Editor’s Note: At press time, the following events and meetings were known to be still scheduled. Organizers or appropriate officials are encouraged to contact Sandra Hope at shope@pbcommercial.com or use our newsroom email pbcnews@adgnewsroom.com to make additions or changes.
Monday, July 28
Wastewater Utility board to meet
The regular scheduled meeting of the utility commission has been rescheduled for July 28 at 8:45 a.m., according to a news release from Pine Bluff Wastewater Utility.
Tuesday, July 29
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Event to address housing, food needs
The community is invited to the Jefferson County 100 Families Alliance Meeting, featuring a panel discussion on “Feeding the Rent, Starving the Table: Tackling the Double Crisis of Food and Housing Insecurity.” The event will be held at 11 a.m. July 29 at The Generator, 435 S. Main St., according to a news release from LaTisha Brunson, Ward 1 city council member and coordinator of 100 Families Alliance in Jefferson County. Local leaders and experts will discuss solutions and strategies for overcoming the challenges of hunger and housing instability.
Through Thursday, July 31
Registry seeks state women artists
The Arkansas Committee of the National Museum of Women in the Arts (ACNMWA) is accepting applications for its biennial Juried Artist Registry of Arkansas women artists. The application is available on the ACNMWA website at www.acnmwa.org/programs/juried-artist-registry. The deadline to apply is July 31 and there is a $20 entry fee. The application is open to all artists who are residents of Arkansas at the time of application. The registry will be featured on the ACNWMA website from October 2025 to October 2027, according to a news release.
Beginning Saturday, Aug. 2
Blues by Budweiser concerts set
The 2025 Blues by Budweiser concert series will be held at RJ’s Grill & Bar, 128 S. Main St. The doors open at 7 p.m. and concerts begin at 8 p.m. Port City Blues Society members are admitted free. There is a $5 cover charge for non-members, according to a news release. The line-up includes: Aug. 2 — Kent Burnside Band; Sept. 6 — Big Al & The Heavy Weights; Oct. 4 — Garry Burnside Band; Nov. 1 — Charlotte Taylor & Gypsy Rain.
Sunday, Aug. 3
Altheimer church honors mayor
New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Altheimer will host an Appreciation Day honoring Altheimer Mayor Zola Hudson at 2 p.m. Aug. 3. The Rev. R.P. Bifford is the pastor. The community is invited to attend.
Mt. Nebo honors its pastor
Mt. Nebo Missionary Baptist Church, 3201 W. Second Ave., will honor the Rev. Larry C. Battles on his 44th Pastor’s Anniversary, on Aug. 3. At 11 a.m., the guest preacher will be the Rev. R.P. Bifford, pastor of New Hope Baptist Church of Altheimer. At 3 p.m., the Rev. Clarence Holman, pastor of Rose Hill Missionary Baptist Church of Pine Bluff, will be the featured speaker, accompanied by his congregation.
Moscow church observes 138th anniversary
New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Moscow will celebrate its 138th Anniversary at 2 p.m. Aug. 3. The guest speaker will be the Rev. Lee Whitiker, pastor of Solid Rock Missionary Baptist Church of Pine Bluff, accompanied by his congregation. The Rev. Stanley R. Blair Sr. is pastor of New Hope church.
Monday, Aug. 4
Day of Caring cleanup to be discussed
Jefferson County Clean and Beautiful, the United Way of Southeast Arkansas, and the city of Pine Bluff will hold a planning meeting at 10 a.m. Aug. 4 at the Detective Kevin D. Collins Center in the civic center complex. The purpose is to discuss the United Way Day of Caring in which they work with volunteers to complete a service project. A cleanup event will be held in the 3rd Ward on the United Way Day of Caring, Sept. 25, according to a news release from 3rd Ward City Council Member William Fells III. This Day of Caring will focus on cleaning up the neighborhood surrounding Edgewood Elementary School. It will involve clearing illegal dumping sites and cutting overgrown lots. During the planning meeting, officials will share further details on the project such as individual sites, specific action items, and overall logistics.
Wednesday, Aug. 6
Chamber announces luncheon
The Pine Bluff Regional Chamber of Commerce will host its monthly luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 6 at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Business Support Incubator, 615 S. Main St. The speaker will be Jefferson County Sheriff Lafayette Woods Jr., according to the Chamber newsletter. Lunch will be catered by Simmons Cafe. The cost is $15 and must be paid in advance. Details: The Chamber, (870) 535-0110.
Saturday, Aug. 9
St. John to give away food
St. John AME Church, 1117 W. Pullen St., will give away food boxes to people in need Aug. 9 from 9 a.m. until all food has been distributed. State ID’s are required to receive one box per family. Pickup will be in front of the church on Cherry Street. For safety reasons, recipients are asked to stay in their vehicles and open their trunks. To help support the feeding ministry, people may send a financial donation to St. John AME Church-Feeding Ministry, 1117 W. Pullen St., Pine Bluff, Ark., 71601, or electronically through Givelify St John AME Pine Bluff. To volunteer, contact Pearl Matlock by email at pearl1948@sbcglobal.net to volunteer.
Tuesday, Aug. 12
TOPPS to give away food
TOPPS, 1000 Townsend Drive, will restart its monthly food giveaway at 10 a.m. Aug. 12. Distribution will be on a first-come, first-served basis, according to a news release. Food will be handed out in a drive-through manner. Each household is limited to one food box. Identification is required as proof of address. Participants must be present to receive the box. TOPPS (Targeting Our People’s Priorities with Service) is a non-profit organization. Details: Annette Dove, executive director, at (870) 850-6011.
