Former Meridian Mayor Percy Bland has joined as one of the investors of Dream Exchange, a minority-controlled company with the goal of becoming the first such company to operate a licensed stock exchange in U.S. history.

A native of Jackson, Bland served as mayor from 2013 to 2021 and is credited as one of the architects of Meridian’s ongoing downtown revitalization. A real estate agent, investor and entrepreneur, he is married to Deidre Bland, with whom he has two children, Demia and Peryn.

Bland holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Xavier University of Louisiana and a Master of Public Health degree from the University of Southern Mississippi.

“For me personally, the opportunity to invest in Dream Exchange, the first minority-controlled stock exchange, is the opportunity of a lifetime,” Bland said in a news release. “Their vision and mission to create fair and equal access to the market and help smaller companies grow fully align with my personal goals of helping underserved communities and companies reach their full potential. I am extremely excited to be a part of this historic movement in the financial space and leave a legacy for my family and children.”

Dream Exchange Founder and CEO Joe Cecala said Bland’s history of service to his community complement the mission of Dream Exchange and its values.

“We are honored to have Mr. Bland join our team of investors. His commitment to community development and his visionary leadership resonates deeply with our mission to bring more accessibility and diversity into the public capital markets,” Cecala said. “Together, we aim to create a more dynamic financial ecosystem where everyone has a chance to thrive.”