Visit Jackson’s Kim Lewis Among 75 Changemakers Selected as a Spring 2025 Change Collective Fellow

Visit Jackson’s Kim Lewis has been selected for the Change Collective's 2025 Spring Fellowship, bringing her Civic Action Plan to Jackson, Mississippi.

The fellowship, which connects, elevates, and trains local leaders, includes changemakers from Chicago, Illinois, Detroit, Michigan, and Jackson, joins existing programs in San Antonio, Texas, and Memphis, Tennessee. A passionate community advocate with over a decade of experience working alongside community organizations, Lewis is dedicated to creating positive changes for Jackson residents and enhancing visitor experiences.

"I am deeply honored to be selected as a Change Collective fellow,” said Lewis, Visit Jackson’s Destination Development Manager. “This opportunity is incredibly exciting because it allows me to connect with a group of passionate leaders who are all dedicated to making a positive impact in our communities."

This spring’s fellows are a diverse and passionate group of rising leaders who are directly engaged with their communities and well-equipped to provide solutions tailored to local needs. Through her involvement with the Change Collective, Lewis will focus on enhancing the impact of the My City Young Ambassador program. The Visit Jackson signature program engages local youth by immersing them in Jackson’s rich culture, history, and opportunities, ultimately broadening their future possibilities.

"Visit Jackson congratulates Kim Lewis on her selection as a Change Collective fellow," said Dr. Rickey Thigpen, President and CEO of Visit Jackson. "This recognition highlights her commitment to the Jackson community. We believe her participation in the fellowship will provide valuable opportunities for growth and development, and we look forward to seeing how she applies those learnings to further enhance our city's tourism efforts.”

The Change Collective seeks to reinvent civic life for the 21st century by investing in and supporting the next generation of emerging leaders like Lewis who are prioritizing civic leadership over politics and solving problems at the community level. Change Collective fellows will have access to training opportunities, leadership development and a wide network of mentors.

On March 28, the Spring 2025 Fellows will gather in their respective cities of Detroit, Chicago and Jackson for kickoff events marking the beginning of their training.

Learn more about the stories and work of all 75 fellows here.