New “Southern Justice Project” to Detail How Corporate Concentration Derails Political and Economic Equality in the South – And Propose Solutions

Evan Turnage, former counsel to Senators Schumer and Warren, will lead the Southern Justice Project 

Washington, DC (October 23, 2025) — The Open Markets Institute announced the launch of the Southern Justice Project, a major new initiative to study the economic, political, and social effects of corporate concentration and social control across the deep South. The project will be led by Evan Turnage, former Chief Counsel to Senate Democratic Leader Charles E. Schumer and Senior Counsel to Senator Elizabeth Warren and a native of Jackson, Mississippi. 

The Southern Justice Project will document how monopolization and corporate consolidation shape life in poor, rural, and Black communities—and will identify solutions to restore economic opportunity and democratic participation. The initiative will focus initially on Mississippi, where researchers will examine the structure of at least six key sectors of the regional economy, from agriculture and healthcare to retail and labor markets. The project will combine rigorous economic and policy research with extensive community engagement. 

“Corporate concentration doesn’t just raise prices and lower wages—it drains the life from communities,” said Evan Turnage, Director of the Southern Justice Project. “Areas like the Mississippi Delta have been ground zero for the harmful effects of monopoly power for decades. This project will give voice to the people most affected, document how concentrated control deepens inequality, and begin charting a path toward a more democratic and just economy.” 

“Open Markets was founded on the idea that concentrated power and control poses an immediate threat to human liberty and democracy,” said Barry Lynn, Executive Director of the Open Markets Institute. “The Southern Justice Project will help expose how these threats affect some of America’s most economically and politically marginalized communities. Most importantly, Evan’s work will help people design lasting solutions.” 

This Monday, the Southern Justice Project held its inaugural event -- a public forum at New Hope Baptist Church entitled “Building Power and Prosperity Together.” Turnage guided attendees through a collaborative discussion on how to fight back against corporate greed, foster local businesses, and connect governmental policies to their everyday experiences. Following the first forum’s success, the Southern Justice Project will take the series to other churches and colleges in the area. 

The project’s director, Evan Turnage, brings extensive experience in law, policy, and competition enforcement to this effort. In the Senate, he led on issues including antitrust, voting rights, and economic justice, and helped craft key legislation such as the Price Gouging Prevention Act and the No Kings Act.