing secondhand "girl shoes"—the only footwear his family could provide. This single moment ignited a rage that would fuel years of criminal behavior. By 17, Spencer was facing decades behind bars, with multiple stays at training schools already behind him. 

"I thought that the lifestyle that I have chosen, this is where I would be basically all my life, a thug, a gangster," Spencer recalls. Yet in 1982, everything changed when he stopped bargaining with God and instead offered unconditional surrender. What followed was an extraordinary transformation that saw him not only reform his own life but also become instrumental in changing countless others.

Perhaps most remarkable is how Spencer's ministry flourished both inside prison walls and after his 1988 release. From the prison sergeant who once beat him but later sent troubled inmates his way, to the muscular football player who approached him years later saying "you speaking changed my life," Spencer's testimony has proven a powerful catalyst for transformation.

The divine poetry of his release date—January 14, 1988—being the exact same date he would later lead prayer at Governor Reed's inauguration twelve years later, showcases the full-circle journey of a man who found his purpose through pain.

Listen as Dawn Beam uncovers this riveting story of second chances, and discover how a life once destined for destruction became a beacon of hope for thousands of troubled youth across Mississippi.

What does it look like when faith moves beyond Sunday services to transform an entire community? Amy Lancaster of We Will Go Ministries shares a powerful story of answering God's unexpected call to serve not overseas, but in downtown Jackson—their "Jerusalem."

The journey began when Amy and her husband David sold their home and prepared for international missions, only to hear God redirect them to Jackson's deepest needs. What started with simply giving neighbors sandwiches has grown into a comprehensive ministry that feeds 30,000 people annually, provides daily children's programming, and engages thousands of volunteers in meaningful service.

Against the sobering backdrop where one in four Mississippi children live in poverty, We Will Go creates spaces of hope by restoring abandoned buildings and offering practical assistance to approximately 900 families monthly—many headed by grandparents supporting multiple generations on meager fixed incomes. Yet their approach transcends mere charity. "We sit with every single neighbor and pray with them," Amy explains, emphasizing the dignity of relationship over transactional giving.

Perhaps most compelling is how the ministry dismantles barriers to service. "Maybe we've made it too hard," Amy reflects, encouraging listeners to simply "start with something." Whether reading to a child, tending a community garden, or replacing a fence, every skill becomes valuable in God's hands. The impact flows both ways, as volunteers—from church groups to corporate teams—often find themselves deeply transformed through these encounters.

Amy's own family embodies this transformation. All three Lancaster children, now adults with professional degrees, have chosen to return home and join We Will Go using their skills in accounting, ministry leadership, and media.

Ready to discover how your unique gifts might bring hope to your community?

Visit wewillgo.org to explore volunteer opportunities that match your interests and availability.

As Amy reminds us, "God doesn't have a plan B. His plan is to use me and you to be the difference in the world."

What happens when government agencies, churches, and community members break down silos and work together? Lives transform, families reunite, and hope takes root in even the most challenging circumstances.

Dawn Beam and Cindy Cheeks dive deep into the science of hope and its practical application in Mississippi's child welfare system. With startling statistics—one in four Mississippi children living in poverty and one in five experiencing food insecurity—they reveal how economic hardship directly feeds the state's foster care system, with over 70% of removals stemming from poverty-related issues rather than abuse.

Hope science isn't just wishful thinking; it's a research-backed approach that defines hope as "the belief that tomorrow can be better than today and you have the power to make it so." Through compelling stories, Dawn and Cindy showcase remarkable collaborations: transportation officials offering commercial driver training to parents seeking stability, housing authorities creating pathways to homeownership, and church groups wrapping around young mothers with practical support and mentorship.

What makes this conversation particularly powerful is the blend of systemic solutions and deeply personal experiences. Cindy vulnerably shares her journey of reconciliation with her estranged son during his final months, discovering how the very principles of hope she taught others—identifying goals, recognizing pathways, and maintaining willpower through support—sustained her through profound grief.

Whether you're a community leader looking for collaborative models, a person of faith wondering how to serve effectively, or someone simply needing encouragement that difficult circumstances can change, this episode offers both practical frameworks and heartfelt inspiration. Every one of us has something valuable to contribute to those struggling around us—what will your contribution be?

Reverend Martha Cherry's life reads like a journey through America's most pivotal moments of the last century. From witnessing the bombing of Birmingham's 16th Street Baptist Church where her friend Carol Robertson died, to studying under Dr. King's sister at Spelman College when he received the Nobel Peace Prize, Cherry's path has intersected with history at remarkable turns.

