The Folding Chair: Recent Episodes
The Folding Chair
THE FOLDING CHAIR PODCAST "If they don't give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair" - Shirley Chisholm THE FOLDING CHAIR is a podcast that is accessible to everyone to engage people around the topics of racial equity, activism, civic engagement, art, storytelling and more in Arkansas. Powered by Arkansas Public Policy Panel hosted by Osyrus Bolly
Tony Hill, Jr. is the 17-year-old owner of TJ’s Mogul Enterprises, LLC and a rising senior at Sylvan Hills High School in Sherwood, Arkansas. He began his entrepreneurial journey with his first vending machine in 2021 after being inspired to create an income stream of his own involving something he loves-snacks.
Tony is a graduate of the 2024 Little Rock BUILD Academy, which empowers entrepreneurs to scale their business and reach their highest potential. After graduating from BUILD Academy, Tony participated in the program’s 30 second pitch competition and won 3rd place. 2019-2022, Tony was a participant in the 100 Black Men of Greater Little Rock’s SMART program and in 2021, he was selected for the “peer mentor” of the year award.
In May, Tony attended Arkansas Boys State, in June he attended the Steve Harvey Mentoring Camp for young men in Georgia and in July he will attend the 3-day Frederick Douglass seminar at Hillsdale College in Michigan.
After graduating high school next year, Tony aspires to pursue a trade and continue expanding his business.
Tony Hill, Jr. Owner of TJ’s Mogul Enterprises 501.313.3761
Arkansas politics, ballot measures, #BronnyJames, King of R&B, prayers for Senator Joyce Elliott and more on the The Folding Chair radio show with Brother Knowledge and Osyrus Bolly.
Osyrus Bolly and Brother Knowledge talk about the renter rights ordinance in Little Rock, the upcoming Downtown LR redevelopment proposal, new shelter for teens and adults in Central AR, Act Your Age on Netflix and more.
Kaye Chambers is a multi-million dollar top producing agent specializing in first time home buyers and military personnel and families. Proud mom and die hard Eagles fan. Go Birds.
Increasing homeownership among Black people requires a multifaceted approach that addresses historical and systemic barriers to accessing homeownership. By implementing equitable policy solutions in a comprehensive and coordinated manner, policymakers can help address the longstanding disparities in homeownership rates and promote greater equity and opportunity for Black people in the housing market. Kaye is dedicated to helping her clients the perfect home.
Follow on IG: @closedwithkaye
Email: kaye@closedwithkaye.com
Why Black History Matters
Celebrating Black history and sharing cultural resources is crucial for promoting accuracy in historical context, combating stereotypes, celebrating achievements, empowering communities, fostering understanding and inspiring action towards a more just and equitable society. Also highlighting Black art is essential for preserving cultural heritage, promoting recognition and appreciation, increasing representation and visibility, infusion in education, building community, and empowering individuals and communities to express themselves creatively and authentically. We celebrate Black History Month with all educators, artists, and allies exploring the works of Black artists/educators, who have used their talents to express the triumphs, struggles and experiences of the Black community. Enjoy exploring this list - Osyrus Bolly
Films
The Barber from Little Rock
We Have Just Begun a film about the 1919 Elaine Massacre & dispossession Rustin on Netflix
Shirley starring Regina King releases on Netflix March 22, 2024.
Origin official trailer
Bob Marley: One Love
How Quawntay "Bosco" Adams Helped Produce the Peacock Biopic from Behind Bars WE GROWN NOW drops April 19, 2024.
The Astronaut Who Lost His Helmet trailer and film coming soon
Sweetwater on Hulu
Literature
Everyday Is A Sunday by Obafemi Kinsiedilele
The Vegan Soul Food Guide to the Galaxy by Afya Ibomu
End of The Line: History of Little Rock's West Ninth St. by Berna J. Love Ananse Journal by Patrick Oliver
A Revolutionary for Our Time: The Walter Rodney Story by Leo Zeilig
Demonic Grounds: Black Women and the Cartographies of Struggle by Katherine McKittrick
Beasts of Prey by Ayana Gray
ARSNICK: The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee in Arkansas
Blood in Their Eyes: The Elaine Massacre of 1919 by Grif Stockley, Brian K. Mitchell and Guy Lancaster
The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America's Great Migration by Isabel Wilkerson
Ella the Banker by Liam Sprinkle and Shamim Okolloh
Music/Podcasts
MICHAEL by Killer Mike 3X GRAMMY winning album by Killer Mike Jon Batiste "World Music Radio"
Linger Awhile by Samara Joy
The Folding Chair podcast
[REDACTED] History podcast
Diversity: Beyond the Checkbox podcast
Therapy for Black Girls podcast
One Mic: Black History podcast
Questlove Supreme podcast
Candice Ivory - When The Levee Breaks (The Music Of Memphis Minnie)
Bilal + HighBreedMusic present: VOYAGE-19 The Music of Yuni Wa
The Folding Chair podcast examines the case of Marshall Ray Price, who died after what officials say was a consensual boxing match with another inmate at Greene County Jail in Paragould, Arkansas in December 2022. We recently spoke with Price's daughter Julian about her fight for justice and decriminalization efforts.
Marshall Ray Price died at a local hospital while in custody of the Greene County Sheriffs Department on December 8, 2022. Price’s injuries were said to be the result of a consensual boxing match in jail. The other “boxer” was said to have toilet paper and socks wrapped on his hands and hit Price twice. This is not consistent with witness testimony. Price died a very violent and painful death. The Sheriffs narrative and outcome is linked here give it a read yourselves. https://neareport.com/2023/03/14/no-charges-in-marshall-price-jail-death/
According to the coroner Price died of a ruptured spleen, multiple broken ribs, a brain stem injury and other injuries that are not consistent with a two punch boxing match. Price was only 2 weeks in on a 10 year sentence for possessing kratom, a supplement that’s legal ten minutes from his home another state over. Witnesses in the jail said they heard Price calling for help for 5 hours before help arrived and the manner in which Price was treated by medical staff was cruel and inhumane. Price died before his family was even notified.
We believe possession of kratom should not result in prison time for anyone, kratom can be used for pain relief, management of opioid withdrawal, depression relief, mood enhancement, energy etc. Price was in possession of kratom to sober up after a 20 year addiction when he was arrested in Greene County, kratom is legal minutes away in Missouri. Mitragyna speciosa (commonly known as kratom, a herbal leaf from a tree of the Rubiaceae family is a tropical evergreen tree in the coffee family native to Southeast Asia. It is indigenous to Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Papua New Guinea, where it has been used in herbal medicine since at least the 19th century. It has opioid properties and some stimulant effects. #KeepKratomSafe
Dr. Airic Hughes is an entrepreneur, artist, philanthropist, and faculty member in the Department of History at the University of Arkansas. His research examines Black geographies in America through the lens of federal interstate development in his hometown of Little Rock, Arkansas. Dr. Hughes is the founder and CEO of Visionairi Enterprises.
