The goal of this project is to collaborate with community leaders to address chronic flood risk and resilience issues in the redevelopment plans for southeast Biloxi, Mississippi.

Status: Active

Like many across the Mississippi Gulf Coast, East Biloxi residents have witnessed firsthand the damages resulting from natural and man-made climate disasters. These climate stressors have continuously impacted East Biloxi’s natural resources which are fundamentally tied to the community’s social and economic well-being. This collaborative project was founded in partnership with Steps Coalition, the East Biloxi Community Collaborative, the Biloxi chapter of NAACP, and the Gulf Coast Community Design Studio to produce culturally competent resilience trainings and publications to advance lasting community-driven change in East Biloxi.

Resilient East Biloxi (REB) hosts a series of community leader cohort trainings and resident engagement events to achieve the following:

  • Promote redevelopment that reflects and has a sense of ownership by the community
  • Provide space for community leaders to engage with and communicate resilience issues and solutions to residents
  • Develop strategies to skillfully and effectively direct solutions to address unbridled socioeconomic disadvantages
  • Increase organizational capacity for the implementation and funding of community-led redevelopment projects
  • Promote collaboration across diverse organizations and leaders to address the Social Determinants of Health for East Biloxi

The REB community leadership cohort, composed of community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, nonprofits, and residents from East Biloxi, has participated in trainings and community events since early 2022. The REB steering committee is currently led by Steps Coalition, the Community Resilience Center at The Water Institute, and PLACE.

Upcoming Community Events:

  • Fall Community Block Party – Saturday, October 18 2025

Previous Community Events:

Project and Community Partners