Ronnie henderson
PRESSING FOWARD
Unity- Equality- Possibilities
for MAYOR of GULFPORT
Our Communites Our City Our Home
MEET RONNIE HENDERSON
After careful consideration and prayer, Ronnie made a commitment to run for Mayor for the city of Gulfport. That decision was not entered into lightly and it was ultimately because of his professional, personal, and civic motives. Ronnie’s decision is driven by a desire to make a positive impact on our community and city. He is fully aware that it requires a deep commitment to public service, a willingness to confront complex challenges, and a passion for making meaningful changes to improve the city. The role of mayor offers a unique opportunity to have a significant, lasting impact on the lives of residents and the direction of a city's development. When people ask him why, it’s simple, he is driven by a sense of duty and a desire to serve the community. As a lifetime resident of Gulfport, he is motivated by purpose, a vision for the future, and the passion to address specific issues.
Ronnie has a desire to serve this city by working directly with the community and the city council to address key issues, such as public safety, economic growth and development, and beautification for our city; things that will make a lasting difference in Gulfport. He won’t be afraid to tackle the real issues that we are facing in our city; equal treatment for all neighbors, homelessness, safety, and cleaning up our streets and city. Ronnie is forming his campaign with three grounding principles: Unity, Equality, and Possibilities.
Unity: involves bringing together the city's diverse populations, groups, and communities around shared goals, values, and interests in a way that promotes harmony, cooperation, and mutual respect. It involves fostering a sense of collective identity and civic pride while addressing division, inequality, and conflict. When a city is united, its residents feel a common bond and work collaboratively toward improving the city, even if they come from different backgrounds, cultures, or socio-economic circumstances.
Equality: ensuring that all residents—regardless of their race, gender, economic status, or background—have the same opportunities, protections, and access to resources. Achieving equality in Gulfport is an ongoing process that requires concerted effort from local government, businesses, civil society, and the community to create a city where everyone can succeed and live with dignity.
Possibilities: they are endless when it comes to what our city can accomplish economically, developmentally, socially, environmentally, and technologically. Creating possibilities for Gulfport means fostering an environment where opportunities for growth, development, innovation, and inclusion are accessible to all residents. It involves laying the groundwork for a dynamic, forward-thinking city that can adapt to changing needs, address challenges, and empower its citizens to pursue their potential.
Vision & Impact
Economic Development:
(1) Support local businesses by bringing in more funding to help them access capital and implement workforce training. (2) Attract New Businesses by using tax incentives, grants, and infrastructure investments for those businesses to start up; particularly in some of our underdeveloped communities. My goal is to work alongside the City council members, to ensure that we are being financially responsible with the government funds that are allocated for Gulfport are used in all of our communities.
Safety in our Communities
Community Policing and Law Enforcement is a need for our city to thrive. (1) I want to ensure that we have more officers added to our Police Department to help with safety in our communities. Having officers engage directly with residents, businesses, and schools, building a trusting personal relationship with the community can help drive down crime. (2) Community policing is critical, having citizens share ownership with law enforcement and officials in their own neighborhoods to help maintain safety in their community. It is vital that we start building a healthy partnership between law enforcement and community members. (3) I would like to establish a collaborative group for mental and social service support. A team of individuals and professionals to address issues like mental health, homelessness, substance abuse, and domestic violence in our city. ted to our City, that we create inclusive plans that will benefit all communities.
Beautification of Gulfport
(1) Focus on enhancing the visual appeal and creating an environment that is pleasant, welcoming, and conducive to the well-being of residents and visitors. Beautification is not just about making a city look more attractive; it’s about creating spaces that are functional, environmentally sustainable, and accessible, contributing to a higher quality of life for all citizens. (2) Improve public spaces and private properties, clean streets and sidewalks, implement proper lighting and nighttime aesthetics, to ensure that we have sustainability and eco-friendly infrastructure are a must for our city.
Vision & Impact
Economic Development:
(1) Support local businesses by bringing in more funding to help them access capital and implement workforce training. (2) Attract New Businesses by using tax incentives, grants, and infrastructure investments for those businesses to start up; particularly in some of our underdeveloped communities. My goal is to work alongside the City council members, to ensure that we are being financially responsible with the government funds that are allocated for Gulfport are used in all of our communities.
Safety in our Communities
Community Policing and Law Enforcement is a need for our city to thrive. (1) I want to ensure that we have more officers added to our Police Department to help with safety in our communities. Having officers engage directly with residents, businesses, and schools builds a trusting personal relationship with the community and law enforcement, one that can help drive down crime. (2) Community policing is critical, having citizens share ownership with law enforcement and officials in their own neighborhoods to help maintain safety in their community. It is vital that we start building a healthy partnership between law enforcement and community members. (3) I would like to establish a collaborative group for mental and social service support. A team of individuals and professionals to address issues like mental health, homelessness, substance abuse, and domestic violence in our city. ted to our City, that we create inclusive plans that will benefit all communities.
