LITTLE ROCK, AR. (March 15, 2013) – Tamika Edwards, director of public policy for Southern Bancorp Community Partners, has been appointed to a three-year  term on the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis’ Community Development Advisory Council.

Southern Bancorp Community Partners, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and certified community development financial institution, works in partnership with Southern Bancorp, Inc. to transform rural Southern communities by creating new educational,  economic and employment opportunities for people with limited resources.

The Council is made up of thought leaders, practitioners, and researchers from nonprofit organizations, financial institutions, universities, government and foundations who work in the field of community and economic development.

“I believe this group will be very valuable in providing insights into the challenges and opportunities facing the community development field in the Eighth Federal Reserve District,” said James Bullard, president and chief executive officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.

The district includes SBCP’s targeted areas of Arkansas and northern Mississippi.

“The greatest connection to our work is the St. Louis Fed’s interest and efforts in family economic security and household financial stability,” says Edwards. “This field comprises a large portion of our policy and family economic security direct services work.”