Hart Henson has been named the executive director of Communities in Schools of Greenwood-Leflore Inc.
Henson, 42, who previously served as the recycling coordinator for Greenwood Leflore Recycling, replaces state Rep. Linda Whittington, D-Schlater, who has served as the executive director of CIS since 2001.
Henson left the recycling post in October to work as a program manager at Communities in Schools.
“When I moved back to Greenwood, which was six years ago, I had not even heard about Communities in Schools. I volunteered and met many of the artists and volunteers involved with it. I love it so much,” Henson said.
Whittington praised the selection of Henson by the Communities in Schools board.
“In years past, she has done volunteer and contractual work for CIS. She understands what CIS is,” Whittington said this morning.
Communities in Schools, which started as a program to serve at-risk students in schools in the county, has grown over the years. Today, it administers arts programming for all ages at 15 sites in 11 Mississippi counties.
“CIS is using art strategies to help juveniles and to provide classes for senior citizens and the public,” Whittington said.
Henson has helped the city of Greenwood with grant writing for the city’s soon-to-open nature trail along the Yazoo River.
Henson said Whittington has been a great leader.
“Linda had done such an incredible job with CIS over the past 12 years that it will be very hard to fill her shoes, but I am looking forward to the challenge,” she said in prepared remarks.
“I hope to continue to expand our outreach, forge new partnerships and offer more arts programming for the community,” Henson said.
One area of partnership will involve the recycling center and its community garden.
Henson said she would continue Whittington’s efforts to renovate the organization’s building, located at 212 W. Washington St., into a “top-notch arts and cultural center that can be an anchor for a vibrant downtown arts district.”
Whittington said Henson’s skill in outreach will be an asset to the organization.
“A lot of it has to do with community building and community development. You have to get out there,” Whittington said.
Whittington, 62, has served as a state representative since 2007. Working in the two positions proved to be too much, she said.
“I found myself at a crossroads where I could no longer give adequate time to both positions,” she said.
Whittington promised to remain passionate and committed to the programs advanced by Communities in Schools.
“It was pretty much my life for 12 years. I identify greatly with it, but, at some point, you have to step aside and let someone else lead,” she said.
• Contact Bob Darden at 581-7239 or bdarden@gwcommonwealth.com.
