Turner to speak at Justice Sunday
The Rev. Jesse C. Turner, executive director of Pine Bluff Interested Citizens for Voters Registration, will be the keynote speaker for the Justice Sunday commemorative church service at 6 p.m. Sunday at New Life Church, 2801 S. Olive St.
This event coincides with the Original KingFest MLK 42nd Annual KingFest celebration, which honors the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Justice Sunday service will focus on themes of unity, mentorship, and the significant contributions of the faith community to civil rights progress, according to StuffinTheBluff.com.
Turner is a community activist, civil rights advocate, historian, and former senior pastor of the 182-year-old Elm Grove Baptist Church in Pine Bluff. He has dedicated his life to championing justice and uplifting his community, according to the release.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Serving as the lead National Alliance of Faith and Justice (NAFJ) PEN OR PENCIL affiliate for Arkansas, Turner promotes education and mentorship to combat violence and foster positive change among youth.
In 2019, Turner became the first Arkansan to receive the 400 Distinguished Award from the 400 Years of African American History Federal Commission.
As president of the Pine Bluff Faith Community Coalition Ministerial Alliance, Turner initiated the Pastors on Patrol program, which deploys faith leaders as mentors in schools. This program has reduced violence and harmful behaviors by 33 percent, according to school officials.
(Portions of the biography were from The Heat magazine.)
Details: PBICVR, (870) 730-1131 or pbicvr@aol.com.
Russ Foundation plans forum
The Carnell Russ Foundation Vision Center in Star City will host a Community Empowerment Forum from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 24. The event is free and open to the public, according to a news release.
Featured presenters will be:
Earnest Sanders — a lawyer, sharing information on wills, estate planning, and key legal matters that help families protect their assets and secure their legacy.
Jamie Middleton – a grant writing and funding specialist discussing the basics of effective grant writing, where to find grants and funding opportunities, how to position an organization for successful proposals.
Pamela Powell – financial analyst with Primerica providing strategies on budgeting, financial planning and wealth-building to help families strengthen their financial futures.
Leatrice Russ Glenns is Executive Director of the Carnell Russ Foundation. This forum reflects the foundation’s commitment to education, empowerment and community advancement, according to the release.
For AR Kids seeks signatures
For AR Kids Coalition kicks off a series of signature-gathering events coinciding with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. community celebrations Thursday through Jan. 19 (Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Weekend.)
Volunteer canvassers and community organizers will seek signatures in support of the 2026 Arkansas Educational Rights Amendment in Southeast Arkansas at the following:
Pine Bluff — Thursday: Pine Bluff Public Library Community, 600 S. Main St., 5-8 p.m.
Monticello — Jan. 19: Sadie Johnson Community Center, 707 Highway 278 East, Monticello, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
For AR Kids will be in more than 20 communities across the state asking Arkansans to sign their petition, according to a news release.
The coalition consists of Arkansas Retired Teachers Association, NAACP Arkansas State Conference, Arkansas Education Association, Arkansas Public Policy Panel and Arkansas Citizens First Congress.
Signatures will be collected also in Baxter County: Mountain Home; Benton County: Rogers; Craighead County: Jonesboro; Faulkner County: Conway; Fulton County: Salem; Hempstead County: Hope; Madison County: Huntsville; Nevada County: Prescott; Ouachita County: Camden; Pulaski County: Little Rock and Jacksonville; Stone County: Mountain View; Washington County: Fayetteville and Springdale. For details, visit this website.
Free VITA income tax prep set
Residents are encourage to take advantage of the free Super Saturday Tax Filing from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Jan. 31 at the Donald W. Reynolds Community Services Center, 211 W. Third Ave.
The Pine Bluff Wealth Building Coalition is presenting its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) event, which will provide free income tax preparation services for low-income families and individuals on Super Saturday, according to a news release.
The service helps people making $67,000 or less annually. Participants must bring identification and Social Security cards for themselves and dependents, income information including W2s and 1099 forms, and other items such as last year’s return, bank information, and receipts.
The coalition is made up of several organizations, including Pine Bluff Interested Citizens for Voter Registration Inc., Arkansas Community Organization, Southeast Arkansas Jewel Foundation and the United Way of Southeast Arkansas. Details: PBICVR (870) 730-1131.