A Southern accent is a regional dialect of American English spoken in the Southern United States. It is characterized by a number of phonological and grammatical features that distinguish it from other dialects of American English.
There are a number of reasons why someone might want to get rid of a Southern accent. For example, they may be moving to a new region of the country where a Southern accent is not the norm, or they may be seeking a job in a field where a Southern accent is seen as a disadvantage.