Beautification of Gulfport
(1) Focus on enhancing the visual appeal and creating an environment that is pleasant, welcoming, and conducive to the well-being of residents and visitors. Beautification is not just about making a city look more attractive; it’s about creating spaces that are functional, environmentally sustainable, and accessible, contributing to a higher quality of life for all citizens. (2) Improve public spaces and private properties, clean streets and sidewalks, implement proper lighting and nighttime aesthetics, to ensure that we have sustainability and eco-friendly infrastructure are a must for our city.
THE BEST WAY TO PREDICT THE FUTURE IS TO CREATE IT
WE'RE GRATEFUL
FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
Ronnie needs your support! Contribute here to support his efforts to become mayor for the city of Gulfport; any amount is greatly appreciated. Please click the designated donation amount below. If you would like to mail in a check you can do so at P.O. Box 6122 Gulfport, MS 39506
Ronnie attended Louisiana State University (LSU) from 1993-1996. He went on to lead the SEC in scoring two straight years (23.3 points per game as a sophomore, 21.8 ppg as a junior) despite suffering knee injuries, he was a First team All SEC selection in 1995 and 1996. Ronnie made the decision to forgo his senior year at LSU and entered the NBA draft and was selected by the Washington Bullets as the 55th overall pick of the 1996 NBA draft.
Being a team player over the years, Ronnie has developed many leadership qualities that are needed for the role of mayor. Qualities like setting goals and creating a vision; building and empowering team members; resilience and perseverance; effective communication; strategic decision-making; inspiring and motivating others, as well as adaptability and change management.
The
Team Player
Ronnie was an American former professional basketball player standing at 6’4 as a shooting guard. Despite dislocating his shoulder, he was the nation's top rated shooting guard during his senior high school year in 1993 at Murrah High School in Jackson, MS.
The
Business Man
When Ronnie returned home from playing professional basketball in 2001. He persisted in working hard and was determined to continue leaving his mark and legacy within Mississippi, especially his hometown of Gulfport. Ronnie joined the labor force and received his certification as a licensed plumber and began his first small business; Henderson’s Plumbing and Drain Cleaning. Progressing to run his small business Ronnie then entered car sales and finance management. He has worked at prominent dealerships here in Gulfport. As he maintained both of those jobs, it propelled him even further to develop his love for entrepreneurship. And in 2021 Ronnie walked away from car sales and began Cat Daddy’s Fish House, a small business restaurant located in Edgewater Mall in Biloxi. In 2023 Ronnie began KRH Enterprises, LLC where he develops, builds, and manages properties here in Gulfport. Being a businessman, he has embodied the definition of an entrepreneurial spirit; a man who is involved in being proactive, taking initiative, and seeking out new challenges. He is self-motivated, driven to improve, and eager to try new things. He has created a culture of ownership and passion to push forward.
Up Coming
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Sponsorsed Events
The
Family Man
Ronnie and his wife Nakisha Henderson wed in February of 2018. Together they have 4 children (Kayla (Eric) White, Kandis Buckner, Ronie Henderson, and Noah Perryman and 2 grandchildren (Ezekiel and Kenya White). Family plays a major role in Ronnie’s life. He feels that his parents taught him the importance of being a person of your word (being honest) and ensuring that you are there for others through support and love. He believes that everything in life starts with a foundation, and you get the opportunity to determine what that foundation looks like for you.
Ronnie is a GOD centered and GOD-fearing man; and he doesn’t feel like he would have made it this far in life if it wasn’t for his faith and family. He and his family attend Northwood Church in Gulfport. Ronnie believes that the family unit is the cornerstone of every relationship that you develop with people and that there are certain characteristics that each person must have to have a healthy relationship. Things like communication, respect, honesty, loyalty, dependability, is what makes Ronnie a leader in his own home. He and his wife believe they are setting the tone for their son Noah, giving him life examples, as he grows and navigates life on his own one day.
The
Servent Leader
Ronnie prioritizes serving others and creating an environment where people can thrive. He focuses on the well-being and growth of the people around him, ranging from family, friends, team members, or general people in the community. He enjoys sharing knowledge/wisdom to help others manage results or achieve their personal goals. Ronnie has done several community service projects with various organizations along the coast to ensure that individuals are supported mentally, physically, and spiritually, or by receiving tangible items. He believes in the power of community service; “To whom much is given, much is required” (Luke 12:48). “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth” (Muhammad Ali). Ronnie believes that we all have a responsibility for taking care of each other and empowering each other to be better and stronger and we generally do that through service. Some of the service events that Ronnie has participated in include:
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Backpack and school supply drive
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Clothing drive
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Provided financial support to empower women and children through workshops and seminars
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Provided free plumbing services to churches and elderly citizens who have called on Henderson’s Plumbing and Drain Cleaning Services
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Started a nonprofit organization “Ronnie Henderson Education Athletic Education Foundation” which specialized in tutoring high school children and sponsoring basketball camps to assist with skill development.
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Feeding the homeless
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Food donations for various organizations
