Video: Tupelo an ‘All-American’ City Finalist

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TUPELO, Miss. (Press Release) — Tupelo has been recognized as a finalist for the 2015 All-America City Award.

Given by the National Civic League to 10 communities each year, the award celebrates and recognizes neighborhoods, villages, towns, cities, counties, tribes and metro regions that have engaged residents in innovative, inclusive and effective efforts to tackle critical challenges.

The focus of this year’s All-America City Award is on community efforts to engage and support vulnerable young men and boys, aligning with efforts such as The White House’s My Brother’s Keeper Initiative.

“At a time when the challenges facing our communities can seem overwhelming, places like Tupelo are a critical reminder of the good work being done all across the country,” said Gloria Rubio-Cortes, president of the National Civic League. “It’s an example of what’s possible when local government, business, nonprofits and residents come together to solve problems. That’s why I am proud to announce that Tupelo, Mississippi has been selected as a finalist for the 2015 All-America City Award.”

A team representing Tupelo will join residents; nonprofit, business, and government leaders; and young people from the 15 other finalist communities in Denver from June 12-14. The event gives finalist communities the chance to connect and share insights with other innovative communities and a chance to learn from national leaders in the field of civic engagement and innovation.

Each community will then present the story of their work to a jury of nationally recognized civic leaders. The event is every bit as much about learning and networking as it is about competing for the coveted All-America City title.

In explaining the purpose of the award, Rubio-Cortes offered: “NCL isn’t looking for the most prestigious, prosperous or ‘perfect’ communities – that’s not what it takes to win the All-America City Award. The award celebrates communities of any size, geography, affluence, or influence where residents and leaders roll-up their sleeves, and find creative solutions to challenging problems”

2015 All-America City Finalist communities are Marana, Arizona; Carson, California; Salinas, California; Stockton, California; North Lauderdale, Florida; Orlando, Florida; Tallahassee, Florida; Quincy, Illinois; Somerville, Massachusetts; Tupelo, Mississippi; Geneva, New York; Asheboro, North Carolina; Marshall, Texas; Petersburg, Virginia; Spokane, Washington; and Yakima, Washington.

This year’s supporters are W.K. Kellogg Foundation and others.

Since 1949, the National Civic League (NCL) has recognized and celebrated the best in American civic innovation with the prestigious All-America City Award (AAC). The Award, bestowed yearly on 10 communities (more than 650 in all), recognizes trail-blazing efforts to bring residents, local government, business and nonprofit groups together to tackle the most pressing local issues.