Final quote by Katherine McKittrickCheck out these links to learn more about Black geography and the importance of storytelling.
https://www.truvisionairi.com
https://www.micheauxfilmlabs.org
https://katherinemckittrick.com/
https://www.amreese.com/
Celestine Wesley, recipient of the 2023 EJ Miller Lifetime Achievement Award.
A Tribute to Mrs. Celestine Wesley featuring Dr. Raquell Barton, Lynnise Wesley, Velva Jones, Freeda Williams, Madison Wesley, Pastor Ricky Hicks, Denise McCoy, Bobbie Banks, Sherry Cobb, Lasonya Smith, Kent Moore, Cassie Bey, Bill Kopky and Kymara Seals.
Kirsten Keels is a proud NWA native turned Ivy League and international scholar. A first generation, low income student, Kirsten is a recent graduate of Princeton University and Fulbright Fellowship Recipient whose work revolves around global Blackness and popular music. Primarily, Korean Popular Music (K-pop). She seeks to reveal the ways that Black music acts as a foundation or undercurrent in much musical activity, even while that foundation is seldom explicitly acknowledged. Or better yet, how Black music has combined with local cultures to create new genres, movements, culture, etc. Black music IS popular music. As a vocalist, she also works to combine her love of music making and community (when she can). Kirsten currently works as the Program Manager for Equity, Inclusion, and Community and the Bard Queer Leadership Project at Bard College at Simon's Rock. She can be reached further at: kkeelsbusiness@gmail or give her a follow. Ig: k_keeels, tiktok: k.keels
Tyson Jackson is the Chief Operating Officer and co-founder of Black With No Chaser, playing a key role in managing the company, developing its leaders, and guiding its growth. He balances his demanding career with his roles as a husband and father, and is deeply involved in community and political organizing, especially within the Black community in the US South. As an advocate, he works hard to combat systemic racism and supports human rights, extending his efforts to fight for technological equality and against digital bias. Additionally, Tyson is passionate about art, merging his creative talents in digital media, music, and video with his activism for social justice. Visit the website https://blackwithnochaser.com/
Tiffeni Fontno
Creator, Educator, Librarian, Literacy & Curriculum Activist and Student
Tiffeni has worked as a classroom teacher, school librarian and technology teacher. She currently works in in higher education, in academic leadership.
She taught children's literature in HIgher Education and is an active member in the American Library Association. Fontno earned her doctorate in the Leadership of Organizations program at the University of Dayton's School of Education and Health Sciences.
Tiffeni is from Cleveland, Ohio and loves her hometown. Please support our librarians and protect our libraries, for more info visit uniteagainstbookbans.org
Do we really have to explain why Black History matters? This year the state government and Arkansas Department has declared war on African American History/Black Studies. On this special episode of The Folding Chair podcast, Osyrus Bolly gives listeners the latest news about the AP African American History course being taught in a few high schools in our state, why the it's under attack in the state of Arkansas and our next steps as education advocates.
Representative Vivian Flowers (D)
Rep. Vivian Flowers is serving her fifth term in the Arkansas House. She represents District 65 which includes a portion of Jefferson County and Arkansas County.For the 94th General Assembly, Rep. Flowers serves on the House Education Committee and the House Insurance and Commerce Committee. Rep. Flowers also serves on the Joint Budget Committee.
Rep. Flowers earned a degree in Political Science and Professional and Technical Writing from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. She went on to earn a Master’s Degree from the Clinton School of Public Service.
She currently resides in Pine Bluff
Katina Booth White is a proud native of Little Rock, AR. Her love and enthusiasm for STEM and youth inspired
her to obtain a degree in Middle Childhood Education, with an emphasis in math and science. Katina
began her career in education as an Integrated Science, Project Lead the Way, and Robotics Instructor.
In this role she successfully led multiple teams to regional and nationals awards in both VEX and BEST
robotics.
Katina was awarded 2018 Sherwood Teacher of the Year and 2020 Forest Heights STEM Academy
Teacher of the Year. Additionally, she was invited to be a keynote speaker for the 2018 March for
Science. She was selected as one oftwenty five educators across the nation as a 2021 Ford Unsung Hero
Award Recipient. Currently, Katina serves as Vice President for the National Technical Association-
Arkansas Chapter and Media Director of National Association for Gescience Teacher Education Devision
and on the DEI Committee forthe National Association for Geoscience Teachers.
In 2021, Katina merged her passion for equity/inclusion and STEM by accepting an offerity from UAMS
Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. UAMS is largest academic health center in the state of
Arkansas. She is the inaugural Curriculum Coordinator for the UAMS Pathways Academy. In this role,
Katina spearheads curriculum design crafted to pique the interest of youth in an effortto one day shiftthe
status quo of today’s health care workforce. She's created several award-winning, nationally recognized,
culturally-relevant STEM programs and opportunities for grades K-undergraduate. Using multiple
pedagogies, she co-creates intentional curricula tailored to impact and enrich historically excluded youth
(minority,rural, low socio-economic, etc.) in underserved areas.
In 2022, she co-authored and published 2 books: STEM Looks Like Me and Dear Sis, I love you.. Anthology
of Black Sisterhood. Katina is the mother of a beautiful, bright, and creative young girl named Jai. She
considers motherhood her favorite way to serve. She continually aims to provide an environment that
affords her daughterthe gift of positive self-efficacy, self-esteem and passion to learn.
It's this grounding that fuels Katina's passion to impact her community and students for the better. She
truly believes that everyone possesses a gift and a light that must be shared with the world for us all to
reach our greatest heights as a society. Her goal is to make sure that all children be given the tools and
provided the opportunity to lettheirlight shine and become unapologetic about who they were created to
be “A Manifestation of Greatness!”
Adaja Cooper is a national award-winning, published artist from Little Rock, Arkansas. Born in Magnolia, Arkansas, Cooper has always expressed a passion for art at a young age. Cooper's art has also been published in the Mahyue Magazine, the Little Rock Soirée Magazine, and Hendrix College’s Aonian Literary Magazine. She created multiple paintings for the Central Arkansas Library System, one which is featured on a billboard in Little Rock, Arkansas. Cooper has been in multiple galleries including the Hearne Fine Art Gallery, Mosaic Templars Cultural Museum, and The Baum Gallery. She was named a finalist for the 2022 Arkansas Times "Best of Arkansas" in the Visual Art category and was featured on the cover of the July issue of the magazine. Cooper is a recent graduate of Hendrix College and a recipient of the 2023 Thomas J. Watson Fellowship. During her fellowship, she will travel for a year creating public art that empowers different cultures around the world. Follow her on all social media platforms @adajacooper
- Support Adaja Cooper by visiting her website adajacooperstudio.com
ABOUT PHILLIP MOUTON
Trap Jazz is a hybrid of two generations of Black music. A new genre of sound birthed out of the original art forms of contemporary and Jazz standards with a baseline and core of traditional Hip-Hop. Phillip “Philli Moo” Mouton is one of the giants of this genre. Philli Moo is molding his legacy as a premiere saxophonist, in addition to his skills as a singer, producer, and drummer. He is the former student of legendary jazz trumpeter Clark Terry Ron Carter, the great saxophonist and music aficionado Gerald Johnson, and his father, pianist Carl Mouton. An alumni of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB), Mouton completed a B.S. in Music. While in school, he was a member of the M4 Marching Band and he is a current member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Hosea Long was born in Cross County, Wynne, Arkansas.
