Hodricka Burnett

Storytelling for Delta’s Black Entrepreneurs

Integrated Master of Business Administration

Greenville, MS

 

Hodricka Burnett’s mission is to provide individuals the opportunity to express their stories and success through service. A proud native of Greenville, MS, Hodricka is passionate about serving her community and elevating voices often left unheard. A graduate of Greenville High School, she went on to earn her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Mississippi State University in 2019.

In 2020, Hodricka joined Teach For America, teaching Chemistry and upper-level science courses in nearby Hollandale, MS. Her decision to stay close to her roots reflects her commitment to giving back to the Delta community.

Project: Storytelling for Delta’s Black Entrepreneurs

As a TFA Graduate Fellow, Hodricka launched a social entrepreneurship platform designed to amplify the voices of Black entrepreneurs in the Mississippi Delta. Her project highlighted the stories, challenges, and successes of local business owners who built thriving enterprises despite facing systemic obstacles.

Through digital storytelling, interviews, and shared resources, the platform’s goal was to:

  • Celebrated Black entrepreneurship in the Delta.

  • Provided inspiration and connection for aspiring business leaders.

  • Helped bridge the gap between communities, resources, and recognition.

This initiative’s goal was to contribute both economic empowerment and cultural preservation in the region, creating space for stories that too often go untold.

Why She Led

Hodricka believes that everyone has a story worth telling, and that when shared, those stories could shift narratives, build networks, and spark transformation. Her work in education, combined with her graduate studies and fellowship project, reflected her core belief in the power of education, empowerment, and entrepreneurship to create lasting change.

Harrison Wood