The SPLC Action Fund on Tuesday endorsed Portia Shepherd in the race for mayor of Uniontown. A community advocate with deep roots in the town, Shepherd currently serves as executive director of BlackBelt Women Rising, a nonprofit dedicated to providing culturally sensitive support services to individuals in crisis and to promoting environmental justice, the Fund shared. Among its many projects, the organization has worked on Alabama’s initiative to address longstanding issues with the drinking water and wastewater systems in the community.
“When we talk about providing better economic opportunities for communities across the South, we cannot have that discussion without also underlining the importance of creating healthier communities that enable residents to safely drink the water and breathe the air,” said Madison Hollon, program manager of political campaigns, SPLC Action Fund.
“Portia Shepherd’s work to address the neglect in infrastructure and the environmental challenges facing Uniontown showcases a clear commitment to identifying and fixing the overlooked problems that can have serious consequences for residents. The SPLC Action Fund believes that Shepherd’s leadership will bring transparency, accountability and stability to Uniontown’s government, which will ultimately help to revitalize the town and deliver the services community members need,” Hollon said.
The 2025 municipal elections are scheduled for Tuesday, August 26. Learn more about voting in Alabama here.