From early life, he’s entertained dreams that were at odds with others. He became a Star Trek fan from the first airing of the TV show in 1966 and has remained a staunch fan.
He attended the AM&N College in 1969 and graduated from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff in 1973, one year after AM&N became a part of the University of Arkansas. He later received a master’s degree in Interpersonal and Organizational Communications from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
He enjoyed a forty-one-year career in Arkansas government, working in several state agencies, including the governor’s office. Human resources management consumed most of his time in public service, 37 years. He enjoyed the last 23 years of his career serving in the human resources department at the university of Arkansas for Medical Science. The last 15 years there were spent as the associate vice chancellor/chief human resources officer. Retirement came joyfully in January 2013.
Hosea is married to Christene Long. They have three adult children. God has blessed this family with eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Hosea Long has been a member of Saint John Missionary Baptist Church since 1985, serving on the finance committee, budget committee and in several other volunteer capacities. His true calling is Sunday school teacher. He’s led the mixed class (married and single), “Connecting with Christ” for the last 30-plus years.
He enjoys the company of his wife, studying God’s word, blogging, and is an observer of all things spiritual. He now serves as the group leader for the Saint John Chronic Illness Support Group. He leads this group as a sufferer from a chronic illness himself. He was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, a form of blood cancer in 2000. He relapsed in 2018 and is currently living with a low level of cancer cells in his body, enjoying a high quality of life.
Retirement is the best job he’s ever had, and God is truly his BFF.
Billy Thomas, M.D., M.P.H., is the former and first Medical Director of the 12th Street Health and Wellness Center. He is a Professor of Neonatology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) and former Vice Chancellor for Diversity and Inclusion in the Center for Diversity Affairs (CDA). Dr. Thomas earned his Medical Degree at UAMS in 1980. He completed his internship and residency training in Pediatrics at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences/Arkansas Children’s Hospital. He subsequently completed a fellowship in Neonatal/Perinatal medicine at Case Western Reserve/Metropolitan General Hospital and later received a Master’s in Public Health from the Tulane School of Public Health. Dr. Thomas combines an active clinical practice with his duties as the Co-PI (Principle Investigator) on two NIH funded program grants. His clinical service is primarily inpatient and focuses on the care of critically ill neonates. In addition to his clinical responsibilities he teaches and mentors not only students and residents but also junior faculty. He also serves on multiple committees with a primary goal of increasing institutional diversity through the recruitment and retention of minority and underserved students and faculty. Dr. Thomas is the first Black Neonatalogist in the state of Arkansas.
Kaleem Nazeem was released from prison on August 10, 2018, after serving 28 years and 11 months. Today, his is a proud member of the Incarcerated Children’s Advocacy Network(ICAN). Since his release, he has received his associate degree in Energy Control from ASU-Newport and advocated for fair sentences for juveniles, prison reform, and social justice for impoverished communities. Kaleem works as a Movement Builder with DecARcerate. Additionally, he volunteers with the Arkansas Poor People’s Campaign, works with incarcerated youth at the Jonesboro Juvenile Detention Center, and serves as a board member for Compassion Works For All. This was a long overdue conversation, we encourage everyone to support the criminal justice reform legislation Kaleem mentions in this podcast.
Wesley Peters is a native of Little Rock, Arkansas and he is the Creative Officer of Revolt Renaissance Publishing.
For the "Arkansas Black History" Coloring Book - Volume 1 visit https://adaja-cooper-studio.myshopify.com/Learn more about Revolt Renaissance Publishing at https://revoltrenaissancepublishing.com/
The Why Black History Matters event will stress the importance of teaching Black history throughout the year and not just in February.
Joining on The Folding Chair podcast us for the #BHM conversation are special guests Stacey McAdoo and Kwami Abdul-Bey.
This discussion is meant to empower others through discussing strategies and activities to promote Black history education that will affirm, inspire and educate the public. Year-round discussion and study of Black history also provides important context for how we got to where we are today and a deeper understanding of the issues we still face in this country. We must also prepare ourselves for the legislative attacks on Black history under the guise of critical race theory ban in Arkansas and nationally.
Stacey James McAdoo
Stacey, our “forever” 2019 Arkansas Teacher of the Year, is the founder of the spoken word collective called Writeous Poets from Little Rock. She is also a 21-year educator, the founding Executive Director for Teach Plus Arkansas and the creator and host of the education podcast “A Mile in My Shoes: The Walk and Talk Podcast.” Visit her blog at www.stillstacey.com to learn more.
Kwami Abdul-Bey
Kwami is the Elections Coordinator/Organizer at the Arkansas Public Policy Panel. He is also a public historian and legislative drafter who serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Arkansas Historical Association and the Board of Directors of the National Lawyers Guild--Arkansas Chapter. In a past life, Kwami taught 7th grade social studies at Henderson Junior High School.
This is live discussion about Senate Bill 71,
Against SB71: An Attempt to End Affirmative Action with advocates Rosa Velázquez and Ryan D. Davis.
Ryan D. Davis, Little Rock Freedom Fund Co-Founder:
Ryan is dedicated to his family, his work, his church and the community. He's a native of Little Rock where he serves on the boards of various justice and community based organizations, including Arkansas Public Policy Panel, Arkansas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty, Decarcerate Arkansas, Mosaic Templars Cultural Center (chair), Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families(vice-chair). He's a Co-Founder of Little Rock Freedom Fund.
Ryan's writings has appeared in Crisis Magazine, Black Books Bulletin, Arkansas Times, Sphinx, Stand News, The Chicago Defender and Black Issues Book Review. He is the co-author of Conversations in Color.
Davis is an advocate for children, who represent the only future we have. He subscribes to the Kikuyu proverb “Work with the clay while it is still wet.” Ryan D. Davis is an ordained elder in the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, and the Associate Pastor at Bullock Temple C.M.E. Church.
Rosa Velázquez, Advocate and Community Organizer
Rosa is an advocate and community organizer. she leads impact work in Arkansas and around the country with more than 12 years of community organizing, power building, public policy and philanthropic skillset. Rosa immigrated from México when she was four years old, and has made Arkansas her home.
She is a locally and nationally recognized advocate for immigrant's rights and played a critical role in developing the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program. Locally, Rosa led the work for in-state tuition equity, DACA Nurses, DACA Teachers and professional licenses, now laws in Arkansas.
She is passionate about social justice, education and racial equity. She has a history of uplifting and cultivating undocumented youth, Latinx organizers, and mentoring powerful women of color. Rosa's current project includes directing The Movement Institute, a Black and Brown led community organizing accelerator aimed at building and shifting power in Arkansas and the deep South. Rosa and her rescue Siberian Husky, Whiskey, have made Little Rock their home.
