Draft:Philip West

Phillip West should link here

Philip West is the former mayor of Natchez, Mississippi. He and other leaders were honored in 2024 at a Martin Lither King Jr. Day parade.{{Cite web|url=https://jacksonadvocateonline.com/natchez-dr-martin-luther-king-jr-day-parade-slated-for-monday-jan-15/|title=Natchez Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade slated for Monday, Jan. 15|first=Jackson Advocate News|last=Service|date=January 15, 2024|website=Jackson Advocate}} He chaired the Adams County Board of Supervisors and was briefly a candidate for governor. He is a Democrat.{{Cite web|url=https://mississippitoday.org/2019/05/30/former-natchez-mayor-entered-governors-race-to-highlight-states-woes-drops-out-to-avoid-hurting-other-democrats/|title=Former Natchez mayor entered governor's race to highlight state's woes, drops out to avoid hurting other Democrats - Mississippi Today|date=May 30, 2019}} He played baseball at Alcorn State and is in the Alcorn State Hall of Fame. He was the first African American to serve as mayor of Natchez.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna5676325|title=Race, politics and the evolving South|date=August 16, 2004|website=NBC News}} He has also served as a school board member and advocated for bonds to fund education programs, accusing opponents of not wanting to fund education for black students.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wjtv.com/news/school-board-meeting-turns-ugly-after-board-member-calls-residents-racist/amp/|title=School Board meeting turns ugly after board member calls residents racist|date=July 24, 2017}}