"I drew from my faith that we were going to have a brighter future," Cherry reflects, describing how hope sustained her through childhood fear amid bombings and civil unrest. That same hope would later carry her through unimaginable personal tragedy when both her pregnant granddaughter and grandson were murdered in separate incidents.

Rather than allowing grief to define her, Cherry transformed her pain into purpose. "My healing took place by talking about it," she explains. Now working in Hattiesburg Public Schools, she connects with children facing poverty and trauma. "These children need somebody to listen to what they have to say," Cherry emphasizes, recognizing that in a state where one in four children lives in poverty, simply being present can change trajectories.

Cherry's forthcoming book, "Tear Down These Walls," challenges faith communities to move beyond comfort zones and address real-world problems. "We need to leave our gated communities and magnificent church buildings to go where the problems are," she urges, calling Christians to year-round engagement rather than seasonal charity.

Through her remarkable journey from office administrator to police chaplain to educator and minister, Cherry demonstrates how seemingly disconnected experiences form a divine pattern. "God takes all of these experiences we have in life and they just come together like pieces of a puzzle," she shares. Her story reminds us that despite our differences, "We all hurt the same" – and in recognizing our common humanity, we find the strength to build hope together.

Be the change you want to see in the world. Get involved with your local community – you'll make a difference while receiving tremendous hope and joy in being God's hands and feet.

Dawn Beam welcomes Elder Scottie Tyrone for a heartfelt conversation about building hope through faith, community service, and crossing racial divides in Mississippi. Their profound discussion explores how genuine connections and spiritual transformation can bring healing to individuals and communities facing significant challenges.

• Lincoln Park church serves as a "hospital" where people can come as they are for healing and hope
• Miraculous testimonies of cancer patients experiencing unexpected recovery through prayer and faith
• Scottie's powerful ministry to Dawn's family during her mother's end-of-life celebration (the tambourines came out!)
• Breaking racial barriers by focusing on spiritual connections rather than physical differences
• Using musical gifts through "Tasteful Tuesday" and "Thankful Thursday" to encourage others
• The Zamar Awards program honoring unrecognized musicians who faithfully serve their communities
• Lincoln Park's expansion vision for community outreach, including a shelter, feeding program, and youth center
• Addressing Mississippi's challenges, where one in four children live in poverty
• The importance of both asking for help when needed and extending help to others

If you have gifts, get involved in meeting the needs of your community. If you are hurting, know there's a body of Christ around you in Mississippi available to help.

Relevant Scripture: James 4:2
You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet, but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.

Contact:
(601)-336-2056
[email protected]
https://sites.google.com/view/scottietyroneministries/home

Nestled on 42 acres in Purvis, Mississippi, Homes of Hope stands as a beacon of possibility for vulnerable children across the state. In this deeply moving conversation, Executive Director Dr. Scott Hanberry reveals how this unique residential ministry is transforming lives by providing much more than shelter – they're cultivating genuine hope.

Unlike traditional institutional settings, Homes of Hope creates actual family environments where children live in single-family homes with dedicated house parents who provide stability, safety, and unconditional love. "We serve at-risk children from all over Mississippi and their families," Hanberry explains, emphasizing that family reunification remains a priority whenever possible.

Using trust-based relational intervention, staff help children move from a constant state of fight-or-flight into a place where healing and growth become possible. As Hanberry poignantly notes, "Hope is thinking of the future, and many of these kids come in a state of survival." 

What sets this ministry apart is its holistic approach to development. From gardens and chickens that teach responsibility to innovative partnerships with local universities for tutoring, every aspect of campus life serves a deeper purpose. Even recreational spaces like their new fire pit facilitate healing conversations, which Hanberry describes as "therapy we couldn't pay for."

The most powerful moments come through success stories – a young woman with undiagnosed dyslexia now thriving in college, house parents gifting a minivan to help reunite a family, and teenagers recognizing their time at Homes of Hope not as an obstacle but as "a springboard into successful adult life."

Ready to make a difference? Discover how you can Pray, Provide resources, or Participate directly in this transformative work. As Hanberry reminds us, "We're not all called to be foster parents, but we're all called to do something."

To learn more about Homes of Hope or to arrange a tour, call 769-456-7021 or email Scott at [email protected].

Relevant scripture: James 1:27 
Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their misfortune and to keep oneself unstained by the world.