More about SB71
If passed, this bill would ban the use of affirmative action in Arkansas. It will prohibit state governmental institutions from considering race, sex, sexual orientation or ethnicity, specifically in the areas of public employment, public contracting, and public education. It would gut state and local protections against discrimination. This will have a major impact on enrollment in medical schools and graduate programs for underrepresented groups as well.
Arkansas would become the 9th state to ban affirmative action if this bill is passed into law.
SB71 is an attack on equal opportunity that could end minority scholarships, support for women owned businesses, and diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.
Read the bill here: https://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/FTPDocument?path=%2FBills%2F2023R%2FPublic%2FSB71.pdf
Just Joy Hair is an innovative hair company that specializes in natural hair care products and services. With an urban and carribean feel, Just Joy promises vivrant hair experiences. Our Ceo LaRonda Joy Davis started the company with her clients in mind. As a natural stylist, she promotes healthy hair and protective styles. 90% of her clients were natural and were uneducated on how to manage their own hair. They trusted the products she used and inspired her to create her own. She started with Just Joy Hair Oil for her loc and braid customers. Just Joy Hair Oil promotes growth, improves the moisture retention, and aids as a protectant against the sun, bug bites, and skin abrasions. Her network loved the oil and inspired her to create shampoo and conditioners. With them in mind, Just Joy has 11 amazing products for them to enjoy. Our Products are carefully formulated with ingredients you can find in your kitchen or if you’re on an island, right in de yard. We are proud to share sensational paraben and suffocate products to our customers. Visit her website https://justjoyhair.com/ for more information.
Drekkia Writes- the poet, the artist, the creator and energy curator.
CEO of Seven of Arts, an educational consulting firm. She is the founder of the womens empowerment organization hey, sis! & The Melanin Land and a published author with the books 17 Mirrors and The Art of Securing the Bag.
Writes is an award winning spoken word artist. She served as the Arts in Education Program Manager for the state of Arkansas and currently serves as the youngest elected official on the Little Rock School District School Board and serves as a commissioner on the Arts + Culture Commission.
Her background is in teaching poetry and creative writing as a way to help modify behavior, address social emotional learning and to help increase literacy and communication skills. She is a graduate of the University of Central Arkansas where she studied Business Administration, Insurance and Risk Management.
She is also a radio personality on 96.5FM providing inspiration every Tuesday.
Writes main focus in life is to entertain, educate and empower the community through the arts.
Follow on social media:
https://www.instagram.com/drekkia/
https://www.facebook.com/drekkia
www.Drekkia.com
Brad Betts is an activist/influencer against racism, social injustice, and poverty from Camden, AR. He created the group Camden’s Fight Against Hate in response to a white supremacist group showing up at Camden’s annual Daffodil Festival in 2018. In this episode of The Folding Chair we talk about activism, racism, politics, emotional labor, mental health breaks and more in a raw and unfiltered conversation about South Arkansas and the nation as we enter midterm elections. Follow Brad Betts on Twitter & Instagram @870South
Issue 2 is an unnecessary, permanent change to our constitution that would eliminate the democratic principle of one person, one vote — allowing just 41% of voters to block important issues.
This November, protect majority rule: Vote AGAINST Issue 2.
We interviewed Kwami Abdul-Bey who is the Elections Coordinator and Organizer for the Arkansas Public Policy Panel.
Learn more, donate, or volunteer: www.protectARrights.org
All Arkansans want the freedom to make decisions that affect our lives, and ballot initiatives allow us to exercise that freedom. But now, politicians and wealthy special interests are trying to fool us into giving away our freedom to make decisions so they can get what they want, instead of what the people want. Issue #2 would permanently change our constitution to make it harder to exercise our freedom to decide on important issues that affect our state.
• Politicians don’t have to win elections by 60%
• #arleg doesn't have to pass laws by 60%
• Why should the people be held to a different standard?
Vote AGAINST Issue 2. #arpx #arleg #issue2
Tim Campbell is an activist and a native of Little Rock, Arkansas. Last spring, Campbell was the recipient of the Shannon Butler Bridge Builder Award for the Class of 2021, recognized as the school’s top honor. The award is presented to a student in each graduating class who has displayed collaborative leadership skills and exemplifies the spirit of bringing people together. Campbell was appointed to the City of Little Rock’s Racial and Cultural Diversity Commission in the summer of 2021. He was sworn in to the Pulaski County Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee in March 2021 and served as a member of Governor Asa Hutchinson’s Task Force to Advance the State of Law Enforcement in Arkansas, which presented its findings to the Governor in December 2020. In the summer of 2020, he led peaceful protests in Little Rock following the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery. He was presented with the 2022 L.E.A.D. Service Award by the Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission in recognition of his accomplishments and initiatives. In addition to earning his Master of Public Service, Campbell graduated from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff with a degree in health and wellness. He is a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer who served as a Community Health Facilitator in The Gambia from 2016-2018. Following his tenure with the Peace Corps, Campbell spent a six-month practicum with the Office of International Programs and Studies at UAPB, serving as a Senior Adviser to UAPB's Peace Corps Prep Program. Campbell is the Founder of the non-profit The Arkansas Movement for Change.
State Senator Joyce Elliott represents Senate District 31, comprising parts of Little Rock and Pulaski County. She was elected to the Senate in 2008, after having served three terms in the House of Representatives, from 2001 through 2006. In 2013 Senator Elliott received the Arkansas Municipal League Distinguished Legislator Award. In 2003 the Central Arkansas Labor Council honored her with the Marty Schuller Community Service Award. The same year WiLL (Women's Legislative Lobby) recognized her with its Pacesetter Award for leadership and commitment to the vision of a just, peaceful and inclusive world. Also, she was named by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette as one of the Ten Best Legislators of the 2003 General Assembly and the 2005 General Assembly.
In 2004, Elliott also was recognized by Women and Children First: The Center Against Family Violence for her advocacy. In 2004, Elliott was one of only 15 women state legislators nationwide to participate in the Foreign Policy Institute for State Legislators sponsored by the Center for Women's Policy Studies. She was also selected by the center as one of 16 women — six from the U.S. and 10 members of parliaments from 10 other countries — to participate in the GlobalPOWER Class of 2006, which focused on the status of women around the world.
Senator Elliott was honored by LULAC (League of United Latin American Citizens) with the 2005 President’s Award, was named by Power Play magazine as the 2005 Power Player of the Year, was honored by The Omni Center for Peace and Justice and Ecology with an Arkansas Heroes Award for Peace and Justice.
In 2005, she was honored by her alma mater, Southern Arkansas University, with a Distinguished Alumni Award; by the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame with the Founder’s Award; and by the Arkansas Public Service Association with an Advocacy Award. The same year, she was honored by the National Conference for Community and Justice with its 2006 Humanitarian Award, and the Democratic Party of Arkansas honored her with its Gressie Carnes Democratic Woman of the Year Award.
