As the owner of Griffin and Griffin Construction, a General Contractor, Michael Griffin has made significant contributions to various areas in the community. Michael was one of the nine African American students who integrated Notre Dame Catholic High School. He was also an active member of the grassroots committee, Black Civil Rights Group, dedicated to combating discriminatory hiring practices in local businesses and the City of Biloxi. He currently runs the KOPC Workforce Development Program with his wife Angela Griffin.

As Lead Pastor of New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, Pastor Hollins has distinguished himself as a good steward and visionary for the redevelopment of Main Street and all of East Biloxi. Not only does Pastor Hollins have vision, but he and his church continually invest in the East Biloxi community. He’s also not afraid to get his hands dirty and do a little gardening from time to time as demonstrated by the New Bethel Community Garden.

Under Kay Horne’s leadership, the team, program offerings and students engaged at Program Believe grow more and more each year. Program Believe offers English as a Second Language (ESL) and robust after-school and summer programs, computer literacy classes, and family immigration services. Kay also has a giving heart and is always willing to help community members and ally organizations with her knowledge, connections, and wisdom.

Tyron Burton, or Mr. Tyrone as we affectionately call him, has been a stalwart community leader and businessman in East Biloxi for longer than most of us can remember. Tyrone’s Barbershop is one of the oldest businesses and one of the few remaining on Main Street in East Biloxi. After Hurricane Katrina, Tyrone’s was the first business to reopen. Mr. Tyrone is also a trusted community leader and a fount of information about the history of the neighborhood. When you need to know, ask Mr. Tyrone, and we do.

If you want to know the positive impact that Demetrius Gayden has had on East Biloxi, all you need to do is walk around the neighborhood and downtown and cast your eyes on the amazing murals he has created throughout the city. In 2021, Steps Coalition and the NAACP Biloxi Branch commissioned Demetrius to create the amazing murals on Inez Café honoring Ms. Inez Thomas herself, and the Biloxi Wade-In movement of the 1950’s and 1960’s. Not only did Demetrius do an amazing job, but he was a world-class ambassador during the process, weathering blistering heat with a light heart and a smile during the process.

A long-time Biloxi native, Anthony Mitchell Sr. is a well-known fixture in the community. Anthony was one of the participants in the historic Biloxi Wade-in movement. He was also the president of the Second Liners Mardi Gras Club for 23 years. Anthony Mitchell Sr. continues to serve East Biloxi by spearheading school backpack drives, easter egg hunts, and other activities to support the children in the community. He also helps the City of Biloxi to maintain John Henry Beck Park.

John Kemp is a US Army veteran who has shown his endless support and good-natured enthusiasm for the East Biloxi community. If something’s happening in East Biloxi, you’ll most certainly find John Kemp lending a helping hand. John was the first African American director of casino security in Mississippi. He has also been an excellent mentor for the local youth and serves as an exemplary role model, especially for those with an interest in pursuing a military career.

Lee’s Supermarket is an important local business and cornerstone of East Biloxi and its Vietnamese community. This family-owned grocery store is always willing to donate to and support community projects. During the recovery period after Hurricane Katrina, Lee’s Supermarket purchased a gas station in Gautier so that they could still provide culturally appropriate foods during the community’s time of need.