Many times people ask me about the connection between the Walton Family Foundation and the Delta. My family’s commitment to this region spans decades. My grandmother firmly believed education was the key to improving lives in this area – one of the most impoverished in the country. And in 1993, the first grant the foundation gave to Teach For America brought teachers to the Delta.

Last week, I visited with many of our grantees in Phillips County, Arkansas and Coahoma County, Mississippi.

At the Phillips County Port Authority, we had candid conversations about how they tackled fundamental challenges to get Helena ready for business. The restoration of rail service has become an engine that’s moving forward projects that will spur economic growth.

We left our meeting with The College Initiative inspired by their efforts to create a path between Delta students and college education. Not only are 100% of the students accepted to college, but the program is also helping them find the perfect school to fit their needs. For many, that means acceptance to some of the most prestigious Ivy League institutions in the nation.

We ended our tour where it all started – with Teach For America Mississippi corps member alumni. We met young professionals from all over the country – from Washington to New York – who chose the Delta for their two-year TFA commitment and stayed. They, too, are asked why they work in an area so far away from home. Their answer is simple: the ripple effect of the work you do can be far greater in a community like this one.

These stories motivate us to continue our work in the Delta by improving the quality of life and creating an environment where businesses can thrive.