In 2006, ACLU-Arkansas named Elliott the Civil Libertarian of the Year. In 2007, Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families presented her its 2006 Legislative Friend of Children Award. Later that year, the Arkansas chapter of 100 Black Men recognized her with its Pillar Award for Education.
Senator Elliott was born in Willisville, where she graduated from high school. She earned an undergraduate degree in English and speech from Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia in 1973 and a graduate degree in English from Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia in 1981.
For 30 years Elliott taught high school juniors and seniors Advanced Placement and standard courses. She has taught in Florida, Minnesota and Texas. In 2004 Senator Elliott left the classroom and began working for the College Board, focusing on expanding access to AP classes for students currently underrepresented: African-American, Latino, rural and low-income students.
Senator Elliott has been active with the Democratic Party at the local, state and national level, having served as first vice chairman of the Democratic Party of Arkansas, a member of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and its Resolution Committee.
She is a member of Mosaic Church and enjoys reading, whitewater rafting, canoeing, traveling, walking/hiking, working out at the gym, listening to various types of music, dancing and seeking an overall balanced life. Senator Elliott has one son, Elliott Barnes of Little Rock.
The next chapter for Senator Elliott is the start of her non-profit Get Loud Arkansas. Get Loud Arkansas is a non-profit organization working to register new voters, engage low propensity voters and mobilize all eligible voters to utilize the power of their vote to shape the future of Arkansas.
The Pulaski County Voters' Guide https://www.vipvoter.org/voterguide was released in a collaborative effort from LRCA Indivisible, Arkansas Public Policy Panel, Little Rock Freedom Fund, NAACP Little Rock & North Little Rock branches, W. Harold Flowers Law Society, DecARcerate, League of Women Voters of Pulaski County and Arkansas Community Organizations. Physical copies of the Pulaski County Voters' Guide are available at any branch of the Central Arkansas Library System.
Voter education is providing unbiased, non-partisan information, voters are able to connect directly with the facts so they can:
- Register to vote
- Learn about the candidates and issues on their ballot
- Learn about their voting options, such as when and how to receive their ballot
- Learn about important dates and deadlines, so they don't miss their opportunity to vote
We educate voters across the state by providing the information they need to participate.
Loriee Evans is the lead organizer for Indivisible Little Rock and Central Arkansas, as well as the campaigns director for Arkansas Community Organizations.
Indivisible LRCA is a grassroots voter education and mobilization organization.
Arkansas Community Organizations organizes low-income and working families to work toward affordable healthcare, secure housing, and livable incomes. Promoting civic engagement is one of the ways they accomplish that work.
“End the Uyghur Genocide” is a youth-led activism project started in 2021 by students in Arkansas .
Mission statement: Our mission is to spread awareness and bring attention to the genocide of Uyghur people. We plan on supporting several bills within Congress and urging them to prioritize this issue. We are passionate about giving voices to those who cannot speak out and will continue until the Uyghur people are given the security, freedom, and peace everyone is entitled to.
Hadia Choudhary is currently a junior in high school. She is the founder of "End the Uyghur Genocide." Besides working on this project, she attends Quranic classes with an institute in Pakistan and with an institute in Canada. She is an official poet, a tutor, and a social justice activist. She loves to serve her community and spend time with her family and friends. She is also highly involved in her school activities, some of which include theatre, student Congress, future business leaders of America, the youth advisory council, French honorary, and student council.
Abby McMullin is a junior in high school. When not working on the End the Uyghur Genocide project, she can be found working on her school’s yearbook, teaching and playing the piano, taking pictures, reading, or listening to music. She is passionate about learning history, engaging in politics, and advocating for what’s right. Abby joined the Uyghur project in the summer of 2021.
For more information follow End the Uyghur Genocide on Instagram: @uyghur_project TikTok: uyghur.project YouTube: uyghur.project
Shandrea Murphy-Washington is an Arkansas native born in Pine Bluff and raised in Little Rock. She is a graduate of the Mills University Studies High School, UA Little Rock, and the Clinton School of Public Services. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology, a Certification in Nonprofit Management, and a Master of Public Service. She is the owner and lead consultant at Murphy Washington Consulting, an agency that focuses on improving the quality-of-life African American youth and families through holistic and culturally responsive programs and services. She also works as a Program Assistant for the African American Policy Forum, a New York based social justice think tank that connects academics, activists and policymakers to promote efforts to dismantle structural inequality. She is the author of Talking to Myself, a poetry collection that focuses on family and mental wellness.
Links:
Talking To Myself: https://www.amazon.com/Talking-Myself-S-M-Washington/dp/B08FNMPFRG/ref=sr_1_11?crid=2KHDMI7WL4U6S&keywords=talking+to+myself+poetry&qid=1644858963&sprefix=talking+to+myself+poetry%2Caps%2C110&sr=8-11
Murphy-Washington Consulting: https://www.murphywashingtonconsulting.com/
Email: smurphywashington@gmail.com
African American Policy Forum: https://www.aapf.org
The Red Summer of 1919 was a period where white supremacy terrorism took place in more than 3 dozen cities in the United States including Phillips County, Arkansas. The Elaine Massacre was by far the deadliest race massacre in Arkansas history and possibly in the history of the United States. While its deepest roots lay in the state’s commitment to white supremacy, the events in Elaine (Phillips County) stemmed from tense race relations and growing concerns about labor unions. A shooting incident that occurred at a meeting of the Progressive Farmers and Household Union escalated into mob violence on the part of the white people in Elaine and surrounding areas. Although the exact number is unknown, estimates of the number of African Americans killed by whites range into the hundreds(estimated more than 800 African-American people were murdered.
The conflict began on the night of September 30, 1919, when approximately 100 African Americans, mostly sharecroppers on the plantations of white landowners, attended a meeting of the Progressive Farmers and Household Union of America at a church in Hoop Spur (Phillips County), three miles north of Elaine. The purpose of the meeting, one of several by black sharecroppers in the Elaine area during the previous months, was to obtain better payments for their cotton crops from the white plantation owners who dominated the area during the Jim Crow era.
Lisa Hicks-Gilbert is the Founder of the Descendants of the Elaine Massacre of 1919, the group is dedicated to amplifying the voices of the descendants of Elaine Massacre victims, reclaiming our narrative, honoring our ancestors, honoring our ancestors, organizing and collaborating to support the historic and economic empowerment efforts of Elaine, Arkansas and the surrounding communities . Hicks-Gilbert learned that she is related to Frank and Ed Hicks, two of the dozen Black men who were convicted and sentenced to death after the massacre in sham trials. They are known collectively as the Elaine 12. If you want to contribute assistance to the Descendants of The Elaine Massacre organization, contact Lisa Hicks-Gilbert via Facebook: @Descendants of The Elaine Massacre of 1919. The organization is currently accepting donations via Cash App: $DOEM1919 or its GoFundMe crowdfunding campaign. To find it, go to www.GoFundMe.com and search for: “Help the Descendants of the Elaine Massacre!”
