Mayor’s Welcome

Hello, and welcome to Greenwood, a city where rivers meet, stories endure, and the heart of the Mississippi Delta lives in every neighbor, landmark, and melody. I’m honored to serve as Mayor and to share what makes this community so special: our history, our people, and our unwavering hope for the future.

Greenwood’s story began in the 1830s along the Yazoo River, when it was first known as Williams Landing. By 1844, it had grown into a thriving port town and was renamed in honor of Chief Greenwood Leflore. Over time, Greenwood became one of the South’s great cotton markets, with Front Street — known as “Cotton Row” — serving as the heart of Delta commerce. From the Civil War-era defenses of Fort Pemberton to the modern industries that anchor our economy today, Greenwood has always been a place defined by resilience and reinvention.

But Greenwood is more than history on a plaque, it's a living testament to resilience, justice, music, and community. As a key location in the Civil Rights Movement, our streets became the stage for courage and change. In 1966, Stokely Carmichael delivered his historic “Black Power” speech on Broad Street, and the Greenwood community played a pivotal role in the struggle for justice and equality. Today, we honor that legacy through landmarks like the Emmett Till statue at Rail Spike Park and the Mississippi Freedom Trail sites that draw visitors from across the country. 

Greenwood is filled with stories you can see, hear, and taste. Wander our downtown walking tour, admire the neoclassical Leflore County Courthouse, the Carnegie Library, and beautifully preserved buildings from the 1890s to the 1930s. Trace the Delta’s musical roots through Mississippi Blues Trail markers, visit the gravesite of Robert Johnson, and stroll through Baptist Town, where music and memory intertwine. When it’s time to rest, our hotels, spas, and boutique shops, like The Alluvian and The Mississippi Gift Co., await with Southern charm and hospitality.

Beyond culture and heritage, Greenwood works. Our economy is anchored by agriculture and agribusiness, leveraging the fertile Delta soil, but we also host thriving sectors in manufacturing, healthcare, aviation, tourism, and education. Companies like America’s Catch, Heartland Catfish, Viking Range, Milwaukee Tool, and Staplcotn illustrate how we merge tradition with innovation. We’re proud to be part of the U.S. catfish industry and remain committed to quality, sustainability, and local growth.

I see Greenwood as a mosaic; each neighborhood, school, business, and resident contributing a unique tile to the whole. We have bright minds in our schools, churches that ground us, civic leaders shaping our future, and entrepreneurs eager to build the next generation of success. Together, we’re creating a stronger, more connected community, one rooted in history but always looking ahead.

So, take a walk along the Yazoo River, explore our historic downtown, enjoy our festivals, and experience for yourself the warmth and pride that define our city. 

Welcome To Greenwood, the Heart & Soul of the Delta.