About Us The Mississippi First team is a group of dedicated individuals who work tirelessly to promote the mission of Mississippi First.
Our Focus Areas At Mississippi First, we lead change by advancing ideas through the policy continuum. We are a leading voice for high-quality early education, high-quality public charter schools, access to highly effective teachers and leaders, and creating a future for public schools.
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Our Work Mississippi First is a policy organization. We work closely with elected officials to pass legislation that will increase educational excellence for kids.
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News & Updates Stay informed with the latest updates, stories, and perspectives on our work to advance educational excellence in Mississippi.
Take Action Check out the various ways to get involved below and help us increase access to high-quality public education in Mississippi.
Tomeka Cheatham Director of Operations

Dr. Tomeka Cheatham is a seasoned nonprofit leader and business professional with over 29 years of experience in management, retail, business startups, event planning, finance, and grant writing. A native of Prentiss, Mississippi, she began her academic journey at Hinds Community College, earning associate degrees in Business Technology and Pre-Nursing. She went on to receive a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a master’s degree in Business Management from Belhaven University. Dr. Cheatham later earned her Doctorate of Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources, also from Belhaven.

She has collaborated with artisans and entrepreneurs across Mississippi and neighboring states and currently serves as a board advisor for the Doctoral Leadership Initiative, a global program supporting master’s and doctoral students.

Dr. Cheatham is the proud mother of her daughter, Morgan Cheatham, and together they volunteer regularly at Handworks and other large-scale community events throughout the Jackson metro area. She is passionate about service, mentorship, dissertation research, and equipping the next generation of leaders through education and hands-on engagement. She also loves spending time with her family and cherishes opportunities to give back to her community.