Sidney Moncrief
- Served as founder of over six successful companies from retail automotive to people development and consulting
- A life-long entrepreneur with over 34 years of company start-up experience
- Served on the Board of Directors of multiple organizations from a Fortune 500 company to community non-profits.
- Coach Moncrief has been recently elected to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. He is a five-time NBA All-Star, five-time member of the NBA All-Defensive team, a two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, and an NBA All-Pro.
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He is a former head coach and assistant coach. As a coach, Sidney Moncrief has served on the coaching staff of the Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors and the Milwaukee Bucks. He has been an international team as the head consultant in Beijing
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Sidney is also author of seven books:
- “My Journey to the NBA”
- ” Your Passport to Reinventing You”
- ” Your Passport to Becoming a Valuable Team Player”
- ” Your Passport to Back2Basics Leadership”
- ” Your Passport to Manhood”
- “Inspiring Tips for All-Star Entrepreneurs
- Reinventing You – No Risk, No Reward
He is currently managing partner of Moncrief One Team. Moncrief One Team is a people development company specializing in Team Enhancement, Leadership, Diversity and Inclusion, and Career Readiness.
Dr. Caree Banton is the Director of African and African American Studies and an Associate Professor of African Diaspora History at the University of Arkansas. She received a MA in Development Studies from the University of Ghana in July 2012 and completed her doctoral work at Vanderbilt University in June, 2013. Her research focuses on movements around abolition, emancipation, colonization as well as ideas of citizenship, blackness, and nationhood in the 19th century. Her research has been supported by a number of fellowships, including the Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship that allowed her to do research in West Africa, the Andrew M. Mellon Foundation Fellowship at the Robert Penn Warren Center where she joined a group of scholars across a wide range of academic disciplines in the Sawyer Seminar--“The Age of Emancipation: Black Freedom in the Atlantic World"-- to study abolition, anti-slavery, and emancipation for the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, the Lapidus Center Fellowship at the Schomburg Center and the Nancy Weiss Malkiel Fellowship for exceptional scholarship and participation in service activities. At the University of Arkansas, Dr. Banton teaches classes in Afro-Caribbean History, African Diaspora History, and race. Her book manuscript, "More Auspicious Shores”: Barbadian Migration to Liberia, Blackness, and the Making of the African Republic, 1865 – 1912, a study that explores continuities and mutabilities in black experiences of freedom, citizenship, and nationhood across the Atlantic world was published by Cambridge University Press in May 2019. Purchase Dr. Banton's book "More Auspicious Shores: Barbadian Migration to Liberia, Blackness, and the Making of an African Republic" at https://www.amazon.com/More-Auspicious-Shores-Barbadian-Migration/dp/1108429637
Stacey McAdoo is Teach Plus' Arkansas State Director and the 2019 Arkansas Teacher of the Year. Prior to joining Teach Plus, she spent 19 years in the Little Rock School District (the largest urban district in the state) as an accomplished classroom practitioner, college and career readiness coordinator, and the lead secondary novice mentor teacher for the entire district. As a professional development facilitator of over two decades, she designs and leads sessions that focus on best practices, instructional strategies, empowering student and teacher voice, and promoting equity and the success of diverse learners.
Stacey is the founder of The Writeous Poets (a spoken word & youth advocacy collective), an appointed board member of the Central Arkansas Library System, and a member of the National Arts in Education Advisory Council. Additionally, she has also served on the Arkansas State Board of Education, Teach Plus' Arkansas Teacher Policy Advisory Board, and the design thinking Phoenix Project.
Stacey holds a BA in Professional & Technical Writing, a MA in Teaching and is finishing up an advanced graduate degree in Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessments. She lives in Little Rock with her husband, Leron, where they are the proud parents of Norel and Jamee. Visit her blog atwww.stillstacey.comto learn more about her.
In America redistricting is the process of drawing electoral district boundaries. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 protected voters against racial gerrymandering by requiring states to prove that their changes to voting systems, including redistricting, do not have any discriminatory effect. The Single-Member District Mandate, a congressional act enacted in 1967, requires that representatives be elected from single member districts. Redistricting in Arkansas happens every 10 years following the release of the Census data. How and where districts are drawn determines where residents can vote, who they can vote for, and even how responsive elected officials are to their constituents’ requests. All communities deserve equal access to political representation. In Arkansas, maps are drawn by an Apportionment Board consisting of the Governor, the Attorney General, and the Secretary of State. Arkansas’ state constitution requires that state legislative districts be contiguous, meaning connected, and to keep counties themselves whole. All state and local districts must also adhere to the 10% rule – meaning that there cannot be more than a 10% population size different between districts. The Apportionment Board also considers compactness, maintaining the core of existing districts, continuity of representation, as well as respecting communities of interest. “Communities” may refer to social or cultural connections, racial or ethnic communities, religious identities, or even political attitudes. Communities of interest can also include things like public school district boundaries and military bases. Many local elected officials breeze past young voters under the assumption that they are fleeting and aren’t going to stay long, so they continue to cater to the older, wealthier, settled down community. But I ask – which came first, the chicken or the egg? Young voters would be more likely to participate in the voting process and engage in policy if their opinions were taken more seriously and discussed. Redistricting is a way to ensure that young people attending the Downtown Art Walks, Music Downtown at Sundown, Fall Fest, and going to places like Fat Daddy’s, Old Bank, and Cagle’s Mill to hang out will be collectively listened to. And not just listened to – heard.
Go to https://arkansasredistricting.org and use your mouse to click “make a public comment.
Next, scroll down to type in your name, city, county, state, phone number and ZIP code.
Next, leave a comment of 700 characters or less about your motivation for submitting a comment. Communities should get involved in redistricting if they feel their issues have not been adequately addressed by their elected representative. We should use this as an opportunity to address community issues in personal impact stories. Stories help demonstrate the importance of having elected officials who understand and respond to community needs. Sharing your community of interest testimony at is a powerful way of shaping your community’s district maps for the next decade to come
Leaving your comment on redistricting will only take a few minutes and it’s an opportunity to let your voice be heard to influence how our government can work for us.
By submitting your comment you’ve made sure your voice is heard in this pivotal redistricting process. Thanks for being an active citizen in the redistricting process in Arkansas,
Meet the beautiful and illustrious author, writer, and poet Alice F. Taylor, a woman who calls the small close-knit community of Hickory Plains, Arkansas her hometown, but Maumelle, Arkansas is where she now resides. Taylor attended Biscoe High School during the challenging years of segregation.
Taylor is the co-founder of the Zero to Ten Publishing Company along with her husband Johnny L. Taylor, author. Together the couple has been able to publish a number of their own pieces of work, though they consider their biggest accomplishments being the parents of two beautiful daughters, Dr. Amber R. Smith and Zina Taylor.
Taylor received her degree from the St. Vincent School of Nursing after majoring in pre-nursing at the historically black college, Philander Smith College in 1969. Shortly after her accomplishments, Taylor became the first African American female Nurse to join the Arkansas Guard and later became the FIRST to serve in the Oklahoma City National Guard. She went on to serve in the United States Army Nurse Corp for 28 years, where she retired as a Lieutenant Colonel.