Through Friday, Aug. 15
Community foundation offers grants
Nonprofits in Pine Bluff and Jefferson County can apply for Giving Tree Grants through the Pine Bluff Area Community Foundation (PBACF), an affiliate of Arkansas Community Foundation. Applications must be submitted between now and Aug. 15 at arcf.org/givingtree. Any IRS 501(c)(3) public charity, public school, government agency or hospital in Jefferson County is eligible to apply. Grants are not made to individuals or small businesses, according to a news release.
Saturday, Aug. 16
Old Saint James sets health fair
Old St. James Missionary Baptist Church, 4512 S. Ohio St., will conduct its second health fair and hygiene product drive for local schools from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 16. Admission is free and the event is open to the general public, according to StuffinTheBluff.com. Participants are encouraged to donate menstrual supply and hygiene products, which will be given to schools. Also, the health fair will include free blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol and prostate screenings. Experts representing social services and healthcare will be on hand to assist with insurance needs and answer questions. Law enforcement, fire safety and ambulance demonstrations will be featured on site as well. The OSJ pastor is the Rev. David M. Smith.
Friday, Aug. 22
Suicide prevention event set for churches
The D’Andre Seals Suicide Prevention Outreach Project (DSOP) will host Soul Shop for Black Churches from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Aug. 22 at the Pine Bluff Public Library, 600 S. Main St. Participants will learn how to talk about suicide from a faith perspective. Admission is free. Workshop materials and lunch will be provided. “Soul Shop for Black Churches is specifically designed for pastors, church staff, faith-based clinicians and other lay leaders in Black and African American churches,” according to StuffinTheBluff.com. Register for this workshop at Eventbrite.com. For details, email Kymara Seals, DSOP founder and chair of the board, at DSOutReachProject@gmail.com.
Friday, Aug. 29
Alumni offer scholarships
The Pine Bluff/Jefferson County UAPB/AM&N Alumni Chapter is offering scholarships. The deadline to apply is Aug. 29. The chapter will hold its 2025 scholarship gala at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 12 at the Pine Bluff Convention Center. Proceeds will go to the scholarship fund, according to a news release. The scholarships are available only to students enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.50. Eight scholarships of $1,000 per award will be presented. Submit your application to walkert@uapb.edu or deliver in person to: Dr. Tanya S. Walker, Scholarship Chairperson, UAPB – Corbin Hall Office 100. Details: Tanya Walker, (870) 575-8718; Chapter President Mary Liddell, (870) 643-2383.
Saturday, Sept. 6
Taste of PB, business pitch event set
The 1899 Project will present the Taste of Pine Bluff and $10,000 Pitch Competition from 6-9 p.m. Sept. 6 at the ARTSpace on Main, 623 S. Main St. “Get ready for an unforgettable night of flavor, innovation and community unity,” according to a news release on StuffinTheBluff.com. There will be sample dishes from Pine Bluff’s food vendors, entertainment, and networking opportunities. The event is is free and open to the general public. To attend, see details on Eventbrite. Sponsors include U.S. Bank, the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation and the Pine Bluff Black Chamber of Commerce.
Friday, Sept. 12
UAPB alumni plan scholarship gala
The Pine Bluff/Jefferson County UAPB/AM&N Alumni Chapter’s 2025 Scholarship Gala will be held Sept. 12 at 6:30 p.m. at the Pine Bluff Convention Center. The center has a clear bag policy, according to the news release. The theme of the gala is Journey of Knowledge: Empowering Minds, Igniting Futures. This event will recognize some outstanding community partners while the proceeds will reward some deserving University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff students (including 2025 graduates of Jefferson County high schools), according to a news release. Tickets are $40 per person or $400 per table. Tickets may be purchased from 3-5 p.m. July 2 in the Golden Lion Stadium breezeway or during the chapter meeting from 5:30-6:30 p.m. July 8 at the Pine Bluff Public Library, 600 S. Main St. Contact the following for tickets, to submit print ready ads for the souvenir booklet, payments and donations: Shannon Hendrix (870) 718-3472 or (870) 692-3099. Checks are payable to PBJC UAPB AM&N Alumni Chapter, P.O. Box 9288, Pine Bluff, AR 71611. All monies for tickets and ads are due by Aug. 15.
Beginning Thursday, Oct. 9
UAPB 1975 Class sets 50th reunion
The AM&N/University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Class of 1975 will host its 50th class reunion during UAPB’s Homecoming 2025. Reunion activities will include an invitation to the donor’s banquet on Oct. 9; recognition during the annual homecoming alumni assembly; banquet/gala on Oct. 10 from 6-9 p.m. in the STEM Building at UAPB; the annual homecoming parade and the football game. To sustain the class scholarship fund, each class member is asked to donate $1,000 to the Class of 1975 Scholarship Endowment Fund, according to a news release. The reunion registration form and donor form can be accessed via the AM&N/UAPB Class of 1975 Facebook page under “files” or members can email uapbclassof1975@swbell.net for additional information.
Through Saturday, Nov. 15
Brian Wolf exhibit on display
The ARTx3 Campus is hosting the 24-piece exhibition “Strange Awakening” by Brian Wolf at the Loft Gallery at The ARTSpace on Main, 623 S. Main St. “Strange Awakening,” his latest body of work, is the culmination of self-discovery, acceptance and artistic transformation that began in 2023. “Strange Awakening” will be on view through Nov. 15 by appointment. The exhibition is sponsored by the Kline Family Foundation, according to a news release.