As the nation marks Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a handful of states are quietly charting a path toward racial progress, offering concrete examples of how King’s dream can be translated into reality.

On Monday, personal finance website WalletHub released its yearly rankings measuring racial progress across the nation. The study examined 22 key indicators of racial equality and integration for Black and white populations in each U.S. state and D.C. Their data set ranges from median annual household income to standardized-test scores to voter turnout.

While far from reaching the ultimate goal of racial equity, these five, seemingly disparate  states rank the highest this year for their recent strides and offer valuable insights to how they got there:

1. Georgia

From expanding Medicaid access to increasing voter turnout, Georgia is quietly chipping away at racial disparities in healthcare, voter turnout and criminal justice.

On July 1, 2023, Georgia became the first state to partially expand Medicaid eligibility to low-income adults with work requirements through a new program called Georgia Pathways to Coverage.

From 2018 to 2022, Georgia’s voters made history. They had the highest average turnout increase of any state in the 2018 midterms, followed by record-setting numbers in 2020 and 2022.

The state has also implemented a number of criminal justice reforms, such as reducing mandatory minimum sentences and expanding access to parole, which have disproportionately benefited Black communities.

Atlanta led the way last year by outlawing discrimination based on criminal records, granting residents a fresh start with “protected class” status like race or gender.

But only time will tell if Georgia will be able to stay in this top spot. Despite the state’s promising justice reform strides over the past few years, a slew of bills are threatening a legislative backslide, including “Cop City” controversy and bills boosting incarceration and limiting bail reform.

2. Texas

Beyond its conservative reputation, Texas boasts innovative criminal justice reform programs like “Ban the Box,” encouraging fair hiring practices for individuals with criminal records. The state has also expanded diversion programs for non-violent offenses, offering alternatives to incarceration and promoting rehabilitation.

The state is also turning a corner in educational success for students of color. The graduation rate for Black and Latino students in Texas has risen steadily over the past decade, nearing the national average for the first time. The percentage of Black Texans enrolled in college has also increased, showcasing a commitment to higher education access.

The lone-star state also boasts a thriving Black entrepreneurship ecosystem, with a growing number of Black-owned businesses contributing to economic growth and job creation.

3. Mississippi

Once synonymous with racial strife, Mississippi is embarking on a journey of transformation. The state has closed the poverty rate by nearly 27% since 1970 and investments in early childhood education offer a flicker of hope for a more equitable future.

Mississippi has increased access to pre-kindergarten programs, particularly for underserved communities, recognizing the importance of early childhood development in educational equity. The National Institute for Early Education Research recognized the state as one of top five states for high-quality pre-K in 2022. In 2019, Mississippi achieved the No. 1 spot in the nation for educational progress, with 4th and 8th grade students outpacing the nation in reading and mathematics.

While disparities still persist, the state has also seen improvements in narrowing the achievement gap between Black and white students in recent years.

Last year, the Magnolia State finally ditched a 20-year rule barring single parents from child care assistance unless they pursued child support, simplifying access for low-income families.

However, these positive developments haven’t eliminated significant racial disparities in Mississippi, the nation’s poorest state, particularly in areas like wealth, income, and criminal justice outcomes.

4. New Mexico

This Land of Enchantment lives up to its name, embracing diversity and inclusion. The state leads the nation in representation of women and minorities in elected office, creating a more inclusive political landscape and championing policies that address the needs of various communities.

Recognizing its diverse population, New Mexico also prioritizes language access. Public documents and services are available in multiple languages, including Spanish and Native American languages.

But it’s not just about representation. The state has also worked to combat pay disparities, implementing laws and programs to address the gender pay gap. The New Mexico Pay Equity Initiative, spearheaded by Governor Richardson from 2009-2011, tackled pay disparities through mandatory pay equity reports for state contractors. It showcases a successful model for advancing pay equity and government transparency, serving as a template for other entities to replicate. While job segregation persists, the initiative reports positive outcomes with smaller gender pay gaps than national averages, no apparent glass ceilings and promotion practices that are seemingly fair.

In addition, New Mexico acknowledges the disproportionate impact of environmental hazards on vulnerable communities. Last year, the state created the Land of Enchantment Legacy Fund, a “first-of-its-kind fund [that] will provide resources to protect and preserve the lands and waters,” according to the Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.

5. Wyoming

The Cowboy State, one of the most conservative and whitest states in the nation, is surprisingly leading the charge in rural equality progress.

Last month, Gov. Mark Gordon secured a record $70.5 million to expand high-speed internet to over 11,000 Wyoming locations, closing the digital divide for communities and businesses across the state. The state was also awarded over $26 million to improve rural transportation and mobility needs, a portion of billions of dollars heading to the rural West. Closing the digital divide and enhancing rural mobility will improve quality of life and economic prospects for rural communities of color.

The state has also seen some progress in criminal justice despite high incarceration rates. For the first time in its 130-year history, Wyoming named a Black sheriff in 2021 and the Wyoming Department of Corrections claims to have one of the lowest recidivism rates in the country due to Wyoming Honor Farm, a minimum-security prison, that helps both incarcerated men and wild horses find redemption through a unique program where inmates gently train mustangs.