Although Taylor’s resume speaks for itself, she also accomplished the title of Sales Director with Mary Kay Cosmetics, illustrating her gift of connecting with people while inspiring them to accomplish their own dreams.
In her free time, she enjoys doing recreational activities such as cooking, fishing, reading, writing, listening to music, mentoring the youth at her home church; Mosaic Central Church of Arkansas, and gardening. And, one thing most people do not know about Taylor is that she used to enjoy singing in her local choir as a young child.
Alice F. Taylor is a woman with many hats and it is safe to say she wears each one extremely well.
Visit this link to purchase Alice F. Taylor's book
https://www.amazon.com/Plea-Our-Sons-Mother-Encouraging-ebook/dp/B084KTPVGX
https://store.bookbaby.com/book/A-Plea-to-Our-Sons-From-
Inspired by her African roots, Liberian born fashion designer and stylist Korto Momolu (pronounced CUT-TOE MOE-MOE-LOO) is stamping her global brand in fashion. With a women’s wear and accessory line that celebrates the essence of her rich heritage through the use of traditional, luxury fabrics.
A graduate of L’academies des Couturiers Design Institute in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada [Korto relocated to Canada in 1990 following the coup in her homeland Liberia]. Advancing her field experience, she auditioned for and earned a spot on the 5th season of Bravo’s Emmy Nominated show Project Runway. Throughout the season, Korto's primary signature use of color and diversity in print, style and presentation made her one to watch. Her feisty spirit resonated well with the audience earning her the coveted “Fan Favorite” vote and ultimately a placement of 1st runner up.
Career highlights include headlining countless fashion shows worldwide in places like Jamaica, Cayman Islands, British Virgin Islands, Honduras, Canada and Liberia. Korto was commissioned by Alice Walton to design uniforms for The Crystal Bridges Museum staff based on her ability to design for people of all shapes and sizes. She served as the “Cheerios ambassador” for the Shoprite Partners in Caring “Knock out Hunger” campaign and continues to contribute her time and talents to countless charitable and philanthropic endeavors.
Highlighted as Top 5 to watch by New York magazine, Korto has been featured in countless international and national publications including Elle, Us weekly, Marie Claire, Arise, and Essence. Television appearances include Project Runway All Stars 3, Arise TV, Bet’s Rip the Runway, Bet’s Lens on Talent, All on the Line and countless more
Korto Currently resides in Little Rock, Arkansas with her husband and 2 kids.
Visit her website www.kortomomolu.com
Recently Patrick M. Oliver published On My Own: Vision Board Guidebook for Young People 5th Anniversary Edition and we caught up with him to discuss youth engagement, writing, vision boards, Arkansas and much more! Patrick M. Oliver is a literary and education consultant dedicated to promoting reading and writing as tools of empowerment. Through a variety of innovative projects Oliver engages children, youth and adults in activities such as writing workshops, virtual series, author talks, book discussions, professional development sessions and community forums. Currently serves as a literary and business development consultant for educational institutions, non-profit organizations, publishers, best-selling and award-winning authors. Founded Say It Loud! Readers and Writers a literary arts organization created in 1997. The City of Little Rock proclaimed April 29, 2017 Say It Loud! Readers and Writers Day.
On My Own: Vision Board Guidebook for Young People 5th Anniversary Edition
https://www.speakloudly.com/product/on-my-own-vision-guidebook-for-young-people/
Ananse Journal writing project for boys and young men
https://www.speakloudly.com/product/ananse-journal/
Our Voices, Our Stories, Our Visions
https://www.speakloudly.com/product/our-voices-our-stories-our-visions/
We discuss criminal justice policy in the Arkansas State Legislature 93rd General Assembly, with special guests Rachel Wallace and Hannah Feldman of UC Berkeley School of Law. In this episode we discuss the need to implement debt free justice in Arkansas specifically in the juvenile justice system. Rachel and Hannah educated us on how juvenile courts charge fines and fees to children and their families, who desperately need relief from these harmful and costly practices. This discussion is a part of a national movement for fee abolition and the promise of debt-free justice for young people and their families. Learn more about the bill introduced during Arkansas legislative session and how we as a community can support those efforts.
Senate Bill 455 would eliminate all fines and fees associated with juvenile court and juvenile detention. In the Arkansas code it states that the purpose of juvenile detention is to be rehabilitative and not punitive, eliminating fines and fees takes a step towards that goal intervening during a crisis in those formative years. The costs of charging youth and their families far outweigh the benefits. Monetary sanctions actually increase youth recidivism and although juvenile justice system revenue is low, the debt burden on families can be huge. This bill would order a halt to all collections and the discretionary fees some juvenile court judges impose. If passed into law the bill is retroactive so parents or guardians with outstanding fines would not be responsible for paying the remaining balance. The effort to transform the juvenile justice system presents more opportunities for juvenile diversion programs and community service that focus on rehabilitation for youth and offering parental responsibility training for guardians to encourage parent engagement. The movement for debt free justice is national, California, New Hampshire, Utah, Maryland and Nevada have all either taken steps to relieve juvenile fines and fees or eliminate them completely. Young people who are supported by their communities are less likely to become incarcerated are more likely to lead healthy, productive lives. We support SB455 because this is an effort to transform the juvenile justice system and it will strengthen trust and build a sense of unity among your community's diverse members.
Rachel Wallace, Clinical Teaching Fellow, Berkeley Law Policy Advocacy Clinic
Hannah Feldman, JD Candidate, Berkeley Law Policy Advocacy Clinic
Mayor Julian Lott made history when he was elected as the first African-American mayor of Camden, Arkansas in 2018. On this episode of The Folding Chair we learn more about Mayor Lott, his advocacy during the 2021 Arkansas legislative session and how we can all get involved in local politics. He says "don't wait on the baton" which is a call to action for all of us to get activated. Julian A Lott (born October 7, 1975) is the current Mayor of the City of Camden, AR; a Bishop/Pastor and a Mentor/Teacher born and raised in Grenada, MS. Mayor Lott soundly won the Independent nomination on November 6, 2018. He is serving his first four-year term as the First African American Mayor Elected by popular vote in Camden, AR. Since taking office, Mayor Lott is bringing a performance-driven approach to the job, creating a more responsive streamline approach and efficient delivery of city services while spiraling up the financial future.
As Mayor of the City of Camden he is dedicated to promoting high quality of life for residents and strong neighborhoods. Mayor Lott priorities are focusing on street repairs, economic development, community outreach and youth engagement, along with much more. He is committed to partnering with the community and other local leaders in obtaining soaring numbers for the upcoming Census Bureau in 2020.
He has been very active in the community serving in several capacities in the city. Pervious held office of President of the Camden Area Ministerial Alliance and currently facilitates the program of Getting Ahead in a Just Getting by World while pastoring full time in the Ministry.
