Nikki Moon has been in the tourism and hospitality business for over 40 years. Not only is she the owner of the Bay Town Inn, she's also president of the Hancock County Chamber of Commerce and of the Coastal Mississippi Board of Commissioners.
From the Gulfport Little Theatre to Lynn Meadows and now Gulfport High School, Tonya Hays has taught thousands of children on the Coast the art of theatre.
Teachers and coaches play an important role in the lives of kids. PGA professional Hoppy Smith helps young athletes discover the game of golf at Diamondhead Country Club.
The leader of the Biloxi Police Department, Chief John Miller, has been a symbol of strength professionalism since May 5 when Officer Robert McKeithen was gunned down outside the police station.
Nader Pahlevan of Biloxi just graduated from MGCCC and is on his way to achieving his dream of becoming a doctor to help under served communities in Mississippi.
The G.I. Museum in Gautier stands out like a beacon of hope and honor. The man behind the museum is Doug Mansfield, the founder, curator and visionary who continues to pay tribute to all things military.
At the Women's Resource Center in Gulfport, young mothers can find solid advice, support and services. Ultrasounds are free thanks to donations and longtime volunteers.
A Hancock County artist with an engineering background is taking an unique approach to pottery and using it as a platform to teach innovation, mechanics, and art.
A Biloxi eighth grader and her mom put on a brave smile and a positive attitude each day as the teenager battles brain cancer with the help of St. Jude Hospital.
Brian Newton and Justin Johnson are brothers in business at Studio 601. They are barbers by trade but they say cuts, shaves, and hot towel treatments are not the only services they provide.
Abra Taylor helped form The League of Distinguished Gentlemen, a youth summit that teaches young people life skills, allowing them to learn from local leaders.
Sixth grade teacher Sharon Thompson teaches reading every day to her students, but she is also using her class as an opportunity to educate and inspire students through the history of black Americans.
The 100 Men Hall in Bay St. Louis is best known for the legendary musicians who have graced its stage. Locals have recalled seeing the likes of Etta James, Guitar Slim, James Brown and many more of note.
During the past nine years, the Bethesda Free Clinic has offered care to more than 17,000 patients. These are people who might not receive the care they need if not for Bethesda.
The state of the Southern States Film Industry is good, but a Waveland filmmaker is working to make it even better. Michael Rechtien sees a lot of potential in the future of film in South Mississippi.
Inspiring women of all ages to dream big, helping others to work through their emotions, and establishing herself as a brand -- Jocelyn Lane-Gavin is South Mississippi Strong.
South Mississippi SNO never goes away. SNO stands for Special Needs Organization, and it serves special needs clients and their families all across the Coast.
It's a dream come true for an Ocean Spring native who is now competing with artists like Lady Gaga and Dolly Parton after being nominated for a Golden Globe.
Harrison County's only emergency youth shelter can house anywhere from 25 to 30 children every month. The shelter staff go out of their way to make the facility feel like a home. Shelter director Dianna Kuns says, that's what the children who end up there, need most.
In honor of her daughter, Lynette Meyers launched "Meghan's Dream," a non-profit that helps families live and deal with the burden and uncertainty of childhood cancer.
From despair to serving as an inspiration, personal trainer Sean Fayard has seen both ends of the spectrum. Despite hitting the lowest of lows, he now lives as an example for others making him South Mississippi Strong.
For six years. eighth graders on the coast have been given a hands-on look at what their future could be, all thanks to Pathways2Possibilities. It partners students with pathways, in the hopes that it will help the teens find a niche.
Comeback Cooler is Heather Eason's brainchild and the coolest pay-it-forward campaign around. Not only is it helping victims of devastation around the country, it's also making South Mississippi Strong.
They say big things come in small packages and Millie Brignone is proof of that. The Biloxi third grader may be tiny but her heart is as big as it gets.
Bacot McCarty Foundation Executive Director Todd Trenchard is an example of how a life can turn around. Todd went from the rock bottom of addiction to the heights of fundraising and philanthropy.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a tough sport. It requires those who train in the sport to be even tougher. Lisa Shackelford knows that well after training for two and a half years.
Keithon Burnette and Francisco Marrero Philippi an interracial gay couple actively serving in the U.S. Navy. But those challenges are helping to redefine the dynamic along the Gulf Coast.
Emma Hartley may have heart disease, but it’s not stopping her dreams. She and her family are lending their talents to support the American Heart Association, and in doing so, she’s not only helping others, but she’s also helping herself.
Moss Point's police department is home to one K9 officer. Officer Delaney Waltman and his K9 Cora, a 50 pound Belgian Malinois police dog, patrol the streets of Moss Point.
Inside a modest building in the heart of east Biloxi, you'll find a self-described servant to the community. Judy Cottrell uses her strong faith to pour into the lives of those who come through the doors of Seashore Mission.
Friends and family call her the Princess Warrior. That's because McCall Andrews is a fighter. On her wedding anniversary, two years ago, McCall was diagnosed with stage 4 Breast Cancer.
Preserving that history and teaching about it is the job of Biloxi historical administrator Bill Raymond. He's just another example of the many people that help make south Mississippi strong.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars service organization is having to adjust in order to continue its mission of helping this new generation of combat vets. In Biloxi, that means creating new opportunities and amenities to help keep coast veterans South Mississippi Strong.
One of coastal Mississippi's greatest strengths is it's abundance of natural beauty. The Land Trust for the Mississippi Coastal Plain's dedication toward protecting our precious resources is why the group is South Mississippi Strong.
Coast business owner and real estate broker John Le believes the American Dream is there for anyone willing to work for it. His inspiring journey is what makes him South Mississippi Strong.