Mayor Lott serves as Senior Pastor of Koinonia of Grace Church in Camden, AR and is a Gospel Artist. He is the Husband to Nancy Humphrey Lott and a Father and Grandfather. Moving here over 20 years ago to Camden, Arkansas “Where History Lives, Queen City of the Ouachita” Mayor Lott is looking forward to continuing to make history beyond serving as the First Elected African American Mayor of City.
Coffy Davis is an author, poet and playwright. Coffy Davis was born and raised in Oakland, California, Coffy Davis resides in Little Rock, Arkansas. She has an English Degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. In 2004 she became a trailblazer and created The Underground Railroad Neighborhood project (TURN Project) an initiative that bridged art and literacy with at-risk communities. She is a spoken word artist that competed and won in various local and national slams as a solo artist as well as a founding member of the local troupe, Foreign Tongues. She was the Assistant Editor for the Localist magazine which fused Hip Hop and Punk Rock music and was subsequently sought after to instruct a Hip Hop after school program that used the genre as a vessel to teach life skills-- a program that was featured on CNN's Black in America. She hosted The Urban Hang Suite KABF radio and sat as the Vice president for the Arkansas Community Arts co-op for three years. She has won the Senator Pryor Award for Community Service (2009), the Arkansas Arts Council Fellowship Award (2017) and the Nan Snow Emerging Artist Award (2018.) As an author her published written works include Freedom in 2008, MEdusa Reflections of an Angry Black Woman, Ghetto Politics and MEdusa Reflections in Poetry all of which were published in 2019.
We're celebrating #HispanicHeritageMonth Tue Sept. 15 2020 - Thurs Oct. 15, 2020 with this #RepresentationMatters episode with Rosa Velázquez.
Activist. Immigrant. Social Justice. Power Builder. Policy shaker. #AbolishICE #DefundThePolice #BlackLivesMatter #HereToStay
Rosa has been actively organizing and advocating for immigrant’s rights since the Federal DREAM Act Campaign in 2010. Since its failure in Congress, she became involved with the youth lead organization United We Dream, where she was elected as a National Coordinator for the Mid-South Region of the country. During her time as National Coordinator, Rosa actively engaged, advocated, and helped build a national immigrant youth movement, geared towards student activism. Her work ranged from writing and passing local city resolutions that help immigrant families, passing state laws like in-state tuition equity and building youth led immigrant college chapters throughout the country.
In 2012 she aided in the development of the #Right2Dream Campaign, where she played a vital role in the immigration policy change we know as DACA. With six states under her supervision, she led teams that helped thousands of dreamers apply for relief under DACA, including about 3,000 Arkansans.
Because of her work, Rosa has received numerous prestigious recognitions, including “Dragon Slayer in Education Award” by the CFC, “Arkansan of the Year” by Arkansas Life Magazine and “Arkansas Visionary” by the Arkansas Times. Rosa was also nominated by the White House in 2015 as a “DACA Teacher Champion of Change”.
Since 2015, Rosa has actively served as Trustee of The Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation where the mission is to relentlessly pursue economic, educational, social, ethnic and racial equity for ALL Arkansans.
During the 2019 Arkansas Legislative Session, Rosa led the campaign that assured the passage of the Arkansas State DREAM Act and DACA Nurses, now laws.
She now works for the immigrant advocacy organization, Arkansas United, as the Advocacy Coordinator with the major pillars of her work being direct state, federal and local advocacy, equity & inclusion and a black/brown power youth builders fellowship.
Rosa loves spending time with her family, going fishing, trying out new foods and reading. She and her Husky, Whiskey, reside in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Airic Hughes is a Ph.D candidate in the Department of History at the University of Arkansas. His research examines environmental segregation in modern urban America. Airic is an artist, philanthropist and the founder of @Visionairi. Visionairi produces media and events with a mission to promote and preserve black culture. Visionairi engages communities in areas of education, creativity and social justice. In this episode of The Folding Chair we talk about his research on the I-630 divide in Little Rock, the incARceraTed Series, the #FreeKennethReams campaign, the value of systems and what conscious blackness representation affects.
For more info on Visionairi visit their website https://www.truvisionairi.com/
TheFoldingChair
Kwami and Clarice Abdul-Bey, based in Pulaski County, are co-coveners of the Arkansas Peace and Justice Memorial Movement to document and mark where racial terror, lynchings and riots have occurred across Arkansas. Founded in 2018 APJMM embodies a statewide collaborative effort to acknowledge, and to learn from, our shared documented history of hundreds of incidents of extra-legal racial, political and religious violence and injustices. Clarice and Kwami bring a wealth of knowledge through their organization as well as with PHAT LIP Youth Talk Radio, Duafe Unity, Washitaw Foothills Youth Media Arts & Literacy Collective and The Shelter In-Place Virtual film Series all of which educate and empower the people. They believe that instead of trying to "give our youth a voice," to work with youth to provide the resources and tools necessary to harness, and then express, the innate power within their own voices. Kwami and Clarice Abdul-Bey are music lovers as well so check them out as Baba & Iya Cratediggers on their acclaimed radio show “Jadestone Vintage Soul” which airs on KABF 88.3 FM Community Radio every Tuesday afternoon from 2-3 PM CST. #History #BlackHistory
Furonda Brasfield is the Executive Director of the Arkansas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty (ACADP), the only organization devoted primarily to abolition in the state. In her capacity as Director, Furonda manages the day to day functions of ACADP, including community organizing, development, and policy development. Furonda led the group during their response to the #8in10 executions of April 2017, when Governor Asa Hutchinson set 8 executions to be carried out over 10 days, beginning with the day after Easter. Prior to joining ACADP, Furonda worked on a number of social justice issues, including economic equality, reproductive justice, HIV/AIDS awareness, criminal justice reform, and raising the state’s minimum wage (2014). She has also served as interim-director of “Traveler’s Rest Ministries”, a non-profit organization formed to assist in community development in disenfranchised communities.
A licensed attorney, Furonda received a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, and her Juris Doctor from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s William H. Bowen Law School.
In addition to numerous volunteer and civic involvements, Furonda is a member of Decarcerate, the Racial Disparities in the Criminal Justice System Steering Committee, the NAACP, WAND, The League of Women Voters, and Longley Baptist Church.
Welcome back to episode 2 of The Folding Chair podcast! The title derives from a #ShirleyChisholm quote "If they don't give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair". Shirley Chisholm is a true hero #MrsAmerica and an inspiration to many across the world. This episode our guests are Dr. Alexis Davis who is a professor, clinical psychologist and owner BBLVK JEWEL podcast, events, marketing and collective and Lorenzo Lewis founder of The Confess Project. We hope this conversation inspires the black community to invest in long lasting change around the topic of mental health and illness awareness.
Check out the first episode of THE FOLDING CHAIR hosted by Osyrus Bolly. We are interviewing Dawn Jeffrey - Activist and Founder of Nayborhood Activists. Dawn Jeffrey is a local activist and community advocate known for the passion she dedicates in all issues affecting the community. She founded Nayborhood Activists in 2019 which is a group created to help provide power to the people through information that can be used to create change in the community. Powered by the Arkansas Public Policy Panel